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/ 

Attending Kingdom Doll's Baker Street Convention

 Sometimes it's difficult to get started discussing a convention. There is so much one sees and does. The food, the people, the displays, and finally the dolls all contributed to a fun and fast-moving final event.

The Dinner Event began at 7:30 PM. The room looked lovely. Our places at the tables were piled high with gifts from other attendees. 

Marishka aka Moriarty was on display in a lighted showcase and we believed she was going to be a centerpiece doll. 

It turned out that there was a doll for everyone who wished to purchase her for $1500. Most of us did not know. We put our names on strips of card and put them in a bowl. I entered myself as Terri Moriarty. (I have tried to be normal but it escapes me.) Once the number of names called reached 18, we knew there would be one for all who put their names in. 

Not only did that please all who wanted Moriarty, but it was also a smart financial act on Kingdom Doll's part to sell many more dolls that evening. It does not hurt the possible resale value of the doll as I can see many collectors are posting to purchase one. Her fashion fit very well and was made carefully. The photo above does not show her rhinestone star headband. I had a 'little' problem. After I had her all dressed, I went to put her dragon-lady hands on. When I change hands, I lift the arm vertically and secure the doll between my knees. Then I pull the hand or changing hand out far enough to hook the new hand onto the elastic. Sometimes the arm pulls a bit from the shoulder which normally doesn't cause an issue. Unfortunately, the slim strip of elastic through which her arms go to secure the fur, got caught inside the body. There was no way I could get it out without damaging something so I snipped the jacket elastic. That's why she's not wearing it in my photos below. 

In the Sherlock books, Moriarty, (a man and a master criminal,) does appear to have superior powers. Is he magical? What were the dark rumors?  I'm not sure that was ever resolved by Doyle; however, several books have been written about Moriarty.

"Here is how Holmes describes Moriarty in The Adventure of the Final Problem:"

“His career has been an extraordinary one. He is a man of good birth and excellent education, endowed by nature with a phenomenal mathematical faculty. At the age of twenty-one he wrote a treatise upon the Binomial Theorem, which has had a European vogue. On the strength of it he won the Mathematical Chair at one of our smaller universities, and had, to all appearance, a most brilliant career before him. But the man had hereditary tendencies of the most diabolical kind. A criminal strain ran in his blood, which, instead of being modified, was increased and rendered infinitely more dangerous by his extraordinary mental powers. Dark rumours gathered round him in the university town, and eventually he was compelled to resign his chair and to come down to London, where he set up as an army coach. So much is known to the world, but what I am telling you now is what I have myself discovered.”

https://www.arthurconandoyle.com/professormoriarty.html

There were two OOAK dolls, both of which were makeovers of previously released sculpts and had fashion items redone/remixed just for them. One was a silent auction and the other could be entered by anyone who didn't get Realm during Monarchy. That doll was a fixed price. In addition, I have only one photo but another may be on the way with more information about the OOAKs.

The Realm sculpt was used for this OOAK. She is an enhanced version of the Realm doll all of the Monarchy attendees received as a convention gift.  (I still can't believe that!) This doll is dressed in the Red Queen's silk gown. Anyone who didn't get Realm at Monarchy was entitled to enter and would pay a set price for her, possibly $1250.

The other OOAK called Constantine, uses Churchill's sculpt and is wearing Morgana's fashion although the silver top is enhanced beautifully.  Perhaps if Alex posts a photo, I'll be able to use it here.

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There were two competitions held this year. The title of one was "Tea and Arsenic" and the other was called "Baskerville Ball." We voted for our favorites as did Amanda and Alex. There were three winners in each category.

Here are the competition dolls:

I believe numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 were chosen as winners in this category.

Photo and doll by Anthony el Muneco

Photo by Anthony el Muneco (Monique's Doll Entry #4)

This was entry #5 and is Sue Townson's entry and photo.

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Regarding this display, several collectors discussed the placement of entries. We agreed that there ought to have been a riser placed behind the front row of dolls so viewers could see all the beautiful entries equally.  The starred dolls below received winning votes.  If I left someone's doll or winning status out, I'd be happy to use a photo provided to me by another collector. Just send me a Facebook private message.

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Finally, here are some photos of the three convention dolls most of us took home. 

Watson was the companion doll. She is dressed in a lovely and very feminine pink dress and pink shoes. She came with a diary, an owl handbag, a frothy drink and a watch on a chain. 

I'm wondering what happened to our "KD jeweler."  I love doll jewelry and I cherish the KD jewelry we have already gotten over the years. 

Watson also came with feathery pumps, shown below.

Sherlock was the convention souvenir doll. More photos of her are definitely on their way. The skirt from her elegant suit is just below the knee. Her stilettos are the same color as the fabulous pink gloved hands and they can be tied with ribbons if the collector so desires. Some of her accessories were a pipe, newspaper and a fabulous book-shaped handbag. Sherlock also came with the same handbag in forest green.

Moriarty was supposed to be the centerpiece doll but as it turns out, we were all able to purchase her. We received black-gloved hands.

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AFTERNOON TEA at The Grand in York

Afternoon Tea on September 2 was delightful. The savory and sweets were delicious. This hotel pays attention like no other event venue has previously IMO. I wrote on my food preferences that I do not wish to eat chocolate. They actually provided me with a selection of non-chocolate sweets! And they were very good. 

I had blood sausage/pudding for the first time ever. It came in a sliced pastry roll. Someone told me I didn't want to know what was in it. Hehe. Obviously it's blood but what else? I just looked it up. Not so terrible. I loved haggis. Why wouldn't I like pudding which is not pudding?

Both haggis and blood sausage are banned in the United States for sanitary reasons. If it's fully cooked, there is nothing wrong with it. 

It was at this event that all the contest entries were displayed and voted upon.

In addition, there was a lottery to win the opportunity to purchase bits and bobs. Well, they weren't exactly bits and bobs but they were small amounts of clothing, full outfits and accessories that KD had remaining.

I can be reached via FaceBook Messenger or smoke signal.