Books, Barbies, and Inspiration!

When I was little, my dad would read to me every night- He'd pick a book, and I'd pick a book.
I was reminded of that today - It was during that time that I came to love story telling.
One of his favorite books to read to me was 'The Tortoise and the Hare", and the lesson on the last page has stuck with me for years-as well as helped me through failure, loss, disappointment, and self doubt.

Dad-o!

It read, "Hard work and perseverance wins the race." He would read that and then snap the book closed and we would laugh.
It's an important lesson though- especially as a writer or artist. I've seen writer friends go into depression when they are continually rejected, or someone says that their work just isn't good enough. I think- in moments like that, perseverance should be as important- or more important- than praise from others. You will always be not good enough to someone, but don't stay under their thumb.
The Definition of Perseverance is: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or past failures.

What books did I choose to read on those nights?!

'Morris the Millionaire Mouse'- The quaint tale of a mouse who wins the lottery and squanders the money on a car with no engine and partying- a lesson learned!
"Lady Lovely Locks and The Pixie Tales'- Evil witch, small animals doubling as hair clips, magic, and ribbons! - quality literature! :)

OR--- Barbie- "The Missing Wedding Dress" - As the title says, she loses her wedding dress.I LOVE Barbie! She's pink, glittery, and that b$*&h has EVERYTHING!! :)

I even saw her 'Malibu Dream House' party that I WASN'T invited to!!!!! on the Food Network yesterday.

It was held at her malibu mansion that was decorated exclusively by Jonathan Adler-

I liked some parts(the outside was killer!), but there were also some FREAKY things happening inside that house!!

First, He covered the chandelier in her living room with HAIR!!! - and he put lace up corset backs with TRAINS on the chairs!! ....That's SO 'House of a Thousand Corpses'!
Why, Jonathan?! Why?!
In her bedroom, he gave her red VELVET tent draping---and that's funny, cuz the hooker on 'Blazzing Saddles' had that exact same room! What a coincidence!
and in the lounge, what's the best thing to put on a round about lounge without making it look trashy?! .....Ostrich feathers!...........bleh!
It does look like they had some great party treats tho- and the episode of 'Dinner Impossible' had them trying to make all the h'orderves Barbie size!

They also showed her Pink VW Bug! I want!!

AND!!! The CLOSET! Oh My God!! It was FILLED with pink Christian Louboutin pumps!

Okay--Hold on while I pick myself up off the floor...............
....................................Okay, I'm back!

He designed them exclusively for the Barbie 50th Anniversary Runway Show!

Here's some pics from the show-

Short cuteness!

Retro Beachy-ness!

HUGE earrings!

So 60s!

ALL pink is NEVER wrong!

Which are Penny's Favorite Barbies?!
French Barbie,

Tout De Suite Barbie,

and Peaches and Cream Barbie!