3 Disney+ Recommendations

Disney Plus is basically one of my favourite things. Ever. If you asked me ‘What has your lockdown been sponsored by?’ I would say Disney+. With Animal Crossing and Cadbury’s Creme Eggs thrown in there too.

I’ve barely been on Netflix since it’s come out and I just have to say that, with everything going on right now, it came at the best time. A time when magic is so needed. I have made my way through a fair amount of my To Be Watched List: Disney+ and thought I would share 3 of my recommendations – SO FAR. There is still a lot more I have to watch, which is the beauty of having a whole new streaming service. Obviously I’m going to have A LOT more recommendations eventually, but this is ‘as of May 2020’.

Disney’s Fairytale Weddings: Hear me out on this one. I know you’re thinking that this programme is going to appeal to a specific type of audience but give it a chance. There is a lot of heart in this show, it is real escapism. You get to meet couples and hear their stories, it can really tug on your heartstrings this one! There are some episodes more exciting than others but just seeing the destinations and the little details – it got me EXCITED.

The Imagineering Story: WOW. So this lived up to the high expectations. If anything it left me wanting MORE episodes. I loved learning so much about Walt, the parks and the journey that the company has gone on. It was such an honest account of what has happened over the years, it didn’t try and cover up any mistakes, instead it highlighted them and showed the audience how they fixed them. One of the overriding things that came out of it for me, was just how special and unique Disney is – in so many ways from the business side, to the detail within the parks and the innovative storytelling in every single movie they have ever released. Walt was so ahead of his time and I love learning more about his incredible life. The whole series is now available and you are really in for a treat if you haven’t watched it yet.

Cars 2: I spoke a little bit in my initial post about how I was looking forward to watching the films that I hadn’t seen before – Cars being one of them. I’ve picked out Cars 2 as a favourite, but they were all great! Cars 2 just had me LAUGHING so much. It’s the tow truck, Mater, who has very quickly become one of new favourite Disney characters. He was just hilarious!!! I was surprised how much I enjoyed this, as I generally have very different tastes to a 5 year old boy, yet here I am saying that this is a GREAT film. I really want to go to Radiator Springs… like now.

Take care,

Amy

5 Things to be Grateful for in Lockdown

I wasn’t going to mention the global pandemic on here because I really am using my blog to escape, like I imagine many other people are too. I also don’t want to seem like I am trivialising it or not taking it seriously – please know that I am. Ultimately, there is no right way to behave in a global pandemic. So I’m going to share some of the things that I am grateful for, as even when things look dark there is always light.

Sometimes I find at the end of the day just taking the time to reflect and write down just 3 things that I am grateful for from that day, it helps me go to sleep with a clearer head. I also want to make clear that this doesn’t include health, family and friends which are obviously the most important things I am always the most grateful for them.

1. Spring Sunshine: Got to kickstart this list with the classic cliche but this year I really feel like it’s true. I’ve always been such a winter girl – exhibit a –  but I think this has to be one of the first times I have really appreciated spring. Whether it’s the pretty flowers on my daily permitted walk or it being warm enough to sit outside and read. Opening the curtains in the morning to see a blue sky has really been such a blessing during this scary time.

2. Books: I’ve always wanted to be a little bookworm and I’ve gone through phases in my life when I am. Since starting full-time work though, I really put reading on the back burner and it’s only now with this extra time that I have delved into quite a few. I’ll be sharing some of the books I’ve read in a post soon!

3. Technology: Wow. Technology is really out there bringing us all together isn’t it. We are now reaping the benefits of social media, FaceTime, Zoom and even just have a good old fashioned phone call. I love being able to speak to my Grandad so regularly and having our family quiz nights. Obviously Twitter and the news outlets are still really overwhelming and I try to limit by time on those but overall I think we are seeing the best bits of technology at the moment.

4. Easter Eggs: I’ve been pacing myself with these, which takes a considerable amount of self control. Cadbury’s Easter Eggs are one my most favourite foods on the planet and take up a considerable amount of my diet from March – May … if they make it to May. I just love them. You can’t have enough of these, seriously THANK YOU CADBURYS. ALWAYS.

5. Disney+: They got the timing just perfect with this one didn’t they? Having a whole new streaming service to get really stuck does help the hours really pass by. You can see what I am most looking forward to here, a list that I am already making my way through! Getting lost in those Disney movies have really been soothing for the soul.

Take care,

Amy

To Be Watched List: Disney+

Disney remains one of my biggest loves and joys in life, so when Disney+ was coming to the UK I couldn’t wait. Especially in the current climate, I think it is really a wonderful form of escapism and it’s so nice to get lost in another world for a bit. I know I’m a little late in posting about this but I’m now really getting the chance to get stuck into it. If you’re a bit confused then it’s basically a Netflix and Disney hybrid – a real match made in Heaven. This is a list of what I’m most excited to watching!

The Imagineering Story: WOW. This is number one. For Disney Parks enthusiasts like myself, this really is a must-watch. This is much more of a documentary style and goes right back to when Walt first created Disneyland. I’m really looking forward to learning more about Walt himself and some of the back stories to my favourite rides!

Movies I missed the First Time! This is one of the beauties of Disney+… we now have all our the Disney movies in one place! We have the opportunity to go back and enjoy some of the films that we may have missed the first time round whether that be through age or just missing it at the cinema originally. This will look slightly different for everyone but for me, it includes The Incredibles 1 and 2, the Cars series and Hercules – I know that’s a biggy! These are just some of the films that I am looking forward to watching for the first time!!

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Who came up with that name? Whilst I fully understand this will not come close to the films – Troy 4eva- I’m still excited to see what they’ve done with this! I was the prime High School Musical little kid, it hit at the perfect age for me and I have been a wildcat ever since watching the first one as a DCOM on a Friday night on Disney Channel. I’m heard it’s so cheesy, that it’s good… which is basically what I look for in most series and movies haha!

Once I’ve started making my way through this list, I’ll definitely post my reactions and reviews. Not sure in what format yet but they’ll be on here somewhere, so keep an eye out!

Take Care,

Amy

 

5 Reasons Why ‘Once Upon A Time’ Should be your Next Netflix Binge

‘Once Upon A Time’ (OUAT) is one of my ALL TIME favourite TV shows. I’ve never been one to overly re-watch series that I enjoy on Netflix but this one is the exception. It has 7 seasons, with the final one being released just last year. It really is quite a hefty commitment, but time really does fly when you’re watching it. I know it’s already a pretty popular show, especially in America, but I thought incase you hadn’t heard of it this would give you everything you need to know. I would say this is for Disney lovers, but also those that enjoy Riverdale or Pretty Little Liars like it has that mystery vibe to it, maybe if you enjoy fantasy shows you would like it too. So, if you need some convincing then this is why you need to get yourself watching my most favourite show on Netflix…

1. HELLO, DISNEY CHARACTERS IN A REAL LIFE SETTING! Disney lovers this one is for YOU. Especially if you’re like a young adult, this is going to be your show of dreams. Sometimes it’s like they took the ideas out of my own mind. The premise of the show is essentially that fairy tale characters have had a curse put on them, forcing them into the real world into a land called ‘Storybrooke’. There are SO many Disney characters here from Gus in Cinderella, to Mulan to Geppetto to Elsa from Frozen- literally they’re all here!

2. SUCH CLEVER CONCEPTS AND CONSTANT ‘WORLD’ CHANGING: From my descriptions so far, you might be thinking about this show is for children but it really isn’t. It takes the fairy tale into the modern world, and although magic plays a large part, there is very much a strong dose of ‘reality’ in the show too. The show constantly changes between the different worlds, lands and realms- it does keep you on your toes- but they all entwine seamlessly.

3. THE SWEETEST RELATIONSHIPS: There are SO many relationships that you will want to ‘ship’ on this show. It’s a teenage fangirls dream. My personal favourite is probably Rumplestiltskin and Belle, you can just really see that she brings out the best in him. I won’t do too many spoilers but just know that the actress and actor playing Snow White and Prince Charming are TOGETHER IN REAL LIFE. That chemistry is LEGIT, next level magic right there.

4. PERFECTLY MAGICAL FOR COSY AUTUMN EVENINGS: The great thing about it being such a chunky show is that you can really commit and become completely immersed within it. Although it’s complex, it isn’t difficult to understand and enjoy so it’s really one that you can end up watching lots of episodes after each other, feeling like no time has passed at all. Enjoyed best with a Disney mug filled with tea, or your hot beverage of choice!

5. THE DISNEY IS IN THE DETAIL! I started with a Disney reason, so I’ll finish with one. Although this series is not technically a Disney production, it does carry many of its same values. The little Disney details really make this show, for me as a Disney fan, because it gives it even more magic and cosiness. The way that the little details in the opening sequence give a clue to the upcoming show and the fact that there is a Main Street in Storybrooke! I just think the precision of the plot, the way that everything always comes together, with a touch of magic, makes this show really, really special.

Amy

3 Favourite Disneyland Paris Rides

IT’S DISNEYLAND PARIS WEDNESDAYS… need to think of a catchier name for that. Anyway today is all about rides at Disneyland Paris and my favourite ones from my recent trip. A little catch-up incase you’re new: I went to DLP for one day back in 2014, loved it and wanted to go back pretty much every day. This June I FINALLY got to return and did a 3 night/4day trip to stay at Sequoia Lodge for my 21st birthday! It was such a magical and wonderful trip, I am loving re-living it through my writing as each Wednesday for a few weeks I have been sharing some different things from my trips including essentials, favourites, tips and hauls. I obviously love rides and Disney does them so wonderfully. Considering there is SO much to do there, I understand why rides can often get pushed to the back of your mind- with characters, parades, shows, fireworks, snacks and taking a photo of every section of the park- but these are some of the ones that I definitely think you should make time for- especially if you love a good thrill!

Big Thunder Mountain: WOW. What a ride. This one really is as good as everyone says it is. This is the ride we waited the longest for (still under an hour though!) initially and it’s one of the few that I felt okay about doing it for! I would definitely suggest fast passes for this though- we did that too and ended up getting on it multiple times. It’s really long for a rollercoaster and I feel like you actually have time to enjoy it. There are parts when its really dark and then you are out in the sunshine, with stunning views, and its just wonderful. It doesn’t go upside down but I kind of like that- although I do love a loop every now and again! It was just wonderful, I wish we got a little wetter- but that was just because it was boiling! I really miss this ride and I cannot wait to go on it again. It really is the wildest ride in the wilderness!!!

RC Racer: This was my absolute favourite in the Walt Studios Park- although there are some great rides to choose from over there! We often went there during Extra Magic Time and that allowed us to get on most rides easily, especially in Toy Story Playland. We walked on this each time and really enjoyed it. It’s essentially a banana boat/pirate ship style swing ride but on a track. The only negative I would say is the amount of ride time is relatively short, which we found with a few rides, I could have done a few more swings on this one! I would love to go on this each morning to wake me up- it’s great and shouldn’t be overlooked on your next trip!

Hyperspace Mountain: I was actually blown away by this. I rode this once before it went all ‘hyper’ and it didn’t really have a big impact on me. This one though, I LOVED it. I was surprised how much, considering I haven’t seen any Star Wars! What a ride though. Definitely more for the thrill seekers among us- a couple of loops, darkness and it really speeds off at the beginning. I just thought it was wonderful and the queues we found were surprisingly low- usually waited about 15mins sometimes less! This was probably the best real ‘thrill’ ride for me, across the two parks, I felt like it was pretty smooth, great theming with the lights and music, and just really, really enjoyable. I would love to go on this right now- I cannot wait to ride this again one day!

Amy

3 Feel Good Instagram Accounts

Today is a little bit of a continuation from my Curating a Social Media Feed for YOU post, where I talked about making the content you consume more positive, inspirational and realistic. It’s something that I have been thinking about for a few months and along the way I have discovered some accounts that have really given my feed a ‘lift’. Turns out there are actually LOADS of body positive, up-lifting accounts out there and I had just been filling my feed with all the wrong people… turns out you don’t need to follow people from X Factor in 2015 or those models that were on Made in Chelsea once years ago! I thought I would share just 3 today, they kind of stand for ‘types’ of the new accounts that I am loving and have changed my feed for the better!

@bodyposipanda: Now this GORGEOUS lady actually has over a million followers and a book out, so I know I’m very late to this party. Megan was the first real body positive account I found and has lead to me finding lots more. It is SO refreshing seeing someone happy in their skin and she just glows. She shares lots of body positive posts, holiday snaps and insta-stories. I really like her style (regularly achieving HAIR COLOUR GOALS) and she definitely encourages me to wear what I want, not for my body shape. What a lady- definitely check out her page!

@lucysheridan: I’m pretty sure Lucy used to be known as the ‘comparison coach’! I  feel like she summarises her account perfectly in her bio, she writes ‘Daily expert advice to help you find inner peace and go after your own success’. She is a professional, so I really trust her advice and she is really good for keeping it real and grounded. I love the quotes she shares and the little nuggets of wisdom, that often play over in my mind. She lives in the lovely countryside and I love her insta-stories of taking her lovely dog for a walk!

Disney Accounts: I know I’ve cheated a little here… BUT it’s no secret that I LOVE all things Disney. I have absolutely loved adding some of that magic to my Instagram feed! I love how many like-minded people there are out there who are just young adults who have grown up with Disney and continue to visit the parks. I just think it’s wonderful. I follow a fair few but my current favourites are @disneyfind, for all the latest Disney Primark merch and @bethanyfrancesca_, LOVE her feed and that Disney style! I LOVE Disney Instagrams so if you have one, or some favourites, please leave them below!

I’d love it if you followed my Instagram- its simply @amyalwaysblogs– or you can just click the little icon on the right of the page! I’m currently sharing Disneyland Paris pictures, motivational quotes and pictures of Tom Holland on my Insta-stories… what a dreamy combination!

Amy

3 Disneyland Paris Non-Ride Favourites

I am LOVING sharing these Disneyland Paris posts- I hope you are loving them too! i would love you to add you favourites in the comments as I LOVE talking all things DLP since returning from my trip. I wanted to share some ‘non-ride’ favourites today so this includes some more experiences that I LOVED doing. I haven’t including meeting characters on this one because I am going to do a whole post on that- coming soon! I do want to do a little disclaimer just to say that I LOVED everything that we did. There were SOOO many things I could have added to this list but right now, this is my top 3.

Illuminations: The fireworks are just my FAVOURITE thing ever. I want to finish every day by watching them. The projections on the castle, the music, the colours, the lights and the fountains. It’s just EVERYTHING. I’ve heard a few people who don’t seem that fussed about the fireworks at DLP, and maybe its because I cannot compare it with WDW, but I just really love the fireworks. I also wasn’t that bothered about some of the songs being in French, I’ve heard lots of people moan about it, but Disney is universal AND we are in France! It’s just the right length to keep everyone engaged, it has a great mixture of films and was simply gorgeous. I think I saw Disney Dreams when I visited a few years ago but honestly I loved both… I’m just a  real Disney fireworks girl and they are probably one of the things I miss the most now I’m home. They are simply the most magical end to the day.

Taking a Trip on the Molly Brown: Now I wasn’t sure if this counted as a ride because technically it has a wait time on the apps? I see it as more of an experience and a REALLY wonderful one at that. It’s in Frontierland and is the PERFECT thing to do in the summer, when it’s really hot and you need a little break. You can take some gorgeous photos of Frontierland and have a little sit down. Even the area to wait to get on the boat is covered and has seats- it’s the dream! The boat trip lasts a good amount of time and takes you around the lake in a circle. Check the times for this though, as it doesn’t open as long as other rides in the park. I just LOVED this. It was just magical and a lovely relaxing activity that gave beautiful views of the park.

Mickey and the Magician: I would definitely suggest checking what shows are available when you go on your trip- seeing this was definitely a highlight for me! I also loved the Superheroes United show, but that is only a seasonal offering. This show was just wonderful. It included many characters and songs that you can’t see just around the park- like Frozen and the Fairy Godmother! It’s a very simple plot line, perfect for all the family, and the use of the different Disney characters is seamless. It has the Genie and the Lion King in too- it really has a West End vibe! I would suggest getting there early- around 30minutes roughly depending on crowd levels- but you can always check with a Cast Member before you go in. It’s worth the wait and you can usually just sit on the floor undercover before going into the theatre. This was in the Walt Disney Studios Park and I didn’t see lots of adverts for it when I was there, but I would REALLY try not to miss this award winning show!

Amy

 

3 Summer Disney Parks Must Haves

Throughout the month of July, I’m going to be sharing a Disney-related post that will be mainly focused on my recent trip to Disneyland Paris. I went in June for a special trip and was lucky enough to stay at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge- what a resort. I have been briefly before, a good few years ago, but this was my first proper, Disney-bubble trip and I LOVED IT. These are 3 of the products that I was the MOST glad I took with me. These are the ones that got me through some REALLY, REALLY hot days that took me from Extra Magic Time until the fireworks! I had read so many posts and watched videos before I went but these are the ultimate, ride or die 3 products that I was extremely grateful I took with me and used every day.

Amazon EasyAcc Electric Fans Mini Portable Outdoor fan, £12.99: I had seen lots of my favourite Disney YouTubers talking about this fan for trips to Disney World in Florida  but I used this LOADS in Paris. It was just boiling, so I can imagine it will only continue to get warmer into the summer months. I think the volume of people really makes the temperature soar, especially at peak times like the parade. This portable fan folds up pretty small, its fairly lightweight and the best thing is that it actually cools you down. You can charge it up with a USB and it has 3 settings, so you can really go to town with it! I paid a little extra to get it in pink but you can get it cheaper in black, it isn’t very loud either so just having this on whilst waiting in queues or for parades makes this a real lifesaver in the heat!

Minnie Mouse Ear Holder Key Chain: When I purchased this a couple of months ago, I didn’t really think that it would be as useful as it was but I LOVED THIS. It’s basically a keyring that holds your Minnie Ears and I got mine from ‘Cheeky Beans’ on Etsy- it’s really good quality and I had mine personalised to match Rapunzel colours! I have a picture over on my Instagram- I really couldn’t have done without this. I used a small side bag for the parks, so they didn’t fit my ears in, therefore having a keyring to carry them made life SO much easier. It also meant that my ears were always safe and they were not getting crumpled or damaged in my bag. When you’re getting on and off rides or if your ears start pushing on your head, then it just makes things so much easier. I cannot believe how much I used this, I wouldn’t go on another trip without it!

Skechers: I cannot stress the importance of good footwear on a Disney trip. You will do SO much walking and just standing- whether it be in queues for food, rides or the toilets. There is a lot of queuing or just waiting, so having comfy shoes is a MUST. I have majorly suffered with blisters in the past and was actually quite worried about it. Getting Skechers one one of my best decisions and I actually didn’t get sore feet when I was out there! They have great support, mould to your feet, allow them to breathe and didn’t take very long to break in. If you struggle with blisters then I would definitely say give Skechers a try, I wore them the entire time, even over my Converse! I used to worry they were for ‘older’ ladies but they have a surprising amount of styles and I found some that worked for me- I was SO grateful for these!

I really hope you enjoy the upcoming Disneyland Paris posts- I would love you to tag your Disney related posts below, as they are my favourite to read! I’ll be sharing lots of Disney pictures over on my Instagram too, its just @amyalwaysblogs or you can use the link on the side bar!

Amy

June Favourites 2019

WE ARE HALFWAY TO CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Does anyone else see June as the halfway to Christmas mark, or just me? June has been a pretty special month for me as I got to visit Disneyland Paris and just had THE most magical time EVER. I cannot explain… but I will be trying to throughout a few blog posts coming your way in July! June hasn’t actually felt that summery yet back home, but I’m hoping that the weather will pick up from now! Here’s a couple of my favourite things from June- enjoy!

Benefit’s Cheekleader Pink Squad Palette, £26.00: I recently featured this in my 3 Recent Beauty Buys, so I know its a little soon to be putting this in my favourites. BUT, I have been using this SOOOO much since I bought it. Some days I’ve just lightly glowed up with the ‘Twinkle’ shade, which is exclusive to the palette. I will probably write a review on this product, because I think its a great way to try new Benefit products in a cost effective way but also is PERFECT from travelling this summer. It also includes one of my long-term favourite products the Dandelion blush!

Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish in ‘Lovey Dovey’, £2.99: This is a real, true purple. I have been looking specifically for this shade for a while and after exhausting my usual brands I decided to give Rimmel’s nail polish a try! I really wanted this shade for my trip to Disneyland Paris, as it matches my Purple Potion eats perfectly, and it lasted the WHOLE trip. It looked like a professional manicure and I was really, really impressed with the durability and quality especially considering the price.

Aladdin: I have enjoyed EVERY aspect of the new live-action Aladdin this month. I really, REALLY enjoyed the film and I thought it was hilarious. I’ve always loved the live-action films because I feel like they just make it feel very current and modern. Don’t get me wrong, the originals are PERFECT but I kind of see them as separate entities. I have been playing the soundtrack of the new movie constantly throughout June. I really love the new version of ‘Friend Like Me’ and ‘Prince Ali’, the brand new song ‘Speechless’ is just incredible too. Special shoutout to Zayn’s version of ‘A Whole New World’ on there too- it’s gorgeous. One Direction and Disney- it’s almost too much for me to handle.

Jane the Virgin: June brought with it lots more free time and with the rainy weather I have been LOVING indulging in a good Netflix binge- Jane is PERFECT for this! I am already on season 3 and I cannot believe it finishes for good in July. I have really, really enjoyed the show and its perfect for someone who enjoys a light hearted, funny show that highlights themes of intergenerational families and romantic relationships. I am SO in love with this show and time completely flies when I watch this- definitely watch this, if you haven’t already!

Amy

 

Disney Primark Haul

Incase you missed my Disneyland Paris Bucket List post then I wanted to let you know I’M GOING TO DISNEYLAND PARIS. As with any good Disney trip the planning begins months before and the shopping preparations never end. In an attempt to get some bits for my upcoming trip I visited the fairly-newly opened Primark in Birmingham which is the biggest one in the world, I believe! In all honesty, the Disney section is not unbelievable special but it just depends on what your local store is like and how much Disney stuff you’re looking for. I’m not really into Primark for regular fashion or anything really, but I do think they are great when it comes to Disney trips especially if it’s stuff you’re not planning on wearing regularly.

I’ll start off with clothes, as I’ve said I’m not particularly into Primark clothes, but I did pick up a couple of Disney tops that will be perfect for my trip. I just went for the two because I am planning on wearing mostly ‘normal’ clothes when I go, just because that’s what I’m most comfortable in. I went for a Piglet Top (£6.00), its baby pink and simply says ‘Piglet’ across it with an embroiled picture of him for the ‘i’. I also got a Thumper Striped Tee (£5.00) which is simply baby blue stripes with a little Thumper in the corner and says ‘I’m cute and I know it’. I figured these will be good just to throw on with some skinny jeans and converse when I’m away, they don’t take much thought and encompass some of the Disney magic. Lastly, on the clothes front I picked up a Thumper Pajama Set (£10.00) which are SO cute. They’re baby pink and blue, a lovely pattern and they are going to be lovely for holiday. Disney pjs are a MUST when staying on-site especially and they have sooooo many to choose from!

Moving onto to general random Disney goodness, starting with the cute little Minnie Mouse pouch that I’ve pictured above which was £4.00. I thought this would be perfect as a little first aid kit or just to keep all my random bits together when I’m going round the parks. I also grabbed quite a lot of Disney socks, which aren’t necessarily the most exciting things to haul. I’ll just summarise, so you aren’t entirely bored, so I got some trainer socks, normal socks AND bed socks that covered characters from Minnie Mouse, to Aladdin to Toy Story- they ranged in price from £2.50-£3.00. Even I can admit I potentially over-did it with Disney socks… and that is fine. To finish up, I bought an Aurora Face Mask (£3.00), Minnie Mouse Flip-Flops (£2.50) and a cute little Dumbo Comb (£2.00). These are just some cute little extras that make going on holiday extra special, especially walking round in my Minnie flip flops!

Hopefully you have enjoyed this haul! I know I’m not the best at them because of my poor camera skills- I just can’t get the cute flatlays going on. I’m hoping that this has given you some idea of what is in Primark at the moment in terms of Disney stuff and that you might want to have a look if you’re heading to a Disney park soon! I’ll be sure to do lots more Disney posts- especially ones on Disneyland Paris- including these items probably in some packing posts or something so stick around if you would enjoy those!

Amy