Okay so I'm nearly middle age (Gosh I don't feel like it) and I play with dolls. Rather, I pose them and create stories as I see myself as being kind of a storyteller:)

I was born and raised in New York City and still consider myself a New Yorker despite living in NJ for the past 9 years. My favorite doll was a cheap 99 cent black Barbie knockoff I named "Nina" (because my mom's favorite character on "All My Children" was Nina Courtlandt). She had an afro and a great smile. I had to toss her when my 5 year old brother brother broke her right leg into pieces.

I started collecting dolls when I was one day old and have owned and played with some of the best including Barbie, Cher, Sindy, etc. When I was 10 I gave away my incredible doll collection to my 4 year old cousin because at that time I thought I was TOO OLD to play with dolls! (so absurd we are at age 10).

Anyway, I didn't think about dolls until 2001. I was working at a publishing company and one of my co-workers shared she was incorporating Barbie into her wedding reception. She showed me a catalog with the African American Midnight Tuxedo Barbie doll and I was hooked! Unfortunately I found out about the collectible too late because it had sold out, so I have devoted the past 7 years to collecting dolls, in hopes of eventually buying this doll. Well, not only did I buy this doll (7 years later) but I have amassed tons of dolls, accessories, furniture and clothes, most of which I have displayed in my own bookcase dollhouses.

I am not a professional diorama maker but I wanted to share my dolls and stuff with you. I hope you enjoy my pictures and feel free to drop me a line. I will be posting a lot of photos in the upcoming weeks so stay posted!

--Best, Shaye