First Photoshoot with Aphrodisiac AvantGuard

The second wave of AvantGuard dolls is beginning to arrive. First to show up on my deck was Aphrodisiac. The packaging of the AGs is pristine in their black and white boxes, inner boxes and inner, inner boxes. Yes, there are several layers.

This gal has the same gorgeous sculpt as Goldmine. The wig appears to be exactly the same as well except this one has been combed out to explosive proportions.
Aphro's well tailored and constructed shadow striped jacket came with one side (accidentally) folded back which needs to be addressed with a steam iron.

The boots came in a cellophane bag. I don't know who decided to make the ties so short. It was definitely an exercise in patience and dexterity to get them on, get the laces tied and keep the tongue inside the boot at the same time.
The semi sheer and metallic silver sleeveless blouse is very pretty with it's jabot. I would have liked a mini skirt instead of the same black shorts which appear to be leftovers from Eclectic's ensemble. I don't know why IT uses the same clothing items and wigs for successive dolls. It doesn't make sense for the collector to have duplicates.

What could possibly be inside the heads of the AG dolls which keeps normal length earring posts from being inserted? I have added a wire cutter to my doll work table! One must cut at least 1/2 of the post off in order for them to go all the way in. It's not a big deal but if you don't know, you might spend a good deal of time trying to insert an earring and wind up with an enlarged earring hole, a broken earring or both. Aphrodisiac is not a doll for the tame of heart. Her facial screening is right off the runway. She is very beautiful and fabulous for a while, but for long-term dolly fun, she needs to be toned down.

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I have one nude Aphrodisiac for sale for $200 plus shipping. You get the extra hands and extra feet, stand, paperwork and box in shipper.

Picture of the Week Award ~ April 13, 2009

The lengths a die hard collector will go to are endless. Witness this organizer filled with Barbie sized shoes classified by color. Can your doll ever have enough shoes? Apparently this collector thinks not.

Photographer: Jenn in Florida

In Your Easter Bonnet

 

 

2009 Silkstones (So Far) & Marilyn Monroe Dolls

Debut™ Barbie® Doll 2009 Gold Label™ Collection

This is a big, big year for Mattel and it's Barbie line. Barbie's 50th birthday was celebrated in a huge way at Fashion Week, in Bloomingdales and on-line with a great deal of promotional advertising. I don't consider myself a Barbie doll collector but I've been known to buy Silkstones on a fairly regular basis usually as a result of impulse in response to pretty pictures. (I know I'm not alone.)
I pre-ordered the Caucasian Debut Barbie without hesitation. She looked great. My one word bottom line review for her is 'meh.' She's too Caucasian in person. The entire area above her eyes is too broad and empty looking. The AA one is prettier. And the brunette from the Paris Doll Festival is very lovely. The things that look like sequins on her bathing suit are actually tiny pieces of glittery stuff that comes off on your hands and everything else.
She's not awful but on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (perfect), she ranks a 5.5.
But I couldn't NOT buy her because of the repro-look. She won't be voted off the island immediately.

The best of both worlds — vintage and modern — come together to celebrate Barbie® doll’s 50th anniversary! Robert Best has created an amazing interpretation of the original Barbie® doll from 1959, with a Silkstone® twist, of course! From the chic upswept ponytail to the sparkly black and white bathing suit to all the sensational accessories, this glamour girl will set tongues wagging. Gorg-eous! Designed by Robert Best.

AA Photo from BC Site
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Gal On The Go™ Barbie® Doll 2009 Gold Label™ Collection Barbie Fan Club Exclusive

Gal on The Go is the first of a series of Club Dolls being offered this year. She has a very pretty face and I like her short curly hair style. The quality is very good on this gal and the colors of the outfit and her screening are excellent with eachother. I give her an 8.

All work and no style play is not an option for today's woman as the office meets the runway. Gal On The Go™ Barbie® Doll wears an inspired take on 1960's fabulous Busy Gal™ ensemble. Recreated by Robert Best, this exquisite doll and fashion perfectly celebrate Barbie® doll's 50th anniversary.

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Southern Belle Barbie® Doll 2009

This lovely doll is called Southern Belle and is now my second all time favorite Silkstone after Provencale. I am thrilled with her delicate facial screening and beautiful hair. Her dress is nicely constructed and the heels on the shoes are not bent and curved like so many. Happily she does not come with a bent elbow left arm as shown in the promotional photos. This doll has my highest recommendation of the three. I'm giving her a rating of 10!

The “Since 1959” Collection commemorates famed vintage Barbie® fashions, re-invented for a new era! Gentle, ladylike, and oh-so-romantic, Barbie® doll looks lovely in a chic modern take on vintage fashion Plantation Belle™. A pale pink dress accented with delicate lace compliments the doll’s auburn bob and sophisticated face paint.

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The club rebate this quarter is $30. instead of $20. That's a nice surprise perk for club members. I was going to dive right in and get the new Marilyn Monroe doll who looks fantastic. But I decided to wait instead for the next club doll.

Barbie® Doll as Marilyn Monroe™ 2009 Pink Label™ Collection

This doll begins a new collection called The Blonde Ambition Collection which also includes an adorable Goldie Hawn doll. It is not the first time Mattel is reproducing the actress. In 1997 three Barbie dolls were released which portrayed Marilyn wearing some of her most famous fashions in "Barbie as Marilyn." The series consisted of two dolls from the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and one from "The Seven Year Itch."
In 2002, Mattel released two dolls whose features are intended to portray Marilyn Monroe herself, in "Timeless Treasures Marilyn" One was a sad replica of the Happy Birthday gown and the other was a fashion from "How to Marry A Millionaire." It came with a second fashion.
There are other companies who have put out Marilyn Monroe dolls and if you are interested you might want to search them out on the web. I have made the names into links to websites that either feature, sell or discuss Marilyn Monroe dolls.
They are Tristar, World Doll, DSI, Franklin Mint and Madame Alexander. And then there is always eBay on which a search for Marilyn Monroe doll returned 189 results.

Two new Marilyn dolls due to arrive in July of this year are from Madame Alexander. One uses the 10" Cissettte body and is called Marilyn Monroe Collection Seven Year Itch. LE 350. I have a fondness for the general high quality of MA dolls. These little Cissette dolls are delightful and this one will find her way into my collection. I don't know if she has sleep eyes or if they are painted. But she's a cutie in the iconic white dress whose hem is wired so it looks like the wind is blowing it upwards. She's got her trademark beauty spot on her cheek. Adorable! We're looking at a Pre Order price in the $110 range.

The second Marilyn from Madame Alexander uses the 16" Alex body. This doll oozes glamour and is absolutely gorgeous dripping in 'diamonds.' She is called Marilyn Monroe Collection Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. LE 350. Pre Order price is about $145.
I want her!

Picture of the Week Award ~ April 5, 2009

Magda

This week's award goes to Dan Lee. Dan is a multi-talented doll artist who re-roots, re-paints and sews! Yes, he does it all and he does it good! This image attracted me immediately for it's composition, color and the soft focus.

You can see more of Dan's fabulous work at his website "Wide Eyed Girls" http://www.wideeyedgirls.com/

When "HandSpeak" Systems Go Wrong (Just for fun)

The Rudette wishes to be petted and is not sure what to do.
Couldn't resist.
Goldmine is wearing a Sybarite wig and a rhinestone bra and bikini bottom from Facets.