The Real Downton Abbey

As I've written in the past I am a fan of the series Downton Abbey.  I consider myself a true fan because I stuck with the show even after they insisted on killing off two major characters. ;)

If you are a fan too then about now you are anxious for the next season to start.  They are about to premier Season 5 in the UK, which means we'll have to wait until January 2015 for it to make it across the pond to us.  Unless of course you find the UK shows online, which is what I do! (premiers Sept 21st btw).

I have a quick PBS movie to help you bide the time until the next season begins.  It's a behind the scenes documentary about Downton Abbey, which in real life is known as Highclere Castle.  It's a real Castle with a real earl and countess living inside.  

They show the castle, discuss it's history and also talk quite a bit about the Downton Abbey series and other commercial endeavors that help pay for the rather large Castle costs.  Let's just say all the staff and building upkeep do not come cheap!

It's a lovely little movie and can be found on Netflix or youtube.

Anyone else craving a spot of tea after all this Downton talk?

Fisher Price Friday - The Mulberry Bush pocket radio

I've got another little music box to share with you today.  My youngest loves her music boxes and especially the little ones that fit nicely in her 3 year old hands.  And of course being able to carry them around with a strap is a bonus!  I will warn you that they're pretty solid though and can be dangerous if whipped around quickly.  So lets just stay that I keep a close eye on her when she has one.

Today it's The Mulberry Bush pocket radio #758.  Made from 1970-1972 this is just one of the many Fisher Price music box radios.  This small light orange radio has a wooden back and a plastic front.  It is carried by a red and white vinyl handle.

The musical movement was made in Switzerland and according to the labels it was patented both in Canada and the US (numbers included).

 

The sides and back have lithographs covering the wooden back.  The left side has a bluebird and a white spotted puppy.  The right side has a yellow butterfly and the back of a white fluffy rabbit.

The top has the Fisher Price logo, toy number and "Music Box Pocket Radio".

The back has the words to the familiar childrens tune and a colorful drawing of happy children dancing around...you guessed it a mulberry bush!

Here we go round the mulberry bush,

The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush,

Here we go round the mulberry bush,

So early in the morning.

As the song plays the photos on the front change from the title to a girl and boy doing chores around the house.  Then a large cake, girl brushing her hair and a boy going through a door.  A wee bit random if you ask me, but adorable nonetheless.

For more music box Fisher Price Toys check out:

Small World

12 Days of Christmas Music Box

Fisher Price Music Boxes

Happy Birthday Pocket Radio

Raindrops Pocket Radio

Now, just a quick peek for an upcoming Fisher Price Friday entry.  I know we're a few months off of December but it's never to early to collect Fisher Price ornaments!  Here are the newest (2014) Department 56 Ornaments (the vintage toys only).  I'll show them up close and tell you where I bought them soon.

If you can't wait check out last year's 2013 Dept 56 Ornaments.

Dollar Shave Club - A Woman's Review

Have you heard of the Dollar Shave Club?  It's a monthly subscription shaver service for men...well mostly.  They are currently trying to attract women to subscribe and use their razors too.

Now I am a HUGE fan of subscriptions.  I pretty much love anything that comes on a monthly basis to my door.  I already have The Honest Company (home and bath products), The Simple Soap (organic bar soaps!!) and Citrus Lane (pre-school toys/activities) coming to my house every month.  So when I heard about the Dollar Shave Club I decided to give them a try.

Basically the Dollar Shave Club is a mail order shaver.  They send you an initial box with a handle and 4 refills.  Then each month (or in my case every other month) they send 4 more blades.  For the low low low price of only $6 (that includes shipping).

My first box was compact, cute and creative.  Besides the razor and blades they also included a sample of shave butter (you can add a full size to your order for an extra charge) and a fun "bathroom minutes" which is a grown-up activity book of things to do/read while you are... you-know occupied in the ah-hem bathroom. ;)  It appears that they send a new one out each month to keep you entertained.  Ha!

What makes this razor better than the "lady" pastel-plastic wonder I used before is that it is higher quality for WAY less money.  I did the math and before I was paying about $3 per blade for my Schick hydro silk razors.  And the upfront cost was about $10 for the handle with 2 blades.  So basically I way paying 2x more!

Another benefit of the Dollar Shave Club over my old "lady" razor are the Dollar Shave Club handles and blades.  It appears that men have had it better on this point, their handles have a little weight to them which is more comfortable when shaving.  Also the 4X I selected has lovely grippy sides.  I do not think that this handle is "too manly".  Hey, white is for everyone!  I'd actually prefer they not add a "lady" choice, I'm SO over pastel plastic razors.  

The Dollar Shave Club has 3 options; the Humble Twin for only a $1 a month (shipped!!) which includes 5 refills, the 4X which is $6 a month for 4 refills and the Executive at $9 a month for 4 refills.  Note that you can adjust shipping to every 2 months if you use less refills. 

The difference in the shavers are the number of blades and slight differences in the handle.  The humble has 2, the 4x has 4 and the Executive has 6.  I am currently happy with my 4X.  I had a smooth shave and loved how easy the blade moved around my bumpy knees and ankles.

My husband eyed my new razor with a hint of jealousy so I may be able to sign him up soon too (one time $4 charge for another handle).  We could each have our own handle and share the blade refills.  Ah, how simple would that be?  I heard that a easy way to tell his from hers in the shower is to put a little nail polish on one of them (I'll let you decide which). :)

So go check them out!  If you decided to try them please pretty please use THIS LINK.  That way I get credit towards my account for more free refills.

Stay tuned for more subscription club reviews.  I have the best locally made (in Oregon) organic soaps to tell you about.

Fisher Price Friday - Baby Ann

Today I'd like to share one of my daughter's favorite little dolls.  It's no wonder since Baby Ann #204 looks so much like her!  In fact she refers to the baby doll by her own name. :)  Can you blame her, she's a mini-me.

Of course this is precisely the reason we bought Baby Ann for her.  I was looking to get my youngest a baby doll for Christmas when she was 2 years old and decided to look at a vintage toy of course. ;)  Baby Ann is a hug able mostly soft doll and she also sits pretty well.  

She is one of 6 soft dolls (plus one boy) that were produced by Fisher Price between 1974-1978.  Baby Ann was only made between 1974-1976.  These dolls were designed for children 18mo - 5 years old.  Their soft arms, legs and feet make them safe for little ones.  However, their hair and removable clothing make them interesting for the 4-5 year olds.

 

Baby Ann came with a white flowered dress that has a decorative red ribbon on the front.  The dress fastens with velcro and has elastic around the wrists.  She also came with a white diaper.  Our doll has a diaper but I do not believe that it is the original diaper.  I've read that Ann's diaper should have been white with an elastic waist and legs.  It is removable as well.

Ann's body is peach and she has sewn on red fabric shoes with lace around the ankles.

We selected Baby Ann for our baby-girl because of her short hair.  I love this hair.  At first glance it looks as if a small child gave the doll a brisk haircut however this is how she was designed!  I love it, a child with a messy haircut just like mine. :)  I am sure initially her hair laid a bit flatter, but although messy it is still in remarkably good condition.

 

Isn't she the sweetest little baby-doll?  Oh yes, and the toy is cute too. :)

Note: There is one more Baby Ann variation by Fisher Price; in 1975 and 1976 a Musical Baby Ann was produced.  She looked just like the regular Baby Ann but had a music box inserted in her back.  This doll is very rare as it is reported that only 300 were made.  She had the same number (#204) as the regular Baby Ann doll.

Can I just add that this little girl from the 70's also named Ann(e) by the way should have had this doll too!  It looked just like me!  Instead I had Joey (a boy!!), a different Fisher Price soft doll.  No hard feelings mom and dad.  Ha!

Disneyland with Small Children - Tips and Tricks from a 1st Timer

At the very beginning of summer (4 days after school got out!!) we drove to California and visited Disneyland for the first time.  My girls were almost 3 and 6 and were very excited to be at the happiest place on earth.  Very excited.

I am not a Disneyland expert but here were a few tips and tricks that I'd love to pass along from a 1st timer's point-of-view.

1. Stay at a Disneyland hotel if at all possible.  
We stayed at the Disney Grand Californian and it was wonderful.  A quick walk to Disneyland (it's on Downtown Disney) and connecting to Disney CA Adventure Park it's a perfect location.  The actual hotel is lovely and the rooms nicely appointed (small but with bunk beds!) but the draw is the location.  You can easily walk to and from the park.  Key when you have small children that very quickly need a nap! 

You also get to go into the park one hour early (they trade off between CA Adventure and Disneyland though, so check ahead).  This is a nice perk if you're ready to start your day a little ahead of the regular throngs of people.

2. Pack ahead, bring your own treats and snacks.
This tip was passed on to me from my experienced friends.  I bought small snacks in all shapes and sizes ahead.  Snacks like Annie's bunnies, gummies, granola bars, fruit tape, juice boxes, etc.  These were easy to pack and keep.  I also recommend bringing cut fruit, cheese, pb&j sandwiches and meat chunks.  You know, real food!  This will cut down on the amount of stops that you need to make at "real = expensive" on site restaurants.

Same goes with treats.  At the park the options of mickey paraphernalia are endless.  Your children will be tempted by balloons, lolly's, clothing, dolls, wands, dress up outfits, jewelry, big spinning mickey faces...you get the idea.  Shop ahead at your local Disney store, Walmart, Target (dollar area!!) or Dollar Store.  Bring your own Disney treats and clothes!

3. Glow sticks for the parade.
If you and your children are able to stay up until the closing parade and firework show I highly recommend going.  It was my favorite part of Disneyland!  Seeing Tinkerbell fly above the castle (how do they do that?) and all beautiful fireworks reflected in my children's little happy faces was a moment I'll never forget.  I was also happy to have brought our own glow sticks/flashing glow spinning wand thing so that I didn't feel pressured to pay $12-15 for the Disney ones!  I bought mine ahead at the Dollar spot at Target for between $1-$3 a pieces.  Score!

4. Naps!!
This one is mandatory for the younger crowd.  Plan a nap in your day.  Trust me.  I understand the push to go-go-go when you've spent a million dollars on tickets and there are SO many things to see.  But worn out, tired, crying children is NO fun.  Take a nap and come back refreshed.

5. Ask for photos.  
We received a free signed photo of Anna and Elsa when we checked in at the hotel.  We later received free signed photos of Mickey and Minnie from the Disney store when purchasing their Minnie ears (one item not to buy ahead).  Disney has tons of autographed photos, just ask!


6. Starbucks. 
Try to wait if you can to purchase your morning coffee inside Disneyland as they have a huge Starbucks right on main street.  The Starbucks cups have cute little mickey ears on them, while the Starbucks outside the park does not.

7. Adjust your expectations.

If you are a first timer to Disney, or perhaps you have been but never with children then you may need to set realistic expectations.  With small children you won't be able to see as much as you would think.  Between bathroom breaks, diaper changes, snacks, mini-meltdowns and a million questions it can be slow going.  

You could make a plan of all the rides you'd like to take, but I'd suggest keeping it to a very very loose plan.  Your kids may not even care about most of the rides.

I found that my kid's favorite experiences were meeting characters.  They were over-the-moon to meet Minnie, Tinkerbell, Aurora, Mickey, etc.  We prioritized time to wait at the Princess Castle to meet them as a result.  We took a million photos (don't worry, Disney has "professional" photographers at each photo op if you don't have a camera) and the girls love seeing them now that a few months have passed since our trip.

My day consisted of the Flying Dumbo ride, meeting characters, It's a Small World and a few other small rides and that was just fine.  My girls had a great time and those smiles say it all!

Good luck and have a great trip!!

For information on Disney's Hawaii Aulani Resort Check out:

Disney Aulani Resort Review Part I

Disney Aulani Resort Review Part II (Dining & Spa)