What I love about Christmas

First of all, whohoooo, it’s Christmas. I know the weather doesn’t look like it, but it is. So Marry Christmas to everyone. It’s so crazy how far away it always seems and all of a sudden it’s just here. Personally, I’m a total Christmas person because it’s just such a lovely season. I admit, last year I was a total Grinch but this year, I tried to make the most of it and enjoyed it, very much. So because today seems to be the perfect day for this post, here come all the things I love about Christmas.

Christmas Music – I could listen to it all year-long but I guess people would finally think I’ve completely lost it, haha. I don’t mind listening to it on the radio at all, even if they play “Last Christmas” for the millionth time and I buy at least one new Christmas CD, every year. Seriously, if you don’t own the Michael Bublé Christmas album, who are you?! My favorite song is “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt and one day, I would just love to perform it somewhere.

Christmas Lights and Decorations – During Christmas, everything just looks so pretty. The stores, the houses, our living room. If it was up to me, I would hang our whole house full of lights but nobody could afford that electricity bill. Our front yard looks very pretty, though. Then the Christmas trees. I mean, they just make me happy. I have a white and pink one in my room, which I’m always madly in love with and I leave it until February. I’m always on the lookout for cute ornaments. Our living room has a classic red and gold one, which is also very pretty. And we have little bits and pieces everywhere, like stockings, more lights, figurines, bells etc.

Christmas Decorations

Christmas Movies – This year, I’ve been watching lots and lots of movies. Of course the classics like “The Grinch” or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” my absolute favorite, but also a lot of new ones that I found on Netflix. I honestly don’t really care which movie I watch because I usually like all the Christmas movies. They’re just so cute and deep in my heart, I really love and want to believe the thought about Santa Clause, North Pole and the whole myth.

Christmas Cookies and Candy – I just eat too much unhealthy stuff during Christmas time but I’m sure I’m not alone with that. I try to bake my favorite cookies every year, and always end up eating them pretty much by myself. And don’t even get me started on all the chocolate. I’ve been eating so much of it all month and I know it’s not going to get better in the next few days. But there is nothing better than Christmas chocolate.

Advent Calendars – I honestly don’t care how old I am, I still want an advent calendar. Apparently. last year I told my mom that I didn’t but as mentioned above, I was a total Grinch. This year, I bought myself two and I’m actually really sad that I opened the last door, today. I waited a few days into December because then you can get them at 50% off, which is a much better price. I got one from H&M with cute jewelry and an After Eight one in the shape of Big Ben.

After Eight Advent Calendar

Christmas Dinner – In Germany, we actually celebrate three days of Christmas which means there is a lot of food. Christmas Eve is the best because my family and I have beef fondue and you wouldn’t believe how much I eat. I always win. It’s very special because we really only do it once a year. So it’s meat, bread, garlic butter, sauce, all kinds of sides and for dessert, we bring out the chocolate fountain with some fruit. I mean, if that doesn’t sound like the perfect Christmas feast, what does. So in a couple of hours, I will be the one lying on the floor unable to move and I’m really looking forward to it.

Christmas Accessories – If I could, I wouldn’t mind just walking around in an elf costume, all throughout December, but I’m sure that most people wouldn’t understand. I did buy myself some Christmas leggings though. I still want an ugly Christmas sweater because I usually think they’re not ugly, at all, but I haven’t found the right one. I’m definitely putting that on my shopping list for next year. I have lots of accessories like head bands, earings, a necklace with bells etc. and I can’t wait to wear it all and sound like a jingle bells song, every step I take.

Family Madness – I admit, I do complain about it every year but deep down, I love it. Two years ago, I almost didn’t spend Christmas with my family and the thought of it was terrible. So I paid a fortune for a flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt but it was definitely worth it. It made everyone very happy. You never know for how long people will be in your life, so even though it’s stressful, I try to enjoy it. The same procedures, the same traditions, the same food, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Sometime in the future, I’d like to spend Christmas time in New York though, but we’ll see how that goes.

Christmas Market Mainz

Christmas Markets – Now this is something us Germans are really good at. Our markets are extremely beautiful and they are often copied in other countries. With all the beautiful lights, the yummy food and little booths that sell stuff nobody really needs, but still feels like buying around Christmas, it’s just a must to visit. I mainly go because of the food. Usually, you find everything from sausages, crêpe, waffles, candy, soup to whatever else you can think of. I definitely go for a good bratwurst and something sweet. This year, I opted for churros. Unfortunately, I don’t like mulled wine which is what people mainly drink, but children’s punch is so much better.

Christmas Presents – Sure, Christmas shouldn’t be just about presents, but it sure is great to give and get some. When my brother and me were kids, there were always so many presents under the tree, it was insane. I miss that but when you get older, you pretty much always get money, which of course is great but just not super exciting. I love exchanging some gifts with friends because that’s when I always get lots of cute things. They know me very well and I’m super easy to shop for. I also love giving presents and put a lot of thought into what to give people. I’m also a fan of Secret Santa because it’s an even bigger surprise, since you don’t know who has your name.

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Photography: Ice World Mainz

Even though I’m not much of a winter person, I have to admit that you can find fun things to do during this cold time of year. While visiting my best friend for a few days, we decided to check out the Ice World in Mainz and what can I say, it was absolutely amazing. Pretty cold with -8° but just incredible. There were huge sculptures made by artists from all over the world and the special lighting created a fantastic atmosphere. With every picture I took, I hoped it would turn out alright because of course, I wanted to share this with everyone. Gladly, they turned out pretty good. If it hadn’t been freezing in there, I would’ve loved to stay for hours and take hundreds of pictures, but at some point, the cold was just too much. I’m so not an Elsa.

Out of 200 tons of ice and snow, all kinds of beautiful scenarios had been carved. Of course, most of it was Christmas themed with Santa Clause, the Christmas story with a little baby jesus made of ice, a huge snowman, Santa’s workshop, a ginger bread house and of course, the Nutcracker. We also saw sculptures representing traditions of Mainz like carnival and of course, a German Christmas market. And in between, there were also some animals that actually live in ice and snow. Here and there were some places you could sit on or step into for some cute pictures and the whole exhibition was just magical. If you get the chance to visit Mainz by January 15, definitely go and check it out for yourself. The Christmas market there is a great one too, so you’ll definitely have a lovely afternoon.

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The Christmas Tag

Man oh man, I’ve been so off my blogging game but sometimes, I just don’t feel like it and there was a lot going on, as well. I like getting back into the groove with a tag post because I think they’re really fun and I love doing them. This time, I was tagged by the lovely Megan Anne and while everyone is sharing one Christmas post after another, this will be my first one for this year. A part of me would love to start “12 Days of Christmas” today, but I don’t think I can pull it off and I sure can’t just write about Christmas for two weeks, even though I really love this time of year. But I’ll think about.

Anyway, thank you so much Megan Anne for tagging me and everyone, please do give her blog a visit. I won’t tag anyone in particular because I feel like most people have already done this tag and I’m never really sure if people even like to be tagged. So, I’ll just skip this and if you like it and want to do it yourself, please go for it.

Christmas cookies

What is your favorite thing about Christmas?
I can’t really answer this one because I pretty much love everything about Christmas. The lights everywhere, beautiful Christmas trees, movies, cookies, music and just all of it. I feel like it’s such a magical season and it’s totally my thing, even though I’m not really a winter person.

What is your favorite make-up look for the festive season?
I’m not really big on special make-up looks and I really don’t experiment much. So I don’t have a certain look for the festive season. I love Christmas accessories though, so you’ll see me with bells around my neck, ornaments dangling from my ears and whatever else I can get my hands on.

Real tree or artificial tree?
Both. In my room, I have an artificial white one because well, they usually don’t grow white, outside. And it goes so well with all my pink ornaments. In our living room, we always have a real one and they just smell sooo good. It’s decorated in red and gold and it always looks very pretty.

pink Christmas decorations

Do you open your presents on Christmas morning or evening?
In Germany it’s a little different. Our main celebration is on Christmas Eve so we open presents on December 24th and then more throughout the next days, when we visit the rest of the family. So for us, the whole Santa story where he brings you presents on Christmas Eve for you to see in the morning, doesn’t really work.

What is your favorite Christmas film?
Definitely “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” because it just makes me laugh and I always wanted my house full of Christmas lights just like in the movie. I also love “Santa Clause”, “The Grinch” and so many more.

What tops your tree?
My little white and pink tree is topped with a bright pink and glittery peacock and I’m not quite sure what we put on the one in the living room. I think it’s a little Santa.

Christmas fondue

Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
As mentioned above, we actually really celebrate on Christmas Eve. My family and I have been doing the same things every year. We usually gather around the tree, listen to a song and sometimes sing, if my mom forces us, and then we open presents. After that, we’ll have a fabulous fondue dinner, with an awesome chocolate fountain dessert. And when we basically can’t move anymore, we hang, sometimes play games or watch a movie.

Giving or receiving presents?
I’ll say both. I love giving presents, and not just on days like Christmas, and I try to put a lot of thought into what to give each of my loved ones. But I also love receiving them because who doesn’t? The older you get though, the more boring it gets because usually, all you wish for and get is money, but as a kid, there was always a gigantic pile of presents and it was amazing. I’m also a big fan of personal gifts.

What is your favorite Christmas song? 
There are so many great Christmas songs out there and I could listen to them, all year long. Although it would probably seem pretty weird cruising around during summer while Jingle Bells is blasting from my radio. I certainly love “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt and “Christmas for Cowboys” by John Denver. And of course all the classics but you can just look at my Chistmas mixtape to see some more of my favorites.

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Goodbye November 2016

Goodbye November,

and hello Christmas time. Now that it’s December, we can officially go nuts for lights, trees and wonderful music. I truly love this festive season because it’s super beautiful. We’ve already decorated our front garden with lots of lights and I just put up my tree. It all looks very lovely but I still want to add more and more.

Honestly, I don’t really know what to write, since November was pretty bla, as expected. I wasn’t out a lot, since people are all pretty busy during this time of year, I don’t have any great news to report and I’m ok with the month being over and in general, the whole year. 2016 was just not great. I mean, Donald Trump will be president of the US. Enough said.

However, a few nice things did occur in November. I went to a lovely concert with mostly brass instruments because one of my besties plays the flute and it was fab. They even played Harry Potter. I met with friends here and there and finally spent an evening with my bff. We don’t get to see each other very often. I spent some time with my brother, had a few little shopping sprees for myself, got a new pair of glasses and now I see the world in HD again. I had some family time cause my grandpa turned 80, I made great progress on Pokémon GO and I ate lots and lots of unhealthy food. I can get Doritos in Germany now and I basically eat a bag per day. Oooops. Well, this may not sound like the most exciting life on earth but it’s the little things that matter most.

And that’s all I want to share this month. I don’t want to be negative and start a long rant on why I hate Trump or on how annoying it is that I still don’t have a job, so I will just stop here and think about all the things that made me smile. Also, I’m looking forward to December because I love Christmas and there are a few fun things planned throughout the month. And I’m not going into detail but if everyone reading this could just keep their fingers crossed for me to find a job by Christmas, that would be lovely. And don’t ask, I will definitely share great news if something happens.

I wish all of you a joyful and festive Christmas season. Spend time with your loved ones, cozy up in bed because it’s sooo cold, watch movies, drink hot chocolate and share the spirit with others. Eat as much as you can, try doing something nice for others and please share everything christmassy on social media because I looove seeing it.

Tons of love,
Hailey 

PS: I have a new sidebar and I love it. If any of you want to swap blog buttons, please let me know.

Christmas Snow Globe

Lovely life
 brunch with good food  my new glasses  successful shopping  my blog button  my new coat  bold lipstick  cute stickers  talking to old friends  the first snow  when fellow bloggers write nice things about you  having the house to myself  lazy days  having fun with friends  drinks and gossip  I finally got Pikachu  seeing everything in HD again  orchestra music  award shows  my rainbow glitter magic wand  fresh sheets  the Obama family  my new sidebar  swapping blog buttons  cleaning my room in the middle of the night  Dream Renee Kardashian  spreading a little love  shower + fresh sheets + fresh onesie  family fun  Christmas movies  cheesy crust pizza all the Barack Obama and Joe Biden memes ♥ new Beauty and the Beast trailereverything Disney ♥ my Pokémon GO progress rainbows ♥ new music ♥ Christmas accessories ♥ spending time with my bff ♥ when I get along with my brother ♥ Gilmore Girls Revival ♥ buying cute things for myself ♥  ♥ Disney Animators Collection ♥ flirting ♥ getting some fresh air ♥ cute doggies ♥ coffee dates ♥ junkfood ♥ Christmas lights ♥ 

 Songs I love
Jennifer Rostock – Hengstin
Little Big Town – Better Man
The Veronicas – On Your Side

Interesting articles and videos
If Lorelai From Gilmore Girls Had Instagram // Fuller House | Official Trailer – Season 2 [HD] | Netflix // Mike Pence’s Record on Reproductive and LGBTQ Rights Is Seriously Concerning // Angela Merkel Issues Not-So-Subtle Warning To Donald Trump After His Presidential Win // Michelle Obama: A Candid Conversation With America’s Champion and Mother in Chief // 17 final White House conversations between Obama and Joe Biden everyone wishes would happen // LADY GAGA: PORTRAIT OF A LADY // 29 Pictures To Help You Forget About The Shitshow That Is 2016 // 41 Incredible Photos of the Spice Girls’ Style // Cover Story: Jennifer Lawrence, Star without a Script // Here’s Why The Jaw-Dropping Final 4 Words In ‘Gilmore Girls’ Make Perfect Sense // Rory Gilmore and Why We Need Better Fictional Journalism

My November posts 
Goodbye October // An Unimaginable Outcome – Presidential Election 2016 // #BloggerProblems 2 // Photography: Strasbourg // What I Am Thankful For // Gilmore Girls Revival – My Thoughts And Feelings

My November Instagrams
Instagram November

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Gilmore Girls Revival – My Thoughts And Feelings

+++++ SPOILER ALERT +++++ SPOILER ALERT +++++

First things first: If you haven’t watched Gilmore Girls yet, obviously don’t read this post. If you do, don’t even think about blaming me.

Finally the day was here. A lot of people were waiting for this to happen and boy oh boy what an experience it was. After seeing promising trailers and re-watching all seven seasons of the original series, the hype was big and of course I couldn’t resist. Gilmore Girls is a special show with amazing characters and a mother-daughter relationship that can make your head spin. Expectations were super high and of course, I had to binge-watch the revival immediately. So that’s what I did all day long and here are all my thoughts and feelings about more than six hours of Stars Hollow madness.

Gilmore Girls Promo Photos Netflix

WINTER

  • Just hearing that lovely melody when seeing Stars Hollow gives me all the feels.
  • I wish I could smell snow like Lorelai.
  • Rory is just sooo pretty.
  • The fact that Rory doesn’t fully have her life together at 32 makes me feel so much better about myself.
  • If anyone asks me again why it’s so hard for me to get a job in journalism, I’ll just say “ask THE Rory Gilmore.” It’s just how it is.
  • Luke’s is so not blogger friendly.
  • What the hell happened to Zack? He looks like he’s 80.
  • Paris Geller in Stars Hollow just always looks so wrong.
  • Paris had children? I want to see her as a mother.
  • Maybe we all just need a Kirk in our life.
  • How amazing do the tons of Christmas decorations at the Gilmore house look?!
  • Who the fu** is Paul? Rory, dump him immediately.
  • Yayyyy, Logan. I think they’re good together.
  • Wait, what exactly is Rory’s relationship status?
  • I have to get used to a two-timing and casual hookup-liking Rory.
  • Richard’s funeral: and here come the tears.
  • London, New York, Stars Hollow – What a life, Rory Gilmore.
  • When did everyone start drinking Scotch all the time?
  • Emily in jeans is just so…
  • I want to live in Stars Hollow. I mean yeah, it’s a small town but the community is great and it’s so pretty.
  • I can hardly recognize Miss Patty. I already had a hard time recognizing her in the promotion clips.
  • Kirk at Emily’s dinner table is just hilarious.
  • Paris is just such a great character.
  • Did Taylor even get any older?
  • How cuuuuuute, a pet pig.
  • Can you believe that Keiko Agena (Lane) is actually 43 in real life? I want her genes. It baffles me everytime.
  • In-between parts, I actually googled everyone’s ages and boy was I surprised. Real-life Kirk is only three years older than real-life Jess and Paris. Mind blown.

Gilmore Girls Revival Netflix

SPRING

  • Lorelai and Emily will totally destroy that therapist.
  • I don’t know if I ever saw Mr. Kim before. I mean seriously, there is a Mr. Kim?
  • I’m loving all the London and New York shots.
  • Ugh, how much I just hate Mitchum Huntzberger.
  • I’ve always been #TeamLogan
  • Michel loves Jennifer Lawrence. He’s just awesome.
  • I would be so scared to be in a room alone with Emily.
  • Whaaat? Paris still has feelings for Tristan?
  • Guuuurl, you’re better than that.
  • Going back to your old highschool is always just super weird.
  • Oh wow, Rory doesn’t have a Master’s degree? I will never fully understand the American university system. But hey, I have a higher degree than her so there is hope for me.
  • OMG, Paris and Doyle are absolutely terrible as parents.
  • My heart breaks a little for Rory when she can’t find another way but ask for Mitchum’s help. I know how hard that is.
  • How fast can all these people talk?
  • There is not enough Rory and Lorelai time.
  • Rory freaking out about her first ONS at 32 makes me love her even more.
  • Logan is engaged to someone else??? NOOOOOOO!
  • Seriously, everything Rory is feeling, I am feeling. That can totally be me at 32.
  • So far, only one ex-boyfriend. And did she ever break up with Paul?

Gilmore Girls Revival Netflix

SUMMER

  • Haha, how anti summer they are.
  • “Welcome back!” Poor Rory, I know exactly how it feels.
  • I just can’t look at Zack.
  • It actually annoys me that Logan got engaged to someone who lives somewhere else. I mean, that was the reason he left Rory after graduation. Sure, he’s older now but I want them to be together.
  • Stars Hollow has a secret bar that looks more fun and cooler than anything in a 50km radius from where I live.
  • Nooooo, Michel. You can’t leave the DragonFly Inn. And where the hell is Sookie?
  • Didn’t Lorelai say in winter that Sookie is taking a six month sabbatical? Well, it’s summer, so where is she? And there were only like five seconds of Jackson.
  • I want to be editor in chief too. Even for a small newspaper. You can do so much with it.
  • It makes me so sad to see that Lorelai and Rory both seem to be struggling.
  • I love these people most for their eating habits.
  • Could Rory’s phone be any bigger?
  • I miss Miss Patty at the town meetings.
  • How can there be a Stars Hollow musical without Kirk in it?
  • And how annoying is the 30-something gang?
  • STOP showing that stupid musical. I want to see the important things.
  • FINALLY, here is Jess.
  • I really hope he gets Rory out of her rut.
  • It’s so horrible when Lorelai and Rory fight.
  • And then Luke and Lorelei fight? Noooooo!
  • Oh come on, Logan. Just leave her and be with Rory.
  • OMG, I really, really, really hated summer.

Gilmore Girls Revival Netflix

FALL

  • Really? Lorelai wants to do Wild? I can’t really see that happening.
  • Yayyy, the Life and Death Brigade. Those guys are crazy but oh so fun.
  • You’re never bored with Logan.
  • I love how he always supports and pushes Rory to go for her dreams.
  • Nooo, Rory and Logan saying goodbye is just too hard to watch.
  • Oh Luke. Why can’t all guys be like Luke?
  • Man, for a moment, I thought Luke and Lorelei would split but OMG, they’re finally getting married.
  • I need a house by the coast.
  • I can’t believe for how long Emily finally kept a maid.
  • I like the new Emily.
  • Christopher is another person who didn’t age, at all.
  • I can’t believe Rory is giving up on journalism.
  • Of course Rory and Dean just happen to bump into each other at Doose’s Market.
  • Well, that was a quick meet but I’m not a Dean fan, anyway.
  • Really? Sookie first appears in the final twenty minutes? WHY? I missed her.
  • Wait, Sookie and Jackson moved upstate? I guess I didn’t see Jackson earlier, after all. It probably was wishful thinking.
  • Michel and Sookie’s fights are the best.
  • I can’t believe Emily scares kids at a museum now. But good for her.
  • I would really love to read Rory’s book.
  • Jess will never get over Rory because he never really tried to make it work. There will always be a “what if.”
  • Wow, the town square has never looked more perfect than for Luke and Lorelai’s wedding.
  • Was that an Alice in Wonderland theme?
  • They’re having a mini wedding before the actual wedding? And Michel and Lane are there but not Jess or Sookie? That is not ok.
  • Haha, Rory forgot to break up with Paul for a whole year.
  • Rory is pregnant? Who is the father? Logan or the Wookie-ONS-guy? I need to do the math.
  • Ok, it’s more likely to be Logan and he’s getting married to someone else. Great!
  • I can’t belive how they ended the show. I’m actually screaming at my tablet.

Gilmore Girls Revival Netflix

So now, I guess it’s over and this ending totally did not satisfy me. I mean, I’m super happy that Lorelai and Luke finally got married but just ending the show with “Mom, I’m pregnant” is just not ok. I could accept this as a cliff-hanger in between seasons but this? I really think they have to make another revival when they’re all super old and Zack looks like 102. I’m still bummed that Rory and Logan didn’t end up together. Also, some typical Gilmore Girls features and characters were just missing and a lot of scenes just seemed too forced. I think it’s because us fans had super high expectations, it’s definitely easy to get disappointed. I liked winter and spring, I absolutely hated summer and fall was ok but that ending really had me screaming. But that’s just how it is with beloved TV shows: at some point they just have to end and there will always be some unanswered questions.

I know this was a long post and if you made it until here, well done. Of course, I would love to hear your opinions on this. Did you love or hate it? Which ex-boyfriend were you rooting for? Please share your emotions with me. It was so hard to not do it on Twitter because I didn’t want to spoil all the details for everyone.

(All pictures are courtesy of NETFLIX)

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