American Girl Fashion Show & Tea

The American Girl Fashion Show and Tea was held last Saturday, October 25th.  [My pre-event post can be read here.]

It was a beautiful Indian summer day for driving 30 miles to Dearborn, MI where I met my daughter-in-law, Samantha, and granddaughter, Isabella, for the event.

It was my first time at the Dearborn Inn, and what a beautiful place.

Samantha & Isabella, with American Girl dolls, Julie & Isabelle.

~ Hotel Lobby ~

~ A painting of Henry Ford hangs over the fireplace. ~

~ Painting of Clara Ford at the opposite end of the lobby. ~

~ Hotel Front Entrance ~

Hallway to the Ball Room where the event was held.

Beautiful Ball Room set up for the large gathering of girls, dolls, moms, and grandmothers. A few dads were there too.

We sat at table #33. Blueberry Scones with Devonshsire Cream and Jam, and Chocolate Chip and Sugar Cookies were placed on the table ready for the tea party to begin.

Julie came dressed in her green and white Spartan outfit since later in the afternoon Michigan State Spartans played their rival, U of M Wolverines in East Lansing.  Julie must have brought them luck because the Spartans won 35-11!

Each girl in attendance received a complimentary American Girl fashion show kit.

Isabella couldn't wait until she got home to open hers.

~ Self-serve hot water urn for tea. ~

~ Tetley black tea bag. ~

There were four kinds of sandwiches - Cucumber and Cream Cheese on Wheat; Chicken Salad on White; Ham and Cheese on Wheat; and Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato on White.

American Girl catalogs were placed on the chairs.  Isabella had her pen in hand to circle the clothing and dolls for her wish list as they made their appearance on the runway.

My friend, Linda, was there with her daughter, Karyn, and her two granddaughters, Jamison and Julianna.  

[Linda and Julianna]

[Karyn and Jamison]

Linda bought American Girl doll chairs to fasten to the table for Jamison, Julianna, and Isabella's dolls just like those at the American Girl restaurants.  Isabella was thrilled. Thanks, Linda!

~ Isabella, Samantha, and Me ~

~ Let the fashion show begin! ~

These are just a fraction of the pictures from the fashion show, but believe me  it was an afternoon made in Heaven for every girl present!

And now for the best part... I didn't win English Garden's drawing valued at $350 [which included an overnight stay at the Dearborn Inn] but they drew Isabella's raffle ticket number, and she won the American Girl doll named, Kit, a book, and accessories.  

Can you tell Isabella was on cloud nine?

Isabella with Isabelle on the runway at the conclusion of the fashion show.

Isabella, Julianna, and Jamison.

Saturday afternoons just don't get any better than this!  I learned the American Girl Fashion Show and Tea is an annual event that was established in 2003 to benefit the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation.  I have a feeling we'll be returning next year!