Where I Went | The Disney Cafe by Harrods

I recently went to London for what I'm going to call a 'work trip' - all to be revealed shortly. During my stay I met up with a friend I'd not seen for nearly 2 years (hi Hannah!) and combed through the drawers of Victoria's Secret at Westfield Stratford looking for pastel pink delights (which I found, check out my Instagram: louisekwilliams). I also treated myself to a fabulous larger Longchamp 'Le Pliage' from Selfridges, and drank a gorgeous peach flavoured cocktail in TGI Fridays. But were any of those activities the highlight of my trip? No, The Disney Cafe by Harrods was.

As you may be well aware I'm a out and proud Disnerd. Aside from just watching the films, Disney is a way of life for me. I use Disney character toiletries, select a morning banana from my Mickey fruit bowl, wear Minnie Mouse pjs to bed, and swoon over my Tsum Tsum collection as I get ready in front of my mirror for work every morning to go out into grown-up world. Yes I'm 24, and no I'm not planning to become a fully fledged adult any time soon.

Imagine my delight, then, when I learned that I would have an ample amount of time to have lunch in the Disney Cafe located on the 4th Floor of Harrods in Knightsbridge, London! Truth be told this ample time extended to a 3 hour lunch affair, with both a main course and dessert being consumed whilst new friendships were made and sing alongs were sung to the new Cinderella film soundtrack. *Insert Disney Princess squeal here.*

Right from the entrance I just knew I was going to have the best time ever in this Cafe. The Disney details were everywhere, the walls painted a gorgeous royal blue colour with character murals and sparkles, TVs playing many Disney film clips and shows, a giant working Big Ben clock from Peter Pan in the centre of the room, and the tables had cute Mickey Ears affixed to the back of the chairs. Every where you look your eyes are filled with Disney magic! It was perfect.

The menus were already laid out on the tables, doubling up as placemats with fun colouring in and puzzles to keep *ahem* everyone entertained. The servers were busy bustling around the restaurant handing out Princess crowns to the younger guests and gifting them a Cinderella storybook to keep them entertained until the food was brought out. My new friends and I spent ages pouring over the 'spot the difference' puzzles (which, by the way, were incredibly difficult!) and choosing our lunch from the adult menu. I opted for a ham and cheese toastie with a side salad, and after becoming sad when told they had no Mickey waffles, I opted for a brownie for dessert. When both were presented I was so excited to find that they were Mickey shaped!

The food was absolutely delicious, and although it's not a cheap meal, (my main, dessert and two drinks came to £30) I believe it's worth it for the quality and fulfilled the Disney standard that I have come to know and love. Our servers were so friendly and even took the time to help us with our puzzles and answer any questions. We were actually the first visitors of the day as the cafe opens at 11am, and could have sat there well on into the afternoon if we hadn't had to go to our meeting!

If you're a Disney fan in any shape or form I'd fully recommend you paying a visit to the Disney Cafe  by Harrods, even if it's just for a coffee, or an afternoon tea, or a full meal like we did. You're guaranteed not to be disappointed! Children are more than welcomed, and adults too, because as Walt would say, '...adults are only kids grown up, anyway!'

Have you ever been to The Disney Cafe by Harrods?
What's your favourite Disney film?

My 24th - London & Birthday Haul

Oh hello blogosphere :')

What a hectic world we live in, eh? One minute I'm counting down the days until my birthday and the next it's the day after and it's all over for another year. Madness. I thought I'd share some pictures with you from my lovely little day out to London with my Mama and J, as well as the beautiful pressies I was incredibly lucky to unwrap and pick out in the shops for my 24th birthday. (Wow, I'm getting on!)

Cinderella / Laduree Stationary

We got the coach from Somerset (where I live) to Hammersmith bus station and waved to Disney HQ as we boarded the tube to take up to Knightsbridge for a run around Harrods. I adore visiting Harrods, if the outside window displays are anything to go by, this shop is heaven. I squealed with delight when I saw that the windows all along the main street were filled with beautiful Cinderella scenes from the forthcoming film, my inner Disney Princess was in awe!

Cake Face :P / Five Guys

Two hours later we meandered back on the tube to Covent Garden and went to Five Guys for lunch where I feasted on copious amounts of cherry vanilla Coke and strawberry lemonade (as well as my burger!) before making our way back to Covent Garden market via Cybercandy and The Disney Store. I purchased macarons at Laduree (naturally!) and my Mama treated us to some Godiva chocolate covered strawberries for dessert from lunch. Yum!

Birthday Breakfast / Presents / Cake / Light-up Disney Balloons

I'm fortunate to know London quite well, so the three of us then walked down to Trafalgar Square, before winding our way up to Picadilly Circus and then walking the whole length of Regent Street and Oxford Street right up to Selfridges. J has never really been to London before so it was really lovely to take him around and show him some of the sights. He particularly enjoyed the Harrods food hall, and ended up coming away from there with some sausages for his Mum for mother's day (don't ask!).

We caught the coach back to the West Country at around 6pm and while we waited we played 'spot the Disney / Pixar characters in the Disney HQ windows' and ate Pret a Manger baguettes (my new favourite spot for food on the go!).

Lovely bargain bag from Primark for £10! / Laduree Macarons & Truffles
Disney Store Presents from J / Macaron kitchen timer, Frozen bubbles & £20 note tissues from my Mama, Bunny ring holder from J.

Allure, DHC makeup remover wipes and gorgeous makeup bag from J / Bumble & Bumble and Penhaligon's goodies from my Nana / Too Faced Palette from my Mama / Lulu Guinness for Tangle Teezer from J

It was such a lovely little day, although long, because we literally never stopped walking all day and London was really busy, as expected. I got some beautiful things too. J got paid on my birthday so he let me pick out some bits and pieces when were were walking around London, my Mama gave me some pennies to pay for my Disneyland Paris ticket in June, as well as some bits and bobs I've shared above, and I got various other money gifts and presents from my Nana.

What a perfect way to turn 24!

What's your favourite shopping spot in London?