Latest news with #MyLittlePony
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I've spent £20k on 24 doll babies – I spend hours a day playing with them, my boyfriend thinks it's odd but I want more
PRIDE & TOY I've spent £20k on 24 doll babies – I spend hours a day playing with them, my boyfriend thinks it's odd but I want more When it comes to babies, I definitely have my hands full. Right now, Louisa is in her baby seat and Albee and Harmony are sleeping in their cots. Zadie and Zelda are in the living room, while their big sisters Pieta, four, and Daida, two, are relaxing on their chairs. Advertisement 4 Mary Lee Beatson loves playing with her babies and has so far collected 24 reborn dolls 4 Mary Lee dressed dolls Albee, Pieta, Daida and Harmony up for St Patrick's Day Meanwhile I'm walking in circles in my living room, soothing Ozzie in my arms. In total I have 24 babies, but my house in Lake City, South Carolina, is peaceful and quiet and my beautiful children never get a day older. That's because I'm a 'reborn mummy'. As a child, I loved stuffed animals and My Little Pony, but I didn't really play with dolls. Then, in October 2022, when I was 39, I was shopping for Halloween decorations when I spotted a zombie doll called Ruby. Advertisement 'Reborn mummy' I was so excited to bring her home and couldn't bear to box her away when the holiday was over. Suddenly, I had a reason to buy cute baby clothes I'd seen while out shopping. It was such fun to dress Ruby that I started to Google other dolls I might buy. That's the first time I read about reborns, which are hyper-realistic, life-sized baby dolls. They're works of art, sculpted and hand-painted to look just like real babies. I was blown away. Inspired by Ruby, I wanted to pick something a little different. In March 2023, I saw a reborn with two faces, painted to look like clowns. I fell in love instantly and called them Penny and Dima. Advertisement Ozzie came next, and after I'd removed the nappy that is always placed over the doll's face by sellers to protect their delicate features, it was so exciting to unwrap him from his box and see his gorgeous face emerge. I've spent £350 on a reborn doll to battle my empty nest - my hubby is 'weirded out' by it but it's been life-changing By April, Albee had arrived, quickly followed by Zadie and Zelda. I never do things by halves. Within months I had three more – Daida, my gorgeous two year old, who is 81cm tall, tiny baby Harmony and Burgundy Rose, a reborn baby werewolf. It made me so happy to see them in my house. I even bought a baby car seat and took Ozzie to work with me. My shift patterns meant I had a room at work to sleep in that I shared with a colleague. Advertisement I know it's a hobby many people don't understand – men in particular find it strange She walked in one day to see Ozzie on the bed and was shocked, thinking I'd left a real baby in there alone! Another colleague gave me an outfit for Pieta, my 101cm-tall four year old, that his daughter had grown out of. They never made me feel that it was weird to have the dolls, and, like my friends and family, they always want to hear about my new arrivals. But I know it's a hobby many people don't understand – men in particular find it strange. That's why I put a photo of me holding a reborn on my Facebook dating profile in November 2024. Advertisement They're a huge part of my life – I can spend hours a day playing with them – and that isn't going to change. I've since met my boyfriend and he accepts it, but finds it odd. The other day we were sitting on the sofa watching TV as I held Ozzie. As I got up to get a drink, I handed him Ozzie, but he looked at me like I'd grown an extra head! 4 Mary Lee has an eclectic collection including reborn werewolf Burgundy Rose 4 Mary Lee snaps doll daughter Melitina 'playing' Twister Advertisement When I take the babies out in public, I get all kinds of reactions. Most people just think they're real, but when I explain they're reborns, I get everything from confusion and intrigued questions, to shock and fear. To me, they have their own personalities. Melitina and Burgundy Rose are energetic and cheeky, Daida is sweet and kind and Ozzie is peaceful. Unlike real children, they're all clean and quiet. They don't make a mess or damage things And, unlike real children, they're all clean and quiet. They don't make a mess or damage things. They're only there to make me feel happy. I love to share our life on my YouTube channel. I might take them for walks, 'feed' them with a real baby bottle filled with fake formula, dress them up for Valentine's Day or just cuddle them. Advertisement Trolls have made comments, but they don't bother me. I think part of what upsets people is how much they cost. So far, I've spent £20,000, with Pieta and Daida costing £1,500 and £2,300 each. I've also made lots of friends with other reborn mums online. I can't wait to keep welcoming reborns into my life. If anyone thinks that's a waste of money, I don't care. I work hard and my dolls bring me a lot of joy. What could possibly be wrong with that?' Follow Mary Lee at
Sky News AU
09-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
US weighs plan to slash China tariffs to as low as 50 per cent
The Trump administration is weighing a plan to slash the 145% tariff on Chinese imports by more than half — effective as soon as next week — as top US and China officials head to Switzerland for high-level trade negotiations, The Post has learned. Specifically, US officials are discussing a proposal to lower President Trump's punishing levy on China goods to between 50% and 54% as they begin what promise to be lengthy talks to hammer out a trade agreement, sources close to the negotiations said. Meanwhile, trade taxes on neighboring south Asian countries would be cut to 25%, the source added. 'They are going to be bringing it down to 50% while the negotiations are ongoing,' the source said of the trade tax on China. The trade tax reduction is being eyed as Trump on Thursday said China tariffs 'can only come down' as he unveiled a a trade deal with the UK in the Oval Office. 'It's at 145 so we know it's coming down,' Trump told reporters. 'I think we're going to have a very good relationship.' Insiders said the 50%-to-54% range — down from the triple-digit level that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week 'isn't sustainable' this week — is in keeping with rates that were discussed last month when President Trump met with the bosses of the three biggest retailers in the US. The CEOs – Doug McMillon of Walmart, Brian Cornell of Target and Ted Decker of Home Depot – all said the April 21 meeting at the White House was 'productive' and 'constructive' without offering details, according to reports. In response, a 'whisper' campaign spread quickly and 'the number that emerged to get the ships flowing out of China was 54%,' said Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, which makes its retro toys in China including Tonka Trucks, Care Bears and My Little Pony. 'The signals we are getting is that the dam will break by the end of this week or next, that there will be an adjustment,' Foreman told The Post. Accordingly, many retailers already have begun asking vendors to quote prices based on a range of tariff rates — anywhere between 10% and 54% — 'so they are ready to price when the goods land' in the US, Foreman added. White House spokesman Kush Desai told The Post in a statement, 'When decisions on tariffs are made, they will come directly from the President. Anything else is just pure speculation.' Nevertheless, 'CEOs felt very reassured after Bessent's remarks at Milken,' a source told The Post, referring to the Treasury secretary's 'sustainable' comment at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles this week. 'People are realizing that deals are going to be made.' Treasury's phone has been 'blowing up' with southeast Asian nations looking to seal a deal, the source added. The chatter in retail circles has likewise been traveling fast — and is very specific, industry sources told The Post. 'We are hearing China at 50% to 54% and [other] Asian countries at 25%,' said Lawrence Rosen, chairman of Cra-Z- Art, a New Jersey-based arts-and-crafts distributor. Another toy CEO, Nick Mowbray of Zuru – maker of Bunch O Balloons – said 'The speculation is 54%,' but he added, 'That's definitely not been told explicitly to retail yet.' While sharply lower than what's currently in effect, a 50% trade tax would pose a formidable challenge as retailers prepare for the crucial holiday season, sparking drastically higher prices at stores, retail executives said. A Tonka Mighty Dump Truck priced at $29.99 this week would cost $49.99 with a 54% tariff. While steep, that's 'workable,' according to Forman. A 145% levy, on the other hand, would translate to a $79.99 Tonka truck, which is 'just too much' and would bring sales to a virtual standstill, he said. Noel Hacegaba, chief operating officer of the Port of Long Beach in California, said 'there are high hopes that the meeting between the US and China in Switzerland will help to de-escalate growing trade tensions and set a path forward for resolving the trade war.' He added, however, 'it will take a strong signal coming out of the meeting for shippers to readjust their sourcing and routing.' The toy industry is in crosshairs of the tariff wars as 80% of toys sold in the US are made in China. Basic Fun has 35 containers on the water that are expected to arrive in the US this week and next, but seven of them were sent on April 10 when the 145% levy became effective. Foreman plans to store those containers in a warehouse because his company can't afford the higher levy. The rest of his toys are being stored at warehouses and at his factories in China – until he gives the word to ship them here. 'The retailers behavior changed after the White House meeting as if they got some confidence,' said retail guru Gerald Storch, a former CEO of Toys R Us and Canadian based department store company HBC. 'They are less panicked about how quickly they need a domestic source and they seemed to relax a little bit,' Storch told The Post. 'This is what I've heard from vendors about the retailers' tone and sense of urgency.' Originally published as US weighs plan to slash China tariffs to as low as 50 per cent - down from 145 per cent - as soon as next week: sources
New York Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
US weighs plan to slash China tariffs to as low as 50% as soon as next week: sources
The Trump administration is weighing a plan to slash the 145% tariff on Chinese imports by more than half — effective as soon as next week — as top US and China officials head to Switzerland for high-level trade negotiations, The Post has learned. Specifically, US officials are discussing a proposal to lower President Trump's punishing levy on China goods to between 50% and 54% as they begin what promise to be lengthy talks to hammer out a trade agreement, sources close to the negotiations said. Meanwhile, trade taxes on neighboring south Asian countries would be cut to 25%, the source added. Advertisement 'They are going to be bringing it down to 50% while the negotiations are ongoing,' the source said of the trade tax on China. 5 The CEOs, including Doug McMillon of Walmart, all said the April 21 meeting at the White House was 'productive' and 'constructive' without offering details, according to reports. Bloomberg via Getty Images Insiders said the 50%-to-54% range — down from the triple-digit level that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week 'isn't sustainable' this week — is in keeping with rates that were discussed last month when President Trump met with the bosses of the three biggest retailers in the US. Advertisement The CEOs – Doug McMillon of Walmart, Brian Cornell of Target and Ted Decker of Home Depot – all said the April 21 meeting at the White House was 'productive' and 'constructive' without offering details, according to reports. In response, a 'whisper' campaign spread quickly and 'the number that emerged to get the ships flowing out of China was 54%,' said Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, which makes its retro toys in China including Tonka Trucks, Care Bears and My Little Pony. 'The signals we are getting is that the dam will break by the end of this week or next, that there will be an adjustment,' Foreman told The Post. Accordingly, many retailers already have begun asking vendors to quote prices based on a range of tariff rates — anywhere between 10% and 54% — 'so they are ready to price when the goods land' in the US, Foreman added. Advertisement 5 The toy industry is in crosshairs of the tariff wars as 80% of toys sold in the US are made in China. Target CEO Brian Cornell, above. Bloomberg via Getty Images White House spokesman Kush Desai told The Post in a statement, 'When decisions on tariffs are made, they will come directly from the President. Anything else is just pure speculation.' Nevertheless, 'CEOs felt very reassured after Bessent's remarks at Milken,' a source told The Post, referring to the Treasury secretary's 'sustainable' comment at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles this week. 'People are realizing that deals are going to be made.' Treasury's phone has been 'blowing up' with southeast Asian nations looking to seal a deal, the source added. Advertisement The chatter in retail circles has likewise been traveling fast — and is very specific, industry sources told The Post. 5 Treasury's phone has been 'blowing up' with southeast Asian nations looking to seal a deal, a source said. Treasury Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, above. AFP via Getty Images 'We are hearing China at 50% to 54% and [other] Asian countries at 25%,' said Lawrence Rosen, chairman of Cra-Z- Art, a New Jersey-based arts-and-crafts distributor. Another toy CEO, Nick Mowbray of Zuru – maker of Bunch O Balloons – said 'The speculation is 54%,' but he added, 'That's definitely not been told explicitly to retail yet.' While sharply lower than what's currently in effect, s 50% trade tax would pose a formidable challenge as retailers prepare for the crucial holiday season, sparking drastically higher prices at stores, retail executives said. 5 Home Depot CEO Ted Decker Home Depot A Tonka Mighty Dump Truck priced at $29.99 this week would cost $49.99 with a 54% tariff. While steep, that's 'workable,' according to Forman. A 145% levy, on the other hand, would translate to a $79.99 Tonka truck, which is 'just too much' and would bring sales to a virtual standstill, he said. Noel Hacegaba, chief operating officer of the Port of Long Beach in California, said 'there are high hopes that the meeting between the US and China in Switzerland will help to de-escalate growing trade tensions and set a path forward for resolving the trade war.' Advertisement He added, however, 'it will take a strong signal coming out of the meeting for shippers to readjust their sourcing and routing.' The toy industry is in crosshairs of the tariff wars as 80% of toys sold in the US are made in China. Basic Fun has 35 containers on the water that are expected to arrive in the US this week and next, but seven of them were sent on April 10 when the 145% levy became effective. 5 Noel Hacegaba, chief operating officer of the Port of Long Beach in California, said 'there are high hopes that the meeting between the US and China in Switzerland will help to de-escalate growing trade tensions.' AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Foreman plans to store those containers in a warehouse because his company can't afford the higher levy. The rest of his toys are being stored at warehouses and at his factories in China – until he gives the word to ship them here. 'The retailers behavior changed after the White House meeting as if they got some confidence,' said retail guru Gerald Storch, a former CEO of Toys R Us and Canadian department store HBC. 'They are less panicked about how quickly they need a domestic source and they seemed to relax a little bit,' Storch told The Post. 'This is what I've heard from vendors about the retailers' tone and sense of urgency.'
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Camilla makes friends with ‘attention-seeking' guide dog at palace garden party
Camilla described him as 'lovely' and said: 'Well I'm very honoured to meet him.' The King and Queen hosted up to 8,000 guests in the palace's garden as community stalwarts, charity workers and leading figures enjoyed afternoon tea on the lawns. A number of guests were selected to meet the royal couple (Yui Mok/PA) During a typical summer gathering around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed by those invited, who can wear their national dress, or lounge suit for men and summer dress for women. Ms Binns, an equalities officer from Preston who works at Lancashire County Council, said about her guide dog: 'He did pile it on a bit. He knows how to impress. 'I've always said he's an attention-seeker, he's gone up a notch with this.' A number of guests were selected to meet the royal couple including a group from the Ebony Horse Club the Queen supports as their president. She admired the colourful shoes of China Morgan, a yard manager at the south London charity, which teaches riding and equine skills to youngsters, describing the footwear which had a My Little Pony design as 'cool'. The King, who is receiving on-going cancer treatment, met a group of social influencers including Sports Illustrated model Kelly Crump who is described as a breast cancer 'thriver' for her positive posts about living with the disease. Charles greets guests at the party (Yui Mok/PA) The head of state and his wife were joined by the Princess Royal who baulked at the idea of running a marathon when she met two charity fun runners. Craig McMurrough, 54, and charity partner Sarah Temple, 49, raise funds for an ovarian charity, running events such as the London Marathon and the Great North Run as 'Mr and Mrs Ovary' as they are dressed as giant ovaries. Mr McMurrough, from Cambridge, began his charity campaign following the death of his sister from the disease and when he told Anne he planned to run in the Sydney marathon later this year, she quipped 'really, are you joking?'. When shown pictures of their outfits Anne said laughing: 'Do you run around like that? Good of you not to turn up like that.' The friends have raised more than £100,000 for the charity Ovacome, which supports women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also part of the royal party as were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who all spent time meeting guests.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Camilla makes friends with ‘attention-seeking' guide dog at palace garden party
The Queen made friends with an 'attention-seeking' guide dog during the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the season. No sooner had Camilla rubbed Jeanette Binns' Labrador Haworth under his chin, then the dog made those nearby laugh by rolling onto his back so the Queen could tickle his belly. Camilla described him as 'lovely' and said: 'Well I'm very honoured to meet him.' The King and Queen hosted up to 8,000 guests in the palace's garden as community stalwarts, charity workers and leading figures enjoyed afternoon tea on the lawns. A number of guests were selected to meet the royal couple (Yui Mok/PA) During a typical summer gathering around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed by those invited, who can wear their national dress, or lounge suit for men and summer dress for women. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ms Binns, an equalities officer from Preston who works at Lancashire County Council, said about her guide dog: 'He did pile it on a bit. He knows how to impress. 'I've always said he's an attention-seeker, he's gone up a notch with this.' A number of guests were selected to meet the royal couple including a group from the Ebony Horse Club the Queen supports as their president. She admired the colourful shoes of China Morgan, a yard manager at the south London charity, which teaches riding and equine skills to youngsters, describing the footwear which had a My Little Pony design as 'cool'. The King, who is receiving on-going cancer treatment, met a group of social influencers including Sports Illustrated model Kelly Crump who is described as a breast cancer 'thriver' for her positive posts about living with the disease. Charles greets guests at the party (Yui Mok/PA) The head of state and his wife were joined by the Princess Royal who baulked at the idea of running a marathon when she met two charity fun runners. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Craig McMurrough, 54, and charity partner Sarah Temple, 49, raise funds for an ovarian charity, running events such as the London Marathon and the Great North Run as 'Mr and Mrs Ovary' as they are dressed as giant ovaries. Mr McMurrough, from Cambridge, began his charity campaign following the death of his sister from the disease and when he told Anne he planned to run in the Sydney marathon later this year, she quipped 'really, are you joking?'. When shown pictures of their outfits Anne said laughing: 'Do you run around like that? Good of you not to turn up like that.' The friends have raised more than £100,000 for the charity Ovacome, which supports women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also part of the royal party as were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who all spent time meeting guests.
