Shop 'til you drop and Disneyland

 We woke up on Tuesday morning to bright sunshine and temperatures in the high 20s. It was glorious. Our apartment was situated right at the entrance to a large shopping centre, Val d'Europe as well as the designer outlet, Vallee Village. Once we were up and about we started our day with another visit to the creperie for breakfast.

Legs out in the sun
Shoes - Dr Martens, Skirt - Zara, Top - ?, Bag - Michael Kors, Hat - Max Mara Weekend

Recognising us from the night before, we were given a warm welcome and a nice outdoor seat to watch the world go by over our pancakes. We decided to start with Vallee Village. 

It was huge, and very hot so we agreed to only visit a select few shops, before retreating to the air conditioned Val d'Europe. Prada, YSL, Gucci, Longchamp they, and many others were all here so we took our time, mostly fondling expensive handbags. A favourite hobby of mine. Eventually I settled on a beautiful treat for myself from Balenciaga. It'll appear in a later blog post.

Happy in a Macaron shop face

We finished up with drinks and macarons at Laduree before heading off to the main shopping centre. 

Grateful of the cool, we wandered the shops, although I wasn't buying anything else after my big treat, and finished off with dinner at Hippopotamus. We'd had a fabulous day, and walked until our legs were numb. 

The next day, we were up bright and early. We were heading to Disneyland. It's the only day while we were away that was grey and wet. Whilst I could have happily done without the wet, I was grateful that it was cooler than the day before. 

Little miss was incredibly excited as we walked through the gates of Disney. Everything very pink and magical and (rather irritating) music being piped out across every area of the park. We started off on Main Street, and it wasn't long before we had to invest in umbrellas and Disneyland Paris plastic ponchos. People were lining the streets as a parade was about to come through and there was a general air of excitement amongst everyone. 

What did surprise me, perhaps more than it should, was the amount of people who visit Disneyland without children. For me personally, it's something we did for little Miss, knowing the enjoyment that she would get from it. It seems a lot of adults get a lot of enjoyment from it too. Much of Main Street is lined with shops, all selling lots of Disney merchandise. Little Miss was thrilled to find a Dalmation from one of her favourite films 101 Dalmations, and of course I had to buy her an obligatory hoodie. I didn't buy anything for me to wear, because I knew I probably wouldn't, but I did of course buy a magnet for my fridge, a new coffee cup and a pen! Typical Mum gifts! 

We found a cafe and enjoyed Mickey Mouse shaped sandwiches and donuts, and much needed cups of coffee before venturing onwards to the magical castle and the park beyond. 

Seeing the castle is an experience, it's beautiful, and very very busy. Walking through it, we were faced with all of the rides. We started queueing. Little Miss tends to be more about the seeing than the rides, so we did go on a few of them, the beautiful Carousel, It's a small world (which is bonkers and not to be missed), Alice's tea cups and the Alice in Wonderland maze. 

Then we headed through to Discoveryland, which is more space age and techy. It's where the Star Wars themed rides are. We started with a trip to Star Traders, where I was able to grab a fab Star Wars T-shirt for the chap, and then went on a rocket ship ride. 

It was starting to get cold, and late. We walked back to Fantasyland, where another parade was about to start. Little Miss was thrilled to see Moana and Stitch. More of her favourite characters. 

The crowds started to get more focussed as they sought out spaces to watch the big parade in the evening, but we were all starting to get tired. We agreed to deposit grandma in a cafe and, now that the rain had passed, little Miss and I wandered back to the castle to get better photos and had one last go on the tea cups. Then we set off, jumping in a taxi to our apartment just outside the park. 

We were exhausted, but what an amazing day we had all had. 

Scarborough to Serris Via London and Paris

 Last Sunday morning we packed up the car and headed down to York. The chap had already been over on Saturday to pick up Jerry the Hamster, but we still needed to drop Thelma off and catch our train from York to London. The first leg of our journey. We were breaking the journey up with an overnight stay in London, and in hindsight, Eurostar isn't the best option when you're starting off as far North as we are. It's a bit of an epic train journey. 

The week before we were heading down I read some updated reviews on the hotel we had booked and discovered that the family rooms (me, little Miss and Mum travelling) tended to be in the basement. As someone with a touch of claustrophobia and a fear of being below ground, I changed our booking to a lovely looking hotel right near Kings Cross and St. Pancras stations. 

The California Hotel near King's Cross

You can imagine how I felt when we checked in at The California hotel, and were assigned a basement room. Given it was for one night only, I told myself it would be fine, especially as the room itself was clean and comfortable. We headed out to explore the area and find somewhere to eat. 

Reception and the Bar at the California Hotel

Wandering around Euston road, pointing out the British library to little Miss and marvelling at how full the pubs were on a Sunday early evening, we eventually settled on Pizza express. 

The British Library

None of us were really in the mood for a meal as such, so we ordered a pizza and a selection of side dishes to share, before taking a wander around the roads of London. It was so relaxed and felt a million miles away from the City of London that I'm so used to visiting for work. 

We wandered around crescents, and absorbed the atmosphere. It really was a nicer side of London than I'm used to. Then, it was back to the hotel for a drink in the bar before retiring for the night. The next day would be a busy one. 

Exploring the Crescents of London - Shoes - Adidas, Dress - River Island, Bag - Michael Kors, Hat - Max Mara Weekend

Cafes still bustling on a Sunday evening

Monday, we were up early and my experience of sleeping in a basement room had been exactly as I had expected. Unsettled. I was tired, and glad to get out into the air and head for St. Pancras, a short 5 minute stroll away. Even though I've seen the station many times, I've never really taken much notice of the beautiful hotel that sits above it. It's like something out of Harry Potter. 

St Pancras Hotel

We grabbed a coffee and a croissant and checked in for our train to Paris. The journey was comfortable and enjoyable and the further south we went the more the sun showed its face. Once we alighted at Paris Gare du Nord, it was blazing! This is my third time visiting Paris, and I have never felt it as hot as this before, but then again I've never been in August. 

Beautiful buildings in Paris

After grabbing a snack, and taking in the hustle and bustle of Paris, we dragged our cases a few blocks to the RER station, to get our train(s). I'd booked us an apartment in Serris, a town outside of Paris but close to Disneyland, since that was one of the main reasons for our holiday. Once inside the RER station I was puzzled. I spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to buy a ticket from the machine, before admitting defeat and asking at the information kiosk. Thank heaven, the guy working there was incredibly helpful and was able to help me buy my tickets and direct me on the two trains I would need to get me out to Serris. 

I have often heard how Parisians stay thin because of the amount of walking they have to do. Once I had to find my way around these stations and trains with luggage and a child, I understood what they meant. Over an hour later, a group of hot sweaty messes got off the train in Serris, and started our walk to the apartment. My poor old luggage case decided it had enough, and the wheel started to disintegrate with each step. 

The view from the apartment

Place Du Toscane

We were so grateful to check in to our gorgeous apartment. We opened the large French windows overlooking the Place Du Toscane, grabbed some groceries from Auchan and enjoyed a cup of tea while we watched the hustle and bustle on the square below. 

Blurry photos in the Place Du Toscane before bed time

Luckily for little Miss, who's favourite thing to eat is pancakes, we were right above a French creperie. We popped down for crepes for supper, before retiring to our comfortable beds for a well earned sleep after our travel adventures. 

Packing for Paris

It won’t be too long now before I’m heading off for a week in Paris. I do love Paris, although the last time I visited was about 20 years ago and it was a very different trip to the one I have planned this time. Not only will this be my first trip abroad in about 11 years, but it will be my first time travelling abroad with little Miss too. Exciting indeed.

We’re going on Eurostar, which means very generous luggage allowances as well as no restrictions on liquids. Given I’ve got to carry it all from Yorkshire to Paris though, I’m still trying to pack economically and to combine both mine and little Miss’ packing together. So, what’s made the cut? 

Well of course, there’s our toiletries and first aid supplies (a necessity when travelling with a child). I’ve bought some travel sizes as well as decanting some of my day to day cosmetics (eye makeup remover, toner, moisturiser) into smaller travel size bottles. The Molton Brown travel sizes were something I picked up the last time I visited York outlet, quite fancy, but they had a good offer on. I have of course packed suncream too, although it didn’t seem to make the photos. 

I’ve made up a little first aid kit in an old mint tin, and I’ve got my European plug adapter too. I hope it still works! I always have to bring sting cream because I seem to be like a giant orange ice lolly to wasps and regularly get stung. Everything has fit nicely into this Cath Kidston wash bag which I bought before Cath Kidston disappeared from the high street some years ago. 

I’m packing my makeup bag. I don’t have an excess of makeup, I tend to wear variations of the same look every day so I’ll just be throwing my usual makeup bag in the case.

Very old Marc Jacob’s makeup bag with my day to day makeup

I’m bringing my favourite pyjamas which are linen ones that the chap bought me from piglet in bed for Valentine’s Day and they are just getting to the stage of being delightfully soft and comfy that linen always needs a few washes to achieve. 

Weather wise, it should be around the late 20s while we’re there, so considerably warmer than Scarborough, cities always feel warmer too with the heat from the buildings and lack of a sea breeze. 

A colourful skirt, and three different options of tops is an easy way to create a few different outfits without having to overfill the case. I’ve opted for my bright Roman originals (via vinted) skirt with a vest top, a satin camisole and a vintage lightweight peasant blouse that I bought last year from a vintage shop in Chester.

I’m packing one dress, a lightweight cotton one from Kharibu, and the Zara skirt I bought last week ended up getting thrown in too. I’m taking a leather ‘bum bag’ that I bought from Etsy, for days when I want to carry less, and in terms of shoes I’ll be travelling in my new Adidas Gazelles that I bought to replace my Vans which fell apart. I’ll be packing my Dr. Marten sandals, as well as a folding summer hat an umbrella and small jacket just in case.

I’m going to travel in my favourite denim dress, and I’ll be taking my large Michael Kors cross body bag. My Mum gifted me this bag 7 years ago when I started working for the company I’m still with now.

I used to use it a lot, but I don’t so much now. It’s perfect for a city break though because it fits plenty, (travel wallet, passports, camera) isn’t too heavy and it’s secure. 

I managed to fit it all (and all of little Miss’) holiday outfits into this one Antler luggage bag (with wheels) that’s been unloved in the back of my wardrobe for years. There’s no space for souvenirs but I’ll deal with that problem before I return home. 

Bon Voyage. 

Assessing the Situation

 Thank you for all the comments on my last post. I think there’s a whole ACOTAR community out there, and some of you on here too. 

Anyway, I kicked off the week by having a wonderfully relaxed day in York with the chap, on Sunday. It’s been a while since we just had an idle day to ourselves, so we met early in York and dodged rain showers for the first hour.

Enjoying the vibe at Cut and Craft

It soon brightened up though and the chap dutifully nodded his head through dress shops, and subtly (or not so subtly) tried to steer me away from fondling extortionately priced handbags, a favourite hobby of mine. 

The happy face of the chap in a steak house

Then, we finished up with a delicious steak dinner at the Cut and Craft, which we’ve been to a few times and always has a nice vibe. I’m not usually a big fan of steak. It’s not that I don’t like it, but it’s something I rarely crave. It was delicious though, and my side of spicy potato wedges even had a dollop of caviar on them. I’ve only ever had it on blini, it was nicer on wedges, probably because it doesn’t actually taste of that much by itself. A perfect way to wind down before the week started.

Much of the early part of the week was spent revising for my Leadership and Management Diploma end of course Assessment. I felt the pressure of it. I’m sure I never used to get so unsettled by exams, but I’m out of practice these days.

Wednesday I was back down to York for the final assessment. A full 2 hours of me speaking, delivering presentations and answering questions. It was done though, and I could shelve the revision! I won’t know the outcome until the end of the month, so I’m not going to dwell on it. 

Busking in the sunshine 

I enjoyed a nice walk around York on my lunch break to clear my head, and popped into the shop where my friend works for a bit of a natter. York was looking very pretty in the sunshine.

Love these little wildflower areas popping up around York

On the way home I stopped into the Zara sale and treated myself to a new skirt, it’s definitely not my usual style but it’s very cute. Then, once home I was finally able to download the fourth book in the Acotar series to my kindle. I’d been putting it off knowing it would distract me from my revision, but I don’t need to worry about that now, thankfully. 

Friday was the day we’d been waiting weeks for, little Miss’ cast came off! At last her arm is free, and she feels so much better about it, as do I! This will be the first weekend of the summer holidays where she hasn’t been in a cast. We’ll be having a pretty quiet one though to get ready for some more exciting adventures during the second half of the holidays.