About me (in less than 500 words)...

I'm 33, married to a wonderful Lebanese man, no children (yet), have one very spoiled cockatiel, several betta fish, and I live in Southern California.

I love California, and especially our civil tort laws and the CPC's (which may yet serve me well). Specifically, CPC 528.5 and 646.9, and Civil Codes 1708-1725.

I'm NOT a public figure, not a celebrity of any sort, but even if I were so, I'm entitled to privacy in my personal life. Everything I do and say is not a soap opera or movie, although for some, it seems to be. They pick apart and analyze everything I say and do. I'm basically not allowed to do anything without fear of scrutiny. They make fun of things I enjoy doing, or of my collections. They post personal information about me, including my marriage license. They make assumptions about me, psychoanalyze me, and generally defame me. I'm just FED UP. Why is this okay? It's NOT on so many levels I can scarcely begin to count them. Needless to say my list of supporting evidence for any RO is longer than one page. It's about 20 pages-- and that's significantly CONDENSED.

FWIW, I've sewn basically all of my life, from the time I was five or six and would make doll clothes with my Mom's help. I dabble in knitting and crochet, though I've never been very good at crocheting, and I'm a very impatient knitter. Even though I don't list any projects or many of them on my Ravelry profile page, I have several going on at any given time (usually just washcloths and dishcloths). I'm inactive in most of the groups I belong to. My crafting "poison" is mostly sewing. I have a cache of vintage and modern sewing patterns so deep that if I sewed something new every week for the next 30 years, I still wouldn't make it to the bottom. I really need to send some of these off-- mainly the size 14+ patterns I'll never sew, and the ones I have dupes of.

My favorite Ravelry group of the 137 or so I belong to is "RAK", which stands for "Random Acts of Kindness." In this group, members post tangible lists of patterns they like, things they'd like to receive, birthday wish lists, etc. It's always awesome to make someone's day... especially when they're halfway across the world. I try to fulfill at least 4 wishes a month, especially from new members or from people that haven't had a wish fulfilled before. Crafting brings us together as women and men, no matter what form it takes.

I'm travelling to see my family this coming Saturday evening (flying out of LGB on JetBlue, going to PDX; on an Airbus A320-- not my favorite plane-- but non-stop, 1 hour 57 minutes), which will be the first time I've seen BOTH of my parents (except for Dad's quick visit in April) in almost 2 years. 

Alexis (and other 18" dolls) Goes to the Beach

I am in SERIOUS "love" with my Alexis by Via-E doll -- she's probably the finest made doll on the market today. She can get wet, which means her opportunities for play are extremely more broad than most other dolls.

I live in Southern California, home of year round sunshine, beaches with water warm enough to wade (or swim, or surf) in without freezing something off (unlike my "native climate" of Washington state, which I'll be visiting from August 2nd to the 19th), and a system of freeways with traffic that can only be described as "amusingly confusing."

I absolutely adore Pixie Faire, a pattern company featuring extremely chic fashions for 18" dolls. Every week, they put four patterns up for voting for their "Friday Freebie", and they also have a wide selection of freebies available every day.

One of these is this Free 18" Doll Swimsuit and a few weeks ago, the Friday Freebie was this adorable 18" Doll Rash Guard and Shorts Set -- either of which are PERFECT for Alexis and will be joining her wardrobe soon.

I'm going to turn these-- Swimsuit and Sarong/Maxi Dress for Alexis -- that I had previously planned to turn into a hijab and abaya, into the Swimsuit and a Maxi Dress/Swim Coverup for Alexis. Or perhaps this, Potential fabric #2 for Alexis' Swimsuit -- I'll have to do a fabric "draping" and see which one is better for my beautiful doll. 

When I visit the Northwest next month, I'm taking Alexis with me. The day before I leave, my Mom and I will likely go to the Washington State International Kite Festival held in Long Beach, WA... and Alexis will come with us. 

THE Most Awesome Doll in the World

Since 1986, American Girl (now owned by Mattel) has dominated the 18" doll market. Other dolls haven't had the same staying power, or the intense marketing, that American Girl dolls have had since the beginning. While Mattel has the immense ability to market their products, the quality and durability of their dolls isn't always ideal. One BIG pitfall of AG dolls is their entirely cloth body. Not only do they look less than cool when wearing chic fashions like their owners may wear, as the cloth body shows when anything bares the shoulders, they can't get wet. If they get wet, their eyes can rust and lead to the dreaded silver eye, and if the torso gets wet, both the cloth body and internal stuffing could mold or mildew.

Girls NEED dolls-- they allow them to "play" at being adults, and just retaining the innocence of being a girl. The best type of doll is sturdy, yet inviting, and something that girls can easily relate to, because she (the doll) has qualities that her owner/Mommy has. She can get wet, she can wear the latest fashions, she has realistic adventures, and here's the "sneaky" part-- she also teaches the girl important lessons about life and the world around her.

Through the amazingly talented Selena Esparza (FB page here-- Custom American Girl Dolls by Selena Esparza ; YouTube channel here-- Selena Esparza YouTube channel ; and eBay store here-- Selena Esparza eBay store), who repaints AG and other like-dolls to look more "mature" and modern, or to look like characters from popular culture, I discovered Via-E's Alexis O'Shay doll, Via-E Dollfriends/Alexis O'Shay.

She's 19" tall, a little skinnier than an AG doll, but with a definite sturdy feel to her. Her delicate nails are "painted" in a "French manicure", and her hands are able to hold objects with ease. I found a super cute thing for her-- MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS-- most of which are sized "appropriately" for an 18" doll... Musical Instruments for AG Type Dolls.

Alexis' hair is rooted nylon, very soft and silky, and much more manageable than other dolls' hair. It's a beautiful caramel blonde/light brown color, one I've never seen on a doll before. Her eyes are a lovely blue green that somehow look more "lifelike" than other dolls of mine. Her nose is a little more pronounced than other dolls, but I like that feature. It adds to her "real girl" appeal. Her wide smile makes her very approachable, and perpetually cheerful. I've always thought the AG "two tooth" smile that's standard on all dolls except Kaya, was sort of, well, rabbit like. Alexis' smile looks like a real smile, even if the white "teeth" are not marked into individual teeth.

Alexis, next to AG DPTY 2003-2004 Kailey

Alexis O'Shay doll,  image copyright of Via-E

I think the best feature of Alexis is her all vinyl body... it means she can wear lower cut clothing, shirts or dresses that show shoulders, and other fashions without looking somewhat awkward or "lame", like AG dolls do. And because of this vinyl body, she's able to get wet-- able to swim, able to go to the beach (and maybe splash in the surf!), and able to do things other dolls can't without being ruined. While her "after swim" care is perhaps a little bit time intensive for a girl to do on her own (knowing what I do of children and their attention spans!), it's not very difficult, and is something that parents could use as an important lesson on hygiene for their daughters.

Alexis O'Shay, as a character, is originally from the Southern California beach town of San Clemente, who now lives with her travel writer father and fashion designer mother in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The next doll in the Via-E line will be the Tatiana Nayara Oliveira doll, who is described as being Afro-Indian, so she has darker skin and features more in line with that heritage. Her "theme song" is here-- Tatiana Theme Intro-- Via-E Tatiana Doll and Alexis' own theme is here-- Alexis O'Shay theme song -- Via-E Alexis doll.

One thing that excites me is Alexis has the POTENTIAL to have an abaya in her line. Dubai is listed as a place she has visited with her fashion designer mother, and since the UAE's "national dress" for women (see UAE National Dress for Men and Women) is an abaya, it's very possible we may see this addition to the line. And I couldn't be happier. If Via-E is the first line to feature an abaya/hijab for dolls, they could very well increase their popularity around the world. It would definitely sell in one of the planned "toy store expansions" in Michigan, due to the high number of Muslims near Dearborn, MI. There is literally NO company out there that makes an abaya or hijab for dolls and sells it commercially. Even on Etsy. Until then, I'll make my own abaya and hijab for her (see previous entries). And probably (mentally), on the way, write a hypothetical "Alexis at Dubai Fashion Week" story.

Another cool thing about Alexis is her "injury guarantee". If at any point during the year after her purchase she suffers an "injury", the company will fix her, free of charge. Also, any purchases made through the website are applied towards a "healthcare plan", and when $140 of purchases is made, another free hospital visit is included. Or, if not enough points have been accumulated, a low fee (considering AG's hospital visits) of $40 can be substituted for the accumulated point system. With AG, if a doll suffered an extreme misadventure and had a detached head and arm or leg, it'd be $64 to reattach it ($32 for a head, $32 for a limb... it's unclear if more than one limb was detached if it'd be a separate $32 charge or just one). A "well visit" is $28 (skin cleaned, hair brushed, hospital gown, but no major "injuries", which is a total ripoff considering you can buy baby wipes for $1, a hair brush for MAYBE $5, and the material to make a hospital gown for $2, so essentially, less than $10 if you DIY), ear piercing is $14 (I find it ironic it's as much to pierce a doll's ears as it is a human's when all they do is literally take a Dremel drill and put two holes in! Okay, so doll earrings are included, but they're NOT WORTH $14), a new head or new body/limbs are both $44, so Via-E is very reasonable, should a doll suffer a misadventure and find herself in need of TLC. But with as sturdily as I find my Alexis doll to be, I doubt that'd be an issue with most girls-- or even most boys who may not be gentle with their sisters' dolls.

Alexis can wear American Doll clothes, although depending on the clothing items, it may be a loose fit, since she's skinnier and a little taller. Because her big toe is separated from her other toes, she can more easily wear "flip flop" style shoes. I am VERY tempted by these Pixie Faire patterns (for all 18" doll lovers, be sure and check out their Friday Freebie/Pixie Faire. Every week, this company generously gives away one of their patterns from 12:00 am Friday to 11:59 pm Friday)-- Flip Flop Sandals/Pixie Faire and Flower Sandals/Pixie Faire. Either one would look ADORABLE with Alexis' "Loving Sao Paulo outfit" and the very similar (minus the vest and kerchief, which are easy enough to sew)-- Carpatina Fleur Blanc dress. As Carpatina-branded 18" slim bodied dolls are very similar in size to Alexis, most of Alexis' clothes are made by Carpatina-- 18" Dolls and Doll Clothes. I also really like DreamWorld Collections clothes, of which a Princess Kate-style wedding dress is included. Since Alexis' fashions from Via-E are somewhat limited presently (but always growing!), other companies can be used until Via-E's clothing line is more developed.

All around, the Alexis O'Shay Via-E doll is definitely a doll I can recommend. I've already told my Mom about her, and have told several friends with daughters. I know girls will love Alexis for the play opportunities, and Moms/parents will love her for her durability, reliability, the educational lessons, and the joy their daughter has when playing with her new Playfriend.

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT MY DOLL: She's #498 out of 550 of the original, first run dolls. There will only be about 1,500 of this "generation". I bought her off of Craigslist for a VERY reasonable price. The one I got her from was the original singer of Alexis' theme song, before they decided to go with the present version, sung by a 16 year old. During the focus group, mothers/parents preferred the original singer's version, but girls preferred the 16 year old. Considering this doll is marketed towards children, the company, Via-E, decided to listen to the girls and go with the second version. Since most companies market towards adults (even toy companies, since it's adults that buy toys and not kids) and not kids, I think that's pretty cool.