Friends Boutique Bedroom Set with Aquarium

There's a Walmart store that I don't frequent that often because there's never anything on clearance.  Because this location never had any clearance tables near the toy isles I have been wrongly accusing them of being "too fancy."  However, after getting lost looking for oscillating fans, I found out on Friday that they have two entire isles dedicated to clearance items over by the linens and housewares.  Who knew?!

OMG, they had so much stuff on sale.  Some old Bratz, all the Twilight dolls for $17 each, Lego sets, etc.  All this stuff and here I am on budget lock down for two more weeks.  In the face of all that temptation I held strong... until I saw this thing:

I don't know what my fascination with it was.  It's not even 1:6 scale and I don't own any 18 inch dolls because I don't want any doll around that's big enough to choke me in my sleep.  Regardless, it was the only one there and it was just $15 bucks.  I reasoned away my weakness by saying it might not be there in two weeks so I better get it now.  For shame.

And yet I love it, lol.  Here's everything unassembled.  The aquarium was inside the purple box in the back.  It's meant to be discarded, but I'm sure I'll find some use for it.  I would say that the telephone is the only thing totally out of proportion for 1:6 scale use.

My new My Scene trade from Chynadoll is making her scale model debut.  She is so awesome and look at that super cool hair!  From this set, the only thing I wouldn't use is the "rug." Even though the phone is huge, I could see it as a decor novelty item.

The aquarium is very sturdy and has a nice thickness to it.  Too bad the light switch doesn't toggle on and off because it would have made a sweet nightlight.  Unfortunately, it wont stay on unless you press it... or tape it down.

The table assembles easily and is made from dense plastic.  I plan to use it as a template to produce more tables just like it in the future - made out of cardboard, of course.  I tested chairs to see what a good height would be.  Barbie chairs are too low, but Dora stools are just right.

You can also use the aquarium base as a table base!  It's a little lower than the actual table base so it gives you some options to work with.

You can also use it as a drafting table base!  I added some clips to the Dora Explorer canvas and voila.  Take the clips off and you'll have a nice little student desk.  Also from the Dora set, I put the vase stand underneath the aquarium and it held it up just fine.

Now the original colors are not to my tastes so I've already made some changes.  I used a red marker on the lamp base and I will do the same to the table legs, but not until after I use it as a template.  The aquarium top and its base will probably be black at some point.

I covered the chair with a red handkerchief and stitched in a few tufts.  I was going to add a platform and legs, but then I wouldn't be able to squish it flat and store it away easily.  Besides, I like how big and comfy it looks, like something you would find in a kid's room or student's dorm.  Clawdeen likes it and she is VERY particular, so I guess I'll leave it alone.

Although this is truly a forbidden purchase, gotta say that I have no regrets.