Kardashian dolls from Mattel?

A clarification from the official BarbieCollector message board, dated January 20, 2012:

As popular as the Kardashian doll rumor has been, at this point in time we are not manufacturing Barbie-branded Kardashian dolls. For information on products that are currently available, please check out our websites often to see all the new and exciting products that are coming out at www.mattel.com.

Why is this such a giant relief for me?

Nokia N8 Pink - Freedom ad, featuring Dynamite Girls!

Those of you who know me personally know I'm kind of an Apple girl. I know, I know, I can't help it. I just can't stand messing with my phone or computer. I'm too technically inept to do anything but "plug it in and turn it on." (Plus, I've had a nerd-crush on Steve as early as I can remember. Black turtlenecks! *swoon*) However, I won't let my bias interfere with posting an adorable Nokia commercial.

Check out the cute (and rather disturbing) video featuring a soundtrack by Sugababes and (Wave I) Dynamite Girls (perhaps among other dolls?).

Is it me, or am I the only one thinking, "Ouch, ouch!"

It's very fun, just the same. However, some shots break the cardinal rule of doll photography: If a person can't pose like that, it won't look natural for a doll to pose like that, either.

Barbie Flagship store in Shanghai has shut its doors

According to an article from the BBC, Mattel has closed down the Barbie concept store in Shanghai, after only two years.

The store originally opened in March of 2009, designed to expand its market into China, but sales didn't meet expectations.

Read the entire article here.

Diamond Barbie sets a new record price.

Stefano Canturi Barbie, a one-of-a-kind doll sold at auction in New York for $302,500 to an anonymous bidder. The doll is wearing a black strapless evening gown with a choker with a one carat square-cut pink diamond, per the article from the BBC.

$17,091 was the previous record for a Barbie auction.

Canturi is an Australian jewelry designer, and his goal was to accent the doll's "modern yet timeless style." The proceeds of the sale will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Check out the full story, and an AP photo of the doll, on the BBC's website.

Comic Con to stay in San Diego for the next five years

I heard it on KPBS (our local public radio station) this morning: Comic Con is to stay in San Diego for another five years. I'm really glad to hear it! I attended for the first time in July, and it was really fun. I hope to attend next year, too. You can read about it on KPBS's website, or as reported by the Union-Tribune.

Chinese Baby Adoption Barbie, an exclusive from the White Swan Hotel

At the risk of posting some controversial, I read this interesting article about "Going Home Barbie" in Marie Claire magazine, thanks to JennyGrey, who pointed it out to me this morning.

In reading a bit about this doll online (and yes, I know you shouldn't believe everything you read online), I hear some advocates are pressuring Mattel to a) make this doll available to all adopting families, and b) make this doll in other races besides white (hello? What year is this again?).

And others are generally offended by anything Barbie says or does, and she's just a doll (who doesn't say or do anything).

Look, for a mere $70, this doll is available from Amazon.com:

Fanciful Delights - an interview with Roweena23

I discovered Fanciful Delights, and Jessica (also known as Roweena23 on Den of Angels), a few weeks ago, and I couldn't resist asking her for an interview. Currently, you can find Fanciful Delight's handmade one-of-a-kind hats for sale on Etsy, on Den of Angels' Marketplace forum, and often at GoGa and GoGa Lite conventions in San Francisco.

The No. 10 Scandal - Is Barbie too busty? - Part 2

The No. 10 Scandal - Is Barbie too busty?
Originally uploaded by alington

This doll (Barbie Basic #10) was all over the news (well, in Minnesota), and all over Twitter last month. I was thinking, Come on, people. It's a doll. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Recently, I was at Toys R Us. I saw (and just had to buy) both of these dolls displayed on the shelf. My question to you, dear readers: Is this a "production variation" or has Mattel caved to the pressure? ;)

You can read Part I of the saga here.