Johnny-Sells Mardi Gras Sale!

Laissez les bons temps rouler

Let the good times roll

You'll be the belle of the ball when you wear this Sterling Silver Mexico Mardi Gras Harlequin Pin. Click here to see the eBay listing for this cool pin.

We've got other stuff that will make your Mardi Gras memorable. Click here to see all the Mardi Gras Items at Johnny-Sells!

 

For the Love of Barbie!

Since 1959, Barbie Dolls have been working their way into the hearts of little girls all over the world.  Ruth Handler, wife of Mattel Toy Company co founder Elliott, is credited with the idea of the Barbie Doll.  She saw a similar doll on a trip to Germany and suggested to Elliott that such a doll might be popular with little girls.

The First Model Barbie Doll

The first Barbie came wearing a black and white zebra striped one piece swim suit.  She was available as either a Blonde or a Brunette. 350.000 Barbies were sold the first year at $3 each. 

Barbie has had many costumes over the years.   Barbie fans enjoy trading and trying different combinations of outfits. 

Gymnast Barbie

Barbies are not without controversy.  Ms. Handler's vision for Barbie was that of a young adult woman.  A strong, successful individual young girls would want to emulate.   Early on, parents groups expressed concern about Barbies' figure.  Some believed that the dolls were too racy.

Mattel even developed a puberty Barbie in the 1970s.  When you raised the doll's arm, her chest size would increase.  It was a wonder of engineering, but it made some people mad.

Graduation Barbie

Barbies are often given to celebrate special occasions like Bride Barbie or Graduation Barbie (see photo above) 

Barbies are manufactured to about 1/6 scale, also known as "play scale".  The dolls are 11 1/2 inches tall.  An original Barbie from 1959 can be quite valuable.  The date is shown on the doll's buttocks.  (Be sure to ask Barbies' permission before you invade her privacy.)

Barbie has an on again, off again relationship with her long time boyfriend Ken.  Right now, I think they are off again (who can keep up?)  She also has a sister named Skipper.  Her cousins include Todd, Stacie, Kelley, Chrissy & Stacie.  Her friends include Teresa, Midge and Christie.  Barbie also became very friendly with Blaine, an Australian surfer after a break up with Ken. 

She has a pilot's license.  She can fly commercial jets while also serving as a flight attendant in the same plane.  She has a pink Corvette, a Jeep, a trailer She was an astronaut, a Nascar driver and a doctor (at different times.)

Yes, Barbie is a well rounded individual (in more ways than one).  Please click here to see the collection of Barbies at Johnny-Sells.

It is estimated that there are over 100,000 Barbie collectors worldwide.  And they are not all women.  Men enjoy collecting the dolls as well.  Over a billion Barbies have been sold in over 150 countries.  Mattel estimates 3 Barbies are sold every second.   It looks like Barbie will be with us for a long time.

Bob Lanier Wears Size 22 Shoes!

Bob Lanier played for the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA

Bob Lanier was a terrific basketball player in the 1970s and 80s.  He was on 8 National Basketball Association All Star Games.  But he is best known for having size 22 feet!

 Bob Lanier's Shoes

Johnny-Sells doesn't have any size 22 shoes, but we do have a whole bunch of 13s.  If you are a 13, you might have thought you had big feet, but that's nothing compared to Bob Lanier.

Please click here to see all the size 13 mens shoes at Johnny-Sells  We have gym shoes and dress shoes and casual shoes.  Even a pair of Tony Hawk Skateboard Shoes in size 13.

Cubs Start Spring Training!

The Chicago Cubs started Spring Training today for the 2012 Baseball Season

They're already 27 games out of first place.

Let's Go Snowboarding!

What I mean to say is, let's you go snowboarding.  I'm too old & creaky.  I've done my share of skiing, but snowboarding looks so awesome!  And Johnny-Sells has just what you need to hit the slopes, this Burton Snowboards Black  & White Cartoon Sweatshirt Hoodie Men's size Small

 

You will be the Most Rad Dude on the mountain in this Burton Snowboard Hoodie Mens Size Small

Save Some Georges & Abes!

There's a rap song called "It's all about the Benjamins",  Benjamins are $100 bills, which have the picture of Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of America.

At the Johnny-Sells Presidents Day Sale, you might not save Benjamins, but you can save Georges (Washington, $1 bills) & Abes (Lincoln, $5 bills)  That may not be enough for a big rap star, but to the average person, every little bit helps.

Hundreds of items are marked down from their already low, low prices.  Please click here to see the Johnny-Sells Presidents Day Sale. 

Happy Valentine's Day

 Joe Boxer Endless Love Necktie

It's the Lovey Doviest day of the year, Valentines Day!  Give your sweetie something that will tell them you love them all year long.

Nothing says, "I love you" like a heart.   Please click here to see all the items with hearts at Johnny-Sells

Click here if you like that snazzy necktie pictured above

Johnny-Sells Salutes Abraham Lincoln!

Honest Abe, the 16th US President freed the slaves, won the Civil War and was from right here in Illinois.
We're proud of our state's favorite son.   But we ran into a harried mom whose kids were driving her crazy on their day off from school.  She said she wished she lived in another state where the kids only got Presidents Day off.
To paraphrase President Lincoln, you can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.
Happy Birthday, Abe!

Hard Boiled Detectives Shop At Johnny-Sells!

Hard Boiled Detectives shop at Johnny-Sells and you can too!  Ginger and Johnny of Johnny-Sells in a dramatic scene about how wonderful it is to shop at Johnny-Sells.

Click here to see Johnny-Sells collection of London Fog coats, perfect for a hard boiled detective or anybody else who wants to look stylish!

Get Ready for Mardi Gras with this Harlequin Carnivale Mardi Gras Silk Scarf Vintage 31"

 Fat Tuesday is February 22nd this year.   This is the perfect time to get his Mardi Gras Carnivale themed scarf!  It has kind of a Caribbean Calypso thing going on.  Very hip.

Click here to see how to buy this Carnivale Mardi Gras Scarf!

RIP Jeff Zaslow, author of "The Last Lecture"

Jeff Zaslow was a great guy who used to work here in Chicago at the Sun-Times newspaper.  Janet did public relations for him for several events he sponsored, including "Zazz Bash", a singles charity event that filled about 7 huge night clubs with romance seekers.  He later went on to author several popular books including "The Last Lecture" and "Gabby", about Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. 

Jeff died in a traffic accident in northern Michigan Friday.

Jeff wasn't a pointer.  He was a doer.  He never thought of himself as a celebrity, even though he was.  He just wanted to help people.  Jeff Zaslow was a champ. 

Janet & I offer our sincere condolences to the family.

Click here to see a video about Jeff Zaslow.

How to Do a French Braid by Janet Treuhaft of Johnny-Sells

Janet is beautiful in every way, every day.  But sometimes she has issues with curly or frizzy hair, especially in damp weather.  She demonstrates a quick and easy way have an elegant and classy hairstyle on even the worst hair days.

Salute to Italy!

Johnny-Sells salutes Italy and all things Italian!  

We love Italian stuff.  It's always so stylish and beautifully crafted.  Click here to see Italian items at Johnny-Sells. We have Italian shoes, slacks, even an Italian suit.  Be careful though, these designers make clothes for fashionably thin Italians.  We Americans tend to be larger.  So keep that in mind when buying Italian clothing.

When Irish Eyes Are Singing!

It'll be St. Patrick's Day before you know it.  Johnny-Sells has lots of Irish items for sale to get you ready for the big day.   Waterford crystal, Belleek china, Irish Linens, Irish Sweaters, Irish Coffee Mugs,  and even a Genuine Black Thorn Shillelagh Cudgel.

Please click here to see all the Irish items at Johnny-Sells


And may the road rise up to meet your,
May the wind be always at your back,
And may you be in Heaven a half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead!

Suave Swordsman Juanito-Sells Shows Toledo Sword from Spain

El Caballero Juanito-Sells demonstrates the Toledo Rapier Sword and Scabbard.   This exciting new personality will demonstrate to you this  29.5 inch sword which is made with tempered steel in Toledo, Spain, the home of some of the finest swords in the world.

 

Click here to see how to buy this Sword from Toledo, Spain

Who Are You Wearing! Betsey Johnson!

It's Oscar season and once again the Hollywood reporters will yell out to the stars on the red carpet, "Who are you wearing?"  In other words, what famous designer made your dress?   Many times they yell back, "Betsey Johnson!"

Here's YOUR chance to wear the same designer dress as a Hollywood star for a fraction of what you would pay in a store. Click here to see how to buy this Betsey Johnson Raspberry Velvet Cocktail Dress with Beads, Size P.   Yes, that's right "P" as in petite as in tiny.   If you have the figure for this dress,  you will look spectacular on the red carpet or anywhere else.

You'll look even better if you accessorize with Johnny-Sells Jewelry, Scarves, Shoes and Handbags. Buy more than one item and we'll combine shipping to save you even more!

Oh, and don't forget to thank your agent and the members of the Academy.

Cool Places Johnny-Sells has Shipped

One of the really cool things about our business is that we get to deal with people all over the world.

 

Here's one of them, Kelaniyas, Sri Lanka

Click here to see some of the exotic places where Johnny-Sells customers live.

How to Replace a Brake Lamp on a 2009 Subaru Outback

We just got out of the car at a downtown parking lot when this really nice guy asked if we knew our brake light was burned out.   I was happy this good Samaritan gave us the news instead of a police officer.

My next thought was, how much is this going to cost to get fixed?  If you take it to a dealer, it'll cost you $100 just just to drive it in the shop.  So, I looked on the internet and the one video I saw would have you taking half the car apart to get to a burned out lamp.  Finally, I found another site that recommended I look in the manual.  What a concept!

The manual was thick as phone book, but I found the directions for lamp replacement and sure enough it worked.  At one point I was worried that I would never get it back together again, but it worked out and the new lamp shines brightly.  And the cost of 2 replacement bulbs was under $6.

So I had the brilliant idea of making a video on how to change the brake lamp so that other people wouldn't be forced to read the manual, as I had been.

I don't pretend to be a car expert, but this is one instance where I was able to fix it myself and save $100 or more.  Hope it works for you.

Bongo, Bongo, Bongo I Don't Want to Leave the Congo

Bongo Goth Boots Womens size 6.5M

 

Johnny-Sells carries goth wear whenever we can.   Goth people sometimes look scary, but every one of them we've dealt with has been super nice.  

Click here to see all our Goth Stuff.

"Bongo Bongo Bongo I don't wanna Leave the Congo" was a popular song in the late 1940s.  It was sung by the Andrews Sisters and Danny Kaye.

Like to Play the Pony's? Get this Arlington Park Scarf!

Arlington International Racecourse Red Silk Scarf

You'll be the hit of the track or the OTB (Off Track Betting Parlor) when you wear this Arlington Park red scarf with horses.  Click here to see how you can buy this scarf.

It's Always Christmas at Johnny-Sells!

It's the most wonderful time of the year all year around here. Smart shoppers buy their Christmas decorations well in advance and they save big money.  We've got lots of Department 56 models plus Spode, Fitz & Floyd, Lladro, Hummel, Bing & Grondahl and Christopher Radko hand blown glass ornaments, like this one...

Christopher Radko Glass Ornament    Little Nifty Snowman NEW

Please click here to see all of our great Christmas items:

And remember to keep the spirit of Christmas in your heart all year.

The North Face Green Fleece Gloves size M

Ski season is in full swing. But it isn't cheap. At least you can save money on your gear if you buy before you go.

Like these The North Face Green Fleece Gloves size M for only $24.99 plus shipping from Johnny-Sells

Click here to learn more about these gloves.

Happy skiing. Watch out for trees.

Get the Jump on a Hoppy Easter!

Christopher Radko Hoppy Easter Bunny with Easter Eggs Glass Ornament

Easter will be here before you know it. Get ready for the big day with this colorful Christopher Radko Easter Ornament. It shows the Easter Bunny surrounded by Easter Eggs. It's just the thing for Easter entertaining.  

Click here to learn more about this Christopher Radko Hoppy Easter Ornament.

And have a Hoppy Easter!

A Nice Letter from a Happy Customer

Hi Johnny, Just left positive feedback for this item but also wanted to thank you for the terrific communication and absolutely beautiful packaging! I appreciate it so much...I have bid on some pricey Eileen Fisher items with other senders only to have them arrive wrinkled and stuffed into an envelope. Not only was this skirt a real winner, but the overall experience was a pleasure! - Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,

Thank for the great feedback and for your lovely note. This is Janet, Johnny’s wife writing. I love Eileen Fisher items too. It’s great to find them on eBay and not have to pay retail but it’s nice to be treated like a retail customer. That is our philosophy of business and we are glad to treat our buyers the way we would like to be treated.

Wear the skirt in good health and shop again!