How a Social Media Workshop Sparked My Summer Goals

I know I am super late in posting about this experience but it is still something I am so excited to talk about none the less! On April 11, I was invited to attend a Social Media Workshop through my social media class at Ohio Northern University. It was so insightful as a student who is new to navigating the "behind-the-scenes" of social media. I have secured myself an internship over the summer where I will be posting on Instagram and Facebook for upcoming events so the workshop was so helpful to me.

I made so many new connections not only through the speakers but through other attendees as well! It was so fun to talk about different experiences and bounce ideas off of one another. I think that my favorite speaker of the whole session was our keynote speaker, Jason Therrien. Jason is the current president and CEO of thunder::tech, a brand that helps other companies with their marketing strategies and grow in the business world. He also provided us all with a social media digital workbook and calendar for the 2024-25 year with tips about when to post and what some good things to post about are on specific days!

Later that night, as a new Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) member, I was also invited to the alumni dinner! The food was absolutely delicious and once again I was able to make more connections, these ones a bit closer to me than the non alumni at the social media workshop. It was fun to talk to a recent graduate and see what she was doing after college and how it has all been going for her. She gave me so much advice and plenty of inspiration to do whatever makes me happy in life, even if it does not match what my dreams were when I first started my college career. 

Overall, a day that seemed very long and hectic on my calendar seemed to be one of the most exciting and resourceful days as a Public Relations student. I am so excited to see where this will take me in the future and I also really look forward to attending the Social Media Workshop at ONU in the next years to come! If you are a student in communications, marketing, or PR, events like these are so worth attending, even if you do not feel like spending the money. You never know who you will meet or how inspired you’ll feel afterward.

I also want to add that all the pictures in this blog were taken by the amazing Evie Megery whose blog you can check out here!

My New Favorite Series: Falling Hard for Twisted Games

After reading the second book of the Twisted series by Ana Huang, Twisted Games, in only 3 days, its safe to say that it is for sure my new favorite series. If you see me reading at all this week, I am either finishing book 3 or in the process of reading book 4. I cannot put this series down because I am absolutely addicted.

Stoic, broody and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has 2 rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever. He has never once been tempted to break those rules...until her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She's nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed. Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he's faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to have her to himself.

Because she's his. His princess.

Regal, strong-willed and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses. But when her brother abdicates, she's suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted. And as she navigates the intricacies-and treacheries-of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can't have.

Her bodyguard.

Her protector.

Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom...and doom them both.

Bridget and Rhys' love was one like no other as throughout it all they stuck together. They had very short moments of not being with each other but the book moved very fast through those moments which I appreciated. As much as I love getting more character development when the characters are far apart, they typically just have moments of dread or complaint during this time.

Ana Huang has deemed this book a stand alone from the first but I believe it is very vital to read the first book before this one to truly understand the repeat faces as well as the background information. Unlike A Court of Thorns and Roses, the first book in this series is not a bore and is very easy to read if you enjoy the characters like I did.

Stars: 5

Spice: 4

A New Favorite Series? Twisted Love Review

I have seen the Twisted series by Ana Huang all over stores and TikTok. It has been on my reading list for forever but this week I finally indulged and read it thanks to getting a hard copy at the ONU Thrift Club's Blind Date with a Book event. I recommend this book to people who have enjoyed their TikTok romance reads as well as steamy brothers best friend romances. 

He has a heart of ice…but for her, he'd burn the world. Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape. Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart. But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:

A crack.

A melt.

A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can't remember. But despite her broken past, she's never stopped seeing the beauty in the world...including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn't want.

Her brother's best friend.

Her neighbor.

Her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen-but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both...and everything they hold dear.

Ava and Alex's relationship was never one that was ideal throughout the entirety of the book. But that's the sort of romance books I tend to enjoy since I can see how they play out in the end. It did not take me very long to fall in love with both of the characters even though Alex was very standoffish in the beginning. I felt that Ava and I were very similar as we are both bright people who look for the positive in everything and tend to keep a cheerful demeanor.

Typically I will just rent out books from my library at home to read but due to me loving this series so much and having three weeks before I even go home, I bought Kindle Unlimited just so I can finish the series. Safe to say I am really looking forward to the rest of this series and I hope that it is just as good as the first.

Stars: 5

Spice: 4

Why Social Media is Too Hard to Disconnect From

Social media apps are structured to keep you on them as long as possible. You heard that right. They are designed to entertain you so long that you do not realize that so much time had just passed. Here is some information about social media that you may not have known all together.

1. Social media doesn't give up information

If you thought that all social media apps would sell all of your data, you would be wrong. Instead, they actually keep the vital information so that they can predict what you want to see online. They use your data to create almost a model of yourself that shows you on your media feed exactly what will keep you on the app.

2. Its not just TikTok

Some people think that TikTok is the app the started all of the addiction to social media but the addiction to our phones started way before that. In The Social Dilemma, one of the app developers for large companies admitted that it partially started with Gmail. Due to that being most people's communication online when cell phones first started coming out, they would just wait for the app to let them know when they received a message. Then came along Myspace, Facebook, Instagram... which are also apps that use up most peoples time of day now.

3. Major increase in anxiety

In The Social Dilemma, they also mentioned how anxiety and depression has had a major influx ever since social media has existed. If we don't have our phones near us but we hear a notification, we become very anxious to see what we are missing. As human beings, we are very curious and always want to know what is going on. Social media has only increased this now that we have everything right under our fingertips.

Overall, social media can be a more dangerous place then expected. After watching the first half of The Social Dilemma, I am challenging myself to lower the amount of time I spend on my phone each day. My goal is to lower my average daily use from eight and a half hours to only five hours. I know it is going to be a challenge for me, but I am going to do my best. I recommend that anyone reading this should also limit their time on their phone, but also on social media as well.

The Final Nail in the Hot and Hammered Series

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Baily is the final book in the Hot and Hammered series. It still continues down the path of home renovations but this time focuses on the final Castle family member's life drama. This final book shows us just how one uncle trying to raise his sister's daughter alone can grab hold of your heart at the wrong time.

Everything in Bethany Castle's world is organized, planned and styled to perfection. That is why the homes she designs for her family's real estate business are the most sought-after in town. The only thing not perfect? Her track record with men. She's on a dating hiatus and after helping her friends achieve their dreams, Bethany finally has time to focus on her own: flip a house, from framework to furnishings, all by herself. But her older brother runs the company and refuses to take her seriously.

When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on a new show, Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother's construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany's skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way.

As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters and banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. But Bethany's perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flipping disaster.

Wes was a character that I did not prefer in the second book of the series, but this book has definitely changed my mind about him. I always love reading about single men trying to navigate the world of raising a sassy elementary-level girl. Bethany also not knowing how to deal with children also elevated the comedy of the situation

Like I have said in the other reviews of the first two books of the series, if you like a cute romance and house flipping like HGTV, this series is absolutely perfect for you. Hot and Hammered is a series unlike any other thanks to Tessa Bailey. I feel that if houses are not quite your thing, you should still check out any other book that she has made because they are all fantastic!

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 4/5

Can a Social App Be a National Threat or Just a Political Tool?

TikTok is by far one of the most popular platforms of social media for younger generations. Many of us just spend hours doom-scrolling when we have nothing else to do for the day. But recently, there has been a lot of controversy with TikTok and politics, so here is the breakdown.

What once was named Musical.ly was bought out by the company ByteDance in 2018. However, due to ByteDance being a Chinese-owned company, there is a lot of speculation that the app is being used to spy on Americans. In 2020, under President Donald Trump's rules, there was an executive order for a possible TikTok ban claiming that the app was a national security threat.

This idea resurfaced until Trump was reelected as president in 2024 when Congress passed a banning bill if ByteDance did not sell the app to an approved company. On January 18th when the clock struck 10:30 pm, users tried to open the app and were met with a message on the screen reading, "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!"

After a grueling 14 hours of no TikTok for all American users, a message popped up. "Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!" It was at this point that users began to realize that the entire ban on TikTok may have been a purely political move.

If Trump had originally called for the ban in the first place, why would there be an unbanning of the app only a short 14 hours later? Eventually, Trump said that the new date for the company to find a new buyer approved by the government was April 5, 2025. But on April 4th, Trump announced another extension of the sell-by date to mid-June. 

Overall, the whole situation between TikTok and Donald Trump is a mystery that still has not been solved and continues to leave users wondering if the app will ever go dark again.

Why YouTube Videos Go Viral (And Why Some Totally Don’t)

Did you know there’s actually a whole strategy behind which YouTube videos show up in your feed and which ones never see the light of day? Like, you could make the funniest or most helpful video ever and it might still get hidden if it’s not set up the right way.

YouTube is basically a giant search engine, second only to Google. This means when someone types in “how to organize my closet” or “best coffee shops in NYC,” the videos that pop up first aren’t there by accident. They show up because YouTube thinks they’re the most relevant. And how does YouTube decide that? It all comes down to keywords.

If a video’s title, description and tags line up with what someone’s searching for, then it’s way more likely to be recommended. It’s not just about throwing a video online and hoping people stumble across it. Some titles are so interesting you just can't pass up watching the video but others do not pique your interest in general.

And then there are the sneaky features creators use to keep people watching, like when a little box pops up during a video recommending something else to watch, or when there’s a screen at the very end that leads you to more content from the same channel. I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of watching one video and then suddenly it’s an hour later and I’m five videos deep. YouTube knows what it’s doing.

Honestly, learning how all this works made me appreciate the whole platform more. Like making cool content is important, but it’s also about playing the game and understanding how the algorithm works and using it to your advantage.

So if you’ve ever wondered why some videos blow up and others disappear this is probably a big part of it.

When Happily Ever After Needs a Renovation

Love Her or Lose Her is the second book in Tessa Bailey’s Hot and Hammered series and while it didn’t completely match the magic of the first book for me, it still delivered an engaging story. I genuinely enjoyed reading it, even if I didn’t connect with the characters quite as deeply. Rosie and Dominic’s personalities were a bit harder to love, but they’re flawed in a very raw and human way, which sometimes made it difficult to support them, but also made their journey feel more real.

The story follows Rosie and Dominic Vega, a seemingly perfect couple who’ve lost their spark over the years. Once high school sweethearts, best friends and completely obsessed with each other, they’ve now fallen into a routine that feels more like strangers sharing a space than partners in love. Dominic, a former soldier, has retreated emotionally, giving Rosie little more than grunts and blank stares, even though he’s still a loyal husband and a reliable provider. But Rosie wants more. More passion, more communication, more connection and she’s finally ready to stop settling.

Encouraged by her fiercely supportive group of girlfriends, Rosie makes two big decisions: she’s going to chase her lifelong dream of opening a restaurant and she’s going to fight for her marriage, starting with marriage boot camp. And not just any marriage boot camp, this one’s led by a laid-back, eccentric therapist who’s all about feelings, incense and emotional vulnerability. But just when it seems like everything is finally falling into place, Rosie uncovers a secret Dominic’s been keeping.

Overall, Love Her or Lose Her is a heartfelt second-chance romance that explores what happens after the honeymoon phase ends. While I personally didn’t adore the characters as much as in the first book, I appreciated their growth and the emotional weight of their story. I enjoyed how Tessa Bailey wrote a story based on real-life problems that aren't typically read about or talked about overall. Rosie and Dom’s journey isn’t perfect, but it’s honest, messy and ultimately hopeful.

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 4/5

A Must-Read for HGTV Lovers and Romance Fans

The first time I read Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey, I knew it was a book I’d come back to. And now, after a re-read, I can confirm that it’s just as fun, steamy, and satisfying the second time around. I only read this book which is the first in the series and have decided that I wanted to reread this book and finish up the series. I first read this book in October of 2023, and my opinions have not changed. If you love home renovations, HGTV marathons, and swoon-worthy romance, Fix Her Up is a book you need on your shelf.

Georgette Castle grew up in a family of home renovation pros, but instead of following in their footsteps, she pursued a career as a children’s party planner. With this, her family and much of the town see her as the “kid sister” rather than a serious businesswoman. Tired of being overlooked, Georgie embarks on a personal makeover, complete with a business revamp, a wardrobe overhaul, and a bold new approach to dating.

Enter Travis Ford, former baseball star and her older brother’s best friend. After an injury ends his career, Travis finds himself stuck in a town that only sees him as a washed-up athlete. When Georgie proposes a fake relationship to help them both shift public perception, her as a grown woman and him as a reliable professional, he agrees. But as their pretend romance heats up, real feelings start to blur the lines between fantasy and reality.

The first time I read it, I loved the slow burn and chemistry between Georgie and Travis. On the re-read, I caught even more of their small, heartfelt moments that make their romance so fun to read. While the story isn’t centered around home renovation, the setting and family business give it that cozy, small-town, fixer-upper feel. If you love watching house flips and interior makeovers, this book has that same satisfying charm.

Overall, Tessa Bailey is a romance author I would recommend to any reader, whether you've read romance before or if you are just dipping your toe into the genre. Her books are all super fun to read aren't too long and don't drag out either. You definitely will fall in love with at least one of her characters and find a resemblance within yourself.

Stars: 4

Spice: 4

How LinkedIn Transformed My Perspective on Networking

As a student who was introduced to LinkedIn during my junior year of high school, I never really saw much value in it. The only reason I even created a LinkedIn account was because my business teacher encouraged our class to do so. He wanted to connect with us on the app and teach us the importance of professional networking. However, since I had no real use for it back then, I created my account, filled in a few basic details, and never touched it again. It felt unnecessary at that point in my life since I had no job experience, no real professional network, and no understanding of how the platform could benefit me. 

But now that I’m in college, I have started to see the significance of LinkedIn. Unlike other social media platforms that are focused on entertainment, LinkedIn is about personal and professional growth. It is a space where people showcase their career accomplishments, share industry insights, and connect with others who have similar career interests. Since becoming more active on LinkedIn, I have realized just how powerful networking can be. Whether it is keeping up with old classmates, connecting with professors, or following professionals in my field of study, LinkedIn has provided me with a glimpse into the real-world workforce that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. 

It is not about creating a perfect online presence but rather about sharing real accomplishments, discussing professional experiences, and celebrating milestones. I love opening the app to see what my peers have been up to, whether they landed an internship, started a new job, or attended a networking event. It is inspiring to see people my age making strides in their careers, and it motivates me to put more effort into building my own professional path. 

Another great thing about LinkedIn is the opportunities it provides. Before college, I never realized how important it is to start networking early. I used to think that job opportunities came from simply applying through company websites or job boards, but I have learned that networking plays a huge role in landing internships and jobs. Many of the job opportunities now that I am in college have all stemmed from who I know or how people I know speak of me.

Overall, my perspective on LinkedIn has completely changed since high school. What once felt like an unnecessary platform now feels like an essential tool for my professional development. It has opened my eyes to the importance of networking, staying informed and actively engaging in my career.