Will The Real Natalia Fatale Please Stand Up?

Not that I think about it often...but I don't know for sure why Jason Wu decided to change Natalia's facial sculpt. Why didn't he just create a new character? They don't look at all like each other.

Was something wrong with this face? This doll's face and screening are perfection.


She's pretty in the plastic sense of the word but the "new, improved" Natalia looks like a snob. Her plastic surgeon went a little too far with the nose job. I wonder if she can even get air in through those nostrils. Her nose, chin, cheeks and eyebrows all looked pinched.


Maybe I need to be more forward-looking ... in the direction of Natalia's features.

Robert Tonner, You Take My Breath Away

My model for this spectacular fashion from the Tonner Doll Company is Ooh La La Gene. She was a Wu Gene Club exclusive last year (2007). Since this gown was not created for the Gene body, I had to take up the halter a bit. (My secret : I use Scotch magic tape; it doesn't leave a residue.)

The fashion entitled Take My Breath Away is from Tonner's new Dick Tracy line. Tonner's site describes the outfit as a "figure-hugging black sequined halter style evening dress with gathered chiffon skirt and dazzling gold and black beaded applique´ across the bust." The look is pulled "together with full length opera gloves, pantyhose, black and gold faux leather strappy heels, and stunning black and gold jewelry."
It's not exactly the skirt that is gathered. The part of the gown that is gathered begins at the knee.
The quality of the fabric is superb. I found no defects. The shoes fit. I'm impressed.


Be warned about the bracelet as it is weapon-like. The sharp bezels containing the beads are not in touch with the beads and are useful for creating snags and pulls. I held my breath putting it on over the glove. Perhaps that's why they named the outfit Take My Breath Away. Hmmmm.


Retail price is $99. You can get it for less. I recommend this fashion in spite of it's high price. Tonner's sequined fashions hold a good deal of their original value. If you ever consider reselling, don't put the bracelet on.

The Wolf and The Hood .... In The Hood?

I just love these two dolls to bits! Kumi has an extraordinarily delicate sculpt. I did trim her bangs a tiny bit.
Yuri is adorable. I cut her hair to make it even all around but it still needs some work. I did freckle her face and when I finally get it right I shall post photos. This was before the freckling.
For the setting I gathered some assorted pine branches, cut some wild red berry branches and other growing things and tried to create a forest scene. Unfortunately, when the lighting I use hit the background, it looked like the inside of an aquarium. I dimmed the flash output and I was not satisfied with the results at all. These three were the best of the lot...and I took a lot of pictures...all too dark. Every now and then I just don't get it right.
Film was much more forgiving. No pixels.

Sister (not so) Dreary "Mistletoe Mishap"

Mistletoe Mishap from the Tonner Doll Company arrived the other day and I am happy to report that she is just as beautiful as her promotional photos.

Her gown of crinkled taffeta with it's draped chiffon at the sides which end in a large bow with train is a delicious deep blood red and it fits her like a dream.

This version of Sister Dreary has high-heel fashion feet instead of flat feet with articulated ankles. Her facial screening is more sophisticated with darker lips and shadow above and under the eyes. Her hair is styled in a glamorous knotted bun atop her head with plenty of long, free hanging hair at the sides and back.

When viewed next to each other, this Sister Dreary and previous versions do not look like the same sculpt.

Sister Dreary Mistletoe Mishap is a limited edition of only 200 and is priced at $174.00 retail. She sold out rather quickly at those dealers who discount her for $139.99 but is still available elsewhere.

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I am sad to say that after seeing Mistletoe Mishap, the original Sister Dreary has decided to leave home because it's not dreary enough here. It's odd that she would take my pink train case.

Nu.Fantasy Wild Wolf Kumi Giftset

This has been an overwhelmingly abundant month for dolls arriving at my door. One of the most eagerly awaited ones, the Japanese Exclusive "Wild Wolf" Kumi Doll, arrived yesterday. Although this delightful little thing has a Misaki body, she is not part of the Misaki line. This is a new line called Nu.Fantasy.

The giftset consists of the doll, a dress, a skirt, a cape with a removable harness-type thing, two handbags, tall boots, heels, gloves, fishnet tights, and doll stand. I don't know if the fur on the cape is real. If it's not, it's a very good fake. Everything in the set works together except for the handbag with the two buckles. It doesn't have any fantasy about it at all. I would have preferred some far out jewelry to another ordinary black bag. The other bag is adorable. It's a little cube with metallic embellishments including a lock. I love it. I haven't tried the pumps on her so I don't know how that's going to work as she has the Misaki flat foot. She will be able to wear all of Azone's 1/6 scale shoes and boots.

The packaging was kind of nice so I photographed it. The inner box was encased in a semi transparent sleeve which was printed with a forest graphic. I used it as a backdrop for some of Kumi's initial shots.

Kumi is currently drying after undergoing a bit of a trim and boil straightening of her hair. I found that her bangs were too long and a bit uneven and her eyelashes (rooted) were hiding her eyes from view. So....I thinned the very edges of the bangs and shortened the eyelashes and tomorrow she will get back into her wonderful outfit for more pictures.

Yuri arrived today as well. She, too, has been altered although much more drastically. Her hair is now short all around, not just on the sides.

My recommendation: start saving now. The price is going up. The W Club sold a few to lucky lottery winners for $275 plus shipping. I got this one for $300. plus shipping from Canada. They're selling now on eBay for more than $350. They are irresistible and the clothes are delightful. On the CDCMHS (Compulsive Doll Collector Must-Have Scale) they score a (High) 5 out of 5.

Hard Rock Cafe Barbie Doll 2008

According to BC.Com:
Hard Rock Cafe Barbie doll embodies a gothic punk vibe. The doll's black and red goth glam ensemble features a lace up corset top, short flared skirt, vibrant red fishnet stockings, edgy boots, and fingerless gloves. Modeling raw energy and independent spirit, Hard Rock Cafe Barbie doll comes with a jamming HRC "guitar" and collector pin. Rock on!

The writer forgot to add that her hair does not look like it does in the promo shot, (which is not really surprising.) It's flat and has overheated frizzy ends. There is a short spritzy clump of hair sticking straight up from the top of her head while the rest of the up-do just hangs down. Her 'side-burns' are gelled to her face so she looks as if she's got a helmet on and her bangs have been cut too short.
The outfit is quite adorable; however, it is sewn on to the dismay of those that would debox and play. Her jewelry is very cute. The guitar is an attractive marbled plastic. My own preference would have been to have closed-toe boots but they are stylish like the rest of the outfit.
The color of her skin is quite light and in contrast to the heavy make-up is striking.
The retail price of HRC 2008 which is a Gold Label item is $76.
My recommendation is to make sure you don't pay the full retail price for her. If you are a completist, then of course you must get her. Otherwise...get a doll you can play with.