Birmingham Bound - 26th Aug 2016

I love making new friends especially with people who share the same passions and interests as myself and that is why recently I have enjoyed interacting with people on Instagram. On Friday just gone I was lucky to have a day off work and travel to Birmingham to meet up with two friends of mine that I have never met before.

I set off at 9am and got the train from Bristol to Birmingham and the first lovely lady I met was Kim who I have been friends with for years now. I'm not actually 100% sure if we met on Instagram or through something else but either way we have been online friends for ages now and it was great to have the opportunity to meet her.

We decided to meet at 11am and go and grab some lunch before popping to the shops mostly the Disney Store. Kim brought her daughter along called Sophie for a girly day out and she was the most cutest little girl I have ever met she was so well behaved and by the end of our time together she had come out of her shell.

We went for lunch in a pub called "The Brasshouse" which is right by the canal side and the walk along the canal in the shinning sun made it so much better. As we got there early we decided to have a drink before spending a good half and hour actually deciding what wanted. Me and Kim both went for burgers mine being cheese and chorizo and hers was a sweet potato burger.

Both of these were amazing and such a good size as well as Sophie's kids meal as well. For dessert me and Sophie had Chocolate Fudge Cake and Kim had Rocky Road Cheesecake. I would definitely eat here again the location, staff and food were both lovely.

After food we took a stroll back to the shopping centre and had a little look around before is was 3pm and time for me to meet another new friend called Sabrina. Now Sabrina is the lovely lady who makes my Disney Ears which are incredible and probably over the last 5 months we have been talking loads via Instagram and as we couldn't meet at Hyper Japan we decided to meet up and do some shopping.

We started in the Disney Store of course having a look around before making our way to some other shops before ending up in Wagamama's for an evening meal and yes before you ask I did manage to eat it all haha but after all the walking around and fresh air I needed some more food and you know me a proper foodie.

It was so lovely to finally meet both of them and what is great is that I got on with both of them like we had met up before and it wasn't our first time. I'm quite a nervous shy person at times so I'm glad that it all went well and there was no awkward silences which can happen. Kim and Sabrina were both such lovely people and we have so much in common I can't wait to meet them again for more adventures.

Last Week On Instagram: SS Great Britain Day Trip

So this weeks post is mostly photos from our day trip on Friday as not much else has really happened last week so I thought I would just share these photos.

1. SS Great Britain Day Trip
So last Friday I was lucky enough to have a flexi day off work and as it is the Summer holidays I was asked if I fancied a trip down to the SS Great Britain which if you don't know what this is then she is the first ever ship made of Iron which had a screw propeller engine. She was designed by Isambard Kingdon Brunel.

I haven't been here since I was 6 years old and after hearing about how much it had changed museum wise over the years I took the opportunity. It has definitely changed a lot with lots more interactive areas and life like modules on the lower decks to make it more realistic. Even more so that actually they included smells as well which were OK in some areas but not so where the lady was sea sick!

I am a massive history lover so it was great to look around the museum especially at the time line of events through her life but also putting it in to context among other things that happened during that time like when Coca Cola was launched and Alice in Wonderland was written. I just find all these things fascinating.

The kids had the most amazing time and really enjoyed exploring the ship maybe not the museum as much but they had a good time all the same. As it was so sunny and warm out we decided to take a trip on the ferry up and down the River Avon before getting off to go for an Ice Cream. I love spending time with my Nephews and Niece especially when we take them out on little trips and you can see them enjoying themselves.

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Review: August Tokyo Treat Box

Hey guys and welcome back to another Tokyo Treat review box and this months box is going to be August's. Now after messing about and skipping a month to get another Yume Twins box I decided that moving forward I am going to stick with the snack box only.

It's not that Yume Twins isn't a great box but it just wasn't for me and I wish I had made that choice before I missed out on the July box as from what I have seen it was an amazing box.

So at the moment they have a special $5 off voucher to be used on any of they're subscription boxes and it is for life and available to anyone who is currently subscribed as well all you have to do is drop them an email. Its great because it now means the premium box is going to cost me £23 rather than £27/£28 with the exchange rate at the moment.

This also introduces the theme for the September box and with Pokemon being so popular at the moment with the release of Pokemon Go they have decided to a Pokemon theme cross with Danny Choo the creator of Mirai Suenaga to produce original exclusive snacks which shall be interesting.

Now moving on to this months box with it being summer they have chose to do a Tropical Fruits theme and the premium drink being Watermelon and Salt Fanta which I have been very excited to try.

Items Received:

This time instead of writing in"Italic" what the products are as mentioned in the little book provided I will just give my own comments along with pictures and a rating out of 5 so here goes ...

Torotto Chocolate Mango Flavour (5/5)

Now these were AMAZING! Like little baked brownie bits with a mango flavouring the smell was so over powering when you opened the packet. You get 9 little small cubes which just weren't enough there needed to be more! The texture is a little odd but yummy all the same.

Mugipon Milk Coffee Chocolate Flavour (3/5)

Now this snack apparently you can eat as a cereal as well but i opted to just eat it as a normal snack. It reminds me a lot of Sugar Puffs here in the UK the way they look when you open the packet but I can see they are trying to make it look like coffee beans. I wouldn't really say these tasted of coffee or chocolate or coffee. 

Watermelon Flavour Gummy (5/5)

I love these they're just cute simple watermelon shaped gummies. Now when you open the packet the smell is very over powering but they just have a subtle melon taste plus they just look so cute and so does the packet with the little polar bear in a watermelon hat! 

Potato Chips Summer Version Wasabi Flavour (10/5)

Yes haha I have rated these way over the 5 mark because there is just something about Japanese chips and they're all just amazing but these were spectacularly amazing the Wasabi wasn't too over powering but was enough of a kick. 

Pretz Honey Roast Flavour (5/5)

I have never tried any of the Pretz range before so this was my first time essentially they are just Pocky but with no chocolate. They tasted really yummy and I kept thinking they were a roasted honey ham flavour rather than just homey itself.

Dodotto Tsubupyon Grape Flavour DIY Kit (0/5)

Now I have given this a 0 because by now you should know I don't like DIY Kits its not because they're not cool they just never ever work for me hah!

Seven Stick Milk Chocolate (5/5)

Little thin wafer sticks filled with a yummy creamy white chocolate they reminded me of the taste of ice cream but also those Milky Way Cripsy Rolls you can get over here. These didn't last long thats for sure!

Pachi Pachi Panic Poppin Candy Grape Flavour (5/5)

We had some popping candy in another box a few months back and it was plum flavour which was awful but these one was grape with these weird added extra bits in which made it taste amazing. Says what is does in the name ;)

Jibanyan Chocolate Monaka (4/5)

A giant wafer filled with chocolate, I have been waiting to try one after missing a few that came with previous boxes. Shaped like Jibanyan from Yo-Kai Watch.

Watermelon Flavour Chewing Gum (1/5)

Not to fussed on chewing gum if I am honest and this didn't really taste too much like watermelon really it had quite a horrible after taste.

Chocobi Watermelon Flavour (3/5)

Simple pink star shaped watermelon flavoured biscuits really, they weren't over powering and had a very sweet wouldn't say they tasted too much like watermelon really. The packaging is cute and it came with two little stickers inside. 

Pokemon Plate Key Chain (3/5)

With the popular release of Pokemon Go they decided to include as a specail item a Pokemon key chain only issue is I don't know any of the new pokemon so this was a bit wasted on me. I'm a first gen girl at heart!

Watermelon Salt Fanta (+5/5)

Another special item this month and a limited edition drink that is only available this summer in Japan and its watermelon and salt which sounds really odd but it works it helps make the drink not so overpowering and more refreshing. It has a cute pale pink colour and tastes quite sweet but not to much of watermelon.

Hoppechan Gummy Cherryblossom Flavour (5/5)

Cherryblossom gummies? Win win here any day for me I love gummy sweets and especially this flavour. The packaging is really cute like a little handbag which you open from the back so it still looks like a handbag still once open. Even though the packet it is very small you get loads inside as the gummies are really small.

Rice Cracker with Plum Hame (0/5)

So I have seen these in previous boxes and maybe if it was another flavour it would have taste nice but the plum jam was AWFUL! So bitter alone and on the crackers so I decided I would just eat the crackers alone instead haha.

Rusk Snacks (5/5)

YUM YUM YUM! These smelt amazing as soon as you opened the packet just milky and creamy. They are little biscuits with a sugary coating that just melt in your mouth and taste like milk which is a big give away from the cute milk bottle on the front. 

Overall this months box was GREAT with loads of 5 out of 5 snacks that I really want to get my hands on again especially the Rusk Snacks and Wasabi Chips. By the looks of what I am reading next months box for September looks incredible!

You can read my other Tokyo Treat box reviews for March, April and June here:)

Thanks for reading. I purchased with my own money and I was NOT paid to review this by Tokyo Treats.

Last Week On Instagram

Wow and here we are second week in to August already? I cannot believe how quick this year is flying by!

1. Cheeky Selfie - I love a cheeky selfie every now and then and my hair was on point that day so I just had to ;) was off to meet my girl for some cheeky cocktails and food.

2. Jack Daniels Kiss - 
This had to be one of the best cocktails I've ever had! Not only did it have popcorn and caramel on top but it had ice cream, baileys and Jack Daniels honey in it. This was actually from TGIFridays. They actually do really lovely cocktails and I didn't realise you could just go to they're bar to get them.

3. The Musketeers - 
I am absolutely gutted that after only 3 seasons they have decided to end the show and they didn't half end it with a bang but also in a way that they could come back to revisit it if they liked. I just don't know what I'm going to do not seeing Tom Burke on my screen every week!!!!

4. I Love Him - I hate smiling in photos its just not natural of me but I can't help it when I am with my partner he brings so much happiness in to my life and makes me extremely happy. We're quite lucky to have a nature reserve on our door step so when the weather is as nice as it was on Saturday taking a stroll through the forest is something we quite like to do.

5. Disney Tsum Tsum - All the way from Disneyland Paris with love from two of my Instagram friends aren't they beautiful?

6. American Treats - This is why I shouldn't be allowed in an American sweet shop or sweet shop of any kind! I just end up spending ridiculous amounts of money on food that lasts say 2 hours hahah! I think my favourites have to be the Air Heads and Milky Way Caramels <3

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July Favourites

I haven't done one of these posts in agesss and never really got in the habit of doing them every month but as I happen to have done a lot of shopping this month and a lot of them are my favourites I thought why not and with the first week of August nearly over I thought I better press on before its too late!!

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child

Ever since the screen play was announced I have been eager to see it in London but with money being tight for the rest of the year I was over joyed when JK announced she would be releasing the script as a book I couldn’t wait.

I managed to get my copy on the release date with pre ordering through via Amazon Prime but as I have been so busy I have only read the first act and impressions so far good. It’s great to get to read about my favourite witches and wizards one last time.

Aristocats Phone Case

How beautiful is that phone case? Just a perfect mix of everything I love and adore.

Loungefly Alice In Wonderland Bag and Purse

With both of my Disney trips happening this year and next year I decided that it was time to invest in a Disney backpack. They just seem so much more easier to carry around and they don’t get in the way when your taking photos. After a seller on Amazon started selling these I was finally able to get my hands on the items I have been eyeing up for the last few months.

Baymax Instax Album/ Alice In Wonderland Instax Film

I just had to get these cute Instax items for my trip next month. One being from Ebay only costing £3 which is a bargain and the 2^nd from Etsy.

Totoro Plush/ Sailor Moon Cup

Both items spotted on my trip to Hyper Japan and were immediate must haves especially the Totoro plush as the style was super cute and the material and posture matched my existing one.

Pocahontas Socks

Anyone who knows me knows that its Pocahontas for the win and the fact that Primark does Pocahontas socks????? Like what??? I just had to have them maybe this is more of what’s to come? PJS? Tops that would be amazing!

Pocahontas Glass

I’m just a sucker for mugs and glasses and when I saw this vintage glass especially relating to my favourite song “Mine” from the movie and it was in the sale as well it was a no brainer.

Disney Plaques

I have been searching for some Disney plaques for a while now and not finding any at a reasonable price or quality I had given up until I came across Pink Dinosaur Crafts on Instagram who upcycle old Disney books in to notebooks and plaques. They now look perfect hanging above my desk in my office to finish off the empty space I had on my wall.

Disney Jumper

Another item purchased for my trip next month. As we will be travelling via coach over night to get there and back it makes sense that I need something to keep myself warm and what better item to have! Only £10 currently at Primark as well it was a bargain.

Monsters Inc Tsum Tsum 

Need I say no more? I had to have these in my collection and as the last few collections released haven't been super great quality and the hassle people have been having trying to get hold of them I was really pleased when they came.

Wish List: Disney Books

I love reading and I especially love reading books that relate to Disney whether they are Artwork books, books on the history of rides and parks or even Walt himself. I don't currently own many which is a shame but money is tight at the moment but I thought I would share a few of the books that I would really like.

1. The Art Of Pocahontas - Amazon - £30 - £90

This book is such a rare gem and very difficult to get hold of especially new, I'm quite funny about buying used books especially if they don't provide proper copies of the book.

This book was first released in 1995 and hasn't been reproduced since and I was actually lucky enough to find a new copy for £32 rather than the usual £50 - £90 price tag, This will be a birthday present from my mum and I am so excited for it to come.

2. Maps of Disney Parks: Charting 60 years from California to Shanghai - Amazon - £22.68
Now this book isn't out until the end of October and I have already placed my pre order for a copy because this is something that fascinates me because its the history of the parks over the last 60 years and with the recent park in Shanghai now open it will be great to see how the parks and maps have changed over the years for the eras.

So the next few books on my list happen to be artwork books from some of my favourite movies. I love looking through Artwork books because it gives you an incite in to how the movie was produced and the concept art that then may become a reality or never made it to the final cut. Like for example Meeko was originally meant to be a turkey.

3. Tangled Artwork Book - Amazon - £19.96
4. Zootropolis Artwork Book - Amazon - £17.00
5. Inside Out ArtBook - Amazon - £19.99
6. Big Hero 6 ArtBook - Amazon - £19.98
7. Art of Ratatouille (Pixar Animation) - Amazon - £19.99

8. They Drew As They Pleased: The Hidden Art of Disney's Golden Age - Amazon - £19.99
This book was only released back in September last year and it appeared to have slipped off my radar. I don't know much about this book but from the reviews I have seen I can see that is about the golden age of Disney and all the Disney artists who worked on a few select movies.

9. Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Disney Little Golden Book - Amazon - £7.55
This book has been on my list for ages! And its full of loads of drawings from the Disney Animated movies along with positive quotes so essentially like a self help book or something to pick you up when your're feeling down.

10. Art of the Disney Golden Books - Amazon - £25
I have been meaning to buy this book for a while now and I know a few people who own this already and the inside of the book is just beautiful full of tones of photos, artwork and writing about the History of Disney.

So I think the next book I may have to buy is number 10 as the more I see of it the more I want it closely followed by the Tangled and Zootropolis artwork books.

Disney: The Post Renaissance Era

I do love a good Disney tag especially when its another Disney Era one by Amy over at Scariels Grotto. This time it is the post renaissance era, this comes with similar disappointment which was found with the movies in the bronze/dark era.

The movies in this era are Fantasia 2000, Dinosaur, Emperors New Groove, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Lilo and Stitch, Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, Home on the Range, Chicken Little, Meet the Robinson's and Bolt. 

1. Any unseen films?
Nope I've seen them all!

2. What is your favourite film of the era?
It has to be Bolt closely followed by Emperor's New Groove

3. What is your least favourite film of the era?
Meet the Robinson's I only watched this for the first time last year and I know why I didn't rush to see it as it was just really random and weird.

4. Who is your favourite main character?
Bolt

5. Who is your favourite villain?
It has to be Yzma haha shes just stupidly brilliant

6. Who is your favourite sidekick?
Kronk!!!

7. What is your favourite song?
The Brother Bear Sound Track

8. What do you consider to be the most underrated film of the era?
Tbh I'm not really sure :/

9. What is your favourite thing about this era?
The art work in a select few of these movies especially Atlantis, Treasure Planet and Brother Bear.

10. What did you least enjoy about this era?
Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Treasure Planet I don't know but these movies are enjoyable but not really my cup of tea.

Wily Fox Vintage Disney Surprise Box

So for a while now I have been eyeing up these Disney surprise boxes that I have seen a few of my blogger friends and Instagram friends have been purchasing recently and finally with a little bit of extra money in my account I decided to purchase one.

Wily Fox Vintage is a lovely shop that sells a variety of different items from mugs, cups, cards, pins and these surprise boxes. They also sell Harry Potter, Simpson and Disney items which is one of the Surprise boxes that I picked up as they are selling sale ones for £5 plus postage and contain 8 items.

You can visit they're bigcartel shop here!

In my sale box I got 8 different items and over all I am really please with my box. I really love the Castle print that she puts in every surprise box which I will now have to find a frame for because its too beautiful not to put up.

I love Pocahontas and when I opened the box to see a pack of vintage Pocahontas stickers I was over the moon. I haven't see these since I was little and I just had to open them and was so happy with the ones I got although the John Smith nearly dying sticker made me sad!

Each box also comes with a Disney postcard and I actually received on the other day with an order so its nice to have another one from the set especially as it is from Tangled my 2nd favourite Princess movie.

I also received this super cute handmade Disney pin of Piglet from Winnie the Pooh. I really like the style of this one and I am really excited to try and pick up some others of they're website or from DLP on my day trip.

I really enjoyed my Disney Mystery Box and would love to try the Harry Potter one next time. Postage was super quick and it is a surprise because you don't even know when its posted.

I also decided to purchase a Vintage Disney Cup for £7 as they were in the sale and she happened to have one of the 4 Pocahontas cups left. As I am a massive Pocahontas lover this was a must have for me and now I want to collect them all but with the cost from America being so expensive I shall just wait and see if they get any more stock.

Thanks for reading. I purchased this with my own money and I was NOT paid to review this by Wily Fox Vintage.