Journeys Are My Diary

Life, Adventures, Entertainment and more - A little bit of everything blog!

Book Review – A Frozen Heart

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I bought this book from Asda and I have to admit I was pretty excited to find it, especially for £3.75. This book had been on my Amazon wishlist for some time and I assumed it would be similar to the Twisted Tales by by Liz Braswell. I had read A Whole New World, picked up Once Upon a Dream and this seemed like it would be similar, despite being by a different author, Elizabeth Rudnick.

Sadly, I was quite disappointed. If you want to read the novelisation of the Frozen movie, then this book is for you. It’s the exact story that the Frozen movie provides you with, except in a written form – meaning more detail, more description, more dialogue etc. That said, any dialogue that appeared in the movie, appears in this book. Every quote your children (or you) know off by heart, will be in this book. At first its sort of lovely – an indepth look to Anna and Elsa’s life, even a bit more background on Hans which you don’t really get in the movie. However once the storyline gets going, the story is basically exactly like the animation and it loses something for me.

That said, the end still made me cry, just like it does when I watch it. The book is a beautiful rendition of the movie, but that is all it is. I was expecting something more, something different, something that tells us a different part of the story. But sadly it’s not that. If you want to read “Frozen”, then absolutely pick up this book. If you’re looking for something more, it’s probably best not to bother.

Wednesday Wishlist – Rings and things…

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I may have forgotten to publish this yesterday (oops!)

So recently I’ve found myself looking at a custom diamond ring catalog. And yes, I guess they could be looked at as engagement rings but they are also just pretty rings right? These are some beauties that I’ve picked out which are really spectacular and some that are much more affordable. No surprise that they are Disney themed!

Disney Rings

Majority of these really nice rings are from places like Etsy or custom design jewellery websites. However some are from places like Hot Topic, Disney Couture and TruffleShuffle. Can you spot which ring is which character, in the case of Ursula, Maleficent, Ariel, Elsa, Rapunzel and the Evil Queen?

My favourite of them all is definitely the Ursula themed ring (black ones on the bottom line) as these are just so unusual. I love the idea of a black ring instead of something silver/gold. A shop called Lakewood Treasures on Etsy is definitely the place to check out if you have a fair bit of cash and want something really beautiful and unique. Other favourites come from Disney Engagement Ring, Gemvara and Razo’s Ring Shop.

While gold isn’t really my colour, I do love the Belle rose ring too but that’s more because I love anything Beauty and the Beast. I also used to own the Believe ring pictured, but sadly it wore down to the actual metal because I wore it so much!

What would be your dream ring, Disney or otherwise?

42/52

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This week its separate pictures for a change! Megan is her eating a chocolate cupcake we made at the weekend. The cases were edible and for some reason this was exciting. Megan does love sugar paper mind you so I can see why. Lily was ill during last week but on Wednesday she was feeling a little better and dressed up. She even had on some makeup!

Pop Funko Collection

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Though I could quite easily have made this post a wish list – the truth of the matter is, I’d pretty much like every Pop Funko in the world. Disney is obviously my main collection, but I have one from Harry Potter (and want the rest), one from The Walking Dead (and would probably like a few more) and definitely definitely would like any Marvel and DC comic ones. However instead I decided just to share with you my current Pop Funko collection, as it grew somewhat over this last weekend!

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So this is my main Disney collection of Pop Funkos. It all started with Belle in her yellow dress (which Amy bought for me and is now near on impossible to get), along with the Beast that Amy bought for Chris and it just sort of became mine! Over time, the collection has grown to include Lumiere, Cogsworth and Belle in her blue dress (just like I cosplayed at the weekend). Tinker Bell came from Hot Topic when we went to Florida, as did Ariel in her town dress (though that was via mail). Gus in the Glass Slipper, Rapunzel and Ariel (as a mermaid) came from SFCC, this weekend just gone. Maleficent was a gift, Groot came from a Loot Crate and Judge Doom belongs to Chris.

However this isn’t all we have between us, there is more!

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While not all these are Pop Funkos of course (its just a geek hole really), there is Jigsaw who belongs to Chris, as does Jason. There is Stan Lee (an LFCC special) still in its box, who is probably my most expensive purchase. There are then mini Pop Funkos (or pocket as I think they are called) in the form of Elsa, Anna and Olaf, then Maleficent and Evil Queen too who are a tiny bit bigger. Again, not funko but there is Olaf, Pooh and Anna on keyrings, along with a random collection of blind box figures!

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Harry Potter is from Hot Topic and he’s an exclusive. Instead of the regular Harry Potter, who comes with a wand, this Harry comes with the sword of Gryffindor. I’m still undecided as to whether or not I want to get regular Harry, but I do know I want Voldemort next. He’s amazing.

unnamedFinally my last Pop Funko has just found a new home in my glass cabinet. He’s Daryl Dixon from TWD and he’s on a motorbike. He was my second most expensive Pop Funko and I’ve wanted him for so long that at MCM Comic Con in May, I treated myself.

With several more conventions in the works, I’m sure my Pop Funko collection will continue to steadily grow. When I got my first ever, I couldn’t possibly believe I would end up collecting them. But here I am!

Wednesday Wishlist – Hot Topic

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As you know, I’m in Florida!! Now, instead of gazing hopelessly at a computer screen and wanting all the Hot Topic products, I can actually go and get them! Today I’m sharing my Hot Topic Wish List with you and you’ll just have to wait and see if I come back with them all!

A. Dumbo scarf – ever since buying my Princess Quotes scarf and my Doctor Who one, I’ve realised just how much I like wearing a scarf. This Dumbo scarf is a little different to the ones I have, as its an infinity (loop) scarf instead. The print is so cute though and I think I’d genuinely get a lot of wear from it.

B. Belle compact mirror – I’m a huge fan of this more grown up style of sketch and as Belle is my favourite princess, this mirror really appeals to me, even though I’d barely use it I’m sure. It’s neat and stylish though and it would make a great edition to my handbag.

C. Anna and Elsa Pocket Pop Funko – I mentioned in my wishlist post last week, that Megan and Lily already own the Pop Funko figures of Anna and Elsa, but that they stay in their room, rather than with my collection. I’d love to get these pocket figures, just to sit with my collection and represent!

D. Once Upon a Time’s “Evil isn’t born, it’s made” vest/tank top – as yet, I haven’t bought any vest tops from Hot Topic, largely because I really went off them as an item of clothes, due to my fat upper arms. However as summer comes around again and now I’ve lost a little weight, I’ll be looking forward to embracing them again. This t-shirt is just amazing and it would definitely be one of my “must-haves”. There are loads more though, to be honest.

E. Alice in Wonderland/The Little Mermaid tights – If you read my shopping post a few weeks ago, you’ll know that in preparation for this holiday, I bought myself some new dresses. One of those was Alice in Wonderland and the other was The Little Mermaid. Obviously in Florida it will be far too warm for tights but when I come back I’d love to keep on wearing my dresses. As such these cute tights would couple nicely with each dress, to make an awesome colder weather outfit.

F. Daryl Dixon’s Chopper – I’m going to ignore the innuendo in the title of this product and just point out that it’s a Pop Funko figure of Daryl Dixon on his motorbike. While majority of my Pop Funko wants are Disney related, this is one of the few that isn’t. Daryl is a character from The Walking Dead and has long been my favourite character. I’d love to get this figure to add to my collection, just as he’s so awesome.

G. Beauty and the Beast/Rapunzel hairbrush – these hairbrushes first arrived on the site before Christmas and I really wanted one for the girls but honestly we don’t really need them. However I love the Beauty and the Beast one and would happily throw out my current one, in order to replace it with that. For the girls I’d like the Tangled one as it just makes sense – Rapunzel has long hair that needs brushing, so what better choice is there?

H. Rapunzel umbrella – I honestly do not need another umbrella. My first ever brolly was Sylvester and Tweety Pie and I still have it to this day. Just before Christmas I bought myself an Alice in Wonderland one from BHS and I think I’ve only used it twice. However I do love the lantern scene from Rapunzel and that makes this umbrella almost irresistible to me!

I. Villains backpack – for a long time I fancied the Beauty and the Beast stained glass window backpack, but really it was just a little “loud” in colour for me. However when this Villains one came along, I was sold. Anyone who knows me, knows I have such a soft spot for Disney Villains. That makes this backpack straight out cold – regardless of the fact I so rarely use a backpack!

J. TWD Crossbow keychain – I definitely don’t need another keyring and yet I want one. This keyring is Daryl’s crossbow (from Walking Dead) and a tag that reads “Fight the Dead, Fear the Living”. Mostly I want it because of Daryl, but it’s cool and it’s about time I had something to represent my Walking Dead fandom.

So right now, these are the things I have my eyes on! Look out for a Hot Topic haul post when I return from my Florida trip!

Disney Countdown – Days 30 to 24

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Monday (30) – March 2nd – Make or Draw Disney
Tuesday (29) – March 3rd – Read Disney
Wednesday (28) – March 4th – Watch a random Disney movie – The Princess Diaries
Thursday (27) – March 5th – Lily’s Birthday
Friday (26) – March 6th – Watch Sleeping Beauty
Saturday (25) – March 7th – Play a Disney game
Sunday (24) – March 8th – Dress up Disney

This week has felt a little hectic at times and so with regards to the Disney tasks we’ve had to keep one step ahead! Monday was make or draw something Disney and the girls fancied making another hair bow. As such we made The Queen of Hearts as she was one we’d been wanting to do for a while. On Tuesday it was Read Disney and so at bedtime we started a new book which is the 4th in the Never Girls series called “From the Mist”. The girls’ dad had also swapped from Tuesday to Wednesday and so we preempted Wednesday task which was to watch a random movie, and did that on Tuesday instead. The girls picked to watch The Princess Diaries which was fine by me as I love a good chick flick. On Wednesday we obviously didn’t technically do anything Disney but Megan and I were still working on Lily’s cake each night and that was Disney Tsum Tsum themed.

On Thursday it was Lily’s birthday and we had no specific task. However there was plenty of Disney to go around (no surprises there). Friday we were going to my mum’s to dinner, as she’d been away for almost two weeks. As such we didn’t remember to check the Disney task and couldn’t complete it. When we got home we found out it was to watch Sleeping Beauty but it was the girls’ bedtime so instead we just put it on the list for the next day. When we got up Saturday, we had plenty to do but we did fit in watching the movie. We also had to play a Disney game – which since we play Tsum Tsum most days, was no problem. Finally it was Sunday and we had dress up Disney. Lily was keen to wear her Silvermist costume that Megan bought for her birthday and Megan was stuck with Elsa yet again!

Disney Countdown – Days 44 to 38

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Monday (44) – Feb 16th – Make or Draw Disney
Tuesday (43) – Feb 17th – Play a Disney game
Wednesday (42) – Feb 18th – Dress up Disney
Thursday (41) – Feb 19th – Paint Merida peg-doll
Friday (40) – Feb 20th – Watch random Disney movie – Belle’s Magical World
Saturday (39) – Feb 21st – Make Disney inspired food
Sunday (38) – Feb 22nd – Watch Monsters Inc.

On Monday the girls were with their dad as they’d stopped over Sunday night and were doing so again on Monday night. They both drew something Disney and then sent pictures of it back for me to put on Instagram. On Tuesday I picked them up and they both played Disney Infinity in the car on the way home, though I’m sure they both played on Tsum Tsum later in the day as well. On Wednesday, Amy and Olivia were with us and so all three girls dressed up. Lily and Liv were both Sofia, while Megan went for Elsa in her Coronation outfit. On Thursday we painted Merida the pegdoll, now giving us quite a good collection of peg dolls. We also caught up on Hunchback of Notre Dame from the week before, as we’d not managed to squeeze it in until then. On Friday we had to watch a random movie and the girls and I picked Beauty and the Beast’s – Belle’s Magical World as none of us had seen it before. On Saturday we were going out for lunch so we baked cupcakes in the morning and decorated them in the evening. We made Princess carriages which was basically a packet mix I’d picked up from Tesco and honestly they didn’t look much like carriages! Finally on Sunday we watched Monsters Inc on dvd. This was meant to follow on from watching Monsters University a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately we didn’t actually do that and had watched Bolt instead. Perhaps we’ll have time to catch Monsters University before we go anyway!

T-Shirt Thursday

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Yet again this week I’m posting my T-shirt Tuesday on a Thursday, but this week I sort of have a good excuse! My best friend Amy (from Cocktails in Teacups) decided very late on Monday night that she was coming to visit for a couple of days and so from Tuesday to today, I’ve had her and her daughter Olivia visiting. As such I’ve either been busy or completely exhausted, with no time to make blog posts (and none pre-done as a backup!). In all honesty, all I want to do tonight is go for a bath but a guilty conscience had got the better of me. As such though, its just going to be a quickie from me tonight – just the t-shirt I was wearing on Tuesday and no project t-shirt.

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This t-shirt design is called Winter is Coming and combines a Frozen and Game of Thrones crossover. Elsa is sat on an ice version of the Iron Throne, with the quote “winter is coming”, a slogan from GoT too. The design belongs to an artist known as Harebrained. If you like the t-shirt, its available in a variety of places including RedBubble, TeeFury and TeePublic. It’s one of my favourite t-shirts and also drawing styles!

Though, like I said, I haven’t got around to starting on my next project, I will give you a sneak peak. This is the design I’ll be using next time!

Disney Countdown – Days 51 – 45

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Monday (51) – Feb 9th – Read a Disney book
Tuesday (50) – Feb 10th – Play a Disney game
Wednesday (49) – Feb 11th – Make or Draw Disney
Thursday (48) – Feb 12th – Paint Aurora peg-doll
Friday (47) – Feb 13th – Make Disney inspired food
Saturday (46) – Feb 14th – Dress up Disney
Sunday (45) – Feb 15th – Watch Hunchback of Notre Dame

So this week has been a bit higgly piggly. Due to us being so busy, we’ve had to switch around tasks depending on where we are and what we’re doing. Majority of the week has been a different day’s task but we’ve mostly managed something at least each day! Monday was read a Disney book which we actually managed. We’re still carrying on with book 3 from the Never Girl series. Tuesday was play a Disney game, which we also managed – despite it being a Daddy day. The girls played on Disney Infinity in the car on the way to school. On Wednesday we were supposed to paint a peg-doll but switched it with the next day as the girls were staying at Grandma’s overnight. Instead on Wednesday they had to make or draw Disney which seems to have become a thing at Grandma’s recently! On Thursday when they were home, Megan painted the Aurora peg-doll, though she seems to be less and less happy with how they come out.

On Friday the kids were due to go to mum’s house overnight and she had planned to do some sort of Disney cake mix packet from Sainsbury’s. However the girls ended up off school for the day and not at mum’s, so I bought a packet mix instead and we made Mallow Minnie’s. On Saturday it was dress up Disney which we squeezed in between about 11.30am and 3.30pm. The girls had to get dressed regularly in the morning as we were going out for breakfast, then come home and change into dress-up clothes, before finally getting changed again as Lily had a party to go to. Finally came Sunday and we were set to watch The Hunchback of Notre Dame. However we had to take Chris to work (leaving around 11.30am), go out for lunch, go to my mum’s, fit in the movie in the afternoon, before taking Megan to a party at 4pm. Unfortunately when we got to mum’s, she had a friend there, who didn’t leave for almost another hour. This meant we couldn’t watch our DVD. As the girls went to their dad’s after Megan’s party, we were unable to watch it later too. As such, its been suspended till Tuesday when hopefully we’ll fit it in.