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On the eighth day of Christmas...

Tuesday, December 08, 2009


...A little nostalgia, if I may... When I was home for Thanksgiving, I was tasked with cleaning out all the crap I've been storing in my parents' basement since, oh, the age of six. Into the garbage went tons of notes passed in sixth grade; off to Goodwill went my college poster collection (Blues Traveler! whoo!), the J.Crew sweaters I basically lived in throughout high school and my small stash of Barbies, most of whom suffered very unattractive haircuts over the years.

Of everything, it was the Barbies that made me the most sad. Say what you will about unproportioned waistlines and whatnot, but I loved my Barbies growing up. It was probably my first introduction to fashion: All the extravagant little outfits, the teensy accessories, the tiny shoes! (And don't even get me started on the awesomeness of the dream house...)

The Barbie collector shop (where I went looking for the Comme des Garcons Barbie Susie B. blogged about, prompting this whole trip down memory lane — and no, they did't have it) features a number of vintage reproduction Barbies, including the 1985 Peaches 'n Cream Barbie (above, center), which featured heavily in my youth.

Some more editions I can remember below, via the extensive Barbie media site... and yes, I really kind of want that purple-edged asymmetrical skirt in an adult size...

13 comments :

Buttercup said...

I would definitely wear that navy blue coat-muff combination. Adorable!

Amanda said...

don't forget about Cat Burglar Barbie by Christian Louboutin!!!

www.netaporter.com

Elle said...

Oh how the memories flooded back just now with Peaches 'n Cream Barbie! I totally want that swimsuit too...
http://fool4thecity.blogspot.com/

leanneennael said...

I had 2 of the 3 purple-tinged Barbies, including the asymmetrical skirt! No matter how sparkly or cool they were, Peaches&Creme always won Ken's heart at my house. (Okay, so maybe she got her hands in his pants first. No joke. My Barbies were borderline dirty.)

kim said...

I just borrowed the 50 years of Barbie book from the library, it was great fun recognising some of mine. My barbies are still stashed away in my parents attic, in case they ever get grandchildren...

Carmen said...

did you know they made a Heidi Klum Barbie? since Heidi was in LA and VERY pregnant during fashion week, she sent her clone instead:

http://www.modelinia.com/videos/heidi-barbie/333

honestly, too precious for words...

<3 modelinia

Manic Trout said...

OMG, I remember back in 1985 when I got the Peaches & Cream Barbie! Say what you will about the proportions of the doll, when I was a kid in the 80's, Barbie was all about being a career woman. I LOVED her little portable office to apt thing. I did enjoy the clothes immensely, but I loved that I could play office with her even more.

beautyparler said...

OMG I had that exact Peaches & Cream barbie as well as the one in the bottom (middle) pic. I'm embarresed to write that I haven't been willing to part with my Barbies, they're stored away somewhere in my closet. Although they're not worth anything now because I too gave them "gorgeous" haircuts I can't seem to get rid of them.

Alison Santighian said...

i absolutely remember the asymmetrical fuschia (that's a fancy word for purple) outfit...

benson said...

while reading I'm thinking "why didn't you ebay this crap?!" You probably don't have the time--but seriously- we just sold "the flags of the world" (?? exactly what I thought too...from my husband's childhood) and got $300 for them--they've been in a box in the closet for YEARS. easy money, babe.

Jessie said...

I am 29 years old and still have the Peaches and Cream gown in my room on my dresser by my jewelry box. Every time I look at it it makes me happy, just like when I was 5.

Thanks for the post!

Charmanda said...

too cute :0 nice blogg :)

Sarah said...

I loved my Barbies too. Peaches and Cream Barbie was my absolute favorite. I am so happy to see that Mattel has brought her back--I want to buy her for my niece! I'm not going to lie, I'll still play Barbies with her ;).