Magically Addicted to Pixie Dust...

[JMat]

Before I even introduce myself - I feel you should know that I've been writing this DTR in my head for three days. Ive over-analyzed the best approach (being a DISboard newbie) to fit into the community... and finally decided to just go for it. I want to belong! And I've been so enamored with reading everyone else's plans and excitement, I hope to be a part of your adventures too.

So, that being said - Hi! I'm Jessica, 25 years old and living with my Husband (Kris) in America's Hometown of Plymouth, MA. Years ago I celebrated my 13th Birthday with my first trip to Disney World - and have been back 11 times! Favorite spots being the Poly & Wilderness...however a major girly to-do for me is DEFINITLEY the Grand Floridian.../sigh. I am a true princess at heart. When I'm sick, I crave Cinderella and Aladdin as much as gingerale and saltines... and I surround myself with pink and day dreams of magic as often as possible. Its easy doing what I do... I'm a wedding photographer! I get to watch women turn into princesses sometimes 3 times a week - and capture real romance unfold behind the lens. That being said, below is a picture that my mentor took of Kris and I for our engagement. Its not the sharpest photo - but I think its one of the most genuine, rather than the posed ones. Kris and I met as Senior Counselors at a summer camp for kids, fell in love - and were married last September He's a regular Prince Charming!

(Im working on getting my post-count up high enough to add pictures... I just joined today!)

Kris was not always the DH he is today. He works from home for an environmental consulting firm, and on his previous visit (off-property, yuck) he spent some of his time working. Thus raining on some of the magic that is WDW. This was unacceptable - and we (I, really) have decided we must go back - and go the right way! Which brings me to our cast of merry travelers. In addition to Kris and I, we'll be heading out with my parents Ellen and Jim (who are major DISthusiasts) my brother Eric, and my 13y/o cousin Allie.

Im a nickname person, so Eric will also inevitably be called anything from ERock, Ero, Brothaman, Brohiem, E or My Bru. He's histerical, and my best friend. So at least there are some exciting stories in your future.
Kris will be Kris, Hubs, KMat or Gingy (hes a red head)
Allie is usually Alsagirl or Al
Mom and Dad are... Mom and Dad Or El & Jim... but ill make sure and hook you up with enough photos so that its pretty clear!

I'm working overtime to make sure that this trip has extra surprises and pixie dust each day we're there. Kris and I are delaying our anniversary plans to October in order to celebrate in a magical way. In addition to that, its Allie's first visit!! So lots of new things to be excited about. We're leaving on October 24th for 7 days at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. We all wanted to splurge on a couple of amazing rooms to celebrate - so we have several adjoining rooms with courtyard views.

So thats my intro... I look forward to inundating you with photos and funny stories as the next month and a half rambles on - and then hope to hold myself to a crazy standard and show you some amazing shots of the world while we're there. The most important things in my suitcase are always pink flipflops, my castle sweatshirt, some glowstick earrings (oh... you'll see my distensity knows no limit!) and of COURSE my camera. For those of you asking - Im a Canon girl... no Nikon for me. So I'm off to read more about those LGMH (alien green?) and think of a way to attach them to my stuff... hoping to catch a few readers and friends along the way.

Thank you so, so much for reading! Leave me some love XOXO

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi!
Welcome to the DIS! I'm looking forward to reading along as you plan your next trip.. not long to go at all!

Emma

 

[heathers4um]

HI!

Nice to meet you, welcome to the Dis, and I cant wait to hear more!

I'm Heather and have been a Disney girl for...well, forever! I am like you in the way that I cant get enough pink, romance, or disney movies when I am sick. And not sick. I often use my step-Princess as an excuse to buy them. Shhh...don't tell DBF on me!

On to DBF, he hasnt been struck down by the magic that is Disney yet and has yet to feel the pixie dust fill his lungs. I plan on changing that in 58 days!

I have begun a PTR...but its a bit slow and I havent had much to document lately...the link is below in my siggy if you would like to check it out?

 

[JMat]

Thanks for the warm welcome girls means a lot to me! I was just out for a bit with Eric - we try and have sibling dinner at least once a month together - and arguing over who had the better knowledge of the Disney transportation system. He ended up winning, but it was after a lengthy (and loud) exchange of scenarios. Something along the lines of "If we're in MK, and we need to get back to the WL for sweatshirts, then stop between Epcot and Beaches and Cream for dinner - whats the fastest way to get there?"

Nerds, right?

Anyway- as soon as I get my post count up i'll post some great and hilarious pictures. Im off tomorrow (Earl has RUINED any hope of a Cape Cod wedding tomorrow, so I'm not shooting...) So Im spending my morning drinking out of my Cinderella mug and posting my next update.

Again - thanks so much for reading - I'm SO beyond excited to have DISgirlfriends

 

[Enchanted]

Wait a second, you're a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER??!?!?!?! Holy cow, that's my DREAM JOB!!!! Congrats on having such an awesome, princess-y career.

This sounds like it's gonna be fun. I WL. Can't wait to hear more and see some pics soon!

Welcome to the DIS!!!!

 

[steelerfan87]

I'm in. Can't wait to here about your trip and see your pics.

 

[JMat]

Good Morning
'Hurricane Earl' was more like... 'Tropical Storm Wuss' when it got to us in Southern MA. My mother and I had lined up Disney crafts to do in case the power went out, and had all these fun plans... and it ended up raining a little. Kris and I even went outside and stood in the warm rain for a few minutes laughing to ourselves, thankful that we hadnt masking taped our windows and purchased dry goods like a nuclear winter was on the horizon. (The local Stop & Shop was like engaging in a knife fight for clean water... crazy.)

But that being said - just popped on to finally post a few pictures - and ask for help in creating LGMH tags. For instance - whats the best use for them? Laminated & Double sided? And where is the best place to put them so they're spotted. Im thinking on a pin lanyard or a backpack? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me, im a first-timer with the DISboards and Green is new to me!

Okay- below is a shot taken before our wedding by a great photog friend of mine... I have plenty of candid stuff coming from previous trips- but since I talked about being a photographer... I wanted to put my best foot forward okay... below is Kris and I last year

That was right before our wedding, and I have since cropped my hair shorter - but I hate it and call it the bowl cut so im growing it back.

This is my Eric. Best brother ever, but would KILL me if he knew I was posting pics of him with pink ears on! But I wanted a little Mickey influence in his intro photo!

This is Kris and I taken years ago, while he was still just my DBF and working a little while we were down there. So I added some colorsplash for a little extra magic ...

Okay- one more because im a sucker for my prince.. and then later today ill get a few more up of Eric and my parentals. Ero in particular loves to take ridiculous photos... which is always funny, but you have to really dig for the ones where he's just smiling!

Not my finest moment... but he just looks so cute.

Ok- Im off to run some errands.... but ill be back to post later this evening. I actually ordered the Princess Dooney & Bourke tote ( http://www.disneystore.com/disney/s...logFromSearch=10002&catalogId=10002&langId=-1 ) for our upcoming trip - and cant wait to post pictures of it to show you... I think youre reeeeally gonnaa liiikkeee iiittt!!

More Soon - Hope you have a great Saturday!!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi!
Lovely photos

Glad that Earl didn't cause too much havoc for you

For the Lime Green Mickey Heads... I wrote my 'DIS' name on them, then laminated with clear sticky plastic, didn't double-side them but that could be good too - I tied one to my day bag & one to each of my little evening bags!
I spotted a few other LGMHs during my last trip, it was quite exciting to see other people who were from the Boards.. it's like a little secret symbol!

Emma

 

[JMat]

Hi!
Lovely photos

Glad that Earl didn't cause too much havoc for you

For the Lime Green Mickey Heads... I wrote my 'DIS' name on them, then laminated with clear sticky plastic, didn't double-side them but that could be good too - I tied one to my day bag & one to each of my little evening bags!
I spotted a few other LGMHs during my last trip, it was quite exciting to see other people who were from the Boards.. it's like a little secret symbol!

Emma

Thanks girl Youre the best. I keep going back and forth with what to do with all the little paint chips. Im thinking of just making them double sided and laminating them to hang off of my park bag & suitcase... then carrying extra with me to hand out? I feel kind of nervous-excited! lol

Im off to make my DH a CinderFella for the day - cleaning and such. Then hopefully typing up our ADRs to share and see if anyone has some insight. Im taking him to the Cali Grille for the night we celebrate our anniversary... and looking for fun ways to surprise him... hoping someone has some ideas, or how to get a little pixie dust from some CMs.

 

[bluejasmine]

Love your pics! Isnt it so much fun planning a WDW trip? My DH loves WDW but lets m do the planning, he does tease me a bit b/c I am SOOOO in to it and for months before our trip its all I talk about! LOL!

So not counting today we have 4 more days until our dream trip so you can imagine how excited I am, its gonna be hard to even keep my mind on work the next three days!

Looking fwd to reading more!

 

[CocosMeme]

I'm in - get going girl!

 

[klacey1]

Hi! Just joining in-- can't wait to read about all of your plans! You're going at a great time of year!
That picture of you and your DH from before your wedding is gorgeous!

ETA: Forgot to subscribe!

 

[JMat]

Love your pics! Isnt it so much fun planning a WDW trip? My DH loves WDW but lets m do the planning, he does tease me a bit b/c I am SOOOO in to it and for months before our trip its all I talk about! LOL!

So not counting today we have 4 more days until our dream trip so you can imagine how excited I am, its gonna be hard to even keep my mind on work the next three days!

Looking fwd to reading more!

Oooomigosh 4 days. Woman, it will be a miracle if you get any work done! Live on these boards when youre not packing and doing the happy dance! Have the time of your life, and get all the good updates while youre there to pass them along Have SO much fun!!

I'm in - get going girl!

awww - Im secretly so honored to have readers, I cant tell you how excited I am. I'll keep it interestin'... scouts honor!

Hi! Just joining in-- can't wait to read about all of your plans! You're going at a great time of year!
That picture of you and your DH from before your wedding is gorgeous!

ETA: Forgot to subscribe!

Thanks. A great photog friend of mine took it. Its actually from the 'throw away' pile since im not in focus and Kris is grimacing... but I thought it captured two things 1. how im just a laughing fool always... and 2. The water is so cold south of Boston!

--So... I'm off to Miami for two days to take a big seminar on wedding photography. Im leaving tomorrow morning from Boston's Logan airport - and flying into FL (NOT MCO. Bah.) for two days - and home on Thursday afternoon. By then ill be ITCHING to get back, and ill take a few FL snapshots. Still have to work on my LGMH and post pics of that Dooney for you guys... more soon. -- xoxo

And thanks again for reading

 

[JMat]

Good Morning

Im back from Miami and on photography overload. Lots of great lectures and shooting... and ill edit them eventually and show you a few of my favorites. Im shooting THREE weddings this weekend... one today, one tomorrow, and one Sunday. That being said, the camera gear is charging up and ready to go since I have to leave shortly... but, with some time on my hands and some pixie dust on the brain - I grabbed my little point and shoot and snapped a few pics for your viewing pleasure.

These are two that I found from our last trip. Allie only went to the parks for a day - and we stayed off property (laaaaame) so this coming trip we're still calling her 'first visit'... since I really feel like it is anyway Below is a pic of her I snapped getting ready for take off on the plane... and the other is of Kris and Eric... they were SO excited... they fell asleep... so at least I got the window seat, and was able to snap this funny pic of them. Dont tell them I showed you!

These next ones are just a few fun shots of Disney 'stuff' that I have set aside for the trip. First one is of the Princess Dooney, as promised. Im pretty excited to carry it to dinner and shopping - and im working on attaching some LGMH to it.

These are a few pink wallets I grabbed to carry in the purse, or just grab and go if I need to. I wanted to feel like a princess the whole time, so dont be shocked that they're super pink!

This is just a fun girly shelf I have outside my closet. I found the sleeping beauty photo holder last year, and then just worked the shelf around it to add some princess magic to my daily getting dressed routine just wanted to share

Okay, below are two pics of stuff I have for our trip. Glow stick earrings, notebook, maps, sillybands, ponchos, sunglasses, and my first attempt at mousekeeping envelopes. Allie and I made them one afternoon right before she went back to school.

This is the gift bag and some contents im working on to surprise Allie with the last day of school before our trip. Just a fun bag with some stickers, lip gloss, rings, body wash, etc. so she can feel like a princess too!

and for good measure... just a picture of some pins Ive collected over the years. My mom and I kind of picked it up just for fun, and rather than trade and go crazy, buy pins for eachother at holidays, etc. and attach a random memory or event to each one while we're there. We are looking for an O'hana one for a funny memory that happened last year

Im obviously having a bit of trouble with the sizing in photobucket... so ill work on that. But Im off for now. Gonna read a few more PTRs and then get ready to work. Of course if anyone has any ideas of fun surprises or wants to know where I found or bought anything in particular... just let me know! Thanks again for reading

 

[disneybarbie]

Ohh I'm so jealous you have that bag!! I might treat myself to the little purse on an upcoming trip.

Love all the pink, princess & pre-vacation purchases!!

Emma x

 

[klacey1]

Love all of your girly things! That's so sweet that you're making a little gift bag for Allie. I think you're putting the perfect things in it.

 

[JMat]

Hey guys... Started really buckling down on the planning aspect of life today. Returned home from the final wedding of the weekend yesterday tired and ready for a break. This vacation is really keeping me smiling with some less than savory brides. But - I did get to wrap up the weekend at a wedding on the top floor of a Cambridge hotel - overlooking the Boston skyline. Pretty sweet view at least! Had brunch with my parents to discuss our ADRs and snapped this pic of my mom's crazy dinnerware. It was reminding me of Alice in Wonderland, and wanted to share it with you!

it was a fun way to eat raspberry turnovers and dream a Disney dream!

So, this is our first time (Yikes, I know) on the DDP. We're going standard dining, and planning only our table service meals. The Sunday we arrive (10/24) we're headed straight for Hollywood Studio's - Kris has never experienced a lot over here, so I made ADR for the 50s Prime Time Cafe a little more than an hour before Fantasmic. I understand that this seats pretty early... so im not sure we'll have a great view... but Id still like to try catch it if we could. I do really enjoy it. Then with the EMH I hope to hit the greats before our first night's rest at the Wilderness.

Looking for a little input if you have any - I love the GF and hope to someday stay there for a visit - but so much of it is uncharted for me. Hows the bakery? Can I walk in and get treats, or do they have to be ordered? Do you think they'd be willing to work with me on a small cake for our anniversary or its best to call the cake hotline? Also - Ive heard good things about the GF Cafe... any good? Worth it for a fun lunch someday?

Thanks for any input you can offer XO

 

[heaven2dc]

Love your PTR!! That is so sweet of you to pack little gifts for your cousin - you all should have a grand time!

 

[JMat]

Love all of your girly things! That's so sweet that you're making a little gift bag for Allie. I think you're putting the perfect things in it.

Thanks! I think so too... still needs a little work, but I think im on the right track. Plus creating a little magic for her makes me count the days and stay in a Disney frame of mind for longer

Love your PTR!! That is so sweet of you to pack little gifts for your cousin - you all should have a grand time!

Thanks, I hope so. Ill keep you posted of course

So-- I think I have good DisKarma today... I was heading back from visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (a friend of mine took me out for the afternoon in the city - amazing time) and had some time to kill before a sunset engagement shoot - so I wandered around and came across these!

They're Mickey & Friends Halloween stuff... PERFECT for MNSSHP! I think ill throw some into Allie's gift bag, keep a few tattoos for myself, and let Eric and Kris use the pirate Jolly Roger ones. Only a DOLLAR each. Crazy. I found some fun socks too, and grabbed a 25 pack of glow bracelets. Good DisKarma... I'm telling you. Must be a good sign I hit the 30's in the countdown days today.

 

[heathers4um]

I seriously dont know where to begin....

yes I do.

LOVE. THE. DOONEY.

I WILL be purchasing one.

And the little gifts and goodies have me wishing I was going with you instead of DBF.

I have never been to GF either and plan on taking a self tour while there. I would LOVE to do the tea party....*sigh*....maybe when Step-Princess goes with!

All of your Dis-karma made me realize I have my own shopping list I have to get on with!

Your pics are great - cant wait for more!