tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778912063016409212024-03-05T01:56:12.968-07:00Walking HolidayWelcome to Walking Holiday! This blog covers all things seasonal, happy, and of course, holiday! Follow me for updates, baking recipes, seasonal shopping & deal info, pictures and feel good holiday stuff. Feel free to contact me or leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you! In my opinion, no event is too small or insignificant to be celebrated!Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-50994707290676487252013-09-04T22:29:00.000-07:002013-09-04T22:47:35.551-07:00When Will Pumpkin Creamer be Back in Stores? And New PSL 10 Tumbler!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Wednesday! We are halfway through the week already, thanks to getting that pesky Monday out of the way on Labor Day :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As you know, PSL and fall favorites are back at Starbucks, but of course I am anxious to have my pumpkin creamer from Coffee-Mate and International Delight at home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know, I should just be patient, but I'm having a hard time doing so when all I really want is to be smacked full-force in the face with fall! I remember CM and ID releasing their pumpkin creamers (Pumpkin Spice and Pumpkin Pie Spice, respectively) at different intervals over different years, so I really had no idea what to expect for this year. I've been looking at my local stores, but so far, no luck. So, I reached out to the companies and they both said they should be back this month! International Delight said they should be out by THIS WEEK! I thought that was pretty exciting news, since I'm pretty sure last year they did not come to my stores until late Sept-early October. If any of you see PS or PPS creamer in your store, puh-lease LET ME KNOW! And send me a bottle if you feel like it, haha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of coffee at home, I picked up this cute little thing at Starbucks today and I cannot wait to fill it up with my Pumpkin Pie Spice home-brewed coffee!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwDy_ouODxdAds7ak5GZAuGcH8CVCf3zX9ZCfUk3HeBc3p94qBtcG6VpN2d60Fg9YSQWKxrs0yVtBa1EIJvfxTRTbkR9OzFkvjoFZayGT9yTS942cNL-vfNCYV7KReXmH9uhqdD5z7yA/s1600/PSL+Tumbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwDy_ouODxdAds7ak5GZAuGcH8CVCf3zX9ZCfUk3HeBc3p94qBtcG6VpN2d60Fg9YSQWKxrs0yVtBa1EIJvfxTRTbkR9OzFkvjoFZayGT9yTS942cNL-vfNCYV7KReXmH9uhqdD5z7yA/s320/PSL+Tumbler.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-small;">You can purchase this from the Starbucks.com website</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This tumbler is a grande (16 fl. oz.) size mug and features an orange-gold foil PSL10 label with other Starbucks and PSL logos, pumpkins, leaves, varying fonts, etc. and is all printed on real wood. The wood is unique to each cup so the grain will vary, making the one you choose your very own :-) I absolutely love it! So now you see why I am so anxious for those creamers to come back to stores?? Lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, Starbucks has a special offer on the tumblers right now- if you buy a package of Pumpkin Spice VIA ($6.95), you can get this tumbler for 1/2 price! Not a bad deal. You end up spending the same amount of money but get a packet of instant coffee with it for free.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxJedirVZcAcuG7wc3xB00luLtlXyGJsuwuT_zjDUSb8SS6l_K9C1b7edipb_3LYYCcZFvl5IyC3B3EWhyphenhyphencwHEi_2-BDHrYPnIT2A4Jflm_yrxZiIwP4TH3WreTFtuZ_b1yp5knKb7Ao/s1600/PSL+Tumbler+Via.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxJedirVZcAcuG7wc3xB00luLtlXyGJsuwuT_zjDUSb8SS6l_K9C1b7edipb_3LYYCcZFvl5IyC3B3EWhyphenhyphencwHEi_2-BDHrYPnIT2A4Jflm_yrxZiIwP4TH3WreTFtuZ_b1yp5knKb7Ao/s320/PSL+Tumbler+Via.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Look at that cute little guy back there! It's just waiting for you to pick it up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">OK, I think that's all for now! I have some info on Christmas candles at both Yankee Candle and BBW that I will be posting about soon, and also some New Year's candles at BBW to tell you about! So stay tuned, friends! Remember to be on the lookout for creamer returning to stores this week. Hope you can get your fix. Have a wonderful day!</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-71021501024563391772013-09-03T23:22:00.000-07:002013-09-03T23:22:37.422-07:00Happy PSL Day!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hello! I hope you had a great Labor Day Weekend! I know I sure did- I decorated my house for fall! Woohoo! And what a great way to cap off my fall decorating with the official return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks this morning! If you follow me on Facebook, you already know it was released last week in secret with the access code PSL10. I hope you got to take advantage of it! It's an exciting year for the Pumpkin Spice Latte as it is celebrating its 10 year anniversary! That's right, the Pumpkin Spice Latte turns 10 years old this year! And Starbucks is going all out to celebrate.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCcFVJ0DaRjgGeWyCSkKnzSzi5ccFI49dZ2Bn_asC39hwE7ZfHgC8BGWcGRWqY0BhQnn7mC-0DrRiD5g5Uh8Rg6_iQ2puizPRyPDReBa5pGNrECqYWnKv2XJm563Ty1tlCYaO7Bbtlmc/s1600/Mug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCcFVJ0DaRjgGeWyCSkKnzSzi5ccFI49dZ2Bn_asC39hwE7ZfHgC8BGWcGRWqY0BhQnn7mC-0DrRiD5g5Uh8Rg6_iQ2puizPRyPDReBa5pGNrECqYWnKv2XJm563Ty1tlCYaO7Bbtlmc/s320/Mug1.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are some cute collectible things like traveler mugs, gift cards, etc that are available in stores, and then there's this baby:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEYaBH_FBnDeScGcI8H8z1ayx0dzEv73Fs7c_yh1r3ySGNnFzHYFqiPk-ee5-GneuBBRpn8EAixLz9ykj3sMbS7HrcUTXdvbw0OvDtuX1g27V9bAEMQDXotlGdJ6uBRAA6eg_L9aX0-E/s1600/PSL+Tumbler.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEYaBH_FBnDeScGcI8H8z1ayx0dzEv73Fs7c_yh1r3ySGNnFzHYFqiPk-ee5-GneuBBRpn8EAixLz9ykj3sMbS7HrcUTXdvbw0OvDtuX1g27V9bAEMQDXotlGdJ6uBRAA6eg_L9aX0-E/s320/PSL+Tumbler.png" width="246" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJq6ZL2Lc52d-Ymg-p87elzSLZPUabgGFYb8-_LZT9akVsNdQocX5vbXD7OFOnZLxao4kI8orMMk6uqETrXmZdYuI4HGTTxEJnSiIDj8c2EaHQYYLCZ0Z2pUnZhzQblGgk5Sac0oZN9g/s1600/PSL+Tumbler+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJq6ZL2Lc52d-Ymg-p87elzSLZPUabgGFYb8-_LZT9akVsNdQocX5vbXD7OFOnZLxao4kI8orMMk6uqETrXmZdYuI4HGTTxEJnSiIDj8c2EaHQYYLCZ0Z2pUnZhzQblGgk5Sac0oZN9g/s320/PSL+Tumbler+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A Swarovski crystal encrusted coffee tumbler for the small price of $150. But don't worry, it comes with a pre-loaded $20 gift card, so that makes it all worth it :-) I am kidding about this being affordable, but if it's something you like then more power to you! I really like the ombre-style orange coloring to represent the pumpkin at the bottom, but I also think this is something I could make at home after a trip to the local craft store. But either way, it's exciting that the PSL is back and turning 10 and being celebrated so much!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHG3Hh2uEdeQNJk8Z5JYStqqleNqsWDbBdIfKj-_OAWwe9vlz6ZjJSQh51HqgkWT5OHE405Jdh_7tHiYglpJmxygAiMbS848wFOFXIDkJyz6UU2WxCYDF0h6BNuCyUtWUvYQPdO0jHrk/s1600/PSL+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHG3Hh2uEdeQNJk8Z5JYStqqleNqsWDbBdIfKj-_OAWwe9vlz6ZjJSQh51HqgkWT5OHE405Jdh_7tHiYglpJmxygAiMbS848wFOFXIDkJyz6UU2WxCYDF0h6BNuCyUtWUvYQPdO0jHrk/s320/PSL+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And the fall drinks returning to stores means fall gift cards are back, too! The past 2 years they have had a beautiful brown card with leaves and brail on top. This year they have two different cards. A yellow card with a few leaves on it, which looks very Thanksgiving-y to me, and a PSL mini card (with a hole punched on top to fit on your key ring).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EacbuxUYLIKbqDQQiOsk8S4nmR1YMSqZRgcjY4nvkSugC_bk1znykUoPx_GBR5wRDnqxahdY3qJtXABKO2AkxZOMIOdZ_Y5bqS845-a6OJ7vOP9XXDLeYaGhfbVZS3a01xZPghhjkAk/s1600/PSL+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EacbuxUYLIKbqDQQiOsk8S4nmR1YMSqZRgcjY4nvkSugC_bk1znykUoPx_GBR5wRDnqxahdY3qJtXABKO2AkxZOMIOdZ_Y5bqS845-a6OJ7vOP9XXDLeYaGhfbVZS3a01xZPghhjkAk/s320/PSL+Cards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In case you were wondering, the PSL sauce is very good again this year. Sweet, spicy, pumpkiny, flavorful... like fall in a cup. There were a few years (circa 2008-2010/2011) where the sauce was very bland, not spicy, not at all pumpkiny, bitter and lacking in flavor. It just plain did not taste good at all. I always had to pair it with Cinnamon Dolce syrup to bring out some spice and flavor. However, last year and this year they nailed it- it tastes just like it's supposed to! If you find it is too sweet for you, just ask for 1/2 the pumps and that will not only tone down the flavor, but also the calories.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdKpmUsOEzUMvhfDpUIydtJsof7kUEKuwPy9MDWjUxl3eRwOotpmO6Edy_nXjNkPhNHSmXaG1BKkYyYSXLXtxeAHrlirf4G1-ou4-v8UmlDNRnXH0bJ-IKksFh4Afk_vYdL-WrR63vFQ/s1600/Mug3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdKpmUsOEzUMvhfDpUIydtJsof7kUEKuwPy9MDWjUxl3eRwOotpmO6Edy_nXjNkPhNHSmXaG1BKkYyYSXLXtxeAHrlirf4G1-ou4-v8UmlDNRnXH0bJ-IKksFh4Afk_vYdL-WrR63vFQ/s320/Mug3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is such an exciting time of year! It is the unofficial end of summer being after Labor Day, and we made it to the BER months! YAY! I saw Disneyland Halloween Time commercials on the TV just now as I was writing this and got so excited! As I predicted a few posts ago, the date for Halloween Time is Friday, September 13th! Only 10 days away!!! Sooo exciting! The first day of autumn is less than 20 days from now, BBW is in full-force with all of their fall candles, home fragrance, body care and soaps, and Yankee Candle released their Halloween stuff today! So much fun stuff going on and even more wonderful things to look forward to! I hope you all join in on the festivities! Feel free to share any fall fun you have going on in your lives right now, I always like hearing about how everyone celebrates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cheers to the PSL 10 years and to the beginning of fall!</span><br />
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Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-54864641997617188302013-08-19T21:47:00.002-07:002013-08-19T21:48:27.685-07:00Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Return Date- Confirmed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RqUOzx0OBHuN0sP1hGsqOjkXqQEs7mpuq8vp_r5g19H_VevPmWRJSl5YAqDhfB30WYiZ_eigfpe36laPq2dJdNME-neUgwi29AAToEOsyjRmxCodIjqJrDxTESFmosIJ0sdjS-pqZ4s/s1600/1376931443420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RqUOzx0OBHuN0sP1hGsqOjkXqQEs7mpuq8vp_r5g19H_VevPmWRJSl5YAqDhfB30WYiZ_eigfpe36laPq2dJdNME-neUgwi29AAToEOsyjRmxCodIjqJrDxTESFmosIJ0sdjS-pqZ4s/s320/1376931443420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh happy day! This morning at my local Starbucks, I was able to confirm my previously estimated PSL return date I had told you about- it WILL be back the day after Labor Day on <span style="color: #b45f06;">Tuesday, September 3rd</span>! YAAAY! Just 2 weeks away! Why is the PSL return date so special, you ask? Well for me, the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte marks the unofficial beginning of fall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Labor Day, the last summer holiday, has passed, kids around the country (not just here in AZ) are all back in school, cooler temperatures and sweater weather is on its way in, and <em>sweaty</em> weather on its way out! It brings to mind the anticipation of apple cider, warm scarves, crisp air, crunchy leaves and time spent with family. Isn't it so comforting that the best time of year is just around the corner?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had quite the pep in my step the rest of the day having heard the wonderful news. After confirming the suspected date with my barista, I whispered, "Is the syrup here? Is it back there? I know we can't have it yet, but is it there?". This question was one that I already knew the answer to, but just had to ask anyway to put my holiday-filled mind at ease. I exhaled a sigh of relief when she smiled and shook her head 'yes'. Alright, it's really happening! Just hearing the confirmation that yes, indeed it IS there, sitting in that lonely back room anxiously awaiting its arrival in stores, was all I needed to feel comforted :-) Simply knowing that the shipment successfully made it to my Starbucks is <em>almost</em> more exciting to me than the day that it comes out... almost!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So there you have it. <span style="color: #b45f06;">Tuesday, September 3, 2013</span> is the big day! Some stores will have a "soft-opening" during Labor Day Weekend. So if on Saturday, August 31st you happen to go to Starbucks, ask if you can have a PSL. The worst they can say is no, and the best they can say is yes, you can have the spicy orange drink a few days early :-) Also, the past 2 years they've had a competition on Facebook to give the city with the most "Pumpkin Spice Spirit" the drink a week early, so I'll be keeping my eye on that for you and updating as necessary! Last year Chicago won, and I think they won the year before, too. I would love if Arizona could give them a run for their money, but I don't think we have the population to compete, lol. Oh well. I <em>guess</em> I can wait 15 days ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful day!</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-42322056878917441012013-08-18T12:47:00.000-07:002013-08-18T12:47:55.980-07:00Music Choice: Sounds of the Seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLC2qcliZhctn-_r0wIMUZFI-cd979a_gjnbNDmhgYjAPpoWj-GcfRE0wRsXrGt39YBgqmozx6Y4_81yxxbi-FzVG3IrxUa12yiAAak7UILddh9MWMiLnLzL9N1fiYG8EhMalEw0mrY/s1600/Music+Choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLC2qcliZhctn-_r0wIMUZFI-cd979a_gjnbNDmhgYjAPpoWj-GcfRE0wRsXrGt39YBgqmozx6Y4_81yxxbi-FzVG3IrxUa12yiAAak7UILddh9MWMiLnLzL9N1fiYG8EhMalEw0mrY/s320/Music+Choice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This time of year, I always start getting anxious to hear festive music. One of my favorite ways to incorporate seasonal songs in my home is by listening to <strong>Music Choice: Sounds of the Seasons</strong> on my TV! They play a wide variety of songs, ad-free, 24/7 during seasonal timeframes. And they start early and keep it going for a little after the holiday passes, which pleases me very much as I like to celebrate the full season, not just the day :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Music Choice is available to many different cable TV users, so tune-in if you have Cox Cable, Time Warner, Comcast, Charter, Cablevision, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-Verse, Grande, Service Electric Cable TV, CenturyLink, or Bright House Networks. I have Cox Cable, so for me,it is on channel 1933. Not quite sure what channel for other users, but I am sure you could easily look it up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is the upcoming music schedule for 2013. Oktoberfest is coming up next, about a month away :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sounds of the Seasons-</strong> Special music that plays to celebrate various holidays and seasons. The 2013 schedule includes:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mardi Gras <i><b>(first week of February)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Valentine's Day <i><b>(second week of February)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">St. Patrick's Day <i><b>(third week of March)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cinco De Mayo <i><b>(first week of May)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Patriotic music <i><b>(first week of July)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Christmas in July <i><b>(third week of July)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oktoberfest <i><b>(late September through October 7)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Halloween <i><b>(October 8 to November 1)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Christmas <i><b>(runs from November 2 through January 6)</b></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Pulse <b><em>(periods without a specific widely-celebrated holiday such as April, June and August, etc.)</em> <-- For the record, <em>The Pulse</em> is NOT my favorite, LOL</b></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hope you join me in September to make your home sound festive and seasonal. Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-75836166471706647182013-08-06T19:41:00.001-07:002013-08-06T20:02:40.849-07:00Back-to-School!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh, how this time of year makes me reminisce about the smell of new school supplies… that papery, waxy first waft when you open a new box of crayons, the smell of flexible plastic pencil pouches, the bright, clean fabric of a new backpack, the freshly ground wood grain and lead from bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils… you get the idea :-) Yesterday in Arizona, school started again! Summer vacation seemed to go by really fast. I hope these kids are going back feeling like they had a long enough break. I remember always having major butterflies in my stomach when the first day of school was approaching. However, back-to-school supply shopping helped out with that because I always thought it was so fun. Don’t you just love walking into places like Target during this time of year and seeing school supply galore all around you? As much as I am sad for kids having to start school again, the prep for it makes me really happy.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1375840374833_1793" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The school year starting this week and this overcast, rainy weather has me wanting to curl up in bed and watch You’ve Got Mail and put up my fall decorations :D I can hardly wait for autumn to be here! And Arizona starting the school year early does not help with that, lol! I know once school is back in session fall just around the corner, so I am trying my hardest to be patient.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.com/2012/01/year-of-mantels.html"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://adiamondinthestuff.com/2012/01/year-of-mantels.html</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">As I am sure you can tell, I love decorating for all seasons. I thought this mantel from</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.com/2012/01/year-of-mantels.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">A Diamond in the Stuff</span></a><span style="color: white;"> was so perfect for today! I mean, how often do you see décor done for back-to-school? Pretty much never. It would not be a bad idea to do start doing things like this once I have my own children to make this transition happier, more exciting one. Do any of you do any decorating or have traditions of your own for starting the school year? I'd love to hear about it if you do!</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1375840374833_1870" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here’s to hoping the first day back at school went well for teachers and students and for a great year ahead! Have a great day!</span></div>
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Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-16339648173890479152013-07-21T15:42:00.000-07:002013-07-22T12:50:25.091-07:00Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remember those orange creamsicle popsicles from when you were a kid? I do, and I absolutely LOVED them! The citrusy orange flavor of the popsicle paired with the creamy, dreamy filling on the inside was such a delicious combination and so refreshing for the summer! I was thinking about how good those were on one of our sweltering hot Arizona summer days last week and thought, what if I made those in a cupcake? So this weekend, that's exactly what I did!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's an orangesicle flavored cake mix, spruced up with my own ingredients to make it extra dense and moist, then piped with a cream filling on the inside and a little dollop on top then lightly iced with orangesicle flavored frosting :) Yum!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's pretty easy to make and you can have a lot of fun with it. Kids can help with the filling and frosting and experiment around with decorating. You really do have a lot of options, so play around with this to make it your own, or just try it as-is and see how you like it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is my recipe for Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes, I hope you enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Three special ingredients I wanted to share with you: I started with this box mix from Pillsbury, which I found at Target in their seasonal section in the back of the store- it is currently filled with summertime things like Adirondack chairs, pool noodles, picnic items, etc. If you can't find it, I am sure you can make-do with a yellow cake mix and add orange juice and/or orange flavored extract. My other secret ingredient to bring out the citrus flavor and also moisten them up is lemon pudding mix! I actually ended up using 1/2 box of lemon and 1/2 of vanilla, which I thought was a nice complement to the creamy filling flavor. And last but not least, a jar or two of marshmallow fluff :)</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes</span></u></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Ingredients for cupcakes:</em></span></strong><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 box orangesicle flavored cake mix</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 small pkg (3.4 oz) lemon instant pudding and pie filling mix (optional: you can use an addt'l box of vanilla and do 1/2 box of each)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 (small container (8 oz.) sour cream</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4 large eggs</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup vegetable oil</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup warm water</span></li>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Directions:</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Preheat</strong> oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 cupcake/muffin tins with preferred paper liners (about 24 needed).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Combine</strong> all ingredients in a large mixer bowl and beat on low speed until just blended; then kick it up a notch or two to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes. Fill each cup about 2/3 full. I like to use an ice cream scoop like the one pictured to fill mine evenly, and also less messy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Bake</strong> 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. This batter is dense, so you want to make sure there is nothing ooey-gooey on your toothpick when you test it, otherwise your cupcakes will collapse when you take them out because of the weight of the batter. A few dry crumbs on the toothpick is ok : )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Cool</strong> in pans for 10 mins then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While these puppies are baking and cooling, you can clean out your bowl and start preparing your cream filling and frosting!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Ingredients for cream filling:</em></span></strong><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 stick (4 Tbsp) butter, softened</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 cup powdered sugar</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2-1 tsp vanilla extract (depending on flavor intensity and filling color desired)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">opt: about 1 (7 oz.) jar of marshmallow fluff*</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*I used the marshmallow fluff for a few reasons: I found it really cut the obvious cream cheese/powdered sugar/vanilla extract flavor, and I also really liked the lighter, fluffier texture it gave to the filling. This is totally optional, and the recipe will definitely work without it, but I personally really liked it!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Directions:</em></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mix cream cheese and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended (about a minute or less should do). Add your powdered sugar, then add the preferred amount of vanilla extract to taste. Taste testing from the bowl along the way is recommended, lol! Now comes the fun part, if you are including this, adding the marshmallow fluff! I went ahead and took my spatula and scraped all of it out of the jar and into the filling mixture. You can gradually add a little here and there and see what you like, or just take my word for it and put it all in there. Mix away, store in the fridge if you want it a little firmer and cooler.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Ingredients and directions for the orange frosting:</em></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I used a can of orangesicle flavored frosting that was right next to the orangesicle cake mix at Target, and then also added a 7 oz. jar of marshmallow fluff to make the flavor a little less heavy and fluff and puff it up a little. This is also optional.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, get ready to cream-fill and frost!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add your cream filling to a professional icing decorator like this one, or to a plastic piping bag fitted with a tip. The tip size I used was Wilton 230. If you don't have either of these, you can remove a small portion of the middle of the cupcake, add about 1 tsp. to 1Tbsp. filling with a spoon, then replace cupcake center.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Insert the piping tip about halfway through the center of the cupcake and fill with about a teaspoon-Tablespoon of filling, or until the cream filling starts puffing out of the top of the cake. Pipe enough to leave a nice little dollop on top, like this:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU7obdF2-K10n409UddbI4S2L-HiErjmSQFfGRtx3CJl6QdQQPcWdI7jNldgM4Ora3lTqKLQfkIDSVcIP9QY6_8yqyixvR6UPZH5gw8YaO2HN-tdSlj_Fxy2QMaYCNJvLflLd7t3lDkE/s1600/Orange+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU7obdF2-K10n409UddbI4S2L-HiErjmSQFfGRtx3CJl6QdQQPcWdI7jNldgM4Ora3lTqKLQfkIDSVcIP9QY6_8yqyixvR6UPZH5gw8YaO2HN-tdSlj_Fxy2QMaYCNJvLflLd7t3lDkE/s320/Orange+cream.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seriously?!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One you have your lovely little dollop centered on top like so, go ahead and take a mini spatula (or whatever you like to use) and lightly frost in a circle around the cream, leaving the cream center exposed to give your eaters a little hint about what's on the inside : )</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uAvRTiSr0jqNhHjJXe7hjzsbZ2nMnjv3wfMQGCKsIBeBYN1g6qmnzIphN2thyZtwxAS2qdFpj8IGR4xenRKflcYo88xo6EozZe3iQg_XzwmBmibfM5VUdye1O-1nIhyphenhyphen0ihlKezEj26M/s1600/Orange+half+frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uAvRTiSr0jqNhHjJXe7hjzsbZ2nMnjv3wfMQGCKsIBeBYN1g6qmnzIphN2thyZtwxAS2qdFpj8IGR4xenRKflcYo88xo6EozZe3iQg_XzwmBmibfM5VUdye1O-1nIhyphenhyphen0ihlKezEj26M/s320/Orange+half+frost.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Almost there...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjhr_DEU7Yeump8d-MkRfHed0jZPvLxtLTleBm9dMaUltyZFbArqtXlEOAmqFOAn3PANilKM9Rcmwh49PZGwhBoIWkkR-nTzmDgY7dcpE5Xe29H_wIeKiOew8GWf40rMEzHK8BdqJRhA/s1600/Orange+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjhr_DEU7Yeump8d-MkRfHed0jZPvLxtLTleBm9dMaUltyZFbArqtXlEOAmqFOAn3PANilKM9Rcmwh49PZGwhBoIWkkR-nTzmDgY7dcpE5Xe29H_wIeKiOew8GWf40rMEzHK8BdqJRhA/s320/Orange+finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Perfect!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There you have it! My fun summertime treat : ) You can stick these in the fridge for a few minutes and serve them slightly chilled for an extra pop of refreshment on a warm summer day. Hope you have fun making and eating these! Let me know what you think in the comments below : ) I'm happy to answer questions if you have any!</span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have a great week!</span></div>
Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-70029342369189066872013-07-18T21:20:00.002-07:002013-07-18T21:22:59.896-07:00Christmas in July on QVC Starts TOMORROW!!!<span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sooo excited for CIJ tomorrow! Starts an hour earlier this year, at 8pm for me! That's 11pm eastern time. Hope you tune in to enjoy the festivities!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This will mark only 5 months till Christmas, and only 2 months till fall! Hooray! The best time of the year is here!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have a great Christmas in July weekend!</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-2849227353087224352013-07-11T23:42:00.002-07:002013-07-14T12:18:22.706-07:00Bath & Body Fall Candle Preview 2013 & CIJ is Approaching!<div class="yiv1775792835MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7589" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7588" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">I am just tickled pink with anticipation</span> of all things fall that are approaching. July might oddly enough be one of my favorite months because this is when things I am using now (i.e. 4<sup>th</sup> of July, summer things, etc) go one sale and guess what starts creeping in to store aisles?? Fall and Christmas! Hooray! Pumpkins, costumes, colorful leaves and evergreen wreaths start to make their debut in some of my favorite stores. What stores, you ask? Hobby Lobby is decked out for Christmas in some aisles, Michael’s has had fall since the 1<sup>st</sup> week of June (they get their 1<sup>st</sup> fall boxes in immediately after Memorial Day), Party City has the back of their store dedicated to Halloween costumes and Yankee Candle has their fall preview collection out and ready! July is great because everything good is ahead of you, and you even get to experience a lot of that goodness to come now</span> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 9pt;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1775792835MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7593" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7592" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also know that this is the month when any event or new item being released in the fall will make a preview in some way, shape or form, usually on a website. Two examples of this today: First, Bath & Body 3-wick candles are on sale for $12 right now for the semi-annual sale, and guess what I saw included in that special price? Pumpkin collection!!! Classic fragrances and a couple new scents in their <i id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7667">new 2013 packaging</i> are on sale for $12 right now! AND free shipping over $25! Second example of this today, Mickey’s Halloween Party information is up on Disney’s website!!! I am so excited, I seriously hope I can go this year! Aside from the Halloween Party, which is a separate event, Halloween Time at Disneyland/Fall starts in September, and although they do not have that schedule up yet, I will guess that will start the weekend of September 14<sup>th</sup>. Two short months away!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7594" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Isn’t that a great little summertime pick-me-up?! It is for me! All these scorching Arizona summer days, in combination with the start of some monsoon storms <i>really</i> make me crave the fall, so I get a little more excited about these things than most people probably do. Today is such a cozy, lazy day out, too. It’s been overcast all day (a really nice break from the bright, blaring summer sun), and therefore our temperatures are about 10-20 degrees cooler than they have been. “Cooler”, by the way, is 88 degrees at 8:30am instead of 97, is that funny to anyone else? Lol. Also, during the afternoon today it went from 113 to 93 when it started raining, oh happy day! The clouds and pending monsoon storms have brought with it some thick humidity that makes the air feel like a warm blanket and the smell of rain which makes me want to curl up by a fireplace with a hot coffee and take a nap. Caffeine and naps are very contradicting, so I can’t explain why but that’s just what this weather makes me want to do! Combine all of that with Christmas in July on QVC approaching and I am just <b><i>over. the. moon</i></b>!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7669" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, do you want the scoop for the new Bath & Body Works fragrances for fall? I’ll assume you do, so here it is!</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7691" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’ll start with some brief packaging information:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The packaging for the pumpkin candles is decent and an improvement from last year. I’ll include a few pictures of some of the candles below and you can decide for yourself</span> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 9pt;">J</span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7679" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The new packaging for Cranberry Woods is very pretty, and I hope that is the direction they will go for the rest of the fragrances this year and for the upcoming holiday season. It suits my style well.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7682" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, can I backtrack real quick and say that I am pretty sure BBW has never had any fall candles from the new, upcoming season at all whatsoever <i>online</i> before it’s available in stores or during the semi-annual sale?? This seems like a first and I won’t question it. My only explanation would be that they see the market demand is very high once summertime hits- people are pretty eager for fall since it’s been a decent stretch of time since there has been a real holiday that you can theme and expand out to the 5 senses product-wise in a while, so they are jumping on the opportunity and providing the supply earlier. It works very well for their competitor, Yankee Candle, so they might as well take advantage of it, too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7685" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are some new fall scents that caught my eye that I am really stoked about just based on the name alone! If you try any of these, please let me know what you think! These descriptions are straight from the BBW website.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: white;">Pumpkin Carving <span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; font-variant: small-caps;">(New!)</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; font-variant: small-caps;"></span></span></span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Your fall favorites are back! Invite everyone over to enjoy the fun fragrance of making jack-o-lanterns in this blend of pumpkin, brown sugar and nutmeg.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7715" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Re-introducing… Pumpkin Carving! (read CARVE, like carving a jack-o-lantern, not crave, like I am craving a pumpkin spice latte, lol)</span> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 9pt;">ß</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7714" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> I<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> threw that little tidbit in there because last year I heard a few employees read it as</span> <i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">c-r-aving</span></i>,<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> so I thought I would help you out if you needed it since it is pretty easy to transpose those letters!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7698" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok, so this one is technically not NEW, it was actually given away as a part of a free gift last year during a home fragrance event at BBW stores on Saturday, September 15<sup>th</sup>, 2012 in a mini-candle version, then they never fully released it and I could not find it ANYWHERE! I’m sure it was in some test stores, but it was not online or in any stores near me, so I was really bummed that I missed out on getting it! So I am very excited to see that it is here this year! Can’t wait to try it! Were any of you lucky enough to snag this one up last year?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7599" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Side note: I missed the fragrance event that day because we were in the hospital- my sister-in-law was having their first baby and our 2<sup>nd</sup> nephew! So we were a little caught up with labor and delivery</span> </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7713" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7712">J</span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7597" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wouldn’t have missed that for a BBW event obviously (please send me to Bath & Body rehab if I ever do something like that lol), but I think this ends up being a win-win for me- got to be there for our nephew’s arrival and they are releasing the scent I missed last year, this year! Score!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sweater Weather </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; font-variant: small-caps;">(New!)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7708"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7707" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cuddle up with an aromatic blend of eucalyptus, juniper berry and fresh sage that celebrates the arrival of sweater weather.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong>Pumpkin Apple</strong></span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; font-variant: small-caps;"><strong>(New!)</strong></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7707" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7734" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Experience the blend of your two favorite fall scents - apples and pumpkin - enhanced by notes of cinnamon and clove.</span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Pumpkin Pecan Waffles</strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; font-variant: small-caps;"><strong>(New!)</strong></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7759" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Delight in the scrumptious scent of pumpkin pecan waffles, pure maple syrup and a touch of brown sugar</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7764" style="color: white; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Aaand some returning classics!</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7762"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7761" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Marshmallow Fireside</span></b></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7756"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7755" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Celebrate the changing season with a warm blend of toasted marshmallows, smoldering woods and creamy vanilla reminiscent of a cozy evening 'round the bonfire.</span></span></b></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Leaves</span></b></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7755" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Celebrate the brilliant colors of autumn with this rich blend of golden nectar, red apple and spiced berries.</strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7766" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong>Autumn Day</strong></span></div>
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<b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7747"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7746" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Inspired by the fresh air and brilliant colors of a stroll through a secluded wood in autumn with notes of oak, citrus and golden amber</span>.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7766" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong>Autumn</strong></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong></strong></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7746" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll spare you the descriptions for the rest of these since they should be about the same as years past :) </span></span></span> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong>Pumpkin Cupcake</strong></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong>Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong>Cranberry Woods</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong>Nutmeg & Spice</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><strong>Fresh Balsam</strong></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><br />
<div class="yiv1775792835MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7826" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7829" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So whaddya think? I am excited as always for these to return and for the new ones as well! Pumpkin Carving, Sweater Weather and Pumpkin Apple are the ones I am most looking forward to</span> </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7828" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7827">J </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7825" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am sure they will bring back a couple other oldies that have been popular like Spiced Cider, Apple Crumble and Caramel Apple, and I’m sure they will tempt our noses with some new ones for us to try throughout the season as well. I believe the pumpkin collection is available in stores July 27<sup>th</sup>, about 2 weeks away! Ahhh!! Or, you can buy them ahead of time today online while they are on sale! I doubt they will be on sale when they first come out, so if you want to stock up, now is a good time to do so. And with free shipping, it’s very worth it.</span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="yiv1775792835MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7813" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7822" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To hold you over until then, did I mention CIJ on QVC is only 8 days away?!?!?! YAY!!! I’ll be planning a weekend of getting to know my couch a lot better over the course of Friday evening until Sunday night when it ends! I seriously have problems lol! BTW, it starts an hour earlier this year!! Friday July 19<sup>th</sup> at 11pm EST, so that would be 8pm my time. I feel so lucky that I don’t have to wait so long for it since I’m in a different time zone. Go Arizona. You pulled through for me!</span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7821" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is the basic schedule to quickly fill you in on what to expect (listed in EST, so adjust accordingly):</span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></span> </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Friday, July 19th, 2013</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">11:00pm - Christmas Shoppe</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Saturday, July 20th, 2013</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">12:00am-2:00am - The Joy of Christmas</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sunday, July 21st, 2013</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">11:00pm-12:00am - The Joy of Christmas</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></span><span style="color: white;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can find the full programming schedule with this link (I have it set to Pacific Time):</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><a href="http://www.qvc.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProgramGuideDailyView?storeId=10251&TimeZoneSelect=PST&Navigate=20130719">http://www.qvc.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProgramGuideDailyView?storeId=10251&TimeZoneSelect=PST&Navigate=20130719</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Isn't the graphic super cute this year?? I just love it!</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7647" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, I feel like we are all caught up to speed now with holidays and whatnot. Oh wait, back-to-school is coming up. In less than a month around these parts. I feel like summer vacation is so short these days! The only other countdown I have going on in my head is the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks (oh, the things I tease myself with). That always comes back the day after Labor Day, so I expect it to be “soft-released” (as in, not advertised at all, but if you know about it, you might be able to purchase it) Labor Day weekend, and in full pumpkin spice bloom on Tuesday, September 3<sup>rd</sup>! I have it marked in my calendar as “Happy PSL Day”, and I will bet you my first latte that it will be available then! Any takers? ;-)</span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7622" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sheesh, that is only 7 ½ weeks away! I also plan to decorate my house for fall that weekend. Not Halloween though, that usually comes between the 1<sup>st</sup> day of fall and October 1<sup>st</sup>, whatever my schedule allows for. For those of you keeping score at home, the first day of fall this year is Sunday, September 22<sup>nd</sup>… 10 ½ weeks away</span> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 9pt;">J</span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373596547470_7620" style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So we have lots of fun stuff to fill our weeks with until then!</span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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</span></b>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-75885325893559559822012-12-26T13:15:00.002-07:002012-12-26T14:04:08.032-07:00Let the Post-Christmas Depression Begin!Hello there! Merry Christmas!!! I hope you all had a beautiful, safe, and happy holiday with your families.<br />
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Today is December 26th... anyone else feel a full blown post-Christmas depression coming on? I do! I love this season so much and all that is brings, it's very hard for me to adjust once it's over. There is so much fun and excitement and wonder, and I feel that it all ends so quickly! Anyone else wish Christmas would linger just a little bit longer? I hope I'm not the only one!<br />
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But fear not! If you, like me, want to squeeze a little more Christmas out of this season, you totally can! I decided that I will still be celebrating Christmas through the end of the year (as I usually do) with music, movies, light-looking and festivities galore! Nothing like a little denial to prolong the inevitable back-to-normal that is fast approaching :-) I think I will really dive in to celebrating all things winter and wring out every last drop of Christmas that I can.<br />
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Any don't forget, today is Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas! Epiphany is January 6th, so you technically have until then to celebrate Christmas (without the pressure of shopping and gifts) and not look like you are totally Christmas crazy :-) Or at least you won't look crazy to me, haha!<br />
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So with that, Merry 12 Days of Christmas and Winter Festivus! Enjoy!<br />
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Also, my apologies for not having more Christmas blog posting this year! It is my favorite season to enjoy, and I think combined with wedding planning this year, writing about everything kind of got away from me! I could barely make time to participate in everything this year, more over write about it. But I sure did want to! I might do some recaps or just wait a few months once I'm not so busy to start keeping up with the blog more. New Year's resolution?? Maybe! Not too early to think of that!Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-80470897505434031932012-11-23T20:17:00.000-07:002012-11-23T20:17:09.890-07:00Happy Black Friday!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! If you were out for Black Friday, I hope you got what you wanted and didn't get trampled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh, and Black Friday means.... THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!! Woohoo! Merry Christmas! It feels so good to be able to say that :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have a great Thanksgiving weekend and be careful hangin those lights ;-)</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-36744874147677618582012-11-20T11:35:00.000-07:002012-11-20T11:35:21.025-07:00On a Christmas Cloud Nine!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Friday, November 16, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! Are you ready for this one?! Joy to the holy good world, 99.9 KEZ just kicked off their Christmas music!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! To say I am excited and overflowing with joy is a huge understatement!!!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! I AM SOOOO HAPPY!!!!! This is going to make for some terrible writing, but I just can't express myself enough if I don't use all caps, sound effects, and like one million exclamation points! So I apologize for this terribly written post, but I just can't help myself!!! It is so exciting!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let's rewind a bit and I'll tell you how this all happened!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Earlier in the month, I had predicted a Friday November 16th 7:00 am start time for the Christmas music kick-off. I had been checking all month in November in case they started early, but to no avail. The week of the 16th comes. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday?! Nothing. Thursday?! Nothing. So Friday morning, I woke-up and looked at the clock. Shoot! 7:25. Did I miss it? I leaned over my bed and shuffled through my purse, scurried to grab my phone and immediately turned on the radio in anticipation for the magical sounds of the season. As much as I hoped the music had started, I also hoped that I hadn't missed the kick-off. That would be an epic Walking Holiday fail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The radio tunes in, I hear Beth talking, is that Christmas music in the background? I listen intently to hear any hint of a jingling bell or a 'Ho Ho Ho' in the background. Nothing. Sigh. Relief and disappointment. It was now 7:30. Will they start today? Maybe I was wrong. I decided to stay tuned in while I was getting ready for work to listen just in case they started at 8:00. The minutes tick closer. My eye is twitching at this point from having to suffer through what is, in my opinion, some of the worst music this world has to offer. So tempting to turn it off. But for some reason, I decided to trudge through. Finally, 8:00! Next song comes on... oh bloody hell. Another awful 80's tune. Maybe I really should turn it off at this point at save my sanity. Something inside me tells me no, just keep listening. The song draws closer to an end. I hover over my phone as if being closer to it will somehow allow me to grasp what is going on faster. There is a pause. Excitement grows. Where is Beth? She should be talking again by now. I hear background noise, and not the muffled type you hear at the radio station, but a distant, echoing sound of hustle and bustle, like you hear in a crowd. GASP! Is she out and about somewhere?! Finally, she says "Am I on? Are we good, am I on?" YES!!!!!!!!!! SHE IS DEFINITELY OUT OF THE STATION SOMEWHERE TO KICK-OFF THE MUSIC!!! I just know it!!! "Ok," she says, "I'm here at Scotts-" she doesn't need to finish. I know where she is. Scottsdale Fashion Square. "Omg omg omg omg omg" rattles around in my mind over and over and over again. I am at a loss for words. She continues, "...-dale Fashion Square, and, well, I'm here to do something very special." At this point I am in tears. Stop it right now, Beth McDonald! Stop teasing me! As much as I know what is about to happen, that would really suck if she was there for a store's grand opening or something. Rest assured, the next words out of her mouth confirm what I have been thinking, "It's something we do every year, something you all have been asking about." I gasp for air, then immediately cover my mouth so I don't squeal in a fit of joy and miss something. "I'm here with Cory McClosky from Fox 10 News." Oh stop it, the news is there?!?!?! Hell YES! I scramble for the remote. I wait for the TV to start up and it feels like time is standing still. I immediately tune in to channel 10. Beth says, "If you're at home and can turn on channel 10, you can simulcast here with us." Perfect. You and I are on the same page, Beth. I see Fox 10 come back from break with a graphic that says "Happy Holidays". YES! This really must be happening! They send it over to Cory at Scottsdale Fashion with Beth. I am stomping my feet in place as I can't take the anticipation any longer. They are in front of the mall's giant Christmas tree, rambling on about this being something they do every year and they look forward it, but I can't really concentrate as I am still searching for clues to make sure this is really happening. To add to the whirlwind of craziness, there is a delay between the radio and the TV so my eyes and ears aren't quite sure what to tune in to. Beth looks into the camera and says, "I love this time of year, I am so glad we are going this. This is something you all have been asking about since Halloween. So Cory and I are going to go over here," they both walk over to a candy cane lever placed in front of the tree, "and this lever right here is what we pull to start off what we're doing today... THIS WILL START OFF THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! So Cory, without any further delay as I know everyone is looking so forward to this, let's pull the lever!" They give it a tug and my head follows the movement of the brightly lit candy cane all the way down and BAM! "Here it is!" Beth exclaims. "What you've been waiting for!" It starts, the uplifting instruments, the timeless voice of Andy Williams, "It's the most, wonderful tiiiiime, of the yeeeear"! Beth and Cory grab on to each other and start dancing in the mall with giant grins on their faces, and I hysterically start jumping up and down in circles, partially singing along, partially just screaming and getting out my built-up excitement! YES! It happened! I didn't miss it!!! It WAS worth listening to all that horrible music prior to the kick-off! I didn't sleep through it! I made it, I heard the kick-off! Aaand I got to hear AND watch it LIVE!!!!! A Walking Holiday first! My prediction was only off by 1 hour and 11 minutes! Hallelujah!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ahh, yes! This time of year is truly my favorite. Why is the Christmas music on the radio such a big deal you ask? Bigger than everything else? For some reason, the music on the radio means that the Christmas season is here! It signifies the start of this whole holiday season. Every other Christmas milestone that happens is wonderful, but it's just not Christmas until the music is on the radio. There is something special about knowing there are other people out there listening to the same thing you are at the same time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This event is more significant to me than some of the other "hints of Christmas" that start happening during the end of the year. I am always <strong><em>soooo </em></strong>excited when I see ornaments and sparkly things appearing in stores, red cups making their debut at Starbucks, Disneyland closing rides for holiday install, etc etc. but there is just something <em>extra</em> special about the day that the radio station starts its Christmas music. The music being on the radio means yes, the holidays truly <em><strong>are</strong></em> here! Alive and well! For me, once this happens, the Christmas season can begin as it finally feels complete. The only thing left after this is the finishing touch for it to be in full swing- the clock striking midnight on Black Friday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am so glad the music starts early, before Thanksgiving. This way I have some festive tunes to carol along with while I'm in the kitchen preparing my Thanksgiving desserts! Since Thanksgiving unfortunately has no music, I let it share with Christmas :-) This makes some people mad, but what would Christmas be without a few Scrooge's?? ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you don't live in Arizona, I'm curious to know if any of you have all-Christmas-all-the-time radio stations in your city and if they have started yet! I feel like this is such a special thing, I wish it could be shared with the world! I hope you all have something like this where you live!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope this got you in the mood to turn on the Christmas tunes! And such a perfect time since Thanksgiving is this week! I will be blogging about the parade and (hopefully) including pictures as well! Oh, and I may just go ahead and post the recipes for the Thanksgiving desserts I am making as well :-) I'll give you a hint: pumpkin!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">OK, enjoy the Christmas music! If you don't have a radio station that does it, Pandora Holiday is up and running and Cox channel 933 has it until January. Happy caroling to you! Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!</span><br />
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Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-15805373657606742212012-11-08T11:44:00.000-07:002012-11-08T11:44:12.921-07:00In Case You Haven't Heard...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">... only 2 weeks till we carve the bird! That's right! Today marks only TWO WEEKS until Thanksgiving!!!</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thanksgiving is one of my absolute FAVORITE holidays! Actually, I think it <em>is</em> my favorite. It's basically Christmas, but instead of it being over, it's just beginning. The best holiday and time of year is ahead of you, not ending in a few hours, which is my only complaint about Christmas day. Once it starts, it's over shortly after. This is probably a plus for many people (you know, the ones who enthusiastically throw their trees in the garbage at 12 noon on Christmas day), but for me, it is a sad, sad time! Thankfully, I have New Year's, Valentine's Day and the spring holidays get me through my post-Christmas holiday blues. But Thanksgiving is the kick-off the holiday season! It's Christmas without the pressure of gifts and money! Just good food, family and cheer. And pumpkin. Lots and lots of pumpkin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And of course, 2 weeks until Thanksgiving also means only 2 weeks until one of my <em><strong>favorite</strong></em> things of the entire year... the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!!! That event has to be top on my list of nationwide events that happen through the year. It is just so magical : ) After all, it <em>is</em> brought to you by the magic of Macy's!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just a few hours after Thanksgiving dinner, once everyone wakes-up from their turkey coma, my other favorite nationwide event happens... Black Friday shopping!!! Parade, Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping... back-to-back awesomeness! There is no other event or time of year where people all across the country wake-up hours before the sun, bundle up, and wait in line at their favorite stores to grab some great deals on gifts for their loved ones (and if we're being honest, a few for themselves!). The energy is really pretty amazing. Even if I don't end up buying anything, I always enjoy going out and being among the festivities. I just love the atmosphere! This can be overwhelming for many people, but I think the hustle and bustle really adds to the holiday spirit. It is quite an incredible thing to be a part of and experience!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Alright, I'm off to get a fabulous Caramel Brulee Latte! All this Thanksgiving talk got me craving one :) Get your gobblers ready, Thanksgiving is on its way! Can't wait!</span><br />
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Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-24574333405228749042012-11-07T15:51:00.001-07:002012-11-07T15:53:25.614-07:00Christmas Music on Pandora!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Attention all Pandora users: Christmas music is officially HERE! Christmas stations are now available from the "Browse Genre Stations" page! Woohoo! You can find it by browsing by genre and selecting "Holiday". There, you will find an assortment of Christmas tunes that everyone is sure to love! The stations they have built are as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Christian Contemporary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Classical Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Country Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Family Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hanukkah</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Indie Holidays</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jazz Holidays</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Navidad Latina</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Peaceful Holidays</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">R&B and Pop Holidays</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rockin' Holidays</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Swingin' Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today's Christmas</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Which ones will you be listening to?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of places that have Christmas music... Bath & Body Works started playing their Christmas music on Monday, November 5th!!! I took it as an early birthday gift for me on my Birthday Eve :-) It's so festive in there! If you haven't been this week, pop on over and get an early fill of holiday cheer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy rockin out with some Christmas tunes a little early! Just another sign that the holidays are upon us :-) This is truly the best time of year! Enjoy it!</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-66124208426233071342012-11-01T14:06:00.000-07:002012-11-01T15:40:03.198-07:00Rekindle, Rejoice... RED CUPS!!!You heard right- the beloved red cups are back at Starbucks!!! I would say you have no idea how much joy this brings me, but I think you have an idea how much joy this brings me. A sleighful might be an understatement : )<br />
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What a way to ring in the season and start November off right! For my first red cup drink of the season, I kicked it off with a Soy Caramel Brulee Latte, which, if you haven't tried one before, now is a good time to scoot your boots into a Starbucks near you and grab a cup! If you aren't famil with what it is, it's basically what I consider the perfect Thanksgiving drink. And, being November, I think it's necessary to celebrate all things Thanksgiving in full force while sprinkling in Christmas along the way until Black Friday. By the way, in case you haven't looked at a calendar lately, Thanksgiving is only 3 weeks from TODAY. Huh?? Is it always so soon after Halloween? To answer my own question, and if any of you are still listening at home, no, it isn't usually this soon lol! It varies based on when the month starts/October ends (which is Halloween), and I believe we generally have 3.5 weeks in between, sometimes four. I may be wrong, but I think this is the shortest time in between Halloween and Thanksgiving that we can have! This is all fine by me. Keeps me on my toes : ) Next year we will have 4 weeks in between, which means 1 more week for Thanksgiving, but 1 less week for Christmas. A little holiday give and take!<br />
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Anywho, I have deviated from my original thoughts quite a bit. Back to red cups! I am really liking this handwritten cursive-y type of font that I'm seeing used by Bath & Body and now Starbucks for Christmas. The Starbucks sleeve has the word "Rekindle" written on it (hence the title of my post) and it is in this ribbon-like festive font. BBW is also using that on their nostalgic Christmas candle collection. I'm a fan. I really don't like simple block letters that have been used so much for the past few holidays- it's just too boring and ordinary, and this season is nothing but! "Rekindle the season", I very much like the sound of that!<br />
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Alright, here is my drink breakdown for the holidays, in case you needed some guidance on what drink to get when ; ) Ahem: I think the perfect drinks for fall and Halloween are the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Salted Caramel Mocha. As I stated for Thanksgiving, I like the Caramel Brulee best! It's festive, still fall-ish and doesn't scream Christmas to me like the others do. My all-time fave holiday/Christmas drink might be the Gingerbread Latte... mmm. It is soo good! That one borders with Thanksgiving and Christmas, I think it can be versatile. I'm not a fan of the Eggnog Latte, it just is too bland for me. Maybe I haven't had it made right! And if I'm really in the Christmas spirit, <strong>nothing</strong> beats the Peppermint White Mocha... nothing. O.M.G. Plan on wearing sweatpants for the rest of the day if you get it though- that thing is <em>loaded</em> with calories, lol! And of course, the original Peppermint Mocha (not white) is a great drink if you want the cool peppermint flavor but a few less calories : ) Or, you can get a PWM with 1/2 the normal pumps of the white mocha sauce. That will actually make a big difference in calorie reduction! So there you have it, my Starbucks holiday drink breakdown. You're welcome!<br />
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And of course, no post about Starbucks red cups being back would be complete without proof, so without further ado, here they are! In all their festive glory!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvLA0c3yQNOwebiNihy7Vzw7KsHrZZqwkRgz8f1iOkAF3OAVvPTjThjQXxA9u4jiES2LYCotyORcelRH-TbKAq9TEHSa6yUNvyo_BaHuIrskCIe0RZuFEsfU7YvrvHOu52CS28AM2uHU/s1600/H+Red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvLA0c3yQNOwebiNihy7Vzw7KsHrZZqwkRgz8f1iOkAF3OAVvPTjThjQXxA9u4jiES2LYCotyORcelRH-TbKAq9TEHSa6yUNvyo_BaHuIrskCIe0RZuFEsfU7YvrvHOu52CS28AM2uHU/s320/H+Red.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well hello there, snowman! ; > D</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbi9E-uXLWoOkZiGewjKttfHkoyGeNP3X4mp60xFvbBzqYMJYcikAHy72cRLdhKsE2-_YqJrN_7uZ6E73HL5VTQt6W7fpHy-ezeUSYXnqO-qR4LADdgVOuQRmzwgpyxrj1mOHv4_r3Bv4/s1600/H+Rekindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbi9E-uXLWoOkZiGewjKttfHkoyGeNP3X4mp60xFvbBzqYMJYcikAHy72cRLdhKsE2-_YqJrN_7uZ6E73HL5VTQt6W7fpHy-ezeUSYXnqO-qR4LADdgVOuQRmzwgpyxrj1mOHv4_r3Bv4/s320/H+Rekindle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rekindle the red cup</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZPOnQd2NtQg-nMtY0Kra6kqa1jXfVrAd7oy_lsU3oVDLE-KkFuCV4j2cT9q8w5JdNfC52hcGO_Co_c58gR0xM4ItBvU9EqauO-bYQM4_jZ5zTnbVUsvPzaJ6dHEXz96bQJoBjwrdiWw/s1600/H+Brulee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZPOnQd2NtQg-nMtY0Kra6kqa1jXfVrAd7oy_lsU3oVDLE-KkFuCV4j2cT9q8w5JdNfC52hcGO_Co_c58gR0xM4ItBvU9EqauO-bYQM4_jZ5zTnbVUsvPzaJ6dHEXz96bQJoBjwrdiWw/s320/H+Brulee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caramel Brulee sprinkles... mmmmm!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJKX67uTzhN2fN5LDxVDIH4prmHW_I1YQPMvea43cukLhtBuBCwM-YecMY74EjA9u0xV4LzFlJnl__4qy3eh5yDWTzDKUqZprrY1IPriRERNyUxInaAX9ms5TjEIKvO-APWIF_bGXbjU/s1600/H+Rekindle+Cup+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJKX67uTzhN2fN5LDxVDIH4prmHW_I1YQPMvea43cukLhtBuBCwM-YecMY74EjA9u0xV4LzFlJnl__4qy3eh5yDWTzDKUqZprrY1IPriRERNyUxInaAX9ms5TjEIKvO-APWIF_bGXbjU/s320/H+Rekindle+Cup+BW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't the black & white make this look super cold?<br />
Brr, winter chill in the air!</td></tr>
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I love this time of year. I talk about transitions a lot, but I almost enjoy them more than the actual events themselves. Being November 1st, I feel like I can celebrate the holidays in my own way a little earlier than everyone else does. It's totally appropriate to celebrate Thanksgiving and gear up for Christmas, but people aren't as outward about this on November 1st as they are in the middle to end of the month... I get to have my own secret holiday club. While everyone else is dreading this time of year, I'm having my own party 24/7 until the New Year rolls through, haha! Maybe it's selfish, but I really like this time where I can have the holidays to myself and anticipate things to come! While we're on the topic of changes and new things, I thought I'd share one more picture. These leaves capture the transition from Halloween spooks and thrills, to a wintry forecast of magical things to come:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4H5JawIcK0XPAK6VlsaqilUuKDRNhlhoE-9MskdO7mN-PfPiMU79ICwYXjaqqbS7X11fxS4hk3XAAVN_Ea9DbxfA-fMYhDOilYv9aC_2E85YqS7E7zMeqqzGsr5QfocUjpW0kAzeIl8/s1600/H+Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4H5JawIcK0XPAK6VlsaqilUuKDRNhlhoE-9MskdO7mN-PfPiMU79ICwYXjaqqbS7X11fxS4hk3XAAVN_Ea9DbxfA-fMYhDOilYv9aC_2E85YqS7E7zMeqqzGsr5QfocUjpW0kAzeIl8/s320/H+Leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twinkling leaves over a glowing sea of enchanting lights<br />
signify a seasonal change is on its way</td></tr>
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I just love the myriad of colors in this photo. Alright, that's it! Thanks for reading! Have a festive day!Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-28613023876528548912012-11-01T11:00:00.000-07:002012-11-01T15:49:40.321-07:00Happy November!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well hello! And happy November to you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life has been a whirlwind of mostly overwhelming crappy events the past 7 weeks or so (and I don't say this to complain- life is good and I am very, very blessed!), so I haven't been able to write and I've missed it so much! In my personal life, I was celebrating each holiday milestone and countdown, from the first day of fall (which was awesome!), to October 1st, to Oktoberfest music being on the music channel, to all-Halloween-all-the-time on the music channel, to "only 2 weeks until Halloween!", to "only 1 week until November!", to "just 1 week until my awesome Election Day birthday!", to "Starbucks red cups have shipped to stores!", to "Omg, less than 1 week until all-Christmas-all-the-time on the music channel!", to Halloween last night (which was simply amazing), and now to November! Here we are!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ay yi yi, how is it that we only have 2 months between us and the new year?! I know, I know, time flies, gets faster as you get older, yadda yadda, but I swear, no matter how much I prepare for all of this stuff it still leaves me in disbelief once it's here!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Halloween last night was really, just.. magical. I had very low expectations going in to it since everything leading up to the day had just been crazy, but somehow it all worked out once the bewitching hour was upon us. We got a record number of trick-or-treaters, which was a really nice surprise! Even though the holiday (and really entire fall season) has been very rushed, everyone seemed so festive and in the Halloween spirit. There was a chill in the air, chili in the Crockpot, a wood fire outside, the warm, ambient glow of candles burning sweet and spicy smells of fall, orange and purple lights shining bright, jack-o-lanterns lit on porches, and plenty of Halloween hits coming from the Walking Holiday household :-) Kids seemed to get so excited when they looked across the street and saw our house lit up- our windows open just enough to peer in and get a glimpse of the festivities inside, with the promise of candy to reward their trick-or-treating skills! One little trick-or-treater even stuck her head inside to peek around at our Halloween house! I was so flattered. After our last trick-or-treater (Ketchup) around 9:00, we turned all the lights off, leaving only our Halloween lights on and watched Hocus Pocus with a little Pumpkin Pie Spice coffee nightcap :-) It was perfect. We wrapped things up just before midnight, where I walked outside and said goodnight to Halloween, and thank you for the magically spooktacular evening. As it turned midnight, I welcomed the cool, crisp November air with its harvest tidings ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I sit here now, I'm anticipating all the warmth and joy of the season ahead, and also my trip to Starbucks in a few minutes for my first red cup of the season :-D Yay! Must. Be. Patient..... OK, I think I've waited long enough- off to Starbucks I go! Pictures to follow, I'm sure!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have a fabulous November and don't forget, it you are in AZ with Cox Cable, channel 933 will be playing the last of the Halloween music today and Christmas will start tomorrow!!! Tune in! Have a hollie day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, props to my future hubby for making things so extra special yesterday. It would not have been Halloween without everything you did- from making what I think is the best chili I have ever tasted, to going out and getting a fire pit for the backyard and lighting a real wood fire, and turning on all the Halloween lights and lighting all the Halloween candles, I could not have asked or dreamed of anything better. I am so lucky to have you! Thanks my dear! Next Halloween, we'll be married!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Spooooooooky trees</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a1-PfWOvbKRL5fmD8WKbJrnQdIJXWjNCxwb9ZzYPSLnf_xqdJFG60Rv0HA3pUeU2QY391gpZdrXv3DVbZIvwWr-IhiCl3OzLLtfWoazaHObVHMILbqxJO_Vq419IQZCON28akpQT1qY/s1600/H+Jack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a1-PfWOvbKRL5fmD8WKbJrnQdIJXWjNCxwb9ZzYPSLnf_xqdJFG60Rv0HA3pUeU2QY391gpZdrXv3DVbZIvwWr-IhiCl3OzLLtfWoazaHObVHMILbqxJO_Vq419IQZCON28akpQT1qY/s320/H+Jack.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">BOO!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaPb09HNUOfVbHUX5GVUoRsSKuSeVKD9oROPfYh6i6VHr3a8kxLd5hak39w-qIcjVqbeIZOLDf4UQViq9Gbu3QoKGpFQOpNx0JYT6FYib4NZYLWWIATfY0CmWb-_Eg4dEY4egt4-6D2M/s1600/H+Train+Better.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaPb09HNUOfVbHUX5GVUoRsSKuSeVKD9oROPfYh6i6VHr3a8kxLd5hak39w-qIcjVqbeIZOLDf4UQViq9Gbu3QoKGpFQOpNx0JYT6FYib4NZYLWWIATfY0CmWb-_Eg4dEY4egt4-6D2M/s320/H+Train+Better.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Is this not the coolest train you have ever seen??</span></td></tr>
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Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-21980585144999776432012-09-11T13:20:00.002-07:002012-09-11T13:23:19.292-07:00Rainy Days and Feeling Like Fall<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today is just the most perfect day. I've decided I like to write the best when it's raining, as I think the rain is cleansing for my soul. And anything cleansing usually reveals something beautiful beneath it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today is a rainy day. It's a rainy day unlike most rainy days we've had. This one is special. It's the most calm rain I've seen in a very long time. Rain during the monsoon season usually means high winds, or at the very least, a gentle breeze, but not today. The trees are standing completely still, only moving to let the raindrops delicately kiss their leaves and then trickle down to ground. There is a calmness outside that is so soothing. It looks as if someone put the whole world on pause, just to let the rain come out and dance, uninterrupted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The only sound you hear is the soft pitter patter of rain touching rooftops and gracefully landing on the ground, the occasional car driving by, lightly treading through the newly formed puddles in the street, and quiet rumbles of thunder off in the far distance. I feel so present being here among the stillness of nature allowing the gentle rain to come down and cleanse the earth. Today, the world just feels balanced, centered and like everything is just the way it needs to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is so rare that we get a day like this in early September. The temperature is in the 70's, a cozy gray blanket of clouds is wrapped around the sky, soft raindrops are effortlessly falling down, and there is a clean, fresh humidity in the air. The kind of humidity that your skin and hair soak up but doesn't stay behind. The kind that makes every breath of air you take feel as if it is refreshing your body and renewing your soul. The kind that when you walk outside, the air instantly wraps around your body and fills you with comfort and peace. The best kind of humidity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All of this has really put me in the mood for fall. It only seems appropriate to use this wonderfully rare day to get out my boxes and get some fall decorating done, so that is what I will be doing for the rest of the day :-) We are so lucky to have a day that feels like fall before the season officially changes, so I will be taking advantage of it. Thank you, rain, for being here today and making everything feel so cozy and warm. You are welcome here anytime.</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-32925960272595069812012-08-23T10:14:00.002-07:002012-08-23T10:14:59.374-07:00Christmas Marathon on QVC Today!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have you been missing the holiday joy and merriment that was spead during Christmas in July? Well then, great news! There will be a mini-Christmas marathon on QVC starting TODAY!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It will run from August 23rd at 8:00 pm AZ time (11:00 pm Eastern) and will last all day through Friday, August 24th until 9:00 pm AZ (12:00 am ET). A whole 25 hours of Christmas cheer! I will be watching and making merry! Hope you get to tune in as well :-) Have a hollie day!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was missing this!</span></td></tr>
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Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-21168090020106919642012-08-08T16:45:00.001-07:002012-08-14T16:15:52.407-07:00The Beach and Cars Land!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Guess who just got back from the happiest place on earth?? This girl (I say this as I'm taking both thumbs and pointing them towards myself while open-mouth smiling and shaking my head 'yes')!!! Oh yeah!!! This is one happy blogger today! I am so thrilled to come back and reminisce about my wonderful beach day and Disney trip. I will include some pictures of the new additions to California Adventure and give you a full re-cap of all the summer festivities that were going on at the parks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We kind of spontaneously decided to go on this trip as one last hoorah before the summer ends and the hubby starts his new job. We thought a long weekend in California for a beach day and a day at Disneyland would do the trick. Can you think of a better way to end the summer?? I can't! It was seriously perfect. We needed one quick trip before the hectic holiday season approaches and some quality time together before our schedules have us both tied down to full-time jobs. So, we booked our hotel Thursday through Priceline (got a sweet deal for the Hilton, by the way) and left on Sunday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">July 29th - Beach Day</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We woke up nice and early Sunday morning and hit the road. Off to California we went! We arrived in Newport around three o'clock and unwound at one of our favorite places to eat, Cafe Rio. After some much needed food and rest, we headed down to my sister's house a few blocks away. We spent the rest of the day at the beach together. It was so perfect... the cold salt water was a great contrast to the warm, soft sand, which was a nice, gentle exfoliant for my tired feet (hello free pedicure). It was so relaxing listening to the waves calmly crash along the shore and feeling the gentle, moist, ocean breeze that balanced the mild warmth from the sun. The cool, fresh air left me feeling revitalized after months of the harsh Arizona heat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After the beach, we made our way to the hotel. As soon as we parked the car, the Disneyland fireworks started going off! We stood in the parking lot together and watched the show in anticipation for our arrival there the next morning. Seeing the show from a distance is really neat because you hear the booming sounds of the fireworks long after they have gone off. You can actually hear them rumble past you, section by section, until the sound waves trail off in the distance.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">View of the Disneyland fireworks from our hotel parking lot</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When we checked-in for our stay in the lobby, I noticed these spooky little candelabras adorning the walls.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Were we checking-in to the Haunted Mansion or the Hilton?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hmm...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We got to the room and it was <em><strong>sooo</strong></em> nice! The bed was big, fluffy and cozy and gave us both a good night's sleep. This is necessary when you're pulling a 16-hour, 8am-12am day at Disney ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">July 30th - Disney Day!</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We woke-up early and left the hotel by 7:00 to grab breakfast at Starbucks and make it to Disneyland for the park opening. It was a cool, overcast morning, perfect for a hot cinnamon dolce latte! I really love groggy, cool mornings... the day kind of wakes up <em>with</em> you instead of blaring bright sun in your face. I enjoy the gradual transition. All in all, it was the perfect morning. After that, it was on to Disneyland we went!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happiest parking garage ticket on earth- hands down!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We got to the Mickey & Friends parking structure by 7:30 to be in the park for the opening at 8am. The Daisy parking section was our calling, and from there we walked down and waited for the tram. First in line. Booyah. The tram driver was really fun and added some extra magic to our day. He got on the speaker and was interactive with the guests for the entire drive. He was funny and Disney all rolled into one. When the tram finally approached the main gate, I could barely contain my excitement as I jumped out and ran towards the security checkpoint. Once they checked my purse and we were in, I had to hold back tears. I was so overwhelmed with pure joy... I looked to my left, and there was the Disneyland main entrance in all its magical glory. I looked to my right, and there was the brand new, reimagined California Adventure in all of its wonder and excitement. Our Disney day was here and I could not have been happier!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We took a right and our journey began in California Adventure. Starting the day in Cali Adv is a really, really fun way to kickoff the morning! I had never done it before, mostly because the entrance to that park was very non-Disney prior to the refurbishment, and I like to start my day with Disney magic. This always led me to the Disneyland Park. But let me tell you, the new Cali Adv Park has finally captured the Disney magic that it was missing. I could spend all day in that park and not feel like I was missing that "Disney" feeling. I have always said that Disney does a really great job with time-period pieces, and that's exactly what they did with the entrance to California Adventure. Buena Vista Street is this park's Main Street USA, and it really does feel like you've been taken back to California as it was when Walt arrived in the 1920's. Good job, Disney. Hats off to you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our original plan for the morning was to get a FastPass for Radiator Springs Racers (RSR) as soon as we entered the park and then come back to ride it later. The Disney gods had other plans for us. Once we got there, we saw that was not going to happen! I had anticipated that there was going to be a pretty decent line to get a FP for RSR, as I have been checking my wait time app throughout the week and noticed that FP's were running out by 9:30am (limited guests in the park at 7am, open the the public at 8am). But I could never have imagined the absolutely insane line that swallowed up nearly half of the park. I'm not talking about the line for the ride, this is the line for the <em>FastPass.</em> It started at the FP station (which is located near the entrance to Cars Land), wrapped around Carthay Circle, travelled all the way up Hollywood Boulevard, went down past the Tower of Terror, and finally ended in bug's land. Here is a link to a map of the park if you want to see what I'm talking about:</span><br />
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<a href="http://disneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_nextgen/SiteCatalog/PDF/DisneyCaliforniaAdventureParkMap_20120615.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://disneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_nextgen/SiteCatalog/PDF/DisneyCaliforniaAdventureParkMap_20120615.pdf</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Insane right?? Yeah, that's what we thought, too. I think the wait ended up being about two hours. So since the original plan wasn't going to happen, we decided to just follow the crowd and stroll through Cars Land to check it out. We really wanted to ride RSR, so we walked over to see what the wait was. We turned the corner and it said 45 minutes! This is amazing compared to the 240 minutes (yes, typically 4-5 hours) that I usually see on my wait time app :-) We decided 45 minutes was worth it and we got in line. The wait queue itself is pretty cool, they did a great job with it. It's very Big-Thunder-Mountain-esque, with Arizona landscape throughout.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fun fact: Did you know the movie Cars is based entirely out of Holbrook, Arizona? Even the characters- Sheriff, Mack, Flo- everyone is based off of real people that live in the town. Sheriff is actually a <em>real</em> retired sheriff of the town of Holbrook! Even Flo's Cafe and the Cozy Cones... all of it is based off of the exact places in Holbrook, all the way down to the floor plan. Google Image 'Holbrook, AZ' to see for yourself! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, back to Radiator Springs Racers. So the wait queue takes you through Ornament Valley, and it's themed to the max. Very creative, very Disney. I would expect nothing less :-) We were so happy with our decision to just wait in line for the ride because we ended up getting on in only 35 minutes!! AMAZING!!! And that was our longest wait for any ride the entire day! Such a great day to go. Pretty impressive for going during the summer, if I do say so myself :-)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As soon as I took this picture, the wait time changed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to 60 minutes, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but like I said, it only took 35.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In line at 8:07, on the ride at 8:42. Oh yeah!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Disney does desert right!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQ0ojfxykgsqXo_2fXlWtRGM1kZSP-qbREkn0lDPrBfsU5PEUolKNaePqbMpgb8ONL8FKDjP0rUdJbYBaBeodTeYWLZ3u-UXfLXvd0K-q-N9pE04RH_i3SXx1VSJoS7ify_h88USOvY0/s1600/B-+RSR+Sky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQ0ojfxykgsqXo_2fXlWtRGM1kZSP-qbREkn0lDPrBfsU5PEUolKNaePqbMpgb8ONL8FKDjP0rUdJbYBaBeodTeYWLZ3u-UXfLXvd0K-q-N9pE04RH_i3SXx1VSJoS7ify_h88USOvY0/s320/B-+RSR+Sky.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-4iWxYmWmSnnlLniUiDX5xNmYKp3LhRhw4YrJT0i-Pw_NDMs25bP8ac75f_fBg1VZha8XNQoWIGFqzMyMKNTbomG-4hTOOYdJBrfzsjL3sa2vL7NRat0uRbGehTk5aZ7iEt876dFQ-c/s1600/B-+Stanley's+Oasis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-4iWxYmWmSnnlLniUiDX5xNmYKp3LhRhw4YrJT0i-Pw_NDMs25bP8ac75f_fBg1VZha8XNQoWIGFqzMyMKNTbomG-4hTOOYdJBrfzsjL3sa2vL7NRat0uRbGehTk5aZ7iEt876dFQ-c/s320/B-+Stanley's+Oasis.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stanley's Oasis:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The eight and three-fourths wonder of the world!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2nIuUL4r24kCUDyz-rCSpvQdgNBzNQPLMb2FBbTUnOH8COaQq8fd3KElYSPUx6ZrW-3oVxuONj1tki5NJBR9N8g_KVxF3xmtu79pSYYEl_s-ZmipJFJoSUgjPB8B0vztu90sWH8lLZs/s1600/B-+RSR+Bottle+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2nIuUL4r24kCUDyz-rCSpvQdgNBzNQPLMb2FBbTUnOH8COaQq8fd3KElYSPUx6ZrW-3oVxuONj1tki5NJBR9N8g_KVxF3xmtu79pSYYEl_s-ZmipJFJoSUgjPB8B0vztu90sWH8lLZs/s320/B-+RSR+Bottle+Sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sign at the entrance of the bottle building</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteDXSTPkOOMCmmXgTP8qKHY-QhOV48MEMYowLRwJDOD6S-pwJv9z7F1bjdBLfPn0sKRPOy-IZgfcPyFIe7IBzd1UF0kuKdrE4W6Z4dcj5c310yOolUTBwJEjFJPZOG43Uu5qfYz9ZV3c/s1600/B-+RSR+Bottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteDXSTPkOOMCmmXgTP8qKHY-QhOV48MEMYowLRwJDOD6S-pwJv9z7F1bjdBLfPn0sKRPOy-IZgfcPyFIe7IBzd1UF0kuKdrE4W6Z4dcj5c310yOolUTBwJEjFJPZOG43Uu5qfYz9ZV3c/s320/B-+RSR+Bottles.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Glowing bottles!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8N4piEmekeQdm3Jy1bXzbw6sCesPRmbeqWZ7_dBt7udE8yoz2PfSbHIW7G3TJMjmj8mtL8X4f9I0-02uSJHNf_5Zu69cgE3NjGq2tAISghmER3EL4r3WY2XdErzrB6s6QZjJucioxpM/s1600/B-+RSR+Bottles+Close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8N4piEmekeQdm3Jy1bXzbw6sCesPRmbeqWZ7_dBt7udE8yoz2PfSbHIW7G3TJMjmj8mtL8X4f9I0-02uSJHNf_5Zu69cgE3NjGq2tAISghmER3EL4r3WY2XdErzrB6s6QZjJucioxpM/s320/B-+RSR+Bottles+Close.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Close-up of bottles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQrE_VoLV1OT087iBsak-8fdcIPAV-ikeFkn9JRR3OYXhB2T9PWD0sJrSnz93PCTNWXChB2kstrUthBoJLkXf7c8pw7E279FUifZ3QLc75tP0-r3rvmCUutwoJ__yGpbOKtlnjImvXGw/s1600/B-+RSR+Bottles2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQrE_VoLV1OT087iBsak-8fdcIPAV-ikeFkn9JRR3OYXhB2T9PWD0sJrSnz93PCTNWXChB2kstrUthBoJLkXf7c8pw7E279FUifZ3QLc75tP0-r3rvmCUutwoJ__yGpbOKtlnjImvXGw/s320/B-+RSR+Bottles2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sunlight capturing half of the bottles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQYWl4wyL2zOK_UHELJ6FjRhyyaj6kNYsgJD1QAyDSh5Sj0RWtB5guc1BcYOcEY2GRGMBeCBF6Ui3C7tjYqx9f6-_ld8H6de_gBTrjb8nzX17o8-snAbsAoDbNzPtxKfMdaj5H8MubaY/s1600/B-+RSR+Sedona.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQYWl4wyL2zOK_UHELJ6FjRhyyaj6kNYsgJD1QAyDSh5Sj0RWtB5guc1BcYOcEY2GRGMBeCBF6Ui3C7tjYqx9f6-_ld8H6de_gBTrjb8nzX17o8-snAbsAoDbNzPtxKfMdaj5H8MubaY/s320/B-+RSR+Sedona.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don't you just want to climb this mountain?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It looks so similar to pictures from a hike in Sedona!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB0ClthCtU0DhcYaLrX77RD2UpngEy4BlDfE3OD-bQg7Din-Nm2ocz3k7aKe9Lv3nbngm4wLxvdyiOzSU9HuwwP0IOUcXIOkmViXrnp8XwroZTDH1dZfjFKaecsSwH2uQ0xHuRDRLYlM/s1600/B-+RSR+Fountain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB0ClthCtU0DhcYaLrX77RD2UpngEy4BlDfE3OD-bQg7Din-Nm2ocz3k7aKe9Lv3nbngm4wLxvdyiOzSU9HuwwP0IOUcXIOkmViXrnp8XwroZTDH1dZfjFKaecsSwH2uQ0xHuRDRLYlM/s320/B-+RSR+Fountain.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wishing well- but of course!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are coins that are already</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">completely rusted and calcified to the stone...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">did not think that could happen in just six weeks!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc26zm4O5vOiOHMntDFqhJQsRZ_MY-1YcPI-G6MDgoibPHoLEsCsrMmDKJaIVLctbpawjw-qFdLd9d-p7j2Gq3skn3qa5r1gqibjUhgjKLtQSv2cjOgQk-2bJwkrZCeAjH1wkOGILTHQU/s1600/B-+RSR+Hazy+Sun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc26zm4O5vOiOHMntDFqhJQsRZ_MY-1YcPI-G6MDgoibPHoLEsCsrMmDKJaIVLctbpawjw-qFdLd9d-p7j2Gq3skn3qa5r1gqibjUhgjKLtQSv2cjOgQk-2bJwkrZCeAjH1wkOGILTHQU/s320/B-+RSR+Hazy+Sun.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hazy sunshine <em>radiating</em> down on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Radiator</em> Springs- pun intended :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Kind of hard to tell from the pic above, but if you look close,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">street </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">at the bottom of the picture is </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the one that tilts up almost vertical.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZs1MDMRJ8VFCje4pWxajSJPM8lgoBslALXm_VeFq7Fy9xtcpPehS60gqwB9RDqkRfv4WefvyZY_Nm9lg9EjZDZHGcNksirZ6JMaTOw7_E2AS7ZldE3cQaWaAEEVR97lhbAniPkfTQxS8/s1600/B-+RSR+Line.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZs1MDMRJ8VFCje4pWxajSJPM8lgoBslALXm_VeFq7Fy9xtcpPehS60gqwB9RDqkRfv4WefvyZY_Nm9lg9EjZDZHGcNksirZ6JMaTOw7_E2AS7ZldE3cQaWaAEEVR97lhbAniPkfTQxS8/s320/B-+RSR+Line.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Good ole Butte Gas ;-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGcXZrwOUasFdrevC12-zZ85Xa8Yvymfc6tdgYzICLuVsko1dJzkTH98WnqIZdQ3dV_0NvNsbE9lb3ooo7-aafbE01so0zaCbGLV1i9ySmJWT2L_m93tpFjV5SqR7ld_YFcJIH-AnD1A/s1600/B-+RSR+LineLand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGcXZrwOUasFdrevC12-zZ85Xa8Yvymfc6tdgYzICLuVsko1dJzkTH98WnqIZdQ3dV_0NvNsbE9lb3ooo7-aafbE01so0zaCbGLV1i9ySmJWT2L_m93tpFjV5SqR7ld_YFcJIH-AnD1A/s320/B-+RSR+LineLand.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lovely desert landscape to view in queue!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKINiVpQeCD9JqYJwMtiFjta1nsgA4Zpk7rjiQO9B7t9bzr9WNYAQ-T4aP2Kwt13Ii2w0kvqz4t9YgbIyKfpBMZX8uNFlnCcSKi1hO0rDPBQChbdbaEoQgZrCpB2PVq-N-U27KZkf44kI/s1600/B-+RSR+Loading+Queue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKINiVpQeCD9JqYJwMtiFjta1nsgA4Zpk7rjiQO9B7t9bzr9WNYAQ-T4aP2Kwt13Ii2w0kvqz4t9YgbIyKfpBMZX8uNFlnCcSKi1hO0rDPBQChbdbaEoQgZrCpB2PVq-N-U27KZkf44kI/s320/B-+RSR+Loading+Queue.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here it is- the Radiator Springs Racers loading queue!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When we got in our car, I noticed all the cars have license plates with different words on the back. The car in front of us was red and the plate was "Rubberneck". I tried getting a picture but it drove off before I got the chance. Bummer! Once we were buckled in, our car started up and we rolled outside. I thought the ride was all outdoors, but it actually starts out as a dark ride! I love rides that have both- Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Splash, Alice, you get the idea. It is very reminiscent of the Monsters, Inc. ride- the type of technology, the lighting they used and the overall feel on the inside. The part right before you go outside reminds me of Toy Story Mania. So if you are trying to get a feel for what the ride is like, I think it's a combo of Monsters, Toy Story and Big Thunder Mountain. Once you get outside, the car starts going pretty fast! It's really fun. The track doesn't stay on flat land- it has hills, curves and in one part, the street is tilted almost vertical! And of course, you do get a picture at the finish line :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cars Land itself is really nice. I like it in person better than the pictures. The pictures make it look like a hot, dry desert, but it's California, so it's actually really nice. The Cozy Cones are based off of the tepee hotels in Holbrook, but these aren't hotels, they are little food & drink stands! A great place to go if you need some refueling- yes, another great pun ;-) Everything from popcorn to drinks is served in an orange construction cone. We didn't get a chance to look at the entire area, but when we go back during a less crowded time we definitely will!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's the order of the rides we did for the day:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">California Adventure</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Radiator Springs Racers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tower of Terror</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Over to Disneyland</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grabbed FP for Star Tours</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Space Mountain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Matterhorn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Star Tours, using FP</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grabbed FP for Big Thunder Mountain</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Food break & character sighting!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grabbed FP for Indiana Jones</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Big Thunder Mountain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pirates of the Caribbean</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Haunted Mansion</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grabbed FP for Splash Mountain</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Winnie the Pooh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Indiana Jones, using FP</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Main Street Cinema: Steamboat Willie</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back to California Adventure</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Starbucks!!!</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grabbed FP for Soarin' Over California</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Blue Sky Cellar</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">California Screamin'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Disneyland</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grabbed FP for Big Thunder Mountain</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Splash Mountain, using FP</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Food break at Rancho del Zocalo</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">California Adventure</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grabbed FP for Tower of Terror</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">California Screamin'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Soarin Over California, using FP</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tower of Terror, using FP</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Disneyland</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pirates of the Caribbean</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Big Thunder Mountain</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fireworks- viewed from Rivers of America</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fantasmic!- front and center, literally!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Food break- steak gumbo in New Orleans Square</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Haunted Mansion (at night)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Splash Mountain (at night- this is magical to ride at night!!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Big Thunder Mountain (at night- I also love to ride this and Matterhorn at night, it's like a whole new ride)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kg_ePvrdokKY6R4pZE35Ok7B36ThsFw4IcP5maU4yU5nxvweotJ18R1kc5zdOCAzHPqVDO1jyODAuzf1YYZm0ODGgSjYagqzFKKZ4Sbd8sVJ-IazOfJitsL120D00aM6tTKSjATub8Q/s1600/B-+Castle+Night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kg_ePvrdokKY6R4pZE35Ok7B36ThsFw4IcP5maU4yU5nxvweotJ18R1kc5zdOCAzHPqVDO1jyODAuzf1YYZm0ODGgSjYagqzFKKZ4Sbd8sVJ-IazOfJitsL120D00aM6tTKSjATub8Q/s320/B-+Castle+Night.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sleeping Beauty's Castle at night;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walt & Mickey "Partners" statue</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We were able to do a lot of rides despite the fact that it was the middle of summer. We also took several very, very long food and drink breaks (two hours at Starbucks!) and lots of time for pictures. We were pretty leisurely on this trip, but if we were at our normal pace, I'm sure we could have fit more rides in. But I'm glad we took a relaxed approach this time around. It was a good change of pace!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One one of our food breaks for Bengal Barbecue and a turkey leg, we decided to eat in the additional seating area in Aladdin's Oasis. As we were finishing up, guess who we saw? Yep, Aladdin! He came out looking for his monkey... silly Aladdin. So of course we got a picture with him, and he was so interactive! One of my favorite character experiences I've ever had. He pointed to my future hubby and said "This must be your guard?" Haha. I told him it was my fiance and then he asked if he proposed on a magic carpet... I get so star struck when I see these people that I cannot come up with anything good to say. My responses are so lame! I can't help it! I should have said something fun but I just told him we didn't have one. Then he told us that Disneyland was a great place to honeymoon (already planning on it!) and a great place to spend your anniversaries, which is what he and Jasmine do every year. He said they didn't know about Disneyland when they got married so they just spent their honeymoon in the desert, which was nice too, but if they did know about Disney, they would have honeymooned there. Oh, Al! You crack me up!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74JrJrQKf5WhHBF9XSaSC4WUnk1LB7aCAxgUag9oEWNPByDsm7GYi24OXPueJtdPXeXuxIXO-WOkcSK9-IkZlNuBZfOa5MMrY7XdbLJGi4lqQniTM-URh3KDxv3eN68BAS_6r5tGqEIY/s1600/B-+Aladdin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74JrJrQKf5WhHBF9XSaSC4WUnk1LB7aCAxgUag9oEWNPByDsm7GYi24OXPueJtdPXeXuxIXO-WOkcSK9-IkZlNuBZfOa5MMrY7XdbLJGi4lqQniTM-URh3KDxv3eN68BAS_6r5tGqEIY/s320/B-+Aladdin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Aladdin</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzcquE7-K8HeearYGhHb7JDSnOKq4HxMUvXJmxRN_mUPMaTfrFMz1qpJR_Kb0F0pUxfYFksKQGjOdRixR_HNo-xh0cZt89pupIwgcM4mTWUfdStt0iSUp_-mxaS8e3DTGuuqDVtAZndo/s1600/Lamp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzcquE7-K8HeearYGhHb7JDSnOKq4HxMUvXJmxRN_mUPMaTfrFMz1qpJR_Kb0F0pUxfYFksKQGjOdRixR_HNo-xh0cZt89pupIwgcM4mTWUfdStt0iSUp_-mxaS8e3DTGuuqDVtAZndo/s320/Lamp.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Genie lamp display from World of Disney store</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I should write an entire new post about this, but I'll try to fit it in here... two words: Starbucks. Disneyland. Do I have your attention? I nearly peed myself when I found out this little treasure was opening in the park. O.M.G. And I was THRILLED that we were able to go during our Disneyland day! It's located inside the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe across from Carthay Circle, very close to the entrance of the park. It's not a traditional Starbucks like I thought it was going to be (no merchandise either!). Maybe it's the stained glass, or maybe they are based out of the same time period, but this cafe gave me a Village Haus-type feel. Despite its untraditional looks, it is still a full Starbucks with lots of registers, food options and any drink you can get at a regular Starbucks. The prices are not bad either. A normal cake pop is $1.50, there it is $1.99. not a terrible markup if you ask me. And no, the other items are not marked up the same percentage as that one is, so it really is just a $0.49 difference! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am sure you have seen pictures of the Starbucks cups from the park, no? Well if not, you're in luck, because I took an obscene amount of pictures of them. The drinks pictured were what we usually get when we go to Starbucks. I don't know if it was just me, but I thought I tasted a little extra magic in them. I got an iced grande, two-white mocha, five-coconut, soy latte. Like a day on the beach in a cup I tell you. Hubby got an iced venti peppermint mocha. Christmas in July served up in a happy Disney cup. What's not to like? We also got our usual venti ice waters as well. They have the <em>best</em> water. I also treated myself to a tiramisu cake pop :-) Yum! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-fer1JsLrwyEEQkoQPhTLPMkflMIrKKqb5d1eCNISBlgFeVgR5v4kLbYRDYUWN7IL6R0cj8WQ2vaaTO-R-Ot-YyPFI6kN16ibE126TVtKNkuvIekVzzSfVYmhCM-TP1J2Pda_FHxIQ0/s1600/B-+Sbux+Tix+YES.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-fer1JsLrwyEEQkoQPhTLPMkflMIrKKqb5d1eCNISBlgFeVgR5v4kLbYRDYUWN7IL6R0cj8WQ2vaaTO-R-Ot-YyPFI6kN16ibE126TVtKNkuvIekVzzSfVYmhCM-TP1J2Pda_FHxIQ0/s320/B-+Sbux+Tix+YES.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Like the ticket says!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSLM1xCjKWtX_bObHyh0ai1Dce76RwW-Mf1ck9VeVa6ZvGW5itI3T10ktOysnco8hPg0m0QZ7Dyc5IvXv4b5FzdO4fseTTnYWWKX7zRQ1DB4EgMoiiR6cUA7lqm77U6_FYNGUsOAlQFc/s1600/B-+Sbux+Cups+Yes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSLM1xCjKWtX_bObHyh0ai1Dce76RwW-Mf1ck9VeVa6ZvGW5itI3T10ktOysnco8hPg0m0QZ7Dyc5IvXv4b5FzdO4fseTTnYWWKX7zRQ1DB4EgMoiiR6cUA7lqm77U6_FYNGUsOAlQFc/s320/B-+Sbux+Cups+Yes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Refreshing little cup of magic :-D</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tMECGzlfeRiv0gLegmlEYxZOU2hYLBkFrOG5ZAFqGWdYWVfdAF0opb4fQpGSQQ7FBZV625nvbno0R66AO53PJE-2Sf9XI_eyp2mU3rdeOF4f5nyhOey0kPVMdyjyFxl30mYD9j3VzdU/s1600/B-+Sbux+Coffee+Cup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tMECGzlfeRiv0gLegmlEYxZOU2hYLBkFrOG5ZAFqGWdYWVfdAF0opb4fQpGSQQ7FBZV625nvbno0R66AO53PJE-2Sf9XI_eyp2mU3rdeOF4f5nyhOey0kPVMdyjyFxl30mYD9j3VzdU/s320/B-+Sbux+Coffee+Cup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxruj3C7GDOsKuK0pgpDV8nh9KSkQy0BCanGVJqU9RbSFY1KVMZ0CgQRh8WldwVxj3k1zfqeefMzZjvR8LtEvGBlzWE3eWkxPT5st_pm6effik1vcqmM47-oA0X73yKfZpdlEdY8hYMc/s1600/B-+Sbux+Cup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxruj3C7GDOsKuK0pgpDV8nh9KSkQy0BCanGVJqU9RbSFY1KVMZ0CgQRh8WldwVxj3k1zfqeefMzZjvR8LtEvGBlzWE3eWkxPT5st_pm6effik1vcqmM47-oA0X73yKfZpdlEdY8hYMc/s320/B-+Sbux+Cup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2JPAlH4ig-2PyGSY2kD_uwoYLSHp4_JUVsIXoDOskMfA3obJn5y2gw-r_aD_IE2rR9fKYKZFYV8nrAJt0AsxfhuXsofS9sCoik8xqDKmomlu5hAVQ8k0YWsyzr-5aTRG9MEzU4DCTbc/s1600/B-+Sbux+Cup+Maybe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2JPAlH4ig-2PyGSY2kD_uwoYLSHp4_JUVsIXoDOskMfA3obJn5y2gw-r_aD_IE2rR9fKYKZFYV8nrAJt0AsxfhuXsofS9sCoik8xqDKmomlu5hAVQ8k0YWsyzr-5aTRG9MEzU4DCTbc/s320/B-+Sbux+Cup+Maybe.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioms6P9o09dxVr_RB2pWLEor9kJaaAGm_ZjjJXxZGeLD-cg4prT4ju5yjwgn5Bx9D78Zu0pi0lIi7OGGc1GS6VtUyPd7nEhrNhT4xhzNAn2jHFUQBCZyBgmGUvgGyqUBCXOZOaiFehNw/s1600/B-+Sbux+Cup+Close+Tink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioms6P9o09dxVr_RB2pWLEor9kJaaAGm_ZjjJXxZGeLD-cg4prT4ju5yjwgn5Bx9D78Zu0pi0lIi7OGGc1GS6VtUyPd7nEhrNhT4xhzNAn2jHFUQBCZyBgmGUvgGyqUBCXOZOaiFehNw/s320/B-+Sbux+Cup+Close+Tink.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hi, I'm Tinker Bell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll be adding some pixie dust to your day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c_JMRfntdjXrr3i3IsG76s7wNijNiu5ZzC_5BlnvjbiMiPbjtfAWC1mFIAge3kRyRmwP-81eakgBt92Sm9UEz0Z3QkjCTcu3aJ1Dij6ktIWSjZ2JXJ2rcvW8tS88aPiwCSRuhQfabZg/s1600/B-+Sbux+Cup+Close+Mickey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c_JMRfntdjXrr3i3IsG76s7wNijNiu5ZzC_5BlnvjbiMiPbjtfAWC1mFIAge3kRyRmwP-81eakgBt92Sm9UEz0Z3QkjCTcu3aJ1Dij6ktIWSjZ2JXJ2rcvW8tS88aPiwCSRuhQfabZg/s320/B-+Sbux+Cup+Close+Mickey.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happiness floats in the graphics on these cups</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBkSzEzRh1xqZIRPwipoqB4iyBBK2LKclaDWkvx9k7418aSOYfYWXD1WN0ZDWHQKywuW09KhhBibpOIQS30dj9xzsWGJUkloU94b18hw2sk_boHTsQDv9YT14-plyCAQn3vrKLI-1amg/s1600/B-+Sbux+Cup+Blur+Scenery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBkSzEzRh1xqZIRPwipoqB4iyBBK2LKclaDWkvx9k7418aSOYfYWXD1WN0ZDWHQKywuW09KhhBibpOIQS30dj9xzsWGJUkloU94b18hw2sk_boHTsQDv9YT14-plyCAQn3vrKLI-1amg/s320/B-+Sbux+Cup+Blur+Scenery.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Great view while sippin' a Starbucks :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OTjWmeTd9I12vsC1E9llbnw4AE9NzIVot0tswCuj4NllumysgSJHNK2w080UCAxmXLd-VIkPRP3Er0IiqQLK8EGIrKlYJCtdm_J7oM586Hpip4c-89dd5PZ1r0wRSfFVdjDf8QKmCXQ/s1600/B-+Sbux+Coffee+YES.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OTjWmeTd9I12vsC1E9llbnw4AE9NzIVot0tswCuj4NllumysgSJHNK2w080UCAxmXLd-VIkPRP3Er0IiqQLK8EGIrKlYJCtdm_J7oM586Hpip4c-89dd5PZ1r0wRSfFVdjDf8QKmCXQ/s320/B-+Sbux+Coffee+YES.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The happiest coffee on earth? I think so!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7yOr9RtK5Y0yuj9N99KOZ3MCfAnFuV6dS6tqKPSk-Tm5ytq52nE04Mhbs2-flenlh0BU1zpZVYtHx3qRPeNTk_a5NhTf3rpR3cxitd8hxuV7lUIKyoBXKyifsGhkTJ7Jdvszvs_zslM/s1600/B-+FFP+Menu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7yOr9RtK5Y0yuj9N99KOZ3MCfAnFuV6dS6tqKPSk-Tm5ytq52nE04Mhbs2-flenlh0BU1zpZVYtHx3qRPeNTk_a5NhTf3rpR3cxitd8hxuV7lUIKyoBXKyifsGhkTJ7Jdvszvs_zslM/s320/B-+FFP+Menu.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">FF&P Cafe Menu</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Starbucks portion of the menu</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SokgOgYqoyOufWDqRlGyMZcijtbgYQOo0vmMVAGqUTON8DzTB47r9xl9qLACF4MIL1xV_sQOHwnAs268eY3bkW86G05tnrscjnOy4BgB42BSkZll5JCrHBJdi_B4bAp93SedMmYzcow/s1600/B-+SbuxCupsMickeyFrame.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SokgOgYqoyOufWDqRlGyMZcijtbgYQOo0vmMVAGqUTON8DzTB47r9xl9qLACF4MIL1xV_sQOHwnAs268eY3bkW86G05tnrscjnOy4BgB42BSkZll5JCrHBJdi_B4bAp93SedMmYzcow/s320/B-+SbuxCupsMickeyFrame.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hey, look! It makes Mickey! :-D</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoAtaoDQ13vl7SDVhD5kzNv8HmroCLcq4mXWXaGHqFcMAk4sKbdjZWV0ieTGjbVY1_Sw4FjfB_L_KxiGcp45z-2AvoQiqy8IRUMcksChhIYXfA1L-MydRvJrFmeMISVAefix3gNp2wd8/s1600/B-+Sbux+Cup+Faint+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoAtaoDQ13vl7SDVhD5kzNv8HmroCLcq4mXWXaGHqFcMAk4sKbdjZWV0ieTGjbVY1_Sw4FjfB_L_KxiGcp45z-2AvoQiqy8IRUMcksChhIYXfA1L-MydRvJrFmeMISVAefix3gNp2wd8/s320/B-+Sbux+Cup+Faint+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok, just one more, I couldn't resist!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happiest cups on earth!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">See, I told you I took an excessive amount of pictures lol. And these are just a few that I thought I should post... trust me, I have many, many more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We ate at Rancho del Zocalo for the first time on this trip. We LOVED it! We have always been intrigued by this somewhat hidden little place. It really feels like you've been taken away somewhere. I'm not exactly sure where, but somewhere. It's in Frontierland, which is one of my absolute favorites. It's a really nice little escape. And it's affordable, too! You get a lot of good food for around $10. I got the Chicken Burrito Senora and it was so big we were able to share it. It came with a side of rice, refried beans, lettuce, and a scoop of salsa, sour cream and guacamole- all of that for only $10! I thought it was a great deal, and the atmosphere was tough to beat.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08Fle_sAJyZ6LHMdwqXF2DuyItteJTSBR5sqS15cfNB3ufVVCj2wRF4eVKmSH3ycgUWBTmpvk97WeRBar82ppQMUuXauWC0f9gq1aj3kMZ8EYQCPkO4HO2ePh0dLWxKWNGh4JDuBeGqk/s1600/Burrito.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08Fle_sAJyZ6LHMdwqXF2DuyItteJTSBR5sqS15cfNB3ufVVCj2wRF4eVKmSH3ycgUWBTmpvk97WeRBar82ppQMUuXauWC0f9gq1aj3kMZ8EYQCPkO4HO2ePh0dLWxKWNGh4JDuBeGqk/s320/Burrito.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chicken Burrito Senora from Rancho del Zocalo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Doesn't this look simply phenomenal?? It was!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This restaurant is also really fun during Halloween Time. Skeleton mariachis, need I say more?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also got some pictures of landmarks on Buena Vista Street. I really like the time-period they chose to represent. It has a classic feel to it and just seems like it belongs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxor0x-67ghgNjXmb9Y3s3dw9pRh9KdVbBOhAJuoBhgPmHICtDoBIW1DgR4jEI75FEmVQYks8BR954CFOi_c2-cbkTz8YapsSvnLrkR6l29ubstbmP3Sk2ubfjgsn_7aBZj1qE9BHLKQ/s1600/B-+Carthay+Circle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxor0x-67ghgNjXmb9Y3s3dw9pRh9KdVbBOhAJuoBhgPmHICtDoBIW1DgR4jEI75FEmVQYks8BR954CFOi_c2-cbkTz8YapsSvnLrkR6l29ubstbmP3Sk2ubfjgsn_7aBZj1qE9BHLKQ/s320/B-+Carthay+Circle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The lovely Carthay Circle restaurant</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVKR0ntyT0BcteSbRzUJ7D2_-fITfy7bd6Qjl8izuc6mPwbk7Jkg-8OOu6bHyA0sYb3XkmH7tmYq7QZ7xG8soLRLmCvtqmVT9-TkJBAyAo2a_na8tqLDwQdCCYXNRqww-n_KdAKEf8rw/s1600/B-+Trolley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVKR0ntyT0BcteSbRzUJ7D2_-fITfy7bd6Qjl8izuc6mPwbk7Jkg-8OOu6bHyA0sYb3XkmH7tmYq7QZ7xG8soLRLmCvtqmVT9-TkJBAyAo2a_na8tqLDwQdCCYXNRqww-n_KdAKEf8rw/s320/B-+Trolley.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Buena Vista Street Trolley</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpGo1cW-Gv1ezda7ggPYPq_v8EBWbnq_DNpryv8BuYpzzOBC7oID3tCexOPUEAYlVALPg86SUnjcsk-54ICi7qTu_So3VBfet-AAjq5hhMxYA4-snH0UexFOjV5M6XjUdLhUsKnFBdLQ/s1600/Statue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpGo1cW-Gv1ezda7ggPYPq_v8EBWbnq_DNpryv8BuYpzzOBC7oID3tCexOPUEAYlVALPg86SUnjcsk-54ICi7qTu_So3VBfet-AAjq5hhMxYA4-snH0UexFOjV5M6XjUdLhUsKnFBdLQ/s320/Statue.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walt & Mickey arriving in California in 1923</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1MpxN7rK_h7VdhFbivSuhmao5HlLCgs56D2nAVEdQWowRpzRj3Fy2iMf2OhqKsjLudYmvRbdOPmta380vYHIShHVsPrYpxMqmyBN7A5OMwVXb6EZd8CraWjCASe1G4njZBIJFNFhu_E/s1600/Statue+Plaque.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1MpxN7rK_h7VdhFbivSuhmao5HlLCgs56D2nAVEdQWowRpzRj3Fy2iMf2OhqKsjLudYmvRbdOPmta380vYHIShHVsPrYpxMqmyBN7A5OMwVXb6EZd8CraWjCASe1G4njZBIJFNFhu_E/s320/Statue+Plaque.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Storytellers plaque to the right of the statue</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I really enjoyed spending time on Buena Vista Street. They have street cars that drive around carrying an Ella Fitzgerald-like singing star, belting out classic tunes from the Sinatra era (which happens to be my favorite!). Classy, cute, fun and magical. What more can you ask for??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are some other pictures from the adventures on our trip:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkYC4IDzxqH-BPkZvs2J8wxpFPv7j3qC8HMRwG7IrBt-9zGs05S3l9NJaC5-USuABQj74u46q7bV32Idt2bTa56BPce4eLMUXhbqt7ZpMZhfVwfkETMIQY9F3-WlAtfQzPleFj8T6Nvc/s1600/B-+Blue+Sky+Cellar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkYC4IDzxqH-BPkZvs2J8wxpFPv7j3qC8HMRwG7IrBt-9zGs05S3l9NJaC5-USuABQj74u46q7bV32Idt2bTa56BPce4eLMUXhbqt7ZpMZhfVwfkETMIQY9F3-WlAtfQzPleFj8T6Nvc/s320/B-+Blue+Sky+Cellar.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Blue Sky Cellar where we checked out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"The Road to Cars Land"</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSb3X4veSdp-PZlTD4GQFxUXGq6e7SupfsrAoYzQE5z7dMNlzAcQcaZ0msjTD92ANu7mWXwFFS5vAKIbXUIfN4W16278qDUhb_Zw8asJ0GFd79kLfJQ8t4y0ikEKXLQQTdOatVvn_4Tw/s1600/B-+Blue+Sky+Cellar+In.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSb3X4veSdp-PZlTD4GQFxUXGq6e7SupfsrAoYzQE5z7dMNlzAcQcaZ0msjTD92ANu7mWXwFFS5vAKIbXUIfN4W16278qDUhb_Zw8asJ0GFd79kLfJQ8t4y0ikEKXLQQTdOatVvn_4Tw/s320/B-+Blue+Sky+Cellar+In.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNu5MRE4VCkiT2RJkSeD1M21r2WvB_gCiGHeVfkPgPaDdpVmhpK45grosodL9K4KsqPnjoq4ZOZnxbvAGpcVeRpofIyhwhRyHc-CNMstPkxAqJaVOs8KtUkMdIS7RV-SwBuHdCQmzo5g/s1600/B-+BSC+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNu5MRE4VCkiT2RJkSeD1M21r2WvB_gCiGHeVfkPgPaDdpVmhpK45grosodL9K4KsqPnjoq4ZOZnxbvAGpcVeRpofIyhwhRyHc-CNMstPkxAqJaVOs8KtUkMdIS7RV-SwBuHdCQmzo5g/s320/B-+BSC+Sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">imagination left in the world." -Walt Disney</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA0fRBwntmTRCtjLl0kmSbk1W7V3xoYaIB0KEa-kmNQnapMUVkVXqDY2CPDmVp7FBG1oOlkJ1jY6MmwnmUcInE0PTmFESO19fyzPvEQhy_torUl8Ylp_UsdqoJ4Y8E0cGTaGIxF9Vvu0/s1600/B-+BSC+WaltandSign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA0fRBwntmTRCtjLl0kmSbk1W7V3xoYaIB0KEa-kmNQnapMUVkVXqDY2CPDmVp7FBG1oOlkJ1jY6MmwnmUcInE0PTmFESO19fyzPvEQhy_torUl8Ylp_UsdqoJ4Y8E0cGTaGIxF9Vvu0/s320/B-+BSC+WaltandSign.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walt next to his quote inside Blue Sky Cellar</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDGhx3w4idrCJbVnG-3tnTjNx9UgUIBytZWlkDRtoJaipqBKVL5GQZ53Vo6bJ9IX9X1RyoaDps8seAxOBZR3UbpcByhWRBRt8G2P127-iPvYUowru8_VHp5mzbJ5DJMWQAk7TLBHKmQM/s1600/B-+Cars+YES.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDGhx3w4idrCJbVnG-3tnTjNx9UgUIBytZWlkDRtoJaipqBKVL5GQZ53Vo6bJ9IX9X1RyoaDps8seAxOBZR3UbpcByhWRBRt8G2P127-iPvYUowru8_VHp5mzbJ5DJMWQAk7TLBHKmQM/s320/B-+Cars+YES.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Model for Cars Land</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNhpbx9h9gmteZRf07Ttv70OCdohVQHEl_Zylzum-h3I22ZseeLK96ch3AprSmDRAQ4mO7siL53nAX-OHBa_d7ZA9Awt94Eb7j39lLmhWH6i46ojkPX1qHwqVKiUpvp7CdXyDAitcPXs/s1600/B-+Shovel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNhpbx9h9gmteZRf07Ttv70OCdohVQHEl_Zylzum-h3I22ZseeLK96ch3AprSmDRAQ4mO7siL53nAX-OHBa_d7ZA9Awt94Eb7j39lLmhWH6i46ojkPX1qHwqVKiUpvp7CdXyDAitcPXs/s320/B-+Shovel.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Shovel used for the groundbreaking of Cars Land</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> July 8, 2009 - Ka-chow!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XavqXhtriP2ArnEukls1WH4NfsgNtxEi4mgynTB8EvZiJvVBP7U6WDFyPzS_iwHHShB8Y7yZejwOYNOY2k9nnXXJeRVplIW49t_5ElV6YCAPblBncQ97skRIJo_MHip2wnMJ8cE4rIE/s1600/B-+ShovelSide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XavqXhtriP2ArnEukls1WH4NfsgNtxEi4mgynTB8EvZiJvVBP7U6WDFyPzS_iwHHShB8Y7yZejwOYNOY2k9nnXXJeRVplIW49t_5ElV6YCAPblBncQ97skRIJo_MHip2wnMJ8cE4rIE/s320/B-+ShovelSide.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Easier to read :-) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJwRtxHDOLHhX1qrg5POCywHp9sApwqi2GHsOoDts0nv8KtkpoPHFq-Whe7GYmA-zgsfwDUA4IhlqDO0UD3hxbvHErzMYn27JUq_UAh4NeVn5HiKWQMDLBLjwXc9ICQIXwEf-ZTkgbys/s1600/B-+Hidden+Mickey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJwRtxHDOLHhX1qrg5POCywHp9sApwqi2GHsOoDts0nv8KtkpoPHFq-Whe7GYmA-zgsfwDUA4IhlqDO0UD3hxbvHErzMYn27JUq_UAh4NeVn5HiKWQMDLBLjwXc9ICQIXwEf-ZTkgbys/s320/B-+Hidden+Mickey.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hidden Mickey!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">{<em>Character meet-n-greet on the boardwalk at Paradise Pier</em>}</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is a known fact that if you go to Disneyland, you will be crop dusted like a mo-fo. People have gas at that place that is <em><u>out. of. control</u></em>!!! And I, unfortunately, always seem to get crop dusted the absolute <em>worst</em> out of anyone I know! This is why I thought this sign in front of the bathrooms in Condor Flats was soooo funny! Thanks for acknowledging it, Disney! At least we can laugh about it ;-)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GdqHDR5Y9TqyYoF3bkdpq35hbp4R57PF8rH_YWrt-wL9YgjoucpC_SDY1Ipcofpf3XAEnpTfivEskjNo1bAum-BMRf0WCNgvOZJ5f07FvBf0atlakLlkYnW9GcerDyLzXg5p1RN9GeE/s1600/B-+Crop+Dustin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GdqHDR5Y9TqyYoF3bkdpq35hbp4R57PF8rH_YWrt-wL9YgjoucpC_SDY1Ipcofpf3XAEnpTfivEskjNo1bAum-BMRf0WCNgvOZJ5f07FvBf0atlakLlkYnW9GcerDyLzXg5p1RN9GeE/s320/B-+Crop+Dustin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Actual sign in front of the bathrooms across from the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Soarin' Over California</em> attraction in Condor Flats,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">California Adventure Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlyelvY28j-IiAfT40wnFT1x9hBRXw3-fr8MaQl1NiPM1-4S4tjriBRhcSFWF3TuxwEnQvTxFEldjbyE4rnFrhC90ZdcXXEUk63rXJTHZK0sDGaFFo9JeaW8GOQITrXRktlACjW14zds/s1600/B-+Vineyard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlyelvY28j-IiAfT40wnFT1x9hBRXw3-fr8MaQl1NiPM1-4S4tjriBRhcSFWF3TuxwEnQvTxFEldjbyE4rnFrhC90ZdcXXEUk63rXJTHZK0sDGaFFo9JeaW8GOQITrXRktlACjW14zds/s320/B-+Vineyard.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Leafy, green vineyards in the Golden Vine Winery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">California Adventure Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMiMQwppMLEIxbXcmwjKD9frphQ70lZSiFytFlElaBN5gCNZCDxZ12DKhZPOmGQ2fdZV1FboiLNoGnloyB3v_OfdqYxrjeHPPPyBvStKWfjBL5GRakFWSTuLxA7ZTYK85yjuKx6zbw_k/s1600/B-+VineyardGrapes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMiMQwppMLEIxbXcmwjKD9frphQ70lZSiFytFlElaBN5gCNZCDxZ12DKhZPOmGQ2fdZV1FboiLNoGnloyB3v_OfdqYxrjeHPPPyBvStKWfjBL5GRakFWSTuLxA7ZTYK85yjuKx6zbw_k/s320/B-+VineyardGrapes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bunches of <em>real</em> grapes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKG3O8DvcEnCkwVCPFRy5OdqS7VNwaCW0obYujNpsW6zBdqMFgXup-2fZF4n46dnb4gPlBHV2RbGP7iQjC3PgSseKZ8apUdW7_IxSV6YXd-q8rOSCBqVkeAzVYrrsxSvFoO4WgB1IHvk/s1600/B-+C3PO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKG3O8DvcEnCkwVCPFRy5OdqS7VNwaCW0obYujNpsW6zBdqMFgXup-2fZF4n46dnb4gPlBHV2RbGP7iQjC3PgSseKZ8apUdW7_IxSV6YXd-q8rOSCBqVkeAzVYrrsxSvFoO4WgB1IHvk/s320/B-+C3PO.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">C3PO- one of my favorite robots ever :-)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmTQYQWdhhipUNG4VCB_5_yZzpL1EuRBGlwwkQo8dWLTq7D618WW0z7Yxsj_-m237Rl6v1kYXVLsKLo1Vj0Eax3L8Uvi9w2Zf5DOopLQsr90GTFf6w38T86czvmTP68k0lfiWDa7NyzE/s1600/B-+HM+Squirrel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmTQYQWdhhipUNG4VCB_5_yZzpL1EuRBGlwwkQo8dWLTq7D618WW0z7Yxsj_-m237Rl6v1kYXVLsKLo1Vj0Eax3L8Uvi9w2Zf5DOopLQsr90GTFf6w38T86czvmTP68k0lfiWDa7NyzE/s320/B-+HM+Squirrel.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Animal graveyard in front of Haunted Mansion</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e_vykQwZ_LgblDydo8eVuWmoaOaNvsyAl7-qMokFaQQ4fPFDr4xKtDoIOalC-gsS_yn8KX0WoSV_pRIaqOjHFZ8B8zzjdcp0NrOn4GU0gWpU4E2QET0tAfgoYc1dcv2OFZBUvKuSc2E/s1600/B-+Lantern.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e_vykQwZ_LgblDydo8eVuWmoaOaNvsyAl7-qMokFaQQ4fPFDr4xKtDoIOalC-gsS_yn8KX0WoSV_pRIaqOjHFZ8B8zzjdcp0NrOn4GU0gWpU4E2QET0tAfgoYc1dcv2OFZBUvKuSc2E/s320/B-+Lantern.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mmm... the cozy glow of a Splash Mountain lantern</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XjkzrC3O812OsrqQComB_3OdL6X5QnlUSzd4uHwRi7UJQJeVI9R2XrFeWi2iFhozViDvPn-lKzeHlWmbrGu6081OchTWa2XyxPAlIkwW12se-dJpDHoRcUdgbuGfdpe8PW_MrZAWFpg/s1600/B-+HTH.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XjkzrC3O812OsrqQComB_3OdL6X5QnlUSzd4uHwRi7UJQJeVI9R2XrFeWi2iFhozViDvPn-lKzeHlWmbrGu6081OchTWa2XyxPAlIkwW12se-dJpDHoRcUdgbuGfdpe8PW_MrZAWFpg/s320/B-+HTH.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The beautifully mysterious Hollywood Tower Hotel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Checking-in?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgbmKHY4Lbc7CU2RyReyF0nYwSDJNW1cXLAGzfOqw-ASK1fXltKAgbnH5796UpGLgDJ3ouSEtL2RkQrnYYwyRaHNK4guzR4kC6y_aTfNDi3vKdda8MtcU_rcu5AJ_3KeGsEyipT9BVOs/s1600/B-+NOS+WD+RD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgbmKHY4Lbc7CU2RyReyF0nYwSDJNW1cXLAGzfOqw-ASK1fXltKAgbnH5796UpGLgDJ3ouSEtL2RkQrnYYwyRaHNK4guzR4kC6y_aTfNDi3vKdda8MtcU_rcu5AJ_3KeGsEyipT9BVOs/s320/B-+NOS+WD+RD.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Balcony above Pirates for the Disney Dream Suite</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fun facts</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Gold letters on the left: WD for Walt Disney</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Gold letters on the right: RD for Roy Disney</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnGLYpBrx2u6X8ch6tJDqfr_Te1d3O2j3SXuiw3hOdo45u6Lu4jgoEPqTUtseoIMZH7yunM9x5UeISFhmhVHtiZ8HbQEGk62TTxJChdxEDxKHl5uZ6R_r2l0gqGFl3-4PLJkf8Jfh4UA/s1600/B-+Tilly+Close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnGLYpBrx2u6X8ch6tJDqfr_Te1d3O2j3SXuiw3hOdo45u6Lu4jgoEPqTUtseoIMZH7yunM9x5UeISFhmhVHtiZ8HbQEGk62TTxJChdxEDxKHl5uZ6R_r2l0gqGFl3-4PLJkf8Jfh4UA/s320/B-+Tilly+Close.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tilly, our ticket teller at The Main Street Cinema.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Two for Steamboat Willie, please!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLD6OxDpdYY3JYBzLknKUkTFLJoMcjXw-duAOhjAEc2Z0SlyOUxrayGfdW63Pp_lwv7IvUIP2-jEZ8BQNEugthVtwR9oli98-B0xher2lhwa_474BtQZfFzccsCwqZqOSoL86q4vb458U/s1600/B-+Tilly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLD6OxDpdYY3JYBzLknKUkTFLJoMcjXw-duAOhjAEc2Z0SlyOUxrayGfdW63Pp_lwv7IvUIP2-jEZ8BQNEugthVtwR9oli98-B0xher2lhwa_474BtQZfFzccsCwqZqOSoL86q4vb458U/s320/B-+Tilly.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thanks, Tilly!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoy6WjhafQtsVmebmZ21vFu7pB0AXJ3HLxR2rs8yeU60wvMLHfjn6EmxZJPkqRoEtAGPG2wHAd4FJ5LGHwaNBIZiCZmof1lIXArZ1iuHDqC-zgOjj1SpH1IZ_mrWx3cXUNNvKeCo4J80/s1600/B-+Train.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoy6WjhafQtsVmebmZ21vFu7pB0AXJ3HLxR2rs8yeU60wvMLHfjn6EmxZJPkqRoEtAGPG2wHAd4FJ5LGHwaNBIZiCZmof1lIXArZ1iuHDqC-zgOjj1SpH1IZ_mrWx3cXUNNvKeCo4J80/s320/B-+Train.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Small-scale replica of the Disneyland Railroad;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">located at the Main Street Station</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That about wrapped up our day, but you can't leave Disney without grabbing some magic to take home with you. In my case, I cannot leave Disney without adding to my coffee mug collection :-) Here is some of our loot:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc3bXQKF8nHl47bHu2DdmtU_vaylxJhCeA_1cnnZymlNPXS4YQ1PZEIUZQkzQJdfZGUMagHWpX9NL99aqXO-ARZNtsG2YPpzMbF9T82u2mbtJ6nRP2SuUIFapW4ao_60P9Db3nkCLYLs/s1600/B-+Mints.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc3bXQKF8nHl47bHu2DdmtU_vaylxJhCeA_1cnnZymlNPXS4YQ1PZEIUZQkzQJdfZGUMagHWpX9NL99aqXO-ARZNtsG2YPpzMbF9T82u2mbtJ6nRP2SuUIFapW4ao_60P9Db3nkCLYLs/s320/B-+Mints.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbETkX4KOrSLKOu9iJ8ZrIveaHUt-TauzzQr713SrTCrHHPkI1IrnL3OtLst2f5sS3dYxpDOoSclIBcWTeBQ9bA23VpS3_EAi_jUWYZqmofwYM205lHltp5GT3fL_oE6quh3yNH2FYF5U/s1600/B-+MadMugFront.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbETkX4KOrSLKOu9iJ8ZrIveaHUt-TauzzQr713SrTCrHHPkI1IrnL3OtLst2f5sS3dYxpDOoSclIBcWTeBQ9bA23VpS3_EAi_jUWYZqmofwYM205lHltp5GT3fL_oE6quh3yNH2FYF5U/s320/B-+MadMugFront.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mad Hatter Mug. How cute is this?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not sure if I should drink out of this or wear it as a hat!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5IuTOpb2mEBSCZcVmWHa1Duu4rj6QTmy47zuEyG47hcP0J8hwFC5OYgcyXNrz1JlyX1kgqw7SE1tFAj-uwLfOZFeTC3B10d0n1NCbc5iOeln983xzC3xknbb9Cq0YOFelTOS5wbpLYU/s1600/B-+Mad+Mug+Back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5IuTOpb2mEBSCZcVmWHa1Duu4rj6QTmy47zuEyG47hcP0J8hwFC5OYgcyXNrz1JlyX1kgqw7SE1tFAj-uwLfOZFeTC3B10d0n1NCbc5iOeln983xzC3xknbb9Cq0YOFelTOS5wbpLYU/s320/B-+Mad+Mug+Back.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Drink me... OK!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDcDA4ZSqyxN9HY8efwZ1jpKyRoS_6sfZsgryH33U7C9LGoPpGuVUVtUUprUZr9bGNC32Lav78t_FMvIpXYGSh2OsbBYgamZ2vqOPGtKP-muZFn0ouUVcBV-Bp3WM5-doYG7cnKF8xws/s1600/B-+DopeyMug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDcDA4ZSqyxN9HY8efwZ1jpKyRoS_6sfZsgryH33U7C9LGoPpGuVUVtUUprUZr9bGNC32Lav78t_FMvIpXYGSh2OsbBYgamZ2vqOPGtKP-muZFn0ouUVcBV-Bp3WM5-doYG7cnKF8xws/s320/B-+DopeyMug.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We're all a little Dopey in the mornings ;-)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And the hardest part about a trip to Disneyland is saying good-bye...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qWtEZifWlt4KUcnqeYNCgjDqObcHLGlwyI_SWGBjMYWXcIjF45ZaNPzupkZWb0n2cI277-kFgBkZ9TN4YoVDpz3jPpDy8B_vd1E65tATB6-DWHz0A3kDNiqEfRZSJCwurs86Bj_UEyk/s1600/B-+Night+Disney.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qWtEZifWlt4KUcnqeYNCgjDqObcHLGlwyI_SWGBjMYWXcIjF45ZaNPzupkZWb0n2cI277-kFgBkZ9TN4YoVDpz3jPpDy8B_vd1E65tATB6-DWHz0A3kDNiqEfRZSJCwurs86Bj_UEyk/s320/B-+Night+Disney.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Good night, Disney!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-PskUEAjquVOB-tNY-ZRzleFGrORofqeyvNnS2CMVrwAL7268KlxP9le4tJgOK9EoHrjzG2X2HNUHiNxitYOJJzqMyVw_ADkzom9b8PCeNt5MrykjW1cyVSDnC430k99Vspq21PoW8c/s1600/Daisy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-PskUEAjquVOB-tNY-ZRzleFGrORofqeyvNnS2CMVrwAL7268KlxP9le4tJgOK9EoHrjzG2X2HNUHiNxitYOJJzqMyVw_ADkzom9b8PCeNt5MrykjW1cyVSDnC430k99Vspq21PoW8c/s320/Daisy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back up to Daisy to get our car and drive home!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All in all, it was a practically-perfect-in-every-way trip :-) I can't wait to go back! I really could live there... sigh. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading! Have a magical day!</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-73529126439327499642012-08-04T09:27:00.001-07:002012-08-04T09:27:15.211-07:00Yankee Candle Halloween Preview Party TODAY!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am so excited, after a few weeks of anticipation, the Yankee Candle Halloween Preview Party has arrived! Yay!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftnqeNAWo_5iZURB3bXCOi0x2e_kB2VNLai03CrDVdJC05r52bmk184rrd8eZwZEsR-DpAaipNQhQPwyu-3d5eqy_hSSxxkI2o9RmquwpEKlVcsSQwNZ3MIBPmdQI0FK_rxCEK_B9RO0/s1600/Yankee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftnqeNAWo_5iZURB3bXCOi0x2e_kB2VNLai03CrDVdJC05r52bmk184rrd8eZwZEsR-DpAaipNQhQPwyu-3d5eqy_hSSxxkI2o9RmquwpEKlVcsSQwNZ3MIBPmdQI0FK_rxCEK_B9RO0/s320/Yankee1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5XuykeStxTiZiYJQknd2bkGPFB_uvpQXEIbG4zTvhg7Mnilkre1luzq49zba7_g39g8PtTOnD2ccRCW_-ul3uLyvADWLWhKRkvq6H1dTjMoKV5r1xz9i1zAKF11Uj8ccewOl-Z8K_Go/s1600/Yankee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5XuykeStxTiZiYJQknd2bkGPFB_uvpQXEIbG4zTvhg7Mnilkre1luzq49zba7_g39g8PtTOnD2ccRCW_-ul3uLyvADWLWhKRkvq6H1dTjMoKV5r1xz9i1zAKF11Uj8ccewOl-Z8K_Go/s320/Yankee2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's today from 10am-4pm (less than an hour- woohoo!). Will you be going? If you do, I'd love to see pictures or hear about items you were excited about!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have fun!! Happy Halloween shopping!</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-86330232322917654352012-07-24T11:58:00.000-07:002012-07-25T09:17:33.265-07:00Come One, Come Fall... at Bath & Body Works!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">It always sounds so early (to other people) when my favorite candle shops, Bath & Body Works and Yankee Candle, start advertising the preview for their fall collection in July to be released in August. But when the end of July and August actually get here, I think everyone is SO ready for cooler weather that they don't really mind seeing fall items appearing in stores :-) I think it's so good to get a head start, because before I know it, fall items are here and gone by <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">September</span></em>, and find myself scurrying around in October, while stores prepare for Christmas, going "what happened?!" and feeling like I didn't have enough time to get all of my fall haul done! Which is why I am so pleased to see Bath & Body Works fall preview mailing list up on the website! And guess what I'm even more pleased about?? That I know which items will be here before BBW officially announces it! Yaaaaaay!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So, if you would like to sign up for BBW's mailing list to be notified of fall items, here is the link: </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/comeonecomefall"><span style="color: white;">http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/comeonecomefall</span></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">Umm.. ok, so I signed up for e-mails Sunday, clicked on this last night and also this morning, and it isn't working! I had a feeling they would take it down, only because I actually stumbled upon their "Come One, Come Fall" link on Friday the 13th, which is really early, and I could not find it after that! They took it down really fast. I didn't even get a chance to look at it because it was on my phone and I wanted to have the full experience on my computer lol. Learned my lesson... if you see an early link, USE IT!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">So anyway, keep trying the link if you want to be added to the mailing list, but I will keep you informed of things as soon as I know them. So if it doesn't work, don't worry!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">And now, without further ado, here's a sneak peek of what we can look forward to in stores!</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Brand New for Fall:</span></span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Autumn Day (this is a repackage of Acorn & Fig):</span><span style="color: white;"> <em>A crisp autumn medley celebrating the changing seasons and all the beauty of the harvest with notes of fresh cut cedar, juicy fig and sandalwood.</em></span> <span style="color: white;">I<em> </em>was not a huge fan of A&F last year, but maybe the repackage is a little different this year. I’ll definitely give it a try</span><span style="color: white;">!</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Black Pepper Bergamot: <em>Intricate layers of spicy black pepper combine with an uplifting bergamot and lavender in a fragrance inspired by fall’s changeable days.</em> <span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span>This</span><span style="color: white;"> was a test scent that I picked up in January/February, and the label has been completely transformed since then. Its better selling counterpart, Mahogany Teakwood, was off the shelves before I could snag one for myself. I can tell you though that BPB has been described as a peppery version of MT, and you either love it or hate it. The pepper can be strong and unpleasant to some people, but I don’t mind it. I think it smells good and was a nice transition from winter fragrances into the sweet, fresh scents of spring. I’m sure it will do great as a masculine fall fragrance to cap off warm summer nights.</span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Bonfire Maplewood:</span> </span><span style="color: white;"><em>Combining notes of coffee bean liqueur, rich hazelnut and creamy marshmallow, this cozy fragrance feels just like gathering 'round a crackling bonfire.</em></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Brandied Pear:</span> </span><span style="color: white;"><em>Treat yourself to the fragrance of a favorite fall dessert- poached autumn pears drizzled with sugared brandy and topped off with vanilla cream.</em></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Cider Lane: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As sweet as a trip to the local apple orchard each year- a delicious fall blend of mulled cider, warm caramel and sweet cinnamon.</i></span> <span style="color: white;">This one sounds amazing, it’s heavier on the caramel, a good mix of the other cider blends that Slatkin has done before.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Cinnamon Nut Bread: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white;">Warm and comforting on a cold fall day- fresh baked shortbread with cinnamon, buttercream and chopped nuts</span><span style="color: white;">.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Cranberry Harvest: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white;">Bright and crisp as a sunny fall day, the perfect autumn blend of fresh cranberries, apple peel and clove</span><span style="color: white;">.</span></i> <span style="color: white;">I am not a huge cranberry fan, but their description of a bright, crisp, sunny fall day makes me want to try it…</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Farmstand Apple:</span> </span></span><span style="color: white;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">This sparkling orchard favorite reminds us of a bright sunny day picking apples. Made with</span> <span style="color: white;">notes of McIntosh apple, ripe pear blossom and woodsy oak.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Mahogany Teakwood: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white;">The scents of fine woods- mahogany, cedarwood and oak -highlighted by delicate lavender and geranium notes conjure up an escape to a cozy library on a chilly fall day.</span> </i><span style="color: white;">If I remember this test scent correctly, it’s the one that smells like men’s cologne, and women were all over this one like 50 Shades of Grey. O.M.G. It FLEW off the shelves, almost literally. I’m not kidding, if you want this, I highly recommend getting it early. Not saying they won’t prepare and have a high volume of it, but who knows. If you want it, get your hands on it quick! Plus, it never hurts to burn these early. Especially this one, as I think it is a good transition fragrance.</span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Nutmeg and Spice: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A warm and cozy fragrance inspired by an elegant mixture of nutmeg and all of autumn’s very best spices</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Plum Wine Amber: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A splendid blend of mulled wine, golden amber and purple plum creates a fragrance that recreates the richest fall days</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Pumpkin Cupcake: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The perfect pick from the corner bakery this fall- a spiced pumpkin cupcake with rich buttercream and frosted ginger.</i></span> <span style="color: white;">Sounds amaze. This one has been talked about quite a bit, and my guess is it will go fast. So if you smell it and like it in the store, buy it. If you don’t like it when you get home and burn it, BBW’s fabulous return policy will allow you to bring it back, no questions asked. You don’t even need your receipt. Ok they might ask you like 2 questions, such as “Did you not like the scent?” and “Was something wrong with the way it was burning?” which is always nice to tell them so they can give feedback to the company and improve our future candle experience.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Salted Caramel: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Indulge on an autumn day with a swoon worthy mixture of farm-fresh sweet cream, salted caramel and warm vanilla.</i></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: white;">I actually have this candle from when BBW tried to do a summer boardwalk collection in 2011 and it didn’t go too well. I liked SC a lot (then called Salty Caramel, not salted) when I picked it up over the summer, but decided it was not at ALL a summer fragrance and I waited to burn it during the fall. I was really happy I did. I’m glad to see BBW agrees with me on this being a fall scent :-) It’s almost like Creamy Caramel from way back in the day like 10 years ago (one of my FAVES), but a little more nutty and salty, like kettle corn. Kind of like the glazed popcorn note in Summer Boardwalk. It is reformulated this time around and little more mild. So if you weren’t a fan of it in 2011, give another try this fall. You may like it! Time machine: Do you remember the other 2011 boardwalk scents? Lemon Meringue and Cotton Candy! Those were good. But not quite like the ones they came out with for summer this year.</span></span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Returning favorites:</span></span></u></b><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Acorn & Fig is now Autumn Day</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Autumn:</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">Get festive this fall with our heartwarming fragrance that unites three beloved autumn scents- dark</span> <span style="color: white;">pomegranate, sweet red apple and woodsy fir balsam.</span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: white;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span><span style="color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">This one is very light, unlike its older cousin, Leaves,</span> <span style="color: white;">and it is strong on the apple. Very fresh and like I said, light. I like it as a morning fragrance during the fall. It is delicate and sweet, which is exactly what I need in the AM :-) </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Apple Crumble: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The perfect way to chase away an autumn chill, baked Granny Smith and McIntosh apples topped with vanilla crumble</i>.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Cinnamon Sugared Donut: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white;">Share the delight with a homemade vanilla cake donut covered in sugar crystals and crushed cinnamon.</span><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> </span></em></i></span><span style="color: white;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I was not a fan of this one last year, I thought it smelled dusty or something?? I don’t know. But a lot of other people seem to like it, so I’m glad to see it made its return for the CSD fans out there! I know how rough it is when your fave scent unexpectedly disappears. Mini freak out.</span></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: white;">Cranberry Woods:</span> </span></em></span><span style="color: white;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">Equal parts woodsy and fruity, Cranberry Woods combines fresh</span><span style="color: white;">, tart cranberries, black currant and warm cinnamon bark in one delightful, spicy fragrance.</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Creamy Pumpkin:</span> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">A sumptuous and soothing autumn blend of spiced pumpkin drizzled with sweet caramel and topped with warm cream inspired by the sweet richness of fall harvest.</span></span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">This one is sooo good!! It’s been around for a few years and I love seeing it every fall!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Fresh Balsam: Ok, so this is different. This has always been a pine scent for Christmas, sometimes released early in the fall, but definitely intended for Christmas and winter. But this year it looks like they are trying to</span> <span style="color: white;">make it a fall favorite. I have always loved this scent and I’m sure I will still love it a few months early :-) The wax is more of a sage green now instead of white, in case you were curious.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Leaves: The hallmark scent of fall. Must. Have. This year, it will be released in BOTH Slatkin and White Barn, so you will have two different jars, lids, labels, pictures and scent descriptions. Here is the</span> <span style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>White Barn description:</u></i></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A fragrance that embodies the richness of fall- with all the colors and pleasures- featuring notes of golden nectar, ripe delicious apple and red berries.</i></span> <span style="color: white;">This one has white wax as opposed to its usual dark brown, and is capped with a gold lid (all White Barn will be gold lids). The image on the label is pretty white to match the wax. The picture is a white wood bridge with white bark trees surrounding it.</span> <span style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Slatkin description:</u></i></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Celebrate the brilliant colors of autumn with this rich blend of golden nectar, red apple and berries.</i></span> <span style="color: white;">I think I like the packaging on this one the best. It has colorful fallen leaves on the label and the traditional rich, dark brown wax. That’s how Leaves should look to me :-)</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Marshmallow Fireside-</span> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">Celebrate</span></span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white;">the changing season with a warm mixture of marshmallows, smoldering</span> <span style="color: white;">woods and creamy vanilla reminiscent of a cozy evening 'round the bonfire.</span></i><span style="color: white;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">This one was so popular last year, I had no doubt it would be back. They could barely keep this one on the shelves. It quickly became one of my absolute favorites and I CANNOT wait to burn this one again! Also, I think this is the perfect intro to fall.</span> <span style="color: white;">After you burn your Summer Boardwalk to close out summer, I would transition to Marshmallow Fireside. It reminds me of the end of summer when you go up to a cabin for one last hoorah before school starts up and sit around a bonfire toasting marshmallows and making s’ mores. But it’s not all summer, the warm, woodsy notes definitely tell you fall is around the corner. Love this one! If you don’t have it, pick it up!!</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">Pumpkin Caramel Latte: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scent your home with this rich blend of creamy pumpkin, spiced caramel and sweet cream and keep your treasured autumn drink all season long.</i> So nice to see this one back. Have you ever had a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks? Have you ever added caramel syrup to it? Boom. That’s what this is. Just make sure you remember it’s a candle so you don’t accidentally drink it ;-)</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Spiced Cider: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A delicious blend straight from the orchard that mulls three varieties of fresh apples, spiced with nutmeg and cloves.</i> I am SO glad this one is returning! It’s a classic, so I was pretty sure it would, but you never know. My recommendation- if you want this candle, pick it up FAST! They were sold out in every store in my area by September and did not get any back. I learned my lesson :-) I really like it for August and all the way through Halloween. It’s a good, festive scent that can be almost like a witches brew if you are looking for a yummy fragrance that can go on the spooky side as well.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: white;">Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin: One of my favorites of all time? Quite possibly. I nearly explode with excitement when I smell this one. It is that freaking good. It's like nostalgia in a jar or something. Maybe I feel this way because it was one of the only fall fragrances when I was in 6th grade and my obsession with Bath & Body Works began. It honestly just takes me back to the house I grew-up in, standing in our garage looking up at our attic, patiently waiting for my parents to bring down our Halloween boxes and feeling the crisp, cool air swirl in and remind me of all the wonderful reasons that I love this season. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin might not do that for you, but now you know why I love it so much! Here is the description: <em>A harvest fave returns for fall! Our delicious, one-of-a kind recipe combines sweet pumpkin pie, rich vanilla cream and a touch of cinnamon.</em> They always change the descriptions on these each year. It's fun to see what new way they come up with to tell us what we're smelling :-)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">Something I'm not sure about is Pumpkin Patch, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be back. I LOVE that scent. It is so comforting. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for it this year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: white;">*Mark your calendars, these fall faves will make their debut <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Monday, August 6<sup>th</sup></u></b>! Two weeks from yesterday… I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">think</i> I can hold off for that long! We’ll see!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: white;">Which ones sound good to you? Any new ones you can't wait to try?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-52998627740752605012012-07-23T21:19:00.001-07:002012-07-23T21:26:34.991-07:00Back-to-School<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't know about where you live, but the first day of school was today for the year-round schools in my area. I always feel bad for kids when they have to go back :-( I know that was always such a difficult transition for me to go from carefree-summer to new class, new teacher, new school year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Aside from the nerves, I <strong>do</strong> love the back-to-school time of year. To quote one of my all-time favorite movies, "It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Haha, I can <em><strong>so</strong></em> relate! Can you guess which movie that's from? I'll tell you at the bottom of this post :-) Having quoted that, one of my <strong>favorite </strong>parts of back-to-school when I was a kid was... back-to-school shopping! My sister and I made an event out of it. School supply shopping was pretty fun, and it took the edge off of the new school year starting. I'm not sure if it was the smell of the flexible, plastic pencil cases or the fresh-cut wood smell of new No. 2 pencils, but I really looked forward to it at the end of every summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I was in elementary school, <strong>Lisa Frank</strong> was freaking HUGE and sooo sooo popular. That brand was by far my absolute favorite. I had Lisa Frank everything- folders, stickers, notebooks, pencils, you name it, me or my sister probably had it. And as the saying goes, "Lisa Frank- you gotta have it!" ;-) Haha. I used to know the entire commercial by heart. I wonder if LF is still around for kids these days... I never see it in the back-to-school section, so I'm guessing no.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Is anyone else out there as excited for back-to-school as I am?! Minus the whole I-feel-bad-for-the-kids thing, I really love this time of year. Whether you are in school or not, the school year starting is a time for a fresh start and new beginnings, almost like a 2nd spring or New Year's! One by one, I know schools will be starting up again all over the country, and that means the season of fall will become more and more prevalent. Anyway, as summer vacation (not summer itself, of course) winds down to an end here in Arizona, I'd like to wish all those cute little kiddos out there a safe, happy, fun and smart school year!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope you're <strong><em>THIS</em></strong> excited for back-to-school<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And here's the answer you've been waiting for: The quote was from... You've Got Mail! That was Tom Hanks writing to Meg Ryan in the beginning scenes of the movie. If you haven't seen that movie or if it's been a while, I recommend you watch it. I always like to relive it as we transition out of the hot days of summer and into the beginning of fall. It's a classic! Have a great day, and feel free to go buy yourself a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils :-D You deserve it!</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-29755355636754380552012-07-23T16:37:00.000-07:002012-07-23T16:37:09.095-07:00Heartfelt Thoughts and Prayers to Colorado<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wanted to break away from my normal blogging subject to recognize and give my most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the victims, families and friends of the shooting that happened in Colorado on Friday morning. I don't know what to say, or what to make of all this, but I do know with people like Holmes, you cannot make sense of their actions. They are senseless. In these situations, it is natural for people to try to sort through the information and figure out a reason why. Of course people will always wonder why these things happen, because sometimes knowing a motive can help to bring a sense of closure, but regardless of the motive, it will never justify the action. These people cannot be rationalized, and we cannot apply our own psychology and thought process to someone who is a sociopath. I truly wish there was something that could be done to prevent people from becoming this way so these things never happen. It is just unbelievable, and unacceptable, that we live in a world where things like this still occur.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am not one of those people that will try and find a silver lining in this devastating act, so I will just say that I am praying for those affected by this and I hope that they can find something to help them survive this tremendous loss. I am absolutely heartbroken for the parents who will be entering the awful world of bereaved parenthood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If there is someone you know who is in need of help or someone to talk to, please consider reaching out to the MISS Foundation. It is run by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, a grief counselor that works with people who have suffered from tragic loss, mainly bereaved parents, as she is a bereaved parent herself. The foundation is funded by charitable donations, so those who are suffering don't have to worry about not being able to afford a quality grief counselor. I have no affiliation whatsoever with this foundation, just trying to lend a helping hand for those in need. Here is the contact information for the foundation:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.missfoundation.org/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.missfoundation.org/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One-on-one support: 1-888-455-MISS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Office: 602-279-MISS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fax: 623-979-1001</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">E-mail: </span><a href="mailto:info@missfoundation.org"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">info@missfoundation.org</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dr. Cacciatore's E-mail: </span><a href="mailto:joanne@missfoundation.org"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">joanne@missfoundation.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Again, I am so sorry for those suffering, and I cannot begin to comprehend what they must be going through. I will continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers, with the hope that they can find the help needed to try and cope with their tremendous loss.</span>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-12632559992847930182012-07-21T16:30:00.000-07:002012-08-08T16:50:37.975-07:00Bath & Body Works Summer Boardwalk Candle Review<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you are looking for a home fragrance to transition between summer and fall, BBW's Summer Boardwalk is GREAT! It is perfect for late summer, and a great scent to prepare your nose for the richer, warmer scents of fall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Summer Boardwalk is more of a food-like fragrance that combines caramel-glazed popcorn, warm taffy apples and salted, sweet cream to bring back memories of amusement parks at the beach. I'm burning it right now (while watching Christmas in July on QVC) and let me tell you, it burns really well! The throw is so strong, I don't even have to light it for it to fragrance the room. I literally just remove the lid and within minutes, the room is filled with this warm, comforting scent. As soon as it hits my nose, it stirs up nostalgic feelings of the warm summer days transitioning into cool autumn nights. I smell the apple quite a bit which reminds me of caramel apples that I would eat as a kid around Halloween. The caramel-glazed popcorn smells like a caramel, hazelnut coffee to me, and the whole fragrance is balanced out with the salted sweet cream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I actually started burning this to kickoff the 4th of July, and I think that is a wonderful holiday to use this candle! The apple, caramel and nutty notes are reminiscent of all-American apple pie. What's more patriotic than that? ;-) I will be burning this through the rest of the summer before I start lighting up my fall fragrances :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">If you haven't smelled it yet, pop on over to Bath & Body and give it a try! If you do, let me know what you think!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioECgztTKr0ACyji2LXlFe_KcNwZ04mhTgK9XNK7CbZgVlVGbDpoWQuSCdB_FjjMG9d3eJMBGgWWbtMxBCC47dxkSiqQcEztmGBY7aYfW6tzdnftqY3lmdPUOiWlnusvvbLauiIxxcd_U/s1600/SBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioECgztTKr0ACyji2LXlFe_KcNwZ04mhTgK9XNK7CbZgVlVGbDpoWQuSCdB_FjjMG9d3eJMBGgWWbtMxBCC47dxkSiqQcEztmGBY7aYfW6tzdnftqY3lmdPUOiWlnusvvbLauiIxxcd_U/s320/SBC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-31199936615640463992012-07-20T14:13:00.000-07:002012-07-20T14:14:19.548-07:00Disneyland Mickey's Halloween Party Tickets Now on Sale!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well... they've been on sale since the 16th, but I didn't have my little blog then. so I'm telling you now! Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort generally starts the 3rd Friday in Spetember, but I'm thinking this year it will be the 2nd Friday, which is September 14th, due to how the days fall in September this year. In 2010 it was September 17th and 2011 it was the 16th. I'll put money on the 14th if anyone wants to take me up on it ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Being in Disneyland during the fall is amazing... villains are out, Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are given a spooky makeover, trees are changing their leaves and the park is decorated to the nines with warm colors, pumpkins and Halloween goodies :-) I <strong>LOVE</strong> Disneyland during this time of year! If you haven't been yet, I highly recommend going! During a select few nights, Disneyland hosts Mickey's Halloween Trick-or-Treat Party. This is a separate event that requires a ticket purchase, which you can do here: <a href="http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/mickeys-halloween-party/">http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/mickeys-halloween-party/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Holidays at the Disneyland Resort will be advertised on the website a bit later, but they usually start around Veteran's Day weekend. In 2010 they started November 12th. The 2nd Friday in November is usually a safe bet. I'm thinking this year they will be November 9th or 10th. So if you are planning to go and want to make sure you are there for the holidays,I would plan to go after Veteran's Day weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway, if you are planning on doing some Disney this fall, make sure you consider buying Mickey's Halloween Party tickets! It's sure to be a <em>ghoul</em> time ;-)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD2chPwWjq9XDjoEZ7z5_VNk5ISw8CnwP5lgKO4dvTTM_1WVkYrnnx_bFjundw8U3-yKs7MQD37jPoUbly7rVcYwl4r_8mnWwkYTnXQOGFjsjotbX5x98eXdcp90dqcw2y4BvloCsxiM/s1600/Pumpkin+Mickey+Mug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD2chPwWjq9XDjoEZ7z5_VNk5ISw8CnwP5lgKO4dvTTM_1WVkYrnnx_bFjundw8U3-yKs7MQD37jPoUbly7rVcYwl4r_8mnWwkYTnXQOGFjsjotbX5x98eXdcp90dqcw2y4BvloCsxiM/s320/Pumpkin+Mickey+Mug.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Walking Holidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311411573012647321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577891206301640921.post-44289426049487882622012-07-20T11:10:00.000-07:002012-07-20T11:33:39.226-07:00It's Heeeeere!!! Merry Christmas in July!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's here, it's here, CIJ is finally heeeere!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know what I'll be doing all weekend! So excited, I love this mini-holiday weekend! I look forward to it every year. Anyone doing anything special for it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remember, 9pm AZ time, 12am NY time. All weekend long! Have a holly jolly weekend, my hollies!</span><br />
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