tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post3026811370944212118..comments2024-03-14T09:30:43.895-07:00Comments on Never Grow Up: A Mom's Guide to Dolls and More: Toys R Us Goodies Part 1: Series 3 Zelfs Hannah Prewett (beastsbelle)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15635091328769986946noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-31990868914527944942014-08-07T21:41:52.923-07:002014-08-07T21:41:52.923-07:00Hi Mark! :) Glad you like the new Zelfs.
Hmm, I ...Hi Mark! :) Glad you like the new Zelfs.<br /><br />Hmm, I hadn't thought about the chocolate fountain, but you're right, it would have looked a bit more realistic with opaque chocolate. It's still really cute, though.<br /><br />I know a lot of people have wondered about Buttershy's name. My own personal guess was that it was just a coincidence. I mean, if you're designing a Butterfly Zelf that is shy, "Buttershy" is a pretty natural name to come up with. It doesn't bother me too much...hopefully Hasbro won't have a problem with it either. ;)<br /><br />I like the idea of the Easter grass...I'll have to pass it on to my mom. :)<br /><br />I'm hoping Chocolaa's scent will not be quite as strong as time passes, too. I actually tried putting her in my room last night, just to see if the smell would bother me, and it didn't, so that's a good sign. ;) I'll probably update the post if it works out to keep her in my room.<br /><br />Lol, I can understand your hesitation about the scent holes. I'm rather a germaphobe myself, so I never touch the package with my nose when I smell a scented toy. If you didn't touch the scent area (and didn't see any smears or anything), that would work, right? ;)<br /><br />I was never into Masters of the Universe, and tended to go for more fruity or flowery scents, but the toys sound interesting. Isn't it amazing, too, how smelling something from your childhood can bring back a ton of old memories? :) I love that. <br /><br />I remember seeing the Yummi-Land Girls, but we never branched out into those. Maybe I'll check them out again.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by! :)<br /><br />Hannah Prewett (beastsbelle)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15635091328769986946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-57215228057484741042014-08-06T06:35:21.022-07:002014-08-06T06:35:21.022-07:00All three look adorable and it's good to see t...All three look adorable and it's good to see that the manufacturer is still continually trying to keep the Zelfs fresh with new gimmicks like these scented ones. I agree that the chocolate fountain is the best diorama piece out of the trio (while the visual effect looks brilliant, it's a little bit odd that they chose to mold it from translucent plastic, as chocolate is opaque). They're all cute, but, in order of preference, I'd go with Chocolaa, then Spellinda, and, finally, Frostette. I also found myself wondering if they're intentionally trying to tease Hasbro's copyright lawyers with the name Buttershy, as that's awfully close to MLP's Fluttershy (if that is the case, I noticed that they weren't brave enough to go all the way and give that particular Zelf pink hair and yellow skin). Well, that's probably reading too much into her moniker anyway--it's far more likely that it's just innocent wordplay with butterfly and shy.<br /><br />I think it would look cool if your mother put some green easter grass, or maybe some of that crafting moss, in Spellinda's wheelbarrow and laid/sat her on top of that. The colors don't clash that badly to my eyes, but maybe adding another shade of green, between the 'barrow and figure, would help "even out" the overall color scheme.<br /><br />I imagine Chocolaa's scent will become weaker over time (I've noticed that even some unscented toys have a tendency to reek of plastic/paint when you first free them from their packaging, particularly ones sealed in clamshells), but, yeah, if it does bother you enough to give you a headache, it might be better to pass her down to your daughters as you said (perhaps you have a minor allergy to whatever they used to perfume the toy?) Your idea of having a small "sniff hole" in the package is also good--it'd probably increase sales to boot (although, being a germaphobe, the knowledge that a bunch of people, possibly sick ones, have pressed their noses against the package that I'm handling would make me uncomfortable). Said hole would also allow the scent to dissipate a bit, rather than building up strongly inside the bubble.<br /><br />My fondest memories of scented toys were two characters from Mattel's Masters of the Universe toy line: Stinkor and Moss Man. Stinkor was a villainous skunk, who, as you can probably guess, smelled mildly unpleasant [you'd think that'd be undesirable, but the stench (Patchouli Oil) was part of the appeal--I can remember that I was really stoked to get him], while Moss Man, being a heroic plant being (with wonderfully flocked green velvet "moss" skin), reeked of pine trees. I sold those two, along with the rest of my childhood MotU collection, a long time ago, but I still have several Strawberry Shortcake dolls/figurines, mostly McDonald's ones, that I keep in a Ziploc bag, and, while individually they don't seem to have a scent anymore, at least not that I can detect, the last couple of times I opened it, I noticed that said bag had acquired a pleasant, perfume-y smell, so, I guess my SS girls are only fragrant when they combine their powers and work together (which sounds like the premise for an episode of the SS cartoon). Oh yeah, I just remembered that I also have one MGA Yummi-Land girl (if you're not familiar with that line, they were 5" scented dolls that were sold in cool soda-pop-bottle-shaped containers that doubled as display cases), but, alas, she doesn't smell anymore either. They've been discontinued for a while, but they seem like something you might like, and I believe that they're inexpensive on the secondary market (I see them in thrift stores every once in a while too--I almost bought another one myself the other day, but picked up another Liv Daniela and four Bratz, with a carrying case and a bag of clothing/accessories, instead).Mark Patrawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07543430490598733014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-36698019391765439412014-08-05T19:45:00.721-07:002014-08-05T19:45:00.721-07:00Glad to help you out with gift ideas, Farrah Lily....Glad to help you out with gift ideas, Farrah Lily. :) That's definitely one of the goals of this blog. <br /><br />I agree, Chocolaa is adorable on her little chocolate fountain...and very photogenic, too. ;)<br /><br />I've really enjoyed including my daughters' opinions on the dolls and toys when I can. It really helps to get some perspective from a few someones from the target age. ;)<br /><br />Meritre, I remember being so thrilled to discover I wasn't the only mom who loved dolls and toys when I first started this blog! ;)<br /><br />The Zelfs are super cute. I love all of their unique face molds and painted features. :)<br /><br />Nina, so sorry these ones won't work out for you. There will be plenty of regular, non-scented Zelfs in Series 3 that are every bit as cute, though, so I'm sure you'll be able to find a few you like that you CAN have. ;)<br /><br />You have a great day too!<br /><br />Hi Maureen! The thing I love about Frozen is that both sisters are so relatable. I think that shows the strength of the writing. It's great how so many really connect with Anna, while others can really relate to Elsa and her struggles. :)Hannah Prewett (beastsbelle)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15635091328769986946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-38505319082527408792014-08-05T15:44:21.023-07:002014-08-05T15:44:21.023-07:00My favorites Anna too! because I'm the younges...My favorites Anna too! because I'm the youngest of me and my 1 oder sis plus I look like her and would almost anything for my older sis Mora Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14806439594154334067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-3942773094939008502014-08-05T14:43:15.345-07:002014-08-05T14:43:15.345-07:00These are sooo cute! I can't get one though, b...These are sooo cute! I can't get one though, because I get really bad headaches all the time:(. It's okay, though, your pictures are really great at showing the Zelf and all of its details!:)<br /><br />Have a great day!:DNinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08500954167902297662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-84741549583629383822014-08-05T12:50:13.084-07:002014-08-05T12:50:13.084-07:00It's great to have moms who understands our lo...It's great to have moms who understands our love for dolls and other cute little things! :)<br />They look cute, would love to see them in real :)Meritrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-4255088908065379602014-08-05T10:11:08.909-07:002014-08-05T10:11:08.909-07:00These are super cute...the chocolate one is pricel...These are super cute...the chocolate one is priceless...especially balancing on her chocolate fountain of deliciousness. Thanks for the great post! Now I have another "yummy" idea for a Christmas gift for my 5 yr old! (I love that you put in each of your daughters opinions as well :)Farrahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131848005650508647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-59925154944496168612014-08-05T08:49:39.418-07:002014-08-05T08:49:39.418-07:00Hi Mahogany1960 (and Samantha and Zelia, too). ;) ...Hi Mahogany1960 (and Samantha and Zelia, too). ;) Yeah, you definitely want to stay away from these ones if you're sensitive to smells. Elfa is an excellent choice, though...she's one of my favorites! :)<br /><br />BlackKitty, good to hear from you! Hope you had a nice vacation. :)<br /><br />I suppose Spellinda might work as a car air freshener, although during the summer heat the smell might just intensify. I've never been one for car air fresheners myself, just because they get a little too strong for me. But for some, it might work. :)<br /><br />I think the main thing with Spellinda is I was expecting more of an Andes Mint smell, not natural mint. ;) So probably going into it knowing that would have helped. ;)Hannah Prewett (beastsbelle)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15635091328769986946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-16341272009542540622014-08-05T03:49:10.056-07:002014-08-05T03:49:10.056-07:00I wonder if the mint Zelf could work as a car air ...I wonder if the mint Zelf could work as a car air freshener. Maybe it's not as bad in a non-food context?<br /><br />Congrats on your blogoversary by the way! I missed it while on vacation.BlackKittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014093330317682849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646962372158228871.post-35023356991651040652014-08-04T17:54:59.527-07:002014-08-04T17:54:59.527-07:00I unfortunately can't get a scented zelf, beca...I unfortunately can't get a scented zelf, because I get minor headaches from scented things, and my mom gets major migraines, from pretty much anything scented, especially perfume, they actually make her feel sick! <br />Their so cute though, and I wish the chocolate one would come un scented..... I'm still asking for a basic medium elfa for Christmas though!<br /><br />-Mahogany1960, Samantha, and Zelia! Mahogany1960noreply@blogger.com