While We Are Waiting ...

The 2011 lines of Barbie and Integrity Toys are just being released.  We got a preview of the Mattel line-up when the Barbie Club opened for 2011 membership.  Tomorrow, members of the W Club will get to preview the new Integrity Lines.  So what do we do while we wait?  Of course, the W Club kept members hopping with the introduction of 2 Monograms and an accessory set, an exclusive Poppy (I Love How You Love Me), the early introduction of the FR2 line went live for preorders, Veronique made a comeback, the upgrade dolls to the club were offered, and we got "up close and personal" with Carol Roth.  Lots of dolly dollar damage here.

But these were offered through the W Club and many non-members weren't able to secure the dolls.  So what exactly does one do while they are waiting?  First we shop!  That's right.  I spent some money on clothing.  I got this great blue, velveteen mini skirt and matching jacket from The Doll Page for Chaundra.  She is seen wearing the outfit here as she inspects a big box of rement that just arrived from Hong Kong.

She was surprised to find eight boxes in this big box.  Each of the eight boxes held a wonderful surprise for my girls ... something to help them wait. 



The first box was exciting to open.  Chaundra decides to take a load off her feet and enjoy the contents. 

A bottle of wine, cheesecake, and a little vase of flowers.  How thoughtful!  A fork was included and a wine glass.  This is just too good to enjoy alone.

Chaundra decides to make a "booty call".

To her delight, her boyfriend brings along a companion!

They decide to open box #2.  How wonderful!  Two more glasses, another bottle of wine.  A cork screw (she was afraid she was going to have to chew the other one off!).  By the way, all of the items remove from the box.

Ken #2 insists on inviting another friend.  To Chaundra's chagrin, Sooki arrives.  She is wearing a red pair of pants purchased from someone who posts on Doll Divas (Matthew Sutton).  These were from the DG workshop at the 2010 Convention.   I was excited to find these.  The unfortunate thing about Integrity Toys is they keep changing the length of doll's legs.  We have the short FR's and the tall FR's.  Then we have the short DG's, and now the taller DG's.  The taller DG's are shorter than the tall FR's.  I guess that means we have 3 sizes of leg length now.  Naturally, it is hard to keep pants for all of these different lengths.

Oh no!  The doorbell rings.  It is Chaundra's next door neighbor Poppy.  "I saw all of the wonderful boxes and figured you could use some ice for your drinks!"  (The ice bucket, bottle, and items on the coffee table were in box #3.)  Poppy is wearing a Barbie Denim Basics outfit.

Things begin to get rowdy as the party and drinking progresses.  Naturally, the neighbors from across the street ... "The TALL girls" show up.  Not only do we purchase clothes and accessories while we wait for the unveiling of the new doll lines, we add to our collection.  These are three new dolls bought in 2011 and all represent grails I've been waiting to collect for many years.  I got each of them for retail or less.  The Gene is wearing the shorts/sweater outfit from the the Ask Any Girl Poppy Parker Giftset.  I purchased this in 2011 also.

"It took THREE of us to carry the keg!"  (Box #4)

"Don't forget me!"  Blue chip was the fourth, and only other doll, purchased in 2011 thus far.  She is carrying what came in Box #5.

 Also in Box #5 is the following accessories.  They are wonderful.

"I'll just find a comfortable seat here on the sofa with my new friends."  Sooki and Ken need more wine!

What was in Box #6.

The landlady crashes the party. It is Agnes in her dress that was purchased this year.  "I think I will allow myself to indulge a little!"  (This dress by Wandy, as well as the velveteen suit from the 2009 DG workshop, was purchased from Matty P. @ My Navy Blue: Dolls on the show and sell)

It's hard to see, but Box #7 had a wine rack, another bottle of wine, some pate, another wine glass.  Box #8 had cigars, an ashtray and another bottle of wine (all items on the coffee table).  Ayumi is wearing another dress purchased this year (from Judi in NC) and Dania is wearing a skirt I got off The Doll Page.  Fun was had by all ... maybe a little too much fun by Agnes.  She fell off her stand as I was taking the photo.  Also notice that Chaundra has TWO bottles of wine on her lap.  This was supposed to be a relaxing evening, afterall.

This box of wine items was a steal for $15 and $15 shipping.  It took about two weeks to get here.  It was full of fabulous accessories for a party.   Here is the link to the seller.  http://cgi.ebay.com/Miniatures-Orcara-Art-Red-Wine-Set-8-/200574029202?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb324cd92  As this blog was posted, there were 9 sets available in this auction.  He has now sold out.  I have contacted the seller and asked them to list more if they are available.  There is still two sellers on e-bay with these in stock.  One seller has 5 sets and they are $18.00 plus $15 shipping.   The link is   http://cgi.ebay.com/Orcara-International-Red-Wine-Culture-Re-ment-size-FL-/290474255155?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a19d6333  There is another seller who has the same sets for $19.99 BIN with $15 shipping (10 sets available).  Their link is  http://cgi.ebay.com/Orcara-Miniature-Red-Wine-Culture-Set-8-pcs-/150492744870?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230a110ca6 

Of course tomorrow, there will be no $30 deals.  With the preorders for Integrity Lines and the exclusive doll from the on-line event, I am sure that I will be experiencing a "cashectomy".    Wish me luck!

The Shame Of It All ...

I guess some of you figured I had fallen off the face of the earth or my husband had discovered my credit card bill and put a quick end to my collecting frenzy.  Others of you probably figured my dolls had gotten together and decided to tie me up in a box somewhere to let me see how it feels.

Which brings me to my blog this week.  My first NRFB purchase this year was Elise.  As many of you know, one of my New Year's Resolutions was to not purchase any more dolls and keep them in their boxes.  Either they come out of the box, or they get passed on to another collector.  I even posted a ballot for this doll to allow my followers to help me make my decision.  The majority rules ... Blue Blood Elise came out of the box.

 I was very nervous about releasing her because she was so pristine.  Her box was signed by Jason Wu and she is #33 of 350 dolls produced.  Even though I got her at a great price (at least according to what her going price is), I was very hesitant.  Anytime I pay more than $150 for a doll, I am uncomfortable playing with her.  As a teacher, that's a lot of money for me.

I feel like many NRFB collectors are sometimes shamed by other collectors for leaving their dolls in the box.  You hear things like "Boxes are dolly prisons."  "They want to be out."  "They need to be played with to be appreciated."  "How could you do this to these wonderful girls?"  I know I've felt this shame myself.  I don't believe it is malicious or intended to be mean.  Those who love playing with their dolls truly believe them to have character and personality.  I know Chaundra is just full of attitude.

My husband recently told me that I should take all of the dolls out I plan to keep, display them, and "enjoy" them.  Afterall, I worked hard for the money I spent on them.  It's hard to explain to someone that sometimes you can "enjoy" a doll just as much from gazing at her perfect beauty within her original packaging.  There is something satisfying from the knowledge that this doll has never felt human hands.  It's a sense of purity.   

As such, on the flip side, NRFB collectors may feel like deboxers are "damaging works of art."  "You wouldn't change the hair on the Mona Lisa or put a new body on the Venus de Milo, would you?"  NRFB dolls view collecting dolls much like collecting little original pieces of artwork.  There's nothing wrong with that view either.
 

I will not deny that Elise needed to be removed from her packaging to be fully appreciated.  She is gorgeous.  There's no doubt about that.  I believe the Festive Decadence Agnes dress looks better on her than the dress she originally came wearing.  I enjoyed photographing her and do not regret taking her out of her box at all.  I'm glad I did.  She adds a very special element to my collection.   I don't know if I will change her hair or not.  I like it like it is for now.

I counted my dolls.  Right now I have 69 dolls on display.  I also have 56 dolls in their boxes.  Some will come out eventually, but I really do get satisfaction from keeping some of them just as they are.  At least for now.  These include A Brighter Side Kyori which is the only Atelier Giftset I own.  I love how it is presented.

I know that Glow Vanessa will be released someday.  But I really do love her in her dress and she looks lucious just as she is.

Intimately Acquanted Luchia was the very first Luchia and I am in love with how much she looks like Helena Bonham Carter.  I can't imagine her redressed.  She is exquisite.

And Integrity's tribute to Karen Walker cannot be matched.  This giftset is perfect in every way.  I just cannot bring myself to take out Born To Gamble Kyori.  For now, she remains NRFB.

I'm not going to allow myself to feel guilty for keeping these dolls in their boxes.  I have 69 other dolls that overwhelm me daily to be redressed and played with.  These other girls represent, what I believe to be, some of the best presentations of Integrity Dolls ever.  I'm proud to own them and get a thrill by taking them out occasionally and enjoying them thoroughly just by looking at them in their original presentations.  I guess I am "part deboxer" and "part NRFB".  I like to think of it as a happy balance.
Everyone has the right to collect dolls and enjoy them in their own special way.  I believe we should all support our fellow collectors regardless of whether they debox or leave their dolls pristine.  That's one thing I love about collecting dolls, there are so many supportive, loving, and wonderful people in the hobby.

I am going to try to stick to my New Year's Resolution however trying it might be.  I just know this year I will find at least one doll I resist setting free.  It will be a test of my will power.   Maybe I can compromise.  I can release another doll for any doll I decide to keep in her box.  What do you think?