Spicy Style: Be different!

Browsing through our Spicy Style posts, you will notice that all are photos look alike! Now, I know that it's the style of The Spicys, but every now in then it's a good thing to think (and photograph!) outside of the box. We'll talk about that in a photography post later, but for now  a Spicy Style with somewhat different pictures and a COMPLETELY beautiful dress!

Isn't this dress just so fabulous?!? It's from EverythingNice4Dolls, and it's is VERY nice, don't you think? More than nice actually, it's wonderful!  My favorite thing about it is the subtle sparkle in the fabric - can you spot it? And what Spicy doesn't love a hot pink dress with a bow?!?

I hope you all are having a marvelous weekend - we started off our day with waffles and now we are considering taking a dip in the pool. It feels as if it's already Summer here - but we LOVE Summer so we really can't complain! Thanks again to Everything Nice4 dolls for gifting us with this ADORABLE dress - we all love it So very much!

 Much Love,
Chrissa Grace and the gang

dress c/o Everything Nice 4 Dolls

Coming up soon: Link Love!

As another month closes, it's time to do one of our most favorite things: Link Love! Link Love is super special, and it only happens once a month! What is it?? It's a post where we share some of our favorite links from around blog land - and your blog could be featured! To see your self on a Link Love post....

• send us a link to your blog
• send us 2-3 photos and a small caption
• email to thespicysdollblog@gmail.com

Sounds fun right!? We can't wait to see what you've been up to! And one more thing, if you've already been featured, you can still submit - we'd love to have you more than once!

Happy Friday Lovies!

XOXO, CAROLINE!

Mini Braid Remix for short haired dolls!

Remember our last mini braids post? It was a while ago, so we thought it was high time to bring back some of our most favorite braids! A remix is a fun way of reinventing a classic - just like the mini braid! This braid is special because you actually loosen it during the braiding! Make sense? If not (or if so!) read on to see our Mini Braid Remix!

Alright, the first step is SUPER simple. Find the front section of your hair and separate it from the bunch! Try to keep it pretty small, about a half inch section will do.

 The next step is to braid ONCE. I know that sounds confusing, but just do one braid motion then stop.

Now it's time to do our fun little twist! See the top section of the braid that is away from the face? Grab it with your finger and pull it out just a bit, creating a loop!

Continue all the way down the braid repeating the last step. Doesn't it look so cool? And it's so very simple too, you'll get the hang of it in NO time!

Finally, secure the braid with an elastic and pull back with a bobby pin. You can do this on both sides or one - your pick!

I just love this simple style! I think it is very flattering, what do you think? My sisters and I will be doing these ALL summer long! I don't know about you, but I think our mini braid remix was successful and FUN! Cheers to mini braids!

xoxo,
Chrissa Grace

more info...
Chrissa's top: Releaserain Doll Shop
Chrissa's skirt: DIY, tutorial HERE.
More hairstyles for short haired dolls: Half-Updo and French Braids

Sew a Spring Garden Skirt

When spring hits, we dollies always get the urge to sew! Are you the same way? After looking at about 10 million different patterns, we finally decided on a simple, simple one that we could manage. In 15 minutes, we had each made ourselves a beautiful skirt! Take 15 minutes, and you'll have one too!

STEP ONE: Gather fabric (we used a fat quarter from Jo-Anns, and it was plenty!) Elastic, a sewing machine (or if you are brave, try it by hand!) a safety pin, sewing pins and snips

STEP TWO: Cut 4 squares that are 5" by 5". But really, you can make them any length you want! This is a shorter skirt, but you could try making a maxi or a midi.

STEP THREE: With right sides together, sew each square together so you have one long strip.

STEP FOUR: Fold one long end under 1/4 and Iron

STEP FIVE: Using a 1/8 inch seam allowance, hem down the piece you just ironed.

STEP SIX: Fold and iron the other long side of the fabric 1/4 of an inch then fold over 5/8 of an inch and sew. You should be creating a small casing!

STEP SEVEN: Hook your elastic into your clothes pin. We used 1/4 inch elastic.

STEP EIGHT: Thread your elastic through the casing.

STEP NINE: Gather the skirt by pulling on the elastic. Measure around your doll's waist - don't make it too tight! (we speak from experience!) When you've got the right length, stitch THE CASING closed and trim off any excess fabric.

STEP TEN: With right sides together, sew up the back with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

The recipe for a perfect day includes wearing a spring garden skirt, and venturing into a spring garden, of course! Make sure to arm yourself with a basket to hold all the flowers you pick and, of course, - a delicious picnic snack!

Here's to a warm Spring day, and a beautiful new skirt to go with it! Happy Sewing my dollie friends!

XOXO,
Chrissa Grace

Who Will She Be? Kay's Thoughts!

YIKES! Is it already time to start thinking about the GOTY for 2014? Holly and I have been busy thinking about her...or at least who we think she should be! Just like last year, we will share who we think she will be...starting off with Kay's thoughts!

"I'm hoping that the GOTY for 2014 will be really girly and sweet! I, for some reason, keep thinking she will come with a baking set (??? not sure why?) but I think that would be neat!  I imagine her to have a lot of great girly hobbies - such as photography, baking, sewing and crafting and fashion! I would love for her to have shoulder length straight blond hair with blue eyes. And just like last year, I'm still pulling for an ethnic doll! I would love it if she was Norwegian or Swedish - I've heard rumors she is dancer so she may have a Russian background. And I think it's time for AG to highlight a doll that comes from the south (have there been any southern GOTY's?) A southern belle would be fine by me!


And now that you know MY thoughts, it's time to tell yours! What will she look like? What are her hobbies - you tell me!

Have a great day dollfriends!!
XOXO,
Kay


PS: We will be back with more "Who Will She Be" posts soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

The name of our flamingo friend!

Hi Spicys! Guess what time it is?! It's time to announce the name of our Flamingo pal! In our last post about him, we asked for your advice on some sweet flamingo names - and you sure helped us out! Thanks for suggesting so many FAB names, you all are the best! Thanks to YOU, we've finally picked a name for our new pet...SO ARE YOU READY?!?!

FRED ALFREDO III

Well, we went with our gut and named him Fred. But of course, we LOVE middle names, so Alfredo for sure (although we LOVED Mingo also!) Maybe we just need to get Fred a friend and name her Mingo? Sounds like a plan to me!

XOXO, THE SPICYS GANG + FRED ALFREDO III

Blog Basics: Blogging PRESSURE!

As I'm sure you all know, there are a lot of FABULOUS doll blogs out there! From crafty blogs, to ones with GREAT photos to all around doll FUN, it is a joy to be in a community with so many AWESOME bloggers! But as bloggers ourselves, it can sometimes be a little intimidating to try and keep up with all the exciting ideas and new posts of other bloggers. Today, we'll be chatting about how to not feel pressure from others. Something you struggle with? Then stick around!

1. Remember that you have something different to offer!
If you feel as if your blog is inferior to the rest, remember that your blog has strengths that other blogs don't have, and vice versa. Next time a wave of doubt hits, try celebrating the things that make your blog unique and special. Whether it's your cute writing style or your fab photos, celebrate what  makes your blog different!


2. Don't look!
Sometimes when I'm feeling like our blog is a failure compared to others, I force myself to not look at those blogs! Why? Well, I for one put too much pressure on myself to blog just like those people, so if I'm not reading those blogs, my head is cleared, and I don't even know what they are up too! Just take a step back for a few days and focus on your blog, instead of mulling over others!


3. Work Harder!
We Spicys find that we feel inadequate when we are ....um...being a bit lazy! So instead of moping about what could be done and so on, we try to get our rears in gear and start working on projects that will make our blog more of what we want it to become. Stay positive and keep working hard, it's the best way to feel you are moving toward success.

Keep blogging strong girls! And what are your tips for when a blogger is feeling down? Feel free to share by leaving a comment, or emailing us your thoughts!

XOXO!


In case you were wondering....
Carolines dress: Target
Chrissa's top: All Dolled Up
Backdrop: Fiesta Photobooth