I spent a great, fun family girls' weekend in New York City. We saw a show, had dinner (roasted oysters and filet mignon, with a dark chocolate souffle for dessert and a Kahlua hot chocolate cocktail). We also went for a carriage ride around Central Park, which was a treat because in all the many times I've been to NYC I've never gone for a carriage ride. Our horse's name was Sweetheart and we fed him carrots.
We also spent some time shopping at American Girl Place with brunch at the American Girl Cafe afterwards. I was charmed by the cafe, especially the decor. It was a mix of girly and sophisticated, with its black and white horizontal striped walls and pink daisies. They even had a place setting for the dolls. You can see the care and thought they put into making the cafe a charming and magical place for young and old girls alike.
Though this was my second visit to the store, the first was extremely brief, making this second one a very poignant experience. It brought me vividly back to my childhood where I spent hours poring over those original American Girl catalogs when they first came out in 1986. I memorized every minute detail about those original dolls (Samantha, Kirsten, and Molly) and their various accessories and clothes. I remember spending hours staring intently into those pages, lovingly reading every description and feeling mesmerized. I kept those catalogs for years.
And so - being an adult notwithstanding - I admittedly felt like a kid again as I finally saw with my own eyes the dolls those old catalogs had lovingly pictured. Mattel has since bought the original company and there have been many changes and a dizzying array of new dolls, but the original ones still hook me back to those childhood days.
A quick side note, I had an hour free where I had hoped to be able to visit the bead shops along 6th Avenue, but I was so tired from traveling that I conked right out as soon as we got to the hotel. I need to set aside a full weekend just for the purpose of a buying trip for much-needed supplies.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
huh -- I didn't know american girl dolls were around when we were little.
Totally!!! It was a classic from our girlhood. That's why it makes me feel old when I see the little girls playing with them. Sigh...
When I hear you were going to have brunch at the AG place, I got excited! I went there a couple of summers ago and all of sudden missed my dolls. I loved the catalogs and also memorized every little accessory. I was also insanely jealous of a friend of mine in 2nd grade who had *everything* for Samantha.
And I know they have a crazy number of new dolls out, but I do think their Today Doll is brilliant. I mean, having a doll that has similar features as you and probably a better wardrobe? Awesome.
Alissa, Samantha was my favorite doll! Which ones did you have?
I agree that the dolls where you can pick the features are brilliant!
LOVE NYC!! So jealous you guys went...was it just for a weekend getaway? What show did you see?
Although I wasn't much of a doll person growing up, I can see the value of the American Girl dolls and totally approve of their Girl!Power message. The historical dolls all have wonderful, heartwarming backstories (Addy's story is my favorite) and I hope that DD will want to buy one of the historicals when she turns 8 and is allowed to have one.
But if she also wanted this one, I will be delighted to get it for her.
HMM, it was for a weekend getaway. We saw a children's musical, "Max and Ruby".
K, those Just Like You dolls are pretty cool.
I was gifted Kirsten in 3rd grade. And then in the following years I saved all my hard-earned chore money for Felicity and a Today Doll that looked nothing like me.
And I just went to their site and discovered all the new dolls (including new historical best friends, seriously?!?!). I feel like I'm on doll overload.
Post a Comment