My growing FR Nippon wish list

If only these FR Nippon dolls were easier to obtain in the states, I'd be much better off, I think.

My wish list is getting only a little bit out of hand. The regular Fashion Royalty dolls in my curio are quaking with fear, as I ponder which of them to sell or trade up to obtain the dolls on my list...

• Bonjour Amelie, a limited edition of 250 (new release June 2009 and still available, as far as I know, from Doll-Collectible.com)
• Pretty Party, LE 300, an exclusive from Toy and Goods Trading (and she's still in stock and pricey, but gorgeous)
• On The Go Destination: New York (LE 300--the platinum doll)
• On The Go Destination: London (LE 300--with yellow hair), and this one was a gift set
• Chao Japan, Dolly-Style convention exclusive, LE 500 (I just love the Campbell Soup dress. I just saw this doll on sale at the DollExpo store yesterday for a pretty penny!)

Photos courtesy Integrity Toys.

FR Nippon Posh Girl

FR Nippon Posh, originally uploaded by alington.

Posh Girl is a limited edition 500 FR Nippon doll that has also found her home with me. She's got an adorable face--complete with freckles--and soft auburn curls. Her outfit is a hip black and gray wool (mini houndstooth) dress with gray tights.

A couple of things I should point out about the outfit--Integrity spares no expense when crafting these dolls. This doll is actually flat-footed. She has a hinged ankle, which slid in easily to these amazing black patent shoes. (I didn't even need to retie them.) (The Wu logo is printed on the bottom sole.)

In addition, check out her coordinating bag. It's really amazing! I just love the details. It snaps closed, and it has purse charms (or perhaps her keys?) attached to one of the rings. Perfectly scaled and very well done--I'm very impressed.

Be sure to check out the rest of Posh Girl's photo shoot on my Flickr photostream or my Mobile Me gallery.

I love these (pricey) dolls so much, I am seriously considering pairing down my current Integrity collection to include only my historical reimagined dolls, and then freeing up the budget to add more of these lovely Nippon dolls. They are so wonderful and quirky--but not only do you have to count on paying (full) retail price for these dolls, you usually have to pay international shipping as well.

FR Nippon On the Go Destination Tokyo

FR Nippon On the Go Destination Tokyo, originally uploaded by alington.

One of my latest additions, FR Nippon On the Go, Destination: Tokyo. She's one of a set of four Destination dolls, and a limited edition of 150. (Do you think she makes me want to get the other three very badly? Yikes!) She has such a fun red outfit (which zips in the front), and a shock of soft blue curls pulled up in a ponytail under that red patent cap.

Fashion Royalty Nippon dolls are for sale only in Japan, but I bought this one (and one other) at about MSRP on the secondary market from a another collector. Mostly, they are hard to find, but I just love them.

See the rest of Destination: Tokyo's photo shoot on my Flickr photostream or my Mobile Me gallery. 

To bookmark: The Doll Index Page

This is a Geocities site, The Doll Index page, with lots of doll stories as well as real-life photos of Barbies, Tonner Dolls, Franklin Mint dolls and others, that you must check out before Geocities stops running. I'm trying to talk the owner to port her site over to another hosting service--I think the site is really fun!

My favorites are the candid photos of the dolls (under Requested Doll Pictures). You can only get so much from a promotional photo of a doll, I think, and what is a better gauge is a real-life photo of a doll de-boxed and in use, posed and in play! That's what you'll find on this site--complete with entertaining story lines. 

So go check it out, and then come back and leave a comment or request a photo. Maybe Gina will read your comment and see she needs to port her site over to Blogger.

New Misaki Dolls from Doll-Collectible

Save 10% from Doll-Collectible.com in Japan. (They have great customer service, and they ship to the US also.)

Plus, you can order these adorable 2009 new Misaki FR Nippon dolls also. Check them out. Three choices of Misaki dolls and one Amelia sculpt are available. The bodies are smaller than regular Fashion Royalty bodies, and they are on flat feet. So cute, and perfect for summer!

Photos courtesy Integrity Toys.

Still Plays with Dolls - Preorder savings on DollHeart

One of my favorite online stores, Still Plays with Dolls, is now carrying DollHeart, a high ends, extraordinarily detailed line of clothing for SD, MSD and YOSD sized ball-jointed dolls, both boys and girls. Through May 27, for Players Club Members (free to join when you spend just $100), you can take advantage of their special Club pricing, which will save you about 10% off their retail prices of pre-ordered items.

The items require a small deposit, and most will be delivered in June and July. I'm thrilled to see that the Alice Fantasy outfit (originally created in 2007) is being reissued!

DollHeart often uses Peak's Woods dolls for its models, which is how I was originally introduced to my own doll--and then I saw Sky in two issues of Haute Doll as well.

Also, while you're there--check to see if they happen to have any resin Goodreau dolls on sale still. I saw a resin Secret and a resin Whisper listed for just $155! (These girls are MSD sized dolls, and come with interchangeable eyes, and are wonderful. They retail for $310.) Don't forget to order a wig and an outfit for them, though--as they come nude and bald.

Photos courtesy Doll Heart.

Antoinette™ Update...

If you've been thinking of ordering this new fashion doll from Tonner doll, but don't have your name down on any pre-orders, you might want to reconsider. (She's due to ship the beginning of June.) I just happened across the Tonner Doll website today, and was amazed to find the following information (listed for retailers--so she may still be available for pre-orders at your favorite doll dealer, but don't delay):

Dressed Dolls

• Idyllic -- sold out (wait list only)
• Hypnotic - limited quantities remain
• Symphonic - limited quantities remain
• Obsessed - limited quantities remain
• Dramatic - limited quantities remain
• Sensual - sold out (wait list only)
• Emphatic - limited quantities remain

Outfits

• Enlightened - sold out (wait list only)
• Optimistic - sold out (wait list only)
• Serene - limited quantities remain
• Influential - sold out (wait list only)
• Frivolous - sold out (wait list only)
• Sinuous - sold out (wait list only)
• Brilliant - sold out (wait list only)
• Posh - sold out (wait list only)
• Prim - limited quantities remain

Shoes

• Rouge - limited quantities remain
• Mineral - sold out (wait list only)
• D'Or - limited quantities remain
• Balance - limited quantities remain
• Cosmic - limited quantities remain
• Sandstone - limited quantities remain

Mannequins

• Bloom - limited quantities remain
• Cameo - limited quantities remain
• Honey - sold out (wait list only)
• Spice - limited quantities remain

Photos courtesy Tonner Doll Company.

New Jonathan Adler Sofa Set...

So adorable--and tempting--the Gold Label Jonathan Adler Sofa Set is a hot pink fabric sofa with white piping, including a blanket, decorator pillows and other accessories. It will ship in August 2009, and retails for $59.99, and is available for pre-order from your favorite Barbie dealer now.

I think it would go wonderfully with the Jonathan Adler Barbie and Furniture set, which is shipping around the same time, for $49.99 (also a Gold Label item).

Photos courtesy Mattel.

Exclusive Dynamite Girl Pop Susie

This company is located in Taiwan (I haven't ordered from them before, but they do claim to ship world-wide). And they have an upcoming exclusive Dynamite Girl with an adorable little face! Pop Susie--she's a cutie. She's an R&D Exclusive.

She's wearing a red plaid pleated mini skirt, yellow vest and black shirt (I think), matching yellow shoes and black fishnet stockings. She also has a red cap and sunglasses, and white lace fingerless gloves. She retails for $45, and you can pre-order her with a $10 deposit.

She's limited to just 400 dolls, and I think she's due to ship in June.

Photos courtesy Integrity Toys.

New FAO Exclusive Lana Turner Hollywood Royalty

A new exclusive is available through FAO Schwarz. She's a limited edition of 300 dolls, and she retails for $225.

She's called Portrait of an Era, and she includes Lana Turner (with a gorgeous blonde hair style), and she includes a mini wardrobe, that give you a chance to mix and match. I love the faux fur coat, and that she includes two pairs of shoes. (She even includes Lana's signature pink sweater!) Gorgeous!

Unfortunately, I just checked, and Ebates is no longer offering a rebate option with FAO Schwarz. So you can't save anything with them. Too bad. But she may still be worth it--I just think this Lana is a gorgeous sculpt. (I sort of wish I didn't already have her!)

Photos courtesy Integrity Toys.

Valia Pivoine in stock at Haute Doll

The exclusive Jason Wu Valia Pivoine doll by Integrity Toys is in stock now, and should ship today. She is a limited edition of 200, and retails for $375, or $350 for Haute Doll Club Members.

This doll has a lovely new resin body with 15 points of articulation for maximum pose-ability, and is 12" tall. She is wearing a gorgeous 1950s style black and white checkered dress accented with a gorgeous red belt, red gloves, a red feathered hat, and a heels with black and white diamonds to match the dress. She also includes matching jewelry.

I've actually been dying to get myself a Valia doll--but her price tag is just a tad high for my budget at this point. She's just lovely though! So tempting!

Photos courtesy Integrity Toys.

Secret (my 17" resin Goodreau BJD) and Innuendo (originally China Blossom, my 16" vinyl Goodreau BJD) have swapped outfits, and are loving it.

Both are part of my Alice in Wonderland collection, currently. Secret is wearing China Blossom's blonde wavy wig, and is dressed in an exclusive one-of-a-kind outfit handmade by Michele Hardy.

Innuendo is dressed in Come Home Alice, by Goodreau, and is wearing the black and blue Cher wig, also by Goodreau Dolls.

I think they make a lovely pair. BJDs sure are fun to play with and redress! I'll have to post some more photos later--I've changed Innuendo's wig again since I posted these photos, too. You can see the full-size photos in my Mobile Me Gallery.

Feelin' Fierce Dani Exclusive

Another new exclusive to Vogue Collectibles in Canada--Feelin' Fierce Dani--and she's another terrific Dynamite Girl, who retails for just $39.99. She's due to ship in July.

This girl is a brunette with bangs, wearing a a tulip-petal hot-pink and black mini dress and black jacket and coordinating fingerless gloves and fishnet stockings, plus her adorable pink and black pumps. She also includes Sophie--her adorable doggie accessory.

Dynamite Girls are great for the beginning collector--a great price and excellent quality. Their hands pop off for easy dressing, too.

Photos courtesy Integrity Toys.

New Dynamite Girl - Feelin' Fierce Jett

Don't know how I missed her--she retails for $39.99, and she's due to ship in June/July. A gorgeous Feelin' Fierce Jett, blonde with glasses and a classic silver trench coat--she's really cute!

Yikes, am I tempted. Jett has been one of my favorite sculpts for quite some time--and she's gorgeous. I love her pink lips and pink bag and beret. Glam at its best!

Adeline Joy has arrived!

I got my very first 8" Goodreau doll last week, Adeline Joy. I wasn't sure I'd like her--I've been more of a larger BJD collector so far (MSD and SD sizes), and I was afraid she'd be too small. But I just love her! She's so much fun, and she's just adorable.

Incredibly detailed and gorgeous, she can stand on her own. I also (of course) bought the Alice outfit as well. She's really pretty. (The last photo shows her with Sky, my Peak's Woods BJD (an SD size, about 23 inches).) You can check out her full photo shoot on my Mobile Me gallery.

Save $13 off any purchase at Wilde Imagination

Save $13 off any purchase of $75 or more at Wilde Imagination, using the code SPRING at checkout. Offer valid through June 1, 2009 only. Plus there's lots of great new items there, including these terrific new items:

Pop Goes Oz:

• Dorothy, retail $139 - in stock now. She has brown hair and blue eyes, and includes a designer saddle stand. Her outfit includes the white blouse, gingham jumper and matching hair ribbons, slip, stockings, designer Toto necklace, basket, and awesome ruby red boots. Limited edition of 500.
• Glinda, retail $149 - estimated to ship June 1, 2009. She has gorgeous red curls and blue eyes. Glinda is sporting a gorgeous pink gown, matching hair ribbons, slip, designer layered jewelry, sparkling pink hose with matching gauntlets, crown and butterfly tattoo, and pink boots. Limited edition of 500.
• Wicked Witch of the West, retail $139 - in stock now. Raven hair with brown eyes and green skin, the witch is wearing a top, pleated skirt, belt and jacket, arm gauntlets, hat, boots and a winged monkey accessory. Limited edition of 500.

Evangeline Ghastly

• Eternal Evangeline, $135. Vinyl ball-jointed, raven wigged doll, 17", with violet inset eyes.
• Eternal Evangeline, Too, $135. Vinyl ball-jointed, platinum wigged doll, 17", with grey-green inset eyes.
• Moonlit Shadows, $185. Vinyl ball-jointed, red rooted green eyed doll, 17" tall, fully dressed.
• Two new full outfits, plus 11 new separates and one new complete set, which fit both the 17" vinyl and 19" resin Evangeline dolls.

Ellowyne Wilde

• Baroque 'N Dreams dressed doll, LE 1000. Brunette Ellowyne, with green eyes, with decorated skirt, sash, velvet shirt, jacket, stockings, period-style shoes. $139.
• I Wait Alone dressed doll, LE 1000. Long red curls with green eyes, white lace gown, slip, stockings, matching boots and hair ribbons. $139. (I love this girl!)
• Two new outfits, and lots of new separates and accessories.

Photos courtesy Wilde Imagination.

Pretty in Pink

Here is my Goth Alice, a 12" resin BJD by Goodreau, redressed for the first time, in the Precious in Pink outfit by Michele Hardy. I think she looks really different--like a little cotton candy fairy--in the pink wig and outfit.

One of the things that is so fascinating for me about BJDs is that you can change their looks so radically with an outfit and a wig. It's fun to be able to do this so easily, and for not much money.

You can see the rest of Alice's photoshoot at my MobileMe Gallery.

Cherished Friends sale

Lots of great sales on Tonner Dolls at Cherished Friends website. Check them out--last year's models, listed for 30-60% below retail prices. Some really excellent deals there--here are a few that caught my eye:

• Plum Royale DeeAnna Denton $129 (retail $219)
• Crimson on the Park Tyler $69 (retail $169)
• Re-Imagination Goldilocks $99 (retail $199)--I'm so tempted!
• Supergirl $69 (retail $124)

And there's lots of other stuff, too!

Tonner Convention Blog

Don't forget to visit the Tonner Convention Blog--I won't be attending this year, unfortunately. But for those of us who can't go, you can still participate in some virtual raffles via the company blog. Check it out and follow it today!

Post your name and email in the comments of the first entry to be considered for the drawing. (I did win something last year, so I know they really do drawings!)

Destini as Alice

Here is Destini again, this time dressed as Alice in Wonderland. I just love this little girl! She's so much fun.

The outfit is also a Berdine Creedy outfit. Destini is a 12-3/4" Butterfly Child by Berdine Creedy, a resin BJD, who includes three faceplates. This one is her smiling faceplate.

This outfit is very nicely made. It includes lots of pieces: the blue dress, an apron, the white pantaloons, a pair of striped stockings, black shoes with white accents, and a rabbit headpiece.

The dress has lots of little details, including little chiffon ruffles at the collar, sleeves and hem. And the apron has some bunny appliqués on the front, as well as some tiny buttons for trim. All pieces close with clear snaps, which is convenient when dressing your resin dolls.

I bought the outfit (and the doll) from Sweetheart's Dolls, and the price was very reasonable.

Why I adore BJDs...

One of the things I adore about Destini, my 12-3/4" Berdine Creedy BJD, is how customizable and versatile she is. I just received the limited edition "Precious in Pink" outfit by Michele Hardy from Sweetheart's Dolls today, which includes a lambswool wig, and see how this changes the pouting schoolgirl into a fairy or sprite.

I love this little doll. She's a lot of fun. I think I will need to add another resin friend to my collection, but I can't decide which sculpt! I like Uniti and Harmoni--though Uniti is hard to find, and Harmoni's outfit isn't my favorite. I have Dressed Up Alice outfit the next girl could wear. 

I'll need to wait till after June--I have a bunch of pre-orders shipping then--and see what abysmal shape my doll budget is in. But I'm afraid the Creedy dolls will all be sold out by then. I hope not. I have heard this size is on its way out, which is really too bad.

I also like both the new toddlers, Hugs and Kisses. Since they aren't being released until July, I'm sure I'd have time to order one of them instead. If only I could figure out a way to get paid for collecting dolls. Or get paid to do anything. If only being a mother was a valued commodity, I'd be set for life! One can dream, I suppose.

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