Bratz Pink Winter Dream Meygan

I also want the Cloe from this series, but I'll probably have to wait for her to show up at Big Lots.  I dragged my feet, because I hate paying a high price for a gimmick doll.  The clothes are just OK, I really love the face.

I really like Bratz with green and hazel eyes, I can't help myself.

2012 Dolls of the World China

I visited a Big Lots, found a China with good eyes, and felt compelled to buy her.  I don't think she's as stunning as the first Barbie Basic #05, but she does have a charm.  I think she looks a bit younger, softer, and less carefully plucked and primped.

The dress is lined with translucent nylon knit.  It's not the best looking choice, but it's a lot better than nothing.  Several previous similar dresses aren't lined at all.  It's a simple dress, but it's also solid.  It reminds me of vintage Barbie dresses in that respect.

These recent Dolls of the World were obviously meant to be extensions of the playline instead of regular collector dolls, so I don't understand why her fashion isn't removable.  Some dolls in this line do have removable fashions, but they're all on the Shani body, so finding Mattel-made recent fashions is impossible.

I'll have to behead her eventually, I want to fix that Babylon 5 hair style they gave her.  The prototype has a loop and then a ponytail behind it, but the production doll seems to have her hair pulled back, curled under, and then hacked off.  I hope there's enough hair left to restyle.

I tossed down $20 for her, and even thought I feel a bit iffy about that price, I don't regret it.

Regularly scheduled doll-mongering will return shortly.

Right now I'm helping out a relative with some work on what used to be my grandmother's house, far away from my home.  I couldn't stop buying dolls, but everything I buy has to fit in my luggage to go back home eventually, so I have to keep it light.

I just patched up my camera, I'll get back on track as soon as I can find the time and lighting to take photos.  I'm hanging out about 40 minutes from New Orleans, and it's cloudy and rainy almost every day.  It's so warm, though.

Couture Barbie Angel #2

This wasn't a doll I was planning on buying. When they came out, I saw three in person, and all had very empty, dazed expressions. I came across a fresh pile at Big Lots, and picked a good one.  I like her for $15, but can't believe Mattel originally priced her higher than the holiday dolls, that usually have more complex dresses and embroidery.

The selling point for me is the eye color.  The irises are light blue, with a brown outline instead of the usual black one.  The colors are pale and a bit muted, but still glamorous.  The right eye has two more eyelashes than the left, an interesting intentional asymmetry.  It's a really beautiful doll, I'm surprised she ended up at $15.

2012 Dolls of the World India

India was my 4th quarter Barbie Collector purchase. I grabbed her at their Pink Friday sale. 20% off and then $20 off that, it was a good deal. Most of the ones I've seen in person have pretty wonky eyes, mine isn't the worst I've seen. The lips and eyeshadow have a yellow glimmer to match her dress. The inside of the skirt is overlocked, and the shoes are sewn fabric instead of plastic. The dress is a soft fake silk, it's really not too bad.  It's a shame they didn't budget for better face painting.

I think the boxes for this series are too busy and overwhelm the dolls inside. The dolls will look a bit nicer once they're free.  Mattel usually avoids yellow and orange clothing, so this girl will really stand out in any collection.

My pre-Black Fridy Haul Pt. 2: Monster High

When I went to Wal-Mart, I intentionally waited over half an hour after opening, to avoid stampedes and nastiness.  I figured the $10 Monster High dolls would be cleared out by the first scalper in the building, so 45 minutes was as good as coming at the opening time.  I lucked out, there were maybe a half dozen dolls left with damaged boxes, stashed haphazardly under baby dolls.

I got Mad Science Lagoona.  I didn't want this doll until they had all sold out, I'm glad she got a second run.

I also picked up Frankie for her clothes.  I'm not crazy about bright red lips on a mint green doll.  I'll stick with Gloom Beach Frankie.

I also re-bought the Sea Monster CAM set at full price, she's the first one I've seen with good paint since I returned the first set.  I felt kind of iffy dropping so much on dolls in one trip, but but but.  I don't have any excuses and still feel pretty bad about it.  The wig doesn't fit at all.

The best part of the Black Friday sale is that they cleared out all the ratty unwanted stuff that had been taking up shelf space for months.  My store had about 30 wonkey-eyed Cupid re-issues, they're finally gone.  I halfway wanted a Cupid, but I never saw a satisfactory one.