Holiday Gift Idea: Lottie Dolls Plus GIVEAWAY! 12/10

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

My daughter has recently become obsessed with dolls. (So has her little brother, but you'll see the adorable evidence of that  if you keep reading.) I have noticed that so many fashion dolls are a lot more....mature looking than they need to be. Barbie has unrealistic proportions, and could not even survive as a living, breathing human being. (This has been proven. Google it for a real eye-opener!)

If an overdeveloped physical physique isn't enough, most fashion dolls are also dressed in outfits that are nowhere near age appropriate for the girls that play with them. Shoot, many of the wardrobe choices for dolls are almost sexual in nature and wouldn't even appear outside of a gentleman's club. 

Fashion dolls can really influence the way a girl looks at herself. Women and girls are hard enough on themselves, so having unrealistic standards of beauty everywhere can be damaging to body image and self-esteem. I know this for an absolute fact...I am kind of an expert here, as an eating disorder survivor. As the mom of a beautiful little girl, these are not the messages I want to convey to her. I want her to feel beautiful just the way she is, and I don't ever want her to feel like she needs to wear something skimpy or revealing to get attention. 

So when I discovered Lottie Dolls, I was absolutely thrilled. These dolls are a huge hit abroad, and have even won some great awards. You see, Lottie Dolls are designed to look like an average, normal, REAL 9 year old girl. Refreshing, isn't it? 

About Lottie Dolls :

Imagine a childhood with no stereotype genders. Boys enjoy cooking and ballet while girls pursue the toughest math classes. Adjectives like pretty, popular and princess are erased and replaced with strong, smart and a bit bold. The rethinking of how boys and girls are "supposed" to act, think and behave starts with their toys. One British company, Arklu, has put the power of girlhood into a 7½" doll collection called Lottie™ that's aimed at ages 3 and up. Here, a fashion doll can be fervent, feisty and of course fun -- just like little girls.

Lottie dolls have already received praise by the likes of The Guardian and The Huffington Post as an antidote to unrealistically proportioned dolls.  In fact, all Lottie dolls are modeled on the dimensions of a real 9-year-old girl. Award agencies have taken notice as well, with Oppenheim Toy Portfolio judges bestowing their rare Platinum Best Toy Award three times in 2012 to various dolls in the line. Who can blame them with great options like these (all dolls priced $19.99)?

New for 2013 are dolls and accessories that embody the strength of women.  For parents hoping their daughters will study S.T.E.M. - science, math, technology and engineering - playing with Butterfly Protector Lottie may inspire a love for nature, experiments and science. For a strong mind and strong body, girls will find intrigue with Kawaii Karate Lottie. Unconventional career paths can be found in Pirate Queen Lottie, not a current career track but a path that shows that women can do anything men can do! Right matey? And Robot Girl Lottie is a whiz at the science fair. An interest in robotics could happen by playing with this adorable toy!

Our Review :

When our Pirate Queen Lottie Doll arrived along with her special accessory kit, my kids were really excited. I think the timing was absolutely perfect, since we just took them to Disney Junior Live: Princesses and Pirates a week or so ago. 

Lottie comes all decked out in her best sea-faring outfit, complete with a sword! In her accessory kit, there is a flag, a treasure map, and a chest full of loot. 

I absolutely love the detail in Lottie's face and clothing. As you can see, this is no ordinary pirate outfit...There are buttons and bows and even a spooky skull! 

Here's where the fun started....When I allowed the little ones to play with their new doll, I explained that Lottie is a pirate girl. My teen, who likes to instigate and upset his little siblings declared that girls cannot be pirates. 

I used this as a teachable moment and actually pulled up the Lottie Doll website. Here, I showed my kids Lottie as a Robot Girl and even a Karate master! I explained to my kids that boys and girls can do the same things, and there is nothing wrong with it. 

Well....This prompted my 2 year old, Xander, to want to be a princess. After the conversation we just had, I couldn't exactly say no, could I? Saying no to his request would completely contradict the entire conversation we had about gender equality. So here are Sophie and "Xanderella" playing with their Pirate Queen Lottie Doll. Yep. We're breaking all the gender stereotypes here in my house! 

Sophie and Xander have been playing with their Lottie Doll for the past 2 hours. Playing together. Playing nicely together. They're still playing pirates even as I type this! 

They really love making Lottie defend her treasure from Truffles, Noodles, Pringles and Havarti, our kitties. It's adorable to watch! They're even saying "Ahoy matey", "Yo-ho-ho" and "Aaaarrrrrr". I can't help but giggle seeing my little Xander sound like a big, burly pirate in his princess gown. 

Overall, I am definitely loving Lottie Dolls. These are a wonderful way to teach girls to be strong, independent and proud of who they are. Does your little one want to be a rocket scientist? Maybe a race car driver? Well, Lottie Dolls can help give her the confidence to realize that with girl power, she can do anything that boys usually do, maybe even better! I would definitely recommend checking them out as you shop this Holiday season! 

How to Connect :

You can see the entire Lottie Dolls collection and all the available accessories on their website.

You can also connect on Facebook, on twitter, and on Pinterest to stay on top of their latest products and promotions! 

Enter to WIN :

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive their choice of Lottie Doll and their choice of accessory from the list below:

Dolls:
Robot Girl Lottie
Butterfly Protector Lottie
Kawaii Karate Lottie
Pirate Queen Lottie

Accessories:
Busy Lizzie the Robot Accessory Set
Pirate Queen Accessory Set
Girls United Outfit Set
Blue Velvet Outfit Set
Raspberry Ripple Outfit Set
Raising the Bar Outfit Set
Sweet Dreams Outfit Set

How cool is that?! 

Simply enter on the Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open to US  Residents 18+ until 11:59PM on December 10, 2013. No PO Boxes. Winner will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway