Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Live Me by Celeste Grande – Release Blitz

Published on October 29, 2015 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

Live Me ~ a Pieces of Broken novel by Celeste Grande
Publication date: October 27th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:
Broken…
Shattered…

How can you begin to live again when you’ve already been forced to…die?

Evangelina Ricci is trapped in a world that’s a never-ending nightmare, a constant ache in which consumes her every breath. Unable to bear the torture any longer, she does the one thing she can to take back control.

Run.

With her best friend Jace in tow, Evangelina attempts to escape her darkened past by leaving for college and diving head first into an aggressive schedule, determined with everything she is to make a name for herself. There’s only one problem—she can’t run away from the demons she struggles with. The demons that’ll forever be there, locked inside, battering her soul. Hiding behind a flawless façade, Evangelina faces her ghosts until her world is turned upside down, invaded by…him.

Blake Turner. Sweet, witty, flirtatious and drop-dead gorgeous, he finds Evangelina at every turn. Scared he’ll uncover the truth she keeps so well guarded, Evangelina tries her best to put on her act, deterring him like she has so many times before—only this guy’s different. He’s relentless. Utterly, absolutely and completely relentless. He sees her and he wants her and won’t stop until she’s his.

Will Evangelina succeed in pushing Blake away? Or will he break down her walls and be the person to make her realize life is worth living?

Amazon

AUTHOR BIO:
Celeste Grande grew up loving words. From an early age, it was easy for her to open her heart through pen and paper and come away with something poetic. She never thought anything more than releasing her emotions would come of it though. A workaholic that can’t keep still, in her ‘real’ life, she’s a Certified Public Accountant who dreams of writing sexy books all day long. When she isn’t working, she’s reading, writing, mommying and being a wifey to the love of her life.
She lives in New York, still putting pen to paper and anxiously awaiting the debut of her first novel, Live Me, a new adult romance, in October of 2015.

Author links:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook Page | Twitter

Hungry in the Midwest?

Published on October 22, 2015October 22, 2015 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

I’ve visited the Midwest, mostly on football trips, and eaten at some iconic places. Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit have some great culinary traditions. While I’ve touched on the highlights, I always thought it would be fun to escape the big cities and take a tour of some of the lesser visited, less touristy hot food spots.

Akron, Ohio

If you’re looking for home-style, home cooking Akron, Ohio diner spots, you can find them in Akron, Ohio. Driving through town, you’ll see a diner on every street corner. You can find elevated food choices, too. I found Crave. Try the Thai curry lobster or the cinnamon sage waffles with buttermilk fried chicken. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The food is pretty, too. Like Top Chef assembled with food tweezers pretty. If you are a fan of Top Chef, you will get that reference.

Crave would feel right at home in Los Angeles or New York City, but the fact that it’s in Akron, Ohio makes it even more of a cool destination dining experience.

Photo by Aaron Hervey via Trover.com

Omaha, Nebraska

When I think of Omaha, Nebraska, I think steak and potatoes. They have their share of steakhouses, but their culinary landscape is quite diverse. One area of Omaha is a must stop for foodies. Old Market is a historically inspired art and entertainment district in Omaha. The neighborhood has the feel of a European city in the middle of America. In Old Market, you can find Sushi, Tex-Mex, Italian, and Seafood. It also houses several breweries to get your drink on. It reminds me of the French Quarter or Georgetown in DC. It’s where the cool kids in Omaha hang out.

Photo by Cody Lee via Trover.com

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota isn’t just a college town on the Red River. The city has a rich history and a cultural awareness. Never mind that it’s cold most of the year; the city has a lot to offer. This is the place where you go for down home, American style food. I found The Blue Moose Bar & Grill. It just sounds like North Dakota. Inspired by the pioneers of the city, Blue Moose has something for everyone. The menu is massive with dishes like Black & Bleu Balls, The Honey Clucker, and the Supercaliforniaextraordinarilydelicious Burger.

I love a menu with a sense of humor.

Photo by Tammy Pruitt via Trover.com

Ann Arbor, Michigan

This Michigan town has 100,000 people in it; 60,000 of them are college students at the University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan is a college town, but it has big city ambition.

Zingerman’s Delicatessen contributes to the laid-back atmosphere of this Midwest town. The comic-inspired menu adds to the fun atmosphere you are sure to meet at Zingerman’s. Even Oprah Winfrey has been a patron. The food is all natural and made in-house with love and care with recipes crafted in the 1300-square-foot restaurant with big flavor.

Photo by Julia via Trover.com

Grand Rapids, Michigan

You can’t get more American and Midwest than the hometown of Gerald and Betty Ford, Grand Rapids, Michigan. While the president’s favorite food was pot roast, his second favorite might have been sushi from Maru Sushi & Grill. The artistic expression in their sushi is impressive. I’ve had sushi in Tokyo, so I know what I’m talking about.

Photo by Steph@myQLE via Trover.com

What is your favorite culinary region of America?

Finding the One in Paris, the City of Love

Published on October 22, 2015October 18, 2015 by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

This post was posted by thehipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on October 16, 2015.

Poet Arthur Rimbaud— who used a one-way ticket to get to Paris— once compared the sensation of love to the feeling of late night walks “beneath the green lime trees of the Promenade” after filling up on beer and lemonade in “rowdy cafes and their dazzling lights.” One-way tickets litter the streets of Paris, where young lovers meet like living symbolist poems, walking, kissing, and perspiring upon weathered cobblestones and beneath delicate corinthian cornices. Young romantics can count on feeling overwhelmed with options when it comes to the task of planning the perfect day in the City of Love. To mitigate your planning anxieties, we’ve gone ahead and planned the day for you. Je vous en prie, mon amour!

Les Buttes Chaumont

Located in the northeast of the city in the 19th arrondissement, the park offers visitors a wide variety of features: including a breath-taking grotto with cascading waterfalls, a suspension bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the breathtaking Temple de la Sibylle, which sits on the top of tall cliffs, high above the manmade lake at the park’s center. Purchase an inexpensive bottle of red wine, a fresh block chevre cheese, a baguette, some tupelo honey, and some salumi at a nearby grocery store and head to the park’s center. Ask an attractive stranger to join you for a picnic, and admire blue skies and puffy white clouds as a gentle breeze brushes your cheek. When was the last time you partook in a summersault competition? Have you ever stood on your head for an extended period of time? Les Buttes Chaumont welcomes youthful spirits, warm (and occasionally inebriated) conversations, and contented silence. Two minds, one Les Buttes Chaumont.

La Filmothèque du Quartier Latin

On 9 rue Champollion in Paris’ Latin Quarter, just a few blocks from La Sorbonne, La Filmothèque du Quartier Latin greets every evening with its brightly lit marquee. Featuring retrospective masterworks, films by Godard, Kubrick, Allen, Antonioni, Fellini, Cassavetes regularly hit the screen. The screening rooms are small and cozy; the vibes are hospitable and warm. Take your new friend’s hand in your own and get lost in the illustrious and timeless world of the silver screen.

10 Bar in Saint-Germain des Prés

Saint-Germain des Prés— an area in the 6th arrondissement of Paris— was once the home of existentialist movement. Coincidentally, the area is now home to one of the best bars in Paris: 10 Bar. Founded in 1955, 10 Bar claims to attract a “record crowd every night” as the “only sangria bar in the capital.” Go early and queue up some choice tunes on the bar’s classic jukebox. Grab a seat next to the massive organ-shaped mahogany mirror in the back and tell the person sitting next to you at the bar about the strangest dream that you’ve ever had, then take a few spins on the dance floor. When you’ve had your share of libations and wildness, take a short cab ride to the luxurious Hotel Bel Ami. Just a short walk away from the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Pont Neuf, and Musee d’Orsay, Hotel Bel Ami will help to keep the romance alive!

What to Do in Southeast Asia in October

Published on October 19, 2015October 21, 2015 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle3 Comments

I imagine I will make it back to Asia, some day. I miss my old stomping grounds. To prepare for my return trip, I conducted some research to find new activities in some of my favorite spots in Southeast Asia.

Macau

I mostly spent my time in Macau at the casinos. Macau is known as the “Las Vegas of Asia,” and I would take this little island with the Portuguese influences over the Las Vegas Strip any day. One place I failed to visit was the Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is just the front façade of the Church of Mater Dei constructed in 1602-1640. The architecture demonstrates the diverse history of the island: Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese influences. Macau is a tropical climate. The weather in October makes for perfect time to stroll through the grounds.

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Photo by Christopher Wong via Trover.com

Manila, Philippines

For being so close to the equator, the climate in Manila, Philippines is great, humid, but not too hot. One of the most interesting and culturally significant sites in Manila is Fort Santiago. Constructed in the 1500s, it was a prison during the Spanish Colonial War. Walking the fort grounds, give you the opportunity to explore the 22-foot walls up close. The preserved ruins give you the feel of what life was like on those harrowing grounds centuries ago.

Ko Phangan, Thailand

Ko Phangan, Thailand is beach life at it’s best and in October, the weather is perfect from morning until night. You can enjoy the amazing sunrises and party the night away at a Full Moon Party held every month to correspond with the amazing full moons visible in this part of the world. The parties are held all over, but the original spot, Paradise Bungalows, has the best. They feature food vendors, bands and international DJs. The party started in 1985 and has gained in exposure and levels of debauchery ever since.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam is known for its temples and pagodas. One area of the city where you can wander and see nine of the most beautiful and iconic examples of Vietnam history is in Old Quarter. Located in the center of Hanoi City, Old Quarter takes you back to old world Vietnam. The area boasts a market where locals sell their crops and crafts. You will certainly put your bargaining skills to the test. The narrow crowded streets offer a nostalgic setting in this modern city. I can’t wait to try the sticky rice or the Bun cha, a barbecue pork dish in fish broth with noodles.

Photo by Kostas Brejaart via Trover.com

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Besides the plethora of mopeds and scooters that litter the streets, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is like Miami. It’s hot and humid, but modern and westernized. October is a great time of year to stroll the streets and get to know the city. Last time I visited, I ate and ate and ate. I would do a repeat of that culinary tour. Vietnamese food is not just Pho, although the Pho is amazing. The food has many other Asian influences such as Thai and Chinese. I would return to Temple Club every visit. Besides having the most eclectic décor, the food is amazing, with dishes from all the influences that make up the charm of Ho Chi Minh City.

Budget Hacks: Traveling in the Deep South for Cheap

Published on October 14, 2015October 21, 2015 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Since my travel bug is well, bugging me, I need a vacation. I have had the privilege of traveling the world, expensed to others, but since I am on my own, I need to figure out how to feed this need on a budget. Since I live in Texas, I think a road trip in the Deep South is the answer.

Birmingham, Alabama

Strolling through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama gives me the feeling of walking through history. The city has joined modern conveniences — Thank God for Starbucks — while embracing the history of the region. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute chronicles the civil rights movement in Alabama. An all-day pass cost $12 and offers a poignant and emotional journal of a time in our history that shaped this nation.

Columbia, South Carolina

I am not an animal person, but love flowers. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden is the number one must see in Columbia, South Carolina. The museum offers activities for adventurous types, as well. Get up close and personal with a giraffe or pet a kangaroo. There is a rock-climbing wall and a Sky High Safari rope course. Tickets for a day pass to the zoo are $13.95, but some of the other activities are extra. fixedw_large_4x

Photo by Noble Nolen via Trover.com

Marietta, Georgia

The southern charm of Marietta, Georgia oozes out of its pores. It’s the home of the museum that celebrates the movie that personified the south, “Gone With the Wind.” The Gone with the Wind Museum features exhibits and collectibles from the movie set: Scarlett’s clothing, personal journals from the author, Margaret Mitchell, and props from the movie set. Admission to the museum is reasonable, but be careful you don’t blow your budget in the gift shop.

Bossier City, Louisiana

When you think of budget traveling, casinos might not come to mind, but the casinos in Bossier City, Louisiana will fit anyone’s budget. Casinos aren’t just for gambling. Bossier City is like a smaller, cheaper version of Las Vegas, with fewer showgirls. Margaritaville Resort Casino, owned by island crooner, Jimmy Buffett, is a tropical oasis in northern Louisiana. Stick with the breakfast and lunch buffet at the World Tour Buffet for the best prices. If you can’t resist the allure of the casino, play the penny slots. There is less pay out, but the same thrill and a penny goes a long way.

Robinsonville, Mississippi

Robinsonville, Mississippi is a small hamlet in northern Mississippi with nine casinos, but schedule your visit in October to attend the Mid-South Fair. This fair started in 1856. It includes activities and events for all ages: musical performances, livestock shows, talent shows, and rodeo. The fair also features some unique food choices. I love the idea of being at such a historically significance event. The entire region of Southern Tennessee and Northern Mississippi come out to the fair. Admission to the fair costs $25, but you are able to take in the sights and sounds of a tradition that has been around for over one hundred years.