Who else thinks toys from the 80s and 90s were much more exciting than those available to children now? I can recall gazing wistfully at the toy store walls lined with pastel colored boxes filled with everything I could ever want (at least, that's what I thought at the time!): Strawberry Shortcake, Peppermint Rose, Rose Petal Palace, Polly Pockets that actually fit in your pockets - and of course, My Little Pony!
First released in 1981 as "My Pretty Pony", the toy went through multiple revisions until they settled on a style that stuck: ponies with long, flowing hair that could be easily brushed and styled, with a characteristic symbol decorating their flank. The color combinations were endless, and extremely popular. The huge success lead their manufacturer, Hasbo, to release everything from a bird spinoff - "Fairy Tail Bird", to several animated TV shows and movies. Like most toys, My Little Pony has gotten a few make-overs, and currently have experienced a resurgence of love thanks to "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" - a surprisingly cute children's show that has become a huge success with new and old fans alike.
A couple of years ago I was heartbroken to realize all my old ponies had been given away. Lucky for me, I hit the jackpot when I stumbled upon a antique toy store going out of business - with all of their merchandise 50% off! Purchases included these My Little Ponys ^^
What toys were your favorites as a child?
Aww, that is so cute that you still love My Little Pony. I'm very sentimental when it comes to toys. My favourites were the swan lake and nutcracker barbie doll, postman pat, madeleine and fisher price dolls house. I still have all of them safely stashed away hehe :)
ReplyDeletexo Maria
http://avenuemaria.blogspot.com
Haha I have three ponies on display in my room still ... I am 23. Nothing wrong with this! I used to love Polly Pocket when I was little as well, especially the little clip on earrings that they sometimes came with!
ReplyDeleteToo cute! I was a My Little Pony this year for halloween, I wore it to work and a coworkers daughter who was about 3 nearly had a heart attack she was so excited. I loved Strawberry Shortcake and anything barbie :]
ReplyDeleteAww! I remember when I was quite young - in kindergarten, say - and there were two sisters who lived down the road from me; I went to their house now and then to play with them and they had two huge plastic totes absolutely filled to the brim with My Little Ponys. I was obsessed with horses and somehow didn't have any of them (I honestly don't think I knew about them - but I did have a plethora of Barbies.) Anyway, it always astounded me that the girls never wanted to play with the My Little Ponys! I was hoping they'd just give them to me if they didn't want them, but that never happened. ;)
ReplyDeleteOMG I miss my own My Little Ponies!!
ReplyDeleteI was obsessed with the following toys as a child - of the 80's I might add:
~Teddy Ruxpin
~BARBIE (duh!)
~Popples
~My Kid Sister
~and of course, my beloved Crimp N' Curl Cabbage Patch Doll that I still have today. One of the only toys from my childhood that I still have. :) Thank you for reminding me about it, I think I'll do a post on her since there's such sentimental value attached to that doll.
OOOh I remember them so well I was so jealous cause my besty had one and I didnt. My besty also had a cabbage patch doll and I didnt, I truly missed out on the cool stuff when growing up.
ReplyDeleteI have really been feeling the need for a My Little Pony revival :) They were so cute and colourful. The modern version just isn't quite the same, and likewise with Polly Pocket!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite was Sylvanian Families. They're actually still bringing out really beautiful sets though! I get quite envious I didn't have them when I was younger haha.
Florrie x
Oh yes, I had tons of My Little Ponies! I particularly loved their crazy hair colours, I remember owning one with very long hair. Mine are now storaged at my dad's, well that's what I think, I hope he didn't get rid of them! Polly Pockets were also a favourite, I had so many of them! :D
ReplyDeleteI had a 'my little pony', I think mine was purple with pink hair and I think I had a blue haired one too but the pink haired one was my favourite. I loved Polly Pockets, I think they were my favourite, and the dolls which used to eat and then go to the toilet! xo
ReplyDeleteI used to collect my Little Pony! Just looking at these images reminded me of their texture and smell...I also had loads of Polly pockets, a whole town in fact, which I got for my birthday. I woke up one morning before the sun rose and my Mum had created the whole town in my room and turned all of the little lights on, it was magical!:)
ReplyDeletexx
too cute!!!
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I never had a My Little Pony :( But I LOVED Polly Pocket and Barbie, especially the Disney ones. That was my Christmas present every year when I was a kid!
ReplyDeleteEmma x
the 80s/90s had the BEST cartoons, hands down. I've seen a resurgence in these cartoons but they have been tweaked. They just need to bring the originals back. Like right now
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find! Gosh I miss my own precious little ponies and Polly Pockets!
ReplyDeleteI never had them when I was little, but I'd kill for a My Little Pony now :(
ReplyDeleteI was heartbroken too when some of my toys got given away without my consent - I`v hid the rest for a future time capsule) Love little ponies!
ReplyDelete>'.'<
When I was a kid I had a pile of these, all bought second hand very cheap. Of course, now that I no longer have them, they have become so collectable!
ReplyDeleteKatrina, I feel your pain. I had all these great books from when I was a kid, my parents said I couldn't take them cause they were saving them for the future grandkids. Imagine my surprise and horror to find out they had all been thrown out. There were some great collections of stories I couldn't remember the name of that are no longer in print!
I hate the new look my little ponies! the old ones have a kind of grace. my fave toys as a kid were probably moomintrolls, which you could not then get in Australia. I was so sad for a while. I also collected stuffed toys. I still do, but only cats and big cats (lions, tigers, leopards).I have always found dolls scary. I am having so many memories come back with this post. I just remembered I learned to plait my own hair by plaiting my little pony manes.
ReplyDeletelove it!
ReplyDeleteI still have my polly pockets, some selected barbie dolls and little ponys!! but, I don't have the ones like yours in the photo, I have like the mini versions, kind of polly pocket sized.. don't know if you remember those but they came with different "scenarios" and moved them around with magnets from the bottom... I have like 15 in different colors all lined up in my bedroom.. great post! toys aren't the same anymore.
My Little Ponies were my favorite toys above all!!! I always wished for more of them at Christmas and my birthday. I still have them all - quite a few of them - lying in a box somewhere. After reading this post I feel like taking them all up just to say hello and thank them for all the lovely times we've spent together! :) xo
ReplyDeleteLovely post! All you said is so true. I miss the times when a Tamagotchi was the coolest toy ever, and ponies were like a dream come true. I've got a box full of ponies, I used to collect them. 70 little friends, that is. What a great childhood!
ReplyDeleteShall we follow each other? I'm following.
WWW.FASHIONWHIT.COM
that brought back so many memories, I really should dig up all my toys from the storage room. the toys now don't compare to the ones we had, this generation is really missing out.
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Lucky you! I love My Little Pony!
ReplyDeleteYes! These darlings were a large part of my childhood. I definitely collected them and lined them up on a shelf in my bedroom. I remember having a yellow baby pony - with wings? Seriously, what is up with kid's toys these days? Bratz dolls? The stuff of psychedelic nightmares.
ReplyDeleteoh my word, I used to be obsessed with my little pony. I had so many of them, even the stables! So sad I got rid of them all when hit that "toys are for babies" age, you are never too old for my little pony! Thanks for bringing it all back xo
ReplyDelete80's and 90's toys are for sure better than the new re-invented versions, I think a lot of the newer ones are a bit creepy. I got rid of so much cool stuff like this when I started to think I was 'too old' for the, really regret that now!
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Okay I LOVED Polly pocket so much! My mom used to step on them and scream but I was obsessed. 90s stuff is so nostalgic... The colours are ridiculous. Great fund!
ReplyDeleteI used to have one of those! I used to love to play with it! I also loved to play with Tazos. Oh, I really miss the 90s!
ReplyDeleteoooh! i love my little ponies. the ones with the detachable iridescent wings were the best! growing up in the 80s i had a strawberry shortcake doll that when you squeezed her belly she blew out strawberry scented air through her lips. I also loved popples, did you ever have one? they even had a cartoon for awhile i think!
ReplyDeletefun post!
xoxox kat
Oh I used to have them and also Polly pockets :) they were the best toys ever
ReplyDeleteI loveeed My Little Ponies (i still have them all, haha!), my favourite one had purple and white hair with gem eyes, i wished i was her...i still do actually!
ReplyDeletexxxx
I am a huge my little pony fan! I have a few still dotted around my room including my Polly pockets :D Yes, I am still a child at heart! x
ReplyDeleteHaha, what were they doing in an antique store? I just realized I have no idea what happened to my My Little Ponies... I do know I loved them with all my heart at the age of five though!
ReplyDeletei could kick myself 10 times over and across the pond for not keeping some of these types of special toys from growing up. love my little pony, don't know how anyone could give those little guys the cheek. they deserve all the kisses in the world. so darling! glad you found some newbies to appreciate and make a home for. ♥
ReplyDeleteAhhh! totally a blast from the past. I wonder what on earth happened to mine. Oh the hours we spent together. x
ReplyDeletei had a box full of these when i was little...but sadly, they are all gone now...my troll collection managed to disappear too! :(
ReplyDeleteoh i absolutely loved my little pony when i was little, i had like 20 i think haha and i spent hours and hours brushing their pony hair;)
ReplyDeletelove and kiss,mary
Thanks for your comment on the worn blog...my friend is a collector of my little pony, she has hundreds! They are magnificent.
ReplyDelete-Jenny Wornette
I'm discovering your blog and I love it!!!!I love your vision!
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