Best Christmas Movies

Leading up to Christmas, my mom, sister, and I take over the TV and watch nothing but Christmas specials for days. We watch everything from the timeless epics to the most cliched cheese-fests. This year, my sister announces that Elf is now a "classic." In her short sixteen years of existence, I suppose it came out a while back, and it has become a perennial favorite. So, this year, I got her the DVD so she can watch it anytime, rather than record every airing on TBS. Here's my list of the Best Christmas Movies of All-Time... like it, love it, or leave it.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2. Home Alone (1990)  
3. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
6. A Christmas Story (1983)
7. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
8. Elf (2003)
9. The Santa Clause (1994)
10. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Treats 'n Snoozin' Snoozin' 'n Treats

Two and a half weeks off, no work to keep me busy, what's a girl to do? I've got a few winter break plans, but let's face it, I'll probably take the time to just bake a bit and sleep A LOT... life and times of a college kid.

1. SEE... The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, My Week with Marilyn, Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, New Year's Eve, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy are all on my list of must-sees.

2. WATCH... the entire James Bond anthology on Netflix.


3. MAKE... Christmas cookies, spiced apple cider, risotto, and macarons


4. WRITE... Christmas cards and Thank You notes 


5. READ... The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Hunger Games series


6. CLEAN... might as well get a jump-start on spring cleaning!


7.  EAT... mom's cooking and some favorite Louisville restaurants


8. DO... ice skating, shopping, Swedish massage, and mani/pedi

Must See - Winter 2011

It's no surprise, being a Cinematic Arts minor, that I love movies. Going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do. Unfortunately, college doesn't leave much time to make it to the theater. Though I did go see The Sitter this past weekend with some co-workers... it was a good laugh, but save your $13. So, that's what's perfect about winter break. I've got three weeks to lounge around, BAKE, catch up with friends, enjoy my mom's cooking, and go to the movies. Here's what's on my list to check out...

1. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, the first installment of this reboot was a welcome surprise of wit and trickery, so I'm excited to see if this one lives up to the first. This one's on deck for family movie night!

2. My Week with Marilyn

Love this cast of characters and I have heard amazing things about Michelle Williams' performance. Looking forward to assessing it's Oscar worthiness soon!

3. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

First, I need to finish the book! Whenever possible, I insist on reading the book before seeing a movie adaptation. I've started this book about 6 times now over the last year and always get distracted by work. I'm brining it with my on the plane and WILL finish it before I land. That way I can watch the Swedish film (c/o Netflix), then see Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig in this version.

4. New Year's Eve

I'm a sucker for a fun rom-com, so I've gotta check it out.

5. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

My dad and I love great espionage films. And, what's a better backdrop than the Cold War? I haven't heard much about this film, based on the book by John Le Carre, but the trailer is so intriguing.

Christmas Wish List

For Christmas, I asked my parents for a ticket to London for Spring Break to go visit some friends who will be studying abroad there next semester. I've only been to France in Europe, so I am beyond excited to go check out what Britain's all about!

Still, I've got a couple items on my wish list that I've spied with my little eye....

1. Waterproof Trench Coat - MICHAEL Michael Kors Single Breasted Trench Coat (Nordstrom, $119.50) - I love my red, cotton trench from General Eccentric, but it doesn't quite hold up during he 5 days of rain we get each year here in Los Angeles. While I adore my lululemon rain jacket, it just isn't quite professional enough to wear to work. And, since I'll be in rainy London for a week, it seemed necessary that I find a classic, rainproof trench coat.
2. Leather Boots - Enzo Angolini 'Saylem' Riding Boots (Nordstrom, $149.95) - I have a really high instep, which makes it hard for me to find boots that don't crush the top of my foot. Luckily, I found these and they are fabulous!
3. iPhone Case - Kate Spade New York 'Le Pavilion' iPhone 4 Case (katespade.com, $40) - I'm finally upgrading my iPhone 3 (no S) to the 4S! After I dropped my phone two years ago, I invested in a super durable, lime green case (the little girl I babysat used to call it the "turtle"), but now, I think I should opt for something classier.
4. Two Tone Heels - ZARA Laminated Heel Court Shoe (ZARA, $89.90) - I really do need a new pair of heels for work... only tricky part is that I walk backwards most of the time so I need a sturdy heel that won't slip off. These could work!
5. Gold Glitter Nail Polish - Sephora by OPI 'Only Gold For Me' Top Coat (Sephora, $9.50) I keep seeing the trend of just painting our ring fingernail with glitter and I had to try it!

Keeping warm as best I can here in L.A.!
Red Trench (General Eccentric), Scarf (J.Crew), Yellow Rainboots (Sperry)

Step Into Christmas

So, I am in the middle of final exams, just dying to be home so I can start "simply having a wonderful Christmastime." I am not sure how many people really realize this about me, but I absolutely LOVE Christmas. I love everything about it from the decorations to the songs to the first snowfall to giving gifts (and getting gifts :-)) to decorating cookies to stale TV specials to to sending Christmas cards to spending time with family, and of course, the Christian celebration of Jesus' birth. It's just so lovely to have time off to enjoy what matters most in life and reflect of everything I have to be thankful for before the new year begins. Alas, I am stuck studying my brains out before I can finally head back to my old Kentucky home and brace the cold and enjoy the holidays. So, until I can finally rest and soak in the holidays, here are a few things that keep me going...

1. Gift Exchanges - I've participated in three different gift exchanges this year in my sorority, in a club I am involved with, and at work. Mostly because I love shopping, I really enjoy picking out gifts! This year, I went with some of Trader Joe's delicious holiday treats. However, for my work Secret Santa, I shared one of my favorite Christmas CDs and got my co-worker a cute black and gold clutch.

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels

Trader Joe's Peppermint Pretzel Slims

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Minty Mallows

Trader Joe's Mini Gingerbread Men with White Fudge Icing

2. Classy/Tacky Holiday Sweaters - I keep adding this theme to any holiday party just so I can show off my mom's ridiculous Christmas sweater. When I asked if I could borrow her "ugly" Christmas sweater, she was a bit offended. Still, it's pretty insane, given that it dates back to about 1989. Either way, it really rings in the holiday spirit.

What a gem from my mom's closet... trust me, the other  arm  looks just as good!

3. Starbucks Christmas Cups - Nothing says it's the holidays quite like a nonfat peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream in a red cup! The debut of the red cups officially marks the start of the season!

4. Christmas Decorations - So I live in a sorority house that was originally a French Consulate, so it's a pretty stunning home, which makes it the perfect canvas for some beautiful holiday decorations outside and on the first floor. However, up in my bedroom, my roommate, Lori, got a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, while I received a singing and dancing snowman, from our Secret Santas. While they don't exactly match our personalities (seriously, a J.Crew or Starbucks gift card would have sufficed), they have added some cheer to our study cave.

5. Christmas Music - I probably have one of the most extensive collections of Christmas music, including oldies but goodies from Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Kenny G, Whitney Houston, and even a recording of my high school A Cappella Choir's winter performance. Out of this collection, here is my ultimate BEST Christmas playlist...

• "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (A Shrift Remix) by Andy Williams
• "Step into Chrismas" by Elton John
• "Run Rudolph Run" by Brian Adams
• "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey
• "Winter Wonderland" by Eurythmics
• "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway
• "Sleigh Ride" by KT Tunstall
• "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by The Pointer Sisters
• "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney
• "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by *Nsync
• "Little Drummer Boy" by Jars of Clay
• "Last Christmas" by Wham!
• "My Only Wish (This Year)" by Britney Spears
• "Deck the Halls/Silent Night" by Whitney Houston
• "Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
• "Santa Baby" by Madonna
• "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by U2
• "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Jackson 5
• "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

... may your days be merry and bright...

My Five Ideal Traits

During a job interview earlier in the week, I was asked the following question: if USC were to erect a monument in your honor and list five ideal traits that you value, what would those traits be?

As I say at the end of every tour I give, on the side of the statue of Tommy Trojan are the
Five Ideal Attributes of a Trojan: Faithful, Scholarly, Skillful, Courageous, and Ambitious

I'll admit, I was a bit thrown off by the question for a variety of reasons, but it made me think what I really would want someone to say of me. We've all gotten questions like "what three words would your friends use to describe you?" But, this question was asking for something more. I loved about half my answer, but then got lost in my words. If I were to be asked the question again, here's what I would like people to recognize as my ideal traits...

1. Passionate/Dedicated - I said both of these (it was a job interview... I was tying to spin my answer), and while they could be translated to mean different things, I meant the same sentiment, but just used different words to convey it. Whichever word you prefer, I am someone who puts my whole heart into anything I undertake. I hate when people do things half-assed, and I get extremely frustrated when I do not have the time or resources to execute my goals to the highest standard. 

2. Loyal - I am fiercely loyal to my friends, my values, and my opinions. I support the Republican party on most major issues, I am Catholic, I hate mushrooms and onions, Forrest Gump is my favorite movie,  short men make me uncomfortable, I won't eat grocery store bakery cookies or cakes, and I only run when being chased. I'll get to open-mindedness later, but generally speaking, any arguments to try to change my mind on these issues are a waste or your time and mine.

3. Compassionate - In a political science GE I took during my freshman year, we discussed what traits we would like to see in a judge, and my professor really stressed how crucial it is for a judge to be compassionate for each individual who enters their courtroom. Ever since, I believe it is important to be understanding of others and be empathetic toward others' situations. You never know where people are coming from, what struggles or triumphs they have had, so take the time to listen. We all have our different challenges and we can learn a lot from what others have been through and currently face. 

4. Open-minded - During the interview, I said something like "friendly," but looking back I should have said open-minded. This is something I truly believe is essential in life. In various situations where I did not know what to expect, I have gone in with an open mind and remarkable things have happened. Whether it was getting to know an individual in a different way or learning a new skill, when you're not sure what's coming at you, just keep an open mind and experience. 

5. Wise - I didn't actually say this, but so wish I did. Wisdom, in my own personal definition, is the ability to learn a lesson from every experience you encounter. In high school, I realized that I was a bit wiser than my peers, not smarter, but wiser. I wrote an entire college essay about losing my grandma and nearly failing physics, while dealing with some ridiculous drama amongst friends. At the end of the year, I received an award for best representing my school's Core Values of Community, Reverence, Service, and Leadership. From this, I learned that no matter what you may face in life, being a good person is most important. It is from experiences like these that I have developed much wisdom. Whatever comes your way, just know that you can learn something from every opportunity. 

If I could add a few more, I might have said opportunistic or loving or faithful, but I hope at least a few people will recognize these five traits within me and see how important they are to my attitude on life. 

These are a few of my favorite things...

Welcome to Sweets & Sparkles! This is an outlet for my musings about what inspires me, be it food or style or friends or work. As a Tour Guide for the University of Southern California, I get to represent my amazing school to all the prospective students and their families. One of the questions I get asked most often is "why did you choose USC?" To this, I reply, there are a few reasons why USC was the best school for me. First, I wanted a school with a great academic reputation, with a real name that would stick me on the seal of my diploma for the rest of my life. Second, I wanted a school with a great football team, something that can bring the campus together and ignite a fire and spirit amongst its students and alumni (Fight On, Trojans!). Third, I was looking for a school with a strong Greek system, like what my mom was a part of, a community that could be my home away from home, and that's exactly what I have found in Alpha Delta Pi. Fourth, and finally, I did not know I was looking for this initially, but it is what unites the entire student body, if nothing else. And, that is our passion. When I came to USC for Orientation over two years ago, now, I remember how excited every single student was to be here at USC. My peers are each so individually talented and ambitious and it is just inspiring to be in their presence, and I know that they are all off to accomplish the most amazing things in their future. I believe that I have this same quality: passion. It is what gets me out of bed every morning and drives me to do the unthinkable. Some days that might be solely to get out of bed, but on other days, it is to take on the world. Have a passion and chase it. No passion is worthless of your time and energy. If it is something you believe in, then it deserves your dedication. 

There's a little quote that I stumbled upon sometime this past summer that reads, "she decided to start living the life she'd imagined.." and that's exactly what I am doing out here in Los Angeles. I am not entirely sure where this blog will end up going, but you're welcome to join me for the journey. Some weeks, it might be about baking, others it might be about shopping. And sometimes it might just be whatever being tossed around in this blonde head of mine. Whatever the subject, it's always going to be dedicated to my passions in life, and there's bound to be lots of sweets and sparkles along the way!

Free People Backstage Fever Sequin Bodycon Skirt