BMR1959 Thoughts

I have to admit, I collect a lot of different doll types, so my interest varies throughout the year and I am constantly flitting from one line to another.  My interest recently came back around to Barbie and I started looked at what was "new" out there since the last time I was in Barbie mode. I noticed some discussion on some of the doll boards about the BMR1959 line and was most intrigued by the fact that they were on made to move bodies. EVEN Ken!! I've waited for Mattel to introduce a MTM Ken body since the MTM female bodies were introduced, so of course I was bound and determine I would have one of them even if the rest of the doll didn't 'appeal to me. I finally saw pics of the line and admit I was underwhelmed by the clothing and styling choices Mattel made, but some of the dolls themselves really appealed to me and I decided to get the one on the Curvy body and Asian Ken, which is on a lighter skin MTM KEN body! I bought them to redress and I will probably get another of the Kens to rebody. They arrived yesterday, so wanted to take some pics of them in their original looks before redressing and post a few of my thoughts.

I'm still undecided on the rest of the line, but overall I'm really pleased with these 2. Ken is the Harley Ken sculpt I believe, which is one of my favorites, so that is a plus. I also really love the man bun and the fact its done with rooted hair.

I like his glasses as well, and those will certainly be useable among my crew. The sweatshirt is huge and I probably won't use it much  for the Ken dolls, but I might get use of it with some of my larger dolls. It is well made. The "bag" is plastic. Not sure how much use I will get out of it, but the shorts and sandals can certainly be paired with other things to get some mix and match use of.

I like his facial screening as well.

All in all I'm really glad I got him.  I do however LOVE almost everything about the curvy addition in this line. There are only 2 things I really don't like about her...……………..the logo earrings and the plastic jacket.

I love the cat glasses and will get use out of those. Her facial screening is gorgeous. Love the purplish lips. I also love the hairstyle! 

Her dress under the coat is not so trendy that it can't be used as a mix and match piece to pair with other things.

She's a definite keeper for me. I love that even her nails are painted gold. I'm really torn on getting the tall Millie sculpt girl now as I don't have a tall MTM body yet. I am glad I bit the bullet and got these 2 though. I also will probably get the other Ken to steal his body for another of my guys. I like his puffy coat as well.

Back to Barbie

While my doll collecting focus has moved to Asian BJD's primarily over the last 10 years or so, I have kept representatives of most of the doll lines I've dabbled in during my 25+ years of collecting. Since Barbie started it all, and was a big influence on my collecting I still have quite a few Barbie/Ken and friends. When Mattel introduced the made to move bodies, I have to admit I started perusing the Barbie aisles again looking for a cheap doll fix. A few times a year I like to get them out and play with something totally different from my norm. I pick up cute outfit pieces when the mood strikes me and have a bin full of clothes in their size. This morning I felt like digging out some of the cute fall things and playing Barbie. The 2 dolls here are Fashionista faces repurposed onto the poseable bodies.

The cute chair was a Hobby Lobby find.

Clothing are all mix and match pieces by Mattel.

I'm not usually a fan of sculpted hair, but there was something about this Fashionista line Ken's face that really appealed to me, so I got him hoping he would be a color match for one of the extra "Peeta's" I had found on clearance on the poseable Ken body and surprisingly he was.

Barbie is also a Fashionista face. I've loved some of the doll faces that have come through that line over the past several years, and have bought and re-bodied many of them. I loved the curly hair and closed mouth on this version of Barbie. The facial screening was good as well for a $8.99 doll.

Feeling Nostalgic

Today I was feeling a bit nostalgic and remembering all the fun I used to have with my Tonner dolls, so got a few of the remaining dolls out for some new photos. Before the BJD bug (specifically Iplehouse) bit me hard I focused on Tonner repaints. I've sold off quite a few the past couple of years, but this one by Jenise of the Doll Salon remains.

Joined here by one of the last Tonner dolls (that wasn't Outlander themed) that came through the door. I have had his box out several times with the intent to pack him up and sell him, but something keeps me from listing him, Charlie Dodgson.

My last remaining factory Russell, along with Friday Foster, who I think is one of the loveliest faces that Tonner did.

And lastly during my play time today I wanted to photograph the Chase siblings together. I love this Simon. He's one of my favorite of the Tonner factory faced men. RTW Rouge Sydney I've had up FS a couple of times, but she hasn't seemed to find a new home yet, so figured I would enjoy her while she remains. They do make a very striking pair together.

And another of Sydney by herself, as she really is lovely.

Reminiscing

I was looking through old pictures on my hard drive and found some pictures I had taken of some of my favorite Kish/Tonner families in falls past and thought I would share them since they are seasonally appropriate. Mom and Dad in this first pic have both moved on, but I still have the Kish cutie.

Back before the Iplehouse bug took a strong hold on me, using my Tonner dolls and Kish kids to make dolly families was one of my favorite ways to play with my dolls. I still have all 4 of these dolls. There is something so sweet about all the little Kish faces that I just haven't been able to bring myself to sell them.

And lastly, another family that still lives here. This was and still is probably my favorite of the families I put together.  I need to get them out for some new updated family photos I think.

More Harry Potter

A fairly new addition to the Star Ace Wizarding world, and my collection...……...Bellatrix LeStrange.
I missed out on Tonner's Bellatrix, so decided to add her to my Star Ace grouping.

I think she's a fairly good likeness even if the eyes are a little lifeless. Definitely the eyes are an area Star Ace could do better at.

She poses well and comes with her wand and necklace as well as the Death mask. I know a lot of folks in the sixth scale "Action figure" world don't like rooted hair, but I do for the women especially and I'm glad Star Ace chose to go the rooted instead of sculpted route.

I just might have to get Lucius Malfoy to go with her even though I can't decide if his head looks too big on his body or not yet.

Star Ace Wizarding World

Just a couple of shots of my favorite trio from Hogwarts. I love these Star Ace dolls from Harry Potter's world. The likenesses in these 2 pics are from the Sorcerer's Stone movie. They are so poseable and fun and come with quite a few accessories. The top photo is of the kids in their casual wear. Bottom is them in their uniforms minus the robes.

Distractions

 Just seeing if I remember how to post, as it has been quite a while since I've added content to my blog.

Callum doesn't look too happy to have the camera around