My hiatus is "almost" over!

Hello blogger friends!!! I have been following you all, but took a little time away from my blog to work on a long overdue project. I have been busy organizing my doll room (Obsession), deboxed some dolls that I have had for a long while (still have a long way to go) and unpackaged some furniture created by FDQ published artist Vanessa of Van's Doll Treasures. : ) ...still so proud of you Vanessa! I was determined not to keep the new furniture packaged up for a long time like I did with the white sectional. However, working on Obsession has been an on-going project that has been in the making for a few years now (lol!). I have set a few target dates to have it finished and I am probably only about 50% done. Okay, first, let me tell you that my inspiration room no longer exist....sniffles. It really hurt me to take it down, but it was huge and I really do need the space for something else. In case you have forgotten what it looked like.



My Jonathan Adler inspiration room

 


This is what it looks like now.  I still have to remove these items.

 


This is how it is for right now....cramped on a small shelf  : (. 
It probably won't look so cramped once the girls leave.  It will then be the
 home for Juliana and her cousin Dallas.

 
I deboxed some dolls to create space in my doll room. They are all BB dolls. I decided to start with these dolls because they will not be placed on a shelf or cabinet just yet. They will be temporary housed in a container with the rest of the BB divas and divos.




BB from pink and black trio, three BB swimwear dolls that I received for some
commissioned work, and the three BB metallic dolls.  I really like the BB metallic dolls.
They are all very pretty! 


Some of the BB's waiting on the above crew.



I have a few more that are hiding somewhere in this room...


One view of what I have done thus far.  I removed them from storage containers and placed on bookcases basically to clear some floor space.  I still have a ways to go (sigh).



Most of these dolls will be deboxed and placed in
cabinets that I purchased from Ikea.  They are temporarily on these bookcases.


And finally, I have unpackaged the lastest furniture that I purchased from Vanessa. All of the following pics are still in the decorating stage. I have not decided who will get this apartment. Hmmm......



I plan to paint the lampshades black. and place table top mirrors on the two side tables.
(note:  the lamps are Christmas ornaments from Hobby Lobby)




more decor to come.....



Next up is a space that has been created for my guys. This apartment will be shared by the Remi brothers. Jabari (below) and Jamal Remi. Jamal should be arriving sometimes this month.



Jabari Remi (Juliana's significant other)




Jabari enjoying a Falcon's Football game

                                  


Still a work in progress...I need to get a table top and make a lamp

                                   
And finally one of the boutiques that I have temporary named "Pinky's" because I can't find my project tablet that has the original name (lol).  My plans are to have it simlar to the Black and White store.




I have a loonng way to go with this one.  It will be moved to the
space where my inspiration room was



Thanks for stopping by!

My Interview ~ Thanks Ms. Leo!!!!

Thanks Ms. Leo for a great post!  This was fun.  It will help us to get to know one another better. 

When did you start collecting dolls?

I started collecting dolls "officially" in 1995.  I have always had dolls (mostly Barbie) from my childhood that I kept in a train case after my Mom told me I was too old to play with dolls.  I eventually redressed some and moved them to a curio that was given to me by my ex-boyfriend to display them.

What was your first purchase as a collector??

My first purchase as a collecor was the 1991 Shani dolls.


How many dolls do you have?
I have "a lot" of dolls from baby dolls, Fayzah Spanos, Madame Alexander 8 inch dolls and 16 inch fashion dolls, Daisy and Willow, Barbie, Integrity, Monster High, Lolly Pop Girls, miniature American Girl dolls....basically too many to count!  Now do you see why my doll room is named "Obsession"  Lol!

What is your favorite doll and why?

My favorite doll(s)...I must say is my vintage Julia and Christie collection and the Goddess of Africa equally.  I love all of my dolls, but I love love them!  My FR dolls come in very close afterwards.

             

                               

What doll or dolls are not your favorites and why??

My least favorite has to be some of the Avon dolls.  I purchased them back when I bought dolls that were collector or special editions, etc.  Some of these dolls are simply not cute and  neither are their clothes.  I can not for the life of me understand why I made the purchase to begin with.   Note:  I sold some at out last doll show in May...yay!

What is the biggest challenge about collecting dolls?

Picking and choosing certain dolls based on cost.   The more expensive ones goes on my wish list.

How do you display or store your dolls?

I have dolls displayed on book shelves with books, in curios, and as part of my decor in my living room.  I have a doll room that is a work in progress.  Most of my dolls are in storage containers.

                        


Have you ever been to a doll show?

Yes, several!  In fact, I was chair person for hosting one a couple of weeks ago and have plans to attend one on Saturday.

When you travel, do you look for dolls?

Always!

What is your latest purchase?

Preordered Adele, Remi, and Darla.

What doll is on your wish list now?

Bodacious (FR)!

What do you wish you didn’t purchase?

Queen of Hearts (Bob Mackie).  I spent way too much for her and refuse to sell her cheap.

What is your favorite doll related item?

My Randall Craig living room furniture...love love it!

How often do you photo your dolls and what doll is the most photographed
and/or photogenic?

I love photographing my dolls.  Lately I have only been doing so for my blog.  The most photogenic in my opinion is my Top Model Nikki doll.  Gorgeous doll!  Another fav are the silkstone dolls.
                              
                            


                          

Do you talk to other collectors in person or just on the web?

Both!  I have a special doll friend that I have known for several years.  She moved away a couple of years ago, but we talk atleast once a week.  I also blog with a few people here that I consider my good friends.  Doll people rock!

If you had the chance to speak to Mattel or other toy makers, what
would you say?

To Mattel specifically, why so few AA dolls?  To Integrity, please bring back Nadja!

What doll do you wish would be reissued?

Malibu Christie

What two dolls would you combine and how would you want them
combined? (Muff style question)

I would love to see Society Girl (Mattel) on an articulated Model Muse body.

Be blessed!

Are we there yet.....Morristown here we come!

Lydia borrowed her Mom's Mercedes mini truck so that they all could ride together to attend the wedding of Danielle and Rod over in Morristown.  Ironically, each of the girls drove two-seaters, so this is usually their option anytime there is a rode trip.  They girls laughed and talked...while bumping their heads to the tune of Kem.  The trip was only a forty-five minute drive.  They would be there in no time if the traffic permits.  The closer they became, the more they talked about how happy they were that their friend Danielle had found true love with such a great guy.




Mercedes mini truck = Happy Family mini van Lol!!

                                                



Lydia (driver), Eugenia (front passenger), Kim (back seat right passenger)
and Ginger (back seat left passenger) 

 



Lydia:  "We have about 10 minutes before we are there.  The traffic
on I-85 is not as bad as I thought it would be".
Eugenia:  "This is great.  It would be tasteless to be late".






Lydia:  "Alright, ladies we are here...15 minutes early".
Ginger:  Girl is that Mike?
Eugenia:  "Yes, it is and his precious little one.  His wife Adele is directing the wedding. 
Ginger:  "Umm, um, um"...lucky her. 
Kim:  "They are such a cute couple."

 
The ladies decide to go inside the church and wait until it is time to go inside the sanctuary for the ceremony.




Ginger:  "That is a gorgeous purple dress that lady has on".
Kim:  "Yes, it is.  I love her short hairdo as well".
Lydia:  "It's real cute and sassy".

 
They talk and people watch....

It looks like the guest are starting to go inside. The girls follow suit.



Kim:  "Lydia do you have tissue?  I think we're going to need it".

 
Congratulations Danielle and Roderick Taylor!!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (my first photostory) Part I

This is my first photostory on my blog per se.  The wedding and rehearsal was a photostory, but for some reason the words are not shown on here, so I won't count those.   I decided to do one before I dismantle my inspiration room.  This will be Part I of maybe III.  I'm not sure yet. The girls have all arrived for a weekend of fun. 

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun



Juliana:  We have a whole agenda planned for this weekend.
Jabari:  I can only imagine.  I want you to have fun babe.  You have
had your head in them books all month and you need this break.



Jabari:  I will miss you too, but Ju, we can stand to be away from each other for a weekend.
Juliana:  I know, but I'm still going to miss you. (puppy dog face).
Jabari:  Come on babe not this time...I better get going, the guys are meeting me at Fifty Yard.

 


Juliana:  Okay, have fun and don't drink too much.  I love you.
Jabari:  I will and I love you more.
Juliana:  Come on Bari, I'm not playing.
Jabari:  I know and I was.  You got my word babe....3 drink max. 

 


They kiss and say their see you later...it is never goodbye.




Juliana:  I love me some him...umm umm um. (in thought)
Jabari:  Dang, she is fine! (in thought)

 

Juliana goes to freshen up and then she hears her cousin Dallas coming in.  Oh great (she thinks), they are back.  She chose not to go to the mall with them so that she could spend a little time with Jabari.

 


Juliana:  Hey Dee.  Did you guys have fun?  What did you buy?  Where are your bags?
Dallas:  Yes, we did!!  Dillards had a sale out of this world and I can't
 wait to show you my shoes.  Girl!  We must go back!  We left our bags in the car.

 

Just as they sit down, they hear the girls coming.




Juliana:  Did you guys like our new mall?
B'onca:  Yes!!  If it wasn't for my new job, I would move back just
 because.  That mall requires a full two days of shopping.
Gracie:  Yes, it does!  The only thing is the next time, I will wear sneakers.
Juliana:  I told you that when you left, but no you had to be cute.  Lol!




Juliana:  What about you Gracelyn.  What did you buy?
Gracie:  I hold my head in shame...the better question is what didn't I buy. And
please do not call me Gracelyn.
Juliana:  You are too funny.  In college you would never have allowed
anything less (lol).  Make up your mind honey.  Lol!  Where is everybody else?
Gracie:  Kyori is out there all over your hot new neighbor.  Zoe and
Lyssa stopped by the store.
Dallas:  I forgot to tell you that Ju.   Ky-Ky has not changed a bit.  Lol!
She kept embarassing us at the mall.  Lol!




Juliana:  It's about time you guys came in.
Monique:  Ju, I am so embarassed (shaking her head)...
Kyori interrupts
Kyori:  Ju, why you didn't tell me about that  fine neighbor of yours.  Girl, he is HOT!

 


Zoe:  Ju, who is that guy next door?
Juliana:  You guys are kidding me.  Not you too Zo.
Alyssa:  Ju you and Dee has been holding out on us.  I see
why Bari is over here all the time.  Lol!



They girls continued to laugh and talk for a long while.  They had stories to trade and a lot of gossip to catch up on since most of them had not seen each other since London and Sean's wedding. 

They talked....

and talked....




and talked....




and talked....(hey theses are college friends they have a lot to talk about - lol)

 

Alyssa:  Ju, I absolutely love that picture of  your Mom.  Are they in town?
I would love to see them.  Your Dad  and uncle Curtis are hilarious!






Juliana:  Thank you girl.  No, Mom, Dad, Aunt Christie and Uncle Curtis are still
touring the country.   Mom said that they could not wait for Dee and I
to become grown.  We use to wonder why...now we know.  (laugh)  They
are all happily retired!

 Kyori always has a story or two to tell....



Dallas:  Kyori, you are kidding me!  Lol!
B'onca:  No, she is not.  She really did do it (shaking her head).
Dallas:  What?!
Laughter

 


Kyori:  Dee, you should have seen him when I walked in....
Dallas:   Lol!!!  I don't know why I am shocked....Lol!

                                                                               
Juliana announces that its time to let the fun begin.
 


Juliana:  Alright ladies, Let's hit it!





Alyssa:  I'm ready
B'onca:  Me too!  I didn't come all this way to look this good inside.

 



The ladies get ready to head out for a evening of  fun!

 

Thanks for following...Be blessed!