What you need from a Direct Sales Guy or Gal

How did I live my life without all of this stuff I have recently discovered by being on the inside of direct sales? I mean, seriously. I know everyone does an eye roll at the thought of one more Fabebook post advertising their crap, but this is the future people! Trust me, I do the eye roll too then remember I am one of them :) You have no idea how many people will see a post and that 1 post may be just what they are looking for at that specific time! Like if there was a potty training human I could have bought from a direct sales company  a few months ago, I would've paid BIG BUCKS for it. I recently saw a post from a fellow friend about why not buy from a Direct sales person? Why not try to buy a gift for someone through a friend to support what they are doing? Sure you may not be into everything that everyone is selling, but have you even tried it before judging it? I am so so guilty and only until recently has my mind been changed. I have found products that I am absolutely in love with. I started out by just buying from people who were buying from me as a thank you, not knowing I would be their regular customers as well. As most of you know, if you are my FB friend or follow me on IG @ashleyn2504), I am a stylist for Stella & Dot. Who doesn't want to grab their girlfriends and have me come over to style them and drink wine or cocktail of choice?? I mean, duh! I even do fundraisers to help anyone and everyone raise money for their cause of choice! I do not have any alterior motives, I just simply love fashion and helping people find pieces they love and that make them feel great! Sounds soooo cliché but it is the truth! I get emails and  photos texted to me all of the time of happy customers who are 5 years old to 85 years old...no joke. It is not for everyone and that is ok, but take a look at the things I have found and LOVE from a Direct Sales guy or gal and if something strikes your fancy, give them a shout. But remember, I am the ONLY Stella & Dot gal you will ever need ;)

Rodan & Fields: My worst habit is not washing my face. Never have and probably never will like I should but my drawer is filled to the brim with Rodan & Fields...haha. Why? I love the products that I have tried so far! I love the eye cream, the eye cleaning wipes, the redefine kit, hand cream, and now the roller! I thought it was just a little plastic thing and a joke until I rolled it on my face and had to text my consultant why my face was all red and bumpy...lol ( I have crazy skin and it was legit). See this is why you buy from friends! So you can text or call them and they will help you with whatever! Now I use the roller often and I never have a problem but my skin is always moisturized and not flaky anymore! My go to girl is Jen Penisten, so if interested contact her at Bestskinwithjen@gmail.com.

Usborne Books: If you have never bought books from them, Christmas is coming up and they are so awesome! Who doesn't love buying books? They have so many titles and the quality is top notch. The shine-a-light books are a favorite in our house. You take a flashlight to the book pages to discover hidden images! Need a gift or books, contact Tami Israel at Y4870.myubam.com.

It Works: I know you know someone who is a distributor for this company, I see more of this than anything else on my feed. I honestly have tried several things and it really isn't my thing BUT I have found something I love! The chew vitamins! I have been taking them along with my daughter takes 1 per day and it has helped SO much with her poop not being so hard....sorry for the mom talk :) So if you want soft poop for your toddler contact Dani Housley on Facebook! And one more wrap post and I may just try it before my October vacation ;)

Matilda Jane: The cutest clothing for littles! I have not personally bought the adult clothing, but that is because it is way more fun to shop for my daughter than me! If you love ruffles, lace and everything girlie, you will love this stuff. Plus, Joanna Gaines buys it for her girls, so you know it's cute!!! Haha #lifegoals My "Jane" as they call it is Jael Brose or trunk keeper #952 and you can order or send your wishlist here: jaelbrose@matildajaneclothing.com.

Lipsense: The newest lip gloss craze and it is a good one! Semi-permanent lip gloss in a variety of colors that you can mix and match! I am not going to lie, but the first few times I used it I was not loving the burn from the alcohol in the gloss, but the more you use it, the less you notice it! I love rose berry and can't wait to try out more! My Lip Sense gal is Kimberly Gleason if you need a hook up :) Just look her up on Facebook and she can add you to her group!

Advocare: I actually tried this before I started selling Stella & Dot because I was working as a nurse and as you all know we work long shifts sometimes and need a little pick me up! Now I need it daily being a mom and running around like a chicken with my head cut off, dealing with a toddler who has boycotted naps at the ripe old age of 2. Boo! The product I love is the spark and it is probably the best seller for them! I love love love the pineapple coconut with coconut milk!! It is like the "pink drink" but better and less expensive habit! I also like the blue raspberry. I do like the rehydrate if I am working out, which is not very often! Haha I buy from different people because some have kinds on hand that I love! Shasta Hilmer (www.advogirl35.com)  is my on hand girl and I recently met the sweetest gal Crystal Thurber (http://www.advokc.com) in Kansas City at a tournament and she was so kind to send me samples of each of the products! I can't wait to try them. Younique: This was one of those parties where I was invited by a customer and I bought a lip stain because I really never change my make-up or try anything new! But I am a lipstick whore. Well lucky me I freaking loved the stain and better yet, it stays on! So then once again, my friend invited me to shop her party, so I ordered the foundation because it was "all the rage". Well I picked up some from a local gal and realized I looked like an Oompa Loompa because it was the wrong color (until Summer came along). Well, long story short, I now use the foundation daily, the primer when I go out, eyeshadow, lip stains, lipstick, and concealer. My local gal is Kaylyn Moore and my other go to gal is Ashley DeJonge at www.youniqueproducts.com/ashleydejonge (because I loved her name, no really) plus she turned out to be the sweetest gal ever! Funny how Direct Sales brings you to meet new people!

LulaRoe: If you know me you would say, no way no how does she wear that stuff. Well you are partially right. I was at one of my first vendor events and there happened to be a consultant there. I was browsing her racks and saw they had adorable little leggings and dresses for my daughter! ( See there I go again buying her crap). Then I decided it would be really funny to buy a pair of printed leggings for my mother who I knew would freak out and tell me hell to the no. I know, I am such a good daughter :) So after that I wanted to do a joint party with one of the local consultants with my Stella & Dot to reach people who don't know that we offer jewelry that doesn't need to be dressed up all of the time! This was the first time I bought leggings (black) and a Julia dress! And they are both pieces I love! Lord knows people in the Midwest have LulaRoe dealers like crack dealers around here so these are 2 of my gals Alicia Trogdon and the ever so sweet Tricia Rivas (also the owner of the amazing Trixies Salon here in Des Moines.)

Beauty Counter: I love their lip gloss too! I am telling you, I have a lot of it :) I also use the body scrub that makes my skin feel super moisturized after a shower, plus it smells so good, I want to eat it! I really want to try the charcoal mask and the face oil. Those will be my next purchases :) I heard that Target had some of it on the shelves for a hot minute, so you know it's good stuff! I have only purchased through a party so the 2 gals I know who sell it are Maegan Carroll www.beautycounter.com/meagancarroll and Katie Nola www.beautycounter.com/katienola

Young Living: Ok, so I know there are 2 companies out there that are popular, Young Living and doTerra. I have read the difference and I am really not sure why I chose one over the other, really no reason at all. I think that my go to girl Brianne Koch posted something on FaceBook at the right time and the rest is history :) See, you never know who is going to be reading each post. I now own the starter kit, and since have placed 3 additional orders because diffusing is my jam. Every night at bedtime, I turn on the diffuser with new concoctions depending on my mood. My favorite is lavender, peppermint and lemon all together. I use thieves on my canker sores and they are so much better by the next day. I love them! Oh and don't be afraid to drink that pouch drink in your starter kit, Ningxia Red, it is delish. Brianne's website is oily inspired.com.

Keep: Last but not least Stella & Dots sister company, Keep :) Adorable charms and bracelets to fit each personality and situation and style. Plus it goes really well with our Stella & Dot arm parties :) These make great gifts as they are easy to build upon, so you can buy 1 charm at a time! I just bought from an online party's so I don't have my own personal Keep Collector but I am sure if you ask on FB if anyone sells it there will be plenty of suggestions.

Oldies but goodies that I have bought from before I started with direct sales is Pampered chef, Avon, Tupperware, Uppercase Living, and Tastefully Simple ( the beer bread). I am sure there are some that I am forgetting or maybe I am leaving out some since my Grandma and Mother will read this ;) Haha

So you may ask what the point of this blog post was? Well, people ask me all of the time what products I use, what colors and what are products that I love. I am frequently looking for party hostess online or in home, and I feel like with all of the options out there, people get totally overwhelmed and annoyed with all of the party requests they are receiving. If you don't love it, it's OK!!! Maybe you have a friend you know would love it, so order it for them as a gift! Connections or networks, whatever you want to call it, really has led me to friends who will be around for a very long time, and I am so grateful for that! So the next time you are invited to a party, at least take a look and see if there is anything you could buy! Support friends because you never know when you may be the next to jump on board the direct sales train. It isn't "selling" if you love the product and are passionate about it!

You can email me anytime if you ever want information on joining my Stella & Dot team! Ladyandred2504@hotmail.com. No boss, no quotas, and a lot of accessories! Or if you just want to browse my online boutique shop here: www.stelladot.com/sites/ashleydejong

XOXO

For Sale By Owner

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The struggle is real. I have debated on wether or not to embark on this new journey for over a year now. I seriously kept telling myself that when I really LOVE a new line I would just sign up to sell it, instead of just buying it all of the time for myself....well it happened. This new fall line is a "get in my closet" kind of love. I recently went to a Stella and Dot party and for the first time I got to see the bags, scarfs and accessories other than just their jewelry. I became even more obsessed. I watch a lot of Housewives reality shows because that's what you watch when you are one right?? Haha and if you know your Stella stuff you start seeing Stella and Dot everywhere! Just Google "celebrities wearing Stella and Dot", then click on images. BAM! Just ike this morning, Natalie Morales is wearing the new Aida Tassel Chandeliers 1 of the 4 ways you can wear them. Buy them here! IMG_8846

Which is why I can not believe that I run into people who still have never heard of the brand or company, which brings me to where I am now, selling it. Spreading the jewelry love. Why not buy and sell something I already love, for fun, extra money, and a great excuse to host parties with friends I don't get to see all of the time!!

My favorite part as a "stylist" is that I get to wear and play around with the jewelry and product before I sell it. If you have never bought or touched a scarf from Stella and Dot, now is the time. Seriously. I bought the Luxembourg Scarf to start off with because it is ON SALE and I wanted to experiment with it and see if I would actually use it.

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If you want to buy it, click the blue link above because it will be gone soon! ( I get the inside scoop now :) ) I wore it the entire day with my cut offs and a black tank and I got so many compliments! It really is easy Mom style and functional. It is 40 X 80 in size and fits every body type, really. I wore it like a shawl in Costco because I get cold, then I wore it around my neck when I was outside and loading my groceries, and again later as a coverup at the Country Club pool. I can't make this stuff up people! I am guessing the scarves will be one of the biggest sellers at my party in August!

Again as a stylist, I am excited to answer any questions or help with finding things you will love. I would love comments on posts on what to order for samples so I can help you decide on what to buy or wear! Do not hesitate to message me!

On to the totes/bags/clutches. I feel like I am a bag snob....or just spoiled by my hubby :) Either way I stick to a few brands that I love and don't stray. I am a Mom of a toddler I need a bag that fits on my shoulder since both of my arms seem to be always occupied. When I was ordering my samples for my shows I figured I had better buy a bag or clutch to see the product so I can honestly sell it to people. Again. Mind blown. If you are my trusty blog reader than you know that when I travel, I travel light and all in a carry on. I have my standby tote that I use and now I have found a new love. The Hudson Bag. Hurry up and order it as it is already on backorder (ships August 14th) from just being released a few weeks ago.

The bag is shown alone in the first photo and then with the clutch inserted into the pocket!

Why? You ask? Watch the video in the link and know that the City Slim Clutch fits in the front pocket of the bag giving it a totally new look and when you are traveling it can be a bag with the kids during the day, then take the clutch out for dinner alone that night with the significant other :) Black and white never goes out of style...ever.

And just when you thought Stella and Dot stopped there, they have the most adorable little girls line too! Of course I would HAVE to order some of that too :) Here is what I love, I spend about $15-$30 normally on necklaces for my daughter and those candy bead necklaces break every time she gives it a tug...which is always. The Stella necklaces are tied up with ribbon that can not break :) It also allows for me to adjust the length, not a metal clasp around her neck, and it grows with her. Plus who doesn't love to buy things in sets?? The newest thing to our collection is the Olive Pearl Bib Necklace & Bracelet Set.

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Easily my favorite thus far for her. So girlie and sparkly. I just wish I had it when she was a baby for those cute baby photos! Plus....it is on SALE!!!! Originally $34 now $20.40 for both the necklace and bracelet! Buy it now for a great Christmas gift, Birthday, or as a gift for a friend having a GIRL! If you want to see it on all ages of girls just Google it (my go to website) or look it up on your Instagram account! That is what all of those hashtags are for! #stelladotstyle

So if you are a Stella and Dot newbie, start with the the basics and build up from there! I would recommend the Rebel Pendant in gold or silver (depending on your taste). It is a great long necklace that can be worn with layers of necklaces of your own. Pick up the Renegade Cluster Bracelet in whatever color you ordered your necklace in. Add this bracelet to your watch hand for instant edge! Add some sparkle with the Amelie Bracelet! And as far as earrings go, start with something that gives you versatility. I love the Aida Tassel chandeliers from above and or the Bianca Earrings that can be worn 2 ways for my Nurse friends who can't wear dangly things, if that is even a word :) and they all go great with the Rebel Pendant!

Whew! Can you tell I am excited? Haha well until next time! Cheers!

If you want to host a party sometime, email me! Ladyandred2504@hotmail.com or FB message me! I have a lot of dates available and what a great time to earn free stuff before the holidays! Stella and Dot stuff makes perfect gifts for : Kids, Teachers, Friends, Family, and co-workers (if you like them) :)

Click here to start shopping! If you haven't already!