4kitty
Historical Dreamer
Swedish saying: Life is short, eat dessert first.
Posts: 2,667
|
Post by 4kitty on Sept 25, 2012 0:00:30 GMT -5
I have the Very First Original PC Version of the Molly Miss Victory Tap Outfit. This came with the Winter Activities, in a PC white box. Both the outfit and the 'Sick-in-bed' items were packaged together. I have both and will review here separately. I love this version. It is the soft satin, which flows and drapes on Molly just like a 1940's version should. The blouse has the silver/white satin star, going from the upper left towards the lower right side of the top. This is like the original 1987-1990 version of the Molly books, before the illustrations were changed by PC The skirt is separate and all three colors (red, white and blue). It has a Velcro tab in the back. The waistband is red. The panties are made from the same soft blue material. The hat, there is a 'Silver 3 Star Crown' with the set. The paper was not like the more modern holographic silver paper. It was just silver, with the elastic back. There were NO shoes. You were to use the original Gotz Black plastic shoes. Overall Rating: A+ I really like the set. It was the most "Patriotic" ensemble that was made by PC for Molly. To me it was the personification of the 1940's and the high point of Molly's books and movie.   |
|
4kitty
Historical Dreamer
Swedish saying: Life is short, eat dessert first.
Posts: 2,667
|
Post by 4kitty on Sept 24, 2012 22:55:23 GMT -5
I love this set. The dress is sweet. It was offered to AG customers at the Major AGP locations (Chic, LA and NYC) This was one outfit used during the ''On Stage Revue" at the AGP Theater in the above stores. The scenes featured musical performances based upon the Historical Characters. These are no longer in store. The Dress: It has a 'Princess cut'. The sequins are machine strung and applied along the 'Princess-cut'. As well as the Pinafore style ruffled arm openings. The Shoes: These are the best ones, and are shinny 'Red Patent Leather' tap shoes with metal taps! And, unlike any other Tap Shoes, they have an ankle tie, for a 40's look. The Hat: 'Star Crown' is just like the 'Molly Miss Victory' tap set, but in bright red.  And...  |
|
Tiffany
Girl of Many Lands
Historical Pamphlet Expert & Scanning Tsarina
Molly: The doll who started it all!
Posts: 690
|
Post by Tiffany on Sept 24, 2012 18:06:07 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by lynnlb on Sept 24, 2012 16:34:48 GMT -5
I also didn't "feel the love" I had for this outfit when I purchased it as I was trying to put this on my MAG#13. The pants were quite as much of a struggle once I got them past Kendall's feet, they did just slide up her legs and fit fine on her waist. The sweater was a royal pain tho. Her hair was an absolute mess once I got the sweater over her head and I seriously thought I had totally dislocated her arm once I got them in the sleeves. As Christie0316 stated, her fingers kept getting hung up. It does look cute once it's on but I wouldn't want to risk loosening arms putting something on my doll. I can't imagine a child trying to put this outfit on a doll.
Oh ... and I also had to fight to get one of the shoes on.
|
|
|
|
Post by monimarine on Sept 24, 2012 11:41:23 GMT -5
Released September 2012 Item# F0840 $58 Measurement; H: 7 1/2" x W: 5 1/2" x D: 7 1/2" A perfect companion piece to the Dreamy Daybed set this white wooden nightstand has a lower shelf and working drawer for storage. It also comes with a pink floor rug with an embroidered bloom design in white to match the bloom on the daybed. The following accessories are included; A yellowish orange tube lamp that works. (Batteries included) Abridged version of the Bored No More book Pretend glass of water Pretend bottle of lotion Pretend box of tissues  Overall it's painted very nice. Well packed for shipping. There were no knicks or marks anywhere.  I think the scale is ok but I feel that the lamp should be just a little bit taller.  The tube lamp has a small button at the base to push in order to turn it on. It only stays lit for a couple seconds.  The drawer is deep and long to accommodate everything except for the tube lamp.  Lotion bottle will not fit if standing up.   The tissue is plastic- feels like an umbrella.    The first thing I did when I opened it was check the rug. I don't have any other AG rugs and I was very disappointed when Julie's green foot rug began to separate from the felt base. Thankfully this one is sewn down all the way around. I am pleased with this purchase and glad I took advantage of the current code to order it. I recommend it but price wise, I don't think I'd suggest paying full retail. Use free shipping or another discount code when it comes around. For that reason I am going to give it a A. |
|
|
|
Post by slynnski on Sept 23, 2012 19:29:24 GMT -5
I received my Caroline doll today.
When AG first released pictures of her, I wasn't too thrilled and decided I wasn't going to get her. However, after finding out more info about her and seeing her full collection in September's catalogue, I changed my mind. I knew I had to have her and her entire collection.
Currently I am in an Outpatient Program at the hospital for mental health diseases (Depression, Anxiety, etc) so I told myself I would get her and her collection for myself as a recovery gift. After telling my grandmother my plans, she decided to order me Caroline and her six book set. Although I am still in the program, I am feeling much better than I have in years so I decided to cheat a little and take Caroline home early.
She is absolutely stunningly beautiful. Her hair is a thick, shiny white-blonde. Her eyebrows are a feathered golden blonde and her eyes are a gorgeous and unique color of sea foam green/blue. Her skin is soft, her limbs are very nice and tight (unlike some of my newer dolls) and her body is very very soft. She is very well-constructed and high-quality for a Mattel doll.
Her dress is very similar in looks to Felicity's summer gown. It is light pink with darker pink ruffles at the collar and sleeve cuffs. It has an embroidered sash. The fabric is thin but not at all cheap-feeling in my opinion. Her pantalettes are white with delicate lace trim at the bottom of each leg. No complaints there. Her stockings are standard AG white stockings and her shoes are pink pleather flats which are not difficult to get on and off.
She is my first curly-haired doll and I plan to just finger-style her hair. I will mist it with water if it gets really out of hand. But overall it seems manageable and I'm not too concerned. I would be worried about a younger child taking care of Caroline's hair, though.
I have read the first of her six books and it was very good. I look forward to reading the rest.
Overall a solid A+.
|
|
|
|
Post by Christie0316 on Sept 23, 2012 15:08:40 GMT -5
Why, Miss Molly's hair has got to be down in curls as Miss Victory!   |
|
skukla
Relevant Readers
Order of the Llama
Best Signature 2010
Posts: 8,950
|
Post by skukla on Sept 23, 2012 10:45:44 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by joanniep on Sept 22, 2012 15:12:10 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by lorilee71688 on Sept 21, 2012 21:55:40 GMT -5
Yep, it's beautiful! A++ I don't understand the comments above about it being cardboard as it is clearly wood. I did see it in the store before buying.
The yellow interior is perfect for the color of Kit's clothes. I layed out all her wardrobe as I saw on display in the store. It sure does hold a ton!
I am glad the brass "American Girl Collection" plate is left off. I have it in my living room and it looks great.
|
|
|
|
Parlor
Sept 21, 2012 19:37:36 GMT -5
Post by ☆ Sara ☆ on Sept 21, 2012 19:37:36 GMT -5
Parlor rant ahoy!
It's fine for Rebecca. Genericized and romanticized arts and crafts type elements were so common they were cliche by Rebecca's time.
The house I just moved from was a working class house built 1901 and had a similar fireplace (long bricked up) and the exact same rosette molding that is around the windows in it's parlor. Those elements had a very long life.
Ditto Julie. A lot of the hippies in SF moved into Victorians in the 60s because no one valued them. They were a dime a dozen. Many of them were converted to be several 1-2 bed apartments instead of a single family home.
They were often very outdated electrically, uninsulated, and leaky. A lot of them still had builtins and pretty things reflecting their earlier lives as really nice townhouses for the rich instead of low rent housing though.
Ironically, the doll I think it fits least is Caroline. The elements that make it work so well for so many other time periods count against it here. They are too over simplified.
Simpler designs came after mass production in the mid 19th century made them accessible. Things before that were hand carved , finely made, and were more ornate. First floor windows were big and bold shows of wealth and would not be the size of a child.
It's not awful by any means and for any other room it works great but for formal parlor it misses the mark.
|
|
|
|
Post by 5hensandacockatiel on Sept 20, 2012 10:00:15 GMT -5
I got this piece at AGPLA in 2008. It still works beautifully with no glitches. It's adorable, and is a must if you've read Samantha's Surprise!" Very high quality. A+
|
|
BJK14
American Girl Prototype
I march to the beat of a different accordion.
Posts: 4,024
|
Post by BJK14 on Sept 20, 2012 5:08:17 GMT -5
Inkpot, or as I call him, TeeTee, is very well made soft pet. Having read the reviews I asked a fellow board member to pick one out for me and she and her daughter did a terrific job. I only have good things to say about him. TeeTee has a definite tilt to the right which makes him seem to rub against his owner's leg just like a real cat. I credit his large size to a Maine Coon cat somewhere in his history. An A from me also. |
|
|
|
Post by Christie0316 on Sept 18, 2012 19:54:34 GMT -5
I am probably going to sound super picky, but I have have a lot of issues with this outfit. I bought it because I thought it was cute, but... -The pants are super tight. I like the material they are made of, it's like a silky soft corduroy, but they are very very snug on my Sonali, who is obviously Mattel and not that chubby. -The sweater has real working buttons which would normally be great, but there is no other way to get the sweater on than over the doll's head. I dislike this because I am a bit protective of Sonali's curls and the outfit mussed her hair up quite bit. It was also a pain to get her arms through the holes. Her fingers kept getting stuck in the fabric. -The buttons have pretty large holes (or maybe they just widened when I unbuttoned them). When I unbuttoned the buttons to put the top on they kept slipping out of the holes after I re-buttoned them. -I feel like the sweater looks a little boxy once on. -The shoes are ugly, but that's just my own personal opinion, hence why Sonali is wearing her meet shoes in the picture. I am also not crazy about the style of the hat, so that's not on her either. ;D Sorry for all the complaints, but to be honest, if I had a chance to go back in time I would NOT purchase this outfit again. I am very "eh" about it on my doll. It gets a grade of a C- from me. I tried to take a picture but the flash on my phone is having issues, so I am sorry that it is so dark!   |
|
|
|
Post by Dragonslovedolls on Sept 18, 2012 3:04:54 GMT -5
I think Inkpot is very cute indeed. He has a velvety gray nose and cotton thread whiskers, and a little white 'bib' under his chin.  He is very soft and has an appealing expression on his face. A from me. |
|
|
|
Post by American Girl Rescue on Sept 17, 2012 13:22:38 GMT -5
Caroline's Travel Basket
Item# F1344
$32
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 allA very well made set! The food is not clumped together (PLUS!) and the napkin and map are cloth! This is a purchase that can be used (except for the map) in all eras and in many different ways. In fact Inkpot has decided the basket makes a comfortable bed: 
|
|
|
|
Post by American Girl Rescue on Sept 17, 2012 13:14:22 GMT -5
Caroline's Cat, Inkpot
Item# F1338
$22
Caroline has loved her pet cat, Inkpot, since Papa brought him home as a tiny kitten. Inkpot has big green eyes, a gray nose, a plush body, and soft black fur with a white patch on his chest. I think Inkpot is purrfect! He's very cuddly and mine has a sweet expression (I guess it helps to pick one out in person!). He seems to have made himself right at home and has claimed the Travel Basket as his own: If I fits, I sits
|
|
|
|
Post by pinkhorsegrl on Sept 17, 2012 12:30:55 GMT -5
Other than McKenna (because she's a gymnast) this is the first doll I have completely fell in love with at first site. I love her look. I've always wanted ag to come out with a doll with a blue/green eye aka. aquamarine.
Her face mold is the classic one but I think it works for her.
Her hair color is gorgeous. Its platinum blond. Julie and MyAg #22 are the only two other dolls to have this color. I like her loose curls as well. I have Lanie and her hair gets frizzy easily because she has much curlier hair. Caroline's hair seems more relaxed and probably can be finger curled. I also like the fact that her hair does not come in braids. They are really pretty, however I eventually take them out and have to straighten the braided hair so it matches the texture of the rest of the hair. This is just a preference thing. I love styling my dolls hair so that is why I do eventually take their braids out.
Great doll. I can't wait to take her home.
|
|
lorieann13
Bitty Twin
SAHM to two Autistic kids, wife to a math teacher, and a crafter who loves being outdoors
Posts: 97
|
Post by lorieann13 on Sept 17, 2012 11:31:50 GMT -5
I just received my boots. My daughter received Kirsten from a friend and she didnt come with her boots. Her Kirsten is a PM. Anyways the boots do not have rivets but there is no need to have to unlace and relace.
The laces are quite long, which I like, and you just loosen them up to slip the boot on.
With Kirsten wearing her meet socks, my daughter had no problem getting the boots on over the socks/feet.
Our pair also stay open better than the ones posted above.
I actually give them an A. If I was concerned about no rivets then an A-. But we are both pleased with them and their quality.
|
|
4kitty
Historical Dreamer
Swedish saying: Life is short, eat dessert first.
Posts: 2,667
|
Post by 4kitty on Sept 16, 2012 16:49:19 GMT -5
This is the 'AG Revue' Purple and White Jitterbug Dance' set. EVERY MOLLY DOLL SHOULD HAVE THIS SET ... or at least I think so...   When the AGPLA first opened they had a stage with live performances. Unfortunately the stage closed later on. This was one of the costumes used there. And, then offered for sale as an exclusive for the AG dolls DRESS and TAP PANTS: The set included a Purple and White satin Jumper set. The skirt has box pleats, with purple on top and the white as the inset. The blouse is white with a Burgundy red piping on the Peter Pan collar. This is a one-piece set, that is, it appears to be 2 pieces. There is piping along the edge of the puffy white short sleeves as well. There are two Red Star buttons on the jumper straps. The Tap Pants are the same purple satin, and are meant to go over the under ware, this way you never see panties when you dance. SHOES AND SOCKS: The set came with a pair of white bobby socks. This included Black and White Saddle shoes for dancing the Jitterbug. These are the best of the 'Saddle shoes' AG made. The navy/white and the red/white were poorly made. These are really solid and well made, the best! HEADBAND: And a matching Burgundy Red headband, set with small silver stars and 'diamond' rhinestones. It is wonderfully made. BOX; The Box was wonderful, it was all Burgundy with a Picture of the doll wearing the outfit. I give this set an overall A+Originally it was $20.00 and only available at the AGPC, AGPNY and AGPLA. Note: once I download my camera I will post pics! |
|
|
|
Post by American Girl Rescue on Sept 16, 2012 16:14:03 GMT -5
They still have these in the Atlanta store, so I don't think they are retired. They're still labeled "new" $18  |
|
|
|
Post by American Girl Rescue on Sept 16, 2012 14:44:52 GMT -5
Gingerbread House Puzzle
Item# F1817
$12
Your girl can make Bitty Baby's holiday extra sweet with a gingerbread house puzzle toy! The walls and roof snap together, and are decorated with faux icing and candies. There's even a little "gingerbread" tree! This is another new item that I thought was very reasonably priced. This puzzle is made of thick, hard plastic. The pieces kind of snap into place so once you get the roof on, it's really sturdy. The tree just slides from two pieces into one. The inside of the House has raised decorations and is not colorful. But it's adorable when you make it with the insides out! The roof pieces are not reversible. The overall size is 3.5" x 3" x 3.5" high. The tree is almost 3 inches tall. Great deal.   
|
|
|
|
Post by American Girl Rescue on Sept 16, 2012 14:35:27 GMT -5
Bitty Sip & Snack Cup
Item# F1031
$10
Bitty Baby can take her snacks on the go! This two-piece, stacking cup pulls apart to reveal a sippy filled with faux orange juice and a snacker with bear-shaped "cookies" inside. This cute sippy cup and snack bowl can snap together or sit separately. You cannot open either piece to get to the snacks in the snacker nor the pulp (?) in the sippy cup. But it makes cute rattling sounds and is so sturdy and well made. And at only $10 you can purchase this without breaking the bank.  
|
|
|
|
Post by moonlightcookie on Sept 16, 2012 12:14:44 GMT -5
We got my daughter #55 at the DC store yesterday. We love her looks for reasons others have already stated. However there may be some quality control issues in their factories, because the Marie-Grace we also bought yesterday was defective and must also be returned. For #55 the wig was surprisingly thin, there were numerous stitching threads sticking out in various places, some that I did not dare try to snip. And the seam where the hair is stitched into the wig base was very prominently protruding like a knot at the left doll's temple, making it unsightly to pull her hair back into certain styles. So, both dolls will have to be returned, unfortunately, (Marie-Grace was shedding like my cat).
I'm hoping the next #55 will be free of noticeable defects, as she is quite lovely, otherwise.
editing to add that as far as hair color goes, I'm stunned by the realism. I took the doll outdoors since we can't get back to VA yet to return it. I looked at the doll's hair to compare it to my daughter's hair. The color match between the doll hair and my child's hair was shockingly close. My daughter has just a hint more of a red tinge in her hair. But you can hardly tell the difference. It's incredible how many different shades of brown are incorporated into the wig to make a natural blend of highlights and low lights.
|
|
|
|
Post by agdollfan1992 on Sept 15, 2012 14:18:56 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by rachel82sj on Sept 15, 2012 13:16:35 GMT -5
This is my first time uploading photos here hope it works!  |
|
|
|
Post by sharayahlynn on Sept 15, 2012 13:11:08 GMT -5
This set is adorable! I love every single piece. Unfortunately, little miss Charlie (my Shih Tzu, who loves my dolls almost as much as I do) accidentally sat on McKenna's leg this morning. Fortunately, the mail lady came by with her cast and crutches about ten minutes later, and we got her all fixed up. Talk about good timing! The cast is nice and sturdy, and easy to open and close. The crutches are nice as well, and I love the color of them. It took me a few tries, but I finally taught McKenna how to "use" them. I really like the bandage, though I haven't used it yet. The card isn't really anything special, but it is kind of cute. The little stuffed panda is adorable, but was the extra long tag really necessary, AG?  I don't really want to have to cut it off, but it's already getting annoying and I may end up doing just that. McKenna named her new stuffed friend Mei.  Overall grade: A |
|
|
|
Post by 18inchesoflove on Sept 15, 2012 10:24:43 GMT -5
I purchased this outfit for McKenna and MyAG #41. It really works nicely with doll with blue eyes, as it pulls the colour from them, and makes them pop; and against darker hair it creates the perfect contrast! The shoes I love to hate. They can be really hard to get on, but look great with a lot of my doll's outfits. The hair clip is cute, but if you put too much hair in, it won't close. The fabric from the dress is pretty thin, but it is a summer dress. Over all I rate it an A-, mainly because the dress looks great on all dolls. ETA: a photo  |
|
|
|
Post by moonlightcookie on Sept 15, 2012 9:57:19 GMT -5
We are very pleased with ours so far, which we bought at the Tyson's Virginia store, aka DC Store.
This is my soon to be 8 year old's first American Girl Doll and she wasn't sure she even wanted one, so we said this doll will be Mommy's but if she likes it she can take it. She did fall in love with Rebecca and now Beckie is hers. We were torn between Marie-Grace, and Rebecca, and #55. My husband helped break the tie by pointing out Rebecca's story was close to that of some members of his family who immigrated from Eastern Europe around that time. The history buff in him also appreciated the era that Rebecca represents.
Her Meet story so far is fascinating and educational. Rebecca is a sympathetic character and easy to bond with and relate to, even if you are not Jewish. As the daughter of an Asian immigrant I can relate to her family adjusting to a different culture outside of their own.
The doll herself is beautiful. Our doll's wig seems full, but we do not have a basis for comparison. I can only say that we can not easily see the wig base in any of the styles we've tried so far. I've only seen it while combing and detangling, and the color match renders it almost invisible.
I did not get a proper comb until several days afterward so her hair got really messy, but the tangles smoothed out easily with about five minutes of my picking through it with the AG brand comb to remove snarls and then smoothing it slightly with the AG brush. I did not use water to mist it at that time.
Her hazel eyes were a huge selling point for me. They are very much like hazel brown-green eyes I've seen on real people. I prefer this style to the "pinwheel" look for that reason, but I do like both, overall.
The limbs might feel a bit loose. The next time I go to the store I'm going to handle more dolls to get a better feel for them. But she can stand and maintain poses.
I don't have pictures to share at the moment, sorry.
I forgot to add that so far we've not had any problems handling the barrette or other clothing items. But I agree the barrette seems brittle.
I'm sorry I forgot to assign letter grades: A for aesthetics, A for quality of the doll itself, A for clothing and accessories (but beware the barrette is fragile). A for representation of her era and place.
|
|
green chile supergirl
Reviews Moderator 
Order of the Llama
Best Writing 2012
A Pueblo Girl in the city
Posts: 2,800
|
Post by green chile supergirl on Sept 15, 2012 2:27:00 GMT -5
This is indeed an odd shirt. I was prepared for the raw edges on the sleeves, but not the weird ruching. I knew it would have the ruching, but I was not ready for how uneven the shirt looks with said feature. Grade: B-  |
|
Laura Ingalls, 1880
