barbies

Remember the beginning of quarantine back in March? We thought we'd come out of the ordeal stronger, healthier, and with a greater appreciation for the privileges that come with "real life." Unfortunately, for many of us, that dream was very, very far from the truth. Many of us packed on the pounds, fought with our partners, and nearly lost our minds trying to juggle working from home and parenting. It was a nightmare - one that some people are still living. 

Barbie enthusiast Tonya Ruiz has decided use the simpler horrors of living through the pandemic to create versions of the classic dolls that people can actually relate to in these apocalyptic times. From manically trying to pick up new hobbies, to binge-eating and chugging wine, these remixed Barbies reflect our harrowing experiences. They also showcase Ruiz's creativity and attention to detail. We just wish we'd had a hobby like this to get us through the darker days of lockdown. 

While most little girls grew up with Barbie dolls to play with, not all girls grew up with the 'Shave and Play Borbie' doll, now available on Etsy. And probably for several good reasons: primarily, the fact that it comes with a real razor blade, but also because it's creepy AF!

So what is this incredibly creepy doll? In the seller's own words, "You've played with regular Barbie, but this is Shave & Play Borbie...and she is unlike any other doll you've played with! She is FURRY and ready for a trim! Whip out the razor (included) and give her a style all her own! Borbie will love her new, silky smooth, hair-free self!"

Ummmm ok then! The Shave and Play Borbie (presumably named as such, so Mattel doesn't sue them) might be a gag gift, but it's weird as hell. Hey, whatever floats your boat!

Most little girls grew up with a Barbie or two (or fifteen in my case), and for many, it was their gateway into the world of makebelieve. Artists worldwide are using Barbie to inspire their creativity, but one has taken it to a potentially dark place. Jewelry designer Margaux Lange has created a Plastic Body Series art jewelry collection, in which she uses salvaged Barbie doll body parts combined with sterling silver and pigmented resins. According to her website, "The series is a result of Lange's desire to re-purpose mass-produced materials into handmade, wearable art. It is meant to examine and celebrate her own (as well as pop culture's) relationship with the icon known simply as: Barbie." I can't work out if it's beautiful or slightly serial-killer-esque. What do you think?

Most little girls grew up with a Barbie or two (or fifteen in my case), and for many, it was their gateway into the world of makebelieve. Artists worldwide are using Barbie to inspire their creativity, but one has taken it to a potentially dark place. Jewelry designer Margaux Lange has created a Plastic Body Series art jewelry collection, in which she uses salvaged Barbie doll body parts combined with sterling silver and pigmented resins. According to her website, "The series is a result of Lange's desire to re-purpose mass-produced materials into handmade, wearable art. It is meant to examine and celebrate her own (as well as pop culture's) relationship with the icon known simply as: Barbie." I can't work out if it's beautiful or slightly serial-killer-esque. What do you think?

Most little girls grew up with a Barbie or two (or fifteen in my case), and for many, it was their gateway into the world of makebelieve. Artists worldwide are using Barbie to inspire their creativity, but one has taken it to a potentially dark place. Jewelry designer Margaux Lange has created a Plastic Body Series art jewelry collection, in which she uses salvaged Barbie doll body parts combined with sterling silver and pigmented resins. According to her website, "The series is a result of Lange's desire to re-purpose mass-produced materials into handmade, wearable art. It is meant to examine and celebrate her own (as well as pop culture's) relationship with the icon known simply as: Barbie." I can't work out if it's beautiful or slightly serial-killer-esque. What do you think?

Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho made history on Sunday when his film Parasite won both the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Foreign Language film. The film has been hailed as satirical genius - a deft and stunning criticism of capitalism. While the irony of the Parasite winning these accolades in a room of insanely wealthy people is entertaining, the memes have been even more thrilling. The director was photographed making his statues kiss after his big wins, and the image very quickly morphed into the evening's best meme. Here are some of our favorites.

We're all about niche meme accounts as creativity seems to be a rarity these days in the meme world. Most people just use the trending meme formats or create content that is so basic and relatable that it is boring. This is not the case for Toronto-based @dyingbutfine. Kristel Jax, the artist and writer behind the account, has been coping with mental health struggles since 2016 - the same year she created her funny, touching, and very dark meme account. Many of the memes combine images of Barbie-esque dolls paired with dark themes such as depression and denial. We love them. If you like Jax's work, we encourage you to give her a follow on Instagram and consider donating to her Patreon.