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So … the new ITBE dolls have arrived and photos are being posted.   It turns out Love Roulette Vanessa does indeed have a head that is a different color from her body.  The sad thing is that no one seems to be able to find a suitable body donor that actually does match her head.  That's too bad because she is a gorgeous doll IRL (In Real Life).

My Dark Side Anja arrived safely.

Unfortunately, her left iris is a little off screen. IT is sending me a replacement.  This happened to two of my dolls last year.  I hope it's not consistent throughout the year.

After seeing all of the posted photos, I was disappointed that I didn't win the lottery opportunity to purchase Entice Kesenia; she is striking.   The doll I was most surprised by was Buxom Veronique.  The promo photos of  Buxom Veronique were not nearly as good as the doll produced.  I regretted not entering for her and actually wound up purchasing her from my dealer.

I think she is going to look amazing with her sister, Second Skin Vanessa.

I decided I couldn't afford the secondary market prices on the other girls.  After my last post, I started watching Mister Dollface and E-bay for Red Strike Janay.  I found her at the original retail price of $75.  I couldn't believe my luck.

She is much better when photographed in natural light.

She is wonderful out of the box.

And even better redressed!

Last week I went through my collection and decided to sell my duplicates.  One of the dolls I let go was Paparazzi Bait Adele.  She is so beautiful.

I have another that has her hair brushed out and looks amazing.  Here she is wearing Glow Vanessa's gown.

I love this doll!

But I sort of miss the one I sold.  Oh … well ….

Summer Vacation Day 37

Now that we've seen all the characters (16) and all the mold revisions (8), it's time to move on to some of my favorite dolls.

On June 6, my blog focused on Follow the Line Kesenia.  I had dressed her for the current Integrity Toys theme "Urban Jungle".   The flickr site is busy right now with this theme as well.  I was included in a Tag Game on this and needed to prepare another photo.  I chose one of my very favorite dolls for this, Paparazzi Bait Adele Makeda.

When I really like a doll, I sometimes get a duplicate of her.  I have twins of Paparazzi Bait.  One with factory hair and this version whose hair I really like combed out.   Paparazzi Bait Adele was released in 2007 in an edition size of 1200 and only cost $80 retail.   She is wearing the coat to the 2013 Irresistible Dania and an artisan's skirt.

That mane of hair just seems to scream "Urban Jungle" to me.

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!