Why can’t life be like a Hallmark movie?
Can it really be almost one year since I started this blog? Gosh the time has flown by. But now that Hallmark’s Christmas in July is upon us, it’s a wonderful excuse to reflect upon the year and share some of the stories that started it all. It seems like serendipity that the Hallmark Channel… Continue reading It’s Christmas in July! Celebrating a Year of Writing
Let It Snow, starring Candace Cameron Bure as Stephanie Beck, is a staple from the 2013 Hallmark movie vault and is widely shown during the Countdown to Christmas. Maybe, like me, you watched it a few times this holiday season. For those who haven’t yet watched Let It Snow, here’s a quick summary: The movie… Continue reading Let It Snow…The Feast of Saint Thomas In Real Life
Christmas is upon us this week and I continue to check items off my Best Christmas Ever To-Do List (see previous post here). I got my real Christmas tree (see previous post here), and attended two neighborhood Christmas tree lightings in search of my perfect Hallmark moment. No offense to my neighborhood, but Winter’s Eve,… Continue reading Searching for My Perfect Hallmark Moment at My Neighborhood Tree Lighting Ceremony
In a Hallmark Christmas movie, characters tend to find their perfect tree on a festively decorated farm where they chop it down themselves and celebrate with hot chocolate topped with extra marshmallows. Christmas tree shopping in New York City is a bit different, but no less wonderful—and no less necessary. For me it’s not Christmas… Continue reading You Can’t have a Hallmark Christmas without a Tree
Let’s be honest: We all have our favorite Countdown to Christmas movies, the ones we will re-watch whenever they are on. Christmas Getaway is one of mine. I can never not watch it. Newly single Emery, played by Bridget Regan, is assigned an article about an old-fashioned American Christmas. Although she’s a travel writer, she… Continue reading Christmas Getaway… a Real Life Best Christmas Ever To-Do List
As I reflect back on the year, it’s clear that Hallmark has spread its wings, and therefore, so have its fans—traveling abroad to France, Italy, and the Irish countryside through the dazzling locations of several beloved movies. Together we visited Paris with Jen Lilley and Dan Jeannotte as they participated in an international wine… Continue reading Hallmark Abroad…Christmas in Rome
It’s not often that Hallmark surprises me. Delights me, sure! But not surprises me. This is a first, and I’m delighted by the surprise. It came by way of this year’s premier of Two Turtle Doves, staring Nikki DeLoach and Michael Rady and written by Sarah Montana. In all the years I’ve been watching, I… Continue reading Hallmark Tackles Grief at the Holidays… Two Turtle Doves In Real Life
We have entered Hallmark fans’ favorite season, and I know I am not alone in my enthusiasm. Bring on The Countdown to Christmas…24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with 40 new movies! I have been racking my brain about how on earth I will manage to tackle 40 new Hallmark Christmas movies and… Continue reading Kicking Off the Countdown to Christmas with the Hallmark Drinking Game
One of the biggest surprises since beginning this Hallmark In Real Life journey is how supportive everyone has been. As I shared my journey about Getting “Hallmark Ready” (see previous posts here and here) to create my very own Hallmark wardrobe, Jaralin Detienne, costume designer and personal stylist on over 30 Hallmark films, was kind… Continue reading Behind the Scenes with Hallmark Costume Designer Jaralin Detienne
We are into week three of The Nine Lives of Christmas…in Real Life (see previous posts here and here to follow along), and this is as close to living out the Hallmark movie in real life without any movie magic as I think I’m going to get. I have located an actual New York City… Continue reading The Nine Lives of Christmas… Carlow the Firehouse Cat