The Wishlist of a Netflix Addict

Hi, my name is Sami and I have an addiction…..to Netflix.

This past summer summer alone, I finished Greek, Grey’s Anatomy and Orange is the New Black. , now finding any spare chance I get to watch Gossip Girl. And as soon as I’m done with Gossip Girl, I’ll be starting Fuller House.

Some of the greatest shows have stopped releasing new episodes – and some have stopped being shown on television all together. Yes, I may be able to catch a good Sex and the City marathon on a Thursday on E!, but with so many episodes that teach me about adulting, boys, and friendship – I want to watch them on my own time.

Dear Netflix, if you are reading this – these are the shows I wish you would add:

1. Sex and the City

Knowing if someone is a Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, or Charlotte can tell you more about them than any social media stalking could ever do. Sex and the City is what taught me about my friendship, adulting, and everything in between as these women tackled life as a female in the beautiful NYC. They tackle feminism in a way that wasn’t discussed before – from motherhood, to being a successful woman, to expressing your sexuality.With each designer shoe-step and cosmopolitan, these women were there for each other. They weren’t perfect, but they were real.

2. Lizzie McGuire

Before there was Sex and the City to teach me about life, there was Lizzie McGuire. Lizzie talked first kisses and first bras with her parents and best friends at the same time that I was. She showed pre-teen girls in a real way, not as secret rockstars. Lizzie faced the struggles that we all do growing up and Disney Channel portrayed these obstacles in a very real well. For this, the show will always have a special place within my heart. All 90’s girl grew up with Lizzie and I would love nothing than to sit back and watch the Lizzie-Gordo love unfold.

3. The O.C.

Moving down my wishlist list, I can’t help but wish that the most dramatic television show in the history of teen show history, The O.C., was on Netflix. Everyone was dating-and sleeping- with everyone, everyone seemed to be an alcoholic, and everyone seemed to struggle with some very serious hardship. If your mouth didn’t drop to the floor during every episode, where you really watching The O.C.? But I don’t think I bawled my eyes out harder then when Ryan carried Marissa’s lifeless body away from a burning car or when I realized that Seth and Summer were the most perfect couple.

4. Laguna Beach

I don’t know if I’ll even love my husband as much as I love Laguna Beach, L.C., and the lessons that I learned from the show. My obsession with Laguna Beach will never be “dunzo.” Before Sex and the City, Laguna Beach is where I learned about high school boys, friendships, and the importance of a good eye roll. The cast taught us that both boys and friends can break your heart and through these moments, you’ll realize who really matters. I learned that Lauren Conrad is the definition of #goals and what happens in Cabo does not stay in Cabo, my friends….

5. Jersey Shore

Call it my biggest guilty pleasure ever, but I love Jersey Shore. I don’t think I would binge anything more than some Season 1 antics from my favorite guidos. I teased my hair, bought a tanning membership to GTL, and would have “t-shirt time” before going to teen nights at Karma, thanks to my favorite Italians. Also, we need to remember that no show has every had any better set of quotes come out of the “diary room” like chats. Even past all of this, to re-live the hook ups, the drunken mishaps, and realize why the ocean is actually salty sounds like the best way to avoid doing homework.

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What’s on your Netflix wishlist? Comment below and let me know!

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Disclaimer: All gifs were found on Giphy.com

8Dec2015

Sami’s Holiday Gift Guide: An On Location Tour

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions are my own.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Blogmas, readers!

So, it seems that all my professors have gotten together and decided that they were going to make the week BEFORE finals week when everything would be due. Of course, that would be successful if not every one of my professors decided to do that, but well, we can’t change some stuff in life, now can we?

In the meantime, I have been holiday shopping for all of the special people in my life. After last year’s successful holiday guide, I decided to bring it back this year! So if you’re looking for a craft, a new phone case, or more, last year’s gift guide has got you covered.

And for all you little elves this year, we’re kicking off with something for your favorite movie buffs or someone who loves an experience rather than an item.

On Location Tours offers just that!

My mom and I went on the New York City TV & movie tour earlier this month and had such an amazing time! For only $43 a ticket, you can travel all around NYC for 2.5 – 3 hours checking out where some of your favorite TV shows and movies have filmed. We even got to see where they were going to be filming an upcoming CBS show, how cool?!

During that time, my mom, myself, and the others on our tour bus were taken all over New York City to see the sights of where some of the best movies have filmed. Throughout the trip, our tour guide will tell us about the films that have taken place at the locations, show us clips, and tell us insider secrets about the different locations.

Check out the pictures from the trip. Do you recognize them from some of your favorite movies and TV shows? Hint, hint you should recognize some of them from Gossip Girl, Friends, Sex and the City, Ghostbusters, and New Year’s Eve!

For big fans of Seinfield, Gossip Girl (a.k.a. my current Netflix obsession), or Sex and the City, On Location Tours offers tours specifically geared to those shows. Other speciality options include Turner Classic Movies, Central Park, and the Holiday Lights & Movie sights.

Not in the NYC area? Boston and Washington D.C. also offer tours geared to their areas.

Tickets can be purchased online or at (212) 913-9780.

Stay tuned for what will be next in my holiday guide! If you end up purchasing tickets, comment below and let me know.

1Jul2014

Top 3 Instagrams of the Month: June 2014

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy July, readers!

As I said yesterday in My Monday Musts, it seems as if this summer is flying by. However, I was able to capture some of my favorite memories and most important days on my Instagram account.

June not only had a lot of memories made, but was a month for me to revisit past memories. Check out this month’s Instagram pictures with the most likes.

June 4th is one of the biggest dates in my life – it is the anniversary of my father passing away. One of the ways that I grieve is by posting an image of my father and I and writing a little caption about him. This year marked four years since he passed away from brain cancer. I honestly had the greatest daddy a little girl could ask for. Though it is super hard without having him here, as I said in the caption, I am thankful that he is no longer suffering.

Another reason June holds a lot of memories is not just the anniversary of my father’s death, but there is Father’s Day. I found a quote that I absolutely loved and couldn’t help to share it with my followers as I posted a tribute to my father on the holiday. The quote stated, “A girl is lucky to find a Prince Charming, but she’s even luckier when her father is her king.” I may still be searching for that Prince Charming to come along, but my father is – and always will be – the most important man in my life. He loved me, protected me, and was my King. He always will be.

Though this summer seems to be revolving around my summer job and blogging, I still make sure to relax and spend time with my best friend, Julia! We love tanning, so we spent one of our full days off by her pool. We got iced coffee, put “Timeflies” Pandora station on full blast, and laughed the day away. Julia’s sister, Jenna, captured this candid photo of us laughing – which was just so perfect! Julia and I base our friendship around the classic Sex and the City soul mate quote. When it was referenced in Greek, I jotted it down for just the right Instagram picture – and this was it.

I can’t wait to see what July has in store for me! It’s my last full month home before heading back to college, so I can’t wait to make this month truly count. Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing these adventures not only on the blog, but on my Instagram. So, follow me to stay updated! Plus, check out my top Instagrams from January, February, March, April, and May!

13Nov2013

DIY Sharpie Mug

by sparkleandshinesami

To make my best friends birthday gift, I let my sorority girl/Pinterest addicted self shine through by crafting a DIY sharpie mug with our favorite “Sex and the City” friendship quote – “Maybe our best friends are our soul mates, and boys are just to have fun with.”

The quick craft came out absolutely beautiful & better than I could have ever expected. More importantly, my coffee chugging bestie, Julia, loved it!! With the holiday season now here, a DIY Sharpie mug is a great gift to make and give to any coffee or tea lover in your life.

The make the mug, the steps are:

1. First, you need to get the supplies you need! They’re all very cheap and easy to get – Sharpie markers and a mug! Most mugs can even be found at the dollar store if you are trying to keep yourself on a budget.

2. Decide what you want to write on it. As I said, Julia and I always tell each other that we are soul mates because of the SaTC quote, so it was perfect! You can write any quote you want, draw a design, or even write a note if you would like! You have complete creative freedom!

3. Once you know what you want to do, start designing! Take your time, remember you can’t undo it once you start, so do not rush.

4. Once it is finished, place it in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. This allows the Sharpie to not come off after washing it and multiple uses. Once it bakes, let it cool.