A Plastic Tan Never Fades

I thought it was SO bizarre that the Mattel website clarifed more than once that Babie was just a doll and in fact not a real person. But I've gotten quite excited and perhaps overly involved in her life over the past few days that I can see how you might forget that she's not actually real.

I just learned that Barbie has a runway show at Fashion Week last month. Why did the Today Show not inform me of this!?!? 50 designers showcased their real-sized designs. I loved seeing how each designer infused their personal style into their design.

Each of the models wore these Barbie Pink Christian Louboutins below.

This picture with Heidi Klum was taken at Barbie's 50th Birthday celebration in the shoe closet of her Malibu Dream House.

My favorite designs from the show were by Jeremy Scott, Bagley Mischka and Tommy Hilfiger.
I'll be honest, for the past year now, I have thought the jumpsuit trend is just terrible. I didn't get it, I didn't understand who could wear it, or WHY anyone would want to. But when I saw this one by Jeremy Scott come down the runway I was floored! I just love it! You still won't see me wearing anything like this any time soon.. but now I totally get how fabulous a jumpsuit can be!

I'm also a fan of this dress by Bagley Mischka. I was drawn to the pale pink ground color with silver accents. The glare on the belt in this picture makes it look a little bit harsh, but trust me in the video of the runway show its stunning! I also thought this dress was a lot of fun by Tommy Hilfiger. There should probably be a bit more coverage over the chest, but I love a dress with movement!

I highly recommend watching the whole show if anyone has a lot of time! Its about 40 minutes long and can't be downloaded, but you can find it here if you are interested!

And if you don't have quite so much time you can watch just the finale here!

Design Crush: Barbie

I haven't exactly had Barbie on my radar in awhile.. or at all since I was 10, but I just read The Hartford Courant's article on her new Malibu Dream House and it was love! Of course the decor is so silly and flamboyant but I can only hope to still have such a stylish apartment when I turn 50!

Designer Jonathan Adler was hired to style the actual 3,500-square-foot home in Malibu, California as the site for Barbie's 50th birthday celebration. He says "This house is as over the top and as fantastic as it should be for this American icon." Over the top it certainly is, but there are elements of each room that are just fabulous and can be used even if you're a bit more conservative.

Oh Barbie, what a sense of style you have!! I always love a white couch; here it helps all of the bright color and pattern make sense. The pink poodle is hilarious and the mirror above the fireplace is a perfect example of the popular circle shape that is so en vogue right now.

Here is a close-up of the mirror using 65 of the 1959 style Barbie. I will always love the clothing fashions of the 50's.

I love the pink and white stripe lamp shades that Barbie has here in her sitting room. Wouldn't they be adorable in a little girl's room? The corseted chairs are down-right wild, but I'd still love to have this room in my Malibu beach house!

Wait! Let me make a correction to that previous statement; I'd love to have this room with the exception of this hair chandelier. I think this is the creepiest, scariest thing I have ever seen! I mean everyone is allowed a design faux pas now and then, but my god, designer Chris March really missed the boat on this one!

Here's Barbie's bedroom and Yes! You are seeing correctly! That IS a shoe closet FILLED with Christian Louboutins!!! And of course you can never go wrong in any bedroom by using white monogrammed bedding. I also really like the white lamps with black shades - very chic.

If you're looking to add some fun to your home decor, Jonathan Adler will be launching a "Barbie loves Jonathan Adler" collection in September.