Archives: Blog

Happy #FearlessFriday! This week has been totally nuts from the minute I touched down in LA, primarily because of my JetBlue flight that went viral. I woke up in LA to over 50 missed phone calls on Wednesday from people across the world- the power of social media is so real.

The real reason I went to NYC was NOT to go viral (haha!) but was to meet with Harper Collins to talk about the book proposal I had sent over to them. I landed in Manhattan at 6 AM, and my flight was scheduled to leave at 7 PM back to LA. A friend of mine who you guys probably know from my first Rachael Ray segment, Gretta Monahan and I occasionally team up on TV segments in New York with one of my favorite brands, Lane Bryant, and because I was already in NYC I figured I’d stop by and see if she needed help with anything before the segment. Turns out, the entire segment was switched around and she was missing models…because of my incredibly unpredictable life, I was asked to model curvy swimwear in a swimwear segment on TV for FOX NY. I used to model and suffered an eating disorder that I am so grateful everyday I got through, but I still suffer with negative thoughts regarding my body. I’ll never love my stomach, but I’ve come to love my body just as much as I love my mind. I would never have said yes to modeling swimwear because of how much I don’t like my stomach, and I definitely would say no to modeling with no proper hair & makeup glam, or even a swimsuit that fits…but this whole “Fearless Friday” movement is forcing me to get out of my comfort zone, I swear! The segment airs July 7th, but if you watch it you should really just laugh at me because I look so uncomfortable. Please send me pictures.  Halfway through my part, I just started laughing because I was that uncomfortable.

Have fun with your life: it’s OKAY to be scared. Being scared is what drives me everyday: if you were comfortable every minute, how are you going to change the world!?

P.S. My first ever book meeting went really well- I think I am on deadline to finish the entire book my September or October…but I’ve never been more ready to take on another challenge. #NotYourKindofNormal

I can’t believe it’s been 30 weeks since I began my podcast This is Life Unfiltered. You guys have supported me since day 1, and my podcast just reminds me everyday about how much love is out there in this world. When I get tagged on a video of you getting out of your comfort zone every week, I want to cry so many tears of joy! This is Life Unfiltered has become an extension of my weekly therapy session each week, and whether it’s just me sitting in my bedroom being totally honest and vulnerable with you, or sitting in a studio with some kickass guest asking them to explain their life story to me…each week brings a new opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone and learn something new. From Michelle Grant the founder of LIVELY, to Katlin Smith of Simple Mills, to Catt Sadler…to some friends of mine that inspire people everyday…woah. You never know someones entire story until you’re lucky enough to talk to them for 1-2 hours. I know this is only episode 30 and not like episode 50 or 100, but I can’t thank you enough and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

I adore each and every one of you and can’t wait to see where we all are in a few years from now…I hope I prove everyday that this career path I’ve chosen isn’t about the end goal: it’s all about the journey.

This post is part of a partnership with Henkel Beauty.

I was in Charleston on vacation while my assistant Alexa hit up the Henkel Beauty event in LA and sent me these pictures above! I’ve been a fan of Henkel for a while, so I was excited to have the opportunity to “join” in on the event from across the country!

Being invited on behalf of Joico (who just launched their new Luster Lock Perfecting Spray) for Henkel’s beauty event was a delight and a fun way to learn what goes on behind the scenes of these products. Upon arrival to the event, we were automatically given the opportunity to play this fun game where we could pop a balloon of our choice and the dollar amount in that balloon would be donated to Children of Hope under my name. Fortunately for me, I was able to pop the lucky balloon with an amount of $100. What a neat way to get more people at an event engaged! All fun aside, I then made my way up to the tour we were given. Henkel gave me the vibe that their products were not the only things that should be given the attention but their offices as well. Henkel does a fantastic job at providing a salon space for stylists to experiment with new looks, as well as sharing those looks through their photography studio where all your favorite social media posts and live videos are created. Since Alexa and I are very involved in social media (check out my Instagram) we love seeing art and graphics around us. That’s what keeps us inspired! Walking through the office was like walking through Wynwood Walls in Miami! This aesthetic is so neat. My favorite part of this tour was getting to see how “big sexy hair” enjoyed showcasing their products with pride on the walls. To conclude the tour, we ended up at the bottom floor to enjoy some hors d’oeuvres as we were talked to a bit more about the products they offer. 

Like we always say: how you feel on the inside is what matters, so like your beautiful soul and personality shine through on the outside!

On Friday, I was lucky enough to attend the Radio Disney Music Awards in Hollywood! I’ve been to events in the past hosted by Nickelodeon (like the Kids’ Choice Awards) but I’ve never been to anything related to Disney, so I was pretty pumped to have the opportunity to attend! Marshmello, Meghan Trainor, and Sabrina Carpenter are some of the performers who attended, so my friend Alexis and I got to see them all perform live on stage! When you go to events that are televised for TV, it’s really neat because you get to see what actually goes on. You’d be shocked to see how major a production is and what’s involved to get one hour filmed for TV! I always talk about how much work goes on behind the scenes that people don’t see, and at the RDMA’s, the production is so major and elaborate that you can’t help but be impressed with the Disney team!

I decided to wear this Clover Canyon dress below with a light blue studded jacket because I never wear clothing this color…I’d say colors like this are a bit out of my comfort zone (I might prefer sweatpants 24/7!) but since the RDMA’s are in LA where the weather is 85 degrees everyday, I figured I might as well wear the color of the sky right!?

Since I changed the name of the site, that doesn’t mean I’m not still into fashion…I really do love dressing up, it’s definitely one of my favorite parts of my job. Fashion is a representation of your personality, so wear what makes you feel confident and beautiful. There’s going to be times when you reflect on what you wear (I always do this) and think “what the heck was I wearing” but that’s the fun part about fashion: as you get older, you’ll learn what looks best on your body: every outfit won’t be totally killer, and that’s okay! All that matters is that you know that what’s on the inside is what really counts: everything you wear, from your outfit to your makeup, is just an additional layer of beauty that you add to your already beautiful self!

Though I don’t consider myself to be too much of a creative person if I’m being forced to draw, I like trying new things out all of the time. What I love about summer is that for most people, work and life slows down a bit, which gives you the freedom to try new activities out. It’s also a great time to put down your smart phone and get creative! DIY projects are a fun activity to do with your friends. Even if you aren’t super skilled, there are many crafty ideas that you can easily do with as little or much materials that you want. Below are some popular and easy DIY projects that you can do this summer!

Design your own phone case! Phone cases can be expensive and usually hard to find the perfect one that fits your personality. A quick search online will give you many options for inexpensive cases that you can decorate. I love this SJP Collection one below, but you could totally design it on your own. You can write something on it with a marker, add some glitter, glue on rhinestones, or maybe draw a picture on it. While there are many tutorials online, it’s always better to just come up with your own custom design. Share ideas with friends and spend the afternoon making the coolest cases!

Make a flower crown! Flower crowns have been popular the past few years for festivals but they’re also great for pictures, weddings, and other summer occasions! Use ribbons to measure your head for size. Then cut the faux flowers off their stems with an inch to spare and attach them with tape to the wire you will be using for your crown. Arrange them together so they’re at one side. Get creative with it! Maybe choose one color or select a variety of colors of flowers. It’s a simple but fun way to accessorize your outfit!

Going to a salon to get your hair dyed can be pricey and sometimes you just want a fun, temporary color. Go to the beauty section at your favorite store with your friends and find some fun dye for your hair! Maybe you always wanted pink, blue, or even rainbow hair. There are plenty of options now at the store for dye that wash out with one or a few shampoos. After you add some color to your hair, have a photo shoot with your friends. Pretend you’re a model and strike a pose. It’s a great way to see if you like a color and would want it longer. Plus, you’re saving so much money!

Design your own flip flops! Flip flops are great for wearing to the beach or casually in the summer. There are plenty of places to buy them for cheap including Old Navy, some dollar stores, Target, and Walmart. Pick up a pair and find some cool accessories to decorate them with! Your local craft store is a great place to find supplies. Flowers, rhinestones, glitter, and ribbon are all great materials to use to create a custom pair of flip flops. Share ideas with friends and see who can come up with the best idea for their flip flops!

Summer is finally here! That means it’s time for warmer weather, pool days, and just enjoying life! While all of us would like to find some time to travel as well, it’s not always a possibility due to money or not having the time. That’s why a staycation is a great idea for teens or your entire family. A staycation is a vacation where you stay in your hometown or just travel to neighboring towns within driving distance. You can rent an Airbnb, stay with a friend, or treat yourself to a hotel for the night. Here are some great ideas to relax and have fun while still being close to home!

• It’s always a good idea to disconnect from technology for a bit and enjoy the fresh air! Find a local park or beach to visit. Chances are, there are some great outdoor areas you’re missing out on exploring that are right in your neck of the woods.. Give yourself a chance to decompress and not worry about what’s happening on social media. Leave your phone at home for at least an afternoon if you can. Bring a regular camera with you(not your phone) and take pictures of your adventure!

• Be a tourist in your town or neighboring town for the day! There are probably some attractions locally that you haven’t visited yet. Open up your web browser, and head to the website that every state usually has that lists all of the free events happening that weekend in the state. Have fun with it and pretend that you’re not from the area! Make sure to take lots of pictures and maybe even buy some souvenirs. Try that restaurant you’ve never been to. Just make a full day of making new memories!

• Enjoy a spa day! Find a great spa or salon in your area and let yourself be pampered. Whether you just get a manicure/pedicure or go all out with a massage too, we all deserve a spa day. If you can’t afford to go to the spa, you can always create a spa day at home with your friends! Wear fluffy bathrobes, do each other’s nails, put on face masks, and pamper yourselves.

• Take a new exercise class! Most of us have a type of exercise or sport that we enjoy doing, but get out of your comfort zone and try something new! You might wind up finding your new favorite activity. Check out gyms in the area and see if there is anywhere that offers a drop-in class that you can take. Most gyms offer a trial period where you can try out the gym without paying. There are so many options with spin classes, zumba, barre, yoga, and more! It’s a great way to have fun and stay healthy too.

• Have a movie marathon with friends. There are always days that are going to be not nice outside so make the most of a day inside. Have everyone bring their favorite movies and settle in on the couch. Make ice cream sundaes or grab your favorite concession stand snacks! Pick a specific genre to watch or maybe just watch some summer blockbusters of years past. Getting comfortable in pajamas or your favorite sweatpants is the best way to enjoy  your marathon!

This summer, I’ll be trying out some new classes and bringing my friends over for girly spa days. It’s the perfect way to bond without spending too much money!

Good morning guys! What’s up! I woke up early today to prepare for the Radio Disney Music Awards this afternoon: it’s my first time attending, and I’m excited because I’ve been to award shows before but nothing with Disney. As you’re already aware…I have some exciting news coming out soon but hopefully me attending the show will keep you curious until I announce the news!

I recently found out I have to remain in LA full-time starting in August, which is going to be very odd for me because I love traveling. I’ll still be traveling, but not as often as I have been. I don’t mind the adjustment either, primarily because I’ve been getting sick every 2 weeks from jumping on a new plane everyday. No complaints, but I hate being sick this often!

If you ask any of my friends, they’ll tell you I’m the worst driver in all of America. Between backing into sheds, occasionally going through stop signs (I swear, I never see any of them) and playing music way too loud, you could consider my driving to be slightly reckless. However, I’m making a conscious effort the minute I buy a car to become very aware of my driving!

There’s a new app I found called Getaround, so in my attempt to get out of my comfort zone, I decided to rent a car this weekend to test out in LA. If you have a car, please let me know which car you suggest that’s affordable and not boujie. I just need a normal, standard car. I’m leaning towards a Mini Cooper or a Prius!

What are you doing this week that’s getting you out of your comfort zone? Hashtag #fearlessfridayswithalexa on social media and let me know what you’re doing!

I care about the influence I have on others, so every morning I wake up and think of what I can say or do to help young people feel more confident with who they are. This is why it’s important for me to find brands that align with these values. I was so happy when I discovered Knixteen!

Knixteen is all about giving you no-nonsense advice on everything teen-related while smashing the period taboo! Their period underwear is a game-changer for teens.

Here is how they work:

Knixteen’s ‘Oh No’ Proof Underwear for Teens fits and feels just like regular underwear. The secret is in the gusset (that area of fabric between your legs): the fabric is no thicker than a credit card, yet holds the same amount of liquid as 2 regular sized tampons

It is an absorbent, quick-dry material that soaks up any extra period blood that comes from tampon or pad leakage, so you don’t ruin your pants or have any “embarrassing” accidents at school.

Alexa’s Reasons to Get Knixteen:

1. Along with peer-pressure, bullying and school grades, one of the top stressors amongst teens is period leaks. Why should something so natural cause so much anxiety? Knixteen underwear stops period leaks from happening, so teens can relax while at school, summer camp and everywhere in between.

2. Environmentally-friendly

On average, women will use thousands of tampons, pads and pantyliners in their lifetime. Knixteen’s underwear can be washed in the washing machine, making them reusable and cutting down the number of disposable panty-liners they will use up in their lifetime. This is a double-win for the environment and your wallet.

3. Helps Prevent Any Odors!

Knixteen underwear are also sweat-wicking and odor-crushing. You can wear them to and from class then hit the gym and smell fresh as a daisy the whole time!

4. Totally Seamless Under Your Clothing

No one likes underwear lines, but you never need to worry about that with Knixteen. The underwear can be worn under anything, even leggings, without any unwanted lines.

5. Super Chic Aesthetic: No One Will Know What’s In Your Bag!

Knixteen comes in a cute, reusable pouch that also doubles as a DIY heating pad for period cramps! Just take a face washcloth, run it under hot water, insert it into the Knixteen pouch and volia — you’ve got yourself the perfect heating pad to fight off cramps.

Girls will always have to battle with their period, but Knixteen makes it so much easier to get through your cycle.

With fun and engaging graphics, Knixteen is so on-trend for teens everywhere. They’ll empower you to feel comfortable with your period, because your period should never feel shameful. You won’t regret it!