My Little Pony Goes UNDERWATER!

I don’t know why this made me laugh–but some how I thought My Little Pony was silly enough (yes, yes, enjoyed by millions, but still there’s something about the never-ending pink rococo plastic fantasy settings that always gets me thinking about archeological digs centuries from now..and what they’ll think about such design and the civilization that played with them.)  Click here to watch our video.

My Little Pony has now become a merpony…no kidding. So now the merponies have there own new underwater castle. From the press release, you’ll see why this was the next obvious evolution for My Little Pony:

Located in the heart of the sea, this magical castle is an underwater dream come true for the MERMAID PONIES.  Each pony will love to explore this nautical treasure with lights and sounds .  Discover PINKIE PIE’S secret shell bedroom that really opens and closes or take a pony for a ride on the “magical” seashells that allow her to “swim” around the castle. The MERMAID ponies will love to “splish and splash” on the waterslide or hang ten on the “real” waves with the tubular surf boards.

The Castle will retail for $39.99 and be available next Fall.

Is that Barbie or Debbie Mazar?

I got boxes of Barbies today–celebrating Barbie’s occupations throughout the years–as well as her  new jobs (more on that later).  When I got to 1965’s Student Teacher Barbie I was struck how much she looked like Debbie Mazar (Entourage).

Seriously, take a closer look.

Web-cams can be a Scary Thing

So this morning, I was importing some video I took at Hasbro.  In the process, I accidently turned on my webcam.  Let’s just agree that anyone over the age of say, 21, really shouldn’t look at themselves at close point range.  I used to be taken aback by Rosie O’Donnell webcasts…no makeup, no hair.  I will cast no stones today–it’s just not a way to look at yourself.  My first reaction was complete shock–that’s me?  Second reaction…time to consider some of those age smoothing fillers.

Baby Alive Bouncin' and Babblin'…not so scary anymore

We’re happy to report that Baby Alive doesn’t scare us as much this season. (If you’ll recall last year’s Baby Alive Learn to Potty won our Ugliest Doll Award).  This year Baby Alive is happy to just be bouncing and babbling. Watch our video.

Strawberry Shortcake is Over the Hill

Celebrating her 30th birthday this year, the little strawberry smelling doll is hoping to capture the attention of another generation.  The pr person taking us through the new line shared that she had a Strawberry Shortcake doll when she was little.  One of those generational markers when you realize that you’re a bunch older than most of the pr people in the room.  In fact, I was distracted thinking about how old all the pr people were when we started the toyportfolio!

In any case, Hasbro is hoping that if you played with Strawberry Shortcake as a child, you’ll want to bring it home to your own kids.

LOVE Hasbro Games Scrabble Flash Cubes

It was only a prototype (and a buggy prototype at that)…but if it works the way it did during our demo, this promises to be one of the best games for 2010.  Takes the play of Scrabble, Boggle…and marries it with fun technology. Take a look at our video.

Toy Fair 2010: Hasbro Preview/ STAR WARS

If you’ve followed our reviews over the years, you know I have a soft spot for everything Star Wars. It is the one exception to our rule of no toys with aggressive or violent themes (hey,  it’s fantasy).

One of the coolest toys we saw at Hasbro’s preview is from the Star Wars line…but we can’t talk about it until the 12th.  In the meantime, there is a new lightsaber that is pretty cool.  The General Grievous Lightsaber will retail for $34.99 and will be available in August.  Take a look at both videos…one explains how it comes apart and the other demos the movement.  I’m getting used to using my iphone video for giving you sneak peaks.  Thinking maybe I should get a FLIP for toy fair.

Two quick videos to look at:

How it works video.

Demo of movement.

Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

Sometimes you watch actors on press tours and feel their discomfort. Maybe the movie isn’t what they hoped it would be–or maybe after a month of saying the same thing around the globe they’ve had enough.  We can usually feel those moments..

But if you watch this video that announces the new Harry Potter experience at Universal Orlando…and more specifically the Ollivanders wand shop…you’ll see a cast deliver the lines…my favorite is from Michael Gamdon (Dumbledore)…”I need  a new wand…”

Even the coolest wizards in the world sometimes still need to sell the soap.

How you can help: haitipeacequilts.org

The day of the earthquake I was in my husband’s office (Andover Fabrics- they produce beautiful fabrics for quilters).  While we were talking about what we could do, Cliff Quibell (his amazing VP!) shared a book with me about the organization haitipeacequilts.org.  This non-profit has been working with women in Haiti – teaching them quilting techniques and then helping them sell their quilts.  The book about their quilts and a recent exhibit took my breath away – a stunning collection of vibrant quilts and the stories of the women who created them. We all wondered, how these women and their families were…did they survive?  We were also amazed to hear that one of the volunteers had been at the airport in New Jersey that morning on a scheduled flight to Haiti–bringing more supplies with her for the program. Her plane had mechanical difficulties–and thankfully never took off.  Goose bump time..right?

Please take a moment and visit the site–the group of volunteers in the states has mobilize their efforts with their contacts in Haiti. If you’re like me, you want to help–but sometimes feel at a loss to make a real difference.  Here’s an opportunity to help families that so far have been out of the reach of the international relief efforts. They need our help.