Unicorn Ula is real!; or, Art Class Draculaura Appreciation

You may remember a few days ago that I referred to Art Class Draculaura as Unicorn Ula. 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...

Bold yellow eyeliner and shadow? Check! Shimmering taupe topper shadow? Check! Random bright red divider line? Check! My heart stolen by all this? Check!

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.

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.

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.

She also wears a yellow headband featuring two small bows on each side, a subtle kawaii nod. Her earrings are solid pink skullettes.

Around her waist is a pink apron with black grid print. It ties in back with simple black ribbon.

Judging by the 2014 dolls, including this particular Ula, the 50's will be to 2014 what the 60's were to 2013. Picture this outfit in Operetta's colors and you'll see what I mean.

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. LOVE IT.

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.

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.

Like I said: Unicorn Ula. Magical and perfect.

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.

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?)

Til next time!

Art Class Abbey: Sparkling Sexy Retro Goddess

I 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...

Just... wow.

Oh, I forgot to mention in the intro -- she's also really fierce! Consider this pic "Exhibit A".

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.

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. Simplicity: learn it, live it, love it. 

Exhibit B

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.

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 amazing Abbey dolls so I can just move on from her once and for all!

Exhibit C

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. Art Class Abbey is nothing short of astonishing.

The 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!

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 The Sequel and Tumblr. 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?

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...

The new girls! (Well, sort of. We'll get to that.)

Skelita! If only you knew how much life you give me.

Seriously y'all, this doll is heroin in the form of plastic, saran, and zany flowers. I'm addicted.

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!

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. Unicorn Ula is real!

Art Class Abbey is hot. Or in her case should I say she's "cold"? Whatever, you get my drift: girls got it goin' on!

Hey look! Cat Tastrophe has finally made her way onto the blog! (Damn Abbey, Art Class is totally working for you. Gorgeous.)

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.

Me-ow.

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!

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.

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!