No new doll sightings

It's been tough in the trenches lately. I think the collectivles market is drying up.

Hmmm

I wonder if we'll ever run out of Barbie?

Columbus II

Back from the trip. It was exhausting.

Summer time.

County Fair

My most memorable would be Du Quoin State Farm Willie Nelson concerts. Huge crowds. I was dating Clint who? He took me on a date years later to Sam Kinison at the Fox. Kinsison was dead just a few years later.

That seems so funny NOW that I'd date him. He was short with a pointed nose. Wore cowboy hat and boots. Lgt thinning shoulder length brown hair and huge brown puppy dog eyes. I think it was his southern accent that had me intrigued. Cute butt too.

Ya know. Thought of DeVrieze. Because I was reading a piece on Marilyn Monre and remembered that his 50th b'day is Tuesday.

But I AM so done with him and that and whatever.

This place could use a rub down and so could I.

I am so exhausted.

Bottom of the food chain.

I left my leftovers from two great Columbus restaurants at the hotel this morning, accidentally! I hope the cleaning staff knew enough to save and enjoy these two great items:

Carmelized banana, whipped cream and Bread Pupping from the Columbus Fish Market, newly purchaed by Ruths Chris by the way, and the Harbor Inn.

This week I tried the following:

Damon's
Haiku
North Star
Columbus fish Market
Harbor Inn

For ice cream

Jeni's and Denise's

And the winner is Jeni's - Only because of the wait staff, but then there's the wallet incident.

Uh oh.

Bad memory. happy ending....

Columbus - Short North

Melissa Ethridge is playing tonight in Columbus at its State Fair.
Sorry to miss it. Weather is gorgeous in Columbus today. See, I woke up there before jeting off to St. Louis. Caught up on all the celeb gossip today, from 2003! Old mag.

Geoff, good job.

It was fun. I think I loosened up.

By Friday I was a gonner, thou.

Spageddies make great back scratchers.

I'm hungry in more ways than one.

Journals??? Hmmm. Thoughtful.

Why is it that we haven't met the men or women who first painted Barbie, ie, the Japanese artists who painted her eyes, lips and brows?

Is it because it was actually so simple that anyone could've done it?

OR

another reason?

Sweet Potatoes Winston Salem NC Restaurant Review

Solo Dining in the ole' South

Had the pleasure of dining at Sweet Potatoes on North Trade Street in downtown Winston Salem, NC on Tuesday eve. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I dined alone that eve. Business trip to the city for a buy event had me looking for some foodie relief. Their website advertised the place as contemporary Southern fare and it lived up to its name. I walked in and let the hostess know I was alone. It's housed in a restored, shotgun style building, with brick walls and black lacquer furniture. Art meets Atlanta feel.

The restaurant was less than half-full and being a bit shy, I asked to sit at the bar, rather than at a table. The bartender and a waiter were attentive and warmed up to me quickly as I asked about the specials and menu items. He recommended the drunken pork chops. I was sold. He accommodated my request for a taste-size order of the fried green tomatoes and they were awesome served with the house aioli.

I asked if the owners were in the kitchen and was told they were at their newly opened second spot called The Cotton Mill. Later, I noticed two swank, cosmopolitan looking African American women commanding some serious respect and it turned out it was the two of them. They were so gracious and Vivian told me she was glad I was there before heading off to the kitchen.

The restaurant menu is forward thinking geared toward today's consumers smaller palates and natural, earth friendly, home style tastes. (OK, maybe my Middle Age is showing here. Hee hee)

Several entrees are offered in half as well as whole orders. The half order of center cut drunken pork was moist, slathered in brandy gravy and served up with a heaping pile of heaven called Southern style cornbread stuffing. YUM ME!

Thanks to the bartending lady who opened up, the hostess who gave directions, the long-time waiter who knew his stuff.

By the way, I had cheesecake waiting at my hotel or I would've ordered dessert. However, he did mention they were out of the sweet potato pie...

Highly recommend, especially for solo business travelers looking for a knock-out dinner experience at the bar.

Wholesome sophisticated recipes with strong heritage and unbeatable prices.

K

Good Doll Hunting Day

What do you know? I stopped by a rummage sale at a local church, found a few things, but no good dolls. I was getting ready to check out and one of the church ladies suggested I go across the room to check out. As I got ready, I spot two old dolls cases on the table next to the check out. One contained a Muffie and Vogue Ginette with clothes and accessories and the other, a Cosmo Ginger with a bunch of clothes. Each case was $20, so I bought both!

Woke up feeling very tired. Must not have slept well. I drove home to check out my finds and take a 2 hour nap. Inside one case were two Tiny Terri Lee dresses! Those will be going on eBay. The Muffie is in pretty good condition with loose arms. Fairly easy to fix. The Ginger has some hair thinning, but she does come with her orig. outfit - dress and panty set.

I don't have a Muffie or Ginger. Have sold all I've come across, so may have to keep them around awhile. Am wondering how to restyle Muffie's hair. Need to do a Google search. She is a walker as is the Ginger.

Sunday Morning

Woke up feeling great. Beautiful sunny day here.

Got the adobe and AVG updates downloaded.

Good job.

Prepping to go downstairs and price all of the inventory heading to Barbie Con. Yeah!

Eight -teen days away.

Make Up

http://www.makeup-artist-world.com/gothic_makeup.htm

Edwardian Gothic John

While researching the clothes I'm wearing to the Barbie Con gala, I can across a site selling patterns to make scarflettes. These adorable pieces of whimsy and yard substitute do dobule duty as collars and scarves. The magnolia, with a handknitted white florette just below the chin line, was sweet and had a bit of Edwardian twist.

Just what I'm looking for. Edwardian Goth. I had no idea.

John Galliano - that's our table designer theme

Good Doll Story

Didn't make it out to the sales today. Been busy licking my war wounds.

Cleaned the played with lot I purchased Monday at Ronda's auction.

There's a Ken, painted Hair Midge, Japan PJ and Fashion Queen in the lot.

Still have so much to do to prep for BarbieCon.

Will be meeting up with the gang tonight to go hear some disco.

Yea, that's right. smile.

I plan to write a mystery book about my finds.

The afternoon when we found Blythe.

Biggest BarbieFinds

My wish list for KC:

Barbie Closet Book
Hair Happenin's Francie dress
Golden Glory Dress
Formal Occassion Cape


Go get a life and come back and talk to me.

I am so angry at him right now.

I am majorly disappointed that he went out on me. Don't know for sure, but am very suspect and if he put me at risk. Screw him.

What a low life. Who was I really dealing with anyway? Good riddens.

K

Dollruminations

I won a Francie w/ strgt legs on Shopgoodwill today. That is so fantabulous.

Get this...

Then followed up by purchasing 12 stands on bbbbbbbbbbbay.

Icecap Theory

We have been inundated with rain. It's a cold gray wet day out there. I have a theory that the reason we're seeing so much rain this year is because the ice caps are melting. The bees are dying. Plastics are choking the earth and us.

But on the bright side,

Got back from Atlanta late Friday night. Nothing like having gas on an airplane. I thought I was going to explode.

Been cleaning dolls and think I will try to list a few today. I am still organizing for Barbie Con. The dolls I purchased in E. Alton are really dirty!

More later...

Tuesday

Hmmm. Can't find my blog in any search engine. Not a good sign. I've already emailed Google about the problem. So what next. It's lonely here in cyberspace.

K

Collector's Carnival in Evansville IN

Slept in. It is great to just relax and unwind.

The Collector's Carnival in Evansville Indiana - A Review

Got there about a half hour after it had opened. Things looked very picked over. The usual dealers were there. Saw some great watches. Including a 14kt red gold watch I loved.

I think I'm developing an eye for them!

Were told by one of the dealers there were some fashion dolls at her bro's booth down the hill.

The show is located in a fairgrounds. Very similar layout to Wentzville's.

Anyway, we headed down there. Probably should have grabbed a vinge Barbie puzzle, but one never knows if all the pieces are there.

Found the dealer's brother. Two dolls, vintage fashion. But I had both and they were in played with condition. So passed. Headed to the 2nd Blg of dealers and found a Bubble cut w/red hair for $2. She has a neck split in the back, but it's small and not obvious.

Headed to the bottom of the hill and found a Ken Clone for $1. Then picked up a Francie head and TNT body for another $1. Smile.

Randy looked at watches. He bought a Bulova for .50 cents.

A local doll collector sold me a Susie Sad Eyes for $2.

We spoke with a dealer who didn't have any dolls there, but suggested I call her Aunt and Uncle. We drove to their house upon leaving the flea market/show and I found the Cher and a black Twirly Curl c. 1980.

$20 for both!

Drury Inn was OK, but crowded. Families and wedding parties... We did get in the hot tub. Enjoyed sleeping in a King bed.

We had dinner at the Hornet's Nest, a local's restasurant on the northside of town similar to a Zepetellas. I had chicken and Randal had chicken alfredo?

Yesterday, on our way back we stopped in New Harmony. Lunching al frescoe at the White House, Randal discovered a bug's nest in his salad.

Ick. The owner thru in a free dessert. Apple pie.

Got home and realized I'd made some great finds. I cleaned up the Francie and redressed her. The bubble I dressed in pink pak items - cotton skirt and body suit.



I'm debabting on whether or not to keep the Cher.

K

Check out my Doll Program!

“Me & My Dollies” grew out of my passion for vintage dolls and my interest in sharing this fun and rewarding hobby with others.

I have been a serious doll enthusiast for almost ten years and have bought and sold hundreds of dolls ranging from antique china and German bisque head dolls to the vinyl and hard plastic dolls of the 1950s and 1960s. My special area of interest is in vintage fashion dolls, including Barbie. I attend all of the local doll shows and am a long-standing member of the St. Louis Fashion Doll Collectors Club.

I have attended two National Barbie Conventions, in Denver and Chicago. And will be at the National Barbie Doll Convention Barbie on the Runway in Kansas City, MO, in June 2008.

I conduct doll programs for seniors and other community groups, such as residents of Assisted Living Centers, Retirement Homes, Girl Scout Troops, Schools, and to date, have presented the program to more than many fifteen groups throughout the region. All were very well received. Please email me for references.

“Me & My Dollies Overview

My presentation “Me & My Dollies," is a fun and informative hour dedicated to our first best friends - our childhood dolls. During my presentation, I give an overview of vintage and antique dolls and their makers, explain how to identify and care for old dolls, and share a few stories about my vintage doll “finds.” I bring a variety of dolls from my large collection to share with the attendees. All are invited to bring their own childhood dolls to the discussion. The remaining minutes of the presentation are speny identifying dolls and giving appraisals.

Fees: $100 per hour

The program usually runs between 45 minutes to an hour, with the last 10 or 15 minutes dedicated to an “Antiques Road show” style format where I identify and appraise the childhood dolls the attendees have brought with them.

During the program, I cover the history of dolls, from antique dolls up through the 1970s. I bring dolls from my large collection to illustrate the various time periods and explain how dolls were made, who the top makers where, how to identify and care for old dolls and much more. I also encourage questions from the audience.


Hours/Availability - Seven days a week. Two weeks notice if possible.