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 

Friday Favorites

And just like that another week is over! One step closer to my birthday, Halloween and Christmas! All the good stuff right? With it being Friday we all know it is time for Friday Favorites!

{ Erika | Andrea | Narci }

This week I finally got out to the movies to see A Star is Born and it is really a great movie. Everyone in the movie did a wonderful job and if you watched Alias it is a bit of a reunion which me and my sister loved haha. Lady Gaga was great, she is such a great singer so it was really the perfect role for her. And hello Bradley Cooper has a great voice too! I have been listening to the soundtrack for most of the week and I definitely recommend getting it, the songs are great! I did not cry, got teary but did not cry! There was many women around me who I could hear sniffling. Also, Bradley's used his own dog in the movie and holy cow so stinkin' cute!!

Last week, I told you about the novel I was reading the Tattooist of Auschwitz, well I finished it and it was a wonderful story to learn about. The hell that everyone went through in those camps is just horrifying. The author did a good job telling the story of Lale and Gita, but she is screen writer, so I find the book goes flat sometimes where you would assume more emotion would be. I think this might be because she was hoping it would be movie and the actor would be the one to bring more emotion to it. I do believe it would make a great movie but for a book I need a little more. I would still recommend this book though. Stories from this time in history are some of my favorite to read even if they are harder to read because of the extreme horror that this era had. Even with the horrors they endured Lale and Gita had a wonderful love story so if you enjoy this genre of book I would say read it. 4 stars out of 5 from me.

Thursday was also I favorite for me just because I didn't have much to do and I had the day off so I just lazed around, baked cookies and made dinner in the slow cooker! I may or may not have also watched two Christmas movies...shhhh

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday and hope you all have a super fun weekend!



Christmas Countdown: Day Four Christmas Movies!

Christmas is the time of year that I will watch many more movies then I normally do because I will watch the same movies over and over again. I think everyone has that one or two Christmas movies that they could watch over and over again. Since there are so many great Christmas movies I'm just going to let you in my favorites today!

The Santa Clause is one of my favorites! I honestly could watch this movie every day during the Christmas season. I have only watched it once this season though. I should probably watch it again tonight maybe. I love this movie because it is just so sweet. I love the story and how cute is little Charlie! I won't lie I love all the Santa Clause movies! Well, the 3rd one isn't great but lets leave that alone.

Christmas with the Kranks has been my newest Christmas favorite. I have watched it probably fives time already this holiday season. I normally have had it on in the background while I have been baking or cooking. I actually want to live on the street where the Kranks live. That is the neighbourhood I want to live in when I have my own house. I think I must just love Tim Allen or something since he is in this and the Santa Clause.

And of course the Christmas classics! I can't go through a holiday season without watching these movies. I have a the box set and actually maybe that is what I should break out later since I haven't watched them yet! These are the movies that take me back to being a kid at Christmas. It doesn't quite feel like Christmas until I have watched these. They just make me feel good inside.

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? I could probably list way more than this but we don't want to go overboard! Hope you're all ready for Friday! Day Five is going to be a good one :)

xo

Christmas Countdown Day One!

This year I was trying to think of something I could do leading up to Christmas for the blog. There is Vlogmas for the YouTubers and some blogger blog everyday until Christmas but I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on myself because I knew I wasn't going to be able to do that because it is the season for being super busy. So, here we are with the Countdown to Christmas! I will be blogging Monday to Friday until Christmas! I might even try and throw in a couple of weekend posts but I'm not promising anything. I hope everyone likes this, maybe gets some ideas from it! But, on with the show folks! Enjoy Day One of the Christmas Countdown!

There are a few things I think are must haves for the Christmas season. Of course, some are obvious ones like family, friends etc but I'm talking more like actually things. Last year, I did a post similar to this as a guest blog. Since I have more followers now and I don't know who read that guest blog (I hope you did) I thought I would give you my list again of my Christmas must haves!

Fresh Balsam Candle from Bath and Body Works! Hands down the best Christmas candle you're going to find because it actually smells like a Christmas tree! I often find when trying to find the perfect smelling Christmas candle that they often smell like pine sol or just have more of a cleaner smell then a Christmas tree. When I found this one I think I thanked the candle gods because this has been a staple in my Christmas candle collection for a few years now. If you're looking for that perfect candle and you haven't checked this one out yet you should because you're missing out! Also, the pine one from Target isn't too bad either.

Starbucks' Red Cups are just so darn Christmasy! I don't have a Starbucks in my town so I can't get it whenever I want! I still make many trip to Starbucks though because I'm in Halifax on a semi regular basis but at Christmas I love going and grabbing a nice red cupped vanilla latte after shopping and just relaxing with it. I did exactly that last weekend, had my latte and put up feet up at the hotel. Love it!

What are better than Christmas treats? Exactly you cannot think of anything either! Everything is just better when you add Christmas to it. Cookies, peanut butter balls, gingerbread etc are all better at Christmas time. One of my favorites are my mom's sugar cookies which I'm happy to say have become one of the cookies I can do really well. Yum in the tum! What are some of your favorite treats at Christmas? The ones that only get made around this maybe?

Christmas music is something I would listen to all year round if people wouldn't think I was crazy! I have been known to put my iPod on shuttle and not skip over the Christmas ones when they come around. I have to say I do start listening to Christmas in September when I start making my Christmas crafts, it is just easier to get in the mood when you have some carols playing in the background. Once November hits I let the cat of the bag that I'm all over the Christmas tunes. Christmas music instantly puts me in a better mood. What is your favorite Christmas album?

CHRISTMAS MOVIES! Yes, who doesn't love a good Christmas movie? Curling up with some Christmas snacks, a cozy blanket and watching a Christmas movie has to be one of the best things about Christmas and bonus if it is snowing! I'm actually hoping it snows at some point this week so I can have a nice evening like that. I love most Christmas movies, I love the classics like Frosty the Snowman up to the more current Christmas with the Kranks. I have watched Christmas with the Kranks probably too many times already this season but I love it so whatever! What your top picks for Christmas movies?

Well, that is it for day one of the countdown to Christmas! I hope to see you back here tomorrow for day two! A Gift Guide for Her! Thanks dropping by!

Weekend Update!

Ready for the weekend baby! Oh wait it is Monday! How did that happen? This weekend flew by! And yup you got it right not one picture to show for it! I did take some pictures of some stuff I bought yesterday for instagram so you can check them out on the sidebar. I really need to get better at my weekend picture taking. And, yes I know I say that a lot!

Anyways, lets get back to my weekend! Friday, I went to see Prisoners with my family because my brother was home and we talked him into going to the movies! This is probably because none of his friends were home! Just kidding he likes spending some time with us. It was a nice evening out with everyone. The movie was good but I have to say it was long too long for me. I did like it but they honestly didn't have to make it 2.5 hour movie! Great acting in the movie though! On Saturday Erica, Chase and myself voted before we headed to Halifax to take Chase back and so we could check out Target, since it just opened on Tuesday. I got the cutest slippers from Target and they were only like $12. I could have gotten a lot more but I decided to hold back. The only thing I'm sad about is that they don't have ELF. I was looking forward to being able to get more ELF make up brushes since the ones I have are quite nice and totally doing the trick. We got to spend a nice afternoon with Chase shopping before dropping him off at his apartment. After that we went and did a bit more shopping and then headed off to dinner with my friends Danielle, Deena and Gavin. Erica's friend Johnny also joined us for dinner at Jack Astor's. It was great meeting up with them because I hadn't seen them since Danielle's wedding in August. Good food and good company! That can't help but be a good night! After dinner, me and Erica hit up Starbucks before heading back home.

First official day of fall and it basically felt like summer for most of the day! We decided to clean out Erica's car like cleaning it out, vacummed and taken to the car wash! It is all nice and shiny now! Other than that I didn't do much I have to say! I was being lazy and I liked it! haha I did watch the Emmys and I will have a Emmys' fashion post for you tomorrow.

I'm going to wrap this up now because I will just be rambling even more if I don't stop now. I hope everyone had a great weekend!

xo

04.08.2012

Sorry for my lack of posts this week but I was down with an ear and throat infection! This was the 4^th of this cold and flu season and be better the last for a long damn time! Also, Chase was home and it became more of a family weekend, which leads me into this week’s lazy Sunday movie review! The Hunger Games! (Yup got roped into that one!)

Okay, so last night my family decided to all go and see the Hunger Games. My sister Erica has read all the books and was very excited for the movies to come out and she did see it opening weekend with her friend Nicole but she of course wanted to see it again! Since my brother Chase was coming home for Easter weekend and wanted to see it too we all decided to go! Of everyone I was the least excited about going because I didn’t read the books and it just isn’t a movie I wanted to see because it isn’t my type of movie. I can’t say I overly enjoyed the movie but I can say I didn’t hate it! I can also see why people would enjoy the movie but it wasn’t something I will want to see again but I see myself watching the next ones just to see what happens! I think the movie was well acted and I enjoyed the interaction between the characters. Cinna who is played by Lenny Kravitz is great in the movie and I just love him anyways! Jennifer Lawrence & Josh Hutcherson which great in their roles, I love Jennifer Lawrence, I think she is a great role model for girls, she isn’t in trouble all the time and know how to act her age! She comes across very well in interviews also! She is a hoot! I haven’t really since Josh in anything but seems like a good little actor! All in all the acting was great but just not the movie for me. I’m not going to go into detail because I don’t know what is important or not in the storyline and I don’t want to give anything away just in case! I do think many you will like it since I know many people have already since it and loved it! If you’re bored go and see it! Or wait until it comes out on DVD/OnDemand! J

Happy Easter/Long Weekend!

xo

PS I would be Team Gale based on the fact I think Liam is better looking then Josh but Liam brother's Chris is much hotter then both of them and was in three previews last night! Can't wait to see Snow White and the Huntsman!

25.03.2012

Lazy Sunday Movie Review

This week I’m doing a movie many of us have seen before but love no matter how many times we have seen it and that movie is Dirty Dancing! I honestly could probably watch this movie everyday for the rest of my life and still love it just as much as the first time I watched it.

Unless you have been living under a rock or are under the age of 20 you have probably seen or at least heard of Dirty Dancing. It is the story of a young girl Frances aka Baby who goes to a holiday camp with her family for the summer and falls in love with the dancing instructor Johnny Castle. There are of course ups and down in their love story since Johnny is not from the right side of town but Baby doesn’t care. The movie makes me swoon over Patrick Swayze every time, he plays Johnny Castle perfectly the attractive misunderstood man who just wants a good life for himself. We all know Patrick Swayze was a Hollywood star and we sadly lost him in 2009 to cancer. Jennifer Grey plays Baby and it is her break out role! She had some work done to nose in later years and many people could not even recognize her! She went to play in many different roles including Mindy on Friends and even won the Mirror ball on Dancing with the Stars with Derek Hough. In the end this is a movie about a girl who has a heart of gold and ends up falling for the boy from the wrong side town but he has that same heart of gold.

This movie is a sweet girly movie, something that is perfect for a Sunday afternoon lazing on your couch, with junk food and nice glass of wine J

18.03.2012

Lazy Sunday Movie Review

Sundays are the days where you don’t want to do anything really and you most definitely do not want to end because then it is Monday and honestly who really like Mondays! One of my favorite pastimes on a Sunday is watching movies whether it be sitting in front of my television at home or going out to the theatre getting some yummy popcorn and sitting in a darken room for 2 hours. Movies can make us cry, smile, laugh, and so many other things but my favorite is when they take you to another time and you get so involved you forget your reality and just let the movie take you along for the ride.

On Thursday, I finally got to see the Artist and this movie is one that takes you away! Silent films are not for everyone and I understand that because I was not sure about this one myself but since the buzz around it was so huge I decided I should give it a chance. I’m so pleased that I did get to see it! It is a wonderful movie and I have to say I did not even miss the spoken dialogue! You always knew exactly what was going on from the facial expression and body language of the actors. Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo were fantastic as the two lead roles in this film. They had the chemistry they needed to pull off these rolls because they were not speaking they needed to have that physical connection with each other and the audience. The storyline details the ups and downs of a silent movie actor who is becoming old news in the industry because it is time for the movies to have voices. The movie houses are trying to keep up with the times and George Valentin wants to be an artist. The movie was over before I wanted it to be but I think that just speaks to the movie and how good it was. I do not think everyone will enjoy this movie but if you like something a little different I believe this could be the movie for you. It is a delight to watch, you will feel happy, sad, anger and just fall in love with George Valentin and Peppy Miller.

PS Uggie steals all the scenes he is in J Love that dog!

4.5 stars out of 5 for me!

Hope you’re all having a lovely lazy Sunday!