Nothing really major has happened since I've lasted posted the videos. Last week was my first week back in college (yay spring semester!), so I've been pretty busy getting back into the rut of things. This month I will be taking part in some amazing opportunities.
#1) I'm writing a book
     Because why not. IT will mainly consists of my journals that I have had from 2004-2010. It's weird re-reading these journals and seeing what kind of an evolution I have gone through in the past years.  I honestly think it's better in life to be an open book (in my case it will be literally rather than just metaphorically). I want to share with the world my experiences, both the good and the bad, in order for others-specifically young girls-that they are not alone.
#2) I'm doing an art documentary.
     More about that in a future post. I will be filming tomorrow for that.
#3) I'm focusing on photography
     I really want to get back into the swing of things. So in order to do that, I am doing a photo shoot for Express Yourself Clothing in the next coming weeks. I think it's important to remember and have that time (even if it is for only a few hours) to do what you're passionate about. Photography is one of them and I am always excited to take pictures of amazing and talented people.

And I think that's all. Writing it down makes it seem like I'm not doing that much but hey, I'm in school! I want to add more music into my schedule but I don't know at the moment. I hope everyone is staying warm (I know that there is a struggle for me to stay both cute and comfortable right now) in this TERRIBLE weather.
To gain some sanity and to kindle you up I'll leave you with some pictures of my adventure last week with my mother. Because you know, it's always nice to look at pictures of the cold weather indoors-right?!?










Love you all as always,

Sabrina

This week has sure been crazy!
I recorded a video, started filming a documentary (eek!), entered into a competition for the yougeneration (which you should defiantly watch after reading this) and have a lot more that cannot be discussed about until -TOMORROW! I'm so excited and nervous to have you tag along! For right now I will leave you with my recent Youtube cover as well as my entry for the You Generation Street Style. It turned out to be more like indoor style because it's so freaking cold here (like negative 8 or something). I hope that you and the judges appreciate my effort in trying to show that we are stylish while also practical in Minnesota.

Until next time!

Sabrina, ThePrincessFusion

December, I had the privilege of seeing Downton Abbey season 4 BEFORE US audiences. Being a moderately huge fan of the PBS masterpiece series, I was thrilled to be attending the event. As a present for having completed finals, my mother and I attended the event together. I won't give too many hints about what happens tonight for Downton Abbey (for all of you spoiler seekers this is not the place) but I will tell you how the episode has impacted me.


Cardigan: Loft Shirt: Target :) Skirt: BCBG Tights: Spanx

 I don't know how television does this but somehow-as if the writers for the TV show can predict my future and have each and every episode of Downton relate to my life somehow is pure genius. Maybe its my egotistical self believing that everything in one single episode pertains to my life. There's something magical about TV shows-especially one like Downton-because even though the piece is set in a completely different time period without cell phones and Facebook profiles I still can completely understand and relate to the characters. The innovations of technology that are introduced in the show also show how profound these products are-which I had merely forgotten about because I have been accommodated to having them. I argue that Downton Abbey is a reminder of how the past used to be as a well as a act of reflection of how are present world is.
  The show has helped me in many ways. No, I don't use the show as my crutch. But I do use it as a sort of guide for when it comes to relations, as a motivation that I can do better.  Ok that's a really general statement that could be said about pretty much any TV show (other then Hannah Montanna of course). But in all sincerity, that is how I feel about Downton Abbey. There's more though, which pertains specifically to season 4 episode one. Even when you are at your lowest you have to get up and try again. You might believe or see yourself as someone that is considered to be a loner, or someone that doesn't need help, the patriarch. I say that's complete BS. The strongest a person is, is when they admit that they need help. Someone that knows and acknowledges that they need help. This episode reminded me of this fact. Look around you and realize that you have a support system-that will always be there to help lift you up when you need it. Maybe I'm just being cheesy as always, but I truly believe that this episode has helped shaped me in realizing that no one has to face a problem alone. Each and every person has at least one person that they can fight any and every single battle with.



Outfit for the night-Confidence is a must!

Until next time,

Sabrina Kennelly

Hey you guys!

Me at Express Yourself Clothing Stores annual Trunk Show

  Finals are finally over (repetitive right?!?) but I am glad to be done with the semester! I learned a lot about communication and social media over the past semester and hope to apply what I have learned from my classes onto the blog. You may have already noticed that from the blog posts that I have done in the recent months. Here are a few things that have happened in my life lately!

1) I've lost now approximately 50 pounds. I honestly can't believe it. I always thought that I only needed to loose about 15 pounds until I had a wake up call realizing how overweight I was. Like I have previously stated, I'm loosing weight for ME. I needed to, obviously. It doesn't take a scientist to figure that out (but maybe a wake-up call from one was needed). I feel better when it comes to the energy that I have (more which means I have more time to work work work!). I bought my first bikini yesterday (leopard) and I'm excited to wear it out in the coming weeks.

2) I have two jobs now! I still work at the Loft and I am loving every minute of it! I just went on a big shopping spree there yesterday and will show you all of my latest looks in the posts to come :) In addition, I have become a manager at a local thrift store doing social media called Express Yourself Clothing Store. PLEASE check us out if you are from the metro area!  We always have our door open for customers at the store and have a wide selection of clothes for this cold weather :)

3) School As you read already, I finished the semester. I have declared my second major- communications. I'm really excited to see where both of my majors (French ) will lead me in the future.  As for now though I am on winter break. I will be taking a J-term class but I choose a less rigorous one because I need a break! I've been really busy with lots of different activities.

4) Other stuff I started singing in a recording studio (eek!) and put one of the songs up on Youtube. I've also begun writing my own original music. I'm really excited to see where this will lead me. I publically can now say that I'm signed with Base79. They have been really helpful in the process of getting to know the 'Youtube industry' and how to create and generate some great videos. My photography has also been going really well! I have several bookings happening this week and have made a blog featuring more of the pictures I take throughout my life on there (check it out!!!). I have a new camera which I received as an early birthday present. I swear its like my child and I cried today at the possibility of it having a flaw. I'm such a worried parent lol.


I hope that everyone has had a great semester and has a wonderful holiday season! I know that I am excited for this great week that is coming up because I have a lot of milestones to celebrate coming up. I hope that you'll continue to follow me on this adventure :)

Love as always

Sabrina Kennelly

If you are following my instagram and twitter account then you already know that I have been in the studio lately. It is so amazing and nerve racking to be doing so. Here was the first recording I've done of one of my new favorite songs "Say Something". And for the record this was before the Christina version came out but I really do love the simplicity of this song.

A lot of new projects are coming this way and I'm super exciting to be revealing them this next year. I can already feel that 2014 will be fabulous! If I have learned anything from my periodic blogging and adventures via the internet this year is that you should truly go for your dreams. No matter how ridiculous they sound. Believe in yourself and work for what you have always wanted to do.  I hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season-I know I am!

Love to all,
Sabrina

Here are some pictures of my latest photo shoot I did. I wanted to play around with waterfall and lighting effects. I think that these pictures turned out well seeing how low of resolution they were. They truly show the unique personalities of both energetic models. Hope you like!

-SK

To end this blog series on Catfishing. I thought it would be great to give some tips on how to avoid becoming Catfished. Online dating websites have its advantages-you just have to be safe and smart when using it. Nev, the creator and focus in the documentary Catfish shares tips on how to not become 'Catfished' in an interview with Ryan Seacreast. You can click here to listen and read the full interview.

Here's an excerpt:

Nev Schulman, the man behind the documentary Catfish and the host of MTV’s Catfish: The TV Show, offers his advice on how to avoid getting catfished.
After a caller phoned in to On Air with Ryan Seacrest to reveal that someone is using her identity to engage in a relationship with a guy online, Nev decided to help with the “obviously complicated” situation.

“There are two sides to it,” Nev explains. “Both of them are separate. On your side, Rachel, you need to be aware there are always going to be people until Facebook or some other third party security company figures out how to prevent it that are going to take photos that aren’t theirs and use them. The best thing you can do is make your Facebook private, as private as it can be, so only your friends can see your photos.”
Nev Schulman Reveals ‘the Great Equalizer’ in Avoiding a ‘Catfish’
“And for the guy who thinks he’s talking to you, it’s really his responsibility to confirm beyond any shadow of a doubt to confirm it’s her,” Nev continues. “The responsibility is his to try to video chat with her or somehow get proof it is her before he falls too in love.”
Nev adds for anyone out there who is dating online, it’s crucial to confirm the identity of whoever you’re talking to. “There’s a lot of ways to [confirm your legit] with Instagram video and Vine.”
“Have them start an account and post one little video in six seconds that has them saying, ‘Hey it’s me just wanted to say nice to meet you.’ Or get them on Skype.”
To hear more from Nev, listen to the full interview above!

I mentioned before that there ARE success stories for online relationships. This is most certainly true for teenagers who are constantly on the internet. This couples are being defined on the internet as  'LDR' or Long Distance Relationship. Because of technology, constant communication is possible with distance playing only a small factor. Skype and texting allow for the couple(s) to be in a constant flow of communication, creating the allowance of information to become disclosed.

 I decided to show you my favorite videos of LDR couples who have shared their videos and stories on Youtube.


 

  This picture shows the inaccuracy of online dating in a nutshell. With the advancement of technology everyday, people are finding new ways to deceive others. This morbidly obsess man on the computer is a prime example of deceiving others to believe that he looks like Brad Pit. According to Reuters, Herald News, PC World, Washington Post about online statistics men tend to lie more about Height, Income and age. Women, on the other hand, lie about weight, physical build and age. Obviously, all of these themes are key issues into how relationships are formed and/or broken. The study also found that 49% of people believe that physical characteristics matter. By deceiving others about your true identity leads others to create a fake relationship with this imaginary person instead of the persons true self, behind the keyboard. (http://www.statisticbrain.com/online-dating-statistics/)


But not all relationships go bad on the internet. With 40 million out of 54 million having used or are currently using an online dating site, there have also been a lot of success stories.  Jennifer Viegas  writes in her article "Online Dating: Despite flaws, a fruitful tool" talks about these successes. As mentioned in the title, online dating can be seen as a device to help out people. It is a way for individuals to meet another outside of their normal social circles. Couples are forming from online dating but the success rates are higher in short-term relationships than compared to long-term one's.  Like the other study though, they found that lying did occur on online dating. They compared the dating website profiles of the individuals to that of their drivers license to see what the discrepancies were. "About 52.6 percent of the men in the study lied about their height, as did 39 percent of the women. More women, on the other hand — 64.1 percent — lied about their weight. Age in profiles is also suspect, since 24.3 percent of the men and 13.1 percent of women were untruthful about their age. Despite such fibbing, the researchers were surprised that it wasn’t more rampant." (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35304072/)


Many online dating sites though are advertising their success stories on our TV screens now. Couples are coming out and declaring their love for another and sharing their first dates with the world. Here are a few clips of the advertisements for the dating websites. You can judge for yourself if these couples are just giddy to be in the 'honeymoon' phase or are actually a long term couple.  Notice too that these women are talking without a significant other by their side and that they are all the same demographically- 30 year old white women? You can obviously see who they are trying to target here.

So why is Catfishing such a big deal?
     Online dating is one of the largest industries of today. With 1 out of 5 couples meeting online today, the online dating industry has more than boomed and is with 2.1 billion dollars in the US alone.
     Catfishing is a moral and ethical issue.  Leading another (or multiple people for that matter) with this false persona is a dilemma. Private information is being disclosed back and forth to both parties with honesty being put off to the side. This lack of honesty allows for information to be shared unwillingly with other people the other party didn't intend to share. Catfishing has lead to broken hearts and even suicide. In addition, Catfishing can be considered as stealing. By using other people's pictures and artwork and posing as someone else, you are stealing intellectual property from others. This is in fact illegal.

   The internet is an alluring place where you can find whatever you want in a click of a mouse. People can become a different persona in a heartbeat. Like Amy, the mom in the documentary Catfish, people use the internet as a form to escape the real world. It is this intertwinement of the real world/virtual world that becomes dangerous.

Here are a few video clips that show the dangers of Catfishing

























Sources:
http://kennethauthor.com/2012/03/06/online-dating-is-booming-in-our-changing-society-but-does-it-work-i-have-my-doubts/)

   Hi everyone!
    For theis blog series I decide to look into a new phenomenon called 'catfishing'. I really don't know that much about the phenomenon. Yes, I've watched the MTV show before but I never really quite understood WHY it was so popular. Knowledge is power after all right?!?

Here's a definition of what catfishing is via the lovely urbandictonairy.com
 "A catfish is someone who pretends to be someone they're not using Facebook or other social media to create false identities, particularly to pursue deceptive online romances.

I was inspired by Glee's latest episode "The Quarterback" honoring Cory's memory. Lea Michel sang Adele's make you feel my love and I thought it would be a perfect song to cover. I really like how it turned out! Hope you guys like it as much as I do :)

xoxoxoxoxo
Sabrina