Wednesday, December 30, 2009
VS Fashion Show
Saturday, December 26, 2009
WHITE WEDDING
Nothing seems more cozy and romantic than saying "I do" in a winter wonderland. The icy colors of the season, in silvers and blues, make a perfect wedding palette. Taking a note from nature keeps a winter wedding feeling rustic, cozy and chic! Using birch, branches, pine cones, white flowers and tons of candle light in the decor really sets the tone. Here are winter wedding looks sure to warm the spirit.
It's a cold few minutes, but an outdoor photo is a must for winter weddings! Gorgeous!
A pop of "something blue" peaking out from under the wedding gown keeps with the new trend in weddings, colored bridal shoes! Loving these Christa pumps by Kate Spade.
Lush paper products like these invitations from Spark Stationery set the tone for a winter destination wedding, and keep with the cool blue color palette. The envelope is even textured to resemble wood grain!
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 1. Scrooge (1951)
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!
2.) How the Grinch Stole Christmas
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Jeff: So here we are at number one! The immortal classic Scrooge, this 1951 Black and White film is by far the best version of a Christmas Carol period. Obviously there are other versions that are great fun but none capture the spirit of the Dickens novel quite like this one. Alaistair Sim is the perfect Scrooge he's grumpy as all of the others are but there is also something terrifying about him which I gathered was an important image derived from the book. He has those sunken eyes and he looks like death when he walks through the streets and pushes the kids out of the way. I wouldn't want to see that guy coming at me in a dark alley. The film also is exceptional in showing the travesty of poverty and the effect on average citizens who are forced to suffer in work houses or are brought under the thumb of the poor law. It is a particularly cruel place one that Scrooge relishes in as he makes his fortune. We get to see the full picture of Scrooge and his cold turn. The parallels between his Mother's death and his Sisters' and how the latter one spirals him into the terrible man we first see him as. It's a wonderful story of redemption and reconnection to the world of man. This film is not just a staple at my house it simply isn't Christmas until it has been watched.
Jen Huber: Alaistair Sim as Scrooge ha some fantastic facial expressions in this movie. The best come near the end when he is drunk with happiness and he ends up scaring the crap out of the housekeeper. There is truly something special about a good black and white movie. When Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, the effects are so simple how they make him look ghostly, but it really works! This is such a classic story and even though there have been many remakes this one will forver stand out as one of the best all time.
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 2. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!
3,) A Christmas Story
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Jeff: As classic as they come, perfect Dr. Seuss with the addition of the vocal talents of Mel Blanc how can you go wrong. It's short it's sweet and it wraps up a common thread that is at the heart of Christmas, that if it all goes away tomorrow, all the presents and pretty things, that the spirit of Christmas will soldier on regardless. That's the beauty of it and the reason the Grinch's heart grew ten sizes that day. Blanc's Grinch is deliciously evil as he slinks through the houses stocking up on Who Toys, even the Who Hash. This will always be a classic for every generation and every religion. Our artist Ori being the example to this rule, he's a Jew but he loves him some Grinch. This is required viewing for all, no exeptions. You can bet your Kan-tankers on that, my friend.
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 3. A Christmas Story
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!
4.) A Charlie Brown Christmas
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
3.) A Christmas Story Ralphie (as an adult): "Next to me in the blackness lay my oiled blue steel beauty. The greatest Christmas gift I had ever received, or would ever receive. Gradually, I drifted off to sleep, pringing ducks on the wing and getting off spectacular hip shots."
Jeff: It's amazing to me that many Christmas lists have excluded this film as one of their top choices. I find that strange on many levels one given that TBS has been playing the 24 hours of a Christmas Story every year for at least the last ten years. When the film was released it tanked terribly. Only after it found second life on TBS did it become hugely popular. I would like to think I was one of those who saw this in the late 80s that knew instantly that this was a Christmas classic. I can't remember the time that it wasn't so I'm gonna say I loved it before everyone else. Ralphie and his quest for a Red Rider BB gun and his hurdles to convince the Rents that he won't shoot his eye out. Darren McGavin is classic as the crochety dad and the kids are perfectly cast as we get a glimse of pre-WWII Indiana and the crazed quest for the perfect Christmas. If you have trouble finding this on TV or DVD then obviously you are living in a cave and have never heard of such things so there are no good excuses for you. If you are a Christian and you celebrate Christmas it's mandatory that you watch A Christmas Story.
Jen: I actually saw this movie for the very first time last Christmas (I know, I know - "how do you miss a movie that is on ALL the time at Christmas." You might ask...I get that a lot.) Everyone tells Ralphie that he will shoot his eye out with the BB gun he wants and when he finally get the gun for Christmas he does just that. Luckily his glasses protect his eye and a lie about a icicle protects him from his Mom. It's a cute story and Peter Billingsley is cute in it. I like the fact that the town is based on a town in Indiana (shout out to my home state!) I think every child can relate to Ralphie and his deep seated desires for Red Rider and his BB gun.
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 4. A Charlie Brown Christmas
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!
5.) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!
So far......
6.) The Nightmare Before Christmas
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
5.) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Clark: "Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse." - Sketch by Dezi Sienty
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 6. The Nightmare Before Christmas
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!
So far......
7.) Scrooged
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- Sketch by Corey Breen
Jen Huber: I like this movie because it's different. It's so creative and the music is great! I like to throw it in my holiday lineup in November because it has a little Halloween and a little Christmas. It's the perfect gateway to Christmas movies. Is it just me or is that boogey man really scary?
Jeff: One of the greatest blends of two holidays that, frankly, would never look good together. Halloween, with it's ghouls and goblins and Christmas, with its red bows and festive cheer. Only someone like Tim Burton could mesh the two in a symphony of outrageous fun and that is certainly what this is. Jack Skellington's odd journey into Christmas town is a wonderful journey, with supreme stop motion animation that would make Rudolph and Hermey red with envy. Jack is the ultimate misfit and it's always a pleasure to watch him stumble through his new discovery. This one is always great to watch just after Thanksgiving but really if you haven't seen it yet this Christmas, get out there now and rent it before the store closes for Christmas.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 7. Scrooged
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!
So far......
8.) Elf
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
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7.) Scrooged Frank Cross: "The Jews taught me this great word. "Schmuck". I was a schmuck, and now I'm not a schmuck."
You have David Johansen, also known as Buster Poindexter as the Ghost of Christmas Past. His smart ass taxi driver from hell gets under Frank's skin in the best way. "Go Back to Jersey, you Moron!" Carol Kane is perfect as the masochistic Fairy who has to always remind Frank that sometimes the truth hurts, alot. She's got that airy fairy accent that is perceived as naive and then she turns around and uppercuts Frank with a toaster, classic. The last guy, doesn't speak--but--one of the funniest scenes is Frank thinking the Ghost of Christmas Future from the show is the real deal. "You think I'm afraid of you, the day I've had? I know what you came for. Come and get it, you pussy." This one always gives me a chuckle.
Jen Huber: Oh Bill Murray, you can be a comedic genius when you put your mind to it. I like that this one takes a modern look at the Christmas Carol story instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. I remember seeing this one for the first time on TV, no one else I was watching it with liked it but I saw the entertainment in the story. It's a showcase for Murray, and being a huge fan of his, I dig it.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 8. Elf
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
So far......
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
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Jen Huber: Anytime I get sad about a movie decision Will Ferrell has made, I know I can always turn to this movie. He makes this huge elf of a man innocent in a way that is so funny! I think my favorite character in this movie is James Caan as Buddy's business focused father. He appears to be so mean in the beginning, but honestly, who wouldn't be a little overwhelmed by a guy like Buddy? I think this was the first time I had seen Zooey Deschanel in a movie and I just remember thinking she was fantastic in an old hollywood way. This movie encourages people to accept others differences, even if they do put chocolate on their spaghetti. One of the best things about this movie is the way that Buddy keeps trying to be part of the family even when he isn't made to feel welcome. In the end, the Christmas miracle is that his newfound family becomes a loving family and his grinch of a father's heart grows three sizes.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Top Ten Christmas Movies - 9. Santa Claus: The Movie
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
So far......
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
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As a kid the backstory, the Elves and the Reindeer were always front and center but as I watched this film as a young adult and as an adult I noticed the larger theme spotlighting the commercialization of Christmas. It has been done many times before and many times after but I thought the particular focus on Corporate Greed and dangerously manufactured toys was a nice addition and it is, unfortunately, still a timely one. The Big Bad played deliciously by John Lithgow as the notorious Toy Mogul B.Z. This guy will sell anything to make a buck and I mean anything. To watch the expose of B.Z. in court was like watching that SNL skit where Dan Akroyd's slimy toy salesman, Irwin Mainway, is being ripped apart by Candice Bergen for hawking Bears with chainsaws in them. It's equally fun to watch B.Z. manipulate the childlike Elf Patch (Dudley Moore) into making some explosive candy while plotting to take the cash and do a frame job on the Elf while he makes a break for a non-extradition based country. Evil?
To conclude, yes it's a bit of a hammy movie and yes there are times where you are going to want to slap the braces out of that really annoying girl every time she opens her mouth--Shut up--I'm sorry that was BZ talking. It's still a must see around Christmas and most definitely for any young kid from 2-12 that gets crap for still believing in Santa, yes there is a Santa, and this movie will prove it too.
Jen Huber: First, I miss Dudley Moore. He and John Lithgow are two of my favorites and so by that rationale this one HAS to be a classic. I love watching movies from the 80's. I think they all just have a special quality that is especially characteristic of that time. Maybe it's because I was born in the 80's and can actually remember watching the movie around when it was first released. At any rate, the story is about corporate greed, and because it's about Christmas, thankfully, greed doesn't win the race. It's a fun story, maybe a little cheesy but a fun just the same! Honestly though, I have to admit when I see the film titled Santa Claus-I'm actually thinking of that Tim Allen Movie, The Santa Claus. That one is really more of a staple in my house at Christmas and I hold a special place in my heart for it. It got snubbed for a spot on the list but that's ok, I can handle it. But seriously folks, I'm glad that that other Santa Claus Movie made the list though, cause it has been forgotten by many, they are both fun flicks -- go watch them!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 10. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Santa Claus:"From what I see now, that (nose)will cut through the murkiest storm they can dish up. What I'm trying to say is, Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Jen Huber: This movie is truly a classic. I've got to tell you though - the Abominable Snowman steals the show from Rudolph in this one. Who doesn't love a story about a giant monster who goes from scaring people to being the one to put the star on top of the tree at Christmas?
I've got to ask this question, on the Island of Misfit Toys - what was wrong with the doll? Every other toy has something wrong (a train with square wheels, charlie in the box, a gun that shoots jelly instead of water). What was wrong with the doll? Was it the name? That question has been on my mind every time I have seen this movie since I was like 10.
The characters in this story are classic. Who can forget the singing, narrator snowman voiced by Burl Ives? I also really liked Hermey, DDS. Actually, all the characters in this movie were good (besides the doll, the doll just ends up frustrating me) I think this film really embodies the spirit of Christmas. A bunch of misfits who band together and save Christmas by using their unique talents - that is a slam dunk.
Jeff: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was the first Christmas movie I can remember watching when I was a little kid. Made by Rankin-Bass, this stop-motion animated flick was a must see in my house from ages 3-6. Those guys owned Christmas with hits like Frosty, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and many others. But of all of the Rankin-Bass flicks, Rudolph was the cream of the crop. Sure it's a bit dated now but it still evokes nostalgia and feel good Christmassy feelings. The key word here is Misfit--and this flick is full of them. Rudolph and his band of renegades like Hermey the Elf who wants to be a Dentist, the guy with the bad Porn name, Yukon Cornelius, who is trying desperately to find him some gold and, of course, that island of messed up toys. Like the X-Men, Rudolph was a pioneer of utilizing the gifts given to him that everyone seems to shun. In the end the seemingly Big Bad, Bumpo-or the Abominable Snowman, turns out to be a swell guy. Proof again that no matter how hairy and scary you look on the outside what's on the inside is what really counts.