I have been really bummed recently. So has my best doll friend. We had originally intended to go the Fashion Royalty Convention this year. It would have been the first time for both of us.
Unfortunately, the experts at Integrity Toys didn't take into consideration that Monday, October 10 was Columbus Day (nor did they consider that Saturday October 8 was Yom Kippur). I teach school and our system has a rule: If you take the day off before or after a holiday, you do not get paid for the holiday or the day you take off. You must take the days without pay. It's a terrible rule. BUT ... had I gone to Convention, I would have lost three whole days' pay ... over $450 in addition to the $350 registration, $250 plane cost, $400+ hotel expenses, $900+ dollie expenses. Add to this the fact that you don't even know what the dolls look like and that "pig in a poke" gets pretty darned expensive.
So, we passed. Then everyone on the WClub starts celebrating all of the news about the convention. I am very happy for them. But it really depressed me. What can I say, I guess I am a pretty selfish doll collector.
Today I went with my husband to the Chiropractor. He asked if there were anywhere I wanted to stop on the the way home. Naturally, I felt that a little therapeutic shopping was called for! I asked if we could stop at Tuesday Morning. I had seen the "Discover the World Barbie Fashions" on the doll boards recently. I hoped to find some.
They had one that really interested me. It was from Turkey and was all of $2.99. (I also found a Hestia doll at Tuesday Morning but she and her outfit will be the subject of a different blog.) So, I decided that I needed a new character in my collection. The daughter of a wealthy Turkish importer.
It is a lovely yellow chiffon outfit. It has harem pants gathered at the ankles and a waist embellishment. The long coat has puffed sleeves and a band of gold embroidery down the front. It is fastened with a gold button. The veil is very long and hangs from the headband with a huge jewel. The outfit did not have any jewelry or shoes; however, it came with a little travel book with A LOT of details about Turkey. It seems there are 20 or so of these packets produced. They were done in 2002 and sold in England, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. I don't understand why these weren't available in the U.S. Do the little girls in the U.S. not appreciate Social Studies? They also had one from California, Greece, and Canada. I only purchased the one from Turkey.
So ... who is this mysterious girl?
.
We'll see where her adventures take her and maybe find out her name in a future blog.
My birthday was May 23. There was a doll show in Atlanta on May 21. I had originally tried to make plans with one of my best dolly friends from out-of-state to attend this show together. HOWEVER, my oldest and dearest friend and my husband had made other plans for me on that weekend.
I was told that I was going to spend Friday night with my bestfriend in Atlanta. I left after work and got there just in time to be whisked off to a special birthday dinner at a wonderful restaurant in Buckhead. I was told to get a good night's rest because we were starting early in the morning.
The next morning, I got up early and called my husband (who had to work that day). He informed me that my bestfriend was taking me to the doll show and that I was allowed an undisclosed amount of money to spend. "Choose wisely," I was told.
I got so excited. We arrived just as the doors opened. I always have a plan at a doll show. I go through quickly and then go back to the booths where there are items that I am interested in purchasing. The first time through and no FR dolls to be found. Oh well ... let's make the best of it!
I stopped at the booth where a lady had a TON of plastic baggies filled with vintage Barbie clothing. She said she was thinning out her collection - now that prices had come down, she was focusing her collection on quality outfits and was selling everything that wasn't "pristine".
My dolls and I don't need no stinkin' pristine. If it fits, looks good, and is great condition, then we're fine with it. Her prices were outstanding. I spent less than $120 at her booth and got the following outfits.
The first outfit is modeled by Chaundra. (Naturally, Chaundra got first pick.) The outfit is from 1967 and is called Borderline. It is a yellow linen jacket and pleated skirt. It is finished with blue piping. It did not come with any accessories or shoes. But I have yellow shoes and used the yellow hose from a reproduction TNT Barbie.
Fortunately, the seller had several Francie outfits that fit the smaller bust girls. Here is Anjila (#14 BB) wearing a 1968-69 outfit called Hill Riders. It came with the coolest rubber shoes.
I got really excited about the different sweater outfits. Here is Summer Poppy in 1965's Vacation Time. The pink rubber shoes fit perfectly and the outfit is divine!
For some reason, I found a lot of yellow outfits. Here is Feelin' Fierce Jett wearing Country Capers from 1969.
And then Love Me Poppy in Caribbean Cruise (I think I already mentioned that these vintage rubber shoes fit those big Poppy feet beautifully!)
The final outfit being modeled by a smaller girl is "Winter Wow" from 1969-70. When I got it out of the baggie, it just screamed for Boogie Beach Aria. It is so "hip" ... fur trimmed jacket, gold hip boots, fur muff, and fur hat (which wouldn't go on that fro!).
But that wasn't all. The bigger girls weren't left out. DTP Agnes took Cruise Stripes from 1959-1962.
Firefly grabbed Ruffles and Swirls from 1971.
My newest addition to my collection, AFL Vanessa ran off with Theatre Date from 1963.
Which brings me to a pair of matching outfits. Diamond Dusted Vero chose "Swingin' Easy" from 1963.
While RE Agnes dared anyone to get between her and Let's Dance from 1960-62.
She truly looked stunning in this outfit.
This photoshoot was done in front of a "set-up" from the 2008 Barbie Convention that I found at another booth. The lady sold me the entire set of props (backdrop with holders, miniature camera and tripod, and working spotlight) for $50. I hadn't seen this before and fell in love with it. My friend told me I would regret it if I didn't purchase it. She was right.
I had spent $170 and was told that I hadn't reached my birthday limit yet (what a great husband!). I went through one more time and dared one last purchase. It will be featured in a future blog!
Well ... it was a wonderful show. I didn't buy a single doll ... so I'm not stressing about deboxing or selling. At current count, 19 dolls have left my collection this year. I have added 8. I am still trying to sell Comeback Noir Vero; my next post will be an update on the replaced head of Flawless Elise.
Until then ... I am still desperately seeking dolls ... and clothes ... and diorama pieces ... and ....
