Asian=Ninja How did I miss that one?

So I was doing a search for a cheap deal on Takeo Mizutani when it brought up this insightful blog on Dolls of Color and it it made me realize in my attempt to make a pun about his "identity" that I didn't even catch the blatant stereotype. The worst of course if that Jason Wu is himself Asian. WTF.

Dear Jason Wu, why does the only East Asian guy in your Fashion Royalty series have to be a ninja? Aren’t YOU sick of people thinking all Asians know martial arts and kung fu?
Why couldn’t he be… umm… a designer? Or a photographer… or chef even?

Check out the entire entry here. Or check it out whenever. They're going up on my fave links list.

Takeo is still hot though. He doesn't need a sword or even that suit. Oops, sorry.

Boogie Beach Reese (and my crazy doll schedule)

Originally uploaded by Bubblegum18

Did I mention that I purchased Boogie Beach Reese last week? I did. So I am awaiting her arrival along with Jungle Fever (Ugh, that name!) in the next week or so. The last doll I get for a long while may be a male integrity doll, Takeo Mizutani. Because I like some good old action as much as the next guy and besides, these chicks need some testosterone. Takeo, as he is called is on a "Moscow Mission" and comes in dark suit and has a long kick ass Katana blade for dismembering enemies or the very badly dressed.

In other news Perrin, The Traveling Blythe will soon be on her way to me to visit NYC and the Fab Five for a few days in December. I got an email from the TB crew today verifying my mailing address. which I decided to make my work address because I would just die if I had to deal with the deadbeats at my local post office to get Perrin safely home. I can't wait to see her in person! Her first stop was Chicago and now she is in Canada. I'm her third stop!! YIPEEEE!!!

1984 (for zanalee)

1984 (for zanalee)
Originally uploaded by valentine westphal

Spectacular! This is my third commissioned House of Pinku dress for Blythe. I tried to pass it up but I saw her making several different versions of this dress for other customers. The first one nearly knocked me out. I finally just gave in and fm'd her on flickr.

I love dresses with little picture prints in them that kind of tell a story. She calls this one "Beware of Tatoed Wolves." The horse is a bit obscured by the fold on the left but he's facing off against a wolf on the right. Who will win? Lol!

Also, this is the first party dress I've ever had from House of Pinku so it's pretty exciting. That black heart belt buckle and the white bow! are killer!

I'm hoping to pack this away with the Poncho from Miss Modular (did I blog that? If not I soon will.) and the Barbie Vespa to open up on Christmas or whatever day the Fab Five's Christmas will take place on.
: )

Jungle Fever?

I'm not quite sure how I feel about that name but I just adore her face and hair!!! I love her entire Safari outfit! Why didn't these guys exist when I was a girl?

She reminds me a bit if Shirelle, my "First Black Barbie" doll except more updated. Her curly afro is more structured and with highlights! Oh my god! I have some seriously unresolved girlhood I'm living out here. And of course she's jointed at the elbows, knees and wrists because she's a Jason Wu Integrity Doll so she's way more poseable! I never had dolls that were this poseable!

Hello Alysa!

Hello Alysa!
Originally uploaded by zanalee

Alysa, pretending to be sweet. I like that she has a defined collar bone at the base of her neck. And I just cannot get over that hair! I'm afraid to take out that little network of rubber bands on the top though. I think I'll just leave it alone for now.

The Barbie Vespa

The Barbie Vespa
Originally uploaded by zanalee

It arrived at work today in this huge box. I had no idea it would be this big. This is the first toy I have ever bought for Blythe. I just love it so much as a photographic prop, I had to have it. But I am genuinely excited by just how cool it looks! The seat opens and the little hutch in the back has a matching helmet in it! Too cute!!

What? It was like 8 bucks. Really!

Break it up ladies

And who are you?
Originally uploaded by zanalee

I have to be honest, I guess I am so used to the non-threatening open and friendly faced Barbie smile that Alysa, an Integrity doll, scares me a bit. The arched eyebrows, the wickedly shaped lips. I was never scared of Blythe Dolls, but this chick is intimidating. However, she photographs really well and I loooove that hair!

Manon #1

Manon #1
Originally uploaded by DivaLuvv

This is insanely impractical but I love this doll. I love her. And I want her for Christmas. Someone who truly loves me will find a way. LOL!!!

Spa Day for Reya and Opening Day for Hooked by Cece!

Since the hair I chose for Reya is 100% human I had to find a site that instructed on how to care for it. I was worried about messing it up but it turns out that it's not so different to wash than uh, human hair! LOL!! Only with store bought human hair you have to be careful not to wring or scrub the hair and to pat or air dry it rather than towel. I used a little of my own Organics Coconut Milk shampoo and a sample I found of some Ole Henriksen Orchid Flower conditioner which I worked in thoroughly with my fingers and left in for a few minutes before rinsing.

Having her hair washed kept Reya from working in an HBC photo shoot today so I took Sabine and Molly with me across the street to take pics in Marcus Garvey Park before the sun went down because I may not have mentioned it yet but Hookedbycece's etsy shop is open for business!!! Yeah!

Hat available soon on Hooked by Cece!

11.09 Traveling Blythe

11.09 Traveling Blythe
Originally uploaded by hana a go go

This is Perrin one of two Traveling Blythes who were purchased and customized for the purpose of traveling around the world visiting Blythe lovers and having her travels documented by all she meets in the "It's a Small World, travelling Blythe" Flicr group. I forget whose idea it was but it was a brilliant one.

Groups 1 and 2 were decided pretty quickly after we all contributed about 20 bucks each to buy and custom the doll with the idea being that at the end, one of us would win one of them. I am in Group 2, the North American Route and according to the list I will be the third to be visited by little Perrin. I have to be honest, I'm not super crazy about her hair at all. It seems so straight and flat and I was really excited about getting a doll whose hair I could style a little more but alas this is what it is and I am still crazy about meeting her!

She is already at the end of her stay at her first destination in Chicago with hana a go go. The next stop for her is mishou in Canada and then Zanalee (me) in old New Yooooork! That's in December. Oh, I'm so siked!!

♡ For Zanalee ♡

♡ For Zanalee ♡
Originally uploaded by miss modular

Arriving soon, my fourth Blythe Doll garment commission.

Thanks Miss Modular!
: )

mess with somebody your own size!

mess with somebody your own size!
Originally uploaded by ♪Misato

Two of my favorite figures in one photo. I hear she kicked his ass. Love it.

Autumn Stroll

Originally uploaded by zanalee

Took Reya, Vida and Emily out to Central Park this weekend. The conservatory on 103 and Museum Mile has really become our spot. I know all the places for the best shots there. The sky was a bit gray by the the time I made it out there but while we were out the sun made a few enchanting appearances which I took advantage of in the brief time I was given.

Hat Love

Originally uploaded by zanalee

The only meetings Reya likes are staff hat meetings.

All Done

Originally uploaded by zanalee

The final step was tying her head up from all possible angles to set her scalp on her head with something called tacky glue. I was prepared for the worst. I mean the stuff looked like Elmer's glue which I just couldn't imagine being strong enough to hold down rubber and plastic over hair weft bunching on the inside. I left her tied up for two nights. It wanted to leave her longer but I felt so bad seeing her like that. So I released her from her bondage the second night and things looked miraculously stable! I am really impressed and so relieved that she's finally finished and doesn't have to wear hats all the time. Reya has really become something so much more than anything I could have anticipated.
That being said, I don't think I will ever undertake such a bold and involved customization ever again unless I'm getting paid for it.

When Emily Met Cece

When Emily Met Cece
Originally uploaded by zanalee

I met my friend Cece yesterday in Harlem when she called to tell me that my Blythe,Reya Light was in contact with her on facebook about commissioning some crotchet hats. She had just completed two. Yes, I made a Facebook page for my Reya Light and her friends. Why not? Crazier things have been done for less. : )

So I walked down there to meet her on a oddly humid Halloween afternoon with Emily Sapphire in tow because Reya is still getting her hair done and couldn't make it. Cece had made two sweet little hats, one green with a bib and the other brown and white with a wider brim. But they were to small to fit a Blythe, so she made two more, the one seen here and a green one with a bib, not pictures,right there! I'm always so fascinated by crotchet and watching people do it. I mean Cece can make one of these hats for a real person within a couple of hours! And they're amazing!

I've always thought she should start her own little etsy shop and now it looks like she may be starting one featuring hats for Blythe. OH I'M SO EXCITED!!! I'll be taking some promo pictures for her site of my dolls modeling the hats she's made so far.

LB-Forum

LB-Forum
Originally uploaded by blomquist / Ole

I am showing very little resistance to Blythe Doll Clean-out or close out sales even when they are not meant for the American Region! I can't seem to stop myself. I thought I could limit myself but whenever I'm on flickr and I see pic of clothes in my contacts area neatly laid out and numbered I'm shopping again!
This particularly listing was meant for folks in Hamburg, Germany where the owner is from. But I had to inquire nonetheless, even though I have like three skirts, a pair of pants, a coat and some fabulous hand crochet hats on the way. Speaking of crotchet hats, stay tuned to my next blog! The Fab Five have inspired a new Blythe Doll designer, Cece Falls!
YEA!