Hallmark: Disney Lion King 25th Anniversary Musical Ornament With Light

I saw the Hallmark Lion King 25th Anniversary Ornament when I was looking for items to use as part of a display for my Couture Kingdom Lion King jewellery. As Hallmark don’t sell their Christmas ornaments in the UK I purchased mine via EBay UK for $45 including postage.

  

I love it, but their are a few caveats to this statement.  It plays Hakuna Matata and the back lights up.  The sound, as you can hear in my YouTube clip is perfect, not distorted or muffled even though the speaker is on the bottom of the ornament. Pumba and Simba are perfect replicas of the cartoon version. Now the caveats, the light isn’t as intense as the  picture on the box and Timon is the same colour as Pumba whereas on the box and in the original movie he is a lot lighter in colour. Apart from that it is the perfect item to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Lion King movie and looking at it brings back happy memories of going to watch it at the cinema. 

I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in this blog post are my own. 

Review: Viscata Pubol Espadrille Wedges in Black

I have size UK2/EU35 bony but wide  fitting feet. I also have neuropathic pain all over my body but especially in my feet so I find it extremely painful to break in or to wear footwear that blisters or rubs my feet. I cannot wear high heels (although I am only 4ft 7” so would love to) due to a spinal injury and mobility issues. Due to the size of my feet I also find it difficult to find “grown up” footwear that is reasonbly priced and not designed for narrow feet! Not much to ask is it! 

I was browsing on Google and found Viscata Barcelona, a Spanish company that handcrafts espadrilles and flats in Spain. I found the prices to be slightly cheaper on Amazon UK but there is a wider variety on Viscata’s own website. Prices range from £74 to £110 and designs included espadrille wedges, flats, bridal, platforms and sandals made in a variety of materials. 

I chose the Pubol Espadrille Canvas Wedges  (£69.95 Amazon/ £74.95 Viscata Barcelona)in black - there are 11 colours to choose from. The top is made from canvas, the sole is comfortable and padded and the wedge is 2.5” in height (1.5” wedge/ 1” platform). The sole is rubber and jute and the ankle strap is leather. 

I found these wedges extremely comfortable from the start, the canvas top and leather strap didn’t rub  or blister my feet and I didn’t have to break them in slowly. The 2” wedge gave me some much needed height and the V in the canvas top gives the shoe an elegant grown up vibe. 

These shoes aren’t particularly cheap but they are well made and comfortable to wear and should last me for years, so they are well worth the price point. I would recommend this brand and purchase again from them in the future.

I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in this blog are are my own.