Tag: life

Books, Music

@NikkiSixx Announces 10th Anniversary Release of The Heroin Diaries w/New Merch! | #music

by KristinLeave a Comment on @NikkiSixx Announces 10th Anniversary Release of The Heroin Diaries w/New Merch! | #music

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Hello, everyone!

Here’s a bit of backstory . . . my oldest brother has always been a fan of Motley Crue, and that was passed down to me at an early age. I’d gotten laid off in 2008 and he offered me his ticket to FanFest even though it would’ve been his first time seeing them live. To repay him, I took him to see Motley Crue twice in the past four years before they put an end to touring. There’s a bond that music can form between two completely different people and that has always been appreciated.

DH0NJHUVYAE9t2-[1]When The Heroin Diaries was released in 2007, it quickly became one of my favorites. I even shared the book with some of my friends who wouldn’t have necessarily thought to pick it up at the bookstore. After reading my copy, they actually did go out and buy it for themselves. Personally, I’ve never done any sort of drug, but reading about his struggle with addiction and the struggle to regain control of his life was heart wrenching and I couldn’t put the book down. To know that someone struggled that bad and has now been sober for so many years is incredible. You will definitely find yourself wondering how he survived this time in his life, but that’s what makes his whole life story so interesting. I also think of this book as a sort of cautionary tale to anyone considering taking any drugs.

If you haven’t read this biography, here is the unofficial synopsis:

The book is a 413-page collection of diary entries written between Christmas of 1986 and Christmas of 1987. In considerable detail, the diaries chronicle the recording of Mötley Crüe’s Girls, Girls, Girls album and the subsequent Girls Girls Girls tour, ending with Sixx’s near-death from a heroin overdose in late 1987, which inspires the band to quit heroin altogether.

With the 10th Anniversary of the release approaching, Sixx is partnering with PledgeMusic to release special editions of the book, which include 2 brand new chapters, as well as deluxe editions, a graphic novel, signed copies of certain items, CD and Vinyl versions of the soundtrack by Sixx: A.M. (which is also FANTASTIC) and more. You can check out the link below to pre-order your merch:

pledgemusic.com/projects/sixxammusic/pledgers

If you’ve read The Heroin Diaries already, let me know what you thought! If not, what are you waiting for?? Grab yourself a copy and you can thank me later!

You can find Nikki Sixx on the following social media platforms:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

You can also find his band, Sixx A.M. (Nikki Sixx, James Michael & DJ Ashba) here:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Movies

THE BEGUILED | Available on Digital 9/26 and on Blu-ray & DVD 10/10 | #TheBeguiled

by KristinLeave a Comment on THE BEGUILED | Available on Digital 9/26 and on Blu-ray & DVD 10/10 | #TheBeguiled

COLIN FARRELL, NICOLE KIDMAN, KIRSTEN DUNST AND ELLE FANNING STAR IN THE SEDUCTIVE DRAMATIC THRILLER FROM OSCAR®-WINNING WRITER/DIRECTOR SOFIA COPPOLA

THE BEGUILED

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 AND ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD OCTOBER 10, 2017 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

 

IMG_9795AcademyAward® winner Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) unleashes the atmospheric thriller The Beguiled, coming to Digital on September 26, 2017, and Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on October 10, 2017, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The winner of the Best Director award (Sofia Coppola) at the 2017 Cannes International Film Festival, the Focus Features film showcases exceptional performances by the outstanding ensemble cast of Golden Globe Award® winner Colin Farrell (In Bruges), Academy Award® winner Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) Golden Globe Award® nominee Kirsten Dunst (Fargo), Elle Fanning (Maleficent), Oona Laurence (Bad Moms), Angourie Rice (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Addison Riecke (The Thundermans), and Emma Howard (Transparent).

The Beguiled unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls’ boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier. As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events.

Featuring never-before-seen content, The Beguiled on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital comes packed with exclusive featurettes taking viewers behind the scenes of the alluring and intense drama and exploring Sofia Coppola’s unique vision.

BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL BONUS FEATURES:

  • A Shift in Perspective -Filmmakers and cast discuss how this version of The Beguiled is a departure from the novel of the same name and its earlier film adaptation. Screenwriter/director Sofia Coppola describes how the talented cast helped bring her vision to life.
  • A Southern Style – Discover how costumes, hair, and many other elements came together to create an immersive experience not only for the audience but also for the actors.

Official Site | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #TheBeguiled

Blog, TV

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

by KristinLeave a Comment on Claudia Sandoval sets sail abroad the MasterChef Cruise | #masterchef #cruise

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

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  • 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

by KristinLeave a Comment on Why JHype Should Still Be On ABC’s ‘Boy Band’ | #jhype #boyband @JHypeOfficial

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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

 

 

Blog

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

by KristinLeave a Comment on 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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Movies

BEATRIZ AT DINNER | Available on Digital HD 8/29 and DVD 9/12 | #beatrizatdinner #movies

by KristinLeave a Comment on BEATRIZ AT DINNER | Available on Digital HD 8/29 and DVD 9/12 | #beatrizatdinner #movies

“Salma Hayek gives the performance of her career.”
— Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

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The Provoking and Sharply Funny Film Pitting Oscar® Nominees
Salma Hayek and John Lithgow Against Each Other
Arrives on Digital HD on August 29 and DVD on September 12

 

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Oscar® nominees Salma Hayek (Frida, How to Be a Latin Lover) and John Lithgow (Terms of Endearment, “The Crown”) lead an all-star cast in Beatriz at Dinner, arriving on Digital HD on August 29 and on DVD and On Demand September 12 from Lionsgate. The provocative and sharply hilarious film about characters from vastly different sociopolitical backgrounds colliding over dinner is written by Mike White (School of Rock, TV’s “Enlightened”) and directed by Miguel Arteta (Youth in Revolt, The Good Girl), and also features Chloe Sevigny (TV’s “Big Love,” Boys Don’t Cry), Connie Britton (TV’s “Friday Night Lights,” “Nashville”), Amy Landecker (TV’s “Transparent,” Doctor Strange), and Jay Duplass (TV’s “Transparent,” “Togetherness”).

Salma Hayek shines in this provocatively funny fish-out-of-water comedy. Beatriz (Hayek), an immigrant from a poor Mexican town, draws upon her innate kindness as a spiritual health practitioner in L.A. Doug Strutt (Lithgow) is a rich and ruthless real-estate developer. When fate brings them together at a dinner party, it leads to a culture clash of wildly comic proportions – and a night that will change both their worlds forever.

Featuring a Photo Gallery, Beatriz at Dinner will be available on DVD for $19.98.

DVD/DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Photo Gallery

 

 

To see this information in Spanish, please click below:

Continue reading “BEATRIZ AT DINNER | Available on Digital HD 8/29 and DVD 9/12 | #beatrizatdinner #movies” →

Blog

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

by KristinLeave a Comment on 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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Movie Reviews

Movie Review by Kristin: BEFORE I FALL | #moviereview #movies #beforeifall

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review by Kristin: BEFORE I FALL | #moviereview #movies #beforeifall

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What’s up, my fellow movie lovers?! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

We celebrated my niece’s birthday at the beach this weekend, so her and I were nursing extremely sunburnt skin and decided to stay in bed and watch a movie. She decided to use some of her birthday money to buy BEFORE I FALL, so that was her movie of choice!

Let me start out by saying that back when this movie was in the theater, I thought the trailer looked great. My niece (who just turned 13) saw it with her friend when it was first released and told me she didn’t like it. After watching it with me again this weekend, her opinion has changed. I think the message behind the movie went over her head a bit the first time, so I’m glad she gave it another chance.

With that being said, I actually liked it. It had a Premonition vibe to it, if any of you have seen that 2007 movie starring Sandra Bullock and Julian McMahon. BEFORE I FALL was more relatable to teenagers though.

The story follows four friends as they navigate their way through high school. As the four friends leave a party one night, they get into a car accident causing Sam (Zoey Deutch) to relive the same day repeatedly for the remainder of the movie. This concept might sound annoying, but Sam tries to figure out what could be done differently to alter the outcome of that one night. So while the day always starts out the same, Sam takes different steps to try and fix what was broken.

It’s interesting, to say the least. I’m sure many of us have a day where we wish we’d done things differently, or treated someone better, or didn’t trust someone that shouldn’t have been trusted. I know I have! This movie explores that idea and ties it in with teenage bullying, and the unnecessary need for teens to feel accepted and popular among their friends and peers.

I also enjoyed the casting for this movie! Zoey Deutch is fabulous as the main character, Sam. The supporting cast was diverse and equally great. These are your typical high school teenagers who think it’s funny to make jokes about the less popular oddballs. The difference here, however, is that viewers can sympathize with them a bit because of the little bit of backstory we get on them.

The message here is simple: Yes, we might have difficult moments in our lives that we want to ignore, push to the side, or even push off on someone else, but bullying is not the answer. It also makes you think about how you would live your own life if you knew you only had one day left to do it. The things we take for granted are often the things we should value the most. So I think this film really pushes that discussion of how actions can affect others and, subsequently, ourselves.

BEFORE I FALL is available on DVD/Blu-ray now. Check it out and let me know what you think!

 

Movie Reviews

Movie Review by Kristin: CHEF | #chefthefilm @chefthefilm

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review by Kristin: CHEF | #chefthefilm @chefthefilm

IMG_9049First off, Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there (and to all the single moms playing both roles)!

As some of you may know, my dad passed away 2 years ago, so we celebrate my brother on Father’s Day, who is a father to my wonderful, sometimes annoying, niece. As part of his gift, I finally sat down to watch a movie and CHEF was his choice.

I have to say I’m glad he chose this one. Sadly, I’d never heard of this film, but I thought it was fantastic! It really exemplifies how someone can take a situation that is no longer making them happy, and turn things around for the better.

The movie follows celebrity chef, Carl Casper, as he runs the kitchen at an LA restaurant owned by Riva (Dustin Hoffman). Riva wants Carl to stick to his usual menu, but when a popular food critic arrives at the restaurant Carl and his team want to switch things up to make their menu more creative. This idea doesn’t sit well with Riva, and their plan is shut down. The critic, Ramsey Michel (Oliver Platt) destroys Carl’s cooking and the horrible review goes viral.

Carl gets schooled by his 10-year-old son, Percy (Emjay Anthony), on how Twitter and social media works. With little to no knowledge of social media, Carl engages Ramsey in a Twitter feud that eventually results in Carl leaving Riva’s restaurant.

At the suggestion of his ex-wife, Inez (Sofia Vergara), Carl flies with her and Percy to Miami, where his love for cooking first began. He meets with Inez’s other ex-husband, Marvin (Robert Downey, Jr.), and buys a food truck in order to get back to making the type of food that makes him happy.

With the help of his old sous chef and friend, Martin (John Leguizamo), and Percy, Carl sets off on a cross-country trip in the food truck. Percy’s use of technology turns the new food truck into a sought-after establishment.

In my opinion, this movie has great storylines that intertwine to give viewers the motivation to find what truly makes them happy. Carl takes an incident that hurts his career and stifles his creativity, and turns it around into something that positively impacts all aspects of his life. It sends the message that things aren’t always easy, but with hard work, dedication, and a dash of positive, creative energy, true happiness is absolutely possibly.

The film also features a ton of Hispanic flavor that really showcases the atmosphere here in Miami. An underlying moral of the story is: If you haven’t tried a TRUE Media Noche, do yourself a favor and TRY ONE!! Side note: Yuca Fries and Tostones should also be on your list of foods to try! What can I say…my Cuban peeps know what they’re doing! lol.

So check out the film on Netflix and, as always, let me know what you thought! You can thank me later for this little hidden gem!

Movies

Official Trailer for Reese Witherspoon’s HOME AGAIN | In theaters Sept. 2017 | #homeagainmovie

by KristinLeave a Comment on Official Trailer for Reese Witherspoon’s HOME AGAIN | In theaters Sept. 2017 | #homeagainmovie

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The OFFICIAL TRAILER for HOME AGAIN has arrived!

HOME AGAIN stars Reese Witherspoon (“Big Little Lies,” Wild, Walk The Line, Sweet Home Alabama) as Alice Kinney in a modern romantic comedy. Recently separated from her husband, (Michael Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters. During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live. Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways. Alice’s unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. HOME AGAIN is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create.  And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.

 

In Theaters September 2017

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff, Jon Rudnitsky, Michael Sheen, Candice Bergen, and Lake Bell
Directed by: Hallie Meyers-Shyer
Written By: Hallie Meyers-Shyer
Produced By: Nancy Meyers and Erika Olde
Distributor: Open Road Films

#HomeAgainMovie

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Blog

FabFitFun | Summer Box! | #fabfitfunpartner @fabfitfun

by KristinLeave a Comment on 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” →

Movie Reviews

Movie Review by Kristin: EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING | #everythingeverything

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review by Kristin: EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING | #everythingeverything

Ok, let me first say that this trailer captured my attention immediately when it was released. Not just because my niece has had a crush on Nick Robinson since Jurassic World either. It was because I actually felt the chemistry between Nick Robinson and Amandla Stenberg in a trailer that was less than three minutes long.

With that being said, I went into the screening for this movie having NOT read the book, so I have nothing to compare it to, but now I definitely want to read it!

I thought the film was GREAT! I had a preconceived notion that it would be the typical young, teen angst/love story where you end up sobbing into a box of tissues because you can most definitely predict the outcome.

Spoiler alert: I was wrong. For the most part anyway.

The movie follows a young girl, Maddy, who has just turned 18 and has never left her house due to an illness called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). Basically her immune system sucks and can’t fight off even the most mild of infections or allergies. Her life is turned upside down when a cutie pie, Olly, moves in next door and has his eyes set on her from the beginning. He awakens her need to know what it’s like to truly live outside the confines of her home.

The casting for this movie was fantastic. Nick Robinson and Amandla Stenberg had great chemistry. When their characters felt awkward, it was obvious. When they developed feelings for each other, you could feel it. When worry and confusion set in, you felt that too. There were funny moments combined with sad moments, mixed with a little worry and anxiety about whether Maddy (Amandla Stenberg) would live or die, and it all marinated into a beautiful story about falling in love and truly living your life.

Sure, there could have been a bit more character development that I’m sure was missing from the book to film adaptation, but I still thought it was a solid movie that I would most definitely see again. Perhaps an extra 30 minutes might have done the trick. Even so, my brother, who is a 37-year-old man that literally hates chick flicks even said it was a very good movie. I’m looking at all you guys that think it’s uncool to watch movies like this hahaha. I promise you, it’s okay! 

If it’s any consolation to you book lovers out there, my niece’s friend saw the movie with me and she’d read the book. She said they stuck to the book for the most part. I can not confirm nor deny that personally, but I will definitely check the book out now to fill in any blanks I might have had while watching the movie (and there weren’t many).

So go out with your friends and family to check out Everything, Everything in theaters May 19! You won’t regret it!

You should also check out the novel of the same title by Nicola Yoon (like I’m going to do)!

Have you seen it yet? When you do, let me know what you thought!

Music

New Music Friday! | #music #newreleases #tour

by KristinLeave a Comment on 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!  🙂

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April: Days Seven & Eight | Playlists & Plans

by KristinLeave a Comment on April: Days Seven & Eight | Playlists & Plans

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: COLLATERAL BEAUTY

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review: COLLATERAL BEAUTY

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Hey, movie lovers!

I know I’m late to the game on this one, but I watched it last night with my niece and just had to post about it. To be quite honest, I’m surprised it has a 12% on Rotten Tomatoes! I can see how some people might not enjoy it as much as I did, but I wonder if the people who didn’t like it have experienced loss in their lives. From personal experience, I know how death can create these questions in your mind about love, time and death so the meaning behind the movie really hit me in the heart. My niece just loves any movie that can make her cry for some reason (teenagers!), but she loves this one!

SYNOPSIS: Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. 

Let me start by saying that Will Smith kills it in this movie. We all know he’s a great actor, but he hasn’t always chosen the best roles in his career. In this one though, he plays the role of a grieving father so perfectly that you can actually feel his pain. The entire cast does a great job, in my opinion. I found myself getting angry at his friends for scheming behind his back, then I felt sympathy for them because Howard’s grief has affected their lives as well. I think I felt every emotion imaginable while watching this movie and, for me, that’s a sign of a good one.

Every twist and turn in this movie was great and it’s not until the credits roll that everything sort of hits you all at once.

Usually when I see a new movie in the theater, or rent one on On Demand, I try to judge it based on whether or not I would actually buy it or possibly catch it again down the road when it’s streaming online. I rented this one last night and I would definitely buy it. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s one to at least check out. So grab a box of tissues and try to put yourself in this man’s shoes for about 2 hours.

If you forgot what this movie was about, check out the trailer below and if you decide to watch it, let me know what you thought!

 

Music

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

by Kristin1 Comment on 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:

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

by KristinLeave a Comment on 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

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

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

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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FabFitFun | Meet the Box!

by KristinLeave a Comment on FabFitFun | Meet the Box!

03-02-17-Pinterest-Spring-Ads-5Hey, 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!

Movies

First Trailer for LIFE

by thisfunktionalartfreakLeave a Comment on First Trailer for LIFE
First Trailer for LIFE

The first trailer for LIFE, Sony Pictures, has been released.

Life tells the story of the six-member crew of the International Space Station that is on the cutting edge of one of the most important discoveries in human history: the first evidence of extraterrestrial life on Mars.

As the crew begins to conduct research, their methods end up having unintended consequences and the life form proves more intelligent than anyone ever expected.