mamared
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Post by mamared on Mar 17, 2024 1:28:33 GMT -5
This outfit was part of a mid year (June 2023) release for Kavi, which consisted of the pair of costumes from Kavi’s favorite Broadway show- the icy-blue dress worn by Glinda “the Good Witch” in Wicked, and this lacy black dress worn by Elphaba “the Wicked Witch”. I purchased it at the LA store later in the fall, thinking it might be a nice outfit option for my Shimmering Silver doll. I ended up not liking it much with her platinum colored hair and fair features, but I think it’s well-made and looks especially nice with Kavi’s darker hair and features.  Here’s AG’s description, followed by some additional thoughts and photos: Kavi’s favorite musical is Wicked, and she can’t believe she finally gets to see it on Broadway with her grandmother and two best friends, Pari and Sophie. This authentic replica of the Elphaba, the “Wicked” Witch, costume—designed in collaboration with Wicked—brings Kavi’s Broadway dreams to life.
Premium features: A black lace top with a high neckline, rainbow underlay, and lace ruffles at the shoulder and wrists, a black cape that attaches to the top with a button, and a full skirt with tiered asymmetrical tulle ruffles and a multicolored underlay; A black tonal-print witch hat that curves to the side at the top.
Also includes: A broom with a handle so dolls can hold it; A pair of black lace-up-style boots.
SKU#: HNW65 $79The top and skirt are both made of a rainbow polyester underlay covered with black lace. The top has long sleeves, a high neckline, a zigzag bottom, and lace ruffles along the shoulders, neck, and wrists. There’s a plastic oval vanity tag at the bottom edge, and like the skirt, the top closes with a single strip of Velcro up the back. I didn’t notice the asymmetrical shoulder ruffles until writing this review:  From the back:  Close up on Kavi:  The rainbow waistband of the skirt is covered by the top when the doll is wearing it. In addition to the black lace overlay, the skirt is covered with asymmetrical black tulle ruffles. The shape of the skirt flares out at the bottom and it looks full from the front and back, but has a relatively narrow profile from the side.  Close up of waist band and tule ruffles:  The top and skirt both fit easily on Kavi, and I think they could fit well on a slightly larger doll, too. The reverse side of the rainbow polyester underlay is smooth and almost gives the impression of lining.  A black cape attaches to the back of the top with a pair of little back buttons. The elastic loops that the buttons go through are sewn into the back of the top at shoulder blade level. I didn’t even notice the loops until I was specifically looking for how to attach the cape. The cape itself is made of a somewhat clingy fabric. I would have liked some kind of handhold on the side of the cape so it would be easier to pose Kavi with her cape spread out. The cape (the label goes on the inside at the top):  Close up of the buttons:  The button loop:  With the cape attached:  The overall look from the back:  Elphaba’s black witch hat is made of a different fabric. It’s sewn with a curve at the top, as shown in the photo above. The hat fits well on Kavi’s head, and although it’s not too big, it could probably work with someone with a slightly larger head or thicker hair, too. The fabric on the hat has a black-on-black pattern that I think looks a little like snake skin (in pattern but not texture). The brim is flexible and unreinforced:  Close up of hat fabric:  Kavi’s broom is made of heavy-duty plastic. It’s about a foot tall, and it has a clear plastic band that can fit around her hand so Kavi can hold it (although it’s too heavy for her to hold in the air). The broom can stand on its own, albeit at an angle. The broom standing on its own (next to the hat):  With Kavi:  Close up of handle:  The boots are very cute. They are tall black boots with permanent laces up the front, Velcro closures up the back, and high heels that make them a little tricky to balance in. (I didn’t need to use a stand for my Kavi, but I did have to position her just so.) From the side:  From the front:  On Kavi (the smooth underside of the skirt fabric is also visible in this photo):  Overall, my feeling is that this is a fun and well made outfit. I haven’t seen the Broadway production of Wicked so I can’t speak to the outfit’s authenticity, but I really like the quality of the pieces as well as the general look of the black lace overly and the rainbow colors underneath. Other positives include the separate top and skirt (which means they could possibly be used in other mix-and-match combinations), and the cute but tippy boots. I’m less enthusiastic about the cape, mainly because of the clingy fabric and the difficulty in posing Kavi with the cape spread out (although I do admire the way it attaches to and detaches from the top), and I’m also a little ambivalent about the shape of the skirt (as my personal preference would be a more full skirt, but I suspect this might not be authentic to the Broadway production). With all this in mind, I think I’d give the set a B/B+ at the original price, and an A if it were acquired for around the $60-65 mark. I want to finish up by mentioning the packaging, because there is A LOT of packaging with this set. It comes in a large box with all of the pieces displayed, held in place by plastic forms, all of which sadly seemed excessive and wasteful in my mind. I no longer have the original box, but I do have these photos from the back of the box:  
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Mar 10, 2024 22:25:48 GMT -5
The American Girl x Disney Princess collaboration started with the July 2023 release of the trio of Disney Princess Collector Dolls (Belle, Jasmine, and Rapunzel). These numbered, limited edition dolls are reviewed in the Limited Edition Collector Doll section of the Reviews Archives. In February 2024, the American Girl x Disney Princess collaboration continued with the first release of a trio of Disney Princess dolls and their outfits that are meant for play. This release included Disney Princesses Ariel, Cinderella, and Tiana, with additional outfits available for each of the princesses. February 7, 2024 release: - Ariel Doll
- Ariel Castle Ball Gown, Sebastian & Accessories
- Ariel Day Dress, Flounder & Accessories
- Cinderella Doll
- Cinderella Day Dress, Friends & Accessories
- Cinderella Original Ball Gown & Accessories
- Tiana Doll
- Tiana Evening Star Dress & Accessories
- Tiana Work Dress & Accessories
We welcome reviews of these dolls, outfits, and accessories in this section! We especially appreciate first-hand impressions, photos, and descriptions of these items. Please read the RULES for reviews before posting. Thank you for sharing your insights and photos with the collecting community!
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Mar 10, 2024 4:46:00 GMT -5
This section is dedicated to reviews of the numbered, Limited Edition Collector Dolls, which are organized by date of release. Because these beauties are available from AG for such a short time and in limited supply, collectors especially appreciate first-hand impressions, including member photos and descriptions of the doll and/or outfit it came in (including details such as hair color and style, skin tone, face mold, eye color, playability, fabric, versatility, etc.). Photos and comments on packaging or other special features are also welcome.
There is no limit on the number of pictures in this section because there can be so many details that someone reading a review would like to see in a photo. However, we do ask that you keep your photo size to a maximum of 650 pixels wide, otherwise we will remove the embedding codes so it doesn't stretch out the forum.
Keep these threads for reviews only. Posts that ask questions or offer additional information about the product are very welcome. But please DO NOT post general comments about how much you like or want something, because they will be deleted.
The moderating team also reserves the right to delete or edit your post in the interest of keeping these threads free of dead image links or extraneous, off-topic photos. You are welcome to edit your own posts at any time to include new photos or information.
Thank you for taking the time to share your first-hand impressions and photos with the collecting community here!
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Mar 9, 2024 5:36:04 GMT -5
The Truly Me (TM) line of modern dolls and related gear was formerly known as American Girl of Today (AGOT), Just Like You (JLY), and My American Girl (My AG). Items reviewed here are divided into different categories, with individual threads for the separate items as sold by American Girl. Rules for reviews can be found HERE. The following categories of items can be found in the Truly Me Reviews section. DOLLS- Dolls in the Truly Me modern line are listed in ascending numerical order. An index, with each doll's brief physical description (skin, hair, and eye color and face mold) and retirement status, can be found at the start of this section.
OUTFITS & WEARABLE ACCESSORIES- Doll-size outfits and wearable accessories are organized alphabetically and grouped chronologically by year of release. An annotated index of reviewed items can be found at the start of each two-year section.
- There is a separate section for doll-size outfits and accessories that are available exclusively in person through stores and special events (but not through the catalog or website). These are designated as AG Store Exclusives (special outfits and accessories available only at American Girl stores, including special holiday outfits), AGP items (outfits and wearable accessories available only through stores that typically have prominent AG branding, such as the AG star logo or American Girl name), Bookstore Exclusives, Fashion Show items, and MLB Giveaways.
FURNITURE & PLAYSETS- Doll-size furniture and playsets are organized alphabetically and grouped by decade of release.
- There is a separate section for doll-size furniture and playsets that are available exclusively in person through stores, and not through catalogs or the website.
- There is also a separate section for items associated with doll care and organization, such as hairbrushes and doll stands.
ANIMAL FRIENDS & ACCOUTREMENTS- Animal friends, including Coconut, Licorice, and other named and unnamed dogs, cats, hamsters, horses, and everything in-between, are listed alphabetically. This section also includes sets that feature an animal friend that is sold as part of a set with other accessories.
- Animal accoutrements, including outfits, gear, equipment, and other animal-related accessories are listed alphabetically.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed reviews here for the benefit of other collectors!
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Post by mollyssis on Feb 26, 2024 17:05:58 GMT -5
I bought the HP Hogwarts Uniform With Pants during a recent sale, and overall the quality is decent. Here's what I think of each piece:
The Shirt: This is your standard AG white button-down in thin, crisp cotton. I like that it has functional buttons down the front, although I would also have appreciated Velcro or snaps at the sleeve cuffs. The fit is snug on my #39, so it won't fit chubby PM dolls.
The Pants: Very snug skinny-fit on my #39; stylish, but so tight that it's a little hard to pose her.
The Hogwarts Robe: This is the main reason I bought this set, and I'm pleased with the overall roomy fit. The sticker patch is a nice touch, although I would have preferred embroidery. The lining is a crinkly, almost plastic-like fabric, like a cheap umbrella; I was expecting something softer. But on the other hand, it's nice that AG lined it, at least!
The Shoes: The faux no-tie laces seem to be the norm for AG these days, so I'm not too fussed. I was pleasantly surprised that they are quite roomy, and they easily fit PM doll feet, even with socks on! They also fit slim AG dolls wearing thick socks (like the pair from the 1990s Perfectly Plaid Outfit)
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faye
Historical Dreamer
Luv'Kit
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Post by faye on Feb 25, 2024 14:59:49 GMT -5
CONGRATULATIONS on getting your Cinderella, minniebelle!!! 😊✨🎉 Oh oh my, your Cinderella's are 'gorgeous' Jamirae and Sara!!! And I love how you've dressed and fixed your Ella's hair Jamirae! SarahK, your Cindy looks lovely in that pink outfit! So HARD to wait for mine to come home. Please, keep those pictures of your beauties coming for us that are waiting...it helps the wait!!!💗😃👍
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Post by Jamirae on Feb 24, 2024 19:59:05 GMT -5
You all are making me reconsider that pink dress! So sweet looking I’m going to be dressing my Ella in Love Shack attire this spring. I want sweet and pretty for her
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Post by keeperofthepast on Feb 24, 2024 16:28:13 GMT -5
How sweet she looks! The pink really suits her well. Yes, maybe she should join your Estelle and Claudie in the 1920's. Love the dress stand you have in the background. You have a lot of really neat extra props.
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SarahK
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Post by SarahK on Feb 24, 2024 16:18:26 GMT -5
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SarahK
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Post by SarahK on Feb 24, 2024 13:26:35 GMT -5
Jamirae . I totally agree with your evaluation! She evokes an older doll look which I love. I think it’s the pale skin, the eyebrows and her yellow hair. I get a lot of nostalgia looking at her. I put mine in the pike dress and I keep getting old holly wood vibes from her too. The pink also really softens her overall look. I fluffed her bangs a little too and just adore her. But my Cindy’s hair is staying up in the bun. As a Cinderella doll I think she is perfect. They really nailed the look. It’s funny you say the uneven eyes give more character because I was thinking that mines straight eyes was possibly what was giving her a rigid look. I won’t be so picky with the eyes when I pick out my second one, this one was warehouse picked. I looked again at your photos SarahK before coming to comment. Your Cinderella is really lovely. @ Jamirae 's evaluation is exactly what my friend and I have now concluded as well. She looks like a doll from a different generation with the very pale skin rather than a AG and that's what throws your initial perception off when looking at her, but in her own right she is a beautiful doll and perfect representation of Cinderella. I'd love to see her in the pink dress if you have time to post a photo in that thread with your sweet scene. No problem! Will do that when I get home! Jamirae yours is so cute! I love her full lips! She looks great in that sapphire outfit!
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Post by keeperofthepast on Feb 24, 2024 13:03:12 GMT -5
 A side by side with Belle who is the 5 (extra light) skin tone and the same Josefina face mold . Neither doll has been made up at this point. And this is quick photo. You can see how the darker skin tone gives more depth to the features. I’m hoping to divert lightly embellish Ella’s I want her to be a curly haired young girl with wild curls . Thanks for the comparison. I have no doll with skin tone 5, but Cinderella is super fair in comparison. I'm sure this is what AG will use when they get to Snow White. ETA I love the way you curled her bangs to give her that feathered hair look. 
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Post by keeperofthepast on Feb 24, 2024 12:54:15 GMT -5
Jamirae . I totally agree with your evaluation! She evokes an older doll look which I love. I think it’s the pale skin, the eyebrows and her yellow hair. I get a lot of nostalgia looking at her. I put mine in the pike dress and I keep getting old holly wood vibes from her too. The pink also really softens her overall look. I fluffed her bangs a little too and just adore her. But my Cindy’s hair is staying up in the bun. As a Cinderella doll I think she is perfect. They really nailed the look. It’s funny you say the uneven eyes give more character because I was thinking that mines straight eyes was possibly what was giving her a rigid look. I won’t be so picky with the eyes when I pick out my second one, this one was warehouse picked. I looked again at your photos SarahK before coming to comment. Your Cinderella is really lovely. @ Jamirae 's evaluation is exactly what my friend and I have now concluded as well. She looks like a doll from a different generation with the very pale skin rather than a AG and that's what throws your initial perception off when looking at her, but in her own right she is a beautiful doll and perfect representation of Cinderella. I'd love to see her in the pink dress if you have time to post a photo in that thread with your sweet scene.
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Post by Jamirae on Feb 24, 2024 12:38:51 GMT -5
 A side by side with Belle who is the 5 (extra light) skin tone and the same Josefina face mold . Neither doll has been made up at this point. And this is quick photo. You can see how the darker skin tone gives more depth to the features. I’m hoping to divert lightly embellish Ella’s I want her to be a curly haired young girl with wild curls .
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Post by keeperofthepast on Feb 24, 2024 12:36:19 GMT -5
 Just a quick take of my Ella in a Birthstone outfit I picked up last year with a $50 Reward and a few dollars more. I think it suits her. Her hair is fun, imo with the curls and layers. OH, she's so cute! I see the off eye, but it really works with her. Congrats on your new doll.
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Post by Jamirae on Feb 24, 2024 12:25:29 GMT -5
 Just a quick take of my Ella in a Birthstone outfit I picked up last year with a $50 Reward and a few dollars more. I think it suits her. Her hair is fun, imo with the curls and layers.
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Post by Jamirae on Feb 24, 2024 12:20:43 GMT -5
Jamirae. I totally agree with your evaluation! She evokes an older doll look which I love. I think it’s the pale skin, the eyebrows and her yellow hair. I get a lot of nostalgia looking at her. I put mine in the pike dress and I keep getting old holly wood vibes from her too. The pink also really softens her overall look. I fluffed her bangs a little too and just adore her. But my Cindy’s hair is staying up in the bun. As a Cinderella doll I think she is perfect. They really nailed the look. It’s funny you say the uneven eyes give more character because I was thinking that mines straight eyes was possibly what was giving her a rigid look. I won’t be so picky with the eyes when I pick out my second one, this one was warehouse picked. I would have eliminated this doll immediately, because the one eye is very slightly lower than the other. Something I quickly do when evaluating dolls in store. But really, looking at her, that slight off balance breaks the perfect look and makes her look merrier and younger and livelier than the stock photos. A slight realignment of her head/face to compensate, pretty much hides the unbalance. These are children’s dolls so I don’t expect perfection but, sometimes I just can’t enjoy the doll due to certain issues. This time, I’m fine. Ella is growing on me by the moment ☺️
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Post by Jamirae on Feb 24, 2024 12:16:27 GMT -5
I have changed facial skin tone in a number of my dolls. My most dramatic transformation was for my Lindsay doll that I got on EBay. Adorable doll with the cutest hair in great condition, great price But she had a ghastly gray green cast to her complexion which is a known issue with some dolls of some years.
What I did was get cheap oil based foundation and rubbed it on the dolls face and let it soak in. Vinyl absorbs oil. Over time, and in a warm room, near heat because warmer softer vinyl absorbs ok and color faster than cold. I then rubbed off the foundation after a few days, maybe a week, and then adjusted the coloring because I went a bit too light that first go. I repeated several times until my Lindsay was looking the way I wanted. Then used oil pencils, oil blush for cheek color , shading, Eyebrows, lip, freckles. Make up eye pencils are usually oil based but I have a set of oil based color pencils I like to use .
Most dolls don’t need such time consuming repeat color washes. One application of foundation if you can nail the right shade or just adding some cheek coloring with blush can make a huge difference.
I think Cinderella will just get a very light application of a very light oil based Dollar Store blush or lip coloring to give her face a bit more contouring, shadows, shaping and not be so glaringly baby doll pink white. May adjust lipstick closer to rose than the current peach tone. It will be a very subtle effect. Imo, AG went too light with this skin tone. But it might be what the kids want. I’m not the arbiter of these things, I just do my dolls as I please.
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SarahK
Historical Dreamer
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Post by SarahK on Feb 24, 2024 9:38:56 GMT -5
Jamirae. I totally agree with your evaluation! She evokes an older doll look which I love. I think it’s the pale skin, the eyebrows and her yellow hair. I get a lot of nostalgia looking at her. I put mine in the pink dress and I keep getting old holly wood vibes from her too. The pink also really softens her overall look. I fluffed her bangs a little too and just adore her. But my Cindy’s hair is staying up in the bun. As a Cinderella doll I think she is perfect. They really nailed the look. It’s funny you say the uneven eyes give more character because I was thinking that mines straight eyes was possibly what was giving her a rigid look. I won’t be so picky with the eyes when I pick out my second one, this one was warehouse picked.
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Post by Librarian4 on Feb 24, 2024 8:51:34 GMT -5
My Cinderella doll arrived! For all I was prepared for something different; not at all what I had hoped in this doll, I was taken aback lovey, lovely doll, yes, ad the misgivings about her hair were not well realized. But this is the very first American Girl doll that does not evoke AG to me. Cinderella is an excellent version of the Disney movie. Yes, her hair is a yellow blonde instead of the more caramel color that better matched the cartoon version , but the hairstyle, face, ball gown, the whole look is seriously Cinderella. AG did well with this doll as the Cinderella character. What surprised me the most about this doll is how much she reminds me of my dolls back in the day, more than a half century ago, like 60years ago. The main reason is her skin tone. Cinderella is lighter, whiter, pinker than any of the AG dolls. Her face does not have the nuances and shading that In used to seeing in AG dolls. I will be adding some light color to her face, which I believe will help Right now she looks so much like ….a doll, which of course she is but very generic. The other feature about her that reminds me of dolls in the 60s is her very yellow blonde hair. One of the marvelous things about AG wigs is that they are multi colored. Not just one color I’m not a fan of the thicker chunkier color blocking that a lot of the newer dolls have, but AG wigs tend to have a variance of shades of color that give depth to them. Not so Cinderella. So what do I think of Cinderella? Yes, I took down her bun. I didn’t find the layers, curls , possible thin spots an issue. I like the cascades of curls that can free flow. I found it easy to style and shape despite the curls. Not the traditional brushable hair that I prefer but not like shaped curls that are difficult for me to shape. Not like Evette at all or even Courtney., the layers and the looser, unshaped leaves a lot more leeway. I rather like the wig. Even though there are limitations on how one can shape it. My Cinderella’s eyes are not quite even but I think the slight asymmetry gives her a softer expression. I had hoped for the light blue eyes but I think the darker blue works better for her. As a Disney Cinderella doll, I give 8 out of 10. I wish she has more of the AG nuances that make this such a great doll line. As a new AG doll, again 8 out of 10. Needs a bit of work on my part to add to my collection, a bit of make up. But she will be a unique addition, and , yes, a very pretty doll. Will be posting photos this week. My Ella is a modern day girl, and will be wearing contemporary outfits. Tiana’s ball gown suits her more than her meet gown because she is not Cinderella! I have to admit I was shocked when you wrote that you ordered the Cinderella doll as I know you like to go and pick your dolls out in person at the store. I was wondering how you planned to changed her makeup/skin tone - what process will you be using? 
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Post by Jamirae on Feb 23, 2024 22:49:34 GMT -5
My Cinderella doll arrived! For all I was prepared for something different; not at all what I had hoped in this doll, I was taken aback lovey, lovely doll, yes, ad the misgivings about her hair were not well realized. But this is the very first American Girl doll that does not evoke AG to me.
Cinderella is an excellent version of the Disney movie. Yes, her hair is a yellow blonde instead of the more caramel color that better matched the cartoon version , but the hairstyle, face, ball gown, the whole look is seriously Cinderella. AG did well with this doll as the Cinderella character.
What surprised me the most about this doll is how much she reminds me of my dolls back in the day, more than a half century ago, like 60years ago. The main reason is her skin tone. Cinderella is lighter, whiter, pinker than any of the AG dolls. Her face does not have the nuances and shading that In used to seeing in AG dolls. I will be adding some light color to her face, which I believe will help Right now she looks so much like ….a doll, which of course she is but very generic.
The other feature about her that reminds me of dolls in the 60s is her very yellow blonde hair. One of the marvelous things about AG wigs is that they are multi colored. Not just one color I’m not a fan of the thicker chunkier color blocking that a lot of the newer dolls have, but AG wigs tend to have a variance of shades of color that give depth to them. Not so Cinderella.
So what do I think of Cinderella? Yes, I took down her bun. I didn’t find the layers, curls , possible thin spots an issue. I like the cascades of curls that can free flow. I found it easy to style and shape despite the curls. Not the traditional brushable hair that I prefer but not like shaped curls that are difficult for me to shape. Not like Evette at all or even Courtney., the layers and the looser, unshaped leaves a lot more leeway. I rather like the wig. Even though there are limitations on how one can shape it.
My Cinderella’s eyes are not quite even but I think the slight asymmetry gives her a softer expression. I had hoped for the light blue eyes but I think the darker blue works better for her.
As a Disney Cinderella doll, I give 8 out of 10. I wish she has more of the AG nuances that make this such a great doll line. As a new AG doll, again 8 out of 10. Needs a bit of work on my part to add to my collection, a bit of make up. But she will be a unique addition, and , yes, a very pretty doll.
Will be posting photos this week. My Ella is a modern day girl, and will be wearing contemporary outfits. Tiana’s ball gown suits her more than her meet gown because she is not Cinderella!
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Post by molly1989 on Feb 23, 2024 14:26:04 GMT -5
I came here to see if anyone mentioned the plastic hinges on the suitcase. I couldn't believe when I opened the suitcase for the first time. It is heavy and hard to open. I thought some packaging must be in the way -- but nope. The hinges don't seem to want to open all the way and I'm concerned that forcing it will break them. It would be nice to be able to display the suitcase open, but that's not a possibility because the hinges push it closed unless you hold it (or prop it I guess)
I don't think those plastic hinges will last, even for collectors. The plastic is already turning white where they bend. On the plus side, it looks very playable and I'm going to share it with my kids. So I'll update if/when those hinges snap from light play.
Everything else in this set is an absolute delight!
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minniebelle
Miss AG Bear

Elizabeth32 @ InnerstarU
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Post by minniebelle on Feb 23, 2024 10:54:04 GMT -5
Very pretty outfit, tied with Tiana's blue dress for me as a favorite because it can be used as a regular outfit rather than a costume. It would look gorgeous on Claudie, and it's the right time period for her. The coat and hat hat are a soft woven, pale green fabric. The dress is yellow cotton. The one thing I don't like as much is that the shoes (like many of the Princess outfits so far), have weird pointy toes that make the shoes look larger. It comes with a porcelain plate and baguettes that remind me of the ones from Marie Grace/Cécile party set.
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 21:51:15 GMT -5
Other than the Midnight Riding Boots, I think this outfit is the big winner from the Holiday 2022 collaboration between American Girl and Janie and Jack. Website description: This outfit—designed in collaboration with Janie and Jack—checks all the right style boxes with head-to-toe touches of tartan plaid. Product features a green and Dark Marine plaid bow tie that fastens in back, a button-front shirt, a button-front velvet vest lined in taffeta, and brushed twill plaid pants with front pockets. Dark Marine knit socks and penny loafer shoes. $42  There are a lot of pieces in this set, which can all be worn together or mixed and matched with pieces from this or other collections. I'll highlight each of the pieces below. The brushed twill straight-cut pants feature a green and dark marine colored tartan plaid. The fly closes with Velcro, and there are two functional front pockets as well as two faux pockets in the back (indicated with plackets that have the plaid set at a diagonal angle). There's a plastic oval vanity tag on the back of the waistband. I've only tried the pants on a 2021 doll (Kira), but they fit well without being either too loose or too tight. I like the fit, functionality, and quality of these pants, and while there aren't generally a ton of occasions to wear green and blue plaid pants, I do like how these can be festive for the holidays or fun for other occasions. Grade: B+ The pants with another sweater from the collection:  The functional front pocket and decorative rear pocket placket:  The button-front shirt is a really nice quality. I like how it's typical dress shirt material, with real buttons down the front placket, a nice collar, and cuffs (which don't have buttons but fit easily over the doll's hands and still look nice on). Close up, the fabric looks like a mix of light blue and white, but when you move away, it just looks light blue. I think this is a well-made and nicely versatile piece. Grade: A The shirt (plus what the pants look like with boots): A close up of the foyer buttons, collar, plain shoulder, and cuff:  A close up of the fabric:  The button-front velvet vest is a nice dark marine color. It has real buttons, a velvety texture in the front, and a matching dark marine taffeta back. It fits well and goes really well with the other pieces in this outfit. I'm not sure yet if it will be worn with pieces from other collections, but it seems well-made and the color seems like it will definitely work with other items. Grade: B+ The vest and its three buttons:  From the back:  The green and dark marine tartan plaid bow tie matches the pants (and the tartan skirt that's a separate piece of this collection). The bow tie has a Velcro closure that would fasten under the collar in the back of the neck; the bow is permanently stitched on. Grade: B+ The bow tie:  You can see the Velcro attachment when Kira holds the bow tie:  The outfit also comes with a pair of dark marine knit socks that go up to the calf, and dark marine loafers that work with or without the socks. Both of these seem very functional and like they can be worn with many other outfits. Grade: A Socks and shoes (with a skirt):  Close up of the shoes:  While some of my grades for the individual items in this set are below an A, that's really only because I'm not sure how often they would be worn with different pieces. My overall grade for the outfit is an easy A. Everything seems well-made, well-fitting, and nicely thought out in terms of being part of an overall look as well as being stand alone pieces. The $42 price tag is a little steeper than most of the individual pieces in the collection, but this outfit (along with the riding boots and the tartan skirt) is my favorite in the collection, and I think it's worth the original price. All together: 
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 20:00:06 GMT -5
This cute coat was another piece of the American Girl + Janie and Jack collaboration that was released in late September 2022. Official description: Plaid perfection checks all the right style boxes this holiday season in this coat, created in collaboration with Janie and Jack. This Bradbury Red plaid coat has a plush faux-fur collar and cuffs, a tie belt, and gold-tone buttons on the pockets. $24 Additional details: I was surprised that the coat is a single layer of fabric, which feels kind of like flannel or brushed cotton on the outside and has more of a smooth woven texture on the inside. Except for the dark fur trim on the collar and cuffs, it almost feels more like a robe. This perception is reinforced for me by the tie belt and absence of button or zipper closure. (It does have a Velcro closure at the top, and it also has decorative buttons on the front pockets, in addition to the tie belt.) None of this has a negative impact on the overall look, in my opinion, but I think it's worth noting. Pros: This is a really cute garment. I really like the red and midnight blue plaid, and I like that it can work for the holidays but isn't overly specific to the holidays. I also like how the plaid can coordinate with other pieces in the collection but can generally work with navy or red in many decades. (As other collectors have noted, this might also work with Molly.) I really, REALLY appreciate how the plaid matches up in the front, as I think this gives a much more polished appearance. I also like the two functional pockets in the front (which are adorned with decorative gold-tone buttons), and how the back of the coat has a slightly longer, curved shape. The faux fur seems to be a nice quality, and the plaid fabric also has a soft, cozy feel, even though it's lightweight. Cons: As noted above, it's not really much of a cold-weather coat. This is okay appearance-wise, but I'm not so sure it's worth the original $24 price point since it's more of a robe than a coat. I think that either reducing the price by $5-10, or tacking an extra $10-15 onto the price and creating a more substantial coat or one that's still lightweight but lined, could have been a nicer option. Also, the sleeves don't have a lot of give - it takes just a bit of effort to get them over the doll's hands when putting the coat on, and the puff-sleeve sweaters in this collection don't really work well with the coat. (I had to leave it open because the Velcro couldn't reach to close when I put it on Jess while she was wearing one of the sweaters.) I think it's best over a sleeveless top or one that's made out of thin fabric, and I don't think the coat would really work on one of the older PC big-bodied dolls. Finally, not a big deal for me but I do remember someone mentioning it when first released, the dark navy Velcro strip remains visible if you choose to leave the coat open. (Personally, I think that although it's visible, the busyness of the plaid distracts from it being too obvious.) Overall, while I think the coat has some limitations, I do like the piece and I'm glad that I have it. I think I'd give it a B. It comes in a package with a thick cardboard hanger (printed with both American Girl and Janie and Jack):  Outfit suggestions on the back of the package:  The plaid matches up in front:  Close up of the faux fur collar and the flannel or brushed cotton outside of the coat:  Close up of the reverse side of the fabric, and the label (no special label for this collaboration):  Close up of one of the front pockets (nice that it’s functional and stands out with the diagonal plaid, also nice that the flap has a decorative gold button): (NOTE THAT IT’S NOT THIS ORANGE IN REAL LIFE!)  I like the shape of the back, with the longer length, curve, and reverse pleat:  The coat closed completely when Kira put it on over the Tartan Plaid Outfit:  But no such luck when Jess put it on over one of the puff-sleeve sweater tops from the collection:  Even when it’s open, though, I don’t think the Velcro strip is too distracting. 
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 18:50:10 GMT -5
This is another piece from the 2002 Fall/Holiday mix and match collection that was a collaboration between American Girl and Janie and Jack. It was released in late September 2022. Website description: Add a touch of French-girl flair this holiday with this warm beret, created in collaboration with Janie and Jack. Product features: Our warm wool beret in Dark Marine features a peppy plush pom on top. $12 Pros: It's a cute accessory that coordinates well with other pieces in this collection (and as other collectors pointed out at the time, could also work well for Molly or other historical girls). It feels like it's really well made, and the color makes it pretty versatile to wear within or outside of this collection. Cons: Kind of embarrassing, but I don't wear berets and I don't feel like I really know how to position them, so I think my attempts look pretty silly. This might just be me, or maybe it's because Jess (the doll I was working with) is from 2006 and has a larger head, I don't know. Another potential drawback is that the dark wool could easily attract and show lint or dust. Overall, I think the quality of this piece, its versatility across outfits and decades, and how cute it looks when other people use it earns an A, but my attempts felt more like a C-. I think I'd give the piece a B overall. People with more experience with berets might rate it higher.   ETA: After trying the beret on Gabriela and finding that it didn’t look nearly as silly, I decided to add another photo. Gabriela seems to have a smaller head than Jess, so maybe that helps? 
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 18:19:52 GMT -5
These cute boots were part of the Fall/Holiday 2022 mix and match collection that was a collaboration between American Girl and Janie and Jack. Website description: Create holiday magic in these midnight boots—created in collaboration with Janie and Jack—that add a finishing touch to any look from our mix-and-match collection. Product features: Dark Marine high-calf boots that open on the inside seams and feature strap details studded with gold hardware. $16 Pros: I think these are super cute. The dark navy/ midnight color with subtle gold hardware embellishment looks good with many different outfits and is pretty versatile in terms of style, too. I like how the front of the boot is slightly taller than the sides and back, which (along with the hardware) gives it a stylish vibe while still be subtle and not too trendy. The boots open with a Velcro strip on the inside of the boot, and the boot itself is pretty roomy, which means it can easily be worn alone with skirts/dresses or outside of pants. The boots themselves are pretty thin and flexible in addition to being roomy, so they easily adjusted to fitting around the decorative gold buttons on the cuffs of the red leggings that were part of this collection; I didn't expect this, and it might not be the smoothest of looks if you're really looking at it carefully, but it was still a nice surprise. Finally, like most AG shoes now, the boots come in their own little shoebox. Cons: I don't have a lot of cons. The boots are pretty lightweight and don't feel particularly expensive or substantial when looked at by themselves, which might be a con, although I do think it makes them more flexible to fit over different kinds of pants. I suppose this might also mean that they could get squished and lose their shape if not stored well. Overall, these boots earn an easy A from me. I bought a couple pair back when they came out, and I think they're a good buy even at the full original price. The boots and their box:  Hardware on the outside and Velcro on the inside:  Another close up:  Paired with other pieces in this collection:     One more look at the box: 
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 5:48:42 GMT -5
This top, part of the Janie and Jack + American Girl collaboration that was released in late September 2022, is another one of the mix-and-match pieces that works with several other pieces in the collection. Website description: Holiday style blooms in this festive French-terry top, created in collaboration with Janie and Jack. Product features a soft French-terry top printed with vivid red roses and accented with pretty puff sleeves. $14 I don't think I read the description before buying it, so I was a little surprised by the construction. I thought it was a sweater, but as the description says, it's actually more like a thick jersey fabric. The dark blue background with red roses and green leaves is printed on one side of the fabric, and the reverse side (the inside of the top) is just white. There's a single strip of Velcro up the back. There are full-length puff sleeves (not like the 3/4 length sleeves of the other top in this collection), and the neckline, cuffs, and hemline are all ribbed and the same dark blue as the background in the rest of the top. Pros: It seems like it's well made, and I like the fabric choice. The colors and design go well with other pieces in this collection. Cons: It might be my personal preference, but I don't love the style. The top is on the short side; in fact, looking at photos of it with the pants now, I kind of think I should have pushed it up a little further and styled it more like a crop top, instead of trying to close the gap between the top and pants. (I think it looks fine as is with the skirt, though.) The packaging included a thick cardboard hanger (stamped with both Janie and Jack and American Girl) and some outfit suggestions. I’ll try to add a photo of this later. My overall grade for the pieces probably a B-, which reflects my personal preferences and not just an objective assessment of the quality and versatility (which would rank higher). With the Rose Red Tulle Skirt;  With the Cozy Rose Leggings (Dark Marine):  With the Cozy Rose Leggings (Bradbury Red):  Close up of the top:  The puff sleeve:  The back:  The reverse side of the fabric:  ETA photo of packaging with outfit suggestions:  
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mamared
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Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 5:10:55 GMT -5
This is another one of the pieces from the Janie and Jack + American Girl collaboration that was released as the fall / holiday collection in late September 2022. It originally cost $14, and it mixes and matches with several other pieces in the collection. Website Description: Make holiday magic in this multi-tiered skirt, designed in collaboration with Janie and Jack. Pros: I think this is a cute piece. It has what feels like a red polyester lining with the three tiers of red dotted tulle, which give it a fun party look. I think the combination of the vivid color and lightweight tulle make it appropriate for celebrations throughout the year; while it's part of the winter holiday release, I can also see it being worn on Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July, or really any time of year depending on what it's paired with. The waist has a thick elastic band and it's easy to put on and take off the doll, and I think it's a very reasonable price for the piece. Cons: It's lightweight tulle, so I do worry about it getting snagged or damaged easily. I would be cautious about keeping velcro items closed around it. Also, the edges of the tulle aren't finished in any way, which doesn't bother me at all but I guess it could be seen as a con. With the Midnight Rose Puff-Sleeve Top:  With the Wrapped in Roses Party Top:  Three tiers, and a thick waist band with the oval vanity tag:  Close up of the dotted tulle:  The skirt came on a thick cardboard hanger in packaging that included some outfit suggestions. I'll try to add a photo of this soon. My overall grade for this piece is an A-, noting that it’s more of a fun, flouncy, vividly colored fashion piece that will bring lots of smiles while it lasts, as opposed to an expertly tailored heirloom. ETA photos of packaging:  
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Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 4:34:09 GMT -5
This skirt was part of the holiday collection released in late September 2022. There were several mix-and-match pieces in the Janie and Jack + American Girl collaboration, and this is one of my favorite. The website description: Plaid perfection checks all the right style boxes this season in this doll skirt, created in collaboration with American Girl. cheshie04 already has some good photos of the skirt and packaging. The only other thing that I would note is that there's a single layer of tulle under the skirt, which helps it maintain its shape. The layer of navy tulle:  Close up of the plaid:  With the Midnight Rose Puff-Sleeve Top and Midnight Riding Boots:  With the Midnight Riding Boots and some pieces from the Tartan Plaid Outfit (sorry this is kind of a messy look, I might take a neater photo later):  My overall grade for the skirt would probably be an A-. There might not be anything especially exceptional about it, but I think it’s really cute! ETA a “neater” photo of Kira with pieces from the Tartan Plaid Outfit, this time with her shirt tucked in and wearing the loafers and socks from that outfit: 
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Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 4:12:01 GMT -5
This two-piece leggings set, which retailed for $18, was part of the holiday collection released in late September 2022. Here's the website description: Holiday style blooms in this leggings duo, created in collaboration with Janie and Jack. Product features: Our signature soft stretch pants in Dark Marine with rose appliqués at the cuffs, Our signature soft stretch pants in Bradbury Red with gold buttons at the cuffs. Pros: The leggings are made of a nice, thick, stretchy fabric that feels high quality. They're easy to put on, even with the older, slightly larger dolls (like 2006 Jess). The dark blue and red colors are really, really pretty and also versatile in terms of working in different seasons and with other pieces outside of this collection (as well as coordinating well with pieces in this collection). While the leggings have some embellishment (the rose appliqués on the cuffs of the blue ones, and gold buttons on the cuffs of the red ones), the colors are basic enough so they're not too trendy, and I think the red ones in particular won't look dated for quite awhile. Cons: Although the fabric has some stretch, the waist doesn't go up too high and there isn't a lot of extra give, so the doll's backside might be partially exposed when seated. Also, because the fabric is thick, the seams around the crotch and waistband can sometimes look a little askew or bulky in photos if they're laying in the wrong direction. And finally, not a fault with these particular pieces, but leggings in general can draw attention to the brick-like bodies of the dolls from certain angles, and these are no exception. Overall: Even though I don't use leggings very often, I'm really drawn to the gorgeous colors and high quality feel of these. My overall grade would be a B+. Dark marine with rose appliqués at the cuffs:  Close ups of the appliqués:   Bradbury red with gold buttons at the cuffs:  Close up of seams and buttons:   Boots can fit over the buttons:  Both pair of leggings came on a thick cardboard hanger in a package with additional outfit suggestions on the back:  
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