Best of 2024 - Number 8 - Get Ready With Me Nadja Rhymes

I have already completed a review of this gifset: Get Ready With Me Review.  I am a huge fan of this mold and character and love a good giftset with mix and match options.   I am also a fan of casual clothing options for my dolls.

It didn't hurt that Get Ready With Me reminded me a great deal of A Doll's Life Vanessa Perrin from the 2021 IT online convention.   This Nadja is one that I like using the articulated ankle with, so she can be more casual.  Nadja is wearing the ensemble from Style Mantra Eden from 2009 with her original kitten heel shoes.

It's always a challenge to capture the beauty of this skin tone in photos.  Best of 2024 - Number 8 is Get Ready With Me Nadja Rhymes.

Collecting Cycle 2024 - #20 - When Integrity Toys Gets It Right - Get Ready With Me Nadja Rhymes

It has been a minute since I've been excited for a new doll from Integrity Toys that wasn't Poppy Parker.  That changed recently when a very special doll arrived.

The 2nd exclusive doll for the 2023 W Club was announced last November.  It was a giftset celebrating urban culture and fashion.  It was also a "no-brainer" purchase at $199 + SH.  Here is the W Club photo used for promotional purposes.

Get Ready With Me Nadja Rhymes packed a powerful punch with so much mix and match opportunity.   Just look at all the pieces and accessories!

This was one doll that I was eager to get and paid immediately when the invoices went out.  Here is a full length photo of the giftset.  

No disappointment here!  You know there is going to be A LOT of redress and play value from this giftset.  Not to mention, the doll is quite gorgeous in that rich Dark A-Tone skin color.

For me, this was the urban, more edgy version of A Doll's Life Vanessa Perrin from the 2021 Obsession Convention (and one of my very favorite gift sets produced by IT in many years).  

Get Ready With me Nadja Rhymes was packaged wearing her red lingerie (which could actually pass as a bikini) and flat feet on her lower legs.   This allowed me to dress her in the red lace ensemble right away.  Here is a full length photo. 

There were a couple corners cut on this ensemble: 1. The lucite purse is just a thick piece of plastic.  It doesn't open and loses its effect since there can never be anything in it.  2. I would've loved for the sunglasses to have folding arms.  I'm nervous about them snapping since they are one piece of plastic.  I do love the red lenses though!  The kitten heels are much nicer than I expected.  The dress is well cut and sewn perfectly.  The jewelry feels quite sturdy and is well made.  I actually like it quite a bit.

And here is a wonderful closeup.  

Next up was the black denim ensemble.  Now, let me tell you, be prepared to spend some quality time getting this ensemble on the doll.   The halter system of the denim top is just some cheap thread.  Besides not being easy to get the intended pattern for the thread on the doll, it's nearly impossible to tie it and get it to stay tied.   The denim part is lovely and the concept is interesting.  The execution leaves quite a bit to be desired.  It took me forever to get this on my doll and I wound up crossing it at the waist to get it to stay put.  It's lovely, but I don't plan on taking it off anytime soon.

The metal belt was sewn onto the denim skirt, so I didn't try to take it off.  I did have trouble getting it to close in the back.  It would've benefitted from a couple more links.  I used some jewelry pliers which helped get the crab claw clasp to reach the loop.  (Had I detached it where it was sewn onto the skirt, it probably would've been easier to get to close, but it wouldn't have fit so low on her hips.)  The hooks on the back of skirt were extremely tight also.  I finally managed to get it on though, and Nadja will remain in this for a while.  One nice detail is that the skirt has a sewn in black panty.  Sadly, the skirt isn't lined but that was probably intentional.  A nice lining would have elevated the look considerably.

Apparently Tyla wore a similar ensemble on Jennifer Hudson's talk show recently.

I didn't try to put the jacket on at this time.  I was so stressed out from getting the top on, I didn't want to take the chance of the ties coming undone again.  Although the pleather pieces are well made, I'm not sure there will be much shelf life of the jacket, boots, or purse.  This fabric usually starts disintegrating after a couple years.  I guess time will tell.  I would've rather seen a nice denim jacket.

Even though there are a couple criticisms, they are quite minor compared to the quality of the giftset and doll.  I do believe the giftset was well worth the retail price.  (One of the reasons IT collectors should join the W Club.)  Nadja Rhymes 2.0 is one of my favorite molds produced by IT and this one is truly exceptional.   I can't wait to pose her with A Doll's Life Vanessa.   

And here is a closeup of my beautiful new Nadja in her denim ensemble.  Collection Cycle 2024 #20 is Get Ready With Me Nadja Rhymes.

EDIT:  I was able to convince one of my Muses dolls, Moments of Joy Valentina, to try on the pleather jacket to this ensemble.  Here she is wearing the jacket with the pants from Color Infusions Crazy Sexy Cool.

Now, for my biggest complaint.  IT has a habit of using zippers that are impossible re-zip because they cut corners.  Here is a diagram of an open zipper.  

This jacket is such an exceptionally designed piece of wardrobe.  There are those little belt loops on the waist and sleeves with the leather straps that have grommets and hooks.  The silver color blocking is gorgeous.  The neck detail and waist detail are amazing.  Why would Integrity Toys want to ruin this by putting in a zipper without an insertion pin?  This is a common shortcut with IT items with zippers and it drives me crazy.   It's near impossible to get this jacket on a doll without unzipping it (I suggest taking the poor doll apart at the torso and then removing the arms.  Slip the jacket over the armless torso and then reattach everything.  That's the only way to do it without unzipping it.  I took the head off my Muses doll and the arms have elastic bands so I could pull them up out of the way to get the waist band on.  Even with all that, the zipper came undone on its own when I was taking it off the doll.  VERY FRUSTRATING and UNNCECESSARY).

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.

#9 of 2021 - Right Ensemble, Wrong Doll

Doll collectors can sometimes be fickle; they can also be fiercely loyal.  Somewhere between these extremes lies most of us, being hesitant to jump on board a new doll line.  (I can still remember how it took a couple years for Poppy Parker to be embraced by the community!)

Somehow that wasn't the case for Integrity Toys (IT) newest line, Meteor.  It was only introduced last year but was an immediate hit.  IT started the line with modest edition sizes of only 525.  

The Meteor line was marketed as a response to the doll collecting community's cry for more diversity in the dolls being produced.   Although I liked all five of the dolls in the initial lineup, I chose to only purchase the W Club Exclusive Afterglow Keeki Adaeze.  (Photo property of Integrity Toys)

My decision was based on the fact that IT had elected to create yet another body type to go with this line; it's similar to the FR6.0 body but has a larger breast plate.  I knew I could always use Aferglow's ensemble (especially that amazing coat) on a different doll in my collection.  And I loved those boots.

Also, like others, I wanted to wait and see real life photos of the dolls produced.  The story setting for the Meteor collection is a dance club.  The concept is quite nice and the characters all fit well together.  After dolls were shipped they started selling out quickly.  Right now, they can only be obtained on secondary market and at close to double their original prices.

When the next two dolls were revealed, I jumped in.  I'm glad I did.  I'm going to review #9 added to my collection in 2021, Coming Out Navia Phan.  Here is one of the promo shots by Integrity Toys.

Some collectors refer to this ensemble as the Covid19 Coronavirus ensemble because the pattern in the dress has a symbol that sort of looks like the picture of the virus.  I find this so funny, yet so appropriate to the last 18 months!

For some apparent reason, I can't help but see supermodel and "Lip-sync Battle" host Chrissy Teigen in this doll.  I think IT missed the mark by producing this doll in the Japan Skintone.  Here is a photo of the doll in the box.

And a closeup.

Although the ensemble fits the dance club vibe, the doll just looks too innocent and young.  I think IT must have realized this early in the production process because they didn't even use the Meteor body for this doll.  (Larger boobs would've looked ridiculous with that cute face!)  Coming Out Navia Phan was produced using the FR6.0 body.  Here is a missed opportunity because I think they should've take her down at least one more degree to the NuFace2 body.  (The ensemble looks amazing on Billion Dollar Baddie Alejandra Luna!)   

I decided this doll needed to be part of The Industry squad; maybe a personal assistant for Tulabelle.  I put her on a body from The Industry.  She is wearing a Barbie ensemble.  What do you think?  Is anyone else getting the Anne Hathaway "Devil Wears Prada" feel from this?  I think she's going to hang around in my collection for a while.  Tulabelle already has some errands for her to run.

But what about the Coming Out ensemble you ask?  

Why it was snapped up quickly by one of my girls. I Slay Nadja Rhymes didn't allow it any closet time.  She may just have found her "forever ensemble" to be displayed in.

It's That Time Of The Year Again

Registration for the W Club has been officially open for about a week, so I figured I needed to go ahead and share that information with anyone who is living under a rock.  The advertisements and announcements are all over social media, doll boards, and photo hosting sites.  

I can say with pride that I have actually been a member of The W Club since its beginning in 2006 - I still have my membership pin.   I also still have Dressing the Part Agnes von Weiss from that club year.

There are a lot of benefits to joining The W Club.  The most obvious one is having access to the W Club Message Forum.  It's a great place to share information, find answers to questions, get tips for dioramas, and just make some good doll friends.   It is an amazing resource and a must for anyone who collects Integrity Toys products. There is even a "Buy, Sale, and Trade Thread".

Another wonderful thing about the W Club is that you get on the "First To Know" list.  Whenever a new line of dolls is going to be introduced and sold publicly through dealers, The W Club hosts a "Reveal Event".   The W Club has an agreement with dealers that W Club members get an advance ordering window before the dolls become available to the general public.  (Most dolls are sold out before they even get advertised on websites!)

Whenever there is a W Club Reveal, there is usually an exclusive "Event Doll" that is offered to all W Club members.  That makes it very exciting.  Some of these dolls are the most sought after dolls in collections.   

Speaking of "Event Exclusives", The W Club guarantees five "made-to-order" exclusives sold only to W Club Members.  Some of these are phenomenal giftsets like:  Fame & Fortune Vanessa Perrin, The Faces of Adele Makeda, Split Decision Poppy Parker, Looks A Plenty Poppy Parker, Metamorphosis Erin Salston, etc.  Even dolls that aren't part of gift sets can be quite phenomenal.  Last year's Mademoiselle Lilith and Eden Blair dolls (sold separately) were #2 in my Best of 2020 Countdown.

In addition to "made-to-order" W Club Exclusives, there are W Club Lottery Opportunities of very limited dolls.  That's how Optic Verve Agnes Von Weiss made her way to my collection.  

Since there are several lottery opportunities offered throughout the year, most collectors choose to purchase multiple memberships.  It increases one's odds of winning.  I usually purchase two memberships, one for me and one for my spouse, in case we go to the convention together.  That way we both can attend The W Club Luncheon.  Did I forget to mention that another perk was there is a special luncheon at the IT Convention just for W Club members?  It always includes one doll in the cost of the luncheon and the opportunity to purchase the centerpiece!

And all of this can be yours for the paltry fee of $50.  But wait!  There's more!

When you register for The W Club, you get a $25 gift certificate for each membership that can be used for any purchase over $99.   (So your membership really only costs $25!)

And when you register, you get the option to purchase "Upgrade Dolls".   That's right!  From the very start you are given the opportunity to get new dolls!  For the past few years, there have been three different opportunities:  1 Fashion Royalty, 1 NuFace, and 1 Poppy Parker.  Two of my very favorite dolls in my collection were upgrades dolls:  Going Public Eugenia Frost and To The Fair Poppy Parker. When you register you can choose to buy any or all of these dolls.  If you purchase multiple memberships, you can purchase multiple upgrade dolls.  Registrants are required to pay a $25 deposit for each doll with their registration payment.  They are billed the remainder of the cost + shipping when the dolls are ready to ship.

Here are the Upgrade Dolls for 2021.  (All photos are property of Integrity Toys/IT)

First up, we have the Fashion Royalty Upgrade, Bijou Elyse Jolie.  

There was a lot of discontent last year because Elyse didn't show up at the convention.  Designer Jessy Ayala made up for that by bringing her to collectors as an upgrade.  Bijou Elyse Jolie is an interpretation of model Iman.  This is the first time Elyse has been produced in the A-Tone skin color.    She comes with some pretty cute accessories.

Her price is $140.  I really like the elegance of this version of Elyse.  In my opinion, the taste level of the ensemble is questionable.  Unless they lower the hem, my girl's gown will probably be sold on secondary market.  The doll, however, is breathtaking.  I knew I didn't want to take the chance of passing on this doll and then having to seek her out on secondary market after "in real life" photos started showing up when she was released.

The Nuface offering got me very excited!  This version is called Fit To Print Nadja Rhymes.  Nadja Rhymes has appeared in so many different skin tones!  This is her first time in Hungarian, and it is the first time "Cinnamon" has been used for a hair color.

A photo of her accessories.

Her price is also $140.  This purchase a "no-brainer".   Ever since Jessy Ayala started designing the NuFace line, my NuFace collection has tripled in size!  The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes from the 2020 IT Convention was my favorite doll of last year.  The "baby hair" is very on-trend right now.

The final doll is Pink Lemonade Poppy Parker.

This doll represents the pink haired companion doll to the 2019 Style Lab "Heads Up" doll with lemon yellow hair.   (She often sells upwards of $1000 when she can be found secondary market.)    I love the ensemble and the fact that she has high heel feet/ankles.  

Like her sister, she is in the Japan skin tone.  Her price is also $140.  Although I am a little concerned about the "nylon" hair, I need this ensemble in my life!

... So what are you waiting for?  You only have until March 8, at 5:00 p.m. EST to join.   I actually ordered all three dolls.  I'm rarely disappointed with W Club Exclusives.  Hope to see you in the forum!

Oops!  I guess it would help to have the website.  It's W Club Registration

Best of 2020 - Number 1: The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes

As much as I love Petite Robe Classique Jour Adele Makeda, mold 2.0, I just couldn't ignore the effect the Number 1 doll has had on me.   I actually gasped the first time I saw a photo of this doll! 

It isn't easy to capture her inside the purple neon box liner.

Removing this doll and her accessories from the box was an out-of-body experience.   Upon releasing the doll and removing the plastic liner of the bodice, you realize the intricate details of the beading, under net, and fringe skirt.  My doll actually has twenty loops of beading.  There are 10 loops at the top and ten strands in the bodice.  This is where the inconsistency at the factory becomes apparent.  Some versions have less beading and it causes the top to look less "finished".   

Then there are the accessories ... the jewelry - where did they find these earring hoops?  Such lovely tiny little etchings.  The bracelets!  

Here is a full length photo (please know that I apologize for my lack of photographic skills with this nubian skin tone).

Then you move on to the shoes!  The neon yellow (which shouldn't work, but it does!)  The leopard print detail on the back which matches the lining of the purple faux fur.   It's hard to take in all the visual beauty of the different layers.   It's like they took the Byron Lars Barbie dolls and filled one with steroids!

I took her outside hoping to get a better picture.

I believe The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes elevated my doll collecting directly into art.  This isn't simply a beautifully dressed doll, it is truly an expression of creativity.   I am gobsmacked.  Speechless.  There just aren't words.  

I keep photographing her, hoping to get a perfect shot.

This doll makes me want to be a better photographer.

I only wish I could afford two - one to redress and one to stand forever in my collection as presented. 

This doll is truly a feast for the eyes.

Best of 2020 - Number 1:  The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes.  

The Ocean Tide ...

NOTE:  Before I get started, I want to send my deepest concerns for the safety of all those who are reading my blog.  I hope this blog can help provide a diversion to the panic and anxiety surrounding the current pandemic crisis.  Stay safe and always choose kindness.

I finally came up with an appropriate metaphor for managing my collection; it's like trying to manage the ocean tides! 

I have really put my mind to selling off dolls that need new homes.  If you've noticed the left sidebar, 17 dolls have left here this year!  That's more than twice what I sold the entire year of 2019.   And it's just March!  The tide is out.

I was feeling full of myself when I had to check my e-mails and find that the W Club had just sent me notices that some of my preorders were ready for payment and shipping.   That really popped my balloon of euphoria!  The tide came back in ...

First up is Your Motivation Erin Salston.  Here is a promo photo from Integrity Toys (IT).  

And the accessories (photo again from IT).

Here is a production photo of the doll that arrived this week.

Full length in box.

I pre-ordered this doll as a consolation for not getting Heiress Erin Salston from the 2017 Heirloom Collection.  It's funny how things turn out.  I was on a doll board and another collector was selling a nude Heiress at a great price.  I jumped on it.  So Heiress Erin Salston (Number 6 of 2020) finally joined my collection right before these girls arrived.

That means Your Motivation Erin would be Number 9 of 2020.  That is if she stays.  I'm not sure I like her as much as Heiress and they are rather similar.

Arriving with Your Motivation was Like No Other Nadja Rhymes.  A photo from IT:

The accessories (also a photo from IT):

The doll that arrived.

And a full length shot.

Like No Other Nadja Rhymes shows up as #8 of 2020.  I'm actually eager to get this one out!

When shipments arrive at Integrity Toys warehouses, they ship as much as they can together.  Not only did I have to come up with payments for Erin and Nadja, the Friend or Foe Poppy Parker/Ginger Gilroy giftset was billed at the same time!

A nice IT photo of these girls.

And IT's photo of the accessories.

Here is a real life photo of the giftset that arrived.

The Poppy Parker is not getting a lot of collector support right now.

All of the interest is going to her counterpart in the giftset, Ginger Gilroy; every fan of Poppy has been eagerly awaiting this frenemy!  

Collectors are loving her.  I think she reminds me of that doll called Mizi.  

If they stay, they will Friend or Foe Poppy Parker #11 of 2020, and Friend or Foe Ginger Gilroy #10 of 2020.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Unfortunately I could not bond with either doll in this giftset.  I am looking forward to the Ginger character with a different screening.  The giftset was sold NRFB, so they are not included as #10 and #11 of my Collection Additions for 2020.

And here I thought my ratio of dolls leaving to coming in was 2:1.  Hopefully I can find homes for some dolls before IT's next shipment arrives!