Très Chic


Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break, ate lots of turkey, and shopped some good sales. A lot of sales were extended throughout the weekend and with today being Cyber Monday, the sales just keep on coming. I wanted to make sure I shared this look with you guys today because this super cute tee is currently on sale for less than $20! You can also get an extra 10% off if you shop before noon.

I wore this outfit to an event a few weekends ago for my internship and loved the way it turned out! I've had a thing lately for pairing dress pants with a cute tee, but I'd have to say this look is my favorite. I paired it with some booties and added a statement necklace to spice it up at bit.

I bought these same pants in red last year for Christmas and loved the fit of them so much so I ordered the blue and then their company decided to shut down. I was so upset because I have the hardest time finding dress pants that fit me perfectly, but at least I was able to snag a couple pairs of them.

Thanks for reading! Xo

Shirt: J.Crew | Pants: The Limited - similar here | Booties: Similar | Sunglasses: DIFF Eyewear

Pink & Pearls


If I could wear a new sweater everyday during cold weather, I would. But that would be a lot of sweaters and a lot of money haha. I purchased this sweater a few years ago from Banana Republic and it's been one of my favorites ever since. Turtleneck sweaters are all around comfy to begin with, but this sweater in particular is the best. It keeps you so warm!

I wore this look for a date night with Tyler, so I put a dressy-casual vibe to it. I love pairing pink with dark denim and these flats just pulled the entire look together. These were probably one of the best shoe purchases I've made in a long time! You could also layer this sweater over a cute dress or even a cute leather skirt.

I also hope everyone has some fun shopping all of the sales today! I've been posting on my Instagram stories as I've seen a few of my favorite stores go live with their sales.

Happy shopping and thanks for reading! Xo

Sweater: Banana Republic - similar | Jeans: Old Navy (snag these for less than $20!) | Shoes: Marc Fisher (such a good deal right now!) | Crossbody: Nine West | Sunglasses: DIFF Eyewear

Gift Guide For Him


Sportswear: $100 - love this sweatshirt
Slippers: $79
Beats Wireless Headphones: $130 - Tyler has these and loves them, I also steal them to workout
Billy Jealousy Beard Kit: $25 - Tyler loves this stuff for his beard
G-Shock Watch: $120 - Bought Tyler one of these a few years back and he loves it

Thanks for reading! Xo

The Perfect Holiday Dress


Every year I go on a hunt for the perfect holiday outfit and this years dress has topped them all. The past two Christmases my looks have been from Express. 


2015's Christmas look: Skirt was from Express & 2016's Christmas look: Sweater was from Express.

So obviously the first place I checked for this years look was Express. The first thing that drew me to this dress was the sheer mesh sleeves. It adds such a fun and flirty detail to the already gorgeous, feminine dress. 

I chose to style it with some sheer tights (my attempt at being warm in little clothing because it was absolutely freezing when we took these pictures) and black heels. To finish it off I went with a bold red lip. You could also style the belt by adding a delicate belt, black sheer tights, or even adding some booties. 

I was worried the dress wouldn't fit because sometimes Express clothing can run large on me, but this dress was true to size. I'm 5' and purchased an XS and think it fits perfectly. The dress is also currently on sale for 40% off, so grab one while you can get an great deal! It's the perfect dress for upcoming holiday parties or even NYE.

Thanks for reading! Xo

Dress: Express | Heels: DSW 

How I Maintain My Blog While Working Full-Time


I started A Small Town Fashionista a little over a year ago (I still can't believe it's been that long). Starting a fashion blog has always been something I thought about doing but I constantly talked myself out it--who would read it? I don't have the time or the skills. I have no one to take my photos.. they were all just lame excuses. Finally I told myself enough was enough, if starting my own fashion blog was something I really wanted to do then I just needed to do it and that's what I did. This blog isn't my full-time career, it's just something I'm genuinely passionate about. While I do love running a fashion blog, it's something that takes a lot of time to maintain. So I wanted to share a few ways that make running my blog a little easier while also working full-time and having an internship. Hopefully I can inspire others who want to start something they're passionate about but feel as though they don't have the time.

PLANNING/SCHEDULING: This is so important and it took me awhile to realize that. Back when I started my blog I would just post whatever, whenever. I wasn't really planning content, which led to me hardly ever even posting. Then I tried posting every single day which only made me overwhelmed. At the time is seemed like a lose lose situation, but the only thing I was failing to realize was that I didn't have any consistency or a plan. I was in my senior year of college when I started ASTF so blogging Monday-Friday wasn't really realistic, so I decided on a MWF posting schedule. It all depends on your current situation for how much, or little, you can post. Whenever I graduated I went back to a Monday-Friday schedule because I had the time to do so, but now that I'm working full-time and have an internship I'm now back to a MWF schedule. It's also ok to switch it up--you don't want to overwhelm yourself with having too much on your plate!


I plan content out a few different ways. I start by creating a monthly content calendar on Google Sheets. This allows me to know ahead of time what content will be coming to the blog and gives me time to plan it all out. Then I do a weekly planner where I write out my whole blogging week. It just simplifies things and makes it easier to track down which content I need to be focusing on on my Facebook and Instagram for the week. I also use the 'stickies' app on my MacBook A LOT haha. Obviously my computer screen is something I look at a lot, so I just like to write out a few blogging reminders.  



TIME MANAGEMENT: This kind of goes hand in hand with planning and scheduling. Just about everything you do with your blog requires some sort of time management. Having a set work schedule helps when it comes down to setting time aside for blogging. Sunday evenings are always photoshoot day, then Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights are set aside for creating and editing. Creating to do lists are also extremely helpful. I'm going to be honest, my blogging to do's are last priority just because I have other commitments, but a list also ensures I'm getting everything done. After awhile you sort of pick up how long it takes to do certain things like editing photos, writing out posts, etc. so eventually you'll have a better understanding of how much time you need to set aside.



BEING AHEAD OF THE GAME: There's nothing I enjoy more than seeing an entire week worth of blogging already scheduled. Any free time I have during the week I grab a glass of wine, put on Netflix, and head straight to the blog. Being on schedule is already a good thing, but being ahead of it is the best. I've also recently been trying to shoot all photos I need for posts for an entire month at a time. This sounds crazy, and impossible, but with a MWF posting schedule that brings me down to about 16 posts a month and not every post I do requires a photoshoot. This past weekend I was actually able to shoot all of November's content, minus two. Happy, happy Alyssa!

Thanks for reading! Xo

Gift Guide For Her


For the fashionista:
Monogram necklace: $98 - price for the one linked, but she has a variety of monogram options!
Ted Baker crossbody: $80 - *cough cough* family who is reading this post
Pearl Beaded Ruffle Sleeve Sweater: $24 - need this in my wardrobe

For the fit girl: 
NIKE Running Shoe: $160 - these are so cute!!
GapFit Tank: $30 
Apple Watch: $300 - can probably get a good Black Friday deal on this

For the homebody: 
Oversized Cozy Sweater: $55 - frequently goes on sale (I've been eyeing it for weeks), waiting for a good Black Friday deal to buy it

For the traveler: 
Mug: $16

Thanks for reading! Xo

Three Looks For Thanksgiving

Happy Monday, everyone! I was able to shoot so much content this weekend and I'm super excited to share it all on the blog!! Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, I figured I'd share three looks that are easy to recreate for the holiday. Enjoy!


Look #1: I love this look, I'm probably going to recreate it for the Christmas season with some red lips and green earrings. It's a simple look that gives you so many opportunities to add your favorite details. I chose to pair it with some light pink earrings and a fedora, which I completely forget to grab for the pictures.. 

Sweater: Express | Jeans: Gap | Booties: Purchased awhile ago, similar pair here | Crossbody: Purchased from a Coach outlet a few years back, inexpensive option here | Sunglasses: DIFF Eyewear (get $10 off shopping through this link!)


Look #2: This look is so cozy! There's a 99% chance I'll choose this look to wear on Thanksgiving, lol. Personally I think a dress is the best Thanksgiving day attire, I mean it allows that food baby to breath after pigging out, am I right? This poncho is also my favorite thing, ever! It's so soft and cozy and I love how perfectly it paired with this sweater dress. 

Sweater Dress: Old Navy | Poncho: Purchased awhile ago at Old Navy, something sorta similar here | Lace-up Flats: Old Navy | Sunglasses: DIFF Eyewear (get $10 off shopping through this link!)


Look #3: This look is simple, but fun! It can be easily recreating just by pairing your favorite sweater with a fun fall scarf. This makes a perfect everyday fall look, but also something great for the holidays! These cardigans are also the comfiest!! 

Booties: Gap (not same, but a current favorite) | Jeans: Old Navy | Shirt: Old Navy | Sweater: Old Navy (color I'm wearing is sold out) | Scarf: Got as a Christmas gift from Charlotte Russe a few years ago | Crossbody: Anne Klein | Sunglasses: DIFF Eyewear (get $10 off shopping through this link!)

Thanks for reading! Xo