Category Archives: Disney at Home

Pinterest Can Ruin Your Disney Vacation

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RM-Lisa's-EyesCome closer and look deep into my eyes.  I know, in your heart, you’re trying your best to be the most awesome parent on earth.  You’re planning to take your family to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or on a Disney cruise.  You want this trip to be the most epic, happily remembered childhood event in the history of forever…so you turn to Pinterest for the best advice on how to make these parental dreams a reality.  CUT THAT OUT!!!

Pinterest Can Ruin Your Disney Vacation

RM-Pinterest-IconI’m well acquainted with the perils of Pinterest and I’ve been virtually hypnotized by all the things there for hours on end.  I love pinning recipes, crafts, home projects, fashion, hairstyles, and Disney stuff…lots of Disney stuff.  See, here’s the thing.  It’s like there are stages of Pinterest obsession.  First, I search and start browsing pins.  Man! Some folks are so incredibly creative!  Next I start getting excited by all the ideas – whoa!  The ideas!  Countdown calendars, party favors, tie-dyed tee shirts, painted shoes, hand printed invitations, Disney resort room decorations – what wonders!  Then I’m making shopping lists for supplies and envisioning the loving, delighted expressions on my family’s faces as I ultimately unveil the finished products.  Then?  After much time and money has been invested…I may end up with crushing disappointment.  Not always, but sometimes, and I’ve learned from my mistakes.  I’ll share these valuable Pinterest lessons with you now.RM-Pinterest-Profile

Get Pin-spired.  It’s often not feasible to exactly duplicate an idea I find.  My best bet is to have a general vision of what I’m going after before I begin my Pinterest search.  Then I can look at the big picture, if you will, and see how other people did similar projects.  I’ll alter, scale back, adjust as necessary – it’s actually better if I get a general idea and don’t try to precisely reproduce what I find.  As a source of inspiration, Pinterest is fantastic!

Be Realistic.  Seriously, this one’s important.  Some perfectly lovely ideas are too expensive, too time consuming, and require artistic ability I do not possess.  Accept your limitations and respect your resources.RM-Pinterest-Disney-Pinboard

Remain Guilt-Free.  If Pinterest starts to make me feel guilty over what I’m NOT able (or willing) to do for my family, it’s time to step away from the computer.  I have a full-time job and demanding (but rewarding) hobbies.  I have children who, while grown, still take up a lot of my time – and I love every minute we get to spend together.  I have the most understanding husband in the world and the best furry friend a person could ask for –  they all deserve the best me I have to offer.  Not a stressed out, guilt-ridden, exhausted mom or wife who takes on more than she can handle by attempting complicated and expensive craft projects because those other moms and wives (I’ve never even met!) seem to effortlessly provide such wonders to their own families.  Get over it.RM-Mardi-Gras-Door

What Your Family Doesn’t Know Can’t Hurt You.  I’m positive my family is not searching Pinterest so they can see what I’m NOT doing.  They’re not looking for projects to suggest to me.  They’re certainly unaware of the extra-fancy, extravagant Disney-themed vacation crafts we won’t be enjoying on our next adventure.  Let it go…nobody will notice.

I’ve preached it before and I’ll keep repeating it – YOU are enough.  Bring your A-game of living in the moment while being relaxed and happy and present for your family on your next Disney vacation.  That’s what we want them to remember.  Fancy countdown calendars and DIY matching tee-shirts do not make or break a trip.  I promise.

Check out these Pinterest fails for a good laugh.  And, for the love of all that is holy, do not attempt homemade cake-pops!!!  Trust me on this one.  And thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Pixie-Dusted Wedding

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DSCN3331When our Daughter, Megan, announced her engagement to her fiancé, Grant, last August, our first thought was a Disney World Wedding (of course)!  Once we considered the distance from our home in Louisiana and how many members of our large group of friends and family wouldn’t be able to make the trip, we reconsidered our plans.  We decided on a ceremony closer to home and a Disney World honeymoon.  The wedding would certainly not be without a few nods to Megan’s (and her family’s) passion for all things Disney.

Pixie-Dusted Wedding

Megan’s friends know her well.  Those that grew up with her will remember the Disney Halloween costumes, Disney clothing, posters, PJs, and Disney movie marathons.  New friends will have learned early on how much Megan’s love for Disney has become a part of who she is.  When Meg’s friends, Madison and Emily, planned Megan’s bridal shower, they embraced her #DisneySide in a very special way –  A Sunday brunch with lovely, creative, and sweet Disney details!  Shower-Cupcake-Table Cinderella-SilhouetteThere were Disney princess silhouettes (hand-painted by Madison) displayed all around the room and when the time came for Megan to open her gifts, a beautiful pair of white lace Minnie ears, complete with crown and veil, were waiting.  Wedding-Shower Shower-Gift-OpeningEven the gifts held a bit of Disney magic, as Megan’s Aunt Rosie gave the couple custom-printed Disney shirts for their honeymoon.Disney-Honeymoon-Attire

Pixie-Dusted Wedding

The wedding, at a gorgeous venue in Vicksburg, Mississippi, included plenty of Happily-Ever-After in the form of cake-topper, napkins, and treat bags.  055_DSC7016 (002)

 

Happily-Ever-After-NapkinsThe happy couple enjoyed toasts made in their honor by drinking from royal champagne flutes (another gift from Aunt Rosie).  Crown-FlutesEven the guestbook had a little Disney flair.  Be-our-Guest-BookThe shoes were inspired by Cinderella blue and the couple each tucked a Disney pin into their wedding attire.  Something-BlueMr.-and-Mrs.-Disney-Wedding-PinsIn small ways, Megan was able to make the wedding uniquely her own…and the results (and the bride herself) were amazing, if I do say so.Mid-Ceremony-MomentJust-Married

The newlyweds are spending their first week as husband and wife at Walt Disney World where, as expected, a few pixie-dusted surprises were waiting for them. Disney-Magic-Grand-Floridian Congratulations-from-Mickey-and-MinnieThey’ll be visiting all the parks, enjoying some excellent dining experiences and dressing up for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

As for me, I’ll be anxiously waiting to hear all about Megan and Grant’s first trip together to Disney World.  In the meantime, I’ll just finish off another piece of leftover wedding cake!

Wedding-Cake-Leftovers-at-Home

To me, the wedding seemed perfectly perfect in every way.  For those of you who live in the North Louisiana / Western Mississippi area and are curious about venue, vendors, or any other details, leave me a comment or email me:  Lisa@livingadisneylife.com

I’m in Shape! (If Rectangle Counts)

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IMG_0593Lately, I’ve been the least motivated to move than I have in the past 15 years.  I’ve found the living room sofa to be much more to my liking than at previous times in my life.  A fluffy, cuddly pooch, the remote control, social media friends via smart phone, those Lip Sync Battle YouTube videos – honestly, who can blame me for drifting dangerously close to full fledged Couch Potato status?

I blame stress, I blame exhaustion, I blame Junior (aforementioned cuddly pooch), and I blame Disney bloggers and podcast hosts for making my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds much too interesting to ignore.  Alas, I’m…a blob.  Or a block.  Yes, block would be most accurate.  My waistline’s expanded, my muscles have become un-toned, and, while I’m still running, it’s at a mighty leisurely pace I should probably classify as “mosey”.  Why am I telling you this?  Accountability.  I’ve got to do something other than make excuses (I’ve reached expert level!) and you guys will (hopefully) support me in my endeavor to get back on track!  I don’t need much, a bit of sympathy, camaraderie, encouragement maybe?Junior-on-my-shoulder

This has been the strangest year – full of both happy, exciting events and heartbreakingly sad ones…in unprecedented numbers!   The ups and downs have been a convenient way to keep from looking too closely at how I haven’t been focusing on healthy choices.  Physical activity and clean eating were once top of mind!  Justification for NOT exercising (as much) combined with increased indulgence in comfort foods has taken a toll!  I’m sluggish, heavy, and disappointed.  I deserve better than this.  From me.General Dis Pics 11.13 070

Many of you have been following along on my Disney adventures for almost two years.  You’ve regularly offered your insights on the various topics I’ve thrown out for discussion.  I’m hoping you’ll join me again now as I set out to meet some modest (but important) goals.  Should you be inclined to set some goals of your own, I promise to cheer you on!

Between now and November 15th…

  • I will lose 10 pounds (at least).
  • I will be trained and ready to run my 7th half marathon on November 15th.  (To prep for the Princess Half in February, 2016)
  • I will add 10 minutes (or more) of resistance training to my workouts.
  • I will run or bicycle no fewer than six days a week.

That’s it.  I’ll keep you posted.  If you decide to join me and want to share goals, swap progress reports, and be my fitness buddy, shout out to me over on Living a Disney Life’s Facebook page.  I hope to see you there!

 

Road to runDisney and Bulu Box

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***This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links.  I received a free Bulu Box in exchange for writing a review.***  That being said, the following is a completely honest review.

Bulu Box EndYou might have already noticed I’ve developed a passion for both runDisney events and subscription boxes.  Usually, where I’m concerned, the two are pretty much mutually exclusive.  I’m working toward my second Glass Slipper Challenge during the Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World in 2016 (February 20th & 21st).  Gaining optimum fitness and weight management are important goals for me.  I might have mentioned a time or two about how, once you reach a certain age, weight just seems to jump onto you – no matter how hard you try to eat right.  Not gonna lie – it sucks!

Enter the Bulu Box.  As a Fit Approach #SweatPink Ambassador, I get the chance to apply for a variety of sponsored post opportunities.  Due to my crazy busy life, I apply for very few, but recently the opportunity to review a Bulu Box arrived by email and I got excited!  I’ve not subscribed to any subscription boxes other than fashion/clothing boxes and the one for Junior’s dog treat obsession…but, the chance to receive a complimentary subscription box that promotes healthy living?  Perfect!!!  I didn’t even know such a thing existed.Bulu Box Contents

The beauty of the Bulu Box is that it’s a sample box that gives you the opportunity to try different healthy-lifestyle based products .  Why this is perfect for me (and my family) is that I don’t want to drop major money for a full-sized product without finding out if we like it first.  Have you seen how expensive a container of protein powder is?  What if it tastes horrible or is grainy-textured?  Money down the drain (literally).  What if that bargain box of protein bars at my local discount store are too sweet or taste like cardboard?  Again, waste of money!

So what was in my complimentary Bulu Box?  A wide variety of awesomeness!Quest Protein

  • TWO packets of protein powder to try (Quest Protein Powder Packets $54.99/30 servings, four flavors available).  I find certain protein shakes work very well at controlling my hunger.  This one sounds delicious.
  • A sample jar of anti-itch cream (Earth’s Care, $11.99 for 2.4 oz. full-sized product) is perfect for our household – the wasps, mosquitos, and red (a.k.a fire) ants are in full attack mode this time of year.Movit Energy Gummies
  • Long a fan of gummies for energy, especially while running, the sample package included in the Bulu Box of Movit Energy Gummies caused Raymond and I to have a mini-debate over who needed them most (full-size retail, $15.99, 60 calories per serving).mediterra bar
  • I was also stoked to find a nutrition bar that is savory instead of sweet!  Initially this sounded strange, but since I’m always outspoken about my lack of a sweet tooth, a savory bar seems custom-made for me!  They also come in sweet versions. (Mediterra Nutritional Bars, full-sized retail, $23.95/12 bars)Yerba Prima Drink Mix
  • Finally, a sample of fiber-filled, orange-flavored drink mix reminded me that I often don’t get enough fiber (I know, TMI) and might find such a  product helpful. (Yerba Prima Daily Fiber Formula, $14.64 for full-sized bottle).

Bulu Box’s online shop is the perfect place to pick up nutrition, fitness, and weight loss/management products.  The subscription box is a great way to try out different products at an economical, free of any commitment-to-full-sized-product-expense way to try an impressive array of products.  Have I purchased a subscription?  You bet I have.  One subscription box that allows our active family to try-before-we-buy a wide variety of healthy products?  Perfect!!!

Bottom Line:  Bulu Box subscriptions are for health-and-fitness-minded people who want to try before they buy!

If you’re interested in a Bulu Box subscription for your family, use the code SWEATPINK to receive 50% off a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription.  As a Bulu Box subscriber, “you’ll receive 4-5 vitamin, supplement and healthy snack samples to try.  Every sample in Bulu box is also available in full-size in the Bulu Box shop”.  (There’s also a rewards program for subscribers.)

I’m out of control with subscription boxes!  Which are your favorites?