Brunette Generations of Dreams Barbie

Today I had the opportunity to attend the Women's Conference in Long Beach, California. Barbie Collector created this exclusive brunette Generations of Dreams doll signed by Robert Best to - benefit the Women's Conference charities. I think she is striking with her brunette hair. Here is a close-up.

Tarina Tarantino in a Wig!

I bought a nude Tarina Tarantino doll from one of the members of the forum. She also was ready to re-root so instead I decided to put a brunette wig on her. She is wearing a Fashion Fever outfit from 2008.

Buy a Barbie Get $5.00 Off At Amazon

Amazon has a new promotion where you buy selected Barbies and get $5.00 off. The higher priced dolls will come with free shipping so if you would like order each doll separately for $5.00 off on each! You may have to combine to get the free shipping for the cheaper dolls. I think I am going to get the African American Holiday Barbie!

Happy Shopping!

5 dollars off at Amazon

Some Good Deals at Amazon

Here are some good deals I found at Amazon today. With free shipping and no taxes it's worth taking a look.

If you missed last year's Holiday Barbie, here she is for only $20.56!

Barbie 2010 Calendar with Robert Best Sketches

I had the opportunity to take a look at all of the sketches in this calendar when I was at the Barbie Convention. I now found that the calendar is available at Amazon. It's really worth the money and the sketches are suitable for framing after you use the Calendar!

Beautiful Pop Life Christie

Originally uploaded by *~. Mar .~*

I just received my beautiful Pop Life Barbie dolls. I found this beautiful picture of Christie and I hope you enjoy her!

Free Shipping on All Barbie and Barbie Collector Dolls at e.toys!

Free Shipping on ALL Barbie & Barbie Collector Dolls at eToys.com. Offer good 7.12 to 7.25

I'm still going through my convention photos. What can I say the DC experience was incredible. I shipped back most of my dolls and they have not yet arrived. As soon as they do it's going to be Christmas again.

Here is a picture of me and Doll Artist Matt Sutton. He designed one of the official Convention Dolls. I will post pictures soon!

Barbie Convention in Washington DC

I am currently in Washington D.C. for the 2009 Barbie Collector's Convention. See my Twitter 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.