The Best Christmas Movies Ever*

Love Actually

This beautiful story about love being an ever present presence in our lives has warmed the hearts of everyone since it's release in 2003. With an array of characters all related, loosely related or not related at all merely settled in London it shows us that Love is all around, particularly at Christmas time :) How could anyone resist the emotional, heart wrenching moment when Mark reveals to Julie that he loves her!

yes.

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around." 

The Santa Clause

THE CLASSIC MOVIE!! Everyone has to have seen this, at least, once a year since they were old enough to enjoy Christmas. The intertwining of the the serious issues involved in Scott Calvin's "non-elf" family combined with the problems created in the North Pole by a lack of belief and Christmas spirit is probably one of the most beautiful storylines that will immerse everyone in the belief that Santa truly does exist.

Not too hot. 

Extra chocolate. Shaken, not stirred.

Elf

Considering Elf is only a recent release the fact that it has made it's way onto a lot of "Best of..." lists is a truly wonderful feat, nothing less though for a truly wonderful movie. Similar to The Santa Clause it intertwines relatable familial problems along with problems in the North Pole, all the while with Elf, played by Will Ferrel, keeping the momentum going and stopping the story lines getting too emotional and serious. A perfect accompianant to a wintery evening.

 Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?

Home Alone

Home Alone creates every tweens dream, being left alone, with no parent, endless movies and Christmas food. However, for Kevin, the dream is short lived when some local criminals try and get into his house and steal his golden possessions. This is, also, a Christmas classic, a must watch every year. Kevin's attempt at thwarting the criminals efforts makes for hilarious viewing and spreads joy and Christmas cheer!

Keevvvviiiinnn

It's a Wonderful Life

My absolute favourite movie to watch at Christmas Time.. It's full of Christmassy cheer and life affirming reiterations, after a bit of depression of course.The sentimental story about George Bailey brings George back from the brink of suicidal despair to discover how wonderful his life truly is, all with the help of the angel, Clarence. This movie, for me, is Christmas!

What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary. 

*disclaimer: One hundred percent my opinion, no fancy surveys involved!

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Sometimes, when you're tired a good picture is all you need to keep yourself going.

Inspiration.

My friend has being persistently dogging me for a "personal post all about her". For ages I was trying to think  of something that wasn't too sentimental but would still satisfy her innate desire for me to love her (she's pretty needy)... It was a difficult task so, eventually, I decided to give up. Then, a few days ago I met her and she, again, asked me where it was, I attempted to fob her off but it was unsuccessful (she's also irritatingly persistent) so, I've decided, she deserves it. I've also decided that now is the perfect time to do it cause she's currently struggling to get through exams and I've never seen her quite this apprehensive!

So, in the name of cheering her up...

Reasons Rachel's Great.

I met Rachel about two years ago, the details are foggy, all we're fully aware of is that the reason we bonded quite fast was our intense hatred of pretty much everyone bar each other. This is one of the reasons I enjoy her presence quite a lot; there are very few people who can actually relate to my occasional hatred of everyone and everything. (when I say occasional I mean frequent).

                                         

I'm quite a funny person, I personally think I'm hilarious, not everyone agrees with me, however, when I've done good and been really funny Rach appreciates it more than anyone! She frequently gets tears in her eyes when she's laughing (surprisingly not always at me) and this always makes me, and everyone else, laugh even harder, thus making her one of the best people to be around.

She retweets my tweets quite a bit (again, because I'm hilarious) and when she knows I'm feeling rough or annoyed at something, or someone, she always gives me two x's at the end of our texts/tweets/whatsapps/vibers whatever. 

Despite the fact that I'm the funny one, sometimes, she makes me laugh so hard I nearly wet myself. Attractive, I know.

                                   

                 

Her life is a series of continuous disasters and she has no problem sharing it with everyone, everything from her family to study and her drunken antics. Nothing is a taboo topic and if she thinks you'll enjoy the story she'll make sure you hear about it, I appreciate that kinda stuff.

I text her the last day about very minimal advancements in a relationship I may or may not be having with a member of the opposite sex(seriously, no one knows if we're having it or not, not even us) and despite the fact that it was extremely minimal, not a big deal at all and her recent antics have been much more impressive, she got genuinely excited for me. She's nice like that. 

                                           

She's extremely intelligent and she works hard despite the fact that she doesn't really need to. If she wants something she'll stop at nothing to get it. Her determination is admirable. She's a really good friend and will always follow her own mind and go by what she thinks is right, not by what everyone else is telling her is right. She has her own mind, which these days is hard to come across. Even when she's having an extremely bad day she'll take time out of her day if you need her. Most of all, she truly believes in me and everyone else around her, she believes that I'll get where I want to be and be happy and at the end of the day, all you need is someone who believes in you and pushes you to go for what you want. (and is funny... and nice.. and caring)

All of this stuff put together equates to one of the most inspiring and motivational girls I know. She does what she wants, when she wants, how she wants. She follows her dreams and believes that everyone else should too.

Simple really?

                                       

(This post is extremely sentimental in the name of a friend, it will probably not happen again.)

Happy December

Well, the weather outside is frightful buuuutt the fire is so delightful?? I enjoy winter so much, as you may have gathered I enjoy a good fire, cuppa and a book, but for those of you who don't enjoy the cold weather so much or who are mourning the loss of 2012; "it just went by so fast?", here are a few reasons I'm delighted it's December!!

Weather

I really really do adore the cold frosty weather, even when I'm scraping the frost off my car windows in the morning, I love the crisp weather that comes with winter, it's just such a nice change from the constant rain!

 

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Making wish lists

To do lists are my holy bible, I love to do lists, I couldn't live without them.. So for me, wishlists are just an extra added bonus!! You get to discuss what you want while keeping it in order... Could there be anything better?!

                                                      

                                                     

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Long walks

Who doesn't love a long walk in the frosty weather?

                                                

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Buying Presents

As much as I love making my own wish list I love buying other people presents even more, although this year is proving much more difficult than previous years!

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Christmas Songs

"Top to toe in tail lights

Oh, I got red lights on the run

But soon there'll be a freeway"

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Hot beverages

My new favourite is, without a doubt, a Baileys Coffee?? It's legitimately the holy grail of coffee's... Why have I gone so long without?!

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Christmas Films

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"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."

Fires

The warmth, the cosiness, the homeliness .. Does anyone not love a good fire, particularly when it's so frickin freezing outside!!

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Fairy Lights

They just make everything so much prettier!! 

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The man

yes

I've always liked the time before dawn because there's no one around to remind me who i'm supposed to be, so it's easier to remember who i am.

Brian Andreas

Wanderlust

I have a perpetual dose of Wanderlust.. I always have and hopefully, I always will and right now, I have a serious hankering for Paris.. I don't think there's anything as romantic or as, seemingly, full of fashionable opportunities as Paris in winter time.

Plus it makes a pretty darn good picture!

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"Not all those who wander are lost"

Thanksgiving

So, I've never really understood the history behind Thanksgiving and even after trying to read about it online it's all just a jumble of words if I'm honest (could be something to do with my absolute minimal interest or inability to read, one of the other). Nonetheless, I adore the general idea behind it. A whole day dedicated to simply giving thanks and being grateful for what you have in your life, it's heartwarming. I am also aware that a lot of it is about the food but, that can be overlooked, enjoyed, but overlooked!

So, I decided, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, all the way from Ireland, I would mention all the wonderful things I have in my life to be thankful for.

First of all, like everyone I'm hugely grateful for the wonderful groups of family and friends that, sometimes unfortunately, are always there for me!

  

I'm grateful for cold winter night with fluffy socks, tea and candles.

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To-do lists, my god, I love to do lists.

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A full playlist and a stack of books.

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Quiet moments alone with nothing but a cup of coffee and your thoughts.

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Friendships that last through thick and thin, cause after all, friendships with history are rare and beautiful.  

For the future that is ahead of me, the opportunities, the chances and the experiences I will gain!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

 On the 16^th of November at 12:20 am I turned 21 years old. 

The final foray from my Teenage Years into, apparently, Full Blown Adulthood. As someone who is repeating a semester and currently working full time in a shop and absolutely no idea how to actually conceive the image I have of how my life should be at this stage, and as someone who had such high hopes for herself when I was younger, I’m fighting a losing battle with my opinion of myself and how unsatisfied twelve year old Ciara would be with twenty one year old Ciara... I digress...

 Basically, I’m not where I want to be or where I thought I would be at twenty one so I was avoiding this birthday ominously and when it was discussed it was with some serious trepidation. I was not looking forward to being an old, single, uneducated, barely employed spinster.. As my friend Hannah would say, I’m off to GSPCA to collect my cats in the morning.

However, despite my trepidation, my friends and family made my birthday into four or five of the greatest days of my life, legitimately I cannot exaggerate how great they were. 

Initially, the night before dreaded birthday night myself and five more of my friends went to a Mexican Restaurant and went out after. The food was absolutely fabulous, and I love food, I eat a lot of food, so I’m not easily impressed but my golly, I was impressed with this place! Then we went, embarrassingly enough, because each of us is broke, knacker drinking and continued onto a club from there... I left to go home early but I was so so happy that my friends had come out because their exams are looming pretty fast as well!

It’s also my Mother’s birthday on the 16^th, best birthday present she ever got some might say, so we intended to celebrate together as we do every year! We like to say that the fact that we’re born on the same day is one of the reasons we’re so close, however, I think most of it is to do with the fact that I like to talk, she likes to listen and we make each other laugh, nonetheless, the pretence shall continue! We went and got our hair, nails and eyebrows done in town, which is very unlike Mam and I, wouldn’t be into spending money in general to be honest :P We then went shopping and roamed the streets for a while.

That evening myself and my family went out for another fabulous dinner, I know, more food, I hear ya! It was fab and it was so nice to just all sit around and enjoy each others’ company rather than wondering who was going to make tea after dinner or clean up. An added benefit would be, of course, that you can’t really fight in public so any disagreements get glossed over ;)

Then on Saturday night I left work and went back to my friend Hannah’s house and here the biggest surprise was waiting for me.. Hannah sent me to the bathroom to check it out cause she had “cleaned it” and I, like a fool, went and who jumps out at me ONLY MY BESTIE GILLIAN!!! ALL THE WAY FROM BUDAPEST!!! I have never been more in shock or happier in my life, I think anyway! Aideen, Shauna and Andy came over then and we went on to have one of my best nights ever.

I just can’t believe the effort people went to from texting me Happy Birthday to sending me cards to buying me presents and vowing to celebrate with me every night, big up to Aideen, Hannah and Shauna for that especially!

I have the most fabulous group of friends and family who have made me completely forget that I am currently a bum with no aim or direction in my life and I couldn’t love them more for it!

I’m officially ready to take my 21^st year and make it my bitch.