Husky Guys Having Fun

They only fit Ken's clothes with MUCH stretching - except for those boxer shorts, whew! Here are 4 of my huskier guys at play.










Who's who though? Well, there's Toy Biz Gandalf with the long gray beard, Ideal's Eric (Tuesday Taylor's boyfriend) in an orange modified unitard, Jakks Pacific Jericho in molded on black briefs, and Playmates Star Trek Original Sulu. Are they wrestling, dancing, or cavorting?

Sharp and Susie, Part II

Here's a closer photo of Sonokong's Leather Mania Sharp and R&D's Ibiza Heat Susie. Sharp's larger eyes and paler face initially made me think that her head was larger than it actually is. I thank fellow collector, Niel for the tip that that was not the case. The dolls both have heads approximately 1 1/16 inches wide.

13 Famous Black DAFs

Who is who?

Standing: Scottie Pippin (Mattel), Diana Ross (Mattel), Brandy (Mattel), President Barack Obama (Dragon in Dream Inc.), Beyonce (Mattel), Melanie Brown aka Scary Spice (Galoob) and Diana Ross (Mego).

Sitting: Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu (Hasbro), Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian (Hasbro), Snoop Dogg (Vital Toys), Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones (Character Options Ltd.), Julius W. Harris as "Tee Hee" (Sideshow Collectibles), Kiely Williams as Aquanetta Walker (Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific), and Raven-Symoné as Galleria Garibaldi (Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific).

Notice there are 14 figures, but I cite 13 famous people? Diana Ross is there twice - once by Mattel and once by Mego. Anyone think one company did better than the other? I love the Mattel doll, but I really love the complexion and the jawline of the Mego Diana. There is a second Raven-Symoné, but I wasn't able to find her in time for this photo.

Sharp and Susie, Part I

Here's a photo of Sonokong's Leather Mania Sharp and R&D's Tokyo Trendy Susie. As I mentioned previously, I love Sharp's curly hair - even if it is a little sparse at the back - her over-sized but sleepy eyes, and that she seems to wear "white pancake" (thick liquid) foundation that contrasts with her pinkish complexion. She's the only Asian fashion doll that I have whose face contrasts vividly with her complexion. (Whoa, I need to check among my Momokos. Note to self.)

This Susie is the Tokyo Trendy Susie from The Premiere Collection. I bought her from R&D. Tokyo Trendy is from the February 2004 release Premiere Collection - 300 of the Tokyo Trendy Susie dolls were issued. This Susie is one of my favorites with her "candy apple red" hair and lovely green eyes.

There are similarities in Sharp's and Susie's bodies, but their faces contrast. Sharp seems more anime-influenced. Her head is larger (but not annoyingly so). Susie has a more realistic look and more natural head proportion. Both dolls wear "leather," but Sharp's suit is conservative while Susie's black buckled dress reflects the video game assignment she was hired to promote. If you click on the link for Tokyo Trendy Susie on the R&D Susie page, you can see additional photos of her.

I will submit a fuller review of Susie and possibly Sharp in future posts.

So in Style Sisters Chandra and Zahara at Target

I saw the So in Style Sisters Chandra and Zahara at Target, Plymouth Meeting, today. Trying to think if she looks different enough from Alvin Ailey Barbie. And if she does, get her in the Rocawear or the Sisters garb? Considering ....

Walmart Finds January 2010

Liv Alexis photo of doll and her dog. Poor, poor Alexis. She's drowned in a dowdy denim skirt and purple fur ... shrug? Only her poseable body would be useful. Don't see anything redeemable in this outfit.




Princess Tiana and her female friend, sold separate. Yet another bulbous headed doll. Do most kids really prefer big-headed dolls? As a child, I despised Ideal's Tammy for having a enormous head and exalted Barbie for having a "normal-sized" head. Or perhaps it's the Bratz influence? But I think that the Mattel Disney dolls have always had big heads.




At least half of my Kens sat down and cried when I showed them the above photo. Orange, purple and pink? Orange, purple and pink! What sadist designed these fashions? How can they hold up their heads as partner to Barbie wearing those colors? Too, too much cruelty in the world.

Paper or Pixel? What is Your DAF Information Preference?

A mini mountain of books, magazines, mooks, and figures tumbled from my IKEA Billy bookcase. Let's not mention what came from my mouth. Tsk. As I scrambled to pick up the surprisingly heavy stuff, I wondered: do I really need all of this? Aren't there enough online references available? Of course, I answered myself. My paper stuff is almost as important as my figures. Maybe a few items were no longer necessary, but mostly, oh, yes. Had to have my books. And magazines. And mooks - "mooks" being those fascinating Japanese magazine-book hybrids chock full of doll reviews and sewing and diorama projects.

Not that I dismiss online reference sites. I use them, too. But ... I can't curl up with my desktop computer the way I can with a book. And if the electricity fails - as long as I have a light source, I can read or browse a book. My eyes last better reading a book than they do reading a monitor screen. Books feel more intimate than the computer.

On the other hand, computers allow for faster searches. Computers allow for wider searches and serendipitous findings. Such a find as my discovering the Mixis while seeking information about the Rebelde dolls, that would not as likely happen with books. So I wouldn't want to give up my online references either.

Best of both worlds? Use them both. And microfiche when necessary for out of date references.

And speaking of books, what kinds do you have about dolls and/or action figures? I categorize mine as identification reference, identification reference WITH price guides, craft books (aka "how to"), social commentary, or combination books.

Is there a preference for one medium over the other? I'll post a poll so that we can see.