Why Orlando shopping should be 1 of the 7 deadly sins ... you know .. if deadly sins are your thing ...

After 3 years of Mrs. Banks, I am less than a month away from jetting off to the USA!

Time for a bit of budget recalibration. Have I put aside enough money for this trip - and really - can you ever have enough??

When it comes to the shopping question, how long is a piece of string? or how long will the magnetic strip last on your credit card?

To go completely materialistic / commercialistic is one aspect of Orlando. This may not be a side of me of which I am outwardly proud, but that there is a hidden part of me that LOVES a bargain!

The prices on many items between Australia and the USA are shockingly different. Australia is a small market and we don't get the range, variety and bulk volume discounts of the USA.  If you are wondering about the difference between shopping prices and bargains between Orlando and Australia,  let me share my experiences:

Cost the same / gave me no real advantage

• Vera Bradley luggage (but not available in Australia and SOOOO colourful! so I still bought it ...)

Ewww - my eyes! Clashing multiple VB patterns cause seizures

•  My Portmeirion crockery pattern, Wustof knives and many other kitchenware products - esp if from UK or Europe - possibly goes for other UK dinnerware brands too.
• Lego (although they do have the magic wall where you can buy individual pieces!)

Jam as many pieces as possible in a milkshake container

• Disney products at WDW

• Samsung Tablet accessories (Orlando appears to be an iPhone town)
• Brand name handbags - only because Australian Oroton is excellent and WAY cheaper than the expensive big brands seem to sell well there.
• Eyewear / glasses frames - couldn't even find my great European eyeware designers. 
• Cheese and wine - and possibly a whole range of foodie products - probably just as good here.

Reasonably cheaper / had a greater range available / gave me a marginal thrill

• Lindt and Godiva chocolate - larger range than Australia, and a bit cheaper- good gifts.
• Tiffany jewellery at Mall at Millenia 

For my niece - I love you but Orlando love is only 2/3rds Australian love.

• Clarins skincare and makeup at Premium Outlet mall
• Disney products at Premium Outlet mall
• Le Crueset cookware (was 50% less than Australia) but how to get home?
• Crabtree and Evelyn bath products - but only in the bulk sizes - how to get home?
• Small designer/artisan products like Murphy ties and Red Rover polar fleece
• Books - I buy ebooks, and even those are cheaper bought online whilst in the USA. 

Red Rover polar fleece opera cape - purchased at Winter Park

50% cheaper or more - go nuts in Orlando

• Salvatore Ferragamo shoes from the Ferragamo outlet store at Premium Outlets (Vineland Ave)

Ummm ... the more recent of my purchases

• Ladies suits from Ann Taylor, clothing in general.
• Swarovski crystal at the Premium Outlet Mall

to remember my past little ones...... at a quarter of the price of Australia

• Pandora jewellery at Mall at Millenia
• Aveda shampoo / products
• US brand cosmetics / skin care / make up like Estee Lauder range of brands and products
• Cameras from the Sony shop at Mall at Millenia

UPDATE: My research is showing that Lindt chocolate are now running two outlet stores - Premium Outlet Mall and Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores - bringing extra discounts!

HINTS AND TIPS

• On Qantas you can pre pay for extra baggage for $123/bag up to 23 kgs. Buy enough stuff and it is cheaper than postage. USPS postage for 23kgs = $263 or 9 kg for $123
• Don't buy mobile phones or household electrical appliances. They won't work on Australian mobile systems and our voltage will make them explode!
• Although many battery powered devices (laptops, cameras) come with variable voltage transformers and work fine - check for those.
• Electronics, batteries and high value precious items must go in your carry on.  
• Buy goods online in advance and have them posted to your hotel. Take advantage of USA free shipping within the USA - even with that pre-paid bag still cheaper than postage to Australia.
• Shop for shoes first thing in the morning before your feet swell.
• Remove all the packaging
• Take less stuff and buy new and use immediately.

On this trip I will be looking for magnificent dress fabric in New York; a new pants suit for work; top up on my cosmetics; a Ted Baker jacket for my nephew; maybe tablet accessories? Of course my beloved Ferragamo shoes and chocolate supplies. Oh ... and am I supposed to buy The Ken Man a souvenir too?

What about you? What are your favourite holiday purchases?

Environmentality - the sweet, refreshing smell of...

.... garbage.

In a follow up to my original Environmentality post, The Orlando Sentinel this weekend published a 'story' - about a local firm with a composting breakthrough and their work with Walt Disney World.

Apparently, they take all the food scraps and turn it into electricity and garden fertilizer! How cool is that?

There is an awful amount of broccoli in there - Did 'ohana have a slow week? (source: orlando sentinel)

Can you imagine the amount of food scraps WDW generates - the parks, the resorts and the restaurants - and all the unsold produce in the shops?

Check out this neat video from the Orlando Sentinel which demonstrates the process being used at WDW. Give it a second to load and it should play automagically.

Built and run by Harvest Power - this is fabulous. Check out their webpage for Florida which has the greatest title - I can't write it here - you have to do read it to make it work!

The Orlando Sentinel first told the story .

I will never worry about not finishing my vegetables at 50's Prime Time Cafe again.

So gentle reader - what do you do with your food scraps? 

Planning

Are you still there?

I'm just here .... I am so busy right now - changed jobs, about to travel for 5 days, post Zonta District Conference paperwork still underway .... The Ken Man has a new client .... and even the changing of the season to a delightful and colourful spring has meant new gardening tasks!

Poor Snorfy is complaining that we aren't playing enough with him!

"Shocked and appalled at your lack of attention. We shall ignore you now."

Let me quickly share planning progress.  Wouldn't it be great to catch up if we are going to be in the same time and place?
 

I have booked my international flights from Canberra to DFW, and then from Washington back to Canberra. Still gotta think about my domestic USA flights.

Going to New York for my first time. I know there is more in New York to do than I will ever get done. i haven't begun to think about where to stay, what to do, how to get about.

You big green French lady - I want to climb inside your head

I have booked the Boardwalk Villas at WDW from 20 - 27 June. There are 7 of us Aussies going together. The more the merrier - come join us!

Whilst at WDW I'll be booking restaurants, and park visits. We are going kayaking on 25 June. We'll probably go to Kennedy Space Centre on 2 July.  Anyone who wants to join us on any of our adventures need just shoot me an email or join the Mrs Banks Facebook Group.

We are all booked in for Zonta International Convention - rooms, registration, Closing Banquet - even our Taste of the World dinner! My club will be holding down a Trade Stall on the Monday on Fundraising. How can we not demonstrate how successful we have been with Lynn McKenzie's own Pre Loved Fashion Sale idea!?!

 

Then Washington DC for the 4th of July! Unless someone can tell me a better place to go .... Like New York, this will be my first visit so I am really excited about Washington - The Smithsonian museums, the national monuments, the parade marching up and down the square! The fireworks! Does it get any better?

I am looking for Zontians in any of these cities who want to catch up - say for lunch or dinner. Or any Zontians who want to join our fun in Orlando - just shoot me a note!

Munching my way to paradise - at Victoria and Albert's Restaurant

Everyone at some point can enjoy a great meal - right?

Even people who just see food as a calorific experience or at the other extreme - gourmands who chase down extreme meals - even these people can occasionally spot an exceptional experience (surely?)

And so I donned my Mr Creasote attitude and the infinity expanding dress and went to enjoy my highlight meal at Victoria and Albert's restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort.  My highlight meal - at the Chef's Table!! Solo ..........(said in singsong voice)

yep - I booked that baby - one sitting per night - and it was all MINE!

and, really, that attitude was pretty much the one I maintained throughout 11 courses.

OK - so one arrives at the delightfully elegant restaurant entrance, and am pretty swiftly escorted out the back - although I may tempt the situation at times, I was not escorted ALL THE WAY out through the rear exit. Down to a little area at the back of a pretty small kitchen is where they have the little guest table.

Not a revolving restaurant with fireworks

I have no idea what dishes they produce from this little tiny area - it was obviously not the only  preparation area. There seemed to be working on appetizers / entrees / main course - savory meaty things. There was a distinct lack of dessert.

Sitting there slowly getting tipsy on the provided glass of Piper Hiedieck Cuvee champagne, Head Chef Scott Hunnel was suddenly present - joining me with a glass of champagne - and welcoming me to the restaurant.

so ... it was kinda like this ...except less beautiful people and more Mr Creasote (source: doctored by me, original by wdwcompany)

Chef Hunnel reiterated my booking requests - no chicken or offal, more seafood and game! and then the dishes began to arrive.

In my desire to simply serve you I have made this little mini film of all the dishes! See how I care for you?


Oh WOW - did you catch all that? Here are some little fun facts:

• The "fog" in the lamb dish is made with appley juice - so the room smells all appley!
• The miniature herbs and vegetables come from a specialist gardener in Ohio, Chef's Garden. They grow everything to precise order - so 21 day old carrots or 14 day leeks as small as your finger. And they are harvested by miniature bunnies.

(source: cheezburger.com)

• You can pay extra to add special ingredients including caviar and Australian wagyu beef
• You can pay extra and get completely smashed with a matching glass of wine for every course! yes 11 glasses of wine for dinner .... your cordon bleu would quickly become "cor, I'm bleurgghhhh"
• They customise every dinner, so no two meals are the same, and you can have dishes different to what is served in the main dining room.
• The seating lasts about 4 hours. You can take a break - or possibly even go watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
• Every dish was served by a different person - I met all the main players in the restaurant.
• The Chef's Table can accommodate up to 10 guests
• If I had a man with me, his take away gift would have been a small loaf of orange bread stuff

The whole time I am munching away, these guys are working

Chef Hunnel like to run what he calls a "quiet kitchen" - so sorry - there are no Gordan Ramsay-ish outbursts. I suppose it works for him. He does have an awful lot of awards and is considered Orlando's No.1 restaurant by a number of outlets and check out the reviews on Tripadvisor

So this meal went both to my head and my waistline. I was a giggling food expert about 3 dishes in - admiring the technical expertise, how the beauty and flavour of best quality ingredients was highlighted in every dish, and pleasantly surprised at how new blends of flavours came together so well - or old favourite flavours were masterfully replicated.

Preparing the meat portions on a large baking tray on the top burners. Up top is a tray of prepped golden chanterelle mushrooms

I simply can't say anything bad about this meal - they delivered all my favourite ingredients, prepared perfectly, there was plenty of theatre, talking to all of the people was like having a chat with your best friend - they are just so delightfully friendly!

Whilst a lot of money in absolute terms, my proposition is that this meal is actually excellent value - the meal cost me USD $300 - that covered everything - including tax, gratuity, world class 11 courses, an upgraded Dover Sole dish (not in video), 2 glasses of wine, tea, the take home chocolates and rose, and all the pleasure of private entertainment!

I am definitely doing this again in June - bookings open 180 days in advance of my hotel room arrival date - so I will be on the phone seeking a seating!

Of course - YOU ARE INVITED TOO!

Save up your pennies now, join up with the Mrs. Banks Facebook Group and you will have first notice to join the group when I book.

I give this meal, 3 Mr Creasotes - cause it really was an extraordinary amount of food

and 6 spoon fulls of sugar - for absolute delightfulness!

What dining experiences are you joyfully anticipating for our trip to Orlando?

Kill, Refurb, Marry - WDW Resorts

Well - apparently I lived a sheltered youth.

Whilst I was avoiding 'spin the bottle' and 'Truth or Dare' ....(side note - although I am the right age for that strange Madonna combination of 'dare with a bottle' - ummm where was I ...???) OH YEAH apparently the girlies of the Americas were playing something called "Snog, Marry, Kill"

Anyway my sheltered life, in Australia, avoiding funnel web spiders, taipan snakes and boxing kangaroos, meant that my teenagerhood was a big snooze fest.

So when Melissa from Mouse on the Mind invited me to participate in her Kill, Refurb, Marry game I thought I was in with the cool chicks! (insert a "whatever..." here)

 

OK - so let's see - we'll start with KILL - KILL - KILL IT WITH FIRE!! 

Tonight the insurance claim is going in for the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. 

Oh Disney - where is the magic? - well approx 10 kilometres away by a circuitous bus route. Where is the theming? YES - The theme is ORDINARY EAST COAST HOTEL ROOM! HURRAH! or even some of the basics - like the lack of convenience and lack of hidden mickeys.  I may as well have stayed ACROSS THE ROAD at the Plaza and paid one third the price. 

 

So for being the most inconvenient, boring, "only built to spin timeshare points" resort, SSR is being excommunicated from vision of an ideal WDW. 

REFURB

Now being a middle- aged woman, I understand the concept of refurbishment. Everyday during my ablutions, all kinds of refurbishments are attempted. But when it come WDW resorts there is one place that I think could do with a pick-me-up to bring her back to the delightful, sunny, exuberant lady she once was.

For me, that's The Beach Club Resort.

The forty bajillion squillion kiddies have run this lady ragged. The once cute "Little Mermaid" carpet looks like it hasn't been replaced since the film originally came out. There are little scuff marks everywhere. There was the wonky door handle on our balcony door, worst pillows and squashed flat cushions on the chairs.

Like me, this lady doesn't have wrinkles and cracks - they're character lines!

With a magnificent pool and lush gardens and fabulous location - Return her to her glory!

MARRY

This is a hard one - I think I would want to play the field - test a few more out - before I committed to just one resort. Does that make me a Resort slut?? I just sleep in them and treat them like the cheap piece of meat they are.

But not my beautiful Polynesian Resort.

Your sensuous green marble bathrooms; your giant room sizes, your lapu lapus. The giant waterfall in the foyer. Tonga Toast. The amazing gorgeous lush green gardens, the little suction cups on the shower curtains.

The laid back, island time vibe, whilst still on the monorail or walking distance to the transport centre - together allow that you can go at whatever pace you want. How I would love for us to be committed to each other forever. Say it can be so.

Oh - so with that last pleasant thought in my head, I thank Melissa for sending me to my happy place.

Now go! visit the other blogs - and learn more about WDW resorts!!

Day Tripping: Options with Zonta International 2014 Convention

We're on a bit of a theme here - Day Trips!

I have a recommended day trip, Zonta have a recommended day trip - between us we can drain your wallet and your energy and leave you feeling like the over-excited 6 yr old who's had blue food colouring.

...and then we'll go on the segways, and then the horsies, and then go bass fishing, and then lunch at Chef Mickey's, and .....

Zonta International have released the Call to Convention - with all the fun options and boring stuff you have to know. Let's look at the FUN!

I have already given you multiple insights into the delights of Winter Park - what with the shopping and the little boat tour and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum with the Tiffany Glass.This is a MUST - even if you do not do the Zonta tour - somehow get yourself to Winter Park.  If you are reading this, then you'll want to come with me. Cause my visit to Winter Park will have an extra - The Wine Room - remember this post?

The other MUST DO on the day trip list is the Kennedy Space Centre. I am yet to do a post on KSC but it is one of the unique places in the world to visit.

oh .... dang ..... it is too late at night for me .... I am supposed to avoid saying something like ..."out of this world"  or "I need my space"  or "to infinity and beyond" - source = kennedyspacecentre facebook

Bargain shopping in Orlando is definitely worth checking out. Both destinations offered by Convention are great - among the best on offer. Strangely not mentioned, there is a Prime Outlet Mall under 10 minutes away at Vineland Ave rather than the International Drive location, which is a 30 minute drive. You have to drive past the Vineland location to get to the International Drive location. Go figure.

Red dot marks the Marriott, A = Vineland Dr and B = International Dr malls.

The airboat ride doesn't really take my fancy. I have to admit I much prefer the quiet sneakiness of the kayak tour. And coming from Australia where we have plenty of man eating salt-water crocodiles, I would much prefer to go out to the Gulf and snorkle with the manatees.

far less chompy

I have to admit I am without guidance for you with regard to the other tours on offer. The art classes, airboat ride, and chocolate apple dipping are outside of my experience.

I urge you to do some of these day trips - even if you go under your own steam (and frankly I will be for Winter Park and the shopping.)  The selection on offer is a tiny fraction of all experiences and entertainment you can partake in Orlando. So if these don't take your fancy, do not fret, there will be plenty of other activities that will.

What buying a Convention trip gives you is ease of transport, meeting new people, and making new friends.  There will be plenty of like-minded ladies around you to laugh and joke with as you hone your chocolate drizzling or chat on the bus ride.

What are your plans for day tripping? What sights would you like to see?

How Zonta International Convention will be hotter than Jennifer Lawrence!

Right now, here in Canberra, it's freezing.

Dead of winter.

Frosts everyday.

Polar fleece, gloves, blankies, central heating. I'm a wuss. A cold wuss.

Crap! Look at next weekend! -5 c (23F) to only 6 C (43F) And it's described as "COOL" - WTF?

Whilst this time of year in Orlando, it's a tropical heatwave!

Mr Ice Cream Man! You've come back to me!

How do you deal with the summer weather?

Here's a couple of my suggestions you could try:

Pace your Day
Get up early in the morning, go back inside at lunch time, and then come out again for dinner and the evening.  Guess what? Most people on vacation stay up late and SLEEP IN. Beat the heat and the crowds with early morning starts.

It is really hard to do 12 hours out in a theme park, at the pool or kayaking the swamps.  So get up early and do your outdoorsy stuff first up, then retreat - away from the crowds and have a nap or a swim or at least get into the air conditioning. Staying on site at WDW makes this strategy really easy - just hop on the monorail or a bus back to the hotel, when the crowds are really starting to arrive in the middle of the day.

Come out for dinner and then you'll have the evening for a theme park or wandering Downtown Disney in the cool.

The Rain is OK
June is the beginning of the wet season. It's not hurricane season, but you will have those afternoon short storms. Rain isn't going to stop any of the sights so you can keep going.

You'll rarely see an umbrella (they are too difficult to manage). The rain outfit of Orlando is the plastic poncho!  Top of the range are the Disney ponchos - I bought these for $8 in 2006 and they are still in perfect condition. You could go to your local $2 shop - or - yes - there are plenty of people who punch a few holes in those green garbage bags.

At least Mickey has a hood - beats the garbage bag every time.

The problem part about being in the rain is that your feet may get wet. Wet feet in wet shoes is a recipe for blisters. If rain is likely, carry a change of foot ware, put it in a locker when you arrive and then you change into dry shoes when needed. 

Bring your own air conditioning
There are a bunch of options in this category:

• Disney will happily sell you a misting fan - full of icy water and batteries, this baby is will mist you and keep you cool for a whole hour or so - until the water reaches ambient temperature. Then you have to go around and beg the vendors for ice for top ups.

$15 will get you the top of the range tepid water fan cum mister

Then you'll discover that they are too big to fit in the freezer portion of your hotel room bar fridge, too big to shove in a carry bag or even carry easily - esp. when getting on and off rides; and too big to take home in your luggage.  (not bitter at all)

If you must have one of these, go to Walmart and choose a smaller, cheaper version.

• Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads - these hi-tech fabric scarves, bandanas and cloths come in a range of shapes and colours, and are reasonably inexpensive. When wet they become super cooling and are re-usable. Better still - they fit in your luggage!

Similar to chilly pads are these odd cooling vests. I hope you can keep up the ice supply in your little bar fridge freezer!

Use the Available Resources
Take advantage of the trees, shade, ice cream vendors, air conditioned stores and restaurants as much as you can.

• instead of walking down the middle of Main Street USA, walk through the air conditioned stores.
• instead of catching the open air boats, ride the air conditioned monorail and buses
• do the outdoor rides early or late and do the indoor air conditioned shows, movies and rides in the the hot times
• book lunch indoors in an air conditioned venue
• remember your sun screen and hats. Use rated rashies when at the pool.
• go and have your spa or salon treatment in one of the resort hotels
• take advantage of the giant misters in the parks

Ahhh .... cool misty goodness..... I wonder if the water is recycled?

I know everyone has their heat beating tips and hints .... and we'll be wanting to know them all next June!

Ray of Light

Here in Canberra, I work directly across the road from the National Gallery of Australia. I get to keep up with all the latest blockbuster international art exhibitions that come to Australia. Right now we are enjoying a Turner exhibition from Britain's Tate Gallery.

Turner, Derwentwater, 1797 - 1801

Basically, Turner is famous for his interpretation of light, and his mastery of technique which reflects emotion through the use of light in the painting.

Throughout the centuries, artists have been playing with light using different media. And so it is time for us to return to Louis Comfort Tiffany and his use of light through glass.

Daffodils window 1916 at the Morse Museum

Every December the community of Winter Park hold a HUGE Christmas in the Park celebration. The street is closed to traffic, local stores and restaurants set up stalls. 

The chinky clinky pavers were all mine onto which I could scamper!

In the actual park at Winter Park, there is a Christmas concert. The students and artists from the Rollins College of Liberal Arts come with the Bach Festival Society, and the Brass Ensemble and play Bach Christmas music and other classics.

It was jammed packed with thousands of people - all with their folding chairs, their bubbly and little nibbly things

Scattered throughout the park, the Morse Museum displayed huge Tiffany window panels in free standing light boxes. These things were easily the size of a large door. These pieces only ever came out for this park celebration. They were kept in the archives and not on display in the museum.

Several were religious themes: such as this panel depicting the Genesis story of Hagar, as Hagar and Ishmael are banished into the desert and the angel of the Lord brings forth a fresh water spring.

Most though were simple beautiful floral based themes.

There are 11 of these panels, all of which are dedicated, one each, to the members of a select group of women. This group of wealthy New York ladies founded the Association for the Relief of Respectable, Aged Indigent Women in 1814.

The Association operated housing for genteel women, who had found themselves homeless, say through inheritances passing to male lines of the family or losing their husbands in the Revolution or the War of 1812.

Operating about 100 years before Zonta, these ladies were at least opening the door on 'women as philanthropists' and supporting fellow women in need. 

The ladies included Olivia Slocum Sage, who married to a robber baron and childless, inherited over $70 million in 1906 when Mr Sage died. Olivia donated $250,000 for the construction of a new wing and chapel at the residence. It was this chapel where these 11 panels were housed.

The clematis climbs the trellis, toward a white dove - the Christian symbol for the Holy Spirit.

Other members of the Association included Katherine Hinman Hamlin, who was wealthy enough to have had an obituary in The New York Times; and Ruth Seely Dunning, who was married to a prominent New York attorney. These ladies clearly had resources at their disposal. Though the background of most is unknown.

And the choir sang on

In 1974, the Chapel was threatened with demolition. The Association Board approached Hugh and Jeanette McKean, the founder of the Morse Museum in 1942 (it named after Jeanette's father, Charles Hosmer Morse) and offered the panels for safe keeping.

Julia Henop Memorial

Today, there is no Zonta in Winter Park. The closest thing is The Women's Club of Winter Park.  These ladies commenced in 1915, at the home of Jeannette McHugh's mother - Helen Morse. (It's a small world in Winter Park). Somewhat like a Zonta Club, they focus on local community service, student scholarships and a range of social activities, such as art, music, travel, and drama. Those ladies set up the Christmas tree for the concert.

The decorations were hand-drawn by local school kiddies.

This post reminds me of our Zonta emblem: the 'Z' like character in the emblem is the Sioux symbol for "ray of light", "sunshine", "flash of radiance" or "inspiration". The symbol alludes to each and all members of Zonta being radiant with Zonta's values and an inspiration to others.

You  might not be able to afford an honorary Tiffany glass window panel, but you can proudly display your own light through your actions.

BONUS SHOT:

At the end of evening, walking back to the car, I came across this:

Your USA Southern style kindie: mini southern mansion with mini portico and columns and all your little mini-me kiddies. of course ......

Remember: my offer still stands - I have arranged a free guided tour of the Morse Museum for Zontians who wish to join me in Orlando at Convention time. Details will come - eventually.