New Star Wars Dolls!

Yes, you heard me. Dolls. I am too excited to really type a coherent article, but I’m going to try anyway. Jyn Erso, Rey, Leia, Sabine Wren, Luke, Yoda, R2-D2, and eventually Kylo Ren(hopefully others as well), will all be 11 inch “Adventure Figures” as StarWars.com calls them. You can find pictures of most of the girls on StarWars.com, Luke and another Leia on ToyArk.com, and Kylo is “in the works” according to StarWars.com.

I don’t think I mentioned this before, but Star Wars is very important to me. Star Wars was what made me a geek. Star Wars made me buy a comic for the first time(not counting the Scooby Doo comics I read when I was little). Star Wars made me start collecting action figures. Star Wars gave me Ahsoka, my favorite character/role model along with Gwen Stacy. Star Wars gave us Her Universe fashions(I’m 99% sure that Star Wars was the first theme they ever sold). 

All right, end of obsessive rant. The entire new franchise that is Forces of Destiny is a wonderful idea. A Padme and Leia 4 inch doll set was what got me into action figures. Disney Channel shorts are fun and appeal to a wider audience. Middle-Grade(I assume) books are a lot of fun for young girls and are a great way for girls to discover Star Wars. These Adventure Figures will appeal to girls and boys, and, unlike Dc Super Hero Girls, there are actually male characters featured in the toys. 

As a Star Wars 1/6 scale lover, I am very pleased to announce we are getting an Endor Leia, not all that unlike the one they cancelled many years ago. I have the Slave Leia with R2-D2 from that line, and while I don’t think this will quite measure up in quality, it will still pair well with my other Leias. The Hoth Leia looks much better than the one from the 90’s, which had beautiful clothing, great hair, and a hideous face. Did I mention that Sabine is smirking with her eyebrows cocked? Because she is. The Chewbacca doesn’t do it for me though. Luke is so handsome he may replace a Ken in my stories… The little Yoda is absolutely perfect, and the little Wicket has a tiny bow and arrow! Jyn is gorgeous. The Resistance Rey is better than I could of imagined, and her little BB-8 is adorable! 

Image is from Hasbro.com. Will remove if asked.

The dolls above will be released August 1st, the dolls featured on StarWars.com will be released on August 1st as well. I do not know the release dates for the other dolls. I will either update this post or make a new one tomorrow or Saturday, after Celebration Star Wars Orlando does its Forces of Destiny panel.

Kitties!

Here’s an old picture of Gemma and Mouse being adorable.

Meet the Characters 4

I finally figured out Maci’s last name. Well… Technically, my mom figured out her name. But, I approved it. With all the pictures I’ve taken lately you would think I would have enough for like 10 posts, but I haven’t found a use for most of them. I do have about five product reviews worth, though(Including a new Wonder Woman movie doll!). I have also decided that my dolls are currently in some made-up place where it is warm– either that, or they’re in the middle of summer, for some reason. I can’t make up my mind.

More cat photobombing

Name: Candie Jones

Age: 15

Hobbies: Cooking, baking, wild fashion, wild hair.

Character inspiration: No one really.

Friends: All introduced characters. Her BFF is, of course, Maci.

Mini bio: I think Candie is an only child with two happily married parents. I think. I may change it though… Candie and Maci have been best friends forever. They met when they were kids at a mother-daughter baking class.

Name: Maci Oliver

Age: 16

Hobbies: Same as Candie.

Character inspiration: She isn’t inspired by anyone in particular, rather, she is inspired by life experiences of people I know and myself. 

Friends: Same as Candie.

Mini bio: Let’s make this interesting and reveal as we go. I can tell you that her mother died.

I was lazy, so this took forever to write, and then I was lazy again, so it isn’t as good as some of the previous posts. I have more stories coming, but first I wanted to get this done. That was poor planning… 

Meet the Characters 3

Sorry this took so long, I was having trouble deciding the rolls everyone would play. First up is two separate characters in one picture. Photo storage is limited, and even though I still have a ton left, I’m trying to conserve.                  Name: Marcus Last name TBD

  Age: 17

  Hobbies: Basketball, writing, babysitting, taking Kylie shopping(not that he enjoys that…).

  Name inspiration: I just like the name Marcus. Admittedly, Marcus is also the name of a villain I used to like from Lab Rats. I can’t figure out his surname though.

Character inspiration: We needed a deeper guy. Another protective big brother guy too, just because I like them.

Friends: See everyone else’s friend list, then add Kylie.

Mini bio: Marcus is Maci’s older brother. He loves to babysit. He and Kylie have been dating for a year. I can’t figure out a good backstory for him and Maci. I think Iris(who I haven’t mentioned until now) is their older step-sister.

Name: Kylie Last name TBD (Or not, she’s only a minor character.)

Age: 17

Hobbies: She likes shopping and going to the park.

Name inspiration: I will be completely honest here. I was looking through pictures of dyed hair. I found a picture of Kylie Jenner during her one blonde phase. After that I couldn’t look at this doll without thinking of Kylie’s hair(or her heavy eye makeup which my Kylie also sports). I also have always liked the name Kylie for some reason(I also like names like Hadley, and other names that have an “ee” sound on the end).

Character inspiration: Generic sweet and supportive girlfriend. She really won’t be given much depth(unless inspiration hits).

Friends: She hangs out with a different group. And Marcus, of course.

Mini bio: She and Marcus have been dating for a year. I’m sure she has her own life too, but I will fill that in as we go along.

Name: Ginger Evans

Age: 11

Hobbies: Bugging her big brother Weston, skateboarding, and trying to be like Rose.

Name inspiration: I thought, “Do I dare?”. Turns out, I do dare.

Character inspiration: She’s a typical annoying, yet loving, little sister. She also is a typical young girl who wants to be “cool”, whatever that means in the sixth grade… She wants to emulate Rose because Rose is what she thinks she wants to be. This girl is a tomboy with a sense of style, who has yet to realize that you don’t have to give up one for the other.

Friends: My Skipper dolls. Her brother’s friends love her too.

Mini bio: She is the middle child of the Evans family. She wants to be heard, and to have a lot of friends, and to fit in, and all that other stuff you think you want at 11. She wants to be like Rose, because Rose seems so together and confident(she doesn’t know Rose if she really thinks she is either one). In short she is preteen and a middle child, two of the hardest places to be stuck in.

Name: Caitlin Evans

Age: 25

Hobbies: Sketching and science.

Name inspiration: Caitlin Snow of The Flash TV series.

Character inspiration: I bought the doll specifically to be Caitlin, so it goes without saying she’s a lot like Cait. She is also a fun and artistic aunt.

Friends: Iris(Flash fans know what I did there), and she tries to be friends with her niece and nephew’s friends, as well as fit in with her older brother and sister-in-law’s friends.

Mini bio. She is Mr. Evans younger sister. She is a biochem prodigy, and works in a lab. She is Ginger’s favorite(possibly only) aunt. I wanted to give Cait a bigger part than most adults would have, so I made her the “fun aunt” instead of Mrs. Evans.

I will now give a picture-less intro for Iris. If you want to see her go to “Cat Photobombing”, she is pictured with Marcus.

Name: Iris Last name TBD

Age: 20

Hobbies: Iris is a photographer. She also enjoys spending time with her step-sister Maci.

Name inspiration: Iris West of the Flash TV series.

Character inspiration: Iris West, of course. She is also supposed to be a sweet big sister. I want her to have the hardworking attitude of Iris.

Friends: Caitlin, and her step-sibling’s friends.

Mini bio: She is the older step-sister of Marcus and Maci. She is a professional photographer. She is a supportive friend and family member. She is always there for Caitlin, her new best friend.

Hope you enjoyed! I still haven’t decided on the youngest Evans sibling, or anyone’s parent’s. Last names are an issue too… Next “Meet Characters” will have Candi and Maci, I promise.

Cat Pictures!

 

I apologize for the lack of make-up and cats on this blog. My lips have been rather uncooperative. However, my cats have been cooperative. So, without further delay, cat pictures!

Gemma is sleeping sideways in case you were wondering.Here we have Mouse, looking like she is going to kill me for taking her picture.I think she just had catnip…

There you have it. My cats are adorable!

Update: My dad just reminded me that the second picture of Mouse is her being my “computer Mouse”

How To Style Yourself Like Barbie #1

Let’s be honest here. When you were a kid, there was probably at least one outfit your dolls had that you wanted for yourself. Well you’re in luck nowadays if you want to dress like a Barbie Fashionista, these dolls actually wear realistic, yet incredibly stylish, clothing.

I figured I’d start this series with an upcoming Fashionista who gives me major Forever 21 vibes. I believe she comes with third outfit, but she is only pictured with the outfit she comes in and one extra. Reason #1 I think she has another outfit; she isn’t shown with a second pair of shoes, whereas other Fashionista Barbies in the line are. Reason #2; Hipster Chic Barbie from the same wave is shown in just one promotional picture with another top not pictured elsewhere. We’ll see soon enough, I suppose. 

Back to the article.

This little lady sure is stylish! Let’s start with the easy part of the outfit; the clutch. Any white clutch will do really. Her clutch has a pattern imprinted in the plastic, but my suggestion is this plain and affordable clutch. Here’s the link.

Next is the visor. Forever 21 has one just like it, minus the glitter. The model even looks like our little plastic friend.

I’m sorry to say the lovely maxi dress she’s wearing is my least accurate match. I’m also sorry to say that this dress is probably taller than I am. I think this Fashionista is a petite, so by far the most unrealistic thing about her is she can wear a maxi dress. Even petite maxi dresses are typically too long for petite girls like myself. And I’m not even very short!You’ve seen the least accurate, now prepare for the most accurate thing on here by far. These are sold out at F21, however, it should be pretty easy to find more etched hoop earrings.

There are two jackets I found that look sort of like her jacket. I swear I recently saw one in-store just like it, but I couldn’t find it online. Here’s one, and here’s one.

Next is the dress. Again, I found two. This one is closest, but this one is better for spring I think.

And finally, the shoes. I found several on Amazon. I’m having difficulty posting Amazon links, so I’m afraid you’ll have to look up “White Lift Boot” yourself.

This was fun! I will try this again sometime. Who knows, maybe someday Rose and I will model matching outfits for you. I actually have an outfit in the works for Rose to match my some of my favorite clothing, but some of her outfit is yet-to-be-released.

Since Amazon links aren’t cooperating, I recommend searching “barbie fashionista doll sporty” and clicking show out of stock, to see more pictures of the Sporty girl. For hipster, “barbie hipster” then click show out of stock.

Rose’s Birthday

This story serves as the first look into the lives of my dolls. It introduces a new boy- Liam(Color Blocked Cool Ken). Liam will serve as the connecting piece between Rose’s world and another story I’m working on. The story also introduces Skylar(Spring Into Style Barbie) and Rose’s cousin Tessa(Crazy For Coral Barbie).

Weston: I’m glad I could make it. I was sure my mom was gonna make me babysit.

Rose: So am I! I wish Michelle could be here. I also wish I could get those two to patch things up…

Rose: That would be the best birthday wish come true ever…

Weston: Rose…

Rose: Yes, Weston? Sorry about that. I got caught up in thought.

Weston: It’s okay Birthday Girl.

Weston and Rose continued their conversation until the cake came out. Meanwhile…Skylar: So… Do they not get that they like each other?

Chanelle: *Snickers* Nope. Rose never realizes it when someone likes her.

Skylar: You should tell her. Hey, where’s your sis?

Chanelle: I’ll tell her, and I don’t know where she is…

Liam: I wonder what it will be like in the town I’m moving to… *Sighs* Won’t be like this.

Just then two voices come from the kitchen in unison…

Candie & Maci: *Sing-song voices* The cake is ready!

The girls carried the cake into the living room.Everyone smiled even wider than they already were smiling. Maci and Candie had a reputation among their friends of being the best bakers any of them had ever known.

Weston gave the Birthday Girl a plate. He couldn’t help but notice how excited she looked… It made him happy to see his friend so happy. She was rarely so smiley.Rose cut the cake and took her piece. One by one everyone took a piece. While they were eating everyone talked and laughed and complimented Maci and Candie on their baking. René, Liam, and Marcus(not pictured) talked about sports, school, and Liam’s big move. Weston and Rose talked and smiled at each other- which everyone noticed. Skylar and Chanelle talked about their siblings, and how René and Rose are growing apart. Soon everyone was done their cake and it was time for the Birthday Girl to open presents.Rose: Thank you all so much! I love it all! Who’s the dress from?

Weston: *Blushes* It’s from me…

Rose: *Blushes* Thanks! I love it!

Everyone sat and talked for a while longer, and then started to leave.Soon the only people left at the party were Rose, Tessa, Chanelle and Weston.Weston got a text from his mom telling him to come home not long after René left. He gave Rose a hug goodbye and went home.(Yes I know the hug looks off, it was rushed. He has one arm around her, and the other at his side to hold his phone.) After Weston left, Tessa and Rose chatted a little, and then Tessa went upstairs to change.

After Tessa left it was just Chanelle and Rose.

Chanelle: I’ve gotta go soon, but I wanted to tell you something first… Weston likes you. Everyone’s noticed except you.

Rose: He does? Huh, yeah I guess he does… Chanelle?

Chanelle: Yes?

Rose: My birthday wish is for you and Michelle to patch things up.

Chanelle: Really? *Sighs* I’ll try.

So many questions… Where is Liam moving? What does Marcus look like? Where are Rose’s parents? Why is her cousin there but not her parents? Does Rose like Weston?! I know, of course, but you’ll know soon enough…

In case anyone wondered, Rose’s other presents are a necklace, headband, two barrettes, a pair of shoes, a cat purse, and a clutch.

Meet the Characters 2

Right now I’m introducing the two main boys, as well as mini bios for Rose and Chanelle.

Name: Weston Evans

Age: 16

Hobbies: Sports, especially basketball. Teaching athletically challenged Rose to play basketball(which he deserves a medal for, she couldn’t throw to save her life).

Name inspiration: His name is a homage to my favorite hero, Kid Flash aka Wally West.

Character inspiration: He’s basically all the good things about every guy I know rolled into one 12 inch package.

Friends: René, Chanelle, Maci, Candie, Skylar, some boys I haven’t named yet, and, saving his favorite for last, Rose.

Mini bio: Weston is the sweet and quiet oldest of three kids. He is wonderful older brother and great friend. He can easily beat everyone but Chanelle at every sport, but loves basketball most. He is the newest member of the group. He met the group after meeting Rose, Chanelle, and Michelle. He and Rose have been friends since they met, and he has developed a bit of a crush.

Name: René Reyes

Age: 16

Hobbies: Sports, texting, not paying attention when someone is talking to him. Okay, okay, so that last one isn’t technically a hobby, but he does it so often it might as well be.

Name inspiration: René Ramirez on Arrow. Blue Beetle aka Jaime Reyes of Dc Comics. By now you should be getting the sense I LOVE DC Comics.

Character inspiration: Blue Beetle and a friend both serve as partial inspiration, but René is very much his own unique character.

Friends: Same as Weston, but without a crush on Rose. His best friend will be a Ken doll I have my eye on that is yet to be released.

Mini bio: René has a younger sister who drives him crazy. Rose, who is like a sister to him, drives him crazy too. He is not much of a talker, but gives surprisingly good advice if asked. It’s surprising that the advice is so sensible, considering he has less then impeccable judgement.

Rose’s mini bio: Rose is an only child. She is both shy around new people and loud with her friends. When she gets comfortable around a person she is much more amiable. She is a cat person stuck with a group of dog people and Weston, the only other cat lover.

Chanelle’s mini bio: Chanelle has one sister, and they do not get along. She is very quiet unless she needs to stand up for Rose- in which case, she is very vocal. She sees Rose as more of a sister than Michelle. She is a great friend. She loves to beat the boys at basketball. She also loves to watch as boys get worked-up over being beaten by a girl.

Hope you enjoyed the intros! The picture of Rose and Weston is a preview of the first story starring my dolls- Rose’s birthday party!

Meet the Duos

This won’t be very long, just a few pairings. Note: Most of these I will be posting are friendships, the characters are not couples unless otherwise stated.

Chanelle and Rose have been friends for nine years. They are closer than sisters, especially since Chanelle and her sister Michelle are mortal enemies.

Candie(Two-toned hair) and Maci(Blond) are two girls with a love for baking and wild style. They both love trying new things in the kitchen and at the salon. Candie has been the best friend Maci could ask for these last few hectic years(more details to come).

René is Rose’s other, less helpful, best friend. He is only a comforting friend when the guys aren’t around, otherwise, he’s a bit of a… well… huge jerk. And it’s only gotten worse, lately he just doesn’t have the time(or the inclination) to be the friend he once was. Rose may have to learn to fully let go soon.

Hope you enjoyed the first look into the friendships of dolls. More to come!

 

Cat Photobombing

I really should go to bed… But, I’m really excited, so screw sleeping!

Here is a short photo collection documenting what it’s like to be an amateur doll photographer with two cats. Please excuse the poor image quality. It is very difficult to photograph and cat wrangle simultaneously.