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Netflix & A Lazy Day

9/2/2019

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I used to look forward to long weekends as a time to book a vacation and hang out with friends on a beach. But now, as my 30s have set in, I’m finding myself truly enjoying the much earned holiday for what it is.  Airports are hectic, the highways are jammed with traffic, and my bank account is like “Guess again! You know rent is due!” Gotta love “adulting” lol.

To ease the what to do questions for this day, I’ve compiled a list of Netflix movies to watch while taking a break from labor!

Also, this list is great for a Friday night at home. NYC nightlife can get a bit expensive and bar hopping can leave you with a sad face Saturday morning when reviewing your debit transactions. 

Sit back, enjoy your favorite meal (and drink) and just allow your $9.99 subscription to entertain you for the day. 
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Secret Obsession (2019)
A good late night suspense movie with an amazing twist!
When Jennifer wakes up with amnesia after a traumatic attack, her doting husband cares for her. But she soon realizes that the danger is far from over.


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Fanatic (2019)
An urban modern version of the classic "Misery".
When a successful young rap star has an affair with an obsessive fan, his life is turned upside down when she kidnaps him.

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​Otherhood (2019)
A fun New York style movie showing a new side of motherhood.
Feeling forgotten on Mother's Day, three best friends drive from the suburbs to New York City to reconnect with their adult sons.

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​Sextuplets (2019)
Marlon Wayans steps outside of the parody style, stepping into a new arena of comedy with a family fun film with unforgettable characters.
When expecting father Alan discovers he has five siblings he's never met before, he decides to reconcile and meet his long lost family before his baby is born.

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​Someone Great (2019)
An "I can relate" film about friends, fun, and moving on.
Dumped by her long-term boyfriend, a music journalist recruits her two best friends for one last outrageous adventure in New York City before she moves to San Francisco.

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​Indiscretion (2016)
Sexy thriller that will keep you on your toes with a big plot twist.
A past, brief affair that was with a troubled young artist comes back to haunt and infiltrate the life of a politician's wife.

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​Paris is Burning (1991)
Just a damn good film. With the rise of the hit series "Pose" New York ballroom culture is on the minds of many.
This movie goes underground into the scene during the time period of the height of ballroom. This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. 

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​The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.

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Okay…I Need A Timeout!

3/26/2019

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author, alexcina brown resting on the couch
You have to put yourself on work restriction to replenish!
Going and going and going and more going! Does the daily work ever end? NO! But, you have to put it on pause to catch a breather. If you don’t, your body will remind you why rest is needed.

I wake up, lay in bed to think about the million things I have to do for the day. Then, OH I’m running late! Shower time, find an outfit. It’s cold out so I need to layer up. Where’s my gloves? Found them. Do I have my keys? Already packed them. Wait…Metro card!

Out the door and on to the awesome MTA Subway ride. Fighting for a seat, or even a space, is a tiresome task in itself, but the joys of reaching my destination helps to forget about the commute aggravation.
laptop on desk
On the to office to update websites and do a little writing/editing work in between. AND managing the magazine, answering emails. Lunch time, gotta get back on the train to hit an audition. Back to the office to finish the day.

Then, evening rush hour. Another fight on the train. Wait, I have to eat. Do I have food at the house? Nope, forgot to go grocery shopping. Stand in a long line with other annoyed 9-5ers with kids running around. Uggh I just want to go home!

​Time for winding down? Absolutely NOT, gotta hit the computer to finish the tasks set for the day. Of course, here comes a curve ball….This goes on until about 3AM and get a few hours of sleep before its time to wake up and do it all over again.

Who can manage a healthy life with all of this?!?! I know I can’t. However, my body stepped in, and took control. Control in the sense of shutting down. Fatigue, headaches, stomach pains, and even a little memory loss. Feeling overwhelmed and tired before I could get out of bed, was the body’s way of saying…Chick, you’ve GOT to slow down and take care of me. I do my Self-Care Sundays…okay I’ll admit I’ve slacked off. 
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All of this to say, when you’re going 500 miles a minute, you can’t make this a daily habit. To remedy the results of burnout, I have to readjust my time management. Along with sneaking in some self-care and yoga/meditation in between to silence my mind. I have many things on my plate (not complaining, I LOVE it), but I am in my 30s, and no normal human can unction like this without properly resting.
model/actress/author, alexcina brownRest in Silence. Photo Cred: @joebirdie99
Here’s a few ideas to kick-back and relax the mind and body:
(Yes, I need to take my own advice. Let’s do this together!)

Watch a funny show or movie. Laughter IS the best medicine. It releases the pains of whatever has “grinded your gears”; clearing the mind of bad thoughts. Laughing out loud can help cure any bad day. My shows of choice, Frasier, Schitt’s Creek, Paternity Court (they have hilarious episodes), Golden Girls, and just about any reality show you can find!

Rest in Silence. Turn off your TV, phone, computer, and your MIND. Stop thinking so much. I tend to overthink EVERYTHING. Creating outlandish scenarios that never happens all because of past experiences, or just my mind running away from me. Thinking too much causes stress, and doesn’t help when you need to focus on work. Just calm down and into space for a few minutes.

the blakk dahlia, self care sunday with bioreCharcoal Mask
Self-Care. Soak your feet in Epsom salt to release the toxins of traveling through the city by foot, or give yourself a much needed facial. Anything that will take care of your body. Pampering yourself is a good key in relaxing. Take care of your body, and it’ll take care of you.

Don’t allow others to pressure you to rush. Yes deadlines are important, but some things can wait. Just because the other party is on a quick timeline (or like to appear go be. Honestly, they’re fumbling to get themselves together as well), doesn’t mean you have to run yourself crazy. Set up your calendar to follow-up when its convenient for you. There’s nothing wrong with a few calls going to voicemail. Prioritize what’s important, and what can wait until you’ve had time to clear your mind.
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Limit your time on “the media”. Whether you know it or not, social media kills your expectations and goals for yourself. By constantly scrolling through other’s success stories or tales of having it all together, you feel the pressure of not working hard enough. I read a good meme once, it said: “Don’t let the internet rush you.” Newsflash, nobody has it all together. So what if they’ve accomplished a goal that you’re working towards. Their shine doesn’t dim your light, nor take away from your final destination. YOU WILL GET THERE ON YOUR TIME! Also, scrolling through timelines, only takes away from your own working hours and relaxation time.

Breathe. Take deep breaths in, and slowly exhale. 

Ask yourself, did you RELAX today?
writer, the blakk dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown)

​The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.

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Thank You Mr. Mercury!

11/4/2018

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freddie mercury performing at live aid
My night at an Inspirational Rock-Doc, Bohemian Rhapsody
I have a thing for 70s and 80s rock stars. The whole idea of letting go and laying it out on the stage. Being free to just be… One band who is amazingly legendary is Queen. A British four piece band of misfits, responsible for the classics of “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Killer Queen” (my personal fav), “The Show Must Go On", "Another One Bites the Dust", “We Are the Champions”, and so much more to name. Queen pushed the envelope in music, showing that you don’t have to be one thing to fit the formula of the music industry. The band’s front-man, Freddie Mercury, was one of a kind. The way he put on a show was like none other. His voice was impeccable and can’t be duplicated. One look at him and you know he was born to do it!

bohemian rhapsody movie poster
Finally Queen fans received another reminder of the band’s history and why they are legendary. The release of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, a bio-pic of the band along with insight on how their music was created and the details of Freddie Mercury’s life. As soon as I saw the previews of this film I KNEW I had to go on opening weekend. This movie isn’t one of those “Oh I’ll just wait and see it later…” It’s an experience you have to see as soon as it is released.

Usually I’m not excited about movies because I have my Netflix and Hulu, but a movie about Queen. Oh I’m leaving the house for that one!

I planned a solo date to see the film because I needed this experience. Can’t wait on someone else’s schedule for this. For my own personal tribute to Mr. Mercury, I decided to create my own fashion rendition of the 1985 Live Aid Performance costume. Simple and sweet yet displays an iconic performance that is still relevant today.
​The Movie.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a film where I’m like OMG throughout the entire movie. No down times or boring moments. Everything about the film was amazing. The casting was so on point. I want to speak on a few cameos but I don’t want to give it away…Well, here’s one. Mike Myers. He plays a record executive for EMI in the film. Didn’t recognize him at first but after the credits rolled, “Oh wow that was HIM!?!?” Which is so epic because he revived the tune “Bohemian Rhapsody” for a newer generation in his movie Wayne’s World. 
at the movies in nyc
Kicking up my feet at the movies!
On to Freddie.
You couldn’t tell me, Rami Malek, wasn’t Freddie Mercury. Hair and make-up did their part however, he brought it to life! You can tell thorough research was done and he was exceptional in re-creating Freddie’s life and performances. I hope he wins an Oscar for this one because this wasn’t some impression. Freddie was reincarnated right before our eyes!
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We even got a glimpse into the genuine love story with him and Mary Austin. Although their engagement was broken off, they remained in each other’s lives and she was loyal to the end. He even left her a good portion of his estate to her after his death. (My exes only left me alone, but I wrote a book series about it so I’m good lol.)
The Inspiration.
Throughout the movie, I was left with nuggets of inspiration. To live the life you want to live, break barriers, and DO what they say you can’t. That’s how you become legendary. Not by silly antics for attention. Bohemian Rhapsody inspires me to keep going and to be the person I was meant to be and for that, I’ll always be grateful to Mr. Mercury. Thank you for your gifts, your voice, and your live out loud performances that I can watch, share, and cherish. You can’t watch this movie and NOT be inspired. This is a movie you MUST see! 
queen II album cover
queen, freddi mercury
Photo Credit: Hulton
Thank you Mr. Mercury!

The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.

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    Author and lifestyle blogger, The blakk dahlia (e. alexcina brown)
    "I just like to write and create stuff. These are the diaries of how I'm living in NYC with sprinkles of life lessons I've learned along the way!" 
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