Disney World Part 2

Sunday, January 18, 2015

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  I made a couple changed around our house that had big impact.  Sometimes those are my favorite changes.

Back to Disney!  Day 2 we spent at Hollywood Studios with Grandma and Grandpa.  Grandpa rented a scooter for the day. I highly recommend this for folks that have difficulties with lots of walking. And as an added perk you get great seating for shows.


We started the day watching the Star Wars show.  I had thought the boys would be too scared for Jedi training...and I was right!  Then we rode Star Tours.  Lucas also thought it was scary.  Geesh!



 Of course, you exit the ride through the Star Wars gift shop.  M&L picked out really cool light sabers that "Activate" (they extend and retract into the handle).  They played with them all day!  As added benefits they have a belt clip (I am not schlepping them around) and they pack easily.


Their favorite part of the day was riding the Speeder Bike!  I need to blow up and print these pictures for their room.



We also watched the Indiana Jones show, Beauty and the Beast and Fantasmic.  Again, Lucas was scared at Fantasmic.  He is only 4.  And Mason thought it was scary too and he's 5.  Might not be the best thing to plan to do for this age group.  The show is centered around Disney bad guys.


We finished the night by walking around The Boardwalk.  We wound up ordering pizza, wings, beer and bottled water from Anthony's Pizza Delivery.  This is the best late night meal at Disney when you just want to unwind after a long day.  We munched on pizza while watching the Epcot fireworks from our balcony.  Does it get any better?!?


The Swan & Dolphin also offer The Pantry delivery service.  It's a really affordable delivery service with anything from a 6 pack of beer for $8 to  the CARTOON BREAKFAST: A quart of milk along with your choice of four cereals for a perfect morning watching cartoons for $6.50.  Obviously these items could be obtained for less if you bring them yourself, but good luck getting breakfast this cheap anywhere else at Disney!


Our balcony overlooking this view might have been my favorite part of our trip.  We ordered room service each morning and would sit on the balcony and watch the water taxis go by.  Plus I find it faster to eat in the room since we have to take turns getting ready with only one bathroom.



Order room service for breakfast at your Disney Resort and beer and bottled water from The Pantry are two of my personal favorite Disney World tips.  

What are your favorite tips for Disney World? I would love to hear them.


Disney World part 1

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Hey y'all!  Happy Sunday!  As I mentioned in my previous post, I have been unemployed since right before Christmas.  I start my new position on Monday!

Since I unexpectedly had 3 weeks of free time, I planned a last minute trip to Disney World.

I am blessed to work in the Hospitality business which equates to fantastic hotel discounts.


We booked a direct Southwest flight from RDU Raleigh Durham Airport to Orlando which landed at 9am.  That gave us the whole day to lounge by the awesome pool at the Swan & Dolphin Hotel.    

The Swan is run by Starwood and is the only resort on Disney  property not managed by Disney.


We ate at The Fountain at the Dolphin for lunch with Grandma  and Grandpa.  Then headed to the heated pool.  

After checking into our rooms and getting ready we all went to dinner.  The men had fabulous sushi at Kimonos. My mom, the boys and I headed to Garden Grove. The seafood buffet was fabulous.  And the best part was that the Disney Characters were there!  We saw Chip & Dale, Goofy and Pluto!





New Year's Eve Party Backdrop with Wrapping Paper

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Happy New Year!  I know I have been missing in action since right before Christmas, but I decided to take some time off.  I am starting a new job on Monday and have been "unemployed" since December 22nd.  I used the time off to finish wrapping and enjoy the holiday with family and friends.




We hosted our second annual New Year's Eve Party on our street.  I used my trick from last year by creating a photo backdrop with wrapping paper.









Anyone who knows me knows that I can't sit idle for 3 whole weeks, even at Christmas.  The next post will clue you in on what else I have been up to.  Cheers and Happy New Year!

Gallery Wall of Mirrors

Thursday, December 18, 2014


My handsome hubby's birthday is on Saturday.  As part of his present, I am hoping to hang the gallery wall of mirrors that we have hoarded accumulated.  He wants them hung in the corner to the right of his desk.   I love a good gallery wall.  I love balance and symmetry.  How do you get that with a corner gallery wall?  



Here are some of my favorite M inspiration:


Source unknown





These are clearly unedited or staged pictures.  You can see some of the mirrors that we will use strewn all over the floor.  Here's to keeping it real!


Here is a shot of the corner for reference.


For father's day I swapped out the standing lamp for a tall Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree.  The mirrors would be hung above the chair to the left of the desk and then wrap onto the TV wall.


Any tips for me?  Should I also hang mirrors on the right of TV?