tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59223787756151924912024-03-05T15:20:12.825-06:00VoicethingMonster High reviews, observations, pics, and more!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-34389120711801249292014-04-04T11:45:00.000-05:002014-04-09T04:25:53.125-05:00I'm gonna tell you about love...<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's forget your life</div>
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Forget your problems</div>
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Administration, bills, and loans</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Come with me...</span></div>
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In the demonstration of this evidence</div>
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Some have called it religion</div>
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This is not a coincidence</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Would you like to try?</span></div>
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Put away your past</div>
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Love will never last</div>
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<span style="color: red;">If you're holding on</span></div>
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To a dream that's gone</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Don't let it get you down</span></div>
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Keep the fighting spirit and <span style="color: #3d85c6;">turn your head around</span></div>
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Don't let it take you in</div>
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Keep the fighting spirit and you'll begin again</div>
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Poor is the man</div>
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Whose pleasures depend</div>
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On the permission of another</div>
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Nothing takes the past away like the future</div>
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Nothing makes the darkness go like the light</div>
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I realize that nobody wins</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Something is ending</span> and <span style="color: #3d85c6;">something begins</span></div>
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Nothing really matters, love is all we need</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Everything I give you all comes back to me</span></div>
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I'm gonna tell you about love</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Would you like to try?</span></div>
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There's no love like the future love</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Come with me...</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://voicething-john.tumblr.com/">voicething-john.tumblr.com</a></u></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Monster High</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ever After High</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Barbie</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Jem</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Jokes, fun, and more</span></b></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-53740650605106517622014-02-27T03:25:00.000-06:002014-02-27T03:25:56.145-06:00Focus On: Black Carpet Operetta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Bright Lights, Black Carpet: A Closer Look at Operetta</b><br />
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List mania:<br />
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1. Let's start with BC Operetta's hair. I wouldn't exactly call it <i>silky</i>, but it's the closest to it yet for an Operetta doll. I really am amazed at just how soft it is. It's not dry or brittle in the least, two anti-qualities that are usually mainstays of her dolls. Big thumbs up for that, Mattel!<br />
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2. Again, the hair. This time it's the style rather than the texture we're talkin' here. It's very unique: black on top, where it has been pulled into a side ponytail holding thick, lush curls. You can play with these curls quite a bit. They aren't gelled at all (thank the Lord!), and can hold a wide variety of styles. Flowing loosely underneath the black are her brassy red locks. They have a moderate wave, and as previously mentioned, the texture is primo. In terms of texture this is easily the best we've ever gotten for an Operetta doll.<br />
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3. The dress. <i>Ohhh, the dress! </i>There's just so much detail here. Her shining, ruby red bodice (topped by red lace, no less), gives way to a raised waist of black and white that leads to a thickly pleated skirt featuring a print of Art Deco piano keys. A layer of pleated red tulle rests under the skirt, ending three-fourths of the way down in peek-a-boo style and featuring a black print of music bars and notes. All the materials used have fantastic textures, especially the piano key skirt. It's impressive!<br />
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4. Operetta's forearms and hands are painted to create the look of evening gloves. To keep it "Oppy" one glove is black while the other is white. On her left wrist is her now-familiar piano key bracelet. She wears drop earrings that also evoke piano keys. Her shoes are solid black repaints of her deluxe fashion pack heels. She also wears a Music Festival lanyard. (Not sure what that's doing here -- maybe it'll be explained in her diary. No, I haven't read it yet.) If you ask me, it looks out of place on such a smart, upscale ensemble. She carries an oldschool camera -- it even has a flashbulb! -- that is decorated with one of Oppy's key defining details -- lots of conwebs!<br />
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5. Her purse is a doozy. In keeping with the other BC dolls, it's somewhat small and doesn't function. But it's absolutely beautiful so we'll let that pass. A black pearl wristband gives way to a flapper clutch. The basic shape is triangular, with the very tip adorned with cobwebs. From there, piano keys fan outward, ending in short, dangling strands of black pearls. <b>Impressive. </b>Who cares if Operetta's a 50's girl? If she can pull off other eras just as well as her usual default setting, I say go for it!<br />
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6. Her last piece is her wonderful headgear. And nope, this time it ain't no mask! She wears a white, heart-shaped hat adorned with five small black circles. I suspect these are supposed to represent rolling dice. Black-spotted tulle spouts out from underneath (a very cool touch). The tulle in back has been shredded into several thin strips, a subtle nod to punk. Although you can place this on top of her head for the standard effect, I suggest playing around with it -- there's no telling what you'll come up with!<br />
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7. There's one last thing I haven't talked about and that's her faceup. Black Carpet Operetta is a <b>gorgeous </b>doll, no doubt about it. But I feel like this faceup is very familiar/uninspired. It's pretty, don't get me wrong. She's wearing taupe eyeshadow, a color I love, but there really can be too much of a good thing. We've also seen smoky shades and shimmer surrounding Oppy's eyes many times over. Again, beautiful doll, but Mattel needs to start getting aggressive in trying new colors on this girl's face. To further illustrate my point, BC Oppy wears bold red lipstick. Need I go any further?<br />
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I hate to end on a bad note, so I'll finish by saying that, despite the samey faceup, this is one of Oppy's most unique, beautiful, and just plain fun dolls! Go get her -- you won't be disappointed!<br />
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An added bonus: HQ diary scans!<br />
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Til next time!</div>
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<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-29792853999320020522014-02-26T20:28:00.000-06:002014-02-26T20:28:20.842-06:00Angel of Music, Angel of Death<b>Starring Operetta as the unseen Angel of Death and Catty Noir as the Soon Deceased</b><br />
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<i><b>Father once spoke of an angel</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I used to dream she'd appear</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Now as I sing I can sense her</b></i></div>
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<i><b>And I know she's here</b></i></div>
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<i><u><br /></u></i></div>
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<i><b>Here is this room she calls me softly</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Somewhere inside, hiding</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Somehow I know she's always with me</b></i></div>
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<i><b>She, the unseen genius</b></i><br />
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Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-39423916888527454712014-01-28T15:15:00.000-06:002014-01-28T15:15:39.532-06:00Get The Look<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Ghoul Spirit Spectra Vondergeist</b></div>
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Spectra's ready for a rollicking night out, glam in gold and chains ready to rattle! Get the look:</div>
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13 Wishes Spectra minidress...</div>
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... with gold chain wedges and matching belt.</div>
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Ghouls Night Out Clawdeen translucent zebra print top in purple and black...</div>
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... gold studded headband and black studded wrist cuff.</div>
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Gold studded choker of your choice...</div>
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... and Abbey Bominable deep purple ice purse. (Not pictured, major fail on my part.)</div>
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<b>Ghoul Spirit Venus McFlytrap</b></div>
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After spending the afternoon showing her ghoul spirit at the MH pep rally, Venus got "dolled up" and hit the town with ghoulfriend Spectra Vondergeist. Get the look:</div>
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Picture Day Abbey Bominable shirt-dress in day-glo blue, purple, and red...</div>
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... white capris with matching geometric print, ice belt in black, and sparkling black shrug.</div>
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Vampire/Sea Monster CAM heels in black with purple-accented cuffs.</div>
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Her own mismatched Ghoul Spirit earrings and neon green wrist vines.</div>
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And finally, Picture Day Draculaura's heart purse in hot pink and black. (Venus chose to carry the purse black side facing out.)</div>
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Hope you enjoyed today's post! I wanted to try something a little different, and highlight how gorgeous the Ghoul Spirit dolls are once you get them into some better clothes than what they come in! As always, thanks for stopping by!</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-13548413277211969052014-01-27T12:59:00.002-06:002014-01-27T12:59:47.784-06:00Clawdia's Voicething Debut<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve been itching to take some proper pics of miss Clawdia Wolf, but she came out of the box with her beautiful, yellow tendrils smashed flat as pancakes. They needed a week or two to relax and take their natural shape. They’re still not perfect but I think they’re ready for their closeup. As for the doll itself? Given my patchy feelings on Clawdeen’s siblings — Clawd bores me and Howleen makes me want to jab my eyes out with a dull spoon — Clawdia has been a very nice surprise! I love the larger-bodied dolls in general, and that smiling mold is something new for MH. What I really love is her faceup, especially her stripey eyeshadow. Aside from the shimmering top layer it’s matte, an effect I almost always appreciate. Her outfit is tasteful, fitting for her age. Her red knee-high tights basically give me life — love ‘em! As you can tell from my pics I prefer my Clawdia sans glasses, but they’re definitely cute when I’m in the right mood. All in all, another great doll from MH! Beautiful, unique, and loaded with personality!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-16973302549080898852014-01-25T16:54:00.000-06:002014-01-25T16:54:01.091-06:00Pinkeye FrankieWhen Frankie contracted pinkeye she thought it would mark the end of her social life, or at the very least bring it to a screeching halt for several weeks. But, being the enterprising girl she is, she found a way to make it work for her! No, her Ghoul Spirit outfit didn't do much to distract from the large pink orbs surrounding her eyes. But one day while racing to the ladies room to apply more ointment to her infection, she happened to peak inside the Art Classroom and saw Skelita wearing the cutest little pink and fuchsia ensemble she'd ever laid her swollen eyes on. <i>That's it! </i>she realized. <i>I'll borrow Skelita's dress and those beautiful pinks will almost surely compliment my freakishly pink eyes! </i>Skelita, a sweet girl still new to Monster High and wanting desperately to fit in, immediately obliged Frankie's request. At first Frankie also tried Skelita's super cute striped vest over the dress but that was a no-go. But the dress alone? Perfection! Frankie strutted into school that day with the kind of moxie usually only seen by red carpet starlets and Tumblr users on a crusade. Sure, thanks to that gooey eye ointment she tripped twice and walked right into a column, but she pulled it together and continued on with aplomb. And the collective Monster High student body was indeed impressed with her masterful mashup of pink eye orbs and fuchsia dress bodice. The finishing touch was her bold blue streaks, placed perfectly above her ears and pulled into a flat ponytail. She added a blue under dye for dramatic effect. It worked a charm. Now all the ghouls at Monster High have been on the lookout for pink eyeshadow.... or Venus, to ask where the nearest poison ivy leaves are. Frankie, we bow to thee. We're not worthy.<br />
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<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-30315444521872840642014-01-24T09:35:00.000-06:002014-01-24T09:35:49.314-06:00Slithering Fashion, Bitten Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nothing too extensive today. I did a clothes swap between Viperine (swoon) and Honey (dayum). Take a look...</div>
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Honey does boho and it fits her like a glove.</div>
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Meanwhile Viperine owns nerd chic. (Glasses courtesy of Apple White.)</div>
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Words are useless in the face of such beauty.</div>
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Did we just time travel? This is the 70s, right? Where's the flux capacitor?</div>
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Clutch courtesy of Raven Queen. (Those princesses love to share. That's just how cool they are. You should go get a few! They're on sale at Justice, hint hint.)</div>
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I just turned to stone. And I love it.</div>
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Being serious, I'm wanting to review one of these two but I'm not sure which. What say you?</div>
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Fin.</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-61356252463225286102014-01-21T22:14:00.000-06:002014-01-21T22:14:01.042-06:00Viperine, Niece of MedusaHello dear readers! Sorry for the absence! But I'm back, and today we're gonna be taking a very quick look at Viperine Gorgon, daughter of Stheno and niece of Medusa. (Cool.)<br />
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Hoping to take a closer look at this beautiful, fierce, slithering monster of fabulousness very soon. At the very least, I feel safe in assuring you she will get a full caption review. She definitely deserves it!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-49861839694259257002013-12-28T16:52:00.000-06:002014-01-06T01:29:52.673-06:00Review: Toralei Stripe as Cat Tastrophe -- Power GhoulsWhen we last left off, <a href="http://voicething.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-spectra-vondergeist-as.html">Polterghoul</a> was toying with metaphysics and getting in touch with her inner superhero. Today things take a turn for the ferociously fierce worse, as none other than Cat Tastrophe has come onto the scene! She's here to wreak havoc and eat catnip, and she's all out of catnip...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcHeZCbZq2piVG0jdCIPc5DHpE9Rw2_lwMMB57PtDOdDgu3RTx9TrvKSUOMLhj4QyShs5uLlgfzZ0aRDu5lov3XQLsub20b11wMH1YI2cjGo51HAseiSGtVvTpRS2B7mVTWj-oStmKIU/s1600/ct46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcHeZCbZq2piVG0jdCIPc5DHpE9Rw2_lwMMB57PtDOdDgu3RTx9TrvKSUOMLhj4QyShs5uLlgfzZ0aRDu5lov3XQLsub20b11wMH1YI2cjGo51HAseiSGtVvTpRS2B7mVTWj-oStmKIU/s320/ct46.jpg" height="320" width="172" /></a></div>
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Without getting too spoiler-y, let's just say that in Cat's included comic book (which is, of course, beautifully illustrated), we learn she has been the catalyst for much of the previously seen mayhem. But would you expect anything less from a woman whose name is literally "catastrophe"?<br />
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The entire setup of the Power Ghouls line has been so clever. I love how they incorporated various superhero elements into each of the characters, and having Toralei take on the role of super villain is such a natural fit. I also like how a full story with an arch and character development took place throughout each of the doll's comics. Power Ghouls was a well thought out line and it seems Mattel knows it, since Sweet Screams seems to be taking the same approach. I hope we continue to see lines like these far into the future for MH!<br />
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The doll itself takes heavy cues from the Catwoman of the original 60's Batman TV series, as portrayed by Julie Newmar. Some have said the doll is based on Anne Hathaway's recent portrayal of the Catwoman character, but alas, such is not the case. Hope I didn't burst any bubbles there. (Or maybe I do -- meow.) Cat, your fierce beauty is influencing me in ways I never saw coming.<br />
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"If I were to kiss you, would you think I was a bad girl?"</div>
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Speaking of fierce beauty, let's take a closer look at this doll. Overall her faceup is actually pretty similar to the basic doll's, just with a few color changes. She still has her massive, striking green cat eyes, subtle facial spot, and cheek stripes. Her eyeliner is now a beautiful lavender, while her eyeshadow is a light shade of magenta.The shadow runs under the eye as well, in an extremely thin strip. Overall the shadow isn't as detailed as the basic doll's, simply due to the fact that it doesn't have the multiple layers that doll has. But no matter -- it's still a very striking look. Her lips are nearly the same color as the basic doll's -- a deep-ish purple, but for Cat it has red overtones that make it considerably brighter in comparison.<br />
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Cat wears her long, straight hair in a ponytail that wraps her ears before being pulled tightly behind them. The sides are a fairly dark orange while the center is a much lighter shade. The center portion runs between her ears into the ponytail, where you'll find black stripes lining the streaks. In it's ponytail, the hair lands right above her rear. The texture is very soft, silky even. This hairstyle was directly inspired by Julie Newmar's Catwoman, a perfectly fitting reference. And given the current domination of vintage 60's fashion and style, Cat's hair is also completely on-trend. Good job, Mattel!<br />
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"With all your many attributes, you haven't learned the first thing about good manners."</div>
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Julie Newmar rears her feline influence again on Cat's outfit. She wears a formfitting bodysuit of horizontal stripes in red, orange, and black. In an extremely clever touch, the black stripes feature tiny grey dots -- mimicking the print of an old-school comic book. I really love this kind of attention to detail, plus it relates directly to the entire theme of this line. Printed over the bust is an orange "cat skullette", Cat's super villain symbol and a direct tie to Toralei herself. Now you may be saying, "Wait a minute, John! Julie's Catwoman suit was solid black, how is this related to Cat's outfit?" Well, it's not in the colors but rather the cut. The length of the sleeves, the shape of collar, even the way Cat's utility belt hugs her body -- all very Newmar.<br />
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"Let no one say that Cat is not the best-dressed woman in the world."</div>
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Cat comes with some great accessories -- or are they weapons? Whatever the case, they're extremely cool. Most notable is her nifty utility belt. It comes in silver and wraps her waist tightly. It's detailed with another cat skullette, some studs, and a pouch, from which hang two orange feathers. (I guess the cat really did get the canary, but she must've dyed them to match her outfit. Even a super villain knows how to accessorize.) Around her neck is a red, studded choker, featuring a dangling silver cat skullette charm. She wears a silver, studded cuff on her right right forearm. On her left wrist is a silver studded bracelet featuring a tiny mouse on top. Is this a hidden weapon? Can the mouse fire bullets? Who knows, but it looks great and is yet another small touch that adds immensely to the detailed theming of this doll.<br />
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Cat wears a solid black mask outlined in studs. I love the design but to be completely honest I actually prefer the doll without it. It certainly makes a statement -- it's just not one I personally always want to hear. But I can see why some swear by it. She kept it simple for her earrings. She probably didn't want them getting hung up in her hair. (Thank you for that, Mattel.) In her right ear is a simple black stud; in her left is another stud, accompanied by a small black hoop. She wear black fingerless gloves on both hands, although the left glove has some silver studs to add a bit of visual interest (and remind us that this Cat is dangerous). Last but far from least are her boots. They're knee high, stiletto'd numbers in red, with a silver inseam zipper. Cat scratches are molded into them throughout. When villainy calls she's gotta dress fast, and she doesn't have time to worry about nicking the boots. The scratches only add to the look anyway. The soles and heels are solid black and outlined in studs. The actual stiletto comes to a sharp point -- very cat-like.</div>
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<b>Overall</b>: If you've read my <a href="http://voicething.blogspot.com/2013/12/voicethings-official-top-10-monster.html">Top 10 MH Dolls of 2013 list</a> you already know I think extremely highly of this doll. Toralei was a natural fit for the Power Ghouls line, what with her love of general villainy in the first place. As with all the PG dolls, her setup is elaborate and fun. Cat Tastrophe succeeds on multiple levels: as a reference to her obvious doppelganger, Newmar's Catwoman, as a fitting counterpart to her basic doll (all those studs and stripes and colors inform the personality of both dolls), and simply as a gorgeous doll in her own right. It's time for Cat and I to let you go... ferociously fun trouble is calling...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RmJ9y9t-V0/Ur9LKr3xMlI/AAAAAAAALDU/12_6cR3LTnA/s1600/ct26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RmJ9y9t-V0/Ur9LKr3xMlI/AAAAAAAALDU/12_6cR3LTnA/s320/ct26.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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"You can brush my pussy willows before you leave. And don't go against the fur."</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-2754103172311843022013-12-25T19:20:00.000-06:002013-12-25T22:35:35.372-06:00Sticky Sweet Christmas Candy starring Sweet Screams Frankie SteinNo cute poem for the followup to my <a href="http://voicething.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-scream-before-christmas-starring.html">Sweet Screams Ula post</a>. But I am doing full captions for this one! Let's get started!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-La2qzVr0QSk/UrteoCZqYgI/AAAAAAAALAM/0HvxC30Usos/s1600/ssf6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-La2qzVr0QSk/UrteoCZqYgI/AAAAAAAALAM/0HvxC30Usos/s320/ssf6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Well now, this is all rather peculiar.</div>
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Frankie isn't quite herself... and yet this couldn't be any more "Frankie" if it tried. Peculiarity isn't foreign to paradoxes. In fact, they go together like Twizzler straws and soda! (Yum!)</div>
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As you can see, Watzit has been reinvented as a "candy canine". I know, puns. Just go with it!</div>
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Frankie's purse is wrapped candy with a semi-cute, semi-threatening face.</div>
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It's whimsical, but in a surreal way. Much like the doll itself.</div>
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For her faceup, Frankie wears eyeliner above the eye that is the same shade as her skin, while below the eye the liner is a purplish-blue. Bold red shadow surrounds the entire eye. Blue curlicues that I'm assuming are meant to be frosting run under each eye. These perfectly match her eyebrows in color. Her lips are diagonal stripes of red and blue. There's no shimmer or glitter here, which is probably for the best. This is already a very busy faceup without any sparklies involved. Beautiful, striking, and unique, but also very busy.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwbBXbY04Gc/Urted7-hW4I/AAAAAAAAK-w/R5LzStGUUKQ/s1600/ssf12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwbBXbY04Gc/Urted7-hW4I/AAAAAAAAK-w/R5LzStGUUKQ/s320/ssf12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Her hair is extra-long and is mostly white, with a few black streaks and -- most excitingly -- vibrant red streaks as well! The texture is extremely soft, even for Frankie. It's very silky.</div>
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She has a massive bump front and center, held by a black and grey lollipop with red and black peppermint charm attached. Her bangs are striking black and white stripes, tying into the peppermint stripe theme.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8jJ4W-2zl5XB7zxx69Xq8SRfi3n3Rr5CrVWBWE2PFfhd21R12rdTHK6FzGtkFtI1tacaAP3BKdccQoG2h49S0uuUbyRTZgr3qTHBwRTm9GhIZBwck9lG0aYRhmuR0qMVpb5Zuq1oLBg/s1600/ssf17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8jJ4W-2zl5XB7zxx69Xq8SRfi3n3Rr5CrVWBWE2PFfhd21R12rdTHK6FzGtkFtI1tacaAP3BKdccQoG2h49S0uuUbyRTZgr3qTHBwRTm9GhIZBwck9lG0aYRhmuR0qMVpb5Zuq1oLBg/s320/ssf17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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She wears a black and white striped cocktail dress. The skirt is pleated and a layer of tulle rests underneath, ending in sparkling "fur" that hangs below the skirt. Cinched over this is a red, collared jacket of "pleather". It has half sleeves that end in black cuffs. A black and red tie is molded to lay just so over the bust. It's the piece that truly pulls this busy look together, in my opinion. Well, it and the belt.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-hRXA9j__M/Urtej7c8jAI/AAAAAAAAK_o/pPOAp1SmB7M/s1600/ssf18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-hRXA9j__M/Urtej7c8jAI/AAAAAAAAK_o/pPOAp1SmB7M/s320/ssf18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of, the jacket is cinched by a solid black belt of swirling, dripping candy. On her right hand she wears a red fingerless glove paired with a red bracelet. On her left is a black fingerless glove paired with a swirling red wrist cuff.</div>
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Her shoes are solid black, chunky heels outlined in tiny red icing puffs. Red, dripping candy wraps her feet and calves, with an occasional icing rose thrown in for good measure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyyR9T_n38Fs1tTGugkVQDNgEMI90dqyc_8x0wWESHvztvrR5hI6IP_rs4aA62VPIAKINvhbhGVMUG9I7zNWTXy7rFyJKm3Yo_Q-PmoeIRCH99aTJq4R83e5scbTKIsjIJBuutj9tG6c/s1600/ssf19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyyR9T_n38Fs1tTGugkVQDNgEMI90dqyc_8x0wWESHvztvrR5hI6IP_rs4aA62VPIAKINvhbhGVMUG9I7zNWTXy7rFyJKm3Yo_Q-PmoeIRCH99aTJq4R83e5scbTKIsjIJBuutj9tG6c/s320/ssf19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I doubt I'll be taking this doll out of her outfit. First of all, it's too pretty to "muss up" by removing it. Secondly, her design is so specific I'm not sure how she'd translate in other outfits. I'm sure some of you outfit visionaries out there will come up with some great stuff, but my doll will be sticking to her SS outfit. Ditto for my SS Ula, by the way.</div>
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Great job, Mattel! This is easily one of the best lines yet. Can't wait for Wave Two! But in the meantime, let's all enjoy these wonderfully creative new Frankie and Ula dolls we have upon us.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pAGy9vXsgL4/Urtepn4TNFI/AAAAAAAALAg/WGDoX4Bqp1E/s1600/ssf5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pAGy9vXsgL4/Urtepn4TNFI/AAAAAAAALAg/WGDoX4Bqp1E/s320/ssf5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy Holidays!</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-33704144642489388292013-12-23T20:13:00.002-06:002013-12-23T20:34:54.804-06:00The Scream Before Christmas starring Sweet Screams DraculauraOne cold winter day John found himself standing not in front of a Target aisle littered with 13 Wishes,<br />
but one with Sweet Screams,<br />
a line he'd only before seen in his dreams.<br />
And not just out of joy he leapt,<br />
but also confusion, and the confusion hadn't crept.<br />
They had both dolls, so soon, already,<br />
John was ecstatic and a little unsteady.<br />
He looked at them both and his heart soared so high,<br />
"I don't need no stinkin' Honey, she's forgotten, goodbye!"<br />
Grabbing his dolls with fiendish glee, he sprinted to the checkout and looked very gay,<br />
"Who cares?" he thought as he checked for wonk, of which there was none -- O glorious day!<br />
John had one more surprise in store as the beeps sounded from the checkout line,<br />
they scanned his dolls, the price came up -- each only $12.99.<br />
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I present to you Sweet Screams Draculaura...<br />
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The next chapter coming soon...Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-5091994801917191672013-12-12T10:26:00.000-06:002013-12-12T10:26:41.825-06:00Voicething's Official Top 10 Monster High Dolls of 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that time of year again, folks! Twinkling lights are casting their glow from houses lining the streets and the Muzak version of Happy Xmas (War Is Over) is echoing through tinny speakers as I walk the aisles of Kmart. (Oh irony, you're a beautiful and tragic thing.) Christmas is nearly here, signaling not just a grumpy John (what can I say, I'm a bit of a Scrooge), but also that 2013 has almost come to an end. But it's not all gloom and doom here at Voicething. Christmas time also marks the season of countdowns, and 'round here that means I get to take a look back at a full twelve months of doll releases, judging every single doll Mattel put out, then ranking them. (Judging and ranking are two of my favorite things to do!)<br />
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This has been an interesting year for Monster High. This time last year we were wallowing in the glory that was <b>Scaris: City of Frights </b>and <b>Picture Day</b>. Well, maybe you weren't but I certainly was. From that vantage point 2013 looked boundless in possibilities; Mattel was at a creative high point and the year hadn't even officially begun. Now that the dust has settled, my feelings on MH 2013 are a little more measured. The mid-year releases seemed to sag a little creatively, especially <b>13 Wishes</b>, which for me was a mixed bag at best. But most damning was Mattel's quality control standards. By mid-year they had dropped precipitously, with wonk eye at an all-time high and thin or improper hair rooting becoming more and more of a problem. Compounding things was the fact that characters whose dolls used to be "old standbys" in regards to consistent quality saw serious problems with oddly shaped eyes that went beyond wonk eye. Although no character was off limits, Cleo, Frankie, and Ghoulia seemed the hardest hit by this epidemic. Interesting indeed.<br />
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Before you go accusing me of being too negative, I have to point out that I had a really hard time compiling this year's list. Mattel released more MH dolls than ever before in 2013, and despite the mid-year lag I still had some tough choices to make in regards to what I felt were the best dolls. Some of the cuts I had to make were truly painful. (Sorry Bloodgood, you're a really cool doll but you just aren't top ten material.) The same rules as last year were applied for this year's list. Only dolls scheduled for 2013 release were considered. This means lines that we already have on shelves like <b>Frights Camera Action! </b>and <b>New Scaremester </b>aren't eligible -- they'll be on next year's list. Also, even though I've come around to appreciating the MH male dolls, they still weren't considered. Truth be told, Heath would've been the only one who had a chance, and he still wouldn't have made the list anyway. Just like last year I've included my additional 11-20 dolls, but this year I decided to officially rank them. Let's get started!<br />
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<b>20. Clawdeen Wolf -- Skultimate Roller Maze</b><br />
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<b>19. Rochelle Goyle -- Dance Class</b><br />
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<b>18. Operetta -- Picture Day</b><br />
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<b>17. Spectra Vondergeist -- Ghouls Night Out</b><br />
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<b>16. Frankie Stein as Voltageous -- Power Ghouls</b><br />
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<b>15. Operetta -- Diener Playset</b><br />
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<b>14. Frankie Stein -- Scaris: City of Frights</b><br />
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<b>13. Catrine DeMew -- Scaris: City of Frights</b><br />
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<b>12. Clawdeen Wolf -- I Love Fashion</b><br />
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<b>11. Abbey Bominable -- Picture Day</b><br />
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<b>10. Spectra Vondergeist -- 13 Wishes/Party Lounge Playset</b><br />
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2013 was a great year for Spectra. She saw more doll releases than ever, and even got a bedroom playset. For me the best of this year's bunch was this doll (whom I've affectionately dubbed <b>DJ Spectra</b>), a rather simplistic take on the character compared to her other releases. For starters, she has the "old" facemold, which will always trump the new one no matter what accoutrements a doll comes with. That said, her wavy, middle-parted hair is a huge plus. Combined with her Bollywood-style top it gives her a strong retro vibe. Better still is the sleek minidress she wears underneath. On another note, I'm noticing more and more that when it comes to MH, I don't care all that much about character placement and canon compared to other fans. Many cried afoul that Spectra was included with this music themed playset instead of a specifically music themed character like Holt or Operetta. Me? Eh, whatever. They could've included Cupid or Bloodgood or whatever random character with this playset for all I care. If I like a doll I'm getting it and if I don't I'm not. It's really all about the quality of the actual dolls more than what fits "canon" for me.<br />
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<b>9. Catty Noir</b><br />
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Released as a special Friday the 13th offshoot of the <b>Ghouls Night Out </b>line, Catty is pretty much her own thing. She makes for an interesting contrast with the typical "deluxe" Draculaura doll, seeing as she's just as loaded down with sparkles and glitter and pink. But while deluxe Ula dolls never work for me, Catty left me stunned. Perhaps it's her "unlucky thirteen" theme giving her an edge, or maybe I just prefer my sparkly pink to come with a knowing wink. Whatever the case, Catty makes this costume-y look work. Her wild eyes and jet black skin tone combine with her gaudy outfit to give her a boldness that quite literally shines. Her hair texture isn't perfect but it's extra-long and thick and fun to play with so I'm down. She's loaded with personality and, in my opinion, exemplifies what a pink-laden modern playline doll should be.<br />
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<b>8. Lagoona Blue -- 13 Wishes</b><br />
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For as many things as Mattel gets wrong with MH I really do think they're pretty self-aware. Or they at least occasionally do actually listen to fans. Too often Lagoona's dolls are called samey, and while I love her to death, I don't disagree. Maybe those accusations are what lead to this doll. She's easily the most unique Lagoona doll they've made. Her loud colors mean the fan base is pretty split on this one -- you either love her or hate her. Clearly I fall on the side of love; in fact, this is my favorite doll from the entire line. (Sorry, Twyla and Gigi.)<br />
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<b>7. Cleo DeNile -- Scaris: City of Frights</b><br />
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2013 was a rough year for Cleo fans. Well, it was for this Cleo fan, anyway. Truth be told, with the exception of Scaris, every Cleo doll this year disappointed me in one way or another. For the most part it was the weird change in the shape of her eyes that left me cold. Luckily they nailed it with the Scaris doll. Simple but stylish outfit, great hair, and a bright faceup all contribute to making this doll one of the year's best. But ultimately there's just something intangibly "right" about this doll. She's captivated me since I got her early in the year, and I don't see that going away anytime soon. In a sea of "Cleo disappointment" she was a shining beacon; hopefully this is the doll Mattel looks to as they continue future designs for this character.<br />
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<b>6. Toralei Stripe as Cat Tastrophe -- Power Ghouls</b><br />
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Last year I broke my own rule, including Toralei's basic doll in my top ten even though she was technically a 2011 doll. I even placed her at number two on the list. Clearly I love me some Toralei! It took a while but we finally got a proper second doll (I don't count the 3-pack one), and she doesn't disappoint. Being part of the Power Ghouls line puts her at a great advantage considering it's one of the best lines we've ever gotten for MH. She comes in a beautifully designed box and includes a comic book, and thanks to the superhero setup her natural villainy is amplified. What's not to love? Her retro bodysuit and 60's 'do fit her like a glove both literally and figuratively, and if you can find one with good eyes, you've got what is basically a perfect doll on your hands. What a wonderful world it would be if every MH doll was this creatively designed.<br />
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<b>5. Rochelle Goyle -- Swim 2013</b><br />
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Hmm, I seem to be picking up on some subtle consternation coming from you. Yes, I know this time last year I was all but throwing daily celebrations in honor of Rochelle's Scaris doll, who's not to be seen anywhere on this list. And yes, I know this doll is ridiculously basic, even for a swim line. In regards to the first point, what can I say, I changed my mind. And to the second point -- do I even have to say it? (Less is more and blah blah blah shut up, John!) While Swim Rochelle's outfit and extras may be simple they're also exceedingly cute (especially those sunglasses). Her faceup barely deviates from her signature doll's face at all. (It's a near carbon copy, actually.) The real strength of this doll, the one thing that landed her on this list really, is that hairstyle. It's just so perfect for this character: stylish and chic, without being fussy or requiring a lot of upkeep. It feels completely natural on her; it's pure "Rochelle". I actually like that her faceup is so similar to the basic doll's because now I can put Swim Rochelle in the basic outfit and safely consider her a worthy replacement for that doll. This is my favorite version of a character that I adore. In my heart, this <b>is </b>signature Rochelle.<br />
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<b>4. Skelita Calaveras -- Scaris: City of Frights</b><br />
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Skelita is unarguably one of the best dolls Mattel has ever created. Her unique skeletal structure is a marvel. But beyond that, what I love about Skelita is the personality that radiates from that beautiful face of hers. She's funny, cute, and awkward all at the same time. It's very endearing. Her Mexican heritage was cleverly incorporated into her design, further emphasizing her ties to one of MH's best lines to date. As I said in my review of this doll, Skelita is what we get when Mattel is firing on all cylinders.<br />
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<b>3. Scarah Screams -- I Love Fashion</b><br />
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We knew this doll would be a winner the moment we learned she was part of the <b>I Love Fashion </b>line. What with it's emphasis on great clothes and uniquely designed dolls, it's become a favorite among MH fanatics. Scarah has a couple more things working in her favor, as well. First, she's a mod girl so her clothes were destined to be great. (Good Lord, that midi coat is still blowing my mind!) Second, thanks to her hollow banshee eyes, she's one of the creepiest MH dolls yet. As far as general eeriness goes she gives Spectra a run for her money. Scarah is simply a great character; she's retro and weird and creepy, and thereby intrinsically cool. She's pure MH and I'm eagerly looking forward to more dolls of her.<br />
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<b>2. Clawdeen Wolf -- Scaris: City of Frights</b><br />
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From the very beginning, Clawdeen has been pitched as the fashionista of Monster High. But too often her supposed stylishness has come across as more loud than fashionable. Not so here. Scaris Clawdeen is chic and sexy, with an emphasis put on lux textures and rich colors. Her faceup best carries the intensity of the silver eyeshadow we saw on all the Scaris dolls. And while her hair texture wasn't the best, over time it has relaxed into a wonderful mild wave that perfectly frames her face, accentuating those striking eyes. Over the years we've seen a plethora of Clawdeen dolls, and I love a lot of them, but this one is <b>by far </b>my favorite. Period.<br />
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<b>1. Jinafire Long -- Scaris: City of Frights</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7i0YZaRQ_0/UqnguniGjkI/AAAAAAAAK3s/ERDElS9EU0Q/s1600/jinafire1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7i0YZaRQ_0/UqnguniGjkI/AAAAAAAAK3s/ERDElS9EU0Q/s320/jinafire1.png" width="170" /></a></div>
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We continue to number one with yet another Scaris doll. (Um, surprise?) The simple fact of the matter is that Scaris stands alongside School's Out as my all-time favorite MH line. And with Jinafire being my favorite doll of one of my favorite lines, it's hardly surprising she's number one, is it? I feel she deserves it. Jina joins Skelita as one of Mattel's most creatively designed dolls, a true high point for the entire line. It doesn't hurt that she's absolutely gorgeous, with fierce, dragon eyes, an elaborate headpiece that holds wonderfully textured hair, and a beautiful dress that reads as formal without feeling costume-y in the least. Her elaborate setup within the Scaris storyline doesn't hurt, nor do her glowing skin and dragon-inspired body mods. Basically, Jinafire is a collector's doll pretending to be playline. I don't know that Mattel will ever outdo this doll in terms of pure creativity, beauty, and uniqueness. She's the whole package, and it was delivered perfectly.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-53120591334118544982013-12-02T12:49:00.000-06:002013-12-02T15:03:30.719-06:00Unicorn Ula is real!; or, Art Class Draculaura AppreciationYou may remember <a href="http://voicething.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-healing-power-of-friends-and-dolls.html">a few days ago</a> that I referred to Art Class Draculaura as <b>Unicorn Ula</b>. It was a joke meant to emphasize that this particular Ula is indeed something special. Unfortunately, the pics in that earlier post didn't come anywhere near capturing her true beauty. I'm big enough to admit when I've made a mistake, and by posting less than flattering shots of AC Ula, I was mistaken indeed. It's time I set that right and do good by her! Let's get started...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0EqqcVFXwIk/UpzOYuZ4mSI/AAAAAAAAKz4/v3G6wZYfLPk/s1600/acd11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0EqqcVFXwIk/UpzOYuZ4mSI/AAAAAAAAKz4/v3G6wZYfLPk/s320/acd11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Bold yellow eyeliner and shadow? Check! Shimmering taupe topper shadow? Check! Random bright red divider line? Check! My heart stolen by all this? Check!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPS9baiC52I/UpzM6zsjwYI/AAAAAAAAKzA/tvRob-8gWjE/s1600/acd5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPS9baiC52I/UpzM6zsjwYI/AAAAAAAAKzA/tvRob-8gWjE/s320/acd5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ula's shoes have some wonderful molding: grids, studs, skullettes, swirling platform soles, and even paint brush accents. Unfortunately too few of these beautiful details are actually painted.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5GFhKy_rZbsrkj5CGt4LgA9yG-eQd09p3fqlXgpWiwTreEgkNT5Sz9nTU9bJgH8aJFzMmsgIDg_-b_A8LGO3z0uzX9v2xVNmHK6aUfVWauxBnLPVqyR7TmhgM_8xaUxkk_mbpLsWEYg/s1600/acd7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5GFhKy_rZbsrkj5CGt4LgA9yG-eQd09p3fqlXgpWiwTreEgkNT5Sz9nTU9bJgH8aJFzMmsgIDg_-b_A8LGO3z0uzX9v2xVNmHK6aUfVWauxBnLPVqyR7TmhgM_8xaUxkk_mbpLsWEYg/s320/acd7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm sure you guys already know this but just to be safe I'll point out that Ula's scarf isn't part of this doll's outfit. I just threw it in there because I think it really works with the rest of the look.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjwIhaOYqqQ/UpzM_wTyBGI/AAAAAAAAKzo/rTVELCnWaLE/s1600/acd8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjwIhaOYqqQ/UpzM_wTyBGI/AAAAAAAAKzo/rTVELCnWaLE/s320/acd8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Speaking of, Ula wears a retro, lemonade-striped top with sleeves that end at her elbows in pink netting. A large pink bow adorns the swoop collar. The top attaches to a black bell skirt featuring a lemonade paint splatter print. It ends in yellow netting, a nice contrast to the netting of her sleeves.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw4tztG9Nw8/UpzM5D18qUI/AAAAAAAAKys/v76BWCgJyAE/s1600/acd15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw4tztG9Nw8/UpzM5D18qUI/AAAAAAAAKys/v76BWCgJyAE/s320/acd15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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She also wears a yellow headband featuring two small bows on each side, a subtle kawaii nod. Her earrings are solid pink skullettes.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tplrYX6sHWc/UpzM3yxRXvI/AAAAAAAAKyc/UZrCsM56K-M/s1600/acd13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tplrYX6sHWc/UpzM3yxRXvI/AAAAAAAAKyc/UZrCsM56K-M/s320/acd13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Around her waist is a pink apron with black grid print. It ties in back with simple black ribbon.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvfLT6Yq888/UpzM-c51tMI/AAAAAAAAKzg/7-2P60UhCAs/s1600/acd6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvfLT6Yq888/UpzM-c51tMI/AAAAAAAAKzg/7-2P60UhCAs/s320/acd6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Judging by the 2014 dolls, including this particular Ula, the 50's will be to 2014 what the 60's were to 2013. <b>Picture this outfit in Operetta's colors and you'll see what I mean.</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DjbMswkl_E/UpzM9mAX5_I/AAAAAAAAKzc/VIjXKN3IIDs/s1600/acd9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DjbMswkl_E/UpzM9mAX5_I/AAAAAAAAKzc/VIjXKN3IIDs/s320/acd9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I don't know what I love more: that bold, lively faceup, or those bold, lively streaks in her hair. Draculaura has yellow streaks y'all! And not just any yellow -- we're talking loud, bold, electric yellow. <b>LOVE IT.</b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEiswsj8gDU/UpzM6b_BBPI/AAAAAAAAKy4/3_Ojnat70KA/s1600/acd4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEiswsj8gDU/UpzM6b_BBPI/AAAAAAAAKy4/3_Ojnat70KA/s320/acd4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yep, we've got the 50's on our hands, folks! Grab a Coke float and your old lady, we're going to the sock hop! Or at least it looks like Ula is! Also, it appears she'll be taking occasional breaks from doing the twist to paint some portraits.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHsYpPMRais/UpzM3-RonzI/AAAAAAAAKyU/2Jc2j9A10oA/s1600/acd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHsYpPMRais/UpzM3-RonzI/AAAAAAAAKyU/2Jc2j9A10oA/s320/acd1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Hopefully I'll get to scan and post Ula and the other AC dolls' booklets soon. They're very clever in how they each tell one part of a larger story. Plus they have some beautiful artwork inside. There's even some minimal, but very fun, character development.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2WtFz5_fY18/UpzM5qUgUKI/AAAAAAAAKyw/7uwLXRvCwso/s1600/acd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2WtFz5_fY18/UpzM5qUgUKI/AAAAAAAAKyw/7uwLXRvCwso/s320/acd2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Like I said: Unicorn Ula. Magical and perfect.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsN7rulhuag/UpzM7rrc5gI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/QfwBcXvyUcw/s1600/acd14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsN7rulhuag/UpzM7rrc5gI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/QfwBcXvyUcw/s320/acd14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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She also comes with a heart-shaped palette and paint brush. And yes, if placed correctly, she can hold these items on her own! She also comes with her framed self portrait, but I'm kinda ditzy and forgot to get a pic of it. It's pretty nice, coming in a frame with stand, and done in a humorous Picasso style.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhAl5cRwBjU/UpzM3w4bV_I/AAAAAAAAKyg/3F-5aLZiaDY/s1600/acd12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhAl5cRwBjU/UpzM3w4bV_I/AAAAAAAAKyg/3F-5aLZiaDY/s320/acd12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Art Class Draculaura, aka Unicorn Ula. (Yes, from now on that's what I'll be calling her. It's fun! Care to join me in this zany endeavor?)</div>
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Til next time!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-56839390547528660102013-11-29T16:40:00.001-06:002013-11-29T16:40:56.706-06:00It's not like she planned on being a teenage superhero...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We're so not worthy.</div>
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Charging up the power of justice!</div>
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"It felt like I was drinking hot chocolate... and getting a brain freeze at the same time."</div>
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Bow, mere mortals, to the beauty of Voltageous!</div>
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"She's going to need a costume..."</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ8Y2ZxBgd4/UpkUpNqYHhI/AAAAAAAAKxM/DA_H-jbZgBg/s1600/v21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ8Y2ZxBgd4/UpkUpNqYHhI/AAAAAAAAKxM/DA_H-jbZgBg/s320/v21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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"... and a name..."</div>
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<b>Voltageous</b></div>
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And now for a miniseries I'm calling Electro Collar...</div>
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Thanks for looking! Til next time!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-4853956716946914382013-11-28T14:34:00.000-06:002013-11-28T21:46:32.496-06:00Think again...I bet you thought you already knew this fierce feline. Think again. When Voicething and Cat Tastrophe collide things are bound to get interesting.<br />
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Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-36173484989745765842013-11-27T10:52:00.000-06:002013-11-27T18:03:19.543-06:00Review: New Scaremester Jinafire LongPicture it: Japan, 1990. A certain cone bra-wearing pop star is set to open her world tour at Chiba Marine Stadium, but torrential downpours are quite literally putting a damper on things. What to do -- cancel the show or soldier on somehow? To quote said pop star, "Just put on your Vogue costume. Put your jacket on and that's your costume for the night." And the show went on. Today's review is my Vogue costume and jacket. There aren't nearly as many pictures as usual for this review, and they're not as specific to what I'm critiquing. Between the two teasers I posted you've actually already seen many of these. But it's been storming 'round here lately (metaphorically, of course), and a full scale photo shoot just wasn't in the cards. Luckily the written portion should be about on par with the usual reviews. (Oh, and if you want to see the 1990 tour in question, just watch Truth or Dare. That or take a look at pretty much anything Lady Gaga has ever "created". Zing!) Anyway, on with the review!<br />
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Back when Jinafire Long and Skelita Calaveras were introduced via last year's <b>Scaris:</b> <b>City of Frights </b>themed line, many -- including myself -- wondered if we would ever see these characters in doll form again. And beyond that, we wondered if/when new dolls came, would they be basics or themed dolls? Although the Scaris dolls did feel strongly tied to that line, they also seemed kind of basic-y, you know? As we now know, Skelita has returned in the form of an Art Class doll. And even more excitingly, Jinafire is back, too -- and she is indeed a new signature/basic doll!<br />
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As part of the <b>New Scaremester </b>line, Jinafire has transferred to Monster High alongside Catrine DeMew. Clawdeen is their Goodwill Ambassador, helping them acclimate to the exciting new world they're entering. Rather than a diary, Jina comes with a planner that includes a map of the school and a minimalist, but very pretty, centerfold of doodles. Probably my favorite thing about Jina's planner, however, is the cover itself. An oval frame contains a drawing of that devilish little monster face we saw on her Scaris doll's headpiece, and the frame is topped by a skullette featuring scales on it's "scalp". It's very cute.<br />
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Being a designer, Jina has a good eye not just for clothes but also accessories and makeup. This comes through on both of her dolls. For her relocation to Monster High, Jina wears bold green eyeliner that encircles the eye. It splits dramatically at the outer edge, mimicking the fins of her tail. It is surrounded by matte eyeshadow in lime. Her wine-colored lips have a moderate shine to them, a nice contrast to the lime and lemon striped irises of her eyes. As expected, her pupils are a vertical slit -- she's a dragon, after all. The two-tone green eyeshadow and liner is a bold choice and stands out just a tad more than her Scaris doll's purple eyeshadow. It's also the first of many instances of that Scaris purple being replaced by various hues of green. Perhaps most importantly, the shadow matches her irises to a "T", and combined with her green hair give Scaremester Jina a slightly more realistic -- in doll terms -- dragon vibe.<br />
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Speaking of hair, Jina's comes in the same colors as her Scaris doll's hair -- bold green with thin black streaks. It actually seems to have the same part as her Scaris doll: on her left, with the right-hanging portion banded in front of her ear. However, I never took my Scaris doll's hair down so I can't say that with 100% accuracy. All of Jina's hair has been pulled into a thick ponytail to her back-right. Unlike the Scaris doll, NS Jina's hair has an ever-so-mild wave throughout. Like her outfit, this hairstyle is equal parts formal and casual.<br />
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Jina's strength as a designer is seen in her ability to use prints that feel vintage and modern at the same time, and in cuts that are hip but never "trend-chase-y". Jina's clothes always feel classic to me. Her top, for instance, takes cues from Halston, but with the eclecticism of von Furstenberg. Black ribbon featuring a print of shining gold, abstract flames and spikes wraps her neck from her right. It gives way to a smooth knit of lime emblazoned with diagonal, purple flames. Thick, black ribbon featuring the same print as the neck piece hugs her torso. The top is paired with ruby red, denim-look pants. The red is shiny except for punk-inspired dry splotches scattered throughout. Midway down the shin the red denim gives way to a much softer material featuring a grid of black hearts against a shining gold backdrop. In a clever touch, this heart print closely resembles dragon scales. The only problem I have with these pants is the same problem I have with all MH denim-look pants: it's virtually impossible to keep the Velcro fastened. Especially when you have her tail attached. But no matter, these things are gorgeous! They match the top well thanks to the black and gold, while the contrast of the ruby red with the lime and purple of the top keeps everything eclectic and funky. Mmm, couture -- you do it so well when you really try, Mattel. Kudos!<br />
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Each of Jina's worn accessories all come in one solid color, a choice that could be seen as a disappointment until you realize that going all paint-happy on them probably would've made the overall look a little too busy. Her earrings are orange and come in the shape of Chinese lanterns. There is some moderately detailed molding encircling the bulb. Her shimmering, emerald heels rest on the hooves of fully molded qilins. These are beautiful shoes but they're a bit squishy and I have trouble keeping them on her feet. Otherwise -- yeah, they're pure win. Matching them is her simple beaded bracelet. We've seen these a million times now. Still, it's better to have this simple piece than no bracelet at all. And it plays perfectly with her lime top and bold hair.<br />
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Jina carries an orange purse with small gold embellishments that's shaped like a fan. It features a black shoulder strap that rotates in its sockets. And yes, the purse does function! Hooray! Her last accessory is an orange Trapper-Keeper style folder (are we back in Picture Day?), with a dramatic gold dragon dancing across the front. It snaps in back under a skullette tab.<br />
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<b>Overall</b>: It ain't all sunshine and roses. As I mentioned, keeping her pants Velcro'd is nigh impossible and her shoes have a knack for falling off almost constantly. Her tail doesn't always stay in as it should, either. Although she has all those same wonderfully creative body mods that blew my mind on her Scaris doll, overall NS Jina feels just a tad cheaper. The plastic feels lighter, the shimmer of her skin just a little less luminescent. Okay then, so what's good about this doll? <b>Everything else</b>. She has a bold faceup that cleverly plays on her dragon theme and smartly matches her hair and elements of her outfit. And about that outfit -- <b>wow</b>! I adore the playful prints, the lux textures. It works perfectly as a signature outfit for a fashion designer. It's couture done in a light, casual way. If I were to ever meet a Chinese dragon girl in real life I can't picture her in anything else but this, it all works so perfectly. Indeed, I would hope this is exactly what she would be wearing. (And that she'd think I'm totally cool and wanna hang out. Hey, I ain't ashamed to admit I'd wanna be this girl's BFF!) Even though overall I prefer her Scaris doll, New Scaremester Jinafire is a more than worthy followup. Color me pleased.<br />
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Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-78586343573594011692013-11-26T19:25:00.001-06:002013-11-26T19:25:09.981-06:00Art Class Abbey: Sparkling Sexy Retro GoddessI had already picked up on this based on all the NYCC photos we saw of her, but Abbey's Art Class doll totally has the same groovy, laidback, sexy vibe that Frankie's SRM doll has. And although I think AC Abbey's outfit is actually really nice and very fitting of that laidback, sexy vibe, I wanted to put her in something a little more trendy, but with a strong retro feel. Enter: Frankie's deluxe fashion pack cocktail dress combo. I also wanted to emphasize the grooviness of AC Abbey's middle-parted, wavy locks. To achieve this I grabbed Robecca's deluxe fashion pack headband/eyepatch, turning it around so the patch and earring are in the back. And so I give you Art Class Abbey, clothes changed, emphasis on retro and funk and groove...<br />
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Just... wow.</div>
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Oh, I forgot to mention in the intro -- she's also really fierce! Consider this pic "Exhibit A".</div>
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I know I already paired Spectra's DDG purse with this outfit in a previous review, but whatever. It just works so well with this dress, in my opinion.</div>
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Literally all that comprises her eye makeup is electric blue shadow. That's it. No liner, no shimmer, just electric blue all the way around. <b>Simplicity: learn it, live it, love it. </b></div>
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Exhibit B</div>
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I really adore how the headband holds her middle part in place. It's retro; almost hippie-ish. But the shimmering streaks and tinsel of her hair combined with the 80's-style outfit keep it from coming across as "stodgy flower child". It's more "sparkling coke queen", if you ask me. Oops, did I just say that out loud? Whatever.</div>
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God Abbey, just when I think I'm over you for good Mattel goes and releases a doll like this. It has me feeling all "I'm not worthy" again. Mattel, please stop sporadically releasing <b>amazing </b>Abbey dolls so I can just move on from her once and for all!</div>
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Exhibit C</div>
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The prosecution rests it's case. This is indeed one hot-damn fierce, fun, groovy, sexy doll. If you find this Abbey boring, dull, or samey, you clearly have no taste and need to, I don't know, jump off a bridge or something. <b>Art Class Abbey is nothing short of astonishing.</b></div>
<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-86539021849864084952013-11-25T17:21:00.001-06:002013-11-25T17:40:37.095-06:00The healing power of friends (and dolls)Exactly one week ago today I got some very bad news involving my job, and therefore my career. I briefly touched on this on Tumblr (when I was in meltdown mode -- classy, John!). In the wake of my posting that, I got an outpouring of support from you guys. First, I want to thank you all for the calls, texts, emails, and PM's. I was devastated by what happened and have spent the past week shut off from the world. I just needed some time to myself to regroup, recharge, and try to make sense of what happened. That said, I will be in touch with each and every one of you over the next couple weeks. You guys really do mean so much to me, and your support has not gone unnoticed!<br />
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I'll also be getting caught up on blog comments over the next few days. In my week-long "recuperative period" I didn't even visit the blogs. To be honest, the blogs were the last thing on my mind. But I haven't forgotten about the projects I was in the middle of when the proverbial sh*t hit the fan. My New Scaremester Jinafire review will be posted soon. I actually have it completely written, I just have to get more pics taken. I also plan to continue my Apple White series over on <b>The Sequel</b> and <b>Tumblr</b>. And, of course, there was that tantalizing hint I dropped a couple of weeks ago about MH paper dolls. Ideally, at the very least I will be caption reviewing those. We'll see, right?<br />
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In the meantime, I was able to find some more new MH stuff in my area. Most of these dolls are probably already old news by now, but for a frazzled, down and out MH collector, they were a Godsend. Beautiful new dolls just have a way of cheering one up, especially when they're as beautiful as these ladies...<br />
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The new girls! (Well, sort of. We'll get to that.)</div>
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Skelita! If only you knew how much life you give me.</div>
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Seriously y'all, this doll is heroin in the form of plastic, saran, and zany flowers. I'm addicted.</div>
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Skelita, you need to cut it out. You know you're stealing all of Ula's thunder in this shot. And this is a Ula I totally love! That's some serious mojo on Skelita's part, folks!</div>
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Draculaura with bold yellow streaks and yellow and red eyeshadow and liner makes me happy. Oh, and it's topped by shimmering taupe shadow (!!!). Also, her dress is beyond cute. This Ula is like a unicorn, magical and something I'm still trying to convince myself actually exists. But there she is on my shelf. <b>Unicorn Ula is real!</b></div>
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Art Class Abbey is <b>hot</b>. Or in her case should I say she's "<b>cold</b>"? Whatever, you get my drift: girls got it goin' on!</div>
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Hey look! Cat Tastrophe has finally made her way onto the blog! (Damn Abbey, Art Class is totally working for you. <b>Gorgeous</b>.)</div>
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This is my second Cat Tastrophe. The first one had horrifically bad wonk-eye. But she was the only one on the shelf at the time so I snapped her up.</div>
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<b>Me-ow.</b></div>
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This Cat's eyes ain't perfect, but they're much better than the eyes on my other one. Love this doll so, so much!</div>
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Art Class proves that the mojo Mattel's been workin' on the new MH lines is for real. These are gorgeous dolls, every single one of them.</div>
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Once again, I truly appreciate you guys' support over the past week. I'll be in touch with all of you soon! Hope you enjoyed the pics! Til next time!</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-71347869682001689092013-11-14T11:44:00.001-06:002013-11-16T21:43:11.687-06:00Everybody Comes to Hauntlywood: Black Carpet Clawdeen Wolf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOSnfZB8uRo/UoT9kApETyI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/Zl59fuu0mqk/s1600/bcw9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOSnfZB8uRo/UoT9kApETyI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/Zl59fuu0mqk/s320/bcw9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I've been hitting the reviews pretty hard over the past week. I need a break from doing in-depth coverage, but Black Carpet Clawdeen is too gorgeous to not discuss. So today we'll hop on caption lane and make it quick. But it'll be worth your time, I promise!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMMsFwEiOW4/UoT9iVwBx6I/AAAAAAAAKhM/lraHh4-4R4c/s1600/bcw4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMMsFwEiOW4/UoT9iVwBx6I/AAAAAAAAKhM/lraHh4-4R4c/s320/bcw4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Clawdeen aligns nicely with the other Black Carpet dolls. Fairly simple (but very pretty) dress, elaborately molded accessories, minimalist purse, etc.</div>
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Like the other dolls, her shoes are one solid color (in this case gold), with one small black embellishment on the strap that covers her toes.</div>
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When we first saw pics of this doll I found her faceup to be kinda clash-y. Oh how wrong I was! Teal eyeliner and shadow give way to a very subtle golden shimmer that goes to her brows. More gold shimmer runs under the eyes, but it shines much more intensely. Her shimmering lips come in a muted burgundy.</div>
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Clawdeen wears an elaborate choker and shoulder guard of strung beads. Crescent moon charms of various sizes connect the beads.</div>
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Her hairstyle is a doozy. In front the hair is purple and parted on her right, with the portion on her left gelled into a tight curl. The right side is pulled under the ear into a ponytail in back. Aside from three purple streaks, the hair in the ponytail is a beautiful light auburn color. It's rather different from her usual chocolate brown hair color. The ponytail is rife with thick, lush curls that fall to her shoulder blades. It's a fussy 'do, but wow is it gorgeous!</div>
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The only earring she wears is this large crescent moon in her right ear. Beaded moonbeams reach outward toward the sky.</div>
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Her belt is made up of several rows of studs and a large buckle. A chain dangles underneath baring skullette charms.</div>
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Black Carpet Lagoona is mostly Art Nouveau in design; Cleo is Nouveau with small touches of Art Deco. Clawdeen is full-on Art Deco.</div>
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Her simple purse is a studded crescent moon in violet. Six strings of beads dangle below, each ending with a crescent charm.</div>
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In keeping with the other dolls in this line, the print of her cocktail dress is genuinely beautiful. A black base features a print of purple tiger stripes in a stylized, repeating "X" pattern. They frame gold and purple crescent moons and are accented with golden, Art Deco starbursts.</div>
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The bodice is topped by purple netting with a black leopard print. Unlike Lagoona and Cleo's dresses, Clawdeen's has sleeves rather than straps. The asymmetrical skirt features purple ruffles, below which hang two layers of pleated netting.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Psst! I have a secret to tell you: I like this doll more than her Scaremester doll! A lot more!</b></span></div>
<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-36748393946005343982013-11-13T19:14:00.001-06:002013-11-13T20:42:04.948-06:00Review: Black Carpet Cleo De Nile and Lagoona BlueWho's got that medicine you need -- shoes, hair, purses -- givin' it to you properly? Why, Voicething, of course! In an effort to give you as much MH review-y goodness as possible, I've doubled up on the Black Carpet line and am bringing you full coverage of not one but two dolls today! I had initially planned on reviewing only Lagoona, but between the fact that I just reviewed a Lagoona doll <a href="http://voicething.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-dead-tired-lagoona-blue-wave.html">a few days ago</a>, and that there's a brand new Cleo here just begging to be discussed, I thought it best to pair them up and bring y'all the realness times two. Longtime readers may be experiencing some major deja vu right now, <a href="http://voicething.blogspot.com/2013/03/review-cleo-de-nile-and-lagoona-blue.html">and that's not without reason</a>.<br />
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<b>Black Carpet</b> is the budget offshoot of the larger <b>Frights Camera Action! </b>line. Mattel has been offering multiple price point lines that all fall under one defining parent line since <b>Scaris: City of Frights</b>. It's a smart move on Mattel's part. It strengthens brand recognition, gives each new parent line a stronger thematic identity, and -- speculating on this one -- likely doesn't stretch the designers too thin, since they have fewer overarching themes to try and "prettify" each year.<br />
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Black Carpet consists of four dolls, each sold in the budget style slim box. Each doll's drawing looks like an odd amalgamation of the usual drawn box art and the CGI character designs seen in the various full-length specials. I'm no fan of the CGI and my feelings on these particular character drawings are mixed.<br />
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Everything else about the box art, however, is spectacular! The FCA logo is done in the style of an old theater marquee, with the line's name -- in a vintage b-movie horror-style font -- surrounded by lights. A small red skullette and decorative webs help to further monster-fy the signage. Under the marquee is the ghoul's name and heritage, accompanied by the Black Carpet moniker. It truly is the perfect marriage of vintage Hollywood and Monster High.<br />
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The box back consists of a full-length drawing of the four BC ghouls, under which you'll find a repeat of the marquee logo and a synopsis of the FCA storyline. Not too shabby! And if I may go one step further in my nerdy box art love, I even admire the design of the insert the dolls come attached to. It's a drawing of the roped off, titular carpet (though, oddly, the carpet is grey-white instead of black), leading to a set of old-school double doors. The carpet is surrounded by red-silhouetted press snapping flashbulb pictures. It's really cool!<br />
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Back when I reviewed Scaris Lagoona I noted how much I loved her small, Art Nouveau-style travel case. But I never wondered what it might look like if Mattel took that case's design and applied it to a whole doll. It doesn't matter either way because they went ahead and did just that!<br />
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Black Carpet Lagoona is a dramatic, Art Nouveau inspired doll who brings a few new things to the "Lagoona table". I love Lagoona, I love Art Nouveau, I love new things. She's ready for her closeup, Mr. DeMille, so let's dig in!<br />
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Lagoona's faceup consists of an arresting combination of dark reds and subdued pinks. Her eyeliner comes in brink, topped by a beautiful frosted pink that encircles the eye. The frosted pink has a fairly intense shimmer to it. These colors play perfectly with her shimmering, deep burgundy lips. Her eyes are their usual olive with lime accent. This is not a sweet-looking Lagoona. She has an air of seriousness to her; she's fierce and commanding.<br />
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Her long, curly hair is parted on her left. Lagoona's streaks have always come in varying shades of blue or aqua, with the exception of her 13 Wishes doll (a lone mint streak in her bangs), and her SRM doll (neon green). But for her walk down the black carpet Lagoona decided to switch things up, giving us extremely thick streaks of teal! It's almost incorrect to call the teal portions streaks as they take up the vast majority of her hair! It's a beautiful medium shade, not too dark and not too light. And it contrasts perfectly with her blonde streaks. These lush shades emphasize the dramatic nature of her faceup. As for the texture, well, it's not amazing. It's dry and a tad brittle, and when brushed gets very bushy. And yet I find myself totally loving it! What I hate most when it comes to doll hair is frizziness, not bushiness. This hair is malleable; you can style it big and bold, or take it down a notch for something a little more subdued. There are a lot of options here. Of course the dryness could easily be fixed with a boil wash, but personally I like it the way it is. It's wild and tousled and big and fun!<br />
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Lagoona's dress is a simple tank cut. What makes it stand out are the colors and prints. Yes, simple as it may be, I find this dress to be rather exquisite. Wide, metallic silver straps attach to a dress featuring an abstract print of Art Nouveau scales in pink, aqua, and black. Tiny white dots accent the scales. A thin, black ribbon waistband gives way to a three-tiered skirt that ends in a scallop cut at the hips. Underneath is a layer of solid, shining pink. The last tier is solid black and ends well above the knees. Like I said, simple yet exquisite.<br />
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Her light pink heels have some truly astounding molding. Strings of pearls wrap her ankles and surround her toes, while shells make up the heel caps that give way to horn stilettos. The shoes are solid pink except one large black pearl that rests over the strands wrapping her toes. Her shoes aren't the only accessory that impresses with detailed molding. She wears a huge teal necklace of multiple strands and layers of pearls. Charms of starfish, mollusks, seaweed, and more adorn each of the layers. The entire piece is molded to lay just so over the bust. Her solid black purse doesn't function, but compensates with yet more elaborate molding, including a handle of pearls, and several more strands that dangle underneath. Her last accessory is possibly my favorite: a black headband in the shape of a mollusk. Curling tentacles reach outwards and upwards. It's unique and funky and pure Lagoona.<br />
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Accompanying Lagoona on the black carpet is none other than miss Cleo De Nile. It's no secret that I've been highly disappointed in almost all of Cleo's 2013 dolls. The problem hasn't been with her designs this year but rather with her eyes, which Mattel saw fit to squinch and yet make oddly round at the same time. It simply wasn't Cleo, and I wasn't happy about it one bit. Luckily, Cleo's BC doll comes with the correct eyes: long, almond shaped, and just plain <b>gorgeous</b>.<br />
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Shimmering yellow-gold eyeshadow encircles the eye, while a thin, bright, orange-red strip runs right through the center of her thick black mascara. Her lips come in stark, deep, dark red. It's a bold face, no doubt about it. Do I like it as much as her Scaris faceup? No. But it's close! Honestly, getting the correct eyes back was enough to please me. The fact that this is such a beautiful faceup is simply icing on the cake.<br />
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Cleo's black hair is parted on her right, with mild waves cascading down her back and landing at her rear. She has bangs that curl under, while just a few thin wisps of teal emanate from her part. This may vary from doll to doll, but my Cleo has almost no teal at all. That's not a complaint. Though I love teal in Cleo's hair, having so little of it here only serves to emphasize just how dark her hair is. It's a dramatic look. The texture isn't as soft as her Classroom and Oasis dolls -- a plus in my opinion, since such soft hair simply wasn't "Cleo". Instead this hair is much closer in texture to her Scaris doll's hair. It's a tad coarse, but not overly so. It's also a tad dry but again, it's not so bad as to be a negative. Give me this hair any day over the too-soft Oasis hair, the tinseled Ghouls Rule hair, or whatever the hell that Picture Day hair was. Oh yeah, that reminds me -- BC Cleo has no tinsel! Hooray!<br />
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Like all the BC dolls, Cleo's dress comes in a simple tank cut. Sleeves of black netting adorned with gold sparkles give way to a wonderful print of Art Nouveau swooshes in teal, aqua, and black. They are accented by papaya dots of various sizes. At the waist is a hem that attaches the bodice to a slitted skirt that meets on her right. Black, sparkling netting matching the sleeves of the dress hangs below the skirt. This dress falls perfectly in line with Lagoona's. These BC dresses are simple and straightforward, with colors and embellishments that fit each character's overall theme, while still fitting into the BC theme via genuinely gorgeous, abstract, Art Nouvea inspired prints. They're very impressive.<br />
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All of Cleo's accessories are solid gold and beautifully molded. Her shoes are very abstract: entwined snakes wrap the ankle while a winged heel cap gives way to a studded sole and stiletto. A black jewel connects the panels that frame her toes. Her elaborate belt matches the shoes. A buckle of entwined snakes rest above Art Deco panels. Three strands of beads dangle below, showcasing four charms: two scarabs and two skullettes. So detailed is the molding that we can see these tiny skullettes are specifically Cleo's -- they have mummy bandages wrapping their heads! Cleo wears a goddess crown decorated with a scarab, it's wings open, on her left. On her right are two large snakes, curled and wrapped around each other. Three strands of beads dangle below them. Last but not least is Cleo's purse. A handle of beads connects to the body, which is decorated with a large scarab that grasps a large jewel both above and below it. Seven strands of beads dangle underneath the purse's body. Although it opens, this purse is very slim so I would consider it non-functioning.<br />
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<b>Overall</b>: These are both very impressive dolls. First the obvious: if their dresses were just a little more elaborate they wouldn't feel like budget dolls at all. There are so many great details to be found with these two, not the least of which is the incredibly detailed molding going on with their accessories. I love how these two feel very connected within their Black Carpet theme. Both have Art Nouveau inspired decorative touches, similarly cut dresses, their purses align nicely, and their shoes have a single, black jewel. And yet they're each correct within their own theme, as well. Lagoona comes across watery and nymph-like, Cleo queenly and Egyptian. They each have strengths unique to their respective doll. Lagoona is dramatic and fierce, sexy even. The use of teal in her hair is a small deviation from the norm for her, but it works so well. It adds immensely to the doll's beauty and overall appeal. As for Cleo, I'm just glad to have her correct eyes back! Luckily the doll they're painted on is pretty damn fab anyway. If you ask me, these two make the budget dolls we got over the past year look downright silly. My interest in Monster High had been waning a bit, largely due to diminishing quality control standards and some rather uninspired designs. With Black Carpet, Mattel has reignited not just my passion for MH, but my faith in the line as a whole. I'm more excited than ever to see what else they have in store for us in the fantastic little world they've created with these dolls. <b>Monster High has gotten it's mojo back.</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-6243983321985389642013-11-11T20:47:00.000-06:002013-11-11T23:05:37.070-06:00Review: New Scaremester Clawdeen WolfI'm not proud of myself. Here's the deal: if there's one thing I always tell MH newbies, it's to never order their dolls online. With Mattel's fluctuating quality control standards you just never know what you're gonna get -- especially in regards to Monster High. Your best bet is picking a doll out in person at the store. But it seems I'm a "do as I say, not as I do" kinda guy, because the moment I saw New Scaremester Clawdeen available online I folded like a deck of cards being shuffled by an ADD-addled dealer in Vegas in a rush and ordered that chick quicker than you can say "who needs standards?" I haven't been silent in my admiration (more like boisterous fawning) for NS Clawdeen ever since her NYCC reveal and, well, I just <b>had </b>to have her. ASAP. She's here at home now (obviously), and happily there are no Catrine-esque <a href="http://voicething.blogspot.com/2013/02/review-catrine-demew-scaris-exclusive.html">disasters</a> this time around. She has a touch of wonk-eye but it's not, like, looking in two different directions bad. And so for once I'm not regretful for ordering an MH doll online. Huzzah!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>No, I'm not trying to subliminally tell you guys to go toke up. That's just how the cropped scan came out.</b></span></div>
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The very first thing I noticed when I unpacked Clawdeen was that the box is considerably smaller than the usual basic doll boxes. It's not budget doll slim but it's definitely scaled back compared to the signature boxes of yore. (Not that I'm complaining. This box was far easier to scan than the ginormous Picture Day boxes.) As for the box art, it's pretty fantastic. Clawdeen looks a little different here, and I'm not talking about the hairstyle. Something about her face. Definitely different. Again, I'm not complaining, as Clawdeen looks as fierce as ever, strutting her stuff as she checks her iCofiin or tablet or whatever it's supposed to be. Her hair is pretty poofy in this drawing, something that doesn't come through on the doll. (Thankfully. I like it for the artwork, but am glad the doll's hair is different.) The line's name appears over a locker dial and says simply "Scaremester", leaving me wondering if the name of the line is actually New Scaremester, or simply Scaremester. I'll go with the former for now.<br />
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The box back features Clawdeen's full length drawing and a page from her planner. We learn Clawdeen will be the Goodwill Ambassador (MH speak: Ghoul-Will Ambassador) to new students Catrine DeMew and Jinafire Long. I like this setup a lot. It's thematically fitting for all three characters, gives the line a stronger sense of identity, and gives us some nice continuity within the MH universe. The storyline is elaborated on in Calwdeen's included diary, which is actually a full planner. I really have to hand it to Mattel in this regard. The first two basic waves included diaries, Picture Day had Fearbooks (which offered no story but brought focus to the wide array of characters), and now we have planners. So clever!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>That entry about Wydowna has me wondering if we'll be seeing her in a wave two for this line this spring. Hmm...</b></span></div>
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Amidst all these planners and drawings and logos is a doll. Would you like to see her?<br />
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Ever since her NYCC debut I've been all but salivating at the chance to see this doll in person. Through multiple comments I've made it clear that based on pics she was my favorite of the NS dolls. I have another doll from the line on the way to me, but Clawdeen made it here first. It's not surprising that I'm glad it was her. The running theme of this particular Clawdeen is zippers, while her color scheme is purple, green, black, and gold. None of these are new for Clawdeen. But with these dolls it's all in the execution. And the details, the subtle stuff. Does she succeed? Let's take a closer look...<br />
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NS Clawdeen has the larger Deena eyes. Lime green eyeliner gives way to lavender eyeshadow that encircles the eye. There's no glitter or shimmer to be found, nor is the makeup matte. There is, however, one very important new addition to this Clawdeen: laid over her shadow are purple leopard spots! This is a very cool, very unique addition. Yes, we saw some spots wrapping one of her Ghouls Rule eyes, but that was silly, over the top, and costume-y. It was camp, not fashion. On the NS doll, it's used much more subtly. Paired with her shiny, blood red lips, it gives the look just the touch it needs to stand out, without being overbearing. It's perhaps a tad out there but rooted in reality nonetheless. There's something else I'm picking up on in this Deena's face as well. Remember in my Scaris Frankie <a href="http://voicething.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-frankie-stein-scaris-deluxe.html">review</a> how I noted that there was a sort of melancholy expression on her face? I'm getting something similar from this Clawdeen. And as with that Frankie, I simply can't put my finger on what it is here. Sure, this Clawdeen is fierce and fun, but there's just a hint of that melancholy vibe. It's very subtle. Suffice it to say I absolutely love it, and this faceup in general.<br />
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Clawdeen has two-toned (or is it three-toned?) hair. It's a slightly side-parted pageboy that curls inwards above the shoulders. Purple hair falls to her right while neon green falls to the left. Underneath, her hair is the usual chocolate brown. It's layered underneath so it all lands at her shoulders. Contrary to the box art the purple and green streaks do, in fact, fall behind her ears. Actually, the colored streaks behind her ears are pretty thick. There's a lot of purple and green back there! Clawdeen's hair comes gelled into a hard helmet. A warm water rinse and light brushing fixes it right up! Once it dried I was met with some of the nicest, silkiest hair I've ever seen on a Clawdeen doll. It's just so soft! I literally can't stop touching it, even as I'm writing this review. Sooo nice. And of course, what kind of fan would I be if I didn't mention that this hairstyle is brand new for Deena. It's a great look for her, and the fact that the texture is so incredibly lush makes it even better.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>There is some oddness with the rooting around this ear. Looks like those strands got double rooted or something.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>This side's fine.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Some pretty thick streaks in back.</b></span></div>
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All things considered, this is a pretty simple outfit for Clawdeen. She wears a tunic dress paired with a pleather-look jacket and the usual accessories. Compared to some of the wacky Picture Day ensembles we got last year it's downright pedestrian. The dress has a lime green bodice with neon green and white leopard spots. It features simple ribbon straps in green. Below the hips it flares into a pleated black skirt with a shiny, purple zipper print. Under the skirt is a short layer of black netting. The collared jacket comes in black and has three-fourth length sleeves. The breast pieces are split between black and gold on each side, giving way to a non-functioning gold zipper. The gold "pleather" features a non-functioning black pocket on each side. MH has really been bringing it with jackets in their fashion lately. PD Operetta and Frankie got great ones, and even lame-wad Howleen got a good one for her 13 Wishes doll. Clawdeen's is super cool, what with the extra-shiny pleather and that gold thrown in to give it just the right amount of "1978". Love it!<br />
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Clawdeen's boots are solid black but feature lots of great molding. Too bad none of these details are painted in. The heels are purple and, well... see for yourself...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Uh... how do you even describe these heels? I'm at a loss. They sure are wicked, though!</b></span></div>
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Her purse is a shell tote that, like her boots, has so much fantastic molding of which none is actually painted. Regardless, this is a fantastic purse! It has huge gold handles meant to look like zipper tabs. They swing freely, creating an eyecatching kinetic effect. And unlike most of the Picture Day purses, this one actually functions! It's big so you can fit a lot in there, including the iCoffin/tablet/whatever she comes with. These are the epitome of an "empty accessory". They're filler at best; I'd be just as happy without them. Her belt is solid gold and continues the zipper theme, with the actual belt being the teeth while the buckle is the tab. It's the same shape as the tabs on her purse, and like those, it's kinetic (though it's mobility is a tad more limited). In any case, it's very cool. Her necklace is solid gold and matches the belt, while her earrings play around with color asymmetry. Her right ear has a black, studded hoop and gold zipper tab; her left has the same earrings, with the colors reversed. Her bracelets are very simple: two plain black bangles on her right wrist; a gold, studded hoop on her left.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>This pic makes me laugh. (Because I have the mind of a ten year old boy.)</b></span></div>
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<b>Overall</b>: It's funny. I definitely love this doll. I had incredibly high expectations for her, and she met them. And yet something feels redundant about her. I'm not talking about the reused color schemes and zipper theme. I'm fine with them using these again for this Clawdeen because the doll is absolutely gorgeous and everything here is well made and perfectly executed. No, the problem is this doll has come so soon after her I Love Fashion doll. And with the exception of her face and hair, everything seen on the NS doll reminds me in some way or another of the ILF doll. And obviously face and hair are extremely important so if those are different then that is enough. But considering that the ILF dolls already feel like basic versions of the characters, I wonder if Clawdeen's slot in the New Scaremester line could've gone to a different character. Say, Ghoulia, for instance. Don't get me wrong -- I <b>love </b>this doll. I'm so glad to have her. She's so beautiful and that face and hair are wonderful and the outfit is so cool and the purse gives me life and oh how I adore her. She really is a slam dunk for Mattel as far I'm concerned. I'm just starting to wonder about some of their decisions. Hopefully Ghoulia shows up in a wave two for this line. Anyway, NS Clawdeen is pure win regardless and hey, if you love Clawdeen chances are you're gonna love this doll <b>a lot</b>. Seems like that magic that made almost all her 2013 dolls keepers hasn't run out because 2014 is off to a great start for the ghoul.<br />
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<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-81338930219277077802013-11-09T18:25:00.000-06:002013-11-10T03:14:30.150-06:00Review: Dead Tired Lagoona Blue -- Wave Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are several reasons why I shouldn't review today's doll. 1. This is the second DT Lagoona Blue doll to be released. 2. The other two dolls in this wave -- Robecca and Spectra -- are the first DT dolls we're getting for those characters. Technically they should take precedence as review subjects over Lagoona. 3. Over the course of Voicething's history I've reviewed a hell of a lot of Lagoona dolls. More than Spectra, and <b>way </b>more than Robecca. When I look at reasons for why I <b>should </b>review DT Lagoona instead of the others, really only one comes up: she's simply the doll I want to review.<br />
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There are a few other things at play here. In my opinion, with the right framing, a unique perspective, and an at least so-so grasp of the ability to discern and contextualize, a review for <b>any </b>doll can be interesting and engaging. It also helps if you feel passionate about the thing you're reviewing. And hey, if some of you are just really annoyed that I'm reviewing such a basic doll, one who's been out for a while now and that's for a character whose dolls are notoriously "samey", there's relief in sight. In a weak moment, I bought two new dolls online a couple nights ago. (Here's a hint: their names rhyme with Schmew Schmemester Schmawdeen and Schminafire.)<br />
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So, uh, what was I doing? Oh yeah, doll review! This is Lagoona's second Dead Tired doll, following on from her Wave One doll, which was sold exclusively with a pricey playset. I liked that first DT Lagoona so much I went ahead and bought that playset, and that was back when I didn't give one single crap about the playsets. Since that first doll was only available with the pricey set, it actually makes sense to release this new one. Yes, this is Lagoona's first solo DT doll. Dead Tired Wave Three isn't exactly a wide release line -- it's one of those that falls in that purgatory of "Not at Target and TRU and Walmart, but random other places. Uh, try Big Lots! Yeah. Good luck!" -- but it's wide enough that this will be the first solo DT Lagoona to reach most people.<br />
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Mmm, here's some groovy MH box art goodness for y'all...<br />
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Considering the pride I take in collecting these boxes, and the amount of practice I've had opening them without ripping anything, I'm pretty embarrassed that I tore this one. But not so embarrassed that I won't go and point it out anyway! I'm nothing if not self-effacing.</div>
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... is to ask them if they prefer Apple White or Raven Queen. If they say Apple, you've got a non-shallow keeper of a friend! (Naw, I'm just messin' with ya! Love you guys!)</div>
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And here's the doll herself...<br />
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Whoa. What a beauty!</div>
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In a fun turn of events, DTW3 Lagoona is a bit of a "kissing cousin" (it's a turn of phrase, get your minds out of the gutter) to Swim Lagoona from earlier this year. Both have mid-length hair in a middle part, similar streak placements, with the front portion of the hair pulled tightly. They both also have incredibly silky hair. (Squee!) There are some differences, as well. DT Lagoona's streaks are much darker than the Swim doll's, the way their hair was pulled was achieved differently, and DT Lagoona has a big fat wave at the neckline. (That said, I would still ultimately consider this hair "straight", even with that fat wave.) Both dolls continue the tradition established by her Dance Class doll -- and seen on almost all of her dolls since -- in which her usually overtly sweet face carries just as much sultriness. We all know I've been totally loving "sultry Lagoona", and the DT doll confirms that, for me, this is a look I hope sticks around on her for a while longer.<br />
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I was putting the doll into a whimsical, hanging upside down from the bars pose, when I realized this was a perfect way to showcase how her hair is bound underneath.</div>
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True, Clawdeen's neon green tights take what could've been a pretty cute clothes swap (with Swim Frankie), and turns Swim Lagoona into a campy Vegas showgirl on ecstasy.... but I kinda like the look. (Don't judge!)</div>
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Lagoona has a really simple faceup. I know, surprise surprise. But it really does work wonderfully here. Her eyeshadow comes in aqua that encircles the entire eye. We've seen aqua eyeshadow on Lagoona a million times, but to me this shade looks just a tad different from the usual color used for her. It's a tad lighter than usual, as if it has been lightly kissed by the sun. Her lips come in pure pink bordering on coral. Again, the shade is light, perfectly matching the tone of the eyeshadow. I was about to say these colors make the more electric tones used on most of her previous doll's faces seem thematically incorrect, then I remembered this is a Dead Tired doll. Of course the makeup would be lighter! (Then again, we'll always have those bold Wave Two faces that clearly proved Mattel sometimes just doesn't care, themes be damned.) It's just that DT Lagoona looks so beachy, so relaxed and natural. It's easy to forget this is a Dead Tired doll.<br />
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Speaking of, Lagoona's outfit does indeed look pretty pajama-y. (About as pajama-y as Dance Class Howleen's outfit, which is one of the most pajama-esque outfits we've gotten to date from MH. Zing!) Seriously though, this is a really cute outfit and thematically correct, but it could just as easily be worn as beachwear. Are you starting to see where my "beach-bedtime" confusion regarding this doll comes from? Lagoona wears a black tank top hemmed with hot pink thread. It bares a funky pink skullette on the front wearing a polka-dotted sleep mask. One of the tank's sleeves is dropped and a white sleeve rests above it, creating a layered look. Her pajama shorts come in a smooth knit (think MH swimsuit material) bearing an aqua print of scales and bubbles, and are hemmed with cotton ribbing in hot pink. A non-functioning hot pink drawstring is tied into a bow in front. These pj's could definitely double as beachwear. I'm not pointing this out to try and say Mattel got it wrong, I'm pointing it out because I think it's actually very clever. Bedtime or beach time, with this Lagoona it's all up to you! I like it! Her sleep mask and slippers do take away from the beach aspect of this look. The mask is aqua with a print of both white and hot pink bubbles. The elastic back simply wraps around her head. Her slippers are the usual for Dead Tired. They're aqua and each one has a monster face framed by pink fins. They're cute, but as you probably all know by now, the DT shoes just aren't my thing. (They're too thematically specific to work with other looks, something I don't like. It's the same type of thing that keeps me from liking the overly costume-y dolls. But give me some great basic-style outfits and accessories and I'm in heaven.)<br />
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Being a budget doll, Lagoona comes with one lone accessory: a curious aqua-shaded drink spilling out of a pink cup. Little ice cubes float around on top. In a true victory for painted details, everything in and on this little cup is painted it's own color. I appreciate this but it leaves me wondering -- if Mattel can put in the effort to make this tiny cup look superlative, why can't they do the same for MH shoes and purses??? If you ask me, as cool as little extras like this cup are, they're nowhere near as important in the grand scheme of these dolls as shoes and purses. I know the majority of you feel the same and are also wondering what's going on with the flat, uninspired paint schemes (or lack thereof) we've been getting on the accessories for so long now.<br />
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<b>Overall</b>: Even though I kind of ended on a bad note there, it doesn't pertain to this doll. (The details of her cup are exquisite.) So, anyway, I <b>really </b>love this doll! In fact, I'd go so far as to say she's my favorite of the Wave Three DT dolls! Do I like her more than Wave One DT Lagoona? No. But there aren't many Lagoonas I like more than that one in the first place! This is a beautiful doll with a mellow, sensual faceup, a cute outfit (among my favorites of any of the DT pj's), and <b>great </b>hair. Keeping in mind she's a budget doll with no stand or comb and scant extras, I'd say this Lagoona is more than worth your time.<br />
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Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-88761306003631943192013-10-31T00:30:00.000-05:002013-10-31T00:30:03.702-05:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The princesses got dressed up as their favorite ghouls for Halloween this year!</div>
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Because she's rocking this outfit so hard and so right she made your mama look twice, here's a few more Apple shots.</div>
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It really is getting out of hand how I have yet to put this doll in anything she doesn't look flawless wearing.</div>
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Deal with the devil, Apple? If so -- it was totally worth it.</div>
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So, uh, Happy Halloween!</div>
<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-23217580422473111282013-10-28T12:14:00.000-05:002013-10-28T22:03:07.749-05:00Review: Fashion Sticker Stylist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I'm out on a doll run I'm a pretty focused guy. I generally know what I want, and that's what I zero in on at each store I visit. Each time I find myself in the MH section of any given store, my attention is devoted exclusively to the dolls. If it's not a doll or playset or doll-containing playset I really don't give a crap. There's literally hundreds of non-doll MH-related items for sale. These things litter the MH section of the toy aisle, usually forming a sort of day-glo perimeter around the dolls; a tacky ring of sorts consisting of nasty cosplay wig hair, cheap makeup, and weird electronic devices shaped like bats that I imagine break after two plays. Over the years I've gotten better and better at completely ignoring these items as I look through the dolls. Sure, they're there in my periphery, but I ain't about to waste my precious doll-hunting time actually, you know, looking at them.<br />
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But maybe I should re-think my approach. Just a few days ago I came across a clearance section at Kmart. This wasn't in the toy aisles but rather adjacent to them. Immediately that oh-so-familiar crest and pink and blue color scheme jumped out at me. They had MH stuff on clearance! Cool! I did some browsing and came across a cool-looking book called <b>Fashion Sticker Stylist</b>. It was hardbound, had a shiny, foiled cover, and was spiral bound inside, containing pages and pages of stickers, character drawings, color swatches, and more. Taking a closer look, I saw that it was a book devoted to using stickers of MH fashions to dress paper doll-esque representations of the core six ghouls, plus Spectra and Abbey! Holy crap! This kind of thing is so completely right up my alley that I practically could've created it myself (if Mattel would hire me and yadda yadda yadda). Anyway, finding this gem of a book is the Voicething equivalent to Indiana Jones finding the Holy Grail. I was sufficiently blown away. I didn't even have to think twice -- into the shopping cart went this glorious thing called Fashion Sticker Stylist, and with it a whole lot of happiness. (Since, as I'm sure you fellow capitalists know, happiness can be bought. Heh.)<br />
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First things first: based on the ghouls and outfits included in the book, in addition to the fact that I found it in the clearance bin, I'm guessing this came out last year at the very latest. It's definitely built around the wave two basics (aka School's Out). Which next has me wondering -- why the hell didn't you guys tell me this thing existed?!? You guys know I love paper ephemera, drawings of the ghouls, paper dolls, <b>stickers</b>. This thing's obviously been out quite a while! I almost feel betrayed! But hey, it's cool, nobody's perfect. (But especially you guys. Feel the shame. Come on, feel it. We're not continuing on until you guys feel ashamed and sorry for leaving me out in the cold on this truly amazing book.)<br />
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Okay, okay. I kid. How about we take a look!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exN5DEx-lQY/Um6Hislnx4I/AAAAAAAAKCQ/as2_TPe_r60/s1600/fss1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exN5DEx-lQY/Um6Hislnx4I/AAAAAAAAKCQ/as2_TPe_r60/s320/fss1.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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In a refreshing change, instead of the usual "Big Three", we get Cleo on the cover of an MH product rather than Draculaura. <b>As it should be. </b>The ghouls are wearing their SO outfits -- sweet! And there on the side, large and prominent, we see Frankie's DOTD dress. I'm in love already. Oh, and even though it doesn't come across in the scan, everything is outlined in shining, silver foil. Even Frankie's hair is shiny foil. It's really cool.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l49tIONLxFM/Um6H_sWjaoI/AAAAAAAAKFA/o20C3JLwu28/s1600/fss3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l49tIONLxFM/Um6H_sWjaoI/AAAAAAAAKFA/o20C3JLwu28/s320/fss3.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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Here's the back. The 700 stickers advertised seems to be true. I haven't counted -- and I won't -- but when you see the insides you won't doubt this claim.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUX2nHjVpcU/Um6H-0kyt_I/AAAAAAAAKE4/jjwxZWQ-aP8/s1600/fss4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUX2nHjVpcU/Um6H-0kyt_I/AAAAAAAAKE4/jjwxZWQ-aP8/s320/fss4.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
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Here's the front-inside cover. It doubles as the "example" page, aka, this is how you're supposed to use this product. Frankie looks gorgeous here in her SO outfit (duh). The swatches chosen match her outfit, and the lightning bolt and large skullette earrings are a nice decorative touch. I don't know who this "Rachel" is, but she did a great job. She clearly operates on my wavelength because her chosen event for Frankie is "Shopping spree!". And I have to agree with her, this look really is "Perfect for a day of spooky shopping!" Can I come too? (In my mind, Frankie and I are besties. Kidding! Sort of.)</div>
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The first real pages of the book are two sheets of what can be considered "Grade A Extra Fancy" stickers. They're thick and holographic, and the second page of stickers have some glitter thrown on them for good measure. Unfortunately, due to the spiral binding and thickness of the stickers, these didn't scan perfectly. But you get the idea. (I love how at the top, "stickers" is followed by an exclamation point. Whoever created this knows me and my tastes extremely well.)</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">There's some great stuff here: GB Cleo's fan, </span><span style="text-align: center;">Neptuna in Lagoona's fishbowl purse, Ula's tophat, and the ghouls initial monster emblems, among other things.</span></div>
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The next two pages offer compacts, lipstick, skullettes, and blush cases. My favorite touch? Each of the lipstick tubes is individualized to a certain ghoul. So cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_vGTOtIqGzNoSQqlpl6TeMkinCug2cbxAynB1npa8J_o0JU4nmYQnprs_BadHCu1fqMun8hpalgDtdyxeaHuUNb_U6W-BeMs7Xhnk0QGe40PIbEFcxQHt2PT8Krc8lejOSEVHkseOzs/s1600/fss9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_vGTOtIqGzNoSQqlpl6TeMkinCug2cbxAynB1npa8J_o0JU4nmYQnprs_BadHCu1fqMun8hpalgDtdyxeaHuUNb_U6W-BeMs7Xhnk0QGe40PIbEFcxQHt2PT8Krc8lejOSEVHkseOzs/s320/fss9.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Next come three pages of swatches. If you're into colors and studying varying shades, these skullettes are definitely fun. Even more fun are the actual swatches. So many prints, colors, styles. Some of them are surprising, such as the swatch of GB Clawdeen's swimsuit print, or the print of Cleo's SO top. Others, such as Ghoulia's cherry print, are expected, but nice to see anyway.</div>
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Now the real fun begins! We get three pages of nothing but accessories!</div>
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They're mostly focused on shoes and purses (as they should be), but we also get headbands, belts, earrings, bracelets, you name it. (Special shout out to Lagoona's DOTD shoes! They were great then, and they're still great now. Even in sticker form!)</div>
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There are also several random, unexpected items: Lagoona's wave one FP boogie board, Draculaura's GB sunblock, and more.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ9nGLBsliE/Um6HnJlVrRI/AAAAAAAAKCo/tXXuZ2GUSYY/s1600/fss15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ9nGLBsliE/Um6HnJlVrRI/AAAAAAAAKCo/tXXuZ2GUSYY/s320/fss15.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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Now we're talkin'! Each ghoul gets one sheet of clothing stickers. All the ghouls get their wave one and/or SO outfit, in addition to DOTD, GB, DT, and more.</div>
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Frankie, unsurprisingly, gets lots and lots of fashions! Wave One, SO, Fearleading uniforum, DOTD, GB, DT, Day at the Maul, plus a few small extras. I approve!</div>
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This page makes me really happy. That's all.</div>
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Plenty of fashions for Lagoona! I don't recognize those aqua shorts with pink waistband and matching top in the lower left hand corner at all. Is this yet another example of me being a "flop fan", or were these made from a prototype fashion that never got released?</div>
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Lots of cool outfits for Ghoulia, of course! And again we have a few mystery pieces. Maybe Mattel threw in some "filler stickers" to help fill the book up. But it'd also be really cool if these were planned fashions that never got made.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FvnkRzrECATwonH95Z0fc3mdk8VCWpTpTUjI5SSqa_sTXZ6ywxz3bOdVUV7btRjVmLIe3utoxHDGZ-2gLEtW5eJPY5RINDF4jMslCVFiBvWkBtkQmZDmw3Sy_QInefps-CRSjBQxvII/s1600/fss21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FvnkRzrECATwonH95Z0fc3mdk8VCWpTpTUjI5SSqa_sTXZ6ywxz3bOdVUV7btRjVmLIe3utoxHDGZ-2gLEtW5eJPY5RINDF4jMslCVFiBvWkBtkQmZDmw3Sy_QInefps-CRSjBQxvII/s320/fss21.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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With Abbey and Spectra things get especially interesting. Since they were the newest ghouls on the block when this book was made, we get lots of random outfits that were never released for them. Check out this version of Abbey's SS outfit. I like this way more than the outfit we got!</div>
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This page makes me almost as happy as Cleo's did. And look at all the random outfits! It looks like they designed a DT outfit for Spectra in the style of Wave One. I'm totally digging that bodysuit between the two skirts. And the minidress with black corset looks eerily similar to her 13 Wishes dress. I'm loving the black jacket, black top, miniskirt with netting, and silver cummerbund. Please release this stuff, Mattel!</div>
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And last but not least, we have our ghouls.</div>
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I won't go on about these too much. You get three sheets each for Clawdeen, Frankie, Draculaura, and Cleo. You only get two sheets for Ghoulia, Lagoona, Abbey, and Spectra.</div>
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All the characters hold the same pose, so in theory all the fashion stickers will work on any ghoul. But we all know how clash-y most clothes swaps among these ladies can be.</div>
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I do like how, in addition to the actual outfits, you can add swatches and colorized skullettes and little decorative touches. It makes it a little more immersive, I imagine.</div>
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<b>Overall</b>: Well I just love this thing! If MH dolls are like typical fashion dolls on steroids, these are basically the same thing, but for paper dolls. That said, there are a few negatives I see here compared to "classic" paper dolls. Since you're using stickers, your options are limited. Once you choose an outfit for a "doll", that's it -- no turning back, no trading the outfit out for another one if you get bored of the one you picked. And if you mess up while applying the sticker, too bad! Also, while you get loads of fashions for each character, you only get two or three "dolls" for each one. In my opinion, there should've been at least four of each doll. Besides these complaints, the Fashion Sticker Stylist is totally cool. Since it was released (I'm guessing) around the time of Wave Two, the fashions here are among some of the best we've ever seen for MH. It was definitely a "golden age" for MH fashion. I'm glad this came out then instead of, say, now. The swatches, colorized skullettes, and "Extra Fancy" stickers add a level of play never possible with classic paper dolls. If you like what you see here, or just like paper dolls or stickers or collecting MH ephemera, this book is definitely for you! But like I said, I found this in the clearance bin, so if you want it you probably better act fast!</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922378775615192491.post-62107771731176666542013-10-26T20:19:00.000-05:002013-10-29T00:39:17.190-05:00Abbey the Great and PowerfulThroughout history, long, wild hair has been associated with power. Not just any power; I'm talking about the kind that taps into something intangible, metaphysical, even occultic. And more often than not this intangible power has been linked to women. It was once believed that for a witch to tap into the highest force, her hair must be wild and untamed. Even in modern times, loose, feminine locks connote a sort of strength (though it's often connected to carnality, as well). Whatever the case, be it openly or subconsciously, a woman with big, tousled, wild hair is seen as a force to be reckoned with. And if that really is the case, then Haunt The Casbah Abbey Bominable must be the most powerful woman on Earth...<br />
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Um... wow.</div>
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I mean, there's just so much of it! And it's so big. And it's doing about three different things all at the same time: it's curly except where it's straight, braided and banded and under control in front besides that portion where it isn't, a buoyant bouffant except where it's flat.</div>
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Her faceup is pretty great. Not amazing, but not bad by any means. I know the yellow-gold eyeshadow is new for Abbey, but for me the most noteworthy thing about this faceup is that it has somehow managed to make her "angry" eyes look a little more friendly. I'm not so into the angry eyes so this seemingly softer expression gets a big thumbs up from me.</div>
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Like all the HTC dolls, my history with this Abbey is checkered. When she was unveiled at SDCC, I thought she looked pretty amazing. When I started seeing the actual doll on store shelves my mind changed. Every single one I looked at had insane, messy, tragic hair. I finally found one I liked a few weeks ago and bought her. Once I got home I hemmed and hawed over her, never taking her out of the box. I eventually returned her.</div>
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Earlier this week I found another one I liked and bought. Again I hemmed and hawed, but this time I decided to keep her; out of the box she came! (By the way, this pose combined with that giant mane of curls reminds me of early-80's Barbie box drawings. Love it!)</div>
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I feel my diligence in holding off on HTC Abbey, and patience in finding just the right one, paid off. In my opinion this is one of the best HTC Abbeys you're gonna lay your eyes on, either in person or online.</div>
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Compared to the other HTC dolls Abbey's outfit seems a bit simple.</div>
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Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a plain or boring outfit by any means! It's very detailed!</div>
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It's just that it doesn't seem to have <i>quite </i>as much going on. The others' outfits have removable layers to varying degrees; not so, Abbey's dress.</div>
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It looks great anyway, of course. I love the snowflake pattern on the outer layer of tulle. The black, grey, and white colors combined with the style of draping gives the look a ghostly vibe. (Change the colors and print and this would've been great on Spectra.)</div>
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The snowflakes are sparkling gold on the outside, white underneath. Since the skirt is pleated both sides face outward, creating a nice contrast.</div>
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All of Abbey's accessories (except her shoes and lantern) are solid, sparkling gold. In general the various pieces are smaller in size compared to the other HTC dolls. I like this a lot -- it subtracts greatly from the "gaudy factor".</div>
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I'm glad I held out for the right HTC Abbey; I got one that leaves me feeling surprisingly impressed with this release. Given how HTC Draculaura turned out, Abbey could've been an even bigger disaster. Luckily that's not the case.</div>
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See you in Art Class, Abbey!</div>
<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614336806159509795noreply@blogger.com9