Christmas Shows from my Childhood

Two months ago you may remember I did a blog post titled, Halloween Shows from my Childhood.  For December I've compiled a list of Christmas movie classics from nostalgic vintage cartoons to 80s claymation.  Enjoy!

 The Night Before Christmas - 1933 Silly Symphony cartoon

Christmas Comes But Once a Year - 1936, This song really gets in your head - A Max Fleischer classic.

A Charlie Brown Christmas - 1965, Due to copywrite law the full movie is not on YouTube, but here is the opening with the famous song, "Christmas Time is Here".  Also, here's Lunis' famous explaination of The True Meaning of Christmas

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus - 1985, or as I call it the Pagan story of Santa Claus.  Based off the story by L. Frank Baum (author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)

Twas the Night Before Christmas - 1974, Another Rankin &Bass classic of a clockmaker's family living with a family of mice, saving their town's Christmas

Mickey's Christmas Carol - 1983, Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge. Again, the full movie is not on YouTube due to copywrite laws.  Here is the opening titles with the familiar song that gives me the warm fuzzies.

Fat Albert Christmas Special - 1977, I wasn't particularly into Fat Albert, but I did have this one on tape & watched it every year

The Year Without a Santa Claus - 1974, The Miser Brothers!

Jack Frost - 1934 creepy cartoon version

Jack Frost - 1979  awesome claymation version.  I had a crush on Jack...

Santa Claus is Coming to Town - 1970, narrated by Fred Astaire (I lovingly dubbed this "Ginger Santa")

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - 1964, 'Nuff said!

 A Muppet Christmas Carol - Yea, copywrite laws again, here's the trailer.

A Muppet Family Christmas - 1987, Definitely one of my favorites.  I love that all the Jim Henson characters are here: Muppets, Sesame Street, even the Fraggles! (And just for fun, here is the Original 1987 TV Broadcast, complete with some fantastic vintage commercials!)

He-Man & She-Ra Christmas Special - Yea, I'm a nerd...

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol - A hilarious & visually challenged version of this classic tale - it's a play within a play, how Shakespearean!  Great songs. 

A Claymation Christmas Special - 1987, Hosted by dinosaurs that give the history of classic Christmas carols...the California Raisins perform at the end!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 1966, we've all seen it!

Bing Crosby & David Bowie Peace On Earth/The Little Drummer Boy - 1977, Originally aired as a Christmas special, two eras come together for Christmas joy! More of a music video than a movie.

The Little Drummer Boy - 1968  Part 1      Part 2      Part 3

The Snowman - 1982 Artsy animated special narrated by David Bowie with the song "Walking In The Air"

A Garfield Christmas Special - 1987

Other Favorite Holiday movies:

The Shop Around the Corner

Miracle on 34th Street (1955)

The Nightmare Before Christmas

It's a Wonderful Life

White Christmas

A Christmas Story

Scrooged

Ernest Saves Christmas

Nostaligic Vintage Holiday Commercials:

Toys R Us - Nintendo

Various 80s Holiday commercials - including the trailer for my nemesis, ET (I have an alien phobia thanks to this lil guy - a Macy's Christmas commercial had him popping out from behind a Christmas Tree in Dec. 1982 and I went screaming...)

More 80s & 90s Holiday commercials

Merry Christmas, Yule Blessings!

1940s Fashion for the Sophisticated Lady: Etsy Treasury

I was born in the wrong era... My favorite fashion styles are from the 1930s-50s.  Here is a small collection of 40s style.  Why don't we wear hats anymore?!

Holiday Giveaway Contest 2013

The winter holidays are fast approaching, so I am offering my favorite seasonal scent Baker's Dozen in a 2 oz. room & body spray, and classic holiday inspired lip balm Peppermint Vanilla.  All entries must be received by 11:59pm on 12/15/13.  Winner will be chosen randomly & notified by email on 12/16/13. 

 ~My Baker's Dozen Room & Body Spray smells like it just came out of the oven! Tasty spices & tempting sweets compliment each other for a playful and irresistible scent. This can be worn anytime, but is certainly a lovely fragrance for the fall and winter months, especially during the holidays.

~My Peppermint Vanilla lip balm is a treat for your lips! Everyone loves the perfect combination of sweet vanilla with the eye opening aroma of peppermint.

 View all contest rules & enter to win here!

Art for the Gothic Palace: Etsy Treasury

Here I've collected fine art, prints, and photography fitting our twisted, eclectic taste for varyious themed rooms, including The Creature bathroom, Halloween bathroom, Witchy living room, Sophisit-Goth Dining Room, and Heavy Metal basement.  Check out these talented folks on Etsy!

Dark Jewelry: Etsy Treasury

A collection of my taste in jewelry:  fashionable with a Goth, Victorian, and/or Pagan flair.  Although I tend to wear the same pieces daily, I do enjoy collecting unusual jewelry & rocking it out at different times.

Please visit these Etsy shops and enjoy!

November Wishlist: Fall Fashion

The theme for this months wishlist is Fall Fashion.  Dark colors, sheer 90s throwbacks, witchy style, casual gothness, colorful tights & leggings, and most important of all, warmth!

I find many of these things on Wanelo, be sure to follow me there!

Whimsy & Goth meet harmoniously in the Jeffrey Campbell Unicorn Princess Heel from ModCloth.com.

I'm completely obsessed with the Fan Girl Ear Cuff from NastyGal.com.  Apparently I'm not alone, as they are currently sold out!  Figures...

Harness Bra by the architecturally inspired Chromat Garments: Structural Experiments for the Human Body.  What makes this high end, concept designer super cool?  She uses model Allison Harvard from ANTM - I was a big fan of hers on this guilty pleasure show of mine...

A nod to the 90s and oh-so-practical in the Autumn chill, the Aran Tall Sock by Free People will soon be mine.

The Renee Star Dolman Top with pentagram elbow accents gets two thumbs up for its homage to the witch and comfy oversize fit.  From GypsyWarrior.com

Death Eater Leggings?  This HP nerd says, Yes Please!  One of many exceptionally fantastic set of leggings from BlackMilkClothing.com (who also has tons of HP themed fashion).

I know, who would wear a sweater with an exposed back in sweater-weather, right?  The girl with the full back tattoo, says Akima and Urban Outfitters!

More 90s style with an Autumn flair and you have these Red Patent Dr. Martens 1460 8-Eye Boots. These never go out of style!  Lucky for me they built a store in Philly last year, we've already bought a couple pairs there.

My Sanctuary Space: Etsy Treasury

This is my collection of handmade & vintage Etsy goodies for my ideal in-home retreat. Create your own personal sanctuary to escape from the world outside!  I think everyone should have a place like that, even if its just alone in your bedroom for an hour with a good book & the door closed. Personally, I love the color combo of blacks, grays, muted greens & purples - with a botanical, goth, industrial, Victorian edge. Enjoy!

What would you put in your own private relaxation space?  

Please comment below with links if you have them! :)

I'm a Mummy...

A Happy Halloween & Blessed Samhain to you all!

This is one of my favorite Halloween songs, and is appropriate because it's also today's costume!  I'll be posting pictures of my DIY mummy outfit throughout the day and tomorrow on my Instagram & Twitter (be sure to follow!) You'll also get pics of my friends' handmade costumes: A Dia de los Muertos Senora & a Lipton Tea Bag. Enjoy your tricks & treats tonight Boys & Ghouls... Bwah ha ha ha!

New Products for Fall/Winter 2013

I've created some exciting new products for this Fall/Winter season.  They will debut at the Peddler's Village Apple Festival on Nov. 2-3, and will be available for sale on my website & Etsy shop on Nov. 4:

Mocha Sugar Scrub - Cocoa powder, Coffee Grounds, & Coffee Butter provide antioxidant and anti-cellulite properties.  It goes without saying this scrub is also very moisturizing and exfoliates skin to a radiant glow.

Winter Feet Salt Scrub - Pamper your barking dogs with this extra moisturizing recipe with Peppermint, Juniper Berry, and Wintergreen essential oils.  Not only does it smell amazing, it has energizing, detoxifying, and antiseptic properties to rejuvenate your aching feet.

Irish Potato Lip Balm - The Cinnamon, Chocolate, and Cocoanut flavor is as good as the confection you love to enjoy on St. Patty's Day.

Candy Corn Lip Balm - As sweet & tasty as this standard Halloween treat!

Honey Maple Lip Balm - Two sweet syrups combined in this cheerful balm.

Autumn Spice Lip Balm - You'll taste sweet Cinnamon & Pumpkin in this new Fall favorite.

 

Go Ahead & Craft Your Pants: Etsy Treasury

Crafters of all genres can find supplies & packaging materials from trusted Etsy sellers.  Whether you're creating handmade gifts, enjoying a hobby, or running a business I find that with Etsy sellers shipping is usually quicker and you don't have to worry about minimum orders like on some wholesale websites. 

100 Mixed Colors Small Detailed Flower Cabochons from whimsyandpop

I've purchased a few different sizes to experiment with embellishing my perfume oil bottles.  Shipping is always fast, and the cabochons are high quality with a wide variety of sizes, styles, & colors from which to choose.

1 lb Soy Wax for Pillars, Tarts, & Votives from CandleLynnSupplies

While I failed miserable at candle making, I have purchased some soap & lip balm supplies from Jana in the past. Again, fast shipping and high quality products, and she's a pleasure to do business with!

 

1/2 oz. Coconut Flavor Oil from EscentialOils

 My new favorite flavor oils were purchased from this shop.  High quality, fast shipping, and what a variety!

Wooden Display Rack for Roll-on Bottles by woodbitz

 Hand-crafted wooden displays for various products.  I'm dying for his lip balm & perfume oils displays!

25 Small Burlap Bags from ThePackageHouse

 Burlap packaging is natural & nostalgic.  These 4x6" bags would be perfect for my lip balm sets.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

OK so who else read these at sleepovers and got so scare they had to call their mom to take them home?  Or perhaps suffered the same summer camp insomnia I did in the super dark, super spooky NJ Pine Barrens?   I can't be the only one... right?

Anyway, I still have the boxed set of the 3 books from the early 90s and they still scare the crap out of me.  Each story is taken from the scary folklore of countries around the world.  The illustrator Stephen Gammell is the one that made this whole series so creeptastic!  The black & white gorey, frightening, and highly detailed drawings are taken from each terrifying tale... I still see them in my nightmares!  These ones freaked me out the most:

Can you imagine this thing poking you from 1000 ft in the air?

I was always afraid I'd wake up and see this over my bed... I slept under the covers.

Yea, this just made me look over my shoulder as I posted it ::shudder::

The things in the trees always freaked me out.

 

 

A fun collage

 I found the audio books for all three volumes on YouTube, ready by a man with a lovely English accent:

Here is the complete Audio Book on YouTube

Here is the complete Audio Book on YouTube

Here is the complete Audio Book on YouTube

T-Shirt Vortex has these pics of scary Stories T-Shirts.  Apparently Karamaloop.com used to carry them but stopped.  I wasn't able to find them anywhere else.  SOMEONE MAKE MORE OF THESE!!  If you know where they can be purchased please leave the link in the comments.

So, they actually changed the illustrations in newly released copies of the book.  What were they thinking?  Here are some original vs. new illustrations (sigh), unbelievable:

 

 

 

 

Sleep tight!!  Bwah ha ha ha!