HAYLEY

Arrival Date: 3/25/23

Size: 23"

Year: 2022

Designer: Isabelle Lee

Purchased From: QVC

Cost: $182

Thoughts: Hayley was not on my radar for the longest time. She's been out for quite a while now and she's been on QVC. Recently, I've been noticing more and more pretty photos of her on the Facebook groups, and after I returned my two Artful Dodgers, I decided to give her a try. Big bears are not really my thing, mostly because I don't have a ton of space and because I tend not to find them as cuddly as the ones a few inches shorter. Hayley might just be an exception though. When I picked her up, I was surprised how cuddly she is, because she really is quite massive. She's comparable in size to Ambassador, but her fur is longer so she looks even bigger. She's got a nice squishy tummy though and she's lighter than she looks. She's very photogenic, too. I think she's going to be sticking around, though I won't know for sure until she's had her cuddle time. She had the somewhat poor luck of arriving on the same day as I bear I've wanted for years, so she's got a little wait before it's her turn. 

MARZIPAN

Arrival Date: 3/25/23

Size: 16"

Year: 2013 Secret Collection

Designer: Isabelle Lee

Purchased From: ebay

Cost: About $128

Thoughts: Marzipan has been one of my most wanted bears for years. He turns up very infrequently. I knew I'd have to import and I finally saw one on ebay. Totally fell for this guy and bought him right away. What a face! What colors! While I'm not 100% certain he's tyber, he sure feels that soft. He fits right in with Charlie's more recent guilt-free treats designs. I absolutely love him and I'm so happy he's finally made it home. 

SHRUB

Arrival Date: 3/20/23

Size: 12"

Year: 2022 

Designer: Charlie

Purchased From: BAMS

Cost: $65.95

Thoughts: And here's Shrub. I love this stripy little grump face. I originally preferred Shrub, then switched to Sapling after getting my first pick, but now in person, it's back to Shrub. They're both adorable so it's the barest of differences. 

SAPLING

Arrival Date: 3/20/23

Size: 12"

Year: 2022 

Designer: Charlie

Purchased From: BAMS

Cost: $65.95

Thoughts: I liked these cute little bears in plant hats, but didn't preorder them, figuring they'd be pretty accessible. I was a little regretful as I watched all my favorites for Shrub, the other one in the pair, be selected. I did get my first choice on Sapling here though! I loved this one from the start. She's got a cute tiny face. 

WIZARD

Arrival Date: 3/10/23

Size: 21"

Year: 2022 

Designer: Charlie

Purchased From: BAMS

Cost: $90.95

Thoughts: Big, beautiful, green Wizard! I don't have any bears in this lovely teal color except for Smudge's green smudges. Wizard is very tall, but he's thin, so it was easy for me to find him a place in my display. He's also quite soft and cuddly.

EDGAR

Arrival Date: 3/10/23

Size: 15"

Year: 2022 

Designer: Charlie

Purchased From: BAMS

Cost: $90.95

Thoughts: Edgar! I loved him from the catalogue and he's super adorable in person. It was tough picking one out because there were two I kept going back and forth between. This guy with the dark patch on his face won. Edgar is a woolly mammoth, though he has no tusks. But then CBs aren't known for accuracy. He's got long, soft fur and he's very cuddly. Well worth waiting for!

SAN DIEGO

Arrival Date: 3/9/23

Size: 14"

Year: 2022 

Designer: Isabelle Lee

Purchased From: BAMS

Cost: Free with rewards (Retail $86.95)

Thoughts: San Diego is a kinkajou, though he doesn't look quite like one. The ears they got right, but a kinkajou has much larger eyes and a lighter nose that blends more with the muzzle fur. These are typical CB changes made to real animals to make them "cuter." I was lucky to get him, as my stockist only got this one in. He's still very cute, despite the inaccuracies. I love his curled tail! 

GREG

Arrival Date: 3/9/23

Size: 13.5"

Year: 2022 

Designer: Isabelle Lee

Purchased From: BAMS

Cost: $104.95

Thoughts: Also a silvery tyber plush is little Greg. He's the third in the trio that also includes Zach and Knox. He's just as cuddly and adorable as they are!

QUEST

Arrival Date: 3/9/23

Size: 16.5"

Year: 2022 

Designer: Isabelle Lee

Purchased From: BAMS

Cost: $136.95

Thoughts: The silver fox companion to red fox Journey is finally here. Like Journey, he's luxurious tyber plush, so he's incredibly soft. He's gorgeous. 

STICKY TOFFEE

Arrival Date: 3/9/23

Size: 19"

Year: 2022 

Designer: Isabelle Lee

Purchased From: BAMS

Cost: $132.95

Thoughts: Oh, how beautiful! I was actually prepared for poor Toffee to be my least wow factor from this delivery of four, but I was way wrong. He jumped out instantly. The rich colors of his fur are glorious, and he has the sweetest expression. I'm such a sucker for wide-set eyes and he's got the best pair. He's as cuddly as the others in this style set (Cotton Candy, Soda Pop, Cheese Whizz, and Shoofly Pie). Definitely highly recommend this bear!