Spent on Dolls and Doll Stuff : $10.80
Today was yet another ‘Dorrie Fun Day', and I stupidly went out, even though I really should have stayed in. Still, I'm glad for a nice time during a beautiful day.
I hit Dollar Tree first, since I wanted to see a few of the items in their online ad. Mainly, their new dolls ! We all know they're cheap blow-molds, but sometimes their clothes are worth grabbing. But not this time. Yikes. I'd feel bad about clothing dolls I was giving away in what those were sold wearing.
Nothing really new in crafts, either - I wanted to see the ‘hanging wood ovals', since they'd make for good ‘frames' for stand-alone lace embroidery. With a lace initial attached, it'd be a thoughtful, easy, and inexpensive gift. But like the dolls, they were just too dirt cheap to buy. I could get Beloved Hubby to cut me a couple of circles from scrap lumber in his Shop, staple a hanging loop of tulle to the back for nearly free. If I shaped the edge with his router (learned to use one in Shop class back in Jr. High - I'm sure Beloved would give me a refresher course if I asked), I'd be light-years improved on the DTree ones. So, maybe later, we'll make a few.
I examined hairbrushes and headbands - the fabric and elastic ones I can make, and every plastic one I've ever owned was a choice. Did I want comfort, or did I want my hair out of my eyes ? If it hurt, my hair stayed back. If it felt or looked good, it soon fell out, or my hair did. I may make a few fabric/elastic ones, just for kicks.
I snagged a couple of neat bamboo potholders and placemats that'll make fantastic flooring or wall décor for the dollhouse or photos, and snagged a few things we needed around the house.
I'd planned to drive a bit further, hit the GoodWill. So I was amazed when I saw the thrift store had relocated across the street ! When did that happen ? An up-and-coming MegaChurch used to be there, before it moved to a massive custom ‘compound' just off the highway. So I scootled over. Grand Opening ! I saw what must've been hundreds of folks pushing carts laden with cheap China-made coffee makers, water filters, tea makers, and small stand mixers, and what must've been just as many kids screaming for toys. All brand-new. I found a large bedding bag with several Barbie dolls and clothes sealed inside for $7., and joined in the fray. I left with the bag, some dog-based books for Dearest Son, a heavy silver star candy bowl, a nice portfolio, a coloring book, a bear wearing what would soon be a cute blouse and jumper for Timey Tell, and VHS copies of The Black Cauldron, Mary Poppins, and Mars Attacks. Also a really good poppy-seed bagel and a small cup of apple juice. Whew !
I got everything inside at home when I suddenly remembered - it's Friday. If I wanted to get the dog and cat food we needed, and not be at Mal-Wart all day, I'd best get going. Got the groceries we most needed, then sat down to digging through my Barbie bag ! Long ago, I discovered that my idea of a great day was to obtain a huge bag, box, or any other conveyance of dolls, and spend a short eternity sorting through it all. If I don't keep a single piece of it, that's fine. The $5. or $10. I spent is like buying a ticket to a movie. It's perfectly OK with me if I don't leave with anything but the experience, the entertainment, a bit of imagination, and the fun !
So, all that said, this buy was kind of a mixed bag. There was plenty to dig through, but not much I wanted to keep. I now own a Bratz doll, and I can't wait to ditch her. She's well made, really, and if it weren't for the rather ‘KMA'* smirk on her oversized head, I'd probably kind of like her. But the half-closed eyes, FM heels, and one-sided smile just make me think of jaded...um, ‘tradeswomen', which wasn't helped by the fact that this Bratz in particular was nude under a black and purple fake fur coat. Next to her, the string-bikini-wearing Butterfly Art Kira also in the bag looked downright wholesome.
I also found a blonde Barbie wearing the 1997 red and white ‘ribbon candy' Happy Holidays gown, another blonde in a lovely but generic brocade and gold gown, a third blonde in a knockoff green nylon dress, Jasmine in a generic pastel princess dress, and the Barbie Holiday Sister from 1998, nearly complete in her black and plaid gown, headband and jewelry, missing only shoes. I'm keeping the two holiday gowns, probably for alterations later. Dearest can have the 1997 bright-pink Vespa clone scooter - he already has one - and I'm redonating the magnetic paper doll sets.
I'm keeping the two pairs of Ken pants and jackets, including a very nice Miami Heat basketball jacket from 1998, the green Pretty in Plaid dress, and the pink and blue swirl-bodice princess dress. I already have it, but I really like it, so I'll probably alter that one, too.
While trying to figure out which Princess originally wore the swirl bodice dress, I got a better look at the blonde Barbie wearing the red and white Holiday ‘candy' gown. She had slots on her back, and a battery panel, but no on/off switch. An even closer look showed she lacked the standard embossed panties, and she had a twist waist, where the embossed ‘©1966 Mattel, Inc /Indonesia' trademark was unusually large, and was even a bit smeared-looking. She also has graceful hands with separated fingers, and a very pretty face. Understated makeup, and a lip color that suits her pale skin tone. I'd about given up on non-bubblegum or watermelon pink lips on Barbies lately !
A few minutes of research - aided by a familiar gown in the pile - showed that she was originally Odette, from the 2003 Swan Lake series ! Her missing light-up wings originated from a pink plastic rectangle hidden by her hair, that plugged into the now-empty slots. I'm assuming the pink part also held the on/off switch. Her dress came with her, but that's all, and her hair's been badly cut on one side. Hmm. I may keep her, see if I can finish wrecking it. I love her soft expression. Just not sure she's gonna like being called ‘Odie' by pretty much everybody at Chez Insanity.
*Kiss My Assets... or Assessments, possibly.
