Our Main Mouse just turned 90! And he celebrated in true original style.
So I figured I’d celebrate in some Mickey style too.
Hey Mickey, just calling to say you’re so fine, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.” – Walt Disney
Just because there were only 2 day park tickets in our package, it didn’t mean we were only going to limit ourselves to two days of Disney fun! Since we took a late flight home, we decided to make ample use of our last day.
I made three sets of outfits for the three Disney resorts in Hong Kong Disneyland. Because by golly we were going to hang out in all of them!
When I made the itinerary for this trip, I took outfits into account because, well because that’s just who I am. I love dressing people up, and I love taking pictures of the clothes I’ve made and the outfits I’ve put together.
So if Day 1 was meant for rides, parades, and exploring every inch of the park, Day 2 was meant for Disneybounding, watching shows, and picture taking. And well, that’s exactly what we did.
Back in January, as I turned the big 3-0, I decided to do something a little different for my birthday. Since my debut, I had always done two things: a family gathering, and a themed party for friends. I had been throwing themed parties for 12 years, and I knew that it was time for a change. That and the fact that I practically do these parties for a living made me decide to skip the party this year, stick to the traditional family gathering, and go on a trip with my two best girls instead.
And if you know me well – or hey, if you know me even just a little, you know I’d choose to celebrate in the Happiest Place on Earth.
And let me tell you, that was the Best. Decision. Ever.
It’s International Women’s Day!
And after watching the Academy Awards, and well, all that’s been happening with the world lately, I remembered this little piece I wrote for Portkey Events when we first started. Two years later, and this is still exactly what I want to say. Here’s to every woman in the world. Be strong. Be you.
Hermione wasn’t bossy. She was strong, and smart, and unafraid to stand up for what was right. Luna wasn’t weird. She was insightful, and loving, and brave. Ginny wasn’t weak. She was fearless, and clever, and kind.
These were the women we looked up to growing up. These were the women who taught us that being a woman does not, and should never limit you to what society dictates. A woman can be strong without being bossy, a woman can be quiet and insightful without being weird, a woman can be kind without being weak, and a woman can be herself without being less than a man.
Here’s my beef with the new Disney movies coming out today – or at least with the people who say that “for once Disney is doing things right”. Sure Frozen was fun, Maleficent was… well Angelina Jolie did a good evil laugh, and Moana was powerful. But what’s the deal calling the old Princesses weak and pathetic? What’s weak about femininity, gentleness, and kindness?
Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly,
Lavender’s green
Obviously we get the “You can’t marry someone you met in a day” joke, but that’s why it’s called a fairytale. I don’t agree with this new lesson people want to teach their kids now, that the only way to be a strong person is to not need a man and to be outspoken and different. While those are all wonderful qualities and traits to have, and while I agree with all of them, there is also strength in choosing your battles, trying to see the very best in people, and quietly keeping your head high when times get tough. Disney of old still has some wonderful and beautiful things to say. Why can’t we listen to them too?
Belle is my favorite Princess for very obvious reasons. I relate with the fact that:
“A Beauty but a Funny Girl”
As a little girl, I grew up thinking that I was a Princess. Not because I had everything, but because my parents always taught me to believe that I could be anything. And because I was a typical little girl, what I wanted to be was a Disney Princess. Eventually, I wanted to be a Gryffindor. Then a Rivendell Elf. Then a Rebel Pilot. And with every book I picked up and every movie I watched, I wanted to be something different. And through those stories, I did exactly what my parents said I could do. I went on grand adventures, and I became everything that I wanted to be.
Another year has come to a close. Another year to be thankful for. Another crazy, beautiful, wonderful year where so much has happened, I can hardly believe it all fit in 365 days. Like every year, there were many ups and downs – mostly ups. People who left, people who came, and of course, people who stayed. Things that went perfectly, things that didn’t quite turn out as planned, and things that ended up being some of the best surprises I’ve ever received. So here I am again at the last hours of the year, looking back at the gift that was 2017, and looking onward with excitement at what 2018 holds.
Thank you to everyone who was a part of this incredible year. I’ve got some special mentions down below, but I’m sending this message out to everyone. If you gave even just a second of your time to the 525,600 minutes of my 2017, I am thankful for you.
If you’re staying for the ride, buckle your seatbelts because I already know 2018 will be quite the adventure.
2017
Since I’m heading to Hong Kong Disneyland in about 10 days time, I figured I’d show you what I take with me inside the Disney Parks. This doesn’t really change regardless of which park I go to, as I pretty much have my Disney routine down pat.
On my last post, someone asked me what kind of bag is the most practical choice for Disneyland. For me, it’s a crossbody. I don’t really like taking backpacks because you need to swing it in front of you every time you need to get something, and I sweat more when I have something stuck to my back all day. With a crossbody, you can choose to make it hands free, when you’re tired you can switch shoulders, or carry it on the crook of your arm or in your hands. Now depending on what I’m going to do for that particular day, I bring different sized bags.
For a ride day, where my only goal for the day is to finish all the attractions on my list, I bring a bag like this:
Loungefly
I love this. It’s a pretty decent sized barrel bag, and it’s enough to carry all my essentials without getting a locker. It’s quite sturdy as well so I know that it can survive a good long day inside the parks. Plus it’s Mickey Mouse. Need I say more?
Katsie Llave 