Lifestyle of a Fashionista

Five on Friday

December 16, 2022

“This is the season when people of all faiths and cultures are pushing back against the planetary darkness. We string bulbs, ignite bonfires, and light candles. And we sing.” —Anita Diamant

One: Holiday Traditions

Last week I wrote about the December holidays; this week, I will write about traditions that go with some of these holidays.

Read about it: https://lifestyleofafashionista.com/2022/12/16/holiday-traditions/

Two: What to watch

Netflix:

Films:

Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery, Senior Detective Terry Seattle (Will Arnett) is back and this time, the case is critical. Along with his two celebrity guest stars, Jason Bateman and Maya Rudolph, he is on a mission to figure out… who killed Santa? But here’s the catch: Jason Bateman and Maya Rudolph aren’t being given the script. They have no idea what’s about to happen to them. Together, with Terry Seattle (and many surprises), they’ll have to improvise their way through the case — but it will be up to both of them to name the killer. Based on the BAFTA award-winning BBC3 series Murder in Successville by Tiger Aspect Productions and Shiny Button Productions.

I Believe in Santa, After five happy months dating Tom, Lisa’s horrified to learn he’s obsessed with her least favorite holiday. Is it time to give Christmas another chance?

BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, An acclaimed journalist and documentarian goes on a dreamlike introspective journey to reconcile with the past, the present and his Mexican identity. 

The Big 4, Acclaimed Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto will be back with this new action-comedy film.

Private Lesson, Posing as a private tutor, Azra secretly coaches students on achieving their goals in life and love — but not without a few bumps in the road.

Series:

The Recruit, A fledgling lawyer at the CIA becomes enmeshed in dangerous international power politics when a former asset threatens to expose the nature of her long-term relationship with the agency unless they exonerate her of a serious crime.

A Storm for Christmas, Destinies collide when extreme weather traps travelers and workers at an airport, forcing them to spend the final hours leading up to Christmas together.

Glitter, In 1976 Sopot, Poland, three determined women navigate social and political changes as they strive to find independence, financial freedom and love.

Alchemy of Souls, season 1, part 2

Single’s Inferno, season 2

Cook at All Costs – In this kitchen contest, home cooks bid on ingredients to create dishes that will impress celebrity guest judges — and win the cash left in their bank.
Dance Monsters – In this feel-good competition, amateur dancers disguised as CGI avatars bring their best moves, hoping to win $250,000 — and a second shot at their dreams.
Far From Home – A scholarship to a top school transports Ishaya to the luxurious world of Nigeria’s 1%, but a looming secret threatens to take it all away… and more.
Paradise PD, part 4 – Without a functioning police force, the town faces threats from scheming billionaires, vindictive artists, backstabbing AI and more. 
Summer Job – Ten Gen Z contestants go on their dream vacation. But for a shot at staying in a luxury villa — and to win 100,000 euros — they have to work real jobs.

Documentaries:

Don’t Pick Up the Phone (series), This docuseries follows the investigation into a hoax caller who talked managers into strip-searching employees at fast-food businesses across the US.

The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari, Survivors’ and rescuers’ accounts and minute-by-minute footage fuel this gripping documentary about the deadly 2019 volcanic eruption in New Zealand.

Harry & Meghan (Volume II: Episodes 4-6)

Kangaroo Valley (film) In the Outback, a kangaroo joey named Mala faces famine, frosts and a pack of hungry dingoes as she endeavors to survive her incredible first year.

Last Chance U: Basketball, season 2 

Hulu:

FX’s Kindred, complete season 1 (Only on Hulu), The FX on Hulu drama — based on Octavia Butler‘s classic work of sci-fi literature — follows a twenty-something Black woman in modern-day Los Angeles who finds herself pulled back in time to the Antebellum South, where all the horrors of slavery await her. EW

Disney+:

National Treasure: Edge of History, Disney+ original 2-episode premiere, Jess, a brilliant and resourceful dreamer, searches for answers about her family; she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about the past and save a lost Pan-American treasure.

Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration
Heroes of the Long Road Home with Martha Raddatz
Mafia Confidential
Muppets Most Wanted (Sing-Along Version)
Where Oceans Collide
If These Walls Could Sing, Disney+ original premiere
Le Pupille, Disney+ original premiere

Prime Video:

Nanny (2022 horror film)

HBOmax:

Pelosi in the House (documentary film), Nancy Pelosi’s filmmaker daughter Alexandra has been following her through the halls of Capitol Hill for the past 30 years, and she continues documenting through 2022 in an intimate longitudinal portrait of Pelosi’s life and career.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022 film) starring Colin Farrell

Sex Diaries (series), Produced by Vox Media Studios and directed by Jenny Carchman, the four-part docuseries is inspired by Alyssa Shelasky’s popular New York Magazine column about the anonymous sexcapades of strangers. The Cut

Atsuko Okatsuka: The Intruder, Comedian and TikTok star Atsuko Okatsuka’s first HBO comedy special.

Martin: The Reunion Special, Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II reunite to discuss their hit sitcom “Martin” and its impact on pop culture; hosted by Affion Crockett.

Peacock:

Holiday Heritage* (2022 Hallmark movie), Ella returns to her hometown to mend fences with her fractured family. With help from her ex-boyfriend, she encourages her family to celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa and heal their past wounds before it’s too late.

The Holiday Sitter*  (2022 Hallmark movie), Sam is a workaholic bachelor who’s babysitting his niece and nephew during the holidays. Completely out of his element, he recruits help from a handsome neighbor and soon finds himself in an unexpected romance.

*Note: Hallmark movies are only available on Peacock for 72 hours after the premiere.

Baking It, NBC holiday special episode (Peacock Original)

Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas (2021 movie), Following the Clarke family’s first holiday together after their beloved patriarch Mitch has passed away. Zoey attempts to re-create the perfect Christmas, but finds that walking a mile in her father’s shoes is a lot more complicated than she ever imagined.

A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special 

Paramount+:

1923, 1923 is a Yellowstone origin story that introduces a brand new generation of the Dutton family as they make their way through the hardships of Western Expansion, the Prohibition Era, and the Great Depression while living in the mountain west in 1923. Decider

Snow Day, A remake of the 2000 comedy film of the same name, Snow Day is a Paramount+ Exclusive musical comedy film that follows the Brandston family as a surprise winter storm leads to an epic Snow Day that shows them anything is possible in this freedom-filled Winter Wonderland. Decider

In Theaters:

Avatar: The Way of the Water, Jake Sully and Ney’tiri have formed a family and are doing everything to stay together. However, they must leave their home and explore the regions of Pandora. When an ancient threat resurfaces, Jake must fight a difficult war against the humans. Review from Vox, Avatar: The Way of Water reminds us that blockbusters don’t have to look absolutely terrible

A Man Called Otto, When a lively young family moves in next door, grumpy widower Otto Anderson meets his match in a quick-witted, pregnant woman named Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world upside down.

Original book and movie: A Man Called Ove is a novel by Swedish writer Fredrik Backman published by Forum in 2012. “People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?” A Man Called Ove (2016 film) is a Swedish comedy-drama film written and directed by Hannes Holm and based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Fredrik Backman. Stream on Prime Video.

Three: What to wear

The Ugly Holiday Sweater – https://www.uglychristmassweater.com/

From The New York Times, Day 2: Your Ugly Christmas Sweater Is Beautiful in Its Own Way

Shop in person at T.J. Max:

Four: What to Try

A strata or casserole:

How To Make The Messy, Eggy Strata From The Family Stone At Home This Christmas

From Real Simple, 21 Easy Christmas Breakfast Casseroles to Make Ahead (or the Morning Of)

From Food & Wine, 29 Christmas Brunch Recipes to Add to Your Menu

From Real Simple, 13 Crave-Worthy Slow Cooker Christmas Breakfast Casseroles

Five: What to do

Shop Small

Visit local markets, bookstores, liquor stores, and clothing stores to buy holiday necessities.

Watch out for scammers.

Tis’ the season for scammers to contact you.

Tip #1: Don’t click any links or download attachments in emails or text messages. Check the sender; scammers are getting more sophisticated, messages look like they are from friends, family, or legit companies. A scammer could have sent it, and when you click on links in the email body, scammers can gain access to your account and send more phishing emails to your contacts.  

Here are a few tips from Experian:

Be skeptical when someone contacts you. Scammers can spoof calls and emails to make it look like they are coming from different sources, including government agencies, charities, banks and large companies. Don’t share personal information, usernames, passwords or one-time codes that others can use to access your accounts or steal your identity.

Research companies. Before you make a purchase or donation, take a few minutes to review the company. Do a web search for its name plus “scam” or “reviews” and research charities on Charity Navigator and CharityWatch.

Be careful with your phone. If you suspect a spam call, don’t respond or press a button. The safest option is to hang up or ignore the call entirely. You can always look up the organization and initiate a call yourself if you’re worried there may actually be an issue.

Last-minute shopping:

If you’re pressed for time this holiday season and need to shop online:

From NBC, 20 best last-minute gifts for the holidays everyone will love

From InStyle, I’m Guilty of Putting Off Christmas Shopping, but These 25 Last-Minute Nordstrom Gifts Will Arrive in Time

From BuzzFeed, 30 Gifts From Amazon So Good You’ll Want To Add Them To Your Wish List Too

From Good Housekeeping, 36 Best Stocking Stuffers for Kids Under $20

The argument for the gift card from Forbes, In Defense Of The Gift Card: Why It Still Deserves A Spot On Your Holiday Shopping List