The Year of Barbie

This is the year of Barbie – BarbieCore is the new fashion trend, BarbieStyle is featured in the magazines, Barbie’s Dreamhouse is getting a makeover by HGTV, and her movie will be out this summer. My realistic Barbie-Sized world that I share across my Social Media accounts is nearing a million followers. Barbie and I have had a complicated relationship over the...

Finding Swap Meet Treasures

What is a swap meet? The swap meets I go to are filled with used stuff, handmade items, and new goods. I have heard that some vendors swap / barter for goods, but I purchase with cash. The swap meets in my area are held in large parking lots and drive-in theatres. Things I can...

Queen Elizabeth II Doll

Barbie Signature Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Doll Product Description: “Barbie celebrates the longest ruling monarch in British history, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose extraordinary reign has seen her lead with an immeasurable devotion to duty and a life of service. Reaching 70 years of service, Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first British monarch...

Happy Family Dolls

I have been collecting the Mattel Happy Family Dolls. It started with Grandma Barbie and I’ve been trying to find the rest of the family. I’m still missing a few, but I’m working on it… This is my collection so far. Missing AA Grandpa & Toddler Nikki I hve the neighbor – but not her husband....

Barbie Babies Thru The Years

I have been collecting Barbie Babies that have been made through the years. Barbie and Skipper were the babysitters or big sisters. Here’s what I have in my collection. 1960s Barbie Baby-sits Baby doll 1990s Barbie Babysitter Skipper 1990s Barbie Babysitter Skipper These Krissy dolls were introduced in 1999 as Barbie’s baby sister Recent Barbie...

Grandma Gets Real on Instagram

I am often asked why I started my Grandma Gets Real Instagram account. Here’s the story: My Modeling Story Living Beyond Barbie Message Happy Family Grandma Barbie   How Barbie Got Real Time Magazine Article   GrandmaGetsReal Instagram Moms.com Article My Press & Media Page    

Orange Coast Magazine – Life in Plastic

This Cypress grandmother went viral after creating her own “Quarantine Barbie” sets. Sofia Robles February 15, 2022 Tonya Ruiz started her Instagram account, Grandma Gets Real, as a way to bond with her granddaughters and post funny photos of her Barbie collection. She was surprised when her homemade parody “Quarantine Barbie” sets, complete with miniature...

Miniatures are Everywhere

Looking for tiny things? MINIATURES ARE EVERYWHERE! Most of the questions I get on my social media accounts are about where to purchase the tiny things I use in my photos.  Here are some of the Barbie sized items that I use to create my mini world: AD – I have some of them listed...

AARP Magazine – How Barbie Is Keeping Me Sane

How Barbie Is Keeping Me Sane.  Instagrammer Tonya Ruiz turn familiar toy into Sly Social Commentary. As a teenager, I actually followed in Barbie’s footsteps and became a fashion model. Teen magazine did a story on me about moving to Paris at age 16. I was glamorous! But then I got married and did the white-picket...