23 December 2009
{via Apartment 34}
I wouldn’t say that a huge part of my Christmas festivities involves watching movies, but there are a few that worm their way into my December schedule every year. Usually I’m content to just watch whichever ones come on TV (except for Love, Actually — I own that one and it gets played every year without fail!), but this year I decided to be a bit more proactive about things. Yes, I stocked my December Netflix queue full of holiday favorites.
Some old stand-bys (for me) that made the cut?
It’s a Wonderful Life
The Santa Clause (yes, with Tim Allen… don’t laugh!)
A Charlie Brown Christmas
And a few new ones I’ve never seen:
Miracle on 34th Street (the old, black and white version)
White Christmas
Four Christmases
What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Any I missed that deserve a place on the list?
18 December 2009
In decorating for Christmas, I realized there are very few available, flat surfaces in our apartment. We did what we could! You like?
And yes, that is a stocking for the kitties.
16 December 2009
{from flickr}
Are you a ritualistic sort of person? I definitely am. I love traditions of all sorts, and though I’m not a stickler for doing things exactly as they’ve always been done (ahem sisters), I do have a few activities I try to make a habit of doing every December.
Make peppermint hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies (I want to try my hand at homemade marshmallows next!)
Go ice skating outside
Hang an Advent calendar and open it through December
Drive around to look at the neighborhood Christmas lights (inherited this one from my grandmother!)
Hunt for a Christmas tree at a cut-your-own farm
Make tweeks to my Christmas decorations
Make and mail out Christmas cards to friends and family
Attend the candlelight Christmas Eve service(s) at my church
Buy a new Christmas CD
Bake cookies
Pick (or make) the perfect gift for family and friends (seriously — one of my favorite things)
Get creative wrapping gifts
Attend a performance of the Nutcracker
Put up a wreath
Go to a Christmas concert
Read the Christmas story from the Bible
Eat Monkey Bread on Christmas morning
14 December 2009
{Click to enlarge!}
Like last week’s aqua and kelly inspiration board, I thought this week’s sky and cherry palette was a nice twist on red and green. A little red party dress, some brightly hued ribbon candy, and, of course, the Lenox Chirp dinnerware that inspired it all. Isn’t it amazing? I would really, really love to have just a few pieces of that pattern, but alas, it is obscenely expensive. Le sigh. They do, however, have some Chirp ornaments right now that are also beautiful.
The Details
Clockwise from top left: Lenox Chirp dinnerware from Macy’s; ribbon candy from Amy Atlas; paint chip wrapping from Real Simple; Christmas tree from Christmas Traditions; envelopes calligraphed by May Belle; little red dress from Demoiselle; notions by Allsorts; carnation chair decoration photo by Jennifer Kloss; jelly bean favors from Martha Stewart Weddings; poinsettia card by Smock