Alexandra Kathryn Mosca — Exploring Life and Death: A Writer's Journey

When I was a child, I loved Advent calendars. I enjoyed the quiet routine of opening each door, finding a small surprise, and counting down to something special. Back then, it was chocolate or a small charm. Now, it’s Barbie accessories, but the feeling hasn’t changed. There’s still anticipation, wonder, and the sense that something beautiful is waiting just behind the next flap.

This holiday season, I discovered a sparkling pink box that felt more like a time capsule than a toy: the FAO Schwarz Barbie Advent Calendar. After reading Renee Rosen’s Let’s Call Her Barbie, I’ve been surrounded by all things Barbie—her legacy, her contradictions, and her power to shape and reflect who we are. This calendar feels like a hands-on way to keep that story going.

Today, I excitedly look forward to opening the first tab, and the anticipation is much like it was so many years ago. I wonder what it will be: a pair of sunglasses, suggesting change, a puppy reminding me that joy can be simple, or a party outfit reminding me of celebrations ahead. It’s more than just fashion; it’s about transformation, choice, and the thrill of becoming someone new.

Reading Rosen’s novel reinforced how I see Barbie. She isn’t just a plastic doll, but a symbol of possibility. The main character, shaped by Barbie’s story and image, made me see that we all have parts of ourselves waiting to be found. The FAO Schwarz calendar helps me discover those parts, one accessory at a time.

The main character, shaped by Barbie’s story and image, made me realize that we all have parts of ourselves waiting to be discovered. The FAO Schwarz calendar helps me do that, one accessory at a time.

This isn’t just play. It’s about legacy. It’s about letting go of the girl I was and celebrating the woman I am now. Fashion becomes a way to tell stories, style holds memories, and Barbie inspires it all.

So here’s to the countdown, to the pink tabs and the sparkling surprises. Here’s to the stories we tell through what we wear and who we become. And here’s to Barbie —always ready to rest, and always ready to rise again.

“Each tab is more than a surprise—it’s a doorway into memory.”