Elf, starring Will Ferrell Zooey Deschanel, is my all-time Christmas favorite.
I can't wait to snuggle up and watch it each year, hot cocoa and candy cane in hand.
My personal favorite line?
"I'm nothing but a cotton-headed ninny muggins."
Love Actually is a super-cute rom-com, involving over 12 people, all in love, and what they do during the five or so weeks before Christmas. It's ten years old this year, and it's getting a lot of hate recently, but it's become a sort-of Christmas tradition for me! Love it, actually.
I know that technically-speaking, the Harry Potter films aren't Christmas-themed, but they do such a wonderful job at mentioning Christmas throughout the series. There is always a semi-festive moment (or at least a mention) of Christmas at Hogwarts. Plus, the Harry Potter series is the best.
Dr. Seuss' Grinch is an essential part of any Christmas. I think Jim Carey did a pretty good job portraying the Grinch, and I always enjoy looking at the set of this movie - it is so much fun!
If you're looking for a cute, cheesy Christmas rom-com to accompany Love Actually, the Holiday is it. It's about two women who switch houses for the holiday and find that happiness and friendship can be found in places very far away from home. It's quite sweet and romantic.
Happy watching!
And happy holidays! xoxo **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
ONE | PRACTICAL MAGIC A good movie for Halloween. Or Autumn in general. It has a wonderful cast and an interesting storyline, about sibling witches (and there's even some feminism dashed in for good measure) who are very bonded to each other. It's not just a story about witches, but also about family and love.
TWO | DEAD POETS SOCIETY This movie is excellent. It takes place in a prep school in the middle of Autumn of 1959... And I just have to say: it has poetry and Autumn? No wonder I love it.
THREE | PRIDE & PREJUDICE Not exactly an "Autumn" movie, but I just love love love this movie, especially when it's rainy outside and I want to curl up in a large knit blanket and drink hot cocoa.
FOUR | 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU
It takes place in a school... so that makes it Autumnal, yeah? Another one of my absolute favorites. And the darling Heath Ledger (RIP) is in it, so...
FIVE | HOCUS POCUS The quintessential Halloween movie, in my opinion. It has pretty much all you need!
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray goes out to Pandemonium club and witnesses a murder. It's a little hard to report the crime, though, when the body disappears into thin air and no one can see the three tattooed, teenage murderers. No one but Clary, that is. This was her first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors committed to ridding the Earth of demons. One of the Shadowhunters from the club is named Jace, who looks like an angel but is a total smart-ass. In less than 24 hours, her mother and Clary are attacked by a demon, and Clary is pulled entirely into the Shadowhunter world. There are mysteries surrounding Clary: What would a demon want with mundanes like Clary and her mother? Why does Clary all-of-a-sudden have the Sight?
The Shadowhunters want to know.
My Review: This book was great. I knew that I wanted to see the movie, so I had to finish the book before watching it. I really felt like I understood Clary, her emotions, etc. and I felt like I could relate to her easily. Jace came off as an ass but there is good reasoning for it, and I really love him as a character. The other Shadowhunters were a little rough around the edges, but when you go around slaying demons all day, it is to be expected. The story was really gripping, it drew me in, and I want to know more. I'm glad that this is a series because I don't think that I would be satisfied with just one book!
My rating: 4/5
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie
My review: I truly enjoyed this movie. Sure, it didn't match up with the book in several parts, but for the most part, the movie stayed true to the book. Some of the lines were an exact match, which I always love hearing! Casting was great, although a bit too old, considering they were all suppose to be teenagers. Not one of the "teens" looked like they were under age 20.
But anywho, the story progresses much more quickly in the movie, so if you haven't read the book, I can see that it would be difficult to understand what was going on. I took my mom out with me, and she was really confused at certain points. My main problem was that they gave away a major plot twist right before the actual plot twist! It was very discreet, apparently, because while I knew it was coming and was looking out for it, my mom missed them giving it away entirely. So at least there's that.
Overall, it could have been handled with a bit more care and explanation for those who have not read the books, and I hope they do a little better with City of Ashes, which I'm currently reading. My rating: 3/5
Would recommend, but read the book first!
Finding a good movie on Netflix Instant can take as long as watching an actual movie sometimes (or is that just me? I'm so indecisive), but if you take the time you may just find a gem! Here is a list of some movies featured on Netflix Instant which I personally recommend to y'all:
It's set in Italy and it stars Audrey Hepburn... So it's a natural pick for me. Hepburn plays a princess who is taking a tour of Europe, and when in Rome, she grows tired of her highly scheduled life and takes off to discover Italy's capitol for her own.
Starring Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen, and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, this movie tells the story of Caroline Mathilde, a young British princess who was married off to King Christian VII of Denmark and Norway. After Caroline moved to Denmark and met the King, it became apparent that he was mentally ill. After he they had their first child, a son, Christian turned his interests to the brothels in Copenhagen, and then to travelling on a tour of Europe. He brought back with him the physician Johann Struensee, who could handle his tempers. Caroline Mathilde and Struensee began to see each other, and it altered the course of Danish history. Happy Netflixing, Caryn Elizabeth
So, last Friday was my new university's orientation for transfer students, and while I was expecting to meet a ton of new people, I really didn't meet many people, and besides running into them on campus, I doubt that I'll see any of them again. I may have met more people had I not gone to the wrong major's advising meeting in the morning. -sigh-
So, apparently at my new school, there is a difference between Italian Studies (my major) and Italian language studies (apparently not my major)... So I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off all day long, thinking I was taking all of the wrong classes, only to find out from one of the student volunteers that I was doing all of the wrong advising all day.
Luckily, I was sent to the literature and history departments before they left (I cut it really close) so I have all of my classes for this quarter, but I have no idea how to get around school (there's buses to take you around campus, but which one do I take? When do they run?) or which college is which. So things are going to be pretty confusing for the first week or two.
My mom came for the weekend, though, so I got to spend time with her and my doggies. We went on a nice morning walk on the beach pictured above, and then a friend from home came to visit. The three of us shared the best cupcakes in the world and then went to see the Conjuring.
The Conjuring started off alright, particularly since the doll pictured above was involved in the beginning of the film, and the doll alone is just freaky. However, toward the middle of the movie, I thought it was just going to be another mediocre horror movie. It started to move really slowly and went for a lot of cheap scares that just weren't scary. But then, at the end of the movie, things looked up. It got pretty frightening - there were a few laughable moments, but overall, they put together a horror film that was better than I'd seen in a long while.
Every once in a while (more for me lately, since I don't know anyone in this town), a girls' night in is the best option for a Friday or Saturday evening. Pop in a DVD (or two or three), have a cocktail, and cuddle up on the couch. It's the perfect remedy for a long week at work.
My favorite cocktail of the moment: strawberry daiquiri!
Mix Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum with Safeway's Cocktail Classics strawberry daiquiri mix. Throw in some ice and a few frozen strawberries and blend. Viola! A very yummy, easy cocktail for Girls' Night In!
The Best Girls' Night In Movies:
Legally Blonde: It's funny, cute, and feminist! Love it!
Breakfast At Tiffany's: Because Audrey Hepburn is the greatest!
The Covenant: Well, this is a personal favorite... It's actually pretty bad, but the boys are just so cute! So, it makes up for it.
What are your favorite Girls' Night In movies or activities?
