Boxwood Clippings

My goodness, I don’t usually get the ‘Winter Blues’, but this year I’m praying Spring shows her face early this year. Here are a few things that I’ve been loving this month, simple necessities to see me through.

1. Nightly bath with gorgeous products: to warm up and relax

2. A cozy book: to take me somewhere else

3. Fluffy slippers: to keep me snug

4. Enticing Drama’s: to help entertain

5. Green smoothies: to make up for all the carbs!

What are your survival secrets?

Just a heads up that Amazon has some fab mp3 albums on sale today for only $2.99. My top pick is Dirty Dancing, classic.

See HERE for entire collection.

Thanks Hip2Save!

In our opinion, a perfect gift is a little splurge for the recipient that they usually wouldn’t buy for themselves.

Today we’d like to share a few of our crowd favorites that everyone is sure to love…including your wallet!

Anthropologie mugs $6

We think this is the perfect gift. Last year Sarah gave them to our whole family. It’s so fun to have matching mugs, and Brad and I love having a cup of hot cocoa together after date night.

Notebook $2.99

We cannot get enough notebooks and love to give them as gifts. This one is from Target and SO cute for only $2.99. There’s something therapeutic about starting a new notebook at the start of a new year, don’t you think?

Zipper Lighters $6.31

Zipper lighters are our fave. Stylish and chic, we just love to have them in our kitchen drawer.

New Tunes around $10

The gift of music is underestimated in our eyes. We are old school and love nothing more than receiving a favorite CD from a loved one.

If your recipient is solely digital, you can’t go wrong with an itunes gift card, so they can pick out their own tunes (this is a especially great for any teen).

Starbucks Gift Card $5-$10

During this recession, many have eliminated from their budgets a favorite treat. A Starbucks gift card can always be used for a warm drink and sugary treat on a cold day.

We hope you found this roundup handy and inspiring to know you don’t have to break the bank to give a great gift!

Tis’ officially the season of Christmas tunes, and boy does it feel good! We thought it’d be fun to narrow down our absolute favorites for a go-to play list this season, here are our picks:

Sarah’s top 10:

It’s Beginning To look A Lot Like Christmas – Michael Buble

I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Johnny Mathis

Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan

Christmas Day – She & Him

Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas – Bing Cosby

Do They Know It’s Christmas Time – Band Aid

White Christmas – The Driffers

It Feels Like Christmas – The Muppets

O Holy Night – Nat King Cole

Em’s Top 10:

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Michael Buble

 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Glee: The Christmas Album

Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

Wonderful Christmas Time- Paul McCartney

White Christmas – Otis Redding

Carol of the Bells – The Calling

Oh Holy Night - Lea Michelle

Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

Sleigh Ride – Ella Fitzgerald

Ha, we only have one the exact same..not bad for sisters. But really, I couldn’t let Sarah steal the Carpenter’s now could I?

Are these your faves too, or do you have others? We’d love to hear!

In the past little while, we’ve been really enjoying watching some of the British comedies I grew up with. They helps us unwind after a stressful day, and a half hour show is a perfect night cap! This is slightly problematic coz have to play them on my laptop since they are uk dvds so our ‘no tv in the bedroom’ rule is kinda being broken, as the bed is too comfy to resist. :)

Another downside is that my laptop was getting way overheated, so one night I thought of using a cooling rack to help it ventilate. It works perfectly, and has permanently moved from the kitchen to my nightstand. I love quick and free fixes!

We’re also in the market for an external speaker, to amp up the tunes. This one (found HERE) as been a hit in our sista’s home, and for around $20 I think we’ll give it a whirl.

Simple pleasures peeps, simple pleasures!

If  you have a lazy Saturday planned ahead, you may want to take advantage of this fantastic deal to catch up on some of this years Oscar Nominated films.

The ticket is only $20 and includes 5 films: The Tree of Life, Midnight in Paris, Hugo, The Artist and The Descendants.

They’re also offering great discounts on concessions: $1 refills on purchased large drink (1st refill is free), $2 on purchased large popcorn (1st refill is free), and regular hot dogs are only $2. For more info of this offer, see HERE.

But make up your mind quickly, this deal won’t last long :)

Hello everyone, I hope you’ve all had a lovely Christmas and are still enjoying the season. Both of us have been camped out at our parents the past few days with the siblings, having lots of fun, and eating way too much.

Yesterday we ventured out to watch the new Tin Tin Movie. Having been a huge fan when I was little, I was both excited and nervous to see the results of the film. I’m pleased to say it was incredible. The animation was insanely brilliant, and the story and characters followed true to the books. It’s a sure winner for both the kiddies and adults.

There’s a list of good movies I’m excited to see this season, what have you guys been watching?

There are so many Christmas movies out there, and I love a lot of them. Lets face it’s a great it’s a great subject, and I enjoy all the different takes on the season, but there are only a few movies that are a MUST watch this time of year, so here they are my six favs, will you join me for the countdown?

No. 6 Santa Clause the Movie: not to be confused with The Santa Clause, I’m talking Dudley Moore NOT Tim Allen. This was my childhood favorite, I’ve never seen a North Pole so magical it still makes me giddy:)

No. 5 The Family Man: I’ll love Nicolas Cage forever because of this role. An endearing story of past and present, and all that’s important in life.

No. 4: Little Women: An affectionate story about sisters, growing up, highs and lows. They had me at sisters, but add victorian scenery and fashion and I’m sold!

No. 3: The Holiday: A realistic observation of England vs. America, and the charm of both. Add a romantic Jude Law, and to die for set design, and you’ve made me a classic.

No.2 Elf: Hilarious, Movies don’t get much funnier than this. I’ll watch it any time of the year when I need a good giggle.

No 1. The Muppet Christmas Carol: Our Families all time Classic, is the twist on the old classic. Dicken’s story told true, with the humor of the Muppets. I’m not kidding when I say I’ve seen grown men cry watching this. The music with tug on your heart strings, it’s a goodie!

There you go, that’s my countdown…and I’m realizing there’s so many more I LOVE (Home Alone…hello!). I’m sure we have some faves in common, but have your own too. Now go snuggle up by your tree and turn on a good flick!

I’m doing some decorating today, listening to this guy.

He’s amazeballs!

I love a good movie to get me in the mood for a season, and I have a couple of trusty faves for fall.

The first, is one of my favorite movies of all time: When Harry Met Sally. I watch this movie over and over again, I just love the interaction between the two characters; any movie that you can laugh and cry at is a winner in my book. New York in the fall is a perfect setting for the most heart-warming part in the movie, when two finally become friends.

The second movie, is Stepmom. I was talking about this with my sister the other day, because neither of us really love or relate the story line but we both watch and enjoy. For me, I think it’s the coziness of the home that Susan Sarandon character creates: home cooked meals, handmade costumes, school plays, and hanging out in pj’s.

(all of the above images found on imdb.com)

As far as movie houses are concerned, I’d choose the east coast home in Marley & Me for my fall residence.

Doesn’t it look perfect to host a Thanksgiving feast?

image via amazon

Academy Award winner, The King’s Speech is based on the true story of King George VI.  I loved the acting (Helena Bonham Carter was AMAZING), and the plot line, but mostly how well the film gave me an insight to London in the 1930′s.  It just became available at Redbox.

image via dancerindc.wordpress.com

Another Academy Award winner, The Young Victoria is a must see.  I absolutely loved this story portraying Queen Victoria’s first years as queen and her romance with Prince Albert.

image via imdb.com

Helen Mirren plays an excellent Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen.  The movie is a drama about the royal family’s reaction to the death of Princess Diana within the family, as well as with the Prime Minister and the people of the UK.

image via smartcine.com

Both Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age are a wonderful depiction of Queen Elizabeth I.  The history, the romance, the costumes, we love it all.  Definitely a must see.

There’s only a few days to get your royal movie fix before the big day!  What are your royal movie faves?

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, here are a few extra reasons to love Ireland this season.

see:

listen:

read:

all images from amazon.com

You can find all of the above at Amazon or check out your local library.  Let us know if you love them as much as us!