Showing posts with label Thoughts on AG Products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoughts on AG Products. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Honest Editorial: March 18th, 2015

Welcome back to our Honest Editorials!

Today Marvelous Me, Maple will analyze 
some of the most recent offerings from American Girl.

Though by the time you read this, AG may have already released 
some fresh h*ll from their warehouses for us to gawk at.

And reminder - this is Maple - don't expect class.

There are only 2 things we would def buy from this recent release.
And they are the only 2 things we will buy.

(Whenever the money gods bestow upon us something called money.)

The "Shimmer & Lace Party Dress for Dolls" 
seems like a steal at $30 in comparison to most of the release's price-tags.

Though just typing "Shimmer & Lace Party Dress for Dolls" 
gave me diabetes.


The light peach or apricot color is awesome.

It isn't pink!!
Holy cats it isn't pink!!


We love almost everything about this dress.

Except for that...


The giant hip flower.

Makes it too cutesy and kiddy.
We bought a seam-ripper just for these moments.

And the same goes for the shoes.

Perfectly fine except for those flowers.


Makes them look like they are for little, little kids.
We are def going to try and remove them.

Next up is 100% win.

The colors might be a little too modern for Addy's time period.
This is something many people have observed.

But it looks great on Addy, and heck, she has a new outfit!!!


And it includes shoes!!! And socks!!!

Holy cow!


Unfortunately this is $48.

So you are going to have to pay out the nose for those boots.
Which don't even have grommets anymore for those laces....


And it is one of those "Special Edition" BeForever Sets.
Here until Dec. 2015 or while supplies last.


Like those gawd-awful sets released last year.

Rebecca's desperate Madame butterfly.
And Kit's pink chocolate Easter bunny nightmare.
And whatever that was for Kaya.

We hate Limited Edition things unless they are for an anniversary.
An actual temporary celebration.

It is just a high-priced marketing ploy to get you to buy asap.
Buy! Buy! Buy!

Well, I am only going to buy something if I want it.
Not because it is limited edition.

If I want it and it is limited edition, I might buy it sooner rather than later.
But AG doesn't really need to do limited edition things 
more than they already do for the GOTY.
Blergh.

And making a historical set as limited edition bugs me.

Just give people a chance to buy it when they have the money.
The historicals need all the help they can get man.
They don't need to compete on a deadline with the GOTY.

So we specifically boycotted the Limited Edition historical sets last year.

And we considered boycotting these as well.

But heck, Addy has an outfit.
That is worth supporting.

And we noticed they are now calling them "Special Edition" 
instead of Limited Edition.
Subtle.
But you can't fool me.
Still get it while it is hot type of mentality.

Gawd-forbid you poor people have a budget or something.
Budgets are for losers and non-doll collectors.
Get with the program.
And just apply for another credit card.

This year we will cave and get this set.

It's our two favorite colors: Blue and Purple!!!

It is gorgeous and worth every dollar.
Even though $48 does make us cry blood a little bit.



And the runner-up for possible purchase is the...

Sparkly Jazz Outfit.

Yeah, a weird choice, I know.
But it is useful for any Isabelle owners.

Almost like a set they designed for Isabelle but couldn't 
produce in enough time for her release.


The giant hair bow is annoying.
And the placement of it is painful.

But the bold red color is great.


Apparently they had extra Isabelle sparkly gold "fabric."

But really, this should have black or red shoes.


They are kinda cute shoes.
But we don't think they really match the outfit.


We want this just to play around with it as modern clothing.

But unfortunately it is not two separate pieces.

We'll have to work around that somehow....


It just looks like a fun and fashionable set.

So it is on our "possibilities" list.


The rest of the clothing in this recent release can be placed here...


To be burnt...

In a glorious fireball.


Except for the chicken in Kit's set...

The one thing meant to be cooked...

He will be saved...


And gloriously enthroned.


However, he's just the angriest looking chicken.

They couldn't make one that doesn't look like it wants to kill you? 

Like this one...

$4.99....


Plus, who has a "chicken-keeping" set without anything 
to actually "keep" the chicken?

We just walk around with it under our arm 24 hours a day?


I am sure that is how the Amish do it...but still...

What about a cage?

Or even eggs?

Or cute little chicks?

Or a cloth to wipe off the chicken sh*t that 
will be running down Kit's overalls when she carries 
around her chicken all day under her arm?

Meh.

At least the "Special Edition" sets are not $64 or more like last year.

So I guess for $48 we only get a stuffed chicken 
that you could find online for $5-7...
and no accessories.
At least the shoes are included....
Blergh.



Stay tuned for more 
Honest Editorials!

(You know you love them.)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Maple's Thoughts on the Sweet Spring Dress from AG, with a Side of Trends to Sew

First of all, have you seen our new giveaway? 

We have a dress and pantalettes set from Jackie's Heart and Soul to give away!
We are taking entries through April 30th.

Go here to check out the giveaway:

Check out Jackie's shop on Etsy: 

_________________

Second of all, we have been asked to give our opinions of AG's latest products.
(Which were released like 2 months ago, but we have been 'occupado.')

Maple loves giving her brash opinions, so she will be doing this for us....

Maple here -- Whassup Stitches!?!

We purchased Molly's PJs and Caroline's Cow, so you can figure out we like those things. ;-)
We'll be doing actual reviews of those things after we take da pics.

Today we start with my thoughts on what seems to be the most popular item of the release:
The Sweet Spring Dress. $30.

It is a sparkle knit, cream-colored mess.


What? You lurve it?
Oh, my bad.
It is still a mess....



Hey, y'alls wanted opinions right? :-P
Honestly, it looks better laid out flat than on the doll.

My main beef with the crochet dress is that it looks way too young.
For little girls. 
Little, little girls.
Which, to Moms, all girls are little.
But in my world, this is not something my tween self would wear to emit a hip and cool aura.
I'd rather be shot.


Next beef is the sparkle knit.
Why AG?


I am guessing this is like a left-over batch of yarn from the Soft-As-Snow sweater.
A crocheted dress is pretty fancy enough as is.
You don't need to add sparkle.
Unless you are Liberace.


Don't know who Liberace is? 
Ask someone older than 20, maybe even older than 30.

And I feel like the dress color is that dingy white that you get when you accidentally wash your whites with something dark colored. It never really looks white again.
I think the sparkle knit has something to do with this.
Gives it a grey-ish tint.
Should have just done cream yarn.

And of course, my third beef is the pink.
Giant pink flower accent at the neckline.


Pink ribbon detailing at waistline.

And pink shoes.



Now I readily admit the design of the shoes is really awesome.
But they are pink.
And we can't say we have a lot of clothing that they'd go with...

And they add in a single pink hair clip that looks just like Rebecca's brown one.
Which broke apart the instant we took it out of Rebecca's hair...


So Overall Thoughts...

The dress has a lot of potential to be awesome, but I think it missed the target.

Now for what it is -- a youthful, fancy party dress -- yeah, it is cute.

But when we look around at our collection, it just doesn't fit in.
So, we'll pass.
We'd want something just a bit more sophisticated.

Compare this...



to that....


And hopefully you can see what we mean.

_________________

In order to satisfy our curiosity, we investigated crochet, crochet-accented, and lace dresses over at our go-to website, YesStyle.
WARNING: Lots o' pics.

Here is what we found, perhaps useful items for people designing doll clothing.

Love this double-layer sheath with bit of flare at the hips.
Would make it longer.
But overall we heart this.



Some of these are girly, youthful designs -- but to us, they have a bit more of a spark to them (without the use of sparkle knit).

Also, we included some pink ones, for the pink fans. :-P

Mixing crochet and lace pieces with chiffon and knit fabrics is pretty common and can help your design have more structure and pizazz.





Also, the drop-waist of the Sweet Spring dress is fine, but it makes the dress look more youthful.

Try other types of waistlines, such as empire, or even just a sheath or A-line style.









Currently, the skater dress style is in.
So that would feature a natural waistline, one right at your belly button, 
sitting above the hips.












Other design options to ponder.







Not to suggest you make a wee mini dress that barely covers your butt ... but we like the accents on the sleeves -- which could be added to any top or long-sleeve dress. :-)


So there ya go.

A lot of trendy options that say 'girly' but not 'toddler.' ;-)

Thanks for visiting us today!

________________

Again...

We have a dress and pantalettes set from Jackie's Heart and Soul to give away!
We are taking entries through April 30th.

Go here to check out the giveaway:

Check out Jackie's shop on Etsy: 

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