The Theory of Kit's Play Dress aka Who Wore It Better?

Of all of the new spring releases I think one of my favorites is Kit's Play Dress! I spent quite a bit of time staring longingly at it when we went in during Tenney's release though I left the store that day without it. Over the next week or so I kept seeing pictures on Instagram of people who had bought the dress and were showing it off on, not only Kit, but Melody, Gabby, moddies...and I started to notice a trend. There wasn't a single doll I'd seen that couldn't pull it off. Based off of this fact, and the fact that my poor Kit has a severe shortage of clothes of her own, I went back to pick up the dress the same night I bought Melody's mystery book and found my dream Maryellen. 

I feel only slightly guilty admitting that the first doll I put it on was Melody. (Kit was in another room and couldn't see the disloyalty.) I wasn't disappointed. DeeDee rocked that dress! (DeeDee was also severely underrepresented in the clothes department in our home, so I think that Kit probably wouldn't have minded sharing.) DeeDee rocked the dress to the point that, even if I didn't have Kit, I would have needed that dress, and I am notorious for not being able to buy the dress for characters I don't have yet. (To the point where I have missed out on some awesome deals simply because I didn't yet have the doll who would one day wear it.) 

Did my theory hold up though? Just because Melody absolutely slayed Kit's Play Dress didn't mean that all of our other girls would too. The world needed to know if this was a dress you could buy for any of your, and there was only one way to find out if my theory held water.

So I gathered up all of my dolls to try on the new doll goodies. Then I gathered up the Little Dahl's dolls. I even grabbed a fixer upper Nicki that I found on Craigslist for $15 last year and had stashed away in my closet to do something with someday. (I still haven't decided what.) My conclusion. This dress makes dolls look good.

I, of course, photographed my evidence. I was getting ready to post the photos, both on here and on Instagram, when I realized that I could turn this into a sort of game. (Inspired, just a little, by March Madness, though without the basketballs, beer, and sweaty men.) So, I have spent the last several days posting "Who Wore It Better" images on Instagram. I've left each up for about a day before tallying up the votes, declaring a winner for that round, and then posting the next image. While I think all of our girls look absolutely amazing in the dress it has also been fun posting and seeing what others think.

Here's how the pairings and voting went down. Do you agree? Check out the new poll and let me know who you think wore it better!

Felicity and Addy went neck and neck first, with Addy winning Round One of Who Wore It Better?

Rebecca vs. Gabriela was next, with Gabriela taking the second round easily.

In Round Three, Molly vs. Melody, poor Molly didn't have a chance. Melody walked away with a solid 100% of the vote!

Kaya took Round Four from Fixer-Upper-Nicki.

Kit beat Miss. Mei in Round Five.

And Round Six ended in my oldest's #23 loosing out to my youngest's The Doll Formerly Known As Isabelle (we call her Elle, and she actually has a pretty neat story.)

In the semi-finals Kaya, Gabriela, and Melody came out on top leaving the three of them competing for the title of Who Wore It Best. (Though I still maintain that everyone wears it beautifully.) 

Miss. Melody came out on top with over half the final votes, and I had so much fun that I plan on doing another Who Wore It Better on my Instagram at some point. (Because, why not, really?) 

Still not convinced that anyone can rock this dress? Even the Babies took their turn. (And looked amazing too.) 

What outfit should I use for the next Who Wore It Better?

~Mrs. D

Women In American History

During the month of February AGIGer, OneMoreDoll, hosted an amazing giveaway! The prize? A DoC of your choice. The contest? To feature amazing women in American History through doll photography. What a neat challenge, right? You could enter as many times as you wanted too as long as each entry depicted another historical woman. Pffffft! Count me in!

There were hundreds of entries, and I would not have wanted to be on the panel of judges narrowing them down to a top ten, much less the person picking the winner out of those 10! Reading through the entries was so much fun, and also extremely educational. You can still see them by looking up #onemoredollgiveaway2 on Instagram. I recommend it if you have some time! 

In the end, abbydollss won with her photograph honoring Depression era photographer Dorothea Lang , and theluxdoll came in second with her depiction of Katherine Johnson and won a $50 gift card to American Girl. I had so much fun participating in the contest and decided I wanted to share my photographs here on the blog too. There are a ton of contests on Instagram, but I haven't seen one yet that competes with this one. Thank you again to OneMoreDoll for hosting with a theme that gave me, and obviously others, so much creative inspiration! (I'm just going to copy what I posted on Instagram under each picture. I hope you enjoy!)

Raven Wilkinson broke the color barrier in 1955 as the first African American woman to dance for a major classical ballet company. Wilkinson is mentor to modern day dancer, Misty Copeland, and the reason that little girls like Gabriela can dream of dancing with professional dance companies one day too.

Ilhan Omar is notable in history for being the first Somali-American legislator in the United States. Born in Somalia in 1982, Ilhan's family fled the country's civil war in 1991, spending 4 years in a refugee camp in Kenya. In 1995 her family emigrated to the United States where Ilhan discovered her love of politics and democracy. In November 2016 she became not only the first Somali-American, but the first female Muslim to be elected to public office, and she is currently serving on the Minnesota House of Representatives. 

Another entry for @onemoredoll's contest is Agent 355. Agent 355 was the code name for one of our country's first spies, a female member of the Culper Ring during America's Revolutionary War. To this day her real identity is unknown, though there are several theories among historians. It is believed that she lived in New York City and that she had the advantage of connection, either through elevated social status or as a slave/maid, to important members of the British military. She is believed by many to be the agent who revealed the traitor, Benedict Arnold, to General Washington. Her information was a critical part of helping to win the war and create our nation. 

Mildred Jeter Loving and her husband Richard successfully defeated Virginia's ban on interracial marriage in 1967 in a Supreme Court ruling that ended up having nationwide implications. Mildred was jailed in her home state of Virginia, while pregnant, simply for marrying the man she loved. The couple was then banned from the state, their family, their friends, and their home until they decided to fight back through the United States Supreme Court. As a result of their case, not only were Virginia's laws overturned, but laws against interracial marriage were deemed unconstitutional anywhere in the US. 

Today I am featuring Sally Ride, America's first female astronaut, for @onemoredoll's Women From American History Contest! Sally was the first American women in space (the third woman in space over all) in 1983. Since Sally "shattered the atmospheric glass ceiling" more than 40 little girls have lived their dream of going up into space with NASA. Ride was also the youngest astronaut to travel to space, having gone up at only 32. She co-wrote 7 children's books encouraging a love for space, and dedicated her life to space and physics. Though she kept her personal life extremely private, Sally was also the first known LGBT astronaut. 

Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist who revolutionized literature with her classic, Little Women. She was one of the first authors for the young adult genre in the States. She was also an abolitionist and a feminist before, during, and after the Civil War period of our country. She served as a nurse for a brief period during the Civil War, becoming deathly ill with typhoid fever in the process, which forced her to stop early. Her experiences led her to write Hospital Sketches, which brought about her first critical recognition for her writing. Her best knows work, Little Women, was considered one of "the very best of books to reach the hearts of the young of any age from six to sixty." and still enjoys incredible popularity today. Alcott was part of a group of female authors during the "Gilded Age" who addressed women's issues and brought them to the forefront of society. (Little Women also happens to be one of my personal favorites.)

Nina Simone, 6th child of a North Carolina Preacher, aspired to be a concert pianist. She began playing the piano at 3, and at 12 had her concert debut, During this performance her parents were made to move to the back of the hall to accommodate white concert goers. Young Nina refused to play until her parents were moved back to the front, an incident that she credited with her later Civil Rights activism. She enrolled, and was accepted, in the famed Juilliard School of Music, but was denied a scholarship at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, a denial that Nina believed was because of the color of her skin. She openly addressed the racial inequalities of America in her music, though she would later talk about how her activism hurt her career. All together she recorded over 40 albums in her lifetime, and was a much needed voice for Civil Rights in both the music industry and beyond.

                       

Gabby heard about @onemoredoll's Women of American History Contest and wanted to submit a poem she'd been working on about Mary Dee Dudley, the first female African American disk jockey in the United States!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Incomparable Mary Dee. 

Changing the world of radio forever. 

She took the mic in 1948 and shattered glass ceilings. 

The ceilings telling her that she couldn't, that she wouldn't, because of the color of her skin, the womb that lived within, that she couldn't be Mary Dee. 

Radio celebrity. 

But she did.
In August she began "Movin' Around", Changing the sound through WHOD. 

She had a voice and she used it. 

In a time when others wanted her to sit down and just be, to stop talking about what they didn't want to see, she ran "Studio Dee", the incomparable Mary Dee, first female African American disk jockey.

-Gabriela McBride

Okay, so I know that the rules State a woman in American history, but I think it could be argued that this woman has revolutionized children's literature worldwide, including the tremendous effect she's had in the US. That's right boys and girls, wizards and muggles, I'm speaking of none other than J.K. Rowling! JK Rowling is not only one of the most successful authors of all time (her last 4 Harry Potter books were the fastest selling books in history), but is an incredible champion for several international charities. She's given millions of dollars over the course of her career, and has written several books that were 100% for different charities, including those that she has founded herself benefiting children and social causes. "I think you have a moral responsibility, when you’ve been given far more than you need, to do wise things with it and give intelligently.” 

My second to last submission for @onemoredoll's contest is Edmonia Lewis, the first woman of African-American and Native American heritage to achieve international recognition as a sculptor. Many of her themes revolved around the black and indigenous peoples of the Americas. One of her best known works, The Death of Cleopatra, was featured at the very first World's Fair in the US in Philadelphia in 1876.

My final entry for @onemoredoll's giveaway is the amazing Ruby Bridges! At only 6 years old Ruby became the first child to desegregate an all white school in Louisiana. Every day, escorted by US Marshalls for her safety, Ruby walked through a wall of white hate while people held up signs, shouted horrible things, and threw objects. When she finally arrived at school she spent several months being taught alone, by one of the only teachers who would teach her, because so many parents had pulled their children out in protest. Despite the hatred that was, literally, thrown at her one of the marshals who escorted her later spoke of how tiny Ruby never cried, or even made a whimper. "We were all very proud of her." Young Ruby even daily prayed for those who hated her and what she represented so vehemently. 

~Mrs. D

The Year of Gabriela: February

There was so much hate. So much fear. So much anger. Gabriela didn't know what to do with it. She'd attended the local March For Women with a friend and her family. They were Muslim, and marching because they were worried what would happen to them now simply because of their religion. That wasn't right. No one should be scared because of their religion. Not in the United States of American. But they were, so Gabriela marched with them. 

She saw some amazing things that day. People of all races, religions, and from every walk of life coming together to love and support one another...But she saw some ugly things too. She watched as a group of white women disrespected the prayer circle of a party of Native American women and mocked their songs. She watched a woman walk up to another woman with beautiful, long, dreadlocks and stroke her hair without even asking. She listened as a group of people marching nearby made comments about her friend's grandmother, joking about if she was hiding a bomb under her hijab. Confused and a little angry she spoke to her father about it when she got home that night. 

"People, even will intentioned people, have a lot to learn. We have a long, long way to go. Intention means nothing, especially without action to back it up, but it's a start. If people keep on from here on out, it's a start." he had said. Gabriela was determined to keep on.

At school the opinion was split. Many kids supported the march. Some, like Gabriela, had gone with friends or family. There were others who said it was stupid though. Who said that women were already equal, and that they should be thankful for the opportunities they had in this country. 

It was about so much more than that though! Gabby thought, but she couldn't make the words come. Her stutter got so much worse when she tried. 

Finally, after almost 2 weeks, while cuddling in bed with Maya one afternoon, it came to her! The words came. Jumping up so fast that she startled her kitten, Gabriela curled up on her window seat with her notebook and let her feelings flow out through her pen. It wasn't perfect, and she still had more to say, but it was a start. Oh yes, it was a start. 

We march.

For the right to love.

It shouldn't be confined to your definition.

You need to stop using The Word for your ammunition.

We march.

For the right to speak.

Every person has the basic right to just be heard.

Close your mouth and listen instead of getting in the final word. 

We march.

For the right to live. 

It shouldn't matter where you live or the color of your face.

We all have the right to life as members of the human race.

We march.

For the right to learn.

Money should not determine the right to an education.

An educated society will only benefit all people in every generation.

We march.

For the past.

The mistakes that are now ahead of us have already happened before.

They came for them, now they come again, and it's time to say "No more!" 

We march.

For you, for me, for all faiths, genders, and society.

For good, for right, we're not scared to enter into this fight.

For the right to love, live, laugh, choose. We have so very much to loose.

So we march. 

Dollstagramer Spotlight of the Week

Yes, I know, I've already done a Dollstagramer post this week, but I'm behind, so this is my playing catch up. Besides, you really should check these accounts out on Instagram. 

If you are featured on this list, please feel free to post this image on your Instagram, blog, website, etc. You're fantastic! Brag about it!

• asylumdolls has some beautiful girls in her collection, and her photography shows them off to their full advantage. 
• pineyfleur not only has some beautiful dolls and stunning photography, but her girls have a better wardrobe than I do. I'm not sure if I should be impressed or jealous. 
• mommynmeag is a mother daughter team that not only rocks Instagram, but also has their own YouTube channel. Be sure to check them out on both. 
• sugar7483 shares not only my love of dolls, but of Harry Potter, so how could I not feature her here? If American Girl dolls with tiny copies of The Quibbler are wrong I will never be right!
• aghollyk is another adult collector with quite a following on AGIG. I was first brought to her page due to an absolutely breathtaking photograph of Saige, but I started following her when I realized that all of her photography is like that! I hope you'll enjoy her too. 

Follow these AGIGers! And keep your eyes open for more talent in my Dollstagramer Spotlight! 

Do you have a favorite AGIGer? Make sure to tell me about them. 

~Mrs. D 

Dollstagramer Spotlight of the Week!

I missed 2 weeks! I'm sorry! There are so many amazing Dollstagramers out there that I can't really afford to miss any weeks, or I'm going to be updating you until my youngest finished college. To make up for it I'm going to post four Dollstagramers in this post, and I will do my darndest not to miss any more weeks! I might even start doing two or three a week, because there are really so many amazing Dollstagramers out there.

If you are featured on this list, please feel free to post this image on your Instagram, blog, website, etc. You're fantastic! Brag about it!

• _dollgutsandgristle is an adult collecter out of Colorado. She has 11 beautiful dolls that she spoils and photographs regularly. Her dolls have a wardrobe that my dolls are jealous of!
• dolllovelovelove is another adult collector with an absolutely beautiful collection of both dolls and photographs! With almost 2,500 posts on Instagram there is pleanty to look at. (And drool over!)
• itsadollaffair has some of the most beautiful customs I've ever seen. She doesn't limit herself to AGs either. I doubt that there is a doll that passes through her hands that she doesn't turn into an absolute piece of art! One day I hope I can get my hands on one. 
• darlingdolliess has 14 dolls and a YouTube channel. Her girls, their outfits, and her photography are gorgeous. Definitely one to check out if you are an AGIGer. 

Who else do I need to see? Who is your favorite AGIGer? Let me know so I can look them up!

~Mrs. D

Meet Addy!

No, not the book, though it is a good one. I actually mean that I'd like you to meet our Addy!

I've wanted a PC Addy for as long as I've wanted an American Girl doll! Addy and Felicity were my dream dolls, and I had to wait until my 30s to get Felicity. I've been on the hunt for the perfect, early edition, PC Addy for over a year now, and there are a couple that have slipped through my fingers on eBay. I'd eyes]d the BeForever Addy every time we go into the store, but reasoned with myself that if I bought her I'd be unable to make make a rational argument for buying my PC Addy when I found her. (Because the logical, mommy side of me wouldn't be able to justify two of the same doll for myself when there are so many things to buy for my little living dolls.) 

And then we went to the store for Melody's release, and it couldn't be more obvious that Addy is on her way out. (Yes, I know that AG says that they have "no plans to retire Addy at this time.", but she's sitting in a lonely display box at the back of the store with one outfit and her lunch pail, and they aren't even honoring the "save $5 if you buy the doll and her accessories" with her anymore. Addy is either retiring or being given the very short end of the stick here!) I've spent the last three weeks in a panic that beautiful Addy was once again going to become an impossibility for me. I just couldn't let that happen.

And here she is! Our Addy is finally home. But what about the "can't have two of one doll" thing? No worries. I've figured it out. When I do find my PC Addy this Addy is going to become the great-great-great granddaughter of Addy Walker. They will be best friends. It will be beautiful. I'm going to write a whole backstory. It might even be my first "doll fiction". (When I told Mr. D this fabulous plan with a "See! It won't be like having two of the same doll at all!" he just laughed and told me to do "whatever you need to sleep at night." I'm so lucky with that man!)

Of course, my youngest little Kewpie doll is absolutely head over heels for Addy now, and it helps that "Addy" sounds so darn cute coming out of her toddler mouth. I might be on the hunt for two more Addys...A PC one for Mommy, and a gently used one for my mini me...I wonder how I can spin that one for Mr. D?  

There will be more pictures of this beauty soon, not to mention my Rebecca clean up, a back to school photo shoot for the dollies, and Melody photos. (I can't take enough Melody photos!)

~Mrs. D

AGIG DOC Challenge Day 5

I wasn't able to get out as early as I had wanted for Kaya's photo shoot this morning, because I had a little photo assistant that doesn't understand that the sun doesn't wait for us to find our shoes, but I'm still pretty happy with the images we managed to capture this morning. I still want to try and make it out at dawn sometime, but I'm not going to stress about getting it done this week. 

Life is what happens while you're making other plans, after all, and I loved having some one on one time with one of my tiny humans. When you are a mother of more than one child you sometimes need to work a little bit harder to make sure that all of your children get that individual time with you. It's harder, because there are always going to be needs that the others have, and sometimes those will get in the way of your plans, but when you see an opportunity you quickly tell the only other person awake in the house to throw a sweatshirt on over their jammies, grab their own doll, and get a move on. 

While I snapped pictures of Kaya I was followed around by my small one taking pictures of their favorite doll with my phone, and occasionally calling out helpful suggestions like "Have her climb this tree, Mommy!" or "Don't get bit in the butt by a snake!" (As I was squatting in the tall grasses trying to get a better shot.) 

Words to live by, ladies and gentlemen. "Don't get bit in the butt by a snake."

And, because I can't go anywhere lately without Miss. Melody, (Seriously, I might have a problem!) I took a couple of her in her brand new outfit!

The #agigdocchallenge on Instagram is a fun and important way to showcase and celebrate dolls of color! Come join us on Instagram.

The AGIG DOC Challenge Continues

There are some truly brilliant AGIGers out there, and I will be adding to my "Dollstagramer" list either tonight or tomorrow. (Know someone I should add to the list? Leave a comment letting me know!) I've had a blast adding my own contributions to the challenge, and I hope that you have enjoyed seeing them. Today I have a mixture of Kaya and Melody to share! Enjoy, and check out the #agigdocchallenge on Instagram!