Doublemint AA Cheerleaders at Toys R Us

I really should NOT have been there in the first place. Toys R Us. It's just that I had not visited the South Philly Toys R Us for so long. I thought: I don't have to buy anything. Just look and see. See if they have something that the Cottman and the Aramingo stores do not have. Just looking was my downfall.

Because I was there and I did see this set and I almost broke down and bought them. Almost. I told myself that I had at least FOUR Desiree-faced dolls already. Told myself that I was getting tired of the Desiree face already. Told myself that the doll bodies were probably "hobbit Barbie bodies." Told myself that complexion variation was NOT reason enough to get another set of dolls with the same face. Repeated that reminder at least three times. Finally tore myself away after I found a long-desired item that caused me to set this Toys R Us special down.

The item so fascinating to me is the Toys R Us Exclusive African American or black cheerleader pair of Grace AND Nikki! Yes, two black female dolls in the Barbie pantheon, in the same box. Like Cara and Christie. Or Christie and Nikki. Wow. And although they both have the same face sculpt (grrrrr), they have different complexions! So I was very hard-pressed to leave these dolls behind me.

Now for those of you who do not have a Toys R Us selling this doll set, I suggest you walk your fingertips to this web page if you would like to add this Grace and Nikki set to your doll collection. Me, I am wondering when I will be back at the South Philly Toys R Us. Because I think I might get that set after all ....

By the way ... Toys R Us has FREE shipping for these dolls. Enabler? Moi?!

Yes, There is a [Black] Nikki Candy Glam at Walmart!

I was seeking the Barbie Basics at a Walmart on Roosevelt Boulevard when I saw a Black Candy Glam doll. Hmmm ... something odd here. Click. Charles. Dollstuff dot net. Aha!

As Charles wrote, there was NO Black doll in the original Barbie Candy Glam series. The four regular Candy Glam dolls each represent a different candy flavor and that candy's "smell" and "look." There was Cotton Candy Barbie, Rock Candy Raquelle, Lemon Lime Teresa, and Cherry Vanilla Summer; there were no Black or Asian dolls in that series. So seeing this lone Candy Glam Nikki in Walmarts for $5.00, I knew she had to come home with me. Sure, I have Asha-faced dolls erupting from nearly every flat surface - well, maybe not just Asha-faced dolls - but this one wanted to be with my sixth scale crew. Why?

1. She has a normal-sized head. Instant points.
   
   
2. She's clearly a last-minute doll because she has the same dress/candy theme as Barbie; the other Candy Glam dolls have unique outfits/different candy themes. What, Nikki doesn't rate her own candy? Tsk.
   
   
3. I walked away and looked at other things then came back, and she was still there. Waiting for me. The nail in the coffin, I thought.
   

So, of course, I had to take her home.

More Decisions ... Asha Head Mold

As seen in previous posts, I have Shani's friend Asha as well as swimsuit dolls and a ballerina produced from that head mold. I should be tired of the Asha face by now, right?

Wrong. Okay, I won't be keeping the AA Holiday Joy Barbie. There's no click, no story generation. (See, some of them really will be leaving ;-D) Here she is along with a Chilean Barbie, also to go, go, go.



But. Such a weighty word in the English language. Looking at these five dolls created with the Asha head mold, I realize, I don't want to give up any of them. It's some magical voodoo that Mattel artists do to take one head mold and give it different looks that cause a reasonably sane adult to plunk down money time after time. Let's pause to applaud the Mattel artists and painters for making us collectors feel richer even as our wallets grow slimmer.

Behold these beauties and tell me, could you turn aside even one of them? Alas, I cannot.



Holiday Party Nikki, the first doll from the left, has lovely coloring and a beautiful face paint job. The dress is cute, and the tiny gold plastic purse fits the occasion and the outfit. Traditional, understated chic.

Next Rocker Nikki beside Holiday Party has pink hair streaks, bending arms, and a black tulle mini skirt. What in that description should I want to miss? Throw in another lovely face paint job and the gavel pounds, "She stays."

Glam Nikki in the center was a surprise choice for the "Stay" group; true, her outfit is bright and attractive. But why keep her when I have sooo many other Asha-faced dolls? What's my refrain? Beautiful face paint job. Lovely complexion, too.

Really Rosy Christie is next. Check that creamy complexion, the light brown eyes, and that streaked hair. Streaked hair! On a Barbie, no, on a Christie? Definitely a KEEPER. How often does Mattel do natural-toned streaking on doll hair? Got to keep her since I can.

Last but certainly not least is Purple Panic Christie. I wasn't a 100% sold on this doll when I first got her. Why did I buy her then? I liked her coloring and her pose-ability. I didn't have a story for her then, but that happens a lot. Something makes me buy the doll or action figure and then, years later, the story unfolds. Shrug.

Quick story threads: well, Holiday Party Nikki is an administrative assistant. Rocker Nikki is a rock singer in need of a guitar and a group. Glam Nikki is a model. Really Rosy Christie is a journalist, and Purple Panic Christie is a kindergarden teacher.

Other Asha headed dolls remaining: AA Ballerina Barbie, Harley Davidson AA Barbie, 2 Cali Girl Christies, Generation Girl Nichelle, and possibly, the Fashion Fever Christie doll wearing the Barbie tee shirt.

Generation Girl Nikki and Generation Guy Blaine

Generation Girl Nikki and Generation Guy Blaine in the hall of International High School setting from 2000.