Lush Chocolate Uglydolls

What a great day! Trish and I had a mommy's day out in Philadelphia while daddy's Anthony and Aaron were on baby duty. Perfect fall day to be out window shopping in Mid-town/Center City Philadelphia.

First stop was Lush, a cosmetic store specializing in completely handmade products with a shelf life of only 12 months due to the fact that all the ingredients are fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. We received a free spa hand treatment that felt wonderful and even now as I am typing (6 hours afterwards and having prepared dinner, washed dishes and played with Sofia) my hands are still so smooth and cuticles looked like I just received a manicure.

Strolling onward we stopped into the new chocolate cafe, Naked Chocolate, to indulge in a few of their delectable delights...I enjoyed the Bittersweet Hot Chocolate with a Chocolate, Chocolate Cupcake while Trish feasted on the Aztec Hot Chocolate and a Belgian Caramel-filled Waffle coated in chocolate and nuts. Being the ultra-chocoholic that I am, I already can not wait to go back and try something else.

We were in and out of a few more shops and most noteworthy was Born Yesterday, a children's boutique offering name brand European apparel as well as nostalgic books and toys. Among the vintage wooden blocks and handmade colorful mittens, I pointed out a doll that I had seen in several other stores recently - grayish in color almost dirty looking with two huge white dots for eyes, a single black horizontal line for a mouth and 3 boring teeth. Trish informed me that this doll, the Uglydoll, is new thing with kids.

Gone are the days of the cutesy girl dolls with rosy cheeks, pretty dresses and false eyelashes. Kids don't want the Army action figures and forget about the baby dolls that cry and wet their diapers. No, kids want to play with a doll that already looks like it's been dragged around for years, forgotten outside in the sand box and chewed on by the dog. And not only is that how it comes, but it doesn't come cheap either. Prices start at $10 for a small doll and can go up to $50 for the 2 foot option. Not for me, but as soon as Sofia asks for one of these not-so-pretty dolls, I may go out and buy her one. She can keep it on the shelf in between her Raggedy-Ann and Strawberry Shortcake dolls.