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American Girl Honors New Orleans: Cecile and Marie-Grace {Giveaway}

As the 6th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina draws near, I am reminded of how she tried to rob my City of it’s structures, it’s landscape, it’s culture and it’s music.  Unfortunately, New Orleans did lose a great deal during the Storm of 2005, but we did not lose our pride and desire to come together as a community to rebuild…better than before.

Much in this spirit of coming together, American Girl has released a heart warming six book series set in 1853 New Orleans.  For the first time, the company which encourages girls ages 3-12 to dream, grow, inspire and create is releasing two historical characters at once.  Cecile Ray, an African American girl and Marie-Grace Gardner, a Caucasian girl, illustrate the story of a unique friendship which allows the girls to reach across the boundaries of race and class.  Struggling through the hardships of yellow fever which became rampant in 1853 New Orleans, the girls work together to help a community in need.

I couldn’t help but notice the striking similarity to 2005 New Orleans as the people of New Orleans became one and vowed to make the City better than before.  One such example is the soon to open Ellis Marsalis Center of Music located in the heart of Musician’s Village in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans.  Especially in a time where music programs are being cut from local schools, it is imperative for the people of New Orleans to preserve our music culture.  The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music will host many after school programs in music and dance for local children, many of whom lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.  Providing a safe place for the kids to learn from the very people who are part of New Orleans history is only one aspect of the Center.  This 17,000 square foot facility will also contain a performance hall, recording studios and a gathering place for the community to keep the music alive in post-Katrina New Orleans.

To support the effort, American Girl has teamed up with 13 year old Kate Connick and her father Harry Connick, Jr., a music legend here in New Orleans.  The pair created an original song, “A Lot Like Me” to accompany the new American Girl series which is available for download on iTunes.  The best part?  All proceeds will benefit the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music!

Of course, American Girl is bringing the story to life with two new dolls and fabulous accessories which reflect the time period of 1853 New Orleans.  I am so excited for New Orleans characters to be included in the infamous American Girl collection!  The dolls and accessories can be pre-ordered now (the masquerade ball outfits are adorable!) and will be available in American Girl Outlet stores on August 30th. My daughters are so excited!

GIVEAWAY

In honor of this historic release by American Girl, I have BOTH Cecile Ray and Marie-Grace Gardner dolls for one lucky winner!!

How to Enter:

1. Check out the New Orleans series by American Girl and tell me one accessory you would love to own!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and American Girl (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and American Girl on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on September 6th.  Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While I received the first two books in the series to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.

1,844 thoughts on “American Girl Honors New Orleans: Cecile and Marie-Grace {Giveaway}”

  1. I LOVE these dolls. My mom’s name is Marie Grace and her best friend’s name is Cecilia (not quite the same, but close), so these have a special place in my heart.

    Cecile’s parrot is adorable, so I’d go with Cecile’s parrot and games as a favorite accessory.

  2. It’s hard to pick just one favorite accessory, but I really like Cecile’s Parrot and Games. I like the paperdolls that come in that set!

  3. I would like to have the fancy dress and accessoreis…though it looks more like a Mardi Gras outfit to me 😉

  4. I’m a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and American Girl on Facebook (Margaret E. Smith)
    Thanks
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  5. My daughter loves American Girl! She would love to have these dolls.
    We also liked the Fancy Dress from the New Orleans collection.

  6. I like the nightie and i know brea would love hers
    Debbie Jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

  7. being a proper NO girl, my daugther wants the Fairy Costume Accessories, so her doll can mardi gras when she gets one!

  8. I would definitely have to have the Fairy Costume. My daughter adores anything Fairy and would love it!

  9. I would love to have the School Backpack Set for Dolls Item# V6015. It’s simply adorable and looks so much like something my Lydia would actually use.

  10. Marie-Grace’s Dog, Argos is so cute, but then everything American Girls makes is wonderful. Their attention to detail is amazing! Thanks!

  11. I would like the Fairy Costume Accessories. Like on FB.
    Thanks for the great sweep and hope to win 🙂

  12. I really like Cécile’s Bed & Bedding, I think my daughter would have fun with this princess type of bed. I also like Cécile’s special dress, it is a bit different and unique. Thanks, Jackie

  13. The Fairy Costume Accessories is really adorable! Thanks for the chance to win!
    mrsmchappell at gmail dot com

  14. My 8 year daughter is obsessed with American Girl doll stuff. She would love the fancy dress and fairy costume.
    shuttermom77 at gmail (dot) com

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  16. I’d have to say I would love to own Cécile’s Nightie for Doll & Girl for my daughter Sarah. I got my daughter’s Bitty Twins one for each Sarah’s blonde like her and Natalie’s brunette like her and Christmas morning after opening it Sarah gave her’s to Natalie (it wasn’t a rude ungrateful kind of re-gift, Sarah just knew Natalie liked both of them and she really wasn’t interested. I thought it was sweet because we all know Natalie is a little Mommy. The Washington DC store opened up recently and we started getting catalogs in the mail. Sarah found the catalog and circled dolls and accessories she would like for her February Birthday. Well she had her tonsils taken out August 8th and I surprised her with her first American Girl Doll when she woke up from surgery and she has not let Kit out of her sight since. I loved American Girl as a kid but my parents couldn’t afford to get me one and I’m tickled pink that Sarah loves her Kit doll because she has never been a doll kind of girl until now and I was shocked that she was picking them out in the catalog. Now that she is showing interest in them I plan to start her a collection.

  17. I love the Marie-Grace’s Vanity Set!!! It jump starts my imagination and sends me back in time! Love it!

  18. Love this series! I especially like Marie-Grace’s Nightgown and Cecile’s Bed & Bedding!

    e-mail: lucky02130 (at) gmail (dot) com

  19. I’m a fan of both “American girl dolls” & “The Not-so blog” (HollyCunningham) on Facebook!!!((1955nursehjc4me(at)myway(dot)com)) Thanks for the chance…

  20. Also a fan of American Girl on facebook.
    My little girl would love these dolls. Would be her first real dolls. Everything else was “baby” type. Have a blessed day!!

  21. The Fairy Costume Accessories are truly beautiful and perfectly delightful!!!

    Thanks so very much for this wonderful give~away! : )

    leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

  22. I love the Crinoline and Chemise outfit! These dolls have beautiful accessories, it was hard to choose just one thing I wanted! Thanks for the giveaway!

  23. Those are beautiful dolls and I like the story books that go with them, too. I think the Marie-Grace’s Party Outfit is beautiful. Thanks for having the contest!

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