Addictive New App: DOLLIFY

I’ve been following an artist, David Alvarez, on IG (dave.xp) for quite some time and I absolutely love his work. He basically uses Photoshop to draw doll versions of celebrities and some of his followers. Sometimes he holds contests on Fridays where he randomly chooses one of his followers to draw.

There were so many times where I hoped my name would be announced, but alas, it was not. Imagine my excitement when he announced that he was developing an app (iOS: Dollify) where we could make our own! You can choose skin tone, eye color, hair color, clothing, jewelry, freckles/no freckles, etc. I wish I could say the possibilities are endless, but the app was just released this week, so things might be added in the future.

With the app’s free version, you can create a maximum of TWO dolls, but you can continue to edit them infinite times. OR, you can contribute to David’s hard work and pay the $6.99 in order to gain access to more options and an endless number of dolls.

Here are some of the ones I made for myself (I told you it was a addictive):

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Check it out for yourself and tag me in your posts so I can see what you came up with! Now excuse me while I go make moreeeeeeeeeee lol.

Freelance Artist to Watch: ELLEY BURCH | [Interview]

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Good morning, loves!

I recently stumbled upon a freelance artist (Elley Burch) on Instagram that was shared by an account I follow. After seeing some of her work, I decided to reach out in regards to a pet portrait of my little fur babies & I am so glad I did!

Elley is extremely professional & an absolute joy to work with. Not to mention that her work is exceptional & I am so in love with this new piece that I get to display.

 

I got to have a chat with Elley about herself & her art, so keep reading to learn more:

1. Could you please introduce yourself for those who might be unfamiliar with your work (for now)?   😉

Hello! My name is Elley Burch and I am a freelance artist. My amazing husband and I recently got married and we are now living in Auburn, AL while he attends medical school. We often joke that there couldn’t be two people who are more different when it comes to interests and talents than we are. My husband is athletic and crazy smart (hence the medical school) while I love every area of the arts especially painting. If I could just create all day, I would.

 

2. When did you first realize you had a talent for drawing?

Since I was a little girl, my mom said I always was trying to color or make something. I just always had a love for art so my mom decided that I needed to be put into art classes to have a place for this love to grow and to transform. My teachers and family would always tell me that I had a talent but I didn’t really begin to believe it until I was in high school. Then from there everything began to take off. People would begin to hire me for small things and I would paint lots of banners and things for my cheer squad. Then and into college I made backdrops for various events and things of that sort. Slowly but surely business began to pick up and now here I am growing my skills and taking steps towards a career as an artist.

 

3. What made you decide to actually become an artist?

In some ways I always knew it was something I wanted to pursue. But it didn’t fully click until I realized that God gave me a talent for a purpose for something greater than myself. Ever since then, I have pursued every open door and am continually refining my skills.

 

4. It’s so important to support independent/new artists. It can be a fickle business.  What message do you have for other artists who are looking to make their mark?

Every aspiring artist or creative mind will always feel these two dreaded words in most conversations “starving artist”. This implies not only the lack of income but the lack of talent. Yes, at first you may not be at the skill level you desire or know that you can achieve. But that is where practice and passion come in. No matter what influences you, you must believe in yourself and continue to do what makes you happy. Paint and create things that give you joy and also stretch you! And most importantly, be open to the direction that your clients/inspiration takes you. You never know, it may have you unlock something special that you would of never found otherwise.

 

5. Do you have any upcoming projects we should keep our eyes open for?

Yes! I am working on a few ideas for brides! Without giving much away, this could be a special gift or even a special touch to any wedding. It is something very new to me and I am so excited to give it a try.

 

6. What is the best part about being an artist?

I simply have no limits to what I can create. There is no box to be put in and I am allowed to let my imagination come to life.

 

7. What are your aspirations for Elley Burch for 2019?

For 2019, I plan to expand my portfolio and gain a larger following. My desire is to not only to make beautiful and custom work for any and everybody but to provide each season and celebration with something creatively meaningful.

 

Here is a picture of the piece Elley made for me:

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To contact Elley, or to simply find out more, visit elleyburch.com

 

 

 

Looking for a creative outlet? Try Skillshare Premium FREE for 2 months!

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If you’re looking to learn new ways to be creative, check out Skillshare! I discovered them through an account I follow on Instagram and I can’t wait to sign up for some classes.

A few years ago, I went ahead and bought a Cricut machine with zero knowledge on how to use it. Unfortunately, we had a few deaths in the family and ended up moving, so I never had the chance to actually use the machine until now . . . and now I’m hooked. I’ve been a YouTube fanatic lately trying to find projects to make and how the heck to become a hand lettering pro.

With Skillshare, now I can sign up for tutorials on how to master hand lettering on the iPad and how to get the most out of my Creative Cloud subscription.

Check it out for yourself and see if there are classes geared towards your creative needs. Sign up for the premium membership and get 2 months free with my link below!

Try it out HERE!

M8X6e[1]

 

PETER PAN | Activity Pages | On Digital May 29 & Blu-ray June 5

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Experience the Magic of Disney’s Beloved Flight of Fantasy:
“Peter Pan” Soars Into the Walt Disney Signature Collection
on Digital May 29 and on Blu-ray™ June 5

image001In celebration of the 65th anniversary, and the Digital/Blu-ray™ release, you can download and print these special PETER PAN activity pages for you and/or your little ones!

SYNOPSIS: In “Peter Pan,” fantastic adventures await the Darling children—Wendy, John and Michael—when Peter Pan, the hero of their stories, whisks them away to the magical world of Never Land.  After flying with Peter and the delightfully impish Tinker Bell past the “second star to the right and straight on till morning,” they explore the enchanted island and Peter’s secret hideout with the Lost Boys, and leap into high-flying battles with swashbuckling pirates and the infamous villain Captain Hook.

“Peter Pan” is the seventh title to join the Walt Disney Signature Collection, which includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. The film takes its place alongside“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pinocchio,” “Bambi,” “The Lion King” and “Lady and the Tramp.”

For more information regarding bonus features that will accompany the Digital and Blu-ray release of PETER PAN, check out the original post HERE.

Feel free to download and print out these special PETER PAN activity pages & make sure to tag me in them online!

 

 

 

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: Man of the Woods Tour 2018 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL – 5/19/18

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: Man of the Woods Tour 2018 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL – 5/19/18

Ladies and gentleman, I got to experience something incredible this past weekend. I ended up with front row tickets to The Man of the Woods Tour and it was something I will truly never forget. At one point, the first time JT stood in front of us, I felt a sharp pain in my chest and was convinced I was about to have a heart attack. Luckily, it passed and only got better from there! But, first, let me tell you how I got there:

I (finally) got my Bachelor’s Degree last August and, as a graduation gift, my aunts surprised me with tickets to see my Day 1, Justin Timberlake, on one of his stops here in South Florida. I’d been pretty bummed because the tickets were rather expensive and I was convinced that I wouldn’t be able to make it to one of his shows for the first time ever. So, when my aunts surprised me with FLOOR tickets, I was stoked! This would be the first time I’ve ever had floor tickets and it was for Justin freaking Timberlake. The only issue was having to wait months for the show!

Nevertheless, May 19th finally arrived and my niece & I were getting ready to head out to the show. South Florida has had an extremely rainy past few weeks, so I was iffy about heading out early and waiting in line for doors to open while getting soaked in the rain. Doors were supposed to open at 6pm and the show was scheduled to start at 7:30pm. We got there at 4:45 and there were about 35-40 people ahead of us in the GA Floor line. Luckily, Verizon members who are enrolled in the Verizon Up Rewards program are able to enter the venues via “fast lane,” so my niece and I ended up being second in line. We got in and raced to find a good spot in the front.

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DJ Freestyle Steve began playing music, and then JT’s opening act, The Shadowboxers, made their way on-stage. They played about 3-4 songs and had great energy. The Shadowboxers was founded by Adam Hoffman, Matt Lipkins and Scott Tyler and is based out of Atlanta, GA. They later added Cole McSween on drums and Carlos Enamorado on bass. After a tweet from their Twitter account in 2013, telling JT to check out their cover of his song “Pusher Love Girl,” their relationship with him took flight. Their EP titled Apollo was released on March 23, 2018 and now they’re touring with him on The Man of the Woods Tour.

Justin’s set began a little after 9pm and the BB&T Center was living. As close as my niece & I were to the back stage, we were unable to see the main stage, so keep that in mind for future shows. Although I’m sure the fans up front were unable to see the stage we were at also.  The show was absolutely incredible. I’ve been to a lot of concerts at the BB&T Center and I’ve never been to one that looked completely sold out. Even the seats behind the stage were sold out. Luckily, with JT’s current stage set-up, everyone in the audience gets a little time with him. Even the crowd behind the stage got some time with him when he went out on a little riser behind his band, The Tennessee Kids.

The lights, the lasers, the little campfire sequence, the dancing, the sound, the vibe, everything was spot-on. Here is the set-list if you’d like to brush up on your lyrics:

  1. Filthy
  2. Midnight Summer Jam
  3. LoveStoned
  4. SexyBack
  5. Man of the Woods
  6. Higher Higher
  7. Senorita
  8. Suit & Tie
  9. My Love
  10. Cry Me A River
  11. Mirrors
  12. Drink You Away
  13. Flannel
  14. Until the End of Time
  15. Dreams (performed by backup singer, Zenya Bashford)
  16. Ex-Factor (performed by backup singer, Nicole Hurst)
  17. Come Together (performed by backup singer, Kenyon Dixon)
  18. Thank God I’m A Country Boy (performed by backup singer, Jack King III)
  19. Morning Light
  20. What Goes Around . . . Comes Around
  21. Say Something
  22. Montana
  23. Summer Love
  24. Rock Your Body
  25. Supplies
  26. Like I Love You
  27. Can’t Stop the Feeling

IMG_0216Another fan had sent me this photo that lists the set list along with where each song is performed. I found this to be very accurate aside from No. 24 being performed on the opposite side listed on the map. The blue circle represents where I was for the show.

Songs 13-18 were sung around a campfire that rose from beneath the stage and some of those songs were performed by the backup singers, individually, with an assist from JT.

“Cry Me A River” was performed on all three stages and walkways that were covered with smoke.

Also, keep in mind that at times throughout the show, panels would lower and double as screens for those who might be unable to see clearly. I’m not certain because I was beneath them, but they seemed like they might obstruct the view of the actual stages a bit when they’re down. Either way, they provide cool visuals that fit the theme of the album.

“Rock Your Body” was performed off to the side (the side I was on) in the VIP section. This was done on a light-up disco floor surrounded by VIP ticket holders.

Here are some pictures I took from my cozy little spot at the show:

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I might be a bit biased because, as I mentioned, Justin Timberlake is my Day 1, but I highly recommend this show. The energy was through the roof, everyone involved is so incredibly talented, and I love how interactive JT is with everyone in the room. He really tries to give everyone an experience they’ll never forget.

You can find more info, including remaining tour dates, by visiting JT’s website HERE.

Astronaut Paper Mache Helmet Instructions Courtesy of WONDER

Astronaut Paper Mache Helmet Instructions Courtesy of WONDER

Written by Jesus Figueroa

REACH FOR THE STARS

ASTRONAUT PAPIER-MÂCHÉ HELMET

Check out these simple instructions to make an astronaut papier mâché helmet like the one the main character wears in the movie “Wonder.”

Making this astronaut paper mâché helmet is a fun activity to do with the kids.

Spend some time with some of the young ones in your life as you create something fun.

A Heartwarming Story About Kindness, Love and Friendship

WONDER

The Critically Acclaimed Film Arrives on Digital Jan. 30 and 4K Ultra HDTM Combo Pack, Blu-rayTM Combo Pack and DVD on February 13

4K Ultra HD to include both Dolby Vision™ and Dolby® TrueHD

The incredibly moving and heartfelt family film “Wonder” heads to Digital Jan. 30 and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand Feb. 13 from Lionsgate.

Based on the #1 New York Times bestseller, and USA Today’s top-selling book of 2017, by R.J. Palacio, writer-director Stephen Chbosky (Beauty and the Beast, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) brings to life the uplifting story of a boy who inspires and teaches others that true beauty is found within. Certified Fresh™ on Rotten Tomatoes and co-written for the screen by Steven Conrad and Jack Thorne, Wonder stars Academy Award® winner Julia Roberts (2000, Best Actress, Erin Brockovich), Academy Award® nominee Owen Wilson (2001, Best Writing, The Royal Tenenbaums), Golden Globe® nominee Mandy Patinkin (1984, Best Actor – Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy, Yentl; 1995, Best Television Actor – Drama Series, “Chicago Hope”; 2003, Best Supporting Actor – Limited Series or Television Motion Picture, “Homeland”), and Jacob Tremblay (Room, The Smurfs 2).

“Wonder” follows the inspiring story of the Pullman family, whose youngest child, Auggie, is a boy born with facial differences. When Auggie enters mainstream elementary school for the first time, his extraordinary journey unites his family, his school, and his community, and proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

The “Wonder” home entertainment release includes all-new special features, including a never-before-seen 5-part documentary, multiple featurettes, a music video, and an audio commentary with Stephen Chbosky and R.J. Palacio.

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray also features Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR), growing Lionsgate’s library of titles featuring both Dolby Vision and Dolby TrueHD. Dolby Vision transforms the TV experience in the home by delivering greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colors.

The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray versions feature Dolby TrueHD, which provides the most authentic lossless audio experience available for the home theater.

Together Dolby Vision and Dolby TrueHD allow consumers to experience both cutting-edge imaging and lossless audio sound technology for an immersive entertainment experience.

Timed to the book’s sixth anniversary, and to Valentine’s Day, Wonder will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99, and $29.95, respectively.

4K UHD/BLU-RAY/DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES

  • “Summer of Fun” 5-Part Documentary
    • “A (com)Passion Project” Featurette
    • “Family Matters” Featurette
    • “A Technical Wonder” Featurette
    • “A Note of Kindness” Featurette
    • “We All Deserve a Standing Ovation at Least Once in Our Lives” Featurette
  • “A Child’s Sense of Wonder” Featurette
  • “What a Wonderful World” Featurette
  • Audio Commentary with Stephen Chbosky and R.J. Palacio
  • “Brand New Eyes” Music Video
  • Wonder Soundtrack: Behind-the-Scenes Featurette

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Audio Commentary with Stephen Chbosky and R.J. Palacio
  • “Brand New Eyes” Music Video
  • Wonder Soundtrack: Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
#ChooseKind #WonderTheMovie

 

30 Questions with Kristin | Part 3 of 3

YoursTruly

Good morning! Thanks for checking out Part 3 of my Questions with Kristin posts. I might do something like this more often, so stay tuned.

Here’s the last of the questions:

  • What’s the biggest waste of money you’ve seen?

My number one answer, on a personal level, would be someone spending money on cigarettes. I just imagine rolled up dollar bills being burned away. I’d rather spend my money on something that’ll last. On a larger scale, I would bring back one of my responses to another question and mention celebrities who feel the need to have 10+ cars, gold silverware, Swarovski encrusted refrigerators, etc.

  • What common misconception do you hate to hear repeated as a fact?

Honestly, I don’t have any. People believe what they want to believe and if it works for them, so be it. I know that people say your hair grows back thicker and faster if you shave it, and I haven’t really known that to be a fact. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I hate it though. To each their own!

  • Where is the best place to go to meet awesome people?

Hands down, I would have to say a concert. There is so much excitement at a live show and everyone is there to see the same artist, which means you already have at least 2 things in common–a love for music and that particular artist. In my experience, I’ve also met some awesome people at fan conventions.

  • What food do you crave most?

I don’t know that I crave a certain food, but I’m half Cuban, so I definitely have a sweet tooth. Actually, I’d like to add that I could eat pizza (no pepperoni) every day for the rest of my life lol. I don’t crave it, but I do love it!

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  • What TV series do you keep coming back and re-watching?

FRIENDS and New Girl, for sure. I also wouldn’t be opposed to re-watching The Vampire Diaries and The Originals though.

  • Among your friends, what are you best known for?

Knowing who sings certain songs. I’ve been called the human jukebox. Also, I’m the person that friends bring essays and emails to for proofreading and revising haha.

  • Who of your friends is most like you?

Am I allowed to say my niece? She’s the most like me out of anyone I know. I have similar things in common with certain friends, but I don’t think anyone is really like me. If I had to choose one though, I would probably say Brancey. We both have a love for music that is not understood by most of the people around me. We’ve also had a tough time in the friend department, so we have that in common too.

  • What was the most traumatizing moment of your life?

In September 2011–just three months after my family reunion that I wrote about in response to another question–I lost my maternal grandmother. Just five months later we lost my maternal grandfather. Both of these were shocking and unexpected, especially because I felt like they were going to live forever. This sparked my anxiety attacks. Then I lost my paternal grandmother in 2014, my golden retriever in 2015 and my father just 2 months after that. All of the losses we experienced during that time were extremely traumatizing, but I have some amazing guardian angels looking out for me!

  • What’s the best lesson you’ve learned from a work of fiction?

I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’ve learned a lesson from a work of fiction, but there are definitely lessons that we need to be reminded of sometimes. There are lessons that younger generations can certainly learn from fiction though. To answer this question, I’ll leave you with three quotes from the Harry Potter series:

  • What’s something you’ll never do again?

Trust a friend with an untrustworthy guy.

30 Questions with Kristin | Part 2 of 3

YoursTruly

Hello there! Thanks for coming back to read Part Two of my little questionnaire. In an attempt to give you a little insight as to who I am behind the blog, I decided to answer a 30-question questionnaire that I saw on Twitter earlier this week.

This is part two:

  • In what situation would you feel most out of place in?

This is a tough question to answer because I don’t know that I’ve ever really felt out of place anywhere. I guess it just depends. There was one time that I took my niece to a thing called MagCon. She was with the people her age and I was in the back with the parents who were all much older than me. I felt like I was in limbo between the two groups lol. Maybe a situation like that.

  • What artist do you really like, but rarely admit to liking?

There isn’t an artist that I would ever deny liking. Everyone has different taste when it comes to music. There are some artists that I really like that come out with shit songs, but I wouldn’t deny liking them because of it. I can tell you an artist that I can’t stand and everyone thinks I’m crazy for it . . . Britney Spears. Other than that, I have no shame admitting to liking boy bands, rappers, rock starts and divas.

  • What gets you fired up?

One thing that gets me fired up is when celebrities flaunt getting free stuff from big companies. In what universe is it logical that when actors, musicians, etc. make A TON of money on a project, they get free stuff to promote a company when those of us who make crap money have to struggle to make ends meet? Listen, I will gladly model some Nike shoes and Coach bags on Instagram if it means I don’t have to sell a kidney to get them. I see homeless people beginning for money for food and I’m reminded that there are some celebrities who flaunt gold silverware and 10+ cars in their driveways. There are homeless people who would love a new pair of sneakers, but you can find some celebrities showing off their extensive Jordan collection in a sneaker closet–made JUST for sneakers. Be like Ellen DeGeneres. Give nice things to people who deserve a break. I hate seeing news articles in magazines about where to find Kim Kardashian’s $1500 bag. I don’t care where to find it because I can’t even afford the zipper on that thing!

  • What annoys you most about the fandoms you’re part of?

I’m not really in any fandoms anymore. Unless you count being a part of the TN Kids (Justin Timberlake) fandom, but nothing annoys me about them. Back in my *NSYNC days, I used to hate seeing girls cry when they saw the guys or when they came out on stage. That still bothers me about certain fandoms today. I also see the fandoms that my niece is a part of and I hate seeing these girls sending rude messages to the guys they claim to love. It bothers me even more that those same guys respond to those messages.

  • What do you do to get rid of stress?

Write or listen to music. Those are the most therapeutic for me.

  • You have to relive one day of your life forever. Which day do you choose?

There are a few days I would want to relive–my first concert (*NSYNC, of course), the day my niece was born, a trip to New York. I’m about to get really deep here though. I would go back to a day in June 2011. We had a family reunion in Cape May, NJ where we all stayed at this cute little motel on the beach. It was one of my favorite weeks ever. Especially because it was the first one that all of us were able to make it to, and the last one before my grandparents and my father passed away. Everyone had such a great time and I would love to relive any one of those days.

  • How quickly do you jump to conclusions about people?

I try not to jump to conclusions about anyone because I wouldn’t want anyone doing it to me.

  • If you were a doll, what accessories would you be sold with?

Sneakers, ripped jeans, a hoodie, an iPhone, headphones and a journal, for sure.

  • What have you done in life that has given you the most satisfaction?

I felt pretty satisfied when I finally got my Bachelor’s Degree in August 2017. At 33, I was working full-time, going to school, working on my blog and helping to raise my niece. It was difficult, but I managed to do it regardless of how long it took.

  • What would be the worst thing to put in a piñata?

Cigarettes and pickle juice? I can think of a million responses to this question lol.

30 Questions with Kristin | Part 1 of 3

YoursTruly

Good morning, everyone! I saw this questionnaire on Twitter yesterday and thought it might be a great idea to create a blog post answering the questions. It’s 30 questions, but I’ll break it down into three separate posts. We live in a time where people “get to know you” based on quick little pic posts on Instagram or character-limited posts on Twitter. I wanted to give a bit of insight as to who I am away from the screens, so here goes nothing:

  • Explain your Twitter handle.

I wanted to have the same handles for all of my social media platforms and there was always one that was already taken. So, I tried this one out, it was available, and I liked it. Simple as that! (After I changed it, the show This Is Us aired and it’s one of my favorites. So @thisiskristin_ reminds me of the show now, too)

  • Who inspires you and why?

To be a walking cliché, I want to say my mother because she’s held my family together for the past 40+ years. When my dad passed away, she took a huge step and moved out of our old house, which I never thought she would do. She’s not the type who likes change, so I was really surprised when she packed up our home of 28 years without hesitation. She’s strong, she’s funny and she’s just the best.

On a professional level, I would have to say one of my friends, Keisha Hatchett. Keisha and I have always had similar interests (i.e. baseball, TV shows and writing), but there’s one huge difference between us. She was determined enough to sell her car and pack her things for an internship in New York. She’s fought her way through internships and freelance jobs to a position at TV Guide and I couldn’t be more proud. We don’t get to talk as much anymore, but she inspires me to fight for what I want and to be a better writer.

  • Do you care what others think about you?

As much as I try to convince myself that I don’t care what others think about me, I think everyone does on some level. In some areas of my life I really don’t care. But in other areas, I do find myself wondering what people think about me. I haven’t had much luck in the guy department (thanks, Miami), so sometimes I wonder if they thought I wasn’t good enough or whatever. It’s a horrible thing to do, but for the most part I’m the way that I am and, in the end, I think that’s a good thing. While I might care in some aspects, I’m proud of myself for not changing to conform to their idea of perfection.

Also, when you’re a writer who submits work to literary journals, it’s hard not to question your abilities when you receive rejections from people that have no idea who you are. Their opinions are based solely on your work, and it’s so incredible subjective. When I get rejections I start to question whether I should continue pursuing a career in writing, but then I remember that Stephen King, J.K. Rowling and a ton of other authors also received rejections. Look where they are now!

  • What are you most looking forward to?

At the moment, I’m looking forward to seeing Justin Timberlake live (again) here in South Florida this May! Long-term, I’m looking forward to establishing my career now that I finally have my Bachelor’s Degree in English/Creative Writing.

  • What is one life rule you follow?

I actually have two that I like to follow:

The most important is to stay true to yourself. I’m okay with having to ask for help rather than trying to pretend like I know everything. I’m not the smartest or the funniest, but I try to be the best version of those things every day. I’m awkward, I have anxiety, and I’m way too trusting of people, but I’ve learned to embrace those things about myself.

The second life rule that I follow is to never go after a guy that one of my friends is interested in or has been interested in. A “friend” of mine didn’t follow that rule, and it resulted in literal heart break for me. I would never inflict that kind of pain on anyone.

  • What’s your dream job?

When I think about my dream job I immediately picture Liza from the show YOUNGER on TV Land. She works for a publishing company and started her own imprint with her friend, Kelsey. I would love to write for a magazine or to work in publishing. Being able to read books and discover unknown authors would definitely be a dream. Either that or something (anything) in the music industry. Recently, I’ve been looking into being a music journalist–someone who goes to live shows and reviews them.

  • Which fictional character do you wish you could meet?

I have three, actually. Four (Theo James) from Divergent, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). All of them are bad ass characters who fight to protect those around them. Corny answer, I know, but it’s true. Plus, they’re all gorgeous.

  • As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I actually always wanted to be a writer or singer. Writing and music have always been two of my favorite things, so to be able to do either? That’s what I wanted, and that’s still what I want. It’s taken me a while to figure out where to start, but better late than never!

  • If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?

A lot of friends have told me I should dress up like Daria for Halloween lol. She’s extremely sarcastic (which I can be) and pessimistic (which I am not), but she kind of looks like me, so I’ll say her. It’s hard to think of a cartoon character that I would want to be anyway lol.

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  • What skill would you like to master?

Oh wow. This is a loaded question because I think there is always a skill that needs to be mastered. Right now I would have to say grammar lol. I always thought I was great when it came to correct grammar in writing, but after taking a course at UCF, I realized just how wrong I was. I mean, I know the basics, but there are so many rules and exceptions when it comes to grammar. I would love to master that for sure.

 

Well, that’s it for Part One! I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about me. Feel free to comment with some of your answers to these questions! Post Two will be up tomorrow, so stay tuned for that!

Have a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

The Trouble with Writing

YoursTruly

The trouble with writing is writing itself. It’s a push and pull with words that carry weight in our daily lives. They carry weight for the reader, the writer, and the writer’s ego (if they find themselves receiving more rejection letters from literary journals than acceptances). It’s extremely subjective, and sometimes that’s the trouble too.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve expressed myself through writing. I used to keep a box at the top of my closet that held letters I never intended to deliver. Each page was a confession of how I was feeling in that particular moment, and why I couldn’t bare to express those words verbally. It was a way for me to be completely honest with myself and not have to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings, or putting myself in a vulnerable position that I would have to deal with afterward.

Continue reading “The Trouble with Writing”

Happy Thanksgiving from According to Kristin!

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Happy Thanksgiving from According to Kristin!!

I just wanted to take a minute to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, and to let you know that I am thankful for YOU! I started this blog because a friend encouraged me (thanks Mike) and I haven’t looked back since. I love talking about music, TV, movies and more, so the fact that I get to do that on here really is a blessing. The blog is still growing every day, and for that I’m thankful as well.

So have a great day however you celebrate! Know that you have a friend here at According to Kristin who appreciates you very much . . .

 

– Kristin

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

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!!

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

 

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

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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”

New Music Friday! | #music #newreleases #tour

 

YoursTruly

Good morning, music lovers!!

Ok . . . so I had to take a minute to compose myself after the influx of music releases and announcements over the past two weeks! How did you all hold up? lol . . .

So let’s talk tours first! Fans received announcements from some of their favorite artists regarding upcoming tours and, personally, I couldn’t be more excited! I’m hoping to make some contacts so I can keep up with all of them and get some show reviews posted for you all! Fingers crossed on that. Some of the artists who posted tour announcements include Fall Out Boy (dates posted below), Halsey (dates posted below), Janet Jackson, Harry Styles (dates posted below), Linkin Park, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar, an extension of the current Kings of Leon tour, the list goes on and on! Not to mention the fact that some of our favorite artists are currently working on new music, which means (hopefully) even more announcements are sure to be on their way!

 

Also announced in the past two weeks are singles, singles, and more singles! Fall Out Boy released “Young and Menace,” Imagine Dragons released “Thunder,” OneRepublic released “No Vacancy,” Harry Styles released “Sweet Creature,” Halsey released “Eyes Closed,” Paramore released “Told You So,” Niall Horan released “Slow Hands,” X Ambassadors released “Torches,” etc., etc., etc.

In light of all of these announcements, we also got a few music videos to watch! Anyone else miss when MTV and VH1 used to play music videos? Do they even do it at all anymore? Let me know! Here are a few of the new ones:

 

 

 

Which artists are you more excited about? Are there any tours you’re planning on attending? Are there any new artists I should be listening to? Sound off in the comments or tweet me @thisiskristin_! I also would LOVE to know who’s planning on attending ‘Kinky Boots’ on Broadway this summer to see Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco playing Charlie? I know I am!  🙂

NEW MUSIC: HARRY STYLES | ‘Sign of the Times’ Single

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Ladies and gents . . . the long-awaited first single from the One Direction heartthrob, Harry Styles, has been released today!

Following in the footsteps of his band mates (most of them, anyway), Harry has released ‘ Sign of the Times’ on April 7, 2017. Strange to know that there are thousands of young girls losing their minds today because of it – my niece included! It’s interesting how different their musical styles are, isn’t it? Harry Styles with this 80’s rock style single, Niall Horan released an acoustic style ‘This Town,’ Louis Tomlinson released an electronic/dance vibe single ‘Just Hold On’ with Steve Aoki and we’re still waiting on Liam Payne to release something! We also saw Zayn Malik branch out on his own with a different style as well.

I also find it interesting that this is the one boy band who has seen ALL members branch out to do their own thing. Not even my beloved *NSYNC did that!

Anyway, Harry will be performing ‘Sign of the Times’ on NBC’s Saturday Night Live this Saturday, April 15. You can also check out his upcoming movie, Dunkirk, which will be in theaters this SUMMER, July 21, 2017.

So here is the audio “video” released on Harry’s VEVO channel:

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

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

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

YoursTruly

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.

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

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!

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

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!