Looking back on my previous blog anniversary posts, I still feel the same way about Hot On The Street. It’s my piece of the Internet that I can proudly call my own. What’s more, it’s not just a website or my Instagram handle — it’s a brand with a visual identity and a long-term investment. Today is Hot On The Street’s 8th anniversary and I’d like to take this opportunity to show you how I built my brand in the last year.
My recent vacations involved lots of shopping and good food, and my last visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida was no exception. My mom and I stayed at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista, which is near Disney Springs. This was our first time staying offsite and Uber made it easy to get around.
On our first morning in Orlando, we ate breakfast in the hotel at Covington Mill. I had a vegetarian burrito with grapefruit juice, which was so good that I insisted we return another morning, so I could order it again. On the first day, I was fully energized to go to Madame Tussauds and didn’t need to eat anything until after we finished taking 300 pictures with wax figures. I’m not exaggerating!
My post-modelling snack was probably the best (and most ironic) part: two scoops of cookie dough ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s! After some shopping at Macy’s and Sephora, we went to the Cheesecake Factory. Thankfully the lineup for a table at the Mall of Millenia was short compared to the new Cheesecake Factory at Yorkdale, which I haven’t visited yet.
I love Instagram Stories and I rarely look at Snapchat anymore. I like how it’s easy to produce content for Instagram Stories because there’s less emphasis on perfection. You can just snap a photo or record a short video, add text overlay (like a hashtag or your location for context) and/or emoji, and then you’re ready to share! With the new Type feature, you could even eliminate graphics from the equation if you’d prefer to make it a text-based post.
The latest trend on social media is all about creating and filling out survey templates designed for Instagram Stories that let your followers get to know you. For example, you might identify your favourite foods or reveal exactly how many Netflix shows you’ve binge watched. It’s become popular because it’s light and fun to share!
Typically, bloggers or illustrators who are super active on Instagram design the surveys you see. I would like to show you how some major brands are using their resources to make their own surveys and encourage fans to share.
I usually don’t pay attention to Groupon unless there’s a deal on Starbucks gift cards. But when a couple friends found a chocolate-making workshop on the site, I signed up to attend with them.
You know I love ordering custom cupcakes, but I haven’t done any real baking myself in a long time unless Pillsbury cookies count. It’s actually quite fun to decorate and customize treats without paying extra for someone else to do it.
Inside The Mad Bean cafe on Eglinton Ave West, we sat together and learned about the history of chocolate. For example, I discovered that the Mayans were the first to discover chocolate and for a long time, only the wealthy enjoyed it. (They didn’t have Walmart or convenience stores back then!) Spanish princess Marie-Therese was one of the most influential public figures who introduced chocolate to others, such as at her wedding.
Then we got to sample chocolates with cinnamon, ginger and cayenne. They were all so good!
Walking around Walt Disney World, you’re guaranteed to see hundreds of people wearing Disney clothing and accessories. Some of it’s from the Disney Store back home, some of it they just picked up at the theme park, and some of it they custom ordered so their group can match while on vacation.
From sneakers to t-shirts, I’ve been wearing Disney clothes for over 25 years. Over time, I’ve worn more of it at home in private, but I want that to change. Being a Disney fangirl is nothing to be ashamed of.
Like I said, I can’t resist walking into The Disney Store when I’m nearby. I’ve bought Disney things all over Canada and the United States, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I pick up something Disney related once I explore other countries.
When I went to New York last year, I made my first purchase of the trip at the Disney Store in Times Square. I love that store because there’s a ton of special products with a New York theme that you won’t find elsewhere. I picked up a black graphic t-shirt with mouse ears filled with icons of the city, such as Times Square, Central Park and the Empire State Building. It features Minnie Mouse dressed up as the Statue of Liberty too!
In Orlando this month, I picked up 2 accessories: silver sequin Minnie Mouse ears and a printed scarf.