"Molly's Aviator Outfit" for 18" American Girl Doll Review

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(More customer reviews)It's hard to believe how much this company has changed. If this outfit were made today ( which it wouldn't be because Mattel is so against anything with substance), it would be unlined, ill fitting and made of some shiny fabric - probably pink - presumably to catch the eye of shallow girls that Mattel believes are only capable of seeing things if they are frothy pink glitz.
Instead, the jacket is an exact copy of the real Averix bomber jackets made popular during WW2 and which are still popular today. It is fully lined with a well scaled quilted fabric, has a tiny zipper and snaps. The pants are a nice cotton twill and have the proper pleats and side zippers of that time period.
My dd is 14, and a typical teenager (is anyone close to finding a cure for texting yet?) but there was a time when she was quite unlike the Mattel model of what a girl should be. She became fascinated by the history of fashion at the age of five, after we listened to Anne of Green Gables on tape (it was the description of leg of mutton sleeves that caught her attention). We were so grateful to have this marvelous line of doll clothes to foster that interest with. I could show her something simple like these pants, and we'd get into an intelligent discussion about women's changing role in society (she always led these as she, not I, was born a feminist). The next thing I knew she'd be writing first ladies, or comparing fashions of other eras, or writing stories about monkeys, who just happened to be knowledgeable about history. It slays me when I hear parents scoff that American Girl dolls are nothing but overpriced status symbols. They certainly are, if you, as a parent only chose to introduce your girls to the as such. Sadly, most people who buy then do nothing more with them. But, like any tool, they have a much better use, and we found it and every day we marvel at the person we built with it.
When she lost in dolls, my dd put them away but kept the outfits out. She began ( and still does) dressing her beloved sock monkeys in these same clothes. She's moved on to other interests ( wants to be an environmental scientist) but her appreciation for quality and her understanding of how people once lived is as intact as ever.
If kids reflect the quality of the toys their parents provide them with, (I think they very much do, especially if some teaching goes along with it) then I promise you, this outfit is well worth the investment. Every teen has vapid moments, but at least I know that at the end of the day, this is a girl with a lot of substance, and part of that I owe to American Girl (the Pleasant Company version), and their well researched (and well executed) fashions of the past. The sad thing is that we have nearly 70.00 in gift certificates for the company and now there isn't a thing they sell that she would want to buy, because all that the company now sells is cheaply made, overpriced garbage. It would never have happened if more parents saw the possibilities in the product that Pleasant Rowland saw so well and tried to convey to all of us.

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Hannah Montana In-Concert Pop Stage Review

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(More customer reviews)I wanted to write this review because I thought the description is lacking and when we received it I was surprised by what all it does!My daughter is a die hard Hannah fan and when I saw this was coming out I knew I had to get it.She plays with it all the time.First there is a little assembly required but it only took me a few minutes to figure it out.At the back of the stage there is an attatched doll stand with clamps at the waist and legs to hold hannah on the stage and there is a knob at the front to move her from behind stage to the front and you can move it once she is to the front to make it look like she is dancing.One of the coolest things is when you first have her back stage the speakers sound off as fans chanting "Hannah,Hannah!" and there are doors so when you pull the knob/rod she comes through the door and all the fans start cheering,how cool is that? Then one of either 2 of her songs start playing,Best of both worlds and Who said.These songs aren't complete but there is a port so you can hook up an mp3 player if you want,I have not tried this because my daughter dosen't have one...Don't expect stero quality sound but it is audible and clear enough to understand everything.There are also lights around the floor of the stage that light up.The stage doors are hindged so the doll can push right through but you will have to push them back into place.I couldn't remember the accessories that came with the stage because we have had it for over a month but my duaghter said it came with a doll size backstage pass,guitar,microphone and 2 roses.As for the quality it is pretty good.One time so far one of the stage doors came off but I easilly popped it back on and most of the stage is pretty solid.It went beyond my expectaitons for what I thought we would get considering it is a celebrity toy but we are very happy with this toy!

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Since debuting as the Disney Channel's highest rated premiere, Hannah Montana has won over fans with a mix of playful antics, fresh looks, and chart-topping music. The story centers on young Miley Stewart (a girl-next-door type fans can relate to) who just happens to lead the secret life of pop star Hannah Montana (something fans can aspire to). This miniature pop stage lets you rock on and rock out, with working lights and sounds.

Measuring 28" W x 19" H, the playset has plenty of room for a singing Hannah doll (sold separately) to perform. The fully-equipped stage provides five different light shows, two stage sets (one pink and one blue), rotating video screens and doors, a doll stand when Hannah is stationary, and a pull system that lets you control her dance moves when it's time to groove. The stage plays two of Hannah's hit songs -- "Best of Both Worlds" and "Who Said" -- but Play Along knows that girls cannot live on two songs alone. So there is also a port that lets you plug in an MP3 player so that you can hear any of your favorite songs come through the set and pretend that Hannah is performing them just for you. Or that you're on stage performing in the spotlight next to her!

Additional doll-sized accessories that complete the experience include a guitar, microphone, back stage pass, headset, and roses to present to Hannah after her successful show. Four AA batteries are included, but you'll have to supply your own doll and MP3 player.

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Bratz Babyz Karaoke "The Movie" Lil' Concert Stage Review

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(More customer reviews)I agree with the other reviewer - of all the things that my children got for Christmas, this was absolutely the toughest to open. When I finally did it get it set up, I was very disappointed. The separate stages that are supposed to spin around have to be done via a "roller ball" underneath. I can't get the girl to dance to the music. I put new batteries in but that didn't help. There is a button on the stand she stands on, but when that is pressed, all she does is shake her hips a little, but definitely not to the music, and not on her own. My daughter loves it because it is her first Bratz product but I do not recommend this product.

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Requires 3 1.5v AG13 batteries (incl) and 3 AA batteries (incl)

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