New Dolls, New Dioramas, New Story

Time flies when you’re having fun. The first quarter of the year has come and gone, so I thought this would be a good time to report on my 2016 goals. The goals from my January post are listed below.

-I plan to limit my doll purchases to 24. I’m questioning whether it was a good idea to include dolls purchased for clothes/accessories only and body donors in that limit, but I love how selective this forces me to be. I’ve bought 12 dolls already and there are eight more months to go! But I’m more motivated than ever to watch my spending now that several members of my doll club and I are planning to drive to Jacksonville for this year’s Barbie Convention.

-I will focus my spending on furniture and props for my dios. I’ve purchased wallpaper, tables, and accessories for Georgia Mae Belcourt’s tea room. I need to spray paint the tables and I don’t yet have all the chairs I need, but it’s coming together nicely. I finally decided to order my Gloria bar and wine sets. I did a quick paint job for Thursday’s photo story, but will likely make additional changes. I’ve been adding food and drink items for the bar and café. I ordered another Barbie wardrobe, a new sofa, a bench, a table, and a bookcase from Etsy and finally got a modern kitchen. All can be seen in the mini story below.

-I plan to introduce two new story lines. The story featuring Lena and her family is on hold until I find the doll that is to play the part of her step-daughter. I’m almost ready to launch the story line surrounding Barb’s modeling agency. I just need to decide who will play the part of Victor’s love interest. I have two dolls I’m considering.

-I plan to prioritize my time better. This is a work in progress, but I think I’m doing alright. I’m not posting as frequently as I’d like, but I’m enjoying the time I’m able to carve out for writing, playing, and reading other collectors’ blogs.

Here are the wish list dolls from my January post:

- The Barbie Look Night Out (arriving next week)

-2016 Birthday Wishes Barbie AA + donor body (both removed from list)

-Barbra Streisand Barbie Doll (purchased with gift card from hubby) She is Olivia O’Dair, Walter’s mother. She is the somewhat behind-the-scenes matriarch of the financial services corporation founded by her late husband’s grandfather. She is a force to be reckoned with.

-BFC Ink Calista (still looking and Lena’s Corner is on hold until I find her)

The wish list acquisitions account for two of this year’s doll purchases. The others are below. A few made brief appearances in the most recent photo story.

-Lammily Photographer Doll (preordered)

-Power Team Seal Team 6 Sniper Action Figure is Danilo Hernandez, Dena’s nephew.

-Romeo Ken Doll was actually a planned purchase. He is Dr. Williams, psychiatrist. He will feature in a storyline this year or next.

-Barbie Basics Collection 001 Model 04 is Seyi, a Nigerian model on the roster for Muse Model Management, the agency created and run by Barbara Doyle.

-Pirates of the Caribbean Jack Sparrow is Jack Rowe, drummer in the band “White Noise”. He was not a planned purchase, but when I saw him on eBay at an unbelievably good Buy it Now price, I just had to have him. He was still in his original outfit, and I had to remove all the little plastic ties to get his clothes off. I would have enjoyed it more if I were cutting clothes off the real Johnny Depp, though…sigh.

-Nu Face Colette Duranger and a Dynamite Girl from a convention workshop were recently purchased, too.

-Diane von Furstenberg Barbie Doll was an early birthday present to myself. I love her pink wrap dress and accessories. It was a plus that she has a face sculpt I’ve grown to love. She is DaVonne, the fashion designer who will take credit for my creations when I finally decide to try my hand at making doll clothes.

-I bought the pediatrician set for the accessories and a 2015 holiday doll for her dress.

I’m calling this a mini story since there are no planned episodes in the works like there are for my other stories. I introduced Chandra and her cousin earlier on this blog, but here’s some background info on Chandra. She is a successful entrepreneur and had the first prosperous business in Dollton, a fashion boutique that is now doing so well, she has opened a second location at the Metro Mall. The flagship store sells designer gowns in addition to high end ready-to-wear fashions. Chandra is also the owner of Wedding Belles bridal salon (where Brandy purchased her dress). As Mara spends less and less time in the doll room, I take over more and more space for my own dolls (insert greedy laugh here).

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Chan, you got lucky landing this place. I can’t believe the previous owner decided to sell. (Eboni)

Girl, luck had nothing to do with it. It’s called favor. I don’t know why she chose to sell, but I’m sure glad she did. (Chandra)

It’s far from finished, but I was eager to get out of my old place. It started to feel cramped a long time ago. I’ve moved most of my furniture in, and I’m meeting with the interior decorator next week to talk about finishing touches.

A pink kitchen? I know you love pink, but dang. (Eboni)

We’ll see if it stays pink or not. It’s at the top of my list of things to discuss with Jeanine. But to be honest, it’s kind of grown on me since I’ve been here. (Chandra)

Ooh, I just love that bed. Looks like little Miss Sofia loves it, too. (Eboni, snickering)

Oh, she thinks this is her bed and will not stay in her cat bed. She is so spoiled. (Chandra)

Here kitty kitty (Eboni, calling to Sofia)

Next, the cousins head upstairs.

This is a nice sized bedroom, but you don’t need an extra one, so what will you turn it into? (Eboni)

Alright, brace yourself. (Chandra)

Oh boy. (Eboni)

I’m planning to make it into a nursery. (Chandra)

A what?! I know you're not pregnant cause you ain’t got no man and haven’t had one since I don’t know when. Or do you? (Eboni)

I don’t need a man to have a baby…well, at least not a whole man anyway. (Chandra, laughing)

Your mama will have a holy fit if you go to some bank and get yourself knocked up by a total stranger. (Eboni)

That’s not what I had in mind. I want to adopt. (Chandra)

Without a husband?! I’m not sure she’s gonna like that idea much better. (Eboni)

What Mama would like is for me to put my life on hold and devote my time and energy to husband hunting. She needs to accept that I'm not going to do that. It’s not like I haven’t been trying to meet someone, but I have standards and the guys around here just don’t measure up. I’m ready to be a mom, and I’ve decided not to wait any longer. (Chandra)

So tell me Miss “I have standards” what happens when Mr. Wonderful comes along and you’re saddled with a kid? (Eboni)

I have to believe that if he’s as wonderful as I pray he’ll be, then he’ll be eager to join our little family. (Chandra)

I don’t know, Chan. I think you might find your options are limited once you get this baby. Dating is hard when you’re a single mom. Believe me, I know. (Eboni)

I really thought you’d have my back on this. (Chandra, sounding disappointed)

Don’t get me wrong, I do. And I’ll support you 100% in whatever way I can. I’ll even take your side against Aunt Rita. I just want you to be sure that this is what you want. I’d hate it for both you and that innocent child if you regretted your decision later. (Eboni)

The cousins head back downstairs for drinks and more girl talk.

So, whatever happened to, what’s his name- the guy from the comedy club? (Eboni)

Oh, you mean Reynard. I thought I told you. (Chandra, shaking her head)

I wanted us to go someplace special for my 30^th birthday, like Jamaica or Cancun. How about this joker couldn’t get a passport to leave the country because he owed so much back child support! Come to find out he had not one, but three kids he hadn’t mentioned once in the entire year we were dating. I told that loser to lose my number. (Chandra)

They both laugh.

Thanks for reading!