Sunshine~ A Photoshoot
IM SO HAPPY TO BE POSTING RIGHT NOW!!!
Have ya’ll seen AG’s new release?! Oh my word I was dying so hard over all the new stuff!! Seeing the new dolls, outfits, etcetera, etcetera – reallyย made me want to take photos of one of my dolls! And also go to the AG store and spend all the money that I don’t have. XD
I took photos of Marie-Grace because I asked Hershey (known to you as AGDA) who I should take pictures of and she suggested her, so here we are! XD
Hershey also helped me out cause it was super sunny in our backyard and she told me a couple things about photographing dolls in sunlight. And then I edited the pics cause the lighting was a bit whacky. ;D
Awwww, how cute is she?! *heart eyes*
*sings a weird song in my head about loving bokeh*
So those are all the pics I took! Not many, but it was hot and it’s kinda hard to take pics in sunlight, so… XD
Guyyyysss! I feel so inspired right now to make a photostory series but I lack a storyyyy!! I kinda have an idea of what kindย of story I wanna make, but I have no story ideas. Oh well. I have time to think of something. ๐
Also, I’m currently on a break (sort of) from my phone right now (I say as I type this post on my phone LOL). My friends and I “hid” our distracting apps from us and are going the summer without using them! Except on special occasions XD
I feel like because of that, I’m going to be more inspired to post on here, so you might be seeing a return of JACLYNN THE DONUT LOVING CRAZY FANGIRL! XD
Ahem. Now then…. Talk to you soon, my friends! ๐
What do you think of AG’s new release? Would you like to see me do another photostory series? What type of stories interest you?
~Jaclynn~
P.S. I have officially completed school!! I’m SO happy!! XD
AG Has Heard Our Voices!
YES, my friends, ’tis true!! American Girl heard our voices concerning the permapanties and packaging and just posted on their Facebook this morning that from now on, the dolls will no longer have permapanties, the old boxes are coming back, and the clothing will no longer be sewn onto the packaging!
Here is the original post so you can read it for yourself:
**An Important Update for Our Customers**
“We love and appreciate our dedicated American Girl fan community, and we take our role in listening and responding to your feedback very seriously. In recent months, many of you have shared your thoughts on how we can continue delivering the great products youโve come to expect from us. Weโve heard you, and we will be implementing two changes as a result.
First, we will be reverting to the separate underwear design for all of our 18-inch dolls. Starting today, any dolls that are currently in production or any new dolls being developed will now come with removable underwear. Because there are dolls with permanent underwear already in the market, this will be a rolling changeโmeaning dolls that currently have the permanent underwear design will remain as is until the inventory is sold through.
However, if you currently own an American Girl doll with the permanent underwear and are disappointed with the design, we will do a one-time, free body exchange on the doll to create one with separate underwear and return the doll to you at no cost. For details on this offer, please click here: http://bit.ly/2rKyn0n
Second, we have made the decision to return to our iconic boutique box for our 18-inch dolls. Only the new 2017 contemporary characters, as well as some of our Truly Me dolls, will come in the current packaging until inventory is sold through. In addition, none of our 18-inch doll outfits will be sewn directly into packaging, with the exception of any existing inventory for our 2017 contemporary characters.
Thank you for caring enough to share your candid and heartfelt opinions with us, and we are sorry if we disappointed you in any way. Your feedback helps us deliver on our promise to create high-quality products, services, and experiences that nourish a girlโs spirit and help develop her strength of character.
Your Friends at American Girl”
ISN’T THAT AMAZING?! Guys, I am so, so, SO happy and RELIEVED! We did this together, my friends! We emailed, we posted, we sent letters – we told AG how we felt and they listened. This is a beautiful example of a company who values their customers and makes changes according to how they feel and also how voicing our opinions really does matter. With enough people working together, we can make a BIG difference! ๐
High fives and hugs and chocolate to everyone who helped to make this happen! And an extra big THANK YOU to American Girl for listening and valuing their customers enough to make this decision! <3
~Jaclynn~
P.S. Oh, boy, I miss posting on here. ๐
Goodbye, My Friends….
Let’s see if I can get through this post without crying… But I don’t really think that will happen…
Before I go on, I want you all to know that this is not a joke. This isn’t some late April Fools Day prank. This is real.
I know I have always said that I’ll never leave. That I’ll always be posting on LHOAG. That I planned to be buying dolls and posting on here till I was an old lady. But time has changed things.
My passion for dolls and doll blogging has faded. At the beginning of the year I had written down goals for this blog and I was super excited about it. I hoped that this would be a big year for LHOAG, but as I’m sure you all can tell, I’ve hardly been posting here the past few months.
I’ve felt lazy to post. I’ve preferred doing other things instead of posting. And all the while I’ve felt super guilty about not posting here.
Each month I’ve been saying – okay, this month I’m gonna post more! And then I just don’t.
I’ve come to the realization after a long heart to heart talk with my mom that my passions have changed. Dolls are no longer my passion in life, though I still love them very much, they just aren’t my passion anymore. Writing is my new passion. I’d rather spend my time brainstorming, reading writing posts, writing, etc. than dressing up my dolls and taking pictures of them.
And I can’t tell you how much it pains me to say that. My dolls and this blog have been literally a part of me these past 4 years. I’ve learned, gained, and given so much through this blog and I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without it. In fact – my passion for writing really came because of this blog. So through an old passion, a new one emerged.
That’s okay, though. We can’t hold onto everything in life, no matter how much we may want to. People grow up, times change, and with that comes new passions, new adventures, and a new chapter in life.
So my friends, it is time for me to say it – I’m not going to be posting anymore on this blog. At least… not regularly.
I don’t believe that my days of photographing dolls and making photostories are completely over, so I believe that I will still come back here and post things, I just don’t know how often. It could be weeks, months, or even a year apart, but I know I’m not 100% out of the game just yet. So please don’t unfollow me – I’m certain I will still have more things posted on here, I just don’t know when. I’m only going to post if I feel the urge to do so.
Letting go is so hard. I feel like I’m saying goodbye to the last piece of my childhood. Like I’m ending one chapter and beginning a new one. This is really hard for me, guys. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’ve loved this blog and the journey it’s taken me on.
And I love you all so much. I know that sounds like a lie, but I mean it. You all have made me so happy and have been such a huge part of my life. Because you mean so much to me, I feel so terrible to do this, but I know you’ll understand. <3
Thank you all for the love you’ve expressed to me and my blog. For your words of encouragement, advice, and support. Thank you for every like, every comment, and every follow. Thank you for being there for me through the good and the bad. <3
I’m not leaving the blogosphere. I’m still gonna be around, reading, commenting, and liking your posts. And I’ll still be posting over on Little Miss Fluffet, so please go follow me there so we can stay in touch. I don’t wanna lose you guys. <3 I post about my writing on LMF, fandom things, and will also be posting my monthly recaps there, so you can stay pretty much up to date on my life on that blog ๐ And rest assured this blog will always remain open and running!
I feel like I can’t end this post, cause it just feels so final and it’s breaking me. But I’ll be back. I will. Someday. :’)
With Much Love from Your Friend,
~Jaclynn~
4 Year Blogiversary Giveaway…. WINNER REVEALED!!
WOW. I can’t believe it, but there were 83 entries for this giveaway!! :O
I loved hearing what costumes you would choose if you won and to be honest, I feel rather inspired to make a lot of them sometime! ๐
But you aren’t here to listen to me mumble about how I would make a Captain Hook costume or a Sophie Foster costume. Or even to hear me squeal as I get excited daydreaming about Lord of the Rings costumes. No. You are here to find out who the lucky winner is….
Who will get their dream costume?
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What costume will I have to make?
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WHO WILL WIN A COSTUME MADE AN ENTIRELY BY YOURS TRULY? XD
Okay…. You’re ready now…. Aren’t you?
The lucky winner issssssss….
She said she would want a Legolas-ish outfit (inner squeals)! CONGRATULATIONS, OLIVE!!! Look out for an email from me coming soon so we can discuss the costume you’d like! If I don’t hear back from you in a week, I will have to pick a new winner ๐
Thanks to everyone for all your entries! Make sure to leave your congratulations to Olive ๐
~Jaclynn~
House Cleaning!ย
*This post will be updated throughout the day to show my progress of cleaning out my dollhouse, so keep checking back!*
10:45AM
Hi guys! Today I thought I’d clean out my dollhouse so it doesn’t look like a disaster and I thought it would be fun to show you my progress throughout the day! ๐
This is what it looks like currently. Disaster, right? I’m so tired of it being like this, but alas I have been too lazy to dedicate a full day to cleaning it out. BUT TODAY IS THE DAY!! XD
I have the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack playing right now, so I am all set to get started on this! Bye for now! ;D
12:00PM
I removed all my dolls from my dollhouse…
I decided to work on the bottom floor first, so here is what the living room looked like…
And now it looks like this! I dusted the furniture and I’m trying to make the room look lived in with toys on the floor, a messy desk, etc. What do you think? ๐
And here is what the bedroom looked like…
And what it looks like now! I’m not done with this room yet, but I’m starving and breaking for lunch! TTFN – Tata for now! ;D
1:30
Sooo, I ate spaghetti for lunch and then straight to work on the kitchen and – um – diner room? XD AND IM DONE!
Oh! And I added the finishing touches to this room, too! ๐
Now I just need to get some dolls changed, hair brushed, and arrange them in the dollhouse. Oh boy… XD
4:00PM
Currently FaceTime-ing Emma and dressing my dolls. Actually, I’m on an ice cream break. I’m going crazy. I just wanna be done already. *cries*
5:05PM
I AM DONE! It doesn’t look super nice, I know, but when you have like 40 dolls to place in 4 rooms it’s not gonna look as amazing as it did empty XD
I hope this was interesting for you to read! Let me know if you’d like to see some more posts like this in the future! ๐
*plops on bed*
~Jaclynn~
Monthly Recaps~ March 2017
HELLO! How are you all doing this lovely day? I’m currently eating lunch and not wanting to do anything but Skype my friends, but as that can’t happen right now, I need to be productive, so I have in store for youuuu….
MARCH RECAP!! *cheers* XD
The first topic is crazy frens, because as I have come to realize, March has been a month of friendship for me! XD
1. Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Hermie the Hermit Hut!! At work (childcare) they added this glorious hermit hut to our room (without realizing it was a hermit hut and would be conquered by Emma and yours truly)! I LOVE IT SO MUCH I JUST WANNA TAKE IT HOME AND HERMIT IN IT WITH FOODIES AND BLANKETS! XD The first day it arrived, Emma and I spent the majority of the day inside it and trying to get the little chubs to go in and enjoy our dear little Hermie. That was an insanely fun day. XD
2. THE TRIALS OF PATTY CAKE! XD So apparently, Emma and I are weird and couldn’t remember exactly how to play Patty Cake…? She looked it up and we watched a tutorial on how to play then played it ourselves. We’re weird, we know. XD
***Click the picture to see what it says***
3. Jedi vs Sith. I don’t know how it happens, but so many times when Emma and I are texting we suddenly become a Jedi (that’s me, peeps) and Sith and argue back and forth about the Light and Dark Side. Emma used to be my Padawan, but she left me for the Dark Side, so now American Girl Doll Artist is my new Padawan and her brother is Emma’s Apprentice. XD
4. SKYPE! Emma and I are really good friends with AGDA (and her siblings) even though we have yet to meet in person (SOON THOUGH) and we Skype a LOT! There’s tons of laughing and noise involved. XD
FANDOMS! FANDOMS! FANDOMS!
The most important thing I can talk about in this topic is Beauty and the Beast. Before I continue, I know I said I wasn’t going to see it because of a certain character, but my sister saw it and gave us a review on the movie and said it was pretty minor, so we decided to go see it. ๐
And let me just say that it is one of my absolute favorite movies right now! I have been listening to the songs almost non stop since I saw it and I’m just so dead over this movie!! Seriously, with all the hype over it, I’ve barely been excited for Rogue One coming out on DVD on Tuesday. O_O ย IT’S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL AND THE SONGS ARE AMAZING AND I LOVE THE BEAST <3 <3 <3 (I’m planning to see it again – which will be my 3rd time) I had chills practically through the entire movie and was smiling throughout. I only cried once and that was during an added song that is probably on my list of top 5 favorite songs. <3 I think this is my favorite Live Action remake from Disney… ๐
If you were hesitant to see the movie because of the character, I can say it was super minor and nothing extreme was done with it. He just acts a little weird and the worst of it is during the Gaston song ๐
Okay, more fandoms…
Image found on Pinterest
I think I covered this in the last recap since I did it late (heh heh), but I watched Moana and it’s SO GOOD! The songs are so fun and this movie is almost making me want to learn how to speak Polynesian just so I can sing those parts like a boss. XD
ALSO…
I got the Star Wars Rebels Smuggler’s Bounty Box!!! I may or may not have hyperventilated and gone completely insane over everything in it. *heart eyes* I can not wait for the next box!!
OOH and the new trailer for War for the Planet of the Apes was so amazing!! I love Caesar. :O (I don’t know if ya’ll have seen those movies, but I had to put it in here cause I’m excited for it! XD )
This month I got a book called Lady in Waiting. It was an absolutely amazing book that followed the book of Ruth and was all about becoming the right woman while you are waiting for the right man to come into your life. It really spoke to me and made me see that as a young single woman, this is the perfect time to grow close to God and put Him first in my life because once I’m married and eventually have kids, the time you’ll have available to spend with God will be precious. This is the time for me to grow in my walk with God and let Him mold me into the woman I’m meant to be ๐
I cooked dinner this month! XD It was a recipe I found on Pinterest and it was pretty yummy! Though it totally took me an eternity to prepare. O_O XD
I finished my Ahsoka costume and listed it in my Etsy shop! I’m so glad I finally stopped procrastinating and just did it! XD
And, naturally, I had my 4 year blogiversary!! ๐ Also, if you haven’t yet, make sure to enter the giveaway I’m having for a chance to win a custom made costume for your doll! ๐
Okie, let’s see…
1. I work every Wednesday this month which means I get to see my chubs a lot more! XD
2. We’re going to visit Jordan and Aaryn for Easter!! We’ll get to see their apartment and I’ll also be seeing my grandparents! SO EXCITED! XD *chants roadtrip*
3. Obviously Rogue One comes out on Tuesday! YAAY!!! DARTHY! JYNSIAN! XD
4. I’ll have to prepare for the craft fair this month… So not prepared to prepare. XD
And I believe that’s it for now! I feel really excited for this month and the unexpected adventures it will bring! ๐
Tell me, how was March for you? What are you looking forward to in April?
~Jaclynn~
P.S. This post is over a thousand words long…. O_O
4 Year Blogiversary GIVEAWAY!
Hello everyone! ๐
So, fellow friends, amigos, compadres – yes? Right. You already know about the giveaway, but do you know the PARTICULARS? I think not. Now, let’s continue…
I am doing something special this year…. I think all of you know about my Etsy shop where I sell crocheted costumes for dolls, yes?
WELL.
YEP! This year I am giving away a custom crocheted costume for your AG doll! That means that if you win, you can pick any costume you’d like (that isn’t in my Etsy shop) your doll to have and I will make it for you! Isn’t that exciting?! ๐
PLEASE READ BEFORE ENTERING:
1: I have the right to refuse to make a costume you choose if I find it inappropriate or offensive in any way. Also, some costumes may be too difficult for me to make, but if that happens, we can do our best to figure out a way to represent the character, simplify it, or just choose a new costume if worst comes to worst. ๐
2:ย I can only ship to the U.S.
3.ย It will take 4-6 weeks (possibly more depending on the costume) for your prize to be ready to ship. Designing new costumes takes a lot of time and work, but you will get your prize! ๐
HOW TO ENTER:
1: Please get a parentโs permission to enter if you are under 18 years of age.
I will be needing your email and home address so I can ship your prize to you. Rest assured, I will not share your information with anyone.ย I only need this information so I can ship your prize to you if you win
2: When you comment, say that you would like to enter. Then tell me what costume you would request if you win!
3: You have until Monday, April 10th at midnight to enter. All entries after that time will not be counted.
BONUS ENTRIES:
1: Follow me on Instagram โ @littlehouseofamericangirl (Make sure to tell me your username you follow with so I know to count your entry!)
2: Favorite my Etsy Shop.ย (Make sure to tell me your username you follow with so I know to count your entry!)
3: Follow my other blogs, Little Miss Fluffetย and He Rights My Wrongs.ย Also, follow LHOAG if you aren’t already ๐
4: Share about this giveaway with a friend, on your blog, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest, then come back here and leave me a comment linking toย me where you shared it.
The giveaway ends Monday, April 1oth at midnight. I will reveal the winner on Tuesday, April 11th.
Oh, and if you share about my giveaway, feel free to use the image I made! ๐
Well, I believe that’s everything… BEST OF LUCK TO YOU! ๐
~Jaclynn~
Happy Birthday, Dear LHOAG!
Well, LHOAG, my dear blog – today is the day I celebrate you and the wonderful blog you have grown into. For 4 years now you have been a friend of mine – a place where can I express myself and my love for American Girl dolls.
We’ve come a long way – you and I. We’ve gone through frustrations and fears of losing all our hard work, but we have experienced such joy in the posts we’ve made, the followers we’ve gained, and all the thousands of comments we have received.
Which brings us to something important, doesn’t it, LHOAG?
My blog and I would like to thank you, dear reader, for following LHOAG – whether you’ve been here from the start in 2013 when I was an inexperienced 14 year old, or if you’re a new follower just getting to know the crazy 18 year old and her blog (which is now much more experienced) – we thank YOU for being here today and for every comment and like you have given! Even if you’re just a “behind the scenes” reader, thank you for your interest in my blog! <3
I can’t begin to express how thankful I am to have this blog! I have learned so much, gained so many friends, and reached a following that I didn’t think would ever be possible for me!
Now that I’m 18, undoubtedly a few of you have had the thought come into your head – “I wonder if Jaclynn will stop blogging?”
My answer is…..
NO. I can’t see a time in my future when I won’t be blogging here. I love it so much – it’s like a part of who I am! The only time I could see that as a possibility is maybe when I one day have kids of my own. Because working with 2 year olds makes me realize how crazy life as a mom can be. XD But I’m sure that IF that happens – I will come back. ๐
So…. As with my past blogiversaries I’ve done giveaways, haven’t I? Well, my friends, just make sure you check back a little later to see what my thank you gift to you will be this year ๐
Before I go, just thank you all so much again! I know I say it every year, I know you hear it all the time, but I mean this so much – I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. You gave LHOAG and I the wings we needed to soar and I couldn’t be more grateful! THANK YOU!!! ๐ <3
When did you start reading LHOAG? What do you love most about my blog?
~Jaclynn~
Ahsoka Tano Release!
Hi everyone! ๐
So if ya’ll didn’t know, I have an obsession with Star Wars. And Ahsoka. She’s amazing. <3
That means that I HAD TO ย MAKE AN AHSOKA COSTUME!
If you don’t know who Ahsoka is, she was once a Jedi (a Padawan under a very well known Jedi), but she left the Jedi Order when some things were going on (to put it mildly). She comes back in Star Wars Rebels and is an epic beast and she’s just awesome. XD
I had some problems creating this costume – Ahsoka’s outfit is very complex, but I managed to work everything out ๐
I’m planning to make some more Star Wars Rebels costumes in the future – maybe have a Rebels line released? :O
Please head on over to myย Etsy shop and give Lady Tano some love! ๐
What’s a costume you would like to see me make next? Your wish may come true sooner than you think…. ๐
~Jaclynn~
Much Appreciated~ A Photostory
Hi everyone! I have a photostory for you today that I hope you’ll enjoy! Especially since the pics were taken in a room in my dollhouse… ๐ XD
Riven-Delle was super busy baking up a storm; she had already made cupcakes, cookies, muffins – now she had a blueberry pie in the oven! She had wanted to bake a cake, too, but she had received too many interruptions by her siblings that took her away from her baking several times that day. From Clara fainting twice to Lana causing an argument to the little ones getting underfoot time and again – Riven-Delle was at her wit’s end. She wasn’t even the oldest of the kids, yet everyone seemed to be coming to her for everything – just as they always did.
Kiara stepped into the kitchen just as Riven-Delle was putting a dirty bowl by the sink (I say “by” since it was overflowing with dishes already) and let out a quick gasp. “Wow! That’s a lot of goodies!” She said, eyeballing the cookies.
“Yeah, well, that’s what I like to do,” Riven-Delle smiled, “Do you need something?” she asked, trying to hide her dread.
“Oh, no, I just came in for a drink of water,” Kiara said and went to find a glass. Riven-Delle let her shoulders sink in relief and continued with her work…
…but she hesitated when she heard the faucet turn on and heard dishes clanking around. “Uh – Kiara? What are you doing?” Riven-Delle asked.
“There’s a mountain of dishes that need washing, so I thought I’d help you out and start washing,” Kiara said, soapy sponge in hand.
“Oh. Well, that’s nice of you, but really, it’s not necessary,” Riven-Delle said.
“It’s okay, I want to do this,” Kiara said with a smile.
Riven-Delle turned her head away, annoyance crawling up her spine. “Really, Kiara, you can go,” she said.
“Riven-Delle I don’t think you’re being very nice. I’m not going to disrupt your work by doing the dishes for you – in fact, I’ll be helping you along with your work by taking this load off your back,” Kiara said. Riven-Delle sighed and said, “You’re right. I’m sorry, Kiara. It’s nice of you to help me.”
The timer went off for the oven, so Riven-Delle got her oven mitts on to check on her pie while Kiara began scrubbing away.
While they were both preoccupied with their work, sneaky little Merida tip-toed into the kitchen and swiped a plate of cupcakes off the table and scurried off before anyone could notice she was ever there.
When Riven-Delle decided the pie was done baking, she took it out of the oven and set it on the table, only to be horrified by the emptiness that faced her.
“Where are my cupcakes?” Riven-Delle cried.
Kiara instantly stopped scrubbing the dishes and joined her sister’s side. “What on earth…”
“They’re gone,” Riven-Delle said, her voice shaky.
“Hey, it’s okay. I bet one of the little ones came in and took them – let’s go see if we can find them!” Kiara suggested.
“No, I’m sure they’re all gone by now anyway,” Riven-Delle said.
“Well, isn’t that a good thing? I mean, don’t you bake all these treats so we can eat them?” Kiara asked.
“Yes, but….,” Riven-Delle sighed, “Truth is, I’m not so upset about the cupcakes. I’m just so frustrated. I’ve been planning this baking day for weeks and I’ve been looking forward to having some time to myself, doing the thing I love. But all day I keep being interrupted by everyone and constantly dragged away from my baking. Why does everyone always want me?” Riven-Delle asked, a couple tears trickling down her cheek.
Kiara placed her hand on her sister’s shoulder and said, “I understand, everyone needs their own space, but really, think about how amazing it is that everyone loves you so much. I think just about everyone in this family looks up to you. And in a big family like ours, that’s something to be thankful for. You’re so appreciated in this house and I think you should learn to appreciate that.”
Riven-Delle smiled through her tears and hugged her sister tightly. She knew that lately she hadn’t been as appreciative of her family as she should have been and she was so grateful to Kiara for reminding her that appreciation goes both ways.
The End
Challenge: This week show someone you wouldn’t normally think of that you appreciate them. It just may make their day ๐
~Jaclynn~
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