“If your heart is in your dream. No request is too extreme. When you wish upon a star. As dreamers do. Fate is Kind”
– Louis Armstrong (Pinocchio)
I am still pinching myself about the event my friend Jenny from Princess Turned Mom and I hosted this past month at the Napa Rose restaurant at the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland. We had been dreaming of co-hosting our 3rd event together and knew we wanted to make it magical! And together we were able to make our dreams come true and our visions come to life with a lot of pixie dust, dedication, time, and hard work! To take a peek into the history and mission of our events please click here!
We ultimately invited just over 20 other local mom blogger/influencers that share a passion for everything Disney. We wanted real moms that wanted to be there for the right reasons and that would be able to sit around the dinner table and get to know each other on a more personal and intimate level. We not only wanted to network and make connections but also cultivate long lasting friendships. We are very careful to invite moms that are positive and fun, as well as know what it’s like to hustle! Some of these moms we have known for years and some we had only first met in person that evening! The space between the squares and real life got a little smaller that night and we couldn’t be more pleased and grateful for the way it turned out.
The venue was nothing short of spectacular. We ended up booking the private dining room that comes with it’s own staff, fireplace, and giant outdoor patio that overlooks Disney’s California Adventure. We even saw the monorail go by every few minutes, which was so fun!
Jenny and I were able to share a few words, give some items away from our sponsors, and then invited all of the guests to say a few words about themselves to the entire table!
And the food was amazing!!!! We enjoyed a 3-course meal that was nothing short of phenomenal!
But enough about us, this evening wouldn’t have been possible without our title sponsors for the event.
KidsEmbrace – KidsEmbrace is an amazing company that makes safety fun for children. They make a collection of themed baby gear like car seats, high chairs, strollers, baby carriers, walkers, and more! And more specifically, they make Disney car seats that are safe and fun for every child! They offer a Mickey car seat, a Minnie care seat, a Belle car seat, and two different Cinderella car seats! We had a raffle during the event and TWO of the mamas at the event were able to take a car seat home with them! The best part is that all their car seats are combination booster car seats so they will grow with your child. They are all forward facing, so please make sure your child is at least 2-years-old between 22-65 pounds and 29″-49″ in height before purchasing one for your toddler! Once your child is 30-100 pounds and 38″-57″ in height, they can use the booster seat. We own the Mickey and Minnie for our kids and they are super easy to install and are even machine washable! Each car seat has a 3-position adjustable headrest, one-hand harness adjusting system, comfortable contour, 2-position recline, and 2 cup holders!! And more importantly, KidsEmbrace products meet or exceed safety standards and are routinely evaluated to make sure their brand is up-to-date with the latest safety regulations. Additionally, our KidsEmbrace Harnessed Booster Car Seats are side impact tested, a non-requirement award in the U.S. and Canada, which they have made a company requirement to ensure they go above and beyond when it comes to Making Safety #1 and at the same time Making Safety Fun!
Bumkins – Bumkins makes a variety of baby products and they even have an entire Disney collection! They offer bibs, splat mats, feeding products like plates and utensils, snack bags, travel bags, and wet bags in all of your beloved Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Nemo, Ariel, and Pooh! The reusable snack bags are perfect for school lunches or to put in my diaper bag and the wet bags are perfect for the pool or to pack in your suitcase for a family trip for you to put your bathing suit for the way home without getting anything else wet! And in all honesty, we have been using Bumkins waterproof bibs since my daughter was born over 5 years ago! They are so lightweight and easy to clean – they have always been a family favorite! And I love that they also have a cloth diapering system that they offer on their website.
Sunstaches – This is such a fun company you have to check them out if you’ve never heard of them. They make the most adorable themed sunglasses in all of your favorite characters. They have multiple lines but we connected with them on their Disney line of sunglasses. From Mickey, Minnie, Olaf, Elsa, Anna, Incredibles, and all of the princesses to dozens of other characters from all your favorite movies, you will find one that is just right for you and your children! All of their sunglasses are 100% UV400 Protection, have Impact Resistant Lenses, and are designed to fit kids and most adults too! My children and I are completely obsessed and wished we owned one of each pair to take to the parks and dress up as someone new each time we went!!! They are the perfect addition to any dress up play costume and or for Halloween costumes!
Get Away Today – When you book your family travel where do you go? From discount trips to Disneyland or Walt Disney World to cruises and trips to Hawaii or Mexico, Get Away Today has you covered! They have so many specials and vacation packages for families of all sizes and budgets, you can’t go wrong booking tickets or an entire trip with them. They have helped more than 2 million families enjoy vacations since 1990. They have been one of the world’s leading providers of discount vacation packages, adventure vacations, and specifically Disney vacations! You could even save between 20%-50% per vacation so don’t hesitate to give them a call and see your options before you book anything on your own again! Other locations they work with include Universal Studios, San Diego, Huntington Beach, LEGOLAND San Diego, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Orlando, Grand Canyon, and more!
Petite ‘n Pretty – This is my second time partnering with Petite ‘n Pretty and I couldn’t have been happier! To read my full blog post about them and their entire line of products click here! This incredible mom owned company gifted everyone at the event with a Cheek and Highlighter Duo, 10k Shine Lip Gloss, and a Cheek and Highlighter brush as well as a limited edition Gen Glitter from their Halloween collection. And if you head to their website now, they have their entirely new winter collection up on their site! In the meantime, here is a snippet from my original blog about why I love them so much! Their age appropriate and pediatrician approved beauty line is redefining pretty and is helping young people glow all over the world. They believe that pretty is a feeling that goes beyond outside appearance. A company after my own heart, behind their high quality beauty products, the brand aims to empower, encourage, and embrace creativity, and most importantly to always have fun!!! This company isn’t just a pretty face. This brand isn’t just about beauty being skin deep. It is a brand of integrity, thoughtfulness, and values scoping beyond just looking pretty on the outside. I love that the products are Paraben-free and Phthalate Free. They are also nut-free and gluten-free so they are safe at home and at school. The company also complies with all the FDA regulations you should expect, and also Prop 65, and the Oregon State Child Safety Act as well. The products are even cruelty free and have never been tested on animals. Amazing, right?
LILLEbaby – What can I say about baby wearing? I absolutely love it and am happy that my LILLEbaby carrier can hold up to 45 pounds so I still have years to hold my babies every time we go to Disneyland and all the other places we travel to on a regular basis. I also love traveling with my baby carrier. It makes life so much easier as a parent to go through the line at security while wearing my baby and having handy on the plane for my baby to take a nap! When I wear my LILLEbaby Disney Baby carrier around the parks I get so many compliments. The designs you can choose from are so cute and you can even get matching doll ones for your minis! And my son loves it. He loves feeling close to me and snug in his carrier. I can’t say enough positive things about LILLEbaby. Their carriers are durable and lightweight and are so comfortable to wear. I know my son is safe and he never feels too heavy when I’m wearing him. My back and shoulders are supported and they are breathable and my son and I don’t get too hot when I’m wearing him. When picking your carrier, you can choose between the All Seasons, with a zippered front panel to open or close based on temperature or the Airflow with 3D breathable mesh. They take Disney style to a whole other level!!
We also owe a huge thank you to our gift sponsors!
JuJuBe– I still remember the first time JuJuBe said they would work with me. I was organizing one of my first events and they donated some bags for the raffle I was hosting for Baby2Baby. I was thrilled to say the least and they have been a pleasure to work with ever since. They provided bags for every guest at our Princesses Take on Tea event and for this event as well. And as you know, they even provided a few extra for us to give away at home to some of you! We couldn’t resist the red polka dot “Minnie Mouse” inspired backpacks, since they reminded us of the queen mouse herself. And I love that my daughter even has a matching backpack and lunch bag for school. We are so grateful to have an ongoing relationship with the brand. Do you know that for every diaper bag sold, they donate money toward breast cancer? They have so many different styles and patterns, there is a bag for everyone’s style. They are not only fashionable, they are functional, and have so many compartments – they truly are perfect for every mom! My husband jokes about how many JuJuBe bags I own – he says I have a different pattern for every outfit – which isn’t true, but when I love a brand, it shows. I have owned multiple different styles over the years and they are constantly coming out with patterns I fall in love with. I love the backpacks for travel, the diaper bag backpacks for everyday use, and even their big bags for overnight trips. They are made of such high quality and are machine washable!!
Otterbox– I have been using Otterbox phone cases for as long as I can remember. I love that they are fashionable and also protect my phone from scratches and falls. In fact, just the other day I was going through security at Disneyland (for the park meet up) and the security person dropped my phone on the ground. There was absolutely no damage to the phone or the case. And I can’t tell you how many compliments I have received from my Ariel phone cover. People have stopped me at work, at the grocery store, and at Disneyland asking me where I got it and what brand it is. There are dozens upon dozens of phone cover options for all sized phones in addition to their Disney line. You will definitely find one that you love and because they are made with such high quality, it will last you years! For this event, Otterbox graciously provided new phone cases to all the guests at the event and a few extra gift cards for our online and in person giveaways.
Lillian & Co– I have nothing but love for this beautiful line of jewelry. From their Disney inspired bracelets to their line of – I love that they their bracelets come in many colors like silver, gold, and rose gold. They gifted everyone at the event with a bracelet and also for our giveaways. Each bracelet had a different quote, which made it that more special and unique. You truly feel like a princess when you wear one! And for those of you wanting to make some extra side income, they have an affiliate program you can join to make a little commission off of the jewelry you sell to family, friends, and others!
This Bar Saves Lives – This company has been near and dear to me for many years. When my son was first born, I was invited to an event to meet the CEO when they launched their bars in some local Starbucks. They donated bars for another blogger event I hosted a few months later and then donated bars again for this event! In fact, every guest that attended received two bars! If you aren’t familiar yet, these delicious and nutritious bars save the lives of children all over the world. For each bar you purchase, their non-profit partner makes a life-saving packet of food and that food is sent to where it’s needed most. Every 150 nutrient packets saves one child! And so far, the company has donated over 10 million packets! I love these bars because not only do they taste good, they are gluten-free and made with the finest ingredients. They have so many flavors to choose from and are available at most Starbucks and Targets nationwide! My favorite flavor is Blueberry but I also love the PB & J, and their coconut dark chocolate bar.
Brothers All Natural– As a health conscientious mom always looking for healthy eats at the parks, I was recently introduced to this brand of freeze dried fruit snacks! They are located for purchase all over Disneyland and are a great alternative to some other snacks for a family on the go! Both of my children love them and I am so excited when they share because I love them too! They have been great to put in their lunches and when we travel by car or plane. They come in different flavors like pear, apple, and cinnamon apple. Each guest at the event was gifted with a multi-pack to try all the flavors! And some of you even had a box to try at home through our giveways!
Red Feather Apparel – Everyone needs a Disney inspired shirt when they are traveling to the parks! Even when I’m not at the parks I love to spread a little Disney magic. You’ll often find me wearing Disney gear on weekends because I love watching my kids’ faces light up when they recognize what I am wearing is related to Disneyland and they get so excited. I love my new Belle shirt from Red Feather Apparel and we are so grateful that they gifted every guest with a brand new tee to spread Disney magic wherever they go! The guests were gifted with either a Belle, Ariel, or an Aurora shirt and they even make some for men, including a Gaston shirt! And they not only have a collection of witty and original Disney inspired tees, but also have a ton of other options for you to choose from on their website. The shirts were printed on American Apparel brand of tees and they are thicker, stronger cotton so you know they will last you a long time! They run pretty true to size but if you like a tight fit, size down!
E & M Magical Designs– Since I started my blog I have always loved working with small shops. There is something about reaching out and getting to know the originator of a brand and working directly with the owner of a company. Small shops have so much heart for their consumers and are truly appreciative for every sale. Plus, you know the products are handmade and that is something special. The owner of this shop generously handmade gold necklaces for each and every guest that attended the event and then a few extra for our giveaways. Each necklance had a princess imprint on it to make each and every single one unique. In fact, she makes an entire Disney inspired collection of princesses and a mark that represents that princess. I have the Belle necklace that has a rose on it and she also makes a Moana necklace with an ocean wave, an Ariel necklace with a shell, and more! I loved working with the shop owner for this event. She is not only kind, she is talented, and puts love into her work. Plus I love that she has a special place in her heart for Disney!
Disney Kraft Grls– Wearing Disney inspired ears is a tradition when traveling to the parks. Both me and my daughter love to wear different ears when we go and have started a collection together. We switch off, since they are interchangeable from child to adult, and it gives us the opportunity to be spirited and match! The ears made by this company are so comfortable, fashionable, and unique, there is definitely ears for everyone. If you have a favorite color, a favorite princess or character, or even a favorite holiday there are ears for you. The owner handmade ears for every guest at the event and for our giveaways. And I loved meeting her at our Disney park meet up! She is so generous and kind and obviously talented at making ears. She truly loves everything Disney and it shows in her spirit and her work.
We were also gifted with a bag from Disney with some special items inside!
It was really important to me and Jenny to create an opportunity for anyone to join us as part of this event. We never want it to feel so exclusive that it leaves anyone out – plus we wanted an opportunity to meet the people behind the squares that support us as fellow parents, bloggers, and business women! Thus, we created a second part of the event. We asked everyone to meet us at the castle to mingle, snap some photos, and giveaway some of the products each guest received at the Napa Rose dinner and online giveaways. We had so much fun bringing a little magic into everyone’s day and loved meeting so many people in person that we had only met online before! Thank you for everyone that took time out of their day to join us!
All photography for the event was done by the talented Lisa Donahue Photography She really went above and beyond to make sure every guest had multiple individual photos as well as spent the entire event documenting every detail with her camera. We really appreciated all of her hard work and dedication to the event! And we were super happy with the photos!
I am so blessed to have a friend like Jenny and am so grateful for all of the relationships I have built with the sponsors and the wonderful women that were guests at the event. If you aren’t already following them, I invite you to do so! All of the guest names are below!
They are: @veenacrownholm @erinziering @easytoddlermeals @miriam.gin @dasrozo @mommy.diary @somedayilllearn @magickingdommamas @lipglossandcrayons @themotheroverload @global_munchkins @stylishlysocial @lovestalgia @christina.patricio @gabigrillo @grateful_girl_mom @littlegraythread @hali.bear @thehealthymouse @mammabearsays
Until next time!! See ya’ Real Soon!
Any ideas for our next Disney inspired event??? We’d love to hear your suggestions!
Leave a Reply