Seeking a Quick Martin Luther King Day Project? Philly Locals Only

I had not mentioned Martin Luther King Day as a January holiday, have I? No. 

The 6th District Police Department is hosting a children's book drive for their Martin Luther King service day project this year. Well, Greater Philadelphia residents and/or visitors can help by leaving any new or gently used children's books at 

Happily Ever After
1010 Pine Street
(on "Antique Row" between
10th and 11th Streets)
Philadelphia, PA 19107 

BEFORE 5 p.m. today, January 18th. You will need to call to confirm that someone is there before you go. (They usually open around 11:00 a.m. Their telephone number is 1-215-627-5790.)

Why am I happy about this?

1. I got an early start on an 2015 Martin Luther King service day project!

2. I left six near-new Smartees career books for some children to enjoy.

3. I reduced my doll stuff!

Yay! Happy dance ... well in a few hours after I've had some rest. 


 Here are 3 of the books:

January Update: Organizing, Updating, and Collaborating on Pinterest

It seems as if I have fallen off from blogging. I have. Been busy on these fronts:

"Organizing" 
- which at this time means separating dolls to stay and dolls to go.


"Updating"
- adding new blogs to my Blog List; there's a doll fashion site that looks distracting


"Collaborating"
- following up on an invitation to add pins to CorsetKitten's new 1:6 Scale Doll Stories Pinterest board

Hey, Jean-Claude Van Damme Has an Action Figure by Enterbay!

I am sharing this information for those who might be interested: Enterbay has produced a sixth scale Jean-Claude Van Damme action figure. Okay, I am familiar with Van Damme as a martial arts actor. He looks competent as far as I can tell. He is okay - I can watch him in a movie, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see him. He used to be popular in action adventure movies. I haven't seen much of him lately so his getting an action figure now provoked mild curiosity when I saw Action Figure Fury's article about him.. 

What about him being a new Enterbay figure? Well, I have no Enterbay figures so I cannot comment on their work. They have done some Bruce Lee figures and lots of sports figures. I loathe team sports in general so unless the figure is on sale or strikingly good-looking, I don't follow them. Bruce Lee was/is cool. Period. But his Enterbay figure is over $100.00 so ... I never rushed to get him.

In addition to the Action Figure Fury's article, I checked two reviews. One from an action figure enthusiast who had NOT received the figure at the time of the YouTube video; the other from an enthusiast who had received the figure. While I liked the cheerful excitement of the first reviewer, I felt a little saddened by his and some of the commenters' disappointment that the figure does not depict the young actor. (The Enterbay figure resembles the current Van Damme.) The second review reminded me that sometimes, it is wiser to wait for the actual product's appearance before buying expensive figures. I'm including another review of another Enterbay figure because this particular figure (the Van Damme one) might be an exception. (If you have one or more Enterbay figures, please chime in here in the Comments or share a link with your experience.)

Have I stirred your interest in all things Jean-Claude Van Damme? Check his official website. Enjoy!

2015 Resolutions and Goals

That time again. L.A. Luxe Susie opens her arms to 2015. Resolution and goal-setting time.

I have been thinking along these lines.

1. Decide what I want to keep

2. Sell what I no longer want

3. Post more frequently on my blog; schedule posts

4. Experiment more with doll photography

5. Participate more often in doll group activities

6. Join Barbie Club and Integrity W Club


Not much to do, hey? Anyone else with doll-themed resolutions? Share ;-)

The Wearing of the Christmas Sweaters from Brini

Happy New Year!

Before we discuss 2015 plans and themes, let us check those lovely Christmas sweaters Brini sent. Now the sweaters are not one-size fits all: I think of them as being small, large, and extra large. The blue ones are small, the button-trimmed one is large and the pom-pom tie one is extra large. The bodies modeling the sweaters are a Disney Mattel adult male, a YNU Group, Incorporated female, a Spin Master Liv female, and a Mattel young male teen. Or Kocoum, Emerald, Snow, and Harry.

 

Emerald, Kocoum, Snow, and Harry

Here are two closer photos of the Disney duo: Kocoum from Pocahontas and Snow from Snow White. If you have bent armed Kens from the late 1970s-2000s, you can use Kocoum's fit for how your bent-arm era Kens (or Ken buddy) would fit this size of the sweaters. The sweater fits over his head without the need to remove his head, but the torso is a little short. (The back view exposes more of Kocoum's waist than we think looks "nice." Fortunately, he has a toned torso.) It might be possible to stretch the sweater longer. The sweater arms are a perfect fit for this Mattel body.

Snow's head is on a Liv body. She is wearing the large sweater. The arms are a little long; the body, wider than needed. But I think it looks becoming on her. (Plus: it balances her head.)

Kocoum and Snow heads and torsos

Kocoum and Snow back view

Here are Emerald and Harry in the extra large and small sweaters. The small sweater fits Harry fine. It is just a little wide for him. You can expect a similar fit for your other 10 3/4", straight-armed young male teen bodies - think Teen Skipper's boyfriend Kevin. 

Emerald is slightly swamped. The sleeves are a little long and the body a little wide. Still, she can wear it well. The sweater looks like a sweater-coat on her because she has a heavier build than the Liv body or basic Barbie bodies.

YNU Group Emerald and Mattel Harry Potter

Emerald and Harry show the back view of their sweaters

I had so much fun placing these sweaters on various dolls that I've decided to create a separate page, possibly a video showing them. I'll leave the link on this blog, of course.

If you have any requests, let me know. Please note, some dolls and action figures refused to wear the sweaters. More on that with the follow up. 

Thanks, Brini, for making this holiday and post-holiday fun possible.

Quantum Mechanix Presents 1:6th Scale Captain Mal Reynolds

Any Firefly / Serenity / Castle fans reading? Next year, Quantum Mechanix is producing a sixth scale Captain Malcolm Reynolds action figure. Yes, sculptor Trevor Grove has produced a  prototype  that resembles actor Nathan Fillion. A foot tall prototype with 38 points of articulation. Molded hair, unfortunately. Wearing Mal's iconic long brown coat, brown shirt, and tan "tight" pants. (Alas, not with a Hot Toys butt, but the face looks accurate.) Even more exciting, the Malcolm Reynolds figure is the FIRST in a line of Firefly figures. For only $179.95 - before postage.

Am I pre-ordering him? Um ... no. If I were working, would I? YES! 

I enjoyed Firefly, and I like what I have read about Nathan Fillion. Not stalker-like, but I'm-glad-this-person-exists-in-my-timeline like. Usually, I buy a doll or figure because I like something about that figure; this time, part of the purchase joy will be for this actor in this role.

Where can you find this figure? Vantage Collectibles and Entertainment Earth are two places I've seen the figure listed. Entertainment Earth expects to have him March 2015 - and they are offering FREE shipping.

Joss Whedon's Firefly disc 1 showing Nathan Fillion as Captain Mal Reynolds

Then again, I should wait to see the actual figure - should I become able to afford him. Anyone else considering him?

They're Here! Christmas Sweaters from Brini!

They're Here! They're Here! Christmas Sweaters from Brini! 

You may remember that I won the "His and Hers Christmas Sweaters" giveaway distributed by doll enthusiast, storyteller, and blogger Brini. See the treats below! 

The lovely, festive gift wrap. Bright and cheering. 

Peep through to the tissue paper layer.

Ah! The sweaters themselves. Cheers!

 Who will model the sweaters? They'll be seen in an upcoming post. I think you'll be surprised.