Toy company Mattel is gearing for the December launch of its new Barbie Ladies of the 80s collection . The range is aimed primarily at collectors and includes three Barbies: Cindi Lauper, Debbie Harry and Joan Jett. All I can say is: Where were these Barbies when I was growing up? and I need the Cindi!

The 80s Barbies can be pre-ordered at Entertainment Earth ($34.99 each) and Amazon ($69.95 each).

My favourite Barbie was the one with the blue party dress and the poofy eighties fringe. My second favourite was my Party Pink Barbie which came adorned in pink, jewels and glitz – the showstopper being a furry pink shawl sprinkled with sparkly silver stuff. I had some other pretend ‘Barbies’ that I managed to destroy: I used hand soap to wash one doll’s beautiful red hair and it remains, to this very day, stuck together in one giant dreadlock; and I had a mermaid Cindy (or something) which apparently was not supposed to be used in water despite the fact that she came with a beautiful mermaid tail – her crimped hair changed from ‘Darryl Hannah in Splash‘ to ‘Cameron Diaz in Being John Malkovich‘. Poor dollies. Taiwanese plastic is pretty sturdy but does allow for creativity that encompasses body modification, hair design and facial piercings. If my mom had taken a look at my Barbies perhaps she wouldn’t have been so surprised when I got my first tattoo, purple-black hair and piercing. I spent many a happy hour ‘playing Barbies’ with neighbours, friends, cousins and even brothers – although their version of the game was called ‘army bases’ and involved G.I. Joes, lego, micro-machines, farmyard animals and plants from the garden. (more…)

Today a travesty occurred. A friend stole my pink nail polish, smeared it all over her nails, and then proclaimed with glee, “Now I look like a prostitute”. Pink is for prostitutes? Well fuck me! I must be a world class prostitute. Who knew? Not that I have anything against prostitution. Everyone’s got to make a living – we are living in a recession after all.

I have a passion for pink. Hold on. Let me qualify this statement: I have a passion for Hot Pink – also known as Shocking Pink or Fuchsia. Pink looks particularly awesome with black & lime green. My wedding colours were pink red and orange…my wedding dress was pink red and orange (and a bunch of other colours). I have a pink and black tattoo. I am a big fan of decoration, especially when it involves pink. I often liken myself to a Christmas tree. (more…)