Wednesday, January 25, 2012

American Girl Doll Store aka the Time Grandma Linda Completely Blew the Wad



The whole purpose of the girls' trip was to take the little girls to the American Girl Doll Store in LA and it did not disappoint. Friday morning, we got up and drove first to South Coast Plaza, a true shopping destination. If you know anything about the Warner women, you know that for us, a beautiful shopping mall is better than any natural landmark or stuffy museum.

South Coast plaza was huge and we didn't have anywhere near enough time to do it justice. I spent a good portion of my time in Nordstrom dealing with an exchange of the awesome Hobo wallet I gave myself for Christmas. Mine was defective and I am getting a new one in the mail any day...because I know you care.



Anyhoo, after trying on swimsuits at Nordy's and spending our gymbucks at Gymboree, we met up with my sis-in-law Sarah and headed north to LA.

The American Girl store was so cute. It is in an outdoor shopping center with a trolley driving people around and palm trees...Heaven. We had the most fabulous lunch...seriously! Best food of the trip. We started with little sweet rolls, then they brought out more appetizers, our entrees and then these cute dessert plates. That little flower pot is mouse...it was all divine.



Don't think I didn't eat every thing that wasn't glued to the table. See post where I completely blew my fitness plan.



The cafe had little chairs and plates for the dolls and everything was hot pink and black! We ate out on the balcony and the weather was perfect. I never wanted to leave.



Then we shopped in the store. Just like Sammie, I found a doll that is my mini-me!



Grandma completely spoiled the little girls and they each left with a big bag of goodies:



Then we got back on the freeway and I drove two hours in the LA traffic back south (THANK GOODNESS for the Garmin!) What on earth did we do before navigation?!

My mom and I met my friends Greg and Julie for dinner at the Yard House. We had a blast and then drove back to my brother's house for the night (totally flashed out photo):



When we got there, Sammie and her cousin Kate had put out a display of their dolls and outfits...so funny!

27 comments:

Linda said...

I brought two sweaters on the trip - a blue dotted one and a blue striped one.
"Completly" is spelled "completely" - just had to point it out. Obviously Sammie didn't get her spelling aptitude from you. (Sammie won the whole first grade spelling bee and went on to compete w/ the whole elementary school, where she did very well, but didn't win.) All that spelling success without even going through the list of words sent home!!
But I digress. . .we ALL had a fabulous time at the American Girl Doll Place (I noticed that it is a "place" not a store --although you can still spend a lot of $$ at a "place"!)

Linda said...

One more thing-- if Kristine and Maria are reading this - a "shout-out" to you and a huge THANK YOU for watching Courtney & Trevor (at Disneyland, no less) ALL DAY while we were at the American Girl Store!!

Jaime said...

I loved that you three all had similar stripped cowl necked shirts on at the American Girl Store! You guys are so cute!

Elizabeth said...

Your Mum rocks!
So nice that you got have tea with Greg and his wife!
You all look so cute and happy.

alexandra said...

Your mom is the best. I hope I can at least be as generous as she is to my own kids and grandkids. I won't even aspire to be as pretty or crafty (I will be like 80 anyway! Late motherhood!)

California might be going over the cliff economically, but it is my favorite state, anyway. i would love to live in the wonderful weather of LA.

katie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
katie said...

This is the post I was waiting for! I was so excited to see how the girls enjoyed the store. I love the picture of Sammie and Kate together with all their loot.

melissa walker said...

I love AGP! Chicago has the flagship store and it is awesome. We do birthdays there every year and the girls never get sick of it!

Lizzy said...

It looks like you had a great girls trip. I didn't know there was an American Girl Doll Store, I can't wait to take CoCo one day! You look so great Brooke. That Sammie is so beautiful, just like her mama!

Kimmie said...

Dear Linda

Will you be my mom too!? (and my kids grandma!?) You seriously are the bomb, and Brookie is just like you, so that makes you both at the top of my list!

Greg said...

I must confess that I'm a little mystified by this post. How could your mom have totally blown her wad?

From what I can tell you basically went and had lunch at the AGD Store and went shopping for a few hours there. Those bags that Sammie and Kate are walking out with may have some goodies, but they hardly even look full?

brooke said...

Greg, we spent more at AGP in three hours than we did at Dland the whole day. You clearly have never been there!

Greg said...

Guilty as charged.

And now I know to steer my daughter towards Disneyland rather than the doll store next time we take a trip like that!

Linda said...

Greg - you are right, it wasn't that bad. . .we could have spent a lot more!!
Elizabeth, Alexandra & Kimmie - all I can say is Wow, THANK YOU!! (undeserved on my part, but thank you anyway!!)

Greg said...

Looks like I will need to start saving now so that Ellie can have the "AGP Experience." Luckily, I have a few years (I hope) before she's ready. =o)

Also, is there some sort of dress code at that place? Because it looks like all three of you are basically wearing the same striped shirt (or is it a sweater?)--just different colors.

The Mostess said...

I'm fairly certain that I already snagged Linda as my second mom/Grandma, so you ladies need to do the classy thing and step aside.

As extra support for my claim, I won the 5th grade spelling bee, and went on to compete with the rest of the schools. I lost it on 'curious.' Bummer.

PS--I pay in La Salsa!!

Greg and Brooke--I have a few tips. Look on Craigslist for dolls and AG booty for super cheap. I already have 2 dolls and a bag full of loot! Start collecting now.

The Mostess said...

And I CANNOT wait to hit the store in LA one day with Beezie!!

Linda said...

Kaari - you are already adopted!
Sammie lost on the word "trio" (she had NO idea what it meant, bless her little 1st grade heart.) She spelled it "treeow." Pretty good phonetic spelling.
I'm glad you are already into the AG thing. Lucky Beezie!

sarahw said...

I was a fantastic day, a fantastic girl's day. The AG store screams girl with the pinks and purples. The girly lunch was even better because we were outside on the balcony by ourselves. It made it even more special. Thanks Grandma Linda.(and grandpa paul)

Liz said...

So, so fun! Jealous!

Kim said...

Love this post, Love your mom and Love you!! When you ladies are feeling a little crazy you should have girls weekend in Vegas...My door is always open!!

D-dawg said...

I wish my kids had your mom for a grandma! We have never been to the american girl store but I want to really bad. Next time. And only if I have someone to pay for it all.

Em said...

Come baaack! Geez, if it's not you that's gone MIA, it's Ashley. (Or myself. I'm not so hot myself these days; I'm grasping at straws.)

I know this season has got to be the worst ever, but I miss your Bachelor recaps, although Greg has truly proven himself up to the task.

Hope everything is going okay for you.

Unknown said...

I agree, I miss your witty posts. I check everyday. I know I don't know you, but I love your take on life. I would love to read your stories again.

Alex McMurray said...

I third the other two who've posted. Miss your hysterical blog posts!

Ashley said...

Yeah, where are you? Well I know where you are, but seriously, your readers need you!

Ashley said...

Are you moderating?