Standard Barbie dolls

Standard Barbie dolls are often called Basic or Budget, because they are very basic with limited articulation, and can fit in a tight budget, as they're usually under $5. They come with a simple, slip-on dress (a.k.a. No Velcro) and simple (or in some lines, no shoes)

Note the arm shape. That means that they can only move back and forth.

The boxes are very simple, and the doll is only held in place with a rubber band around the waist. The clothes that come with these dolls are very simple, but really cute. My favorite Barbie dress I own actually came on a Standard! These dolls are nice to have, because the joints don't get loose as quickly as a Fashionista, and the cheap price makes them easy to acquire. Below is a Standard Barbie from 1967. She was cheaper than the regular $3.00. I want to say it was $1.00. I think that's what the sticker says... maybe I'll enlarge it later.

'til Next Time!  - JCole

One Year!

I can hardly believe it! I've been blogging for a year now! My very first post was I think Doll Hospital Info. I've done about fifty posts now, and my most popular posts are the ones concerning BeForever Molly. My original post has over 700 views, and my leak post and the release date one has almost 500 views each. Unfortunately, Molly wasn't released when she was supposed to, but she still has hope, as I saw a picture on Instagram of one in box, just search #beforevermolly  on Instagram and click on top posts and you should find it.

This year, Skylar got a new head for my thirteenth birthday, and so she'll be making an appearance soon, and I still need to review my Malibu Barbie. Speaking of Barbie, Mattel released a new gift set, but I only want the Barbie, so I might wait for a sale on eBay for one. I like Stacey, but Malibu Barbie has the same head and body mold as her, so it'd be the same doll in different colors. I think I like Christie's outfit best, but she looks tired. I really like the Twist 'n Turn Barbie, and this one won't have the kinky hair like my redhead...

Hey Stacey, Malibu Barbie stole your face.

I don't have a Marlo Flip TNT yet...

'til Next Time!  - JCole

My Thoughts on BeForever's "Real Stories From My Time"

This year, American Girl released a new book series in their partnership with Scholastic, called "Real Stories From My Time." It has factual information about a historical event, such as the Titanic shipwreck of 1912.  In between chapters, there is an ongoing story involving the BeForever characters. 

Oh Samantha, must you worry so much?

The Cover

In The Titanic, Samantha's story is that Nellie, Aunt Cornelia, and William are on The Titanic when it wrecks, and Samantha, Jenny, and Bridget are left to worry. Samantha recounts the time she, Nellie, Grandmary, and Admiral Beemis sailed on Queen Caroline five years prior, and her time exploring the ship. She mentions how the news is full of stories of Irish passengers. She recalls how she and Nellie uncovered the truth of how the lower-class are treated badly by the rich. The news is full of death reports, which makes Samantha even more nervous. Samantha, Bridget, and Jenny try to stay hopeful. They receive a telegram from Aunt Cornelia that she, Nellie, and William are safe, and will be home soon. 

                                                                 The End!

I haven't wanted to read an AG book in years, and so I might need to get this and The Boston Tea Party. (Gotta get Lissie's books! She's my fav next to Molly)

My only issue is that her Central Series takes place in Summer of 1904 and ends in February of 1906.  She was nine in 1904, so that means in 1912 she'd be... 17?! I'm not sure how I feel about that...

Yeah, you. Walk away.

'til Next Time!  - JCole

Our Generation review

Hi there! I don't know about you guys, but lately here it's been pretty cold, and in spirit of the cold weather, I'll be reviewing Our Generations Reach the top outfit and Too cool for my shoes. The shirt is a soft material, with orange sleeves and a grey/gray base. The leggings are a black, stretchy material that snags on the Velcro VERY EASILY. The vest has a functioning, yet plastic zipper, and is made of fake fur. The shoes... I personally don't like the green color, but they work fine. The compass is the only part I don't use, because it's too small for an A*G dolls head. The hat looks nice, unless you don't tuck in the awkward white fabric. It also comes with a purple doll hanger. 
I love these shoes! They function like real shoes, and they look like Jean material. They are very high quality, even the packaging has tissue paper, like real shoes! Wow. High quality AND realistic. I always am looking for quality, but the realism is an AMAZING bonus. Unfortunately, I received these as gifts back in July, so Prices??? I hope you enjoyed this review, and found it helpful.   'till Next Time! - JCole     Photo credit: Our Generation and Amazon.

Modern AG lines

Welcome again! In my last post, with the AG Face molds, I used some strange terms, such as JLY, MAG, and TM, and today I will explain them! In 1995, Pleasant company released the "American Girl of Today" line or AGoT. Later, after Pleasant Company was sold to Mattel, the name was shortened to "American Girl Today".

I guess they thought it sounded more "Modern", I'm not sure. Later, the name was changed, not shortened, but CHANGED. AG changed it to "Just Like You" or JLY. With the release of Innerstar University.
And to be honest, I love dolls enough to tell you this: I was extremely disappointed when they took the site down, because it was fun being able to interact with other "dolls" and I ALWAYS played virtual #57 as a guest, because I didn't have a doll. 

After about 6 years, it was changed to My American Girl, or MAG and had this really fun way of choosing your doll, It was like, you chose your doll, then you could choose clothes and accessories for your doll,and it showed the clothes on them! But then there was always....... the total. My total when I was Like, 7 was like 258 or 395 dollars! LOL!!! So I didn't get a doll until last year. Then with the most recent change, last year or the year before the name was changed to "Truly Me" and every 2 years or so the "meet" outfit and accessories is changed "to reflect girls who are today!"  

Next on the doll list, retiring! Okay, so AG retires not-so-popular dolls and extremely popular dolls to make room for more "modern" dolls. (BRING BACK #4!!!) So, you're just going to get rid of the dolls with lined eyebrows and ones with thick bangs? So I talked about that doll I got earlier, so just who is she? Truly Me #23 is the doll I got!  BTW, her name is Skylar. (Don't get them earrings unless you have somewhere to keep them! unless you want awkward holes in your dolls ears...)
   Although, I really want #4!!!
  If anyone knows of a used #4 for a reasonable price, please let me know!
The other line is fairly young, as it was released in February with Tenney Grant and Logan Everett. It is called quite simply, Contemporary Characters.
So do you have a modern or contemporary doll? If your dolls ears are pierced, do you recommend them, or Addy or Josefina's (or none)? 
  'til Next Time!  - JCole 

Pics from A*G Wiki

Sailor Pineapple?

Okay, the title may be a bit confusing. Back in June, American Girl had a big huge release of stuff, and one of those outfits is Nanea's Tropical Birthday Outfit for 18-inch Dolls.
This is the outfit:

Sailor Moon goes Hawaiian.

I absolutely LOVE the 1990's Japanese anime Sailor Moon. This quite literally looks like a Hawaiian version of her outfit. So, Sailor Pineapple. Does that make sense now?

 It costs $28 dollars, which sounds pretty nice. Way better then $70-somethin' dollars for a space suit. Whenever I show my sister an AG outfit I want, she likes to be all "You could just make that yourself, blah, blah, blah." I'm not very good at making doll clothes. And I don't have sewing needles. Anyway, I might need to get this outfit someday. Nanea too. 

Question of the Week: What is your favorite historical Birthday Outfit?

'til Next Time!  - JCole