Jason Wu Event IX

Today, I realized that in less than three weeks I would be at my first doll convention EVER.  Time sort of sneaked up on me.  I'm beginning to feel a little excited, but also a little apprehensive about the money that will be spent.

In some ways I hope the collection isn't phenomenal, so I won't return home with buyer's remorse and an empty pocket book.  In other ways, I am hoping it's everything I can imagine.  With that said, I decided to put together my "Best of Jason Wu Event Dolls".  It took me a long time to narrow it down to 12 dolls that currently reside in my collection.  Without further ado.

#12 - 2011 Jason Wu Event VIII:  The Silhouette Collection/Fauboug Saint Honore Victoire Roux.   This doll really rekindled my collecting last year.  I usually go into a new line kicking and screaming, but the vintage appeal of this girl couldn't be denied.  She is wearing the suit from Foreign Affair Giftset.  (Note: I dressed the girls in some of my favorite Integrity fashions.)

#11 - 2009 Jason Wu Event VI:  Optic Clash Dania Zarr.  This doll is stunning.  I haven't even been able to take her out of her box yet.  She takes my breath away.

#10 - 2010 Jason Wu Event VII:  Smoke Screen Dania Zarr.   Many people don't like this doll's eyebrows, but I love everything about her.  She has a more mature look and is so elegant.  She is wearing Silver Society.

#9 - 2009 Jason Wu Event VI:  Diamond Society Eugenia Frost.  Another girl still NRFB.  What can I say?  Her presentation is perfect.

#8 - 2007 Jason Wu Event IV:  The Royal Weiss Agnes Von Weiss wearing Hopelessly Captivating.   This Agnes gets some of the most playtime at my house.  She looks good everything.

#7 - 2009 Jason Wu Event VI:  Luxe Life Vanessa.  Vanessa is one of my very favorite molds, and I was seriously surprised that only one made it into my top 12 - but what a doll to be included!  She is one of the most regal dolls Integrity has ever produced.   She is wearing Purple Factor.

#6 - 2009 Jason Wu Event VI:  Blue Blood Elise.  Someone in the W Club described their feelings about Elise in a perfect way.  He said, "Integrity made him change how he defined beauty in a doll with Blue Blood Elise."  I love this description.  Here she is wearing Femme du Monde.

#5 - 2009 Jason Wu Event VI:  Silver Zinger Agnes.  This doll's raised eyebrow is pure genius.  One of  the most unique faceups on any doll.   Five dolls from the Iconic Convention made it into my top 12.   I hope this year's convention will rival Jason Wu Event VI.  I will come home a very happy FR collector.

#4 - 2004 Jason Wu Event I:  Cosmetic Takeover Natalia Fatale.   This doll will always represent Natalia to me.  She is so sexy and sultry.  I have owned many Natalia dolls, but this is the only one who stays.  She is wearing Riveting Premiere.

#3 - 2011 Jason Wu Event VIII:  Bare Essentials Collection/Integrity Direct Day Dania Zarr.  I was very surprised that this mold took 25% of the spots in my top 12.   I am really hoping there will be a Dania Zarr at this year's convention.   Day is wearing one of the best Integrity Little Black Dresses - Flawless.

#2 - 2008 Jason Wu Event V: The Muse Adele.  This doll is another doll that tests a collector's view of beauty.  I think she is the best version of an African American doll ever produced for an Integrity Convention.   Here she is wearing Wrapped in Decadence.

#1 - 2008 Jason Wu Event VI:  Fine Jewel Eugenia.  I paid more for this doll than any doll I've ever bought.  She is perfection.  Wearing Lap of Luxury, I believe she represents everything that is Jason Wu - class, elegance, fashion, beauty.

I hope you liked my list.  I do have one more though.  Here is the "Best Jason Wu Event Doll That I Do Not Own":   High Drama Eugenia from 2007 Jason Wu Event IV. Photo property of Integrity Toys.

When Life Gets In the Way

I have tried to write a new entry every few days and never let two or more weeks come between me and my followers.  Whether anyone realizes it or not, those of you who visit, those of you who comment, make this hobby my "special place" to escape and get away from it all.

Unfortunately, sometimes you can run, but you can't hide.  School started back for teachers the end of July here.  With all of the changes and new expectations, I am spending 12+ hours away from home many days each week.  When I get here, it is straight to bed.  My father had five by-passes about 11 years ago.  He had a complete blockage in one and got a pacemaker put in last week.

Thank goodness for a three day weekend!   I had promised photos of the doll collection I purchased from e-bay a couple weeks ago.  Here is the group shot.  Excluding the shoes and jewelry, all of these clothing items were included in the double Barbie Trunk in the photo.

But, there were shoes included!  Anyone who purchases vintage Barbie shoes knows that one pair of regular shoes costs at least $10.   Those red spikes sell regularly for upwards of $50.

Some of the items needed minor cleaning or steaming.   This is a photo of my favorite ensembles from the trunk.  The blue pantsuit is one I've wanted to add to my collection for a very long time.  The TNT doll on the right was included in the purchase of the trunk full of clothes.

One of my new favorite television shows is "Picked Off".  It's a competition where teams of two individuals are given $100 and are challenged to find the most valuable items for their money.  I love this game.  Sometimes I play it with my husband when we go to Antique Stores/Flea Markets.   However, recently I made out like a bandit on E-bay.  I purchased a clothing lot for $100.  Here is a fashion show of what I got.

I didn't spend a lot of time styling my girls.  I just grabbed girls many of whom were nude and in the "considering to sell" pile.  I'm not sure about this dress.   I'm sure it could be styled better, but I'm going to have to work with it. Dress Code Vanessa says, "That's the last time I agree to be a bridesmaid."

Graphic Language Adele responds, "I thought this was what you meant when you said we had to earn our keep."  She is very hoochie mama!  Actually, I really like this crochet dress.

Exclusive Interview Dania actually looks quite nice in this knit suit.

Here it is without the jacket with the hat turned around.

There were two summer long dresses in the collection. First up is Current Pursuits Vanessa.  She seems to be tentative for modeling, "Why was I in the maybe to sell pile?"

And Criminally Chic Kyori wears the other.

I actually forgot how lovely this doll really is.  Maybe she will be moved to the "gonna stay" pile.

The seller included an outfit that wasn't originally pictured.  She had a cute little note explaining that the straps had been repaired, but she wanted to send it along.  A couple snips with the scissors and we have a strapless sundress.  Buena Sera Kyori looks lovely in this ensemble.  I sent a "thank you" e-mail to the seller.

An outfit that I thought I was going to really love I am having difficulty fitting on the girls.  Here is FNO wearing it.

This doll actually photographs much better than I expected.  I may have to take her off The Doll Page.

There were two straight sheaths in the box.  Fallen Angel Star Doll is wearing the other.  This one fit easier.

Another model borrowed from The Doll Page is Suited Luxury Adele.

These were the first nine outfits from the box.  Then the outfits started getting more serious.  First up, again borrowed from The Doll Page, is Hollywood Suited Lana.  I love this vintage dress.

There were two versions of this outfit.  I thought this would look great on Victoire.   She hadn't been redressed in a while.  (I opened up the front to show you the lining.  There is an orange net full slip underneath.)  What do you think?

Speaking of vintage.  My newest Brunette Bubblecut arrived nude and needed something to wear.

There was a second version of this dress.  A committee member dropped by to model.  Here is AFL Vanessa.

I love her in this.  I had to have a closeup.

I couldn't leave out Chaundra and Dee.  They got some cute casual outfits.  Unfortunately, most of the outfits were cut for larger busts, but the girls wanted to model too!

Chaundra's outfit was with a coordinating package of clothing.  There is a white blouse and hat.  There there is a full skirt and matching blouse in the same pattern as the slacks.  Here is Power Game Natalia wearing this outfit.  Somehow I had never realized how lovely this Natalia could be.  This outfit really suits her well.

I had tried the clothing with FR2, FR, DG, Victoire, and Vintage Barbie.  I wondered how a Silkie would pull it off.  Here is Silkstone Lingerie #6.

I thought that would be one of my less favorite outfits, but I was wrong.  Here is Going Public Eugenia in a different version of the same dress.

Runway Right Away Vanessa tried on an eyelet ensemble.

I saved some of my favorite ensembles for last.   Here is Evermore Veronique.  This outfit had a cute little pink hair piece but it just didn't work with the model's hair.

Iconic Lana stopped by from The Doll Page also.

The reason I purchased this box of clothing was that there was a Dressmaker Details ensemble included mint-in-box.  It was a dress that I had been wanting to purchase for a very long time, but it is always too expensive.  (A NRFB one is currently on e-bay with a BIN of $289.)   It is called "Jolie En Noir".

And who got to model this ensemble.

"Oh, PLEASE!  Did you have any doubt?  I am the ROYAL Weiss after all."  Agnes grabbed it up immediately.

So for I got 22 outfits in total.  Some came with shoes.  Many came with hats.  Several had petticoats.  These cost less that $5 each.

I was talking to my best doll friend about this purchase over the phone.  I am going to attend the Integrity Convention at the end of the month.  I told her that my original plan to give many of these outfits as table gifts.  She laughed so hard at me.  She knows my dolls are clothes horses.  What am I going to do now?