Lets face it, we all had a hard time adjusting to life during the beginning of quarantine. From limited human interaction outside of immediate family to life around me shutting down, it was hard for depression not to seep through. Thankfully I was able to find a creative outlet that allowed me to express myself while also staying mentally sane. 

When the lockdown was first announced, I remember exactly where I was. I was sitting in my writing across platforms class with professor John Bowen, discussing an upcoming project with my classmates. Across from me sat one of my closest friends, Catherine Pusateri. All of a sudden, one of my classmates sitting behind me blurted out the campus was going to be shut down immediately at four oclock. We were all in schock which was followed by panic. Professor Bowen tried calming us down, but it was no use. 

Shortly after my classmate made the statement, it was removed from the Kent State website. Apparently it was posted earlier than intended, but the student media outlets had already gotten a hold of the information. From then on posts were going viral all over social media with students in complete panic. Professor Bowen thought it would be best if he wrapped up class early so we could all get to the comfort of our dorm rooms. Thankfully he did, because not soon after the official announcement was made and students were fleeing campus. 

I remember sitting alone in my dorm room, scared for what was to come. For some reason the first thing that came to mind was the movie I am Legend with Will Smith. My mind often plays out worst case scenarios, and I thought it’d be a great idea to compare Covid-19 to zombie apocalypse, NOT.

While a majority of the campus had fled that day, I stuck around till the day after. This was not by choice though. See, I had purchased a new pair of shoes that were supposed to be arriving the next day. There was no way I was leaving campus without them, so I stuck around in a half-empty dorm room staring endlessly at the clock waiting for the time to pass. Thankfully, my package arrived early the next morning, and I was on my way home before sundown. 

The unfortunate part about paying for college on your own, is that all your money pretty much goes into school. This meant I had no ride home since at the time I could not afford tuition and a car. However, my mom did have a car, but she doesn’t like driving long distances and would not be able to come get me. Now I was stuck with one option, Ubering home with limited items and then returning with a friend to pick up the rest. 

The scariest part about this, besides the world being in a complete state of panic, was if I was going to get stuck with a creepy Uber driver. I didn’t even know if any Uber driver was going to want to drive me home, which was over an hour away. I waited for about five minutes before someone accepted the ride. There was a sudden moment of happiness, as I knew I would not be stuck on campus. Although, the price was not the prettiest. A one way ride home from Kent cost 70 dollars which did not include the tip I left. 

Once I saw the Uber driver, Amanda, pull up and willingly come around to help me with my bags, I knew it was going to be a fun trip. I was very excited my Uber driver was a female since I have an easier time connecting with them. This reassured I’d likely have a smoother ride home.

At first, we introduced ourselves and exchanged a few words about the virus going around. Although it had only been one day, Amanda was prepared. She had snacks, hand sanitizers, tissues, Lysol wipes and a sign hanging from the back of the passenger’s seat which explained taking precautions. 

Once the slightly awkward introduction was over, we were able to talk about our dreams and aspirations in life. Something we both had in common was the fascination for the law and unsolved mysteries. Once we started this conversation it was nearly impossible for us to bring anything else up. It was during this conversation I learned she tried to solve a murder case for one of her classes. While she was unsuccessful, she had a lot of fun with it and actually taught me some new information. Mostly not to get too attached to a case or else it will consume your life. 

While murder cases and unsolved murder was a fun topic, the real bonding started when we bagan talking about music. It was almost as if I was meant to stay behind on campus and wait for my package because Amanda was amazing. We both had pretty much the same taste in music. Although she was not as big of a Mariah Carey fan as I, I overlooked it mostly because everything else was so similar. I can’t say I’d do the same for anyone else. 

We ended up listening to Ariana Grande, Beyonce and Rihanna for the remainder of my trip which involved a lot of head bopping and terrible, but fun singing. Once I approached my destination, it was a bittersweet moment. I was excited to be at my mom’s job to pick up her car, but also sad this moment had to end. Then I remembered Covid-19 was a thing and jumped out of the car, not before saying goodbye and praising Amanda, though. 

While getting a ride home from a stranger during the beginning phase of a pandemic might not be the best idea, it definitely brought an enjoyable experience. Hopefully Amanda is somewhere bonding with her next ride over Ariana Grande and unsolved mysteries, and possibly catching up on her Mariah Carey facts. 

With summer right around the corner, it is inevitable that most of us might have a little extra free time on our hands. If you are looking for new shows to indulge in this summer, do not worry. I have my top four favorite original Netflix series that you will undoubtedly love. 

For those of you who might not know, Netflix is a service first created in 1997. The original Netflix was a service that allowed you to rent out movies and then send them back for new ones. 

As time progressed and the digital age took over, Netflix reinvented itself and turned into a streaming service back in 2007 according to Intrestingengeneering.com. Now, you can purchase Netflix online and watch it on your phone, tablets or on your smart televisions. 

The great thing about Netflix is that it holds over 15,000 titles according to camparitech. The streaming service has also started producing their own original shows which are called ‘Netflix Originals’.  

As an active watcher of new original shows, I have compiled a list of three binge-worthy shows that are a must-watch for anyone with Netflix.

The first original show I watched on Netflix was Orange Is the New Black. The series takes place at Litchfield Penitentiary in Litchfield, New York. Prior to watching this show, I was never big on crime/reform television series, but shortly after the first episode, I was hooked.

The series was first put onto Netflix streaming service in 2013 and was based on the novel Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison. This was a memoir written by Piper Kerman in 2010 and was based on her 13-month experience in a women’s prison. 

In the series, they kept the author’s first name but changed the last. The plot revolved around the main character Piper Chapman who was played by Taylor Schilling and Alex Vause played by Laura Prepon. On the show, Vause is a successful drug smuggler who travels the world to transport drugs. Chapman and Vause end up finding each other and falling in love. 

Although Chapman knew of Vause’s work, she never got involved, except for one time. Shortly after Vause and Chapman inevitably break up due to complications, Vause was arrested. In order to shorten her term, she snitched on Chapman which landed her in Litchfield Penitentiary. 

The show first debuted on Netflix on July 11, 2013, and ran for a total of seven seasons wrapping up July 26, 2019. Over the course of its running, the show has been nominated for a total of 143 awards and won a total of 52. This includes multiple Emmy awards for the best supporting actress, and best guest actress according to imbd.com.

The second Netflix Original binge-worthy show that is a must-watch is Dead to Me. This series first premiered on Netflix on May 3, 2019, making it a fairly new show. The series features actress Christina Applegate playing Jen Harding, and Linda Cardellini playing Judy Hale.

While it is still a newer show, it has already been critically acclaimed and does a great job at keeping the viewer’s attention for the entirety of an episode. During the first season, we get an insight into Hale’s mentality and desire to make right with Harding. One night when Hale was driving while intoxicated, she ran over a man and killed him with her fiance at the time. The man they ran over happened to be Harding’s husband. 

Not being able to sleep at night, Hale began going insane with the crime she had just committed. In hopes to gain peace, she stalked Harding’s character and worked her way into her home and life to try and repay her for murdering her husband. While it was working at first, the guilt was eating Hale alive and she ended up confessing her crime which resulted in a huge blow-up between the two. Season one ends with Hale’s ex-fiance showing up at Harding’s house to try and convince her not to call the cops. After intimidating her, Harding shot and killed Hale’s fiance and now needed Hale’s help to hide the body.

This series is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping the suspense high at all times. As of now, there are only two seasons available on Netflix, but according to thrilllist.com, Netflix has already begun production for a third and final season of the series. 

The final series that is a must-watch for anyone looking for a new and engaging show is called You. This is also a newer series on Netflix which debuted September 9, 2018. This action-packed show revolved around the main character Joe Goldberg played by actor Penn Badgley.

For this series still being new, it has already created a lot of buzz on social media surrounding the main character and his psycho tendencies. There were even multiple memes people created that went viral on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

In the series, Goldberg runs a small bookstore located in New York City.  As Goldberg is organizing some bookshelves, he notices a beautiful lady across the store who needs helped. The character Beck played by Elizabeth Lail ends up approaching Goldberg in need of some assistance which makes him believe they were destined to be.

Goldberg then falls madly in love with Beck and begins stalking her everywhere she goes. He even goes to the extent of stealing her phone so he can track her every move physically and virtually.

As time goes on Beck becomes suspicious of Goldberg’s strange behavior. After realizing that he was a psychopath she tries to leave Goldberg but ends up dead instead. In a panic, Goldberg flees the city to start a new life in California but is still haunted by Beck and even believes she is still alive.

As of now there are only two seasons available on Netflix’s, but they have begun production and promotion for season three which is set to be released later this year.

If action packed suspenseful shows are your thing, then I highly recommend checking these shows out if you haven’t already.

When fans ask, Chloe x Halle delivers. Although Covid-19 has affected the production of many musicians’ projects, it was no match for the two. Chloe x Halle released a chrome edition to their highly anticipated album Ungodly Hour, which shook the entire music industry. 

Chloe Elizabeth Bailey and Halle Lynn Bailey were first introduced to music by their father, Doug Bailey, at the ages of ten (Chloe) and eight (Halle). 

The two then began uploading song covers to YouTube and decided to be called Chloe x Halle. One of the first covers the two did was to the Beyonce song, “Best Thing I Never Had” in 2011. After they did the second cover of a Beyonce song in 2013, “Pretty Hurts” the internet went crazy for the two and their insane vocal abilities. The video created so much buzz that Beyonce saw it and shared it on her Facebook page. Shortly after the two were signed to a 1 million dollar record deal with Beyonce’s label Parkwood Entertainment at the age of 18 (Chloe) and 16 (Halle).

Since signing with Parkwood Entertainment, the two have managed to gain a large following and established their joint social platforms. From releasing covers on YouTube to creating their own studio albums.

Chloe x Halle released their debut album The Kids Are Alright back in 2018, but it did not do so well on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart. The album peaked at 139 back on March 7, 2018, and only stayed on the chart for one week.

Rather than letting the minimal success discourage them, Chloe x Halle came back harder with their highly anticipated album, Ungodly Hour. This album exceeded  The Kids Are Alright tremendously by peaking at number 16. The album peaked at 16 on June 27, 2020, and stayed on the chart for six weeks. In addition to this success, Ungodly Hour debuted at number-one on the iTunes music chart shortly after the initial release back on June 12, 2020. 

With the amount of success Ungodly Hour has brought the two, they decided to surprise fans with a chrome edition of the album. For most artists, this is known as a deluxe album, Chloe x Halle just decided to put a twist on it. A deluxe album or ‘chrome album’ consists of the original album repackaged with unreleased music that accompanies the original album.  This also included an updated chrome aesthetic album cover. The chrome edition was released earlier this year on March 1 and featured two new songs “Hazy” and “80/20.”  

Unfortunately, the Chrome Edition did not end up charting on the Billboard Hot 200. It did however chart at number 71 on the iTunes Chart, which is better than their debut album. Album sales are an essential key to charting high on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart, and since they did not release a physical copy of the chrome edition at the time, it did not chart high. Thankfully though, they are releasing the physical copy in CD and Vinyl form later this year. It will not be available to purchase until July 9, however, fans can pre-order it on third-party sites like Amazon. With physical copies being released later this year and streams still increasing daily, there is a strong possibility the album can chart.

Diving into the album itself, it is one of Chloe x Halle’s most cohesive albums to date. The album holds 15 tracks, most notably “Do It,” “Ungodly Hour,” “Forgive Me” and “Hazy.” 

From the first track of the album, fans are welcomed with a captivating intro titled “Intro.” The sound is what I’d imagine would be playing in the background as the gates of heaven open. While “Intro” relies heavily on Chloe x Halle’s vocals, it does have a few words towards the end that play well into the angelic-like vibe. “Don’t ever ask for permission, ask for forgiveness.”

One of the best promotional tools to engage with the younger generation now for musicians is having your song go viral on TikTok. Chloe x Halle created a dance for “Do It” and shortly after, a large majority of TikTok was recreating their dance which made the song go viral. The song has a highly contagious beat that makes a person want to get up and dance, so using TikTok was a smart choice. With the amount of success the song gained, the two released it as a single from the album and eventually released a music video to accompany it. 

 The ‘Do It’ sound on TikTok has close to 500,000 users using the sound. This includes viral sensation Charli Damiolo (the most followed person on TikTok) who’s video has over seven million likes. Other famous creators like Tony Lopez, Michael Le, Madi Monroe and many more have also joined in on using the sound.

As for the bonus tracks, I think they blend perfectly with the rest of the album creating a cohesive project. The album embodies independence, self-worth, and is the perfect album for anyone who feels confident and empowered after a breakup. Both “Hazy” and “80/20” reflect the same energy as the rest of the album making it nearly impossible for anyone to realize they were bonus tracks. 

“80/20” is the final track on the album, which was the best decision  Chloe x Halle could have made for this project. While the rest of the album reflects independence and confidence, “80/20” adds a bit of a twist. While still incorporating those emotions, this song talks more about temptation seeping through]. It was an empowering statement that shows the temptation is still there, but the willpower to fight against it is stronger. This tied the entire album together creating a masterpiece. 

Chloe x Halle were able to come back from a lack of success of their debut album and create a memorable album. If you haven’t already, make sure to give Ungodly Hour Chrome Edition a listen. The album is available on all streaming platforms including Tidal Music, Apple Music and Spotify.

With uncertainty of the future due to the current pandemic it has been harder for fashion brands to depict what the next fashion forward trends will be. Although for fashion designer Angel Brinks adapting fashion to the pandemic has been a breeze.

Brinks creates clothing for a lot of celebrities including Ashanti, Saweetie, Cardi B, Lil Kim, Remy Ma and more. With her clothing being more on the extravagant side it is no surprise female artists are attracted to the incredible designs. Although high profile celebrities rock Brinks designs, she also has a lot of affordable pieces which make it the perfect place to shop if you have an important event coming up. There’s even an option to customize your clothing.

One great feature Brinks has incorporated into her designs is matching face masks for certain garment so that your whole outfit flows perfectly together. This is a great way to adapt to the current pandemic because people are hesitant on buying nice clothing due to the face mask putting the whole outfit off. One thing I would recommend is making a few more designs of face masks that can be universal for other outfits. Currently Brinks offers a limited range in designs of face masks which means she isn’t gaining the maximum profit.

As previously mentioned, Brinks works with a lot of high profile celebrates and often showcases it on her Instagram account. One Idea I have to market her brand more is creating a deal with the celebrities she works with. Possibly offering a discount in exchange for promotion on their social media accounts. Most of the time fans rave over celebrities outfits so if they direct their following to Brinks website it is an almost guarantee to increase her income. I believe this to be a successful tactic because it has worked in the past for other influences. Recently Mariah Carey promoted an app on her Instagram which caused the app to gain thousands of downloads in a day.

With Halloween coming to an end, Mariah Carey has posted a video on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter showing the end of one holiday, and the beginning of another. It’s no secret that Carey has acquired the title, “queen of Christmas” over the years with her smash hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” breaking multiple records and being the first holiday song to top the Billboard Hot 100 Chart since Alvin and the Chipmunks song. Along with this title, Carey holds the record for the most number-one’s for any solo artist with a total of 19, and the most weeks spent at number-one

In the video of Carey announcing the start of Christmas, she is sporting some of her new merchandise which consists of pajamas themed after her. The pajamas first went on sale last Christmas but are not currently for sale on her website. Although, Carey has begun bringing some Christmas merchandise back such as hats, fanny packs, blankets, mugs, stockings and blankets.

Since the video of Carey released, there has been multiple meme’s circulating the internet and catching major attention from all the blogs, including The Shade Room.

Although we’re not quite sure what festivities Carey has planned for the holidays, we do know it will include Snoop Dog, and possibly Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. In recent interview Snoop Dog said, “Of course Carey wanted the Snoop in her new holiday project” confirming his appearance in it. And a few weeks ago, Carey posted her initials next to AG and JH which fans speculate stand for Grande and Hudson.

Since Carey hasn’t officially announced who will be in her Christmas project or when she will release new Christmas merchandise all we can do is wait. Make sure to follow Carey on all social medial platforms and turn on her post notifications if you want to stay updated on all of Carey’s holiday festivities.

Hello, my name is Andre Claudio and I am a senior fashion journalism student with a fashion media minor at Kent State University. Throughout my college journey I have strived for success by obtaining as much knowledge as possible from peers, professors and personal experience. With that being said I have interned at Glitter Magazine, Blend TW, Studio DZ and have even managed to obtain an assistant editor position at A Magazine, Kent’s fashion publication. My experience has allowed me to work with some amazing people in the industry expanding my knowledge on fashion, lifestyle and celebrity culture. 

Throughout my blog will be inclusive content for both men and women, marketed towards those between the age of 16-28. Most of my readers interest will fall in the categories of what is currently trending, celebrity culture, lifestyle tips and tricks, fashion must haves and those interested in new music released. 

My blog is created to bring a platform that is diverse in content. I strive to bring original content that is not only inclusive to all but a safe space for everyone to find cute and stylish clothing in all different sizes and styles. I will also be providing updates on an array of different music releases in all musical categories. No matter who you are, when you come take a look on my blog, you’ll know you are going to find something that peaks your interest!