What Barbie taught me about jobs

Hello, it’s me Bad to the Barbie. Barbie taught us at a young age that we can “try on” different careers and explore our dreams through different outfits. Not only does that bitch have everything, she’s done everything. And she has skinny legs, lots of friends, sports car, and a dream house which came from hard work, brains and a passion for success. In the past 60 years, Barbie has had 200 plus careers and the resume to prove it.

Look up the definition

Urban dictionary has several definitions of the word barbie. First is short and sweet – “plastic whore”. Second mentions a fake tan and a 24/7 smile. The best part of that second definition is she “represents a limited and unrealistic view of women”. In this situation, Barbie isn’t a fictional character when we translate her existence into the real world. (Fake tans and happiness is, totally, healthy!)

The inspiration for every job I’ve ever came from Barbie showing me that I can be anything. To point out that in all reality, fictional or not, she is a pretty great role model. Adults outgrow toy dolls but we should never outgrow Barbie. The childhood dream to explore shouldn’t stop because we’ve outgrown the toy doll. If you’re too old for Barbie, let me remind you that you can be anything. She tried new things all the time and look how her life turned out! Success doesn’t come from stagnate dreams.

I’m a Barbie girl

I also was in a male dominant career identically to Barbie in 2010. After spending a decade as a motorsports reporter I wanted to try on some more outfits, literally, and introduced this style blog. Toys R Us went bankrupt and that didn’t take down Barbie. That’s because she’s an icon and not a toy.

For a look inspired by the icon herself, the location was just as important as the outfit. I called Araya Photography and us two blonde bombshells got in my white pickup truck and went to chase some career dreams. In 60s vintage cat eye sunglasses in trending lavender hue, Barbie graphic tee, 80s faux leather biker shorts to mimic plastic, and modern day cowboy booties, we unexpectedly stopped at a mural on Eighth Avenue and Jefferson Street in Phoenix.

On the back of this shirt is her resume including cowgirl (hence the cowboy booties). It includes a whole list of careers. Many of which I have (proudly) been paid to do. I’ve been a gymnast (and coached gymnastics), ballerina (and taught dance), babysitter (and been a nanny), teacher (taught preschool), aerobics instructor (I am an 80s baby), cowgirl (model), actress, princess…maybe the last one wasn’t exactly paid.

Life is art

How I wish artist was on resume…no joke, I’ve had help at the paint and wine class. Since I can’t draw stick people to save my life and I outsourced the Bad to the Blonde hand painted denim jacket to an artist who I admire. If Alexa Jacobs has taught me anything, it’s that life is a work of art. If you don’t like what you see paint over it.

Barbie has been a muse to many artists over the past six decades, including Andy Warhol and Peter Max. Whether Nyla Lee and Isaac Caruso were inspired by Barbie or Atomic Blonde, the collaborative street art mural was the perfect backdrop. Thanks Barbie for telling us we can be creatively free and get paid for it.