Spring 2017: BeForever Releases!

Updated with prices and a second dress for Kit!

AG designers have a win with the new BeForever outfits and accessories! Starting with my absolute favorite...

Kit's Play Dress $28

(This goes straight into my shopping bag!)

Kit's Golf Outfit with Monogram

Kit's Mini Golf Set $48

Maryellen's Flamingo Swimsuit Set $34

Julie's Peasant Top Outfit $32

Julie's Floral Accessories $24

Julie's Basketball Uniform $34

Rebecca's Play Dress $32

I will add/edit as more information surfaces. Look for these BeForever offerings to potentially be part of the February 16th release bonanza!

Kit Preview: Monogram Dress

A new monogramed dress for Kit?

The orange and blue striped dress with bows, buttons, and a peter pan collar features Kit's monogram from her full name of Margaret Mildred Kittredge.

Etsy Corner: Vintage Blue Polka Dot Dress

We are deep in summer and it is time for a breezy dress review from the Etsy Corner! Poppet Gjertrud (classic Kit) and her puppy Baldur model today's lovely dress.

Gjertrud is wearing a dress from Katherine's Creations (KGabor19 on Etsy or KatherinesCreations on Instagram).

The vintage style dress by Katherine's Creations features flutter sleeves and an a-line skirt. The fabric is 100% cotton with a perfectly scaled navy and white polka dot pattern. Gjertrud has paired the dress with navy shoes from AG Coconut Fun Outfit and a red bow barrette from Kit's Hairstyling Set.

The back of the dress closes with two hand-sewn snaps and also has a fabric sash that ties in the back for a perfect custom fit.

Based on this single purchase from Katherine's Creations, I heartily recommend her artistry and craftsmanship. The cut, the fit, the seams, the hems are all perfect.

Side by Side: Lea's Rainforest House vs Kit's Tree House

Thank you to Forever Friends Dolls for their side-by-side comparison photo of Lea's Rainforest House and Kit's Tree House!

The two structures are similar in overall size, and while Lea's Rainforest House is slightly smaller overall it offers nearly double the useable and accessible play space inside because of the fully open front. Additionally, the height for the Rainforest House was utilized for a high sleeping loft bed rather than for the cute illusion of the Tree House being up in tree branches.

Kit's Tree House was retired in 2011 and for its price of $250 came with a chandelier, a lantern, photos and a cute bucket on a rope.

In contrast, Lea's Rainforest House is $395 but comes with a hammock, an outdoor oven with many cooking and eating accessories, a table and chair, a woven storage basket, a shower unit with a towel and soap, a moveable loft bed, mattress, blanket, pillow, a tablet, lantern, wind chime, paper butterflies, one frog and a colorful parrot.

I have loved the idea of finding Kit's Tree House for the longest time, but inch for inch, the design of Lea's Rainforest House plus its plethora of clever accessories makes it the five-star option for exciting play. 

The Embroidered Eye: New Changes for AG Pets?

With little notice or fanfare, BeForever Kit Kittredge's dog Grace has been modified from having plastic eyes to embroidered eyes.

This appears to have been a switch sometime in 2015, but I only noticed because of my recent purchase of Grace the dog. AG's website still shows images of Grace having the older style with the plastic eyes.

The wrinkles and ruffles throughout Grace's face and neck are all adorable still.

Many of the pets and animals are being quietly added or updated to embroidered eyes. Samantha's original Jip had plastic eye but the more recent Jip II has embroidered eyes. The new unreleased bunny (stay tuned!) will have embroidered eyes.

The response to this change seems to be split. However, I will confess that I only jumped in to buy Grace the dog last week because I was always secretly creeped out by the overly stern glare of her plastic beady eyes. The embroidered eyes are much more doleful.

In fact, I only ordered Grace recently on a swap board because the seller had snapped a picture and I thought "Wow! A sweet and doleful looking Grace!" not realizing the picture looked different because I was looking at the new version with embroidered eyes! Only after she arrived at my home and I was able to examine her closely did I realize the change. 

New embroidered eyes for Grace are an A+ for me. 

Spring Reviews: Kit's Chicken Keeping Set

Has everyone else been dazzled by last month's release of new BeForever Limited Edition outfits and so much more? I confess I was overwhelmed by having so many great new outfits to choose from in the BF lines, not to mention a great deal of fun from the modern line as well.

I did bring home several outfits from the spring release, but I must start with my favorite: Kit's Chicken Keeping Set.

The Chicken Keeping Set is being modeled by Gjertrud (aka Kit). This Limited Edition outfit comes with overalls, a blouse, matching hair bow, buckled shoes, and of course, a little plush chicken which absolutely makes this outfit.

This gem of an ensemble was a birthday gift to me from my sister--we visited AGPSF just after the spring release and this was my first choice! While we missed out on the sale that just began on this outfit and other LE outfits, I am glad Gertrud isn't missing out on the fun since this outfit (at least online) is currently back ordered until the middle of April!

I love the sweetheart neckline of the bib and the arched line of the waist band. The subtle gathers are just right and add touch bit of femininity without going overboard. I admit that I generally try to steer away from outfits with prominent or flashy buttons, but this outfit does it right--the pink is a perfect splash. 

The buttons on the bib of the overalls are functional, though the floral blouse underneath uses a velcro close. The hair bow is made of the same fabric as the blouse and the knot/bow is permanent (the hair piece is gathered with elastic on the bottom).

The back of the overalls closes with velcro (buttons non-functional) and whether the straps are crossed or not, the fit is a bit baggy--though this does not detract much from the overall look. I believe much of this bag and sag is more a function of the awkwardly shaped backsides of AG dolls in general.

The shoes are a complete win. The leatherette material is supple but firm, the wingtip stitching detail is darling, and the strap attaches with velcro under the buckle. I was able to slip the shoes on and off easily.

The plush chicken! Too cute!

The wings are done smartly--I fluffed them out a bit to give them shape. I only wish I had a family of plushy chickens to add! How about a chicken coop, AG? I would faint with excitement!

A+. The colors in this ensemble are so flattering and the chicken is a cutie pie! This is a don't miss outfit!

Meet Gjertrud! A Modern Kit

Graduation has meant I am now able to return to some celebratory doll fun! Gjertrud, a modern Kit, has been added to my family of girls as a college graduation gift to myself. Her name is in honor of my paternal grandmother.

Meet Gjertrud! (Gjerta or Trudi for short.)