Blogmas Day #21: My Favourite Christmas Films

Hi guys!

Apologies that this post has come so late! I was working tonight and I was absolutely shattered! I came in, had dinner, then a bath and then watched the Apprentice final until 11pm but now I have gotten the chance at last as I'm tucked up in bed for the night! I get the first lie-in now tomorrow (thanks to the holidays) in an absolute AGE which is simply brilliant! 

For today's post, I decided that I would share with you my five favourite films I like to watch around Christmas time! I actually haven't seen THAT many Christmas movies, so there are some glaring omissions such as The Grinch, Nativity and Frozen, but luckily I have very much seen these ones and look forward to watching them every year!

So, without further ado...

Alvin and the Chipmunks

YES okay this isn't actually a Christmas film per se, but like a whole number of loosely-tied tracks counted as Christmas songs, I count this due to it's festive scenes woven in amongst the madness! Some people will absolutely cringe at the entire concept and will find the accompanying soundtrack barely audible, but for me it's a total guilty pleasure! The Christmas song they sing ('Christmas Don't Be Late' I believe it's called) is utterly infectious and charming, and the other Christmas related scenes are so joyous as well, I love watching this at Christmas time! Sadly the sequels lacked the same magic as this first one.

A Christmas Carol

I'm pretty sure this tale is absolutely etched into every human beings mind even before the age of about eight! Calling someone who is anti-Christmas a 'Scrooge' is very much part of our terminology, and this very recognisable plot, courtesy of Charles Dickens, has very much stood the test of time and is now a Christmas staple each year. The heartwarming story of the change in Scrooge's attitude is simply magical since this turnaround seemed virtually impossible, ultimately emulating the euphoric feeling of the day itself.

Elf

If there were a 'Christmas Films' category on Family Fortunes, I'm pretty sure this one would come out top as it's immediately adored and remembered each Christmas. This film is so omnipresent every year yet we never seem to tire of it! Buddy's childlike enthusiasm for Christmas is just so endearing and I feel like I still have that childlike part in me, where I will always be counting down the days until Christmas for years to come. So much warmth!

The Polar Express

I can remember the first time I ever watched this, at my nan and granddad's house with them quite a few years ago. I remember being completely blown away at the time by how magical it all felt! A really poignant part of the film was the bell and how only those who truly believed in the whole North Pole/Santa/Elves would hear it. I remember my nan and grandad giving me and my brother real-life versions of this bell and thinking it was the best thing ever! Once again, so much Christmas magic that really gets me in the spirit!

The Snowman

Lastly, The Snowman is simply a classic, along with the choral 'Walking in the Air' that accompanies it. It's such a cute little story, with the sweet friendship of the boy and the snowman, as they fly through the town, which is completely elevated by 'Walking in the Air'. The ending is rather sad, but this animated tale truly has some magical moments. I'm still yet to see The Snowman and the Snowdog, though!

That's all for today, I hope you all enjoyed! What are your favourite Christmas films?

Thanks for reading,

Jade xx

Blogmas Day #20: Festive Music Recommendations

Hi guys!

I have previously brought you a music related Blogmas post before in the form of my 'My Top Christmas Tunes' but being such a music lover and working at HMV means the Christmas albums/compilations are being HAMMERED and bought all the time, so as I have been working all day I thought it would be appropriate.

Now That's What I Call Christmas gets the usual re-release each year usually with the addition of one or two songs like the ones from the John Lewis adverts or some other modern tunes with the right exposure (Tom Odell, Band Aid 30, Leona Lewis and Kelly Clarkson's recent festive tracks all need additions soon!). The current compilation is probably the best you'll find in terms of the mixture of classics and also newbies, what with the wonderful John Lennon's seventies classic opening disc one, and Gabrielle Aplin's 2012 cover being the closer. Disc one is STELLAR, disc two and three are a bit more patchy but you'll still find gems within it. With the likes of Lennon, The Pogues and Wizzard, of course I'm sold! Even if work has it on repeat for seven hours...

Another compilation here, named after the instantly recognisable Bing Crosby mega-hit. This track listing is rather interesting as new festive Frozen favourite Idina Menzel's modern take of the Crosby classic is the top of the list, closely followed by Buble. Some of the classics are in there (The Pogues) as well as some horrors (Tom Jones/Cerys Matthews rendition of 'Baby It's Cold Outside' *shudders*). However, there are some lesser known festive tracks that aren't quite radio staples such as 'Home for Christmas' by Kate Bush, making this one more of a unique listen. Plus it's a slash of the price!

This one or the 1994 'Merry Christmas' album are interchangeable, as they're both enjoyable. However, the brilliant track 'Oh Santa!' is only on this one. Mariah's second stunt at Christmas queen with this release (courtesy of featured music video with Bieber) was a stroke of genius, maybe just for 'Oh Santa!' alone. SERIOUSLY it's such an infectious track, even moreso with the dance-heavy music video! Her classic 'All I Want For Christmas' is also on here and that saccharine but accepted festive staple is also another reason to purchase alone. 

If you're one who prefers more of a relaxing soundtrack, then this one is for you. I do quite love classical music myself, just because it's so chill out, and those harmonies are glorious. This album teams all the most recognisable mainstream classical artists today, such as the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Josh Groban, Alfie Boe and talent show alumni such as Jonathan & Charlotte, Richard & Adam, Collabro, Lucy Kay and of course, Susan Boyle! Some really gorgeous renditions of festive radio staples and carols.

A 21st century Christmas just wouldn't be a 21st century Christmas without a bit of Buble! While some moments are a bit cringe (such as the exchanges in 'Jingle Bells' between him and the girls), his vocals are just liquid gold, and combined with some Christmas classics covers and a dollop of dramatic production, it's a brilliant soundtrack to accompany the wintery days and nights. It's always amusing seeing Tanya Burr and Jim blasting this for vlogmas too!

I hope you guys liked my recommendations! Do you own any of these albums?

Jade xx

Blogmas Day #19: Christmas Holidays!

Hi guys!

I hope you're all good! I'm feeling absolutely fantastic now as it's the Christmas holidays, meaning it's two weeks off school! It's so weird that it was my last Christmas at school though, as next year I'll be at Uni! Speaking of Uni, one great thing today was finding out that I'd got a Uni offer, meaning I've got an offer and four interviews for my other ones, as it's a journalism course. So yes that was a brilliant thing to find out!

Of course, the last day of school is a bit of a doss. It was lovely and Christmassy though, the usual bog standard Friday assembly was enhanced a bit by Christmas music. Sociology was then spent with unhealthy snacks and MULTIPLE games of the APP Heads Up! and it was so much fun, I of course had to do the music one each time, although the Christmas category was thrown in too!

A double free next was a godsend, and this is usually our weekly road trip to McDonalds which is always fab. Then extended project was spent watching Tracy Beaker, such a productive day! The last part of the day was a Christmas quiz between all the forms in year thirteen, and I seemed to know that Bob the Builder was Christmas number one in 2000, yet didn't know the names of the reindeer, oops. It was a lovely end to the day, especially when accompanied by so much Christmas chocolate!

Right now it's lovely just being able to chill-out watching the Christmas music channels and blogging, whilst of course donning my Christmas jumper again! I definitely feel like spending my wages on a takeaway tonight (yes, they already are going on food, oops) and then relaxing in front of the likes of Gogglebox and Eastenders.                        

Unfortunately tomorrow will not be a lie-in as the weekend is just work work work right now, but with two weeks off, I will be reunited with lie-ins again thank goodness, it's been too long! My grandma and great grandma come home from Spain tomorrow though which is so exciting, and we're going out for a Christmassy meal with my nan and grandad on Monday so the next few days will be very family orientated! Work usually features Christmas music on repeat and Christmas in retail is of course a NIGHTMARE so I will be swept off my feet! So excited for next Thursday, though and in the meantime I'll be catching up on my sleep!

Are any of you guys off school/Uni/work now also? Looking forward to the big day next Thursday?

Thank you for reading,

Jade xx

Blogmas Day #18: 10 Gift Ideas for £10 and under!

Hi guys!

Today I thought I'd set myself the challenge of finding some rather Christmassy items/gift-sets that were appropriate to give to someone you care for on the big day. However, I thought I'd go one step further and instead find ten items that all came to no more than £10!

So, without further ado...

1. John Lewis Monty & Mabel: Monty's Christmas Book - £8.99 (John Lewis)

2. Frozen Elsa Mug - £8.00 (Disney Store)

3. Yankee Candle Regular Tumbler Candle - Black Cherry - £9.95 (Boots)

4. Now That's What I Call Christmas by Various Artists CD - £10.00 (Amazon)

5. Pale Blue High Neck Snowflake Sparkle Jumper - £8.00 (New Look)

6. Snowflake Jewellery Gift Set - £8.00 (Claire's Accessories)

7. Blue Reverse Knit Beanie - £3.99 (Select)

8. Soap and Glory Your Own Sweet Lime Gift Set - £10.00 (Boots)

9. 30 Personalised Christmas Love Hearts (With Festive Ribbon) - £9.99 (Lovehearts Online Store)

10. Tanya Burr Cosmetics Mistletoe Kisses Lipgloss - £6.99 (Superdrug)

I hope you guys enjoyed my picks! What are your favourites?

Thanks for reading,

Jade xx 

Blogmas Day #17: Festive Nails

Hi guys!

I hope you're all well, today's been very productive for me so I'm feeling good! I'm watching a Christmas music channel, so I'm definitely in the Blogmas mood right now! Today for Blogmas, I thought I'd make it more beauty orientated, as I haven't really done a beauty Blogmas post thus far. I do rather love nail polish, so I thought I'd select my most Christmassy ones, whether that be colours associated or sparkly! I hope you guys enjoy.

So, without further ado...

Last year for Christmas I got the Nails Inc. 5 polish 'Best Dressed Nails' set and this red glittery one is SO nice! It's the Nails Inc. London 'Special Effects' polish. I currently have it on top of my other red polish (which is also to come) and it looks fab!

Next up is this glorious green polish! It is the Bourjois shock resistant nail enamel (#37) in this gorgeous colour. The nail wand is so thick which effortlessly glides across the nail with plenty of polish! This emerald shade also has a glittery tinge to it, and is a wonderful colour around Christmas time!

Next up is another one of my lovely Nails Inc polishes! This one is once again very glittery, but it's SO cool as all the glitter is multicoloured! This polish in particular is called 'graffiti' and once again looks incredible over the top of a base colour! 

Over summer my essential polish was my mint green Essie one, however, as soon as summer ended it was time to switch things up, and what took it's place was this incredibly glamorous red! It is 17 High Gloss Nail Polish in the 'Risky Red' shade. It is looking so lush during the winter months and even matches my Christmas jumper! Great stuff.

Okay I may have a (slight) obsession with my Nails Inc polishes at Christmas time! This one is called 'Fibre Optic' and is full of silver glittery loveliness! This shade is practically made for Christmas time, once again such a good addition to a base colour, or even a few coats on it's own!

I really should have re-done my nails before taking this photo as they're SO chipped, but these are my current polishes! It's the Risky Red 17 one with a bit of Nails Inc 'Special Effect' polish on top. It's come off a lot though, so it will definitely need repainting tonight!

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this, what are your favourite polishes at Christmas time?

Thanks for reading,

Jade xx

Blogmas Day #16: Christmas Confectionary

Hi guys!

One of the greatest (but also not too great for those on diets) excuses at Christmas is the sheer amount of CONFECTIONARY you get to eat! There's so much decked around our house, I'm so so guilty of this!

So bad but so good! The Christmas period allows me to scoff to my heart's content. Have you already started doing the same?

Thanks for reading,

Jade xx

Blogmas Day #15: Christmas Reactions

Hi guys!

I got in from school today, and I came home to my brother (spending his day off college very productively!) watching videos of children reacting either quite bratty or super cute to opening the Christmas presents they'd got. I found it so interesting and entertaining so I wanted to share some of them with you! He was watching the Jimmy Kimmel 'I Gave My Kids a Terrible Present' prank videos, so I've selected some of those. Also, my favourite one of these kind of videos is the one Zoella made of her and her brother Joe opening presents from the years of their home videos as kids, and it's so sweet! So, here are some of those videos to keep you entertained!

I hope you enjoyed watching these! Gotta love a bit of Zoella and kids being pranked! What are your favourite Christmas videos to watch?

Thanks for reading,

Jade xx