$50 Disney Gift Card Giveaway

It is no secret that we are Disney obsessed in our family. Because hunny and I love everything Disney, we now have a little 3 year old who can’t get enough, either. We know that trips to the Disney Store are expensive, and trips to the Disney Parks can be out of reach for some families. Well, we are here to help! We’ve teamed up with The Philosopher’s Wife, Saving Up For Disney, Fit Disney Mom, and some other great bloggers to bring you this amazing giveaway!

Up for grabs is a $50 Disney gift card that can be used for anything at Disney Stores across the United States, online at the disneystore.com, as well as at select Disney Resorts locations.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Details: Must be 18+ to enter. US only. Ends August 21, 2016 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time aka Walt Disney World time). Void where prohibited. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email from The Philosopher’s Wife. After 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Disney, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. are not affiliated with this giveaway in any way..

 

 

Post-Graduation

As graduation season comes to an end and summer is in full swing, I wanted to say, “Congratulations” to everyone who graduated this year. From the pre-school stepping up ceremonies, to high school graduations and beyond, it’s an accomplishment of which everyone should be proud. 

Last month, after almost five years, I finally finished my Art Market Master’s program. A lot of stuff happened throughout those five years that made me wonder if I should just quit the program and stay put in a job I hated. I watched four separate groups of people finish the program in the normal two years. Each September, I met a new group of students and got close to them, only to watch them graduate while I was still finishing up part time. The bright side of this is, I made a lot of friends during my five years! 

Currently, I am still writing my thesis, The Value of Mickey Mouse: Appropriation, Copyright and The Walt Disney. While it is a lot of work, I love being able to combine my two favorite subjects: Disney and art. I’m hopeful that all this will lead me to a job with Disney or with artist that work for Disney. I stay positive, even as I got my rejection letter from the Walt Disney Family Museum as I walked into my graduation ceremony because I will never give up. Disney hires all ages, right? 
Of course I had to decorate my cap this way! 

My classmate Dana’s awesome Peter Pan inspired cap! 

 

Friday Five : Father’s Day Edition

Most days, Mom gets all the credit. She’s a business woman, nurturer, activities coordinator, and personal chef wrapped in one. Once a year, we remember how amazing Dad is and we celebrate him. Dads are truly the superheroes that make every day a little bit more fun, silly, and exciting. In our house, Dad is a wrestler, a rock star, a baseball coach, and so much more. To celebrate dad, we put together some awesome items we think would make great Father’s Day presents (most are available in store for you late gift givers!) Cheers to celebrating Dads everywhere with this week’s Friday Five.  I hope all the dads out there have a wonderful day.

1.  Vans Nintendo sneakers –  My husband loves video games. It’s usually my go-to gift for him. Vans’ newest collaboration with Nintendo is a classic game lover’s dream come true. The collection has pieces from Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, Duck Hunt, and The Legend of Zelda!

2. Pixar Dad Shirt- My hunny loves graphic t shirts and all things Disney, so this shirt is a no brainer. Featuring all the best dads from Pixar, this is a great shirt to wear to the parks. Two of my local Target stores have it in stock!

3.  ESPN 30 for 30 collection –  ESPN continually amazes me with their documentaries, which highlight important people and events in sports histories. If your dad is a sports fan, this is the gift to get him. There is something for everyone, as the documentary subjects have been Larry Bird (the best ever), Muhammad Ali, Reggie Miller, The Raiders, NASCAR, and so much more.

4.  Herschel Settlement Backpack – If the Dad in your life loves Disney, but doesn’t want to parade around with giant, colorful graphics, this backpack is for him.  The black on black Winnie the Pooh design is subtle, yet striking and totally Disney.

5. Sprezzabox subscription –  Some dads have effortless style and others need a little help. Sprezzabox is perfect for both types of dad! Each month, the recipient receives a  curated box filled with stylish accessories. The box theme changes every month, so you will never get the same item twice. Items include socks, ties, lapel pins, skin care, and sunglasses.

Disney x Coach

My love for bags comes a close second to my love for Disney (I’ve been known to cry over a particular Chloe bag a few times). So when Disney announced they were going to be collaborating with Coach, I knew I had to do everything in my power to snag a bag. I’m still a little sad that I never got the Kate Spade Minnie mini maise and I refused to have that same remorse with Coach.Lucky for me, the entire collection was available before the worldwide June 17 release ONLY at the Coach store in SoHo, NYC. We decided to make an event of the day and celebrate Kid Congeniality‘s birthday, too (more on that later).

The store is a Mickey Mouse lover’s dream come true. Inside and out is transformed with the adorable Mickey graphics that are embroidered onto many of the products. The store is two floors of Disney x Coach goodies. Upstairs has an open, fun feel with adorable graphics on the walls and windows. There is a huge Mickey face mural and a video wall that shows how all those cute Mickeys made it on to the bags! Downstairs, is smaller and more intimate. There are more pillows and two framed Mickey animation artworks.

 The pillows were seriously so squishy and fun! The kids loved them. 

The price point for the collection is slightly higher than regular coach products, but if you just want something small to be part of it all, there are key chains for $25 and bookmarks for $40. I’m already regretting not buying the adorable bangle with charms of Mickey’s pants and hands, but I had a budget and fell in love with the ear clutch.

If you are in NY, I really recommend seeing the store in person. It’s beautiful decorated, and the employees are very nice and accommodating. We easily spent an hour in there, while the kids were playing on the pillows and the employees never once made us feel unwelcome! It is definitely worth a trip.

Cordelia got dressed up for the occasion and Disneybounded as Minnie Mouse

Would you like a little more tea?

CJ loves having tea. We have daily tea parties and drink Teavana white chocolate peppermint tea almost every day at lunch. Recently, she watched Alice in Wonderland and has been hooked ever since. I love anything Alice, so I jumped at the chance to bring her to one of my favorite spots in NYC, Alice’s Tea Cup.

If you have never been to Alice’s Tea Cup, you must get there! There are three locations in NYC, but my favorite is Chapter II. There is an upstairs dining area with big beautiful windows that let in so much light and offer a pretty view. We went for breakfast and shared the Mad Morning Tea! It was definitely more than enough for us (one child and two adults) and it was delicious. The granola is magical .

My favorite part about Alice’s is the decor. It is a blend of Vintage Alice images with some of the Disney version mixed it. Everything twinkles and sparkles. The china is mismatched  and so perfectly Alice!

The tables act like shadowboxes for the restaurant’s huge collection of Alice in Wonderland items

fairytale ceilings

Alice’s Tea Cup is perfect for brunch with the girls, breakfast with your kids, or drinks with your significant other. It is definitely a must visit for any Alice in Wonderland fans. The walls are decorated so beautifully and perfect for photos! Their tea list is huge and each day there are new scone flavors. I cannot say enough good things about this place. It is a pleasure to visit and the workers always make little ones feel special with fairy wings and pixie dust. There is almost always a deal on groupon or living social for the restaurant, so you really cannot go wrong!

Minnie Paints the Dots Birthday Party

Earlier this month, we celebrated CJ’s 3rd birthday with a Minnie Mouse painting party. CJ loves  all things art (I may have influenced her just a bit) and the hilarious Mickey shorts cartoons, so combining this with Minnie Mouse seemed like such a natural fit.

As with her other parties, it was really important to me to make as many of the decorations as possible, or at least buy handmade. My cousin made her invitations, while my co-worker made the mouse ear signage with her name that we put on the dessert table. My mom made the desserts, including most amazing 3 tiered cake – complete with Minnie ears and a bow. I made the tissue paper mouse heads and a few banners that we hung around the room. I also had a failed attempt at a “photo booth” wall.

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I would like to point out that this is only the 2nd fondant cake my mother has ever made! 

 

The most important handmade thing we purchased for the birthday was CJ’s Minnie Mouse outfit. The amazingly talented Little Gun Tank made her a gorgeous Minnie outfit complete with a retro daisy hat like Minnie wears in the cartoons. The outfit was 3 pieces – a black top, polka dot skirt with crinoline layers, and white pantaloons. It was perfect! CJ also wore a polka dot bow from Mina Loves Bows when she was running around with her cousins.

cheater photo because she was running around so much!

 

We set up a table with easels and canvases for everyone to paint. This was my favorite part of the whole party. I got the table easels so cheap at Jo-Ann’s with 50% off coupons.  The kids, and many adults, had a blast. So many beautiful artworks were created!!

Surrounded by talent!!

We also had temporary tattoos!!!

I had such a fun time planning this party. I cannot wait to see what CJ is in to next year to start planning her fourth!

Happy Mother’s Day

Being a mother has been to most amazing and happy time of my life. CJ has taught me so much about myself and the world around me. I love seeing photos of new mother’s holding their children for the first time. There are so many wonderful firsts ahead of them. I love learning from other moms, moms with multiple children, moms that have been doing this “mom” thing for a while. There are so many different ways to raise your child, but as long as it is done with love and the best intentions, differences do not matter.

We all have days where we have no clue what we are doing, or if we are even going to get thru this. Days where we cry in the shower, or wish we had even a minute to shower. It’s all ok. I can guarantee that your child thinks you are the greatest mom in the world and that is all that matters. My best days have been ones where I don’t have time to shower and CJ tells me I’m “so pretty.” She makes me feel like a princess.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms, grandmothers, aunts, god mothers, and caregivers. Your love and devotion to your children will help shape the future of our world.

 

 

 

Friday Five: Disney World Preparation Edition

I think I may have mentioned before, that I am currently in graduate school and writing my thesis on Copyright issues and the Walt Disney Company. With graduation almost here, it is crunch time for my paper. I still have a long way to go and while I was hoping to get to the Walt Disney Family Museum to complete it, airfares to California are insane. Fortunately, I have a very thoughtful funny who is willing to drive me to Florida to get some first hand interviews at Walt Disney World. So, in a few weeks, we will be driving there. Lucky for us, the Flower and Garden Festival will have just started and crowds will be low because it is not yet Spring Break. Even though this is a “business” visit, we are still planning to pack as much fun into our short trip as possible. So, to get us ready for that trip, I bring you this week’s Friday Five – a look at some of the things we are bringing with us!

1. Le Ears Custom Ears – shortly after Halloween, I entered an instagram contest to win a pair of custom ears from the super talented Nancy of Le Ears. Nancy indulged my need for a pair of ears that reflected my graduate school work. Together, we came up with the most awesome (well I think they are), one – of – a – kind ears featuring Disney inspired fine art from Keith Haring and Andy Warhol. I have been waiting months to wear these to the Wonderground Gallery!

 

2. Lost Boys Club T shirt – Hunny has a spectacular collection of Disney T shirts. Junk Food Clothing makes some great ones, but they are kind of generic. They all feature images of characters. Recently I stumbled upon Lost Boys Club shirts and I fell in love. These shirts are unique and perfect for die-hard Disney Fans. How can you not love a shirt that has a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar on it??

3. Little Gun Tank Outfits –  Ok, so I know I have gushed about her before, but Charlotte is amazing. Thanks to her, CJ will have the most epic wardrobe for our very short trip. I am sure we will have to do 3 clothing changes a day to fit everything in, but it will be so worth it. Make sure you head to her instagram page and ask for a tag when she opens up for orders again in March. And while you are there, enter her 3,000 followers giveaway.

4. Minnie Mouse Jamberry Nail Decals – I admit it. Unlike most women, I do not like to get my nails done. I can count on one hand how many manicures I have had in my adult life. I usually do them myself and the results are underwhelming. I always look online and see the most adorable Disney themed nails and want them for my trip, but don’t really want to deal with getting them done.  Jamberry nails have changed everything for me (I’ve mentioned this before). Earlier this month, the company unveiled their Disney line and they are EPIC! Gorgeous Disney nails that you peel and stick. No nail salon required. No hefty bill for gel nails or intricate designs. They are super easy to apply and last for about two weeks. Each sheet you order can do at least two full manicures. I purchased the Mickey’s Girl design for this trip (and for CJ’s Minnie themed Birthday party), but I cannot wait to order more………Ariel, I’ve got my eye on you!

5.Customized Celebration Buttons – I love that the  Celebration buttons from the Disney Parks are free. If you are really on a budget and not buying souvenirs, you can still get a button to celebrate your trip. There are so many different Disney-themed celebration buttons for sale, but my favorite are the Child Identification / Emergency ones made by Crowley Castle.  The last time we were in Disney, CJ still was not walking. Over a year and a half later, and things are much different. Having one of these buttons with our information makes me feel a bit more at ease. The buttons are also able to be customized with any allergies or handicaps your child may have.

 

While there are so many more things, I would love to buy for our trip, I think funny would kill me for spending the money! What are your favorite things to have during your Disney vacation? Let me know in the comments.

Friday Five : Rock the Dots Edition

In honor of National Polka Dot Day, Disney has gone all out to promote its newest fashion venture, Minnie Style. Minnie is the original polka dot icon and a true fashionista. Along with Fashion designer, Christian Siriano, and Refinery 29, Disney threw a Minnie themed fashion show in Los Angeles today, inspiring everyone to #rockthedots. To continue with the festivities and kick off a year long polka dot party, there will be an interactive art and fashion installation tomorrow that celebrates Minnie’s iconic style and her place in fashion history at the Paper Agency in Los Angeles! So all of you lucky West Coasters, RSVP and have a ball!. We will be snowed in tomorrow, so instead, to celebrate the cutest pattern and the most adorable fashionista, here are the Rock the Dots picks for Friday Five!

1. Kate Spade Bag – This March, a limited-edition collection celebrating Minnie Style will be released. Kate Spade New York is the designer to turn to when you want a feminine dotted piece, so this collaboration is a no brainer! I hope there will be more pieces other than this gorgeous bag. Shoes and accessories would put me over the moon!

2. The Perfect Manicure – Some girls may be adept at giving themselves a great at home mani. Others are lucky enough to live in an area where it is easy to find a manicurist that can paint amazing designs on nails. Unfortunately for me, I can’t say that I have access to either, so when I need an adorable manicure, I rely on Jamberry nail wraps. They are super easy and come in hundreds of colors and designs. There are plenty of polka dot options, but the poppy and white polka just scream, “Minnie!”

 

3. Polka Dot Flatware – We dress ourselves like Minnie, so why not dress up our utensils? This flatware set is understated, yet still so much fun. I know I couldn’t help but smile anytime I used them. Life is too short to have a boring home and these are the perfect utensils to make sure your meals are anything, but boring!

 

4. Limited Edition Minnie Mouse Signature Doll – This might be one of my favorite limited edition dolls ever. Minnie is so chic. It looks as if she has a gorgeous head of long hair and it is styled into to buns, to create her ears. Her black and white peter pan collared dress is such a nice contrast to the usual red dress she wears (and don’t get me started on the pink dress). Her outfit and makeup are so stylish – look at those lashes. She looks like she is about to sit front row during Fashion Week. Ok…so she is sold out online, but many stores still have the dolls available.

5. Tom Ford Polka Dot Tie – This gorgeous silk tie would be a wonderful addition to anyone’s closet! Polka dots are not just for the girls. That special guy in your life needs a little #minniestyle in his wardrobe.

If you are on the East coast, stay safe this weekend during the blizzard! We will be baking, playing dress-up and rocking the dots!!!

 

Little Gun Tank

It’s no secret that I have an Instagram obsession. I’ve “met” so many wonderful moms and fellow Disney lovers on the app. Instagram started my vintage clothing obsession for CJ, too. I do a lot of shopping via Instagram and I enter every single contest that I can. I’ve won some pretty amazing things, but nothing ever can or will top winning CJ’s Halloween costume this year.

Late this past summer, I stumbled across a fairly new Instagram account, @littleguntank while looking at the explore page. The photo was of the cutest ever dress made out of a pair of vintage pink Princess Jasmine sheets, exactly like I had on my bed in my late teens/early twenties. I clicked on it immediately and scrolled thru all of the photos and fell in love. Across the world, in Australia, was another Up-obsessed, Disney fanatic, who made the most gorgeous children’s clothing out of fabric that reminded me of my childhood. I immediately contacted Lottie, the genius behind little gun tank, and asked to be put on the waiting list for one of her creations. She was so accommodating and made the ordering process so easy.

Little Gun Tank, named after a nickname Lottie had for two friends from school, is not her full-time job. This amazing woman, creates such quality clothing in her spare time when she is not working as an animator for children’s programming. Lottie is one of the lucky ones. She gets to get up every day and go to her dream job, then come home and immerse herself in Disney movies, her favorite being  Tarzan. Lottie’s pieces have a nostalgic feeling to them. She has always been obsessed with older styles, in particular clothing from the 1950s, and it shows in her work. She meshes this appreciation for vintage clothing with her love of Disney, which adds a whimsical and fun element to the pieces. Lottie knows how much Disney and the company’s characters mean to the fans. Knowing that some of these pieces will be worn in the parks or by children who love Disney means a lot to her; “getting to be part of that magic makes me incredibly happy.” Like many of us Disney fanatics, Lottie turns to Disney whenever she needs a pick-me-up. “If I’m ever having a rough go of it, or feeling blue, watching a Disney film or listening to the soundtracks can really turn my day around. It’s got a lot of happy memories attached to it.” She truly encompasses Disney Magic!

The attention to detail on this dress is incredible. Lottie indulged me with an embroidered collar. The bow on the back is already formed and sewed in place. It attaches to the back of the dress with velcro (GENIUS!).

 

Lottie is unlike any other seller I have ever come in contact with. Not only is she generous (donating items to multiple auctions for various causes), but she also gives so much back to her followers. Lottie is constantly holding giveaways on her page and offering chances to win (FOR FREE!) one of her gorgeous creations. Her prices are more than fair. The work that goes into them is unlike any I have ever seen. We were lucky enough to win CJ’s Timothy Q. Mouse Halloween Costume from @littleguntank and there are no words to describe this piece. As if the attention to detail on the dress was not enough, the hat Lottie made was absolutely perfect. It was really a piece of hand crafted art. CJ was so excited to wear her costume. She shouted to everyone we passed, “I’m Timothy Mouse.” It made her day. There is no way that we would have ever been able to afford such a high-quality costume and we are forever grateful to have won it.

 

If you would like a chance to win a costume, you are in luck! Little Gun Tank is holding another Costume Contest on her feed. Just head on over and look for the image of CJ as Timothy Q. Mouse, then clock on it for information on how to enter! Good Luck. If you stop by her page, Congratulate @littleguntank on hitting 2,000 followers on Instagram!