Fashion Dolls 101

One of the figures I have had on display this year as part of the semiquincentennial celebration is this historic Betsy Ross figurine from Avon  Fifty years after she was released in 1976, she has been a part of my America250 celebration all summer   The 1976 Avon Betsy Ross Sonnet cologne figurine remains one of the most recognizable patriotic collectibles from America’s Bicentennial celebration. Issued by Avon to mark the 200th anniversary of the United States, this charming figural bottle combines vintage perfume history with classic Americana design and continues to appeal to collectors of both Avon bottles and Bicentennial memorabilia. Design and Details of the Figurine The bottle depicts Betsy Ross in colonial attire, typically shown with the early American flag. Many versions feature the flag draped across her skirt or lap, highlighting the traditional story of her sewing the first Stars and Stripes. Standing about 5.5 inches tall, the piece held 4 fluid ounces of Av...

  There are tons of cute toys in the new 2026 Walmart “Let’s Go to the Toy Shop” catalog but my eye was immediately caught by the Barbie holiday offerings. I think it is nice that they offer a Hanukkah sweater in blue tones with the blue checked pants, but I am really diggin’ that adorably festive Christmas sweater with matching red checked pants. It’s super cute for the holidays. And take a look at Ken! I like the formal red dress for Barbie, but I LOVE that tux for Ken with the snazzy red jacket. Guess I better start counting my Pennie’s now, while Pennie’s are still around.  It looks like it is going to be a Happy Holiday Season in 2026 with Barbie. 

  We are only two small gnomes, red-white-and-blue from tip of cap to toe of boot, standing with our little flags. One of us holds the Stars and Stripes. The other holds the America 250 banner. One a simple sign that reads USA, the other a heart of red, white, and blue. We keep to our humble hearth and home, and we have long memories. We do not understand why so many of our countrymen—especially the young—have been taught to look away from the deliberate terrorism of September 11, 2001. Nearly three thousand souls were murdered that morning when airplanes were turned into weapons against our towers, our Pentagon, and the seat of our government. We said we would never forget. Yet twenty-five years later, many have forgotten, or have been carefully instructed to forget, or have decided that speaking plainly about what happened is somehow racist or “Islamophobic.” We remember Todd Beamer and the brave passengers of Flight 93 who rose up, fought back, and forced their plane into a Pen...