Update on Stardolls by Barbie - Mattel's New Winner

Okay it's a lazy holiday afternoon, and I'm online - yay, Clear account - when I notice an email message from Robin of Roville. Yes, I do associate with cool DAF people - you know who you are, no finger pointing here, lol. Anyway, she's curious about a potential doll line called "Stardolls by Barbie." Now that's what I think of as a call to action. So I pull up Google to search the terms, Barbie, 2012, and Stardolls. Initial link haul doesn't seem promising, but then I hit the mother lode of tips in a Flickr account. Wahh hoo!

Here we go:

Stardolls, self-described as "the world's largest online fashion and dress up games community for girls," has signed a deal with Mattel to produce a Stardolls by Barbie line. Now I see why Mattel is dropping the Basics - although I still LOVE some of the Basics - these new dolls look promising. Stardolls had done some promoting for other Barbie lines so this new Stardoll-Barbie collaboration is a natural progression.

Dancing, dancing, DANCING - sorry, that's me.

Thanks also to Tru_Fashionista_luv on Flickr, mighty Mattel, and Stardolls!

Come on 2012!

Additional news from Robin and Frannie about the Stardolls. Cheryl's Dolls and Collectibles will be carrying these dolls for $29.95. Thanks, Robin!

Window Shopping Inside Target:

Recently, I did some window shopping at two Target stores. Here are photos of some playscale items I saw and the comments I made to myself:

Oh, the same old, same old: Mattel/Disney reissuing the same dolls. Like this Cinderella and Prince [Eric?] set. What's new? The longer package with nothing to warrant the package length. Cute posing, but the straight-armed stiffness detracts from the fluidity I would imagine as part of the dance pose. Still it is nice that children have access to fairy tales, even if they are bowdlerized Disney versions. (Me, I read the gory Grimms' versions. Toes and heels chopped off for marital profit. What a world?!)

This one surprised me: Miss Dorothy Gale by Mattel. Mackie face on a Model Muse body. The Mackie face, I can take or leave, depending on the face screening. The Model Muse body, I could live without. Too thin and limited articulation. And much as I loved L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz as a CHILD, my usual response to another Mattel WoO doll is "Can we find another classic?" BUT, I rather like this sultry, over-made up teenaged Dorothy. If I see her on sale, I might get her. Provided I like the face screening ... i.e., no wonky eyes ...

No, I have NOT succumbed to Monster High Fever. Yes, Ghoulia has the cutest red-framed eye glasses. Yes, Cleo has pretty skin color. The big heads and insect-like limbs lose me. Looking at these dolls - so clever how Mattel repackages a current wave, Gloom Beach, by putting the dolls together in one box - I wonder if Mattel imagines a future where the earth is ruled not by roaches but by hybrid insect-humans. That's what the Monster High dolls seem to me.

Justin Bieber fashions for the 12" guys in your life. I like the purple Chucks (cloth upper, rubber soled sneakers), but I am waiting for a sale on these. There seem to be three outfits - I photographed the two that I saw. The outfits consist of a pullover and/or a hoodie, skinny jeans, and footwear.

(One of my Kens would like to know: do the Justin Bieber footwear fit any Kens? Fashionista Ken feels he could use the sneakers and the skinny jeans.)

Finally, MGA Enterprises aka "The Bratz People" offer these two dolls that fall under the "aw, they're soooo cute" category. Moxie Girlz Lexa and Moxie Boyz Jaxson don complimentary masquerade party pirate gear here, but they are sold separate.

I've also seen the Target Barbie Basics in Red No. 2. (Couldn't take a photo because my camera had run out of "internal memory.") But yes, although I have several Lara/Drew faces already, I intend to get this one. Might need to sell some older Lara/Drew faces, but that's the Collector's Way, lol. So that's a post about my recent Target visits. If you'd like to share links for photos from your recent Target visits, let me know. If I receive more than 3 links, I'll set up a fresh post with the list of Target-visit links.

SiS Pastry Kara 2 - Seen at Walmart

Curious about the only doll among the So in Style Pastry, 2nd wave dolls, who isn't immersed in pink and/or purple? Here she is, Kara, wearing a green and gray outfit. Fellow SiS pal Trichelle accompanies Kara in this photo.

Whoever thought that green and gray would be an antidote to excess pink/purple?

Lost a Follower, Gained (an Improved) Perspective

I had had 132* followers (minus about 3 duplicate ones). Cool huh?

Recently though my Followers count dropped to 131 followers. Oh, no! What happened? I mean, you can stop "following" without removing the "following" link. Someone felt strongly enough, that he or she wanted me to know that. And I thank that person for the act because that act made me realize how bad a blogger I had become. Missed posts. Missed promises. Shame.

I have to remember that I need to earn my Followers. Keep you entertained and/or informed. Or else, you will leave. And I will miss you.

So it's back to writing and posting for me.



* Actually, I had fewer than that because about three people either liked the blog enough to "follow" twice OR they forgot that they had "followed" before. Shrug.

Hurricane Irene, Clear Modem, and the Woe for One PhillyCollector

Quick, before Hurricane Irene reduces my Clear modem lights: I am among the East Coast DAF bloggers physically located in the path of Hurricane Irene. I will say this: I was here FIRST! Not that I or anyone else can do a lot against a weather juggernaut like Irene. Sigh.

Sad thing - aside from the obvious - is that I just got a Clear connection. Can I say, no fair.

Hope everyone stays safe and that your collectibles do not get damaged.

Mystery FR doll

"." wrote to ask about these dolls.

I recognize the doll on the left as Paparazzi Bait Adele. She is not a Barbie doll, but an Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty doll. Does anyone recognize the other doll? Please let us know.

Thanks in advance.

Earthquake in Philadelphia - Folks, We're Okay!

We had an earthquake today. Philly. Yes, as in Philadelphia, PA.

Sigh. I missed feeling it - noticing it anyway because I stepped out of the room. Darn. I had to miss it. Maybe next time?