Archives: Blog

Boohoo shorts, Primark boots, Orla Kiely bag, Vintage Zara blazer

Well, it’s definitely not summer out here in Connecticut. Maybe if I had stayed in Florida I wouldn’t have gotten sick…it’s time to move, y’all.

This past weekend, my boyfriend and I headed down to Mystic for a little weekend away before the holiday. We stayed at the Inn at Mystic, which is the only place I stay when I’m traveling to Mystic. If you’ve never been to this town, it’s one of my favorite cities. I grew up going to Mystic with my parents, so being able to continue the tradition with my boyfriend is rad.

Mystic is the sweetest town. The people are lovely, the restaurants are always great, and the ice cream shop is one of my favorites. If you decide to stay at the Inn at Mystic, you can literally dine and dance within a vicinity of 20 feet. The restaurant at the hotel is phenomenal, and as you’ll see above, has a huge selection of delicious and tasty options for everyone. I ordered the pesto salmon, which was cooked to perfection, and literally silky smooth. The pumpkin cheesecake was another win.

Now that the holidays are coming to a close, goal planning for 2017 is beginning. But first, New Years Eve…what are you planning on wearing/where will you be going? If this cold finally disappears, I’m thinking a relaxed evening in NYC would make me quite happy. I may just wear these red satin shorts again, too.

I’m so sick. UGH! If you haven’t gotten sick at all during the holiday season (yet) just know that I’m very, very jealous of you.

I usually put my YouTube video up on Monday, but because of my cold, I wasn’t feeling well enough to try and edit. I got a velvet jumper thing by GUESS back in October, and never wore it because I forgot I had purchased it! I came across it while I was cleaning out my closet a few weeks ago, and figured it could be the perfect addition to a new video. I highly suggest cleaning out your closet for the new year…you may be very surprised at what you’ll find.

See the video below, and remember you can always swap out items to recreate a new look with one piece. I’ve worn my jumper with a skirt, shorts, a dress…the options are limitless. For $35, I definitely got my moneys worth. Even though $35 isn’t a ton of money, for the amount of outfits I got out of one piece- it was totally worth the splurge to me.

I hope you had an amazing Christmas!

Videography by my amazing new videographer, Akwasi. See his work here: fineboxstudio.com.

Xo,

Alexa

I feel like the holiday season is overrated. When will people realize that gifts cause more stress (and clutter) than no gifts? Maybe I’ve got a super incorrect perspective of the holiday season, but I constantly wonder why I buy presents instead of spend my time trying to convince people to save their money. Or donate the money to a worthy cause.

I sound like the Grinch…whatever. I still bought a ton of presents this season, because I don’t want people to actuallllyyyy think I’m the Grinch…it’s all about perspective, my friends. For those of you that hate the holidays, or maybe adore them, I’ve put together a gift guide for just about everyone. As I get older, I realize that personal gifts mean so much more to me than material items. I won’t deny I’d love a nice handbag or a pair of Louboutins, but if you give me a beautiful picture, or even a plane ticket, I’ll be even happier.

Let’s work from the youngest to the older, starting with the teens.

Teens:

Liz Clairborne Charging Wallet: $24.99

I mean, you can charge your wallet where you hold your money. That’s pretty sweet. I showcased this item last week in D.C. on Fox 5, and I’m not lying when I say I convinced JCP to let me keep the wallet after the segment…

Disclaimer: I’m biased about this gift. Go buy someone you love a pair of concert tickets to a performer that they love. For example, I’m slightly obsessed with G-Eazy. I know every word to every one of his songs. If I could date my boyfriend AND G, I’d probably cry with so many happy tears. I feel like concert tickets show the person you love that you truly understand them, and would prefer to spend a night jamming out with them than watch them go use a gift card to Macy’s.

For the shopaholic:

You’ve probably heard of Tobi before. Even better than Forever 21, I like to consider this platform as a mix between UO and ASOS. With quality clothing, fantastic prices, and trendy pieces, you’re bound to find something fashionable for the blogger in your life. I adore this shearling jacket that I recently received in the mail, and it’s SO warm!

Blunt Umbrellas: $99+ 

You wouldn’t think about buying your friend or family member an umbrella, would you? Well, think again. It’s definitely a different, and outside of the box gift idea. It may sound a little odd at first, though think of how nice it would be to have an umbrella that actually protects you from drowning in a rainstorm!? These umbrellas are sexy, sturdy, and bound to get you through every hurricane.

Nexbelt

One too many men in my life are super into golf, so during my research on the sport of golf, I realized that it’s basically the most expensive and bougie sport to play. Sorry, golfers. I picked up a Golfers Digest magazine and was immediately bombarded with an extensive amount of overpriced golf clubs, belts, UMBRELLAS, stick in the ground thingy, balls, and so many other items I didn’t realize you needed to simply golf on beautiful green grace. One of my best friends, Hannah of The Patten Standard, was my inspiration when deciding what item to choose for the man or woman in your life who golfs. Side note; why don’t I golf? Female golfers seem so cool to me.

Treat the golfer to a chic golf belt that is sturdy and matches with any golf outfit. You won’t regret this purchase!

COACH: $100- $1,000

Another one of my best friends, Abie, has a connection at COACH and happened to mention she has a 50% off discount to the store. A woman can never have too many handbags, which means you might as well surprise the lucky lady with a nice bag. If you’ve been paying attention to the line, they’re totally revamping this season. With edgy bomber jackets, quality black handbags, and sweet studded sneakers, any girl would die for a item from this brand.

For the adult (from the teen):

A Wallet

I really like the idea of buying your mom or dad a wallet. Personally, I always find myself wishing I had a new wallet to use. You can never be too organized. Bacchus & Barley has a major selection of rad accessories like luggage tags and authentic leather wallets that will make your boyfriend, girlfriend, mom or dad very happy.

A personalized item from Dormie Workshop: $50 + up

Like I mentioned, the more personal the gift, the better. Your parents are bound to remember why they bought you into this world (just kidding) if you treat them to a nice item from Dormie Workshop. I like the nice sweaters for both men + women.

P.S. I haven’t been sponsored by any of the brands above. I kinda wish I had been, though…

Xo,

Alexa

“So are you in college?”

“When do you graduate?”

“How do you make money?”

“Is this sustainable?” 

I’m pretty much constantly asked a variation of those questions above, and rarely any other questions. Growing up, kids in high school always thought I was super rich. I’m not sure why, I think because I always wore nice clothes (Forever 21!!) and never spoke to people (I’m a weirdo) they automatically assumed I was wealthy.

Then I dropped out of high school, moved to Manhattan, and ended up on the Rachael Ray Show. So, things didn’t exactly add up in my life. That made people think I was a trust fund kid even more, which basically killed me.

How unusual is it for a 12 year old to start a blog, and four years later, still be writing and now making a career out of it? Why are people so afraid to take leaps and do things they’ve never done?

Without social media, my job wouldn’t be a job. I’m not a rich kid from Connecticut. I’m from the smallest, most average town in the world, and I had a dream I said I’d never give up on until I made it. I plan to live the rest of my life like that too, and you should too.

No, you don’t need $20k to do that. I definitely didn’t even have $1k in my bank account when I got up and moved to NYC at 17. Take my advice and do what you love. Never give up. If you’ve got the passion, it’ll pay off.

Xo,

Alexa

How many of you wait until the day before Christmas Eve to stock up on your holiday gifts? Ummmm, raise your hand if you’re like me. The later, the better!

Even though I fail at gift shopping, I can certainly advise the rest of the country on what to buy. I appeared on Fox 5 in Washington today to showcase some of my favorite affordable holiday gifts for the special people in your life.

I’m wearing a dress by Ramblers Way, which is literally the only brand I seem to be wearing on shoots lately. Sustainable, ethically sourced clothing is all the rage today. I love the simplicity of this black woolen zippered dress; I’d wear it to an upcoming holiday party or work event any day.

Here are a list of products I showcased that you should go out and buy now!

L’anza healing haircare mist

Heat Holders accessories

Burlington pajamas, backpack + scarf

JCPenney Liz Clairborne charging wallet

Anchor Toffee almond butter toffee (made in Rhode Island)

Tone-y- Bands fitness on the go

Lands’ End customizable accessories

What are you waiting for!? Go get your shopping out of the way now!

Xo,

Alexa

One of my best friends just texted me and said “my family won’t stop complaining about my weight”. She’s an ex-model, and used to suffer with severe eating issues. I can’t even look at old pictures of her without cringing. She’s a much healthier weight now. I used to suffer with pretty hard eating + body image issues when I was younger, so I relate to the pain she’s going through with comments. When your family comments negatively on your physical appearance, it doesn’t feel so great.

You may think someone has lost weight, or gained weight, but that doesn’t mean you have to make comments about their appearance. You never know what someone may be going through, either. What if they’ve got a health issue, or simply just love food? Who cares. It’s their body, not yours.

I don’t usually feature food that I don’t eat. As someone who used to follow a (very) strict gluten-free + vegan diet, I no longer feel required to eat tofu + rice for dinner. I’d much rather eat a steak salad and some dark chocolate or peanut butter cups than stuff my face with food that tastes bland. The moral of the story; I may not be the size 2 I used to be when I was modeling, and I may “erase” whatever progress I’ve made in the gym by eating a burger and milkshake afterwards, but that’s my decision. I own and adore that decision!

LOVE YOURSELF!

I’m heading to Washington right now for a segment with Fox 5 tomorrow morning! Tune in to catch me talking about the most affordable gifts for your friends and family. I’ll be putting up some more gift guide type posts as the holidays draw closer, so stay tuned for those. If you’re looking for some style inspiration for your dad/boyfriend (I always am) have you thought about a watch? I’m a huge fan of the styles found on this page.  Who do you think the toughest person to shop for is?

Xo, Alexa

Twitter ||  Instagram

Women are amazing. Women are powerful. Women are strong.

Women are leaders. 

When I started blogging, I never anticipated running a company. I never anticipated being a leader, trying to inspire people, or making money for doing something I am truly passionate about.

I had a dream; to inspire young adults (by my story) to follow their dreams. What began with me posting outfit pictures of myself online, turned into a platform of wisdom for me, and most importantly, you.

I was invited to cover the MA Conference for Women on Wednesday in Boston, and I was honored to be invited to spend the day surrounded by so many inspirational woman. 11k women showed up! I didn’t realize how many women there are out there trying to start companies, get their dreams funded, or follow whatever they intend on doing for the rest of their life. It was truly amazing. Annie Clark of End Rape on Campus, Gayle King, Sara Blakely of Spanx, and Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank were just some of the people who spoke. I left each talk feeling inspired and motivated to keep pushing. Someone like Sara Blakely started Spanx with $5k in her pocket, and now she’s one of the most popular female billionaires. Do you see what the power of persistence can be? You can’t give up on your dreams.

Have an amazing weekend!

Xo,

Alexa

Twitter || Instagram

BCBGeneration via Charlotte’s Closet dress, Novesta sneakers

I already miss Austin. I would move to that city if it was on the East Coast in a heartbeat.

There are so many neat and trendy places to go to. I featured a bunch in my YouTube video below, but some of my favorites are;

Irene’s

Poke-Poke

La Condesa

Radio Coffee

If you’ve been to Austin and haven’t been to any of the above, it’s time you do. My boyfriend and I ended up running through the rain the majority of the time (I can’t believe it rained the only three days I was in Texas!) so we are slightly biased towards what to do in the rain, but you could spend hours at all of these hotspots regardless of the weather…

Besides eating, I definitely suggest checking out the Austin murals; the amount of art scattered around the city is captivating. Every picture means something (positive and negative artwork) and a few of the murals spoke to me. Like the one above, that I found after brunch one day.

I do not accept mediocrity.

Maybe you’re an entrepreanur, or just a person trying to make waves in the world, and you need a bit of advice. I constantly seek advice from people around me, because everyone knows something that you just don’t know. That doesn’t mean you aren’t smart; that means that we are all actively learning each day. Actively learning means actively accepting; don’t worry about being perfect. Don’t worry about reaching a new level everyday instead of trying to expand on the level you’re already at.

Love yourself. Accept who you are. Get ready to grow in your mind and your power, if you haven’t started already. Meet people. Network. Make business cards, even if you don’t have a business. You never know who you are going to meet.

Make sure to watch my YouTube video if you haven’t seen it yet!!

Xo,

Alexa

Twitter || Instagram

Austin, you were so fun! I’ll let you watch the video before I explain too much, but Austin, TX is by far one of my favorite cities in the world. Between the unreal food (tacos, tacos, and more tacos!), beautiful artwork, and hipster people, it’s time you make your way to Austin if you haven’t been already.

HUGE thanks to the vendors on the list below for letting us stay/eat/explore- you made this video possible!

Hotel Sonesta Bee Cave

La Condesa

Poke-Poke

Charlotte’s Closet

Veracruz Tacos (not pictured, but phenomenal and affordable Mexican food truck)

Xo,

Alexa
Twitter || Instagram

I am wearing a dress by Ramblers Way and shoes via Boohoo.

Ramblers Way dress, Boohoo shoes

Hair + makeup by the amazing Melissa + Alejandro, who are both so lovely. Check out their Instagram pages and if you’re in Houston, I highly suggest booking them to take care of your glam!

I just wrapped up a fantastic segment with Great Day Houston on holiday style! Here is the link to the segment: http://bit.ly/2fUwkAr. I worked with an amazing team, and some lovely models from C2 Models in Houston. You don’t realize how important it is to work with a strong and passionate team until you own your own business. It truly makes a difference!

My models are pictured in clothing from JCPenney, Burlington Coat Factory, and We Are Knitters. Dressing for the holidays, or a holiday getaway, can be super easy and affordable as long as you take the time to do some research. Right now,  Burlington Coat Factory is hosting their 10th Annual Warm Coats + Warm Hearts fundraiser, where you can get 10% off of your purchase if you donate any gently worn clothing to a dropbox outside of the store. It feels great to give and give back this season.

Another thank you to the Sonesta ES Suites for hosting me for the evening, and TJD Transportation for driving me around to appointments and getting me safely to the studio!

I’m off to Austin to celebrate the past few weeks, but tune in on Instagram and Snapchat at alexa_curtis to see what I wear touring around my favorite city for the next few days!

Xo,

Alexa

Twitter || Instagram