Life is like a beautiful Melody

American Girl

I honestly don't know how I'm going to survive until this summer when Melody Ellison is released.

American Girl has been doing an excellent job this week promoting Melody because of Black History Month.

Because February is Black History Month, your daughter may be learning about Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights movement in school. But even in our own changing times, civil rights issues and the social climate of the 1960s may be difficult for her to fully understand. That is why we are so proud to introduce our compelling new BeForever™ character, Melody, whose story reflects the changing face and history of the nation during that important era.

Nine-year-old Melody is growing up in Detroit in the mid-1960s, a time of great energy, optimism, and change for the African American community. She is a singer and loves to perform in church, with her family, and in her community. Her stories are set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, which was gathering momentum, and the music scene, including the success and popularity of Motown Records and its artists.

As Melody gains more awareness of racial inequality and her sense of community grows from her extended family to include her neighborhood and, ultimately, all African Americans, she is inspired by Dr. King to have a dream of her own: to lift her voice for fairness and equality.

Because many girls are interested in music and performing, as well as starting to find their own "voice" and express their opinions, they'll find Melody's stories engaging and entertaining. You'll love that they're educational, too, helping your girl connect with the past on a more personal level. Come meet Melody Ellison and introduce her to your girl today!

But what is Momma most excited about? Vernors. Melody constantly drinks ginger ale in her first book, especially Vernors - a Detroit invention and midwestern favorite. And what did Momma spot on the table during yesterday's CBS This Morning broadcast? A teeny-tiny bottle of Vernors!

So what's the deal about Vernors? That will be a lesson for another day.

Counting puppies

I must admit I am Quite Amused watching Momma make a fool of herself over the new BeForever girl, Maryellen. (I was very surprised that Sissy didn't get her!)

Momma is the same age as Julie, but eras can blend easily when you're raised in a small town. Momma relates a bit more to the 1950s than she does the 1960s for many reasons, including the wearing of hand-me-downs from her older cousins. 

But one of the things Momma likes best about Maryellen is Scooter.

Scooter is Maryellen's lovable dachshund dog. He's short and stout with soft tan fur and sweet brown eyes—and he's always looking for a comfortable place to rest.

And with Maryellen's Sofa Bed Set,

In the 1950s, autograph books took on a new form—as stuffed animals! This set also comes with a dachshund-shaped toy dog printed with the names of Maryellen's classmates.

Momma's family has had dachshunds for as long as she can remember. (Girl of the Year Lindsey has always been one of her favorites, but she was disappointed Mr. Tiny was never made.) So you can imagine her excitment when she spotted the new Counting Puppies pajamas from Target. Even the turquoise and pink colors are nearly perfect for Maryellen.

I'm detecting a couple of trends here, aren't you?

How to make an American Girl quilt

American Girl

Momma and I are both Quite Pleased that American Girl is giving the BeForever girls some long overdue attention. Not only are new items being added, but old items are being freshened up.

In particular, my doppelgänger's Bed and Bedding.

Once Addy and her family move into the boarding house, she has a bed of her own for the very first time. It features:

• A sturdy wooden bedframe with an authentic “fly-specked” finish
• A checkered pillow trimmed in ruffles
• A muslin mattress that’s supported by woven rope instead of bedsprings, as was typical in Addy’s day
• A beautifully detailed quilt—inspired by a Civil War era design—with nine squares depicting Addy’s family album

 

They kept the quilt! They kept the rope bed! The pillow has been changed from the realistic plain muslin to one with ruffles, but I don't care.

 

They kept the quilt!

 

 

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!

We came, We shopped. We dropped.

The One and Only

Don't you think I deserve a my own spot?

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 and went to the soft opening for the new American Girl Scottsdale store!

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

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

I'll write more (photographs, too!) over the next few days, but I had to tell you the Inside Scoop!

Maryellen, the newest BeForever girl, will be available this weekend in Scottsdale - five days before the national debut!

Maryellen wants to stand out, but with five brothers and sisters, it's not so easy. Giving herself a haircut doesn't go quite the way she expects—and when she draws a cartoon of her teacher on the first day of fourth grade, she draws more attention than she wants! At least her drawing skills help her make an interesting new friend. Together they might be able to win the Geography Bee—but only if Maryellen can find a way to make her old friends overcome their prejudice.

The One and Only, the first volume of the Maryellen's stories about growing up in the 1950s, tells how Maryellen learns to stand out and be her own person.

American Girl Scottsdale Grand-Opening Celebration
August 22: 9 a.m.
August 23: 10 a.m.

Discover the newest American Girl store, coming soon to Scottsdale Quarter! You and your girl are invited to join in the fun during our grand-opening weekend. She’ll enjoy free crafts, exciting activities, and doll drawings, and receive a FREE gift—just for attending! Gift available while supplies last. Scottsdale Quarter, Scottsdale AZ - Grand Opening Ticket Entry Process:

• To manage guests’ waiting times and observe fire-safety regulations, a ticket system will be used for the American Girl Scottsdale – Scottsdale Quarter Grand-Opening Weekend.
• Each person (including children) who wishes to enter the store will receive a ticket with an assigned group number.
• We recommend parking in the Scottsdale Quarter parking structures: South Garage, East entrance.
• A-frame signs will be set out to assist customers
• American Girl guests are recommended to visit the Quad at the shopping center located by the fountain as their first stop to obtain tickets for entrance into the store.
• Ticket distribution for Saturday admittance begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, August 22nd.
• Saturday tickets are valid for Saturday only.
• Ticket distribution for Sunday admittance begins at 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 23rd.
• Sunday tickets are valid for Sunday only.
• Overnight camping is not allowed on property.
• When the store opens each day, groups will be announced in numerical order for admittance through the American Girl entrance adjacent to the main entrance on 73rd.
• You can shop or dine in Scottsdale Quarter until your group number is called. If you have a Bistro reservation, you can come directly to the ticket-distribution table, as check-in is allowed up to two hours prior to your Bistro reservation time. The ticket-distribution table will be located outside the store.
• Facebook message alerts will be available, providing updates on group numbers being admitted; details below.
• Access the event page starting Saturday, August 22nd on your mobile device
• Once Facebook is open, search “American Girl”
• When on the page, scroll down until “Upcoming Events” section appears on the American Girl Facebook page.
• The Scottsdale events will be the most recent posting, make sure to look at the correct date.
• Simply hit “Join” right there on the page.
• Check Facebook settings to make sure notifications are on otherwise check back on event page for live updates
• Text Message alerts will be available as well, providing updates on group numbers being admitted; details below.
• You may sign up for text alerts by texting AGSQ to 444222 (message and data rates may apply). For SMS Terms and Conditions + Privacy Policy visit pocketstop.com/ag-scottsdale-quarter
• You can also follow Scottsdale Quarter on Facebook at Facebook/Scottsdale Quarter
• American Girl is not responsible for compatibility issues or technical difficulties with technological devices.
• Event staff and security officers will also be able to assist with information on what group numbers are being called.
• American Girl reserves the right to stop ticket distribution at any time based on space and time-frame constraints.

Also, Valerie Tripp is scheduled to appear in Scottsdale from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Tripp is best known for her American Girl historical/BeForever characters: Felicity, Elizabeth, Josefina, Samantha, Nellie, Kit, Ruthie, Molly, Emily, and Maryellen.

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!

 

Project Runaway

Hmm....

To help debut the new clothing line, American Girl is partnering with Lifetime's Emmy®-nominated "Project Runway" for a BeForever-inspired designer challenge that will air on Sept. 18 at 9 p.m. EST/8p.m. CST. And, to extend the Project Runway experience for fans, a selection of the actual designs created for the BeForever-themed episode will be showcased at American Girl retail stores nationwide this fall.

And to think neither Heidi nor Tim has contacted us yet.

Harumph.

We might not be ready for prime time, but Momma has the sewing skills and I have runaway runway experience.

Elle marche dans la beauté comme la nuit

wildeimagination.com

Whew, what a day for dolls!

First was the long awaited release of BeForever.

Secondly, a Dear Friend found a Coffin Bean Robecca for Me!
 
Third, and finally, my beloved Wilde Imagination released a new character doll in their wildly popular Evangeline Ghastly line!

Meet Angelique de la Nuit - a childhood friend of Parnilla's! Angelique was born in Hoboken, New Jersey as Gladys Hope Goldfarb. Soon after, she moved to Paris....

At a mere $225, I better start saving my half-dimes.

Dress like your doll

Okay, I have to admit it. Momma and I both really, really, really like the new Ribbon Trim Sundress for Girls.

This pretty sundress is inspired by Addy. The royal-blue print dress has a black waistband and trim, and cute black bows on the shoulders. It has a gathered bodice, and hidden pockets at the side seams of the full skirt. Above-knee length. Cotton. Imported. Blue. Sizes 6-16. 

$42

Once upon a time, Pleasant Company and American Girl both offered girl-sized versions of the dolls' various outfits. While very nice, maybe it wasn't as practical.

Addy's girl-sized outfit was sold as the "Striped Pink Dress" for $75, but was discontinued in 2000.

The new alternative is not only less expensive, but girls can wear the outfits daily now instead of saving them for special occasions and make believe.

Well done, American Girl. Well done.

Finding Freedom

Well, BeForever launched last night and (I never thought I'd say this) I miss the original cinnamon pink dress My doppelgänger came with.

Courageous Addy Walker has deep-brown eyes that open and close, golden hoop earrings, and thick black hair. She comes in an authentic 1864 outfit:

• A royal-blue print dress trimmed with black ribbon, with black bows atop short bell sleeves
• Lacy white pantalettes
• White stockings
• Black boots
• Two blue ribbons for her hair

The 18" Addy doll has a huggable cloth body, and her movable head and limbs are made of smooth vinyl. Includes the paperback book Finding Freedom, the first novel-length volume of Addy’s classic series.

The new Addy is very pretty (I love her hair!) and I like the blue dress, but it does not look like the first dress a runaway would receive or wear.

 

Sweet Treats are made of this

Betsy, Tacy, Tib, and I are sitting up late tonight watching American Girl closely for the launch of BeForever and Samantha.

The first item we spotted caused all three to swoon: Samantha's Ice Cream Parlor.

One of our very favorite places to hang out is Heinz's Ice Cream Parlour in Deep Valley, Minnesota. (Ours is equipped with the retired Sweet Treats Table and Bakery Case.) This parlor will be a perfect addition!

Scoop up some scrumptious fun! Fancy, mirror-lined ice cream parlors were popular in 1904—like Tyson's, the parlor that Samantha visits in New York City. This wonderfully detailed set will inspire hours of imaginative play. It includes:

• Two beautiful faux-marble counters with pink countertops that provide plenty of workspace; the front counter is for serving customers, while the back counter has an attached mirror with golden details and decorative columns, along with ice cream bins with removable lids
• A pink faux-marble soda fountain, featuring three shiny fountainheads with levers that really move and a "stained-glass" lamp on top that really lights up
• Nine scoops of pretend ice cream—chocolate, strawberry, and mint—that can be served in the pair of cones, bowls, or glass cups with shiny cup holders
• A metal ice cream scooper with a pretend heart-shaped "key" that would have helped twist the ice cream out
• A pretty pink chair
• An ornate metal old-time cash register with buttons and a drawer that opens
• A sign listing menu items
• A candy jar with a removable lid
• Two spoons, two lacy napkins, and a menu

$300

Times change. Girls are forever.

BeForever, the new American Girl line, launches on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, and I'm still not sure what to make of it.

Our new BeForever books feature our beloved historical characters in a new format designed to appeal to girls who like high adventure and contemporary fiction. We also have fun new puzzle and craft books, plus Bitty Baby activity books for little girls!

It appears the original six books for each character are now condensed into two:

Finding Freedom: An Addy Classic Volume 1 
by Connie Porter

Addy Walker’s family is planning a dangerous escape from slavery during the summer of 1864. But before they can leave, the most terrible thing Addy can imagine happens--her Poppa and her brother, Sam, are sold! Addy and her Momma decide they must head out on their own. Although the road to freedom is difficult, Addy’s new life brings new friends, school, and even the opportunity to help others. But when will her family be reunited? 

A Heart Full of Hope: An Addy Classic Volume 2
by Connie Porter

Having Poppa home fills Addy’s heart with happiness, and moving to a boarding house brings a new special friend--one who encourages Addy to always stay hopeful for the future. Then Addy enjoys the victory of having her idea chosen for a fair fundraiser, where a friendship is born, and the answer to a riddle brings a wonderful surprise. But will the rest of Addy’s family be reunited before the New Year?

And finally, each set has a third volume inviting the reader to time travel?

A New Beginning: My Journey with Addy

by Denise Lewis Patrick

What would it be like for a girl to suddenly find herself in Addy Walker’s world in the middle of the Civil War? How would she feel facing new freedoms and unexpected limits? In this book, readers can join Addy on adventures to outrun a slave catcher, raise money for soldiers, and search for Addy’s family. Their journey back in time can take whatever twists and turns they choose, as they select from a variety of exciting options in this multiple-ending story.

I have not seen any of the new Addy items other than the book covers and a gray market photo of the new Addy in her new blue Meet dress. However, my Dear Friend Samantha Parkington is shedding her Archived Status, and it appears she has a nifty new Ice Cream Parlor.

I can only hope my doppelgänger fares as well.

A New Beginning

I've been asked what I think about the upcoming redesign of the historic American Girl books and dolls: Beforever.

To be honest, I'm stumped.

I mean, why? Why mess with a good thing?

The photos I've seen of my doppelgänger are Pleasant and I imagine she'll be good Company, but, why?

It looks like the six book sets are being condensed into three book sets, and the reader can participate in the stories themselves, but, why?

Inquiring minds want to know.