The future Disney princess, Rapunzel,  arrived in London to do some sightseeing before she is officially welcomed as the 10th Disney Princess character at a high profile, star-studded celebration that will take place in front of a global audience on October 2, 2011. Rapunzel will be visiting famous London landmarks every day this week (September 26-30) and taking pictures along her journey. Rapunzel stopped at the Thames riverside to admire the beautiful Tower Bridge in the glorious late September sunshine.

For her celebration, little princesses from across the globe will watch Rapunzel be welcomed into the Disney Princess royal court by Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Snow White and Tiana. As an official member of the Disney Princess court, she will be celebrated and recognized as such across Disney, and will be included in all Disney Princess products featuring multiple characters, in addition to her own merchandise line.

This actually does not surprise me at all based on the popularity of the Tangled movie!  I also expect that Rapunzel will be one of the top Halloween costumes for girls this year, too, as the costume is adorable.

I just finished reading a really interesting article in the Wall Street Journal, Attack of the Tall Dolls – Toy Companies Make Them Bigger to Keep Girls Playing With Them Longer, that talks about how the various toy companies are making dolls taller in attempt to help girls see their dolls more as companions and therefore play with them longer. As a phenomenon called “age compression” continues to occur with our society, what were activities generally enjoyed by 9-11 year olds are now the hits among 7-9 year olds. Girls are giving up baby dolls sooner – often by 7 – and hair styles, fashion and dolls with common interests are winning out with the 7-11 set.

So, what are the hot 18″ doll lines for girls ages 6-11 this Christmas?

	American Girl continues to lead the pack when it comes to “companion” dolls with its line of 18″ dolls that are meant to be a girls’ best friend. Their line of historical dolls and books are also popular with girls and Moms, alike. At $95 each, they are definitely pricey, but the dolls are high quality and can easily become keepsakes. American Girl released its online world, InnerstarU this summer as another way to keep today’s plugged in girls interested in their dolls a little longer. American Girl dolls are only available at AmericanGirl.com or at one of the nine American Girl stores.
	Best Friends Club, Ink dolls were introduced last fall, were a huge seller for Christmas 2009 and I fully expect the line to be a big seller again this holiday season! The BFC, Ink dolls are 18″ tall, have realistic eyes, bendable knees, wear contemporary clothes and come with a journal and a second outfit – all for a very affordable $40 (approx.) price tag. You can find the Best Friends Club dolls at major retailers such as Walmart and Target, but Amazon seems to have the most complete selection of the dolls and their accessories. (click for complete BFC collection at Amazon)
	Journey Girls, a new line of 18″ dolls from Toys R Us, features four different dolls each with different talents who like to do different things. Callie, Meredith, Alana and Taryn are the four different soft-bodied dolls. There is a line of clothes and accessories that is available for each doll as well.
	Disney’s attempt to keep doll fans playing with its products longer is its new line of Princess and Me 18″ dolls featuring its five most popular princesses – Tiana, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella and Belle. Each doll retails for about $50 and comes with an exclusive Disney Princess and Me magazine filled with a full-color photos, princess tips, princess quiz and royal ideas and an honorary princess certificate, plus additional accessories. The dolls are available through the Disney Store and you can purchase the Disney Princess and Me dolls through Amazon, too.
	The Kahn Lancaster Lucas group has introduced a line of 18″ dolls along with a line of doll and matching girl sized outfits. The dolls are manufactured by the legendary Alexander Co. and the dolls look very similar to the Favorite Friend line they had last year. The Dollie & Me dolls can be purchased at Sears.com (or in stores) and the line of matching doll and girl dresses can be found at Kohls and Amazon.
	Maplelea Girls are a line of 18″ dolls inspired by the girls of Canada. The collection of five dolls representing the girls from the various Canadian regions are high quality, 18? vinyl play dolls. Taryn, Brianne, Alexi, Jenna and Léonie. Maplelea dolls also have a complete line of furniture, clothes and accessories that go with the girls. You can read our complete review of the Maplelea Girl dolls here.

Other doll lines that are expected to be popular this holiday season also include:

• Moxie Teenz (14″ dolls)
• Barbie Fashionistas (11″ dolls)
• Karito Kids Giving Girls (21″ dolls)
• My Twinn The Just Like Me Doll: www.mytwinn.com (21″ dolls)

The court of Disney Princesses was joined by Anika Noni Rose (“Tiana”) and a host of celebrity guests as Tiana was officially crowned the ninth member of the beloved Disney Princess Royal Court. A magical ceremony took place in the Grand Ballroom at the historic New York Palace in Manhattan. As the newest Disney Princess, Tiana will forever be celebrated and recognized as a Disney Princess across all divisions of the Walt Disney Company and will be included in all Disney Princess merchandise featuring multiple Disney Princess characters.

The event celebrated the arrival of The Princess and the Frog on Disney Blu-Ray and DVD, which releases March 16th. Nominated for three Academy Awards®, The Princess and the Frog transports audiences to glorious, glamorous New Orleans as Tiana, the newest Disney Princess meets her frog prince and gives him the fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical, magical bayous of Louisiana.

The new princess has opened up a totally new set of activities, Princess Tiana costumes and toys, Princess and the Frog birthday party ideas, Princess Tiana coloring pages and even her own line of beauty Magical Beauty products!

Additionally she has her own cookbook – here is a recipe that is fun to make and tastes so yummy, too.

Tiana’s Famous Beignets

Makes 14 to 16
(pages 6-7 in The Princess and the Frog: Tiana’s Cookbook)

Reprinted from the book DISNEY’S THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG TIANA’S COOKBOOK RECIPES FOR KIDS. Copyright © 2009 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Published by Disney Press, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup water
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil, for frying
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium bowl, combine 23/4 cups of the flour with the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Whisk everything together.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, water, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour mixture from Step 1.

3. Use some of the remaining flour to dust your work surface. Place the dough on it and pat it into a large 1/2 -inch-thick square. Dust the top with more flour if it gets sticky. Next, slice the dough into 21/2 -inch squares.

4. Now it’s time to fry the beignets—be sure to ask an adult to help you! Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy saucepan on the stovetop until the temperature reaches 325° on a deep-fat thermometer. Check the temperature every so often while cooking. If it gets too hot, temporarily turn the heat down, or off.

5. Carefully drop 3 dough squares at a time into the hot oil. Fry them for 3 minutes, turn them over, and continue frying for 3 more minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beignets to a wire rack set atop paper towels to drain. Dust the beignets with confectioners’ sugar, and enjoy!

Each of my kids has a set of ornaments that are themed that I add to each year. I have been buying the Holiday Barbie ornaments to go with my older daughter’s collection of Holiday Barbies each year. For my younger daughter I collected as many of the Hallmark American Girl Ornaments I could once they were retired.

My youngest has always had a special place in her heart for the Disney Princesses. I just found this very pretty series of Princess ornaments from Disney – I love the extra dramatic dresses. This series is also special because it is the first series to feature the new Princess, Tiana. Something tells me I may have to start a new collection for her!

(click on images for ordering information)

Disney Princess Sparkling Dreams Illuminated Ornament Collection Disney "My Princess Of A Granddaughter" Personalized Christmas Ornament The Princess Catherine Royal Elegance Limited-Edition Ornament Pack of 6 Princess Olivia the Pig In Pink Dress Glass Christmas Ornaments 5" Pack of 6 Glass Princess Dora the Explorer & Santa Diego Christmas Ornaments Club Pack of 12 "Rose Princess" Fairy Christmas Ornaments 5.25" Club Pack of 12 "Proud Princess" Christmas Ornaments 4" Club Pack of 12 Butterfly Princess Christmas Ornaments 4.75" 6.5" Princess Garden Green Merry Frog Glitter Christmas Ornament Carlton Cards Heirloom Pomeranian Princess Puppy Love Gift Christmas Ornament Pink Ballerina Princess Mouse with Striped Tutu Christmas Ornament 6" Silky Pampered Princess Heart Pillow Christmas Ornament #C3189 3.5" Princess Garden Green Maple Leaf Glitter Christmas Ornament Disney Princess Ear Hat Ornament

Buzz is definitely building around the new Disney Princess Tiana from the upcoming Princess and the Frog movie scheduled for a November/December premier. Princess Tiana is Disney’s first new princess in years and the first African American princess to be added to the princess posse. Some of her merchandise from the dolls, costumes, and books are starting to show up in stores.

I have a feeling that the Princess Tiana halloween costume is going to be a big hit this year:

Child Disney Princess Tiana
Price: $29.99
This Halloween dress your little princess as Disney’s newest Princess Tiana from The Princess And the Frog movie. Costume Includes:, Dress with layered skirt and attached Princess Tiana character cameo, This licensed Disney Princess costume is great for every day dress up in addition to Halloween, Also makes a great gift.

Here are a few of the dolls:

Disney The Princess and The Frog Princess Tiana Doll

Disney Just One Kiss Princess Tiana Doll

And some of the books include:

• The Princess and the Frog: Tiana’s Cookbook: Recipes for Kids
• The Princess and the Frog: Princess Tiana and the Royal Ball
• Learn to Draw Disney’s The Princess and the Frog (Licensed Learn to Draw)
• Disney Princess and the Frog Movie Theater Storybook and Movie Projector

And it looks like there are Wii and DS games set to go with the movie (of course):

• Princess and the Frog (DS)
• Princess and the Frog (Wii)

Princess Tiana is definitely one of the more beautiful Disney Princesses in my opinion! Her movie is based on the fairy tale – The Tale Of The Frog Prince and has been remixed and is now set in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

The theme will quickly become one of the most popular birthday party themes, I’m sure, and her toys and games will be hot this holiday season too. Here are some of our favorites (click on image for ordering info).

Princess and the Frog Ultimate Party Pack Princess and the Frog Party Blowers Princess and the Frog Cake Topper Princess and the Frog Bayou Edible Icing Cake Topper Princess and the Frog Cake Plates Girls Princess Tiana Costume – Disney’s Princess And The Frog Costumes Baby and Toddler Felicia Frog Costume – Baby Animal Costumes Girls Deluxe Princess Tiana Costume – Disney’s Princess And The Frog Costumes Girls Deluxe Shimmer Princess Tiana Costume – The Princess And The Frog Costumes Princess Tiana Wand – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Princess Tiana Shoes – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Princess Tiana Tiara – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Disney Princess Lenticular Puzzle 48-Piece – Ariel/Jasmine/Tiana Disney Princess Sparkling Princess Princess Tiana Doll Dinsey Princess Tiana Mini Cosmetic Kit Disney Princess Tiana and Naveen Wedding Set Tin Purse Carry All – Princess Tiana Adult Princess Tiana Costume – Disney Princess Costumes Princess Tiana Shimmer Deluxe Exc Disney Princess Tiana Bayou Wedding Dress Doll Disney "Princess Tiana In Blue Ballgown" Articulated Fashion Doll EK Disney Sticker Large Princess Tiana EK Disney Sticker 3D Princess Tiana Frog Princess Personalized Invitation Princess and the Frog Invitations Princess and the Frog Invitations (8) Princess and the Frog Favor Set Princess and the Frog Deluxe Favor Set Princess and the Frog Favor Boxes Princess and the Frog Party Favor Box Princess and the Frog Lip Gloss Necklaces (4) Disney Princess and the Frog Basic Party Pack Disney Princess and the Frog Deluxe Party Pack & 8 Favor Boxes

Denise at Doll Collecting was one of the lucky ones to go to the Toy Fair this year and see some of the products to be released in the near future. I am really excited to see Disney’s new Princess Tiana, the first african-american Disney princess, and the star of the upcoming movie The Princess and the Frog (release date Christmas 2009).

The doll, made by Mattel, comes with a frog that asks for a kiss – how cute is that? From Denise’s photo, Princess Tiana looks like she is a perfect fit in the Disney princess family and I just love her eyes!

The theme will quickly become one of the most popular birthday party themes, I’m sure, and her toys and games will be hot this holiday season too. Here are some of our favorites (click on image for ordering info).

Princess and the Frog Ultimate Party Pack Princess and the Frog Party Blowers Princess and the Frog Cake Topper Princess and the Frog Bayou Edible Icing Cake Topper Princess and the Frog Cake Plates Girls Princess Tiana Costume – Disney’s Princess And The Frog Costumes Baby and Toddler Felicia Frog Costume – Baby Animal Costumes Girls Deluxe Princess Tiana Costume – Disney’s Princess And The Frog Costumes Girls Deluxe Shimmer Princess Tiana Costume – The Princess And The Frog Costumes Princess Tiana Wand – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Princess Tiana Shoes – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Princess Tiana Tiara – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Disney Princess Lenticular Puzzle 48-Piece – Ariel/Jasmine/Tiana Disney Princess Sparkling Princess Princess Tiana Doll Dinsey Princess Tiana Mini Cosmetic Kit Disney Princess Tiana and Naveen Wedding Set Tin Purse Carry All – Princess Tiana Adult Princess Tiana Costume – Disney Princess Costumes Princess Tiana Shimmer Deluxe Exc Disney Princess Tiana Bayou Wedding Dress Doll Disney "Princess Tiana In Blue Ballgown" Articulated Fashion Doll EK Disney Sticker Large Princess Tiana EK Disney Sticker 3D Princess Tiana Frog Princess Personalized Invitation Princess and the Frog Invitations Princess and the Frog Invitations (8) Princess and the Frog Favor Set Princess and the Frog Deluxe Favor Set Princess and the Frog Favor Boxes Princess and the Frog Party Favor Box Princess and the Frog Lip Gloss Necklaces (4) Disney Princess and the Frog Basic Party Pack Disney Princess and the Frog Deluxe Party Pack & 8 Favor Boxes

A very popular Halloween costume for girls is the princess, but there are so many fabulous princess costumes to choose from! The best part about little girls and costumes is that everyday can be dress up day and that means Halloween Costumes tend to live a much longer life.

Emily Rose Doll Clothes has some really cute matching girl and doll costumes for Halloween! And they are offering free shipping right now, too!! Just enter hallofree with your order to take advantage of this great offer.

There are matching costumes for Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel. Additionally there are costumes just for dolls like Dorothy, a witch, a brownies uniform, doctor’s scrubs and more.

The new Disney Princess Enchanted Tales – Follow Your Dreams DVD is an hour of true Disney enchantment. There are two short movies – one featuring Jasmine from Aladdin and the other featuring Aurora from Sleeping Beauty – tied together through the theme of perserverance.

In addition to the two story segments, the DVD includes:

• Aurora Dress-Up game
• Find Sahara game
• “You’ll Never Lose This Love” music video featuring Belle

In true Disney form, the stories have a message – if you believe in yourself you can achieve great things.

When I saw the announcement that Disney is introducing its first new princess in 10 years, I was excited. My daughter loves all the princesses and their stories. They are very diverse and beautiful in their own ways. The fact that this new princess, Tiana (originally it was reported that her name would be Maddy), is black is really not here nor there as far as I’m concerned – she is beautiful!

She will be the lead character in the 2009 animated release of The Princess and the Frog (The Frog Princess), an American fairytale set in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The musical will be scored by Randy Newman and I’m sure it will be an instant hit.

UPDATE: This Disney masterpiece will be hand drawn. Voices cast for the film include: Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, and Keith David as Dr. Facilier.

The Princess and The Frog, especially its lead character Tiana,  will quickly become one of the most popular birthday party themes, and her toys and games will be hot this holiday season too. Here are some of our favorites (click on image for ordering info).

Princess and the Frog Ultimate Party Pack Princess and the Frog Party Blowers Princess and the Frog Cake Topper Princess and the Frog Bayou Edible Icing Cake Topper Princess and the Frog Cake Plates Girls Princess Tiana Costume – Disney’s Princess And The Frog Costumes Baby and Toddler Felicia Frog Costume – Baby Animal Costumes Girls Deluxe Princess Tiana Costume – Disney’s Princess And The Frog Costumes Girls Deluxe Shimmer Princess Tiana Costume – The Princess And The Frog Costumes Princess Tiana Wand – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Princess Tiana Shoes – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Princess Tiana Tiara – The Princess And The Frog Costume Accessories Disney Princess Lenticular Puzzle 48-Piece – Ariel/Jasmine/Tiana Disney Princess Sparkling Princess Princess Tiana Doll Dinsey Princess Tiana Mini Cosmetic Kit Disney Princess Tiana and Naveen Wedding Set Tin Purse Carry All – Princess Tiana Adult Princess Tiana Costume – Disney Princess Costumes Princess Tiana Shimmer Deluxe Exc Disney Princess Tiana Bayou Wedding Dress Doll Disney "Princess Tiana In Blue Ballgown" Articulated Fashion Doll EK Disney Sticker Large Princess Tiana EK Disney Sticker 3D Princess Tiana Frog Princess Personalized Invitation Princess and the Frog Invitations Princess and the Frog Invitations (8) Princess and the Frog Favor Set Princess and the Frog Deluxe Favor Set Princess and the Frog Favor Boxes Princess and the Frog Party Favor Box Princess and the Frog Lip Gloss Necklaces (4) Disney Princess and the Frog Basic Party Pack Disney Princess and the Frog Deluxe Party Pack & 8 Favor Boxes