Welcome to Grandma’s House. Serving Up Smiles & Memories. Toys, Nostalgia & The Little Things. XOXO
Did you find yourself eating more junk food during the quarantine? What was your favorite comfort food? When I posted this #quarantinebarbie A YEAR AGO 😱 - it was as a comedic commentary on my experience during the lockdown. I took my curvy Barbie in stretchy pants - and then searched thru my miniatures for her accessories. ➡️ scroll thru to see the tiny things and behind-the-scenes videos.
•PS - I added the whiskey because of the book title - “Whiskey in a Teacup.” I haven’t actually had whiskey since an unfortunate night 😬 when I was 16 and made an extremely bad choice to drink some in excess. 🤮 🤮Just the smell of whiskey barrels in the garden department at Home Depot brings all those memories back. 😳🤢
#grandmagetsreal
#barbiegetsreal
#quarantinelife #barbiecollection #barbiecollector
👋 Let’s be social! I’m Tonya Ruiz and I live in Southern California. 🌞🌴•My hobby is recreating my life in miniature.
➡️ Scroll thru for a behind-the-scenes video
Do you have many photos from your childhood? Are you old enough that they are in black and white? I’ve recreated my family’s photo from 1966. •When my kids were little- we watched a lot of classic movies together. One day my 5-year-old son asked, “Did real life use to be in black and white?” 🤔 I can understand why he thought that.
Do you have many “kid” (Kelly/Shelly/Chelsea) dolls? I have hundred of Barbies- but not many choices to find a young version of 🧒🏼 myself. What do you think? •How many kid 🧒🏼 🧒🏻🧒🏿🧒🏽🧒 dolls do you have?
Did you ever have a dream house? Which one did you have? I purchased this reproduction 1961 dream house a few years ago when it came out. Scroll through for a trip down memory lane. Do you remember having cardboard furniture?
👵🏻 What do you plan on doing when you are a senior? “How old is a senior?” you might ask. Apparently, over 55 - because at 57 👵🏻 I get the senior discounts when shopping and I’m in @aarp 😱. What would you like to do when you retire?
Have you ever built a dollhouse?
🐣 Happy Easter!
🐣 How will you celebrate Easter tomorrow? We plan on watching church online 🙏🏼 and munching on a Charcuterie board. How about you?
🐇 Did you know that there is a Beatrix Potter Barbie? I am a big fan of Beatrix Potter, so I was thrilled when I found this at a doll show. Did you read Beatrix Potter as a child? I love her illustrations. 🐇
What’s is the most used room in your house? My kitchen definitely has the most activity- in doll life and real life. 😂
#monday4dolls KITCHEN
Have you ever used an app to bring your dolls to “life”? The first one was done in the @myheritage_official and the rest in the @muglifeapp
Creepy or amusing?
👁❤️🧊. What about you? 🧊 or no 🧊? When my sister and I go thru the drive-thru she orders extra ice in the drinks. It’s a family thing. My mom was the same way. In my opinion - the more ice 🧊 the better.
This tiny little ice tray was made by ReMent in 2006. It’s part of the fruit smoothie set. Isn’t it so cute?
* “RE-MENT Co., Ltd., located in Chiyoda Tokyo, is a Japanese manufacturer of collectible plastic toys. The company's name is derived from a combination of the phrase "reform the entertainment", alluding to their desire for innovation in the toy market. Established in 1998, Re-Ment currently sells a line of highly detailed miniature food, furniture and animal figures as well as mobile phone charms, doll fashions and magnets.” #rement #rementjapan #rementcollection #kawaii #ice
Happy Monday! 🖍️ Do you ever color? I’ve got to admit - I enjoy a new box of Crayons. 🖍️ Big or Tiny.
Are there any Girl Scout cookies in your house? What’s your favorite?
I was not a Girl Scout. I am a Brownie dropout and apparently not cut out for the rigors of scouthood. BUT... I am an excellent cookie eater 😋 who is currently in possession of three boxes of cookies. 😳
Thanks @midgefan73 for reminding me about the current events and National Days. ❤️
#tbt 1981 Do you collect postcards when you travel? I did.
Living in the beautiful city of Zurich, Switzerland was like living in the scenery on a postcard. Drinking establishments were abundant in the charming old section of town that lined the cobblestone streets. The Americana Bar was my favorite hangout.
I danced around my hotel room to Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” playing on my boombox . I exercised at the local Badenhouse. I would go swimming, steam myself in the sauna, and throw myself into a pool of ice-cold water.
In March of 1981, I saw my image on the cover of Das Gelbe Heft (The Yellow House)—a Swiss magazine. Looking very athletic in my aqua stripped sweater, with wristbands and a visor—I leaned against bicycle handlebars.
Scroll thru to see my photos - and postcards.
🎂 Happy 62nd birthday Barbie! How old were you when you got your first Barbie?
Do you like Charcuterie boards? My daughter makes them for our family- and we go crazy 😋
🧀 🫒🥒🥕🍇🍓🫐🍫🍖
Did you ever wish you could be a CoverGirl?
#tbt 1980 Jan - I was flown to Gran Canaria Island, one of the exotically beautiful Canary Islands, Spanish possessions off the West Coast of Africa. It was a week-long shoot for Carina, the German magazine for young women that had become my best client during the fall. The models and crew woke up early each morning so we could be ready to starting shooting at dawn. Sunrises and sunsets were the favorites of Gunter, the photographer, because of the beautiful soft lighting.
• May - Much to my surprise, my face also smiled at me from the front of Carina—my first magazine cover. The photos shot on location in the Canary Islands the previous January filled the pages—it was not Vogue—or even close—but it was a start. No one had told me I would be on the cover. My heart beat wildly with excitement. There I was dressed in a sailor’s suit complete with a jaunty hat and pigtails. Ironically, my idol Cheryl Tiegs was on the BACK cover advertising cosmetics for Cover Girl. Quickly, I called home and told my mom and dad the exciting news. I described the pictures to them.
How do you decide what to take photos of and post? I’ll admit that I’ve been mostly random. 🤪 BUT... I’ve recently decided to try to start posting by theme. Have you noticed I’ve been posting “baby” stuff? My itty-bitty diapers are always my most asked about minis. I’ve recently added to my tiny diaper collection.
👶🏽The @rascalandfriends are part of the new wave of @mini_brands_official ❤️There are diapers & wipes! Thank you @zuru.toys for sending them to me for free!
👶🏿The Pampers are from Ali Express and eBay.
👶🏼The Huggies came all the way from Australia 🇦🇺 Cole’s Little Shop - collectibles from a few years back.
👶🏻The Japanese Pompons box and tiny plastic diapers are older pricey collectibles made by ReMent.
YES. 🐣 that is a baby chicken.
Have you ever tried to make a doll look pregnant? 🤰🏽My granddaughters wanted a doll to be expecting. They tried a ping pong 🏓 ball and they used clay. Finally, I found these mommy-to-be dolls at the swap meet and borrowed the belly. What have you tried?
•It’s been nearly 30 years since I had a baby - I’ve included a photo. 🤰🏼
Which of These Toys Are In Your Dollhouse?
A few years ago, I started a doll account on Instagram and stumbled into a rabbit hole that led to a tiny plastic parallel universe. One thing led to another – I had the dolls, then I needed a dollhouse, then I needed furnishings and appliances, artwork for the walls, rugs for the floors…. I set out in search of tiny things that mirrored my real life: A coffee pot, shampoo bottles, books, and on, and on, and on… It was delightful to find so many mini things.
During the pandemic, the toy industry has seen record sales and it’s not just for child’s play. Adults are buying dolls and building dollhouses in record numbers. Are they reminders of a happy childhood or a non-controversial comfort away from the “real” world?
The good news is that companies are making more toys to fit my fashion-doll size world. Zuru Toys came out with an amazing line of Mini Brands and Toy Mini Brands that have rocked social media, Super Impulse makes The World’s Smallest nostalgic toys that are delightful, Moose Toys sells some Shopkin’s Real Littles that are great in my tiny kitchen and Just Play Products produces a fun variety of Totally Tiny foods. I see these popular items in my social media news feeds daily. I am glad that toy companies are beginning to market to adult collectors. There are a lot of us big kids out there and our inner child has a credit card.
*In full disclosure – the companies I mentioned have sent me free products in the past.
Are you the oldest, middle, or youngest child in your family?
In the Barbie family- Barbie has younger siblings: Skipper, Stacie, Kelly / Chelsea, Tutti and Todd , and Baby Krissy. Kristine “Krissy” Roberts was Barbie's baby sister. She was introduced in 1999 and was discontinued in 2001.
I am the youngest of my family. My siblings say I was babied. What I remember is being at the bottom of the dog pile and abandoned at the park. 🤣 I might need therapy.
* The baby I am holding is not a Krissy doll. When I bought that set at an estate sell the wrong baby was in the box. But I think she’s cute. 👶🏻
Remember the Happy Family? Did you have them? Check my stories to see a my video about my Happy Family Collection. Wikipedia: “Happy Family" The year after Midge and Alan were married, a picture of the couple with twin babies was shown in a pamphlet, but the dolls were never produced. However, in 2003, she and Alan were re-introduced with a family consisting of them and three different kids, three-year-old Ryan, and newborn baby Nikki. This was known as the "Happy Family" line, and was similar to the discontinued Heart Family line of the 1980s. The dolls came in both European American and African American versions. This was the first time an African American Midge was ever produced. Midge was sold "pregnant" with Nikki, who was a tiny baby inside Midge's magnetic removable womb. This led to some controversy with some consumers saying that the doll was inappropriate for children, or that it promoted teen pregnancy. Another cause for this controversy was that Midge did not initially have a wedding ring, but this was later fixed. She also was packaged without Alan. Customers complaining about the doll led to Wal-Mart pulling the Happy Family line off their shelves. A new version of this Midge was produced for Wal-Mart, this time not pregnant and with a cardboard cut-out display of Alan and Ryan standing next to her inside the box. The Happy Family Line included everything from a talking house, a backyard swimming pool, neighborhood market, and playground. Later, around Nikki's first birthday, Midge was "pregnant" again with another child, who was neither named or given a specific gender, as the gender was a surprise when the owner opened the doll's box. Midge has two known parents who are simply called "Grandpa" and "Grandma". At first, the grandparent dolls were sold together as part of a big set consisting of the dolls and a kitchen play set, but for Nikki's first birthday they were sold separately. Midge, Alan, and Ryan gave Nikki a dog for her birthday. They too came in both Caucasian and African American versions. They use different body molds, to reflect their age.”
Do you leave your dioramas set up? I have a few that I usually leave put together - including the nursery. If you want to see a more close-up, slower look at this nursery - I’ll put the link to the full video in my stories.
What is your account about? I think the emphasis of mine is family - and I seem to collect Barbie Babies. A. Lot. Of. Barbie. Babies. 😂 What is your focus? What do you collect most of? What makes you happy in your little corner of the world 🌎 here on Instagram?
Which is your favorite Puny Product? I am going to say Minute Lice. 😂 Thank you @superimpulse for sending me these Wacky Packages for free. ➡️ Scroll through to see them up close and personal. My collection is growing.
What else should this Crazy Barbie Lady Barbie say when you pull her string?
#tbt 2003 Have you ever been anti-Barbie? 🙄 I was! Are you shocked? 😜 For years, I wrote and spoke about body image. This article was “Beyond Barbie - How I’ve learned to model true beauty”
Have you ever struggled with body image issues?
Do you ever redo your photos? If at first you don’t succeed... I took photos of this tiny coffee ☕️ scene- and then thought, “ that coffee pot and cup really need coffee in them.” So... I figured out how to take the coffee pot apart without breaking it 😬- and then tried a few liquids until I found one dark enough. Diet Coke was too light - so it was teriyaki sauce for the win. I think it made a big difference - Don’t you? Scroll thru to see the first photos. Do you prefer the photos with sauce or without?
•Remember, if at first you don’t succeed - try, try again!
#minimonday Do you spend more time on your phone or computer? I tend to use my phone much more - but sometimes I need my computer for bigger projects. 😀 Chocolate and caffeine help too. 🍫 ☕️ Happy Monday!
🌹 Happy Valentine’s Day to you! 🌹 You are loved ❤️ You are valuable ❤️
What’s your favorite @drewbarrymore movie? I think she was so amazing in Grey Gardens. What a story. She seems like she would be a fun person to have lunch with. •scroll thru to see the doll unboxing and BTS
The tiny food is from @twinheartmini
The Grandma Gets Real T-Shirt is by @barbie_girl_og
Did you find yourself eating more junk food during the quarantine? What was your favorite comfort food? When I posted this #quarantinebarbie A YEAR AGO 😱 - it was as a comedic commentary on my experience during the lockdown. I took my curvy Barbie in stretchy pants - and then searched thru my miniatures for her accessories. ➡️ scroll thru to see the tiny things and behind-the-scenes videos.
•PS - I added the whiskey because of the book title - “Whiskey in a Teacup.” I haven’t actually had whiskey since an unfortunate night 😬 when I was 16 and made an extremely bad choice to drink some in excess. 🤮 🤮Just the smell of whiskey barrels in the garden department at Home Depot brings all those memories back. 😳🤢
#grandmagetsreal
#barbiegetsreal
#quarantinelife #barbiecollection #barbiecollector
👋 Let’s be social! I’m Tonya Ruiz and I live in Southern California. 🌞🌴•My hobby is recreating my life in miniature.
➡️ Scroll thru for a behind-the-scenes video
Do you have many photos from your childhood? Are you old enough that they are in black and white? I’ve recreated my family’s photo from 1966. •When my kids were little- we watched a lot of classic movies together. One day my 5-year-old son asked, “Did real life use to be in black and white?” 🤔 I can understand why he thought that.
Do you have many “kid” (Kelly/Shelly/Chelsea) dolls? I have hundred of Barbies- but not many choices to find a young version of 🧒🏼 myself. What do you think? •How many kid 🧒🏼 🧒🏻🧒🏿🧒🏽🧒 dolls do you have?
Did you ever have a dream house? Which one did you have? I purchased this reproduction 1961 dream house a few years ago when it came out. Scroll through for a trip down memory lane. Do you remember having cardboard furniture?
👵🏻 What do you plan on doing when you are a senior? “How old is a senior?” you might ask. Apparently, over 55 - because at 57 👵🏻 I get the senior discounts when shopping and I’m in @aarp 😱. What would you like to do when you retire?
Have you ever built a dollhouse?
🐣 Happy Easter!
🐣 How will you celebrate Easter tomorrow? We plan on watching church online 🙏🏼 and munching on a Charcuterie board. How about you?
🐇 Did you know that there is a Beatrix Potter Barbie? I am a big fan of Beatrix Potter, so I was thrilled when I found this at a doll show. Did you read Beatrix Potter as a child? I love her illustrations. 🐇
What’s is the most used room in your house? My kitchen definitely has the most activity- in doll life and real life. 😂
#monday4dolls KITCHEN
Have you ever used an app to bring your dolls to “life”? The first one was done in the @myheritage_official and the rest in the @muglifeapp
Creepy or amusing?
👁❤️🧊. What about you? 🧊 or no 🧊? When my sister and I go thru the drive-thru she orders extra ice in the drinks. It’s a family thing. My mom was the same way. In my opinion - the more ice 🧊 the better.
This tiny little ice tray was made by ReMent in 2006. It’s part of the fruit smoothie set. Isn’t it so cute?
* “RE-MENT Co., Ltd., located in Chiyoda Tokyo, is a Japanese manufacturer of collectible plastic toys. The company's name is derived from a combination of the phrase "reform the entertainment", alluding to their desire for innovation in the toy market. Established in 1998, Re-Ment currently sells a line of highly detailed miniature food, furniture and animal figures as well as mobile phone charms, doll fashions and magnets.” #rement #rementjapan #rementcollection #kawaii #ice
Happy Monday! 🖍️ Do you ever color? I’ve got to admit - I enjoy a new box of Crayons. 🖍️ Big or Tiny.
Are there any Girl Scout cookies in your house? What’s your favorite?
I was not a Girl Scout. I am a Brownie dropout and apparently not cut out for the rigors of scouthood. BUT... I am an excellent cookie eater 😋 who is currently in possession of three boxes of cookies. 😳
Thanks @midgefan73 for reminding me about the current events and National Days. ❤️
#tbt 1981 Do you collect postcards when you travel? I did.
Living in the beautiful city of Zurich, Switzerland was like living in the scenery on a postcard. Drinking establishments were abundant in the charming old section of town that lined the cobblestone streets. The Americana Bar was my favorite hangout.
I danced around my hotel room to Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” playing on my boombox . I exercised at the local Badenhouse. I would go swimming, steam myself in the sauna, and throw myself into a pool of ice-cold water.
In March of 1981, I saw my image on the cover of Das Gelbe Heft (The Yellow House)—a Swiss magazine. Looking very athletic in my aqua stripped sweater, with wristbands and a visor—I leaned against bicycle handlebars.
Scroll thru to see my photos - and postcards.
🎂 Happy 62nd birthday Barbie! How old were you when you got your first Barbie?
Do you like Charcuterie boards? My daughter makes them for our family- and we go crazy 😋
🧀 🫒🥒🥕🍇🍓🫐🍫🍖
Did you ever wish you could be a CoverGirl?
#tbt 1980 Jan - I was flown to Gran Canaria Island, one of the exotically beautiful Canary Islands, Spanish possessions off the West Coast of Africa. It was a week-long shoot for Carina, the German magazine for young women that had become my best client during the fall. The models and crew woke up early each morning so we could be ready to starting shooting at dawn. Sunrises and sunsets were the favorites of Gunter, the photographer, because of the beautiful soft lighting.
• May - Much to my surprise, my face also smiled at me from the front of Carina—my first magazine cover. The photos shot on location in the Canary Islands the previous January filled the pages—it was not Vogue—or even close—but it was a start. No one had told me I would be on the cover. My heart beat wildly with excitement. There I was dressed in a sailor’s suit complete with a jaunty hat and pigtails. Ironically, my idol Cheryl Tiegs was on the BACK cover advertising cosmetics for Cover Girl. Quickly, I called home and told my mom and dad the exciting news. I described the pictures to them.
How do you decide what to take photos of and post? I’ll admit that I’ve been mostly random. 🤪 BUT... I’ve recently decided to try to start posting by theme. Have you noticed I’ve been posting “baby” stuff? My itty-bitty diapers are always my most asked about minis. I’ve recently added to my tiny diaper collection.
👶🏽The @rascalandfriends are part of the new wave of @mini_brands_official ❤️There are diapers & wipes! Thank you @zuru.toys for sending them to me for free!
👶🏿The Pampers are from Ali Express and eBay.
👶🏼The Huggies came all the way from Australia 🇦🇺 Cole’s Little Shop - collectibles from a few years back.
👶🏻The Japanese Pompons box and tiny plastic diapers are older pricey collectibles made by ReMent.
YES. 🐣 that is a baby chicken.
Have you ever tried to make a doll look pregnant? 🤰🏽My granddaughters wanted a doll to be expecting. They tried a ping pong 🏓 ball and they used clay. Finally, I found these mommy-to-be dolls at the swap meet and borrowed the belly. What have you tried?
•It’s been nearly 30 years since I had a baby - I’ve included a photo. 🤰🏼
Which of These Toys Are In Your Dollhouse?
A few years ago, I started a doll account on Instagram and stumbled into a rabbit hole that led to a tiny plastic parallel universe. One thing led to another – I had the dolls, then I needed a dollhouse, then I needed furnishings and appliances, artwork for the walls, rugs for the floors…. I set out in search of tiny things that mirrored my real life: A coffee pot, shampoo bottles, books, and on, and on, and on… It was delightful to find so many mini things.
During the pandemic, the toy industry has seen record sales and it’s not just for child’s play. Adults are buying dolls and building dollhouses in record numbers. Are they reminders of a happy childhood or a non-controversial comfort away from the “real” world?
The good news is that companies are making more toys to fit my fashion-doll size world. Zuru Toys came out with an amazing line of Mini Brands and Toy Mini Brands that have rocked social media, Super Impulse makes The World’s Smallest nostalgic toys that are delightful, Moose Toys sells some Shopkin’s Real Littles that are great in my tiny kitchen and Just Play Products produces a fun variety of Totally Tiny foods. I see these popular items in my social media news feeds daily. I am glad that toy companies are beginning to market to adult collectors. There are a lot of us big kids out there and our inner child has a credit card.
*In full disclosure – the companies I mentioned have sent me free products in the past.
Are you the oldest, middle, or youngest child in your family?
In the Barbie family- Barbie has younger siblings: Skipper, Stacie, Kelly / Chelsea, Tutti and Todd , and Baby Krissy. Kristine “Krissy” Roberts was Barbie's baby sister. She was introduced in 1999 and was discontinued in 2001.
I am the youngest of my family. My siblings say I was babied. What I remember is being at the bottom of the dog pile and abandoned at the park. 🤣 I might need therapy.
* The baby I am holding is not a Krissy doll. When I bought that set at an estate sell the wrong baby was in the box. But I think she’s cute. 👶🏻
Remember the Happy Family? Did you have them? Check my stories to see a my video about my Happy Family Collection. Wikipedia: “Happy Family" The year after Midge and Alan were married, a picture of the couple with twin babies was shown in a pamphlet, but the dolls were never produced. However, in 2003, she and Alan were re-introduced with a family consisting of them and three different kids, three-year-old Ryan, and newborn baby Nikki. This was known as the "Happy Family" line, and was similar to the discontinued Heart Family line of the 1980s. The dolls came in both European American and African American versions. This was the first time an African American Midge was ever produced. Midge was sold "pregnant" with Nikki, who was a tiny baby inside Midge's magnetic removable womb. This led to some controversy with some consumers saying that the doll was inappropriate for children, or that it promoted teen pregnancy. Another cause for this controversy was that Midge did not initially have a wedding ring, but this was later fixed. She also was packaged without Alan. Customers complaining about the doll led to Wal-Mart pulling the Happy Family line off their shelves. A new version of this Midge was produced for Wal-Mart, this time not pregnant and with a cardboard cut-out display of Alan and Ryan standing next to her inside the box. The Happy Family Line included everything from a talking house, a backyard swimming pool, neighborhood market, and playground. Later, around Nikki's first birthday, Midge was "pregnant" again with another child, who was neither named or given a specific gender, as the gender was a surprise when the owner opened the doll's box. Midge has two known parents who are simply called "Grandpa" and "Grandma". At first, the grandparent dolls were sold together as part of a big set consisting of the dolls and a kitchen play set, but for Nikki's first birthday they were sold separately. Midge, Alan, and Ryan gave Nikki a dog for her birthday. They too came in both Caucasian and African American versions. They use different body molds, to reflect their age.”
Do you leave your dioramas set up? I have a few that I usually leave put together - including the nursery. If you want to see a more close-up, slower look at this nursery - I’ll put the link to the full video in my stories.
What is your account about? I think the emphasis of mine is family - and I seem to collect Barbie Babies. A. Lot. Of. Barbie. Babies. 😂 What is your focus? What do you collect most of? What makes you happy in your little corner of the world 🌎 here on Instagram?
Which is your favorite Puny Product? I am going to say Minute Lice. 😂 Thank you @superimpulse for sending me these Wacky Packages for free. ➡️ Scroll through to see them up close and personal. My collection is growing.
What else should this Crazy Barbie Lady Barbie say when you pull her string?
#tbt 2003 Have you ever been anti-Barbie? 🙄 I was! Are you shocked? 😜 For years, I wrote and spoke about body image. This article was “Beyond Barbie - How I’ve learned to model true beauty”
Have you ever struggled with body image issues?
Do you ever redo your photos? If at first you don’t succeed... I took photos of this tiny coffee ☕️ scene- and then thought, “ that coffee pot and cup really need coffee in them.” So... I figured out how to take the coffee pot apart without breaking it 😬- and then tried a few liquids until I found one dark enough. Diet Coke was too light - so it was teriyaki sauce for the win. I think it made a big difference - Don’t you? Scroll thru to see the first photos. Do you prefer the photos with sauce or without?
•Remember, if at first you don’t succeed - try, try again!
#minimonday Do you spend more time on your phone or computer? I tend to use my phone much more - but sometimes I need my computer for bigger projects. 😀 Chocolate and caffeine help too. 🍫 ☕️ Happy Monday!
🌹 Happy Valentine’s Day to you! 🌹 You are loved ❤️ You are valuable ❤️
What’s your favorite @drewbarrymore movie? I think she was so amazing in Grey Gardens. What a story. She seems like she would be a fun person to have lunch with. •scroll thru to see the doll unboxing and BTS
The tiny food is from @twinheartmini
The Grandma Gets Real T-Shirt is by @barbie_girl_og
