Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Review: Rosie Flo's Fashion Show

Summary: Work it, Rosie Flo! The fashion-themed coloring book series is getting its very own fashion show. Artists and fashionistas alike will delight in this stylish experience: An easy-to-construct paper pop-up theater and a runway set the stage for 18 paper models to strut their stuff. Just color in the fashions, and then stage an unforgettable show! -- Chronicle Books

As a young girl, I was a huge fan of paper dolls. I played with them... a lot; and I was probably long past the age when most girls move on to other things like boys and make-up. So when I first saw photos of ROSIE FLO'S COLORING FASHION SHOW, I just about died! It sounded like the perfect toy for me, albeit about 35 years too late. But I couldn't resist. A ready-made boxed set fashion show? And I could color all of the designs? I don't care how old I am. That sounded like an awful lot of fun!

And it was!!! I tore open the box and immediately put together the stage. See below:It was positively precious! Then, I punched out the eighteen fashion models (they all can stand up!) and the eight audience members (who just happen to be able to sit on the chairs!!!) And don't even get me started on the old-fashioned camera and the little pink poodle.

Our Runway Stage with Audience Members
Then, Booking Daughter and I went out and bought a huge set of brand-spanking new colored pencils and started personalizing the collection. We had a blast and took some artistic liberties with the Seashell Dress, the Cabbage One, the Silverware Dress, and the Ladybug One. These dresses aren't your typical paper doll dresses. They are absolutely gorgeous with tons of details; and a few are even pretty funny!

Of course, I photographed all of the dresses to share just how original we were with our interpretations; however, there are a lot of dresses between the fashion models and the audience members. Suffice it to say that we colored all of them beautifully (and yes, we were even surprised by our talents!), and each one is cuter than the next. I thought I'd give you an idea of some of our favorite ones:

We loved our color choices!

Silverware Dress -- see the forks?

Ladybug Dress

One of my favorites!

Bell Dress -- see the little bells?


Jester Dress

Seashell Dress


One of Booking Daughter's faves


We interpreted this one to look like broccoli!

This boxed set retails for $16.99 and it's absolutely ideal for a young girl's birthday gift. There are countless of hours of play with this toy -- from the punching out, to the coloring, to the actual playing. In addition, the more artistic girls might have fun designing faces on the models and audience members. (Booking Daughter and I thought we were pushing our luck with just the dresses and accessories.)

I absolutely loved ROSIE FLO'S COLORING FASHION SHOW and I can't wait to see the other coloring books in the collection. A great toy for the budding fashion designer in your life. Highly recommended so keep reading....

Giveaway alert: Thanks to the fine folks at Chronicle Books, I have one set of Rosie Flo's Coloring Fashion Show to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before April 17th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada addresses only. Good luck!

9 comments:

Serena said...

What a cute little idea. I haven't done these paper doll things since I was a kid. I hope I win so I can do these with Wiggles.

Anna said...

Wow, this looks like a lot of fun! The Girl and I would have a blast for sure.

Karlie said...

They are adorable! I love your finished product!! So fun.

Beth F said...

OMG the results are beautiful. You two did an amazing job. I sure wish I had a little girl to share this with.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Totally perfect for me too although a bit more than 35 years too late! LOL But I loved Millie the Model paper dolls and comics!

Julie said...

My 6.5 yr old would love that!! I'll have to enter!

bermudaonion said...

My sister and I used to fight over the Betsy McCall paper dolls that came in McCall's magazine, so I'm sure this would have been a big hit in our house. You and Booking Daughter did a fantastic job!

Carol said...

I would have loved this when I was a kid. My daughter, not so much, now or 6 years ago, but I do have a niece who would adore them.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Julie,

I had forgotten all about these paper dolls, but can now remember having them as a child.

I guess that $16.99 (about UK £10), isn't too bad a price given inflation and it certainly looks like you both had great fun with them, I can't remember my mother ever decorating them with me.

In fact, I'll bet that secretly, you had more fun than your daughter did?

Yvonne