Traveler By Nature Veronique - Makeover

Gown from Pewter Natalia. Jewelry by Joy.

Do you recognize this doll? Of course not. Nothing about her is original except her head sans hair and paint. This was Traveler By Nature Veronique from the amazing "Voyages" collections. She was released for sale in the winter of 2004 just around the time I began collecting FR. She's my second TBN. Promotional Photograph Property of Integrity Toys

I had her rerooted by Susan Korba about 2 years ago.

Black dress from the original Hollywood Royalty doll, Lana Turner.

She was magnificent and then I had the brilliant idea that I would enhance her eyes. FAIL.
Do you know how it goes? Do just a little more when it looks good...and then maybe a little here and a little there and then BAM. Messed up completely.



Photo needs to be inserted in three places.

Lana Turner "Portrait of an Era" Giftset

I was on the fence about this FAO giftset featuring Integrity Toys' Hollywood Royalty Lana Turner until I had it in my hot little hands and started taking pictures. This is the prettiest of all the Lana dolls so far. Her hair flatters her face and is well done. She comes dressed in a tight pink sweater and black A-line skirt. I added the necklace.

At first the suit appears to be a copy of the suit from the Haute Doll exclusive Lana doll in a different color. That suit was somewhat ill fitting. This suit was a surprise. It fits nicely and has distinctive styling like the high waisted skirt. The necklace which is not shown is the same as the previously mentioned set which is a mistake on Integrity's part. Why would a collector want the same necklace twice?
The jewelry isn't really worth mentioning further as it is plain and not memorable. The shoes are too large and are unusable. Those are the only two items that miss the mark. The suit is lined in a similar pink to the sweater. The hat is really more like a headband and goes on easily and stays on! I like the faux fur stole. The entire appearance is very elegant. There is a sleeveless, v-neck mauve shell for the doll to wear under the jacket or she can wear the pink sweater.
The details on the suit are classic Fashion Royalty and that's really good to see.

The third outfit is a hostess fashion which consists of a strapless jumpsuit and a sweeping robe. I couldn't close the robe over the jumpsuit so I just tied it shut. The shoes are cute little silver pumps. The necklace was added by me.

The jewelry should have been more interesting and the ill-fitting shoes are very surprising. The drawbacks are minor but annoying in a set priced at $225. We were given a code to use for free shipping. However, one W Club member found a 20% off offer which was accepted. Those of us living in a state where FAO does business in Macy's, also have to pay tax.

I do recommend this set because of the beauty of the doll and the well-constructed, classic fashions. Of course, each collector will have to weigh the high price against the contents in making the decision to purchase or not.

2008 - My Favorite 12" Dolls from Integrity Toys

I have pulled a few pictures of my favorite 2008 dolls from Integrity Toys.
Up first are the two Australian Agnes Convention Dolls: High Gloss and Firefly. HG is wearing a lovely OOAK dress made by Jan Good (Canada). She calls it "South Seas Adventure." Necklace is a Tonner item. Firefly is wearing her original outfit.

The Eugenias were drop dead gorgeous! The first below is the W Club doll Going Public. She is wearing a dress from the Kyori Atelier giftset. Second is Most Desired Eugenia. She came in a big blue gown. She is wearing a dress by Ovaz. And in the red dress is Fine Jewel Eugenia who was one of the table dolls at the convention. I have heard that she is selling for more than $500. She is an amazing-looking doll.

Three Vanessas were available this year, Color Therapy, Metal Maven and Shirred Not Shaken. The latter, not dressed in her original dress,  did not make the cut although I have restyled her odd hairdo and she is somewhat attractive.
Color Therapy below is wearing a lingerie outfit from the 2005 Toronto convention called My Precious. The shoes, bag and jewelry are from other outfits. She is not a very popular doll probably due to her huge, thick head of red hair and squinty-looking eyes. I think she's dramatic. Metal Maven is wearing one of Natalia's dresses.

There was one Isha release this year and it was a spectacular dressed doll called Purple Pose. In this picture she is seen looking at one of my tiny red poodle figurines.

From the Hollywood Royalty Line I have chosen this Basic Lana doll known as Iconic as my favorite. It was a little hard to get used to her because she does not have an aggressive palette and over the top features like the Fashion Royalty dolls. She is lovely. She is shown wearing an Ovaz gown.

The Muse Adele, available at this past convention, is one of the most beautiful Adeles of all. Her hair is flocked and her screening is perfection. She is wearing Concerto in M Agnes' black gown from the Baltimore convention (with a different belt) and the faux fur shrug, red gloves and earrings from her own outfit. Necklace is from another outfit.

Erin and Colette, the new Nu-Face dolls are just so perfect that I haven't even redressed them. I adore them!

The delicate-looking blonde below is Eden. She is a new character who was introduced as part of a two- doll set along with a character called Lillith. The set was called Elements of Surprise.  I'd love to see more of this pretty doll.

Last, but in no way least, is Kumi. This gift set blows me away every time I look at it. The clothes she came with and her face are amazing.

It's a good thing to love your dolls! Here's to a new year filled with more spectacular little faces and wonderful outfits. Happy New Year to all my readers.

6-10-08 Ovaz Gown; Theatre de la Mode Collection; Chic Escape

I don't like the red background. I'm going to have to shoot this again. Too much competition with the doll and the dress. Premiere Lana Turner doll from Fashion Royalty. Fabulous black ruffled gown by Ovaz.

Here is Chic Escape wearing the same gown. Chic has been rerooted and for now will have straight hair. This gal has such an extreme side glance that it dictates how she must be photographed.

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My collection of Theatre de la Mode dolls is growing by leaps and bounds. I have all the ones I really want except for two. One I may win on eBay in a day or two. The other remains elusive but she will come. The 4 separate outfits I purchased from Jim are now being worn by other more appropriate dolls than the ones they would have come on. I have not photographed them yet. I am working on settings in my mind and they're not ready.

Of all the ones I have only the UFDC's C'est la Fete was disappointing because the doll is rather unattractive. I put the outfit on a faceless AA Tonner doll and it looks so much better!

Longchamp Fleuri is now on Ghost of Christmas Past and is wildly amazing. Le Petit Noir is on Gene "Hello Hollywood" who has been given an articulated body. She is a gorgeous doll and looks amazing in black. The construction of the gown called C'est Parfait is poor. I have to secure a few beads and press it out. It was cut slightly off grain and twists to one side. I used to find defects like this in so many of Tonner's outfits. This was disappointing. But the doll herself looks good and I love the netted hat.

The Crimson gown is a wonderful fabric and drapes beautifully. The headdress is very, very odd. I love Fleurs de Mal. So chic and simple - but not the wild feather tall hat. That is so cool. I adore Framboise and it's glamorous tailored embellished fabulousness. My favorite is Reflet d'Argent.

The color, the sparkling embellishment, the hair, the jewelry...it's a keeper.
This is the second time I have Ensemble Sport. I appreciate her so much more now than the first time around. My tastes have changed so much.

4-16-08 Lana

Lana Turner as seen through the eyes of Jason Wu. At first I didn't like her. She came with her hair very tightly rolled in an awkward style. Once I relaxed it, she took on a very glamorous air.