Welcome! Ruby Red Fashion Friends

While Poppets & Posies took a very long hiatus, my personal poppet collection continued to grow in new and unexpected ways. One of my new obsessions is the Ruby Red Fashion Friends line of 14.5" tall poppets that debuted in late November 2019.

What strikes me most about the RRFF dolls are their faces, many of which are based on a sculpt by renowned doll artist Dianna Effner. The blonde haired Charlotte, pictured above in a darling black-and-white houndstooth dress, is an Effner sculpt. 

Charlotte is a Limited Edition of just 150 dolls and is currently in pre-sales with an August debut date. I put my order in for Charlotte on day one and eagerly await her arrival. She is not my first RRFF either! More intro posts to come.

The RRFF dolls are jointed, in particular their elbows and knees bend which means they can be posed sitting with knees bent! This is a posing feature I never knew I missed out on during 20+ years of primarily collecting my stiff-kneed American Girl 18" dolls and Wellie Wishers (WW) 14.5" dolls. Now I'm hooked on sitting my new RRFFs here, there and everywhere!

The natural comparison for me as a collector is RRFF poppets versus WW poppets since both are 14.5" in height. My first impression is that overall the RRFFs appear more delicate than the WW because of small details - painted nails, more delicate eyelashes, more details in the faceups, etc. The RRFF doll is sturdy, but it is not pre-school age friendly like the WW doll. Many of the RRFF hairstyles would not survive a day of vigorous play and their outfits are full of tucks and ruffles and buttons that would be better suited for a 10+ year old who understands how to care for a doll.

RRFFs can wear some WW outfits but it is not a perfect fit because RRFFs have slightly longer arms and legs and end up looking like they just outgrew the WW outfit a half season ago. The RRFF feet are also slimmer and longer than WW feet, so only the roomier WW boots or slippers tend to fit so be prepared to go shoe hunting.

In the end, the biggest difference that will drive customers to one line or the other is price. While a Wellie Wisher doll is still a modest investment of $60, a Ruby Red Fashion Friend doll starts at $120-130 on average. Watch for sales and specials through the various dealers! I purchased my first RRFF through FAO Schwarz last Christmas for $100 plus free shipping.

So what's next for Poppets & Posies?

I anticipate still being focused on American Girl dolls and their Wellie Wisher friends. But I also plan to create posts and info pages here for a few other doll lines, especially those in the 14" range -- Ruby Red Fashion Friends, Gorjuss Doll, etc.

Looking forward to sharing more doll days and poppet adventures with you all!

Holiday 2017: Shimmering Ballroom Gown

This year's limited holiday gown, coming soon. If you love Belle from Beauty and the Beast, here you go!

Not a fan of the purse, too similar from a holiday dress from 2015.

Are you a fan?

FAQ: Foreign "Franken-dolls" and Factory Seconds

Some basic and incomplete thoughts on those not-quite-perfect dolls found for sale on foreign secondary market sites like Taobao.

Q: What is a Franken-doll?

A Franken-doll is a playful term for a doll that has been constructed from parts of several other dolls. Like Frankenstein's Monster, but hopefully a lot cuter.

Q: What is a Foreign Franken-doll?

A doll made of different parts found for sale on a foreign secondary market like Taobao. A foreign reseller constructs a Franken-doll from whatever parts available and sells it.

Q:  What are Factory Seconds? What does it have to do with Franken-dolls?

When dolls don't meet factory standards or are damaged, the discarded parts or even whole dolls sometime end up in the hands of a foreign reseller instead of a dumpster. These are "factory seconds" or rejects.

Franken-dolls are sometimes a mash-up of two or more factory seconds parts.

Q: What are those numbers and letters written with marker on the foreheads of some Franken-dolls and other (usually nude) dolls for sale on Taobao?

I am not certain--it seems to be an accounting system like a doll or parts number. It might be the doll was used and marked as factory display or could just be a code for rejection. I would love more insight on this!

Q: I saw a "Tenney" doll on Taobao (or a "Luciana" doll, etc) and the wig or the eyebrows or the hands (or whatever) is clearly wrong. How can that possibly  be a Tenney doll?

It is probably a rejected Tenney head put on a spare body. Or a rejected Luciana head put on a spare body. Remember, these are Franken-dolls--pieces are thrown together to make a sale of a "whole" doll. Whole dolls will sell better than random pieces of a doll.

Tenney head but not a Tenney body (wrong hand style)

Q: Why are most Franken-dolls and Factory Seconds dolls sold nude?

It is probable the foreign reseller only has access to rejected dolls or doll parts from the factory and is just hoping to make an easy profit from "free" parts.

Wow! Winter Holiday 2017

And now for something completely different!

I need this! I see the AG star at the neck and it is listed as AG--but I have no idea if it for the TM line, the WW line, or just a cute stuffed holiday themed animal. It is listed as 25 cm tall (approximately 10 in) so it is a bit small for the TM line but probably just right for WW.

AG might have missed on a few of the recent pets in terms of wonky faces (Gabriela's cat Maya and even Melody's dog Bo), but this reindeer is super cute.

And more holiday fun below!

Sequins! I love sequins.

This outfit seems like standard TM Holiday Dress fare, but I also think Nashville star Tenney would look adorable in this.

ETA: An eagle eye spied that the holiday dress is made of a mishmash of materials from past released dresses and outfits--so is this a random prototype or perhaps another PWP for the holiday season?

Are you ready for Holidays 2017!? I can't wait!

Expected release for these items would be in the September/October time frame. Both are a big yes from me--which is exciting since in 2016 I bought zero of AG's TM Holiday Dresses.

American Girl PantyGate Fail

My editorial response to American Girl's "PantyGate." Translation is mine.

Enjoy and share freely!

2017 GOTY Gabriela - "Live" Count Down

Sunday, January 1
12:12 AM CST

Happy New Year! 2017!!!

I am enjoying looking at the images on the American Girl website and planning my purchases. The time has come to close down the "live" updates post but Poppets & Posies will continue in the new year to welcome Gabriela and to welcome all the other new anticipated poppets on the near horizon! 

Poppets & Posies hopes to do in-store reports and other AG reviews in the coming weeks. More analysis of the design elements of Gabriela's collection are in the works. And of course, the Barbie-Box-Gate controversy is just warming up.

Thank you to everyone who came by to enjoy the "live" updates. 1000+ page views for this one blog entry alone!!!

One final image for the road--Gabriela's Exclusive Earrings. Love!

Saturday, December 31
11:08 PM CST

Gabriela is up on American Girl Website! Welcome Gabriela!!!

Saturday, December 31
11:05 PM CST

This is it! Happy New Year to the East Coast. Soon, likely midnight CST, the AG website will begin updating links and images for Gabriela and taking down the links and images for Isabelle.

Will it be a smooth roll-out for the IT department this year? Anyone else spending New Year's Eve keeping an eye on AG's website launch of 2017 GOTY Gabriela?

Saturday, December 31
1:33 AM CST

Hearts for Gabi!

It took some time for a graphical theme to emerge for Gabriela, and admittedly it is not the most original, but the colorful nested hearts motif is definitely all Gabi!

The nested hearts theme is in her Rehearsal Outfit mesh tee, her Showtime Kit carry case, and from her Creative Studio, her yellow towel and of course prominently painted on the back side of her large cardboard backdrop.

Will we find more nested hearts in her collection?

Friday, December 30
5:05 PM CST

A closer look at Gabriela's Creative Studio.

This set should prove to be a hit for three big reasons. The dance barre is a terrific interactive item and many customers may not have Isabelle's retired barre, the two-sided backdrop is just right, and the price of $58 is a bit dear but less than other similar sets.

I am not a fan of the faux-mirror effect on the backdrop, but for the price, it is completely understandable. While Isabelle's Studio (sewing armoire with mirror and barre) featured real mirrors it was also three times the cost.

I wish AG would start making more backdrops and make them all double sided for maximum play value.

The triangle stand is cute but nothing too exciting. I am not sure why the sign was branded with "American Girl" since it takes the piece out of Gabriela's own narrative world.

Friday, December 30
4:35 PM CST

Thanks to sleuth work by American Girl Doll News, the stock image URLs have been located. First up!

Showtime Kit

This Showtime Kit, late on our radar, is perhaps my favorite accessory. Every piece is unique and spot on for Gabriela. And doll nail polish? Grabby hands!

Friday, December 30
1:12 PM CST

Catalog images courtesy of Kira Roy. Thank you!!!

Friday, December 30
12:48 PM CST

Check your mailboxes, a Gabriela mini catalog has arrived!

Gabriela's catalog says she will be available "throughout 2017 and beyond."

Price List for Gabriela's World

Gabriela Doll and Book $115
Gabriela's Accessories $28
Gabriela's Earrings $16
Gabriela's Creative Studio Set $58
Gabriela's Rehearsal  Outfit $28
Gabriela's Tap Shoes $16
Gabriela's Showtime Kit $34
Gabriela's PJs $24
Gabriela's Sparkling Sequins Outfit $32
Gabriela's Performance Case $48
Gabriela's Cat $22

Outfits for Girls

Gabriela's PJs for Girls $40
Gabriela's Slippers for Girls $22
Gabriela's Sweater for Girls (layered with tank) $42
Indigo Leggings for Girls $24


Friday, December 30
10:02 AM CST

A first! AG reveals a full unboxing video!

A few quick thoughts:

* Love the early peek. And let down by such a big early peek. Suspense is gone.

* Strange they have Gabriela unsecured in her box for the unboxing. A bit too much magical voila ease and not enough reality in the unboxing.

* The box is not as awful as suspected, it looks like the box can be preserved after opening. But that is still some of the flimsiest outside cardboard imaginable.

Friday, December 30
1:31 AM CST

A new close up view of Gabriela's Duffle with accessories. Thank you, Hello Savings!

Thursday, December 29
9:53 PM CST

Let's talk Gabriela's Exclusive Earrings and rumored Hair Piece.

The addition of exclusive earrings and a hair piece would be very welcome as it would be a departure from Gabriela being a complete Marisol rehash and instead be more in line with recent GOTY offerings. Isabelle came with an ombre hair piece and several recent GOTY poppets have come with exclusive earrings including Lea, Grace, Isabelle and Saige.

On the downside, instead of the hairpiece being included in the price of the doll, rumor is Gabriela's hair piece will be separate and priced at $15. As a slight consolation, it is also rumored Gabriela (doll + book) will be priced a smidgen lower than previous years at $115. Advantage goes to AG, but overall if a hair piece offered, most customers will be happy to at least have the option.

Thanks to American Girl Doll News and now some picture confirmation, we now believe that Gabriela's Exclusive Earrings Set will come with three earrings in the shape of a musical note, a song bird, and a blue flower. Pictured with Gabriela here is her musical eight-note earrings.

Thursday, December 29
8:45PM CST

So many new glimpses of Gabriela and just two more eves until her official debut! New images of her Creative Studio, Rehearsal Outfit, Performance Case and a first glimpse of her Showtime Kit with hair and makeup accessories!

Will this be the extent of Gabriela's Creative Studio?

I was holding out hope for the rumored Creative Studio to be something rather big like an actual room box, but a news agency released this photo and within its file name is "Creative Studio."

The Creative Studio, should that name hold, features a Dance Barre and Backdrop. The barre is a respectable if unexciting rehash of Isabelle's own barre, and I think it is appropriate for Gabriela's story. Personally, I am 99% certain I am satisfied with my Isabelle barre. However, there may be many customers who never picked up Isabelle's barre and would be open to adding this accessory. I wonder how the price points will compare.

The above photo gives a better view of the back of Gabriela's Rehearsal Outfit and it seems her black leotard may have an interest back cutout.

A stock photo of Gabriela's Rehearsal Outfit has also surfaced and I have to say I do like it better in the AG stock image. Still not my favorite outfit but perhaps not as garish as first perceived. (I am still appalled by the packaging, though.)

Lovely new images of Gabriela in action with her Performance Case items.

The Performance Case includes the rolling black case, her laptop, microphone, headphones, electronic drums and  drum sticks which can be held by the poppet by virtue of a little curved strap that fits over her fingers.

Showtime Kit

There is also a glimpse of some more possible hair and make up accessories! Her pale blue with gold handle Showtime Kit seems to include a woven silver head band, a compact mirror and a pale blue handled makeup brush. According to American Girl Doll News it may also come with metallic nail polish!

Kirsten Larson: Welcome Home!

***Poppets & Posies 100th Post!***

I have wanted a Kirsten doll since 1996 when I was introduced to my first Pleasant Company catalog. As a Danish/Norwegian girl myself who grew up in Minnesota, I absolutely loved her Swedish/Scandinavian inspired design touches and her midwestern pioneer storyline. And I loved her quirky looped braids even more. Even though I purchased many of Kirsten's outfits throughout the years, I never ordered the doll. Then her archival was announced in 2009 and I decided to let her go quietly.

Until today!

Kirsten is a charmer even still secured in her box. I do not know her exact production year, but this NIB Kirsten was probably originally bought after her archival announcement in 2009 and kept to be sold at a much later date. 

Her apron is crisp and pristine and those braids will never be quite that perfect ever again. Sigh!

This is not news to Kirsten Larson fans, but the boots with her meet outfit are rudimentary at best.

One last loving look! Once she is out of the box she really joins my poppet family!

Kirsten!

So why now some may ask. I had hoped for Kirsten to reappear out of the archives as part of the BeForever line, but with Maryellen arriving the end of August 2015 and the announcement of a new (not previously archived) 2016 BeForever doll, the best I believe I can reasonably hope for is a return of Kirsten in the fall of 2017. Or never.

Never is too long! Actually, another big reason for this leap is that I've collected the majority of Kirsten Larson's collection and while I have had other dolls stand in to wear some of her outfits, I wanted to finally unite the collection with the doll who inspired it.

A closeup of her perfect braid and ribbon for posterity--and reference for when I inevitably mess up her hair.

I am pleased with the short hairs on the back of her wig. Plenty of coverage and an even feathered pattern.

Her pantalettes are edges with eyelet. But take a gander at those galoompus boots!

Shall we revel in these galoompus meet boots for a moment before they are removed from her feet and never worn again? Vinyl, shapeless, an awkward seam up the center of the foot, no finished upper edges, a lazy hole punched for the laces, and a flimsy moccasin-like sole. Added to this list of frustration is that these "boots" do nothing to help stabilize her while standing. I will quickly be putting Kirsten's black lace-up boots on her feet.

As reviews go, the Kirsten Larson doll is an A+++. I don't care about the meet boots, they are easy and relatively inexpensive to replace with her black lace-up boots.

Finally, here at Poppets & Posies all our poppets are given their own name. A happy and enthusiastic welcome to Kristianna!

WWOG: Paris Accessories

Grace Thomas' collection is somewhat unique in that it has two clothing based accessory sets. The first is the Welcome Gifts set which features Grace's pink beret. The other accessory set is her Paris Accessories set which features her polka-dot purse. While there are things to like in each set, neither is a major hit here--at the end of this post I will mix and match for a hypothetical perfect set.

The polka-dot purse construction and design are both great. The faux-leather strap is sturdy and the buckle construction looks realistic (though uses velcro for closure).

The purse is even lined and I very much appreciate that extra touch. I also appreciate how big and roomy this purse is--it feels like a purse made for travel. One could fit a map, a book, a camera, and all sorts of other touristy needs in it. 

However, my one complaint about the purse is that it is made of cotton, perhaps mimicking the coated cotton trend in upscale purses--but this polka-dot purse is primarily white and I am concerned about its ability to stay bright and white.

The Paris Accessories also comes with fingerless gloves with a bow detail.

The coin purse is underwhelming and cheaply constructed with a regular ribbon as a wristband. The coin purse does not close, so it is not a very realistic or practical mini purse. Even the metro pass barely fits into it.

I enjoy the credit card like metro pass as well as other similarly constructed offerings from AG such their library cards and bus passes.

Finally the set includes her lip gloss. I can not determine how or why it is that her lip gloss has her name on it. The cap does not come off, so this is a prop only. 

The lip gloss is cute, but it is primarily something to toss into her purse and forget... Though to be fair, when I was ten years old I was fairly obsessed with lip gloss. Anyone remember the giant sticks of Lip-Smackers by Bonne Bell in about ten thousand different flavors? How about the lip gloss sticks that came with attached chains and could be worn like necklaces?

The Paris Accessories are underwhelming overall, though the polka-dot purse is striking. In a similar way, I was also underwhelmed by Welcome Gifts set. If I could create a perfect small accessories set for Grace Thomas, it would consist of

*raspberry colored beret (matching Grace's Meet skirt and similar to Ivy's beret)

*raspberry or gray infinity scarf

*polka-dot purse

*working wallet or better constructed coin purse

*Metro card & euros

As is, with both of Grace's accessory sets I almost can create this perfect set. I am off to Etsy to search for an infinity scarf!