A Hair Affair

Dear Sarah,

Before I get all giggly and crazy about the shop and introduce the newest Blythe release, I have long delayed introductions.

All the way back in January I purchased two girls: a Simply Lilac with a Stella Savannah eye mech, and a FrankieDarling custom Simply Vanilla vampire with a Simply Mango scalp:

No one's really too thrilled with their hair. The SL, named Quinn, had okay hair, but the ends were kinda jankity. The SV, who went through being named Fyvie, to Mimi, to eventually and finally Coraline, was none too happy with her orange hair, and we knew it had to be changed ASAP.

Quinn's hair was the easiest to remedy. I took her to my hairdresser, (who my mom has known longer than she's been married to my father, so I wasn't too concerned about weird you're-24-with-a-doll looks) and asked her to give her a bob. I've wanted a shorter hair girl for a while. It turned out my hairdresser wanted to keep her (NO!) and Quinn got a cute cut.

And she got a trip to Washington DC!

Coraline on the other hand, poor Coraline. Who knew it was going to be so hard to find a danged black scalp? Since I usually look for fantasy haired girls, I haven't really noticed that Takara/CWC hasn't put out that many black haired girls, so people cling to these scalps. They're not readily up for sale on BK as others are. So I got her a wig.

 

It was okay, but was ruining the Simply Mango scalp underneath, and was sitting on her head weird and was poofy. The SM scalp was in great shape, and I knew I would either sell it or save it. So, the wig came off, even though it made me want her to have black hair even more since I knew how great it looked.

Then I found a Nostalgic Pop scalp on BK, but it was pretty expensive! But pah, I went ahead and bought it anyway. Yay, Coraline would be complete! ...right?

Well, it was coming from the Netherlands, and it didn't have tracking and I was impatient and was watching Shrek one night (apparently that helps with inspiration) and looked at Zooey and Coraline and thought "why don't they switch scalps?! Then I could save money!"

I figured it looked okay on Coraline and would be happy and then resell the NosPop scalp, especially since an unforseen medical issue means we've had to put a stop on Blythe clothes and Domos, but what I didn't expect is how amazing it looked on Zooey! She's a completey new doll, and I am sosososos much happier with her!

Even though she was my mini me, I didn't really bond with her as much as the other dolls. If I had to sell one, I would have been her. But now, with this scalp, there's no way she's going anywhere! I gave her some little Domo charms as pullrings, and she is just the cutest thing. She's changed completely.

 

And then a few days later, Coraline's NosPop scalp came in, and I was awed at the thickness (I think she has better hair than I have!) and it looks divine on her.

So it seems as though there won't be any scalps sold (I think I'll keep the Chocolate one, maybe root some highlights in or something.) but now I have some pretty amazing looking girls, and it feels like I have a new doll! Who knew how much a simple scalp switch could change them!

♥ Jillie

EssHippo Etsy Weekend Round-Up

Dear Jill,

It's been an eventful opening few weeks at EssHippo Etsy! We've had 13 listings and 3 sales already! Yay! Big Thank Yous to everyone that has viewed, faved and bought from our shop - we really appreciate your support!

New listings this week include:

Black and Gold Sparkly Top

White Candy Poncho

Black and Blue Stripy Sweater

Black and White Stripy Poncho

Coming up next week will be 4 new clothing listings, including hats, tops and ponchos. I am also currently working on some 'Friends For Blythe' - more coming soon!

I look forward to seeing your items for the shop! I am really excited about the things you have come up with! Also, if anyone out there has anything in particular they'd like to see in EssHippo Blythe, let us know! We'd love to hear from you!

Sarah
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EssHippo Shop - Now Open!

Dear Jill,

I am delighted to announce that our Etsy shop is now open for business!


I've been editing photos for DAYS and have just finished. I have listed a mixture of hats, tops and sets that fit not only Blythe, but Jecci Five, CCE, Basaak and Blybe


To celebrate the shop opening there is a special 30% off Coupon Code for all Blog and Flickr members! To take advantage of this offer simply quote code WELCOME2012 at checkout :)

I hope you like everything! I hope we can keep this shop stocked with loads of fab Blythe bits!

Sarah
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PS - I am loving the reviews! Keep them coming!

Rachel's Ribbon

Dear Sarah,

CWC released the first Blythe of 2012 today, Rachel's Ribbon. I also want to start reviewing the new girls, like I did for Alexis Emerald, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to begin.

Her description:

Rachel loves to give gifts to her friends. From small things to big things, she carefully wraps them in cute wrapping paper and a big ribbon before presenting them. When her friends get their gift, they instantly know that its from Rachel!

Rachel wears her one-piece with a ribbon print design and a mod-style coat with a hood.

The monotone ribbons on top of the brilliant blue really matches well this one-piece well. Within these ribbons a rabbit hides, and on this rabbit's ear, another ribbon is sewn.

The notion of play is important as well. Her body area is in a cut-and-sewn style and her raglan sleeves made from a translucent fabric.

Her coat is a mod-styled short coat, a bright khaki colored zip-up style. To enhance her girly look, laces are placed in the pockets and the opening of the sleeve. Fur has been added to the hood of the coat for another detail. Rachel also wears pink knee-high socks and black and brown long boots.

Her long hair is a new style, and is parted on the side with thick bangs and gives her the nuance of adult atmosphere. Her hair color is cinnamon brown with hints of pink on top, this is the very first time this has been done for a Neo Blythe!

Her eyeshadow is green, her cheeks and lips are pink, which looks great on her fair skin. Her eyes uses the default colors of pink and blue with two special colors, olive green and light brown.

Her face type is Radiance and her skin type is fair.

Her stand is pink.

Face type: Radiance

Skin Type:

Fair Make Up: Eye Shadow: Green, Lips:pink, Cheek: pink

Eye Color: Pink (right), Blue(front), Olive Green (left/special color) light brown(front/special color)

Hair Color: Cinnamon Brown Earring: yes (yellow ribbon)

Manicure: no

Set Details: doll, one piece, coat, earring, socks, boots, shorts, stand

Release Date: 2012 2/24th (Fri)

Price: 16,590yen (tax included)

For me, the first thing I look at is hair, which is why I chose Coral, a Simply Bubble Boom as my first Blythe and is why I have only one natural haired girl in my family. (I don't count Adalind...sure silver is natural, but now how she owns it.) I was really excited to hear that RaRi's hair was brown with pink, but it doesn't really look visible. It seems like it's just become one color, granted I haven't seen her in real life. And I'm not sure about the side part and bangs. A lot of people on BlytheKingdom say it's pretty 80s? It looks cute to me; I don't have any complaints with it:

I like her special eyechips, the olive and light brown, though I would have liked a darker brown. She seems washed out. I wish they'd get rid of those pinks and darken the blues, but I guess they want to keep them as a nod to the original Kenners. I guess it's not really a problem since it's easy to switch out.  Along with the darker brown eye chips, I think if they darkened her lips or cheeks she wouldn't look as washed out and boring. Or if her hair was darker with the pink.

And all her stock goodies. I really like her jacket and boots. Actually looking at her nude, she reminds me of Heart of Montmartre:

Both dolls are RBLs, have the same wavy hair and color as HoM's is described as being a "mixture of pink and light brown," and that slightly washed out look. But HoM has much better stock clothes and eyes:

C'mon CWC/Takara, there's plenty of ideas out there and designers who would be willing to create a doll! How about another green haired one? Or how about more FBLs? Or like the older releases who used to come with two dresses and maybe even another wig?

I don't think I'll be getting Rachel's Ribbon, even before I saw Alexis Emerald. CWC released the March girl, and it's not AE. She is a designer girl, but isn't too exciting. I'll review her in the next few days. Personally I find RaRi boring. I kinda like her hair, but not enough to buy her NRFB. If I ever get one it'd either be a nude/cheap eBay find for customizing or a heavily customized one. I just find her washed out and boring. Sorry Takara/CWC, try again.

But if you see that little jacket on BK's Sundries or anything, let me know, because I really want it!

Check out Rachel's Flickr group HERE. There's mixed reviews and and a comparison between RaRa, HoM, Vinter Arden and Mademoiselle Rosebud. (MRB)

What do you think?

♥ Jillie

Alexis Emerald

**ALL PICTURES COURTESY WOODSPRITEBLYTHE**

Dear Sarah,

Rumor has it there is a new girl in town. Not Rachel's Ribbon, but one I'm far more excited for. Meet Alexis Emerald:

She is absolutely gorgeous! 

From what I've read it seems her stock is a black strapless dress, a burgundy overcoat, black fishnet stockings, black heels, black undies, and golden bow earrings. Her eyechips are naturally themed brown, grey, light blue and a light green. Her lips, cheeks, and nails are painted pink and she has grey eyeshadow. I'm guessing RBL here, and that she isn't translucent (though many BK-ers wish she was.)  We're also not sure if she's a limited edition, and I'm hoping no, for budget reasons. (2012 has already seen two Blythes and a JerryBerry at OPH, can we handle another?) But the best part in my opinion, and the main reason that's drawn me to her is the hair!

Gorgeous color, long and luscious, and it looks like it's wavy/slightly curled? Personally, I've been dying for a blue haired girl and there aren't many stock. We've got Simply Sparkly Spark (whom I always forget about), Candy Carnival, Can Can Cat, and many collector's grail doll, Princess a la Mode. She's a beautiful girl, but has become quite expensive. Luckily (hopefully!) for us, it seems like Alexis Emerald is a slightly different PAM for people who can't afford her or who aren't fully in love with her, but still like her hair, the latter being me.

Here's a shot of them together: 

Don't get me wrong, now. PAM's a gorgeous doll, but not for the price she runs for on eBay. She's not my grail doll either, a Miss Sally Rice is. If AE isn't a special release or anything, I'm guessing she'll be under $200, which will be much more affordable that a NRFB PAM, or even a custom with a PAM scalp.

My opinion on AE? I'm putting money in my savings account right now for her. I'm basically sold. If I could send CWC a check rightnow and they'd send her to me in March or May or whenever she's going to be released, that's quite fine, I just want need her. I'm already pretty sure what I'll name her.

Now to just make room on my dolly shelf...

♥ Jillie

P.S. BlytheKingdom Alexis Emerald thread HERE.

BlytheCon UK 2012

Dear Jill,

I love the painting of Zooey by Meester X!. She looks so pretty! It was so nice of Meester X to paint them for us!

I have some fab news - EssHippo will be going to BlytheCon UK this year!


BlytheCon UK 2012 (BCUK 2012) will be held on Saturday 6th October 2012, in Manchester, at the Double Tree Hotel. It's a special year this year, as Blythe is celebrating her 40th Birthday! Because of this there is going to be a fab after party, which we also got tickets for. Weeeee!

It's going to be so great - I hear there will be vendors selling all manner of Blythe items, and workshops being held throughout the day on things like customising. And best of all - we get to have an EssHippo reunion and meet aload of our Blythe friends! Yay!

There is a ton of info on the Official BCUK 2012 website, where you can also buy tickets to the event. Soon there will be a schedule and vendors info up too. You can also find out more about BCUK 2012 at these sites:

Flickr

Facebook

Twitter

Sarah
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Zooey's Portrait

Dear Sarah,

Meester X did a portrait of Zooey, too!

I absolutely love the detailing on her hair! HERE is the original. I think it's fab!

Thank you so much Meester X!

 ♥ Jillie