Alyrenee's Copious Spare Time

  It is that time of year again...to join the W Club.  I will definitely be getting a membership.  In previous years, I had gotten more than one but since they got rid of the coupon, I don't see the need.  Club membership gets you access to several made to order dolls and then right to buy lottery opportunities for others. Club members also get first access to new doll lines dropping so that they can potentially secure preorders before the general public.  Onto the upgrade dolls: I am WIDELY UNDERWHELMED by the upgrade dolls. Not just one, but all three of the dolls are color variations. And variations that possibly no one wanted. I don't even have words really. Just meh.  The only thing giving me hope is that Poppy will be mod again. That will be great. I am hoping that the Poppy "rewind" moment that David mentioned is a companion piece for the Alien Poppy or Black/White Poppy from Stay Tuned...or a friend sculpt for the Palm Springs line.    You...

  The 2023 Club year was a bit of a sloppy drunk.  Let's call her Sheila. Sheila is generally good fun, but occasionally she takes FOREVER, says the wrong thing, over-serves herself, and then spends a lot of time apologizing. Get a hold of yourself, Sheila! Here is a photo showing what I ordered from this year (though it is missing the Wildflower Misaki doll which I did order. This is easily the least amount of stuff I have ordered in a club year. I really liked all of the True Industry line up but was trying to be good. I already have versions that I love of all of those characters and don't want to repeat sculpts with them. I did not have a Jasper or an Auden though and I liked them both enough to enter in the lottery. I got Auden but not Jasper sadly (hoping I will find a takeover later). At the slightly reduced club pricing, the sticker shock of the new high prices was not as bad for what is basically the same Dynamite Girls dolls we used to get for like $60 back in t...

  So...yeah. While the doll is cute...and I love dark a-tone and the afro puffs...hell to the no on paying $175 for this fashion fever outfit at this price point. This is bland and BASIC. Mint fur on a tired faux Chanel boucle suit. We have had three Chanel looks in the last year between 2020 Not Pretending Eden and the Little Day Ensemble Veronique. Both of those were infinitely more inspired than this offering. I am just at a loss really.  How is East 59th priced at $160 and coming with accessories and all sort of details and we get $175 for a shirt without buttons? Nope. I have to draw a line in the sand. I am dreading what is coming for the W Club upgrade dolls.  Be as sassy as you want girlfriend...but that outfit is a no. Item # 82150 The NU. Classic Lilith Blair ™  Dressed Doll The NU. Face ™  Collection 2021  W   Club  Exclusive Doll Edition Size: To Be Determined Expected Ship Date: Late Summer/Early Fall 2022 Retail Price: $175.00 (Only...

Well...finally a homme doll this year! And a made-to-order club doll no less. It is has been a bit of a drought for male dolls lately.  Along comes this one and a gift set to boot. The overall set is pretty swell and doll looks great. It was a no brainer to order this one. The price seems palatable for what we are getting too...what with two outfits with mix and match options and two sets of shoes plus a bag and accessories.  Not too shabby.  I have chuckled at club members calling out the mesh tank as very 90s  International Male catalog .  Lord that was a fun catalog for a variety of reasons.  As a costume designer, I frequently used International Male offerings for shows (so many swishy fabulous pirates y'all...so, so many).  Whenever a new catalog arrived, that meant ZERO work was happening in the shop that day as we all took turns simultaneously drooling and enjoying the cheeky queer fun of it all.    Item # 82149 The Weekender Lukas Mav...

 Carol's "eating workshop" began with the usual sharing of the rules and a new request for people to not yuck each other's yum. I appreciated that as, in general, I turn off the comments for any presentation so I don't have to see that nonsense and tend to block W Club users that just trash what other like.  It is fine to disagree and voice that opinion...but some people just have no class. Here is a run down of the information shared: The design talk commenced then with Vaughn Sawyers, Jessy Ayala, David Buttry, Chris Stoeckel, Alain Trembley, and Carol Roth. They all shared their IT "origin stories". Mark  is going back to Misaki. Excited to see it. Vaughn's obligatory 'pipeline supply chain issue' explanations.  David -Future of Poppy Parker...she will time travel back and forth...modern twist on vintage. Jessy- Working on new characters (in response to a question about more Asian representation) Chris - Victoire's husband...not in th...

While the Convention Welcome Doll knocked me out, the convention collection was a bit of a mixed bag.  THE WINNER FOR ME. The Victoire is KILLER. I adore Mugler and this is a must have for me. The East 59th dolls are always gorgeous and have amazing details, construction, and design inspiration. Chris Stoeckel killed it and really brought something new here. I am going to cry if I don't get one in the lottery. Also...the photos are great for this doll. I am in love. I am thinking the pink jacket is going to pair nicely with the pieces from the Victoire heist outfit...that had all the black pieces...from Gloss convention maybe? Victoire Roux Is Obsessed with Surrealist Art! 1950s top-model Victoire Roux channels her own personal Obsession for modern art and beauty, as she pays homage to her friend and fellow French citizen, famous surrealist visual artist Man Ray! Wearing an original creation by Integrity Toys designer Chris Stoeckel, this truly unique doll features a special ...

Another mini-dress offering from Jessy Ayala.  This is a continuation of the themes from the Reckless collection with an emphasis on motorcycle fashion, fetish looks, uniform details, bling, and rich bad girls. We got another Rayna, this time in a blonde ponytail with the very pretty silver Natural Wonder screening. She is going to redress like a dream. I think the gloves echoing the motorcycle jacket collar detail is cool. I would love to get those (or make my own).  I also want the leather bear backpack. I hate the dress and don't love the tiny hat perched on her forehead. But that's me. I would also really love a non-Moschino heavy collection at some point. There are other designers out there. So I've heard. We finally got the long-awaited Latina character with a wonderful bonus in her being Trans! Alejandra has a great sculpt with versatile neutral screening. I was slightly tempted to try for her...but I think I will wait to be wowed by the entire doll...not just the sc...