As doll collectors, we have all been encouraged, enticed, enabled at one time or another to add a doll to our respective collections after seeing something new to the market or seeing another collector's newly acquired doll.
Sometimes we even enable ourselves.
After ruling out the need to purchase the two new articulated So In Style doll sets, Skating Fun Kara and Kianna, and Tennis Fun Grace and Courtney, I had a change of heart for a few reasons. Initially, I wasn't sure I would like the open/closed mouth smile with appearance of teeth.
The dolls' designer, Stephen Sumner, who is no longer with Mattel, mentioned in a Facebook comment that the dolls were given teeth because collectors had complained it felt as though they were buying the same dolls over and over again. The open/closed mouth with the appearance of teeth is a different look, according to Sumner. Kara's curly hairdo also changes her appearance.
So on second thought I concluded, "maybe I should buy Kara." At the time this decision was made, the doll was sold out at Amazon.com where I am an Amazon.com Prime member. Another website that had the doll in stock earlier, showed it as a discontinued product. "Oh no!" I thought.
Another reason I now wanted both sets is because, beyond the dolls Sumner has designed that are on the horizon, the life expectancy of the So In Style brand may be short. Has Mattel assigned another designer to the line? If so, what will that designer do with the dolls? Will the new designer be as passionate about the line as the original designer, Stacey McBride-Irby; or will the dolls be discontinued?
With so many unanswered questions, I needed what I concluded are the first-of-the-last group of Sumner-designed dolls. "Kara's curly hair is appealing, they are articulated, and that toothy smile probably isn't so bad," I thought.
With enough self-enabling, I found and purchased a deboxed Kara on eBay for $7.99, but postage bumped the final cost up to $13 and change. Her little companion was not included. Desperation will make a doll collector do strange things.
The doll arrived a few days later as a new Kara head on a non-articulated Barbie body, dressed in Skating Kara's outfit minus the skates! What the bleep??? I immediately contacted the seller regarding my displeasure (the seller's poor quality, dark photos did not show the doll's feet and the arm and knee pads concealed what an unsuspecting buyer would believe were joints).
This seller normally does not accept returns but allowed me to return the doll for a full refund. I had to cough up the return postage, but it was only $1.90. This, plus my frustration, was the price I paid for not following my own advice to ask sellers questions, questions, questions and hold on to their reply until the item is received. Experience truly is the best teacher.
Meanwhile, Vanessa shared images of her deboxed Kara, making me want the doll even more. I scurried on over to Amazon.com to check availability. Much to my surprise, both sets (Kara/Kianna and Grace/Courtney) were available and eligible for free shipping to Amazon.com Prime members.
I ordered both and received a surprise bonus in the form of a $19.99 credit as part of their Shop with Points program. So essentially, I purchased two dolls for the price of one!
I love this form of self-enabling and equally loathe people who try to take advantage of others.
Below are images of the boxed sets with a close-up of Grace, whose new name is Sloane, renamed for the young professional tennis player who recently defeated Serena Williams at the Australian Open (but was defeated herself one day later.)
I'm happy I found both sets, but I'm still not overly enthused with the painted teeth. This, however, may be something SIS collectors will have to accept. The open mouth with appearance of teeth is repeated in the non-articulated Lipstick Jungle set, which includes Trichelle.
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Sometimes we even enable ourselves.
After ruling out the need to purchase the two new articulated So In Style doll sets, Skating Fun Kara and Kianna, and Tennis Fun Grace and Courtney, I had a change of heart for a few reasons. Initially, I wasn't sure I would like the open/closed mouth smile with appearance of teeth.
The dolls' designer, Stephen Sumner, who is no longer with Mattel, mentioned in a Facebook comment that the dolls were given teeth because collectors had complained it felt as though they were buying the same dolls over and over again. The open/closed mouth with the appearance of teeth is a different look, according to Sumner. Kara's curly hairdo also changes her appearance.
So on second thought I concluded, "maybe I should buy Kara." At the time this decision was made, the doll was sold out at Amazon.com where I am an Amazon.com Prime member. Another website that had the doll in stock earlier, showed it as a discontinued product. "Oh no!" I thought.
Another reason I now wanted both sets is because, beyond the dolls Sumner has designed that are on the horizon, the life expectancy of the So In Style brand may be short. Has Mattel assigned another designer to the line? If so, what will that designer do with the dolls? Will the new designer be as passionate about the line as the original designer, Stacey McBride-Irby; or will the dolls be discontinued?
With so many unanswered questions, I needed what I concluded are the first-of-the-last group of Sumner-designed dolls. "Kara's curly hair is appealing, they are articulated, and that toothy smile probably isn't so bad," I thought.
With enough self-enabling, I found and purchased a deboxed Kara on eBay for $7.99, but postage bumped the final cost up to $13 and change. Her little companion was not included. Desperation will make a doll collector do strange things.
 |
| Deboxed Skating Fun Kara (?) |
The doll arrived a few days later as a new Kara head on a non-articulated Barbie body, dressed in Skating Kara's outfit minus the skates! What the bleep??? I immediately contacted the seller regarding my displeasure (the seller's poor quality, dark photos did not show the doll's feet and the arm and knee pads concealed what an unsuspecting buyer would believe were joints).
 |
| New Kara head on non-articulated body |
Meanwhile, Vanessa shared images of her deboxed Kara, making me want the doll even more. I scurried on over to Amazon.com to check availability. Much to my surprise, both sets (Kara/Kianna and Grace/Courtney) were available and eligible for free shipping to Amazon.com Prime members.
I ordered both and received a surprise bonus in the form of a $19.99 credit as part of their Shop with Points program. So essentially, I purchased two dolls for the price of one!
I love this form of self-enabling and equally loathe people who try to take advantage of others.
Below are images of the boxed sets with a close-up of Grace, whose new name is Sloane, renamed for the young professional tennis player who recently defeated Serena Williams at the Australian Open (but was defeated herself one day later.)
 |
| Skating Fun Kara and Kianna and Tennis Fun Grace (Sloane) and Courtney |
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| Sloane (Grace) and her two front teeth |
I'm happy I found both sets, but I'm still not overly enthused with the painted teeth. This, however, may be something SIS collectors will have to accept. The open mouth with appearance of teeth is repeated in the non-articulated Lipstick Jungle set, which includes Trichelle.
dbg
Follow my Dolls for Sale blog
Please visit and "Like" The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak I Listen
