Couture Doll Challenge 6 photos are posted!

And I think Audrey Hepburn would be proud. Week six's challenge was called Inspired by Audrey: the designers were challenged to take inspiration from the classic dresser and actress Audrey Hepburn. The challenge wasn't to recreate one of Audrey's outfits, but instead to create something she would have loved to wear.

This week's guest judge is Randall Craig, who uses Audrey as a muse himself. You can check out the amazing results at Couture Doll's website. Great job this week, designers!

Interesting places to find Collector Barbies

My daughter and I did some Christmas shopping yesterday, and we found a couple of great deals on Barbie dolls while we were out:

• Pink Label Harley Davidson Barbie (2009) retail price $44.95 was just $15.00 at Ross Dress for Less. 
• Birthstone Barbie (2007) $32.99 retail were listed for just $12.99. We found Miss Garnet, Miss Amethyst, Miss Aquamarine, Miss Ruby, Miss Peridot, Miss Sapphire, Miss Opal, Miss Topaz and Miss Turquoise.

We also found a couple of great deals on Grease and I Love Lucy collector Barbies, as well. If you're willing to root through some piles of toys and make extra trips, there are good deals and a few gems to be had out there! Hope you can find some, too.

Photo courtesy of Mattel.

Thanksgiving sale at Angelic Dreamz

Beginning today through December 1, you can take 15% off any purchase of Barbie and Integrity Toys! Additionally, save 20% off all Sideshow Toys action firgures. Special orders, items already on sale, and pre-orders are not included in this sale, however. (The discount is applied after you add items to your shopping cart.)

Plus, all orders over $75 qualify for free shipping within the continental US (via FedEx or UPS).

And from November 27-30 only, you can get a free gift with purchase on all Barbie purchases over $100: a free Barbie Vintage Shoe Pack! Plus, check out the daily sale items, as well.

Lots of other items are on sale at the site as well, including Tonner Dolls, Goodreau Dolls, Madame Alexander, Effanbee, Franklin Mint and more!

Photo courtesy of Angelic Dreamz.

Barbie Loves Mimco accessories - more gift ideas

I found this link from one of Barbie's Tweets. (Yes--Barbie has a Twitter account. Are you in the know?) This site, Mimco (in Australia), has a fantastic (and pricey) selection of wonderful and exclusive accessories for the Barbie fan (or drama queen or princess) in your life. A few of my personal favorites:

• The Glamour Barbie Traveller Tote: This is available in several designs: Bedside Barbie (white with baby pink dots), High Flyin' Barbie (yellow with white dots), Sunshine Barbie (hot pink and black stripe) and Glamour Barbie (classic black with gray stripes). Choose your favorite! Retail is $120.45 USD.
• The Cambridge Ballet Flats feature an exclusive polyester satin print with faceted zebra buttons on the toes. Retail is $215.77 USD. Dress up your feet like Barbie would, if she didn't have to walk in heels.
• The Barbie Wish Upon A Star Charm is another must-have for the girl who has everything. One side is fuchsia, the other black. Both are decorated with Swarovski crystals, so you can sparkle like Barbie herself. Retail $129.12.

Images courtesy Mimco.

Dollystyle exclusive dolls by Integrity Toys

Two exclusive dolls created by Integrity Toys for the Dollystyle Convention in Japan, held November 21 and 22 were recently released. Unfortunately, both dolls are already sold out. However, you can buy them after market on Ebay (probably) and at this auction here.

The first is the companion doll Night Warrior Vanessa, shown above. Originally, she retailed for about $296.50. She's a limited edition of just 300 dolls, also.

Photos courtesy Dollystyle Magazine.

The second, also limited to 300 dolls, is Tokyo Here We Go Amelie, and she is the official FR Nippon convention doll. She's dressed in pink, and she originally retailed for $320.25.

In 2005, the first convention doll was a black dress version, also called Tokyo Here We Go with the Misaki face sculpt, with curly blonde hair. In 2006, Marui Misaki was released as a limited edition of 100 as a department store (ONE Shinjuku) exclusive, not as a convention doll, as I had formerly stated. (These dolls are just adorable!)

Photos courtesy Integrity Toys.

Bond Girl Barbies

Priced at $34.99, three new Bond Girl Barbies are available for pre-order now. They should arrive in December of this year, just in time for the holidays. Here are the film divas you can add to your collection--and perhaps they'd make a clever gift for a non-doll collector, but a James Bond fan!

• Honey Ryder from "Dr. No," originally played by Ursula Andress. She's dressed in a barely-there white bikini, complete with knife holster.
• Who would have thought classy Barbie would portray Pussy Galore in "Goldfinger," originally portrayed by Honor Blackman. I adore her short frosted bob, smokey eye makeup and über-classy satin suit and gold blouse, though. (Would I dare add her to my collection?)
• Finally, there is Jinx, originally played by Halle Berry in "Die Another Day." What an adorable face this girl has, even if she is wearing that micro bikini!

Photos courtesy Mattel.

Barbie Blowdryer from Bloomingdales

Looking for that perfect gift for the woman who has everything? Look no further. I have the perfect gift idea! A Barbie edition T3 Featherweight blowdryer. For a mere $200, your special lady can style her hair with a tool just like the one pro stylist Orlando Pita used at the Barbie fashion show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Available at Bloomingdales, of course.

Flight Pattern Kyori

Flight Pattern Kyori, originally uploaded by alington.

My first Fashion Royalty doll (in a long while, at least!) has finally arrived. I pre-ordered her with Reluctant Debutante Poppy Parker, who took her sweet time.

Flight Pattern Kyori is quite lovely, and is my first FR doll with the HandSpeak system. While it's a little creepy to have an extra set of hands, I like the extra poses they allow.

Kyori's hair desperately needs a rinse, but it's a lovely color and length. I hope it stays wavy. Her face paint is muted and soft--a nice juxtaposition to her strong, angular outfit. The black patent skirt is super short and opens in the front for easy walking and posing. The jacket closes in front with hooks. I wish the outfit included a bra top or camisole underneath, however.

I am impressed with her adorable shoes and her fun gunmetal crystal earrings and bracelet. And fishnets give her outfit some extra pizazz. She's a very pretty doll.

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!

Couture Doll Challenge 5 photos are posted

The Couture Doll Challenge 5 photos are posted on the website. This challenge's theme was On the Red Carpet, and the guest judge is Jim Farone. As of this morning, no scores have yet been given, but I do see quite a few lovely entries! Swing by and check out the competition for some really wonderful and unique outfits. Wonderful job, designers!