Happy Hinamatsuri Day!

Happy Hinamatsuri day! Today is the third day of the third month (March 3rd) when the Japanese celebrate the Girls day festival or the Doll Festival, otherwise known as Hinamatsuri. They celebrate with special ceremonial dolls displayed on tiered displays covered in red cloth. 

If you have never read the  book Miss Happiness and Miss Flower, a story about two lonely Japanese dolls and a lonely little girl named Nona , who builds them a Japanese dollhouse, by Rumor Godden, I suggest you do. It has exact plans and measurments of how to build a Japanese dollhouse and garden. 

But you also need to order its sequel, Little Plum, where the dolls welcome a neighbor doll, Little Plum , and make her feel welcome by celebrating the Doll Festival. It is a fun festival and a fun story and Rumor Godden is amazing in her descriptions of how these miniatures are presented with the little girls. I was able to build my Japanese set room using some of the descriptions from her book and google photos of Japan homes. 

 

Goodwill thrift store doll finds!

I went into the Goodwill yesterday, one of my favorite ones. They have been starting to 'bag' multiples of dolls/ Barbies now and I thought I would maybe get lucky....and boy did I! 

I found a vintage Scooby-Doo Sherlock plush, he was cute. I also browse through their books because it is cheaper to pay $3 or less for hardbacks and paperbacks there then anywhere else and I found an Alison Weir book. But back to the Barbies. Here is what I found for $5.99 in the bag!!! 

This is the original bag. Just so you know, look in your toy section and they bag them up in gallon size ziplock freezer bags. 

There were 7 dolls in all, four Barbies, mixed and three Kelly sized dolls. Four were Disney. 

My research says this is 1991-1996? Octoberfest Dolls of the World Barbie. She is in great condition, just missing shoes and socks 

This appears to be a Fashion Fever/ Disco Ball Barbie still has her stockings and phone/ purse attachment and jewelry! Very cute. Missing her shoes. 

This was the doll I grabbed the bag for! Early 2000s Birthstone Beauty- Aquamarine Barbie. STILL has her jewelry, missing the cute dog and her shoes. I love and adore that steffie face!

Mattel Disney Holiday Princess Cinderalla? Missing her shoes and it appears she also had a matching cape, I think edged in fur. Very high quality doll. Beautiful face. 

 The last three little dolls surprised me- they are mini Disney Princesses- Beauty  the Beast, Cinderalla, Aurora. All have their shoes, stockings, outfits complete! They are really cute! 

Some of these I may keep, some I may sell, but well worth the $5.99 bag!!

What arrived in the Mail yesterday...!

 These two little darlings arrived in the mail yesterday, a few days apart. 

One is the Easter Egg Kelly from the 1990s and the other is a 1973? I think Madame Alexander dolls of the World Ireland  8 inch Wendy doll.

I am attempting to prepare for St. Patrick's Day and Easter and I have wanted this little doll for a long time. I got her at a heck of a deal- $11 plus reduced shipping 5.95 priority mail on Poshmark. With tax I think I paid a total of $17.21. She has only been displayed in a cabinet. She didn't have a stand but no marks on her body , no box or tag, but her outfit is pristine. The lace on her cap and her hair- lovely. 

Kelly looks like one of the dolls you used to be able to purchase around Easter at the Easter section in Walmart or Target and has her original price tag on. I have already taken her out of the packaging as she is going to be in a display and I got her for a deal on Mercari for $8 plus shipping of $4.37 I think so I ended up paying about $13.00 with tax on this little lovely.  I shop for alot of deals on my holiday dolls not only on ebay - where shipping is outrageous- but Poshmark and Mercari and have found some great dolls and deals there. 

I am working on my Hinamatsuri display right now as well as St. Patrick's day and Easter, so alot going on for now. More to come!

Hallmark Sweet Valentine Barbie 1995

I had to devote an entire post to this lovely vintage Barbie I had been searching for. 

Hallmark Sweet Valentine's Day Barbie! 

She was made in 1995 and was new in box. I purchased her on Poshmark and even got a discount on shipping (4.99!) so in the end the total purchase price with the offer from the seller was 12.41 including tax! I immediately snatched her up as I had been wanting her but was not willing to pay $40, 50 and 60  on Ebay and mercari. Some of these vintage holiday dolls you can get for rockbottom prices if you wait, as people are just cleaning out closets and don't care about getting 'collector prices'. It is also easier than selling at a yard sale for some. I use Poshmark a lot because the flat rate shipping is $7.95 and it is always prioirty mail and the sellers when making you an offer will give you a break on shipping cost. So shipping is always cheaper on Poshmark. You just have to be patient and wait for that deal.

She comes with a little Valentine's day card and her hair is done in a Regency style with sausage curls. Very romantic. I am now on the hunt for Sweet Roses PJ who will look just lovely with her. I also need to replace my Crystal Barbie's dress and shoes so she will be complete too. On the hunt !