W Club exclusive Poppy Parker Doll has been announced

Integrity Toys has announced the second official W Club doll of 2014: Joyous Anniversary Poppy Parker. She is subtitled, Poppy Parker™ Fifth Anniversary Souvenir Doll, and retails for $120. She is available for preorder for W Club members only (one per member), and per club policy, pre-sales are not allowed. Her edition size is therefore not yet known.

She's estimated to ship in the fall of this year.

Her lovely gold brocade gown with pink petticoat is truly a nod to the 1960s fashion Poppy has come to represent. Her fashion is apparently inspired by a vintage Japanese Francie fashion, DS-2240, Ball Gown, from 1967, which was sold only on the Japanese market. (Thanks to Micheal Jarvis, for passing this info along, and saving me a lot of searching!)

Interestingly, I just did a post on dressing Poppy in vintage Francie fashions, and I think this doll is gorgeous! I'm thrilled to see this variation on a lovely fashion, made especially for Poppy.

Vintage Francie fashion, Japanese exclusive, DS-2240, Ball Gown 1967 from Dollreference.com

Differences between Francie's fashion and Poppy's are:

• Francie's has an orange taffeta under layer, versus Poppy's pink tulle petticoat.
• The bodice of Francie's dress has a halter top snap closure. Poppy's is a sophisticated, off-the-shoulder design, which gives hers a more sophisticated feel.
• Francie's fashion includes a string of pearls, and Poppy doesn't wear neck jewelry.
• Francie's fashion doesn't include earrings; Poppy wears significant rhinestone earrings, plus a matching bracelet.
• Francie's gloves are short white tricot versus Poppy's opera-length gloves.
• Francie's shoes and clutch are white versus Poppy's choice of pink.

This lovely doll uses the FR White skin town with applied lashes and beautiful grey eyes. She has a brunette braided updo, which I happen to like very much. (IT really can pull off these kind of braided updos without a hitch, and I am sure it will look neat and clean.) While not officially stated, I believe her facial screening is reminiscent of the ever-popular Bergdorf Poppy, and it's gorgeous and sophisticated.

Accessories are cute--matching pink kitten heels with bows, a pink clutch, rhinestone drop earrings and matching bracelet, and long white gloves. I'm sure she's going to be a hit with collectors!

Photos are property of Integrity Toys, aside from the vintage Francie fashion photo, which is borrowed from DollReference.

Struggling with vintage Barbie or Japanese exclusive fashions on a budget? Consider repros!

I have to confess that when it comes to vintage Barbie and Francie, the fashion I love most seem to be the ones that are hardest to find. Whether it's the delicate tulle or metallic fabrics that don't last through children's play over the past 50+ years, or if it's the elusive Japanese exclusive that people just talk about, perhaps you find yourself with the same budgetary issues.

I've recently discovered that my small bust Integrity models (FR:Nippon's Amelie and Misaki--above--as well as Poppy Parker and friends) can often share outfits with Francie. While this won't save you anything as far as budget goes, let me direct you again to Silvia Campell of Snowdance Originals and Reproductions.

Some time ago, I have the absolute privilege to pick up this lovely Japanese Wedding Gown (original is on page 95 of Barbie in Japan), shown above as modeled by Misaki, as well as Silvia's version of Fall in the Air for Francie (page 99 of Barbie in Japan), modeled by Ask Any Girl Poppy Parker.

Please check out Silvia's website. The outfits do run around $125 and up, but you will indeed get amazing sets with serious attention to detail that I haven't seen elsewhere. While Fall in the Air is no longer in my collection, I really do miss it. I'm pining for a new fashion right this moment!

My top contenders:

1. Irresistible 
2. Glimmer Glamour - for Mod Barbie - but where can you find this outfit for $125?
3. Fancy That Formal - I just know I have a Poppy who needs this gown!
4. Prom Pinks - oh, that gold netting!
5. Black Magic in White - for Barbie, and simply stunning, for $85!

Macaw - exclusive Antoinette on sale

Tonner Doll's FAO exclusive doll, Macaw, is on a terrific sale (save 40% off the original retail price!) at Toys R Us. If you love the Antoinette body and the Flights of Fancy convention from 2012 was your look, this doll belongs in your collection.

Her sale price is $134.98 (down from originally $224.99) with free 2-day shipping from Toys R Us. You can hardly pass her up!

She uses the Antoinette head and body with light brown painted eyes, and rooted red hair. She includes a red dress with red, blue, blue, green and yellow ruffled cape, and includes blue beaded earrings. She also includes yellow and blue hair decoration, and silver platform shoes. She was limited to only 100 dolls, which is a pretty low edition size!

If you want to save even more, you can go through Ebates and receive 2% cash back from your purchase. When you sign up through my link, I get a bonus, if you haven't used Ebates before (you do, too, when you sign people up!). I think you also get a $5 bonus just for signing up--active with your first purchase. And every little bit adds up! Currently, my lifetime cash back is at $222.18--however, that does include my rather excessive Ulta and Sephora obsession!

Photo is property of Tonner Doll Company.

Natural Beauty Tooka - Dynamite Girl in the house

I'm afraid it may be some time before I can use my big (heavy) camera, so I'm sorry you'll have to suffer through these iPhone photos. I just couldn't wait to share Natural Beauty Tooka.

I haven't purchased any Dynamite Girls for a while--at least not for my own collection. However, Sooki is my favorite face sculpt, and to see her in this lovely A-tone skin really was a must-have for me. Honestly, though, I have to confess it was her tiny owl print dress that first grabbed my attention. It's so cute!

Integrity Toys promo photo

They have a new box style--a more recycled-looking box with a new logo--since the last time I've had any DGs go through my hands. The inner box top looks like this:

Whether it's actually recycled is another question. And a good one! I wonder if I can find out.

Tooka herself is gorgeous. As pretty as her promo photos, easily, in my opinion. The sheath dress is cotton, and IT did a great job with the fabric print. (I have a daughter whose favorite color is yellow, and who also happens to have a small fascination with owls.) In my personal opinion, the owls could have been just a teeny bit smaller, but I don't think their size is a big deal.

As you can see, she also includes a detailed denim jacket with buttons and pockets, though it only closes at the bottom with a hook and loop. I think this will be a fun layering piece, though, and it's very nicely done.

Her accessories are a great clutch, bangle bracelets, simple hoop earrings, and stunning tiny espadrilles.

Her hair is pretty wild out of the box--so long and curly--but super soft, too. It lends itself well to styling, so she's pretty versatile. I think the style suits her very well, and she's an absolutely adorable little doll for her price point--I think retail was $70. You really can't beat that!

New Momoko: Today’s momoko Korea MFC 10th AN

A new lovely Today's Momoko will be produced in a small quantity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Momoko fan club in Korea.  She is a tan Momoko with a honey face!  Something tells me she is going to be a popular doll for collectors. 

She will be sold exclusively at mamaZdoll.  According to PetWorks, inquiries (in English or Japanese) will be accepted at mamazdoll@naver.com as well as the website. 

Want some special designs for you Momoko?  I provide lots of dolly attire.  Support an artist!  Visit my website (MegannArt) for an Etsy shop, Twitter, Facebook (with occasional discounts), Pinterest page, and much more.
 
Picture courtesy of PetWorks.