Father's Day Greeting

We wish a Happy Father's Day to All!

M & C Toy Centre Power Team guy, Mattel Happy Family Alan, and Ideal Suntan Eric are the three fathers shown in this photo.

Black_Blue Photo Op - 3 Momokos

In the midst of exciting new doll series from Mattel - the So in Style dolls and the Twilight dolls - I decided I wanted to photograph my girl group, Black_Blue, which consists of three Momokos (Sekiguchi Momokos Mama Told Me, Midnight Crossing, and Everyday B Girl AKA Pink Grr, Jagged, and Fro). I've been inspired by photographs taken by other collectors so I let the girls have fun posing.

Strike a Pose




All Hold Hands




Sayonara Strut

Twilight Ken and Barbie on ToysRUs Canada

Thanks to Nicole/Ebony of Brooklyn Stars Forever blog for this update about the upcoming Twilight Ken and Barbie.

Notice how Ken came first in my title and in this post - he looks like the one to get. The Bella-Barbie though ... depends on my funds at the time I see them and if the outfit really appeals to me.

Three Mattel Variations on Asha Head

I want to illustrate the differences Mattel has created in dolls with the same head mold. Below are three dolls with the Asha head mold. The head mold received that name because it was first used with the Asha doll in the Shani series back in 1991. Aside from the Big Head Syndrome of the doll in the middle, the dolls have similar features, but the dolls look different enough for me to consider each a separate, buyable doll.

From left to right, the dolls are Cali Girl Christie (2003), Cali Girl Christie (2004), and Harley Davidson Barbie (2000).

Differences include

Complexions/make up colors

Hair length

Hair style

Hair texture


Mattel Ethnic Dolls using Asha Head Mold (and BHS Asha Head Mold)




Cali Girl Christies (2003 and 2004, left to right)




Harley-Davidson Barbie with microbraids

S.i.S. Update on Dolls of Color Blog!

There are photos and a post about the new Mattel series, S.i.S. or Sisters in Style, on the Dolls of Color blog. There is a follow-up post as well as several comments.

The dolls look cute. The outfits look okay - I'm not crazy about short shorts, but the dolls look cute. If I can find facial screenings that I like, I'll get all three.

If I want really new Black or other ethnic doll faces though, I'll check the YNU Group for new Mixis dolls. Or investigate new doll or action figure companies. About half of my collection is produced by Mattel - so I am NOT dismissing them or the dolls they produce. As an established company though, they have default face molds and default shapes for their dolls. An established company will not veer far from those faces and those shapes that have won it business before and that generated its recognizable brand. Add to that a long-time collector of Mattel dolls, and you can see how a company's biggest fan or fans, can feel a leetle disappointed in the new offerings. Just a little. That's part of being a long-time fan though.

DAFs Driving

I'd have liked this photo better if I had taken it outside. Here are some dolls and action figures out for a drive. Ellen has the golf cart, Momoko the Barbie Beetle, and Kelly the Madison (Mattel) Vespa. Kelly enjoys a stretch during a stalled moment.

Webshots Folder Updated - R&D Susie!

I have updated my Webshots Photo Albums with a new folder for R&D Dolls' Susie. See here. Thanks for looking!