My Favorite Christmas Movies

The last week of September to the end of January is my favorite time of the year. Fall and Winter are my life.  In my opinion, it's the best time for fashion, food, family, entertainment, and decor.  If I could leave my house decorated for Halloween and Christmas all year round without it being weird I totally would.  I love it so much.
I got really behind on blogging so when I started getting the itch again recently, I thought this would be a great post to get back in on it with.

These are the movies I like to watch to count myself down to Christmas.  Starting with December 10th.



15. Elf (12/10)

I always like to kickoff the start of my Christmas movie viewing with Elf.  It just puts me in the perfect mood for Holiday cheer.  I always get a lot of backlash for this but: this is one of the only Will Ferrell movies I genuinely like...oops.  Oh well.  Stupid funny has never really been my thing, I love Will Ferrell when he does more serious roles, but as for as his stupid funny-Elf is the only one I've ever really liked. (Yes that includes Step-Brothers and Anchorman.  I didn't see Step-Brothers until last year anyway.)

Favorite drink pairing: Hot Chocolate, obviously. (Usually spiked.)


14. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (12/11)

I don't really know why I always jump to the 4th Harry Potter movie for my next Christmas movie night, but I always have.  I think it's the Yule Ball, honestly.  It's just such a wonderful winter-wonderland that screams Christmas to me.  The added excitement of the rest of the tournament helps since it's still far enough away from actual Christmas that it's just a really fun movie to watch.  Let's be honest, it's a great movie to watch anytime of the year, but there's a certain joy to watching it at Christmas that's hard to describe.  It also might be the most relate-able HP movie since it's full of teen angst and it's just before all of the real shit starts going down in the series. 

Drink: I like to watch this one with some hot apple cider

13.  Clue + The Princess Bride (12/12)

Neither of these are really "Christmas-y" but they are my tradition.  It's a holiday spirit kind-of-thing.  Sometimes I alternate which one I watch each year, but more often than not, I just end up watching them both.  They are both so sassy and full of so much humor that they are two of my favorite movies ever.  So I can't not watch them around the holidays. 

Drink: Red wine! (Just one bottle though, okay fine, two)


12. The Family Stone (12/13)

This is probably one of the more underrated Christmas movies out there, but I've loved it since it came out.  It's got an amazing cast and is full of both heart and humor.  It's a perfect Christmas movie. I always love me a movie that's about a dysfunctional family. If you've never seen it I urge you to check it out this holiday season. 

Drink: Ice coffee with Bailey's and Vanilla Vodka 


11. Casper (12/14)

Casper is a movie I watch both at Halloween and Christmas every year.  It's so cute, I can never get enough of it this time of year.  Like I said, Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons so it's chalk full of everything I love.  

Drink: Peppermint Hot Chocolate 


10. Gremlins (12/15)

This is one of my newer holiday movie traditions.  I didn't start watching this movie in my lineup until I started dating my current boyfriend a few years ago.  This was part of his Christmas tradition and it instantly became part of mine.  I couldn't believe I didn't think to include it in my lineup, it's perfect. So, it is now permanently in my list.  
(Before my boyfriend, this use to be where I would watch The Holiday, and sometimes I still do but it's more a movie that I like.  He doesn't really so I only watch it if he happens to be busy or out.)

Drink: A seasonal beer, it usually changes 


9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (12/16)

This is a movie I would always watch with my dad this time of year.  While we aren't really close at all anymore I still love to watch this movie.  It's always been in my top movie trilogies.  Like a true nerd, I have the special extended editions of all the movies so on this day I usually have the special features going all day long until I'm ready to watch the actual movie.  

Drink: Mead, bonus points if you also have Lembas Bread with it. (I want to try and make it on the day I watch this, so stay tuned for my report!)


8. Home Alone (12/17)

I really don't think this movie needs an explanation.  At this point, it's part of most people's holiday traditions.  It's always been in mine, even when I was little.  While maybe not on purpose, it was always on one TV network or another so I saw it every year.  Now, when I don't have regular TV it still obviously has to be a part of my holiday, and it probably always will be. (My Christmas sweater has this quote on it, just a fun fact.)

Drink: Christmas Sangria (I will make a post on the 17th for my personal recipe) 


7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (12/18) 

This time of year always has a certain magic to it.  That being said, there was really nothing more magical than seeing or reading the first Harry Potter for the first time. It changed everything.  That may sound like an exaggeration but just talk to anyone from my generation. Harry Potter was the best thing that happened to most of us.  Therefore, the first movie has landed a permanent spot on my top 10 Christmas movie favorites. 

Drink: Butterbeer (My boyfriend makes a kick-ass homemade version, so maybe I can convince him into starring in a post for it.)


6. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (12/19)

Nothing beats a classic, and this has been part of my tradition for as long as I can remember.  I have many a memory of me watching this growing up while wrapping presents. I was really on top of my game this year, and have most of my presents already wrapped, but I may try and save a couple for this particular movie night.  I can't help but smiling the whole time I watch this movie. 

Drink: Hot chocolate, with lots and lots of the rainbow mini marshmallows


5. Frosty The Snowman (12/20)

If I'm watching Rudolph one night, I absolutely have to watch Frosty the next. Nothing makes me jollier than this original classic holiday movie.  Yes, I do get a little misty eyed during it. I've always favored Frosty to Rudolph and I'm not entirely sure why, but Frosty has always been in my top 5 while Rudolph was just shy of it..

Drink: Snowcream (not technically a drink, and also dependent on if there is snow outside or not. Otherwise, a Christmas-y milkshake works just as well.)


4.  Moonrise Kingdom (12/21)

This is not a Christmas movie.  It is however, my all-time favorite movie. I watch this movie when I'm sad, I watch it when I don't feel good, I watch it when I'm bored, I watch it when I lack motivation/inspiration, and I watch it at Christmas. You really can't go wrong with any Wes Anderson movie, but this is my choice for Christmas. You can't be in a bad mood after watching this, and while I love this time of year, it can get stressful and you can get blue, this movie is like an instant fix for that.

Drink: I am going to attempt to make a S'more's flavored Hot Chocolate, so check back for that. 


3. Love Actually (12/22)

This is my favorite Christmas movie. I'm not even a huge "romantic comedy" fan, but I can't resist this one.  Along with a great cast it's also very funny.  Deep down I've always wanted to be British so maybe that's why I love it so much.  Besides, I can't hate anything with Alan Rickman in it. 

Drink: A cuppa tea (Hello, very British movie..)


2.  The Nightmare Before Christmas (12/23)

Another movie I watch both at Halloween and Christmas.  No one argue with me about this, it's the perfect movie for both holidays.  There are both Halloween and Christmas songs, therefore it works. This is a movie I love to watch while eating massive amounts of holiday junk food.  
Depending on how tired I am, I will sometimes make it a Burton double-feature and also watch Edward Scissorhands.

Drink: A hard cider, such as Angry Orchard or Woodchuck


1.  A Christmas Story (12/24)-(12/25)

I don't think this is any surprise.  I feel like most people probably watch this on Christmas Eve, especially since that's when TBS starts it's 24-hour marathon of it.  Growing up, we would do Christmas at my Grandparents every Christmas Eve and then get home just in time for the marathon to start.  From that point on, the TV was usually on this movie. 
Now, I don't have cable anymore but I do still pop this in on Christmas Eve and sometimes will let it play some on Christmas morning.  Here lately though I like to play the Christmas specials of certain TV shows.  Such as: Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. 

Drink: Red wine, it's my favorite so it's what I love to have while relaxing the night before a crazy morning of cooking and entertaining.
     
That's it, that's my Christmas movie list starting on December 10th.  It's been pretty solid for most of my life now, with only a few fluctuations.  I can't complain, I have great taste. :) 

x Brittany
     
  
  

My Geeky Drunk Life: The Scott Pilgrim

The first drink to debut for The Pilgrimage is obviously The Scott Pilgrim. 

The drink is a twist on a normal gin and tonic.  If you are familiar with the movie, you know that a G&T is Scott's drunk drink of choice.  You would also know that the color red runs throughout the movie, making it the perfect color for Scott's drink.  

The Scott Pilgrim

• 2 oz. Gin
• Tonic water (personal judgment on amount)
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup
• About 2 teaspoons of powdered cherry koolaid*

Stir together and serve with 1-2 ice cubes.
Garnish with either a raspberry or blueberry.  (The fruit garnish is also really good soaked in the drink). 

*The powder may stain fingers, so be careful


This drink is both sweet and tart, kinda like Scott Pilgrim.  Making it the perfect drink for him.

Enjoy! (:

xBrittany

The Pilgrimage

It's the Pilgrimage! 

On the 7th of each month the boyfriend and I have a little "holiday" we like to celebrate called the Pilgrimage.  The Pilgrimage is really just an excuse for us to watch one of our favorite movies, eat garlic bread, and drink.  That's really all I ask for in a holiday to begin with.

The movie that we honor on this day is Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.

This movie is one of my all time favorites.
It's full of everything I love: genuine humor (my kind of humor at least), geekiness, Anna Kendrick being adorable, Michael Cera being his clueless self, Aubrey Plaza being bitchy, Jason Schwartzman being evil, pop culture references out the wazoo, and good music.

If you've never seen it you're missing out.  If you've seen it and don't get/like it, then we can't ever be friends.  It's genius.

If you'd like to participate and make it your own tradition please do.
It's the 7th of every month (obviously because of the "7 evil ex's"), you can make your own or buy garlic bread (just remember that bread makes you fat), and you watch the movie at 7 (duh).  You could even play a video game or two mentioned in the movie.      
    If you're like us and days slip by sometimes without you realizing it and you miss the 7th of the month, just do it on the 14th, still counts.  Otherwise, wait until the next month and try again.

To make the day even more special and geeky, I am in the works of making an alcoholic drink to go along with the different characters in the movie.  Look for the first one to be revealed later today!

xBrittany

Music Monday: 2

It was hard for me to pick a song today.  I am happy with what I decided on though. 

 

This is "Heartbeats" by The Knife.  

The song is pretty self-explanatory, so I'll leave it at that.   

xBrittany

Saw, Pinned, Tried: Banana Pancakes

Disclaimer:  I'm a waffle lover.  Waffles > Pancakes. (Leslie Knope approves).

That being said, I do not yet own a waffle iron.  I do have a griddle that I love, yet have rarely used in the past, apartment living made me lazy.  Now that I am actually living in a house though with a functional kitchen and plenty of counter space, I try to break out the griddle every now and then.

Disclaimer #2:  I've never really been a breakfast person.  All through high school and college breakfast for me pretty much just equaled 2 cups (or 5 cups) of coffee.  Then I began my love affair with the concept of brunch.  You don't have to wake up super early for it (especially if you live in a big city like Nashville.)  For breakfast you had to make it to a restaurant before 10 sometimes 9 AM.  It's more socially acceptable to consume alcohol with brunch than with breakfast.  Brunch: 2 Breakfast: 0.  I could keep going, but I think you get the point.

Both of these "disclaimers" lead to the point of this post:
I woke up early this morning and made pancakes for breakfast.  I know, shocking.  I still can't believe it.

The boy and I are trying to be more frugal and resourceful with our meals now.  We are cooking pretty much everyday now and making set schedules in weekly intervals.  I'm pretty proud of us, we've been sticking to $100 for a weeks worth of meals and it feels good.  Because of this decision I've been browsing Pinterest for meal ideas.

That's when I came across this blogger who kinda does the same thing we are trying, but she's doing it for a whole family and on a cheaper budget.  One of her breakfast options was for banana pancakes.  I thought they sounded really good for some reason and I was hoping that the banana in them would make me like them more so I gave it a shot.
I made a few variations from the recipe she used so I'll post what I did below.


Banana Pancakes (Makes about 10)

Ingredients:
      For Pancakes
       - 1 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour (spooned into measuring cup and leveled)
       - 2 tablespoons sugar
       - 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
       - 1/2 teaspoon salt
       - 1 over-ripe banana
       - 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
       - 2 large eggs
       - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
       - dash of cinnamon (optional)
       - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

      For Cooking
       -Vegetable oil or Coconut oil
       -Butter
 
      For Serving (Optional)
       - Syrup
       - Sliced bananas
       - Powdered sugar
       - Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a small bowl, mash banana with a fork until almost smooth (the more over-ripe the banana, the easier this step is).  Whisk in eggs, then milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.  The cinnamon is a personal preference, and I don't really measure it.  Just do what feels right, or leave it out, they taste fine without it.  Whisk until blended.  
3. Pour banana mixture and melted butter into flour mixture.  Fold batter with rubber spatula until blended.  Careful not to over-mix.  The batter should be thick and lumpy (See below).
4. Set a griddle or skillet over medium heat until hot.  Put a pad of butter and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil onto griddle and swirl around.  I draw a picture of a tree, but that's just me...
5. Drop the batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto griddle.  Cook until a few holes form on top (about 2 minutes).  Flip and cook 1-2 minutes more.
6. Wipe griddle clean with paper towels between sets of pancakes and repeat steps 4-6 until batter is gone.
7. Serve hot and top with desired toppings.  

This is how the batter should look.  Think and lumpy.

Nice and golden!  Yummy.

As you can see, it makes plenty!  They are also very filling.

I topped mine with fresh banana slices, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and lots of syrup.

While neither the boy nor I are big pancake fans we both really liked these!  They are easy to make and don't leave you hungry an hour later like some pancakes do.  The recipe is also really easy to double, that way you can freeze the leftovers for an easy go-to breakfast during the week.  

Pairs nicely with a bold coffee and an episode of Once Upon A Time.  Enjoy! (: 

xBrittany

Music Monday

Going to try something that will make sure I post to the blog at least once a week!  Music Monday!  Every Monday I will post a song that's either:
 A) Stuck in my head
 B) Is a representation of how my day is going
 C) Something I think needs to be heard

That being said...today's song is Rom Say Sok by Dengue Fever

I chose this song today because it's a rainy Monday here in the mountains but this song lifts my spirits!  They have a lot of other great songs so be sure to check them out!  Enjoy (:

xBrittany

March Wishlist

I LOVE winter.  It's my second favorite season.

That being said, I'm pretty excited about spring.  Mainly because new dresses and skirts come out.  I hate wearing pants, but I love layers.  All reasons as to why I'm looking forward to springtime. 
Here are some items I'm loving, and lusting after, at the moment. 

1.  Map Necklace from Modcloth
2.  Black Leather Look Brogues from Lucy In The Sky
3.  Dino Dress from Koshka
4.  Moonchild Skater Dress from Sourpuss Clothing
5.  Cardigan Sweater from Shoppe by Scout Mob
6.  Friends Cast Stud Earrings from TheFoxyHipster on Etsy
7.  Horoscope Tee from Modcloth
8.  Jade Wavelengths Dress from Modcloth

It's pretty clear that I like quirky clothing, which is why all of these websites are amazing!
Definitely check them out!

xBrittany