In September 2001, when International Mall opened, I first saw a Build-a-Bear store. I'd never heard of it before. It was full of stuffed animals and clothes. They were cute. They were fluffy.
They were expensive.
Yet at the close of out first semester of college two months later, after everything we'd gone through, my friends and I splurged and bought bears. This is Harkin:
As you can see, these eight years have left their mark on her especially the overalls. They were NOT from Build-a-Bear. I was too cheap for a whole outfit at the time: I only got her shoes, glasses, a red hat that must be somewhere in the house and a giggle sound - the giggle sound still works!!! Thus, I bought her overalls at a thrift store, sized Infants Three Months.
The rose garland she's wearing is from Global Village at UT in 2002.
My mom's been "hinting" for the past year that Harkin needed a new outfit. I wasn't sure. I don't like change and Harkin has looked like that since Christmas Break 2001 and went through all my other semesters in college with that outfit...but might as well look, right?
The 35th anniversary Hello Kitty dress was gorgeous but entirely too girly for my bear. She's supposed to be more of a Tomboy like me. The Justice clothes were cute but a bit too normal...I could have just bought a new baby outfit.
Then, they came out with Star Wars outfits and I found the perfect one!
Behold, Harkin in her new outfit:
