Desperately Seeking Dolls

First, I must apologize for this lengthy narrative.

I have not been very good at keeping my statistics updated this year. 2015 was a very complicated year for me, so I am hoping 2016 calms down a little. There were some career and hobby changes that took place in 2015 that were beyond my control which contributed to my frustration as a collector.

Collectors lost "The Doll Page Show and Sell Site" in 2015. It was probably the best way for fashion doll collectors to purchase or sell dolls. The individuals who ran this site did a fantastic job and provided a great service to the community. Collectors could donate to site maintenance through Paypal. Unfortunately, technology just got the best of the site as it was unable to keep up without substantial expense to the owners. There have been other sites that have tried to fill the void, but so far those sites have not reached the success of "The Doll Page Show and Sell Site".

I do NOT like selling through e-bay. The Doll Page had developed a sense of a community and most collectors who bought and sold there knew each other. People seemed kinder, more responsive, and easier to work with. I've had some horrible experiences on e-bay, but I have already started listing there in 2016. In 2015, I was only able to sell 18 dolls from my collection. Which leads me to the fact that I completely missed my mark on "Guideline 3: If a new doll comes in the house, one doll must leave the house." When I did my final tallies for 2015, I was distraught to find that 51 dolls had come to live here (that's almost exactly 1 each week!!!) which means I have 33 extra residents here. No wonder I feel overwhelmed! It was my original intent to add 35 dolls and sell 35 dolls, essentially breaking even in my collection. Didn't happen.

I did not completely follow "Guideline 1: Focus My Collecting. If I don't already have some, I don't need one." In my blog entry of January 28, I noted that I added a Deja Vu Ready to Wear Judy Watson to my collection. I was curious about these dolls and this line. Fortunately, one was enough to satisfy my interest.

I am proud to write that "Guideline 2: No Impulse Buying" was a resounding success this year. I have tried to show restraint and avoided secondary market prices as much as possible. With patience, I was able to add all dolls I missed in lottery drawings at original prices.

This leads me to "Guideline 5: Excluding convention dolls or Exclusives, I will not pay more than retail for any doll." Fortunately for collectors, the edition sizes for the Integrity Convention were so high that most of those dolls were easily picked up at retail. I lucked out by getting the most sought after dolls before prices increased. I had to pay secondary market prices for one doll from my grail list this year, Quiet Storm Annik. I believe my efforts on Guideline 5 were successful!

Unfortunately, I was not able to follow "Guideline 6: Never buy a doll without seeing a photo of it." For the first time in 2015, Integrity Toys allowed its W Club members to purchase a convention exclusive. The preview only included a sketch of the doll. The doll was called Reigning Grace Eugenia Frost. Even without a photo, this purchase was a no-brainer. I still believe I met the intent of Guideline 6 and Reigning Grace Eugenia Frost made my Best of 2015 Top 10 list easily.

Finally, I need to write about "Guideline 4: No doll stays in its box for more than two weeks, it either comes out of the box or is sold. If a doll stays in its box, another NRFB must come out." This guideline was a complete bust. From the 51 dolls added, 22 were actually released from the box. An additional 5 dolls that were still NRFB were taken out for a total of 27 dolls. That's still one doll added to my display every two weeks. Just the thought of 29 boxed dolls added to my closet makes me shudder!

I am a teacher and this academic year has been a total mess for me. The program that I usually teach was completely upended due to budget cuts and curriculum changes. I now teach Advanced Content Math for grades 2, 3, 4, and 5. With the "Common Core" program, I have parents and students at their wits end. It is very frustrating and I have been unable to devote the time necessary to keep my blog interesting, timely, and productive. This contributes to the dolls that arrive and go directly into the closet. If I am busy with school work, I put my collecting on "the back burner". I apologize to my followers for this shortcoming.

So now to "moving forward".

1. When a doll comes in the house, it must be immediately added to the "New Dolls 2016" list. If it is sold, it can be removed from the list. Next to the doll, I will put NRFB if the dolls is not taken out and displayed. No doll box goes into the closet, until the doll is logged in! This will keep me honest in 2016. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" is not a good doll collecting habit!

2. I will continue my goal of following my "Guidelines for Collecting". They do help.

3. I will be less fearful of E-bay and begin listing dolls for sale there.

I finally got my hands on the Made To Move Barbie produced by Mattel Corporation. There's been a great deal of discussion already on the boards about these dolls. Some collectors were able to find them in November and started taking photos. Toys R Us stores got them in stock over the holiday season, and I was able to grab a couple. Here is what the packaging looks like.

And the back that shows three dolls in different skin tones: Theresa dark Caucasian, Barbie regular Caucasian, and Lea with a paler skin tone which is used with the Asian dolls. It has been reported that the black skin tone Target exclusive is beginning to show up in stores this weekend. These are the first four in the line and two more have already been rumored for 2016. Hopefully this shows Mattel's dedication to the new line.

Let's take one out for a test drive, shall we? Can she dance like a ballerina? Yep!

How about Pilates? Very nice.

She is advertised as being able to do Yoga poses (explains the workout attire). A yoga mat included in the package would've been a very nice touch! It's amazing how her hands can gracefully touch her face.

Maybe a comfortable sitting position on the floor. Alright!

Is she easy to redress? Not only does she come apart at the biceps and upper thighs, she has handspeak and footspeak! Similar to her expensive counterparts over at … cough … cough … Integrity Toys.

How does she look nude? The joint seams don't bother me too much. It's little to compromise for the realistic posing. I don't think I would choose to put her in a bikini. As you can see the thigh and bicep joints actually rotate completely (which allows the added mobility for posing).

Look at her sitting in this chair! How cool is that?

So, how does the body compare to other Mattel bodies? Her waist is a little thicker but her torso mold is more defined. Her upper arms and thighs are a little more muscular. Her height is about the same (looks shorter because she is flat-footed in the photo) as are the length of her legs, arms, and torso. I like the breast plate better. It doesn't set up so high (not pointing at the sky!).

The body has a very nice weight to it. It is not as light or flimsy feeling as you would expect. It wouldn't be fair to compare her to those expensive cousins Momoko, Misaki, or Poppy Parker. After all, she only costs $14.99. (I actually prefer her body to Momoko - her proportions are a little better and she's a bit taller. She is shorter than Misaki/Poppy and not as thin, but her proportions a little more realistic.)

She can be a little bit of a challenge to redress. Many pants/skirts won't close in the back. But when you get her redressed, she looks great! She's got an athletic appearance to her body. I really like it. (Notice how she can really cross her arms!)

So what could the release of the Made To Move line mean? When you pause to consider the implications, I think Mattel has just produced a true "game changer". Collectors who like articulation should be very impressed by these dolls. No one can buy a better posing doll for $15 anywhere. I did not use a stand for this doll or photoshop out strings. She actually stands well on her own. The engineers did a fantastic job balancing her body.

I bet this line is causing a number of headaches for those high-end doll production companies. (Yes her hands are actually touching her head!)

For one collector … I am, frankly, quite impressed. This is one well-deserved fuss being thrown about a doll line! A doll who stands up to the claim that she is the "ultimate posable Barbie". She may be the ultimate posable 12" doll period.

The ITBE Santa Grab Bag group of 8 dolls was a lot of fun for many collectors - myself included. I loved the concept, the frenzy, the excitement, the trading, the buying, the selling … all of it! I was fortunate to get the four dolls I really wanted. They were all paid for and arrived in 2015. I hope to do deboxing entries for each of my ITBE over the next few weeks.

This new ITBE line, coupled with my Best of 2015 list, got me looking more carefully at my ITBE dolls. Some of my very favorite dolls in my collection have come from the ITBE line: Hard Metal Lilith, Gold Glam Adele, Second Skin Vanessa 1.0, Shimmering Copper Isha, Rare Jewel Rayna, and Love Roulette Vanessa 2.0. I was surprised to find that many of the ITBE dolls have found homes here!

The one ITBE that has continued to elude me is In Sequins Anja. I missed the purchase of her from the 2013 Convention (there were just too many beautiful dolls offered at that convention), and I have refused to pay her secondary market prices on e-bay. Recently, a doll friend named Rhonda offered her NRFB at an very nice price. I couldn't pass her up.

As with all ITBE girls, she is produced with the barest of accessories. Here is a photo of her NRFB.

As you can see, she comes with one pair of shoes and the ensemble she is wearing (although she is wearing panties underneath the dress). That is one drawback of the ITBE line - no jewelry, purse, extra hands, etc. But what a beautiful face!

I'm not sure why Integrity Toys (IT) produces this line with a special stand, but I completely dislike this stand. To me, it's worthless. I've never been able to get the straddle part to work correctly with any doll, and I don't care for the underarm part.

Many collectors love this dress! It fits the FR2/NF2 body. It's almost a metallic cocoa color. I'm not sure how else to describe it. It's like brushed pink gold. There is nothing basic about these great shoes though!

There was so much gunk in her hair, I had to wash it out. I don't really care for the long center-part bangs. They are messy and hard to manage.

Before December 31 was up, I had to use my $20 Barbie Collector Club coupon. I purchased the new Barbie Look blonde. I don't care for the face up, but I wanted her articulated body for another doll and was hoping the ensemble could be added to my dolls' wardrobe.

I was ecstatic to find the ensemble consisted of a skirt and camisole teddy! Which fits the old NuFace body like a glove!

The rest of the ensemble looks better on Anja than it did on its original Barbie. The skirt is a perfect length and fit. Even the sleeves on the jacket are a correct length!

So, let's see how I did with my New Year's Resolutions?

A. She was added immediately to my list of dolls purchased in 2016!

B. All Guidelines were met! (That feels great to write.)

I already collect ITBE and NuFace lines - CHECK
She is from the 2013 Convention, so she wasn't an impulse purchase - CHECK
I managed to get my courage up and list 3 dolls on e-bay, hoping one would sell; they all three sold and have been listed on my blog (I am ahead for the year!) - CHECK
It hasn't been two weeks since she arrived and she is deboxed - CHECK
She was a Convention Exclusive, but I still got her for almost retail price - CHECK

C. See Number 3 above. I listed a handful of dolls and ensembles on e-bay. Three dolls sold!

It feels nice to know that I have started out on the right foot with my 2016 collecting habits. Now to stay on the path without wandering off - that's the trick! At least I can feel good about my first doll of 2016 - In Sequins Anja.

One of my readers questioned whether or not this doll could be pulled apart. I think they all can. It's scary to try and pull out the parts because we think the bodies are more delicate than they are.

As you can see. The doll can be separated at the biceps, the quads, the ankles, and the wrists. (I've not tried to pull her apart anywhere else. Maybe next blog! LOL!)

You have to hold the torso firmly and then you screw the part back and forth, left and right, firmly pulling away from the torso. I don't deny that it's a little scary! I'm nervous something will break off inside a limb!

NOTE: The Black skin tone will sometimes show "stress" in the plastic. Anyone who has switched heads understands what I mean. The plastic will actually turn paler where the stress happens. You have to be very careful with this skin tone. I would probably use a heat source (heating pad or hair dryer) to make the plastic a little more pliable before doing this again. Taking the parts out was less a problem than trying to put them back in. I got a small (barely noticeable) stress mark in one wrist.

Barbie is very happy to be put back together and redressed.

"No doll was harmed in the production of this blog post …" LOL!

I was single when the next doll was released through a "right to purchase" opportunity in a W Club lottery. I was just getting over a very bad divorce and had purchased my first home by myself, so I was quite short on cash. I remember telling Mama about the doll and saying how I hated missing the opportunity to enter the lottery; she told me to enter and she would pay for the doll as my house warming gift.

Mama was the most selfless person I've ever known. Being the mother of four children ages newborn to 6 years old was hard, but when we started school she began babysitting three children in our neighborhood to help pay for school clothes, supplies, etc.

I remember when my father had an affair and Mama went to work in a factory so she could be more independent and take care of those four little children. She worked in that factory until all her children and grand children were grown. I don't remember ever wanting for a thing. She would work 2nd shift, get home at 11:30, check everyone's homework, and be up at 6:00 the next morning to get us all ready for school. I don't recall ever hearing her complain one time.

As an adult, I would fuss at my Mama because she would take her dinner money and donate it any time a hat was passed around for someone in need. She said the money was needed more by the other person; she could grab a sandwich when she got home.

When I was in college, my best friend was gay. He was like a brother to me. He contracted AIDS as an adult and lived a few brief years before succumbing to the disease. When my mother passed, we were going through old bank receipts and I found where she had sent him a check every month until we lost him. I found notes from him to my mother, telling her how much she meant to him. I never knew any of this when it was going on.

Today would have been my mother's 74th birthday. "Happy Birthday, Mama!" She died of cancer in 2010. I miss her every single day of my life. My mother believed she came into this world with nothing and planned to leave it the same way. What she did leave was the image of role model that I've aspired to but failed miserably at many times.

By coincidence, this week's Flickr theme doll is Jordan. I won the opportunity to purchase her, and Mama gave her to me for a housewarming present. She is one of the most important dolls in my collection.

2016 is turning out to be a year of coincidences. Last week was Jordan week on Flickr and it coincided with my mother's birthday. This week is Nadja week, and I just received Polarity.

Nadja Rhymes was introduced in 2006 with Erin Salston when Integrity Toys (IT) first introduced their NuFace line. These dolls were supposed to represent the young "up and comers"; the models of the fashion houses. Hard Act To Follow (production edition of 1200) was trendy and exciting. Although I kept the ensemble, I wound up selling this doll because I could never grow to love her hair color. (Photo property of Integrity Toys).

2007 was the year IT started playing around with character molds. SE Asian Isha became Caucasian Luchia and we got a multi-racial Nadja with Colette Duranger (one of my favorite characters). That year collectors also received the next release of Nadja, Urban Outfitting (edition of 1000). I LOVE this doll and her original ensemble. She is shown below wearing the Elements of Surprise Dress.

The only other Nadja to ever be released with the original head mold was The Illusionist in 2008 (production of 500). For some reason, Nadja never found the love of the collecting community she deserved until she stopped being produced! (Another photo property of Integrity Toys.)

In 2015, Nadja Rhymes received a makeover. The new mold was introduced in the regular Integrity Toys lineup, but the first received by collectors was a 2015 Cinematic Convention gift doll, Out of Sight. This doll is extremely popular. Although I think she is more realistic, I still love the stylized look of the original. I was able to purchase Out of Sight from an attendee's guest at a very reasonable price while the convention was taking place. She usually demands >$200 on secondary market today.

I have not made up my mind about keeping this doll. She is amazing, but I don't want her to diminish my love of Urban Outfitting. Crazy, huh? However, it cannot be denied that Out of Sight is one gorgeous doll!

One of the reasons I haven't deboxed Out of Sight is that I had pre-ordered Polarity from the mainline. I wanted to wait and see if I preferred one to the other or would keep both. Yesterday, Polarity arrived at my home. Unfortunately, I do believe the face ups are quite similar.

This is the picture of her NRFB. I absolutely love this ensemble. The coat is amazing! I didn't realize from the promo photos that she was wearing tights! Yeah! Even if I decide to sell this doll, I will be keeping the clothing!

These are the accessories. The choice of orange is a little odd, but it does represent a color that is lacking in my collection. I love the clunky earrings! The boots are wonderful even though they don't allow her easily stand on her own.

To support my collecting "guidelines", I have added her to my list of dolls received in 2016, I have deboxed her within two weeks, I purchased her at original price from my dealer based on a photo by Integrity Toys, and I have already sold more dolls this year than I have purchased.

I really do like this doll quite a bit! I added the gloved hands from Bionica Jordan.

I'm not a fan of the hair of the parted, straight hair, so I pulled it back. (I think her hairline is a little too low on her forehead anyway.) Much better, don't you agree?

Side Bar: Since I was too chicken to take the coat off (the blouse is long sleeved), I am including a photo from Integrity Toys of the ensemble without it. I think the crop top is just wrong with tights and a fur/leather coat.

With her hair pulled back, she's definitely a keeper! So, Number 2 of 2016 is Polarity Nadja Rhymes.

My followers have probably noticed that, recently, I've made a small shift back to some of the Mattel play line dolls. I absolutely loved the Barbie Basic - Jeans line and purchased most of them. Their face ups were some of the best ever produced for Barbie. A couple years after their release, Mattel lost me with the production of less attractive face ups and hair. The Made to Move dolls caught my attention at the end of 2015, and I realized I missed some very cute dolls the last several months.

One of those dolls was the production of a non-black Nikki character with a blonde afro and freckles. Some collectors have referred to her as bi-racial and others say she is caucasian. Whatever you want to call her, I say she is just "gosh darned cute as a button"!

I know her head mold is a little large, but that may be part of her charm. I've seen collectors relax her hair, and it looks great that way. For now, I plan to leave her with the stock hairstyle. I have given her an articulated body and redressed her in a Dynamite Girls ensemble created by Integrity Toys for a recent Christmas Grab Bag promotion. I added a white long sleeve blouse, some brown tights and boots. She's ready for winter weather now.

I had to purchase this doll from e-bay for $12 because she is no longer available in stores. The new release of the doll has much different hair. I'm really surprised by the lack of consistency in the production of this character.

It seems many collectors prefer the new version, but I am partial to the earlier release and am glad I was able to find her on secondary market. Even though the hair is wilder, it is very soft and manageable. I should've been paying more attention to the Barbie aisle last year because she definitely deserves a spot in my collection.

Today I went on the hunt for Denim & Dots Fashionista Barbie. For some reason the Walmarts here have gotten large numbers of limited Fashionista offerings. There were 10 or more of certain dolls and none of many others. I couldn't find anything I wanted to purchase.

I got to Target and found this lovely blue and white knit sundress. I had been looking for it since my friend Reese had posted a photo. It fits the Integrity Toys NuFace body beautifully. Here it's being modeled by Perk Colette. Cute, huh? It has a sewn in little silver metallic belt. And for the large sum of $2.99.

I had to go by the pet store to check out food for my fur baby. (It's just coincidence that Tuesday Morning is next door! LOL!) I found this dress there I had never seen before. Rayna is the model.

I thought it needed a belt, so I added one. $1.99 and a cute little number for Miss Rayna!

Then I saw the next dress but had reservations. Since it was priced for just $2.99, how could I go wrong? Karoline Stone said, "I bet I can pull it off!" I think she did.

I figured it would make a very cute Valentine's Day dress for next week!

So, for less than $10 I had a load of fun redressing some of my dolls. Sometimes I forget that you don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy your hobby.

First, I want to emphasize that I am not, in any way, inferring that my redressed dolls are "better" than the promotional Integrity Toys dolls. The song I am referencing is more a song about playful competition and it's what I hum when I am trying to convince myself that I do not need to purchase another doll.

For those less familiar with Integrity Toys, there is a special "members only" W Club which affords many benefits to its members. I will outline what I consider the most important features.

1. You are on the "first to know" list. Before dolls are advertised by dealers, W Club members get an exclusive preview. This usually allows a member the chance to contact dealers first to place orders. W Club members are also the first to know about convention registration.

2. There are several "exclusive" dolls each year only offered to W Club members. Additional purchase opportunities are offered through multiple lotteries. Some of my very favorite dolls have been purchased this way.

3. There is a wonderful private message forum just for W Club members. Members share photos, reviews, custom clothing, etc. It's a great way to get ideas for your own collection. There is also a marketplace thread to buy and sell dolls for your collection.

4. Any dolls not sold at the IT Convention are offered to W Club members first. In the past, this has been done both through a lottery and a "first come" basis.

The membership window has been open for a few weeks now, but the deadline is this Tuesday, February 16, at 9:00 p.m. EST.

There is a full-color online brochure that can be downloaded through this link:

http://www.integritytoys.com/wclubforum/2016club.pdf

Or you can access the you-tube video here:

https://youtu.be/emk4Rd9gjuE

The cost to join is only $50. I have been a member of the W Club since it started in 2005. Because IT dolls make up the bulk of my personal collection, I cannot imagine not joining. Like most members, I own multiple memberships. I have one for my husband in case we get to attend the convention. It also increases a member's chances of winning a lottery to have more than one membership.

Every year, the W Club offers "upgrade" dolls to add to your membership. You pay a $25 deposit for each upgrade doll and the remainder when the doll is ready to ship. (Photos of upgrade dolls are the property of Integrity Toys.)

There are three upgrade possibilities this year. The first is Take Me On Vanessa Perrin (mold 3.0): Cost $130.

When considering the purchase of a new doll, I now ask myself some specific questions. Do I already own a version of this mold with similar hair/makeup/skin tone? Do I really prefer the newer version? Do I own any clothing that could produce a similar redress effect?

The 2014 W Club Upgrade Doll, Fashion Explorer, is also brunette. Even though I like Take Me On's face up better, Fashion Explorer is a beautiful doll. I redressed her in Tatyana's Fete Accompli ensemble and saved myself $130. (The Sound Advice Navy skirt also fits! Which is very similar to skirt shown.)

The second upgrade doll is for all those Poppy Parker Fans. She is called Ma Petit Fleur: Cost $120. Apparently this doll is a version of Bridget Bardot.

One of my favorite Poppy girls is I Love How You Love Me. Throw on a Barbie repro dress and voila! $120 gets to stay in my bank account.

The final doll was a NuFace doll using the Imogen mold. Her name is Be Daring: Cost $120. This ensemble continues the Balmain designs from the 2015 NuFace line.

Imogen is a favorite NuFace mold of mine, with Fame by Frame being one of my very favorite dolls in my collection (eye correction by Veronica Hage). Even though Fame by Frame also uses a tan skin tone, Be Daring uses the Hungarian skin tone version which has never been used on a NuFace doll before. The best I could do to duplicate the ensemble was Natalia's Femme Du Monde pantsuit.

I felt like Be Daring was different enough to justify her cost. I do not have an Imogen similar, so I did upgrade my membership with Imogen. I purchased two membership + one upgrade (Be Daring).

How did everyone else fare?

I was so excited when I received Polarity Nadja. Once I pulled her hair back, she just came to life for me. I ordered a gown from Antonio Realli a few weeks ago. I purchased it with Polarity in mind. It arrived last week and I'm glad I waited to redress her. She is divine in this gown.

I have since named this doll Cachet (ca-shay). It's an unusual name and fits her personality. She looks like she prefers the finer things in life. I have decided to pull a wardrobe together just for her. She is probably going to be a "staple" doll in my collection. I really like her that much. The only thing I would change is her lip color, but I can live with it as is for now.

When the NuFace line was originally promoted, the other doll that I was most excited about was Voltage Erin. Here is the promo photo from Integrity Toys (IT). My favorite hair color for a doll is strawberry blonde and they are few and far between.

When the first photos started showing up, it was obvious the production doll was very different from the promo by hairline and hair color. I was very disappointed. That disappointment was nothing compared to how poorly this doll is screened.

Look at how different her eyebrows are! One eye has white under the iris, the other is set evenly. I've never seen anything like it. "Voltage" is the right name for her because it looks like she has been electrocuted. At least it took my mind off her hair! My 2nd doll of 2016 is a disaster - it appears quality control hasn't improved over last year. I have already contacted patient care. At $140, I am so disappointed!

The only thing I love more is the smell of a new doll purchased at a good sale!

Recently Toni's Collectibles had a 40% off sale on in-stock Integrity Toys dolls. Last year, I purchased every Fashion Royalty dolls from the mainline collection except one - Prestige Natalia Fatale. Although Shapeshifter Natalia Fatale is one of my top ten dolls of all time, I have never been a huge fan of the Natalia 3.0 mold.

Prestige arrived today, and I was surprised by how much I like her.

A closeup of that beauty mark!

The purpose for her purchase was the complete ensemble which includes an incredible fuchsia purse and matching skin shoes!

I love the face up on this doll. It seems minimal but looks great. I like that she has brown eyes. Although I'm not crazy about the lip color, it's not too offensive in real life.

The ensemble is wonderful. I love the coat, skirt, and hat. There is a pale gray plaid bodysuit underneath.

My original plan was to use the FR2 body as a donor, but I think I'll get some playtime out of this girl first. Number 3 on my list for 2016 is Prestige Natalia Fatale. (I refuse to add Voltage Erin to my list - her head is off to IT for a replacement anyway!)

By the way - I'm not sure if Toni's Collectibles is still having the sale, but the coupon code was INTY40. Prestige was NRFB and cost less than $100 delivered to my door!

I was hoping the two Integrity dolls that I paid for on March 7 would've arrived before my blog entry today. Didn't happen.

I was trying to wait on their arrival before returning some other merchandise. I guess I decided to be optimistic - I hope it doesn't come back to bite me.

In addition to the Voltage Erin head (subject of an earlier post), I had to return several items. Last September when my Out of This World Poppy Parker arrived, I took photos. I have come to the conclusion that the camera picks up things that one would normally miss with the naked eye. NOTE: Collectors probably should photograph all of their dolls when they arrive and look at closeups for problems! Had it not been for the photo, I may not have realized there was a problem until after the warranty period (1 year for workmanship). She had lip rubs - probably due to putting the hairnet on before the paint dried. My NRFB doll had to be removed and decapitated. Out with the heating pad! (And don't think I didn't notice how thick the upper eyeliner was on left eye compared to the right!)

Although Reigning Grace has been standing in the display case since October, her dress needed to be removed and returned. The hemline is all crooked, it's even higher than the underskirt in the back.

Unfortunately, these pleated sheer hemlines are a challenge for Asian factory workers. The same thing happened with Out All Night Lillith. (I hated taking this off because I was planning to leave the doll NRFB for now.)

My Prestige Natalia's skirt was missing the zipper pull. In addition, the worker who tied her into the box must have had sharp finger nails because the top of the "leather belt" on the skirt had a tear in it.

When I contacted Patient Care about the skirt issues, the response was "we will inspect them for you and exchange them of course if they are defective." For some reason, that's not the sort of response I expect. I sent these exact same photos when I notified Patient Care. I spend more money on Integrity Toys products in one year than I do on food. I may be eating better this year.

Don't get me wrong. I love Integrity Toys dolls and have been a fan for over 10 years now. Unfortunately, they really don't have very much competition in this size doll line and the quality seems to be very inconsistent over the past three years. It's a shame.

I adore The W Club and have been a member since the very first year it started! It's entertaining, interesting to read, a great place to see beautiful pictures, and it's where I go for gossip with very passionate collectors. The W Club is dedicated to Integrity Toys dolls and is well organized and easy to navigate. Many collectors participate in the discussions and post photos. Members get to preview upcoming collections and are offered special editions of dolls. It's easily the best $50 spent each year as a collector, and you get a $20 coupon to use on any doll purchase.

I recently deboxed Fine Print Elyse Jolie for a photo shoot in response to a discussion thread. (She was one of my Top 10 of 2015.) A question was raised: "What Are The Top 5 Daywear Looks?"

Here she is NRFB. I just can't get enough of that camel hair coat!

And a closeup!

How about out of the box? (Look at those extra hands that look like BROWN leather gloves!!! ADORE!)

Another closeup.

I am also a member of the Barbie Collector Club and have been for many years. With the Barbie Collector Club, members get a $20 coupon every quarter. Last year, I only used one coupon. On Barbie's birthday, I ordered Boucle Beauty Silkstone; in celebration, Barbie Collector was offering an additional 20% off your purchase. Boucle Beauty was originally $100. She was on sale for $79.99. With the additional discount and application of my $20 coupon, I got her for for less than $53 shipped.

I am quite surprised that I like the doll as much as I do. She has odd hair - quite gray. Her eye painting is terrible. I guess the factory workers in China are very dissatisfied with work. Not only has quality gone downhill with IT, but the Silkstones are suffering as well!

I purchased this doll with the express intent of using the ensemble with Fine Print Elyse Jolie.

Many collectors have released this doll's hair, but that hairstyle just totally rocks my world! I love the severity of it. I don't have another doll like her. But I think she needs a hat, don't you?

I do love the simple blouse with the bow!

I may complain loud and clear when I'm unhappy, but I hope that my celebration of beautiful dolls is just as clearly projected. Fine Print Elyse is divine! Every little detail all the way to the redress value is totally amazing. Had I any idea she looked this fantastic wearing something else, she would've been higher on my "Best of 2015" list.

A lot of collectors have reported that the Integrity Toys (IT) Convention doll, Inner Spark Natalia Fatale, was produced with the wrong skin tone body. Her head color doesn't match her body color. The body is much lighter tan and actually works with many tan dolls including Colette, Paparazzi Bait/Soul Deep Adele, etc. This got me very excited because I've been waiting for a body donor for Force of Nature Agnes Von Weiss.

I didn't want to pay $140 + shipping for a body donor, so I started watching for good deals on e-bay and the boards as I have several tan dolls I would like to upgrade. I thought it would be smart to purchase some extra Latino bodies when IT made them available at the end of 2015 and ordered three. I figured if they were light, I could use them instead of purchasing multiple Inner Spark dolls, and if they weren't, I could rebody the heads from Inner Spark Natalia and sell them secondary market. Win/Win?

I recently purchased an Inner Spark for $110 shipped (good deal, right) and waited patiently for my bodies to arrive. They came last week.

Here is a photo of Inner Spark Natalia in her box.

And a closeup.

Do you notice anything odd? That's right! Her body is not the light tan color I expected. Did someone switch it? That's not possible because she is still thread-sewn into the liner with tape over the thread, direct-from-factory. So, apparently IT produced some Inner Spark Natalia dolls on the correct skin tone body and some not. Frustrating!

Here are the accessories. The jewelry and shoes are awesome (I wish there had been a nicer bracelet though):

She is an attractive doll in her own right. Here she is fully dressed out of the box. Although the fabric of the dress is a little stiff and out of scale, it looks great on and photographs quite well.

And another closeup. What can I say, I am sucker for a good widow's peak.

So, I didn't need one of the replacement bodies for Inner Spark Natalia after all. She may even be staying for while.

When I took out the replacement bodies I purchased, I realized they were not even the same color as Inner Spark Natalia. So, I took my last three Natalia dolls out and realized they were two different colors, and neither skin tone was similar to the replacement body. Apparently there is no consistent Latino color skin tone.

Prestige and Inner Spark are the same, whereas Elusive Creature is more tan. The replacement body (sitting down) is more reddish than either.

I contacted some doll friends and they were having the same problem with these replacement bodies. They didn't seem to match anything in our collections. I started pulling out all of my latino skin tone dolls. You cannot imagine my surprise (and excitement) when I found that the new bodies were very close to the original Natalia Fatale skin tone! Here is one of my very favorite dolls, Cosmetic Takeover, with the upgrade!

So, these new, more reddish, bodies will probably work with all Natalia Fatale dolls pre-2007. That may include Seashore Rebel, Behind Velvet Ropes, Queen of the Hive, Capricious, Black as Night, and Femme Du Monde. (As I no longer own any of these dolls, I cannot confirm this. However, I know my Cosmetic Takeover was on a Capricious body before the transfer.) One bad surprise, one very good surprise!

I always enjoy writing about my favorite Integrity Toys (IT) molds. Those who visit here know I'm a sucker for Eugenia, Agnes, Adele 2.0, Elyse, and Vanessa 1.0. I can appreciate the beauty in most dolls and have tried to make sure there is at least one example for each IT mold in my collection.

Today we are going to review a doll that has been in her box and shoved to the back of the closet for almost three years now. She was one of the original FR2 dolls designed by IT and released in 2010, but we've not seen her since 2013. There have only been six versions of the mold ever produced, and she rarely comes up on secondary market.

Here is Purity Dasha.

And a closeup. I'm not sure if it is the beady eyes, the cream skin tone, the severe hairstyle, or what, but Purity Dasha has been one of the least appreciated dolls produced by IT.

But you got to love this dress! It's obvious that Nightfall Agnes Von Weiss appreciates it! She ripped it right off her! (It really suits Agnes!)

And I've been looking for a body donor for Cate Blanchett. Some will gasp that I gave a FR2 body to a Mattel doll, but I don't care. We are talking Cate Blanchett after all! She is wearing a Silkstone suit.

So, I guess the ensemble found a home and the body is placed with another doll. I have an extra head just laying around now. It does sometimes feel like a chop shop around here.

It's hard to believe that it's been almost five years since I started my rules for collecting dolls. This is a quote from that blog entry.

"I am completely all over the place with my collecting. I have Barbie, Silkstone, Momoko, Gene, Tyler/Sydney, Tiny Kitty, Goodreau BJD, Pullip, Bratz, LIV, Dynamite Girls, Poppy, NuFace, Fashion Royalty, Monogram, Misaki, Vintage Ginny, and Antique Porcelain Head. And thanks to some special "friends" on the dollboards, I've been eyeing those Monster High dolls. Naughty ... Naughty .... Naughty!"

Here is how my collection has changed:

Barbie, ~~Silkstone~~, ~~Momoko~~, ~~Gene~~, ~~Tyler/Sydney~~, ~~Tiny Kitty~~, ~~Goodreau BJD~~, Pullip, ~~Bratz~~, ~~LIV~~, ~~Dynamite Girls~~, Poppy, NuFace, Fashion Royalty, Monogram, Misaki, ~~Vintage Ginny~~, and ~~Antique Porcelain Head~~. And thanks to some special "friends" on the dollboards, I've been eyeing those ~~Monster High~~ dolls. I do have a handful of IT 16" dolls, but I've kept that group to 5. Somehow I completely overlooked my Ellowyne Wilde collection in my original post.

The purpose of focusing my collection was to lower my numbers and keep things more manageable. I'm not sure how it happened, but I seem to have purchased more than I eliminated! The bulk of my collection remains IT products. I'm trying to see where cross-collecting supports my hobby (doll lines that can share wardrobes). Recently a Poppy got into my Pullip's closet.

Papin wasn't about to have it! "I don't take things out of your closet. This is my stock ensemble and I don't have much else to wear! Stay out of my clothes!"

"Wait a minute. … You can wear my clothes … that means … YES!"

That's right! Papin figured it out all on her own. She started with Mood Changers. "Pink is my signature color, you know!"

"What about that weird chenille pantsuit? I think it looks fantastic!" (I do too! I actually think it looks better on Papin than Poppy, but don't tell Poppy that!)

And if I can wear Poppy, that means Dynamite Girls, Misaki, and some Barbie items works as well! "I'm tired of playing dress up. Get me in some jeans pronto!" Papin has a little attention problem.

"I want to go outside. It's a beautiful day. I want to check out the dogwoods."

This has opened up some serious play opportunities for me. I only have six Pullip dolls, but I'm afraid the floodgate has been lifted. Woe is me!

First, I have to give praise where praise is due. I have already received the replacement dress for Reigning Grace Eugenia Perrin Frost. It came a couple weeks ago, and I finally took it out and put it on Eugenia. The hem is perfect. It makes me very happy when a problem is corrected as graciously as Integrity Toys is about fixing problems.

As much as I like Reigning Grace, I don't think I would've purchased this doll had I known that Julia Leroy's winning design doll from 2014 would be produced with a similar Eugenia. Here's a closeup of Reigning Grace. She was a W Club Exclusive from the 2015 IT Cinematic Convention.

As Dusk Falls arrived a couple weeks ago. I haven't deboxed her yet because I keep waffling back and forth, trying to decide whether or not she is going to stay. Here's her closeup. You can see the two dolls are quite similar; they're just looking opposite directions and As Dusk Falls has longer hair and is caucasian skin tone versus the japan skin tone of Reigning Grace.

I already have City Prowl Eugenia on display. She's never been out of stock. Even though I don't care for the sheer skirt (I'm gonna line that someday), I do love the whole look of this doll. She is another dark blonde Eugenia; this time with centered, brown, eyes and without red lips.

The FR2 body has been consistent with Eugenia Frost since 2013. My favorite blonde version of Eugenia is After Tonight Eugenia Frost from the 2013 IT Premier Convention. This time, she goes platinum with an elaborate hairstyle, bleached eyebrows, and green eyes. This doll is just perfection; she's never been taken out of her gorgeous evening gown.

IT definitely likes their Eugenia blonde! She showed up blonde at all three of the last conventions. Here she is from the 2014 Gloss Convention, Cold Shoulder Eugenia Frost. I've still not removed this from the box either. Are you confused yet? That's four blonde Eugenia with red lips in three years.

Since 2013 when it announced that Eugenia Frost was one of the "core eight" dolls that would make up the FR2 line, collectors have received eight versions. There was 2013's Premier Convention Bittersweet Eugenia Frost. For some reason, this doll definitely looks bitter to me. Maybe it's because she hasn't been released from her box yet. She has red hair, violet eyes, and pink lips.

In 2013, we also got a W Club Exclusive, A Touch of Frost Eugenia. For some reason, I've always liked Eugenia with dark hair.

Last year's mainline doll was Decorum Eugenia Frost. She's still NRFB because I think she will be sold soon. I'm not very fond of this face up.

After taking out all of my FR2 to photograph, I began to realize how much more I liked the earlier versions. I fell in love with Eugenia from the very beginning.

I couldn't afford this doll on secondary market NRFB, so I found one nude at a great price. Here is the exclusive 2007 Spectacular Eugenia Frost. (Redressed in photo)

Then there was 2007's mainline version, Face Time Eugenia Frost. (Redressed in photo)

There were two who showed up for the 2007 IT Convention The Royal Life. First up is In Full Regalia, who I found last year NRFB for a great price. Unfortunately, I've not had time to enjoy deboxing this girl.

Then there was one of my grail girls, High Drama Eugenia Frost, that took me forever to get. (I've never owned 2007's MFD exclusive Overachiever, so she isn't pictured.)

In 2008, the W Club gave its members the most sensual doll ever produced by IT (in my opinion). I'm writing about Going Public Eugenia Frost. One of the most valuable on the secondary market and difficult to get, even though the edition size was a whopping 1330. (Redressed in photo)

In the mainline, we got Most Desired Eugenia Frost. (Redressed in photo)

And Fine Jewel Eugenia Frost (my personal favorite of all versions) was a table centerpiece - edition size 180 - at the IT Heist Convention.

It seemed that Eugenia Frost was quickly becoming a very popular mold. I foolishly traded my 2009 Deconstruction Site. (Still trying to find one a reasonable secondary market price!) But I did manage to snag a NRFB Diamond Society from the 2009 IT Iconic Convention. I haven't brought myself to take her out yet either.

2010 brought us Spring Forward Eugenia Frost.

And the most difficult to acquire, Venus Secret Eugenia. I keep saying I'm going to release this girl.

I found a new home for Trick of the Trade:

And Fine Romance isn't here anymore:

However, I couldn't resist the Hair Workshop Version.

The only version in 2011 was the gift set doll from the IT Jet Set Convention, Point of Departure Eugenia.

I opted to let this one go in lieu of the helper version with strawberry blonde hair. (Probably in my top 5 Eugenia dolls living here. She is exquisite!)

In 2012, we got World on a String Eugenia. Since I had acquired the Helper Point of Departure, I decided to re-home this girl.

The final Eugenia released on a regular tall body was High Profile Eugenia. For some reason, I was never able to bond with this doll and sold her as well.

If you've been keeping track, I still have 20 versions of Eugenia living here, seven are still NRFB. Even though I've been able to let six go to other homes, I struggle with trying to lower my number of Eugenia dolls. When I look at High Profile I get a small pang of remorse, but I just don't have room for all of them.

If I had to choose my favorites, I could only narrow it down to my top 7:

1. Fine Jewel
2. After Tonight
3. Going Public
4. Venus Secret
5. Point of Departure Helper
6. High Drama
7. Diamond Society

I was surprised that only 1 doll in my top 7 is FR2. I would love to hear from my readers. Who is your favorite?

This year has been "lackluster" at best. It has really affected my attitude about collecting, and I've struggled with remaining enthusiastic about my 12" dolls.

The year started out strong with my first newly released Integrity Toys doll, NuFace Polarity Nadja Rhymes. With her hair pulled back, I really have grown to appreciate and enjoy this doll quite a bit.

In addition to Polarity, I had purchased two other dolls from this line: Energetic Presence Giselle, and Voltage Erin. Here is the link to the original post about these dolls: NuFace New Releases

I have waited for several weeks for the head replacement for Voltage Erin. When it arrived, I was pleased by the improvement. The hair actually seems a little more strawberry blonde than the one I received initially. The eyebrows are definitely more symmetrical, but the eye screening on the left eye is still a little off. The eyeshadow on her right eye looks a deeper color and less crease is exposed. It's a better version, but still not as good as the quality of IT dolls from a few years ago.

While I was sending off items for replacement, I included the skirt from Out All Night Lillith. The packing receipt that came for the Erin head showed that the skirt was also included. (You can see the defect in the earlier post by following this link: Out All Night Skirt Problem). I excitedly tore into the package. The only item inside was a pair of black shoes. ???? I contacted Customer Care and have been assured the skirt is "in the mail". ….

Until it arrives, I guess I can redress and play with my wonky-eyed Erin. It's not that noticeable in full length photos.

I guess we'll see what the Lillith/Eden gift set brings later this month. The first IT reveal will be soon, but I am very reluctant to pre-order anything these days … It is May 21 and no 2016 releases so far.

Both in my collecting world and in my professional life. I have taught at the same school for 12 years, and have been driving over 45 minutes one way each day. I found a great job 7 miles from my home - still teaching gifted children. I've had to move everything into my garage until I can get into my new school, but I'm ecstatic.

I got out my paints, magnifying glasses, and brushes and decided to correct Erin's eyelid myself. I sealed it this morning. I am no professional, but I know I can live with it.

She looks great in the Belk Barbie dress from a couple years ago. It's very warm (downright HOT) here in the south, so I thought she needed something comfortable to wear. I'm still having trouble bonding with this doll. The hair color on the replacement head is better. I think the eyes are more balanced in eyeshadow and crease definition. But that forehead is just too high. I believe Integrity Toys suffers from the Goldilocks syndrome. In the promotion photo, collectors complained the forehead was too low - not it's too high. IT needs to stay away from extremes.

The twins arrived! I can honestly say their face ups are much better than the promotional photos. I'm still not sure about the hair, and I don't want to spend any more money on re-rooting them. (Has anyone noticed the absence of the painted lower lashes on all the NuFace dolls?)

Here is Eden:

And her sister Lilith:

I haven't decided whether or not to keep this duo. Partly because I already own versions I like better. Hard Metal is my favorite Lilith of all time.

And even though The Great Pretender is considered Lilith, she has blonde hair and is more like Eden.

And I adore Sweet Nothings Gretel.

The replacement skirt for Up All Night finally arrived! It's perfect.

According to IT, this is a Lillith doll also. And I like this doll more than Never Ordinary.

On a final note, my followers may have noticed I've been selling several of my older dolls. This allowed me to get High Frequency Kumi on secondary market. Ouch!

I hope to do a formal review soon when she gets released and redressed. This is one beautiful version of the Eden/Lilith mold! Things are definitely headed in the right direction!

I sold my Never Ordinary Twins Eden and Lillith to another collector for my cost. I'm not ready to add dolls to my collection that are poorer examples of molds I already own. (Please do not send me hate mail on this - I truly believe Hard Metal, Great Pretender, and Sweet Nothings are better screened.) I knew they wouldn't get the redress and play enjoyment to merit their $200 price tag. I have also decided to steal the body from from Voltage Erin and have listed Energetic Presence Giselle on Mister Dollface.

That means from all the NuFace dolls offered in 2015, I've only kept Evening Blossom Dominique (LOVE HER!), Polarity Nadja, Up All Night Lillith, and Out of Sight Nadja. I recently added High Frequency Kumi and will be spotlighting her soon.

I have also listed on Mister DollfaceBlack Tie Vanessa Perrin and As Dusk Falls Eugenia Frost. Since Integrity Toys hasn't released promotional material yet on their mainline or NuFace dolls and my love/hate relationship continues with Poppy Parker, doll collecting here in GA has been dryer than the weather.

My thirst for something fun and different in my collection needed drenching! And who would've thought that spring of sunshine would've come from Mattel's newest groups of Fashionista Barbies?

Let's start with Pizza Pizazz. I refer to this mold as the Shania Twain mold because the Made To Move (MTM) version reminds me so much of the country singing star. Here she is:

Who can resist a very dark haired doll with blue eyes? Not me! Add an Asian MTM body and you got something special!

I really do like this doll a lot. Her retail was $19.99. (Add $14.99 for the MTM body and you have an articulated doll for $35. Plus you got two additional ensembles. I love the t-shirt!)

I had turned away from her at Target and Walmart because her face seemed "fat", but found this perfect version at Toys R Us. I think the glue they are putting inside the heads of some of these dolls are making the heads out of shape. (Do you think I left Target empty-handed? Not when Pretty in Paisley was looking at me so plaintively.)

Another MTM body (this time from Shania Twain's sister) and a fun new doll with streaked hair and two additional outfits - I love the orange sundress with this one!

Let's not forget the Fab Fringe Fashionista that arrived today from Amazon. An AA Made to Move body and wowza!

Arriving with Fab Fringe was her friend, Leather and Ruffles Fashionista.

I got four dolls and seven ensembles for $140. (That includes the four MTM dolls purchased as body donors.) I spent about the same amount of money of these four dolls as the retail price of one Integrity doll. I know the quality is different. But the sheer play enjoyment of these four dolls outshines any IT doll I've received in the past six months. Makes me pause to think….

The Year In Review ...

So … What's All The Fuss About?

First Doll of 2016

Made To Move Barbie - Black Skin Tone

A Special Doll - A Special Day

Nadja Rhymes

One Doll - Two Looks

NuFace Fun for Under $10

"Anything You Can Do …"

New Year … Same Song

I Love The Smell of New Dolls In The Morning ...

It's A Shame ...

On The Other Hand ...

Bad Surprises … Good Surprises

Chop Shop

Eureka!

Eugenia "Squared"

Apathy ...

Things Are Beginning To Turn Around

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!