Blog – Page 5 – According to Kristin

IN REAL LIFE Talks with @ThisFunktional at the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor

October 4, 2017October 22, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

Jesus of ThisFunktional.com & According to Kristin got the chance to speak with newly formed boy band, In Real Life, at the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor event in Long Beach, CA.

After winning spots in the final band on ABC’s Boy Band, a debut single that charted soon after its release, a debut video that has surpassed the milestone of 1 million views, a contract with Hollywood Records and a manager (Johnny Wright) who has worked with some of the top artists in the industry (*NSYNC, Justin Timberlake, Backstreet Boys), In Real Life is in a great place right now and this is only the beginning.

With some long distance help from yours truly, they spoke with Jesus about getting more involved in the writing process, how much creative control they’re being given, being role models and working with Johnny Wright.

Check out the interview below:

Meet the guys:

Chance Perez, 19, of Seal Beach, CA – He’s a loving father of a beautiful 2-year-old girl, Brooklyn, and was a fan favorite on ABC’s Boy Band from the beginning. Chance almost gave up on music in order to pursue a career as a firefighter, but luckily he gave the show a chance and made the final 5.

Drew Ramos, 19, of Bronx, NY – Drew won us over during his audition when he proudly stated that he was a momma’s boy. His love for music led him to singing on the subway in NY and now he’s 1/5 of the world’s newest boy band. He’s a self-proclaimed nerd who loves Star Wars and video games, and we’re all on board!

Michael Conor, 18, of Cleveland, OH – Michael gave fans something different throughout his time on the show. Not only is he a creative genius who can rap & freestyle his way out of anything, he’s also a violinist and a loving big brother. At times Michael had to work harder than most in order to embrace the singing part of the show, but he succeeded and made his way to the final band.

Sergio Calderon, Jr., 16, of Redwood City, CA – Sergio also brought something different to the show by adding Spanish verses to the songs. He gave up his dream of playing professional soccer in order to pursue a career in music. Now he’s part of In Real Life, singing and making everyone laugh one day at a time.

Brady Tutton, 15, Shorewood, WI – Brady was one of the youngest on the show, but proved his talent when he sang in Italian during his audition and consistently wowed the judges each week. As a classically trained singer, an actor, and an all-around lovable guy, Brady gets to showcase his talent with his unofficial big brothers.

Also, check out this adorable shout out Jesus managed to get for my niece and me since we weren’t able to be there:

You can follow the guys on social media here:

In Real Life: Twitter | Instagram | #lifelines

To learn more about the legendary Queen Mary, click HERE

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Be the Change | #prayforlasvegas #prayfortheworld

October 2, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

YoursTruly

I woke up this morning and did what I always do before getting ready for work…I checked my social media. The first post I saw was from a friend of mine who wrote, “Deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. I am speechless.” I echoed that statement and had to take a moment before looking up details.

The headlines read, “50+ dead, 400+ injured in Las Vegas at Route 91 Music Festival.”

This is devastating. Absolutely heartbreaking. As someone who would be lost without music, I can not fathom the idea that thousands of fans who feel the same way gathered at a live show last night, not knowing that someone would rob them of that happy, carefree experience of being surrounded by people who shared that same passion for music. I can not fathom the idea that these artists have to fear not only being a potential victim at their own show, but having to watch thousands of fans scramble for safety. I can not fathom the idea that younger generations are being robbed of these experiences and, instead, are replacing them with the fear of being in a public setting with no metal detectors.

How many more shootings have to take place? How many more innocent lives have to be lost? How many families have to grieve for their loved ones because of a faulty gun law system in this country? That man had no reason to carry multiple automatic weapons and the amount of ammo he had in that hotel room. No one has a reason for that.

Our freedom, and the freedom of our children, is being threatened and it’s saddening.

Now more than ever, we need to be kind to people. We need to pay attention to the details. If you, or someone you know, is hurting, speak up. There are people who are willing to help you. If you’ve decided to end your own life, don’t take the lives of others with you. Suicide is not the answer, but neither is mass murder. Be the change we need in this world we’re all sharing.

I didn’t know anyone at the festival this past weekend, but it could’ve easily happened at any of the countless live shows I’ve taken my niece to. That’s a scary, infuriating thought.

My thoughts are with all of the victims and their families. I hope things change sooner rather than later.

Blog, Movies

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT | Available on 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Combo Pack 9/26 | #transformers

August 17, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

FROM DIRECTOR MICHAEL BAY AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER STEVEN SPIELBERG COMES THE BIGGEST, MOST EXCITING TRANSFORMERS MOVIE YET

Eye-Popping Spectacle Debuts September 26, 2017 on 4K Ultra HD^™, Blu-ray^™ and Blu-ray 3D^™ Combo Packs

5-Movie Blu-ray Collection Will Also be Available September 26

The Action Rolls Out Two Weeks Early on Digital HD September 12

Transformers Last Knight Box Art.jpg Called “incredibly entertaining” (Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International) and filled with “non-stop action from start to finish” (Emily Engberg, ABC-TV, KSTP), director Michael Bay’s TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT explodes on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Blu-ray 3D Combo Packs September 26, 2017 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The groundbreaking adventure will also be available as part of the TRANSFORMERS’ 5-MOVIE BLU-RAY COLLECTION arriving September 26. The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD September 12.

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT shatters the core myths of the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and redefines what it means to be a hero. Humans and TRANSFORMERS are at war, OPTIMUS PRIME is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of TRANSFORMERS on Earth. Saving our world falls upon the shoulders of an unlikely alliance: Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg); BUMBLEBEE; an English Lord (Sir Anthony Hopkins); and an Oxford Professor (Laura Haddock). There comes a moment in everyone’s life when we are called upon to make a difference. In TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT, the hunted will become heroes. Heroes will become villains. Only one world will survive: theirs, or ours.

The latest installment in the global TRANSFORMERS franchise stars Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter) and features a sensational supporting cast including Josh Duhamel (Transformers), Stanley Tucci (The Hunger Games), Anthony Hopkins (“Westworld”), Isabela Moner (“100 Things to Do Before High School”), Laura Haddock (Guardians of the Galaxy), Santiago Caberera (“Salvation”), and Jerrod Carmichael (“The Carmichael Show”).

The TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Blu-ray 3D Combo Packs include a bonus disc with over 80 minutes of behind-the-scenes content and interviews. Travel to Cybertron to explore the TRANSFORMERS home world, then visit the UK to delve into the locations used to bring the epic adventure to life. In addition, go inside the secret mythology of the legendary robots in disguise, check out the incredible vehicles used in the film and much, much more.

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT is Paramount Home Media’s first 4K Ultra HD release in Dolby Vision^™, which enhances the home viewing experience by delivering greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colors. The film also boasts a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack* remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead.

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT Blu-ray Combo Pack

The TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD compatible), English 5.1 Discrete Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Discrete Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The DVD in the combo pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Discrete Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The combo pack includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film as well as the following:

Blu-ray Disc 1

Feature film in high definition

Blu-ray Disc 2

Special Features:
- Merging Mythologies – Explore the secret TRANSFORMERS history
- Climbing the Ranks – Military training
- The Royal Treatment: Transformers in the UK
- Motors and Magic
- Alien Landscape: Cybertron
- One More Giant Effin’ Movie

DVD

Feature film in standard definition

Continue reading “TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT | Available on 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Combo Pack 9/26 | #transformers” →

Blog, TV

Claudia Sandoval sets sail abroad the MasterChef Cruise | #masterchef #cruise

August 9, 2017August 9, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

MasterChef Cruise Sets Sail With Exciting New Lineup Of Onboard Entertainment and Interactive Cooking And Food Sessions

Guests Can Participate in Mystery Box Challenges, Q&A Sessions, Chef Talks, Hands-On Demonstrations and Much More!
MasterChef Season 8 Winner To Join Previously Announced Winners: All-Stars Shaun O’Neale (Season 7 Winner), Claudia Sandoval (Season 6 Winner), Luca Manfé (Season 4 Winner), Brandi Mudd (Season 7 All-Star) and Tanorria Askew (Season 7 All-Star).
New Onboard Credit Available For All Bookings

MasterChef Cruise presented by Endemol Shine North America, producers of the hit culinary competition MASTERCHEF airing Wednesdays (8:00PM-9:00PM ET/PT) on FOX and global event production company Life Journeys, invite foodies and fans alike on a seven-day culinary adventure at sea with an exciting new lineup of onboard entertainment and interactive cooking and food sessions that will allow them to watch, learn and eat with their favorite MASTERCHEF All-Stars.

Experience MASTERCHEF Live! Not only will guests dive into the pristine waters of the Caribbean, but they will immerse themselves in culinary expertise, tips and tricks and hear stories, ideas and step-by-step demonstrations directly from the MASTERCHEF All-Stars. All-Stars scheduled to appear include newly crowned MASTERCHEF Season 8 Winner (to be announced during the MASTERCHEF finale on Sept. 20), Shaun O’Neale (Season 7 Winner), Claudia Sandoval (Season 6 Winner), Luca Manfé (Season 4 Winner), Brandi Mudd (Season 7 All-Star) and Tanorria Askew (Season 7 All-Star).

The MasterChef Cruise will offer engaging and interesting demonstrations perfect for the everyday home cook looking to explore their skills in the kitchen and inspiration with new culinary ideas including:

Mystery Box Challenges

Guests, alongside the All-Stars, will be invited to participate in the ever-popular Mystery Box Challenge (as seen on MASTERCHEF) where they can test their culinary capabilities and skills using mystery ingredients and mystery themes

Q&A Sessions

Guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the All-Stars– asking questions, interacting and learning with the All-Stars to become the best home cook on the block.

Chef Talks and Hands On Demonstrations

Guests will experience Cooking 101 Sessions with the All-Stars, who will give them insights to their top dishes, favorite ingredients, and secrets to becoming a success in the kitchen.

Pressure Tests

Guests will join the All-Stars for a themed and Caribbean-inspired culinary Pressure Test (as seen on MASTERCHEF) that will allow them to cook dishes mixed with classic and exotic ingredients in a timed, competitive setting.

Battle of the Home Cooks

Guests will be invited to participate in challenges judged by the All-Stars, including a baking challenge, a burger challenge, a taco challenge and more. They will also be encouraged to get their personal recipes ready for a chance to be selected to go on stage to test their culinary talents against fellow guests.

Extra Credit: Pop Quizzes, Games & Relay Races

Guests will challenge their culinary and MASTERCHEF knowledge with fun and informative games and trivia peppered throughout the week.

Soon, the MasterChef Cruise will also be announcing Premium VIP upgrade experiences such as Chef Inspired 5-course dinner and luncheons, intimate cooking demonstrations, cruise ship kitchen tours, and much more. Check the MasterChef Cruise website often for updates.

All programming is subject to change.

The seven-day cruise sets sail November 12-19, 2017 on-board Holland America Line’s first Signature-class cruise ship, ms Eurodam. Embarking from Fort Lauderdale, FL, it will visit Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas.

MasterChef Cruise is offering guests instant onboard dollars to use towards rejuvenating spa treatments, unique shore excursions, specialty restaurants, casino and additional onboard amenities the ship has to offer! From $50 to $150, per person, based on cabin category, guests can enjoy an extra serving of fun from MASTERCHEF. The following breaks down onboard credits:

Interior Stateroom: $50 per person

Ocean-View Stateroom: $50 per person

Verandah Stateroom: $100 per person

Signature Suites: $150 per person

Neptune Suites: $150 per person

Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and the full MasterChef Cruise itinerary, visit www.masterchefcruise.com.

Blog, TV

Why JHype Should Still Be On ABC’s ‘Boy Band’ | #jhype #boyband @JHypeOfficial

August 9, 2017August 9, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

I grew up during the peak of the boy band era. You know the one I’m talking about . . . the one where it was either *Nsync OR Backstreet Boys. The one where we had posters plastered to our walls like wallpaper and attempted dance moves in our living rooms. The one where we watched ‘Making the Band’ when O-Town was put together.

You know what New Kids On the Block, *Nsync, Backstreet Boys, O-Town, New Edition, 98 Degrees, etc. didn’t have?? A 14-year-old beatboxer who SLAYS.

Personally, I was an *Nsync girl because . . . Justin Timberlake, but I decided to check out an episode of ABC’s Boy Band just to see how the judging was handled even though Nick Carter was one of the architects (you can take the girl out of the boy band era, but you can’t take the boy band era out of the girl). My niece, who is 13 decided to watch it with me and that was a wrap. We both got sucked back into boy band land. Let me also state, for the record, that even the One Direction boys didn’t have the greatest auditions on X-Factor (at all), but Simon Cowell saw something in them that he thought would work as a boy band. Clearly, he was onto something because they grew into their voices and have all managed to put out great solo singles and records.

I want to start out by saying that I’ve always been a fan of hearing people beatbox because it’s just not something that everyone can do. We saw JHype’s audition for Boy Band, where Timbaland even went up on stage to join him and it was incredible. I’m not just saying that because he’s my niece’s favorite either. Here’s the audition:

Now, I can’t sit here and say that JHype ever had the best vocals on the show, but he had something that no one else had (aside from Michael Conor)–originality. My issue is that he knew he didn’t come into the competition as a singer and worked extra hard to improve, but even through all of his hard work and growth, Nick still knocked him down each week. No constructive criticism that he could take in and try to perfect, no recognition for the hard work he was putting in, nothing. The only person who gave him credit was Timbaland.

What should’ve been taken into consideration is that he was SO good at beatboxing and improving with vocals. Some of the guys only had vocals and even those weren’t consistently good over the past few weeks.

One comment that stands out in particular was when Nick said he was concerned that JHype didn’t have the tools they need to go deep into the competition. Are you kidding me?? Take a poll, sir! I don’t want another cookie-cutter boy band like all the ones we’ve had in the past. I think adding a rapper (Michael Conor) and JHype would be so interesting and different! I just didn’t appreciate that it sounded like Nick had it out for Jay from the very beginning. Stop telling him he has room for growth because they all do! I still do and I’m 33! Plus, let’s be real . . . Nick isn’t the best singer in BSB either, but they’re still relevant as a band! Now we can also add a lack of vision to that list.

With that being said, here is my ideal Top Five:

Chance, Drew, Marcus, Michael Conor and JHype

With JHype being gone now, here is my current Top Five:

Chance, Drew, Marcus, Michael Conor and Mikey

I know what you’re thinking . . . where’s Jaden?? I think Jaden is more of a soloist (and a bad-ass one at that), so I’d like to see him do his own thing. Hey, maybe he could collab with JHype & Miles!

It’s no secret that Jay will do big things now that his name is on the map and he has a strong fan base to keep that going. He would’ve been a GREAT addition, but I’m excited to see where he goes from here. Here’s to hoping that Timbaland and Justin Timberlake reach out and mentor him even further! The future is bright for him without a doubt. I can’t wait to see him prove Nick wrong!

On that note, here’s my favorite JHype performance on the show:

You can find JHype on social media here:

Instagram | Twitter

And while you’re at it, you can follow my niece on social media here:

Instagram | Twitter

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It’s Official!! I’m a College Grad w/a BA in English | Creative Writing!

August 9, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

YoursTruly

Hey, everyone!!

I hope you’ve all been having a FANTASTIC summer! Some of you might have noticed my short absence online, but I have a legit explanation . . .

I FINALLY GOT MY DEGREE!!

After a 14-year span of taking classes and taking breaks and changing majors and switching schools because I can’t find a schedule that lines up with my full-time job and, you know . . . life, I finally graduated from the University of Central Florida!

It’s been a rocky road, for sure, but I managed to land myself in several honors programs, I have a 3.9 GPA and one of my poems is being published in a literary magazine this Fall. I’m the first in my family to have a college degree (besides my aunts) and now I can say I have a Bachelors Degree in English | Creative Writing.

What’s the goal, you ask?

I’ve been asking myself that for years! All I know is that I LOVE to write. Whether I eventually write for a magazine, a TV show, start my own magazine or just write things down here on my blog, I’ll be a happy camper. I’ll also be getting my certification to be a teacher as a back-up plan. After having some of the best writing professors ever, I’d love to be that role model for younger generations. So, while the goal may sound broad, all I want to do is write.

I didn’t attend my graduation this past weekend, but this is why I’ve been MIA for the past two or three weeks. I also didn’t take any graduation photos, so here is the only one I’m posting haha!!

Blog, TV

UNIVERSO’S ORIGINAL SERIES “EL VATO” RETURNS W/2ND SEASON PREMIERE SET FOR 8/27 | #elvato #tv

July 14, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

UNIVERSO’S ORIGINAL SCRIPTED SERIES “EL VATO” RETURNS WITH SECOND SEASON PREMIERE SET FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 10PM/9C

The Weekly Dramedy Stars Regional Mexican Singer El Dasa, Cristina Rodlo, Gustavo Egelhaaf, Ricardo Polanco, Mauricio Martinez and Horacio Castelo

Empty run down room

UNIVERSO, the fastest the fastest growing Spanish-language entertainment cable network in the U.S., announced the premiere of the second season of its original scripted series “El Vato”, Sunday, August 27 at 10pm/9C. The 13-episode dramedy follows El Vato (El Dasa) and his unconditional friends Mariana (Cristina Rodlo), El Pollo (Gustavo Egelhaaf) and Brandon (Ricardo Polanco) as they face challenges with humor along their journey to achieve the American dream. To view and download press materials, click here. Viewers and fans can keep up with the latest news about the production on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM, and join the conversation on social media by using #ElVato.

On this new season, the scripted dramedy inspired by music star El Dasa’s incredible real life story follows El Vato (El Dasa) and his friends as they continue fighting for their dreams in Los Angeles, in pursuit of a coveted spot in the Regional Mexican music world. After signing a contract, El Vato realizes he is trapped. Lolo Lozada (Horacio Castelo) the owner of his contract, only signed him to stop him from competing with other ‘Norteño’ singers in his record company. As usual, El Vato’s friends will accompany him on these adventures. El Vato will have to face people who want take him down, juggle various love interests and do the impossible to continue the fight with his friends.

In addition to the fun-filled adventures, viewers will get to enjoy musical collaborations by El Dasa who composed the series’ music including “El Hijo del Desierto”, “Soy Norteño” and “Ya me vi.” Viewers can catch up by watching the first season of ten episodes on Telemundo beginning Saturday, July 29^th at 4pm/3C.

“El Vato” is executive produced by Fernando Gaston, VP of Production and Development for UNIVERSO, Sergio Lazarov for Endemol Shine Latino and Enrique Nuñez for Boomdog.

To find UNIVERSO on your satellite, telco or cable TV channel lineup, go to Channel 410 on DIRECTV; Channel 838 on DISH Network; Channel 3009 or 3010 on AT&T U-verse; and visit www.encuentranbcuniverso.com for the UNIVERSO channel number on your local cable TV listings.

UNIVERSO is currently available to 40 million households across the U.S. The network is telecast in HD nationwide on DirecTV; Western U.S. markets served by Comcast Xfinity TV; throughout Bright House Networks’ cable television footprint; and select Cox Communications markets.

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It’s Official! I’m a Rep for PURAVIDA! | #puravida #puravidabracelets

June 21, 2017June 21, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

What’s up, everyone?! I am so stoked about this post, I can’t even control it haha!

I got the news today that I’m officially a rep for PURAVIDA! Anyone who knows me knows that I love to stack bracelets on bracelets on bracelets, so giving others the chance to do the same makes me a very happy woman lol.

You can check out their full bio over at puravidabracelets.com, and also start to make your fabulous purchases. But first, I wanted to share a little bit of insight into why I’m so excited about this. “Pura Vida” is Spanish for “pure life” – something we should all be striving for, am I right? Each bracelet is handcrafted and helps to provide full-time jobs for local artisans in Costa Rica.

So, as a lover of art, and as a supporter of hard work and creativity, join me in supporting these artists and all local artists who pour their hearts out to make trendy things for us to wear and share! Check out puravidabracelets.com to order their limited edition 4th of July bracelets:

Feel free to tag me @thisiskristin_ in your pics on Insta and @thisiskristin_ on Twitter!

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FabFitFun | Summer Box! | #fabfitfunpartner @fabfitfun

June 14, 2017June 14, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

065A5860

You guys!!

I just received my FabFitFun Summer box in the mail and I absolutely LOVE it! This is my first time being a subscriber to any of these monthly (or in this case seasonal) boxes and I couldn’t be happier. You get full-sized products to try out at a fraction of the cost as if you were to buy these items in the store.

Continue reading “FabFitFun | Summer Box! | #fabfitfunpartner @fabfitfun” →

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April: Days Seven & Eight | Playlists & Plans

April 13, 2017April 13, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

YoursTruly

Hey everyone!

I’m sorry for falling behind a bit on these daily posts, but last weekend was my birthday! Never fear, I’m in catch-up mode and will try to combine some days so I don’t bombard you with my rambling lol.

For Day Seven, I wanted to talk about Playlists!

I’m a HUGE music lover and I absolutely love finding new artists. I get tired of hearing the same 5 songs in rotation on the radio, so any time I can Shazam a song from a TV show or movie I’m a happy camper! I’m always taking suggestions too, so if you know of anyone I should check out, comment on this post and let me know!

I have a few playlists going on Apple Music right now, but the one I use the most is eclectic to say the least! I have Hailee Steinfeld, ZAYN, Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Syml, Muse, Lady Gaga, The Chainsmokers, Ruelle and Amber Run. Ruelle is featured a lot on one of my favorite shows, The Originals, and they’re absolutely incredible! I usually add a lot of my Shazam tags to that playlist as well so it’s always growing.

I also have a Justin Timberlake playlist, OneRepublic, The Script and Imagine Dragons. Those four are probably my favorite artists/bands.

How about you? What are you listening to? Is there anyone I should check out?

Day Eight is about highlighting what Plans are on my to-do list . . . and there’s a lot! I won’t bore you with everything, but here are the essentials:

Definitely need to hit the gym. In the past year I moved from my home of 29 years to a cute little apartment. For some reason during the chaos of moving and working full-time, I decided it would be a “good idea” to also take 5 online classes. I haven’t had much time within the past year, but now that school has slowed down and I’m almost done, I plan on being at the gym every day.
This past week I started looking for apartments to rent in Georgia, New York and New Jersey. During my search, I stumbled upon a GORGEOUS new home for about half of what it would cost if it were here in Miami. This really made me smarten up about spending/saving money, so saving is definitely on my list of plans.
I graduated high school in 2002 (yes, I’m old) and have been taking college courses here and there ever since. I’ve worked full-time since I was 18 so it wasn’t always easy to put time aside for school. Trying to find online classes or classes that coincide with your work schedule is a bitch! I’ve already received my Associates Degree and Liberal Arts and am about to finish my Bachelors Degree in English – Creative Writing, so now it’s time to think and plan for the possibility of grad school. Am I crazy for considering it? Probably!

That’s all I’ll bore you with for now, but let me know what plans you have for the rest of the year!

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April: Day Six | What is one thing you need to start doing?

April 6, 2017April 6, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

YoursTruly

The loaded question for Day Six is:

What is one thing you need to start doing?

Besides the typical going to the gym, eating healthy, saving money, etc., I think my answer for this one is that I need to start driving places. Yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds lol.

Throughout my life my dad always drove my mom and me everywhere. Starting a new job? He’d drive you there to let you get a feel for the area before having to do it by yourself. Need to stop by school for something? He’d drive you there too. The man LOVED to drive and would volunteer to drive you everywhere. While I appreciated it at the time, I feel like it caused some damage. I get anxiety when I have to drive places I’m not familiar with.

I’m 33 and have lived in Miami for the past 27 years, but I’ve yet to drive myself to Orlando. That means I can’t take little spontaneous trips to Disney with my niece, I can’t plan road trips with friends because I’m the only one whose hands start to sweat when I have to get on a highway. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a good driver and I’m a safe driver, but I don’t trust other drivers. I’ve seen way too many people putting make-up on while they drive, plucking their eyebrows, eating, texting . . . you get the point. It makes me nervous and I try to avoid it.

The anxiety I get comes with a price though. Friends invite me to things and I sometimes turn them down because the thought of driving there alone makes my head spin. This sometimes causes them to think twice about inviting me because they automatically assume I’ll turn down the invite. It hurts sometimes, but I’m sure it hurts them when I can’t make it. Something that people don’t try to understand about anxiety though is that it’s not something you can just say, “Hey! I’m gonna get over this today!” Believe me, I wish it was that easy because I tell myself that all the time.

So that’s what I need to start doing . . . I need to take baby steps so that I can eventually make that trip to Disney with my niece

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April: Day Five | What do you think of social media?

April 6, 2017April 6, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

Hey there! I hope you’re having a fantastic start to the month!

For Day Five the question is:

What do you think of social media?

I think social media can be one of the greatest inventions . . . when it is used properly. That’s the key word. When I was in high school we didn’t have social media. We weren’t able to connect with our favorite actors, musicians, athletes, etc. online the way we can now. YouTube wasn’t around until about three years after I graduated high school, so if you wanted to hear an interview with your favorite band (cough cough *NSYNC) you had to sit next to the radio with a CASSETTE TAPE on deck and wait to hit the record button at just the right moment. There were no DVR’s and no YouTube, so if you wanted to re-watch that amazing performance from an awards show, you had to pop a VHS TAPE in your VCR and, also, hit record button at just the right moment. The struggle was real!

I wouldn’t even have this blog if it weren’t for the internet and social media! So I do think there are a lot of positives that come along with it. It’s pretty cool to be able to reach out to our favorite actors, writers, musicians, athletes and influencers and, in some cases, even have a conversation with them. If I were able to have a conversation with Justin Timberlake in my high school years, maybe my life would’ve taken a different path. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration lol, but it’s still pretty cool to have that possibility now. I’ve also made a ton of friends via social media that live in other states that I never would have met if I wasn’t on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Imagine the horror of living in a time where smart phones didn’t exist! We actually had to TALK to our family and friends as opposed to texting or tweeting. I feel old saying it because even though I love the possibilities available to us via social media, I miss the times where we knew how to communicate.

Which brings me to my thoughts of how social media can be a negative thing also. I’ve been a fan of The Vampire Diaries for years now and I recapped it online with my friends for a while. As a writer, I follow a lot of the writers and creators of the show because I admire the work they do. However, I’ve seen these incredible writers get the rudest tweets and messages because the scripts didn’t include “ships” that some fans were longing for. Are you kidding me??? How can a group of writers please every single fan out there? It’s literally impossible. I’m sure the writers of these shows have thick skin to be able to do what they do, but I’m sure getting these messages from strangers claiming to be fans can also be disconcerting at times.

There is also cyber-bullying to worry about. My niece is 12 and has social media, so the worry is constantly there for me. Thankfully she doesn’t mind me being logged into her accounts so I can help guide her through the correct ways to use social media. It’s sad that terms like “fat-shaming” and “slut-shaming” exist these days. Someone doesn’t fit societies expectations for the perfect body? They’re labeled fat and unhealthy. A woman has a photo leaked of her that was sent to her boyfriend at the time? She’s a slut. A man would get props on that one though if the roles were reversed. I’ve even seen fans on Twitter send despicable comments to actors just to get a response from them. Forget the fact that the actor will respond by calling them a jerk, the fan is still excited (which baffles my mind lol).

There are a number of ways to look at social media and the effects it has on society today. When used properly, it can be fun and productive. When used improperly, it can cause pain to others.

So think about how you want to impact those around you and set the example! Let’s teach younger generations to appreciate the things they have at their fingertips and to utilize those outlets correctly.

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April: Day Four | If you were able to instantly change your life, what would be different?

April 5, 2017April 5, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

YoursTruly

Hey, everyone!

Day Four on my April list is:

If you were able to instantly change your life, what would be different?

This is a tough question because I was raised not to regret things. We go through certain experiences and we make mistakes, but we usually learn from them. I think, for the most part, that these things shape who we are, whether they’re difficult to go through or not.

However, in the past few years, I’ve experienced certain things that I wish I would change. One being my relationship with my father.

My father didn’t always know how to relate to my brothers and I. He was a Vietnam vet who often suffered from PTSD and found it much easier to relate to other veterans. There was one in particular that my dad sort of adopted in his mind. If I’m being honest, it hurt me. It hurt that he took more of an interest in this guy’s life than in mine. I would even joke to my friends that I had daddy issues. Never did I think I would lose my dad before he turned 65.

Long story short . . . my dad was diagnosed with liver cancer in April 2015 and he died a month later. It’s crazy how you don’t stop to think about how much you truly appreciate someone until they’re no longer around. My dad wasn’t perfect, but he was the type of dad that would’ve dropped everything if you needed a ride somewhere or if you had a flat tire in the middle of the night .

So if I could change something, I would change the relationship I had with my father in the years leading up to his death.

If I could change two things, I would also change the person I chose to give my heart to when I was way too young to even consider giving it away. Ladies, young girls . . . please remember to love yourself before you try loving someone else. I made the mistake of putting all of my affection towards one person and all he did was play games. Slept with my best friend after I (stupidly) paid for his flight to visit, repeatedly came to me to boost his ego when other girls knocked him down, said horrible things about me, played the sympathy card asking for help paying bills and then gave his girlfriend a gorgeous ring about a month or two later. Thankfully I’d smartened up by that point so he didn’t get a penny from me for that ring lol. He dangled me like a chew toy and I fell for it every time because when he shattered me to pieces, I gave him that power to do it. So appreciate yourself and don’t let ANYONE have power over you. We are strong WOMEN and we should be putting that strength and love towards someone who deserves it.

Who knows . . . if I could go back and eliminate him from my life, I might not have the troubles I have now with finding men who are only interested in two things . . . sex and feeding their own egos. Where are the good guys at???

What would YOU change if you could? Let me know!

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April: Day Three | What are you most grateful for?

April 3, 2017by Kristin1 Comment

YoursTruly

Hello to anyone taking the time to read this!

Day Three’s prompt is: What are you most grateful for?

If I’m being completely honest, I find it difficult sometimes to feel grateful for everything I have in my life. I’m pretty certain others feel the same. I haven’t had a bad life, but I haven’t had the picture perfect life I envisioned when I was in high school. I’ve had close friends backstab me, I’ve had boys break my heart (one in particular) and I’ve had plenty of friends come and go over the years. The one thing that has remained a constant is my family.

While I’ve lost all of my grandparents and my father, I still have the most incredible mom and two older brothers that can piss me off 90% of the time but they’ve always had my back when I needed it.

I also have a 12-year-old niece who I absolutely adore. She’s a pain in the ass sometimes, but she’s my pain in the ass.

So that’s what I’m most grateful for at the moment . . . my family.

What are YOU most grateful for? Let me know!

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April: Day Two | What place do you consider your home?

April 3, 2017April 3, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

YoursTruly

Good morning, peeps!

I’m still catching up on what will be an informative month lol. As a short reminder, April is my birthday month and, in an attempt to let you all get to know me a little better, I’ll be writing once a day in response to a writing prompt.

Day Two’s prompt is: What place do you consider your home?

This is a tricky question to answer! I’ve lived in Miami, FL for the past 27 years. My family moved here when I was about to turn 6 for a job that my dad was hired to do. I have an awful memory, so I don’t remember much from my childhood, but I remember not wanting to leave my friends and family in New Jersey.

I was born in Glen Ridge, NJ and lived my first years of life in Bloomfield. It’s a small town where everyone knew everyone. We lived on a dead-end street that always had kids outside playing. We had no cell phones, no computers . . . we were kids. Our sources of entertainment came from playing outside, sliding down our driveways on skateboards, etc. It was a GREAT time to be a kid. I was the baby on the block with two older brothers and a whole street full of unofficial ones.

I still have four wonderful aunts in New Jersey and up until a few years ago, the best grandparents in the world lived there too.

So to answer this question truthfully . . . even though I’ve been in Miami for the past 27 years, I still consider New Jersey home. People are friendlier, things are simpler and everything just feels nostalgic – like home. Not to mention the fact that I miss the cold weather (yes, I said it!). Eventually I might even consider moving back to my roots!

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April: Day One | Your Biggest Dream

April 2, 2017April 2, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

YoursTruly

Hey everyone!! I just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to check in on According to Kristin. I truly appreciate the likes, follows, comments and emails!

With that being said, I’m a day late but WELCOME to my birthday month! Yes, I’m that person who thinks the whole month is my month to do what makes me happy lol. I’m a HUGE birthday person in general. I love making my friends feel special on their born day and I love making myself feel special too . . . because we should all be doing that anyway, am I right?

So I decided to do something special for my birthday month. I’ve been wanting to get into writing more original content for the blog and I thought this would be the perfect way to start. School and work have been taking up most of my time, but I’m finally able to dedicate more time to doing what I love . . . writing! I visited Pinterest and looked up writing prompts that might help you all get to know me a bit better, so here goes!

First up . . . “Your biggest dream”

My biggest dream is to be truly happy. I haven’t had it the easiest, especially in recent years. I had my heart broken into a million tiny pieces, I lost my 3 remaining grandparents, my beautiful Golden Retriever Kayla, and my father all in a span of four years. It’s been tough and I battle anxiety at times, but I find that writing helps A LOT.

I’ve been taking creative writing courses (yes, I’m old to still be finishing my Bachelor’s degree, but hey, life happens) and have gotten involved in writing poetry, which was totally out of my comfort zone. I might even gain enough courage to post some of my poems online one day. The process of writing about something that haunts you has been extremely therapeutic for me though!

I’m about to turn 33 and I’m single, I live at home, I have no kids of my own and I don’t get to go out much. Between work, school and literally all of my friends being married with children of their own, it’s hard to put yourself out there. I’m at a point though where I’m ready to start doing that. The plan is to consistently make it to the gym, get back in shape and really find that happiness within myself that I’ve been missing for a bit.

Thankfully, I have According to Kristin and my fellow podcast peeps to keep me busy doing what I find exciting and entertaining. I never thought I’d have a blog to run, so here’s to taking those baby steps towards finding yourself. It’s hard sometimes and there are a ton of speed bumps along the way, but you just have to push through and do what needs to be done no matter what.

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FabFitFun | Meet the Box!

March 29, 2017March 29, 2017by KristinLeave a Comment

Hey, everyone! 🙂

So, I recently became a partner with FabFitFun and I’m pretty stoked about it! I’ve heard so many great things about the company and the products that they put out there for women, so I wanted to get on board and spread the word.

My first box will be arriving soon, so I’ll make sure to post pics on my Instagram (@ThisIsKristin_) & Twitter (@ThisIsKristin_).

All you have to do is use my link below and enter the code BUNNIES at checkout for $10 off your first box!

FabFitFun – According to Kristin

What I love about this box as opposed to others is that they send you FULL SIZE items to try out. The value of the box far surpasses the cost for the subscription.

You can opt for the seasonal subscription, where you’ll receive just one box for that current season OR you can opt for the annual subscription, where you’ll receive a box for EACH season, as well as the option to select certain items to include PLUS you can also choose add-on items for that particular season. Let me know if you already have a subscription or if you’re a newbie like me!

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ENTER TO WIN: Sticky9 Medium Magnets!

December 7, 2016December 7, 2016by KristinLeave a Comment

sticky91
Hey everyone!

I’m so excited to tell you about a little gem I found a few years ago. Social media has introduced me to so many things, and Sticky9 is one of my favorites.

Sticky9 offers magnets in Medium, Large, Retro (which look like little polaroid photos) and Jigsaw; Square Photo Prints; Posters; iPad Covers; Greeting Cards and so much more. The quality of their products are incredible and so is their customer service.

My niece and I bought two large magnet boards from IKEA that are completely filled with Sticky9 magnets (see photo below – you can probably guess which one is mine and which one belongs to a 12-year-old lol). You can make magnets with your favorite photos from Instagram, or your favorite quotes and saved photos. They also have an app that you can download to your phone that allows you to upload photos directly from your camera roll.

So here’s the deal. To enter the contest for a FREE set of Medium Magnets, answer the question below:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION, AND WHY?

Send your ANSWER(S), FIRST & LAST NAME to accordingtokristin@gmail.com.
In the subject line – STICKY9 Magnets Giveaway

Winner will be selected on December 10th to give enough time to order before the holiday! You can check the website for shipping and delivery dates.

This promotion will end December 10th at 10:00 AM (eastern time). Only one entry per person. No purchase necessary. Winner will be contacted via email with a promotional code to use on Sticky9. AccordingtoKristin.com and other promotional partners are not responsible for lost, stolen, or misdirected mail.

You can also check out the site and order your very own magnets, photo prints, etc. with my code FRIENDANX5, which will deduct 15% from your purchase.

These products are great gifts and stocking stuffers! As an idea, last Christmas I had The 1975’s logo printed on a set of Jigsaw magnets. I separated each magnet and placed each one in an envelope with a clue leading my niece to a huge box with The 1975 concert tickets inside. She loved the little scavenger hunt, trying to figure out where each magnet went and now she has a cool looking jigsaw puzzle.

Be sure to enter the contest and check out Sticky9 online and on their app. You can thank me later! 🙂

Happy Holidays!

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Day 3: The Holidays According to Kristin

November 23, 2016by KristinLeave a Comment

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Hey everyone!

So Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I’m sure we’re all preparing to stuff our faces! Some of us might even be prepping our Black Friday shopping extravaganza!

My Thanksgiving traditions have changed a bit over the years because we’ve had some losses in the family, but there are still little things we can do to start new ones, right?

About a year ago my brother sent me a text with a recipe for a dessert that looked absolutely delicious. It’s like a pumpkin/pudding/cool whip pan of Heaven! We all loved it so much, I decided to make it for my office at Halloween. Let’s just say…don’t make it for your office potlucks if you don’t want it being requested every single time! haha.

pumpkin-delight-1

This is one dessert I’ve enjoyed making with my niece because there are four layers to it, and she loves being able to say she helped contribute to the awesomeness.

So here is the link to Lil’ Luna’s Pumpkin Delight Dessert. Try it out and let me know if you love it as much as we do! Also, let me know what your favorite Thanksgiving dishes are!

From my family to yours…have a VERY Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂

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Day 2: The Holidays According to Kristin

November 21, 2016by KristinLeave a Comment

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Hey there, holiday shoppers!

I know we’re getting down to business with holiday shopping (or procrastinating until the last minute), and you might be running out of ideas. Don’t fret! I’m here to help!

I’m the type who loves to find unusual/awesome gifts that you can’t find just anywhere. I also have a fickle 12-year-old niece who likes odd gifts that no one else has. We’re raising a trendsetter here! So this year, I found a few things for her at Urban Outfitters.

Whether you’re interested in quirky rose gold cat ear headphones, MEOW stemless wine glasses, white marble LuMee phone cases, guitar pick makers, record players, 3Doodler Pen Gift sets, etc. you might have some luck here. The best part is that the gifts here are reasonably priced!

The link I provided above will take you to the Gift page, where you can choose whether you’re buying for Him or Her, but Urban Outfitters has everything from Clothing to Beauty to Tech Gifts and Home Decor.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, try them out and let me know what you think! Happy shopping!

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