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American Girl Fall Launch P1: Historical Roundup
So... new AG time. We'll begin with the random and say that Felicity's doll isn't even available (or easily found, anyway) so she got more than cubed. o_O Also, the rumor about the dolls going down to $98 is true so if you've had your eye on one... now wouldn't be the worst time to snag her, I would imagine.
Going to get the petty and not so petty problems out of the way.
As someone who isn't using her phone or other mobile device to try and navigate the site, I hate the new set-up. It's awful and I will actually take it as a personal attack if I have to hear anyone say they love it UNLESS they had trouble with the site previously and this somehow fixed it for them. For me, I can't find the goddamn prices on the actual product pages and I hate how the cubed girls just automatically take you to a page that loads what little they have left for them like you're going to hit the "add to bag" button and never realize you added the doll, her accessories, and her remaining books. That's just sneaky and shitty, AG. I mention the mobile bit because it's entirely possible this is something that works really well on there but I only shop via mobile when desperate and even then I hate every second of it, no matter how well done the site is. Also, it's possible that the price showing up issue might've been resolved as I typed this behemoth up.
In general, I think it's a stupid idea to lower the prices on the dolls while jacking up the prices on everything else. I like the lower prices on the dolls, don't get me wrong, but I would've thought based on how I've seen a LOT of people buy for their kids, that the other stuff is where they lose potential customers anyway. Target and Walmart stepped up their game considerably and while I still think AG was winning in actual clothing, it wasn't by much and for a lot of parents it wasn't worth the price difference. I'm not sure how many are going to be okay with dropping $40+ on an outfit. Although... no, we'll save that conspiracy theory for later on once I've had a chance to actually look at this stuff properly.
In no particular order, we dive into the Historical collections. Bonus points if you can figure out which item I bought via personal shopper over the weekend so I could use my rewards before they expired!
Julie's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GDV63
When Julie’s out and about in San Francisco, she always makes sure to bring her favorite accessories:
A fun tie-dyed bag to hold her things
A braided headband with a groovy attached flower
Purple-framed sunglasses for true California style
A shiny golden metal “Julie” necklace for extra flair
A petition for Julie to join the boys’ basketball team and a pretend purple wooden pencil for people to sign with
A clipboard to hold the petition with daisy and smiley-face stickers
I'm going to try and keep all my gasps over the price hikes at the start of this roundup, so that means poor Julie's going to get the short end of the stick for a lot. However, she'd already gotten the short end of the stick with her Meet accessories because previously her BF set was just the sunglasses, the headband, and the bag. They gave her back her necklace (they never should've taken it away) and the petition/clipboard so now you actually get some stuff. And while I don't like how they list the petition and clipboard separately like this is some big thing and not a piece of paper, I do think the set feels more complete now. But I'm not on board with the accessories costing $30 either.
Julie's Pinball Outfit // $36
Item#GDV64
A trip to the pinball arcade at a landmark San Francisco restaurant calls for a special outfit—and Julie flips for this one! It includes:
A denim vest with fun embroidered art, inspired by ’70s roller disco outfits, and real metal buttons
A matching pair of iconic bellbottom jeans with real front pockets and embroidered art
A faux-suede pink newsboy cap
A pair of red slingback wedge sandals with functioning white laces
My chest hurts when thinking about wearing a denim vest with nothing underneath. Get this poor girl an undershirt or something because *wince* I'm also not a giant fan of a pink hat and red shoes but the rainbow embroidery colors makes it work better than it would normally. I think this is one of those outfits I'll see on someone's Ivy and desperately want, but as it is, I get tripped up by the practicality of an unlined vest on skin. :P However, I am impressed that the pockets aren't just for show and the embroidery isn't just stamped on. That's the AG I love.
Julie's Pinball Machine // $150
Item#GDW97
Pinball arcades were incredibly popular in the ’70s, and Julie loves to try to beat the high score! The Flip Side pinball machine works just like a real one, with flashing lights, a digital scorekeeper, a plunger to launch the metal ball, buttons to control the flipper arms on either side, bumpers, and realistic machine sounds. It’s made of real metal and wood.
Like just about everyone else on earth, I love me some pinball and yes, I would totally buy this sucker if I had the space for it (and also the money) because the damn thing actually works and I would set it up on my bar right over there *gestures vaguely* and then scream when my nephew fucked it up. So I will say that this is one of the more interesting and smart ideas AG's had and I hope it's as nifty as it seems.
Julie's Christmas Outfit // $32
Item#GDV65
Christmas holds a special place in Julie’s heart. Whether she’s making holiday crafts with her mom or visiting the Fairmont Hotel to get hot chocolate with her dad and her sister, Tracy, she loves to dress up for the occasion. Outfit includes:
An authentic ’70s-style pink velvet dress with rickrack and crochet trim, a mock turtleneck, and balloon sleeves that make Julie feel fancy
A black satin bow for her hair
A pair of opaque white tights to keep her legs warm
A pair of black patent Mary Jane shoes with real metal buckles
This makes Julie's 4th holiday outfit if you count her NYE dress, and I do. They just keep trying, don't they? Anyway, I love those shoes more than a little and I waffle on the dress itself. While Cass hated how it looked in store pictures with the bun, I think it looks cute this way. I'm not entirely sure I'd buy it full price, but if there's a sale or I had a reward, maybe? I might also fall in love once I see it on say, Ivy. I'd also like to laugh at everyone who looked at the store pictures and thought the AG plastic tags were gone as uh, nope, there's one right there.
Julie's Christmas Fireplace // $75
Item#GDV66
There’s no fireplace for Santa to come down to in the new apartment that Julie moves to after her parents’ divorce, so her mom gets a faux fireplace instead! Includes:
A traditional printed cardboard fireplace, including a faux fire and hooks on the mantle to hang stockings
A hand-painted real ceramic Christmas tree that really lights up!
Two red felt stockings with Julie’s name embroidered on the front of one and her sister Tracy’s on the other
A real ceramic plate with a printed holly decoration to hold two gingerbread cookies for Santa to munch on
A glass of milk for Santa to drink
A note card to place by the milk and cookies for Santa
Two Christmas cards, one from Julie’s best friend, Ivy, and the other from Julie’s aunt
A letter to Santa from Julie with her Christmas list
My absolute favorite part of this is how many people chimed in that this was totally a 70's thing to have a cardboard fireplace that they or their families did and just how happy to reminisce about that they were. I'd include the stories about the ceramic trees, but I've been hearing that since last year elsewhere so the cuteness has worn off a bit for me.
This is something I would absolutely have bought at $50 and maybe with a little grumbling at $60, but at $75 I'm left to remember that the fireplace is cardboard, I can, in theory, get that tree elsewhere for much cheaper, and fake out the rest really. Seriously, with a decent printer you could make that fireplace pretty easily. So for me, this is a set I really like but I can't get on board with the price because it doesn't add up for me. But you get me a 20% sale and I might be tempted beyond reason.
Julie's Pajamas and Robe // $36
Item#GHR37
Now that she no longer lives next door to her best friend, Julie loves having Ivy over to her new apartment for sleepovers in these fun PJs! Set includes:
A bright-yellow nightgown as sunny as Julie’s disposition, with embroidered floral trim and satin bows down the front
A matching quilted satin robe with real pockets and front button closure, a common thing to wear in Julie’s day!
A pair of warm and fuzzy pink slippers with an elastic heel strap to hold them in place
A pair of yellow briefs
Normally pink and yellow together make me scream internally. I think I've documented this pretty well over the course of the years, as Mattel loves the combo for Julie and Draculaura in MH. However, this isn't baby pink and yellow, or even bubblegum pink, and I think that's why I'm actually enjoying this set more than I thought I would. Also, that robe is puffy and weird and working pocket and basically I kinda dig it. I don't dig the price, however I do remind myself that while PJs were $24 for eons, they did use to sell robes and slippers separately and that'd jack the price back up, so when that's taken into consideration, the price isn't horrible. Except they'd never dare charge you $24 for just this nightgown so we're back to hating the price but liking the product. Maybe if I remind myself that the actual embroidery should be taken into consideration I'll be less cringe-tastic at the price?
Julie's Bedside Table and Shag Rug // $70
Item#GHR38
Julie loves to spend time in her room, chatting with friends on the phone, reading, and relaxing. Set includes:
A groovy yellow bedside table with a drawer to keep books or a journal
A working pink lamp to read by at night
A groovy authentic ’70s-style phone
An abridged hardcover of Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s Season of Ponies, a book about feeling at home in unfamiliar situations, which Julie can relate to!
A real glass cup with a sculpted flower design for water
A stylish purple shag rug
Wow, AG. You really are hoping the mini book obsessed are going to fork over $70 for that little book, eh? No, I know that's not it but yeah. Some AG items I cannot judge fairly because once I see the price, that's it. This is one of those cases. Also... I do not love the yellow table looking like a chunk of plastic, no matter how accurate it may or may not be. So I want the book and I dig the accessories, but the yellow plastic piece of furniture and the price both lose me.
Julie's Groovy Bed & Bedding // $125
Item#GHR39
Moving to a new apartment with her mom and sister means big changes for Julie, including a new room! This set includes:
A wooden white four-poster bed with a pink canopy and cascading beads at each end to add flair
A soft mattress to sleep on
A set of embroidered pink and purple throw pillows that spell LOVE for lounging
A reversible ’70s floral-print bedspread for Julie to curl up in
A soft pink pillow for sleeping
Oh, look. They redid Julie's bed. Again. I think this is my favorite incarnation of it, though, and it's miles ahead of the BF version. However, I have one really big AG bed (Felicity's) and Julie's is massive so I shall continue to admire this one from afar. I do like that they've kept the price the same as well, so that's nice.
Julie's Bunny Nutmeg // $26
Item#GLJ48
Nutmeg, Julie’s lop-eared bunny, is chocolate-colored with a patch of white and loves to hide in laundry baskets! She can’t take him with her when she moves in to her new apartment, but she showers him with extra love when she spends weekends with her dad. This pet set features:
A soft plush bunny with brown fur and a cute embroidered face with sparkling eyes and thread whiskers
A real wicker basket with a pink embroidered pillow for Nutmeg
A bunch of pretend carrots for a snack
I've always liked Nutmeg and kept meaning to buy him but this is his third incarnation as well. Maybe 4th? They've tweaked poor Nutmeg a fair amount over the years. He's lost his pillow this time and is now $26? Ouch. So no, I will probably not buy this Nutmeg either.
Overall, I actually enjoyed most of Julie's new additions to her collection. I'm not sure how many I'll actually wind up buying but looking at them and reading their little write-ups made me happier than expected so I'd say Julie did well with the post-BF revamp.
Kaya didn't exactly get new stuff, she got revamped stuff.
Kaya's Meet Accessories // $30
GDV77
In Kaya’s day, the Nez Perce tribe moved from place to place as the seasons changed to hunt and gather food. Kaya can keep track of her precious things no matter where she is with this set that includes:
A patterned woven cornhusk bag with handles to carry personal belongings
A smaller woven pouch that attaches to Kaya’s belt to hold food or other mementos like her magpie feather
A brightly colored faux-porcupine-quill necklace
A carved faux-bison horn cup with a faux-suede strap and hand-beaded fringe for decoration
A bison-hunt illustration showing the migration route that Kaya’s tribe followed when they went hunting
The bison horn cup and map are new and honestly, like Julie's additions, these make the accessories feel more complete again. I'm not saying they make it feel like $30 but, y'know, it feels more complete.
Kaya's Trading Feast and Tule Mat // $48
GHR29
After a day of trading with other tribes, Kaya and the Nez Perce sit down to feast. This set includes:
A real woven cornhusk basket with decorative woven shoulder strap for carrying food
A thatched tule mat made of wooden reeds to place the food on
A faux etched-horn bowl for serving
A bunch of camas roots, a staple for the Nez Perce people, that could be baked and then mashed or ground into meal to make dough for cakes
A handful of dark blue huckleberries, a food that Kaya loves to snack on and could be eaten fresh or dried
Three strips of dried salmon, a tasty treat that Kaya helped to clean, cut, and dry
A mashed camas root
Four delicious fingers cakes made of ground camas roots
A set of huckleberry branches to cover the food in the basket
Soooooo... I can't figure out what they changed from this set's previous incarnation beyond going from $28 to $48. People tried to pretend the bits were maybe no longer bunched, but no. No, they still seem to be clumped so uh, no, AG.
Kaya's Dog Tatlo // $26
Item#GLJ45
When the Nez Perce traveled, dogs were responsible for guarding the camp. Kaya names her puppy Tatlo, or ground squirrel, because he’s so small. But he grows into a smart and loyal companion. He has plush fur and intelligent eyes.
You say intelligent eyes, I say crazy eyes, AG. Truthfully, according to the Wiki, I think he was already in the collection they just marked him as new and tacked on an extra $2 to his pricetag.
They bundled the saddle and Steps High so now it's $115 for the pair and no, you cannot get the saddle separately.
Kaya's Doll // $25
Item#GLJ47
When Kaya and her sister Speaking Rain are captured by another tribe, Kaya escapes to go find help. She carries her sister’s doll with her—and later uses the doll to find her sister with the help of her dog, Tatlo. The faux-suede doll has a hand-beaded faux-leather dress, printed face, and long braids.
Her doll is back but the cradleboard is not. That set ran for $32 so it seems a bit high that the doll itself is now $25. But I will not sass the addition of a doll back into a collection too much because I miss them.
Of the dolls who actually received new stuff, Kaya got fucking hosed. Nothing that was actually new (I lost count of the number of people who thought her pretty trading outfit was new but it's not) and some of those price increases are ridiculous. I'm glad they gave her some of her stuff back but I wish she'd gotten something that was actually new.
Maryellen time!
Maryellen's Pretty Pink Dress // $44
Item#GDV71
Maryellen feels so grown up when she tries on her sister Joan’s pretty pink prom dress! The outfit includes:
An authentic ’50s-style prom dress with decorative fabric flowers, a beautifully embroidered tulle over-layer, and a delicate ombre taffeta underskirt with a tulle petticoat
A pair of dainty lace gloves with pretty pink satin bows at each wrist
A pearlized pink bow barrette for her hair
A pair of pearlized white Mary Jane shoes with cutout details to complete her look
...wait just a goddamn minute, AG. This isn't her bridesmaid dress or her birthday dress? This is the pink dress she didn't want to wear and there's an entire plot point surrounding that fact and how she wants that new dress and is sad that she won't get it and then Davey's mom steps in and makes it for her? Are. You. Kidding. Me. Because there's no way in hell Maryellen would look at this dress and her old bridesmaid dress (the one that's no longer available) and think, I like the new one better. She'd go with this one every time. If Julie's write-ups made me happy, Maryellen's first one might get me to throw something in annoyance. Dress wise, I think it's lovely though I'm not completely in love with the flowers on the bodice. But this sucker is $44 and that pains me deeply. Also, once more I wince at the idea of her not wearing socks or something. Embroidery is lovely but I swear, she needs some socks, dammit.
Maryellen's Back to School Outfit // $36
Item#GDV70
Maryellen is excited to go back to school, see her friends, and join the science club! She picks out this special outfit to start the year off right. It includes:
A red, white, and blue authentic ’50s bow-print dress with a fashionable Peter Pan collar
A short-sleeved blue cardigan with hand-stitched details on the front and a functioning button closure
A pair of matching red patent Mary Jane shoes with cute toe cutout details and polka-dot ribbon bows
A red satin bow to add to her ponytail as a finishing touch
This showed up in one of her illustrations (maybe one of the vignettes?) and I liked it more there. In reality, this is something I think is entirely saved (as much as it can be) by that cardigan. I want to see it without the cardigan but I suspect that it will seriously underwhelm me when I do. I like the shoes, the bow, and that cardigan, but unless someone wows me with a picture, it's something I'd probably only buy on sale. Of course, I say that now and watch me change my mind later...
Maryellen's Sledding Outfit // $48
Item#GHR35
When Maryellen visits her grandparents, she gets to do lots of fun winter activities she never imagined, including sledding! Outfit includes:
A classic ’50s-style plaid jacket with functioning front buttons and patch pockets to warm her hands in
A green skinny belt with a bronze metal buckle
A plaid bonnet-style hat to keep her ears warm, with white faux-fur trim and a pretty red ribbon tie that matches her jacket
A long-sleeved cream mock turtleneck for added layering
A pair of real woolen snow pants with functioning metal clasp suspenders and elastic stirrups attached to the bottom hem to keep Maryellen warm so she can play in the snow all day!
A pair of cozy white knit socks
A pair of yellow rain boots from Florida to keep her feet dry, with elastic and button closures on the outside for added style
Ahahahahahahaha... oh, AG, you kill me. You charge $48 for an outfit from the story you cut completely out of Maryellen's new books and every idiot who says well, no one reads the books anyway so how will they know she's from Florida can read absolutely every little blurb about ME as they all mention it, so yeah, people are gonna look at ME and wonder WTF at this outfit. Just like they did for her skating outfit. Only then you could say read the books. Now it's like "track down the older books and read those."
If you take a shot for each person who mentions buying this for Molly, you will die. You've been warned. This is another of the outfits that makes me think of ye olde AG and unfortunately that also includes the pricetag because *wince*. However, I can't fault it too much because everything about this screams, "I'm for the adult collectors!" The BF approach to the historical collection was to make everything really pretty (alas, definitions of pretty vary wildly) and functionality be damned. This? Isn't pretty. It's cute, though, and there are all kinds of little touches here that are why AG was so beloved once upon a time. Just look at how often they mention that things actually function now! I'm not in love with this, but I respect the hell out of it and I can't say that it's not on my list of possibilities should a sale occur.
Maryellen's Sled // $65
Item#GHR34
Maryellen discovers a love of sledding when she visits her grandparents in the mountains of Georgia! Includes:
A real wooden sled with metal runners and an attached rope for pulling, just like Maryellen would have seen in 1950s catalogues
A metal insulated container with a removable stopper and lid that can be used as a cup when a warm drink is needed
Note: Do not place liquids in insulated container.
So. True story. The first review I read on this makes mention of the fact that the lid can be used as a cup... like this is something new. That's what a Thermos does, madame. This isn't groundbreaking. I do appreciate that AG made theirs so that it's not just a hunk of plastic that doesn't look functional (even if they're quick to point out not to put liquids in the Thermos) but I'm not going to act like this is something they invented. :P I think it was just poor word choice but still. Also, much as I want that sucker, I'm not laying dow $65 for a sled and a Thermos. The Molly stans who missed Emily's sled, however, are chomping at the bit.
Maryellen's School Desk // $100
Item#GDV73
School is one of Maryellen’s favorite parts of the day. She loves to learn about science, and sketch at her desk—even though it occasionally gets her into trouble! Includes:
A real wooden and metal desk, based on those found in ’50s classrooms, with a top that flips up to reveal a place to store school supplies
A pretend pencil for taking notes or sketching and a box to keep it in
A set of pretend Crayola® crayons to add color to art projects and a box to hold them
A pretend tape dispenser and fun dog-shaped pencil sharpener
A hardcover science textbook based on a real one from Florida in the 1950s!
First, let me say this: fuck yes to bringing back school desks to the line. FUCK YES. Now, let me cry over the price of this sonofabitch because $100 means this will never be mine. I do realize that you get her school accessories bundled with this but that's still not enough to justify the price. I wish the Crayons worked (sad) and I'm also not really sure about the color of the desk but what do I know? On a sale or if I found myself with a much higher paying job, I'd consider it. Otherwise, someone buy it and do all the photos with it, thank you.
Maryellen's Ready to Launch Rocket Set // $42
Item#GDV72
Maryellen loves to learn about rockets in science class and is over the moon when the teacher gives her an opportunity to build one! Set includes:
A model rocket box to hold the rocket and launchpad
An air pump that can be hit to launch the rocket into the air
A launchpad with three silver legs that can be hooked up to the air pump
A rocket that can really launch
A metal landing flag to mark the location of the rocket’s landing spot
A pretend bottle of model glue to build the rocket
A sticker sheet for decorating the rocket or the launchpad
A sheet of graph paper that attaches to the clipboard and a pencil to record calculations
A pair of safety glasses
A flight chart to map the rocket’s trajectory
A tape measure to track distances
So... I don't remember- does she get to build a model rocket in her non-abridged books? Because I know that her project is to build a rocket, but this ain't it and it's not really pretending to be it but still. I do like that this is a working set and that's why I will not bitch mightily about the price. I do love the glasses but there's not much safety to them. :P
Maryellen's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GDV69
Maryellen’s accessories are just right for adding an elegant touch. The set includes:
A pretend pearl necklace Maryellen loves to wear
A matching bracelet
A cable-knit purse to hold her things
White gloves with lace trim for a dainty look
A vinyl print autograph book for friends to leave quotes and signatures (a very popular thing to do in the ’50s!), plus a pretend pen for signing
A fun Florida-print handkerchief
They added the autograph book and pen as well as the hanky, fyi.
Maryellen's Seaside Diner // $350
Item#GLJ42
Welcome to the Seaside Diner™! It has features like diners that Maryellen would visit in the 1950s, including real sounds. The floor and counter-front are printed to look like tile, and the countertop is printed with a familiar ’50s speckle pattern. A malt mixer and pay phone (that accepts coins!) have working noises. And just like a real diner, there’s a light-up “Seaside Diner” sign and a spinning sign advertising shakes. Set includes:
A diner countertop
Two fried eggs, one set of breakfast patties, and one stack of delicious pancakes for a hearty breakfast
Four metal forks
Two fruit cups and two sandwiches for lunch
A delicious set of bacon, two servings of scrambled eggs, and two slices of toast
A made-to-order waffle and a container of syrup
A salt shaker and pepper shaker for the table or counter to share
A serving tray that dolls can carry and eight paper trays to hold food
Four order slips to hang above the counter so the cook can see what needs to be made
A metal bell to ring when an order is up
Two menus for dolls to read and four printed paper place mats
A doll-sized fabric apron and doll-sized paper hat printed with the diner’s name for cooks to wear behind the line
Two hot dogs and a bottle each of ketchup and mustard
Two made-to-order burgers that include meat, bun, and condiments
Two orders of fries
A chocolate malt and strawberry malt for a special treat
Two metal malt cups
A metal condiment caddy and four ceramic plates with a ’50s motif to set on the table
Two wooden, padded-top booth benches and a table with a real metal base and post
Fifteen pretend dollar bills and five metal coins for making change or making a call at the payphone
A sheet of stickers to decorate the walls of the diner
The Diner's back. I know, you missed it so. It's also now $350 whereas before it was $275. However, now the phone isn't just a sticker (I'm not sure why the picture of all the stuff still shows it as one?) and they've corrected a lot of the shortcuts they took before. I'm not in the market to buy it myself, and if I'd bought the original for close to retail, I'd be a little miffed (and no, Susan, you can't just trade your old one in for a new one) but I also really do like the playability this offers. Thank god little one isn't old enough to want this though.
Maryellen Seaside Diner Bakery Case // $95
Item#GLJ43
When Maryellen visits the Seaside Diner™, she can’t help but look at the sweet treats in the bakery case! This bakery case boasts a separate counter with its own register for customers who just want to stop in for a quick slice of pie or a donut! Includes:
A wooden display case with a clear cover for viewing
A wooden register stand
A metal register with working buttons and a cash drawer that really opens at the pull of a lever!
A metal donation can to contribute to the Polio cause
Fifteen bills and five real metal coins for the cash drawer
A paper diner hat for dolls behind the counter to wear
Two menus for dolls to order from
A sweet cherry pie and blueberry pie, plus a slice of each to eat right away
Two metal pie tins to display the pies in
A metal pie server for taking slices out
Two newspapers for dolls to read if they have a seat at the diner
Two trays for carrying food
A set of donuts and two sweet rolls
Two real ceramic plates for eating in at the diner counter
Three bakery boxes to take goodies to go
A sticker sheet for decorating the case or counter
I'm beginning to think that GOTY Grace had a much bigger impact on AG than I originally thought. Because a lot of her stuff has come back in some form or another and this bakery case feels very much like it owes its entire existence to her. In any case, this is also the item that's on backorder as every launch that's bigger than a handful of items has at least one item that isn't ready yet. This is that item. And if not for the price tag, I'd want it. This I think is the bone they're throwing to the people who previously bought the diner though if you have the old diner, you still don't get any damn forks with this set. Wtf, AG. It's cute and I think it's a nice set piece and now I want donuts.
If Julie's had the most surprising selection and Kaya's had the most disappointing, Maryellen's got the most confusing. There's an odd mix of read the books, but not too closely going on combined with "ohshit, we gotta fix that" and it's not the most... cohesive of collections? It's not horrible, it's just confusing to me.
Nanea's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GDV78
Nanea brings these prized items with her almost everywhere she goes. This set includes:
A necklace of pretty speckled-blue faux nerite shells
A cloth handbag made of palaka, a popular fabric worn by Hawaiian plantation workers
An “airmail” envelope and letter from Nanea’s friend Donna, whose family had to return to the mainland
Pretend money; during the war, money in Hawaii had the word “Hawaii” stamped on one side
The fabric ID pouch Nanea made herself
A pretend government-issued ID card with her name, address, and fingerprints—all islanders had to carry these during the war
A square Pearl Harbor remembrance kerchief
A doll-sized Junior Citizens Service Corps book that details how girls like Nanea could help with the war effort in their community
Nanea gets exactly ONE new thing and it's not exactly new as it's just the revamped accessories with new items added. So I'm miffed that I have to buy this stupid set all over again to get the new stuff. I do not appreciate this, AG. I don't mind buying the books multiple times but I don't want to spend $30 to get the kerchief and that book. DAMMIT.
Nanea, btw, loses the post-BF revamp entirely in terms of getting new stuff, but might win in that people will look at her prices and think, "y'know, maybe we'll go with her instead."
Melody's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GDV79
Melody is ready to step out into the city! Her accessories set includes:
A blue felt hat with ribbon trim that she feels fancy wearing
A blue patent purse with a bow on the front to carry her things
Cool cat-eye sunglasses that were popular in the 1960s
A civil rights campaign button that Melody wears proudly
A record and record sleeve featuring The Three Ravens, Melody’s brother’s group!
They added the record, guys. That's it. Still, I don't think I got this when I got Melody so...
Melody's School Outfit // $40
Item#GHR33
Melody is proud to wear her best jumper to school and then to the bank to close her account in protest of discrimination. Outfit includes:
A gray sleeveless jumper with golden metal buttons, real front pockets, and black velvet trim
A three-quarter-sleeved red-and-white striped top
A pair of solid red tights
Two red satin hairbows that Melody sometimes wears to school with her best friend Sharon on their “Matching Mondays”
A pair of shiny black patent Mary Jane shoes
AG mentions matching Mondays. You know what's not in the books anymore? Matching Mondays. *headdesk* I figured out my problem with this outfit, aside from not thinking it's worth $40 (36 and I'd be sold) and it's the tights read orange-red and the other reds do not. I am just picky enough to need my reds to match, dammit. However, I think this is cuter in this picture than most of the store pics I saw. Which probably isn't great. I am glad that SO many people love this right off the bat since poor Melody usually gets nothing but griping. So yay for Melody finally getting a win. Also, look! No pony-os! It's real ribbons again!
Melody's Upright Piano // $150
Item#GHR32
For as long as she can remember, Melody has loved listening to her family play and sing to music from her grandmother’s piano. Includes:
A wooden piano with working keys that play music when pressed
A wooden bench with cushioned fabric seat to sit on
A set of sheet music to play, plus a music sheet with the song “Special Melody” that Melody’s brother Dwayne wrote just for her
Sorry, I spaced out there for a moment trying to remember the piano we had when I was a kid. That I never learned to play (and not a case of spurned lessons either). Anyway, when I saw this in store pictures, I fell in love. This is another AG I love moment because looking at this, you can just picture Big Momma playing while Melody sings. ♥ I don't have the money for it, but it's lovely and I hope people who wanted it aren't turned off by the reports (apparently false?) that it doesn't play anything or was overly plastic.
Melody did pretty well for what few things they gave her. I think the piano is the star as it feels like part of her books just came to life, and that feeling has been missing for a lot of her collection since she was released. I do hope they eventually release her black skirt and white shirt that she wears in the new books but I'm also aware it's a very plain outfit and might not work for the kinds of prices AG is charging these days.
Rebecca's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GJH71
When Rebecca’s out and about in New York, she always brings her favorite accessories:
A dramatic purple hat with a ruched crown, two rows of velvet ribbon trim, and a decorative ribbon
A velveteen purse with golden metal frame on a black faux-leather wrist strap
A shiny golden metal necklace with a pink and purple stone pendant
A woven shawl with a traditional floral design and fringe trim, that Rebecca’s family brought from Russia
A printed movie magazine, something that was very popular in Rebecca’s time—it features articles, advertisements, and photos of movie stars
Rebecca gets her shawl back as well as a movie magazine, which feels very fitting for Rebecca. I do love how Rebecca looks in her picture with all her stuff like "dude, I like purple, but maybe not THIS much".
Rebecca's Winter Coat // $42
Item#GLJ51
Rebecca stays warm in the cold New York winter in this outfit, featuring:
A lined velveteen swing coat with faux-fur at the collar and cuffs, and fancy frog closures with purple buttons
A matching velveteen hat with a satin bow
A white faux-fur muff to keep her hands warm
This is a revamp of a previous item but I'm including it because I need someone else to have their eyes burned out due to the color of this thing. It's lovely but it's also BRIGHT. Anyway, the previous version was more muted and the frog closures didn't work. I snagged it whenever it was on the verge of disappearing (and then it came back) so I'm not sure whether I want to buy this one or not. The price will keep me safe from it for now, but it is pretty.
Rebecca's Hanukkah Outfit // $44
Item#GJH66
Hanukkah is Rebecca’s favorite time of year, and this special outfit makes her feel like a star while she celebrates with family. It includes:
A short-sleeved empire-waist dress with delicate cream-dotted mesh and an embroidered overlay, lace sleeves, and a beautiful satin waistband bow
A blue satin hairbow and pair of cream tights to match
Cream-colored double-strap dress shoes from her father’s store, decorated with fancy faux-pearl and rhinestone details
$44?! Are you trying to kill me, AG? This is easily the prettiest of the new outfits and possibly the best damn thing of the entire launch and you want $44 for a doll outfit when I don't even like to spend that much on my own clothes? Are you insane? Yes. Yes they are. But sweet baby boy who lived, this sucker is beautiful. Look at that shade of blue. Look at those shoes. That overlay. Is that a proper bow? I don't even care, the color is killing me softly. I love everything about this and I don't even care that this is her third take on this. It's glorious. But $44? Pardon me while I sob into the cat's soft, fluffy fur.
Rebecca's Menorah and Dreidel Set // $50
Item#GJH67
Rebecca can’t wait to start lighting the candles on her family’s treasured menorah for Hanukkah. This set includes:
A metal menorah with nine pretend candles, one for each of the eight days of Hanukkah and one to light them with
A traditional wooden dreidel, a toy that Jewish girls have loved for centuries—it really spins!
A set of shiny pretend metal coins, called gelt, that can be won in the dreidel game
Oh look, they've revamped this set again. I like it better than the BF version but it's $50 so no, thank you. Also, legend says they got rid of her Hanukkah story so...
Rebecca's Parlor Table // $150
Item#GJH72
This sturdy wooden table sits in the parlor of the Rubins’ home and is perfect for playing cards or having tea. It includes:
A real wooden table
A white fabric runner with lace trim
A set of two blue candlesticks made of real glass and two matching pretend candles
A beautiful bouquet of fabric flowers for decoration and a silvered glass vase to put them in
This set is beautiful and I love the way it looks in the various display pictures, but sweet baby Jesus, this doll table costs more than some of my people sized furniture. No. But good on you, AG, for making the candlesticks glass.
Rebecca's Sabbath Set // $70
Item#GJH73
Rebecca loves to share special Sabbath meals with her family (it’s her favorite time of the week!) and hopes to one day have the honor of lighting her family’s Sabbath candles. Set includes:
A brass-colored metal samovar brought over from Russia with a removable lid and handle that turns to dispense hot water
A brass-colored metal tray
A loaf of traditional Jewish braided bread, hallah, and a special embroidered cloth to rest it on
A ceramic teapot with floral details and a paper tea box
A white ceramic plate with gold trim to match the teapot
A set of rugalach, traditional Jewish pastries
Two real glasses with etched details
Don't think I don't see you mentioning the candlesticks here but including them with the table, AG. I'm on to your tricks! If you listen carefully, you can hear the Rebecca fans squee that this is back. To me, it feels like it's missing something but that might just be the candlesticks. I do like this teapot better than the previous one, so well done, AG.
Rebecca's Kittens // $26
When her neighbor’s cat goes missing, Rebecca finds her in the basement of the apartment building with these two kittens. One is solid white, and the other is brown with a white face, paws, and tail. They're both soft and furry, with curious eyes, string whiskers, and plush, huggable bodies.
You say brown, I say ginger, AG. They're much cuter than the previous version. Muuuuuuuuuuuch cuter. Like on sale these will probably come home with me and I will regret NOTHING. But they sure as shit aren't worth $26, just so you know.
Rebecca's Nightgown // $30
Item#GJH69
This elegant nightgown is perfect for Rebecca’s bedtime in New York. It includes:
A long-sleeved cotton nightgown with pintucks and delicate lace details, as well as pink satin trim, bows at each wrist, and pearly buttons
Matching velveteen slippers to keep her feet warm, with lace and satin trim and bows on each toe
A large satin hairbow Rebecca loves to wear, attached to an elastic
AG, Rebecca has curly hair. Don't put her ribbons on pony-o's. Give her a real damn ribbon, you cheap bastards. For $30, you really should have. Gripe aside, I'm meh on this. I really liked the look of Rebecca's first pair of PJs but in reality they let me down pretty hardcore as they just looked strange in person. This feels like the first set of PJs had a baby with Samantha's nightgown and this is the result. A feeling further reinforced by...
Rebecca's Bed and Bedding // $150
Item#GJH68
As night falls in New York City, Rebecca can dream of starring on the silver screen—that is, as long as her twin sisters (whom she shares a room with) don’t keep her awake! This set features:
A sturdy metal bedframe with decorative scrollwork at the head and foot
A plush white mattress for a good night’s rest
A white bedspread with ruffle trim and traditional embroidered artwork that Rebecca can curl up under
A decorative throw pillow that matches the bedspread
An embroidered white bolster cover with pearlized buttons and a fancy tassel on either end
A long bolster pillow that fits inside the cover and is traditionally placed against the headboard
...So, Samantha's bed but tweaked? Seriously, with this price tag, I'd be better off finding Sam's bed online. Which I should probably do because kid!me still wants it. This bed suffers a bit from having to make it different from Samantha's. The hearts seem out of place, though I do love the blue embroidery. If you're one of those people who won't buy secondhand and don't mind a considerable markup, this is probably my favorite of the current historical beds. It just can't compete with my childhood wanting of Samantha's bed, sadly.
Also, backordered.
For me, I feel like Rebecca won the post BF launch, but that's probably not true since most of her stuff is revamped. However, since she'd been all but stripped of her Jewish accessory sets previously, the return of them and in improved form makes me happy.
CONSPIRACY THEORY TIME: Julie's outfits dance close to that $40 mark but none of them ever actually cross it. I wonder if they consider her stuff to be more likely to actually be bought for kids but say, Rebecca's stuff is probably going to adults and priced accordingly? Not sure where that leaves Maryellen and Melody, though. Melody's sales suck and that is pretty much across the board as far as I could tell, from doll to outfits, so it's interesting that she'd get one of the $40 outfits and Julie wouldn't. Maryellen I can see going either way. The nostalgia factor is high enough that grandparents would be willing to buy for the grandkids even at higher prices and adults are also likely to go "mineminemine!" for certain things. Still, the pricing is strange.
So. Did you figure out which item I bought?
Going to get the petty and not so petty problems out of the way.
As someone who isn't using her phone or other mobile device to try and navigate the site, I hate the new set-up. It's awful and I will actually take it as a personal attack if I have to hear anyone say they love it UNLESS they had trouble with the site previously and this somehow fixed it for them. For me, I can't find the goddamn prices on the actual product pages and I hate how the cubed girls just automatically take you to a page that loads what little they have left for them like you're going to hit the "add to bag" button and never realize you added the doll, her accessories, and her remaining books. That's just sneaky and shitty, AG. I mention the mobile bit because it's entirely possible this is something that works really well on there but I only shop via mobile when desperate and even then I hate every second of it, no matter how well done the site is. Also, it's possible that the price showing up issue might've been resolved as I typed this behemoth up.
In general, I think it's a stupid idea to lower the prices on the dolls while jacking up the prices on everything else. I like the lower prices on the dolls, don't get me wrong, but I would've thought based on how I've seen a LOT of people buy for their kids, that the other stuff is where they lose potential customers anyway. Target and Walmart stepped up their game considerably and while I still think AG was winning in actual clothing, it wasn't by much and for a lot of parents it wasn't worth the price difference. I'm not sure how many are going to be okay with dropping $40+ on an outfit. Although... no, we'll save that conspiracy theory for later on once I've had a chance to actually look at this stuff properly.
In no particular order, we dive into the Historical collections. Bonus points if you can figure out which item I bought via personal shopper over the weekend so I could use my rewards before they expired!
Julie's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GDV63
When Julie’s out and about in San Francisco, she always makes sure to bring her favorite accessories:
A fun tie-dyed bag to hold her things
A braided headband with a groovy attached flower
Purple-framed sunglasses for true California style
A shiny golden metal “Julie” necklace for extra flair
A petition for Julie to join the boys’ basketball team and a pretend purple wooden pencil for people to sign with
A clipboard to hold the petition with daisy and smiley-face stickers
I'm going to try and keep all my gasps over the price hikes at the start of this roundup, so that means poor Julie's going to get the short end of the stick for a lot. However, she'd already gotten the short end of the stick with her Meet accessories because previously her BF set was just the sunglasses, the headband, and the bag. They gave her back her necklace (they never should've taken it away) and the petition/clipboard so now you actually get some stuff. And while I don't like how they list the petition and clipboard separately like this is some big thing and not a piece of paper, I do think the set feels more complete now. But I'm not on board with the accessories costing $30 either.
Julie's Pinball Outfit // $36
Item#GDV64
A trip to the pinball arcade at a landmark San Francisco restaurant calls for a special outfit—and Julie flips for this one! It includes:
A denim vest with fun embroidered art, inspired by ’70s roller disco outfits, and real metal buttons
A matching pair of iconic bellbottom jeans with real front pockets and embroidered art
A faux-suede pink newsboy cap
A pair of red slingback wedge sandals with functioning white laces
My chest hurts when thinking about wearing a denim vest with nothing underneath. Get this poor girl an undershirt or something because *wince* I'm also not a giant fan of a pink hat and red shoes but the rainbow embroidery colors makes it work better than it would normally. I think this is one of those outfits I'll see on someone's Ivy and desperately want, but as it is, I get tripped up by the practicality of an unlined vest on skin. :P However, I am impressed that the pockets aren't just for show and the embroidery isn't just stamped on. That's the AG I love.
Julie's Pinball Machine // $150
Item#GDW97
Pinball arcades were incredibly popular in the ’70s, and Julie loves to try to beat the high score! The Flip Side pinball machine works just like a real one, with flashing lights, a digital scorekeeper, a plunger to launch the metal ball, buttons to control the flipper arms on either side, bumpers, and realistic machine sounds. It’s made of real metal and wood.
Like just about everyone else on earth, I love me some pinball and yes, I would totally buy this sucker if I had the space for it (and also the money) because the damn thing actually works and I would set it up on my bar right over there *gestures vaguely* and then scream when my nephew fucked it up. So I will say that this is one of the more interesting and smart ideas AG's had and I hope it's as nifty as it seems.
Julie's Christmas Outfit // $32
Item#GDV65
Christmas holds a special place in Julie’s heart. Whether she’s making holiday crafts with her mom or visiting the Fairmont Hotel to get hot chocolate with her dad and her sister, Tracy, she loves to dress up for the occasion. Outfit includes:
An authentic ’70s-style pink velvet dress with rickrack and crochet trim, a mock turtleneck, and balloon sleeves that make Julie feel fancy
A black satin bow for her hair
A pair of opaque white tights to keep her legs warm
A pair of black patent Mary Jane shoes with real metal buckles
This makes Julie's 4th holiday outfit if you count her NYE dress, and I do. They just keep trying, don't they? Anyway, I love those shoes more than a little and I waffle on the dress itself. While Cass hated how it looked in store pictures with the bun, I think it looks cute this way. I'm not entirely sure I'd buy it full price, but if there's a sale or I had a reward, maybe? I might also fall in love once I see it on say, Ivy. I'd also like to laugh at everyone who looked at the store pictures and thought the AG plastic tags were gone as uh, nope, there's one right there.
Julie's Christmas Fireplace // $75
Item#GDV66
There’s no fireplace for Santa to come down to in the new apartment that Julie moves to after her parents’ divorce, so her mom gets a faux fireplace instead! Includes:
A traditional printed cardboard fireplace, including a faux fire and hooks on the mantle to hang stockings
A hand-painted real ceramic Christmas tree that really lights up!
Two red felt stockings with Julie’s name embroidered on the front of one and her sister Tracy’s on the other
A real ceramic plate with a printed holly decoration to hold two gingerbread cookies for Santa to munch on
A glass of milk for Santa to drink
A note card to place by the milk and cookies for Santa
Two Christmas cards, one from Julie’s best friend, Ivy, and the other from Julie’s aunt
A letter to Santa from Julie with her Christmas list
My absolute favorite part of this is how many people chimed in that this was totally a 70's thing to have a cardboard fireplace that they or their families did and just how happy to reminisce about that they were. I'd include the stories about the ceramic trees, but I've been hearing that since last year elsewhere so the cuteness has worn off a bit for me.
This is something I would absolutely have bought at $50 and maybe with a little grumbling at $60, but at $75 I'm left to remember that the fireplace is cardboard, I can, in theory, get that tree elsewhere for much cheaper, and fake out the rest really. Seriously, with a decent printer you could make that fireplace pretty easily. So for me, this is a set I really like but I can't get on board with the price because it doesn't add up for me. But you get me a 20% sale and I might be tempted beyond reason.
Julie's Pajamas and Robe // $36
Item#GHR37
Now that she no longer lives next door to her best friend, Julie loves having Ivy over to her new apartment for sleepovers in these fun PJs! Set includes:
A bright-yellow nightgown as sunny as Julie’s disposition, with embroidered floral trim and satin bows down the front
A matching quilted satin robe with real pockets and front button closure, a common thing to wear in Julie’s day!
A pair of warm and fuzzy pink slippers with an elastic heel strap to hold them in place
A pair of yellow briefs
Normally pink and yellow together make me scream internally. I think I've documented this pretty well over the course of the years, as Mattel loves the combo for Julie and Draculaura in MH. However, this isn't baby pink and yellow, or even bubblegum pink, and I think that's why I'm actually enjoying this set more than I thought I would. Also, that robe is puffy and weird and working pocket and basically I kinda dig it. I don't dig the price, however I do remind myself that while PJs were $24 for eons, they did use to sell robes and slippers separately and that'd jack the price back up, so when that's taken into consideration, the price isn't horrible. Except they'd never dare charge you $24 for just this nightgown so we're back to hating the price but liking the product. Maybe if I remind myself that the actual embroidery should be taken into consideration I'll be less cringe-tastic at the price?
Julie's Bedside Table and Shag Rug // $70
Item#GHR38
Julie loves to spend time in her room, chatting with friends on the phone, reading, and relaxing. Set includes:
A groovy yellow bedside table with a drawer to keep books or a journal
A working pink lamp to read by at night
A groovy authentic ’70s-style phone
An abridged hardcover of Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s Season of Ponies, a book about feeling at home in unfamiliar situations, which Julie can relate to!
A real glass cup with a sculpted flower design for water
A stylish purple shag rug
Wow, AG. You really are hoping the mini book obsessed are going to fork over $70 for that little book, eh? No, I know that's not it but yeah. Some AG items I cannot judge fairly because once I see the price, that's it. This is one of those cases. Also... I do not love the yellow table looking like a chunk of plastic, no matter how accurate it may or may not be. So I want the book and I dig the accessories, but the yellow plastic piece of furniture and the price both lose me.
Julie's Groovy Bed & Bedding // $125
Item#GHR39
Moving to a new apartment with her mom and sister means big changes for Julie, including a new room! This set includes:
A wooden white four-poster bed with a pink canopy and cascading beads at each end to add flair
A soft mattress to sleep on
A set of embroidered pink and purple throw pillows that spell LOVE for lounging
A reversible ’70s floral-print bedspread for Julie to curl up in
A soft pink pillow for sleeping
Oh, look. They redid Julie's bed. Again. I think this is my favorite incarnation of it, though, and it's miles ahead of the BF version. However, I have one really big AG bed (Felicity's) and Julie's is massive so I shall continue to admire this one from afar. I do like that they've kept the price the same as well, so that's nice.
Julie's Bunny Nutmeg // $26
Item#GLJ48
Nutmeg, Julie’s lop-eared bunny, is chocolate-colored with a patch of white and loves to hide in laundry baskets! She can’t take him with her when she moves in to her new apartment, but she showers him with extra love when she spends weekends with her dad. This pet set features:
A soft plush bunny with brown fur and a cute embroidered face with sparkling eyes and thread whiskers
A real wicker basket with a pink embroidered pillow for Nutmeg
A bunch of pretend carrots for a snack
I've always liked Nutmeg and kept meaning to buy him but this is his third incarnation as well. Maybe 4th? They've tweaked poor Nutmeg a fair amount over the years. He's lost his pillow this time and is now $26? Ouch. So no, I will probably not buy this Nutmeg either.
Overall, I actually enjoyed most of Julie's new additions to her collection. I'm not sure how many I'll actually wind up buying but looking at them and reading their little write-ups made me happier than expected so I'd say Julie did well with the post-BF revamp.
Kaya didn't exactly get new stuff, she got revamped stuff.
Kaya's Meet Accessories // $30
GDV77
In Kaya’s day, the Nez Perce tribe moved from place to place as the seasons changed to hunt and gather food. Kaya can keep track of her precious things no matter where she is with this set that includes:
A patterned woven cornhusk bag with handles to carry personal belongings
A smaller woven pouch that attaches to Kaya’s belt to hold food or other mementos like her magpie feather
A brightly colored faux-porcupine-quill necklace
A carved faux-bison horn cup with a faux-suede strap and hand-beaded fringe for decoration
A bison-hunt illustration showing the migration route that Kaya’s tribe followed when they went hunting
The bison horn cup and map are new and honestly, like Julie's additions, these make the accessories feel more complete again. I'm not saying they make it feel like $30 but, y'know, it feels more complete.
Kaya's Trading Feast and Tule Mat // $48
GHR29
After a day of trading with other tribes, Kaya and the Nez Perce sit down to feast. This set includes:
A real woven cornhusk basket with decorative woven shoulder strap for carrying food
A thatched tule mat made of wooden reeds to place the food on
A faux etched-horn bowl for serving
A bunch of camas roots, a staple for the Nez Perce people, that could be baked and then mashed or ground into meal to make dough for cakes
A handful of dark blue huckleberries, a food that Kaya loves to snack on and could be eaten fresh or dried
Three strips of dried salmon, a tasty treat that Kaya helped to clean, cut, and dry
A mashed camas root
Four delicious fingers cakes made of ground camas roots
A set of huckleberry branches to cover the food in the basket
Soooooo... I can't figure out what they changed from this set's previous incarnation beyond going from $28 to $48. People tried to pretend the bits were maybe no longer bunched, but no. No, they still seem to be clumped so uh, no, AG.
Kaya's Dog Tatlo // $26
Item#GLJ45
When the Nez Perce traveled, dogs were responsible for guarding the camp. Kaya names her puppy Tatlo, or ground squirrel, because he’s so small. But he grows into a smart and loyal companion. He has plush fur and intelligent eyes.
You say intelligent eyes, I say crazy eyes, AG. Truthfully, according to the Wiki, I think he was already in the collection they just marked him as new and tacked on an extra $2 to his pricetag.
They bundled the saddle and Steps High so now it's $115 for the pair and no, you cannot get the saddle separately.
Kaya's Doll // $25
Item#GLJ47
When Kaya and her sister Speaking Rain are captured by another tribe, Kaya escapes to go find help. She carries her sister’s doll with her—and later uses the doll to find her sister with the help of her dog, Tatlo. The faux-suede doll has a hand-beaded faux-leather dress, printed face, and long braids.
Her doll is back but the cradleboard is not. That set ran for $32 so it seems a bit high that the doll itself is now $25. But I will not sass the addition of a doll back into a collection too much because I miss them.
Of the dolls who actually received new stuff, Kaya got fucking hosed. Nothing that was actually new (I lost count of the number of people who thought her pretty trading outfit was new but it's not) and some of those price increases are ridiculous. I'm glad they gave her some of her stuff back but I wish she'd gotten something that was actually new.
Maryellen time!
Maryellen's Pretty Pink Dress // $44
Item#GDV71
Maryellen feels so grown up when she tries on her sister Joan’s pretty pink prom dress! The outfit includes:
An authentic ’50s-style prom dress with decorative fabric flowers, a beautifully embroidered tulle over-layer, and a delicate ombre taffeta underskirt with a tulle petticoat
A pair of dainty lace gloves with pretty pink satin bows at each wrist
A pearlized pink bow barrette for her hair
A pair of pearlized white Mary Jane shoes with cutout details to complete her look
...wait just a goddamn minute, AG. This isn't her bridesmaid dress or her birthday dress? This is the pink dress she didn't want to wear and there's an entire plot point surrounding that fact and how she wants that new dress and is sad that she won't get it and then Davey's mom steps in and makes it for her? Are. You. Kidding. Me. Because there's no way in hell Maryellen would look at this dress and her old bridesmaid dress (the one that's no longer available) and think, I like the new one better. She'd go with this one every time. If Julie's write-ups made me happy, Maryellen's first one might get me to throw something in annoyance. Dress wise, I think it's lovely though I'm not completely in love with the flowers on the bodice. But this sucker is $44 and that pains me deeply. Also, once more I wince at the idea of her not wearing socks or something. Embroidery is lovely but I swear, she needs some socks, dammit.
Maryellen's Back to School Outfit // $36
Item#GDV70
Maryellen is excited to go back to school, see her friends, and join the science club! She picks out this special outfit to start the year off right. It includes:
A red, white, and blue authentic ’50s bow-print dress with a fashionable Peter Pan collar
A short-sleeved blue cardigan with hand-stitched details on the front and a functioning button closure
A pair of matching red patent Mary Jane shoes with cute toe cutout details and polka-dot ribbon bows
A red satin bow to add to her ponytail as a finishing touch
This showed up in one of her illustrations (maybe one of the vignettes?) and I liked it more there. In reality, this is something I think is entirely saved (as much as it can be) by that cardigan. I want to see it without the cardigan but I suspect that it will seriously underwhelm me when I do. I like the shoes, the bow, and that cardigan, but unless someone wows me with a picture, it's something I'd probably only buy on sale. Of course, I say that now and watch me change my mind later...
Maryellen's Sledding Outfit // $48
Item#GHR35
When Maryellen visits her grandparents, she gets to do lots of fun winter activities she never imagined, including sledding! Outfit includes:
A classic ’50s-style plaid jacket with functioning front buttons and patch pockets to warm her hands in
A green skinny belt with a bronze metal buckle
A plaid bonnet-style hat to keep her ears warm, with white faux-fur trim and a pretty red ribbon tie that matches her jacket
A long-sleeved cream mock turtleneck for added layering
A pair of real woolen snow pants with functioning metal clasp suspenders and elastic stirrups attached to the bottom hem to keep Maryellen warm so she can play in the snow all day!
A pair of cozy white knit socks
A pair of yellow rain boots from Florida to keep her feet dry, with elastic and button closures on the outside for added style
Ahahahahahahaha... oh, AG, you kill me. You charge $48 for an outfit from the story you cut completely out of Maryellen's new books and every idiot who says well, no one reads the books anyway so how will they know she's from Florida can read absolutely every little blurb about ME as they all mention it, so yeah, people are gonna look at ME and wonder WTF at this outfit. Just like they did for her skating outfit. Only then you could say read the books. Now it's like "track down the older books and read those."
If you take a shot for each person who mentions buying this for Molly, you will die. You've been warned. This is another of the outfits that makes me think of ye olde AG and unfortunately that also includes the pricetag because *wince*. However, I can't fault it too much because everything about this screams, "I'm for the adult collectors!" The BF approach to the historical collection was to make everything really pretty (alas, definitions of pretty vary wildly) and functionality be damned. This? Isn't pretty. It's cute, though, and there are all kinds of little touches here that are why AG was so beloved once upon a time. Just look at how often they mention that things actually function now! I'm not in love with this, but I respect the hell out of it and I can't say that it's not on my list of possibilities should a sale occur.
Maryellen's Sled // $65
Item#GHR34
Maryellen discovers a love of sledding when she visits her grandparents in the mountains of Georgia! Includes:
A real wooden sled with metal runners and an attached rope for pulling, just like Maryellen would have seen in 1950s catalogues
A metal insulated container with a removable stopper and lid that can be used as a cup when a warm drink is needed
Note: Do not place liquids in insulated container.
So. True story. The first review I read on this makes mention of the fact that the lid can be used as a cup... like this is something new. That's what a Thermos does, madame. This isn't groundbreaking. I do appreciate that AG made theirs so that it's not just a hunk of plastic that doesn't look functional (even if they're quick to point out not to put liquids in the Thermos) but I'm not going to act like this is something they invented. :P I think it was just poor word choice but still. Also, much as I want that sucker, I'm not laying dow $65 for a sled and a Thermos. The Molly stans who missed Emily's sled, however, are chomping at the bit.
Maryellen's School Desk // $100
Item#GDV73
School is one of Maryellen’s favorite parts of the day. She loves to learn about science, and sketch at her desk—even though it occasionally gets her into trouble! Includes:
A real wooden and metal desk, based on those found in ’50s classrooms, with a top that flips up to reveal a place to store school supplies
A pretend pencil for taking notes or sketching and a box to keep it in
A set of pretend Crayola® crayons to add color to art projects and a box to hold them
A pretend tape dispenser and fun dog-shaped pencil sharpener
A hardcover science textbook based on a real one from Florida in the 1950s!
First, let me say this: fuck yes to bringing back school desks to the line. FUCK YES. Now, let me cry over the price of this sonofabitch because $100 means this will never be mine. I do realize that you get her school accessories bundled with this but that's still not enough to justify the price. I wish the Crayons worked (sad) and I'm also not really sure about the color of the desk but what do I know? On a sale or if I found myself with a much higher paying job, I'd consider it. Otherwise, someone buy it and do all the photos with it, thank you.
Maryellen's Ready to Launch Rocket Set // $42
Item#GDV72
Maryellen loves to learn about rockets in science class and is over the moon when the teacher gives her an opportunity to build one! Set includes:
A model rocket box to hold the rocket and launchpad
An air pump that can be hit to launch the rocket into the air
A launchpad with three silver legs that can be hooked up to the air pump
A rocket that can really launch
A metal landing flag to mark the location of the rocket’s landing spot
A pretend bottle of model glue to build the rocket
A sticker sheet for decorating the rocket or the launchpad
A sheet of graph paper that attaches to the clipboard and a pencil to record calculations
A pair of safety glasses
A flight chart to map the rocket’s trajectory
A tape measure to track distances
So... I don't remember- does she get to build a model rocket in her non-abridged books? Because I know that her project is to build a rocket, but this ain't it and it's not really pretending to be it but still. I do like that this is a working set and that's why I will not bitch mightily about the price. I do love the glasses but there's not much safety to them. :P
Maryellen's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GDV69
Maryellen’s accessories are just right for adding an elegant touch. The set includes:
A pretend pearl necklace Maryellen loves to wear
A matching bracelet
A cable-knit purse to hold her things
White gloves with lace trim for a dainty look
A vinyl print autograph book for friends to leave quotes and signatures (a very popular thing to do in the ’50s!), plus a pretend pen for signing
A fun Florida-print handkerchief
They added the autograph book and pen as well as the hanky, fyi.
Maryellen's Seaside Diner // $350
Item#GLJ42
Welcome to the Seaside Diner™! It has features like diners that Maryellen would visit in the 1950s, including real sounds. The floor and counter-front are printed to look like tile, and the countertop is printed with a familiar ’50s speckle pattern. A malt mixer and pay phone (that accepts coins!) have working noises. And just like a real diner, there’s a light-up “Seaside Diner” sign and a spinning sign advertising shakes. Set includes:
A diner countertop
Two fried eggs, one set of breakfast patties, and one stack of delicious pancakes for a hearty breakfast
Four metal forks
Two fruit cups and two sandwiches for lunch
A delicious set of bacon, two servings of scrambled eggs, and two slices of toast
A made-to-order waffle and a container of syrup
A salt shaker and pepper shaker for the table or counter to share
A serving tray that dolls can carry and eight paper trays to hold food
Four order slips to hang above the counter so the cook can see what needs to be made
A metal bell to ring when an order is up
Two menus for dolls to read and four printed paper place mats
A doll-sized fabric apron and doll-sized paper hat printed with the diner’s name for cooks to wear behind the line
Two hot dogs and a bottle each of ketchup and mustard
Two made-to-order burgers that include meat, bun, and condiments
Two orders of fries
A chocolate malt and strawberry malt for a special treat
Two metal malt cups
A metal condiment caddy and four ceramic plates with a ’50s motif to set on the table
Two wooden, padded-top booth benches and a table with a real metal base and post
Fifteen pretend dollar bills and five metal coins for making change or making a call at the payphone
A sheet of stickers to decorate the walls of the diner
The Diner's back. I know, you missed it so. It's also now $350 whereas before it was $275. However, now the phone isn't just a sticker (I'm not sure why the picture of all the stuff still shows it as one?) and they've corrected a lot of the shortcuts they took before. I'm not in the market to buy it myself, and if I'd bought the original for close to retail, I'd be a little miffed (and no, Susan, you can't just trade your old one in for a new one) but I also really do like the playability this offers. Thank god little one isn't old enough to want this though.
Maryellen Seaside Diner Bakery Case // $95
Item#GLJ43
When Maryellen visits the Seaside Diner™, she can’t help but look at the sweet treats in the bakery case! This bakery case boasts a separate counter with its own register for customers who just want to stop in for a quick slice of pie or a donut! Includes:
A wooden display case with a clear cover for viewing
A wooden register stand
A metal register with working buttons and a cash drawer that really opens at the pull of a lever!
A metal donation can to contribute to the Polio cause
Fifteen bills and five real metal coins for the cash drawer
A paper diner hat for dolls behind the counter to wear
Two menus for dolls to order from
A sweet cherry pie and blueberry pie, plus a slice of each to eat right away
Two metal pie tins to display the pies in
A metal pie server for taking slices out
Two newspapers for dolls to read if they have a seat at the diner
Two trays for carrying food
A set of donuts and two sweet rolls
Two real ceramic plates for eating in at the diner counter
Three bakery boxes to take goodies to go
A sticker sheet for decorating the case or counter
I'm beginning to think that GOTY Grace had a much bigger impact on AG than I originally thought. Because a lot of her stuff has come back in some form or another and this bakery case feels very much like it owes its entire existence to her. In any case, this is also the item that's on backorder as every launch that's bigger than a handful of items has at least one item that isn't ready yet. This is that item. And if not for the price tag, I'd want it. This I think is the bone they're throwing to the people who previously bought the diner though if you have the old diner, you still don't get any damn forks with this set. Wtf, AG. It's cute and I think it's a nice set piece and now I want donuts.
If Julie's had the most surprising selection and Kaya's had the most disappointing, Maryellen's got the most confusing. There's an odd mix of read the books, but not too closely going on combined with "ohshit, we gotta fix that" and it's not the most... cohesive of collections? It's not horrible, it's just confusing to me.
Nanea's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GDV78
Nanea brings these prized items with her almost everywhere she goes. This set includes:
A necklace of pretty speckled-blue faux nerite shells
A cloth handbag made of palaka, a popular fabric worn by Hawaiian plantation workers
An “airmail” envelope and letter from Nanea’s friend Donna, whose family had to return to the mainland
Pretend money; during the war, money in Hawaii had the word “Hawaii” stamped on one side
The fabric ID pouch Nanea made herself
A pretend government-issued ID card with her name, address, and fingerprints—all islanders had to carry these during the war
A square Pearl Harbor remembrance kerchief
A doll-sized Junior Citizens Service Corps book that details how girls like Nanea could help with the war effort in their community
Nanea gets exactly ONE new thing and it's not exactly new as it's just the revamped accessories with new items added. So I'm miffed that I have to buy this stupid set all over again to get the new stuff. I do not appreciate this, AG. I don't mind buying the books multiple times but I don't want to spend $30 to get the kerchief and that book. DAMMIT.
Nanea, btw, loses the post-BF revamp entirely in terms of getting new stuff, but might win in that people will look at her prices and think, "y'know, maybe we'll go with her instead."
Melody's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GDV79
Melody is ready to step out into the city! Her accessories set includes:
A blue felt hat with ribbon trim that she feels fancy wearing
A blue patent purse with a bow on the front to carry her things
Cool cat-eye sunglasses that were popular in the 1960s
A civil rights campaign button that Melody wears proudly
A record and record sleeve featuring The Three Ravens, Melody’s brother’s group!
They added the record, guys. That's it. Still, I don't think I got this when I got Melody so...
Melody's School Outfit // $40
Item#GHR33
Melody is proud to wear her best jumper to school and then to the bank to close her account in protest of discrimination. Outfit includes:
A gray sleeveless jumper with golden metal buttons, real front pockets, and black velvet trim
A three-quarter-sleeved red-and-white striped top
A pair of solid red tights
Two red satin hairbows that Melody sometimes wears to school with her best friend Sharon on their “Matching Mondays”
A pair of shiny black patent Mary Jane shoes
AG mentions matching Mondays. You know what's not in the books anymore? Matching Mondays. *headdesk* I figured out my problem with this outfit, aside from not thinking it's worth $40 (36 and I'd be sold) and it's the tights read orange-red and the other reds do not. I am just picky enough to need my reds to match, dammit. However, I think this is cuter in this picture than most of the store pics I saw. Which probably isn't great. I am glad that SO many people love this right off the bat since poor Melody usually gets nothing but griping. So yay for Melody finally getting a win. Also, look! No pony-os! It's real ribbons again!
Melody's Upright Piano // $150
Item#GHR32
For as long as she can remember, Melody has loved listening to her family play and sing to music from her grandmother’s piano. Includes:
A wooden piano with working keys that play music when pressed
A wooden bench with cushioned fabric seat to sit on
A set of sheet music to play, plus a music sheet with the song “Special Melody” that Melody’s brother Dwayne wrote just for her
Sorry, I spaced out there for a moment trying to remember the piano we had when I was a kid. That I never learned to play (and not a case of spurned lessons either). Anyway, when I saw this in store pictures, I fell in love. This is another AG I love moment because looking at this, you can just picture Big Momma playing while Melody sings. ♥ I don't have the money for it, but it's lovely and I hope people who wanted it aren't turned off by the reports (apparently false?) that it doesn't play anything or was overly plastic.
Melody did pretty well for what few things they gave her. I think the piano is the star as it feels like part of her books just came to life, and that feeling has been missing for a lot of her collection since she was released. I do hope they eventually release her black skirt and white shirt that she wears in the new books but I'm also aware it's a very plain outfit and might not work for the kinds of prices AG is charging these days.
Rebecca's Meet Accessories // $30
Item#GJH71
When Rebecca’s out and about in New York, she always brings her favorite accessories:
A dramatic purple hat with a ruched crown, two rows of velvet ribbon trim, and a decorative ribbon
A velveteen purse with golden metal frame on a black faux-leather wrist strap
A shiny golden metal necklace with a pink and purple stone pendant
A woven shawl with a traditional floral design and fringe trim, that Rebecca’s family brought from Russia
A printed movie magazine, something that was very popular in Rebecca’s time—it features articles, advertisements, and photos of movie stars
Rebecca gets her shawl back as well as a movie magazine, which feels very fitting for Rebecca. I do love how Rebecca looks in her picture with all her stuff like "dude, I like purple, but maybe not THIS much".
Rebecca's Winter Coat // $42
Item#GLJ51
Rebecca stays warm in the cold New York winter in this outfit, featuring:
A lined velveteen swing coat with faux-fur at the collar and cuffs, and fancy frog closures with purple buttons
A matching velveteen hat with a satin bow
A white faux-fur muff to keep her hands warm
This is a revamp of a previous item but I'm including it because I need someone else to have their eyes burned out due to the color of this thing. It's lovely but it's also BRIGHT. Anyway, the previous version was more muted and the frog closures didn't work. I snagged it whenever it was on the verge of disappearing (and then it came back) so I'm not sure whether I want to buy this one or not. The price will keep me safe from it for now, but it is pretty.
Rebecca's Hanukkah Outfit // $44
Item#GJH66
Hanukkah is Rebecca’s favorite time of year, and this special outfit makes her feel like a star while she celebrates with family. It includes:
A short-sleeved empire-waist dress with delicate cream-dotted mesh and an embroidered overlay, lace sleeves, and a beautiful satin waistband bow
A blue satin hairbow and pair of cream tights to match
Cream-colored double-strap dress shoes from her father’s store, decorated with fancy faux-pearl and rhinestone details
$44?! Are you trying to kill me, AG? This is easily the prettiest of the new outfits and possibly the best damn thing of the entire launch and you want $44 for a doll outfit when I don't even like to spend that much on my own clothes? Are you insane? Yes. Yes they are. But sweet baby boy who lived, this sucker is beautiful. Look at that shade of blue. Look at those shoes. That overlay. Is that a proper bow? I don't even care, the color is killing me softly. I love everything about this and I don't even care that this is her third take on this. It's glorious. But $44? Pardon me while I sob into the cat's soft, fluffy fur.
Rebecca's Menorah and Dreidel Set // $50
Item#GJH67
Rebecca can’t wait to start lighting the candles on her family’s treasured menorah for Hanukkah. This set includes:
A metal menorah with nine pretend candles, one for each of the eight days of Hanukkah and one to light them with
A traditional wooden dreidel, a toy that Jewish girls have loved for centuries—it really spins!
A set of shiny pretend metal coins, called gelt, that can be won in the dreidel game
Oh look, they've revamped this set again. I like it better than the BF version but it's $50 so no, thank you. Also, legend says they got rid of her Hanukkah story so...
Rebecca's Parlor Table // $150
Item#GJH72
This sturdy wooden table sits in the parlor of the Rubins’ home and is perfect for playing cards or having tea. It includes:
A real wooden table
A white fabric runner with lace trim
A set of two blue candlesticks made of real glass and two matching pretend candles
A beautiful bouquet of fabric flowers for decoration and a silvered glass vase to put them in
This set is beautiful and I love the way it looks in the various display pictures, but sweet baby Jesus, this doll table costs more than some of my people sized furniture. No. But good on you, AG, for making the candlesticks glass.
Rebecca's Sabbath Set // $70
Item#GJH73
Rebecca loves to share special Sabbath meals with her family (it’s her favorite time of the week!) and hopes to one day have the honor of lighting her family’s Sabbath candles. Set includes:
A brass-colored metal samovar brought over from Russia with a removable lid and handle that turns to dispense hot water
A brass-colored metal tray
A loaf of traditional Jewish braided bread, hallah, and a special embroidered cloth to rest it on
A ceramic teapot with floral details and a paper tea box
A white ceramic plate with gold trim to match the teapot
A set of rugalach, traditional Jewish pastries
Two real glasses with etched details
Don't think I don't see you mentioning the candlesticks here but including them with the table, AG. I'm on to your tricks! If you listen carefully, you can hear the Rebecca fans squee that this is back. To me, it feels like it's missing something but that might just be the candlesticks. I do like this teapot better than the previous one, so well done, AG.
Rebecca's Kittens // $26
When her neighbor’s cat goes missing, Rebecca finds her in the basement of the apartment building with these two kittens. One is solid white, and the other is brown with a white face, paws, and tail. They're both soft and furry, with curious eyes, string whiskers, and plush, huggable bodies.
You say brown, I say ginger, AG. They're much cuter than the previous version. Muuuuuuuuuuuch cuter. Like on sale these will probably come home with me and I will regret NOTHING. But they sure as shit aren't worth $26, just so you know.
Rebecca's Nightgown // $30
Item#GJH69
This elegant nightgown is perfect for Rebecca’s bedtime in New York. It includes:
A long-sleeved cotton nightgown with pintucks and delicate lace details, as well as pink satin trim, bows at each wrist, and pearly buttons
Matching velveteen slippers to keep her feet warm, with lace and satin trim and bows on each toe
A large satin hairbow Rebecca loves to wear, attached to an elastic
AG, Rebecca has curly hair. Don't put her ribbons on pony-o's. Give her a real damn ribbon, you cheap bastards. For $30, you really should have. Gripe aside, I'm meh on this. I really liked the look of Rebecca's first pair of PJs but in reality they let me down pretty hardcore as they just looked strange in person. This feels like the first set of PJs had a baby with Samantha's nightgown and this is the result. A feeling further reinforced by...
Rebecca's Bed and Bedding // $150
Item#GJH68
As night falls in New York City, Rebecca can dream of starring on the silver screen—that is, as long as her twin sisters (whom she shares a room with) don’t keep her awake! This set features:
A sturdy metal bedframe with decorative scrollwork at the head and foot
A plush white mattress for a good night’s rest
A white bedspread with ruffle trim and traditional embroidered artwork that Rebecca can curl up under
A decorative throw pillow that matches the bedspread
An embroidered white bolster cover with pearlized buttons and a fancy tassel on either end
A long bolster pillow that fits inside the cover and is traditionally placed against the headboard
...So, Samantha's bed but tweaked? Seriously, with this price tag, I'd be better off finding Sam's bed online. Which I should probably do because kid!me still wants it. This bed suffers a bit from having to make it different from Samantha's. The hearts seem out of place, though I do love the blue embroidery. If you're one of those people who won't buy secondhand and don't mind a considerable markup, this is probably my favorite of the current historical beds. It just can't compete with my childhood wanting of Samantha's bed, sadly.
Also, backordered.
For me, I feel like Rebecca won the post BF launch, but that's probably not true since most of her stuff is revamped. However, since she'd been all but stripped of her Jewish accessory sets previously, the return of them and in improved form makes me happy.
CONSPIRACY THEORY TIME: Julie's outfits dance close to that $40 mark but none of them ever actually cross it. I wonder if they consider her stuff to be more likely to actually be bought for kids but say, Rebecca's stuff is probably going to adults and priced accordingly? Not sure where that leaves Maryellen and Melody, though. Melody's sales suck and that is pretty much across the board as far as I could tell, from doll to outfits, so it's interesting that she'd get one of the $40 outfits and Julie wouldn't. Maryellen I can see going either way. The nostalgia factor is high enough that grandparents would be willing to buy for the grandkids even at higher prices and adults are also likely to go "mineminemine!" for certain things. Still, the pricing is strange.
So. Did you figure out which item I bought?