WTF Mattel

Have you ever bought a doll and noticed its imperfections right away? Maybe the eyes or lips aren't painted/printed well or something similar. #wtfMattel is an actual hashtag because Mattel often produces poor quality dolls.

Recently, two dolls that I bought had me saying #wtfMattel. The barista Ken's face and the PUMA girl's lips make me want to scream...especially since I paid good money for that PUMA doll!

Jackpot x 2!

I recently acquired 2 dolls that have been on my wishlist since I got into collecting. Coincidentally, they came within a few weeks of each other and they are both Oriental dolls. 

The first is the second doll in the I Love Barbie Shanghai series, and the second is the United Colors of Benetton Beijing doll.

I Love Barbie Shanghai

The two Shanghai dolls

Beijing Barbie

 

I haven't even de-boxed them yet as I'm still marveling that I got them and that they're so beautiful!

Thank you, sellers! They're both in excellent condition.

Adwoa Aboah's Shero doll

Please, Mattel! This doll must make it to production!

Didn't I say that when they care to, Mattel can create an excellent likeness?? This is the genius we collectors see too little of over at Mattel. 

This is the Adwoa Aboah Shero doll and she is everything I look for in a doll - non blonde, non smiley face, short hair, freckles, captivating eyes and beautiful makeup. Plus, she's articulated!

I guarantee doll collectors everywhere will love this doll.

Please don't disappoint, Mattel!

Barbie Shero Dolls

Did you get a look at the new Shero dolls?

I'm not terribly impressed for three reasons. 

First, 'Lazy Mattel' as I refer to them loves to recycle face molds when in fact they can come up with excellent likenesses. If you don't believe me, google images of the Cindy Crawford, Rachel Zoe and Mario Lopez dolls, to name a few.

Second, apart from three biracial dolls - which tbh most interest me out of this bunch and which I hope make it to production - there is no representation of Black dolls. What's up with that, Mattel???

Third, how did they chose the subjects, I'm curious to know. I'm not taking away from any of the fabulous women that were chosen but where is Serena Williams or Oprah? (Don't tell me we already have an Oprah doll from the Wrinkle in Time series! We want an Oprah doll not a Mrs Which doll!)

I saw someone on IG campaigning for Mattel to manufacture the Chloe Kim doll and I thought, Save yourself the trouble. Mattel doesn't listen to or care what adult collectors want!

What are your thoughts?

Barbie Fashionistas 2019

So we got a first look at the Fashionistas coming out in Fall 2019.

First, the pluses: I love, LOVE the prosthetic leg so she will be a must-have! And the two ladies on each end are lovely.

The minuses: Only one doll is articulated. C'mon Mattel!!

Now, I'm surprised they put Barbie in the wheelchair and not one of Barbie's friends like back in the 90s.

I'd have to see the Ken in person as I'm on the fence about his looks but he looks like a broad Ken.

I like the idea of a tomboyish girl but it's not a favorite face of mine and the hair looks whack.

Finally, the girl with the braids seems 'meh' to me. She's another one I'd have to see IRL first.

What do you guys think?

Goddess of Beauty and Goddess of Wisdom Barbie Dolls

My wishlist is as long as a mile but I recently got to cross off two dolls - Goddess of Beauty and Goddess of Wisdom! I have been searching for GoB for a few years now and finally she's mine! She is aptly named because she is such a beauty.

 

I now have to find body donors for both of them, make up profiles and induct them into my Barbie community. Lol.

 

Introduction

Hi everyone!

I'm Dee and I started this blog to share my love of (read: addiction to!) Barbie dolls. I've been collecting for almost 15 years and I've amassed quite a collection.

Here you'll get to see photos of my dolls and playsets but I don't have enough room to display them all right now.

I started a Barbie town and all of my dolls do have names, families, jobs, etc. but I keep the dolls and playsets in storage tubs until I have a doll room where I can lay out my little town.

I also hope to use this blog to do reviews of new release dolls and to highlight the on-going saga between adult doll collectors and Mattel.

I lurked on Blogger and Flickr for many years, admiring and enjoying the many talents of collectors, but not until one of my favorite bloggers, Vanessa of Van's Doll Treasures, died did I decide to share my own collection with others who could derive as much pleasure from my blog as I did from Vanessa's blog.

So I started my Flickr page, then Instagram account, and now this blog! You can find me on Flickr and Instagram with the profile picture below.

https://www.instagram.com/dees_dolls/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/136041987@N08/

Keep watching this space and feel free to share your comments.

Blessings!