We Have Moved!

Hi Everyone! We have moved to a new address. Come visit us at http://www.mypinkplanetblog.com

See ya soon!!

Hugs,
Alina & Arianna

GIFT CERTIFICATE WINNER!

Congratulations to Betty Schnell of San Diego, Ca winner of My Pink Planet.com $25 Gift Certificate.

ESSAY WINNER!

Congratulations to Mira Patel, the winner of "Why My Mom is the best" essay contest.

Mira who is 9 years old was so excited to hear the great news. She cannot wait to get her beautiful outfit and dress her favorite doll Samantha.

"Kit Kittredge: An American Girl"

Arianna and I love American Girl Doll movies but I must say my favorite is "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl". The cast was incredible. I loved Abigail Breslin performances and the movie itself bittersweet. I found myself laughing and crying. It was a bit ironic though amidst the recession that we are in financial turmoil our country is facing with home foreclosures, soaring food and gas prices. Here we were, my daughter Arianna and my niece Alexa watching a movie based on the great depression. A great history lesson about soup kitchens, selling vegetable and eggs, boarding strangers to make ends meet, and foreclosures symbolising The Great Depression. After the movies the girls had alot of questions and comparing scenarios from the movie with topics that they have heard on the news regarding the recession and yes, that dreadful question "Momma will that ever happen to us?" Life lessons for our young 9 year old girls?

If you haven't seen the movie yet, it's playing on HBO check your local listing.

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl - Official Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeJNNG-wSbk

Samantha - An American Girl Holiday - Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnsg0pxPO68&feature=related

Molly- An American Girl on the Homefront - Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffOG28Cch4k&feature=related

Felicity-An American Girl Adventure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDStU_Jgsdg&videos=a5P8Ki8CEts

American Girl 10th Historical Doll Rebecca Rubin

With just a few days away. Many girls are just waiting for excitement for the launching of the new historical doll Rebecca Rubin, the 10th historical doll. I just got this pic in from a friend and she is a beauty. Rebecca Rubin, a 9 year old Jewish American girl, from the 1914 era living in lower east side, NYC. As for her Russian immigrant family, times are changing on the Lower East Side. Rebecca’s struggles to find her niche and balance the worlds of tradition and modernity.

Originally, as per Megan Boswell, director of design and development, American Girl, Rebecca's hair color was debated for years. Rebecca's hair started out being dark auburn, then went to dark brown. Then the company worried dark brown would be too typical and predictable.

In the end, after many discussions weighing out the advantages of both approaches. The company created what they felt was an optimum combination and gave her a new mid-tone brown hair color with russet highlights and hazel eyes. Rebecca, who comes with a line of culturally authentic clothes and accessories such as a menorah, a dreidel, Shabbat candlesticks and challah.


There is a six book series written by Jacqueline Dembar Greene, who has published a historical book about Jewish immigrants for young adults, Rebecca’s six-book series

• Meet Rebecca
  
• Rebecca and Ana


• Candlelight for Rebecca


• Rebecca and the Movies


• Rebecca to the Rescue


• Changes for Rebecca

Technically, she is the second Jewish doll American Girl has now to offer but the first with the historical dolls. In 2001 American Girl launched Lindsay Bergman, who was one of the “Girl of the Year” series, and Lindsay was available for that year only. Although, I have seen her on sale on ebay new for a hefty price or used for a moderate price.

Rebecca’s release date was originally scheduled to be June 1, but it was moved to coincide with Manhattan’s Israel Day parade.

If you are in one of the area below, your girl can meet Ms. Greene, the award-winning author of American Girl newest historical character's book series! This informal session is an opportunity to meet Ms. Greene in person and have her books signed. Free and open to the public. For girls ages 8 and up.
At this casual event, girls can create crafts and enjoy activities inspired by the stories of our newest historical character. Event details by store

Boston: June 28
Chicago: June 7
New York: May 31

Arianna and I will definetly be visiting the NY store this sunday. We definetly want to meet the author and have a book signed.

Happy Birthday Kit & Samantha!

Here are some cool outfit and accessories to celebrate Kit May 19th & Samantha May 26th Birthdays.

This adorable pink and Aqua floral dress is too pretty to pass by and to complete Kits love for baseball her own glove, bat and baseball.

A Cool Way For Kidz To Earn Money

Here's a cool way for your kids to earn money. KidzEyes.com is an online survey panel where kids can tell the companies that make products and services for them how they look through kids' eyes and be rewarded for it. They are a panel of an online community of kids aged 6-12 who have agreed to participate in surveys with the child's parents or guardians consent to participate. Kidz will be asked about things like TV shows for kids, movies, Web sites, snack foods, music, clothes, sports, video games and other things that kids are interested in.

A great and safe way to win cash or prizes for participating in their surveys. Parents or guardian must must register for every child. KidzEyes will award 400 KidzPoints to every child a parent or guardian register.

Great Craft Projects for Mother's Day

Here are some darling crafts that you and you child can make for Mother's Day.
Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living. I just love her crafts!






Pressed-Pansy Coasters

Colorful flowers floating between squares of glass make beautiful and useful coasters. Press the flowers yourself, or use prepressed blooms. Although we used pansies and violas, you can use any variety of pressed flowers or leaves you like; a collection of coasters is even more charming if each one is unique.



Tools and Materials Needed:

Glass squares (two for each coaster)
Pressed pansies, or other flowers or leaves
Tweezers
Non-water-based clear-drying craft glue
3 1/2-inch toothpick or small paintbrush
Binder clips
1/4-inch-wide silvered-copper-foil tape
Scissors
Pencil or ice pop stick

Pressed Pansy Coasters How-To:

1. Have a glazier cut 1/8-inch-thick glass into 3 1/2-inch squares, and sand the edges.

2. Wipe the panes carefully with glass cleaner and a paper towel. Be careful not to smudge the glass or trap any dust between panes while you work.

3. Handling the flowers carefully with tweezers, position them on one pane until you are satisfied with your arrangement. Using a tiny dab of glue on a toothpick or small paintbrush, adhere the flowers to the pane. Allow glue to dry before continuing.

4. Carefully place a second pane on top, sandwiching the flowers between the two panes and aligning the edges exactly.

5. To seal, hold the panes together with binder clips, moving the clips from one side to another as you tape. Place the end of the metal tape along an edge of the glass, and wrap the tape around the entire perimeter. Overlap the ends slightly, then snip the tape with scissors.

6. For a tight seal, rub the tape thoroughly until the edge is smooth, using the side of a pencil or ice pop stick as a burnishing tool.

7. If necessary, clean the coasters with a soft cloth or paper towels and glass cleaner. Do not submerge coasters in water; the tape does not produce a watertight seal.





Mother's Day Coupon Book

Moms, these are great for Breakfast in bed, luxious day of pampering, Clearing the table, vacumning, or my favorite "I (child)WILL clean my room without asking." lol!

I love these! I get to enjoy them after Mother's day, so the holiday goes on.

Supplies Needed:
Mother's Day coupon template
Colored card stock
Ruler
Tracing wheel
Mat knife
Hole punch
Ribbon

1. Download and print our Mother's Day coupon template onto colored card stock.

2. Create perforated left- and right-hand edges: Lay the ruler on the line where the coupon and the bind meet, and use a tracing wheel (usually used for pattern making), to scribe the edge of the coupon. Roll the tool along the ruler edge three or four times, creating the perforation. Repeat for remaining side.

3. Using a mat knife, cut out the coupons. Make sure to leave the tab on the left-hand side of the coupon for the bind.

4. Bind the coupons together: Stack coupons on top of one another, and using a hole punch, make two holes in the binding. Thread and tie a 1/4-inch-wide piece of ribbon to bind the booklet. Write in your redeemable gifts by hand.

"Why My Mom is the Best!" - ESSAY CONTEST

My daughter Arianna who loves creative writing came up with a fabulous idea. An Essay Contest!

Winner will recieve:

1. Pink Parisian Dress – Pink with black polka dot dress

2. Pink Ankle Socks

3. Black Ballet Flat Shoes

a $24.00 Value

Topic: Why My Mom is the Best!

Who can participate? Girls ages 6 thru 14

• Participants who wish to enter must submit an essay of a minimum of 250 words on why their mom is the best. Your essay should be emailed to mail@mypinkplanet.com Make sure to include your name, age and state.


• Deadline: Your essay must be received no later than May 28th 11:59pm


• Winner Annoucement: Winner will be announced on this blog May 29th, so don't forget to mark your calendar for that special day.


• We ask that the winner will submit a photo of themselves with their special mom. Photo will be posted along with their winning essay, first name, city and state.


• There is no purchase required.

Hugs & Good luck! :)

This adorable outfit fits American girl doll and other 18 inch dolls.

$25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway

This month we will be giving away a $25 gift certificate. How? Just follow these simple rules.

• Review a product that you have purchased from our online store. Simply by going to the product page at My Pink Planet.com and clicking on the link "create a review."write a product review.


• For every product review you write on our online store, you will recieve one entry into our random drawing.


• All reviews must be posted no later than midnight May 31st.


• In the event you cannot not find the product online due to out of stock, you my post review here. Your post will be forward to the store once item becomes available. It's important to include product number. Failure to do so will void your submission.


• Winner will be randomly picked by Arianna. The winner name will be posted June 1st on this blog.


• Remember to mark your calendar June 1st, visit us at Real American Girls blog and see if you are the winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate.


• If you have a blog, add our contest and remember to link back to us.

Hugs & Good Luck!

Yummy Vegetables & Breads

During the depression, Kit and her mother are left to manage on their own. Growing their own vegetables, selling eggs and even taking in an assortment of boarders.

Checkout these adorable yummy looking vegetables. They come in a delightful wicker basket filled with 3 vegetables. Carrot, broccoli and red leaf lettuce. What a great addition for Kit.

Perfect for a picnic, assorted scrumptous bread in an brown wicker basket.

FREE GAMES

I came across some American Girl games that are free. Just click on the links:

Julie's Saves the Eagles game.

Mia Goes for Great Game

An American Girl Musical

I read recently that the next American Girl movie will be a musical based on Julie with musical top 70's hits. An American Girl Musical....... How exciting!

Here's the link

Celebrate May 1st - It's Julie's Biurthday

Birthday wishes to Julie! Julie Albright is a fun-loving San Francisco girl who faces big changes. Changes in her life become challenging, as moving away from her best friend, Ivy Ling, and starting over at a new house and school. But soon enough, Julie learns how to create a few changes of her own. In an era when events of the time range from women’s rights to title IX and more.

Julie Albright was added to the American Girls in September 2007. Julie is the twelfth historical doll, and she was the first historical doll from a new era since Kaya was introduced in 2002. Julie got her own trading card set like the rest of the historical girls.

If you haven't read any of Julie's stories, here are her titles and can be found at your library.

• Meet Julie, by Megan McDonald
• Julie Tells Her Story , by Megan McDonald
• Happy New Year, Julie, by Megan McDonald
• Julie and the Eagles, by Megan McDonald
• Julie’s Journey, by Megan McDonald
• Changes for Julie, by Megan McDonald
• Good Luck, Ivy, by Lisa Yee

Rumors have it that a new historical American Girl doll is coming soon. Which explains why our beloved Samantha and Nellie has been placed in the archive. I learned just recently her name is Rebeca Rubin. A 9-year-old Jewish girl of Russian decent, living in New York City in the early 1900's. She has a cousin name Ana who is coming to Ellis Island. Rebecca longs to be an actress but her parents and grandparents have other traditional plans for her.

Rebecca has a six book series. Soon to be Release in may-june of 2009. These will link you to Amazon. The seller is selling Pre-orders. Book titles:
Meet Rebecca
Candlight for Rebecca
Changes for Rebecca
Rebecca and Ana
Rebecca to the Rescue
Rebecca and the Movies
Rebecca Mini Doll Hardcover

I'll Keep you posted if any more info comes my way.

Arianna's Birthday Party at American Girl, NY

Arianna turned nine years old last month and we celebrated at the American Girl in New York. She was thrilled to share her special day with her family, friends and her new doll Gwen. The staff was fun and friendly. The girls had so much fun the air was filled with lots of laughter and excitement. The girls played trivia games and dined with their dolls. A great service American Girl offers their dining patrons is a loaner doll your choice. The staff also provides china for your doll's dinner. The dinner was delicious not to mention dessert. As you can see the cake is decorated as a gift box, chocolate with peppermint icing. Later, each girl had their pictures taken and placed on the cover of a souvenir issue of American Girl magazine!

They finish the evening with their dolls ears pierced. This was truly a memorable evening for Arianna and her guest. Real American Girls!

Happy Birthday to Addy April 9th, Felicity April 21st, Molly April 22nd


Here are just some fun accessories to celebrate your doll birthday and can be found at
My Pink Planet.com

Latest Craze with our Tween Fans

Bling By Number Wall Art and Project Runway Fashion Design Projector Kit are a great hit with our tween fans. These great items can be found in our Girly Boutique, under Arts & Crafts. Bling by number wall art comes in four fabulous designs. Fashionista, Hello Beautiful, Simply Fabulous and Glamour grace. These pre printed designs comes on stretched canvas, glitter glue and sparkly "bling" to complete a beautiful art to display on your girl's wall.

Another craze with our tween fans is this totally cool Project runway fashion designer projector kit. Your girl will fancy her creativity in designing her unique fashion glams. She can create unlimited fashion combinations. She will have hours of fun. The kits contains tools fashion designer needs. Who knows, She might be next Donna Karan or Vera Wang yet tons better.

Visit My Pink Planet.com and join the craze.

Doll Care Tips For Your 18"American Girl Doll

My daughter and I love to visit the American Girl® Place. We always dine at the cafe my daughter's favorite is of course their dessert. I must say, it's just too pretty to eat. One favorite spot in the store is the doll's hair salon. You can hang out and watch the stylists spruce up some magnificent magic do's. One of the stylists had shared some really important doll care tips, which I would love to share with you. There are also some tips from a good friend who is an avid doll collector for over forty two years. I hope these are helpful as they have been for me and my daughter.
Always Wash your hands before handling your doll. By doing so you will keep her clean longer.

• There are three essential items for brushing your doll's hair.

1. 
   
   Doll wire hairbrush


2. 
   
   Misting bottle


3. 
   
   A towel or apron

• 
  
  Always use a doll's wire hairbrush. If you brush your doll'd hair daily it will prevent from getting tangled but always remember to mist lightly. If you brush your doll's hair dry it may cause ripping and damage to your doll's hair which is made of synthetic fibers.


• Never put mousse, hairspray, shampoo, conditioner, tangle free liquids, foam or any chemicals on your doll's hair. Your doll does not have human hair and therefore by applying those items mentioned above with only damage your doll's hair. Remember water "H20" is only the best and recommended by American Girl©.


• Never use blowdryers, curling irons or straightners on your doll's hair otherwise you will literally melt her hair. There are other safe and fun alternatives to curling and styling your doll's hair. American Girl©. sells perm rods and curling paper but here is an economical way my daughter and neice came up with. Use paper towel or toliet paper tubes and cut about an inch or so. Take a strand of hair, lightly mist, fold curling paper and roll the paper tube like a roller, fasten with a bobbie pin or clip, let dry and fluff with fingers. The aftermath is beautiful. You can also mist a strand of hair , fold curling paper, twist and dry.


• If your doll's hair does gets tangled do not use what you would normally use on your own hair ie. detangled mist or creme rinse. Just mist water on your doll's hair and brush it from the ends and work your way up, in strands


• Always avoid getting water on your doll's skin. My daughter puts an apron or a towel on her doll before spritzing and doesn't allow the water to come in contact with her doll's face.
  Never keep your doll in direct sunlight. If you leave your doll in the sun all of her coloring will fade, including her doll clothes.


• Baking soda works well to wash your doll's face. If your doll has a stain you can use a little baking soda on a lightly dampened washcloth and gently wash her face. Let it air dry after wards.


• With mom's help you can help keep your doll's cloth body clean and smell fresh. Have mom vacuum the soft cloth body, lightly sprinkle some baking soda or cornstarch in to the cloth, leave overnight, and then vacuum again.


• Doll clothes should be hand wash or machine wash in Delicate cycle.
  Try to avoid eating with your dolls. If food comes in contact, have your mom help you clean her up.


• If your doll's head loosens, it can be tighten. Untie the strings at the back of the neck of your doll and secure the head in place. Make two knots with the strings to keep secure.


• If you plan to store your doll long period of time, Use the original box or a clean, dry container and store out of sunlight. Remember to undress her for possible dyes from fabric staining your doll's body over time and storing her facing down will keep her eyes from sinking in, again over a period of time. undress your doll, wrap her in tissue paper and lay flat preferrably in original box. If original box is not available, use a dry, clean out of sunlight. Never store your doll in a closed plastic box. With any trace of moisture, your doll get mildew. Keep her store her in a clean, dry place that is out of direct sunlight.

My daughter has 10 American girl dolls. Ouch! :) One of her gripes was Molly's hair as many of you Molly owners can agree. We were told at the American Girl Place, that Molly's hair is textured. Therefore, her hair is best kept in braids. Since she followed their advice, she has since regain her fun with Molly. She works with Molly's braids, changing her hair bows, twirling each braid up on each side, attached into a single pony tail or french braid.
My darling daughter loves her dolls and enjoys dressing, reading to them as well as reading about them and having tea parties with them as well. She says "Momma, I will never depart with them. I plan on giving them to my daughter one day." As a mom, I am so thrilled to hear this. I know these dolls are a big investment but when I see how in tune she is with them and loves reading about them. I know is well worth the investment. Also, I love the innocence that these dolls contribute to young girls. In today's world, I find that to be a treasure.

My Pink Planet.com is no way affiliated with nor do I work for All American Girl© marks are trademarks of American Girl©, LLC American Girl Collection, Registered Trademark of the Pleasant Company®.