Journey Girl's Sequin Pop-Star Dress

Chavonne Shows Off her Inner Pop Star with Journey Girl's New Outfit

New outfits for the Journey Girls were released back in September...and I am finally getting around to reviewing the outfits.   One of the most interesting outfits that was released was the Sequin Pop-Star dress.  It includes a one piece top and skirt, knee-high boots, cat ears headband, and a fabric microphone.  A very different outfit from what has been released in the past.  Let's take a look at the outfit.

Since the top and skirt are attached, we will look at that first.  The skirt is a simple black material with tulle over it.  Stopping just above the knees, the skirt flares out at the waist.  It would be nice if the skirt was separate from the top, but it makes sense that it was made this way.  Separating the skirt from the top is a black ribbon. 

Similar to the skirt, the top is made of two layers.  The underneath layer is a white material, similar to the material we see on the inside of many of the Journey Girls outfits to help with color transfer, with a black fishnet material over it.  Attached to the material are gold and rainbow colored sequins.  Arranged in a few different designs, the gold sequins are in vertically lines, flower shapes, and curled lines. 

Between the gold designs are curled designs of multi colored sequins in a rainbow pattern.  Filling the front and back, the sequins go all around the top.  Like most outfits this one has Velcro up but the length is different.the back to make it simple to get on and off.  Even though the skirt and top are not separate, this is still a really nice outfit.

New shoes are always nice.  These boots are similar to some of the boots that have been released in the past, but the length is different.  These are the first that I know of that go to the knees, or just above the knees. 

The normal plastic style of shoe/boot will not work with this style of boot, so Journey Girls made the boot out of fabric.  Like most of the new shoes, these have the slippery plastic soles.  Attached to the soles is a black semi stretchy material that makes up the boot.  To me the material makes the boot feel more like a sock than a boot, but it does make it easier to get on than a stiffer material would.  At the top of the of the boot are strings to tighten the boot and keep it up on Chavonne's legs. 

I think the little bow at the back of the boot is cute.  The best thing about these boots is that they are the perfect match to the top.  They really pull this outfit together!

Often times hair accessories are elastic with something on them...a bow, a flower, some sequins.  Little cat ears have not been done before.  And glitter cat ears at that!  That's right, atop the ribbon and elastic headband, two little fuchsia cat ears stand up at attention. 

The fuchsia matches the color in the top.   A very cute and creative addition to an original style outfit.

Probably the most interesting part of this outfit is the microphone, for many reasons.  First, it is an accessory with a story.  Purses and headbands can be for anything.  A pink sparkly microphone can only be for a pop star.  Okay, maybe not only for a pop star, but it does say confidence and awesomeness if you do anything with a pink microphone.  Second, the microphone is made of fabric.  An interesting choice for an object that is normally made of plastic or metal.   It is kind of like it's supposed to be a fun pillow rather than an actual microphone. 

Third, it's a new and thoughtful accessory, in my mind, made especially for Chavonne.  Why Chavonne?  When the Journey Girls were originally introduced they each had a story and personality. 

The Japan line mentions each girl's interests on their boxes, but not to the degree that the original stories were fleshed out.  Originally, Chavonne was the singer of the group.  It is awesome to see accessories that go along with the girl's personalities.  Two complaints with the microphone (both minor).  One; is that this microphone is huge and does not fit in Chavonne's hand very well.  And two; the tag on it is larger than the microphone.  

You can't even tuck it anywhere.  Spare yourself the frustration, just cut it off. Other than that...I love it!  A plastic one just couldn't get the glitter and look of this fabric one.

All ratings are out of 10

Value 8 – It would be awesome to have the skirt separate from the top, but it also makes sense that it is not.  There are a couple of new accessories in this set, plus new boots, which help the value.  Like most of the Japan line, this outfit is well made.

Fitment 9 – Besides the microphone, everything fits well.   The boots can be a little bit of a challenge getting over the foot, but then they slip on easily.  As with the blue outfit, this one is a baggier than Journey Girls outfits of the past.   It still fits and looks good, it's just loose compared to past outfits.

Versatility 7 – More versatility would have been available if the skirt was separate from the top, but even with them attached there is some versatility to the outfit.   This could be a fancier outfit if paired with the right shoes and maybe a scarf or sweater.  The boots are the most versatile part of the outfit.  Cat ear headbands have some versatility...but can't be used for every outfit.   And although I would love to have a pink glitter microphone to speak into at all times, it's probably not usefully for everyday outfits.

Cuteness 9 – I love the colored sequins on the top.  The skirt is a simple but cute design.  And the boots really help make the outfit.   I can't forget about the cutest part of the outfit...the glitter cat ears.  Just saying "glitter cat ears" is cute.  This is a very fun outfit that fits Chavonne's personality perfectly.

Overall 8 – This is a strong 8.  The outfit is made really well, it is very cute, and it has some great new accessories.  There are no real issues, just small things that can be improved on.  This is definitely an outfit that you should pick up.  It is well worth the $14.99.  Find it on Amazon.

Kyla's Hocking Hills Vacation 5

Day 5: Old Man's Cave Upper Falls

On the last day a Hocking Hills, Kyla ventures down to one of the most spectacular waterfalls at the park, Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave.  It is also one of the easiest to get to.  So she decides to bring her easel and paint the waterfall.

The beach is  surrounded by caverns and trees.  A beautiful lake of blue, green water is at the base of the waterfall.  Caves surround the area, some deeper than others.

The water falls over the lip, pools at the base of the caverns surrounding the lake, then falls into the green, blue waters.

Kyla sets up her easel on the beach across from the waterfall.  She sets her paints up, hanging them on the easel's leg.  Picking up her palette, she begins to add colors that she will use.

She studies the waterfall intensely to get all of the details.  She wants her painting to be as beautiful as the real thing.  Starting with the falls she paints the water falling over the edge.

Continually glancing back at the scene, she paints the falls, then she works on the caverns and the surroundings next, detailing the rocks and the vegetation.

When she finally finishes, she steps back from her painting and looks from it to the waterfall.  She nods her head in approval.

After picking up her supplies and returning them to the car, Kyla explores the area a lite more.  Here she can get right next to the walls of the caves.

Unlike some of the other walls that were just the sandstone, these walls are covered in vegetation.  She loves the little plants that carpet the walls of the caverns.   At the back of the area where the waterfall is, a large tree with it's roots exposed canopies most of the pool.

Kyla loves climbing on the roots.  It's fascinating to see how many roots there are and how far out they go.  She figures that the roots are almost as big as the canopy of the tree.   She follows the stream for a little bit to see where it goes, and then turns around, heading back to the blue green lake.  Stopping to take one more photo of herself by the lake before she goes back to the car.  It's time to make the 12 hour trip home.  Thanks Hocking Hills!  It's been fun!

Kyla's Hocking Hill Vacation 4

Day 4: Cantwell Cliffs

Kyla wakes up the next morning to the sun shining with no rain clouds in view.  A combination that makes for a humid morning, but Kyla doesn't mind.  It's still beautiful.  When choosing her next hike the day before she chose the Cantwell Cliffs, one of the more difficult trails.  It seems normal when she first starts, then she gets to a set of stairs.

A narrow, steep staircase with the rock steps only about 2 feet wide and 6 inches deep leads down into the ravine.

Creating a long, steep, narrow path, Kyla has to pay attention to her footing, stopping a few times, to make sure the rock steps are under foot.

Once she gets to the end of the narrow stairway the rocks and woods open up onto a rocky ledge that over look a ravine of trees and rock.  A thin waterfall falls from the lip of the cliffs into the ravine below.

Following the ravine, the trail snakes back and forth to the forest floor, cliffs looming on ether side.

Small runoff waterfalls litter the trail, trickling down from the beautiful rock  cliffs.

At one point in the trail a long fallen pine tree looms over the path, like a bridge for squirrels.  Kyla thinks of walking on it, but decides that standing underneath the bridge is much safer.

Rocks jut from the earth along the trail, covered in green moss.  Kyla can not believe all of the wonderful sights along the trail.

The bright whites and tans of the sand stone contrast with the luscious green of the moss and plants.  Kyla stops for photos often as she walks.

As she nears the end of the trail, she comes to a spot that has a narrow wooden staircase leading to a crack in the rock cliff.  From the bottom of the staircase the crack looks only inches wide.

When she climbs the stairs she realizes that you can walk through the crack.  Sliding through sideways, she comes out at the bottom of the staircase that she began her trek down.

She is so fascinated by the crack that she goes back through to explore.   It is a small crack, no more than 2 feet across at it's widest and closer to a foot wide in the narrowest part.

Such a simple geological structure, but so amazing.   Kyla is very glad that she was able to go through this trail.

Walking back through the crack, she climbs the narrow rock stairs that started the trail.   It was a difficult trail, but beautiful.  She then head back to the cabin to rest, and get ready for the following day.   Her last in Hocking Hills.

Kyla's Hocking Hill Vacation 3

Day 3: Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Kyla makes it back to the cabin just as the rain begins.  It pours!  All night long it rains, and doesn't stop through the next day.  Kyla finds things to do inside the cabin.  First she maps out what else she wants to do in her last two days in the park.

She finds the waterfalls and sights she wants to see and checks the routes.

She is excited to go hiking, if the rain would ever stop!  She looks out the window longingly, but there is no sign that the rain is going to let up.

Kyla takes out some of her art supplies and begins creating.  Her mind wonders as she doodles, imagining unicorns and dragons.  Thinking about her adventures so far.  Her brain is full of thoughts as she draws and hums.

She hopes for a nice day tomorrow, wanting to paint a landscape of one of the waterfalls.  She checks her phone...it looks like tomorrow is going to be beautiful, but today is all rain.

Before she knows it, it's time for bed.  She gets dressed in her monster nightgown, grabs her stuffed unicorn, and mulls around the cabin trying to decide if she should sleep, or draw a few more pictures before bed.

Finally she lies down, excited for tomorrow.  Hoping that the forecast is right.   Clutching her unicorn, she slowly drifts off to sleep.

Kyla's Hocking Hill Vacation 2

Day 2: Kayaking and Whispering Falls

Waking up early, Kyla used part of her second day to go kayaking.  She started at the waterfall she had seen yesterday, in Ash Cave, and paddled along the stream a mile or so.

She made her way through rocks and small rapids.  The water moved quickly is some areas, but slowed considerably when the stream widened out She marveled at all the greenery.

Hocking Hills had rain almost the entire week before she came, so the plant life was extremely lush.  She really enjoyed seeing some of the tree roots that stuck out from the banks.   The earth that surrounded them, washed away over time.

It is a wonderful adventure going down the stream.  The current never goes fast enough that Kyla feels unsafe, but it moves her along so that she only has to steer with her paddle.

After kayaking, Kyla starts on another hike to see a waterfall and the largest cavern in the park.   She hikes along the edge of rock cliffs, always watching where she is stepping.  The path is wide, but rocky.

Walls of sandstone rise on her right side, with layers of different sediment coloring the rock.

Caves, caverns, and rocks are common sites as she trudges along the path.  A few people pass her as she hikes, but not nearly as many as on other trails.

When she gets to the end of the trail she is amazed at the size of the cavern.  It is huge!!!

The waterfall is a trickle, and nothing fantastic, but the cavern is amazing.

She explores the cavern, walking to the end of the path where rocks have fallen over the years.

Climbing on and around them she find a different view of the cavern.   It is amazing.

For a few more minutes she wonders around, exploring the rocks, the wall, and the view from the cavern.

It is an awesome sight.  As she heads back to the cabin, some dark clouds begin to cover the sky.