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? 

Merry Christmas Eve!

Tomorrow is the big day! Saleen and Zoë are excited and ready to introduce their newest friend to everyone. They've been patiently waiting and the time has finally come. Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

4 Days til Christmas!

Saleen is getting ready for the upcoming holidays. Can you believe it's only 4 days until Christmas and only 10 days left in 2014?! This has been an amazing year and I look forward to what's to come in 2015. (^_^)

Christmas Arrived Early!

Well it's not really a surprise since I already know what's inside the box BUT I'm still excited! As you can tell from the size it's a new doll but I'm still working on her introduction outfit. She'll make her debut within the next couple of days (by Christmas, of course) but I need to figure out who wears what. The decisions are soo hard. LOL

Snow Cold!

Okay that'll be my last snow pun because there aren't anymore snow photos after these. LOL

The weather is steadily getting colder here but we will not have any snow fall where we live. I had a lot of fun taking Saleen along with my family and I. Of course I received some looks... You know the one, "Is she taking photos of a doll?"

I give them the look, "Why yes I am! And she is absolutely beautiful too." LOL I did hear a few little girls and possibly a little boy say/ask their parents/guardians, "Is that an American Girl doll?". I'd rather hear that than get the crazy doll lady stares. At any rate, I had an amazing time and was happy to bring Saleen along for the trip. (^_^)

Snow Much Fun!

Looks like Saleen had snow much fun! Her first time visiting "snow" and she absolutely loved it. I think she was trying to make a snow angel but wasn't quite sure how to do it. (^^;) Maybe next time she'll get it right. (^_~)

The weather has been quite cold and we even had 2 days of rain last week! It's suppose to rain tomorrow and Wednesday but I'm not sure if it'll really happen though but I do look forward to it because that means I can break out the cozy sweats and the hot cocoa and listen to it. I love the rain esepcially when I don't have to go out in it. (^_^) 

How's the weather where you are now? Do you have snow, rain, warm weather, etc.?

Long Time, No Blog

Sorry for my absence. Let's just say I was super busy with my oldest daugher's extra curricular activities. I had a blast showing my support for my daughter and watching her experience marching band for the first time and out of the 5 competitions they received 1st place 4 times and 3rd once. Her marching band also made it to championships where they came in 9th out of over 30 other high schools. So I'm way proud of her and now I get to look forward to watching her in perform in the Winter Guard. 

Yesterday the family and I went to visit the "snow" and since I haven't played with my dolls in months, I decided to take my #1 girl along. We had an amazing day and it felt great to be photographing my girl again. I've really messed the time I had to devote to my dolls and will need to figure out how to be super mom and still have some time for my own me time. Since I was able to take some photos I'll be sharing a photo a day until I've posted them all. (^_^)

I actually have a wee bit of a surprise to announce a little later this week. I don't want to wait until Christmas to share... Well you know what I will wait to make that announcement even thought I could spill the beans earlier. ^^; 

Anyways, my plan is to set up my Christmas scene and take holiday photos of the girls, well the ones I have clothing for anyways. LOL It feels great to be semi back to normal. (^_^)