New Year's resolutions...

Do you have resolutions this year? I always try to make them, and end up not quite keeping them. This hasn't discouraged me so far, though.

We are finishing up a hectic week of rearranging the kids' rooms. I still have one bookshelf to sort through, and I'd like to go through my closet. The problem is, I feel like as soon as I donate my too-big clothing, I'll be setting myself up to regain all the weight I lost. But it's time to just buckle down and get it done. Along the same lines, I'm thinking of the doll clothes I own, and doing the same thing with them.

I'm playing with fewer dolls these days, simply because of time constraints. I have several BJDs to sell, plus I have a ton of vintage Barbie I don't enjoy like I used to. There isn't a rush, I suppose--but it would be nice to have the space. I'd like to be able to display each doll in a simple and uncluttered setting. Maybe that means pairing down a little (or more than a little).

Then... there's the Azone problem. I really got into Pure Neemo dolls this past year, and while they are cute, I have way too many! They lose their value once deboxed, of course. I haven't met another collector who'd be interested in the ones I have--well, save my friends Melissa and Megann. Plus, my daughter Lauren would kill me if I got rid of even one! The nice thing is that these dolls display really nicely, since they are only about 10" tall.

As far as conventions go--I'm registered for Grant A Wish, Barbie, and IFDC--though I should make sure I sent in the IFDC registration. I'm also planning to attend the Integrity Toys convention this year, as it's within driving distance. I was thinking of Tonner's Texas convention, but I think that's pushing it.

Finally, I'd like to finish the three books in progress I have this year. I am working on a rewrite/revision of Steffie: Out of the Box, which includes the latest dolls, some additional OOAK dolls, and will combine both prior volumes. Second, I'm getting very close to finishing Daphne: Out of the Box, which focuses on Effanbee's/Tonner's Daphne sculpt. I've realized I won't be able to include every Daphne made, as some are just too hard to find and much to pricey for me to justify for this project. I were still interested in hanging on to those taller dolls in my own collection, it would be worthwhile.

Finally, there's the biggest project: the next edition of Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners. I have a lot written, but it's just not coming together as easily as I'd like. I got stuck doing a new and improved database of BJD companies, and it's hard to keep on top of what is still around and which companies have gone under. Plus, I'm having problems with the book format, and I may need help this time around.

So, between all of these things and taking more photos of my dolls, I think I'm set!

On birthdays and doll collecting

Doll Chateau Queena - on her way from Denver Doll, who happened to have one in stock

My 40th birthday was on January 10, and I have a few resolutions to share with you all. I have read recently--and also seen from Shuga-Shug's Facebook posts over the last year--that when you share your resolutions with others, even in Social Media platforms, you will have a higher likelihood of success. (Congratulations, Shuga! You look just amazing!)

So... I have several resolutions planned.

First, your typical exercise-oriented one: I'm walking everyday. My aim is more for health and fitness (though wouldn't we all love to loose just an extra 10 pounds throughout the year). My [wonderful nerd] husband bought me a little naggy device called a FitBit. It is basically a pedometer, and it measures altitude as well. My goal is to walk at least 10,000 steps daily and 10 flights of stairs.

You can follow your progress with, say, your competitive older brother (and your über-competitive children, should they also require nerd devices) on a smart phone app, and track your weight, water intake, sleep, what you eat, and more, if you so desire. The regular FitBit runs about $100 or $69 for the FitBit Zip version, which is what our kids have.

The kids we have lean toward sedentary, and with these little naggy things attached to them, I can hardly turn around and have someone asking, "Hey Mom, let's go for a walk and get more steps than so-and-so!" I figure, if I had built in walking 10,000 steps everyday when I was a kid, I think it's probably worthwhile.

Second, refocusing my doll collection. I have been ruthlessly going through my collection and trying to decide what it is truly about, and I have come up with several themes:

• Peak's Woods BJDs - they are my favorite ball-jointed dolls of all. Plus, did you know Denver Doll Emporium is carrying them again?
• Strange BJDs - including the girl show in the photo above, Queena by Doll Chateau. I also own a DC Erica, and I'd love to also add Bella.
• Steffie-faced Barbie - I'm writing Volume II (and well into it) of Steffie: Out of the Box: An inside peek at a fan's eclectic collection (Volume 1), and have been collecting several dolls to feature in this book. I am trying to let go of the dolls in Volume I, unless I really love them. (Oh yes--and I plan to finish the writing part of the book by May.)
• New Tonner Dolls - I admit it, I love what's new and different. I am willing to pay a premium for those dolls, too. Probably, it's what's killing my budget--well, that and the BJDs, and the fact that I can't/won't narrow down my collection. I need to plan on rotating my collection, however--and planning on some loss when I do so
• 1970s era Barbie - From mod to superstar, I have a few I just adore.

My current collection likes, but I'm not sure where they stand.

• Vintage Barbie - These girls have kind of been on the back burner for a while. They are delicate, and that makes it difficult for me to play with them. They are "just sit there" dolls. If the current vintage market were a little better, I might part with a few, but for now, I think they will stay the way they are.
• Fashion Royalty - Again, suffering from my whatever-is-new fever, I feel like these girls are simply amazing. I will always have a few of these girls, but I wonder if it wouldn't do me some good to really rotate my collection.
• Poppy Parker - I just adore this girl. I would really, really love to own Reluctant Debutante, and I wonder if I couldn't get her with a trade from the above Fashion Royalty collection. But again... is it because they are new, or because I like them? Also, the clothing and accessories aren't as easy for me to manipulate as some of my larger girls.
• Resin fashion dolls - I own some gorgeous repainted resin fashion BJDs, and I love to style and photograph them, but bonding is an issue. One in particular has a gorgeous face-up, but I can't stand how she poses. She's heavy, and her stringing is loose. I could probably fix it, but I'm hesitant because of her original cost. Ugh!

Third, re-styling the house (and my photo background). We are having the painter start this morning, and this afternoon, the flooring specialist is coming with samples. Ideally, I'd love to have laminate throughout the house--we have lots of cats, and I think this would be easier to clean. 

Also, I'm hoping that I'll be able to host one of the doll meets again. I have one super-social kitty (Chanel, our ocicat), who simply panics if there are guests over and she can't come visit. She has pooped in one of the bedrooms the past three doll meets I've hosted (we have one attendee who is really allergic to cats, and Chanel would be deadly--she just rubs all over everyone). Not that I'm thinking she will stop panicking--but perhaps hard floor would discourage her from ruining the carpet. (I'm such a dreamer!)

What about you? Do you have aims for your collection and life this year?

Plans for the new year

Untitled, a photo by alington on Flickr.

As 2012 comes to a close, I have a chance to look at my overcrowded dolly cabinet with an urge to change. I hate to look at my past new year resolutions and see how I've failed to complete them, but it's a new year, isn't it?

This year, I'd like to clean up my collection a little by selling a few of the dolls I have that don't get much attention. This will unfortunately include my recent FR:2 collection, and also my last Fashion Teen Poppy.

I also have a few Franklin Mint dolls I've been hanging onto for a project that I realize is just not going to happen. They have to go.

A few of my Tonners have to be sold. And then--I am overwhelmed with Steffie-faced Barbies. I am working on Volume II of Steffie: Out of the Box, but I don't have room to add my new girls. Selling a few of the girls I have would provide some extra funds for this next project.

Then, there's my long list of BJDs. I have a huge want list, and they are wonderful. I have a few resin fashion BJDs, and I wonder if they are really getting the attention they deserve, or if I should cut down on a few of them as well.

Heartless? You all would never sell a doll, much less an entire collection of dolls? I suppose that is fine--but I consider it upgrading or streamlining--trying to sell the dolls I like for the ones I truly love. And each year, it gets a little harder.

New Year's Resolutions for the Fashion Doll Review

Shirred Not Shaken Vanessa, a photo by alington on Flickr.

I know, it's already nine days into 2012, and I haven't posted any New Year's resolutions for either the blog or myself. My first one is to be more timely and to give you fewer excuses.

I do have a few plans for this upcoming year. I'm a fan of National Public Radio--I know, I know--and one of my favorite shows is On The Media. In the December 30 episode, there are two interesting articles, in which Bob Garfield interviewed Rebecca Rosen (The Atlantic) and Ta-Nehisi Coates (senior editor) about the world of on-line comments. Inspired by these two interviews, I've decided to upgrade FDR's comments section, and change them to moderated comments. I welcome your comments, but I'll expected them to be courteous to our author and relevant to the post at hand.

Second, I've got a new project in the works for you, dear readers, which should be completed soon. I'm aiming for a mid February release date, and I'm also hoping for a multi-platform release at some point in the near future, if I can swing it. More details to come shortly!

Third, I promise to leave the way the website looks alone for a while. I think we've got the background set the way we like it, and I'm pretty happy with it so far. While I adore the more interactive style, I simply cannot work with a site that doesn't let me use my own site on my iPad. [Insert geek alert here]

Finally, I'd again like to thank you for your loyal readership. The Fashion Doll Review has been publishing since February 11, 2008. Since I've been tracking readership in May 2009, this blog has received 683,012 views. We've had 1,720 posts within that amount of time--here's to many more!

Happy New Year!

Royale #82, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Happy New Year from all of us here at the Fashion Doll Review.

Have you ever wanted to meet us? (Oooh, creepy!) Well, for me, Alison, you can meet me at Barbie Convention this year in Garden Grove, CA, and also at IFDC, where I will be teaching a seminar on, you guessed it, Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners! You'll want to be sure to make it to this year's IFDC, since this will be the 10th anniversary of this year's convention, and come to my seminar. It's like BJDs for dummies.

My doll resolutions are long this year, and I'm sure I will fail in them, as usual. And they unfortunately involve pruning. I'll post about them later. For now, I'd like to wish you a very happy, doll-filled New Year!

The lovely lady above is TDLM Royale #82. If you haven't snapped her up, she belongs in your collection.

Do you think it's a bad thing for me to take artsy fartsy photos, just to post to Tonner's new Doll Duels site? Terri Gold, if you see this post and haven't uploaded any photos yet, this is a personal invitation/plea for you to do so. I will definitely vote for your TDF Theatre de la Mode photos, among your other gorgeous photos. Plus, then I will quit obsessing about taking soft focus shots, and be able to put away my Christmas tree, a.k.a. doll prop in the living room.

By the way, dear readers, if you're on Facebook, you must add Collecting Fashion Dolls by Terri Gold's fan page to your Likes list. She is so close to 500 likes! Plus, you can stay up-to-date on her down-to-earth reviews and to-die-for photography!