Month: November 2017

Collaborations

How I started the process of collaborating with different companies!

by alyssahotrumLeave a Comment on How I started the process of collaborating with different companies!

Hey there beauts! It’s me Alyssa and I’m here today not actually discussing a company in which I am working with and collaborating with but rather how I started the whole process! I have been asked this question several times now whether it be, ” how do you get so many products?”, or ” how do you approach companies ?”. I started blogging several years ago, and focused mainly on beauty products as well as makeup tutorials. I saw a couple people that I knew on Instagram posting where they were collaborating and working with companies and that honestly sparked my interest. I wanted to work with companies and get my name out there for sure! I knew this would be a great opportunity for me, especially since I am just starting to get out there into the industry. I actually did a bit of research on collaborations and working with companies, understanding how to reach out to them and what not! I actually had no idea how to approach companies and wanted to do it the right way. I researched different advice that other bloggers were giving to their viewers and incorporating and using this for myself. I decided to finally give it a go one day and come up with a paragraph basically explaining who I was, what I blogged about and a little bit why I am reaching out to their company. I basically made a template which I was going to follow when reaching out to companies. The outline that I follow and say states,

“Hello! My names Alyssa I am a beauty /fashion/ lifestyle blogger/influenced and I am always looking to do reviews or model products. I am from Hamilton Ontario. I was wondering if you wanted to do a collaboration with me on some of your products and have them featured on my blog ❀️My link is located in my bio if you wish to check out my blogging channel! Much love xoπŸ’•”

It gets right to the point, states where I am from, what type of blogger I am, as well as why I am reaching out. I find this is a really respectable way to reach out to companies and is super friendly as well. Being a blogger and reaching out to people, you get two different kinds of people. You get people and companies who are all for it and would love the help and promoting, and you get the companies who want nothing to do with you. If companies do not want the help you simply thank them for reaching back out to you and go about your day. You can’t let things get to you, that’s one thing about being a blogger is you have to have thick skin. I am fortunate enough to not have experienced a lot of negativity on my blog yet, but that could change you never know! Just have to be prepared for it! You just focus on what you are promoting or giving advice on and that’s it, you simply do you. Not everyone is going to like your work and it’s that simple. That’s what I tell myself and I move on from there!

I specifically send this paragraph to companies that I know I am interested in promoting, looking for companies that send out great messages to their clients, and I know my viewers would love. I am always keeping all of these things in mind when I am blogging and looking for companies to work with. I then wait to hear back from companies and see if they need the extra promoting and help! I have met so many wonderful people through companies and and reaching out to businesses. There are so many beautiful people from all around the world and you get to build and make so many friendships! It’s honestly not about getting products but it’s about their reactions and the companies’ reactions when I am done and finished my blog. I love that rewarding feeling, there is nothing better than that I think anyways!

I absolutely love what I do! I wouldn’t change my hobby for the world, it is super rewarding and I get to make so many friendships and memories. I love every single product I have received and I am always completely honest for my reviews on my channel. I always put 110% into each and every one of my blogs, ensuring they are very detailed! One thing I am so proud of myself for doing is taking the step to reach out to companies and put myself out there, it’s not an easy thing to do. But you never know unless you don’t try! I wouldn’t be where I am today if I stayed quiet and shy. I love collaborating with companies, it has built up my confidence and allowed me to put myself out there , letting others know about my blog! I can say I am very proud of myself.

I hope this post has helped you beauts or anyone wanting to start collaborating with different companies. Remember to be confident in what you are doing and passionate about your hobby. It may get you somewhere one day !  Be sure to follow my other social media accounts located on my homepage for upcoming blogs in the near future! Take care!

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Beauty, Collaborations, Home Decor

My Collaboration with β€œ Eleven Past Eleven Candle Co”

by alyssahotrum1 Comment on My Collaboration with β€œ Eleven Past Eleven Candle Co”

Hey there my beauts and welcome to my blogging channel if you are new ! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read , I greatly appreciate it beyond words! If there’s one thing you need to know about me is I absolutely love my candles. I’m that one always shopping at bath and body works, stocking up on candles! I also love searching and looking up candle companies on Instagram! Some beautiful companies I came across included Heaven Scent Soy Candles, as well as Lavish Beauty Baskets. Being a blogger , I love reaching out to companies and meeting new amazing people. I meet new people everyday and I am overwhelmed with all the love and support, it’s amazing! So thank you guys! I recently came across a beautiful candle company called ” Eleven Past Eleven Candle Co”, and what grabbed my attention was how beautiful the candles looked! There is nothing better than a beautiful candle to grab your attention let alone one that smells absolutely incredible. If your candle looks appealing chances are more people are going to stop by and check out your page! I reached out to this company and spoke to the owner and creator, Cassandra, who was such a sweetheart! She kept me up to date with the tracking information and with everything which was so helpful. It really helps when the companies you reach out to are so kind and caring, makes a big difference that is for sure!

So I knew that I was going to be receiving a candle but did not know to what extent the candle would really look like! I was completely and I mean completely blown away at the elegance and how gorgeous the candle was! I received a beautiful note from Cassandra which was so sweet !

When I saw the candle I nearly died, it was absolutely gorgeous. Even the outside of the candle was adorable and grabbed my attention right away! I received the “Positivity Candle” which retails for $27.99 in store. The outside of the candle states ,”positivity- ( noun) the state or character of being positive ; a positivity that accepts the world as it is”. I absolutely love this. I think this is such a great touch to this candle , and really adds to the appearance! When I opened it up , the scent was unreal. I could not stop smelling it ! The candles are made with all natural soy wax, and can be used in the home or office for an instant pick me up!

The positivity candles are scented with endlessly in love fragrance, and each candle’s estimated burn time is 30 hours. I also love how the candle has the wooden wick to create the crackling noise. I honestly have not seen any candles like this before until I collaborated with Heaven Scent Soy Candles who uses the same beautiful technique! Love it! So cozy and calming.

What I absolutely love about these candles that makes them so unique is the crystals that are located on top of the candles! How unreal and beautiful is that? Ontop of my positivity candle, there were rose quartz and Dalmatian jasper crystals. The rose quartz has a powerful but gentle energy that soothes and calms the aura. It is considered to be the crystal of unconditional love, opening the heart to foster empathy and promote self love. It emits a soft healing vibration that is joyous to the soul. I honestly absolutely love this you beauts! I am all about self love and empowering/ growing as individuals. I think this means so much and I think it’s so interesting to read the meaning behind the crystals!

The next crystal , the Dalmatian jasper, has a wonderful energy that promotes happiness and restores a sense of fun and child-like wonder, a true pick me up. The black tourmaline inclusions help to cleanse and purify the aura. It transmutes any negative energy in the auric field, transforming the negative into positive.

Again, love the meaning behind these crystals , they are so empowering and send powerful messages to the user. I have tried burning my candle for a little bit to test it out and it’s absolutely beautiful. The scent is amazing, it’s super relaxing. It is honestly like Cassandra knew what kind of scent I would fall in love with. I am also all about positivity and promoting positive vibes to my channel . Cassandra could not have picked a better candle for me! By far , go and check out her Instagram page at ” 11past11candles” and spread some love on her page! Her candles are amazing, so unique, fun , and mean different things! Incredible!

From Newcastle Ontario, Cassandra is doing amazing for herself and her company. I was so fortunate to be given this opportunity to collaborate with her and Eleven Past Eleven Candle Co. I want to personally thank her for allowing me to work with her, it has been a wonderful experience! I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavours! Be sure to follow my blogging channel and other social media sites located on my homepage to be up to date on the latest blog posts! Take care!

Collaborations, Fashion Finds

My Collaboration with “Jealous Youth”

by alyssahotrum1 Comment on My Collaboration with “Jealous Youth”

Hello my beauts, and welcome back to my blogging channel! I am so glad you are here and decided to pop by and say hello! I have been busy with my new puppy Winnie, and have been visiting my parents home for a bit now off and on. I absolutely love visiting my parents and sisters in the country, gives me some space away from the city that’s for sure! I recently have been collaborating with a clothing company that I found on Instagram called, “Jealous Youth”, and I instantly fell in love with their unique clothing line!Β  I came into contact with designer Elijah Mckenna, who has been obsessed with music and art for as long as he can remember.

Elijah states, “my obsession with music resulted in attending many concerts throughout my life and even performingΒ in multiple Punk and Metal bands throughout my short time I have spent on this Earth. It is safe to assume that the hundreds of concerts I have attended led to the purchasing of many t-shirts from my favourite bands. Those many t-shirts inspired me to eventually pursue a graphic design career of my own in hopes of showcasing my art to the world through one of the best mediums available. Jealous Youth is an independent graphic design and apparel companyΒ based out of NorthΒ San Diego County, California. It was founded in 2014 and focuses on providing limited, small-batch apparelΒ and other various forms of printed merchandise. And by β€œlimited,” I mean that once a certain design sells out, it’s gone for good. I have no intention of printing any of my designs a second time.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always held an affinity towards hand-made products. It makes the item I just purchased much more special knowing that the artist them self-has touched it and channelled every ounce of love and passion they possess into the art they created. It makes itΒ even more valuable to me when the item was created in limited quantities because that way I know that I have one of very few of its kind in the entire world. Since day one, I’ve wanted to convey this love I have for limited-run art pieces through these unique Jealous Youth designs that I enjoy making more than anything.

As of July 27, 2017, every Jealous Youth product will have a handwritten, hand-numbered, and signed tag attached to it. This will pass on my own personal value I hold for each piece to you, my valued customer. Each item has its own β€œCollector Number,” which is the specific number given to that item out of however many of them were made in that variation. You may choose to hold on to your tag as a β€œproof of purchase” or for sentimental value if you wish. It will not offend me if you throw it away like you would any other shirt tag. I will NEVER reprint any of my designs a second time. This way, it is confirmed that you own a unique piece of art that not many other human beings will possess and that will never be recreated. With that in mind, you are buying something so much more than just a t-shirt or a coozie. You are buying a limited edition, handmade work of art that holds personal value to me, and hopefully, in turn, to you as well.

I hope this has helped explain what β€œJealous Youth” truly is and what it means to me. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have regarding your product, your order, or anything else that may come to mind. I am a human being, like yourself, and love conversations about art and creativity of all kinds. Thank you to everyone who has purchased a Jealous Youth shirt in the last three years that this company has existed. And an even BIGGER thank you to those who have purchased anything of mine within the year of 2017, which is technically my first year of legitimate business. You have helped me grow as a person and expand this company more than you could ever comprehend”.

When I received my package, I was more than excited to open it and see what was inside! I received my ” Always Cool women’s Tank Top” which retails for “$15.00-$17.00”. I honestly do not think I own anything that is yellow, and I was really intrigued by it! I absolutely love the design and how bright it is, it’s fun and playful!

I also received another t-shirt which was the “Outer World (Women’s T-shirt) which retails in store for $10.00. I love the design on this shirt as well, it’s very simple but can be paired with a ton of different outfits. I love it! I also received a coozieΒ which is the ” Always Cool Drink Coozie” which retails for $3.00 online as well as a couple of cute stickers which are the “Lonely Grave Sticker Set” (Limited Halloween Edition), and that retails for $5.00.

Elijah was super nice and extremely down to earth when communicating with him and reaching out to him in regards to collaborating with his company.Β  I absolutely love his Instagram page and clothing line, it is extremely unique and caught my attention that’s for sure! Be sure to spread some love over on his Instagram page at “Jealousyouth”. Thank you so much for allowing me to collaborate with you and your company! I absolutely love the products. Also be sure you are subscribed to my channel and follow my other social media accounts located on my home page! Take care.

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Beauty, Collaborations

My Collaboration with “Lavish Beauty Baskets”

by alyssahotrumLeave a Comment on My Collaboration with “Lavish Beauty Baskets”

Hello and good morning my beauts, I hope you are all doing well and fantastic like myself! I have been slowly planning out what to get my friends and family for Christmas, what about you beauts!? Christmas shopping is always stressful and sometimes you never know what to get people, or that’s what is always my problem anyway! I recently came across a beautiful Instagram page that sold beautiful candles, body scrubs and handmade beauty products. Guys…. if you know anything about me, you know that anything beauty-related screams my name, and I absolutely love these kinds of things. I find handmade beauty products to be so relaxing, soothing, and more personal by far. I reached out to the company “Lavish Beauty Baskets“, and spoke to the creator Krystle Ajaegbu.Β  She was so kind and down to earth, kept me updated when it came to my order and when it would be coming in! She was such a kind soul to work with and super friendly to speak to.

When I received my box, I was super excited to be a part of this collaboration with beauty products. I opened it and was created by a personal card from Krystle and her company which was adorable.Β  I absolutely love my personal cards, they mean so much to me and I keep every single one of them!

Thank you so much, Krystle, for the sweet card I appreciate it a bunch! I then received two beautiful products in my box which I was super excited about trying! I received a beautiful box scrub in the mail by Lavish Beauty Baskets which is called the “Lavish Glow Scrub“.Β  The ingredients in this scrub are to die for. This scrub contains sugar, coconut oil, apple extract, glycerin, phenoxyethanol, ethyhexylglycerin,Β  and fragrance.Β  I absolutely love this body scrub, it feels so smooth on my skin and makes my skin look glowy afterward. I love the scent as well which is an added bonus!Β  It goes on so nicely, and I love how much product is in the container.

I also love the design of this product as well, and all the products in general. I think they look absolutely gorgeous and are super glamorous as well! The next product that I received from Lavish Beauty Baskets was a gorgeous candle. If there is one thing that you beauts need to know about me is I absolutely love soothing candles with Eucalyptus scent in them. I find this scent to be super relaxing, especially someone who suffers from anxiety, these scents are calming and amazing. Even after a stressful day these are great.Β  I received a candle in “Eucalyptus Mint” from Lavish Beauty Baskets and let me just say beauts, the scent is to die for. I absolutely am in love. It literally feels like all my worries disappeared after smelling this. I also love the cute little design labels on it as well, adds such a nice touch to it. What I find so amazing about these products is that they honestly would make such great gifts for someone! Whether it be a birthday, ChristmasΒ gift or gift for your girlfriend or mom, they are beautiful. I highly recommend checking out Lavish Beauty Baskets Instagram page at “Lavish Beauty Baskets“, and simply DM Krystle if you are interested in purchasing something, or send her an email at : lavishbeautybaskets@gmail.com for ordering.

I absolutely love these two products so much and want to take the time to personally thank Krystle and her company “Lavish Beauty Products” for allowing me to collaborate with her ! I absolutely would recommend purchasing some of her products, she is super talented and takes a lot of time in her products, you can tell! Thanks again Krystle! Be sure to show her some love on her Instagram page! Also be sure to subscribe to my blogging channel and follow my other social media sites located on my homepage! Take care!

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Collaborations, Fashion Finds

My Collaboration with “Shop Abby Lee”

by alyssahotrumLeave a Comment on My Collaboration with “Shop Abby Lee”

Good morning my beauts, and welcome to my channel if you are new! My name is Alyssa and I have been blogging for a couple years now and absolutely enjoy it! I find blogging a huge stress-reliever that’s for sure, it keeps me grounded and I love expressing myself on my blogs.Β  I have had a slight break from collaborations recently which gives me time to breathe, get my thoughts together, and start preparing for my next blogs that are coming in the near future. I had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with a sassy and stylish clothing company called “Shop Abby Lee”. This company creates a collection of handprinted statement sweatshirts designed out of the L.A. I reached out to their company after coming across their page on Instagram a little while back. They were happy and pleased to collaborate with me, and I was beyond excited to work with their company. I was completely drawn to their page right off the start, especially with the statement in their bio, “we represent and celebrate babes that are bold, classy and sassy”. I absolutely loved this, as I am super sassy myself! Their clothing store represents and celebrates unapologetic self-expression through what we wear, and having an attitude of sassy and badassery while doing it.

“if you haveΒ never fallen in love at first sight, you’re shopping at the wrong site”


Beauts, when I received my package I was super excited. It was wrapped in this super cute and stylish paper which had pineapples all over it…. how friggen cute is that!?Β  As soon as I opened it up and I was greeted with a personalized card which I absolutely love, you know me guys, the more personalized the better! So that was super sweet of them that’s for sure!


Guys, check out their motto, it honestly is adorable. It states, “wear this with confidence, cause clearly you are a badass with good taste aiming for the “hot as hell but wouldn’t touch without asking look” and you’re doing amazing sweetie”. How freaking adorable and sassy is that?! I fell in love while reading this, and love this saying so much! When it comes to care instructions for the shirts simply wash inside out, on a gentle cycle and do not iron over graphic. I received my “Bad and Boujee” sweater which retails for $35.00 in store, and this is quite a steal for the quality of clothing as well!

“There are hints about who you are in what you wear”

I want to personally thank Shop Abby Lee for collaborating with me and allowing me to model their “bad and boujee” top which I absolutely love! I love anything stylish and sassy, especially cozy and comfy sweaters! They are wonderful people to work with, and I highly recommend checking out their Instagram page at “shop.abbylee”.Β  They have tons of sassy related sweaters with a whole bunch of different sayings on them, it’s hard to pick just one! Be sure to check out my other social media sites located on my homepage for upcoming blogs in the near future! Take care.

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Inspiring Articles

Mental Health Update- Chat Chat with me

by alyssahotrumLeave a Comment on Mental Health Update- Chat Chat with me


Hello my beauts, Alyssa here! It’s been a while since I have talked to you guys, sat down with a cup of tea, and just shot the shit with you beauts. I have been so busy doing collaborations with companies lately, that it is nice to take a break and just sit down and talk to you guys about what has been going on in my life so far. As you beauts know I am always real with yous, I never hide anything and I am always sharing updates about what is happening in my life, especially on topics such as mental health. As most of you guys know mental health runs in my family, and it is not something I am ashamed to discuss with you guys, infact it is a topic I am extremely open about. I am an advocate for mental health and love sharing with you guys everything how I am feeling and my emotions. Lately, my family has been struggling with a lot of personal family matters, something that I am not going to broadcast because it is rather personal. As a result of this I have not been myself whatsoever, it has been constant days where I am completely up and about, and other days where I just want to sleep all day. It does not take a lot for me to worry about things, so I have been to say the least.. a mess. I have thought long and hard about what I am going to do, knowing that something needs to be done. I am not one to sit there and do nothing about the situation, I am not going to sit there feeling sorry for myself, that’s not me. I like to do things about situations and I think that is exactly what you have to do when life gets in the way of things. You need to make a plan. So that’s what I started to do. As you beauts know I am in college right now for Social Service Work and it has been extremely hard for me to focus on school at the moment for the past month or so. I let a professor know what was going on, and she was extremely supportive. I tried from then on to keep attending classes and try to focus on assignments and so forth but it was getting tough. I knew that I needed to start taking care of myself whatever that meant to do.


I recently was supposed to start placement the other day and knew I just could not do that right now. I am not in the right state of mind, I have no motivation for school whatsoever, and I would be setting myself up for failure not knowing if I would wake up and not want to go to placement that day. I then thought long and hard about what I was  going to do, breaking down to my mom about everything that has been going on. I am so glad I have that support there for me.  Family means absolutely everything to me, they are the closest people you have to you. I let my mom know that I don’t think I can do placement right now, and she completely understood. I let her know I was not in the right mindset and that I have not been myself lately whatsoever.  People who struggle with mental health issues can sometimes be up and down, and different things trigger our emotions, it can also be completely out of nowhere. I came to the conclusion that I decided to postpone school, for now, I am almost done, but I feel like I am not going to do my best or even go for that matter if I continue right now. This was a big decision to make but honestly, mental health comes first before school. I just wanted to chat with you guys and let you know that sometimes life gets in the way of things, it’s unplanned and it happens but you just have to sometimes think of a different plan and deal with it. I am now in contact with some counsellors from my college and I think I am going to start seeing my own personal therapist again just to touch base and get things off my chest. I can not emphasize how amazing it feels to chat with someone, whether it be your mom, dad, friend, or a counsellor, someone is always there to help and you don’t have to be embarrassed about it whatsoever.  I never thought I was going to share my own personal life on the internet, with complete strangers and with others but something in me told me it was the right thing to do, so here I am today. I want others to know they are never alone, that there are options out there, and that it is okay to put your goals and dreams on hold. That is exactly what I am doing and I am content with my decision. It doesn’t mean I will not finish my program but it means that I will finish it at a later date and that is okay. My program is not going anymore, what matters the most and what is the most important thing right now is my mental health and making sure everything is okay.

Of course, it helps with this little one here with me, this is baby Winnie. She is a cockapoo puppy and has helped tremendously in our household as our therapy dog. Puppies and any animal for that matter as huge life savour when it comes to making you happy, smile and bring peace into your home. We have only had her for a few days and we already notice a huge difference in our home which is wonderful when I go and visit my mom. I highly recommend having an animal in your home if you are struggling or just need a bit more happiness/peace in your home.

I hope you guys enjoyed this little chit chat blog! I always like keeping you guys updated when it comes to my mental health and I always love sharing any piece of advice that I have! Also, want to give a shout out to @dodolashes for these beautiful mink lashes that you can purchase with my discount code “thatothertwin_xo” for 5% off at the checkout. Absolutely love these lashes, they are super easy to apply and look stunning for daytime/ night time looks. Take care, much love xo.

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