June/July: Books I've Read

This month I decided to join June and July's post together just because in July I read the first book on the list with in two weeks but then ended up reading two books around the same time which carried on in to July so it just made more sense to collaborate both months.

From Notting Hill To New York Actually by Ali McNamara

My friend brought me the first and second book from this series for my birthday absolutely ages ago and after a few years I finally managed to read the first book last year and it was amazing so I'm not to sure why its taken me this long to read the second.

After finishing my May book I picked this one up on the bank holiday and plough through half the book in two days which was an achievement for me in its self. What I love about this series is the characters, the drama and how this one girl can manage to get up to the most craziest things without even meaning to. After every chapter ends you just want to start reading the next because you NEED to know what happens like how she becomes friends with Bradley Cooper like come on!

From Notting Hill With Four Weddings Actually by Ali McNamara

So it didn't take me that long to make a start on the third book in the series now did it? This time I decided I would actually just get on and get reading it as I just had to see what happened after the most romantic proposal in the last book.

After finishing the last book in the series I just had to know whether or not there were going to be any more and after tweeting Ali McNamara she said there was nothing in the pipe line at the moment which was gutting but least she didn't rule it out.

I would love to see a fourth book in this series as I'm dying to know what happens next and whether they do end up having a baby in the end and just what random things Scarlet manages to get herself in to now!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Screen Play - JK Rowling

Finally gotten around to reading this after having it on my bookshelf since Christmas even though I have seen the film so many times I just had to pick this up and get it read as I'm trying to read as many of my books before I get my Kindle. 

It was such a quick read as well because its not your typical book as its a script from the film rather than an actual story which I quiet like although its taken me a while to get used to the style. Even though like I said I've seen the movie so many times I've really loved reading the script and all the illustrations are really nice and the cover is beautiful.


So you may be wondering why this month I read one of my books on a Kindle? Well my mum kindly lent me hers so I could give it a test run and see if I got on with it ok because I have always said I preferred reading an actual book but actually after reading on the Kindle I really liked it as its exactly like reading a book and its a lot more light weight and easier to hold.

Another reason why I wanted to convert is because I have been running out of book space on my shelf as well as the Kindle versions actually being a lot cheaper than buying the actual book. Plus when you go on holiday you can take as many books away with you as you like without having to take up to much room.

My mum has actually offered to get me a Kindle for my birthday in September which is amazing and will be such a good present rather than just having money so I've got 12 books to try and read between now and September which I probably wont be able to do but I will give it a go!

Review: July 2017 DokiDoki Boxie

So this is all very exciting, a new Japanese candy/snack subscription box for me to review this month but you may be wondering is there going to be the usual Tokyo Treat review? Sorry everyone but this month I'm afraid there won't be with the costs of these boxes being £25/£30 each I can't get more than one a month.

So you all must be wondering why I've changed boxes? and who DokiDoki Boxie is? Well the main reason I have decided to give another box ago is because since Tokyo Treat made some changes to they're box for the second anniversary I haven't been 100% convinced.

The first thing that I'm not 100% happy with is that they have replaced 2 to 3 of the bigger items for a pack of 5 smaller items which means we get more snacks in the box but if I am honest I would rather have the bigger snacks. Also they have changed the shape and size of the box although apparently its meant to be bigger it really doesn't look it and because of this I have found the snacks they are providing are of smaller size due to the box difference.

So WHO are DokiDoki Boxie?
Well DokiDoki were a Japanese candy and snack subscription service that provide monthly boxes all the way from Japan direct to you front door.

I said they were a subscription service not because they are no longer doing these boxes but because from the 1st of June they scrapped this and changed it so that you could just order one of the boxes when ever you felt like it rather than being tied down to a plan which I think is great. Instead when a new box is available they let anyone know who has brought one before that a new one is out via email.

Boxes:
Over at Doki Doki Boxie they offer two different boxes for you to choose from the Okashi Box which is snacks and candy and the Anime Box which includes a variety of Anime items.

The Okashi Box which is the one I've gone for comes in two different sizes;

Chibi Box: £20.39

• 15/16 Full Sized Japanese candy and snacks
• Free Shipping Worldwide with tracking number and insurance
• 1 Entry Ticket to Monthly DokiDoki Boxie Raffle
• Downloadable PDF of Snack Description Pamphlet
• Does not include Extra Premium Candy/Snack or Extra Anime/Game item option

Deka Box: £27.42

• 20/21 Full Sized Japanese candy and snacks
• Free Shipping Worldwide with tracking number and insurance
• 1 Entry Ticket to Monthly DokiDoki Boxie Raffle
• Downloadable PDF of Snack Description Pamphlet
• Extra Premium Candy/Snack or Extra Anime/Game item option

I decided to go for the Deka Box as this is a very similar cost to what I pay for my current Tokyo Treat subscription and its only a couple of pounds more. 

What I really liked about this box is that when you put through your order you have the option to choose a DIY kit or another snack which for me is perfect as if you have read my Tokyo Treat reviews you will see that I hated them so its nice to have the option to skip this. With both boxes you also get the option to choose which raffle you would like to be entered in to.

When ordering the Deka box you are also given the option to choose whether you would rather have a premium candy or snack, anime item or a kawaii item included which is another thing I am really pleased about as for me I would rather have the extra snack than an item that would not be any interest to me. 

Items Received:

So usually before I show you the items I have received I would post a photo of the pamphlet that is provided detailing whats inside but from the 1st of June DokiDoki Boxie decided to go paper free and send out a digital download instead which I have taken a photo of and already you can see its jam packed with goodies!

PuchiPuchi Fortune Telling Candy - 5/5

These candies are super cute and super fun to open with each bit on the foil having a different fortune. I originally thought they were chocolate type smarties but they are actually three different flavoured hard candy and so far I haven't picked a bad luck one.

Ikattara - 5/5

This is dried fish covered in some sort of seasoning which is apparently meant to be spicy although I didn't think this at all unless Japanese taste buds are different to ours? These were overly fishy and they smelt it as well but I loved them and they didn't last long.

Pillow Fruit Ramune - 5/5

Ramune Candy? Well thats a win win for me as you know because I love any Ramune styled candy especially the ones that fizz on your tongue and dissolve as well!

Black Thunder - N/A

I actually had one of these in a Tokyo Treat box a few months back and it wasn't really my cup of tea so gave this to my partner to have this time around.

Garibori Ramen - 2/5

Funny thing about these is I opened them and wasn't really all that impressed they kind of tasted a bit bland I thought they may of had a strong flavour but I still ended up eating them!

Mochi-Chan Dango - 5/5

How cute is the packaging for these little mochi's? I have had proper mochi before and they are nothing like the real thing but you get the idea. I think they were all meant to be different flavours but if I'm honest they all tasted the same but still very nice!

One Punch Man Crunky - 3/5

The reason I have given this a lower score is because I thought it was going to be like a white chocolate bar with oreo type cooking pieces which it kind of was but had a very floral taste which I didn't like. I love the packaging for this chocolate bar as its one of my partners favourite shows.

Rich Orange Biscuits - 5/5

These are incredible! They are like these biscuits called Oreo's that we have in the UK but 100% better as the orange filling tastes like Terry's Chocolate and both of these things are my favourite shame I had to share them though :( or they need to put more in the box ha!

Hiyashuwa Ramune Candy - 5/5

More ramune you say? These are hard soda flavoured candies that all have slightly different textures and one random watermelon flavoured one as well. I do love hard candies but I wish these were chewy sweets instead.

Cream Collon Lemon - 3/5

I usually HATE anything that is lemon flavoured food wise not drink wise but I don't know what it is but I just don't like the taste. When I opened these there was an over powering citrus smell but the taste wasn't that strong at all. I still think these will be something i'll give to my partner but they aren't as bad as I thought.

Texas Corn (Potage) - 5/5

When I first had a cream potage snack over at Tokyo Treat I had no clue what so ever what it was but it tasted AMAZING! When I saw these included in the box it was one of the first things I dived in for although I'm not sure where the Texas corn bit comes from?

Umaiwa (Takoyaki) - 5/5

So apparently these are Takoyaki and Octopus flavour? They taste more of the Takoyaki flavour than octopus and aren't very fishy which is great not that it would have been an issue as I don't mind the fishy flavoured things. I love corn based snacks and looking at the back of the packet there is so many of them to try so hopefully we shall get some more in another box.

 Wasabeef - 5/5

These crips are to die for, there is just something so nice about Japanese crisps the texture and flavour of them. These ones are beef and wasabi flavoured which I wasn't sure I was going to like but was I wrong. I can't really taste much beef more of the strong wasabi flavouring.

Bino (Salted) - 3/5

I was a little sceptical trying these only because I've had so many of these snacks in the UK and they are something I wouldn't buy as a snack for myself. These actually tasted really nice and completely different to the versions we get here in the UK. They weren't really salted but more soy sauce flavoured.

Torotto Chocolate - 5/5

So this was my snack I was given instead of having the DIY kit which I've actually had before and these taste as good as I remember. They are pretty much just brownie bites but not very gooey like it shows on the packet but very chocolatey and yummy.

Veggie Taberu - 5/5

I wasn't sure I was really going to like these as they are corn puffed vegetable flavoured crisps but actually I really loved these although I couldn't tell what the flavours were exactly. I love that they were also heart shaped which was really cute.

PukaPuka Tai (Strawberry) - 2/5

I've had the chocolate versions of these a few times now in different variations but I have to admit the Strawberry one was not one of my favourites when you opened the packet it smelt really strong but the taste was very artificial and a fake strawberry taste that fut me off.

Bisuko (Fermented Butter) - 5/5

These taste so good kind of like sweet and salty and as my partner put it like a ritz biscuit but sweet with a yummy creamy centre. Not sure what it means by its fermented butter? but it tasted amazing anyways and probably won't google it to see what it means!

Super Ottotto Umashio - N/A

I haven't opened these this time around as these were included in a Tokyo Treat box a couple of months ago. If I recall rightly I did like them but they weren't my favourite. 

Gudetama Custard Choco - 5/5

These have to be one of my favourite items within the box and also my premium treat for this month and the bag is huge and filled to the brim. I love that these are a mix of white and milk chocolate although you may think the white chocolate would be runny its not its solid chocolate.

I love Gudetama and think the packaging is really cute even the wrappers on the chocolate as well have different egg faces. 

Wow! What a box this has truly been filled to the brim with a huge variety of snacks and candy all the way from Japan. My first impressions of this box just from looking at the snack sheet was incredible then to actually received and open the box was even better. 

The box itself is of a decent sized and not one gap is left empty. As mentioned above what I love is the choices you can make when selecting your box whether to have extra treats or DIY kits or a special item. The only thing that I feel is missing is a drink and its a shame you can't pay an extra couple of pounds to get one included. 

I love that the box included so many different packets of crips or corn based snacks and that there was still loads of variety. 

Comparing this to the changes Tokyo Treat have made this year I have to be honest I would rather buy this box moving forward even my partner agrees that there is way more being included in this one and less in Tokyo Treat. Even though I have a £5 off code for Tokyo Treat this box would only be £2 more and if I didn't have the code this box it would actually be cheaper and better value for money.

So overall I would give this box a 9/10 only because I feel a drink option would make it better otherwise its better value for money, a bigger box, more variety and more treats included. 

I won't be buying another now until the end of September as I have a few busy months coming up so you can expect to see another Doki Doki review in October!

Thank you for reading. I purchased this with my own money and was NOT paid to review this by Doki Doki Boxie.

Coming Up - July 2017 to December 2017

I have had just such lack or inspiration this year when its come to writing this blog, I was hoping maybe I might hit the 100 posts again this year but I honestly don't think I will. I thought it would be quite nice to just update you all on whats going to be coming up over the next six months things that are definitely happening and I will be posting about.

Coming Up:

- Disneyland Paris
If you have completely missed all my Disneyland Paris over the last six months then my holiday is finally getting closer and I have a few more posts coming up soon following on from my trip.

• What's In My Parks Bag
• Trip Reports
• Haul Post

- Doki Doki Boxie Review - July or August 2017
So in July I decided to swap my usual Tokyo Treat box for a new Japanese box to review just because I haven't been that impressed since the changes back in April. I haven't cancelled my subscription plan as such just skipped a couple of months as well because the next few months with my holidays I need the extra cash.

- What I Got for my Birthday
I know some people really don't like these types of blog posts because they think some people are showing off where as I and a lot of other people I know really enjoy reading them. I love finding out what people got for they're birthday and what they go up to on they're special day.

- EGX Convention - Birmingham - September 2017
So excited to go to EGX this year with Joel and for those who don't know its the UK's biggest gaming convention where we will get the chance to play some of the newest games but also try some demos for future releases.

• Day Trip Reports
• Haul Post

- Beauty and The Beast Afternoon Tea - Bristol - October 2017
I have been dying to try the popular BATB afternoon tea in London since it was announced at the start of the year but have never managed to get a booking. My friend though got an email about one they are doing in Bristol and its actually only a 15 minuet drive away from our home which is perfect although its a little while off yet but it will still be amazing when it comes around.

- Seeing Chon - Bristol - October 2017
Chon are a band from all the way over in America and they're music is mostly instrumental with a few tracks that have vocals. Now Joel introduced me to them last year and I fell in love but at the time they only seemed to be touring the states and have now released a new album and surprised the UK with a tour and whats even better is they are coming to my home town!!

- London Break - October 2017
With me being in Disneyland Paris in September and money being tight me and Joel decided to take a few days break in London just to change things up a bit as we are saving for Tokyo there isn't going to be any holiday on the cards.

• Planning London
• Day Trip Reports
• Haul Post

So there we have it, my plans for the next six months and what to expect on my blog. There will be the usual books I've read posts and Tokyo Treat reviews.

Until I get my Doki Doki Boxie I'm not 100% sure If I will continue with Tokyo Treat or not but I haven't cancelled my subscription because I have a $5 off for life code on there and who knows when something might pop up that I would like to try. 

Disneyland Paris September 2017 Series: Day 1 Outfit

So here it is, my final outfit for my Disneyland Paris trip. If I'm honest this is the most simplest of all the four and this is mostly because its my half day outfit as we arrive in Disney in the afternoon.

There isn't much to this outfit really but I had to share it with you because I've got another amazing tee from the lovely duo over at Magical Thunder Press and honestly you should really go and check them out they have some more amazing tops on pre order along with they're first new pin from a collection they are releasing.

Mickey Mouse Castle Tee - Magical Thunder Press (link)
Honestly how beautiful is this tee? You may recognise the words from my Tangled tee from my day 3 outfit post and the reason for this is Magical Thunder Press held a vote for the two tops and which ever one won they would print although in the end due to popularity they did both which made me very happy!

The design on this top is perfect and the saying on it is just everything because on my first day in the parks when I wear this top and see the castle for the first time in a while I will be exactly where I'm meant to be.

As I don't want to take too many pairs of ears with me as I'm only there for 3 and half days I have decided to wear my ears from my day 4 outfit again as they match the style of the top perfectly.

With all my outfits planned and sorted its just the waiting game now till I can finally get packing and everything will begin to feel real! I think when it hits 50 days that's when I will be even more excited than I am NOW!

Disneyland Paris September 2017 Series: Dinning Plans

Finally reservations day came around and we were able to book our meals for our trip. To be honest we have always known where we wanted to eat since we booked the trip but because it was done back in June 2016 we had a very long wait to finally reach this day.

With us arriving on the Monday afternoon we decided to not book any meals for this day but to go with counter service restaurants instead so that we don't have any commitments on our first evening. 

We also have our Wednesday meal at Auberge De Cendrillon booked and paid for so only ended up having to call to make 2 reservations.

(All photos are from http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk apart from the one at the very end of the blog)

Monday:

Cafe Hyperion or Restaurant en Coulisse

Hakuna Matata Restaurant

So when we arrive we are planning to eat at one of the above restaurants for some lunch and then hopefully eat at the other for our evening meal. Although I'm not 100% sure I will eat at both because I get full quite easily so Emma wants to eat at Hakuna Matata and I want to grab some sort of burger but we will see what happens.

The reason we have both Cafe Hyperion and Restaurant en Coulisse on the list is because I'm hoping to be able to have the Darth Vader burger again but at the moment neither of them are advertising the burgers because Season of The Force is over although people have said they got the burgers in Cafe Hyperion way before the event was on so here is hoping. Otherwise I will get get the Jedi burger this time around.

I'm slightly worried about eating in Hakuna Matata Restaurant not because I don't love the food but because they have changed they're famous fries in to something called Sweet Corn fries and I'm just worried the amazingness that I tried last time has now gone :(

Tuesday:
Chez Remy

FINALLY I'm going to be eating in Chez Remy from one of my favourite all time Pixar movies Ratatouille. I have been wanting to eat here since it opened back in July 2014 but haven't had the chance to until this trip. I already know exactly what I'm going to have for my meal because me and Emma have looked at the menu so many times already.

It isn't just the food that is making me excited to eat here but also the decor of the restaurant I haven't seen anything like it before it is just so cute. I love how everything is so big and and oversized so you feel like a mouse!

Wednesday:
Princess Lunch - Auberge De Cendrillon

I think out of all the meals we have planned during our visit this is the one I'm most excited for as finally I'm able to dine with the princesses. We've had this booked since we made our original booking back in June last year although it wasn't officially confirmed until later in year but this is something I have wanted to do for ages.

It's actually my Birthday on the day we visit so we have paid for a cake as well to make it extra special. We are really hoping for Rapunzel and Belle to be present on the day but if that doesn't happen I won't be annoyed as it is pot luck who is there on the day but it would be amazing if they were.

Thursday:
La Grange at Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon

I'm so excited to be back eating here again! We nearly didn't end up booking this at one point as one of Emma's friend said she had a bad experience but because I ended up here in February and had an amazing time we have decided to give it ago.

I love Mexican and Tex Mex food so what is more to like? Plus its a buffet style restaurant meaning we can eat what we want and when we want so I'm looking forward to getting back in here and filling my boots.

With reservation day out of the way and all our travel plans sorted we can just sit back and relax. All that's left to do now is change up my money and purchase travel insurance.

61 DAYS TO GO!