Opinions of Cecile and Marie-Grace Items, Part Two

Here we continue the saga of our thoughts on the new historical items which will be available at the end of the month. Of course you can pre-order any of these items now through AG's convenient "give us all your money asap" pre-ordering thingy. ;-)

So Cecile and Marie-Grace got a lot of outfits in this first hoorah-filled release. Our favorite is this bold red floral dress with green hair ribbons.

We especially like the velvet green and black ribbon trim on the collar, sleeves, waist and skirt. It is a simple design that has been pulled-off very well and those of you who can sew can probably make this dress in a variety of fabrics with ease. The slightly ruched sleeves really add something special.

Of course this dress comes from the cover of "Cecile's Gift" and while we think it is awesome that AG is actually making illustration outfits.... um.....Where is the awesome hat? We really, really love that hat and wish AG had made it as part of this set. :-(

Speaking of cover illustration outfits, this Marie-Grace set is pictured on the front of "Marie-Grace Makes a Difference." We love the color scheme of jewel-tone purple, green, and white. They are three colors AG rarely uses together, if at all in historical fashion. So applause for that. 

The skirt seems awkward to us though. Like Marie-Grace's first skirt was accidentally burnt-up when he stepped too close to a fireplace (a reoccuring issue for women throughout the years) and she had to replace it with conveniently color-coordinated cloth from a seaside cabana.

But the outfit is still on our wishlist because the design is great and we love the colors. ;-)

Obviously this ensemble lacks the hat (again) seen in the illustration. We liked the bonnet. Yes it makes her look like a lost but happy Dickensian Christmas caroler without a neck, but we like it and AG should have made it.

Note how AG has totally changed the top by adding in purple ribbon trim? And it looks like the original skirt was just green and white striped. Perhaps that would have looked less like upholstery fabric. Still, minus the missing bonnet -- good job AG.

So if you are logically looking for the outfit on the cover of "Troubles for Cecile" -- you'll have to wait for that one. AG hasn't made it yet. :-( I can see similarities in it to other Kirsten and Addy outfits though. And seamstresses have been making those things for years -- so you can probably just ask someone to custom-make you one of these sets. Though I have yet to see someone make a headwrap/turban. That would probably require special skills. It does look awesome though. So hint to AG -- make this outfit and the turban.

While Cecile did not get the "Troubles" outfit... she did get this super-fantastic gold, white and purple number. Purple again AG! We are ecstatic! Keep using purple AG! Go, go! 

We love this set. And since it is all separate pieces, like Marie-Grace's previous outfit, we are curious to know how M-G's green top looks with this purple skirt. Is AG actually trying to do mix and match potential for us???

This outfit might work.... though it would look better with a bonnet..... just saying...

Meanwhile this jacket blouse combo thingy is totally perfect. We love the jacket and hope that seamstresses make more of these in different colors and fabrics. It would definitely work for Addy as well as Cecile and Marie-Grace. 

Also, we tried this top with the striped skirt and while that might work -- it does kind of look like a circus performer's outfit... hmmm....

The outfit from the cover of "Marie-Grace and the Orphans" is definitely made of more win than the above mix and match. Since we saw the cover we were hoping they would make this dress - mainly because it is blue and we loved the fabric pattern.

While it is on our wishlist, on Marie-Grace it does look very frou-frou. We'd love to see it on other dolls. Also, whenever we look it at we think of Rebecca's night robe. It's as if the robe "leveled up" to the higher state of being -- a dress with yellow bits in the fabric.

Once again, this is a multi-piece ensemble and the top and skirt can function as separate entities. Not sure with what though. They don't really mix and match well with the other two outfits that are top and skirt combos. It is a very pretty top though and we think this is also something that seamstresses should look into making in other fabrics and colors, with coordinating skirts.

Thus ends Part Two of our thoughts and opinions of Cecile and Marie-Grace's items.... 

Stayed tuned for Part Three.... further discussion of things like gold boots, nightgowns and "The Dress That Shall Not Be Named".... you know the one....