Gift Guide: Alyssa's Favorite Things

Oprah's "Favorite Things" show was always one of my favorite episodes of television. And the "Favorite Things" issue of O magazine is one of the only magazines I actually still buy. Well, I also have a few favorite things of my own, and while I'm not saying I'm Oprah (!), I would like to share them with you! Here, a few of my absolute favorite finds (I personally own, use, and love all of them). Send this link to your significant other or generous parent, or buy some of these things for your BFF, mom, or maybe even, yourself.

Michele's Granola: I love granola, but I can't stand storebought granola. It's either too sugary or just ehh--never as good as homemade or as what you find at a restaurant. But since I don't have the time or patience to regularly make the homemade stuff, I was thrilled a few years back when I found Michele's Granola, which, I swear, is just as good as homemade. Not too sweet, and so, so yummy and fresh. I order it in three-packs on Amazon and it disappears in a flash. (Note: All of the flavors are really good--and actually not wildly different from each other--but my absolute favorites are Cinnamon Raisin and Original.)

Jennie Kwon Designs opal ring: Jennie Kwon's rings are so gorgeous! They're delicate, and justso interesting and special. My daughter picked out an opal ring (verrrry similar to the one shown above) for my husband to buy me for Mother's Day a few years and I wear it all the time. These rings aren't cheap, but they're very classic and well-made. You'll have it--and love it--forever!

Chloe Mini Marcie Crossbody bag: I was given the tan version of this a few years back, and ever since, it has become my everyday purse, even though I used to be a "big bag" kind of girl. It's tiny so it's great for days when you don't want to be laid down (shopping in the city, an amusement park, a concert, etc), but it's still deceptively roomy and holds way more than you'd think. Mine is almost always stuffed with a small wallet, a phone charger, an external battery, three lipsticks, my phone, my keys, and a few other little odds and ends. I get so much use out of it that I really want another one now. Maybe Santa will bring me this gorgeous gray version?

This Will Only Hurt A Little by Busy Philipps: I've mentioned this book before, but I absolutely love it. I'm a huge fan of Busy's InstaStories and this was basically like a bunch of long Stories strung together (but not in a "random" way!). Very funny, very moving, and lots of juicy, insider-y Hollywood info. Also, for the first time ever (!), I actually did the audiobook version of this, which I highly recommend.

Keurig K-Cafe Coffee, Cappucino, and Latte Maker: This has to be my #1 favorite thing that I bought in all of 2018. I had a one-to-two-Starbucks-lattes-a-day habit, and now I'm down to one or two a week. They've been replaced thanks to this machine, which makes lattes that I truly think taste exactly like my beloved Starbucks. And it's simpleto use! It takes three minutes to froth the milk/brew the K-cup, and you end up with the creamiest, foamiest, most amazing latte or cappucino (hot or iced) you've ever had. I'm obsessed. (P.S.: The best K-Cups I've found for making lattes are these from Target.)

MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote: I was given this a few years back and it's become my absolute favorite bag to travel with. I love it as an airplane carry-on, because it holds a ton and the bag itself is extremely lightweight. I've also used mine as an overnight bag and even a gym bag. It comes in about a jillion colors, and I actually own three of them now: this blue/black camo, a black, and a gray. Bonus: Today only you can get a free surprise gift with the purchase of any bag. Use code CYBERMONDAY.

Clark's Botanicals Retinol Rescue Eye Serum: I love this eye cream. It's the only one I've ever used that led to a noticeable softening of the lines around my eyes (and pretty quickly, too!). It has this cool cold-to-the-touch applicator that helps, I think. And the formula itself acts almost like a primer to smooth out your lines. It's great under makeup. And though I can sometimes be sensitive to retinol (especially around my eyes), I've never had any issues with this one.

Nike Lunarepic Flyknit Sneaker: I've had these sneakers for a year or two now, and I wear them constantly. They are beyond comfortablee; when you wear them, you feel like you're walking on clouds! I think this exact style may be discontinued (wahh!), but I found a treasure trove of them on Amazon. I think I want another pair of the black in case my current ones ever give out. And I'm loving that gray/rainbow one, too.

Athleta Luxe Victory Hoodie: Two years ago, I received an Athleta Luxe hoodie as a gift, and it's pretty much allll I want to wear in the winter. It's lined in faux fur, so it's super cozy--nothing's better for the long walk to the gym or to school pick up. And it's cute! Regular sweatshirts just don't cut it after you've tried this one. Bonus: You can get 20% off today only with code BOOST.

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan: I got this for Christmas last year and I have been obsessssed ever since. It's like wearing your softest, comfiest robe all day long, only it has a nice shape to it too, so it's actually cute and not at all schlubby. I wear it with jeans and a tank or tee during the day, and sometimes I even just wear it around the house as a cozy layer. Now I want another one! I already own it in a light gray; I'd love this deeper gray or maybe a black next. 

J.Crew Mockneck sweater: I bought two of these (baby blue and light gray) a few weeks back when J.Crew had a sale, and I've barely taken them off since. They are so soft, so warm, and so cozy. Love! Bonus: You can get 50% off (!) today only with code CYBER.

Stojo Biggie Collapsible Cup: Although I try to make most of my lattes at home now, when I do buy one when I'm out, I have it poured into this genius cup. A few months back, I was stressing at how many disposable cups I was going through each week, so I was searching for a solution. I just didn't love the idea of toting around a giant cup with me all the time. Enter this genius little cup. It's collapsible!! The entire thing folds into itself so that it's a little disc (about four inches across and one inch deep). When you get to the register, you just unfold it and hand it to the barista (who will inevitably coo about how awesome and adorable it is). It holds a grande size drink and can handle hot or cold drinks (it even comes with its own reusable straw). I have the blush pink and white, but there are tons of good colors. (The solid black one is so chic!) 

Happy shopping!

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My Morning and Evening Skin-Care Routines

I've been a beauty editor/writer for well over a decade, so trying new products is literally my job. Still, when it comes to skincare, I've always been very guilty of an if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it approach. I haven't had great skin for most of my life, so when I find stuff that doesn't make me break out, it's hard to stray.

But I've made a real push to try more things over the last few months, and I recently realized that my skincare routine is suddently totally different than it was a year ago. And it's good! In fact, I feel like my skin looks and feels better than it has in a long, long time. 

In today's post, I wanted to share what's gotten me to this place. So here's what I actually do every day for my A.M. and P.M. skin-care routines. Enjoy!

Morning Routine

Bioeffect Volcanic Exfoliator or (not shown) Aveeno Positively Radiant Scrub - I use one of these exfoliators in the shower a couple of times a week. As I've said before, I'm bad at remembering to scrub, but somehow keeping the tubes in the shower makes me so much more likely to actually use them. Both of these are gel formulas, which I personally like so much better than creams, and both are gentle and effective. 

Sunday Riley C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum - Antioxidants are a must. If you're not using them, you're nuts. And vitamin C is one of the absolute best, especially when you want to battle dull skin, which is pretty much a constant issue for me. Problem is, most vitamin C products are smelly and runny and just kind of awful to use, but this one (which I also mentioned here) couldn't be more pleasant. It's a creamy formula that smells like citrus. And I swear, my skin looked noticeably brighter after just a few weeks of use. I'm obsessed!

Skinceuticals Light Moisture UV Defense SPF 50 - This is not the true packaging, FYI; I'm using a lab sample. (I got an early peek at it for a sunscreen story I did for Rachael Ray Every Day magazine, and real packaging wasn't available at the time. It really looks like this.) This is one of those new supersheer formulas that feels and looks totally invisible. It works perfectly under makeup, and I like that it doesn't clog my pores the way many of these ultra-sheer sunscreens tend to do. 

Clark's Botanicals Retinol Rescue Eye Serum - I have been using this for several months now and I love it so much!! I really feel like it made a noticeable different in the lines under and around my eyes very quickly, and I'm obsessed with the applicator. It's cold-to-the-touch, so it de-puffs as you apply it. It also works really well under makeup, acting almost like a primer to smooth out lines before you put on concealer.

Tata Harper Illuminating Moisturizer - I wrote about this for a magazine article coming out this fall, and (spoiler alert) I described it as giving you "millennial skin." And it does! It has diamond dust in the formula that gives the most amazing youthful, radiant glow that still shows through when you apply your foundation. And it's natural! This is expensive, but honestly so worth it. It makes your skin look like J.Lo's skin, no highlighter required. (One note: It has a heavy floral scent, which I didn't love the first couple of times I used it. But I got used to it fast. I don't even notice it anymore.)

Evening Routine

Simple Face Wipes - They're not fancy, but they work. They whisk away makeup, and don't leave my skin stripped or oily. They're also one of the only beauty products I actually buy. (I'm lucky enough to get most things for free, but I go through these so quick--and they're so affordable--that I just buy them at the drugstore myself.)

Prescription retinoid - Everyone needs to be using a retinoid. Period. I've used one on and off since my late teens, but I wish I had been consistent earlier. They're one of the only ingredients proven without a doubt to fight lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It's basically a fact that people who regularly use retinoids look younger than people who don't. So, get on it! And, yes, I know they can be irritating. That's the reason I was on and off for so many years. For me, the biggest issue was excessive dryness, which was awful. Start with a low dose because you can always move up. Also, try different kinds if one doesn't work for you. For example, Tazorac--a really strong retinoid that many people I know are absolutely obsessed with--is too strong for me. The best I've found for me is this one: a generic 0.025% tretinoin.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream - Super moisturizing, but not at all greasy. And it's packed with potent-but-gentle anti-agers to work on lines and spots while you sleep. Since using it, my skin is so much softer when I wake up in the morning, and just looks so much plumper and healthier. 

Clark's Botanicals Retinol Rescue Eye Serum - I use it again at night. Nothing's better for eyes!

Lanolips Coconutter Hand Cream Intense - I never used to wear hand cream at night, but then I found this. I apply the tiniest dab to my hands and to my dry, rough heels, and let it work overnight. Best part: The smell is absolutely fantastic. A little bit coconut, a little bit spicy-cookie. So good!

Have you guys tried any of these? What other skin-care products are you loving right now?

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