Self Restraint

After my recent shopping spree (which will be the topic of an upcoming blog), I decided it was time to exercise some self-restraint.  Unfortunately, there was a big doll show in Atlanta this weekend.  I set out with a specific budget in mind.  In addition, my husband and mother-in-law each told me to purchase something for my birthday from them at the show.  So I decided to only take $200 of my own money for spending.

Here is my haul:

I always go completely through the doll show once and then back track to make purchases.  I missed one item I really wanted by doing this, but it would have really hurt my spending anyway.  It was a vintage, NRFB Cara Barbie.  The seller was asking $125 for her and I knew I wouldn't get much more if I spent the majority of my budget on her.  The dealer didn't take plastic, so Cara couldn't come from my husband.

The purchase from my husband was the Grace Kelly "My Romance" Silkstone giftset.  I got it for $59.  I thought that was an extraordinary deal.  My dolls are waiting impatiently to get hold of these outfits!

A very nice dealer whom I had purchased from previously (and she even remembered me) had the retro sofa and coffee table from the 2010 Barbie Convention for sale.  She knew that I played with my dolls and photographed them.  She gets all excited about how I enjoy my collection and doesn't mind giving me a good deal.  ("I'd rather sell to someone like who gets so much pleasure from your dolls than selling to someone who will put it on ebay and make money on me!")  She lowered her price and let me have both the coffee table and the sofa for $45.    I knew I could get some diorama mileage on this, so I was on my way.

After Jurrie posted photos of Victoire Roux wearing the reproduction Gold N Glamour outfit, I had been on the hunt for this ensemble.  I found a collector/seller who had one NRFB for sale.  I got it for $40.  Couldn't pass that up!

Can't wait to get that on one of my girls!  You'll see the doll for sale soon.  One of my followers asked me where I sold items ... I sell strictly on The Doll Page Show and Sell Site.   I sell reasonable and my items usually go fast.  I sell under my first name "robyne".  

I had been looking for some vintage outfits, and one of my bestfriends had set up a booth.  She gave me the "bestfriend discount", so I was able to land this minty and complete American Airlines Stewardess outfit for $40.  It's an outfit I've had my eye on for some time.

I found several other great vintage items.  I passed on some wonderful Mint In Box Barbies (I was sincere about that budget!).  Another seller had several very nice outfits.  I only purchased one vintage zebra bathing suit, a country fair skirt, and a pair of yellow pilgrim shoes.  I got all three pieces for $15.

I also found some odd plastic furniture I thought I could use in various scenes.  It was only $10.  A little girl was selling it to buy some summer clothes.  I couldn't resist.

That brought my total to $150.  I knew I needed some more Kaiser stands.  A lady was selling them for $1 each or $11 for a dozen.  I purchased two dozen of them.  She also had two black stands.  I got those as well.  That was an additional $24.  I still didn't have a gift from my mother-in-law.  I have been wanting this Frank Sinatra Barbie outfit.  I had seen the doll at Tuesday Morning for $19.  The cheapest I saw it at the show was $29.  I stopped by Tuesday Morning's on the way home and picked it up. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find that it has a pivotal body.  I still have enough money left to go back and get another one!  I'll be doing some Frankendolly work on a "Frankie" Barbie.  How strange!

This was the first show I attended without a friend in tow.  I spent less money than I planned (and even the gifts were reasonable priced!).  Maybe friends are a bad influence at a doll show!  Surely, no one can accuse me of that.  I know at least three who would totally disagree with that statement!

Happy Birthday To Me

I had been working on last week's blog for several days.   I was only waiting on the last piece to arrive by USPS to be photographed.  I saw the little mail truck turn the corner on Saturday.  (Feeling like Pavlov's dog, my heart started racing, my palms became moist.)  She didn't turn in?!

I trotted over to my computer and checked the tracking again.  (I had just looked yesterday morning, and it was scheduled for delivery today.)  Oh no!  Something happened!  It was back in California!

Have you ever tried to get a live person on the telephone for USPS?  I found a trick (I googled it).   You dial 1-800-275-8777 and keep yelling "Agent" into the phone.  It actually works!  (Even if it hadn't, I figured yelling at the post office would make me feel better).  I now have a case number, and they are trying to get everything re-routed and sorted out.  They even said I would be contacted within one business day. (Which DID NOT happen.  No e-mail, no call, NOTHING.  And they are operating in the red, why??)

So, here it is Wednesday; I just got word from the seller the item was actually returned to them in California and they are having to ship it again.  I had made a secret promise to myself that I would blog each week, but I am already four days late.  But a birthday doll did arrive today!

I can honestly say that it has been quite some time since a doll arrived that I immediately tore into!

This doll is "Exaggeration" from the Monogram line.  When she was previewed during IDEX, all I could think about was Project Runway's Christian Siriano and his pet-phrase "Hot Mess".  I had no interest in adding her to my collection.  Then I started seeing photos of her on the web. The dress is salmon and taupe, with a navy blue jacket.  Here are the accessories.

So we have a pair of two-tone green faux skin shoes.  The strap is taupe to match the purse.  There is a little gold buckle that you MUST undo to get the strap over the ankle (you really need to use tweezers).  There is an accent chain across the front and metallic heels.  These shoes are awesome and easily compare to the FR2 line.

The acid green gloves are made from quality fabric.  The cut is nice and they fit well.  They are almost the color of Color Therapy Vanessa's dress. 

The jewelry is wonderful.  It is in good scale and the matching pin is a perfect touch.

It is nice to see the return of purses.  This purse is good quality.  It is well-made and quite attractive.

The final accessory is a hair fascinator.  It has a great little comb that actually fits into the hair.  There is a salmon-colored rose attached and some tan-colored ostrich plume feathers.  This is top quality and something I hope to see more of in the future.

Seeing the pieces separately with the jacket and dress (which by the way, has the added detail of a matching belt - NICE TOUCH!), one wonders what tag sale this outfit was pieced together at.  But then as one puts the puzzle together, it somehow works!

I think it is dramatic and breathtaking.  I love everything about the ensemble.

One of the nice additions to the Monogram line this year is the use of eyelashes.  It made an amazing difference.

One of my pet peeves is wonky eyes.  This doll's eyes are perfect.  I also hate unruly hairdo's.  This doll's hair is a perfect chignon, very much like Flawless Elise's.

Overall, I would have to say this doll is one of the very best releases from Integrity in a very long time.  The quality is amazing.  The details and accessories are extraordinary.  She reminds me of all the things that lured me to Integrity in the beginning.  Her price point was a little expensive at her retail release of $160, but I got mine at Marl&B on sale for $110.  Rush over there right now and get your's while they have any available.  This doll is definitely worth that price!