Alia is an Atlanta-based freelance writer who has contributed content to HowStuffWorks for going on a decade now, with a specialty in health writing. She’s also been published by TLC, Animal Planet, and a number of corporate clients. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), and might someday get around to setting up a professional website. Until then, check her out on LinkedIn.

She and her husband are proud parents to three handsome, too-smart-for-their-own-good boys. Alia is a passably not terrible tennis player, lover of all things dance and music, brownie-obsessed, avid reader and off-key car singer. Her two favorite types of people are those who have a healthy sense of humor and those who actually read articles in their entirety before posting comments.

Recent Contributions

The resolutely bipartisan White House Christmas ornament has been an annual tradition since 1981 and is a big fundraiser too.

ByAlia Hoyt

There's acting, and then there's voice acting. Both are difficult in their own specific ways. How much do you know about these legends in the field?

ByAlia Hoyt

When a peta and a tera won't do, you can now call on the quetta or the ronna prefixes. But just how big are these new metric systems of measurement?

ByAlia Hoyt

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Although the day of turkey, football and gathering together has remained a distinctly American holiday, the shopping day afterward has gone global in a big way. How did that happen?

ByAlia Hoyt

Just a few people have gotten married at the White House in the last 200-plus years. Who were they and what's required to score a wedding there?

ByAlia Hoyt

Turns out we've been mispronouncing these five celebrity names for decades. So, what should they actually sound like?

ByAlia Hoyt

If you've ever been curious about what's involved in becoming a nun, we'll explain all the steps as well as the difference between nuns and sisters.

ByAlia Hoyt

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Some houses are big and others are beyond belief. These six dwellings boast private bowling alleys, wine cellars, nightclubs and even a snow room!

ByAlia Hoyt

So your favorite white Vans are full of yellow stains. No problem. Whether you're wearing leather Vans or canvas Vans, we know the best way to clean them and keep them bright white.

ByAlia Hoyt

Indigo children are either here to save the world or need to be helped with their undiagnosed ADHD, depending on your point of view. We explore this New Age concept in more detail.

ByAlia Hoyt

Sugar skulls are an integral (and beautiful) part of Day of the Dead festivities. We speak with an artist and sugar skull expert to find out how to make them.

ByAlia Hoyt

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Cheetos are more than just tasty, dusty cheese puffs. They've even inspired a major motion picture. And why is the snack so addictive, anyway?

ByAlia Hoyt

Research has shown that having a good relationship with your therapist is key to having good outcomes in therapy. But how do you find one you like? We have some great suggestions.

ByAlia Hoyt

If the garment you bought at a close-out sale turns out to be too large, or if you've lost weight, it's better to shrink clothes than to buy new ones. So how do you do it?

ByAlia Hoyt

Your child's got permanent marker on her clothes, and now you have to get it out — fast. Learn some helpful tricks for getting permanent marker stains out of clothes, walls and carpets.

ByAlia Hoyt

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It's a term that's often used in an argument. But gaslighting has a very specific meaning that is often lost. What is it and how can you know if you're really being gaslighted?

ByAlia Hoyt

During the fall months, you may see unfamiliar birds in your area as those from the north begin to fly south. But how do they know when it's time to migrate and where to go?

ByAlia Hoyt

Fall's official beverage, as some call it, is seriously lacking in pumpkin and spices.

ByAlia Hoyt

Fame can be fleeting but some names manage to live forever. Is it possible to determine who is the most famous person on Earth?

ByAlia Hoyt

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Queen Elizabeth II reigned over England for a record-breaking 70 years. But with King Charles taking the throne, how does the line of succession look now?

ByAlia Hoyt

Air travel is far more than getting from point A to point B safely. How much do you know about the million little details that go into flying on airplanes?

ByAlia Hoyt

Lemon zest imparts a bright and citrusy flavor to both savory and sweet foods. Best of all, it's super simple to make using the right tools and the peel of a lemon.

ByAlia Hoyt&Sharise Cunningham

Before you hit the road, download these six apps to make your journey even more successful.

ByAlia Hoyt

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Laundry stripping is a hack that's been trending on TikTok. It's supposed to remove built-up gunk from your "clean" clothes. But does it work?

ByAlia Hoyt

In the last few decades, there's been a sort of arms race to build ever-taller skyscrapers. Which seven currently rank as the world's tallest buildings?

ByAlia Hoyt

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