Hallmark Is Starting Its Christmas Movie 2019 Schedule with Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses

Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule starts with Movie Based on Book
The 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule starts with Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses based on the book by Jenny Hale.

 

Hallmark is beginning its Christmas Movie 2019 schedule with a movie based on the book, Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale, and all of us Hallmark Christmas movie lovers can finally put on our fuzzy socks, park ourselves by the fireplace, and rejoice!

 

What To Expect Based On The Book

In preparation for watching the very first Hallmark movie of the 2019 Christmas season this weekend, I devoured the book and am happy to report the plot is right up our alley. A brooding, extremely handsome millionaire (who also happens to be fiercely protective and loving) meets his match in a hardworking, persistent single-mom, who’s also extremely talented and dedicated to both her son and her work. This is trademark Hallmark stuff and, of course, it makes for the perfect storyline for a snowy holiday movie.

 

My Take On The Book

I didn’t expect to love the book as much as I did, because unlike my love for Christmas movies, when it comes to reading I tend to lean towards the paranormal or suspense genres. However, the romance between the main characters, Abbey and Nick, was very well written and I found myself so invested in their story that I read the book in a straight four hour sitting. I needed to make sure Abbey had her happy ending.

Although the plot isn’t super original, Abbey’s character is authentic and her struggle as a single mom is convincing. I really wanted to see her get her fairytale ending.

I liked that Nick was a little broken and that Abbey was persistent enough to push through his rigid exterior and find the thoughtful, protective, loving guy underneath. I’m a total sucker for those types of romances.

 

Will The Movie Do The Book Justice?

So with that being said, I’m super excited about watching the movie… but also worried. As with all book to movie adaptions casting is KEY. So, I did a little digging to get an idea of how their picks for the main characters might pan out. Here’s what I found…

Abbey is being played by Jill Wagner. Honestly, I wasn’t that familiar with her. Lacy Chambert, Autumn Reeser, Candace Cameron-Bure, and Alicia Witt are some of my favs and I tend to watch their movies and skip a lot of the others. Hey, I like what I like.

That’s why I’m loving this movie review blog series, it introduces me to some potential new favorites. I’m hoping Jill will be the absolute perfect Abbey, because after reading the book, I want to see the movie hook me like the book did. We will see. I have hope!

 

Hallmark Actress Featured In First Christmas Movie On The 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule
Jill Wagner plays Abbey in the 2019 Hallmark Christmas movie based on the book Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses

 

Will Jill Wagner Portray A Believable Abbey?

A little background: apparently, Jill grew up in my home state of North Carolina and went to NCSU, which is only about an hour away from where I live. My husband also graduated from there and I attended Peace college whose campus is only a couple of miles away. Small world!

Besides Hallmark movies, she’s been in Teen Wolf, Dancing with the Stars, and a bunch of other shows and movies I hadn’t realized.

The real catch will be if she and Matthew Davis (Nick) can bring the romantic connection that’s so apparent in the book onto our television screens. A believable romantic connection really is essential with all of these Hallmark movies. If the chemistry isn’t there, it just doesn’t work.

Okay, here’s a few pictures of Jill Wagner with Matthew Davis, who plays Nick in the movie:

Hallmark Actors Featured In First Christmas Movie On The 2019 Schedule
Hallmark Actors Featured In First Christmas Movie On The 2019 Schedule

Click here to watch an interview with both Jill and Matthew about the movie, Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses. Just from viewing this, I’m already seeing some things that are different from the book… hmmmm…

As long as the connection is there, a little bit of straying from the book should be okay? We will see!

Regardless, I can’t wait to update this post after watching the movie. Jill and Matthew, PLEASE be perfect together!

Have you read Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses yet? Will you be watching the new 2019 Hallmark Christmas movies with me starting next Saturday, October 26th? I really hope so. Let me know in the comments below!

XOXO,

Erika

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2019 Hallmark Countdown to Christmas Movie Reviews

2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews

 

2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews
Your Guide To Every Movie On The 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule


There are two times of the year I really look forward to. One is Christmas and the other is Christmas in July, for one simple reason: Hallmark Christmas movies on repeat 24/7. This year I’ve decided to review each and every movie on the Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule! Time is precious during the holidays and this guide will help you decide which of the 2019 lineup to add to your must-watch list.

 

Why I watch

Just playing a Christmas movie in the background while I’m doing all of the mundane things in life (ie dishes and cleaning and folding laundry) somehow makes those tasks not seem so bad. Of course, nobody does Christmas movies like Hallmark, so the channel is always my first choice when needing a good Christmas movie.

The combination of hearing Christmas music, seeing the snow and decorations, and the cozy fireplaces in the background, lifts my mood tenfold. Even if it is July and 99 degrees outside, after a day of folding laundry and watching Christmas movies, I’d swear to you I’d spent a chilly day by the fire.Plus there’s something about the sweet storylines focused on love and family that make me happy, even on days that aren’t the best. I love that I can watch a Hallmark Christmas movie without having to worry that there will be any content I wouldn’t let my nine year old see. In fact, she loves them as much as I do, and I love that they’re something we can watch together.

 

What I Will Tell You

When Hallmark released their 2019 Countdown to Christmas schedule I decided to watch each and every one and let you know how they compare to the books (when available), let you know the movies that have the secret sauce (aka romantic chemistry), and the overall watchability of each one (so you can decide if you should add to your 2019 must-watch list).

I’m pretty excited about this as I think it’ll make the Hallmark Christmas watching season so much more interesting!

 

 

I’ll give you insight into each movie, how the book compares, and help you decide which ones to watch first, because we all know the holiday season is busy, busy and if you don’t have time to catch them all, at least you’ll have an idea of which ones you’ll want to invest time in.

2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews
The First Christmas Movie On The 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule Is Christmas Wishes And Mistletoe Kisses

 

First Movie On The Schedule!

First up on the Hallmark Christmas 2019 Schedule is Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses. I’m starting this book tonight in preparation for the Saturday, October 26th airing on The Hallmark Channel.

***UPDATE: I read the book in ONE NIGHT. It was SO good. There were a couple of cheesy moments that I thought were unrealistic (such as their first telephone conversation I just felt like it was a little contrived), but the relationship as a whole felt authentic and real. It sucked me in and I was definitely invested in the ending. I am very excited to look into the cast and see if I can dig up some behind the scenes before it airs this weekend. In fact, I’m going to sneak in another post with that info tomorrow. I’ll link the post HERE, when it’s finished. 

 

I hope you’ll join me in either reading and watching, or at least check back here to help you decide which movies to move to the top of your must-watch list! Who are your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie actors? Let me know in the comments. 

 

XOXO,

Erika

 

 

 

 

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Life’s little luxuries

You know those little, seemingly meaningless, items that add sparkle to a day? Something that may not cost a lot, but somehow makes the humdrum of day to day life more bearable?

For me, I’m realizing that my “little luxuries” are pretty consistent from season to season, but the aesthetic of the item may change.

A lot of my favorites came as recommendations online that I tried and loved, and while I realize what one person considers soothing or uplifting, may do the total opposite for others, I thought I’d share my list of life’s little luxuries below, in case something here resonates with you.

I absolutely love the scent and feel of this Orange Blossom Honey hand soap. I’ve never been to France, but every time I wash my hands with this, I’m pretty sure I’ve been there in a past life. I can literally see myself exploring the streets of Marseille wearing a flowy white linen dress that daintily ties at the shoulders. Is that too much? Because that is a truthful depiction of what I see when I use this soap. I’m transported to France.  Try some. I’m dying to know what vision you see when you use it, haha.

Alright, now that I’ve taken you to Marseille, it’s time to let you in on another random life luxury: decorative paper napkins.

Boring, you think?

Nope. Here’s why: There’s nothing that brings about nostalgia for me like a pattern. To get a little more insight into nostalgia I did some research and came up with this explanation of why we seem to enjoy places, people, or things that bring about nostalgia for us. Most profound to me was this quote I found by Clay Routledge, a social psychologist at North Dakota State University: “We see nostalgia as a psychological resource that people can dip into to conjure up the evidence that they need to assure themselves that they’re valued.”

I must need this assure a lot, because I do find myself quite attached to things and places that bring about nostalgia.

Alright, back to the napkins.

I love to have several patterns to choose from stowed away in a drawer. Personally, I prefer the cocktail size that I can use in the morning to rest my coffee stirring spoon on or to place a cup or glass on to absorb condensation. They’re also great to pull out and place with a cheese board or hors d’oeuvres. Voila, instant charm.

Aren’t these pretty for spring or summer?

Or how ’bout these from Mackenzie-Childs?

Pro-tip: Dollar Tree has some of the cutest cocktail napkins in their party supplies aisle.

 

What are some things that add beauty to your everyday life? Please share them with me!

 

 

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January 2019 Binge-Worthy TV

 

 

 

Between the holidays and an endlessly drenching rain, there have been more opportunities than usual to get lost in a really great series. If you love thrillers and are looking for a few awesome recommendations, then you have come to the right girl. All three of these series are so addicting.

*Warning: All of these shows have some rated-R content, so if that’s a dealbreaker, or you have children in the room, definitely don’t watch these. 

If you can get past some uncomfortable scenes (or fast-forward) the payoff for all of these is worth it.

I had very low expectations for YOU on Netflix. If I’m being honest, Penn Bagley playing the psycho made me think the show wouldn’t be gritty enough. Boy, was I wrong. I have developed a new respect for his acting abilities. He was spot on. Get ready to be sucked into this one by the end of episode one, plus the unexpected ending helps.

True Detective was one of my husband’s picks that I quickly found myself sucked into. Each season tells a different story. Season 1 follows a couple of detectives (played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson) who are trying to find a serial killer with a tendency for some demented stuff. I don’t want to give too much away, but this series is certainly worth your time if you’re into crime thrillers.

 

I’m saved the best for last with SINNER. Holy cow, I passed up this one so many times on Netflix and I could kick myself because it’s stellar. Jessica Biel plays your average young mom, Cora. Beautiful child, charming husband, she seems to have everything… until she doesn’t. The hook with this one comes right away. Cora, with her husband and son, visit a beach. One minute she’s peeling a pear for her toddler, the next thing you know she has leaped off the blanket and stabbed the man sitting on the beach in front of her. It all seems random, but as the show progresses you realize that there’s more to it. Okay, I’m not saying anything else about this one. You have to watch it!

 

XOXO,

Erika

 

 

 

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January 2019 Author Update

 

 

It’s been a loooong while since I’ve given an update on when my newest book, Leighton, will be published on Amazon. I am beyond happy to say that the book goes to the editor in the next couple of weeks!

It looks very much like I will be celebrating Release Day during the second week of February <3

A lot of work, sweat, tears, anxiety and stress goes into the writing of a book and I have put even more pressure on myself to make sure this latest is the best yet! Readers have been waiting a long time and they deserve to have this book be worthy of the wait.

Check back here in the next week for an excerpt from Leighton!

 

XOXO,

Erika

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WHAT ALICE FORGOT

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Oh boy, has it been awhile since I’ve read something this juicy!

Alice is a newlywed, 29, and pregnant. She has a loving, close relationship with her husband and the world at her fingertips. Except she doesn’t.

She wakes from a fall to find she’s 39 years old with three kids (who she doesn’t remember) and a soon-to-be ex-husband who can’t stand her. She’s lost a lot more than her memories from the past decade: somehow she’s managed to lose her marriage, relationships, and her self. Alice spends most of the book weeding through the shreds of what her life has become, and trying to figure out how she became someone she wouldn’t even like.

This book kept me up at night. I couldn’t put it down. At one point I was literally holding my eyes open just to finish.

It was. that. good.

Five stars all the way. *****

 

If you’re looking for a book, don’t forget – you can always check out my Book Reviews section. I have listed it all there to make it easy to find your next read. I’ve also filtered everything so you can search based on genre (romance, thriller, historical, non-fiction, ect.) Just go to the category box on the right side of your screen to search. 

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Friday Favorites ( Feb 2nd )


 

These colors! So pretty. Aldi has some of the most delicious macaroons right now on sale for less than $5 for a pack of 12. Our whole family easily ate them up in one sitting. They rival any I’ve had from a bakery, and the price is way better.

 

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In case you haven’t figured it out yet (but I’m sure you have), belts are back. I have a similar belt to the one from Nordstrom above, but I’m going to order this in the tan color eventually.

 

 

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Okay, where has this app been my whole life? The Project Life app is digital scrapbooking at it’s easiest (and cutest). The best part: you can order the actual scrapbook at the end. I use this on vacations (via my iphone) and add in the pictures with captions as I go. Scrapbooking on the go means there’s a much better chance the book will contain all of the little things I might not think of after we’re home and back to the daily grind. Being able to access it from my phone makes it convenient enough that it’ll actually get done, haha. I’ve included a couple of pages from one of my scrapbooks to give you an idea of how it works. Give it a try!

 

 

XOXO,

Erika

 

 

 

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Friday Favorites (Jan 26th)

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MIRACLE WORKER. If you have kids, or you yourself can’t seem to eat without getting food on your shirt, you need this.

I never would have known to buy this stain removing spray if it hadn’t been for a friend showing it in action on her insta-stories. She had a spaghetti-stained shirt and used this to get rid of the mess, and after watching it easily annihilate the set in tomato sauce, I had to try it.

I figured 8 dollars was worth it if I could save the countless clothes assigned to the “play clothes/ lounge around home” category (that still doesn’t get worn).

I actually saved a pretty linen kitchen towel with ravioli stains just to test this stuff out when it arrived.

The directions say to wet the item, spray it with Miss Mouth’s messy eater stain treater, and then rinse and wash. I let it sit for 15 minutes after spraying, rubbed it in, and then rinsed. The stains were completely, 100% gone! I’m not sure how I’ve lived without this!

 

 

 

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We’ve gone through so many boxes of these since cold season came around, and they are the first thing Bella asks for when she’s not feeling well.

They are purely a comfort crutch and don’t actually relieve the fever, but the gel pad is cool and comforting and helps Bella get to sleep when she’s miserably sick. Anything that helps her feel better is a winner in my book. These are certainly worth giving a try if you have a little one that’s sick. We love them. 🙂

Click here to view prior Friday Favorites posts.

 

XOXO,

Erika

 

 

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Friday Favorites (Jan 19th )

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I’ve had a lot of phone cases over the years, but this one is my absolute favorite. It’s not bulky, it’s pretty, it’s high quality, and now I have no idea how I lived without a loop on the back of my phone. It relieves the weight of the phone while scrolling through feeds, watching videos, texting, or taking pictures. Plus, it’s saved my phone countless times from be dropped. I like the way it secures the phone tightly against my hand without having to hold onto or balance it.

 

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The name of this eye gel says it all. After using needles no more, I’m a believer. Granted, I’ve never had anything done to my eyes, but I feel like I have after using this product. It’s just not long-lasting (lasts until you wash your face). You have to reapply daily, but the results are great, and without the needles and high cost. I’ll take all of this I can get. You can click here for the link to purchase or to read my complete review.

 

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I have this necklace from Anthropology in the letter “E” and also gifted an “A” to my sister for Christmas.

We’re both in love with it. It hangs at an angle, so it’s not your standard initial necklace. This one has an edge that makes it different. The brass has a brushed look that I like as well. Plus, it’s adjustable (16″L with 2″ extender chain) so it can be worn close to a choker length or longer, depending on the look you want.

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If I could live in only one thing, it would be these Spanx leggings. They’re high-waisted, thick enough to wear no matter what length your shirt is, hold everything in, and are so comfortable. I probably wear these at least 3 days a week. I’ve been looking for a great pair of leggings for years and finally found these on sale. They are definitely a one-pair-and-done legging. They hold up so well and are all you really need as far as basic black leggings go.

 

You can check out last week’s favorites here.

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Under-eye Gel

 

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This No More Baggage is by far my favorite find this week. I’m not sure if I just walk around in a perpetual state of exhaustion, or if puffy under-eyes come with age, but they are a daily thing for me.

I saw a bunch of people posting about this product recently when it went on mega sale, and then the reviews came, and they were raving.

So, I decided to try it when it went on sale for 50% off. And now I’m raving.

You dab it under your eyes, and seconds later, you can literally feel the area tightening up. And, if you watch really closely, you can see the puffiness under your eyes shrink. I’m SOLD. Try it, you will be too.

Also, after using the No More Baggage, I’m dying to try this 3D filler mask.

 

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XOXO,

Erika

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