Lammily Photographer Doll

In the midst of all my doll buying, my Lammily Photographer doll finally came. I ordered her a long time ago -- I can't even remember when. I ordered 2 of them, but I probably would only have ordered one if I had known at the time that Barbie would be coming out with the Curvy body. Here is a picture of my 2 girls.

OK, so they are nice dolls. They have the same bodies with limited articulation as the original Lammily. The outfit is rather frumpy in my opinion and the shirt seems to be on backwards. I had heard that the delay in getting this doll out was due to waiting for the camera. Well, I was not impressed with it. The camera in the prototype photos had much more detail. It had details colored in gray. The production camera is all black and the straps slip through very easily. 

When the original Lammily was released, there was a lot of discussion and feedback to Lammily about the limited articulation and the doll's inability to sit gracefully. Lammily responded that they would be working on the articulation and on making her joints more flexible so that she could sit more gracefully. I am disappointed to see that they have not changed a thing.

Below is a closer look at both dolls heads:

Notice that the doll on the right has much more voluminous hair that the one on the left. It is much fuller and her hair clips are barely visible. Her face looks a little slimmer to me, but it may just be an illusion because of the hair. This does not bother me in the least as it makes them look a little different. Fortunately, this doll can share clothes with Katie (my original Lammily). I am not sure what Photographer Lammily will be named. She just isn't speaking to me right now and my interests have definitely been leaning heavily on the new Barbie body types and the MTM bodies. 

Thanks for stopping by! I love getting your comments.

Fashionistas Galore!

In my previous post, I told you that even though I haven't posted to my blog in a while, it doesn't mean that I wasn't doing my part for the economy. I have purchased just a few new dolls!

The new line of Barbie Fashionistas has definitely been quite a nice surprise. Here are some of the new dolls I have purchased in the last couple of months.

From L to R: Rock & Roll Plaid, Floral Flair, Barbie Careers Presidential (Pack 3) Vice President, Lacey Blue

Perhaps one of the first things you will notice is that they all have been rebodied. None of these come with articulation in their original state. The first 3 ladies received Made to Move bodies, while Lacey Blue got a body from the Barbie Look Urban Jungle doll. I am not one to dilly-dally when it comes to having articulation for my dolls. While I love the new body types, I have enough other petite (like Momoko) and tall (like Fashion Royalty) dolls that it doesn't matter too much to keep those body sizes. On the other hand, I do love the Curvy bodies, so most of those still have their original bodies.

L to R Back Row: Chiffon Ball Gown Barbie, Chic with a Wink, Pretty in Paisley, Pizza Pizzazz, Dolled Up In Denim.  Front Row: Barbie Glitz Doll AA, B Fabulous

All of these ladies are on MTM bodies except for Dolled Up In Denim who is on the Barbie Look Night Out doll and Barbie Glitz who is on a Barbie Style Nikki body. All of these ladies are either in their original fashion or an outfit from one of the new line of Barbie clothes.

L to R: Geometric Print skirt, Fab Fringe, Hunger Games Effie

All of these ladies are on MTM bodies. The Geometric Print gal is wearing a new Barbie Fashion and Fab Fringe and Effie are wearing Sparkle Girlz clothes.

L to R: Barbie Careers Game Developer, Va-Va-Violet, MTM Redhead, So Sporty

They are all on Made to Move bodies and wearing some of the new Barbie fashions. So Sporty was originally a Curvy girl, but somehow, she seemed to be screaming for a MTM body and I a glad I heard her! She looks awesome on this body.

L to R: The Barbie Look Festival, The Barbie Look Party Perfect

They are both in their original outfits. Party perfect is on a Lea headmold and I think she really looks great with this hair color.

L to R: Love That Lace, White & Pink Pizzazz, Terrific in Teal

White & Pink Pizzazz in on the Barbie Look Sweet Tea body and the other two are on MTM bodies. Their clothes are all from the new Barbie Fashions.

L to R: Made to Move Orange Top, Leather & Ruffles

Leather and Ruffles was on my must have list, but it was taking very long to get her from Mattel. I was able to get her from Amazon. She was a perfect match for the MTM Orange top body, so she got one. They both have the same facemold, so I think I might make them twins, each with their own unique style.

L to R: Princess Candy, Crazy for Coral

Princess Candy is the first one of the "Anna" facemold that has light blond hair and pale skin. I really had to have her after seeing her photos on Flickr. Crazy for Coral was a perfect match for the MTM Orange Top, so she managed to get one of those bodies.

L to R: Boho Fringe, Blue Violet

These ladies are wearing fashions from the new Barbie fashions. They both got MTM bodies as well. 

Long Time, No See!

I know that it has been a long time since I have posted on my blog. I am not going to give you all a long story about why, suffice it to say I had a lot going on.

My youngest daughter is currently in Europe on a school trip to France and Spain. We have talked or texted almost every day. She fell in love with Paris! After 4 days there, they moved on to Barcelona and will be ending the trip in Madrid. I am so happy that she was given this opportunity. It was a chance of a lifetime for her.

Even though I haven't posted, I have been reading your blog posts and have managed to comment on many of the posts. I really have enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your pictures! 

Thanks to the draw of the internet and online shopping, I have not gone on a buying hiatus. I have continued to purchase many dolls! This could be considered a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it! I just could not resist the new dolls from Mattel and I think I have most of the new Fashionista's now plus a few others! 

The first doll I wanted to talk about is the Misty Copeland doll from The Barbie Collection. I ordered her almost on the moment she became available, but she was very quickly placed on backorder. After receiving 2 emails extending her backorder date, I finally decided to order her from Amazon to take advantage of the Prime free shipping and some credits I had from Amazon. After reading Debbie of Black Doll Collecting's issues with orders from Amazon for this doll, I decided to wait to see mine before cancelling my order from The Barbie Collection. She arrived just 2 days after I placed the order, and she and her box were in perfect condition! Here are some photos:

She arrived in perfect condition from Amazon!

Look, no dents!

If you know me at all, you know that I don't leave many of my dolls in their boxes. They always seem to be screaming to me: "Free me from this box please, free me!"  Which I did! I have not removed her costume at this point, but I probably will as I want to compare her body to the Made to Move Bodies. Here are some pictures of her out of the box.

 Her body is identified as the "New Ballet Body". She seems to be able to pose very elegantly. Some things I noticed with her ballet costume still on are that she does not have moveable ankles which means her feet are always in point (similar to Alvin Alley and some of the other collector ballerina dolls). Her calves are larger that other Barbie dolls, which is good because she definitely looks like a Ballet dancer. Her costume is well padded around her breasts making them look larger than they are. She does have a very pretty face. At some point, I will probably undress her even though her costume is sewed on. At the point that I do, I will share more photos of her body.

Next up, I also purchased the Wave II Made to Move dolls from Amazon. They are available at Amazon, but I still have not seen them at any of the Mattel sites. One of them is called "Orange Top" and the other is just Made to Move Barbie Doll.

Made to Move Orange Top

Made to Move Orange Top (very clever name, don't you think?!) She has the Kayla facemold and is very tan. Her skintone is pretty close to a perfect match for Nikki. Did I purchase multiples of her for body swapping? Yup!

Made to Move Barbie Doll.  They didn't give her a unique designation, but I am calling her "Redhead".

MTM Redhead has, well, red hair and freckles. Here faceup is very close to the Western Chic Fashionista. Her skintone is pretty much the same as the MTM Blonde Barbie. 

I have been working on doll houses and other diorama items as well as some stories for the future. Story telling is a lot more work than I originally anticipated, but I still hope to more regularly post  stories in the future.

Thanks for stopping by! I welcome your comments.

Cat Is Back!

Cat of Doll Affinity is back to posting on her blog. She is a very talented doll artist. I love her repaints and reroots. She is also back to story telling too. Check out her latest post by clicking here! 

Welcome back to the Blogosphere, Cat. You were missed!

Liebster Award 2016

Farrah Lily of Cozy Comforts And Dolls blog nominated me for the Liebster Award:

Thank you, Farrah Lily! The questions for this award are different from previous Liebster Awards, so I decided I would participate.

The Liebster Award is an award that other bloggers give out to blogs that they enjoy reading and that have fewer than 1,000 followers. If you are chosen for an award and you decide to accept it , there are a few rules to follow:

• Link to the person that gave you the award
• Answer the questions that they have chosen for you
• Pass the award along to more bloggers that have fewer than 1,000 readers/followers
• Ask them to answer 11 questions
• Let them know that you have nominated them for the award

Here are the questions that Farrah asked:

1. Who is your favorite cartoon character?

 I would have to say it is Mulan. I loved first that she was a strong Chinese role model/character that I could show my daughters who are both Chinese. For all, she shows other women that you don't have to fit into the gender roles that society decides you fit into. You can be whatever you want to be!

Mulan: Not my photo.

2. What's your favorite flower (or plant if you're not a flower person)?

The Orchid. My mother loved orchids, they were her favorite flower. I was 15 when she passed away and the orchid always reminds me of her.

3. What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?

When I traveled to China in 2001 to get my second daughter, we were in the Yunnan Province in Kunming. Yunnan is noted for having the most recognized ethnic groups in China. Out of 56 recognized ethnic groups, Yunnan Province is home to 26 of them. Because our guide was from the Bai group, she took us to a Bai restaurant. The Bai "minority" was known for their very exotic costumes and spicy noodle cuisine. After watching beautifully dressed dancers in authentic Bai costume, we were brought the first course of our meal. It was chicken soup. This was no ordinary chicken soup though. I was one of the first to be served. The server dipped a very large ladle into the soup to fill my bowl. Much to my surprise and as I looked into my bowl, There was a chicken foot and a chicken head -- yup, with beak eyes and feathers staring back at me. I did take a sip of the broth to be polite, but could not eat the rest of the offering!

4. What was the last movie you saw (at home or in theaters)? 

Kung Fu Panda 3!

5. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?

I have been very fortunate in my life to have been able to visit several countries. However, one place I have never been and that I would really like to go is to Australia.

6. How did you meet your best friend?

I would say that my best friend is my sister-in-law. We were friends first, but then I introduced her to my brother. I was not playing matchmaker, but they did hit it off and ended up married! In spite of that, she is still my best friend (lol)!

7. What is your dream job?
Since I am now retired, I would have to say, I am living the dream (LOL)! But if I could have done my dream job, I would have loved to be a marketing consultant for Mattel, especially for the Barbie line. I think I would have tried to steer them in the direction of having more articulated dolls especially in the Fashionista line. Also, to have a more diverse group of male dolls. I mean, don't they think the girls besides Barbie would like to have a beau? 

8. If you could make a custom doll based on any character or real person, who would you make?
Without a doubt, I would have them do Shemar Moore. 

 9. What's your favorite season?
I actually like 2 seasons equally -- Spring and fall. Summer is ok, but I am not good in the heat and winter, well I don't do so well in the cold either. Spring and fall are just so beautiful and fresh! 

10. If you could talk to/understand any one species of animal, what would you choose?
Without hesitation, I would choose dogs. 

This is our dog Carly

11. If you could instantly learn any language, what would you choose?

I think I would want to learn Chinese. That way, when we go back to visit China, we could go to my kids orphanages and learn more about their early years and the Chinese culture.

Since I am getting this out a little late, I am not going to make any new nominations, however, if you have not been nominated before and would like to have a crack at answering the same 11 questions I did, please consider yourself nominated for the award. Here, again are the 11 questions.

1. Who is your favorite cartoon character?

2. What's your favorite flower (or plant if you're not a flower person)?

3. What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?

4. What was the last movie you saw (at home or in theaters)? 

5. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?

6. How did you meet your best friend?

7. What is your dream job?

8. If you could make a custom doll based on any character or real person, who would you make?

 9. What's your favorite season?

10. If you could talk to/understand any one species of animal, what would you choose?

11. If you could instantly learn any language, what would you choose?

Thank You Brini!

Brini of Brini's Doll Domain had a Birthday Contest in February for her 50th Birthday. She kept the prizes a surprise, but told us it would be something big. Well, as luck would have it (and this time, very good luck for me!), I won the giveaway. Even upon announcing me as the winner, she did not disclose what was in the giveaway so as not to spoil the surprise.

On February 24th, the mailman rang my doorbell and left a huge box on my porch. When I looked at the box, I thought to myself: "Hmm, what did I order now???! I don't remember ordering another doll house or anything that big!"

So, with a little assistance, I brought the box into the house.

Look at this box! Good thing Superman was available to help me!

When I looked more closely at the box, I saw that it was from Brini. I said aloud to my daughter: "Look, this is the box from Brini for the blog giveaway I won!" She asked me if she could help me open it (and of course, I let her help me!)

First, I opened the card that was taped to the front of the box. Much to my surprise, it was a beautiful card with a gift card inside!

Thank you card from Brini and Nordstrom Gift Card for $25!

So Brini sent me a card of thanks for entering in her contests and following her blog! What a sweetheart she is!

Next, we opened the box and removed all of the items from it.

Would you just look at all of the beautifully wrapped items! I felt like it was my birthday!

Excitedly, we unwrapped each item.  I was so surprised and excited to see what she gifted to me!

Would you look at this stuff! A Barbie Glam Getaway House, A Power Team Guy, Ken Clothes, cloth beach chairs, a wooden box and 3 stone bracelets for me to wear!

Look at how pretty these bracelets are!

Then I opened up each of the items. So many nice things!

Folded up so compactly!

It opens up to see a bathroom, bedroom/living area and a kitchen

Giselle, our resident Real Estate agent in Hanaly Corners brings prospective clients through the Getaway. 

Giselle: This little Getaway is the perfect abode to suit those desiring the latest "Tiny House" trend"

These 2 young ladies are sisters and are thinking of buying something together. They want something affordable and have thought that finding a place with multi-purpose areas might be the way for them to go.

Suzy (the little blonde sister): "Cute, but I think I would want to have separation between the bathroom and the living and sleeping areas!"

Stephanie (the redheaded sister): "Plus, there are 2 of us and only 1 single bed."

Giselle: "Well, this is a model. The builder is willing to make changes to accommodate your needs. Shall we keep this on your list?"

Both sisters said they would keep it on the list and would want to talk to a contractor friend to see what he thought could be done with this place.

Here is Calvin, Stephanie and Suzy's contractor friend. He is the Power Team guy from Brini. I dressed him in the Ken outfit she sent. He still has gloved hands, but I will look in my body part stash to give him regular hands. Isn't he handsome in his civilian clothes?  We will see more of him later.

Brini, this was so much more than I expected! You were right when you said I would be suprised and that the prize was big! I am sending cyber-hugs your way! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You are such an inspiration to me. Your generosity is amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

New Dolls and Giveaway #4 Winner

Who is faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall building in a single bound and has landed on my doorstep? You guessed it: SUPERMAN!

Superman is ready to come to the aid of any doll in distress!

Hmmm, could there be any dolls in distress in Hanaly Corners??? What about this young lady?

This is a new resort doll for 2016. Unfortunately, she comes with no articulation, so she has been given the "Bambi/Teresa" Made to Move body.

Oops, she fell! I wonder if there is anyone who could help her?

Superman, with his super vision has seen the distressed damsel and swoops in to come to her aid!

The damsel is very grateful for the assist! Thank you Superman!

Ok, now what you have been waiting for! This fourth and final Giveaway had such a great response, that I decided to draw 2 names instead of one! Yes, we have 2 winners!

The first winner is Jawn Pickles:  

The second winner is Ms. Leo: 

Congratulations to you both! No, you don't have to share, you will each be getting a Made to Move Asha! Please send an email to amaphyl526@gmail.com with your name and address for shipping. Jawn, I will also need a phone number because of international shipping requirements. Thank you both for participating! I will get your dolls out as soon as I can after I receive your information.

I want to thank all who entered for participating in my giveaways. There will be other chances in the future as I will definitely be doing this again!