Barbie Convention in Washington DC

I am currently in Washington D.C. for the 2009 Barbie Collector's Convention. See my Twitter feed over to the right for the most current updates!

Enjoying Barbie's 50th, also Twitter and Facebook

We sure hope all you doll lovers have been enjoying Barbie's 50th! We've been so caught up in all the news stories and festivities that we haven't stopped by for a while!

Thanks to the prodding of a few friends, The Doll Cafe has two new web presences! First for all of you who Twitter, you can find us here! There will be more general real time updating. Follow us for more fun. If you are on Facebook, find us here. Just in case you missed the new info, Barbie also has an "official" presence on these sites too. Here is Barbie's Facebook page and here is her Twitter page! So much Barbie online fun. Enjoy the continued festivities!

Fabulous Barbie Weekend

This weekend the Barbie Runway Fashion Show took place featuring 50 designers modeling outfits created especially for the show. There were several full size Barbie outfits. I'm sure you will recognize them. You can view the whole show here! Here is one of my favorite outfits. I'm sorry, but I don't know the designer of this one. See more pictures here.

ASM Magazine has pictures from Mattel's Toy Fair display for your viewing pleasure. They feature the playline dolls first, then there are photographs of classic Barbies. The Collector Line follows on the last page. Finally, there are some beautiful photos on Flickr.

Have a wonderful Barbie Week!

Barbie Then and Now

Here is a cute new playline Barbie. Look at the face, it's a Mackie Barbie face! She is a modern version of the 1959 Bathing Suit Barbie. Up to now, only seen on ebay, now she is available at Amazon for a pretty good price. It's almost worth it to get two!

The Good The Bad and the Ugly: Two New Barbie Books

A few new Barbie books are being released in time for Barbie's 50th Anniversary. One is a new biography of Ruth Handler and Barbie. Based on original research, extensive interviews, and previously unavailable material, Barbie and Ruth tells the fascinating story of how two women forever changed American business and culture.

A second book may take you more deeply into the world of Mattel. Toy Monster takes a tour of Mattel’s seamier side and chronicles the fierce competition and eventual litigation between Mattel and the creators of the rival Bratz line, as well as 2007’s “Black Friday the 13th,” when potentially deadly magnets and lead paint in the company’s most popular toys led to two massive recalls. You can read a review of the book here.

Both of these books should provide some interesting reading in this 50th year of Barbie!

Another New Barbie Website and Stila Cosmetics

I read about another new Barbie website launched today. It's called Barbie Style! It is supposed to help you keep up with all the happenings for Barbie's 50th and all the products and new items released to celebrate Barbie. There are also videos, history and news!

The Barbie Stila cosmetics are now available at Sephora. Besides the Black Barbie set previously discussed here, there is a Malibu Barbie set, a #1 Vintage Barbie Set and a 2000 Jewel Doll set. From Sephora's website: "In this collection, created to celebrate Barbie's 50th birthday, each paint can features the look of an iconic Barbie doll from the past five decades. Inside each can is everything you need to get that beautiful Barbie doll's signature look. The Barbie Loves Stila paint can also includes a "Barbie Look Book" that includes a history of each top-selling Barbie doll over the last five decades." I really like the look of each can and each represents a popular Barbie through the make-up of the time. It's really hard to decide which one to buy isn't it?

Obama Takes Office and the Dolly Connection

First Lady wears Jason Wu again!
Originally uploaded by Robsdolls™

Today our new president took office. In the evening he attended about ten inaugural balls. Michelle Obama wore a Jason Wu original gown designed especially for her!

Jason was approached by Michelle's team to submit sketches. He submitted three dresses and they were delivered to Michelle in December. She chose this dress and Jason Wu was surprised as he found out by seeing the dress on TV! Jason said, "It's thrilling, emotional and inspiring." "As a young designer this is a dream come true!" He waned to design something about hope, newness and something dreamlike that represents the Obamas. We are making history and he wanted to express that. (From CNN call in interview with Jason Wu.)

Thanks to Robsdolls on Flickr for this great photograph! Please check out his Flickr and other great pictures!

Happy 2009

Welcome to 2009 my fellow doll lovers! This year promises to be quite exciting in the doll world. Many new lines will be introduced in a few weeks at the Toy Fair, and Miss Barbie, my favorite doll will be celebrating her 50th birthday! Mattel has set up a website honoring Barbie at 50. Please take some time to check it out!

The 2009 Barbie Convention website has finally gone live. The tickets are already sold out but you can read about the various events and the schedule there in any case.

Keep checking Sephora.com for the new cosmetics by Stila featuring four new Barbie inspired collections. The collection features four Decades of Beauty cans, each $40, with a booklet inside describing the beauty and fashion wardrobes for each doll. The third set inspired by the 80s features the beautiful Steffie faced Black Barbie. Ooh, a must have. well, they all sound great.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays
Originally uploaded by mo1160

I finally had some time to take new pictures. Here is I Dream of Winter Barbie re-bodied with a Birthstone Beauty body. She is wearing an exclusive Sheath by Dressmaker Details. Her friend is Barbie 2007 also re-bodied. I didn't like the two bent arms so she now has a Juicy Couture (first set) body. Her outfit is from a playline Barbie and her shoes are from a Randall Craig tin pack. I hope their looks put you in a festive mood!

Happy Last Minute Shopping!

It's the last shopping weekend before Christmas! Hope you're almost done shopping, but if you're not, gift certificates by email are a great idea! Many stores have them available for you to email directly to those on your list. Don't forget there are a lot of great dollies coming up in '09 and Amazon will have many of them. Use this easy link to order a gift certificate for last minute holiday gifts!

2008 Holiday Barbie

Holiday Barbie
Originally uploaded by hudson.lopez

I found this beautiful picture of the 2008 Holiday Barbie this evening on Flickr! Many thanks to hudson.lopez for all of this beauty! I think this is the first picture I've seen of this doll de-boxed. Her dress sure is glamorous! I hope your Holiday season is warm and wonderful this year! Enjoy and please check out many more beautiful photographs in hudson's Flickr!

Vitamin C Vintage Retro Beauty

Vitamin C
Originally uploaded by I Doll You

This beautiful picture is by I_Doll_You. If you are a regular reader of the forum you will recognize her beautiful photography. Here she restyled a Vitamin C playline doll with a model muse body. Her skirt is the repro vintage fashion Made for Each Other with the matching necklace. The tank is from Top Model Nikki. She looks incredible and so stylish. IDY is considering re-rooting her. What do you think? Be sure to leave a comment in her Flickr account. (I say leave her as is . . .)

Great Deal for Today from Amazon

Did you miss out on Resort Top Model Teresa? She is available now at Amazon for only 7.99! The accessories alone are worth much more! Also the beautiful Summer Steffie doll is only $8.99! Keep checking Amazon, as the 25th approaches there will be many more great deals.

Great Deals At Amazon This Week

As an update to my earlier post today the Barbie Holiday doll is as low as 22.99! A super great deal for anyone wanting a some great holiday cheer! Also all the Hannah Montana dolls are 70% off! Here is a super cute Hannah Swing and Guitar Set for only 5.99! Excellent for all the diorama enthusiasts. Check out the great deals and be sure to use the links here or the search box!

Welcome To Flickr Beauties

100_2920
Originally uploaded by mattelpink

For a new feature, I would like to feature some beautiful pictures from Flickr! Hope you enjoy them. This is the beautiful Malibu P.J. by Mattelpink. There are quite a few different versions of this doll but her features never cease to amaze! Notice the Fashion Fever background!

Holiday 2008 Barbie on Sale at Amazon

This is the lowest price I've seen all season! You get free shipping too! Enjoy!

Free Shipping at Barbie Collector until 11/11!

I'm still working on adding pictures of older dolls to the Gallery. Please check out the new pictures I've added of the Zodiac dolls released in 2005.

New dolls like the Hard Rock Cafe Barbie and the Empress of the Golden Blossom have been added to the Barbie Collector shop. If you spend over $50 you will receive free shipping!

Top Model Hair Wear Nikki On Sale

If you missed out on Top Model Hair Wear Nikki, she is now on sale for 9.99 at KBtoys.com. Use the banner below to go to their site.

Once you are there search for Barbie: Top Model Hair Wear - Nikki. This doll is great for collecting and has a matching skin tone to many previously released African American collector Barbies. For this price she is great to buy a few extra!

My Review of Barbie For President - Asian

Originally submitted at Toys R Us

Barbie For President - Asian

Beautiful Doll with lots of accessories

By Mo1160 from California on 10/3/2008

 

5out of 5

Pros: Realistic

Best Uses: Collecting

Describe Yourself: Working Parent

This is a great doll and value for the money. Mattel does not produce many beautiful Asian dolls like this one any more. The extra outfit and shoes are an excellent touch. This one will only be available for a short time so buy her while you can!

(legalese)

Model Muse Dolls In Your Future!

Mattel has finally released a picture of the Hard Rock Cafe doll announced earlier this year. She will be available in the fall at the bc.com shop and at the Hard Rock Cafe stores and online shops. She is a gold label doll (produced in amounts limited to 25,000). She will retail for about $75.00. You can see a small picture here. HRC features the Mackie head mold, very pale skin and gothic style make-up. Her hair is platinum blonde with jet black bangs and streaks in a high ponytail. Her jewelry is silver-toned and and gold toned with gem-like accents. Her dress features spaghetti straps and is a Lolita style in black and a tartan plaid print. Her look is completed by red fishnets, black stiletto heeled-boots and matching plaid and black fingerless gloves. She also comes with a guitar. She is pretty racy for Mattel and I applaud them for stepping out and creating a doll that mirrors "hard rock." This doll was designed by Sharon Zuckerman.

2009 will see the release of the American Favorites Collection. One of the dolls in this collection is the Hershey Barbie. She is a model muse doll with the Drew/Lara face mold. Her make-up is vivid and smokey to go with the Chocolate theme. She has beautiful long brunette hair and a dress with silver and brown designs. Her belt reads "Hershey's" in the company logo. The dress has a bell shape to simulate a Hershey's chocolate kiss. She is very cute and will be released in 2009. Hopefully we'll see some sneaks of the actual doll at the Mattel Toy Fair. She is the creation of designer Linda Kyaw. Both of these girls are on my list!

Asian President Barbie Real Picture

Forum member Tiffany Tran posted pictures of the actual Asian President Barbie. I think she looks just slightly different than the pictures in the promo but she is still very cute. I just love the outfits and accessories in this set. For now I haven't received any reports that these dolls are available at Toys R Us. Your best bet is to order online. It's great to see that Mattel has continued to produce the President line with four dolls in different ethnicies but it's too bad that this doesn't happen for other doll lines. Come on Mattel, can we have a few more Asian dolls? Please . . .

Batgirl By Bill Greening

Many thanks forum member JerricaBenton for taking some pictures of the great new Batgirl doll. She is the creation of designer Bill Greening. Jerrica reports: For those of you looking to redress, please note her gloves (over the fingers) are painted on and she is sewn into her outfit. Her mask is also stuck to her face. It appears to be stuck with double stick tape. So far, this doll is widely available. She has been spotted at TRU and is available online. I wouldn't wait too long if you want this doll or any of the other Super Hero dolls set for release. They are always collector favorites.

Barbie Doll and Fashion T-Shirt Giftsets

There are some new giftsets available featuring Barbie and a matching girls size t-shirt. Some of the forum members have found these dolls overseas. Now they are available at the Barbie Collector shop for the great deal of 3 for $25. The total is just over $30 with shipping. Please use the Barbie Collector links here on this page to order them. The first pictures are courtesy of member sayako1975 . She obtained the dolls in this packaging with the t-shirts in the Asian market. The second packaging is the UK packaging. The picture is courtesy of forum member Pinkis4passion. I'm not sure what the US packaging looks like but I will post pictures if they become available.

Asian Barbie For President Picture Available

One of the forum members alerted us that the Asian Barbie for President picture is now available at Toys r Us.com. I have seen the dolls in stores but I have not yet seen the African American or Asian dolls. I looked closely at the accessories and they are of good quality. The shoes are designer doll shoes and the laptop and other accessories could be used in dioramas. I will wait to see if I find this doll in the stores, but if not, I'll order her online. I have the 2004 Asian doll and she is so pretty. I think this girl would be great to own as well. This picture is courtesy of TRU.

Miss Shanghai's Friend

Oh, Mattel, why does this dolly not have a name? She is so cute, and yet she is only Shanghai Barbie's friend. Well, this friend is much more appealing to me than Miss Shanghai. I'm not sure if I'm getting a true picture of a girl in Shanghai but her presentation and accessories are almost like playline plus. These sets are somewhat reminiscent of the Fashion Week giftsets from 2005. I wish Mattel would produce more sets like this with a variety of dolls and accessories. Maybe it's a sign of things to come?

Say Hello to Shanghai

This week we will introduce three new Asian dolls to Mattel's current line. My Shanghai dolls finally arrived. The first is the blond Shanghai doll. She is a little unusual in that she has larger anime type eyes. This has proved to be somewhat of a turn-off for some collectors. The look of the doll and her accessories and placement are quite nice but she somehow does not match her "friend." I only learned which doll was the Shanghai doll when one of the forum members pointed out to me that the invoice was labeled Shanghai doll and Shanghai Friend. She is not sold out on Barbie Collector but you can also find her on ebay for a little more than the retail price. If you don't want to join the club just to get her it may be cheaper to find one on ebay. I'm still undecided about whether or not to de-box these girls. They are currently on display still in their boxes.

Barbie and The Diamond Castle: Ian and Jeremy

The princesses meet the handsome heroes Ian and Jeremy on their search for the Diamond Castle. They are featured with a guitar and wearing fashions from the film. Sadly, these Ken dolls do not come with real guitars or rooted hair. The look for these Kens is new and different so there may be an appeal for collectors of Ken dolls with this set. I have not seen the Jeremy doll in person but here are some pictures of the Ian doll.

Diamond Castle Playsets

Today we will feature some Diamond Castle playsets. The first is the Barbie & The Diamond Castle Playset. In the “Barbie & The Diamond Castle” movie, when Barbie and Teresa discover the Diamond Castle, the tower magically lights up. Girls can relive this exciting moment with the Diamond Castle Palace Playset. When girls press the gem button on the tower, a beautiful light show is activated featuring different colors and flashing patterns. The translucent purple, glittery walls of the Diamond Castle also resemble a sparkling diamond with many gem details throughout. The palace has many rooms fit for a princess including a royal dining area, salon with couches and chairs, a bedroom, vanity room and more. The playset also features music and sound, as well as many play pieces and furnishings. A Princess Liana doll and the adorable puppy Sparkles are also included. I think this playset would be perfect for a little princess at Christmas time.

Another cute item is a Toys R Us exclusive the Barbie and The Diamond Castle Horse and Carriage. Barbie and The Diamond Castle Horse and Carriage plus Mirror in the Muse" doll included. This enchanting giftset includes a beautiful muse doll from the Diamond Castle that can sit inside her very own horse-drawn carriage. The glittery horse features a long mane for grooming, and the carriage is shaped like a big glowing gem with wheels that really move. There is a similar item available that does not come with a doll. It is also called Diamond Castle Horse and Carriage.

Barbie and The Diamond Castle: Alexa

Alexa is the second main character in the Barbie and The Diamond Castle Movie. Like Liana, Alexa sings two songs from the movie and wears a beautiful pink and purple gown with blue accents that magically transforms. Alexa also sings beautiful duets when paired with the Liana Barbie doll. Alexa has the current Teresa head mold and beautiful brunette hair.

Barbie and The Diamond Castle: Liana

Today's Barbie and The Diamond Castle spotlight is on the Princess Liana. This doll retails at 29.99 and comes in both Caucasian and African American versions. Princess Liana sings two songs from the movie and wears a glittery gown that magically transforms with the flip of a switch! Her necklace lights up when she sings. When paired with the Princess Alexa doll, they sing beautiful duets.