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I deliberately do not post individually where to get all those toys that I post on here. The reason for that is that there are several places that they are available usually. When there is only one place, I will most certainly post that place. The reason I do not post the individual places is because I do not wish to promote one company or store as being better than the rest. I do not believe that they are like that. The reality is that most of what I post here is going to be available at places like Walmart, eToys, Amazon, Target, ToysRUs, Hasbro, Mattel, Fisher Price and some on eBay. For the most part, these are the places I find the toys I post here.

However, there are some other places I look like those science kits come from a place called Discover This. There are lots of other stores, online and brick and mortar, so it would be great if you do the research yourself on some of these. I will definitely tell you when it is a one of a kind type store. I also find great toys at KBToys.com and Disneyshopping. KAPLA had some unique building sets. But if you would prefer that I post where to find them, I can do that. I will have to give a list though since I would rather not promote one particular place over another.

Any thoughts here on this? I would love your feedback on this subject. Please comment regardless of how you feel about it.

Technorati Tags: Target, ToysRUs, finding toys, Mattel, kids toys, KAPLA, toy companies, eToys, Amazon, Fisher Price

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

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From the people who brought you TMX Elmo and Tickle Me Extreme Elmo comes a new Elmo on the scene, Elmo Live!This little guy is going to blow them all away. He talks with his mouth opening and closing just like the real muppets on the show. He sits. He stands. Waves his arms and even crosses his legs. And as he speaks, his head will bob back and forth. If you can believe it, he tells jokes and stories, plays games and sings. All the child has to do to activate him is to tickle him or squeeze his nose, toe, back or stomach. This is really a great toy that is really hot for this season. New in October, he will not last long.

Recommended for ages 3 years and up. Requires 6 AA batteries which appear to be included. Measures 12 inches tall.

Technorati Tags: tickle me Elmo, hot toy, Elmo live, TMX Elmo, Seasame Street, mattel, Elmo

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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, Mattel, acne, high school musical, musical dolls

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

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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, models, Christmas, Barbie, kids toys, Mattel

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