Hello! Happy Sunday!
I would like to apologize for my absence in the past few weeks. I've been incredibly busy, between classes and extracurriculars. I'm not prepared to quit, though!
I will be continuing my blog every Sunday instead of Tuesday, starting Sunday, September 22.
See you then!
Auf Wiedersehen!
xoxo
zara
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Pleasant Rowland | American Girl at the Very Beginning
Today, American Girl is owned by Mattel.
But when American Girl first started, who owned it?
American Girl, back then known as 'Pleasant Company' was founded in 1986 by Pleasant Rowland. She wanted to create dolls that mirrored the age of their audience; little girls had Barbies, clearly older than them, and older girls had little babies, clearly younger than them. At that time, there was really no company that produced dolls for a 10-12 age range. She was also inspired to create the line because of her longstanding interest in history.
The first three dolls were released that year. They were Molly, Kirsten, and Samantha. Best friends were added after the movies came out.
But when American Girl first started, who owned it?
American Girl, back then known as 'Pleasant Company' was founded in 1986 by Pleasant Rowland. She wanted to create dolls that mirrored the age of their audience; little girls had Barbies, clearly older than them, and older girls had little babies, clearly younger than them. At that time, there was really no company that produced dolls for a 10-12 age range. She was also inspired to create the line because of her longstanding interest in history.
The first three dolls were released that year. They were Molly, Kirsten, and Samantha. Best friends were added after the movies came out.
Felicity was added later. Note her original meet dress is different.
In 1992, the Pleasant Company released the first editions of the magazines.
The very first American Girl Magazine.
Pleasant Company continued to flourish under Rowland. In 1998, however, Pleasant Rowland sold American Girl to Mattel for $700 million.
That's all for now!
Auf Wiedersehen!
-AG Insider
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Girls of Many Lands | American Girl From the Past +Where To Get Them
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Where To Get Them:
All the dolls, with the notable exception of Kathleen, are available on both Amazon and e-Bay simply go to either one, and type in the name of the doll that you want along with girls of many lands. For example:
"leyla girls of many lands"e-Bay prices tend to be notably cheaper than Amazon prices. Amazon prices vary from $30.00 to more than $100.00. e-Bay prices can send new dolls in unopened boxes from as little as $25.00.
Kathleen Murphy, the Girls of Many Lands Doll from Ireland, is not available on either. I have searched for a long time but have not found a seller that sells Kathleen, used or new. Please let me know if you have found a reliable seller.
You can read about the dolls and their stories, as well as all things Girls of Many Lands at American Girl Wiki.
I will sign off here and leave you to read the rest of the post. Be sure to tell me which doll is you favorites in the comments down below!
Sayonara!
xoxo
AG Insider
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Isabel Campion - Tudor England, 1592
Book ~ Isabel: Taking Wing
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Book: Cécile: Gates of Gold
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Leyla - Tulip Period of Turkey, 1720Book ~ Leyla: The Black Tulip
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Saba - Imperial Ethiopia, 1846
Book ~ Saba: Under the Hyena's Foot
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Chou Spring Pearl - China during the Second Opium War, 1857Book ~ Spring Pearl: The Last Flower
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Minuk - Alaska during the arrival of missionaries, 1890Book ~ Minuk: Ashes in the Pathway
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Kathleen Murphy - Ireland during the Great Depression, 1937
Book ~ Kathleen: The Celtic Knot
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Neela Sen - India during its struggle for Independence, 1939Book ~ Neela: Victory Song
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Sayonara!
xoxo
AG Insider
(P.S. Comment below telling which is your favorite doll)
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The Crayola Experience | Contests
Almost two months ago, American Girl opened a contest, entitled "American Girl and Crayola Experience Sweepstakes". Starting on June 3 and ending on August 22, anyone could simply enter and be eligible to win.
How Do I Enter?
In order to enter, you must be 18 years or older, or be represented by someone who is 18 or older, and live in the United States. During the Sweepstakes Period, entrants must like the American Girl Facebook Page. After, entrants must fill out the complete application and submit it -- and then you're done!
What Could I Win?
On or about September 30, 2013, a single winner will be randomly drawn from the entrants. That winner will then win a round way, four person coach airfare -- first to Easton, PA, and then to New York. In Easton, PA, you have admittance to the Crayola Experience for a party of four (a VIP tour!), a meal in the Crayola Café, and a gift basket to be shipped to the winner's home.In New York, the winner will have a tour of the American Girl Store, a meal in the American Girl Café, and a special prize package that includes one 18" American Girl Doll of your choice, two doll outfits, one visit at the hair salon, and doll and you matching American Girl Place T-Shirts.
Plus chauffeured car service from Easton to New York!
The total value of the grand prize is $7,678, and the trip must be completed before February 28, 2014. For a complete list of rules, click here. One entry per person.
Although the odds may be against you in winning the Grand Prize, remember that you have just as much chance to win as anyone else.
Toodles!
xoxo
AG Insider
How Do I Enter?
In order to enter, you must be 18 years or older, or be represented by someone who is 18 or older, and live in the United States. During the Sweepstakes Period, entrants must like the American Girl Facebook Page. After, entrants must fill out the complete application and submit it -- and then you're done!
What Could I Win?
On or about September 30, 2013, a single winner will be randomly drawn from the entrants. That winner will then win a round way, four person coach airfare -- first to Easton, PA, and then to New York. In Easton, PA, you have admittance to the Crayola Experience for a party of four (a VIP tour!), a meal in the Crayola Café, and a gift basket to be shipped to the winner's home.In New York, the winner will have a tour of the American Girl Store, a meal in the American Girl Café, and a special prize package that includes one 18" American Girl Doll of your choice, two doll outfits, one visit at the hair salon, and doll and you matching American Girl Place T-Shirts.
Plus chauffeured car service from Easton to New York!
The total value of the grand prize is $7,678, and the trip must be completed before February 28, 2014. For a complete list of rules, click here. One entry per person.
Although the odds may be against you in winning the Grand Prize, remember that you have just as much chance to win as anyone else.
Toodles!
xoxo
AG Insider
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
GOTY (Girl of the Year) 2014 | What We Know
With the new GOTY Saige movie out, everyone is wondering about the GOTY 2014.
A great announcement turned up on the internet a few months ago: Universal Studios seeking tween ballerinas in American Girl 2014.
Along with the casting call came a brief description of the movie:
“American Girl 2014″ centers on Blanche Palmer, a lively and energized 10 year-old girl who is very happy and full of life. Blanche has a dream of being a professional ballet dancer, but she has a bit of stage fright when dancing. This performance anxiety prevents her from exhibiting her true amazing talent. Blanche has an older sister Jade who is considered the very best ballet dancer in her school. The two enjoy a close relationship with each other, however Blanche always feels like she is living and performing in the shadow of her sister’s talent. To complicate her life even more, Blanche has a competitor named Renata who is the same age and dances with perfection since her parents hired a private coach. Renata is very pretty and very testy, and she criticizes Blanche for small mistakes in her performances. Jackie Sanchez, a recently retired world class ballerina, then becomes a role model for Blanche and her sister.
'Blanche's' movie finished filming in late June, and is my speculation that it will be premired on TV in June or July of 2014.
One thing that is probable is that her name isn't actually Blanche. For example, McKenna had a code name, 'Velma', released by American Girl to cover up her real name.
So what is her name going to be?
American Girl has two tradmarked names that they haven't used on a doll yet: Teagan and Isabelle. For the record, Teagan seems more likely because there is a Girls of Many Lands Isabel and an Isabelle in InnerStarU.
However, we could be entirely wrong, as sometimes American Girl doesn't trademark their name until the last minute (Kanani being an example, her name wasn't trademarked until October of 2010). Because of this, her name still remains unclear.
EDIT: I was checking American Girl trademarks again and it turns out that ''Isabel'' is a dead name, even though the InnerStarU Isabel is still Isabel! It's possible that they will switch that with ''Isabelle'' and use Teagan for GOTY 2014 instead. However, the possibility of a last minute trademark is evidently possible.
A great announcement turned up on the internet a few months ago: Universal Studios seeking tween ballerinas in American Girl 2014.
Along with the casting call came a brief description of the movie:
“American Girl 2014″ centers on Blanche Palmer, a lively and energized 10 year-old girl who is very happy and full of life. Blanche has a dream of being a professional ballet dancer, but she has a bit of stage fright when dancing. This performance anxiety prevents her from exhibiting her true amazing talent. Blanche has an older sister Jade who is considered the very best ballet dancer in her school. The two enjoy a close relationship with each other, however Blanche always feels like she is living and performing in the shadow of her sister’s talent. To complicate her life even more, Blanche has a competitor named Renata who is the same age and dances with perfection since her parents hired a private coach. Renata is very pretty and very testy, and she criticizes Blanche for small mistakes in her performances. Jackie Sanchez, a recently retired world class ballerina, then becomes a role model for Blanche and her sister.
'Blanche's' movie finished filming in late June, and is my speculation that it will be premired on TV in June or July of 2014.
One thing that is probable is that her name isn't actually Blanche. For example, McKenna had a code name, 'Velma', released by American Girl to cover up her real name.
So what is her name going to be?
American Girl has two tradmarked names that they haven't used on a doll yet: Teagan and Isabelle. For the record, Teagan seems more likely because there is a Girls of Many Lands Isabel and an Isabelle in InnerStarU.
However, we could be entirely wrong, as sometimes American Girl doesn't trademark their name until the last minute (Kanani being an example, her name wasn't trademarked until October of 2010). Because of this, her name still remains unclear.
EDIT: I was checking American Girl trademarks again and it turns out that ''Isabel'' is a dead name, even though the InnerStarU Isabel is still Isabel! It's possible that they will switch that with ''Isabelle'' and use Teagan for GOTY 2014 instead. However, the possibility of a last minute trademark is evidently possible.
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