Nicholas Christmas 2012 Photo Saga (and a Makeup Post)

Hello again, Blogosphere! How was everyone's holiday?? Did Santa bring you everything your heart desired or were you NAUGHTY ;o) this year?

Because I was a total slacker about updating during Christmastime, I have a TON of photos waiting for your perusal.  So here's the pre-Christmas line up. Tomorrow-- FOR SURE-- will be Christmas Eve!

We celebrated early with the arrival of festive packages from my parents in the Midwest. As Mom and Dad are good to their favorite daughter and son-in-law (did I mention I have two brothers and no sisters?), we were spoiled with treats. Check out Cooper scoping for the cat toys.

Remember when I mentioned how I wanted Scrooge's house for our Dickens Village? They got it for us (and without having seen my blog)!! The ghosts dance around Scrooge on the second floor of the house!

More packages arrived from my aunt-- my family rocks, btw-- and I savored every bite of the fruitcake my mom sent from the family Bakery. What do you mean you think fruitcake is gross?! I realize fruitcake is the butt of many Christmas jokes, but have you ever tried it? More importantly, have you ever tried GOOD fruitcake soaked in rum? It's a cake filled with sugary "fruit," nuts, and flavor.

Niko got us himself, the pleasure of feeding him, and cleaning up his poop for Christmas.

Another of my awesome aunts sent us two Lou Malnati's pizzas! What you're looking at in the photo is the dry ice Michael and I played with after opening the package.

While we gave up Starbucks months ago, we've been back enjoying holiday drinks (Michael is partial to the Eggnog Latte while I can't get enough Caramel Brûlée). The manager at our regular place gave us these two reindeer hand-carved by his father-in-law. Such a sweet gift!

 

My awesome older bro and his lovely wife got me these Paleo cookbooks so I can start my new lifestyle in the New Year. 

Our baby celebrated his fourth birthday on December 23rd. 

Finally, my incredible in-laws sent us a wonderful package of gift cards, chocolate, and makeup (for me, obvi). I received MAC blush (a container with a brush and peachy pink balls) and MAC eye liner gel (my new obsession). I decided to try this look from Pinterest using the Urban Decay Naked palette. However, the photo uses the Naked 1 and I have Naked 2 so... I improvised with similar shades.

 

 

Thoughts? I love how easy it is to create lines with the brush and gel. Seriously, OBSESSED.

Get ready for Christmas Eve tomorrow...

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

This is a post I wrote in 2010 about my Top 10 Christmas Films-- I figured I'd share it with all of you since it hasn't changed!!! What do you think of these?! What's your favorite holiday film?

As of this afternoon, I have decided that I need to spend one Christmas in Germany before I die.  It's something I've considered off and on for a while, and even though I love Christmas at home with family, I would also love to see how other cultures celebrate the holiday season.  And although we Germans have a reputation for sternness and a lack of humor (though in the case of my family the latter has never been true), Deutschland knows how to do it up for Christmas.  Visiting Germany for Christmas will definitely be a highlight in my limited existence.

Top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies--

1.  Disney's A Christmas Carol - Using motion capture and some of the best talent in "The Business" today, Disney's version of Dickens's classic tale opens the world of 19th century England, creating a bigger and more beautiful story of hope and redemption than all of the other adaptations yet.

2.  A Muppet's Christmas Carol - "We're Marley and Marley. Ooooooooooo" It has Muppets. It has Michael Caine.  It has great Christmas songs you love to sing-- this is definitely a classic film to watch every year.

3.  White Christmas - The quintessential Christmas film starring Bing Crosby.  It's a must.

4.  Miracle on 34th Street - Watch the one with Natalie Wood, all others are subpar.  That is all.

5. The Bishop's Wife - Cary Grant plays an angel sent to help a Bishop struggling between godly choices and earthly concerns.  This film is clever, well-written, and has a good message sprinkled with a little fantasy.
Side Note:  There is a fairly good remake of this film called "The Preacher's Wife" with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington-- I suggest you pop that in for viewing as well.

6. Holiday Inn - Not just for Christmas, Holiday Inn covers every major American celebration with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire's style.  This is also the film that debuted the song "White Christmas."

7. Elf - "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"  "I like to whisper too." "I'm singing/I'm in a store/and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing!/I'm in a store/and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing!"  Need I say more?


8. Love Actually - Because it's British and the cast is made up of most of my favorite British actors/actresses, I fell in love with this film as soon as I saw the trailer.  Thankfully, it's an adorable Christmas film with a lot of heart and a little sadness, like most holidays. 


9.  The Thin Man - Nick and Nora Charles are chic yet down to earth newlyweds spending Christmas in New York when a murder happens. Luckily, Nick Charles is an incredible P.I. who can solve complicated cases while sipping dry martinis.  It's more of a mystery that takes place during Christmas than a Christmas mystery, but it's definitely a fantastic seasonal tradition.


10. The Year Without a Santa Claus (and other such children's Christmas specials) - Yes, this is a clay-mation Christmas special and that's what makes it completely amazing.  My favorites are the Snow and Heat Misers, their song, and Mother Nature putting them in their place.  It rocks.


Honorable Mention goes to "Santa Claus: The Movie," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and "Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Christmas."  And no, I did not forget "A Christmas Story," I think it's a terrible movie and will never recommend it.  If you like it, good for you.


Stay tuned for my "Movies-to-watch-at-Christmastime-that-aren't-actually-about-Christmas" post......

Netflix Christmas Movies: What to Watch

I don't have cable. In fact, I don't have television channels at all and while most of the year it's bearable fine, missing Christmas movies (Lifetime and Hallmark anyone?!), specials, and episodes of favorite shows bums me out. However, I do have Netflix.

The Netflix selection of holiday movies isn't great, but there are a few gems and a few more enjoyable ones that'll get you in the spirit. As I'm always on the hunt for great Christmas movies, I've watched my fair share and have categorized them for you. Obviously watch whatever you want, but hopefully this can be a guide to narrow down choices if you don't have as much time as do (and you probably don't).

Must Watch

Christmas classics or specials that imbue the holiday spirit with excellent actors, stories, and give you the warm and fuzzies.

Santa Clause: The Movie
White Christmas
Dreamworks Holiday Classics

Watchable 

I liked these films. They're not spectacular-- just cute-- and make you smile by the time the movies finish.

12 Dates of Christmas
Holiday in Handcuffs
Christmas Cupid
All I Want for Christmas
Snow Globe

One Magic Christmas-- I should warn you that this movie is 1980's Disney which means.... it's going to scar your kids a little for life. I assure you that it ends well and is all about the believing in Santa Clause,   but it gets dark about 45 minutes before the end. If you want specifics, message me.

Shadow Island: The Last Christmas-- This is a mystery with a rather f'ed up family, but I was hooked for some strange reason and still think it's worth a watch for people who like mysteries.

Fast Forward to get Highlights

Movies with a decent message, so-so acting, but plenty of cheese and predictability. You'll know exactly where the film is going five minutes in, so don't waste time watching every moment: fast forward (yes I do that a lot).

Christmas Angel
Crazy for Christmas
Santa Baby 2
Desperately Seeking Santa

Don't Bother

These films have Z-list actors (who are there for a reason), low low budget EVERYTHING, and terribly predictable plots. I like a good-bad film like anyone else, but these are just painful.

All She Wants for Christmas (I'm currently watching this while writing the post and I'm DYING to fast forward!!!)
Christmas Town
Holiday Engagement

For the Kiddos

Arthur's Perfect Christmas

Jack Frost

Angelina Ballerina: The Show Must Go On

Kipper: Let It Snow
*there are numerous Thomas the Tank Engine Specials
Kung Fu Panda Holiday



I hope the Netflix selection of holiday films grows in the next couple weeks since-- at the moment-- it's kind of slim pickings.  Have you seen any of these?

Home for the Holidays

As promised, I will now share photos of my CHRISTMAS DECORATING GREATNESS!!! Maybe I'm exaggerating on the "greatness" part... maybe not. You decide.

Last year was incredibly difficult on many levels, so our brand new apartment (at the time) never received the "holiday treatment." It's wonderful to be in the proper spirit to celebrate the Advent Season.

Our apartment has never felt more like a home than it does this December. It's funny, every decoration I have has a story and so many people have contributed to my collection that it's actually quite beautiful how much Christmas in my home represents the community of beautiful people surrounding me.

I put snow and berries on my tree instead of garland. I have another tree that I add gold ribbon to, but that one didn't make the cut this year. Are you LOVING my Disney mug?? Check your local Disney Store-- they're half off right now!

 

I realize my Dicken's Village is comprised of two whole buildings-- I'm working on it!-- but two of the best buildings: The Cratchet's and Scrooge's Counting House, complete with interior scenes. Next I hope to add Scrooge's home and get a figure of Bob Cratchet and Tiny Tim.

 

One of my favorite books for the season!

My Disney winter stuffed animals needed some air (the "ball" on the right is Betty the Yeti).

Thanks for taking a tour of my home at Christmas!

The Best Moments in Holiday Films

Oh my gosh guys, it's freakin' DECEMBER! Christmas Season! Holiday Season, actually, and a time to eat, drink, and be merry with loved ones!!! (I'm excited if you couldn't tell...)

At this very moment, I'm taking a break from decorating the apartment to share my Top 3 Favorite Moments in Holiday Films. I know I know, it's short, but I've been on a weird schedule lately so I'm catching up. BUT YOU WILL LOVE THESE CLIPS BECAUSE IT'S CHRISTMASTIME AND YOU HAVE TO BE HAPPY.

And rest assured, I will be posting decor pics some time this week :)

First up, a little known film titled "Love Actually." While the scene with Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln is utterly romantic.... it's not my favorite. It's almost impossible to pick from the likes of Colin's trip to America, Hugh Grant dancing in the Prime Minister's mansion, and Jamie chasing after Aurelia, but I had to feature Bill Nighy who, IMHO, is Britain's Christopher Walken, and the wonderfully Scottish Gregor Fisher. This speech is just so awkward and funny and sweet and honest that it's definitely my favorite. Enjoy.

"White Christmas" is a classic with many great moments and performances, but as Danny Kaye is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE (yes, he deserves all caps), and pairing him with Bing is GENIUS, this next clip features them doing the ever-catchy "Sisters" number in drag (or as "drag" as they could get in 1954). I love that the laughter is 100% genuine.
As someone in the YouTube comments wrote" Danny Kaye. The only man who could make Bing Crosby laugh like that."

And finally-- and yes, I realize there are many Christmas movies with TONS of great moments-- our last clip is from Disney's Holiday Special "Prep & Landing." Have you seen this?!?! Hysterical, inventive, charming, funny-- A MUST for every holiday. They came out with "Prep & Landing: Naughty vs Nice" but the first one is still the best.

In this scene, the elves are preparing Santa for take off on his annual Christmas Eve jaunt around the globe. I love the holiday terms used as flight terminology, the detail in the scenes, and how the elves "rev the engine."

10 points if you can tell me where they got the name "Rosebud" for the sleigh.


What's a memorable moment in your favorite Christmas movie? Have you seen any of these films? Do you love the holidays?!

Christmas is coming....

...the goose is getting fat!  (Or as I used to sing happily when I was little: "The Goose is getting laid!")

As Andy Williams says, it's the most stressful wonderful time of the year!!!  In all seriousness, I am incredibly excited for Christmas this year, as last year I was pretty much Ebenezer Scrooge from Black Friday until Dec. 26th.

I already kicked off the season early with a Starbucks snowman cookie (seriously, they're fucking delicious-- yes, it deserved the "F" word!), Williams-Sonoma hot chocolate-- made on the stove with milk, thank you very much-- and cinnamon marshmallows from Atwater's Village Bakery and Cafe. 

We traversed over to The Americana at Brand where you can visit Santa in his house, stroll around beautifully decorated grounds while listening to classic Christmas tunes, savor the 100ft. tree, or chase the suds they call "snow" at designated times. It's a blast!

 

 

Plus I added to my holiday movie collection with this beauty:

It's cute but "The Thin Man" is still my favorite film to watch this time of year.

In honor of the Holiday Season, I'll be posting more recipes and product reviews for gift ideas this year. Not to mention I'll have a few movie posts reviewing some of the latest releases (anyone else excited for "Les Miserables" and "The Hobbit?!"), as well as awesome/cheesy/terrible holiday films.

What are some of your Christmas traditions?