American Girl in the big city

So... I went to the Los Angeles American Girl Place store at the Grove this weekend. The last time I went was about a year ago... and for good reason. The store itself is awesome, it's huge and fun and I feel like a kid when I go inside (and get lots of weird looks from the people who run the store- I swear the lady who rung me up was the same one who did a year ago and she was equally as weirded out with me then and she was now), but the drive to it was horrible. LA drivers are the worst drivers, we almost got hit so many times I lost count... and it's funny, I felt a lot less safe in the good neighborhoods than the less good ones we had to go through- it seems insurance and fancy cars make people not care if they get hit. And the parking... goodness the parking at the Grove was terrible. It took us half an hour to find a space, but we were safe and did get to go.

The store itself was magic. I love seeing the dolls in person and I HAD to go to the store to look at the girls in person- the pictures American Girl posts of how bright their eyes are really are deceiving. And I now know which doll I want next (which will be some time next year- going to say it here so I don't forget, the My American Girl #19). I didn't take any photos inside the store because I didn't want to appear like a total creeper, but I wish I could have. The store itself was decked out for Christmas already (which worked for me because I wanted to visit in Christmas and knew I wouldn't get the chance again this year). I picked up a new brush, the special Holiday store only outfit, Kit's lunch pail...

and Miss McKenna.

I wasn't going to get her, but then I remembered how much I regretted not getting Kanani last year when I had the chance... I decided not to regret it again (especially because from what I've seen of the 2013 GOTY, I'm not in love ). I am really loving the quality of the doll, she's my first not second-hand AG and I am glad to welcome her to the fold... although no more dolls for a long, long time, at the very least this is the last girl for 2012.

Target is having a great sale on the Our Generation outfits, I picked this one up for only nine bucks. Very pleased with that considering it even comes with tights and shoes.

Hope everyone has a great Veteran's day today!