Noir hood, a dark hunter, the wooden girl, and a blizzard of fierceness

There's been a lot going on over at Tumblr HQ. Here's a quick visual refresher...

In other news I was recently contacted by Mattel, who have chosen to use my color photographs of Cedar Wood (you can see a few of the pics in question just above Abbey), for use on their "official social channels"! They've also chosen to use some pics I took of another doll but I'm keeping that one a surprise. It was through Tumblr that Mattel contacted me, and it was on Tumblr that they saw my pics in the first place. Bottom line: Tumblr is where it's at and it looks like I will be spending less and less time here on the Blogger forums. Even without the Mattel thing happening I was headed in that direction anyway. You guys should head on over! It's extremely fun, yet very informative at the same time. (I find out about new MH and EAH stuff so much faster now that I use Tumblr!) You don't even have to have an account to follow Tumblr blogs, just set it up through your email. That said, I highly recommend you start a blog of your own there. It's free, what have you got to lose! Okay, I'm rambling now so I'll shut up. I'll still be stopping by here very occasionally, but 99% of my time will be spent Tumbling. I hope you decide to join me -- you won't regret it.

voicething-john.tumblr.com

Bayou Beauty channels Dynasty for sizzling retro-modern ensemble

Get the look:

- Blue fantasy blazer with magenta hem, Getting Fairest Madeline Hatter

- Silver snow tights in purple, Legacy Day Raven Queen

- Pink “ice Vodka” choker, Abbey Bominable Fashion Pack #3

- Aqua jelly bracelet, Swim 2013 Rochelle Goyle

- “Slither-Me-Not” sunglasses, Viperine Gorgon

- French kiss handbag, New Scaremester Catrine DeMew

- “Frosted cosmopolitan” jellies, School’s Out Lagoona Blue

- Fascinator, earrings, and belt are from Honey’s own collection

I know I haven't been posting much here lately, but as a reminder here's where you can find me on Tumblr. I'm far more active over there nowadays, and it's much easier to get in touch with me there. I'll be getting caught up on approving comments here and replying over the next couple days. Hope you're all doing well, and as always, thanks for looking!

One thing's for sure, they LOVE fashion!

Or so says Barbie (loosely paraphrased by me) in the booklet included with her new(ish) Glam Luxe Style doll. Last year I fell in love with Mattel's Life in the Dreamhouse Barbie line. Rather, I fell in love with a few of the dolls from that line. (I'm looking at you, Midge and Raquelle.) It didn't take me long to get my hands on those dolls, and so impressed was I that I ended up getting a third doll, the beautiful Nikki. After a long period (as in many, many years) of being utterly depressed with modern playline Barbie, discovering this cool new line was shocking for me. With their crazy-posable bodies (not unlike MH) and rooted lashes, they struck me as a sort of updated version of the original mod Barbie dolls. This year Mattel is releasing more of these dolls but without the Dreamhouse connection -- now they're part of the Fashionistas line. But no matter, for all intents and purposes these are pretty much "Dreamhouse: The New Wave." They've actually been split up into two waves themselves. The first, featuring two Barbies, Teresa, and Raquelle, is already out. The next wave again features two new Barbies, plus Midge and Raquelle. And a third wave featuring yet more Barbies plus Raquelle and what looks to be Teresa is rumored. (Which leaves me wondering: why no Nikki at all, Mattel? What's up with that?!? She's one of my favorites!)

Anyway, I was pleased as punch with my three Dreamhouse dolls and was excited to see that at least one of the new Fashionista Barbies appealed to me. If you're gonna collect a Barbie line, even as casually as I'm collecting this one, you kind of need a Barbie in your group! I picked up the Fashionista Barbie I liked just yesterday, and today pulled her Dreamhouse friends off the shelf for a quick photo session. Take a look!

The whole gang. (Soon to expand when I find the newest Midge.)

Midge rocks Pullip Nero's vintage-looking trench dress like it's second nature to her. And have I ever mentioned how much I love houndstooth? Because I do -- a lot!

Raquelle gives her signature smirk while Nikki flashes that million dollar smile.

Barbie's full outfit.

Raquelle borrowed some duds from Midge since she didn't need 'em -- she's got that houndstooth trench dress to keep her warm and stylish.

Another group shot. All lovely.

This Barbie's sandy blond hair is what ultimately sold me on her. I like it much more than the platinum blond on the other Fashionista Barbie.

Check out that striking blue of Barbie's eyes. This is one of the prettiest playline Barbies to come along in quite a while, if you ask me.

But Raquelle gives her a run for her money with her deep brown peepers.

And really all Nikki needs to do is smile and she's won my heart.

As always, thanks for looking!

Sara

Wait a minute, baby
Stay with me a while
Said you'd give me light
But you never told me about the fire

Drowning in the sea of love
Where everyone would love to drown
But now it's gone
It doesn't matter what for
When you build your house
Call me home

And he was just like a great dark wing
Within the wings of a storm
I think I had met my match -- he was singing
And undoing, and undoing
The laces
Undoing the laces

Sara, you're the poet in my heart
Never change, never stop
But now it's gone
It doesn't matter what for
But when you build your house
Well then call me home

Hold on
The night is coming and the starling flew for days
I'd stay home at night, all the time
I'd go anywhere, anywhere, anywhere
Ask me and I'm there
Ask me and I'm there
I care

In the sea of love
Where everyone would love to drown
But now it's gone
They say it doesn't matter anymore
If you build your house
Then please call me home

Sara, you're the poet in my heart
Never change, and don't you ever stop
Now it's gone
No, it doesn't matter anymore
When you build your house
I'll come by

There's a heartbeat and it never really died
Swallow your pride
All I ever wanted was to know you were dreaming

Melissa

Showing some Pullip love today! This is Melissa, wearing a dress and stockings she borrowed from Tangkou and her own corset and boots. You can check out Melissa in her stock outfit — think fetish cop kink — here. My favorite thing about her is those long, lush, sandy blond ringlets. They’re prone to frizz but this girl’s so pretty I don’t even care. This is my favorite Pullip body type; it’s much more natural looking than the earlier ones and not nearly as fussy to pose. Her eyes are a pure, bold blue, but the tone is so deep it can be hard to catch in photographs. Ditto her shimmering, silver-grey eyeshadow. Most Pullips have a heavy fantasy influence to them — wild hair colors, rainbow eyes, etc. What drew me to Melissa was how natural she looked. A true beauty.

Tangkou 1

Some pics of Tangkou, the Chinese fashion doll who's a sort of blend of Blythe and Pullip. I was playing around with B&W for this shoot...

Hollow

Harsh Light of Night

Ghost Fax

Face Without Eyes

Alien

Here's the artwork on her shipper sleeve. I really love it.

"hi"

And here she is in color. She's wearing Barbie's 1968 fashion Knit Hit, which needs a good wash, but I'm leery because it's so old and I don't want to ruin it. The boots are Tangkou's own.