Disclaimer: None of the pictures in this post are mine! They either belong to the Walt Disney Company (specifically the Disney Store, The Collection Shop and Disney Fine Art), Enesco, Secret Honey, Hulu, Love Live, ALTER or Banpresto.
I've just returned from Disneyland Paris and bought some nice stuff there, but let's be honest - you can't have enough merchandise of your favourite princesses, that's a fact. I basically bought all the Rapunzel and Moana merchandise they have in DLP over the last few years and this summer, there wasn't much left. I already have all the plushes, dolls, statues and ornaments they sell. When I came home, I ordered some Rapunzel bits from all over the world: the Flynn Rider satchel from Hot Topic, the Classic Collection doll from Mattel, the frying pan from the German Disney Store and some bits from the Japanese Disney Store like a jewelry box, a pin, etc. I made it my principle that all the money I take to a Park must be spend on Disney, even if I don't spend it while being in the park itself. However, there are still some things that I want.
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| Images by The Disney Store |
Everybody who knows me, knows that I'm a sucker for bags by Danielle Nicole. They're just too pretty, I can't help it. The Disney Store just released the Moana crossbody bag and I need it in my life. Another Moana related thing I've been wanted for the longest time now, is the 1st limited edition doll. I regret not having bought her when she came out but then, the German name tag said Vaiana and I just hate that name. Maybe I'll be able to get the UK version one day. Thank God, the aftermarket price isn't too bad (especially not when you compare it to the 1st Rapunzel LE - which is more then 1.000,00€.. ha... ha..haaa).
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| Images by The Disney Store, The Collection Shop and Disney Fine Art |
When it comes to Rapunzel, I have five holy grails (not including pins because there are TOO many). The item I'm craving for most is the Wish-A-Little Rapunzel by Kidada. The Kidada collection came out in 2011 in the US Store and I've been stalking the UK Disney Store (there was no German one back then) every day, praying that this collection would be released there too. Of course, it didn't. The shipping from the US to Germany has always been incredibly high and insolent, plus I was a broke 14 years old girl. I would do everything today to get my hands on this little gem! Another holy grail of mine is the 1st Rapunzel limited edition doll. As mentioned before, I've never seen her under 1.000,00€ on ebay. She'll stay a dream forever, just as the next thing I'll talk about - the Secret Honey Rapunzel I see the light dress. The dress is the most accurate dress I've ever seen, like, not even the dress in the park is as accurate as this one. However, there are two problems with this dress - a) it's sold out everywhere and even when it pops up on Yahoo Auctions, it's between 500,00€ and 1.200,00€ b) it won't fit me as the measurements are way too small for me. It's one of those things you really want to have without having any justification for buying it.
Next holy grail - the World of Fairy Tales painting by Michelle St. Laurent. They had it in Harrington's in DLP and I would look at it, then on the price tag, and then cry. When I went there two weeks ago, it was sold out. Even though I knew that I couldn't afford it, I just really hoped that the painting would wait for me so I can get it someday, but it wasn't meant to be. My last holy grail is the WDCC Braided Beauty Rapunzel. Everybody who knows the WDCC figures, knows the struggle. Impossible to find, impossible to get.
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| Images by The Disney Store |
Okay, let's talk about the things that are on my wish list right now and that I can actually get without selling a kidney. I've been wanting the Rapunzel and Flynn Rider maquettes for a while now. The maquettes were created based on the character design of the Tangled character artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios - pretty neat, huh? The prices are high, but affordable if you save long enough. Another thing that's been on my wish list for a long time now is the Flynn Rider plush doll. He was available in the Disney Store and I didn't get him, which I still regret. However, the prices on ebay aren't too bad and I hope that with Rapunzel's 10th anniversary in 2020, they'll release a new one. When it comes to the Rapunzel items I'd like to have from the Disney Store right now, the list isn't long. I still want the new tiara, the singing ornament and the Animator's Collection mug.
The Japanese Disney Store is my biggest frenemy. I just bought all the stuff I want but I never know when they will come up with new Rapunzel merchandise. My wallet is in great danger. Always, at any time.
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| Images by The Disney Store and Enesco |
As for Cinderella, I have two things on my wish list. The live action movie is my favourite movie after Tangled and Mary Poppins. It means so much to me and I try to live after the motto "Have courage and be kind". Those five words have such a powerful and important meaning and will guide me through all difficulties in life. Coming back to the items, I really want to have the Live Action Cinderella Figurine by Enesco. I would even say that this is one of the most prettiest figurines Enesco ever released. It captures Ella's spirit perfectly, she looks delicate and graceful. The other piece of merchandise I really want is the Cinderella Live Action Limited Edition Doll from the Disney Store (who would have thought, right). Thank God, her aftermarket price is bearable, just as Moana's.
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| Images by The Disney Store |
I would love to own more Mary Poppins merchandise but unfortunately, the range is very limited. The only things I want right now are the Christmas ornament from the Disney Store, which aren't available in Germany yet. With the new movie, Mary Poppins Returns, coming up later this year, I really hope that they will release new merchandise. Until then, my wallet is safe.
That's basically it for Disney! Now, let's continue with figures.
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| Images by Love Live, ALTER, Agon on MFC and Banpresto |
Fortunately, my figure wish list is not that big. Right now, I almost own all of my holy grails and for the ones that I don't own yet, I already have them pre-ordered or I'm waiting for them to be pre-orderable. At this moment, I collect Love Live figures only. I'd love to start collecting Super Sonico someday but my space is limited and so is my money.
When it comes to µ's, 90% of my collection consists of NozoEli figures. I just love my babies so much and really can't help it. If I had the money and the space, I'd probably collect all nine members of µ's but as that's not the case, I restrict my collection on those two and a few figures I simply can't resist. As for "figures I can't resist".. Alter just nailed it - again. Yesterday they announced their latest project - the 2nd years wearing their White Day outfits. No need to say that I need them in my life. Alter is my favourite company when it comes to figures. The quality and the details of their work is incredible and even though everything they sell is crazy expensive, I never regret spending a fortune on their figures. After the last line of the µ's girls was released, I think nobody would have thought that they would get a second wave. It started with the Sangatsu Hen Hanayo and Rin (Hanayo is on my wish list as well) and then the NicoMaki figure came out. My wishes are coming true, they're literally making figures of the most popular ships! WHICH MEANS! NOZOELI WILL BE NEXT!!! I mean, nothing have been announced yet, but they're the only ones that are left and of course they will get figures! They save the best for last, I'm sure! My biggest wish would be Rapunzel Nozomi together with Cinderella Eli. Or Constellations. I don't have any hopes for Marine, Dirndl or any other URs where they are not paired with each other, unfortunately. Um, okay, I guess I run off the topic. So, to make it short: Alter's new Honoka, Kotori and Hanayo are on my current wish list. I also can't wait for Halloween Nozomi! I pre-ordered her but I guess she won't come out here before October. I usually buy all my figures in Japan but for this one, I was way too afraid that she might arrive broken. My precious child means so much to me, ugh. Can't wait to let her stand next to my Halloween Eli. Even though we don't know what Alter will do in the future, at least my favourite ship has a couple-figure already. ♥
So, coming to Aqours, I only collect Mari and Kanan without exceptions, which makes it a lot easier. So far, Alter hasn't announced any idolish figures for both of them (there's the Kanan wetsuit version though). I wonder if the popularity of Love Live! Sunshine has decreased. To be honest, I don't care that much for Sunshine either, it's just KanaMari that keeps me going. However, With Fans! announced a line of figures with the design from the BluRays. Looking forward to see how Mari turns out!
I'm not a big fan of price figures in general as I prefer quality over quantity, but sometimes, there are exceptions. For µ's, it was the Sunny Day Song and for Aqours, the fashion line. I already have the SDS Nozomi and Eli. Now, what I'm still missing are the Mari and Kanan from the second wave of the fashion line. Except for the boring base, they look really nice and the quality isn't too bad!
That's basically all the figures I have on my wish list right now.
Let's continue with Steven Universe. Steven Universe has been quite a journey since the big reveal. I did NOT see that coming. Looking back at all the hints they gave us made me question my intelligence. But who would have thought??? I don't want to spoiler anything but holy smokes, I really can't wait for the new episodes. To fill in the time, I'm just going to look at new merchandise. There's no shop here that sells Steven Universe merch and the Cartoon Network Store doesn't ship to Germany - that's the reason why I look in Etsy! I will link everything but without showing any pictures on here as I respect the artists and I don't know if they'd be okay if I post their pictures on my blog. Basically, most things I want are pins or buttons. I have a little addiction with the diamonds and their pearls, so of course I need a set of their buttons. I love the design as it's really cute and their facial expressions captures their personality perfectly. The buttons "Made of Love", "Gays in Space" and "Property of Nobody" are also on my must-have-list!
I'm a sucker for everything that has rainbows on it, so of course, the Rainbow Garnet Pin and the Made of Love Pin are something I need, too. Pearl is my favourite character in this show. It took me a loooong time to realise it, to be honest. But who would blame me? I just couldn't chose before, all the characters are so precious! We have the Pearl that belongs to nobody, we have Garnet who's made of love, we have Stevonnie - an experience, Steven and Connie, the purest human beings on this Earth, Peridot, a stupid clod and the list goes on. As the show proceeded, I felt like Pearl is the character I identify myself with most. She's a caring mum, would do everything to protect the ones she loves, is an organised perfectionist, the gayest of all, anxious, full of insecurities but strong as fuck. A Single Pale Rose made me love her even more, ugh. To cut a long story short, I need a new dakimakura cover and I found one that has Single Pale Rose Pearl on it. The last thing on my Steven Universe Etsy wish list are these gorgeous acrylic charms. Aren't they awesome?!
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| Images by Hulu |
The Handmaid's Tale has become a huge part of my life. Last year, the "Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels" was given to Margaret Atwood during the Frankfurt Bookfair. I'll be attending this year's Bookfair in October with a friend of mine and thought this might be the perfect occasion to wear my very own Handmaid outfit. I already have the famous red dress by the very talented Frenchie York. There are still some things that are missing though. I need the cloak, the wings, the cap, brown shoes and a shopping bag. I'm so excited to wear it and hope I'll be able to find what I'm searching for (I'm a picky perfectionist).
Quote of the Day: [Pearl] That wasn't the problem. [Greg] Then what was? [Pearl] She fell in love with you. -Steven Universe
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