2/14/2012

Valentine's Day

One of the largest money-making days for the greeting card, chocolate, cut flowers and jewelry industry is upon us.
Saint Valentine's Day, often simply Valentine's Day,[1][2][3] is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentinus. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI. It is celebrated in countries around the world, mostly in the West, although it remains a working day in all of them.
The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").[1][3]
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.[4]
The above is from Wikipedia. The entire page is worth reading as it talks about customs in different parts of the world.

So today as I browse the internet and see wonderful photos of dolls in Valentine's Day settings, I will collect some of them here.

I begin with a photo by Michelle in Mi seen on the Studio Commissary:

Next from Rosanna in OR:


On Prego from Adrian:



From MonkeyHaircutter on the W Board:
From Janet in Oregon on Prego:
From Johanna in MD on Prego:
 From Aquabluerose on Prego:
From tinyseams on Prego:
From me:


2/12/2012

New Products on the Horizon

Watch for these new products from Tonner, Tonner Toys and Wilde Imagination. These tempting images were posted on FB from the Javits Center Toy Fair today. I'm hoping for better images and descriptions later this week.

Avatar Characters, 22" Resin

Maudlynne Macabre, 15.25" vinyl

City Girls, 16" Vinyl

Runway Fashion Reinterpretation

The Super Sleuths are at it again and have come up with these two fantastic matches. 

Posted by berenis on Dolly Daily
From Mattel:

2012 BFMC Evening Gown Barbie               Givenchy Haute Couture Fall 2011

Posted by corvas on Dolly Daily
From Integrity Toys:

    NuFantasy Gretel 'Sweet Nothing'         Alexander McQueen Fall 2011 RTW
Which versions do you prefer?

2/11/2012

Laurebelle Couture Exclusive "Glam Addict" Giselle

The latest lottery for members of the W Club is an European exclusive Giselle called Glam Addict. This doll is very beautiful and has a stylish fashion that comes with additional shoes and accessories. It's being called a mini giftset. The price for US and Canadian customers is $150. plus either $15. or $25. respectively for shipping.  The price for the rest of the world is EU 140 ($185.33) + EU 30 ($40.) for shipping. The difference in price has many Europeans howling with dismay. After all, if this is a European exclusive, why are the Europeans paying so much more? The answer was a mixture of shipping costs, VAT, customs and whatever other taxes and duties exist. Laurence explained that she is pre-paying certain of these fees which would normally fall to the buyers and so these costs must be passed on. It's quite a burden for overseas collectors. But...maybe they don't have to pay for health insurance. Perhaps their income taxes are proportionally lower. There's always some other benefit to offset these issues.






The lottery closes on February 14. I have entered but my luck in the past 3 years has not been good. This is probably the best looking Giselle so far and I don't have any in my collection. I would restyle her hair done in a more glamorous Hollywood style to suit the fashion.