Say hello to Fortitude. She symbolizes the mental and emotional strength needed to deal with the illnesses we may be born with or encounter during our lives.

The most difficult part of living with illness is that we don't know how things will play out but there is one thing for sure - stress and a bleak outlook will make the situation worse. Research shows that prolonged bouts of stress causes inflammations in the body, which can have adverse effects on an illness.

I have my fair share of illness including Asthma and Spinal Hernia. When I was diagnosed with the latter, I would ask myself, "why me?" But then one day the answer came to me - "why not me?"

I have no idea how my spinal hernia will play out in life but being depressed about it wasn't doing me any favors - especially when I realized that I had sciatica flares after a period of work-related stress.

Very recently after some annual health checkups, I was told I had a high risk of cancer and that I should go and get a Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy. During the few weeks leading up to those examinations, I told myself that if I did have cancer, then I would either get through it - but if not, then I lived the life that I wanted and am grateful for all the things I was able to do and for all the people I met in life. I remained optimistic and told myself that I didn't have time to kick the bucket yet - need to create more cute Smart Dolls before I go!

Test results came back negative.

Fortitude is a reminder to keep a strong will and remain optimistic through illness - no matter how it plays out.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT

Due to the material properties - all soft vinyl is prone to scratches but they are hardly visible on our Cinnamon or Tea skin tones - for Cocoa however, they are more noticeable. For this reason, we include 1 Melamine sponge with cocoa vinyl bodies incase you scratch their body with your fingernail.

Take the sponge and brush lightly on the surface to remove the scratch. If you scratch the face by accident, brush very lightly with the sponge to remove it or you will end up removing the makeup too. Some of the sponge will leave white powder on the skin surface - just blow it away. Scratches will either disappear completely or become not as noticeable unless you are staring at it with a microscope.

All joints on the internal frame are lubricated with grease which may seep out in transit - no need to panic - just get a towel to wipe it off.

Also, the properties of soft vinyl encompass blemishes through the slush casting process which are more noticeable in the Cocoa skin tone - refrain from buying if this is not cool with you ;-)

ABOUT TAKING PHOTOS

Dust shows up more clearly on Cocoa so make sure to check the face for dust before taking photos. You may need to turn up the exposure slightly when taking photos of due to the dark complexion.

仕様について

ソフビは材質特性上、表面に傷つけやすくなっています。ミルクやティーの肌色には表面の傷はほとんど見えないが、ココアでは目立ちます。このため、メラミンスポンジを一個おつけします。万が一、爪などで本体にぶつけたら、残ったかすり傷をそのメラミンスポンジで軽くこすってください。傷は完全になくなるか、ものによっては浅く残ります。

ソフビには湯ジワ、黒点は成形中に発生します。ミルクやティー色の外皮表面には見えていますが、ココア色は逆にこういったシワなどは目立ちます。湯ジワや黒点、白点のない外皮はないので、「こりあダメだわ」と思ったらスマートドールの全ての商品を買わないでください。

ココアのコーテックスをチョイスする場合は、網状のやすりが付属します。かすり傷がついてしまったら軽く擦ってください。

写真撮影について

ココア肌が黒いため、埃は目立ちますので、写真撮る前に拭き取ってください。またカメラの露出度を高めにしないといけないかもしれない。ホワイトバランスも忘れずに。