In which I get loads of scratches and also a mosquito bite

WOOOOOO GUESS WHO TOOK PICTURES TODAY?!

Me, that's who!

Where I usually go to take pictures is in these woods by my house, with lots of branches and bugs and general nature.

Now I love nature. I do. But I really don't like bugs.

So, I mostly spent the entire journey going:

"I am not a wimp. I am not a wimp. I am NOT a wimp."

And then I finished taking my pictures and booked it outta there. 

But what do I always say after a bad photoshoot experiences?

"Well, at least the pictures turned out good."

And today was no exception.

That last one is bothering me so much but I'm too lazy to go fix in Picmonkey.

Anyway, changing topics, thanks twelve million to Adi for my new blog design! Isn't it perfect?! I really love it.

And one more thing, I'm going to be doing a Runaway Princess preimire party in a few months, so I would love it if you could comment some questions for the cast to answer! I'm going to have a page up soon, so unless you've got a burning question right now, you don't have to comment them on this post. 

Just a heads up.

*twiddles thumbs*

Yep, I think that's all. Have a fabulous weekend, lovely people! 

The Runaway Princess Season Finale

__________________________________________

I walked down the hallway silently, hoping no one would hear me. Suddenly, voices echoed from around the corner.

"I think the little sister is just adorable, she was so polite when I helped her with her bath."

"That may be, but she does seem rather quiet.

I had to hide before they saw me. I saw a door a few feet in front of me and dashed to it, praying that it wasn't locked.

Thankfully it was open, and I slipped inside in the nick of time. 

I looked around at my hiding spot. It looked like a regular attic. But then I noticed the writing on the music book:

"Bridget Chase."

This room was filled with everything that used to be my sister's. It hadn't been enough for our parents to simply banish her, they had packed up her whole life, leaving no memory in the castle of the rebel princess.

Suddenly I noticed something in the corner.

"What's this?"

I picked it up the tattered notebook that was scrawled over with doodles. With a shock, I realized what it was: my sister's diary.

"Oh my gosh."

I sat down and flipped it open. One of the first entries stared up at me: my birthday. 

April 11

Today Ali was born. I can't believe I finally have a baby sister! Mom and Dad say she's a miracle. Why I'm not a miracle, I don't know. I'm crown princesss, after all! Oh well. Anyway, Ali is perfect and super adorable. I'm so excited to teach her to ride horses, and climb trees. It's going to be the best fun ever! 

I paged through the rest of entries, reading about Bridget's descent into isolation, and then the joy of her newfound love. From what the journal said, he seemed like a great guy. 

Finally, in the back of the journal, I found a picture. It was of Bridget and me, when I was around two. I was grinning up at her while she guided me through the halls of the palace. We both looked so peaceful and content, that feeling descended on me, too.

 I stood up. That picture had stirred something in me.

I was safe in my sister's house, free from the restrictions of the palace. I was fourteen, but I hadn't really lived at all.

It was time to discover who Ali was.

ONE YEAR

One year ago today, I started this blog. 

I had been begging my parents for weeks to let me have one, and finally they consented.

I rushed to the computer and created a blog called ToDOLLy Awesome - my favorite name of all the ones I had brainstormed. 

I fiddled with the design for ages, and then I typed out my very first post. I wasn't really sure what I was doing, and I worked on it forever. My mom kept telling me to go to bed, and I kept asking her for five more minutes. Five more minutes.

I went to bed that evening so excited I couldn't sleep. Visions of photoshoots, giveaways, and crafts danced in my head. 

I rushed home from school the next day and posted my first pictures - awful, horrible, grainy shots taken with my phone. Then the next day I posted a dorm room tour. Then a photostory. And with each post, I gained a little more confidence.

My blog was originally really similar to Fun with AG Fan, but slowly I progressed from there. I ordered clothes from Etsy, figured out how to make my own headers, and thought of new post ideas. I found my blogging voice. 

And now, one year and two dolls later, here I am. 

Honestly, I can't say how much it means to me to be part of this community. I've become friends with some amazing people, and learned about the neatest stuff. 

I mean, where would I be if I couldn't text Maddie about Percy Jackson, or fangirl with Shelby-Grace over Aspen Heights? If I couldn't talk about Taylor Swift with Hannah, or drool over Adi's photos? If I couldn't be friends with all of you? 

Frankly I don't know. 

So thank you for supporting me.

Thanks you for being there for me.

And when we get down to it, thanks for being todolly awesome. 

Here's to another fabulous year. 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I may have had slightly too much fun with the Polaroid backdrop I made, so here's some of the other pictures. 

Nope. I didn't have too much fun at all.

*signing off with my old post signature because NOSTALGIA* 

*throws confetti*

Hola, folks! I've been away, but no more. And I've got tons of super exciting news. 

First off...

I GOT A NEW CAMERA!!!

(this very tumblr photo was taken by my iphone. ironically.)

Anyway, it's a Samsung WB35F, and it's kind of amazing. I got it off of eBay for a really good price, and I'm basically just over the moon about it. I can't take pictures with it yet, though, cause it needs a specific memory card. And after buying the camera, I'm flat broke. 

Say la vie.  

Next up, my BLOGAVERSARY is next week! Holy heck, can you believe it? I can't. Anyway, I'm way excited and it will be a celebration like no other. If there's anything you want to see, then comment belooooow and tell me. 

Now this last bit is bittersweet. Sadly, the Season Finale of Runaway Princess is next week. There will be a season two, so don't get your knickers in a twist. I'm planning on doing behind the scenes stuff and interviews in between seasons, so all will be okay. 

I hope you lovelies have a fabulous weekend! 

The Runaway Princess: Episode Nine

________________________________________

Two days later, I was strong enough to travel again. We started off in the direction Bridget came from. I could barely make out the roofs of houses above the forest line. 

"So, um, where are we going?" I asked.

"To that village," Bridget responded, vaguely waving her hand towards the rooftops in the distance. "We should be there in a few hours."

"Oh. Okay. So, um, I guess we never really got around to this, but how come you were in the forest of the country you were banished from? I mean, even if you live close by it, couldn't you be punished?"

Bridget brightened a little. "Well, yes. But the real reason I came was to look for you. I still watch the news from our country now and then, and I saw that you were missing. I knew you'd be coming this direction, so I just kind of explored until I found you. You were in such bad shape though. I didn't even realize who you were until you loudly and rather stupidly proclaimed you were."

"Well it worked didn't it?"

Bridget just grinned and shook her head. "Oh, Ali. When, oh when, will you learn?"

"Hey!" I yelled, chasing after her. So this is what it feels like to have a sister.

~

A few hours later we arrived on the doorstep of a huge, elegant looking house. Bridget knocked and the door was opened by what I presumed to be a maid. She smiled and let us both in.

"I'm so glad to see you back, miss. And I see you found your sister. May I take your coat?"

"Yes, please. Thank you Jane. Now, would you ask Alice to get her some new clothes? And she'll need somewhere to stay, so we'll give her the east wing. Oh, and tell Diana to run a warm bath. Dinner's already been started?"

"Yes, miss, it has. I'll attend to those things now."

The maid rushed away. 

"What's all this?! I thought you'd be working for these rich people, not...like...being one of them!"

"Well, I didn't leave the palace empty-handed, obviously. I took some money with me, and I started a business, and now look at me! I mean, I did leave ten years ago." 

"Oh."

"Um, Miss Bridget?" a maid called down the hallway. "Miss Ali's bath is ready now, if she's ready."

"I think you better go," Bridget said to me, smiling,.

~

When I was clean, dressed, and had been shown around my quarters, I was free to do whatever I wanted. I slipped into the hallway, hoping not to be seen by anyone. This house had secrets.

Secrets about me.

And I was determined to find them. 

The Surprise

So, none of you actually guessed correctly.

To be fair, though, the hint was a little misleading. 

Meet Stephanie Alexis. 

She's a customized MAG #27 with freckles and curled hair. She was my friend's doll that she let me customize and keep, and I am so very in love.

I didn't really take any pictures of the customizing process, cause it was kind of gradual. Let me just tell you this, though: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser really works on dolls. 

I'm still kinda figuring out her personality, but she does love to write and she loves vintage things. She's also obsessed with old movies: Breakfast at Tiffany's, White Christmas...

Are you totally surprised?

I purposely wrote the hint so it would be hard to guess. Which is kind of mean now that I think about it. 

Anyway, welcome home Stephanie. 

Okay.

Okay, guys. 

I'm sorry.

I haven'y posted since, what, February 6th?

And really, the only explanation is that I've been absolutely swamped. I missed four days of school a few weeks back, and it took be a bit to recover from that. I'm really trying to get better grades, too, so I've been spending more time on homework.

Also, band has gotten way busy too. We're getting ready for our spring competitions, and this year we're competing to get into a prestigious music clinic. So I've been practicing longer each day. Besides all that regular band stuff, my band director asked me to be in the district clarinet choir, which practices for an hour and a half every week. 

And life has just basically taken over.  

Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic, but I'm busy, peoples. 

But I shouldn't have abandoned you. 

So Runaway Princess will continue as scheduled next week. I'm really so sorry for leaving you hanging there, guys, but it wasn't as bad a cliffhanger as some. (right? right?!) Anyway, I haven't written the next few parts yet, so if you want to leave your suggestions dooown below I shall definitely consider them. (fun fact: i absolutely cannot spell definitely without spellcheck.)

And the surprise is almost done, so be expecting that post soon. 

Oh, and one more thing: I was thinking of doing a series every Saturday or something about the girls and their life. Their stuff... y'know. Kind of like the agsmiless chronicles (if you go way back down in her channel).

Alrighty. I think that's it. I honestly have missed posting so much, and you guys are amazing to be bearing with me still. 

Love, Leah