Barb-ie Tea Service: Sharing some of our favorite Barbies and Barbie movie review!

I'm a Barb-ie girl attending a Barbie movie

This weekend, inspired by the recent blockbuster movie and a lifelong love of the doll that originated about the same time I did, we are, temporarily, Barb-ie Tea Service. We come bearing some of our favorite Barbies  as well as our opinions on the long-awaited Greta Gerwig film that pays homage to the fashion doll that broke barriers while always being well-accessorized.

With sister-in-law, Sandy, we were Barbie girls this past weekend.

Yesterday, along with my sister-in-law, Sandy, I went to see "Barbie" and, unlike "Oppenheimer", the movie I saw the previous weekend, I had to put some thought into what I would wear to the theater. It had to have some element of pink, of course, but also some Barbie-esque accessories. To accompany my pink sweater and pink and white flowery blouse, I donned pink sunglasses, a necklace with a pink flower pendant and a pink ribbon bracelet. Barbie would approve! 

The movie is sweet, goofy, funny, outrageous and even has a few moments that tug at your heart. It certainly brought back memories from my childhood as well as when the pink baton was passed to my daughter, Rachel. In that span of time, Barbie had taken on many more professions and was skating on neon yellow rollerblades. 

My first Barbie, bubble cut, has held up well for several decades. 

My first Barbie was the "bubble cut" edition. These dolls, according to the on-line Fashion Doll Guide, were made from 1961 to 1967 and replaced the original ponytail hairstyle with a fluffy bouffant.  I'm guessing I must have received this long-coveted doll (at least a year, as I recall) around 1966, and - considering all the years I've had her- she's held up quite well.

I also had a Francie, Barbie's "MOD-ern" cousin.  According to History.com, Francie came onto the scene in 1967 to reflect the modern fashions and swinging bands coming from London. I LOVED Francie. She was adorable and way cool, and, in a bit of departure from the legions of fair-haired Barbie's, she had big brown eyes and long brown hair. 

But, along with my other prized Mattel dolls, "Tutti and Todd", Barbie's younger, twin siblings. and their ice cream parlor, Francie has been long gone from my collection for decades. (If I had saved all of them in their original boxes, eBay tells me, I could pack my bags and take a fancy trip).

Front and center, a brunette Holiday Barbie.

In their place, once we were blessed with Rachel, and with the aid of my "enabler" Mom, we purchased Barbies for a new generation. Along with the Holiday Barbies, which like my Francie of yore, has one brunette in the series, I also started to veer into that collector's realm and bought a few for myself. Most, again, according to eBay, have not yielded high returns (but, still better than all those Muffy Van De Bears). 

In the big scheme of things, though, it's not really about the financial ROI, - the big payoff is the true joy they bring to big and little kids, whether they're five or sixty-five. 

And, that's why I was so excited about the movie, and like the wild fur coat and gold lame boots my Mom bought for my Barbie back in the 1960's, it exceeded expectations. A story about moms and daughters, glamour and independence and the hilarious challenging of the patriarchy (which, it is sadly discovered, has little to do with horses), it moves so quickly and cleverly through real and imagined, you will once again believe in the magic of Barbie.

***spoiler alert*** 

Rachel and I discussed the Barbie movie and, aside from our mutual "like" of the film, we both had a shared pride in never having possession of a "Weird Barbie". We respected our dolls and never cut their hair of colored them with markers.

We also agreed, one of the best scenes in the movie is the depiction of "depressed Barbie" who, dressed in unfashionable sweats, spends too much time on her smartphone and too many hours watching "Pride and Prejudice" -specifically, our favorite film-adaptation, with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.

We vote for "Chillax Barbie" who takes it easy and watches Jane Austen

So, following suit, after the movie, I became what I would like to call "chillax Barbie" and I summoned up an old film adaptation of "Persuasion".  Barbie is still inspiring. ; )

And, for those who take issue with Barbie the movie, we recommend the wisdom of the crew of MST3K, ". . .repeat to yourselves, it's just a show, I should really just relax".  

And, for more Barb-ie tea service, see our video on YouTube: 

Barb ie Tea Service - YouTube

Austentacious Tea: Much felicity at Bloomfield Township Public Library!

Brooke H. of Bloomfield Township Public Library with Barb and Pam of BTS

This week, Barb's Tea Service presented an "Austentacious Tea" at Bloomfield Township Public Library and served up Twinings tea to a most agreeable assembly of guests. 

"Sold Out" event, afternoon tea fare and tea served up in library "tearoom".

At the invite of Brooke Hoskins, Assistant Department Head, Adult Services, the BTS team, including Pam B, brought a bit of the Regency era to this most excellent venue in our own backyard.

A "sold out" event, the library's meeting space was transformed into a lovely tea room, with tables - adorned with white tablecloths - displaying a pretty assortment of tea accoutrements, tasty treats and bursts of lavender. 

We enjoyed meeting Carol M. and friend at the Austentacious program

Although the BTS team had teacups at the ready, many guests brought their own and we enjoyed hearing all their special stories.

Winner of our book giveaway to a special guest with a July birthday

After the presentation, we gave away one of our books, Twelve Etiquette Essentials, to a very special guest who has a July birthday!

Great meeting new friends and seeing those from the neighborhood!

We had a delightful time meeting this wonderful group of guests (and a shout out to those in our neighborhood who came out, too!). Thanks to Brooke and all at the Bloomfield Township Public Library. Much felicity to be had and we look forward to coming back!

 

Royal afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Royal Tea at Prince of Wales in Niagara-on-the-Lake

When staying at the Prince of Wales hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake, it only seems fitting to continue the theme with a "Royal Afternoon Tea".  Last month, that's exactly what we did and, to paraphrase a royal quote, we were most amused.

The Prince of Wales is an elegant hotel in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake. Originally built in 1864, it went by several names until the start of the twentieth century. In 1901, after a visit from the Duke and Duchess of York (later to become King George V and Queen Mary, also parents of Princess Mary), it was renamed in honor of the Royal guest.

Royal Tea in The Drawing Room

The Royal Tea includes a sparkling drink

As our grand home-away-from home for a few days, my husband, Chris and I, along with travel companions, my brother, Ed and sister-in-law, Sandy, we enjoyed the hotel's beautiful rooms (incredibly, ours was decorated in red velvet and toile, as if I had filled out a preference option beforehand!) and the charming dining venues. The latter category included The Drawing Room, where we made reservations for afternoon tea.

Grand hotel rooms, our decorated in red velvet

. . . and toile!

The Drawing Room's menu has a wonderful selection of different types of afternoon teas. Building on the traditional tea fare, the "Prince of Wales Tea" adds a variety of Canadian cheeses. The "High Royal Highness Tea" is a nod to the highlands with a full charcuterie board and a serving of 12-year old Scotch.  But, we chose the "Royal Tea" which is comprised of scones, savories and sweets accompanied by a pot of tea and glass of sparkling wine.

Savories and sweets

Warm scones served with jam and creme fraiche

In addition to cucumber sandwiches, other savories included a meat and cheese filled croissant and avocado toast. The scones were warm and served with strawberry jam, butter and creme fraiche. And, on my favorite, the top tier, there were macrons, fresh fruit, cookies and tarts.

The Drawing Room at Prince of Wales hotel

All tea fare and tea was absolutely delicious and presentation was perfection as was the service and ambiance. We were particularly fond of our seating at the front of The Drawing Room with its wall of windows that faced the city's main street. 

Additional seating at the front of The Drawing Room with its many windows facing main street

Every table was decked out with crisp white linen, floral patterned fine china and a rose centerpiece.

Prince of Wales front lobby

Prince of Wales, downtown Niagara-on-the Lake

The Prince of Wales afternoon tea was exceptional and we plan to be back next time we're in town, ready to be treated royally.