Tag Archives: Nostalgia

02.05.24
by

Book Review #105: “Meet Isabel and Nicki”

I was so excited when this book was announced!

This is an additional book in Isabel and Nicki’s world. Last year, Isabel and Nicki were the newest historical characters. They both had journals released with their dolls. I was able to get copies of both books. I reviewed both of them consecutively:

It was so great this book was partially a stand-alone, but also references the journals. You don’t have to read the journals in order to understand their world, though, which is great!

I loved following Isabel’s and Nicki’s journeys together. It’s the end of 1999. There are so many pop culture references and nostalgia, especially for someone like me who was so close to their age at the time. I love that American Girl has branched out further into the modern decades, although I certainly cringed when they called 1999 “historical” – Ouch!

I was a mix of Isabel and Nicki as a kid. I loved dressing up and all the bright colors, but I also enjoyed being outside, riding my bike, and roller blading.

I hope American Girl releases more books! I want to see more of Isabel and Nicki after 1999!

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

06.02.23
by

Book Review #104: “Meet Claudie: An American Girl”

Claudie is one of American Girl’s newer historical characters. Her story takes place in Harlem in the 1920s!

I really enjoyed learning more about Harlem and how people lived during that time.

I’m not the biggest fan of how American Girl is releasing their historical character books now, but it certainly builds the excitement. Her next book is expected to be released very soon! I’m excited to read it and learn more about her adventures in New York and Georgia.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

03.14.23
by

Book Review #103: “Nicki’s Journal”

Nicki is the more “tomboy” or skater chick of the twins from 1999.

I love that she skateboards at age 9! I didn’t own a skateboard as a kid in the 1990s, but I loved my bike and roller skates. Once I got roller blades, I barely took them off until I outgrew them.

Nicki and Isabel are creative in their own ways!

4 out of 5 stars.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

03.13.23
by

Book Review #102: “Isabel’s Journal”

American Girl just released two new characters – Isabel and Nicki. Twins from 1999!

It’s interesting how they are approaching books with new characters now. You get their journal first, and then their full story comes out later. Fascinating!

Isabel is the girly-girl twin. It’s funny, I feel like I was a mix of Isabel and Nicki when I was 9. I was older than them in 1999, but holy moly did this journal (and Nicki’s) throw me back!

I love how Isabel makes her countdown list and works to check off everything!

4 out of 5 stars.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

03.18.22
by

Getting Personal #275: Stranger Things The Upside Down LEGO Set

Al got me the massive Stranger Things The Upside Down set for Christmas!

Part 1

Part 1 was building four things: Hopper, the mini-fig stand with the Stranger Things title card, Hopper’s Hawkins Police Department SUV, and the bike.

The wheels really move!

Part 2

The second part was building the base of the “real world” house and Mike.

The base took the better part of two hours! But you can start to see parts of the house and the yard.

Part 3

Part three began building the house and Joyce. She is holding Will’s drawing in one hand and a flashlight in the other. Plus, her mini-fig head has two different facial expressions.

The enclosed room is Will’s bedroom. It has his bed, desk, boom box, and shark poster.

The other room is the living room with the couch and coffee table. The yellow phone is on the wall. You can see the alphabet and Christmas lights on the wall next to the door.

Part 4

Part 4 saw the completion of the living room, with the green chair, and building Lucas. He’s holding his slingshot and a flashlight.

The siding was added to the house, along with the front porch furniture and accessories.

Part 5

Part 5 included the roof and building Dustin.

Dustin is holding a walkie-talkie and his compass.

Part of the ceiling is this cool light brick that lights up when you push the button!

Part 6

Part 6 included building Will and the base of the Upside Down house.

It’s definitely darker!

March 18th: This post was scheduled to publish before I finished the set, so I will update soon!

Part 7

Part 7 is building the Upside Down house bedroom and living room.

Part 8

Part 8 is continuing the Upside Down house, with the living room, and the outside details, like the siding, chairs, and other finishing touches.

I love the blues and grays.

Part 9

Part 9 was the roof and additional details.

Love the spooky vines and leaves.

Parts 10 and 11

This is the end!

10.11.21
by

Adventure Time: Busch Gardens Williamsburg for Lane’s “Boo-chlerette” Party! (Williamsburg, Virginia)

I had a blast at Busch Gardens Williamsburg this weekend for my little sister Lane’s “boo-chlerette” party! It was Britney Spears’ themed and we had so much fun!

Lane wanted to ride two specific rides: Finnegan’s Flyers and Verbolten. I passed on the Flyers, but Verbolten was fantastic!

The rest of the day, we hung out and enjoyed the decorations around the park.

In separate groups, we did the “Nevermore” haunted house in the old Curse of DarKastle ride in Germany. Holy moly that was scary!

We had a great day, and Lane really enjoyed herself. We got lots of compliments on our shirts. Yay, Etsy!

When we got back to Lane and Ashley’s house, I was able to play one round of “Dream Phone” with the girls before I left to go home.

It’s a lot like Clue, but without the murder. Thanks, Sterling, for bringing it!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.16.21
by

Book Review #96: “Lea Dives In”

American Girl books are great pick-me-ups! Whenever I’m in a reading slump or struggling to pick the next book, an American Girl book usually sets me right. I found Lea Dives In at my local library.

Lea was the Girl of the Year for 2016. I remember falling in love with the doll and her collection. And the books sounded magical – Traveling and seeing a new country? Yes, please!

Lea’s brother, Zac, is studying abroad in Brazil. Lea and her parents are going to spend a week there! Lea is excited, but also nervous and a bit sad. She’s grieving the recent loss of a dear family member, and she knows she’s changed since Zac left for college a few years earlier. It’s great how this book addresses multiple real-world challenges in less than 100 pages.

I loved Lea as a character, she reminded me of me around her age. I love the richness of the culture, too, and how the author paid attention to detail with mixing English and Portuguese, one of the languages spoken in Brazil. I’ve always appreciated that about American Girl in general – Both the historical and modern stories try really hard to educate readers on different cultures and time periods. There’s even a glossary in the back of the book with pronunciations!

I’m excited to read book 2 – Lea Leads The Way. There’s also a third book, Lea and Camila.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

06.19.21
by

Getting Personal #249: Sesame Street LEGO Ideas

The front of the box.

I knew I wanted this LEGO set when it was first announced. At the time, however, it was a lot of money, and I felt I didn’t absolutely need to have it.

However, I made a decision a few months ago to reward myself with it at the end of May. I’m so glad I did! I was pleasantly surprised that it shipped so quickly from the LEGO website. I bought it on in the middle of a week, and it arrived that weekend.

I documented the journey in stages. There were six sets of numbered bags in the box, and I figured I would stretch it out as long as I could. The entire set is 1,367 pieces.

The back of the box.

Part 1

The beginning was building the street and the base of 123 Sesame Street. Each part had a new Muppet mini-figure to build. Big Bird was first, my favorite.

I love the attention to detail. See the spiderweb?

Part 2

The second part was building Elmo and the first floor of 123 Sesame Street.

Do you see the back wall of Big Bird’s nest?

The bottom floor is Elmo’s room. I love how the windows look real and open!

Part 3

The third part was the second floor of 123 Sesame Street, and Ernie.

This part added the bathroom, with Rubber Duckie, and more to Big Bird’s nest.

Part 4

The fourth part included the roof of 123 Sesame Street, and Bert.

Bert and Ernie’s bedroom is done, too.

Part 5

The fifth part included Cookie Monster, Hooper’s Store, and the apartment above.

I love the details. The stickers really help illustrate the set!

Part 6

The final part was Oscar in his trash can, the garden, the fire escape, Big Bird’s nest, outside Hooper’s, and the Sesame Street signpost.

I can’t get over how much research was put into this LEGO Ideas set! It was well worth the money – About $130 total. The instruction book had fun photos and backstory on the designers and creators.

This will be proudly displayed in my office. It’s currently on the living room coffee table. I smile every time I walk in the room!

I really loved this set. Many of you know how much Sesame Street means to me!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

03.02.21
by

Book Review #93: “Courtney Changes The Game”

I don’t normally order items from American Girl directly, but they were offering a pretty sweet deal for the Valentine’s Day / President’s Day weekend – 3X the rewards points!

The newest historical character is Courtney Moore, who lives in Orange Valley, California in 1986. I’ve always been fascinated with 20th century history, so I knew I wanted to get her books! Courtney’s character was released in September 2020.

I ended getting the doll practically brand-new from the amazing American Girl Obsessed BST group on Facebook, and I also bought a few outfits and accessories with this purchase!

The AG historical books are typically shorter, as they are designed for readers 8+. Courtney Changes The Game rounds out at 120 pages. I was not surprised that I powered through the entire book on Saturday night before bed.

Courtney loves video games, especially PAC-MAN. She’s also adjusting to being part of a blended family – Her mom remarried Mike, and Tina is her 13-year-old stepsister. They also share a younger half-brother, two-year-old Rafi. Her dad just took a new job, and is moving several hours away. There’s a lot of personal upheaval in Courtney’s life, especially because Tina has quite the on/off switch. Sometimes, she’s happy and dances with Courtney to MTV, and other times, she’s really angry and sad.

The other big news is that her mom has decided to run for mayor!

As Courtney ponders her school project, creating her own video game, her class and school are all abuzz because of the upcoming launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger, and the first-ever Teacher in Space, Christa McAuliffe!

This was a great opening book. It had me hooked the whole time – I couldn’t put it down, even when I started feeling tired during Chapter 5.

Up next, her second book – Courtney: Friendship Superhero. If this book is nearly as good as the first, expect that Book Review to be here on the blog by the end of the week!

5 out of 5 stars.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

07.14.20
by

Commentary #108: Thoughts on “The Baby-Sitters Club” (Netflix)

Image Credit: The Today Show

The minute I saw the trailer for the Netflix take / re-boot of The Baby-Sitters Club, I knew I wanted to watch it!

I ended up watching all 10 episodes over the course of one day – Last Saturday. I was so easily sucked in!

As someone who devoured the books as a kid, I was a little nervous, as the Netflix series appeared to have been updated for modern times. But, it worked out really nicely. I want to re-read all the books now.

The girls playing the club members were cast so well. I was so gleeful when I realized, at the beginning of episode two, that the creators and producers had used the handwriting of each girl. I remember that from the books, and the CD-ROM game! I think I had the Clubhouse Activity Center.

If you’re looking for a lot of nostalgia that’s updated for today’s girls, tweens, teens, and moms (Dads, too!), this is a great series. It’s fun, easy to watch, and engaging. It also covers a lot of real-life experiences, particularly friendship, parents, divorce, boys, periods, and bullying, among other things.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂