Stash: Chain Purse

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

Stash: Pink Crown

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 Trap

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.

On The Horizon: Lipstick

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Stash: Cherries (Pink Pave)

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.

Diversion: Fortune Necklace

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

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: Silver Soccer Ball

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

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.

Stash: Carousel Horse

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.

Sweet: Contest!

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

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.