Tropicalia–Day 2.03
I hit my wall last night hence….no post. I simply had to sleep when I finally got back to the room so sorry for the delay on that. What I wanted to post photos about last night was the raffle and competition room. Here are the directions convention goers had for dioramas this year.
“Diorama Design Competition:
This year since Agnes is in control of her own land, show us some of the crazy buildings she has had built on Tropicalia! Do you want
to show us her palace? Or perhaps the extravagant beach house she built for her special guests? Maybe the huts that the villagers
who work for her live in or the crazy market place she would like tourists to shop at? The sky’s the limit; all we ask is that you keep it
“Tropical”! Only Integrity dolls allowed in the displays, but props from other companies are allowed if needed. We are not putting a size
limit to your diorama, so have fun!! Dioramas at past conventions have been some of the most interesting we have ever seen, let’s go
crazy this year!”
And here is what people came up with 
There was also a fashion design competition.
Doll Fashion Design Competition (Advanced Category):
This year the Fashion Royalty Characters have been invited to a giant extravaganza on Agnes Von Weiss’ brand new tropical island
for a giant fashion bash and exotic vacation. Agnes went all out to dazzle her guests, had a giant palace built and went all out on
everything down to the most minute details.
For the Advanced Fashion Challenge this year, create a custom FR or Integrity Toys dolls representing one of the guests at the party.
Remember, this is a really high-end couture affair! Everyone wants to impress Agnes so that they can get in a little on the success that
Von Weiss International has become and so everyone is trying their hardest to impress! For this category, any Integrity Toys doll is
allowed. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and theme/content. We will be looking the doll as a whole, so hairstyle, outfits
etc etc. Face paints are optional and will not be taken into consideration.
Doll Fashion Design Competition (Beginners/Intermediate Category):
Agnes is one of the most eccentric socialite that there is and everything she does needs to be out of this world. For the
beginners/intermediate category, create one of the equally eccentric and bizarre characters Agnes has hired to serve at her big
fashion bash on Tropicalia, her island in the Pacific. Are they sideshow attractions? Do they act look and act like Rococo era servants?
Just how wild are they? Show us what kind of performance art Agnes wants from her staff at the palace…. The weirder the better!
Let’s get creative! For this category, any Integrity Toys doll is allowed. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and
theme/content. We will be looking at the fun factor behind each entry. Face paints are optional and will not be taken into consideration.”
Last but not least, there was the raffle room. One of the most popular items were the OOAK Integrity Toys dolls. A Beautiful Eugenia:
A Stunning Anja:
And a jaw dropping 16 inch Freja:
There were many other tempting dolls to put your tickets in for as well.
Tropicalia–Day 2.02
Wow! How did it get to be 3:30PM already?!! Time has traveled at warp speed for me today. I attended a very informative repaint workshop done by Cindy Lorimer . She was a very good speaker and was very organized so I feel like I learned a fair bit. Right after the workshop, I decided to reshoot some of the collection dolls ( photos on my flickr) and then it was on to the Poppy Parker Luncheon.
Here is the doll that graced the center of each table. “Sea Breeze” Poppy Parker
Dag!! I already won my right to purchase so I was out of luck for this Poppy. Half of the table got one of these lovelies and it was really fantastic to see the large group of Poppy lovers at our table have the opportunity to take these home. Happy people all the way around 
. David Butry took the opportunity to tell us about his inspiration for upcoming Poppy parker design and it is…. 1964-1965 World’s Fair. How fun!!
Can’t wait to see what Integrity anf Mr. Butry has in store for Poppy and us next year! David Butry also shared that Poppy will have a new friend. Her name is Loni Lawrence and yes…we ALL received one. She is soooooo adorable!
More from the raffle room and competition room in this evenings blog post.
Tropicalia–Day 2
I am up early and this will be the day
There may be some raffle room time in there as well before the Poppy Parker Luncheon as the Style lab will be kind of busy….may wait until later for that one. I will try my best to update the blog just like yesterday. I am loving this new Eyefi to IPad setup. It allows me to upload photos so much faster and easier then before. I can be sitting in line or at a banquet table and be uploading photos to my flickr at the same time…cool! Now…if only Apple would play nicely with Microsoft and transfer my photo files to my laptop faster and easier, life would be fantastic. A girl can dream.
On a side note, I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing a good thunderstorm yesterday. I grew up in the Midwest United States and we would have these massive thunderstorms. When I moved to the Pacific Northwest of the United States roughly 20 years ago, I said goodbye to that experience. We just don’t get good thunderstorms in the Pacific Northwest. It was so fantastic to hear and see one again. It approaches quickly…
And after some hearty lightening and thunder, it’s gone.
I better run…I’m off to class to learn how to do a little repaint work. 
Tropicalia–Day 1.03
Dinner was a festive affair with a really good meal and a whole table full of fun people. Can’t ask for any better than that…well maybe a doll or two….and we had that too. The fun mood was set by colorful décor as we entered the ballroom.
The centerpiece doll was “Force of Nature” Agnes…which I won the right to purchase. Yipeee!
We also received a fabulous Anja doll, Jem earbuds and two 1/6 Tropicalia deck chairs as gifts.
Which brings the total accumulation for the day to…
I’m thinking I need a bigger suitcase 
Tropicalia–Day 1.02
So…after my morning cup of Joe…it was off to the races. I went in search of registration and the place to pick up my workshop dolls. I signed up for two classes.
Here is what we received in our registration bags. It looks like we may be getting another giftset this year!!! The accessories are GORGEOUS!
After Registration, it was time to get in line and wait for the sales room to open.
Many choose to view this 4-5 hour wait ( some people were reportedly in line since 4AM!! ) as a time to socialize and visit with friends. There is a general party like atmosphere and today the time went incredibly fast for me because I was able to spend time with some of my favorite people like…
OOAK artist Matt Sutton and Hilda of Bellissima Couture
Some people are very productive with their time in line and they work on table gifts and fill out raffle tickets
But not me….I just talked….the entire time LOL! Oh and took and uploaded photos to my flickr account. While we were waiting, Integrity Toys put the convention collection on display
Haute Société Véronique Perrin Dressed Doll
Main Event Adèle Makéda Dressed Doll
Peak Season Kyori Sato Dressed Doll
Sweet Victory Natalia Fatale Dressed Doll
Hot Dots Poppy Parker Dressed Doll
Lady in Red Erin S. Dressed Doll
All in White Now Collette D. Dressed Doll
Infallible Dasha FR: Squared Dressed Doll
More closeups are on my flickr.
In our registration packets, we had a coupon for one “Place Vendome” Victoire Roux. Hooray!! When I saw her…my jaw dropped. I couldn’t buy this lady fast enough!
And the running total so far is….
And we have not even gone to the first dinner event yet. More later on that.
Tropicalia–Day 1
After a day of uneventful travel ( the best kind ), I arrived in Florida just in time to have a few drinks and dinner with friends. The hotel is gorgeous and HUGE. It will take me a while to figure out the layout but that is definitely on the plan for today. I’m up and ready to see the fabulous convention collection that Integrity has for us in their sales room. That will entail a couple of hours waiting in line while we wait for the room to open but most people are not upset at all about waiting…it is a big social time. Will have a blog post up later today with the goings on but feel free to check out my flickr for photos of what is happening throughout the day.
Command central for the convention:
And a look at what the day will look like…Thanks to my better half for writing a special phone app so I can have my schedule on my phone (LUV it and you!) Yes, I am a complete clutz and drop my phone OBVIOUSLY. I am waiting for the new windows phone to come out later this year to replace it.
See you all later with more to report from 2012 Fashion Royalty Convention “ Tropicalia”
Tropicalia!!
Tomorrow, or today depending on where you are in the world, I am flying to the Fashion Royalty extravaganza that is convention. This year’s theme is Tropicalia and if you want a really good explanation of what that means and perhaps the inspiration for this year’s convention go to Shuga Shug’s blog. She has the most fantastic write-up on “Tropicalia” http://www.shugashug.com/2012/09/25/tropicalia/
I am taking my trusty point and shoot and hope to be able to upload photos quickly with my cool eyefi/IPad set up. I hope to be blogging every night just like last year but cut me a little slack if I don’t. A girl has to sleep too. Be sure to follow my flickr for photos as I go through the day. You can find my flickr by clicking on the photo to the right. It should take you right there.
Wish me luck as I wind my way through security in a few hours. 
The Lure of Bellissima Couture
I am headed to Florida in a couple of days for the Fashion Royalty convention and my thoughts have turned to what I am hoping to find at convention. I am always on the lookout for OOAK clothing for the girls so Hilda of Bellissima Couture’s room will be a definite first stop for me. It helps that she is one of my dearest doll friends so it’s not just the clothes but her fabulous self that is the draw for me. I snagged a couple of her creations at Barbie convention and her last online show and wanted to share them here. Her fashions evoke the feel of 1950’s couture so I was inspired to have my monogram trio Envied, Passionate and Bemused model her work. Hope you enjoy!
Models: Fashion Royalty Monogram. (from left to right) Bemused, Passionate and Envied
Clothing: Bellissima Couture ( http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/ )
Jewelry: Mattel
Flower hat: scrapbooking elements
Fur: Fashion Royalty Starry Night fashion
Kissing Chair: Pure Dreams for dolls on ebay (http://stores.ebay.com/PureDreamForDolls/Barbie-Furniture-/_i.html?_fsub=2237637017&_sid=480609367&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322)
Envied, Bemused and Passionate…A Second Look
I was moving the displays around in the cases the other day and decided these guys needed a second look. I had these ladies displayed on this couch just as I have them posed for a while but it is time to move them out and display some different dolls. I know that most people ordered these gals for their cute little dresses but I actually really like the dolls. I know that Barb at Windy City Dolls still has a few on sale http://www.windycitydolls.com/frmonogram.htm#Sale
Models: Fashion Royalty Monogram “Envied”, “Bemused” and “ Passionate”
Couch: Horseman Urban Environment ( meant for 16” dolls so scale is slightly off for this shot)
Birdcages: Found at favorite flea market. I think they were holiday ornaments.
Poppy Parker: Gallery Girl
I am in no way advocating the show “Gallery Girls” here. I saw a little bit of it and was…well…not impressed. The name rather comes from my idea when I redressed the newly released “The Happening” Poppy Parker in Mattel’s Tim Gun separates. I dressed her in the crisp white shirt and black skirt with glasses and thought she looked like some hip art gallery dealer. The diorama just kind of filled in after that. Hope you enjoy!
Model: “The Happening” Poppy Parker
Clothing, glasses and shoes: Barbie by Tim Gunn
Randall Craig is Having a Sample Sale Today!!
“Please join us for our sample sale next Saturday, 8-25. It’s going to be hosted through our Dayzees-by-Randall-Craig eBay store:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dayzees-by-randall-craig/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=
The schedule will be:
12:00/noon Separates– sweaters, sweater sets, skirts, pants, dresses, shoes, jewelry, and poodles.
1:00 Loose Fashions– complete or mostly complete fashions that have been deboxed.
2:00 Samples, Prototypes, Etc– various pieces of fashions and a few unproduced prototypes from the RC Home line.
3:00 Boxed Fashions– NRFB fashions that go as far back as the first fashion that we produced. There are some HTF ones in here. There are some NRFB poodles too.
Most of the items will be Buy-It-Now. The samples, prototypes, and some of the HTF items will be listed as 1 day auctions.”
Isn’t It Romantic Poppy Parker as Sabrina…Take 2
So I just couldn’t leave this one alone. While I was photographing the original set, I was inspired by another photo and had to do that one too…
Inspiration photo
And what I came up with….
I need to go watch Sabrina now. It feels like its required at this point LOL!
Isn’t It Romantic:Poppy Parker as Sabrina
When I first saw these dolls unveiled at IDEX this past January, I was beside myself with anticipation. I was just itching to see the real life product and hoping that they would all be as good as their promo photos. I was not disappointed. I knew I had to pay tribute to the original black and white movie photos and here is what I came up with. Hope you enjoy as much as I enjoyed shooting this one.
The original promo shot from the movie that inspired me….
Okay all you pinners on Pintrest….Please, Please, Please DO NOT pin photos form the photo album below unless you are willing to manually change the link to the blog instead of my skydrive. If you just pin it from the album ( yes, I realize it is way easier), it will link back to my skydrive and not my blog….Not Cool. Since I mentioned this before, people have been really good about it. If it comes up as a problem again though I will cease putting in albums completely.
“Lilac Frost” Poppy Parker
The WClub announced a new 2012 exclusive to their members last week. Her name is Lilac Frost and Integrity and David Buttry have given us another treat for the year. You have to be a WClub member to buy.
Here is the writeup from Integrity on her…
Presenting: "Lilac Frost" Poppy Parker!
There is a brisk chill this early morning in New York City. Miss Poppy Parker is on Fifth Avenue on her way to not just any Go-See. She will be seen by a room full of casting agents, ad executives, art directors and event coordinators who will decide if she will be selected from the hundreds of other models. She hopes those extra acting classes she has been taking on the weekends pay off and put her on top. If chosen, she’ll be a spokes-model of International proportion!
Miss Parker spent a week shopping for just the right look for this day. Poppy’s lovely green eyes and painted lashes are accentuated by lovely lilac and beige eye shadow. Her lips are a soft coral. She styled her lovely golden blond hair into a side parted flip. It is a chic, yet young look. The same could be said for her ensemble. Her suit is in pale lilac brocade with a warm white fur trim collar. It is topped off with a frosted raspberry flocked hat. She accessorized her look with white gloves, white heels and her favorite "leather" handbag. A lavender diamond bracelet and earrings complete this look of success. "Lilac Frost" Poppy Parker uses the "Japan" skin tone. Wish her luck
Lilac Frost
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Summer 2012 W Club Exclusive
Limited Edition: TBA
Approximate Ship Date: Late Fall/Early Winter 2012
** all photos are property of Integrity Toys. Please note that the photos are of a prototype doll and subject to changes and modifications.**
There are many of us who will be humming the Mary Tyler Moore theme while we wait for this lovely lady . 
She doesn’t have to think about it though…I think she has already made it. Thank You Mr. Buttry!!
Bellissima Couture is having an Event!
Hilda is calling it “Pretty Things” and my oh my are there many pretty things on her blog. She has very limited editions of these gorgeous creations so if you are interested RUN don’t walk to her blog….
http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/pretty-things/
**Photos are property of Bellissimacouture **
Champs-Élysées Victoire Roux!
It’s that time again….time for an Integrity toys lottery involving a doll I NEED! This one is a little different however in that not just WClub members will be eligible for the lottery but anyone who wants to try for this lady will be allowed a ticket as well. She is being offered through DOLLS magazine. Her edition size is 500 and she will be $125.
** All photos are property of Integrity Toys**
Her accessories
So…if you are interested in finding out more about this lottery and how to get a ticket click on the picture bellow and it will take you to the DOLLS magazine site. There you will find a write up on Miss Victoire and the information about how to get a ticket in this lottery. You will have until August 13th at 5PM CDT to get a ticket. My ticket is already sitting in my hot little hands or rather in my hotmail inbox….Oh luck be a lady for me the week of August 13th!!
Victoire Roux–A New WClub Lottery
Integrity introduced a new character as part of their IT Direct Exclusive line at convention last year. Her name is Victoire Roux and everything about her is what I like to collect. In particular the clothing is all about the classic lines of the 1940’s and 50’s. This lovely Ms. Victoire will be offered up via lottery and based on the feedback from the boards, many are entering for the chance to buy. I don’t even think I had to think about this one….my hands were on the keys to enter this lottery before I even finished reading the email from the WClub. Ohhhh how I hope I win the chance to purchase this lovely lady. If not, I will be begging….oh yes….I will be begging.
Item #76003
Avenue George V
Victoire Roux™ Dressed Doll
IT Direct Exclusive
Suggested Retail Price: $125.00 US
Limited Edition of 285 Dolls Worldwide
**Pictures are property of Integrity Toys, Inc.**
Christmas in June!
The Poppys have landed….I repeat…The Poppys have landed! I received a wonderful box yesterday and it feels like Christmas in June.
Ahhhhhh….don’t you just love that new doll smell.
First out of the box was “Isn’t it Romantic”
Second was “ Miss Fairchild”
Saved the best for third….”Most Sophisticated”
Ahhhhhhhh! She is just as gorgeous…maybe even more so ….than her promo pictures. Complete and total love.
“The Chauffer’s daughter” ended the Poppy parade.
Tooooooo cute!
I also received FR2 Tatyana
So much to contemplate, it’s hard to know what to debox first…..
“Most Sophisticated” won hands down. Just removed the pin from her hat and adjusted it lower and she was good to go. This set is Amazing! And the luggage!!! Don’t even get me started on the fantastic luggage LOL!
Tatyana came out of the box second
Oh my those cheekbones! Must get her into the studio ASAP. My fingers are itching for my good camera and my light boxes.
Isn’t it romantic has some hair issues so she needs a few adjustments before her photos. Thought I would share what I do for “hair adjustments”. I like to have bangs lie flat against the head and not floating off the forehead so I slather it with gel and “train” it down with some ribbons. This is a picture of what I mean
In 24 – 48 hours it should be set. And the bangs will hopefully lie flat against her head and the back will lie close to her neck. Will have to see how it turns out.
More Rock Wedding Spam.
This is the final set for now. After this, let the redressing begin. I love this Rock Wedding set for a variety of reasons but perhaps one of the biggest reasons was the options of redressing that you were given for Lilith. She came dressed in her funky sculpted top bridal gown. Underneath is a skirt that coordinates with a satin and lace bustier that gives her a whole other look. I know that many brides these days are favoring the idea of one dress for the ceremony and one dress for the reception. In Lilith’s world, this one would be the reception look. Romain has decided to go more casual as well and lose the jacket.
F.R. Convention 2012 is Open for Registration!
Oh yah baby!! Integrity Toys has opened up the link to register for the 2012 Fashion Royalty Convention. I went to my first one last year and am soooooo going again this year. WClub members had a few days to preregister but now the link is open to all comers. If you want more info, feel free to check it out at
http://www.integritytoys.com/page/events/latest_events
Feel free to visit my blog posts from October 2011 to see and read about some of the happenings from these conventions. If you are a Fashion Royalty collector, you cannot beat the camaraderie and amazing stuff to be had at these conventions. As far as endorsements go from me…you won’t get better than that LOL!
FYI..Registration is limited to 450 . Last years registration filled up within 3 weeks so If you want to go, I would recommend signing up sooner rather than later.
You Look So Fine Erin
Oh M…er..Erin you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind hey M…er Erin, Hey Erin. I have to admit this song was kind of going through my mind as I typed out the name of this doll. Guess that shows my age, yes, I was and still am to some degree a teenager of the 80’s. This lovely Erin is no child of the 80’s. She if a full on fashion diva of the present. Her dress is TO DIE FOR folks..worth the doll alone in my opinion but I digress. This is the last Erin produced with this original face mold. She has been given a facelift and we will see her new visage IRL when the first W Club doll ships sometime this summer. Many people are not fans of the “open mouth show us those pearly whites” face mold. I don’t have a problem with it. It kind of makes her look sweet and innocent. Her fashion is anything but. I have to admit, I was trepidatious about photographing this lady in THIS gown sitting down but I went there.
**Photography note for those wanting to photograph this lady in her original outfit or any doll in this dress for that matter**. Try to lean this baby up against a wall if you can. What I learned during this photo shoot:
1. Armature wire isn’t going to work because most of her leg shows with this gown but hey..if you want to spend countless hours Photoshopping the wire out..have at it.
2. Thought about leaning her back against a block or something sturdy but short…Nope. The skirt of the dress is pretty sheer so you will see whatever you put back there
3. Thought I was smart using strings to suspend her…WRONG!! I failed to realize the folds in the fabric and the impact they would have on Photoshopping out the strings. BAD ME! Yep…had to spend the thankless hour and a half Photoshopping out the strings then cloning back in the folds on the background for the roughly 20 full standing shots of this set…AAAACCCCKKKK. Note to Rebecca: When using complicated backdrop DO NOT USE STRINGS!!
4. The above mentioned reasons should explain why I then had to sit this lady down. Yes, I realize that she is getting dangerously close to performing a Sharon Stone Basic Instinct but it was either that or learn to embrace Photoshop as a way of life.
Okay, enough of me whining about my inability to think ahead LOL…on to the photos.
And…just because this was a rocker wedding and I don’t think Erin would have attended alone.
**A Note to all you pinners out there on Pinterest. If you are pinning photos from a slideshow embedded in someone’s blog….PLEASE DON’T! I am suspending showing all the shots of a set via slideshow because people are pinning photos from the slideshow and it will send people to my skydrive instead of the blog when they click on the photo. I really, really don’t want people surfing around my skydrive so until I can figure out a way to prevent people from pinning off of the slideshows/skydrive….no more slideshows. Other than that…Pin to your hearts content. I love that you enjoy the photos enough to pin and share them. 
**
Romain and Lilith…The Rock Wedding
After the stress of Romain’s coiffure, I was ready to have some fun so I went all soft and dreamy with the set. I was thinking it would be fun to have all this softness in the background and all the edginess in the dolls out front. I have had a number of friends comment that they were surprised I ordered this set…they are not what I typically collect. I was surprised myself how much these dolls appealed to me. I have to say my camera and I are IN LOVE with this trio of dolls. I adore the versatility of Lilith’s gift set. She has so many different looks and I can’t wait to start redressing. Romain aka lettuce boy , hair not withstanding, is just way cool. Love the square jaw and angles on this guy. From a photography standpoint, there are lots of angles to work with on his face…he will have a different look depending on how you light him and from what angle…lots of options. I would imagine that Romain and Lilith would not have the traditional wedding even though that is what the set and these photos would suggest.
And my favorite shot from the set
Erin’s turn is next…always the bridesmaid and never the bride…will have to see what we can do about that 
Rock Steady Romain
I keep looking at his name and hoping I am spelling it correctly. My husband has taken to calling him affectionately “lettuce boy”. He has a reason to gripe as I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to style and photograph this guy and my husband has had to listen to it LOL. Let’s face the facts folks..he came out of the box with clumpy and uninspired hair. Certainly not what the promo’s promised but I prefer to look at it as a challenge…so like a dog with a bone…I set to work. I know I didn’t hit the mark of the look of the promo shots but I am happy with the doll and photos. I think he is handsome and love the face sculpt. Just wish I had a smidge more bang length and I am too much of a wimp to reroot.
If you want a little taste of what I was listening to during this photo shoot and post processing, check out the playlist on the right hand side of the blog .
Rocking Ever After Lilith
For those of you who ordered her, you are in for a treat. For those of you who passed on this one, you may want to rethink. This lady is drop dead gorgeous and came right out of the box ready to be photographed. While Romain needed significant hair care before being ready for his close-up, Lilith was picture perfect within minutes of deboxing.
LOVE HER!!!
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 