January Playlist

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while, you probably have seen playlist posts in the past, but it has been a long time since my last one. I purchased Spotify Premium on New Year's Eve, and I have been loving it! A band that I recently re-discovered is Young the Giant, and I have been listening to their "Young the Giant" album on repeat, so of course I included my favorite songs. Also, you guys have no idea how weird it is to be including a Justin Bieber song on this playlist, as I would not consider myself a fan. Anyways, I hope you give these songs a listen, and let me know if you do!

xoxo,

Alyssa

Outfit: Winter Grey

dress- Gap Outlet | tights | boots | necklace 

As I'm sure many know, California's winter is extremely mild. I wore this outfit to church on Sunday and I was plenty warm. I picked up this dress from Gap on sale last week and it goes with so much and can be styled numerous ways. I wore my favorite boots from J. Crew (they are the best omg). Oh, and I cut my hair! I love the "lob" look- what do you think?

xoxo,

Alyssa

How to Transition to Vegetarianism

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If you remember from this post, one of my goals for 2016 was to become a vegetarian. For the past 4 weeks, I have been a vegetarian and I'm loving it. I thought I would share the "transition" and how to become a vegetarian without struggling.

have motivation
One of the easiest ways to keep yourself dedicated is to have a reason for becoming a vegetarian. Are you doing it for your health? For the animals? For the environment? Not sure why you should be vegetarian? Here's the top 10 reasons why.

change your mindset
Instead of thinking "I can't eat meat", think "I get to eat healthy", "I get to save animals", or "I get to help the environment". Your mindset has the power to change your entire outlook on your new diet.

cut back on meat
Before becoming a vegetarian, the only meal that I ate meat at was dinner and occasionally lunch. I would say that I probably ate meat 5ish times each week. If you are an active meat-eater, try to cut down on how much meat you eat to one meal per day before completely cutting out meat, so that it isn't a drastic and restrictive change.

find meat substitutes
No, this does not mean to go try Tofurkey (I mean, you can if you want). Although our bodies don't need meat, we do need the nutritional value that we get from meat, such as protein and iron. Try to find foods that you can add to your meals, such as quinoa, spinach, beans, eggs, almonds, and tofu. Quick tip: while cheese does have protein, don't substitute it for meat- it's full of fat and can lead to unexpected weight gain.

find yummy recipes
It can be easy to be vegetarian and eat nothing but mac and cheese and french fries because, hey, technically that is vegetarian. I personally feel like an important part of being vegetarian is also trying to eat as clean as you can. I enjoy cooking and I think it's fun to make healthy and vegetarian meals such as homemade veggie burgers or stir fry! Some of my favorite recipes can be found here.

Being vegetarian is easier than you think! I haven't missed meat during these past weeks- I ordered grilled cheese at In-n-Out :) Good luck with your new diet!

xoxo,

Alyssa

The Perfect Stress Free Night

With the stresses of everyday life, it can be challenging to find time to relax. With my schedule getting busier and it being finals week (ugh), I have been trying to focus on relaxing more and not being stressed out. Either on Friday nights or Sunday nights, I like to take some time to do things that I don't really get to do during the week. Here are some things I do.

Take a bath
Showers are so much quicker and more efficient, but I definitely think that baths are more relaxing. I like to light candles and place them around the edge of my tub. I pour shower gel into the tub (shower gel works as bubble bath) and unwind from the week.

Listen to calming music
Spotify is my favorite place to get music. When I want to relax, I always listen to the Afternoon Acoustic playlist, which has slower, calming songs. Take a listen!

Apply a face mask
Although this is not pictured, I love applying face masks! My favorite is this one from Lush. It's a nice way to rejuvenate your skin and prepare it for the week to come.

Read a book
Whether it be a novel you want to read or a coffee table book (I'm reading this), take some time to do some reading that's not assigned for school.

Drink lemon water
I love drinking cold water before bed, and it tastes even better with lemon! Lemon water has so many health benefits such as clearing skin and helping digestion. Plus, it helps if you drink it out of a cute tumbler!

Scroll on Pinterest (or Tumblr)
Pinterest is one of my favorite ways to gain inspiration, and I find it so relaxing to just scroll aimlessly. I love looking at fashion, food, and just pretty pictures! Be sure to follow me!

Flip through magazines
Sometimes I receive magazines in the mail, and forget to ever flip through them! They can be great tools for gaining tips, inspiration, or for developing girl crushes (Bella Thorne is literally perfect).

What do you like to do to relax?

xoxo,

Alyssa

Why Every Blogger Should Use Bloglovin'

Chances are that if you are a blogger then you have heard about Bloglovin'. I believe that Bloglovin' is essential for every blogger, as well as any blog reader that wants to stay updated on multiple blogs! Here's why.

So easy

Bloglovin' makes it super easy to follow all of your favorite blogs, all in one place. Think of it as being similar to Instagram, except instead of a photo, there's a blog post. Every time someone you follow publishes a new blog post, your Bloglovin' feed will be updated with a preview of the post. I downloaded the app and I always read the new posts while I eat breakfast each day!

All in one place

I personally hate having a bunch of emails in my inbox. Instead of signing up to receive emails every time a certain blogger publishes a post, you can simply follow them on Bloglovin' and check your feed whenever you have time. For me, Bloglovin' is a lot easier and it makes it simple to follow many blogs, and it's all in one place!

Find new blogs

Bloglovin' recommends new blogs to you based on the ones you follow. I love finding new blogs to read, so this is a plus for me. Of course, your blog may show up on someone else's account as one that they would like, so new people can find and read your blog!

Gain more readers

Multiple times I have stumbled across blogs on the Internet and have wanted to follow them. After I search for them on Bloglovin', I realize that they aren't registered so I can't follow them. Unfortunately, I end up checking these blogs once every couple months, or forgetting about the blogs all together ): 

If you want to make a Bloglovin' account, you can sign up here, and if you would like to follow Lots of Lys, you can click here.

Do you use Bloglovin?

xoxo,

Alyssa

This post is not sponsored by Bloglovin'; I just really like the app and thought that I would share.

Lovely LInks

Happy Friday friends! I'm so excited about the 3-day weekend and a little break from school. I wanted to apologize for the lack of quality content over the last two weeks- school has been crazy! Unlike most schools, my finals are actually next week so I have had a lot of "prep" homework, projects, and on top of that, soccer season started for high school! Anyways, I will be using my extra day this weekend to get back on track for blogging! But on with the post... here's some links I've been loving!

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Katie's bloopers are too funny!

Read Caroline's tips for taking time for yourself.

In need of a cleanse? Check out Catherine's post!

I love this pink coat in Kelly's post!

Considering purchasing this bag from Madewell!

This is my favorite vegetarian recipe that I've made so far- YUM!

One of the projects I was working on was creating a website for National History Day. Mine is on Ellis Island and it's effect on the United States, and I'm really proud of how it came out! Check it out here.

I hope you guys have a great weekend!

xoxo,

Alyssa

On Trend: The Lob

I'm sure you may have seen a trend among hair recently- I know I sure have! Short hair is particularly in at the moment, and the one haircut that has been catching my eye is the "Lob" or long-bob. I'm considering cutting my hair shorter (but I also miss my long hair- the classic struggle), and I thought I would share some pics of this haircut!

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I hope you guys enjoyed these pictures and maybe gained some inspo if you're considering pursuing the Lob!

Do you like the Lob? Would you ever get a Lob?

xoxo,

Alyssa

January Mood Board

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Hey gals and happy Friday! Today I'm sharing my mood board for January, which are just some pictures that I have been loving that represent my mood lately! I have been loving the freshly cut hairstyle and simple curled ends add a nice touch. January is a busy month for me between finals and a ton of projects, so I have been busy trying to conquer everything. I love this simple, neutral outfit from J. Crew, and I have been trying to layer to keep warm. This bed just looks so warm and cozy- I would never want to leave. Also, I have had a bit of a travel bug lately (probably from seeing pictures of everyone's exotic travels over break) and would love to go to Rome (obvi). The last picture is just perfect between the cute twist-bun, the pearl earrings, and the super fluffy sweater- LOVE. 

xoxo,

Alyssa

101 in 1001

Hey gals! Today I'm sharing a list that I've been working on for a few weeks now. I'm super excited to have started a 101 in 1001 list! With some inspiration from a few bloggers (check out Preptista's and Samantha's), I have created a list of 101 things that I want to complete in the next 1001 (2.75 years) days! This is a fun challenge and I hope that I can do everything.

Day started: January 1, 2016 (age 15)

Day ended: September 28, 2018 (age 17)

Come up with 101 things.

Inspire someone to do 101 in 1001

. 

Run a mile under 6 minutes.

Collaborate with another blogger.

Commit/decide on a college.

Reach 100 followers on Bloglovin', Pinterest, and Twitter.

Reach 500 followers on Instagram.

Travel outside of the United States.

Go vegetarian for a month.

Volunteer at an animal shelter.

Get my first "real" job.

Pass my driver's test.

Do 3 more 'video' posts.

Buy the perfect pair of sunglasses.

Learn to do calligraphy.

Do 5 Pinterest DIY's.

Go bowling.

Travel to a new state.

Buy my mom flowers randomly.

Go to three concerts.

Purchase a new lens for my camera.

Go to Catalina Island for a day.

Go to a flea market.

Host a Tea Party.

Get a massage.

Be able to do the Downward Dog yoga pose.

Meditate everyday for a week.

Buy a drink/food for the person behind me in line.

Go surfing.

Hold a conversation with someone in Spanish.

Do a watercolor painting.

Be proud of my Instagram feed.

Go to a vegan restaurant.

Make a smoothie everyday for a week.

Grow a little vegetable/berry garden.

Purchase new eyeglasses.

Purchase something from Kendra Scott.

Purchase something from Kate Spade.

Make my bed everyday for 2 weeks.

Inspire someone to start their own blog.

Go ice skating.

Meet a celebrity.

Re-read the Harry Potter series.

Purchase something from Design Darling.

Go to the Rose Parade in Pasadena.  (January 2016)

Visit the Reagan Library.

Purchase 2 coffee table books.

Go whale watching.

Feature a friend for an outfit post.

Go apple picking.

Watch all of Gossip Girl.

Send snail-mail birthday cards to friends and family for a year.

Do a room tour post.

Make donuts for breakfast.

Go thrift shopping for an entire day.

Find (and purchase) the perfect pink nail polish.

Go sledding.

Participate in 3 link-ups.

Have 8,000 pins on Pinterest.

Buy a high-end makeup product.

Go to the zoo.

Be able to do 25 push-ups (not the "girl" ones!).

Jump in a pool fully-clothed.

Bake/make 5 recipes off of Pinterest. (2/5)

Subscribe to a monthly subscription box service. (Birchbox- January 2016)

Meet a blogger in real life.

Attend a college football game.

Own (or at least wear) Lululemon leggings.

Spontaneously throw a party.

Go on a road trip with friends.

Purchase a watch.

Wear a dress everyday for a week.

Celebrate turning 16.

Celebrate turning 17.

Stretch every night for a month.

Go on a mission trip.

Achieve eyebrow goals.

Not procrastinate on 3 projects.

Go golfing with my dad.

Post consistently for a month.

Actually put some of my stickers on things.

Go to LACMA.

Wear an outfit totally out of my comfort zone.

Spend a day in DTLA.

Go to brunch.

Meet a Youtuber.

Inspire someone to try vegetarianism.

Send a postcard to a friend.

Make homemade jam.

Say yes to everything for a week.

Go to the Santa Monica pier.

Carry a journal with me for a month.

Go to a sleepaway camp.

Try a new hairstyle everyday for a week.

Go on a picnic.

Order off of the secret menu at Starbucks.

Make macaroons.

Ride in a limo.

Go hiking with friends.

Do a 30-day ab challenge.

Run in a Color Run.

I am going to create a page at the top of my blog and I will update that whenever I complete something from the list! Sorry about the length of this post!

xoxo,

Alyssa

Easy & Healthy 2 Ingredient Pancakes

Pancakes are one of my favorite breakfast foods, but I usually only eat them on the weekends because they take a while to make and they aren't very healthy. I was on Pinterest and I saw a 2 ingredient pancake recipe and knew that I had to try them! After all, who isn't trying to eat healthier in 2016? These pancakes are healthy and you can make them in 5 minutes! Now into the recipe .... 

All you need is:

a ripe banana

2 eggs 

Next, slice up your banana and crack your eggs in a blender (I used my Magic Bullet). 

Blend up the ingredients until it looks like this.

Now that you have your batter, spray a flat pan (I found that these stick more than normal pancakes, so spray generously) and pour your pancakes. 

Once you have flipped your pancakes (I also noticed that these pancakes become browner than normal ones), you can eat them! They are pretty sweet from the banana so you might not even have to pour syrup on them!

I highly recommend trying out these pancakes!

xoxo,

Alyssa

New Year's Resolutions

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Hey gals, and Happy New Year! I'm so excited to have a fresh start in the New Year. I'm the type of person to set goals for the New Year, and I thought that if I shared my goals then I would be more likely to stick with them. So let's jump into the goals!

This is a very common goal, but I want to eat healthier. Especially around the holidays, I tend to eat a lot of dessert, and it's time to get back on track for the New Year. Something that also goes along with eating is to go vegetarian! I have been wanting to try out vegetarianism for a while now, and I figured that I would at least do it for the month of January and see how it goes- I'm so excited!

During 2016, I want to post 175 posts on my blog! I don't think that having a new post up every weekday is practical for me, but I will try my best to post at least 3 times a week (and more during the summer!). 

This may sound sort of weird (okay, it does) but I want to keep a solid Instagram feed. On my blog insta (@lotsoflys), I have gone through many "color themes", and I want it to just be a bright and fun feed! 

Happy New Year!

xoxo,

Alyssa