Dolls - Views From the Ville

This shop and my suggestions for preschool toys to donate has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BIGDeal #CollectiveBias

I’ve always felt it was important to teach Bubbles to have a kind and giving heart. Small acts of kindness go a long way in this world, and I want her to think of others and not just herself. I also want her to know the joy of brightening someone else’s day.

As a family, we shop every year for gifts that we’ll donate to the various toy drives and angel trees in town. Friends and family often comment that they would like to do something similar, but had two concerns in common. One was the cost of giving during an already expensive time of year (and during an already tough economic climate) and the other was a lack of knowledge in what kids might like. Continue reading »

This shop and my Descendants DIY jars has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and love for villains are mine alone. #Disney #VillainDescendants #CollectiveBias

I’ve always had a little bit of a soft side when it comes to Disney Villains. Is it a matter of choice, or are they a product of their circumstances? I mean, it’s hard to hear the backstory of Maleficent and not feel at least a smidge of sympathy for her.

Disney Descendants DIY Painted Jar with Mal's icon. Great to store your Descendants doll accessories in!

When I started to see commercials for Disney’s Descendants I knew I wanted to watch the premiere on The Disney Channel. Fortunately my little Disney “mini me” Bubbles was happy to oblige and we sat down to watch it together. I wasn’t disappointed – it was great! Continue reading »

I received a Nenuco doll and cradle set in order to facilitate my review. No additional compensation was received; all thoughts and words are my own.

Bubbles has been a fan of dolls since she started playing with toys. Before that, actually. I received a soft-body baby doll as a shower gift and I would tuck it next to Bubbles when she was in her electric swing. Sometimes she wouldn’t even settle in without it.

Last year for Christmas Bubbles received a stroller for her dolls and that completely excited her. She’d load up a purse with a toy bottle and diaper and take her baby for “walks” around the house. It was fun to see her play Mommy and learn about taking care of someone or something.

Nenuco Doll and Sleep With me Cradle Set

She was doing such a good job with the stroller and her improvised diaper bag that I thought maybe she would like a new way to take care of her babies. Then I ran across the Nenuco Sleep With Me Cradle set. We already were enjoying other products by the manufacturer, Famosa, so I thought we would probably enjoy this, also. Continue reading »

We received a Disney Princess & Me Jewel Edition Belle in order to facilitate our review. No additional compensation was received and all words and thoughts are my own.

My husband thinks I put her up to it (I don’t), but Bubbles randomly starts running around the house yelling, “I do, I do, I DO want to go to Disney!” She then tells us a list of all the friends she wants to meet while there: Minnie & Mickey, Tinker Bell and the fairies, and, of course, the princesses. Kind of hard to deny that enthusiasm!

While we can’t hop down the road to Disney World right now, we can create opportunities to play with her friends while at home. Last month Disney had an “I am a PRINCESS weekend” on the Disney Channel. If you missed it, don’t worry. There’s lot of princess goodness scheduled for the rest of the year.

In addition to watching Princess movies like Tangled and Cinderella on the Disney Channel or on DVDs, we also like to play princess. Bubbles has a tiara that she likes to wear, as well as a fancy “princess skirt” made of tulle. She then sends her little princess and prince friends off on fun adventures in her castle – like when they all received puppies to take care of, went to a ball, or even when they’re just having naptime (“Shh, mama, the princesses are sleepy”).

Disney Princess & Me Jewel Edition Belle

Now, though, Bubbles has a big princess friend to play with. Recently a Disney Princess & Me Jewel Edition Belle came to live with us. At 21″ high, she’s not quite life-sized but she’s pretty close. Continue reading »

Thank you to The Beatrix Girls for sending Lark to live with us. All words and opinions are my own.

Earlier this week I mentioned that I had the opportunity to attend Sweet Suite while in Chicago. There were tons of great toy companies, some well-known that have been around for years and others that are just being introduced for the first time. One of the new companies – a company that I expect you’ll be hearing a lot of in the next few months – was the PopStar Club.

The Beatrix Girls Dolls - Lark & Brayden

PopStar Club is the maker of a new line of collectible 12″ pop star dolls called The Beatrix Girls. The girls – Lark, Ainsley, Brayden, and Chantal – are all members of the same band. What sets them apart from other similarly-themed dolls is that these gals create actual music that your kids can download. Each band member also has a full background story. You can visit the Beatrix Girls website and find out their favorite foods, colors, where they’re each from, and more. Continue reading »

Views From the Ville

5 Under $10: Preschool Toys to Donate this Christmas

Easy Disney Descendants DIY Painted Jars Are Villainous Fun

Little Ones Can Play Mommy with a Nenuco Sleep With Me Doll and Cradle

Disney Princess & Me Jewel Edition Belle Doll Is the Jewel of My Little One’s Eye

Now Introducing… The Beatrix Girls!