Favorite Christmas Albums

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. (Tied with Halloween.) While I own quite a few Christmas albums, there are always the same few that I keep going back to. I wanted to share those favorites with you. Please let me know what some of your favorites are. :)

Honorable Mention: John Berry - O Holy Night 

I have always loved John Berry. My whole family has. I grew up listening to this album and it's one that just makes it feel like Christmas as soon as it starts. I love, love, love this one.












#5 Kelly Clarkson - Wrapped In Red

The only reason this is last on the list is because it's new. I have no doubt that I will fall more in love with this and it will become a regular listen every year. Her voice is amazing and I couldn't wait for her to put out a Christmas album. It does not disappoint. 










#4 *NSYNC - Home For Christmas

Cheesy? Maybe. Do I care? Nope! I absolutely love this album. I've always been a huge fan of theirs and this album is just a bunch of awesome things rolled together. While they may no longer be together, this is the best thing for me to remember them by. This plays in my house every year. 










#3 Celine Dion - These Are The Special Times

One of the greatest vocalists ever. Her voice + Christmas songs is just pure magic. These songs are almost like lullabies with her voice in the mix. Incredibly beautiful and one of the best.












#2 Christina Aguilera - My Kind of Christmas

I'm sure it isn't a surprise that this is on here. I pretty much love anything this woman does. I wouldn't include it though if I didn't truly love and appreciate it. This is definitely one that I do listen to every year and I just can't get over her voice. It makes everything sound like gold.










#1 Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas

I'm not even sure what I can say that will do this album justice. I've loved this ever since I was little and it hasn't lost it's power for me. Her rendition of "O Holy Night" can still bring me to tears. This album makes it feel like Christmas, makes me feel all warm and cozy, and makes me want to go out in the snow and play (which is a hard thing to make me feel nowadays.) This album will always be #1 for me. <3

Music Flashback #5

The Cardigans "Lovefool"

Donna Lewis "I Love You Always Forever"

Crush "Jellyhead"

Gina G "Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit"

Amber "This Is Your Night"

Hoku "Another Dumb Blonde"

Mandy Moore "Candy"

Lucy Woodward "Dumb Girls"

Jennifer Paige "Crush"

Samantha Mumba "Gotta Tell You"

Favorite Romantic Comedies

I've got lists of movies split into genres on a note pad and it's so hard to pick favorites. For romantic comedies, I was able to compile a top 10, and just a random list from there. So, basically LOTS of honorable mentions. Lots. Let's do this.

10. Uptown Girls

I love, love, love this movie. I love the story and I really miss seeing Brittany Murphy in films. This movie also made me really want a pet pig. 

9. Ever After: A Cinderella Story

I just love this movie so much. I've always been a fan of Drew Barrymore and this is probably one of my favorite roles of hers. Her accent is a little weird, but whatever. I've always liked Anjelica Huston as well. Just a great take on this story.

8. Serendipity

I can't even really explain the feeling this movie gives to me. Even though I know what happens, I still get so worked up when I watch it. I also have a little crush on John Cusack, so that helps. :) I think part of the reason I like him so much is because of roles like this. 

7. 13 Going On 30

I absolutely adore this movie. I think this is probably the movie that made me really start to like Jennifer Garner. The story is super cute and it's just a good watch if you ever need to smile.

6. 27 Dresses

I'm so in love with this movie. Going through my movie collection, I've realized how much I love Katherine Heigl. I've liked anything I've seen that has had her in it. And bonus, James Marsden is in it. What a hottie.

5. Love and Other Drugs

I was really surprised at how much I loved this movie. It was a little different than I had imagined from the previews. It's a great story and I love Anne Hathaway. I've watched this so many times and I still cry every single time.

4. Catch & Release

I'm pretty sure I bought this without even seeing it first. I just thought it sounded good and it has Jennifer Garner and Timothy Olyphant in it, so why not? Probably one of the best impulse purchases I've made. I absolutely love this movie and I can't say enough good things about it. If you're ever doubting Jennifer Garner as an actress (I know a lot of people don't favor her), this would be the movie I would recommend for you. 

3. The Ugly Truth

This movie is just pure genius. Gerard Butler is my #1 celebrity crush and I would just love to.... Anyway, this movie made me laugh a ton and it's just so damn entertaining. Plus, it's fun seeing Gerard Butler be kind of a dick after some of his previous roles.

2. Bride Wars

Two of my favorite actresses. I didn't know I would love this as much as I ended up loving it. I can't even tell you how many times I've watched this and it never gets old. Women are such catty bitches. So, so good and highly recommended. 

1. Life As We Know It

I'm not even sure anything I could say would do this movie justice. I laugh and cry every single time I watch this. If you haven't seen this, you are totally missing out. I assumed it would be good, but it ended up being absolutely amazing. Great, great story.











And now for the ridiculous amount of movies that I just wasn't able to place in any sort of numerical order, but are still awesome. I had planned on including my thoughts on each individual movie, but I realized that would take me way too long, so I will just include the covers. 

Woo! That's a lot of movies. Please let me know what some of your favorites are. :)

Favorites: Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey has always been one of my absolute favorite singers. Her voice is incomparable and she is just incredible. I wanted to share my favorite song off of each of her albums... and there are a lot. I'm not going to include any of her cover songs, as those will be in a later post.

This is probably the most beautiful section of my CD collection.

(I know it's crooked. Sue me.)

Alrighty, let's get this thing started!

From the album Mariah Carey (1990)

"Prisoner"

From the album Emotions (1991)

"If It's Over"

From the album Music Box (1993)

"Anytime You Need A Friend"

From the album Merry Christmas (1994)

"O Holy Night"

(No one does a better rendition of this song than her)

From the album Daydream (1995)

"When I Saw You"

From the album Butterfly (1997)

"Outside"

From the album Rainbow (1999)

"After Tonight"

From the album Glitter (2001)

"Never Too Far"

From the album Charmbracelet (2002)

"I Only Wanted"

From the album The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)

"Your Girl"

From the album E=MC^2 (2008)

"I Stay In Love"

From the album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)

"Standing O"

From the album Merry Christmas II You (2010)

"When Christmas Comes" (Feat. John Legend)

From the album Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)

"You Don't Know What To Do" (Feat. Wale)

Non-album/Bonus tracks 

"Everything Fades Away"

"Do You Think Of Me"

Share some of your favorite Mariah songs with me!

Music Flashback #4

One of these songs was in one of my dreams last night. Weird and random, but that is what has inspired this list.

Paperboy "Ditty"

Snow "Informer"

24K "Don't Go There"

Soul II Soul "Back To Life"

Warren G & Nate Dogg "Regulate"

Ini Kamoze "Here Comes The Hotstepper"

Bell Biv DeVoe "Poison"

Sylk E. Fyne "Romeo and Juliet"

Big Tymers "Still Fly"

Keith Sweat "Twisted"

Singers You Should Know

I am always searching for new singers and bands to listen to. I have found some singers that are amazing and deserve to be much better known in America than they are. Some of these singers do have really successful careers in other countries. If you've heard of some of these artists, then you are awesome. I consider these artists to be not well known because almost everyone that I've personally discussed music with has no idea who they are. Hopefully you're able to find someone new that you'll like. 

Agnes

Agnes is a Swedish singer and has a really pretty voice. Most of her music is very poppy, so if that's what you like, you'll probably enjoy her. I'm completely in love with her Dance Love Pop album, but the song I'm choosing to share has me hooked. It is from her 4th album, Veritas.

Agnes "One Last Time"

Vanessa Amorosi

Vanessa Amorosi is an Australian singer and man can this woman sing! Her voice is amazing and she has an unbelievable range. She's another very poppy artist and is 100% worth a listen. The song I'm choosing to share is the title track from her 4th album, Hazardous.

Vanessa Amorosi "Hazardous"

Anastacia

Anastacia is an American singer, but is more well known in the European market. If you like unique, bluesy voices, you will love her. I first heard her on and MTV show called The Cut a very, very long time ago. I was absolutely blown away. Her albums have covered different styles, so it's tough to choose a song. I'm going to share her first single, because it's still one of my favorites of hers.

Anastacia "I'm Outta Love"

Anouk

Anouk is a Dutch singer and has a really pretty, unique voice. I first heard her when her song "Lost" was used on So You Think You Can Dance. Since then, I've been hooked. It's tough to choose a song from her 8 albums, but the one I chose is from her album Who's Your Momma? This is easily my favorite album of hers.

Anouk "If I Go"

Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke is a British singer who was a contestant and the winner on The X Factor. Great, beautiful voice. The song I am choosing is from her first album, Overcome. It's hard to choose a song off that album, because I love every song. This one is probably my favorite though. It has an old school feel.

Alexandra Burke "You Broke My Heart"

Cheryl Cole

Cheryl Cole is an English artist and looks ridiculously similar to Shania Twain. Look it up. It's trippy. Their music, however, is very different. Cheryl Cole was on Popstars: The Rivals and that is where the group Girls Aloud was formed. I'm not a fan of the group's music, but I love Cheryl's solo stuff. The song I am choosing is from her 3rd album, A Million Lights. I am slightly obsessed with this song and I'm dying to learn the dance.

Cheryl Cole "Call My Name"

Nikka Costa

Nikka Costa is an American singer and has a really unique voice. She had a couple of songs that were featured in commercials, but she just never really caught on with people. Maybe she was too different. I'm not sure. Americans are pretty stupid when it comes to music. She's definitely not poppy like most of the others on my list. The song I am choosing to share is from her 2nd album, Can'tneverdidnothin'. 

Nikka Costa "On and On"

Esmee Denters

Esmee Denters is a Dutch artist and was discovered on YouTube. Justin Timberlake is the person who signed her and took her under his wing. They have since parted ways, but she still puts videos up on YouTube. The song I am choosing is her first single from her only album, Outta Here.

Esmee Denters "Outta Here"

Lara Fabian

Lara Fabian is a Belgian singer. If you like Celine Dion, you will love her! She has an incredibly beautiful and powerful voice. She usually sings in French or Italian, but she has released 3 English albums. The song I am choosing, though it's difficult to choose, is off of her 1st English album, which is self titled. 

Lara Fabian "Adagio"

Dana Glover

Dana Glover is an American singer and I have no idea why the hell she isn't more famous. She's absolutely amazing and I would love to hear more from her. Unfortunately, she has only released 1 album. It is completely amazing though. Every song is so, so good. Obviously, the song I'm choosing will be from that 1 album, Testimony.

Dana Glover "Testimony"

Beth Hart

Beth Hart is an American singer and is just stupid talented. The first time I ever saw her was on Start Search. I was really little, but I still remember her performances. Such a unique voice with a crazy vibrato. Another singer that proves how stupid Americans are when it comes to music. She's absolutely amazing. If you loves blues and a soulful voice, this is your woman. The song I'm choosing is from her very 1st album, Immortal, when she was with The Beth Hart Band.

Beth Hart "Spiders In My Bed"

Josh Hoge

Josh Hoge is an American singer. My brother introduced me to him and he's amazing. He's only released one album and it's awesome. He has such a great, raspy voice. Most of his songs are pretty mellow. This song is from his only album, Everything She Was.

Josh Hoge "360"

Jessie J

Jessie J is an English singer. She's had a little success in the U.S. with her single, "Price Tag." That is probably one of my least favorite songs by her. This girl can sing her ass off and deserves to have more success here. There are 4 songs that immediately popped into my head that I wanted to share. It's so hard to choose just one. The one I'm going to share is the title track from her first album, Who You Are. This is such a beautiful song and really means a lot to me.

Jessie J "Who You Are"

Joanna

Joanna is an American singer. She was to be on a season of American Idol, but was disqualified. I can't remember the reason. I would love to hear more from her. Great voice. The song I'm choosing is from her only album, This Crazy Life. I couldn't find a good video of my favorite song, but this is probably my second favorite.

Joanna "Your Obsession"

Jonny Lang

Jonny Lang is an American singer and guitar player. If you like blues, you'll love this guy. Incredibly talented and his voice is killer. He had some success with his first single "Lie To Me," which came out in 1997. I've seen him in concert and it was amazing! The song I'm choosing is from my favorite album of his, Long Time Coming. 

Jonny Lang "Red Light"

Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis is a British singer and the winner of The X Factor in 2006. She was dubbed "the next Mariah Carey" and she definitely deserves that comparison. She has the range for sure. Leona did have some success in the U.S. with her single "Bleeding Love," but nothing really progressed after that. Her 3rd album, Glassheart, ended up not being released in America. There are a few songs I could easily choose, but I wanted to pick one that showed her range. This song is from her second album, Echo.

Leona Lewis "Can't Breathe"

Cher Lloyd

Cher Lloyd is an English singer who was a contestant on The X Factor in 2010. She was actually mentored by Cheryl Cole, who is also on this list. Cher has such a great personality and her voice is awesome. She does some rapping as well, which is showcased on her first album, Sticks and Stones. The song I'm choosing is one that I am absolutely obsessed with at the moment. It is from her new album, Sorry I'm Late.

Cher Lloyd "Human"

Pixie Lott

Pixie Lott is an English singer that I came across on YouTube. The first thing I ever heard by her was a cover of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody." She has a very unique voice and I loved the way she did the song. I was curious how her voice would translate to more upbeat and poppy stuff, but it turns out, it works! She also does an awesome cover of One Republic's "Apologize." I'm choosing to share her King's of Leon cover, because it's what introduced me to her and made me really like her. 

Pixie Lott "Use Somebody"

Amanda Marshall

Amanda Marshall is a Canadian singer and I first heard her when I was about 9 years old. I loved her voice and some of her songs are just amazing. She's only released 3 albums, the last being in 2001. The song I'm choosing is one that I actually really enjoy singing myself. It's from her 2nd album, Tuesday's Child.

Amanda Marshall "Believe In You"

Jessica Mauboy

Jessica Mauboy is an Australian singer who was on Australian Idol in 2006. She was the runner-up. Beautiful voice. She can do all of the poppy club stuff, but can also really belt it out. The song I'm choosing to share is from her 3rd album, Beautiful. She has so many good songs. I really just chose this one because I couldn't make a decision. 

Jessica Mauboy "To The End Of The Earth"

Imelda May

Imelda May is an Irish singer that sings rockabilly. This is not normally my style of music but I really love her voice. She has the whole look and everything. I'm choosing to share my favorite song of hers, which is from her 2nd album, Love Tattoo.

Imelda May "Big Bad Handsome Man"

Megan McCauley

Megan McCauley is an American singer and if you like more rock type stuff, this is your girl. She does not look like that voice should be coming out of her. I think I first heard her when she was on the soundtrack for Fantastic Four. As soon as I heard her, I knew I wanted more. It took a while, but she finally released an album and I was not disappointed. It's amazing and I wish she would release some new stuff. The song I'm choosing is from her only album, Better Than Blood.

Megan McCauley "Fragile"

Suzie McNeil

Suzie McNeil is a Canadian singer and was on Rock Star: INXS. I didn't watch the show on a regular basis until the second season, but I did like what I heard from her. I'm kind of glad she didn't win because I love the stuff that she ended up doing. The song I'm choosing is from her 1st album, Broken & Beautiful.

Suzie McNeil "Lonely (Are You Coming Home?)"

Ricki-Lee

Ricki-Lee is an Australian singer and was on Australian Idol in 2004. She didn't win, but ended up with a record deal anyway. Thank goodness. She has an awesome rasp to her voice. The song I'm choosing is probably the first song of hers that I really fell in love with. It comes from her 2nd album, Brand New Day.

Ricki-Lee "Love Is All Around"

Lesley Roy

Lesley Roy is an Irish singer and if we're talking about some rasp, this girl has it! Her voice is so awesome to listen to. Her songs are amazing as well. For some reason, she has only released on album and I'm dying to hear more from her. The song I'm choosing is obviously from that album, Unbeautiful. It was hard to pick but this song has always really stuck out to me. 

Lesley Roy "Thinking Out Loud"

Well, that's my list. Hopefully you are able to find someone new that you enjoy listening to. Let me know if there is someone else that you would put on this list.