Belle and Park

Once Upon A Cozy

Wish Upon Magic

Polka Dot Pixie Shop

My Oh My Supply Co

Disney + came out in November and ever since then, my life has been more magical. My Disney obsession has been in full force for quite a while and Disney+ really drove that feeling home. Now, more than ever, I feel drawn to Disney to give me something happy and fun to lose myself in.

I will be doing another post about Disney, my obsession, and the Disney products I've been loving. There are so many small shops out there who create the most beautiful Disney items and I just want to spread the love, because I've been spending so much money at them all!

For now, let's talk Disney+...



I had been counting down Disney + for months and when it finally launched, the first thing I watched was Peter Pan. I then proceeded to watch all of my favorite animated films and a lot of films I hadn't seen in a while like 101 Dalmatians and Alice in Wonderland.

There are also so many other movies on the service like every Disney Channel Original Movie under the sun, Star Wars and movies that I didn't realize would be available like The Parent Trap.

I know Disney is continuing to put new shows and movies on the platform but for me, I can watch the same shows and movies over and over because they are so nostalgic and comforting.

However, I do have my favorites and I need to talk about them!

Old Animated Classics 

These are the top dog for me and always will be. I love all the animated movies, my favorites being Peter Pan, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Aristocats, and Alice in Wonderland. However, I love getting to revisit anything I might've missed as a kid or even adult, like The Princess and the Frog or Zootopia, both of which are incredible! It's nice to escape and relive the beauty of childhood.

Waking Sleeping Beauty

This is a hidden gem in my opinion. While everyone is talking about The Imagineering Story, I much preferred Waking Sleeping  Beauty. It was a docu-series centered around the animation process and the Disney Reinassance where animators came back as stars. As I'm writing this, I googled the doc and didn't realize it wasn't a Disney + Original. It came out in 2009! It was a real delight to watch and made me appreciate all the magic behind the scenes.

DCOMs

As mentioned earlier, I love that all the DCOMs are available for streaming. I was the DCOM queen when I was younger and never missed one! Friday nights, 8 PM, you could find me in front of the television watching the latest and greatest. The first one I watched on Disney + was Double Teamed because that was my favorite one growing up and after all these years, it still made me insanely happy.

Disney Fairytale Weddings

Going through a breakup, you would think I wouldn't want to watch wedding-related content and that was the old me. I hated watching anything related to weddings because it made me sad but this time around, I'm not letting a broken heart get in the way of the things I enjoy. I watched a few episodes of Disney Fairytale weddings and fell in love. Like, can I get married at Disneyworld? It was some of the most magical content I have ever consumed. I cried like a baby watching it. If you love love, you need to tune in.


These are just a few favorites but there is so much more to explore on Disney +! What are you watching?

xoxo
B

If you haven't gotten the idea, March 2020 has been one of the worst months of my entire life. I didn't think March 2016 (the year my dad died) could be beaten but this is a close one. I got dumped, totally blindsided by the end of a relationship I thought was beautiful and strong. Then, the entire world decided to explode.

I think I'm speaking for a lot of people who would say this month is the worst we've had in a while. I mean, the world truly feels like it's ending and I keep expecting Katiness Everdeen to appear on my screen. All jokes aside, it's a really scary time in the world and I'm very fortunate to have a job, a healthy family, a roof over my head, and a creative outlet to help keep me occupied.

I said recently that I was having a hard time with the quarantine but the past few days haven't been so bad. I've been talking to my friends more, organizing and cleaning, working out -- a little routine really does make all the difference. Another change I made was to be a little more mindful of what I was eating. For the past two weeks I kind of have been all over the place in terms of a diet but the past few days, I've started tracking my Weight Watchers points again and I think that has helped level out my anxiety a bit.

It's all a struggle, truthfully. We are all in the same boat and in theory, that does help me feel a little better. I hope you are all staying safe, staying indoors, and staying healthy. As always, I'm here if you need to talk.

On a lighter note, I've loved a lot of things this month and I'm excited to share them with you!

The highlight of the month was being asked to be a bridesmaid for my BFF since I was 5 years old. She gifted us astrology themed items, like in the photo above!

Skyn Iceland Hydrogel Eye Patches

These eye gels are no stranger to the blog. They have been my favorite under-eye patches for years! I've tried other types and while they are good, nothing compares to Skyn Iceland. They are a bit expensive: $30 for 8 patches, which is why I buy them whenever they are on sale. I now put these eye masks in my skincare fridge and use them in the morning as I'm getting settled at my desk. They make my entire face feel awake and help with any puffiness (I've been crying a lot and not sleeping so these have been a lifesaver). The difference between Skyn Iceland and other brands is that they are formulated for stressed skin, and they are a little thicker than other brands. They aren't gel and aren't overly soaked with product, so they actually stay on your face without slipping and sliding all over the place. They are a true game-changer and my go-to product.

Roku Express Streaming Stick

I'm not sure if I mentioned this previously but back in November, I purchased a Roku Streaming Stick to turn my very old television into a smart TV. I wanted it primarily for Disney + but it has so many more capabilities, like Prime Video & Hulu. In times like these, it's been heaven sent! I love that I can lounge in my bed and watch pretty much everything and anything without having to go into the living room where our Smart TV is. I love mine so much I bought one for my mom to use in her room; she's been really into Netflix shows and wanted to watch Hulu & Prime as well so it's good for her while we're all stuck at home. It's very easy to hook up, easy to navigate and it was $30, which is the best part.

A to Z Mickey Bracelet

The one thing making me incredibly happy right now is all things, Disney. You know that I've had my moments with a Disney obsession but right now, I am fully in the midst of it. One of my favorite Disney themed pieces I picked up during the month was this gorgeous, handmade bracelet from the small shop, Shop A to Z. The bracelet I have is called the Zoe bracelet, and it' has gold filled beads and a small, pink Mickey/Minnie head. It's super well made, adorable, and adds the touch of magic to any bracelet stack. The shop is run by my favorite Disney influencer, Zoe, and her style is truly everything.

Touchland Hand Sanitizer

This is a no brainer this month but I actually purchased this in February, before we knew what exactly was going to happen. Well, it's been a lifesaver and it's pretty dam adorable. I've been meaning to buy a Touchland sanitizer for a while because of it's aesthetic, the scents, and the spray feature. I have always loved the idea of a spray sanitizer and this lives up to the hype. It's a little bigger than your average bottle of sanitizer but it's thin so it fits most places. It's easy to use on the go and I think that's what I love the most. It also blends seamlessly right into your hands so you don't have any wet residue left over. Keep an eye on their website & Ulta for when it comes back in stock.

I hope you all have a wonderful, safe day! 
xoxo
B

This is a very late post but last week was rough and the weekend was even weirder. While there were really special moments over the weekend, like wedding dress shopping for my best friend and a baby shower for my new cousin, I was anxious and slept a lot. Therefore, got nothing productive done.

Over the course of 36 hours, I napped for about 8 of them, outside of regular sleep. That's why my favorites post is a few days late...

None of these items were purchased this month but I used them so much; the beauty items have made a huge difference in my skin and the other items make me incredibly happy.

Let's get into them...

Summer Fridays CC Serum

I've been in the market for a Vitamin C serum for years now but felt like nothing really fit what I was looking for, that is until Summer Fridays released theirs. I love everything Summer Fridays puts out so I was super pumped about a vitamin C serum. I've been using it pretty consistently over the past few months and have noticed a major difference in my skin. My dark spots are lighter, the texture is pretty much gone and my skin does look a little brighter. I really wanted it to even out my skin tone and it has succeeded at doing that, without any weird reactions. It's a must-have in my routine now.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

To go right along with my CC Serum, my other favorite beauty product of the month are the FAB Facial Radiance Pads. I only have a sample of them and don't use them as religiously as I would like but wow, do they make a difference. When my skin is breaking out or texture is just too much to handle, one swipe of these across my face and my issues are gone. They're soaked in lactic and glycolic acid which helps exfoliate, tone, and brighten so pretty much are a miracle worker. If you're having any sort of skin issue, I highly recommend these pads as I think they will change everything.

The Five Minute Journal App

At the beginning of the year, I wanted to find a way to reflect every day. While I try to use a physical journal a few times a week, I thought a gratitude app or something similar would help me get more into the habit of daily journaling. I don't know where I heard of this app but I have become obsessed with it. The Five Minute Journal App allows you to reflect daily, both in the morning and night. In the morning, you write out what three things you're grateful for, how you will make the day great, and a daily affirmation. For the night journal, you say three amazing things that happened, and how you could've made that day better. You also are able to add a photo and you get daily inspirational quote prompts. It's just the best way for me to take a few moments in the morning and night and reflect on what I experienced and will experience.

Disney Lenox Figurines

This is a very specific type of gift guide but I thought it was so fun! Disney is having a major moment for adults. There are more Disney bloggers and Instagram accounts than ever; so many Disney collections being released by various brands from Besame to Colourpop and Disney clothing is present in every major retailer from Coach to ASOS and Zara. Plus, don't get me started on Disney+.

I've always been a Disney fan and ever since going to the parks two years ago for the first time as an adult, my love has been turned up a notch. When I discovered an entire online community of Disney lovers, I was over the moon. Some people take their Disney seriously and I'm obsessed.

With the launch of Disney + I think more people are getting in touch with their inner child and appreciating the art that went into our favorite movies. I think it's a great time to be a Disney fan; with everything going on in the world we could just a little comfort and nostalgia.

That being said, if you know someone in your life who went to see Frozen 2 in theaters, took off the day Disney+ went live, and has a trip planned to the parks, this is the gift guide for them.

Danielle Nicole Cinderella Clocktower Handbag | Besame Cosmetics Sleeping Beauty Royal Vanity Mirror Mickey Mouse Initial Necklace | Le Creuset Disney Ramekins | Disney Princess Floral Sweatshirt Colourpop Midnight Masquerade Palette | Cinderella Sweatshirt

Last year I discovered a handbag company that is super unique and fun -- Danielle Nicole Handbags.

I don't know how I came across the brand but when I did, I fell in love.

Basically, it's a chic, Disney handbag company. Danielle Nicole is a real person and she started this handbag line after working and producing leather goods for Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and other high-end retailers.

That's the good thing about her company: she has actual, really pretty leather goods in addition to the fun Disney items.

Danielle Nicole has a licensing agreement with Disney to produce these handbags and accessories with our favorite Disney characters, so everything is legit and realistic.

Now, you're probably thinking where you would wear a Tinkerbell crossbody and yes, sometimes I have that thought too but at the same time, fashion is all about expressing yourself and being fun so if you want to show your Disney pride, go right ahead.

Not to be judgemental but there are plenty of people out there who wear what they want without a second guess so why can't you? Why can't I?

I am obsessed with Disney; it is such a big part of my life and makes me so happy so to have something so beautiful that represents Disney and is my favorite character is awesome. To know there is a company that loves Disney as much as I do is pretty cool.



I got my first piece of Danielle Nicole last year before I went to Disney on a work trip. I knew I wanted a fun Disney piece to take with me, but I also wanted something practical. That's why I went with the Mila backpack.

It's this adorable, white leather mini bag that came with Beauty and the Beast patches to stick on and add some Disney flair.

The great thing about the tote was that if you want to change the patches, you could really add whatever you wanted to the bag. You could also just leave it blank and not have any patches.

It was the perfect, small size to carry everything I needed around the park and also was comfortable to wear on my back.




When I came home I had the Disney itch so I bought a Sleeping Beauty PVC (which is now very in style) clutch. The outside doesn't have any Disney and the inside has the Sleeping Beauty design so once again, it's practical to use whether you want Disney or not.

Everything is really good quality and she even has jewelry exclusive to the Disney store. And like I said if Disney isn't your thing you could get a regular leather good from her.

Over the past year, Danielle Nicole expanded into Rugrats, Looney Toones, and Harry Potter items and they're all pretty awesome. I haven't bought anything from these collections yet but I do want too.

I have an obsession with this company and I love that it's created by a woman -- I love a good woman created company.

Below are a few other pieces I have my eye on!


*You can find Danielle Nicole on her website, HSN, and the Disney Store!

Have you tried anything from Danielle Nicole? Would you rock a Disney bag in a place other than Disneyworld?

xoxo
B

Hello there! I'm back in New York after a long winded week in Florida. I was there for a special Ulta Beauty conference but it was an extended trip because we had an event at a local Orlando Ulta on Friday May 5th, otherwise I would've been home Wednesday night.

I do really like traveling and I'm happy to have a job that allows me to do that. Yes, the only places I really have been are to QVC in Pennsylvania and Florida, it's still a great experience. I've never flown alone before starting my job and it's definitely something that made me anxious the first time. Now I feel like an old pro and I throughly enjoy traveling alone. There's no one holding you up in the airport and you can go at your own pace, plus it's nice to just have some quiet alone time. I also feel super fancy walking through the airport alone, like I'm important enough to be by myself (does that make sense)




Anyways, it was a great trip with lots of laughs and lots of business. I got there Tuesday afternoon and jumped right into some work, with Wednesday being the day of the conference. Friday was another day filled with work but Thursday was my favorite because we got to go to Disneyworld.

I was really exhausted after my flight on Tuesday (it took off at 8 AM) and I don't think that I ever recovered. I was really tired the entire trip and as I write this on Sunday, I still don't feel completely back together. I'm very sensitive to everything from travel to the weather so anything will disrupt my routine/being. It was very taxing on me to be so tired for the entire trip but I took some naps and powered through.

We stayed at the Wyndam Orlando Resort and it was really nice. The hotel wasn't too crowded and I really liked that there was a bunch of hotel buildings instead of just one. It felt very tropical. I didn't sit by the pool at all but it was a nice pool. The food was also delicious even though I only ate at this hotel twice.




The weather in Florida was spectactular. It wasn't too hot or humid, even at Disney -- I was so pleased with this.

The trip in general was great, my flights were good for the most part (I got way motion sickness on both and both flights were delayed)

I got my makeup down by one of our artists @ the conference

Now, let's talk about Disney. I haven't been to Disneyworld since I was 14 years old so 10 years later, I was so excited! I got my Disney backpack from Danielle Nicole Handbags at Macy's and it was the perfect little bag to bring to an amusement park, and the fact that it's so festive is just a plus! It was comfortable on my back the entire time and fit so much... it's very deceiving in size!



The day was perfect; sunny with some clouds but not too hot or humid. We only went to the Magic Kindgom but in my mind, that's all you need if you want to experience Disney.









We went on a handful of rides: Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Speedway, Winnie the Pooh, the Tea Cups, and the Runaway Train. I really wanted to go on Peter Pan's Flight because it's my favorite but there just wasn't enough time in the day. We finished dinner at Tony's (the Lady and the Tramp inspired restuarant) we were going to go on It's a Small World, the Haunted Mansion, and Peter Pan's Flight but we wanted to shop and see the fireworks show, and there just wasn't enough time.

I was so tired at this point I didn't even care.

We got some Disney treats like Mickey Mouse icecream, ate lunch in Tomorrowland, and shopped down Main Street. I got a Cinderella ring, Mickey Mouse Birthstone studs, a Neverland shot glass, a Chip (Beauty & The Beast) mug, and a magnet. I went a little crazy but I was feeling the Disney magic.

Like I said, I haven't been to Disney in so long and going as an adult is something I highly recommend. Go without kids, go with a small group... I now understand why people go on Bachelorlette parties and Honeymoons -- it's so incredibly magical to be in Disney. You transform into a child with child like wonder and it made me so happy. I honestly cannot remember the last time I felt so light, worry free, and happy.

I've always been a Disney kid and I'm currently watching Aladdin; I love the message of all the Disney films and just the wonder that it brings to my life. It reminds me of a simple time when you had nothing to worry about and you were a child with not a care in the world. Being in Disney was so great and I could cry thinking about it.





I actually did cry at Disney; when I turned down mainstreet and saw Cinderella's castle, and during the fireworks show. The show is called "Wishes" and is based around all the 'wishes' made in Disney movies. At one point during the  show a voiceover of all the time wishes are mentioned in Disney movies such as "Genie, I wish for your freedom!", "I wish I could never grow up!" "I wish I was a real boy" and hearing that just sent me over the edge. I have never been so impressed with a firework show.

This is also going to be replaced with a new show on May 12th called "Happily Ever After" which I'll be excited to see next time I go... which I will be going; I want to go every single year!

So that is my little recap -- I hope it wasn't too boring or long but I just wanted to share the trip with you all!

xoxo
B
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I am by no means a traveling expert because I haven't been a ton of places. But, recently, I've been traveling more for work; whether it's a weekend trip or a longer period of time, I can pack accordingly. *I did this post back at the beginning of 2016 on how I pack for a weekend work trip

As you read this, I'm in Florida for my annual work trip for an Ulta Conference and I spent the weekend packing my life away. I'll be gone 4 nights & 5 days so I brought more stuff than usual and checked a suitcase.

I have a lot of new travel accessories that made packing a lot easier and I wanted to share how I packed this time around.

What I used:

• Target x DesignLoveFest suitcase
• Henri Bendel Makeup Brush Holder
• Henri Bendel x Megan Hess Jewelry Case
• Kate Spade Makeup Train Case
• Kate Spade Travel Wallet
• Henri Bendel Pill Box
• Lilly Pulitzer Wash & Wear Bags *similar Henri Bendel here*
• Various makeup bags

So, I start by rolling my clothes* and putting them on the bottom of my suitcase. The Target suitcase is super roomy, very lightweight, and comes with multiple compartments to help pack efficiently. It even came with a little extra bag that I assume would be used for laundry but I used it to put two pairs of shoes in.

*Rolling your clothes is best to maximize space and it works out really well for me.

After all my clothes are laid out, I stack on top. I'm not that concerned with my clothes being wrinkled, I can't remember the last time I ironed my clothes.

In the Lilly Pulitzer bags, I put my underwear, socks, and bras so that goes on top. I also had a pair of new, unworn shoes that I stuck in a corner.





I added two extra bags that I wanted to bring with me, my Gigi New York Clutch & my Mila mini backpack from Danielle Nicole.  If you really wanted too, you could pack things inside these bags to free up some extra space.

In one of the slip pockets on the side of the suitcase, I put two delicate, fancy shirts that I may not want to touch anything else.

I added my skincare bag on top of everything and will add my makeup brushes and jewelry case.





My carry on is going to be my Louis Vuitton Keepall 45; in there I'll keep a pair of flip-flops, possibly my makeup bag, a book, laptop, iPad, chargers, hat, sunglasses, etc. Anything I may need the moment I get off the plane, when I'm waiting in the airport, or on the plane will go in there. If you don't have anything over the liquid limit according to skincare, this would also be a good place to keep it.

In addition to the carry on, I'll bring my NEW Kate Spade bag as a handbag where I'll keep headphones, my cell phone, wallet, etc.




A few tips to stay organized: 

• Make a list of what you know you'll need to pack
• Write out what you will be doing each day you're away so you know what kind of outfit to bring
• Enlist the help of travel accessories to pack things in; don't just throw jewelry, socks, underwear, chargers, etc into a bag.