Open Your Eyes - For a Big Surprise - Fifth Doll of 2014 - Paparazzi Bait Adele #2

As a child, I liked to play the game "Open you mouth and close your eyes, and you will get a big surprise."  I bet many of you played that game also.

My fixation on stray doll hairs is no news.  It's one of the reasons I leave many of my girls with stock hair.  When on display and away from the camera, I keep them in hairnets looking like some pretty high paid cafeteria workers!

There have been times I have tried to fix a doll's hair, only to mess them up royally.  I wind up selling them cheaply on The Doll Page and buying a replacement at secondary market prices.  This is not good on the bank account, so it has taught me to leave well enough alone.

Last year, I was able to purchase a doll from my Grail List, Paparazzi Bait Adele.  She was in original condition, was a very good price, and came from one of my blog followers.  You may remember her.  Since her hair was original, I chose to leave it alone.

As anyone who has been collecting dolls for any length of time can tell you, you quickly realize the importance of being in the "right place at the right time".   Someone recently sold a small lot of played with dolls on e-bay for a steal of a price.  (I got three complete dolls and another DG head for $75!)  One of those dolls was Paparazzi Bait Adele.

The doll in the auction had her hair brushed out and needed her eyelashes fixed.  Her body had already started turning color.  When she arrived, I transferred her to an extra body I already had here, fixed the eyelashes, and cleaned up the hair.

What do you think?   I got a "really big surprise"!   This experience has "opened my eyes" to take more risks with brushing out a doll's hair.  I believe I may like my new Adele better than her stock sister.

So now I have twins.  Unfortunately, this is not the first time I've done anything like this.  I sometimes keep a favorite doll in stock presentation and purchase a second one for redress play.    Maybe not very smart, but it allows me to enjoy my hobby more.

 For now, this is my new girl and I think she's going to stay around for a long while!

Fourth Doll of 2014 - Second Skin Vanessa

I took a chance with the last W Club ITBE lottery and put one ticket for each membership on just one doll - Second Skin Vanessa.   I knew she would be impossible to get on the secondary market, and I was so happy when I won the chance to purchase her for $75.   Here she is in her box.

Second Skin uses the lamentably retired 1.0 mold.  Devoted collectors of this mold have been demanding its return, so Integrity Toys gave them their wish with a twist.  They gave her a different skin tone.  Here's the closeup.

I was worried sick about this doll's hair.  Everyone knows how OCD I am about my dolls' hair.  Fortunately, Second Skin Vanessa has great hair.

Here is a photo from behind.  I think it's almost as good as Ginza Kyori's hair.

To control this exceptional mane, I decided to keep the curls protected by tying a black ribbon to keep them secured in a ponytail.  Now, I don't have to worry too much about jewelry or clothing getting tangled and messing up the hair.  When Second Skin is not being photographed, I will keep a black hairnet over the hair to keep the curls tight.

A very odd controversy has popped up with this doll - "Is she?" or "Isn't she?"   I've seen some remarks on this that could be taken offensively, though I'm sure they were never intended that way.   I just assumed this doll was African American.   Some people insist that she remains "Caucasian Vanessa" and has just been in the tanning bed too long.  Some have called her "Brazilian" or "Indian".   Some say, "This just isn't Vanessa."

The skin tone is definitely not easy to photograph.  Depending on whether you use studio or natural lighting, the tone can look very different.

Growing up in a bi-racial family, I realize that people come in all colors with all types of facial features. I embrace Vanessa with this new skin tone and think she is exceptional.  For me, personally, she is a beautiful example of a woman of color, and I am excited to have added her to my collection.

I'm sure she will make many redress appearances on this blog, but for now, I love her just as presented. If this is "Basic Edition", I can't wait to see what is to come from Integrity Toys!  I'm probably going to be serious trouble!