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?!

Working on Posts to Come

Hi all!

I'm working on some post ideas. Will be here again. Soon ...

CG Ice or Miss Fear: Who's Scarier?

I'd taken these photos comparing the head sizes of Takara CyGirl Ice and Hasbro Miss Fear, when I thought hmmm ... Ice looks slightly more intimidating in the side view photo. She seems to be leaning in and making herself look bigger as if to frighten Miss Fear. Not that Miss Fear appears to be backing down. No. Our Miss Fear inspires fear in hearts and minds here in East Philly.

But that's me. Who would you prefer to NEVER encounter in a dark alley?

Do Specific Doll/Action Figures Inspire You to Watch Related Programs?

I saw the Character Optics Martha Jones doll in an action figure brochure, and decided to buy her. I had no idea who she was, but I liked her set chin and her odd molded hair. Then after I had her for a while, I began to wonder about the character she represented and the television show she "belonged to." So I looked into finding out about the new Dr. Who series. Ah! another fascination begins. I borrowed all the Dr. Who DVDs I could find.

So I wonder and ask: have you ever been inspired to watch a television program or see a movie because you liked a doll or action figure based on that featured that doll or action figure?

Great News: Package Arrived!

Regular readers may recall my anxiety about a package sent to Germany that had not been received. Well, I am ECSTATIC to announce the package arrived! I am sooo happy. The buyer is happy. We would be doing Snoopy Happy Dances if there weren't miles of land and sea between us.

Huzza hooray for the postal systems, U.S. and German that got that package to its new home.

Whew!

Moxie Girlz Found at Family Dollar Store

I saw three of the Moxie Girlz - Avery, Lexa, and Sophina (shown twice here) - wearing these outfits. Does anyone recognize them? They were in a Family Dollar store in Germantown (near Wayne Avenue, below Chelten Avenue). Ten dollars each. No Bria or Owen or Jaxson.

Something for the Moxie Girlz fans here.

New 12" Hasbro Joes? Bring on Those Real American Heroes!

Hasbro is bringing our favorite guys back. Stand and applaud the 2011 Return of the 12" Joes! Whooo hooo! Feet stomping and hands clapping.

Check out these new Hasbro G.I. Joes on ASMzine:

Police and K-9 unit has a German Shepherd dog that is a MUST for playscale animal collectors. I mean, that is one fierce looking dog. No curly eyelashes or drug-user airs about that doggie. That's the dog I would take were I a police person. Watch out for those pointy teeth!

First Responder Firefighter has cool looking firefighting gear. Tired of the firefighter suits found on some dollar store figures? (I've got at least one cheesy firefighter suit myself. I mean a playscale one, lol.) Or honor your favorite firefighter with this 1:6 scale replica.

Check out this Paratrooper with a working parachute. Granted, you will NEVER find D7ana emerging from an airplane or parachute, but isn't it a neat figure set?

If you missed out on the Return of the 12" Joes from 1993-2002, here's your chance to get similar figures. Where to get them? Try your local toy stores or an online shop like BigBadToyStore.

May you find the playscale heroes of your dreams.