#animal accessories retail store

[hubersanimalhealth]

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[sleepytoycollection]

Barbie Dream Besties "Brooklyn": A review

Barbie Dream Besties is a newly released doll line by Mattel, and is a spin off of their main Barbie line. Looks wise, they seem to be a spiritual successor to My Scene, Ever After high, and the more recent Barbie Extra/Barbie Extra Minis. Also trying desperately to compete with LOL and Rainbow High.

They are $20 USD each retail.

I was interested in these for three reasons: 1) I liked Ever After High and My Scene. 2) They have much more quality outfits than I tend to see from modern Barbie. 3) @queenofsquids enjoyment of them made me hopeful I'd like them too.

So do I? Let's find out.

I choose the character Brooklyn as I like her face up the best.

Her packaging is the standard plastic clam shell that seems to be all over the doll aisle anymore. I can't say I love it. I miss the cardboard boxes, so much easier to open and so much less plastic.

This box isn't super great aesthetically either. There's a lot going on in the service of nothing.

Which is a shame, because I do really like the actual character art on the box. It's super cute and matches the dolls really well. It would pop even better if the rest of the box was a smidge simpler. Sometimes less is more.

The back of the box.

We get more of this delightful artwork, showing of the full set of characters available at the moment.

We also get a short character bio for Brooklyn. She wants to be a choreographer, loves making dance routines, video editing, and creative writing. Despite her favorite color being listed as pink, she has no pink in her outfit and only one pink accessory.

Here is the box without the cover. This is what I meant when I said the box design was doing a lot for nothing. Over packaging isn't just a problem with Mattel dolls of course, MGA is arguably worse, but it's still frustrating.

Brooklyn herself is very pretty though. I tried very hard to pick one without a wonky face, but the way she's posed makes it very hard to tell.

I think one of her eyes is slightly bigger than the other. It's not enough to bother me at least. That said, so many of these were VERY wonky at the store. I would not buy these online unless you can see the specific doll you're getting. The QC is all over the place.

Here are all the accessories she comes with.

I do appreciate that all her accessories tie into her interests and character. That said, these are hit and miss.

The purse is nice, and does open.

The dog is okay, but I don't really care for these types of doll pets. It looks more like an in-universe toy than what's supposed to be an animal.

I initially liked that the phone and case were separate, until I tried to put the phone in the case and it didn't fit. It will not go in there. If I force it in, it just pops right back out.

It's a shame because I liked the 80's Barbie logo case, but without the phone in it, it looks weird when the doll is holding it.

At least the phone fits into the ring light stand.

May I also say some of these accessories feel really flimsy? The phone and Ipad are VERY thin plastic.

The boom box in hollow and unpainted.

I wish instead of having seven mid accessories we could've had two or three really good ones. Or nixed all of them and given her a stand. The doll herself is nice enough to deserve a stand I think.

Let's look at Brooklyn. She's pretty darn cute. She stands at the standard 11", and has saran hair with tinsel.

Her outfit isn't my favorite though. Mattel stop giving your dolls ugly fur sleeved varsity jackets challenge. This could've been so cute as just a regular varsity jacket.

Despite being ugly, the jacket is made pretty well. Though a button was already falling off mine. That poor QC strikes again.

Though I suppose it's moot as I doubt I'll ever put this jacket back on her ever again.

Now that she's free of that ugly thing, you can see how nice the rest of her outfit is. I didn't realize how much I missed dolls getting to wear neutrals until I saw her plain denim skirt and white tank top.

It's simple, but she's dressed like a real person. Plus, I can easily pair these pieces with a lot of other outfits. Doll wardrobes need pieces like this for mixing and matching.

Body wise she's a bit smaller than Barbie, and her feet are a little bit larger. This body reminds me a lot of the current bodies for the Disney Princess line now that Mattel has it back, though those have larger feet. If I can find the one I have, I'll do a body comparison to those later.

Her sculpt in three views. The Ever After High comparisons are very apt, though the screening itself is more reminiscent of My Scene mixed with a little bit of G3 Monster High.

For comparison, here's an actual EAH doll next to her. Brooklyn's head is just a smidge larger, but balanced out better with larger eyes, thicker brows, and bigger lips.

After this, I got Brooklyn redressed with just a few changes...

I replaced her jacket with this vintage Barbie and the Rockers one, added a necklace, and hey! Now she gets to wear her favorite color.

Final thoughts?

It's a good doll, but the quality control issues, on top of the same BS Mattel throws on all of it's dolls anymore, is dragging it down.

The fact you have to look through every single one of the shelf to make sure you're not getting a crappy one is exhausting. Plus, kids don't do that. They're going to get home with their new doll and then realize as they open it something's wrong. Kids don't deserve that.

The accessories are mostly cheap and not special enough to justify their existence. The purse, phone with case, and ring light would've been enough if they were made a bit better.

The outfit is well made, and a huge improvement over what I see in the main Barbie line, even if I don't like all the design choices, but again, that's if you get one without QC issues.

The doll herself is super cute though, and screw it, I like the tinsel. Fight me.

Overall I really love this doll, I just wish picking one out wasn't a hassle. Hell, I even bought a second one already.

I got inspired enough I wanted to repaint one, so I purposely bought this wonky Renee because she had the worst face up out of everyone at the store.

So I think there's definitely potential here. If this line continues, I hope they can improve the way G3 Monster High has improved from it's first wave.

I hope this can be the start of Mattel revitalizing it's Barbie line as well. It needs it. See ya next time.

[mythosidhesdollhouse]

Shibajuku Girls: The Return?

Soooooooooo I've been debating whether to post about this at all because I doubt anyone will find it very interesting, but doll gossip is thin on the ground these days and I'm not quite ready to go to bed yet, so eff it let's go--

Alright so, those of you who follow these things may remember back during this year's Toy Fair it was announced that for some inexplicable reason the Shibajuku Girls doll line was planning a comeback. For reference: These 13" dolls from the Australian toy company Hunter Products originally turned up on shelves in the US back in the mid-2010's, to a fairly lackluster reception. Between their unusually high price point ($30-$35, a good deal above the average for fashion dolls at the time) and the fact that they are a rather blatant knock-off of Pullips, no one seemed to be that into them. In a way with their hair play gimmick (a lot of charms and hair clips) meant to interest children in Japanese street fashion I suppose one could see them as a precursor of the Decora Girlz, albeit with far lazier and less successful execution. I did end up buying one--Yoko--for the big head collection, and she's...fine, if forgettable. I like having her in the mix for variety, but I could never quite work up the enthusiasm to get another. The demise of ToysRUs around the time of their release probably didn't help matters any, as it was one of the few places that stocked them. These dolls lingered on the shelves of my local Target seemingly forever, before quietly disappearing to absolutely no fanfare.

But to bring it back to Toy Fair 2024--

For reasons that NO ONE I've heard speak on the subject can quite understand, seemingly out of nowhere Hunter Toys showed up at Toy Fair this year with a display of older dolls from the first two waves of Shibajuku, plus a wall of these mock-ups for a projected third series of anime-inspired characters. If you look closely at the 'prototype photos' in the boxes--not actual dolls--they appear to literally just be restyled Pullips. A lot of people (myself included) speculated that they may have put the money into creating a new head sculpt that more closely replicated the doll this line was always made to emulate, and the lack of actual dolls in boxes was a sign that this Shibajuku 2.0 head had yet to go into production in time for the event.

Turns out--no. That's not what they did at all. So--

A few days ago through a series of random browsing encounters I stumbled across listings for two of the five proposed 'Shibajuku Anime' dolls on Walmart's website. They are showing up as out of stock, but if you put them on your wishlist you can add them to your cart from there (though not check out), which is a pretty sure indication that they're expected in stock online and in stores soon.

So...what to say about these. First of all they quite obviously have the same old Shibajuku face. The fashions have considerably less detail than the prototype photos, which in itself I'd be willing to forgive for reasons I'll get to in a minute, but the main thing that overwhelmingly stands out to me here is that Kiki, one of the two characters shown with a darker complexion in the mock-ups, has gone from having tan skin and white hair to pale skin and black hair. Which, yeah no fuck that. No way of knowing if this was the brand's decision or a specific request from Walmart, but whichever way you slice it, it sucks. Lack of diversity was a huge issue with the first iteration of this line, and after the promise of a course correct it looks like we're back to more of the same. I will definitely be bending a critical eye on them to see if the other dark-skinned character, Sakura, receives a similar whitewashing :/

Now, with that rant out of my system, is there anything good to say? Well, the price, for one. These are set to retail for $19.98, which is significantly below what they sold for originally. No doubt the lower quality fashions and lack of accessories have a lot to do with it, but on the whole I'd say it's a plus. Also...as much as as I would have loved to see the ensuing drama if they had had the audacity to churn out a more blatant Pullip clone, for continuity's sake if nothing else I'm glad they stuck with the old face. She's a weird little bird and despite it all she deserves her place in the wider family of Big Head dolls, however derivative that might be (I mean, if anything Pullip needs MORE clones, Blythe has such a start on her in that arena....).

And finally (FINALLY) to wrap things up--will I be buying one? Perhaps surprisingly--yes! I plan to order Akira when she becomes available to ship. I think she's decently cute--you all know my bias for green hair--and I have a purely academic curiosity to compare her to my 'classic' Shibajuku. Plus, despite all my dismissive snark, I would actually like to see this relaunch be successful. I'm always in favor of diversity in the doll market, and this particular type of doll has been sadly under-represented of late. There is plenty room on the shelves for more big head girlies! MGA is daily signing that real estate away at an increasingly rapid pace XD My hope is that they do well enough to warrant the release of the other three dolls from the proposed new line-up, and that maybe--MAYBE--if the Dolly Gods are kind we will see Sakura with her original dark skin tone, as intended.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee ok that's enough sleep-procrastinating for one night, I'm done. If anyone else cares about this at all I'm sincerely curious to hear your thoughts.

[jacksdinonuggets]

First Public Regression!

To say that Vaggie was a little nervous was an understatement. She was having some little time with Charlie when she decided to suggest that they get some fresh air and go on a walk through the little town. Vaggie whined and told Charlie she didn’t wanna, but her mama told her it was healthy for her and she needed to. So Vaggie sat on the bed, her arms crossed as Charlie went through her checklist.

“Alright, I packed extra diapers, wipes, baby powder, your changing mat, a change of clothes in case you get too cold, a sippy cup and bottle, ear defenders, your stroller attachments, your rattle, pacifier wipes, sunscreen, your mittens and booties, some teethers, and the spit-up towel incase you need a snack while we’re out,” Charlie listed out loud as she checked off their items. She always overpacked for simple occasions. 

She picked up the diaper bag of holding (search up bag of holding if you don’t understand the reference) and threw it over her shoulder before picking Vaggie up. The little one had her Koala stuffy in her arms and her paci in her mouth. Charlie carried her downstairs and set her on the couch as she set up the stroller. Vaggie was still a bit nervous though. What if people judge her? What if they recognize her and no one fears her anymore?! She whimpers as these thoughts enter her brain.

“Hey… I know that look~ It’s gonna be fine, sweetie,” Charlie told her as she buckled her in the seat of the stroller.

“Bu wha if-”

“Hey, no. No what if’s unless they’re positive. Everything will be okay, baby. We’re going to little town, no ones gonna judge you or hurt you.” Charlie promised, giving Vaggie a little boop on her nose.

They started their walk towards little town. A couple of citizens gave them weird looks on their way there. Vaggie whined and tried to hide her face in Cudlz the Koala (don’t judge her spelling! Its very impressive for a 2 year old!). Charlie saw her feeling embarrassed and reached down to give her a little head massage. Scalp scratches usually helped calm her down, which it did. 

Finally, they made it to the gates of Little town. They walked through the Plaza, waving to other caregivers and littles. They walked around for a bit and eventually found a pond! There were lots of duckies there too. So they stopped and Charlie took Vaggie out of the stroller so they could watch the ducks. Vaggie giggled and made little quacking noises at them before silently gasping and checking if anyone was around. Charlie sighed. She really wanted Vaggie to just be herself and not have to worry if anyone saw or heard her. 

So, Charlie quacked louder. If she was louder than Vaggie, then the small girl would feel less anxious about quacking at the ducks. This did make her little one giggle though. It was her cute and adorable little laugh. 

Eventually, they got bored of the ducks and continued to walk around the town. Charlie then spotted a Build a Bear! That was where she got Vaggie’s koala. However, the stuffed animal did need a re-stuffing. Plus, if Vaggie wanted a heartbeat or sound, she could now add it!

“You wanna get Cudlz re-stuffed?” Charlie asked. Vaggie babbled happily behind her pacifier, excited to actually go in person! Charlie parked the stroller outside the store, grabbed the diaper bag and Vaggie and headed inside. 

They browsed a bunch of new bears and stuffies but Vaggie didn’t want a new one. She instead looked over to the clothes and accessories. A little black shirt that said “cuddle buddy” on it, caught her eye. She grabbed it and continued to shop. Charlie was nearby, watching her and making sure she didn’t make a mess. If there was one thing Charlie wanted to teach Vaggie, it was to respect the imps and sinners that worked in retail or restaurants. 

After picking out one more outfit, she got a heartbeat and lullaby sound in Cudlz when he was re-stuffed. Charlie finished paying and then brought Vaggie back out to her stroller. However, Vaggie said she wanted to walk. This made Charlie smile because she was now getting used to being little in front of others. The stroller was her comfort zone and now she was leaving it. The princess was so very proud of her little one.

They walked over to the little restaurant to grab some lunch. Vaggie already had a bottle that morning but no doubt needed some real food. So they went inside and got a table rather quickly. It was quite crowded though and made Vaggie go back to her nervous mindset. But Charlie had come prepared. She took out her ear defenders and placed them over the baby’s ears. 

When they got seated, the waiter asked if they wanted a highchair. Charlie was about to answer for vaggie but then a little voice spoke up.

“No fanks you…” 

Charlie was shocked. Vaggie hated talking to new people when Little and would go non-verbal around them. It took Vaggie a whole month before she started talking around Angel. However, before she could congratulate and praise Vaggie, the waiter asked them for their drinks. Vaggie was getting a little tired of milk, so she got some lemonade instead. Charlie got a diet pepsi (the cokes there have an…outdated recipe). 

When the waiter left to go get their drinks, Charlie turned to her little one.

“Good job, sweetie! I’m so proud of you!” She praised her.

Vaggie smiled and giggled a little. She drew on the kids menu after deciding what she’d want. Charlie tried to get Vaggie to talk a bit with her but she shushed her and wanted to keep drawing.

When the waiter came back, he took their orders and left to go get up. The little restaurant gave the little drinks in cheap plastic sippy cups. Vaggie thought it was the coolest thing when she drank her lemonade. 

Lunch was very delicious but before they left, Charlie decided to give her little one a change. They walked into the bathrooms and Charlie let out a huge sigh of relief when the bathroom was decent. Most places have the grossest bathrooms ever in hell. She walked into the big bathroom stall and took down the changing table. She put the changing mat over it and laid Vaggie down. 

Due to this being her first public change, Vaggie was very fussy and kept squirming. It took Charlie a whole minute just to get her used one off of her. Wiping her down and getting the baby powder on was the easy part. Getting the new diaper taped up was the hardest. 

“Vaggie, please stay still,” Charlie urged, trying to hold her still so she could get the tapes up. After distracting her with a rattle, she quickly taped it up and pulled up her skirt. She washed her hands and set Vaggie down before picking up the bag and held her hand as they left the bathroom. 

Since it was getting close to Vaggie’s naptime, they decided to start heading home. But not before grabbing a small ice cream cone at the ice cream stand. Even though it melted fast, Vaggie enjoyed it while she was rolled back to the hotel, where she would take a nice nap in her comfy crib.

[pikachu78109]

Am I writing down TCODC headcanons if they are living in the modern era? Yes, yes I am.

Cesare

Theater kid at heart, though pretty shy whenever eyes are on him. He doesn’t perform much because his legal guardian, Caligari, pretty much has him glued to his side. Bro desperately wants to dance his little goth heart out.

Isn’t allowed to have a phone, no social media, or access to the Internet whatsoever at the demand of Caligari.

Rarely has a social life. Cesare is mostly at home with his legal guardian, very rarely going out except when it has to deal with Caligari taking him to local fairs or academic conferences due to his profession. Very little interaction aside from occasional meetings with other people, mainly Caligari’s colleagues. However, he has met Jane a couple of times due to her father attending these conferences, thus beginning a secret friendship between the two.

Cesare being goth isn’t a choice; it’s what he prefers.

Cats flock to Cesare for some reason. They’ll appear in the neighborhood and come over to Cesare like a magnet. Even Caligari isn’t sure why and he’s currently writing up a study for the next conference to explain this.

Doesn’t talk too much. Selective mutism may be at play, but Cesare can communicate via sign language although he’s rusty at it.

Despite his intimidating stature and death-like appearance, Cesare is a pretty gentle guy.

Enjoys dark humor within forms of media ie. Cards Against Humanity.

Surprisingly likes cute things ie. flowers, plushies, stickers, and some pastel colors.

Jane

She isn’t valley girl, though a lot of people tend to make that assumption just because she comes from money. Jane hates that and tries very hard to debunk such nonsense by doing things that would make her “normal”.

I see Jane attending university, studying literature much like Alan, although her mother thinks that she’s better doing something much more important be it medical or law. However, Jane happens to be an avid reader and writer, so I can imagine Jane pursuing something creative as a way to challenge (and spite) her mother.

Speaking of writing, Jane has a guilty pleasure of writing fan fiction about her favorite characters, whether from anime (closet otaku) or from books.

She’s a dork at heart. She’s a-dorkable

As mentioned, Jane and Cesare have a hidden friendship. These two get together only during conferences to talk and hang in secret. Albeit briefly, Jane will gift Cesare a few small things like a plushie or accessories.

Jane is aware that she has secret admirers (looking at Francis and Alan). She can’t help but be annoyed by this, but is always polite when turning down advances. She’s not interested in dating.

Personally, I headcanon Jane to be aroace. She hasn’t said this to anyone aside from Cesare in secret.

Enjoys cozy things like tea, lofi, and cozy video games to play on her Switch.

Jane has known both Francis and Alan since childhood, so their bond as friends is very close. And Jane hopes that they’ll continue to be just friends.

Francis

I can imagine Francis being the jock-like type of guy who’s into sports like soccer. He’s quite athletic but not like all the time.

If he was in university, I think he would study finance or law enforcement. Part of me thinks he enjoys both for their content, but another aspect would be him wanting to impress Jane.

He deeply admires Jane, though may come off strongly. He doesn’t mean to; he tends to allow his emotions get the better of him. Very respectful, so he knows when to back off.

Part time worker at retail. Fucking hates it, but money is money. Has dealt with Caligari, the mother of all Karen’s, on a daily basis. Caligari only comes in when Francis is working just to spite him and abuses store policies just because he’s a customer and knows damn well that Francis can’t do anything about it. How he has not been banned remains a mystery.

Shares an apartment with Alan.

Cannot cook for shit. The best Francis can do is toasty PBJ and ramen noodles.

Shitty sleep schedule and a caffeine addiction to boot. Please keep Red Bull out of Francis’ vicinity. PLEASE.

Alan

The definition of a good boy.

Alan is a liberal arts student, hoping to either become a language arts teacher or author. He’s an eloquent speaker and compelling writer who’s able to produce prose and poems to capture his audience’s attention.

He and Jane share a lot of writing classes together, so they both share each other’s work sometimes and get ideas off one another.

Alan is bisexual (I am with the huge majority of people on this HC).

Works part-time at a café. Enjoys working there for the sweet tea, laid-back atmosphere, and comfortable decor.

Tends to stay awake late writing, so his sleep schedule is just as messy as Francis.

Can actually cook (thank god).

Alan is quite shy and skittish, but absolutely pleasant when around him. He’s always excited about a lot of things, so his energy radiates off of him and affects other people.

Comfort friend for when you need a cup of tea and a shoulder to lean on.

Hates confrontation, so Alan is a bit of a doormat.

Alan is the only one person with a driver’s license, so he’s always a designated driver for when he, Francis, and Jane hang out.

[britneyshakespeare]

i am at the looking-at-dolls-as-self-soothing part of the night. i definitely wanna beef up my bratz collection since unboxing my alwayz bratz yasmin was just like... oh... oh man... and... and i didn't think it'd be like that for me man i didn't think i had as much nostalgia for bratz as i actually do not just buy owning some but by touching them and playing w their clothes and their hair.

and one of my issues of course is that i'm a redhead and as a redhead my Default Lookalike Doll is meygan (not that having a doll that looks like you is the most important part of bratz, but it is so much of the fun right? the fact that there's a character out there for just about everyone?). and i like meygan as a character well enough, that's not the issue. but of the meygan dolls that have been reproduced, there's none of them that are like, hardcore needs for me except for sweetheart meygan. and i did not buy sweetheart meygan in time. i was not really collecting at that point. that was like 2022. i had a few... na na na surprise dolls at that time. which is funny bc i have four of those that i got all either on clearance or w giftcards and i do really like them even though a lot of doll collectors thought they were kinda dumb, and they were. i just liked the gimmick of the fabric bodies and there were just enough dolls i thought were really cute that i kinda caved at one point. i also knew it was a brand i wouldn't go overboard with. anyway. we were talking about meygan...

sorry meygan back to you girl. i know original 2000s bratz that have not yet been reproduced at crazy expensive on the secondhand market and it's genuinely out of control. but sweet heart meygan, both the repro and the original, are selling for triple digits on mercari, ebay, what have you. that's just ridiculous. frankly. i'm not buying her at that. i don't even like her enough to hunt for her regularly, if that's how it's gonna be. there are plenty of more readily-available bratz dolls that are either regular retail price or clearancing online andin stores. did you guys know alwayz bratz jade is going for 15 bucks on amazon right now? that's crazy. the other always bratz dolls aren't going for that low if they're even marked down yet. that release wasn't even that long ago. anyway i'm thinking of getting jade from that line bc i know some ppl thought that alwayz jade was a let-down, but i thought she was cute. yasmin was my favorite from that line and that's why i got her but jade was my second fave there easily.

i also wanna get the kumi they reproduced sometime and maybe girls nite out cloe since i see she's still available. it's funny there aren't that many core girls i've wanted from the repros but if i go for any of the cloes, new or old, it's gotta be girls nite out. cloe isn't even usually my favorite character no offense blondes she's just kinda. she's just kinda cloe to me. idk i love her but i'm not gagged over her most of the time. these are still bratz standardz we're talking about here so obviously i love her.

there's nothing going on in the world right now other than my bratz dolls. and if someone we won't mention wins the election, i'm definitely going doll crazy. i'm gonna be buying dolls after this anyway, but i'm gonna justify spending an unusual, nearly-irresponsible amount of money. you know. bc i'm an adult and i can.

hey also and of all the lines they could've reproduced why is their most recent slumber party? why? why? when the poll posted by mga had tokyo a go go WINNING? bc tokyo a go go is the correct option? i mean the slumber party line is cute and i like the base dolls and the accessories especially the stuffed animals are cute. but. everyone knows the bratz audience these days is adult collectors. which adult collectors are losing their minds over dolls in pajamas and bathrobes? again they're CUTE. but why. also why did they reproduce bratz babyz when those things were nightmare fuel

[blissmissabi]

The Rise of Augmented Reality in Everyday Life

Augmented Reality (AR) is a transformative technology that superimposes digital information onto the real world, enhancing our perception of reality. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which creates an entirely immersive virtual environment, AR overlays digital elements—such as images, sounds, or text—onto our physical surroundings using devices like smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses.

Present-day Uses of AR Augmented reality (AR) is altering how we interact with technology and the world around us by making substantial breakthroughs across multiple fields.

Retail: AR is being used by retailers to improve the in-store experience. Customers may see how makeup, accessories, and clothing will appear on them without having to visit a store by using virtual try-on apps. One example is the AR app from IKEA, which allows users to see how furniture would fit and appear in their houses.

Healthcare: AR is being used in healthcare to help with medical training and complicated procedures. During procedures, surgeons can access real-time data and 3D organ renderings with AR glasses, which will increase accuracy and improve results.

Education: By increasing interaction and engagement, augmented reality is revolutionizing the way people learn. By allowing students to investigate 3D replicas of historical sites, the solar system, or anatomical structures, they may make abstract ideas come to life.

Entertainment: AR has been warmly welcomed by the entertainment sector. Augmented reality (AR) is giving consumers new experiences in everything from immersive movie advertising to apps like Pokémon Go that mix virtual characters with actual locales.

Improving Social Media and Mobile App User Experiences AR features are being added to mobile apps and social media platforms more often to draw consumers in. AR filters are a feature of Instagram and Snapchat that enhance images and videos with fun, animated effects, encouraging user creativity and interaction. With the use of augmented reality (AR) apps like Google Lens, users can quickly get information about items, landmarks, and other subjects by pointing the camera of their phone at objects.

Effects on Marketing and Advertising Plans Through the creation of immersive, interactive campaigns that grab consumers' attention, augmented reality is transforming marketing and advertising. Through gamified marketing, interactive advertisements, and virtual product demos, brands are utilizing augmented reality to increase engagement and conversion. For instance, Pepsi's augmented reality bus stop campaign left a lasting impression by delighting onlookers with lifelike digital animations.

Prospects & Development Trends for AR in the Future The development of augmented reality (AR) is expected to continue due to ongoing technological developments. AR experiences will be improved, becoming more smooth and accessible with advancements in AR glasses, computing power, and AI integration. We may anticipate that augmented reality (AR) will revolutionize a number of businesses and how we communicate with one another.

Conclution The emergence of augmented reality is evidence of the infinite applications of technology. AR is changing our daily experiences in a variety of ways, from improving healthcare and retail to transforming education and entertainment. As augmented reality develops, it promises to usher in a day where the virtual and real worlds coexist peacefully, presenting countless chances for creativity and interaction.

[worldismyne]

Fixing Up Store-Bought Cosplay! (Miu)

I impulse bought this lot of DRV3 cosplays.

People on the DR amino voted for Miu to get fixed up first so I'm going to show you some tips on how to make this cosplay look a lil more like the spirites.

First the diagnosis...

Not great. The belts give me mad AoT cosplayer flashbacks. These things are cheap, sewn backwards and were already falling apart. Also don't understand why belts weren't just sewn to the costume???

So the first thing I did was buy actual leather harnesses and gloves. Amazon has belt harnesses that are clearly what informed her design without the anime physics involved. The new ones won't fall down.

Next was the sad tiny bow.

2.5 inch satin ribbon, I just stared at a Jojo Siwa bow until I could figure out to make the bow part bigger since the ribbon was the same width as the one I had. I wrapped the outter piece around nice and tight and did a few wip stiches to keep it in place. Anytime you're working with a ribbon, don't forget to use a lighter to melt the cut ends to keep them from fraying.

BIG

Next the goggles. I used spray glue and fabric to cover the lenses (I'll later put a layer of modge podge over it to give it some gloss.) Then hot glues gold rings to it. Always check remanent bins at craft stores for little things like this.

They're supposed to be little lenses, but it's all about the illusion. I found some gold buttons later to mimic hinges.

The wig I left braided and let bake in my car for a week (an easy way to heat set wigs in the desert). This trick might work with a steamer, but the goal is to let the braids (and positioning them in waves) to both curl the wig and keep them in those little tendril ropes. The bangs were completely unstyled, so i was able to cut and tease them in relation to my face shape <3

The socks were the easiest fix. Cut off the toes and turned them into leg warmers. They go down boots, so it doesn't matter if they're real socks. What matters is they scrunch up above the boots.

Here's the finished product! With the belts being adjustable, it made it easier to fit everything to my body. It also helped the costume look less baggy and let me shove the top of the skirt under the waist belt to make it look like a mini skirt without sewing! The arm belts art attached to the shirt with two whipstiches. That way, I can still easily remove it to wash the shirt.

I already owned the boots and they're in her color palette, so lil bit of artistic liberties there. I feel they work tho and I'm really trying not to buy anymore cosplay shoes (they're the most expensive and people rarely include them in pics at con.) Same for the necklaces. I have a few barbed wire necklaces on the way, but it might be too much now that the belts connect the neck like they're supposed to.

Overall I'm really happy, even if I went over budget thanks to the belts.

Retail, what I got from the cosplay lot for Miu would have been around $78 new (This includes the wig and goggles).

After buying new accessories, I spent a total of $69.32 So I consider that a win!

The next will be Kaede............ If you know, you know.

[leavingautumn13]

Do you have any burning regrets in life? Also who is your favorite fictional pet and why is it dogmeat?

because dogmeat is the best boy, duh.

as for your first question... the first job i got after i moved out of my bio mom's house was at a pet store. stupid naïve sheltered younger autumn, not quite disillusioned with the capitalist hellscape that is modern america, thought to herself, "a pet store will be a great job for me! i love animals, i'll love getting to work with them every day!"

wrong. (well, okay, i did enjoy getting to pet dogs regularly.)

so, here's the thing about pet stores, or at least the pet store i worked at: ultimately, it's retail, and those animals are products for the company to sell to turn a profit and not, you know, living creatures who deserve care if we're going to be removing them from their natural habitats. it's also, you know, RETAIL. with all that that implies. suffice to say i was made very bitter very quickly.

another thing you should know about me is that my beloved father introduced me to spyro the dragon when i was four years old, and i've loved dragons and all manner of reptiles ever since. naturally, when i started working at the pet store, i got pretty attached to the selection of geckos and bearded dragons and what have you and endeavored to learn everything i could about them. i even bought a beardie and a skink of my own.

anyway, all of this culminated in me being the "reptile person" at the store. if customers had a question about reptile diets, or terrarium care, or whatever, talk to autumn. i was known for sending customers home with big printouts of what the best foods would be, what temperature ranges needed to be, etc. and if i didn't have that information out of pocket, well, i'd take them up to the register and look it up for them. i was a damn good employee.

so one day, i'm in the reptile section, and this super sweet lesbian couple is talking to me about wanting to purchase a bearded dragon. we're going over heat lamp requirements and how you definitely can't have a baby beardie on sand because of the ingestion and compaction risk, when this middle aged man steps between us and demands my attention. no waiting for a pause, no "excuse me," just bursts right in with his question. this might be petty of me, but i thought it was pretty rude, and to be honest i don't even remember what he asked, but i directed him on his way and got back to helping the couple.

once i get the couple sorted with their tank, substrate, uvb and heating lamps and accessories, etc, i let them know i'll meet them at the register once i've wrangled their little dragon, and that we can get their food situation sorted once we get up there, since live bugs were kept behind the register. so i do so, lizard in his little carry box, but there's a line. no worries, i hop on and help my coworker check people out.

middle aged dude from earlier is also in line, and actually DIRECTLY in line before the couple. i get him and his lady friend checked out, and the lesbian couple approaches the register. i turn around and grab the box of small dubia roaches, which in my somewhat professional opinion are the best starter food for a little beardie, since they've got a higher protein-to-chitin ratio than mealworms or crickets. the caveat though is they're more expensive, so i'm about to try and make a hard sale to these two nice ladies to please buy some cockroaches.

i've got the box open, and i have to dig around for a dubia because there were only about a half dozen left. (they go really quickly, even being .5 USD per bug. like i said, good eating.) but now i've got one in my hand and am holding it up to show the nice lesbians, and they're going "oohhh" and leaning into look at it and whatever.

middle aged guy from before and his lady friend overhear me talking about bugs, and for whatever reason, turn around halfway to the door. they come back to the register and get in the nice lesbian couples' space, and lady friend says,

"that's DISGUSTING! you'd have that in your HOUSE?? i could NEVER have something so gross in my home!"

here's another thing you've got to know about me. i was in the gifted program as a kid but got shit grades in school and was always getting in trouble for reading during class. but i was a girl child, so instead of the adhd diagnosis i needed (and actually only got last year, FINALLY), i got told i had all of this potential i was wasting.

but it's not that, the potential was never there, whatever. i just have adhd. it makes me, let's say, the tiniest bit impulsive.

i look this lady in the eye. i smile. "actually," i say, leaping to the defense of one of my favorite invertebrates, "they're an excellent source of protein."

i am about to eat that cockroach in front of her, in front of the nice lesbians, in front of my coworker tom, in front of the whole damn line, just to ruin this lady's entire fucking day.

but.

but. i only have six roaches left. and i really want to make this sale. and like i said--dubias are pricey for bugs.

i don't eat the roach.

and that is my burning regret. fuck that company and fuck its profits, and especially fuck working retail in the first place. i should have eaten that cockroach.

[justforbooks]

Roberto Cavalli

Italian fashion designer who used exotic animal prints, embossed leather and distressed denim to create his flamboyant clothes

As Italian fashion went global in the later 20th century, it diverged into two schools: the sensuous, soft in silhouette and touch, and the boldly sexual, flamboyant to the eye. The first, and lasting, head of the sexy school was Roberto Cavalli, who has died aged 83.

The material bases for both schools were the nation’s specialist textiles and leather firms: for Cavalli, they delivered figured and lamé leathers, garments printed after sewing so that no seams interrupted a design, and many fabrics with his emphatic prints. These featured animal-skin motifs, Renaissance and Baroque brocades, or, natural-world details derived from his digital photographs.

His aesthetic was hectic, blingy, and sold across classes and cultures: those from palazzos could don it ironically, while those for whom it was streetwear appreciated Cavalli’s celebration of blatant heterosexuality.

From the late 1990s, he expanded worldwide through clothes, shoes and accessories for women, men and children to homewares, perfume, a credit card, and cafes – in his native Florence, he bought the exclusive Caffè Giacosa and Cavalli’ed it.

He sailed the Mediterranean in his purple yacht, and was mobbed in his Manhattan store, but his emotional core locale remained Florence. His mother, Marcella, was the daughter of a painter, Giuseppe Rossi; his father, Giorgio Cavalli, a mining engineer, was shot in 1944 with 91 other civilians by German soldiers in reprisal for a partisan attack.

Postwar, Marcella scrambled by as a coal dealer, then as a dressmaker who hand painted her creations. The boy’s childhood was hard – he stuttered – but after much pleading, he studied at Florence’s Istituto d’Arte (1957-60), although never sat his final examination.

Instead, he earned money. His mother’s painted dresses inspired him to widen the idea to a mechanical process. He travelled to study Como’s many high-end textile firms, and began to print ready-to-wear sweaters for Mariuccia Mandelli of Krizia, who shared his fancy for simulated wild-beast pelts, and then for Hermès. Soon he had a studio, employees, a longed-for Ferrari and enough money to impress the banker father of Silvanella Giannoni; Cavalli claimed it was to win her hand he had achieved so much this young. They married in 1964, and had two children, Tommaso and Cristina, before divorcing in 1974.

Cavalli’s breakthrough to his own clientele came in 1969, when he gatecrashed a party for the shoe designer Mario Valentino, and mentioned to him that he could print on leather. He couldn’t, but the next day worked out a technique using supple glove kid, and returned with samples. Cavalli showed his new wares, sewn into garments, at the Paris Salon du Prêt-à-Porter in 1970. People gawped, but did not buy.

What did sell was his next inspiration. At that time, only brutal wear and laundering faded, abraded and distressed denim – the big industry that would become stone- and sand-washing, bleaching and shredding denim had not been invented – and any embellishments were crude. Cavalli ordered a container of dirty worn-out jeans from a US prison, and washed, cut and patchworked the pieces with leather and printed textiles for a collection shown in the Pitti Palace in 1972. The arte povera materials had been collaged with Italian craft skill and an artist’s eye, and appealed to the well-heeled in the last phase of Boho-hippy-rock-chick chic.

Cavalli went retail with his designs through boutiques, opening the first, Limbo, in St Tropez, and built up an international following. As a high-living celebrity, and a divorcee with loud enthusiasm for beautiful women, he was a judge at the 1977 Miss Universe pageant, where he did not vote for Miss Austria, Eva Düringer, 18, to win, as he wanted her for himself. After finishing her education, she followed him to Florence, where they married in 1980; she became his model, business manager, and mother of Robert, Rachele and Daniele. They divorced in 2010.

Cavalli retained close control of the manufacture of his clothes, proud of the skills used, and disapproved of licensing deals and production off-shoring in Italian fashion as it internationalised at the end of the 70s. He resented the 80s fashion preference for what he called “minimalism”, but was more accurately a temporary supremacy for the sensuous school, exemplified by Giorgio Armani’s unstructured tailoring for women, plus a desire to moderate overt sexiness.

The Cavalli label retained clients – rock doesn’t give up on its own – yet he stopped showing his collection, and in 1993 intended to close the factory and beg union help to re-employ its workers.

He was persuaded to a comeback show at Milan Fashion Week, and attributed his triumphant second career afterwards to his inspiration to add Lycra to denim to create stretch jeans. (Not a new idea – Irene Sharaff had denim experimentally woven with Lycra for the dancers’ jeans in West Side Story, 1961.) Cavalli personally distressed a pair, printed a snake entwining a leg, and displayed them on the perfect rear of his favourite model, Naomi Campbell.

During Cavalli’s years of retreat, Gianni Versace had taken over much of the remaining custom for Italian-originated sexiness, but Versace designs, especially his prints, had a mad Roman emperor stridency never seen in the work of Cavalli, whose leopards and tigers were for cuddling and stroking, not gladiatorial combat.

Even before Versace’s death in 1997, Cavalli was in the ascendant again, in demand on red carpets, on stage on Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, and on screen – a giraffe-skin print – on Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City: he opened boutiques and cafes around the world for his sex-is-fun, Latin-culture-orientated, clothes that suited the mood of excess is success. He was the first Italian designer to create a collection for H&M, a sell-out in 2007. His company closed in 2014, but was relaunched a year later, with little input from Cavalli himself.

In 2002, tax police inspected Cavalli’s extravagant house and estate outside Florence, including the purple helicopter he piloted, and charged him with evasion for claiming expenses for the property as work premises rather than a private home. Cavalli was found guilty and sentenced to 14 months jail, but a superior court annulled the verdict.

A son, called Giorgio after his father, was born to his partner, Sandra Nilsson, a model, in 2023. She and his six children survive him.

🔔 Roberto Cavalli, designer, born 15 November 1940; died 12 April 2024

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[toku-action-figure-news]

SHODO-XX4 Kamen Rider revealed -- Ichigo, Vulcan, Skull, Joker, Kuuga & OOO forms

Following the release of SHODO-XX3 Kamen Rider - the candy toy wave introducing OOO, Kiva and Ghost into the toyline - the official Bandai Candy Toy blog have unveiled the next retail wave to hit stores this year. While most SHODO waves in the past have followed a pattern of only including series not yet covered by the line (with Zero-Two and RX's forms recently proving an exception), XX4 has shook up the status quo for the line by being made up almost entirely of figures from series introduced in the last three waves.

Starting things off however is the one new series to SHODO-XX, a renewal of a figure that has been seen in previous SHODO lines: Kamen Rider #1. Featuring the 'New' colour scheme introduced from Episode 52, the very first Kamen Rider featured a vastly improved sculpt over the previous SHODO figures released of him; and naturally includes SHODO-XX's articulation improvements such as a toe bend and waist articulation that more easily allows him to hit signature poses.

Next up, the first Heisei Rider is also to receive a couple of new figures; as Kamen Rider Kuuga follows up the pattern of XX1's Mighty and Rising Mighty forms by including both Dragon and Rising Dragon forms in this wave. The blue auxiliary forms that allow Kuuga to jump greater distances, these forms are augmented by the accessory box including all three versions of the Dragon Rod.

Continuing Kamen Rider W's heavy presence in SHODO-XX, XX4 is to receive the last two Riders from the show and movies not yet recorded in the line: Joker and Skull. Mostly retools of the standard W mold in matte black, Skull also receives from the accessory box his Skull Magnum, an alternate hat and an alternate 'Skull Crystal' head to replicate his scenes from Movie War Core.

Kamen Rider OOO also makes an appearance in the wave, sporting his third combo - Ratoratah - in what seems like an effort to incorporate every combo from the show into the line. The land animal-based form naturally features the ability to mix and match its head, arm and leg sections with the previously-released Tatoba and Gatakiriba figures, and features flip-forward claws. The accessory box includes a Medajalibur.

Finally, Kamen Rider Zero-One is to see another new Rider in the line: its secondary rider, Kamen Rider Vulcan in his standard Shooting Wolf form. This figure can have his Shotriser transformation device either holstered on the belt or of course held in his hand as a gun, with the accessory box also providing his Attache Shotgun weapon.

SHODO-XX4 Kamen Rider releases at general retail in June 2023, with pre-orders available now.

[hubersanimalhealth]

Checklist For Selecting The Ideal Livestock Store

Finding the right livestock store is crucial to ensure the health and well-being of their animals. To make the best decision, our experts provide a comprehensive checklist to think about when choosing the ideal livestock store. Call us at (717) 866-2246 for more details.

[lavishy]

Great online shopping destination of squirrel gift ideas is LAVISHY Boutique where you can discover original, beautiful & affordable squirrel themed vegan bags, wallets, pouches, purses, coin purses, cardholders, travel accessories, fashion jewelry & gifts designed by vegan brand LAVISHY & Mlavi Studio.

Squirrel is a beloved Spirit, Totem & Power Animal. In Native American cultures, the squirrel is a symbol of preparation & resourcefulness. This cute animal is popular for its ability to store food & create a cozy nest, representing the ability to weather any storm. Some Native American tribes also believe that the squirrel is a trickster spirit. Squirrel reminds us there’s no time to dally, all while encouraging us to nurture ourselves through our life’s journey.

LAVISHY Boutique's squirrel themed vegan bags, purses, wallets, coin purses, pouches, travel accessories, tech accessories, fashion jewelry (rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair accessories, brooches/pins) and social stationary as well as gifts are great for every use, excellent gift ideas for yourself, your family & friends for birthday, holiday & everyday.

FREE GIFT with every order!

Wholesale available at www.lavishy.com & www.mlavi.com to gift shops, fashion accessories & clothing boutiques, book stores, hotel, resort, airport & ferry gift shops, specialty retail outlets in Canada, USA & around the world.

[jessicarock00]

Attack on Titan Jacket: Style Inspired by the Walls

Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin, has taken the anime and manga world by storm with its intense storyline, complex characters, and, of course, its distinctive aesthetic. One key element of this unique style is the iconic "Survey Corps" jacket worn by the protagonists in the series.

Design and Symbolism

The Survey Corps jacket is not just a piece of clothing; it's a symbol of resilience, bravery, and the ongoing fight against the Titans. The jacket features a distinct green hue with the Survey Corps emblem proudly displayed on the shoulders. The emblem itself consists of wings and a sword, representing the core elements of the Corps' mission - to soar through the skies and strike down Titans.

Material and Craftsmanship

When it comes to recreating the Attack on Titan jacket style, attention to detail is key. Fans and fashion enthusiasts alike appreciate the quality craftsmanship that goes into making a jacket that captures the essence of the Survey Corps uniform. Look for jackets made from durable materials, ensuring not only style but also longevity.

Styling Tips

Whether you're attending a cosplay event or simply want to showcase your love for Attack on Titan in your daily wardrobe, styling the jacket is crucial. Pair it with dark pants or jeans for a balanced look. You can also experiment with accessories like a Scout Regiment cape or a Survey Corps emblem pin to add a touch of authenticity.

Where to Find It

Given the immense popularity of Attack on Titan Jacket, finding a Survey Corps jacket is relatively easy. Numerous online retailers and specialty anime stores offer a range of options. Ensure you're purchasing from a reputable source to guarantee both quality and accuracy in design.

Conclusion

The Attack on Titan jacket is more than just a piece of clothing; it's a statement. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the series or someone looking to infuse a bit of anime-inspired style into your wardrobe, the Survey Corps jacket is a fantastic choice. Embrace the spirit of Eren, Mikasa, and Armin as you don this iconic piece, ready to face the Titans that life throws your way.

[manishsinghh1984]

Benefits of buying silk scarf online

Silk scarves and stoles are essential wardrobe accessories. Scarves are frequently used as head wraps, neckties, or belts, while stoles can be utilised as beautiful body wraps. If you are looking to buy pure silk stoles for women online, it can offer various advantages over traditional shopping. The days of visiting a mall and wandering row after row of merchandise are long gone.

The hurry to locate what you're searching for before it's too late also doesn't apply because internet retailers are available anytime. Below are the benefits you can consider before you buy a silk scarf online:

ONLINE SHOPPING PROVIDES A LARGER VARIETY

Silk scarves and stoles may make a simple ensemble bright and sophisticated. Online, you'll find a variety of designs ranging from animal print to polka dots and stripes in various attractive colours. Shopping from an online fashion shop allows you to browse multiple brands from different suppliers.

Because internet businesses may ship between states, your shopping experience will not be restricted to merchandise in your location.

HIGHEST CONVENIENCE

Online shopping has always been challenging. Finding a parking place and hiring a babysitter to monitor your kids while you shop is not an easy task.

However, when you buy silk scarf online, you don't even have to schedule your day around shopping. You may go shopping at night once you've finished your tasks. Or avoid early morning traffic by shopping in bed while sipping coffee.

There's also no need for you to lug a shopping cart full of goods at home. Have all of your purchases delivered to your door.

YOU SAVE TIME

Everything is in one location, so you won't waste time comparing prices and inventory from store to store. You'll also be able to reach various merchandise from other merchants quickly.

Finally

If you have been searching for the best place to buy pure silk stoles for women or silk scarf online, you can simply compare the reviews and check the prints and styles to finalise a website for future shoppings too.

Similar Blog: Features Of Handwoven Tussar Silk Stoles

[drac-onion]

It's honestly baffling what can remind me of those memories. The ones that make me full-body twitch in remembrance. The awkward, the cringe, the mistakes. The ones that keep me up at night.

I was working retail a few years ago and a customer comes in with their dog asking to be shown where the Apple accessories were. The customer was looking for them, not the dog, to clarify. Anyway, she thanks me for showing her the way and I jokingly say (I hope it came across jokingly) something like: "You could let me pet your doggo as payment" or somesuch.

Now, for context, we were very used to having animals come into our store. We were right next to a pet store, so it was pretty normal to see dogs or cats just about every day. Now, could I have simply asked nicely "May I please pet your dog?" Yes. I don't know why I did this, and that's part of what keeps me up at night. I tend to say things without thinking, and that's what gets me into trouble most of the time. Kids, please think before you speak.

I guess I mumbled because she said "what?" and so I clarified, asking like a normal person. She said no, as her dog was in service animal training (honestly, I dunno how I missed the patch on its vest) and apologized.

The way I said it keeps me up at night. "You could let me pet your dog as payment" even in a jokey tone sounds really fucking weird. Why am I like this? Why did I say that?

Does this customer now forever remember me as the weirdo who tried to request to pet their dog as "payment" for doing their job? Am I the butt of jokes in her friend's group chat? Am I permanently seared into her memory as a villain, the same way I am permanently seared into mine as one?

Who the hell knows?

The Ballad of Bella Buttons (based on a true story)