TOP CHARLIE BEARS OF 2019

I did one of these a few months ago, covering my Top Ten purchases from my first few years of CB collecting. Well, 2019 has been my most purchases by far and likely my most ever. I'm going to be cutting back next year. Or trying to anyway! I do love these bears.

So this is a list of my favorite purchases in order of arrival, not in order of preference.

Shani was a bear that had to grow on me. I loved her name right away, because it reminds me of a book character, but it took quite awhile to want the bear, who's from the 2017 collection. By the time I wanted one, she was nowhere to be found, but I got lucky and one of my stockists got some in. She's a big, lovely girl and she's the queen of my gray bears.

Little Toadstool was a must have from the 2019 collection. He's like a little elfy bear. I love his hat, but just the green bear himself with his white-tipped fur was enough to make me want him. Pair the coloring with a darling little face and he's a winner.

Candice was another early arrival from the 2019 bears. I actually was more interested in her sister Cara when I saw the catalog, but it was Candice herself who would overshadow once I got her in person. I still love Cara, but Candice is definitely my favorite of the pair. She even got more attention than Toadstool when they arrived together (and also with Muffin).

This little guy! This was actually not my first choice of Splodges, but I fell for his one blue ear and he was still available when everyone else had chosen, so I got him, too. He came home first and he's been on my bed ever since. The other Splodge with more varied coloring sits on my shelf and I admit I ignore the poor guy in favor of this one.

This guy is one of my big loves from this year. He's actually 2018 collection, but it was a larger layaway, so I didn't get them home until March 2019.

Rum Baba is AMAZING. The main reason people love this bear is his fur. A lot of CBs use Tyber fur, which is incredibly soft, but mostly it's just on their limbs and faces. Rum uses it ALL OVER. And his is thicker than a lot of the other ones. So Rum is my go to comfort bear when I'm upset or not feeling well. He lives on my bed, so his feet are never too far away for me to grab. And his coloring is absolutely stunning.

Hakatan had the poor luck to be in the same shipment with Rum Baba. Haka was actually one of the ones from 2018 that I was most excited for, but he ended up completely overshadowed by Rum. Almost everyone in that order did. I recently started picking him up more though and he deserves a spot on this list.

As does my grumpy little Chillblaine, who suffered from the same misfortune. I owe him some hugs. I love that face!

Dandy was in the same shipment as Rum and the others, but he's the only one that held his own against Rum. It's a bit funny, because I pre-ordered him, but he was one I was not completely sold on. He's gorgeous, but he was also a bit expensive and I thought if I had to eliminate one, it would be him. But then I got to pick mine and I saw this one's sad face and just fell in love. I know I've talked about it before, but he reminds me of this sad lion sculpture in the Met that was my favorite piece in the museum.

Simone was another unexpected love. She was pretty, but not for me when I first saw her stock photo, but then owner photos made me want her. She's absolutely lovely in person.

I love Windypops so much that I worried he'd be delayed and the US wouldn't get him or something, so I ended up importing him. We did finally get him in, but I did not want to take that risk! He was one of my most wanted from this year's collection. He's just darling and really nice to cuddle.

I got this guy for a steal on ebay! Firework always hovered just off my want list, but for the good price, I had to have him and in person, he impressed me enough to make this list. He's a lot more cuddly than he looks in photos!

Cherry Pie is my little imp. His black tufts of fur on his head naturally move into two little horns. They're not quite as formed here, but they started doing it a day or so after I got him. I love red and brown together and he's fabulous. Simply fabulous. Lollipop seemed to be the one other people preferred, but I am all about Cherry.

This photo is incredibly dark, but Evermore is really a very dark blue. He was another older bear from my want list that I got a great ebay deal on! Even with importing, his price was really low.

The best Bearhouse creation ever when it comes to detail. I'd give Dringle the nod for being the cutest ever, but Congo is by far the most gorgeous. Every bit of him is just stunning. I'm looking forward to getting Fiddy, who's the one pre-order I still have left, and sitting them together. Big, muscley, gorgeous boy!

 

Normally, I do profile shots for these things, but my best pictures of Jason are from the shelf. He is a master of The Eyes. He was not anywhere near my want list, but I saw him on the QVC show sitting on a shelf and immediately ordered him. He sold out before they were even done presenting him and the US still has not gotten him back. The UK only just got him. 

See, he's so manipulative that he gets two photos. 

He is not my usual type of bear at all. That would be something more like Rum or Cherry Pie. But there is something about his little face. Those freckles. The needy eyes. I found myself constantly scooping him up off the shelf to give him attention. Definitely one of my very top choices from 2019.

 

I can't have Dandy on the list without the delicate little Clock to go along with him. Clock was the one I originally wanted more, but now I love both about equally. He's a gorgeous silver lion. 

Roman and Windypops were my two biggest wants from the 2019 catalog. Both ended up being a bit overshadowed by others, but they're still very high on my list. 

I love Roman's bizarre hairy self. He's beautiful and tall and skinny, yet still cuddly. 

Snapdragon is one of two absolutely stunning dragons produced this year. She was the very limited, club members only mohair dragon. She's surprisingly soft and cuddly for a mohair! I did not expect that at all. And her detailing is simply exquisite.

Lush purple Errol is the same type of fur as Rum Baba. I have already said how much I want a bear that uses just this fur in just this color. Errol is a more recent arrival from only about a month ago, but he's already gotten a lot of cuddle time.

Grumbleweed is the other lovely new dragon. He's regular collection, so a lot more people were able to get him, but he's still selling out in a lot of places, as he is a limited edition, not an open one.

He's incredibly soft and cuddly! That mottled green fur is super soft. I knew he'd be a favorite, but he's even better in person than the promo pic.

Bryce possesses the same manipulative power as Jason. Only even moreso! There's something about those eyes that just draws me in. I've spent a lot of time with this bear, even though he's much bigger than the ones I usually go to for my repeated cuddles. He was never on my pre-order list, but then I saw people's pictures and I added him. I had to wait for others to choose first, but I somehow lucked out and ended up with my first choice after all! He's definitely one of my very top choices for the year.

Sausage is an older bear from 2012 that's been at the top of my want list for a couple years. A fellow collector told me one was on ebay and I was able to import him for a very fair price. He's a standing bear, so he's claimed a spot right beside my bed where I can reach down and pat him anytime. He's also more cuddly than my other standing bears, which is great.

Can't have Errol without having Flynn, too! This one is a gorgeous dark green.

So that's my list of 2019 bears. How many did we come to? 23? Not too bad! If I really had to narrow it down to ten, well, I just can't! It was too good a year. I fully admit I have splurged on bears this year. I'm considering it my recovery year from all the trauma of Hurricane Michael. Next year, I may dial back my collecting of everything more. I need to go through what I have and rehome some things as I finally work toward getting everything out on proper display again. But I'm sure I'll probably still get more bears than anything else!

HAIRDORABLES RANKING #2: WILLOW

Here we are at the end for the second time!

1) Sleepin' Willow: Oh, man, is she ever cute! I was so happy to open her! Her hair is not curly in the checklist art, so it was a pleasant surprise and she looks absolutely adorable with it. I love her.

2) Willow Flower: Thankfully, this one was another departure from the art, because the art hair was not flattering one bit. The gentle expression works well for her and I love the flower petal skirt.

3 and 4) Fishtail Willow and Willow Waves: I could not choose between these two. Willow Waves was one of the earliest dolls I opened when Series 1 came out and she was my first favorite until I think Neila came along and nudged her (and everyone else) out of the way. And Fishtail Willow has amazing hair. I love that braid and the blend of colors. Both have really cute outfits, great hair, cute accessories. How can I choose?

5) Whimsical Willow: One of the most casual Willows, but I think one of the cutest. I love her three hair colors, the outfit, the unicorn toy. She's adorable.

6) Water Willow: I love how dorky cute this one is, but she's hampered by not being able to stand very well. Great idea, middling execution.

7) Poolside Willow: I want to like this one more than I actually do. Not really sure why she's this low. Maybe the simple outfit? It's a great design, but it's still basically a swimsuit.

8) Willow Wings: This was my last Series 1 that I needed. She's okay. Like she's plenty cute, but I think the other two Series 1s are much better.

9) Whirling Willow: Love the pouty face and the boots, but the dress is severely lacking. It's so boring! The wings are cuteish, but nothing we haven't seen before, and the hair is just okay.

HAIRDORABLES RANKING #2: SKYLAR

1) Touring Skylar: Gah, this doll is gorgeous. I love when they use darker colors on this type of toy, as opposed to a fashion doll where you see it more often. Everything is perfect about this girl except they chose the wrong hand type for her. I made her hold the fan like I wanted, but it was a struggle to be sure.

2) Sensational Skylar: This is another rare from Series 3 that I never expected to get, but I got lucky. I opened her on the same day as Late Night Noah even! She's a departure from the regular travel-themed Skylars and she's the better for it. Sometimes Skylar's themes work and sometimes not so much.

3) Sushi Skylar: Definitely an unexpected love. This one has the cutest little face and freckles. I think it's the same as with Rayne Shine. This face style looks really cute with long bangs. Her outfit isn't the best, which is what put her at #3 instead of #2, because her face is definitely cuter than Sensational's.

4) Sunnin' Skylar: This was one of only three I had left to track down after the hurricane. I bought her and Kali Curls from the same seller. This Skylar is beautiful! I love the other two from Series 1, but this one's a bit more glammed up. There's just something elegant about her.

5) Sky-Lites: I think people write off this doll, but I love her. It's the way her hair blends its colors that makes her so pretty. And she came with the best accessories.

6) Global Skylar: While I love the outfit on this girl, her hair was disappointing because the "bow" was so much bigger in the art! And her glasses are constantly a weird color instead of either red or gold.

7) Hair We Go Skylar: Pretty, but the passport is the best thing about this doll.

8) Street Style Skylar: While I do love the face on this girl and the purse is precious, the entire package doesn't do anything for me. She goes more little kid than lolita. Her hair quality is really lacking compared to the majority of this line, too.

HAIRDORABLES RANKING #2: SALLEE

1) Festival Sallee: I never thought a festival-themed doll would be my favorite Sallee, but she is. Pouty face, freckles, adorable hair and outfit. Even off the artsy theme, Sallee is still a star.

2) Art Z Sallee: The signature from Series 3 is so perfect! I love her sleek hair with its little braid across the back and her outfit is casual and practical yet adorable.

3) Savvy Sallee: This was a close one. I love both of these girls a lot. I love the glasses and boots and apron on this girl. She was my favorite Series 1 Sallee by far, but Art Z just nudges her into third place.

4) Starring Sallee: I love this one's expression. She's gazing up so cutely. I love the enormous headpieces, dress, shoes, hair. She's lovely.

5) Sallee Sketches: Ah, the adorable buns. I hope they do more with this hairstyle. It's so cute! The outfit is pretty basic and the hot pink boots kinda come out of nowhere, yet I love this girl.

6) Design By Sallee: This girl is gorgeous, too. I kept flip-flopping these two, but finally opted for this one in sixth place. It was the buns that beat her.

7) Slumber Sallee: This one was a little bit of a disappointment, because she has darling buns in an updo on the checklist, not the tiny buns with long, flowing hair the doll has. But her face and outfit are still cute and I love the big blue streak in front.

8) Simply Sallee: I feel bad putting this one so low! I love her a lot! Her hair is great and her outfit makes that rather unattractive shade of yellow look good.

9) Stylin' Sallee: By no means a doll I dislike in any way. She was my first Sallee and I was so thrilled to open her.

10) Stencil Sallee: Another rather lackluster doll from the Hairdudeables series. She's cute, but the others are just so much better.

HAIRDORABLES RANKING #2: RAYNE

1) Rayne Shine: Series 3 did wonders for Rayne, even moreso than DeeDee. Just like DeeDee, all three of Rayne's S3 dolls are in the top spots. Rayne Shine was one of three signature Series 3 dolls that did not come out with the first wave of releases. However, unlike Breakaway Brit and Techna Kali, Rayne Shine is nearly impossible to find. I paid more for her than any other Hairdorable, including my rares. But she is hands down my favorite Rayne and one of my big favorites overall that isn't a Neila. The new style face works really well with the long bangs and her colors are great. 

2) Rayne Coat: She's the true sleeper hit of Series 3 Wave 1 for me, because I never expected to love a Rayne so much! But she's adorable. I love her outfit, her hair and how the boots look over the perma-red tights. I also love that she can hold her umbrella in one hand and kinda look like she's feeling to see if it's still raining with the other. But the best thing? She has FRECKLES.

3) Rayne Shimmer: Really cute with the pouty face! I love the hair and outfit, too.

4) Rayne Festival: A lot of the Raynes have kind of weird hair. This one definitely does. Her outfit is really cute though and I love the balloon animal on a leash accessory.

5) Roller Rayne: The cuter of the two offerings from Series 1. The curly pigtails really work for her, even though the helmet design both works and is kinda weird.

6) Rayne Bow: Possibly the most overexposed doll of Series 1. How many of her did I see? TOO MANY. It doesn't help that her hair is crappy and pretty dry.

7) Pineapple Rayne: I don't get this one. What do pineapples have to do with rainbows? How does this fit her theme? It seems like Skylar dressed her up. Her barrette fits like crap, too. She's kinda cute, don't get me wrong, but I just don't understand her design.

HAIRDORABLES RANKING #2: NOAH

1) Night Out Noah: This one came screaming in that she was the best and she is. Finally, Series 3 brings two dolls with new hair colors for their "face" character! I adore the shade of orange in her hair, the hairstyle, the face. And she's made even better by having an amazing dress, cute purse and great shoes. The best Noah by far!

2) OOTD Noah: She's basically Sk8r Noah (who's beside her) with a pouty face and slightly different braid placement in her hair. But she does have a superior outfit and that lovely pouty face. I love that lipcolor and the pout enhances it.

3) Sk8r Noah: Initially one of my most wanted from Series 1, she quickly suffered from overexposure, though not nearly as much as some others. I still love this doll.

4) Selfie Noah: I've got a soft spot for her for two reasons. One, she's one of the few who looks a little different. Two, several of the others have long wavy hair, some even with the same braid, and most of the remaining ones have braids. Selfie's one of only two with something a bit different. Her outfit isn't the best, but there's still something cute about it. And my second reason is that she's one of the last packages I got at my Florida address after the hurricane. She and another doll were supposed to be delivered the day before it hit, but they refused to bring them, despite bringing the mail. They finally showed up before we moved away.

5) InstaNoah: Another example of cuter art than doll. I love the touches of red, but that hat does not fit. And she has basically the same hair as Noah Knows, only with some bits a smidge darker, I think.

6) Late Night Noah: I was ready to skip this girl, because she's one of the rares for Series 3, but I got lucky and opened her. I like the purple in her hair, the cute buns and her face.

7) Naturally Noah: Another one with the same hair and a more boring outfit. Poor Noah. The cuter face puts her a little bit above On the Go though.

8) On the Go Noah: Sk8r Noah without the blonde. She even comes with a skateboard, too! Her outfit is superior, but I love the honey blonde, so I prefer Sk8r. I gave Singalong Harmony's glasses to mine and with those, she ranks way higher, but I don't count it because those aren't her glasses.

9)  Noah Knows: One of the worst overexposure victims from Series 1. She's cute, but she's pretty basic and her sandals fall off a lot.

HAIRDORABLES RANKING #2: NEILA

1) Shine Bright Neila: I don't know if there will ever be another Hairdorable that I love more than this one. Although I've already seen another blue-lipped Neila from Series 4! The lips with their color in combination with the pouty mold works so well on her, and then top it off with great hair, a cute tiara, and the best outfit and shoes, and you've got the ultimate Neila.

2 and 3) Night Sky Neila and Starstruck Neila: Starstruck Neila was the original Neila package. Excellent space-themed outfit, cute antenna, telescope, great shoes, cute hair. But Night Sky, while completely failing in the outfit department, is somehow so completely adorable that I couldn't pick between these two. So they're #2 and #3 equally. Night Sky is the cuter face, but everything about Starstruck is perfect.

4) Night Owl Neila: This one was only the second close-lipped, regular skintone Neila after Night Sky. She's almost as cute. There's something about Night Sky's eye color that I prefer. Night Owl has a great outfit and hairstyle though. She's really so super close behind the other two.

5) Firefly Neila: Another complete package for Neila. Every bit of her is perfect.

6) Far Out Neila: I love this girl's new expression, but it's hidden behind her glasses, yet I also love her in the glasses.

7) Moonlit Neila: She looks super cute with short hair and I love the boots and purse, but the dress is what holds her back. It's a bit much.

8) Super Neila: Yep, the rare one is last. It's the skintone. It was a really cool idea and I love the overall effect, but one of my favorite things about Neila is her color palette and that includes her warm, pinkish-tan skintone.