American Girl Scottsdale: Soft Opening

What a day!

After an Exhausting couple of months with a job change for Momma and a month of illness for Grandmomma (including six surgeries!) we took a day for ourselves on Wednesday, August 19 and went to the Soft Opening for the new American Girl Scottsdale store!

The Grand Opening was Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23, but they quietly opened the store three days earlier for friends, family, and the media ... and for the new staff to get used to the computers and software before the hoards descend Saturday morning.

Whee! Talk about a kid in the proverbial candy store!

Momma and I met Susan, an American Girl public relations person who flew in from Wisconsin that morning. She asked if we had ever been to an American Girl store (yes, AGPLA), and gave us a tour of the new 12,000 square foot facility.

We were both Very Pleased to find the BeForever section at the very front of the store. Heading clockwise you got to see each doll displayed with her collection. Some were in cases but some were out for people to touch and feel.

The bistro was closed to the public, but the staff was serving the family and friends of employees for experience. (When Momma returned later with my Big Sister it was empty.) The bistro does include a teeny-tiny private dining room for parties - how fun!

The rest room has the doll hangers in both the stalls and by the sink. Momma insisted she take my photo there. How rude.

We checked out the Hair Salon where my Dear Friend Emily was getting her hair done, and saw the Creativi-Tees area. I want the "Stand Tall" T-shirt!

Can I tell you how much I want the Bride of Frankenstein costume wig?! It was even better in person!

We checked out Girl of the Year Grace. Grace's Pâtisserie is to die for, and Grace and BonBon will definitely be joining us later this year.

Having the new store Finally Open was exciting, but we could not wait for the Grand Opening and to meet Maryellen!

American Girl Scottsdale: Grand Opening to come!

There's a place for us

Ooh, the excitement is palpable around here!

American Girl Scottsdale is scheduled to open in 44 days!

Momma and my Big Sister and I went by the new location earlier today, but sadly, there was nothing to see other than construction workers going about their business.

However, since the new store is only 20 minutes away, Momma and I shall go by weekly and keep you, My Faithful Subjects, well informed.

We were excited to see the Scottsdale store map online. I thoroughly approve of the layout so far.

American Girl Place Los Angeles has the books and Girl of the Year as the primary focus when you first walk in. You have to go upstairs and search for the historic (Be Forever) sections. American Girl Scottsdale will have the Be Forever section front and center!

I hope my doppelgänger Addy is the Very First One to see!

 

A Surprise for Caroline ... and Me

As mentioned yesterday, I was curious about the big purchase Momma planned for my Big Sister.

We were also spending a lot of time in 1812.

Hmm.

Sure enough, Momma announced that Caroline Abbott would be joining our Vinyl American family.

As the War of 1812 begins, so does the story of Caroline Abbott's bravery. She loves sailing with her father, but when he's captured, Caroline must help keep the family's shipyard running. When she sees a chance to rescue her father, Caroline discovers that she must use her mind and heart to guide her decisions.

Momma encourages my Big Sister to read by having her read the American Girl books and, if my Big Sister can tell her what happens in each book, she can get the doll if she so desires when she finishes the series.

She desired.

At first she chose the 2013 Girl of the Year Saige Copeland, but upon further reflection (as well as spending time in the 1812 room) she decided upon Caroline.

So here's Caroline. I'm not certain who looks more surprised, me or Caroline!

I asked what I would receive for reading all the books in my library and Momma said I could have the Caroline Mini Doll.

Life is so unfair.

 

Wibbly-Wobbly, Timey-Wimey stuff

justforfun2291.blogspot.com

Several people have asked me about my recent TARDIS references about American Girl Place - Los Angeles.


Honestly, don't you people watch television?

The TARDIS, or Time And Relative Dimension In Space, is Doctor Who's vehicle and home that can take him to any place and any time.

A properly maintained and piloted TARDIS can transport its occupants to any point in time and space. The interior of a TARDIS is bigger on the inside, and its outside can blend in with its surroundings using the ship's "chameleon circuit."

Sadly, Dr. Who's TARDIS has a broken chameleon circuit which is why it has appeared as a London police box after a 1963 visit to London. 

Obviously, AGPLA doesn't move through time and space (or does it), but it does have rooms dedicated to 1764, 1812, 1824, 1853, 1864, 1914, 1934, 1944, and 1974.

That's a lot of time in one space.

I might have to ask Jennifer to crochet a TARDIS for me, too.

 

All that glitters

While at American Girl Place - Los Angeles, I was curious why we spent so much time in 1812. (I tell you, that place is a giant TARDIS!)

While pondering this, my eye was caught by the pewter dishes on the table.

Shiny!
 
Caroline celebrates her 10th birthday with family and friends as they enjoy a tableful of homemade treats! Your girl can host a similar party with:

• A pretend applesauce cake
• A ceramic pitcher, painted with an image of a majestic ship
• A bouquet of faux wildflowers
• Two lacy napkins
• Three metal plates for serving
• Two each metal forks, knives, and cups that are reminiscent of actual items from her era!

I told Momma that Caroline's Party Set was just the thing for my dirigible, but she reminded me (once again) that we were on a budget.

Harumph!

Besides, she had a big purchase to make for my Big Sister.

I wonder what that could be....



  

You can't catch me

The next item I had to examine at American Girl Place - Los Angeles was my Caroline's Skiff.

Papa built this beautiful wooden skiff at the family's shipyard—Caroline loves to go sailing with him on Lake Ontario. Papa even named the boat "Miss Caroline" after her—and painted it right on the side! True to her era, it features:

• Two seats to fit a pair of dolls, plus a mast with a canvas sail
• A pair of wooden oars Caroline can row with

I was pleased to see Caroline had thoughtfully placed her Travel Basket in the skiff - complete with gingerbread.

When Caroline sets off on her journey to find Papa, she packs everything she'll need for the trip. Your girl can re-create the moment today with this set, including:

• Five faux gingerbread cakes and two pretend apples
• A cloth napkin
• A special gift from Caroline to Papa—a map of Lake Ontario that hides a secret message!
• A woven basket to hold it all

Yum!

All I need to do is get rid of her. It says the skiff holds two dolls, but not dolls with full Unmentionables! Besides, I want that gingerbread for myself.

 

Girl of the Years

While at American Girl Place - Los Angeles I checked out the Girl of the Year Memorial.

Every year, American Girl introduces a brand-new character with a story about finding success in the face of challenges today. From making friends to overcoming mistakes and more, each Girl of the Year discovers something new about herself and the world around her.

There are currently 11 Girl of the Year dolls:

• 2001: Lindsey Bergman. 
• 2003: Kailey Hopkins.
• 2005: Marisol Luna.
• 2006: Jess McConnell.
• 2007: Nicki Fleming.
• 2008: Mia St. Clair.
• 2009: Chrissa Maxwell. Gwen Thompson and Sonali Matthews were also released as companions.
• 2010: Lanie Holland.
• 2011: Kanani Akina.
• 2012: McKenna Brooks.
• 2012: Saige Copeland.

While I am not considered a GOTY (harumph) there was a handy empty pedestal. 

Hmm, maybe I should start my own line of time travelers. We could be Girl of the Years!

I'm ready for my close-up.

Chasing my dream across the sky

While at AGPLA there were several things I had to see that are on my wish list.

First up, Saige's Hot Air Balloon Set.

I wrote about this in January when it was first released, but this was the first chance I got to actually examine it.

Love! 

Saige Steampunk Addie loves to soar high above the mountains with her dad! This high-flying set includes:

• A beautiful, colorful inflatable nylon hot air balloon with a basket that's big enough for a doll to stand inside and a door that swings open
• Faux binoculars that can hang around her neck
• A mini map of Albuquerque to track where they're floating
• A pilot's log book for her notes about balloon flights
• A faux camera, for capturing beautiful memories
• A messenger bag that's roomy enough to store everything inside

Sadly, this did not come home with me since Momma said we were on a "budget."

But a doll can always dream, right?

One in a million

I went off to find my friend Ivy after leaving the indignity of the restroom.

Harumph.

I found her hanging out with our friend Julie in 1974.

Ivy was greatly astonished to find several doppelgängers of herself standing around. I comforted her by saying there was an opportunity to be found in clones.

I demonstrated by taking her into the 1864 room (I think of AGPLA as one, giant TARDIS) and tried to waken my doppelgängers from their stasis.

Mwahaha. 

Dozens, nay hundreds, of Addys at my command!

Too bad it didn't work.

Momma said it took more than my half-dime to wake them from their slumber.

So now I am saving up. In the meantime, my Big Sister's Addy is amenable to my plans.

One down....

 

Hanging out

After we left Disneyland we made a quick trip to American Girl Place - Los Angeles since my Big Sister's cousins had never been there!

So what was the first thing we did?

Use the restroom - where Momma took this undignified photo of me using the doll holder.

I was not amused.

Where dreams come true

We're back!

Momma surprised us with a quick trip to Los Angeles where we spent one whirlwind day at Disneyland.

The next day, we stopped at American Girl Place - Los Angeles before heading home.

Phew!

I'll report more this week on our adventures but I wanted to share a word of caution.

Do not have your photograph taken when exhausted.

Humiliating, isn't it?

My cup of tea

Look at what Momma got for Me from American Girl® on clearance!

She first saw this set of four cups and saucers several years when she, my Big Sister and Grandmomma had lunch at the Los Angeles American Girl Cafe. She tried to get me a set last year when we went but all they had was pink - blech!

So she was ecstatic to spot these for me at a bargain price.