Shopping – Littlecote

28/01/2012

Orlando January 2012 – Day 2

Yippee I hear you cry; a blog to read at last! I’ll get on with it then and our journey begins with a very long flight from Manchester: 9 hours 40 mins in total. We were about an hour late leaving too as there had been a delay to the incoming flight. It’s was actually the Gatwick flight (as always) but they seemed to swap our planes so we can’t seem to avoid the dreaded Gatwick curse no matter how we try. The flight was ok. The new Premium seats are comfy enough and after no queue at check in we managed to get moved to the front row with oodles of leg room. This also meant we got stand alone foot stools which were pretty cool too. The cabin was half empty and the crew we really good (a tad northern so there were lots of “love”, “darlin” and “duck” as they addressed us but definitely very friendly and helpful). The food was a bit grim. We are not used to the tightly packed tray of square plastic containers and foil covered muck, and missed our china plated course by course service. There was a very nice Lilly O’Brian’s desert though and some cheese and crackers to fill up on. Afternoon tea was cheese and onion finger sandwiches and a scone. Not a warmed scone with your choice of fruit or plain but a cold dry one so Paul proceeded to pick out his fruit as I picked the onion from my sandwiches. Have we become too fussy and spoiled do you think??

The flight itself was relatively smooth. Landing was bumpy but other than that no seat belt signs. Paul amused himself with a very macabre foreign film (The Skin I Live In) that we were amazed was shown on a flight. I did lots of puzzles, read lots of magazines and had a snooze I must confess.

We landed at about 3:30 local time and made it off the plane, through security and into our hire car in under an hour. Virgin do excel at priority baggage it had to be said. The airport was very quiet. We made our way directly to the Mall at Millenia, parked outside Neiman Marcus (creatures of habit that we are) and headed to Tiffany’s. We did stop briefly at Jimmy Choo and the Sony store en route. We picked up my bracelets (plain silver with an open heart and starfish charm on them) then had a brief look in L’Occitane and Swarovski before heading back to the car. It was rush hour traffic so I4 was heaving as made our way back to the 192 and into TGI’s for some food. Paul had Jack Daniels sesame chicken bites and I had Jack Daniels chicken breast. Great food as ever and needed after the inflight servings. We made a final stop at Publix for some essentials before checking into the Bahama Bay resort.

Our apartment is good. Great location over looking the lake, quiet and sunny outlook and given the price (35 quid a night) awesome value. The ordinary double bed was a bit of a shame as we like a king and the child upstairs is annoying as he/she runs up and down their apartment. The wifi is slow and the tub is small but despite those niggles it’s extremely pleasant as I sit on our balcony and type this.

Today we we up about 8. I think Paul was earlier so I made the most of having all of the double bed. We left about 9:15 and went for breakfast at the McDonalds on Osceola Parkway in Disney. Even at that time in the morning as the sun shone down on us it was really warm. We ate brecky in t-shirts outside in January. As Paul tweeted this morning, this is why we’d rather be in Florida at this time of year than Blighty.

After breakfast we made our way to Downtown Disney, Marketplace. It was really warm and sunny. We wandered around the shops and made a few purchases (well it is me after all). I got a top (blue with red lip shapes on it) and a case for my camera (so that Paul could have my existing one). It was actually an iPhone case but fits my camera perfectly and being purple with Tinkerbell on it is right up my street. Being an iPhone case it came with a hard shell for the iPhone so Paul now proudly displays the WDW Cinderella castle on the back of his phone.

We also bought a large white Mickey Vinylmation that we intend to get signed by the characters on our cruise. Apparently you can give any item to a cast member to get signed so we’ll find out later if that’s true. If not then look on eBay for the Vinylmation ;-).

Paul also bought a Disney book with photography ideas and we each bought an insulated mug for our morning tea on the way to work. Our purchases allowed us to get some items on offer so we now also own a Disney tote bag and a fleece throw with the castle on it.

We left Downtown and headed over to the Florida Mall. The traffic was pretty good so we made good time. The Mall was reasonably quiet. Local weekend folk but nothing too busy. Purchases included some Pandora beads for my bracelet (which retail at the same amount in dollars as pounds back home), some nail products (incl a purple lacquer), some Yankee candles (gingerbread mmmmm), a Tinkerbell shower gel and body lotion set (from the Disney store) and a very cool PanAm flight bag, authentic as carried by those in the recent TV show. We also got the ‘Sharpies’ for the character sigs I mentioned. All this expense better not be in vein. We managed to use vouchers and save about $50 in all as well as getting some freebies incl shampoo and lipgloss samples.

We returned to the apartment about 4pm and had a cuppa on the balcony. We are now going to freshen up before going to Kobe for dinner. We are going to meal share as the supplement still makes it cheaper. We are coupon and savings aficionado’s now!!

Hope you enjoyed reading again…

02/12/2010

Orlando November 2010 – Day 11

It’s Thursday lunchtime and it’s a cool one here (though nothing compared to good ole blighty right now). It’s our penultimate day and we don’t want to come home – we’ve had a great time. Today we are off for some lunch and then onto Stein Mart, a store that’s been advertised a lot on TV so we thought we’d check it out. We only want something quick and easy to do this afternoon as at about 6pm we are off to Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Christmas Party – yippppeeeeee!!

I think I left you at the end of Tuesday after a really tiring but fab day at Universal so you need to hear about yesterday. We were up and out by about 1pm and got to Altemonte quite quickly down I4 though the Altemonte area itself was heaving with traffic. The mall car park was pretty full too but we managed to park outside Dillards. We headed straight to the food court as we’d not had brekky. Paul opted for Mandarin Express, the chinese and I had a good old-fashioned big mac meal.

After this we made our way into Dillards on the upper floor, which was menswear. Nothing was on offer much anymore and we don’t pay full prices 😉 so we moved on. We did look at the suitcases in there as there was a sale on. The assistant told us that all were discounted so we looked at a $300 dollar spinner that was coming in at just $150. We thought about it and said we would come back.

This mall is quite small but we looked in the Apple store, a few shoe shops and got the remainder of our crimbo prezzies, which was the objective. I also got a really nifty limited edition Coach make up case with cosmetics included that was on offer at Estee Lauder.

We made our way around ending up back in Dillards. I looked at a DKNY watch but it was plastic and not real ceramic so I passed. We decided we would get the case so went and bought that. As it happens we’ve been emailed this morning that we have $175 form Virgin so at least it’s covered but it show there is no way we would have got the $300 Samsonite paid for. It’s appalling customer service.

We left Altemonte and decided to go to the Florida Mall as Paul needed to get a new pre-paid Visa card (he needs this to buy from US I-tunes). We started by looking in Saks and Nordstrom at the ceramic watches. In Nordstrom they had the perfect DKNY one that came in cheaper than some of the other brands so Paul bought it for me as my crimble prezzie. That means I can’t wear it yet as it has to go off to Santa 😉

Paul then got his credit card – after a good 15 minute wait as the folks in front were trying to get tickets via Ticketmaster and we all know rubbish they are. We then went to Starbucks and sat upstairs watching the world go by.

Paul still needed some work shirts. He’s been unable to find them discounted in Dillards so was wondering where to go. He looked at H&M and Old Navy but I had the bright idea of going to JC Penny. We made our way round and they had just what he needed. Long armed cotton work shirts at 20 bucks each – perfick! He got a few in white and blue and we looked at some other fab clothing items…you’ll see a particularly fetching white linen jacket below 🙂 This is Paul’s Miami Vice look and at just 60 bucks was a bargain don’t you think ?

We left the mall at about 7pm and wanted to go to the Polynesian resort hotel to see the Wishes fireworks as we had not done this all holiday. It was a chilly night and we’d not come prepared for this so were not sure if we’d freeze to death. I had ¾ sleeves and sandals on!! When we got out of the car it felt cold, especially when the wind blew. Then Paul had a bright idea – we’d wear his new work shirts. For him this was ok, he had a white shirt on with jeans that looked good but for me…can you imagine? I looked like some kind of mad scientist in an oversized lab coat!! Still, it actually did the trick as I wrapped up in it. We got a hot choc from the café to hold and sip and made our way out at 5 to 8. We got a beach bed to sit on and kept ourselves back in a secluded place so the wind didn’t really get to us. It was a clear night so the show was great and we could hear the accompanying music too.

We came home after a quick stop at Wallgreens for some Hawaiian sweet rolls for tea!! We were not overly hungry so munched on these and crisps. We watched more Family Guy, including a special that Paul had downloaded, which was particularly funny (it was the Quantum Leap, parallel universe one) and then the Apprentice. We were both happy to see Laura leave and Lord Shugs made the right decision.

There you are then, all up to date again… only one more posting to go probably 🙁

26/11/2010

Orlando November 2010 – Day 5

So, you wanna know what bargains we got in the black Friday sales huh? Well all in good time my friends, as firstly we need to catch up as I am posting later than usual.

I think I left you on Thanks Giving morning as we contemplated a drive out to Daytona. Since little would be open we thought this would fill the day and we set off on I4. After only 20 mins though Paul had a bright idea to go to Downtown Disney instead (after Sunday’s boycott for those of you really paying attention) so we got off I4. We knew it would be busy and we did struggle to park to begin with but once you went way back there were spaces – it just meant more of a walk, which we know the Americans hate 🙂

We started off at Marketplace and firstly checked out the new chicken restaurant on the old McD’s site to see if it was any good for future use. It was kind of KFC like with a Mexican twist. We weren’t ready to eat at that point but may well try it at some point in the future. We made our way past the Lego shop and into the World of Disney store. The little princess boutique was now taking place in the window and there were plenty of little girls wandering around with the obligatory scraped back and glittered hair with blue eye shadow. There were a few new Tink items but nothing that really inspired. A lot of the items are for kids and are too brightly coloured. Paul has been contemplating buying the re-mastered Beauty and the Beast BluRay but as yet keeps putting it back. We left empty-handed and went into the Glass store. I sooooo wish I’d bought the Swarovski Tinkerbell when she was out as she’s now retired and can’t be bought anywhere. There were Disney glass Tinks and some high priced jewelled ones but again nothing inspired.

We wandered through sports and apparel stores and into Mickey’s Pantry where there is a new section dedicated to spices and teas. After this we headed on though the Christmas shop and out to design-a-tee and the Art of Disney store.

It was scorching hot so we bought some drinks and sat by the lagoon for a while. Paul managed to break his ipad somehow (fear not he fixed it later) that he carries around constantly as well as an iphone and some other gadgetry device!

We decided to get the boat over to Westside to check out what’s new over there and meander back. Gone is the Diana Exhibit as is the Memorabilia shop. The restaurants are all there and there is a new “build a car” store in the old Virgin Megastore (that had been the Diana exhibit). The idea is that you build a toy remote control car from various bits – a little like build a bear for boys (and tom boys). The idea was good and whilst we would have no doubt had fun building the end result was very much a child’s toy and the components soon added up in cost too so we didn’t partake!

The magic shop is still there as is Disney Quest, the sweet shop and a trinkety shop called Hoi Polloi. Then the old memorabilia shop is now a Disney store. On the way past eagle eyed Paul spotted a Chanel logo charm on the floor. It looked real so like a magpie I picked it up with the intent of making my own Chanel keying!!

The Disney shop here was full of the Vinylmation. These are plastic Mickey Mouse figurines that come decorated. The idea is that you don’t know what you get as the boxes are unmarked and kids (and adults) collect and trade them. There are several ranges like Parks 1 thru’ 5, Toy Story, Muppets, sports etc etc. Some recent ones are available to buy as seen ie you do know what you get. The standard size is about 3 to 4 inches but there is a large 6-inch version and a 1 to 2 inch key chain version too. There are also plain ones that you can customise by drawing on them and sticking things on them. I was going to buy one with some glitter in an attempt to create a bling Vinylmation but decided I am not creative so didn’t! Instead I bought a key chain. They were all ok bar a vile green and black one so I didn’t mind which of the other 17 I got. As I paid the server asked if I wanted to open it there and then. A little girl had just opened her normal size one and was ecstatic so at risk of an anti-climax I declined and opted to keep the suspense until later.

We wandered back past the balloon (which had very little queue after our 1 hour wait last year!) and though Pleasure Island back to Marketplace. The T Rex restaurant was heaving and seemingly has build-a-dino now too.

We walked back to the car and I decided to open by key chain……………. You know what’s coming don’t you? Yep, the bloody green and black one. Paul reckons he could have put money on it. I want to know why I deserve bad karma.

We left Downtown Disney and came home. We’d skipped lunch again so it was to be an early tea once more. Paul wanted his beloved Kobe so we set out about 6pm. As we approached we had a minor spider incident in the car – it crawled up the windscreen and out of site. Being dark I did not relish the journey home sharing with Mr spider and as I stressed out Paul got even stressier as he found Kobe to be closed! I know it’s Thanks Giving but surely these guys aren’t really American 😉

As we left Kobe Mr spider decided to show himself and Paul managed to squish him. As long as Mrs spider doesn’t come looking for him we’re ok.

We headed back down the 192 and decided on TGI’s. It was busy but we got seated easily enough. Paul had the chicken and prawn pasta again and I had the Jack Daniels’ chicken. The food was good but we seemed to be rushed through by our server.

We came home and decided to watch The Office DVD we had bought. It was unseen footage in small scenes. It started ok but after a while the DVD player began to play up to such an extent we had to give up. Being region coded we couldn’t watch it on the laptop before you ask and yes we do have a US player at home to watch it on thanks!

We needed to get an early night so went to bed setting our alarm for 7am!

When it went off at 7 this morning we were remarkably awake so leapt out to get ready. We got a drive thru’ brekky from Ronald as ever and arrived at the Florida Mall just after 8:30.

It was really busy at the Mall – seemingly more so than we remembered last year. We managed to find a parking space by the hotel. The cars were streaming out (there was a bigger queue to exit than to get in!) and people were walking out with tons of shopping – they’d taken suitcases and holdalls to fill!

So if you’re still with me we’re at the purchases bit (I often wonder if by this point you really are enthralled or bored witless but I get good feedback (honest) so I continue to drivel on). First stop was Nine West and I tried on some black wedge heeled ankle boots and a pair of black work shoes (heels and buckles on the front). The work shoes were 50% off the already discounted price coming in at $25 so were a must. The boots still worked out at 80 bucks so I decided were a no go.

After this we headed down to the Apple store. All Mac Air notebooks had $101 off so I got well excited as I want to get the 11inch. But guess what? It was all EXCEPT the 11 inch (bad karma again – not happy). Given it was still full price at 1000 bucks there was no reason to buy today so I’ll decide at the end of the holiday. There was money off ipods too for anyone who wanted one.

Then it was Sephora (a make-up store). I wanted some Dior eye shadow, which I did get but sadly at full price. After this we went into Macy’s but could see no door busters or deals. A few shops have gone from the Mall including my beloved Steve Madden (a shoe shop). A stop at Trade Secret next to get my nail stuff and then into Dillard’s. I invested in some Spanx (body control undies as it happens to us all ;-)) and also found a fab Ugg handbag. Being Ugg it was also full price as they don’t discount (if you ever see discounted Uggs I guarantee you they are fake (or knock off!)). We also got a few crimbo prezzies and I got a Blackberry case. Paul has a cold so was not really in the mood for shopping so got nothing at all!

So, all in all a few purchases but other then my Nine West shoes no real black Friday bargains.

We left the Mall at half 11 and headed to Subway for some lunch. We have 9pm reservations at the California Grill tonight so wanted a light lunch to see us through. We went to the old Goodings plaza and sat outside to eat.

After this we had to go to the IPG office to deal with the house short sale paperwork. We met with Craig who’d gone way too far with the teeth whitening and sun-bed in my opinion but seemed ok. A bit of a wide boy brit but insists this is our best option. We signed our paperwork and came home to write our hardship letter and fill in our finances table. And that’s where we are now. Out by the pool emailing, blogging and filling in the necessary. We’ve had a downpour but it’s cleared up now and the temperature is really pleasant. We have a couple of hours before we need to head out so are chillaxing!

We have not been to California Grill before so hope it is good. It is in Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel and has a view of the ‘Wishes’ fireworks at Magic Kingdom. You’ll get the review soon enough readers so for now I’ll sign off.