Fashion Dolls 101

~ Because nothing says 4th of July like pumpkins!! ~ I commented recently on Michael’s May ad for the Lemax Halloween Village a few weeks ago, but nothing prepared me for a recent visit to the store where pumpkins sat next to 4th of July merchandise!  Maybe that mischievous patriotic gnome had something to do with it! Or maybe it’s because some of the pumpkins are white… for red, white and blue! In any case, the summer stuff and July 4 decorations are moving on out while pumpkins and fall have moved in at Michael’s. 

  The little patriotic trolls from Dollar Tree picked up some July 4 buckets there and some small 4th of July flags at Michael’s and went on an adventure to find some holiday treasure  They ran into Groovy Girls Vanessa along the way and sat down to share some holiday cheer.  After their visit, the gnomes realized that while they hadn’t filled their buckets with treasure, they had made a new friend— a very great treasure indeed.   Happy 4th of July from the Dollar Tree gnomes and Groovy Girls Vanessa! 

Michael’s is the new place to pickup Barbie balloons for parties or just for fun! The craft store has picked up a wide assortment of birthday, holiday, special occasion and general purpose balloons and created a versatile balloon aisle.  Mixed in next to the Disney Princess balloons are  Barbie balloons ranging from $6 to $25 depending upon the size/style! There is a generic Barbie logo balloon, a Barbie roller skate and a five-balloon assortment pack.  So check out your local Michael’s store for all things balloon… including Barbie balloons! Related: Bellevue Examiner June 2025: New Day Church, Big Benefit Yard Sale, Michael’s Balloons, Bellevue Farmer’s Market, Walmart, More!   s! 

 Build your Barbie world with adorable mini Barbie Land figures!  These cute little packages contain a doll and accessories including a miniature vehicle.   I got the red headed mini in the pink swimsuit and sarong that comes with a pink convertible, palm tree and wave, and a pink surf board. So cute!  These minis are substantially smaller than the ones I got at Dollar Tree.  At $5.88, they are also more expensive, probably because of the accessories. I think one of this series will be enough for me… unless they get marked down! Then all beta are off! Related: Barbie Minis at Dollar Tree Barbie Minis Celebrate Veterans Appreciation Month, Flag Day and July 4 2010 Ty L’il Ones Hello Kitty 

  We’ve already discussed how cute the little Barbie Minis are , but with the right accessories, they are downright adorable! Look how cute they are having a patriotic picnic! Is it Flag Day? July 4? Memorial Day? Veteran Appreciation Month? ?? Maybe they are preparing in advance for America’s 250th birthday next year ! Who knows! They are ready for any summer holiday! The little tree is an aquarium decoration and the pastry table with bunting is actually part of the packaging of a piece of bunting from Michael’s. And the figure in the back is actually one of the Monster High minis.  It will be fun to try to find more accessories for the tiny 3” figures!

  The Barbie minis are not just getting ready for the 4th of July, they are getting the word out about America’s 250th Birthday !  While the minis are using an AI-generated logo for their party, the official l ogo has been unveiled  and will soon be appearing on America250 merchandise.  So enjoy your normal, traditional 4th of July festivities because the next celebration will be a doozy !  Related: 4th of July 2025: Events, Articles, Poems & More Logo Unveiled for America’s 250th Birthday Looking Ahead to America’s 250th Birthda y Michael’s: 4th of July & Pumpkins!