Author: mackenzie045

My Favorites

Cinema Blend

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Curling up with a large bucket of buttery popcorn and bags of gummy bears set the stage for an ultimate movie marathon. The cold and rainy weather has inspired me to share with you my top 4 go-to movies to watch that never disappoint. Being a cheesy romance lover, one of my top chooses for a cozy night in is Titanic. Most people are probably familiar with this movie because it is such a classic It is a film about a love story that blossoms on the historical giant, Titanic. Rose and Jack come from very different financial backgrounds but once they meet, true love cannot determine their heart’s desires. Not only does it have an amazing plot line, but it has my all time favorite actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The next few movies I will be listing are by my favorite author Nicolaus Sparks. I’m not a huge reader so seeing these novels come to life in the films makes me want to watch it over and over. All of his movies are romance movies and throughout the story you can’t help but fall in love with all the characters. The first one of his movies, which I would definitely have to say is my favorite of all time, is the Notebook, which also contains one of my celebrity crushes Ryan Gosling. It focuses on the romance between Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson, two young Southerners who meet for the first time as teenagers. The lovers overcome many obstacles, including Allie’s disapproving family, to be together. This film was put together so well you feel as if you are there watching them. I’ve seen this movie more than any other and the story never gets old. The second Nicolaus Sparks movie that I adore is one of his most recent works the Longest Ride. The plot centers on the star-crossed love affair between a retired bull rider, played by another favorite Scott Eastwood, who wants to get back in the saddle, and an art student preparing to seek her fortune in New York City. As their relationship is put to the ultimate test, the wisdom of an aging man who recalls his lost love serves as a source of great inspiration. I really admire the way this movie was delicately pieced together because it truly reveals the struggles relationships face in everyday lives and shows the hard time and how they have to work to get to the good. Last but not least, A Star is Born has become one of my brand new go-to movie. Since it came out in October 5, 2018, I have seen it 5 times and every time I grow to love it more. I have so much respect for Bradly Cooper and Lady Gaga for the amount of love and passion went into creating this unforgettable film. It is based around a magician named Jackson Maine who discovers and eventually falls for a struggling singer and song writer named Aly who is about to give up her dream until she is pressured into the spotlight by Jackson. As Ally’s career take’s off, the personal side of their relationship is slowly breaking down as Jack is fighting an ongoing battle with internal demons. This movie is so real, true, open, and honest that it’s hard not to love and feel for the characters. This movie will really tug at your emotions and leave you speechless. These four movies are great choices for anytime with the family or friends so I hope the next time your stuck looking for a good movie, you’ll consider one of these!

Travel

Local for the Day

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New York City is known as the city of dreams. It is a place like no other known for its business industry and the beauty of its meticulously structured buildings. It is known for having hot tourist attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Time Square. I have been traveling to New York for as long as I can remember and as much as I love seeing these sights, there is so much more to see deep inside the roots of New York City that many people aren’t aware of so today I will be filling you in on places you can’t miss on your next trip! The two places I will be sharing with you are not only unforgettable, but they will also give you the opportunity to bond with locals.

The first place is a restaurant I hold very close to my heart called Rue 57 which I have been going to ever since I was nine. From the outside it appears to be just your typical french bistro, but deep inside there is a sense of culture, and of course delicious food. They offer a wide variety of food on their menu so that anyone can come here and find something they like. This restaurant truly makes you feel like you are living there and gives you the opportunity to bond with the locals, especially the friendly waiters, because it isn’t very touristy. At Rue 57, I have tried everything from there spicy king crab roll to the french onion soup to the chicken meatballs to the scrumptious fried oreos, and finally my favorite appetizer of all, there freshly made truffle fries that have been cooked to perfection. I have been to this restaurant about what feels like a hundred times and I am never disappointed. It is the perfect place for the family, a couples night out, business meeting, and for me personally, a safe haven to forget everything back home and simply lay back to admire the wonders New York City has to offer.

The second place that I recommend is located at the McKittrick Hotel, which for those of you who don’t know, was intended to be “New York City’s finest and most decadent luxury hotel of its time.” After six weeks before the opening and two days after the outbreak of World War II, the hotel was condemned and locked permanently to the public until now. Within the dark mysterious walls of this old hotel lies the magical and twisted show performed by the mentalist Scott Silver’s. This man pushes the boundaries of his craft by creating stylish, smart, and critically acclaimed performance pieces that mesmerize audiences across the globe. This experience is a night you will never forget and is perfect for a date, a bachelorette party, or a Sweet 16 celebration. It is interactive and will leave you speechless. So the next time you go to New York, make sure you plan a night that is packed with Rue 57 and a trip to the McKittrick Hotel!

Travel

To pack, or not pack, that is the question.

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Whenever I hear that I will be going out of town the first thing I think about is packing. Some people love it, some people hate it. Personally, being a very indecisive person, the thought of planning out my outfits for the next few days is stressful. You never truly know what the weather will be like or how fancy or casual you want to go. Being someone very passionate about traveling, I’ve thought a lot about traveling and tips and tricks to making the trip easy and fun; step one being making sure you have all your essentials and look cute. The first thing is to pack the few things you know you will need no matter what, such as undergarments and toiletries. My advice is to always pack more underwear and socks than you feel like you need because it’s better to have more than not enough. I also always make sure to toss in a swimsuit just in case of emergencies! When it comes to toiletries, I would recommend finding a travel sized tooth brush and tooth paste because that is one thing that you can easily squeeze in. Next, I would always bring your personal shampoo and conditioner because it’s not worth ruining your hair over hotel soap. When out of town you want your hair to look its best! When trying to save room, purchasing a pill case to hold your pills is worth it because it helps with easy access and gives you the ability to count out the amount of pills you need. Be sure not to forgot a good moisturizer, deodorant, and sunscreen!! Moving onto the attire, I have had many cases where I was frantically stuffing 5 pairs of shoes into my bag because each outfit needed a different style. Because I LOVE SHOES, I have found that choosing a color scheme for your trip will help minimize the pairs that you need. For those of you out there who are very into accessorizing, I know how painful it can be to leave your favorite jewelry pieces at home but grabbing your hoops and a simple necklace will save you from loosing any valuables. Lastly, I strongly recommend bringing a nice dress and a pair of pumps because you never know when you are up for a fancy night out. Packing is crazy and stressful but it’s worth taking the time to do so thoroughly so you can feel confident in your trip attire and rock it!! No more picking through useless clothing items and tiredly going to the nearest pharmacy searching for a toothbrush and having to pull up your hair into a messy bun because it is so greasy. Hopefully these tips will help create an organized and stress free packing experience. Bon voyage! Safe Travels!

Travel

Back to My Roots

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Moving to California was a life changing experience. I still remember the late nights of packing, days of stress, and the chance that I might regret this decision. I love the sun, the sea, and the sand but I am a southern girl through and through. My name is Kayla Stern and I am a 16 year old who has a passion for travel, fashion, and family. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I like my tea sweet, saying y’all, and engaging in small talk conversations with random people at the grocery store. Moving to Santa Barbara was something I have always wanted to do, but I never realized how much it would impact my life. What I have realized over the past year is the staying somewhere for a month as opposed to living somewhere is very different. I love the fact that I spend more time outside because of the gorgeous weather as well as having the beach at my feet and I live a healthier lifestyle but I miss my southern people, the big malls, and the privacy of a big city. By moving to this whole new environment, I have learned a lot of valuable lessons about staying true to yourself and the importance of boldly embracing where you’re from because this is something that will stay with you forever and it is a key part of who you are. I am a southern girl and no matter where you spot me on the map, I will always be a southern girl. From living in California though, I often get the question… what’s it like living in the south? For the most part I have come across people who believe that the southern culture is kind of ridiculous. Sweet tea. Lots of churches and crazy religious attitudes.  Every corner having woman in spring, floral-print dresses with too much makeup telling you, “Bless your heart.” But these beliefs are just misconceptions. There is rich history and a hard work ethic. There is humility, faith, and a strong loyalty to family and town as well as an appreciation for what we have and where we come from. The weather is hot but thankfully there is plenty of sweat tea to keep you cool! Faith and culture play an important role because people show freely their faith in God and offer prayers to strangers they may encounter which is something I personally haven’t seen anywhere else. Being someone who has indeed questioned their faith, I admire that Christianity is neither forced nor apologized for there. Lastly, there is no place in the world that can relate to the Southern Hospitality demonstrated here. If you live in the South, you will hear your fair share of “sirs” and “ma’ams,” and a culture where civility and chivalry aren’t extinct. The South may not be for everyone, but I can definitely see myself moving back there very soon and raising my kids there.