Fashion Dolls 101

With Geoffrey the Giraffe at the Bellevue TRU in 2015 It has been all over the news, so I am sure this post is not breaking news to anyone. However, I could not let the Toys R Us (TRU) chain shut its doors forever without a small homage of my own. See update at end of post about the possibility of some TRU stores reopening! Toys R Us was established on June 1957, in Washington, D.C. I have fond memories of going into the huge toy store as a little girl when we lived in D.C. There was nothing else like it. Later as Toys R Us moved across the country we finally got one in Nashville and a few years later, a store opened in Bellevue, TN, where I became a frequent guest. A writer for several fashion doll magazines including Barbie Bazaar and Millers Fashion Doll Magazine, I was often in the store taking photos of new dolls and buying them for more formal photo shoots for my articles. After print media doll magazines closed their doors, I still wrote doll articles for Examiner,...

Sadly, the Toys R Us chain of big-box toy stores is closing across the nation. The only perk in this sorry chain of events is the fact that toys and dolls are 50 - 70 % off in the few stores that are still in the process of closing. This means the handful of Minecraft toys that are left are now 60% or more off the original price. So head in today to say goodby to a pop culture retail icon as it closes its doors, and rescue a Minecraft Sheep, Ghast or a Creeper while you are there. Related:  Winter Fun with Minecraft Figures Minecraft Dolls & Action Figures Minecraft Secrets:Totally Awesome Builds Book Review   Minecraft PvP Servers group on Facebook Ask me how you can doll yourself up with amazing clinical skincare products and start your way to clearer, healthier skin today! Join me on  Facebook  or email skin_and_health@yahoo.com  for more info! I would love to help you have the best skin of your life!!

NEW MINECRAFT MOD IN BETA TESTING I have done several articles on Minecraft toys and figures which is what this blog is about, as well as a book review, but I thought I would take a moment to introduce the new and innovative Minecraft Tribes mod. This version of the popular game is designed for players who enjoy the mining, building and engineering aspects of Minecraft but also enjoy the excitement and challenge of an occasional battle or raid. Tribes PvP allows you to put your creations to the test in a rigorous PvP environment. Whether you use walls, castles, or booby traps, the only rule is war. While the only rule may be war, there are incentives to build beautiful towns or castles as well protection for your base from attacks when you are not present to defend it. Beta Testing is underway now. The new Minecraft Tribes mod will be available in May 2017 . Check out  http://minecrafttribes.com/  for details. Visit me at  Doll Collecting Examiner  ...

 As promised last month, here is the 3rd and maybe final installment in my Minecraft figures series. Mojang has put out a variety of toys and figures in the Minecraft world, and there are assorted sizes to chose from as well as a plethora of characters to chose from, everything from the main characters, Steve and Alex, to a wide variety of mobs - the animals and monsters that inhabit the world of Minecraft. Assortments range from the cute little minis, found in mystery boxes and packages of three, to three inch figures found in at least two series of assorted creepers, villagers, and heroes, to the larger action figures of Alex and Steve and their friends. There are even Lego building sets so you can build your little figures their own Minecraft world! If you enjoy Minecraft or know someone who does, these little figures and builds are sure to entertain. Visit me at  Doll Collecting Examiner  Related: Minecraft Dolls & Action Figures Minecr...

If you have kids, more than likely you have heard about Minecraft, the computer game where kids build with dirt, wood and stone and dig for gold, iron, diamonds, emeralds and other gems. A growing number of players stay with the game into their late teens and early 20s, and gamer guys find Minecraft a good way to get their girlfriends into gaming. Developed  by Swedish game designer Markus Persson in 2009, and later fully fleshed out and published by Mojang, Microsoft  announced it was buying Mojang and  Minecraft   in 2014. Minecraft's popularity has spawned a number of dolls and action figure during it's popular run which appear in various toy and department stores every year. Here are a few currently available. Minecraft Enderman 7" Plush Set Of 2 Ocelot And Squid Minecraft Animal 7" Plush Toy Doll Minecraft 24" Enderdragon Deluxe Plush Stuffed Toy Minecraft 12" Medium Zombie Plush Minecraft 12" Zombie Pigman Plush Stuffed Animal Mine...

It's Cyber Monday today -- the day set aside to do your holiday shopping online from the comfort of your home or office! I am hoping you will consider shopping Cyber Kathryn today for all your holiday needs! Here is my Cyber Monday Sales List for your shopping convenience. Dolls: Liv Doll Katie Tagged Christmas Green Hoodie Jacket Hood Fits Barbie Jenny Etc | eBay http://ow.ly/rno9p MGA Bratz Let's Talk Cloe 10th Anniversary Boxed Talking Doll 11 5 inch VHTF |eBay http://ow.ly/rnCDX MGA Bratz Let's Talk Cloe 10th Anniversary NUDE Talking Doll 11 5 inch VHTF http://ow.ly/rnDQ9 Barbie Basics Doll Model 7 Collection 3 Orange Swimsuit etc Model Muse | eBay http://ow.ly/rnvNM Barbie Basics Accessories Look1 Orange Beach Set Silkstones ModelMuse | eBay http://ow.ly/rntn3 1995 Mattel Songbird Barbie Doll with Bluebird Sparkling Blue Gown | eBay http://ow.ly/rnvZS 1995 Mattel Songbird Teresa Barbie Doll w Songbird Sparkling Purple Gown | eBay http://ow.l...

THIS IS NOT A TOY: An Exploration of Urban Vinyl  as Design and Art Form Pharrell Williams Guest Curates First Large-Scale Designer Toy Exhibition  at the Design Exchange Photo Credit: Terry Richardson On February 7 th , 2014 , Canada's Design Museum, the Design Exchange (DX) launches the world's first ever large-scale exhibition dedicated to urban vinyl as contemporary art. On display until May 18 th 2014 , visitors dive headfirst into the realm of designer "toys" as the Exhibition Hall is transformed into a life-size dream world, filled with figurines ranging from tiny trinkets to enormous free-standing pieces. World-renowned international works, including some from the collaborations and personal collection of singer, songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams , beg for examination and exploration. "Pharrell personifies this century's renaissance man. His influence on music, fashion, design and contemporary art is profound. From p...

Toys 'R' Us announces the 2013 Holiday Hot Toy List Toys "R" Us has just announced their 2013 Holiday Hot Toy List, so if the young one in your home has not told you what he or she wants, the chances are good it's on this definitive list. Read more: Toys 'R' Us announces the 2013 Holiday Hot Toy List - Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner Ask me how you can doll yourself up with amazing clinical skincare products and start your way to clearer, healthier skin today! Join me on  Facebook  or email skin_and_health@yahoo.com  for more info! I would love to help you have the best skin of your life!!

Why Mattel’s Barbie doll packaging could be hazardous to your health After purchasing this cute Barbie Fashionistas Swappin' Styles doll to display at a doll club meeting , I began the task of trying to release her from her box. Does this cute doll LOOK like a safety hazard? Continue reading on Examiner.com Why Mattel's Barbie doll packaging could be hazardous to your health - National Barbie Collecting Examiner Warning: Doll & toy packaging can be a safety hazard Barbie Doll vs. The Doctors : What does a June 1 airing of the TV show "The Doctors" have to do with a June 2 doll club meeting? They both occurred in June, but there is a more serious connection. More at Warning: Doll & toy packaging can be a safety hazard - Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner More Barbie Fashionistas