The Flickr Americangirlcaroline Image Generatr

Released: 2012
Condition Acquired: New
Note: Caroline is wearing this set over her "Travel Outfit".

Released: 2012
Condition Acquired: New
Note: Caroline is wearing this set along with her "Winter Coat and Cap".

Released: 2012
Condition Acquired: New
Note: Caroline is wearing these accessories with her "Meet Outfit".

Released: 2012
Condition Acquired: New

Released: 2012
Condition Acquired: New
Note: Caroline is wearing her coat over her "Meet Outfit".

Released: 2012
Date Acquired: September 2012
Manufacturer: American Girl (Mattel)
Condition Acquired: New
Head Mold: "Classic"
Neckstrings: Yes

Personal: Oh my sweet Caroline! This beauty I say is what got me back into dolls and lead to my collection today. Although I always had my three original girls (Samantha, #19 Betsy, and Kaya) out on display in my room, I took a break from dolls through high school. Part of it may have been the idea of "embarrassment" as I was "too old" for such things, but also that I had gotten into other interests with my friends at the time.
I can remember the summer of 2012, I was 18 and just finished my first semester of college. I got an American Girl catalogue in the mail and this girl was the newest release, about a month before my birthday (in September) and I IMMEDIATLY fell in love with her. She was so unique, with her long blond hair and adorable pink dress. And her gorgeous eyes! I could not get her out of my mind and kept pouring over the pictures of her in that catalogue and online. I decided that though I hadn't paid much attention to dolls in a few years, I really wanted her.
So for my 19th birthday I asked my mom to bring me to the American Girl Place for the first time (back then there was one fairly close by which has sadly since closed). I brought my Samantha with me and had her get her hair done at the salon. Then I went and picked out my Caroline. Picking out a doll in person was so much fun. And she also became my first (of many) American Girl dolls I bought on my own!
Not too long after I began looking up more about the dolls I already owned and which ones I wanted to get. Lead to a whole bunch of research on the company (more than what I already knew), and the different versions of some of the older characters. This one Caroline really did start up my doll love again, as I also sat there admiring how beautiful this girl was in person and the joy that she was mine!

Released: 2014
Condition Acquired: Used
Note: Caroline is wearing her socks from her "Meet Outfit".

Released: 2013
Condition Acquired: Used

Released: 2012
Manufacturer: American Girl (Mattel)
Condition Acquired: New
Head Mold: "Classic"

Another dolly vlog!

Video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xYujMTgJ0U

Copyright: 2012
Number in Series: 1
Condition Acquired: New
Note: This is the book that came with my Caroline doll. In 2014 with the launch of BeForever, the first three books in the series were combined into one called "Captain of the Ship" subtitled "A Classic Featuring Caroline Volume 1".

APPROXIMATE RELEASE DATE: 2013-2015

PERSONAL FUN FACT: This was the last outfit from Caroline's collection that I needed. I was able to snag the majority of her clothes within the year I got my doll (circa 2016/2017)--most were a deal of sorts. But the remaining dresses, her Birthday Dress and Work Dress, proved to be far more difficult. The disparity between the online prices of Caroline's Birthday and Work dresses was astonishing. Her Birthday Dress was typically more money than it retailed for initially, but wasn't unreasonable. However, when it came to this Work Dress, it sold for MORE money than a Caroline doll herself. I stalked this outfit from 2016 to 2021. Every once in a while, someone would manage to get it for $35 or less. But even with myself and Colleen diligently checking nearly every day (sometimes multiple times a day) for this Work Dress on both Mercari and eBay, we still missed those bargains. As the fifth year anniversary approached when Caroline joined our dolly family, I felt frustrated that I still hadn't managed to acquire this outfit for her. The Work Dress has always been my absolute favorite from Caroline's collection. In fact, it's the dress that made me secretly lust for Caroline all along. I'll never forget the first time I saw it on display at the American Girl Store in our state (which has since closed) back in 2012. That's why I accepted that I would most likely have to over pay for this dress if I wanted it that badly. One morning I glanced on Mercari and noticed a new listing for the Work Dress. It had the complete outfit PLUS Caroline's bloomers (from her "meet" ensemble). My doll had come with Marie-Grace's bloomers, which I didn't realize until several years after the fact. I had been on the lookout for her proper pantaloons ever since. When I factored in the price of what I was willing to pay for her undies separately, the Work Dress/bloomer combo on Mercari was "worth" the price to me. Since Caroline is one of my most prized dolls in my collection and this was my dream outfit from her wardrobe, it was worth the splurge. Plus, it really bothered me that she was wearing the wrong underwear before. This dress was worth every penny. It makes my rather shabby Caroline doll look magical. The light green and pink colors do wonders with her aqua marine colored eyes.

APPROXIMATE RELEASE DATE: 2013-2015

PERSONAL FUN FACT: Most of Caroline's outfits from her collection are wonderfully made. The last two ensembles I was missing were her Birthday Dress and her Work Dress. I managed to find her Birthday Dress first. I expected it to be very thick and high quality, like her other getups. To my surprise, it was actually the cheapest dress that I'd encountered for Caroline. Therefore, my expectations were quite low when it came to her Work Dress. I figured that it was a possibility that this garment would also be flimsy. I still desperately wanted it though--it has always been my favorite outfit from Caroline's wardrobe. I guess other collectors feel the same way, because boy is this dress ridiculously overpriced online. I ended up forking over a pretty penny for my Work Dress, but mainly because the person who had it on Mercari included Caroline's "meet' bloomers with it (I was missing those). When this arrived in the mail, I was astonished. This dress is BEAUTIFULLY made. It's much more the quality I had come to expect based on the other pieces from her wardrobe I first acquired. I think the color choice and cut of the dress is what makes it so special. Caroline's best feature is her aqua marine eyes. This color/pattern compliments her eyes phenomenally. I also love the idea of a work dress....some of my other favorite outfits from other AG collections are also work dresses. I love that this ensemble also came with olive green boots to match. The bonnet is the most darling accessory ever. Unfortunately, my Caroline has a very thin, damaged wig, so it's a chore getting this on her without messing up her tresses. But it is so worth the struggle...and the dress itself was worth the five years of constant online stalking! Now I just need to get my hands on her calf!

APPROXIMATE RELEASE DATE: 2012-2015

PERSONAL FUN FACT: As someone who has always been more of a cat person, I've naturally been drawn to American Girl kitties. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs too...but at someone else's house! Black and white has always been my favorite color combination when it comes to cats (and animals in general--Orca whales are the most amazing creatures on the planet). Inkpot has specifically always reminded me of my cat, Matilda, who I had back in high school. She was abandoned by her mom because she was the runt of the litter. Dad's friend let us take her home, after we found her in his yard all by herself. Normally I don't put much effort into collecting American Girl accessories. They are rather expensive, so I find putting my money towards their costly clothes makes more practical sense. But their pets and dolls have always been two types of accessories I've made an exception for. Some of my favorite AG characters have kitties in their collections--Isabelle, Marisol, Gabriela, and of course Caroline. Since Caroline was not sold for a long time (only three years), her collection is quite piddly. It always made Inkpot seem extra appealing. By the time I was only missing two of her outfits, I began putting forth effort into finding an Inkpot too. He's not hard to come by online for less than $25, it was more of a matter of finding the right cat on the right occasion. Colleen spotted this Inkpot on eBay in May of 2021. He was listed as being slightly damaged because his tag was cut and his fur was matted a bit. Immediately, this made him appealing. Plus, there was a make offer button. After a little back and forth, we managed to save a whopping $2. It all adds up, even if it wasn't much savings for him. Anyways, I thought that a slightly woebegone Inkpot would suit my particular Caroline. I purchased her back in 2016, in very played with, haggard condition. I love a good fixer upper, and this cat was no exception. The day he arrived, I didn't see Inkpot's small envelope at the back of the mailbox. The actual mail was within grabbing reach from the window of my Jeep. When I went inside, I checked Inkpot's tracking number, because I thought he was supposed to be delivered. My heart sank when I saw that he had been delivered to the mailbox....where was he?!! I began to panic, thinking someone had stolen him. The paper in the mailbox had been weirdly shoved in, which made me think perhaps someone had been digging around in there. Admittedly, I am a very skeptical, cautious person which is why my mind immediately began churning with the idea he was stolen. I decided to go back out to the mailbox and see if perhaps I just missed him. I'm a short person, so my arms can't always reach to the back of the box when I'm in my Jeep. Plus, because of how high up my vehicle sits, I'm not eye level with the mailbox (so I couldn't see all the way back into it). It turns out, Inkpot was safely inside, packaged in a decorated envelope. What a relief! Anyways, I was able to improve his appearance by tossing him in the washing machine with fabric softener. I put him in a pillowcase with a few other AG plushies who were in need of a cleaning. The fabric softener prevents the hair from matting in the dryer. He looks far better in person than in this photo--the camera flash exaggerated the texture of his fur. I'm so glad that Miss Caroline finally has her kitty cat. Kirsten was hoping that by purchasing Inkpot, she'd get her duplicate set of kittens back all to herself. Sorry Kirsten, you still have to share!

Released: 2012
Condition Acquired: New
Note: Caroline is wearing her socks from her "Meet Outfit".

Released: 2012
Condition Acquired: New

Released: 2014
Manufacturer: American Girl (Mattel)
Condition Acquired: Used

Released: 2013
Manufacturer: American Girl (Mattel)
Condition Acquired: Used

Released: 2012
Manufacturer: American Girl (Mattel)
Condition Acquired: New

Released: 2012
Manufacturer: American Girl (Mattel)
Condition Acquired: New