It's that time again . . . as Summer ends we feature Special Summer Sales to decrease our summer stock so we can make room for our Back to School items! The 18 inch doll Capri outfit we show above is new but qualifies as a summer item so it's on sale . . . just in time for you to save!
The Summer Sale will extend until midnight on Sunday, September 7, 2008.

Remember to take advantage of our Summer Activities sale as it will end at midnight on August 31, 2008. We've added a few new items like the American Girl Treasures Game - pictured below, it looks like fun AND a bargain!

Combine the Sales above with our Customer Appreciation Day AND our Labor Day Weekend Sale and you will have a chance to save 20% on ALL items in stock (minimum purchase is $20.00) The 20% Sale is an automatic discount that will be given Thursday, August 28th through Monday September 1, 2008!!!

Use your discount to save on some of our new dolls like Abigail Madison, one of the First Ladies from Madame Alexander and shown above . . . or a Back to School outfit for Medium Baby Dolls such as this cute Navy Jumper . . . or dress your Ruthie and Kit dolls in these Classic School Clothes!

End your summer right by saving with DollCloset.com !

Dr Toy’s Tips for Smart Play Learning and Fun

Take time out each day for games, puzzles, art, music, construction toys, books, puppets, and various other play products. Children learn best through play. Smart toys encourage children to maximize their potential.

Take inventory of current toys; take stock of what your child is playing with, what is not used and what is needed next.
Vary play experiences, such as construction products, puzzles, creative and skill-building products, to help your child gain self-confidence, increase learning and expand imagination.

Choose play experiences for your child that require concentration, thinking, involve skills and cognitive learning.
Children learn best through play. Smart toys encourage children to maximize their potential.

American Girl Mini-Puzzles;
Angelina Ballerina Paint and Color Book;
Fairy Costumes for Girls and Dolls;
American Girl Quiz Book.

It seems like our readers had the scoop long before anyone else did!!
First, the next AG movie will be about the 2009 Girl of the Year. . . Actress Sammi Hanratty said in a red carpet interview at the Kit movie premiere that she was going to be in an AG movie about the 2009 Girl of the Year which had already filmed and was to come out in January 2009. Click HERE for the link to her interview. (Picture above is of Mia, the 2008 Doll of the Year, modeling our Patriotic Dress)

I also searched for Sammi and didn't learn too much although it seems she has been in lots of TV roles . . . so, I conclude that this is a TV Movie - just like the Samantha, Felicity and Molly ones - and not a full-length movie like Kit is. I also concluded that the 2009 Doll will not be an ethnic doll!

The next AG movie about a historical character will be the musical about 1970's girl Julie Albright (as shown above in her new Perfect Peasant Dress!) according to Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, producer of the Kit movie. The movie, which is just in outline form right now, will have music from the 70's as well as original songs written for the movie. Waiting to see who will play Julie, Ivy and Julie's sister too!

Other information we just learned is that American Girl has filed several names for possible use on future dolls ie Rebecca, Chrissa, Lanie, and Sonali. Stay tuned as we learn more!

Pink skirts shown above can be seen HERE

The Les Cheries doll Cathy, shown above,is one of the adorable 13 inch dolls by Corolle - we also have Camille Ballerina (sorry, basic Camille is temporarily Out of Stock), Basic Chloe and Chloe Ballerina, and Basic Cecile Dolls.

The good news is that all of these dolls are available . . . however, we have just learned that the Corolle outfits for them have been Sold Out!! Not to worry, more new outfits WILL be coming but they are limited. DollCloset.com has an order in and we'll let you know when they arrive. However, the new outfits do NOT include the Accessories Set or the Night Set . . .

We do still have a few available but don't delay! Other outfits we have that will no longer be available include the White Cardigan Set shown below:

Still in stock, for now, are the Jeans Shopping Set, the Ballerina Set (actually, not yet Sold Out at Corolle)and our new Pink Coat Set shown below. We'll keep you posted as new Les Cheries outfits arrive - they look very sharp!

You have probably seen this "Celebrity" Bebe Cheri doll clutched in the arms of Shiloh Pitt . . . but without her clothes! She is a cutie, made in Spain (not China!) and is the same size as a 3 month old.

Lots of the Corolle doll clothes that were out of stock are back - like the pretty Pink Smocked Dress for Small Baby Dolls. Don't miss the new Flounce Dress with tights (shown below) for Medium Baby Dolls and Small Baby Dolls - very pretty!

We've been adding new 8 inch Madame Alexander dolls too . . . we're especially pleased to now have the four March sisters - Little Women!
Below is a picture of Jo, but we also have big sister Meg, dainty Beth and little Amy! Very soon we will be adding Marmee to complete the family . . . (sorry, Laurie isn't available this year).

We were able to order some very exciting items at the Gift Show this year - such as the holiday Madame Alexander Huggums and Pussycat! See their pictures below:

And now Ta Dah! BIG News - we will be adding the Karito Dolls to our website! They are dolls from around the world, 21 inches tall BUT they can exchange most outfits with American Girl and Gotz dolls . . . and each comes with a book that is really a mystery involving the specific doll. Sooo - coming soon are Piper from Australia, Lulu from Kenya, Gia from Italy, Pita from Mexico and Ling from China. I can't wait to introduce you to them! Here's a preview of a few of the dolls:

And we have finally found a bed we think you will like for your dolls - it's a bunk bed and is 21 inches long so will take your baby dolls and your Gotz or American Girl dolls. It comes with pink mattress and pillow and will sell for about $48.95. We'll let you know as soon as it arrives -

]]> http://www.dollcloset.com/doll_blog/archives/2008/07/new_from_coroll_2.html http://www.dollcloset.com/doll_blog/archives/2008/07/new_from_coroll_2.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:08:34 -0800

A Ballet and Concert for you and your dolls is being held in New York state:

Saratoga Performing Arts Center Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Gates Open at 6:00 PM

An evening celebrating the American Girl Doll and the New York City Ballet featuring the American Girl Ambassador Singers from New York City. Girls are encouraged to set up their own tea party on the lawn with their friends and watch the ballet. The Ambassador Singers will perform from 7:00-7:30 PM.

There will also be an opportunity to win an American Girl Doll or day trip to the American Girl Store in NYC courtesy of Time Warner Cable.

The evening's performance will include Jerome Robbins' Interplay, Peter Martins' River of Light, Alexei Ratmansky's Concerto DSCH, and George Balanchine's Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet.

Have your picture taken in the "American Girl Tent" FREE "iced-tea" for your tea party

Plus - just heard a scoop about American Girl on QVC!!

American Girl Dolls are going to be on QVC July 25 during Christmas in July!

AND . . . a NEW AG Place is coming to Minnepolis, Mall of America says the Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal:

American Girl, a division of El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel Inc., will set up shop in a 20,000-square-foot space on the mall's ground level, inside its Nickelodeon Universe theme park. The area had most recently been used as storage space, a mall official confirmed.

In addition to selling an assortment of American Girl merchandise -- such as dolls, outfits and accessories (for dolls and kids alike) -- the store also will have a doll hair salon, a restaurant and party rooms.

Today was a wonderful day for all of us Madame Alexander Doll lovers! We received 14 boxes of dolls - some brand new and some to replenish out stock. The Christening Celebration Huggums shown above is back and as beautiful as ever!

We have some new Baby Huggums too (such as the Pretty Pinafore Huggable Huggums and the First Day of Spring Huggable Huggums - we promise to get them up on the Madame Alexander Baby Doll page quickly! In the meantime check out Hush Little Baby My First Huggems shown below - she's a cutie and back in stock too.

We are especially delighted to welcome back the Baby Cuddles and Style Me Pretty Dolls shown below:

These dolls sold out FAST last year so plan ahead and get yours early . . . on a Thursday, of course, so you can take advantage of our Customer Appreciation Sale!

It's time to Celebrate with good, old-fashioned fun AND a SUPER Sale!

ALL orders placed this weekend that are over $15.00 will automatically receive a 15% discount through midnight on July 6, 2008.
(In-stock items only)

That includes ALL items that are already on sale such as the weekly specials and items on the Summer Activities Page!

Add an EXTRA 5% Savings by typing Old Glory in the Coupon Space of your Basket Shopping Page and clicking Recalculate . . .

Have a Fun and Safe Holiday!

Top of Page = Medium Baby Doll Patriotic Twin Outfits
Lower Page = Patriotic Fun Outfits

Kit's movie is finally out with great reviews (I'm going to see it today with my nieces and my Kit and Ruthie . . . Kit is wearing the dress and hat shown above and Ruthie is wearing her pretty blue dress shown below!!)

I also saw fun pictures of the cast at the previews and party (Madison Davenport was wearing a cute red dress) and NOW I hear that Julie will have a film too!!

Here's a copy of the article:

At a recent press day for Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas confirmed that there are indeed plans for more American Girl movies in the pipeline.

The next American Girl to see her story make it to film? Julie Albright. "We are developing the Julie character," Goldsmith-Thomas said, "and we're doing her as a musical, as a high school musical."

"We're going to have all those great songs from the '70s," she continued. "Julie: An American Girl Musical. It's in San Francisco."

The movie is just in outline form as of now, so Goldsmith-Thomas was unable to confirm much more about it, but she did say the music will include both original songs written for the movie as well as music from the 1970s, and that they intend to do more open auditions like they did for Kit Kittredge. "Oh, you betcha," she said.

See Julie and Ivy's outfits shown above HERE and HERE

Published in New York Times June 22, 2008

A Night Out With Abigail Breslin

She Is What She Eats By MELENA RYZIK

"I HAVE the biggest sweet tooth in the world," Abigail Breslin said,her feet swinging above the ground. She was sitting in the back room of Veniero's, an East Village bakery, one recent afternoon, waiting for her favorite dessert, raspberry mousse cake. "Oh, my God, the anticipation!" she said, her knee jiggling.

Preternaturally mature on screen, the actress had earned praise — and an Oscar nomination — for her role in the 2006 hit "Little Miss Sunshine" at age 10. Now she is starring in "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl," a movie based on American Girl dolls. The movie opened on Friday. In the meantime, the native New Yorker has been acting her age: 12.

Dressed in a yellow sundress, white cardigan, silver ballet flats
and a bronze necklace embossed with the letter `A,' Abigail was
accompanied by her mother, Kim, as well as a publicist and a
hairstylist. The Breslins were making a brief trip home — Abigail
grew up (or rather, is still growing up) in the East Village — after
several months in Los Angeles. "When I'm away sometimes I get so homesick," Abigail said. "The best pizza is in New York. I had it last night. And this morning, for breakfast."

Veniero's is a regular stop. "When she was 5 years old," Ms. Breslin said, "she came running, and she said, `I found it, I found my sweet tooth!' " Abigail grinned and pointed to a tooth. "It would be fine if I had three things every day," she said, listing four for good measure: "Cheesecake, chili cheese fries, pizza, raspberry mousse." "O.K., maybe cupcakes," she added.

The desserts arrived: Abigail's raspberry mousse cake, plus cheesecake and strawberry shortcake for her entourage. Ms. Breslin had coffee and watched as her daughter dived in, assembling "perfect bites" of fruit, cream and cake.

"You've got cream on your dress," Ms. Breslin told Abigail. "That's a sign of a good bakery, if you get cream on your dress.""I like to save a little food for later," Abigail said.

When not working, she spends time with her pets, does crafts and texts and video chats with friends. "I get into trouble because I text too much," Abigail said. "My dad was like, `You have 600 text messages!' " (He got her the unlimited plan.)
"I've never bought Abby a cellphone, but she gets them as gifts," Ms. Breslin said. "She doesn't need one.""Yes I do!" Abigail said.

Like most child stars, Abigail is not all play. "Me and my friend
are writing a script right now," she said, referring to Joyce, 13.
She did not divulge details, except to say that it was a comedy.
She also drew a distinction between herself and her Kit Kittredge
character. "I'm not blond," she said, though she noted that they
both liked to write. (In the movie, set in the 1930s, her character
is an aspiring reporter. "They showed me the typewriter, and I'm
like, where's the screen? Where's the backspace?" she recounted.)

As Abigail's sugar rush was winding down, Ms. Breslin wanted to pick up some mozzarella nearby at Russo's. "Mommy, can I wear flip-flops?" Abigail asked. She changed into her kid shoes and headed off with her mom, a box of extra desserts in hand.

Links to pictures above: Tiny Treats Cook Book
and Kit's Cooking Studio

Our first "Doll in the News" is Ruthie - doesn't she look cute in our new blue sundress with pretty tuck accents and a straw hat too?! The Kit and Ruthie Doll Contest has ended with seven very happy winners out of almost 500 entries - they come from California, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvia, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia! We've heard from some customers who are going to the June 20th movie showing at one of the American Girl Places - Fun!!

The jury trial of Barbie versus Bratz has begun! It is taking place in a Riverside, California US District Court and is expected to last several weeks. The issue at stake is that Mattel/Barbie (and also owners of American Girl) claim that the Bratz dolls were created by a former employee of Mattel while still under contract with them and sold to MGA Entertainment Inc. It will be interesting to see what happens!!

The famous New York and Las Vegas toystore, FAO Schwarz, has signed an agreement with Macy's to open FAO operated toystores in 275 of the Macy's stores this fall! The FAO stores will be 1000 to 3500 square feet in approximately 75 Macy's locations while about 200 Macy's will have smaller department of 200 to 300 feet. I can't wait to see which Macy's in my area will have the FAO store - hope San Francisco gets a big one for me to visit! This means that it's highly likely FAO will carry Madame Alexander Dolls (such as the Madeline doll shown above) and Robert Tonner dolls - hooray!

Incidentally, the FAO stores will expand to about 685 Macy's stores during the next two years. This concept was tried out last fall in Chicago with great success.

Cabbage Patch Dolls are celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year with a special limited edition commemorative doll this fall. Ask your parents or grandparents if they remember the furor over the adoptable Cabbage Patch Dolls - it was amazing! The Anniversary Doll will replicate the vintage fashions, hairstyles and facial expressions of those dolls introduced in 1983. The dolls will only be available for a limited time.

Angelina Ballerina is going to be back on the toyshelves again! The classic books by Katharine Holabird are a natural for children and for cute products. Many were produced for Pleasant Company (before American Girl)and once more we can expect more products from HIT Entertainment. A new television series will be debuting this fall: "Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps". We have a few items left for you such as the book pictured above, "Angelina, Star of the Show", in our Fun for Girls section.

PS: While standing in a grocery line I saw a picture of Corolle baby doll on one of those celebrity magazines . . . Brad and Angelina's girl was cuddling Emma!

Here's the scoop on Ruthie from some of my lucky friends who already have her. The first is from a woman who was about Ruthie's age during the Depression and had dark hair and blue eyes (needlesss to say she was identifying strongly with Ruthie!) She saw her when a neighbor brought her granddaughter over to visit with her new Ruthie birthday gift!

"I love Ruthie. I think that she is one of the loveliest of the historical dolls. Her dress is beautiful and the fabric reminds me of rayon challis which was a popular fabric in the 1930s--and something that would be used for more expensive clothing.

I got out my scrapbook and showed her how I had long curls and how my mother would brush my hair every morning, dampen it and brush it around her finger to make the long curls. We tried it on Ruthie, but she may need to set the curls over night and try it again. She tied the ribbon around Ruthie's hair, just like the bow she saw in a photo of me (at about age 8). I put together a little tea party and had a lovely afternoon.

I looked at Ruthie's book and we wondered if AG may offer Ruthie's coat in the next catalog or perhaps at holiday time. Such fun to have an unexpected visit today--with such a wonderful guest."

Here's the coat she mentioned - it's on the bookcover of Really, Truly Ruthie

And another report on Ruthie (from a woman born in Julie's time period!):

"Ruthie is free from her box! And here's what I think...
The doll herself is cute. I like her hair color and I like her eyes. Her "ringlets" are a hot mess. Her hair is all squished in the hair net so you have to brush her hair and try to get it curling around her shoulders. You tie the hair ribbon on her head (the ribbon is packaged at her feet) Her shoes are cute, they have a little hard heel and a velcro closing mary jane style strap. The socks are a hydrangea blue and (I think) look a bit odd with the dress. The dress itself is very thin, very soft."

If you want a chance at winning a Ruthie and Kit of your own, remember the contest closes on Monday, June 9th!! Drawing will take place on June 10th . . . if you haven't already, enter HERE. Notice, that there are other prizes too from DollCloset.com !

Remember - ONE entry per person ONLY!!

]]> http://www.dollcloset.com/doll_blog/archives/2008/06/ruthie_news.html http://www.dollcloset.com/doll_blog/archives/2008/06/ruthie_news.html Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:56:16 -0800

Samantha Parkington's birthday is May 26th . . . but we're celebrating through the 30th with Special Sales on all of her wardrobe choices, books and games!

The complete Afternoon Tea outfit above (including shoes, hairbows and lovely dress) is just one of the many available and perfect for your Samantha. Don't miss out on Samantha's Cooking Studio - a fun bargain right now. And get ready to read her delightful mystery books - both The Curse of Ravenscourt and The Stolen Sapphire feature Samantha and guarantee a fun read. The most recent Samantha item from American Girl is available too - American Girl Samantha Frame Puzzles as pictured below . . . have fun and save!

]]> http://www.dollcloset.com/doll_blog/archives/2008/05/happy_birthday_2.html http://www.dollcloset.com/doll_blog/archives/2008/05/happy_birthday_2.html Mon, 26 May 2008 23:45:44 -0800

Mary Meyer toys was started by the sweet woman pictured here - we carry some of her wonderful plush animals and love the story of how she began! In 1933 Mary was a newlywed who sold pincushions shaped like tomatoes through her husband Hans, a Fuller Brush salesman.

Along came World War II and Mary began making teddy bears out of whatever fabrics she could find. After the War, the Meyers moved to Vermont, hired some help and began producing toys in earnest.

The Teddy Bears shown above are some of the Mary Meyer Company products . . . as are the cute bunnies shown below:

and the doll-sized ornaments shown here:

Mary Meyer died in 1999 but her company still carries on in the hands of four of her grandchildren!

YES! We have pictures of the Kit and Ruthie Doll prizes . . . and the rules and an on-line contest form!

Click on the links above for detailed Kit and Ruthie pictures and information.

Basically, contest entries will be accepted ONCE per child and/or household; winners must be over 18 years old and be legal residents in the USA.

Entries will be accented beginning May 19, 2008 (Kit's Birthday . . . her Special Sale started May 19th too!) and end June 9, 2008. Winner will be drawn on June 10th and notified by email. Dolls will be shipped by FedEx Ground once we receive back two signed forms for American Girl.

In addition, DollCloset.com has added several more prizes:

* #2 = Two doll dresses with shoes for 18" dolls: Gold Scotty Dress and Shirley Costume

* #3 = Three different Kit Mystery Books

* #4 = Kit's Cooking Studio

PLUS Three Honorable Mention Winners will receive an American Girl Bracelet and two charms: Kit and Kit's Dog, Grace !

Enter HERE . . . and Good Luck !