Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Snow Days

It’s a beautiful snowy day here in the Pacific Northwest.  It takes me back to the days when I was young and it was a “snow day”, meaning my school was closed.  I got to go outside and play in the white fluff.  I lasted just long enough til my hands and feet were so cold that I had no other option but to go back inside.  I’d warm my hands by the hot fire burning in the woodstove, and my mom would offer me hot chocolate with marshmallows.   The remainder of my day would consist of pulling out all my Barbie’s and turning our family room into a big Barbie playhouse!  Those were the days!


My snowy backyard today
Times have changed a lot since the last century, but little girls everywhere really haven’t.  They still love to fix their hair, wear pretty clothes, and look at older kids, teenagers, and moms, and dream about being their age.  I love their imaginations when playing dolls.  It can take them to the moon or a castle in the sky, or just a simple moment pretending to talk on the phone to their sister or friend.  Barbie has given us every beautiful fashion imaginable for special occasions; she’s embraced family while at the same time showing us we can be career women; as new professional working women dolls are still being released.  
After all these years she still keeps me looking for the next creations!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Beautiful Blues

1967 was probably my favorite year for Barbie because the Twist n’ Turn Barbie (#1160) with beautiful long straight hair and long rooted eyelashes was released, as well as the trade-in promotional doll (#1162), which I purchased.  They were both the same doll, but with different packaging.  This same year Sears released the exclusive and very rare gift set #3303, Beautiful Blues Set.  This magnificent ensemble came with a blue sparkle one shoulder dress accented with a white satin bow and white satin trim, matching blue satin coat with white fur trim, blue heels, and a blue clutch purse.  But this elegant set wasn’t complete without a Twist n’ Turn (#1160) Barbie Doll.  This doll had one stunning feature which the other dolls on the market didn’t have. She wore blue eyeliner!   This week one of those special girls showed up at auction (without the outfit).  She sold for a cool $530.99.