Sending a married man off to an abroad business trip should be strictly prohibited, especially if that said husband happens to be funny, helpful and kind. But what can I do? On the lonely evenings I entertain myself watching Dynasty episodes. I remember how empty the streets would become on Sunday nights when the show was aired. It was a perfect ending of a weekend. First there was a Disney cartoon, then half an hour of dull news on TV (at least it gave you some time to clear the dishes after dinner) and then Dynasty at 8 PM. Now that I’m listening to a familiar opening theme and there’s a parade of glamorous women on my TV, I kind of fancy showing one on my blog as well.
The International Travel Barbie series consists of only two dolls produced in 1994 and 1995. The two dolls share a theme of travelling but that’s all they have in common, to me they couldn’t be more different. The 1994 Barbie is a playline through and through – a pink dress, a pink box, even the suitcases are pink. The doll, however, has a lot of potential and I’ve seen her redressed, she’s gorgeous. But even in her colorful getup she looks sweet and adorable and I’d be happy to own her. Maybe I will. Barbie was available in two options that differed in terms of the box and the accessories inside. The first option was a doll in a large pink box with a window and she came with two suitcases amongst other things. The other one was more of a budget version. The doll and slightly fewer accessories were packed in a slim box solid on all sides so you couldn’t see the Barbie inside unless you took her out. In both cases Barbie was identical.
The second edition bears the features of a collectible doll and was also available in two versions- a big box that opened like a book and allowed a good view of the doll beautifully displayed inside or a slim, solid box that looked like a suitcase. This time both the dolls and the accessories seem to be identical, although I cannot be sure, because the table of contents on the side of my box doesn’t mention all the items I found inside. It was a nice surprise to discover there was more than I had initially expected.
My Barbie is wonderful, I had been meaning to purchase her for quite some time and I cannot understand why I put it off for so long. Barbie’s hair is short and secured with a generous amount of hair product. It’s hard and solid so that you could actually tap on it, but it keeps the style. I love Barbie’s make-up, although it’s entirely blue –blue mascara, blue eyeliner and the eye shadow that goes up to her brows. The lipstick is dark magenta with a pearly shine to balance the blue. She’s one of the prettiest dolls from the 90s that I’ve ever seen.
I absolutely love Barbie’s two-piece suit, she looks so smart! The jacket and the skirt are really well made and the fabric if of high quality, but the only thing I’m not so crazy about is her plastic, hot pink belt but it’s a separate piece so it can be replaced with something more suitable. Mattel didn’t cut the corners with this doll and so she’s wearing a real pair of pantyhose, something that I always appreciate! I also like the little hat, it’s a nice touch and it looks great with her hair. In fact, if there was an airline logo on her jacket and her hat, she would make a very elegant flight attendant as well as a business class passenger. Her pumps are fiercely pink, they’re fine but I would prefer them to be red.
Barbie’s many accessories come packed tight in a plastic bag at the bottom of the box, it seems hard to believe Mattel managed to put so much into such a slim box. In fact, the table of contents doesn’t mention a few of the accessories which is quite unusual when compared to today’s practices when every single tiny accessory is well displayed in a box so as to make a doll more attractive. How I love the old Mattel! Anyway, in the box I found a hanger and a garment bag, a bracelet for Barbie’s little owner and a little bag for the bracelet, there’s also a black and functional purse and a hat case that rattled when I took it out of the plastic bag. Inside I found the sunglasses I was looking for and also a can of soda and a pencil that I wasn’t expecting. We’re talking the 90s so of course a classic Barbie brush was included although I cannot imagine brushing Barbie’s concrete hard hair. Barbie doesn’t come with any suitcase, she’s chosen to travel light to Paris – you don’t take a tree to the forest! No doubt she’ll go shopping like crazy in the World’s Fashion Capital and she’ll buy the necessary suitcases as well. On her way back she’ll have to incur a heavy fee for luggage excess.
At the back of the inner cardboard I found some paper stuff. There were the cardboard punchouts that I’m usually not impressed by, but this time I liked the colorful postcards, the passport and the airline ticket that identifies Barbie as the passenger and not the staff. I was also pleasantly surprised by the certificate of authenticity. I don’t know about the 1994 Barbie, but mine was apparently produced exclusively for Wessco International – a company that supplied airlines, hotels and cruise ships with high quality, luxury products. So it seems it was possible to purchase my Barbie at an airport or on board of a plane.
I’m simply ecstatic about the new addition to my collection, Barbie and her accessories are amazing and I even had a crazy idea to get her a plane. I’ve recently been to a toy store and I stopped by the Barbie section. They like to set up a little display they change from time to time and this time I could admire the enormous Barbie airplane with Barbie and Ken as the pilot and co-pilot. I must say that I liked the plane a lot, but I had to remind myself that I only have one display cabinet and a large and awkward item like that would never fit inside.
And speaking of my display cabinet, I recently purchased some no name doll stands from China, plastic ones. I normally buy only metal Kaisers because they’re the best, but they’ve always been quite expensive in my country and their price went further up and availability down so I had to find a suitable alternative. These Chinese stands are satisfactory I must say, they’re clear plastic are adjustable so they fit both Barbie and Skipper. Their price is also hard to beat – a dozen costs just slightly more than a single Kaiser. The delivery takes some time though, I should’ve ordered a couple dozen but now that I look at the contents of the cabinet, I don’t think I can squeeze in another doll. I promised myself my dolls would rotate, but it seems impossible to pick a doll to go to the boxes when I love the sight of each and every one of them!
I really like the second doll, her suit is very classy. Love your doll cabinet!
ReplyDeleteShe's great, but the more I see of the first edition, the more I think I want her. She's versatile, she'd make a great model for presenting fasion packs. She's not a priority, like the second girl, but she might end up in the cabinet.
DeleteI like both International Travel dolls (I'm an 80s girl through and through,) but the second one is definitely classier. You have such a nice display of dolls in your cabinet. Is it a Billy? I have one in blue.
ReplyDeleteMy husband hasn't had to go away for business in a couple of years, but he and my youngest daughter (who still lives at home) have been going to gaming conventions twice a year for a few years now. This year there were no conventions, but they did go camping for a week with our older daughter. Mr. BTEG left me a surprise bag of chocolates and a gift certificate to my favorite restaurant. Maybe your husband should treat you too. ;) Mr. BTEG and I have been married for over 27 years, so perhaps it's just easier for us to take some time apart.
Yes, it's Billy and I've got to say I spent some time arranging the shelves. I wanted to have 6 spaces, the bottom shelf was initially for accessories and clothes, but my dolls grew in number faster than I thought so I made it vacant for my sitting dolls.
DeleteAaa, what a thoughtful husband you have! A husband that leaves surprise chocolates for his wife is a treasure, and 27 years of happy marriage, what more can one wish for? Maybe dolls :)