Contest!
This post over on SBTB, about Jude Deveraux romance novel Barbies, absolutely cracked me up the other day.
It also got me thinking…. If there were Pink Carnation Barbies, what would they look like?
Miss Gwen, of course, would come with a purple parasol. As Jessica pointed out on Facebook, the Mary Alsworthy Barbie would have the largest stash of glittery accessories.
That still leaves so many possibilities.
I did mention “contest”, didn’t I? Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is this
–Write a description of your own Pink Carnation Barbie (or Ken). It can be any character from the Pink series. Describe the box, the clothes, the accessories. Then post your description in the Comments section below.
Next Wednesday, I’ll open it up to voting and we can pick the top three Pink Carnation Barbie options.
Sadly, there aren’t actual Pink Carnation Barbies to give away as prizes, so, instead, the prize will be a Passion of the Purple Plumeria
Let the doll design begin!
I’m going to continue my description of Mary, Lady Vaughn…
She would come not just with a box, but an entire closet, full of gowns in her signature white (to show off her blue-black hair and sapphire eyes). She would be wearing the most-up-to-the-minute classical, high-waisted gown, in faultless white silk. She would have a mink stole (faux for 21st century collectors!) wrapped around her perfect shoulders. In her hair, on her ears, fingers, and around her neck would be the most stunning collection of sapphires (faux, for the 21st century budget). On her feet, the daintiest of silk dancing slippers, embroidered and beaded to delicate perfection. In her hand, she would hold a small cup (from the scene in Vaughn’s Chinese room, where they quote Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes).
Now, those accessories. Have we all seen The Princess Diaries 2? OK, her closet makes that one look like a broom closet. There would be racks and racks of stunning, perfectly cut white gowns, slippers and half-boots neatly arrayed on a 19th century version of a shoe rack. Jeweled hairpins would fill an entire case, organized by jewel: diamonds, sapphires, pearls, and rubies only — emeralds, like her sister, are too pedestrian! Her rings would fill another entire case; she has insisted that Vaughn present her with a new one each day for the first year of their marriage. Next we find an array of necklaces with matching earrings displayed on every available surface: rubies, diamonds, sapphires.
Hanging in the corner, almost unnoticeable, is Vaughn’s crimson silk dressing gown. He still likes for her to wear it for him sometimes…
Turnip. Just sayin’.
Turnip and Arabella would be dressed simply but elegantly in warm winter clothes, with a lovely muff for her, a brick to heat up, a comfy carriage blanket, and of course, a plum pudding!
I think Miles would make a dashing doll. His floppy lock of brown hair and tan knee breeches are necessary, of course. His body is formed such that he can lean against surfaces (for such activities as looming over fetching young women), and he comes along with a basket of ginger biscuits, a bouquet of flowers for Hen, and a book of code from the war office.
UPDATE on the Reginald Fitzhugh Ken Doll: The Reginald “Turnip” Fitzhugh Ken doll that has been specially crafted to enthrall doll collectors worldwide has gone missing! The Reginald Fitzhugh Limited Edition Doll, complete with pink floral waistcoat and feathery blonde hair has been mysteriously replaced with a Christmas Pudding! Sources close to the manufacturer suspect evil doings by none other than the Lord Vaughn doll, who has had a long-standing jealousy of Mr. Fitzhugh’s doll wardrobe and an even longer-running hatred of Turnips. Representatives of the doll maker have not issued a statement regarding the meaning of the Christmas Pudding, although loyal doll collectors fear for the future of the Mr. Fitzhugh ken doll. “Dear Reggie is such a dear boy,” says a Ken doll collector who wishes to remain anonymous, “That Lord Vaughn has been up to no good for years and I know he is behind this catastrophe. I just want my Reggie doll safe-and-sound!” Investigations are ongoing.
Great idea! So excited!
The Augustus Whittlesby doll: long white shirt with poetically full sleeves. Arms able to fling themselves about while emoting poems dramatically.
Tight pants, the better to show off his physique.
Scroll and writing instrument included to capture his latest thoughts.
The Henrietta Selwick doll. With long reddish-brown hair in a coiffure adorned with a pearl comb. Her most becoming muslin dress. Little red codebook and a bush to hide behind. Oh, and let’s not forget Bunny-the-Bunny!
The Penelope Deveraux doll comes with two outfits: a dashing ball gown which only stays up because it has tiny velcro attachments, and a beautifully-cut riding habit complete with shockingly mannish hussar’s cap. Her long red hair is definitely not fastened to the doll (except at the roots, of course) so that it can be arranged in numerous ways to indicate Penelope’s current mood.
Several Regency men dolls, some with (nonfunctional) weapons and some with quizzing glasses, are available by separate purchase to accompany Penelope on her adventures in both ballrooms and in the British Raj.
Arabella Dempsey Barbie® doll
Your Arabella doll comes dressed in her gray school dress. Arabella dismisses the dress as ugly, heavy, and serviceable, but Turnip Fitzhugh can even see that its simple lines mold against Arabella’s figure quite nicely, and that the dark color against her light hair makes for a dramatic contrast.
For the Twelfth Night Ball, Arabella transforms from schoolteacher to head-turner in her frothy white gown. It may have been made over from one of Aunt Osborne’s old frocks, but Arabella still looks like the belle of the ball. And despite that Arabella may rather resemble a milkmaid in the dress, Turnip has always liked dairy. The fact that it bares a great deal of bosom doesn’t hurt, either.
Arabella comes with her journal, a copy of her friend Jane’s book First Impressions, and a Christmas pudding.
Also sold separately: the Turnip Fitzhugh Ken® doll
Robert Lansdowne, fifth Duke of Dovedale
Possessor of golden blonde hair, brilliant blue eyes, and remarkable looks that proclaim him a Lansdowne is gallantly arrayed in his black and white night kit of black leather pumps, black silk stockings, black trousers, gold oval watch fob etched with the family crest of a dove with a rosemary sprig in it’s beak, black topcoat, white kidskin gloves, white silk waistcoat, white linen shirt, and crisp white cravat touched with a gold oval stickpin also etched with the family crest.
His accessories include one brown wool cassock with silver tipped belt for spying on the Hell Fire Club meetings, one Carlton House enameled snuff box for fabricating reasons to enter a home to protect others by taking their correspondence, and some jam tarts to catch unicorns or one’s beloved.
The inside of the box shows the theatre on one side and a cave with a large stone alter on the other. The back of the box is an image of Rob on a white steed decked out in his military regalia. Maybe this excerpt from the book: “Your coronet is slipping,” he murmured.
Charlotte looked up at him from under her lashes, eager and uncertain all at once. “It’s made of mistletoe, you know,” she said hopefully, tipping her head back at an angle as old as mistletoe itself.
A tender smile pushed at the corner of Robert’s lips. “Is it? In that case . . .”
His hand traced a path from her garland to her cheek, smoothing her tousled hair out of the way. His conscience gave one last, agitated bleat and went still. It wouldn’t do to ignore tradition, after all. Not at Girdings. What harm was a kiss, after all?”
Excerpt From: Willig, Lauren. “The Temptation of the Night Jasmine.”
Eloise Kelly doll prices at $39.99- This collector’s item is limited edition. Our new Eloise doll with a stylish two outfit option: One day time outfit and one “on the town” night time outfit. People of all ages will love the new accessories. Included is a bottle of glitter dust for when she’s going through the archives (archive, books, and desk sold separate) and a black purse. (Purse sold separate) The box is part American part English flag with silver glitter detail. Special features include: Eloise’s flaming red hair that can lighten or darken based off water temperature. A pink carnation charm and hook for a bag or backpack. This doll is a valuable treasure for any collector.
Lady Charlotte Lansdowne- This doll is complete with slippers and a rose colored dress with a blush pink silk bodice. Attached you will find gloves and a book. The book has a ribbon attached that can be taken off of the dolls hand. The box is stylishly covered with a magical picture of unicorns by a crystal lake. With the amazing detail you will not want to throw the box out when removing the Lady Charlotte doll. Included feature: when you apply cold water onto the Lady Charlotte’s cheek it turns pink, making her look as though she is blushing. Small parts included not for children 5 years old or younger. (Robert, duke of Dovedale sold separate)
Relive the adventures of the “The Secret History of the Pink Carnation” with the limited edition Amy Balcourt Barbie action figure. She has beautiful mahogany hair, blue eyes, and comes dressed in a lemonade-yellow dress from the scene in the boat where she first meets Lord Richard. Comes with pet sheep and saddle, map of the best routes from Paris to Calais, and two changes of clothes: one stableboy’s outfit complete with dirty shirt, trousers, and boots, and a small jar of soot to darken her face; and one charwoman’s outfit with scrub, bucket, and dagger to strap onto her leg. When you have the Lord Richard/Purple Gentian doll and the extra-special interrogation chamber place set, the scenes of the “Pink Carnation” will come alive!
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