EPCOT World Showcase Haul

Today was EPCOT day, and I had one goal in mind: get something from every pavilion (except American Adventure because I'm already in the United States). I achieved my goal. 

Canada

First stop was the Canada pavilion. I love going to Canada because the Chateau Laurier and West Coast totems are beautiful and make me a bit homesick. I wanted to buy something, but wasn't prepared to spend a huge amount of money. I grabbed this for $6.38, and it isn't that bad of a price. It really is gorgeous in design.

United Kingdom

First of all, the Twining's tea shop in United Kingdom is amazing for any tea lover. I say this box, on sale for $16.95. With it you get to pick ten read bags from the baskets they have available. I got Pure Camomile(x2), Darjeeling, Chai, French Vanilla Chai (x2), Pure Peppermint, Ceylon Orange Pekoe, Pure Mint and Pure Rooibos Red Tea. I am sharing this with my dad. It also comes in an amazing little wooden box.

France

I got this little change purse for $12.95 in the France pavilion. It's very cute and compact, and I'm actually planning on using it to store receipts in. 

Morocco

This lamp was $18.95 and I am actually so happy. It's very small, but still has that Aladdin feel that I love. I almost bought this last time, and this time was no different. It's beautiful, with intricate designs on the top and a removable lid attached by a chain. I recommend this to every and any Aladdin fan.

Japan

First up in Japan was some Cookies and Cream Pocky. This was $3.99, and I can safely tell you that it was delicious.

This lucky cat keychain is adorable. I bought mine for $8.95, and it is so worth it. I am very superstitious, so after I'm done writing this there will be extensive research into the luck bringing properties of this kitty.

I had to buy these. I haven't been able to find them anywhere in Canada except for almost $30, and I was so lucky to find them at EPCOT for only $8.99. They are just as good as everyone says, and I highly recommend.

I can't eat with chopsticks. I have never been able to and I doubt I will ever be. But I still have hope that this $4.95 panda helper will somehow aid me. They had lots of animals to choose from, and while pandas aren't really Japanese, I still loved it.

Italy

Bought this for $9.99 at the Italy pavilion. I didn't see anything there that I wanted badly, and I love pins, so this was kind of easy. I actually got a lot of pins yesterday from Magic Kingdom, so you'll be able to see my obsession.

Germany

Bought this for $12.95 in Germany. I have a friend who is german, and her family has one of these. I had to get one, even though my dad has been making dirty jokes since I purchased it (thanks dad). It is very cute though, and is actually quite a funny ornament, even if you don't hide it on the tree for a child to find and get and extra present for thing. I am slowly collecting my own christmas ornaments, and this was just another for the pile. 

China

This was only $10.95 and was very useful. I picked it up, had the lady write my name on it in chinese, and left, not expecting it to come in handy later. It got very hot in EPCOT, and this genuinely saved my life. It is gorgeous and will go on a shelf when I get home, but it is also a functional item.

Norway

I know it wasn't the most norwegian thing I could've bought, but I didn't see anything else that was reasonably priced. This was $9.99, and because I collect pins, it is a decent souvenir. The design is actually gorgeous, so check out their other Frozen pins if you get the chance.

Mexico

This was $6.99 in Mexico, and it is super pretty. They had way too many to choose from, but I couldn't help but fall in love with this little donkey.

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There you have it! Remember to follow me on here, on my tumblr (imagine a life where or elegance and insanity) or just keep commenting!

Magic Kingdom Haul to come.

Florida Day 1 Haul- Universal Studios

Today I went to Universal Studios...and boy did I go crazy. Our first stop of the mornings was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It's gorgeous by the way, definitely take the time to admire all of the details that nerds like me just eat up.

We hopped on the Forbidden Journey ride, and exited, of course into a gift shop. I spent very conservatively in here, buying on this Ravenclaw pin for $9.95.

My love for pins was represented here, and of course I had to support my house (Ravenclaws represent!). We then purchased Butterbeer in two souvenir cups. We got frozen Butterbeer and it was delicious. It was also $27 for two, so be mindful of that.

They don't let you bring this into the Olivander's experience, but you can take them into the shop. 

We than took the Hogwarts express to Diagon Alley. We ate at the Leaky Cauldron (where we got a discount thanks to our souvenir cups) and it was quite delicious. 

Moving into the shops now, the Quality Quidditch Supplies  had some awesome t-shirts.  I got this Ravenclaw one for $29.95. 

This shirt was great quality. I got this one and my little sister got the Slytherin one. They do size a bit small, we even had the lady at the cash telling us to size up because they were super small. I ended up getting a large because I wanted to be super sure it fit. 

We wandered around for a bit trying to find our way back to Islands of Adventure, because I wanted to go to the Marvel part. On the way, we came across a cute little pin cart, where I picked up this Jurassic Park pin for $5.95 and this limited edition Captain America one for $9.95.

Then we finally got back over to the Islands of Adventure, after a brief detour at Transformers. I wanted to splurge on some superhero stuff for myself, so I did that with very little hesitation. I picked up the Captain America tumbler for $21.95.

I've been looking for a travel mug for a while, and this one was perfect. It's small enough just to feel like you're carrying a large glass, but isn't heavy and is easy to hold. Definitely glad I grabbed it. I also bought this Captain America bobblehead POP figure for $12.95.

I have a serious problem with collecting figurines. I don't know where I'm going to start putting all of them. This guy was too cute to resist though.

I got this Spiderman mug for a friend, because he's her fav. 

Then I grabbed a two chocolate frogs. I got the Albus Dumbledore card, and the other is for a friend.

And lastly, on the way out I stopped into a Seuss Landing candy shop (not sure about the name) and bought an adorable little rice krispie treat. I couldn't find a picture. 

That sums it up for today. Let me know if you want to see my Target haul from last night, it's pretty nifty.

Also, come back tomorrow for Disney World haul!

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Heads UP!!!

So now I'm on Tumblr, so I will be posting here less often. My two blogs are Elegance and Insanity, which is dedicated to beautiful and elegant movie stars and objects. My other blog is here, and contains all my randoms tv show stuff and links to my fan fictions.

That being said, my newest fan fiction is a McFarland USA fan fiction. You can find it here, or here.

Reviews push me to update more frequently, so please leave a review, with constructive criticism of praise, whatever you like.

Also, if anyone knows some good Thomas/Julie McFarland fan fictions, please let me know, either here or on my tumblr.

Vegetarianism: Week 1 + Rice and Bean Burrito Recipe

It's been officially one week since I went vegetarian, and so far it's going alright. I have been putting protein powder in my morning smoothies, and I learned that I really don't like vegetarian chinese food.

Below I am putting what is definitely my favourite recipe that I've found. I am a taco girl. I have always been a taco girl and that was the one food I thought I would struggle with losing when  became vegetarian. This recipe is one that I got from my foods teacher, and is honestly a life-saver. I made a few tweaks to make it truly seem like a taco, but I cannot recommend this enough. 

You can make this recipe and throw it in your fridge to be eaten as leftovers, and it is too worth it. I almost like it more than regular tacos.

Recipe

2 tsp vegetable oil

1/4 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced or finely chopped

1/2 to 3/4 of a taco seasoning package

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup corn, drained 

3 flour tortillas

1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Prepare rice according to package instructions.  While rice cooks, prepare all other ingredients.  When close to being finished, begin further instructions.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high until hot.  Add onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin.  Saute 3-5 minutes until onion is tender.  Add rice, beans and corn; cook, stirring 2-3 minutes until mixture is thoroughly heated.  Remove from heat.  Spoon 1/2 cup rice mixture down the center of each tortilla.  Top each with whatever toppings you like, cheese, green onion, salsa or sour cream.

​Makes 3 servings.