Museum Mice

The hubby and I had a weekend filled with local museums. We visited two local gems...the San Bernardino County Museum and The Lincoln Shrine Memorial, both in Redlands, California.
I was decked out in an awesome planet/outer-space print dress by Retrolicious. I was the lucky winner of their recent Instagram contests. I was so excited since I never win anything...especially not a dress I have been drooling over for some time now. (Review on this dress coming later!)

We first headed down to the San Bernardino County Museum. There was a Mid-Century Modern Architecture exhibit we wanted to see and it was well worth it. The museum is snuggled in Redlands, located next to the gorgeous Victorian home known as the Edwards Mansion. The museum features quaint exhibits ranging from local history to dinosaurs!

The second museum we ventured to was the Lincoln Shrine museum in Redlands. This museum was a true hidden gem for me. I must have driven past that museum numerous times and never gave it a second thought. There is also an adjacent library on the premises. Perfect for me, right? The Lincoln Shrine building gives the illusion of an observatory with it's distinctive dome at the front center of the museum. The location is small but packs in quite a bit of history pertaining all to the Civil War and Lincoln. Both the hubby and I are history buffs...so this detour in our day was a true treat. I recommend it to anyone in the area. You won't be sorry!

Double Trouble!

My best friend, Emily, and I recently hit up the sites at Palm Springs...but in matching colors of course. We couldn't wait to sport our favorite retro labels, from Vixen by Micheline Pitt to Banned Apparel. Here we are in front of the gorgeous grass wall in the Riviera Hotel and Spa. Fun! Fun! Fun!

I am wearing a Red Sabrina top by Pinup Girl Clothing and black trousers by Banned Apparel.
Emily is wearing a Red Powder Puff Top by Vixen by Micheline Pitt.

Happy Anniversary Sleeping Beauty

Yesterday, Janurary 29th, we celebrated the 58th anniversary of the release of the Disney classic Sleeping Beauty. I grew up admiring every second of that movie, from the enchanted art to the whimsical score. I had also just finished a custom Sleeping Beauty skirt for a client depicted the famous fairy "color battle"..."make it pink! make it blue!" We all know and love that fun scene. I combined two parts of pink and blue skirts into one full skirt. One half pink and one half blue. Each side has it's fairy, Merryweather and Flora, along with their wands and a little magical fairy dust.

 I had quite an obsession with Maleficent as a child for some reason...I didn't think much of Aurora's beauty but I thought the beautiful one was Maleficent. She was strong, demure, and had attitude for days. I was hooked! I bought this amazing Maleficent sculpture during the 50th anniversary of Disneyland. Her magical staph even lights up! During the same celebration period I picked up a figurine of her shoe as well as a Maleficent Barbie.

And of course if you ever get a chance to tour the inside of Sleeping Beauty's castle...you have to take the obligatory Maleficant lurking in the shadows picture. It's so spooky and amazing!

Mickey Mouse Jewelry!

I have collected quite a bit of craft supplies throughout the years...and I never decided what I was going to do with my massive amounts of Disney charms. I couldn't help but think jewelry would be the best option for these gorgeous charms...and well I went a little crazy. I picked up a micro drill bit and started making the cutest dangle earrings for the fellow Mickey obsessed...such as myself. What do you think?

Revisitng the past at Santa's Village

I recently took a trip down memory lane...this time at Santa's Village which has now reopened after nearly 20 years. Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains in a little town of Sky forest, just north of Lake Arrowhead, Santa's Village was once the go to spot year-round for a dose of Christmas cheer and fun. Decked out with Santa's very own home and workshop, a gingerbread house and toy store, the park reopened it's doors like it once did in 1955! I myself had numerous great memories at this park with my parents. This time I brought my mother along for the fun.

The one thing you will notice is that the buildings have been updated and are now all neutral colors which I don't prefer to be honest. I remember loving the bright and kitschy colors that decked the buildings. It gave it that "Toyland" feel. It's much more modern and plain...but still very beautiful. A lot of the old rides have been removed...like the Bumble Bee ride, which was the absolute best! Of course...no one could ever forget the Mushrooms! Those were like a ride itself...you would jump on them and off of them as a kid. Those, thankfully stayed. Admission includes a visit to Santa himself and access to the beautiful ice skating rink. I am a child at heart so of course I was ecstatic to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. If you feel just the same as me...go! It is a beautiful site to see, and located in a beautiful pocket of the mountains.

Located on scenic Rim of the World Highway (California State Route 18) in the city of Skyforest.
http://skyparksantasvillage.com

Going Plaid!

My best friend, Emily, and I purchased the most amazing plaid tops by Heart of Haute. This blouse is called the Estelle blouse and it accented with a cute tie bow at the neckline and is adorned in a beautiful red holiday plaid print. The top is made of 100% cotton. The fit is also so flattering. We couldn't resist taking advantage of the snow fall one weekend in Big Bear Lake at the cabin...and the pictures we took were too cute not to share.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Halloween is truly one of my favorite times of the year. There is so much fun in planning your costume, decorating your home with spooky details, Halloween parties and trick-or-treating. We try our hardest to make it to Disneyland's Not So Scary Halloween Party...and this year was no exception. Of course tickets sell out quick, so we made sure to grab them in advance...two months to be exact. We chose the weekend of Halloween and it was the spookiest yet!

The Mr. and I chose to be Cliff and Jenny from the Rocketeer. It was fitting since the movie is celebrating it's 25th anniversary this year. Boy, how time flies. I was lucky enough to have my wedding dress I based off Jenny's gown from the movie. I remember my hubby always told me that his first crush was Jenny, from the moment he saw her in that famous white gown, so of course the day after he proposed to me I hunted down a similar dress.

The helmet and jet pack was a completely different story. I had made those completely from scratch. The helmet base was a large Red Vine's plastic container...yup! I then worked around that container with a mixture of cardboard and Duct tape. It was definitely a case of trial and error. But I got the shape down to an acceptable look. I then sprayed the entire helmet down with gold spray paint.
The Jet Pack was made from two soda bottles and an apple juice container. I glued google eyes around the pack to give the illusion of welded studs once it was painted. I sprayed it down with silver spray paint. Then I slit two openings in the back and put two of my husbands leather belts in as straps. I was impressed. Even though it was cheesy...it was fun!

We got quite a few looks, stairs and giggles...mostly because everyone thought I was a bride and my husband was a jet man. But it was so worth it when the handful of people that got it went nuts! My husband beamed as he heard from afar "It's the Rocketeer!!" Those that got it were so excited! Even some execs' at Disney that stopped us for pictures. It was exciting! 

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!!!

Pictures from that night at Disneyland

My favorite part of the whole night...THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN