Barbie, keepin' it real

When last we left Barbie, back in December, she was recovering from her failed presidential run.

What has she been up to since then?

Well, as we learned from this just-released new video, Barbie's once again living in New York, commuting to/from work, doing yoga, and getting her Starbucks like the rest of us....



Will Barbie run again for President in 2020?

"I'm just taking things one day at a time," says Barbie. "Right now, I'm focusing on mindfulness, being in the here and now."

FUN ASIDE: Back in the day -- the day being 1959 -- Commuter Barbie went to/from work dressed like this:

(Wonder where she fit her yoga mat...)

Will Barbie ever be President?

While strolling through the Clearance section at a Florida Walmart the day after Christmas, I came upon this, the Barbie President and Vice President dolls:

My first thought was: Wow, bet Barbie is really bummed she lost out to Tanning Bed Ken and Evangelical Ken. My second was, Wow, Mattel made Barbie President and Vice President dolls? Who knew? And my third thought was, oh what could have been. Now here lies (or stands) Presidential Candidate Barbie in the Clearance section, selling for $19.

I have continued to think about those Barbie President and Vice President dolls, which, sadly, I did not buy. (I know, I should have.) So I decided to search for them online and found the official Barbie President and Vice President website.

And ladies, you will be delighted to know what Mattel believes is the way to inspire young women to seek higher office: Good fashion sense!

Just read the descriptive copy on the Barbie President and Vice President page (and weep):

From campaign tales to election events to decision-making moments, these partners are ready to inspire stories around leadership in polished outfits worthy of the White House. Barbie doll as President takes the lead in a red and white jacket with smart black detailing, a classic blue skirt, sparkling earrings and black shoes. The Vice President doll is a strong second-in-command wearing a yellow peplum jacket, black pants, black shoes, a beaded necklace and black eyeglasses. Play out a world full of storytelling possibilities and career opportunities with this powerful duo ready to lead young minds into imagination because with Barbie, you can be anything.

Yes, young ladies, you can be anything -- as long as you are fashionably dressed. So inspiring! If only Hillary had dressed better -- and had Barbie's figure! Then maybe Walmart would have been discounting Tanning Bed Ken for President dolls.

Happy 50th Birthday, Barbie! You still don't look a day over 20!

I can't believe Barbie is 50! Just goes to show you what a little plastic surgery, a good stylist, and some bronzer can do for you. I swear, Barbie's boobs look just as perky as they did 30 years ago -- and her hair doesn't have a streak of gray in it!

If only those of us who grew up with Barbie had aged as gracefully. (For a fun look back at Barbie over the years, check out this nifty Barbie retrospective on ABCNews.com.)

Though, as I recently found out, some Barbies have not aged quite as gracefully as others...


[H/T to Amy at i could cry but i don't have time.]

And while my daughter has never had any interest in Barbie dolls (she much prefers stuffed animals), I had many, as well as a few Kens. (More about Ken later.)

I loved all my Barbies equally, though had a special place for one in particular, Growing Up Skipper, though it was more of a love-hate relationship, truth be told.

Ah yes, Growing Up Skipper, Barbie's little sister or cousin or neighbor (I was never sure which one it was) who, with a twist of her arm, grows breasts as well as taller. If only it was that easy.

Just thinking about the endless, futile arm circles I did back in the day -- with nothing to show for it (still) -- makes my right arm hurt. Indeed, I became so frustrated I believe I may have ripped Skipper's head off. (Served the little bitch right.)

Still, I'd like to think I ultimately did better than Barbie (despite not having a D-cup) as my Ken is anatomically correct and never flirted with Francie.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Barbie!

UPDATED @ 1:30 P.M. EDT:

For those of you who do not regularly read The Washington Post, check out this very funny Barbie article by Sarah Haskins, which was sent to me by blog reader Powaqqatsi.

Also, friend of the blog Dave S. asked me to post this picture of "Star Trek Barbie and Ken," which I found on Amazon.com and sent to him over the weekend. (We are both BIG Star Trek fans.) I have made it so, Dave.