Vanessa Switcheroo

Vanessa, originally uploaded by alington.

I allowed Queen V to pose in True Royalty's gown, much to Vanessa's grumbling. But Vanessa even got her own turn in Queen V's lovely cream silk outfit as well, and a new updo (just ignore all the flyaways--updos are not yet my forté).

You can see all Vanessa's shots on Flickr, and leave me a comment, to let me know if you think Vanessa or Vero carries off the best switch!

Veronique redressed

Veronique, originally uploaded by alington.

I've redressed Queen V Veronique in True Royalty's (Vanessa) outfit for photos. I think it suits her quite well--it really make's Vero's eyes pop. She's got such a nice pale (almost glowing) skin tone.

Jewelry is by LVNV Dolls and matches well, too. I love it! See thre rest of her photo shoot on Flickr.

True Royalty Vanessa

True Royalty Vanessa, originally uploaded by alington.

Please check out my latest gallery creation on Flickr. I'm officially addicted to creating galleries now.

It's filled with twelve photos of True Royalty Vanessa (photo above is my doll, however). All different shots of the same doll, including some that have been rerooted as a platinum, brunette and even with silvery-pink hair.

Hope you enjoy it, and that you are inspired to create a gallery of your own. You can see my various photos of True Royalty Vanessa here. I just redressed her yesterday, and she's due for a photo shoot.

Those lucky W Club members!

I knew I would regret passing on the W Club this year! They recently were given the opportunity to enter a special lottery for a limited edition, lemon-colored hair Valia Pivione doll. I just adore her neutral make-up.

The cost of $275 may seem outrageous at first--until you hear that the price also includes a second doll! Each order will include either the brunette Valia Pivione or the Valia Raison d'Etre. Wow!

So jealous am I! I just think she is amazing.

Photo property of Integrity Toys.

2010 Fashion Royalty - Be dazzled!

Two new lines have been posted in the Fashion Royalty section of Integrity Toys' website. The dolls are ready for pre-order from your Integrity dealers. First, the Foundation collection:

• Model Citizen, Lukas M. LE 500. Brown hair. Dressed in a black, gray and white pin-striped suit with a bow tie.
• Staying Power, Darius Reid. LE 500. Black hair. Navy blue suit with subtle pin-stripe, white shirt with removable collar.
• Fire Within, Jordan. LE 600. Black hair. Pale pink skirt and jacket, sheer black mesh top, dramatic hat.
• Tricks of the Trade, Eugenia Perrin Frost. LE 600. Auburn hair. Faux fur wrap over gray bustier dress with dotted chiffon overlay. Feathered shoes.
• Private Goddess, Natalia Fatalé. LE 500. Golden brown hair. Blue taffeta gown with black mesh overlay on bodice.
• Winning Ensemble Luxury Wear, LE 300. Coral skirt with white sequined top, black trench coat.

Next, the Dazzle Collection:

• Temptation Vanessa. LE 500. Platinum hair. Pink sequined cocktail dress with 3/4 length sleeves.
• Soul Deep Adele. LE 500. Brown hair. Gold sequined sleeveless sheath cocktail dress. 
• Careless Love Dania. LE 500. Titian hair. Silver sequined sleeveless sheath with rounded neckline.
• Deceptively Yours Kyori gift set. LE 500. Raven hair. Sleeveless red sequined cocktail dress, black and white tweed suit, red ruffled strapless gown with nude bow at the waist.
• Flash Star Luxury Wear, LE 300. White sleeveless cocktail dress with black and white embroidered wrap.

2010 FR Monogram Dolls

Five new wigged and rooted dressed dolls will be available from this line from Integrity Toys, the FR Monogram collection. For full descriptions and photos, visit Integrity Toys' website:

• Enigmatic, limited edition of 250. She's a wigged red-head, dressed in black cocktail dress and a leopard print fur coat. Her black pumps have red soles.
• Brilliance, limited edition of 250. This doll is available now. She's a wigged brunette, dressed in a houndstooth suit.
• Dreamscape, limited edition of 250. This doll has a raven bobbed wig, and is dressed in a gorgeous pastel pink gown.
• Incandescent, limited edition of 250. This doll has rooted auburn hair, and is dressed in sleeveless pink and white sheath dress with a white jacket.
• Disclosure, limited edition of 350. This doll has rooted raven hair, and is dressed in an off-the-shoulder black bodysuit with attached garters, black fishnet stocking and pumps.

Photo property of Integrity Toys.

Kyori, redressed

Kyori, redressed, originally uploaded by alington.

Flight Pattern Kyori is getting ready for spring in this Tiny Kitty fashion (which barely snaps in the back). It's called Party Mint. The shoes belong to Lana Turner, but she doesn't mind sharing for the sake of style.

I think it gives Kyori a fun little prim look--sort of a grown-up Easter dress, if you will. More photos in my Flickr photostream.

Tulle and ribbon gown for Fashion Royalty by Jenny Grey

Check out this gorgeous gown available for sale for your Fashion Royalty or Barbie-sized dolls.

It's created from black tulle and lined with bright blue knit, with black ribbon trim. The long underskirt detaches, so you have the option of making it into a short cocktail length dress as well.

It has a cute triple beaded strap, and includes the tri-color bracelet, too. You can buy it today, from Jenny Grey's Etsy shop. It's a one-of-a-kind creation that appeared in the Couture Doll competition.

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.

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.

New Integrity Toys Slide Show

Check out my latest slideshow on Flickr. You can see my entire collection of Integrity Toys dolls, including Fashion Royalty, FR Nippon, Dynamite Girls, and Monsieur Z, with real-life photos. Or, you can visit my Flickr photostream. Browse around and leave a comment -- make me a contact if you like! I'd love to hear from you.

Wednesday Tea For Me And Thee

Kyori and Lilith at Tea, originally uploaded by alington.

Flight Pattern Kyori and Elements of Surprise Lilith are caught on camera taking a break for a cup of tea.

Both dolls are designed by Jason Wu of Integrity Toys. Kyori is a 12" Fashion Royalty model and Lilith is a NuFace. Tea set by Rememt, and the table is by Mattel.

This blog post was inspired by Wanda Lee of Silken Purse. You can play, too--Visit Silken Purse for details!

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.

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.

Happy Holidays from FR Nippon On the Go Destination: Tokyo

FR Nippon On the Go Destination: Tokyo wishes you and your loved ones a merry Christmas and happy holidays.

I'll be taking a couple of days off from blog posting (I think) to spend some time with the family. Well, unless I just can't stand it and get some really fantastic dolls that I just can't wait to post on this blog. I know there will be quite a few new additions coming soon! Enjoy your time off with your family, and have a safe and wonderful (and doll-filled) holiday with your loved ones.

Two sales of note...

BIC is have 20% off all in-stock dolls (including FR Nippon, Momoko, Azone, DollyStyle, and other hard-to-find Japan exclusive dolls). The refund comes only after you pay, however, I have it from another collector that this is an excellent and reliable source for overseas shopping. This offer is valid only through December 14, 2009, 1:00 (Japan Time), so don't wait! (Thanks for the tip, Susan!)

Additionally, BarbieCollector is still offering its $1 standard shipping (with no minimum or maximum order) through December 14, 2009, 11:59 central time, as well.

Just thought I'd pass these along to you!

Queen V

Queen V, originally uploaded by alington.

Again, in celebration of all things fabulous, this is Queen V (Veronique), another one of my grail Fashion Royalty dolls. (This shot is from an older photo shoot.) She is a Dollybird exclusive doll, limited edition of 450, inspired by Queen Elizabeth I, sort of reimagined, I believe.

I adore her for many, many reasons:

• Her ultra pale pink skin makes the contrast of her blue eyes pop.
• Her lovely hair is in a wonderfully complex pin-curl up-do.
• Her face-up is simply to die for--it's neutral and soft.
• Her fabulous gown is very well made, encrusted with gems and trimmed with lace, historically inspired while still be 100% couture and modern. See more photos on Flickr and Mobile Me.
• Her jewelry is also quite amazing and over the top. Even her crown is well-made.
• Her shoes are lovely--she included two sets.
• Her lingerie--oh my--is wonderful. It includes real working garters!

True, she is quite pricey when you can find her. But she is still listed at close to her original retail price of $325, unlike True Royalty Vanessa. If you can find her, and afford her, you won't be disappointed. Manika has her listed for $350. AMC Collection has her listed for $385. And BIC Co, Ltd has her listed for 34,000 Yen (about $396). Stay away from Ebay, though--those auctions have her listed for about $425-450.

In celebration of Royalty...

Strike a pose, originally uploaded by alington.

Just because she's beautiful, I found an older snapshot of True Royalty Vanessa to post on my blog today. She's still one of my all-time favorite dolls. I just love her.

Vanessa is one of my favorite Fashion Royalty sculpts--I think I like her because of her open mouth. She looks so pouty and haughty. I bought this doll on the secondary market (just the doll (with her hair down), the gown, choker and shoes), and I found the jewelry, which I think matches really well, from LVNV Dolls.

Seeing this photo, and the others from this set, makes me think I'd better take some more photos of my Fashion Royalty dolls pretty soon. They are such fun to pose and play with. I'd love to find a ball-jointed doll who is about this size, who could share clothing with Barbies and FR dolls, too. I think Soom makes one, actually. She's on my wish list!

Pewter & Platinum via Shuga-Shug's Blog

Check out the latest post on Shuga-Shug's blog for news and information about the new exclusive dolls to the W Club, Pewter Jordan and Platinum Natalia.