Browsing Category: Entertainment

Favorite Christmas Movies

15 December, 2015 Laytee Samida

I love Christmas movies! Other than finding and gifting “perfect” gifts (fyi – I’m a giver), watching Christmas movies is one of my favorite things to do this time of year. Christmas movies tend to be very heart warming, nostalgic and give all the happy feels.

Therefore, over the years, I’ve curated a list of Christmas movies that I watch every year, not including the cartoon Christmas specials. Of course, you have to watch Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, and the cartoon version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Those have to watched. Point blank.

My personal Christmas movie list includes everything from universal Christmas classics, some made-for-TV movies, and a couple of rom-com ones, too. However, I make a point to watch these every year by Christmas and I’ve already watched a lot of these so far this year. I plan to spend a couple of my upcoming vacation days snuggled up on my sofa and binge watching the rest of them.

So, keep reading to see my complete list of favorite Christmas movies.

It’s A Wonderful Life – In my mind and heart, this is the quintessential Christmas movie. It’s a love story, a drama, and subtle comedy that has life lessons and sprinkled with snow and Christmas cheer. It tugs at all my emotions every time I watch.

Home Alone – This movie came out when I was 9 years old and my mom bought my brother and I the VHS (old school) so we could watch whenever. We watched it so much the first week, that the we wore out the tape and it would skip. Nine year old me though this movie was hilarious and 25 years later, I still laugh when I watch it. Classic.

The Santa Clause – The New York Post was correct, because The Santa Clause is a holiday classic. The humor in this movie has definitely carried on over the years.

Elf – I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t love Elf. So funny and touching…in all the right places.

Comfort and Joy – All the way back in 2003, Lifetime debuted the Christmas gem that is too good to not watch. Although it’s a made for TV Christmas movie, there isn’t much cheesiness in it. It’s been living in my DVR for over 2 years now and I watch every Christmas eve. Plus, it was one of my mom’s favorite Christmas movies, too. So, I feel her with me when I watch it.

Snowglobe – Okay, Snowglobe is about a Christmas obsessed single young lady seeking the “perfect Christmas” and gets magically transported into the ideallic Christmas town located…in her snowglobe. LOL. So cheesy, but it’s my Christmas time guilty pleasure. WARNING: Be prepared for Christina Milian’s horrible New York/Bronx accent.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – Funniest Christmas movie….EVER! I promise I laugh just as hard every year. It makes me so happy!

The Holiday – I was a little late to this the rom-com awesome that is The Holiday, but it’s so cute and features Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Jack Black. So, there’s that.

Love Actually – The tag line says it all: The Ultimate Romantic Comedy, but with Christmas-y vibes.

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? Share below, because I might want to add them to my list.

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Podcasts for Creative Entrepreneurs

10 November, 2015 Laytee Samida

For the past couple of years, I’ve been hooked on podcasts. I tend to listen to podcasts at night as I fall asleep and/or use them to get through long days at work to speed up the day.

I wish I could say that I’m subscribed to only a few podcasts in a certain niche, but I’m not. Currently, I’m subscribed to well over 20 different podcasts that mostly includes pop culture and comedy stations. I usually listen to these as I fall asleep at night. Who doesn’t want to fall asleep with a smile on their face?

Currently, one of my favorite types of podcasts to listen to while at work are podcasts are aimed toward creatives and entrepreneurs. They are usually very motivating and share valuable information that I can implement in my work, creative endeavors, and life.

So, I decided to share some of my favorite podcasts for creative entrepreneurs with you. If you work/live or aspire to possess a creative lifestyle or start your own business, then you will definitely appreciate some of these podcasts. Check them out!

Mattieologie – Mattie James is the beautiful branding bad-ass behind the Mattieologie podcast and Mattieologie blog. In her daily podcast, she shares tips and suggestions on everything from blogging, social media, and video content creation in less than 10 minutes. No, seriously, some of podcasts are less than 5m minutes, but are so thorough and filled with awesomeness. I tend to listen her podcasts from throughout the week on Friday, while getting ready for work. LISTEN HERE!

Ask Pat – Ask Pat is a podcast hosted by Pat Flynn, who is known for helping other create and curate profitable online businesses through his blog, Smart Passive Income. Like Mattieologie, the format of this podcast is daily short episodes where Pat answers a question from one of his supporters including questions about blogging schedules, what equipment to use for podcasts, and email marketing. I binge listen to this podcast on Sundays, on my way from church. It helps me slowly get back into the upcoming work week. LISTEN HERE!

Lewis Howes – Lewis Howes is a former professional athlete turned lifestyle entrepreneur that shares great life and business tips from personal experiences and also interviews with other creatives and entrepreneurs. Each episode is informative and inspiring. LISTEN HERE!

#GIRLBOSSES Radio – So, pretty much anything that has Sophia Amoruso name attached to it automatically gets my vote, including her #GirlBoss podcast, which is named after her best-selling book that was released earlier this year. In her new podcast, the founder of Nasty Gal, interviews other inspiring #girlbosses about business, life, and everything in between. Unfortunately, she’s only released a few episodes, but they are so worth listening to and waiting patiently for the next one. LISTEN HERE!

Creative Start Podcast – I recently found this podcast, but I really enjoyed the interviews with creative entrepreneurs who discuss how they got started with their business/careers. So inspirational and reassuring! New episodes are supposed to start soon. However, in the meantime, you will enjoy their past episodes. LISTEN HERE!

She Did It Her Way – She Did Her Way podcast is the reason I’ve hardly listened to the radio on my way to work the past couple of weeks, because this podcast is specifically geared toward the top female entrepreneurs who climbed the ladder of their success their way with interviews from women who’ve succeeded in various businesses. LISTEN HERE!

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Coloring Books for Adults

20 October, 2015 Laytee Samida

I’ve always been a creative. Growing up, drawing and coloring was my life. I even went to art camp a couple of summers when I was in elementary school. Not to mention, but also earned a handful of awards for my drawings and writing. I don’t know why I stopped coloring and drawing so much. Oh, right, because once you hit junior high/ middle school, drawing and coloring are replaced by technical and computer graphics.

Don’t get me wrong, I love graphic design! Actually, a couple of months ago, I decided to slowly starting up my freelance business again and I’m so excited. However, before I could get to the grind and hustle of graphic design, I had to stir my desire for creating cool and fun designs. Therefore, I reverted back to my favorite childhood pastime; drawing and coloring. Well, I didn’t revert too far back. Instead, I traded in my crayons for gel pens, watercolor markers, and charcoal pencils. Not only is is fun, but there are some great health benefits associated with it, too.

Recently, there was a study released that listed great benefits for adults to color more, including relaxation, exercising fine motor skills and training the brain to focus.

After dusting off my old drawing techniques, I moved on to adjusting to coloring with my new, grown-up art utensils with cheap coloring books from random stores. I will admit that it felt a little more than weird being a childless grown woman shopping for coloring books, but I was so happy. I instantly felt thrown back to looking for certain styles of coloring books. The majority of the coloring books on the shelves are marketed for today’s child. So, there were a lot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and way too many Frozen options. (It’s been over 2 years. Let it go!)

However, a while ago I learned that there were actually adult coloring books. Not “adult” like movies, although I’m pretty sure those exist, but more like adult coloring books that includes cool graphics, illustrations, stress-releasing designs, and fun adult theme. So, cool, right?

So, I’ve decided that I need more of these coloring books for adults in my life (as should you) and I’m starting with these:

Color Me Swoon: Beefcake Edition – After a long day at the office, I would love to unwind with a glass of wine and color a dreamy picture of Ryan Gosling. Thanks to this Color Me Swoon coloring book, that is actually very plausible. Maybe, after a few glasses of wine, you might get creative and get wonder what a Channing Tatum looks like with a brunette hair or Robert Pattinson with a deep tab. Sexy.

Natural Wonders Coloring Book – This coloring book by Patrick Hruby has my ideal images of illustrations that range from intricate to simple to color bright and bold images. Therefore, this is a great book for kids, adults, or a coloring session for the whole family. Coloring parties!

Color Me Drunk – As a child, there are some things that you just don’t the legal authority to experience, such as voting, living on your own, and drinking while coloring. Color Me Drunk is a drinking and drawing activity books that calls for you to drink (preferably, drunk) and do some of the activities in the book that includes coloring in the line and drawing a straight line, which can be a little tricky under the influence.

Coloring For Grown-Ups Holiday Fun Book – The Coloring For Grown-Ups Coloring books come in various editions, including this holiday edition that has fun (adult-theme) pictures to color for various holidays, including Christmas and Hannukah, and activities. I’m really interested in the “Draw Your Own Ugly Christmas Sweater” page. Fun!

The 1990s Coloring Book All That and a Box of Crayons (Psych! Crayons Not Included.) – This coloring book should bring out all the feels of nostalgia for all the 80s and 90s babies, which is complete with design your own Beanie Babies and illustrations of your favorite 90s sitcom characters. Totally Awesome!

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Documentaries to Watch This Weekend

21 August, 2015 Laytee Samida

I plan to have a good ol’ super lazy weekend that consists noshing on a cheese plate for one and creating a dent in my sofa and/or bed. I haven’t exactly narrowed down the location of this “laze fest”, but it’s going down.

Although, I do have some mini binge watching of shows resting in my DVR, I would love to get catch up on some documentaries that I’ve been meaning to watch and/or rewatch. There are some really entertaining and informative documentaries lurking on Netflix and even Youtube that we should look into watching.

In the meantime, here are just a few of the docs that are on my personal to-watch list this weekend.

Freeway: Crack In The System documents the rise and fall of a drug dealer, Rick Ross (not the rapper), and the crack epidemic of the 80s. Gripping moment: a former billionare crack dealer crying, remembering how his daughter was born small enough to fit in his hand due to crack exposure.

Hot Girls Wanted explores the world of young girls seeking fame in the seedy world of amateur pornography.

Open Secret is about a man who has known for the majority of his life the truth about his adoption, which his whole town already knew. The filmmaker shows great care with his relatives, as he tries to understand their decisions. We also learn, poignantly, about the context in which the choices were made.

Somewhere Between follows the lives of four Chinese teenage girls who were adopted as babies by American families.

Burt’s Buzz is the story of Burt’s Bees’ founder, Burt Shavitz, and how a reclusive beekeeper reluctantly created a renowned multi-million dollar business.

Fed Up dives into the how the US government works and backs up the corporations that produce our food; good and bad.

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Current Favorite Lifestyle Books

23 July, 2015 Laytee Samida

Over the years, I’ve really developed a love and appreciation for “lifestyle” books. Over the past few months, I’ve been buying and reaching more them. I use them for everything from quick and healthy recipes, beauty tips, and even inspiration (not plagiarism.) for blog posts.

They are great for quick reads and valuable tips that you can incorporate into your life, including fashion, beauty, and home, especially for us girls constantly on the go and appreciate perfectly packed and presented information with pretty covers.

Rather you have a love of lifestyle books/guides or have an appreciation for books full of tips, then you should keep reading to check out the list of lifestyle books that I’m currently enjoying and that you should own.

Mr. Kate, one of my favorite bloggers, recently released her first book A Hot Glue Gun Mess, which is packed with fun DIY projects and sprinkles of style and home inspirations that you can easily incorporate into your life. Such a fun book that I’ve recently enjoyed browsing while stuck in the house avoid the heat on the weekend.

Modern lifestyle stylist and blogger behind Cupcakes and Cashmere, Emily Schuman, recently released her second book called Cupcakes and Cashmere at Home. However, I still fancy her first book Cupcakes and Cashmere: A Guide for Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space, and Entertaining with Ease. Filled with useful tips, inspirational ideas, and beautifully styled pictures, the first Cupcakes and Cashmere book is great reference book for the modern and millennial woman on the go.

Louise Roe is a well-respected fashion journalist and TV host and her first book, Front Roe: How To Be A Leading Lady In Your Life, doesn’t just offer style advice, but offers encouragement on how to love your life, home, and personality.

Supermodel Molly Sims has done some of the most iconic things in fashion, including being a Victoria’s Secret runway model and hosting MTV’s House of Style back in the day. However, her book The Everyday Supermodel is very down-to-earth, easy, and informative. It’s almost like reading notes and emails from your good girlfriend. She (and experts she interviewed) offers great everyday tips on beauty and fashion that are easy to fix into the everyday woman’s life. However, I really enjoy her health and fitness tips which includes workout tips and recipes.

I know I’m not the only one appreciates a good lifestyle book and guide. If you know of anymore that I might fancy, please share!

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STAINED COUTURE

For And By a Beauty & Style Addict

Browsing Category: Entertainment

Favorite Christmas Movies

Podcasts for Creative Entrepreneurs

Coloring Books for Adults

Documentaries to Watch This Weekend

Current Favorite Lifestyle Books