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I love this outfit for Saige! That sweater is the best part! I use all the pieces in different ways with her other pieces.
I highly recommend this outfit if you can get it. It's great for Saige or any doll collection!
Grade: A+

Sam helps me showcase Saige's Picnic Set. I recently got mine off eBay MIB, and my basket was also loose. So I suspect this is a design feature. Because it's made of real wicker, I don't think this would hold up to heavy play.

The food items are cute. Though how would she transport the avocado without getting it everywhere? Lol

I would recommend the set for adults or older kids.
Grade: B

I bought Molly's School Supplies from her relaunch that happened on June 1, 2022. Here are some comparison pictures with my PC set. I got my PC set in early 1994.

The new version is overpriced at $42. I think $32 would've been reasonable. The new set is also missing the workbook and eraser.

Polish_20220603_135740548 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_122903 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_122917 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

The new bag is missing the prong on the buckles that go in the holes of the straps. The buckles still function. I find the new version easier to work.

Polish_20220603_140025209 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

The rings in the new binder are plastic. 

Polish_20220603_135847727 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_123238 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_123929 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

Polish_20220603_140603187 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_124641 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

Polish_20220603_140446401 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

The new pencils are still real.

Polish_20220603_140327618 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

Polish_20220603_140232660 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_124349 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_125006 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_125015 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_125033 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220603_125055 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

ETA: When I went to leave a review for this set on AG's website I saw that the set does include the eraser. At first I assumed that either I had the bad luck of getting a set that was missing it or I accidentally lost it when I opened the set at the hotel. I decided to take one more look in the box. I found the little bugger hiding under the silica gel packet! 🤦‍♀️

Flurry is a mixed-breed dog in training to be a search-and-rescue dog. This girl-sized plush has tan-and-white fur and movable limbs so she can sit or lie down. She has a knotted bandanna around her neck with a mountain graphic, and soft pink ears and paw pads. Girls will love her sweet brown eyes, open mouth with her tongue showing, and the embroidered American Girl® star on her back foot. Everyone will love that she’s made with more sustainable materials.

I wanted to see these new plushies in person before buying any and I'm glad I did. They are comparable in quality to brands that you find in gift shops such as Dakin, Aurora, Ganz, Applause, Russ, etc. But plushies from those brands that are similar in size are closer to the price range of $25-30. $40 Is too much for these. Flurry was on sale for $36 when I picked him up. The only reason I went for it was because I was able to pick him out in person.

The plush is SUPER soft! The stuffing leaves a lot to be desired. They're very floppy. My mom said that there's hardly anything to them. The biggest issue is that they're faces vary WILDLY. I would not buy one online. I had to go through 15-20 of them before I found a face I liked. I took a lot of pictures of various ones in the store.

20220601_130313 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220601_130310 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220601_130300 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220601_130251 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220601_113443 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

20220601_113449 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

The one I picked can be seen in this picture.
20220601_173244 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

“Get a good night’s rest or get ready for a fun-filled sleepover in these dreamy pajamas. The set includes:
A tie-dyed velour one-piece PJ jumpsuit with two front pockets
A purple jersey headband with a bow
A pair of purple jersey slippers with furry pom-poms”

I bought these some time ago, got a nice price with REWARDS or promotion, didn’t even open the box. I’d gotten this set for Corinne because I wanted to use her pj set as day clothes I didn’t catch that the fabric is velour. Most of the time, I’ve been surprised by wintery looking nightwear that turns out to be made of a thin, light fabric. Given this is sleeveless, I figured these would light flowy summer pjs.

Walmart had some outfits on sale, so I picked up a few outfits there including a one piece outfit that was of a similar pattern—long pants, sleeveless top. That piece was made of a light cotton knit. So, it was a surprise to me that this AG one piece pj set is made from a substantial fabric, the velour. Despite the tank top, not a piece to wear on a warm evening.

Yes, AG quality here , IMO. Well made, nice fabric, fits Corinne well and that soft water color look is lovely. Slippers a bit ordinary and the bow band for the hair…well, versatile. Can be worn with a number of AG outfits.

So now, not sure if these will stay sleepwear. Certainly too heavy for summer. Corinne got pjs from my Walmart haul.

An “A” for quality construction , and looks. No A for easy usage of outfit and the accessories are a B-, broughtt TV down by the shoes.

I bought Samantha's desk at a flea market. It is very good quality, a sturdy, heavy wood and Samantha can sit in it comfortably. I give it an A.

I bought only the overalls for this outfit for a great price recently, and they're amazing! A wonderful, detailed little reproduction of human-sized overalls.
They fit my chubby PM Molly perfectly, without being too snug, and look great with a variety of shirts. A++ quality, highly recommend.

I adore my 35th anniversary Kirsten. She has such a personality and an adorable face. Her Meet dress is one of my favorites, though I lost the spoon that goes in her spoon bag. Overall grade: A

Beret: A+

A red, knitted beret. It sits very nicely on Kit’s head.


Beret.

Mittens: A+

A sturdy set of blue, red, and grey mittens. They feel warm and would likely serve Kit well in a Cincinnati winter.


Mittens.


On the doll.

Good Value?

I got these with the Winter Coat for a reasonable price. If you’re especially interested in this set, I recommend looking into it as part of the coat set. It retailed for $20, which, given the cost of outfits at the time, seems a bit much for a beret and mittens.

Overall: A+

I really like this set overall. The quality is good and the pieces are practical. They look really nice with Kit’s Winter Coat, so I don’t see how you could get one without the other. In Cincinnati, the winter months are cold – Kit is well set up to confront that!


Kit with her coat, hat, and mittens.

Dress: A+

This knit dress is made of a glittery garnet fabric with garnet faux fur at the neckline and wrists. It’s a simple, flattering cut with an umpire waist and A-line silhouette. The glitter sparkles nicely in the light without being too overwhelming. I really like the dark, yet festive colour.

It opens partially down the back with Velcro (the snagging kind, so be very careful with both the dress’s fabric and your doll’s hair) and is easy to put on the doll. The stretch of the fabric makes it very forgiving in fit. Margaret is an early #21 and I think it would look fine on both chubbier PM dolls and slimmer current ones. It’s just a lovely, simple dress that looks good on pretty much everyone.


Front.


Back.

Tights: A

A typical pair of white, AG tights. They aren’t the thickest that AG has produced and mine have acquired some snags over the years (I’m not the original owner), but they’re sturdy enough and look nice.



Shoes: A+

Sturdy shoes made of maroon velvet. They have a slight heel, but still balance well. They close with a snap (a nice change from Velcro!). I’m perhaps a little concerned about the red that’s bleeding through the white lining, but I’ve had this dress on Margaret for over a year and the shoes haven’t stained the white tights, so it must not be that serious. I like these and enjoy how well they match the dress.


Shoes. Note the dye staining the inner lining.


On the doll.

Good Value?

This retailed in the early 00s for $26, which was normal for outfits at the time. I think that was fair given that this is an entire outfit. It goes for a lot more now; I paid around $45 for it and thought that was a deal. I tend to like how much this outfit stands out against other brighter, more involved offerings, so I think it’s worth it.

Overall: A+

I have a soft spot for this outfit because I was the target age in the early 00s and I had outfits very similar to this, right down to the glittery knit fabric. It strokes a certain nostalgia for me. Outside of that, I love how much it stands out from other holiday outfits, both in its simplicity and colour. It’s a lovely outfit and I’m so happy to have it in my collection.


Without flash...


And with flash, just to demonstrate how different this colour can look.

Jacket: A+

A smartly cut, forest green jacket with purple accents and white lace at the neck, sleeves, and hem. Three buttons are sewn into the front, but the aren’t functional. I’m not sure what this fabric is, but it hits the perfect balance of being neither too thick nor too thin. The purple and dark green accent ribbon is grosgrain, tied with a bow in the front, and it’s expertly placed to give the jacket some shape. The scalloped lace gives it an elegant, refined flair. I really love the rich colours of this!

It opens fully in the back with Velcro (the sticky kind – be careful with your doll’s hair!) for easy dressing. It’s easy to get on the doll and fits Cécile very well. That being said, it’s a tight fit, so I doubt it would fit on a chubbier PC girl. I got this for Cécile, though, so I’m very happy with how it looks on her.


Front. So pretty!


Back


Skirt: A

The skirt has a white base with purple, green, and dark green stripes. It drops to calf length and has elastic around the waist to keep it up (and for easy dressing). Once again, I absolutely love the rich colours of this and am so happy that AG didn’t tone them down! However I’m not the biggest fan of the “V” in the back, created by the pattern not matching up at the seam. Since all of these skirts seem to have it, I wonder if it was a problem inherit to the fabric that AG used for this piece. Still, it looks great with the jacket!


Front.


Back.


On the doll.

Pantaloons: A+

Ok, yes, I know we didn’t REALLY need another pair of pantaloons for a doll that already came with them, but hear me out…these are different! They gather at the hem and have ruffled lace. I think they look so nice with this outfit (or, indeed, any of Cécile’s outfit), peeking delicately out from under the skirt. My Cécile wears these fulltime because I like them so much.


Why, yes, Cécile did lift her skirt for this.

Good Value?

This outfit retailed for $34, which, given the general price of AG outfits at the time, seems fair to me for a full outfit. Many of the previous reviews seem somewhat displeased with the outfit, but I think the quality is fine. Nothing to write home about, but also not the worst that AG has put out. At least they took their time with some of the details and put some care into making it look pretty and elegant. Secondary market prices for this can be insane! I got mine for less than retail, but I had to wait a long time to find it.

Overall: A+

I really like this outfit. Maybe it’s the bold colours or the flattering cut – I dunno, but I was absolutely thrilled when I managed to snag a deal on it. Everyone who has seen Cécile in it has commented on how unique and lovely it looks, and I tend to agree. I’m glad that AG didn’t shy away from the rich colours, even if they might seem a bit “much” to the modern eye. They just scream “NOLA,” to me. This is a gorgeous outfit and I definitely think it’s worth searching for. It might actually be my favourite of C & MG’s collection.


I know it's meant for Marie-Grace, but I think it looks amazing on Cécile!

Released April 2022.

At the end of a long day, Nanea can snuggle with Mele in this PJ set that includes: A button-front swingtop-style PJ top in a blue floral print with cap sleeves, patch pockets, and ribbon and lace trim at the neckline, sleeves, and pockets, A pair of floral-print PJ pants with an elastic waistband and wide legs, A satin ribbon hairbow.

SKU#: HGW77 $34




I missed out on the original Tropical Pajamas, and I think these are a nice addition to Nanea’s collection. They are part of the early April 2022 release.

The tropical floral fabric has lovely blue tones, and the swing top and wide leg bottoms look cool and comfy.



The top has four functional white buttons and buttonholes down the front and lace trim on the neckline, cap sleeves, and two patch pockets. A blue satin ribbon is woven through the trim, and the neckline and sleeves are topped off with little bows.







There’s no Velcro on either the top or the bottoms. The bottoms have an elastic waist and are very easy to put on and take off the doll.





The set also comes with a hair elastic that has a permanently attached blue satin bow (matching the ones on the pajama top). I wish there had been two of these so I could use them in braids or pigtails; I think the single one might be a bit too small to easily use with a whole head of hair, so this piece won’t get much use here.





The one additional piece that comes in this set is the trifold pamphlet that gives a bit of historical and story context. The front of this pamphlet includes a picture of Nanea in the floral pajamas next to the updated Mele (wearing a new blue ribbon collar). The historical pajamas and dogs are being marketed together in this new release, although they’re still sold separately.



The inside of the pamphlet talks about some of the ways Nanea enjoys her evenings outside with her friends before coming inside to bed. Part of her bedtime routine is brushing her teeth and washing her feet, since shoes aren’t always worn (not even to school), and that if they are worn, they’re taken off before going inside the house. I appreciate that this is addressed in the pamphlet, as there’s been a bit of a buzz about this set not having slippers, and this implies some of the reasoning behind it. The rest of the pamphlet talks about having a curfew and staying cooped inside the house during the nightly blackouts once the war has begun.





(Yes, that is a picture of Nanea cuddled in bed wearing her original Tropical Pajamas.)

I really appreciate the fairly recent reintroduction of the historical pamphlets, as well as all of the attention to detail on the outfit itself. I’m not sure whether this is all worth $34, though. I used rewards to get them for considerably less, and I think the overall quality would earn the set an A, but for $34 an additional piece (even a second hair ribbon, or maybe a toothbrush, a washcloth, or a magazine) would have been nice.

Released April 2022.

Nanea and her friends like to splash in the waves and treat themselves to shave ice at the beach. She’ll have a fun day in the sun in this outfit that includes: A 1940s halter style pink-and-white-striped swim top with a sweetheart neckline and straps that tie into a bow at mid-back, A pair of pink-and-white-striped woven cotton sailor-style swim shorts, A pair of pink espadrille shoes, A pink terry-cloth towel to dry off after a dip in the ocean.


This cute outfit, which is part of an early April 2022 release, makes a nice addition to Nanea’s collection. Here’s the official description, along with some additional photos and thoughts.

SKU#: HGW75 $32





“Nanea and her friends like to splash in the waves and treat themselves to shave ice at the beach. She’ll have a fun day in the sun in this outfit that includes:

“A 1940s halter style pink-and-white-striped swim top with a sweetheart neckline and straps that tie into a bow at mid-back” - What a cute halter top! I like the sweetheart neckline and the attention that seems to have been given to the stripes matching up on the three parts that make up the front of the halter, and that the stripes on the part that go around the neck are at an angle. The pinstripes look more of a pinkish-red or even just red to me, although placing it next to other pieces helps bring out the pink tones. The top secures with Velcro behind the neck and by tying the bottom behind the back. Grade: A

From the front, with the sweetheart neckline and the stripes.



From the back (I tried to move Jess’s neck strings out of the way). Velcro at the top, and a knot or bow at the bottom. (It’s not pre-tied, but the straps are long enough to easily make your own bow.)



Checking out the mix-and-match potential with Nanea’s meet shorts. I don’t know if this would be historically accurate, but it looks like it would be cool on a hot day.



“A pair of pink-and-white-striped woven cotton sailor-style swim shorts” - I’m not sure what makes these swim shorts; like the halter top, they’re made of unlined cotton (or maybe cotton blend) that seem like they could be part of regular daywear. There is a flat front with three decorative white buttons on each side, and an elastic waistline in the back. Again, I like the attention given to how the stripes meet up at the seams. Grade: A- (explained below)



There’s a dart behind each set of buttons. The plastic oval vanity tag is also on the lower edge of the shorts.



A side-by-side view of these shorts with the meet shorts shows that these are slightly shorter. They are also a much lighter-weight fabric, which happens to wrinkle very easily! The wrinkles here are after Jess had been sitting down for just a couple minutes, and that’s why I give them an A- instead of an A.



Curious about the mix and match? Here are the shorts with the Palaka Outfit top.



And here they are with Nanea’s meet top. I really didn’t think this combo would work, since the shirt has an orange tone and the stripes are more reddish-pink, but it’s less awful than I imagined lol.



“A pair of pink espadrille shoes” - These shoes look very cute with the outfit and by themselves. They have a reinforced strap across the front of the foot and an elastic strap that connects the front and threads through the back of the heel. This is very much like the construction of the recently released LoveShackFancy Garden Party Sandals, except that the band across the front is straight rather than bow-shaped, and these also seem a bit easier to put on. I like the woven espadrille detailing around the sides and bottom, and that the label is wound around a strap so it will be easily removable. The color is deeply saturated, like an overripe watermelon. Grade: A







“A pink terry-cloth towel to dry off after a dip in the ocean” - This terry-cloth towel has a saturated pink background that coordinates really well with the espadrilles and the rest of the outfit, and it has a lighter pink design of what looks like flowers and waves. It’s two-sided, with the reverse pattern on the back. It’s large enough to wrap around her shoulders, sit on, or dry off with, but still smaller than she is so she won’t be laying down on this towel. I’m guessing that aspect is historically accurate. Grade: A



Here’s a comparison to the yellow towel that came with Nanea’s (retired) Island Swimsuit. The pattern is very similar but not identical, and this towel is a bit larger.



And the reverse sides:



Not mentioned in the official description, but in line with other current AG historical releases, Nanea’s Two-Piece Swimsuit comes with an informative trifold pamphlet. The cover shows this set along with the Beach Accessories (surfboard, sunglasses, shirt, and shave ice treat), which are currently on pre-order as part of the same release.



The inside of the pamphlet tells about how Nanea’s favorite place is the beach, where her family and friends enjoy swimming, fishing, surfing, and playing in the sand, and how time there is particularly special after the war starts, since now they are busier being Honolulu Helpers supporting their community and country.




(Yes, that IS a picture of Nanea in her original Island Swimsuit in the pamphlet!)

Overall, I think this is a very cute, versatile, and well-made set. The $32 price does seem kind of high, and it’s hard not to compare it to the original swimsuit set, which came with the suit and towel plus goggles and a tatami mat for $4 less than this set. However, I think all of the pieces in this set (top, bottoms, shoes, and of course the towel) are very versatile and can be used with other pieces in Nanea’s collection, as well as in other decades. The pamphlet with historical and story information is an added bonus.

I really love this dress for my Lissie, and am using it as a Easter dress, though it can also work as a birthday dress if you dont have that one.
The hat is darling, and the roses and ribbons are a sweet touch.

I found that accessory wise, her blue birthday socks make a nice highlight to the blue stitching in the flower part of the dress.
Also, her BF Meet Necklace seems more pearly peach, than coral. And it makes a nice touch.
One last bit: my PM doll is wearing the BF Undergarments with this dress and I didn't have a lot of trouble, which I thought I might.

I highly recommend this dress!