Monthly Recap / July 2015

Hello!

As the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun.” The statement couldn’t be truer as the two of us look back over our July. With weeks of seeing friends, attending work and camp, and soaking up the summer sun, the start of August took us by surprise! Nevertheless, the start of a new month brings another monthly recap; we take this chance to share the highlights of our month, while you can catch up on the best – and most recent – posts on the Doll Mag blog. How was your July?

What We Loved ♥ Bella kicked off her July with three weeks of working as a counselor at a local summer program; she helped incoming middle schoolers adjust to the new building, and, later, befriended first graders as they erupted homemade volcanoes in a science camp. The fun continued when she was asked to work crew at a community production of Stephen King’s Carrie. Although it wouldn’t be her first production of choice {too much fake blood and telekinesis for her liking}, she had a blast and made several new friends backstage. Bella finished up her eventful July by celebrating her birthday with family and starting a typography course at a nearby design college.

Lulu is also enjoying her summer vacation! Her mornings were well-spent watching all three seasons of Dance Academy for the third time {we can never get enough of Abigail and Sammy}, and the relaxation continued into the afternoon with new books to read – The Last Ever After, anyone? – and ice cream to make. Lulu also throughly enjoyed Newsies when the two of us saw it in early July, as well as the new films Minions and Mr. Holmes. Finally, Lulu has also started an art class at the same school; her course, however, is on miniature set design.

Reader’s Favorites ♥ Bri’s Super Summer Live Blog / Happy National Ice Cream Day!

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ A Small Comments from Bri and a New Friend / Working on Wednesdays

Bella’s Favorites ♥ Magazine (Late Summer 2015) / The Doll Mag Book Club Discussion (01)

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ The Disney Dolls

Looking Ahead ♥ In our last monthly recap, we were counting down the days until summer break, but now, we are already prepping for the new school year! Both of us will be wrapping up our summer reading, going back-to-school shopping {Bella’s favorite}, and finding out our schedules in the coming weeks. Before we head back to the classroom, however, the two of us will be taking a family trip to Virginia – we can’t wait! In the meantime, we hope you’ll follow us on Instagram at @dollmagblog. We have posted nothing yet, but our first picture is on its way :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Monthly Recap / May 2015

Hi!

Happy June! The two of us are counting down the days until summer break {only nineteen to go, in case you were curious :)}, but in the meantime, we thought we would kick off a fun-packed weekend with a brief monthly recap! As usual, we’ve shared the highlights of our month, the most popular posts of May, and the events we’re looking forward to most in June. How is YOUR spring/summer coming along?

What We Loved ♥ Bella started her May in the midst of an intense week for her school’s production of Shrek! As stage manager, she spent much of her time coordinating set changes, managing props and platforms, and running around backstage. The four performances went off without a hitch – she’s blocking one incident with the curtain rigging from her memory – and she’s delighted that so many of her family and friends enjoyed the show! After recovering from the musical, Bella spent the rest of May catching up on schoolwork, practicing her yoga and conditioning skills, and taking out far too many books from the library.

Lulu’s month was just as busy! While Bella was at her tech rehearsals, Lulu was participating in an one-act play festival with her school as one of the costume crew members. The entire cast and crew had been rehearsing since the winter, so it was exciting to see their hard work pay off. Lulu’s school brought home a silver medal, but more importantly, plenty of memories; she can’t wait to do it again next year. Afterwards, she welcomed the warm weather with open arms: riding her bike, playing badminton in the backyard, and shooting goals on the soccer field!

Reader’s Favorites ♥ Magazine Early Summer 2015 / Springtime: A Photo Shoot

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ Comments from Bri (18) / AG Release May 2015: Bella’s Thoughts

Bella’s Favorites ♥ Work It Like a Boss: Fabric 101 / Seven Days of Style (May 2015)

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ Doll Diaries / Candidly Charlie / The Toy Box Philosopher / A Peek Into The Pantry / AG in the Shire / Little House of American Girl / The Disney Dolls / American Girl Fan

Looking Ahead ♥ As if we haven’t mentioned it enough, what the two of us are most looking forward to is the end of school! Before the year ends, however, Bella can’t wait to see Mumford and Sons in concert, attend a few award ceremonies for academics and theater, and begin her art class on Adobe Illustrator. Lulu, too, has several things she is looking forward to in June; most notably are The School for Good and Evil website update and her audition for next year’s school musical {Once on This Island, a very song-heavy show}.

Have a lovely start to your weekend!

Monthly Recap / March 2015

Hello!

Time can drag in the present, but when we reflected back on our March, the two of us realized how quickly time can fly. While we are eager to welcome spring weather, April vacation, and longer days with open arms, we didn’t want March to slip by without a Monthly Recap post. In typical fashion, it’s a bit later than we would have liked, but the two of us are happy to hear how your month went too!

What We Loved ♥ March was long, but that didn’t stop us from being busy and having fun! Bella made it through a week of finals and a week of state testing last month, so she was happy to recover from school stress with good books {some favorites include Mosquitoland by David Arnold, The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley, and The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski}, yoga classes, and outings with friends.

Lulu too had a jam-packed schedule. She started rehearsals for her school’s one-act play festival entry; was admitted into her school’s literary magazine {YAY!}; and had state testing to get through as well. Nevertheless, we both managed to make it to the movie theaters to see Cinderella, which we loved, and we discovered our new Netflix obsession: The Paradise. What can we say? We like our British actors.

Reader’s Favorites ♥ The Doll Mag Blogger Awards / Work It Like a Boss: Online Etiquette

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ Oh Sew Happy! (01) / Meet Gigi

Bella’s Favorites ♥ Craft: Floral Glasses Case / Magazine Spring 2015

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ Doll Diaries

Looking Ahead ♥ If this past week has been any indication, April will bring a number of happy memories! Bella is super-duper excited to visit New York next week with her drama department; she’ll see a performance of Finding Neverland and sightsee around the city with her friends. Lulu can’t wait for April break, because there is nothing better than a good vacation. Finally, both of us can’t wait to wrap up our blogging issue to share with our readers in May {on the note, be sure to vote in the Doll Mag Blogger Awards HERE if you haven’t done so already :)}.

Have a wonderful rest of your day!

Monthly Recap / February 2015

Hello!

February always seem to zip right by; even so, Lulu and I managed to pack in plenty of fun activities in those four short weeks! We’re a bit late in getting this monthly recap up {posting the spring issue and coordinating articles for the next one has dominated our time in the past week}, but we didn’t want to miss it. Here’s how our February went, and, of course, we love hearing how your month went too! :)

What We Loved ♥ Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?! Lulu and I look forward to the semi-annual Boden warehouse sales all year long, and the first one of 2015 was in February. We spent the day in Boston shopping, snagging deals on spring and summer goodies from our favorite brand.

Between snow days and school vacation, it felt like we had more days off than actual school days! Lulu and I put our time off to good use; we spent time with friends, reading books, and continuing our marathon of Audrey Hepburn movies and other old films. Finally, we were both heavily involved in performing arts last month. Bella survived a double tech week for her school’s Cabaret performance and one-act play competition {which was such an amazing day}, while Lulu auditioned for her school’s festival production {she’s going to do amazing in the costume manager position}.

Reader’s Favorites ♥ Make a Valentine’s Day Mailbox / Seven Days of Style (February 2015)

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ We Review: Ever After High Spring Unsprung Special / Valentine’s Day Style

Bella’s Favorites ♥ 101 Dollmations (05) / AG February Release 2015 (Bella’s Thoughts)

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ Doll Diaries / Karen Mom of Three

Looking Ahead ♥ Spring weather is our favorite, so we’re hoping March brings plenty of it! Other things we’re looking forward to? New releases in movie theaters, such as Cinderella and Home; seeing our older brother when he comes home from college, and wrapping up the second trimester of school.

Have a terrific Saturday!

Monthly Recap / January 2015

Hello!

Even with our short week, we here at Doll Mag are tuckered out; thankfully, it’s nothing that a weekend of reading, blogging, and baking can’t fix! In the meantime, we wanted to start up our monthly recaps again. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and winter break, our last one was {crazily} in October. Here’s how our January went – we would love to hear highlights of your month as well!

What We Loved ♥ January always starts with a trip to American Girl; seeing Grace in person confirmed what a cutie she is {and Lulu snagged her City Outfit}! The next few weeks zipped by with school projects, outings with friends, and after-school activities, but we still managed to fit in time for our new obsession: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Jane Austen fans, do yourself a favor and watch, or risk the wrath of Lulu :) Finally, we were sure we were going to have a winter with no snow days {INSANE, we know}, but the snow hit last week and won’t be leaving anytime soon.

Reader’s Favorites ♥ Magazine (Winter 2015) / Meet Kitty! / AG January Release 2015 (Lulu’s Thoughts)

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ Make a Doll Sleeping Bag / Work It Like a Boss: Mastering PowerPoint / Working on Wednesdays (28)

Bella’s Favorites ♥ Working on Wednesdays (29) / AG January Release 2015 (Bella’s Thoughts) / Comments From Bri (15)

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ Doll Diaries / Doll Diaries

From Readers ♥ We didn’t receive any photos from readers this month.

Random Updates ♥ We added new buttons to the side of our site so that the links to ask Gabby questions, sign up for a shop owner interview, or send us a letter are all easy-peasy to find.

Looking Ahead ♥ We have little doubt that February will be terrific. Lulu has auditions for her school’s one-act play festival next week to prepare for; she’s hoping to impress by going for a cast part AND the costumes position. She also can’t wait for Valentine’s Day, which is such a fun day of the year. Bella, on the other hand, won’t be leaving the auditorium with all of the tech-ing coming up! She’s super excited to help out with her school’s Cabaret production, and later, she’ll be backstage stage managing her school’s one-act play competition entry. Best of luck to us both {can we wish ourselves luck?! :)}. Finally, the two of us are eagerly anticipating the Boden Warehouse Sale on Saturday. It’s an outing we look forward to all year long.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Bella and Lulu

Monthly Recap / October 2014

Hello!

We always enjoy a good monthly recap! We love looking back over the past month, and our monthly recaps let us share a few of our favorite posts too. October was packed with fun, as you’ll see below. How have you been lately, friends?! :)

What We Loved ♥ October kicked off with Lulu’s birthday! She had an amazing day, and it started our month off on a good note. The fun continued over the Columbus Day weekend when we went to see Cinderella, a terrific musical. Halloween was just as good. Lulu – who went as a Greek goddess – brought home lots of candy {we love Kit-Kats and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups the best}!

Reader’s Favorites ♥ 101 Dollmations (02) / Seven Days of Style (Halloween Edition) / October 2014 Staff Picks

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ Happy Birthday Lulu! / Make an EAH Skater Skirt / Fashion Show Photo Story

Bella’s Favorites ♥ The Book Nook (03) / Make Heart Patch Jeans / Black and White Color Palette Style

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ Doll Mag wasn’t featured anywhere in October!

From Readers ♥ We didn’t receive any photos from readers this past month.

Looking Ahead ♥ The holiday season will be here before we know it, but the two of us have much fun to get to before then! Lulu is performing in her school’s production of High School Musical {she’s a brainiac} next week; her intense week of tech rehearsals starts tomorrow. She also can’t wait to start watching holiday movies – Miracle on 34th Street is the first on our list!

Meanwhile, Bella has two shows to tech this month. She’ll be doing video for Lulu’s show, and then assisting with a production of the play, Almost, Maine, the next week. Most importantly though, Bella is looking forward to Thanksgiving. She loves watching the Thanksgiving Day parade and baking all of the classic dishes.

Have a fabulous rest of your day!
Bella and Lulu

Monthly Recap / September 2014

Hello!

These past few months have zipped by, and before we know it, the holidays will be here! In an effort to slow down time, the both of us wanted to recap our fun-filled September. Have you been loving fall just as much as us two? :)

What We Loved ♥ September started with the first week of school, and after transitioning back into our regular routine, we can happily say that the new school year is going quite well! After school, we loved doing a variety of activities; from art classes to the school musical, the past month was packed with fun extracurriculars. When it came time to relax, though, we enjoyed nothing more than watching new episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine or settling down with a good book.

Reader’s Favorites ♥ Seminars from Bri (01) / Seven Days of Style / Class President Elections

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ Make a Doll Hopscotch / School Hairstyles for Bitty Twins / Lunchtime Printables

Bella’s Favorites ♥ We Review: Felicity, An American Girl Adventure / Magazine Fall 2014 / Doll Mag Academy Yearbook

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ Doll Diaries Picks of the Week (9/27) / Oh My Dollies

Blast From the Past ♥ Printable Kit: Fall Fun for Dolls

From Readers ♥ We didn’t receive any photos from readers this month.

Looking Ahead ♥ The two of us have plenty planned for this October! Lulu is looking forward to her birthday this Thursday, but she also can’t wait to go trick-or-treating on Halloween. She will be going as a Greek goddess; hopefully she gets lots of candy too! :) Meanwhile, Bella is looking forward to working on student council homecoming activities and to do lots of baking – she has plenty of recipes she’s eager to try out. Of course, we are also excited for AG’s winter release, just another sign that the holidays are near.

We hope you had a lovely Monday!
Bella and Lulu

Monthly Recap / August 2014

Hello!

While the first week of September has come and gone, we have yet to recap everything that happened in August here on Doll Mag! We figured that talking about summer break is almost as good as actually being on vacation :) Anyhoo, take a peek at our month, and then share how your August went – we’re always happy to hear.

What We Loved ♥ August was filled with plenty of day trips for us! From exploring Once Upon a Time AG in Derry, NH to taking the ferry around Newport, RI, we were sure to keep busy in the last few weeks of summer. We also enjoyed seeing AG’s long-awaited Beforever release, and of course, taking part in regular summertime staples, such as swimming, ice cream eating, and watching endless episodes of Dance Academy on Netflix {just us?}.

Reader’s Favorites ♥ We Review: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight / Our Trip to Once Upon a Time AG! / AG Release August 2014: Bella’s Thoughts

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ Meet Rubye! / Comments From Bri (08) / Curling Your Doll’s Hair

Bella’s Favorites ♥ From Mall to Doll (01) / A Peek Inside Doll Photo Shoot! / Fruit Patterns Style

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ No links to feature this month!

From Readers ♥ We didn’t receive any photos from readers this month.

Looking Ahead ♥ September is already shaping up to be amazing. Lulu starts rehearsals for her school’s production of High School Musical, has a wish list to draft up for her b-day next month, and plenty of good books to read {like this one!}. Meanwhile, Bella is excited to see what her trimester of classes have in store, and she can’t wait to start her extracurriculars {she’s teching the fall play and is serving as class president for student council}.

Have a wonderful end to your weekend!
B + L

Monthly Recap / July 2014

Hello!

We here at Doll Mag have been loving summer vacation so far! Before we go on to all of the fun planned for August, we wanted to take a quick look back at our July. We haven’t done our monthly recap in quite a while, but the two of us are hoping to start it up again on a regular basis with a new format, starting with today’s post! How has your summer been?

What We Loved ♥ I personally enjoyed celebrating my birthday! My friends and family all made it extra special, and I couldn’t ask for a better day. I also liked my two-week long art class that I just finished up on Friday. It was a bit out of my comfort zone, but I was satisfied with my work in the end! Lulu too liked her art class; she did one on claymation, and she made the coolest videos. She also started her back-to-school shopping, starting with this fun Vera Bradley backpack!

Reader’s Favorites ♥ Shop Owner Spotlight (05) / Birthday Party Plates and Cups / Birthday Party Petit Fours

Lulu’s Favorites ♥ Summer Hiking / Birthday Movie Night! / Comments From Bri (07)

Bella’s Favorites ♥ Working on Wednesday (23) / Birthday Garden Mini Garden / Happy Birthday Bella!

Doll Mag Around the Web ♥ Dollicious / {Camp} Doll Diaries

From Readers ♥ Claire, who you may know from the blog, Carrot and Claire, made her own Petits Fours following our tutorial! We think they turned out adorable, especially with those fun butterfly and flower toppers.

Looking Ahead ♥ August is looking good! We both can’t wait for American Girl’s Beforever launch at the end of the month, but in the meantime, we are going to spend the second half of our summer break the best we can :) For me, that means lots of reading, creating, and hanging with friends, while Lulu can’t wait to go shopping {aka getting EAH doll Lizzie Hearts when/if she comes out} and seeing musicals!

Have a terrific rest of your day!

Monthly Recap / March 2014

Hello!

{clipart via here!}

Can I just say a big “yay!” that it is finally April?! Don’t get me wrong, March was wonderful {as we’ll see in a minute}, but I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring, and I think it is almost here. Before we move on, however, we wanted to take a quick peek back on all of the things we did this month, superlative-style. If you missed anything, this is the perfect time to catch up!

Most Likely to Make Us Blush: Lulu and I loved responding to the questions some of our lovely readers asked us as part of the Liebster Award! This floated around the doll blogger community early in March; if you still want to answer a set of questions, feel free to take ours! :)

Most Likely to Make Us Laugh: In the entertaining category last month, the third installment of Comments from Bri definitely made the list! From her silly story about Grace’s genie experience to her many facial expressions, I know that I can’t wait to see what Bri thinks up next.

Best Tip: In last week’s Working on Wednesday, we shared an idea for photo shoots – using scarves for backgrounds! The floral ones, shown above, were taken from my own wardrobe, and they were perfect for the photos of Hannah modeling her spring-y outfits.

Most Stylish: Speaking of which, we happen to think that Hannah was looking pretty good in How to Style Florals! She modeled a variety of adorable outfits, while we shared some {hopefully!} helpful tips. What do you think of our new feature?

Reader’s Favorite: Finally, the most popular post for March was our round-up of green clothing! Although St. Patrick’s Day already past, all of the items featured are also good choices for spring.

Of course, we can’t forget about our March/April issue release, which you can read HERE, and our monthly survey, which will be open for entries until early next week {enter HERE}! April is already off to a good start, and we’re getting closer to our next issue. How was your last month?

Bella