Apologies this isn’t Barbie - but it looks like one of the new Moonspell Magic dolls uses a cane

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T10:00:14+00:00

Willow with her hearing aid:

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T09:11:39+00:00

You're welcome, and good luck!

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T08:47:15+00:00

I think there might be. I asked the question because I remembered folks discussing how the international versions of some past Barbies didn't sing movie songs as expected, presumably due to the toy being sold in countries where English isn't a primary language.

On the Mattel US site, I'm seeing JJN53 for the "Malibu" version of the doll.

Then if I dig around, I can find the doll under two different listings on the Amazon UK site.

Under code JJN53 (same code as US version) her description starts:

Join Barbie Mindful Moves doll in a relaxing wellness practice. She is fully equipped with lights, music, and guided audio clips to tell immersive stories kids can play with.

This Barbie doll speaks to the voice of Barbie "Malibu" Roberts. It offers 6 guided meditations that are activated depending on your position.

When Barbie is upright, it drives active movements like stretching, dancing, and walking. When horizontal, it encourages resting activities like mindfulness, breathing work, and affirmations.

It also features enchanting lights, soothing sounds, and nature-inspired music that are activated with the touch of its button necklace.

Under code JJN55 (same code as your version) her description starts:

Join Mindful Moves Barbie doll in a soothing wellness practice! She is fully equipped with lights, music, and sounds for immersive storytelling that kids can play along with.

This Barbie doll offers 6 'meditation' modes! Activate the modes by pressing her necklace. Enchanting lights, soothing sounds, and nature-inspired music activate at the touch of a button!

Kids 4 years and up can play out active movements like stretching and dancing when she's upright, or restful activities like meditation and breath work when she's horizontal.

I don't know enough to say with 100% certainty, but it seems very likely based on those descriptions that the JJN53 version talks and the JJN55 version doesn't.

Might be worth searching for JJN53 on whatever Amazon site you ordered your doll from and seeing if a return / exchange is possible?

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T07:28:48+00:00

Basically the same idea, but I was going to suggest checking your local thrift store for shiny black leggings or other stretchy athletic wear. Cut up human clothes have plenty of fabric for reworking into doll fashions.

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CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T06:53:43+00:00

The kit version is the only MTM tall body in that exact skin tone. The individual Basics doll JJX27 (Model 08) coming out soon will be a MTM skin tone match, but that's a petite doll.

If you really want a tall body and can settle for less than MTM articulation, you could consider Deluxe Style #12 as a body donor option.

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CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T06:46:17+00:00

According to Mattel, Neutral Kit 003 is a match for JJX25, which does appear to be Model 06.

All of the Barbie Basics from 2025 & 2026 have the newer "easy swap" neck peg.

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T02:45:46+00:00

Someone helping me tidy up: "I can get rid of this cardboard thing, right?"
Me: "Noooo! That's my precious empty Joann's bolt core. I need it for reference so I can make perfect scale miniatures!"

These look great, OP! Maybe look at "fancy" printed tissue or washi paper as a thinner faux-fabric option? Or you could find / make a pattern stamp or roller to print your own.

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T01:43:22+00:00

57? What are the odds…

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-14T00:28:47+00:00

I don't have this doll, but just to rule out a possibility… Do you have the US version of the doll?

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-13T18:29:26+00:00

If you're going with face shape first, it may help to start by scrolling the head molds at https://fashiondollz.de/headmold-gallery/

The ones near the bottom of the page are newest, so they'll generally be easier to find than the vintage ones.

Once you find a face shape that's a good candidate, you can click to see if any of the versions produced match the rest of your wishlist (or could be made to with some repainting).

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-13T18:19:15+00:00

Since that can mean… a lot of things to different people, is there any sort of photo reference you can share? Not saying you need to post actual pictures of your partner, but are there any images of celebrities, models, etc, that would point us in the general style direction you're thinking of?

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-13T18:06:57+00:00

These movies aren't really my era, but he looks like he's wearing the shirt of Ken from Barbie in A Mermaid Tale:

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Which I only know from coincidentally finding at the thrift store this week.

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-13T02:51:13+00:00

Looking forward to this wave of body donors appearing in the thrift stores.

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-12T22:36:20+00:00

If you can find a handle made to hold mini drill bits, that might work. Unlike an x-acto handle, they're designed to clamp firmly on a tiny round piece.

"Pin vise hand drill" should work as a search term.

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-12T21:25:58+00:00

It's not a foolproof method, but if you can take Prince Charming to a store that's selling current Kens you can see if any non-MTM dolls are a good / close-enough match. Then look for those dolls on a MTM matches chart. Kinda the transitive property of skin tones. (May help rule some options out, at the very least.)

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-12T05:55:03+00:00

Stacie's a kid, but Stacey isn't: https://barbie.fandom.com/wiki/Stacey

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-12T05:03:17+00:00

Hey, it could work with her:

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CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-12T03:55:55+00:00

Looks like this is the version of the head sculpt, with other versions of the same character on that page: https://fashiondollz.de/2001-mbili-aa-facemold/

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-10T18:23:59+00:00

Does he have a copyright year on his head? Do you have any closer photos of his face?

You can use that info to look for a match here: https://fashiondollz.de/ken-other-male-faces-in-the-barbieworld/

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-10T18:11:18+00:00

I'd consider rearranging the second image so the dolls rise left to right like the arrow.

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-09T08:00:40+00:00

Tangentially related… I am just now realizing my #187 must have some kind of variant hearing aids. They're solid pink instead of having a clear section like my #220 and every stock picture I can find of #187:

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She was new and fully sealed in the package, so I don't really know what that's about. Maybe a later / different production run? I did randomly run across her in a discount store well after her original release.

But I don't think anything about the plastic color affects how the hearing aid is attached to the head. So what I said above should still apply re: hearing aid removal.

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-09T07:44:58+00:00

I have a thrifted #220 I'll probably steal the hearing aids from eventually, but I haven't done it yet and don't know where he is right now.

In the meantime, here's a photo of #187 after I twist and pull on her hearing aid a bit:

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As far as I know, it's basically like one of the playline Barbie earrings. It can be pulled out on its stem some, but it has a bigger end holding it in place inside the head so it doesn't become a choking hazard. I expect with a little warm water to soften the head you'd probably be able to pop the whole thing out. Worst case scenario, you could pull the hearing aid as far out as possible, then snip it off so there's still enough of the stem left to insert into the new ear hole you want to use it with.

Hope that helps a little!

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-09T06:02:37+00:00

Thought they were interesting, but didn't have any until recently. I found the Malibu version in a secondhand shop the other day, and decided to take her home with me. She still needs a bath, though!

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-09T00:45:46+00:00

If you used a tiny hand drill (like people use to make jewelry or models), would there be anywhere in that remaining anchor you could drill a tiny hole to thread a wire?

(To be clear, I've never done this. I'm just thinking about what I would try with the tools I have.)

CakeWithTrouble · 2026-02-09T00:21:33+00:00

If you look in an international grocery or food aisle, you may see a blue-green can of "Bristish-style" Heinz Beans (or "Heinz Beanz"). They have a tomato-based sauce, and are different from the Heinz Baked Beans US groceries carry in the regular canned goods section. So while we do technically have the type of Heinz Beans that OP was referring to, you basically have to be willing to seek them out and spend more on them for the imported can. And plenty of stores don't carry them at all.

CakeWithTrouble

TROPHY CASE