A little pixie dust and a Dole whip

It's been an entire month since I've posted anything at all and that's actually disappointing to me. I've had so much going on between, work, friends, staying on track with FGG, and maintaining my life at home, that I just haven't had time to sit down and write anything remotely worth reading.

As I'm rounding up on my second month of being a Walt Disney World annual passholder I find myself with more Disney knowledge than I had before. I'd like to go ahead and share with you my conclusions on the Flower and Garden Festival as well as other Disney insights.

The Flower and Garden festival quickly came to an end and I think I got the most out of it. My only question that I'm left with now is what will I do for the next five months while Epcot is just... Epcot? There are a few things I got to try after my first visit and unsurprisingly not all were delicious. The first thing that I got, and was so excited for, was the aforementioned Spiked Chai Tea. I don't know if this wasn't that great simply because they were closing and the Joeffry's barista was in a hurry or if it's genuinely supposed to taste like Bailey's with a hint of chai tea. Either way I was no longer intrigued and I didn't get it a second time to find out. The other new stop I made was in China for the candied strawberries and peach boba tea. The tea was disappointing, it didn't carry much flavor compared to traditional boba teas- but like other festival drinks it was prepared in a large batch so this may have something to do with its quality. The strawberries on the other hand were delish! Think candied apple, but instead of the apple it's a strawberry. In the Urban Farm Eats section we tried the watermelon arugula salad and the bloody mary (which was served straight up... odd) both were great so I was pleased.

Watermelon Arugula Salad & Bloody Mary from Urban Farm Eats

Planter display with herb garden and aquaculture tank inside the bar

Candied Strawberries & Peach Boba Tea from China

The Welsh Dragon server year round in the Rose & Crown Pub

Piglet & Eeyore 

Piglet's body is made entirely of succulents, my favorite!

I never got around to trying the drinks I said I would, but I'm not disappointed and my wallet probably isn't either. The festival was beautiful all around with the intricate plant displays and the nice relaxing atmosphere, I look forward to what 2017's Flower and Garden festival brings us.

Since becoming an annual passholder I've learned that Magic Kingdom can bring out the child in you quickly (especially after a couple trips around the world at Epcot!) and that the parade can be very pesky when you're trying to get to a ride. I've weaseled my way through crowds in front of the castle during the fireworks and I've stuffed my face with a hotdog from Casey's Corner while waiting in line for a ride. I ate a Mickey Ice Cream and I took the obligatory picture. I've ridden the tea cups and the carousel consecutively and I've ran from Space Mountain to Thunder Mountain just to ride before the park closes. I've even taken up a small pin collection! Slowly but surely I'm checking things off of my Disney Bucket List, some things are just a little harder than others.

I am beyond excited for Animal Kingdom's new hours; being open at night will be great for seeing a different activity time with the animals and riding Everest in the dark has to be awesome. I plan on braving the literal Memorial Day crowds on Monday just so I can see everything with my friend before her blockout dates begin (psh, who has blockout dates anymore?!)

My new Flower & Garden festival Tervis tumbler

The start of my pin bag and my custom MagicBand via My Fantasy Bands

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016

This year my friend and I decided to get annual passes to Walt Disney World; we go at least once a year and I wouldn't mind being able to go whenever I want so it seemed like a great idea. Now that I have purchased my pass and have experienced the park as an annual passholder I have to say it's a great experience. To be able to go to the park without trying to cram everything into a single day is in itself rewarding, if you live relatively close to Disney I would totally recommend getting an annual pass.

I have been to the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot on two separate occasions and was pleased with the outcome both times so I was excited to learn of another festival at Epcot: the Flower and Garden Festival. Much like the Food and Wine Festival, the Flower and Garden Festival has different booths spread out among the countries at which you can purchase unique food items and beverages that you can't get the rest of the year. I approached this new found festival not having looked up any of the offerings, so I was full of hope as I was voyaging around the world showcase. 

When we go to the festivals, my friend and I prefer to do two things: 1) we don't like to get dessert on the first round, that way we can have all the savory snacks we want without mixing our palate and 2) we always start in Mexico and work our way around. I'm going to address the booths in order of when we approached them, whether we got something there or not. 

B is for Bows

"Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." -Coco Chanel

Last year in November I made Minnie Mouse ears for my friend and I to wear to Disney during the food and wine festival. This year as Spring was approaching I decided I was going to purchase an annual pass to Walt Disney World- I live in Orlando, I spend $75 a year to go one time, so why not spend more over a period of time and be able to go whenever I wish?! I didn't even really need to think about it before making a definite decision. With the idea of frequenting the lands of Disney came the idea of making more ears to wear while I was there, but there are a few things about ears that I don't really like all the much: they are annoyingly tight to wear for extended periods of time, they feel super top heavy, they're a bitch to make. So then I decided why not just make the thing that's the cutest about them, the bows. And with that decision came a revelation, I can wear bows to other places besides Disney and not look like a complete buffoon. 

So today I set off to JoAnn fabric with little intention of buying a lot of things. I left with about six different printed fabrics and a couple of Easter decorations that were on extreme sale and I barely spent over $30! I had to run to Walmart after making four bows to get some more glue sticks and there I grabbed a couple more patterns of fabric, go figure. 

I'm going to continue on this bow making journey until my fabric supply has dwindled down to nothing. Currently I have the materials to make a few Little Mermaid themed bows and that's pretty exciting. That's the only Disney themed bow I'm making as of now but I'll return to the fabric store well prepared to get the supplies for many more Disney themed accessories! I'm planning on making them as clips as well as headbands because after making them I noticed it would be cute to wear them on the crown of your head with your hair down as well as the usual "bow in your hair" placements. 

Below are the bows that I have made as of this second- let me know what you think. I've opened up an Etsy shop! It's in the making but you're able to buy current bows as well as submit custom orders.