Jun 22 2013

Angels With Dirty Faces!

P.B.D.S. Client – #0016

From the collection of ?!

(I’m not saying! I don’t want anybody’s Mother getting a call from Harper Valley Social Services!)

You know kids don’t worry much about their appearance. They just run wild and have fun. It’s their job! But it is Mom’s job to worry about it, unless she wants a curt telephone call and a sit-down “meet ‘n greet” with Harper Valley social services, courtesy of a filed report by that old bitty next door who’s plate glass window was broken out by an errant baseball. You all know the type!

Now I’m not one to judge, but from the looks of it, these tyke’s have been playing for over 40 years already without a bath. I’m not getting all up in any ones parenting skills now, but let’s just face it, I think it was time they cleaned up a bit, don’t you!

Skipper, Skooter and Ricky definitely needed, we’ll say, a little grooming. Skipper is the oldest and probably knows a little more than Skooter or Ricky on the subject. But if she is setting an example for them, it’s getting lost in translation somewhere along the way!

Not in too bad of shape, Skipper basically just needed a good bath and her hair done. Skooter on the other hand was really going for that urchin in the street “Les Miserables” vibe. Ricky, well he’s just another story altogether. I swear when he walked in to the spa, I thought he was a little lost hobo. All that was missing was a cigar stub hanging from his lips and a bottle of Hooch!

All in all, it was an easy job. Mom dropped them off and told Vera she had to run a few errands. Vera then led them straight to me cause she didn’t want any part of it. I guess Mama sort of got that two-for-one deal going on today, grooming services AND babysitter all in one! I didn’t mind though. They were little angels. But I do hope one of those errands she’s running involves a stop at Sears for some new outfits! Or at least a box of Tide from Kroger’s! I’m just saying!

Well, here they are, all spruced up and ready for their class pictures!

Skipper, Skooter and little Ricky! Now ain’t they sweet!

This cute trio came in with little dirty face’s only a Mother could love! They each of course had a date with Mr. Bubble! They all were given a thorough Pink Bubbles Beauty Bath for Face & Body. Skipper and Skooter both had their hair washed, conditioned and set. Skooter was given pretty red ribbons for her pigtail’s. She also received a fresh lip paint. Ricky was also given a fresh lip paint as well as some touch-ups on his hair. Now it’s your turn Mom, bring on that Tide!

Jun 22 2013

New “Doll Hair Hall Of Fame” Inductee!

Pink Bubbles Doll Spa

congratulates and welcomes

Mattel’s 1963

“Fashion Queen”

Barbie doll

into the hallowed halls of the Doll Hair Hall Of Fame!

In 1963, lucky little girls & boys across the land finally got to experience the Wonderful World of Wig-dom! Many children who had earned their way onto Santa’s “Nice” list could now dabble in the exciting world of quick, fashionable hair-do changes once reserved only for their Mothers, Aunts and an occasional perpetually single Uncle on their own!

See, didn’t Mother tell you “It pays to be nice!”

Wigs became a very popular fashion accessory at the time. With a snap of a finger, or more likely 45 minutes in front of a mirror adjusting it, your Husband could come home to find an exciting blonde, a fiery redhead or even a naughty brunette serving him his dinner! Those were the days, remember girls! Trying to hold on to your man’s waning attention, even though he’s gone all day, working in that big fancy office, with all those loose tramps in the secretarial pool…oh, I’m sorry… I drifted off topic, where was I?…Oh, I remember, wigs!

A woman’s hair is her crowning glory! No one ever said you couldn’t have an arsenal of “crowns” did they! Throw on a pair of 1960’s era colored, hard contact lenses, and you’re in for a very uncomfortable night on the town or a not very relaxing evening at home, with an over-heated scalp and bulging red eyes, fulfilling your husbands secret desire to cheat on you!

Always on the cutting edge of trends, Barbie joined in on the fun and got to wear hot itchy wigs to project an over-powering image of allure for her favorite “boy-toy” Ken!

Here is a photo of a pair of rare prototype “Fashion Queen” Barbie’s. Notice the one on the right is sporting a very natural “banana yellow” painted hairdo. Looks like someone left the stylist’s chair without waiting for her Roux Fanciful Rinse!

Missed the wig boat in 1963? No problem, just check out Mattel’s re-release of their classic “Fashion Queen” Barbie doll! Like a good wig, you can hardly tell it’s not the real thing!

So may I present, the second inductee into the

Pink Bubble’s Doll Hair Hall Of Fame,

Miss “Fashion Queen” Barbie!

Long live the queen!

In parting, please enjoy this selection of glamorous photos featuring

our very own Pink Bubbles Doll Spa wig model,

Miss Sybil (“Skitz” to her friends) O’ Phrenia!

She’s Irish!

Take it away Sybil!

Feeling a little feisty? Try Model #001 – “Rusty!”

How about a night on the town! Try Model #002 – “Tango!”

Leave a lasting impression with Model #003 – “Zsa-Zsa!“

Ready to cast a love spell? Try Model #004 – “Endora!”

All wig models and styles available in our gift shop. Please see Beatrice for your complimentary fitting!

Jun 15 2013

I Do Declare!

P.B.D.S. Client – #0015

From the collection of Jeannine!

This sticky sweet southern belle walked right in off the street and asked our receptionist Vera if she could make change for the parking meter out front. I happened to be passing through the lounge when I spotted her. A pretty blonde wearing a gorgeous Swiss-dotted pink dress with frothy white lace trim, white gloves and the cutest little straw bag. “You’re such a doll!” she said to Vera as she handed her the dollar bill. “Hon, I just got a mess of errands to tend to today.” Vera stared back at her, as if completely entranced by her face, squinting her eyes. Now sometimes I know when I need to diffuse a situation, especially with Vera! Before she had a chance to speak, (I sometimes swear Vera doesn’t have a filter from her brain to her mouth,) I inserted myself into the conversation. “My, it must be hot out there!” I said, stopping at Vera’s desk. “Really?” she said, turning my way looking surprised. “Why I find it just about perfect outside, cool even.” “Well you just seem, uh, a bit moist is all.” I replied, giving Vera the fish eye. “I prefer dewey!” she said. “To tell you the truth, I do have quite the oily complexion, I’m constantly havin’ to powder my, well, my everything, I take after my Mama!” she laughed. “I wish I could find the right powder, but nothing seems to help.” I took the four quarters from Vera and steered her to safety.

“Well you do know where you are don’t you sweetie? This is the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!”

“It is? Well what do ya know about that. I must drive by here at least twice a week, I didn’t realize.” She said. “Yes. We’re a full service spa. Perhaps you have some time right now for a consultation?” I asked. “Why I reckon I do!” she replied.

Such a sweet girl, but in need of a little help. Besides her “Dewy-ness” issue, I noticed right away she had some previous work done on her brows and lips that needed fixing. Her hair needed some attention too. “I think you’ll be very happy with the results.” I told her. “Then let’s get on with it!” she said, smiling. And we did. When we finished she gazed at herself in my mirror and cried, “I do declare, you my dear are heaven-sent! Consider me a regular!”

The ever-helpful Beatrice from our gift shop waited just out of view with her ever-present tray of earrings. (I did tell you she works on commission!) As if on cue, she presented her selection. Our sweet southern lass selected a pair of “Safety-First!” pearl earrings. “These are perfect, I just have to have them!” she said. A smiling Beatrice whipped out her sales book. Gotta love a girl with ambition!

As she left, shine free by the way, she stopped at Vera’s desk to book an appointment for the following month. Looking the way she did now, I relaxed, knowing Vera had very little to say!

This pretty lass had our Pink Bubble’s Beauty Bath for Face & Body to deal with her problem complexion. Now she’s fresh as a daisy! Her hair was then washed, conditioned, set and styled. She had her brows redone in a more attractive shade of blonde. Her lips were redone as well. She enjoyed a relaxing mani & pedi from our in-house manicurist, whose famous in her own right by the way, Madge! Of course to finish her look, a pair of “Safety-First!” earrings, courtesy of our ever helpful Beatrice!

Jun 12 2013

A Trip To Teen Town!

P.B.D.S. Client – #0014

From the collection of Robin!

You know it’s hard to stay a “Dream Teen” forever isn’t it dolls? I know, I’ve tried and it is hard! Damn hard! But I do try! It’s even harder for a famous teen doll like Francie, especially when she doesn’t look the part any more.

When I heard the beauty chimes go off in the entry of the spa, I knew my next appointment had arrived. I looked up and all but spit the bobby pins right out of my mouth and onto the floor! Standing there, right in front of me, was the remnants of the girl every teenage boy doll once dreamed of and every other teen girl doll aspired to be, Francie…Barbie’s MOD’ern cousin.

Now, let me tell you, this little chick had some attitude! She told me her Mom had FORCED her to come see me, but she didn’t need any of MY help. She was fine the way she was and her folks were a couple of real drags and needed to mind their own business! Well, her Mother had arranged this appointment and was paying the bill, that was true. I’d already been warned by Mom she could be a little tough, so I was prepared. It ain’t my first time at the “Teen Rodeo” fellas!

Aside from her shocking appearance from the neck up, something else was very odd and a little bit off about her. She seemed a bit too tall and busty for a girl of her age, but I did finally figure it out. After a few inquiries, she admitted to me that she had attended some wild “head-swapping” party with her pal Stacey back in the late 60’s. You remember Stacey, she’s been in for some work here at the spa. An older, more experienced girl, Francie’s parents forbade her to hang out with that “mod British bird” but of course Francie wouldn’t listen. Anyway, they did some crazy “body swap” dare and she never got switched back. Well, we took care of that real quick and though she didn’t want to admit it, she immediately felt and looked better! Admiring her new figure she said, “Now I can finally get back into my own groovy clothes! Coolio!”

I said “No offence Honey, but it’s going take a lot more than a cute little outfit to put you back on top.”

“You know I didn’t come here to be insulted!” Francie hissed.

“Really? Where do you go?” I quipped.

“Oh get off it! What kind of square are you? Beauty comes from with-in!” as she rolled her eyes at me.

Oh no she didn’t! “Yeah, that’s right girlie, “With-in” bottles, jars, and tubes, so sit down!” Kids these days! A bunch of hipsters!

Then I really let her have it! “You’re lucky you’re here girlfriend, cause you could have ended up in the chair of a real beauty butcher! I’ve seen pretty young things like you before, out for kicks, landing in the wrong hands and getting real messed up in this town!” I told her. “What’s in your ears Francie? Straight pins? Really smart girl! You could get green ear from that!” I scolded her.

“All the hip kids are doin’ it! But what would you know about hip?” She screeched as I pulled them out. “Look they’re all rusted!” Geesh, now I know why I never wanted kids! Anyway, that was just the beginning of our very long afternoon together. This kid fought me every step of the way!

Here’s a sampling; Pink Bubbles Beauty Bath for Face & Body, (“The water is too hot! You’re scalding me!”), Pink Bubbles Color Wash, (this girls skin was so faded out, but you couldn’t tell her that, she knew better) fresh hair-do, (“Ouch you’re pulling out my hair!”) re-rooted eyelashes, (“What are you doing? Are you crazy? You’re trying to blind me!”) Fresh make-up, (That’s not my shade! Let me do it!”) It went on like this all day!

Well, when it was all over, I was just exhausted! This girl was no Gidget and a real “pain in the tuchus” to boot to say the least. When she finally turned around and took a good long look in the mirror, all she could say was “Jeepers! I look amazing!” She turned to me and said “I guess you’re not so bad! But don’t go spillin’ all my business to my parents! All right? I’ll see ya around! Toodles!” And with that she skipped out of the spa doors.

“Yeah, Toodles to you Francie, Toodles to you!” I had to take the next day off just to recover!

Miss Francie challenged me to no end! Her services included; Pink Bubble’s Beauty Bath for Face & Body, hair wash, set and re-styling, facial color-wash, repainting of brows and lips and a complete eyelash re-root. Though she fought me every step of the way, the results were amazing! To myself, as well as a surprised and I’m sure very grateful teen girl!

Jun 7 2013

Transitional – Of Terror!

P.B.D.S. Client – #0013

From the collection of Jaime!

Separated at birth? A horrible Karen Black flashback? No, relax everyone, it’s just Jaime’s transitional #3 Barbie doll!

When she walked into the spa, it was like she stepped out of a dream, or more precisely, a nightmare! She instantly reminded me of that 70’s made-for-tv fright fest “Trilogy of Terror”. (If you haven’t seen it, rent it!) Her black hair was a fright wig, her arms and legs didn’t match her torso and her make-up was just shot. Her golden chain had definitely slipped off and all hell had broken loose! She was quite frankly, “To’e up, from the flo’ up!” A lot to take in all at once for unprepared eyes that’s for sure!

Well, one good thing came her way because of her over the top “look,” she became the inspiration AND the first candidate for our new Pink Bubbles Doll Spa Swan program!

A Pink Bubbles Swan is a girl who’s looks have faded to the point of labeling her an “ugly duckling.” A gal who’s been rode hard and put away wet. Over time, she’s acquired a face meant for radio! Life’s handed her lemons, but the good news is, she’s dumped them right into the laps of our stylists to serve you, dear readers, pink lemonade!

A very interesting feature of this particular spa client is she’s what collectors call a “transitional” Barbie doll. She has the head, arms and legs of a #3 doll, but the hollow torso of the #4. A factory mish-mash of newer and older body parts (for the time.) A sort of “Franken-Dolly” if you will. I know, not a beauty reference considering her “before” photo!

Well, this was one dramatic make-over! No longer a “Horror-Hostess” she now really deserves her new title: Swan!

Presenting the very first graduate of the

Pink Bubbles Doll Spa Swan program!

A little reminder where she, and we, began…

our Swan candidate before…

And the beautiful creature she’s become emerges below…

Our first official Swan!

Congratulations Jaime, your doll has graduated with honors!

Please keep an eye out for upcoming Swan candidates in our posts. Who knows, your doll could be the next to graduate! Look around, you might have a girl in your own collection ready for our program!

We’ll be waiting for her arrival here at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!

Jun 7 2013

Just say “Yes!”

Remember, saying “Yes!” is O.K…for nice dolls!

Question is, can naughty dolls say “Yes!” too?

Or will it just do further damage to their reputations?

Talk amongst yourselves!

Jun 4 2013

Auntie Em! She’s a twister!

P.B.D.S. Client – #0012

From the collection of Mary!

Sometimes a gal blows through the spa that’s so full of life you just can’t help but love her! Even admire her a bit. A gal who grabs life by the, well, we’ll say horns! If I had to describe her, the term “firecracker” comes to mind. She was such a fun lovin’ gal who’d seen it all and was proud of it! A party girl who just didn’t care that someday her face would “freeze that way” and unfortunately for her, it did!

When she threw open the spa doors, stamped out her Virginia Slim on our black & white linoleum floor, we knew the life of the party had arrived!

She kept our staff in stitches the entire afternoon with tales of her adventures, life experiences and men! Mostly men! She said she “earned this face” and trust me, after she told us a few of her sordid stories, I agree, she did!

Well, to be honest, this gal has had the works!

Firstly, her hair was just fried and had been hacked off in places with scissors. (“A crazy night in Vegas” she recalled!) We had no choice, so her entire ponytail had to be re-rooted. Now it’s soft and shiny once again!

Her bangs we kept mostly original, with just a few missing plugs added. (The bang hair loss was the results of a hair-pulling cat fight with a jealous cocktail waitress “who sassed her” in Phoenix, Arizona!)

She’s also had a complete facial repaint. (“Huggin’ and kissin’ men is rough on a girls make-up!”) Don’t ask me, her quote not mine.

When we finally finished up and turned her to the mirror, she squealed “Hot Damn! Good as new! Color me outa’ here Honey!” She paid her bill and left a really big tip too. She said she’d “come back and see us when the wind blew her this way again!” With those parting words, she whistled for a cab out front and then she was gone. Wow what a twister!

I have a piece of advice for all you doll’s out there. And that is, lock up your husbands!

Mary’s lively lass had the works! She enjoyed a Pink Bubble’s Beauty Bath for Face & Body. She had a partial re-root which included her entire ponytail. Her bangs are mostly original with the addition of a few replacement plugs. She had her brows and lips re-done. She also had her eye ridge paint touched-up. What a make-over! What a gal!