Toys I Have Loved

Barbie & The Rockers Ken

2009-03-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

So this Ken is legendary to me. He was obviously in some sort of pan-sexual Bowie-fever dream, you know? The 80s were a really confused time for poor Ken. He came out of the "swingin' 70s" a changed man--have you ever seen Fashion Jean Ken? I mean, it was like a public outing!

If 1981 was the year everybody realized Ken was actually Barbie's gay BFF then 1986 may have been the year Ken took up a lover publicly. His name was Derek. They were the doll equivalents of Boy George and that drummer from Culture Club.

I sold the entire Rockers to some lady in France. They're more open with their sexuality there from what I understand.

Bob & Doug

2008-04-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

Eh, you hosers! It's Bob & Doug McKenzie!

I was such a dork that I had two sets--one in the box and one unboxed. I'm that lame. And my husband KNEW I would have to open them so he was like: You should get two.

Oddly, I never buy toys anymore so maybe this is why I need to catalog the ones I have/had.

1988 Happy Holidays Barbie

2008-02-09T09:37:00.001-08:00

This is the first of the famed Holiday Barbie dolls! She came out in 1988 and I'm about 90 percent certain she was a gift from my mother or grandmother. Her box was sort of mangled so I got rid of it. What can you do? I've probably mentioned this before but I *hate* NRFB dolls. To me, not opening a doll and touching her is like saying you hate her. The only toys I never opened were those that I got when I was an adult. And I didn't open them because I knew it would destroy the value. And it bugged me to not open them. But enough about me.

Here she is from behind. She's running to greet her holiday party guests in her over-the-top sparkly gown!

Even though I didn't have the box, I did keep every little accessory, including her hair bow, shoes, and jewelry. |

I sold her on eBay last Christmas to a lady that had me send Babs directly to her sister as a gift. That made me happy. It sounds like that lady would really appreciate this doll. That's one of the reasons I don't mind selling my dolls on eBay as an adult. Collectors love their collections and probably will get more out of the toy than I do today.

This post brought to you by the words "contemplative" and "tedious"!

Bob & Doug Unboxed

2008-02-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

Bob & Doug McKenzie unboxed! Sold these guys on eBay.

Check out the detail! McFarlane Toys are exceptional in quality. And not too pricey.

I had a bit of a crush on Rick Moranis in the '80s. I mean, he was not only in Ghostbusters and Strange Brew, he sang his heart out in Little Shop of Horrors. If there were Little Shop action figures? I would NEVAH sell them. Seriously, that is the best movie ever!

Don't bogart my beer, hoser!

Edward Scissorhands

2008-02-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

This is Edward! *sniff* What young girl that wore black didn't love Edward?

Edward and his sad little snipped-up face.

Scissorhands!

Ooh, I have a macro setting. Jealous?

Astronaut Barbie

2007-09-07T19:43:00.001-07:00

Ah, I loved the "We girls can do anything, right Barbie?" era at Mattel!

This Barbie cracks me up because she's stylishly pink, even in space! It reminds me of my favorite Happy Days episodes--those featuring Pinky Tuscadero. Pinky wore pale pink even when rockin' a smash-up demolition derby. Seriously, I wanted to be Pinky when I grew up. Any woman that can smash a car in a pink helmet is worthy of my adoration.

This is Astronaut Barbie's butt. She's so tall and slim! Ha.

Bopsy of the Sensations

2007-09-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

In spite of her pro-nostalgia pro-boomer stance, I'm a fan of Bopsy as a personality, if not a name. I mean, who the hell would ever want to be named Bopsy? What is that about?

It appears Bopsy is just a Midge doll--don't get me wrong as I f'in' love Midge!--but with a retro makeover (which is odd when you consider Midge was already the hippest of the vintage dolls--save for Skipper).

I love the back of the box where it says: Pop Stars with the 80's Sound! (And, presumably, a 60's look?) At any rate, Bopsy is my favorite of The Sensations.

Becky of the Sensations

2007-05-30T20:51:00.001-07:00

I like Becky for several reasons. She shared my name, she had brown hair, she was vaguely ethnic, and she sang classic Motown. At least, I figured she did, based on her ensemble. During the 1980s, the only thing more annoying than pegged jeans were the Baby Boomers. They were extremely nostalgic for the 1960s and we suffered through an entire decade of "anniversaries" of important dates from the 1960s. The Baby Boomers were nostalgia-crazed and it just about drove me over the edge. I can't tell you how many Gen X'ers grew up feeling as though they were born 'in the wrong decade'--as though that even makes sense.

Anyway, Becky here fed the craze and I ate it up. Up to a point. I like Motown but the Boomers have always pissed me off a little.

Dreamtime Barbie

2007-05-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

1984 was a good year for me, not so much for Barbie. At least not this Barbie. I had no respect for her! My stuffed animals had been securely placed in a "net" above my bed that held them in all their aging glory. I was done with them. Barbie? She was still lugging her huge pink teddy bear all around with no shame!

Seriously Babs! Are you gonna read it a bed time story? Puh-lease.

Style Magic Whitney

2007-05-29T19:48:00.001-07:00

Style Magic Whitney was the Last Whitney--and she closed down the 1980s in style! I loved all the Whitney dolls because they were brunettes! And they just had a real classy look about them, you know? That's what I liked in the late 80s: class! Ha!

Sure is stylin'! Like magic!

California Dream Midge

2007-05-29T19:44:00.001-07:00

I don't really remember beach life being cool in 1987 but I was going to high school at a war zone in Flint, Michigan, so beaches weren't really on the agenda. that said, I love this Midge. She had roller skates--not "blades"--and she had a very perky ensemble.

Her red hair reminds me of one of my all-time favorite roller skating movies--Linda Blair in Roller Boogie! Check it out, seriously! It's about a floutist who wants to be a roller boogie champion. She makes it happen, with a hot (circa 1978) guy with fantastically feathered hair! Hott.

Feeling Fun Barbie!

2007-05-29T19:40:00.001-07:00

Her denim look is totally now! If now is 1988, which it was. And it was about two years too late then, as I recall. She's like the Barbie version of the sweet girl in the ZZ Top video that gets made over MTV video slut style!

Needless to say, she was never a fave of mine. I did kind of covet her pink boots, though.

Mardi Gras Barbie, 1988

2007-05-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

In 1988, I thought this doll was wearing maybe the coolest dress I had ever seen. Lavender with black polka dots! Hott. I had exceptional taste, clearly. Very forward thinking!

And I guess I thought Mardi Gras would involve fabulous parties with classy masks and not, like, a drunken parade that rewards naked boobies with cheap plastic beads. I had a lot to learn, clearly.

Dream Date Ken

2007-05-28T09:01:00.001-07:00

This was King Ken. He was the dreamy grown-up doll that all the younger Barbies wanted to grow up and marry because of his dreamy good looks and dreamy dating prowess. He took Dream Date Barbie on the best dates to the finest restaurants. This likely explains his shabby demeanor. Poor Ken! His cumberbund is broken. He's missing his fabulous bow tie and the rose that perfectly complimented Barbie's dress!

He was the perfect guy. He never made Dream Date P.J. feel like a third wheel!

Dream Date Barbie

2007-05-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

This is another of my favorites. I loved her ensemble. It was just so versatile to me as a child. I also like sequined because it was 1982 and I was 10.

I also always wondered why Ken was so into Barbie when, clearly, her pal P.J. was so much prettier than Babs herself. Though, even in my fevered Barbie play, I don't recall Ken ever cheating on Barbie! Isn't that odd? I had other boy dolls that were downright dirty dogs but Dream Date Ken was completely faithful to Dream Date Barbie and they often had dates that revolved around my sweet Dream Dining Room set.

It was all very dreamy.

Loving You Barbie, 1983

2007-05-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

I love this one. A lot. Probably too much. I got this one when I was about 11 years old and I thought she was just perfectly charming and cute in every way. I loved her outfit, her hair, her accessories and, in particular, her panties. I'm sad I didn't take a picture of those.

The doll came with a stamp, a pencil, pink paper and stickers. The paper was shaped like a heart and came in a special case! So cute!

Sweet Roses P.J. 1983

2007-05-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

This was a favorite of my mom's. She loved her "petal" dress and her curly hair.

I thought she was a little too girly, too soft. She was generally the doll that was too prissy to do any of the dirty work the other dolls got to do--for example Roller Skating Barbie was a complete whore who even lived in a trailer--the yellow Barbie "bus" that she shared with her boyfriend. Sweet Roses P.J. was the type of the gal that Roller Skating Barbie--I renamed her "Debbie"--would point and laugh at. Poor thing!

But I always liked the P.J. dolls in general.

Jewel Secrets Whitney 1987

2007-05-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

Jewel Secrets Whitney, 1987. I had all of them (Barbie and Ken) but sold them. Anyway, I thought this doll was soooo pretty when I got her in 1987. I was too old to play with her but I did put her on "display"! Ha! Her hair is so Crystal Gale! It cracks me up.

I always thought of this doll as especially sophisticated! I imaged her playing piano and singing in a nightclub. In 1987 I did not know that would likely end in heroin addiction that destroys her looks and her voice. Or maybe I did. That might have been sort of beautiful and tragic to me. Like Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues.

Wedding Fantasy Barbie

2007-05-19T16:02:00.001-07:00

Wedding Fantasy Barbie, 1999. This was a gift from my mom. I thought it was a gift for getting engaged but that's not possible, given the year this was produced. So I don't really have any clue when I got it or what the occassion was.

I enjoy how over the top lacey/insane the wedding garb is. Wonderfully tacky. I also think her shiny hair is most impressive!

Disney's Cinderella Fashion Doll

2007-05-16T19:52:00.000-07:00

This is a non-Mattel Disney Cinderella doll (never mind that it bears no likeness to the cartoon Cinderella, however). Odd but true. I never really played with this doll. I'm sure I got her in the mid- to late 80s.

Once More with Feeling Anya

2007-05-15T18:04:00.000-07:00

I picked this up at Tower Records in Memphis, Tenn., while visiting my mom over the Thanksgiving weekend. I always like the musical episode of Buffy, so much so that I even went to the Music Box in Chicago to sing along during a late night show last winter. It was a blast.

And even though some people dislike Anya as Cordelia-light, I've always liked her and enjoyed her (somewhat schticky) love of money. I kept this figure and, of course, de-boxed her. Whee! She's on a shelf in my office.

Season Five Willow

2007-05-15T18:01:00.000-07:00

This is Season Five Willow. I decanted her and she's now part of my collection of Buffy toys that sits on a shelf in my office. I don't like the stands that come with this series.

I think I'd like to have the dark and white witch Willows. There sure are a lot of these Buffy toys to get. Idon't feel the need to have them all. I'm not a completist, as the collectors say. I just like what I like, I guess. And I liked Buffy.

Doppelgangland Willow Rosenberg

2007-05-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

From Series IV, this is the the "Doppelgangland Willow"--unvamped. She's just sultry and "kinda gay" in her vamp/otherworld form. I am a huge dork. I kept this one and de-boxed her. I haven't really shared this with you yet--not that anybody is reading this but that's not the point. This is just a place for me to "keep" my toys that I'm slowly but surely getting rid of it.

Anyway, the point is that I don't like to keep toys in boxes. It vexes me. If I were especially solvent (and had unlimited storage) I'd argue in favor of the buy two (keep one, open one) strategy. Since I have neither the cash nor the storage space I buy one and I open it. Unless for some reason I don't open it. If I didn't open it? It means I got it when it was already considered "collectable" and I'd feel guilty opening a toy that someone else clearly wanted to keep boxed. Or it means I just wasn't into it. For the Buffy action figures? I felt guilty. For the Barbies? I probably just wasn't that into that particular one (or I was told to "keep it boxed" by my mother who has no clear sense of what is a valuable collectable but that's another story).

So, yes. I open the box. The humanity!

Buffy Action Figure, Bunny Anya, 2002

2007-05-13T16:14:00.000-07:00

This is the original and rare-ish Bunny Anya from the fourth series of Buffy action figures. 2002. A gift from a friend for our wedding! Ha!

I'm a fan of Anya. Whatever to you H8Rs!

Buffy Action Figure, Blue Jacket Variant, 1999

2007-05-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

Buffy action figure, with blue jacket variant. I love Miss Buffy. Gift from a friend, as a wedding present. Series 1 Buffy.

I loved Buffy early on. And Buffy herself got to be an annoying bitch, though, particulary in the last couple of seasons. I think she broke my heart when she ran to make sure Spike was okay before she ran to Xander--Xander is HUMAN! Spike is immortal. Spike's wounds will heal! Xander LOST AN EYE. *ahem*

Vampire Angel Action Figure 1999

2007-05-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

Vampire Angelus Action Figure, NRFB. Series I, 1999.

Back of the box.

They over-used Angelus. I'll stand by that until the day Joss Whedon dies! Then I'll get over it.

Vampire Spike Action Figure, 2000

2007-05-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

Vampire Spike Action Figure. Wedding gift from a friend. I am keeping a select number of Buffy action figures because I love the Buff. This is Series II Vampire Spike, released in 2000. I think.

Aww. I miss Buffy. Not so much Spike. I'm in the minority in my general dislike of Spike, right? And it's not because of my love of Buffy/Angel. I just liked Spike better when he wasn't Buffy's lovah. I liked him evil. And I liked him pining for Buffy. But I HATED him sexing her up. So creepy.

Time for Tea Barbie, 2000

2007-05-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

Time for Tea Barbie. Gift from mom.

And I think maybe all Barbies made after 1999 look slighlty cross-eyed. What the hell is that about? It's creepy.

Barbie Loves Elvis, 1996

2007-05-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

Barbie Loves Elvis. A gift from mom in 1996. Loved it. Displayed it in my office because I'm a dork. God, I'm a HUGE dork. And I wish I wore eyeliner like this Barbie. Everyday.

It's hilarious to me that that they show photos of Elvis alive . . . and of Barbie . . . being not alive.

Garden Party Barbie 1987

2007-05-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

Gift from my mom, of course! Look at that hair! What is going on with that? And the wings on that dress? It's an amazing commitment to a look, no? I'd love to see someone in that getup at a garden party trying to eat the crudites and sit comfortably on a wicker chair.

X-Files Barbie & Ken--1998

2007-05-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

X-Files Barbie & Ken. I loved the X-Files. And I loved Barbie. Aww. Two great tastes that taste great together in spite of the fact that these dolls resemble neither Barbie and Ken nor Scully and Mulder. Odd. I do love the tiny FBI badges. Of course.

I also have the X-Files action figures. That makes you sad for me, doesn't it? I don't need your pity.

Rizzo from Grease Doll, 1998

2007-05-13T14:30:00.000-07:00

Rizzo from Grease Limited Edition Collector's Series Poseable Figure. That's a mouthful. I purchased this one myself at Meijer Thrifty Acres in Flint, MI! I loved Rizzo and really related to her as a kid. What does that say about me? There are worse things I could do...

The first song I learned all the words to was Rizzo's big number in Grease: "There are worse things I can do/than go with a boy or two/even though the neighborhood thinks I'm trashy or no good/I suppose it could be true/But there are worse things I could do/I could stay home every night/wait around for Mr. Right/Take cold showers everyday/ and throw my life away on a dream that won't come true.../I could hurt someone like me/out of spite or jealousy/I don't steal and I don't lie/but a fact I bet you never knew/that to cry in front of you/that's the worst thing I could do..."

I just did that off the top of my head. Wow, I have wasted my life.

UNICEF Barbie 1989

2007-05-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

Likely a gift from my mom. She liked to buy anything in the specialty/limited edition category. I never cared for this doll's hair. I never removed her from the box. She was always just sort of there. I have no attachment to her as I wasn't that into toys at the time I got her as a gift.

I do love the illustration on the back of the box. Her hair is biggger than all of the children in the world that UNICEF is attempting to help. And also? She wears a bizarre costume for charity work. I wish Angelina Jolie would wear something similar when she's working with the poor.

Princess Bride Barbie, 2000

2007-05-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Princess Bride Barbie. Gift from my mother because I'm a fan of The Princess Bride. This doll looked vagule cross-eyed and I don't know why. It kept me from warming to her because I am incredibly judgmental and not the kind of person you'd want to show your heartfelt poetry to and ask me what I think.

Also? She just isn't Princess Buttercup so I don't get it.

40th Anniversary Barbie Doll, 1999

2007-05-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

The 40th Anniversary Barbie Doll. She was a gift from my mother-in-law. I was particulary enchanted by the tiny reproduction of Barbie #1!

The tiny Barbie follows my general rule: Anything that is much bigger or much smaller than it generally should be is completely enchanting.

Wonder Woman Barbie, 1999

2007-05-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

This doll was released in 1999 and I had to have it! What little girl of the '70s didn't love Wonder Woman? Or Barbie, for that matter?

Why don't they make super hero underwear for grown-ups? I would buy a Wonder Woman bra and panty set in a hot minute!