Cherry Beach Sunset and Cool Pool Lemonade

Dear Sarah,

As I was preparing to post the worst Dolly Shelf Sunday post in existence, a photo which shall never see the light of the internet, I decided to check BlytheKingdom and see if there were any new releases.  I'm a year and a half behind on my reviews of each release, but they will be done!  I look forward to looking at what we've missed.

This month's release are the two anniversary girls, Dauphine Dream and Little Duchess Georgette, but I'm more excited for the July Neo and August Middie releases.  Are you ready?!  TAN GIRLS! 

I'm so excited!  Cherry Beach Sunset is the first release that I've wanted in a while (except for that blue haired beauty...Curly Blue Babe) and I'm especially excited since they have darker skin!  They're labeled as "tan" and come with bathing suits like they're usually pale little things but browned down for the summer.  I don't know why we can't have darker skin girls without them having to be tan, but it took Barbie 8 years to make the first black Barbie.  (And that was the 60s!)  But it's been 5 years since our last tan girl, Manuheali'i Paradise Girl, so it is exciting. 

I spent the whole day at the beach, collecting shells and reading in the tree shade.
The day had gone by so fast, I looked up to see that the sky was orange and pink, the perfect sunset colors!
My grandma makes some of the best cherry pies on this coast during this season, so I always can't wait for summer!

She wears her cherry pink pareo around her bikini, heart-shaped sunglasses and bracelets matching, listening to the waves crash on the beach, relaxing.
When it's time to go get some of grandma's famous pies, she changes back to her cherry patterned sea-blue dress, fixing her hair back with her ribboned hairband.

 Her hairstyle is permed and long with bangs. Her hair color is brown. Her eye shadow is brown, cheeks pink, and lips red. Her front facing eyes are a special emerald green. Her face type is Radiance+, and her face color is Mocha (sun tanned).

The illustration is a concept, and does not reflect the final product.

Release date: July 2015
Price: ¥14,900 ($120, £75)

I love how random her love of cherry pies are.  I would wear that dress.  I wish her hair was more curly kinky like mine, the "perm" they describe makes me think it'll be like Margo Unique Girl's.  Close, but they could be closer.

And then the Middie is Cool Pool Lemonade.  (Seriously, who comes up with these names?)  She seems like an exact miniature of the Neo, which I've noticed Takara has been doing recently.  I thought it was cute at first, but it would be nice to see Middies branch out on their own and have their own line and aesthetic.  And there's only about a ¥3100 ($25, £15) price difference so buying the Middie instead doesn't save you much.

On a hot day like this, nothing beats a tall glass of lemonade filled with crushed ice. Add a little passion fruit and mango and you have something special! 
I just want to be sitting in the shade, drinking juice all day. What a life! 

This freshly tanned Middie Blythe is so cute, no one can resist her! 
Two outfits, a swimsuit and a dress, have been readied for her so she can walk through the beach and the town. 

The swimsuit is light blue with a pink ribbon on the bikini top, light blue shorts, and a pareo with a pink and light blue ribbon on the rear. 
The youthful look is really becoming of the Middie Blythe design. 
The dress has a simple and refreshing lemon pattern, which is complimented by the ribbon hair band, heart shaped earrings, and yellow shoes. 

Her hairstyle is a lightly permed long with short bangs. Her hair color is brown. Her face color is mocha, with brown eye shadow, pink cheeks, and with orangish pink lips. Her eye color is emerald green. 

The illustration is a concept, and does not represent the final product. 

Release Date: August 2015 
MSRP: ¥11,800 ($95, £60)

Either way I'm excited for this release and might have to start saving up for one of them!


♥ Jillie

All hail Queen Allison Katzman!!

Blythe Doll Creator, KING-TV Evening Magazine from Zazie Zazu on Vimeo.

Long Time, No See!

Hi Jill! Wow, been a while since I was active on here - I'm so sorry for being away so long, but I'm back now *thumbs up!* So, how have your dolly dealings been going? I'm still collecting like mad - I think I now have about 27 girls?! I think it's become an addiction lol! I still have my Etsy shop, Eriko's Emporium, and am still selling the usual Punky Monkey Hats and Baby Fangsters too. I also sell a few new hats and jumpers too - the jumpers I make with my Mum :P

Actually, at the moment I'm having a Baby Fangster sale you might be interested in - all Neo Blythe BF hats are £5 each, for a limited time! The reason behind the sale is I recently had a yarn buying binge in Great Yarmouth and got WAY to much yarn, so have been making little hats from all the new pretty skeins :P

Also today I got a delivery of TBL girls, ready for customising! I am lucky enough to have a stall again at this years BCUK in London, and hope to have a few custom girlies available for sale there, along with hats, of course hehe! I wish you could come over to London for the 'con!! Would be so much fun! Anyways, I think that's all for now. Keep me posted on all your dolly activity!! And I promise to blog more often!

Did you say EssHippo Blythes was back?!

Yes I did!  Myka can't believe it either, but the amazing duo has decided to come back to this little slice of internet!  We look forward to sharing more Blythe musings with you all! 

Dolly Shelf Sunday

Happy Dolly Shelf Sunday!

♥ 

Prudence, Myka, Sparrow Bennie, Coral, Ciel, Quinn, Lola, and Lydia

Ashley Has No Secrets

Hello!  Seems like a missed a bit since the last post, and quite a bit in general since I left Blythe.  But I'm happy to be back and get on with this blog and talk about new releases and other Blythe-y things.

I missed the release but am very happy to see Mandy Cotton Candy and Yellow Marshmallow!

"Let's eat junk food, go on the roller-coaster, throw up, then eat more!"

I like the way Takara has recently began creating a Neo and Middie to go together, emphasizing the story that Middie is Neo's little sister.  (We had Lorshek Molseh and Lydia Green, and we'll have two dolls for the 13th anniversary.)

I'm excited for fantasy hair, especially two-toned fantasy hair!  I wonder if Mandy's 'mint green' hair is easier to see in real life, as I can barely tell here.  The hoods are great (yet another time when Takara should just sell stock) and I love those fluffy bloomers, but they're a one piece with the t-shirt.  Looks like there's no bloomers for the OPH Gang.

The upcoming release for May is Ashley Secrets. 

*yawn*

She's nothing too special; not much to talk about. A blonde with a perm, and a wardrobe that reminds me of Simply Love Me. In fact, they not only have similar hair styles they're doing the same pose: 

Sister?

I am really glad she doesn't have the brassy, neon, highlighter yellow hair of Hi! Ho! Marine! Just noticing in these two pictures, there's a big difference between moulds. I've never been able to tell until now, but Simply Love Me has a more Kenner-esque, sweet face with the rosy cheeks. It may just be the picture. 

Anyway, I digress.  What is Ashley's Secret?  Does she have lacy knickers?  Is she a spy, and Lorshek Morleh's Moriarty?  Is she actually made from the melted down pieces of dolls she found unworthy?! 

Everyone has a special secret. 

Ashley is just the girl to tell your secrets. 

She'll keep it private and give you good advice. 

She is so very trust worthy, but very sweet. 

Oh.  Well...that's not too... Ok, next.

Ashley's fashion is girly and chic. 

Her one piece dress is made of silver lame, and is accented with black satin ribbons. 

The high, empire waist is flattering on Blythe'S frame. 

Her sharp jacket is printed with a clean silver accent. 

She has dark grey, knee high socks that look great with her black boots. 

She has long permed hair, parted at the side. 

She has a thick black headband to tie it all back. Her hair color is a warm yellow. 

She wears dark brown eyeshadow, and pink cheeks and lips. 

She has special light blue, front facing eyecups. 

She has Radiance + face type with fair skin.

Like my special eyecups?

I will admit, I do like her dress.  And here with her special eyecups she looks quite cute, but she doesn't have that "buy me!" factor, I look for.  And the RBL+ face mould, comparing her to Simply Love Me, she looks really different.  She looks more like a TBL than a Kenner.  (I've never seen a Kenner in person, but I was looking at my TBL a few minutes ago.)

Either way, I'm excited to see what people do to her.  Err...how they customise her.  

Happy Blytheing! 

Changes!

Hello!

We're back! But things are a bit different.

First, there is no more EssHippo.  We don't have a shop anymore, but that's alright!

Sarah/EssHaych has created a new shop: Eriko's Emporium!  Go, check it out, buy, and post items in her group!  (Hopefully she'll make an appearance or two on here to tell you more about it.)

So I/OnePinkHippo have decided to keep the blog and update it with Blythe-y goodness.

Stay tuned!

xo

Middie Blythe - Jackie Ramone

Middie Blythe - Jackie Ramone, a photo by Lady Tirana on Flickr.

Dear Sarah,

I have found the perfect Blythe for you! I know you've wanted a Punkaholic People, and Middies are adorable, so here we have Punkaholic People's little sister, Jackie Ramone, coming out February 2013!!

♥ Jillie

Lavender Hug, Simply Love Me & Orange and Spice

Dear Sarah,

I'm not too excited about Lavender Hug and Simply Love Me, the two next releases. But onto pictures so you can make your own decision:

LAVENDER HUG

Ok, Lavender Hug is adorable, but it's because she's an FBL. I had a purple haired FBL for a while before she turned into a blond named Laraine: (my poor girl Zooey has gone under many transformations)

She has a Simply Lilac scalp, which has normal bangs. What the crap is up with Lavender Hug's bangs?

I hate that cut! Who decided to give her a bowl cut? She looks ridiculous with it.

Lavender Hug's dad.

I'm not too thrilled with the color of her hair. It's kinda flat. I thought Lilac's purple hair was a flat purple as well. I don't know how well to describe a color being flat, but it just doesn't pop or have anything interesting about it. Simply Thumpy Thump's purple hair is gorgeous, but LH's looks like STT's after 100 washes in the washing machine.

I do like that she's an FBL and comes with special front facing brown chips. Her pale skin doesn't seem any different from the Manga Twins.

The only thing great about her stock is those earmuffs.

She's a cute FBL, just not worth my money.

Release Date: December 28, 2012 

Price: 14,490 JPY ($173; £107)

SIMPLY LOVE ME

Maybe I just find blond dolls boring, but I find her boring. 

Her hair isn't the same length and it looks like she has split ends. Plus, I don't like that brassy blond color. Either go realistic blond or yellow. 

Following the stunning release of "Simply Delight", we welcome a new Simply into the Blythe line and she is "Simply Lovely"!

She's your cheerful new best friend ready to wear what ever fashion you choose!

"Simply Love Me" is like a cherished best friend.

Her sweet tunic dress has a pop graphics with a bright red heard and her message ribbon.

The text reads "Love me , Hold me, Keep me".

Her striped tights are bold with asymmetrical styling.

She wears the popular wedge boot style shoe. 

Her new, thick red hair band pops next to her bright blonde hair.

The long and sleek cut of of hair is perfect for many kinds of styling.

Her green eyeshadow, pink lips and blush give her a clean and fresh look.

She's fresh faced and ready to model for you!

Face Type: Radiance

Skin Type: Fair

Make up: Eyshadow- Green, Lip and Blush- Pink

Eye Color: Orange (front), blue (right), pink (front), green (left)

Hair Color: Blonde

Set Includes: One piece dress, tights, hairband, wedge boots, underwear and stand. 

Release Date: December 7, 2012

Price: 12,390 JPY ($148; £91)

But I am excited for Orange and Spice:

Oooo la la!

"It's a dance party tonight! 

Merengue, cha-cha, salsa, rumba, samba, lambada.

I'm good at dancing to all of the latin styles. 

I've been swing and swaying to the exciting music.

Let's dance!"

Fashionable and fun "Orange and Spice" Blythe has a bright orange dress like the shining sun!

Her strapless dress comes with a sweet bolero.

The asymmetrical line of her dress brings a sassy flare to her look.

From the edge of the hem a fun pop of gold tulle peeks through. 

Her cute green hair bow sets off the bright orange dress.

Her look is complete with champagne, gold shoes.

She has a sophisticated style. 

She has long, dark brown hair in a loose perm. It's parted to the right.

Her make up is dark blue eye shadow, orange blush, and pink lips.

She has a special dark blue eye color glancing toward the right.

Her face type is radiance.

* Please note the final product may differ from the design illustration.

Release Date: February 2013

Price: 14,490 JPY ($173; £107)

EssHippo Etsy is having a SALE!

EssHippo Etsy is having a SALE!, a photo by OnePinkHippo on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
10% off Halloween hats! We have three up in the store so go check 'em out!

Ayanami Grace Delights in Love Hugs (5 Girls!)

Dear Sarah,

I loved seeing the pictures from BCUK! I really really wish I had been able to go. :( Next year. Actually, next year we'll go to both, Glasgow and New York City, and have stands at both. And hopefully take some of these new dolls that are coming out, because I have final designs and a new girl for you to check out!

Ayanami Rei meets Blythe - White Light

Here to tempt you even further, final photographs of Ayanami Rei meets Blythe!

CWC tried to stay very close to the anime to present Ayanami Rei in time for the third installment of the Evangelion film series.

The plug suit consists of a separation-type suit as well as a full body suit with a glossy finish, as well as a simple pair of shoes newly modeled for the "Ayanami Rei meets Blythe -White Light-" version of the EVA plug suit.

The full body suit has printed elements of navy, green, red, silver, and purple, and is tailored close to the Blythe body.

We have even recreated the shoulder protectors, wrist dials, and back armor.

We have also taken special care considering the interface head set.

We have recreated the distinct image of the interface headset by placing them on either side of the newly created head band.

A new light-blue saran has been used to recreate Ayanami Rei's unique shade of hair color.

Her bobbed hair has been cut with a light shag, with longer bangs, in order to simulate her haircut from the movies.

We have taken a natural, yet unique approach to the makeup on "Ayanami Rei meets Blythe -White Light-.

" A light-brown tone on her eyelids and eye shadow, special black eyelashes, and delicate pink lips.

Her lower lip is a shade lighter than her upper lip.

All of her eye chips have been consolidated to shades of red, all of them newly created for this occasion.

Please enjoy the nuanced range of emotions this "Ayanami Rei meets Blythe -White Light-" has to offer.

This doll's pull-string charm has been specially created as well.

The NERV logo is printed on one side of the charm and Blythe logo printed on the other. The stand is pearl white.

For a non Evangelion fan she's quite adorable, and I love that little suit. The head set still looks like cat ears, but I've never seen the anime.

FOUR special eye chip colors!

Love these lashes, and her natural makeup.

CWC seems to have taken a lot of care to get her details right. I hope she pleases Evangelion and Ayanami Rei fans. 

Face Type: Radiance

Skin Type: Snow

Make up: Eyeshadow: Light Brown / Lip: Upper lip is pink, Lower lip is light pink (special specs) / Cheek: Pink

Eyelid: Light Brown (special specs)

Eyelashes: Black (special specs)

Eyecolor: Light Pink (front facing), Neon Red (right), Orange-Pink (front facing), Dark Magenta (left) (all of them special specifications)

Hair Color: Blue (new color)

Dress Set Contents: Doll, upper body suit, lower body suit, full body suit, hair band, hair accessories, arm band, shoes, underwear, stand.

Release Date: December, 2012

Price: ¥24,990 ($315; £197)

***

Parson Grace

Next is Parson Grace, the Middie with earmuffs!

She is so cute! I think I'm starting to have Middie fever. I pre-ordered Francoise Ananassa, but put her away until Christmas, though I did take a peek at her to make sure she was okay and Middies are so adorable! They definitely fit the niche of Blythe's little sister. 

Except that shawl makes her look a little Little House on the Prairie-ish.

I really like this girl more than Vinter Arden. VA was kinda boring, but I think the pinkish brown hair and delicate theme works on a Middie. They seem more delicate anyways. Plus, they upped her makeup so I think that helps. Her cheeks look like she just stepped in from a winter walk!

Parson Grace is the Middie sister of the Neo Blythe Vinter Arden from 2010.  Parson is our very first Mori Girl Middie Blythe! Her style is soft and natural like a girl of the forest. Her sweet styling shows her tender and kind heart.

She wears a lavender one-piece dress with a pleated in an asymmetrical line and empire waist. 

Her skirt has snow flake, squirrel, tree and heart printed motif making cute rustic print. 

Her stole is blue green, and earmuffs are blue. Her accessories are in soft colors those match her one-piece really well. She wears grey socks with special long boots. 

Her face color is cream. Her hair is champagne brown with a center parted and soft body wave. Her make up, and coloring all matches "Vinter Arden" to make her the perfect little sister. She has green eyeshadow, salmon pink cheeks and lips, ice blue eye color.

To make her looks more special, her make up is a little bit stronger than the Neo Blythe version.

Skin Type: cream (fair)
Make Up: eyeshadow- green, lips- salmon pink, cheeks- salmon pink
Eye Color: ice blue
Hair Color: Champagne brown
The set includes: doll, one-piece dress, stole, boots, shorts, and doll stand.

Release date: November 23, 2012
Retail price: 10,290 yen ($129; £81)

Preorder will begin from November 16th on the Junie Moon international online shopping site. 

I really like her stock clothes as well. If I were to eventually get another Middie in the future, it'd be this girl.

***

Simply Delight

The first of the new twins of the Simply line. I can't remember, Sarah, is this the twin I'm getting or you're getting? :p

She has red wedge boots! I want her just for that, actually. 

Simply Delight features fashionable red wedge boots and tights with a casual A-line tunic.  The tunic has a printed red ribbon with the message "Delightful, Sensational, Believable" on the ribbon graphic.

The white polka-dots on black are bigger on the right side than the left for a charming asymmetry.

I really like the asymmetry of these two girls. I really want her stock, but I find the doll herself to be boring. I think it's the uncustomized RBL mold. 

Booring eyes. She might be a good blank platform for customs.

Stock NEED. 

Face Type: Radiance

Skin Type: Fair (Natural Skin)

Make-up: Eye shadow- Brown, Lip-Salmon Pink , Blush- Pink Salmon

Eye Color: Orange (front), blue (right), pink (front), Green (left)

Hair Color: Brownish Pink

The set includes: One Piece, tights, headband, boots, underwear, and stand.

Release date: 11/9/2012 (Friday)

Price: 12390 yen ($156; £97)

Release date:

November 11 at , Daikanyama Junie Moon, Shinjuku Marui one "LeLe Junie Moon ,” Kichijoji Chara Park" Blythe Shop by Junie Moon" Will be sold in shops across the country.

Yes, I realize there's two release dates. I'll keep you updated. 

***

University of Love

University of Love, or The Girl with the Stock Clothes EVERYONE Wants

I was actually really considering getting this girl. One, I really want her stock. And two, I need want (it's a need, ok!) a girl with blond curly hair so I could get her customized or customize her into Claudia, the vampire girl child from Interview with a Vampire.

Movie fact: Kristen Dunst's first onscreen kiss, with BRAD  PITT.

But her hair really doesn't seem curly enough. I think Margo Unique Girl would be a better choice, especially since she's translucent and that would be a better choice for a vampire.

But I digress, back to University of Love:

"University of Love" is a university that people from around the world come to learn to love each others.

She is wearing a camisole one-piece with cream cotton top and high waist skirt made of moss green satin with 2 layers tulle decorated.

Her tailored color blazer has 4 colors of dark red, dark blue, beige and orange stripes.

The blazer looks very fashionable with gold crown embroided at the left pocket.

Her socks are black high-socks and colors on front are different. The left side is blue, the right side is pink coordinated with cream and brown wingtip shoes.

She has bright blonde hair with bangs. Her hair is permed curly hair which give her luxurious image.

Pink ribbon hair elastics makes her look even more adorable!

 She has special green eye color which match her green eyeshadow and orange cheeks and lips.

Green eyeshadow and orange cheeks, are they trying to make her look like she has influenza? This is another girl who's stock I really want, but I'm not too thrilled with the doll. I do like that they've added wavy blonde hair, it doesn't seem to be very common. 

Special chippies! Green of course, because she's the living persona of Envy.

Ooo, silky undies, fancy.

Face Type: Radiance

Skin Type: Fair (natural skin)

Make Up: Eyeshadow: Green, Lips: orangish pink, Cheeks: orangish pink

Eye Colors: Light green (center special color), Blue (right), Pink (center), green (left)

Hair Color: Blonde

Manicure: Orange

Set Detail:

One-piece, blazer, hair elastic (2 of them), socks, shoes, shorts, doll stand.

Release Date: 16 November 2012

Retail Price: 14,490 yen (tax included) ($182; £114)

We start accepting reservation from 12:00 pm on 9 November through Online Shop Junie Moon

The doll will be available from 16 November 2012 at CWC official shop Daikanyama Junie Moon, Shinjuku Marui One Lele Junie Moon,

Kichijoji Chara Park Blythe Shop by Junie Moon and offical shops through out the country.

***

Lavender Hug

And a new release! Looking to be released this year, but I'm guessing she won't be coming out till 2013, I present Lavender Hug:

"I was born with this hair color! It's really true.

Since I was a child, it has made me so happy, I have wanted to hug everyone!"

Even in the winter, "Lavender Hug" will keep you warm with her cute style.

The clothes she wears greatly compliment her lavender hair color! Her pink dress, warm earmuffs and fluffy boots keep her bundled and cozy!

Her drop-waist dress has an adorable knitwear detail around the collar and cuffs.

Her herringbone tights add a graphic "pop!" to her outfit, and look great with her warm boots.

Her lavender hair, with loose curls and full bangs, is her charm point .

Her face type is "Fairest" and her skin is pale as snow.

For her makeup she wears soft brown eyeshadow, pink cheek and lip.

* Please note, the final product may differ from the design image.

Tentative Release Date: December 2012

Price: 14,490 JPY ($182; £114)

Why does she need to hug everyone? How was she born with purple hair, genes don't work like that? I do like her outfit, and am excited about seeing a snow white FBL, though I hope her hair color isn't like Lilac's and is closer to some of that shimmery purple we've been seeing on factory girls. 

Such as this.

Or this, why could explain why she has the genes for purple hair.

And you really know her hair looks like this. It can't be unseen.

If you've gotten here, praise you! This has been quite a long post, 5 girls in all, but I hope I helped spread the word about Christmas presents! ;] 

♥ Jillie

 Next post: the girls model the goodies you sent me from BCUK!