Vinyl Records, Vinyl Fashion Dolls and The Cha-Cha-Cha!

Yolanda "Tongolele" Montes with her signature raven hair and white love lock standing
along side my Abbe Lane "The Lady In Red" doing a duet accompanied by the
world famous Xavier Cougat Band.

      My parents had a pretty awesome vinyl record collection they had accumulated from the late 50s, 60s and 70s. Back when television consisted of 3 channels (ABC, NBC and CBS….I know kids…NOT KIDDING. Plus, there were NO remote controls. You actually had to get up and turn the knob to one of those 3 channels...Channels 10, 7 or 4 respectively) a lot of our family time in the evening before, during and after dinner consisted to listening to these latin Boleros, Cha-Chas, Salsa, Rumbas and Merengues. 

 

Abbe Lane album accompanied by the famous
Tito Puento was in my parents collection.

    These records had a particular quality to them that DVDs or BluRays today don't have. First, there was that scratchy sound that the needle made when you first put it down on the vinyl in the bland spaces before the music engraving started. It was almost like a two second white noise interlude introduction to the music you were going to look forward to hearing. It gave you time to anticipate the sound that would soon be invading your ears, mind and soul. I remember my parents, as a young couple (mom 23 and father 26) dancing to some of their favorite songs as a dinner of black beans, rice, plantains and picadillo (ground beef sautéed with caribbean spices and a bit of tomato paste) cooked on the stove while I had playtime in the bath. I could see them from the tub while they danced and watched over me from the hallway across the wash room. Life was pretty wonderful then. I was very much loved and I knew it for sure, and all those experiences were accompanied by this ongoing soundtrack of wonderful my cultures music.

Abbe and then husband Xavier Cugat were the inspiration
for Lucy & Ricky Ricardo. The sassy redhead and the
Cuban band leader....ring a bell?

Now, as an artist (and very small child) I think I loved the album covers almost as much as I loved the vinyl records that came inside of them. They were vibrant technicolor pieces of art and photography (or sometimes a combo of both). But, in particular some of my favorite were of those that featured the sexy chanteuses of the time. My parents had a record called "Havana 3am", which growing up in a Cuban household played pretty much on a loop every day and especially on weekends. It featured band leaders like Ttto Puente, Machito (The Cuban Count Basie) and Xavier Cugat (who incidentally was the inspiration behind the Ricky Ricardo character that Desi Arnaz played in "I Love Lucy"). But, even though those men where the ones that produced and arranged the music, it was the "girl singers" that sometimes sang on the songs featured on the cover in elegant and well fitted gowns that caught my imagination. That's the first time I saw Abbe Lane and women like her and just simply fell in love. 

To start, Abbe with fair skin, light eyes and titian red hair looked just like my mother on her record covers. She was curvy and had the voice, that too a child was something between an sexy siren and an angel. Singing songs like "Me Lo Dijo Adela" and "Whatever Lola Wants", I was hooked from the the beginning. To me that was womanhood in its most perfect incarnation. Then there was also Tongolele (Yolanda Montes) who with her shoulder length raven tresses and signature white lovelock creating a curl in the front, was my other absolute favorite. She was known as "La Mujer Pantera" which translates into "The Panther Woman". She was fierce in every sense of the word. She had the kind of hourglass figure that I saw on all the women in my family and could move her backside to a rhythm that could charm any snake (especially those of the "trouser" variety). Although, later on I found out she was known more for her dancing, she was featured on many of these LP vinyls and movies of the time. 

So when I started collecting and designing dolls, I found myself understandingly inspired by those women on the album covers of my childhood. I wanted to recreate miniature replicas of these strapless, skin tight, mermaid style dresses and couldn't help but be drawn to any fabric with a leopard skin print. These ladies were my first muses in the glamourous world of OOAK (one of a kind doll designing) when I was working exclusively on Barbie. 

Since then my tastes have evolved. Although, I wanted to have an homage to these ladies in my collection and recently I was able to obtain two dolls from the Fashion Royalty line that fit the bill perfectly. Last year's IFDC convention doll was a dead ringing in my eyes (after a few revamps) to Tongolele and although everyone saw Rita Hayworth as the inspiration to the "Lady In Red" that wowed everyone at the FR Convention in L.A. last October – I immediately thought of Abbe Lane. So, above you see the restyled and slightly modified versions of those femme fatales now in my ever expanding collection. I placed them (via Photoshop) in front of a Technicolor photo of the Xavier Cugat Band (BTW: Cougat was also Abbe Lane's husband at the beginning of her career) with a big Copacobana neon sign in the background (yes, The Copa, as it was regularly referred to as, really did exist in Cuba's Downtown Havana and was not just an imaginary place where Lola was a showgirl imagined by Barry Mainlow). 

Yolanda Montes "La Tongolele"

The sensational and gorgeous Abbe Lane!

I hope you enjoy these dolls and a walk down my childhood's memory lane. Every time, I walk into my doll room now and see them, I can imagine my youthful parents dancing to that fantastic music and that makes me smile.

Cha-Cha-Cha!

Franciso

NOTE: I wrote this blog 2 days ago before one of our beloved family pets Napoleon passed away. I've not been able to think straight much less get online to post this blog on my site until this morning. The last 2 days have been horrible (and I'm not exaggerating or being dramatic). I have never had to bury one of my pets and as a gay couple without kids of our own…our pets WERE and ARE our babies. I know that sounds stupid to some...but its the truth. I may sound like one of those crazy old spinsters that leave all the money in their inheritance to their pets, but the love that both Peter and I shared for Napoleon was deep and we were lucky to have him for wonderful 11 years (which is way passed the lifespan of a teacup chihuahua). Napoleon only brought joy into our life. He was quite, meek, noble, fun, sweet, adorable, loved to be kissed, snuggled and held on his back like a baby while he looked up at you...but most of all, what I will miss was how he looked up into your eyes with a look of pure love. He passed away like the little prince that he was quietly in his sleep from congestive heart failure. We were able to keep him alive through his prescribed medications for almost 8 months and although it was a bit of a chore....and now I'm so grateful for it. You see, every time he had to take a medicine we wrapped it in a small piece of deli meat which he loved and enticed him to eat his pills. I was mostly in charge of giving him his medication 3 times a day and every time I gave it too him he wagged his tail after I said the words "good boy" to him for taking his medication. My consolation now is that Napoleon knew he was loved by his daddies and that he knew he was "a good boy". 

"Popoleon" (was my nickname for him...
and Peter called Him "Nappy") and daughter
Frida sharing a nap at Christmas time on their
Santa bed. This is the last picture we have of
our little boy. I'm glad we got to have one more
Christmas together before God took him on
3 Kings Day - January 6th, 2014. 

Saying goodbye was heart wrenching and we are still grieving, but we still have our eldest female Kahlua Love Hewitt and Frida Von Tease (Napoleon's daughter) and they have lovingly licked our tears as we said goodbye to our little boy. I'd like to thank God for allowing us to have him in our life for so long and for keeping him for us until we see him again along with all our other loved ones on the other side.

The Future Is So BRIGHT Even the Robot Tranny Prostitutes from Mars Have To Wear Shades

       Well kids a lot has happened since last I wrote. Like life, some bad, some good and some GREAT.

Just had gone platinum and at my average "chubby" weight.
Before Fiasco in Miami

I guess it all started last August when my partner Peter's parents informed us that we would be able to use their Beach House in Key Biscayne during the last week of August. We had just come off of an exciting (but exhausting) Gay Season (that's what I call the slew of Summer Prides, Events and our Annual NUDE Issue Party for Charity) and were ready for some R&R. Coincidentally, during those summer months I decided I wanted to brighten up my appearance by going platinum blond. I naturally have salt and pepper hair and therefore it makes me feel a bit older than I am. Plus, every mistakes me for being older than Peter and even my sister Mercy and that really started to get my goat. It was a very innocent decision on my part, but one that would cause a ripple of events that would take me down a roller coaster ride emotionally and physically.

During our week at the beach house, I was naturally going to drive down and visit my parents. I had not seen them in 3 month and to be quite honest was not being the greatest of sons in that I was not keeping up with them via phone. Sometimes conversations with them can become pedantic and seem like a chore. You see my parents don't DO much. They wake up and go into one of three routines: A) Cleaning Day B) Dr. Visits Day C) Mall Walking Day. Of the 3, choice C is by far the most interesting but all these options tend to end at noon-ish, at which my parents normally go home, have a light lunch and my dad sleeps for 2 to 3 hours while my mom pretends not to be sleeping on the couch as she watches spanish TV. Our conversation is usually limited to those options or how the weather is in either city – which mind you is only 3 hours away. Either way, it is my duty to keep up with my parents and I was not doing an A+ job. So, I decided to take a day out of my vacations and give them 100% of myself with no distractions. I just forgot one detail. I was PLATINUM BLOND.

Ok...post cover up dye job...with my other mama
Michelle Visage....the one that loves me NO MATTER
WHAT I LOOK LIKE!

Now, my parents are very conservative, they are generally accepting of the fact that I'm gay mostly I think because after 20 years they have grown to love my husband (who doesn't?) But, I think that if we separated tomorrow, they would be on the bandwagon to try to either have me join a convent to stay celibate for the rest of my life or marry a very butch woman. Crazy? Yes! But, that's who they are and I love them regardless. 

As I walked in through the door I saw my mother's face go from delight to sheer disgust as she panned up to my hair (oh one detail I left out….it was styled into a Faux Hawk…desperate…I know) But, everyone else around me had loved it for 3 months so I thought so would they. I could not be wronger. My mom went into silent mode. This is never good. It only means that she is planning her verbal attack carefully. Finally, I could not stand the tension anymore (contrary to popular belief, I hate drama) and said in a snotty tone,"If you would like I could leave as to not disgust you any further." Wrong choice of words. World War of Words 3 erupted with my poor father caught in the middle. It was ugly. I hate ugly, so I decided to get in my car and drive back to Key Biscayne and cry my eyes out like I usually do when things like this happen. Instead, I stopped at a Walgreen's bought Miss Clairol's Chocolate Brown and died my hair in the public restroom (dark colors take less time to take). When I got back to my parents home I was now generally my natural color. I was hoping that my mother would realize that it was JUST hair that she was freaking out over and that the color of it meant less to me than she realized. Unfortunately, she never saw me because she retreated to her room and refused to come out. A diva move, I know…but I guess that is where I get it from too.

At the Headdress Ball Mascarade Party.
Half way to my goal.

I decided to go on with my vacation and not worry about it so much. I extended my chocolate brown olive branch and either she was ready to take it or she wasn't. That night we had a dinner party to attend at my in-laws home. It was beautiful and the family was getting along just lovely. They all wondered why I had died my hair back to brown and I just flippantly said,"I got bored of being a blond…I guess they just don't have enough fun for me." Everyone laughed. I died a little inside thinking to myself,"Even my partners parents, the most catholic people on the planet were ok with my platinum locks, but my mom couldn't except them for only a few days." 

We all sat down to an amazing dinner, and then finally when it was time to enjoy desert I felt a searing and then numbing pain in my head. I felt a headache like never before. Carmen, my partners sister (who happens to be in the medical field) said,"Frank, you do  look so good…." and that's all she wrote. I asked to be excused from the table and immediately began to throw up that beautiful dinner while people were still enjoying their flan dessert. How humiliating. But, the pain in my head only got worse. I was having what Dr.'s refer to as a Cluster Migraine Headache that was being brought on by the amount of stress the fight with my mom had caused me subconsciously. I was sure I was having a stroke or something more dramatic. I was taken to the Emergency room (NOTE: If you arrive to the ER in an ambulance you get taken back immediately to the treatment rooms and bypass the lobby. Good to know….trust me.) The Dr.'s there immediately gave me a shot which knocked out cause I'm a light weight when it comes to drugs of any kind (that's why I don't do any) and when I awoke what seemed like 20 minutes later my sister and her boyfriend Julio were there alongside Peter and our roommate Quinn. I was at the hospital for a total of 4 hours while they gave me several tests and concluded that I had just had a Migraine. Now, I used to be one of those asshole bosses that would just say to an employee when the claimed a Migraine,"Take two Tylenol and go back to work." I WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. A Migraine is the worse pain I've felt in my 40 something years. 

After getting back home to Sarasota and seeing an array of Dr's, specialists and Nuerologists they all came to one conclusion – "YOU ARE FAT….LOSE WEIGHT". I got the message loud and clear. So, as a family, Peter, Quinn and I decided to change our life by following and exercise regimen and eating better. We cut out all sugar, sweeteners and glutten. Plus, we began to exercise….UGH….again. 

The next couple of paragraphs I'm going to tell in 80s montage style set to a song I can't remember by Survivor or some other hair band…they are all the same. Cue music:

We worked out

We ate better

We hated it at first

Then "poof" we started seeing results

We've all kept each other from giving up

We got rid of old clothing that no longer fit

We bought new clothing (fashion montage sequence) in smaller sizes

We continue to fight, sweat and eat like rabbits

In the end we made it to our goal….to look fabulous and healthy to the Headdress Ball, the social event of the season in Orlando that www.WhatsHappeningMagazine.com is a sponsor of.

It was great, we all three looked like a million bucks!

Next was my annual pilgrimage to pay homage to the dolls I love the most Jason Wu's Integrity Fashion Doll Convention in L.A.! The convention….FABULOUS! My time there: LESS THAN FABULOUS! First night there I had a frightening event happen to me and it altered my ability to enjoy the one event I look forward to every year. But, I'm a true diva as my patron saint Patti LaBelle says and I kept on the best I could to enjoy my time there. 

Next, we come back and I had to take some obligatory time off due to my injury. I dressed dolls and thought a lot about my family. I only spoke to them infrequently at best. A hole was being formed in my heart. No matter how imperfect and very dysfunctional – I missed them. 

I called my mom. We made up in the way we do. We didn't talk about the incident but instead talked about Fashion, Miss Universe and the British Royal Family. It's what we do to let the other know,"I'm over it…let's have a pleasant conversation about things we both love." I accepted her peace offering and she accepted mine. A truce was in motion. 

With the only person that can make me
laugh and have fun even when I want
to strangle her. The Fierce Yara Sofia!

With my soul mate Chi Chi LaRue.
I adore this bitch....and she knows it!

My Favorite of all the Lasky! Heart Of
Gold...Mouth like a Sewer! Adore Her!

Next, Peter and I went on a work-ation alongside 40 of RuPaul's Drag Race girls. I was still not completely healed from my accident. But, I was happy to be leaving the house…which I had not done since the accident. It was extremely fun, stressful and ultimately a great experience for the guests we were hosting. For me and Peter it was like herding cats for 7 days on the high seas. 

Matt Muir Cover Model of the new WHM HiBEARNaion
Issue....for more of Matt check out
www.WhatsHappeningMagazine.com

After coming home from that Gayest Cruise Ever, I returned to my retine of completing the artwork for the January issue of the my magazine WHM. Finished it with only seconds to spare and returned to Miami for a post Christmas/Birthday celebration with my family and close friends. This time I went with closely cropped brown, salt and pepper hair….weeeessh and thinner than I've been in a long time. I've lost 68 pounds and have put on some muscle as well. I look better now than I have in about 5 years (before the Italy "Gelatto and Pasta Tour of 2010). My mom and dad both looked at me with eyes of Pride. I explained to them that I was now off my blood pressure and cholesterol meds. They were thrilled. Also, I indirectly found out that I inspired my sister and nephews to lose weight as well…and they are really on their way….THEY ALL LOOK FANTASTIC! 

Birthday Night With My friends Model, Writer, Artist, Fellow Doll Collector
Daniel Miagani and my best friend since 3rd Grade Maite
Del Cristo! (Chanel Boots in the shot...GORG!)

     So, now I'm home again, and I'm optimistic about he future. So, I dressed up two of my favorite Color Infusion workshop dolls as Space Tranny Hookers from the Future. I love them. One wears gold which represents how precious all our good and bad experiences can be in the end. And (my all time fav) wears sliver, white and a splash of pink. She represents, hope, good faith and a splash of surprise color as a symbol of wonderful things yet to happen. 

I plan to write now everyday again….let's see how long this one lasts…lol.

Happy New Year to all my friends in the Blogmosphere! I wish you only the best in 2014 and beyond!

Frank

With My One & Only beautiful Baby...Peter Aguas!

ps. Best Gifts this year: Jennifer Lopez doll, fabulous Chanel riding boots and a reunion with my best friend since 3rd grade Maite del Cristo. She has no idea how important she has been throughout all my life. She was my protector in school when other kids tried to bully me and my biggest cheerleader when I was down on myself. I'm happy to report that we are back on track after an 8 year hiatus and are vowing to stay in each others life now till the end! 

Hostage To MY Collection

Recently a friend invited me to visit the collection of an individual that was elderly and looking to sell off the majority of her collection. This person had been a librarian and collected all types of antiques (including dolls) for the last 45 years. Unfortunately, this poor lady had lived diabetes and emphysema for many years and had to have one of her legs amputated at the knee. This prognostication involved her having to let go of her autonomy and massive collection, as she was going to have to move in with her daughter and her family so that she could be looked after from now on. 

As we walked through her home, this collection was like walking into King Solomon's Mines. It was 45 year of collecting that really bordered on hoarding. Her daughter explained that her mother had lived that way for years and that it had cost her her marriage. The ladies husband just could not live anymore walking through pathways of doll boxes and any longer and left her 10 years before. Sadly, due to her smoking, age and inability to dust and clean properly the majority of this spectacular collection was hidden under (and I'm not kidding) a quarter inch of dust. One had to wipe away the dust to see through the clear cellophane that the dolls were still incased in. I won't go into the amazing "hard to find" "nrfb" things that she had in her collection because that is really not the topic of this blog. But, suffice to say - IT WAS SPECTACULAR! There were items in her collection that I never knew had existed. 

Finally, I began to talk to the lady who was sadly sitting outside because she no longer could navigate the home from her wheelchair. She began to lament to me that her collection meant the world to her. But, since she she growing older and her family was not interested in her hobby, she had no choice but to sell it to help pay for her medical bills. She expressed how now she wished she had been a bit less obsessive with her collection and had instead traveled more. Ultimately, she expressed the desire to had owned less "things" and instead had more "experiences" so that now she would have memories of those to last her for the rest of her life. 

This experience really affected me. I got a glimpse into my own future. And, although I do have a healthy "travel life" etc. - the only thing that currently separates ME from this lady was the ability to dust, clean and merchandise (display) my collection better. 

So, I've decided that I have to start reevaluating my collection and start letting go of thing that I don't "really" need. Of course, an argument can be made that I don't really need any of it...but the truth is that a lot of my collection makes me "smile" (especially when I'm having a shitty day), but I'm sure there are a few things that I can let go of. Especially, in lieu of all the new merchandise that I.T. has just revealed yesterday...ugh...they are ALL gorgeous! Not to mention the upcoming convention in Los Angeles! 

So, this weekend I will sift through my collection and start to make a "to go" pile that will make it's way onto ebay at some point soon. 

Finally, thanks to all of you that have written me so many nice emails about returning to my blog. I will try to be better about writing on it as much as humanly possible.

Also, I've enclosed a video and some pics of my collection as it stands today...before my next "purge". Hope you enjoy!

xoxo,

Frank

Ru-Tin-Tin or What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

First off, let me apologize for how long it has taken me to get back on the saddle when it comes to writing on this blog. The end of last year saw me overwhelmed by a whirlwind of Drag Queen on the first Drag Stars At Sea Cruise presented by ALandCHUCK.travel featuring 40 of the stars from past seasons of RuPaul's Drag Races on Logo TV. Oy Vey...it was fun and insanity all rolled into one whirlwind week of fabulousness!

With Chad Michaels and Mama Michelle Visage On
2012 The Drag Stars At Sea Cruise.

Watching this season's show has inspired me to re-do some of my Ru Dolls hair dos so I've been working on those for the last couple of weeks and sharing it with my friends on Flickr and Facebook.
The current hairstyle and re-dress that I did of my current Ru (up top) was inspired by may things that has occurred int he last couple of weeks.
Obviously, one has to do with the upcoming release of the OZ movie that is currently playing at the cinema so I wanted to do an homage to that featuring Ru as one of my favorite Wizard of Oz character's - The Tin Man.

My Latest Ru-Do's!

I identify with the Tin Man because he set's out on his quest with Dorothy in the pursuit of a heart. I've had many experience in my life that have cause me to build wall around my heart. Rarely does anyone ever get the opportunity to see (much less get close enough to hurt) the "real ME". For the most part, everyone thinks I'm that funny, brash, superficial, cartoon person that I wear as a mask when I'm in large groups. I hide behind jokes and clever comebacks as a defense mechanism to keep most people at arms length. In the past, once I have let people in too close they have the power to break my heart...and inevitably I find that most people do.
I'm a naturally generous and giving person. I don't expect anything back but friendship and loyalty from the people that I consider close friends. Recently, I've had to learn this lesson once again, and regardless of how old I get the pain of heartbreak hurts as much as it did the first time I ever felt it.

The Theme For The Upcoming F.R. 2013 Convention!

But, this time I learned something, the idea is not to close yourself off and never help others in need again...it is just to be a better judge of who you extend yourself towards and never expect others to pay you back with the same level of kindness, respect and loyalty that you have shown them. Those are intangibles that cannot be measured or quantified. The trick is to not allow situations or others to change the way that you naturally are. I'm going to continue being myself - generous, loving, funny, sweet and open (as much as possible) to others.
As one of my good friends just said to me recently,"when you've been let down by friend...it usually says more about them than it does about you." True words.
Well, that's enough sentimental prattling for one day....now onto other news....
I'm happy to report that I've just paid for my first installment for the FR Convention in the L.A. Convention - The Premiere. We are soooooo looking forward to this convention....for many reason.
First....hello....L.A.! Second, I'll get a chance to see all my doll friends again (especially Luis Rickert who recently moved to California for a job at Mattel!) and finally for all the incredible Integrity Toys swag that comes as a part of your convention package. Nobody does a convention like Integrity Toys.
Counting down the days till October 31st!
xoxox,
F

BIONDA DIVINA

The Fabulous DOVIMA.

The Stunning SUNNY HARNETT.

I received the above Veronique doll late last year, but with all the holiday shenanigans going on, I just hadn't had any time for her. She came on a original FR Body (and I'm really not crazy about those because they are so short and uneven in color) so that was the first thing to change. I transplanted her head onto an ITBE body and "viola" instant fashion model! I especially love the smaller bust, long neck and even longer legs! Those bodies have "model proportions" and both knees bend (which I prefer to the stiff Model Muses bodies). They also have a joint in the torso that allows them to hunch forward like Dovima or Sunny Harnett! Now she is one of my favorite in the collections and is sporting a new little "Italian retro bob". So, I thought that she should be featured in an Italian palazzo. Brava!


Soon, I will be getting back to my blog on a regular basis (promise)...now that my life has calmed down significantly (sharing more about that later).

Till then, enjoy this Divine Blond!
xoxo,
f

Natalia At The Bora Bora NUI

Tropicalia Natalia Wearing Palm Spring Silstone Barbie's Coral Caftan.
This is also the suite at the Bora Bora NUI that Peter and I stayed in.

Recently while staying at the beautiful Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando during the FR Convention in 2012, the theme and the resort reminded me of the time that Peter and I got to spend an equally wonderful time at another resort – IN BORA BORA! The resort was called the NUI and to get all the way to Bora Bora it took exactly 24 hours, but it was worth every minute once we got there.

To be among the beautiful flora and fauna of French Polynesia was absolutely mind-boggling. It in fact, took us a few days to believe that we were actually in the magnificent place. It was like Dorothy when she left her real life of sepia toned Kansas and woke up in the Technicolor land of OZ. The air was permeated with coconut and vanilla. The room (which is the setting that I placed Natalia in the picture above) was spectacular. They were called “Motu's” and were constructed on beams over the water. They were completely luxurious and had the most amazing amenities one could ask for. We had our own private sun bathing deck that we could dive straight into the ocean from. The bathroom was like heaven and the sheets on the canopy bed were like butter! (Additionally, every night the native ladies that attended the rooms would leave floral patterns using tropical flowers and leaves on your bed for turn down service….I took of picture of it every night…they were soooo intricate and beautiful).

Peter and I with Kathy Griffin In The Beautful Blue Water of
Bora Bora During A Private Lunch On A Near By Island.

You are probably asking yourself,”Why were those lucky bastards there anyway?” Well, we were very fortunate to have been the media sponsor on Kathy Griffin’s Emmy Award Winning Show “My Life On The D-List”. Our magazine www.whatshappeningmagazine.com was chosen to be sponsors in Florida for the show to promote people from the South East to go on the trip. The season our show was featured (which was Season 4 Episode 7) was also an Emmy winner for her. Kathy, Tiffany and Tom (her assistant and tour manager) were amazing and we were also able to share this beautiful experience with many of our friends. Among them was model/artist/entertainer India Brooks (who was our official hostess with the moistest), Karen Brown (of Straight Girl In A Gay World fame), Jim & Eric (our good friends, one of which is a hairstylist…we had to look good for TV) and Mario Cantone (from Sex In The City) and his partner Jerry Dixon (his brilliant musical arranger).

Jerry, Mario, India & Me. Ugh...I was so sunburned on
the first day that we went out on the beach!

Peter and I will never forget this amazing experience (mostly because we own the DVD of the season we were one…lol…and it on youtube.com at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKAO4vQdXnM . The episode is called “Busted In Bora Bora” in case you want to see the whole thing on Hulu.com or something). It was a dream come true. There was only one problem. After a year of preparing this trip between all the guests and Kathy’s people, Peter and I “stress-ate” and put on the most weight we have ever been. Apparently, we forgot TWO very important facts: WE WERE GOING TO BE ON NATIONAL TV and THE CAMERA PUTS ON 10Lbs (There were several cameras going at the same time.. LOL) ! Well, I wish I would have had a fabulous caftan to wear like the one made for Barbie with the coral design that now looks so spectacular on Natalia. Maybe soon I will get another chance...here's hoping!

The Whole Bora Bora Gang After The Shooting Of My Life On The D-List: Busted In Bora Bora Episode

Photoshoot with India Brooks On A Catamaran.

I pray to God I’m able to see the blue water and night sky of Bora Bora again….but if not there are some very special memories I will always carry with me:

1-      Getting to become friends with Kathy Griffin and her incredible crew.

2-      Watching Kathy perform up close and personal.

3-      Skinning dipping (drunk off our asses) with Mario Cantone…I have pictures Mario…don’t piss me off…lol)

4-      Booger Drag night….that’s when you use anything in your room to create your drag outfit.

5-      Being terrified out of my mind when I had to swim with the sharks and sting rays…just a couple of months after Steve Irwin was killed. I couldn’t stop thinking of him the whole time.

6-      The beautiful black pearl farm that we visited (I still have and wear the pearl that I got there)

7-      The photoshoots with India.

8-      The massages and pedicures with Karen.

9-      The romantic evenings alone with Peter.

10-   The amazing drink, food and native people that made us feel so welcomed in their beautiful country.

Yarana! (Hello and goodbye in French Polynesian)

Xoxo,

F

Flame Rouge Veronique Doll On Tall Handspeak Body Wearing Platinum Jordan's Dress
& Convention Imogen's Purse and Shoes. GORG!

I’ve been collecting dolls now (collectively) for almost 20 years. I first collected Barbie (my first was Silver Screen Barbie from F.A.O. Schwarz) and then I took close to a 10 year hiatus from seriously collecting. When a doll would come out that would fetch my eye…I would get it, but they were far and few between in those years. When I came back to collecting full throttle it was mostly due to the Integrity Toys line. They had been out for a couple of year at that point, but I had really not noticed them. It was not until, I met one of the designers and bough his inaugural line that I was truly hooked again. It was like black tar heroin. On hit and I was back at square one.

I’ve never been a completest. I’ve always just collected what I “like”. The problem is with Integrity Toys….I love all of it! I try to hold off and only order a all my “must haves”. Inevitably, I always regret the ones that I deem I don’t “need”. So, I end up chalking it up to my theory of putting what I want out into the Universe and hopefully they will come (or won’t) sooner or later.

I have “grail dolls” like Venus Eugenia, Optic Verve Agnes…etc., but I try to not obsesses about it. Again, I try to be grateful for the wonderful collection that I have and enjoy and not for the few dolls that have escaped my grasp.

Sometime though….you just get lucky! At this year’s convention , I was able to do a bit of serious room shopping for the very first time. As many of you know, I don’t buy anything first night of convention. I’m usually too busy catching up with friends and /or mixing drinks. Also, friends don’t let friends “drink and shop”. I did that the first year and blew all my money on the first night (shut up David Carr). I’ve met some great people over the last couple of years of going to the FR Convention. Every year I come back with a “grail doll”, spend less than I would have on ebay and additionally have a great story to accompany the purchase of the doll. I tend to attach memories to things that I get from special people. This year I was able to get a very special doll (that I’ve wanted for eva…) from a very special person.

The story starts at the 2011 Convention, when I met three very sweet guys that were sharing a room together that they were selling out of. Two were a couple and one was a single, handsome strapping tall bearded man (just like I like ‘em…hehehehehe) named Frank Villa. After finding out that we had very similar taste in dolls (they all had great things to sell from their room….even a Superman Tonner doll for Peter) we all became good convention friends. To the point that I was so exhausted (and/or hung over) that I slept (and drooled alittle) during one of the workshops in 2011 (which wasn’t entirely my fault…there was a slideshow presentation in which the professor turned out the lights to see the screen better  and like a Pavlovian dog I went right to sleep. I do it at movies I PAY to see too. I always have to catch the end of everything on Cable).

This year I did not fall asleep on Frank again (although I totally would of..he’s very cuddly) but I did buy a doll from him…..drumroll please…..FLAME ROUGE VERONIQUE nude! A doll that I thought I would never be able to afford….EVER! Well, now she is finally re-transplanted on a tall handspeak body and dressed in the a combo outfit that I also got at this year’s convention souvenir room (Platinum Jordan’s dress and convention Imogen’s shoes and purse….red in homage to the “flame” namesake of the doll). Now she is GORG! (inside joke!)

So, I again I repeat…your grail dolls will find their way to you if you “put it out there…let go….and let GOD (or whatever greater power that you connect with).

Thanks again Frank…everytime I look at her I think of YOU my friend and how you made a dolly dream come true for me!

Xoxo,

F