The 35th Annual Mermaid Paradewas hosted this past
Saturday, on June 17th in Coney Island.
This was my third year attending and I dressed up a bit so I thought I’d share my look with you.
This year I went with a Aquamarine/Teal/Blue theme. All pieces were just to reflect oceanic colors. I added some shell accessories-a bracelet and a necklace. The sweater I’m wearing just seemed perfect because it was this net type material, like you see in the ocean when fish life get caught up in random netting and seaweed. I randomly found this sea shell bra in dollar tree a few days before and I just thought why the hell not. I was a little reserved wearing it at first and I definitely got some looks on the train going there, but I just owned it. It’s not every day you get to dress like one of the sea’s most beautiful mystical creatures. Life is too short to stay in a box.
Me, my mom, and my aunt! When we left it was pouring and we thought to ourselves are we crazy… but we kept going and by the time we got there, it was clearing up. There was a slight overcast, and a mini drizzle, but it wasn’t bad at all. In fact I preferred it because the crowd wasn’t as big and the weather wasn’t disgustingly hot. We got to enjoy and it ended up getting nicer and we had a great day!
While I was there I got to check another item off my summer bucket list- to visit the Coney Art Walls.
Had to rock my mint green vans, cuz…Rain.
And last but not least the food…I indulged and I have no shame. Because it’s not often I get to hangout on the board walk and eat that type of food. It just screams summer! So I had my usual Coney Island staples – a corndog and a shish-ka-bob. And then I’ve been dying to try fried chicken and waffles. If you know me- you know- I LOVE Chicken…any kind of chicken, and I LOVE waffles. So there was a food truck there and…um….it’s all that I imagined it would be.
Sorry I know that corn dog looks kinda gross, but it was delicious! Haha #SorryNotSorry
You can read my more in-depth experience fromTHE BLOGI posted when I attended 2 years ago. I describe in detail how I put together my outfit. A lot of the things I did this year were the same. I did the scrunchy hairstyle with a blue extension, blue hair chalk and a whole lot of product. I also used a similar makeup technique, where I basically just used stick on jewels, and blues to highlight my face and make it mermaid-y plus glitter, on glitter, on glitter. I even used my starfish DIY hair clip again too! This year I liked my outfit a little better, but the feelings of hope, creativity, and acceptance that radiant from the parade are still in my heart. It’s such a weird experience, but I think it’s pretty cool.
Next year I hope to gather more of a crew to go, and I think I may have to really plan a badass mermaid outfit. I’m going to make everyone dress up right along with me! It’s so much more fun, when you join in on the weirdness. 😀
As you may know my current Netflix obsession is the CW’s Supergirl. The show’s second season has just been recently added and I have been a very happy girl. In the premiere episode we see a conflicted Kara/Supergirl as she is now faced with many open doors. Finally getting a hold on her role as a heroine, she must explore her options in new areas of her life; her career and her love life. The man she has been in love with; James Olsen-has expressed how he wants something more than just friendship and her boss Cat Grant has decided to give her a promotion allowing her to choose any position she wants. The world is her oyster and she is completely stuck. She’s scared. She’s confused. So Cat gives her the encouragement she needs, the push that only Cat Grant can give, in her fashionable Cat flare. When I sat there hearing these words, they felt real to me. I could relate to that fear and that uncertainty. The need to want to stay within your safety zone. That fear of change. What she said made me think, made me question my own life. And once again I felt such a connection to this show, and I think that is something beautiful.
“Dive. You’re standing on the shore afraid to dive into the new waters. And you’re afraid because you don’t want to say goodbye to the mild mannered, love-lorn Kara Danvers; the sweet and dutiful assistant to Cat Grant. You are standing there looking out at your options- the icy blue water, the fast flowing river, and the choppy sea and they all look very appealing to you, because your dying to go for a swim. But you know that water is going to be cold, and the journey is going to be hard. And when you reach the other side you will have become a new person. And you’re scared to meet that new version of yourself. Now we all get used to our own personas, and we’re used to our own comfort zones, but trust me, in order to live we must keep daring, keep diving.”
– Cat Grant [Season 2, Episode 1- Entitled “The Adventures of Supergirl”]
Speech @ 5:07
Stream Seasons 1 & 2 on Netflix Now!
Cat Grant is played by Calista Flockhart and I can promise you this speech is just the first of many epic moments of wisdom and empowerment.
So my brother is the super hero fan of the family and quite honestly I’ve never really cared for the movies or anything. However, I did grow up around Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles. I was the Pink Ranger for Halloween as a kid. So I guess you can say I didn’t hate it! 😉 There was also my recent obsession with The Amazing Spider-Man- the one with Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. I freaking love those movies. Add some Romance and I’m all in. Spoiler Alert… BUT WHY DOES SHE DIE????
Any who, my brother had been telling me to watch the CW’s Supergirl for the longest time. He was all like “I think you’ll like it.” and I just kept saying no. Until one day I was looking for a new Netflix binger and low and behold I got hooked into the world of superheroes.
I’m a feminist, and I believe in women’s equality and female empowerment. Girl power all the way, my friend. And this show embodies just that.
CBS premiered Season 1 in October of 2015. The summary reads as follows-
At 12 years old, Kara Zor-El escapes doom on planet Krypton to find protection on Earth with the Danvers family, where she grows up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex, and learns to hide the extraordinary powers she shares with her cousin, Superman. Now an adult living in National City and working for media mogul Cat Grant, Kara finds her days of keeping her abilities a secret are over when super-secret agency head Hank Henshaw enlists her to help protect the city’s citizens from threats. Finally coming into her own, Kara must juggle her new responsibilities with her very human relationships. (Via Wikipedia)
I watched the full first season on Netflix and am dying to watch the second season. Supergirl is currently airing it’s second season on The CW. It is said to be released on Netflix- Tuesday, May 30th! So I don’t have to wait long! I’ve peeked ahead on YouTube and she has the cutest love interest! I cannot wait to watch the full story unfold!!!! Supergirl was also picked up for a third season!
Oh did I mention that Supergirl is totally the sweetest girl in the world, and the strongest, most badass all in one! Not only can she fly, but she has superhuman strength, speed, and stamina; super breath; x-ray vision; telescopic and microscopic vision; freeze breath; heat vision; and super hearing. She is stronger than an ox, and can repel bullets. She’s the girl of steal. It’s funny how they always pull Superman in on iChat. I hope we actually get to see him, every time they say he’s there, you never fully see him. She’s determined to do things alone, and be her own super heroine, which I respect. But I mean how cool would it be to see a cousin duo tag team. Red, Blue, and Yellow baby. #S
Can we also just give a shot out to the crazy good cast they have. I mean you’ve got quite a few Glee cast members like Melissa Benoist as Kara/Supergirl , Jenna Dewan Tatum from Step Up!, Calista Flockhart best known as “Ally McBeal”, and my girl Chyler Leigh “Lexie Grey” from Grey’s Anatomy. So damn good!
Left to Right: Chyler Leigh, Jeremy Jordan, Melissa Benoist, Mehcad Brooks, and Calista Flockhart.
Jenna Dewan Tatum
Oh and Winn (played by Jeremey Jordan) is my favorite, what a freaking cutie!
Although I get so annoyed by the fact that Kara can put a pair of glasses on and wear her hair up and suddenly no one can tell she looks just like Supergirl!
I guess they have to suspend reality, so I can let that slide. 😉 The rest of the show is kickass. I really love how they developed Kara’s character. She has got this dorky, goofy, out of place, off kilter vibe. She’s an alien on planet Earth, just trying to learn to be human. I think it’s safe to say that she does a good job at trying to blend in, but sometimes her awkwardness gets in the way, and quite honestly I may not an alien, but I think we can all be awkward as hell sometimes! She handles it effortlessly, with her sweetness and then she can instantly flip her switch and be Supergirl saving the world from bad guys and girls. Yes that’s right she battles some bad ass she villains and even though I am all for good winning over evil, it’s super cool to see female villains and superheroes fight it out, rather than just the typical male heroes. Silver Banshee (played by Italia Ricci) was dope!
Supergirl doesn’t kill, but she’s just as effective. And of course she has many admirers along the way which just puts the cherry on top for me. #Romance
They even did a little cross over episode with The CW’s The Flash, and I was a little in love with The Flash/Barry Allen – (played by Grant Gustin-also starred on Glee.) I hear they recently did another one this season, so OMG um, now I’m probably going to have to get into The Flash too.
So there you have it, Supergirl has it all; Confidence, Encourages Female Centric Storylines, Strength, Humor, Action and Romance. I’m all in!
There are some days (usually on the weekends) when I will go makeup free. I used to never wear makeup to school all the way up until college. Here and there maybe lip-gloss and eyeshadow, but rarely on an everyday basis. If I had a party or something, that was a different story.
But now that I am working everyday I just feel I need to do a little something everyday. So I like to give my face a break on the weekends. If I don’t have to be anywhere special I will go all natural the whole weekend.
I can’t say that I always feel super confident when doing so. I used to be fine without wearing makeup, because I was so used to it. But now I’m used to having some makeup on during the week, so when I don’t I feel like my insecurities can arise. #BAGSUNDERMYEYES
However, I think it’s important to give your face a break. And I have actually gotten some compliments when using this little routine. There was actually one day I did these few small steps. I threw my hair up in a messy bun and some hoop earrings on, and went to my aunt’s to have dinner and my sister in law was like “Do you have any makeup on today?” and I was like “No. none. Actually like zero.” And she just looked at me with a face and was like “Ugh, I hate you. I’m looking at you saying, this girl looks so pretty today.” Lol.
That was such a crazy sweet compliment that it made me feel really great. I was feeling insecure that day and I was just like cool, I can do this no make up thing. I do it no matter what, because I think it’s super important for allow your face to breathe, but now I can have a little more confidence going makeup free.
So I thought I’d share what I do on the days I decide not to wear any makeup. Like zero makeup.
STEP 1:
First, I take my morning shower and I wash my face with a facial cleanser. I usually use Simple products, but then I switched to Cetaphil, and now I’m currently using Neutrogena.
Quite honestly, I think I’m going to be switching back to Simple or Cetaphil. I don’t care for the smell of the Neutrogena face wash. I really liked the Cetaphil one the best out of the brands I’ve tried so far.
STEP 2:
After I get dressed I do my skin routine- splash some cold water on my face. I don’t know why I do this. I know I just showered, but for some reason it’s just like a boost. And I feel like it preps my face for my face lotion.
STEP 3:
After I dry my face, I apply my Simple Moisturizer, I’ve been using this for a while and I like it. Accept I recently bought the wrong one by accident. So currently I am using the Rich Moisturizer. But I like the Light Moisturizer with SPF in it. It’s light texture, not greasy, and smells good! I think I’ll be switching back to the light. (it’s the one with the yellow sign on the front.)
*This is also the time when I brush my teeth, clean my ears and blow my nose and all that jazz. You know usual human things.
STEP 4:
Apply chapstick or lip balm. I use my holy grail- the old school blue tub Blistex.
STEP 5:
Apply a little bit of Vaseline to my eyelids. I can’t remember where I saw this. I feel like it was in a beauty guru’s no make up routine. I just think it gives you a little natural shine.
STEP 6:
This next step is a bit weird and unconventional, lol. But I usually pinch my cheeks a bit just to get some color. HAHA.
STEP 7:
I curl my eyelashes with my Revlon eyelash curler, and brush my eyebrows in place with my elf eyebrow brush.
STEP 8: (OPTIONAL)
Rock the messy top knot or side bun and add some statement earrings for flare if your looking to spice things up.
This is a selfie I took after doing this routine.
And there you have it. That’s about it!
I don’t always do this on my no makeup days. If I’m just home, I won’t do anything! If I have to go out and don’t want to wear makeup then doing these small little things can make me feel a little more confident. What do you do on your no makeup days?
So I’ve noticed this bit of a “Describe Yourself In 3 Fictional Characters” challenge/trend surface on the internet lately. And I loved it and instinctively wanted to turn it into a blog post.
As a writer I have a ton of fictional characters that I relate to and feel like somehow mirror my personality. I love identifying bits of myself in characters I see written and portrayed on screen. I couldn’t decide so I did 4, #ICheated #SorryNotSorry. (well Pocahontas is based on a real woman so I guess I didn’t cheat, there’s three fictional here!)
So here goes…
Haley James (Pre-Scott)
Portrayed By Bethany Joy Lenz
TV Show: One Tree Hill
If you’ve followed this blog before, you know my obsession with this character. It is real and she is probably my most beloved tv character. Since the first day I started watching One Tree Hill, she was the one I felt was most like me. She was the shy, smart girl who was way beyond her years, wanted to help everyone, had this keen sense between right and wrong, wasn’t popular but had her friends and family who she would do anything for and dressed kind of funky. She is my spirit animal. As later seasons came, she of course got cooler, started dating a jock, made friends with the in crowd, dressed better/different, got married in high school, and became this total rock star, made some mistakes, redeemed herself, had a baby in high school, and then later on became an English teacher and co-owner of the new and improved Karen’s Café. All while looking flawless the whole damn time. Which goes to show you, why I really identified with her in the first season mostly. As much as I love Haley James Scott, Haley James was simple, was real and her life seemed normal. Without all the fancy pants stuff, at her root Haley James-Scott or not has always had a strong moral code and a big heart and for that alone I will always be a fan.#ThatJeanJacketTho
Pocahontas
Voice-Irene Bedard, Singing Voice-Judy Kuhn
The Disney Film
While all the little girls wanted to be Cinderella, and Snow White, I related most to Pocahontas. To me, is was the Disney Princess who I felt looked most like me. For starters her olive complexion and her free spirit. Her barefoot adventures and love of sunflowers and jewelry and feathers. I love the story, I love her roots and how she knows who she is and knows that her family her everything. She makes decisions based on what’s best for her, she’s independent despite the many trying to decide what’s best for her. She explores, she is curious. The Indian culture has always fascinated me, and I have always felt a pull to it. She is probably the reason why.
Raven Baxter
Portrayed By Raven Symone
TV Show: That’s So Raven
FreeForm shows old school Disney shows late at night and once night I caught That’s SO Raven on TV, and I couldn’t help but laugh and see a bit of myself in her. Her crazy fashion choices, I have had my moments. #BlueLipStick #FlowersInMyHair #FurrySweaters Her impromptu dancing, her absurd slang. It’s all me. #YANASTY #OHSNAP I love her, and I too at times feel psychic. #SHHHH 😉 Also can we just state that Raven paved this way for curvy girls to feel good about themselves. She wasn’t perfect, she was curvy and loud and fun and colorful and she was SUCCESSFUL! Raven is most like my younger self, and I think she comes out still every once in a while.
Jane Villanueva
Portrayed By Gina Rodriquez
TV Show: Jane the Virgin
Let’s put aside the whole baby daddy/mama drama, that is this show. Yes Jane was accidentally artificially inseminated and instantly was thrown into motherhood way ahead of her planned out life’s schedule with a guy’s baby, who she never expected to come back into her life. That is the juicy stuff and my life is nothing like hers in that sense. But for some reason in a lot of other ways, Jane may be the character I relate most too. She’s always the responsible one, but when she messes up she owns up to it, and when she let’s loose, her beauty shines. She’s an older 20’s. She is a curvy Latina, with a heart of gold and good morals and extremely close to her family. She believes in love and is a hopeless romantic-not to mention a soap opera fan too. My favorite part-she’s a writer and she is constantly drifting off into her own world, as she stars in her scenes as she writes them. Her morals are very similar to mine and I adore her character as a whole, because everything I mentioned about her holds true for me too. She spontaneous dances too, so I mean we’re twins who need to meet and be best friends.
As you can tell I love seeing strong, determines, driven, independent, caring, loving, kind, big heart of gold female characters. They are what inspires me to write and to be a better woman.
I remember hearing something stirring up about Alicia Keys starting up her own #NoMakeupCampaign a while back, and I just now recently saw it in action at the 2016 VMA’s, and can I just say…. SHE. LOOKED. FLAWLESS. RADIANT. BEAUTIFUL. It was inspiring.
GET IT GIRL.
I could have just stopped there and I would have already made my point.
But in typical rambling fashion, you know a michelleleighwrites post is never short. So let’s talk.
After seeing how amazing she looked on that red carpet, I wanted to dive into the story behind this movement. So I found and read a few articles that dug a little deeper.
The most powerful thing I found was Alicia’s essay she penned for Lena Dunham’s online feminist newsletter “LENNY,” entitled “Time to Uncover.” Her reasons for making such a bold choice stem from her own insecurities. Like many of us women out there, including myself, we have this intense pressure we feel to live up to a standard of beauty that the media inflicts upon us from a very young age. And the older you get, the more serious the impact can feel. I used to rarely ever wear makeup. Other then if it were a holiday or special occasion, I was usually make up free all the way up until my college days. And even then, I didn’t go the whole crazy route that you see makeup artists or beauty guru’s go nowadays. Don’t get be wrong I LOVE watching those videos just as much as the next girl, and I do think makeup can be this incredible artistic expression. But sometimes I just sit back and think “How much stuff are you putting on your face?” Even personally, when I sit down to do my makeup, sure I’m more of a drugstore makeup girl, but sometimes between the concealer, and the foundation and the powder and the primer, by the time I finish, it feels like it took me forever.
Watch Alicia discuss her movement in a radio interview with HOT 97- [@ the 2:05 mark]
Ever since I started working more regularly, and having to come face to face with more people each day, I’ve started doing a regular simple makeup routine. It doesn’t take too long and I like the outcome. But I’ve felt more of that pressure to have to put makeup on lately. I have started to really feel like I have to cover up my acne scars, blemishes and under eye circles. And I used to never really feel like that. I would just wash my face, moisturize and go. What happened to that? That freedom?
In Alicia’s interview she notes that going makeup free and sporting her bare face for all the world to see has been “a beautiful challenge.” Stating that the movement is about being yourself. She emphasizes that she doesn’t want this to be “taken the wrong way,” it isn’t an anti-makeup campaign it’s just a campaign to encourage women to feel beautiful in their own skin, “to be free, to be who you are, to be yourself.” She also states that she believes in being “perfectly imperfect.”
Alicia’s words-her message, has really resonated within me and I think it’s having an impact on many people. Even though I’ve seen she’s gotten some criticism, I am a complete supporter. Her husbandis as well.
Alicia’s newest video-no makeup-and gorgeous.
Alicia has said that this raw real no makeup movement was inspired by a photographer who was shooting her new album artwork. The photographer wanted to shoot her as is, free of makeup, just from the gym, in a head scarf.
Further explaining that the realness of her appearance will balance out with the realness in her new album. I haven’t come across an album release date, but I will certainly be checking up on it, once it’s out!
Do your thang, Alicia. We get it. And we’re here to join. I know I am. Everything I’ve seen about her lately is filled with such beautiful messages, and inspirational good vibes. She seems so centered and happy, even though she admits to still working on things, aren’t we all? There is so much positivity she exudes that it’s beautiful to watch and it inspires. There’s a rich realness there and it’s freakin awesome that she’s from New York too!
*I do not take any credit for any music, images, videos used.*
Having to wear shorts under dresses and skirts #chafingproblems
Jewelry trends #chokers
It’s too hot for this shit! In the summer sometimes I just cant deal with wearing jewelry, as much as I love it, everything just sticks to me and I hate it! And chokers are the new trend and I love how they look, but when I try to rock one, I give up before I leave house. I feel constricted. Lol.
Racerback tank tops #hellobrastraps
I’ll admit I know this is a fashion no-no and it’s tacky, but I am totally guilty of this. I do it all the time. And I just don’t care. LOL. I’m not about to wear some uncomfortable strap device every time I want to wear a racertrack tank. #SorryNotSorry
When heels make your outfit, but you’re just not into dealing with the pain
I’m usually the girl who brings a pair of flats with me, because I know heels are not my usual jam.
The maxi dress #WhatUndergarmentsDoIWear #WhyIsThisDressSuddenlySeeThrough
But she still looks good tho!
Oh is this how you style them?
The strapless dress/bra #AllBrasSUCK
The strapless is not for the busty.
Pulling and tugging. All. Night. #BigBustProbs
I have this adorable off the shoulder shirt that I love but I hate strapless bras- they lack support- so I wear a tank top under the shirt which defeats the whole point of the style of the shirt. Ugh.
When you don’t want to wash your hair and your dry shampoo fails you and you end up looking like a sweaty gym rat.
The romper/The jumpsuit #BUTnowIhavetopee
It’s crazy because in my mind when I have a reason to believe I can’t use the rest room freely, I feel like the idea is on my mind more than usual. It messes with your mind, Lol.
Can you relate to these fashion frustrations?
Soldier on my fellow females, we got this! #LookinFlawless 😉
Ok so we all know Taylor Swift has ruled the world with her bomb ass girl squad, promoting girl power, feminism and all around badassery. So it got me thinking, if I could put together my own “fantasy” girl squad-like men put together their fantasy sports teams-… who would I include? These are the women who I admire most and who I think would all mesh well into one epic gang of powerhouses. I gave them squad names too, because I mean- duh. I’d lead this pack proudly. 😉
Bethany Joy Lenz- “Sweet Vintage”
Sophia Bush-“Chicago Spunk”
Tori Kelly- “TK Frizz”
Jennifer Lopez-“J-Booty”
Adele-“London Town”
Hilary Duff- “Boss Lizzie”
Lauren Cohan-“Zombie G”
Shay Mitchell-“Pocahontas”
Tess Christine-“Boho T”
Candice Accola-King- “Vamp”
Gina Rodriguez-“Senorita”
Joy Williams-“Mama Venus”
Marina Squerciati-“MS. Homegirl”
Tamera Mowry Housley-“Sista girl”
Melissa McCarthy- “Chef”
Lauren Graham-“Coffee”
Kate Hudson-“Blonde bomb”
Carrie Rad-“Sunflower”
Ingrid Nilsen-“Spicy Flame”
Alexz Johnson-“Gypsy Soul”
Bethany Mota-“Dimples”
Lauren Conrad-“Laguna Hillz”
I would include Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift in a heartbeat but they already have their squad. I’m creating my own path here people. Be a leader not a follower. 😉 And I said it once and I’ll say it again, I’d lead this pack proudly.#squadgoals Invites go out early next week. 😉 #AGirlCanDream #FanGirlLife
xoxo “Starchild” – The Squad Leader
-<3-
*Aside from that last selfie I do not own any other photos used.*
Shaving on the regular for the summer…we all dread it, am I right ladies?
Let’s be real in the Winter, we don’t give it a second thought. But now we actually have to care. What an imposition! Lol. #DangAnkles #AlwaysKnickingMyself
Cramps that crimple you…but why is there a war going on in my uterus?
Seriously though, sometimes I can’t move from my bed and I don’t even want to. #Zombie #WheresMyChocolate #LeaveMeAlone #IllRipYourHeadOff
Rushing to get ready and then this happens…
Clean up on aisle- I ain’t got time for this! I’m rushing as it is and now you wanna play games.
Breaking out the spanx…Tight dress…You know what you gotta do.
#CurvesForDays #SmoothItOut #BreakingASweat
Ran sacking your closet for an outfit and coming up with nothing.
#LifeStory
Ah the trials and tribulations of being a girl. It’s wonderful isn’t it?
We all have our struggles and we all know what a pain they are, but at the end of the day the show goes on and we pull through. #GirlPower #Sweats #MessyBun #NoBra #NoMakeup #Netflix #IceCream #DoYoThang
I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world, (sorry I couldn’t resist.)
Anyway… aside from that 90’s pop song being the greatest thing EVER, the world isn’t a Barbie World, and we are NOT Barbies. At least not the sculpted versions, we have been conditioned to believe are perfect and something to aspire to.
But as we grow and human nature catches up to corporate business, we see a change on the horizon. As you grow older I think your sense of self reflection gets stronger and you realize what’s really important in life. Heart is important. So why not instill that in the younger generation from the minute they are able to play with these iconic dolls.
Last week, I saw all the news about Barbie getting a makeover, and I was LOVING what I was seeing. What a changing world it is, that we live in. As Barbie Evolves…Mattel is bettering the iconic doll for future generations.
I loved Barbies as a kid, and even now all these years later, I still feel a connection to them. It takes me back to the days of my childhood. Where I would spend hours playing and being imaginative. Seeing the changes the companies are starting to realize need to be implemented to support healthier body image observance for young girls, is a really special thing. Granted, it took a while, but change is coming and it’s a groundbreaking move for Barbie lovers, like myself, to see.
-CUE RANT-
If you are not a fan or the change, you clearly don’t have a relationship with the toy, so get over it, and move on. Because this doesn’t concern you. Sorry… just reading the comments on the Barbie Facebook is so frustrating. If you don’t care about the change, why are you here looking it up? Why must you comment to say you don’t bother with Barbies? How is this change anything but good? I guess people will always have something to complain about.
-Ok, RANT OVER-
View my last Barbie’s Evolution turns into a Revolution post HERE .
Mattel is releasing its 2016 Barbie line, throughout this year. Some are even available for early purchase online.
On the Barbie.com website this is the statement featured about the new line-
Introducing the 2016 Barbie® Fashionistas™ Dolls. Releasing over time throughout the year, the line includes 4 body types- (Curvy, Tall, Petite, Original Barbie,) 7 skin tones, 22 eye colors, 24 hairstyles, and countless on-trend fashions and accessories. Shop now, exclusively at Mattel Shop.
Barbie.com also explains the reasons for the change, backing it up with a video.
THE EVOLUTION OF BARBIE-
Girls everywhere now have infinitely more ways to play out their stories and spark their imaginations through Barbie. Along with more overall diversity, we proudly add three new body types to our line. Here’s a look at why we did this, and the team that made it possible. #TheDollEvolves (SEE- video linked below)
Another video from Glamour Magazine that shows girls reacting to the new charge in Barbie, below:
Like Barbie on Facebook for day to day updates and in-depth looks at the new and improved dolls.
360 degree viewing videos of the new dolls available on the Facebook page too!
“They’ll all be called Barbie, but it’s the curvy one—with meat on her thighs and a protruding tummy and behind—that marks the most startling change to the most infamous body in the world.” -TIME MAGAZINE
I want one of each, to put away for my future daughters, or nieces, or for my god daughter when you gets into Barbies which I selfishly hope is very soon! Haha! As I mentioned, I loved Barbies as a kid and I love that they are making Barbies more realistic and their beauty more attainable. It’s a great step in the right direction for inspiring positive body image for our young girls and future generations.
Is Ken going to be getting some realistic improvements next? I hope so. TODAY reports on the possibility. This looks so cool! If Barbie is looking more like real girls and women, shouldn’t Ken do the same and look more like real men, and boys? YES.
Everyone; men, women, girls, boys…we all come in all different shapes, sizes, heights, colors, ethnicities, some of us have curly hair, some of us have straight hair, some of us have beauty marks, some of us have freckles, and we all express our creativity through how we choose to dress. No one is perfect, but we are all unique. And there is a beauty in diversity. If everyone looked the same, like all the Barbies used to, the world would be a very boring place. I love that there are White, Black, Hispanic/Tan, and Asian Barbies in this new line. It’s a beautiful thing to see a reflection of our realistic world in these toys. Looking at this line of Barbies, their features are more human, they look like real people you’d pass on the street.
Because every little girl (or boy) playing with these dolls, just wants to feel accepted. To know that someone out there gets them and looks or feels like they look or feel. It’s human nature to want to feel that sense of connection to the world around you. Even as adults we want to feel accepted in our environment and when we look around and feel like maybe we stick out or we feel like we don’t fit in, it can cause us to feel badly about ourselves. That’s the same situation with children. The toys they play with mean the world to them. It’s the creative world they get to live in and make up stories. So if a doll looks like them, they get to play a more realistic version of that world. And feel that if Barbie can “be anything” which is the whole story behind Barbie and her million careers, then they can be anything and do anything. If Barbie isn’t perfect, they don’t feel like they have to be.
Rock on Barbie, Ken. Be you. Do Your Thang. (Words to live by…Thanks *NSYNC. and yes I changed the title to Thang, because I just thought it was more effective than Thing. haha!)
Which new Barbie and Ken do you find most inspired? Which is most like you? Personally speaking I really dig the curvy Barbies, with the tan complexion and brown hair. I feel she looks most like me. Although I gotta admit the fact that some dolls have hazel eyes now, is kinda awesome too. And I love the blue hair and other funky colors too. Super cool! So let’s start a conversation, what do you guys think? Tell me in the comments below!
*I do not take credit for any images or videos/songs used in this post.*
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Michelle Leigh Writes 