American Girl | Product Reviews by The Experimental Mommy

Up Close with McKenna Brooks: American Girl’s 2012 Girl of the Year

January 11, 2012 By Jennifer 4 Comments

Since 2009, I have often joked that I have more children than I really do…specifically, daughters. My daughter Emily, now 7, received her first American Girl Doll in ’09 and has played with her so much that she has become another member of the family. Rebecca comes everywhere with us. A year later, we added the 2010 Girl of the Year Lanie to her collection, and we are beyond thrilled to now have the 2012 Girl of the Year, McKenna Brooks!

McKenna has beautiful blue eyes!

McKenna stands at 18 inches tall and comes dressed in a sporty outfit for her on-the-go lifestyle as she is a terrific gymnast. The McKenna paperback book accompanies her. You will fall in love with her pretty blue eyes and long, silky, caramel-colored hair that will lend itself to many different hairstyles! McKenna loves practicing and performing her gymnastics routines, her goldendoodle Cooper, and her teammates Toulane and Sierra.

Playing with her American Girl dolls is a daily routine for Em. She adores setting them up to have tea, play school, or play with the many pets that are available. She can’t get enough of the adorable outfits American Girl offers, and loves changing their clothes to suit where we are going! Emily’s best friend has three American Girl dolls as well, and whenever she comes over they play for hours. I love how the dolls offer a great avenue for creativity and imagination. I also love how the books teach little girls wonderful life-lessons, such as how to overcome adversity and problem-solve. No meek and mild girls here! All of the American Girls are smart, resourceful, and excellent role models.

McKenna has a wide variety of outfits and accessories to suit her every need. Emily had to check it out (with McKenna of course) to see what she might like to add next to her ever-growing collection. The beam and bar are adorable and McKenna can really “grip” the bar to perform her practice routine! Her outfits are adorable, my favorite being the school outfit that we HAVE to have, complete with rain gear, of course. Last but not least, McKenna’s Loft Bed Set is like no other American Girl bed I’ve seen before! The loft bed has a built-in desk, shelves, and a ribbon board to display keepsakes. The bed set includes an adorable quilt and bedding, pet hamster, books, a gymnastics trophy, and much more. In fact, Santa just came to our house and Emily already has the Loft Bed Set on her next Christmas list!

If your daughter doesn’t have an American Girl yet, 2012 is the time to start! McKenna is simply beautiful and her collection is fabulous! If your daughter has already started her American Girl collection, McKenna will be a great new friend for the dolls she already has! American Girl has done it again with McKenna…..a beautiful, smart, and courageous Girl of the Year!

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a product sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: American Girl, American Girl Girl of the Year, McKenna, McKenna Brooks

Meet McKenna, American Girl’s 2012 Girl of the Year!

December 26, 2011 By admin 4 Comments

Happy Holidays, Experimental Mommy readers! We had a wonderful Christmas with family, friends, and lots of generous gifts. But, the favorite gift by far for both of my daughters were their new American Girl dolls. My oldest received Marie-Grace, the doll from our New Orleans hometown while my youngest received her first American Girl doll that was designed to look just like her. Both have carried their dolls around endlessly since Christmas morning.

As a Mom, I love the American Girl brand because it represents all that is good for girls: confidence, generosity and kindness. I love that some of the dolls come with books that teach life lessons and culture. On January 1, 2012, American Girl will release their much anticipated 2012 Girl of the Year, McKenna Brooks! This doll, who is a gymnast, strives to overcome challenges to reach her full potential. As she enters the fourth grade, she finds her grades slipping as she has trouble with reading comprehension skills (a common problem at this age). She struggles to regain her confidence and pull her grades up but achieves her goals by focusing on her strengths rather than her weaknesses.

In addition to the doll, fans will have the opportunity to buy accessories such as gymnast equipment including a balance beam and leotard or McKenna’s loft bed with desk. McKenna Brooks comes to life in two books as well as an activity book where girls can take challenges and earn points.

We absolutely cannot wait to meet McKenna Brooks! Her caramel colored hair and bright blue eyes are truly adorable! Be on the lookout starting January 1st!

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. While a sample of the books was received to facilitate this post, all opinions remain 100% mine.

Filed Under: Promotions Tagged With: 2012 Girl of the Year, American Girl, McKenna Brooke

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

August 16, 2011 By admin

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.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: American Girl, Cecile, Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, Harry Connick Jr, Marie-Grace, New Orleans

BlogHer ’10: My American Girl Experience

August 11, 2010 By admin 4 Comments

In July, I had the honor of being one of American Girl’s Parent Partners to help promote the “Shine on Now” project. This charitable initiative “harnesses the collective power of girls to help others in need. Through Shine On Now, American Girl is calling on girls across the country to help the company give $1 million in clothes, books, dolls, and money to the following four organizations: Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children U.S.A., National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and National Wildlife Federation.” I am pleased to announce that through the help of young girls and the Parent Partners, American Girl reached the goal!

Last week, I traveled to New York City for BlogHer 2010 and I was invited to the American Girl Cafe for lunch on Thursday and again to meet several other Parent Partners for brunch on Sunday. Because I have never been to an American Girl store, I could not wait to see what it was all about, and I was NOT disappointed.

Walking in to the store, it is hard not to feel like a little girl. I was immediately enchanted by the rooms of dolls, accessories and clothes. As I explored the store, I stumbled upon the Doll Salon. Did you know that you can bring your American Girl doll and actual hairstylists give your doll a brand new ‘do? You can even get your doll’s ears pierced! I absolutely HAVE to take my girls back!

As we ventured to the Cafe on the third floor (yes, THREE floors), I started to realize that visiting the store is more of an experience than “normal shopping.” And when I entered the cafe, it was like stepping into my daughters’ dreams. There was pink to the right, pink to the left, hair bows and flowers on the table, dolls to play with and lots of yummy treats. Of course, I had to get the full experience and select a doll to sit with me. Ok, I know I am NOT five, but you just can’t eat at the American Girl Cafe and NOT play with a doll, right? I realize that we probably looked quite strange, but I had a blast. Until…….

Cecelia’s doll had a little accident….oops…..

Thank you so much, American Girl, for hosting me at your wonderful store. After meeting the dedicated professionals who represent your brand and the other Parent Partners, I am honored to be a part of your “family.”

Filed Under: My So-Called Life Tagged With: American Girl, BlogHer, NYC, Shine On Now

“Shine On Now” with American Girl: Giveaway Included!

June 28, 2010 By admin 253 Comments

In August of 2005, my life was ultimately changed with the arrival of Hurricane Katrina. As a New Orleans native, it was almost unbearable as we watched helplessly from our hotel room in north Louisiana as our City was submerged in water. The months that followed were undoubtedly the hardest of my life. But, we managed to pick up the pieces, move on, and create an even better life largely because of the generosity of friends, family and even complete strangers.

My family and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern, love and kindness we received. My oldest daughter was only 6 months old at the time, and thankfully does not remember a thing. However, my husband and I feel like it is very important to “pay it forward” and teach our children how to be generous, loving and kind to those in need.

While generosity is very important, as the Mom of two daughters, I want to instill strength, courage and confidence in my girls so that they may achieve their dreams and make a difference in this World. I share these values with the creators of American Girl. From the website:

“At American Girl, we celebrate girls and all that they can be. That’s why we develop products and experiences that help girls grow up in a wholesome way, while encouraging them to enjoy girlhood through fun and enchanting play.”

My oldest daughter was introduced to American Girl last year when “Santa” brought her a set of “Bitty Twins” and she has indeed been enchanted ever since. So, when I learned of American Girl’s new charitable initiative, Shine On Now, I was honored to be selected as a Parent Partner. From the press release:

“To foster a spirit of goodwill and help make the world a brighter place, American Girl is introducing Shine On Now™ — a new charitable initiative that harnesses the collective power of girls to help others in need. Through Shine On Now, American Girl is calling on girls across the country to help the company give $1 million in clothes, books, dolls, and money to the following four organizations: Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children U.S.A., National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and National Wildlife Federation.

Beginning July 13, 2010, girls can visit shineonnow.com to contribute a free ‘star’ to the effort. The goal is to collect one million stars by the end of the program on July 31, 2010. In addition, for every star a girl contributes (she can donate up to 100 each day!), her name will automatically be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl™ doll.”

Lily (with my help, of course) has already signed up as an American Girl Ambassador and downloaded the kit. She has decided that she will work to donate her stars to K.I.D.S. which helps children in need after natural disasters. I feel like this is a great way for Lily to learn about people less fortunate than she and what she can do to help.

In addition, American Girl is launching Innerstar University which is a virtual world where girls can learn to be their best in a safe and fun virtual world. Access to Innerstar University is free with each 18-inch My American Girl doll.

As mentioned above, for every star a girl contributes, her name will be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl doll. This is a new, expanded and more contemporary line of dolls! There will be even more customization options so girls can make their dolls look exactly like them!

Make sure you don’t miss a thing! Follow Shine on Now on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!

GIVEAWAY

American Girl wants to honor the girls that are making a difference in their families, schools and communities. Right here at Experimental Mommy, you can nominate a deserving girl to win her very own My American Girl doll which she will have the opportunity to fully customize! One winner will be picked from Experimental Mommy!

How to enter:

1. Nominate a deserving girl who has made a difference in her family, school, Church or community. Please describe her selflessness and acts of kindness and generosity. Please do not disclose her name in your comments.

Additional entries:

1. Follow @agshineonnow and @BridgetteLA on Twitter and tweet this giveaway using #shineonnow. One tweet per day is allowed!

2. Fan Not So Blog and Shine on Now on Facebook and let them know you saw the giveaway on Experimental Mommy!

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on July 31st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.