Saturday, September 8, 2018

Gotcha! Found Elusive Mattel Black MtM Camping Fun Hiker Barbie

I have a source for the elusive Mattel Black Camping Fun Hiker Barbie. This is the dark-skinned Made to Move doll. Well, for those enthusiasts capable of getting to a Pennsylvania suburb, I found her at the Glenolden Walmart this past Thursday. There were at least 2 other of that doll there. Possibly more in the store. They also had the Black Musician Barbie and the Black Beekeeper Barbie. I also saw ONE Laurie Hernandez Barbie doll. 

I've taken photos, but I won't be able to upload them today. I thought to get the news out in case local Barbie enthusiasts had not found her yet. Good luck, all. 

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Yes, I Have Fashion Fever Barbies and Others for Sale - Pending Project

Someone asked if I still had Fashion Fever Barbies for sale. Yes, I do. These four are ones I'm selling mint and complete. I don't have prices for them yet because I might have to sell them through a second party. There are other Fashion Fever dolls - Holiday Barbie, Shannen, Christie, Drew - that I might sell also although I'll be keeping the fur stole from the Holiday Barbie and Drew's fur jacket and leather-lace mini skirt. 

Barbie Fashion Fever Wave N - Styled by Me 27084 34555 H0644 

Barbie Fashion Fever Wave R - Modern Trends 27084 33808 

Kurt Fashion Fever Wave S Modern Trends Collection 27084 29707 H0644 J1331 

Teresa Fashion Fever Wave B - Asian Fruits 27084 19171

I also have other dolls, outfits, and accessories for sale. I'll list them later.



Sunday, June 17, 2018

Bought at Toys R Us Aramingo Avenue

I saved going to this Toys R Us until I was sure the sales were worth getting. I went last Thursday morning so these were my findings at that time. 


Barbie toys were 40% off


The single Fashionistas were gone. There were 2-3 sets of the four doll set I'd seen at the Cottman Avenue Toys R Us. Since I only wanted two dolls from that set, I left them. This Toys R Us also had several AA Made-to-Move soccer player dolls. I bought one of those. There were some Pink Passport fashions and doll sets. A single Statue of Liberty Barbie, several of the 2018 Graduation Barbies, and several of the new two-doll beach set (Original or Tall Barbie-faced doll and Petite, darker-complected Kira-faced doll).


Action figures were 50% off


Action figures available included: the Madame Alexander Marvel Fan Girl dolls, Star Wars figures, and the Mattel WWE figures. From the available stock, I chose two action figures. One is a Star Wars figure, Sabine Wren, from Forces of Destiny (Hasbro Disney). Yes, she has molded clothes on her torso and wears cloth pants. But I like her blue hair against her brown complexion and her quirky expression. I'll re-body her. Or maybe I'll give her to someone who admires her? I have someone in mind.


For my second choice, I decided on a WWE Superstar Fashion Brie Bella, play scale size. The other WWE figures available were Eva Marie, Becky Lynch, and Natalya. I have the first two from previous Toys R Us trips. Brie Bella's face paint reminds me of Mattel's Kate Jackson doll: she looks sharp, smart, and just a little witchy. Not your basic Barbie look.


I cannot post photos now, but I will add them before the week is out.

Has anyone nabbed any good or great sales at Toys R Us lately? Better go soon - my understanding is that they are closing at the end of this month. Good luck!


Friday, April 27, 2018

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.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

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

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

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



Sunday, April 15, 2018

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.



Thursday, April 12, 2018

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.


Tuesday, April 10, 2018

#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?





Thursday, March 29, 2018

Recent Barbie Buys - Photos Only




 Overall Awesome and Teddy Bear Flair







Tropical Vibes and Cali Cool







Ken Hoodie and Green Shorts with Sneakers
Barbie Hello Kitty Fashion Top 1
Barbie Hello Kitty Fashion Top 4
Barbie Red Pleather Skirt

Monday, March 12, 2018

The Fresh Squad - Articulated Black Male Dolls by The World of EPI

Check The Fresh Dolls' Instagram account to see a promo sketch of the three upcoming, articulated Black male dolls who are to join The Fresh Dolls later this year. Additional female dolls will also be joining The Fresh Dolls. The website has not been updated as of this time, but I see the sketch on a few Instagram accounts.


Thanks, Lola of Sunny and Lola, Brenova Blog, The World of EPI, and other Instagram participants for sharing this information on that platform.  Any future takers? I want all three!

Eighteen YouTube Vlog Links for 2018: Part 1 Mattel WWE Superstar Divas

Disclaimer: I have no interest or affiliation with any wrestling activity. If I were to follow any athletic activity, that activity would be martial arts. But ... 


I am fascinated by the new wrestling fashion dolls created by Mattel and the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Mattel introduced its doll evolution in Original, Curvy, Petite, and Tall figures. These wrestling dolls have a fifth body type - athletic that provides more body variety to the play scale world. Half of my YouTube links that follow this post are about these dolls. I'll leave a list of these links below in case that is easier to follow.



Paul "Triple H" Levesque and Stephanie McMahon discuss the Mattel WWE Superstar Diva dolls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQZ-D31moYY


Infantilandia introduces the Mattel WWE Superstar Divas 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmaSmoiraXc


toohunky toys redresses WWE SuperStar Alicia Fox in Barbie fashions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRAj6KhwHZ0&t=256s


Cousins Collectibles redress WWE Superstars in Sparkle Girl fashions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwO3RVMQLq4


MarsToys Reviews Brie Bella and Natalya of WWE Superstars fame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J76U4zVsbw


The Doll Circle reviews the Bella twin dolls of WWE Superstars fame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqu4Wv4ox_Y


J.Garibay reviews Sasha Banks Doll and Fashion Set
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKVb1bl5zgQ


OhcluckToys reviews 5 of the WWE Superstar dolls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_qHdgvjov0


The Bri Show reviews Sasha Banks and the Bella twins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTG6w_a01L0

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

From South Africa: A Whiter Shade of Black

Happy New Year, all!

Meet Alexa, an artist from Malaville. Alexa is my first Malaville doll. You have probably seen these dolls in blogger Male Doll World's post from last month or on their Instagram site. In 2015, doll designer Mala Bryan introduced the Malaville Collection with four characters: Maisha, Mala, Malina, and Mhina. Maisha and Mala made my Want List. Two years later, Alexa, Imani, Lola, and Viv joined the original four Malaville dolls. 

Malaville Alexa the Artist doll


Alexa is the first play scale albino fashion doll. Albinism is a rare condition where a person has a low rate of melanin production. The low melanin appears as white skin, white or very pale blond hair, and usually blue eyes. eyes that can be pink, blue, violet, hazel, or brown. Thanks, BlackKitty, for that catch! (Alexa's eyes look pale brown to me.) Unfortunately, albinos have experienced limb and life-threatening dangers stemming from superstitions about their condition. In an attempts to counter these false beliefs and to rally support for albinos, Mala Bryan added Alexa to her doll line.

Albinism appears in all races and in other animals as well as plants. You can see this range in current albino fashion models Toy vlogger ToysND shows an albino Mattel Barbie Fashionista doll for the 2018 line at 1:19 in a recent YouTube vlog.

I will compare Alexa with other fashion dolls in a future post. Please let me know if there are specific dolls you'd like to see with her. What do you think of Alexa?