Posh Girl

Posh Girl, originally uploaded by alington.

An older photo I somehow forgot to blog, this is Posh Girl, Misaki (FR Nippon by Integrity Toys), has finally been redressed after all this time. She's got the most fabulous aqua eye shadow.

She's wearing a dress from a Birthstone Barbie (probably March--Miss Aquamarine), one faux fur coats from the second Juicy Couture gift set and her original shoes.

See her full photo shoot on Flickr.

Vintage Talking PJ

Vintage Talking PJ, originally uploaded by alington.

Here is a slightly better shot of a 1969 vintage Talking PJ. She's been squeezed into a current playline Barbie swimsuit and coverup, and she's holding a martini. I think it's perfect for beach season.

I just adore this girl.

Vintage Barbies on Display

Glass diplay vintage Barbies, originally uploaded by alington.

It's mint green and blue month at my house. I would have just one color, if I had more outfits, quit spending so much money on BJDs, and actually sold unwanted dolls rather than trading them, I suppose. But what would be the fun in that?

From the left:

• 1968 Brownette Talking Barbie in Zokko repro outfit
• 1969 Talking PJ in a current playline outfit (flip flops and martinini glass were also included in the set of three outfits, and the clothes barely fit)
• 1975 (rebodied) Free Moving PJ, also redressed in, current playline Barbie clothes which barely fit
• 1968 Talking Barbie (brunette), wearing current playline Barbie dress and Barbie Basics accessory pack boots

Do you rotate your displays? Do you have themes or redress your dolls? How often?

You can see more photos of my May display on my Flickr photostream.

Red, White and Warm Barbie Barbie Vintage Repro 1969 Made for Each Other My Favorite Career Vintage Student Teacher Sixties Fun Barbie Vintage 1974 Mattel Three Floors Townhouse

1969 Vintage Talking PJ

1969 Vintage Talking PJ, originally uploaded by alington.

Another part of my recent trade: a restored 1969 Talking PJ. I don't have her original shoes, but she actually talks! She is so cute. She's the original Midge sculpt (before PJ used the Steffie sculpt). I just adore her.

I got her in a trade (when I was trying to restore my doll budget and failed miserably--but I did get three amazing new dolls). See more photos of her on my Flickr photo stream.

1968 Vintage Talking Barbie, Brownette

1968 Vintage Talking Barbie, Brownette, originally uploaded by alington.

One of my new additions, she's older than I am. :) Can I just say... I'm smitten?

She's a brownette 1968 Talking Barbie, and yes, she actually talks. I got her nude, and I need to probably find some real vintage clothing for her next--as soon as my budget starts to recover. She's in very nice condition--her face has yellowed a bit, compared to the rest of her body, but her hair and rooted eye lashes (and talking!) distract me so much from this that I just can't help but love her to pieces!

For those of you who haven't been following my budget issues, you can read about them on my blog. Click on Newer Post for the next one. There are three posts about this issue, if you're interested, or if you are currently arguing with your loved one about your dolly dollars. Read through my posts and then you can talk to your significant other and claim, "Look at this girl. I'm not nearly as bad as she is!"

See the rest of this lovely lady's photos on Flickr.

Solo in the Spotlight

Solo in the Spotlight, originally uploaded by alington.

Another eBay find, this is a 1994 repro of Solo in the Spotlight and my second vintage Barbie sculpt doll. I think her face is just wonderful. I also adore her outfit, and the fact that her hair is brunette.

I am not sure that these repros are such a great idea. For one, they have sort of ignited a hidden passion for the original Barbie doll in me that I didn't even know was there. These repros and also seeing original mint Barbie in other collections possibly was an influence. But what a wonderful way to broaden your collection's horizon!

Vanessa Switcheroo

Vanessa, originally uploaded by alington.

I allowed Queen V to pose in True Royalty's gown, much to Vanessa's grumbling. But Vanessa even got her own turn in Queen V's lovely cream silk outfit as well, and a new updo (just ignore all the flyaways--updos are not yet my forté).

You can see all Vanessa's shots on Flickr, and leave me a comment, to let me know if you think Vanessa or Vero carries off the best switch!

Veronique redressed

Veronique, originally uploaded by alington.

I've redressed Queen V Veronique in True Royalty's (Vanessa) outfit for photos. I think it suits her quite well--it really make's Vero's eyes pop. She's got such a nice pale (almost glowing) skin tone.

Jewelry is by LVNV Dolls and matches well, too. I love it! See thre rest of her photo shoot on Flickr.

Sweet Roses PJ

Sweet Roses PJ, originally uploaded by alington.

Another Ebay find, I got her for a song. She needed some hair work, and still isn't quite perfect. But here she is after a bath.

I think her shoes aren't the right ones, and she probably needs earrings. But I find her adorable.

I'm pretty sure she was a rose-scented doll--I never owned her as a girl. My neighbor did, and I coveted her something awful. (Great grammar for a blog, don't you think?) At any rate, I'm thrilled to have her in my 1980s collection now!

Jasper, after hair wash

Jasper, after hair wash, originally uploaded by alington.

My six year-old daughter's doll, Boogie Beach Jasper, was a special Christmas gift. She sees a lot of play and was overdue for a spa treatment.

She got a nice shampoo and fabric softener soak recently. I think she's pleased with her After look.

Peaches N Cream

Peaches N Cream, originally uploaded by alington.

I still need to take some real photos of her, but here is a fun silhouette shot of the new 2009 repro Peaches.

I had the original when I was growing up. The repro is not as tan as I remember. Plus, I could have sworn the original Peaches had purple eyes (I bought her when I lived in Germany). I could easily be mistaken.

Even with the differences, this doll is truly gorgeous in her own right, and I don't mind at all that she isn't as tan and has blue eyes and purple eye shadow. LOL! It's almost less embarrassing to my daughters.

Superstar!

Superstar!, originally uploaded by alington.

Another shot of one of my Ebay lot Barbie purchases. She has straight arms, and the blue eyeshadow of the original Superstar Barbie, but her hair is too light, and her arms are straight.

Here she is dressed in Day to Night's bodysuit and Dream Date's convertible skirt with stole.

Dream Date Barbie in Springtime Magic

Dream Date Barbie in Springtime Magic, originally uploaded by alington.

One of my favorite outfits of the 1980s era, Springtime Magic, is being modeled by classic 80s icon, 1982 Dream Date Barbie.

I grew up in Germany, and when I originally owned this outfit, it was actually sole on a dressed doll. Neither the doll nor the outfit is in my collection anymore, unfortunately, but I'm trying to rebuild the collection I once had. Without, of course, digging too deeply in my BJD pocket. It's not going too well, as you might imagine!

At any rate--a lovely outfit, in the spirit of a Easter dress. Happy spring!

Crystal Barbie

Crystal Barbie, originally uploaded by alington.

She was the envy of every girl on our block growing up, and at the risk of sounding dated, I went to one of my formal dances (or a prom) wearing a Jessica McClintock gown with a similar iridescent fabric.

It's Crystal Barbie! I'm nearly 40, and she's finally in my collection! Now, I feel like I have accomplished something.

(I am so just kidding! She is adorable, isn't she?)

Enchanted Evening Barbie

Enchanted Evening Barbie, originally uploaded by alington.

This is my very first "vintage sculpt" Barbie. She's from 1995, and a great buy from Ebay, Enchanted Evening. She was also available as a brunette.

You can see more photos of her on Flickr, including her see-through sparkling "glass" slippers.

1983 Lovin' You Barbie

Lovin' You Barbie, originally uploaded by alington.

Here is a close-up of Lovin' You's adorable Superstar face. She's so friendly! (She's another doll from re-created childhood collection--I found her  used (and a great deal) from Joe Blitman.)

Plus, you can see her hair--an interesting dark golden blonde, almost a reddish color. I love it. I styled her hair in a wrapped ponytail for now, but I'm not sure I'll keep it like this.

I still need shoes and some jewelry for her. Plus I might rebody this doll--her legs have some pretty serious discoloration (spots and fading). But later. Her face is still adorable.

See the rest of her photoshoot on Flickr.

And here is her "before" photo:

1970s era PJ

1974 or 1975 PJ, originally uploaded by alington.

She was a $5 thrift store find, who needed a little help with clean up and some hair restyling. She is a little loose at the torso, and has a bite mark on one of her legs. But I couldn't pass up her sweet face.

My second ever Barbie "restoration," and my very first "real vintage" Barbie. It hardly counts, as she cleaned up so easily, it was almost scary. I had a blast! I'm totally going to be stalking yard sales now.

For ID purposes--maybe you, dear readers, can help:

• She has "Mattel 1974 Taiwan" (or possibly 1971) printed on the inside rim of her head. 
• No pull tab on her back torso, so unless she's been rebodied, I don't think she's the Free Movin' PJ (1975), though she looks a lot like her.
• Her hair curls easily, but it doesn't feel very wiry, even though she also looks like a Quick Curl Deluxe PJ from 1975.

She's dressed in a Dressmaker Details gown here (Blushing Bride). You can see more of this photo shoot on Flickr.

Oh yes, and her before photo here:

1983 Fabulous Fur

1983 Fabulous Fur, originally uploaded by alington.

Fabulous Fur Barbie, restyled and cleaned-up. I'm so happy with how she's turned out. (My first attempt at restoration!) She's a doll that's been in my family since 1983, when my sister bought her with her own money (when she was... seven maybe?). I don't think I can save much of her outfit--just a few pieces. She still has her ring, though. And her body is in great shape, and her hair--wonderful!

And I think she loves her new look, courtesy of Jason Wu of Fashion Royalty (Integrity Toys). Details are:

• Dress is from Paparazzi Bait (Adele)
• Earrings and trench from Bewitching Hour (Luchia)
• Shoes from Flight Pattern (Kyori)

Check out her before photo here (I hope she's forgiven me all these years of neglect, in my mother's closet):

So, which do you prefer? You can check out the rest of her photo shoot on my Flickr photostream.

Barbie Basic No 5

Basic Black No 5, Lea, originally uploaded by alington.

I've foolishly taken the plunge into Barbie Basics. For a $20 investment, you get a gorgeous doll with a basic black dress. I also found the Trends Accessories pack, filled with hot pink, turquoise and black and white shoes, belts, a purse, scarf and other items. It's a really fun combination.

This is Barbie Basic #5, the Lea sculpt. I think I'll take her hair down from the pony tail at some point. But she is just lovely as she is, too.

See the rest of her photo shoot on Flickr.

So POSH.

So POSH, originally uploaded by alington.

And then there's Posh. She's gorgeous with her spiffy outfit and cute freckles, FR Nippon Misaki by Integrity Toys. I wish these girls were easier to find in the states. Actually, I'm glad they aren't!

This was also taken from my Valentine's day display--my top shelf has mostly Alice in Wonderland-themed dolls, and red, blue and black dolls that I can't bring myself to redress.

You can see more photos of my display on Flickr. Do you change your doll displays for the holidays? For Valentine's Day?