A Pony Shopping Spree: Target Edition

Yesterday, Target had all toys 25% off and I went a little nuts on buying up the My Little Pony the Movie Collection. I've been holding out for a good sale, and aside from the 40% off that Toys R Us runs every so often, this was the next best thing. I'm still missing the Seaquestria Playset (which I really hope shows up for a good price on Black Friday somewhere) and a few other items, but I'm sure they'll make it into my shopping cart soon. Now onto the part where I catalogue and photograph.

Discovery Family to Air "MY LITTLE PONY: A Very Minty Christmas" on December 13th

To kick of their holiday line-up, Discovery Family will be showing "MY LITTLE PONY: A VERY MINTY CHRISTMAS" on December 13th at 7PM ET/ 6 PM CT. While this special stars the G3 incarnation of MY LITTLE PONY, instead of the current G4 "Friendship is Magic" line, it still has its merits and will be a fun watch for all.

 Did you know that the title of character, Minty, is voiced by Tabitha St. Germain who currently voices the character of Rarity in the MY LITTLE PONY: Friendship is Magic series? Have fun watching Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash in their previous G3 incarnations! With Ponies, Santa, and a song about Christmas Socks, this cute holiday special is sure to be a hit with your little ones.

In addition to MY LITTLE PONY: A VERY MINTY CHRISTMAS, Discovery Family’s special holiday programming includes the premieres of LITTLEST PET SHOP (Season 3) “Winter Wonder” on December 13 at 12:30 p.m. and TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS (Season 2) “The Riders of Winter” on December 13 at 1 p.m.

Christmas Decorating:My Little Pony Style!

We have five inches of snow outside. Instead of hunkering down under a pile of blankets, I decided it was time to break out the Christmas decorations. We have three trees to house all of our ornaments: one for my husband's Star Wars ornaments, one for the MY LITTLE PONY ornaments, and the main tree which is a hodgepodge of Hallmark ornaments gathered and gifted over the years.

The PONY tree is undoubtedly my favorite and I'm always so happy to unpack them each year and enjoy them during the Christmas Season. Out of all of my MLP merchandise items, I feel like the Christmas ornaments have the most purpose because it's not like I brush my teeth with a vintage Heart Throb battery operated toothbrush or use a G1 duffle as my gym bag.

I've added some new additions to the PONY tree this year including this awesome Fluttershy holiday light set! I picked this set up at Toys R Us and love it. My PONY tree is only four foot tall, so I only purchased one set and it was just the right size. The packaging claims that the light set is approved for indoor and outdoor use, so I suppose someone could go nuts and Fluttershy their house for the holidays, but it won't be me.

My mother-in -law gifted me the Hallmark Cotton Candy ornament this year and I've picked up a handful of new G4 ornaments as well that will be finding their way onto the tree as soon as I remember where I put them...

Do you have a MLP Christmas tree or do you use Ponies to decorate for the holidays? If so, I'd love to hear about it and see pictures if you have them!

Happy Birthday, Bonnie!

 

A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Bonnie Zacherle, the creator of MY LITTLE PONY. She is a wonderfully funny, talented, and sweet person and I feel lucky to call her a friend. Her innovative idea of small cuddly ponies with brushable manes shaped my childhood and those of millions of others around the world.

While playing a table topics game with my extended family during the Christmas of 2012, I was asked to name three people (living or deceased) with whom I would like to spend a day. I instantly answered Bonnie Zacherle and Walt Disney, but was at a loss for a third.

A few months later in April of 2013, I was given the opportunity to visit Bonnie Zacherle in her home. I was beyond excited to be spending the day with her, chatting about the history of MY LITTLE PONY, and even getting to see and hold her original PONY prototype models. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so big in a photo!

Since that first meeting, I’ve had the pleasure of hosting Bonnie at the 2013 and 2014 MY LITTLE PONY Fair and traveling with her to New York last spring. I feel grateful to have met Bonnie and I look forward to many more visits and chats in the future. She is an amazing lady and deserves to be celebrated.

Happy Birthday, Ms. Bonnie Zacherle! I hope you have a lovely day.

My Little Pony FIM Trading Cards

I'm into collecting ponies, and playsets, and accessories, and merchandise... and now trading cards! I really didn't need to add another subheading to my collection roster, but they are just too cute to resist! Plus, my friend Kar personally worked on them for Enterplay and I'm all about supporting my pony peeps.

Sold in packs of 5, these adorable cards cover all of Equestria including, characters, pets, favorite moments, and locations. Plus, you can collect pony character standee cards, foil cards to build puzzles, and special gold cards. On the back of each character card is a fun fact sheet and fun trivia questions can be found on the back of each favorite moment card.

I've already seen a bunch of card trading threads pop up on the collecting community boards and I have to say that it brings me back to the early days of collecting when trades were common and brings a smile to my face. In fact, I worked out my first card trade earlier today.

Let me know if you are currently collecting, or have plans to collect the FIM MLP card set. Who knows?  Maybe we can work out a trade.

Hasbro's Design a My Little Pony Contest is Live!

Details for Hasbro's Design a My Little Pony Contest were announced a few minutes ago on the My Little Pony Facebook page.

The winner will receive a trip to Comic Con 2012.  You have now until May 16th (or when 15,000 entries have been received) to enter.

Good luck everypony!

My Brony Vocabulary Lesson… I’ve Been Schooled!

(image by j-brony)

I consider myself well versed in My Little Pony. Show me a pony and in most cases I can tell you their name, country of origin, known variations, year of release, and rough current market value. Show me some of the prattle on the Brony message boards and occasionally I get stumped and have to resort to a Google search (which more often than not leads to some questionable material.)

I’ve been a My Little Pony collector for ages and over the years, we collectors have developed our own language when it involves ponies. We use SS when we are talking about So Soft Ponies, TAF to abbreviate Twice As Fancy, TE to describe Twinkle Eyed Ponies and so on (For a complete list of My Little Pony acronyms and definitions check out this helpful post on the old Arena.)

I’ve taken for granted how confusing it must be for someone new to collecting who reads a sales listing like this one:

 “Deflocked SS Truly has rubs to NDS symbol. This is not the Nirvana NSS version of this MLP. “

I think the above statements are very easy to read and understand, but to a collecting newbie I may as well be speaking in another language.

 Now that the shoe is on the other foot and I find myself muddling through the newly established Brony subculture and terminology, I find myself frequently scratching my head as I try to decode their secret Brony language.

So far I’ve learned the following terms:

PMVs- Pony Music Videos made by fans

Fimfic- Friendship is Magic fan fiction

Pony shipping (and I don’t mean the kind that involves bubble wrap and a mailer… I’m quite familiar with that kind)- derived from the word "relationship", is a general term for fans' emotional and/or intellectual involvement with the ongoing development of romance in a work of fiction (This is totally copy and pasted from Wikipedia!)

Clop- I’m just gonna say I would have been better off not knowing about this one… at all…ever.

Is my life somehow richer with this new found knowledge? Probably not, but at least I know what Bronys are chatting about so I can either check it out or avoid it like the plague. Sure, I could stick to my own Pony corner of the web that I’ve happily inhabited for the past decade, but then I’d miss out on the interesting new perspective that Bronys bring to the table.  They are rabid fans and I don’t blame them. My Little Pony is amazingly mind-blowingly awesome. I’ve just had twenty years to let it sink in.

You're Invited to the Royal Wedding!

Just a reminder to mark your calendars for the My Little Pony Royal Wedding this Saturday afternoon at one o'clock. I've been enjoying all of the pomp and circumstance leading up to the event on the Hub network and can't wait to see Tori Spelling host. I'm loving the hats in the promo banner based on attendees of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. All kinds of awesome.

It's Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie's hats.

Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy rock these.

We mustn't forget stylish Rarity!

I also love that they kept Applejack in her cowboy hat and just added a flower to "dress it up."

Maryland Pony Meet 2012

The deadline for registration for the 2012 Maryland Pony Meet (held April 28th) is April 21st. If you are thinking of joining other pony collectors for a day full of pony fun (and scooter races!) in the Baltimore area, head on over to MustBeJewel's website to check out all the details.

I've attended this event several times and always have a great time. Plus, Jewel is an awesome hostess and has a giant Sweetheart Sister in her pony room. I think that alone is worth the trip (in case you needed another reason to attend). I'll be there with a stack of books to sign and a few giveaway items at my table so stop by and say hello!

To Buy or Not to Buy?

It has been quite some time since I've had the time or energy to browse Ebay and other online sales sites. However, now that I'm spending time cataloguing my collection again, I'm determined to fill in a few gaps and find myself looking for new ponies to add to my collection. If you are familiar with Ebay, you can appreciate how easy it is to be sucked into the vortex of online auctions and sales. It isn't something I allow myself to do regularly, but when I do I go all out.

Currently on my radar are a few missing G3 items. While they aren't terribly exciting to track down, it is fun having a focus and a goal to work towards. I think that's part of the appeal of collecting My Little Pony (aside from the ponies themselves.)  I'm also actively seeking the last few Euro/German ponies that I'm missing. While I've made these my focus, it doesn't stop other things from catching my eye. In the past month, I've added 3 Venezuelans, and a Peruvian. Plus, I've received a few packages from Europe.

 I think my mail carrier has suspicions that I might be involved in shady international dealings. Little does she know I run an international pony cartel.

What is a "Brony"?

For those who may be blissfully unaware of this new crop of Pony fans, I came across this video by RocketBoom that does a nice job of explaining exactly what it is to be a Brony.

While it is a little odd that there are tons of new male pony fans clamoring over the awesomeness that is Friendship is Magic, as a lifelong My Little Pony fan I say, bring on the pony love!

Alter Ego Jewelry designer Erika Walton Creates Funky Pony Pieces!

Erika Walton who is the designer of Alter Ego pays homage to nostalgic characters including superheros, Looney Toons, and My Little Pony by incorporating them in her fun and funky jewelry designs. Her pieces may be loud and flashy, but deep down you have to admit that given the right occasion (The My Little Pony Fair and Convention) you know you'd love to flaunt one of her designs around your neck. It would definitely garner some attention from other fans!

I think Erika needs to show off her designs at The My Little Pony Fair. I want to see these crazy pieces in person.

Visit Alter Ego and see all of her pony designs.

"Equestria Girls" Friendship is Magic Video

If you haven't yet had the chance to watch the new My Little Pony cartoon series, Friendship is Magic, on the HUB network, you have been missing out!

Check out this fun My Little Pony parody of Katy Perry¹s "California Girls", "Equestria Girls". This video celebrates The Hub¹s new summer programming including "My Little Pony Friendship is Magic" at 6:30 p.m. ET weeknights and Saturdays at
8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. ET.

MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC (Hub Original Series) Monday - Friday

6:30 PM ET / Saturdays at 8 AM and 8:30 AM ET

In "My Little Pony Friendship is Magic," Twilight Sparkle, a unicorn pony
with a talent for magic spells, discovers the most important magic of all -
friendship. Each episode follows Twilight and her friends Applejack, Rarity,
Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie as they embark on wondrous
adventures in the magical world of Equestria, guided by the nurturing advice
of the magnificent Princess Celestia, as they learn what it means to be true
friends. Produced by Hasbro Studios

Hasbro to Offer Tour at MLPFair 2008!

Despite being insanely busy, I had to take the time to blog about the fact that Hasbro is offering a tour of its facilities the Friday before the 2008 MLPFair at 9:30 a.m. for collectors. However, in order to attend the tour, you have to go to http://www.mlpfair.com/ to register. Registration is free, but the tour is limited to only 100 participants. So if you'll be in Providence early Friday, make sure you sign up soon before all the slots are filled.

Ponyland Watchlist

I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the Retro Rainbow re-issues while on vacation in Florida (which I've gathered are actually pretty hard to find) and then I found the elusive Toola-Roola Dress-up set while shopping at the Times Square Toys R Us two weeks ago. Besides the Rollerskating Ponyville Pinkie Pie (which I affectionately call Xanadu Pinkie) and Rainbow Dash's Ponyville house, I'm all caught up.

Family Dollar stores are also carrying a Ponyville 3-pack, so if you aren't into playsets, but like the Ponyville ponies you may want to pick one up.

Aussies are able to pick up the huge pajama case plush G3s for 40% off this week, so if you've had your eye on Sweetie belle or one of the others, now would be a great time to get one. So far I've been able to resist. I keep telling myself I don't have the room.

New 2008 Valentine Ponies on Preorder

Okay, so it happens to be on Amazon Japan, but still a good sign that they will show up in stores soon. The release date is listed as January 25th. I am determined to get Sweetie Belle. I will also get Pinkie Pie since I buy everything, but what does one do with so many Pinkie Pies? At least they dressed her up a little with hearts on her legs. Always the pony optimist!

Now on Amazon!

The My Little Pony G3 Collector's Inventory is currently available for sale on Amazon for $21.77. If you are thinking about purchasing a copy, I recommend you take Amazon up on this awesome deal. The book retails at $32.99 and it is a mystery to the publisher and myself how they can discount it so much, but I'm not complaining! Books-A-Million have the title listed at $36, and I've seen it listed from anywhere from $35 to $46 on other sites. It is yet to be available on Barnes & Nobel although it is listed and I've been told the publisher is looking into the delay.

Amazon has also added a "Look Inside" feature so visitors can preview select portions of the book before they buy. So check it out!

The Countdown Begins!

The MLP Fair will take place in Memphis Tennessee on July 28th and July 29th at the Cooke Convention Center. Pony Collectors will flock to this event for a weekend full of My Little Pony. While this is the fourth year for the event, this will be the first time Hasbro representative, Michelle Paolino, will be in attendance. I'm excited at the possibility of meeting her since we exchanged email messages last summer when my first book was released. She was very encouraging and complementary of my work and I'm obviously a fan of her work! If this wasn't enough to convince me that I had to attend the event, The Fair Staff recently announced that an exclusive Hasbro produced pony will be available for purchase at the event. So, I'll be there with bells on and hope to meet my share of fun and interesting collectors!

Visit www.MLPFair.com for more information on this event!