Two Alices

Goth Alice and Isabella, originally uploaded by alington.

For those of you who don't follow my other blog, the Fashion Doll Review, you may not know I'm obsessed with Alice in Wonderland. So, I'll start posting some Alice-related photos on this blog, too.

These are 12" and about 10.5" resin ball jointed dolls, dressed in Alice costumes. The light blonde on the left is Goth Alice by Goodreau Doll. She was my first BJD, and the one doll who got it all started. She's wearing an outfit by Berdine Creedy called Dressed Up Alice.

The doll on the right is a white skin Isabella by Bobobie. She actually belongs to my daughter Kate, who added the body blushing (check out the shading by her joints and her toes). Her outfit was created for Snappy dolls (by Goodreau), but she can wear fashions for larger (and older) Barbie dolls.

You can see the rest of the photos from this shoot on my Flickr account.

I hear that both Barbie and Tonner Doll are coming out with Tim Burton authorized dolls this year, but I haven't seen any preview photos of these dolls, yet. I'm sure you'll see some of these added to my collection later on.

Playline dolls at Target today...

I saw some dolls at Target today while I was shopping. I went to the Target in La Mesa, California (at Grossmont Center, for the curious), and I found several items of interest.

First, Kana, from the Juku Couture line, was listed at a clearance price of $6.98. If I'm not mistaken, I think these dolls originally retailed for around $10, since the signs listed everything as 30% off, but I think I've seen them maybe as high as $14.99 retail. So she seemed like a pretty good deal. They had several dolls, but I only saw Kana.

Next, for $10.99, I saw several Target exclusive dolls. They carried two versions of "Modern Princess," dolls, which were kind of pretty--particularly the brunette.

Then, I saw a caucasian only ballerina with her hair in a fancy curled up-do, which I thought was fun.

And finally, also for $10.99, I found a glamorous evening-wear Emmy awards Barbie. This girl was also only available as a caucasian blonde, unfortunately.

The last exclusive item was $12.99 for a set of two exclusive fairy dolls. One doll has pink hair and one has blue hair, and the set included a doll hair brush and a necklace as well. It was pretty cute, I have to admit.

Exclusive designer fashion Fashion Royalty dolls at Joe's List!

For you die-hard fashion doll fans out there, Joe's List has received seventeen really unique one-of-a-kind Fashion Royalty dolls. These would be awesome in anyone's collection, and even better for those with a passion for fashion! Here's the scoop:

These are one-of-a-kind creations, 12" Fashion Royalty dolls (donated by Jason Wu of Integrity Toys), wearing outfits created by the actual designers in their own workshops. Sometimes the doll has also been restyled to match the runway model's style as well. How amazing is that? Most of the creations are miniatures of items from the designers 2009 runway collections.

The dolls were created to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Jeffrey's, a fashion forward US clothing store. The dolls were then auctioned off to benefit breast cancer and AIDS charities.

Above you can see Versace's model and the accompanying runway model. The one I've posted below is Valentino. Go check out the others! They are amazing.

Photos are courtesy of Joe's List.

Wednesday Tea For Me And Thee

Cookie and Olivia, originally uploaded by alington.

Cookie has found something in her tea cup! It's Olivia, taking a little catnap.

Island Cookie is a full-set doll (27 cm or about 10.5 inches), and she's dressed in Aster by DollHeart. Wig and shoes also by DollHeart. Olivia is by Elfdoll, and she's 14 cm (5.5 inches) tall. She's dressed in a gown by Clochette of Pixiedust Designs. The teacup belonged to my grandmother.

This post is the brain child of Wanda Lee of the Silken Purse. You can participate as well, if you post tea-related photos on your blog and leave a comment on her blog. I think it's a fun theme, and great for doll-related photos, too.

New to BJDs?

If you're new to ball-jointed dolls and are interested in them, you might want to check out the first in a series of articles I am writing for Dolls Magazine. It's written for beginning BJD collectors, and it'll be a great starting-off point, if you're interested in learning more about ball-jointed dolls, or if you're looking into buying your first BJD.

Lady GaGa Barbie Dolls?!?

411mania.com: Music - Lady GaGa Barbie Dolls?!?

Check out this rather short article (with an interesting collection of photos, however) on doll designer Veik11, who has created several Lady Gaga Barbie dolls. I have to admit--I love the one with the hair bow. She's adorable.

Also... if a doll company came out with a Lady Gaga doll, I would buy one. In fact... I would even consider going in on a split for a Minimee head for Lady Gaga. I think she's a fascinating character. Hmm... I wonder if there is one in the works at Den of Angels yet?

Olivia, asleep.

Olivia, originally uploaded by alington.

Before we take down our Christmas tree, I have to get out the camera and snap some more photos of my dolls.

This is Olivia, have a little shut-eye and a moment of Zen, enjoying the quiet after a bustling Christmas season. She's only 14 cm (5.5") tall, and remains one of my favorite BJDs. She's so tiny and cute.

You'd think she wouldn't be very practical, with her permanently closed eyes, but she's surprisingly versatile and very cute. I've actually seen one of these girls with her eyes modified and opened. She was adorable also!

Check out the rest of her set on Flickr.

Fashionistas

Fashionistas, originally uploaded by alington.

Cutie and Sassy were two of my daughter Kate's birthday presents this year. I think their outfits are really bright and colorful, and their face-ups are pretty colorful as well.

I have to admit, I adore Sassy. I love the pink streaks in her hair. She's just too much fun. But she also has a great big seam line down the front of her thigh. (But really, what do you want for a $7.50 doll?)

Plus, the girls (Kate just turned nine, and Lauren is six) really like playing with them, since they are highly articulated. They can ride a scooter, sit nicely, and even dance.

See the rest of the photoshoot on Flickr.

The W Club - 2010 registration is open

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Integrity Toys has opened the W Club registration through 2010. I haven't decided yet if I'd like to join--but there is a doll I really like. You can read all about it on their website, and see the registration brochure here.

Here are the details. Club membership entitles you to the following benefits:

• sneak peeks at upcoming dolls and fashions
• member-only forums
• VIP customer service
• purchasing right to Club-only dolls (including two Fashion Royalty and one AvantGuards doll)
• discount coupons from Integrity dealers and Club exclusive dolls
• VIP invite to online Toy Fair event (with exclusive event doll available to purchase)
• priority convention registration
• Q&A sessions with Integrity staff
• online subscription to one year of Dolls Magazine 

There are one membership level for 2010, with several upgrade options:

1. $50 will get you the base membership, which includes all the perks listed above.
2. $210 will qualify you for the base membership and the AvantGuards "Freeze Frame" doll
3. $125 will qualify you for the base membership and the "Spring Forward" Fashion Royalty Eugenia Frost doll
4. $285 qualifies you for the base membership and both "Freeze Frame" and "Spring Forward" dolls.

I love the Freeze Frame doll--she includes a brunette wig with a "hair bow," styled a la Lady Gaga. She's amazing. Almost enough to make me want to join the club this year!

The dolls are both scheduled to ship in May, with the other portion of the payment due in April.

Registration closes at 10 AM Central Standard Time January 22, 2010, so I should make up my mind before then, I suppose. And as the W Club is an on-line club, you must have a valid email address.

2008 Barbie

2008 Barbie, originally uploaded by alington.

Here's a slightly better photo of the 2008 Pink Label Barbie that Kate got for her ninth birthday earlier this week.

I like her quite a bit--her green eyes are pretty--even though she's another blonde Barbie in a (peachy) pink gown. However, her hair needs a little work, as it's sticking up a bit in the front. And honestly, the skirt of the gown is a bit stiff, and doesn't hang quite right.

But the bodice of the gown is simply lovely. You can see a few other shots of the doll on Flickr.