If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

The Barbie dolls I am about to talk about are not for the fainthearted price wise. But they are awesome collector’s edition dolls. This particular doll is fabulously dressed in a hot pink outfit. Her full-length faux chinchilla coat looks like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. Included in her awesome designer clothing, she is wearing pink thigh-high boots, chunky earrings and a designer bag. I don’t imagine she has on the sexy lingerie that obviously goes with the outfit but she does look like she is a model on a runway. Kimora also has her adorable little dog with her.

This is a gold label collector’s edition item and there is a very limited number available. Made by Mattel. There is no recommended age on this as I believe most would want to have it as a collector’s doll.

Technorati Tags: collector’s edition, Mattel, Kimora Simmons Barbie, Barbie, limited edition Barbie, hot toys

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Without a doubt, this one is going to go fast. The much publicized movie High School Musical has now produced the dolls from show. Mattel brings you two of those who are in the movie; Gabriella and Troy. This is a 2 pack for more fun. Each is dressed in the role from the movie and each sings a signature song from there as well. Troy is ready for the basketball court, dressed in his jersey and white jacket with red and white pants. The clothing can be removed easily since he bends his elbow, not just for that but also because he is a star athlete.

Gabriella is also dressed in red with jewelry. She seems to be coming out of her shell. Her hair is long enough to style in any way you like. However, her arms are not bendable. Both dolls have a push button in the back so that they can break out in song anytime you like. There are separate stages for each doll when they sing their duet. If your child loves the movie, they will really love the dolls. Unlike many teenagers, you won’t find any acne on these guys! They are pretty much perfect.

This is yet another hot toy that will be in short supply during the Christmas buying season.

Recommended for ages 8 years and up. Included in the box are the dolls, their clothing, the stages and 6 AG13 batteries.

I might add that there are a couple of pros and cons to this one. The pros are that they have very cute outfits that match the movie, the two stages, the sound is very clear and posable legs. The cons are that the push buttons might engage very easily when touched, harder to situate on the stages and the girl’s shoes come off easily.

Technorati Tags: gabriella and troy, high school musical, Mattel, musical dolls, acne

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

This is a kid sized kitchen especially for the young chef in the making. It used to be that only girls would want to play with this but I am guessing boys might like it too. Well, maybe if they made this thing in blue, they might. The color is pink! This very colorful set is ready and waiting for the right person to get ahold of the idea of cooking. It features a microwave that opens and closes, an oven, a refrigerator and freezer. This also has something I wish I had, a removable sink for easier cleaning.

With storage upper and lower, knobs on both sink and oven and large enough for more than one child playing, this is a fantastic gift idea for that young person who wants to cook just like their parents. Sturdy construction since it’s made of wood.

Recommended for ages 3 to 8 years in one place. The manufacturer recommends from ages 4-8 years. I have no idea why there is a difference. But I can tell you this. I have looked in several places and this item is sold out in three of five. I believe this one is a hot toy!! Could be limited availability at or near Christmas.

Technorati Tags: kidkraft large kitchen, kids toy, microwave, oven, hot toy

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Now this is truly a vintage toy. Chatty Cathy is, from what I can tell, only available through collectors as she is no longer for sale in regular toy stores or department stores. Chatty Cathy was born in 1959, made by Mattel, and introduced into stores in 1960. She was a lively talker speaking 11 different phrases when you pulled the ring in the upper part of her back. By 1963, she was speaking several more phrases adding up to 18. One of the revolutionary dolls of the time, her speech came from a phonograph in her belly that activated when the string was pulled. Chatty Cathy was introduced as a Caucasian blond, blue-eyed doll and as an African American doll with brown skin tones the first year. Later, a brunette and redhead were made available.

Her accessories included two types of clothing, a shoehorn, storybook and a paper wrist tag that was a warranty. The first six years on the market, she was the second most popular doll after Barbie, also made by Mattel. With the success of Chatty Cathy, others were also put onto the market such as Chatty Baby, Tiny Chatty Baby, Tiny Chatty Brother, Charmin’ Chatty and the last to be called Chatty was Singin’ Chatty in 1965. Several of the Chattys were redesigned and reissued in 1970 looking completely different from the first ones. Those dolls were on the market for only two years.

Mattel once again issued a Chatty Patty who looked different from all the others 1984. They also released special editions of Chatty Cathy in 1998 and in 2001. Those dolls were made to resemble the original Chatty Cathy dolls of the 1960s. This time they were only sold in specialty stores and toy stores with a price tag of $99. Other versions of Chatty Cathy were made for Canada and England. Having looked at a page from a collector’s group, there were others that spoke different languages.

This doll is no longer available in regular stores. Chatty Cathy is truly a vintage toy that collectors find extremely valuable. Some dolls are being sold for thousands of dollars. There you have the history of Chatty Cathy.

Technorati Tags: Chatty Patty, vintage toys, Chatty Cathy, collector toys, Mattel, Chatty Baby

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

A doll the girls will love if they watch the Hannah Montana show or go to the concerts. Hannah Montana is a particularly hot name right now and it is likely that these dolls may be sold out when you are looking for Christmas or birthdays. It would be wise to purchase them early. In case you are unaware, the story goes like this. In the very popular television show, Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cyrus) is a girl next door type who has a secret life. She is the world famous pop singer Hannah Montana. These dolls are 13 inches tall.

Best of Both Worlds doll is wearing the authentic, miniature version of one of the outfits that Miley wore on Hannah Montana’s sold out 70 city tour; black leather jacket, print t-shirt, mini skirt, black boots, shimmery leggings and bracelet. She also has other accessories with her that include a poster, a small brush and a backstage pass. Also included is a microphone that she holds. When it is lifted to her mouth she sings her hit song “Best of Both Worlds” which just happens to also be the theme song for the show.

This and other doll in this series are recommended for ages 6 years old and up by the manufacturer.

Technorati Tags: Hannah Montana doll, Hannah Montana, Disneys Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus, In concert collection

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

A dollhouse that most girls want, this beautiful 8 room house is perfect for hours of playtime. Decorated in the classic style, the two side rooms on each side of the house swing open to show the interior while the floor folds down. The center room extends out when the pivot part of the floor is pivoted down. This beautiful dollhouse has a staircase as well. Included in the set are four family members and dining room furniture. Coordinating furniture sets can be purchased separately.

Recommended for ages 3 years old and up.

Technorati Tags: dollhouse, classic doll house, fisher price, family grand dollhouse, furniture sets

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Barbie is at it again with her beautiful 3 Story Dream House. I wish I had something like this when I was a kid but at that time, you had to use your imagination since nothing like this was out on the market then. The house stands 3 ft. tall and is fully furnished. Barbie gets all the breaks. This thing is set up better than my house. It’s got a Murphy bed with canopy which is removable and able to be converted into a mini-house. It has lots of rooms to wander around in. Dream house has a gourmet kitchen! Plenty of storage space. Included are the sounds of living like two songs on the house intercom, a doorbell, a stove that sizzles and a flushing toilet sound. Did I forget the grand entrance hall with the winding staircase?

The manufacturer recommends for ages 4-10. It has a choking hazard for small children due to small parts. 70 play pieces included. Requires three “AA” batteries and two “AAA” batteries which are not included. Dolls sold separately.

Technorati Tags: Barbie, Barbie dolls, murphy bed, doll house, Barbie dream house

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

There was a time when I was at the age that Barbie was a huge deal. I can’t think why that would be since I was about 13 at the time but that was the reality. I asked for it for Christmas that year by writing out my list of wants. My parents tell me that because my handwriting was not what it should be, what I got was a baby doll instead of a Barbie doll. I can laugh now but it wasn’t as amusing then. My friend got one for Christmas. And that was that.

Barbie has a fascinating history of her own. She was born in 1959. Her creator was Ruth Handler who, with her husband Elliot and friend Harold Matson , was co-founder of Mattel (so named by the MAT(T) in Matson and the el in Elliot) in 1942. Barbie became a household word by the time I knew about her in 1960. Ken came along a year or so later and became a hit too. Both were named from the couple’s children. She was created specifically to look like a model due to the trip Ruth had taken to Europe. Over the years, her popularity grew, more versions became available as well as a whole line of clothing and accessories like pets, younger sisters, houses, cars and so on. While Barbie has her critics who say her body is an unrealistic idea for young girls, she is still a highly collectible doll and quite a play thing for children today.

Mattel still has the Barbie collection for anyone interested in her. They sell the Barbie dolls for play and collecting.

Technorati Tags: Ken, kids toys, Mattel, models, Christmas, Barbie

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!