FAVORITE SONGS {CHRISTMAS}

So, I have to be honest... I'm not a big fan of Christmas music. I blame having worked in retail for so many Christmases. Being forced to listen to Christmas music for 8 hours a day starting a month before the actual holiday is not my idea of a good time. Anyways... I guess this has just made me very picky about what holiday music I do actually like. And, big surprise, it's mostly indie band's versions of classics or their own originals, not the usual stuff you tend to hear on those radio stations that play Christmas music 24/7 starting the day after Thanksgiving... The kind my Mom listens to, ugh! Don't worry, working retail didn't completely ruin my Christmas {music} spirit... I really like my "not your everyday" Christmas songs and I still love old classics like Bing Crosby's White Christmas, Burl Ives' Holly Jolly Christmas, and let's not forget Baby It's Cold Outsidem which I so lovingly deem "the date rape song." Ha.

Happy Holidays! Cheers! Marianne.

MUSIC MONDAY {CURRENT OBSESSION}

Currently, I can't get enough of Urge Overkill's 1994 cover of this Neil Diamond classic:

FAVORITE FILMS {CHRISTMAS}

1. One Magic Christmas  {1985} I've watched this movie pretty much every year since I was three. It's one of my sister's favorites too. She was born in December so it's become our tradition to watch it every year for her birthday. This film still gets me all tear-jerky. It's not Christmas without it. I've already watched it once this year, and it won't be the last. My sister and I are planning a Christmas movie night later this month and this film is at the top of the list.
   
   
2. It's a Wonderful Life {1947} This is a classic for a reason. It's just...well...WONDERFUL! Ha. Plus I love Jimmy Stewart. The dance scene in the gym is the best!
   
   
3. Rudolph Red-Nosed Reindeer {1964} Another classic. This is a good one. I mean, it has Burl Ives as a Snowman! How awesome is that? My favorite character is definitely the crazy, pickaxe licking Yukon Cornelius. :)
   
   
4. Miracle on 34^th Street  1947/1994 I can't choose between the original and the remake. I love them both. In the 1947 version Maureen O'Hara is simply gorgeous {as always} and Natalie Wood is adorable as little Susan. The updated version in 1994 is just as good. I've made a tradition of watching it on or around Thanksgiving. It's gets me into the Christmas spirit for the month to come.
   
   
5. Home Alone {1990} It's a John Hughes film... Sold.
   
   
6. The Santa Clause {1994} I think this is a cute family film. I went to see this film with my Dad when it came out in theaters. I'm pretty sure it's his favorite Christmas movie {he's always been a Tim Allen fan} so for that reason this film holds a special place in my heart.
   
   
7. White Christmas {1954} This film has everything I love in a movie: It's made in the fifties, it's funny, characters get "tricked" into love and best of all, it's a musical! I LOVE this film! My favorite scene is when Bing Crosby {who kinda looks like my Grandpa when he was young, weird, right?} and Danny Kaye dress in semi-drag and lip-sync "Sisters." It cracks me up every time! Not to mention the gorgeous costumes through out the entire film.
   
   
8. The Muppet Christmas Carol {1992} This is my favorite version of  A Christmas Carol. Nobody does it better than the Muppets. This movie helped me pass high school Economics... I knew I was learning when I finally got the joke Gonzo makes to Rizzo about supply and demand.
   
   
9. A Mom for Christmas {1990} Hell-oh!!! Olivia Newton John plays a mannequin that comes to life. AWESOME.
   
   
10. Love Actually {2004} C'mon! It's Love Actually! No "Favorite Christmas Films" list would be complete without it. Hands down, one of my all time favorite movies.
    
    These next two aren't exactly "Christmas Films" But I consider them ones anyways...They take place during Christmas, that counts, right?

11. Bridget Jones's Diary {2001} This film starts off during Christmas and ends with Bridget out in the snow, in her panties, kissing Colin Firth. Happy Christmas to me! Plus one of my favorite movie quotes of all time is in this film:
    

    Bridget: "Wait a minute. Nice boys don't kiss like that."
    Mr. Darcy: "Oh yes they fucking do."

    It's perfect! The fact that it's a very well done modern adaptation of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice makes me love it even more. But does it bother anyone else that the title is grammatically incorrect? Or is that just me? Shouldn't it be Jones' not Jones's? Anyways...
    
    
12. While You Were Sleeping {1995} It's just an adorable romantic comedy with Sandra Bullock back before she did that awful Speed 2 abomination. And I have a soft spot for Bill Pullman. Why? I don't know.
    
    

    What are some of your favorite Christmas films?

WINE TASTING

MARIANNE'S DECEMBER WISHLIST

 1. I've wanted Dior's Miss Dior for-ev-er! No one ever gets it for me though because it's like, ninety dollars... ouch. I'm sure I'll eventually end up splurging on it for myself one day. 2. The Priestess Necklace from Sea of Bees Jewelry is just so effing pretty! 3. I am IN LOVE with the Charlotte {in metallic chevron} Camera Bag from Epiphanie. It's definitely my favorite out of the entire collection of gorgeous camera bags. 4. Every girl needs a bit of sparkle in her life. Especially during the holiday season! I think I'd look pretty rockin' in this Navy Sequin Blouson Dress, if I do say so myself. 5. I don't know about you, but I can't resist this whole chevron fad. And what better way to wear it than with this simple and feminine version? 6. I'm really into song lyrics as art these days... {well, all days, actually} I want this on my wall like, now, thank you. 7. I'm still using my Canon EOS Rebel that I bought way back in 2005. Yeah... I really need a new camera. The Canon EOS Rebel T4i is exactly what I want in a camera, we were made for each other. 8. I just want these boots so I can wear them with all my nineties inspired skater dresses I keep buying. 9. I have the first Urban Decay Naked Palette and it is my favorite thing ever. So i figure I should have the Naked 2 palette as well. You can't have too much of a good thing, right? 10. I used to hate lace. Now, I really like it and I think I need some in my life. This Lace Tank Dress would be a good start. Plus, I could wear the black boots with them and pretend I'm back in the 90's. Not that I had any style whatsoever back then... 

What do you guys want for Christmas? Do you ask for things that you need or things that you want?  Happy shopping! Or {in my case} happy wishing! Cheers! Marianne.