Friday, May 30, 2014

May 2014 Bodacious Baddie!

Dear Diary,

Ok. So here's the latest scoop. I'm still in Arkham Asylum. I have no idea when I'm getting out. It really sucks. I have made some new friends though. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy took some getting used to at first, but they aren't so bad now. Sure Harley goes on and on about her Mr. J and Ivy rattles on about plant facts ad nauseam, but it really is nice. Jean Grey also stops by for visits from her stint in super hero rehab on the first floor. The rehab floor is pretty cool. The patients there aren't treated harshly like the criminally insane floor. They have a spa and there's the underground mall. Plus they get to go to group therapy and actually have someone listen to them talk about their problems! I have been trying to get someone to listen to my problems for months. Who knew I just needed therapy? Anyways, I guess this is where my story will end. Arkham Asylum isn't that bad. I can see myself growing old here. I'm in control of Moth Lady's body and I know I'll never find this silly dragon figurine that Maleficent keeps talking about. Plus, I think there is even going to be a spring formal where the women will get to mingle with the men. Maybe this is where I'll end up finding my next great love. After all, Michelangelo is never going to love me looking like this. Oh well Diary, I'm out!

-Miss M


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

May 2014 Woman of Wonderosity!

Dear Diary,

I'm having to write this entry in chalk on the bathroom floor of my padded room. I'm locked up in Arkham Asylum and they won't give me any writing utensils. I don't even know where I should begin. My heart aches for Alfred. I can only hope I have not hurt him. Well, it was not really me, it was Moth Lady. She regained control of her body and I slipped away. But only for a few moments! I feel her slipping into control more often now. Oh Diary, I am so scared she will regain her consciousness. And then what will become of me? I can't cease to exist! My story is only just beginning! There's so much I want to do still. Instead I got shipped to Arkham Asylum. Oh Diary. It's pretty bad. The people who have rooms on my hall are... interesting. I just want to go home. I don't know how much longer I can take it inside... Arkham Asylum!!!

-Miss M


Saturday, May 24, 2014

May 2014 Heroic Hottie!

Dear Diary,

So apparently living at Wayne Manor is the best thing ever. Alfred makes amazing breakfast. His egg-less omelets are perfect for a girl like me that loathes eggs. I didn't even think an omelet could be egg-less! And Bruce, well, Bruce is a real peach. I mean who knew Batman could be such a gentleman?! I've gone from the After Life, to living under a bridge with a roach, to now guest staying at the Wayne Manor! And Diary, I think I might actually tell him the truth. The whole truth and nothing but. I feel like he would believe my crazy journey and understand that I am trapped in the wrong body. He is willing to give me a chance and that's all I've ever asked for. My goodness, it was only a few days ago that I was ready to just jump off a bridge and end it all. Now I have hope. And I have Batman to thank. Of all people! Anyways Diary, I have to get going. I can smell breakfast cooking and it smells divine!

-Miss M


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Miss M presents: After Evil!

As toy Miss M navigates a return to life in the body of Moth Lady, something far more sinister unfolds in the After Life. While we patiently wait for the next round of interviews for the month of May, let's check in on what diabolical plot twists are occurring in the After Life. For those not in the know, the evil Maleficent escaped from beyond the evil side of the After Life and has been up to no good. She tricked Miss M into returning back to life to find some mysterious dragon figurine. One can't help but wonder what that could possibly be about...


Monday, May 19, 2014

Now We're Playing With Power

Ok, in the race to make this past week less insane, I have been continually behind on everything. Have no fear though, I am working on some wonderful little stories that are sure to help the month of May go by with a ton of fun before the heat of summer threatens to drive us all crazy.

Before I get to all the wonderful stories I want to share regarding toy Miss M and the evil that Maleficent does, I wanted to share with you all something I have been wanting to talk about for days now.

Most of you are probably aware of the Kickstarter campaign for the IAmElemental action figures for girls that seeks to be one of the coolest toy lines for girls (and even boys) of all ages. If you are not familiar, head on over to the Kickstarter page and read up on it. You can click here to learn more. Go on, head on over and come right back. We'll talk in a bit.

All right, you saw it right? Did your mind just explode with the awesomeness that Julie and Dawn are trying to accomplish?

As a female collector this is a toy line that I so want to see made and sold in stores. I love the idea of an entire line being made of female action figures that are waiting for their stories to be told. The design and look of these figures are amazing. There is plenty of articulation for a 4 inch figure and there is even hope that they will expand the line and add 6 inch figures eventually. (Which I would personally love.)

Just look at this line up!

I want them all.

I like the colors used for each figure. There is a nice super hero feel to this line. These figures look like they could be a part of the same team or could even exist in a world where everyone has this look to them, and it is the designated element that they already have within themselves that makes them special.


The Kickstarter campaign has successfully met the goal, and there is still a good number of days left to pledge. I am pledging to this action figure movement because I want to see these figures made. IAmElemental has partnered with the design group from Eleventyplex (they make some really cool stuff) so these are poised to be some really exceptional figures.

I also like that this line exists not just for girls but for boys too. I am a strong believer in kids of all ages getting to play with whatever toys they want to. I love the idea of a toy store never having to worry about a blue or pink aisle, that it can just be one big section of imaginative fun for everyone.

Of course, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that lines that are traditionally aimed at the "pink" aisle are booming right now. My Little Pony, Monster High, and Lego Friends are highly popular toy properties. I can't help but imagine that this line is going to continue that level of excitement and celebration while also bringing something new to the idea of what girls want to play with.

Don't get me wrong, I love fashion dolls and doll hair, but I also like the idea of a toy line expanding a person's imaginative experience. If I had children I would want them playing with this toy line. I am a firm believer in people creating their own stories and expanding their possibilities and innate resources. My goodness, anyone who has read at least one of my toy interviews knows I love jumping into a good story.

So check out the Kickstarter for IAmElemental as well as the actual website IAmElemental. I think you will be thrilled. And if you already know about this, let's talk about it! I am dying to talk with you all about this. For example I personally love the Honesty Element, those wings are so cool. But I also like Fear and Persistence. I am not sure I can pick a favorite, and this is only the first series! Oh goodness I love collecting way too much.

Anyways gals and guys, I wanted to mention this bit of information. Stick around though, I've got some wonderful stories typed up. They are simply awaiting the process of pictures and all that fun stuff. I will share some hints though about upcoming plot points:

Toy Miss M finds herself settling in quite nicely at Wayne Manor.
All is not well in the After Life.
The May 2014 Heroic Hottie might be late for his interview.
The May 2014 Woman of Wonderosity might be the only one to help Miss M.
And there might be some major drama and action unfolding during the May 2014 Bodacious Baddie!

This is all leading up to the event of the summer that will find me relying on all of you for help in all the fun! So stick around. Hope all is well everybody!


Monday, May 12, 2014

Happy Mother's Day, and other fun things...

Hey everybody! I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. I was working all day in the cosmetics department so I celebrated Mother's Day Saturday night with my family. It was a nice evening. We all went out to dinner to celebrate my mom and aunt. The actual day was when my grandmothers got together and had a nice lunch at my aunt's house. It sucks that I had to work. But that is life. I was fortunate enough to spend time with most everyone Saturday night.

My mom and I are a pair. One minute we can be the best of friends and the next moment one of us is going all Dark Phoenix on the other. My dad likes to joke that there's too much estrogen flowing between us. I think it is because my mom and I are super close and as such we know how to push each other's buttons. It might have to also deal with the fact that I now live with my parents again and this only means that my mom's premonitions of us turning out like Grey Gardens will be coming true. (I really don't know what to think of that.)

Actually all kidding aside, I am very fortunate to have my mom in my life. We nearly lost her almost 11 years ago to a brain aneurysm. It was a terrifying ordeal and one that I still can't believe happened. My mom is a fighter though, even before all that scary stuff with brain surgery and the works, my mom has been a fighter. She has always done everything in her power to make a great life for my brother and me (my dad too.) My mom is also one of the funniest people I know.

We both have a cackle. And when either one of us starts laughing there is no stopping us. The cackling just goes on and on. She's also really goofy. Don't let my mom's southern belle attitude fool you. She loves nothing more than being a ham.

My mom also believes in thinking highly of her children. Wherever I go with my mom, she insists on telling everyone, "This is my daughter! Isn't she gorgeous?" At dinner Saturday night we got to see a familiar face at the restaurant and all my mom could say was, "Have you met my daughter? Isn't she so beautiful? Feel her skin, it is so soft!" I mean, yes, it is highly embarrassing, but at the same time I feel so loved that my mom says such nice things about me.

I also am very fortunate to have my mom's sister in my life. We call her Auntie. She is like a second mom, sister, and best friend. Their mother is my Nana and my dad's mom is just called Grandmother. All of these women are so important in my life and such a source of strength. I love them and even though I wasn't there for them on Mother's Day, I think about and celebrate these great women all the time. They inspire me and I hope that if I ever have children of my own one day, that I will continue to pass along the love and strength that I have received from them.

I could go into other topics and issues about this weekend and Mother's Day, but I won't. I will say though, it is hard being single again. Now that my husband is no longer my husband, I find myself still sad and grieving over the loss of my in-laws that I no longer see. I communicate every once in awhile, but it is hard. I also am reminded (as with most family functions) that the life I thought I was building is no longer there. I don't know if I am going to have a family of my own one day. And that makes me sad. However! Don't cry for me Etheria! I truly am going to be fine. I have so much love around me and I am inspired by the love of so many other people. I love seeing other people happy and full of their own family stories. It gives me hope, and that is truly what keeps me going.

So, I want to share some photos of the "moms" in my life. Most of these are from a few years ago, so enjoy a non-toy set of pictures! (I don't do this often, but I know that some of you enjoy seeing this other side of me. So enjoy!)

Generations of some cool women! (Me, my mom, my Nana and Auntie!)

See what I mean? My mom loves to be goofy!

My brother, mom, and me! Wearing our sunglasses at... daytime!

I think she was on an important phone call...

Totally goofy, and that is why she is a beautiful person.

My Auntie! Her real name is Marsha. But even when I am 76, she will always be Auntie.

My grandmother (dad's mom.)

My grandmother hates taking pictures, but I think she is really photogenic.

This is my mom's mom. I love that she believes with all her heart that women of a particular age must go blond. 

And here we are again! I believe this was Mother's Day 2012. 

Anyways, enjoy the photos and get ready folks! I have some fun stuff in store. Toy stories are going to heat up and I will be posting something very soon about a way in which you all can participate in a big event coming up this Summer! Stay tuned and I hope you are all doing well!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Sweet Valley Surprise!

Hey everybody! Click below to read about some things that have been going on around these parts!