Mikaella's Japan Release

A Modern Twist on a Traditional Kimono

The third doll that I am reviewing is Mikaella. Of all the Journey Girls in the Japan release,  Mikaella has the outfit that looks the most Japanese.

Her outfit, a modern take on a traditional kimono, also comes with sandals, a purse and a flower hair clip. Although this outfit is simple it's a wonderful addition to the Japan line.

At first I thought that Mikaella was wearing a kimono. Upon a closer look I realized that it is more of a shorts outfit with a wrap around the back. The dress is fuchsia with yellow and aqua paintbrush swipes patterned throughout the outfit.

The sleeves go just passed Mikaella's elbows. There is a teal ribbon that wraps around the front of her waist, which is also where the dress part of the outfit begins.

About 1/2 inch on each side of the middle of the outfit the dress parts starts and goes down to Mikaella's ankles. Similar to a jumper, the top and bottom shorts are all one piece, with the dress/wrap starting at Mikaella's waist.  The whole outfit is made with a very thin, light material.

There is Velcro up the back top half of the dress, making it simple to get on and off.

Mikaella's sandals aren't entirely new, but the design is a little different than we've seen before. They are a gold/silver color with a strap across the top of the foot and another strap that wraps around the back of her ankle.

That's it for the sandal.  There really isn't much to them.  No Velcro.  No embellishments, just a plain simple sandal. The only bummer part is that Journey Girl used the plastic souls that are extremely slippery. The sandals are not the easiest things to get on to Mikaella's feet.  You really have to slide the front part over her toes in first then you can flip the back on to her heel.

Mikaella comes with a bobby pin that has a fuchsia colored flower on it. Nothing much and it's definitely not a new accessory but it does help the outfit have some continuity.

A small wrist purse is also included with this set.  The light gold leather purse has a fuchsia flower on the top lip of it, exactly like the one on the bobby pin.  Like most of the new purses, this one has Velcro on the inside to keep it closed. 

There is a small gold rope loop so that Mikaella can put the purse around her wrist.  A cute purse.   I would have loved something other than a purse as an accessory.  Maybe a smart phone, or a food item, as Mikaella is the foodie in the Journey Girls group. But this is okay.

Although this is very simple outfit it is a great modern take on a kimono.  Mikaella has the same issues as Kyla as far as stiff joints.  Her hair seems to be the same quality and her vinyl and body are the same also.

All ratings are out of 10

Value 6 – Although I love Mikaella's outfit, it is not the most versatile and since the doll itself still has the same issues as dolls of the last few years, the score is lower than some of the other dolls in this release.  I would still buy her, but I think the issues also need to be noted.

Fitment 9 – The sandals  are really the only thing that don't fit well.  Of course this outfit only has the sandals and the dress.  Sometimes the purse loop is tight, making it difficult to get on the dolls wrist, but this one is perfect. 

Versatility 6 – All the accessories can be used with other outfits, but the outfit itself does not have much versatility.  That being said, it is a very cute outfit.

Cuteness 9 – I love this outfit.  It is such a wonderful take on a traditional kimono.  The colors are beautiful, and the design is great.  Very cute!

Overall 7 – With the same issues that Kyla had, Mikaella is a wonderful doll, but would be better if the joint issues were resolved.  Mikaella's outfit is beautiful, but it is not as versatile as other Journey Girls outfits, since it is all one piece.  It would be wonderful to have different accessories, but the purse and hair piece is cute.  If you really like this outfit, then buying the doll is worth it.  If you don't love the outfit, I would wait.  Toys R Us or TRU kids will be releasing a new Mikaella at some point, just not sure when.  As soon as information is out, I will try to let you know.

The Sleepover

Mikaella and Dana have a Sleepover

“I am so excited for our sleepover,” Dana exclaims to Mikaella.

“Me too.  What should we do first?”

“I have no clue…”

Mikaella sighs and thinks, “what about playing Simon?”

“Let’s ask the Magic 8 Ball.” Dana says as she lifts the ball.  She shakes it athen turns it over.  The little triangle surfaces and says “definetly yes” 

“Looks like the Magic 8 Ball wants us to play Simon,” declares Mikaella.

The girls sit down on Mikaella’s bed.  They put Simon between them and hit the start button.  

Beep the red botton lights up.  Dana pushes it.  Beep, boop the red botton flashes than the yellow one.  

Mikaella, pushes the button in sequenece.  Beep, boop, beep,  red, yellow, blue.  Dana quickly pushes the buttons.  

Now Simon starts getting faster, the lights flashing quickly and the accompaning melodic sound.  

Mikaella and Dana take turns hitting the sequence of buttons, repeating the sequence, until finally…merrrp.  Mikaella hits the wrong button in the sequence.

“Awww…” Mikaella says dissappointingly.

Dana giggles, “It’s alright.  We did pretty awesome!”

“True,” Mikaella agrees.  “Do you want to play again?”

“Ahhh…” Dana muses “Let’s play Barrel of Monkeys!”

Mikaella nods and gets the Barrel of Monkeys game.  

The girls take turns seeing who can pick up the most monkeys.  Dana  watches in awe as Mikaella picks up ever monkey to complete her strand!

“Wow…that is so cool!” Dana says, just as the string of monkey’s falls apart.  

Dana and Mikaella laugh as the pick up the monkeys and put them back in their barrel.

“What should we do next?” asks Dana.

“Let’s consult with the Magic 8 ball.” suggests Mikaella.  

“Oh Magic 8 Ball, should we have a pillow fight?”  She flips the Magic 8 Ball. “No?”

Dana laughs, “Can’t go against the Magic 8 Ball.  Better ask it something else.”

Mikaella shakes the Magic 8 Ball again while asking, “Oh Magic 8 Ball, should we dance?” The triangle appears with the words “Absolutely, positive.”  

Mikaella shows Dana.  She grabs the boombox, plugs in her iPhone, selects shuffle, and music starts playing.  

Mikaella begins dancing to the music. 

The two girls dance and sing to their favorite songs.  

Dana turns to Mikaella, “Watch this!” She spins as fast as she can, but looses her balance and falls back on the bed.

“You’re hilarious Dana,” Mikaella laughs as she picks up on of the pillows.  

She throws it at Dana.   Pffff…it hits Dana in the face. 

“Oh that’s how it’s going to be,” Dana says jokingly as she gets up from the bed.  Pillow in hand, she swings at Mikaella, bonking her on the head.  

Mikaella giggles and grabs a pillow, jumping up on the bed.  

They swat at each other, laughing as they do.  

Mikaella jumps off the bed and hits Dana.  Dana’s eyes get big and a determined look crosses her face.  

The girls smack each other with their pillows until finally Mikaella falls on her back on the bed. 

Dana laughs and sits at the end of the bed.  “Truce?” she asks, smiling.

“Truce.”  Mikaella conceeds.  

She laughs.  “Awww…we better go to bed.”

Dana agrees.  Mikaella bends down and pulls out the bottom bed for Dana to sleep on.  

Mikaella and Dana tuck them selves into the covers.  “Goodnight Mikaella.” Dana yawns.

“Goodnight Dana.”  

Mikaella says as she closes her eyes, drfiting off to sleep, she thinks “It’s awesome having great friends like Dana.”

Australia Mikaela Review

A New Australian Outfit for an Old Mikaella

Most of the new Australian Journey Girls are just re-releases of past years dolls with new outfits.  A few of the dolls have new features, like Callie's new hair and skin color, or Kelsey's new hair color and freckles.

Mikaella is one of the dolls that has not been changed at all.  She comes with a new outfit that includes a white lace dress, a sewn on belt, a green jacket, gray socks, a hair clip, a purse, and brown boots.

The dark green jacket almost looks military in style. It is mid-thigh length, just shorter than the dress. Made of a sturdy cotton the jacket has sewn cuffs on both of the arms as well as nice stitching along the edges of it.

There are four pockets on the front of the jacket, two on each side.  Except they really aren't pockets, just the top flaps of pockets.

There are also sewn in loops of cording with a spring loaded cord toggle on them on each side of the front.  They aren't long enough to be used to close the front of the jacket, they are more just decoration.

On the inner sides of the jacket, there are pieces of elastic that help keeps the jacket on and make it more form fitting.

It's a great piece that can be used for many other outfits.  Be aware that there are I-fasteners hiding near the collar and at the bottom of the jacket.

Clip them to take the jacket off.

The white dress is made of two layers; a top lace layer and a bottom cotton layer that the lace layer is attached to at the neckline.   The skirt is a bit short.   It stops high up on Mikaella's thigh, just hiding her underwear, and barely longer than her jacket.

It would be nice if it was a little closer to her knees.  A circle pattern runs throughout the lace, with larger circles that look like tires (with spokes) and smaller solid circles randomly placed around the larger one.

A simple rounded neckline and thick shoulder straps complete the simple but elegant dress.

Velcro runs up the bodice of the dress for easy on and off.

At first glance, the brown leather belt looks like it can be adjusted.  It kind of can.  It is sewn in at the back by the velcro and then again on the side seams.

The belt is so long that if you tighten it so that the dress is fitted, the strap goes all the way around Mikaella to her back.  There are no loops to hold the belt strap, so it hangs awkwardly.

It would be awesome to have this as a real accessory, not attached to the dress.  Or even if it was attached to the dress, maybe only be attached in the back.  Still, it adds to the outfits and looks nice.

Unlike Callie's boots, Mikaella's boots are old news.  The brown plastic boots have a huge gap in the back to make them easy to get on and off.

They are all one color.  Which is sad, since they could at least have different colored soles or laces.

Even though the boots aren't exciting, they go really well with the outfit.  Like Callie's outfit and boots, Mikaella's feels both pretty and rugged at the same time.

Hiding underneath her plain boots are some dark gray socks.  The top of the socks are folded down and hemmed to make a white cuff.

On my doll's socks, the cuffs are different lengths.  Kind of a tube sock, there is no real heel on the socks...but there kind of is.  Not a huge deal, except that the little heel is in an awkward place that turns the seem on the toes of the socks.  So there is a bit of extra flopping fabric at the end of the socks. Really not a big deal, more of an observation.

Mikaella also comes with a hair charm.  The gold butterfly charm is attached to a lavender bobby pin with a braid of purple, pink, and gold string.

A very simple little accessory.

Finally, Mikaella has an over the shoulder purse.  Made of leather, the light brown purse has a leopard print accent flap.

Held down with Velcro, the little purse can hold very little.  The strap comes folded up in the package, making it difficult to get on Mikaella's shoulders because of the folds that stay in the leather.  I'm sure with some more play, the folds will come out.

Rating
All ratings are out of 10

Value 8 – There is a lot to this outfit.  I only wish that you could get it without buying Mikaella.  I don't need another Mikaella doll, as I am sure is the case with some of you.  That being said, if you can sell the doll, or donate her, or customize her to become a new doll, the outfit is definitely worth the cost.  This is comparable to a $20 Journey Girl outfit.  The dress is made well, the jacket is nice (it would have been awesome with real pockets, the socks are nice, the boots are okay, and the hair charm and purse are nice little pieces.

Fitment 8 – I am surprised more and more at how things from Journey Girls don't really fit the Journey Girls!  The dress is short...just a little bit when Mikaella is standing, but a lot short when she sits.  The socks are not quite long enough to stick up over the boots and they fit funny.  Everything else fits great.

Versatility 9 – I like this outfit for its versatility.  The dress can be so incredibly fancy looking with the right shoes and accessories (even with the dumb sewn on belt).  The jacket can be used with lots of different outfits.  And the socks are a great addition, especially for outfits that are for exploring or being outside.  The boots, hair charm and purse can be used with just about any outfit.  Great pieces for your dolls wardrobe.

Cuteness 9 – Even though the dress is short, it is really cute.  And I love the contrast between the military style jacket and the lacy dress.  It makes for a really great outfit.  It's nice to have the pop of color in the hair charm.  Just a really cute outfit. (The second of the Australian bunch!)

Overall 8 – Without the doll, this outfit is a nine, because you have to buy the doll with the outfit it's an eight.  There isn't anything wrong with Mikaella; it would just be awesome to be able to get the outfit without having to buy another doll.  This outfit is another good quality, cute design, well thought out release.  In years past there have been half the dolls that I have skipped because their outfits were not very neat.  This year Toys R Us is going to take all of my money.  Lee, Callie, and Mikaella have all had very cute outfits.  If you don't have Mikaella, this doll is well worth the $40.  If you do have Mikaella...wait for a sale to pick up this really cute outfit!

AG Note

Guess what...the boots don't fit.  Neither do the socks.  Not surprising as they are difficult to get on Mikaella at times.

The socks get to Saraphina's ankles and then stop.  So no shoes or socks.

The dress fits, but just barely.  I really had to pull to get the Velcro latched, but it did stay velcroed.

The belt still has plenty of leftover length.

Although the jacket does fit, Saraphina can't raise her arms past her waist.

The jacket does stay close to her body, thanks to the pieces of elastic on the inside.

 Obviously, the hair charm and purse fit Saraphina just fine.  Overall this outfit would be worth the cost to share with your AG dolls.  I wouldn't buy it just for them though, as it really is very tight and prevents playability.