What Is Going On With Barbie-Bussiness Insider!

 Hey Gang!

I found this Business Insider video.  I thought Mattel was doing well with Barbie, especially after Barbie: The Movie's release. I didn't know that the Barbie market was in a slump. 

 

The tariffs are hurting all businesses!

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Frugal Finds!

Hey Gang!

I am working on my Halloween diorama. I plan to use the haunted house I bought from Aldi as the central feature.  I need to add a few other things. I found most of these at Walmart, but I got one thing from Five Below.

I love these mini chalkboard tombstones from Walmart.  They weren't in my store. Someone from FB posted a link on how to find them online. They were $6.97!  Here is the link for them.

Here they are out of the wrapping. The package includes eight tombstones.

There is chalk also.

George is helping me out here with the scale.

They are embossed on the front, and the back is flat.

I might paint these edges so they blend in.

Next up is this Hopping Toy ghost. 

It and the tombstones look a lot like the items on the haunted house. The store had plenty of these cheaper items.

You can see that it winds up in the back. I think I might have the same problem with these as I have with the singing doll. They will go off in the middle of the night. The cost is on the item.

No haunted house is complete without skeletons! I found this unicore skeleton at Walmart. It was $1.00.

It isn't 1/6 scale, but it will work for what I have in mind.

You can use this bag of skulls in many ways! They are a great prop. 

This isn't my best photo.  I hope you can see this skeleton. I have seen many skeletons over the years. 

Many aren't 12 inches or articulated. Very few glow in the dark. 

I have a few more things coming, and I need to customize some to get them the way I want.

OK, Thanks For Looking!

Getting Ready For Halloween!

 Hey Gang!

One of my favorite markets to shop at is Aldi!  They have really changed over the last ten years.  They have added new products, and their seasonal aisle has a lot of things.  They even have a website where you can find recipes made with their products.  They also have a Facebook page where people post what they purchased and how they used it. They also ask others if they have purchased products and whether it was worth it. With so many new items, I found this useful. I was scrolling the feed, and I came across this Halloween Cat House!

It looks great for cats, and I thought it would work for my dolls as a haunted house! It was 6.99!

George helped me put it together. 

George: It is cardboard and has slots you use to put it together. It was really easy. No tools required! You can take it apart easily and store it away.

I think this is a great start for a Halloween diorama!

OK, Thanks For Looking!

Fugal Finds!

 Hey Gang

I was back at Dollar Tree and picked up two more outfits/uniforms. A construction worker outfit and a police uniform.

I thought they were good purchases because these packs include items I can use for different things.

The construction worker pack clothing only fits Barbie, not Ken. Even on Barbie, the outfit is a little short in the crotch. 

I can use the helmet for my construction workers. Maybe I should have a woman construction worker! 

I can use the reflective vest for a crossing guard.

The police officer's uniform is two-piece with sunglasses.

I will have to replace the pearl buckle on the uniform. It doesn't work.

The uniform pants are high-waters!

The sunglasses are kinda fly!

I also found these black-and-yellow containers at Dollar Tree. I was surprised and happy to see them there.  I have seen others find them at stores other than Dollar Tree, but none of those stores were close to me.

Setting them up at home.

I know I want to use them for my Home Depot diorama! They always have a section with containers.

I found a container at Home Depot, but it wasn't the right scale.

Dollar Tree containers and the one I purchased from Home Depot.

A new dollar-ish store in my area is Dollar Deals. They have a toy section with dolls and toys.

I found these dogs there!

Gordy, Scotty, Marcus, and Walter.

Bull Terrier, Irish Terrier, Dalmatian, and some kind of hound. 

OK, Thanks For Looking!

Finding An Articulated Body For Addison Rae!

Hey Gang!

Last time I talked to you about buying Addison Rae, I said I needed to find her an articulated body.

Well, I did! Barbie Besties.

Preparing for the swap. Addison Rae: It would be nice to do more poses!

Ms. Leo: I think this body will work!

Addison Rae: Thanks for volunteering!

Bestie: Volunteering for What?

I didn't notice when I purchased the Besties doll that there was a problem with the phone.

I think I look great now! This outfit looks like something I would totally wear!

I can still wear all the outfits I came with!

Even the shoes!

OK, Thanks For Looking!

Addison Rae and Video of the Month!

 Hey Gang!

Look what I found on sale!

2022 Addison Rae Ultimate Mystery Surprise Fashion 11" Doll Set w/ 60+ Surprises! I got it for $14.00. I couldn't wait to get her home to see what was inside.

I did some research on her. The original retail price was 49.99! I made out like a champ! 

In my research, I saw that Addison Rae is one of the most influential celebrities in the world. I guess I am behind the times.  I didn't know who she was. I first saw her as part of a couple on FB. 

Buzz Lightyear and Addison Rae.

I liked how they looked together. I previously found Buzz in a thrift store. All that I needed was Addison. Also, while researching Addison, I came across everything that came with the doll. She is not like Mini Brands, where the items change.

Addison's clothes and accessories.

Clothes and accessories with displays.

More!

closeup!

She is curvy but not articulated. I am wondering if I can find an articulated match for her.

I'm being lazy! I found this video by Justlykemadilynn about the Addison Rae Ultimate Mystery Surprise Fashion doll set. It shows the boxes being opened.

OK, Thanks For Looking!