Barbie Playline Playtime!

First, a little story. :)

I started this site a little over a year ago. Back in February 2012, I was laid off from my job of 5 years. I was actually excited and a little worried as I think anyone would be when they are laid off. (Mainly, worried about money factors and so on.) One reason I was excited is because I could finish my masters degree without having to work. I was in my last class when I was laid off and the work I was putting into my capstone project could (and did) take up the better part of an 8 hour work day. I finished in March and now I'm the proud owner of a nice piece of paper on the wall with my name and "Masters of Business Administration" on it, all for a whopping $24k. And I am by no means disappointed, it was worth every penny and the job I have now contributed to that so I'm very blessed and thankful.

What to do with my time after the MBA finished? Here enters Barbie. I hadn't taken out my dolls in years. I think the last time I took them out was when I still lived at home after college and my 6 year old cousin wanted to have a Barbie slumber party. I had them here at my house now and decided to dig them out and research some of the vintage clothes I had from my mom's collection. It was fun to have all the time I needed without having to run off and do something else (besides job searching of course!) Then I started this site to share my love of Barbie with others and get answers to my Barbie questions (I'm horrible at trying to identify dolls). And I've met some other cool doll collectors in the process!

My mom got back into the fun of looking for Barbie at garage sales and since she is the master of finding a good deal, she brought me some used Barbies that needed a good home. In my research of finding out the identities of these dolls I revealed that I had some playline dolls. Here is where I bring them to you!

I think that playline dolls are fun and we've had a lot over the years. I don't know which playline was first or how it even started but I think this has started a new era of Barbie collecting. Girls watch the movie then have fun recreating the scenes with their dolls. Or maybe just imagining what they could come up with on their own!

We'll start out with this pretty doll. I love the crimped hair (probably because I'm an 80's girl) ;) This is Barbie from The Barbie Diaries.

My mom picked her up for me at a garage sale and she came to me in a very unusual outfit. In the box of dolls was also a mish-mash of clothing and I realized that these were her original pants. They seem a little big for her though but put them on anyway because the butterfly belt matched her bracelet. She needed a shirt and since I didn't have the original, decided to dress her in Really Rosy Christie's top. I think it's a good match for now.

Again, I love her hair and she has not been given a bath because she was really good already! I love her face though. The eyes are really neat.

I would love to put her together someday.

www.fanpop.com

Next we have this lovely which was such a score to find. My mom got as another garage sale buy and I am so lucky to have her with wings, shoes and the whole bit. This is the Pink Sparkle Fairy from Fairytopia.

Also with her, I have not given her a bath because her hair is still very perfect. She is clean and looked well taken care of. That can be told by just looking at her wings. Such a major score!

At the thrift store a few months ago, I found another pink fairy and also the blue one, who unfortunately looks like she has a case of hypothermia, poor thing.

So now we have pink and blue. Anyone know the other fairy color? Purple!

My mom bought this one for me when I was about 17 or so. I was not thrilled to get her because at that time I was not interested and just really didn't care about Barbie anymore, especially the playline dolls. I wanted my holiday one and that was it. But now I am really excited that I do have her. And she is really really pretty. I think I like the purple one the best.

I think that Fairytopia was one of the more popular ones. I remember everything being "Fairytopia! Fairytopia!" Also if you have been finding these regularly second-hand, then you know they were wildly popular. I've got three second-hand so far!

Here is one that I dressed in a beautiful ballerina dress because she really is a ballerina. This Teresa doll is The Fairy Queen in Barbie of Swan Lake. 

I wrote about her here and I really REALLY want her beautiful original dress.

www.pinterest.com

SoSoSoSoSoSoSoSo pretty. :) But this dress isn't bad for her right now. I love the red tones in her hair.

Now we have two more dolls that I had no idea who they were when I got them.

Included in that run to the thrift store I got these two skirts.

These two ladies are Aramina (in Blue) and Corrinne (in Pink) in Barbie and The Three Musketeers.

Aramina is very pretty but unfortunately her mask is broken off. Seems to me that this would be problematic in regular play. The fun thing about the skirts shown above is that they have a gold interior so they can also double as a cape for the dolls.

www.amazon.com

I don't have the boots for the dolls (I have one blue, pink and purple) or the swords but my Corrinne is pretty much complete so I'm happy.

This is another one that I had no idea who it was when I got her.

This is Princess Luciana from Barbie and the Island Princess. She is a talking doll and sings "A Love That's Always There." (You can find it on youtube if you want to hear it.) I like her but she is a bit shorter than regular dolls. So that is why I put her in Rapunzel's dress from Tangled. I wondered why her one arm was hinged but when you look at her in the box, you can see it is so she can hold her cat.

www.bidorbuy.co.za

Next is this little doll that I got about a month ago. This one my mom also got for me at a garage sale. She is Keira from The Princess and the Pop Star. 

There were a few dolls from this line. The other girl was Tori (the blonde) and there is a guy too. There were singing dolls, transforming dolls (from princess to pop star!) and this is the generic fashion doll. I like the outfit but hate the one bent, one straight arm. But I think that was so she could hold her guitar.

www.fanpop.com

I can't remember if I got this one or if my mom did. Either way she is cute. This is Princess Merliah in Barbie in a Mermaid Tale. She is wearing Surf City Barbie's swimsuit. I love how I got her with her crown still intact. And I love the name Merliah!

I would love to have her original outfit. This is one that I am considering getting someday. A mermaid tail that transforms into a snazzy beach hoodie. And the flip flops, how cute!

www.flickr.com

And last but certainly not least! A while ago (last year sometime) I posted that I found a little Barbie magic light-up wand at the thrift store.

I thought it would make a fun staff for one of my princess dolls. When I went back home to grab my massive collection of Happy Holiday dolls, I found a large box of three dolls.

The entire Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus dolls! I remember I got this group of dolls around the time I got my purple sparkle Fairytopia doll. I was not into Barbie Playline and actually never liked having these dolls. I can excitedly say that now I love having them!

First we have the BEAUTIFUL AA doll, Rayla the Cloud Queen. Love the dress, hair, necklace, and even her little Pegasus pony (with sparkly wings I might add!)

She really is a beautiful doll. And dressed perfectly for a Cloud Queen. The necklace reminds me of "wind".

Next we have Prince Aidan and his bear (?) Shiver which has a bobble head!

What do you think of this man head mold? I kind of like it.

And lastly, we have Barbie as Princess Annika. She is beautiful too.

I love her little sparkling eyes.

But what do I see in the box? The same wand I purchased at the thrift store. It was a major ah-ha moment! I like when I can figure out where Barbie items came from.

The fun thing about Princess Annika is that she has a transforming look for two fabulous princess outfits!

On the back of the box, it has the story of The Magic of Pegasus. Let's read about it:

"Barbie stars in a delightful tale as Princess Annika who refuses to marry an evil wizard. When he casts a spell on the King and Queen, a flying horse rescues Annika, and they fly to the Magical Cloud Kingdom. There, Annika learns that the horse is really her sister, Brietta transformed by the wizard years before!

With the help of Aidan, Annika assembles the Wand of Light that breaks the spell. She saves her parents, her sister once again becomes a princess and all celebrate in the kingdom of the clouds!"

Aww, no commentary on how Rayla helps out? But looking at the back of this box, you can buy Brietta the pegasus (which looks like she has a light up crown too!) and then there are three Kelly dolls with their own pegasus horses and they are Cloud Princesses. And the magic light up wand must be the Wand of Light (because it lights up, clever) ;)

Again, I'm really glad that I have these dolls. :) Thanks Mom! Even though I didn't like them before I LOVE them now!

So now that I have these dolls, maybe I should go online and search for some clips so I can see what the story is about! It might be kind of fun. 

So friends, I'm sure you have many playline dolls either new or second hand. Which are your favorites? Any one know what the first playline dolls would be? Maybe these 80's stars?

www.tumblr.com

Until next time!

A few more ornaments

Are any of you having some trouble getting back into the "swing" of things after the new year? Or is this just me? It seems like when I get home from work, all I want to do is sit and do nothing. Even trying to make dinner seems like a chore. Maybe because there has been snow on the ground here for about a month?

Well anyway, I'm back with a new post! Sorry sorry for all the wait!

Going through my boxes of Christmas decorations, I found some more Barbie ornaments. However, these are not like the Hallmark kind. These are porcelain of the most breakable kind. I'm surprised that none of these are broken considering how many times these ornaments have been moved with me in the past 5 years. But they've stayed in their original packaging and have been handled with care in boxes with the word "FRAGILE" plastered all over it.

So here is the collection!

The first: Barbie as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Isn't she beautiful? Dress is a little smooshed from being in her tight Styrofoam packaging.  But I love how they styled her arms. So befitting of the perfect ballerina.

Really great detail!

The boxes have fun excerpts like the Holiday Barbies. This one reads: "Barbie as the Sugar Plum Fairy captures the beauty of this lovely ballet character. With her tea-length tutu of shimmering, layered tulle...her tiny ballet slippers...and her golden tiara, she is the perfect beginning of an exquisite collection."

She is the first in the series. Next up: Barbie as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake.

Don't you just love the feathers? And the dress is just adorable. So cute! And again, such great detail went into making these.

Her box reads: "Barbie as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake captures the essence of this breathtaking ballet character. With her glittering tulle and organza tutu...her tiny ballet slippers...her silvery tiara...and her delicate, fluttering feathers, she is the perfect second addition to an exquisite collection."

Well, the tiny ballet slippers are always cute. Anything little is so cute right? :) This is the doll she was modeled after.

barbie.mattel.com

Not a bad job of making the two look identical. I may have to look for this doll, so beautiful.

Next is a little different. I don't think there was a third in the series of these ornaments but they did put out this one called "Lighter Than Air."

This one is my favorite of the three. So beautiful. I never had the will to put her on the tree for fear of her delicate arms and legs getting broken. The other two are not so much of an issue but this one is very delicate.

She's so beautiful.

Her box reads: "Your Barbie Lighter Than Air Porcelain Ornament is crafted in fine porcelain and her delicately painted face fully expresses the classic beauty and manner of a prima ballerina. Dark, up-swept hair is the perfect contrast to her pastel portrait. Her glorious costume and lithe pose are inspired by the renowned paintings of Edgar Degas. Layers of soft, hued, pleated tulle portray her as the perfect picture of ethereal grace. Her forever winsome look is completed with ivory ballet slippers."

Most of Degas' paintings are of ballet. Paintings of dancers in the studio, on the stage, and everywhere. He loved ballet. The pose of this dancer resembles our Barbie.

L'Etoile (The Ballerina) by Edgar Degas. www.pinterest.com

And last but certainly not least: Barbie as the Millennium Bride.

What a great likeness of Barbie! And the silver roses are perfect for this bride. I love the cathedral veil. And she has such a sweet face.

This face just shows that she is happy and is truly the blushing bride! She is a lot more composed than I was on my wedding day. I forgot to look at my husband while I was coming down the aisle because I was looking at everyone looking at me. Then the waterworks turned on when he wrote me a song. Ah, memories. :)

Her box write up is so cute. "There's one thing that hasn't changed since the first millennium - the fetching beauty of a blushing bride on her wedding day. This Barbie Millennium Bride porcelain Ornament embodies the elegance and grace every bride dreams of. She is simply breathtaking in a special bridal gown of shimmering tulle over satin the color of moonlight. Its dramatic silhouette is highlighted by a sweeping train that drifts out from the back of her gown. Her glimmering cathedral-length veil flows from a delicate silvery tiara that crowns her long hair and she carries a beautiful bouquet of silver-hued roses."

These ornaments were produced and sold by Avon. My mom has sold Avon for as long as I can remember. Since I was in preschool I think! I love Avon products and they have come out with some awesome things through the years. These ornaments being some of them!

I promise I will be back sooner this week. Until next time!

The Set is Complete

I'm back. Did you miss me? Just kidding. :)

So you might be asking "what set is complete?" Remember in previous posts that I had a set of beautiful gowns that I received as a Christmas present from my parents when I was a child. These were purchased at Costco and are not Genuine Barbie fashions. But they are so pretty and I just had to put them on dolls.

First was my 2004 Birthday Wishes Barbie in teal and green

Next was Teresa from Barbie of Swan Lake wearing the pink ballet dress

Third was the 1997 Happy Holidays Barbie wearing gold and black

Fourth was my Clueless Cher doll wearing the wedding gown

There were just two left. I'd been waiting for some older body type dolls to put the dresses on. I finally got some and here they are!

A generic 80's/90's doll wearing purple and gold

All of the dresses come with some kind of headpiece. I didn't want to mess up the hair of my Birthday Wishes Barbie so I didn't put it on her and Teresa's hair is so gorgeous that I couldn't bear to put it up to get the headpiece on. But this one looks stunning! So British I think. They always wear beautiful hats.

Finally Odette of Barbie of Swan Lake finishes out the set in black and pink.

Perfect! And the bow is cute too.

Her hair is better. This is one of the dolls whose hair was very tangled and ratty. I tried to smooth it out as best as I could when I washed it and it looks okay. But not perfect.

Anyway, I'm glad the set is all represented and makes a great addition to the top of my Barbie shelf.

However, my mom bought me these dresses at a yard sale.

I'm thinking that this might be another set like the ones I have! Each has a headpiece and accessories and a wedding gown in the mix. The wedding dress is to die for. Mine is an off-white with pearls and lace. This is a true white with glitter, shimmer and pearls.

Hmm, another set might be in the works!

Ready for thrift store goodies?

Barbie!

Okay Andrea, you will have to help me with this one. The halter top does not fit obviously. I just wanted to put it on her so I didn't have to hold onto it at the store. I also put the little daisy shorts on her too.

She has awesome two toned blond hair.

She is different though as she has a lever on her back.

And the string on her hand pulls out. When you pull down the lever, the cord is sucked back in.

Absolutely NO clue who she is! So help is definitely needed with this one. And maybe the shirt too. She has an older body type so I'm not sure if it would fit on a newer doll. I haven't tried yet.

And last, this precious little Kelly that I missed last week.

A cute little ballerina that I'm guessing goes into some kind of music or jewerly box.

She's so cute! Once I get the hair fixed she will be a perfect little addition.

That's it for this week. I'm going to try to be more dilligent in posting. No more of this once a week stuff! (hopefully). Thank you for all your support of my blog. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy posting. :)

~Barbie: the only girl who could pull off wearing a different ball gown every day!~