Tag Archives: lists

Things I’ve Never Done at Walt Disney World

You don’t have to know me well to know that I’m a serious Disney addict, and when it comes to Walt Disney World, Florida, I like to think I’m somewhat of an expert. This November I’ll be making my fourth trip four years, and I always spend a lot of time planning each trip in order to make sure I get the most out of every visit, but there are a few things, including a few ‘classic Disney moments’ that I have never actually done..

Taken a photo at the Walt Disney World wall in Orlando Airport

The first photo on any trip for most people is before they’ve even stepped foot out of the airport, courtesy of the amazing sign on the wall of the Disney Earport shop in the main lobby of the airport, but I’m always too busy thinking about getting to the hotel to even stop for a photo of the sign, let alone with it..

Been to Tom Sawyer’s Island

On every trip to the Magic Kingdom I think about the fact that I’ve never taken a raft over to Tom Sawyer Island, but I’ve yet to actually make the effort to change that..

Had a dole whip

Unashamed hater of all things pineapple, this iconic park treat is not something that I ever had, nor ever will waste a snack coupon on.

Met Gaston

While I’m on a mission to meet 100 different characters this year, if I can complete it without having to meet Gaston I’ll be a happy bunny. Apologies to all the Gaston fans out there but I cannot stand him and I can only imagine a character meet with him being my worst nightmare!

Driven down Main Street USA on one of the Main Street Vehicles

I always love waving at the families and guests who hop on the classic cars, omnibus or horse drawn cart that journey up and down Main Street, but never once have I hopped on board myself.

Any pin trading

As I’m not a pin collector myself, I’ve never actually experience pin trading in the parks.

Taken part in the Frozen Singalong

Despite loving a show and an excuse to have a sit-down and enjoy some air-con, I’ve yet to do the Frozen Singalong Celebration in Hollywood Studios..

Stopped to watch the Electrical Water Pageant

At the end of a long day in the Magic Kingdom, I tend to march straight for the nearest bus back to the resort for the night, so although I have seen some of the floats for the EWP, I’ve never actually taken the time to stop to watch the pretty display on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

What are your Disney World must-dos?

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Get Sparkly For Summer

Who else is mega excited that the sun has finally started making an appearance?!

Sun means summer, and summer means beach days, festivals and pretty much every day is an excuse to be your best and sparkliest self – so get sparkly!

As a self-confessed highlighter addict, I make my love of all things sparkly pretty obvious, and here are a bunch of products that are perfect to get you shining away this summer:

Unicorn Heart highlighter from I Heart Makeup

I don’t reach for this highlighter nearly as much as I should do, but its multicoloured shine is perfect for music festivals and carnivals.

Barry M Dazzle Dust

I’ve loved Dazzle Dust since I was a teenager; its super pigmented and lasts really well, plus it feels so light! I have quite a few brighter shades, but at the moment I’m loving Aphrodite, which is a shell-pinky/nude which works amazing as a loose powder eyeshadow, but also when lightly dusted on your cheekbones as an extra shiny highlight.

Dandelion Twinkle from Benefit

I’m really a sucker for everything from Benefit’s Dandelion range, but I couldn’t help but pick up this new highlighter when I was last in Sephora and its so pretty!

Shimmy Shimmy Shimmer Bar from Lush

This just sorta fell into my basket when I was last in Lush.. Its a cocoa butter based bar which has the most beautiful vanilla scent, and is packed with environmentally friendly glitter! Its essentially a moisturiser which leaves you super sparkly, but you can also use it as a solid perfume and a highlighter. Rub it all over your arms and legs to sparkle away on a night out!

Illuminating Strobe Cream in Frosty Pink from Barry M

Not only is this a fab product for under £5, but this is also a highstreet dupe of Clinique’s Chubby Stick highligter which is £19.50!

Anastasia Beverly Hills x Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit

Remember when I bought this back in February and fell in love with it? Well I’m still in love with it and its going to be my best friend through the summer. Full review and swatches here!

What are your favourite summer beauty products?

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My Summer 2017 Bucket List

It may not still be able to quite make up its mind, but the sun is finally shining in Bournemouth today and I’m hoping and praying that summer is finally on its way at last!

I have zero holiday allowance left at work, so this will be the first summer in a good few years that I haven’t been jetting off somewhere on a grand adventure, but I won’t be letting that stop me from filling my free time with as many little adventures and activities as I can. I wrote a summer bucket list last year, but I hardly scraped the surface with that list so I’m starting anew and hoping to actually complete this years!

  • Go to a music festival – no, I’m not gonna be hitting Glasto or V-fest, but we have a few great local festivals and I really fancy spending a day on a picnic mat listening to good live music and eating from food trucks in the sun.
  • Pick your own – I’ve always fancied going to one of those farms where you can pick your own berries and stuff
  • Bingo night – I have never been to a bingo club before, and I’m a little dubious, but so many people say its a good laugh so why not?
  • Go to an outdoor cinema – something on the list from last year that I never managed to do, here’s hoping for success this year
  • Take Matthew to the air festival – Bournemouth Air Festival is a pretty big deal, and Matthew’s never been before and put a pilot at an air festival and I’m pretty sure he’ll be happy
  • Actually get a tan – I normally spend too much time indoors to see any sort of colour change in my skin, but after a bit of a top up on my trip to California, I’m keen to spend as much time outdoors so that my legs stop reflecting light.
  • Tale as Old as Time Afternoon Tea – late to the party, but I’m finally going to the famous Beauty and the Beast afternoon tea at the Kensington Hotel with two of my favourite people in June and I can’t wait!
  • Go Ape – I’ve been saying for ages that I want to go back to Go Ape at Moors Valley, and I need to actually get round to swinging in the trees again
  • Celebrate our first anniversary – when I wrote my summer bucket list last year, one of the things on that list was my first date with Matthew. Well that was almost a year ago now, and I can’t wait to celebrate a whole year with the love of my life.

I’ve kept the list a little shorter this year in the hopes that I’ll actually achieve all of them! Wish me luck!

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Things Small Business Owners Want You to Know

I love small business. I love being a small business owner, I love supporting small businesses, and I love seeing other people supporting them.

There are, however, some things that I, and I know other small business owners wish the general public would know next time you think about shopping small.

So much time goes into things you don’t even see

The hours that go into ordering supplies, packing up orders, doing post office runs, website/store upkeep, and that’s before you even factor in the time that goes into the designing and producing of the finished product.

We hate asking for money

I don’t know if this is just me, but I know that especially when it comes to custom orders, despite knowing how much time and work will go into it, its so difficult to put a price on things.

But its annoying when people ask for freebies/discounts

I always love going the extra mile for customers, and I always give a fair price (and undercharge in a lot of circumstances), but it sometimes feel like a slap in the face when people come back and say that its too expensive, or try to haggle a lower price.

Please stop comparing us to big businesses and stores

Asos might do free delivery, and you might be able to buy a t-shirt from Primark for £1, but as much as we can dream, we’re not multi-million pound companies.

Please talk to us

If you need an order by a certain time, or have any queries or concerns, we’re more than happy to do what we can to help. Don’t order a 2 week custom and complain that it didn’t arrive within a week..

We love seeing your photos

It makes us so happy when we see our products out in the world and being loved!

We are grateful for every order

For you it might be a cute purchase, but for us its another person supporting something that we love to do, and we appreciate every customer.

Ultimately, small business owners are super lovely and just want to make their customers happy, so next time you’re on the hunt for something, why not shop small?

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My DLP Weekend Bucket List

So SURPRISE! I’m going to Disneyland Paris this weekend!

Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant

It was all very spur of the moment; my friend Nancy from California is coming to Paris for a few weeks and she’ll be in the parks that weekend, so I’m so excited to get to see her as its been over a year! There’s also going to be a load of people I know in the parks over the same weekend, so it all kinda fell into place!

And while it’s just a short weekend visit, there are a few things that I’m hoping to do, and here they are:

  • Explore Newport Bay Club – I had every intention of saving money and staying at Santa Fe, but Disney couldn’t fit me in over my dates, so I sorta upgraded myself to Newport Bay.. I haven’t stayed there since I was a kid and its such a pretty hotel I can’t wait to be there!
  • Meet Moana – I just HAVE to meet this beautiful new princess!! Its no secret how much I fell in love with everything about the movie, and seeing her will be an absolute dream!
  • Enjoy Season of the Force – I’m really excited for all the Star Wars stuff that’s going on at the moment, including the Galactic Celebration show in Walt Disney Studios!
  • Outfit shoots – is it really a Disney trip if I haven’t planned outfits?! I’ve got two Disneybounds that I’m really looking forward to wearing and taking photos in the parks so I can feature them on here in the next few weeks.
  • Hanging out with beautiful people – as well as seeing Nancy, I can’t wait to hang out with some amazing people who I know will be around, like the beautiful Amy and Cara, and also the fabulous Mitch!
  • Playing with my camera and new lens – I’m using this trip as a way to test run my new telescopic lens for my Sony A5000 so I know its good enough to take to Florida with me next month!
  • Eating Mickey shaped food – cos if you don’t do that, are you even in Disney?
  • Ride Big Thunder Mountain – after its been closed FOREVVVEERRRR, BTM has finally reopened, and while I imagine the queues will be ridiculous, I’m hoping to be able to get to ride it once over the weekend!
  • Surround myself in magic – I’m just really looking forward to being back in the parks for a few days and having as much fun as I can!

Be sure to follow my Twitter and Instagram for live updates from my adventures!

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Top 10 Most Underrated Disney Characters

meeko

With over 50 animated classics filled with amazing characters, its easy for some to slip through the net when people think about their favourites.

This makes me kinda sad, especially as some of these absolute gems have disappeared from the Disney parks, while some didn’t even get their chance, so in honour of these forgotten wonders, here are my top 10:

1. Meeko

I frequently talk about my love of Meeko. As a kid, Pocahontas was one of my favourite films, purely for Meeko, and I once was so excited to meet him in WDW that I practically tackled him to the floor.

2. Esmeralda

Hunchback was another film I loved as a kid, and I had a toy set which included an Esmeralda doll. As an adult, I now obviously see the darker side of that film, but I still think she’s fab.

3. Oliver

I fell in love with Oliver and Company from the first watch as a child, and Oliver is just the cutest and most underrated of all the Disney kitties

4. Kida (and Milo)

Atlantis in general is totally underrated in my opinion, and the fact that Kida is forgotten as a Disney princess, despite having the title really gets to me sometimes. Also Milo is awesome.

5. Princess Eilonwy

The Black Cauldron terrified me and my sister when we were kids, but I always like Eilonwy. I finally watched the film again for the first time since my childhood last year, and its still pretty dark, but I’m happy to have gotten over my fear!

6. Nani

This is a big one for me. While so many people adore Lilo and Stitch, they totally look past the fact that this is a sister who has lost her parents, and is trying to do absolutely everything she can to keep custody of her little sister so her life doesn’t have to change any more than it already has. SHE IS EVERYTHING.

8. Pacha

Another ultimate family person right here. Just always doing the right thing, no matter the sacrifice for himself

9. Gus Gus

Wouldn’t Gus and Jaq make the cutest character meets?! I mean, you can meet Suzie and Perla, so why not the boy mice?

10. Dot

I had to throw a Pixar character in here too, but I do really love Dot as she’s so cute and a little bit sassy!

Who are your faves?

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Hello Autumn

Hello Autumn

Ok, I know Autumn doesn’t officially start for a few more days, but why can’t the seasons just fit around my blogging schedule? I joke, of course..

I’m seeing so many people getting excited for Autumn – I’ve even seen some people who have been wishing away Summer in exchange for Autumn! I am not one of those people.

Autumn is an interesting one for me. It obviously contains my birthday, and starts the run up to Christmas (MY FAVE), but other than that, I don’t get excited about all the things that gets the rest of the world buzzed for; the Starbucks menu, Halloween etc..

But I like to keep things positive, so here are a few things that this season brings:

Onesies

I could quite happily wear my onesies all the time, but its just way too hot in the summer, so the autumn weather brings onesie season back!

Chelsea boots

I bought my first pair of chelsea boots last year and completely fell in love with them, so its time to go out leaf crunching in these beauties!

Tomato soup

As soon as the weather starts to get cooler, I ditch my lunchbox in exchange for my microwaveable soup mug and start buying Heinz Cream of Tomato in bulk..

Carving pumpkins

While I wouldn’t consider myself as Halloween’s biggest fan, I do love carving pumpkins – last year I did four!

Running conditions

I HATE running through the summer, but autumn has just the right combination of cool breezes and sunshine and as long as the rain stays at bay I’m a happy runner!

Christmas creeping up!

I know most people hate how early Christmas appears in the shops, but Christmas is truly my favourite time of year and it gets me so so soo excited!

What’s your favourite thing about Autumn?

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Friday Favourite Five – Disney Mums

If you didn’t already realise, you better get yourself down to the florist/Lush/Thorntons today because its Mothers Day this Sunday!

Behind every strong person is an awesome mum, and the same is true for all of our favourite Disney characters, so today, in honour of awesome mums everywhere, here are my favourite Disney mums!

1. Mary Darling

A mother who encourages her kids to stay young at heart is great in my books!

2. Duchess

Managing three kittens with elegance while also finding your way back home, we salute you, Duchess!

3. Queen Elinor

With a lot of Disney princesses growing up without a mother, Elinor stands out for coping so well with being a queen and a mother, oh, and a bear at times.

4. Perdita

101 Dalmatians was one of my favourite Disney films as a child, and Perdy and Pongo make such a fab parenting team.

5. Elastigirl/Mrs Incredible

Lets just say its a good job she’s elastic, cos she holds together a pretty super family!

But my favourite Disney mum of all time? Mine. (I’m cute right?)

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Friday Favourite Five: Scents of Christmas

With the turn of December, Fridays are turning festive!

Christmas is always a treat for all the senses, so this week I’m sharing my favourite smells associated with this magical time of year!

1. Snow Fairy shower gel

This is my absolute FAVOURITE seasonal product ever! This glittery beauty smells like unicorns, rainbows and candyfloss and I love it.

2. Gingerbread baking

SONY DSC

Whether its cookies or a house, that glorious scent wafting from the oven marks the start of festive cheer!

3. Salted Caramel Yankee Candles

I know there’s nothing specifically Christmassy about salted caramel, but these Yankees have such a warm decadent smell that I always save them for winter nights.

4. Roast dinners

A good roast has many different components, but when all those smells mix together it creates a symphony of smells that is Christmas dinner heaven!

5. Fort Wilderness candle from Maple and Whisky

This pine-y scented candle reminds me of Christmas trees and festive cheer!

What smells do you associate with Christmas?

xoxo

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My Disney Bucket List

So this is gonna be a working progress, I’ll be adding new things when I think of them, and crossing them off when I’ve completed them. Absolutely comment if you can see anything big I’ve missed or you can think of something new for me 🙂

1. Stay at every Disney World resort

2. Run in a runDisney event (January 2016 here we come!)

3. Be a parade Grand Marshall

4. Visit every Disney park (Disney World, Disneyland California, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney, Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland)

5. Own all 52 Disney Animated Classics on DVD/Bluray

6. Own all Pixar films on DVD/Bluray

7. Disney World 4 park challenge

8. Eat at every restaurant in Disney World

9. Own an Annual Pass 

10. Epcot Food and Wine Festival

11. Collect autographs from every Disney character

12. Go to a dessert party

13. See the rope drop

14. Go to a Star Wars weekend at Hollywood Studios

15. Bowl at Splitsville, Downtown Disney

16. Go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

17. Go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

18. Attend Dapper Day

19. Ride Characters in Flight

20. Meet Flynn Rider

21. Try every Disney cupcake

22. Be the last guest in the Magic Kingdom

23. Spend Christmas in Disney World

24. Spend a birthday in Disney World

25. Try to finish the Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream

26. Become a D23 Gold Member

27. Go to a D23 Expo

28. Visit the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

29. Watch Cirque du Soleil La Nouba

30. Collect a complete Vinylmation series

31. Stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite for a night

32. Buy a margarita at La Cava del Tequila

 33. Watch the Electrical Water Pageant

34. Watch Wishes from behind the castle

35. Become a Disney Vacation Club member

36. Find the courage to do Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach

37. See a Disney On Ice show

38. Give a funny fake name at Starbucks

39. Own at least five Tsum Tsums

40. Spend a day in a park without going on any rides

41. Meet a fellow Disney blogger in a Disney park

42. Ride every outside ride after dark

43. Spend all day in the Animation Academy

44. Ride every colour of Monorail

45. Spend a day resort-hopping

46. Get a Magic Band in every colour

47. Meet all the characters around Epcot’s World Showcase

48. Get 1000 followers on @lottiedoesdisney on Instagram

49. Decorate at least one room of my house in a Disney style

50. Order pizza to a hotel pool

51. Spend an entire week watching Disney movies

52. Go on a totally spontaneous Disney trip

53. Own more Thomas Kinkade Disney canvas prints (I am in love with my Tangled one!)

54. Convert a non-Disney believer into a true fanatic like myself

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