Coated in Glamour - via Polyvore

Coated in Glamour by alison-boyd-rasmussen featuring a leather jacket

Like Pinterest, I only intended to spend a couple of minutes on Polyvore before I dropped down the rabbit hole... but I just love that site! Here's a fancy version of Integrity's Coated in Glamour Tulabelle--in case you wanted to try out her look for yourself. You've gotta admire the dress--for $1,920 from Harrods.com. It's on my wish list for my own wardrobe this year! 

I realize that there are lots of ways to make this outfit less expensive, but that was not my intention for this set. I wanted to make the ideal outfit for Tulabelle--and for a RL IT doll--and I think I came pretty close!

Jovani dress
$1,920 - harrods.com

Barbara Bui leather jacket
intermixonline.com

Sergio Rossi black boots
theoutnet.com

Zagliani blue handbag
luisaviaroma.com

Hermès enamel bracelet
usa.hermes.com

Robert Lee Morris bangle bracelet
bloomingdales.com

Betsey johnson jewelry
betseyjohnson.com

Expressions stackable ring
fashion.ebay.com

Ashleigh in Court Gown

Ashleigh in Court Gown, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Warming up again for some photography... I've been playing around with Topaz filters in Adobe Elements. I usually just use iPhoto and do basic color correction in my photography.

Two Daydreamers Ultimate Glamour Ashleigh in Elizabeth Swann's Court Gown and a Kemper wig is modeling here. She is wearing lovely jewels by Facets by Marcia, I believe.

I really hope to see a new resin BJD at Tonner Convention--not to put on any pressure... but I'd DIE if it were Toucan! I am really loving this size.

All I want for Christmas... and I even have a picture!

This is the time of year when most Americans seem to lose their minds, and spend like there's no tomorrow. Yes, we as a people throw financial caution to the wind, especially when offered irresistible door buster sales opportunities. January should perhaps be renamed "Resmorseuary," because that is the time the credit card bills start coming in, and most Americans realize that they will get their credit cards back down to reasonable balances just in time for NEXT year's Black Friday.

Doll collectors have this problem all year long, but I digress.

I have decided I want to rectify this situation with a very simple wish list, which includes only one item. Thankfully, Mabel, one of the members of my doll club, showed up with a beautiful simulacrum of the item I want. I am posting a picture of this item, and I will not caption the picture, since it should be obvious what it is, and why I want it. I have never seen one of these in reality.

Thank you, Mabel. You have made the acquisition of the thing I want most at this moment in time possible through your incredible artistry. Now I can show my family and friends EXACTLY what I want, without fumbling for words to describe it.

ADDENDUM: A last minute addition, but Mabel informed me that another member of our club, an equally great lady named Bobbi, helped her create this simulacrum. I always like to make sure that credit is given where it is due. So any kudos for this piece of artistry belong in equal terms to Mabel AND Bobbi.

Holiday wish list?

Bayer Alice - photo property of Lati Doll.

Which dolls are on your holiday wish list this year? I have to confess, I have a Christmas doll and a birthday doll on their way to me already, so I can't complain.

Which dolls or outfits are on the top of your wish list this year? Are you giving any dolls as gifts? I am, but I can't post about them, due to some of the readers of this blog.

I also have to confess, as usual, I have to plan my ball-jointed doll gifts very early, so they will arrive in time for Christmas. And if you can believe it, both are Alice-themed.

The first is Lati Doll's Alice (it's the Grown-Up Bayer sculpt) shown above. She's a limited edition full-set tiny (only 16 cm tall), and she includes the little resin Cheshire kitty.

The second, from Peak's Woods, is the Lady Alice full-set. She is a YoSD size and adorable. I cannot wait. Of course, when the dolls arrive, I'll have to peek to make sure they have made it in one piece.

Lady Alice - photo property of Peak's Woods.

Maybe I should call them "Peek's Woods." Tee hee.

Another fashion inspiration by Tonner Doll

Ever wonder why you adore some dolls, and why they might end up in your collection? Check out these two:

From the 2006 American Model collection, this lovely dressed doll is Confection. She is dressed in a gorgeous shantung ball gown with a corsage at the waist. The bodice is shirred and sculpted. She includes a gorgeous necklace, earrings and bracelet.

If you like this doll, consider this one, too!

My favorite of all the Cinderella dolls, the Cinderella Rose gift set. She was an FAO exclusive, and she includes the convertible feet auburn-haired Cinderella doll, glass slippers and this gorgeous gown--with a similar silhouette to the American Model's gown. Wouldn't they be great in your collection, displayed together?

(Seriously, Dreamcastle's Tonner reference is simply dangerous. Don't just go browsing through there for no reason. Your wallet will start crying. Loudly. All these dolls that were on my list are coming up again!)

All photos property of Tonner Doll Company.

More biggies and smallies by Tonner Doll

On the topic of Biggies and Smallies - here are two more of my favorite "twins" from Tonner:

Winter Solstice American Model from 2008, a platinum blonde babe with a fur-trimmed embroidered peplum jacket, mermaid skirt, gloves, parasol and oversized hat - she's a winter dream.

In contrast, a similar outfit in black, the jacket embroidered in silver, on Tyler 2.0 - this lady is so classy and elegant, and is one of the most dramatic dolls Tonner has produced. I adore them both.

All photos property of Tonner Doll Company.

Large and Largess?

I love playing with scale in my doll collection, and I'm always struck when similar dolls and styles come out with from prior collections from doll manufacturers. 

Two fabulous examples were released in Tonner's latest release.

Above, the gorgeous 1920s styled Platinum Luxury American Model. She is the large(ss) version.

Below, the amazing grail, Classic Elegance Sydney. People, I will trade my brand new, mint condition Blue Alice for this Syndey. Why, you may ask? I have, what the laywomen refer to, a keeper. 

I was having a difficult day yesterday. Jokingly (and in a rather bitchy manner, if I admit it), I forwarded a photo  of the new American Model to my husband via email, when he asked what he could do to make my day better. "Buy me this doll." And to my utter surprise, he did! (From Dreamcastle!) With the caveat that I not complain about various Christmas parties or do anything embarrassing there. (People who know me, please--no comments about work parties.) I am delighted!

Now, I'd like to add the smaller version to my collection as well. (I'd hate to press my luck by having another bad day--so a trade perhaps?) Wouldn't they look wonderful together?

The other set can be seen below:

From the Gowns by Anne Harper collection, Anna Karenina is close to selling out. It's still available from Toni's Collectibles. The outfit is designed for wigged 16" dolls such as Tyler Wentworth.

For a larger scale, there is the beautiful Anna Karenina American Model, still available for purchase. The two displayed together would be simply stunning in your collection!

Dolls on my wish list - Marie Antoinette Barbie

Barbie Marie Antoinette - Women of Royalty, originally uploaded by Gipaba.

This porcelain Barbie is one of my ultimate grail dolls, and is part of the Women of Royalty collection. She's simply gorgeous, with her hair and her gown, and her soft facial screening.

Perhaps a little on the expensive side, this doll fits in perfectly with my historically themed dolls. (You have to just aim high, I say.)

Photo by Gisele Gipaba, and used with permission. Thank you!

Steffie, Steffie, Steffie!

Target Exclusive Barbie Basic, originally uploaded by alington.

Those of you who know me personally may or may not know that Steffie is my favorite Barbie sculpt. (I know, so original!)

At any rate, I have been adding a few to my own collection of late, and I will be taking photos of them over the next few days, I hope, and posting them to the blog.

Additionally, I have been frequently visiting that private hell of a wish list-builder known as Flickr, and have compiled a new gallery of Barbies I'd love to add to my own personal collection some day--all Steffie faces. I'd like to invite you to visit it and comment on these photographers' terrific photos. (None are mine.)

Do you collect Barbie? If you do, do you have a favorite face sculpt? Leave a comment!

Another wish list tool for the holidays!

You can now use Amazon.com's wish list tool universally. This is a great way to add dolls to your wish list and send it to your loved ones (or the ones who love you).

You simply drag the wish list into your Firefox, Chrome or Safari browser toolbar,  or you can install the "Add to Wish List" button to your bookmarks toolbar. Or you can visit online stores that feature Amazon links (like ours) and save the items that way.

Plus, enter each week (by adding an item to your wish list) from now through December 19 to win a $100,000 sponsored by MasterCard. Click here for the official rules.

  

Collector Barbies That I've Never Seen

For my first post, I'll talk a little about a few Barbies I've never seen in person but would love to add to my collection! (I have never had problems shopping online for dolls, so far.)

The first doll's name is, well, I don't know her name but I know that she's a collector Barbie. She's the second doll in the 2001 Collector Edition. I really want her but she's similar to the Angel of Joy Barbie, who I also have in my collection.

Heart throb of the moment -- Are you attracted to funny looking dolls?

Have you ever encountered a doll and had your breath taken away? Even a chance encounter online, can be like falling in love, for me. A large part of the joy in collecting is building my wish list, which more than likely will never be fulfilled. Just the idea of looking at beautiful faces and being swept away by their beauty is often enough.

What happens, however, when you are swept away by the unusual or unique, or heaven forbid, even funny-looking face? I recently came across a photo in Flickr of Leeke World's Florence. She's 40 cm (about 15.75") tall, takes 20mm eyes (other BJDs in this size often wear 12-14mm), and wears an 11" wig (other BJDs this size wear a 7-8" wig).

Mother's Day Wish List

I highly recommend that you make yourself a wish list, too. If you're a mother. Or about to be a mother. Or a mother of dolls (or would like to be a mother of dolls) who is an aunt (Jen!) or has a significant other (Melissa!). Because really, how else will anyone know what you really want for Mother's Day? Or for a treat? Or for fun? Or for special? Or just because?

Have trouble keeping track of your wish lists? Let me recommend Galleries on Flickr. Create one called "Wish List" and just add your favorite photos of dolls (with notes) to that gallery (or those galleries). It's a great system!

So... my current wish list:

• Er, first, reset my doll allowance. Like, starting in May, I would actually get a doll allowance again. (I know, that's asking a whole terrible lot. But if you don't ask...)
• Doll in Mind Love - Kassia or Bellose (I like both), and I love both the open eye and half-closed eyes. I may eventually need one open-eye and one half-closed (one Bellose and one Kassia).
• Fairyland Rona. Ok, she's really expensive. But she's just so pretty.
• Peak's Woods Segi. I can't help myself. I adore her. I would go for either normal skin or white. I think I'd prefer large bust, since they fit DollHeart clothing better. I love their factory face-ups, also, but I don't require one, since I have an appointment in May with Leah Lilly.
• Planet Doll Riz or Mini Riz. I'd prefer normal skin. I don't have to have a factory face-up, either. And also, the Doll Market carries these dolls, too.
• Aren, a Mini Gem by Soom. She was on my list around Christmas, and I still haven't yet added her.
• Another tiny, Leekeworld Vanilla. I just love her. She's a YoSD size.

Photos courtesy of DIM, Peak's Woods, Soom and PlanetDoll/the Doll Market.

Ball-jointed doll wish list... I'm such a dreamer!

So... before the holiday season is upon us (and yes, my birthday is in January, too), I thought I'd better post an updated (and terribly optimistic) wish list of ball-jointed doll up here.

First on the list is Aren, a Mini Gem by Soom. She's shown here in a full-set, which I'd love to acquire as well. Mostly, I'm interested in Mini Gems because they are about 11-12" and can wear Barbie clothes. (Fun, fun!)

Second, is a Bobobie MSD doll. The photo I have here is one of Lan, a girl, though I haven't decided on a face yet. I may even decide on a fairy--they have quite a few fun fairies. She's interesting because of her super-slim size, which allows her to share clothes with Tyler Wentworth (Tonner Dolls). I think that would be fun.

Third, I'd like to add another YoSD doll to my collection. The one shown here is a Leekeworld Vanilla. I just love her. I also like Hucky, the new YoSD size by Peak's Woods, Hucky. Shoot--I just noticed Peak's Woods is having a free event--nuts! Which leads me to my fourth doll...

Wake-up Goldie, normal skin, by Peak's Woods. I'd also want to get an extra head for her, an regular Goldie head, so I could swap them out. I know, the Peak's Woods bodies don't pose as well as some double-jointed bodies do. But still--I am in love with these dolls. I just adore them! Their serene face sculpts just fascinate me. New post shortly on the event!
Photos courtesy of Soom, Luts, Boboie, and Peak's Woods.

Eeek! Another Alice!

She's a Barbie-sized doll, or 1/6 sized, BJD by Soom, called Aren. With a face-up, her price is $310, but she's gorgeous. She wears 8mm eyes, and includes a random wig.

The outfit is also available separately, as well, if you don't collect BJDs, but are interested in Alice in Wonderland dolls. It even includes the rabbit doll. Cute!

Edit: I've decided I need this doll. Badly! Ack! She can even wear Barbie clothes. How cool is that?

Edit #2: I've also decided I have to stay away from the Den of Angels group. There are way too many cool real-life photos of dolls over there. Ack again!

Edit #3: Think I've managed to stay away from Den of Angels? Nope! I've already found two of these lovely ladies for sale. And I think I will buy her, since now my husband owes me, for editing that horrible letter for three hours this evening. Ugh. Who actually ever uses the word laryngoscope in real speech, anyway? Ick!

My Tiny Wish List Grows...

My wish list of Tiny BJDs is growing rapidly! (I really shouldn't be spending so much time on Den of Angels, browsing through the fabulous photo galleries...) Here are the current top four candidates:

• Tiny Kai, by Elf Doll. She's a full-set, 14cm, with 3mm eyes (one of each color), a tiny womanly body, and includes her little feathered wing fairy outfit. Her feet are magnetic, and boots and bare feet are also available separately.
• Pury Basic White, by LatiDoll. I'd order her as a full-set, with a face-up, wig and outfit. She stands 9.8 cm tall.
• Peya (HandFairy) by DolKot. She's 16cm tall. I think I like the normal skin basic version, but I'd order her with a face-up, and an extra wig.
• Riko by Fairy Garden. Only 10 cm tall, I like the pink skin version I think, with a face-up. Sometimes there are fun full-sets of these dolls on the website, so I may just keep my eyes open for a while.

Photos courtesy of Elf Doll, LatiDoll, DolKot and Fairy Garden.

How do you decide on a doll?

When you're deciding to add a doll to your collection, what criteria do you consider? I'm having a difficult time, especially when it comes to adding another BJD to my collection.

Here's my dilemma. I'd like a tiny BJD--as small as possible. So far, the smallest I have is a 5" Goodreau Ashlyn. And I'd like this next one to be considered an ABJD. I've found a couple I think are cute, but one is twice as pricey as most others, and while the manufacturer has gotten recent positive reviews on service, but some older negative reviews (from a year ago or more).

Now--here are my considerations:

• Height. I'd like the doll to be 6" (15 cm) or shorter
• Look. I prefer this doll not to have overly large proportioned head.
• The doll I like best so far looks like a miniature woman, sort of fairy-like, but I'm not married to this idea.
• I'd like her to stand easily on her own, so probably larger feet
• Female (or appear female)
• Expressive face
• Good reviews from current owners
• I'd like to see some real-life photos of the doll, if possible.

What else should I consider? I would pay for a full-set. I'd love a sleeping face or head option, too, if that's available. Or extra hands. I don't mind paying extra. Have any favorites? Maybe I should post on Den of Angels for advice and photo requests.

Eeek--My next wish list item!

Oh dear, I've been spending too much time surfing the web. I found another item for my wishlist. It's from Dolkot, who has mixed reviews, according to Den of Angels. (You may need to have an account at Den of Angels to read the feedback, but it's definitely worthwhile to sign up!)

At any rate, Peya is a cute little 16cm (6-1/2") tall resin BJD called a Hand Fairy. She's just adorable. What's getting me is that I've seen photos of SD-sized dolls holding this one, and she looks like she's the right size for a BJD for an SD-sized doll. She can stand on her own, of course, and has a slim, mature body sculpt with elbow and wrist joints, as well as rotating hips, ankles and knee joints as well.

Her retail price is $198, and includes default clothes, box, wig, and eyes but you can add a face-up for $25, and extra eyes for $12, and body blushing for $30. Additionally, there are two full-sets available:

• a white-skin doll, called Magician of Time, for $298
• another white skin package, called Dream of Fairy, for $298

Or do I prefer Iplehouse?

Another ball-jointed doll I am considering is an Iplehouse Silvia. I like that she is also available in a "dreaming" head sculpt. What I would do is order her body (an SD-size) with the dreaming head, and then also add a regular smokey-eyed Silvia head in addition. I'd be sure to match the color, of course. And then, I would be able to take fun photo shoots of her sleeping and waking up.

These dolls appear to have fantastic bodies, as well--they seem to be able to pose and move quite well, at least according to the photos on the website.

I think she looks different enough from Sky that she'd be a fun addition, but proportionally, she looks more like a real person, and not so anime. I wonder if I could pose her with Sky together, or if she'd look out of place?

Photos courtesy Iplehouse.

DollZone BJDs I'm coveting...

I was surfing the web the other day and came across some lovely DollZone ball-jointed dolls I'd like to add to my collection. I've been wanting to add another SD-sized doll to my collection for a while (as a friend for Sky), but I wasn't sure I wanted to invest in a second Peak's Woods, as lovely as they are. I have two options, now. Here is a list of dolls I found and considered:

• Morphoa. She's a full-set, and costs as much as nude Peak's Woods doll with a face-up. I'm not wild about her face tattoo, but I do like everything else. And she's got the funky hair color going on--plus she's got a larger head and big eyes, so I think she'd look great next to Sky. She's my top choice from this line.
• Clovera. Of course, she's the doll who first got my attention, since she's dressed as Alice. I love everything about this doll--but she looks too much like Sky already, only a tad more cheerful. I think I'd want a doll that was a little different. Maybe I'll buy her outfit, though.
• Violeta. This is an interesting doll. I like her, too--mostly because of her rather, well, crabby (?) expression. But I'm not sure I'd like her mouth in person. But her eyes are gorgeous.
• Beeta. She's really cute, too. Almost androgynous, she'd be an excellent friend for Sky as well. But I don't care for her outfit, and I think I prefer Morphoa's sculpt (especially her eyes) over Beeta's.

Of course, I've never seen these dolls in person. And these four dolls are quite different than the other more realistic-looking dolls in the DollZone line. I also have to confess I really like the X-3 male doll. He's fabulous with his freckles and teeth. And I love his costume, too. I think he's adorable, and I'm tempted to get him. I'm just not sure I'm ready for a male BJD yet.

I also have to compare these dolls to the Iplehouse dolls. Those are the other dolls on my wish-list. I'm thinking of getting one of those dolls, since they also have sleeping faces. But I really like Morphoa. And she's available at the Doll Market, which has great layaway options, too. So, I'll think about it some more.

Photos courtesy Doll Zone.