Showing posts with label dolls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dolls. Show all posts

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Mega Bloks Barbie Building Sets Reviewed

Mega Bloks and Mega has been building Barbie-themed sets since 2012. Discover a few of the originals here as well as the replica of the Barbie DreamHouse as seen in the 2023 movie!

Barbie fans who enjoy building sets will enjoy constructing Barbie-themed Mega Bloks sets. They were released long before the 2023 Barbie movie on March 29, 2012. At that time, Mattel announced that it would work with Mega Bloks on the creation of a series of building toys themed around Barbie. Fans would now be able to build their own Barbie worlds.

Mega Bloks said, "We are thrilled to join forces with Mega Bloks to create the first Mega Bloks building sets based on Barbie" and I am sure they were. Who wouldn't want to work with Barbie, one of Mattel's most recognized brands? 

Mega Bloks is also a very well-known manufacturer, known for a line of building toys that are thought to be "innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products." As a team, these two companies created some wonderful building sets that are reviewed here on this page.


MEGA BLOKS BARBIE VIDEO 


Watch this three-minute video to see how you can build, design and decorate with Mega Bloks Barbie sets. 


WHAT AGE ARE THESE SETS APPROPRIATE FOR?


Mega Bloks says that the Barbie Sets are appropriate for children aged 4 years old and up. Small parts make them inappropriate for younger children but there is no limit to how old you can be to play with them. Adult fans will have fun building, designing and decorating with Barbie Mega Bloks, too! Some more recent sets have an older recommended age of 10 and are even designed for adult collectors.

BUILD 'N STYLE LUXURY MANSION, SET 80229

Mega Bloks Barbie Build 'N Style Luxury Mansion or House, Set 80229BUILD 'N STYLE LUXURY MANSION, SET 80229
Your builder will love this fantastic house, a mansion with eight different rooms that can be organized as she likes. There's no doubt that this set will make a little girl's eyes light up. It includes two of the Mega Blocks Barbie dolls or micro-dolls as they are called, Fab Girl Barbie and Teresa. 

BUILD N'STYLE BEACH HOUSE, SET 80226 


Mega Bloks Barbie Build 'N Style Beach House, Set 80226


Yes, Barbie also has her very own beach house. This set includes two micro-dolls, Beach Fun Barbie and Beach Fun Nikki and the that is comprised of two rooms and a patio that can be arranged however the builder likes.


BUILD 'N STYLE POOL PARTY, SET 80228 

Mega Bloks Barbie Build 'N Style Pool Party, Set 80228
The Build 'n Style Pool Party is cool or at least Barbie and Ken will be when they take plunge! It comes with two micro-dolls called Pool Party Barbie and Pool Party Ken and a multi-level pool that actually holds water. The pool area is built and decorated by the builder using the umbrellas, trees, flowers and other accessories that are provided.

BUILD 'N STYLE CONVERTIBLE CAR, SET 80223

Mega Bloks Barbie Build 'N Style Convertible Car, Set 80223
Where would a beach-themed Barbie set be without a car? The Build 'N Style Convertible Car allows Barbie to get around with the top down! We love it. Although it is nothing like the Barbie convertible from the 1970s, it still seems very like Barbie to me. The pink car features wheels that turn, a working trunk and a doll called Go Barbie.

ORIGINAL MEGA BLOKS BARBIE SETS


A few more of the very early releases:

The Pet Shop
The Fashion Boutique
The Fashion Stand
The Ice Cream Cart
Party Time 
Movie Star 
Puppy Pals

2023 MEGA BLOKS BARBIE SETS


Mega Barbie the Movie DreamHouse Replica building toy for adults.


The sets discussed above were the original releases but Mega Bloks has released more Barbie sets since 2012.  The most exciting set released in 2023 must surely be the Barbie DreamHouse, which is shown above. It is a replica of Barbie's home in the hit movie of the same name and is intended for adult collectors and rated for players aged 10 and up. With 1795 pieces, it comes with micro-dolls representing Margot Robbie's Barbie and Ryan Gosling's Ken.  

Find the Mega's Replica Barbie DreamHouse here, on Amazon.

Other recent sets include:

Color Reveal Train 'N Wash Pets
Horse Stables
Horse Jumping
Dream Camper
Malibu Dream Boat
Movie Replica Dream House

WHERE TO FIND THESE SETS?


Some of these sets can still be found on Amazon. Click here to see all of the Mega Bloks Barbie sets available there today. Amazon has some of the original sets as well as all of the latest sets.

The earliest sets discussed here on this page were sold under the name Mega Bloks, and have been discontinued. If you are looking for a specific one of them you may have to turn to eBay.  Click here to see what Mega Barbie sets are available on eBay today. 

The more recent sets are sold under the shortened name, Mega.

See you at the toy store!

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

MORE BARBIE READING


Barbie in my eBay Store
Discover what's in store! 

My Barbie Doll Memories 
I was a child when Barbie was released. Discover a few of my earliest Barbie memories.

Uncover my pick of the best Barbie movie gift idea.

Discover the movie fashioned after Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds movie!

Wear a Barbie Movie apron 
Find an apron inspired by the movie!








Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Tuesday, November 21, 2023

The Perfect Barbie Movie Gift Idea

Barbie Movie Gift Ideas: The Top Picks

If you, like so many others, are looking for the perfect Barbie Movie gift idea, you’ll enjoy the four options I am reviewing here on this page. There is a lot of merchandise available because of the movie but I believe these are the basic choices that collectors should consider adding to their collections now or even gifting to someone who is actually going to play with them.

THE BARBIE & KEN DOLLS


The Barbie Movie Margot Robbie Doll: Pink Gingham Dress

Barbie Movie Ken Doll in Beach Attire!

First up is the most important doll from the movie and the one you need to own. That is, the version of Barbie or Margot Robbie in pretty pink gingham. It’s just such an important part of the 2023 movie.

This Barbie is ready to have a great day in Barbie Land. Her hair is pulled back and tied with a pink ribbon that coordinates with the gingham dress. Her accessories complete the look and she looks like she’s stepped from the movie big screen and into the box. Find your Margot Robbie Barbie doll on Amazon by clicking here.

Then you will need the Ken doll. He is dressed for the beach as seen in the movie in a pastel-colored, striped short set with blond hair, unbuttoned shirt and white sneakers that make him look like he also stepped from the movie into the box. Find your Ryan Gosling Ken doll on Amazon by clicking right here.

THE CONVERTIBLE


From the Barbie movie, Barbie's Convertible: A Pink 1956 Corvette Stingray

Next, you will need Barbie’s convertible. She put her 1956 Corvette Stingray to good use in the movie and for simple, imaginative play value, I think it is a great choice. You have two choices.

I prefer the first Barbie Corvette, which is powered by the person playing Barbie. It looks just like the convertible on the big screen and will allow whichever four fashion dolls you put in the car to take off on an adventure.

The other option is the Hot Wheels Remote Control Barbie Corvette, which once again looks just like the one that you saw in the movie. It will hold two fashion dolls and is controlled by a remote control. Find them both of these Barbie corvettes here on Amazon.

THE DREAM HOUSE


The Barbie Movie 2023 Dream House

Finally and only after you have added these other choices to your collection, you might want to consider Barbie’s newest dream house, the 2023 version. This, the biggest gift idea shown here, will deliver hours and hours of creative play but be aware that it will take up some serious space and it does come with a somewhat expensive price point.

This version of Barbie’s Dreamhouse is modern with an open floorplan design and 75 accessories. The play areas include a kitchen, living room, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, closet, bonus room, balcony, pool and a huge slide. It even has a working elevator that is wheelchair accessible. Find your Barbie Movie Dream House here on Amazon.

I love all of these Barbie Movie gift ideas and yes, they all come boxed in movie-themed packaging! True collectors might want to hang onto a sealed set but true fans will probably need to play with them.

See you
at the toy store!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda








Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Thursday, October 19, 2023

Wear a Barbie Apron Over Your Outfit!

A trio of three Barbie aprons for women that will remind you of the Barbie Movie and Margot Robbie's version of Barbie!

The world first met Barbie in 1959 and here we are, sixty-four years later, having been reintroduced to her in a big way. I reckon only those who are totally oblivious to the movie world could have missed Barbie this year. She had her very own movie which was the highest grossing film in Warner Brothers’ 100-year history. Such success in the year 2023 brings fans a lot of merchandise choices with which to declare our love of the iconic fashion doll and of the movie. 

Join us today as we review a couple of fun Barbie aprons. Every fan of Barbie needs an apron on in the kitchen to protect the outfit she wears! I also think a Barbie apron would make the basis of a great Barbie costume for Halloween because over the years Barbie has, of course, spent a lot of time in the kitchen. She has had multiple kitchens in varying styles and she has been both a chef and a waitress. In the 1960s there was even a Barbie Learns to Cook doll, which has since been reproduced. (Look for both the vintage and reproduction Barbie Learns to Cook dolls and accessories here on eBay.) 

Anyway, in celebration of Barbie and her movie, here are a couple of my favorite Barbie-themed aprons from Etsy. Aprons, that is for the individual who wants to wear a Barbie-themed apron as opposed to someone who is looking for an apron for a Barbie doll! (Yes, they made those, too.) You could use any of these aprons to recreate the Barbie apron outfit that you saw on Margot Robbie in the movie.

CURSIVE LETTER B APRON

This fun Barbie apron features the large pink cursive letter B that comes along with Barbie's new (2023) movie!

This first apron features the characteristic big pink cursive letter B that represents Barbie. It is a poly twill apron that is lightweight, stylish and durable and will have you looking great in the kitchen and in the backyard. Find it in Inspire Studio Me's store here on Etsy

BARBIE-Q GRILLING APRON


Love this Barbie-Q Apron with the profile of Barbie in her chef's hat.

Next up is another fun apron, this one for the backyard. It features Barbie’s iconic pigtailed profile with Barbie wearing her chef’s hat. I love the image and the gingham fabric, too! Find it in Abigail Road Design's store here on Etsy

PINK GINGHAM APRON

Barbie Pink gingham apron is like Margot Robbie's apron dress.

Finally, I share this simple pink gingham apron, which reminds me of the pink gingham apron dress that Margot Robbie wore in the movie. It is a one-sided polyester print, definitely reminiscent of the movie. Find it in Retro and Whimsical's store here on Etsy.

Are you a Barbie fan? Will you be strapping on a Barbie apron?

See you
in the kitchen!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda


MORE BARBIE & APRONS

Aprons for Cooking and Entertaining, A Resource Page

My Barbie Doll Memories

Cooking for the Holidays? Tie on a Christmas Apron!

Barbie is in my eBay store. See what's in store here!

The Andy Warhol Barbie Doll






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Tuesday, September 12, 2023

MY BARBIE DOLL MEMORIES

The new Barbie movie has caused lots of us to stop, think and talk about our Barbie doll memories. Discover the memories of this Baby Boomer!


BARBIE MEMORIES OF A BABY BOOMER


Barbie was invented in 1959, a few years before my sister and I were born and it would be a few more years before we were ready to play Barbie. When we were ready in about 1967, a young neighbor who we barely knew gave us her entire Barbie collection. She had had a few years to amass a small collection and to outgrow it. How lucky for us! That gift was the start of our Barbie collections and provided many, many hours of play. Though I have no idea who she was or where she might be today, I have never forgotten her generosity.

Over the years, we accrued, mostly from Santa Claus, but also on birthdays and with birthday money, a few more Barbie dolls and, of course, a few more Barbie-themed items to go with them. 

As with most familial memories, my sister and I have slightly differing memories but I know that we shared that collection that was passed to us over the fence. What follows is a review of the main Barbie items that I remember us having. I apologize if this list is not 100 percent accurate.

GOIN' CAMPING BREEZY BUGGY CAR AND TENT TRAILER SET (1973)


GOIN' CAMPING BREEZY BUGGY CAR AND TENT TRAILER SET (1973)
I had a Barbie convertible and tent trailer set from 1973 known as The Barbie Goin' Camping set with Breezy Buggy and Tent Trailer. The Breezy Buggy “really rolled” and the tent trailer “closed up to tow neat and tidy.” This set came with everything that Barbie needed to go camping with including a sleeping bag, a campfire and grill, a camp stool, a picnic table and cooking accessories.  I turned up a few Goin' Camping sets and items here on eBay. It is interesting to see that people still want this set today.

COUNTRY CAMPER (1970)


We played a lot with Barbie's Country Camper. How about you?

My sister had the 1970 Barbie Country Camper, which was known as “a home for Barbie wherever she explores…The swinginest camper on wheels!” It, too, came with a a couple of camp stools and sleeping bags to help Barbie on the go. I found a selection of Country Campers and replacement parts and pieces here on eBay. The picture shown here was used with permission of eBay seller Gameday28 who has other Barbie items and a large selection of vintage toys in his eBay store.  

THE TOWNHOUSE (1973)


My sister also had the three-foot-high Barbie Townhouse that featured a real ‘working’ elevator and a house full of plastic furniture. For whatever reason, I vividly remember the orange couch. 

TALKING BUSY BARBIE (1972)


In terms of dolls, I remember having a Barbie with short curly hair that talked. I think she may have been the Talking Busy Barbie who was released in 1972. This talking doll said things like, "I dig having my own TV," "The new fashions are wild" and "That music is groovy." 

MALIBU BARBIE (1971)


I also remember both of us eventually owning the 1971 Malibu Barbie. She turned out to be one of the most popular Barbies ever made and was produced for quite a few years. She was the ultimate surfer girl, suntanned with long straight blonde hair. Interestingly, she was popular enough that she has even been reissued over the years. If you are curious, you can see all of the new, used and vintage versions of Malibu Barbie here on eBay. My search just now turned up more than 2,300 Malibu Barbie items!

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We did not have a lot of toys when we were growing up, which was the way it was in those days for most children. Being gifted with a Barbie collection was definitely pretty special.

How about you? Did you play with Barbie? Do you have any Barbie memories?

See you 
in Barbie land!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

MORE BARBIE READING:


Barbie's in my eBay store! See what's in store here.



My Barbie Memories include a variety of pieces from the 1970s including Barbie's Goin' Camping Breezy Buggy & Tent Trailer, the Country Camper and the Townhouse.






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Julia Child's Apron

Learn a bit more about Julia Child, the famous television chef and author's apron!

The pandemic world sent many people who previously spent little time cooking into their kitchens where many learned that a good apron protects your clothing from stains and can also keep your kitchen tools (and your cellphone) close at hand. There are many styles of aprons but, if you want to follow the lead of Julia Child, the famous American chef, cooking teacher, author, and television personality, you should know that she preferred her aprons plain and sturdy. Pretty and frilly, she felt, is not useful. She once said of a pretty apron that was gifted to her, "Oh, Dearie, dainty doesn't do in the kitchen."

That quote comes from EllynAnne Geisel’s 2002 HuffPost interview with Julia Child on the eve of her ninetieth birthday. They discussed Child’s apron memory and Child told Geisel that she had not worn an apron at all until she met her husband Paul and that she then adopted the Cordon Bleu tradition of wearing a blue denim apron with a towel draped over the ties at the waist. It makes sense that the Cordon Bleu (and Child) wanted an apron that was simple and serviceable and that the towel is better for wiping hands on than the apron.

On Geisel’s blog post, she says that she recorded an hour-long interview with Child and that the recording is safely tucked away for safekeeping. Wouldn’t you like to hear that interview? 

In the 1970s, Child was a cooking icon and Saturday Night Live created a parody skit. According to the L.A. Times, Child was delighted and agreed that “cooking is often messy...” When faced with mess, Child continued on and was, I am sure, glad she had her apron on.

AN APRON LIKE THE ONE JULIA CHILD WORE?


I went looking and could not find an apron exactly like the one that Julia Child wore. However, I found this interesting denim apron by Chef Works that should prove suitably durable and that has two pockets and a tie for tucking that all important towel into. Shown here is the full-length bistro apron that is available with or without a bib as well as in varying lengths. Find Chef Works' denim bistro apron on Amazon here.

Here's an apron, reminiscent of the one Julia Child wore. Denim, with pockets for kitchen tools and an all-important tie for tucking your towl into.


JULIA CHILD APRON ADORNED ORNAMENT AND DOLL


Julia Child fabric ornament by Silk Road Bazaar


Julia Child wooden peg doll by Peg and Plum.

In my search, I also found these two great gift ideas. That is, a Julia Child fabric ornament by Silk Road Bazaar and a Julia Child wooden peg doll by Peg and Plum both of which wear an apron, are from Etsy and would make unusual gifts for any fan of the television chef.

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If you’re curious about the famous chef, you have probably already seen the movie Julie and Julia  starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. But did you know that in 2021, HBO picked up a new television drama series called Julia? It is currently in production with no release date available as of yet but I know some of us are waiting to watch the series.

See you
in the kitchen!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Sizzlin' Hot BBQ Aprons
Julia Child picture used via Creative Commons license CC BY-SA 4.0.








Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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