Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Most Beautiful Christmas Trees in America

The decoration of the Christmas tree has been a holiday tradition for hundreds of years. It is, in fact, one of the most popular traditions each season, as families from around the world flock out to stores and tree stands to find just the right tree to decorate. Most Christmas trees are firs, but in more recent years artificial trees made from plastic or feathers have been d Most Beautiful Christmas trees

The Christmas tree is often decorated with a host of lights and ornaments and traditionally has an angel or a star placed upon the top branches, most often to represent those found in the Nativity story. There is a little bit of controversy surrounding the Christmas tree, as some religious cultures oppose its use and others interpret its meaning differently.
Most Beautiful Christmas trees

What remains the same year after year, however, is the joy found on the faces of millions each year as trees are erected in homes and public squares and lit each evening with thousands of brilliant lights. No matter where you turn you’re going to see brilliantly decorated trees, some with painstaking detail. We’ve made a collection of some of the most beautiful trees in the country and, hopefully, you’ll get to see a few of them for yourself this year!

THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE – WASHINGTON, DC

Most Christmas trees

Every year since 1923 the United States has erected a National Christmas Tree. The tree is usually a Colorado blue spruce, standing at least 40 feet tall, and is always erected on the Ellipse, on the South side of the White House. Every state sends ornaments for the tree, which is encased in a gigantic plastic globe to protect it from the elements! This year’s official tree lighting ceremony will be held on December 4th at 5pm! There will be plenty of hotel specials this Christmas in the Washington, DC area, but you’ll need to book quickly if you want to find a hotel within reasonable distance to the attractions you wish to visit!

THE WHITE HOUSE – WASHINGTON, DC

THE WHITE HOUSE

The White House is the home of not one Christmas Tree, but many. The First Lady traditionally chooses the theme for the tree, which is then decorated by artisans from around the country.
Christmas Tree

In 2001, for example, Laura Bush chose a “Home for the Holidays” theme, and artisans created decorations that represented historic houses in each state. Trees in other rooms, such as the blue room, are decorated with colorful and meaningful mementos as well.

ROCKEFELLER CENTER – NEW YORK CITY

ROCKEFELLER CENTER

Millions of locals and tourists flock to Rockefeller Center throughout the holiday season to catch a glimpse of not only the ice skaters but of the enormous and beautifully decorated tree as well. The area surrounding the tree is usually guarded by angels, nutcrackers, and a number of other astounding decorations.
The tree at Rockefeller Center is one of the most popular and most visited trees in the area. This year’s official tree lighting is scheduled to be held on December 3rd. The city of New York will be bustling with Christmas hotel specials to accommodate the holiday shows, shopping, and tourism associated with the season, so make sure you grab your space as early as possible if you plan to visit.

DISNEY WORLD – ORLANDO, FLORIDA

DISNEY WORLD

The folks at Disney work overtime each year to make sure visitors to their parks feel at home during the holiday seasons. Each park has a unique Christmas tree, decorated to correspond with the theme of not only the park but the section in which it’s located. The holiday spirit is certainly in the air every year, no matter where in Disney you go!

DALEY PLAZA – CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

DALEY PLAZA

Chicago has held an annual tree lighting ceremony for years and years, and this year will be no different. Celebrating 95 years of holiday spirit, the 2008 tree lighting ceremony will take place on December 2nd at 12:30pm.
DALEY PLAZA

The annual ceremony features performances by the Chicago Children’s Choir and other theatrical groups before the 90 foot tall tree is illuminated!

SAN FRANCISCO TREE LIGHTINGS – CALIFORNIA

SAN FRANCISCO TREE LIGHTINGS

Several incredible tree lighting ceremonies take place throughout San Francisco each and every holiday season.On dates ranging from November 16th through November 29th you’ll find a myriad of events, from the Holiday Lighting Ceremony in the Hyatt Regency San Francisco lobby (an indoor 45 foot tree!), to Holiday Harmony at Pier 39, to the Lighting of the Civic Center Plaza Tree – and much more! It’s safe to say that no matter where you are in San Francisco you’re likely to find a beautiful tree to visit!
SAN FRANCISCO TREE LIGHTINGS

No matter where you go in the United States this holiday season you’re bound to find Christmas tree and light displays more colorful and brilliant than ever before. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season – it’ll be over before you know it!
Sources
http://www.hereisbeautiful.com

Sunday, October 11, 2009

The 40 Most Beautiful Hollywood Women

1. Mila Kunis

Present Hotness: Extract
Past Hotness: Forgetting Sarah Marshall, That 70s Show
Future Hotness: Date Night, The Book of Eli
2. Freida Pinto

Past Hotness: Slumdog Millionaire
Future Hotness: American Empire
3. Moon Bloodgood

Present Hotness: Terminator Salvation
Past Hotness: Pathfinder, What Just Happened?
Future Hotness: Bedrooms
4. Zoe Saldana

Present Hotness: Star Trek
Past Hotness: After Sex
Future Hotness: Avatar
5. Kristen Stewart

Present Hotness: The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Past Hotness: Twilight
Future Hotness: The Runaways
6. Malin Ackerman

Present Hotness: Watchmen
Past Hotness: Harold & Kumar go to Whitecastle
Future Hotness: Elektra Luxx
7. Maggie Grace

Present Hotness: Taken
Past Hotness: The Fog, Lost
Future Hotness: Malice in Wonderland
8. Megan Fox

Present Hotness: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Past Hotness: Transformers
Future Hotness: Jennifer's Body
9. Sienna Miller

Present Hotness: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Past Hotness: Factory Girl
Future Hotness: Hippie Hippie Shake
10. Eva Mendes

Present Hotness: The Spirit
Past Hotness: Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Future Hotness: Last Night
11. Jessica Biel

Present Hotness: Powder Blue
Past Hotness: I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Future Hotness: Nailed
12. Scout Taylor-Compton

Present Hotness: H2 (Halloween II)
Past Hotness: Halloween
Future Hotness: The Runaways
13. Sasha Grey

Present Hotness: The Girlfriend Experience
Future Hotness: Smash Cut
14. Diora Baird

Present Hotness: Pornstar
Past Hotness: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, Wedding Crashers
Future Hotness: Stan Helsing
15. Elizabeth Banks

Present Hotness: The Uninvited
Past Hotness: Zack and Miri Make a Porno, The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Future Hotness: The Details
16. Rosario Dawson

Present Hotness: Seven Pounds
Past Hotness: Alexander, Clerks II, Sin City
Future Hotness: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
17. Vanessa Ferlito

Present Hotness: Julie + Julia
Past Hotness: Death Proof
18. Kristen Bell

Present Hotness: Serious Moonlight
Past Hotness: Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Future Hotness: When in Rome
19. Beyonce Knowles

Present Hotness: Obsessed
Past Hotness: Dreamgilrs, Austin Powers in Goldmember
Future Hotness: Tipping the Velvet
20. Vanessa Hudgens

Present Hotness: Bandslam
Past Hotness: High School Musical
Future Hotness: Sucker Punch
21. Keira Knightley

Past Hotness: The Dutchess, Pirates of the Caribbean (franchise), Atonement
Future Hotness: Last Night
22. Lizzy Caplan

Present Hotness: The Last Rites of Ransom Pride
Past Hotness: Cloverfield, My Best Friends Girl, True Blood
Future Hotness: The Hot Tub Machine
23. Angelina Jolie

Past Hotness: Wanted, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Taking Lives, Hackers, etc...
Future Hotness: Salt
24. Anna Faris

Present Hotness: Observe and Report
Past Hotness: The House Bunny, The Hot Chick
Future Hotness: Young Americans
25. Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Past Hotness: Live Free or Die Hard, Death Proof, Final Destination 3
Future Hotness: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
26. Katrina Bowden

Present Hotness: The Shortcut
Past Hotness: Sex Drive, 30 Rock
Future Hotness: The Last Film Festival
27. Kerry Washington

Past Hotness: Lakeview Terrace, Fantastic Four, I Think I Love My Wife
Future Hotness: A Thousand Words
28. Isla Fisher

Present Hotness: Confessions of a Shopoholic
Past Hotness: Hot Rod, The Lookout, Wedding Crashers
Future Hotness: Groupies
29. Olivia Wilde

Present Hotness: Year One
Past Hotness: Turistas
Future Hotness: In NorthWood, Tron 2.0
30. Jordana Brewster

Present Hotness: Fast & Furious
Past Hotness: Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, D.E.B.S.
31. Scarlett Johansson

Present Hotness: He's Just Not That Into You
Past Hotness: Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Island, Lost in Translation
Future Hotness: Iron Man 2
32. Jessica Alba

Past Hotness: Sin City, Into The Blue, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, etc..
Future Hotness: An Invisible Sign of My Own
33. Abbie Cornish

Present Hotness: Bright Star
Past Hotness: Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Stop-Loss
Future Hotness: Sucker Punch
34. Maggie Q

Past Hotness: Live Free or Die Hard, Balls of Fury, Mission: Impossible III
Future Hotness: New York, I Love You; Rogue's Gallery
35. Marisa Tomei

Present Hotness: The Wrestler
Past Hotness: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
36. Natalie Portman

Past Hotness: The Other Boleyn Girl, V for Vendetta, Closer
Future Hotness: Brothers, Hesher
37. Charlize Theron

Present Hotness: The Road
Past Hotness: Hancock, Aeon Flux, The Italian Job
Future Hotness: The Brazilian Job
38. Alison Lohman

Present Hotness: Drag Me To Hell
Past Hotness: Where the Truth Lies, Beowulf, White Oleander
Future Hotness: Gamer
39. Diane Kruger

Present Hotness: Inglorious Basterds
Past Hotness: National Treasure, Troy
Future Hotness: Mr. Nobody
40. Gwyneth Paltrow

Present Hotness: Two Lovers
Past Hotness: Iron Man
Future Hotness: Iron Man 2

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