Best of 2023 - Number 8

There are certain dolls in my collection that I return to often for redress and photography.   One of those is Shapeshifter Natalia Fatale.  She has always been in my Top 10 of all the dolls in my collection.  I've owned many other versions of Natalia Fatale mold 2.0, but most do not stick around for long.  

When Integrity Toys (IT) announced that Natalia Fatale would be part of the next round of Basic Edition dolls, I was skeptical.  Even the promo photos didn't impress me.  But ... when collectors started posting their production dolls pictures, I had to re-evaluate my position!  (After all, Malibu Sky Agnes Von Weiss and Natural High Lilith Blair are also Basic Edition dolls!)

Beach Bombshell Natalia Fatale looks good in everything.  Here she is wearing her original swimsuit, the skirt from 2009's Red Zinger Dania Zarr, and the blazer from 2012's Opium Ayumi Nakamura.  

The minute I saw her makeup pallet, I immediately thought of this Antonio Realli evening gown.  

Best of 2023 is Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty Basic Edition Bombshell Beach Natalia Fatale:

(BTW ... she is still available in the Integrity Toys store for $115 - if you are a W Club member, sign in to your account and get $16 off!  Here is the link:  Bombshell Beach Natalia Fatale - IT is closed for the holidays but you should be able to pick her after New Year's.)

Best of 2023 - Number 9

I had to go back and look over my "Best of " lists for the past 12 years to confirm this, but a doll from The Industry has never appeared in my Top 10.  That is until 2023.

I  really like the character Tulabelle True.  I like the backstory that she is Poppy Parker's granddaughter living in modern times.  I like the fact that instead of being a model she is an influencer and maintains a strong and respected presence in social media.   I like the clothing of The Industry, the characters, and especially Tulabelle True mold 2.0.  I think it helps matters that both Poppy Parker and The Industry are designed by Integrity Toys favorite David Buttry.  

I actually own every version of Tulabelle True mold 2.0.  Even though she did not make the countdown, Yeti for You is one of my favorite dolls from 2019 (no fault of the doll, 2019 was just a fabulous year for beautiful dolls).  I added glasses to Yeti for You in my photos and fell totally in love with her.  Here is one of my earlier photos.

You cannot imagine how excited I was to find a pair glasses included with Trending Tulabelle True.  David Buttry and I share an aesthetic when it comes to this mold.  It also doesn't hurt that this doll is just so gosh-darned photogenic!

Even though Trending Tulabelle True was announced in 2022, she wasn't received by collectors until early 2023.  She was Number 18 of my 2023 Collecting Cycle.  The minute I opened the box, I fell in love.  Best of 2023 Number 9 is Trending Tulabelle True.