Category Miscellaneous
Automat Annie!
P.B.D.S. Client – #0037
From the collection of Victoria!
All dolls have secret lives as we all know…here’s a peek into one of them…
Annie’s a new client here at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa and we have Madge, our world-renowned manicurist to thank for introducing all of us to her. Now being in the nail business all these years, the absolute first thing Madge notices about anyone is the state of their manicure. She just can’t help it. I tell you your hair could be on fire and she’d be checking your fingers for chipped polish!
Now Madge always visits the Automat in the morning for a quick cup of coffee and a danish before she clocks in. According to her, she had just dropped a quarter into the slot for her pastry and was opening the little glass door to take it when the plate holding her breakfast suddenly began to slide inwards away from her! Now no one keeps Madge from her morning Bear Claw, so she gave the plate a rather firm tug back and out it came…with the server’s hand still holding onto the other side of the pretty jadeite green dish! Quickly letting go, it disappeared back into the compartment and out of sight.
Peering into the little opening, Madge shouted “You there! What’s the big idea…and what’s going on with those nails!” Reaching into her handbag, she took out one of her cards and placed it inside the compartment. Leaning in, she shouted “Come see me!” before closing the tiny door. Well according to Madge, not more than ten minutes later, a young girl clutching her business card appeared at her table where she sat finishing up her breakfast.
“Hi, I’m Annie.” the girl said. “I want to apologize about the danish…I was just trying to swap it out for a tuna on rye for the lunch crowd.” “Don’t worry about it Honey, frankly I’m more concerned with the state of your nails. I’m down the street at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa…you should come in. In fact, we have a special spa package deal going on right now that not only includes my services, but the works… skin, hair, make-up…anything you need. Come on by. Ask for Madge!”
And guess what? She did!
As you can all see, Annie’s nails were the least of her beauty problems! She did end up taking advantage of our special spa package which included everything she needed for her day of pampering. After her relaxing Pink Bubbles Beauty Bath for Face & Body, Daffy noticed and removed a broken earring post in Annie’s ear that had begun to corrode. Thankfully, the dreaded “green ear” had only just begun to form and she was saved from that fate in the nick of time! She then had her hair washed and deep conditioned, which was a good thing as it took quite a while to untangle.
I’m always amazed at how lovely a girl’s hair can actually become with a little effort! (Well, maybe more than just a little!)
With her pretty red hair returned to its former glory, I then addressed her make-up needs. For starters, she had no trace of eyebrows left at all, so I had to start from scratch, which is always a challenge. Shade and placement being key, I think hers turned out quite lovely. Next, I repaired her shadow and lids. Satisfied with these results, I moved on to her lips. A new application of red, mixed to match the remnants of her original shade, did the trick. And for a finishing touch, as always, a light application of blush. She then left my station and reunited with her new best friend Madge, where she spent the remainder of her visit just “soaking in it!”
Below are Annie’s amazing results!
Annie was so pleased with her new look that she promised to tell all her girlfriends about our spa. And as a very special thank you, she gave each of our staff five shiny new tokens each, good for anything our hearts desired that may lay behind the shiny glass compartments of Madge’s favorite morning stop, the Automat!
Thanks Annie, we’ll be stopping by soon!
Thank you Victoria for once again sending one of your “wayward” girls to the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
P.S. Don’t forget, we do have appointments open. Treat your own doll to a day of beauty at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
I’ve listed specially priced spa packages on eBay this afternoon, so check them out. Just search for “Pink Bubbles Doll Spa” under “Dolls” in the search engine.
Have a great weekend everyone and look for a new make-over tale next week!
“Heads Up!” Miss Barbie!
P.B.D.S. Client – #0035
From the collection of Steven!
All dolls have secret lives as we all know…here’s a peek into one of them…
Usually I get clues as to what a new client may need as far as services when they visit me here at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa. Traces of long-lost paint color on her face or nails can be used to color-match and repair faded or damaged make-up. Even a single hair plug salvaged from the scalp can give you an idea of her original hair color.
So it’s rare a gal comes in as “clean as a whistle” condition as Miss Barbie did just this last week. Not a trace of her previous life could be detected from the shoulders up. The only color on her face came from her bright blue eyes…which by the way could open and close. That’s pretty rare…and pretty unsettling as I soon discovered.
As I was adjusting her smock…and without warning…her head fell from her shoulders and right onto her lap! I stared down at her lovely face, her flirt-y eyes were closed in peaceful slumber as she faced upwards to the ceiling. Not missing a beat, Miss Barbie gently replaced her noggin back onto her slim neck. Now folks, I’m rarely speechless, but I was in fact at a loss for words!
“I’m so embarrassed!” she cried. “It’s happening more and more lately. At least it landed in my lap this time. Why, you should have seen the commotion at the supermarket yesterday. My head fell off, bounced twice and rolled right over to the ice machine as I was looking down at my coin purse at the check-out register. I’m lucky it didn’t crack…I’m at my wit’s end!”
“Now dear, I’ve seen everything (except this) here at the spa, and whatever it is we have to do, we’ll just figure it out together!” I told her, patting her shoulders…gently! My mind began to race as I hatched a plan to keep her head on her pretty shoulders…but how? Scotch tape? No, too obvious. Rubber band? Too temporary. Hot glue gun? Too unprofessional. It was clear. I had to address the cause of the problem…the deteriorated rubber washer used to secure her head to her neck so many years ago.
Now I don’t claim to be a doll hospital, but I can rise to the occasion if necessary. A quick trip down the block to the hardware store while Miss Barbie enjoyed a hot cup of tea rose to the top of my “to-do” list. I returned triumphant with what was needed to do the trick. As her head finally snapped back firmly into place, she twisted it back and forth looked up a down and all around, blinking her eyes with delight! “I haven’t felt this good in years!” she cried. This feels better than it did when I left the factory in 1964!
With her neck repair behind us thankfully, we discussed what was to be done as far as hair and make-up. I knew from my Mattel Beauty School Correspondence Course that the correct hair color for her was reddish-brown, but she confided to me she always dreamed of going blonde. With those baby blue’s, I agreed with her and thought it was a terrific idea. Why go with what’s expected?! Pretty new brows in a dark blonde tone and a full lips of orange-y pink brought her unique look together. And what’s Miss Barbie with out her trademark headband? I sent Daffy over to Beatrice to fetch me one from her stock in shocking pink, a tribute to the shade of Miss Barbie’s original swimsuit. All in all, a fabulous and quite striking new look to say the least and certainly unexpected for Miss Barbie fans!
A ‘Plain-Jane” no more, Miss Barbie hopes you enjoy her transformation pics below!
Thank you Steven for sending Miss Barbie
to the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
P.S. Don’t forget, we do have appointments open. Treat your own doll to a day of beauty at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
I’ve listed specially priced spa packages on eBay this afternoon, so check them out. Just search for “Pink Bubbles Doll Spa” under “Dolls” in the search engine.
Have a great weekend everyone and look for a new make-over tale next week!
Seasons Greeting’s…From Victoria!
Our dear friend Victoria in New Orleans wishes our Pink Bubbles Doll Spa staff and all of our readers the happiest of holiday’s!
No easy task, she gathered all her “Pink Bubbles Girls” who have visited us here at the spa this year for this festive series of photos for all our readers to enjoy!
Dressed in their beautiful holiday gowns, Victoria’s glamorous trio of Swirls help trim the tree!
Gentlemen (and Victoria!) prefer Blondes and Brunette #3’s…and who can blame them?!
Not to be outdone, her #4 and #5’s take their turn in front of the camera!
Besides a few squabbles concerning who’s wearing what, she say’s all the girls behavior on set was joyous and they all cooperated beautifully with her knowing the photos were to be their Christmas cards to us all!
Victoria, thank you so much for gifting us all with these beautiful holiday photos! On behalf of Vera, Beatrice, Daffy and myself, as well as all our Pink Bubbles Doll Spa followers, we wish you and your girls a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Year’s full of dolly fun and love!
Season’s Greetings Everyone!
Holiday Hair Happenin’s!
P.B.D.S. Client – #0031
From the collection of Karen!
All dolls have secret lives as we all know…here’s a peek into one of them…
Winter greetings everyone! Brrrr! Is it ever beginning to get nippy outside! I know, I know…California’s winter weather is so much easier to take than in other parts of the country, and no, I wouldn’t want to trade…but trust me, we’re definitely starting to feel the chill here at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa! My receptionist Vera has been driving with the top up on her baby pink Chevy for weeks now, windows tightly shut and the heater full-blast. And though I think she’s nuts, Daffy still insists on wearing her uniform skirts a bit too short for the cold…you know, just in case a casting director or producer’s wife happens to be picked up from her appointment by her well-connected husband. I swear, what that girl wouldn’t do for a good part! She just knows she’s bound to get discovered sooner or later. She’s a “go-getter” if you know what I mean. In fact, she just recently landed a gig in a Coke commercial! Look for her, she’s the blonde on the back of the bicycle built for two, drinking the soda pop with her feet propped up on the handle bars while her boyfriend does all the work peddling! Don’t blink, you’ll miss her!
At any rate, I’d like to share a story with you about a recent client who dropped by just this last week. Jeneva was a first-time guest here at Pink Bubbles and let me tell you just as sweet as they come! A gorgeous young thing with beautiful all-original face-paint. Didn’t need a bit of make-up outside of a touch-up on her lids and a just kiss of blush. Besides, that wasn’t why she ended up in my chair. Unfortunately, lovely Jeneva suffered a horrible hair mishap. Someone, obviously without a beauty operators license, had treated her to an “at-home” haircut. Clipped her pretty blonde swirl bang hair right down to the roots, not to mention smack-dab in the middle of her forehead. I know, we’ve all been there. Who amongst us hasn’t fallen into the wrong hands at one time or another and had to wait months for their bangs to grow out?!
Let’s face it, with the Christmas holidays just around the corner, she just didn’t have that kind of time to wait. She had parties to attend and pictures with her family and friends to take. Now I don’t care how pretty head scarves are these days, even the ones with poinsettia’s printed on them, the season just calls for beautiful holiday hair! Luckily for Jeneva, the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa had a quicker solution available!
Now initially she had come in for one of our complimentary wig fittings with Beatrice (sorry Bea about the lost commission!) to deal with the problem. She even showed me this clipping she pulled from her purse with s few styles she liked. Take a look:
Now I don’t care what Mr. Frederick says about “Wigging your way to glamour.” I knew I could do one better for my new client! In fact, I too was going to make sure she couldn’t tell my work from her own hair, and there was going to be no need to send anything back to Mr. Frederick anytime soon! (Though I have to admit that #C, the “Lucky Streak” wiglet is pretty fab! I may have to whip that look up for myself for New Year’s Eve!)
So off I went to my hair supply drawer, and wouldn’t you know it, I didn’t have the right color in stock. I had to send Daffy down to “Maude’s Hair Supplies” to pick up the perfect shade after checking my hair swatches and consulting with Maude on the phone personally. Of course, Daffy couldn’t wait to get out and grab a breath of fresh air. Besides, she’s got a mad crush on Maude’s son Lawrence. I think she may be barking up the wrong tree though since little Larry does better hair than I do! In fact he’s the one who encouraged his Mother to go into the hair business. It was hair supplies or his own beauty shop and frankly I’m glad they went with the former. I don’t need the extra competition in this town and besides, Larry’s a wiz with a rat-tail comb and don’t get me started with his Bouffants…pure magic! Thanks to Larry, I’ve seen his mother Maude with hair so big I was surprised she had the strength to keep her head up on her own neck! Maude really loves big hair though. She always says “The bigger the hair, the smaller the hips look!” I have to agree…words to live by. Maude and her son/personal hair stylist Larry…no, I don’t think Daffy’s going to be able to break those two apart any time soon. Did I mention, Larry collects antique Shirley Temple dolls? Last count, I think it was something like 75 or so in his collection. And their all in perfect condition. He displayed them at the library once and he treated the crowd to a very informative lecture on little Shirley’s film career and his dolls. No, I’m afraid there’s not enough room left on the Good Ship Lollypop for you Daffy! There’s only three seats…one for Momma, one for Larry and one for Shirley! Oh, and by the way, you didn’t hear any of this from me…remember I’m not one to repeat gossip…so you better be sure to listen close the first time!
Anyway, enough about Maude, Larry and Daffy’s love triangle. Back to my client!
Here’s a shot of her hair from behind…
With her hair having been cut in the front, I was a little afraid the rest may have been trimmed as well. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see when I complete the styling. Where is that girl anyway? Maybe she’s getting the nickel tour of Larry’s collection! Well, when Daffy finally returned with the hair, I got to work!
16 hair plugs later (as well as a wash, set and style) was all that was needed to return her hair to its former “Swirl” glory. Though the length of her hair may have been trimmed slightly, it turned out just beautiful. The color-match was perfect! An added touch of color on her lids and a bit of blush completed my work.
I challenge Mr. Frederick to tell me where the new hair starts and ends! Judge for yourself with the “Before & After” photos posted below. The ever helpful Beatrice, (who as you know by now works on commission) assisted our client in the selection of the final touches of her “Safety-First” replacement pearl earrings and a sunny yellow hair bow…both available by the way in our gift shop.
I think we can all agree that Jeneva and her restored Swirl hairstyle are both more than ready to greet the season in style! Lucky will be the young fella who accidentally winds up under the mistletoe with this lovely lass!
Thanks Karen for sending Jeneva to the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa for her hair restoration needs! We wish you both, as well as all of our readers, the happiest of Holidays!
P.S. Don’t forget, we do have appointments open. Treat your own doll to a day of beauty at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
I’ve listed specially priced spa packages on eBay this afternoon, so check them out. Just search for “Pink Bubbles Doll Spa” under “Dolls” in the search engine.
Have a great weekend everyone!
“Up”-Town Girls!
P.B.D.S. Clients – #0029
From the collection’s of Lisa, Jaime & Victoria!
All dolls have secret lives as we all know…here’s a peek into three!
Though they’ve never met, these three Pink Bubbles Doll Spa clients all have one thing in common…a run-in with a pair of scissors! Yes, each one of them had the unfortunate experience of having their long ponytails lopped off, leaving them a little “short” on styling options. Whether hacked off above or just below the shoulders, they all faced the same problem… to do the best with what they had (left!) That’s where I come in, adding the second thing they all have in common, taking a seat in my chair!
Now, we all know that a gals hair is her crowning glory, but when that crown has been irrevocably altered by a little “beautician-in-training,” it can be quite upsetting for the doll forced to live with the results. Don’t worry ladies, when a hair tragedy strikes, there’s always hope here at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
Our first example is Paige. This striking brunette was in dire beauty straits when she first arrived, as you can see from her “before” picture below. After a day of beauty services to her face and body, the last thing to tend to was her cut hair. It was decided an elegant up-do was the way to go and she, and her owner Lisa, were thrilled with the results. You’d hardly guess it was the same girl!
Lottie, from the collection of Jaime, faced the same hair challenge. A lovely #3, she was nearly perfect…except for her hair. Cut off at the shoulders, the remains of her blonde ponytail were fashioned into the elegant bun style seen below.
What a difference a day at Pink Bubbles can make! She’s now the perfect fashion model for “Gay Parisienne” one of the rarest of all vintage Barbie doll outfits. Magnifique!
When this blonde bombshell is spotted out on the town, admiring gentlemen call out, “Ooh la la…it’s Lottie!”
Our third example of a cut ponytail fix is Edie, a Swirl with a very pretty shade of red hair. So pretty in fact, her owner Victoria wanted to save it, so we took on the challenge! Luckily, her swirl bang hair was still long enough to make it around the top wrap. After that though, there wasn’t much to work with. The solution? A double curled topknot! And as a tribute to the classic yellow ribbon that would have held the bottom of her ponytail in place, a charming decorative bow is added as the finishing touch.
So there you have it. Three examples of hair mishaps with happy endings! So the next time you come across a gal with “cut” hair, don’t just dismiss her, she may actually be a “diamond in the rough.” Take a moment and think back to this fabulous trio. Who knows, you may have found your own “Up”-Town Girl” who, with a little help, could soon be ready to model the most elegant evening gown in your collection!
Thank you Lisa & Paige, Jaime & Lottie and Victoria & Edie
for visiting the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
Come again soon!
P.S. Don’t forget, we have appointments open. Treat your own doll to a day at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
I’ve listed specially priced spa packages on eBay this afternoon, so check them out. Just search for “Pink Bubbles Doll Spa” under “Dolls” in the search engine.
Have a great weekend everyone!
“I’m A Red-Hot Mama!…But I’m Blue For You!”
P.B.D.S. Client #0024
From the collection of Steven!
It was the hottest day of the summer and the mercury in the spa’s thermometer left the 100 degree mark behind and continued right on climbing. On top of that, the air conditioner went on the fritz which only added to the merriment. I had Daffy find and plug-in all the fans we had stored in the back. Of course Vera complained the most about the heat as she doesn’t like to be uncomfortable, AT ALL! Beads of sweat, mixed with Aqua-Net trickled off her forehead, which she continually dabbed at with her lace hankie. Mix that with the smell of “Ambush!” her latest signature scent, and boy howdy!
~Vera’s latest signature smell! ~
We all sat cooking in our own juices waiting for Herb the repairman to show up and fix the darn cooler, which I’m sure is on its last legs. Now, just when you thought it wasn’t going to get any hotter, in walks our latest spa quest. This red-hot redhead certainly got your attention, bringing her own kind of heat! I swore the temperature jumped up ten more degrees when she entered the spa! Her Lava-Red hair and not so subtle make-up palate, complete with shiny as glass sealer, wasn’t exactly screaming “Sandra Dee” innocence. She was “all-woman” alright and I wouldn’t recommend leaving your Husband lying around out in the open with her in the vicinity, if you get my drift!
She climbed into my chair and after welcoming her to the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa, I asked how I could help her. “Well, I guess what I’m looking for is…you know, to tell you the truth, I’m not sure!” she said with a laugh. “I guess we can start at the top and work our way down honey!”
She had a great attitude with a terrific sense of humor to boot so I liked her immediately! “Your hair color sure is striking!” I told her. “I don’t think I have a swatch in this color.” “Well, snip off a sample with my compliments!” she laughed. “It might catch on.” “Or might catch fire!” I said as I gave her a wink. “I decided to become a red-head, and I don’t do anything half-assed!” she said. “If you’re looking for the girl next door…” “I know”, I said holding up my hand, “…go next door!” we both said in unison, laughing. Vera looked up at us, not amused!
“I guess I’d like to tone it down a bit…not my hair color mind you, I love it, but my overall look.” she told me. “I’m a singer, and I’m gonna try breaking into some of the high-brow joints uptown.” “I wanna stay me, but class it up!” were her instructions.
I handed her off to Daffy who escorted her into the back where she relaxed in a “cool-down” version of our Pink Bubbles Beauty Bath for Face & Body treatment. With her hair in a towel, she hopped back in my chair and my work began. I tamed her mass of locks, shaping them into a classic swirl hair design. With her hair now perfectly set, I finished her make-up, giving her a more elegant look. When I finished, she looked in the mirror and said “This is perfect, your some kind of magician! I sure could use you in my dressing room opening night!” “Well, I’ve been known to make house calls, why should nightclubs be any different! You know, I swear I’ve never seen shinier hair. What’s your secret?” I asked. “Just got lucky!” she said. “My hair has become my trademark, it really reflects the spotlights.” she told me.”Let me show you!”
Suddenly, she stood up and gave us an impromptu night club performance right on the spot! “You see, I always open up my set with this number! It’s called “That Terrific Rainbow!”
“Imagine me bathed in a hot red light!” she said. Raising her arms straight up, she began her song, a cappella. “I’m a red-hot mama!”… picture it, they hit me with a blue gel when I sing this line,… “but I’m blue…for you!” ….get it?…then comes the purple gel… “I get purple with anger…at the things you do!”…then a green gel bathes me in its light… “but I’m green with envy, when you meet a dame!” …here comes the orange hue… “and you burn my heart up with an orange flame!”…again with the red…”I”m a red-hot Mama, but your white and cold… white light… “Don’t you know your Mama, has a heart of gold!” …hit me with gold!… “Though we’re in those grey clouds…someday you’ll find, a terrific rainbow, over you and I!”
Myself, Daffy and yes, even Vera, gave her a round of applause. But the loudest clapping of all came from the entryway. Herb, who had finally showed up to repair the air conditioning, was the most appreciative of our floor show. “Put your eyes back in their sockets and get that thing working Herb!” scolded Daffy. Picking up his toolbox, he shot back a glance at our fiery songbird and let out a long wolf whistle! Laughing, he headed towards the back. “A typical man!” shot Vera.
Our new friend was a Red-Hot Mama alright! I think we’ll try to schedule an appointment for her in December, you know, when the furnace goes on the blink. We’ll need the heat!

Attack Of The 50 Foot Barbie!
P.B.D.S. Client #0023
From the collection of Kym!
Here at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa, everyone is welcome, even if you can’t possibly enter the spa doors! So it was for our next client. A statuesque beauty, “My Size” Barbie had a request of gigantic proportions. She dreamed of a retro look, harkening back to the glory years of her past, the early 1960’s.
I knew there were going to be challenges right away due to her size. Firstly, she would never fit into any of our stylists chairs and you could also forget about sticking that big head into our petite pink wash bowl! Though she could have easily reached down and torn the roof off the spa, much like “The Attack Of The Fifty Foot Woman!” she was a dear and let the staff tend to her out back in the parking lot. Many cars had to be moved!
After her Pink Bubbles Beauty Bath for Face & Body, “M.S.” Barbie had her hair washed, conditioned and de-tangled, which by the way was quite a chore since she’d been roaming around for many years, obviously without a hairbrush. We did our best to capture the classic ponytail hairstyle even though she wasn’t rooted for it at all. And talk about hard to curl hair, this gal had a head full!
With her hair finally styled, it was now time to move on to her face. As she requested, I drew inspiration from the classic Barbie look. I shaped her brows and filled them in with the appropriate shade. Happy with the results, I moved on to her eyes. She obviously didn’t have the molded lids, in fact she had rooted lashes, but I did my best to give her the vintage Barbie gaze, eyes to the right. And of course we had to have the blue shadow! The finishing touch was of course her lips, which were now fuller and a deep red shade instead of the pretty pink she started with. After a mani & pedi with Madge she’s ready for her debut!
A first for the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa, may we present our biggest client ever, Miss “My Size” Barbie, a modern girl with a retro twist!
From the imagination of Kym and standing over 3 feet high, here is her vintage inspired “My Size” Barbie doll. Kym plans on sewing her new gal a replica of the classic black & white striped swimsuit. I hope she’ll be able to find her the perfect mules! Perhaps she will send the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa a photo when she’s finished that we can share with our readers!
Attention! Nurse Julia, to The Pink Bubbles Doll Spa! S.T.A.T.!
P.B.D.S. Client – #0018
From the collection of the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!
This lovely R.N. stopped by the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa this afternoon for a quick touch-up. A spa regular, Julia had just pulled a double shift at the hospital and needed a little extra help to ready herself for a date with Brad later in the evening. She had a large box with her and excitedly showed me the new outfit inside. “It’s called “Candlelight Capers” what do you think?” “It’s a knock-out Julia, Brad’s a lucky fella!” I told her. She smiled and headed for the dressing room.
She returned wearing our standard pink and white spa towel. Julia treated herself to our relaxing Pink Bubbles Beauty Bath for Face & Body. She had her hair washed and re-set, then had her lipstick refreshed. Looking like a million, she redressed herself in her white uniform, grabbed her purse and headed towards the door.
“Julia, wait!” I shouted as I dashed back into the dressing room. Grabbing the large box, I hurried back. Handing it to her, I said “Don’t forget this!” “Oh my! Thank you!” she replied. “Well, what would dinner be without a little “Candlelight?” I replied with a wink. “We’ll see ya again soon Julia!”
“You sure will, but luckily not again today!” she said tapping the box. “Have a good time!” I told her. She just smiled and off she went!
Julia enjoyed a Pink Bubbles Doll Spa Beauty Bath for Face & Body. Her hair was washed and re-set to its original 1969 style! She needed her lips refreshed as well. Good as new!