WWOG: Paris Accessories

Grace Thomas' collection is somewhat unique in that it has two clothing based accessory sets. The first is the Welcome Gifts set which features Grace's pink beret. The other accessory set is her Paris Accessories set which features her polka-dot purse. While there are things to like in each set, neither is a major hit here--at the end of this post I will mix and match for a hypothetical perfect set.

The polka-dot purse construction and design are both great. The faux-leather strap is sturdy and the buckle construction looks realistic (though uses velcro for closure).

The purse is even lined and I very much appreciate that extra touch. I also appreciate how big and roomy this purse is--it feels like a purse made for travel. One could fit a map, a book, a camera, and all sorts of other touristy needs in it. 

However, my one complaint about the purse is that it is made of cotton, perhaps mimicking the coated cotton trend in upscale purses--but this polka-dot purse is primarily white and I am concerned about its ability to stay bright and white.

The Paris Accessories also comes with fingerless gloves with a bow detail.

The coin purse is underwhelming and cheaply constructed with a regular ribbon as a wristband. The coin purse does not close, so it is not a very realistic or practical mini purse. Even the metro pass barely fits into it.

I enjoy the credit card like metro pass as well as other similarly constructed offerings from AG such their library cards and bus passes.

Finally the set includes her lip gloss. I can not determine how or why it is that her lip gloss has her name on it. The cap does not come off, so this is a prop only. 

The lip gloss is cute, but it is primarily something to toss into her purse and forget... Though to be fair, when I was ten years old I was fairly obsessed with lip gloss. Anyone remember the giant sticks of Lip-Smackers by Bonne Bell in about ten thousand different flavors? How about the lip gloss sticks that came with attached chains and could be worn like necklaces?

The Paris Accessories are underwhelming overall, though the polka-dot purse is striking. In a similar way, I was also underwhelmed by Welcome Gifts set. If I could create a perfect small accessories set for Grace Thomas, it would consist of

*raspberry colored beret (matching Grace's Meet skirt and similar to Ivy's beret)

*raspberry or gray infinity scarf

*polka-dot purse

*working wallet or better constructed coin purse

*Metro card & euros

As is, with both of Grace's accessory sets I almost can create this perfect set. I am off to Etsy to search for an infinity scarf!

WWOG: French Bakery - Part IV (Pastries & More)

So many accessories with the French Bakery! Today we are going to dive into the second and third goodie bags. Our accessory count so far stands at 20...

The second goodie bag is full of primarily baking sheets, pans, and utensils.

A mixing bowl branded with the La Patisserie logo.

Baking sheet. I really like the slight scalloped edges of the pan.

Torte pan.

Cupcakes pan--looks like the real thing, just smaller.

A faux-silver serving stand. This is quite light weight and plastic, but I think it will blend well in a full bakery scene.

The all important whisk and spatula.

Two fancy plates.

Four paper napkins (though I count this as a single accessory). They arrived slightly bent at the upper corner. The material used is similar to paper crepe and replacements could be made rather easily.

A half-dozen eggs. The eggs are not removable.

A single bottle of sparkling water. Really? Couldn't spring for at least a pair? I predict many parched customers for Grace.

One fancy serving tray.

And the final item of the second goodie bag is this super darling rolling pin. The accessory count now is at 34 (20 + 14).

The third goodie bag was filled with all the pastries for the shop. Again, I am unusually tickled by the "DO NOT EAT" stickers.

A slab of dough!

The dough makes a little more sense when paired with the rolling pin.

Raspberry macarons.

Red and silver sprinkles. The caps are glued on, which makes sense as the sprinkles are metallic confetti pieces. (DO NOT EAT! LOL)

Raspberry torte (x2)--this is an identical torte to the single one included in the Pastry Cart.

Chocolate torte (x2), another repeat from the Pastry Cart.

Key lime tart (x2)! Yum. This one does look almost good enough to eat.

Chocolate tart (x2) above and raspberry tart (x2) below are also repeats from the Pastry Cart. And the next few items are also repeats.

Four cupcakes.

More macarons.

Two baguettes.

Two croissants--finally something new again. These look amazing. The croissants complete the third goodie bag. The count for accessories is now at 60 (20 + 14 + 26). All we need is one additional accessory to meet American Girl's claim of "More than 60 Accessories!"

Look at what was hiding in the stove unit behind the bottom doors! A pink domed stand. It is quite alarmingly bright and plastic, but it gets the job done. 61! Ding! Ding! Ding!

The hard work is finally done. Next we get to set up and play with La Patisserie.

WWOG: French Bakery - Part III (Major Appliances)

On today's WWOG Blog (The Wonderful! World of Grace) we continue to unpack and examine all the pieces of the French Bakery. We have reached the second inner box which contains the major appliances.

The long white box slides out easily once the double french doors are completely opened.

Inside the white box is the mini refrigerator, the bakery counter, and the stove and sink combined unit.

I love the mini refrigerator. I can't believe it took AG nearly thirty years to give us a modern stand alone fridge. I am even willing to overlook that it is a mini fridge because it is so cute.

Terrific attention to detail even on the back side of the fridge.

I do wish for the extreme price tag for the French Bakery that AG would have included working lights in the fridge as well in the large shop. I am not sure how that would  have effected the final price, but I would have been willing to shell out an extra $10 - $20 for some working lights! I do have experience electrifying dollhouses, but I like to shop AG because their outfits and accessories are generally "ready to play!" and not "fix me up!"

The stove and sink unit is really fun, with lots of moveable parts. Doors open and knobs turn. The sprayer unit can be removed from its cradle and be aimed like a real faucet sprayer.

Even the oven rack is moveable. The doors below the oven also open to reveal storage space.

Top of sink unit before installing the faucet.

I turned the stove and sink unit around and discovered two surprises. First, the back of the unit is finished and includes a La Patisserie sign. This is fantastic because it really makes this unit able to be placed anywhere in the bakery or even in another scene and it will look great from any angle. 

But the other surprise was that the upper portion of the unit had four visible indentations. It also appears like an extra coat of paint was applied to the top inch of the unit to better camouflage the indentations. I puzzled over whether this was normal or not for these units to no avail, but then I was able to stop at AGPSF to inspect their own floor model.

Above is the floor model of the back of the stove and sink unit at AGPSF. There are almost imperceptible indentations but one really needs to squint to find them. But even more to the point, there is just one smooth and even coating of silver paint. So now my dilemma is whether or not the flaws on my own unit is worth calling AG customer service for a replacement.

The serving counter comes stuffed with two bags of goodies (to be unpacked in an upcoming WWOG Blog).

The counter is entirely plastic and features a faux marble counter top.

The back side of the counter is gently curved and features a working drawer. This stand alone counter could be used for scenes selling anything from pastries to candies to flowers to balloons or plants--it is wonderfully generic and yet lovely.

With the exception of the questionable indentations (and bad paint over job) on the stove and sink unit, I really like the major appliances and serving counter. 

Next for the French Bakery will be the two bags of goodies--and then it will be time to inspect the building itself and move in!