ADAD 2015 - 3/365

Avaree takes such amazing photos. I think they came out alrightI considering it was super windy when I took this photo. I mean the winds were blowing at 35-40mph! 

ADAD 2/365 - Sweet Avaree

At a loss for words. Sometimes there aren't any words.

ADAD 1/365 - Beautiful Avaree

Avaree is settling right in here in sunny, yet very windy and cold, Southern California. No better way to celebrate the New Year than with my newest girl?! (^_^)

Also, as you may have noticed from the title of my post, I'm doing the A Doll A Day (ADAD) photo challenge again this year. I successfully completed this challenge in 2013 and plan to complete it again for 2015. (^_^)

A little update from my earlier post about buying clothing from Grace's collection. I stand corrected, I've decided I'm going to purchase Grace's PJs. I only own 1 pair of PJs but have 11 girls! ^^; So I need to get my girls some PJs. XD

Welcome Grace Thomas, American Girl of the Year 2015

Happy New Year everyone!

The time has finally come with Isabelle's reign officially over, we welcome a much anticipated (for me, anyways) release by American Girl of Grace Thomas, Girl Of The Year 2015 which I'm super excited for her arrival! Like I said earlier, she will be joining my other girls because her story centers around baking, entrepreneurship and traveling to France.

I love to bake (she even has a stand mixer likes mine) with my children and we all know I took a big jump into entrepreneurship last year with Saleen's Style. (^_^) I would love to one day visit France but I guess I will have to journey there via Grace's books. So it's safe to say, her character really hits home for me but I will be honest she will not stay canon. No she will not be Grace Thomas here because I've already chosen her name and will reveal it next week when I bring her home. On the other hand, I may keep elements from her story to help build her character. But enough about that for now, let's look at my favorite things from her collection. So without further ado.

I absolutely love Grace Thomas, Girl Of The Year 2015's look. She reminds me of Chrissa but with longer hair and freckles. I know I sold my Chrissa but I'll be honest it was due to her hair. ^^; I tried to like the short hair but the only dolls with short hair I love without a doubt and that have successfully remained in my collection are Maisie & Zoë. I think Grace has a very sweet look and she will become good friends with Saleen, once she moves into the neighborhood. (^_^)

LOVE her Bakery! Sadly I already know I will not be able to afford it though since it costs $500! It's truly a beautiful piece but quite massive in size. I'll be realistic with myself here, I have no space or the extra money to purchase it. I will have to enjoy it through other collectors photos. (;~;)

Now the Pastry Cart is whole other story. (^_^) I will bring it home because I think it's a nice trade off to get some of her bakery goodness at a more reasonable price. I don't know exactly how I will use the actual cart yet but I'm sure I will be able to figure something out. ^^;

Also, not going to pass up the opportunity to bring home her Baking Set. I must have her stand mixer because it reminds me so much of my own plus did you see the tablet that also comes with? These will great additions to my dollhouse kitchen, once I build it. LOL

Lastly, I'm loving the Bistro Set! I do wish it came with 2 chairs as opposed to one. Will have to see if I can find a second chair. I'm not sure if I will bring this home just yet but I'm leaning toward yes. ^^; I think this would make for some pretty amazing outdoor Spring and Summer photo shoots.

As you can see aside from Grace herself, I'm really interested in getting all of her furniture pieces with the exception of her Bakery. If it were to go on sale for an exceptionally good price, it'll have to come home too. LOL

Now you may notice I haven't really commented on any of her clothing or accessories. While her clothing is cute, they're just not really any of my girls style with the exception of her meet shirt and boots. Plus I already have a character developing in my head for her and it doesn't involve any of her clothes but her meet shirt not to mention she will be graciously donating her meet boots to Saleen's wardrobe. ^^; But here are all of her clothing and accessories.

 

So what do you think of Grace Thomas, Girl Of The Year 2015? Will you bring any of her or her collection home?

Looking Forward to 2015

After acquiring so many new (to me) dolls in 2014 and I've finally hit the couch of contentment with my current collection of dolls. I don't plan on adding anymore dolls with the exception of GOTY dolls... past, present or future. I may or may not add every GOTY because it'll depend on how I feel about her.

Speaking of GOTY dolls, I'm sure everyone has seen leaks of GOTY 2015 Grace Thomas and her collection on various social media outlets. 

I won't post spoilers here for those who want to be surprised but I'll admit I'm looking forward to acquiring her and quite a few pieces from her collection to use in Saleen's world. (^_^) There has been a rumor her big ticket item will cost $500. Is there truth to the rumor? I'm not sure but considering the cost of Samantha's Ice Cream Parlor at $300, it's very well possible.

Like I already stated, I will only add GOTY dolls to my collection for the foreseeable future. So in 2015, my only plan is to add  GOTY 2012 McKenna Brooks and GOTY 2015 Grace Thomas. I know you are wondering about McKenna, she's always been on my list but a lower priority due to her secondary market price but since I only plan to buy 2 dolls in 2015, I'm hoping to find a great deal on the secondary market like I did for Kanani and Sonali. I'll be honest I don't need a NIB McKenna with full meet, of course that would be nice but totally unnecessary because in reality when will she actually wear it? 

My main AG goals for 2015 are to focus more on creating a world for Saleen & Zoë. (^_^) My girls need somewhere to sleep and have fun with their friends. (^_^) I actually plan to build my own dollhouse and fill it with accessories and furniture to make it home. I already found a pretty awesome way to create a 4 room doll house for less than $100! I'll post more about that when the time comes. I've also decided I will be looking to stretch my dollie dollars by continuing to purchase secondhand. Hopefully I can find great deals again like I did for the curlique bed with complete butterfly bedding ($49.99 shipped) and almost complete  Chrissa's craft table with the exception of the missing knitting needles ($85 shipped). I also plan to use Our Generation stuff to help fill out what I don't get from AG because I've heard there stuff is pretty good quality. I already know 2015 will be an amazing year for my girls and I. 

What are your doll plans for 2015?

Best of 2014

With the end of 2014 quickly coming to an end, I felt it was time to look back on what I was fortunate enough to bring home this year. I am in no way bragging because with the exception of Zoë, all of my dolls were purchased secondhand or on SUPER sale.

After dragging my feet on Kennedy (fka GOTY 2013 Saige) and thinking I didn't want to add her to my collection. 

I found out I was wrong and welcomed her to my doll family the second week of January. I got a deal because even though she was officially retired at that point I was able to bring her home for less than retail with her box.

Then March brought the arrival of the sweetest doll, Maisie (fka Ivy Ling). 

She had been on my list thanks to one of the people I follow on Instagram. She always made her look so adorable plus I had heard rumblings of the possibilty of her retiring, so I didn't want to miss out on my chance of getting her and have to scour for her. 

In April, I welcomed my grail doll, Saleen (fka Sonali Matthews) home.

Waiting for her to arrive was soo nerve wrecking and I was super overjoyed when she finally arrived. She was by far my best purchase of the year. As you already know, she is my absolutely, positively favorite doll and will remain so for all eternity. LOL Well, you get what I mean. ^^;

In May, Zoë (#58) arrived a birthday surprise from my hubby.

After helping my Sister-In-Law move into her new house, my hubby surprised me with a trip to AGP-LA where I got to handpick Zoë out myself. He such an amazing husband and I'm so grateful he's so supportive of my hobby. He even named her. (^_^)

June brought the arrival of Haven (fka Rebecca Rubin).

You all knew I went back and forth with myself about getting her for soo very long and while she is amazing, she hasn't been able to take top spot away from Saleen. (^^;)

Now the shocker of the year definitely has to be the addition of Avaree (GOTY 2014 Isabelle). 

Remember when I said I wouldn't bring her home. Well I guess you can see that all changed because Jill's Steals and Deals on 12/10/2014. ^^; I wasn't expecting Isabelle to be a part of the steals and at more than 1/2 half too. I couldn't pass her up. I don't think the GOTY has ever gone on sale like that before and I would have been foolish to not take advantage of the opportunity. Once I saw what was available I started texting my hubby and he finally got back to me about 5:45am Pacific/7:45am Central/8:45am Eastern. By this time I wasn't sure I would even be able to get the $68 Isabelle and Pet collection but as my luck would have it, after a server error and slow loading page, I was able to snag her and she was part of my Christmas/Anniversary presents from him. 

I consider myself very fortunate, lucky and most grateful to welcome these beautiful dolls to my family. Hope everyone had an amazing AG year!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone has an amazing day. So as you can see there is a new girl here. Everyone please meet Avaree! Not who you were expecting? I wasn't expecting her either but she really is adorable in person. Yes, GOTY 2014 Isabelle Palmer has joined my doll family and I'm glad I didn't miss out on her. I love her!

What did you get for Christmas?