Sunday: The Aftermath

 

The dinner ended around 11 p.m., after which 

we dragged our tired, elated selves back to our hotel

and surveyed the damage.

  

Diane's corner

 My corner

 And then I realized I had to pack it all. 

It was insane. It took me about 3 hours to unbox everything, 

wrap it up, pack, repack, lather, rinse, repeat.

 Diane was driivng home, so she had the luxury 

of keeping her dolls, fashions, and items intact the packaging. 

AND YES, THIS IS ALL HER STUFF. This is ONLY her stuff.

 She ended up selling her other convention gift set 

on eBay immediately after we got back to the hotel. It sold for $300.

She also sold the vintage fashions for another $75 or so.

Girl made a killing!
After we finally got it all packed and loaded,
we took a moment to reflect on the week's events out on our balcony,
finally succumbing to sleep at 3:00 a.m.

Saturday: The Grand Finale--Barbie & Ken, the Ultimate Couple Dinner

 The last event at Convention: the grand finale dinner.

 Lots of cute displays at each table....

 Glammed up for the big event!

 A (blurry) dessert! I think the dinner was surf & turf, 

and as you all know, I don't do shrimp and I don't do steak.

I ate chocolate and a protein bar for dinner :)

 Me, Diane, Linda & Laurie--

representing the Richmond Fashion Doll Collectors club! 

Don't you love those pink shoes?

 

More gifts from Mattell--

vintage party clothes for Barbie and Ken in the authentic vintage packaging. 

 Then...the big moment...

we all reached under the table and pulled out the 

tissue-wrapped boxes containing the OFFICIAL CONVENTION DOLL 

that we had all be speculating about.

 After a countdown from 10, every conventioneer
ripped the tissue off at the same time for the big reveal!

 My first platinum label doll--and a gift set at that!

 We were all shocked to receive TWO gift sets at convention!

 I LOVE Barbie's vintage dress, jewelry and hairdo,
but that Ken reminds me of a monkey.

 Oh yeah, and we got some other goodies from our tablemates, too.

Saturday: Mattel Designer Signing Event

 

Saturday morning, we lined up to for autographs with the Mattel designers. 

Linda Kyaw autographed everything from dolls to boxes to t-shirts.

 Okay I KNOW this is ANOTHER picture of Robert. 

This was taken when the fire alarm went off in the hotel, 

but we all just stood there in line listening to it. 

None of us wanted to lose our spot in line! 

It was probably a false alarm anyway.

We were close enough to the exit that could have 

escaped the building if we really needed to, 

arms full of items to be autographed.

 ONE LAST picture of me and tiny Mr. Best. 

I am wearing flip-flops. He is just puny. 

And apparently wearing pajamas.

YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!

Friday: FASHION SHOW

At long last--the much-anticipated fashion show.

This is the most popular event because the participants 

go ALL OUT replicating Barbie fashions in adult size. 

Every costume you see here is an actual doll that has been produced. 

We yelled and cheered for about an hour non-stop for our favorites.

 The Landmark collection gals. 

Linda Kyaw, the designer, is sandwiched in the middle. 

These dresses EXACTLY mirror the originals on the dolls.

 Diane with the Byron Lars "Coco" doll that she has displayed in her house.

 Me, Diane & our friend dressed as Mexico Barbie!

 France and Italy fashions walk the runway...

 ...followed by Garden Party fashion....

 ...and Holiday Barbie 2010.

 Look out for Citrus Obsession Barbie...

 ...and her sisters, Peppermint Obsession and Chocolate Obsession.

 Old school Ken! He clearly was before my time...

Palm Beach Breeze Barbie fashion. 

This model even got a wig to resemble the hair on this doll. 

The event was incredible. I couldn't believe the efforts and talent on display.

Friday: Barbie Fan Club Party

 We had some time to just mill around before the Barbie Fan Club party, 

so we roamed around and saw Ken just hanging out,
waiting for someone to take his picture....

 We were worn out after so many days of excitement 

and just found a quiet corner to chill,
since it would have been too much work to leave the hotel, 

drive back to our hotel, and pay for parking all over again...

 Ken's Birthday Bash began!

 Members of the BFC only!

 Why LOOK who it is!

 Robert was there to show us the prototypes 

from the 2012 line. SO EXCITED for more silkstones in SUITS!!!

And HATS!!! Finally, some HATS!!

 Diane and Dream Date Ken!

 Bill Greening also showed us another line of dolls 

to be released as part of the 2012 line-

the last incantation of the Barbie Basics.

 

Thanks for the freebies, Mattel!