Post by gal8028 on Apr 21, 2014 1:33:08 GMT -5
I purchased the Isabelle Dance Case in February. I wasn't originally going to buy it, but when I saw it in store, and I saw how the bun helper made the hair look, I decided to splurge on it. Also, as a girl from Northern Virginia, I'm a sucker for anything with D.C. monogrammed on it.
The Elastics: Have not used. The set has 12 elastics in it in various colors that go with the Isabelle outfit color schemes. Upon examination, they stretch well, they seem to be made of good quality materials, but overall, you can get these generically anywhere.
The Bobby Pins: Cute, but very brightly colored. I generally like to blend my bobby pins into the hair, and these have such a bright pink and purple that they are very visible. Great for a centerpiece in a hairstyle but not really for a functioning hold as they stand out.
The 3 Hairbands: Upon examination and testing, they stretch very well and have nice sparkles and colors to them. They have a bulkiness to them more like a sweatband than a regular hairband. They have a rough texture that seems to hold the hair very well.
Stickers: The set also comes with stickers to put on the outside of the case. I personally will not be using the stickers, as I think stickers have a tendency to look tacky, and I think Isabelle is being portrayed as a more professional dancer. The only stickers I've seen on dancers' cases have always been ones from either a tour, their company, or country stamps from traveling. The emblems are already on Isabelle's case along with her monogram.
Now for why really bought this case (and probably why you're eyeing it too):
The Ballet Slippers: I really wanted a pair of Isabelle's ballet slippers, but the only way it seemed to get them was to purchase the barre, the case, or one of the complete outfits. The ballet slippers that come with the dance case are pink with bows and five silver rivets. The sole is very cute and a soft leather-like material. The toe is gathered and tucked just like a real ballet slipper. Very authentic-looking, they fit very well on the doll's foot. I did have a little difficulty putting them on over the tights.
The Bun Helper: LOVE! The bun helper seems like it could be very daunting for a little girl's fingers, but after three tries, I was able to get it in the hair. The employee I talked to said that the staff had also had to practice how to use the bun helper. I am very very pleased with how it looks in my #55's hair, and also how easy it was once I figured out how to twist it properly. Just hang in there and you will learn how to use it properly!
The Case: LOVE! I absolutely love this case. The emblems on the front are very authentic to a dancer, and I really like how it says Washington, D.C. on it. The case itself is hard, leather-like, and has two latches on either side. In the center, there is a handle to hold it. The case is like an old hatbox, and has a pocket in the lid similar to old suitcases. I really like using the pocket for the little things like the elastics and bobby pins. The thing I really wanted to know when I looked at the case, was if it was true that all of her collection of the Mix-and-Match items could fit inside it. I have not purchased all of the Mix-and-Match items, and I do not plan to. But the ones that I did (the Coral Sweater, the Purple Leotard, the Legwarmers Set, the purple Dance Skirt), I tried to put into the case. Everything that came with the case and the clothing items fit, including her Meet Accessories! There was even plenty of room to spare.
Overall, I think that this set is very useful to someone who wants to keep all of Isabelle's items together in one place. I really like how authentic it looks, as well as how all the accessories and more are able to fit inside it. As for the hairstyling items, you can really find those in other sets of AG and generically for cheaper. But the Bun Helper, in my opinion, is indispensable for longer haired dolls. I find myself using it a lot. Don't let the instructions scare you off! It really is easy once you learn the trick of how to twist it up and where to put bobby pins to hold it in place. It really makes your doll's hair look nice and mimics ballet hairstyles perfectly. I would definitely recommend this for your Isabelle collection!
The Elastics: Have not used. The set has 12 elastics in it in various colors that go with the Isabelle outfit color schemes. Upon examination, they stretch well, they seem to be made of good quality materials, but overall, you can get these generically anywhere.
The Bobby Pins: Cute, but very brightly colored. I generally like to blend my bobby pins into the hair, and these have such a bright pink and purple that they are very visible. Great for a centerpiece in a hairstyle but not really for a functioning hold as they stand out.
The 3 Hairbands: Upon examination and testing, they stretch very well and have nice sparkles and colors to them. They have a bulkiness to them more like a sweatband than a regular hairband. They have a rough texture that seems to hold the hair very well.
Stickers: The set also comes with stickers to put on the outside of the case. I personally will not be using the stickers, as I think stickers have a tendency to look tacky, and I think Isabelle is being portrayed as a more professional dancer. The only stickers I've seen on dancers' cases have always been ones from either a tour, their company, or country stamps from traveling. The emblems are already on Isabelle's case along with her monogram.
Now for why really bought this case (and probably why you're eyeing it too):
The Ballet Slippers: I really wanted a pair of Isabelle's ballet slippers, but the only way it seemed to get them was to purchase the barre, the case, or one of the complete outfits. The ballet slippers that come with the dance case are pink with bows and five silver rivets. The sole is very cute and a soft leather-like material. The toe is gathered and tucked just like a real ballet slipper. Very authentic-looking, they fit very well on the doll's foot. I did have a little difficulty putting them on over the tights.
The Bun Helper: LOVE! The bun helper seems like it could be very daunting for a little girl's fingers, but after three tries, I was able to get it in the hair. The employee I talked to said that the staff had also had to practice how to use the bun helper. I am very very pleased with how it looks in my #55's hair, and also how easy it was once I figured out how to twist it properly. Just hang in there and you will learn how to use it properly!
The Case: LOVE! I absolutely love this case. The emblems on the front are very authentic to a dancer, and I really like how it says Washington, D.C. on it. The case itself is hard, leather-like, and has two latches on either side. In the center, there is a handle to hold it. The case is like an old hatbox, and has a pocket in the lid similar to old suitcases. I really like using the pocket for the little things like the elastics and bobby pins. The thing I really wanted to know when I looked at the case, was if it was true that all of her collection of the Mix-and-Match items could fit inside it. I have not purchased all of the Mix-and-Match items, and I do not plan to. But the ones that I did (the Coral Sweater, the Purple Leotard, the Legwarmers Set, the purple Dance Skirt), I tried to put into the case. Everything that came with the case and the clothing items fit, including her Meet Accessories! There was even plenty of room to spare.
Overall, I think that this set is very useful to someone who wants to keep all of Isabelle's items together in one place. I really like how authentic it looks, as well as how all the accessories and more are able to fit inside it. As for the hairstyling items, you can really find those in other sets of AG and generically for cheaper. But the Bun Helper, in my opinion, is indispensable for longer haired dolls. I find myself using it a lot. Don't let the instructions scare you off! It really is easy once you learn the trick of how to twist it up and where to put bobby pins to hold it in place. It really makes your doll's hair look nice and mimics ballet hairstyles perfectly. I would definitely recommend this for your Isabelle collection!
