You Really Should Join The W Club - Numbers 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 of Collecting Cycle 2023

 When someone joins the W Club there is a registration fee.  At that time, the W Club offers three membership upgrade dolls representing different lines from Integrity Toys.  There are usually Fashion Royalty, Poppy Parker, and Nuface choices.  You may add one of each to your registration with a small deposit.  It's at your discretion, so you can add one, two, or all three offerings.

For the 2023 W Club Membership Year, the designers gave us some variations on previously popular dolls.  The NuFace doll was a red haired version of Billion Dollar Baddie Alejandra Luna.  I own billion Dollar Baddie and like her quite a bit.  She was in my 2021 Year End Countdown  Number 6 of 2021 Alejandra Luna.  And last year's Varsity showed in my 2022 Countdown Number 6 of 2023 Varsity Alejandra.  Varsity Alexandra is a personal favorite in my collection.  I didn't think 2023's membership upgrade Billion Dollar Beauty was as beautiful as the two previous versions, so I opted to skip her.  Since seeing collector photos being posted, I may have to revisit that decision.

The Fashion Royalty offering was one of my favorite character molds, Eugenia Frost.   It was a variation on the 2019 Live from Fashion Week Convention doll, English Rose.  The 2023 upgrade doll was called Summer Rose and was blonde.  She reminded me of one of my very favorite versions of Eugenia, Secret Garden from 2018.  Both English Rose and Secret Garden are big fan favorites, so I felt I couldn't pass on Summer Rose.  I'm really glad I didn't because she does not disappoint in the least.

Just a stunning doll!  Number 28 of my 2023 Collecting Cycle is Summer Rose Eugenia Frost.

The Poppy Parker offering was the third variation of the peignoir set of 2016's Powder Puff (in pale blue). There was a pink version of this ensemble given to collectors at the Poppy Parker luncheon at the 2019 Live From Fashion Week Convention.  This time it showed up in yellow and the Poppy Parker wearing it in the A-Tone skin option.  Yellow is one of my favorite wardrobe colors for my dolls, so I took a chance on this one.  

Number 29 of 2023 is Lemon Lullaby Poppy Parker.  Isn't she wonderful?!

In addition to the W Club upgrade opportunities, the W Club guarantees there will be at least six "made to order" IT dolls offered to collectors over the course of the membership year.  In past years, the W Club has also offered several "Right To Buy" lotteries. 

Keeping with the theme of "variations" - Integrity Toys released a Nuface mini-capsule as "Right To Buy" lottery opportunities.  I loved every one of them and was able to acquire them all.  They are truly amazing and represent what I love about Integrity Toys dolls.

When 2019's Cool Kid Ayumi Nakamura was offered for sale, she was an easy pass for me as the screening/hair combination looked so much like previous editions.  I did purchase the complete ensemble on secondary market though.  I LOVE the ensemble!  The re-imagined version of this doll is fantastic!  The character Ayumi Nakamura was introduced by IT in 2007.  She has been through two mold revisions and has never appeared in the FR Black skin tone until Naturally Cool.  The original ensemble was blue denim and the variation is pale tan.  I am expecting this doll to hit grail status and her popularity with collectors look like that would be a very safe bet.  

Number 30 of 2023 is Naturally Cool Ayumi Nakamura!

The NuFace twins, Eden and Lilith Blair, are very popular with collectors.  We see them a lot of they are difficult to find on secondary market.   It is always a treat when they are offered together in a giftset.   The last time this happened was for the 2017 Heirloom Collection, Poetic Beauty.  Jessy Ayala, the IT designer for Nuface dolls, revisited this giftset and gave us a phenomenal variation in Poetic Interlude.  A new skin tone was created just for this collection called "blush".  The ensembles in this variation are more natural compared to the dark hues of the original.  I was excited to win the lottery to purchase this giftset at retail price!  This giftset immediately shot up in price on secondary market.

Number 31 and Number 32 of 2023 are Poetic Interlude Eden and Lilith Blair.

Also part of the 2023 Nuface mini capsule was Print it Pink Nadja Rhymes.   The print of this fabric has now been used three times.  The first time was with Checking In Colette Duranger (mold 2.0) from the 2016 IT Supermodel Convention.  It was in blue and I purchased it separately as it is extremely well made.   The print in lavender was used in 2021 for W Club Exclusive Fit To Print Nadja Rhymes.  This time we get Print it Pink Nadja Rhymes with hair similar to the 2019 NYFW doll.   Nadja is a personal favorite of mine, so this was another easy purchase for me.  

Number 33 is Print It Pink Nadja Rhymes.

IT collectors also got a mini collection from East 59th Street this year.  Constance Madssen was offered as a W Club lottery "right to buy" edition.  I was fortunate to get her at retail price.  

This ensemble is so rich and opulent.

Number 34 is Twilight in Blue Topaz Constance Madssen.  (I'm not as excited about the screening of this doll.  I think Luxurious Leisure and Wicked Glamour are better brunette versions with blue eyes and red lips.)

The other dolls were offered through Integrity Toys dealers.  (Another perk of being a member of the W Club is that members are notified of dolls being sold through dealers prior to the general public.   This gives W Club members quite an advantage as many dolls sell out completely before the public is even aware they are available to purchase.)  I really wanted the blonde Victoire Roux, but she reminded me too much of the basic version, Aloha Waikiki, that I purchased earlier this year, so I passed.  I did however get the version of Aurelia Gray (which I think is the best presentation of this mold so far).  Love the ensemble and the little mink coat so much.  

Number 35 of Collecting Cycle 2023 is Enchanting in Amethyst Aurelia Gray.

I either wouldn't have these dolls or would have to sacrifice my hard earned cash to purchase them secondary market hadn't I been a W Club member.  Keep that in mind the next time membership is open to the general public (sometime in the spring).  It's worth every cent.

Best of 2019 - #4

It would be near impossible to choose a favorite character or favorite mold that is produced by Integrity Toys.  I've been collecting their lines for almost 15 years.  There are some dolls I've owned for that entire time.  There are some dolls that have resided in my collection since their first release, but I have sold many, many dolls.

I have owned every version of Agnes Von Weiss except Saks Fifth Avenue.  I find that I'm either "hot" or "cold" with Vanessa Perrin, preferring mold 1.0 and her classic looks.   I've rarely been able to resist Adele Makeda mold 2.0.  But the one doll I can honestly say makes me swoon when the screening is just right would be Eugenia Frost.

Best of 2019 #4 would have to be Secret Garden Eugenia Frost.  She is one of the most beautiful dolls in my collection.  Amazing screening!

Vivacite Eugenia Frost

My followers know that there are four molds that I have a difficult time resisting:  Agnes Von Weiss, Eugenia Frost, Vanessa Perrin 1.0, and Adele Makeda 2.0.  I was so excited when Integrity Toys (IT) revealed their 2017 mainline collection "La Femme".   Vivacite Eugenia was a "no-brainer" for me.

And a close up in the box.

The accessories in this line are very reminiscent of older IT releases.

The shoes are excellent, the purse is just amazing, and the jewelry quite impressive (yes, that is a watch you are seeing!).

The hair is rooted nice and thick!  It needs to be washed to get out the product that makes it feel heavy and greasy.   The cotton blouse has a very long tie in the back.  I crossed it and brought it to the front like a belt.  The capri pants are nice.  Everything is very well made.

I love the screening on this doll.   I also like the Hungarian skin tone that was used.  She is easily one of the best versions of Eugenia Frost in a few years.

Living For The Weekend

Although there were several benefits of my 60 day countdown this summer, a strong disadvantage was that I couldn't designate any amount of play time to a specific doll.  Those of you who photograph dolls, know how difficult it is put together the right ensemble for a photo shoot.  Then it takes many photos to produce a couple of shots good enough to post.  Then you go through the editing process.  The final step is uploading the photos and writing the blog.

School started back for me July 29.  Students came back last Tuesday.  I have had no doll time for the past two weeks.   Today I made up my mind spending some "me" time was past due.

Touch of Frost Eugenia arrived at my house in late spring.  She immediately went off to Veronica Hage to have a little eye work.  I took a few shots of her for the "60 Day Countdown" but didn't do anything else with her.

Eugenia Frost is my favorite mold.  I have more of her living here than any other doll mold.   Although I am not 100% on the bandwagon for the FR2 dolls, this one really gets me.  She reminds me of a younger but more updated version of Spectacular, Spectacular - the first Eugenia that was released in 2007.

Today I decided to try different looks on her and see what I could pull off.  So, let's play "Touch of Frost Eugenia's Weekend" ….

"Even though there is causal Friday at my corporation, as CEO, I must embody a more professional appearance.   I have important meetings all day long with investors."

(The skirt and hose are from October Issue Agnes.  The blouse and jacket are from the Mini Avant Gard Giftset Aphrodisiac; the blouse fits fine; however, the top hook of the jacket will not catch.)

"After working until the wee hours of the morning, I'm lucky to get 7 hours sleep.  The next afternoon, I have to chair the Women In The Arts charity luncheon."

(This ensemble is from the Silkstone Luncheon Ensemble.   The middle snap does not close, but it is not noticeable.)

"For me, 'Date Night' is Saturday Night.  I hope beef wellington is on the menu tonight!"

(This little black dress is borrowed from Shapeshifter Natalia.  The dress zips fine.  It actually fits the FR2 body better than the FR body.  Regardless of the body that wears it, the design prevents the arms from laying close to the body.  I was disappointed when I found this out because I had been wanting this dress for many years.)

"After an exhaustive night of dinner and dancing, I need my beauty rest before attending church."

(This is an original dress from Bogue's Vogue.   It fits very nicely.)

"After church, it's off to the farmer's market to shop for the week, an afternoon movie with friends, and some must needed casual, relaxing time for me."

(Urban Outfitting Nadja's NuFace slacks and sweater and look great on Eugenia.  Unfortunately the pants will not close in the back, so they are held together with a safety pin.  The sweater fits perfectly.)

I have decided that Touch of Frost is easily one of the best incarnations of Eugenia yet.  She looks great in many things.  Eugenia isn't usually produced in the Japan skin tone.  This makes her even more special.  The eye correction makes her perfection.

Summer Vacation Day 44

I started this series with the intention of spotlighting only Fashion Royalty dolls, but yesterday the mailperson brought me a very special package.   I had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this box.  (By this,  I mean I was very excited about receiving it, not that the artist had them for any length of time.   The artisan actually only had them for a little over a week.  Incredibly fast turnaround.)

When I opened the package, my eyes filled with tears.   There were three "refreshed" faces ready to greet me!

If I had to list my favorite character molds they would be in this order:
1. Eugenia
2. Vanessa 1.0
3. Agnes
4. Adele 2.0
5. Elise
6. Dania

Earlier this spring I gave a quick review of the last doll offered to W Club Members last year, A Touch of Frost Eugenia Frost.  Here is the link: Touch of Frost Review

I had high expectations of this doll, especially after receiving After Tonight Eugenia Frost from the 2013 Integrity Convention.  Unfortunately, there was something off with her eye screening.  A doll friend and I were discussing it and thought it would be an easy fix.  I tried to photoshop a picture and put that in another blog entry:

Touch of Frost Eye Correction Photoshop

So, I turned on the heating pad, removed her head, and she got mailed off for a little cosmetic eye fix.  I figured while I was doing that, I'd send two others who were in bad need of tweaking.  To help my readers understand the difference, I will include two photos.  The original followed by the enhanced version.

First, we have the original with the odd eye problem (to me she looks like she has a "sleepy" right eye):

And now, with the pupils brought down and enlarged a little,  drum roll please …

Another photo to show you a more direct look at the eyes:

So, this blog also spotlights the 9th Doll added to my collection in 2014.  With correction, she truly supports being a member of my favorite Fashion Royalty mold and the perfect doll for Summer Vacation Day 44.

The 60 Days of Summer

I decided I would enjoy my collection this summer.  As a teacher, we have an extended break over the summer, so I thought I might focus my blog on photos of a different doll each day.   Since, yesterday, was officially the first day of my summer vacation, this blog will highlight two dolls from my collection.  The first is a doll that keeps coming up for the "chopping block", but always squeaks off it (probably because she reminds me of Ann Margaret).  I don't particularly like blue eye shadow on a doll, but this girl pulls it off.  Her eyes are a very interesting hazel - light green outlined in brown.  they are forward glancing and there is no white underneath them.  She has some of the brightest red hair in my collection.

Shirred Not Shaken Vanessa Perrin was a centerpiece doll from the 2008 Integrity Toys Convention.   She was produced in a limited number of only 160 dolls.  A lottery was held at each table, and attendees who won the opportunity to purchase her paid $175.  She borrowed her ensemble from sister 2011 Dress Code Vanessa.  I don't usually take face forward photos, but I really wanted to share this doll's eyes.  I purchased this doll several years ago nude for a very reasonable price.

The next doll is probably one of the most beautiful dolls ever produced by Integrity Toys.  She is also from 2008.  Her edition size was 850 and she cost $159.  Even with the high edition size, this doll rarely comes available on secondary market; she's just that popular.  I recently purchased a newer handspeak body for this girl.  Here is Most Desired Eugenia Frost.

The ensemble is called "Art Noveau" and was created by Gwendolyn's Treasures.  It was gifted to me by a dear friend.