Doll Diaries

The Perfect Gift for Girls Who Love to Teach

Char — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:46:16 +0000

Yesterday while I was at Michael’s Craft Store trying to scope out the new American Girl Craft line (which they had in the back but hadn’t finished putting out yet) I picked up the Doll School: For Girls Who Love to Teach! (American Girl) set for my girls. They love these sets from American Girl, but this one has the best play value of any of them.

As soon as we got home they immediately started setting it up and continued to play with it for another 2 hours until I said it was bedtime. It is a great companion for the desk set, too!

The 34-piece set contains everything a girl needs to set up her own doll classroom – including:

32 page how to book
chalkboard/whiteboard
sticker sheets
the Rebecca mini book
a grade book
alphabet/handwriting banner
2 posters
easel
world map
locker door
fake library books
21 pages of teaching supplies like folders, journals, report cards, hall passes, class photos, art supplies and more

Doll School: For Girls Who Love to Teach! (American Girl) is about $15 (depending on where you get it) and makes a great birthday or holiday gift for any doll lover. It definitely will be on my Doll Diaries Best Doll Gifts list once I have it ready!!

The American Girl of the Year (GOTY) 2010 Will Be Lanie

Char — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:26:16 +0000

As the release date for the American Girl of the Year – GOTY 2010 gets closer and closer, we are starting to get more clues as to who she is and what her stories will be all about. I think we can confirm that the name of the American Girl GOTY 2010 will be Lanie based on the screen capture of Chapters.ca website that was just sent to me by Hannah’s mom:

Thanks to the fabulous Doll Diaries readers who help find all the best doll scoop!!

A Little More American Girl of the Year 2010 Information

Char — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:11:42 +0000

The American Girl site itself reveals a little bit of information about the Girl of the Year (GOTY) doll for 2010. From the Events page:

Girl of the Year Activity Day

Your girl can celebrate the arrival of our 2010 Girl of the Year during an event that’s inspired by a love of the outdoors! Your girl can participate in a scavenger hunt, and then make her own nature notebook and flower bookmark. Free and open to the public. For girls ages 8 and up.

Event details by store

Atlanta: January 1, 2, 3; February 28
Boston: January 1, 2, 3, 10; February 26; March 24
Chicago: January 1, 2, 3, 9, 16, 18, 23, 30; February 6, 20
Dallas: January 1, 2, 3, 29; February 13; March 7
Los Angeles: January 1, 2, 3, 18; March 6
Minneapolis: January 1, 2, 3
New York: January 1, 2, 3; February 5; March 26

Girl of the Year 2010 Celebration

She can be one of the first to learn about our Girl of the Year 2010—an energetic girl who loves outdoor adventures. At this special event, girls can enjoy a delicious meal, icebreaker activities, nature crafts, and an introduction to the new contemporary character! Reservations required. For girls ages 8 and up.

Event details by store

Atlanta: January 1, 3; February 28
Boston: January 1, 3, 31; February 26; March 24
Chicago: January 1, 2, 3, 18
Dallas: January 1, 10, 29
Los Angeles: January 1, 18
Minneapolis: January 1, 3
New York: January 1, 2, 3; February 5; March 26

Girl of the Year Flower Bookmark Activity

Girls can make a craft inspired by nature! During this fun activity, they can decorate a bookmark with floral designs that are inspired by our 2010 Girl of the Year’s love of the outdoors. Free and open to the public. For girls ages 8 and up.

Event details by store

Atlanta: January 13
Minneapolis: March 5

Girl of the Year Nature Notebook Activity

Your special girl can celebrate the debut of our 2010 Girl of the Year, who loves to be outside in the sunshine. During this hands-on activity, girls will be able to make their own nature notebooks. Free and open to the public. For all ages.

Event details by store

Minneapolis: February 28

Thanks Lena for leaving a comment about this and letting me know.

Now we just need to know what the GOTY will look like and what her name is!

American Girl Craft Supplies and Kits from Michaels

Char — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:32:24 +0000

American Girl has teamed up with EKSuccess Brands and Michaels crafts to launch a cute new line of craft supplies and project ideas for girls – www.americangirlcrafts.com. The projects range from bracelets and mini purses and the products include doll stickers – like Chrissa, iron-ons and craft kits.

Based on the popularity of their previous craft kits and books, I think this is a natural progression and will give girls even more ways to express their creativity and connect with the American Girl Doll characters and stories.

Another Chance to Win a myWallaby Doll Carrier

Char — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:17:13 +0000

If you entered to win an ultra cute myWallaby doll carrier/purse when we ran a giveaway on Doll Diaries and didn’t win, you are in luck! My friend Linette at PlayLibrary.com is running a giveaway for a myWallaby doll carrier right now!!

Entering is easy and she gives you some ways to get bonus entries, too!! Go to the myWallaby Doll Carrier giveaway at PlayLibrary now.

Even if you don’t win, the myWallaby doll carrier is the perfect gift idea for any little girl who loves her dolls and wants to take them everywhere she goes. You can get free shipping by using the code DDSHIP now.

My Twinn is Back

Char — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:51:10 +0000

The My Twinn The Just Like Me Doll (www.mytwinn.com) doll line has had quite a bumpy road over the course of its existence – most recently when its parent company, The Parent Company, filed for bankruptcy. A New Jersey company bought My Twinn at auction and resumed operations in early spring 2009 and moved to a new facility this summer.

In today’s mail I received true confirmation that the company is back – at least for this holiday season – as their new holiday catalog arrived.

It doesn’t look like too much has changed – you still pick the doll’s skin tone, eye color and hair color and you send in a photo of your child so they can customize the doll as much as possible for you. They have a variety of cute doll clothes but they don’t fit American Girl dolls. However some of the furniture and accessories work just fine for American Girl dolls – I really like the bunk bed with the built in storage.

My Twinn has a new rewards program, too. Get up to $50 in Free Goods! My Twinn The Just Like Me Doll: www.mytwinn.com/freegoods

Twilight Dolls

Char — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:10:48 +0000

The first Twilight saga movie was a huge hit and with the second movie in the saga, New Moon, coming to theaters November 20, I’m sure we will see even more Twilight memorabilia being sold. The Tonner doll company has created a Twilight doll line that is geared toward the collector with prices of $100 or more for each character doll. Barbie is releasing their version of the Twilight characters Bella and Edward at a much more affordable price around $30 each. Or you can have fun with the Neca Twilight character action figures – oh my! I’m sure that true Twilight fans will find one of the three options to their liking.

Another sign that the Twilight saga has gained a sizable following – they have released Twilight Scene It? Game – perfect for a Twilight movie party!

Here are the different Twilight doll collections – click on the images for pricing and details.

Twilight Bella Swan Barbie Doll	Twilight Edward Cullen Barbie Doll	Twilight Movie Barbie Doll Assortment Case
Twilight Bella Swan Tonner Doll	Twilight Edward Cullen Tonner Doll	Twilight James Tonner Doll
Twilight Laurent Tonner Doll	Twilight Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) Tonner Doll	Twilight Action Figures: Edward and Bella 2-Pack
Twilight Edward Cullen Action Figure	Twilight New Moon Wave 1 Action Figures Case	Twilight Scene It? Game

American Girl Place New York Photo Tour

Char — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:55:06 +0000

A few years ago we visited New York City and one of our destinations was the American Girl Place on 5th Avenue. The store was absolutely magical as far as my daughters were concerned. One of Doll Diaries readers, known for her Bonggamom site, recently visited the American Girl Place in New York and has shared her photos both on her site (see Bonggamom’s AGPNY post) and on Flickr.

I love all the Rebecca displays – it is just such a neat collection. She also took some great pictures of the new Make a Tee activity that I saw at the Chicago store. You pick a simple t-shirt for your doll, select the color and then pick from a bunch of iron-on transfers to have applied. The activity is $10 – which is a bargin compared to just about everything else at American Girl Place. It is a nice little souvenir that the girls will enjoy doing.

Go check out her pictures and remember, if you visit an American Girl Place or even one of the Boutique & Bistro shops, we’d love to read the trip report or see the photos. Just email us at share@dolldiaries.com.

Disney Princess Christmas Ornaments

Char — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:17:13 +0000

Each of my kids has a set of ornaments that are themed that I add to each year. I have been buying the Holiday Barbie ornaments to go with my older daughter’s collection of Holiday Barbies each year. For my younger daughter I collected as many of the Hallmark American Girl Ornaments I could once they were retired.

My youngest has always had a special place in her heart for the Disney Princesses. I just found this very pretty series of Princess ornaments from Disney – I love the extra dramatic dresses. This series is also special because it is the first series to feature the new Princess, Tiana. Something tells me I may have to start a new collection for her!

(click on images for ordering information)

The Princess and the Frog Princess Tiana Doll Ornament with Holiday Gown	Disney Princess Ariel Doll Ornament with Holiday Gown	Disney Princess Belle Doll Ornament with Holiday Gown
Disney Princess Cinderella Doll Ornament with Holiday Gown	Disney Princess Jasmine Doll Ornament with Holiday Gown	Disney Princess Mulan Doll Ornament with Holiday Gown
Disney Princess Sleeping Beauty Doll Ornament with Holiday Gown	A Dream Come True Collectible Disney Ornament Collection: Set One, Disney Princesses	Collectible Disney Princesses Magical Moments Christmas Ornament Collection
Disney Princess Dreams Porcelain Christmas Collectible Ornament Collection: Set One	Disney Princesses Storybook Ornament Set of 6	Disney's Princesses At the Ball Keepsake Ornament 2007
Walt Disney Three Beautiful Princesses Hallmark Ornament (04)

Doll Diaries Halloween Parade

Char — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:52:02 +0000

It is time for the 2009 edition of our Dolloween Parade! Get your American Girl dolls, Build a Bear friends, Barbie, and all your other dolls decked out for Halloween and take their picture. All dolls are welcome to enter (no pictures of humans though!)

Rules:

You many enter as many photos as you wish, however, they must be Halloween related.
They must be your own personal photos.
If you are under 14 you must have permission from your parents.
Photos will be moderated and I have the right to remove any photos that are not appropriate.
Once you upload your photo, leave a comment in the comment box telling us which photo is yours.

We will be awarding prizes for the most creative entries. I have 2 sets of RETIRED American Girl Doll Club red espadrille shoes for dolls that will be used as prizes – that means there will be two winners.

Add your photo to the parade by selecting the “Add Photo” button below. Then put the caption for your photo and your name in the caption box.

UPDATED!! The winners are Hannah (Super Coconut) and Marjorie (for submitting so many great pictures!) – I have emailed you both.

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