Petunia is finally here. She actually arrived at the beginning of this month, but I just got around to editing the pictures and writing this introduction post now (slow, I know!). She is a tinyBJD from S. Korean dollmaker, LatiDoll. From what I can see, the only place you can buy brand new LatiDolls is direct from the maker, so no savings on shipping for me ($41, ouch!).
I ordered the LatiWhite Belle model from them as well as the basic outfit and a wig. I placed the order last year on December 24th. I expected the wait time to be long, but once it hit the 4th month of waiting, I started to get really anxious. Finally on June 4th, 2011.. she came home!
Unfortunately, this was what it looked like when I opened up the box. She slipped out of her little blanket and was bumped around a bit in the box. POOR THING!
I’ve read reviews about the LatiWhites and heard a lot of people mention that they were “kicky.” I didn’t know what that meant until Petunia came home. The way the joints are sculpted makes them very prone to contorting and kicking when you don’t want them to!
Another HUGE complaint were the markings, stains, dirt or whatever on her forehead. It’s not that noticeable in the picture, but in person, it was very obvious. Fortunately, I was able to clean most of the dirt from her face using heavy duty masking tape. There is still some markings on her left check, but I left it alone for fear of ruining the makeup.
The outfit came with little underoos and socks. They are SO TINY! SQUEE! I definitely recommend the clothing by LatiDoll. It is extremely well made and fits like a glove.
Here she is. For her wig, I’ve always envisioned her to be a curly strawberry-blond red head, so I’m going to have to do some shopping for her.
Before she came, I expected her to have the same (or similar) level of articulation and control as Dakota in posing. That’s not the case with LatiWhites as her “kickyness” makes it difficult to even stand. It seems like all she can do is sit there and look pretty. She sure is pretty though…
For the most part, I am really happy with her (see her unboxing pictures on Flickr). She is just so adorable. I want to gobble her up!
But with the looooong wait, poor posing, and dirtiness, would I buy from LatiDoll again?
Most likely yes (I might get a Pury or Laches next), but not anytime this year or even next. I want to check out the other tiny dolls first. Heck, right after Petunia arrived, I placed my first layaway payment for a TinyDoll Kai and won’t be buying any dolls until she gets here.. probably 6 in months or so. This way, I wouldn’t go bankrupted buying a bunch of dolls at once.
Okay, the next post really needs to be about dollhouses before this turns into a doll blog 😉
Ooooh I’m soooo jealous of you right now! Lati whites are my favorite bjd’s and one day I shall own one. She looks gorgeous 🙂
Lol, thanks Lirael! I hope you get to own a Lati sooner rather than later! They are lovely little things…
Oh congratulations, she’s so sweet! I was shocked when I first saw a Lati White – they’re SO eeny (I’m more used to the next size up, Lati Yellows). That’s frustrating about the marks on her head, I wonder if they’re from the dark foam lining in the box with her coming out of her blanket & getting bumped around in there!?
I got my first Lati Yellow in 2006 & had no problems or complaints, but with my second there were problems & I had to return her & have her face-up done again. I know s**t happens, but it’s a shame because their products & customer service used to be very good but it seems to have gone downhill a bit since I first purchased from them.
Anyway, I hope you’ll have fun with her, she’s certainly gone to an inspiring & stylish home.
Didn’t realize I got this comment from you.. thanks for telling me wordpress!
It seems to me like someone with dirty fingers handled her face and left markings because I don’t think the black foam would be able to do that in *only* on the face. I was able to get most of the marks off, so it’s not so heartbreaking now!
The thing that boggles my mind is why Lati would keep opening up ordering sessions when they haven’t even filled their most recent orders? That is a HORRIBLE way to do business. The other problem is that they don’t communicate to buyers that things will be late until like half of us complain on their boards, DoA, and elsewhere. They could have at least done some damage control before people got all mad about it.
I wish they do get their act together because I do LOVE their dolls (despite barely being able to pose the tiny ones). I just don’t care to go through the stress and trouble of ordering from them if it’s the same story again.
But thanks for commenting!… and listening to my rants… 😉
They will have used a spray coating like Mr Super Clear to seal her face-up, so I was wondering if that was why she might have marks on her head from the foam, & not her body, i don’t know if the sealant could make her head more susceptible to marks, but it’s a possibility (& would explain why it was only on her face). I’m glad you were able to get most of them off, but I would definitely send Lati an email & let them know. So looking forward to seeing more of Petunia! 🙂
She’s cute, but yeah latis are a pain to pose >< and I have a sp, she's bigger than yours XD
I'd like to get a pukipuki pongpong (2 faces, 1 sleeping – because it looks like hard giggling – and 1 normal), maybe also a lily chocolate or anything chocolate really. Aaand also piki is cute.
I just went to their website and there are some new faces ^^ Niko seems to be cute as well.
Hmm, maybe for my birthday 😀
Btw, I answered your input regarding Etsy on my blog (just in case someone's reading :D)
I looooove PukiPukis! I ended up ordering the Caramel Lily set (on layaway) and I can’t wait for him to get here! (Yes it will be a him).
My sister got a choco Ruby I think and she is a cutey pie! The skin is very nice but I think one of the hand sets are discolored. You should get them!… and your dollies should show up in your blog more 😉
Also… I answered back on your blog post!
Check out Thistledown by the Sleeping Elf, I have one, love her.
Will do. Thanks for the suggestion Julie!