Weekending!

Good Tuesday morning to you all, can you believe that in two weeks it will be Christmas Day! I honestly cannot believe how the time is flying!
  The Christmas festivities are in full force over here. This weekend was busy as usual and next weekend is shaping up to be just as or even more busy. I love it all though. I love the busy of the holiday season because for me it is always busy with fun stuff at this time of the year. On Saturday, I was able to do some hair for friends and family who were going to a Christmas gala which was great because I hadn't seen them in too long and it was nice to catch up while helping them get ready for their event. Once I was done with them it was time to get myself ready for my own office party. The three local MLA offices decided to all get together for the evening to kick off the holidays together. Pictou Lodge was having an evening for those who maybe didn't have an office big enough to rent out something to come down, have a nice meal with your office without having to plan too much. I have to say it was a lovely night filled with laughs, good food and the best company. The only thing that put a bit of a damper on the evening was the fact that the wind from the ocean was blowing onshore and it was freezing! The Lodge is somewhere I have only been in the summer since it normally closed in the winter except for certain events and I can sure see why now. If the wind had of been blowing the other way it would have been better but the whole place was freezing, thankfully we were in by a fireplace! So other then being rather chilly we had a great evening together. I work with some pretty great people!

On Sunday, I spent most of the day helping Erica with some school work she was trying to get done so she has less to get done over the Christmas break. We got a good chunk done for her but I sat so long over the whole day I had a literal pain in my ass after I was done. Playing teacher isn't all fun and games. And on a bummer note, I totally forgot to DVR SNL! Jason Mamoa was hosting and of course I forgot even after Erica reminded me! #firstworldproblems

How was everyone else's weekend? Did you have any Christmas parties? Are you ready for Christmas? I'm not even going to answer that for myself yet...maybe next Monday.

xo

Linking up with Bianca this week! 

Weekening...Christmas Decorating Begins...

Happy Monday Folks! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Mine was pretty low key but very nice. There was a few plans cancelled but what can you do sometimes it happens. I also cannot believe it is the last week of November. I feel like I definitely did not complete all of my November goals because I feel like it has been a week since I posted about them!

Anyways, lets chat about my weekend. On Friday, there was some snow squalls forecasted and it was bitterly cold, we had made plans to go down to Sherbrooke Village for their opening night of their Old fashioned Christmas but with the weather and how cold it was no one really wanted to go. Of course the weather forecasted didn't really come but it was freezing running from the house to the car so again no one really wanted to spend the evening walking around. I did find out it is open until January for walk arounds so maybe we will try and plan another night. Instead, I headed out to dinner with my mom and Erica. We had a lovely dinner before hitting up Walmart and the mall. I also watched the Christmas Chronicles with Kurt Russel and I loved it. I love it when you can watch a new Christmas movie and love it as much as some of the classic ones.

On Saturday, it was full blown Christmas decoration time! It was basically that all weekend in all honesty but almost everything is finished now so bring on the rest of the holidays. I have one more tree to decorate for the landing on the stairs but I have the rest of the trees done. Yes, I said trees!

 

Christmas trees, snowman and Santa Clauses are my most favorite. I also have to finish decorating the office once I'm done with this post so I should probably move along soon. I'm hoping to get some Christmas crafts and baking down soon to share of ideas with everyone. I have seen a few new recipes I would like to try so hopefully they turn out and I can pass them along :)

 

Now onto my most favorite part of the weekend, snuggling with my boy. When Gus was a puppy he would almost NEVER wants to snuggle up with you but now since his old age (he is 9, he will be 10 in April) he loves cuddling up with you. He actually snugged up with me two different times and I loved it. My sweet baby Gus

 

Linking with Bianca today!



Christmas Bucket List!

Firstly I would like to wish a happy thanksgiving to all my American friends. I hope you all have a great thanksgiving with lots of good food and company!

Now, lets talk about my Christmas bucket list. Each year I kind of plan one of these for myself but never really think about after I plan it out so maybe this year I will have better luck. Now, mind you I normally do most of what is on my bucket list without even thinking about it. Do you make any bucket lists for the holidays, things you really want to do or events to want to hit up?

• go on a sleigh ride (this one is pushing it but maybe sometime in the winter)
• see the Christmas lights around town
• spend lots of time with family and friends
• host a cookie baking party
• read a Christmas themed book
• go to some Christmas parties
• make homemade hot cocoa
• watch Christmas movies with the family
• enjoy the season

I know I will probably end up going most of these without even having to think about it but it is nice to make a little list of things. We all know how much I love lists.

Anyways, it is time to move on and get some work done. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday.

xo

And so it begins....

It is the start of my Christmas themed posts. I know some of you are thinking why not wait and start in December well I have been in the festive mood for weeks now so you're lucky they did not start sooner. For my Christmas lovers like me I'm sorry I waited so long to start!

If you haven't figured it out yet I love Christmas and everything about it. For someone who normally hates crowds I even for the most part love the crowds at the malls (as long as I don't run into too many a**holes). I think my love of Christmas came from my mother who is probably the only person I know who loves Christmas more than I do. No, wait I know that it comes from my mom there is not doubt about that one. But this is topic for another day though because I have different plans for this post. 

This post is for the holiday movies are all love to cringe at but often can't help but watch them. Or you're like me and love them for how insanely cheesy they are. The Countdown to Christmas by Hallmark is on right now and I'm loving it. Yes, there are some of the movies that are so bad I can't watch but some of them are fantastic in the most cheesy ways. This meme basically sums up Hallmark movies...

Now, you're thinking okay Brittany we know you love these movies but there are so many to watch! Yes, there is and now I'm going to tell you which ones you should check out!

A December Bride: Aspiring interior designer Layla O'Reilly is dreading the Christmastime wedding of her cousin who's marrying Layla's ex-fiancé. Although Seth Murphy is the one responsible for introducing the bride and groom, she begrudgingly accepts his offer to be her date as she's out of options. Seth gets carried away at the reception and announces they're engaged, forcing a mortified Layla to keep up the pretense. But as the faux couple spends more time together they find themselves feeling something very real.

I first saw this movie last Christmas season and as far as the Hallmark movie goes I did enjoy this one. Story line of course the same as most but I liked it. Easy to watch and the characters were pretty likeable from the get go. Cheese Factor: 4.5 out of 5

Christmas Inheritance: Before ambitious heiress Ellen Langford can inherit her father's gift business, she must deliver a special Christmas card to her dad's former partner in Snow Falls, the hometown she never knew. When a snowstorm strands her at the town inn, she's forced to work for her keep, and in the process, finds romance and discovers the true gift of Christmas. 

This one is actually a Netflix movie but it it fills the same need as a true Hallmark movie. The characters are easy to like and it is nice little Christmas movie that can be watched with the kids. It might even teach them a nice lesson about Christmas. Cheese Factor: 3 out of 5

Christmas Next Door: Eric Randall, a famous author who writes about how to stay a bachelor is forced to look after his niece and nephew over the holidays and, with the help of his Christmas-loving neighbor, April Stewart, he learns to find love and the Christmas spirit.

This is another one that I first saw last season and I really did like it. Eric Randall is a tad hard to take but by mid movie you do warm up to him. Cute movie for the holidays. Cheese Factor: 4.5 out of 5

The Mistletoe Promise: Elise meets Nick, a single and handsome attorney, they quickly bond over their mutual dislike of the holidays. Nick shares that his law firm is considering making him a partner, but has a history of choosing only those who are married with a family. Realizing they're each about to face a lonely holiday season - and that having a girlfriend would increase his chances of being made a partner - Nick suggests the "mistletoe promise" that he and Elise pretend to be a couple until Christmas Eve.

Hallmark keeps their promise with a Mistletoe Promise of romance, Christmas and cheese! Again, another cute and easy to watch Christmas movie. The main characters are easy to like and Luke Macfarlane is pretty easy on the eyes. Cheese Factor: 4 out of 5

As you're reading this I'm probably decorating for Christmas and watching a Hallmark movie. OH and probably drinking some coffee out of the wonderful mug my friend Nicole made me!

Happy Monday Everyone!

*movie images taken from google images and movie summaries from IMDB.com 

Christmas Countdown Day 12! Winter Wonderland Tag

TOMORROW!! Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I hope you have everything done and are relaxing with family today. Let's be honest I have this scheduled today but I'm probably getting myself ready for our family potluck right now. About a week ago now I think I was watching Allison's Winter Wonderland tag so I decided to end the Christmas Countdown with it! If you do this tag please let me know so I can check out your answers!

THE QUESTIONS:

1. Favorite thing about winter? I think I most enjoy the holiday season but I also like the clothes too. 

2. Scarves or Beanies? Scarves because I don't wear hats much.

3. Favorite holiday movie? I love so many! The Santa Clause, Christmas with the Kranks, The Holiday etc.

4. Favorite winter nail polish? Hmmm I love reds in the winter. I really love Forever Yummy by Essie, I think I got it last year around Christmas and I'm wearing it again this year.

5. Favorite Starbucks Holiday Drink? I don't really have a favorite holiday drink at Starbucks, I mainly stick to my Vanilla latte all winter.

6. What are your top 3 winter essentials? Cute boots, jacket and scarves (plus amazing lip balm because my lips hate the cold!)

7. Name one item on your wish list this year. Naked 3 palette!

8. Favorite holiday song? This is a roughie for me! Any Christmas song sung by Elvis.

9. Did you go Black Friday shopping this year? Yes, I did but in Canada it isn't as big as it is in the States so it wasn't as nuts for me but still was super busy.

10. Must have winter lip product? Vaseline lip therapy, my lips chap in October and hate me until May I swear! :(

11. Will you be rocking an ugly Christmas sweater this year? Sadly, no I didn't rock one and don't have plans for any this season.

12. Have you ever had a white Christmas where you live? Oh yes, I live on the east coast of Canada so I have had many a white Christmas in my 30 years.

13. Favorite winter candle scent? Fresh Balsam! 

14. How will you be celebrating this holiday? I will be celebrating with my family like always, Christmas eve with the family Potluck and then Christmas day with my great uncle from my dad's side! Cannot wait always such a good time.

Merry Christmas everyone! I wish you all the Christmas Spirit and I hope Santa finds all of you tonight!

xo

Christmas Countdown Day 11! Memories

TWO DAYS! I'm so excited for Christmas. I have everything done and I'm ready for everything. Today, I thought I would share some of my favorite holiday memories. 

I have so many amazing memories from past holidays I don't even know where to start. My parents always have made Christmas a special time, I can't remember a Christmas that was not amazing. You know some our traditions from my Friday post and those traditions have made for some amazing memories. 

One of my favorite memories is when myself and my siblings would all sleep in my room and this was not even that many years ago. We would all cozy up in my room and watch a Christmas and fall asleep. It was fun to all wake up together on Christmas day.

I also love the memories from when I was kid and we had to wait until mom and dad went downstairs got the Christmas lights on and Dad got the video camera going. We waited at the top of the stairs until we got the go ahead to come down and Chase when he was little would always bolt down and be so excited. Sometimes, I wish I could be a kid again just for those moments.

Another Christmas memory is from Boxing Day when we would all go to our grandparents house for dinner with my dad's side of the family. We would get to bring one or two of our new toys to bring with us (until we were too old for toys). We always had a kids' table too! I think on my dad's side we will always have a kids' table. My cousin Lauren who is the oldest on my dad's side joked she would be 40 and still at the kids' table. Though she was joking I don't think she is going to be wrong. 

I love all the memories and old stories that come up at Christmas time. It makes you remember what Christmas is all about, the time spent with your family and friends. It is the memories made not the presents your tree. What are your favorite Christmas memories?











 
I cannot believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve! YAY!!

Christmas Countdown Day Ten! Christmas Traditions

FIVE DAYS!!! FIVE DAYS!!! Yup, I'm getting far to excited for Christmas! And yes I know I'm 30 years old and not 5. I have always loved Christmas and I always will. Today, I thought I could talk about Christmas traditions because most of us have them, at least a couple. As I don't have my own family yet, I get to do all the lovely traditions I have done since I was child every year. I will probably still have some of these traditions when I have my own family too. 

My favorite tradition is our family gathering on Christmas Eve. All of my mom's side of the family comes over for a potluck and it is amazing. I have to say it is my favorite meal of the year. We normally get together mid-afternoon have some drinks, chatter and then gorge ourselves with delicious food. Seafood casserole, meatballs, ham, chicken, salads, potatoes, rolls and desserts! Then, everyone goes their separate ways to other families, church or just home. Normally, after we get everything cleaned up it is time for another tradition of going for a lights drive. It is used to get all of us but now it is just me, Erica and Chase. Mom stays home to make her pies for Christmas day. After that it is time to open one gift. The rest we open in the morning. I love Christmas eve almost as much as I love Christmas Day.

Christmas day is always the same too, up to open presents well stockings first then presents! Then of course breakfast/lunch followed by naps! These once were basically just for mom and dad but now we all love them haha Christmas dinner is spent with my great uncle Jerry from my dad's side of the family. It used to be my grandparents too but sadly both are no longer with us. This dinner is of course turkey and all the trimmings. My momma is one amazing cook and thankfully for her this daughter is a great cleaner. After I eat such a big meal I can't just sit so I normally clean up with some help from Erica and Chase.

Oh, how I can't wait until next week! What are some of your family traditions? Love hearing how everyone enjoys the holidays.

See you on Monday for Day 11!

xo

Christmas Countdown Day Nine! Holiday Looks

Hey Ladies! I cannot believe it is less than a week until Christmas! I'm so super excited I can't wait! We all know it is my most favorite time of year! Today, we are going to be talking about holiday looks, I had planned on doing a little fashion shoot and showing you my personal holiday fashions but alas I ran out of time and to be honest I don't have any idea what I'm wearing for most of the holiday. Thankfully, we have YouTube. I also think having the YouTube videos for make up and hair ideas is even better because I got you tutorials from some of the best beauty gurus out there! 


Lets start with some beauty looks...

This is one of Jaclyn Hill's tutorials and she is amazing. Love this look! Maybe going to try something like this over the holidays.

This is probably my favorite look and it is from Casey Holmes. She is so cute and I just love her! I really want to try this look! I wish I had the same shades as her!

And the last make up look is from MakeupbyAlli, I love this look and she again is awesome. Love her and all her tutorials.

This is Nicole Guerriero and this is the only hair tutorial I'm really loving but I don't know if I can pull it off because my hair is thin but please if you try this look let me know! I do love it!

These last two looks are full make up, hair and outfit looks. The first one is from MissGlamourazzi aka Ingrid. I love her simple classic look. She always looks put together. And lastly we have Tanya Burr. This girl always looks perfect! Love her make up everyday!

Hope you have enjoyed these looks and give some of them a go for your holiday parties!

See you tomorrow for Day 10!

xo

Christmas Countdown Day 8! Decorations!

It is 7 days until Christmas!! I cannot wait! I have quite a few things I would like to get done before then but I'm still super excited and I cannot wait. Today, it is time to look at some the decorations around my house. I should have been more on the ball and done the link up with Ashley about Christmas decorations but I wasn't so what can you do. Here is a little look around my house at Christmas...

See you all tomorrow for day 9!