Saturday, May 31, 2014

Over One Million Pageviews? Seriously? You Guys are Awesome! :D

Wowee, I just looked at my pageviews and realized that I've officially gone over one million!!  I can hardly believe it!!  Who knew that this little blog would come so far in almost four years?

There are things I'd like to work on.  I've been HORRIBLE at getting back to those of you who have emailed me.  My secondary blog is having issues (lack of posting issues, that is). ;)  I have what seems like a million posts in draft on this blog that I need to get through.

On the other hand, I've learned so very much through these years of blogging.  I've grown as a writer and a reviewer.  I've "met" all of you, my amazing readers and followers from all over the world, and have made friendships I will treasure for years to come. :)

I wouldn't be where I am today without all of you.  So thank you, dear readers, from the bottom of my heart. :)  I look forward to making many more memories with you in the posts to come. :)


Friday, May 30, 2014

My Little Pony Character Collection Sets

As promised, today we'll take a look at the My Little Pony blind bag-sized character collection sets. :)

Here are the three most recent sets, found at my local Target.

First up is the "Ponyville Newsmaker Set", which includes Snails, Snips, and Rainbowfied Pinkie Pie.


Okay, according to the box, the names are "Snailsquirm"...

...and "Snipsy Snap".  Interesting.  Kind of like Hasbro's habit of adding "Dazzle" to everypony's name. ;)


Next up is the "Daring Pony Story Set", which includes Daring Do *ahem* "Dazzle" (as I was just saying...), Princess Twilight Sparkle, and Rainbowfied Rainbow Dash.



Finally, we have the "Soaring Pegasus Set", which includes Thunderlane, Rainbowfied Fluttershy, and Ditzy Doo/Derpy/Muffins/whatever you want to call her. ;)


Each of the packages has a fun background picture on the cardboard backing, which can be used for playtime if you can get it out without ripping it. ;)

The back of the "Ponyville Newsmaker Set".

The back of the "Daring Pony Story Set".

The back of the "Soaring Pegasus Set".

Here are Snails, Snips, and Pinkie Pie out of the packaging.

I always love seeing detailed pictures on toy reviews, so I thought I'd include pictures of all of the characters from both sides as well as the front and back.  Enjoy!

Snails:

Snips:

Pinkie Pie:


Here are Daring Do, Twilight Sparkle, and Rainbow Dash free from the package.

Daring Do:

Twilight Sparkle:

Rainbow Dash:


Thunderlane, Fluttershy, and Ditzy Doo out of their...well, you know. ;)

Thunderlane:

Fluttershy:

Ditzy Doo:

As I was taking these review photos, I remembered that I never reviewed the "Groovin' Hooves Set", which I purchased a few months ago.  I know that I took pictures of them in the box, but I have searched my computer files all over and cannot find the pictures! :}  So, I guess for this set, we'll just have to review the important part: the ponies. ;)

This set includes three well-known background ponies: Lyra Heartstrings, Octavia Melody, and Lyrica Lilac.

Lyra Heartstrings:

Octavia Melody:

Lyrica Lilac:

As you all know, I really enjoy my G4 My Little Pony collection.  I have to say, though, I have a special fondness for these little mini ponies.  I love how much they look like the TV show characters.  The blind bag and character set line has also brought the widest selection of ponies, especially those featured in the show.  It's so fun to find some of the background ponies that my daughters and I love the most. :)  Best of all, they're really small, so they don't take up much space. :)

I would give these sets a 5 out of 5 for playability, collectibility, and just plain fun. :)  The ponies are painted well overall (aside from a few small stray paint spots on Rainbow Dash and Lyrica Lilac and some sloppy paint spots here and there).  Hasbro has paid great attention to detail (I especially love Octavia's cello and Daring Do's outfit).  

I will say that the "rainbowfied" ponies are not my favorite.  However, my daughters love them, and at least the rainbowfied ponies come with two regular ponies.  This time around, I kept the canon ponies and my daughters each got a rainbowfied pony. :)

I hope you guys enjoyed this rather quick review.  Which of the new ponies is your favorite?


Stay tuned for more posts next week! :)