Sunday, December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays…

It's officially Christmas morning! And just like every year, I want to take a minute to thank you for hanging out in my little corner of the Internet and wish you a Merry Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

And since it's Christmas, here are some major holiday throwbacks:  





See you in 2017!


Peace, Love, and Lobster

Laura

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Merry Ex–Mas

There are times when you just finished a great book and just can't figure out what to read next, so you go with the first thing Amazon recommends. In some cases you'll end up with something that makes you question the sanity of those Amazon elves, but in others you want to run to the kitchen, bake a fresh batch of cinnamon buns, and personally deliver them to those elves to thank them.

Kate Brian's Ex-Mas was such a cinnamon bun situation.  If you've been reading this blog for a while you know that romance isn't exactly my thing unless there's a mystery element to it — yet, I finished this book in two nights.  

Ex-Mas 

For 17-year-old Lila Beckwith popularity is everything, but when her plans to throw the biggest party of the season are ruined by her kid brother, Cooper, her revenge backfires in a way that puts more than just her social life into perspective. After Lila shows Cooper an article about global warming, the Christmas-obsessed kid and his best friend Tyler head up North to save Santa and the North Pole – which means they jump on a train to Seattle. And of course, Tyler just happens to be the younger brother of Lila's antisocial ex Beau. And so, the two exes are forced to embark on road trip to bring their brothers home before Lila's parents get back on Christmas Eve. Bah Humbug.  

There are a couple of reasons why I enjoyed this book as much as I did. For once I do love road trip stories, especially holiday road trip stories. And Brian captured that feeling so well that I almost felt like I was in the car with Lila and Beau. Then there was the Santa element with the runaway boys, that gave it that DCOM feel, I adore. And finally, something that would usually be considered a bad thing: the story's predictability.  I knew how this was going to play out after reading the summary, but it still kept my interest. Which also works well with the road trip theme, because sometimes it really is about the journey and not just the destination.  

So no matter if you're looking for something to read in front of the fireplace, or if you need something to get you through a long car or plane ride, Ex-Mas won't disappoint. 


Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura 

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Christmas Program

Since our little romcom discussion was so much fun, I asked Samantha to talk Christmas movies with me. 'Tis the season and all…




LAURA: All time favorite Christmas movie? Don’t think about it.

SAM: Ah, right off the bat, huh? I think 12 Dates of Christmas. Back in the olden days before Freeform when ABC Family still made originals.

LAURA: Oh, that's a good one, Mark-Paul Gosselaar! As much as I love all the silly Christmas movies we get from Hallmark these days, the ABC Family ones were better. One of my all time favorites is actually an old ABC Family one, too: Christmas Every Day, the 1996 version with Erik von Detten – I could watch that one every day.

SAM: For sure! And agree, as epic as Hallmark ones are, they tend to be a bit repetitive. Christmas in Boston with Patrick J. Adams is another great one. Pen pals for years destined to meet under the moon...just the right amount of cheesy.

LAURA: You're making me miss ABC Family. Hallmark movies come with one plot, polar opposites are supposed to work together, and whoever is the bigger Grinch finds their Christmas spirit by the time the credits roll. Still they’re the perfect background entertainment for baking cookies, or wrapping presents.

SAM: Or for unwinding after your hard day of shopping. And as a bonus, you can always count on the trademark actors or actresses that make the rounds. It's a safe bet that Lori Loughlin, Melissa Joan Hart or Marla Sokoloff will be standing under some mistletoe at least once every year.

LAURA: Is there one you'd consider part of your Christmas routine?

SAM: I think Desperately Seeking Santa makes the cut. I mean - shirtless hot guys in Santa hats? That one's a must.

LAURA: That’s a very good reason. I’m all about the classics in that department. I actually can’t remember a Christmas when my family didn’t watch Christmas Vacation.

SAM: Yet, I don't think I ever seen it. Does Serendipity count? 'Cause that one as we've discussed is amazing.

LAURA: I'm shocked! I’ve already caught it twice on TV this year alone. I half watch it at least three or four times each year, and then there’s always one time I actually sit down to watch it with friends and family, even though everyone knows every line backwards by now. And sure we can let it count. Even though only about 20 minutes actually take place around Christmas. But It’sa Wonderful Life is the most played Christmas movie each year (not A Christmas Story, as most people are surprised to find out), and the Christmas percentage of that one is pretty low, too.

SAM: We mentioned the similarity between a lot of them. Do you have a favorite trope?

LAURA: When it comes to Christmas movies, I definitely prefer family over romance. But the ones that I do love, Christmas Every Day, Christmas Vacation, and yes I’m also pretty big on a Christmas Story (even that ridiculous sequel) all have that theme of expectations, and Christmas blowing up in your face – but in the end it’s exactly that chaos that brings everyone together under the burning Christmas tree. And as over the top as all these comedies are, they're very real and relatable in that aspect.

SAM: Oh for sure – I think one that strikes me as a really awesome blend is The Holiday. The romance definitely drives is, but there's a sweet family component in there too. But you know I'm all about the romcoms. The more bickering the better.

LAURA: That is a very sweet one! It’s also very cozy, gives you that fireplace feeling even if you don’t have one.

SAM: Yes! And a must for 99 percent of them –cute kids.

LAURA: That and the right weather. I’m definitely more inclined to love them if there is snow. I have a soft spot for the Black Christmas remake, because it’s basically set in a snow-globe. A snow-globe with a serial killer in it, but still a snow-globe.

SAM: A white Christmas makes everything better – in real life too.

LAURA: Is there one you can’t stand at all? Or do the Christmas trappings make everything watchable?

SAM: Good question. Not any in particular I can think of. But in that vain the influx of hallmark ones haven't given me that fuzzy feeling this year. I guess there's s reason the classics are classics.

LAURA: Or, maybe they’re just saving the good ones for last this year. Gotta put something under the tree. 


Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura (and Sam)

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Holiday Spirit

It's that time of year again, the time when we don't change the channel whenever the commercials come on, because these Christmas ads are just too good:


Sainsbury's:


This captures the christmas spirit in the most hilarious way possible. And it should be a full length movie.  


M&S:


Because we all knew that Mrs. Claus is the real hero of the North pole.


Aldi:


I always had a strict no reindeer meat rule, but I guess we'll have to add carrots to the list of foods that shouldn't be consumed on Christmas.


Heathrow Airport:


Airports are probably the last thing I think of when it comes to heartwarming Christmas ads. But this one wins. Everything.  


Mercedes Benz:

It's so cheesy, and I'm a Volvo person... but what can I say? It's Christmas.


What is your favorite Christmas ad of 2016?


Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura