Did I Say No More Dolls? What I Meant Was....

No more that day.

Me with more Stardolls.  I know that's quite the shock. But most of them were on clearance for $7.48 at Target.  Get out!  I'd pay that for the outfits.  And since the LIV bodies can fit the shoes.  All is well.  The AA doll was $10.48, but still a great price.  The two dolls on the left will get LIV bodies for sure.  I'm still on the fence about a Fashionista or LIV body for the AA doll.  All three will be part of the college crew.  

Finally saw the new Artsy at Walmart.  I needed another body to paint. 

 Someone else here needs a new body and I love the little outfit.  Perfect for my college crew.

I bought a couple of the LIV outfits from Target. There were a couple more there, but I left them.  So funny, when I was at Walmart, they had the NEW ITEM sign still on their LIV stuff and regular prices.  Ha!

Found these cuties in the Fisher Price aisle.  They may come in handy if I ever do the DisneyWorld trip I have planned.

I Went Back to the Target Sale and Big Lots

Today is the last day for part of the Target sale.  So I am posting this just in case someone forgot.  I wanted to go back to Target to possibly buy the Stardoll with Chanel like jacket.  No intentions to buy anything else.  I always go to different Targets because they all carry different things.

I've been wanting this set for a long time.  Didn't want to pay full price and it has disappeared from MattelShop.com.  It was on sale for $17.98.  I don't think an AA set even exists.  This Shelley doll's height can change.  I bought it because I am rebuilding my pediatrician's office.  There is a new I Can Be Pancake turning set that I almost bought.  It was the AA set and the little girl is a new dark skinned Shelley version.  She is really cute!  Unfortunately, they gave this doll the colored legs, which do not move well.  I didn't think I had a darker SIS body to swap her to, BUT I DO! No, I am not going back to Target!

I wanted this set too.  I only had one set of skis and ski boots and needed a second set for the ski trip.  I really like those graphic type pants much better than I thought I would.  Yes, it was on sale.

This is one of the older Fashionista sets.  I was really surprised to see it there.  Back when it came out, I was so against these sets.  Couldn't stand them.  I have learned how to look at these sets with more of a discerning eye.  I had to let go of my "but they aren't Fashion Ave clothes" hang up.  That jean jacket was showing up everywhere on flickr last year. 

Now that I am better at the mixing and matching, I can see outfits in my head using certain pieces.  I really wanted these pants.  I thought the top was cute too.  Great little casual piece.  Last year, I'm sure that purple dress totally turned me off.  I am singing a different tune, now.  Laaaaa.

I remembered that Tina and Shantavia's daughter had already picked out purple outfits to wear to the wedding.  Voila, Shantavia will be wearing that purple dress to the wedding.  It looks kind of sad in the pack, but I think it's going to look nice on her. Tina's purple dress is from a Stardoll accessory pack.  The dress is really cute, but extremely short. If you are wondering how Tina got invited to the wedding, she is accompanying her new man, Harrison.  Who, if you recall, is Leslie's dad.  Go on Ms Tina.  Do your thang!

I now pay attention to the footwear in the packs, too.  I really like these boots.

Okay.  Now on the surface this pack looked pretty bad to me. Two things caught my eye in this pack.  I could picture the little graphic dress (the yellow one) looking really cute with leggings and a jacket.  And those boots!

These boots are killer!  I had to justify buying this pack just for the boots.  Watch me work.

So, the name of the pack is Tokyo.  This dress says I love Tokyo. Again at first glance not something I would choose to buy.  The outfit in the center was worse.  But that's because I had my own personal style in mind.  There aren't a lot of Vanessa's roaming around Morristown.  There are all kinds of people with lots of different styles.

Then I remembered Mari, my Asian teenage performer.  Both those outfits would be great performing outfits.  Problem solved.  I got my boots and Mari got her new outfits.  Now all I need is the Bratz stage.

Kara rushed home from the salon and picked out her dress.  Tell me she is not rocking this dress!  I love this dress on her.  So does Chris, her husband.  This is the one that is worn by Stardoll Bonjour Bijou 2, the redhead.  Yes, the Stardolls are on sale at Target through today.

She will not be carrying this bag, but this is one of my new favorite handbags.  Probably because I carried something similar when I was in college.  This is from one of the Stardoll accessory packs.  Yes, they are on sale.  I don't mean to be an enabler, just an informant. 

By the way, we got Melanie covered, too.  Chyna couldn't pull police duty for the wedding, but she sent S.W.A.T. (I don't have a doll that I think properly represents Chyna, yet.  Still looking).  You won't see them at the wedding.  They will have the perimeter covered and will be checking all cars as they enter to make sure she doesn't get in.

I stopped by a different Big Lots.  I always check for Power Team guys.  I saw only one and I didn't like him at all.  Looked at the rest of the toys, then headed to the restroom.  After leaving the restroom I decided to look through the toys again.  What is it with us addicted doll people?!  Low and behold there were two more PT guys that I somehow overlooked.  This was one that I really wanted.  I hope to name him Rain, but I have to get Ebony's permission first.  

One last thing.  These were $1 in the $1 section of Target .  I plan to use them to organize some of my doll projects:  one for woodworking, one for sewing, one for food, and one for furniture.

They have 4-5 clear pockets inside.

Whew!  I'm tired.  Got to go make furniture now.  I promise, no more posts until tomorrow.  Have a wonderful day.

So In Style Dolls Rang up $11.99 at Target!

I went to Target yesterday looking to see if they had the Barbie Basic 3.0 dolls stocked.  This Target was in the process of restocking the toy section and had put lots of new fashion doll items on the shelf.   I noticed the four So In Style dolls sitting all alone at the end of the aisle.  There happened to be a worker there with a price gun on her cart.  I had her scan the dolls, expecting to hear $24.39.  But she said $11.99.  WHAT?  I picked up the Marisa doll and had her scan that one, too.  $11.99!  I was tempted to buy all four, but then remembered the Grace and Marisa doll were the only two on the list.  (I have  been pretty good at sticking to my list). 

So the question is, has Target received enough calls and direct Twitter messages to start changing the price, or is this a fluke?  I really don't know the answer to that.  I started my Twitter assault just a few days ago.  I imagine there were countless other people ticked off enough to call and send messages to Target, as well.  My plan is to go back to the other Target that had them marked $24.39 and see if they are still that price.  It they are marked $11.99 or something close, I will know that the change is not a fluke.  If it is a pending change, it may take the stores that had them for $24.39 a minute to change the price.  I have no clue how the whole Target coding system works.  It just dawned on me, doesn't the Attorney General in each state handle price gouging issues?  I will continue my research to see if the people were again able to affect a change.  If the answer is no, I will continue my work to bring attention to the matter.  Keep your eyes open in your respective areas.  [You see what we were able to temporarily do about those pending bank fees.  Power to the people!]

How fitting that Grace is in a pnk and green outfit.  This is the reason I bought another Grace doll.  Her mom, Camille Langford is a soror in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and these are their colors.  The Marisa doll will be named Faith, because she looks just like Faith Evans to me.  Especially when you look at her on the back of the box.

Target and Their Price Gouging of the So In Style Dolls

Recently we have been made aware that Target Stores in some states are chargine $24.39 for the new So In Style dolls.  Most of the people I know who have experienced taking the dolls to the front to purchase them, have asked Target managers to check their price.  Why?  Because these dolls typically retail for $12 -$14.  Where is this $24.39 price coming from?  I was pretty convinced it was a pricing error, but then thought, could Mattel be charging $24 for this basic doll with no accessories? 



Photo property of Aurorakinta via Flickr



Further research from our dear friend Debbie Garrett from Black Doll Collecting, revealed that Mattel's suggested retail price is $14!  Again where did this $24.39 Target price come from?  Target has responded that "due to the anticipated popularity, this is the price we have decided to charge".  Well this has really ticked me off and I am determined to make some waves over this one.

I am not ticked because of my personal desire to purchase the dolls.  I am ticked because this line was primarily created so that little African American girls could experience doll play with dolls that more resembled them.  This has been an issue all throughout our history.  Even today I think companies should do a better job at the diversity of the dolls and toys that are available.  So TARGET, you take a line of dolls that were initially priced comparable to the Caucasian counterpart (Fashionista dolls), and you almost double the retail price because of their anticipated popularity.  So once again, it is the African American and now Hispanic communities, with the addition of the Hispanic doll to the line, that suffer.  So the dolls that were FINALLY created for them is now so overpriced, they still may not be able to experience doll play with dolls that resemble them!!!  Of course the dolls are going to be popular because the creation of such a line is long overdue.  Stop trying to make extra dollars on the backs of our kids!

You May Question Some of These Purchases, But I Do Have Plans

So here are the pictures from my Target expedition.  I took most of these pictures while sitting on my bed, so don't expect too much. They are mostly for catalog purposes.  I have learned that I need to take pictures of everything I buy, so that I remember what is in my stash.  Now I haven't been a fan of the Barbie fashion packs for 2010/2011.  But a couple of the new ones caught my attention.

This was not on my "to buy" list, but with the wedding quickly approaching, I am rethinking the whole idea of making clothes for everyone.  I think I can still make the wedding nice, even using some purchased items. 

This little clutch bag is really pretty.  It's hard to see the beauty in this picture, but these little things come in handy for dios and videos. 

When I saw this in ToysRUs last week, I immediately wanted the outfit on the right for Tina my psychiatrist. 

I was not disappointed.  I am still on the fence as to whether the look is a little young for her.  She's a hip mom/grandma and maybe with the right shoes and accessories it will be just fine.

Putting the top with the skirt was even better.  She may have to sport this little number to The Den.

Just in case you needed to see it again.  LOL.

I saw this Target exclusive on flickr.  Someone had removed the collar on the plaid jacket and it looked fabulous. This is the Paris collection. 

Again this is just a quick shot. I can see this with some black leggings or pants.  Maybe with a cute shirt underneath.  The boots are also in this set.

This little dress was a pleasant surprise.  The material is much nicer than I expected.  I am going to have to research bubble dresses so that I can style this properly.

 
This picture shows the skirt. Again, I need to figure out how to style this.

Only the Paris shirt and shades are part of the collection.

I know what you are thinking.  I can't believe she bought that jacket.  I was drawn to this jacket when I first saw it.  It is similiar to some of the runway fashions by Dolce and Gabbana and Armani.  I already have a scene planned where this jacket will appear.  The straw hat is really nice.  Not plastic, like some of the other Mattel hats.

I don't particularly like the quaility of this set, but it was marked down to $9 and with the sale, I took the plunge.  It will come in handy for my plane.

I never noticed the hat and the other accessories before.

This little blue hat is cute, too.

I bought a couple of bodies.  I always loved the Sassy outfit.  This is actually on the old swap body, which I really like because of the ability of the knees to turn to the side.  Makes sitting like a lady a lot easier. I bought Glam because I love the clothes they have for this doll.  I almost bought the new one too.  Not to mention I'm sure the body will come in handy.

Halle was always the doll I had in mind for this dress.  After her encounter with Darius yesterday, girlfriend went "I need to win Darius back" shopping.  Oh goodness.  Help us all.

Last but not least, something for little Zahara.  There are a number of choices.  A couple of the dolls are permanently altered to be Christmas dolls.  Who came up with that one.

Hope you enjoyed the show.  Don't forget the sale is good until tomorrow.  Buy one, get one 50% off.

I Survived Big Lots and Ross', But I Feel Like Target Beat me with a Bat!

I'm not showing any of the pics just yet.  I may not show any at all.  I just feel so weak.  I have made an appointment with my dear friend Tina, the psychiatrist.

Target has Buy ONE Get ONE 50% off on all Barbie stuff until Saturday!

That's why I haven't been to Target in months. I rarely get out of there without buying something.  The first Target I went to had the new So In Style line.  They only had one of Marisa, Grace, Darren, and Trichelle.  Marisa is really nice.  I had all four in my cart (momentary breakdown), then just kept the Marisa and the Grace.  I couldn't believe I was going to buy another Grace doll, but the dress is the cutest pink and green dress.  Perfect for the AKA sorority. I thought it was a sign because in my stories, Grace's mom, Mrs. Langford, is a member of that sorority.  I'm not sure, but I think Darren has been slightly reculpted.  His smile doesn't seem as big.  His outfit, again, was nice enough for me to consider putting him in the basket.

I proceeded up front with my 2 SIS dolls, two outfit packs and a couple of the male outfits (that straw hat is cute, cute, cute).  Do you know those SIS dolls rang up for $24.99 retail.  WHAT?  Clearly there is a mistake.  Mattel better not be selling those basic, unarticulted, no extra accessory dolls for $25.  Unfortunately, that was the price Target was sticking to.  So I left them right in the store.  Now if you know me, and you guys do know me, you know I went to a couple more Targets trying to find those dolls and see if they were priced "correctly" at another store.  I couldn't find them anywhere.  When I got home, I scoured the internet looking for a price.  Nothing.  Does anyone know what those dolls are going to sell for?  Please don't say $25.  I will be convinced that I need to personally contact Mattel and address this issue.

Unfortunately at the other Target, I couldn't help but buy a couple more things.  I felt so bad when I got home, that I left it all in the car.  When I got on line and read about other people's purchases, I felt better and retrieved one bag out the car.  LOL!