De-Boxing Compulsion?

Last night I did something I seldom do (anymore) and that was to browse most of the listings under the category of Integrity Toys on eBay.  I was amazed at the quantity of older dolls that are being sold NRFB. How do people keep from deboxing beautiful dolls? I can understand keeping Barbie dolls in their boxes because they are boxed for display but not Fashion Royalty dolls.
Right now I have two dolls I'm not sure I can keep. One is a new Amelie and the other is the new Dynamite Aria. The deboxer voice keeps saying...go ahead...open one of them. The other voice says...you still have 9 pre-ordered dolls on the way; you don't need this.

How do you do it?

Seen on Prego: Jamieshow Men Celebrate Gay Pride Day in New York

George Gonzales of Angelic Dreamz posted this photo of his Jamieshow male dolls this morning.

Click on the picture to go to Angelic Dreamz where these dolls and millions more are sold.

BTW: Congratulations, New York! Job well done.

"Flawless" Elise FR2 Models "Metropolitan"

Finally, after a 3-1/2 month wait, my replacement Elise  head arrived and she's looking so much better than the one I got originally.

Her hair was banded with a cellophane strip to  keep it flat and arranged properly. It worked. Bangs on dolls are very difficult if not done with a wig. They just don't want to be straight and flat like real bangs.

I wasn't going to buy any of the separately available FR2 fashions but I wound up buying all three of them eventually. The last one I got is Metropolitan. I saw it on someone else's doll and it looked much better than the promo. Marl had it on sale for $85. Unfortunately her shipping is rather pricey but it got here fast and in perfect condition.

The ensemble consists of the mauve jumpsuit, a black belt, humongous pink rhinestone stud earrings, multiple tiny bangles (not shown), a black patent handbag and navy blue patent shoes. I added the ring and bracelet.
Elise is gorgeous.
The jumpsuit's construction is not up to the standards of the rest of the FR2 items. I think it may be the choice of fabric that is causing some of the problem. The legs do not lay correctly. If the fabric were heavier, the drape would be better. I pulled the legs straight down prior to taking pictures and it didn't help. They stayed rippled.
I don't know if pressing will help as they were pressed in the factory because there is a pressed crease at the front of the legs. I will try pressing when I remove it from this doll.
It's not the most flattering fashion for this beauty and someone else will be wearing it soon.

Aria Plastic Inevitable Doll Arrives

You know you are in trouble when you can't remember what dealer you ordered what doll from and a doll arrives from a dealer but you thought you were getting it from a different dealer. Oy.

Anyway, Aria arrived today and she is gorgeous. I don't know if I will be keeping her so I'm not deboxing until I've decided. She and Auden are the only two Dynamite Dolls I ordered this season. Auden is coming from another dealer. I had to look that up.

I think Aria is the most beautiful of all the DGs. 

Her lips and eye makeup are stunning. 

Her streaked/blended hair is fabulous with her tan skin.

I think I'm talking myself into  keeping her. 

Couldn't resist this:

Bratz vs. Barbie?

I'm not sure it's even a contest but according to CNN Money and writer, Parija Kavilanz, Bratz are poised for a big comeback.
For the last few years, Mattel was embroiled in legal battles with the designer of the Bratz dolls and the final verdict went against Mattel to the surprise of many.  Isaac Larian, CEO of Bratz-maker MGA Entertainment had previously said that in spite of the victory, the actions against the company caused stores to lose confidence in the line thereby successfully destroying it. However, he seems to have had a reversal and has "said that he's pushing to try to get the Bratz franchise to where it once was."

Masquerade by Bratz, on store shelves by August

The Bratz Masquerade collection features a few boy character dolls, including "Vampire-Penn" and "Knight-Gable."

I hope these dolls are very successful. They were adorable and were actually my first foray into doll collecting! It was my collecting of Bratz that got me involved in internet dolls boards and it just took off from there. Watch this interesting video (after the brief ad). You will enjoy it.

Ficon as Seen on Prego

We had a treat this morning on Prego as Alexandra Forbes was playing with her Ficon dolls and posted some pictures.

Denimish Ficon

Lady F Ficon

Alexandra is a supremely talented photographer and is also the Creative Director of FDQ.
 Click on the logo below to go to her fantastic website where you can see more of her work.

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Regarding Ficon Dolls...if you haven't seen the site lately...there is a lovely doll called Spa Basic. She is calling me.  If you would like to send me one, I would be more than happy to provide a loving home for her. 
Spa Basic comes dressed as shown and brings along her own basket of towels! She also comes with lace underwear and changeable towels. LE50. $430.

Ficon Doll Photo of Spa Basic