Tag: 2026

  • Trying New Things โ€” Old Favorites, New Adventures

    Hey everyone โ€” hope youโ€™re having an amazing day! Iโ€™m loving that the weather is creeping back into the 60s and 70s this week. It feels like the perfect time to step into something newโ€ฆ even if the โ€œnewโ€ is something thatโ€™s been around forever for everyone else but me ๐Ÿ˜„

    This year is all about trying new things, revisiting classics, and exploring places Iโ€™ve somehow skipped over โ€” and whew, I finally checked one off the listโ€ฆ

    ๐ŸŸ  My First Trip to Hooters โ€” with a Little History

    So after all these years, I finally went to Hooters.

    For the longest time, my thoughts were pretty simple: โ€œItโ€™s a sports barโ€ฆ with womenโ€ฆ and hooters.โ€ ๐Ÿ˜‚

    But I decided to give it a try โ€” and honestly, it wasnโ€™t bad at all. Lots of TVs, lively energy, and yesโ€ฆ the ladies didnโ€™t really have โ€œbig hooters,โ€ itโ€™s more about the iconic uniform and brand style. My waitress even wrote her name on a napkin โ€” old-school Hooters touch!

    I ordered tater tots and shrimp (which were just okay), and my daughter got a steak-and-cheese sub that she said was really good.

    โœจ A little Hooters history:
    Hooters first opened in the early 1980s and grew into one of the most recognizable sports-bar brands in the U.S. It became known for its wings, game-day atmosphere, and its signature โ€œHooters Girlโ€ concept โ€” which has been part of American pop-culture debates, nostalgia, and sports dining culture for decades.

    Iโ€™ve heard a lot of locations have been closing recently, so Iโ€™m actually glad I got to experience it at least once.

    ๐Ÿ• Italian Pie โ€” Big Slices & Throwback Vibes

    Next adventure this week: Italian Pie.

    Iโ€™d heard about the big pizza slices โ€” so of course I had to try one. I went with sausage, and while the sausage looked a little funny ๐Ÿ˜‚ it actually wasnโ€™t bad at all. I also grabbed BBQ wings to go with

    it.

    โœจ A little history note:
    Italian Pie has roots in casual neighborhood-style pizza culture โ€” places built around family recipes, oversized slices, and that classic โ€œgrab a slice and relaxโ€ feel thatโ€™s been part of American pizza dining since the mid-20th century.

    Have you tried either of these spots? I know a lot of you probably have โ€” but hey, theyโ€™re new to meโ€ฆ and thatโ€™s what this year is all about!

    ๐ŸŽฌ Cece On The Scenes โ€” Watch of the Week: Eden

    This weekโ€™s watch was Eden โ€” based on a true story.

    A couple leaves German society in 1929 and escapes to an uninhabited island, looking for paradiseโ€ฆ but things begin to fall apart once others arrive.

    • Genre: Thriller / Based on Real Life
    • Year: 2025
    • Duration: 2hr 9m
    • Director: Ron Howard
    • Cast includes Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby & more

    I give it 3 out of 5 โ€” very interesting perspective, but I personally could never imagine living on an island like that back then. Todayโ€™s islands? Totally different story ๐Ÿ˜…

    ๐Ÿ“š **Book of the Week โ€” South of the Buttonwood Tree

    by Heather Webber**

    First book I finished in 2026 โ€” and the second book Iโ€™ve read by Heather Webber โ€” and Iโ€™m loving her writing so far. Definitely a 4 out of 5 from me.

    โœจ A touch of story history + themes:
    The book blends Southern folklore, magical realism, and family secrets that stretch across generations. It reminds you how some secrets can cause pain โ€” but also have a way of pulling people closer and helping them heal.

    Check it out here:
    https://amzn.to/3LplDKK

    ๐Ÿ’Œ This Yearโ€™s Thank-You Tributes

    This year, Iโ€™m sending thank-you messages to women who inspire and motivate me.

    This weekโ€™s shout-outs went to:

    ๐ŸŒŸ Michelle Obama
    Reading her books reminded me of her authenticity, strength, and ability to speak truth with grace โ€” especially Becoming.

    ๐ŸŽ‰ My good friend DJ Ms. Eclectic โ€” Happy Birthday!
    Sheโ€™s been an incredible friend โ€” inspiring, hardworking, supportive, and full of positive vibes and good energy.

    Grateful for women who pour into others without even realizing how impactful they are.

    Well โ€” thatโ€™s it for now. This year Iโ€™ve got a long bucket list, lots of hidden gems to explore, and plenty of โ€œnew to meโ€ experiences coming your way.

    Stay tuned โ€” and keep traveling, tasting, learning, and living with Cece in The City ๐Ÿ’›

  • New Year, New Chapters โ€” Join the Journey With Cece

    Happy New Year, everyone! ๐ŸŽ‰ Hereโ€™s to 2026 being your BEST and brightest year yet. Thank you so much for following my journey โ€” I truly appreciate every one of you. Rememberโ€ฆ you are amazing, capable, and deserving of all the good things coming your way. Now letโ€™s jump into it!

    โœจ Cece On The Scenes

    ๐ŸŽฌ Watch of the Week: In Your Dreams on Netflix
    Itโ€™s a fun, light-hearted kid-style movie โ€” but honestly still a great watch! Iโ€™d give it a 4 out of 5. I really enjoyed it โ€” check it out and tell me what you think!

    ๐Ÿ“š Book of the Week: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
    This one gets a 5 out of 5 from me โ€” such a beautiful story about community, healing, and finding connection through lifeโ€™s trials and past experiences. Definitely worth the read! Grab it here:
    https://amzn.to/49zyX8C โ€” and let me know your thoughts!

    ๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ Need a little uplifting + inspiration?
    Follow Candlelight Conversations with Cece on YouTube & Spotify:

    YouTube ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://youtube.com/@candlelightconversation?si=Z_kAUxAmAVVTaxcS
    Spotify ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://open.spotify.com/show/5xRvifqSumeBJUbPwbqdro

    โœ๐Ÿฝ My Poetry Book
    Never thought Iโ€™d be an author โ€” but I did it and Iโ€™m SO proud of this one!
    If youโ€™d like to support or check it out, here it is:
    https://amzn.to/3HgFp8M ๐Ÿ’•

    ๐Ÿ“– Where It Begins โ€” New Issue Coming Soon!
    We have a very special woman gracing the upcoming cover โ€” releasing at the end of the month and I cannot WAIT to share it!

    If you missed the last issue, catch up here:
    https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/november_2025_issue

    Hereโ€™s to more adventures, hidden gems, great reads, fun finds, and new experiences in 2026 ๐Ÿฅ‚

    Stay tuned โ€” Cece In The City is just getting started! ๐Ÿ’›