Barbie Collector Obsession

Karda$hian Doll$

2012-01-22T11:13:00.000-06:00

Well, thank goodness for this:

A rep for Mattel told MTV News, "As popular as the Kardashian sisters are, at this point in time we are not manufacturing Barbie-branded Kardashian dolls."

Read about it here.

I was a little horrified by reports that the can't-get-away-from-them-fame-whores Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Karda$hian would soon have Barbies in their likeness.

Go ahead. I'll wait while you throw up a little bit, too.

According to the early reports:

"The dolls will reflect the girls' measurements and may even (come) in Kardashian-designed outfits," an unnamed source told Us Weekly.

Read about it here, here, here, here, and here.

I've made it pretty clear I'm not a fan of some of Mattel's sell-out choices that pair Barbie with whatever flash-in-the-pan celebrity is hot at the moment. So I'm pretty happy these particular dolls are in the works.

Investment 101

2012-01-18T10:27:00.005-06:00

The popularity of Mattel's recent release Tokidoki Barbie seems to be the impetus for a recent article on doll collecting.

The Tokidoki doll, which was controversial, sold out quickly and then started fetching higher prices in the resale market.

But as the article points out:

Typically, though, the money to be made collecting Barbie dolls revolves around acquiring vintage dolls that are, optimally, still in the box with all their accessories, including the stand. Barbie was launched in 1959 and that original version, where she's wearing a black-and-white striped bathing suit, can fetch between $7,000 and $27,000 depending upon the condition.

Read the full article here.

The article is fine and all, but I wish it explored the flip side of collecting: While there are some dolls that will net thousands, the majority of Barbies (in or out of the box) are not worth all that much. The problem with articles like these is they give a false sense to people that they'll find a doll in a relative's attic and suddenly hit the big time.

No, really. The article actually mentions an attic:

Whether trying to assess the value of a doll found in an old attic or if it's worth buying the latest model of Barbie, Holder said it's worth consulting an expert. She felt it particularly gratifying to be able to give a retired couple $27,000 for a doll they brought to have appraised. They were astounded.

"They set out to buy a motor home and see the world," Holder said. "It was a very beautiful story."

It's this sort of thing that gives people false hope. And not to be the Gloomy Gus in the room, but I know firsthand about people's misaligned expectations when it comes to the value of their dolls. I would say 90 percent of the e-mails I get from people are about asking how to sell dolls for top value. Some of the people are collectors and some have acquired an assortment of dolls for whatever reason.

Most of the dolls they describe are basic, mass-produced, non-limited-edition Barbies. In short, not the type of dolls being described in that article. Yet the hope remains.
Personally, I collect to own dolls that make me happy--and not to "flip" them in the market. So I'm not an expert on all things resale. I do like that the article recommends research and time commitment, which is what people need to put in so they can better align their price expectations with the reality of the dolls in their possession.

For A Good Cause

2012-01-14T10:27:00.000-06:00

Bald is beautiful.

That's the message being conveyed to Mattel through different social media websites. There's a campaign underway to convince the company to create and distribute a bald Barbie for women and children with hair loss, whether it's from cancer treatment or other ailments.

Mattel already created a one-of-a-kind doll for a young cancer patient.

A Facebook campaign has made national news and received more than 100,000 "likes."

The company has yet to issue a public response to the campaign, which some believe is a lost opportunity for Mattel and the Barbie brand.

According to a Forbes article:

In the process, Mattel has lost a huge opportunity for Barbie; the chance to actively engage with the fans that social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have empowered. Mattel might argue that shelf space is precious and a proliferation of limited-appeal Barbies would dilute the brand, but the opposite is true. Shelf space is irrelevant in a world with virtual stores and scarcity is the most precious brand attribute. Companies still mired in a command-and-control model from the 1950’s imagine that “caving” to the demands of special interest groups would necessitate big changes to the lineup and complex long-lead account sell-in process are missing the point.

Read the full article here. Read more about the bald-and-beautiful campaign here, here, and here.

It seems to me that creating an original doll like this in support of a good cause would be more unique, more interesting and far better than any of the celebrity tie-in dolls Mattel loves to spread in the market.

What do you think? Would you buy this or another Twilight doll?

Good Reading

2012-01-12T16:46:00.000-06:00

Here's another article about everyone's favorite doll that includes quotes from a certain Barbie blogger.

(Hint, hint. Nudge, nudge.)

Oh, and it's an interesting article, too.

Read it here.

I Vant to Drink Your Blood

2012-01-04T21:29:00.000-06:00

I'm not one of those vampire-obsessed people. I haven't read any of the Twilight books or even seen the movies. I was a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer back in the day (the ultimate vampire/human romance, if you ask me), but I'm totally not obsessed.

No, really.

OK, so technically, I still get the most-current Buffy calender each year. Did you know they still make them? They do. 2012 is hanging on my fridge right now.

But I digress.

Bob Mackie's latest Barbie is Countess Dracula. I think my favorite part of the doll is her tiny fangs. So dainty. As for the outfit, I'm not so sure.

Take away the fangs, and she could be called the Queen of Hearts. (Not that she looks like Mackie's 90s doll of the same name.) Maybe her look reminds of something out of Alice in Wonderland.

In terms of Mackie dolls she reminds me of, I immediately thought of Le Papillon, another 90s creation. It's the dark colors and winged fabric. Clearly, the dolls are different when you get down to the details, but c'mon. I can't be the only one who sees some similarities?

Dueling Divas for Charity

2011-12-11T10:16:00.000-06:00

Mattel created a one-of-a-kind Nicki Minaj Barbie and Katy Perry Barbie to auction off for charity.

Bidding for the dolls has begun, and proceeds from the auctions going to the Project Angel Food charity. The bids have reached several thousand dollars each. (Yowza!)

The Perry dolls wears her infamous cupcake dress, featuring dozens of hand-painted cupcake dresses. Minaj likewise wears an iconic gown. Both dolls include their life-size doppelgangers' colorful hair in addition to plenty of glitter and sparkle.

Read about them here, here, here, here and here.

Interested in bidding? Have a few spare grand sitting around? Check out the online auction site.

Pretty in Pantone 219 C

2011-12-05T13:43:00.000-06:00

While some people may need to Google Pantone to learn what the company is and why Barbie might be dressed in its color swatches, I think this dolls ultimately is very fun. The gown is inspired by Barbie's signature pink color, and even the soles of the shoes match.

I love the "leather" bodice of the dress mixed with the skirt of color chips. It reminds me a bit of that credit card dress worn to the Oscars in the 90s. Remember?

Love the Shoes, Girlfriend

2011-12-01T13:21:00.001-06:00

This is my favorite doll from the Spring 2012 collection. She's so perfectly Barbie!

Kudos to Mattel for creating Shoe Obsession Barbie. The wit and whimsy of this doll can't be beat. (Certainly not with any sell-out, product-tie-in crap. I'm looking at you, Dancing With The Stars collection.)

Shoe obsession Barbie wears a white tulle bubble dress that includes a number of yellow, purple, black and pink shoes incorporated into the skirt. Even her necklace features three kick-ass shoes. Fish nets, a studded waist on the skirt and awesome boots complete the look. Mattel paired a fun ponytail hairstyle with the dress.

I love this doll!

Dancing With the Stars: Ugh, Really?

2011-11-27T13:29:00.001-06:00

I actually don't have a problem with the dolls in this collection themselves. They are lovely, have great costumes and (as far as I know) aren't actually based on people from the television program. It's more the product tie-in with Dancing with the Stars.

It strikes me as a pure profit grab to tie Barbie with such a popular program. Why did these dolls have to be branded "Dancing with the Stars"? These dolls easily could have been Waltz Barbie, Paso Doble Barbie and Samba Barbie -- without any mention of that show.

Then I wouldn't be complaining about them at all. No, really.

Seriously, though. Dancing with the Stars is among the top-five television shows this season to-date in terms of viewers. Viewers totaled 18,153,000 as of the data through Nov. 13.

What's next? Two and a Half Men Ken?

Mattel Welcomes Stardoll

2011-11-23T13:06:00.001-06:00

Mattel is branching out, adding a new line of dolls: Stardoll by Barbie. Apparently, Stardoll has been a popular online fashion and gaming community for teen and tween girls. Being neither a teen or tween, I had not heard of them prior to Mattel's announcement.

The company is bringing the "virtual world to the 'real' world" and offering Stardolls at $20.99 each. They are inspired by the online world and include four of the most-popular virtual Stardoll stores (whatever that means). Mattel is introducing two dolls per "store."

There's Fallen Angel, Bonjour Bizou, Doll Space and Pretty n' Love. So...interesting names. Each doll has rooted eyelashes and a unique face and body sculpt. Each doll includes a gift card for complimentary Superstar membership on Stardoll.com, Stardollars to spend on all Superstar items on Stardoll and free exclusive virtual gifts (whatever all that means).

For those who are really curious, you can browse the Stardoll site.

Or you can read about Barbie and Stardoll here and here.

I'm strictly a Barbie gal, so I won't be plunging into the Stardoll world. But what do you think, fellow Barbie collectors? Will you be buying Stardolls as well?

What's the Appeal?

2011-11-20T12:36:00.000-06:00

Here's a fun article on Barbie that discusses her appeal: An icon or just a doll?

And, I have to say, the author quoted some really great people. ;)

A Word About DVD Tie-ins

2011-11-08T11:28:00.000-06:00

Are kids without imagination today? Have techno-gadget toys, television and staring too long at the sun and other shiny objects finally stripped them of their ability to develop stories and actually play?

I ask because Mattel again has released a line of dolls tied to a DVD. I imagine the company's hope is kids will love the DVD and the merchandising tie in already will be waiting on the shelves for them.

But I think it's sad.

I watched a lot of Inspector Gadget as a kid, but I never wanted to have Penny and Brain dolls. I was happy developing my own stories with my Barbies.

In Princess Charm School, Barbie stars as Blair Willows, who is chosen to attend the prestigious Princess Charm School. There's all sorts of dancing, etiquette and poise classes and a battle-royal with the possibly scheming Dame Devin to win the crown. Is Barbie the rightful heir of Gardania?

I'm on the edge of my seat.

To accompany the DVD, Mattel has created not only a Princess Charm School Blair doll but also a Nicholas (the charming prince), Delancy and Hadley (Blair's bestest buds), and Princess Assistants (semi-terrifying magical springs with glitter dragons). Don't forget the iPhone/iPad/iPod tough app, too!

Perhaps the worst offense in all this is that the doll isn't all that great or inventive or even attractive. If you're going to launch a merchandised DVD-related blitz, Mattel, at least make it pretty.

Here We Go

2011-10-21T08:57:00.000-05:00

You knew this was coming, right?

Backlash! Horror! Panic!

Omigod! Barbie has tattoos!

Clearly, this is a disaster of biblical proportions.

Ray Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!
Egon Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes...
Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave!
Peter Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

Let's look past the fact that this doll has a $50 price tag and is intended for collectors. Let's focus on the tattoos. (Which, in today's society, aren't really all that shocking any more, are they?)

But, hey, there's no such thing as bad press. I saw on BarbieCollector.com this morning that Tokidoki Barbie is sold out.

Barbie Goes Green (Officially)

2011-10-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

In it's tussle with Greenpeace, Mattel is bowing down. Activists had accused the company of packing their products from hardwoods taken from rain forests and launched a well-publicized campaign against Mattel.

Now, by the end of the year, Mattel plans to use recycled material or sustainable fiber for 70 percent of its paper packaging. The company hopes to further increase that number to 85 percent by the end of 2015.

Read more about it here.

Do you think the change in Mattel's packaging will have any affect on collectors? Those of us who are MIB don't want to see packaging deteriorate or weather poorly over time.

Tokidoki Time

2011-10-16T09:50:00.001-05:00

I have to admit that I have never really gotten in to Tokidoki's style or art. It pops up from time to time through partnerships with other brands, and it always seems to be really popular. (I saw those LeSportSac bags with Tokidoki prints everywhere.)

The brand was founded by designer Simone Legno in 2003, and it includes collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, LeSportsac, Onitsuka Tiger, Marvel, New Era, Hello Kitty, Fujitsu, Levi's, Smashbox cosmetics, Xbox, T-mobile, Fornarina, Skullcandy, Medicom Toy -- and now Mattel.

The Tokidoki Barbie features the brand's funky style. She's wearing a pink miniskirt, crazy-looking leggings and skull-and-bones black top. Naturally, she's got a large bag from the brand and lots of accessories from bracelets to shiny shoes. I actually like the pink Bob. She has on a leash a little dog(?) dressed like a cactus. His name, apparently, is Bastardino. And get ready for a conservative-mommy backlash: she's got tattoos on her arm!

On the Tokodoki website, there are a number of Barbie items, which actually are pretty cute. The brand does a better job of creating fun and funky Barbie accessories for adults than Mattel does. Of course, despite the cuteness, you won't see me walking down the street in any of them. A tote bag for $58 and a cotton tee for $55 is a bit rich for me.

Dream Sale! Dream Sale!

2011-09-22T06:30:00.004-05:00

It's time again for the Barbie Dream Sale. There's usually some awesome deals! Get shopping!

The Barbie Dream Sale begins 12:01 am central on Sept. 22 and ends at 11:59 pm central on Sept. 28.

Here's the fine print from Mattel:
For Gold Label dolls, limit five (5) of each Gold Label doll per order. Discount not valid on previous purchases. Prices exclude shipping and processing and any applicable sales tax. All discount offers exclude Barbie Fan Club membership, club dolls, gift wrap and gift cards. Must be 18 years or older to order. Offer valid while supplies last.

Fashionably early savings begin at 12:01am CT 9/22/11 and end at 11:59pm CT 9/23/11. The discounts are as follows:
Thursday 9/22 ONLY: Enjoy 25% off every regular priced doll, fashion and accent you purchase in the online shop. Plus, enjoy an additional 25% off already-reduced items within the Special Offers shelf in the online shop. These Thursday-only discounts will appear in shopping cart.

Friday 9/23 ONLY: Enjoy an additional 25% off already-reduced items within the Special Offers shelf in the online shop. These Friday-only discounts will appear in shopping cart.

Saturday 9/24 - Wednesday 9/28: Shop within the Special Offers shelf in the online shop to save as much as 67% off original prices. Dream Sale prices as indicated on shelf page and individual item product pages.

Say Goodbye: I Like Rectangles

2011-09-20T14:57:00.000-05:00

Choosing not to keep these dolls actually was pretty easy, because without them, I have the potential actually to keep more dolls overall. Why? Because they don't have 90-degree angles.

Dolls with "inventive" packaging are cute, but darn if it isn't hard to keep them balanced on a shelf. More often than not, they end up taking too much space and collecting lots of dust in their nooks and crannies.

Dolls in nice, rectangular boxes are easy to store. My collection is like a massive game of Barbie Tetris. I just need to find which pink boxes fit best together on the same shelf.

It's Beginning to Look...

2011-09-16T08:26:00.000-05:00

...a lot like Christmas!

At least in the toy aisle in Target it is.

I saw this year's holiday Barbie for sale already at my local Target store. Pretty classy, don't you think?

I love the green and gold combination. The style of the dress is very interesting, too. So many times the holiday Barbie has a large, puffy ball gown. What looks to be a slender, long skirt coupled with a dramatic cascade of fabric over it is keeping with the same idea but presenting it in a completely different way. Nice.

Say Goodbye: Damn Mouse

2011-09-09T13:03:00.000-05:00

I am not a fan of Disney.

Here's a good primer as to why. I suggest picking up the book. (Or any of Carl Hiaasen's books. The man is hilarious.)

Not being a fan of Disney makes it difficult to be a fan of these dolls. See my problem?

Two of the three actually are wearing tiny Mickey ears and, apparently, the dolls have been on recent visits to one of the parks. The third is just a celebration of the mouse himself.

It's not the best mash-up of brands, in my opinion.

Disliking Disney as I do, how did I come by three separate Disney-themed Barbie dolls? No idea. I could not tell you how each of them came into my possession, which is another problem.

If I had to pick, I'd choose the doll below as my favorite of the three, simply because it's the oldest and has been in my collection the longest.

Ring-a-Ding-Ding

2011-09-06T08:26:00.002-05:00

I'd like to tell this Barbie, "I Get a Kick out of You."

Mattel is releasing a Frank Sinatra Barbie. I really like this trend of a cross-dressing Barbie done up as iconic men. First Elvis, now Sinatra. Let me just say, "Fly Me to the Moon"!

Barbie's look is inspired by Ol' Blue Eyes himself. She doesn't look like "The Girl Next Door" here. The doll's custom, fitted houndstooth suit is paired with a black tie, white shirt, orange pocket square and must-have fedora. Barbie's got a bit more bling than Frank, with some sparkly earrings. I very much would like to own her high-heeled saddle shoes.

I love the deep-red lipstick, too. It's a great contrast with the masculine, tailored clothes.

I think she's put a spell on me. It's "Witchcraft"!

She will be available in September.

I think a lot of Barbie fans will be saying "It Was a Very Good Year" of the 2011 doll releases.

Say Goodbye: Ralph Lauren Barbie

2011-09-03T09:40:00.001-05:00

Remember way back in the spring when I talked about the difficult task of trimming down my collection? Well, I trimmed it. And while I haven't made many steps since them to get the dolls out of the basement and to a new home, I have earmarked which will be leaving and separated them from the general population.

Why do some dolls stay and others go? The decision is based on a variety of factors, I found. Namely, I tended to keep the dolls that 1) were pleasing to look at and 2) had fond memories attached to them. Conversely, the ones with fugly make-up and clothes and no memories (or bad memories) got cut.

Here's the first in my "Say Goodbye" series: Ralph Lauren Barbie. She's a Bloomingdale's Limited Edition doll from the mid-90s. She's quite lovely. Dressed in slacks, a RL blazer with crest, she comes with a great camel coat and plaid purse. The clothes are a bit bulky and thick and do nothing for her figure. But her makeup is nice and she's got lovely dark hair (let's hear it for brunettes!).

So why isn't she staying?

My not-so-favorite aunt gave her to me. My seriously unpleasant aunt. My do-I-really-need-to-see-her-at-this-family-event? aunt.

So every time I look at her, I think of that aunt. I can't help it. The association is burned in me forever, and it makes me like the doll less.

All Shook Up

2011-08-30T10:17:00.000-05:00

This doll is pretty appropriate for August, since Elvis fans everywhere take the time to remember the King around the anniversary of his death on Aug. 16, 1977.

This isn't the first time Mattel has looked to Elvis for inspiration. There's the Elvis Live on Stage set that includes an Elvis doll with a retro Barbie in a poodle skirt. There's also the Elvis and Priscilla wedding set, which includes Barbie sporting big, coiffed hair and thick eye makeup just like Priscilla when she wed Elvis in 1967.

Now, Mattel is using Barbie herself to celebrate the King. The Elvis Barbie dolls features Barbie in a gold suit inspired by the cover of his 1959 greatest hits album, “50,000,00 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong.” Barbie rocks the gold lamé suit with a bow tie, sparkling silver ruffled shirt, pompadour ponytail, gold earrings and metallic Mary Jane-style pumps.

It's a pretty cool look. This is a great example of when Mattel gets it right. Instead of picking another female celeb (like Heidi Klum or Faith Hill) to replicate in doll form, the company is creative and is using Barbie as a medium to interpret (not copy) a celebrity. I see this as similar to the new collection inspired by famous paintings or the one that showcases iconic locations around the globe. They all require creativity and flair, which is more than was required to turn Reba into a Barbie.

Have a Little Faith (and Tim)

2011-08-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

I am not a big country music fan, despite growing up in an area saturated with the stuff. I did, however, own two country CDs at one point: Breathe by Faith Hill and Shania Twain's Come on Over. Don't Judge. Really, some of the songs are pretty pop. (In the interest of full disclosure, I may have potentially at one point attended a Shania Twain concert. Whew. Feels good to get that off my chest.)

Now Mattel has introduced Tim McGraw and Faith Hill dolls as a set. (And we all know my feelings about this sort of thing.) According to Mattel, the set is a "celebration of country music's ultimate power couple."

The Faith doll has a beige and black gown on and big, big earrings. Tim's got on a black suit and the can't-be-without-it black cowboy hat. The two are available in September for $69.95.

Take a look at the expression on Barbie/Faith's face in the image. Do you find it a little... off-putting? That smile looks a little unhinged. Not the prettiest face Mattel has ever created.

Market Trends

2011-08-22T08:59:00.001-05:00

I've been happily blogging away about Barbie since 2009, and during that time, some of you have contacted me via e-mail. (Thank you for your interest in the site and Barbie!) By far, the most prevalent type of communication I receive is people looking for advice about selling some or all of their dolls.

Sometimes, the person has come into a collection from a relative. Other times, its a collector looking to unload some of their dolls. Mostly, the person wants a good home for the dolls--but also a good price. The stories are different, the collections range in size, and the people are very nice and hopeful, though I'm afraid I never can provide the answers they are looking for!

I have to wonder if the uptick of e-mails in my inbox is because of people needing to liquidate some of the assets during the tough economic market. Choosing to sell is never an easy decision.

I'll throw the question out to all the readers: What is your advice for fellow Barbie owners (some of them very new to collecting) regarding selling dolls? There are many, many people out there interested to know!

At The Clubs

2011-08-19T14:33:00.000-05:00

I'm part of a book club. For those who aren't part of such a group, this means we meet every month or so to drink, eat too much and discuss the different reasons why we had difficulty finishing the book. Or, in the event we read the whole thing, congratulate ourselves mightily--and then drink some more wine.

For those of you in local dolls clubs, what do you do together? I'm curious about what sorts of activities different clubs have and how they spend their time together. To meet and learn from other collectors in person sounds like a wonderful opportunity. Previously, I contacted a Barbie club in my area to find out what club-life is like for them, but alas, no one ever returned my queries--not the best way to build membership.

I was a member of the Barbie Collector Club in the past, but I let me membership lapse. I found the forums fun but time consuming, and I rarely used my coupons and other perks. And then the whole recession thing forced me to consider ways I could trim costs.

Are you members of Barbie or doll-related clubs? What are the best things about club-life? The worst? Let me know!

Eco-Friendly Dream House

2011-08-16T08:54:00.000-05:00

Where does Architect Barbie live? In an eco-friendly pink dream house, of course!

The American Institute of Architects hosted a competition to create a new dream house for Mattel's Architect Barbie.

The winning house design submitted by Ting Li and Maja Paklar features an entertaining space and chef’s open kitchen on the first floor, along with an office/library/meeting space. There is also a terrace on the second floor. The third and fourth floors hold Barbie’s bedroom and her inspiration room. (That's right. She has an inspiration room. What? You don't?) The roof has a greenhouse and a landscaped garden.

The design elements include solar panels, landscaped rooftop and irrigation system, operable shading devices, bamboo flooring, low-flow toilet and sink fixtures, and locally sourced and manufactured materials and furnishings.

While the architects’ submissions, including the winning design, will not be produced by Mattel, the creators of the winning design will have a $1,000 donation made in their name to CHAD, a charter high school in Philadelphia focused on architecture and design.

Read more about the project and winning design here, here, and here.

Elliot Handler

2011-08-11T08:48:00.001-05:00

Barbie's "dad" Elliot Handler died in late July. He was 95. This is the man that not only co-founded Mattel but also gave Barbie his name.

Oh, the things you'll learn by browsing TMZ instead of working!

Live Action??

2011-08-07T08:39:00.002-05:00

A live-action Barbie movie still is in the works.

No, really.

Live action.

I'm not kidding.

::Sigh::

Does it seem like a strange idea to anyone else?

For those who are ready to line up at Midnight to watch such a flick, you'll be able to know some casting rumors are popping up. Trevor Donovan, a chiseled young actor from the latest 90210 incarnation, is a potential "Ken."

Check out his IMDB page here. Read about the rumors here and here.

Crud

2011-08-01T18:15:00.000-05:00

Hello Barbie friends!

I must apologize for my (what I now realize is a) month-long absence from the Barbie blog. The summer has grabbed hold of me and refused to let go, which is a nice way of saying I've been keeping busy in the sunshine and not in front of the computer.

Hold tight! Since Mother Nature is out to get us in the Midwest (blazing heat and super-sized storms) on a weekly basis, I intend to be back at the blogging on a regular basis again.

I still have a big, ol' folder of pix to share with you from my spring sorting party.

The Museum Collection

2011-06-21T08:37:00.038-05:00

I'm a big fan of the Barbie Museum Collection. Mattel gets it right with these, much like the Dolls of the World Landmark Collection.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I much prefer it when Mattel designers interpret something creatively using Barbie as their medium instead of making her up to look like the latest hot star or nostalgic favorite TV character. (Here's a former rant on the subject.)

In the Museum Collection, Mattel interprets works from three famous painters: Gustav Klimt, Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci. The Klimt and Van Gogh are outstanding.

With Van Gogh Barbie, her dress depicts The Starry Night with the swirling sky. A dark Cypress tree is the focal point. Her swirling circular earrings, structural shoes and wavy hair complete the look.

For Klimt, Mattel recreated the golden dress the model in the painting wore, but my favorite part of the doll is her sculptural hairdo: big, curly and parted in the middle. Her face and makeup are also really beautiful. Truly outstanding.

(The da Vinci doll is less exciting for me overall, but I could be influenced by the fact that of the three paintings, I find the Mona Lisa least exciting.)

I'm curious what the boxes are going to look like for these dolls. I do hope they include miniature replicas of the paintings.

The whole line kind of makes you want to visit a museum, doesn't it?

Barbie Vs. The Environment

2011-06-16T08:47:00.000-05:00

Greenpeace environmentalists have launched a campaign against Barbie, going so far as to rappel down the face of Mattel's California headquarters and hang a banner with Ken's unhappy face on it that said "Barbie: it's over. I don't date girls that are into deforestation." The protest even included a women dressed as Barbie driving a pink skip loader.

Greenpeace has set up a Facebook page devoted to the effort at www.greenpeace.org/ken.

The activists are accusing Mattel of packaging their products, including Barbie, in paper that comes from hardwoods taken from rain forests in Indonesia.

Mattel has responded by calling on its suppliers to "clarify how they are addressing the broader issue in their own supply chains," according to this article. The company also is addressing its own paper policy, according to this article. (Mattel also had to shut down Barbie's Facebook page after the protest.)

Read about the controversy here, here, here, and here.

Spring Cleaning

2011-05-25T09:01:00.000-05:00

I spent some time spring cleaning this past weekend, but I wasn't focusing on the dust bunnies under the bed or the clutter in the closet. I was cleaning out my collection.

This is the first time I've really gone in and removed dolls. The act itself was not as traumatic as I had expected. I found some dolls I had no real memories of, some I didn't really like all that much and some I downright disliked.

In all, I imagine I selected more than 100 to remove, though the official numbers aren't in yet. (I only got as far as piling up the dolls I no longer want to keep. I haven't counted them or cataloged them or anything like that yet.) I also have some random ancillary Barbie items such as decorative plates and playing cards that I'm not keeping.

I plan on posting some pictures of the dolls who didn't make the cut in the coming days and weeks along with some explanations as to why they aren't staying.

My next challenge is to determine what to do with all of them.

Designing Woman

2011-05-15T16:24:00.000-05:00

Barbie is in the market for a new dream house, and now she is capable of designing it herself.

For Barbie's latest career as an architect, Mattel worked with two female members of the American Institute of Architects to get the right details: Despina Stratigakos, Professor of Architectural History at the University at Buffalo, and Kelly Hayes McAlonie, Associate Director of the Capital Planning Group at the University at Buffalo and the 2011 President Elect for AIA New York State.

Architect Barbie comes dressed in a professional outfit that pictures a cityscape on her dress and carries the tools of the trade, including a hard hat, carrying case for her designs and a model of her newest dream house.

Mattel and the consultants hope the doll will inspire more girls to enter the field of architecture. According to this article, the number of practicing female architects is around 20 percent.

She'll be available for purchase in August.

Ruh-Roh, More Legal Troubles for Mattel

2011-05-06T10:28:00.001-05:00

Oops! Mattel is facing more legal trouble with a new lawsuit from the actress who played Elly May Clampett on "The Beverly Hillbillies." And this coming so soon after the end of the Bratz debacle.

The actress, Donna Douglas, claims in her suit that Mattel did not obtain her permission to use her likeness to promote the doll, which features a picture of Donna as Elly May on the package. Read about it here and here.

According to the article, Douglas' lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a court order that would bar the company from using her name, likeness, image and distinctive attributes.

The doll is among several Mattel released recently in a nostalgia collection. (Read my thoughts on the dolls here.)

Planning Your Next Vacation?

2011-05-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

Paris is lovely. The sites. The history. The food.

But why experience all that when you could hang out in a cool Barbie-themed hotel room?

In Paris, the Hotel Plaza Athenee has two Barbie-themed rooms, a "Modern Princess" design and a "Fashion Icon" one.

The Barbie rooms apparently are part of a larger trend among hotel chains of decorating special rooms to satisfy youngsters' interests. According to USA Today, "Hotels are turning to children's fantasy icons -- such as Barbie, Shrek and Snow White -- to sell rooms, possibly at higher prices, to attract families."

Read about it here, here, here and here.

Bratz Wins

2011-04-26T08:25:00.001-05:00

Mattel has to pay up, according to the results of a federal retrial regarding the feud between Barbie and Bratz.

All eight jury members agreed to reject Mattel's copyright infringement claims, stating Mattel did not own the rights to the dolls, the early models or sketches and that MGA Entertainment Inc. did not steal trade secrets.

What will this cost Mattel? $88.5 million in damages. Ouch.

Read the full story here and here and here. And if you want to know what Perez Hilton thinks about the verdict, check it out here.

Up for Bid

2011-04-24T13:28:00.000-05:00

Anyone in the California area looking for a unique Barbie to bid on?

The Peninsula Education Foundation, a non-profit group focused on schools in Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif., is holding an online auction, and among the items up for bid is a 1998 Fantasy Goddess of Asia Barbie.

Barbie wears a hand-beaded gown designed by Bob Mackie, and the NRFB doll includes all the original accessories and packaging.

It gets cooler.

Also included is a signed fashion print of Bob Mackie's design. Print is imprinted with Bob Mackie's signature and hand signed by Ruth Handler and her daughter Barbara. The interior box is also hand signed by the same. There's also a "Dream Doll" book signed by author Ruth Handler.

The doll is available to bid on here through tomorrow (Monday, April 25) evening.

There is some fine print: California Sales Tax of 9.75% will be added to winning bid. Pick up only, no Shipping.

Is Barbie an American Phenomena?

2011-04-20T13:57:00.001-05:00

Barbie's recent failed Shanghai store calls into question her international appeal, according to this article. It raises the idea that the rampant love, nostalgia and following of Barbie might be a truly American phenomena and might not translate perfectly across borders.

From the article:

American companies hope to tap into the growing Chinese market by simply replanting their current products, without shaping them towards the tastes of the local market. For some companies, the gimmick of "American-ness" can actually work in their favor, a trend Mattel hoped to exploit. Other companies fail because their products are unappealing in their foreignness.

Certainly, many Barbie lovers exist in the United States, but I'm not sure they could support a store along the lines of what Mattel had built in Shanghai. Those who love Barbie love her very much, while most others (especially most other adults) are rather indifferent. The problem may be less that Barbie is American and more that there aren't enough adults in the world willing to sit and sip cocktails in a Barbie-themed store.

What do you think?

Sensitive Topic

2011-04-14T13:04:00.000-05:00

Let me state first I in no way intend to make light of eating disorders. They are serious, and people fighting against them should be commended for their efforts.

However, I don't think Barbie needs to shoulder the blame for people's image problems.

A young person writes on the Huffington Post about her efforts to raise awareness of eating disorders. Read the full story here.

From the article:

Despite her bizarre appearance, Barbie provides something that many advocacy efforts lack. She reminds of something we once loved, while showing us the absurdity of our obsession with perfection.

I have trouble with this. Who said Barbie represents perfection? She's a doll. A plastic thing. What about other dolls on the market; do they represent perfection, too? What about the other influences present in a person's life?

Like the author, I have fond memories of playing with Barbie. I played with her a lot and for many, many years. What I don't have is an eating disorder. Had I played exclusively with baby dolls, Cabbage Patch Kids or Strawberry Shortcake, I assume my childhood and later my adulthood would have been very much the same (though my shelves might be filled with a different type of collection).

Barbie has a small waist and ample bust, but she need not be demonized for it.

Yes, people need to be aware of eating disorders. Yes, they are a problem. But an eating disorder, I hypothesize, is the product of many different influences and factors, including everything from celebrity culture to the way fellow children treat a person growing up to a person's parents. Not one doll.

We Have a Winner...

2011-03-29T16:18:00.001-05:00

Kurtis Taylor can officially say he's "Winning." And not in a messed-up Charlie Sheen sort of way.

Taylor is the winner of Genuine Ken, Mattel's online reality show. He's 25 years old and a former college football player.

According to the New York Times:

"Mattel is readying a modeling contract for Mr. Taylor. With $500 to buy gifts, he edged out his rivals when he won the romantic category by giving each judge a penny and donating the remaining money to the Make a Wish Foundation."

Read the full NYT article here. Eager to read more? Check out here and here.

Heads Will Roll

2011-03-22T12:51:00.000-05:00

While shopping at the Target, I came across the Swappin' Styles Barbie Fashionistas line. The dolls are available for purchase...and so are additional heads. Kids can pop off Barbies head and just swap on another one.

Hey Kids, swap heads!!

When one head just isn't enough.

Helpful how-to guide for swapping heads.

This line probably is useful for kids who like to give Barbie haircuts...

Where to Sell?

2011-03-18T09:54:00.001-05:00

From space concerns to difficulty brought about by the recession, many Barbie collectors still are looking to sell some of their dolls. I've received e-mails from multiple people (by the way, thanks for writing!) who want to find good homes for their dolls.

The key words: good homes. The dolls aren't like furniture you might sell on Craigslist; they are more like tiny plastic members of your family. It can be hard to part with them, especially after caring after them for years and years. You want to know they are going someplace where they will be just as loved and cared for.

So that begs the question, where do collectors go to sell their dolls--especially collectors who want the dolls to go into the hands of other collectors?

Barbie Packs Bags, Leaves Shanghai

2011-03-15T09:40:00.024-05:00

Instead of the six-story flagship store that housed everything Barbie pink, including a spa, a cafe and multitudes of Barbie products, Barbie will occupy a bus in China. That's right, a bus. Now that Mattel has shuttered its Shanghai store, the company is taking Barbie on a tour of China in a pink bus.

I've written about the store and its faltering before.

There are different theories about the demise of Barbie's big pink store in Shanghai.

According to Forbes:

"Analysts have blamed various Barbie store problems including poor store location and overpricing, but mostly the finger-pointing has been about what it always is in global market-entry failures: the foreign firm flopped because it did not adequately meet the tastes of the local market."

The bottom line may have been that the Chinese market prefers Hello Kitty cuteness over Barbie's sex appeal.

Read more about the store closing and the bus tour here, here and here.

She Said Yes

2011-03-11T09:27:00.002-06:00

The She Said Yes Barbie and Ken set is pretty cute, and who doesn't love that price point? $5?!? It's difficult to walk out of Starbucks with a drink that costs less than that.

I like the fresh take Mattel created on the original designs of both Barbie and Ken. We've seen Mattel update Barbie's striped swimsuit before, but I don't know that they make a lot of contemporary red-trunks-wearing Kens.

Even the packaging is super-cute. It has a pop art, Lichtenstein feel to it. And the dolls are arranged as if holding hands. All together now: Awwwwww.

Also cute are the wee flip flops that come with each doll. This Barbie has flat feet to accommodate them.

I have to ask, though. What's with Ken's hair? Do the kids like "real" hair on Ken? It's always looked odd to me, maybe because all the Kens I played with as a kid had molded hair.

One-of-a-Kind Princess

2011-03-08T09:14:00.002-06:00

Here's a story to tug at the heart strings: Mattel recently created a one-of-a-kind doll for a young child battling cancer. The little girl has lost her hair because of the treatments, so the doll likewise has no hair. But it does have a princess dress and crown. The doll even is named after the little girl.

Read the full story here.

Barbie Art

2011-03-05T09:52:00.000-06:00

I recently was in Miami escaping the Midwest cold and snow. (Seriously, why won't the snow stop? WHY?)

Walking around an outdoor antique market, I came upon some wonderful art featuring Barbie and Ken. Check it out here. Don't forget to flip through the different galleries, including Barbie and Ken, Ken and Friend, and Barbie and Friend.

My favorites are "Snack Time," "Late for Dinner Again" and "Girls Smoking at the Pool."

Which ones do you like?

Totally Hairtastic

2011-03-02T09:26:00.001-06:00

As a kid, I only wanted to have birthday parties for the presents. No, seriously. I couldn't care less about hanging out with the other kids or hugging Billy Bob at Showbiz Pizza.

On a couple of occasions, I "got sick" after the cake and presents, thereby forcing my parents to send all the kids home, leaving me with the gifties. (Shhh, don't tell my parents about that.)

On one birthday, a girl in my class named Kim gave me Totally Hair Barbie. She debuted in 1992, so I must have been around 11 at the time.

According to Mattel, Totally Hair Baribe is the best-selling Barbie doll ever. She features hair from the top of her head to her toes. She also came with styling gel that one could use on her oversized bangs.

Other long-haired dolls since Totally Hair have tried and failed to gain the same popularity. What was the great appeal of this doll? Certainly, it was fun to play with all that hair. But was it more fun than the hair of other dolls? I'm not sure about that. And I never used the styling goop on her because it was sticky and kind of gross.

Mattel appears to be taking another stab at the appeal of extra-long hair with Barbie Hairtastic Printables. The doll comes with hair extensions that can be sent through an ink-jet printer to have different designs printed on to them. The hair can be clipped to kids' heads or Barbie's.

Read about it here and here.

This seems like a better technology fit for Barbie than Video Girl Barbie. Hairtastic is interactive without being creepy.

Epic Romance

2011-02-27T09:17:00.000-06:00

Can't get enough of the royal couple? No, I'm not talking about William and Kate. It's all about Barbie and Ken! Their reunion is big news, embraced by media organizations throughout the nation.

Read more about it here, here, here and here.

Pretty in Plaid

2011-02-24T08:42:00.000-06:00

Check out what I found at Target: Happy Birthday, Ken Barbie.

I'm impressed with the originality of this doll. Kudos to Mattel for dreaming up a beautiful Barbie to honor Ken on his 50th.

The dress is outstanding. Feminine blue plaid! I love it! I'm even a fan of the packaging, with Barbie posed in front of a shiny Ken logo.

Here's what I want to know: What's in the box? What does Barbie buy her estranged-since-2004-beau for his birthday?

He's a pretty metro guy; is it hair products? Certainly, it's not socks or a tie. Too pedestrian for this couple. They have some history together!

Maybe it's little red swim trunks to remind him of when the two first met all those years ago.

What do you think is in the box?

Nostalgia Overload

2011-02-21T09:52:00.000-06:00

Mattel is pushing nostalgia pretty hard with its latest collection, the Barbie Collector Classic TV Collection. The company urges people to "take a trip back in time to the 'good old days.'" Yikes. Nothing like capitalizing on people's fears and unhappiness over the current state of the world.

The collection features memorable female characters of the 1960s, with each doll paying tribute to a different television show. The collection currently "celebrates" The Beverly Hillbillies, I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched.

Keeping with the nostalgia theme, the dolls feature the classic side-eye face and stay true to the characters' designs/outfits. There's no excitement or re-imagining here of the classics.

Dynasty Glam

2011-02-18T09:31:00.000-06:00

Whoa. Who thought the 80s would come back into popularity? But yet, here they are. Leggings in every store. Frightening. I've even seen some tops with shoulder pads!

But rather than discuss the dubious traits of "jeggings," let's talk Dynasty.

Dynasty started around the same time that I did in 1981. The ABC show was a rival to CBS's Dallas and featured the trials and tribulations of the Carrington family. The show reached No. 1 in the mid-80s.

The Dynasty Barbie collection can let Dynasty fans relive the scandalous fun of the show. The dolls feature two iconic characters from the show: Krystle Carrington and Alexis Carrington Colby. Both include the clothes and the hair from the time period.

Alexis wears a golden gown and lots of bling. Check out the shoulders on that dress! Big shoulders = power, right? And she's got some big hair to match them. Krystle also is rocking some big shoulders with her white sheath gown and shoulder pads and some big hair.

The dolls even earned an OMG! from Mr. Perez Hilton himself. EW gave it the same OMG rating.

Duh

2011-02-15T09:06:00.002-06:00

Did anyone expect otherwise?

In Honor of Valentine's Day...

2011-02-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

...A Love Story

It begins in March 1961 with a young fellow who showed up at the American International Toy Fair. Ken Carson, a 12-inch tall dreamboat with molded plastic hair, a red bathing suit and a beach towel, made his debut and wooed Barbie Millicent Roberts.

The two became the Brangelina of the moment. (Should they be called Karbie?) People watched the power couple sport the latest fashions and hairstyles of the moment, often in outfits that matched each other perfectly. (Check out this power 80s couple.)

But the relationship wasn't without its troubles. Maybe Barbie was too career driven? She has had more than 100 careers in her lifetime. And maybe Ken was a little too fancy? (Purple pleather is a tough look for any man.)

Ultimately, the two split on Valentine's Day in 2004 after more than 43 years together. Soon after Barbie jumped into the arms of Blaine, an Aussie surfer. Clearly, he was just a rebound. Barbie and Ken continued to remain friends through the years.

Now, in his 50th anniversary year, Ken has launched a campaign to win Barbie back. No social-media outlet is safe from his romantic pursuit of Barbie, and he doesn't care how much publicity it brings him. He will win her back. (For publicity, see here, here, here and here.)

Rebranding

2011-02-12T09:28:00.000-06:00

It's no secret Mattel has been working its marketing for Barbie and Ken in new ways. The company [gasp] actually seems to be having some fun with it.

Here's a good article that sums up the latest marketing push and more.

More Lawsuits

2011-02-08T10:03:00.000-06:00

Hey, did you know Mattel and the company that brought Bratz to market are still fighting?

Yup. They are.

But I want to know more about this "scorched earth strategy." Corporate shenanigans!

Thinning the Herd

2011-02-06T09:00:00.004-06:00

It's time for some tough decisions. I've amassed a glorious collection of Barbie dolls -- nearly 400 in boxes. This is both wonderful and a bit of a curse.

Picture your collection that bloated: Where would you store it? How would you keep track of it all?

The time has come for me to thin the herd. I'm out of shelf space, and I may have to move the collection to a new location in the coming years, an impossibility at its current size.

But how do I choose who goes and who stays? And what's a "healthy" size for a Barbie collection to stay at?

Hard questions.

I have a strong sentimental attachment to some dolls. Others evoke happy memories. Still others remind me of different trends and decades. Many are gifts from loved ones. All important distinctions, in my opinion.

I suppose the thing to do is imagine the dolls as one giant, pink herd. The strong (with the greatest attachments) will stay, while the weak must get picked off and sold to other households and collections. It won't be easy, since in this scenario, I'm the predator who must do the picking off of the weakest dolls.

Barbie Basics Denim

2011-02-03T11:18:00.002-06:00

Can I just say, "Meh"?

I'm just not that excited about the Barbie Basics Denim Collection. And shouldn't I be? I was obsessed with Gap back in the late 90s when the company used to make cute, quality clothes. It was all about denim and basic Ts back then. (Remember this?)

Maybe that's part of the problem. This collection feels dated to me.

According to Mattel, the Denim Collection includes 12 dolls that are "taking classic blue jeans to new heights." It's the first time males are among the Basics dolls. Each doll sports denim in an array of cuts and colors, and each has a unique hair style and skin tone.

Will They, Won't They?

2011-01-31T09:00:00.003-06:00

"Barbie, we may be plastic but our love is real."

Ken wants Barbie back. And honestly, he's being a little stalker-like in his advances, but maybe that works for some gals.

The two broke up in 2004, and it seems as though the dating scene hasn't been that great for either of them, since they each are using Match.com. (The Match.com You Tube video actually is pretty funny. Check it out.)

Ken also designed a cupcake for Barbie at New York's infamous Magnolia Bakery, because nothing says "I love you" like baked goods and frosting.

Is the reconciliation campaign for real? Or is it a marketing ploy for Mattel? Read about the wooing here and here.

You can also vote on whether or not you think the two should get back together here.

It probably helps that Ken has a new persona: Sweet Talkin' Ken - The Ultimate Boyfriend for Every Occasion.

The new Ken doll features a built-in microphone, and people can record up to five seconds of sound by press the heart on Ken's shirt. While theoretically little girls will be recording the messages, they play back in "Ken's" voice.

Oh, not only does he say the right things, but you know he's the right boyfriend because his graphic t-shirt says "The Ultimate Boyfriend" in 10 different languages. That's not overkill at all.

(And does anyone else think of the Pillsbury Doughboy when looking at the picture of Ken getting poked in the chest? Hoo-Hoo!)

Landmark Collection New Edition

2011-01-29T10:33:00.000-06:00

Kudos to Mattel for the Landmark Collection. The 2010 editions were good, but 2011 looks even better with Sydney Opera House Barbie.

Outstanding.

Her dress is a wonderful representation of the opera house's sail-like architecture. According to Mattel, the blue skirt represents the water surrounding the building. Even her hair is sculptural and wave-like.

And check out the detail on that clutch! I wouldn't mind having a version for myself.

The opera house doll is more conceptual in its design than the others in the collection (Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, and Big Ben). They were more literal in their interpretations of the landmarks, especially the Eiffel Tower, which really just had a picture of the tower stuck on the dress.

Read the Daily Telegraph review here.

The dolls in this collection are great examples of how Barbie can be art, and designers can use her form to create beautiful shapes. I like that the Sydney Opera House Barbie is beautiful and at first glance, maybe someone wouldn't immediately associate her with the landmark. But the more one looks at her, the more apparent it becomes.

Barbie Blogs

2011-01-26T08:50:00.004-06:00

You're reading this, so I can assume you like Barbie-focused blogs.

I can also assume that you are hanging out on the Internet to avoid the mountain of paperwork that people keep piling on your desk. What? Oh, maybe that's only me.

Here's a site that has rounded up 35 Barbie blogs and presented the links for you. (The site itself has nothing to do with Barbie, but I found some Barbie sites on the list that I had not visited before.)

Enjoy!

Get The Video Camera Ready

2011-01-23T08:41:00.001-06:00

Any of you handy with a video camera? If so, your skills and love of Barbie could come in handy.

A project centered on the Barbie "I Can Be..." campaign is looking for short videos that bring fresh approaches to campaign. "The goal is to have a video that resonates with consumers," according to the project site. The total prize package being given away is $20,000!

Check out all the details here.

Phase 1 is complete, but the deadline for Phase 2 isn't until Feb. 21.

Barbie's Carbon Footprint

2011-01-20T11:00:00.000-06:00

I like to think of myself as aware of "green" issues. I bring reusable bags to the grocery store. I only purchase local, organic meats. I take public transit instead of driving 99.9% of the time.

Unfortunately, it seems that most of my efforts may be cancelled out by my Barbie collection.

A student study determined a single Barbie doll consumers 3.2 cups of oil or 1.127 Watts of energy.

DAMN.

So, if I have roughly 350 dolls in my collection, that's 1,120 cups of oil or roughly 394.5 Watts of energy.

Read about the study here. It's pretty interesting and something I had never considered, not that it will get me to stop collecting.

Geniune Ken

2011-01-16T10:45:00.001-06:00

I'm not a huge watcher of reality TV (unless it's on Bravo), and I don't spend a lot of time watching shows online, so I don't know that I'll be keeping up with "Genuine Ken: The Search for the Next American Boyfriend."

Do you think you'll be watching?

This show begins Jan. 18.

From the teaser clip, it appears one of the qualities of an "American Boyfriend" is to have awesome abs. Who knew?

The series includes eight 22-minute episodes. In them, eight male contestants ages 21-30 compete for the title of The Great American Boyfriend: a Genuine Ken.

The contestants must endure a series of elimination challenges to determine if they have the qualities of an ultimate boyfriend, including a surfing competition, a talent show and a fashion challenge.

Seeing Double

2010-12-27T13:15:00.000-06:00

Patricia Day, the lead singer for the bad HorrorPops, claims the Hard Rock Cafe and Mattel created a Barbie doll that is an unauthorized recreation of Day's image.

Read about the lawsuit here.

The doll in question, a recent Hard Rock Cafe Barbie, features a 50's pin-up look, tattoos and a tattooed upright bass--all things Day also has.

According to the article, the lawsuit states: "Day has provided no authorization to defendants for the use of her likeness in any manner, let alone for the creation and sale of a Barbie doll." The suit also claims that fans have approached Day regarding the resemblance between herself and the doll.

What do you think? Is there a resemblance?

Barbie Calendar Irks Mattel

2010-12-12T09:21:00.000-06:00

::This post and its links may not be suitable for youngsters or those easily offended::

A 2011 calendar created by a pair of Argentinian artists features a nude Barbie in a year's worth of provocative poses. If that weren't enough to get Mattel's legal dander up, several of the images feature Barbie in suggestive poses with another nude doll.

Mattel is vowing to take legal action against the calendar's creators. (This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, as Mattel and artists who use Barbie have butted heads before.)

Read more about it here. And see all the calendar images here.

FBI Oopsie

2010-12-08T16:00:00.000-06:00

Recent reports about FBI concerns about the Barbie Video Girl Dolls that have been splashed across the media were not intended to get out, according to new information from the organization.

Read about the initial concerns here, here and here.

But it was all a mistake.

According to this article, "The alert received media coverage after being sent to some news organizations by mistake. An FBI spokeswoman downplayed the report and said it was for use by law enforcement. 'There have been no reported incidents of this doll being used as anything other than as intended,' Washington-based FBI spokeswoman Jenny Shearer said, reading from a statement."

The FBI's admission that the memo was released mistakenly even made my local morning news program, likely because the combination of Barbie, pedophile and FBI was too good to resist for inclusion in morning headlines.

Janet Jackson Charity Barbie

2010-12-07T09:05:00.001-06:00

Janet Jackson helped create a one-of-a-kind Barbie in her likeness to raise funds for Project Angel Food, an organization that delivers food to families dealing with life-threatening issues in the Los Angeles area.

Interested Barbie collectors and/or Janet Jackson fans can bid on the doll at Charity Buzz. Here's the link.

Bidding stops on Dec. 15 (it started Dec. 1), and the estimated value is $15,000, according to the site.

The doll is inspired by an outfit Janet wore during an American Idol performance in 2010. Mattel Designer Jackeline Gonzalez designed the black gown and cat suit underneath, according to the site. The outfit and her mic are decorated with hand-placed Swarovski crystals.

The doll Janet includes a certificate of authenticity and a unique display case.

Read more about the doll here and here.

The Barbie is a pretty good likeness to Janet, don't you think?

Technology Fail

2010-12-03T10:53:00.002-06:00

The New York Times has included the Barbie Video Girl Doll among its list of promising ideas that didn't work.

Though some may find the toy clever, parents may loose their cool trying to replace Barbie's batteries, which requires a tiny screwdriver and the ability to fit AAA batteries into her thin legs. (My mother, who possesses a set of rather large hands/fingers, would have found this task impossible.)

Kids also may find frustration in the fact that they must hook Barbie up to a computer to hear audio on their videos. Playback on the screen embedded in Barbie's back is silent, according to the article.

(Read the whole article here.)

I still think the whole thing is creepy.

The Blonde Collection

2010-11-21T09:57:00.000-06:00

If I had a million dollars, I would have a lot of fun going through the Barbie "The Blonde Collection" catalog. But since I don't, I'll have to admire the fun, quirky products in it.

Check out the digital catalog here.

The Farrah Fawcett Barbie has received some press attention, and I think it's a good likeness to the iconic image. (You can take home one of your own for $1,500!)

My favorite thing? The retro art. I'd happily hang that on my wall. And at $275, it's a steal! (Well, at least compared to the Farrah Barbie.)

The Gold Standard, a collection of 40 dolls, already is sold out! (Price = $5,000)

What do you like?

All I Want for Christmas...

2010-11-15T07:36:00.000-06:00

...is an immersion blender. Seriously. I think it would be a great addition to my collection of kitchen gadgets.

I had planned to make this a post of the different Barbie dolls I wanted Santa to give me, but truth be told, there are not a lot available at the moment that I find truly exciting.

Certainly, I want the Holiday Barbie. I've got all of them but the first two. And I wouldn't mind getting the corresponding Hallmark ornament as well. I've got most of those, too.

The Dolls of the World Landmark Collection also is pretty cool.

But that's about it.

No Twilight dolls.

No Bond girls.

No Barbie pillows, scarves or umbrellas. (Anyone else annoyed Mattel mixes this stuff in the shopping section with the dolls?)

What's on your holiday Barbie list?

What Do You Think?

2010-11-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

The new BarbieCollector.com has been around for about a week. What do you think? Do you like it more or less than the old site?

Looking for a $25,000 Gift?

2010-11-10T10:00:00.002-06:00

For the Barbie-lover who has everything, FAO Schwartz is offering a special-edition Barbie foosball table for the bargain price of $25,000, according to this article.

Don't expect to just drop into the New York City location and pick this up, however, It's available only for special order by contacting the New York FAO location, and delivery time is three to four weeks.

Only eight foosball tables will be made for sale, so get yours now!

Luckily, for your purchase, FAO will throw in free shipping. What a deal!

There's an App for That

2010-11-07T17:42:00.000-06:00

I have an iPhone. I love the technology. I hate AT&T. Seriously. It's horrible service, but I can't tell the company to stick it's sucky service where the sun don't shine, because I need my apps. What would my life be like without them? If I didn't have weather, games or Facebook at the touch of my finger?

::shudder::

It would be so...so...early 2000s. Scary.

For those of you who share a similar close relationship with your Apple products, you can add Barbie to your app collection.

Choose from Doll'd Up Nails, Barbie Fahionistas or I Can Be.

The last option only works with the iPad, while the first two work with the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

New BarbieCollector.com (And Deals For You)

2010-11-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Mattel is launching a new BarbieCollector.com today! To celebrate, Mattel is offering 25 percent off of purchases today (beginning at midnight central on Nov. 3). Shoppers also can get a special gift when they purchase any Barbie Basics or Christian Louboutin products and enter to win a price in the grand re-opening sweepstakes.

Here are the details on the discount:
The 25 percent off discount is good from Midnight through 11:59 p.m. central on Nov. 3. The 25 percent off discount will appear in the shopping cart.

No purchase is necessary for the sweepstakes, which begins Nov. 3 at 12:01 a.m. central and ends Nov. 9 at 11:59 p.m. central.

Hot Pink

2010-11-01T10:44:00.000-05:00

Mattel adds a dash of Barbie’s favorite color to the four dolls in Barbie Basics 1.5. (Hint: It rhymes with “ink” and starts with a “p.”)

The four new collectible dolls keep the little-black-dress theme as the original twelve, but each incorporates a dash of pink: Two with pink ribbons on their dresses, one with a pink belt and one sassy lady with a chunky pink cuff on her wrist.

That sassy lady is my favorite. Not only is she No. 13 with a new head mold (Generation Girl) in the Barbie Basics line, but she also is rocking a pixie hair cut and a fierce dress. I also happen to own shoes very similar to hers, but that’s a separate obsession…er…matter entirely.

The other three in the 1.5 series are cute, with Model No. 3 – Collection 1.5 coming in as my second favorite.

What do you think about the new additions?

The Year of Ken

2010-10-29T16:36:00.000-05:00

Everything is coming up KEN, according to Perez Hilton, the celebrity blogger.

In a recent post, Perez gabs all about Ken's new online reality show on Hulu. The hubbub and show are in anticipation of Ken's 50th anniversary in 2011. Apparently, a redesign of the plastic boy toy also is in the works for the big anniversary, according to Perez.

(Can we expect to celebrate Skipper's anniversary next with Mattel? What about Midge?)

In honor of Ken grabbing the spotlight, here are some fun facts about Barbie's on-again, off-again flame:

His full name is Ken Carson.
His official birthday is March 11, 1961 (which makes him roughly two years younger than Barbie)!
His is from Willow, Wis.
He sold for $3.50 in 1961. (Try getting a latte for that price now!)
He and Barbie broke up in 2004.

Need more Ken in your life, you can "friend" him on Facebook.

Me? I appreciate Ken in my own way. Mostly with giggling.

Big Money, Big Money

2010-10-25T13:46:00.000-05:00

Curious how this turned out?

The "World's Most-Expensive Barbie" sold for more than $300,000 at auction, with the proceeds going toward charity. A private collector in Asia won the auction.

Not too shabby. And it seems many people who otherwise would cry foul over that much money being spent on a doll are mollified by the charity aspect. A win for Barbie, definitely a win for the unnamed collector and a win for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Read about the winning bid here, here, here and here.

Reading List

2010-10-23T09:55:00.002-05:00

Here's something for the reading list, my fellow Barbie lovers: The Good, The Bad and the Barbie.

I'm usually not on to gravitate toward Barbie-related reading, but a recent interview with the author caught my attention. Check out the interview here.

What do you think? Will you read it?

The Blonds Barbie

2010-10-20T13:41:00.001-05:00

Fashion designers The Blonds, favorites of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and others, have created over-the-top outfits for Barbie, too. (Gaga and Perry only wish they could have the lasting icon status of Barbie.) The designers debuted their Barbies at New York Fashion Week.

The Blonds made three looks, which will go on sale November 16 along with some other one-of-a-kind pieces at BarbieCollector.com. The dolls will cost $5,000 each, according to this article.

Katy Perry loved the black-and-white corset Barbie wore down the runway so much, she picked up a version for herself. Read about it here and here.

Maybe Barbie can shock Elmo with her cleavage, too?

Divorced Barbie

2010-10-17T09:36:00.000-05:00

I recently received this forward in my e-mail box, and I couldn't resist sharing it with all of you. Hee. Clearly, Divorced Barbie would be a collector item.

Divorced Barbie Doll

One day a father gets out of work and on his way home he suddenly remembers it's his daughter's birthday. He pulls over to a toy shop and asks the sales person, "How much for one of those Barbie's in the display window?"

The salesperson answers, "Which one do you mean, Sir? We have Work Out Barbie for $19.95, Shopping Barbie for $19.95, Beach Barbie for $19.95, Disco Barbie for $19.95, Ballerina Barbie for $19.95, Astronaut Barbie for $19.95, Skater Barbie for $19.95, and Divorced Barbie for $265.95."

The amazed father asks, "It's what?! Why is the Divorced Barbie $265.95 and the others only $19.95?"

The annoyed salesperson rolls her eyes, sighs, and answers: "Sir, Divorced Barbie comes with Ken's Car, Ken's House, Ken's Boat, Ken's Furniture, Ken's Computer, and one of Ken's Friends."

OH, YEAAHH

2010-10-14T08:32:00.000-05:00

As I've mentioned, I did love to collect box tops and mail away for toys as a child. (I ate a lot of not-good-for-me-what-so-ever treats to get there.)

In addition to swiss cake rolls and the like, I also drank a lot of overly sugared drinks. This is the Kool-Aid Wacky Warehouse Barbie from 1994. Like Little Debbie, there are other Kool-Aid dolls, but I apparently enjoyed cakes more than sugar-water...er...Kool-Aid.

Her outfit is interesting. Just look at that hat and ruffled shirt. Did people really think that was high fashion in 1994?

This sort of behavior was not odd in my family. We drank enough Mountain Dew to win me a pogo stick!

Beauty Secrets

2010-10-11T08:21:00.001-05:00

Most of us have to deal with the face and hair we've been given, but Barbie is a lucky girl. She has seven different skin tones and seven shades of blonde hair to use to achieve perfection. Mattel weaves the different shades of hair together to achieve different combinations of highlights and lowlights.

A special sewing machine roots the hair, and then it is professionally trimmed and styled, according to Mattel. A heating machine then sets the look.

Up to 15 artists work on Barbie when creating a new face. They use water-based acrylics and sable brushes to paint her, according to Mattel. Every color is applied in so no brush mark is obvious in a process than can take up to three hours.

Even though Barbie has sported a lot of different makeup combinations and colors (the 80s were a particularly colorful time period for her), brown is the eye shadow worn most frequently and Barbie has more than 300 shades of brown at her disposal (kind of like my beauty bag).

Get Your Paddles Ready

2010-10-08T11:40:00.000-05:00

Feel like bidding on what could be possibly the world's most-expensive Barbie? If so, head to Christie's auction house in New York on Oct. 20 to put your bids in for a doll created by Mattel and jewelry designer Stefano Canturi.

The estimated price for the doll is between $300,000 to $500,000, which would make her the most-expensive Barbie in the world, according to Christie's.

This pricey doll wears a black strapless party dress, pink peep-toe heels and an oh-so-pretty-but-oh-so-expensive necklace featuring a one-carat Fancy Vivid diamond. It is a Canturi collar necklace that exemplifies the designers "Cubism" style of arranging carre- and baguette-cut diamonds in a signature geometric pattern. There are also three carats worth of white diamonds on the necklace.

Christie's is auctioning her without reserve, and all profits from the sale will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The doll will be on public view at Christie's Rockefeller Center galleries in New York as part of its pre-sale exhibition running Oct. 16-19. The Christie's auction and preview are both free and open to the public.

Mattel invited Canturi to design the doll for Barbie's 50th anniversary celebration last year. He spent four weeks designing her frame, hair style, makeup, dress, shoes, nail polish and jewels.

So...up to $500,000, huh? Gee... [rummaging through couch cushions]... looks like I'm a little short.

Get Your Motor Running

2010-10-06T12:18:00.001-05:00

Did you know Barbie sponsors a Swedish all-girl rally team? The women, known as the Ramona Rallying team, drive a bright pink car.

Read about it here and here.

'Guest' Collector

2010-10-02T10:58:00.001-05:00

Christopher Guest, the guy behind such off-beat films as Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, is getting ready to take on a new mockumentary topic: collectors. Or so this article claims.

This is what it says:

We're not talking only about the regular "collector's item" sort of fare, but "people who ferret out such things as old comic books, Barbie dolls, vintage magazine ads, vinyl 45-rpm singles, or even -- ick! -- Charles Manson song lyrics written on Kleenex."

What do you think? Will you see it?

Journalism Is Dead

2010-09-29T11:00:00.007-05:00

The launch of anchor Barbie is causing cries of "Journalism is dead!" among high-brow media types, who argue she's better for reporting the "news" on E! rather than conveying actual news to the public.

No, seriously. People are getting their knickers in a twist over this. Really.

And it's not limited to online rants, either. Why, just the other day, I saw the same argument made by people I know who work in journalism on their Facebook profiles.

What people seem to be forgetting is that:

She's a toy intended for children. She's not intended as a 1:16 carbon copy of Katie Couric.
She's aspirational. That's what the Barbie career dolls are all about.
There are bigger issues to kvetch about in the world than Barbie's latest career.

Maybe these ranters should think about attending this.

Ken's Time to Shine

2010-09-26T09:13:00.023-05:00

Barbie's long-term boyfriend is no longer content to hold his girlfriend's purse and wait in the shadows: He's getting some of the spotlight for himself in a media push from Mattel.

Online reports indicate Ken will be featured in a web reality series called Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend. Read about it here and here.

Mattel also recently featured Ken in a "Catch Me If You Ken" fashion campaign.

Check out those Kens. Yum.

For more on the campaign, check out this video.

Turning Japanese

2010-09-23T08:48:00.001-05:00

Mattel is preparing to release another round of Dolls of the World Barbies, and a backlash already is occuring because of Japanese Barbie and Ken.

Critics are blasting Mattel for the "stereotypical" concepts the toy maker used in creating the dolls. Barbie is a sexy geisha, and Ken is a samurai. Ken's sword-toting, ponytailed look is receiving the brunt of the backlash, especially since Mattel has dressed Barbie in similar kimono-type outfits before.

Read about the controversy here, here, here and here.

One of the links aptly notes, however, that stereotypes are nothing new for Mattel and its Dolls of the World collection.

Check out the dolls for North America. There's a Canadian Mountie, a Polynesian dressed as a hula dancer and four Native Americans featuring beads, braids and fringe. None of them exactly are busting down walls and introducing new cultural ideas.

You can view past Asian Barbies here.

What do you think of the new dolls? The writers of a some of those critiques didn't seem to have the best opinion of Barbie overall anyway...

Great Eras

2010-09-20T09:33:00.000-05:00

During a recent trip to Minnesota, I stopped by the Mall of America. Always a bad idea, especially on a weekend. It was crowded, hot and generally awful (not unlike my last visit).

But between elbowing fellow Midwesterners out of my way (seriously, why must people walk so slowly in a wide group that prevents other people from passing easily??) and standing in long lines while waiting for one cashier to ring up the purchases of the 50 people in front of me, I got to thinking about a visit to the mall I made as a kid.

It was before SpongeBob land or whatever it's called now and back with the indoor amusement park was still Camp Snoopy. My parents let me pick out one Barbie from a toy store near the park.

I went with Egyptian Queen from the Great Eras collection. She has my favorite head mold and a beautiful outfit in blue and gold. I'll admit the headdress is a bit chintzy looking, but the rest of the outfit makes up for it.

I have three dolls from the Great Eras collection: Egyptian Queen, Gibson Girl and Southern Belle. Mattel made 10 dolls in the collection, so I'm actually missing quite a few.

The boxes Mattel designed for Great Eras are great. Each is reminiscent of a book and opens to reveal not only the doll but information, facts and pictures from each "era."

A toy that exites AND educates kids (and doesn't cost an arm and a leg like some coughAmericanGirlcough dolls)? Very cool.

The Barbie Dream Sale Is BACK!

2010-09-15T08:35:00.000-05:00

I can't resist a good sale. Last year, I picked up some great deals during the Barbie Dream Sale. Seriously, not just OK deals.

Great. Deals.

And if you didn't get a chance to take part in all the discounted fun, you get another chance. Mattel is bringing back the Barbie Dream Sale, and it starts next week.

Here is the fine print:

The Barbie Dream Sale begins 12:01am CT 9/21/2010, and ends 11:59pm CT 9/27/2010. For Gold Label dolls, limit five (5) of each Gold Label doll per order. Discount not valid on previous purchases. Prices exclude shipping and processing, and any applicable sales tax. All discount offers exclude Barbie Fan Club membership, club dolls, gift wrap and gift cards. Must be 18 years or older to order. Offer valid while supplies last.

Fashionably early savings begin at 12:01am CT 9/21/10 and end at 11:59pm CT 9/22/10. The discounts are as follows:

Tuesday 9/21 ONLY: Enjoy 25% off every regular priced doll, fashion and accent you purchase in the online shop. Plus, enjoy an additional 25% off already-reduced items within the Barbie™ Dream Sale shelf in the online shop. Tuesday only discounts will appear in shopping cart.

Wednesday 9/22 ONLY: Enjoy an additional 25% off already-reduced items within the Barbie Dream Sale shelf in the online shop. Wednesday only discounts will appear in shopping cart.

Thursday 9/23 - Monday 9/27: Shop within the Barbie Dream Sale shelf in the online shop to save as much as 67% off regular prices. Dream Sale prices as indicated on item product pages.

Happy shopping!

Altered Barbie

2010-09-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Altered Barbie show is on in San Francisco now through Sept. 30. Anyone in the area should check out the exhibit.

You can see Barbie as a spider.

Or an eggplant.

Or whatever this is.

These inventive and, in some cases, downright odd Barbie adaptations didn't come easily. Mattel didn't like that its iconic doll was getting trusted up with eight legs or made into purple vegetables. Read about the legal challenges Altered Barbie has faced here.

Pretty as a Picture

2010-09-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

Barbie means a lot of things to a lot of people, and some of those people have a talent for expressing their Barbie emotions through art. (I can't say that I'm among them. I tried taking a pottery class once. It didn't turn out well.)

From the Altered Barbie exhibit now happening in San Francisco to the number of works featured Barbie by renowned artists, Barbie is a frequent participant in art of all kinds and styles.

Check out some of these iconic pieces:

•Andy Warhol, “Barbie”

•Peter Max, “Futuristic Barbie”

•Kenny Scharf, “Barbluella”

•Peter Engelhardt, “Beauty and the Beast”

•Karl Lagerfeld, “Little Black Dress”
•Carol Peligan, “Icon”

•Jennifer Bartlett, “Barbie Paints a Picture”

•David Salle, unnamed

•Robert Stern, “Colossus of Barbie”

•Jim Dine, “Barbie”

•Donald Baechlor, “Ice Cream”

Hello, Hello

2010-09-08T20:18:00.000-05:00

My dearest Barbie friends,

My apologies for the decline in Barbie posts! I've been a terrible Barbie blogger this summer. Alas, sunshine and fun aren't the culprits sucking my time. Rather, a new desk and new computer at a new job are requiring much more of my attention, sad to say.

But I will make a better effort!

Here's my first attempt:

Mattel CEO Roberty Eckert recently shared his thoughts on Barbie, Mattel and his career with the company in an interview with SmartMoney magazine. I'd love to get my hands on that "Bob Barbie" (a mini version of the big man himself).

Check it out here.

And now, I will repeat this mantra to help me stay on track:

Be a Better Barbie Blogger
Be a Better Barbie Blogger
Be a Better Barbie Blogger
Be a Better Barbie Blogger
Be a Better Barbie Blogger

Say it five times fast. Go ahead, try it yourself. Not so easy, right?

Rematch: Bratz Versus Barbie

2010-08-14T10:01:00.000-05:00

The ongoing saga between Barbie and Bratz will continue in January, as the toys' makers will return to court to settle the fued that has been waging for years, according to an Associated Press article.

The U.S. Court of Appeals recently overturned a 2008 order that gave Mattel the rights to most of the Bratz products and took them from MGA Entertainment.
Mattel continues to argue that the person who designed the Bratz dolls actually was working for Mattel at the time the dolls were created.

Huffington Hearts Barbie

2010-08-10T19:58:00.000-05:00

I'm not the only one who loves Peaches N' Cream Barbie: A recent Huffington Post article listed a delectable offering of peachy products inspired by the beloved-by-many doll.

Check it out here.

No Bratz For Mattel

2010-07-23T20:18:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Court of Appeals overturned a December 2008 order that gave Mattel the rights to most of the Bratz products. A jury previously had found the Bratz designer was working at Mattel when he came up with the idea for the skanky -- er, sassy -- dolls.

The appeals court says the case likely needs to be retried.
According to a recent article, "In particular, a jury would have to decide whether Mattel, under the employment agreement with its former employee, is entitled to his ideas and to his drawings if they weren’t part of his work for the toymaker, the three-member panel said."

Mattel in a statement said the company is looking forward to a full trial against the maker of Bratz dolls, MGA Entertainment Inc., according to the article.

Western Stampin' Collection

2010-07-20T19:51:00.000-05:00

Would kids today be excited about "spurs" that double as stamps? Probably not, what with their need to have a camera rammed in Barbie's chest, but I certainly was. I had Western Stampin' Barbie as well as Tara Lynn, but I opened Barbie and played with her. Those stupid stamps never did work that well, and the hat never stayed on Barbie's head. I don't think I used the glitter. Barbie's jacket did have some kick-ass fringe, though.

The Western Stampin' collection is from 1993.

I'm a little sad that I did not pick up the Ken from the collection.

As you can see from the back of the box, he is wearing jeans and black "leather" chaps. He is worthy of my collection of hilarious Ken dolls, which only consists of two right now: Rappin' Rockin' Ken and Earring Magic Ken. A Ken in chaps would fit right in.

Barbie Checks In

2010-07-18T16:09:00.000-05:00

Want to get your hands on a free Barbie Video Girl doll? Get ready to check in via Foursquare and follow "Barbie" on a nationwide, multistop scavenger hunt. Mattel is launching the promotion July 20, with stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, according to this article.

In case you don't recall, Barbie Video Girl is the slightly creepy doll with a camera rammed in her chest. (Creepy, right?)

Mattel is using Foursquare and Twitter to post clues about Barbie's whereabouts and participants will have to complete on-location tasks. There's only going to be one winner per city, so it sounds like potentially a lot of effort for a slim chance at a free doll.

Radiant in Red

2010-07-10T09:37:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite Barbies. I love her face and hair. She has the Superstar face mold, naturally. (All of my favorite dolls do.) Mattel released Radiant in Red in 1992, when I was 11 years old.

I remember shopping at Toys R Us, likely in the Minneapolis area. She was among the earlier dolls I added to my boxed collection, as it always was a tough decision on whether to open and play with a new doll or put her on the shelf to keep.

I remember thinking how glamorous she looked in her gown. Plastic perfection wrapped in sparkly red fabric. Even today, when many dolls and dresses from that era look more silly than sophisticated, I still think she looks lovely. (So what if the dress has a bow bigger than her head? She makes it work.)

Mmm, Candy

2010-06-29T22:38:00.000-05:00

I'm not going to lie. I like candy, but I also have serious germaphobe issues. This makes enjoying candy stores that have those big bins of unwrapped candy that kids can scoop into bags with little silver shovels difficult for me.

I see the candy. It looks sugary and good. But in my mind I also see the thousand sticky-fingered little hands that have dipped in there before me.

::shudder::

So my visit to New York's Dylan's Candy Bar was not a successful one. It included standing in front of the candy bins, wanting the candy in the bins and then collapsing on the floor in a germaphobic fit before I could get myself to fill a bag.

But perhaps you will have better luck. Dylan's is celebrating Barbie not only with cute candy but a Dylan's Barbie.

Seriously, chocolate high heels? Awesome. And they look individually wrapped, which is good for me.

The Dylan's Candy Bar Barbie is available Aug. 1.