Batuu

We did a thing on May 31st, we left this planet and travelled to a far off outpost called Batuu. Woah. Disney went above and beyond! Some highlights from our night:

My outfit (this was taken in Downtown LA)

And for anyone traveling during the reservation system in place at Disneyland, these are my thoughts…copied from a Disney group I shared it in:

Some highlights:

1. Being “smuggled” into the Falcon attraction via the Fastpass queue. I won’t share all the details, it’s a bit scoundrel-ish.

2. The creature stall!! Porgs, Lothcats, and a bunch of weird stuff I don’t know what it all is, but they made noises and looked creep and/or cool.

3. Droid building! My youngest did this. He was so excited. Said unit is now downstairs harassing my Lothcat.

4. The food we tried was OK, but bear in mind I have allergies and a sensitive stomach and so we didn’t delve too deep into food last night. I wanted to enjoy the land and not end up in the infirmary.

5. TALK TO THE CITIZENS. I cannot stress this enough. I always tell people to talk to other people as you never know who or what you will meet and get into. Well, this is absolutely the case on Batuu. Woah.

6. Download the Play Disney app. That was MY highlight, interacting and exploring that way. I suppose I’m just a dirty rotten scoundrel at heart. Hondo, I feel ya man.

7. If you experience motion sickness on Flight of Passage, might want something for the attraction. We rode twice and I was DONE, even medicated. The boys rode EIGHT TIMES. The single rider queue was open and they took full advantage. I think they also smuggled themselves in a couple of times.

All in all, WOW. But bring your earthly credits, for these traders want ALL OF THEM. No need for paid previews…Disney is making up for any lost revenue with the fabulous and incredible merchandise. And everyone was handing over credits for the items of their dreams, because Batuu is every Star Wars lovers DREAM.

10/10 recommended. And I’m a recent Star Wars convert. However I did have a backstory and spent a lot of time cultivating it with the citizens. Because that’s just me.

Overall, Disney did an incredible job with this expansion and beautiful land. If you’re a Star Wars fan? Go. You will be able to live out your dreams in reality!!

Rising suns,

Jules

*this is not a paid review and we were NOT hosted by Disney. Just Disney fans who hopped online to make a reservation and took the day to go play on Batuu!

Life Update

Sooooo, it’s been AGES since I’ve blogged. We’ve been in such chaos, I had to sit back and put the important things first and things like blogging, well, at the bottom of the list! Let’s see, we’ve moved to Los Angeles (or as I like to call is “lala land”), and we are still in a bit of chaos as I’m about to embark upon an epic remodel of the kitchen of our new house.

But I still wear lots and lots of dresses, sparkly shoes and Arlowe runs the house more than ever! Some recent photos…follow my Instagram (ksgirlblog) for more of a daily “diary” of my semi-mundane life, where I find myself going to fabulous places that I really have NO business being in! Oh, and lots of Disney trips, to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Hanging at Walt Disney World with my favorite accessory (the husband):

And of course, countless antics from Arlowe:

We have leash trained him and he has settled into being a “city” cat quite well. I mean, we kind of live up in the hills, but for us it’s city life compared to before!

So here’s to us being nearly halfway 2019. It’s been 7 months of stress, tears, good days and bad days. But I’m still here, I still have beautiful clothes, and we are settling into “normal”, and just lots of major changes in our lives that we didn’t expect but we have navigated as gracefully as possible.

Until next time,

Jules

PS: you may notice I have changed my Instagram name. I haven’t purchased anything from Kate Spade direct in ages…I’m not the biggest fan of the new collections and really enjoy my older pieces! But I stay up to date, my bank account just rejoices that I haven’t added anything new!

Passing of an Icon

As the news sinks in around the world about the passing of Kate Valentine, the founder of Kate Spade New York, I hope everyone takes a moment to hug your loved ones. Life is short, and this mornings news was a powerful reminder.

As I was not a personal friend, and I do not know the family, I don’t want to make comments or say anything that may be taken that way. My heart and prayers are with her family as they navigate this very personal tragedy on a very public stage. I hope as you comment or discuss, you remember she has a family she left behind, a young daughter on the cusp of womanhood, and one day may look back and see what the online world said about her mother. I would hope she reads positive memories and how her mother’s dream to create a simple handbag that was classic, functional, and fashionable launched a lifestyle brand that is beloved all over the world today.

I owe my love of color and whimsical wardrobe to the woman who created that simple bag I fell in love with back in the 1990’s. Thank you Kate Spade (later Valentine) for your ideas, your love of color, and your dream to bring beautiful treasures to the world. You will be missed.

With Sadness,

Jules

June

June. The start of summertime, the possibilities that open up as school ends and the weather warms with long days and gorgeous sunsets.

We have started our “summer” with a bang. My oldest was hired on at Camp Kooch-I-Ching in upstate Minnesota this year and so I saw him off on Wednesday. Hard to believe he finished his first year of Junior College and flew into the sunrise the next morning! I will see him in August, when I fly him to Orlando to meet me at Walt Disney World.

If you follow my Twitter or Instagram, you’ve probably noticed the Disney “madness”. Yes, I am an adult Disney fan. I also love dresses and sparkly shoes. My husband and I went sans kids last month and had a wonderful time! For us it was like being in a “bubble”, even with insane wind, rain and lightning (we were there the day one of the resorts was hit!), it’s away from the stress of daily life and the horror that is the news. Some photos….yes, I wore dresses even in the rain! Umbrellas up! (My shoes have finally dried out)

Our first morning, after flying in on the red eye (if you can snag an upgrade, do it. We arrived rested and ready to have fun!)

The day I pretended to be Barbie in Epcot: (dress is from the Unique Vintage/Barbie collaboration)

Last photo on our way back to our resort to head to the airport. We actually started at Hollywood Studios, and ended at Hollywood Studios. The massive construction makes this park a favorable spot to visit quickly, as until Toy Story Land opens the end of this month, it doesn’t have many attractions. Tower of Terror was our first and last ride of the trip!

Lots of food, lots of rain, lots of fun! We also booked a Savor the Savannah experience, which I HIGHLY recommend. We had an extended safari ride, got to see the giraffes up close and personal, and had dinner watching the sun sink into the horizon.

Some other outfits last month:

I have committed to curbing my acquisitions of new clothes, shoes & accessories for the foreseeable future. Instead I shall be “shopping” my closet and have already unsubscribed to as many “sale site” emails possible. You know you have a problem when your mail carrier stops and asks why you haven’t been receiving packages! I did try to order some items last month, but they were swiped off my front doorstep. So much mail theft going on, it helps with the “I need to not buy things” issue I have on hand. I have been listing things on Poshmark, and as we finish up the school year I will have more time to list more things. I know, who am I? Oh, a girl who wanted something really REALLY bad and was willing to give up shopping for it!

That said, occasionally I receive emails with inquiry to purchase items I have posted. I know I have scored some incredible bargains over the years, however there is more than the “cost” of the item posted, there is travel involved to sniff out those bargains, time spent getting there, time spent (usually HOURS) scouring through racks or bins or whatever to find one piece, parking costs, and other things. So if you are inquiring about something I may or may not be willing to sell, please understand my reasoning behind a price point. Fashion can be a bit of an investment, and I’ve spent hours upon hours sourcing and shopping for treasures!

With that said, I leave you with King Arlowe, who presides over the room full of spangly treasures I should probably sell:

Until next time,

Jules

Love Never Dies

I have waited 7 years for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Love Never Dies” to go on tour and come to a theatre near me. Well, this past week that waiting was over!

Due to some interesting circumstances, I was able to attend opening night at the Pantages in Los Angeles. Oh boy. Now, I’ve seen the filmed production they released in Australia, and I’ve obsessively trolled the internets for photos of the tour that is out in North America, so I had a REALLY good idea of which dress to pull out of my closet for this event! Please excuse the photo quality, I often forget about photos when I’m at the theatre, I’m so excited about the production and caught up in the whirlwind that is opening night!

My dress is Eliza J, I picked it up at Nordstrom Rack last year sometime. Of course my shoes are my favorite Christian Louboutin simples that I strassed in 4 different shades of silver & grey crystals.

The Pantages is the perfect setting for this production:

The show plays in LA through the 22, then dances on down to Orange County to the Segerstrom Center (Which I know, because I have tickets for the 28th to see it there.), then leaves Southern California. If you are a Phantom of the Opera fan, go see this one! The costumes and the sets are BRILLIANT.

I know the critics have been not kind. Ignore them. The music is haunting and the power ballad, “Love Never Dies” is INCREDIBLE. The costumes are works of art, you can even see the detail from the “cheap seats”, which I know is not an easy task. The way the set ebbs and flows, you feel like you are in a working production part of the time. I loved it. I felt transported to the early 1900’s, Coney Island, and it was done very tastefully. It’s a unique show, but comes together beautifully.

Do you have a love of theatre? I do! What’s your favorite show? Mine will always be Phantom of the Opera, however I enjoy every show I’ve been privileged to attend!

-Jules

Unique Vintage

So, I know I’ve been pretty adamant about the fact that I am not shopping much this year, especially from Kate Spade directly after the debacle last year. But I HAVE still shopped some.

Then last week I received an email that changed the course of my entire existence on this earth.

Barbie did a collaboration with Unique Vintage. Iconic outfits from some of my FAVORITE vintage Barbie dolls would be available in MY SIZE. What, WHAT?! My head was spinning.

I hopped online to browse the website, and I fell in LOVE. Luckily my husband ended up working this past weekend and instead of him coming home, we packed up and headed to LA to spend a long weekend. So you bet my Friday plans were a trip to Burbank and the Unique Vintage store. Oh. My. Goodness. Suburban Shopper, BBQ Barbie, After Five?! YES Please!!

I also picked up two other adorable gems, a Paris-themed dress and a cat skirt (because I am ultimately the crazy cat lady!). The prices are very reasonable, everything I purchased has pockets, and did I mention, I CAN DRESS LIKE BARBIE?!

The collection is available online Barbie x Unique Vintage , or in person at the storefront in Burbank, CA. The selection in store is not as large, but if you live in La, it’s worth a trip over there! Plus right down the street is It’s a Wrap, my favorite spot to find iconic looks from the big screen that I can take home! Like this HUGE HAT:

I forgot to check the tags before I tossed them to share what show/movie this was featured on, but I know I intend to use it for my very own Barbie look, it’s a perfect compliment to the Suburban Shopper dress! Also, see the detail on the zipper pull:

My adult life is complete! Prices range from $28-$210 for the clothing items and accessories start at $14. They even have classic Barbie shoes!

Excuse me while I go drool some more over my new pretty dresses and pack to go home and back to reality in the morning!

Until next time,

Jules

First Day of Spring

So, if you’ve read my blog or followed me on Instagram, it’s obvious I am one of those “adult Disney fans”. I own it. In fact, I own it so much, I know WHEN to pose for ride photos….

Because the BEST time to have a wild phone conversation is on a ride, right? (Okay, Photo was totally staged, they ALWAYS are) LOL!!

I also photobomb characters.

And wear sparkly shoes with “critter” handbags.

Now this was all yesterday, so this was how we spent the first day of spring. The forecast was calling for heavy rain, but it’s been pushed to tomorrow, which meant we had a glorious afternoon adventure in the parks!

And I snagged these wicked awesome buttons. I LOVE official Disney buttons!

So there you have it! How did you spend your first day of Spring 2018?

Jules

Happy “Gotcha” Day!

Today (well, I’m on the West Coast, so it’s still technically March 18th!) marks the one-year anniversary of Arlowe the Cat becoming an official member of our household. I made sure he wasn’t chipped, and then had him chipped and his shots. 4 days later he went to the kitty “spa” to be fixed, de-wormed, and cleaned up, poor baby was a MESS! He had two kinds of worms, a cold, and two open wounds. And he was SO SKINNY!

Here’s last year:

And now he rules the roost:

The most human cat I’ve ever met. Happy “Gotcha” Day Arlowe….our lives (and my curtains) are forever changed by your arrival.

Until next time,

Jules

March

I know, we are nearly halfway through the month of March. It seems like 2018 is going to fly by faster than any previous year! I haven’t been posting as much, as I am at a bit of a crossroads. I’m not buying new Kate Spade (or rather direct from Kate Spade the company), due to the incident last year, but I don’t really want to change my blog name, or anything else online. I have stayed true to myself all the years I have been blogging, staying away from sponsorships that make ZERO sense, and hosting bizarre ads. I’ve never blogged to the stuff or money, but for the joy of sharing my style and mundane life with others! So, think may change a bit as time goes by, but I don’t see many of them. Just fewer new purchases and more Disney trips!

Some recent outfits:

Arlowe is still ruling the house (but is not allowed in the kitchen, which he lets us know is NOT OKAY)

I went to an Oscars party, and dragged a friend this year….

And we met Black Panther at Disney’s California Adventure Park!

Yeah, that’s the photo right there….utterly absurd and ridiculous looking! #nailedit

Until next time,

Jules

Walt Disney World

How have I not posted this sooner? We’ve been back from our family trip for nearly a month! We had the most amazing time EVER. It was worth the hours of planning, time spent changing and rearranging our plans, because everyone got to do everything they wanted. And the weather was perfect! Ponchos were not needed! Some photos:

My mom and I upgraded for the flight out (red eye!), and not sure how but I was upgraded on the flight home (Delta magic, THANK YOU!). I didn’t take tons of photos, instead we really just lived in the moment while we were there! Plus I was using my phone to keep our plans on schedule. Carry lots of battery packs, with Walt Disney Worlds FastPass system your phone will burn through juice!!

My favorite moments were just being with the kids and my parents. After almost losing my dad last year, this trip was a gift! Aren’t my parents the cutest:

My dad is seriously a big kid. I mean, he pretty much was growing up, but even more now. Brain surgery changes a person! It was a fun trip, but I was ready to come home. We all were….in fact we all had “celebrating the last day” buttons, and we skipped all out last day plans….instead opting to explore the Grand Floridian, and eating lunch at the Polynesian.

I’m so glad we went, and I can’t wait to drag my husband in May!

Until next time,

Jules