Limited Edition: Candy Cane (2007)

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

Archive: Owl

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

Archive: Coconut Drink

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

Archive: Bucket of Seashells

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

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

Archive: Clam Shell

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

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

Archive: Script Pearl

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

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

Archive: Popsicle

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

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

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

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

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

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

Limited Edition: Nutcracker

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

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

Archive: Ballet Shoes

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

Archive: Sunglasses

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.