The Best of the Hallmark Christmas Cringe!

I have found that one of the best things about Christmas time, is the hallmark movies. You know the kind. Bad acting, cringy moments, the same story line reused in every. single. movie. All of them usually have a slightly annoying little girl who is the daughter of the hero, or the niece of the heroine. It often involves a big city girl learning to appreciate small town values. There's usually a wood-chopping scene (you know the one I'm talking about XD). I don't know why, but I loooooove hallmark movies. They're fun, for the most part pretty clean, and who doesn't love to laugh at all the cringy, stupid moments that comes with every movie. 

As soon as December hits, one of the best way to spend a lazy evening is to binge hallmark Christmas movies with my mom and sister. So! I have made a list of my favorite Christmas hallmark movies so that you too, may binge the cringe!   

1.) The Holiday Calendar

This one is probably on of my top favorites. For one thing, the acting isn't that bad, and the terrible cringy moments are minimal, so it's a little more enjoyable ;) And it's just all around very sweet and happy. Also, for some reason the main character reminds me of myself. I mean, photographer who lives in a cute apartment? Yes, yes. I approve :) 

(Also the romance in this one is the adorablest) 

2.) The Knight Before Christmas

I loooooooove this one!! It's sweet, and adorable, and extremely quotable. "As you're people say, he did a number on your self esteem babe!"

And of course, you have your snow storm rescue, and your oh-so-overused "I slipped but its ok, cus the debonair hero caught me" 

And who could say no to such an awkwardly adorable medieval knight?

3.) The Princess Switch

Even though it's another one of your basic you-look-like-me-lets-switch-places story lines, this one is quite sweet and a very nice chill watch. All the lovely princessy, snowy kingdom, mistletoe-y vibes can be found here. 

And there you have it! So tell me! Do you like Hallmark Christmas movies? What are some of your favorites? Hope you're all well! xxx, Bella

I am Indeed, Alive! + ITS ALMOST CHRISTMAS

Well hello there! It's me, the author of this blog, who apparently has not seen fit to post anything for 3 months (whoops)...

It seems that #life can be a little obtrusive when it comes to ones writing and blogging plans. Like what do you mean I have to go to work and keep up with school and be a responsible adult??

But!! My time of suffering has ended! Finals are done, the semester is over!! LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN!! 

Can anyone believe that we are already to Christmas! I mean, we have 10 days until Christmas!! wHat??! 

Is anyone else super excited?! I love Christmas shopping, and hot coco and snow and cookies and Christmas movies, and basically all that Christmassy stuff :)

Well, I don't have much to say in this particular post, but I thought I would pop in to let you all know that I am alive, and will hopefully be getting back into the swing of blogging! I will return with more Christmassy posts soon! Hope you're all doing amazing! xxx, B

Tell me what you are thinking in the comments! I love talking to you guys!

Penelope // Movie Review

So I've had this movie recomended to me several times, but for awhile I was a little hesitant to watch it because I've heard it was weird. Well the other day I saw it on Netflix and thought what the heck, why not? So I watched it, and oh my goodness I'm so glad I did!! It's such a cute, whimsical, funny little movie!! So I though I'd pop on here and fangirl about it a little bit before telling you to go watch it! :)

So basically, Penelope was cursed to be born with the nose of a pig, and the curse will only be broken once she marries one of her own kind, a blue blood. Of course, getting someone to marry you when you look like a pig is no easy task, and therein lies the plot!

So for starters, I will admit that this movie is indeed a little weird, the beginning especially. But if you can get past the first five minutes, it's pretty smooth sailing from thereon out.

(also this is gonna be less of a review and more of me talking about my favorite bits, so yeah ;))

So first of all, Penelope is really cute, whether she has a pig nose or not. And also, can we all agree, that while the nose is a little weird, it's not exactly 'throw yourself out the window' terrifying. Just sayin'. 

Ok, and even though she drove me up the wall sometimes, you can't help but find Penelope's mom pretty funny. I mean, yes she is really annoying and sometimes you just want to strangle her, but she does have some pretty great lines. "What!? I'm her mother! That's what mothers do with their daughters, they talk about how to look prettier!"  

Ok, now the part where I get to fangirl!!

Eeeeek!!! Ok, I looooove Max so stinkin' much!! He's literally the cutest and his relationship with Penelope is so sweet!! I mean, THE CONVERSATION DURING THE CHESS GAME!!! Gaaah, I fangirled so hard XD. Also the You are my Sunshine part was so cute!

I mean, look at that face!! ^.^ <3 <3

I also really loved that he's not the perfect Prince Charming either. Max has a gambling problem, and in the beginning doesn't really seem to have his life together. And then he meets Penelope, and I won't tell you the rest cuz spoilers, but it's da best ^.^

Also, Lemon is hilarious! He's probably got some of the funniest lines in the movie. "Edward...Don't lick Max." Also, the scene where he finds out stuff, and he goes and talks to Max in the theater was really cute. And the end scene with the rowboat!! I love it! :D

I also really really loved the overall fantasy feel of the movie. The scene where Penelope opens to gate up to the huge city is so cool, and I also really love the part where she is sitting in the hotel room looking down at her view and she just feels free, and it makes me really happy :) 

Also, her wardrobe was so fun and whimsical! The bright colors, the pointed cuffs on her coat, the really cute and crazy look was a super nice touch. And don't even get me started on her adorable room that I want really bad! 

Also, the ending scene is sooooo cute!! Gah, it's such a sweet movie, guys!

Ok this is the part where I tell you to go watch it ;) It's seriosuly the sweetest, and the characters are adorable (coughlookingatyoumaxcough) and it's funny and whimsical and yes it's the best :) 

So have you seen Penelope? What are your thoughts if you have? I'm totally open to fangirling in the comments if you so desire! ;) Hope you guys are doing great! xxxx, B

My Favorite YouTubers

Hello hello!! Today I thought I'd drop in with a list of my favorite Youtubers, because like any other normal person, I watch a lot of YouTube. Like probably too much. I do actually have a lot of things I have to do most of the time, so YouTube is probably not very good for me XD Nevertheless, here are a few of my favorite Youtubers to watch when I am wasting time. ;) (also FYI, I usually watch only Christian Youtubers, so I'm pretty sure that all the channels mentioned here are Christian)

Jess and Gabriel

These two are probably my all time favorite Youtubers. Because 1.) They are Christians. 2.) They are an absolutely adorable couple. and 3.) Their channel just makes me happy! :)

Their videos are always really cute and funny and plus, they are #couplegoals. Here's one of my favorite videos from the series they just put up!

Overall, their channel is just very wholesome, and I really enjoy their content :)

Ellie June

Ellie is just suuuuper cute, and her fashion sense is adorable. She also has a lot of really good lifestyle videos!

 

Brooklyn and Bailey

So I still have mixed feelings about these two. Sometimes, I enjoy their channel, and other times they really annoy me. So you can decide what you think, but you have warned. They might not be for you, or you might like them :)

  

Studio C

I loooove Studio C! They are a Christian Sketch Comedy Group and they are hilarious. Note, its all their old videos that are genuinely funny, I personally have not been super impressed my their new ones. But the old ones are awesome! 

John Crist

Another Christian comedian, John Crist is hilarious. Definitely check him out!

Ollie Ritchie

And of course, I can't forget one of my favorite people ever!! Ollie is my all time favorite videographer and photographer, and his videos are pure gorgeousness!! Gaaah, they make me so happy!!

And there you have it! My favorite YouTubers! So, do you have any favorites? Do you watch any of the ones I mentioned here? Drop me a comment! I love hearing from you guys, it seriously makes my day! Hope you're well! xxxx, B

What do you Assume? Answers!

Hello again to the great Internet! Thank you to you lovely people who gave me some great assumptions! I am finally here to answer them! :)

Movie Critic's Assumptions...

You prefer to be outside than inside.

Definitely! I loooooove the outdoors!! When I can get out I love to hike, or just sit in the sun and enjoy being outside. 

Your favorite color is pink.

Close. I think my favorite color is yellow, and then purple, and then blue, and then pink. It is up there in the favorites :)

You are most comfortable with a camera in your hand.

100%! I hate going anywhere without my camera!!

You love to sing.

Ooh spot on with this one! I love singing so much! It's actually pretty uncommon for me to ever not have music playing, and driving is the best because I get long periods of time when I can sing as much as I want ;) 


Catie's Assumptions...

Yours Myers-Briggs personality type is INFP.

I'm actually not completely sure what my exact Myers Briggs personality is, but I think I'm INFJ :)

Lucy Maud Montgomery is one of your tip-top favorite authors.

Yes! I loooooove L.M. Montgomery! Her books are just so beautiful and sweet and just such perfection!! (especially The Blue Castle!! If you haven't read it, you need to!)

You are 5 feet and 3 or 4 inches tall.

Very, very close! I am 5 Feet and 5 inches tall :D

Your most read genres are classic literature, fantasy, & historical fiction.

I read mostly Historical Fiction, but also quite a bit of Fantasy and Classic Lit. I didn't used to be a huge Fantasy fan, but I've slowly been getting into that more recently, and I enjoy classic literature but sometimes I have a harder time getting through it because of the old language.   

You like kittens.

I loooooove kittens!! ^.^

You are 19 years old.

Ah, am I though? The world will never know... ;)

You enjoy watching period dramas.

Indeed! Indubitably! Anything Period Drama is quite my cup of tea! 

You love Winnie the Pooh.

Aww Winnie the Pooh is my childhood! I will always love Winnie the Pooh!

You like the Broadway musical "Newsies".

I actually have never seen the Broadway version, but I would like to! I've watched the Disney version, and while it's not the worlds most amazing movie, I do enjoy it. The dancing is fun, and there's nothing wrong with a room full of dancing newsies ;)

And there you have it!! Thank you for questions peeps!! I'm sorry that I've been so inactive lately!! I'm going to try and get on a better schedule soon! Hope you all have a fabulous day!! xxxx, B

I am Indeed, Alive + What do you Assume?

Hello to all my fellow peeps out there!! Yes, I am still alive, and yes, I have successfully not blogged in almost two months! 

So I'm hoping in the future to establish some kind of form of schedule on my little blog, but life is crazy, peeps. Work and Summer School and more work and lot of other things tend to get in the way a little bit. 

But anywho! Since I'm kind of jumping back into the swing of things, I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and do a post that's been hovering around the blogosphere for awhile now. I want you all to comment any assumptions you may have about me and I will answer them in my next post! This seems a pretty appropriate post as well seeing as how I am rather new to the blog community and I'm sure you'd all like to get to know me a bit better! 

So feel free to comment whatever assumptions you can possibly think of and I will answer them as best I can! :D Hope you're all well!! xxxx, B

Ten Reasons to Love Sherlock BBC

Wow. 

So I have like zero words to describe this show... 

Like I don't even know where to begin... 

Maybe with the amazing characters? Maybe with how dreadfully horrible the villains are? Maybe with how epically awesome Sherlock with his coat flapping behind him is? I don't even know, my peeps. *waves arms helplessly* 

But I guess if I'm actually gonna make a post out of this I better start somewhere, or this isn't going to work out very well. So here are just a few reasons why I love this show so much. 

(WARNING THE FIRST: MUCH FANGIRLING AHEAD. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK)

(WARNING THE SECOND: GREAT OVERLOAD OF PICTURES AHEAD. BECAUSE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO MANY PICTURES OF SHERLOCK'S AND JOHN'S FACES)

(WARNING THE THIRD: WHILE I WILL KEEP THIS POST FREE OF MAJOR SPOILERS, THERE WILL BE A FEW SMALLER ONES, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE WHOLE SHOW AND WANT TO, YOU MAY PROCEED WITH CAUTION)

So, in case you don't know, the BBC show Sherlock is basically a modern day take on the Sherlock Holmes Books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (DUH). It is also one of the most awesome, horrible, epic, awful, and amazing shows to exist. Makes sense? GOOD. We shall proceed. 

1.) Sherlock 

The man himself. The rather odd looking (and yet, somehow absolutely gorgeous at the same time) detective who has completely stolen my heart, despite his pig headed and self centered ways. I mean PLEASE. HOW CAN ONE BE SO IRRITATING AND IRRESISTIBLE AT THE SAME TIME!!! 

K', I'm not gonna lie ya'll. I'm kinda, sorta in love with Sherlock (his voice you guys. his stinkin' amazing voice) (also the hair) (and his face) (maybe kinda just all of him) (help) 

Also, Benedict Cumberpatch and his acting just manages to nail it every. single. time. The dramatic scenes, the sweet scenes, the intense scenes. Just like, thanks Ben for being amazing :) 

2.) John Watson. 

*supresses squeals*

I. Love. John. So. Stinkin. Much. <3 <3 <3

Like idontevenknowwhatitis!!!! But he's adorable, and sweet, and brave, and just ajghlfjhgajsdhghjlgj!!!! He just has so much love to give and he's there for Sherlock through thick and thin and I just love hiiiiiiiim!!

3.) Sherlock laughing

'nuff said

4.) Sherlolly!!!

Sherlock loves her!! I know it!!! 

THE SHIP MUST SAIL!!!!

5.) John's "Sherlock, What the Heck?" face

6.) The SNARK/SASS!

like this...

and this...

And this...

 And this...

And this...

(Can't you hear it in his voice)

7.) The Absolutely Phenomenal Acting!

I mean, THE ACTORS ARE ABOUT 3/4's OF WHAT MAKE THIS SHOW. Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberpatch, I mean...*eeeeek*!!! Both of these men are just incredibly talented actors!!!


8.) The Sherlock/Mary/John Dynamic

Ok, I absolutely loooooove the way these three work together! John and Mary love each other so much, and Sherlock and Mary think each other are both the greatest thing ever. And instead of tearing John and Sherlock apart, Mary just joins them in their adventures and encourages them and I LOVE IT!!

9.) Mrs. Hudson! (aka Queen of Awesome!!)

I loooooooove Mrs. Hudson!! She's hilarious, and adorable, and such a cute mother figure to Sherlock and John!! In the words of Sherlock...

10.) JOHN AND SHERLOCK'S RELATIONSHIP!!!

One of the best aspects of the entire show!!! These two just WORK, ya know? The socially awkward, highly functioning sociopath, and the ever steadfast, war doctor. The moment the two are first on the screen together, Martin and Ben just absolutely MAKE THE SHOW.

The way John loves Sherlock even though Sherlock can be an absolute jerk sometimes.The way the Sherlock needs John to keep him in a straight line, and to be there as his grounding. The way you can see John rubbing off on Sherlock throughout the show as Sherlock slowly becomes a nicer person, and vica versa, with Sherlock taking John from his lonely existence, to a place where he is surrounded by people who love him and who he loves, and just squueeeeeee!!! They are always there for each other, and would (quite literally) die for each other.

So tell me! Have you seen Sherlock? What are your favorite aspects of the show? Also, I am considering hosting a Sherlock BBC blog party sometime soon! Are there enough of you out there who like Sherlock and would be interested? Drop me a comment and let me know!! I'd love to talk to you!! Hope you're all well! xxxx

Just a Quick Post :)

So obviously I am into photography. What I don't know if I've mentioned, is that I am also BIG TIME into videography. I loooooooooove travel films, and short films, and wedding films and pretty much anything within the videography realm. 

I got into videography last year when I was scrolling through YouTube and I stumbled upon Ollie Ritchie's channel. I watched his New York travel video, and in the span of two minutes, I was forever hooked. It was absolutely gorgeous! The way that he could tell such a story through the colors and aesthetics and music, and... just wow. 

Obviously, the next course of action was to stalk Ollie, which I did :) I binge watched his videos and just fell more in love with every singe one. 

And why am I telling you all this exactly? 

Because Ollie has just released his newest video, a second New York film and IT IS PURE GORGEOUSNESS!! I am so in love with it!! 

So clearly I had to share it with you all! So here's the video, and after you've watched it, pop on over to his channel and check out all his other stunning work!!

Did you watch it!?! Are you not blown away!!! Tell me what you all think! Have you heard of Ollie Ritchie before? Are you into videography at all? Drop me a comment! I'd love to hear from you! xxxx

Isn't it Romantic? :: Lovely Blog Party Kickoff!

Well, my dear ladies, (and gents, should there happen to be a few of you) it is February. The month where you are either in love, or are suffering from a lonely heart. No matter which category you find yourself in, we all do enjoy fantasizing about romance. And perhaps, you will happen to meet a very dashing young man sometime in the near future. And should this occur, you first question may come in the words of young Amy March. "Oh Jo, is he very romantic?!"

Everybody has their little things and gestures that they consider to be "romantic" and thanks to Cordy, I get to fill out a tag entirely based on romantic stereotypes! This is my first post that I'm contributing to Cordy's Lovely Blog Party, which runs for all of February, and I'm super excited to be participating! Hope over and give her positively delightful blog a look, if you haven't already! Do join in the festivities!

So without further ado, the tag! (also a heads up, I plan to use as many adorable couple photos as I possibly can because it satisfies my inner romantic, so be prepared for lots of gross, mushy love and all the great junk ;))

Isn't it romantic to be serenaded?

Well, I suppose it depends on the situation of the serenading. If he was outside your window in the middle of the night and singing for the world to hear, then no. You may go away Sir. Take yourself and your creepiness else where. Good Day to you.

But! Were the serenading to take place when maybe the two of you were hanging out, and he should happen to have a guitar handy, then I think it would be super sweet if he managed to pull it off in a not-so-awkward way. 

Isn't it romantic to have pet names for each other?

Um YES!! I looove when couples have pet names. I think its the cutest thing!

Isn't it romantic if he wants you to look him in the eye?

THIS. Like 100% yes. It means he wants your attention and he really wants you to listen to what he's saying.

Isn't it romantic to be carried across the threshold?

Aww yeeeeah. It's such a lovely tradition and my future husband better do this ^.^

Isn't it romantic to receive flowers and chocolates?

I think its so sweet when guys go out of their way to bring you chocolate and flower. Also it's chocolate, so like why not?(also I think its adorable when he brings you just a single flower, instead of a massive bouquet) 

Isn't it romantic to get caught in the rain?

Um like Yes Please!! I've always thought that would be so fun and romantic (bonus points if he'll jump in puddles with you and maybe dance)

Isn't it romantic to dance?

*Sighs* I looooooove to dance, and if my future man can dance it would be a dream come true, so yes :)

Isn't it romantic if he asks for your parent's permission to marry you?

This would honestly be the best, because it means he respects your parents opinion and that their approval means a lot to him, and you have to have that in a man. I'd probably even hope that he would ask my parents permission to date me. 

Isn't it romantic to be rescued?

Of course! As long as it's not too dire of a situation, because then there would be chance of tears, and I look like a tomato when I cry, so we may want to avoid that. Unless he is very good at comforting you, then we may just have to risk the tears ;)

Isn't it romantic to stargaze?

I've always wanted to do this, especially on the trampoline with a billion pillows, because then when you are done stargazing, you can have a pillow fight!

And we have come to the end. I must say, that this very much satisfied my inner hopeless romantic. What do you think of each romantic stereotype? Which is your favorite? I'd love to hear what you have to say in the comments! Let me know what y'all are thinkin! xxxx