Charm Candy

I'm alive! And I hate fake eBay listings!

2012-01-03T21:33:00.002-10:00

If you found your way here via auction photos on eBay watermarked with this blog address, please know that the photos are stolen and I have not authorized any for use.

CC, sadly, hasn't been updated in more than a year but I hope that will change once I am (finally) finished with school later this year and have more time to devote to it. I still love JC charms and have kept on expanding my collection. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at charmcandyblog@gmail.com; this is the fastest way to get in touch with me.

Stash: Robot

2010-06-29T13:57:00.005-10:00

I know it has been months since I've updated. Sorry :( But the good news is that I'm updating with a brand new charm, right?

I love, love, love this one! It's so cute and perfect in every way.. it's too top heavy to stand on its own, but the arms and legs do swing. The detail along the joint of the arm is especially cute -- a little crystal on each side, which really compliments the crystal eyes nicely. Juicy really executed the idea of a girlie robot perfectly.

Now I have to divert for a second and rant about the boxes. I was surprised when I opened my package and saw what the new ones looked like. It seems like they removed all metal pieces & supports within the box, which now results in the box opening like this:

Which I find disappointing, especially because it means I can no longer hang charms by their clasp to take a photo with them in the box. I also think the style is a little more flimsy -- I never really worried about dropping charms while they were in the box before, because the foam provided enough cushion that nothing ever broke, and the clasp ensured that the box didn't pop open on contact. And of course I miss the terry lining.. it is what Juicy is known for, and this new plain pink fabric feels cheap to me. Additionally, it seems like silver charms no longer have a different box than the gold ones (I don't know about the rest of you, but this is going to make organizing my collection even harder than it already is).

I'd be willing to bet that this was a cost cutting measure, but notice how the price of charms didn't drop at all? :/ As much as I love Juicy charms, everyone has their point of no return. I'm not saying that I've reached that point yet, but this box thing coupled with increasing prices and reduced quality has me double and triple thinking every charm I want.

Price: 52.00
Box: Brown/Pink (New Style; No Clasp)
Code: YJRU4249

Stash: Chihuahua

2010-03-25T15:33:00.003-10:00

Put a fork in me, I'm done.

I LOVE this charm. I don't really have too much to say about it, because it's all right there for you to see. Great bronze-gold color on the body, little white paws capped off with gold pads, happy stance, face is spot on, and the collar is such a nice detail. Maybe a tad too big, but then again most small dogs have collars that look huge on them.

Chihuahuas aren't for everyone (I adore them), but I think this charm won't last all that long. It's very different from any Yorkie charm they've ever put out, and lots of younger girls are geared toward small dogs. Personally, I bought two -- one for me and one for Little E, whose own chihuahua looks almost exactly like this charm. I can see Juicy putting out an entire line of different breeds of dogs!

Price: 48.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3815

Stash: Pave Blue Bird

2010-03-24T14:50:00.003-10:00

Even though I have a ton of older charms that I should be posting first, I had to drop everything when this came yesterday.

I love birds. It's no secret. The only bird charm I haven't bothered to pick up yet is the new caged one -- and that's only because it's almost identical to the older one, save for replacing the weird red rooster birds with lovebirds.

There wasn't much time at all between when this charm started popping up on eBay and when it was actually released. I love when that happens -- it's fun to be surprised by what Juicy puts out! My favorite thing about this charm is the blue color. You can see in the third photo that there's a very distinct change between the lighter blue color and the darker blue around the tail area. It transitions from a pretty sky blue cream to this translucent oceany blue. I want handbags in this color. I want shoes in this color. I want sheets and plates and socks and towels and nail polish and soap and wrapping paper in this color.

You'll notice that the tail has two different sides; one is straight color and the other is pave crystals in blue and green. I like both side equally and I'm glad that they did it this way.

The chest and face area is very reminiscent of the sparrow (which is one of my favorite charms). I love that they didn't overkill the whole charm with too many crystals, and I think that the tan branch it's clinging on to is a nice touch. The change in color really makes the blue stand out that much more.

Zero complaints about this one. I don't even care that it's silver. Please, Juicy, remake this in a wide assortment of colors so I can have a whole aviary in my closet!

Price: 52.00
Box: Silver/Pink
Code: YJRU3871

Diversion: Gummy Bear Bracelet

2010-03-21T21:55:00.003-10:00

It's okay if you want to squeal a little bit. After all, gummy bear jewelry is very hard to come by.

A few weeks ago I was in Claire's, searching for a birthday gift for my 9 year-old cousin (Little E!). I hardly ever buy anything for myself from Claire's, apart from nail polish. The store is geared to the younger age range, while its sister store The Icing aims for teens and young adults. Truth be told, I'm probably too old to be looking for something in either store, but whatever.

Anyway! There they were, hanging around near the front. Gummy bear bracelets, necklaces, and small plastic bags. I was instantly enamored. They're bright, colorful, and just so cute! How could anyone not love them?

I passed on the necklace because it was kind of awkward; the same amount of Gummy bears, strung evenly across the front. I don't think it's something that anyone over the age of 10 could pull off well. The bags didn't really get my attention either, because they just felt so cheaply made.

The red, orange, and yellow bears all seem to be extremely similar in color under low-lighting situations. But with a good amount of light you can definitely see the difference -- I just love the whole rainbow effect you get when the colors are ordered like that!

Sure, this bracelet isn't pure silver and gemstones but for the price (under $10) it's perfect. I wore it in celebration of all things whimsical when I went to see Alice in Wonderland (the 3-D version is amazing!) and got compliments on it left and right. I stopped in at Claire's again this past Friday, to see about picking one or two more up for friends. Not surprisingly, they had sold out of the bracelets. So you better hurry up and nab one before they're all gone! Gummy bears don't last forever, you know. ;)

Diversion: Leather Buckle Bracelets

2010-03-21T21:46:00.003-10:00

Don't worry. I haven't jumped off the Juicy charm wagon or anything like that. I had some other stuff lined up that I wanted to talk about and now that I have some time (it's so good to see you again, Spring Break) I will!

I found these really cute little leather wrap bracelets at Target. I believe they're from the Hollywood Intuition line and run around $11 for a set of four. I only saw the one color scheme, but I'd be ecstatic if they came in a wider variety of colors.

These are very basic bracelets that can be mixed and matched to suit almost any outfit you have. The snap/buckle closure can be a little stiff but it's no big deal. The brown bracelet at the top is turned so you can see the snap and holes to adjust to your own size. I'd say that on the last snap these bracelets are easily 8", if not 8 1/2 - 9.

I really love the faux pearl detail all the way around. The blue and brown bracelets are especially stunning. I love to scour Target for all kinds of things, but jewelry isn't usually one of them. I was very pleasantly surprised to see these, and hope they come out with more.

Diversion: MOP Flower Earrings

2010-02-19T18:22:00.003-10:00

If you're anything like me, I know exactly what just went through your mind: omg omg omg! NEED!

Just look at them! Pearly aqua and blue flower petal earrings, a perfect match to the white and midnight Garden Party rings. Right?? YES!

But you feel like something is off. How can this be, when you've pretty much seen the lineup for spring pieces and although this would fit in there perfectly, there's no way it would be out without you having heard something, right? And where are all of the coordinating pieces in the same oceany hues?

Well, for starters, these earrings are not Juicy Couture. Yeah, you heard me right. They're a spitting image of our beloved MOP flower but they're definitely not Juicy. So who made them? The answer is probably going to surprise you as much as it surprised me.

In case you didn't catch that, they're by Charlotte Russe. Better yet, they have 3 different colors out. I suppose that I should be a little peeved that some other company practically cloned Juicy's design, but I'm not. Not even in the slightest.

I love this flower design. It may be my favorite non-charm design of all time. I have both wish necklaces, both rings, earrings, and bracelets. I can't get enough of the MOP flower. So if someone else is going to give me a few more I'm not going to argue.

I haven't even told you the best part yet! These are only $6 a pair. Better still, Charlotte Russe's earrings are 2 for $8. You can have two pairs for roughly 1/4 the price of one pair of Juicy earrings.

I'm not knocking Juicy down here. I'm sure that their materials are of a higher quality (though possibly only slightly), and their packaging sure is nicer. But Charlotte Russe really beat them to the punch with these. They're bigger (about the size of a quarter), come in more colors, and cost significantly less.

These are the only three versions I could spot; I have no idea if they have other colors out there. The blue and black are particularly stunning. The peach ones are sweet, but if you're only going to get two I say skip them. Since the earring promo was 2 for $8, I picked up one other pair:

These are WAY prettier in person. There's a very subtle amber shimmer that runs through the white in the middle.

I was really thrilled to have found these. I actually went into Charlotte Russe looking for nail polish, of all things. These just happened to catch my eye while I was checking out the accessories section. Normally I never get the really good deals. I have no problem finding amazingly cute things before they're sold out or hard to find, but getting them for a good price is an entirely different thing. I wish we had more than one Charlotte Russe in Hawaii so I could see if there are more out there.

What do you think? Good or bad that Juicy's gorgeous flower design is popping up elsewhere?

Limited Edition: Goose

2010-02-19T17:48:00.003-10:00

A tisket, a tasket!

Sorry that my goose charm appears to have only one foot. I promise you that it has two. I really should have taken pictures from the front and the back, but the light was disappearing outside.

So, you know me and animal charms. I love them! The goose is no exception, even if its back end is shaped a little strangely. The egg inside is a fantastic detail; I love that it has small crystals on it instead of being just plain gold.

My favorite part of this charm is the pearly white finish. The flash in my picture washes it out but it's very subtle and just so pretty. Now let's talk about the two things I don't like: the stamp on the butt and the snap. Juicy usually places a logo (either the banner or the crown) somewhere on each charm. I think the crown might have looked better on the chest area than the butt. And the snap is something I always take issue with. Some are too loose, some are too tight, and some can go from being too tight to too loose with just one drop. Like mine did this afternoon when I was taking it out to photograph it.

This charm flew off S&C's website like nobody's business. In fact, I never even saw it and I had been obsessively checking the site for days! So I just picked it up when I went to the Juicy boutique today, and swallowed the full cost. Why? Because the Prince Charming swan charm (which I have.. somewhere.. and am dying to find it and post photos because it's so adorable) will run you about $150-$200 on eBay these days. Animal charms, the bird ones in particular, always climb in value once they're gone. This one being a limited edition will only increase the value and is definitely worth picking up.

LE Tag Year: 2010
Price: 52.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU3743

Diversion: Pansy Ring

2010-02-19T17:25:00.002-10:00

Grrr. The best intentions, right? I really spaced out on the posting-once-a-day thing. But unfortunately for you and me both, real world things have to come before blogging. :(

Anyway. CHECK THIS BABY OUT! I was waiting and waiting and waiting for this to show up on any website besides Neiman Marcus and it just wasn't happening. I caved in and called Juicy to see if they had it in stores, and sure enough they did.

I won't lie to you; this ring looks significantly better in photos than it does in person. That's not to say that it isn't gorgeous, because it is. It just doesn't exactly have that amazing color depth that it appears to. I absolutely love this ring, though. It is huge; it covers from the base of my ring finger all the way up to the knuckle. The sizes also seem to run a little on the big side. Juicy usually stocks their non-adjustable rings in sizes from 6-8.

Unfortunately, there were no promotions going on that I knew of when I went to the boutique so I got stuck paying the full price. That definitely stung a little bit, especially since I have become pretty accustomed to nabbing things from S&C at a 20% discount. It's hit and miss when it comes to knowing if you'll be able to wait it out for a sale. The white MOP flower ring from a few seasons back stuck around for awhile, but never seemed to go on sale and then vanished entirely. The re-released darker fall version, however, lingered around long enough to be marked down before it was gone.

The pansy was a good choice of flower for this spring, especially since Alice In Wonderland is hitting theaters in a few weeks. This ring is definitely Alice-esque!

Price: 88.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3728

Stash: Pink Roses

2010-01-07T23:40:00.003-10:00

New Year's isn't even a distant thought yet and they're already rolling out the Valentine's Day stuff. Although I guess this charm doesn't have to be for Valentine's Day specifically..

This is an odd charm. Don't get me wrong because I really really like it. I love that the clear plastic almost acts as a prism out in the sun, I love the metal roses, and I love the thin wiry stems. The colors are vibrant and gorgeous, the bow is the perfect size, and the crystal in the middle really hits one out of the park when the charm is in the sun.

But this one won't be for everyone. I'm well aware of how prone that shiny shiny plastic is to scratching, and how easy it would be for one of the stems to bend or even snap off. Plus I'm a little puzzled as to why the clasp is in the middle -- when worn it hangs completely upside down! That's disappointing.

Still, I like it quite a bit and can't wait for the alleged Prom Queen bouquet to be released so I can take pictures of all three together. A word of caution if you plan on getting this one: mine came from S&C and the roses are totally off-center within the casing (a Juicy manufacturing error, not S&C's fault). So much so that one of the rose's edges is just barely poking out of the side. Really barely; it's more just like a blemish in the plastic. Also, this charm is a pain to get clasped back in the box!

Price: 48.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3788

Stash: Ferris Wheel

2010-01-06T23:51:00.002-10:00

Okay. My pictures are a little funny because I can't get the exact dimensions right so clicking on them to see them full size would be a good idea.

I. Love. This. Charm. Failure it is not! At least, not in my opinion.

What I love the most are the colored stones on the outside of the ferris wheel. Just look at them! They used gorgeous colors, even though I could stand without the mixture of pastel and primary stones. The gold is a perfect choice to accent the clear crystals and the white pearls (eight little dangling ones, made to represent the seats I presume).

The ferris wheel does indeed spin around, same as the carousel charm. I know this is going to seem like a super short entry, but that's how it usually is when I'm ecstatic about them. There are very few complaints concerning this charm! You might have problems with the pearls occasionally catching along the bottom of the charm, but it's not a big deal at all. Unless your plans are to just sit around and spin it all day, of course.

Also, I'd be pretty careful with this charm. It's totally packed with crystals and we all know how hard they can be to find an exact match to and replace.

It's getting harder and harder to gauge whether charms will sell out or not. The panda had all of the makings of a hit but it's still plentiful everywhere you look. I personally think this one will become hard to find and highly valued - it moves, almost every inch is covered in sparkle, and they've never made a charm like this before. Perhaps Juicy has been producing more and more charms? I'm not sure. Either way, grab this one if you like it if for no other reason than that you want it!

Price: 58.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3615

Limited Edition: Ring (Purple Neiman Marcus Exclusive)

2010-01-04T20:20:00.003-10:00

Much like the shoe, purse, and snowflake charms I'm not really one for the ring charms either. Juicy has done several different versions of the engagement ring, and I think I only have two including this one.

But there is a very good reason for having this one: it's the only colored stone they've done on an engagement ring charm. And it's beautiful. I purposely used flash on the third photo so you could see just how many colors are hiding inside of the purple stone.

I really love the detailing along the inner sides of the ring. It's intricate and rather than overwhelming the entire piece, it really elevates the purple stone and brightens everything up.

Now the bad news, as there usually is with older charms. This was a limited edition piece made exclusively for Neiman Marcus in 2008. That means that even if this charm had made it to the sale tables it would have eventually gone to Neiman Marcus Last Call outlets (of which there are quite a few less), not Juicy outlets. Your odds of finding this in a retail establishment are about as good as Juicy re-releasing the original globe. You will have to resort to the secondary market for this one, and it is still hard to come by. Prepare to pay (on average) double MSRP!

LE Tag Year: 2008
Price: 38.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU1729
Misc: Produced exclusively for Neiman Marcus; make sure their logo is on the tag.

The First (and Only?) Juicy Charm List

2010-01-04T20:09:00.002-10:00

One of the greatest mysteries when it comes to Juicy charms is authenticity. If you're new to collecting then sometimes you're unsure of which charms Juicy actually made and which ones they did not. Even for those of us who have been collecting a long time there are still lingering doubts on some of the oldest charms.

Have no fear, though! There's an answer to your problems. Rebecca (the famed Lvbabydoll for you PFers and a sweet, sweet friend) spent a great deal of time compiling information and photos on every charm she could find, creating the first comprehensive list for Juicy Couture charms.

I'm posting a link below to her blog, where you can find the information on how to get the list. It's totally free but you need a valid e-mail address to obtain the list. Throw a little love Rebecca's way for all of the hard work she put into it!

Rebecca's blog:
http://ritzeerebel.blogspot.com/

Post on how to get the list:
http://ritzeerebel.blogspot.com/2010/01/favorite-blog-1.html

On The Horizon: Pansy Ring

2010-01-04T19:45:00.005-10:00

Again I must take a slight detour from the world of charms to rave about something else.

The Pansy Ring popped up on Neiman's website not too long ago, along with a whole other slew of spring jewelry pieces by Juicy. I may be more excited about this ring than I am about any of the upcoming charms (including the chocolate bunny!).

It's gorgeous. Of course this is only a stock photo but I just can't stop myself from tripping head over heels for it. I love the blending of the purple hues and the almost-black color that is skirting around the edges of the petals. I'm sure that the large crystal in the middle will attract an insane amount of sparkle, and I love that smaller crystals are intermittently sprinkled all over.

I'm also excessively happy that this ring isn't "adjustable" and comes in sizes 6, 7, and 8. Ship date is listed in February; pay no mind to the "back order" status that nearly every item has. The pieces aren't actually back ordered, this is just Neiman's way of letting you know that things are immediately available for shipping. You can check out this ring and all of the other upcoming accessories by Juicy on Neiman's Juicy New Arrivals Page.

Diversion: Pave Petals Flower Ring

2010-01-02T17:47:00.003-10:00

Oh. No.

The Neiman Marcus website has a window into Juicy's spring offerings and I have to tell you, it's kind of thrilling.

On the horizon are a plethora of flower rings. If Juicy can really hit something out of the park, it's flowers. Their Garden Party lines have sold out repeatedly, and fetch some big dollars on the secondary market. I suspect that this spring's line won't go quite as quickly, seeing as how many pieces they're putting out.

Some are already available and this is one of them (though this came from Nordstrom's, not Neiman's). Behold the Pave Petals Flower Adjustable Ring! So many beautiful elements! Cannot.. contain.. excitement!

Let's get the box talk out of the way. Appealing packaging is a great marketing move; I'm not too proud to admit that I'm shallow and have caved in to things based purely on their packaging once or twice. The box itself looks a little boring from the outside - standard cylinder shape with a lid and some girly designs scrawled on there. When the lid comes off, however, it's a completely different story. A pink rose full of soft petals blooms as soon as it's released and, voilà! A creamy white flower with pave crystals sprinkled on the petals is revealed.

The pave petals are kept to a minimal two; this is good. Any more and they might become overwhelming. The larger crystal in the center is very eye-catching and looks amazing in the sun. I forgot to take pictures of the band, but Juicy's idea of 'adjustable' is really only adjustable to a certain point. There is a solid band that is probably a size 8 with a smaller, thin sideways C shape inside of it. This is the part that's adjustable. It's hard to explain, but the smaller band inside will expand or shrink with your finger to hold the ring on.

Don't expect to wear this ring on your pinkie; not only is it huge (maybe about an inch across, if not a little more), but it's heavy. Your hand will definitely feel unbalanced if it's not on one of your three inner fingers.

As much as I love Juicy's rings, they are always way way way too expensive and aren't usually stocked on websites that offer frequent discounts, like S&C or SBB. Juicy has been offering a lot more in-store promotions lately, but they're sporadic and sometimes don't apply to regularly priced jewelry.

Price: 78.00
Box: Round Pink Rose
Code: YJRU3625

Stash: Carousel

2010-01-02T17:12:00.002-10:00

So maybe this charm fell a little short of everyone's expectations. The stock photos are terrible (really, Juicy.. hire someone to do justice to these things) and flat disproportionate ponies are not what one thinks of when they hear "carousel!"

But you have to give this one a chance. I promise you several things: first, it looks SO much better in person than it does in any picture you're going to see of it, and second, there is a lot of great detail in this charm that's hard to capture.

My favorite thing on this charm is the top. Which sounds weird, but it just has that classic "big top" kind of feel to it. Black and cream (not white, as the pictures suggest) stripes that all tie together nicely at the top give it a more modern spin. There is also a black and cream striped pole that runs down the center of the charm; you can see it barely peeking out from behind the horse in the first picture.

The horses themselves are my main disappointment with this charm. Carousels should be a huge source of inspiration; they've had everything from horses to zoo animals to movie and book characters. So why just horses? I'm not sure. What's worse is that they're totally flat! I'm sure this was more of a physical constraint than a design flaw; I can't imagine that it would have been easy or cost efficient to make fully 3-D horses that small. The pink color ties in nicely with the black and white, and each one is anchored by a crystal set in the middle.

Each horse is attached to a twisted golden pole. This is one of those little details that I'm talking about; it really contributes playfulness to the charm. There's also a ring of crystals that run all the way around the bottom, and let's not forget that the horses DO spin around on this one!

Overall, I do like this charm a lot. I think I've said it a few times before, but my childhood bedroom was nothing but carousel horses for 10 years. Even if this had been a completely ugly charm (like the prototype photos many of us saw floating around a few months ago) I still would have gotten it just for the sake of nostalgia. If you're going back and forth on this one you should definitely go check it out in person before deciding. The price is slightly absurd, but I can kind of understand it for a charm that has a moving piece. Still, seek out all possible discount codes and websites before committing to the MSRP!

Price: 58.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3614

Limited Edition: 2009 Snowflake

2010-01-01T16:36:00.002-10:00

I've never been particularly interested in the Snowflake charms, despite this being the only charm so far that Juicy changes every winter season. The concept is great; it immediately creates a set for anyone who is ambitious enough to get them every year.

Even though I love snow, they just never swayed me enough to spend the money on them. Not to mention that they all kind of looked the same, even if they were different. However, I was totally sold on the 2009 Snowflake when I saw it in person.

Perhaps because it looks more like a starbust than an actual snowflake? Whatever the reason, it's gorgeous. It has a wild amount of sparkle! The size crystals that Juicy chose for the tips of the flake are amazing; they're so big you don't even need much light for this charm to shine. 6 lines with pave crystals come streaming out from the center to add a little big of weight to the otherwise delicate lines holding the larger crystals in place. Even the back of this charm is pretty -- how often can you say that??

If you haven't picked this one up yet but are feeling like you should, then you're in luck. The ones that are left have made it to sales tables, and are discounted on websites (check Nordstroms.com!). I am fairly confident in saying that this particular charm will not be reissued; Juicy has been putting out a different Snowflake every year and doesn't do repeats of these, that I'm aware of.

LE Tag Year: 2009
Price: 58.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU3317

Stash: Kite

2009-12-31T19:03:00.003-10:00

Aw, go fly a kite why don'tcha!

If you insist. This was the second charm I ordered unseen and I am super thankful that the turnout was better than the bust incident (I promise.. I will post it eventually).

The first thing I have to tell you about is that the kite is more of a dark fuchsia color, not red like my pictures might suggest. The color of the kite itself was just too hard to capture, but the tassels (which are pretty much the color that the kite should be) and bow are true to life.

No complaints from me on this one. They used a simple design, kept the front clean, and got the structure of the kite right on. The tassels, both chain and string, are cute and the bow is such an adorable feminine touch. The pink, green, and white look great with the silver; should Juicy ever reissue this charm in gold I hope they pick a fitting color scheme (perhaps something blue?).

Size-wise it's pretty big! Maybe 2 inches, including the tail. Between that and the bright coloring I wouldn't call this one of the more subtle charms. I think this would look fantastic grouped with some of the other "outdoorsy" charms, such as the picnic basket, ladybug, hotdog, bucket of seashells, and so on.

Same story as the last few; it's cute but it's not vanishing like a magician and the price is elevated for what it is. I bet this one makes it to at least a few outlets, though it may go quick as spring and summer roll around (when people usually get the hankering to fly a kite).

Price: 42.00
Box: Silver/Pink
Code: YJRU3610

Diversion: Rainbow Heart Studs

2009-12-30T17:22:00.004-10:00

When I saw these on Nordstrom's website I didn't hesitate for even a second. It could have been the impatience of the holiday shopping season creeping around, or it could just have been that these were too cute to pass up.

What's not to love? Color? Check. Hearts? Check. Sparkly? Check! If these earrings (and the rainbow charm and rainbow wish necklace) are any indication of what Juicy's spring and summer lines look like then I'm doomed for sure. I love bright, happy stuff and these fit right into that category.

The earrings are studs, and they're quite small -- maybe half the size of my pinkie finger? Absolutely perfect for adding just a drop of cheerfulness to work outfits. Click here to check them out on Nordstrom's site.

Price: 42.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3642
Misc: The bottom of the box reads Heart w/Rainbow Studs. I titled my post differently because it looked weird writing it out that way.

Stash: Mitten

2009-12-30T16:48:00.003-10:00

I'll admit that I wasn't too excited about this charm at first. The color scheme seemed like an odd choice (really, how often do yellow, pink, and gray work?) and there's not much that's thrilling when it comes to mittens.

However I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the mitten in person. It really is cute, and the colors are working. It has that puffy quality that all mittens should aspire to, and reminds me of being a kid and putting on those marshmallow-like things before sprinting out into the snow.

Very subtly printed on the pink, the front side reads Juicy and the back of the mitten says Couture. It's nice that Juicy didn't emblazon their logo all over the place on this one. The band of crystals kind of chops up the smoothness of the shape, but they really seem to dress it up.

The best detail, in my opinion, are the little dangling puffs off to the side. I don't know exactly what they're meant to represent (do most mittens these days come with little puffs?) but it makes the whole charm playful. The only thing I'm not totally wild about is the cuff.. but then again cuffs aren't really something to get excited about, now are they? ;)

This is another one that you could probably wait on. It's silver (they never sell as fast; even the re-issue of the Gingerbread house in silver made it all the way to sale tables), it doesn't have universal appeal, and once again it's overpriced for how basic it is. I imagine these will crop up at outlets during the spring.

Price: 48.00
Box: Silver/Pink
Code: YJRU3314

Stash: Ballerina

2009-12-29T17:08:00.002-10:00

I took ballet, tap, and jazz lessons from ages 3 to 10. I loved it, but gave it up when it came time to go switch to en pointe; that's pretty much when you either dedicate yourself to it (along with stunting your growth and speeding along the aging of your bones) or get out of the game. En pointe was never going to be my style, so I gave up the lessons.

That doesn't mean I love ballet or dance any less. I was so tickled when the first images of this charm started to pop up! Tiny ballerinas are a hallmark image of being a little girl; usually one of the first jewelry boxes you ever own has a spinning ballerina inside. My favorite book series was Angelina Ballerina, I was hopelessly in love with the waltz scene from Sleeping Beauty (pink! blue! pink! blue!), and I did so ever adore the lone pair of lace-up ballet shoes I had for my Barbie. So even if Juicy had wrecked this charm further than they already have, I still would have gotten it.

Now. By wrecking it, I mean they did some weird things with what should be a dainty and porcelain-like figurine. By no means do I hate this charm. I rather like it, a lot! So let's talk about the good things first. Number one, it's tiny. An inch and a half tall, I think. Perfect size for a little bitty dancing queen. Second, I'm really glad that they went with the white coloring instead of traditional ballet pink. It's refreshing and almost lends a snow fairy quality to the charm. Third, I'm definitely down with the large crystals on the front of the skirt. I know it's too chunky and odd to some but I like the contrast and sparkle. Last but not least I think they really hit it out of the park with the shape and design of the arms, torso, and legs. Very slim and airy, just as a classical dancer's should be.

So what isn't so good about this charm? I think the major complaint from most (and myself as well) is that there is no face -- it has been replaced by a round crystal. ?? Why, Juicy, why?! There's all kinds of psychology behind creating a drawing/sculpture and leaving out faces or hands. It's just kind of spooky that there's no face there. Next we have the bizarre-o Turbie Twist thing going on on top of her head. It seriously looks like a wrapped up towel or turban up there. Again.. why?!? Why not just plop a little golden bun on her head and call it a day? Her head dressing leads me to her choice of footwear. It's a sweet touch to put ballet shoes on her but her ankles must have gotten cut off in the transition somewhere because it looks like the ends of her feet were dipped in white paint and left that way. I can't complain too much about this part; I can only imagine how hard it would be to sculpt an accurately shaped foot onto a charm this size. My last issue is that the crystals on the skirt stop midway. Sure, no one is really going to be checking out the back of the charm but continuity is always worth something, is it not? The sudden shift to pleats makes it look a little bit like the crystals either fell off, or someone gave up on the skirt halfway through.

Other than all of THAT, I really do like having this charm! I think a lot of the reasons I outlined will prevent people from buying it -- you can't blame people for disliking a faceless ballerina. It's just creepy! It will also keep her on the shelves longer; I'd say it's safe to put off buying this if you're still debating on it. I have a feeling that even when it does land on eBay it will be selling for less than retail to start with.

Price: 52.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3429

Stash: Tiered Cake

2009-12-29T16:28:00.003-10:00

So this charm probably doesn't warrant three photos since it's the same all the way around, but I had problems getting the strawberries in focus. Hopefully between these you can get a good idea of what this charm looks like. For the record, the middle photo has the most accurate coloring. It's more of a dark, warm pink than the other two make it out to be.

Now. Who doesn't love cake?! I suspect very few. I love to bake and have, so far, collected all of Juicy's baked good charms (that I know of) so this one had to join the family.

The pink definitely might be a little overkill for some. The entire cake itself is coated in dark pink; not even the piping detail is in a different color. Still, it stands out pretty well. I don't know if it's the same on all charms, but on mine the top two tiers have sharper piping than the bottom tier. It's not really noticeable unless you've been staring at it for half an hour, trying to get a good picture of it. ;)

I think that the strawberries set atop each tier are what really makes this cake worth having. They're small, have exceptionally little seed detail on each one, and add that flare of decadence you often see in boutique bakery windows. A dollop of whipped cream on top finishes off this very sweet little piece. Again, I have no pictures of the bottom of the charm but it's nothing to write home about; the Juicy banner and a small crown stamped on.

The Tiered Cake seems to have gone from most websites, however I see that it's still available on Revolve. This is a good indicator that it isn't too hard to find yet. The MSRP is absurd, so I would really hesitate on paying full price if you can't find it at a discount. As much as I love Juicy charms they're really losing me lately with their near-constant releases, and wild pricing for what is just costume jewelry at the end of the day.

Price: 52.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3313

Stash: Double Decker Bus

2009-12-28T19:26:00.003-10:00

London calling! This is the last of the British series charms that I picked up; I do not have the wellie boot or the guard's head.

So. If you've been to London (my second favorite city, only to be outdone by Vegas) then you have seen the red double decker buses without a doubt. You've probably even ridden on one or two -- I sure did both times I was there! Almost got mowed down by one, too.

There was no doubt in my mind that I HAD to have this one when it came out. Not only was it my love for London spurring me on, but it has a yorkie inside! The charm keeps the details fairly minimal; you've got the windows and crystal headlights/taillights and some gold edges thrown in. One thing the pictures don't convey? The wheels actually spin! Very nice touch, Juicy. I wish there were more to say about this charm but it's all pretty straightforward and right there for you to see.

This charm came out in late summer so you're not likely to find it on websites any longer. You may have luck calling up individual Juicy stores or department stores like Nordstrom's, but it's more likely that you'll have to rely on outlets getting some in (if there were any left; the London series was quite popular) or the dreaded eBay.

Price: 52.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3130

Stash: Vintage Camera (Polaroid)

2009-12-28T19:05:00.003-10:00

I keep a small Juicy bag near my bed with all of my newest charms in it, since those are the ones I'd most like to photograph and write about before I put them into the Armoire-O-Doom, which is quickly running out of shelf space. So is my little Juicy bag! I apologize profusely (sorry, sorry, sorry!) for severely neglecting the blog these last few months. Suffice to say that the last quarter of 2009 has been a rough one for me, and many things have fallen to the wayside.

Anyway, on with the goods!

This charm created quite a buzz when it first started popping up on eBay. If you were born prior to the age of digital cameras then you are quite likely to know what a Polaroid camera is. Or, I guess was -- the cameras have been since phased out and the film is no longer being produced. :( Juicy has given us a permanent monument to times past; this charm is SO CUTE! They captured the shape spot-on and I'm glad they went with a cream color instead of the traditional black.. it makes it feel happy and light.

The front of the charm has the most detail. A crystal "light bulb", a red heart, a rainbow stripe, and the word Juicy deck out the face of the camera. The heart and rainbow are a nice touch -- kind of throws me back into the 80's. The back and bottom (no picture, it's just the logo stamped on though) are minimal, which is good. There's a nice little surprise waiting for you inside the camera, though. A picture! There are whispers that the image is of Marie Antoinette, following with the indulgent French theme that many pieces carried this fall/winter. Who it is I can't say for sure but it's adorable. Click on the middle photo for a bigger image.

This charm isn't exactly flying off the shelves, so I'd say you're safe in waiting for it to come down in price (because really, the price is very inflated for what it is) or possibly even hit the outlets. It's really cute but I think it's too specific to appeal to everyone, especially Juicy's younger demographic.

Price: 58.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3465

Pink Alert: 40% Off at ShopBellaBeach

2009-12-02T21:10:00.002-10:00

Holy moly! A really great deal just landed in my inbox -- 40% off all Juicy Couture products at ShopBellaBeach.com (formerly SDR) with the code JUICY. They're even throwing in free shipping for the time being!

Their charm selection isn't huge; right now they have the Mitten, Silver Candy Cane, Silver Hot Chocolate, Lucky 7, Flamingo, LE Present, Orange Slice, and LE '09 Snowflake. They also have the Charm Box.. talk about an amazing deal! So far I've found that it doesn't apply to sale items, but you can use the code SANTA for 20% off sale and non-sale items from any brand.

You better move quick on this deal.. I imagine lots of people will be reading their own e-mails tomorrow and supplies won't last, especially for the holiday charms. It doesn't get much better than this!

Candy Cane: Winner!

2009-12-02T14:38:00.002-10:00

Congratulations are in order for Sue, whose persistence paid off. I added up the number of eligible comments plus one entry for every Charm Candy board member, and the total came out to 50. Sue nabbed the prize by leaving several comments.. she really wanted that candy cane!

Thanks to everyone who reads CC, even if you don't comment. I appreciate it nonetheless!

More charm posts coming up soon.. including the polaroid camera, tiered cake, silver gingerbread house vs gold gingerbread house, mitten, gold cupcake, and 2009 snowflake!

Stash: Painter's Charm (Palette)

2009-11-29T14:34:00.004-10:00

Surprisingly enough, I haven't been able to locate this charm yet on some of the more mainstream websites like Juicy's own, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom's, or Revolve. So far it looks like you're going to have to resort to Sak's or Bloomingdale's to pick this one up online (for the time being).

Now down to business! I love the palette half of this charm, for the most part. The only thing that disappoints me is the color selection of the crystals they used to represent the paint. Why so pastel and dull, Juicy? We have light pink, light green, dark blue, light purple, and light yellow. The pink and purple are very close in color, as are the green and yellow. The blue however gives a startling contrast to the color scheme and leaves a rather uneven feeling to the whole thing. The overcast weather gives my photos a darker hue; all of the colors are much brighter in person.

The brush is a cute touch, but not to scale. There is a great amount of detail on the head of the brush; the subtle lines definitely suggest it's full of big and fluffy bristles.

On the reverse side of the palette you'll find the words "paint yourself in couture" printed in old-fashioned letters. If you're picking this up in person you should be sure to check this area out carefully, as Juicy often doesn't do even prints when it comes to letters on charms or tags. Mine is missing color from the top half of the "f", for instance.

Although the palette charm is thin it has significant weight, and feels like the whole thing is made out of metal. This is a refreshing change from some of the disappointing plastic charms from earlier this year (such as the mouse and cheese or the 3-tier cake).

Price: 48.00
Box: Silver/Pink
Code: YJRU3464

P.S. Just today and tomorrow left before a winner is picked for the candy cane charm!

Stash: Polar Bear

2009-11-27T16:49:00.004-10:00

Well, so much for my resolve to go back to posting daily! I wish you all a belated Happy Thanksgiving (if you were celebrating), and thank you for sticking in there with my erratic schedule. Fortunately for me -- and you -- a sweet little package from Shirley & Company landed in my mailbox this week.

This is hands down the charm I was most excited about. Don't get me wrong.. the LE holiday releases are sparkly and pretty. But none of them were grabbing me the way that past holiday charms had (like the nutcracker, reindeer, or original gingerbread house). Until this little guy ambled on up.

I love animals and if you've ever had the fortune to watch a polar bear up close you already know what magnificent creatures they are. Their strength is massive; I saw two play-fight at the San Diego Zoo a few summers ago and I might as well have been watching boulders slam into one another. Despite their untamed nature, polar bears are often represented as cute and cuddly. This charm is no exception. First of all, look at the face. The eyes are a deep rich black and I think Juicy made the right decision to use paint rather than crystals. It makes them look far more realstic, same goes for the nose. They didn't skimp on the crystals all together, though; check out the legs! This bear has got some fancy footwork going on.. perhaps they are to be interpreted as pieces of ice? Either way they don't overwhelm the bear entirely and really add to the festive feeling. The pads on the paws may be the best detail of all, though. Little golden hearts! Can you imagine how cute those footprints would be?

I have zero complaints about this one. It's really heavy but that's a good thing for me this time around, as I think it conveys how sturdy this charm is.

I love that this was a winter release; sure you think of cold climates when you think of polar bears, but I'm also reminded of the Coca Cola bear this time of year. Find it at a discount if you can but don't hesitate too long -- this is definitely one of those charms that will be hard to secure at reasonable prices once it's off shelves. It's one of the most realistic animal charms that they've done in quite some time, which will really make it stand out in your collection.

Price: 48.00
Box: Silver/Pink
Code: YJRU3427

P.S. Don't forget that the contest to win the Candy Cane charm ends in 4 days on 12/1. Every comment you leave (from this post forward) counts as one entry!

Limited Edition: TeePee

2009-11-15T15:03:00.003-10:00

I am loving that Juicy is pumping out more of the charms that open up to reveal a little scene on the inside. Granted, they could switch it up a bit and give the Yorkie something else to do other than warm his paws over a fire. But as long as stuff this cute keeps coming along I'm not complaining.

Instead of talking about my favorite thing last I'm going to do it first. I LOVE the little printed buffalo on the outside of the teepee. 100% totally enamored with this detail. It could be my affinity for tiny animals that makes this stand out to me, but come on! They're adorable. The rest of the teepee decorations are kind of bland - the jagged red stripe along the bottom, the Juicy crown logo, and the zipper. There is a tiny hole on the front that allows you to see inside the teepee; this is such an adorable idea but would have come off just a little better if the fire inside didn't immediately block your view of everything else.

It seems that they kept the best stuff out of immediate view on this charm. Here you can spot our little Yorkie hanging out on a carpet in full headdress gear with a fire going. The fire doesn't come across quite as well as it did in the igloo -- it looks more like a container of french fries to me. But the little sticks of wood give it enough character to pull it off. And of course you should be sure not to skip out on taking a peek at the bottom. I love the little double entendre that they slipped in there.

This charm hasn't exactly been hard to find since it hit shelves, but you are pretty much guaranteed that once they're gone they're gone. Same as the igloo and gingerbread houses; a year from now this could be pretty hard to track down for a reasonable price. I'm also surprised to see that this charm, with all of its detail, came out to be $6 less than the LE Present which I consider to be much simpler. I'm dying to know how Juicy prices their charms.

LE Tag Year: 2009
Price: 52.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU3181

Limited Edition: Present

2009-11-13T14:22:00.002-10:00

I know, I know. It's not even Thanksgiving yet. But every year Christmas starts earlier and earlier, as Juicy released their Holiday charms well before Halloween had even made its appearance.

So I present you with.. the present!! Haha. I really love almost everything about this charm. I was excited to see Juicy release a new style, especially since they've really been upping the number of re-releases. The red box is cheery and festive, and of course it's countered with a green "ribbon" around the box. Juicy is printed down the bottom of the ribbon, and Couture along the right side. It opens up to reveal -- nothing?? Oh, except for a clever note to Santa printed on the side. And then we have the standard logo stamped on the bottom.

The one thing I don't love? The bow. The dual bows seem like they're competing for attention and overshadow the rest of the piece. Juicy really could have made this stand out more by having only one bow; either silver or gold. Not to mention that rumors of a pearl bow were floating around before the charm was actually released and I'd really had my heart set on that. Oh well! I hold out hope that Juicy will get the bright idea to do charms in series, like Hallmark does their ornaments. They could come out with a new present every year and I'd get it even if it were ugly because that's what you do when you're too in-the-box to not collect all the pieces of a set.

LE Tag Year: 2009
Price: 58.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU3318

Limited Edition: Candy Cane (2007)

2009-11-11T16:28:00.002-10:00

Leave it to me to find a great deal on this Christmases-past charm over the summer, only to see it re-released (albeit in silver) this winter. I'm not too upset about it, though; this was my second LE 2007 Candy Cane as I had gotten one when they first came out. Why do I need/have two, you ask? I'll tell you in just a bit.

First let's talk about this charm. It's pretty perfect, save for the fact that the crystals are pink and not red. Would it have been better done in red? Possibly.. I mean the red and the white stripes are what makes candy canes so iconic. Red and white striped anything will usually remind people of candy canes, even if they're not shaped as such. But that's about my only complaint with this charm because I think the rest of it is perfect. The white enamel is smooth and makes for a great contrast against the chunky pink crystal stripes. The silver and crystal bow is a gorgeous little detail. It doesn't overwhelm the candy cane and adds an extra dimension of presentation to it, as if someone has wrapped this candy cane up just for you.

This charm was pretty hard to find at a decent price before it was revealed that it was being re-released in silver this season. The OCD part of me wants the candy cane in silver but I have resisted it thus far because they really are exactly the same except for the plating color and tag. Still, I think the gold is just a little bit shinier than the silver anyway. ;)

Now the good news. My amazing-summer-find Candy Cane was purchased just for Charm Candy! I'm giving it away and you have all of November to enter to win. Every comment you leave (from this post forward) will count as one entry. On December 1st a winner will be randomly selected, via the same method as last time. I know that seems like a long time away, but this gives everyone time to increase their odds and will be a nice little holiday surprise in the mail for someone by the time the deadline rolls around. Also, I'm hoping it will force me to return to my 1-a-day posting system I had going earlier this year. So comment away -- this is open to everyone (unless you're in Greece or Italy :[ .. mail mysteriously vanishes in that area too often)!

LE Tag Year: 2007
Price: 48.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU1459

Diversion: Betsey Johnson Duck Necklace

2009-11-11T15:58:00.003-10:00

I have returned! And with a little something special for today.

I've said it before and I'll say it many times more -- I love rubber duckies. When Nordstrom's holiday catalog appeared in my mailbox I found it stuffed with a whole Snow Bunny line from Betsey Johnson that I was swooning for as soon as I saw it. So when I went to check out the pieces online I found this little guy! Why, oh why Betsey Johnson, are there not more duck pieces??

Look at him. Or her? I'm not sure, but I have a tendency to make all animals male at first sight. Anyway, I have included two different sets of pictures because it's really rainy and overcast today which is my kind of weather, but makes for lousy pictures. The first two were taken with flash and you can really see how vibrant the colors are. The other three are natural light and may wash him out, but bring the details into better focus.

The classic yellow color on this one is perfect. It's bright and cheery and is accentuated quite nicely by the gold and orange detail on the wings. Be sure to click on the second picture to enlarge it so you can really get a sense of how amazing the blue eyes are. Perfectly clear ocean blue crystals really bring the face to life, in addition to the gold and orange beak. Topping off the head is a cute silver crown that is adorned with very small fuchsia crystals and orange hearts. But my favorite detail of all? The pearl necklace. At first glance it really looks like your standard little addition of pearls but when I was going through my photos I noticed small fibers on the back of the duck. At first I figured it was dust or an errant cat hair but then I realized that the pearls are actually on their own string and are tied in the back. That's right. The duck is wearing it's own pearl necklace. That kind of detail isn't something you see very often; usually these things are solidly attached in some way or another. This is both good and bad; good because it's just such a sweet finishing touch (to me) and bad because it increases the potential for the little pearls to pop off, and the string lends itself to fraying (hence the fibers). You can see the knot in the last picture.

I adore this ducky necklace. It's double stranded, all gold colored, and the second strand holds just a single crystal that doesn't overwhelm the charm. In fact I was so enamored with this that I totally forgot about the Snow Bunny line! Another bonus for this necklace is the price -- you really can't beat that these days.

Price: 35.00
Found at: Nordstrom.com (direct link to product page)

A Juicy Exclusive

2009-10-08T16:51:00.002-10:00

It isn't too often that Juicy produces pieces that are exclusive to their boutiques or website. It's even less often that they send out e-mails about it!

This is the only charm-related piece from their new exclusives.. other items include tracksuits and handbags, so you may want to check out all of their exclusives here.

I've never been wild about the engagement ring charms, despite my deep and undying love for diamonds. I won't be getting this bracelet but it's a really cute concept for those of you who are into the ring charms. The stone colors don't vary at all; they're all clear with the exception of one ring that has pearls. The cuts don't change much, either.. everything is pretty round. The band styles are somewhat similar, as well. The only really unique piece I see on the bracelet is the "flat" engagement ring on the right.

At $118 I would have expected a lot more detail and variety! The bracelet is available now at JuicyCouture.com.

I'm Dreaming of a Juicy Christmas

2009-10-04T16:22:00.007-10:00

The holiday blitz starts earlier and earlier every year and 2009 is no exception. This year we started seeing promo pictures and items creeping up as early as mid September! That's how I know that my Juicy Christmas list is going to be very, very long. Which is good and bad -- good because I love seeing what new stuff they're coming up with and bad because I never actually ask anyone to buy this stuff for me! My Juicy obsession is all independent. ;)

First on my list? This sparrow statue (available at Bloomingdale's). I love birds. I love pink. Mix them up and I'm sure to want it. I don't really care for the earrings so much; they're supposed to have small skulls on them but I will probably take them off and use this to either hang charms (weird?) or one of my other pairs of Juicy hoops. The sparrow also comes in a green color with silver hoops, and there's a bust statue that comes in pink and green, each one with a necklace. I couldn't make a decision on the bust based on photos; it's something I'd need to see in person. The face looked a little funny to me.

The next things I must have are the miniature charm sets (available at Nordstrom's)! I'm all over the travel and film ones and can't wait to see just how tiny the charms are. I don't care so much for the bracelet itself; I really just want to use the tiny charms in groups on a gold chain I have. I'm very very excited for these and hope that Juicy puts out a few more sets like this in different themes (maybe animals, sweet treats, under the sea?). The price for each set is a little steep at $78 but it's not bad if you break it down between the 5 small charms and bracelet.

Apart from those items, there are several charms on my list.. obviously! The present, the mitten, the ballerina, the gold cupcake, and the tiered cake. The bust statue was on there until I saw photos of it -- now I'm not so sure. But I pre-ordered it sight unseen on a whim so it's on it's way to me now. Fingers crossed that I love it waaaay more in person.

All of these items are currently in transit to my house, and I'm really excited to take pictures and coo about them when they get here. What's on your Juicy Christmas list this year? Leave a comment here and it will count as one entry toward the upcoming giveaway for the original Candy Cane charm (gold), which I will be posting more about later this week!

Stash: London Phone Booth

2009-10-04T16:04:00.003-10:00

With the first round of exams over I feel like I finally have some time to catch up on taking pictures and writing posts. So this Phone Booth charm probably isn't new to anyone by now, but it's still one of my latest additions.

If you've been to London you know what the deal is. I loved using the iconic red phone booths a few times while I was there; touristy it may have been but it was cool since phone booths are pretty much a thing of the past. I'm so thrilled that I can have a little tiny piece of London with me at all times now. The door doesn't swing open, which is disappointing, but the overall design is pretty realistic. There's not a lot of extra sparkle on this one; the only crystal is a super tiny one on the handle of the door. The Juicy emblem sits above the word "Telephone" on the front and the back. I think the bottom has the cutest logo, though. I can never get enough of that tiny crown.

You may recall having seen this charm previously on the Jet Set bracelet. Back then it was made out of a rather cheap plastic and did not have an individual clasp. Be really careful when buying this charm on eBay or any other secondary website -- the differences between the two versions should be pretty visible (especially since this one is made out of a good, solid metal), but it never hurts to triple check these things when buying a charm. The bottom of the tag reads C-LDN PHONE BOOTH CHARM -- the LDN stands for London.

Price: 48.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3129

Stash: Silver Cupcake (2009 Style)

2009-10-03T20:15:00.002-10:00

For sometime now there have been wistful sighs from charm collectors, wishing for a more realistic cupcake. Not that the older style isn't appreciated; it's just a little.. well, flat. So meet the new, improved, more dimensional cupcake!

I like it. I'm really into the whipped appearance of the frosting, and I love that they chose violet and yellow (contrasting colors) for the color scheme. I'm tickled with the yellow crystal "sprinkles" and the fact that this is a chocolate cupcake -- you can't tell from my photos, but there is just the tiniest hint of brown that lies beneath the edges of the icing. The inside top area is pink (a bit odd) and the rest is silver. The only thing that I'm not completely wild about is the size. This cupcake charm is HUGE! Smaller than a quarter, but maybe twice as big as the older cupcake charms.

Not everyone is into the silver charms, so have no fear: a gold version is set to be released this holiday season and can already be found on a couple of websites (S&Co) and in some stores. These are definitely some of the cutest food charms that Juicy has put out in awhile.

Price: 48.00
Box: Pink/Silver
Code: YJRU3177

Pink Alert: $25 off $100 or more

2009-10-02T15:29:00.005-10:00

Have you checked your e-mail yet today? If not, you might be pleasantly surprised to find an "invitation" to save $25 off of a $100 purchase at Juicy stores this week. The promotion is only good toward Juicy's "new collection" -- I really have no idea what exactly that means. The fine print is vague at best so I called my local Juicy to inquire. The SA said she thinks it's good on any $100+ purchase of regular priced merchandise. Yay! I'll be trying it out later today.. the boutique already has in the gingerbread house, candy cane, hot cocoa, and snowflake. And even though I already have the first three and don't really collect the snowflakes I'm possibly OCD enough to want the silver versions of the gingerbread house and candy cane anyway.

It's good to see Juicy upping the discounts they're offering.. they're finally putting themselves in a position to compete with online retailers still offering discount codes. I prefer shopping at the boutiques when the prices are right (or I can't wait) because the tax here almost always comes out lower than shipping prices. If you didn't get the e-mail just click on the picture to the left and it will open a larger version that you can print out and take with you.

Also -- I noticed today when I checked up on the blog that some of the Google Ads that came with the Google Ad feature are atrocious. Don't buy from any suspicious websites that pop up on there.. the only reason I enabled ads is to help offset the cost of any giveaways/promotions I decide to do and so far the blog has earned a whopping $2. ;) It's not a big deal - just download AdBlocker Plus for Firefox, keep it updated, and you will most likely never see them.

Archive: Owl

2009-09-22T15:32:00.002-10:00

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

Sorry. I couldn't resist. Meet the Owl. Loved by those who have him, highly sought after and hunted by those who want him. It's not hard to see why.

Juicy's interpretation is just perfect. Look at the framed eyes.. they're exceptional, with the little fringe "feather" rings and the bezel set pave eyes. I included the third photo so that you can see that, depending on the light, the eyes can either look true to color (a clear lemony yellow), or like a little chunk of onyx. When you're searching on eBay the eyes can be a key detail; ask for more pictures with and without flash of the face area for more clarification.

Blink and you'll miss it - his tiny gold beak is right between the bottom of his eyes. It points down to his puffy crystal chest, bordered by smooth, regal brown wings. You can see that on his back there is quite a bit of detail to suggest that he's properly covered in feathers. It looks almost like the texture of an acorn top or something, but the entire backside, top of the head, and wings you can see from the front are all smooth. I completely forgot until I started writing this -- the front opens! I included one picture and it's not the best, but there is no logo or anything inside of the opening that is important. I'm not even sure why it was necessary, but it's there.

Prepare yourself to pay a lot of money for this if you're buying it second hand. :( Unfortunately, as is the case with many of Juicy's past animal charms, an authentic one is hard to come by so the price is driven up. There are replicas of this charm floating around out there, so really do your research before committing to buying one.

Price: 48.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU1368

Stash: Chain Purse

2009-09-21T17:39:00.003-10:00

At last, I present to you the chain purse charm! You might remember that this is one of the very few purse purse/handbag charms that I was really into when it first popped up for pre-order on Juicy's website. I had some slight reservations about what exactly lurked beneath the fringe and now it's no longer a mystery.

This is a very simple charm; chain "fringe" all over with just a basic brown enamel shape beneath. I think the best details, however, are in the handles and the iconic "J" tag hanging on one side. If you like Juicy handbags at all, you'll recognize the J tag.. it is typically on every single Daydreamer (their most popular style) they ever produce. Sometimes it makes it onto other styles of bags, and now a charm!

I have a lot of brown leather bags, so I like the chocolaty color for this purse. It may be a summer release, but it definitely has that fall feeling about it. The handles are sweet and true to form.. what else could we ask for? Not much, I think. I'm really surprised by how much I like this charm, considering it doesn't have a whole lot going on. Probably not worth the suggested retail price, but you can nab it for 30% off if you hurry in to Juicy and mention their Friends & Family sale (it ends tomorrow!).

Price: 52.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3073

Limited Edition: Spider

2009-09-20T17:59:00.002-10:00

I have a terrible fear of bugs. I'm told it started when I was 4 or 5. Try as I might to find piece with the creepy crawlies that we share this earth with, I can't. I still shriek when one unexpectedly whizzes past me, and it's practically an instinct to jump up onto something should one scurry across the floor. I have, however, made a lot of progress with my resolve not to just outright kill them when I see them.

Especially spiders. Spiders are supposed to be good luck (so I've heard), and the wonderful Jes has some of the most adorable spider pictures I have ever seen -- she keeps them as pets! I'm not sure I could ever bring myself to do that, but I admire her for caring so deeply for something that seems so unconventional to me. So, I haven't killed one in ages - when I see them I let them continue on their merry way.

While I'm still not ready to keep one around as a pet, I am fully excited to (finally!) have the spider charm. I'm a little disappointed with the color scheme they chose (a black spider would have made for such an adorable "Juicy Widow" charm) since, presumably, this is a Halloween charm. It seems awfully light and chipper for something we usually associate with darkness and spooky things. I also think the design of the body is odd - spiders only have two body parts, not three. And why no facial detail, apart from the weird buggy gold eyes?

With all of these complaints, you'd think I wouldn't like this charm. Wrong! The concept is great and the web alone makes up for anything else that isn't so great. Look at the detail - like very tiny, delicate pieces of rope woven around and around. This is absolutely a fantastic Halloween charm. There aren't very many in existence and once they're gone they can be hard to track down again. So if you're going back and forth on this one, I say go for it!

LE Tag Year: 2009
Price: 52.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU3180

Stash: Pink Crown

2009-09-20T17:41:00.003-10:00

Look in any corner in my room and it's almost a given that you'll find something with Princess written on it. I think this is true for a lot of girls; most of us played fairy princess or watched Disney's princess movies relentlessly when we were children. Crowns, wands, and high heels that are four sizes too big are commonplace.

Having said all that, you'd think I would have been more into Juicy's line of crown charms than I actually am. The garnet and pearl ones just didn't interest me; they're quite beautiful in their own right but just weren't something I needed to have. This one, however, is a different story.

Perhaps it's the explosive use of color! First, there's the pink fuzzy lining. Possibly the same material they used to make the tennis ball charms; it's stiff and solid but you can feel that baby-chick kind of texture it has going on. Then we have all of the little "gems" that line the bottom of the crown. Starting from the large clear rhinestone in the middle it alternates blue and green all the way around. You probably can't tell from my pictures, but there's a blue gem at the top that's capped off with a little gold heart. Very cute. I thought that pictures on Neiman's website way back at the start of the summer showed some red stones on the crown, but I guess that was either a mistake or they decided not to add any red at the last minute. Still, this crown charm is unapologetically feminine and is bound to take us back to our days of playing dress up and make believe.

I wish there had been more light out when I took these pictures; the sun was just starting to set and I couldn't capture any of the sparkle from the large quantity of rhinestones used on this charm. I tried using flash, but that really washed out the gold and pink.

This charm charm perfectly encompasses what it means to be a girl, and probably conveys a lot of what Juicy stands for. Pink, intricate, sparkly, royal. The price is hefty but isn't as bad as it probably could have been, especially since so many of the new charms are coming out at the same price point.

Price: $52.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3178

Stash: Mouse & Cheese

2009-09-15T20:29:00.002-10:00

A smattering of nursery rhymes and children's stories come to mind when I look at this charm. Some, not so pleasant (Three Blind Mice, anyone?), and others quite endearing (The Mouse & the Motorcycle). So that, in combination with my love for all things animal, made this skyrocket to the top of my list when it first came out.

I wish I could say I was as wild for it in person as I was when I saw it online. For one thing, I'm not crazy about the clasp being attached to the mouse's head. The ring the clasp is attached to really overpowers the small mouse head and its intricate detail. I love love love the tiny mouse paws, though. Another thing I'm not all that pleased with is the cheese itself. Nicely portrayed, sure. But this charm is so light that you know the only real metal pieces on here are probably the clasp and the gold plating along the bottom. The mouse is also probably a metal of some sort, but not a very good one. The rhinestones in the holes are a nice touch, even if the lone one on the left side is a little too big for my taste.

This charm probably isn't worth the going retail price. I took advantage of the VIP 20% off coupon Juicy sent out a few weeks ago when I picked this and the mousetrap up. If Juicy ran these kinds of promotions more often I'd definitely be more inclined to purchase directly from them, even with having to pay sales tax. I don't think this one will disappear immediately; you're probably safe waiting it out for a bit in hopes of scoring a good deal.

Price: $48.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3175

Archive: Coconut Drink

2009-09-06T22:02:00.003-10:00

For some of you, a change of season is probably just about to roll in. It's not blistering hot anymore, but it's still warm enough for cooking out, kicking back in a lawn chair with your flip flops off, or lying around reading a book with all of the windows open. All of which everyone should feel free to do tomorrow since it's a holiday; Happy Labor Day (does anyone even say that?) to all of the US-ers out there. Might I suggest celebrating with a drink or two? ;)

I don't think I've ever actually had a drink out of a coconut, but I sure have had them dolled up and served in souvenir cups before, which is what the Coconut Drink charm reminds me of. The top portion is very similar to the Cocktail charm; the red cherry, the punchy red "drink", lime wedge attached to the clasp, and the golden straw. A few changes worth noting, though. For one, the straw is solid this time around. That bums me out a little bit since I thought the straw with the hole was such an amazing detail on the Cocktail charm. The umbrella has been replaced with a very sweet pink flower, which I didn't seem to capture well in the pictures. You can kind of see it in the middle photo; three little tiny pave crystals! A nice splash of sparkle in what is otherwise a pretty quiet charm.

The coconut itself is cute, but not much to rave about. I do like the color, ridges, and the glossy coating. The shape of the banner fits in nicely with the overall design.

Before eLuxury closed down they still had a handful of these in stock. If you're really lucky you may be able to find them still in stores, outlets, or on websites, even though this charm is from 2007. If you can't you can probably score one at a reasonable price on eBay.

Price: $48.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU1530

Stash: Mouse Trap

2009-09-03T22:01:00.004-10:00

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd want a mousetrap anything (other than the classic and terribly fun board game). I'm a big animal lover and cringe at the thought of getting rid of a household pet with this method, so I am super relieved that Juicy chose to gloss right over that and turn it into something adorable.

Behold! A sweet little engagement ring (or a just-because-I-rock solitaire ring) is ready and waiting for someone to try and snatch it up. No one's getting it though, regardless of how crafty. It is very securely attached to the charm, and both pieces of metal are thick enough that I doubt the ring would ever be able to just slip out. The top of the trap simply reads "juicy couture" and the back, as you can clearly see in the second photo, says "trapped in couture".

I think the concept is cute, and only one thing leaves me wondering -- shouldn't the girls be setting traps for boys and not the other way around? ;) Although I have no idea what you'd put in a trap for a boy.. possibly a DVR full of football games or a 6 pack of beer?

It's worth noting that the charm is HUGE. The pictures don't really convey that, but the charm and the clasp can't lay straight in the box due to its length. It's probably at least an inch long (if not slightly longer), maybe 1/4 to 1/2 an inch wide. The "diamond" is roughly equivalent to 1/4 carat.

Price: $52.00 MSRP
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3174
Season: Late Summer 2009
From: Juicy Couture
Misc.: Made in China, not intended for children under 12.

Limited Edition: Mushroom

2009-09-01T19:53:00.002-10:00

At the end of the day my resistance is futile. When the mushroom first came out I had made up my mind that I wasn't going to get one. After all, what do mushrooms really mean to me? Nothing.

But the talk of Alice in Wonderland slowly crept into my mind. Then pictures from everyone who had gotten one began to pop up. And there it was, whimsical and almost elegant, calling my name.

Still! I held out for as long as I could. Once I saw it in stores I was totally gone, though. I still have no real love for mushrooms (I think they taste gross) but I do love all things fairy tale, fanciful, and mythical. So instead of just another fungus, I choose to see this as a souvenir from some faraway land.

I LOVE the pearl and stud rhinestone detail. I even think that the white and gold contrast swimmingly with the murky brown color of the mushroom itself. The underneath of the mushroom is quite a sight as well, as it's quite detailed and mimics what the real deal looks like.

This one is already getting a little harder to find, but not impossible. You might be able to wait it out to hit the sale table but I'm not too sure that it will make it all the way to the outlets. If it does I'm pretty sure it won't be there for very long at all.

LE Tag Year: 2009
Price: 52.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU3131

Craving: Charm Box

2009-09-01T19:34:00.003-10:00

Between the avalanche of releases (Halloween charms out in August?!) and this must-have-one Charm Box, I think Juicy has finally realized that they have a very loyal base of customers who are primarily interested in one thing: charms.

I love the way this looks, but I'm torn. I am obsessive enough to have kept every single original box with each charm, save for a handful that came on bracelets that I no longer have. I'd really only have use for one box to keep these little individual charms in, but a part of me really wants a ton. I think I'll set my maximum cap at 2, though. One for storing the singles and another one to hold my most worn ones. Still, at almost $70 a piece I'm not sure that I could justify two at the end of the day.

Each one holds 18 charms, so I assume it's a two-tiered box. Juicy's site lists a "window top" in the description which makes me believe that it's some sort of plastic and not glass. That and the price may be the only things I'm not absolutely loving about this new couture container.

$: 68.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Buying at least one.
Plus One?: Soooo tempted..
Misc.: Fall 09 - listed ship date is 10/14.

Limited Edition: Bat

2009-09-01T19:21:00.002-10:00

As soon as rumors started circulating that a bat charm was going to be released my heart got a little fluttery. I love animal charms and knew that, regardless of what it ultimately looked like, I would launch myself on a quest to find it once it was out.

A lot of people have been disappointed that the wings don't open. You can add me to that category, but I don't mind it all that much. I think Juicy did a pretty good job capturing the likeness of a bat, save for one small thing - the face looks a little more like that of a mouse than a bat.

Still, I'm over the moon with his sparkly, sparkly wings and his sweet baby pink ears. So much so that I don't even care that it's a completely silver charm on a gold clasp. The back of the charm is smooth and shiny and reads "bite my couture" up near the top.

Bats aren't for everyone, so I don't see this flying (haha, pun fully intended) off the shelves right away. I do imagine that once this is gone it will be absolutely, gone though -- like most of the previously released animal/creature charms.

LE Tag Year: 2009
Price: 52.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU3179

Archive: Bucket of Seashells

2009-08-18T21:56:00.002-10:00

If only my little pink plastic pail that I filled with sand had golden seashells in it. It would have been one thrilled little kid at the beach!

Of course, I think that the bucket and shovel are one of the staple toys that most of us have had at some point. I'm mostly pleased with Juicy's take on this childhood classic. The blue and yellow colors contrast very nicely and the gold gives everything a little extra shine without being overbearing. The tiny shovel dangling from the side is, perhaps, the best detail of all.

What I'm not so fond of is what is inside of the bucket. The sand is kind of bland, and the shells might be a little more appealing if they were colored or at least varied slightly from one to the other. Not to mention that just one lone crystal sits in the middle of the starfish. What gives? They should have taken notes from the treasure chest charm or opening jewelry box charm that are filled with sparkly things and strands of pearls. A couple more shiny goodies would have looked quite nice atop the sand.

This charm is from last year's summer season, so you're unlikely to find it hanging around at the outlets or still available on websites. I wouldn't pay too much above retail; like many of last summer's releases, this one didn't fly off the shelves right away.

Price: 48.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU1767

Archive: Stone Crab

2009-08-13T22:59:00.002-10:00

Ahh, a hallmark of being at the beach. One of my favorite things to do in Galveston used to be running up and down the shoreline, watching all of the crabs scurry back into their holes as I came zipping by. Of course there were the occasional few that wouldn't stand for my shenanigans and stood their ground. For that reason I am ever terrified of crab pinches, but think they're pretty neat nonetheless.

I'm back and forth on this charm. Crabs come in all different colors, so I can't really complain about this one being blue and not a peachy or brick red shade. Plus I'm a big fan of turquoise and blues, so I'm rather fond of the stone in the middle. What leaves me feeling lukewarm is the silver accent surrounding the stones and on the claws. I've never been one for mixing gold and silver, so this charm ends up feeling unfinished to me.

What I do love is the way the claws and legs were carried out. They kept it simple but still made them fairly realistic (save for being encrusted with stones!). The pave crystals are a sweet detail, but just don't shine as much on this piece. It could be that the matte tone of the turquoise conflicts with their sparkly nature, or that they're set too far down for them to really stand out.

If you're a crab or a sea creature fan you'll probably have to resort to getting this second hand, as it was part of last year's summer releases. I wouldn't pay much above retail for it, though. It hung around in stores for quite awhile so don't fall for the old "rare!" ploy.

Price: 52.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU2542

Oh Really?

2009-08-11T22:16:00.005-10:00

Looking for an alternative?

Charm Candy launched its own private forum in April and it has become quite the serene and friendly environment. Anyone is now welcome to apply, but those who do not meet the minimum requirements will automatically rejected. If you do meet the requirements your application will be voted on by current members -- more than half will have to approve in order for you to be accepted. Charm Candy was, up until this point, exclusively invitation-only. However I firmly believe that there needs to be an environment where we can openly discuss our concerns about sellers, buyers, and charm things in general without hesitation. The Charm Candy environment is exceptionally friendly and I love that it has become a group of friends more so than just a board.

You can find requirements in this post: http://charmcandy.blogspot.com/2009/04/launching-charm-candy-exchange.html

If you would like to apply, please visit http://charmcandy.yuku.com and submit the application that has now been added to the above post.

If you're just looking for more charm filled goodness, stay tuned - I have more beach pictures of the seashell bucket and stone crab to post, as well as some newly acquired items (mainly the British charms and that chain purse I was crazy about). :)

Archive: Clam Shell

2009-07-30T20:48:00.002-10:00

Again with the pearls! I just can't get enough of them.

I think that is what is most appealing to me about this charm -- the sweet little white surprise hidden inside, marked with Juicy Couture across the front. I'm not sure that I've ever seen a clam so pretty in real life; they're usually more of gray and blue tones. But the milky white is quite striking against the fiery coral color. Gold line detail creates ridges that stand out very well, making the shell look almost like a fan. A small row of pave crystals adds some nice flare near the hinge.

I'm not big on clams. I giggle a little bit at the thought of a clam, not an oyster, having a pearl inside. Why did Juicy go with calling it a clam? We will never know. But this clam must be special, since it came embedded with bling and the little pearl that I love so much.

If you're looking to pick one up you don't have to look very hard. Most websites and stores probably still have these in stock, and at a discounted sale price. If you have to resort to the secondary market you probably won't even have to pay original retail.

Price: 52.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU2544

Archive: Octopus

2009-07-25T22:25:00.002-10:00

Before I get wrapped up in gushing about how much I LOVE THIS CHARM, let me say this: the beach scene pictures came out really cute but I'm not sure I'd repeat the trouble again to do another set. Why? First, the discomfort I felt carrying around the substantial worth of 4 charms. Second, I took them sans boxes which meant they were all wrapped up in a small towel -- but this still didn't prevent me from fretting over scratches and missing stones. Three -- the fretting over scratches and missing stones! Last but not least, fine grain sand is a real pain to get rid of. It finds every little crevice you never knew existed and hangs on for dear life. Since I'm utterly opposed to putting them in water the best solution is to have canned air on hand to air dust them with.

Now, on with Mr. Octopus. When he was first released last year there was a great deal of debate over the shape of his head. It is alien-like, sure, but not so unlike that of a real octopus. He seemed to be one of those charms where you either went head-over-heels or threw out a cold shoulder. Me? Obviously I was smitten.

I love the ocean and have a great deal of respect for the creatures dwelling in it. They're all equally fascinating and I especially love the way that an octopus can move. Just this summer I watched one sprawl himself back and forth over a glass window at the Dallas World Aquarium. I think it's something about the way the tentacles move so fluidly. Juicy picked up on this quite well, as you can see the bright detail that lurks beneath this little guy. His "suckers" have been replaced with crystals that stand out amazingly against the peppy blue hue of his body. Wispy gold detailing between each tentacle and around the head give a sleek glow all over, and lend a nice pop! to the dark black eyes.

He didn't sell out immediately but definitely became one of those "once it's gone it's GONE" charms. When you can find him for resale you better prepare yourself to pay at least full original retail, if not significantly above.

Price: 52.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU2662

Discount Code Showdown: The Battle Begins!

2009-07-25T22:13:00.006-10:00

The economy has been pinching everyone, myself not excluded. So it's no surprise that many of us are on the hunt for a bargain, whether it comes in the form of cash back, rewards points, free shipping, discounts, or even freebies with your purchase. Lately many of us have become accustomed to scores of deals as retailers try to boost sales with a wide range of incentives. But are some ready to scale back?

It looks like Juicy is putting the squeeze on retailers. After unsuccessfully trying to redeem a code at RevolveClothing.com and then inquiring about it, I got this e-mail:

Hi there,

Thank you for your inquiry. I do apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. Unfortunately, a number of designers have been added to our list of restricted brands earlier this year, including Juicy Couture, J Brand, Kicking Mule, Alexander Wang, and Preen. I am very sorry for the inconvenience but due to a manufacturer's request, we are not allow to apply any discounts/coupons on any of our restricted brands. If we would like to continue doing business with these designers, we must abide by their policies. We are very sorry for any confusion. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter. Please feel free to contact us if there is anything else I may further assist you with. Thank you for your interest in Revolve Clothing. We appreciate your business!

Regards,
Customer Service
RevolveClothing.com

Could this be a lame attempt by Juicy to boost sales at their own boutiques, which rarely ever offer a discount? Even the sales that they put out are lukewarm -- you're lucky if you find 5 pieces of jewelry on sale at any given time. Whatever the reason, it looks like the list of places where you can get charms at a discount has narrowed by 1.

Are Juicy Couture charms worth $50 a pop? Rarely, and the ones that are are often priced higher than that! I'm disappointed, and Revolve is in danger of losing more customers with every brand that is cut from their discount list.

So where can you still redeem discount codes? ShirleyAndCompany.com, ShopBellaBeach.com, MeringueBoutique.com, and ShopRapunzels.com. Bookmark RetailMeNot.com -- that's the best site to find discount codes if you don't have the time to ask around.

Diversion: Open Heart Rope Bracelet

2009-07-20T18:14:00.005-10:00

I wrote about these some time ago, and did pick them up at the boutique right after they'd been released. I passed on the black version but the small percentage of me with OCD is wishing that I hadn't.

I love, love, love the pink one! It's the most feminine shade of pink there is and makes for a sweet, flirty piece when combined with the open gold heart. The white isn't white so much as it is a very light cream or beige -- it's hard to tell from the pictures, but it definitely should not be described as white. For that reason alone I was a little disappointed with it, but got it anyway. The logo detail on the side is very subtle and small; you really can't see it unless you're specifically looking for it.

One thing to note is that, even when opened fully, these bracelets are fairly small. If you can wear the average sized bangle you shouldn't have a problem getting one of these on, and can cinch it up as much or as little as you need to. I wear mine as fitted as I can since I think they look quite odd when left all the way pulled open.

Pink
Price: 35.00
Box: None -- they come in small plastic bags
Code: YJRU3001

White
Price: 35.00
Box: None -- they come in small plastic bags
Code: YJRU3003

Archive: Script Pearl

2009-07-20T15:09:00.002-10:00

I love pearls. Something about the pure and clean look they retain makes me swoon. So here's my love for Juicy, as they took the traditional large pearl and dolled it up a bit with three rows of fancy script.

The top and bottom lines are the same; it reads Juicy Couture all the way around. The middle text reminds us why we collect charms: For Nice Girls Who Like Stuff. The color scheme is simplistic and fantastic -- you can't get much more classic than black and white.

This charm is still available in most regular retail stores, but be sure to check it very carefully before purchasing. Mine has a very small nick above the word "who" and while it isn't glaringly obvious it's enough that I know it's there. I guess I could be even more impressed that Juicy's fake pearls mimic the blemishes of a real pearl. ;)

Price: 38.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU2658

Archive: Tennis Ball

2009-07-19T22:04:00.003-10:00

Another underrated charm that I do so adore! When this charm first came out I was on the fence about it. I play tennis occasionally and have never really had an interest in watching the professionals play, so it's not like I was wild for the sport to begin with.

My mind changed when I got my hands on it. Why? If you can see it in the third photo, the material exactly replicates that of a fuzzy yellow tennis ball! How amazing is that? Maybe I'm just impressed with simple things, but I love that one of the most important traits of a tennis ball wasn't overlooked. It could have been plain enamel like it was on the tennis racquet charm, but it feels like Juicy took the extra step to make it feel more authentic. I also love the interpretation of the traditional white stripe into a sparkling circle of crystals.

This charm was later reproduced in a pink Limited Edition version, which is equally cute and fuzzy. The pink one is slightly harder to find than the yellow, but neither one goes for sky-high prices when you can find them for resale.

Price: 42.00
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU1529

On The Horizon: Lipstick

2009-07-19T21:45:00.004-10:00

Again, another re-release dipped in a different color.. but with a slightly different twist!

What's new? The actual lipstick color, for one. Juicy switched it up from a typical girly-girl pink to a hot fuchsia. Next? Gone is the boxy lower half, replaced by a wavy circular tube topped off with a row of crystals. The crown logo has been removed from the bottom and in its place is a patch of pave crystals.

The tube part has me curious, but I'm going to wait until I can see it in person. It's not a must-have for me yet and, once again, the price is a little steep for my liking.

$: 48.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Eyein' for now, but probably buyin' further down the road.
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/05.

On The Horizon: Chain Purse

2009-07-19T21:40:00.003-10:00

Finally! Something completely unexpected that has me very intrigued. I have always loved the chain detail Juicy uses to mimic different things - hair, tails, and now fringe!

I'm dying to see this in person, because I'm very curious to know what it looks like beneath the fringe. Is it just a curtain of metal, or does an actual purse shape lurk beneath? I must know. I'm also loving the handles -- this handbag charm looks pretty different from any other one they've done before. Excited!!

$: 52.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Buyin'!!!
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/12.

On The Horizon: Chinese Takeout

2009-07-19T20:17:00.002-10:00

I'll keep this short and simple, since this charm is pretty much a re-release in a different color. It's adorable, compact, and ohmygosh how sweet is the little fortune cookie inside?

Despite already owning the gold version I fully intend to pick up a silver one as well. Many dinners have come in those iconic little white takeout boxes and I'm looking forward to having both versions. It's available for pre-order on Juicy's website but has already hit stores and other retail sites so don't hesitate if you're after it!

$: 48.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Buyin'!!!
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/03.

On The Horizon: Double Decker Bus

2009-07-19T16:27:00.003-10:00

Oh. YES. I rode these both times I was in London, and it was always a different experience. The first time it was pretty warm and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The second time I thought I was going to freeze to death, but still got a pretty awesome view of all the sites from the top deck.

I'm over the moon about this one, so I can't wait to check it out in person and grab one. At this point it'd be fairly easy to assemble an entire British themed bracelet; between the boot, bus, phone booth, and the previously released teacup and teapot you're more than halfway there.

$: 52.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Buyin'!!
Plus One?: It really all depends on how much I love it when I see it, but maybe.
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/12.

On The Horizon: English Wellie Charm

2009-07-19T15:52:00.003-10:00

I'm pretty excited that Juicy kept with an entire theme for longer than two charms. The second of three in the British bonanza is the Wellie Boot.

I have no personal connection to this cutie, and I don't typically buy the shoe charms. I love the clasps and flag detail, though. The boot looks as if it might be rather small (in comparison to the lobster clasp - one looks to be just slightly bigger than the other), which would be a plus for me. I also think I spy ridge detail on the bottom, and that would be a great new addition for a shoe charm (most are just flat and smooth).

Still, I find myself wavering on the new ones in an effort to prepare myself for what I can only hope will be a total charm blitz come holiday season. This one is staying off my list for now, only because the price is high and I'm just not.. gasp.. a shoe girl!

$: 52.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Eyein'
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/12.

On The Horizon: London Phone Booth

2009-07-17T11:22:00.005-10:00

Finally! A piece from the Jet Set bracelet has made its way into the world of individual charms. Meet the little red London phone booth that I am already head over heels for.

I've had the extreme fortune to go to London twice, and actually used the iconic red phone booth a few times. It's cheery like the city itself and I absolutely love the punchy red color.

There's not much else to say about this charm -- after all, it is just a phone booth. Still I'm in love and suddenly find myself yearning to be back traversing the streets of lovely London.

$: 48.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Buyin'!!!
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/12.

On The Horizon: Unicorn

2009-07-16T16:05:00.004-10:00

I am sure that at least 90% of us went through that mythical phase as children where we drew unicorns and fairies and castles with princesses drawn in our image. I read all of Bruce Coville's books that took me to worlds where such things existed, so I'll admit that my inner child shrieked a bit when I saw this on Juicy's website.

I will wait to see this one in person, though. I kind of wish it were an entire unicorn rather than just a head and I'm not sure if I like the silver hair mixed with the gold horn and nose/mouth/eye detail. I'm also not wild about the price at all. The hair looks ornate but everything else seems to be lacking that "wow" factor so trying to justify the $52 tag will be hard.

$: 52.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Buyin'!
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/12.

On The Horizon: Trophy

2009-07-16T15:53:00.003-10:00

Although I won't be picking up this charm, I give a huge BRAVO! to Juicy for making a trophy for a non-specific reason. Is it a racing trophy? It surely will be for Nicole! Is it a riding trophy? Most definitely for you equestrians. The number one trophy for the world's best Scrabble player? Sure! Even though there's a horseshoe on the front, I think you could definitely get away with making it relate to whatever you want.

The only thing I don't quite understand is why Juicy decided to make it silver. Gold is traditionally the color reserved for first place or the winner, while second is usually second place. What gives? Cross your fingers and hope for a gold re-release sometime in the future, I guess!

$: 48.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Eyein'
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/12.

On The Horizon: Silver Shield

2009-07-16T15:44:00.004-10:00

Holy crackerjacks Batman, I'm alive! My sincerest apologies for being gone so long - I tend to totally disconnect whenever I go on vacation or I'm out of town. I had a great time though, and it feels good to be home now. Enough neglecting - on with the good stuff!!

Debuting in under a month is Juicy's rather pretty silver shield. That means a little something, given that I traditionally am not a fan of the shield charms at all. I think they'd be perfect for a Juicy employee to wear, or maybe for a die hard fanatic of the brand. I am neither and often pass on them. But there's something about this one that has piqued my interest. Is it the contrasting pink and silver? Possibly. Is it the sweet little banner that wraps around the middle and gives it some dimension? Could be. The shield keeps it cute and simple and would look great on a small handbag or clutch.

$: 48.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Eyein' for now, unless the price drops by quite a bit
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 08/12.

Yikes!

2009-07-06T05:54:00.004-10:00

Hey everyone! Sorry for the sudden stop in posting - I left for a two week vacation on July 1st and haven't been near a computer or my charms since then. Prior to that I was pretty busy so the blog had to take a backseat. :( I apologize! I am heading out to the Juicy outlet in Houston today, and will hopefully return with a great charm score. If the store has anything worth reporting I will add it to this post later on, along with their address and phone number. I hope everyone had a great July 4th!

Update: Nothing good at the outlet, unfortunately. Your standard array of outlet charms - the pave pear (though marked down to 19.99), suitcase, black evening shoe, purple heart, engagement ring, crown, key, chocolate covered strawberry, and a few others that weren't memorable. I was disappointed, but I wasn't expecting too much. The store has been open less than 2 years and has had the same stuff both times I've gone (and a year apart at that!).

Archive: Popsicle

2009-06-23T23:27:00.002-10:00

Sweltering temperatures are fast approaching for most of us, as June is coming to an end. Everyone beats the heat in their own way. Some of us grab a towel and head for the pool or beach, some seek shelter inside with the AC going, and some of us grab a sweet something from the freezer. If that last one is you then this charm is going to be a must-have.

Looking at these pictures now that I've uploaded them, I realize I should have used flash for this charm because what I'm showing you does the charm no justice. The translucent colors are vibrant and gorgeous. They have definitely captured that light and sugary feeling of a popsicle. The pave crystals are placed nicely and evenly on both sides (you might not be able to tell but each picture is of a different side!). Again my biggest complaint here is that they're just set within the plastic and will most likely fall out if enough (which is never much at all) force is applied.

The little gold bar with Juicy printed on it is a nice final detail. It reminds me of the classic popsicles that came with a joke on one side of the stick and the punch line on the other. Of course you had to eat the popsicle to see the answer, but I think that was half the fun of having the popsicle anyway. There is also a red, white, and blue version which is very patriotic and unfortunately not yet part of my collection. I passed on it because I figured one version was good enough but regretted it later on. One day!

Price: 35.00
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0747

Archive: Palm Tree

2009-06-19T00:06:00.002-10:00

Palm trees make one of the most beautiful sounds when the wind really picks up and blows them around. Combine that with afternoon waves at the beach and I'm set to nap in the sun.

This palm tree charm is pretty true to life. The coloring is great; although the trunk is actually gold and not brown it flows very nicely with the shiny green leaves. I'm also crazy about the way that the entire piece was sculpted; the detail is phenomenal and the top layer of leaves spin freely atop the rest of the charm. Little beads are attached in an effort to symbolize what I can only assume are coconuts.

Overall this piece is very simplistic and breezy, much like the beaches palm trees frequently line. A new version of the palm tree has since been released; it has quite a bit more gold coloring, pave stones, and pearl coconuts. I didn't pick that one up because I felt it was too flashy for a palm tree, if that makes any sense. It is very pretty in its own right but I'm good with the original for now.

Price: 45.00*
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0215

*This charm was produced prior to Juicy adding descriptive names to the bottom of their charm boxes. This is the code given on the box that the charm was in, but does not necessarily mean that this is the correct name, price and YJRU code for the Palm Tree charm.

Limited Edition: Beach Bag

2009-06-16T14:28:00.003-10:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but summer is in full swing here. To be fair, it's usually always like summer in Hawaii but you can really feel the sun kicking it up a notch by the time the end of May rolls around. So out come my beach-specific flip flops, roll-up bamboo mats, sunscreen, and of course a bag to tote it all around in!

This tiny tote was a Neiman Marcus exclusive, which made its debut when they were offering the Charm of the Month club last year. Luckily for those of us who didn't want to pay $300 for the set (some of the charms were pretty bland and not worth it) the idea seemed to fizzle out quickly and the charms were put up for sale individually. I grabbed a couple and this bag was among them.

Usually Juicy's bag charms hold little appeal for me, but I really really love this one. It's very simplistic and the colors are gorgeous. I'm not sure what the little white roll inside of the bag is supposed to be -- my best guess is a towel. The main piece of the bag is a translucent pink color which reminds me of jelly beach bags that are perfect for tossing in the sand. Spring green handles move freely on the bag and keep it attached to the clasp. Juicy's logo is printed on the front side of the bag and Love G & P is printed on the back. A very small but key detail is the traditional heart J tag; this is on most of Juicy's real handbags and is adorably mimicked here on the charm. If you have a summer-themed bracelet or necklace set going this charm would be a perfect addition as it fits right in with tropical drinks, sunglasses, and scuba flippers. Looking at it makes me wish I were at the beach right now!

LE Tag Year: 2008
Price: 38.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU1727
Misc: Neiman Marcus exclusive charm; NM logo is on reverse side of LE tag.

Archive: Blue Rubber Duckie

2009-06-15T17:49:00.003-10:00

Once again, I am showing off my geeky love for rubber duckies. Those little yellow fellows happen to be magnets that spend a good deal of time guarding my bathroom shelf. I still have my fingers crossed that Juicy will put out a traditional yellow duck charm one of these days.

Like its pink sister, this blue duck isn't truly blue; it's more of a deep turquoise and you can see that there's quite a bit of green influence. Nonetheless it's a beautiful color and seems to have held up better over time than the pink. My feelings on this duckie charm are pretty much the same as the other one, with one startling exception: the details are silver, not gold!

Yes, his eyes, beak, hair, and logo detail are all done up in silver. Does this go better with blue? Maybe. But it still looks a little strange to have the silver accents mixed in with the gold clasp. Apart from that I have no complaints. I love rubber duckies and I think Juicy did a nice job with the two (so far) that they have produced.

Price: $40.00
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0854

Archive: Cupcake

2009-06-14T16:02:00.002-10:00

It must have been fate when I pulled this charm off my shelf, given that I spent most of Thursday baking cupcakes like there was no tomorrow.

So, meet what I am pretty sure is the first cupcake charm Juicy ever put out. The frosting color is a little bland in comparison to other colors that they have since come out with (pink, lavender) but the cherry is a very fantastic and unbelievably small detail. "LOVE G&P" is printed across the top in black lettering, and the Juicy logo is stamped onto the bottom of the cupcake (not pictured). Open this tiny sweet treat up to reveal another Juicy logo and unfortunately nothing else.

I don't often see this version for sale anymore, but I would guess that's because the newer colored cupcakes are easier to get. I'm really not a fan of the pastel yellow frosting, which has an almost green tint to it under certain lighting. I also think the cherry is a little out of place, but it s a very iconic Juicy symbol so I can see how it wound up there. Juicy has re-done this cupcake several times in different colors but has never changed the overall style. I think most of us would like to see a new cupcake with tall whipped up frosting with sprinkles, or even a candle. Cupcakes are HUGE and are loved and adored by many. If Juicy were to revamp this charm I think it could be quite phenomenal.

Price: 40.00
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0564

Archive: Ice Cream Cone/Gelato

2009-06-11T22:32:00.003-10:00

Last summer I was fortunate enough to spend almost two weeks cruising the Mediterranean, stoping in Rome, Venice, Athens, Mykonos, and Split. Every stop was vastly different from the previous; the archiecture was never the same, the people were never the same, and the shopping was definitely different everywhere! The only constant throughout the entire trip was gelato. Dozens and dozens of gelato stands.

I will admit that I have not always loved this charm. It's chunky and large, and I usually prefer dainty and detailed pieces. However, after having seen real Italian gelato I have to say that they pretty much nailed it. The colors are smooth and creamy and the green and brown scoops look like they've just barely started to melt. Now, I've never seen a pave cherry on top of any dessert I've ever ordered but I wouldn't complain if I did.

The sun outside wasn't cooperating with me when I took the pictures, so I did have to use flash. That made the colors seem a little brighter than they are in real life, but they're still pretty close. The bronze (pink?) scoop is pretty true to life and is one of the most unusual colors I think I've ever seen Juicy use.

Even though the bottom of the box is tagged as "Ice Cream Cone" there is printing around the rim that reads "Juicy Gelato." If you're searching for it on eBay you might try searching for gelato first, because ice cream cone will yield many more useless results (two more ice cream cones have since come out, plus an ice cream cup and the silver ice cream cone is on its way).

Price: 45.00
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0764

Stash: Cherries (Pink Pave)

2009-06-09T15:34:00.002-10:00

GASP! I began to find myself in a panic last week when my Juicy store said they didn't have the new pink cherries charm in and pretty much didn't know what I was talking about. They hadn't appeared on any of the websites yet, and although a few tPFers had already scored them I couldn't hunt them down if my life depended upon it. So I called some more and tracked down one single pair at Nordstrom's and had them put on hold.

When I went to pick them up today there was actually a second pair out on display so I scooped it up and am still debating what to do with it. Little E doesn't care much for cherries so I doubt she'd love it (even if she is a big fan of the sparklies). For now it will just have to join my second whale in charm limbo.

I'm absolutely smitten with just about everything, from the dual-toned green leaves and the deep, luscious pinks and almost purples that are used on the cherries themselves. The first picture was taken out in direct sunlight, so you can see the dimension and brilliance of the stones (even if they are just plain old rhinestones/crystals I think Juicy uses a good quality and mounts them nicely). The other two pictures were taken inside, with natural daylight. Juicy's iconic banner is strung across the larger cherry in such a subtle manner that it isn't noticeable unless you're either looking for it or happen to be fairly close.

What else do I love? For one, that it's a gold charm and not silver. I have nothing against silver and often prefer white gold pieces when it comes to fine jewelry. But for this charm I think the gold suits it perfectly, especially on the stems. I also like that both stems and the leaves are all freely connected by jump rings, meaning that they will swing and hang as they please.

Now, for my double edged sword. The crystals have a glaze over them, which is especially detectable around the top of the charm. You can feel the smoothness the best at this point, and it seems to thin out the further you go down the cherry (the settings are easier to feel). On one hand, I'm ecstatic about the glaze because I will have no reservations about actually wearing the charm. On the other hand, the glaze kills a little bit of the dazzle from the crystals. It's not enough to be upset over, but you can note a visible difference between this charm and other pave charms (such as the pineapple) that are not glazed.

This charm appeared on Nordstrom's website today -- actually, as soon as I came back from shopping. Go figure! S&CO is rumored to be getting them in soon, and SBB promised a new charm shipment sometime this month. If you can hold out and grab them at a discount that'd be great! However, given how hard it was to locate these to begin with you may want to get one while you can find it. I have no doubt that this charm will go fast and resell for a higher than retail price once it's out of stores. I would wait awhile to take your chances on eBay, though, as fakes were coming out of Hong Kong quite awhile before this was actually released by Juicy. If you do find one on eBay that you think is the real deal, don't hesitate to ask for pictures of the barcode tag to verify the YJRU code.

Price: $52.00 MSRP
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU3075
Season: Summer 2009
From: Nordstrom's
Misc.: Made in China, not intended for children under 12.

Limited Edition: Nutcracker

2009-06-07T17:52:00.003-10:00

I had originally wanted to hold off on posting my LE holiday charms until closer to December. But the collector in me knows that these will probably start appearing on eBay by September or October, so I hope you hunters will be properly armed with information before you seek them out.

This little guy is and will always be one of my absolute favorites. Christmas is my favorite holiday, so perhaps that's why I'm so enamored with all of the holiday charms. It could also be that this guy is just TOO cute!

Let's start with the face. The eyes and nose are dainty, but the handlebar mustache is exquisite. Golden fringe lines the back of his head, beneath his very tall and proper hat. Now how about the uniform? Perfect, perfect, perfect! His festive red coat is trimmed with golden accents -- I think the thin little belt and buckle are my favorite. White pants and black boots finish off the outfit but another important detail lurks around the back: the "nutcracker" lever! Unfortunately it doesn't move (which I suppose is good since technically this charm has no mouth), but I still think it's great that it was included.

The Nutcracker's limbs do move, although the legs are very limited in their range. The arms are hinged together so they move at the same time and height, but note that they will not swing backward.

Now the bad news. Prepare yourself and start saving your pennies now, because this little guy has had a very high resell value ever since he could no longer be found in stores. Set up a saved search on eBay and don't wait until December, because the price will only increase exponentially as it gets closer to the holidays.

LE Tag Year: 2006
Price: 45.00
Box: Gold/Pink
Code: YJRU0927

Archive: Nesting Doll

2009-06-07T17:28:00.002-10:00

Gone are the days when this little cutie would fetch hundreds of dollars on eBay. Not because it isn't loved or still longed for, but because Juicy re-released this charm last year. Note that the information I will list at the bottom with the YJRU and price pertain only to the original release, which came in the black and blue box.

I like this charm, and I think that the face is one of my favorite features. The eyes and lips have a great amount of detail, and the amount of hair they added is perfect. What I'm not so crazy about, though, is that the doll opens up to reveal.. absolutely nothing. The hallmark of a Russian Nesting Doll is that, well, they nest! The biggest doll is always home to a family of smaller ones that neatly fit inside of one another, until you get to the smallest one of all. Having this charm totally empty inside is a bit of a let down, especially since we've seen Juicy add very small pieces to the insides of charms (such as the piece of candy inside the Pinata charm).

The Nesting Doll charm is sizable; it comes in at well over an inch tall and has a significant amount of weight to it. It might be too heavy to wear on a fine chain, but will be just fine for a starter bracelet or the charm catcher necklace.

Price: 60.00
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0832

Diversion: Fortune Necklace

2009-06-06T20:20:00.004-10:00

This little necklace and box set is quickly climbing its way to the top of my wish list.

In case you missed it, Juicy released hinged cupcake boxes that came with either a pair of earrings or a necklace awhile back. They didn't exactly fly off the shelves, but they went quick enough that resellers on eBay made a tidy profit once they could no longer be found.

Will the same thing happen with these new fortune cookie boxes and necklaces? Not sure, but I'm definitely liking them. I especially like that each fortune cookie comes with a different fortune necklace. Here's a rundown of what they are:

Fortune Royalty (pink, pictured above): "You Will Always Be Surrounded By Royalty."

Fortune Fairest (blue, not pictured): "You Are The Fairest."

Fortune Don't Know (white, not pictured): "You Don't Know What You Got 'Til It's Gone."

Fortune Lighten Up (yellow, not pictured): "Lighten Up Be Juicy."

Note that the Royalty and Lighten Up sets are gold, while the Fairest and Don't Know sets are silver. I'm definitely going to need at least one, if not two. At $68 a pop I will definitely have to be choosy about which ones, though. You can see pictures of the other colors on the New Arrivals page at NeimanMarcus.com.

Diversion: Bow Bracelet

2009-06-06T20:08:00.003-10:00

This popped up on the New Arrivals page at Neiman Marcus. I was intrigued, but to tell you the truth it looks better from far away (or, in this case, I guess smaller)

The colors -- or lack thereof -- are rather dull and the textures of the ribbon leave something to be desired. Still, I'm intrigued and wonder what this will look like in person and on the wrist.

Asking price is $78, which I find to be rather ridiculous. Even starter bracelets don't cost that much and have a more versatile purpose. If I do end up liking this when I see it in person I'll be searching for it at a sizable discount.

On The Horizon: Notebook

2009-06-06T19:47:00.002-10:00

Joanne's wishes have been answered! How lucky is she, that Juicy nailed it on the head - a notebook with a writing instrument attached!

It is cute, although it looks like the spirals seriously outweigh the actual notebook itself. I'm really curious to see how the inside of the book looks, and a closeup of the pen/pencil. It'd be awesome if Juicy added a few pages to the inside that flip (like the Look Book and Diary), but I'm thinking I may be hoping for too much with that one.

$: 52.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Eyein' until I can see it in person.
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 07/15.

On The Horizon: Silver Soccer Ball

2009-06-06T19:39:00.002-10:00

This charm has got everything except the "borrowed" part from the whole "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" line. Old would be the style - a pink soccer ball in gold was released some time back and is still available on a few select websites. The new bit would be that it's a re-release, dressed up in silver. And the blue? Well, I hope that's obvious.

Again, I'm not wild about soccer so this is a pass for me. It's great for you soccer fans though, since now you will have a choice between both metal colors and blue and pink.

$: 38.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Eyein'
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 07/15.

On The Horizon: Football Helmet

2009-06-06T19:32:00.005-10:00

Ready! Set! Hike!

The only sport I'm really a fan of is ice hockey, but I have to give props to Juicy for trying to include their more athletic fans. This helmet will make a nice addition to the LE Football that was released some time ago. Note that this charm is also LE so you might want to scoop it up whenever you get the chance. The football didn't sell out immediately, but very few (if any at all) made it to the outlets.

Again, it would have been nice if Juicy had included other views of this charm on their website. Hopefully it looks just as realistic from the front as it does from the side.

$: 48.00
Where: Pre-order from JuicyCouture.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Eyein'
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: late Summer 09 - listed ship date is 07/15.

On The Horizon: Pink Crown

2009-06-06T19:18:00.002-10:00

Color me surprised, but I'm excited about this one! I've passed on the previous crown charms (and if I can recall correctly they are the large pearl one, the red-stone one, and the tiny tiara/ring inside of a case), but the cheery colors of this one have got me interested.

It's no secret that I like pink, but I'm really liking the way they combined the turquoise and blue colored stones. I do wish they had photos from another angle, or at least a back and front view. I guess I'll just have to wait until it comes out.

It's available for pre-order on Neiman's website and you can get free shipping on any purchase with the code NMSHIP.

$: 52.00
Where: Pre-order from NeimanMarcus.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Buyin'!
Plus One?: Probably not.
Misc.: Fall 09 - listed ship date is 09/11.

On The Horizon: Silver Ice Cream Cone

2009-06-06T19:08:00.006-10:00

Well, there's not much to say or rave over for this one. It has already been released in gold, and can still be found in most regular boutiques and department stores. If you're trying to expand your silver collection this would be a good one to start with.

It's up for pre-order at Neiman's, and you can get free shipping on any item right now with the code NMSHIP.

$: 48.00
Where: Pre-order from NeimanMarcus.com
Buyin' or Eyein'?: Eyein', already have the gold version.
Plus One?: Nope
Misc.: Fall 09 - listed ship date is 09/11.

Archive: Ballet Shoes

2009-06-06T18:44:00.003-10:00

Quite possibly one of the most underrated charms, I believe. Maybe because this one has been available for years, or maybe because ballet is a narrow interest. Personally, I did seven years of jazz, ballet, and tap before giving it up (ironically enough, I wanted nothing to do with the en pointe shoes).

These shoes are far less intimidating than the real deal, which have wood in the toes (ouch!). The baby pink enamel is incredibly elegant and smooth, which is interrupted only by the pave crystals that outline the edges. The ribbon seems like overkill at first, and can get a little unwieldy as it is looped through both shoes and the jump ring attached to the clasp. This means that the shoes have no real movement; they sit/hang pretty much the way you see them in the first photo. The bottom of the slippers hold a little more detail - I love the petite stitching near the toes! Juicy is printed on each one, just in case you forgot for a second. ;)

I can see how this charm isn't for everyone. The shoe charms aren't really my thing to begin with, but I picked these up a long while ago because I loved ballet so much when I took it. I sometimes wonder if I should have tried en pointe before writing it off but this charm gets me close enough to not wonder too much.

Price: 50.00
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0746

Charm Candy: Private Sale

2009-06-05T15:33:00.004-10:00

First, I apologize for the drop off in posts again. Hopefully I will have the ballet slippers, a few new pre-order charms, and maybe a specially LE holiday charm profile up later today. Until then, I wanted to announce that CC is looking for a new home for three charms that have already been profiled.

If you are interested in either the Pave Lips, or original Look Book then you're in luck - both are ready to go out the door, in their original box with foam stuffing. I am advertising them here before I head to Bonanzle or eBay. You can send your highest offer to charmcandyblog@gmail.com. TPF members will receive free shipping, so long as you can provide me with an ACTIVE tpf ID that has posted on the thread more than 10 times. Descriptions of each charm are in their individual posts; use the label tags to find them. Everything is absolutely, no doubt about it 100% authentic. ALL OFFERS will be kept private, and I will remove this post if I can find a new home for all of them.

Stash: Carousel Horse

2009-06-01T18:23:00.006-10:00

Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe it's just the horrific week I've had. Either way, this charm screams EPIC FAIL! to me.

I kept hoping, with fingers crossed, that when this showed up and I could see it up close I would be pleasantly surprised. No such luck. It might be easier to talk about what isn't wrong with this charm, but I will outline my complaints anyway.

1. The colors. Red and blue?? Everything Juicy touches has practically been drowned in feminine colors and frilly fanciness. The first photo gives the illusion of a turquoise and coral scheme, which I might even take over the real deal. I think the primary color choices are terrible, especially paired with gold. (Red, yellow, blue.. never very appealing unless you're craving Hot Dog On A Stick.)

2. The eyes. Why the creepy slanty eyes, Juicy? Horses have gorgeous, large eyes and you've pulled it off before with the pegasus, deer charms, and rocking horses. So what gives? Felt too lazy to do anything more than a quick line on each side? It really lends a menacing look to the horse.

3. The saddle. It seems that someone found a Bedazzler and went overboard. I normally love Juicy's detailed crystal work but this just looks sloppy and tacky.

4. The ears. They're practically nonexistent.

5. The mane. Most carousels that I have been on or seen feature animals that are sculpted in some sort of action pose. So why not fan out the hair and give it some life? A wild, blowing mane could have really added some much needed pop to this piece.

6. The missing pole. This isn't such a big deal to me, but I know it is to a lot of you out there. You refuse to buy it without the traditional pole in the center and I don't blame you. After all, the pole is what most identifies it as a carousel horse, isn't it?

Am I returning it? Sadly, no. I pre-ordered during Bloomingdale's F&F so I managed to get it at a decent discount (plus there is no Bloomie's in Hawaii so returning it could become a pain). I grew up with a room stuffed full of carousel horses, so I'm keeping it for sentimental purposes rather than aesthetic ones. I am supremely disappointed in it, though. This charm could have been so much more, and definitely could have been on the same popularity level as the Panda had they put more thought into it. I'll take a premature leap and label this one the biggest downer of the summer.

Price: $58.00 MSRP
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU2989
Season: Summer 2009
From: Bloomingdales.com
Misc.: Made in China, not intended for children under 12.

Archive: Sunglasses

2009-06-01T18:21:00.003-10:00

Ehhhhh. I have thought many times about selling these, but the resale value typically barely comes close to original retail. Therefore, they still have a home with me for now. They're cute, and I think they'd be perfect for either someone who really wants them, or someone younger than myself.

I'm not sure why I don't love them, but I think a big contributing factor are the amber lenses. (Really.. how often do amber and hot pink combinations exist harmoniously?) I'm also not a big fan of the chunky legs that suddenly taper off into tiny stems. The "Juicy" logo on the outside of the left leg makes that side feel heavy, and seems unnecessary. A sweet little detail, however, are the gold plates on the insides of the legs - the right one reads "Juicy" while the left one says "American Princess."

Price: 40.00*
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0692*

*This charm was produced prior to Juicy adding descriptive names to the bottom of their charm boxes. This is the code given on the box that the charm was in, but does not necessarily mean that this is the correct name and YJRU code for the Sunglasses charm.

Hiatus

2009-05-25T22:12:00.002-10:00

Hi girls.. due to some very unexpected circumstances, CC is going on hiatus for awhile. I hope to be re-posting within a week, but I'm not sure.

Tori

Tips For Navigating eBay

2009-05-24T23:52:00.004-10:00

Unfortunately for you and me both, today was overcast at best so I didn't have an opportunity to take any pictures. I don't want to leave you hanging, especially since it's a long weekend here in the US! So I'll leave you with a quick list of tips for searching for and purchasing charms on eBay. Most of us have resorted to the evil auction empire at least once or twice in pursuit of an impossible find, so I wouldn't be shocked at all if most of you guys already know these things. In case you don't, though, I hope these help you to weed out the real deals from the duds.

1. Search keywords are essential. If you simply type in Juicy Couture charm you'll get back 1,500+ hits. I don't know about you but I don't have that kind of time! To trim down your results, try this string: "Juicy Couture" charm -fit -fits -like -italian. You'll still have quite a few results, but we're cutting them down slowly. You can also add -silver to the string if you have no desire to search for silver charms; this might reduce it by 100+. Unfortunately, adding -gold to your search won't do much of anything, as sellers rarely put GOLD in the title since that's what a majority of Juicy's charms have been.

2. The category on the left hand side is super handy. Selecting the "jewelry & watches" category will toss out 300+ items. Select "designer brands" and you've eliminated 200+ more.

3. Get picky. Don't want a necklace, bracelet, or earrings? Just add the minus symbol (-) before each of those words and add them to your search query. I don't usually do this because you run the risk of missing charms that have weird titles (such as "BRAND NEW JUICY COUTURE ____ CHARM FITS BRACELET/NECKLACE" and what have you), or missing charm lots that people are selling in addition to a bracelet or a necklace. However, the more you narrow your search results the faster you may find what you're looking for.

4. Be specific. If you know the charm you're after put the name of it in the search box. Some older charms that came without names on the label can be tricky - the fawn is sometimes listed as a deer, snowglobe and waterglobe are interchangeable, and then you have the problem of when two or more versions of one charm exist (the cupcake, the nesting doll, shoe charms, t-shirt charms, bag charms, etc).

Once you have found an auction that you're interested in, you should do a few things before placing a bid.

1. Location is everything. I'm not saying that there are no honest sellers in Asia, but this is the number one red flag for any Juicy Couture charm auction. A high volume of fake items also come out of the UK. Having said that, this does not mean that all U.S. sellers are on the up and up; you should always use other sources of information to determine if a charm is legit or not. But I personally feel it's best to avoid overseas transactions all together, especially since returning an item to get a PayPal refund could be an expensive nightmare.

2. Feedback is there for a reason! It deserves more than a quick glance - you can look up completed auctions this way, as well. If a seller has ridiculous quantities of feedback and you're only interested in the negative ones, bookmark and use Toolhaus.org, which will display only the negative and neutral feedbacks that a seller receives.

3. "BRAND NEW!" doesn't always mean brand new. Several of the well-known Juicy resellers on eBay bid on Juicy auctions themselves and then relist the item for a greater price than they paid. This can mean all sorts of trouble for you; the item could be fake, damaged, or not in the pristine condition that you were expecting. Use eBay's Advanced Search feature (and search for items by bidder) to see what your potential seller has been bidding on.

4. "RARE!" rarely means rare. There are absolutely HTF charms out there, but almost every listing you'll come across has RARE in the title, whether it is or not. I think there's a misconception that this will draw in more watchers or bidders and while that could be true I am fairly certain that most of us are wise enough not to fall for the RARE! ploy. Charms become rare when they're past season (think all of the black/blue boxed ones and charms that are 1+ years old), or when they inexplicably disappear in a heartbeat from stores (like the whale). And this is super important: sellers out of HK love to list the not-yet-released charms as RARE! and you might think they are, because there's only one or two on eBay or because you've never seen it before. Don't fall for this. More often than not the real thing is just a few months away from hitting reputable store shelves.

5. If one is good then two must be better? Wrong! One seller with multiples of any charm is a red flag. I'm not saying you should automatically rule them out, but I am telling you to check their completed listings and feedback extra carefully. They definitely could have picked up a handful on sale or from the outlet but if you're seeing someone with 3 or more of the same charm consistently selling then I'd be inclined to ask for more pictures - perhaps of the actual charm you'd be receiving. Don't be afraid to ask where the charms came from, either. It seems rude but it isn't - you have every right to know as much as possible about your purchase.

So you've bid and you've won - congraulations! Let's wrap this up with a few more suggestions.

1. Your credit card is your only real recourse. PayPal does provide protection for most purchases, up to a certain dollar amount. Should you receive a fake and successfully win a SNAD claim, PayPal will reimburse you -- but ONLY if the seller still has funds in their account. If they don't? Well, you're plum out of luck. So always pay with a credit card and don't fear filing a chargeback in the instance that PayPal can't refund your $.

2. Reject off eBay requests. If your seller contacts you and offers to give you a discount in exchange for an off-eBay transaction (or if they offer you a second chance to buy an item you didn't win outside of eBay), deny deny deny. There are plenty of honest people out there who just want to save a little on ridiculous fees, but it's hard to know who they are. If you do complete a transaction outside of eBay and something goes wrong, PayPal will only cover you if the item was never delivered. Everything else is to be handled at the seller's mercy.

3. Don't pay in installments. Plain and simple -- you, the buyer, will not be covered with PayPal's protection guarantee if you split up the amount you owe into more than one payment.

4. Thoroughly check your item before leaving feedback! Bait-and-switch scams are still alive and kicking, so make sure you really look over your charm before you leave any sort of feedback. I think our thread at tPF is pretty good at helping people to authenticate when they need it, so don't be afraid to ask.

I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend, and I hope all of my American girls enjoy Memorial Day!

Archive: Aloha Juicy

2009-05-24T02:50:00.003-10:00

When this charm first came out and was being called a snow globe I was excited to see it and felt disappointed when the shape was more dome than circular, but I got over it. Now I am immediately taken back to cheap souvenir stores and stands I encountered as a child whenever I look at this.

I think the best part has got to be the tiny pearls that represent the iconic "snow" inside of the globe. Having said that, it may be the only thing that I really love about this charm. Why? My biggest irritation is the plastic dome itself. Despite virtually no use (I've taken it out a handful of times to photograph it but have never worn it around) the casing is easily scratched and creates a cloudy surface, which distorts the pieces inside. I also hate the way it hangs -- it just looks weird! Another downside to this charm is that the small pearls do get stuck in the back, as you can see in the middle picture. It takes a whole lot of shaking to dislodge them.

The concept is awesome and the artwork inside is really, really cute. But if Juicy had put a little more thought into their materials and execution (adding a clasp to the top doesn't seem like it would have been that hard) they could have really hit it out of the park with this one. That isn't to say that my complaints take away from this charm; it is still pretty hard to obtain, and very pricey when you can.

Price: 55.00
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0789

Diversion: Garden Party Ring

2009-05-24T02:21:00.003-10:00

If you're new to the world of Juicy, you might not know what a feat it was to get your hands on a piece from the Garden Party line last year. My sweet friend Lulu shares my pain, as several e-mails flew back and forth between us whenever we found the pieces online. Even as they were being sold in stores, pieces on eBay were going for twice the MSRP! I passed on the bracelet, which I occasionally regret, but did grab the ring when it was available on the Neiman Marcus website.

Even though this ring is HUGE and busy, I really do love it. It reminds me of the flower scenes in Alice in Wonderland, where the area is packed with color and cheer (well, up until a certain point anyway). I especially love the one lone pearl thrown in at the bottom - you would think that it would seem out of place but it fits in smoothly with the white coloring that takes up a big portion of the ring.

My only complaint about this ring is that it's so chunky and flashy that it's definitely not an everyday ring. You really need to have a coordinating outfit or look to wear it, otherwise it appears really out of place. Unless you have the matching bracelet, you also will want to avoid other jewelry when you've got this on, or risk looking too accessorized (yes, I believe there is such a thing!).

I do have bad news for you if you're hunting for this ring: the average price on eBay hovers consistently in the $130 range. Unfortunately there's really no chance of finding this at outlets, since it sold out almost immediately when it was brand new.

Price: 88.00
Box: Pink/Brown
Code: YJRU1859

Sweet: Winner!

2009-05-23T12:54:00.003-10:00

We have a winner (Watk6022 from tPF)! Hmm, I wonder if this means she should go get the Lucky 7 charm now? ;)

In case you're curious, all of the blog comments are counted first, followed by Facebook comments, and then CCE members' bonus entries are added at the end. Duplicate comments are not counted on the blog (which is why I removed a few, it's nothing personal!).

I'm sorry for all of you who didn't win, but I look forward to holding another contest soon. Sometime in November I will be holding another one for the 2007 LE Candy Cane charm, so keep that in mind if you don't have it already! It's definitely a must-have holiday charm.

I hope you all are having a nice weekend - posts coming later today include the Aloha Snowglobe and the Garden Party ring!

CC

Sweet: Contest!

2009-05-19T21:21:00.009-10:00

Between the release of summer charms, the discount and freebie, and other things that are going on, I've had a really good week. And I want to share that with you.

Charm Candy is holding its first ever contest - I'm looking for one lucky person to adopt the very sweet Panda charm! This contest is open to everyone (however the charm cannot be shipped to Italy or Greece due to delivery issues)!

Simply leave a comment here (you do not need an account to leave a comment; I changed the settings) with one of the following:
1. Your e-mail address or
2. Your tPF ID or
3. Your eBay ID

You can earn an additional chance to win by joining Charm Candy's Facebook page and leaving a comment there (you do not need to disclose any identifying information when entering via the Facebook page). Once you've joined please feel free to add photos of your collections or favorite charms, start discussions, and meet other Juicy charm collectors! Invite your friends to join, and direct them back here - the more followers & readers there are, the more often I can arrange contests!

Entries for this contest will be accepted until Friday, May 22nd 2009 at 11:59pm HST. The winner will be randomly chosen (through random.org) and notified on Saturday, May 23rd! I will ask that if you are not interested in the Panda charm or are looking to win just to re-sell that you do not enter. The spirit of Charm Candy is to share and assist one another, not take advantage. :) Good luck to everyone!

Stash: Panda

2009-05-19T21:06:00.003-10:00

I am trying really hard not to pull a tween moment here and shout out OMG! But I want to.

I adore animals, and I've loved just about every animal/creature charm Juicy has produced. This one is no exception, and has quickly shot up my list of must-haves. I knew I had to have him when he first started popping up online, but I didn't know just how great he'd be.

The panda charm is dainty; his entire seated body fits inside of a quarter, minus the lobster clasp. He is on the heavier side, but I imagine that's because he's solid. He is jointed like a regular teddy bear, with silver hinges keeping him all put together. You can see in the third photo that the logo is stamped on his bottom, and his paws actually have silver heart shapes on them. Between those bright green eyes and his sweet little smile, he will be very hard to resist. Despite the fact that this is a silver charm (I, too, was wishing for gold), I have a feeling it is going to fly off the shelves. This will absolutely be a collector's piece a few years down the road, provided that Juicy doesn't re-release it or produce it in gold.

Price: $52.00 MSRP
Box: Silver/Pink
Code: YJRU2993
Season: Summer 2009
From: Juicy Couture
Misc.: Made in China, not intended for children under 12.

Stash: Pretzel

2009-05-19T20:55:00.003-10:00

I admit it. I wasn't sold on the pretzel when it first appeared and I had no intention of buying it unless I could find it at a discount. But when I saw it in person I was much more impressed than I initially had been.

As you can see in the first photo, this charm is of substantial size! It's also pretty heavy; this is one that you could probably abuse a little bit without any real consequences. The crystals seem to be set really well so I wouldn't worry too much about them falling out.

I wish that the twist in the middle were a little more defined like the earrings, but I think overall they duplicated a giant pretzel very well. Juicy's food charms don't usually sell out immediately, but once they're gone they become pretty hard to find. You probably have enough time to wait to find it at a discount!

Price: $42.00 MSRP
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU2980
Season: Summer 2009
From: Juicy Couture
Misc.: Made in China, not intended for children under 12.

Stash: Hot Air Balloon

2009-05-19T19:25:00.003-10:00

They're here! The summer charms have officially hit boutiques! First stop on the list? A sweet minty green and pink hot air balloon, complete with a puppy captain.

Stock photos never do a charm justice, and in this case mine don't either. It's a very ornate and dainty piece. I think the detail is exceptional and the weave pattern on the basket is something to admire. The flowers and pave banner might be a little frilly for some of you, but the whole thing reminded me of some sort of May Day celebration. The bezel-set crystals along the side are also a creative interpretation - they remind me of the sandbags that you sometimes would see on the side of a hot air balloon.

It's hard to say whether this will have a chance to make it to the outlets or not. If I had to bet I would say it will.. it truly is adorable, but for the price I think a lot of people may wait on it. Especially since there's far more buzz for the pretzel & the panda!

Price: $58.00 MSRP
Box: Brown/Pink
Code: YJRU2988
Season: Summer 2009
From: Juicy Couture
Misc.: Made in China, not intended for children under 12.

Pink Alert: Free Gift at Juicy Couture Boutiques

2009-05-19T19:04:00.002-10:00

A few days ago I posted about a sweet little coupon that came in the back of a Juicy catalog, good for 20% off your entire purchase plus a freebie valued at $16. I solved the mystery this morning when this very hot pink lipstick was added to my bag after I paid.

Honestly I'm not wild about the color at all - it is a nearly neon magenta color and I can't think of any occasion on which I'd wear it. Sure, I could tone it down with a different lipstick or some lipgloss, but that seems like more effort than it's worth. I'm really digging the safety pin embellishment, though!

Archive: Ghost

2009-05-16T17:53:00.002-10:00

This is a HG charm for many, and I don't blame them. Juicy has produced several Halloween themed charms, but none are as elaborate (in my opinion) as the "No Scary Fashion" ghost.

There is a great amount of crystal pave detail along the bottom of the ghost, which accentuates the Juicy Couture banner that he's holding. The larger dangling crystal on the left side is a sweet touch. A few important details should be noted about this charm, in order to help you identify authentic ones when you're searching to purchase one. First of all, the mouth and eyes are not black enamel, as they appear to be in the first photo. They're actually cut out, which is a little clearer in last photo. Second, there is a very small cluster of pave crystals (four, to be exact) on the inside of the ghost charm. I imagine that this very small detail is easily overlooked and may be missing on pieces that are not authentic. Last but not least, you can see that the pave detail around the bottom edges are not even and do not follow a pattern. The placement is sporadic, perhaps in an effort to make it appear more raggedy?

Don't be afraid to ask for extra photos before a potential purchase with this little guy. He resells for an extreme amount (think in the $200-$300 range) and the last thing you want to do is waste your money on something that isn't authentic or has missing pieces. Several sellers have been known to sell this charm sans banner and not disclose it - I find that kind of practice to be deplorable. Also be sure to check for any missing crystals, as they can be a pain to match and replace later on.

Price: 45.00*
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0506*

*This charm was produced prior to Juicy adding descriptive names and prices to the bottom of their charm boxes. This is the code given on the box that the charm was in, but does not necessarily mean that this is the correct price and YJRU code for the Ghost charm.

Diversion: Pearl Logo Earrings

2009-05-16T17:38:00.002-10:00

Since the first time I saw my mother's pearl necklace I've been enamored with the sweet, classic look that pearls lend. So when I saw these at Nordstrom's last year I knew I had to have them.

I'm not often crazy about items that are covered in logos, so I was a little hesitant when I picked these up. Once I actually had them on, however, the print was barely noticeable. I've worn them countless times since and as you can see, they're still in mint condition. These studs are the perfect size (I couldn't tell you what mm they are, but they're no wider than a pinkie nail in any direction) and the white color makes them easy to match to any outfit or occasion. A gold version featuring the crown logo stamped on each pearl also came out around the same time, although they weren't nearly as appealing to me as these were.

Price: 42.00
Box: Pink/Brown
Code: YJRU1536

Archive: Fortune Cookie

2009-05-16T17:18:00.004-10:00

If only all fortune cookies came covered in gold! Although that might take away from the whole eating part..

Meet a fortune cookie that will never go stale and whose fortune you'll never lose. The design is just as simplistic as the real deal. One crack down the middle and out pops some solid advice: "You Don't Know What You Got 'Til It's Gone." I think most of us have felt that at one point or another, especially in the world of charms. How many of us have sold a charm only to want it back a few years later and discover that it's being sold for hundreds? How many of us passed on a charm when it was readily available in stores and find ourselves maniacally searching for it later on when it's nowhere to be found? Ahh, yes. This charm is speaking to you.

One important thing to note about this charm: the gold will pick a strange film/tarnish if left in the box with the foam (which is, unfortunately, how I kept mine) for long periods of time. I haven't used any jewelry cleaning materials to see if it will come off, but it hasn't budged thus far with just light polishing. You can spot some of the noticeable difference between the side that was on the terry versus the side that was against the foam in the third photo. This is probably something to look for when trying to find this charm. Edit: Rebecca (Lvbabydoll @ TPF) says her Fortune Cookie had the same odd film although it wasn't kept in the box. Strange! Hers came off with a Tiffany polishing cloth.. guess a trip to the mall is in order!

Price: 40.00*
Box: Black/Blue
Code: YJRU0763*

*This charm was produced prior to Juicy adding descriptive names and prices to the bottom of their charm boxes. This is the code given on the box that the charm was in, but does not necessarily mean that this is the correct price and YJRU code for the Fortune Cookie charm. I did, however, purchase this charm directly from ADASA.com and it has never been removed from its original box.

Pink Alert: 20% off at Juicy + Free Gift!

2009-05-15T01:14:00.006-10:00

Have you been checking your mail lately? To be honest I almost never flip through the Juicy catalogs when they come, because they mostly showcase clothes and not what I'm really after. So when a mini summer catalog popped up in my mailbox I was planning on tossing it, but decided to flip through it at the last minute.

Good thing I did! On the last page you'll find a coupon, good for 20% off plus a free gift with any full priced purchase, valued at $16. This offer is good through May 29th and doesn't specify whether the 20% is for one item or your entire purchase. However, the fine print reads: "on a single purchase of full price item." Not that this helped much, as I'm still unsure of what they mean. This offer is only valid at regular Juicy boutiques in the U.S. - outlets, JuicyCouture.com, and international boutiques are excluded from the promo. I will definitely try to use this coupon.. if only the new summer charms had come in already! If I manage to snag the free gift I'll let you know what it is (though I'm not sure I've ever seen anything Juicy priced at less than $20, save for their new nail polish, lipstick, and lip balms).

The coupon isn't valid when reproduced or duplicated, which is why I watermarked it. Better start checking those mailboxes!