The Flickr 2014Campingadventurezkellan Image Generatr

A new vlog:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwKNd77m6k0

Sometimes we don’t realize just how much a doll has impacted our collection until several years into the future. That was certainly the case with my Moxie Girlz, which is one of the main reasons I felt it only fitting to rewrite this “My Story” passage on them. I never would have anticipated the way these Bratz look alikes would mold my dolly world when I first learned of their existence in 2011. But as I reflect on these past eight years as an adult doll collector, I can see how they were slowly leaving a mark on me, even in those early days. They started as the “Bratz imposters” who I dismissed….dolls I never intended to admire, buy, or pay any attention to. In the years I had stepped away from my dolly hobby, there had been a time when Bratz were almost erased. MGA designed Moxie Girlz as a substitute, but kept the line around even when Bratz had secured their place on the market again. Initially, I had a bad taste in my mouth for these “cheap” looking dolls, who lacked the sass and fierceness I so admired in Bratz. But in many ways, they mean almost as much to me, and without them, the course of my journey would have been altered. In short, I wouldn’t be the same collector if Moxie Girlz had not somehow weedled their way into my heart.

The first encounter I had with Moxie Girlz was most likely at the store. Back in 2011, I didn’t frequent doll aisles too often. In part, this was because of embarrassment. I felt deeply self conscious lurking around the toys, wondering if any passerby would notice that I was patently “too old” to be admiring the dolls. I mostly recall seeing Moxies at stores like Target and Toys ‘R’ Us. Colleen and I used to make jokes about their clone like vibe, and their babyish styling. But there were so many dolls to take in, ones that had not even been a thought when I was a kid. So compared to say Monster High, who notoriously enveloped toy aisles, it was rather effortless to overlook Moxie Girlz. My first true experience with Moxie Girlz outside the stores occurred at the flea market that fall. After several months of pursuing a box of Bratz dolls I had foolishly not purchased in the spring, I was finally reunited with the “Bratz Guy Bin.” In this lot of bedraggled, mutilated, and drawn on dollies, I found a pair of strange looking Bratz shoes. The peg holes were far too small for a full sized Bratz to wear. I assumed they must belong to Kidz, who had smaller legs, and therefore would likely have matching, tinier pegs. So I set aside these pink sneakers, expecting that one day I’d have at least a few Kidz dolls. A few weeks later, I ended up with my first Bratz Kidz in the “Craigslist #1” lot. Their arrival left me feeling even more perplexed about the sneakers, which apparently did not fit. It wasn’t until Colleen suggested it, that it occurred to me that these shoes were perhaps made for Moxie Girlz. This was confirmed rather quickly via eBay--I had “1st Edition” Lexa sneakers. These shoes sat around inside a random container of odd ball doll shoes for quite some time, as I was unsure what to do with them.

In June 2012, the very first Moxie Girlz doll joined my collection...or should I say Moxie Boyz! It was only a few short weeks after Dad passed away that May. On Father’s Day, his best friend, Jimmy, offered to take Colleen and me out to a massive outdoor flea market (which was a drive in movie theater by night). We spent hours upon hours walking through this enormous flea market, and as time wore on, we slowly acquired more and more treasures. There was a box of Bratz dolls that caught our attention. The seller offered to give us a bundle deal for the goods, so of course we pounced on it. However, there were two Moxie Girlz dolls who tagged along--Magic Snow Jaxson and Best Friends Avery. Jaxson admittedly stole the show. Even though I had never seriously considered Moxie Girlz dolls in the past, he won my heart before we were even home. That soft, fuzzy, flocked head, and his overall sweet demeanor were hard to ignore. Plus, little Jax still had his entire original ensemble on. It was so impeccably constructed, that it reminded me of the Bratz dolls I grew up with. He was very reminiscent of the Wintertime Wonderland line that I was so obsessed with as an eleven/twelve year old. Avery was not as enchanting--after identifying her, I concluded her hair had been substantially cut. It was also that coarse, gross fiber that I didn’t know how to take care of (which I later learned was nylon). Her outfit was also missing many components, which made poor Avery seem extra pitiful. Avery was tossed aside, and later given to a friend, along with those “1st Edition” Lexa shoes I mentioned previously. Jaxson however, well he was put on display WITH my Bratz! Not long after, Colleen encouraged me to purchase True Hope Jaxson, when were were at Toys ‘R’ Us getting his Cameron counterpart. He too had a spot reserved on my display, right alongside Cam.

For about two years, this is where the story remained stagnant. I was very much in love with my two Jaxson dolls, but that first experience with Avery had not been the best. Plus, I think in part I held off on giving the girls a chance, because I knew if I changed my mind later, I’d regret having given Avery away. I found myself for whatever reason looking up Moxie Girlz online around the start of the New Year in 2014. Specifically, I recall the day I found a collection video on Youtube. You may think that this video inspired me to collect Moxie Girlz because the dolls were so beautiful and highly spoken of. That would be a false assumption, in fact it was the opposite. The video, which I believe was deleted years ago, featured a girl going through her massive collection of Moxie Girlz. The dolls were in horrific shape...if SPOD (the “Society for the Protection of Dolls) was a real thing, the Moxie Girlz would have been removed from this home. I recall that they were in various states of undress, with wild hair. We aren’t just talking about unkempt tresses, no, we are talking about destroyed hair! Some dolls had oil put in their hair. Others had been colored all over on their beautiful face paint. As the girl went through each doll, she threw him/her brutally across the room, like they were garbage. My heart was broken...even though I was not too keen for Moxie Girlz, they surely deserved to be treated with more respect. I envisioned my beloved Jaxson dolls living in that home, and the horror was too much to bear. I showed Colleen the video, and she too felt it was our calling to finally buy Moxie Girlz. And so, we found ourselves at Toys ‘R’ Us that very afternoon, picking up the two True Hope dolls I “needed,” as well as Sportz Lexa and Fashion Surprise Sophina (who stole my heart).

What began as a collection as the result of pity and wanting to love these dolls, became so much more. I found myself lusting for more dolls after getting the initial four that day at TRU. There were faces from the video that had caught my attention, and I was dead set on acquiring my own. We went to countless stores in the area and rather far away, on the quest for Moxie Girlz. Online shopping was a large part of the creation of my collection too--I spent so much time scrolling every day for new deals on eBay for Moxie Girlz and extra clothes. My humble family grew at a fairly rapid rate. Not only was the number of dolls multiplying, but I also found myself having to do a considerable number of flat iron treatments regularly. That beastly nylon hair the dolls were most oftenly rooted with needed to be tamed. While I had been flat ironing for about two years at this point, I still had not honed my skill. Having to do so many dolls in consecutive sessions started to help me build this skill and perfect my technique. Dolls such as my “1st Edition” gals, Fashion Snaps Lexa, and my Best Friends pack were especially naughty clients who may have taken me an exceedingly long amount of time, but in the end were responsible for me learning the best way to flat iron hair. Speaking of my Best Friends pack, it should be noted that I did in fact later regret giving away my Avery. After losing a bid on eBay, I was fortunate enough to find a decently priced set on Amazon, along with the Fantasea Hair dolls. The more and more I delved into the world of Moxie GIrlz, the more passionate I became. I did not just fancy the “staple” dolls from earlier years, like the ones I had seen in that Youtube video. No, I was craving the dolls that were not even out yet, like the Camping Adventurez and the foreign exclusive Fantasea Hair dollies! There was not a Moxie Girlz doll I came across that didn’t worm her way into my heart. I still recall the day my heart leapt when I first saw the Baker dolls and Art Kellan at Toys ‘R’ Us. I made a point to stalk the trio until they went on sale. There were the oddball old dolls who turned up in clearance sections, like Pets Avery. I had a list of sets that I wanted to keep my eye out for, when they finally went on sale. When I would see that their prices had been slashed, I was quick to hop into the Jeep with Colleen and procure the dolls. This is what happened with the Cotton Candy Style girls and the Fashion Snaps/Fashion Surprise lines. Not only that, but the soft spot in my heart for Moxies often lead me to overpay for those that seemed doomed to an unlovable fate. For instance, the time we stumbled upon an $8 secondhand Magic Snow Kellan at an antique store. I knew her modern look would not appeal to other shoppers, and I just could not bear the thought of her rotting behind the glass case. For a girl who was so resistant to even so much as give Moxie Girlz a second glance a few years before, I had been transformed into a full blown addict!

I think with most of my collections, I go through a transitional time during the early days, when I make a point of tracking down dolls. Whether I shop on eBay, scope out local stores, or am just more willing to spend money on them at the flea market, it’s not all that uncommon for me to go on a binge of sorts. So what exactly makes my Moxie Girlz collection remarkable? I’ve learned something deeper through all the various doll types I collect. But I can honestly say that Moxie Girlz were one of the most transformative decisions I made, and I’m glad I procrastinated when it came to officially collecting them. 2014 was the year I started all over as a collector. 2011 was when I first reconnected with dolls, but everything felt so new and foreign, that I still was figuring out who I was as a collector. As I delved in the world of dolly social media in 2012 and 2013, I almost lost my identity entirely. I was influenced heavily by the words of others--I was sucked into a world of needless drama and constant complaining. I found myself second guessing every doll, finding flaws, and contemplating pruning my collection. The joy that my plastic friends once brought me in a time of need, was almost entirely erased. I could feel myself sinking further and further into this quicksand of negativity, and in an effort to save my hobby, I deleted my old Flickr in the fall of 2013. I decided to stay away from the internet, so the only voice I would hear would be my own. I wanted to form my own opinions, and discover dolls on my own terms. I was tired of feeling like nothing was good enough, tired of drowning in a sea of negativity. The whole reason I restarted my doll journey in 2011 was to find happiness and light in a world that was drenched in darkness. I wanted a distraction from my dad’s declining health, and from the weight of the uncertainty the future possessed. Taking a step back to focus on just myself was hands down the best decision I made throughout my doll collecting story. One of my first orders of business was to dabble with Moxie Girlz, a thought that deep down had resonated for quite some time, but I had kept hidden.

Moxie Girlz also inspired me to rekindle my creative side. I had experimented with handmade earrings, stands, and the occasional hair accessory in the past. But these “cheap” gals brought out so much potential, and made designing things for my dolls the most fun it had ever been. It all kicked off when I got three of my Bubble Bath Surprise dolls on sale one night at Toys ‘R’ Us and Wal-Mart. This set was not the kind I’d usually gravitate towards, what with the dolls low quality, molded glitter swimsuits. They also were packaged with pierced ears, but no jewelry. But believe it or not, the cheesy styling of the dolls inspired me more than any others had before. I found fabric flowers that matched their glitter swimsuits and made them the most bedazzled earrings I had to date. I realized that in a way, transforming these low quality friends was much like cleaning up a secondhand doll. A few homemade accessories truly revamped the three girls, and gave them a much more expensive image. This realization that all dolls had potential, even the “cheapest” seeming ones, revolutionized the way I approached purchasing dollies. Much like how my knowledge of treatments such as the flat iron, boil wash, and proper bathing gave me the ability to rescue dolls that I previously would have needed to leave behind, tapping into this inner creativity made every doll have possibilities. My handmade earring were no longer dainty and conservative. Instead, I unleashed myself and began to make whatever my heart desired, even if it was ever so gaudy and over sized. Not to mention that my Moxie Girlz motivated me to try new things. When I purchased my Baker and Art dolls in the spring/summer of 2014, I was struck with the idea to make them charms. I ended up purchasing some new polymer clay and tools, and even did a little research on techniques that would make the charms look more detailed. This opened the door for the invention of some of my favorite creations, like Hello My Name Is Raya’s cheeseburger earrings or Sleepover Party Sasha’s pizza charms! It felt like so many doors had just opened up for me, and I was reconnected to that twelve year old girl who used to spend hours making her American Girl dolls various accessories and decorating boxes for them.

The intention behind the existence of Moxie Girlz may have been to supplement Bratz when they were supposed to be removed from stores. While they do bear some resemblance and similarities to my bratty friends, the way Moxies have transformed my collection is entirely unique. Looking back, they’ve been around since almost the beginning of my adult doll journey, when I first found those shoes in “Bratz Guy Bin,” and when my two Jaxsons squirmed their way into my bedroom displays. But what I think of the most when it comes to these dolls, is how they redefined me as a collector. They were the first dolls that I decided to experiment with, having an open heart and no preconceived notions. I chose to not let other people’s complaints and shame towards this line change my decision to jump into the Moxie world. I embraced each and every Moxie Girlz doll I came across with wide open arms. By doing this, I allowed the creative energy to flow freely from my mind. My handmade earrings and hair accessories simply would not be the same today if it weren’t for my Moxies. I don’t know that my interest in accessorizing and sprucing up cheap, store bought dolls would be the same. Moxie Girlz made me wholeheartedly realize that it’s not about what doll you get, but about how you choose to treat him/her, and the love/effort you put forth. When I look at my displays, I see happy faces and feel the positivity and care I put into each and every one of my plastic friends. I also see a slight resemblance to Kid Kore Katie, one of the most notorious dolls from our childhood. I can even envision a world where Moxies were out when Colleen and I were growing up, and we would be fighting over who would get to play with them. In essence, Moxie Girlz are the reason I recaptured that magic within dolls--they restored the innocence that I had lost as an adult collector, who was far too critical and cynical towards these little creatures, and for that I am forever grateful.

This episode of Dolly Diaries was filmed over the span of about two weeks. It's not as exciting or adventurous as some of my other Dolly Diaries videos, as it is a bit more laid back. Many times, I am working on retaking photographs for Flickr, uploading/editing videos, and cleaning dolls. Since Colleen and I got sick this particular week, we weren't able to do as much as we would have liked, but we were still able to film some footage for Dolly Diaries. I hope you enjoy, and hopefully my next Dolly Diaries video will be a little more exciting and faster paced for you all. I also included several clips of my pets, since I always get requests to show more of them!

Video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JBGlZVr8DQ&feature=youtu.be

BOX DATE: None
APPROXIMATE RELEASE DATE: 2014
MANUFACTURER: M.G.A.
DOLLS IN LINE: Avery; Sophina; Kellan
BODY TYPE: 2009; bend & snap legs
HEAD MOLD: 2009

BOX DATE: None
APPROXIMATE RELEASE DATE: 2014
MANUFACTURER: M.G.A.
DOLLS IN LINE: Avery; Sophina; Kellan

PERSONAL FUN FACT: In terms of individual pieces, Kellan came with the most accessories. Of course, her things aren't nearly as cool as Sophina's food items (I am a sucker for all things dolly food related). Kellan does have the upper hand over Avery though. While archery is a unique theme, I personally prefer Kellan's nature goodies. Several of her things are made from paper. But since Kellan has photographs and a scavenger hunt, I'll give her a pass. These accessories would have been made of paper in real life. It's not like MGA was being cheap manufacturing them this way. Plus, they could have skimped out on the leaf and feather--these also could have been made from cardboard. I can't tell you how many paper leaves/feathers I have encountered for Barbies over the years! I love that these two pieces were actually made from plastic. It makes them sturdy enough to last a lifetime. I never realized that Kellan's stuff was made for a scavenger hunt...or I at least forgot! Her little lantern thing actually lights up. I'm not sure if it's a lantern or if it is supposed to contain a firefly. It's really handy that all of these smaller pieces can fit inside Kellan's hefty bag. Her outfit is amazing too! I honestly appreciate the way all three Camping Adventurez girls were dressed. However, Kellan's owl print tee is extra cute. This is without a doubt the kind of ensemble Colleen would have loved owning for her Kid Kore Katie!

BOX DATE: None
APPROXIMATE RELEASE DATE: 2014
MANUFACTURER: M.G.A.
DOLLS IN LINE: Avery; Sophina; Kellan
BODY TYPE: 2009; bend & snap legs
HEAD MOLD: 2009

PERSONAL FUN FACT: I love absolutely everything about the Camping Adventurez line. My only complaint is that there weren't more characters produced for it! I would have also loved to collect a Camping Adventurez Bria, Monet, or Lexa too!!! I will say that I am very glad Kellan made this particular set. She is the most adorable Moxie Girlz by far, and she works so well with this camping theme. As per usual, Kellan is my sister's personal favorite from the Camping Adventurez line. I was mesmerized by the dolls before I had even seen them in stores. It was a complete accident when I found stock photos of the trio on the Moxie Girlz website in 2014. They were brand new at the time. I so hoped they would be stocked at stores in my area. Sadly, my local Walmart never really carried much in the way of Moxie Girlz. So I already knew I'd have to make some sort of special trip for the Camping Adventurez ladies. Anyways, I saw them not all that long after at a different Walmart location. I was sorely tempted to buy Sophina that day. I don't believe Avery was in stock. However, I was also bedazzled by this fabulous Kellan. I knew in that moment I wanted her too! A few weeks later, the dolls were all marked down. By that point, I was able to find Avery in Walmart too. I suppose I could have just bought one from this set. But it was honestly such a hard decision for me. I liked Avery's outfit the best, Sophina came with food, but Kellan had the most stuff in general. I changed my mind, there is NO way I could have bought just one of these Camping Adventurez dolls.