Lifestyle of a Fashionista

12/22/23 Volume 2 Issue 52

Five on Friday

December 22, 2023

“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore

One: Have a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas Eve Eve Eve! I know that’s a bit much, but with Christmas falling on a Monday, it had to be done.

The Christmas countdown has come down to the final few days. I wish you a Christmas weekend filled with fun, no traffic delays, and checked-off to-do lists.

The Night Before Christmas was one of my favorite books to read at Christmas with my family. I loved the illustrations and the story.

I hope you can indulge in some of your favorite traditions this year.

This week, I’m keeping my posts to one, this newsletter. I wish everyone a safe and fun holiday weekend!

Two: What to Watch

Christmas Countdown:

The Christmas Countdown is almost over.

Hallmark (Peacock):

See the full list from ET, Hallmark Channel’s 2023 Counting Down to Christmas Movie Lineup: See the Schedule!

Lifetime: (Watch live on Hulu if you have that type of subscription, stream it after it airs)

For the full list: Lifetime to release 12 new Christmas movies starring Teri Hatcher, Tia Mowry, and more — see the schedule

Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend (Dec. 23rd at 8 PM), Precocious 10-year-old Lily Morgan (Ai Barrett) enters a writing contest about her Christmas wish. She wishes that her single mother, Emma (Goossen), finds love and a father for Lily whom Emma adopted as an infant in China. After winning the contest, will Lily’s wish come true? 

Netflix:

Read: December new releases from Tulum and from Vulture.

Maestro (2023 film), A towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro at its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love.

Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire (2023 film), When a peaceful settlement on the edge of a distant moon finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, a mysterious stranger living among its villagers becomes their best hope for survival.

Trevor Noah: Where Was I – Netflix Comedy

Max (HBO):

December 2023 from PureWow.

Gwyneth vs Terry: The Ski Crash Trial, If you followed Gwyneth Paltow’s ski trial, be sure to tune into this brand-new documentary. The doc explores both sides of the case, which originated after Terry Sanderson sued Paltrow for $300,000 for reckless skiing. Read my post about Gwyneth: https://lifestyleofafashionista.com/2023/04/07/the-gravity-of-gwyneth/

Hulu:

New on Hulu: December 2023 from Vulture.

Boom For Real: The Late Teenage Years Of Jean-Michel Basquiat (documentary), Never-before-seen works, writings and photographs offer insight into the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat as a teenager in New York in the late 1970s. The times, the people and the movements of the city help Basquiat form his artistic vision.

Disney+:

New on Disney+: December 2023 from Vulture.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (two episode premiere), 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson, is coming to terms with his newfound divine powers when the sky god, Zeus, accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt; with his friend’s help, Percy must restore order to Olympus. From Slate, Finally, the Percy Jackson Adaptation Fans Have Been Waiting For

Doctor Who Holiday Special: The Church on Ruby Road (Dec. 25th premiere), Long ago on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow. Today, Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, stolen babies, goblins and perhaps the secret of her birth.

Amazon Prime:

New on Amazon Prime Video: December 2023 from Vulture.

Saltburn (2023 film)

Peacock:

New on Peacock: December 2023 from Vulture.

Dr. Death (season 2, all episodes, Peacock Original), This season of Dr. Death, based on the Wondery podcast, follows “Miracle Man” Paolo Macchiarini, a charming surgeon renowned for his innovative operations. When investigative journalist Benita Alexander approaches him for a story, the line between personal and professional begins to blur, changing her life forever. As she learns how far Paolo will go to protect his secrets, a group of doctors halfway across the world make shocking discoveries of their own that call everything about Paolo into question.

Dr. Death: Cutthroat Conman (Peacock Original Doc)

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town

Apple TV+:

Paramount+:

New On Paramount+ December 2023

In Theaters:

Anyone but You (rom-com), Despite an amazing first date, Bea and Ben’s initial attraction quickly turns sour. However, when they unexpectedly find themselves at a destination wedding in Australia, they pretend to be the perfect couple to keep up appearances.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (fantasy/sci-fi), Aquaman balances his duties as king and as a member of the Justice League, all while planning a wedding. Black Manta is on the hunt for Atlantean tech to help rebuild his armor. Orm plots to escape his Atlantean prison.

The Iron Claw (sports/thriller), The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who make history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.

Migration (animated comedy/adventure), A family of ducks decides to leave the safety of a New England pond for an adventurous trip to Jamaica. However, their well-laid plans quickly go awry when they get lost and wind up in New York City. The experience soon inspires them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends, and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.

All of Us Strangers (fantasy/romance), One night in his near-empty London tower block, screenwriter Adam has a chance encounter with mysterious neighbor Harry, puncturing the rhythm of his everyday life. As a relationship develops between them, Adam finds himself drawn back to his childhood home, where his parents appear to be living just as they were on the day they died 30 years ago.

Opening on December 25th:

The Color Purple (musical/drama), Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in life, including an abusive husband. With support from a sultry singer named Shug Avery, as well as her stand-her-ground stepdaughter, Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.

Three: What to Wear

Touch Screen Gloves:

Get ready for the upcoming winter months with new gloves.

From NYT Wirecutter, The Best Touchscreen Winter Gloves

Four: What to Try

Take a nap:

From the New York Times, You Deserve a Great Nap

From Health, How To Take The Best Power Nap

Five: What to Do

Be present (and put down your phone):

Enjoy the moments with your family this weekend and take time for yourself.

From Stylist, ‘Phubbing’ is harming our closest relationships – here’s why and how

Support your mental health:

From Real Simple (2022 article), 5 Helpful Tips to Cope With Holiday Stress (and Prevent It in the First Place)

Reclaim your mornings.

Accept imperfection.

Skip events in the name of mental health.

From Huffington Post, The 1 Thing Doctors Refuse To Do During The Holidays

Watch a holiday movie:

From Vanity Fair, The 20 Best New Holiday Movies to Watch in 2023, From Netflix to Hallmark

Last Minute Recipes:
From AllRecipes, 10 Easy Christmas Cookies for Once-a-Year Bakers

From Country Living, 45 Easy Christmas Appetizers That’ll Wow Guests

From Real Simple, 25 Easy Party Side Dishes That Work For Any Occasion

Be safe: