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 COFFEE

For those interested in the details, the Smart Doll Coffee skin tone is aligned with DIC-345, the Japanese equivalent of the Pantone Matching System.

Please be aware that the slush casting process used for the vinyl can make blemishes more visible on the coffee skin tone. If you consider this a potential issue, we recommend taking this factor into account before making a purchase.

Similarities to Cocoa

Many folks who have only seen the coffee skin tone online believe it closely resembles cocoa, while those who have seen it in person note that it’s distinct enough to justify it as a new skin tone. We recommend that before making a purchase decision, individuals either view the color in person at one of our events or through a friend who owns one, or wait for online reviews. We want to ensure that no one feels pressured into making a decision.

The comparison photo on this page highlights tea on the left, coffee in the middle and cocoa on the right.

ABOUT TAKING PHOTOS

We often hear feedback suggesting that our darker skin tone dolls pose a challenge to photograph. For those finding it difficult, consider researching photography techniques or trying out camera apps that offer adjustable exposure settings.

It's worth noting that this advice isn't exclusive to our darker skinned dolls - it can equally apply to our lighter skin tones, where overexposure can be a concern. A slight adjustment of exposure settings (and willingness to learn) can go a long way in getting the perfect shot ;-)

About the wig

The wig that comes with this character is designed with a "turnover" construction allowing the hair to be swept back while minimizing the amount of wig cap showing.
The challenge with this design is the initial difficulty in putting it on. On the upside, it ensures the wig stays firmly in place, minimizing the chances of it being whisked up by the wind and landing in dog poo.

For those with arthritis or similar conditions, it's worth noting that you can leave a note with your order requesting that the wig be attached prior to shipping. We typically add double-sided tape beneath the wig for an added layer of security, but be aware this may leave residue between the head and the wig cap. Check out the video below to see how to attach the wig.

The wig, similar to any tight-fitting apparel, can leave indentations on the vinyl. While all our wigs can cause such marks, this wig tends to produce deeper and more noticeable indentations due to its construction that does not employ elastic - photos on this page are an example.

The styling oil used for the wig might sometimes permeate the wig cap, producing a residue on the head. This residue can appear dark, but it's typically the oil rather than an ink stain.

It might be possible to mitigate some of these indentations by employing a hair dryer and rubbing with some thinner (like the Mr Hobby type shown in the photo). However, outcomes are not guaranteed. If you're planning to keep the wig on perpetually, these concerns may be negligible. But if they pose a potential problem, reconsidering your purchase might be in order. It's worth noting that we don't allow options to select specific wigs, omit the wig from the order, or adjust the cost by excluding the wig's value.

The 'Perfectly Imperfect' document further details issues with our wigs that you should be informed about.