American Girls as Sailor Scouts

I recently discovered a really fun online doll maker called Doll Divine which lets you make custom Sailor Moon characters. So of course I spend my afternoon turning all of the historical American Girl dolls into Sailor Scouts. There are limits to the different hairstyles but overall it was really fun! I tried to stay with the color theme from their meet outfits. Check them out:

Sailor Kaya

Sailor Felicity (Rose Garden Meet)

Sailor Elizabeth 

Sailor Caroline

Sailor Josefina

Sailor Cecile 

Sailor Marie-Grace

Sailor Kirsten

Sailor Addy

Sailor Samantha

Sailor Nellie 

Sailor Rebecca

Sailor Kit

Sailor Ruthie 

Sailor Molly

Sailor Emily 

Sailor Julie

Sailor Ivy

What do you think? ^_^ Which is your favorite?

Soon to Be Gone with BeForever

*Please do not copy this list. You are welcome to link back to this post but do not reproduce this information for your own blog/website without permission.*

A very reliable source whom I trust shared the following changes coming with the BeForever historical revamp:

1) Addy's Skin Tone is lighter - I know there were rumors of her skin tone being lighter from sneak peek photos and videos, but the person I spoke to has confirmed that yes, her skin tone with be lighter than it currently is. Think around Cecile skin tone.

2) Mini Dolls change - The old mini dolls will change to make way for the new mini dolls in the new BeForever meet outfits and book covers. The retired/archived dolls will not get a mini doll, only the current girls who survive BeForever.

3) Meet Accesssories change - Since the meet outfits are changing, the meet accessories will too, except for Caroline, and possibly Kaya.

4) Furniture List is constantly changing - My source told me that the list of what furniture will survive or be removed is constantly changing from corporate, so please take the following items with a grain of salt. The outfits list is being edited as well but not as frequently as the furniture list, and is more final.

5) Furniture/Accessories that are currently on the chopping block:
Caroline's Table & Chairs
Caroline's Dining Set
Caroline's Skiff
Julie's Car Wash
Julie's Bicycle
Kit's School Desk (possibly)
Rebecca's Settee (possibly)

6) Rebecca's Sideboard & Caroline's Parlor is safe according to the current list.

7) The following outfits/accessories are currently slated to disappear with BeForever:
Josefina's School Outfit
Josefina Fiesta Dress
Kit's Birthday outfit
Kit's School Skirt Set
Kit's Summer Dress
Kit's Reporter Dress
Kit's Christmas Dress
Julie's Calico Dress
Julie's Christmas dress (possibly revised)
Julie's Floral Jumpsuit
Rebecca's Hanukkah Dress
Rebecca's Souvenir set
Kaya's Doll & Cradleboard

8) The following outfits are safe according to the current list:
Julie's Patchwork outfit
Julie's Summer Skirt Set
Rebecca's Costume Chest
Rebecca's Movie Outfit
Kit's Reporter Set
All 4 LE outfits for Kaya, Kit, Rebecca, & Julie

9) The following items are reported as being revised:
Josefina's Summer Outfit will include her Riding Boots
Kaya's Tepee will be include her Bedroll
Julie's Christmas Dress may be revised
Josefina's Shoes & Socks may be incorporated into other outfits

10) Items available via website after Aug. 28th - I was informed that most of the items which will disappear with BeForever will move to online order only. I am not sure if this means they will still be openly sold online and stocked online, or if it means they will sell them online until stock runs out. Either way, it gives everyone who is stressing over what will vanish some breathing room because the old items will be available online at least temporarily, if not longer.

*Note: I only asked about outfits/furniture/accessories I am interested in, and are on my want list. If you do not see something on this list, it is simply because I did not ask about it and have no information to share. I will be getting more information as the date gets closer and the lists are more finalized so I will try to add any new information I get.*

Mini Josie's Adventures in Bradley, CA!

Mini Josie had an exciting stay with her host in Bradley, California! She visited the beautiful Hearst Castle, went riding on a ranch, stopped by Jame Dean's last stop on highway 46, went wild at the Santa Cruz boardwalk, and still had time to swing by the American Girl Place store in Los Angeles! Check out the photos from her visit:


Josie went to Hearst Castle and was able to see beautiful works of art. She wanted to takes pictures by the pool, but it had been drained since it was leaking and the State of California did not want to keep filling it because of the drought. Lady Gag filmed a video at the pool and they filled it for her…uh oh! As you can imagine that was a big controversy and some people at Hearst Castle actually got in trouble. Lady Gaga paid to have the pool refilled, made a donation and filmed a PSA for CA, but people were still mad!

Josie went to AGPLA and took her picture among the minis!

Josie went to James Dean’s last stop. Blackwell’s Corner in Lost Hills, California is known as the place James Dean last stopped for gas before his fatal car accident in 1955.
James Dean’s last stop is basically a convenience store, diner, and a gas station. It is just 25 miles away from the car crash site that took his life in 1955. Today, a memorial, built in 1977, stands there. The road is also known now as the James Dean Memorial Highway.

Josie went to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It is an oceanfront amusement park in Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 1907, it is California's oldest surviving amusement park and one of the few seaside parks on the West Coast of the United States. Josie went to the candy shop, and took a picture with a cave man, but did not ride the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster! The Dipper is on the US National Register of Historic Places. 

Josie went horseback riding on our ranch. It was really hot and dusty, but she enjoyed seeing the terrain. Kirsten helped her get through the steep parts. 

In Cambria, Josie got to watch a World Cup Soccer match.

To see more of Josie's adventures, visit her Travel Log here. ^_^

Lissie & Lilly: Episode 13 - Don't Mention the Unmentionables

Lissie & Lilly: Don’t Mention the Unmentionables (Photostory)

Sam: Now I wonder what is in this basket? It was buried in the very back of the closet so it must be something interesting.

Sam: What is this? The whole basket is filled with them but I have never seen such a strange thing before. What is it used for? I suppose if anyone knows, Lissie would.

Lissie: Whatcha got there Samantha? As long as it's dangerous or delicious, I’m game!

Sam: I actually came to you because I did not know if these things are dangerous, though I am rather confident in saying they most certainly are not delicious.

Lissie: Let me see with my Eye of Pseudo Omnipotence!

Sam: Well? Do you know what these things are Lissie?

Lissie: Hmmmm…. Yes, of course! This strange device can be none other than HANDCUFFS!

Sam: Really? Handcuffs?

Lissie: Just look at how restrictive this thing is! What else could it possibly be?

Sam: I do believe you are right Lissie! That does look very confining. Thank you! I will let you return to your adventures.

Lissie: Wait! Come back! …. Wow…. These handcuffs really are…. Cuffing…. Now what do I do?

Sam: Oh Lydia Charlotte!

Lydia: Samantha, you startled me!

Sam: I beg your pardon, I did not expect to find you here.

Lydia: One of the strings on my cello snapped so I came down to find another string. What are you looking for? Do you need any help?

Sam: I was just coming to store this basket of handcuffs since we have no need for them at present.

Lydia: Handcuffs? Why do we even have them in the first place? May I take a look?

Lydia: Now who told you these things were handcuffs? These are exercise stretching belts. See? There is a hole for your arm and a hole for your leg. You use them to help you stretch and increase flexibility.

Sam: I see! That does make sense! What a useful thing indeed! I think I will go give one to everyone so we may all improve our flexibility. Thank you Lydia Charlotte!

Lydia: Hmmmm, this is quite amusing! Hup 1! 2! 3! Hup 1! 2! 3!

Sam: Cecile, I apologize for disturbing your reading, but I wanted to give you one of the exercise stretch belts I found in the closet. Perhaps we can all stretch before bed tonight.

Cecile: Exercise? Quelle bonne idée! What a good idea! Merci Samantha!

Cecile: Attendez! Wait a moment Samantha. This is not an exercise stretch belt, this is un chapeau, a hat. Look, your head goes in the big hole and you pull your hair through the two smaller holes. Ah, perfect!

Sam: Oh my! You look quite stylish indeed Cecile! I see, these are hats. Well, you are from France so you must be aware of the latest fashions. No wonder why these were stored in the closet. Bye Cecile!

Sam: Hello Marie-Grace!

MG: How are you Samantha?

Sam: Is anything the matter? You seem to be a bit down.

MG: Mes cheveux, my hair is just too much! I feel so hot every time I go outside and it tires me out. Ah, but what is this you have brought me? It is such a lovely hair tie.

Sam: Well, actually –

MG: C’est merveilleux! My neck and back feel so cool and breezy! Merci Samantha! You are such a good friend!

Sam: It does look very cute Marie-Grace, and you look so fresh with your hair pulled back! I am glad you like it so much.

Sam: Well! I feel ever more confused now than I did before. Handcuffs, exercise stretch belt, hat, hair tie… Just what is this thing actually supposed to be? Every person I see says something different.

Lilly: Hi Samantha! Why are you up here by yourself?

Sam: Oh hello Sawako Lilly! I was trying to figure out what these things are. Every person I have asked has told me something completely different.

Lilly: Why, what have they said?

Lissie: That these clearly are the most resilient handcuffs to grace this dimension!

Lydia: Rather, these exercise stretch belts are second to none in toning one’s physique.

Cecile: Non mes chers! It is obviously the new, avant-garde style in head fashion!

MG: Oui Cecile, head fashion, but specifically it is pour les cheveux! See how it wraps around the hair perfectly?

Lilly: Oh my goodness! Hahahahahaha!!! I can’t believe – Oh my! Ahahahahaha!!!

Sam: What are you laughing at Sawako Lilly?

Lilly: I’m sorry everyone but you all look so funny! Let me show you, these things are called “underwear” and they are a piece of clothing you put on your bottom half, like pants, but much shorter. See?

Sam: Are you quite certain Sawako Lilly? I must admit, I find that the most difficult to believe of all.

Lilly: Really truly! Big People wear them at all times. Well, most of them anyway. It’s unseemly for them to ever be without.

Cecile: Mais that look so uncomfortable! What purpose do they serve there?

Lydia: Really, I don’t see the point. If it’s worn that way, no one can even see them.

Lilly: Well actually Big People guard the secrecy of their underwear most intently. Even though everyone wears them, it’s still frowned upon to let others see your underwear. So much that it’s nearly unmentionable! As for what their purpose is, it’s hard to say.

Lissie: Now look here Lilly, they must do something! Nobody is that ridiculous to waste so much effort wearing and hiding something that has no purpose, not even Big People.

Lilly: I suppose it must be for sanitary purposes. The make up of Big People stuffing is very different from ours so they use it to help keep their clothes clean from their stuffing stuff.

MG: Ahhhh, I see. I never realized Big People are so different from us.

Sam: Ohhhhhh, this feels so uncomfortable!

Lissie: Leave it up to Big People to be complicated and difficult. General Washington disapproves!

Cecile: C’est ridicule! It looks much better on the head than the bottom!

MG: What a waste of design to keep it hidden under all your other clothes. I do not like this at all!

Lydia: Perhaps Big People do this as a form of penance? For what I can't really say though... I cannot imagine anyone behaving bad enough to warrant this punishment.

Lissie: No wonder why they need so much chocolate if they’re constantly living in such pain. I say we start a charity fund to support our Big Person. Poor thing… and I thought medical school was difficult! This must be the real reason for her anguished cries in the middle of the night.

Lilly: Hahahaha! Well, we can’t be too hard on them. After all Big People do the strangest things. They can’t help it, they simply don’t have the right stuff.

*Note: Big People anguished cries are due to attempting all nighters to study for things that don’t make much sense, not due to unmentionables.*

^_~ Teehee! I apologize for those who may be offended by the subject. It was not my intention at all. I only mean to poke fun at my lazy dolly dressing habits. I noticed recently that none of my dolls ever wore their underthings, historical or modern, mainly because I can never be bothered with putting them on. :D Hence why none of my girls know what this strange unmentionable is. Ironically, the historical underthings are some of my favorite parts of AG outfits. I love the attention to detail, and the accuracy of them, and I would be very disappointed if AG stopped making them. ^_^

I had a lot of fun thinking of different uses for basic underwear, which was a nice break from thinking about liver problems like hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, etc. in class. (Why can’t my exam be over how to utilize this versatile piece of fabric?) Some ideas that came up but weren’t used: lasso, dog leash, slingshot, couple’s coaster, pot sling (slip the two handles of a pot through the 2 small holes), and more! I picked the ones featured based off of which ones would make an amusing image that wouldn't need too many props and matched the characters. Thank you for reading! :)

Bonus Questions for the Reader:

What else can you use unmentionables for?

What Big People things do your dolls think are weird and make no sense?

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Lissie & Lilly: Episode 12 - What is Debauchery?

Lissie & Lilly: What is Debauchery? (Photostory)

Lissie: Cecile! I’ve been looking for you! What are you doing? Let’s go do something terribly exciting and moderately dramatic!

Cecile: Bonjour Lissie, I’ve been reading all day. This book is just so interesting I couldn’t put it down.

Lissie: Really? What is it about? Is it more interesting than uncovering the mysteries of why water is wet and fire is hot?

Cecile: Hahaha, non Lissie, it is about a girl who has the same name as me, Cecile, see? She lives in New Orleans and I am reading about the Mardi Gras celebration.

Lissie: Mardi Gras? Is it delicious?

Cecile: Ah, it seems like it is more like a day filled with debauchery.

Lissie: Debauchery? What’s that? It sounds even more delicious!

Cecile: I think it means une grande fête, a giant party, where –

Lissie: PARTY! That’s a fantastic, super wonderful idea Cecile! Let’s have a Mardi Gras Party with lots of debauchery! I’ll go tell everyone! Meet me in the parlor!

Cecile: Wait Lissie! But we do not know what a Mardi Gras party is! Lissie!

MG: Can we begin from here again? It still sounds strange.

Lydia: I agree, perhaps if we slow down, we can hear where the cello and your voice are not harmonizing. Ready? Here I go –

Lissie: Lydia! Marie-Grace! Hurry, party in the parlor!

MG: Party? Why are we having a party Lissie?

Lissie: Because we’re going to celebrate Mardi Gras and debauchery! Hurry, no time to waste! Do you know where Samantha and Lilly are?

Lydia: I do believe they are going to the park but –

Lissie: Thanks Lydia! I’ll see you all soon!

MG: Mardi Gras? But that was several months ago? My Maman always said it was very improper pour les mademoiselles.

Lydia: Well, knowing Lissie, I shouldn't be surprised if she thinks it means something tasty.

Sam: Good job Sawako Lilly! Look how far we have come.

Lilly: Thank you! I still feel unsteady though. If I let go of you I think I will fall.

Sam: You will be fine. All you need is some more practice! Until then you can hold on to my shoulder.

Lilly: And when we get to the park, I can help you practice your tennis swings!

Lissie: GOT YOU!

Lilly: Ahhhh! *oomph!* Lissie! You startled me! And I was doing so well too.

Lissie: Oops, sorry Lilly! I’ll give you a hand. There we go! Now you and Samantha must hurry and come back! We’re going to have a party!

Sam: What are we celebrating?

Lissie: Debauchery! No, Mardi Gras! No Mardi Gras AND Debauchery! Either way just come back and be prepared for excitement galore.

Lilly: Lissie, you do know debauchery isn’t a good thing right?

Lissie: Oh don’t be silly, it has 4 syllables! Of course it’s a good thing! Now let’s go!

Lilly: Oh Lissie wait! Ahhhh! *OOMPHHH*

Sam: Are you alright?

Lilly: Samantha, I didn’t know you had a twin…

Sam: Sawako Lilly! Hang on!

MG: We’re all here Lissie. Now what’s this about a party?

Lissie: Everyone, I hope you’re prepared, because today we are going to celebrate fantastically and debauch in all the right ways for Mardi Gras!

Lydia: I don’t believe I have ever heard of such a holiday. What is it about Lissie?

Sam: Yes, what exactly do we do to celebrate Mardi Gras?

Lissie: I have no idea!

Lilly: Oh Lissie…

Lissie: It’s all good though, because our Mardi Gras debauching expert Cecile here can tell us!

Cecile: Eh? Moi? But I only read a little about it Lissie!

Lissie: Just go with your gut Cecile! It’s a party! Nothing can go wrong!

Cecile: Well, from what I remember, everything is purple, gold, and green. The purple is for justice, gold for power, and green for faith. Everyone dresses up in costumes, and there are lots of beads, masks, food, and merrymaking.

Lilly: What is the debauchery part for then?

Cecile: The book wasn’t very clear about that so I’m not certain.

Lissie: Debauchery is debauchery! You guys just leave that to me! Let’s all go get changed. You guys get the food and decorations up, and just prepare to debauch for your life.

Lydia: Really Lissie, I really don’t think you know what the definition of debauchery is.

Lissie: Definitions are for banana peels! Onward soldiers!

Lydia: Everything looks lovely!

Lilly: I agree! I’m getting hungry just looking at the food. I hope everyone hurries up so we can start eating.

Sam: Lydia, Lilly the food looks marvelous!

Lilly: Samantha, your costume is so cute! A fairy princess?

Sam: Cecile did say there were many costumes so I thought it would be appropriate.

Lydia: Absolutely appropriate! You look magical.

Sam: I also found this disco ball in the back of the closet when I was searching for the costume. I thought it would add some sparkle to our party.

Lilly: Spoken like a true fairy princess! Let’s clear a space and you can set it on the table.

MG: Aidez moi, s’il vous plait, can some one please help me? This bag is très heavy.

Sam: Let me give you a hand Marie-Grace. What did you bring?

MG: Well, I remember our Big Person saying that she had a bag of beads from her “Night of Repressed Memories and Insane Shenanigans” so I searched until I found them! Lucky for us they are already in the colors we need. What should we do with them?

Sam: Let’s hang them up and decorate the room with them!

MG: Hold it…. There! C’est merveilleux! It’s wonderful!

Sam: These beads are perfect! The mask decoration is just what this room needed.

Cecile: I’m so sorry for taking so long! My costume took a long time to put on.

Lilly: You look amazing Cecile!

Sam: Fantastic! Your costume is astounding!

Lydia: I can certainly see why it took so long to put on, Cecile. I adore it!

MG: Incroyable Cecile! Incroyable!

Cecile: Merci, merci mes amies! I wanted to be La Papillon Reine, The Butterfly Queen. And that’s not all, look who I brought with me!

Cecile: Voila!

Lydia: Dr. Dow! Oh Cecile! You brought Dr. Dow with you!

Sam: You even gave him a costume too! He looks so dashing with his golden locks!

Cecile: I saw him sitting, very lonely on our Big Person’s bed so I brought him with me, but of course he must have a costume! It is for Mardi Gras!

Lilly: Hahaha, that’s wonderful! Now everyone, including Dr. Dow can enjoy the party!

MG: Well, everyone except Lissie. Where is she?

Lydia: I would have expected her to be the first one here. She was so excited for this.

Lissie: Ladies and bear-tlemen! Rest ye concerns, for the Genie of Perpetual Debauchery has arrived!

Cecile: You’ve arrived at last Lissie! But what are you pushing? That looks awfully heavy.

Lissie: I have come to make all your wishes come true. Prepare to be debauched! HI-YAH!

Lydia: Oh my goodness!

Sam: Lissie! How did you? What? Lissie!

Cecile: All hail the genie! Lissie! You are a hero!

Lilly: Why there’s candy here from all over the world! Red bean jelly from Japan, chocolate from England, truffles from Croatia, sweet plum candy from China… Why I don’t even know where half of these things are from! Where in the seven Arabian deserts did you find this Lissie???

Lissie: Hehehehe! Oh, just a little something I pulled out of my lamp. After all, it’s not debauchery unless there’s candy right?

And by magic lamp, Lissie means my secret stash of emergency sweets for the nights before exams. XD I hope everyone enjoyed this episode! I grew up looking forward to the yearly Mardi Gras parades, catching (fighting to the death) for beads, doubloon coins, candies, and other treats thrown from elaborately decorated floats with people dressed in the most topsy turvey costumes. The parades at night were the best, when everything was lit up like a carpet of brilliant fireworks down the streets (though it took me many more years to understand why my parents wouldn't allow me to go to the festivities downtown after the parades, talk about debauchery!).

Although I haven't been to one in several years now, I found my beads while cleaning and thought the L&L co. would have fun celebrating their own day of debauchery. To be honest, I keep using that word simply because I like the way the sounds and flows off my tongue. ^_~ This took a long time to set up and photograph with all the set pieces and costume changes, but it was really fun to make! I am especially happy I was able to pull out some new accessories I recently acquired and put them to good use.

Dr. Dow is a stuffed bear a good friend working on her PhD at John Hopkins gifted me. I named him after a professor I had at college who was always well spoken, eloquent and had the uncanny knack for motivating me to study simply because he believed in me so much I was terrified of letting him down. :D Which is why he simply had to come with me to medical school. ^_^ When my good friends came over one day for a visit, I went to the restroom and returned to see they had dressed him with Caroline's wig (which is currently hanging on my lamp waiting for me to customize). I would have been upset at the danger of messing up her curls, but Dr. Dow looked so comical that I ended up really wanting to recreate that look for a photostory.

As always, thank you for reading L&L and I hope this is little treat from our lamp starts off your week on a fun and happy mood! ^_^

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