State of the Blogger

So where's a Philly-collector been? 

Mostly home and near bed. I could not go far with a turbulent stomach and a hypersensitive nose.

Where am I now? Library. So, yes, I am getting better.

I have missed blog updates here and elsewhere, but please know - I will be BACK.

Thanks for your visits - past, present, and future. Next up? Sales.

The Playscale Swim Suit Issue

In the beginning, Barbie was issued wearing a black-white striped swim suit. And fashion dolls and action figures have swim suits as a fashion staple.

This issue has been somewhat inspired by Fashion Doll Stylist.


Let's start with the most basic white swim wear - painted on briefs for Oliver and painted on bra-tops and panties for everGirl, Get Real Girl Claire and Get Real Girl Gabi. The red-haired everGirl has a strapless bra top while the Get Real Girls wear more modest, full bra-tank tops. Oliver is an exception; most male dolls and/or action figures do not wear white shorts.

Let's see some more sophisticated white swim fashions - white with a little metallic. 

Here are Twist'n turn Casey (Mattel), Suntan Tuesday Taylor (Ideal), Monsieur Z Babes Wild (Integrity Toys), Dynamite Girl Heartbreaker T.J. (also Integrity Toys), and Fashion Model On Location - Milan Barbie (Mattel). T.J. wears the original swim set of Integrity Toys' Nu Face .

Armageddon Xenia (Toy Biz) and Kisara (Takara) wear basic knit swim wear. Xenia has borrowed Bbi Perfect Body's black two-piece and Kisara wears her original black one-piece.

Next, the guys show a range of flesh exposure options. Jericho (Jakks Pacific) wears the briefest swim pants while the unnamed priest formerly known as Commander Adamo (Majestic Studios) and S Club Seven's Paul (Hasbro) are less generous in baring their legs. 

Finally, Sindy (Pedigree) shares Olmec Naomi's black-white striped swimsuit. It's a comfortable fit for her.

Where are the tropical and rainbow colors? Let's see some samples here. I'll let you guess who the models are and which swim suits they are wearing. (The dolls and action figures have been seen here before. The swim suits? Maybe ....)


For those bright tropical colors of yellow, orange, and lime green, here are my favorites:

And what about his tropical swim wear? Some male dolls and action figures vie with the sun.

Jewel and other colors up next. Hers followed by his.

I do have other dolls and action figures wearing or capable of wearing swim suit. Perhaps next year, I will do another swim wear post with more figures and more comments. Have you guessed who my colorful models are?

L.A.Girl Fashionista and Others Seen at Walmart - Ms. Leo Alert

Another photo post that is short on text.


L.A. Girl Fashionista with the Skipper-face.

2nd Skipper-faced Fashionista with light blue eyes, auburn hair, and a tan complexion.

For Ms. Leo - the AA Fashionista with the beauty mark. 

Seen in Target! Fashionistas, Christmas Specials, and Frozen Reindeer

A mostly photos post - scant on text.

I saw the AA Fashionista with the beauty mark and this 2015 Fashionista

Sleighing Skipper with a plastic sleigh for one.

And a new Sven the reindeer set from the Disney movie Frozen. The set includes Sven and a sleigh that might actually carry the two sister princesses. 

Fashionistas Seen at Walmart

For Philly locals seeking these 3 new Fashionistas, I saw them at Walmart. They were hidden behind many blond Barbie Fashionistas. If you prefer to buy your dolls online, Walmart.com also has them at "Rollback" prices - $7.94 each, which means you save $2.03 on each doll. While that might not seem a big reduction, it does add up. Almost like buy 2, get one free. Almost ;-)

Blue-eyed, light complected Asha-faced doll

Walmart link for light complected Asha-faced doll. The Asha face sculpt was one of the original Black face sculpts for the Shani line. Mattel issuing the doll in a lighter complexion does not make the doll "White." I consider her a bi-racial Asha. Her blue eyes and lighter complexion give her enough of a difference to warrant adding her to my collection. I like her necklace and the sensible flat shoes, too.

Fair-complected, Lea-faced doll

Walmart link for fair complected Lea-faced doll. I don't have a match for this face, hair arrangement, and complexion so I might get this doll. How can I resist that Meow cat tee shirt? So she's second on my list.

Brown complected, Goddess-faced doll

Walmart link for brown complected Goddess-faced doll. She's a lovely doll, but I have several dolls about this complexion so I am not likely to get this one. I don't care for the outfit either. Shrug.

Ms. Leo reported seeing these dolls at a Family Dollar store. I am submitting this post to mention that these dolls are appearing at Walmart and to share the sale price. So anyone who'd like that pale Lea-faced doll, maybe the price reduction will tip that doll into your shopping cart. Maybe?

October Highlights: Heritage, Halloween, and Sales!

I love autumn. The temperature is cooler, the vibrant orange leaves brighten the ground, and I look forward to some of the most fun holidays of the year: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Yay! A is for apples, B is for baking, C is for chocolate, and D is for dolls all year round. We are right before the holiday sales. Would be nice to get my sale list out and dolls/action figures off.

In the meantime, we have these heritages and celebrations open

Hispanic American Heritage continues until the 15th of this month.

German American (I don't think I have done a German American Heritage post before.) Oktoberfest Barbie pops in to represent the month and German American Heritage.



Italian American (I don't think I have done an Italian American Heritage post before.)

I do not have anything new to add for Filipino American or Polish American Heritage. No new dolls. Please share if you do ;-)

LGBT History. New doll name is Sarina Valentina; she's a Phicen Limited 1/6th scale action doll from their Classic Beauty Entertainment Series. Since her body is "realistic" - nipples, etc. - I would suggest the page is for adult viewers and that it is not safe for work.

I would like to do a review on Aoshima/Skynet's Ladies Mission action figures - time permitting. Here's a close up of the nun from that series:



The swim suit issue will post this month. Here are some Mattel males wearing swimsuits. They're boxed because I will be selling them, but the dolls and action figures for the swim suit post will be out of box.



And of course, I will have one or more Halloween posts.

Aggravation: Clear Modem Broke

Hi All! My Clear modem is no longer working. Aaaaaacckkkk! If I get a new one, it will only work until November 6, 2015. So I am looking for a new service. Any suggestions for Philadelphia providers? I am considering NetZero. Anyone here use that service?

I've been unable to post photos on Google from the public Library.

Update: I could not post photos using Internet Explorer. When I used Google Chrome, I could upload the photos. So I'll use Chrome as my browser when submitting Blogger posts or using other Google products. Thanks, FLP staff, for this suggestion.

Catholic-Themed Dolls, Action Figures, and Outfits

The last two days of the 2015 World Meeting of Families event brings Pope Francis to Philadelphia. The last papal visitor to Philadelphia was Pope John Paul II back in 1979. I don't have memories of that visit - I was in my teens and in my own "world." I am older now and more conscious of social/religious events. It's lovely and flattering to host the Pope. On the other hand, it feels as though the city has been overtaken. However, it is only for a single weekend, these preparations. Sigh.

The current visit makes me think about the Catholic-themed dolls and action figure available in playscale. I have a Lady's Mission nun action figure, a Takara Jenny nun dress, and one action figure I intend to become a priest. The potential Father awaits proper garb - like my Baptist minister, Isaiah Ezekiel Hadley. (Perhaps I will make them or buy them someday.)

Below, I list a doll and fashions produced that are NOT part of my collection

1967-70 Hasbro Flying Nun Doll‎ based on the character Sister Betrille played by Sally Field on The Flying Nun television show. This doll is 12" tall.

Here are other views of the Easter Toys priest's garb that includes a bible and a cross necklace

Azone International produced nun's robes in gray or black

Takara Jenny owned a mini-skirted nun's dress that I have somewhere

Aside: this is an interesting article about an action figure's representation..

Do you collect religious figures in playscale?

Seen at Target - Halloween Chelsea and Others

I stopped in a Target the other day. Three Halloween Chelseas, 4 of the five Fifth Harmony dolls, and some other dolls were out.


These are the 2015 Halloween Chelseas. Remember, they are only available at Target (and on the secondary markets). What I find interesting is that the suntanned Chelsea is a ghost while the palest Chelsea is a pumpkin. I would have thought that the palest doll would be the ghost. Then again the white satiny dress contrasts nicely against a tanned complexion, and the orange brightens the paler complexion. Junior-fashionistas-in-the-making!

Pumpkin Chelsea

Witch? Chelsea

Ghost Chelsea

Were I in the mood for buying now, I would buy the Pumpkin and the Ghost Chelseas. Oh heck, the redhead is cute, too. I love all their coloring. Wonder if they have any Black Halloween Chelseas? I remember Mattel did for Kelly, but I'm not sure about Chelsea. Is the black-haired Chelsea Asian? Hmmm ....


Next, I saw Barbie and her other two sisters appear in a Great Puppy Adventure gift set. I would like Skipper's dress - sunflowers on a dark background, but I don't like how the edges are finished.



I almost like this single Skipper doll's outfit - a dark tee shirt and denim jeans. If the pants didn't have the rips. I like fringe, but rips look sloppy to me. This Skipper has lilac eyes. Pass.



Rock n Royals band member. She's very pale like the Pumpkin Chelsea. Blue streaked hair with one side cut shorter. The short hair cut differs from the overflowing tresses most fashion dolls wear. Hmmm ... Rachelle face mold? The doll I saw has an odd look to her vinyl/plastic that reminds me of cheaper dolls. A waxy look.
            

I saw most of the Fifth Harmony dolls. Yay! Now I've decided, I just want Ally from this set. Why? The others look too much like other dolls I either have or have seen. Unless I come across a doll with vastly different face screening, I can pass. Good for my wallet, yes? Yes!

Possibly one for me - Ally of Fifth Harmony

Normani of Fifth Harmony - Another Desiree face mold

Dinah of Fifth Harmony - Another Asha face mold

Camila - Another Alex Russo? face mold

Same doll aisle, different manufacturer: a new Disney line, Descendants, rendered by Hasbro. The Descendants are the children of Disney heroes and villains. There are four female characters and two male: Mal, Evie, Jane, Lonnie, Ben, and Carlos. I like the articulated bodies, but I'd have to sell the big heads.

Hasbro Disney Descendants Coronation Jane

Hasbro Disney Descendants Coronation Audrey

---

More new bodies! Yippee! I LOVE new body options. These are the Project MC2 dolls by MGA Entertainment. If you'd like to see a comparison of these bodies along some other articulated doll bodies, I suggest you check Picklepud's Flickr site. The Doll Circle offers a YouTube video that has a brief comparison of the Project MC2 dolls to SpinMaster Liv dolls and the quality of the dolls.

Seen at Walmart: Frozen Troll Wedding Giftset

Hello Frozen fans!

Walmart has the 12" Anna and Kristoff figures dressed for the Troll Wedding scene available. The price is $39.97 in stores or online - before taxes and shipping, of course. Please note, this Kristoff seems to have molded clothes and NOT the cloth, removable clothes of the Kristoff available at the Disney Store. The set includes Anna, Kristoff, Olaf the Snowman, and two trolls.


 If you want these figures, check them now before the Christmas shopping rush.

Disney Frozen Troll Wedding Set

Disney Frozen Troll Wedding Set box back

14 Chocolate-Theme DAFs

 

Lindt Excellence dark chocolate for ME!

SpinMaster Liv candy

Today is International Chocolate Day. I hope everyone has had the chocolate of his or her choice. Below is a list of 14 dolls and/or action figures that refer to chocolate. Can you think of playscale ones I missed? Share in a comment if you can.

Chocolate Bon Bon was the name for the darker brunette color of Twist'n Turn Barbie for 1967-68.

Oreo Barbie and Oreo Fun Barbie - the one time Mattel should NOT have made a Black version.

Hershey’s Barbie doll

Chocolate Obsession Barbie doll

Happy Holidays Kelly with Hot Chocolate

Chocolate Easter Bunnies

White Chocolate Easter Sweetie Kelly

Milk Chocolate Easter Sweetie Melody

Dark Chocolate Easter Sweetie Kerstie

Candy Factory Lucy - miniature chocolate candies included

I Love Lucy Job Switching - miniature chocolate candies included

Sekiguchi Momoko Orange Chocolate     

Gentle Giant produced a Willy Wonka figure

Medicom also produced a Willy Wonka figure

I know I should have added See's Candies Barbie ...

Tagged for the Liebster Award - So I'm Tagging Back!

Billa nominated me for the Liebster Award. (Lisa did, too. I'll be back, ha ha!)


Rules and procedures. Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog. Thanks, Billa! Give your readers eleven random facts about yourself.

1. I studied karate for two years.

2. I've tutored English to adult speakers of other languages - a little over two years.


3. Green peppers make me queasy.


4. I find stationary stores almost as much fun as toy stores and bookstores. All that clean paper and those sharp new pens ...


5. I seldom wear jewelry, but sometimes I don this bracelet Brini sent with the doll sweaters. Its smooth silver twist and sea-blue sparkles please me. Pretty bling! Thanks again, Brini!

6. America's Next Top Model is a guilty pleasure. I have never wanted to be a model. I don't particularly care for the fashions shown. I don't know why I watch it. I dislike most reality shows.


7. I prefer to buy my own chocolate.


8. I like sandals in summer and boots or sneakers for fall and winter. Heels? Never!


9. Strawberries, plums, and pink grapefruit are my 3 favorite fruits.


10. I still like to "curl up" with a paper book.


11. I LOVE the Internet, the World Wide Web, and using computers.

---

Answer the 11 questions from the person who nominated you.

1. Have you got a secret dream or a wild project?
I'd like to experience a Doctor Who/Andre Norton adventure where I save people.


2. When has a project exceeded your wildest expectations? How?
This blog. I have readers and it gets comment - wow.


3. Chocolate: white, dark, milk, or none at all?
Lots of dark chocolate. Little bit of milk for variety. Smidgen of white. I like to be fair ;-)


4.  If you could have dinner with three fictional characters, who would they be?
David Tennant's Doctor Who
Barbara Hambly's Rose Vitrac January 
Michael Paul Chan's Detective Lieutenant Michael Tao


5.  What's your all-time favorite movie?
It used to be The Wizard of Oz. I'm not sure now that I still have one. Possibly Serenity ...


6.   If you could choose a career other than your actual one(s), what would it be?
Doll designer

7.  What time period would you most like to live in, other than the modern one?
I like the time I'm  in now. But I'd try out the future. How about a year from now?

8.  What is the most versatile tool in your arsenal?
My brain ;-) 


9.  Winter person or summer person?
Winter person


10. What do you most wish you could organize properly?
My doll collection ;-)



11. What do you do to find inspiration?
Searching online.

---

Nominate 11 bloggers to receive this award.

 
1.  Super cool doll house

2. Red Carpet Dolls   

3. Black Doll Collecting  

4. Confessions of a Dolly Lover  

5. Una Barbie en Casa

6.  Strefa Meskich Lalek     

7. Pink Obsession      

8. Limbe Dolls   

9. Male Doll World 

10. Mrs. Anderson's All-Purpose Blog

11. The Multicrafteral Lab  

---

Invent 11 questions for your nominees.

1. How did you become a blogger?
2. What was your favorite subject in school and why?
3. You can be any doll you want, brought to life. Which doll are you and why?
4. What is the coolest story ever connected to your blog?
6. What do you do when you are not blogging?
7. What are your Grail dolls/action figures?
8. What three countries or cities would you like to visit?
9. Is there a project you dream of accomplishing?
10. What are your favorite foods?
11. Any tips you would give future bloggers?

Happy Labor Day and September Topics

Yay, September is here! Happy Labor Day to those celebrating it.

Summer is winding down. Temperature is in the 80s. Most days are sunny. Here we have Integrity Toys' "Wild" from the Monsieur Z Summer Babes wave stretched on a bench.

Monsieur Z Summer Babes Wild

Monsieur Z Summer Babes Wild stands

September Topics include: 

Back to School dolls, action figures, and playsets

Doll and Action Figure Sale - I'm at a now or never point.

September 13 - International Chocolate Day. Short and possibly sweet: eat chocolate.

September 15 - October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month                                                                 
September 27 - World Tourism Day.  This year, Burkina Faso hosts World Tourism Day. Burkina Faso is a West African country formerly known as Upper Volta. Lonely Planet has a rich tourism page about Burkina Faso.   

Swimwear in September. As in sales, you ask. No, as in, I haven't covered swimwear earlier this summer so I mean to squeeze it in now. What are dolls and action figures wearing and what have dolls and action figures worn?

The Liebstar Award, moving, and organizing are other topics I intend to cover. What's coming up for your blogs?

                         

Part 2: Pinterest Post Promotion - #NoMoreGlueHeads

Okay, who guessed that when I asked for "glue head doll" links, I was thinking "Pinterest board?"

Much as I "love" Mattel for their creativity and their 50+ years of playscale fashion doll production, even I say, "Enough is enough." Dolls should NOT ooze greasy goo. We do not want gluehead dolls; we should not have them. They are a greater threat to Mattel's customer relations than the Bratz, Lammily, or any doll to come. With that mindset, I wondered: how to draw Mattel's attention to this problem? A start would be to gather every website mentioning it under one (or more) Pinterest boards. Ta da. Let me introduce my latest Pinterest board ...

  #NoMoreGlueHeads     

What do you think of Part 2? I'm curious. Feedback, comments are always welcome. (Relevant comments.)
  

Part 1: Request for Links - #NoMoreGlueHeads

I owe this idea to Mrs. Anderson's recent post Everybody loves Mattel's greasy glue. Thanks, "Mrs. A," for contributing to this topic. Four words: glue in dolls' heads. Yes, it seems that glue heads aka fashion dolls with glue-filled heads remain a problem. Sigh. Many of you may have encountered this problem with your Mattel - and possibly other manufacturers' - dolls. If you have written any posts on this subject or you know of relevant articles, would you please share that information in a comment?

Why? Ah ... that's for Part 2.

Here are some of the results from my search for "Mattel glue head dolls:"

Charles' post from 2009 about the puzzling presence of glue in late 2008 - forward Mattel dolls.

Two collectors' findings among their Indonesia-produced Monster High dolls (mature language and content).

Mike's original 2012 video and updated 2013 one.       

Sandy Neeson's Change.org petition from 3 years ago that netted 637 supporters before the petition closed.

BlackKitty's fixes for "g(l)oohaired dolls" 2013    

Mrs. Anderson 2014 post on Mattel's greasy hair problem.


Here are some dolls I have happily re-bodied. They had NO glue in their heads.