Honest Editorial: "The Gotta Have 'Em All" Blues

I would have titled this Honest Editorial - 

Fighting "The Gotta Have 'Em All" Blues - 

but really, fighting them has never really worked for me.

So I can't be the one telling you how to fight them.

(^^^Miss Trixie Pickles, my cat, for no special reason)

This is a topic I have thought about for awhile, 

and I have thought about writing about it for awhile.

But I haven't done it for many reasons.

One of which was it obviousnessssssss.

Like once I started writing about it

 everyone would be like - "Yeah, so what, duh?"

And the other was the painfulness of acknowledging 

a problem within myself, and then writing about it for my 22 readers to see. ;-)

However I decided I needed to write this for myself.

I guess as a method of self-examination.

I have brought up the topic of my hoarding doll cr*p before - 

but mostly in the context of making fun of myself, and under different topics.

I haven't quite looked directly at the core issue.

What exactly are "The Gotta Have 'Em All" Blues?

For me, they manifest every time I see something I like - 

I feel the overwhelming urge to possess it.

BUY IT NOW.

I have to have it.

Thank you, capitalism and marketing.

For example, it used to be that I needed to buy everything AG released, at every release.

Which was/is insane.

Luckily, I've gotten past that issue.

But I still want a lot of doll stuff that's for sale - all the time.

(Lea...you know you want her. You know you do.)

I am not the only person with this problem.

And, of course, it applies to more than just doll stuff.

Whole generations of humans have been programmed to think this way by our economy, our society, our media, our family, our friends, our co-workers.

"You want it? - Well, get it."

Go on - treat yo'self.

You deserve it.

You only live once.

Life is short.

"Okay!!! Weeeee!!!! I'll buy it!!!!"

I can always rationalize spending money.
I am a professional at that.

And this wouldn't be a problem if two things were true:

1) I actually needed all of the things I "liked" to survive and be happy

and

2) I had the money to buy all the things I like.

Neither 1 nor 2 is true.

Now things you "like" can be anything - clothing, spa visits, cars, trips, collectibles, doll cr*p.

And I have a lot of categories of things I feel like I "have to have" to be happy.

Doll cr*p is just one of them.

But it's the one category I share with most of you.

Now y'alls can live your life the way you want to.

I'm not gonna judge.

(Okay, just a little bit.)

No really, I'm just here to talk about myself because I am a narcissistic egotist.

Again, this is a self-examination.

I acknowledge the fact that my depression feeds my addiction to spending.

The more anxious, stressed, frustrated, or despondent I am - the more I want to buy things.

The sadder I am - the more I crave that (temporary) high of:
"Oooo!!! I just bought this thing! Weeeeee!!!!!"

It's not even conscious, so I have to keep analyzing myself and my mood.

That item I want to buy is not going to cure my depression.

Oh, if only life worked that way.

Through self-analysis I have come to a conclusion that is a source of great sadness for me

- I am so easily swayed to buy things that I cannot even look at things. 

Not look at doll stuff online or in the stores. 

Not read about it. Not smell it. Etc. Etc.

I can't go on the doll message boards anymore - it leads to jealousy, envy, and desires for things I can't afford. 

I'd love to be able to just look at whatever everyone else is buying and making and just enjoy it and absorb its awesomeness through pictures.

But I can't. 

I have to have it for myself.

And then I don't have the space for it out in my home - 

so it goes into a closet, or a storage unit.

So no more doll boards.

Which is depressing.

And I apologize to anyone who thinks I need to participate on them more.

I just can't.

For mental and financial reasons.

And as far as other blogs - I have to be very careful.

So again, I apologize to everyone who has ever 

wondered why I don't read and comment on their blog.

It's not because I don't want to.

It's because I want to.

And it's because I will then want to own everything that you own.

Cuz I a greedy ho. 

(In the words of Maple.)

(If I'm walking the dog, I can't be spending money at the same time, right???)

Instagram isn't quite as bad because a lot of the stuff in those pics is OOAK clothing items, or limited edition release items that sell out in seconds, or custom dolls that cost $350 that I couldn't possibly attempt to afford in one shot like that, etc.

Instagram can be bad though, don't get me wrong.

It just doesn't have as much "purchase-able" stuff - and it's more about the pretty pictures of dolls in pretty landscapes by photographers with more skilz in their pinky finger than I have in my whole body.

And that's why I have gravitated toward Instagram - because it revels in the moment, in the photo shoot someone took this weekend at 

their grandma's house because she has a nice garden,

in the car ride to an AGP with your favorite doll,

in those pictures you took at the park with your Dad's help, etc.

Yes, there are Etsy package reveals.

I even do those because I am a shameless hussy.

But those aren't so overwhelming to me because again, 

those are typically OOAK or limited edition items.

Usually the stuff in people's pictures is no longer for sale,

or they even made it themselves for themselves.

So I can't go run off and drop $$$ on them.

(My cat, again)

But anyway, back to my main point of self-chastisement.

I have an addictive personality.

No, people aren't easily addicted to my personality.

In fact, quite the opposite.

But more so - I am the rat in the cage that will keep pushing the button that is electrocuting it just to get the endless supply of tasty treats.

It's not healthy.

It's self-destructive.

And it's destructive to my relationships with others.

So again, I'm not going to tell you how to fight this.

I'm just here to say that I too suffer from "The Gotta Have 'Em All" Blues.

And I can't fight them.

I've basically had to cut myself off from all sources of money, 

with the help of my life partner/person I share a toilet with.

That way I only have access to a very small amount of $$$ for doll cr*p.

It's like I'm a ten-year-old with a monthly allowance of $20.

But it's the only way I can manage my behavior.

I can't be trusted with money.

Which is horrible.

And I'm sad to admit it.

As I am supposed to be "an adult."

But that's how the situation is.

In the end, at the end of the day - I still have two wishes:

1) That I was happy with everything I already own and I learned how to enjoy it all (because I already have a cr*p-ton of doll stuff)

and 

2) That I could own everything I ever wanted to have for my collection.

So you can tell I haven't really found a cure for this.....

Thank you for visiting us today!!!

And thank you for reading my pathetic tale of the Blues. ;-)

__________________

p.s.

Maple's Fantastic (ally Inappropriate) Planner 

for the month of April is now on sale!

BUY IT NOW!!!

(See the irony???)

Honest Editorial: 750 Words

Okay, so one of the things I have been thinking about writing is an online journal. 

(Like I needed more stuff on my to-do list that I will never accomplish.)

(Random picture of flowers ^^^ to get your attention.)

Yes, I spend most of my day thinking about things I want to write about. No - scratch that - I spend most of my day feeling sorry for myself. 

But in a lot of the other moments I am thinking about things I want to write about. 

But then when I actually have some time that I could sit down and write - I don't do it.

There's a lot of reasons for this, which is mostly what my journal would be about, haha. But the basic truth is that I don't have the mental energy to do it.

Right now the only way I am capable of writing this is by drinking 12 cups of coffee. Basically a whole giant pot of coffee. In a few hours. And then I am productive. 

Yeah.... if I don't have the coffee, I lay in bed all day thinking about all the things I have to do. But not doing them, and then feeling guilty for not doing them.

Anyway -- I even titled my journal -- 

"Brain (Non)Activity: My Journal of Pain and Derpression."

Yeah, that was initially depression. 

But then I mistyped it and it came out derpression, 

and I was like - yeah, that's about it, so let's keep it.

And I started an Amazon "Write On" account (online self-publishing website) - 

to publish this journal online.

And I started the journal. And I wrote a crapton of stuff.

But I never published any of it.

And my thoughts always returned to this blog.

Which is my blog - so it can be whatever I want it to be - but it is supposed to be about dolls.

But it is really my creative outlet.

So I should use it as such.

And instead of starting 600 online accounts elsewhere, I should write here - right?

I don't know if I should write this crap here or not.

But I decided to concentrate my efforts on this blog instead of spreading myself too thin.

So here we are.

And if you want to read my blithering crap, please feel free to keep reading.

;-)

So I could have titled this Honest Editorial - "Brain (Non)Activity: My Journal of Pain and Derpression" - but I went with 750 words instead. 

Mostly because "Brain (Non)Activity: My Journal of Pain and Derpression" 

is a pain in the butt to type out.

But also because I want the "Brain (Non)Activity: My Journal of Pain and Derpression" to be about 750 words long each time.

This is based upon "The Artist's Way" and "The Right to Write" - two books by Julia Cameron. 

They are both designed to help you be more creative - in your every day life, and for your job - whatever it may be.

Cameron's most famous piece of advice is to long-hand write 3 pages every day - she calls them "Morning Pages."

Wake up. Sit down. Take out a notebook and a writing implement. And pour out whatever comes to mind for 3 pages. It's self-therapy. It's a form of meditation. It's life-changing - or so Julia says.

And I believe it. When I have actually dedicated myself to the 3-pages rule - I have been much more creative. Thought processes open up in my mind. I feel a flow. I sleep better. I dream more vividly.

However, they aren't going to end my depression. Or my derpression. 

But they help. And they are one step you can take.

However I am a lazy, lazy non-functioning bum. 

So I don't do my morning pages. 

I suck at doing them actually.

So it's kind of ironic that I am telling you to do them.

But that's how this weird world works sometimes. ;-)

I did find a website called 750words.com. 

https://750words.com/

http://750words.com/about

Which comes from Julia's 3 pages idea. Except they break that down into 750 words (the typed equivalent of 3 pages according to them).

So every day you go into the website and you type in your 750 words (or more) and they log them and save them. And they mark down your progress. And you can earn badges. 

And badges are great - despite that movie that said we don't need them. You feel like you are accomplishing something, and you are part of a group of people out there all doing the same thing you are doing.

What you type doesn't matter. It could be random thoughts. It could be a story. It could be whining. Or a laundry list. Or it could be a blog post for a doll blog that you suck at running. Just type.

750words.com is free for 30 days and after that it is $5 a month. 

If you find that it works for you, and helps you clear your mind and function better - $5 is really not that much to give in exchange for a bit of mental wellness.

You just have to use the website, haha. 

Which I pay my monthly dues. 

And basically use it only a few days a month. 

Because I suck.

Like March. 

Me at the beginning of March -- 

"Yes. Okay. New month. March. I'm gonna do this every day. Yes."

Me at the end of March -- 

"Oh man. That sucked. I only did two days. Where did March go? Damn."

So do a better job at your 750 words than I do. 

And if the website doesn't work for you, it doesn't work. 

That's what the free trial is for.

Honestly, I find that I write long-hand slower than my mind works. So while I love writing long-hand, and it is much more satisfying and meditative for me personally - the computer and that website allow me to write faster and be more accurate with my racing, crazy thoughts.

So use what works best for you. 

Personally, I do a mixture. 

(When I actually manage to write.)

I often jot down notes and thoughts in notebooks, but then use the computer to really work on something fast or make it a more complete product.

Anyway - here we are at 828 words and counting or something. So I will cut myself off.

My point for today was -- I want to write an online journal and share it with everyone because I am a narcissistic arsehole who thinks everyone wants to know what I write about.

So expect more of these 750 words posts from me, 

which will probably have varying titles....but will basically be "Brain (Non)Activity: My Journal of Pain and Derpression." ;-)

Thank You For Visiting Us Today 

and 

Reading This Meaningless Nonsense!

Honest Editorial: My Phone Died and I've Lost the Will to Live

Okay, I haven't really lost the will to live.

I didn't have it to begin with.

But my phone did die.

This is the story....

I finally took photos of the baby pants I re-sewed into doll leggings.

(Which I created four weeks ago.)

(Yes, I know I am pathetic.)

(And, no they aren't even finished at the top.)

This is the first thing I have ever "sewed."

There is a certain irony about the pictures of the 

first thing I have ever sewed killing my beloved phone....

(And yes, those are smiling pine trees on the pants.)

I sewed the pants by hand and used the seams and hems already there.

So really all I did was cut out a pattern and sew two seams.

So I "sewed" them, not sewed them, really.

^ No leggings in this shot, but it's cool, so there ya go.

^ My crappy sewing skilz at play.

I sewed the legs together wrong the first time....

Had to rip out those stitches...

^ Original baby pants

(Clearance section at Target.)

So I had a bunch of these pictures of Sylvie (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/tdwb_sylvie/) wearing these pants, with a dress from The Glam Doll and a shirt from Zellawear.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGlamDoll

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Zellawear

My camera starts loading them into my phone.

My phone says it's too full.

I start deleting older pics and files to make room.

And I post 3 things onto Instagram and delete them, 

and delete pics similar to them, to make room.

And then Instagram freezes.

So I restart my phone.

Except it won't restart.

It just starts up and stays on the red Verizon screen.

Forever.

F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

So that means that anything I didn't have backed up - I've lost.

Crapballs.

Unless the bf can save the stuff.

But who knows.

The moral of this story though is that I can't post on Instagram now.

Okay, that's not really the moral of the story.

It's not even a moral.

No, the actual moral of this story is - 

Back up the crap on your phone onto your computer or the cloud or whatever!!!

Go!

Do it now!!!

I'm just amazed at how a phone can really 

only last a few years before crapping out.

(This thing is super-expensive and should last for more than 2 years.)

(It's not like I dropped this thing down the loo.)

(I was just trying to use it.)

But anyway, this week without a phone has really shown me just how much I am addicted 

to phone games, Instagram, and generally wasting time, haha.

But I really, really, really wish I had Instagram again.

It was a creative outlet for me.

And I only realize that now fully because I don't have it.

Blergh.

Yes, phones are addictive.

The internet is.

Social media is.

But it can also be really, really soothing, fun, and inspiring.

Like I've said before, using Instagram allowed me to quickly write things and post pics without thinking about it all too much and freezing up.

(I have a lot of anxiety about doing certain things.)

(All things really.)

(Today I went to a store by myself for the first time this month.)

(And yes, I know this month is almost over...)

(What's worse is that I usually only go somewhere by myself every 6 months or so...)

Siiiiighhhhh.

Oh, phone.

I love you so.

Please work again.

*pets phone*

Thanks for visiting us today friends!!!

And may your phone always work. ;-)

Honest Editorial: What is Trends to Sew about? What is this blog about? Why are we here? What is the meaning of life...

So I've been called out that I am not comparing apples to apples.

I am not comparing a youthful shirt of a child to a youthful shirt of a child.

See the last Trends to Sew post:

http://thedollwardrobe.blogspot.com/2016/01/trends-to-sew-better-aztec-shirt-for-lea.html

And after getting called out, 

I felt like my goals for this blog have been misunderstood.

I usually don't respond to comments when they call me out.

But being misunderstood is annoying.

Hopefully without sounding like a whiny poophead, 

I would like to explain why I do what I do.

Which kinda seems silly.

But I felt like I needed to restate what my Trends to Sew are about.

And really, what this blog is about.

First off, this is an opinion blog.

I say my opinions here, and those of Maple.

And you can comment your own.

It's meant to be open and free-flowing.

Good opinions of things. And bad opinions of things.

And 'eh' opinions.

And 'meh' opinions.

And 'OMG' opinions.

They're all welcome.

Overall the blog is about owning your dolls, 

your collection, your playthings -- whatever they are to you -- 

and doing whatever you want with them.

You want youthful, colorful clothing?

Buy from AG.

You want other options?

Teenage clothing?

Goth clothing?

Costumes?

Really detailed historical wear?

You are probably going to have to look outside of American Girl.

What's wrong with wanting something that AG ain't selling?

This is something us collectors have lived with for 30 years.

Some years have been more bountiful from 

AG for styles I like to buy, others have been a bust.

That is the nature of being a fan of a company's product line.

The Trends to Sew posts are meant to present 

alternatives to those of you who sew and sell, or just sew.

If you want that bright shirt, buy it.

It's there for you to buy.

If you don't, but you still want clothing for your new Lea doll -- 

well, look elsewhere. Shop on Etsy. Or sew it yourself.

But what if you aren't sure what to sew?

That's where my suggestions come into play.

I look at what's trendy, happening in the tween and teenage realm.

I shop for you on Forever21's site, Hollister, Urban Outfitters, etc. -- 

and I look for doll clothing I would love to own.

The truth is, that even if Lea is 9 or 10 -- my Lea will not be 9 or 10.

I want her to be the doll I want her to be.

I want her to be older.

I want her to dress older.

And why not?

Why can't I dress my dolls the way I want to dress my dolls?

I asked on Instagram -- are your dolls the 9 or 10 they are designed to be?

And I got all sorts of answers back.

Some said yes, they stay 9 or 10.

Some say they started at 5 yrs old and grew up with them -- so as a child turns 13 her dolls will age with her. Which I think is really something.

Some say their dolls are 12 and 13.

Some say they have teen dolls -- 15, 16, etc.

And if you go on Instagram and look at #agig

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/agig/

...you'll see dolls dressed as all ages and in all kinds of different fashions. 

Which is awesome - and kinda the point of it all.

I never tell people not to buy from AG.

I never say -- "Hey that shirt is ugly, don't buy it. 

If you buy it you are encouraging them to create ugly stuff."

No.

If you want that shirt. Buy it.

Buy 10.

Roll around gleefully in a huge pile of those shirts.

What I am saying is - I don't like it - and I want my Lea to wear something else.

And here are some of the shirts I'd love to have for my Lea:

http://thedollwardrobe.blogspot.com/2016/01/trends-to-sew-better-aztec-shirt-for-lea.html

So I hope I don't sound too whiny.

I just wanted people to know that yes - people have dolls that are teenage dolls.

And yes - sometimes people want to dress their dolls 

in different clothing than AG sells.

So I throw out other options in Trends to Sew.

Maybe older options.

Maybe too old for your taste.

But maybe awesome for someone else.

I am trying to be inclusive, while also staying true to my own opinions.

But I will try thinking more about what a ten year old would wear, 

if that's what you guys want to see.

__________________

And I think this rather random discussion 

gets down to a recurring issue in the AG fan community.

In the end, the main goal of this blog 

is that I am not necessarily just talking to the 10 yr olds and their family members.

I am not just talking to American Girl's demographic.

I am talking to everybody that owns AG dolls.

Not just the kids, the tweens.

Not just the ten yr olds.

I am talking to everybody.

Young. Old. In the middle.

White. Black. Yellow. Tan. Brown. Blue. Purple.

Women. Men. Girls. Boys.

Genderfluid or trans, or whatever you want to label yourself.

So what if you are 12 or 16 or 25 or 35 or 60 or 90 or however old you are -- 

You can own American Girl dolls -- 

You can collect them -- 

You can buy clothing for them or even sew it yourself.

And you can stand out in a field and take pictures of them at dawn 

because that's when the light is the best and 

you can't do it in the evening because you have to be at work.

YES.

You can use these dolls to feed your creative soul.

YES.

You can own these dolls even if you "grew up."

Even if you are supposed to be a teenager doing teenage things.

Even if you are supposed to be an "adult."

You can own them.

And you can do whatever you want with them.

Because they are yours.

Look around your house right now.

How many things do you own that 

you can pick them up, smile joyfully, and say happily..."this is mine."

______________

So how about you guys?

Are your dolls all 9 or 10?

Are they older?

Do they only wear AG clothing?

Do they wear a whole mixture of brands with Etsy handmade items thrown in?

What's your dolls' fashion styles?

Let us know in the comments below!!!

_____________

Thank you for visiting us today!!!

Lea Clark: The Colorful Depression-Fighting GOTY 2016 Collection?

Sorry for the long absence.

I was trying to post during the holiday weeks, 

but I failed miserably at that attempt.

There is something to be said for pre-scheduling blog posts, 

but then again -- you were all enjoying 

your family holiday fun times, right? And not reading my silly blog.

Yay for family holiday fun times!

Woot!

Yay!

Woot!

(Am I over-selling that enthusiasm??)

I guess this is technically an Honest Editorial, jfyi.

But it's not written by Maple, so need to click away in fear. ;-)

Lea Clark's collection is exceptionally bright and colorful.

We can blame that on the Brazil thing.

I mean...we can attribute that her being in Brazil....

And most people love the bold, brightness of her style

-- it certainly stands out from recent GOTY collections -- 

and harkens back to Jess and Kanani -- 

our other tropical-themed girls.

^^^ I only like the pants.... and the binoculars....

^^^ Why does the camera have to be bright blue with a pink and yellow strap? 

*Whines* ;-)

For us, Lea's collection does nothing.

Nada.

Sure we like some of the ideas and the accessories -- 

but the clothing is just 'blergh' to us.

And that started us thinking.

We do occasionally think.

(Not often though.)

Some people talk about how when you're depressed 

you tend to wear darker colors.

You like things dark. Not bright.

Is this true?

Is it just something people say?

We're not sure.

And neither are the scientists and head doctors.

But I do know I am clinically depressed.

(I know I am part of a large club in this regard.

Depressed People Unite!

Weee!!!

^^^Ironic excitement.^^^)

And I don't wear bright colors.

A) Because they look hideous on me.

and

B) Because I usually can't stand them.

I have noticed that I have been gravitating to 

my bright doll clothing less and less.

So apparently my own style has seeped into the dolls' style.

Which wasn't always so.

I've just stopped buying anything bright.

So returning to Lea's collection.

I honestly can't stand most of it.

And I blame that primarily on the colors.

I just can't stand their bright colors.

My retinas scream -- "NOOOOOO!!!!"

Some research suggests that depression makes people 

less perceptive of color and contrast.

Their retinas are not working as well as those of a non-depressed person.

Now this is just research, and difficult to prove.

But it makes me think -- Do I see these 

AG clothing colors different than other people???

And if so, why does this happen?

Well, they theorize brain chemistry, of course.

So the further argument that some researchers 

have come up with is that bright colors 

will help a depressed person be less depressed.

Really?

Do they?

Not for me.

I just feel like "yuck" when I see Lea's collection.

Which is funny because most people have stars in their eyes for it all.

I will say I love the green-ness of her catalog and website pics.

The rainforest is awesome and definitely gives me happy feelings.

I just wanna go happily roll around in that forest like a puppy.

Yes, trees. Mmmm. Trees.

Trees and plants are awesome.

Research has suggested that looking at greens 

can help improve your mood.

And I love the sun-drenched beach photos as well.

But I really don't want that outfit she is wearing ^^^.

Yikes.

I'd rather have a doll-size palm tree. Or five.

I like the green and blue of her name graphic.

And yet the romper doesn't quite call out to me, 

despite its base color being green.

^^^ I might get it just because it looks so weird to me!

And it reminds me of the 

Enchanted Tiki Room at Walt Disney World....

But the bright yellows, oranges, pinks, and 

neon limes are just off-putting to me.

^^^ No. Not even the muted shorts can make me buy that shirt.

^^^ I LOVE the style and design of this.

And I like the deep, dark colors in this -- but not the bright ones. 

I want this set in other colors.

Sigh.

See below for my shabby re-colored edits...haha.

So if bright colors might be able to improve someone's mood...

why aren't those bright clothing colors helping to improve my mood?

I wonder....

So what do you guys think?

Bright colors = Happiness?

Dark colors = Sadness?

or maybe just

Colors You Like = Happiness?

What are your thoughts on this topic?

And do you like the color scheme of Lea's Collection?

Are there certain colors you don't like in her collection?

Do you find that color affects your mood?

Or that your mood affects your perception of colors?

I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments!

______

Thanks for visiting us today friends!!!

American Girl In-Store Discount 30% Off Grace Collection Through Christmas Eve, and Some Extra Thoughts from Us

In an un-surprising turn of events...

Once the 20% off discount of GIFT20 was done, American Girl wasted practically no time in announcing a 30% all Grace collection merchandise deal -- for in-store purchases only, through Christmas Eve, 2015.

Yes.

This is really happening.

We received notice of this yesterday at 2 pm in our email, so we really recommend getting to the store ASAP if you want to take advantage of this deal.

I wouldn't wait until Friday or the weekend, go tomorrow.

I have a feeling stock on all Grace items will now plummet in the stores -- especially because of re-sellers who have the capital to invest in the items quickly.

Not to pat ourselves on the back...

But to pat ourselves on the back...

This 30% discount really drives home the point we made in this previous post:

http://thedollwardrobe.blogspot.com/2015/12/honest-editorial-our-opinions-on-grace.html

We shall quote-eth ourselves:

"But given the amount of flailing American Girl was doing with sales and deals on her collection items, I don't think the rest of her collection has been selling as well as they thought it would."

...

"Our primary opinion on Grace's collection 

is that the items are just way-way too expensive.

And not just expensive -- but over-priced.

Like not worth the cost they are asking us to pay.

So we haven't been paying it - and apparently you haven't been paying it either (???) because they have put up a lot of things on discount.

We've never really seen this many deals before for any GOTY 

merchandise during her year."

And we've certainly never seen a last-ditch Hail Mary move like 30% off her whole collection during the last week before Christmas.

I realize this is for in-store only, but given the amount of stores they've opened and pop-ups they have popped-up in malls all over the place this year -- this is going to result in A LOT of sales.

Like, whoa.

Like, whoa.

Clearly they want to clear out that stock, asap.

And I think that is because Lea needs to take her place, in the stores, on the shelves, in the warehouses.

Lea has some big, big items coming up (Rainforest Tree House anyone?).

So she'll need the space.

And American Girl wants to be ready with that merchandise 

ASAP for January 1st.

That makes complete sense.

But, like, whoa.

I understand Lea is coming, muscling out poor Grace 

like a bully in the line for brownies in the school cafeteria.

But this just makes me feel bad for Grace.

Did they over-order on the doll?

Did they think she was going to be way more popular 

than she ended up being?

Clearly the doll hasn't sold out yet --- which is really surprising.

So I am guessing -- and this is just an educated guess -- that most of us who wanted Grace (as I have said before) already had her by the middle of the year.

And instead of buying the Grace stock in the 2nd half of 2015, a lot, I mean A LOT of people got Maryellen instead.

Which means the Maryellen marketing did well, but maybe she cut into Grace sales a lot more than they thought she would?

This is the problem with releasing both a BeForever and a GOTY -- they will naturally compete with each other. Kinda unavoidable.

From what I've heard on the streets, the next BeForever 

is coming out at the same time as Lea.

(That is a rumor -- but it would mean that American Girl will really, REALLY 

need the store, shelf, and warehouse space this January.)

This may have an impact on the BeForever sales -- 

but at least the GOTY will have a whole year of competing 

against the new BeForever -- 

instead of Maryellen just tapping in 

on the end of year sales like this year.

This should allow American Girl to be more accurate 

as far as how many Lea dolls to order going through 2016.

Maybe.

Maybe?

I just feel bad for any un-sold Grace dolls.

She doesn't really deserve to be at 30% off.

Poor girl. :'-(

Yes, I am happy more people can get her now -- 

but like I said, most of the sales will come from re-sellers 

who can quickly go in and buy, buy, buy -- not people who have to save up dough, 

or wait for paychecks.

Not people with a household budget.

Not people with a holiday shopping budget.

This, in my opinion, is really a discount made for re-sellers.

What I hear American Girl saying is:

"Hey! Hey! Re-sellers!

 

Please buy up all this discounted stock 

and take it off our hands!!!"

American Girl, you should have just made 

her and her collection more affordable from the start.