February Doll Meet

February Doll Meet, originally uploaded by alington.

We had a lovely and laid back doll meet at my house this month. Of course, I stressed too much about vacuuming the house, but what a great reason to clean up. I'd host again in a heart beat.

The theme was Valentine's dolls--and it was lots of fun. We had a deli-style lunch, and we actually saw some rain. While we were a small group this month, I really enjoyed myself.

I love meeting and talking to other collectors--learning the details on other's collections and experiences is so helpful and interesting. Plus seeing dolls redressed in styles (and in person) is both inspiring, wonderful, and a little dangerous on the budget, as you may be able to tell by my lovely model photo.

Please check out a few more photos in my Flickr photostream. If you can, find a group of collectors who meet locally, and GO. It's really worth it! It will broaden your appreciation of dolls in ways you can't imagine.

Tiny Kitty Christmas Hatbox

Kate's display, originally uploaded by alington.

This is my all-time favorite Tiny Kitty doll, the raven from the Tiny Kitty Christmas Hatbox set. Her blue eyes are very striking, and she includes two very cool outfits and some cute accessories. But really, she's just all around adorable.

These photos were taken in my daughter Kate's room. You can see more of Kate's display--how she's posed her dolls--on my Flickr photostream.

Mini Treasures Wiki

What a fantastic site I just happened to stumble across today, while browsing around on Twitter. I've been a follower on Twitter for some time now, but I hadn't ever realized what an amazing site this is. It's like Wikipedia for miniature makers and collectors. It's really neat, and it's called Mini Treasures. Everything you ever wanted to know about doll dioramas and miniatures. Very cool.

So for a blog view, check out this link.

If you're on Facebook, you can become a fan here.

On Twitter, check them out here.

True Royalty Vanessa

True Royalty, originally uploaded by alington.

Just because she's gorgeous, here is another candid shot of True Royalty Vanessa as she's posed in my February display case.

I was thinking of trying something new and different with this doll's hair. Haven't quite decided what, but I'd love to do something more Marie Antoinette-ish. I saw a rerooted True Royalty recently, and I want to say she was blonde and quite fabulous.

I wonder what she'd look like in a chestnut shade, strawberry blonde, or maybe even wigged? How do these dolls do wigged? Would I dare? I don't know. Her hair needs some work anyway. Hmm. And wigging would rid her of that widow's peak, of which I'm not exactly overly fond...

The dos and don't of budgeting...

I apologize for the double-post, if you're a reader of The Fashion Doll Review. But it's an important issue!

Are you having issues with sticking to your budget when newly released dolls come out around IDEX or Toyfair? I do. I'm always tempted to buy or preorder every new doll I see. Let me show you how NOT to handle your budget.

Since publishing the article, I have come across several additional Don'ts:

• Troll around on doll message boards or for-sale sites, especially when you don't have money burning a hole in your pocket.
• "Browse" around on Ebay, just for the sake of window shopping. There is no such thing as "window shopping" on the internet!

The Doll Cafe forum

Another message forum for Barbie collectors that I just recently discovered is The Doll Cafe. Check it out when you get a chance if you're a Barbie fan.

Barbie in the News

WNYC - News - Barbie Takes on Katie and Diane

She must have made it, if she's on WYNC (one of New York's public radio stations). You can read the official press release here. Or read about the original voting process here. See how the Take Our Daughter To Work Foundation was involved.

Photo is the property of Mattel.

More Barbie news

The next in the Ladies of the 80s series will be Jennifer Beals from Flashdance. (Woo hoo!) No photo is available yet, but the retail price is listed at $39.99 with a shipping date still to be determined.

Wave 2 of the Basic Black Barbies have also been introduced, and there are four more lovely ladies to choose from. These ladies will retail from $19.99-24.99. Shipping dates on these lovelies are also still to be announced. Their black gowns are taffeta, and are trimmed with hot pink.

• #1 has long brunette hair with bangs, and a bubble skirt dress.
• #2 (pretty sure this is a Steffie sculpt) has gorgeous red curls, and a strapless black dress with attached skirt.
• #3 is wearing her nearly black hair in a short, modern bob, and has a asymmetrical gown with a ruffled shoulder. Instead of a pink belt, she has a pink bracelet.
• #4 has a long platinum ponytail and a babydoll style gown with an empire waist.

Festive Decadence Agnes Von Weiss W Club Doll

If you've seen the gorgeous real-life photos of this doll on Shuga Shug's blog, and you've decided that you do, after all, need this girl, Festive Decadence is available new from Marl & B, and she's in stock for $215.99.

I've also heard rumors that this doll isn't as popular among Fashion Royalty collectors as some of the other club dolls, so you may also be able to get her for less from a private collector or from the secondary market.

Photo property of Integrity Toys.

Soon to come Barbies - 2010

No further information, but from someone else who attended Toy Fair 2010, I have gathered the following info:

• New Twilight™ characters Alice Cullen and Rosalie Hale are next up on the production schedule.
• Fashionistas will be offered in two-pack (and wow--are they cute!!)
• I spied a couple new Fashionistas, too: Sassy (check out her cool accessories!) and Sweet (my girls will go nuts for her).
• Two more Toy Story Barbies, too - Here and here.

Barbie Basics Shoes...

Mattel Barbie New York Toyfair 2010, originally uploaded by mawphoto.com.

The doom of us all! These are fantastic!

The Mattel Barbie Showroom at the 2010 New York International Toyfair, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, February 14, 2010. (Mandatory Photo Credit by Michael Williams/mawphoto.com for Haute Doll Magazine/hautedoll.com)

New Barbie Basics!

Mattel Barbie New York Toyfair 2010, originally uploaded by mawphoto.com.

How adorable are these girls? I have to admit, I'd love to see them more articulated, but their dresses are just wonderful. Love the little pink belts! And the shoes...

The Mattel Barbie Showroom at the 2010 New York International Toyfair, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, February 14, 2010. (Mandatory Photo Credit by Michael Williams/mawphoto.com for Haute Doll Magazine/hautedoll.com)

Disney's Rapunzel?

Mattel Barbie New York Toyfair 2010, originally uploaded by mawphoto.com.

Wow--she looks pretty cool, and I haven't heard of this movie yet! How neat!

The Mattel Barbie Showroom at the 2010 New York International Toyfair, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, February 14, 2010. (Mandatory Photo Credit by Michael Williams/mawphoto.com for Haute Doll Magazine/hautedoll.com)

Toy Story Barbie and Ken

Mattel Barbie New York Toyfair 2010, originally uploaded by mawphoto.com.

The Mattel Barbie Showroom at the 2010 New York International Toyfair, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, February 14, 2010. (Mandatory Photo Credit by Michael Williams/mawphoto.com for Haute Doll Magazine/hautedoll.com)

They make such a cute couple!

News Anchor Barbie

Mattel Barbie New York Toyfair 2010, originally uploaded by mawphoto.com.

The Mattel Barbie Showroom at the 2010 New York International Toyfair, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, February 14, 2010. (Mandatory Photo Credit by Michael Williams/mawphoto.com for Haute Doll Magazine/hautedoll.com)

And the other winner of the Which Career poll from a few weeks ago. (I voted for Computer Engineer.) But she's cute, too!

Mattel Barbie New York Toyfair 2010

Mattel Barbie New York Toyfair 2010, originally uploaded by mawphoto.com.

The Mattel Barbie Showroom at the 2010 New York International Toyfair, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, February 14, 2010. (Mandatory Photo Credit by Michael Williams/mawphoto.com for Haute Doll Magazine/hautedoll.com)

There she is! One of the winners of the Which Career poll!

FR Nippon dolls announced at Doll-Collectible

Two new FR Nippon dolls have been announced. They are asking that you pre-order by February 17, just to be assured that you get your order in. These dolls are a collaboration between Jason Wu and LoveSound.

• Misaki Lady Like - a high fashion, tailored look gives this elegant doll an intellectual feel. She's a brunette doll with brown eyes, neutral make-up. She's wearing wide-legged tailored trousers, a corseted blouse with puffed sleeves. Beaded jewelry and a cute purse complete her look. She's listed at $199.55 US (regularly $221.72).
• Amelie Lady Like is another  high fashion, tailored doll. Amelie is blonde with bangs. She's dressed in a black and grey plaid strapless dress with an elegant fitted jacket overall. Adorable heels, patterned tights, beret and a fun Wu-logo purse complete her look. She is also currently listed at $199.55 US (regularly $221.72).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers!

And along that note... here is a link to a lovely blog post from Shuga Shug's blog, in celebration of today's romantic holiday. 

All I can say is this: Girls like guys with skills.

Two more 2010 Barbies - Bond Girls

Barbie is pleased to announce two more Bond Girls to its collection this summer:

From Octopussy, it's Maud Adams. She's a Pink Label collector doll, and she's dressed in an elegant white chiffon robe with an octopus print on the back. Retail price is $39.95, expected delivery is July 2010.

From Live and Let Die, it's Jane Semour as a lovely Solitair. Jane is dressed in a red, orange and gold-trimmed gown with chiffon sleeves. She also retails for $39.95 and is expected to deliver in July 2010.

2010 Barbie Line-up

It's looking promising. And I think I see some items of interest approaching fast this season from Mattel. Let me give you a breakdown (my retail prices my not be entirely accurate--I may need to update them later).

• The two other Christian Louboutin dolls, Dolly Forever (Feb 2010) and Anemone (Summer 2010) have at least wonderful shoes. I actually like Anemone's purple and lime gown, as well. Both retail for $149.99.
• The Mad Hatter doll from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland movie is pretty cool. I'm using MFD's photo, since they have a photo of the actual doll. Looks like he retails for $55.95, and will be available in February. I can't wait to see Alice!
• Vintage Wizard of Oz line. These ladies are elegant, serene and lovely. Each doll retails for $45.95, I believe. Glinda includes a crown and a wand, the Wicked Witch has green skin and a broom, and Dorothy is holding a basket and her trademark ruby slippers. (These may be my very first vintage sculpt dolls. They are really adorable!) Delivery scheduled in summer 2010.
• Barbie herself (maybe the Steffie sculpt) makes an appearance as a sassy Dorothy, complete with Toto in a cute, modern patent tote instead of a basket. She looks a little like St. Paulie's girl, but she'll look great with my modern Alice Barbie. Plus, she retails for $34.99, delivery in summer 2010.
• Vintage Reproductions: My Favorite Fashion Queen is due to ship in June 2010, and she retails for $49.99. She includes her gold and white strapless swimsuit and head cover, plus three different wigs.
• My Favorite Barbie American Girl with bendable legs and a cute brunette bob. She's adorable. $49.99 with a shipping date to be announced.
• A wonderful new collection of couture Dolls of the World that I can see coming to live at our house. Big Ben (oh, do I love this girl's face), Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty all with delivery dates to be announced. $39.99 retail.
• Couture Angel, shipping May 2010, $45.99.
• Pop Icon Barbie, $39.99, shipping June 2010.

Photos property of Mattel.

From an article on Gizmodo:

The Vote Is In: Barbie® Unveils Her 125th and 126th Careers 

For the first time ever, Barbie® asked the world to help her select her next career. Over the past few months Barbie® did research around the world and also conducted an online voting campaign, calling upon the world to vote for her doll's next career – Barbie® has asked her Twitter followers and fans on Facebook to help her with this important career decision.

But that's not all! Consumers loudly campaigned for another Barbie® career. The winner of the popular vote is Computer Engineer. Computer Engineer Barbie®, debuting in Winter 2010, inspires a new generation of girls to explore this important high-tech industry, which continues to grow and need future female leaders.

"All the girls who imagine their futures through Barbie will learn that engineers - like girls - are free to explore infinite possibilities, limited only by their imagination," says Nora Lin, President, Society of Women Engineers. "As a computer engineer, Barbie will show girls that women can turn their ideas into realities that have a direct and positive impact on people's everyday lives in this exciting and rewarding career."

To create an authentic look, Barbie® designers worked closely with the Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering to develop the wardrobe and accessories for Computer Engineer Barbie®. Wearing a binary code patterned tee and equipped with all the latest gadgets including a smart phone, Bluetooth headset, and laptop travel bag, Computer Engineer Barbie® is geek chic.

Always a trailblazer, Barbie® continues her impressive career path in 2010 and throughout the new decade as she takes on these two new aspirational careers. Both News Anchor Barbie® and Computer Engineer Barbie® are currently available for pre-order exclusively at www.MattelShop.com.

I checked, and I couldn't yet find the computer engineer available yet. Hopefully she will be soon. (She's awesome!)

Shopping at Target

This weekend, I did some shopping with the girls at Target. I was hoping to find some collector Barbies or even some of the new Barbie Basics, but I was stunned to find a half-empty Barbie aisle, with the Basics line marked on clearance, and not a single one left in stock. (I haven't yet been able to locate a single Barbie Basics in real life in any of my local Target stores!)

But I did spot some other items of interest. The girls found several fun Barbies and new dolls that captured their attention.

Of course, Babysitter Barbie was of interest to all the kids, including my four year-old son. The toilet flushes (with very realistic sounds, I might add), and it apparently changes from yellow water to blue. (Ick!) But hey--anything to capture the hearts of young collectors, I suppose. My husband was quite amazed, too, thinking it would be a great gift for my brother. I believe this one was $19.99 for the set.

I loved this new Barbie--I don't know her name, but she's wonderful. She was only $12.99. She was displayed with some of the new So In Style dolls, but she was a single doll. Just gorgeous.

Then, there was a new fairy with spinning, light up wings that captured my six year-old's attention. This is an in-action photo, with Lauren pressing the button.

Then, I discovered some Rainbow Brite dolls--both larger ones, and then these smaller ones--in the same aisle with the new Strawberry Shortcake dolls. I don't think they look like how I remember Rainbow Brite, but that was long ago. And these are quite cute. Honestly, I don't remember the characters very well. Wasn't she a cartoon?

So POSH.

So POSH, originally uploaded by alington.

And then there's Posh. She's gorgeous with her spiffy outfit and cute freckles, FR Nippon Misaki by Integrity Toys. I wish these girls were easier to find in the states. Actually, I'm glad they aren't!

This was also taken from my Valentine's day display--my top shelf has mostly Alice in Wonderland-themed dolls, and red, blue and black dolls that I can't bring myself to redress.

You can see more photos of my display on Flickr. Do you change your doll displays for the holidays? For Valentine's Day?

Something Cool Isha, ready for Valentine's Day

Isha, originally uploaded by alington.

This doll always amazes me. I keep thinking I am going to sell her. In fact, when I was redressing her and shooting these photos, she was on my DollPage, dressed in her original outfit, ready to sell.

I have to confess, I'm the world's worst salesperson, and as I was uploading and editing these photos, I went to my DollPage and deleted her photo. I can't part with her! I just adore her. I need to spend more quality time with her.

I was hoping to use some of my FR dolls as leverage towards my growing expense of BJDs, but I just can't do it. Not yet. Maybe I will have to sell a kidney instead.

On that romantic note... Isha, usually dressed in green, has donned a Birthstone Barbie dress (I think this is Ruby's and it does actually snap in the back) for the upcoming romantic holiday. She's wearing Adele's jewelry from Paparazzi Bait and Flight Pattern Kyori's shoes, if you check out the rest of my Valentine's display case on Flickr.

The two dolls in the background are from the Elements of Surprise giftset, by the way--Eden and Lilth. Eden is wearing a Holiday Barbie dress from last year, and Lilith is dressed in a Dynamite Girl (Aria's) dress and her own lace gloves and dark trousers.

Enjoy!

Kyori, redressed

Kyori, originally uploaded by alington.

This is the lovely Fashion Royalty Flight Pattern Kyori, redressed and part of my pink Valentine's display. She's wearing the dress from a Birthstone Barbie (Opal), a Dynamite Girl "fur" shrug, and muff and shoes from Lana Turner (Hollywood Royalty). The dog is from Feelin' Fierce Dani, a limited Dynamite Girl.

I really like the Kyori sculpt--she's just gorgeous--and I love this doll's hair color, too. This is my first time redressing her. I'll need to take better photos, out of their display case.

You can see more display case photos on my Flickr photostream for now.

Simone in Jenny's Shoes

Simone in Jenny's Shoes, originally uploaded by alington.

I did a little research this morning on Tiny Kitty/Simone Rouge and their shoe size. Tiny Kitty and Simone Rouge are 10" fashion dolls by Tonner Doll Company, and their feet are a little bigger than Barbie and Fashion Royalty dolls.

I did discover that these girls can share shoes with Takara Jenny, however. The photo above is Simone Rouge wearing a Birthday Club Jenny shoe.

And if they can share shoes with Jenny, they should also be able to share shoes with Momoko, Blythe, MiniGem (by Soom) and Dollfie Dream, too. Plus these dolls can share clothing and shoes with Madame Alexander's Coquette.

Do you own any of these dolls, and a Tiny Kitty or Simone? Would you be willing to test my theory, and let me know? I'd love to see the results in photos!

Doll of the Year 2010 Awards

The Doll Reader has announced the 2010 DOTY Awards. A few of interest to my readers here (and possibly from the Fashion Doll Review and some others):

Collectible Miniature Doll
• Flower Fairy, Laura Wee Wambach, MasterPiece Dolls
• Blossom, by Ashton-Drake Galleries
• Daisy, by Berdine Creedy Originals
• Amy, by Heidi Plusczok
• Mad Hatter by Alexander Doll Co.

Collectible Fashion and/or BJD
• Viola, by Gabriele Mueller for MasterPiece Dolls
• Vivacious Antionette, by Tonner Doll Co.
• Simply Alice, by Kimberly Lasher, Lasher Studios
• Stunning in the Spotlight, by Mattel
• Adora Belle - Ruella Raspberry by Marie Osmond/Charisma

Collectible Vinyl/Plastic Doll, Less than $175
• Kate, by Monika Gerdes for MasterPiece Dolls
• Centennial Rose Patsy by Tonner Doll Co
• American Frontier Jackie by Heartstring Dolls
• Aphrodite by Mattel
• Ping by Linda Rick for Key to My Heart, Doll Maker

Collectible Vinyl/Plastic Doll, More than $175
• Taylor by Monika Levenig for MasterPiece Dolls
• Backstage Invitation Renee Devereaux by Tonner Doll
• Thomas Britian by Adora Dolls for Charisma
• Romy by Heidi Plusczok
• Gabriella by Henry and Zofia Zawieruszynski

Collectible Manufacturer’s Artist Doll, Less than $250
• Jada by Monika Peter-Leicht, MasterPiece Dolls
• Silver Prelude by Ashton-Drake Galleries
• Jessica Rabbit by Tonner Doll Company
• Fiona Moon by Diane Bucki for Doll Maker & Friends
• Anna as Alice by Goodreau Doll

Collectible Manufacturer's Artist Doll, More than $250
• Pepper-Mint, by Berdine Creedy
• Cecelie by Heidi Plusczok
• Shani by Hildegard Günzel
• Zoey as Alice by Goodreau Doll
• Malika by Henry and Zofia Zawieruszynski

Artist Miniature Doll
• Tiny Wonder by Claire Taylor Dolls
• Livia - Victorian Bride, Anna Hardman
• Elle by Laura Tuzio-Ross
• Little Darling “Joy of Life” by Gabriele Mueller, Gaby-Dolls
• Chocolate Bunny Surprise by Goodreau Doll