Collectormania

Welcome to Monday the 19^th of May. It was my birthday last week so sorry for not blogging; I was preoccupied eating cake. More specifically, this cake.

A lovely friend at work made me this cake and I've never been so moved by such a sentimental gesture. I did a blog post in April titled 'My Favourite Disney Characters' and she made me this rainbow layer cake with the exact characters I mentioned in that blog in edible icing paper - can you see Elsa?

I had a wonderful 22^nd, one which reinstated to me that I have SO many things to be thankful for…good health, a worthwhile job, beautiful family, the most amazing friends and a boyfriend who does genuinely treat me like a princess. Hip hoorah. There's nothing like a celebration to warm up your mood.

Now…prepare yourself for some nerd porn. Over the weekend I went to Collectormania, a comic-merchandise-celebrity convention at The Stadium: MK in Milton Keynes. This event is like a small celebration of people who enjoy comic books, Disney, Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones...the list goes on. It's just FUN and I was in my element (If the element is NERDIUM). Sarah Parkinson, making bad chemistry jokes because all the good ones Argon.

Now, I LOVE seeing people express who they are and if that means a middle aged man very seriously dressing up as wonder woman then I 100% back that shit. How awesome. One aspect of these kinds of events that I thrive off is the Cosplay. Seeing the effort people make to sew and paint a costume is slightly inspiring, the tweaks and personal touches blow my mind a bit. Walking around I couldn't help but awkwardly ask for a photo of some of the more impressive ones.

Alien from Alien vs Predator. This guy was so creepy, the tail even moved on its own. Let's just say I wasn't planning on being his best mate.

But somehow it happened anyway!

Darth Vader and Ezio.

Me and my pal Chewbacca, I tried to get Han's number but apparently he was really busy doing maintenance on the Millennium Falcon...

Captain Jack Sparrow. This photo was a bit of a buy one get one free cus there's a mini Elsa from Frozen in the background! ADORABLE.

My best friend Jordan met his all time hero Boba Fett! Been there, done that and note his t-shirt.

Wall-E props. The small one is so cute.

Chewie got tired of all the frantic human presence and took a break. I adore this photo so much.

"Do or do not, there is no try"

I was and still am amazed by this Tardis inspired hand-made dress; there's even detailing at the front of the dress of what's inside the police box. Very cool.

Me and Dan hanging out with Storm Troopers and looking far too happy about it.

Black Cat and The Phoenix!

BANE!!! This chap was HUGE."That's a lovely, lovely voice"

SARAH vs BANE

My favourite Doctor Who cosplay of the event.

Some awesome Doctor Who costumes.

Kenny Baker, the guy who played R2-D2 was at the event, and so were the droids!

Slightly overweight but fantastic Deadpool.

So yes, if you haven't been I recommend it a LOT. They always manage to pick up some magical guests and this time they had Pippin from Lord of The Rings, some Game of Thrones characters and Gus from Breaking Bad. Woo! Although some of the people who go are socially unacceptable, very weird and musty smelling, the loot you can get your hands on is seriously cool. Please see below what I have been enjoying my tea and coffee in since the weekend. I am now of the house Targaryen.

I LOVE YOU. REMEMBER TO BREATHE AND LET GO OF YOUR WORRIES.

My Favourite Disney Characters

Hello and welcome to me enjoying Easter half term. Two and a half weeks off of work means I can become a human again who enjoys doing things. So yes, hello. First of all, if you’re reading this and you’re in a bad mood please leave and never come back and keep going until you meet someone Australian. This is no place for you. I hereby present you with a very happy topic. I have a growing, chronological collection of 42 Disney films, encompassing both Disney originals and Disney Pixar (from the pioneering Snow White, to the beautiful Frozen). Growing up, we used videos, not DVDs and I think that’s why I love Disney so much, because it’s rooted very deeply in my childhood. I struggle to watch Cinderella and The Lion King because of the nostalgia; Walt just clicks his fingers and I’m drowning in my own tears (slight exaggeration). A while back I decided that I would start collecting Disney films as a present to any future children I am blessed with, so that one day I can offer their minds small, mini bombs of Walt Disney wonder. I can imagine small feet, running to find a Disney to suit the mood of the day (how adorable). If my future children dislike Disney, well, I’ll just trade them in for some new ones. I like being happy and the stories, characters and themes in Disney films, make me very, very happy. It’s like escaping into a restricted, positive zone where imagination rules over the land and Walt’s sitting on the throne. I thought it’d be fun to share a selection of my favourite Disney characters with you, so, here goes.

1. Anna (Frozen)

She is SO likeable. A Disney princess that isn't just physically flawless with empty insides. I don't know what I like more, how awkward and lovable she is, or how selfless and fearless she is when looking out for her family. I find her situation very relatable. I am the younger of two sisters and so is Anna and my sister felt it appropriate to remind me that I too used to annoy her when I wanted to play (I have yet to discover if my sister can manipulate an element). Many Disney women are unrelatable because their behaviour is unrealistic. That or they make you want to be them which just turns most into a jealous mess. I just want Anna as my best friend.

2. Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

I know she's evil but she loves herself and you can't help but love that about her. She's equally repulsive and vivacious. The way she relentlessly claims to want to help other sea folk for nothing, when really she just wants absolutely everything to herself, is weirdly enjoyable because she knows she's lying. She doesn't give a single fuck about anything and slithers around throwing sass in a revealing little black dress despite being worryingly obese and I admire that confidence. Let's just say I'd love to sit with her over a coffee, embracing curves and sharing hate.

3. Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio)

He is so sweet. I basically love him because of the extent of his loyalty. He's level headed and will do absolutely anything for Pinocchio, showing a braveness that doesn't falter, even in life threatening situations. If you take it down to basics, he is literally just a tiny cricket with clothes but the effort he puts in and the size of his heart are very big indeed.

4. Aladdin (Aladdin)

If I lived in Agrabah, I'd probably be pining over Aladdin. Let's be honest, he's exquisite. He is an orphan who grew up with nothing, so as a result appreciates the value of everything, helping out others in even more dreadful conditions that himself and I find that very attractive. The best thing about Aladdin is how fun and charming he is. Yes he makes awkward mistakes and yes can be an occasional dick when he compulsively lies to women, but he would take you on THE best dates.

5. Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

She turns into a fucking dragon. There is nothing more to say here.

(Me in Disneyland Paris on my 21st birthday with one of my best friends) 

Middle Earth

In case it isn't already obvious enough, I love Middle Earth, the place where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are set. I’d happily trade in Northampton to live the rest of my days in a hobbit hole with a vegetable patch and some peace and quiet. If you're sitting there thinking, 'Oh how sad', instead of hating on my new, perfect life, come and share some scones and ale with me. It'll be really beautiful I promise. Until the Nazgul come on horseback and I tell them that you may or may not be the owner of a specific ring. I am so eager to see The Hobbit: There and Back Again, part three of the trilogy, which comes out in December this year in the UK. The first two parts were fantastic. Over the past few days I've been searching around for some inspiration for my blog and as I was reading through the March Edition of my Women's Health magazine I found an interview they did with Evangeline Lilly who plays a woodland elf called Tauriel in part 2 and 3 of The Hobbit films. She came across as a very real and free spirited woman and it just made me happy and love her character even more. If like me, you like to know every detail about every actor/actress in your favourite films (keep telling yourself that's a cool thing Sarah) then you should go and read it. Now, I was quite tired a few nights ago and something happened. Hopefully you will enjoy my weird experiments but if you do not, then I highly suggest that you go back to the shadow.