Cutest Commercial Possibly Ever (◜௰◝)

This is totally my life story (up until bumping into Mr. Right by 'it's a small world' which honestly would be no surprise).  I don't speak a word of Japanese, so I have NO idea what they're saying at the end, but I can still appreciate the gist of it.  Also, I totally adore the version of "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" with the ukulele in the background.  It is totally beautiful, sweet and nostalgic.  I wonder where I can find it?  And, how cool is it to see Disney anime style?!  Oh boy, how lovely would it be to meet my prince charming like that? ♡

Enjoy and keep dreaming! xoxo

(review) Simple- Moisturizing Facial Wash

Moisturizing Facial Wash

You can read up about the product by clicking the link above!

Well the rest of the Simple products that I ordered got here, and I have got to say I really like them all!  Just like I thought, it is very gentle.  It does not leave my sensitive, combination skin feeling dry or tight at all.  Just clean :)  I am a little iffy about SLS being the second ingredient, but my skin is happy.  I guess they know what they're doing.

I'm really loving this whole product range.  When I wake up, my skin glows.  Also with them (and this facial wash especially) my skin is not nearly as red and blotchy after I wash my face in the morning.  I really like that part!

And, since I know you're wondering...nope, no breakouts!  Actually my skin is clearing up, and is so radiant.  I would heartily recommend this facial wash for anyone who is looking for something gentle.  I wouldn't be turned off by the word 'moisturizing.'  I was a little worried and half expecting a creamy consistency, but this has a consistency more similar to Cetaphil.  I'm not really sure how moisturizing it really is, but it is perfectly lovely.  I will definitely repurchase! ♡

Shellie May

I got my Shellie May in the mail today!  It was so exciting!  The box had so many stamps, as she was shipped to me from Hong Kong.  I ordered her from this seller on eBay for a pretty good deal.  How she ended up in Hong Kong when she's from Tokyo, I'll never know.  Maybe she was exploring with Duffy? ^^

Shellie May is so cute!  I was not expecting her to be as soft as she is.  Also, I really love the color of her fur.  A dusty pinkish mauvey taupey brown is how I would best describe it.  She seems a little less stuffed and firm than my Duffy bear, but she is incredibly snuggly.  No bear can be exactly the same anyway so I'm not too concerned.

Shellie May's story is not very original, and is nowhere near as charming as Duffy's.  Basically Minnie made Shellie May as a present for Duffy.  I've found an elaborated, original version of the story online which I like because it fills in all the gaps nicely for me.  Here it is. 

Taffy

❦

The Story of Shellie May

(A completely original telling of the creation of Duffy's sister-friend)

One dark night out at sea, Duffy and Mickey were caught in a terrible storm. They had been away from home for many long weeks, aboard the lightship Shellie May. Mickey and Duffy had many adventures together, on lots of different boats, but Shellie May was Duffy’s favorite. 

She was the last of the steam-powered wooden lightships, shining over the shoals through New England fogs and squalls. Shellie May had been protecting Cape Cod for generations, and her foghorn still resounded with a powerful voice. She was the first ship Duffy ever went out on with Mickey, and the first he later took out by himself. Tending her light was a labor of love for him.  

The strange tempest had been raging for days, and even the daytime was black as night. But Duffy and Mickey kept their beacon burning bright and other ships passing safely. They had several close calls, and Duffy had climbed the mast to relight the lamp dozens of times. Finally tonight, the gales seemed to be quieting. 

Just when they thought the worst was over, a sudden wave swelled up, sweeping away Shellie May’s anchor and smashing her against a submerged sandbar. Duffy and Mickey just barely made it to their little life raft in time!

Minnie was so worried! When she heard what happened, she hurried down to the pier. She was relieved to find them both all right. As the three of them strolled along the boardwalk, Minnie stopped to buy a couple bags of sea salt taffy to lift their spirits – one to share with Mickey, and one for the little teddy, too. 

He loved the stuff, but what he especially liked was the tender way Mickey and Minnie always shared it together. Duffy knew they’d missed each other, so he thanked Minnie for the treat and went walking alone along the beach to give them time to enjoy their reunion. 

As he walked, Duffy spotted a large piece of painted driftwood. It was red, with the letters “S-H-E-L-L-I-E M-A-Y” stenciled in white. 

As he got closer, the current carried the wreckage back out to sea. But Duffy discovered that the tide had brought something in as well, glistening soft pink in the sand…right where Shellie May’s name had just been. It was a lovely little seashell, in the shape of a heart. He knew right away that it was special and put it close to his ear. Inside, he heard the ocean, and the beating of his own heart! 

Listening to the shell, and gazing back at the boardwalk, Duffy saw Minnie and Mickey sharing their taffy and talking. He missed his favorite ship, and he was feeling lonesome. There would never be another boat just like Shellie May, just as Duffy had never met another bear quite like himself. He hoped for someone like himself, but outside of himself – a kindred spirit. 

Though Minnie's co-op workshop made many Duffys and every Duffy was one-of-a-kind; still, every Duffy was Duffy. He wished he had another friend to share his taffy with. Suddenly, beyond the rushing waves and thumping pulse, Duffy heard a familiar voice, pulling him gently out of his heartsickness. “Come on, pal! Let’s go home!” called Mickey, and they all headed off. 

On the way home, Minnie noticed Duffy looking blue. She also spotted the peculiar shell held in his paw. “Oh! What a pretty shell you found! You’re so lucky!” she said, hoping to cheer him up. Duffy gave the shell to Minnie with a big smile.

“Are you sure?” asked Minnie. “I think it’s something very special.” Duffy nodded and Minnie thanked him for the sweet gift. She was happy to see him smiling again, but she was still worried. 

Late that night, Minnie woke up with a start! She had sweet dreams, but a surprising sound roused her so suddenly that she quickly forgot them – she could hear Duffy’s voice in her room! But that was impossible! Duffy was at Mickey’s house!

Still, Minnie was sure she heard Duffy saying, “I wish I had a friend to share my taffy with.” It echoed again and again, like the beating of a heart, and it was getting louder. She followed the sound and found that it was coming from inside the shell!

Minnie realized she was hearing Duffy’s wish, from the bottom of his heart. She wanted to do something to help him; Duffy brought so much love to everyone else. But what could she do? Then she had an idea. “I’ll make a new friend for Duffy!” she thought to herself, and she tried to think about what kind of bear it should be.

“Hm…another boy?” she wondered. But there were already so many boy Duffy bears, she thought. “Why not a girl? And pink, like the shell! Her eyes should be blue, like sea salt taffy…And she’ll need a bow, of course!” Minnie worked all night making the new teddy bear, and as the sun came up, she tied the pink seashell around her petite pink neck. “Nice to meet you, little bear!” said Minnie, and she giggled at herself talking to a stuffed toy. “But what should we call you?”

Later that morning, Mickey and Duffy came over for breakfast. Minnie was still tired from sewing all night, but she was very excited to show Duffy his surprise. “Here you go, Duffy! I made a present for you.” Duffy felt a little shy accepting Minnie's gift; she had given him so much. 

But when he saw the cute little bear that looked so much like him, yet so different, Duffy’s heart filled with joy. She was even wearing the last token of his treasured steamboat! 

“She’s not a magic bear like you, but you can take her with you and she can be your friend,” said Minnie. “I’m not sure what her name is yet…”

“Nice to meet you, Shellie May!” said Duffy at once. “Nice to meet you, too, Duffy!” she replied. “You can call me Shellie if you want to.” Everyone was so surprised!

“Let’s go play!” said Shellie May, as she grabbed Duffy’s arm, and the pair dashed out of Minnie’s kitchen and down to the pier.

“Mm…This is so yummy!” they both said as they munched salty-sweet taffy together on the boardwalk. “What’ll we do next?” Shellie asked excitedly. Duffy smiled.

“Gosh, Minnie,” said Mickey, “I guess that Shellie May is a magical bear after all. You should make her in your workshop, too, so she can bring joy to lonely hearts everywhere and make more wishes come true.” 

And she did.  

Love Never Dies

Sierra and Ramin, London Originals

I'm rediscovering this musical right now.  It is so incredibly epic!  For those of you who don't know, Love Never Dies is the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, one my all-time favorite musicals.  Some very nice person posted the Australia version on YouTube (I guess this is the version that they're selling), and I'm in phantom heaven now.  

I was initially worried that I wouldn't like the Erik and Christine (Ben Lewis and Anna O Byrne) in this version because I love Sierra and Ramin so much, but I am sold.  I totally want to buy it.  Their chemistry is amazing.  Here's my favorite song from the show- Beneath a Moonless Sky.  Isn't their sexy, dangerous chemistry amazing?  Plus, I think she's just beautiful.  And he....omigosh.

Anna and Ben

<3

I actually saw the show myself this past summer in London (2011) and loved it.  I figured I would never see it, so I had already read up the synopsis online, so I knew what was coming (I won't ruin it for any of you who don't know!), but I still loved it.  I actually loved it so much more than I thought I would.  The music of course is beautiful, haunting, and raw.  It is such a lavish show.  And there is plenty of Erik/Christine to make me blush and sigh. :3  It's such a shame that the show didn't do well. I know it closed in London.  Thank goodness Australia loved it!  It's too much of a great show to not be performing.  I hope they bring it to America sometime soon!

Lady Jane (1986)

Do you have any movies that aren't necessarily your favorites, but you just find yourself watching every now and then?  That's what Lady Jane is for me.  It stars a very young Helena Bonham Carter, and a young, heartbreakingly dashing Carey Elwes.  It is honestly one of the most touching love stories I have ever seen.  From research, I know that the real Jane and Guilford probably didn't share this etherial love, but the romantic in me says "why the hell not?"

It's so my type of love story, although it is tragic.  Jane is abused and taken for granted- she is merely a pawn in the game of power.  Yet despite her mistreatment, she remains kind, gentle, devout, true to herself, and determined.  And throughout it all, she finds her true love in the unlikeliest of men- her husband who she is arranged to marry.  Their short love is among the most powerful I've seen portrayed.  It has no "bells and whistles."  It is simply two young people discovering love together.  What is more sacred than this?  I find myself bering moved to tears and shakes watching them, and even though we all know the tragic ending, Jane and Guilford's everlasting faith that they will be together forever in paradise tugs at my heartstrings.  

I believe this kind of love is out there for me.  Good things find good people.  Until I find my love though, I am content to sit here and wait, wish, and dream.

Drama

Drama.  Completely unavoidable among teenage girls, let alone girls who live together.  It seems like such a waste of time.  Sometimes I feel like it would be easier to be like Scarlett O'Hara and write off friendship with women completely, but I've been without girlfriends before.  It's not fun.

But why do girls have this built-in motive to be destructive and manipulative?  I am not innocent in this regard, but I find it fascinating to observe in others.

(review) Simple- Soothing Facial Toner

My latest skincare love:

Soothing Facial Toner

You can read up about it and order it here if you choose. ^

Anyway for my super sensitive, yet acne-prone, skin, finding good products is especially hard.  If I attack the acne, redness invades, dryness ensues, and all this leads to worse skin than I began with.  If I indulge my skin with products meant to calm and moisturize, it glows, but all this extra richness causes me to break out!  Egads!


I've discovered that the more simple the product (like Cetaphil and philosophy), the less a chance it has of upsetting my skin.  When I heard about a brand of skincare that was actually called "simple," I was so excited!  I ordered almost the whole range, but after a mishap with Target.com and paypal, I have to wait a while longer.  While I was at the Wegman's here where I go to school, though, I picked this up, because I forgot to order it.  I am so glad I did!  I can see what it does on its own, and I'm happy I can.  Otherwise, I probably would have just figured it did nothing more than water, because it is that gentle.


This toner is so refreshing and gentle.  There is no alcohol in it, unlike most toners (even natural ones) that contain so much they burn and sting our skin. The added vitamin (since it's a brand from the UK, every time I type 'vitamin,' I pronnounce it in my head as "vih-ta-min" instead of the American "vy-ta-min" haha :3) is pro-vitamin B5, which is known to help restore, soften and smooth the skin.  The 3 skin-loving ingredients are chamomile, which is known to help gently soften and soothe, witch hazel, which is known to help tone and tighten pores, and allatonin, which is known to help soften the skin.  I was especially pleased that there is witch hazel in here and NO alcohol, because I love what witch hazel does for my skin, but Dickinson's has loads of alcohol in it. :(  Also, there are no dyes, harsh irritants, or artificial perfumes! Yay!


So far, my skin is very very happy.  It glows and is so soft.  It is so pretty and bright in the morning when I wake up. It also does a pretty good job removing whatever makeup my cleanser has left behind.  As promised, there is no strong scent, which I know is a relief to those with allergies like me.  Also, my skin is looking clearer!  I'm so happy with it, and I'll definitely re-purchase.

Duffy the Disney Bear

So this cute little guy has been my latest obsession ^ω^: 

Okay, so that's the gist of it.  His name is Duffy the Disney Bear.  He's really popular- almost as popular in Mickey- at Tokyo Disneysea.  (Like I need even more cuteness drawing me there!)  Seriously though, from what I've read online, he seems to have a cult following, with a lot of attention.  He has really cute, well-made outfits, and area theming around him.  I think Disney hit the jackpot with this guy.  Not only is he cute, but he has an engaging story about him.

According to this website, this is Duffy's Story as it is told in the US:

Mickey's New Friend

Mickey is a sea captain, so naturally he spends a whole lot of time on the ocean. But sometimes he gets lonely being away from Minnie for so long.

Minnie has a seaside workshop where she makes all sorts of crafts. One day she had an idea. She decided to make Mickey a teddy bear to keep him company on his long voyages. As she sewed, she thought about the fun adventures that she and Mickey had together, and she filled the bear with happy memories and love.

When it was time for Mickey to set out on his next trip, Minnie came with him to the pier. She handed him a small duffel bag, and when he opened it, he discovered the adorable stuffed bear that Minnie had made him. Mickey was overjoyed. "This is the best going-away gift ever," Mickey exclaimed, and he gave Minnie a hug. "You can keep him in your duffel and take him with you wherever you go," she replied. "I will! And I will name him Duffy," Mickey decided.

The next day was a busy one. Mickey had a crew of new sailors to train and he hardly had a moment to rest. But after dinner, Mickey went down into his cabin and began to fell homesick. He missed Minnie, so he picked up Duffy and hugged him tight. As Mickey squeezed the little bear, a magical feeling came over him. All of a sudden, he felt the love that Minnie had sewed into Duffy, and he wasn't homesick anymore. He curled up in his bunk and fell asleep holding the bear close to his heart.

That night, Mickey had a dream. He dreamed that Duffy came alive and spoke to him. And this is what the little bear said: "Mickey, whenever you start to miss home, all you have to do is give me a hug and the love that Minnie put inside of me will chase away your sadness."

In the morning when Mickey woke up, he looked down at Duffy and smiled. To this day, Mickey still swears that the teddy bear smiled back at him and winked. After that, Mickey and Duffy were inseparable. Together they traveled all over the world and visited many new and excited places. And of course they made lots of friends along the way. They trekked through a jungle, rode a camel through the desert, and tried all different sorts of food (well Mickey did, anyway). Any everywhere they went, Mickey and Duffy took pictures. When Mickey got home, he told Minnie and his friends about all of his adventures with Duffy. He told them about the dream about Duffy coming to life. They showed them all the pictures he had taken and they knew Duffy was one special teddy bear.

It wasn't long before Mickey's friends began asking Minnie if they could have Duffys, too. They all wanted travel teddies who would make them feel loved and keep them company during their journeys. At first it was difficult for Minnie to keep up with all of her friends' requests. But she was a very smart mouse, and she quickly transformed her workshop into Duffy-making central. Once Minnie's friends had Duffys of their own, they set off on with their little stuffed sidekicks. Pretty soon they began sending Minnie pictures of themselves hugging Duffy from locations far and wide.

Now that you have your very own Duffy to travel with, you can hug him whenever you feel lonely and take pictures with him to send back to your friends. Where will you and Duffy go next?

<3<3

Here are some pictures from the storybook.  Aren't they beautiful?  I think it is a really nice touch that they appear hand-drawn.  Nowadays, things seem to be all done on a computer.  I'm sure this had the help of technology, but its luxuriousness could only come from the TLC that comes with doing by hand.

I think it's just plain brilliant.  Also, I think it's really interesting how the book shows you how to play with Duffy.  (And did anyone notice how Mickey's boat is called "S. B. Willie"?  As in "Steamboat Willie!"  Cute, Disney, I'm on to you!)  Here is the Japanese version (translated into English...don't you worry!)

My Duffy Story:

I had noticed Duffy on a trip to Epcot a couple years ago for the first time, but didn't really know who he was.  I assume this is around when he was being released in America, and hadn't caught on yet (although he still has a lot of catching on to do!), so I payed him little mind.  The next few times we all went to Disney World (my family and I go about twice a year), I noticed more and more Duffy merchandise.  Among my favorites is this precious ear hat:

The only thing Duffy I had bought was this cute pin featuring Duffy in his sailor suit.

But on my most recent trip to WDW in January (2012), I got suckered in to the phenomenon.  We were staying at the Polynesian Resort.  We always have to stay on the monorail, as per my little sister's insistence.  Anyway, after watching the programming that runs on loop advertising each park and everything else with that annoyingly peppy lady as per sister tradition, I flipped through the channels, looking for the bedtime story, another thing we like watching.  I know I'm 18, but there is a part of me that just plain will never grow up.  I embrace it, so why don't you?  Anyway, here (Duffy the Disney Bear Bedtime Story at Walt Disney World Resorts ...) the bedtime story (it's just a read-aloud version of the storybook).  My sister and I were hooked.  We watched the story on loop until we both fell asleep.  When I woke up, I knew I had to get my hands on one.

So, when we got to Epcot this time, I batted my eyelashes ever-so-sweetly at my mother, and in the sweetest voice I could muster, asked for one.  I was not anticipating the high price-tag though (RANT TIME: $30 for a teddy bear!  Albeit a magical teddy bear, but still.  Also, I noticed their little ploy to get you.  For $30 you can either buy a naked bear or a clothed bear.  You'd think "duh, clothed bear!" right?  Well actually, clothed bear is 12 inches.  He's smaller than the standard Duffy, and therefore you can't buy him clothes....Nice try Disney...RANT OVER ^^), and my mother wouldn't let me have a naked bear when there were clothes on sale, so we got him his little sailor suit too.  I'm not going to lie, I was super excited.  We stuffed the bear in my pocketbook so that my dad wouldn't see evidence of my mom spoiling me (he knows it happens, but he doesn't like to see it) and went on our way.  But knowing he was in there made me so happy.  I had so much fun dressing him that night and snuggling with him.  He is a very comfortable bear and is perfect for cuddling I must say.

When I got back home, I didn't really pay him much attention, after all I have a lot of stuffed animals to sleep with, and I get a very guilty conscience when some little critter gets neglected.  Still, I made sure to bring him to college as one of the select few with me.  I rediscovered him when my long-term boyfriend and I broke up.  It hurt too much to sleep with the Build-a-Bear Daniel we made together.  He sleeps on my side now, but probably will end up in a box or something when I bring him home.  All the other toys he got me, except for what my sister calls simply "[ex's name here] Bear," I plan on donating to charity.  I still care about my ex, so I won't throw him out, but he probably won't be coming back to school next year (I already have a replacement on its way though ;) No worries!).  I needed something big to sleep in my arms though.  Puddles, my little duck, and my small Piglet plush weren't fitting the bill, and so I grabbed for Duffy and rediscovered how very cuddly he is.

I understand this must sound crazy, but I love sleeping with Duffy, not only because of his cuteness and cuddliness, but also because of the dreams I have with him in my arms.  I usually never remember my dreams, but with Duffy I do, and they are really great, vivid dreams!  I don't know what's going on.  I like to think this is part of Duffy's magic.  Don't burst my bubble!

Since then, I've been online researching Duffy like crazy.  I'm obsessed!  I frequently haunt his facebook fan page.  I love all the cute little pictures people post (Although there is one very strange man who is probably illiterate and one snippy woman...but as long as they don't talk to me, we're good!).  It was here that I discovered Shellie May, but I'll save that for another post!

Here's one of my favorite pictures!:

Credit to: Samantha Chighvinadze

Duffy got photobombed!

Ps- Duffy and a lot of his merchandise is available online, but I think part of the fun of buying him (and any stuffed animal) is picking out the perfect one yourself. :)

Here Goes...

Well it's Tuesday.  It would be appropriate to say that it's nothing but an ordinary Tuesday, but that wouldn't be true.  It has been a glorious day...the sun was out!  It was so nice to just lay in the sun, soaking up some much-needed vitamin D, and relax.  I did this on the quad and it was such a "college day."  Boys were playing catch and frisbee while the girls spread out on the grass.  What a picture perfect day!

Anyway, for the longest time I've been in the habit of writing things down that I find interesting to research later.  Everything from beauty to history fascinates me.  I figured it would be a good use of my time to organize everything I find.  I'd hate to forget everything.  So, I hope I'm good and keep this up.

Things you should know about me:
If you couldn't tell, I'm a college student.  A college freshman somewhere in the Northeast.
I'm from someplace where it's warm and sunny.
I am impossibly curious.
I am a bookworm.  I'll read anything from Twilight to Gone with the Wind.  Little Women is my favorite. <3
I love to knit.
I love Disney.  Seriously.
I love the color pink, but only when it's a light pink.  Hot pink is my least favorite color.
I am a hopeless romantic...I believe in happily ever afters.
I believe in karma.
I believe in goodness.
I love love.
I love chocolate.
I love all things beauty.
I love myself.
I love to write.
I love to perform.
I love lemons.
I have a hard time relating to people my age.
I know it's hard to believe considering my demographic, but I neither drink nor smoke.  I flat out refrain from partying.
I love to travel.
I love weddings.
I'm a closet nerd.
I love talking to people.
I want to be a therapist when I grow up.  I'd love to work with girls ages 9-19.  Lord knows they need someone to tell them they're not crazy.
I hate fair-weather friends.  I need stormy-weather friends.
I am brutally honest.
I consider myself to be more mature than most my age.
I am not sympathetic to emotionally weak people.
I love my sister more than anyone or anything.
I'm a little antisocial, but I love being with my friends and people who get me.
I love to learn.

Enough about me though.  I'm sure nobody is reading this anyway.  If you are...hi!  I hope this will be a place for discovering, ranting, and gushing.  So... here goes!