Words of Wisdom- Don't Worry About Hard Times

Hey, y'all! I'm so sorry that I haven't posted for so long! School has literally taken over my life. It's crazy... I now spend my weekends writting papers and reading textbooks, instead of watching TV, or playing on the computer, or other fun things! But anyways, enough of my rambling! I have at least something to show you today. I came up with this idea to take a picture of my dolls and put a quote with the photo. This is today's quote--

 

 

Don't worry about hard times, because some of the most beautiful things we have in life come from changes or mistakes.

 

I know this may not be as satisfactory to you as a photo shoot or photo story, but I didn't have much time today to put together something like that. But hopefully you will still enjoy this! I think I'll make some more as time goes on, with different quotes and dolls or stuffed animals. What do you think?

 

XOXO Ginger Spice

The American History Convention- Part 2

Hey, y'all! Despite some technical difficulties, I now gladly present to you part two of the American History Convention!

----------------------------------

The girls had arrived at the convention! They crowded into the doorway and stood basking in the fun and exciting atmosphere of the event.

 

 

"Oh, yeah! This is going to be great!" Ivy exclaimed.

Emily looked around, her eyes landing on the colonial table. "I know where I'm going first!"

"Ooh! I am so checking that out!" Jessica cheered as she found the weapon display.

All of the girls split up and began their pursuing.

 

Emily began her historical journey at the afore mentioned colonial era table.

This dress is so beautiful! Emily thought. It looks a lot like one that I have at home...

But Emily wasn't the only one interested in the colonial era.

 

"Isn't the stitching just so tiny and perfect on this dress?" a sweet, although unfamiliar voice asked.

Emily glanced to her left and caught a glimpse of curly blonde hair. A small, awkward silence followed. When she didn't see anyone else around, Emily asked the blonde girl, "Were you talking to me?"

 

"Yes, I was," the girl answered with a smile.

"Oh!" Emily blushed slightly, embarrassed that she hadn't responded immediately. "I'm sorry! Um, yes, I think the dress is beautiful, but I hadn't even noticed the stitching."

Now it was the new girl's turn to blush. "Ah, yes... I sometimes forget that other people don't notice things like that!"

Emily quietly giggled, then went back to looking at the display.

But the blonde girl wasn't finished with her yet.

 

The girl stuck her hand out and said, "My name is Caroline."

Emily shook the girl's hand and replied, "I'm Emily. It is a pleasure to meet you, Caroline."

 

"So what brings you here?" Emily asked. "Are you a history enthusiast?"

Caroline smiled. "I'm more of a fashion enthusiast. I love coming to these events and seeing the genuine vintage clothing. It's so inspiring! Also..." Her smile became even wider as she continued, "It's a great excuse to dress up in a different time era. I love it!"

"Oh, yes, I love dressing up too!" Emily agreed. "And I love your dress by the way. It's lovely!"

 

 

"Thank you so much!" Caroline beamed. "I made it!"

"Really?" Emily asked in amazement. "It looks so professional!"

"Thank you! I have been sewing for a long time," Caroline explained. "I've gotten a lot better over the years!"

 

 

"So, are you a designer then?" Emily inquired.

"I am. I've always been drawn to fashion, and I've found that designing and making clothes is a great creative outlet for me," Caroline answered. "There is rarely a day that goes by where I am not working on something!"

"That is so cool!" Emily said.

Caroline's attention was drawn to another table. "Well, it was really nice to meet you, Emily! Have a great rest of your day!"

 

"Oh, you too!" Emily replied.

"Bye!" Caroline said, walking away with a wave.

"Goodbye!" Emily waved back.

 

 

On the opposite side of the room, Jess and Jessica were getting into a debate-- well, more like an argument...

"I just don't understand why you would dress up like a ninja of all things!" Jess's voice rose an octave as her frustration mounted.

"BECAUSE! Ninjas are awesome!" Jessica exclaimed. "Ivy totally gets it! Why don't you?"

"Because sometimes, I think you are from another planet!" Jess declared. "You don't wear dresses-- EVER--, you have an obsession with popcorn, and you came here dressed as a ninja-- which is an Asian thing-- to an AMERICAN history convention!!!"

"Some Asians are American!" Jessica retorted.

 

"I know that!" Jess nearly screamed. "But you came to this event as something straight from Asia, not as an Asian American!"

"Who cares?" Jessica asked. "Ninjas are cool, so why not dress up as one?" Jessica bent into one of her signature stretching poses.

"Ugh!" Jess threw up her hand in frustration. "I am so done with this!"

 

Meanwhile, in another part of the convention, Samantha struck up a conversation with Ivy.

"I love this outfit on you, Ivy!" Samantha complimented. "The swimwear of the early 1900s was really interesting, wasn't it?"

 

Ivy laughed. "I don't know why that has anything to do with my outfit, but sure, I guess so..."

 

"Well, you're wearing a swimsuit from the early 1900s," Samantha explained. "I was a bit surprised you chose to wear a swimsuit instead of a dress, but I didn't mention it, since you really liked this outfit."

 

"What." Ivy's face became completely rid of all emotion.

 

"Umm... What's going on, Ivy?" Samantha asked. "You kinda shut down on me."

 

"Samantha!" Ivy exclaimed, distraught. "Why didn't you tell me that I'm wearing a swimsuit?!"

"I didn't think that it mattered!" Samantha defended herself. "I mean, it's not like a regular swimsuit. It's more of a dress than anything!"

 

"I just can't believe I'm here, wearing a swimsuit!" Ivy's eyes were wide in her shock.

Samantha placed her hand on Ivy's shoulder. "Ivy, don't worry about it. You look great in this outfit, and there are lots of people here in all different kinds of clothing. Just look at Jessica! You are beautiful, no matter what kind of clothing you are wearing." Samantha stated, meaning every word she had said.

 

Ivy smiled. "Thanks, Samantha."

--------------------------------

 

YES!!! I got Caroline during my trip to the American Girl store for Grace's debut! It was really special for me, since the last time I got an American Girl doll was probably more than five years ago. It feels like I'm just borrowing her, since she hasn't been part of the equation for very long. My first five dolls are a family, and I didn't feel right adding another girl into the mix, so I'm keeping her separate from them. But you will see more of Caroline, trust me.

 

I hope that you enjoyed this story! Thanks for reading!

 

XOXO Ginger Spice

 

P.S. Were you surprised by my bit of news?

The Spice Girls' Christmas Eve

Hey, y'all! Excuse me for being a few days late with this Christmas post. I didn't really have very much time to put this photo story together during the Christmas festivities! But anyways, here it is-- the Spice Girls' Christmas Eve!

------------------------------------

It was Christmas Eve! Most of the Spice Girls were very excited to be getting dressed up for a fun night out at a Christmas party. Ivy, Emily, and Samantha were standing in the living room waiting for Jess and Jessica to finish getting ready.

 

 

Emily looked expectantly at Jess's and Jessica's doors. "Why is it taking them so long? I mean, I understand that Jess takes a while to get ready, but Jessica?"

Samantha shook her head and said, "I know, Jessica should have been the first to be ready! She doesn't care about getting dressed up for-- well, anything!"

 

"Alrighty! I'm ready!" Jess announced as she stepped out of her room. "What do you think?" Jess spun around, making her bubble skirt puff up.

 

"I think you look great!" Ivy smiled.

"I agree," Emily nodded. "That is the perfect dress for you!"

"I like your hair clip!" Samantha pointed out. "It really complements your outfit."

"Actually, it's a tiara... But since the comb part fell off, I'm using it as a barrette," Jess explained. "But thanks, Samantha." Jess smiled at her friend.

"So, where is Jessica?" Emily asked.

 

"Here I am!" Jessica declared, striding out of her bedroom door. She was painfully under-dressed for the party, and everyone noticed immediately.

 

Jess was the first to voice her opinion. "Um... Jessica? Is that what you're wearing to the Christmas Eve party?"

Jessica looked herself up and down, then grinned. "Yep! It's quite Christmas-y, don't you think? You know, green and red? I'm even wearing a bracelet!"

 

"Oh, but I forgot my sneakers, so give me ooooonnnneee miiiiinute..." Jessica drawled as she slunk back to her bedroom.

 

"UH! NO!" Jess grabbed at Jessica's wrist and squealed, "You are not wearing sneakers to the party!"

 

"Well, I guess I could wear my cowgirl boots, but I'd prefer to not wear heels..." Jessica mused.

Jess sighed. "Let me clarify. You can't wear what you're wearing to the party! Sneakers or no. Did you even brush your hair?"

"Hmm..." Jessica thought for a moment, then answered, "I don't remember."

 

"Samantha!" Jess babbled. "She doesn't even know if she brushed her hair! What am I supposed to say to that?" Jess exclaimed, flabbergasted.

Samantha patted her exasperated chum on the arm, then directed her attention to her more casually dressed friend. "Jessica, what we're trying to explain is that this party is formal. I mean, look at how the rest of us are dressed!"

 

Jessica cocked herself over to the side to peek at what her other friends were wearing. Ivy waved at her.

 

"Oh... Yeah, I see what you mean now," Jessica admitted. "But I hate dressing up! I never wear dresses-- they're much too frilly for me." She stuck her tongue out.

"Well, you don't have to wear a dress to look good," Jess explained. "Come with me, I'll help you put together something that you'll be comfortable in, but still look appropriate for the party."

Samantha tagged along as Jess dragged Jessica back into the bedroom. "And I'll do your hair! You are going to love it!"

Jessica groaned.

 

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Ivy said to Emily, "I wonder how things are going in there?"

Emily was skeptical. "I don't know. This is Jessica we're talking about. She would rather die than dress up!"

 

Just then, Jess waltzed out of the bedroom, looking proud of herself. "Presenting, Mademoiselle Jessica!"

 

Samantha and Jessica came out of the room together. Jessica was very much improved! Her hair was wrapped in a fun braided ponytail, and she wore a stylish outfit.

 

"Well? What do you think?" Jessica hesitantly asked.

Jess stood to the side, smiling like the Cheshire Cat, while Ivy and Emily sang Jessica's praises.

"You look fantastic!" Ivy exclaimed.

Emily's blue eyes sparkled. "You look like you, but more put together! It's wonderful!"

Jessica smiled, a little embarrassed by all of the attention.

I walked into the room and noticed how pretty everyone looked. "Wow, girls! You all look fabulous! Let me get a picture of you all together by the tree before you leave for your party."

 

The girls all gathered around the tree on my desk and smiled. As soon as I snapped a good shot, they left for their party, all still chattering to each other about Jessica's new look.

And what did Jessica have to say? "Well, just don't expect this to happen all the time!"

 

They left the house and turned off the lights, but left the Christmas tree lights on. The lights sparkled and played with each other as they danced around the Christmas presents underneath the tree.

What a perfect night.

----------------------------------

 

I hope you enjoyed this story! I realized that I didn't take a picture of Jessica's new 'do, so I'm adding that in now.

 

I wanted to do something with a braid, while still staying true to Jessica's style. Meaning, a ponytail!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I certainly did.

 

XOXO Ginger Spice

 

P.S. Did you get anything new for your dolls for Christmas?

Costume Contest Winner!

Hey, y'all! I'm so excited to present to you... The results from the costume contest (here)!

 

Note- this symbol * means Emma's Jess.

--------------------------------------------

 

 

Over a week after the harvest party, Jessica was sitting on the couch, messing with her brand new iPhone.

 

"So... How does this thing work?" Jessica murmured.

 

She had been attempting to make the phone work for over an hour when Ivy and Jess walked into the living room.

 

"I just don't understand why this is taking so long!" Jess said. "My sister is usually very punctual about things!"

Ivy shrugged, "I know! But I'm sure that she'll contact us with the winners of the costume contest soon."

 

"I hope so," Jess sighed. The two girls stepped closer to Jessica.

"What are you doing, Jessica?" Ivy asked.

Jessica groaned, then said, "I'm trying to figure out how this stupid phone works!"

"WHAT?!? You have a phone?!?" Jess screamed. "I've wanted one of those for FOREVER!!"

"Yeah, well, this one is ridiculous! It doesn't work! It's just a piece of junk!" Jessica exclaimed, throwing the phone to the floor.

 

 

"NOOOO!!!! Not the precious!!!" Jess yelled as she dived to the floor in her attempt to save the phone.

Ivy tried to calm Jessica down, saying, "Don't worry, it probably just needs to be rebooted or something."

 

"You should never throw electronics, Jessica!" Jess cried while Jessica turned towards the side of the couch and started to stuff something into her mouth.

"Well, ziz onf whaf beinh nutsh!" Jessica mumbled.

"What?" Ivy asked.

Jessica spit out a mouthful of popcorn and answered, "I said, this one was being nuts!" 

 

Jess's brow crinkled as she asked, "Where did that popcorn come from?"

Jessica replied,"I keep a secret stash hidden between the couch covers. Now leave me alone-- I'm busy stress eating!!"

 

 

"Put down the popcorn and pick up the phone!" Jess said. "I'm going to help you figure it out. Some of the people down in production that I've worked with for my concerts have iPhones, so I know how to work 'em."

 

"Now," Jess began as she sat down, "what is it that you want to do on the phone?"

"Umm... I would like to download Flappy Bird!" Jessica said.

"Alright, then here is how you do that," Jess started to explain how the app store works. Then something strange started to happen.

 

"Uh, Jess? The phone is doing something," Jessica pointed out.

"Yeah! It's vibrating! What is it doing?" Ivy asked, her curiosity piqued.

 

Jess looked at the screen. "Oh! We're getting a phone call-- from *Jess*!" Then she gasped, "Maybe she's finally got the results for the costume contest!"

 

Jess clicked the "accept" button, then put *Jess* on speaker. "Hey, sis! What's up?"

"Hey! Well, I have the winner from the harvest...contest...thing," *Jess* said.

"Oh, yay! We've been waiting!" Jess said excitedly.

Ivy looked on and listened as the two girls chatted. "Wow, I've never experienced anything like this before!" she thought. (Ivy is a 70s child)

"Yeah, I know, sorry about that. Saige has been using the...GET OUT OF MY FACE! Sorry. Molly is so excited to see who's gonna win, we're basically nose-to-nose." *Jess* said. "What was I saying? Right, Saige has been using the computer nonstop! I've hardly seen the screen, but now I've FINALLY gotten onto the computer and I have counted up the votes!"

"OK, so who won on your side?" Jess asked.

"It was a tie between Julie and Molly, Isabelle, and Cecile!" *Jess* replied.

"Oh, wow! That's a lot of people in a tie!" Jess exclaimed. "And who won on our side?"

*Jess* laughed, "Jessica won."

 

Jess and Ivy looked over at their friend.

"Jessica! You won!" Ivy laughed with glee.

Jessica's face slowly spread into a grin.

 

Then she sprang up from her seat and started to dance around the room, singing out, "Yay!!! I AM A CROQUET CHAMPION COWGIRL!!! I'm a winna, woo hoo!!!"

 

As Jessica continued to perform her victory dance, Jess wrapped up the phone call with her sister.

"As you can probably hear, Jessica is very excited about winning the contest," she explained.

*Jess* laughed again, "I would think so!"

Jess smiled, then said, "Well, I should probably get going. But it was nice to hear from you. We should get together again sometime!"

"Yeah! Totally! I'll talk to you later! Bye!" *Jess* hung up.

 

"Man, I really thought that I had a chance!" Ivy said. "My lion costume was so original!"

"I thought it was cute," Jess agreed. "But I think that I can honestly say that Jessica's costume was just a bit more, um... Original."

Ivy giggled, "Yeah, I guess that's true! We'll have to let Samantha and Emily know the results once they get back from grocery shopping."

 

 

Jess looked to her right, then with a chucle, said, "Something makes me think that Jessica will be sure to let them know."

"WOOHOO!!!" Jessica yelled.

----------------------------------------------------

 

I hope that you enjoyed the reveal! I was really amused (in a good way) when I found out that Jessica won the contest. Ivy's lion costume came in second place. The votes that you cast will now be published, but I'm not going to be able to post the comment that I accidentally deleted. That vote was for Ivy, just so you know. Have a great night!

 

XOXO Ginger Spice