Fashion Dolls 101

 ~ Barbie Red, White & Blue for Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4, Veteran’s Day ~ This Barbie line has been out for about a year now, but I haven’t posted an image yet. So here they are:the red, white and blue swimsuit Barbie and Ken, looking as patriotic and festive as Mon’s apple pie.  If you like the Stars and Stripes, this is a great patriotic swimsuit for beach and pool diorama. Pop a red skirt over it and it makes a cute top for Barbie when she’s not by the water.  Hurrah for the red, white and blue and all the patriotic holidays! Related Articles: Chelsea Is Growing Up Little Green Chelsea Merboy Doll The Changing Face of Chelsea, Barbie’s Youngest Sister  

As recently reported, Chelsea and her friends are growing up! On a recent trip to Walmart, I couldn’t help but notice her new look and features again.    She is now elementary school aged with a new wardrobe.  Chelsea was adorable as a toddler and cute as a little girl, but she has her own charm as a slightly older version.  I guess Mattel will be introducing a new baby sister in a few years since Chelsea inevitably will be going the way of Kelley and Shelley.  Related Articles: Little Green Chelsea Merboy Doll The Changing Face of Chelsea, Barbie’s Youngest Sister  

The cutest doll in the Barbie Dreamtipia line might be the Little Green Chelsea Merboy Doll. With his green molded hair, green tail, green chest plate on a blue sash, and blue sash around his waist, this tiny merman is ready to make a splash.  It’s interesting that the ocean-dwelling Dreamtipia mermaids and mermen honor the rainbow with their colors. The rainbow is historically the sign of God’s covenant with his people that He will never destroy the world with water again following the great flood. Symbolism at its finest!  If you like mermaids or just want to add something cute to your doll collection, the Little Green Chelsea Merboy Doll might be what you are looking for  plus, he would look cute in a St. Patrick’s Day display    

  The Byer’s Choice Christmas Carolers are a whimsical way to decorate for the holidays. With a vast assortment of Carolers to choose from, you can find just the right little face or two to add to your displays.  With prices that seem to hover around $80, they aren’t inexpensive, but they also are not easily found at most retail stores, making them a relatively unique addition to your Christmas decor.  This display was photographed at Katy’s Hallmark in Belle Meade, but the quaint holiday figures can also be found at  https://www.byerschoice.com/ Related Articles: 2022 Dollar Tree Elfs

  Dollar Tree has soft cloth elves for sale, and lots of them! The little boy elves are decked out in green, red and white with candy-cane striped leggings.  Dollar Tree also has boy and girl elves of color in similar attire with skirts for the girls.  There are even Santas and other soft cloth characters to go with your elves, all for $1.25.  Stop by Dollar Tree for your last-minute stocking stuffers and soft cloth Elf dolls. For $1.25, you can’t beat them.  Related Articles: The Elves of Christmas 2022 Celebrate  the Holidays

  The Christmas season is here! The plush and soft-bodied little elves have been waiting all year to come out and help decorate the tree.  From left to right we have two plush Elf on the Shelf dolls , a Dollar Tree elf, plush Mariah Carey “All I Want for Christmas, ” a generic Walmart Elf, and two dolls sold on EBay as Elf on the Shelf that I suspect might be knock offs.  I still dressed the possible knockoff girl elf in an authentic Elf on the Shelf outfit so she matches the plush Elf on the Shelf doll.  The Legend of the Elf The elf legend seems to have come from Norse mythology which mentions the “hidden folk.” This Norse character combined with other Scandinavian and Celtic legends about elves, wee folk and other mythical creatures became today’s elf. L-R lower: Walmart elf, Target elf, different Walmart elf. L-R upper: unknown elf, Elf on the Shelf girl (possible fake), Elvie from Kroger.  If all you want for Christmas is an elf doll, check Walmart, Michael...

 A recent trip to Target turned up a treasure trove of soft cloth rag dolls. One collection was in the Girl’s clothing area. Two other collections were in the Infants department.  The first collection, from the Girl’s department, was made in India and featured several darker completed dolls with Indian characteristics as well as a couple of Caucasian dolls, including a boy doll. Listed as Pillowfort Decorative Pillows for $15 on the price tags, the cute dolls also had Radiaant Expovision tags sewn on them.  In the Babies section I found more cute cloth dolls. These sweet little dolls, priced at $16.99, came in four styles including a boy doll.  And these little $9.99 pastel fairies might have been the cutest of all! So stop by Target and check out their nice selection of soft-bodied dolls. With several styles to choose from, they will be a hit under the Christmas tree in 2022