Naming Dolls: Our Aimerai Ling and Some Dress Up

It has been some time since we received our newest doll (see Bjd Unboxing: Aimerai Cat Doll?).

Now let's sit down to a nice cup of tea together and discuss the topic of names.

So as with many of us dolls, Anna had a name in mind for this doll long before purchasing. And I have no doubt that it probably came from some sort of anime series, just like with almost all of us dolls. She of course will explain further.

So without further ado, may I properly introduce our newest doll...

Tohru.

Hikaru is correct. The name, Tohru came from the main character of the series Fruits Basket. It is a manga series that was adapted into 2 different anime series, the first of which is one of my favorite animes.

It was sort of like when I named Sakura (see Naming Our Newest Doll and a Little News). I saw the product photo for the Aimerai Ling, and thought "this looks like Tohru Honda, sort of." She basically reminded me of a cat version of one of my favorite characters, so I thought if I ever bought that doll, then I will definitely name her Tohru.

Fast forward several years later, and she is now sitting in my room, drinking tea with Hikaru.

Or at least staring at the tea in a teacup.

Don't you like your tea? Do you need more cream.

I think she would prefer it with just cream and no tea.

I suppose you're right, our purple kitten always preferred cream over tea too.

Since Tohru arrived, the kitten has been quite attached to her. It is actually quite endearing.

However, it is time for the next topic for today, clothing.

Tohru is in need of more clothing, and it was suggested that we should search through Anna's "miscellanous clothing" bag. It's a bag of clothing and other accessories accumulated over the years. Much of it would have been discarded if Anna wasn't such a packrat (Hikaru can't talk, see Decluttering a Doll’s Wardrobe).

So let us see...

How about this lovely half-bonnet.

Anna made them using some straw hats she acquired (see Of Bjd Fashion: Turning Straw Hats into Doll Half Bonnets). Such an ingenious and elegant design.

It looks lovely on her, most becoming.

Unfortunately, it seems to be interfering with her ears, but surely this is something that can be overlooked?

"Hiss, hiss."

Or maybe not.

Cats normally don't like things touching their ears, and hats that pinch are even worse.

I suppose we should focus on main fashion pieces then.

Here's a selection of skirt and dresses that Anna has sewn for us. Surely, one of these will be suitable.

This is an eyelet skirt that Anna made for me along with several other pieces (see Of Bjd Fashion: Pretty and Pink and Short?).

I've always found it a bit too short for my tastes, but I suppose it is fine for Tohru.

Except that is seems too loose in the waist.  Oh dear, I didn't think our measurements varied that much.

Oh, I remember this dress. It is one of several dresses Anna made for us using her fitted bodice technique (see the video tutorial). Wait, why isn't she trying it on?

She's playing with the lace straps.

Let's move on to the next piece. It's Usagi's old jumper skirt, one of the first pieces Anna made for her.

It really suits Tohru. The style is so sweet, and the color brings out her eyes. She seems quite smitten with it too.

But, what about the white dress? I'm sure she would love it as well.

...If she would stop playing with the straps.

Anna, please stop distracting her!

Just having a little fun, I really should make her some cat toys.

Oh well, at least we found something suitable for Tohru. However, I wonder how Usagi will feel about Tohru wearing her hand-me-downs.

"Wow, she's wearing my old jumper skirt, it looks so cute! :)"

"Mew?!"

"So cute!"

"Meowr, mew!"

I take it they are both in agreement.

"She also wants to wear some of your clothes too, Hikaru! :)"

You can understand her?

"Of course, can't you? :)"

I'm not certain if this make things simpler or more confusing, my dear readers. I'm sure time will tell.

Be at peace.

"Meowr! :)"

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Bjd Unboxing: Aimerai Cat Doll?

Such glorious news my dear readers. After much anticipation, our newest doll has finally arrived. (It actually arrived on September 22, we've just been a little busy.)

It appears that Anna has already cut the box, I presume to check for potential shipping damage. Or she was just being impatient, but I don't blame her. The wait was arduous, two and a half months just to ship out. I have heard tales of wait times that exceed 12 months. How do they cope?

Anyway, let us not waste anymore time.

Wait...

Why is the box making rumbling sounds? It is most peculiar.

We shall ignore the strange sounds for now, and focus on the design of the doll box. This doll was made by Aimerai, and ordered through Alice's Collections (they don't sell Aimerai dolls anymore). Aimerai is a doll company that Anna had been eyeing for some time, but shied away from due to their slightly higher price tags.

Inside the box we find a protective layer of bubble wrap.

Packed in is the ubiquitous gift from Alice's Collections, a cleaning sponge. Also a pair of shoes for our new doll. They are Sh377 and were purchased as part of a special event for the bargain price of $0.10. The style is similar to my own newly acquired shoes (see Bjd Unboxing: Alice's Collections Accessories Haul), just a tad simpler in design.

Instead of the standard pillow, Aimerai has wrapped our new doll in a zippered cushion. Anna has been calling it a "sleeping bag".

And at the bottom of the box is a curious assortment.

Another gift from Alice's Collections, more eye putty.

This intriguing little knick-knack.

Anna says it is an acrylic standee of one of the dolls made by the company. I suppose it is a fun novelty, but Anna had trouble fitting it into the included base. Is it a flaw with the manufacturing or Anna's clumsiness, time will tell.

There is a neatly sealed enveloped containing one of the most vital of accoutrements. 

The certificate of authenticity. Most ball jointed dolls from reputable companies have one. Mine has been placed securely with my belongings.

They have also included the company calling card (she means business card). This will also be filed safely for future reference.

And just for our amusement, the company included these novelty cards featuring simplified images of some of their dolls. The use of animal ears is noticeably prevalent with these and the standee.

A small pamphlet featuring the history of Aimerai was also included.

It includes more contact details, plus important doll care information. This will be required reading for Anna. I insist on it.

There is also a full color brochure featuring other dolls made my Aimerai.

The clothing styles featured are lovely, I will insist that Anna take careful notes while browsing.

The animal ears are particularly noticeable though, with the addition of tail and noses.

It does appear that not all their dolls are animal inspired.

Now enough with all the paperwork, let's get back to the task at hand.

Inside the cushion is a bubble-wrapped package. I presume it contains extra hands and the like.

Or extra ears? and a tail?

Oh, but there's another package, and these are definitely spare doll hands.

And they are making paw shapes.

And here is our new doll securely wrapped for her protection. Let us first unwrap her head to see her adorable face.

Oh my goodness, she's a cat!

Anna ordered a cat doll!

That's right. I didn't tell Hikaru (though the signs were all there) that the Ling sculpt I ordered is one of Aimerai's anthropomorphic cat dolls.

She is not the first cat doll we've gotten (see Bjd Unboxing: Surprise! Hujoo Nano Freya), so it shouldn't have been that surprising. What I found interesting about this doll is that the ears attach with magnets on the head, so they don't get in the way of the wig.

They even included a second pair of ears in a slightly more realistic style. They can easily be swapped out any time.

Well, that was quite a surprise to say the least. Anna really should have warned me ahead of time that this doll is, unique.

Anyway, it is time for her to get properly dressed. We had the "new doll" dress cleaned in anticipation of the her arrival. And we have already received her wig and eyes in our previous order.

When inserting the new doll's eyes, Anna discovered a ribbon looped onto the ring. This should make tightening her strings a simpler task.

Now she can see. The 16mm size eyes are a suitable fit for our feline friend.

Unfortunately, the new doll dress doesn't accommodate the new doll's tail. She will just have to store it until Anna sews a new ensemble.

It appears our tiny purple cat doll is drawn to her.

They seem to have instantly bonded, but what is our little kitten doing with its paws?

It's making biscuits.

It's baking? How?

No, it means it's kneading. Something cats and kittens do when they are comfortable and happy.

How odd, it has never done that with me.

Well, it might be because it is still afraid of you.

Anyway, the wig fits nicely even without a wig cap. It appears that the cat ears are helping to keep the wig in it's proper place. 

Looking at her now, she is actually a rather adorable doll. But, will she fit in well with the other msd sized dolls?

"Oh yay! Our new friend is here, and she's a kitty cat too. She is so cute! :)"

Never mind, of course Usagi loves her already.

Well, now that you are unpacked and decently clothed, let's get you settled in comfortably. Is there anything we can offer you?

"Mew!" 

...Um, mew? 

It appears we will need an interpreter. Does anyone speak cat?

Will anyone be able to translate "mew"? Will we be prepared for Halloween in time this year? And will we finally have a name for the purple cat? We will shall see soon, look forward to it.

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