Barbie Fashionistas Review - 59 Tropi Cutie Re-bodied

Okay, now I want a Barbie Fashionista No. 59 Tropi Cutie AND a WWE Naomi doll. I wonder if I'll be able to get any WWE dolls at Toys R Us before they close? If not, I'll get them from Walmart, etc.

dd Discounts and Mystery Clone Dolls

dd's Discounts stores are part of the Ross Family (Ross Dress for Less chain). I dropped by their store on Roosevelt Boulevard to see what, if any, dolls they sold. They had mystery Barbie clone fashion dolls - think "no name," "no manufacturer" - dolls similar to ones seen at small discount stores throughout the city. So here are some budget offerings. 

Beauty by Miss Princess found at dd Discount store

Dream Furniture 

Sophie Sisters (left) and Dolls of the World (middle) and Mattel Barbie (right)

Kitchen Set, My Kitchen Tools, box back

Kitchen Set, My Kitchen Tools, box side showing accessories included

Kitchen Set, My Kitchen Tools, box front showing Barbie clone doll

I am including the addresses, telephone numbers, and hours for the two Philadelphia, PA stores:

dd's DISCOUNTS
3000 Island Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19153
215-863-6801

Mon–Sat: 08:30 AM-10:00 PM
Sun: 09:00 AM-10:00 PM



dd's DISCOUNTS
4640 Roosevelt Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19124-2300
215-533-5125

Mon–Sat: 09:00 AM-10:30 PM
Sun: 09:30 AM-10:30 PM

Seen at Toys R Us Cottman Avenue

I also went to the Toys R Us at the Cottman and Caster Shopping Center. The parking lot here was also empty. Sigh. On the plus side though, there were more dolls available. Here are some of the dolls I saw there. 

Toys R Us Cottman Avenue store

Mattel Barbie Pink Passport Fashion Pack set

Mattel Barbie Fashionistas 4-Doll Boxed set

Disney Beauty and the Beast Gift sets

Mattel DC Comics Super Hero Girls

More Mattel DC Comics Super Hero Girls

More Mattel DC Comics Super Hero Girls

Mattel WWE Superstar Sasha Banks

Mattel WWE Superstars: Natalya, Eva, Charlotte, and Becky 

WWE Superstar Collection of 5 Dolls for $44.98

Bought at Toys R Us South Philly Store

While I have mixed feelings about Toys R Us, I still wanted to walk the aisles one more time - at least - before they closed. So I stopped by the South Philadelphia branch on Oregon Avenue. I was too anxious to photograph anything so I'll just show one of the two dolls that I bought. I paid the market price for this one because she's one I really wanted. I later learned that I could have bought the other, Disney Princess Belle from the Emma Watson version, for $5.99 at Ross Dress for Less stores. Sigh.



The doll I bought is one of the Mattel WWE wrestlers, Becky Lynch. I didn't see any Sasha Banks with the extra green dress and black pump shoes. This store had a few of the 6-doll set, but a.) I don't know that I want all of those dolls, and b.) I prefer the outfits on the single or the extra fashion dolls. Becky wears a pair of steampunk-themed leggings that I like - for her (not ever for me, lol). Her top is meh, matching the leggings but not striking. I like the black ankle boots. I don't imagine Wonder Woman borrowing the outfit, but she might borrow the boots. Maybe. Here's the Mattel box photo of this doll followed by the photo of my doll.

The Real Reason Toys "R" Us Is Going Under

Talk about Toys R Us from a business-political perspective. I felt less sanguine about supporting Toys R Us after seeing this vlog. 

The Closing of Toys R Us

I watched and listened to this Toys R Us fan's vlog about Toys R Us closing. He makes interesting points. So I am sharing this link here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

#SaveToysRUs

You've heard about Toys R Us closing? Got a tissue in your hand? Save that tissue for another time: toy manufacturer Isaac Marian of MGA Entertainment, Inc. has a plan to save the Toys R Us brand AND about 400 of the 735 U.S. stores due to close. Yippee! Wolf whistles and feet pounding. Head bobbing and snatches from the old Toys R Us jingle - "the greatest selection ..." I am excited.


Even better, I could help. No, we could help.

What's the plan?

Well, Mr. Marian and two unidentified investors have started a GoFundMe campaign with a $200 million dollar contribution. The goal of the campaign is $1 billion dollars by Memorial Day, May 28, 2018. We can contribute to the possible saving of this unique toy store brand. The campaign does not guarantee that Toys R Us can or will be saved, but it offers Toys R Us enthusiasts an opportunity to contribute. I am enough of a fan that I could see myself making a contribution. Possibly. 

More to the question though is, should I? Should I contribute to the restoration of Toys R Us? What do you think?