Update on Everything to Come

 
I've let this little baby of a blog just sit here gathering dust. I think about it every day (being a BIG Disney fan, it's practically impossible not to.)Every single day of my life I am either doing something Disney related (like collecting Disney Infinity characters, scouring thrift stores for vintage Disney, or slipping Disney park recipes into our weekly menu.) What it comes down to (aside from my over use of parenthesis)is that every day that I am not at Disneyland, I am trying to grab some of that magic I've felt there, some of the magic my kids experience, and bring it into my life! Our lives are FULL FULL FULL of work, and traffic, and bills, and stress, and smog, and politics... WHY NOT try to bring some magic to our homes so they resemble "the happiest place on earth"? I want to come home from a crazy day out in the world, slip into cozy mickey pjs, mix up a mint julep, turn on some Silly Symphonies, and then fall sleep in my Enchanted Tiki Room themed bedroom listening to (fake) distant thunder and rain under a bamboo roof.

   Am I crazy? Delusional? Disney fans probably don't think so. That's right... you all know what I'm talking about... you know that life feels at it's realest when we are enjoying it. At the very least, that's the life we want to experience. One where we can leave our troubles behind for a little bit, escaping to enchantment, imagination, and innovation. Probably putting everything into perspective so we can deal with real life with a new outlook.

   So what can you expect if you follow this blog? You're going to see ideas for putting Disney style magic into your life. We've developed a supplementary home school curriculum completely based on the different lands at Disneyland (why shouldn't school be fun?!) You'll see ideas for decorating and dressing Disney style. We'll post about our favorite artists and fans. There will be party ideas and our favorite recipes (we have a TON of parties planned this year including our 20th wedding anniversary Disney themed party!!! ooh I feel old.)

   And you can help us! Leave us comments if we're doing this right. Share photos with us if we're doing this right. Follow us on facebook. AND follow us on Pinterest AND  email us (link on the sidebar). Have a Magical Day!!!

Disney Inspired Decorating ~ Children's Peter Pan Bedrooms

Even though we still are working on the Blue Bayou and Tiki Room bedrooms in our house, I started to daydream about a Neverland themed rooms. There are at least 3 very distinct directions one could take that decorating: Tinkerbell, Lost Boys, and Pirate.

My idea board for the Tinkerbell room is definitely feminine but change the colors and add more rustic items (like tree stump end tables or stone looking bean bag chairs) and you can create something, well, less pink.

Essentially you can have start with a very simple bedroom and color palette. You'll simply be adding a few specific details. Silk flowers in a pretty vase or garlands draped across a window will bring the floral garden feel to the room. Add a lantern or two similar to the one in which Captain Hook kept Tinkerbell captive. light them with battery operated candles for darling nightlights. The Believe in Magic Pillow, Tinkerbell figurine, and Tinkerbell playset are all available right now on the Disney Store website. The Knappa flower light pendant is sold at Ikea.

For my Lost Boys room I combined rustic wood furniture (reminiscent of their tree home), Native American tapestries (paying homage to their comrades in the war against Hook), and nautical details (things they may have found or swiped from the island's pirates. There are a few Neverland maps available for sale on the internet that would be a magical addition to this room. Be sure to add animals into the design as well since our Disney boys are dressed as them... perhaps wolf drawer handles, an owl lamp, a faux bear skin rug. Hooks Battle Lair Playset is available at the Disney Store. There's a neat Neverland Map available on Etsy.

My favorite pirate themed room at the moment is not one I designed, but the one that can be found at Disneyland's Innoventions Dream Home. This children's room features a projector screen sail for movie watching, a cannon that shoots virtual cannon balls, and a pirate ship shaped bed. The window coverings which are dark blue with small holes punched all over, create a starry night sky any time of day. We're going to use this idea in our Blue Bayou bedroom. When you book your next trip to Disneyland, you have got to stop and see it!

Monster's University Diz Kid Review

Miss E (5 years old): So, when he was little it was really cool and then it was really sad, and then it was REALLY HAPPY and sad. My favorite monster was the girl with the purple tail hair.

Miss B (9 years old): I love it. I liked it all. 

Mr. T (11 years old): It was a really great movie about friendship, I mean Mike and Sully weren't friends at the beginning, but they started to get to know each other and they became really good friends. My favorite part was when they worked together to scare adults.

Miss C (17 year old Disney fan): Um, ok, uh... I liked the part when, um, Mike and Sully were talking on the bank of a lake, I liked how at that point Mike and Sully finally saw "eye" to eyes. This was when they really became friends. I think it was awesome how Pixar/Disney showing two of our favorite characters going to college, and like Toy Story 3, these characters are going to college at the same time many of their original fans are doing the same.

Mom thinks: Being married to one of the biggest nerds there is, I can't tell you how many times I have seen Star Wars...dozens maybe??? The thing about Star Wars (for me anyway) is that I could watch it again and again and still feel like I am hearing at least parts of the story for the first time. I figure this is because the story and dialogue are so rich, the costuming and scenes are saturated with detail and creativity, and that the characters are entertaining and enticing to the viewer. Such is the Case with "Monsters University". Half way through the movie it occurred to me that so much had happened in Mike and Sullivan's months at college that I scarcely could remember all the details. Pixar does more than just tell you a simple story of their love/hate friendship; they weave visual details (and Easter eggs) and funny dialogue into a clever and intricate story line that keeps you and your little entertained. And the bonus of this? At least in our house, I foresee "Monsters University" being played repeatedly (once released to dvd/blue ray) without irking me into that "Haven't we watched this a dozen times?!" mood that happens so often with the annoying movies and shows that seem to dumb down my kids. 

"Monster's University" is a must see for the family. Any child that enjoyed "Monster's Inc." will have an instant liking for M.U. And it should be one the parents get a kick out of too! Be sure to get there for the previews. You'll see a humorous short from Disney's upcoming "Frozen" that will send your littles into a fit of giggles. "M.U." has the typical bonus short before the movie titled "The Blue Umbrella". The animation is remarkably realistic and the story is darling.

Disneyland Inspired Halloween Decorating Ideas (Le Bat en Rouge)

What better place to get Halloween decorating inspiration than from Disneyland's Le Bat en Rouge.

Essentially you want to make arrangements of objects that have a slightly sinister feel to them. You can purchase them new or hunt thrift stores, craigslist or your attic. Things to keep an eye open for are: old books, black bird cages, fake crows
black foliage, apothecary supplies, skulls and bones, interesting bottles, lanterns, velvety tapestry, metal goblets

I'd love to see pictures if you pull it together!

Adventureland Skulls

Found these gems in the hundreds of photos I took on our trip to Disneyland. Wish I had made a conscious effort to spot more skulls in the park to create a larger collage. If you make it to the park soon, there is a great big silver skull in Downtown Disney's Disney Store window (celebrating Pirates of the Caribbean)
I thought these would be great inspiration for Halloween decorating!

Monique Duke Photography

My husband and I met with Kim and Brad for dinner at Disney's new Trader Sam's Tiki Bar. We ate good food... talked about eating good food... let the boys talk some football... laughed... and enjoyed the magical ambiance. And if good food and company weren't enough, we did their photo session in Disneyland! Kind of a dream come true for me! Kim and Brad are now both on my top 10 list of favorite people in the world!!!

Will shoot for free in Disneyland... if you get me there and give me somewhere to sleep. For more of my photography, click here;)

On My Way to D23

On my way with Dis Fan Review's Admiral Duke to cover the D23 event and enjoy some time at the park.

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