powerpuffnstuff

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Good amazon sales on Lalaloopsy right now, mid September 2022. Crumbs for under $9, Dot for $7. The other dolls aren't as cheap but they are still low, some $12 and $14 dollars. I never got this version of Crumbs, and I've always liked this dress, so I guess now is the time.

Bringing these dolls back after a few years was a weird decision. 25 years is the nostalgia sweet spot, not 10.

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I had almost sworn these dolls off for good because I got a couple with defects. MGA has had quality control issues with Lalaloopsy and even one of my Moxie Teenz who had a wonky arm joint, but they weren’t blind boxes and these are. It’s frustrating to open a doll to find marks all over her face and paint in places it’s not supposed to be. This doll however, dunno if it’s the color scheme or what, but I really liked her and her Beetlejuice sandworm earrings. Fortunately she came with no glaring flaws, yay. I wish they sold fashions for these dolls but I don’t think it’s ever going to happen because they are all about collecting individual characters, not necessarily dressing them up in different ways. I tried to make the TV and cabinet from her box art too, just to fill the background space.

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Smarty Pants and the ladies. I think him and Snow bunny look like siblings.

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One of my favorites, but then I only have a handful of them. I kind of want a wave 2 hair goals doll. In due time, I suppose.

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Snow Bunny and a craft foam Green House from Michael’s around Easter 2019. I like these little scenes. I had a few of them for mini Lalaloopsy houses.

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I don’t have many LOLs but I do have a few photos of them. Here’s Pop Heart with a Mondrian style picture frame, actually, I just put those colors in there. I saw a video once that said she should have 2 bracelets, but mine only had one. Her artwork only has one too, so I dunno. I guess some do and some don’t.

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First Impressions: L.O.L.  O.M.G. Royal Bee

A few months ago I got a couple of OMG dolls, returned one after leaving it unopened for a couple of months, and kept the one I had wanted the most. I think I have 5 regular LOLS: Foxy, Pop Heart (Under Wraps), Snow Bunny (Hair Goals), Smarty Pants (Boys), and M.C. Swag (Furniture set). Since fashion dolls tend to be my favorite type of toy, I had to try one OMG. You can also spy my collector Bratz boy in the background. The sizing is so similar, I wonder if these were meant to be new Bratz doll bodies, but they decided to make LOL fashion dolls instead.

Generally, I think the faces on these dolls are super cute. I think their outfits are detailed and varied. I love their earrings and some of their jewelry. I appreciate that they include stands. Royal Bee is my favorite because of her afro and skin-tone. I pinned her hair down to cover her buns and I think she looks even better that way. Her purse is okay, and the brush isn’t necessary. The hat box, shoe box, and garment bags are a cute idea to unbox her clothing and accessories, especially since LOLs are all about the unboxing experience. It’s not necessary for me though. I’d be fine with the doll fully dressed and everything visible. I bought this doll in Canada and took her home to the USA, and I got rid of her box to save space, but I like that it included a mirror.

One thing about the doll did bother me though, I broke her underwear strap, so now she is avoiding a nip-slip situation. One day I’ll see if I can sew it back on. I think having that happen sort of ruined the experience for me. I don’t like her as much as I wanted to, even though there are a lot of positives. I wish they would make fashions for them because I’d love to dress her up, but I would have to buy the full dolls or dig around for old doll clothes that are close to her size. I’m not overwhelmed with joy over this doll, but I could still see myself getting another one.

In fact, before I finally decided to get Royal Bee I considered getting Snowlicious who was up for pre-order at the time. I noticed right away that she looked like Lalaloopsy Girls Mittens combined with some of those winter Bratz.

I knew MGA reused ideas in their lines, or maybe they are supposed to be Easter Eggs, but I just found out that the new Candylicious doll has a picture of Crumbs Sugar Cookie in her box and wears Num Nom earrings. I bet she’d look cute in a lolita style dress and some bunny ears or something.

Her and her sister also remind me of Scoops Waffle Cone except with pale blue-ish hair instead of brown hair. Bon Bon’s playset even comes with an ice cream cart. I may have to get her or the OMG doll. We’ll see.

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First Impressions: Nendoroid Doll Emily

Last year I got my first Nendoroids, Kirby and later I found Mario at a convention. I also got my first Cu-poche Friends (Dino and Ewan in the background). This year I got my first Nendoroid Dolls, more recently the Mad Hatter, but months ago Emily. She reminds me a little bit of Blossom from the Powerpuff Girls. It just sort of worked out that way.

So having gotten my two Cu-poche Friends first, I expected similar things from Emily. I believe that’s her name at the bottom of the box in Japanese too, just because I recognize the “e” and “ri” symbols that are also in my name. She comes with a magnetic base stand like Cu-poche do but also a rig that sticks into her back like regular Nendoroids have. She also has magnets on her feet and shoes. She has a full outfit on, including panties. She has 3 sets of hands and 2 neck attachments.

She’s fairly posable, even her ponytail, but I find her knee joints are not as tight as they could be. Sometimes when she’s on her stand she starts to lean unless she’s posed just so (I don’t use the rig, just the magnet). She has these tiny little hands, oddly tiny, but I have since gotten used to them. Her eyes and lashes aren’t a hard black which makes her face seem washed out. She’s also very orange. I wish her bow or eye color was different for a little more variety.

I think I prefer the Cu-poche figures, though Cu-poche’s heads come off more easily in a bad way. I’ve yet to have Emily’s head come off on it’s own, and I’ve yet to take it off on purpose. The Cu-poche Friends don’t come with as much clothing or have shoes either, but they do have fashion packs and some dolls are more complete.

I see Emily as a big sister to my Cu-poche boys. I think the different brands still look good together. She is similarly priced, and overall I like her, just not quite as much as I was hoping too, but she has become more part of the family over the months.

Fast forward a few months and I’ve gotten a 2nd Nendoroid doll, a boy this time. Actually I had to pre-order it months before. There is a boy counterpart to Emily and at the time I could have gotten the White Rabbit boy, but the Mad Hatter is my favorite of the boy dolls so far. While he does have black hair and a green eye like Buttercup, I would not consider them similar the way Emily resembles Blossom. He comes with a full outfit, coat, hat, and monocle thing, but I like him best without some of those accessories on.

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Again, I like these dolls but I dunno if I was less excited about them in person because they are similar enough to my Cu-poche that they weren’t as unique or if there is something minor about them that keeps me from being totally in love. I don’t regret getting them though, and I do find that I like them more with time. If you like little posable Japanese dolls, I would recommend them. One plus for the Nendoroids is that because there are so many of them, you get lots more face and hair options to swap, or you can buy just bodies and hands and fashions and make your own Nendoroid into a doll.

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It’s pretty much impossible to get these PPG and other licensed Barbie fashions for retail price while not in the USA. Get with the program, Canada! I’ve already missed out on DC and Mario fashions. It’s not fair, darn it.

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I had forgotten about the upcoming 2nd release of Cocolette, then I saw this 4-pack on the ToysRUs.ca site.

Her hair, face, and skirt are different. Great. Well, I guess her other arm is bent. Everything else is just a recolor with less colors, like her bow, her top, and her shoes, even the brush and Shoppies. I dunno if this is common for multipack dolls, haven’t paid attention, but it seems kind of lazy. Also she’s more Neapolitan than ever. Did Moose forget she has a chocolate bar theme, not Neapolitan ice cream? I think the world has forgotten about Lalaloopsy at this point, especially with LOL Surprise being MGA’s current big thing, but Cocolette is still gunning for that Scoops spot.

Here’s one of the older pics I took of Scoops and Cocolette as a refresher. They’re merging.

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First Impressions: Re-Ment Kirby’s Cafe Time

Long time no drawing, but this one was pretty simple, Powerpuff Kirby!

Late last year I saw that Re-Ment had released a Kirby cafe theme, and since I like Kirby games I thought I might get it eventually. Re-ment’s a Japanese brand of miniatures, magnets, key chains, etc. They are sold in separate blind boxes, but you can also purchase a complete set of blind boxes. I think the individual blind boxes tend to go for around $10 a piece in the US, and there are often 8 to a set. I’ve never seen them in person, and it is cheaper just to order a complete box set if you like all of them, making the cost a little over $5 a piece. I ordered mine from Japan via ebay.

A sealed box gives you a complete set. It has everything pictured above: entrées, desserts, table, stool, couch, plant, drinks and mugs, silverware, etc. and some additional little cut-outs. The big box has images of some of the miniatures as well cut-outs and instructions on how to assemble the cafe backdrop. I opened my blind boxes out of order, one a day, just because. The 1st box is the closest one on the left and goes clockwise. It took 2 boxes before I figured it out and decided to save the big items and Kirby for last.

Each blind box has a pamphlet showing the contents of that particular box. The inside of the pamphlet has those same images of the cafe photo, Kirby, and Waddledee artwork. The back contains different cut-outs such as posters/signs, place mats, coasters, etc. My favorite is the take-out bag and the table menu. I believe the biggest item in each box has the © molded on it.

I decided to set my cafe up in the Li’l Woodzeez Bakery. There’s enough stuff to fill the whole thing. The Kirby cafe came with one table so I had to provide more just to keep food from sitting on the floor.

I like the Kirby-faced table. Too bad it’s covered up with food. The Meta Knight roll cake also has his face on the other side, and only one side has a wing. Hard to see but Kirby’s face is molded onto other items like the trays that hold the donuts and the silverware. Each utensil has a different character or item molded onto the handle, and each pancake has a different face as well.

The couch is smaller than I expected it to be. It’s a smaller scale than the table and stool, but it’s sized just right for the Kirby figure. There are a lot of nice pieces all together. It’s hard to pick a favorite.

Overall, I’m really happy with these miniatures. I did break the parasol while trying to stick it into the ice cream and had to glue it back together, but all the little details are amazing. Re-Ment also makes a Kirby Happy Room (home decor theme) and some Pokemon and Snoopy sets I really like. I can see myself getting another one of these in the future.

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Li’l Woodzeez Picnic Playset

It’s been a long time since I got a Li’l Woodzeez set, and this one even has a figure. This set’s been out for years, but I never really noticed it, maybe because I was so focused on the buildings and furniture. However, I’m currently I’m on a miniature food kick, and I want those sammiches.

The set comes with 35 pieces. From what I counted that includes the bear and her dress. Then I noticed the contents are listed on the bottom of the package. I like how everything is separate, even the salad that goes into the container.

It’s weird to me that every drink is a different color and that kids on a picnic would even be drinking out of those kinds of glasses. The salt and pepper shakers appear to be empty. I would have taken a fork and a knife in their place. The burger looks flat, like it’s missing the meat I guess. Maybe Li’l Woodzeez are vegetarians. The scale of the food is fine except for the basket which seems huge, but I guess this allows you to put more stuff in it. I thought the figure looked cheap, but she’s not bad. I’ve read that these figures weren’t great quality but mine seems fine, at least for now. I like that she can hold things in her hands which many of my other figures can’t do.

Overall, I like the set. I think the food works well for some bigger dolls as well as these minis.

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Upcoming Powerpuff Girls Lego sets

I didn’t end up getting either of the PPG Lego Dimensions sets, but I’m glad I didn’t because getting either one of these gives a person more stuff for the money if they don’t own the dimensions game (and I don’t), plus we get Mojo Jojo... and Princess if someone wants her (and I don’t).

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Toys ‘R’ Us Going Out of Business Haul

I think I’m over the piano thing (and I’d rather have the Barbie one) because I ended up with quite a haul from Toys R Us (well it’s a lot for me since I usually buy dolls 1 at time) including Wild Style Rainbow Kate and Happy Places Bridie. Because of the liquidation sale these dolls were cheaper there than in other stores. Plus I haven’t seen Bridie in another store.

I liked Rainbow Kate when I first saw her a few months ago, but I’m glad I waited. I like this little Bridie more than the first version too. There are some minor gripes with both, like my Bridie’s eyes look a little lopsided, and Rainbow Kate’s Shopkins are kinda lame. They look too similar to one another. I also would have rather had a brush than a wrist band. I miss the 2D artwork that used to be on Happy Places boxes. I don’t think the photo of Bridie is terribly flattering, and it calls more attention to inconsistencies like her lipstick color and the fact that she’s wearing pink underneath.

What I like most about Rainbow Kate are her bunny ears and rainbow bloomers. I don’t like how the balloon looks like the clutch so I decided to float it. At first I used a pipe cleaner twisted around itself, but then I found a sturdier white wire. I also gave her ponytails with different colored elastics though you can barely see them.

Bridie has a nice, detailed molded outfit and hair accessory. I’m not sure how much I like her lips, and her eye looks out of place. Still pretty cute.

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I mentioned this set in my Melodine synopsis, but since it’s only $10 now I might consider getting it.

My nearest Walmarts don’t carry mini My Life As stuff besides the dolls. I do have some fashion packs, but I got them in Canada. I wish I could assess this set in person.

For the sale price there is a lot here. You get a weirdly proportioned piano, an outfit, a ballet bar, a bag, a radio, a locker, and an indoor/outdoor backdrop.

My only real gripe is that there’s no way a doll can sit properly at that piano on that low stool and practically no leg room. A doll would have to play standing up. While I don’t mind pink in purple in general I wish they had toned it down a notch.

Still for $10, I might have to check it out. Besides mini MLA, OG, AG etc. it looks like a good scale for Shoppies and the piano might be even more realistically scaled to my Figuarts Sailor Venus. OK, now back to Mother’s Day shopping.

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I restyled Melodine’s bangs. Maybe I’ll even cut the front pieces. I might have to cut the rest in order to do her bun and leave a long piece for the braid, if I decide to go there. For now I’m satisfied with her side part. Weird, I have 4 Shoppies and 3 of the have yellow eyes and ponytails. I like that they’re all different skin tones though.

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Shoppies: Melodine

I found Melodine at Walgreens today for 11.99. I like the Happy Places version better, so when pics of the large one first leaked I wasn’t a big fan of the changes, but I still like the doll. Funny thing is, I never saw her in the main stores like Walmart, but other places like Burlington Coat Factory around Christmas time and of course Walgreens.

There’s nothing special about this line so she comes with the same ol’ same ol’. Her accessories are 2 Shopkins (La La Cupcake and Baby Grand), a VIP card, a brush, and a stand. The piano has a little pink treble clef sign on it. This one and Rosie’s flower basket are my favorites.

I don’t have a piano for Melodine, but I do have this Barbie keyboard and a knock-off Barbie sized grand piano that I painted white.

I’m convinced that the purple Barbie and the Rockers piano that comes with two Chelsea-sized dolls would suit her well. Lori and My Life As also make miniature pianos in their ballet play sets. The Lori one’s the nicest, but Target doesn’t sell it anymore. How cute was that set though?

Mini Keys and Lil Melodine, maybe they can piano battle like Daffy and Donald Duck did in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”.

Melodine’s not my favorite Shoppie. She’s not bad, I just think she should have looked more like the Lil Shoppie. Her gold eye shadow makes her look more mature, and her hairstyle’s not as cute. I might try to change it a little. The outfit is nice but her headband is so different it’s hard to compare. Still, this doll has a distinctive and unique look among Shoppies that makes her interesting, and you can’t go wrong with a piano theme.