Out of the Box: Wellie Wishers Ashlyn

Less than 24 hours after commenting on my own (and other) blogs that I was on the fence about the new 14" doll line from American Girl I found myself back in the store picking one up (if my auto service place was in a different location this would never have happened).  It was a moment of weakness, I suppose!

The Wellie Wishers are aimed at a slightly younger target market than the standard American Girl line, and as such are smaller, fully vinyl, and lower priced. I picked up Ashlyn, who has brown  eyes and hair (with bangs/fringe) and the medium skin tone.  Other than the hair/eye/skin options, all of the dolls have the same body (I'm not sure about the face moulds - there may be three of them? I don't have a great eye for that, so if you know for sure, please correct me!).

Out of the Box: Hearts for Hearts Surjan

Hearts for Hearts Surjan

I've been watching the Hearts for Hearts line for about while now - ever since I passed on one of the original releases (Nahji) when she was on clearance at Canadian Tire last year.  I didn't end up picking up that doll, but when two new ones were released this year, I was able to grab one this one (Surjan) the first week she appeared on the shelves (it helps that I'm in the US now, and the dolls are better stocked here).

The line consists a series of international-themed playline dolls that are slightly shorter than AG-sized.  They represent a solid selection of nations (this doll's story ties her to Nepal), and include a short story/pamphlet that discusses their lives (and that has an "out of poverty" element - part of the doll's proceeds go to a charity that is apparently involved in the issues described).

There are a multitude of reviews for this line out there, so I won't go into much detail, but the doll has a fully vinyl body with 5 points of articulation, and inset acrylic eyes.  This particular doll  comes in a patterned dress, pink sandals and a few pieces of jewellery (earings, nosering, bangle, and a necklace).  The plastic jewellery is decent quality for dolls at this price point, and the outfit, while simple, is better quality than I'd expected.  Her face is painted in a style that gives her a neutral-on-the-side-of-happy expression, which I found more appealing that I'd expected based on promotional photos.

In the box.  The doll also comes with a human-sized
bracelet and a comb.

The back of the box includes a shorter version of the
pamphlet's story.

Size comparison: The Hearts for Hearts dolls are a head
shorter than Ellowyne Wilde and American Girl dolls.

Overall, I'm quite impressed with this doll she's appealing, her accessories fit her theme, and for a doll at this price point ($25USD/$35CDN), the line certainly exceeded my expectations.

ETA:  I can't believe I almost forgot: For the Americans out there, Happy Thanksgiving!