Thursday, October 29, 2015

Bad Hair Day Hairstyles

We all have those days where our hair doesn't cooperate and simply leaving it down will not do. Here are a few super cute hairstyles that you can do when you have a bad hair day!

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Spice up a simple ponytail by adding a ribbon and pulling out a few pieces to frame your face.

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One of my favorite hairstyles is to pull chunks of hair from above my ear and pull them back, but it can so easily be transformed into a cute bun.

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Instead of doing a french braid or a ponytail, you can combine it into one! Simply tie off your hair when it gets to the top of your neck.

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This hairstyle is a lot easier than it looks! Start at the top of one side of your head and grab a small section of hair. Twist it inwards and grab a lower section of hair until you get to the other side, at which point you put it into a bun.

What is your go-to hairstyle when you have a bad hair day?
xoxo,
Alyssa



Wednesday, October 28, 2015

#GalPalHoliday: Serena From Gossip Girl Halloween Costume

A few weeks ago I heard about #GalPalHoliday link up (hosted by Cathleen, Rachel, and Cristina), and I knew I had to join! The first holiday is Halloween, so I whipped up a costume post! 

For some reason, I have always wanted to wear a uniform. I don't go to private school, so this dream of mine will unfortunately never be fulfilled (except for Halloween!!). However, last week I posted a "life update" saying that I was considering being Serena from Gossip Girl for Halloween, and Katie left me an awesome costume idea going off of the uniform from the show!

All you need for this costume is:
-a white button-up
-a solid or plaid tie
-a solid or plaid skirt
-mid-calf socks
-a dark pair of shoes

I found everything for this costume around my house. I borrowed my mom's button up and shoes, and my dad's tie and socks. Be creative and look around your house- you'll be surprised by what you can find. 





Here's a side by side comparison. I know that they're not exact, but the idea is there!

I hope you guys try this costume out, and let me know if you do!
xoxo,
Alyssa

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Current Madewell Favorites


Madewell has solid fashion staples each season, but I'm especially loving some of their fall releases! This turtleneck sweater is convertible meaning that it can be worn regularly as well! I have wanted to try wearing a pair of hi-rise jeans, and I love this wash. How pretty is this dress? Seems like the perfect dress for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Although these booties are a bit pricey, they are super great quality and will last you forever! This cardigan is such a nice neutral color that can be transitioned to every season. I think these glasses and a top-knot are the perfect accessories for fall. I love the simplicity of this necklace!

Do you like Madewell?
xoxo,
Alyssa

Monday, October 26, 2015

Outfit: Prep in the Pumpkin Patch

Last week, my mom and I went over to a pumpkin patch/orange grove (in the spring) and explored. I had been many times when I was younger, but I hadn't been recently and it was nice to go back. It really felt like fall was here between the abundance of pumpkins and hay rides!












flannel (thrifted, similar) | sweater (old) | vest | jeans | booties | necklace

For fall, layering is essential. Not only is it stylish, but it keeps you warm. As for these booties, I have talked about them non-stop, but they're just so cute and in-expensive! 

xoxo,
Alyssa


Friday, October 23, 2015

How to Avoid Getting Sick

The season of colds and coughs is upon us once again. I don't know about you, but there is nothing that I hate more than getting sick, especially when I have important things to do! So today I'm sharing my tips on how to avoid getting sick.


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one: wash your hands
Washing your hands more than normal will help to combat the germs that could get on them. If you are not able to wash your hands a lot, try carrying around a hand sanitizer and using it whenever you feel like it! Try to avoid touching your mouth, especially when you've been around someone who is sick. 

two: eat your fruits and veggies
Eating healthy benefits your body in so many ways! If you fuel your body well, your body will be able to fight those germs better! Fruits and vegetables that are high in Vitamin C are especially great. 

three: take vitamins
There are many vitamins out there that don't taste disgusting, so if that's your excuse, try finding some that you do like. Sometimes your body just needs something a little extra to help it stay healthy!

four: drink water
What is water not a cure for? It seems to be the cure for almost everything. Make sure that you are staying hydrated and your body will reward you.

five: get sleep
Your body needs sleep, and how can you expect it to fight off sicknesses if it's not well-rested? So make sure to catch some zzz's, at least 6 hours. 

six: workout
See a pattern here? Everything involves staying healthy and fueling your body. Basically, treat your body right, and it will do it's job! Go for a run or do a workout video- whatever you want!

Stay healthy,
Alyssa



Thursday, October 22, 2015

Gal Meets Glam x BaubleBar Picks

If you have not yet heard, Julia Engel from Gal Meets Glam has just released a collaboration with BaubleBar, and everything is so pretty! I thought I would share a few of my favorite picks from the collection. 


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For the right occasion, I think that these earrings are too cute! I love the tortoise and pink accents.

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These bracelets are super simple and the neutral colors are great. These would make an awesome addition to your stack!

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This stand is perfect for holding necklaces and earrings, and I love how the gold makes it elegant.
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This necklace is definitely a statement. I think it would look super cute with a white shirt and a messy bun- it would definitely spice it up!

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How cute are these coasters? So fun!

What's your favorite item from the collection?

xoxo,
Alyssa



Wednesday, October 21, 2015

7 Tips For Clearer Skin

Hey gals! Today we're going to be talking about a topic that greatly intrigues me: skincare! When I first started getting breakouts, I did a lot of research on what was causing the breakouts,and what I could do to help prevent them, and I learned a lot! Here are a few things that you may be doing wrong that could lead to breakouts.

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one: clean anything that touches your face.
Talk on the phone a lot? Disinfect that screen! Wear a mask, or helmet for a sport? Clean any part of it that touches your face. If you wear a bike helmet often and you see that you're breaking out on your chin, clean that strap!

two: change your pillowcase.
This goes along with my first tip, but I feel like it's easily forgotten, so I made it it's own category. You (hopefully) spend at least 6 hours in bed each night, so if your pillow case is dirty, your face will be gross! I change my pillowcase every other night to ensure that it doesn't get disgusting. 

three: take off your makeup.
Skin needs time to breathe, and if you wear face makeup, then that time is at night, Take the few extra minutes to take your makeup off and wash your face- your skin will thank you. 

four: eat/drink less dairy.
If you are a teenager, one of the main reasons why you could be breaking out is because of an imbalance of hormones. When you eat/drink a lot of dairy (which has hormones in it), it will only add to this imbalance. So swap out the milk for almond milk and lay off the ice cream for a month and see if your skin clears up. 

five: clean your face before and after working out.
Don't ever wear face makeup to workout! If you're wearing foundation and you sweat, the sweat will be trapped between the foundation and your skin, which will cause your pores to become clogged. Wipe your face off with a cleansing wipe before you workout and after, and try to shower as soon as you can. 

six: don't touch your face.
This can be super hard to do because I do it without even realizing it. Don't lean your chin on your hand and definitely try to not pick your skin because that can lead to scarring, which no one wants. 

seven: clean your makeup brushes. 
If you wear makeup, make sure that you clean your makeup brushes, If you don't, bacteria can build up causing your acne to worsen as you continue to use them.

I hope you found this helpful!
xoxo,
Alyssa

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Outfit: Blue Lace Dress

Hey guys! This past Saturday I went to homecoming (here's a recap of it!). Where I live, homecoming is pretty formal, and my dress was on the less-fancy side of dresses that were still considered appropriate. I'm not incredibly into the super sequiny/poofy dresses, so I opted for a more elegant dress that I figured that I could wear again. 







dress | necklace (my mom's-Mikimoto)| heels

I love my dress that I wore (I'm obsessed, actually)! For the actual dancing part of homecoming, all of the girls changed into Converse, so I just wore these shoes for pictures and for dinner.

xoxo,
Alyssa

Monday, October 19, 2015

Homecoming Recap

This past Saturday was my freshman homecoming. The school that I go to had their homecoming back in September (which I didn't go to), but I was asked to a homecoming in the city next to mine. I went to elementary and junior high with my date so I knew him and a few other people! 





We went to one of the girl's houses and took pictures and ate dinner (and super yummy cake pops!). After, we went to the dance and took pictures in the photobooth and danced (and jumped- haha) for 3 hours, and I had such a fun time. It went by so fast, and I'm already looking forward to next year's homecoming!

xoxo,
Alyssa

P.S. Lookout for tomorrow's post which is going to be an outfit post featuring what I wore to homecoming!

Friday, October 16, 2015

The Best Booties

A few posts ago I rounded up the best booties that were under $50. Low and behold, I purchased a pair for myself! I featured them in an outfit post last week, and I know that I'll be wearing them non-stop once it cools down here! Oh, wanna know the best part? They're less than $25!


You can purchase them from Forever 21, but I would hurry and do so before they sell out!

xoxo,
Alyssa

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Fall Playlist


During fall I listen to a certain type of music, that I suppose could be described as mellow or relaxed. These are a few of my favorites lately! Yes I know... 3 Taylor Swift songs, but they're all so good that I couldn't leave any off. Oh, and the Monster Mash? It's a Halloween Classic that just couldn't not make the playlist. 

What's on your fall playlist?
xoxo,
Alyssa 

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

How To Get Ready Fast in the Morning

We all have those days when we just want to sleep a little bit longer... which turns into rushing around trying to get ready super fast. Or if you are looking to shorten your morning routine so you can catch a few more zzz's, then look no further!


put your alarm across your room
If your alarm or phone is right next to your bed, then it will be easy to hit snooze (5 times- I feel you). By putting it across your room, you have to get out of bed which wakes you up. The less times you hit snooze, the more time you'll have to get ready. 

pick out your outfit the night before
Although it may seem like a chore at night to do this, it will save you from "I-Don't-Know-What-To-Wear-Syndrome" in the morning which can lead to a mini fashion show for your cat as they watch you stress out over what to wear. So take a few minutes to pick out your clothes, shoes and accessories, and watch as you get dressed the next morning with ease. 

pack your lunch the night before
If you are like me and you take your lunch every day, it may be beneficial to make it the night before and stick it in the fridge instead of trying to whip up a sandwich in 30 seconds while simultaneously eating breakfast. We've all been there, 

pack your backpack the night before
Basically do everything the night before- almost. Nothing is worse than running late and scrambling to find your history homework that literally took you three hours the evening before. Each night before school, make sure that all of your folders, notebooks, and assignments are safely inside your backpack where they should be. 

skip the shower
If you are a morning shower person, try taking them at night. In the morning, you could wash your face and spray dry shampoo in your hair, or if you have to shower, skip the hair-washing and watch as you get ready with time to spare.

wear less makeup
I pretty much just wear mascara if I wear any makeup at all, but if you are someone who likes to wear a full face of makeup, then listen up. When you are running late, figure out what the essential parts of your makeup routine are. Gotta conceal that blemish? Go for it. Wanna fill in your brows? Knock yourself out. Just leave out the parts of your routine that might not be essential. Worse case scenario? Throw makeup in your backpack and apply it between classes or in the car on the way to school. Check out this post to see a 3, 5, and 10 minute makeup tutorial. 

xoxo,
Alyssa

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Life Lately

Hey gals! When I asked my readers to fill out a survey, I got a lot of answers saying that lifestyle, or posts about my life, were a favorite, so I will be trying to include more of them on my blog!


I got asked to homecoming a few weeks ago, so I have homecoming this upcoming Saturday! I have everything (my dress and shoes) and I'm super excited. Would you guys like to see a homecoming recap post or a homecoming outfit post (or both)? 

I have been super busy with soccer lately. Between club practice and games and early morning high school weight sessions, it seems like I have little free time. My high school's soccer program is pretty intense and I know its only going to get worse as the season approaches!

Halloween is coming up soon (I can't believe it!) and I'm still trying to decide what I should be. I was thinking maybe Serena from Gossip Girl, but I'm not sure how easy that would be to recognize. Any suggestions? 

I have been posting 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and I hope you guys are enjoying the extra content! Let me know if you have any blog post requests!

Lately I have been trying my best to "fall" up my Instagram (not quite sure if I'm succeeding), so make sure to follow me @lotsoflys !

xoxo,
Alyssa

Monday, October 12, 2015

My Favorite Youtubers

Before I discovered the world of blogging, I watched Youtubers (I still do!). There are certain Youtubers that I love watching, and I get excited when i see their videos in my subscription box. Here they are!

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Caroline actually goes to my school and I've seen her around campus a few times which is super cool! I love her videos- they're so bright and fun.
a few of my favorite videos: here and here

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I love Michelle's style- it's classy and very Madewell-esque. She is super mature for her age and I love her as a role model!
a few of my favorite videos: here and here 

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Lindsey has such an interesting style. I would classify it as edgy and chic. Her voice is oddly calming, and I'm also obsessed with her vlog channel!
a few of my favorite videos: here and here

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Danielle has a very preppy style if you watch some of her older videos, but now I would say that it's more trendy and chic. She also has a calming voice and makes great vids. 
a few of my favorite videos: here and here

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 Broke is probably my favorite "preppy" Youtuber. She has great videos all about college, high school, and preppy fashion.
a few of my favorite videos: here and here

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Katy gives great advice and I love watching her talking videos. She is wise beyond her years, and also has an interesting, bohemian style. 
a few of my favorite videos: here and here

Who are your favorite Youtubers?
xoxo,
Alyssa

Friday, October 9, 2015

Lust List #2

Every so often on my blog I compile a list of what has caught my eye when I online shop (which only feeds the addiction). So here's my second Lust List!


1. FitBit Flex
FitBits seem like such cool products! I am curious to know how far I walk each day and what my sleep habits are like, and this wrist-band will tell me! And of course I would get it in black because it would match everything!

2. Nike Sports Bras
Between high school soccer and club, I have been practically living in workout clothes. Although no one really sees them, cute sports bras are fun to have. Nike makes great workout gear and I love the color of this one!

3. Kendra Scott Elisa Pendant
When it comes to jewelry, I gravitate towards minimalist/dainty jewelry, especially when we talk about necklaces. I love this one from Kendra Scott- it's so pretty!

4. J.Crew Field Jacket
I saw this jacket last year and loved it, and it's just as cute this year. The color goes with everything, and it's the perfect weight for California's falls and winters! 

5. Anthropologie Mugs
During fall and winter I drink a lot of tea, and having a cute mug to drink it out of is obviously essential! Anthropologie always has the cutest ones!

6. Stacking Rings
As I mentioned earlier, I am a fan of dainty jewelry. I love these rings from Madewell because they are simple and I can see myself wearing them everyday.

7. Nike Workout Shoes
As I also mentioned earlier (so many references!), I have been working out a lot/wearing a lot of workout clothes lately. When we do the weight room at school, all of the girls have super cute running shoes, like these. I love the all black ones because they won't show dirt and they go with everything!

What's on your wishlist?
xoxo,
Alyssa

Thursday, October 8, 2015

My Morning Routine

For some reason, I absolutely love reading "routine" posts and watching the videos. I find it so interesting- is that weird? Anyways, today I'm sharing my morning routine for school, which is basically the same for the weekend too, but I just wake up later. 

Once I'm up, I typically go on my phone and check out all of my social media. 

Once I'm up and out of bed, I head to the bathroom and start off my day buy washing my face, and then completing the rest of my skincare routine.

Next I go downstairs and make myself some breakfast.

After I have eaten, I brush my teeth.

Next I go back into my room and pick out my outfit for the day and brush my hair.

Once I'm dressed and look presentable, I head back into the bathroom and apply deoderant, mascara, lip gloss, and perfume.

I then head downstairs and fill up my water bottle for school, and then I'm out the door!

Is your morning routine similar?
xoxo,
Alyssa