Where is the Doll Cafe Forum?

Just a quick note to let you all know that our forum is undergoing some much needed maintenance.  We are hoping to have all our maintenance completed by this weekend.  Please check back here for more info.  In the meantime you are welcome to join us at our Doll Cafe Facebook page or our Twitter!

Sorry for the inconvenience.  If you need further assistance or info please contact sandra at the doll cafe dot com!

Do You Like the Brand or The Doll?

I found this interesting article today called "Case Study - Barbie."  The article describes how Mattel went about marketing the Barbie brand in China.  Since the Barbie doll is not a doll that most mother' have grown up with in China, Mattel is using the store as a shopping experience that will actually bring the consumer to a one stop boutique featuring products and services like a spa, a make-up counter and clothing.  The article relates that Mattel is using the store almost as an experiment to see what will help them sell more product, i.e. dolls.  I thought this was very interesting. I've always thought of Barbie as a doll, not a brand.  The more I thought about it, this is an impressive marketing scheme.  Actually, I would love to see more Barbie and Mattel branded product than the dolls and I would love to see it in a one stop shop store like Shanghai's store.  It would certainly help sell more product! According to the article, this may not be feasible in many markets. What do you think? 

Harley Davidson Giftset is on Sale

I just logged into Amazon and noticed that the Harley Davidson Giftset is on sale for $42.49. The set is also on sale at Walmart for the same price! I'm glad I held out for this set because it looks like it's time to buy! What is great about this set is that the Ken features the new body sculpt first found on Edward Twilight Ken, and the HD doll is a model muse style body with articulated knees. On that note, here is an amazing picture of the Ken courtesy of Therese, one of our forum members. You can see more pics here! For your convenience here is a link to ordering this set on Amazon!  I noticed Debbie Harry and Cyndi Lauper Ladies of the 80s are also on sale!

Happy Fourth of July!

May you be enjoying your Holiday weekend. Here are Style 'n Shave Ken and Dallas Cowboy Hispanic Cheerleader Barbie dressed in Dressmaker Details to wish you a safe and Happy Fourth of July! I have spent the last several days going through my dolls, de-boxing and taking tons of pictures. I've been uploading a lot of pictures to the gallery and have been posting updates at the Twitter page to let you know about the new pictures!

I'm Back and Ximena says hello!

Yes, The Doll Cafe Blog returns, actually we didn't go anywhere! Most of the activity here has taken place on several different platforms lately. Of course you can always participate at our super fun and informative Forum. For those of you on Facebook, I post there nearly every day, either some Barbie news stories or pictures of my fave dolls. Please join us there! For quick updates, news and stories, our Twitter page is also updated nearly every day! Be sure to follow us on Twitter since we will be live tweeting from the Barbie Convention once again! With less than a month until the National Barbie Doll Convention, you will not want to miss out on the fun!

We have been working quite a bit to update our Gallery. If you have not been there lately, please check it out. Most of our pictures are by members of the forum. They are amazing works of art. Please be sure to register and post comments and vote to make your favorite picture the most popular! On that note, today's featured photo is by forum member souverignofsilence. She is a beautiful Teresa doll named Ximena. Aren't the colors brilliant? If you like this pic see more here!

Thanks for your support and check back for more regular posts!

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.