Around London: a continuation of the trip to York only now we're in London on our own.

 Around London...

I'll start off with the most wonderful sight I've seen in London in all the times I've been there - the recently restored Big Ben aka the Elizabeth Tower and the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster.  It's always been covered with scaffolding. The chime testing is going on with 'silent testing' but no announcement has been made for when it will be back in full operation. It will be open to visitors in 2023.  

It took my breath away as it looked like a tower of gold standing out against a sky of puffy clouds. You have to see it to believe it. 

 

Parliament Square contains 12 statues of people who symbolize freedom, statesmen and other notable individuals.   It is a beautiful green space surrounded not only by statues but also by famous monuments. I would have liked to get photos of all the statues but it wasn't to be.

Millicent Gerrett Fawcett - British Suffragist Leader

Mahatma Gandhi - Anti-Colonialist, Political Ethicist, Nonviolent Civil Disobedience.

Nelson Mandela - Fought Apartheid and other human rights violations, Won Nobel Peace Price alongside So. African President, F.W. de Klerk for having led the transition in South Africa from apartheid to a multiracial democracy.


My next stop, once I could get going, was the British War Museum. (I was still weakened from being ill the day before.) It used to be called the Churchill War Rooms. After having read so much about this place in all the books I've read on Churchill and WWII, I finally got to wander through, unhurriedly, and enjoy the life-sized dioramas in which the actual rooms were populated by amazingly life-like figures. It really looked as if there were people working in there. 

As I approached the entrance to the museum, I recognized the concrete reinforcements that were added during the war. It's interesting that they remain. So much history. 

The entrance.

Another level below the main underground level!

I don't know what this award is for.

By the time I got out of the War Rooms, Westminster Abbey had closed except for services.

I did, however, get into the gift shop. Yay! I had fun in there as you might expect. There were a few things I am sorry I didn't pick up but who knew QEII would die in 2 days, while I was on the British Air jet, over the Atlantic, going home? Our pilot announced it. It's not that I thought she would live forever but it came as such a shock.

My favorite collectibles were the embellished pillow-like ornaments.

See those rows of queens?
I'll be back.

MetroDolls Charity Luncheon to Benefit Toys For Tots October 23, 2022

 My husband and I traveled to Red Bank, New Jersey on Saturday, 10/22, in order to make a weekend of our attendance at the MetroDolls Luncheon which would be held the following day.

It was a beautiful day so we went for lunch at a bagel place. Their bagels are the size of small loaves of bread! Scrambled eggs and crispy bacon on a delicious bagel were to be the best thing I had all weekend. FYI, the name of the place is Bagel Station.

It was not this big.

I had to be down at the room in which the luncheon was to be held at the ungodly time of 7AM. All I'll say is that the members of MetroDolls are hard-working, efficient and well-practiced in setting up a banquet room. The tables looked beautiful and all around were the helpers, vendors' tables, auction items and John Davey's vintage Hollywood costume display. Since this was my first time at the luncheon as a member of this club, I was very impressed at how it all came together. 

Behind the scenes, members also did so much to make the event a winner. We raised more than $10,000!                                                       

A little information about Toys For Tots

MISSION: The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.

GOAL: The primary goal of Marine Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children.

OVERVIEW: In order to better execute the Program, in 1991 the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created at the behest of the Marine Corps.

FOUNDATION OVERVIEW: The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps in 1991.

FOUNDATION GOVERNANCE: The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is governed by a board of directors, all of whom are veteran Marines and successful business leaders from throughout the nation. The Foundation’s professional staff is headquartered in the Cooper Center, which is located just outside the Main Gate of Marine Corps Base, Quantico, about 35 miles south of Washington, DC.

FOUNDATION MISSION: The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to assist the U. S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. This assistance includes providing day-to-day leadership and oversight of the Program, raising funds to provide toys to supplement the collections of local Toys for Tots Campaigns, to provide promotional and support material and defray the costs of conducting annual Toys for Tots Campaigns. Other Foundation support includes providing administrative, advisory, financial, logistic and promotional support to local Toys for Tots Coordinators; managing funds raised and monies donated based on the use of Toys for Tots name or logo; providing other support the Marine Corps, as a federal agency, cannot provide; and conducting public education and information programs about Toys for Tots that call the general public to action in support of this patriotic community action program.

In most cases, I would have many photographs of the event but as a result of some responsibilities, I didn't take the time to do so. However, many of my photos of auction items and those of others are on the MetroDolls website at http://metrodolls.blogspot.com/p/2022-auction.html. 

Open Auction

Open Auction

Open Auction

DAE Centerpiece

Ed Ferry

Part of Ed Ferry's Vendor Table

Robbin's Vintage Style Handbags - Doll-Sized, Of Course!

Robbin Atwell

Helpers

Helpers

Marine Representative from Toys For Tots

John Davey's Display

John Davey's Display

Jeff Lega

Marcia Friend

Dorene Zebarth (standing) and Sue Gollihur

The outfit on the far left was a gift to every attendee. The other outfits were optional purchases. 

Aretha McCrary-Tennessee Setting Up

Robert Tonner talks about the steps in designing and creating a doll.

Robert Tonner talks about the steps in designing and creating a doll.

Stateroom Trunk created by MetroDolls 

Part of our "Garage Sale"

Around London September 4-8, 2022

 Sunday. The convention ended with Saturday's banquet. I could have stayed in York longer, it was a very cool city. We traveled from York to London by LNER (high-speed train.) 

These photos are of the station in London. I don't understand why we, in the U.S. can't have trains like the one I show above. We need someone like President Eisenhower to take over rebuilding the infrastructure of this country. We're in a sad state.

The trip was quite fast. Finding and getting our luggage to the UBER spot was a small nightmare. Try rolling your luggage over cobblestones. 

I was exhausted and not feeling well by the time we got to the hotel. Juli went out and got some OTC medicine and some soup for me. It was good. By that point I was so sick I decided I'd never be able to make it to Windsor Castle the next day. It was a major disappointment. 

On Monday, I forced myself to walk around outside. It was a beautiful day. I stopped at a cafe for a coffee, a fresh fruit cup and a scone.

Then I went to a luggage store. I found a piece that would enable me to check in my dolls and extras. Everything arrived in perfect condition. Of course, I was nervous about checking in my precious dolls but I wouldn't have been able to carry them otherwise. I had to take an UBER back to the hotel because I couldn't walk any longer.  I had wanted to explore Hyde Park as our hotel was right across the street, but I didn't have the energy. I just got back into bed.

On Tuesday, our friends met us at the hotel and we had lunch before going to the V&A. The building is gorgeous. I would have loved to really get into it more but I was still kind of low energy but I did see some wonderful items. There was a fashion exhibit and I focused on the few dolls and miniature fashions I saw.

To be continued.

A Different Look for Marishka

 She looks quite severe here in this short wig.

I have her in a different wig now and she will be photographed again shortly.

The burn-out velvet top she's wearing is from one of Sandra Stillwell's events. The black slacks are from AlmaDoll. 

Integrity Toys X Magia 2000 Collaboration: "Summer in Taormina" Vanessa Perrin

 Integrity Toys has unveiled the second of four dolls in their collaboration with Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi. The members of the W Club may enter a "right-to-buy" lottery for "Vanessa in 'Summer in Taormina."

Second in a series of dolls created especially for Integrity Toys, each figure and doll in this series will take fans on an ultra-creative tour of some of Italy's most iconic venues and festivals, as seen through the eyes of fabulous design duo Magia 2000!

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea on the East Coast of Sicily, with a rich history that pre-dates the arrival of the ancient Greeks, Taormina is well known as a welcoming haven for artists and is one of the top tourist destinations of Italy, attracting visitors from all over the world! Magia 2000’s exciting, fashionable journey through Italy continues as famed Fashion Royalty® top model Vanessa Perrin® visits the gorgeous seaside town, dressed in a glamorous ultra-detailed gown that is filled with symbolism, ready to make a most anticipated appearance at one of the many festivals that happen in town throughout the summer! 

12.5-inch articulated doll with intricately styled, fully rooted hair;

Custom printed cocktail gown with extravagant detachable train and ruffle detail at the shoulders;

Black velvet bow belt with jeweled heart charm;

Black satin bra and panties with lace trim details;

Fitted, sheer black petticoat with ruffle detail at the hem;

Elaborate "sacred heart" tiara with black lace ruffle accent;

Matching "sacred heart" earrings;

Red "ruby" ring;

"Gold" chain bracelet with tiny lemon charms;

Elaborate oversized sunglasses with sculpted heart and flower accents;

Pair of black pleather strappy high-heels;

Pair of custom-printed platform sandals;

Custom embroidered purse;

Pair of manicured hands;

Alternate pair of "grip" hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

This is my favorite look. 

Love those sunglasses!

A small percentage of the total number of dolls will be offered to the public after the lottery period ends. 

  

'Beauty marks' were once very popular. Do you know the history?

The origin of faux-beauty marks lies in the Renaissance, where pale white ladies covered any sort of blemish with a little dark dot. Before this, any blemish on the face was considered the sign of possession by the devil. Women would have to find ways to cover the marks they were born with. However, once the wealthy women in the Renaissance started a trend, the world would follow suit.

By the 18th century, the beauty mark was a staple to the court of King Louis the XIV. Women and men would cover any blemish with dark makeup to both cover and add more character to their faces. As the trend continued, more elaborate felted marks, sometimes shaped like hearts, stars, or even carriages, became in vogue as a way for the aristocrats to cover blemishes on the face, especially syphilis spots (syphilis was quite common during this time).

After the French Revolution, most fashion trends were seen as excessive and undesirable. Fashion completely changed by the arrival of the 19th century. Gowns were crisp white muslin with simple Empire waist lines, while faces were expected to be clear and deathly pale. After the Reign of Terror, the death look became very popular. Women would even go so far as to drop mercury in their eyes to get dilated pupils. Because of the shifting trends, the beauty mark was out, and wouldn’t be seen again for years to come.

 

A minor resurgence in the trend happened during the Edwardian era. Fashion had yet again become as ostentatious and loud as it was during the time of Marie Antoinette. Big hairstyles and even bigger “picture” hats drew the attention to the face. Of course, no woman wanted a blemish on her face, so they looked to the past to find a way to disguise the unwanted guest. These women must have found the patches common in the court of Versailles appealing.

 

Again, the simple circle wasn’t enough for these modern matrons. Designs of all kinds were seen on the faces of the fashion elite. Like the French satirists before them, modern comics were quick to make fun of the exaggerated shapes of the beauty patches. Similar to the Reign of Terror, the stock market crash halted the trend from continuing, although it seems like the beauty mark had become less and less popular throughout the 1920s.

 

Marilyn Monroe has made sure the beauty mark would not go away, thanks to the many copycats who want to obtain the starlets “look”. It is not known weather it was a real mark, darkened to enhance and make her face more recognizable, or just drawn on. Still, people associate the above-the- lip mark with Marilyn so much, a piercing above the lip is known as the “Monroe”.

Marilyn, of course, had plenty of copycats in her day and even after her death. Whenever Madonna really wanted to play the blonde bombshell in the press or in her videos, she would draw on the beauty mark. Super Model Cindy Crawford’s beauty mark was real, and just a little south of where Marilyn’s was. Instead of being ashamed, Cindy embraced the mark and it became her most defining feature.

Today, people everywhere use the beauty mark to cover up blemishes, sure, but really, to pay homage to the stars they look up to, whether Marilyn, Madonna, or Marie Antoinette.  The beauty mark has really found its place in pop culture and will remain a favorite makeup trick/trend for years to come. 

Source https://fashionsflashback.com/2017/06/05/the-brazen-beauty-mark/