Rochelle and I have so much music over several i pods it is quite ridiculous. We love to sing in the car. We are actually pretty good. There is not a trip whether its five minutes, or hours that we are not singing or listening to movies on our i pods. This week I am going to give you some insight into my favorite secular Christmas songs! I am very excited about this list, it will be hard to consolidate it!!
1) The entire Nutcracker Soundtrack, from beginining to end, and it must be the full ballet version, not just the popular excerpts everyone knows.
2) The White Christmas Soundtrack, especially "Blue Skies" and "Snow" haha wait and I love "Count Your Blessings"
3) Good King Wencelas (this may be religious) I am not sure.
4) Feliz Navidad
5) Santa Claus is Coming to Town
6) Frosty the Snowman
7) Winter Wonderland
8) Sleigh Ride
9) The SheDaisy Christmas album, the whole thing is just great
10) The Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack
11) We're a Couple of Misfits from Rudolph
13) You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch
14) Ballad of the Christmas Donkey....this one gets me every time. This one is religious too, but not known as a carol or hymn or anything.
15) Gingerbread Man by the Yo Yo Kidz-if you have kids this one will crack you up.
16) Bill Anderson's Po Folk Christmas
17) Here Comes Santa Claus
18) Sugar Rum Cherry by Duke Ellington-really cool take on the Sugar Plum Fairy
19) Holly Jolly Christmas
20) We'll Have a Good Old Fashioned Christmas Down on the Farm from the Garfield Christmas Special.
This list doesn't tip the iceberg of Christmas songs I love, but it sure makes a good party playlist!
For at look at Chelle's visit her blog and read today's post!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
What to Wear to Your Holiday Party
Any holiday party deserves festive attire. I, personally, love a well fitted black turtle neck with a shimmery skirt. Glitter shoes are always appropriate (not with a glitter skirt, unless you are Charro). A sweater dress with tights and ballet flats is a more conservative choice. I especially love a sweater dress with boots.
I'm a really big fan of jeggings because they are so comfortable and can be dressed up or down. if it is a casual party you can wear them with a solid colored top and colorful scarf with boots or ballet flats. Christmas parties are a great excuse to pull out your glitter and sparkliest accessories. I love a head band with embellishments. I also love big earrings and bracelets.
The important thing is no matter how you dress, have fun and wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
For some good party outfit ideas check out the following websites:
collegefashion.net
jcrew.com
cupcakesandcashmere.com
I'm a really big fan of jeggings because they are so comfortable and can be dressed up or down. if it is a casual party you can wear them with a solid colored top and colorful scarf with boots or ballet flats. Christmas parties are a great excuse to pull out your glitter and sparkliest accessories. I love a head band with embellishments. I also love big earrings and bracelets.
The important thing is no matter how you dress, have fun and wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
For some good party outfit ideas check out the following websites:
collegefashion.net
jcrew.com
cupcakesandcashmere.com
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Holiday Trivia
Don't worry, we will get to the beauty later. But what better month than December to have a little fun! Today I thought it would be fun to test you on your holiday trivia. Anyone who thinks they know the answers should leave a comment below!
1) What was Jimmy Stewart's character in "It's a Wonderful Life" named?
2) What was the name of his guardian angel?
3) What three gifts did the wise men bring baby Jesus?
4) Where was the candy cane first invented?
5) What the heck is marzipan?
6) What is the name of Rudolph's elf friend?
7) Why does a Menorah have 8 candles?
8) What do the children put on their doorsteps in Holland for Santa to fill?
9) What is Kwanzaa a celebration of?
10) What does Ralphie want for Christmas?
11) Who wrote "A Christmas Carol" and why?
12) Who was the last person to chase the Gingerbread man before he got to the river?
13) Who was the first ever Santa in the Macy's Day Parade?
14) What venue did Martha Stewart help decorate in NYC this year (besides her studio and home)?
15) Who was the narrator in Frosty Returns?
16) Where did the song "The Holly and the Ivy" come from?
17) What is wassailing and how did it get started?
18) How many different Christmas Oreos are there?
19) How did the tradition of having a Christmas tree in your home get started?
20) What special animal was chosen to take Mary to Bethlehem?
Have fun!! Let us know what you find out?
1) What was Jimmy Stewart's character in "It's a Wonderful Life" named?
2) What was the name of his guardian angel?
3) What three gifts did the wise men bring baby Jesus?
4) Where was the candy cane first invented?
5) What the heck is marzipan?
6) What is the name of Rudolph's elf friend?
7) Why does a Menorah have 8 candles?
8) What do the children put on their doorsteps in Holland for Santa to fill?
9) What is Kwanzaa a celebration of?
10) What does Ralphie want for Christmas?
11) Who wrote "A Christmas Carol" and why?
12) Who was the last person to chase the Gingerbread man before he got to the river?
13) Who was the first ever Santa in the Macy's Day Parade?
14) What venue did Martha Stewart help decorate in NYC this year (besides her studio and home)?
15) Who was the narrator in Frosty Returns?
16) Where did the song "The Holly and the Ivy" come from?
17) What is wassailing and how did it get started?
18) How many different Christmas Oreos are there?
19) How did the tradition of having a Christmas tree in your home get started?
20) What special animal was chosen to take Mary to Bethlehem?
Have fun!! Let us know what you find out?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Ally's Favorite Holiday Flicks
So Chelle just did a post on her other blog about her favorite movies to watch at Christmastime. While she and I have a lot of the same favorites and have made it a tradition to watch them together.....we also share a difference of opinion about a few of them. I have many favorites WAY more than ten. But here are my favorite favorites. First off, I need to say a word about It's a Wonderful Life. I could not possibly be a bigger fan of Jimmy Stewart! I adore him. However, what most find to be a fantastic holiday classic, I find depressing and unbearable to watch. I hate seeing my Jimmy as the rather d-baggish George Bailey hang with an angel who likes bars. So while Jimmy always tops the list...."It's a Wonderful Life" does not.
1) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer-Folks it doesn't get any better than this. This is Rankin and Bass at its best. I FREAKIN LOVE this movie. I watch it on TV every year, I watch it with Chelle every year. I watch it when it is not Christmas. Hermey forever. P.S. Build a Bear has the CUTEST Rudolph stuff ever right now, especially if you are a fan of the Misfit Toys!!!
2) White Christmas-I cannot say enough about this movie. It is on my IPOD, it is my go to movie when I am feeling upset or anxious. I watch it in my car, in the airplane, sometimes at work. I cannot get over the beautiful costumes and wonderful dance numbers. And few songs will ever be as awesome to me as SNOW...snow snow snow snow!!! And who cares if Bing Crosby was a deadbeat dad...he still rocked the crap out of White Christmas!!!!!
3) Santa Claus is Coming to Town-Here is another classic by Rankin and Bass. I like this one because it has some pretty trippy songs and its very similar to Rudolph in that they made the characters very likable. This is one I save for Christmas eve because it is the story of how Santa became Santa Claus. My favorite part is when his girlfriend Jessica whips her bun out and shakes around while an acid trip happens behind her. Highly entertaining. Plus Fred Astaire...come on!!!
4) The Nutcracker- So Rochelle and I have loved this for as long as we can remember. We have seen every version....scary Malculy Kulkin one, Barbie in the Nutcracker, cartoon nutcrackers, the Bristol Ballet nutcracker with our humanities class, but our favorite is Maurice Sendak's take on it. In this version Clara has a creepy seemingly incestuous relationship with her crazy meth lab making Uncle Drosslemeyer (the meth lab was a euphemism). The story is basically the same with the addition of a peacock and the human version of the Nutcracker is an old guy with 70s porn hair. The music is beautiful. I can't think of a piece of music more beautiful than those in the Nutcracker. To me it is Tchaikovsky at his finest.
5) I'll Be Home for Christmas-So for those of you who were living under a rock in the 90s, Jonathan Taylor Thomas was super smokin HOT. I wrote him a letter in 7th grade professing my love, but only got a picture back, no date offers or anything. Anywho, this is the story of Jake who is trying to get a car promised to him by his father if he makes it home by dinner time on Christmas Eve. Throughout his cross country trip Jake meets many strange characters and learns it is time for him to start thinking of others instead of himself .This movie is full of 90s stars we all grew up loving and amazing music to get you in the holiday mood.
6) Elf-This movie is hilarious. "I'm SINGING...I'm in a store and I'm SINGING" Cracks me up every time. This is the story of Buddy the Elf who finds out he is human and travels from the North Pole to NYC to meet his biological father. Buddy has a host of friends including some that are parodies of those in Rudolph. Buddy's childlike behavior in the adult business world makes you pee your pants laughing. And what is better than NYC at Christmastime?
7) Ernest Saves Christmas-So just when I thought you couldn't top "Ernest Scared Stupid" they came out with this one. This is a really funny story where Ernest ends up meeting the real Santa Claus in a taxi. Through a random twist of television fate a young runaway, Santa, and a children's hospital end up turning to the dim witted Ernest for help. This movie is very silly and reminds you just what a genius you are...Know what I mean Vern?
8) Frosty The Snowman-Haha, okay so Rochelle hates this one. But I LOVE it. To me this is a classic right along with Rudolph. They are tradition I always watch them. I like Frosty except I think they gave him creepy eyes, and I am not sure why they made him an idiot. The children make a snowman, just like in the song and the town's loser magician's hat ends up containing the magic that helps Frosty come to life. I like this because of the songs and because I have always wondered how Frosty at two minutes old knows how to talk fully and is already aware of what temperature he will melt at. He also knows who Santa Claus is...that's pretty impressive for a newborn. Maybe he is not an idiot after all.
9) A Charlie Brown ChristmasWalmart is stocked with Peanuts Christmas merchandise right now? It is Linus who reminds everyone that Christmas is really about...remember...Jesus? I do agree with Rochelle that without Snoopy, I would not watch the Peanuts. Why watch depressing cartoons, when I could just watch Jimmy in It's A Wonderful Life?
10) The Santa Clause 2-okay so this is my wild card. I love this movie because it shows how Santa and Mrs. Claus hooked up. The snow, all the homes with the Christmas lights, the North Pole. It is all really well shot. I love how Tim Allen gives a group of disgruntled teachers childlike toys. It made me feel less insecure that I still buy and play with puppets and Silly Bandz.
I also really enjoy those movies that highlight the birth of baby Jesus. Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey is sad, but also a beautiful perspective of how God often chooses the underdog. Another good one is The Little Drummer Boy..and don't worry. BaaBaa makes it, because when that part came on I got really mad and almost threw the dvd in the trash. :)
For those of you who do not celebrate Christmas there are many good alternatives that are just about holidays and family.
1) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer-Folks it doesn't get any better than this. This is Rankin and Bass at its best. I FREAKIN LOVE this movie. I watch it on TV every year, I watch it with Chelle every year. I watch it when it is not Christmas. Hermey forever. P.S. Build a Bear has the CUTEST Rudolph stuff ever right now, especially if you are a fan of the Misfit Toys!!!
2) White Christmas-I cannot say enough about this movie. It is on my IPOD, it is my go to movie when I am feeling upset or anxious. I watch it in my car, in the airplane, sometimes at work. I cannot get over the beautiful costumes and wonderful dance numbers. And few songs will ever be as awesome to me as SNOW...snow snow snow snow!!! And who cares if Bing Crosby was a deadbeat dad...he still rocked the crap out of White Christmas!!!!!
3) Santa Claus is Coming to Town-Here is another classic by Rankin and Bass. I like this one because it has some pretty trippy songs and its very similar to Rudolph in that they made the characters very likable. This is one I save for Christmas eve because it is the story of how Santa became Santa Claus. My favorite part is when his girlfriend Jessica whips her bun out and shakes around while an acid trip happens behind her. Highly entertaining. Plus Fred Astaire...come on!!!
4) The Nutcracker- So Rochelle and I have loved this for as long as we can remember. We have seen every version....scary Malculy Kulkin one, Barbie in the Nutcracker, cartoon nutcrackers, the Bristol Ballet nutcracker with our humanities class, but our favorite is Maurice Sendak's take on it. In this version Clara has a creepy seemingly incestuous relationship with her crazy meth lab making Uncle Drosslemeyer (the meth lab was a euphemism). The story is basically the same with the addition of a peacock and the human version of the Nutcracker is an old guy with 70s porn hair. The music is beautiful. I can't think of a piece of music more beautiful than those in the Nutcracker. To me it is Tchaikovsky at his finest.
5) I'll Be Home for Christmas-So for those of you who were living under a rock in the 90s, Jonathan Taylor Thomas was super smokin HOT. I wrote him a letter in 7th grade professing my love, but only got a picture back, no date offers or anything. Anywho, this is the story of Jake who is trying to get a car promised to him by his father if he makes it home by dinner time on Christmas Eve. Throughout his cross country trip Jake meets many strange characters and learns it is time for him to start thinking of others instead of himself .This movie is full of 90s stars we all grew up loving and amazing music to get you in the holiday mood.
6) Elf-This movie is hilarious. "I'm SINGING...I'm in a store and I'm SINGING" Cracks me up every time. This is the story of Buddy the Elf who finds out he is human and travels from the North Pole to NYC to meet his biological father. Buddy has a host of friends including some that are parodies of those in Rudolph. Buddy's childlike behavior in the adult business world makes you pee your pants laughing. And what is better than NYC at Christmastime?
7) Ernest Saves Christmas-So just when I thought you couldn't top "Ernest Scared Stupid" they came out with this one. This is a really funny story where Ernest ends up meeting the real Santa Claus in a taxi. Through a random twist of television fate a young runaway, Santa, and a children's hospital end up turning to the dim witted Ernest for help. This movie is very silly and reminds you just what a genius you are...Know what I mean Vern?
8) Frosty The Snowman-Haha, okay so Rochelle hates this one. But I LOVE it. To me this is a classic right along with Rudolph. They are tradition I always watch them. I like Frosty except I think they gave him creepy eyes, and I am not sure why they made him an idiot. The children make a snowman, just like in the song and the town's loser magician's hat ends up containing the magic that helps Frosty come to life. I like this because of the songs and because I have always wondered how Frosty at two minutes old knows how to talk fully and is already aware of what temperature he will melt at. He also knows who Santa Claus is...that's pretty impressive for a newborn. Maybe he is not an idiot after all.
9) A Charlie Brown ChristmasWalmart is stocked with Peanuts Christmas merchandise right now? It is Linus who reminds everyone that Christmas is really about...remember...Jesus? I do agree with Rochelle that without Snoopy, I would not watch the Peanuts. Why watch depressing cartoons, when I could just watch Jimmy in It's A Wonderful Life?
10) The Santa Clause 2-okay so this is my wild card. I love this movie because it shows how Santa and Mrs. Claus hooked up. The snow, all the homes with the Christmas lights, the North Pole. It is all really well shot. I love how Tim Allen gives a group of disgruntled teachers childlike toys. It made me feel less insecure that I still buy and play with puppets and Silly Bandz.
I also really enjoy those movies that highlight the birth of baby Jesus. Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey is sad, but also a beautiful perspective of how God often chooses the underdog. Another good one is The Little Drummer Boy..and don't worry. BaaBaa makes it, because when that part came on I got really mad and almost threw the dvd in the trash. :)
For those of you who do not celebrate Christmas there are many good alternatives that are just about holidays and family.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Hello lovelies! I think that it is safe to say that Ally and I have been FAILING at this whole blog thing! To make up for it we are giving you a GIFT! Since we love this time of year, I had an idea. Over on my blog, I am blogging the Advent, with blogs full of seasonal things. I thought it would be nice to do the same thing here. So, we are going to blog the Advent season here for all of you. One of my favorite things about Christmas when I was younger was my Advent calendar. I loved moving my marker and getting a piece of candy each day. The anticipation and the small treat made the Christmas season even more special. I actually spent WEEKS tracking down an Advent calendar for Ally a few years ago because she lost (or her family trashed) her old one. Our love of Christmas and the anticipation leading to Christmas was a big part of our inspiration. We are going to count down to Christmas HERE with all of you. We will share insane Christmas traditions and memories, give gift ideas, have Christmas related lists and party ideas, and so much more. We hope that you all enjoy this small peak into why we love this season so very much.
Happy Holidays from Ally and Chelle!
**Disclaimer: In no way are these blog entries meant to offend if you do not celebrate Christmas for whatever reason. Regardless of your stance on Christmas we hope you enjoy the time you have with your family, whether you are celebrating a religious holiday, Santa, or just time off from work and school.
Happy Holidays from Ally and Chelle!
**Disclaimer: In no way are these blog entries meant to offend if you do not celebrate Christmas for whatever reason. Regardless of your stance on Christmas we hope you enjoy the time you have with your family, whether you are celebrating a religious holiday, Santa, or just time off from work and school.
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