May Month: Bikes, Pets, and Heritage Celebrations

May first and such a lovely day. Here is a short list of some topics I might cover this month:

• National Bike Month
• South Asian American Heritage Month
• Haitian American Heritage Month
• [East] Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
• National Pet Month
• Jewish American Heritage Month

There are four ethnic groups to be featured this month: South Asian American, Haitian American, [East] Asian Pacific American, and Jewish American. What that means here is that I find dolls or action figures that I have that match those groups. Why? Because it's fun to see how extensive my collection is. And I get to see where I have gaps. And I get to do a search online to find the missing ethnic figures in playscale. Why again? Because ... because I can. Grin. I can do this for a long time. 

Moving on, this is also our national Bike month AND our national PET month. So I get to pull out my doll and action figure bikes and playscale pets. I have single bikes and one bicycle-for-two, but alas no unicycles. And I might not have any tricycles for the kiddies. Might not ... I have more stuff for the kiddies than I realize.

For a preview, I have photos of two Integrity Toys fashion dolls:

2001 InStyle Jade  #53250 30036 and

2002 Fashion Forward: Subtle Elegance Israeli Candi  #90024 

Integrity Toys' Jade

Integrity Toys' Candi

Late Earth Day Tribute - Zeenie Eco-Warrior Fashion Dolls

Ever feel guilty about our dolls and action figures being plastic? Well, this doll series might provide balm for that anxiety. These dolls should have been in an Earth Day post. A few days late? A year early? You decide, but in either case, the six Zeenie Dollz, produced by a mother-daughter team (Zeenie Dollz LLC), mean to save the Earth. Lead by Zeenia aka Mother Earth, the  five eco-warriors - Evee, Kazumi, Lina, Sini, and Yana - have 14-points of articulation. Twelve inches tall* and compatible fashion-wise with Barbie and Barbie clones, the Zeenie dolls are made from recyclable plastic. So you can look, buy, and bask in ecological dogoodery.

However, all is not perfect in my eyes. Here's my short list of what I like and what I don't like about them. You won't be surprised by my comments.

Good

Poseable playscale bodies - am I thinking new body candidates? (Yeah)
Fashions that I find adorable - the fashions would look great on other dolls
Brownie points for them being made from recycled plastics
Support small business/female entrepreneurs

Not so Good

BIG heads with inset eyes (shudder)
Price (BUT procedes from the sales go to a good cause)

Seen elsewhere online at

Zeenie Dolls on Flickr
Veni_Vidi_Dolli blog by Lori 
2013 review by Doll Diaries 
Toybox Philosopher blog by Emily
Pinterest   
Facebook   

to mention a few websites featuring these dolls. If you are hard-pressed for time, read Emily's review first. It is full of photos and comparisons.

*The Zeenie Dollz website lists the dolls at 12"; Emily's blog has them at 13".

How I Would Have Worked the Barbie - Girl Scouts Partnership

I was never a Girl Scout. Sure, I heard and enjoyed the "Be a Girl" song frequently played on television during the 1970s. I even flirted with the idea of uber-urban me going camping. Ah, fresh air, the smell of grass, open skies - now where is my private toilet, running water, and what's with the BUGS? Oh to be one of those hearty, healthy, wholesome girls exercising mind and body and social status. Yeah, right. Like I did not run from the ball in gym. Like I did not loathe team sports. Like I did not have my heart and my head turned against anything conformist. Sigh. While I did sing the theme - sang it off key - I could not live the dream.

So I calmly approach this union of Barbie and the Girls Scouts. Interested? Yes, I am. Heat for or against the connection, no. I collect some Barbies. I have respect for the brand - 50 years and still going? On the other hand, reading the I Can Be Anything Barbie game struck me as silly. Then again, I am not the target age group for that web page.

However, I am surprised how Mattel handled the partnership. Barbie as a Girl Scout? Huh? Isn't Barbie a little ... old to be a Girl Scout? What about her younger siblings: Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea? Wouldn't it have made more sense and been more lucrative to have them as Girls Scouts under Troop Leader Barbie? Or would that have been a bigger investment and taken more time than Mattel or the Girls Scouts wanted?

So I checked out the Girls Scouts website.

There are six levels for Girls Scouts:

Daisies  I would have put Chelsea among the kindergarden or first grade students.

Brownies I don't think any of the girls fit in this 2nd-3rd grade students group. (Go Mrs. Roberts - had a break for a bit.)

Juniors I see Stacie among the grade 4-5 students.

Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors  Last, I would place Skipper in the Cadettes and Barbie as an Ambassador.


How would you handle the Barbie and the Girls Scouts partnership? Do you think that the two icons should never have connected? Do you think that Barbie's reputation tarnishes the Girls Scouts?

Kmart Just Kidz Haunted Houses Reduced - 3 Days Only

Looking for a wooden haunted house for your Simba Just Kidz Scary Fashion doll or for your Scary Dolls or your Mattel Monster High? Well, the Kmart stores at the Gallery and at 900 Orthodox Street might have some bargain dwellings for you at the end of their liquidation sales. Think that in the last three days, there is nothing for you? If these roughly playscale settings hold any interest - as they are or customized to your tastes, then it might be worth a trip in town or out off the Roosevelt Boulevard. 

The Just Dreamz furniture pieces included in these two houses resemble the ones Muff got two years ago - with a Halloween/horror stickers attached. I saw the coffin-shaped Haunted Hall that once cost $69.99 BEFORE discount is now $28.00.

Just Dreamz Haunted Hall coffin-shaped dollhouse

The slightly larger, slightly more elaborate Spooky Suite that once sold for $99.99 BEFORE discount is now $40.00.

Just Dreamz Spooky Suite dollhouse with special Glow in the Dark effects

You could customize the fronts to create a street block. I wish I had the space and the funds to do so. Not any time soon, but I leave the idea for others ;-)

Just Dreamz Spooky Suite dollhouse back

The side of the box shows the furniture included in the 4-story house. Basic furnishings like a bed, dining table and two chairs, bathtub*, stove/sink unit, and a clothes hanger.

Just Dreamz Spooky Suite dollhouse side showing wooden furniture

I have been thinking about downsizing so much, I almost missed this sale. But I treated myself to a Moxie Girlz outfit for $1.72 - pink satin jacket and white with silver glitter pants. It was the only one of its kind there. So I liberated it from the store. It won't take up too much space.

Happy Hunting!



*Weird, a wooden bathtub? And why is the floor lamp pictured with the tub? Scary, indeed.

Ooops I Did It Again - Blog Layout Revision

I've shifted from the Dynamic View layout to the Awesome layout. While I liked the clean lines of the Dynamic View, I missed having My Blog List, Archive Posts, and other features. The Awesome layout allows for those features to appear in the right column. The blog retains some of the airy qualities of the Dynamic View without the problems of that format. I like it. Sure, I could use a logo and maybe some color in the blog title and/or font variation. 

What do you think? Suggestions and problem alerts welcome. If something doesn't work, I'd love to know so that I can fix it. Any suggestions for a specific color or colors? Do you think PhillyCollector has a specific aura color? Do share.

Please note: the color p-i-n-k will not appear. That's right, I will consider any color BUT pink. I do not resent or dislike Mattel or the tradition of associating "the pink aisle" with "little girls and dolls." Barbie is featured often here, but this is not a solely Barbie enterprise. Pink is Mattel's marketing color, not mine. Of course, if you think this blog comes across as pink, let me know that.

Spring Cleaning Pt. 1: Mattel Fashion Fever Favorites - LOTS of Photos

Remember Mattel's Fashion Fever dolls from 2004-2008? I do. Those were nearly four of my most exciting Barbie collecting years. The hunt to find the new Waves and hard-to-find dolls like Desiree and Kayla from Wave L Well, I am going through my remaining tubed Fashion Fever dolls to see which ones stay and which ones go. You are invited to join me. I'm adding photos so you can follow my reasoning.       

Dolls in Waves A, C-F have either been deboxed already or were sold. Originally, I had the complete Wave B Fruits dolls: Barbie, Drew, Kayla, and Teresa. I sold Drew and Kayla some time ago. Shrug. No, I don't miss them. But I retained the Fruits Barbie and Teresa. Here's the Barbie from that set:                                  

Whole lot of pink going on here. Pink and blond hair, pink knit cap, and pink brocade tunic. But I think it works for this doll and this outfit. Check the view from this angle:

I love her pink and blond hair and the blunt haircut with bangs. I love her tanned complexion and kind expression. I love the pink brocade tunic and the dark denim jeans although I would have preferred that they NOT go for that scruffy, tattered style. Sigh. The white vinyl bag is okay. Maybe I will sell that? Not sure yet. I love the color - of the burgundy/maroon boots with their pink top-stitching. There is a story lurking in her.

Here is Wave B Fruits Teresa. Right off, I do not care for this face screening. It leaves me indifferent. I like the hair though. Hmmm ... nah, I don't feel like repainting her face to be more what I want. So, she can go? Not yet ...

I LOVE this outfit. I think I have kept her all these years because I think the outfit is fab. Barbie's Fruits outfit is attractive: I would even wear that one were the top in another color. This outfit, I would not wear - too trendy - but I enjoy seeing. It reminds me of Spring. Looks funky fun ... funky in a good way. The Asian Modern Trend from Wave T would look GREAT redressed in this outfit.

Decision: keep the Fruits Barbie and the outfit for the Fruits Teresa. Sell the Fruits Teresa doll.

Next up, Wave K's Gillian and Drew. I held out on opening Gillian and Drew because I wanted to open them on a special occasion. Never had any intention of selling them - just wanted to find the "perfect moment" to open them.

I like Gillian's freckles, her deep auburn hair color, and her solemn mien. She looks like a fashionable librarian. Just add wire-framed or frame-less glass spectacles. Poi-fect. Drew also has freckles, more of a strawberry blond hair color and an alert, friendly expression. Freckles aren't a feature I actively seek in my dolls, but sometimes, freckles will provide that extra distinction that tips a doll into my shopping basket. 

And for Wave K Drew ...

Gillian and Drew full length below. Decision: keep both.

Wave K Gillian

Wave K Drew

Wave N Shannen and Barbie Styled by Me. Shannen has the Tango face mold - one of my favorite Mattel face molds. I don't like this hair style or hair color on this doll. I would have given her center part black curly hair to her shoulders or a little below. I don't care for the outfit except the silver link belt. I LOVE that belt. It would look great against a black dress. Decision: keep Shannen AND the belt.

Barbie Styled by Me is a pretty doll. Her outfit is cute - lengthen that skirt so that it's midi length - and I could wear that fashion. My favorite item is the belt and the cap. Do I like those accessories enough to remove them? No. Better to leave the outfit intact. So she goes to the sale box. I like her, but paring down, I can let her go. The Oktoberfest Barbie will represent this Barbie look for me. So Styled by Me as well as similar-looking, Mackie-faced dolls can move on to new homes. Decision: sell Styled by Me.

Next, Wave R Modern Trend Tia.* Decision: keep her. She's one of my favorite Fashion Fever dolls. I had had TWO of her, but I sold one. She's shy but friendly. At one time, she was going to be Jilly after a character in Charles de Lint's urban fantasies. But with a Gillian already in the series, I canned that re-naming. Tia she will remain until I find a better name for her. 

Wave R Modern Trend Kayla Tia

Wave R Modern Trend Barbie - bye bye. Remember the comments about Styled by Me Barbie? Repeat here.

Wave R Modern Trend Barbie

 
I have a Wave S Modern Trend Kurt somewhere, but I know I want to sell him. The only tubed doll I have left in Wave T is the Modern Trend Asian doll. I don't think she was called Kayla. She's a definite keeper. Cute outfit, but even more, I like her face. She looks quiet and peaceful. 

Wave Benetton Paris Drew and Wave T Modern Trend Asian

Moving on to Wave U ... okay, I have a problem with how Mattel dressed one of these dolls. First, because the top doesn't seem age-appropriate. A teenager would not likely wear a fairytale princess top. Second, the colors do not suit her complexion. Third, did they have to place one of the three Black dolls in a top featuring a blond fairy princess? Really Mattel? Did you have to do that? 

Wave U Christie and Wave Benetton New York Christie/Desiree?

I think that this Wave U Black doll may have been the only Christie among the Fashion Fever dolls - unless the Benetton New York doll was also a Christie. (Kayla was racially ambiguous.) Wave U Christie looks timid to me. (Probably scared because Mattel made her wear that princess top - poor dear. Sigh.) Look how carefree and cheery the Benetton doll looks next to her. Even though Benetton New York wears the ugliest fashion in this series, she throws back her head and grins. She's not wearing the blond fairy top. Yeah, Benetton New York is a keeper - love her sassy strawberry blond curls and that wide grin. The outfit - shudder - goes on sale. It is incredibly ugly. Someone might find that remarkable.

So do I keep Wave U Christie? Heck, yes. Somebody has to get that top off her. And I like her two-toned hair and the surprisingly dark lip color. Re-dressed, she will look less stressed.

Here ends the first post on this theme. Part 1 of Spring Cleaning Dolls and Action Figures.

Happy Holidays, Easter and Passover.

*I'm correcting the name of this Fashion Fever doll from Kayla to Tia. June 18, 2020. 

So in Style 2014 - Grins are Back on Day to Nite Dolls!

Thanks, L'ubo for sharing this Flickr photo of 2014 So in Style Day to Nite line. Has anyone seen these dolls yet?