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Travel Diary – May 20th-23rd 2016 – The Haul

June 8, 2016 by Bel Leave a Comment

As you’ll have seen, I wrote about Day One, Day Two and Day Three of our holiday. Technically there was a Day Four but it just involved getting up, packing and heading off on the drive home, through the tunnel and again driving home. So I skipped that day and instead I’m bringing you the final post from this holiday, The Haul.

My biggest purchase of the holiday, was my Disneyland Paris annual pass! I haven’t actually taken a picture of the pass itself, but here is the info booklet that comes with it. Sadly it’s all in French, so I don’t understand a whole bunch of it, but it was pretty awesome getting it all anyway.

Since we were visiting the park anyway, I knocked off the price of that day’s ticket (74 Euros) and paid just 150 on the day. I say just, but it’s not really just, however I knew I would be going again the next month and it would save money on that ticket and of course the reductions and discounts it offers anyway.

Other than that, there was just souvenirs from each day. Day One was obviously visiting the Eiffel Tower. I treated myself to a postcard, a mug and a fridge magnet.

The girls got themselves a postcard each and then Lily bought a pen while Megan bought it miniature version of the tower itself.

Chris did get himself an ornament too but I actually didn’t photo much of his stuff!

Next day, was Disney Village. It was supposed to be a day in Paris but due to feeling ill in the morning, that didn’t happen. Instead we spent the afternoon in Disney Village (at the Parks) but I didn’t buy much as I knew we were going back the next day. The one thing I did grab was the Tsum Tsums we’d missed the week before from The Disney Store.

Finally was our day in the Disneyland Parks. I was pretty good and tamed my spending but I did get a baby Pegasus and a new mug.

Chris bought a mug too so I actually photographed that with mine as well, both front and back!

The girls bought chocolate bars to take home for their friends.

They also bought one thing each – Megan, a scarf (I forgot to photograph) and Lily, some wellies. Megan’s scarf has Walt Disney quotes all over it and I have to admit I’d love to steal Lily’s wellies too!

This is our mini haul which isn’t too bad for a weekend away. I’m back to Disneyland Paris again this month though so watch this space for whatever I give in to!

Hot Topic – Haul #4

December 12, 2014 by Bel Leave a Comment

Yes… yes I did. I know… I’m terrible. But at the same time, you all want to know what I got, right? Here it is! (All my other Hot Topic posts can be found here)

This is Hot Topic Haul, number 4 and for the first time, there was actually lots of stuff for me. I’ll break it down into smaller sections, so you can see what I got.

First up was some underwear.

These bra and pants come as separates, but I’m a sucker for matching sets. It’s been a long time since I treated myself to some nice underwear and as these were Disney, I thought “why not?” You may also have seen on Instagram that I got myself some Tinker Bell and Bambi matching sets from Primark too. I now have four nice pairs of underwear.

Next there is a new scarf – this time Doctor Who. I love my Disney Script one so much and I wear it all the time. This one has a nice pop of colour though, whilst still being beautiful big, soft and long. As well as the bra sets above, I got this pants set which is Harry Potter themed. I loved this pack specifically because it has one pair of Hogwarts pants, then one for Gryffindor and one for Slytherin. As I mentioned in my recent Magical Orlando Tag, I can never truly pick between the houses so I loved the idea of this pack of pants. Finally there is a little mermaid bracelet. It’s a simple metal one that reminds me of one I bought from Black Tied some time ago. Since I get a lot of wear out of that, I’m hoping the same will be said for this new one.

Finally there are some Olaf bits and pieces! And some headphones for Chris.

The Batman earbuds, as I mentioned, are for Chris – to go in his stocking. He loves Batman, DC etc and always listens to his phone on the way to and from work. As for the Olaf bits, well there’s some Sticky Notes, a lanyard and a sunglasses case. The sticky notes are either for me or my mum – to go in a stocking. The lanyard is for my mum as previously I only got her a HP lanyard and this is her Disney one. The sunglasses case is for me – for the sunglasses I got in a previous Hot Topic haul. I just loved the fact they are Olaf sunbathing, such an iconic part of his character.

So that rounds up my latest haul post and believe me when I tell you I have a whole load more stuff in my basket ready to get next time! I’m seriously addicted to Hot Topic and I really wish they’d open up over here in the UK!

Hot Topic – Haul #3 (Part Two)

December 3, 2014 by Bel 1 Comment

When I first made my Hot Topic – Haul #3 post, I mentioned that not everything I ordered was included in my post! That was because, two of the items, were for Nat’s birthday present. However Nat’s birthday has now been and gone and I can reveal just what those extra two bits were!

The two items that I bought for Nat, were both Harry Potter related. The first was a backpack and the second was a cardigan. For a while now, Nat has been borrowing her friend Hollie’s backpack and I wanted to give her one of her own to use. Not only that, but Nat is a huge Harry Potter fan but owns nothing Harry Potter related – other than the books and dvds. The cardigan was basically the same logic, except for the fact that Nat’s favourite item of clothing is definitely a cardigan. I was sure she would get a huge amount of wear from it and I was proved right when the very next day she tagged me on Facebook to say she was wearing it!

Though this is a very small (and quick) post, I wanted to add it, just so my haul collections were complete. As I mentioned before, these two items were all part of my third haul from Hot Topic – and believe it or not, order number four is well on it’s way to me as I type!

Hot Topic – Haul #3

November 8, 2014 by Bel 1 Comment

You’re probably getting a little sick of my Hot Topic Haul posts by now, but what can I say? I’m addicted! My first Hot Topic haul was placed back in August and I posted about it in September. My second Hot Topic haul was placed in September and I posted about it in October. Even though the last order, a combined order for three people, ended up costing an additional £100 in customs charges, it still didn’t put me off ordering again! Luckily, this time the customs charges were only £35 and so I could breath a sigh of relief!

Pictured above, is the majority of my Hot Topic order. However there were also a couple of bits for Amy (which she bought herself and just added to my order) and a couple of bits for someone who reads my blog and therefore I don’t want to post about them just yet. Most of my order is made up of stocking fillers, for myself, Chris and the kids. I’m pretty much responsible for all of our stockings and that’s why I placed this order to begin with!

You might remember in both my last posts, there were hair bows for Megan and Lily. This haul was exactly the same, with an Anna bow for Lily and a Buzz hair bow for Megan. These will be added to the Woody, Ariel, Alice and Snow White bows that I bought before.

The items above, are the ones for my stocking. These items are a pair of Alice in Wonderland sunglasses, a Disney themed lanyard (Ariel) and a Harry Potter themed lanyard (Platform 9 3/4). All three items are for use in Florida next year. The sunglasses, for the sun obviously – and the lanyards for both the Universal park pass and the Disney park pass.

This next selection of items are for Chris. The Disney themed lanyard (Nightmare Before Christmas) is for his Disney park pass and the sweatband is from a TV show we watched together called Death Note. Again, both are stocking fillers.

Are you noticing a theme yet? These two lanyards are for the girls. Let It Go (Elsa) is for Megan and Anna & Elsa is for Lily. These are for their Disney park passes when we go to Florida.

Finally, the last of my haul (or at least that I can post for now) is these three Harry Potter themed lanyards. They are for Chris, Lily and Megan (in that order) for use with their Universal park passes. Slytherin, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw are all their chosen houses. I like that each one is different too though, so none of us get our park passes mixed up.

As yet, I haven’t ordered again – but as always there is a whole heap of stuff I’m wanting. Place your bets as to whether or not I order again before Christmas. I’m afraid I think there is a high chance!

Hot Topic – Haul #2

October 29, 2014 by Bel 3 Comments

As you may remember, some time ago, I made a Hot Topic Wish List. Just before that time I’d also placed a small order, to be sent to a friend in America and be collected by Amy when she visited in August. I posted about Haul #1 at the end of September, after I collected it from Amy when I met her in Sunderland. However, I also mentioned that myself, Amy and Kariss had ended up making yet another order – due to a half price international shopping offer that the site had on. I have no idea how much our total order was but I know my part of it was a little over $100! Anyway, it was too much stuff for Amy to post to me so I waited until we visited her this weekend, in order to collect it. As such, I now bring you… Haul #2.

This was my total order!

It consisted of:

Beauty and the Beast glass
Billy (from Saw) Funko Pop figure
Disney Scarf
Malcom from Firefly figure
Anna (from Frozen) Funko Pop figure
Elsa (from Frozen) necklace
Mickey Mouse tape
Expecto Patronum (from Harry Potter) necklace
Disney’s Up necklace
Little Mermaid hair bow and Woody hair bow.

Here are the close ups!!

The Beauty and the Beast glass is for me and if you remember, it was features on my original Wish List. It’s pint glass size and its beautiful. I won’t be using though as I’ve already placed it on my ornament shelf! The Saw Funko figure is for Chris’ stocking. I’m never sure what to get him but these Funko figures seem to be a thing in our house now so it seemed like a good idea and would take up lots of room!

Next up is my beautiful Disney script scarf. This is by far my favourite purchase. Since bringing it home on Sunday night, I literally haven’t taken it off (except to sleep). It’s so soft and much thicker and warmer than I thought it would be. I’m absolutely in love with it!

In this picture you can see the Malcolm from Firefly figure (which is again for Chris’ stocking) and also an Anna figure. I couldn’t get the Elsa one for Megan as it sold out, though luckily Amy spotted it on Amazon and I got it from their in the meantime. The two bows are also for the girls, Ariel for Megan and Woody for Lily. These are to go in their stockings, along with the 2 I previously got in Haul #1.

That just leaves the last few items. An Elsa necklace – this is actually a locket that opens and on the back it says “Let It Go”. This is for Megan, for her stocking. The tape (closer up picture below) is for my scrap book when I go to Florida. It was different and quirky so I thought “why not?”. Next is a Harry Potter necklace, for me. I don’t usually wear gold but I thought I’d give it a go. I actually really like it and again you can see a close up below. The other necklace is from UP. It’s actually a lot chunkier than I thought it would be so I’m not entirely sure how much use I’ll get from it. You never know… you might see it in a prize giveaway, somewhere on my blog in the not too distant future.

I’m really happy with everything I’ve got, but sadly it doesn’t stop me wanting more! Normally, that wouldn’t matter but considering the huge Customs bill the three of us received, you’d have thought that would put us off shopping at Hot Topic again!

Sadly it didn’t though and I have since placed another order. Amy even threw in a couple of bits she wanted! Even just today I was looking to see if there was any further update on the shipping info… and got browsing more things I wanted! Seriously, if you’re a huge geek – do NOT check out this website. It will only add to or create an addiction for you! No doubt I will however let you know what I got in Haul #3 – so keep en eye out for that!

Hot Topic – Haul #1

September 23, 2014 by Bel 1 Comment

A little while back I posted about my Hot Topic Want List, but what I didn’t mention is that I had actually already placed a small order, about a month before. My best friend Amy was visiting the US and seeing a mutual friend of ours. I placed an order to be sent to her house and Amy picked it up and brought it home for me. After seeing her this weekend, I now have my order and while it’s only a mini haul, its a haul nonetheless!

So this was my little order (and fingers crossed my eldest daughter doesn’t come across this post, as she occasionally reads my blog). Sadly, hardly any of the order is for me, but it was still exciting anyway.

This t-shirt is for my brother, for Christmas. Well I say that, but I might end up holding onto it until his birthday now (long story). Its sort of an in-joke and I know he’ll love it. Getting it directly from the US it was ridiculously cheap and saved so much postal costs.

These two bows are for the girls. While the first one is sold as an Ariel bow, I think it reminds me more of Alice. The second is Snow White. I’m going to put these in their stockings, so hopefully Megan doesn’t end up seeing this post and spoiling it for herself.

This Beauty & the Beast bag is just for me. I have a bit of a collection of shopping bags going on, especially Disney ones. I couldn’t resist this one at only $3 and now its arrived I found it was a lot smaller than I expected. This is no bad thing though and I’ve found I’ve used it several times already.

Finally this amazing, beautiful and awesome Harry Potter bag is mine! It was a fantastic price and I’m so glad I got it, as the website is now sold out. That said, Amy also bought it for me (an advance Christmas present) and she was a little disappointed to find I’d bought it myself too. Luckily she was able to take her one back and get something else – but it just goes to show she knows me well.

After placing my Hot Topic Want List – Amy, Kariss and I actually made another UBER order. Amy tells me this has been dispatched so hopefully it will arrive soon. I spent £67 and got 11 items. I’ll be sure to post about it as soon as it arrives!!

The Girls Shop Next!

February 7, 2014 by Bel 2 Comments

For Christmas my two girls got £30 of NEXT vouchers each from their Grandma and Grandad. This was actually my suggestion because earlier in the year I had allowed them to pick an outfit each, with a credit note I had previously got from Next. They had so much fun picking their “Going away to Disneyland” outfit, that I figured it would also make a great gift – especially when no one ever really knows what to get them.

The girls in the outfits they picked to go to Disneyland in – from Next

Christmas is an expensive enough time of year as it is, without trying to fill 2 weeks of holiday with loads of activities. In fact, I’m one of those people who really sees the Christmas holidays as a time to do nothing – other than the odd day visiting family and having yet another huge meal! However for the kids at least, staying in the house every day can get kinda boring. Another reason these vouchers were a great idea. One day, just before we all headed back to school and work, we decided to put aside some time for Next clothes shopping. We headed off to Lincoln Next, with purse full of any spare money the girls had and of course their £30 of vouchers.

Lily is a savvy shopper, a lot like me. The first place she wanted to head was to the sale rail. Promises of discounted clothes which equals lots of clothes, soon drew her in. Originally we picked up three tops and one pair of trousers, that were all sale items. I think she had perhaps spent about £20 of her £30 by that point. However after a wander around the full price items, a lovely dress was found – a little more than her budget and so a top was returned to the sale rail (much to her displeasure) and the dress was picked instead. She did have a few pounds left though and so she picked up some pretty hairclips to just take her over the £30 mark!

Megan is a fussy shopper – again, a lot like me. She must have looked through the whole shop at least 3 times before even showing an interest in any particular item. It was no surprise to me that the first thing to actually catch her interest though, was a dress. Unfortunately though, this was only about half of her money, which meant the search continued for other things she would like. I can’t even begin to tell you how many skirts and tops we picked up and put down – held up against each other – and umm’d and ahh’d over. God bless Chris for holding up each thing so she could stand and study it as a full outfit. However eventually she settled on a skirt (she’d seen a dress similar but in the wrong size) and a casual t-shirt. By this point she was well over budget though and had to put about another £10 of her money towards it. Luckily her birthday was just before Christmas and she had money burning a hole in her purse.

I have to admit, I’m pretty proud of the girls choices – choices they really made all by themselves. Lily has worn her Santa t-shirt so many times since buying it and Megan loves her dress, especially with a chunky cardigan, tights and her boots. In fact, in my 52 Project photos here, you can see both the girls modelling some of their clothes.

I have to admit, I really love Next for kids clothes. They have beautiful clothes, to suit all sorts of styles and tastes. They’re even a fairly reasonable price. The quality if really good too and I have no complaints about things falling to pieces or not lasting very long.

I’ll definitely recommend people to buy the girls Next vouchers in the future, as I know they had a lot of fun picking their clothes. Despite them being only 5 and 9, it really makes you realise how fast they’re growing up, when you spend a few hours this way.