Let's Hear It For The Boy!

On December 1st, I was in the office working away when Nathan snuck up behind me with a GIANT bag of presents—25, to be exact. One for every day until Christmas. Each one numbered and wrapped in all different kinds of pretty Christmas paper and bows. All for me.

I’ve had so much fun enjoying my presents each day—everything from a giant chocolate Santa to scented candles to a Starbucks mug to pretty stationary to fancy-smelling soap. Can you believe it? Nate’s the greatest.
Whoever said it’s better to give than receive didn’t get 25 presents for Christmas from their boyfriend. All I’m saying.

Magic

A week ago today marked the official start of the holiday season at Disneyland, so Nate and I went last weekend on Sunday since we knew all the decorations were already up (yep, we cheated). Main Street was resplendent in bright garlands, wreaths, and lights and greeted us with its giant Christmas tree, with pretty presents and smiling people surrounding it. After a couple days of gloom and rain, we spent a lovely afternoon going on ride after ride without a grown-up care in the world. We went on It’s a Small World Holiday, all decked out in a million twinkling lights. We twirled around in the teacups, screamed on Space Mountain (well, I did, anyway), and took the train around the park. Nate bought me cheetah-print Mickey ears in Adventureland. Holding hands, we watched the parade, and I bounced around just as giddy as any eight-year-old that was there, waving to the princesses and singing along. We walked under the pretty garlands and beads and ornaments hung in New Orleans Square. We overate delicious Mexican food under glowing glass star lanterns. We saw Santa’s real reindeer at Santa’s Round-Up and walked to Sleeping Beauty’s castle, crowned with glittery icicles and gleaming snow. And after we ate our ice cream cones as we watched the holiday fireworks show, it started “snowing.” Magical Disney Christmas snow. And tears of joy streamed down my face.

I know it’s silly and childish, and I almost felt embarrassed for being so excited. But you know what? I hope I never lose that childlike awe, for Disneyland or anything else. No matter how many times I go, it never gets old. The promise of enchantment and adventure as I enter through the front gates never leaves me wanting. I’ve been an annual passholder since middle school…and I still just can’t wait to go back.

The Wish List Is Here!

It's tradition: time for the annual wish list. And since my birthday and Christmas are coming, I've made sure it's a substantial one. I'm thoughtful like that. (You're welcome!) Here it is:Anthropologie gift card. Every December 26th I head to my favorite Anthro store in L.A. and hit the sales. Help my shopping endeavors? Bedhead After Party. This product makes your hair smooth, shiny and smell delicious. Like candy, seriously. It's kind of magical. I'm just saying. Find it at Target for about $20.

In the past, my wish lists have consisted almost exclusively of books. But I actually have so many books now that I don't have room for many more! I want this book though--Common Sense by Thomas Paine. I've never read it, have wanted to for a long time, and don't own it. Paperback, please.

J'adore by Dior. I love perfume and wear it every day. But I have fickle olfactory issues and don't usually stick to one scent for very long. However, this is the one perfume that I have consistently adored (get it?) for the longest time. I get so many compliments when I wear it. I'm out and need another bottle. Find it at department stores.Is this not the cutest ornament you've ever seen?! I found this on my friend Erin's list and definitely had to add it to mine. (We are both macaron connoisseurs.) Find it online at Sur la Table for $9.95. (Pink, please.)

Oh, goodness. Isn't this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag beautiful? I try not to rub my face on it when I see it at Nordstrom. It's the Classic Q--Natasha Crossbody Flap Bag in faded aluminum. Oh, and it's $368. (Womp, womp...)

This is Lancome Hypnose Doll Lash Mascara. I'm obsessed with mascara and unlike every other makeup product, I retain no loyalty to mascara and am always trying new ones. This looks great. Find it at Nordstrom or Sephora for $25.Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night moisturizer. Okay, don't laugh at me. I'm almost 30, and while the impending threat of wrinkles is real, I actually read that this product reduces redness and splotchiness, which is why I really want it. My bare skin is not cute. I ran into a friend at Target once and she asked me if I was sick. No, no, I was not. I just was not wearing makeup. Find it at Target or Neutrogena's website for about $20.Starbucks gift cards...because those nonfat 2-pump vanilla lattes don't pay for themselves, do they?

Tiffany & Co. silver anchor necklace. How cute would this go with a striped top and the Sperrys I'm supposed to not know that Nathan is getting me for Christmas?! Find it at Tiffany's for $200.

There you have it! What do you want for Christmas?

She's So Heavy

Boyfriend got me a typewriter for Christmas. I died.

When I saw the giant box, I had no idea what it was. When I felt how heavy it was, I really had no idea. "So...not jewelry?" I thought to myself.

On one of our earliest dates at the Orange Circle, we got gelato and walked around the antique shops. There was a typewriter in one of the stores and I told him how much I would love to have one someday. I completely forgot I told him this.

But he didn't. He went to a bunch of different antique stores, looked for the best one (not an electric one, obvs, and preferably one that worked), and found this treasure. A few of the keys didn't work...he fixed them...he bought a new ribbon for it...he cleaned it up.

It's so beautiful. It's from the 30's or 40's. It works great. Its keys clack clack clack away and it has that sweet ping when I type to the end of the line. It even smells good.

It might be the best present I've ever gotten.

What Child Is This?

You've probably seen a little version of this Italian Baroque masterpiece on the top right corners of many an envelope this year. Every Christmas, the U.S. Postal Service releases fun collections of holiday stamps. They also issue a “traditional” holiday stamp that features the Madonna and Child, which has been an annual practice since 1978. This year, the traditional stamp featured this painting by Sassoferrato.

The first time I saw it, I had to stop and stare…

Mary tenderly cradles the Christ child in her arms, holding him with elegance and grace, softly resting her cheek on the top of his head while two sweet cherubs look down upon them with devotion. It’s a simple composition—there is no backround, only a few clouds that create a timeless, eternal setting. The Madonna and Child are not enthroned in a regal church or earthly landscape setting, not bogged down by big halos or golden crowns, not clothed in jewel-encrusted and fur-trimmed robes.

It’s the mystical, luminous, divine aura that shows us this is not a normal maternal scene. It is the serenity in Mary’s face, the peaceful sleep of the Christ child, and the mystical sense that he is not an ordinary baby that creates a captivating atmosphere; Mary knows that her son was not just given to her, but to all of humanity. The divine light that bathes the figures in this painting is such a beautiful illustration of the hope that the birth of Christ illuminates the world with on Christmas.

Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darnkess, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12

May your Christmas be merry and bright.

What exactly IS a Christmas movie?

So…question. What makes a film a “Christmas movie”?

Is it a movie that contains a narrative specifically about Christmas things, like Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story, or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?

Is it a movie with a Christmasy title that doesn’t really have anything to do with Christmas, but just happens to take place in December? I mean, how much of White Christmas is really about Christmas? I’d say that movie is probably 20% Christmasy. And The Holiday could have been virtually the same movie if it took place in the summer.

Speaking of romantic comedies, have you noticed that many of them take place around Christmas, like Love Actually and the Bridget Jones movies? Some might consider these Christmas movies, but they would be the same stories in any other season.

What about movies that are released on or around Christmas and are just associated with the season of Christmas, like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? Are we going to consider Sherlock Holmes a Christmas movie? I consider Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone a Christmas movie, but really…it’s not.

Are movies that have just a few scenes at Christmastime considered Christmas movies, like When Harry Met Sally, Little Women, or Meet Me in St. Louis? “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written for that movie, but it’s not really a Christmas movie, is it? There is nothing fundamentally Christmasy about these stories, is there? Would you consider them Christmas movies?

What about Heidi? It’s often on Christmas movie lists because the famous ending is at Christmas, but it’s not a Christmas movie. And speaking of alpine adventures, why is that song about raindrops on roses from The Sound of Music played as a Christmas song every year?

For you dudes who think Die Hard and Gremlins are Christmas movies...I mean, really?

Enlighten me...what is a Christmas movie? And what’s your favorite Christmas movie?

Teariffic!

My friend and co-worker, Nicole, treated me to afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel today for my birthday. One of my very favorite things in the whole world is having afternoon tea at fancy hotels, and this was the third time I've been able to par-teake.

Here's our delicious tea service...tea sandwiches (bottom plate) included salmon with mascarpone cheese and caviar (yep, I tried caviar--not bad!), English cucumber with dill cream; cherry tomato; and radish, egg salad with roasted red pepper mousse on toasted white bread, and balsamic portobello mushroom with goat cheese on a focaccia crouton. The strawberries were stuffed with blue cheese mousse and sprinkled with pistachio dust. Pistachio dust...I know, it's ridiculous.

Here's my tea. I forgot the name but it was rose-flavored. It tasted like...well, it tasted like I was drinking the prettiest, softest pink roses I could ever imagine. Nicole got a spicy chai from India. The servers were constantly pouring our tea for us, using the strainers each time. The pots of tea were kept warm from the tea lights placed underneath them...is that where the name for those little candles came from?


I tried really hard to stick my pinky out and pose properly, but the cup was full (and heavy!) and I nearly spilled when this picture was taken. To ensure a clean dress, I had to take a quick, unladylike gulp!

Another delicious drink, besides our teas, were these yummy alcohol-free Mimosas, or as I like to call them, Mi-faux-sas, made with Sprite and a delicious passion fruit syrup. Very tasty. And you bet I felt pretty hoity-toity drinking from a champagne flute!

After the sandwiches, we enjoyed scones with cream, lemon curd, and wild berry compote, and then dug into the desserts--cranberry pistachio florentines, gingerbread cookies, kirsch cream puffs, orange chocolate cups, lemon raspberry cheesecakes, and spiced chocolate macaroons. And yes, we ate it all...so what?

The hotel was decorated beautifully with lots of fresh flowers and Christmas decorations. The flower arrangements in the lobby reminded me of Jeff Leatham's designs. (Watch his show, Flowers Uncut, on TLC. So good. The man is an artist.) It was a gray, rainy day but our ocean view was still incredible. I felt like we were in another country on a fancy holiday and very far away from Orange County.

This is a huge sandcastle display in the hotel made out of food! Little kids were fascinated. And by "little kids," I mean...me.

I spy croissants, Cheerios, rolls, Rice Krispie treats, pretzels, waffles....

Two days shy of twenty-seven. Really, there must be some mistake. I don't feel that old at all...

Or act like it.

Nicole and I pretend to fight all the time. We're constantly poking fun at each other and pushing each other's buttons. There might even be some physical fighting in the office once in a while. On the surface, we are completely different...Nicole hates Disney pop music, "accidentally" broke someone's nose during a karate tournament (ha...just kidding. It was an accident. I think.), and hates wearing dresses. She's got an urban, tough girl coolness about her. I, on the other hand, love the color pink, watch the Disney Channel, and say "ohmigosh!" But we are more alike than it may seem--we love traveling the world, discovering art in unexpected places, loving on college students, and learning about God. We've seen each other make stupid mistakes, encouraged each other through tough times, eaten many bowls of tomato soup at Cinnamon Productions together, and celebrated with each other in victories. I am so blessed to be able to work with one of my best friends.

Thanks, Nicole, for a very memorable birthday treat!

On Assignment

Thanks to my friends at The O.C. Gazette, I had the pleasure of moonlighting as a semi-real journalist last month when I interviewed Hal Landon Jr. for an article in the December issue of the magazine.

Mr. Landon stars as Scrooge in the South Coast Repertory’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. This was a special assignment for me, since I’ve seen the play nearly every year for a decade! Mr. Landon plays a perfect Scrooge, and he's such a sweet and humble man. A night or two after the interview, I saw him on My Name is Earl as I was flipping through the channels. “That’s my friend, Hal!” I thought to myself. Ha.

Read my article here.

And…go see this show! This will be Mr. Landon’s thirtieth year playing Scrooge!!

California Christmas

Christmas lights on palm trees.

One of my most favorite things.

Christmastime is here.

Another Christmas List

My Christmas wish list wasn't really for the purpose of you buying me gifts; I hope you got that. Those things are fun, but I’d just be temporarily entertained by them. And I would smell really good...

I actually thought about what I really want over the weekend…you know, the good stuff that can’t be bought.

Here's what you can't get me for Christmas:

Self-awareness. What an awesome thing to have. Sometimes our oblivion causes us to unknowingly hurt others with our tone, words, actions, and even negligence. We’re also unaware of God’s voice in our lives and don’t see the areas we need to grow in. Self-awareness is a powerful thing that I’d say most of us don’t have a firm grasp on.

Kindness. I want the ability to love people to be less of a choice and more of an automatic reaction. I can definitely improve with showing people how much I love and appreciate them.

To be myself and like it. I’ve underestimated myself my entire life, and I often say self-deprecating comments or make fun of my interests before anyone else has the chance to, just to show that I’m aware of my nerdy tendencies. But that nonsense needs to stop. I really, really do like myself. I just still need to learn to be unapologetic about it.

I don’t ever want to be in a place where I don’t feel I’m learning, growing, and changing for the better. I want to be God’s best. And with his transforming power, I have no doubt that I will grow in these gifts...

Check it Twice!

My birthday's in exactly one month, and Christmas isn't long after that! So I thought I'd provide you with a gift guide, not only to ensure that I get what I want, but, more importantly, to help make your shopping experience easier.

Here's what I really need:

Opera glasses. These are so cute and much more dainty and practical than lugging my dad's binoculars to the theater.

Gossip Girl season 2. Even better than season 1, this show is so dramatic and ridiculous...and I can't get enough. I love the aesthetics of the show--the clothes, the architecture, the New York landscape. Add a stellar cast and well-written dialogue, and you have the ingredients for a great show. "Sew much to do necklace"--I mean, it's a sewing machine. On a necklace. Why wouldn't you want this? It's just sew cute...
J'adore by Dior--This isn't even a new scent, but I just discovered it last month. When I first smelled this perfume on a friend, I wanted to nuzzle my face into her neck. It's scrumptious!
Novel Destinations--the perfect gift for bibliophiles who love traveling, this is a guide to over 500 literary sites across America and Europe.
Starbucks gift cards--easy and practical.

What do you want for Christmas?

The Lord is Come

Joy to the World!

The Lord is Come!

Whoa...wait a minute. Is that grammatically correct? Wouldn't it be, "the Lord has come?" Well, according to Grammar Girl, the phrase uses an archaic form of English that was used back in 1719 when Isaac Watts wrote the song "Joy to the World." In this instance, the word "come" is an unaccusative intransitive verb. (Yeah, I don't know what that means, either, but the point is that it's a form that's basically extinct in the English language.) It wasn't until the 1900s that people stopped speaking this way. Many Romance languages still use this verb form though; it's normal in languages like French and Italian to say the English equivalent of "He is come."

And even though I think it sounds a little strange, I still think it's beautiful.

Side note: While looking for a picture to post with this blog, I came across the coolest Christmas cards ever on someone's flickr account! Christmas, pink, and dinosaurs, all combined. Genius.

Check it Twice

Here is my Christmas wish list...I only need four things (okay, maybe not 'need'). Well, I have a book list, too, but that will come later... A pretty passport holder. I will be using my passport next year and definitely want to travel in style. Note that this one is Tiffany blue, the best color ever.


Everyone knows Moleskine products are the best. I saw a daily planner at the bookstore the other day and it was the perfect size. (Note: black hardcover.)

I am not a big TV watcher, at all. In fact, this really is the only show that I follow, but I haven't seen any of season 4 yet. Once I get this, I will probably disappear from the planet for a few days, watching the entire season in my room, alone and happy. I can't wait to watch this!

Now, I obviously don't want a book embosser with Mike Stevens' name on it. I'd like one with my initials. How cool are these? Seriously! I'd love to have one of these to stamp all my books. Every bibliophile needs one.

So...what do you want for Christmas??