Journeys Are My Diary

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Wednesday Wishlist – Christmas in July

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Disney Christmas ornaments

Yes I know, they’re Christmas ornaments and its early to think about Christmas but the Disney Store released their ornaments last week and I just had to make a collection of some of the pieces I’d like! To be truthful I tend to avoid wishlists these days as they only make me want to spend money, but these are the one treat I seem to give myself each year. That said, I missed quite a few I would have liked last year and I hope that won’t be the case this year.

So my top pick on this particular wishlist is Belle (no surprise) and Vanessa. These are two characters I have actually cosplayed as and my top pick when it comes to characters generally. There is a singing Belle ornament too but while I like the fountain scene, I think I prefer the simple Belle version. As for Vanessa, its so unusual to get anything Ursula even, let alone her so I need this!

The other ornaments are definitely all secondary wants. The rose however is probably top of those. Again, Beauty and the Beast themed, I have a love of all things rose themed too. As for the rest, they are to fill gaps in my character themes or just because I like them. We do have Ariel already, but not as a mermaid. We also don’t have anything UP, Chip and Dale, or Jaq and Gus (though we do have Cinderella). Chip and Dale have a special place in my heart right now as they remind me very much of my girls. Finally that leaves Tinker Bell and while I do think we have a Tink decoration already, I love this one especially. I’m pretty sure there is a similar Disney tradition ornament which I would love.

I think a few have disappeared off the Disney Store website already so I may have missed a few I like. In fact, there are a few from last year floating around on Ebay so I may even do a second wishlist with those included too.

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My Christmas Wishlist 2015

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Over the next few weeks I’m going to be sharing some of my ideas for gift guides, including “for him”, “for her”, “for kids” etc. However I wanted to start off with a wish list of my own! This is my Christmas Wishlist 2015.

Christmas Wishlist 2015

 

As you will see, even at a glance, my wishlist is almost entirely filled with Disney. This is because Disney is probably my biggest fandom love, followed immediately by Harry Potter (which there are also several items for). Anyway, let’s get started!

On the left hand side of the guide, you will see an Inside Out board game and a Ticket to Ride board game. I absolutely love playing board games, both with my family and with my friends. Though we already own a version of both these games, I would love these versions (just like I would love Disney Villains monopoly still). Inside Out seems like such a great idea for Game of Life and a United Kingdom version of Ticket to Ride sounds fun! On that same side you will also spot two DVDs, Inside Out and Tomorrowland. Inside Out isn’t released yet but Tomorrowland has been for a while, I’d like both to add to my every growing Disney DVD collection. Finally on that side is a Thomas Kinkade Disney calendar. I had the mini version last year but I would love the full size version as my main calendar this year. I love the art work and even better when you’re done with it you could always frame the pages.

On the right hand side I have clothes. The dress is an Alice print dress from Hot Topic which I absolutely love. I have another dress from Hot Topic in this style and its my favourite Disney dress. I also have this exact print in a scarf (which I’m wearing now) and I love it. Not only that it’s black and I know I’d get lots of wear out of it, even in winter paired with a cardigan and tights. Secondly there is a set of PJs and these are Beauty and the Beast from Topshop. Last year I treated myself to a pair of PJs from Topshop and though they had cuff bottoms on the trousers (which I thought I would hate) I loved them and as such would love this pair for this year.

Heading for the middle of the wishlist you can see its basically an array of ornaments and Pop Funko figures. However there is a Harry Potter umbrella in there too. I love the Marauders Map print and I know I would get loads of use out of this – especially living in the UK where rain is our standard. Also not an ornament is the Disney Villains bag. This is from Loungefly and have I loved their stuff for a long time. In this style there is also a Disney Villains wallet but as it doesn’t have card slots I know I wouldn’t use it much. This bag however is amazing and I would love to use it as my every day handbag. Not technically an ornament, this candle is also on my wishlist. It’s available from the Disney Store and comes in a few different colours. I’m not a huge candle fan but I find myself more drawn to them this time of year. Plus it’s Disney. No brainer.

Finally, onto the ornaments in the middle. There are four Disney Traditions/Showcase ornaments and some of these are firm favourites while others are new to my wish list. I have loads of Beauty and the Beast ornaments already but since it’s my favourite, I’d love to have them all. The ornament of Belle with the Beast has been on my wish list since last Christmas so hopefully this year I’ll get lucky and manage to get it. The one of Mrs Potts is new (or at least I haven’t seen it before) and since I have one of Lumiere and Cogsworth together, I’d love to have this too. That then leaves the Villains. Maleficent joined my wishlist over a year ago, for my birthday last year when we watched the new Maleficent movie. I love this figure so much but sadly it went out of stock last Christmas and I ended up with the Evil Queen instead. It’s now back in stock in most places so I’d love to add it to my collection. Then there is the “hag”, who is the Evil Queen from Snow White. I’m not exactly sure what draws me to this ornament as it’s pretty ugly but I love it nonetheless. Next comes the Pop Funko and sure enough one is Disney (sort of) and another is Harry Potter. I started out my collection of Pop Funkos with only Disney and I’ve tried hard to resist branching out into other Fandoms as its a disaster waiting to happen. However we do have several others, including some Harry Potter. I love this Voldemort figure and it would definitely be my next pick to add to the collection, though I would happily take any I do have (which is only Harry and Dumbledore). Regina Mills aka the Evil Queen from Once Upon a Time is another figure I’d love. She is my favourite character by far and I hope to cosplay his exact outfit someday. While OUAT isn’t technically Disney, its definitely a branch of it and therefore adding the OUAT figures to my collection is a must! Finally that leaves Katniss Everdeen. Until a few days ago I didn’t even know Hunger Games existed as Pop Funko figures. Now I know, I sort of want them all. Katniss is available in several different variations but I think this is my favourite – like I said though, I would take them all.

I could have gone on and on but hey, Christmas is about giving not receiving – so instead of concentrating on what I’d like, I’ll soon be moving on to what you can get for others!

Hello May – a birthday wishlist

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mayI love May. It’s probably my favourite month of the whole year. Why? Well my birthday is in May for a start, but that’s only the initial reason to feel a connection to the month. I also love what happens outdoors – the flowers pushing through and blooming, along with the trees growing blossom. The picture above (Hello May) is actually a photo I took earlier today, of a tree in Saxilby on the way to the girls school.

Since it’s now 26 days till my birthday, I figured I’d share a birthday wishlist as my post for today. In all honesty, I don’t really want for anything (except a lottery win) but I guess if I was given a little money to treat myself with, these are the things I’d like.

wishlist
So first let’s start with Lumiere. He was one of my “regret not purchasing” purchases, from Disney World. The whole time we were on holiday I was keeping an eye out for things I might like to buy – or things I might like as a birthday present from my mum and my sister. I saw a few things that I would have liked, but actually didn’t end up getting and Lumiere was one of these. Selling for $50 in the park, he is £60 on the Disney Store website. I truly wish I’d brought him home with me, though I just couldn’t justify the spend.

Next comes this beautiful Beauty and the Beast “Rose” necklace. It sells at TruffleShuffle for £25.99. I’ve never been one for gold jewellery so this is the first thing to have truly appealed, I also like the 14k version much more than its expensive counterpart. I love Disney Couture jewellery though and could easily have made a wishlist, solely of that.

This Daryl Dixon Pop Funko figure is really the only non-Disney item on my list. I love Daryl in Walking Dead and nothing is more representative of him than this motorcycle Pop Funko figure. He’s not easy to find in the UK though so places like Amazon.com and Hot Topic are really the only options for purchasing him.

Disney Villains Monopoly is another of my “regret not purchasing” items. I was so close to getting this game on at least 3-4 occasions, but I knew we’d be short of room in the suitcases, so just couldn’t justify it. Buying it online really isn’t an option, as its just so expensive. However I also found a cool version of this called “My Disney Villains Monopoly” which would be way cooler to have (but way more expensive too).

Again from TruffleShuffle comes this awesome Iron Man usb memory stick. I don’t really need any more memory sticks but how could you not want this? I love Iron Man and finally purchased a plush of him in Florida, so this USB would add to my ever growing RDJ shrine (yeah I know, that’s creepy…).

ANOTHER regret not buying item is this book “The Beast Within”. I saw it in a shop near Gaston’s Tavern and was so close to buying it, except that I didn’t really want to carry it around with me. I later saw another one called “Fairest of them All” in Hollywood Studios and would have loved that too. I have however found them on Amazon and they’re only £10 ish. To be honest I’ll probably treat myself to those, as soon as I get a little money free.

This second to last item is my big regret not buying item, but only because I can’t find it for sale anywhere (which makes me feel like I can never buy it, unlike the others which are just all expensive to buy elsewhere). I didn’t know what the design was called, which shop I saw it in, or exactly what it looked like – so even adding it to this wishlist took me a lot of research. The design is by Jerrod Marayama and the shop I saw it in was called D-Street at Downtown Disney. To be absolutely honest I loved so many of his things (a collection called WonderGround), even princess related ones, but this villain print (World of Evil) was by far my favourite. There was both an art print and a notebook that I liked, but I think the notebook would win out. I’ll have to keep my eye out on Ebay I think, though it’s not there at the moment.

Finally my last item is yet again Beauty and the Beast themed (running theme you might notice). I have so many Disney Traditions that are Beauty and the Beast and this is one of the few I don’t have. I do however love loads of Disney Traditions ornaments so I wouldn’t be fussy of which I got. This particular ornament just represents my love of them all, though it would be great to have this one too as its another step closer to owning all the Beauty and the Beast ones!

A complete (and constantly added to) wishlist of all the things I currently love, can be found on My Greedy Book. If you don’t know what “My Greedy Book” is, you should definitely check it out as I genuinely think it’s one of the best wishlist facilities I’ve come across. In fact, you can read all my thoughts on “My Greedy Book“, over at my personal blog.

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Wish List Wednesday – Birthday Edition

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It’s now only a week till my birthday and sadly I don’t really have any helpful suggestions for anyone still looking to buy me something! In fact, as I sat down to write this Wish List post, I couldn’t really even think of a single thing I wanted. However, for the sake of a post (haha) I’ve found a few things I’d like, so here they are.

Daryl Plush / Interflora Roses / Cupcake Decorating Lab

The above items are actually still kicking around on a list from almost a year ago. Poor Daryl I have wanted for so long now but its just not happening! As for the Interflora roses, I know that no one other than Chris would really buy these but I highly doubt he’d even think to get them (feel free to tell him besties ;)). Finally the Cupcakes book isn’t really something I desperately want but I figure it might have a few interesting tips in it!

You’ll be glad to know that from the other wish list I have; my stand mixer, I get the occasional Lush gift box, I have the OUAT Disney Traditions ornament, and I bought myself a cooker! Not bad out of 10 things I guess!

Lakeland Duo Colour Icing Kit / Disney Dooney & Bourke Tinker Bell Bag / Mrs Potts & Chips Ornament
Loungefly Disney Tinker Bell Bag / Alice in Wonderland Tea Pot

It occured to me, while looking for items for this list, that I like Disney. A lot. I think that possibly every wish list ever, that I ever could do, could possibly always feature Disney stuff. In fact, as I was making this list, I actually had to stop myself adding more and more Disney stuff, in case it made me inclined to take off the non Disney item!

Anyway! First up, Lakeland are selling this cool duo icing bag. If you check out the website the actual pictures of what the icing looks like, is what sells it to me. I know I wouldn’t use it much, but hey its pretty cheap and I like weird and wonderful things! Next is a Dooney & Bourke Tinker Bell bag. I love Dooney & Bourke designs and have often lusted after their designs. Anyone who knows me well will know I have a soft spot for Tinker Bell too and I just love this design. This goes the same for the handbag on the next line, below too. However this bag is Loungefly, another make which I have often lusted after, especially the purses. Again this design is Tinkerbell but this time in a more sophisticated style. I’ve been wanting a new handbag for a while and this one would be lovely. Finally that leaves two teapots, one an ornament and the other… well an ornament too I guess, but I’m pretty sure you can use it! For quite some time now, I’ve fancied a Mrs Potts ornament. This isn’t quite the one I’ve seen and wanted, but its the only one I can find actually for sale. I love Beauty and the Beast, its one of my Disney favourites and Mrs Potts and Chip are so iconic. This is a lovely and delicate ornament and while I’d be worried about breaking it, its just beautiful. Finally that leaves the Alice in Wonderland teapot. I seriously love this, even though I’ve never been a huge Alice in Wonderland fan. That said, over the years, with various Alice in Wonderland parties, I’ve definitely developed a soft spot for it. That, combined with the fact I love tea and love teapots, what’s not to like?

I found so much more Disney stuff I could have added too! There are loads of Disney Traditions ornaments that I’d still like, loads of Disney Showcase ones I’d like to start collecting and even some Disney Chamilia charms. However as I said before, I really have to refrain from Disney everything!

So that’s my birthday wishlist, none of which I expect to get! However its always fun to wish. I’m sure whatever I do get, will be heavily weighted in Disney… but here’s to hoping that’s the only thing weighing in heavy next Wednesday! (#WLW).

P.S. And finally, some of this!

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Wednesday Wish List – Disney Villain Edition

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Something a little different today! A Wednesday Wish List!

Two weeks today, its my birthday! That time of the year when everyone starts asking you what you’d like and you don’t have a clue! Luckily most people have something sorted, but there are still the odd few asking. As such, I started to ponder all the things I might like. Of course, Disney was my first stop and as always I got distracted by it. I decided to make my whole list Disney, and since last time I focused on the Princesses, I decided that this time I would focus on Villains!

Realistically I wouldn’t necessarily want all of these, but hey, if money (and space) was no object, they’d be pretty cool to have! First up is a Disney Villains suitcase. This I would actually like. It costs $150 and is currently available from the Disneystore US. I don’t often travel but when I do, I’d love to do it with this!

Next are these nifty Funko figures. I found these particular ones on Amazon for £16.99. I wouldn’t say I was a collector of these figures but I do have a few. Some appeal more than others and Maleficent and the Evil Queen are definitely two that do! I don’t really have anything Disney Villain as yet but these would be a good start.

The Maleficent mug is also another thing I’d actually like (though I’m sure Chris would curse if I had any more big mugs!). Sadly its only available from the Disneystore US again, selling at $12.95. With the new upcoming movie I’m sure we’ll be seeing a huge surge in Maleficent products, but as always the US have the better stuff for sale!

Next on my list is the Evil Queen’s Bad Apple. I suppose this comes low down on my want list as I don’t really have a place in my home it would go. However its still cool and I like the fact its not specifically Disney, just the bad apple symbolism. With loving OUAT so much (and Regina of course) I’ve definitely found myself more drawn towards this story. I haven’t actually found it for sale anywhere except Ebay but I believe its something newly available from Disney Parks.

Disney Monopoly!! Not just that, but Disney Villains Monopoly. In my opinion, you can never have too many versions of Monopoly. I’d love to have this game, though I’m sure I’d only play it once in a blue moon. As such, its definitely a low priority especially as its only available from Disneystore US again, retailing at $36.95.

Just recently, Disneystore UK started selling awesome Disney Princess Shoe ornaments. However with all my searching, I found Disney Villain ones too but – you guessed it, only available in the US! Not only that, but they’re not just ornaments, but hanging ornaments. A little off-putting I suppose, but still pretty awesome. I’m loving the Queen of Hearts and the Ursula one.

Some time ago, Disney Store was selling these beautiful versions of the Disney Villains, in various forms. There were notebooks, dolls and seemingly these mugs. They didn’t stay in store long and now only seem to be available on Ebay. I love the Evil Queen mug and also the Queen of Hearts one. That said, I’d happily have Ursula too.

Last but not least, this Villains photo frame is pretty awesome. I’m not sure what type of photo you’d put in it, but its still pretty fecking cool. Again it only seems to be available in the US and the Parks at that – but hey, I’m visiting there next year so maybe?

Mother’s Day Wishlist – Part 3 – Disney Traditions

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While yesterday’s post followed on from the day before, by being about charms – today’s post follows on from yesterday, by still being about Disney. I’m sure I’ve mentioned before on my blog, that I collect Disney Traditions ornaments. Until this last Christmas, I only had a few, but then I was lucky enough to get bought several and I have somewhat of a collection.

Today’s wishlist focuses on some of the other ornaments available, that I don’t have yet. In all honesty I don’t think there are any I wouldn’t want, but these are my favourite picks of the moment.

A. Thumper – £16.43 / B. Rapunzel – £31 / C. Ariel & Eric World Unite – £30 approx
D. Belle & Chip – £35 / E. Tinkerbell (May) – £19.90
*all prices from Amazon website

First up is Thumper. I mentioned him in my post yesterday and how I have a soft spot for him. With this ornament its no different, I just think he looks completely adorable!

Next up comes Rapunzel. I remember watching Tangled for the first time and it fast became one of my favourite Disney movies. I love Rapunzel’s character and this ornament is a fairly recent release. I have to admit I’d love to see a version with short brown hair too though.

Ariel and Eric are one of several couple sets that you can get. I already have Aurora and Philip, and Belle and the Beast. There is also Cinderella and Prince Charming and Snow White and her Prince. All five of these ornaments can be placed on this Castle Displayer, to make a complete set.

Belle is my favourite princess, as I’ve mentioned a few times before. I already have Belle & the Beast, Belle in her blue and white dress sitting down, and the Once Upon a Time ornament of Beauty and the Beast. This particular ornament is Belle and Chip and I just think its super cute.

Last but not least comes Tinkerbell. She was my first ever Disney Traditions ornament and I actually have two of her already. This particular one is Tinkerbell with snowdrops (flowers) representing the month of May. Its a set of twelve, one for each month, but May appeals the most as its the month of my birthday.

Do you collect Disney Traditions ornaments? Or any ornaments for that matter.
Which would you love to collect next?

#BEDM – Collecting

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If asked on the spot “what do you collect, if anything?” I think my instant reply would be that I don’t really. However that’s not strictly true, as some of these things below have occurred to me while thinking about making this post.

Moshi Monster Moshlings

Okay, so its not technically my collection and instead more of my children’s collection, but I feel like it might as well be mine half of the time. Both of the girls started playing on the Moshi Monsters website/game just over a year ago and at first my only payout was in the year long membership (this is optional by the way). However at around Christmas time the craze really took over, with my eldest daughter specifically, though both of them really, asking for many Moshi Monster related presents. I’m not even going to attempt to tell you how many moshlings they have, what they’re called, what different variety they are, or even any of the other gifts and toys. However I will say that these damn little moshlings get everywhere, multiple and never ever come to an end. If you can help it, never start the craze with your children. You WILL regret it.

Glasses

This one didn’t spring to mind immediately as for the last 2-3 years my glasses collection has been wrapped up carefully in newspaper and stored in the attic. However I have about 3-4 medium sized boxes full of glasses, either bought from carboot sales, pinched from pubs, or collected free with a bottle of spirits. I used to be very proud of my Bailey’s glasses collection specifically as the glasses were so unusually shaped and I have to admit I just love something about a strangely or interestingly shaped glass.

Disney Traditions

I love Disney. This isn’t a secret. I also love the Disney Traditions collection of ornaments. While I’d like to say I collect these, I sadly only have 3 of them, however they are definitely something I am more than happy for people to buy me. The ones I have are Sleeping Beauty and Prince Philip, Tinkerbell, and Tinkerbell Festive Fairy. I once considered collecting the Disney Animator dolls too, however I ordered one for myself (Belle) and one for my friend (Snow White) and when they came they were fullsize dolls, rather than the inch or so I had expected them to be (must read descriptions better!). I do not have the room to be collecting fullsize dolls.

These are really the only few things I collect and even then collect is really a lose term. I suppose you could also class the Disney DVDs as a collection as we now have about a shelf and a half of those and continue to buy any that are missing. On the one hand I’m sure there are several other things I’d like to collect, however in rented accommodation, space has always been an issue. Also when money gets tight I’m nearly always looking to hock things and so unfortunately anything of value tends to get sold. Finally I’m not really a big fan of clutter and so that often means I don’t like too much lying around – which is exactly what collections tend to do.