Articulation for Amber + WIB

As promised...a post of what I bought on my recent visits to Toys R Us.

Barbie Style Nikki & Teresa

A little background 1st: I needed an articulated body for Amber (Barbie Look Gold Gown). I'd considered coughing up the cash to buy an Artsy body off Amazon or eBay, but while playing with Mara one evening, I noticed that Life in the Dreamhouse Nikki (being MUCH lighter than Nikki from the webisodes) was a good complexion match as well. I happen to like my Dreamhouse Nikki doll too much to bodysnatch her, so I knew I would have to buy another doll. I bought Dreamhouse Nikki from Barbie Collector for $9.99. Since she's still available at that price, I considered ordering another from BC, but their shipping and handling is just too high for small orders. Then I got to wondering if Barbie Style Nikki might work just as well. I was never particularly fond of the way they styled her, so I would have no problems beheading her and repurposing her clothes for another doll. Her look just screamed “girl from the hood” to me. Case in point- when my husband saw her, he asked why she was wearing a lace front wig! Toys R Us is/was having a Buy One Get One 40% Off sale on all Barbie and Monster High, so I was able to get Nikki for $19.99 and the last Teresa (who’s been on my wish list since I first saw her) for $11.99. At $15.99, she’s about half the price of the Artsy dolls I saw on Amazon and eBay, plus she can pose more naturally.

 

I decided to forgo the heat this time when removing Amber’s head. I was not willing to risk losing her rooted lashes or damaging her hair or face. It took quite a bit of patience, but in the end I got her head off with no damage to either part. 

Since I had no plans to keep Nikki’s head, I just sliced right up the back of her neck and slowly worked her head off the neck knob. Thanks for these suggestions, Muff!

Ta da! Amber is rebodied. I’m loving these gold earrings on her, but about half of this outfit is being given to Marisa. And you can see from the photo that I wasted no time peeling that tacky sticker off her handbag.

Here’s a final photo of Amber sitting on the floor reading a book to her twin girls.

Moving On Kenya

I can’t remember whose blog I was reading when I was first introduced to the Kenya line of dolls. I was immediately taken with Movin On Kenya’s funky glasses, leopard print clothing items, and textured afro ponytail. When I saw Family Dollar marking these dolls down to $10, I checked half a dozen Atlanta-area Family Dollar stores for this doll. When I tell you I found every version except for this one, I am not kidding. Movin On Kenya’s outfit was my favorite of the bunch, so I went home empty handed time and time again. Well, on a recent trip to Toys R Us, I was thrilled to find a single Movin On Kenya doll on the shelf. My local TRU stores haven’t had Kenya dolls in months. They must be restocking for the holiday shopping season. I was finally able to cross this spunky lady off my list. Kenya will keep her body, but maybe not her clothes, and will join the Dollton community as a fashion blogger.