chloejo.dunne – Chloe's Corner

Influencer Culture: Alix Earle

It seems as though every so often, the internet chooses one lucky creator to be the next big thing. If you are no stranger to social media, you would be familiar with influencers like Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae, who rose to fame in late 2019 and have gone on to dominate the industry. Since then, the internet has gone from creator to creator, banding behind them and giving them millions of followers and support. Alix Earle- Tiktok’s newest “it” girl- has become an overnight phenomenon and everyone’s latest obsession.

Who is Alix Earle?

Earle, a 22-year old marketing major at the University of Miami, is taking the internet by storm. Born on December 16, 2000, Earle is originally from Monmouth County, New Jersey. She lives an aspirational life, from her lavish family home to all of the expensive products she shows off on her Tiktok. The up and coming influencer currently has 1.5 million followers on Instagram and 3.8 million followers on Tiktok. Earle’s mega-rise to fame has only been over a few short months, so what is it about her that keeps everyone hooked? Well, to many of her followers, she represents the perfect balance between being glamorous and relatable. Her approachable personality and “big sister” demeanor makes her appealing and keeps her following growing.

A “Real” Influencer

What sets Earle apart from other influencers is her genuinity. Whether it is sharing her wild college experiences or posting her messy room, she makes sure to always stay open with her followers. Earle helps others to feel more comfortable in their own skin by talking about her acne journey and her experiences with Accutane. She encourages her followers by sharing how she overcame her own insecurities: “Acne is normal…it’s not the end of the world,” she says in one of her videos. Earle also normalizes mental health by sharing how she has been on Lexapro for her anxiety since she was a freshman in high school. By doing this, her honesty is helping girls like her to face their own struggles.

Personal Life

Earle does not hold back from sharing about her personal life online. Most recently, she gained the attention from her public split from on-again off-again boyfriend and MLB player Tyler Wade. From the beginning of their relationship in September 2022, Earle featured him in videos and posted pictures of them on her socials. In December, Earle posted one of her most watched tik tok lip-syncing to an audio saying, “Damn, y’all broke up? Nah, she broke, I’m up.” After Earle confirmed their breakup and added that it was because he was hesitant to post her on his social media, girls everywhere stood behind Earle and gave her their full support. This also inspired a trend on Tiktok where girls talked about their self-worth after seeing how Earle ended things with Wade.

Earle’s Content

Aside from her candid personality and entertaining love life, it is Earle’s beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content that gets her the views. With hashtags like #AlixEarle and #AlixEarleEffect going viral on Tik Tok, her name is everywhere. Earle has been on the app since 2020, but due to the success of her most recent videos, her following has skyrocketed. She is known for her Day in the Life vlogs, Amazon finds, and Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos. Her viral makeup routine has become so popular that certain products have been selling out. Getting your hands on Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush or the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops has become almost impossible. Her GRWM videos sparked another trend on Tiktok where girls would ask themselves “What would Alix do?” as they got ready for the night. Whether it is sharing beauty tips or casually chit chatting with the camera, Earle always keeps her viewers engaged.

Influencers and the Media

At the end of the day, putting normal, everyday people on a pedestal comes at a risk. Influencers have become an essential part of our society, especially for Gen-Z. Social media can sometimes be associated with a lower self-esteem and can even lead to an unrealistic standard of beauty that impacts the way we see ourselves. For influencers like Alix Earle, it is important that they have a positive attitude and encourage their followers- not try to be perfect. Since so many people have spent time listening to Earle’s content, hopefully she continues to be a fun, positive light to social media.

My Winter Wishlist

Even though for some of us it feels as if summer just happened, Christmas is creeping up on us. If you haven’t started your holiday shopping yet, you better get on it. Luckily for me, I finished most of my gifts between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. My mom does her shopping all year-round and although she plans out what she wants to give us months in advance, I still like to create my annual Christmas list for the fun of it. This year, I made a wishlist on Amazon that makes gift shopping for me easy for my family and friends. Here are my top items that I am asking for this Christmas:

UGG Coquette Slipper

UGG slippers are by far one of the most popular things to ask for this Christmas. I was just in the city last week and they were completely sold out at the UGG store! I am keeping my fingers crossed that my mom can get her hands on a pair by Christmas. I feel like this is an essential no matter who you are or what your style is- because UGG slippers value comfort.

Marc Jacobs The Medium Tote Bag

At this point, all of my friends have a Marc Jacobs Tote and I am so jealous. It is perfect for any occasion- whether you’re using it as a bookbag or a purse. Personally, I travel a lot and the medium size would be great to have as a stylish carry on.

Gucci Trademark Necklace with Heart Pendant

This necklace has been on my wishlist for quite some time now. I love silver jewelry because it looks very classy and definitely goes with more colors. I do appreciate gold jewelry, but silver has always been my go-to.

Roller Rabbit Pajama Set

I absolutely love a good quality pajama set! I feel so much better about myself and way more productive if I’m wearing a set to bed instead of sweats. Although Roller Rabbit has the reputation of being considered “preppy”, I think their designs are super cute and fun.

Drunk Elephant Items

If you don’t use Drunk Elephant already, you are seriously behind on the trend. There are so many award-winning good products you can try. My personal favorites are the Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser for skin and the Wild Marula Tangle Spray for hair. As of right now, I have the night serum and bronzing drops on my wishlist.

Christmas lists are always fun to create and gifts are fun to hope for, but make sure not to lose sight of what is important, such as being thankful for what we already have and the quality time spent with the people we love. Happy Holidays!

How to Spend a Weekend in London

This past week, I had the opportunity to travel to London with my dad’s basketball team. He’s the head coach at Marist for men’s basketball, and they played at the Basketball Hall of Fame London showcase. My mom and I have been planning this trip for weeks- with all of our free time we had to find things to do. We stayed for five days, and in that time we managed to see all the sights and visit all of the iconic places. I am very excited to share my itinerary from the past few days- from tours to tea time.

Taking a trip to Europe means one of many things: a very, very long travel day. We left Marist’s campus with the team a little past two Wednesday afternoon and did not arrive at our hotel until eleven on Thursday morning. There’s a five hour time difference, but either way, it was quite a trip. Once we arrived in the hotel room, my mom and I took an hour long power nap before having to get ready for our first activity. We stayed outside of Central London on Canary Wharf, so to get to the heart of the city we either had to take a cab or the train. We took a car to the Corinthia Hotel, where we would be having afternoon tea before taking a double-decker bus tour of the Christmas lights.

When I stepped into the Corinthia Hotel, I was amazed. The tea room was decorated with nutcrackers, brightly lit Christmas trees, and large red and gold ornaments that hung from the ceiling. After spending time in London, I can assure you that there is really nothing better than afternoon tea. If you’re a tea person, I totally recommend doing your own at home. Once we finished our finger sandwiches and scones, we headed out to where the tour was meeting. Although we spent most of it shivering, it was worth it. As we turned every corner, the lights continued to get more impressive. Buildings were decked out and the streets were bustling with people. We even managed to get a perfect view of the annual tree lighting in Trafalgar Square. As I went to bed that night, I was exhausted, but excited for the next few days.

Something you should know about my mom and I is that we are serious shoppers. We dedicated our second day to shopping on Oxford Street- the one and a half mile long street packed with stores. We visited Harrods and Selfridges, two of London’s luxury department stores, which are the equivalent to New York’s Saks on Fifth Avenue. We ended up having a late lunch at a very Instagrammable cafe on the fourth floor of Selfridges called Elon Cafe overlooking the city. The walls were covered in pastel pink and the entire cafe was decorated with carnations. Sadly, our shopping day was eventually cut short so that we could have dinner with my dad and the team.

The Christmas display windows at Selfridges on Oxford Street

We woke up early the next morning and took a car to Central London for our tour of Westminster Abbey. Our car dropped us off right in front of Elizabeth Tower- more popularly known as Big Ben- and we grabbed coffee as we headed to the Abbey. Our tour was around two hours and was quite impressive. I imagined what it was like for the church to be filled with people during the Royal Weddings. After the tour, my mom and I had afternoon tea at the cafe in the Abbey. The rest of our day was jam-packed, we walked to Buckingham Palace and saw the guards, and then all the way to the London Eye. If you didn’t know, London has a ferris wheel in the middle of the city, and I convinced my mom to buy us tickets. London is known for its rainy and cloudy weather, but even through the clouds it was an amazing view. You could see all of London at the top, from Parliament and Big Ben all the way to the palace. We knew that since we would be at the game the next day, we should be making the most out of our day, so my mom and I decided to stay for dinner. We ate at a traditional English pub and had Shepard’s Pie and Sticky Toffee Pudding to get a taste of the culture. We then took the train back to the hotel, watched holiday movies, and drank champagne until we fell asleep.

Our last full day had less sight-seeing, but was just as exciting. It was the day of my dad’s game, and I have to say, the arena they played in was unbelievable. They had a great crowd- the arena has ten-thousand seats and a good amount of them were filled. The game was close and we were on the edge of our seats, but they pulled out a win. Afterwards, we took the train back to the hotel and finished off our trip with a family dinner.

Visiting London during Christmas time is something that everyone should add to their bucket list. It was an incredible experience, and even though bundling up from head to toe is a must, the beauty of the lights and decorations make up for it. We crammed a lot into the five short days that we were there, and although it was hectic, it was a trip I will never forget.

Giving Thanks

With the holidays quickly approaching, I want to take a step back and reflect on the past year. I am beyond grateful for the people I met and all of the new things I got to experience, and for this week’s blog post, I would like to share everything that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.

I have to say, even though this year had a rocky start for me, I am thankful for the amount of support and love I received from my family and friends. Without them, it would have been very difficult to get through the hard times. My mental health was at an all-time low, and my friends continued to go out of their way time and time again to make sure that I was always okay. Whether it was cleaning my room or helping me complete homework assignments, they ensured that I never fell behind. If I needed to vent, my parents would drop anything to make time for me and I am beyond thankful for it. I will always cherish the days I spent with my parents this year, from beach days to late-night talks. Seeing my friends and family at the end of the day was something that kept me smiling even when I was feeling down. Maybe I am more sentimental because this will be my last year at home before I go to college, but I want to soak up every moment with the people that I care about. I could not be more thankful for the people in my life.

Something else that I am thankful for this year is traveling. I was blessed this year with the opportunity to travel to the most beautiful places. This past summer, it felt as if my mom and I were living out of a suitcase as we traveled the world. Seeing Europe has always been a dream of mine, and by the time the year ends, I will have visited four different European countries. In June, we kicked off our summer with a trip to the French Riviera. When we were there, we stayed in Nice and visited both Cannes and Monaco, which was an amazing experience. The food was exquisite, the architecture was so impressive, and the views were breathtaking. Then in August, my family took a trip to Bermuda, and again, I was so impressed with the beauty of the island. It was the best week, between relaxing and spending quality time with my family. Next week, my family will be taking another trip, this time to London, England. Since it is the holiday season, the city will be lit up with Christmas decorations. Next week’s post will have to be an update on the trip!

The last thing that I am going to touch on are my passions. I am lucky to have found something that I care so much about: my writing. It is so important to have something that you are dedicated to and can give your all. I am very thankful for the support and positive feedback I have received so far on this blog from friends, family, and other people in my life. I am so thankful to have this as a creative outlet. I have always loved writing, and am grateful to have so many ways I can pursue what I am passionate about. Besides writing, things like social media and designing posts have also always interested me, and this past year I have had the opportunity to run multiple social media accounts for my school. I am fortunate enough to have so many ways to do what I love.

We can all find something that we are thankful for. Tell someone you care about that you are grateful for them, because a little goes a long way. With that being said, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of fun, family, and good food!

The Anchor Mag Makes its Mark at AHS

With a student body of almost 4,000, it is surprising that until last year, Arlington High School, located in Lagrangeville, NY, never had a fashion extracurricular. Gianna Tomasulo Padernacht, a junior at the time and one of my best friends, wanted to change that.

It was my vision to be surrounded by peers with diverse interests and talents who all can come together to create something incredible. And what is more incredible than a magazine!
Gianna Tomasulo Padernacht

In the fall of 2021, Gianna wanted a place for her and other students to be able to pursue their interest in fashion, so she teamed up with Angelina Galanopolus, another student at AHS and a talented designer herself and began working on what would eventually be known as The Anchor Magazine. Now, every month, they publish virtual issues of The Anchor, which consist of shoots, articles, creative edits and more. With so many students at Arlington, Gianna and Angelina make sure to utilize the talent and creativity of every member, from writers and photographers to hair and makeup.

The Anchor was a success from its first issue, creating community-wide buzz. The girls did not let everyone’s attraction to the magazine go to waste and came up with the innovative idea to organize the school’s first-ever fashion show, with Vice President of the Anchor, Angelina, as creative director. And so, by the spring of 2022, they got to work, planning all of the details.

By the time the fall rolled around, designers were finishing up their lines, the show was being promoted all over social media and people began to get excited. I, as the head of the writing department and host of the show, worked with the other writers to create the perfect playbill and script to present and slowly started counting down the days until showtime.

The week leading up to the show was hectic to say the least, but a week full of memories was made. As cliche as it sounds, being a part of something bigger than yourself is special. The moments leading down to the show were filled with the sounds of music blasting and laughter coming from the dressing rooms, the smell of hairspray and the craziness of people running around double-checking that everything was in place and ready to go. It was a celebration of creativity- and I must say- everyone outdid themselves.

Individuality and self-expression
is so important, and is often done through fashion. Fashion is art- it unifies communities and supports individuality, and this show did exactly that. It provided students of Arlington and the surrounding community the opportunity to express themselves and their myriad of creative expertise in a way that was so exceptional.
Angelina Galanopoulos

Creative Director and Designer Angelina Galanopolus’ line *Out of This World*

As host of the show, I sat in the box in the back of the auditorium and was able to see the audience’s reactions to every piece and with every “ooh” and “ah”, I became more and more confident in the show’s success. The theme was “futurism” and designers had the creative freedom to interpret this however they pleased. It was a magical night and every member of the audience was transported to a futuristic world as models showed off the designs. If you were not able to see the show for yourself, check out The Anchor’s November issue, which is a look into the behind-the-scenes of the show, featuring many photo ops from the night!

It’s College Application Season! Here are 10 Tips on How to Stay Stress-Free:

For this year’s seniors, summer basically ended on August 1st, the day the common app opened. Many of us have been badgered with questions about college at the family dinner for a while now, but usually, those types of questions bring nothing but anxiety. If you’re anything like me, then you probably associate the words “stressful” and “intimidating” with the college application process. Having to make major-life decisions as a 17 year old can be understandably overwhelming, but there are a few things that you can do to manage it. Follow these 10 steps to (hopefully!) stay stress-free as we head into college application season.

Start Your Search Early

If you haven’t started your application process yet and are starting to panic, don’t worry. It’s never too late to start early. Most schools’ regular decision deadlines are after the new year, which means you have time to do some research. What do you want in a school? What is a necessity for you? How far do you want to go? These are important questions to ask yourself in order to narrow down your search. Once you have schools that you are interested in, take a tour and be able to imagine yourself on campus! One helpful tip to use when searching for schools is to go on the school’s social media and get a feel for student life. If it doesn’t seem your speed, cross it off the list. If you feel behind, take a deep breath. It’s okay, everyone moves at their own pace, and colleges understand that. That is why there are multiple application deadline options!

Try to Limit Your Options

If you are an anxious student and want to guarantee to yourself that you will get accepted somewhere by applying to as many schools as you can, that may not be your best option. Most college admissions counselors will recommend applying to around five schools. Ideally, the list should consist of a few reach schools and a few safety schools to keep yourself at ease. Applying to a reasonable amount of places takes a weight off your shoulders and things to do off your plate. You should avoid overextending yourself to ensure that you bring your best to each application you submit. Also, don’t drive yourself crazy trying to apply to only the “top” schools. Be realistic. You can still get a good job even if you don’t graduate from Harvard.

Take Advantage of Test-Optional Policies

Post-pandemic, many schools now have a test-optional policy, which means that if you submit an SAT or ACT score, your admissions counselor will review it, but if you decide not to send in your score, it won’t hurt you either. This is great for seniors, because it takes the pressure off of the idea that one test defines your future. Colleges understand that everyone tests differently, and that a four hour test should not take away from the last four years of hard-work. So now, you can relax knowing that if you ace it, that’s great, and if you don’t, that’s okay, too.

Take Breaks

Although college applications will probably take up a big chunk of your time, senior year is supposed to be fun! Most high schools have senior events to try to make your last year as exciting as possible. Get involved! Go to the senior sunrise, go to the last home football game, and try to make the best out of it! If you spend all of your time thinking and talking about college, you won’t be able to escape feelings of stress. There is a healthy balance between being responsible and having fun. In ten years, you may even look back and wish you didn’t take everything so seriously.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

The golden rule to college applications is to not compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone is going down a different path, so don’t let it discourage you if you think that someone else has it all figured out. For instance, maybe an athlete you know has already committed to a school. But, what is best for one person may not work best for somebody else. There is a place for everyone, so don’t let what other people are doing add to your stress and make sure to focus on yourself.

Be Yourself

When completing your applications, you should stay true to yourself. Colleges can see right through an application that’s purely surface level. Your admission counselors want to really get to know you, learn what you’re passionate about and what you will be bringing to their school. Joining clubs that you don’t truly care about will only overload your schedule and stress you out. It’s better to put 100% into one activity rather than stretch yourself out too thin in order to add more things to your resume.

Pick a Topic You’re Passionate About

When it comes to the college essay, it can bring major stress into the lives of students. We all worry about choosing the perfect topic- a combination of something unique, intelligent, and impressive. What students forget is that the Personal Essay has that name for a reason. It’s a chance for you to tell your story and write about something you’re passionate about. Not only will the writing process be easier and more pleasant, but it gives your counselor another chance to get to know you, and your essay will probably be better overall if you really enjoyed the topic you chose.

Take Your Time

Choosing your major can feel overwhelming, but remember, what you choose to study in college is not the career you are stuck with for the rest of your life. If you are interested in multiple areas of study, there are many options for you to choose from. You can have a concentration within a major, a minor, or even double-major! If you are completely undecided, don’t worry, you won’t have to decide on a major until the end of your sophomore year! If this is your case, then make sure to choose a school that isn’t too narrowly focused and has a vast amount of options. Spend your first two years taking different classes and get a feel for what your interests are. Don’t rush into a major because you think you have to!

Utilize Your Resources

During the application process, there are a plethora of people at your fingertips who want to help you succeed. Whether it’s your parents, your guidance counselor, a teacher, or even a friend, there are many people you can go to for help or advice. Naviance is also a great tool that can help you research and organize schools that are the right fit for you. If you don’t mind spending a little money, I would also recommend meeting with a tutor to perfect your essay or working with an admissions consultant to help guide you through the process.

Remember One Bad Grade Won’t Make or Break You

Last but not least, make sure to keep in mind that one bad grade will not automatically mean rejection from your top school. Colleges look at the applicant as a whole, and not just their transcript. They want to know what you’re interested in, how you spend your time, how much you’ve worked or volunteered and then they take all of that into consideration. So, if you’ve stayed up at night thinking about how you failed your last math quiz, I can assure you that it is not worth your time.

Final Thoughts

To some students, college is the end all be all. If that is you, and you turn into a ball of stress and anxiety whenever you hear the word college, then I would take a deep breath and read this article carefully. As important as the process is, don’t waste your high school years constantly worrying about the next four. I hope this helped, and here’s a good luck to everyone applying!