Tag: Thank you

  • Sunday Reflections with Cece in the City ✨

    Hey hey everyone! Hope you had an amazing week. It’s Sunday — that sweet spot where we slow down, reset, and get our minds ready for a new week ahead. So let’s jump right into this week’s Cece in the City recap because it was full of celebration, history, new experiences, books, and inspiration.

    🎉 Birthday Love

    First things first — I have to shout out my oldest daughter and wish her a happy happy birthday! 🥳 I am beyond proud of the woman she’s become. She’s beautiful inside and out, and watching her grow has truly been one of my greatest joys. Mommy loves you endlessly 💕.

    ⚔️ Stepping Back in Time: Medieval Times – Lawrenceville, GA

    Next stop — Medieval Times in Lawrenceville, GA. I haven’t been in years, but let me tell you, it was still a good time! The show was entertaining, the food was surprisingly good, and the whole experience really takes you back in time.

    A little history moment: Medieval Times is inspired by 11th-century Europe, complete with knights, tournaments, and royal courts. No forks, cheering for your knight, and dramatic sword fights — it’s part dinner, part history lesson, and all fun. If you’ve never been, definitely put it on your list.

    ☎️ Hidden Gem Vibes: Red Phone Booth – Atlanta

    Now let’s talk about something very different — Red Phone Booth in Atlanta. This spot was such a vibe! It’s a chill lounge with a pool table and bar, but here’s the twist… you need a secret code to get in 👀.

    That alone made the experience fun. I love trying new things, and this was the perfect place to relax and enjoy time with friends and family. Definitely one of those “Atlanta hidden gems.”

    📚 Cece’s Book Corner

    You already know it’s not a Cece blog without a book moment. This week’s read was A Little Bit of Karma by ReShonda Tate Billingsley — and whew, it was a different kind of read.

    This book dives into:

    • Communication (or lack of it) in relationships
    • Love and life’s unexpected turns
    • Being in the wrong place at the wrong time
    • How mistakes and silence can change everything

    It’s full of drama and definitely makes you think. If you enjoy stories that reflect real-life situations, make sure to check it out:

    👉 https://amzn.to/3YC9JAn

    🎬 Cece On the Scenes

    I don’t watch a lot of series, but sometimes you need a break from books — so I watched His and Hers.

    Let me say… 4 out of 5 ⭐
    Great acting, twists and turns, and one of those shows that keeps you guessing. If you’re looking for something suspenseful and well done, this is a must-watch.

    ✍🏽 Inspired by Powerful Women

    As I continue my own writing journey, I have to pause and give thanks to women who motivate and inspire me.

    • Oprah Winfrey — magazines, interviews, book clubs… she does it all. I have a magazine, a book club, and I love interviewing people, so seeing her journey reminds me that mine can grow just as big.
    • Angie Thomas — author of The Hate U Give and On the Come Up. Powerful storytelling that not only became bestselling books but impactful movies. Her work opens eyes, sparks conversations, and inspires change. Truly an amazing author — definitely check her books out if you haven’t already.

    Until next time…
    Stay tuned, stay inspired, and keep exploring with Cece in the City 💫

  • Trying New Things — Old Favorites, New Adventures

    Hey everyone — hope you’re having an amazing day! I’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 new… even if the “new” is something that’s been around forever for everyone else but me 😄

    This year is all about trying new things, revisiting classics, and exploring places I’ve somehow skipped over — and whew, I finally checked one off the list…

    🟠 My First Trip to Hooters — with a Little History

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

    For the longest time, my thoughts were pretty simple: “It’s a sports bar… with women… and hooters.” 😂

    But I decided to give it a try — and honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. Lots of TVs, lively energy, and yes… the ladies didn’t really have “big hooters,” it’s more about the iconic uniform and brand style. My waitress even wrote her name on a napkin — 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.

    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 “Hooters Girl” concept — which has been part of American pop-culture debates, nostalgia, and sports dining culture for decades.

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

    🍕 Italian Pie — Big Slices & Throwback Vibes

    Next adventure this week: Italian Pie.

    I’d heard about the big pizza slices — so of course I had to try one. I went with sausage, and while the sausage looked a little funny 😂 it actually wasn’t bad at all. I also grabbed BBQ wings to go with

    it.

    A little history note:
    Italian Pie has roots in casual neighborhood-style pizza culture — places built around family recipes, oversized slices, and that classic “grab a slice and relax” feel that’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 — but hey, they’re new to me… and that’s what this year is all about!

    🎬 Cece On The Scenes — Watch of the Week: Eden

    This week’s watch was Eden — based on a true story.

    A couple leaves German society in 1929 and escapes to an uninhabited island, looking for paradise… 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 — very interesting perspective, but I personally could never imagine living on an island like that back then. Today’s islands? Totally different story 😅

    📚 **Book of the Week — South of the Buttonwood Tree

    by Heather Webber**

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

    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 — but also have a way of pulling people closer and helping them heal.

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

    💌 This Year’s Thank-You Tributes

    This year, I’m sending thank-you messages to women who inspire and motivate me.

    This week’s shout-outs went to:

    🌟 Michelle Obama
    Reading her books reminded me of her authenticity, strength, and ability to speak truth with grace — especially Becoming.

    🎉 My good friend DJ Ms. Eclectic — Happy Birthday!
    She’s been an incredible friend — 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 — that’s it for now. This year I’ve got a long bucket list, lots of hidden gems to explore, and plenty of “new to me” experiences coming your way.

    Stay tuned — and keep traveling, tasting, learning, and living with Cece in The City 💛