Holiday 2017: Shimmering Ballroom Gown

This year's limited holiday gown, coming soon. If you love Belle from Beauty and the Beast, here you go!

Not a fan of the purse, too similar from a holiday dress from 2015.

Are you a fan?

Wow! Winter Holiday 2017

And now for something completely different!

I need this! I see the AG star at the neck and it is listed as AG--but I have no idea if it for the TM line, the WW line, or just a cute stuffed holiday themed animal. It is listed as 25 cm tall (approximately 10 in) so it is a bit small for the TM line but probably just right for WW.

AG might have missed on a few of the recent pets in terms of wonky faces (Gabriela's cat Maya and even Melody's dog Bo), but this reindeer is super cute.

And more holiday fun below!

Sequins! I love sequins.

This outfit seems like standard TM Holiday Dress fare, but I also think Nashville star Tenney would look adorable in this.

ETA: An eagle eye spied that the holiday dress is made of a mishmash of materials from past released dresses and outfits--so is this a random prototype or perhaps another PWP for the holiday season?

Are you ready for Holidays 2017!? I can't wait!

Expected release for these items would be in the September/October time frame. Both are a big yes from me--which is exciting since in 2016 I bought zero of AG's TM Holiday Dresses.

Holiday 2016 Preview: Sequined Gold Dress

More sparkle for the 2016 holidays?

The gold sequined dress looks to be paired with glittery gold shoes. (Some have pointed out that this is a short dress and wonder if it is more of a tunic top to be paired with leggings or shorts.)

I have to admit, I am not yet tired of the sequined material in various color schemes as it is so so so well made. This sequined fabric first showed up in GOTY Isabelle's clothing line in her dance skirt and then later in a blue holiday dress.

This kind of glittery gold shoe can be paired with many other dresses and outfits and I love the versatility of this dressy shoe. I am glad there are no bows or colored faux rhinestones that would make this shoe stuck with coordinating only with the original outfit.

Holiday 2016 looks to be quite the bash! I can't wait!

Holiday Store Exclusive: Frosted Violet Gown

I was able to take a closer look at the the Frosted Violet Gown before it completely disappears from the shelves this holiday season. The dress did not come home with me--though I am still quite tempted!

I love the combination of silver and lavender (my wedding colors!) for this holiday ensemble.

The Frosted Violet Gown comes with a long gown, headband, purse, shrug and sandals. The sleeveless bodice features sequined design and the ensembles features ruffles, sequins and purple faux-gems throughout.

The tiers are ruffled and quite puffed!

I am not a fan headbands because they never seem to sit well on the head and I am also not very excited by the oversized purple faux-gems--but this is a minor issue for me.

Love this tiny purse!

The sandals are well constructed but I would probably search my poppet's closet for an alternative shoe to finish this ensemble. 

The holiday exclusive box is absolutely divine! What is it about a nicely designed and sturdy box like this to send me over the moon? I want a bunch of just these boxes!

The sequined shrug is very cute and takes the holiday bling to the next level.

Compared to the store exclusive holiday gowns of the past two years 2015 Frosted Violet Gown wins in terms of initial pricing ($58 before the 20% savings through December 12th). These dresses seem to be moving fast so take a look soon if your poppet needs a bit of holiday glitz and bling!

A Vintage Holiday Review: 2009 Fancy Flower Outfit

It might only be November, but I am starting to bring out the holiday dresses and preparing my girls for the holiday season. The 2009 Fancy Flower Outfit is a very recent acquisition for my collection and I spent over a month scouring secondary marketplace sources to find the entire ensemble. How I absolutely adore this dress!

Lilja, otherwise known as the stunning #55, is modeling this dream of silver taffeta covered in ribbon embroidery.

The dress has a layered skirt and comes with a pair of matching embroidered taffeta shoes and a white fax-fur shrug (see below for shrug).

The ribbon embroidery is truly unique and the effect is breathtaking.

The shoes are also made of taffeta and this choice is wonderfully understated--quite different from the many faux patent leather or glittery shoes of the more recently released holiday dresses from American Girl. The shoes also have a velvety elastic band across the top.

The white faux-fur shrug is the final piece of the outfit and it adds a touch of holiday glam. I believe it is one of the more successful shrugs--it really enhances rather than distracts from the dress. In fact, I love the Fancy Flower ensemble both with and without the shrug, something I can not say for all of the recent holiday "dress + faux-fur shrug" offerings.

The only downside to this ensemble is that it more delicate than many other AG holiday dresses and may not hold up to play by young hands. The workmanship is marvelous and every detail crafted and sewn with precision, however the materials of the outfit require some extra care in use and in storage. The fabric (taffeta) shoes are wonderful, but need to be stored so that they hold their shape when not worn. The fabric flower on the faux-fur shrug is prone to ruinous fraying on the edges. And the dress itself shows wrinkles easily and the ribbon embroidery easily crushed. 

But I can not be swayed from my love of this dress. The extra care and fuss is worth it and I am satisfied to know that while this dress will likely age quicker than other AG holiday dresses, that it will likely age with grace with just a little bit of extra care.

I may have a difficult time getting Lilja to wear anything else but the Fancy Flower dress between now and the holidays! This dress was well worth the long search. It is already a classic and sure to be a perennial favorite here during the holidays.

Grade: A+