ToysRUs Clearance Sale Today! New Liv Series!

Okay, it isn't the greatest of sales. I checked the two pages of Barbie stuff. Nothing I wanted. But then, I am not You, so there might be something that You, Faithful Reader(s), might want. Or the free standard shipping for orders of $75 or more might lure you to the ToysRUs site. (Note: video game hardware, software, accessories are NOT included in this free shipping offer.)


I won't be getting anything this time: spent my doll funds last Saturday. Got a few of those Liv jackets for sale. Thanks, Ms. Leo! No, really thanks ;-D

However, there is more to the ToysRUs website than the for sale items.  Example? Doll research! Yay! Guess who will be bringing new, tanned, JOINTED bodies out? You guessed it - Spinmaster. Cheers. Applause. The series is called Liv Color Change and you can click on the last word of this sentence for a link to show three of the tanned Liv girls. Love their robes and the foot bath thing. Neat.


Additional links to Liv dolls include these two websites: Liv Color Change dolls and Liv dolls dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies."

Good luck! Happy Viewing.

Surrender at Toys R Us

Okay, this is one of those times when an accessory takes precedence over dolls: the Liv drum set. This I could NOT resist. The accompanying Daniela will - of course - serve as a donor body. But I had to have the drums. Sale price ... $16.18 with tax for both the body and the drums. Eight dollars and nine cents each piece. Not bad. No, there are no musical genes in my body. No dreams of becoming a rock star in my present or my past. But drums and motorcycles are two "cool" must have items. I have plenty of motorcycles and skooters. I missed the Liv drums sale at Walmart. Could not take a chance that I might miss them. I don't have a drummer yet for them, but I have the prop now. So, that's good. I have completely justified my surrender to buy.

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?!

Brunette Skipper at Toys R Us!

I visited the Cedarbrook Toys R Us today. Not buying, just looking. (That is my story.)

In addition to some of the new Kens - Shaving Fun and a TRU Exclusive Ken giftset - I saw an interesting item. A brunette Skipper with a NEW face and did I mention BROWN hair. Brown hair with pink highlights. Interesting high top sneakers, too. The new Skipper looks like a cross between the Liv dolls and the Best Friends Club Addison doll.

But the same doll listed online has BLONDE hair. Now I wish I had bought the brunette one when I saw her. Sniff.

Justin Bieber Anyone? New Dolls

While I was searching for online information about the Burlington Coat Factory Barbies, I came across this news: a Justin Bieber doll will be sold by Toys R Us. Now I can just recognize this singer's name, but those of you who associate with teenagers and pre-teens may recognize him. (How do I recognize the name? A local disc jockey, Danny Bonaduce, mentions Justin Bieber. And I've seen young Bieber's poster at Walmart. Don't know what he sounds like. Don't particularly care to find out. Must be [my advanced] age because I look at him and wonder why him.)

He looks as if he might be Barbie-scale, so we might have another young male figure to add to our collection. Maybe ... I'll wait to see the actual doll.

A new male figure anyway!

New Toys R Us Express Store

A new Toys R Us Express store opened at 73 N. 69th Street this past Monday, August 16, 2010. This store will be the first dedicated toy store to this area since the K B Toys closed in 2008. Perhaps Toys R Us Express stores will open where KB Toys had existed. Wheee! More dedicated toy space.

(Important because someday I'm going to be on the buying end.)

Toys R Us Memorial Day Sale

If you are in the United States from May 28 - May 31, you could go to a Toys R Us store and buy two Barbies and get one FREE Barbie, if the dolls cost $19.99 or less. The sale is also online at www.toysrus.com. If you live outside the United States, you can check to see if Toys R Us will allow you to buy from that website.

Fashionista body fans, time to shop!

Good luck getting those less expensive doll or dolls.

Response From Toys R Us ... No We Can't

I sent a query to the Toys R Us Customer Service at ToysRUs.com about permission to scan a 1987 Toys R Us newspaper supplement and post that scan at my blog. I received a prompt and courteous response that no, they could not provide permission at this time. I don't think that they mean for me to re-send my query after the December holidays LOL.

So I will not scan any Toys R Us supplements here. I can respect their refusal without understanding why they say "no." It's their property.

In Toys R Us Today - Photos of New DAFs

Stopped by a Toys R Us just to see what they had. No intention or ability to buy. Fortunately, I had my dear pink camera. Snap! Snap!

Do you see what I see?



Wow. First time I have seen all three African American Barbie Basic dolls at the same time. And lucked out being able to photograph them. Whooo hooo!


Babysitter Barbie and Kelly ... in a Kelly-sized bathroom?



Okay, I only babysat my younger siblings, but is this the true scene for modern babysitters? A bathroom? I'd have thought a living room/parlour/family room with an overstuffed couch before a color television. Or babysitter curled up in a chair with a book. The kid could be sleeping on the babysitter's lap or better still, child asleep in her [own] bed. Or babysitter standing in front of an open and lit refrigerator, filled with edible goodies. Note: guess that means I wrote myself out of any babysitting jobs. Shrug. Eh well, I don't have the energy to fight off the requisite murderous villain stalking the babysitter. Sigh.


Playmates Star Trek McCoy and Sulu from the 2009 movie:



I got a better photograph of the John Cho Sulu. Remember, he's a Toys R Us exclusive.




New from MGA Entertainment: More 2 Me Avery and Lexa.



No Sophinas in store when I was there, but she is shown on the back of the box. No Sashas in this wave per the box back. I feel a little sad when I look at this line. MGA Entertainment used to have a Sasha with every Bratz wave. It almost seems as though Sasha has to pay for Mattel seizing the Bratz line. Eh, but that's not really it. It's the numbers. African Americans are no longer the largest minority in the United States.

I also saw a Fashionista Ken - yay! Love his Michael Jackson hat. Poseable Ken! Tears welled in my eyes. Oh Mattel, allowing Ken 100 poses, too! If I had a hat on, I would remove it. Breakdancing Ken. Will the oxymorons never cease? Will I ever get work again? Isn't it time I ended this post?

New Toys R Us Express in Gallery at Market East

When K B Toys stores closed earlier this year, I thought there would be NO toy store in Center City. The thought saddened me although I had adjusted and did any local shopping at one of the 3 remaining Toys R Us stores or one of the Walmarts or Targets. But no dedicated toy store ... sigh. Well, it seems that Center City will have a dedicated toy store after all this holiday season. Welcome to Toys R Us Express!

These Express stores will operate as the K B Toys Express stores did. The store is decidedly a mini store: stock is limited to basic lines (no Collectors' Edition Barbies sighted). However, I noticed two - new to me - Toys R Us Exclusives: a 12" Joker and a Disney Princess Snow White AND Prince. NEW GUYS!!! Photos provided below:



Online Joker link




Online Snow White giftset link


Toys R Us Store Locator information:

TOYS"R"US - PHILADELPHIA [6678]
9TH + MARKET STREETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107

Phone: Not provided
Hours:
Sun 12:00pm-5:00pm
Mon-Thu 10:00am-7:00pm
Fri 10:00am-8:00pm
Sat10:00am-7:00pm
HOLIDAY EXPRESS (only open until the end of December 2009 per South Philly associate)


Locals: this Gallery TRU is located in the spot previously occupied by CVS drugstore, across from the location for the K B Toys Store. Note: visitors to the area, the toy store is inside the Gallery, on the lower level. There are no signs outside or indications that Toys R Us is inside the building.

It seems that there will be Holiday Express stores also in Springfield and in Franklin Mills Mall. I assume that this is a temporary extra location for Franklin Mills Mall. Locals affected by the closure of the Springfield Toys R Us will now have a local spot at least during this holiday season.

Toys R Us and Moxie Price Discrepancy

Toys R Us has the Moxie Girls Art-Titude dolls for sale ... EXCEPT Sasha. Please read this post from DBG of Black Doll Collecting blog:

Moxie price

The Toys R Us contact number is 1-800-Toys R Us or 1-800-869-7787.

Thanks for your time and attention.

Dearth of Black and Hispanic Dolls?

This past Wednesday, I read an article titled the "Dearth of Black and Hispanic Dolls" from March 2009 The New York Times. Hmmm ... I thought. Granted there are many more White dolls on shelves, could I describe the Black and other ethnic dolls scene as sparse as "dearth" implies? I have not seen a single Black doll in the Hannah Montana series; Lola and Oliver might be Hispanic so I can't rule out Hispanics from that series. Barbie's friends still include Teresa (Hispanic) and/or Nikki (Black), but Kayla/Lea or the multi-ethnic and the Asian friends seem to have been replaced by "White" Raquelle and "White" Summer. (No objection to either - I am just commenting on the current racial/ethnic Barbie friends line-up.) The High School Musical cast includes Black and Hispanic dolls.

Possibly, the New York Times' authors are referring to dollar stores? But even there, I recall seeing Black and White dolls if none overtly Hispanic. By "overtly Hispanic" I mean black or brunette haired dolls with tan or tawny complexions or dolls with Spanish names.

[Aside, for smaller doll lines like Playmates' everGirl dolls or Chic Boutique's Flower Power line, the Black dolls are distinguished from the Hispanic dolls thus: the Black dolls are medium-dark brown, the Hispanics are caramel brown.]

Below I report what I have seen in two local stores.

Walmart Wyncote -

1. These Mattel Black dolls were available: Beach Party Steven, Clean Up Pup Barbie, Cut & Style Rapunzel Barbie, Happy Birthday for You Barbie, Holiday Barbie 2009, Reissued Julia, Sea World Trainer Barbie, Ultra Tattoo Barbie.

2. I just noticed that the Think Pink Barbie line does NOT seem to have any corresponding ethnic dolls. None were seen here.

3. The larger MGA Entertainment Best Friends Club, Ink. dolls available were Addison and Kaitlin. No large Calista. No smaller dolls.

3. Three Black baby dolls were on the shelves.


Toys R Us Wyncote -

1. These Mattel Black dolls were available: Doggie Park Barbie, Sea World Trainer Barbie, Space Camp Barbie (on clearance), Sponge Bob Barbie, and Twin Musician Prince. Two Grace-Courtney sets from the So in Style available, but NO Trichelle-Janessa or Kara-Kianna sets were out.

2. These Mattel Hispanic dolls were available: Gabriella from High School Musical, Cha Cha from the 30 Years Grease series, and Alex Russo of the Wizards of Waverly Place series as a single doll and as a single doll plus extra outfit package.

3. The MGA Entertainment Best Friends Club, Ink. series had the smaller Addison and Kaitlin dolls. (Oh, they are sooo cute. I must have them ALL.) But NO Calista.

4. New 10" doll series by Playmates, H2O Just Add Water based on the television show with the same name offered three "White" dolls; no recognizably ethnic dolls appear in the series.

5. Hasbro G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra Ripcord action figure was laid flat behind other figures in this series. My guess is that someone was hiding him, but I can't state that as a fact. I returned him to his hidden spot because I didn't want him at this time. The Best Friends Club, Ink. dolls are higher priority for me now.

As a frequent shopper at these two stores, I would say that they usually have good coverage of Black dolls with a sprinkling of Hispanic dolls, depending on what is available. If I do not see a specific doll or dolls, I assume that the existing stock was bought (for example, the small Calista from the Best Friends Club, Ink. doll.) I take this assumption because I have bought the last Black doll on their shelves before. Shrug. Someone else beat me to that doll today. I'll call or stop by without calling another day.

The stock in these two stores did not support the dearth of Black and Hispanic dolls statement, but I'll check other stores in the area to see how the ethnic doll showing appears.

New Doll Series Alert! H2O by Playmates

Toys R Us Wyncote had 3 new fashion dolls under the title "H2O: Just Add Water." These 10" dolls are based on a television show that I have neither seen nor heard about before. There are three characters: two blondes, Rikki and Emma, and brunette Cleo.

They have a separate "mermaid tail" that fits over their human legs.

Here are the Toys R Us links:

Cleo

Emma

Rikki

They're okay. There are two versions of the each doll - a basic doll and a doll with a fashion.

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.

Toys R Us has New Playmates Star Trek Figures

The Wyncote Toys R Us has the 12" Star Trek figures by Playmates. This line includes Kirk, Spock, Old Spock, and McCoy at $30. These figures seem to be modeled on the new Star Trek cast from the upcoming movie except for Old Spock who resembles Leonard Nimoy. If I found the McCoy for much less - say $10, I might get that one. The others don't interest me.

If Playmates should create a diorama for these 12" figures ... now that would be fun. Probably expensive, but still fun.

At Ross - It's a Brand New Save ....

The Wyncote Ross has the High School Musical 3 "In the Spotlight" set with Tiara Gold and Sharpay Evans for $6.99. The Walmart price is either $19.99 or $29.99.

Another Ross saving is the High School Musical 3 Senior Year Gabriella bedroom set for $12.99. Toys R Us and Walmart both still have that doll-playset at $29.98.

Other Ross savings include:

HSM 3 Graduation single dolls, Gabriella, Troy, and Sharpay for $5.99 each

HSM 3 Gabriella and Troy Tree House Moment set for $9.99

HSM 2 Gabriella and Troy Together at Last set for $9.99

HSM 2 School Spirit Gabriella or Troy for 5.99 each

And the pièce de résistance ... Rebelde doll sets. I saw one Miguel and Mia and one Giovanni and Lupita; $6.99 each two-doll set.

So fellow collectors, if you find yourself in a location with a Ross store and a Toys R Us or a Walmart or a Target, you could save money by checking the Ross store first.

Taylor Swift Doll at Walmart.com

The new Taylor Swift fashion dolls are shown online here:

Taylor Swift doll

The doll of the young country music singer costs $14.96. From the online photos, the same smiling doll appears wearing your choice of one of three outfits from the singer's "real life" wardrobe. The outfits are cute -- a white or light blue eyelet sundress, a red-white horizontal striped fitted mini dress with attached hoodie, a fuchsia halter dress, and a gold sequined mini dress with a separate pale gold full skirt to make the mini dress, evening wear. I like the gold cowboy boots and the gold heels. I can't see what kind of footwear she has with the fuchsia dress because it blends in with her opaque black stockings.

The doll herself is fairly attractive. Her head is a little large the way character dolls can be -- maybe the doll designers need more space to model realistic features? -- but her head isn't as large as the Gwen Stefani dolls or the Ashley Tisdale dolls. I've seen those two dolls at Toys R Us.

If you check Google and hit the Shopping option, you'll find Taylor Swift Performance Collection Singing Dolls. These dolls are available on eBay. They wear formal gowns and carry guitars.

I'll have to add at least one Taylor Swift doll to my collection.

Rebelde Guy-Gal Sets

Today I asked a Toys R Us staffer about the Rebelde Guy-Gal sets. He knew what I meant -- how many women go into a toy store during a recession and ask about dolls not on the shelves -- but he wasn't sure that they were out yet. He asked another staffer to check on the computer for the dolls. Well, not only were the Rebelde doll sets a no show on the computer, the one Rebelde Mia in Concert Fashion who was in the store, that doll didn't show up on the Toys R Us computer system either.

Sigh.

I do want to commend the staff at this Toys R Us store: they were patient and they made a sincere effort to find the dolls. I felt almost as sorry for them for the blank wall they kept hitting as for me.

I don't understand how Walmart had at least one set, and Toys R Us has none. I had thought that Toys R Us was the first and last doll and action figure store.

No Finds: Cedarbrook Walmart and Toys R Us

Since I found a Rebelde set at the South Philly Walmart, I thought that I might be able to find another set at either the Cedarbrook Shopping Mall Walmart or Toys R Us in Wyncote. Sigh. No such luck. If any Rebelde sets were out, they were all bought before I got there. I saw Catwoman Kelly and Batman Tommy at Walmart and some of the new High School Musical dolls and the Hannah Montana dolls at Toys R Us. Kelly and Tommy were adorable, but I'll wait to get them when the stores are having a sale. They are B List for me. Can't believe that I didn't see even a single Rebelde girl in concert outfit doll. Eh well.

So the hunt for the Rebelde Diego and Roberta set continues.

Seeking Rebelde Guys in the Vinyl II

The Rebelde Guys are not available at this time at the Toys R Us in Wyncote yet. I haven't seen them in the South Philly Walmart or the South Philly Target either. I think that they might not be available until later in the year here in Philly. Closer to the holidays, perhaps ....