CHEER: MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES + MUSIC

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One of my favorite things to do during Christmas is cozy up with my husband and watch Christmas movies, or eat dinner over the tunes of my favorite Christmas songs. For me, there's nothing quite like a classic movie or song to put me in the Christmas spirit. This year, while Jon and I decorated our Christmas tree, we put on our all time favorite holiday movie, Scrooged, with Bill Murray. I cannot express to you how hilarious I find this movie. I love it! Jon and I love showing this movie to friends who've never seen it before. We've been able to convince a couple people that it's their new favorite Christmas movie too. ;)

And for the first time today, I watched Christmas Vacation. I'm ashamed to say I've never seen it before! How did this happen? It was hilarious and Chevy Chase is insane! It's so funny to watch him in Community and then see him in Christmas Vacation. :) For today's 12 Days of Christmas Cheer, we decided to share our favorite Christmas movies and songs. :) Later today, checkout Jenny's blog to see her choices!

Favorite Christmas movies: 1// The Santa Clause 2// Elf 3// Scrooged 4// The Grinch 5// Home Alone Favorite Christmas Songs: 1// "Pennies from Heaven" - Louis Prima 2// "White Christmas" - Bing Crosby 3// "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Frank Sinatra 4// "Santa Baby" - Marilyn Monroe 5// "Carol of the Bells" - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

What are your favorite Christmas movies and songs?? Please share in the comments below! And don't forget to follow along with our Christmas Cheer series on our Facebook page!

LISTENING TO THE SEASON

This month, some of my sponsors are sharing their favorite autumn song. I love finding that one song that you could listen to over and over again. It seems to embody the season and your place in life. I love making music a memory trigger for a special time in my life. Take a listen to this short playlist by my sponsors and get to know some new faces. :)

1// Cats & Dogs by The Head & the Heart ---> "This band evokes so many romantic, comfy and relaxed emotions. To me, this is what fall is in a nutshell." - Maddie of Thriftary [Blog & Facebook]

2// The Rocky Road to Dublin' by The Dubliners ---> "I picked this song because I ADORE Celtic music and because this song makes me think of warm pubs and yummy Irish food." - Leah of Unearthing Words [Site & Goodreads]

3// Wonder by Emeli Sande ---> "Emeli entertains us with her big band, yet blues-y style and lyrics that uplift and encourage the everyday girl. Wonder is a feel-good song that breathes musical notes into the sheer wonder and mystery of life - reminding us to take heart and not let life's struggles over shadow the beauty of the journey." Emily & Allie of The Wonder List [Blog & Facebook]

4// Desperado by The Eagles ---> "Lately I've been listening to this song a lot for some reason. A sweet friend sent me an amazing mix in the mail to cheer my up and this song was on it. It's just calming and a nice jam to work to...plus I might enjoy pretending I'm an awesome singer and blurt out the words as loud as possibly ;)." - Dana of Wonder Forest [Blog & Shop]

5// Home by Phil Phillips ---> "I love the idea of family and friends coming back together during the fall for parties, laughter and fellowship together." - Kate of Revelrey [Blog & Twitter]

   

What are you listening to this season?

I Like That Tune: Madeleine Peyroux

I can't remember when I first heard Madeleine's music, but I remember how her rich, soulful voice and jazzy music immediately caught my attention. Her music is romantic, old-school, and perfect for that nighttime, classy party on a roof-top.

If you haven't been acquainted yet, I'd like to introduce you to Madeleine Peyroux for my "I Like That Tune" feature. :) -- Oh, and her cover of Elliot Smith's Between the Bars (last video) is gorgeous... 

I'm All Right

J'ai Deux Amours

(Cover) Between the Bars

I Like that Tune: First Aid Kit

 Music has always been a huge part of my life, from dancing around the house to Tom Petty as a child, growing up with classic rock as important part of our household, learning how to play my first instrument, seeing my siblings excel in music, and living for those moments when I find a (new to me) band and get swept away in their melody...

I certainly don't proclaim to be a music expert by any means, but I have a GIGANTIC love for it and would love to share some of my most favorite musicians with you here and there. :)

I'd like to introduce my first favorite tunes feature: First Aid Kit

Sisters Johanna and Klara make up the acoustic folk band, First Aid Kit. They are INCREDIBLE live and have absolutely beautiful voices, especially when they're harmonizing together. There's always something special about siblings harmonizing musically. In my opinion, it's pretty much magic. :) The following are a couple of my most favorite songs by Johanna and Klara:

Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Cover)

I Met Up With the King

Ghost Town

What bands are currently on your most played list?

Top 25 Most Played

The weather is stunning in San Antonio right now. Too bad I can't enjoy it more! I've been working long days in "video village" running through tech rehearsals for Seminar. Yesterday, I got to see the logo I designed for Seminar up on the gigantic LED screen in the theatre...it was so overwhelming to see my work in my face like that...wow! While working, I've been listening to my playlist over and over again and I thought I would share my Top 25 Most Played song on iTunes. Do we have any in common??

25 - Strange & Unprepared by Copeland | You Are My Sunshine

24 - Chupee - Cocoon | My Friends All Died in a Plane Crash
23 - I'm Going Home - Tim Curry | Rocky Horror Picture Show
22 - Garbage Truck - Sex Bob-Omb | Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
21 - Gold Guns And Girls - Metric | Fantasies
20 - Dog Days a Over - Florence And The Machines | Lungs
19 - Go - The Civil Wars | Poison & Wine EP
18 - La Vie En Rose - Pomplamoose | Cover

17 - When We First Met - Hellogoodbye | Would It Kill You
16 - Owls - Cocoon | My Friends All Died in a Plane Crash
15 - Seesaw - Cocoon | My Friends All Died in a Plane Crash
14 - Innocent - Taylor Swift | Speak Now

13 - Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons | Sigh No More
12 - I Don't Feel It Anymore - William Fitzsimmons | The Sparrow And The Crow
11 - Eclipse (All Yours) - Metric | The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
10 - Tip Of My Tongue - The Civil Wars | Poison & Wine EP
09 - Just A Boy - Angus & Julia Stone | A Book Like This
08 - Help I'm Alive - Metric | Fantasies
07 - The Funeral - Band of Horses | Everything All The Time
06 - I Can Make You a Man - Tim Curry | Rocky Horror Picture Show
05 - Collect Call - Metric | Fantasies
04 - Pressing Flowers - The Civil Wars | Poison & Wine EP
03 - Black Sheep - Metric | Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

02 - Poison & Wine - The Civil Wars | Poison & Wine EP
01 - Betrayed by Bones - Hellogoodbye | Would it Kill You

I feel like Sigur Ros, Jonsi & MGMT should be on here too...Have any band suggestions or favorite songs right now?? I'll do a San Antonio picture post soon and let you see where I'm working! Cheers.

The dog days are over

Happy birthday to my beautiful best friend Jenny. You are inspirational, creative, and I am out-of-my-mind-excited about the direction and goals we have dreamed up together over many Starbucks drinks! There are big, big things in the future and I could not ask for a better friend or creative mind to do this with. Love you, birthday girl!!

Our current theme song: This makes me want to run around my home dancing like I ain't ever had a lesson. 

Home is Whenever I'm With You

There is something magical about this song. I am thinking about giving up my lease and moving into this music video.

Also, it makes me want to cuddle up in pajamas with my husband.