Frightfully tall ghoulfriends

Momma is over the moon with the introduction of the tall, taller, tallest Monster High dolls.

In case I haven't mentioned it before, Momma is Above Average. Nine inches above the U.S. average to be exact. (In case you don't know, 5'6" is the U.S. average!) Her buddy Jen is no slouch either at 6'1".

Being so tall, Momma has always liked height recognition, so she was thrilled to hear Monster High was breaking the 12" doll mold.

(Yes, they've had the Big Sister mold, but now they're using it for contemporary classmates, instead of older sisters or Headless Headmistress Bloodgood.)

First they introduced Marisol Coxi. Then they brought out the 17" Gooliope Jellington - and 17" Clawdeen, Draculaura, and Frankie!

Finally, just when she thought they'd hit the height limits, Walmart introduced their two 28" Gore-geous Ghoul dolls!

Give your Beast Freaky Friend a complete spook-over! She's always got her eye on the newest trends — watch her transform her look and eye color with just a wink. Style your ghoul with plug and play accessories and doodle deadly designs using creepstastic chalk pens.

Monster High Voltageous Ghoul Friend:

• Age Range: 6 years and up
• 28" Gore-geous Ghoul
• Style your ghoul with plug and play accessories
• Includes 23 Freaky Fab pieces: 28" Gore-geous Ghoul, interchangeable mask with carrying jar, headband with ears, glasses, eye mask, 1 pair of earrings, hair extension, 2 sets of hands, 2 wings, 2 leg vines, 2 sets of boot covers, 2 chalk markers, 1 sticker sheet and 1 tattoo sheet
• 2 assorted styles sold separately
• Green or purple

Both are gorgeous, other than their inflexible knees and weird blobby feet. The purple version seems more complete though. She has ribbons lacing up the back of her boot covers (the green ghoul does not) and her colors match better. The green ghoul's hands are a slightly different shade than her body.

What's up with that?

Now we're anxiously awaiting the 17" Maddie Hatter from Ever After High.

I hope she comes with Eat Me cakes!

Fright-Mare before Christmas

I'm a finely tuned Fright-Mare who's geared to trot like a top. I believe precision makes the world go round and that includes getting my name right. It's P-E-N-E-P-O-L-E! Please pronounce it precisely.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY

I create clockwork pieces that are part functional, part art. All my beasties have received at least one as a gift.

KILLER STYLE

Screampunk! I like to take 19th century fashions, add bits of brass – like gears and maybe some goggles – and make something mane-ificent!

PET PEEVE

Don't mistake my love of all-things-vintage to mean I'm not a forward-galloping ghoul.

FREAKY FLAW

It's a challenge for me to prance-straight through other monsters' dreams where time gets so muddled.

Gore-geous accessories

While poor Momma is mourning the death of her only aunt, I wanted to share that I finally found a Gore-geous Accessories Robecca Steam doll!

Parties, dances, the maul... the li-bury! So many things to do and monsters to see on a busy ghoul's calendar. An on-the-go monsterista knows that the most important accessory in her closet is a gore-geous bag for any occassion!

I love her, but couldn't Mattel spring for new designs? One of her two purses is the same mold (but a different color) as her Meet purse.

Phoenix 'Coma-con'

I don't know Who is more tired tonight: Clementine, Momma, my Big Sister, or I!

Today was our first day at Phoenix Comicon 15. Lots of changes have been made to this year's event (mostly layout) and we were Quite Pleased.

My Big Sister was primarily interested in the Exhibition Hall so we spent the day there viewing the 600-plus booths and tables looking for treasures - My Little Pony primarily in her case.

We did see one counterfeit Monster High Draculaura ($10) which fascinated us. We also saw the 2011 San Diego Comicon exclusive Monster High doll, Dead Fast Ghoulia. (We passed at $500!)

Many of the exhibitors were old favorites (Hello Fez-o-Rama and your newest mini-fezes!) but some new ones were also found, such as Vamplets. We've heard about them for years but this was their first PHXCC appearance.

We've been taking photos, but the home internet is down tonight so we'll have to upload them later.

Tomorrow is a busy day with lots of panels, photo ops, and autograph sessions - not to mention The Rocky Horror Picture Show screening with a shadowcast and film stars Barry Bostwick (Brad), Nell Campbell (Columbia), and Patricia Quinn (Magenta)!

Don't dream it, be it.

Ghoul talk

mattel.com

Momma has been Scary Busy lately with work, which doesn't leave much time for Me.

Harrumph!

Too bad for her, but that leaves me plenty of time to Time Travel and Surf the Web.

We're both still trying to find a Ghoul's Alive Robecca, but now we're also hunting for a Coffin Bean Robecca, too!

Not only is Robecca cute, but checkout the tiny Mason jar she's drinking from!

The Monster High gang can let it all fang out at the Coffin Bean, one of their favorite haunts. Carrying her favorite ghoulish treat, Robecca Steam is ready to grab a table for some ghoul-talk with her beast ghoulfriends. And even though the dress code is comfy and casual, this monsterista is always a fierce fashionista. She wears graphic prints, a sleek silhouette and to-die-for accessories. Her coffee drink with handle fits in her clawesome hand.

The Mason jar (also known as Ball jars, fruit jars, and glass canning jars) was invented and patented in 1858 by Philadelphia tinsmith John Landis Mason.

But what is Robecca drinking out of her jar? Something steamed, of course: but an antoccino, breve, café au lait, café latte, café marocchino, café miel, café mocha, cappuccino, cortado, eggnog latte, espressino, latte, or a mélange? 

Personally, I think it's a Chai Latte: steamed milk and spiced tea. (Add espresso shots for a "Dirty Chai Latte"!

 

 

They did the monster mash-up

Have you seen Her? Have you?

In a freaky twist of adventure, some of the favorite Monster High ghouls get accidentally fused together. Prepare to see the original tribe of beast ghoulfriends like you've never seen them before! Choose from Lagoonafire (a mix of Lagoona Blue and Jinafire Long), Dracubecca (a fusion of Draculaura and Robecca Steam), Cleolei (a combination of Cleo de Nile and Toralei), Clawvenus (a blend of Clawdeen Wolf and Venus McFlytrap) and Neighthan Rot (a unicorn-zombie boy).

Each freaky fabulous doll offers twice the freaky flaws along with killer "fusionable" style. Accessories include a to-die-for purse for each - except Neighthan Rot, who has a hat with a hole cut out for his unicorn horn. Each also comes with a doll stand and brush, plus a personalized diary that contains scary cool insights into these clashing dual personalities. Collect them all to expand the fun to monster proportions.

The Emperor Penguins Strike Back

I thought today would be a good day to introduce my Empire of steampunk Emperor Penguins.

Why?

Because April 25th is World Penguin Day!

Thanks to Momma's friend Jessica I now have 15 of these Captain Pennys.

Like Oz, my army is all Captains. (Well, Oz is all generals and one private but you get the idea. I hope.) 

My goal? World domination, one penguin at a time.

Mwa ha ha!

 

Feeling wicked

I can't help it, but the more I look at Ghoul's Alive Robecca, the more I want to set her up on a blind date with Barbie's Wizard of Oz Tin Man.

Snigger.

I wonder if Mattel will agree?

Things are steaming up!

It looks like there's not one, but TWO new versions of Robecca Steam coming out this year!

Ghoul's Alive Wave 2 Robecca Steam is appearing in Canada. I hope she comes to Arizona soon - like a true snowbird.

I love her moving internal body parts!

It's still a rumor, but Freaky Fusion Dracubecca is still a possibility.

Fingers crossed!

A Penny saved is a Penny earned

The Captain Penny has dropped ... right into my hands!

Isn't he adorable?!

Pets can be the best friends and the best secret keepers. The pets of the core Monster High ghouls have come to unlife to keep your secrets! 

Move Captain Penny (the robotic penguin of Robecca Steam) forward as you insert the strip(s) of paper and it rolls up inside. His tummy is locked when his wing is down, but it unlocks when it's up.

We who are about to fly salute you.

Jeepers Creepers!

As mentioned at least once or twice, Momma and I love the Monster High students and their pets.

One of our few complaints was the pets were a bit small, but that has been rectified with the new Secret Creepers!

Pets can be the best friends and the best secret keepers. The pets of the core Monster High ghouls have come to unlife to keep your secrets! Each of these five scary cute sidekicks (sold separately) has a secret-keeping feature. 

Called Secret Creepers Critters, Captain Penny (Robecca Steam's mechanical penguin), Azura (Nefera de Nile doll's scarab beetle) and Hissette (Cleo de Nile's cute cobra) figures each come with a basic pen and paper that can be used along with their secret-keeping and note-passing features.

Count Fabulous (Draculaura's pet bat) and Neptuna (Lagoona Blue's piranha) figures come with one invisible ink pen along with paper and a "reveal" feature. Write in secret - or in the open - but expose your thoughts only when it's safe! 

Additionally, Secret Creepers Pets Watzit (Frankie Stein’s stitched-together pet), Sir Hoots A Lot (Ghoulia Yelps’s wise, but not old, pet owl) and Shiver (Abbey Bominable’s cool pet wooly mammoth) figures have a creepy cool secret-keeping feature: pop open their heads to reveal voice-recording brains. 

(I can neither confirm nor deny, but I have heard that Dustin [Twyla's pet dust bunny] and Chewlian [Venus McFlytrap's pet sentient venus flytrap] are to be added to the line!)
 
I simply cannot wait to assemble my own waddle of steampunk penguins.

Mwa ha ha!

Doing the monster mash-up

Momma loves mash-ups so it's no surprise she loves steampunk.

I mean, Victorian science fiction? What's not to love?

But did you know the first known use of the word "mash-up" was in 1859?

According to Merriam-Webster, Inc., the definition of "mash-up" is something created by combining elements from two or more sources: as

a : a piece of music created by digitally overlaying an instrumental track with a vocal track from a different recording
b : a movie or video having characters or situations from other sources
c : a Web service or application that integrates data and functionalities from various online sources

We, of course, are extremely interested that Mattel applied for the trademark "Freaky Fusion" in August, and on Nov. 19, 2013 applied for Dracubecca.

Dracubecca = Draculaura + Robecca

The mind boggles.

The End is just the beginning…

everafterhigh.com

The more I read about Ever After High the more I realize the same creativity behind Monster High and its characters extends to Ever After and its student body.

As they say, "This isn’t your mother’s fairytale… this is Ever After High!"
 
The children of famous fairy tale characters are destined to follow in their parents’ footsteps to keep their stories alive through generations, otherwise their stories will cease to exist.

However, Raven Queen is unhappy with her destiny and wants to write her own path. The school gets divided into two factions.

"Royals" are those who know they will have a happily ever after:

• Apple White: Daughter of Snow White
• Briar Beauty: Daughter of Sleeping Beauty (Briar Rose) 
• Ashlynn Ella: Daughter of Cinderella 
• Blondie Lockes: Daughter of Goldilocks

"Rebels" are those with less favorable destinies together with those who prefer the idea of creating their own destiny:

• Raven Queen: Daughter of the Evil Queen and the Good King 
• Madeline Hatter: Daughter of the Mad Hatter 
• C.A Cupid: Adopted daughter of Eros and Psyche 
• Hunter Huntsman: Son of the Huntsman in BOTH Snow White AND Little Red Riding Hood 
• Cerise Hood: Daughter of Little Red Riding Hood ... AND  the Big Bad Wolf(!)

So, are you a Royal or a Rebel?

Spellebrating the holidays

everafterhigh.com

My Big Sister got a gift certificate for Christmas and decided to use it today to get the Ashlynn Ella and Hunter Huntsman dolls from Ever After High.

Ever After High is a doll line released by Mattel in 2013. It is a spin-off to the popular Monster High dolls, however in this line the characters are based upon fairy tales and fantasy stories. In fact, Monster High's C.A. Cupid transferred to Ever After High! 

The children of famous fairy tale characters attend high school in the village of Book End and are destined to follow in their parents’ footsteps to keep their stories alive, otherwise their stories will cease to exist.

Most Ever After High dolls are similar to the Monster High dolls but have rounder, babyish faces and thicker limbs. However, Maddie Hatter (Momma's favorite) has a thicker version of Howleen and Twyla's shorter body. They are all articulated like the Monster High dolls.

Momma was not too impressed with the dolls until she unboxed my Big Sister's Ashlynn and Hunter. We both like how the dolls look and feel.

I expect more will be joining our Vinyl American family.

Château Sinistre

teamson.com

Right now I don't know who I am more jealous of - my Big Sister or the Monster High crew.

While working at Toys Я Us,  Momma spotted the Winland Spooky Mansion and wanted to get it for my Big Sister and her MH dolls, but (alas) the only one they had sold before she could acquire it.

So she was delighted this week when it was returned in a damaged box.

Score!

teamson.com

It no longer seems to be available under that name, but we found it now listed as Teamson’s Monster Mansion Corner Dollhouse:

Have a frightfully fun time with Teamson’s Monster Mansion Corner Doll House. Three floors of top notch terror, include a kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Perfect for a tight space because it fits in the corner. Spend the night if you dare! Great for ages 3 and up.

They have at least one other version that we could find, but we particularly like this version because it fits snugly into a corner.

Included with the Monster Mansion is:

• Bed
• Loveseat
• Dining chairs (2)
• Table
• Coffin bathtub

Now comes the hard part, and I don't mean assembly.

I can't play with it until December 25th!

Penny for your thoughts

Pardon me for sounding like a modern tween but, "Squee!"

Ahem.

Please excuse my uncharacteristic exuberance.

You might recall Momma and I both like Monster High's Robecca Steam.

Momma nabbed an Art Class Robecca, but she is still looking for a Dead Tired Robecca.

But we have discovered Captain Penny is soon to be released as a Secret Critter.

Pets can be the best friends and the best secret keepers. The pets of the core Monster High ghouls have come to unlife to keep your secrets! Each of these five scary cute sidekicks (sold separately) has a secret-keeping feature. Write in secret- or in the open - but expose your thoughts only when it's safe! Share secrets with your pets and your friends!

 
I have always wanted him to be larger and now he is. Captain Penny is supposed to be twice the size of the original Captain Penny, according to someone who saw him.

Captain Penny will come with a basic pen and paper that can be used along with his secret-keeping and note-passing features.

Secret keeping is essential for a spy.

Dead tired

I don't know much yet, but I have heard there's a third Robecca Steam to be released soon.

Dead Tired Robecca!

Isn't her phonograph to die for?

Stone cold style

My ghoul friends at Monster High are soo excited - Momma found Deuce Gorgon yesterday.

The ghouls of Monster High are hitting the skies for their first trip abroad together in monster style. Their destination is Scaris, the city of lights and hometown for Rochelle Goyle.  A popular destination for jet-setting ghouls, Draculaura, Abbey Bominable, Ghoulia Yelps and Deuce Gorgon meet two new friends while traveling the city: Skelita Calaveras and Jinafire Long. With their funky fashions and journaling ways, they fit right in with the Monster High crew.

Deuce is the son of Medusa and can turn people (temporarily) to stone with his stare so he usually wears sunglasses. The boy dolls are incredibly hard to find so we were royally psyched to add him to our doll family.

The only problem? There was only one - and Big Sister wants him, too!

Ni hoa, Jinafire

Oh boy.

As previously mentioned, Momma is a Dragon Lady AND she loves we love Monster High.

So you can imagine her excitment when she discovered this new ghoul: Jinafire Long.

The ghouls of Monster High are haunting to The City of Frights for an international fashion competition where the winner will become THE apprentice to the world famous Madame Ghostier. It's chance of an unlifetime ... or is it? Follow our ghouls above and below the cobblestone streets as they cheer on old friends, make new ones and discover not everything is always as it screams.

Age: Monster Parents:	1500 scales Chinese Dragon
Killer Style:	I like to take traditional fashions and fire them up with sharp cuts and fierce accessories.
Freaky Flaw:	I'm strong willed, hot tempered and I have a tendency to set fire to combustible materials although ever since I melted my last iCoffin I've been trying to do a better job at controlling my impulses.
Favorite Activity:	I love to do calligraphy. It's very calming and helps me relax.
Pet Peeve:	My tail gets in the way sometimes and it's really hard to find haunt couture fashions that accommodate it.
Favorite  Subject:	Metal Shop. I love metallurgy and creating steel sculpture.
Least Favorite Subject:	Physical Deaducation. Sweat ruins my makeup and makes my scales itch.
Favorite Color:	Royal Red and Jade Green
Favorite Food:	Anything Sichuan! The spicier it is the better.
BFFs	Skelita Calaveras and Clawdeen Wolf

Tapping in

My friend Robecca Steam is back and she's sure to be tapping her way into your heart.

The ghouls are ready for one of their favorite classes at Monster High - Dance class! Of course, each ghoul brings her own unique style to class. 

According to Robecca, "In order to expand my horizons I have decided to take a tap class. Well, maybe it is not so much expanding as it is having an alternate dance step to try out at parties. One does so tire of being asked to do 'the robot.'" 

Momma particularly likes Dance Class Robecca since she, too, took tap classes as a girl.

Snicker.