Happy Holidays!

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

May the season be merry and bright!

Definitely Winter

I took this picture at the lake literally one day after the others.

As you can see, the lake surface froze the rest of the way overnight. It makes for a very different photo.

There is even an ice fisherman out there!

Anne wants to know why I didn't put a coat on her, and that is a really fair question.

It's definitely winter!

Winter is here

Jess is my most photogenic doll. I had to get some pictures of her all dressed up for the colder weather!

Santa Dress

The Santa Dress was last year's Purchase with Purchase at American Girl last year.

I bought it at the Madison Children's Museum Benefit.

I waited to review it until the holiday season was here!

Snow Good to See You Outfit

The Snow Good to See You Outfit is the current Purchase with Purchase online at American Girl.

Winter Doll Photography

I have posted about this at American Girl Collectors, but I still feel like talking about it.

Taking doll pictures this time of year is really tough for me.

My apartment is really dark. Even if it's around noon and I have all the lights on, it's still too dark to take doll pictures.

If I drag lots of lamps over, I get very stark shadows.

I get pictures like this one:

Or this one:

And I guess they are adequate, but I want to take good pictures, and I don't want to wait until April!

I can't take pictures outside. The ground is covered in half-melted snow. It is not lovely.

I probably need to invest in some photography lamps and reflectors. Several have been recommended to me, and I just don't know what to get. Plus, I don't want to spend too much money.

So that is one reason the blog is currently quiet!

Kaya's Makeover in Progress

My second Kaya, that I got from a garage sale, is looking pretty good.

Here she is now:

Here she is when I got her:

The braid spray did a GREAT job on her hair. It feels much softer now. You'd never know it was the same doll. It's the biggest improvement I have seen from using braid spray.

The wig is still cut, though, in the back. You can't really see it unless you lift up her wig and look.

But I know it's there, and besides, I already have a classic Kaya.

I keep telling myself this, because I hesitate to alter a doll that looks this good.

I want to give her a different wig. I want one with dark hair, that is short, and preferably one that has bangs. I don't always like bangs, but I feel that the bangs will make her look very different from Classic Kaya.

I really kind of want Ivy's wig, but Ivy is retired, and the only Ivy wig I've seen for sale was cut.

I also like Monique's Stephanie wig, but it is no longer available in dark brown. I am not sure what the light brown wig would look like on Kaya.

Chrissa's wig would look great on her, but with no bangs, I feel it'll just look like she has a haircut.

So I am really conflicted and just looking out for the perfect wig to fall into my lap.