Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Birthday Greetings

Just a quick little post filled with birthday greetings!
As you know we are Harry Potter fans, so today is a fun day.
Happy birthday, Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, and JK Rowling!



and Xyra too!

(I really need to get that signature made. :-D )

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Favorite Outfits & 100th Post!

100th Post! WooHoo!

Not Exactly Camp Activity, But We Are Still at Camp

Key for the following conversation.

  • Melody
  • Kaya'aton'my'
  • Kirsten
  • Lanie


What are you wearing?
Did you see the invitation?
Yes, I'm really looking forward to the spectacular!
Hey, I can't find my socks. Has anyone seen them?
They're over here, Kirsten.  Catch!
Thank you.
I'm glad I packed this...and that it didn't wrinkle.
Looks great, Kaya! You always take such good care of your regalia. Has anyone seen my purse?
It's under your bedroll.
Oh, yeah!
Everyone ready?
Just need to smooth.
Ready?
Yes.
Uh, huh.
Sure.
REVEAL!

Meet Our Favorite Outfits!


Melody: Kanani's Lu'au Outfit

I had a hard time deciding, but for today this is my favorite (another will be shown later in the week). Someday I hope to attend a  real lu'au. The ones I've seen on TV and in movies look like a lot of fun. This is such a great summer outfit. 
The purple top matches the double-layered, peplum auana skirt. Add the pink floral head wreath and lei...done. Oops! don't forget the 'uli 'uli gourd. 

This outfit was only available in 2011 when Kanani Akina was American Girl of the Year.

Kaya'aton'my': Dance Dress of Today or Pow Wow Dress of Today 1

This is my favorite outfit. 
I love the bright white suede and the red, brown, and yellow detailing. 
Like my other outfits it has matching moccasins.
The belt and head piece match as well. I'm still wearing my princess tiara from last week's contest too. I like the added touch it brings.

This outfit was introduced in 2005 and retired in 2011. I wore the The Pow Wow Dress of Today 2 outfit for In The Castle week.

If this were true Traditional Dance regalia, it would include a fan and shawl. However, we're going to let that bit pass. If you are interested in Pow Wows please do your research before visiting as you do not want to offend your hosts by accidentally insulting their cutlure. I found some great sites for you: Pow WowsEtiquette (though this is really for dancers, but make sure you know this as well especially with regards to seating), RegaliaDances.


Kirsten: Kirsten's Birthday Outfit

(AKA Kirsten's Apron Dress or Apron Dress & Daisy Wreath)
This is my favorite outfit, especially for warmer days. It is crisp, clean, light, and fun! And a daisy wreath for my head...it makes me feel like a princess.

The dress is pink with short, puffy sleeves and white bows. Over that I have a lovely white apron. 
The tan socks are cotton not wool!

This outfit was available from 1987 - 2009. It is featured in the book Happy Birthday, Kirsten!

Lanie: Licorice's Best friend Outfit

The only thing that would make this outfit better is if it were "Lulu's Best Friend Outfit." Licorice is my favorite of all our cats.
The dress is pink and darker pink. It has a dual hem and is bedazzled with a flower on the bodice and jewels at the hem. Today, I complete the look with matching pink, beaded, slip-on sandals and a pink purse. The purse has Licorice's picture on it.

There is a white jean jacket that goes with it, but it's too hot for that in the summer.

This outfit was released in 2005 and retired in 2007.

So how do we look?





Have a great day and come back again soon.
Best wishes,

Ps. Camp Doll Diaries Week 9 Theme is Around the Globe. We've learned about Punch & Judy from England and made a Japanese hair clip.
Xyra

Monday, July 29, 2013

Older Doll & Reviews

Attic Antics

Hi!
I thought of a new feature, one that highlights the older dolls in our collection. Today I’d like to introduce Steven. I’ve had him as long as I can remember and he didn’t arrive new to me. Don't ask me how he got his name...he's just always been Steven or Steve to me.
I’m not sure who made his clothes. He has always had these too and they are knitted, not crocheted. It's a nice tight knit, but definitely handmade. The pink tie at the top of the jacket has broken, but that is the only breakage...no other holes. The little suit consists of jacket, shorts, and booties. You can just see the shorts peeking out in the above picture.

If you take his clothes off, he still has clothes on. 

Check out the detail on his shoes…laces!

His arms and legs do not move, but his head does. He has brilliant blue eyes. The funny thing about Steven is that he has a squeaker. (Which reminds me of the little penguin in Toy Story). It still works well. 

There is a mark on the back of his head and one on his back. All I could make out was Sun and 1956. Despite a few scuffs he is in great condition. 

I hope you enjoy this new feature. It will pop up from time to time. Thank you for visiting with us.

Reviews

Our Generation Wellies

Currently Our Generation shoes are “price cut” items at Target. All are $2.99 (at least in SE PA). These purple wellies caught my eye. Since we only have the one pair from Lanie’s collection and we share them, I was hoping this would be an inexpensive solution and allow us all to be properly dressed for the rain.
The plastic is flexible. Love the color and design. (They also come in orange with red design)

However, I just couldn't get them any further than this. It's sad too, because the one flower color matches the skirt.

Melody is an older doll on the pre-Mattel side of AG…does that make a difference with limbs? I know it does with body shape and vinyl color. Please comment with suggestions or your experience.

New Outfit

I saw this lovely Our Generation outfit at Target. The set includes a straw hat, striped sundress, anklet socks, pink shoes, and a hanger. 


The socks are a bit too white. They match neither the dress nor the bow on the shoes. The shoes are of a hard, but flexible plastic. The pink color matches the pink stitching on the dress. 

The sleeveless dress has stripes of light and dark green on an ivory background. There is rouching in the bodice and a flower embellishment at the waistline.

The material is study and the stitching in the hem straight (although using the zig zag stitch). There is no fraying. 

The garment has Velcro closure in the back.




The hat has a nice shape. Sounds like straw, but has some plastic keeping it together too. Still very cute.

Leave a comment below to let me know which of the girls you’d like to see model this outfit: Kaya, Kirsten, Lanie, or Melody.

That’s all for today.
Thank you for stopping!
Best wishes,
Xyra
(I'm getting a signature mark soon too. :D ) 

Friday, July 26, 2013

Awesome Dresses

Are you looking for a dress to add to your dolls wardrobe?

Want quality as well as a good price?

Then check out The Whimsical Doll 2 on Etsy.

Our AG Adventures currently has a giveaway sponsored by the "store."

The fabrics are really cool! There is something for everyone...in fact I liked them all. My favorite is the Sprig Kitty with Sash. Isn't it cute?

The prices that I took notice of range from $10 - $12 (plus tax and shipping). 

I was so impressed I had to give a shout out for the lovely work they do.

If you don't have a lo in your budget for adding outfits or accessories to your collection...keep your eye on all the different doll blogs out there. There are a lot of great giveaways to enter.

Enjoy!

Princess In the Castle

The Princess Test

Do you know the story of The Princess and the Pea? It's a story told by Hans Christian Andersen. And has been turned into a musical called Once Upon a Mattress. [Xyra's friends Master Bohnam and Master Space were in this once as the Jester and the Minstrel.]

At our camp today, they had everyone participate in a Princess Test that was based on that story. In the recreation hall was a bed piled high with blankets and mattresses. Each camper climbed to the top and rested there for 5 minutes.

First Kirsten.


Then Kaya.
Yes, the wildcats are following us around now.

Then Lanie.


Then me.

After everyone in camp had their turn Debbie pulled the marble out of the bed. 

Who do you think felt the marble, passed the test, and was declared a princess?

Wasn't me. I almost fell asleep during my turn.

Hail Princess Kaya'aton'my'!


We all waved to her as she waved from the balcony.



Dragons

What's a castle without dragons? 
 Top row: Pippi, Becky, Heluwen; Bottom row: Aithra, Norbert
Aithra and Becky traded places.

Have a great day!


Want to participate in Camp Doll Diaries? You still can. Several weeks to go. Just visit Doll Diaries daily. If you want to see past activities and click Camp Doll Diaries and scroll through the archive. goes all the way back to May.

#CampDollDiaries #DollDiaries #HansChristianAndersen