Dolly Tally 001: Tarina Tarantino by Designs by Robin Studio

Tarina by Designs by Robin Studio, a photo by The Doll Cafe on Flickr.

Many of you know that the Steffie mold is my favorite mold. When the Tarina Tarantino Barbie came out in 2008 I was just floored by her beauty. This doll is an OOAK Tarina Tarantino I purchased at the 2010 Barbie Convention at the sales table of Designs by Robin Studio. I was immediately drawn to this doll. Shockingly I did not buy her right away. I think I came back later or the next day and was so happy she was still there. It was so funny because earlier that year I had purchased another OOAK Steffie doll (Barbie Basics, Collection 1.5, Model No 3.) from Robin on Ebay. Since that time I have bought many dolls from Robin and recommend her work. She is also on Ebay, Pinterest and Facebook. Check out her work and enjoy dolly number 001 in my Dolly Tally Project.

News: The Doll Cafe Lives!

LOL, no, I wasn't dead but you'd think I was.  I'm shocked that my last post was April 28, 2012.  It seems like this time of year my doll collecting passion is re-awakened.  Well, maybe it's more of my my pre-Barbie Convention panic mode!

Convention this year will be held in New Orleans!  Wow, that's so exciting.  Being the homebody that I am, I have never traveled to that area of the country so I'm seeing the World with Barbie once again this year!!  I'm excited to report that my daughter Steff will be joining me for the second year in a row.  Her first Barbie Convention last year was a blast!  Here is an amazing picture of the beautiful dolls we both received as gifts from our generous table hostess last year Jen M.  Do you see some Steffies and Basics in there?  Boy aren't we lucky!!??!!

I hope that you have been following our Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Flickr, or Instagram posts.  Did you know we also have a Tumbler?  Just choose your favorite online platform and join us for the dolly fun.  Also, be sure to check out our Facebook Group and the Model Muse and Steffie pages online.


For future blogging I will be tagging posts with useful titles with labels and will try to post daily (ok, you've heard that before).  Most of our news will be posted on Facebook and Twitter so I will use this blog to feature pictures from our collection, doll news, and in a continuing attempt to count our dolls we will also be featuring a post on each doll in our collection so we can keep a handle on it all.

Thanks for all your support, comments and suggestions.  Keep reading for more dolly centered fun.

-The Doll Cafe

Barbie Basics 2.1 or 2.5?

Barbie basics, a photo by Jesús_Doll Addict on Flickr.

The Metallic Basics are now available! We've seen several pics of them on ebay mostly from a foreign seller. These boxes are labeled 2.1! Today, Barbie Collector placed the collection for sale in their shop, for the nice price of $19.99 I might add, and listed them as 2.5. Well, 2.1 or 2.5 take a look at this Flickr stream with some great pics of two out of the three new Barbie Basics! Wow! What do you think of the body? Is it what you expected? I ordered my dolls today and ordered two of each of these dolls. I want one on the pivotal body and one on MM. I am waiting to get a second of Model No. 8 because I'm not sure if her skin tone will match any MM bodies I have. I know, I'm strange. LOL!

I saved a lot of money because of the sale that Barbie Collector currently has going.  I hope my dolls arrive soon!

Enjoy!

2011 Barbie Convention Report Part 1 of . . .

Barbie Basics 3.0, a photo by The Doll Cafe on Flickr.

It has been an exhausting couple of weeks. I was preparing for, attending and recovering from the 2012 National Barbie Doll Collector's Convention in Ft. Lauderdale Florida! The convention was amazing! So many things to see and do! Please see my Flickr set for the pictures I took of the Barbie Basics 3.0 and the two accessory packs that will be available. These dolls were available for viewing at the Barbie Fan Club event on Friday July 29, 2011. BC Shannon was hosting this table display.  Sadly, it has been reported that this collection will be the last in the set of Barbie Basics.

Great Couples: 50th Anniversary Barbie and Basics Ken

50th Anniversary Barbie and Basics Ken, a photo by The Doll Cafe on Flickr.

Welcome to the first pic in my Great Couples series. 50th Anniversary Barbie is so glamorous even in Model No. 3's black sleeveless T.

Happy Birthday Ken!

Model No 15 a photo by The Doll Cafe on Flickr.

Dear Ken: You are sure looking good at 50. I think you have never looked better! Can you please ask Mattel to make you with articulated arms, legs and wrists from now on? That would be the best birthday gift ever! Well, a girl can dream can't she? Gotta love you!

She Said Yes!

Model No. 3, Model No. 16
Originally uploaded by The Doll Cafe

After splitting on Valentine's Day 2004, Barbie and Ken announced today that Valentine's 2011 is the day they found love again! Ken's campaign has been nothing short of amazing! From the fabu Magnolia cupcakes to the billboard campaign to declaring his love in Times Square for all to see, how could Barbie say no?!? Of course she couldn't. These two were meant to be. I always knew they never stopped loving each other! To celebrate, Ken was on hand New York and in Los Angeles at the Grove to let Barbie and Ken fans pose with Ken and make it an all around happy day! Click here to watch a cute vid summarizing how they got back together! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

New Barbies Announced

BarbieToyfair2011_MG_3387a
Originally uploaded by mawphoto.com

Toy Fair always brings amazing new Barbies to behold! Check out this amazing Tokioki Barbie. She uses the beloved Steffie mold and check out her amazing tattoo! Earlier this week Barbie Collector also posted pictures of the Barbie Basics 2.5. There is no Steffie doll, but that's ok. With this pink haired beauty I'll forgive whoever made the decision to leave Ms. Steffie out of Collection 2.5. I know I will be getting more than one of these beauties. Take a look at the amazing pictures. Her toe nails are black and look at those glittery peek toe pumps! Bravo! Take a look at the new Farrah packaging.  Other new collections include Barbie Art Collection, 2011 Holiday Dolls, and a new Couture Angel! Check out all the pics posted by MAW photo.  I see an amazing likeness of Rock Hudson and what looks like a Barbie Loves Elvis and Frank Sinatra set.  Enjoy!

Still Having Fun with Basics Collection 2.0

Barbie Basics Collection 2
Originally uploaded by The Doll Cafe

I just recently went "Pro" on my Flickr account and have had tons of fun posting pictures of the Barbie Basics Collection 2. I was lucky enough to find all of them at Walmart and Target a few weeks ago and I just completed my collection with the Louboutin Model No. 14. This collection has something for everyone. With the variety of facemolds and the addition of the Ken Basics this collection is a real winner. Barbie Designer Bill Greening posted on the Barbie Collector board that there will be a collection 2.5 and this collection will have some articulation! The dolls in the collection have not yet been revealed. It seems like this will be a mini collection until there is another full collection! Exciting!

Barbie Basics Collection 2

Model No. 1 close-up
Originally uploaded by mo1160

The Basics Collection are popping up just about everywhere, except Amazon! They showed up about a month ago very briefly. It appears some third-party sellers are selling them for the ridiculous price of $45.99. Hopefully Amazon instead of a third party seller will stock these dolls soon!

So far, I've managed to find the dolls at Target and Walmart but for the last few that are difficult to find Amazon might be a great bet. Of course, Barbie Collector is now taking pre-orders but the dolls will be available on January 13th. Get your orders in now, scour your Targets and/or Walmarts, and get your hands on some of these beauties. They are the hottest thing sweeping the Barbie Collector community since Barbie's big 50th! Wow, with three new Basics guys and this year being Ken's 50th, who knows, we might be celebrating even bigger than with our girl!

Happy New Year From the Doll Cafe

The Sun Set™ malibu® P.J.® ©1972 - as identified by Jordan ;-)
Originally uploaded by robincua©

Sorry for the lack of updates! I hope you are reading our forum and following our Twitter for the quickest updates! The Barbie Basics Collection 2.0 have been released, new So in Style dolls are out and new Barbie Collector Dolls are out and more are on the horizon. I'd love to keep in touch here more regularly. I guess the easiest and quickest way is to bring you a Doll Cafe Picture of the day!

As a Steffie fanatic, here is The Sun Set Malibu PJ from 1972 by robincua©. Sheer perfection don't you think?