Dear Diary by Parkin

Me explaining to Larkin what her pull ring is for.

Dear Diary,

My twin is finally complete! I say 'twin' but have you seen the colour of her hair?! You'd think Big Ol' Bossypants has never seen my hair before. I swear, if you want something done properly, do it yourself.

I have named her Larkin and she is going to make a great sidekick I can tell. We are best friends already but I do wish she wasn't so floppy.  That's not my fault though, it's the materials. Also, her eye mechanism doesn't seem to work. I've not got to the bottom of that yet but it is a top priority. 

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen had better watch out is all I can say. We are the new stylish twins in town!

Stay sexy,

Parkin

xox

Sindy!

Last week I won my first vintage Sindy on ebay for a reet bargain price. Having identified her, I would say she is more 'retro' but she is very sweet and I can't wait to give her a makeover!

At first I thought she might be pop star Sindy from 1985 (I'm still not sure if this is an actual doll or an outfit set!) but from the way her hair is rooted and her overall look I think she is most likely Sunshine Sindy.

I originally intended to re-root her in a natural hair colour. Maybe a nice chocolate brown or a subtle red. After holding up several of my Blythe dolls next to her face I was surprised to find I much preferred her with a fantasy colour. I'm not going to say anymore until the hair arrives but it is going to be quite the transformation!

Hopefully I don't become totally obsessed with these dolls but you can pick up some great bargains, they make a fun project and lastly, they are so cute!

♥ Vicky

Teeny Tiny Tuesday: Sad Pan With Soup

This week I'd like to share with you the infamous Sad Pan With Soup also, but far less interestingly, known as Is Dinner Ready? set number one. 

I'm not going to lie, I'm a fan of said sad pan as it seems are a few others over on the Re-Ment Addicts group flickr pool. If you're unsure as to why this set is loving know as SPWS it's simply down to the fact that a member of the group bought a blindbox hoping for a specific set and ended up with a "sad pan with soup". There is now even a Sad Pan With Soup Re-Ment Rehab group for this and other unloved sets for owners to show off their loving snaps. I am a new member!

I especially like this set for the tofu and the spring onion pieces. As a vegan, any sets with tofu are loved! The sad pan is also a great piece I reckon as it has a lovely 'wooden' handle and, erm, knob bit (I dunno!) on top of the lid. The chopping board is reversible and has a vegetable side as depicted by the vegetable image you can see in the top right corner and a meat side as depicted by a fish. 

Go and take pics of your Sad Pans with Soup with pride as all Re-Ment sets deserve love!

♥ Vicky

Parkin Week is Over :(

So, Parkin week has come to end and what a week it was! I was told I was banned from reading Parkin's posts last week but I couldn't help myself and ended up having a sneaky peek. Shhh! 

I really wanted everyone to get to know Parkin a little better over last week and even I'm surprised by, well, pretty much everything she revealed!

On Monday I found out the identity of her secret boyfriend, which has been plaguing me for weeks might I add. Although, it turned out she'd ditched him before I even got to say hello. Boo. To be fair, he's a huge poobag by all accounts. She sure knows how to pick 'em.

On Tuesday Parkin took over Teeny Tiny Tuesday and showed us her super cute Re-Ment Hello Kitty box file - plus a peek at some of her "top secret" documents.

Wednesday was all about how stylish she can be.

I became a little afraid on Thursday when I discovered Parkin had fashioned herself a twin from my fabric scraps. Well almost. I dread to think what scrapes Parkin's going to get into after that bright idea!

Friday was spent putting Parkin's latest naughty plan into action which was revealed on Saturday. Whilst I had to wag my finger and explain that the Shrink Ray is not a toy I was practically killing myself trying not to laugh!


Sunday, well, Parkin never gets out of bed on a Sunday. I suppose that's when she concocts her best plans!

Parkin enjoyed herself so much that she will become a regular fixture over here on Rosie Apples and Friends with her own 'Dear Diary' slot every Thursday. I'm sure it will be as juicy as ever!


I think it's time for me to get my very own sign off too, so that it's clear who is doing the talking writing! 


♥ Vicky


p.s Yeah, I know it's no "Stay sexy" but it'll do!

Shrink Ray'd!

Parkin week is not over yet, no siree! Let's see what she has in store for today!

...................................................

Hi guys!

Did you miss me yesterday? I bet you did. I would miss me. I was busy scheming to get my hands on Big Ol' Bossypants shrink ray machine. I knew there was no chance of her lending it to me so I had to wait until the time was right to strike. If I messed up I'd never get another chance again. Ken was coming round at 5pm to return my heated rollers, so the pressure was on for me to get my hands on the ray before Smelly Puny Head arrived.

I chose my scariest outfit and set up the shrink ray facing the door. After a failed first attempt (sorry Flossie!) I struck it lucky on the second go.

You should have seen his tiny face! It was the most hilarious thing I've seen in ages. Ken ended up threatening to sue if I didn't change him back so the fun was over pretty quickly but that's typical Ken. Such a party pooper.

It was so worth it though.

Stay sexy!

Parkin

xox

Dear Diary

Parkin week continues with a peek into Parkin's diary!

..................................................................

Dear Diary,

As you know, I would absolutely love a twin. Not in a sentimental way of course, it's just that I would be totally unstoppable if I could divide my plans to millionaire-dom between two like minds. I'd get there twice as fast, right? It makes complete and utter sense but Big Ol' Bossypants wouldn't buy me my double. I hope you didn't think that would pose a barrier to me in any way. You know me better than that I hope.

I know she is bald and naked right now but Frankenstein's Monster wasn't built in a day. I can tell already that we will be the best of friends/millionairesses.

It feels so great to finally have a twin!

Stay sexy,

Parkin

xox

Parkin Week: Outfit Post

Hi all!

So today has been one of the least fun days ever. Who wants to leave the dolly shelf when it's raining cats and dogs outside? Not me. But it's Parkin week and I have a job to do. Namely, regale you with my interesting insights and plenty of photos of my glorious self.

Given that the weather made taking pretty pictures almost impossible I think I look like a right babe. I'm working that big ol' shadow like nobody's business. I was trying to look coquettish and like there might be something interesting happening off camera to show what an exciting life I lead and how irreverent I am. All totally cool things, right? No, I am not a poseur. How dare you!

Anyway, today I am wearing a dress from Ladybird House, tights by Blythe Dressing Room and Prima Dolly Paris boots. Not to be a total meanie beanie but they look way better on me.

Stay sexy,
Parkin
xox

Teeny Tiny Tuesday: Parkin's Take Over Edition

Today Parkin is continuing her residency on Rosie Apples and Friends and taking over Teeny Tiny Tuesday!

.....................................................................

Shhh, come closer. Today you are going to be honoured with a sneak peek of my top secret Hello Kitty file with cute paperclips. I'll even show you some of my secret papers if you promise to keep quiet about it!

Right, I'm ready. I don't think anyone else is around. Well, they better not be or else they're in for a sorry and messy end. Don't laugh, this is serious you guys!

So here it is! It's the perfect size for storing all my private documents and has the added bonus of looking so cute nobody would guess at the top secret contents. Always and I mean that, store your private scribblings in the most cutie pie place you can to defeat snooping snoobles. I always keep a set of boring pretend secret documents in a heavily guarded safe in my bedroom. Nobody would ever guess the real hiding place.

Seeing as you have kept your word so far and in the interests of getting to know me better here are a handful of my top secret documents. Have I emphasised enough how TOP SECRET they are! The kite design is the most top secret of all. If this gets out I'll be ruined and my kite collection may never be complete. Do you understand how serious this is?!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to pack my documents away before Big Ol' Snoopy Pants came home and she dared to query the authenticity of this contract. It still stands whether she was asleep when she signed it or not. I have very lucid dreams and would never be caught out in this way so more fool her.

Stay sexy,
Parkin
xox 

Parkin Week Starts Today!

Hi guys! It's time for Parkin week to get going! If you've not read this post, please check it out for some extra info.

OK, ready?

Take it away, Parkin!

....................................................................................

It's finally happened. I am the Emperor of Rosie Apples and Friends at last. Apparently it's just for one week but I'm sure I can talk my way into being the Big Boss for at least, hmmm, let me see... all eternity.

Anywho, seeing as it's the start of Parkin Week I thought you might like to know a bit more about me. I do like to remain fairly mysterious, as you may have noticed but I mainly do that to annoy ol' bossypants blog lady.

Yes, she tried and failed on several occasions to unmask my secret male friend but I'm just going to throw it out there now. It was Ken. I know, I know, I'm embarrassed to admit it now but you see, I was in love.

True love. Described here though is how our romance of a lifetime ended. Don't be sad for me, he was a poobag. It all came to a head when he made us dress in coordinating outfits and participate in an "exciting" professional photo shoot. I say professional. It wasn't.  Nor was it exciting. O.K, it was a little exciting. I did get to wear a fluffy petticoat/tutu after all!

It didn't take long for me to become painfully embarrassed by Ken's camera hogging. There can only be one 'face' in any Parkin based relationship and that should be me. I'm practically Snow White for Pete's sake.

In case you think I am being unnecessarily harsh here there had been a lot building up to this point. It's just that this particular moment was captured on film. It was always, "Barbie's head is much smaller than yours." or "Barbie's boobs are way bigger than yours." or "Barbie wouldn't have actually eaten the cake I sent her. She'd have displayed it in her pristine kitchen." There is only so much one (extremely well-proportioned, if a little noodle leggy) Blythe can take.

But never let it be said that I don't pick myself back up again. Did I mention I'm the big boss around here now? Oh, and that Ken's a piddle puddle?

Tomorrow you will have my take on Teeny Tiny Tuesday. 

Stay Sexy,

Parkin

xox

Ahoy There!

Flossie waving goodbye to those setting sail for Portland!

I'm going crazy for all the different BlytheCons planned this year! Whilst I am lucky enough to be attending BlytheCon UK in October there was no chance I'd be able to get to Portland for the US version. Step forward Virtual BlytheCon!

You may have noticed the little badge on my sidebar proudly proclaiming me to be a member of Virtual BlytheCon and wondered what it was about. Well, it is an event for all those unable to attend the Portland BlytheCon and takes place at exactly the same time online! It has been organised by the wonderful Wonderella and we even have our own online space for it to take place this Monday. Find out more information via our flickr group!

Hope to see you there!

Parkin Takes Over!

Yep, you read it right! Next week is a Parkin extravaganza. She will carry the grand title of 'blogger in chief' for an entire week for better or worse!

Now for a note from Parkin:

Hi guys,

The above is correct and all your wishes have come true! I will be guest blogging all next week and I promise to give you the blogging time of your lives! It will at least be better than Vicky's attempts because a) I am way cooler than her and b) All her best ideas come from me anyway. Look out for my secrets revealed, Craftilicious ideas and plenty, and I'm talking A LOT of pictures of me.

Stay sexy,

Parkin
xox


You heard it hear first folks! Parkin will be the fat controller from the 20th of until the 26th June!

Flossie and Her Mini Blythe

Flossie is totally in love with her mini Blythe doll and hasn't given her a moment's peace since she arrived. I was the same with Flossie once she was finished with her make-over so I guess I should just keep quiet!

I guess my dolls love dolls as much as I do! Here is Billie with her Lalaloopsy, if dolls with dolls is up your street. 

Teeny Tiny Tuesday!

It's Teeny Tiny Tuesday and it's sunny as well, so today couldn't get much better for me!

I have a pretty big sweet tooth and this seems to extend to miniatures whether they are edible or not. I have quite a lot of tiny cakes! These cakes in particular are from the brilliant Natalie's French Treats and come with a pair of cute sugar tins. The lids do not fit well at all but they are decorated with images of carousel horses. Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say! The carousel was always my favourite fairground ride when I was a little girl and still is now that I'm an official grown-up, if truth be told. A carousel horse is also printed on the reverse side of the bag for even more funfair cuteness. 

I love the fact that the cakes in this set work as a whole but are different selections. Who wants a whole box of the exact same cupcake? Nobody who is serious about cake, I'll tell you that for a fact.

It's now time for me to go track down some sugary treats. I'll see you soon!

p.s More Natalie's French Treats over here.

Summery Feelings!

This morning when I woke up I could have sworn it would rain by the afternoon. As it happened it turned out lovely and even got quite warm. Me and little ol' Parkin started to feel a little Summery and Parkin cracked out the Louos Loves Kaftan set she had been hoarding. 

"I'm off on holiday, daahhhhling! See you in a month."

Hmm, I have a feeling she will be back sooner than you think!

Middie Blythe: Cherish Me Always

(Credit: Junie Moon)

I had a butchers at the Middies when they first came out but decided that they weren't for me perhaps a little too quickly. Although, I do think they are a lot of money for what they are. However, and there is always a 'however' when it comes to me and my doll collection, I think this Middie is just gorgeous!

I saw her when I was poking around the Junie Moon website yesterday, although I really shouldn't have been and got suckered in by the cute pic above. When I saw that the Neo anniversary girl didn't do it for me I ignored the Petite and Middie, although given the price of Cherish Me Always that was a good idea!

(Credit: Junie Moon)

She is around Odeco size and has a slight Moof look to her I reckon but I'm not sure if that's down to her hair. Her outfit has lots of detail and I absolutely LOVE her Mary Jane shoes. They should really make these in Neo size. There's no way I am going to pay over 15,000 yen for her (I have developed self-control, yay!) but I'm looking forward to seeing pics of her around flickr and I'll keep my eye out for new Middie releases from now on!

D.I.Y. - Easy Summer Headband!

I thought it might be nice to make a bright summer headband for Clem to complement her beautiful bold hair and came up with this easy D.I.Y. It doesn't take long and you only need a few supplies so if you'd like to have a go, read on!

Here are the supplies you will need:

Small scraps of fabric. You will not need anymore than 1" by 1" of each, unlike in the picture!

A small piece of felt

Needle and thread

Embroidery floss or beads

A small piece of dolly velcro (optional)

43cm of ribbon of your choice. I chose 9mm velvet ribbon. *You will need to add enough extra length to tie ribbon in a bow at the back of your Blythe's head if not using the dolly velco option.*

To start with make this shape by folding the ribbon back on itself. Do this slightly off-centre. This forms the bow and you can make it as big or as small as you'd like.

Stitch folds in place and you should end up with something that looks like this.

Using fabric glue attach a piece of the felt to each of the scrap pieces of fabric and wait to dry.

Once dried, cut out two small circles. One should be larger than the other. Cut towards the centre all around the edge of the larger circle. Use the embroidery floss to add french knots to the smaller circle of sew beads on instead. You could do a combination of the two perhaps! Then attach the two circles together with the smaller on top.

Glue or stitch the 'flower' to the centre of the bow you made using the ribbon. My flower has a real homemade look (and a slight touch of the ugly, but I have developed a soft spot for it!) but you can go as neat or as 'rustic' as you prefer. Try adding a button or a fancy bead if you want to miss out a few steps. If you are adding the velcro attach it now. All that's left is to pick one of your Blythe's to wear it!

Teeny Tiny Tuesday: Mini Blythe

I have seen these little guys around once or twice and was always really intrigued by them. I wasn't sure who they were made by or if they were homemade. It turns out they were made by Takara and there were at least two series. 

After a bit of ebay searching I found three and decided this character was my favourite because of her big hair! She is one of three secrets in this series and she has a pearly sheen complete with angel wings on her back (I didn't get a picture like a doofus. To be honest, I was chatting with my mum on the phone whilst taking these pictures before it got too dark.) She also comes with a stand to display her but I have since cut the piece of plastic away that slots in to the base. I wanted her to be a doll for my Neo Blythe's.

She is a little dirty and has a few paint chips but I think she is pretty sweet. I'm sorry I didn't include anything to scale her against but she is about 8cm tall from toes to massive hair. The box she came in is a lot smaller than Re-Ment boxes at 8cm x 5.5cm x 3.5cm. I am fascinated with it for some reason that I suspect may be down to it's cute size!

The leaflet is double sided and I thought you might like to see all the different characters. The illustration of how she fits together reminds me of the Odeco and Nikki drawings too! There are a couple of mini figures who look very like some of their Neo counterparts. I've spotted Rouge Noir, Parco and Skate Date lookalikes. Parco and Skate Date are even dressed the same as their Neo's! So cute.

I will take pictures of her with my Blythe's soon!

Groovy Clem

It's one of those boring overcast days in London today but Clem brightened it up for me with her vintage skipper ensemble and sweet face. It was a gorgeous day yesterday so I don't feel too cheated! I'm off to practice crocheting now. I successfully managed the most simple flower you have ever seen t'other day which has spurred me on!

Happy Days

Flossie spent her day in a beautiful daydream.