Bus Stop Darla Daley

Bus Stop Darla Daley, a photo by alington on Flickr.

My favorite Darla Daley created so far: Bus Stop!

I'm not sure is it's her lovely chestnut hair or her super soft facial screening, but she is fabulous!

This girl includes two pairs of hands--one painted white, as seen here. She has a cool jersey striped dress with cotton trim and tiny button details, plus patterned tights.

She has a gorgeous chain purse, hat with ribbon trim, hoop earrings, and awesome shoes, too, as accessories. And yes, she stands on her own.

See more photos on Flickr!

Dolls for sale!

Tokidoki, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Hi, dear readers, it's that time of the year again! I've listed several dolls for sale on my DollPage account. Please check them out if I've got anything on your wish list:

• NRFB Tokidoki Barbie $300 or best offer
• 8" Alice Kingsleigh by Tonner $59
• The Waif by Tonner $70
• NRFB How Do I Look? Holly Golightly from Integrity Toys' Breakfast at Tiffany's $175 OBO
• NRFB Hit Single Darla Daley $119 or best
• NRFB Forever Friends Reina HTF Steffie sculpt $50
• Plus several BJD-related items!

Thanks for looking!

Shipping notice for Integrity dolls

Inspiration from the 2012 FR:Monogram collection by Integrity Toys

I received a shipping notice today from my Integrity Toys dealer that Inspiration is on her way. For those who are interested, these dolls are currently available:

• Inspiration FR:Monogram
• Echelon FR:Monogram
• Moonlight & Kisses Darla Daley

If you're interested, drop Evelyn at Treasure Dolls a line at treasuredolls@yahoo.com, or pay her a visit if you're visiting Austin, Texas:

Treasure Dolls
2401 Bluebonnet Lane
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-9516

Poppy Parker, please!

Poppy Parker's collection made quite a splash at IDEX this year, including several exciting surprises.

Baby It's You is a brand new gift set of Poppy Parker and boyfriend Chip Farnsworth III, retail $150, LE650. It's Chip's dashing first appearance, but (more importantly) for those of you who missed out on the blonde I Love How You Love Me gift set, I think this will be your chance for a similarly styled doll. And a "bump" on a 1960s era doll who actually needs one! (Yay!) They are due to ship in late March.

Moonlight and Kisses is a new Darla Daley--limited to 350 for just $89. This fabulous girl has lovely facial screening and a simply gorgeous gown. She includes jewelry, a satin clutch and a microphone. She's due to ship in late February.

A delightful surprise for Poppy fans is the new addition to the line, Poppy Parker as Sabrina. All dolls are due to ship in mid June. The first doll is Miss Fairchild, LE 450, $125. An adorable version of Audrey Hepburn, Poppy does a great job in this portrayal of a little black dress, complete with a miniature daiquiri.

Sabrina is one of my favorite Hepburn movies of all time. And this look, Isn't it Romantic? is probably my favorite of the movie. This dressed Poppy is limited to 450, $125. It includes the iconic white and black flocked dress with "yards of fabric."

Most Sophisticated is a fun gift set which retails for $180 (LE 450). It includes Sabrina as she returns from Paris. She returns home with her French poodle David, a chic suit and hat, with luggage. She also includes two casual outfits--including a wrap-around plaid shirt and white shorts and sandals, as well as her black embroidered ballerina flats, black skinny cargo pants, reverse V-neck sweater, and overcoat.

The Chauffeur's Daughter features Sabrina before her transformation. This gift set includes a longer-haired Poppy, dressed in her cooking school uniform, and her brown jumper, and overcoat, before her trip to Paris. This set is limited to 350 and retails for $150.

Photos are property of Integrity Toys.

Jet Set convention Simply Simpatico Darla Daley

I must admit that when I first saw this Darla doll I didn't like her at all. But, once I got her out of her pantsuit and into this cute dress I fell in love with her. Her facial screening is quite pretty as is the new facial sclupt. (Only one Darla was produced with the original sculpt.) Darla's dress (Flarin' To Go), belt, and bracelet are from byShane. The blue shoes are from the convention Poppy Parker shoe set. Furniture by Planet Janet studio.

Youthquake Poppy Parker and Twist 'n Shout Darla Daley

Youthquake Poppy Parker and Twist 'n Shout Darla Daley

Two recent additions to my growing Poppy Parker collection are Youthquake Poppy Parker and Twist 'n Shout Darla Daley. I pre-ordered them based on their promo photos last year, and I'm delighted with the set.

As you've probably heard, this particular Poppy has different hair than her promotional photo. It is styled in an unusual style. Upon deboxing, I noticed that her rather long bright red (almost orange) hair is actually styled in a single stiff, super-gelled roll. I've seen some collectors more or less successfully wash this gel out for a more satisfactory look. I haven't done anything with her hair yet; however, I plan to send her to my vintage Barbie restoration artist to have her hair cut and styled into a Marlo flip at some point.

In contrast, Darla's dark hair is softly styled and held back with a white headband. It was a nice surprise to find her hair perfect, right out of the box. In my opinion, buying the two as a set makes up for any hair issues on Poppy.

Aside from Poppy's hair, I don't have any complaints. Both dolls have sleek and elegant facial screening--no painted eyelashes, but the simplicity works. It fits with their sleek hair and 1960s era mod look. Poppy has gorgeous blue eyes that pop and bubblegum pink lips, which surprisingly look great with her orange hair. Darla's mauve lips and gray eye shadow make her make-up more muted, but also soften her look.

I haven't redressed either doll yet, but the sweaters are nicely scaled, and the jumpers are cute and have a working buckle at the neck. The fishnet hose is also a nice touch.

Like other flat-footed Integrity dolls, Poppy and Darla will stand alone easily. They pose well, and are fun to play with--in fact, I can't seem to walk by my display without re-posing them.

Darla is a new face sculpt for this collection, and she is really gorgeous. I hadn't been sure I'd like her nose, but she is just perfect. I think she's adorable and cute, and a great companion for Poppy. I've also pre-ordered Hit Single Darla, and I can't wait till she arrives.

Both dolls are limited editions of 400, and Youthquake has sold out. You'll have to pay quite a premium (I call it the Poopy Poppy Premium) for her at this point. You can still find Darla from some dealers. If you don't have her yet, I highly recommend adding her to your collection. She's just adorable!

Sweet Twist 'n Shout Darla Daley, close up

Poppy Parker Youthquake close-up

Darla can stand on her own

Poppy standing on her own, as well

Poppy Parker and Darla Daley @ the IFDC

Foto Fab, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Last, but definitely not least, is the 2011 Poppy Parker collection. I was delighted to see these girls, along with Poppy's new companion, Darla Daley, in person. Click here for the full photo album.

I'm using Foto Fab Poppy as my main photo, but I have one other as well. I'd heard about some concerns about her facial screening--it looks too pale in the promo shots or whatever. I had my concerns, too. After seeing her in person, I can confidently say I won't be selling mine. She has a little aqua liner on her lower lashes, and it's just enough. Her hair is a golden blonde, which is a great match for the make-up and outfit.

Perfectly Purple (below) is gorgeous brunette with similar facial screening to the 2010 line--dark eye liner and detailed eye lashes. In any case, whether you like her eccentric lavender plaid or think it's over the top, she's going to be fun to redress.

Youthquake Poppy is surprisingly minimalist. She's also delightful. Her facial screening is different in that she's missing her eye lashes. I thought that would bother me, but it definitely fits with her basic outfit, dark liner, and neutral eye shadow. Her hair is bright red and styled in a gorgeous Marlo flip.

Twist 'n Shout Darla is plain cute. Her hair is tighter than her promo photos as well, but it suits. I think her face is much softer, too--even her prominent nose. Both she and Youthquake have perfectly scaled fishnet tights, too, and their jumpers are fun.

Hit Single is the Darla I pre-ordered, and I wish I had better photos of her. Her hair really does it for me. Oh, I admit it. I love her outfit, too. The A-line minidress has a tiny printed stripe pattern that's just perfect.

Perfectly Purple Poppy Parker by Integrity Toys

Photography notes:
For some reason, Flickr has ignored all my color correction, and I'll have to fix my photos in Picnik. Everything looks too yellow and a bit green. Hopefully I can get these corrected, so you can have a better idea of what the colors really looked like. 
For those of you who are photography experts, please come to IFDC and use a flash next year! My photos always tend to look like crap with a flash. (I'm working on it.) And I admit it. I'm a bokeh addict.