Don't forget!

Don't forget to follow us over at the Fashion Doll Review blog now. We've added a couple of great contributors over there, including Shuga-Shug and Kathie (aka BarbieKenScout on her eBay store, Kathie's Fashion Dolls), who add to the conversation about 11-12" fashion dolls.

I'm about to start a short series on the Steffie sculpt, too. Thanks!

The new blog is done!

The Fashion Doll Review is up and running. While I plan to leave this blog functioning, I will now be posting (along with several other authors who are more knowledgeable in the field of Barbie, vintage Barbie, Tiny Kitty, Momoko, Fashion Royalty, Poppy Parker, FR Nippon, Takara Jenny, Blythe, and other fashion dolls) from that new site.

If you don't already follow the Fashion Doll Review, I'd love it if you'd join us there. Please leave us comments on what you'd like to hear! Thanks so much!

Blog update...

Hello, dear readers,

I'm in the process of combining the Fashion Doll Review with the Barbie Queue blog once more. Within a week or so, I should have some news regarding these new plans, I hope. I'm excited about them, and I hope you will be, too!

Got an extra 1,600 Euros?

According to a short blog post in BoingBoing, there is a hotel in Paris (called the Hotel Plaza Athénée), which has two Barbie-themed rooms. Designed for guests, aged three and over, these rooms are modeled after Barbie's dream house. Including in the 1,600 Euro (per night) cost, a "special girlie gift" is also included, which is apparently "designed by Barbie."

For you fortunate parents, you can have a connecting room for a mere 2,500 Euros per night.

I noticed that there are quite a few strongly negative comments on this post on BoingBoing post. And while I would agree that spending $5,200 per night at a hotel does seem a little pricey (and certainly more than I'd like to spend), I would be the last person to pass judgment on how a wealthy person spends his or her travel money. I still don't understand what the big deal is--I have four children, and I know it's possible to spoil them. But it's also terribly fun to splurge on them occasionally. But it's quite possible I just don't have enough experience as a mother. Or a doll collector.

What's your opinion?

Photo property of the Hotel Plaza Athénée.

Doll-worthy Reading

[I apologize for a duplicate post, if you also follow the Fashion Doll Review, but it's really good reading, and I think you should visit this site!]

If you love sewing for your dolls of all sizes (including BJDs!), be sure to check out Lori's blog, Sew Many Doll Clothes. She has great articles and fantastic photos, and her sewing is really cute! 

Her latest post includes photos of Berdine's Creedy new ballet cutie, Pepper-Mint. Pepper-Mint includes a ballerina costume, but Lori actually made her a real tutu with tights. She's just adorable. So go find her post and follow her blog!

Deficit spending and collecting dolls?

This item I came across today, and it's really essential reading for every doll collector out there. 

Perhaps you are a follower of my Fashion Doll Review blog, and perhaps read my rather desperate attempt at saving both my doll budget and marriage--why is it so hard to keep both afloat? Just in time, another doll collector comes in to save the day!

We are really doing a patriotic duty to our country, especially in this time of patriotic crisis, with our doll collections. Be sure you visit Random Doll Blathering's post, and see her valuable points on why we should consider Deficit Spending when it comes to buying dolls. She's very persuasive!

(Like I am getting my credit card out of my wallet as I type...) 

Enjoy!

It's a Major Award!

I feel like the father on A Christmas Story (you know, with the leg lamp)! I got a nice comment to one of my blog entries recently, stating that this blog has directed some of the most traffic to the Mini Treasures website in the past year. Fantastic!

I'm #24 out of the top 25 traffic producers. So I get to post an award on my site. 

Let me again mention the Mini Treasures blog and Wiki--anything you ever wanted to know about miniatures, you can find on this site. It's really wonderful!

Terrific resource for toy reference photos.

Have you ever searched online for older real-life photos of toys? You might want to check out the website oldtoys-on-line.com. They have lists of action figures, dolls, TV toys, games, sport, and and other vintage toys, all for your reference. Pay them a visit!

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.

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.

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.

BACK TO THE 80'S - CRYSTAL BARBIE

BACK TO THE 80'S - CRYSTAL BARBIE, originally uploaded by rod_collection_2.

Check out my latest gallery on Flickr. Its focus is "Nostalgia," and it features wonderful photos of 1980s Barbies, such as this lovely Crystal Barbie by rod_collection_2.

And if you haven't discovered this cool feature--even if you don't upload digital photos obsessively to Flickr, you should set yourself up with a free account on Flickr, just to take advantage of the cool "gallery" feature. You can virtually collect up to 18 photos of your favorite photos from other photographers. Then you display own private collection, which you can view and share with other viewers, all the while still maintaining credit for the original artist. It's really cool.

Barbie is embarrassed about an 80s photo...

BarbieStyle's tweet this morning read,
"Someone just showed me this old pic from the 80's. OMG. If plastic could blush, I soooo would!
http://twitpic.com/z2bcf"
24 minutes ago from HootSuiteOh, wow. I'm so glad I subscribe to Barbie's tweets! Whatever would I do without this valuable information? Still, you have to admit it's a cute photo. And I got a little bit of a laugh out it this morning. Now, let me finish my coffee.

Vote for Barbie's next career!

Barbie has had over 100 different careers in her 50-year life span. Now, you have a chance to influence the next one--don't miss out! Visit Mattel's website to cast your vote between these five options:

• Environmentalist
• Surgeon
• Architect
• News anchor
• Computer engineer

Personally, I'd like to see either a computer engineer or an environmentalist. I'd prefer the computer engineer, simply for the props. Is it just me? Architect could also be kind of cool.

We've seen all kinds of Barbie doctors already. My husband is a physician, and let me cut to the chase: it's too expensive to go to school, the lifestyle and hours are horrible, and the work is just exhausting. It's nothing like ER or Grey's Anatomy or those other shows in real life. Glamorous Barbie would hate it. And her feet would just kill in those heels.

Pink haired dolls on Flickr.

I recently discovered the terrifying creative and fun gallery feature on Flickr. It allows you to browse through photos and add up to 18 photos in a gallery format (according to your own theme) and collect them in a "gallery." Please check out my latest collection, "Pink Haired Dolls."

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think. I adore this feature, and will probably be assembling more collections in the future!

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.

Tuesday Tea for Two

Goodreau Tinies as Alice, originally uploaded by alington.

In celebration of the holiday season, I thought I'd try Tuesday Tea for Two, a blogging tea party idea I saw at the Plumed Pen of Wanda Lee.

My two lovelies are both Goodreau resin ball-jointed dolls. Ashlyn is 5" tall, and is dressed in a one-of-a-kind mod Alice outfit created for her by Nancie at Nankatts. Her wig and shoes are by Goodreau. Adeline Joy is dressed in a an outfit for Snappy dolls (also created by Goodreau). Her wig is handmade by Michele Hardy. Tea set is a Rement set. The tray of cookies is from a Tiny Kitty Christmas Hat Box set (Tonner Doll Company).

Shuga-Shug's Blog

If you're not currently a follower of Shuga-Shug's fantastic blog, let me recommend the following link. You can stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest from Integrity Toys, as well as be treated to some absolutely gorgeous photography work from her wonderful collection of dolls.

In fact, you should go visit right now--and check out Reluctant Debutante Poppy. She's gorgeous!