Okay, bear with me. It's going to one LONG post.

HAPPY EASTER!!!
I've decided that I say awesome too much. So now, I have a new word. It's EPIC!! No, I don't mean the WORD is epic, I mean the word IS epic. Or is it the other way around?
Whatever. Anyway, I'm having an epic post today... But before we come to that, I've got a couple of announcements.
Ella got her own camera! It's epic.
We are entering Cardboard Kingdom... Once again.

So, my post is about hair stuff. PLEASE!!! Wait, do not run away from me, weeping and saying that your favorite blogger is once again on about hair. It's just we got some new hair stuff, and Jasper is going on and on and on about it. So, listen, and it's going to be epic!! I might have to get a new word soon...

Hi!! How do I look? Is the camera good? Okay... Let's get started!

We store our hair stuff in here... we need a HUGE bag!

All the stuff spread out.

Isn't this adorable? It's a claw clip normal size for us!!

Here are fancy hair ties.

Mirror, brush, water, and sponge. 

Mini Claw Clips... ADORABLE!!

I keep my elastics in a mint box, which keeps them together.

We even got some of those U or V shaped pins that you use for buns.

I put all my clips on a ribbon, which makes it easy to find the right one.

I really hope you enjoy this post! Happy Easter!
Dakota

Cute as a Button Bows

Hello, and Ella here again. I'm going to show you how to make Cute as a Button Bows.

Ready?

You'll need: Scissors, clear nail polish, ribbon, thread, needle, elastic, and a button.

Tie the ribbon in the middle, and make a bow. 

Start sewing on the button in the middle of the bow, and continue till secure.

 Turn around, and sew the elastic, folded to a circle, on, and continue till secure.

Cut the ends of the ribbon to the same hight, and put on a bit of clear nail polish at the ends.

Enjoy!

Ella

Q&A: Doll Hair

Hi, and it's Ella here! I'm going to be doing a short post about Q&A for doll hair. (BTW, I've done a lot of research about doll hair, plus as the majority of my dolls are older and have hair that's hard to take care of, I'd say I'm an expert) However, I do not have any curly haired dolls, so I'm not sure about them.

Q: I just got a new doll. How do I keep her hair sleek and smart?
A: Okay, so new doll's hair is always really nice and it's hard to keep it this way (especially if you live in a humid place) BUT it's not impossible. First: Get a spray bottle and keep water in it. Every time you brush your doll's hair (see below) spray it with water. If you aren't going to play with your doll for a while, I suggest braiding her hair, because then it minimizes on tangles.

Q: Okay, but how much do I have to brush it? How long and such?
A: It really depends on the doll you have. For instance, for dolls like Dakota, where they have short hair, you don't need to do much besides spray it and brush it till the tangles are out and it's smooth. However, for dolls with long hair, I suggest ALWAYS putting it up.

Q: So, I've got an older doll, and when ever I brush her hair, a whole lot of hair comes out, but her hair is always still tangled!
A: Older dolls are hard to take care of, but I find, actually, once you get their hair under control, it gives you more satisfaction. So, the first thing to do is have one major hair-brushing time. Spray your doll's hair with a lot of water (making sure not to get it in her eyes), and, starting from the bottom, slowly brush out sections of her hair. Once you've finished, braid in a tight braid, and then, the next day, carefully undo the braid, spray with plenty of water, and, using the same technique above, brush it out. Braid, and repeat whenever you use the doll.

I hope you found this helpful!
Ella
P.S. Thanks so much Quilla, for having me over yesterday! It was awesome. :D

Birthdays!

Okay, while I was looking back over my posts, I just realized a fatal flaw.
I forgot to write my birthday!
It's October 13th.
For the past while, we haven't done much for our birthdays. But that changed this year. For instance, for Jasper's birthday (February 21), we actually have a nice party. For the first half an hour, Jasper and I had our traditional "best friends tea" with tea and cupcakes. They were Jasper's favorite flavor (pineapple XL cupcakes with lemon glaze), and it was awesome. Then, as a surprise for Jasper, all the others came over later and we had a huge party! It was awesome.
Then Felicity's birthday party will be on April 21. It's going to be a ball, and I get to plan it!!!! I'm super hyper about all of this. :)
Dakota

Some more things about me

Okay, so I really like doing these things about me, especially because you hardly know me.

• I really love writing on this blog, because it really is good exercise for my creative mind.
• Sunrise is my favorite part of the day.
• I really love helping other people, and saving the earth.
• I admit, before I sat down to figure out my school with Ella (who, by the way is sort of like all of us doll's mother, but more like a friend.), I had no idea what being unschooled meant, and, furthermore, that I was actually going to go it next year.
• Next year, I'm going to (at least, I think I will) be taking gymnastics.
• I'd really like to change the world. 
• I think bulletin boards are the best thing since trash cans, as they are a way to organize your photos and such.
• I love reading, even though I don't have much time for it.
• I hate the philosophy of being too old for dolls. Honestly! It's like saying that children can't make a difference! 
• Some people say I've got a way too active imagination, which really bugs me. 
• I love reading blogs written by or about other American Girl Dolls. 
• I'd really, really, really like to learn how to skateboard.
• I'd like to travel a lot, like Jasper, who's been to three different continents.

Thanks so much for letting my keyboard run away with my imagination! Or whatever you want to call it.
Dakota :)

P.S.
Does anyone know how to make signatures on Blogger? Thanks!

Nature Photo Shoot

Catharine agreed to have a photo shoot outside, as it was an awesome morning, and the light was perfect and it wasn't too cold. Actually, it was fairly hot, but who cares. :)

I really hope you enjoyed this!
Dakota

11 Things About Me

Hi, guys! I'm going to do an eleven things about me post.

1. My favorite color is iris.
2. My favorite food is bananas.
3. I love knitting.
4. Even though I love moving around a lot and experiencing new places, I've always wanted to see what's it's like to be in one place.
5. Though I may not seem like it, but I'd really like to learn French. I mean, I do know some stuff, but I'd like to know enough to really speak it. 
6. I don't like having tons of things. You see, I'm really bad at making decisions, so I only like to have like, two or three friends, or I usually only wear one or two outfits in my closet, because it confuses me too have too many decisions. 
7. My favorite drink is apple cider. This might surprise you, as most people think that a bright and cheery gal like myself would choose a bright and warm drink like hot chocolate, and not the brooding, spicy apple cider, but I like it.
8. I can actually be very serious sometimes. And I'm not kidding! 
9. My favorite art medium is soft pastels. 
10. My favorite book is the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan.
11. My favorite flower is lavender. 

Thanks so much for listening to 11 things about me!
Dakota

Quick Outifts

Looking for something chic, fashionable, and but totally takes no time to put together? Here, I've put together, along with Jasper and Kirstin (Jasper for fashion, Kirstin for time management), some basic starting points for your outfits. Have fun looking over these! :)

First up: City Chic

A casual outfit for your city needs. Somehow, this reminds me of (If you've watched the TV show Once Upon a Time, you'll know who I'm talking about.) Emma Swan. 

A matching shirt and sweater layered casually, and hair swept back into a ponytail.

Belt ties the top and bottom together, and the leggings give it that NYC feel. Add cowboy boots, and it's perfect.

Another casual outfit, however, this one leans more to the glamour aspect.

A sweet striped top with attached mini skirt, this blows this outfit way out of the court.

A smart designer oversized clutch and smoky leggings neatly tucked into beige boots makes this outfit rock.

A laid-back outfit, perfect for Saturdays, with a fashionable approach to the brink of lazy.

A wide, stretch, and bold headband is the perfect ways to start the outfit.  A long sleeve-shirt under a slouch over-sized shirt is a perfect way to welcome the weekend.

Casual jean capris and pink flats scream carefree. All in all, this works for weekend.

For a more sophisticated and chic look, try this. 

A ponytail, with flowers twisted in on one side, along with a antique rose knit shirt, and a blue and black blazer.

Leggings, antique boots, and a silver bag completes this look. 

So, whatever your occasion, have fun with fashion, and match your needs.

Be très chic!

Impromptu Post

Hi guys, I felt an impromptu post coming on, because I just made a huge decision.

Next year, I'm going to be home schooled from Mondays to Thursdays, and on Friday go to public school for extra-curricular activities, such as art and such. I'm really excited about this, because it's a really cool opportunity.
However, it's going to be odd, having all of us go to different schools. Well, except Felicity and Kit. They'll go to the public school, where I'll go on Friday. Kirstin will go to the American Girl Doll Academy, Jasper will go to The American Girl Fashion School.

Hoping you a good school year,
Dakota

Friends Through Rain

Here is another photo shoot that Jasper and I did. I think it's really cool, because, well, it's just awesome!

Friends Through Rain

Costumes By  Ella I.

Photography by Catharine H.

Modeled by Jasper A. Rose

and Siarra D. Jade