What say you all: poor-role-modeling, licentious hussy or wholesome growing girl?

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As word got out that a makeover was coming to show Dora exploring growing up, fears that the wholesome little force of nature would turn into some kind of animated Paris Hilton Bratz doll escalated. I can’t see what all the fuss was about; yes, those are leggings, but they’re not from the Lindsay Lohan line. Yes, the top is too short for a dress, but it’s got the leggings so it’s okay. Yes, the clothes are a little tight in places, but there not House of Dereon trashy. Yes, her ears are pierced, but where I grew up all the Catholic girls got it done at 6 and all the Protestants spent the next ten years begging their mothers to let them, before being solemnly driven to the mall for the ceremony at the age of 16 (and not before, young lady!).

In fact, the only quibble I have (and it is a large one) is that neither in this universe nor in any animated alternative does turquoise go with royal purple.

In times of economic uncertainty, people tend to gravitate towards color. Colors are a quick, easy, and cheap way to get a psychological pick-me up. This spring is no exception, with coral being one of the season’s most popular color choices.

One of the newer colors in Benefit’s arsenal is Coralista, which is an all-over powder for your face that will give you a sun-kissed glow wherever you choose to put it.

Fresh Sugar Lipgloss in Sugar Glory is another lovely coral, which will give you a pop of color, but is nice and sheer. For colors like coral, I prefer gloss to lipstick, as coral can be a whole lotta color.

Yves Saint Laurent GLOSS is another coral, this one being a bit brighter than the one by Fresh Sugar. A bit more “coral-ly” if you will.

*note: the pictures of the two glosses are not representative of the color suggestions. I couldn’t find any! You’ll have to go to the site to see the actual colors.

You know how it is with kids: they see it, they think it’s cool, they want to copy it. And then the parents have to step in and say, “No, Susie, I think six is too young for a tattoo,” or “No, Bobby, you may NOT have a double Scotch on the rocks,” or “Alice, I don’t care what you heard at recess, purity rings are not a sign you’re ‘hot.’”

Eventually the day comes (to almost every parent of a daughter and a certain number of parents of sons) when your child discovers makeup and begins to make the first of many tragic face mistakes.

Look at poor Suri Cruise here:

It’s just sad that neither the parents nor the Scientology Celebrity Center saw fit to intervene. It’s a small step from that to this:

Meet three young teen girls from Brooklyn who can kick your ass.

They make up the punk band “Care Bears on Fire” which already totally endears them to me, as I have always loathed Care Bears. Admit it, they are not cute in any way.

They’ve just shot a new video for their single “Everybody Else.” Check it.

This perfumer comes to you straight from France, and they specialize in adorable lipstick-sized tubes of solid fragrances. Solid, addicting fragrances, that is. Use them individually, or mix and match by layering them, it’s all good.

Crazylibellule and the Poppies perfumes are made with all natural ingredients, and are nicely priced for a splurge under twenty dollars.

Last week’s burning question was about which decade of fashion you liked best, starting with the 1920′s and going up to present day. The 1940′s and 1950′s were in a virtual dead heat, with 32% and 33% of the vote, respectively. The next most popular decade was the 1920′s, far behind with only 9%.

The decade which recieved the most hate? The 1980′s, with a big fat ZERO percent of the vote. Hey, we all thought we were pretty stylin’ back then, what with our flourescent socks and cuffed pants. Er, at at least I did, anyway. Not even a smidgen of love for the 80′s makes Glinda a tiny bit sad.

We’ve been featuring a lot of Barbie lately, what with her 50th birthday and all. But, I really want to know what you secretly think of Ms. Barbara Millicent Roberts.

Not having a daughter of my own, forays into the world of girls’ dresses is a nice distraction. Except perhaps for the overwhelming amount of pink. I’ve chosen some great dresses in all price ranges for your little fashionista and her spring/summer wardrobe!

I could go on and on about how cute the dresses are, but I think I’ll let the dresses do the talking.

Baby Lulu Kids – Utopia Serena Dress (Toddler) (Blue) – Apparel

Baby Nay Kids – Summer Breeze Garden Dress (Infant/Toddler/Little Kids)

Baby Nay Kids – Toile Bouquet Puffy Dress (Infant/Toddler/Little Kids)

Biscotti – Setting Sail Puff Sleeve Baby Dress (Toddler)

Cabana Life Kids – Gingham Dress (Infant/Toddler/Little Kids)

Flap Happy Kids – Tee Dress (Infant/Toddler/Little Kids)

Halabaloo – Crochet Dress (Infant/Toddler)

Hurley Kids – Woven Plaid Dress (Toddler)

Baby Lulu Kids – Round Flower Lola Dress (Little Kids)

Oilily Kids – Soetje Dress (Infant/Toddler)

Roxy Kids – Ol Salt (Big Kids)

Sister Sam Kids – Dame Lorraine Dress (Big Kids)

Baby Lulu Kids – Isabella Organic Talia Dress (Infant/Toddler)

Baby Biscotti – Light Hearted Knit Dress (Toddler)