Alyrenee's Copious Spare Time

So, another Integrity Toys Convention has come and gone.  In a year filled with abnormal-ness...this was a little from column A and a little from column B in terms of old and new.  I think Integrity did a pretty good job recreating the programming that happens at the convention. We got all of the normal Carol and Alain banter and the repetitive explanations of things around purchasing protocols. That was all fondly familiar. What was a wonderful improvement was in the interviews with former employees and current ones giving a history of Integrity.  I feel that this played really well on my laptop screen but would have been unsuccessful in a large ballroom. The interviews were intimate and special in a way that worked so well in this format. The same concept would have been swallowed up in a ballroom. It was also nice to have it be slightly more compact in terms of time. In person, you get the centerpiece reveal and then you eat for a while...and then the program starts and then the sou

Well with hilariously bad timing, Net-a-Porter dropped the Jason Wu doll we saw last night TODAY.  At a whooping $295-$315 depending on your taxes and location, she comes with some shoes and shopping bags.  She seems to be sold out on some of the sites but Net-a-Porter is hella confusing and has locations all over the place.  Each location seems to have an allocation...so there might still be a chance.  Sometimes they will show as sold out and then magically reappear.  I believe you can get a discount code for 10% if you sign up for email (i think for new customers). Anyway.  She's pretty for sure but well out of my range.  I have one complete Wu doll (Montaigne Market) and Intimate Reveal nude.  I just added the Anniversary Kiss Poppy along with the new Aymeline.  I would still love to get the stripey sweater and pants Elyse at some point...but I am not paying these crazy talk prices (especially for gowns). It is nice that it seems a portion is for charity. Note the snazzy black b

Woo boy. I am still trying to process both this day, this convention, and the world right now.  I have burst into tears like five times today (out of joy and relief and weariness).  I likely say this every year, but Integrity Toys is a great company.  They go out of their way to take the collectors into consideration. They get it wrong sometimes, but more often than not...they get it right.  Happy 25th Anniversary Integrity Toys! So the Jason Wu Gala started with the centerpiece reveal designed by Jessy Ayala. Haute Desire Dania Zarr was inspired by Most Desired Eugenia. This gal is wearing a nice intricately draped gown in an electric purple color. She looks pretty in the Hungarian tone (one of my favs) with the brunette hair. Nice piece but again...no gowns for me. I passed mine onto to a fellow collector on the board in order to earn dolly karma (it's real y'all).  Then Carol Roth interviewed Jason Wu. He spoke of his origins with the company and also spoke about how he is d

They have been teasing us with a gorgeous Agnes face all weekend and many were expecting/hoping that she was going to appear at the lunch event.  She did not. I am wondering if she is going to end up being an extra special bonus or maybe a made to order dealie. We shall see.  ****UPDATE: This Agnes will be the 25th Anniversary doll and offered to the entire W Club for order.  It is unclear whether she is one of our pending W Club exclusives or a bonus. I am excited to get her. She looks STUNNING. Anyway, so we got a crazy goth queen in Wicked Narcissism Eugenia Frost-Perrin.  I have yet to warm up to a Eugenia but I am pretty sure this is the one.  I love it. I wish she wasn't $175 bucks...but I am happy to get her. (To be clear, most centerpieces in recent years have been this price. It still hurts). She is totally going to rock that Soiree Agnes dress and a lot of the style lab. This doll was a throwback to Dark Narcissus Kyori.  Then we had interviews with the designers.  Here i

The presentation itself was fun but these dolls were not for me.  I feel like we have seen this particular screening A LOT.  Hoping to see something different next year (and variety too boot). I was tempted to keep the purple outfit though because it might look really cute on Sookie...but I opted to sell her.  Anyway...here are the tidbits of info we learned out from the event. Rejected Poppy names: Hilarie Hartley, Cherie Clark, Sharon Shelby, Tabatha Tilly, Trixie Taylor...there was one redacted name that David really likes and wants to use in the future.  The World's Fair Collection was one of his very favorites. David's husband really wants him to do a Poppy Hometown Collection where she returns to her Midwestern roots. Next year's theme is Palm Springs.  Inspiration from Jonathon Adler, Mid-century modern design, Trina Turk, Shag prints, Monsieur Z, Poolside Gossip by Slim Aarons. Retro-modern and might jump around in time a bit Expressed a desire to loosen up the rule

So glad these are coming to me.  Style labs are the thing I love the most at convention. I am a big mix and matcher.  I like to redress and play around with looks.  This lot is pretty versatile with some great neutral pieces and then some bright primary color pops.  Plus great bags and accessories. Seems like there are a few spring looks and the rest are fall. I like it. ----- At first I did not love the Haute Monde fashion...but then liked it more in the context of the other fashions. I also thought of how this would work nicely with that Madonna inspired fashion from the Supermodel style lab too (Strike a pose?). This was inspired by a doll magazine cover. Fun pieces. Cute boots. Anika Luxotica's gonna steal that jewelry. Item # 91493 Haute Monde Fashion The 2020 Integrity Toys 25th Anniversary Convention: Legendary Fashion Royalty ®  Collection Style Lab Limited Edition: 400 Fashions Expected Ship Date: Late Nov. Special Convention Price: $75.00 Again, at first I was not sure...

Well, I managed to secure a complete style lab from someone so I have the whole lot coming my way...which is great because I love the fashions and at least three of the dolls.  ACCESSORY PACKS FOR THE WIN!!!!  Anyway...thoughts about the dolls below. I am not feeling the 'mugshots' on the presentation.  I get the feeling this was all a little rushed this year. I think these will be better in hand. I was not expecting this many 1.0 sculpts, but I will get into that below. $60 for a nude doll is basically a steal even if you plan to toss the head in the trash...so all in all, this is a great style lab. There was A LOT of whining on the boards about the 1.0 dolls and fashions.  I don't understand the hate on the fashions. I do understand that no one really was screaming for Adele and Natalia 1.0 sculpts to come back (especially without updating the screening in a significant way).  But they still have their fans I guess. Item # 91484 Cover Story Véronique Perrin ®  Nude  Doll