Cute Puppy Post!!!

This is going to be a more pictures less words post :-)

Meet my dog Poppi...

I would love to know if you have a dog? What kind is it?

My Ultimate Top 10 Christmas Films Ever!!

I have composed a list of my top 10 Xmas films. Most of them I watch all the time at this time of year. They are great to stick on while doing lots of festive duties like decorating, wrapping presents etc.

Ho Ho Ho Here we go...

1.The Santa Clause (1994)

Ahhh Tim Allen! What a man, what a Santa! This is a Xmas must watch movie. It is very family friendly and has lots of magic and immagination in it. Really fun.

Perfect for: Watching on Xmas morning.

2.Four Christmases (2008)

I have seen this so many times and it never gets boring. It even saved me from boredom as I watched it on my laptop after getting stuck on the M1 for 3 hours in snow last Xmas.

It has some great actors in it from Mary Steenburgen to Robert Duvall. The leads; Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon are fantastic comedy actors and are so funny.  This really is a must watch if you haven't seen it yet.

Perfect for: Watching by yourself on a cold winter night.

3. Elf (2003)

This film is super special. It is suitable for all the family from babies to grand parents. There is something in it for everyone. It is very funny and sweet at the same time. Sure to be a Christmas Classic. I have watched this so many times and it is another one that doesn't get boring.



Perfect for: Watching with the whole family after dinner on Xmas Day

4.Home alone 2 (1992)

This is just a Christmas classic and had to be in here. I love it. Who doesn't? Macully Culkin is adorable.  Of all the Home Alone films, this is definitely my favourite. I think because it is set in New York and I simply adore Xmas in New York!

Perfect for: Watching while you wrap your presents

5. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)

OMG this is amazing.  I watch this with my mum on Xmas eve and we always chuckle at poor old Clark. It has the lights, the music, the Xmas cheer.  Perhaps more suitable for the adults but I am sure the children would enjoy it too.


Perfect for: Watching to get in to the Xmas spirit.

6.Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

This is a film I have been watching for years.  A very cheesy Xmas film.  It is great! The little girl in it is so cute and it has all the qualities a festive film needs: Romance, love, warmth, snow, music, decorations.

Perfect for: Watching with the girls on a night in with a bottle of wine.


7. Santa Claus the Movie (1985)

I remember one Xmas eve when I was 4, I was watching this on tv when the delivery men came with our new tv and I wouldn't let them set up the new tv until it had finished... I watched it every Xmas eve for years. It really is a classic!


Perfect for: watching with your young neices, nephews, kids.

8.It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

believe it or not, being as festive as I am, I only watched this for the first time about a month ago.  It really is a great film. For those who aren't keen on black & white you really don't notice it after a while.  A must watch for any Xmas lovers.  And it also has a great message.

Perfect for: Watching with the whole family on Xmas Eve.


9. Bad Santa (2003)

This one is very funny. Definitely just for the adults though. A great film with great acting. Not your average Christmas film although it does have the music and decorations featured in it there is also a lot of swearing and alcohol consumption.

Perfect for: Watching with your adult brothers/sisters.



10. The Polar Express (2004)


Such a cute film! I love this. Very magical. Has a lovely story and message.

Perfect for: Watching with the whole family on Boxing day.


Lots and love with festive kisses, Ashly xxx

A little girls freedom to choose... What do you think?

I wanted to share something Jada Pinkett Smith posted on her facebook wall, which I found so incredibly touching...

Willow Smith & Jada Pinkett Smih
Urgh so gorgeous!

**A letter to a friend...

This subject is old but I have never answered it in its entirety. And even with this post it will remain incomplete.

The question why I would LET Willow cut her hair. First the LET must be challenged. This is a world where women,girls are constantly reminded that they don't belong to themselves; that their bodies are not their own, nor their power or self determination. I made a promise to endow my little girl with the power to always know that her body, spirit and her mind are HER domain. Willow cut her hair because her beauty, her value, her worth is not measured by the length of her hair. It's also a statement that claims that even little girls have the RIGHT to own themselves and should not be a slave to even their mother's deepest insecurities, hopes and desires. Even little girls should not be a slave to the preconceived ideas of what a culture believes a little girl should be. More to come. Another day.

J**

When I read this I cried. I felt so strongly that this is right. 
That We should be empowering young girls to believe that their body and minds belong to themselves.

That they are powerful and precious, that they have value and are special no matter what colour their hair.

In a world where women are a slave to looking perfect, where girls as young as 6 or 7 have eating disorders. We need to challenge the views set upon these little girls and us by society or perhaps even their mothers in some instances.

Then maybe just maybe we as women will allow our unique qualities to shine. We wont be afraid of what everyone thinks of us and indeed we wont be trying to please others at the expense of ourselves.

Maybe the world will be a more creative place?

Just an amazing statement from Jada and I salute her!

What do you all think, is she right? Should we allow our little girls the freedom to make their own choices?

Do you stop yourself from cutting your hair/doing what you want to do for fear of what others will think?

Much love and happiness Ashly xxx