Confessions of a Disney-a-holic

For collector and Disney fan Belinda Lee Osbourne, these lyrics from The Little Mermaid, couldn’t resonate more. Belinda’s life is steeped in Disney – from the bedding she sleeps in, to the ornaments she uses to decorate her Christmas tree, and the birthday gifts she receives from her fiancé and family.

Belinda cites her favourite Disney character and movie as Cinderella, followed closely by Belle and Beauty and the Beast.

“Both of these played an influential role in my childhood growing up. My Mum told me that I once watched Beauty and the Beast so much that I wore the tape out and ruined our VCR machine!”

For Belinda, Disney is more than a casual interest. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a religion.

 The Cave of Wonders

Belinda is no ordinary collector. She is living a Disney themed life in every way!

Belinda and her fiancés bedroom provides the ultimate sanctuary for any Disnerd. The main focus of the room - the bed - is dressed with Mickey and Minnie bed linen, which is then completed with the addition of plush toys from Disney films such as Tangled, The Lady and The Tramp, and more! The rest of the room is bathed in Disney artwork, a Mickey Mouse clock, Disney clothing and finally, shelves housing her Disney figurine collection – Belinda’s pride and joy.

The obsession with Disney figures began in November 2013 when one of Belinda’s best friends introduced her to award-winning artist Jim Shore’s Disney work, where she instantly fell in love. Jim Shore’s unique take on iconic Disney characters has made him extremely successful, and made him a household name among Disney fans and collectors. Belinda still recalls the moment when her collection officially began and she purchased her first piece “Faith in Flight”, a Dumbo figure flying above circus tents. That day, a lifelong addiction was formed.

Belinda has grown to become a big fan of Jim Shore’s work and one of Belinda’s favourite collections is the Disney princess ‘Castle Dress’ collection;  

 “The Disney Princess dress collection is unlike anything Jim Shore has done before. I love the accuracy he has when crafting each princess and the scenes with the castle dresses are gorgeous, not to mention the perfect colours on them all. I have begun my collection with Cinderella and plan on expanding next with Ariel and Rapunzel. I fell in love with them instantly and knew it was a collection I had to have.”

 To date, Belinda has purchased 40 pieces from Jim Shore’s ‘Disney Traditions’ line, and is currently expecting two more to arrive any day now.

It’s a Small World After All

Any Disney collector knows that the ultimate dream is set foot inside the paradisiac wonderland that is, Disneyland Resort.

Belinda’s dream was brought to life in August 2014 when her, then boyfriend, Mark took her to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California.

Belinda spent three magical days exploring Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park and the Disney Downtown District. Their nights were spent at the Disneyland Hotel which Belinda describes as ‘amazing’, and when the pair weren’t meeting characters from the park and queueing for the world class rides offered, Belinda was stocking up on the merchandise available in the gift shops including key rings, plush toys, artwork for the walls and much more!

Someday My Prince Will Come

Belinda’s trip to ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ soon became something much more when, in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, under a sky full of fireworks, Mark proposed - with a Mickey ring purchased from a gift shop within the park.

When Belinda and Mark returned to their home in Melbourne, Belinda went about arranging an engagement party that was in keeping with the way that she became engaged – Disney style. The engagement party was a lavish affair, featuring a Disney themed candy bar which Belinda designed herself, as well as Disney themed cupcakes and table top decorations.

The big day, which is set to take place on Saturday, 23rd April 2016, will also feature a Disney theme.

Belinda will wear a Disney Fairytale bridal gown by designer Alfred Angelo with custom made shoes that feature her new married name and the wedding date on the bottom, in Disney lettering. Other Disney dress wear for the day includes a Disney necklace that will complement Belinda’s wedding gown, diamond Mickey Mouse necklaces for the bridesmaids and silver Mickey head cufflinks for the men. The bridesmaids are also being gifted embroidered robes that read ‘Disney Bridesmaid’.

Belinda will walk down the aisle to an instrumental version of ‘I See the Light’ from Tangled before getting hitched and moving onto the reception. Guests attending the reception will be seated at tables themed to a specific Disney couple and their movie, while the DJ plays ‘Be Our Guest’ from Beauty and the Beast. Table numbers, centrepieces and guest place cards are among the Disney themed  finishing touches which will add to this themed occasion, as well as a Cinderella cake knife set and grand wedding cake that will feature Cinderella and Prince Charming atop.

After the wedding, Mark is taking Belinda back to Disneyland California and to Florida to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando. Belinda has already purchased her Mickey Mouse luggage in preparation for the occasion.

To browse pieces by Jim Shore or other Disney collectables like Belinda’s, head over here.