Harry Potter Studios and the Hogwarts Express

I hope you're all having a lovely bank holiday Monday, and this is just a quick post showing you my recent trip to the Harry Potter studios tour. 

Friday the 15th of May myself and some friends went to the Warner Bros Studio Tour of The Making of Harry Potter. I've already been lucky enough to have gone before (previous blog post here), but you can never tire of the magic of Harry Potter, so here I am with another post saying how fabulous it is.  

I don't want to spoil ALL the magic, but here are a few of my favourite snaps from the day. 

Pinkie and I in the Great Hall 

 I think out of all the characters from the Harry Potter films, Luna's costumes are my favourite. I love how quirky they are. 

Costume dept 

50 Shades of Umbridge 

 Back in March the studio unveiled a new part of the tour, which was Platform 9 3/4 and the original Hogwarts Express steam engine from the films. I was SO excited to see this part, and we practically all fan girled when we stepped onto the platform. 

Luggage on Platform 9 3/4 

 Cute lil group shot of us. 

The gang with The Hogwarts Express 

Loving life on the bridge to Hogwarts 

Katie and I 

 There are sooo many hand held props there, sometimes its hard for your eyes to focus on one thing. 

Appreciating the art  

 How could you not fan girl over Gilderoy in the window of Flourish and Blotts 

Fan girling over Gilderoy Lockhart 

Possibly my favourite part of the whole tour, where you get to see the model of Hogwarts castle. 

After spending a good amount of time in the gift shop I picked up a Hogwarts Express post card for my wall, and a revolting, but brilliant cat tea cup. They had a few different designs, and I think they're meant to be takes on the ones that Professor Umbridge has in her office. But Mumma Drake hates it, but I think its hilarious and I just had to get it. 

I also got a picture of all of us in the flying car, a nice memento of the day

Post card- 95p
Cat tea cup- £14.95

All in all I had a wonderful day, we drank butter-beer and saw the Hogwarts Express. I laughed a lot and we all had a good sing song in the car. 

Have you been to the Harry Potter Studio tour, and what's your favourite part? Comment down below. 

Cheerio! 

Hannah

  

The Disney Tag

So I'm back with another Disney themed post, surprise surprise. This is the Disney Tag, and I saw this on Ellie Steadman's You Tube channel . I thought I'd give it a whirl because who doesn't love a good chit chat about Disney related things?

1. What Disney scene do you wish you could experience?

Defiantly the boat scene/ I See the Light, between Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder in Tangled. Its such a beautiful scene, and is one of my all time favourite Disney songs. Plus how amazing would all those floating lights look?  

2. The first time that you went to Disney? 

The first Disney Park that I went to was Disneyland in California, which was the original Disney park, it was in 2002, and I was 6 and a half.

Little me with Alice

3. Your best memory from a Disney Park?

I've been lucky enough to go to three different Disney Parks, multiple times, so it is so hard to pick just one memory, because each park is so different. But I'd have to say probably the first time I watched the Disney Dreams lights show the first time I went to Disneyland Paris in 2013. I basically cried the whole way through, but mostly at the part where Quasimodo climbed up the castle and sang part of the song 'Out There' in French. I wept.

'Out there, strolling by the Seine, taste a morning out there' 

But another magical moment was when I was little and I was at the California Disneyland, and I was brought a Princess Jasmine costume, I remember being so excited to wear it, and literally putting it on straight away in the park.

So sassy 

4. A song that reminds you of being at Disney 

Apart from the parade songs like 'Magic everywhere' from Paris, probably 'A Friend Like Me' from Aladdin, because it always makes me think of that part in the Disney Dreams light show where all the turrets are moving and fire sparks up from the castle. 

5. A Disney character that you would want to be your best friend?

So many to choose from? I mean do I go for an animal best friend, or princess best friend? Part of me really wants to say Hamm from Toy Story, because I find him hilarious plus he could keep your money safe? But leading lady wise, I think I'd want to be best friends with Esmeralda, from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She is kind, strong and sassy, so you know she'd always have your back. Plus her side kick, Jolly, is awesome. 

'I'm Phoebus, it means Sun God' 

6. What is the first Disney film that you remember watching?

I watched Disney from a very young age, but I remember watching Lady and the Tramp, because I never used to understand the whole 'Jim dear' and 'Darling' thing, I do now though. 

There's little me, loving life with all my dogs, and Lady and the Tramp
on in the background

I also remember I had a video with Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast taped from the telly on it, because in between the adverts of Sleeping Beauty there was a Tetley Tea advert and its always stuck in my mind. 

7. Favourite Disney Princess?

Ever since I can remember Aurora from Sleeping Beauty has always been my favourite princess. I have no idea why, because I was never really into the film when I was little, maybe I just loved the fact she had two princess dresses. Who knows? 

'Make it pink' 

8. A scene in a Disney film that makes you cry

There are several Disney moments that make me cry, but one of the worst is the scene in Pocahontas where John Smith is tied up in the tent because he's going to be killed, and Pocahontas says that she wished he'd never met her and he says the line; 'I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you'. It makes me weep every time.

9. What is a Disney film that will make you feel better no matter what?

The Emperors New Groove. Hands down. The whole film is just hilarious, and I can basically recite it word for word. I think that Emperor Kuzco is one of my favourite Disney characters. 

10. What is your favourite Disney film?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, without a doubt. This has been my favourite since I was 3, my mum says that I would watch it and then as soon as it was finished I'd ask to watch it again. It's rather strange that a 3 year old would love this film so much, because compared to the other Disney films its actually really dark and some of the lyrics are so deep; 'Why invite their calumny and consternation, stay in here'. I mean what 3 year old would even know what any of that meant? 

11. Favourite Disney song?

How can you pick?! I mean it depends what mood you're in, if you're feeling up beat and jazzy then 'Zero to Hero' from Hercules is fab, or 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' (Mulan). But if you're feeling slightly more chilled then maybe something like 'Beauty and the Beast'. Then what about solo songs?! Like 'Just Around the River Bend' (Pocahontas) , or 'Strangers Like Me' (Tarzan), or 'Why Should I Worry' (Oliver and Company). There is just such variety. 

But for my favourite song I shall pick 'Out There' from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the whole song is just amazing, the score is beautiful and the lyrics are wonderful. Claps go to Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, bravo gents.  

So they are my answers for the Disney Tag. Leave me a comment saying your favourite Disney film, or tell me your answers to the tag. I just love knowing peoples favourite things about Disney. 

Cheerio! 

Hannah

Spring Treasures- An April Charity Shops Haul

These are all the charity shop treasures I have collected over the month of April, and I thought I would share them with you. 

Starting with this black heart print dress from Primark. I love the added bow details on the pockets, and the style of dress makes me feel like someone from an American diner in the 50's.

Primark Heart Print Dress- £3.95

I love the pattern of this strappy Summer dress, and the white flower buttons are just too cute. It's quite short so I'll either have to wear black tights with it, or maybe little denim shorts underneath. 

Primark Blue Rose Summer Dress/top- £3.95
Havens Hospice 

This is a grey slouchy jumper from H&M, and I really liked the beaded embellishments, because they really jazz up what would have been a really dull grey jumper. 

 

H&M Grey Oversized Sweater/top- £3.95
Sue Ryder 

This is a corduroy skater skirt from Boohoo, and I really liked the colour of it. I thought it was really Autumnal, so this will probably be something I save for later on in the year. 

Booho Skater Skirt- £1.50
The Salvation Army 

These trousers were an absolute steal, they're from Topshop and they look pretty much brand new. I am in love with the colour, and I felt inspired by a similar pair that Patsy from Call the Midwife wore in an episode I'd watched recently. 

Topshop Cigarette Trousers- £4
Mind 

These's are possibly my favourite purchases of the month, they are little framed pictures of Hunca Munca (from Tale of Two Bad Mice), and the old woman who lived in a shoe (from Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes). These are two of my favourite Beatrix Potter illustrations, so I was very chuffed to find them. 

Beatrix Potter pictures- £1.50 each 

Another Beatrix Potter find was this lovely framed Tale of Johnny Town Mouse picture. I love her illustrations, so I had to snap this picture up for my room. 

Beatrix Potter picture- £4.99
British Heart 

Keeping with the same theme, my Beatrix Potter obsession has now spread to Jill Barklem's Brambly Hedge books. I loved reading them when I was younger, and I thought this Spring Story money box was really sweet. 

Brambly Hedge Money box- £4.99

Spring is here and Summer is just round the corner, so I thought I'd pick up this sunflower hair garland for 99p. Because who doesn't want to look like a fairy during the Summer? 

Flower Head band- 99p
Oxfam 

Coming from a girl that loves to bake I couldn't refuse this assortment of six biscuit cutters for £1.50! Especially since I was looking at similar ones on Etsy. 

Biscuit cutters- £1.50
Sue Ryder 

I seem to have a book buying obsession recently. I think its steamed from wanting to collect all Roald Dahl's books. I managed to pick up James and the Giant Peach, as well as Revolting Rhymes, which I remember listening to on cassette tape! (I feel so old). I also picked up Alexa Chung 'IT', which every girl on the internet seems to have, Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth, The House at Pooh Corner by A.A.Milne and Confessions of an actor by Laurence Olivier, (the actor in me coming out). 

Books- 99p each
From; The Salvation Army and The Children's Society 

I found this fabulous Belle dress photo stand, I think it must be from one of the Disney Parks because it has a stamp on the bottom saying 'Authentic Original Disney Theme Park'. It's in such good condition, and I'm going to print off a polaroid picture of Meg and I at Disney to put in it. 

Belle Dress photograph stand- 99p
The Children's Society 

Then finally keeping with the Disney theme I found this Walt Disney quote tile and I thought it would go fabulously in my room. It did come with a different hanger, but it looked quite naff so I swapped it for some pink ribbon, which goes nicely with my room. I love this quote so much, so it's nice to have it on my wall to look at everyday. 

Walt Disney Quote Tile- £1.50
Haven's Hospice 

These are all the bits I've picked up in April, what treasures have you found this month? Let me know in the comments. 

As always; 

Cheerio! 

Hannah

'Have courage and be kind'- Cinderella Swarovski Exhibition

What better way to get myself back into the blogosphere than a good old Disney post? 

Now, unless you've been living on a Disney-less planet the past few months you'll have no idea about the new live action Cinderella film, and this whole post will be wasted on you. But for those who HAVE seen the film, well then you can swoon over Cinders spectacular blue dress with me (and boy did I swoon). 

When I watched the film in the Cinema first time round with my sister and nieces, one; I thought the film was fab, and Lily James played Cinderella, or 'Ella', sooo well, two Helena Bonham Carter was fabulous, as always, and three Cate Blanchett was so wickedly evil as Lady Tremaine. 

But what stole the film for me were the costumes. All of the costumes were incredible, but of course Cinderella's blue ball gown stole the show, and I found myself literally mesmerised during the ball scene where she dances with the prince. The way the material flowed and moved captivated me, it was the epitome of the perfect princess dress. 

So of course when I see that Swarovski are putting on an exhibition in London showcasing the costumes and the set designs from the new film I knew I HAD to go. 

And of course Mumma Drake came too. 

The outside of the exhibition

The exhibition was from the 21st of March till the 10th of April 2015 in the Leicester Square Gardens, and there were 22 amazing costumes and 100's of original props from the film. 

The Heritage Gallery:

This was the first room of the exhibition and this was where they showcased Disney's animated version of Cinderella, and they had loads of original never before seen artwork and archive artefacts from the Disney Vault. 

Cinderella's Home:

This was the second room, and this was where you saw the costumes that Lady Tremaine, Anastasia and Drisella arrived at Cinderella's home in, as well as her father's study, original props from when she is a little girl at the beginning of the film, and family portraits. 

I love that throughout the film each stepsister has a signature colour for each of their costumes, pink/peach for Anastasia and yellow for Drisella. 

What I particularly love about these dresses is that each flower was hand painted on. So it shows how much time an effort went into each costume. 

Lady Tremaine's costumes are brilliant, because they are dramatic to bring out the evil stepmother character, but they are also elegant, so it doesn't make her seem pantomime-like. 

Interesting fact about Lady Tremaine's costumes are that the colour green was a key theme in most of her dresses to highlight the envy and jealousy she feels towards Cinderella. 

Cinderella's Father's Study

Cinderella's childhood toys

The Cellar:

This was where you saw Cinderella's first costume, her blue rags dress. Which I actually really like. I love the simplicity of the dress, and the detail at the bottom is a lovely touch, because it contrasts nicely with the stepsisters extravagant brightly coloured dresses. 

Actual bells from the film

Cinderella's mice friends. 

The Garden:

This was where the magic starts to kick in, first you see Cinderella's torn pink dress, along with the un-transformed Fairy Godmother cloak. 

Then as you turn you see the Fairy Godmothers sparkling glittery white dress. The hair, dress and make-up shimmer with more than 10,000 Swarovski crystals! I wish it was social acceptable for me to wear sparkly crystals in my hair everyday. I somehow think certain people may not be so accepting of that desire. 

The Palace Forecourt 

So magical 

As you came out the other side of the carriage you entered the ball, and midnight changes everything. 

The Royal Ball:

Now here's the moment we've all been waiting for... 

Cinderella's breath taking blue ball gown. 

It's created from 24 layers of tulle, has a circumference of 11.6 metres and is embellished with over 10,000 iridescent Aurora Borealis Swarovski crystals. 

I bet Lily James felt like a giant disco ball wearing that dress! But who wouldn't want to sparkle all night long. 

Who knew someone could fan-girl so much over a dress? 

As I said earlier, the colours of the stepsisters ball gowns match the dresses they wear earlier in the film. Which to me symbolises how their characters do not change or grow. Where as Cinderella's change from the plain rags dress, into the beautiful ball gown shows how her dress now matches her inner beauty and kindness. (That is literally just my opinion, it is probably completely wrong, ha!). 

Stepsisters ball gowns. 

Lady Tremaine's ball gown

Then came one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. Coming from a girl who loves shoes and all things sparkly, these really were a treat for the eyes. 

Considering they are one of the key elements of the Cinderella story I think that they are incredible, and having them made from solid Swarovski crystal really gave them the wow factor.  

Sandy Powell designed the shoes and the costumes, and Swarovski created the slippers. They took 150 hours of design time and six versions were created before they got the perfect shoe. They are based on a shoe design from the 1890's. They're not an actual size, e.g. like a size 4 or 5, because they are apparently sculpted to Lily James' feet. 

Once I'd managed to gather myself and drag myself away from all the sparkly dresses, we moved into the final room of the exhibition which was where they had some more information on the costumes, with pictures of the dresses in the film, with their design sketches next to them. 

I love comparing design sketches to the final outcome. I find it so amazing how something on paper can be brought to life and look so beautiful. 

I clearly did not want to leave. 

There was a gift shop, so obviously I had to buy something, mainly because I have no self control, but still. They had loads of beautiful Cinderella dresses, but sadly they didn't have any sizes to cater to a 19 year old, funny that. So I settled on this gorgeous statement necklace instead. It was £30, which was quite pricey, but my reasoning was that; statement necklaces are on trend, so I can be stylish and still feel like a princess. Win, win. 

Plus you can literally pay like £20 for some on the high street anyway. 

Princess necklace

So that was the Cinderella exhibition, I'm so happy I went and I cannot get over how incredible all the costumes are. Round of applause for Sandy Powell please, what a talented woman. 

That's all for now! 

But remember; 

'Have courage and be kind. For where there is kindness there is goodness, and where there is goodness there is magic'

Cheerio! 

Hannah