Another Barbie Face Guide Online - For BDE et al.

Black Doll Collecting blogger DBG asked for information on more recent head molds. I found one site that has Barbie head molds AND the dolls that use those face molds. The site is called, "Model Muse Wiki." Felicity K is the chief moderator. She and her team of doll enthusiasts have even added the new Stephen Burrows Pazette doll to their head mold list. Impressive, huh?

If there is any other Barbie face mold website - other than Katti's - please share that news. Nice to pool our resources. Thanks in advance.

Say, how many of you knew that the Mattel Joan Jett, Cleopatra, and Zac Posen's sister dolls share the same face mold as Nichelle? Can Mattel work their face paint magic, or not? Uh oh, I hope there isn't a surge of collectors denouncing the authenticity of Nichelle as a Black doll. Naughty me, hahaha.

Takara's Action Boy: Angels Garden Shou, Part 1

Most of Takara Jenny's male friends have limited articulation. Think Mattel Ken with faux-bendable legs. These teens - Jeff, Charles, Raph, and Tom - can turn their heads from side to side, move their arms up and down, and sit with their legs extended before them. Forget about bending their elbows or knees or about having them taking any wide stances. Yes, that limited. But Jenny has one male friend, A.G.I.S. Shou, who can boogie with other articulated dolls and action figures. With a LOT of patience on the part of the person posing him.

But what does this A.G.I.S. mean? A.G.I.S. is the abbreviation of Angels Garden International School, a fictional high school that Jenny, Ferice, Valerie, and Lilian attend. I remember that Valerie was a senior who worked in Kyoko's clothing boutique. Kyoko's shop assistant is Moe, whose brother Shou is a friend of Jenny. This Jenny wave was the MOST anime-influenced as you will see in the photo showing Shou with two other Jenny male friends, Charles and Tom. Super-sized eyes with giant highlights.

Time for Shou specifics. Shou has the Takara Ken face mold. He is about 11.5 inches tall and very thin as you will see in his underwear advertisement photos. His hands seem large for his frame - then again, he is a growing teenager. His joints leave him a little on the floppy side; he easily topples over unless propped up. So he doesn't stand well on his own. However, the extra articulation points along his lower arm allows him to touch his face. Here are two photos demonstrating Shou's posing ability.

Shou plays peek-a-boo!

Okay, tight hamstrings won't allow him to touch his toes.

Shou shown among other Jenny boy friends stands out. All of my Toms seem to have a tough guy aura while my one Charles looks distinguished and aloof. Shou on the other hand, has an alert, friendly air. He's a buddy boy guy.

From left to right: Chinese Tom, A.G.I.S. Shou, and Prince Charles all by Takara

I will do a follow-up post showing Shou with Mattel Fashionista Ken and SpinMaster Jake. You'll be surprised to see who masters the gentleman's crossed leg pose best.

New Black Barbie (and Francie) Dolls! Stephen Burrows Anyone?

Oh, my stars! I have got to become a Barbie fan club member.

The wonderful writers of My Barbie Doll submitted this information: Mattel will be issuing Fuchsia 'N Fur, a Black Silkstone Francie - eeekkkk! - and a Stephen Burrows Pazette Barbie. Wow. Hopping up and down - wow, wow, wow! Deep breath time. Pause. Fan self.

Both dolls are lovely. I love the new hairstyle the Silkstone Francie has - her right side-part hair hangs slightly longer on the left side. The hair looks to be two-toned, black and brown streaked. Her eyes are brown with a darker iris so they are more realistic than the old rust-eyed Francies. The only bummer is the tiny bit of light blue eye shadow. Sigh. Why ... but otherwise, she is gorgeous.

The Stephen Burrows doll was designed by Linda Kyaw and created by the international African American designer. (Hey, that's the text that Mattel has in their description.) I love her face - the strong eyebrows and dark red lips and the direct facing eyes. I've used up my quota of "wow," but that's the word that comes to mind on seeing her. Stunning. (And she reminds me of a fellow blogger, too. I won't say who because she would probably feel embarrassed.)

So check in regularly at My Barbie Doll. Thanks, thanks, thanks. I will be sooo broke, but thanks.

Bowling for Barbie and Other Playscale Figures

How many people bought a Liv bowling night accessory pack only to find that there were NO pins included? This one dollar - before tax - bowling pin set can provide your Liv, Barbie, and other fashion dolls and/or action figures with the pins to actually play the game. I found this set at a Deals store in Philadelphia, but you can try your area discount store chains and/or dollar stores for the set.

One, two, three ... pow!

Curious about bowling in general? Here is a link to a Wikipedia article, a page of bowling terms links, and a page of bowling teams.

Bottle Identification Help Requested

I've got this bottle that I am 98% sure belongs to my Integrity Toys Holiday Candi doll. However, I did not document this accessory so I'd like to get confirmation from other Holiday Candi owners. Is this the bottle that came with the two clear plastic long stemmed glasses and this doll? I thank you in advance for any help in this identification.

Any KISS Fans Visiting?

How many fans of "Beth" or "All American Man" are reading today's post? I confess: I briefly was a Kiss fan. Late 1970s. "Shy" Peter Kriss, the dreamy drummer. That was the closest to "official cool" that I got, lol. Any fans have the original Mego KISS dolls of 1977-78? Them, I did not get because the faces were permanently painted. I wasn't die-hard enough of a fan to want them forever painted. So I did not buy the original Mego set. Shrug.

Well, if you missed getting the Mego dolls then AND if you feel nostalgic, you can search for those figures on eBay or you can check out the NEW KISS dolls. Yes, there are new KISS dolls. Figures Toy Company will be selling 8" and 12" KISS dolls. Mego Musuem interviews Anthony Balasco of Figures Toy about these KISS dolls. The company has a contact form for those interested in them.

Will I be getting any of them? No. I no longer care to be "cool." But I'd love to see the dolls online.

Careful When Buying 1Direction Dolls ...

Here are photos of two 1 Direction dolls I saw at Walmart today. Anyone want to state what is wrong with one of them?