Rachel's Blog

What I’m writing about today has had such a huge rise in popularity due to the COVID-19 crisis. Everyone is forced to be stuck inside and away from their families, which can be really hard for some. People have been having to celebrate birthdays, births, baby showers, and all kinds of things digitally. A really cute idea if you’re away from your family or loved ones, is a digital date!

One of the best platforms for face to face online meetings has been Zoom. Its usable on all platforms, and has a very easy interface. Facetime is also a great resources for face-to-face chatting. With Facetime all parties much have an iPhone! Skype is also a great platform that simple to work.

It’s easy to pick a time of day that you’re both free and plan to eat a meal together over the phone! Another good idea is to watch a movie at the same time. It might sound silly, but you can at least discuss each others commentary and thoughts, just like you would if you were together.

The great thing about these platforms is that they aren’t limited to just two people! You can get your whole family or all your friends involved. This is a super great way to pass the time, but also a great way to check up on your loved ones and make sure they’re okay.

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While stuck at home, my roommate and I have constantly been finding new ways to “hangout” and entertain ourselves. This idea is actually just a knock off of a business thats already been made. Its painting a picture and drinking wine! I think one of the most popular businesses that offer this service is Painting with a Twist. We tried it at home for the first time the other night and it was so fun, and best of all free!

First, we went to Walmart and picked out a decent size canvas, a pack of different colored acrylic paint, and a pack of different paint brushes! It was all under about $15!

Next, you’ll want to pick up some wine at the store. Pick any size, brand, and kind that you want! My suggestion is a good Pinot Grigio or a Rose.

Then, look on Youtube and find a good step-by-step painting tutorial that fits your experience and skill level. Look for a while, don’t just pick the first one! My favorites are sunset or flower paintings.

Finally, drink your wine and paint! Don’t take it too seriously, the great thing about acrylic paint is you can paint over mistakes and try again.

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This is a super fun idea to do at home, but the great thing is that once quarantine is over theres a place you can go to visit and do it as well! Painting with a Twist is a great option, as well as Pinots Palette. Both are located in Little Rock!

I don’t know about you but lately I’ve been having the hardest trouble finding something to watch that keeps my attention. I’m more of a TV series gal because it feels like it lasts longer, but the problem arises when you’ve already watched all the ones that jump out to you on every platform! Best way to combat this? Movie Marathons! Its *almost* the same concept, and it keeps your attention for a much longer time! I’ve dedicated this blog post to my top 3 movie marathon suggestions.

1. Harry Potter : Coming in at number one is the Harry Potter Series. This includes 8 films total, and its important to watch them in order!
2. Star Wars : I included this one because its a classic, as well as having more recent films included in the series. This also has 8 films, however you can pick whether you want to watch them chronologically, or watch them by release date. Personally I enjoy chronologically.
3. Twilight : I had to include a chick flick in here somewhere so here it is! Though they might be over dramatic and silly, this series will be sure to bring back memories to you. It has 5 films total and you will want to watch them in order!

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There are so many awesome movie series out there, these are just three of the most popular! Movie marathons are great ways to just hangout and pass lots of time.

Being stuck inside has resulted in me having to find creative and fun ways to entertain myself. One of my new favorites is making new clothes out of my old clothes! There are a ton of different things you can do if you knew how to sew. Unfortunately I’m not one of those people so I’m a little limited in my resources but I wanted to share anyways!

The most common DIYs Ive been doing are crop tops. Not only is this so so simple, its also a great way to switch up some old t-shirts that probably aren’t in style. You can pick one with or without a logo. All you want to do it put on the shirt and look in the mirror to see the length you want your crop. I recommend putting a little sharpie mark at that point (makes it easier to cut). Next you just lay it as flat as you can and cut! I alway recommend cutting a little bit longer on the first try, just because you can always cut more but cant put it back once its gone. Thats literally how easy it is, you’re done! You can also do this with sweatshirts and long sleeves!

Another super easy DIY idea are shorts! If you have old pair of jeans laying around that went out of style or got to short then you can make a cute pair of cutoffs for summer. You do this the same way that you did the crop tops, but this time its REALLY important to measure and try on first. Remember, always cut longer first!

Not only is this a fun way to pass time, its also extremely productive for cleaning out your closet. Its also a nice way to feel like you’ve gotten something new without even having to leave the house.

While googling fun things to do at home, I came across one that I didn’t have to get up and go buy anything for. I figured this would totally perfect to share, because you most likely won’t have to go get anything either. All you need is an old colored shirt, bleach and water, rubber bands (or ponytails), and a trash bag/plastic bag. One super great thing about this is that once you’ve learned the basics you can do all sorts of patterns. One cool thing I’ve done is also sweatshirts and bed sheets. Here we go:

1. First and foremost, pick an old shirt that needs a facelift. It can be absolutely any color, and logos won’t effect the results (sometimes makes it cooler).
2. Next, I poured some bleach into a water bottle with a little bit of water to dilute it.
3. Now go outside and lay the shirt on the concrete or durable hard surface, I highly recommend NOT doing this inside! There are many ways to go about this next step and I’ll link some videos. At this point you have to decide what kind of design you want to end with: some people choose spirals, some people choose random spots, etc.
4. Next you twist your shirt into the design you want and rubber band it.
5. Now pour bleach! Sometimes you have to pour and then check it, and then pour more depending on preference.
6. Now let it sit, checking regularly for desired appearance.
7. Once you’re happy with your bleach patterns, throw it in the dishwasher with detergent. Dry as normal.
8. Wear your new and improved shirt!

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Over the past few weeks my blog has somewhat taken a turn considering the rise of the COVID-19. I’ve had to adjust my time and schedule to basically not having a time and schedule! Feels very weird. Entertainment? This has been a whole new ball game. Since most of the whole world is basically in the same boat, I’ve adapting my blog to be fun things you can do (you guessed it..) at home!

One thing I’ve found surprisingly entertaining is at home workouts. Not only does this keep me from feeling bad about all my quarantine snacking but it also gets my blood pumping and makes me much more productive throughout the day. Youtube has been such a great resource for this because I am by no means a gym rat. Another super great resource I’ve used been using is an app called Nike Run Club. This might not be a new app, but I was only recently introduced to it. It used your maps/location to track how long you run, the time it took, your average speed, and the calories you’ve burned. I know some people have Apple watches – but for those who don’t Nike Run Club app is available in the App store!

Lately my routine as been to wake up around a decent time (9ish lets say), eat a little breakfast, and then start to stretch. After my stretch I go on about a mile long run and then come back and do some sort of Youtube workout. I try to at least do this about 3 times a week, and its helped to keep me healthy and entertained!

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Our next activity is not only good for you but its free (my favorite words) and its kind of what our state is know for. All of the parks I’ve chosen to talk about are located about 40 minutes away from Conway, but I promise you’ll spend enough time there to make the drive worth it!

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Pinnacle Mountain is probably the most popular out of the state parks in Arkansas. It’s main attraction is in the title: climbing pinnacle mountain itself. Its located right outside of Little Rock and consists of two climbable sides (a harder side and an easier side). Expect to be climbing for a decently long time, and make sure you actually wear closed toed shoes because its pretty rocky. On a less strenuous note, at the base of the mountain theres a cute playground for kiddos and large fields for frisbee, football, soccer, etc. Its a great place for a picnic.

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Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean is a State Park with a tremendous amount of history behind it. I’m not here to tell you about it but when you visit you’ll learn everything. Its got countless of activities, so it’s probably the most diverse out of all the parks. It has scenic overlooks that you can drive up to, trails and waterfalls to explore, and even the option to rent out cabins and stay for a weekend. Petit Jean is located a little stretch past Conway in Morrilton.

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Woolly Hollow State Park

The last state park that we’ll talk about is in Greenbrier. This is one that you’ll definitely want to spend the day at. They’ve got a little lake where they’ve set up a swimming beach, as well as a small dock. One super cool thing about Woolly Hollow is that you can use canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats. It’s definitely a place for summer time or a nice sunny day. If water isn’t your thing they also have little trails around the area, and historical houses that you can visit. One of my favorite things about Woolly Hollow is that they have a concession stand.

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State Parks are a super fun, super inexpensive way to waste time and get a little active. With the weather getting a little nicer lately it seemed like a fitting activity to discuss. These aren’t the only State Parks in Arkansas, just the closest, so I encourage you to look some up on your own after you visit these!

https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/

We’re moving now to my next favorite activity in Central Arkansas… breweries! If the wineries in the Ozark’s are a hidden gem, then the breweries are like a hidden billion dollars. Bad analogy, but multiple of these local breweries have received national recognition, and are offered on tap and in bottles at countless stores and restaurants.

Lost Forty Brewing

Located in downtown Little Rock, the Lost Forty Brewing Company is arguably one of the most well know Arkansas Breweries. This is a perfect place for a weekend brunch or an early dinner, or just when the heck ever. They have so many options when it comes to beer. They have your lights all the way down to your insanely darks, and they’re constantly experiment with new flavors and methods. One of the coolest parts of their brewhouse and restaurant is that there is only one large window dividing the two, so while you’re eating you can observe how they brew and package all their beers.

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Flyway Brewing Company

When I say that the Lost Forty is arguably the most well known, its because Flyway has a large amount of fans that would disagree. Also located in the downtown Little Rock area, Flyway is almost right on the river. This makes it a great place to go for a day walking the Rivermarket, or right before catching a concert at the Simmons Arena. Flyway has one of my favorites vibes of all the breweries Ive visited. They have bright colored decorations and offer a variety of puzzles and board games (my favorite part). Flyway also offers a wide variety of beers and constantly offers new limited time and seasonal choices.

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I’ve only listed two but here are SO many different breweries to go in Little Rock alone. A few of my other favorites are Rebel Kettle and Stone’s Throw. Because of how close they all are, it makes for a great day to just go visit them all (with a Designated Driver, obviously). One of the BEST parts of breweries? They get around the stupid “No Alcohol on Sundays” rule. Don’t have time to stay and eat but need alcohol? You can still go there just to purchase some on Sundays. I’ve included a link to some other breweries to visit as well!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28925-Activities-c36-t133-Arkansas.html

The next stop on our little central Arkansas entertainment tour is one of my personal favorites and solely for those above the drinking age (sorry minors). Wineries are one of Arkansas’s hidden gems. They’re not insanely popular but they are absolutely beautiful.

An Enchanted Evening

An Enchanted Evening is one of my favorite local wineries. Its located about 25 minutes outside of Little Rock in whats known as Little Italy. Its also known for being one of the best wedding venues in Little Rock, so obviously its breathtaking. The tasting room sits on the edge of a beautiful mountain, allowing you to gaze at the view while you’re sipping wine. The wine offered is more of your classical wines, therefore they’re mostly dry or semi-sweet. They do offer beers and cokes if you’re not too big into wine! An Enchanted Evening is also on the affordable end. You receive a free tasting of all the wines when you purchase a bottle, and the bottles range from $12-$24. They don’t offer food but you can feel free to bring some out with you, we opted to bring a little cheese, grape, and cracker tray (a wine tasting classic).

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Weiderkehr Wine Cellars

Our next winery is a little farther away in Altus, Arkansas but I am going to include it anyways because its a classic. It ran by a Swiss family and includes a wine cellar dating back to the 1880s. Weiderkehr is going to be more of an all day event compared to your other local wineries. One of the coolest parts is their on-theme restaurant. You can find authentic Swiss dishes complete with candlelit tables and beautiful stained glass windows. After your meal you can take a tour of the cellar or go on over to the tasting room. Weiderkehr has wines for ALL taste buds and will be sure to please everyone.

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These are just two of the many many wineries to visit in Arkansas. A quick google search will fill you in but some of my other favorites include Post Winery, Bo Brooke Farms River Bottom Winery, and Chateau Aux Arc Winery. Ive included TripAdvisors top 10 ranked wineries and vineyards to help get you started!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28925-Activities-c36-t132-Arkansas.html

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato

musicnotes.com

Over the weekend I got the time to visit one of Conway’s somewhat hidden gems. Kings Live Music is a bar and live music hall located in the historic downtown Conway area. Open Wednesday through Saturday, from 4 pm to 2 am, Kings is one of the prime hangout spots for college students to senior adults alike. Fair warning, you do have to be at least 18 and (obviously) at least 21 to consume alcohol. Kings is unique in the fact that they bring in local artists of all genres to perform. Its such a great place to branch out on your music taste and knowledge.

Now if you’re not too keen on music you don’t know, its still a great place to just go and hang out. They have a little arcade towards that back filled with older arcade machines, foosball tables, and board games like Jenga. On nicer days outside they also have a beautiful new outdoor patio. Its got park benches and cute hanging lights to make for cute pictures for all my girls out there. It also has some super cute, semi-secluded VIP lounges upstairs if you’re ever needing a venue for a party or event.

Last but not least, Kings has killer food and great daily deals. They serve until 1:30 am, and have a selection of bar food favorites. My favorite is the spinach dip and buffalo wings. They have their schedule of live music, as well as a full menu and contact information on their website that I’ll link below. Be prepared to pay about a $5 cash cover if you go later than about 9 pm. Definitely go check out Kings Live Music!

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https://www.kingslivemusic.com/