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Glowing at Home in 2020’s Corona-World

Glowing HeaderHowdy there, folks! It has been a bit quite a while since I posted on the Magic-Ala-Mode side of the internet. But that’s because, up until a few months ago, I was living life to the fullest. I was planning my birthday-related trip to Walt Disney World, getting everything at work as calm as possible, and doing the usual NYC commuting life.

But, as you all know, a certain virus changed everything routine. The trip has been rescheduled, work is now at home, and I haven’t gone into Manhattan longer than ever before. And with so much changing on a day-to-day basis, and in an attempt to not dive into a pool of sadness and CNN, I’m trying to use this time to get things done. The mission: I’m gonna “glow” like I wanted to – but at home.

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Magic-Ala-NYC: Guide to Movie Theaters Pt.1 – AMC’s

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Happy New Year! Magic-Ala-Mode is back and ready to kick some new year butt with fashion, NYC, and other fun, delicious content. Here’s a fun treat I’ve been working on to start things off right. 

Many of my friends always ask me about the movie-going experience in the Big Apple. From the best theaters in their hood, movie ticket prices, comfy seats, to who has the tastiest popcorn, there’s a lot to think about when going to the movies in a place as insane as NYC. But with 11 plus years of New York cinema adventures, I think I’ve gotten a grip on where you should go, and which you should avoid. So, without further ado, here is my long-awaited guide to the best (and worst) theaters in New York City!

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Magic in NYC – Tribeca

When I think about it, the whole point of Magic Ala Mode is showing off the whimsy that can be found anywhere in this world. And as a New Yorker with her mind on colors and happiness, seeking out the places within this concrete jungle that inspire me can be rare.

Between the usual favorite spots getting boring, or them not surviving long enough in the midst of the sleek grey tones of NYC, finding consist and new things that work to encourage and continue my aesthetic can be a challenge for sure. Yet, that is my goal with these series of posts – to find something beautiful and magical in all of the Manhattan neighborhoods. Because this is New York City – the Big Apple, and anything can happen here.

Let’s begin this series by looking at a neighborhood that means a lot to me – Tribeca.

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Style Twins – The Power of Authentic Style (Collab w/ With Wonder and Whimsy)

In this piece, I got the chance to collaborate with the beautiful and talented Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy. We bonded over being similarly stylish pastel sisters, and wanted to come up with a fun way of showing off these beautiful pieces while also speaking about something that means a lot to us.

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Ramble: The Power of “Shrill” and Finally Seeing Me

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Picture it: Cross River, New York, 2003. Like many middle school girls of that time, I was on my way to an indoor pool birthday party. Having just purchased a new swimsuit, I was a size 16, with unshaven legs and no make-up knowledge, but was willing to give this social gathering thing a shot. Doggie paddles, laughter, and some awkward exchanges were had by all. Everything seemed to be going fine – that is, until I entered the bathroom doors to change back into my non-swim attire.

A party attendee, of a much smaller size, giggled as she entered with her friends. Suddenly, my stall door was pushed wide open, the lock busted from the side. I was naked, beginning to have the shock settle in as multiple classmates laughed at my figure. “Fat ass! Chubby! Gross!” they cried, as each one took a turn ambushing me in my most vulnerable state, running in a merry-go-round style. They eventually stopped, but I didn’t leave the bathroom until the party had finished.

Flash forward to 2019, and in baggie pajamas and unbrushed hair, I decide to enter the world of Hulu’s new original series, Shrill. And somehow, through its short 6 half-hour episode course, I have never felt more appreciated and seen in my entire media watching life.

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The Perfect Pair: The Young Girls of Rochefort/Kate Spade Spring 2019

When I describe to people my personal “aesthetic”, I tend to point in the direction of the pop culture that inspires me. There’s Disney related things, Magical Girl genre shows, music videos, retro pin up ads, etc. But there happens to be one particular movie (that I only saw within the last year or so) that really has become the true definition of my style and taste in multiple things – but mostly within its visual language: The Young Girls of Rochefort. And with the release of the new Kate Spade Spring 2019 collection, my love for this movie (and this colorful style) continues to grow.  

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Cinema Style – “The Favourite” Movie Review

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Cinema Style is a series where I review a film (new or old) and pair it with an outfit that pays tribute to the visual aesthetic of said movie. Whether you’re looking for a “bound” of some sort, or just want some style dipped in the “flavor” of your new favorite movie, these write-ups are here to help!

In the world of cinema, it is sometimes hard to define the visual representations of cruelty. Sure, there has been some form of violence in almost every flick since the beginning of film history, and there’s enough “torture porn” genre movies to fill a garbage dump, but when it comes to the more emotional side of the phrase, there aren’t too many films that capture the word visually on screen. Or at least, that was the case until the director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, became an Indie Film darling.

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Pretty in Pink – A Fairy Tale Never Properly Told

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Today, I will have the pleasure of seeing Pretty in Pink on the big screen for a second time. Having watched this movie for the last 15 years on an almost monthly basis, I have a lot of fan girl admiration for it. Part of this fandom eventually included fulfilling a nerdy dream of mine – reading the young adult novelization that is based on the original John Hughes script. And having just finished this hundred-plus-page piece of teen-approved literature, let me tell you, I got a lot to say.

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Favorites Ala Mode: The Muppets

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Some of the things you’ll find in this blog series relate to what I love currently. But a few topics – especially this one – relate to what made me, well, me. Because sometimes it is important to reflect on the things that built your taste in humor, visuals, music, and everything in-between. So without further ado, it is time to play the music, and it is time to light the lights – let’s talk about The Muppets.

Having parents that were in their youth during the 70’s and 80’s, many of the TV series they presented to me were from those decades, and typically stood as an example of their own brand of humor. From Pee Wee’s Playhouse to The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls, I clearly was only being shown the best of the best – but the one that really started it all for me was my introduction to a group of puppets with a ton of personality.

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The Mark of My Choice – The Struggles of Being a #Hemangioma “Keeper”

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Some of us wake up feeling proud in the morning. Perhaps it is for your gender, sexual orientation, heritage, or the breakfast you just made – you name it, you own that confidence and pride for it. And while I have quite a bit of admiration for a lot of those elements of myself, one of the things I am the most proud of happens to lay in the middle of my right arm – my birthmark aka my hemangioma.

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