Beauty and the Beast Live Action Review

 
I've been thinking about reviewing Disney's latest live action offering, Beauty and the Beast, ever since I watched it. While I would rather it be in video format I don't really have much time to sit down and film at the moment, so thought I would write a blog post on my thoughts about the film while its still relevant.Now I'm not someone who reviews movies, so bare with me through my turbulent thought process as this is going to be far from a perfectly written review.

Beauty and the Beast has been one of the most anticipated films for quite a long while, even before casting was confirmed. I am always a little hesitant about Disney live action films, especially after seeing how they butchered my favourite villain, Maleficent. My faith was restored by Cinderella, which I think was done beautifully, but I was still a little on the fence when Beauty and the Beast was announced. I wasn't surprised when Emma Watson was cast as Belle, not really seeing a reason why she shouldn't be, even if the Harry Potter nerd in me was screaming "She will never not be Hermione!" Fast forward to the first trailer release, and I found myself rather excited. However, as more trailers and clips were released, the more disappointed I became. I just wasn't at all that bothered. Now here is where the real review begins. Sitting in the cinema with my friends, a fanta ice blast and some salted popcorn, I tried to go into it with no judgements.

The first thing I have to say is that Belle was the weakest part of the whole film. I found her lackluster, her auto tuned singing awful without any sort of emotion and her acting rather stagnant. Then comes her chemistry, or lack of, with the Beast. I just didn't see any sort of connection between them at all. Everything felt forced. Let's not even talk about that ballroom scene that had me cringing so hard that I had to cover my eyes at one point. I mean, I know that at the end of the day it must be incredibly difficult for an actress to show emotion towards a cgi beast, but I just expected more. Did anyone else also hear that random growl made by human beast at the end of the film? NO NO NO! I just cant even. 

Now let's talk about the strongest part of the whole film. Gaston and Lefou. These two literally made the whole film for me. Their character development was shown so well and I found myself waiting with anticipation for their next scene. What I love about Luke Evans' portrayal of Gaston in particular, is that he was shown exactly as I imagine Gaston to be. In reality, the character of Gaston is the worst Disney villain of all, as he could be anyone. He is the most realistic. He portrays the real issue of domestic abuse. At the start of the film I almost found myself feeling sorry for him and half rooting for him. That is, until he doesn't get his own way and snaps, becoming a vicious monster. You can see in parts him trying to control his temper and manipulate those around him to get what he wants. It actually makes me kinda nervous about how many people gush over Gaston as he is truly a horrific person. 
Lefou is another character who really impressed me, having so much more personality in the live action than was ever given to him in the animation. Josh Gad really made Lefou his own and I found his little quips hilariously sassy. Their chemistry together was outstanding and their scenes made me feel so many things from pity to anger to empowerment, at Lefou's actions in the castle.

Other stand out performances included Maurice, who I really connected with and felt for during the film; the duo of Lumiere and Cogsworth, who else belly laughed at that one liner by Ian McKellan at the end; and Plumette, who was never a stand out character in the animation but had a more central role in the live action. 

The story itself generally followed that of the original film, but gave us more of a backstory to Belles life, which I loved. Having those unanswered questions included within the plot made me connect to the story more and I really enjoyed hearing more about Belle and Beasts families. I also enjoyed how the characters within the castle had relatives in the village and really like the fan theory currently circulating, that the village was frozen in time along with those in the castle.

The cinematography of the film was simply breathtaking. The visuals were one of the most redeeming qualities about the film, being an absolute joy for my eyes. The "Be Our Guest" scene was one of my favourites of the whole movie, it looking and sounding incredible. Speaking of sound, I do have to say that i wasn't a fan of the new songs. I just found them a bit dull and uninspiring. The song everyone is gushing about, Evermore I believe it's called, was just super unnecessary for me and I found myself wishing it would hurry up and be over.

Overall I did enjoy Beauty and the Beast, but it was just okay. I am a total Emma Watson fan, but she just wasn't Belle. Belle and Beast just didn't live up to my expectations. The rest of the film, amazing, but with the main characters not being a highlight, I just don't find myself loving the film. By all means it wasn't bad, but it wasn't perfect either. 

What did you think of the Beauty and the Beast live action adaptation? Did you love it or find it just okay?

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Jane Porter Cosplay

Cosplay has always been something i've been interested in, but never actually taken part in, being someone who tended to admire fabulous costumes from afar. I'm not that savvy with a sewing machine, nor really have the time to learn, and to buy outfits can work out expensive. However, having decided upon visiting Disneyland Paris for the Halloween Soiree I knew I wanted to "do it properly" and what better character to dress up as than my favourite, Jane Porter. Anyone who knows me knows of my love for Tarzan, so Jane was at the top of my list. 

Firstly I had to find someone who would make the dress. After abit of a google search and a browse on Etsy, I decided to message the lovely Bel from Closet Geek. I had seen alot of her work before as she makes the outfits for Amy and her daughter, so was confident that she would create something perfect! We had a few back and forth emails, agreeing on a material, time frame, some examples of what I wanted, my measurements and pricing. The result was this gorgeous dress that met all my expectations and more. Add a few accessories and I'm as close to Jane Porter as I'm going to get! I think for the future I definitely want to add to it by having shoe covers and a "poofier" petticoat, maybe a bit of shoulder padding. It was such a surreal evening and so many people stopped me to take my photo (awkward but fun). What a fabulous first step into the world of cosplay.

Have you ever cosplayed a Disney character before? Who would you most like to cosplay?

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Learning to Drive as a Twenty-Something

So this month marks a year since I passed my driving test, and as my sister is currently going through the process, I thought I would write a post about learning to drive in your twenties. As a seventeen year old, learning to drive never really interested me. I knew I wanted to eventually of course, but I was in no rush and would have rather spent the money I got from my weekend job on social activities. I never got EMA and my parents didn't give me money, so driving wasn't something I needed or wanted at the time. Fast forward a few years through university where again, I never really needed to drive. When moving back home from uni, I ended up talking myself into taking lessons as it was something my parents wanted me to do and I had adopted more of the mind set of "well i don't need it now but i may as well get it over and done with". Something that frustrates me alot is the whole "i passed first time" mindset. When I spoke to people about passing I had so many say straight off the bat "i passed first time", and its a little annoying. Most people take several tries to pass their practical and while I'm sure those who pass first time are proud of themselves, there is no need to piss on someone else's parade with your comments that can make people feel a little less "worthy". It took 3 attempts for me to pass, so here's my personal experience of learning to drive at 24.

The Theory Test - 2014
After a few months of lessons, I put in for my theory test, which I failed. It was a little bit of a shock to me as I had never failed anything in my life. Annoyingly I got 1 of the questions wrong, but it was the hazard perception that did me. I was too nervous about if i was clicking too much, not enough and ended up failing that section. Straight away I booked another theory and was ecstatic to pass second time. One step done, one more to go. The driving school I was doing my lessons with provided a website for me to log in to and revise for my theory, but there are plenty of smartphone apps out there to use that I found really handy for when I was out and about.

The First Attempt - 2014
A few weeks later I had my practical test which was going fine until the manoeuvre, the dreaded reverse park. I ended up turning too soon and being too far away from the curb, so instead of reversing back abit more to fix it, I went forward, which is apparently an instant fail. Unfortunately (or fortunatly?) that very day I was heading down to London to go and work on a cruise ship so life didn't see me do anything more with driving until 2015.

The Second Attempt - 2016
At the end of 2015 I thought it was about time I started the process of learning to drive again. Mostly because my theory test certificate, which is valid for 2 years, ran out in early 2016 so I didn't want to have to go through that again. I started with a different instructor, as my previous one had no spaces, and honestly it was horrific. He was so discouraging, told me off and I felt like i learned nothing. Luckily my previous instructor, a lovely lady named Emma from Monarch Driving School St Helens, had some spaces open up so I went back with her. I cannot stress how important it is to find an instructor you click with. With Emma I felt so confident and learned so much. So, my second attempt rolled around in January 2016. This was one of those moments I really kicked myself for afterwards. I ended up getting 4 minors in the test, and 1 major, which caused me to fail. I stalled at traffic lights due to being in the wrong gear, something I had never ever done before, and must have panicked because I then stalled again. As there was cars behind me waiting, this apparently is why he had to fail me. The examiner was so apologetic about it and said he hated that he had to fail me as everything else was great, it was just that one silly mistake.

The Third Attempt - 2016
My third attempt was a little different in that I used a service which finds a cancellation for you, as the wait for my area was quite long. How it works is, you book your test through the normal means then sign up to one of these websites, pay £19 and they will find you a cancellation. You can put specific days and times for them to look for, to which they will then send you a text giving you a certain amount of time to reply if you want it. The price you pay is for unlimited searches, even if you fail another test. I ended up booking a test for February, a few days after returning from Disneyland Paris. Third time was the charm for me, and to my relief I passed!  

The main issue I had with learning to drive as an adult is the money side of it. I had life to pay for, rent, food etc, and it can be difficult financially to fork out nearly £100 a month for lessons plus the costs of booking the theory and practical, especially if you don't pass them first time. I would really recommend saving for a bit before taking out lessons, it makes things so much easier and takes less of a bite out of your income. The way I see it though, is that you never know what life will throw at you and what opportunities will present themselves to you. As it turns out I had to move back home a few months later, my job being 30 miles away, so being able to drive meant I could keep my job. I was also given a promotion to manage a different site soon after, something I wouldn't have been able to do if i didn't drive. Forking out for a car and insurance straight away was abit crap, but luckily I had some savings and being an adult driver, my insurance was cheaper than it would have been had I been 17. As cliche as it sounds, I now couldn't imagine not having a car, it just makes things so much easier and yanno, Fiat 500s are just the cutest little cars ever!

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Quick Service Meals | Vegan in Disneyland Resort

Unlike Disneyland Paris, the American parks are much more accommodating towards vegan diets, with plenty of options to choose from in both quick service and full service. Mind you, it still takes abit of research, having already created a list beforehand of places I wanted to try and it's still recommended to ask about ingredients as they can change at any time. Honestly, as much as I love DLP, the food is terrible quality compared to the US parks and I found myself thoroughly impressed with the amount of options available to me. Of course, there is plenty I am still yet to try, but be sure to keep an eye out for "part 2" as there is no doubt that I will be returning to Disneyland Resort a few time during my CRP program.

Royal Street Veranda - New Orleans Square (DLR)

The Vegetarian Gumbo at Royal Street Veranda was my first taste of food in DLR and oh my did it set the tone for the whole holiday. I thoroughly enjoyed it and having never tried Gumbo before, got major princess and the frog feelz. Being served in a sourdough bread bowl made the carb lover in my rejoice! It's served Vegan as is, so no need to ask for it without anything.

Lucky Fortune Cookery - Pacific Wharf (DCA)

Anyone who knows me is aware of how much I love Asian food, so this Asian Rice Bowl with Tofu was just what the tofu obsessive in me needed. Make sure to get it without sauce as i do believe none of them are vegan. Edamame is also available here as a side which I totally regretted not getting at the time.

Award Weiners - Hollywood Land (DCA)

I was abit hesitant that the Vegetarian Portabello Mushroom Philly was going to be a little bland as originally it comes with cheese (to veganise ask for it without), but i need not have worried. The veggies were amazing and cooked to perfection. I opted for the meal deal which comes with crisps/apple slices and a drink. 

Snacks

What would any Disney trip be without indulging on a few signature snacks? Luckily, there are several treats for Vegans to try in Disneyland, including the famous Dole Whip. Other options include Popcorn, Mickey Pretzels, Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade and Cotton Candy. Remember, the Starbucks on Main Street/Buena Vista Street also serve Soya versions of your favourite drinks!
 

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Donald Duck Disneybound

Last year was a pretty good year for Disneybounds and I really fell in love with the movement, especially when visiting Disney Parks. There's something about channeling your favourite characters in every day life that really inspires me, as I'm far from fashionable. I was lucky enough to spend my 25th birthday in Disneyland Paris, so really wanted to make an effort with my outfit. What better way to do that, than Disneybounding my favourite character, Donald Duck.
This was such a simple outfit to put together and apart from the shoes, pretty cheap. Practically everything is from ebay!

Top: Primark
Skirt: Topshop (Ebay)
Belt: Ebay
Tights: Ebay
Choker: Ebay
Shoes: Converse
Bow: ExtraSweetBowtique on Etsy

The day was absolutely amazing, being gorgeous weather and having the best time with my mum. This was my first time spending my birthday in a disney park and I cant believe im going to be lucky enough to spend my 26th in Walt Disney World. A new tradition maybe?

What character would you like to Disneybound?

xox

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IM MOVING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD | Cultural Representative Program 2017-2018

So as the title suggests, I'm moving back to Orlando! On December 5th 2016 I received the email that I had been accepted onto Walt Disney World's Cultural Representative Program and on June 12th 2017, will be heading to Florida for a whole year to work in the UK Pavilion within Epcot! It has been my dream since completing my ICP in 2013, to go back and work for the mouse and it's finally happening. To be honest, it's still not fully sunk in and I don't think it will until I am sitting on that plane ready to begin the most magical year of my life. 
As always I will be vlogging my whole experience, which you can check out on my YouTube Channel and hopefully keeping upto date on my Disney International Programs Blog which I started back before my ICP.

 

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue”  

- Walt Disney

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Books I Read in 2016

2016 was definitely the year of books. I've always been a big reader, but last year was the first time I had ever set myself any reading goals and actually found myself becoming borderline obsessed with combing amazon and BookTube for interesting titles. I read a total of 56 books last year including a few revisits to series I love and some new discoveries. Some of my favourites of the year include;

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare
The Percy Jackson & Heroes of Olympus Series' by Rick Riordan
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

I generally sick with reading the same fantasy genres, and I would say that I hope to branch out a little more this year, but lets be honest now, fantasy has my heart and there is just so much more left for me to discover that I just can't resist. There are so many amazing releases coming out in 2017 that I am excited for and I already have a TBR list a mile long. Here's to another great reading year.

xox

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Urban Decay Greens | Makeup

Ohay, remember that time I used to blog about makeup? Yeah... it's been a while. Even though my interests have moved on from obsessing over makeup day and night, I do still love to experiment every now and again, and I do still own way more makeup than is necessary for one person to own (this is even after a massive purge! Yeah I'm a hoarder). Today I'm going to share with you a recent eye look I created during one of my "lets slap this on and see what happens" sessions. Yup, they're a thing.

To create this look I used various Urban Decay Shadows in a arsenal of palettes I have sitting in a draw. I believe a combination of Deep End on the lid, Haight through the crease and Blackout on the outer corners with Vanilla to highlight made up the bulk of this look with the perfection that is Kat Von D Tattoo Liner to create the wing. For my lips I used my new Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in Bittersweet.

Green really seems to be one of my "go to" colours lately. Since going back to my natural hair colour, i really lean towards it as it just goes so well with auburn hair! Admittedly, It has been a while since I've properly played with colour, but since doing this look I've found myself looking longingly at my unloved Sugarpill palettes so I think a few more makeup sessions are a-coming!

What's your "go to" eyeshadow colour? When was the last time you experimented with makeup?

xox

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Turning 25 Feelz

 Last week I turned 25. Amongst the "oh my god where has my life gone" feelz was the equally as scary "how the heck do I adult" feelz, although I did spend my birthday in Disneyland Paris being the personification of "never grow up". A lot has changed in the past year, so I thought I would revisit the "25 things before 25" list I wrote a year ago on my 24th birthday. Some things I've achieved, some things I haven't, good things have happened, bad things have happened, but I've come out a stronger person with a few things i can be proud of.

1. Start a ‘big girl’ savings account.
I did actually start a savings account recently and now transfer money into it evey month. How long it's going to stay untouched is questionable, as I do have several holidays to pay for, but we shall see!

2. Get a promotion at work to become salaried staff.
Another recent step was my promotion to become a General Manager. Even though I still don't know what i want to do with my life, I have a career and options for the future.

3. Move into my own place with the boyfriend.
This one is a toghie. I did move into my own place last December, but unfortunatly me and him broke up in April. It's by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with in my life. We were together for 5 1/2 years and to say it hurt is an understatement. It was nothing anyone did, these things just sometimes happen. I did have to move back in with my parents though. It's a work in progress.

4. Spend more time being creative and learning to use my sewing machine.
Learning how to use my sewing machine was a big fail, but I would like to think I have become more creative in my thinking, even though I don't have much physically to show for it.

5. Learn more about creating content on YouTube, from editing to the filming process.
Although I have come such a long way from when i first started making videos, there is still so much for me to learn and it's a constant process that I'm always improving upon. What I want to improve upon the most now days, is the visuals of my videos and am excited to develop them further.

6. Gain 3000 subscribers on my channel.
I've gone through a few bouts of "creators block" this year, and a hiatus after the breakup, which I think has affected my channel growth, however, I am close to 2000 subscribers so that is a big achievement for me! I love making videos and sharing my Disney trips, so its just mind boggling that people are actually watching!

7. Find a direction with my blog.
My blog has taken the back burner over the last few years, and to be honest, I cant see that changing. Trying to juggle working full time, putting out 2 videos a week and trying not to be a complete social recluse is tough and I just don't have much time to blog anymore. I wish I did, honestly I do, but I cant see myself being a dedicated blogger any time soon.

8. Rediscover my passion for photography, somehow its gotten lost along the way.

Photography isn't something I think about much anymore. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it, I just don't think it's going to be something I actively pursue in the future.

9. Go to more concerts and see more shows.
I was so hyped to see Motley Crue and Alice Cooper last November, and have recently booked to see Avenged Sevenfold next year so I reckon this definitly counts as a sucess (I mean, have you see the price of gig tickets recently? Ouch!)

10. Stop comparing myself.
You know what, I don't compare myself. While there is always going to be a flicker of a thought that compares myself to others, I generally don't. I'm not going to waste my life being jealous of others and wishing I had something I'm never going to get.

11. Become more creative in the kitchen.
This was actually the year I decided to become a Vegan! I've been following a plant based diet for 8 months now and couldnt be happier. Admittidly I was alot more creative in the kitchen when I was living in the flat, as trying to cook meals at my parents house is abit of a pain, but I can now make some delicious dishes that i'm super proud of.

12. Join some sort of sports club or activity.
This totally hasn't happened, but I'm still thinking about it! Maybe this year, eh?

13. Learn a new language to a conversational level.
Again, something I'm still thinking about. Leaning more towards French or Japanese now.

14. Visit a country I’ve never been before.
Disney has too much of a hold on me and I just cant bring myself to book another location when I know I can jet over to Disneyland Paris for cheap with my Annual Pass. I am going to California in October though, and while I have been before, It's been 3 years.

15. Have a clear out – I own way too much stuff.
I still own too much stuff, but I did have a big clear out when I moved into the flat so that totally counts.

16. Connect with family. I barely talk to my extended family, that needs to change.
I'm still anti-social when it comes to my family. Im terrible at keeping in contact with people in general though.

17. Pass my driving test.
This is probably one of the things I'm proudest of so far this year. In february I passed my driving test and am now flitting around in my own little Fiat 500!

18. Get a tattoo.
Let's be honest here, I'm just too stingy to pay for a tattoo. There is also part of me that dreams of working for Disney again (who don't allow visible tattoos) so I stay clear, just incase.

19. Write an open letter to my future 35 year old self.
I haven't done this, but I probably should. What would I even say?

20. Watch every single Disney film, both classic and live action.
I rarely watch movies, even Disney ones, so this was always going to be abit of a push.

21. Book a trip to Japan.
I haven't booked anything yet, but me and some friends are seriously considering a trip in 2018. Fingers crossed!

22. Invest in a new DSLR.
I was going to buy a new DSLR, but instead decided to go for a Canon G7X Mark 2, which is pretty much the same price as a DSLR and I will use alot more. Yup, it counts.

23. Get involved with animal charities.
Something else I keep telling myself I'm going to do. I would love to volunteer at the Dog's Trust again, walking the dogs and cuddling puppies, or do one of those "work abroad volunteer programs", it's just finding the time.

24. ‘Organize’ my memories. I want to start scrapbooks or the like, to put all of my memory bits in.
Again, time is the issue, and when I am free I just don't even think about doing this.

25. Let the bad things go.
This year has been one of the hardest of my life. I always thought people were being dramatic when they went through breakups, but it sucks. It's like my whole life was turned upside down in such a short amount of time. My future was ripped from me and my best friend wasn't there anymore. I would like to say we are still friends, but we're not. He hasn't bothered so why should I? That's probably the hardest thing. After being together for so long, I'm nothing. We're nothing. Yes I'm moving on, but no I'm not fully over it and I probably won't be for a long time. I just need to focus on myself and I do realize that bad things happen, we just need to deal with them, then focus on getting over them.

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Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen SPF50 Review

As we will all know, the Florida sun can be harsh and unforgiving. One of the biggest struggles that I have had when holidaying to Orlando, where beauty is concerned, is finding a facial sunscreen that sits well under makeup. I've had many people ask, why do I even bother with makeup in such hot weather. Well, because I like wearing makeup. The Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen ($19) was recommended to me by Florida locals so I made sure to pick it up in one of my Sephora orders. 

The squeeze tube packaging is simple and contains 71ml of product, enabling you to sqeeze out every smidge of sunscreen. Don't you just hate fancy packaging that wastes half of the product? The formula is lightweight, moisturizing and fast absorbing which makes it perfect for under makeup. Is isn't greasy at all, although I would recommend using a powder to set as liquid products can slide a little after a few hours. I found that my Tarte Powder Foundation held up amazingly and I had no trouble at all with it moving around during a long day in the Disney Parks. There is a slight "suncream" smell, but it isn't too noticeable and didn't put me off at all. You are meant to reapply after a few hours, as with any sunscreen, but lets be real, with a face full of makeup that isnt going to happen. Luckily, apart from a few touch ups on my nose, this lasted the whole day, and by whole day I mean a 14 hour Magic Kingdom day, and my face didn't burn at all. I'm a very pale ginger kid who burns instantly in the sun, so the fact that this lasted all day is a complete winner in my book. However, I don't encourage you to go without reapplying, this is just my experience. The only negative is that this product is only available (to us in the UK) from Sephora. But have no fear, Sephora do now ship to the UK and there is a new store that has opened in Disney Springs!

Pros: Fast absorbing, moisturizing, none-greasy, lightweight, long lasting, cruelty free, sits well under makeup.
Cons: A slight smell, hard to get hold of in the UK (only available from Sephora).

What is your favourite "under makeup" facial sunscreen?

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My Hogwarts Story | Tag

 

I saw this tag over on Amy's blog earlier today and just couldn't resist doing my own! I've been obsessed with Harry Potter for years, it being such a big impact of my life, notably for introducing me to reading.

 

Are you Pure Blood, Half Blood or Muggle Born?

I don't really think it matters but I always saw myself as being a Pure Blood.

 

Which wand chose you (what is is made of)?

Ash, Phoenix feather, mid length, slightly springy. Reading up on wandlore these are aspects that seem to match my personality. I'm stubborn, not easily swayed from my beliefs and independent, aspects which match the Phoenix feather core and Ash wood. The rigidity to represent my adaptable and open minded nature while still not being totally yielding, as I stay true to what I believe in.

Did you take an Owl, Cat, Toad or Rat with you?

If I could I would choose a snake as they're cunning yet I imagine them to be loyal. If not, probably a little black rat.

 

Where did the Sorting Hat place you?

Slytherin

What house did you want to be in?

I've always been a Slytherin and felt like its where I belong, ever since I first read Harry Potter. I know it has a bad reputation for hailing dark wizards but I'd still be a kind and unique presence in the house, until someone pissed me off. Then I'd plot my revenge.... ahaha!

 

Which lessons are your favourite and least favourite?

My favourite would have to be Defense against the dark arts or care of magical creatures. The first sounding fun and interesting while I have a love for animals, thus wanting to learn about them all! My least favourite is probably potions, who even wants to sit next to a sweaty pot all day, and divination as I don't believe in things like the tarot etc.

 

The form your Patronus takes is…

I reckon a wolf or wild cat of some description. I'm loyal to my "pack" (friends) and I love dogs more than anything, so a wild dog of some form would match me perfectly.

 

When confronted with a Boggart, what does it look like to you?

You know what, I don't know. I mean, I dislike things and am abit scared of some things but there's nothing that really gets my heart racing and makes me feel true fear. It would be interesting to see what a Boggart would become to me!

 

Do you partake in any school sports or magical hobbies?

I've never really been one of activities, sports, school pride and all that jazz. If anything, I would say some sort of reading or art club. Maybe I would just hang out with Hagrid and look after his array of magical creatures.

 

If you have free time, where would you be found hanging out?

In the library hunting down my next read, curled up in the common room in front of the fire or trying to sneak into the Forbidden forest to explore.

 

You are most likely to get detention for what?

I seem to attract detention like a moth to a flame. I was literally in detention every week in school. At Hogwarts I doubt it would be any different. For talking in class, answering back, arguing with other students, not caring enough to hand work in (yet I still manage to pass all my classes and be in the "top" group).

 

What career do you want after leaving Hogwarts?

I would say something to do with working with magical creatures or books of some sort. I like the idea of working with dragons or some sort of dangerous yet misunderstood creature.
(When i asked my friends what I would do they all said Death Eater! As much as the dark side is tempting I'm not prejudiced against other people. I just like my own way and think my way would make the world a better place haha ;) I don't wanna go around killing muggle-borns! Maybe I could be an anti-hero. Still a little bit bad but in the end fighting for a good cause. )

 

 

I tag everyone to do this and make sure to link me to your Hogwarts story!

xox

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Auberge de Cendrillon | Vegan in Disneyland Paris

 

 

Auberge de Cendrillion has been one of the restaurants in Disneyland Paris that I have most wanted to visit for a while. Of course, since becoming Vegan back in January I knew that it was unlikely that I was going to be eating a culinary masterpiece from there seeing as Disneyland Paris isn't as clued up about vegan eating as its American counterparts, but the food isn't all we do these expensive dinners for is it? Auberge de Cendrillion is a character dining experience in which you visit with three princesses, one prince and Cinderella's mice friends Suzie and Perla. In my opinion, these character meals are a great way to meet several characters in a short space of time without having to wait in long queues. Upon our arrival I spoke to my server informing him that I didn't eat any meat, dairy, fish or eggs and asked what they could make for me. At first he was a little confused but eventually he advised that I could have the vegetarian starter, just without the sauce. The main was a little more tricky, but seeing a spaghetti and sauce dish on the children's menu I asked if he could check if that was suitable and if I could have that in an adult portion. Luckily it was and he offered to put some vegetables on the side for me. One thing I did notice about ADC is that service seemed a little slow. We were waiting around for about 20 minuets before our order was even taken, same with ordering a pudding as well (by the time it arrived the place was empty and we had to rush to see the parade in time). Speaking of pudding, as everything on the menu contained dairy I just opted for a fruit salad. The food its self was nothing special. I really enjoyed the starter which was grilled vegetables with salad. The main was very basic as expected, but I enjoyed it none the less while the vegetables I was presented with on the side were again, pretty basic. The pudding was a standard bowl of fruit with orange juice.

 

 

As I said, I didn't expect anything amazing from the food here. It was basic, but filled a hole and I didn't dislike it. I came here for the experience, getting to meet the characters, watching the princesses dance and experiencing the beautiful dining room. One thing I noticed was that the tables were placed really close together so you were practically sitting with the party next to you. Funnily enough though, we actually started chatting to a lovely lady from the Netherlands named Paula, that was sitting on the table next to us and we discovered we actually already followed each other on Instagram and know of a few of the same people in the twitter Disneyland Paris community. Pretty small world eh?

Overall I don't think I would be rushing back to Auberge de Cendrillion any time soon as I've eaten much better food elsewhere, and for the price of €69 per person, I just wouldn't be able to justify it. If they were to add a Vegan option to the menu I would definitely consider returning (or if they could guarantee Ariel & Eric or Belle & Human Beast would be there haha)!

Have you ever been to Auberge de Cendrillion?

xox

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52 Books in 2016

 You may or may not know, but I am a huge book worm. I always have a book on the go and love nothing better than curling up and getting lost in a fictional world. Whereas I get bored with films and TV shows, books have a way of keeping me hooked in a way that no other form of entertainment can. Unfortunately last year I went through a massive reading slump and it wasn't until I started watching my friend Roisin's booktube videos, and from them the whole world of booktube, that I was really inspired to rediscover my love for reading again. To keep me on track I joined GoodReads and set myself a challenge to read 52 books in 2016, that's a book a week! Now to me, this doesn't seems like a lot as I've been known to devour 5 books in a week, but I guess it will have to make up for weeks that I'm working a lot or don't have much time to read.

As of April 24th 2016 I have read 16 books this year and have a "to read" list that is miles long! Books I have read so far include a series re-read in Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series and a part re-read in Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments Series (I originally read the first 4 books years ago, but never finished it, so am rectifying the situation). I have also started the Grisha Trilogy by Lee Bardugo and the Queen of the Tearling Trilogy by Erika Johansen, in which the final book is being released later this year.

My immediate "to be read" books are the final two Mortal Instruments Series books (City of Lost Souls & City of Heavenly Fire) which will then open up Lady Midnight to me, as i don't feel like I can read it until I've finished the original story. I'm also planning on finishing the Grisha Trilogy and a few other series "loose ends" such as the final book in the Sookie Stackhouse Chronicles that I still haven't read!

Do you enjoy reading? Have you set yourself a reading challenge for 2016?

xox

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Working for the Mouse | Not So Secret Cast Member Rules

 

 

If you have followed me for a while you will know that in summer 2013 I was a cast member at Walt Disney World, so today I am going to share with you some "Rules" Disney has for employees and why most of these still apply to me today. Disney provides Cast Members with world class training and some of the things I was taught will stay with me forever.

1. The Disney Point. This is absolutely a thing. During training I was taught that we must only point or gesture using 2 fingers, as pointing with 1 can be considered rude in some cultures. I will now only ever point using 2 fingers, and I'm pretty sure most former cast members will agree that it just sticks.

2. Never say I don't know. It was drilled into us that were never to say "I don't know" to a guest if asked a question. Even if it was something we had no idea about, we had to radio the coordinators to find the answer.

3. The bend and scoop. Cast Members are encouraged to feel proud of their park both when working and when visiting as a guest, that meant picking up any litter hanging around. We were taught to do this in a particular way while walking, dubbed the bend a scoop, the name being pretty self explanatory for the action. Even though I am no longer a cast member, you will sometimes find me doing the bend and scoop in the parks while tutting and muttering about litterbugs.

4. Never break character onstage. This does not only apply to entertainment cast members, but everyone. From keeping a smile on your face to telling stories, we were all in character while on stage. Why is there a wire going from Cinderella's castle you ask? Well Prince Charming needs somewhere to hang his washing, doesn't he?

5. Disney Look. Disney are very strict on Cast Member grooming, which includes not having any visible tattoos or piercings (except 1 pair of studs in ears, female only), hair colour has to be natural and cannot show a difference of more than 2 shades (meaning no highlights or dip dyes, also dyed hair cannot have roots showing), men's hair cannot go below their ears, no extreme hairstyles, no jewelry (except a plain wedding band or religious symbols) and neat looking nails are among a few of the guidelines put in place. These are enforced, especially when becoming a new Cast Member. We were all "inspected" by a manager and if anyone was found to be not sporting the Disney Look they had to change it.

6. Make Magic. We were encouraged to always make magic for our guests. People spend thousands to come to Disney, and some may not ever make it back again, so making every moment count was key. From wishing someone a "Happy Birthday" to giving a free bucket of popcorn, it's the little things that keep people smiling during a hot, busy Florida summer.

7. Getting down to their level. Children are at the heart of Disney, and Cast Members are to treat them as equals. When talking to a child we were always to get down on one knee so we were at their level, making the child not feel talked down too, but like that are equally as important in a conversation. By making that child feel special and putting a smile on their face, it gives the parents a much needed break from a possible upcoming temper tantrum. 

Being a Cast Member really was one of the most magical experiences of my whole life and really helped me develop my skills in the workplace while giving me memories that will last a lifetime. If only I could re-live that summer again and again!

Have you ever been a Cast Member?

xox

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My Disney Confessions

After seeing Sam and Sarah do posts like this, I thought I would join in and share with you some of my Disney confessions. I've really dug deep for these and have never really admitted them out loud until now. Some, I'm even ashamed at myself for. Please don't hate/disown me!

1. I don't watch Disney movies very often. When I say very often, I mean I probably watch 1 every few months. While I do love the films, I'm just not a big movie person. I get bored so quickly and most of the time end up wandering off half way though. This goes for all movies of course, not just Disney.

2. I called Walt Disney World "Disneyland Florida" up until I was 20. The shame! It's now one of my biggest pet peeves  it's so shameful to admit that i made the same blasphemous mistakes in the past. These days I even correct people when they call it Disneyland. In fact, I only really started getting into Disney when I turned 21 and visited Disneyland Paris. Before then I wasn't massively fussed. Since then, a whole new world has opened to me and I feel like I've found my 'thing' in the Disney fandom.

3. I'm not a big fan of Toy Story. I know this is technically Pixar and was first released as such, but it falls under the Disney umbrella so totally counts. Anyway, I've just never really been into the franchise. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike it, I just wouldn't choose to watch it or buy the merchandise.

4. I never go on Soarin'. I've been on it in the past, and it just doesn't interest me. I don't want to waste a fastpass on it nor wait in a long queue for it. I will probably try it again when the refurb is over, with the new theme/scenes, but I doubt it will "wow" me.

5. I really miss 'The Sorcerer's Hat" in Hollywood Studios. Some old school Disney fans may hate on the hat, but I loved it! It means so much more to me than the Chinese Theater, as I'm not a film person at all. I feel that it really linked with Fantasmic and just brought the park together a little more, although if it was still there now I doubt it would have brought that current mess of a park together at all.

Do you have any Disney confessions?

xox

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Counter Service Meals | Vegan in Disneyland Paris

One of the things I was most concerned about with being a Vegan at Disneyland Paris was the counter/quick service options. With table service it's easy enough to get something replaced or substituted, but most counter service meals are pre-made/made in bulk so it's harder to swap and change things. Luckily, I did manage to find some options that were meat, dairy and egg free. This, combined with some sit down meals, kept me well fed during my trip, although i would recommend taking some snacks for the hotel room/on the go munching.

Breakfast at Sequoia Lodge

The continental breakfast at Disney hotels, while very pastry and cold meat/cheese based, do offer quite a few vegan options. I did ask a cast member if any of the products I had contained any dairy/eggs, just incase, so as far as I am aware these items from the breakfast buffet are vegan. I pretty much got the same things everyday which included Frosties (frosties in europe are vegan friendly unlike their US counterparts), toast with jam and breadrolls dipped in chopped tomatoes that I used the microwave to heat up. I was also over the moon that soya milk is available so took advantage of stuffing myself full of cereal. There is also whole fruit and a fruit cocktail available, but the latter I wasn't a fan of as it tasted really bitter.

Earl of Sandwich 

 

Earl of Sandwich has always been one of my absolute favorite places to eat at Disney, usually opting for the Caprese (€6.95). I had heard that they can substitute items in their sandwiches so off we trotted, keeping my fingers crossed that my obsession with EOS wouldn't come to a devastating end. When reaching the order point I asked the lady if I could substitute the mozzarella cheese in the caprese for avocado, to which she replied "are you a vegan?" Wait what... someone who knows what a Vegan is? Oh praise Walt! She then proceeded to ask the manager if i could get the avocado at no extra cost as i wasn't having cheese (usually its extra), to which they agreed. The lady then told me that she was becoming a Vegan herself and that the rest of the sandwich is suitable. Needless to say by this point I was beaming. We power walked back to the hotel and I devoured my sandwich, which I do have to say, was absolutely amazing. I need another one in my life asap! 

Bella Notte 

Bella Norte is probably one of the only counter service locations in Disneyland Paris that has a Vegan meal already on the menu, that isn't salad or chips. The Rigatoni Napolitana (€8.99) is pretty much a pasta with tomato sauce, but its delicious! Simply yet satisfying. I had it twice during the trip, once as a meal (€11.99) with the side salad (the dressing for that is also vegan, having a white bean base for the light colouring). There is also a vegetarian salad that's vegan which my friend had and said its very good.

Market House Deli

Before I went to Disneyland Paris I read on a blog that the Bagnat aux légumes grillés (€6) served at Market House Deli had recently become Vegan friendly. It used to be made with pesto which contained dairy, but has since been replaced by an aubergine paste. The sandwich contains a medley of roasted vegetables and rocket, which combined with the paste makes a tasty lunch option. I'm not a big fan of wholemeal breads and seeds, but the filling sure made up for that.  I would double check that it isn't made with pesto in future, as recipes can change, i asked the lady on the till and she confirmed there was no pesto in it.

Snacks

 

 

I didn't have many snacks during this trip, mostly just devouring bucket loads of tea to counteract the cold weather. One evening I did treat myself to a bucket of popcorn, which the vendor said was made with popcorn kernels, sugar and vegetable oil. The popcorn in Walt Disney World is made this way and is suitable for vegans (I used to work on the popcorn stands in Magic Kingdom), so I'm pretty confident that Disneyland Paris follows suit. I also had a soya milk hot chocolate from Starbucks on the walk back to the hotel once or twice. There are also chips/fries available from most counter service locations which are great for a light lunch or for when you are feeling just a bit peckish, just ask to make sure they aren't cooked with the meat.

I do suggest you make your own enquiries when visiting Disneyland Paris, as recipes can change and language barriers can mean the wrong information is given. There isn't a massive selection of Vegan food as compared with the American parks, but it's a start and I hope in the future they will provide a lot more options for those with specific dietary requirements. Just know that you're not going to starve and that i would recommend doing your research before a visit.

xox

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