Window shopping in American Girl VA

Salut, mes amis! 

On Thursday, I got to go to the American Girl store in Northern Virginia! Before you ask, I didn't go with the intention of buying anything. That would've been nice, but we don't really have the money to spend right now. Still, since I hadn't seen the store for myself, I really wanted to go. I'm always up for meeting the AGs who live in the store, as well as seeing new AG products in person.

Here are some of the photos I took in the store. I apologize in advance if they aren't the greatest quality; anyone who has ever taken photos in an American Girl store knows that they don't exactly have the best photographic lighting.

First, I wanted to meet the Girl of the Year for 2012. As everyone undoubtedly knows, her name is McKenna Brooks, and she's a gymnast from Washington State. She's also the second GotY to have a movie released about her life (McKenna Shoots for the Stars; click HERE to watch the trailer). 

McKenna and I seemed to hit it off nicely. I don't know if a girl like her will enroll at Fair Hollow, though it'd be nice if she did. She could teach me a bit about gymnastics! I'd borrow her clothes for sure. I loved seeing her fancy outfit in person (see below). She's also got the most gorgeous hair color that I've ever seen. No one who goes to school here has caramel-colored hair like hers. 

After I'd said my goodbyes to McKenna, I wandered over to Rebecca Rubin's parlor for a bit. While I relaxed on her comfortable settee, Rebecca kindly served me some tea, freshly brewed from her samovar. We chatted lightly about the movies we've starred in (she called them "moving pictures") while I finished my tea. 

I came across a girl that resembled Juliette and me! She had the same dark eyes, feathery eyebrows, and dark hair. Her facial expression was completely different from either of ours, however! (Note: She is not taller than me. She was wearing ice skates and was on a stand.) Needless to say, I didn't stay around  to chat with her. I think we were both a little taken aback by the other's presence!

Next, I exchanged pleasantries with Marie-Grace Gardner, a shy girl from New Orleans. I oohed and aahed over her lovely lace parasol, curly brown tendrils, and pale pink dress.

I was a little freaked out, however, when I came across Marie-Grace's best friend, Cécile Rey. Despite wearing a bright yellow dress, she was the clone of the American Girl doll I'd just received. It was like my doll had come to life! Imagine that! 

  

I spent some time in Kit Kittredge's attic bedroom. While she interviewed me for her latest edition of the Hard Times News, I drooled over her lovely roll-top desk. It reminded me of one I'd been fortunate to have in my dorm room last year, which I'd had to give up. Maybe I'll get my own someday! 

I took this photo for Juliette. She's always wondered what she'd look like if she had green eyes, and this girl looked just like Juliette would if she'd been given green eyes. She's pretty! Maybe she's our long-lost cousin or something? 

After all of that walking around, I was getting more than a little hungry! When I thought no one was looking, I snatched a cookie off the bakery table. Hopefully no one noticed the strawberry jam residue that the cookie left on the corners of my mouth . . .

I made sure to check out the T-shirt boutique, where you can pick out an iron-on design for your very own T-shirt. I still haven't done this yet! I really like the looks of the 'Music' and the 'Stand Tall' iron-ons. 

Here are some examples of the shirts that you can make. My only regret is that they have a limited selection of T-shirt colors to choose from. Pastels aren't my favorite colors!

I thought this girl was gorgeous! She reminded me of my friend Marina who lives in Star Valley. I loved the way she pulled her hair up into a curly ponytail.

Here is another girl whom I thought was gorgeous! The dark pink color of the Pretty Party outfit really suits her complexion.

Isn't Chocolate Chip adorable here? Seeing him in person almost made me want a dog of my very own! However, I think the name "Brownie" suits him more than his original name. 

This beautiful girl made even the Bath Wrap set look tempting. I love her dark blue eyes.

Before the long drive back to school, I made sure to pay a visit to the ladies' room. I had to take the obligatory photo in the bathroom stall, but of course! How humiliating!

Have any of you ever visited an American Girl Place or Boutique and Bistro? If you haven't, I hope you are able to do so someday.  They are really wonderful places to visit, even if you are just window shopping like me.

~Sophie

I got interviewed!

Salut, mes amis!


Earlier this week, I received a comment on my blog from The Spicys, a blog featuring doll photography, how-tos, reader submissions, etc. They wanted to interview me and my human about creating stopmotion videos. How great is that? Of course I jumped at the chance!

Anyway, the first part of the interview up, which you can read by clicking HERE. I will update this post when the other parts are up.

Please take the time to follow The Spicys, if you aren't following them already. You won't regret it! This is a really great blog to follow if you have any interest in us American Girl dolls. ;)

~Sophie

UPDATE:
Part 2 is now up! Click HERE.
Part 3 is now up! Click HERE.

'Your blog is great!' award

Hey everyone, 

My friend Marsali (as well as Rhianna and Erin!) recently nominated my blog for the 'Your blog is great!' award. Thank you so much, Marsali, Rhianna, and Erin! I really appreciate the acknowledgment! :) 

I don't know who has or hasn't gotten this award already (and if you have, I apologize!), but I will tag:

1. The Spicys!
2. Super Inky!
3. Wendy's Life
4. Karen mom of three's craft blog
5. The Green Girls


~Sophie

Un paquet pour moi?

 Salut mes amis,

This afternoon started off like any other. When the final bell rang, Juliette and I gathered up our books, grabbed a quick snack over at The Copper Horse Pub & Eatery, and walked to our dorm room. Setting my books aside, I promptly settled onto my bed to eat my snack while simultaneously checking Facebook on my iPad.

Meanwhile, Juliette didn't have the time to relax. Quickly reorganizing her book-bag, she prepared herself for her first tutoring session that was slated to start in a few minutes. "À tout à l'heure, Sophie! Souhaite-moi bonne chance!" Juliette waved, picked up her bag, and proceeded out the door.

Before I could wish her luck, she reappeared in the doorframe with a large package in her arms. Evidently, today's mail had already been delivered! "Salut, Sophie? Tu as un paquet?" Juliette looked at me as if unsure what to do.

"Peux-tu m'apporter le paquet, s'il te plaît?" I asked, beckoning her over to me, "Et une paire de ciseaux aussi?" 

When I had the package on my lap and the scissors in my hand, Juliette turned to go. "Je dois aller! Peux-tu me montrer les matières du paquet quand je reviens?" She asked before leaving. She was curious about what was inside the package, but there was no way she could miss her first tutoring session.

I flipped the package over, examined its return address, and smiled. "Quelle surprise!" I said aloud, though to no one in particular as I was alone in the room. Once I'd cut the package open, I started to pull out . . .

. . . a familiar-looking box! I gasped aloud, "Surely this couldn't be . . . ?"





There was only one way to find out.




Tipping the whole package upside down, the box easily slid out, landing on my lap with a thud. I could see that it really was what I'd thought it was; it really was something I've long desired.

"Mon Dieu, c'est une poupée de fille américaine! C'est Cécile!" I exclaimed excitedly, throwing my hands up into the air for the effect, "I can't believe Inky and her Mama bought me an American Girl doll - and the very one that I wanted, too! How'd they know?!"



I'd been wanting Mademoiselle Cécile Amélie Rey since she was released because of her French background and the fact that we had a middle name in common! I wasn't sure my parents would consent to buying me an American Girl doll, however, and I definitely didn't expect to receive one as a gift from a friend like Inky. . .



I took a deep breath, then slowly lifted the lid of the box that lay before me . . .

. . . and there she was, the perfect doll! At least, the perfect doll, in my eyes. For several minutes, I just looked at her, too mesmerized by her beauty to do anything else.



Picking up the hardcover copy of Meet Cécile, I thumbed through the pages, scanned the illustrations, and read the summary on the book jacket. I knew at once that it would be the next book I'd read; I just hoped the library had the rest of the series!



Finally, I laid the book aside and carefully began to release the doll from her neck and leg restraints. Once she was free, I picked her up, noting how much I loved everything from the satiny feel of the vibrant blue dress to the perfect mass of dark curls on her head. I squealed with delight over her tiny black, button-up boots and her long, lacy pantalettes, then marveled over the wondrous smell of her vinyl skin.

I took her into my arms, cradling her as I would a newborn baby. Bending down so that my lips met her rosy cheeks, I gave her a quick kiss. "Bienvenue, Cécile," I said, "Welcome home! I shall take good care of you, and someday maybe I'll convince Maman and Papa to bring home your dear friend Marie - Grace for my sister, Juliette. I do hope you won't miss her too terribly in the meantime!" I hugged Cécile tightly and then turned back to my iPad, my new doll sitting on my lap.




Merci beaucoup, Inky! Thank you so much! Please thank your Mama for me as well! I will take good care of my lovely new Cécile!



Do you have an American Girl doll (or another doll)? When did you get her? Any special story behind getting a doll? Please do share! 




Ton amie,
Sophie

Feeling Overwhelmed

Juliette, my twin sister, is feeling overwhelmed. She's been having a rough time since arriving in Les États-Unis, the United States. When she's not in the dance studio, she spends much of her time crying. I even caught her cutting herself! I didn't think she'd stoop to self-mutilation. When I confronted her about it, she confessed to receiving a failing grade on a Math exam. She's horrified at the thought that she's failed at something, especially a subject that doesn't even require knowledge of the English language. It's not just Math, though. Juliette's a quiet girl, and she's always been hesitant about speaking French, let alone English. Her grades are suffering because she's just not sure of herself when it comes to English comprehension. She's much less confident than I was when I first started studying here.

I finally convinced Juliette to go see the guidance counselor today. She agreed to go only if I went with her for moral support, which I readily agreed to. By the end of the session, the guidance counselor had suggested that Juliette begin tutoring. She'll start with going to after-school tutoring, but since school is almost out for the year, she will continue the tutoring sessions into the summer. She agreed to give it a go - as long as the tutoring didn't interfere with the summer ballet intensives she's signed up for.

Later, Juliette and I met up with Chiara, Anya, Maura, and Nathalie over at The Copper Horse Pub & Eatery. After much persuading on my part, Juliette revealed her recent academic struggles to our friends. Contrary to what she'd thought, none of them laughed. Some of them even agreed to help tutor her!



Hopefully Juliette will be in good form academically by the next school year. She does have a good support system behind her!

Have any of you ever felt overwhelmed when it comes to doing schoolwork? How did you feel when you got a bad grade on something? Have you ever had to be tutored?

~Sophie