Tag Archives: 2026

Toy Fair 2026: The Ultimate Photo Recap!

toy fair lobby view photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

One of the most highly anticipated annual gatherings at NYC’s Javits Center is Toy Fair, a massive showcase for the toy industry where manufacturers, designers, licensors, and inventors reveal what’s next in the world of play. It’s part trade show, part trend forecast, and plenty of joyful overload — a place where plushies, collectibles, games, and wonderfully strange inventions all compete for your attention.

This year marked my second exploration of Toy Fair, and this time I was able to devote two days to fully immerse myself in the festivities. Having that extra time made all the difference. Instead of rushing  from booth to booth, I wandered, discovered, and let the surprises find me.

To me, Toy Fair is like the Summer Fancy Food Show — but for toys. Anything and everything is on display to satisfy every possible taste. Cute? Check. Collectible? Absolutely. Weird? Definitely. Nostalgic? Everywhere. The creativity on display feels endless.
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Happy Easter, 2026!

easter bunny boxes photo by gail worley
Photo By Gail

I find that  the simplest things can capture the spirit of a holiday best —and these adorable little Bunny Gift Boxes do exactly that. Spotted perched on a café counter, each one is shaped like a sweet rabbit face, complete with rosy cheeks and tall pink-lined ears, tied up neatly with a ribbon. Peek inside and there’s a cheerful surprise waiting, but honestly, the packaging is half the joy. It’s playful and impossible not to smile at.

Easter has always been a mix of renewal, color, and small delights, and these tiny bunnies feel like a perfect reminder of that. Whether it’s a thoughtful treat, a shared moment, or just something that makes you pause and smile, it’s the little things that make the day special. Wishing you a Happy Easter filled with sweetness, light, and some cuteness overload.

Pink Thing of The Day: Princess Bubblegum Adventure Time Bag Clip

princess bubblegum bag clip photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

One of the unexpected highlights of attending the recent Toy Fair 2026 was walking away with a surprising number of free toys — something I didn’t realize I needed until I found myself juggling three tote bags stuffed with plushies, tiny collectible figures, puzzles, t-shirts, and board games. But among all the swag, my absolute favorite freebie came from the Monogram International booth.

Monogram International is best known for producing what feels like an almost infinite array of licensed bag clips featuring characters from nearly every fandom imaginable. The twist? These clips come in what’s known as a blind bag, meaning the packaging shows all the possible characters you might get — but you don’t know which one is inside until you open it. For collectors, this can be both thrilling and frustrating. You might score your favorite character… or end up with duplicates. On the bright side, it also encourages trading, which adds another layer of fun to the experience.

princess bubblegum bag clip with package photo by gail worley

At the booth, I managed to negotiate my way into receiving an Adventure Time blind bag. The possibilities included Marceline the Vampire Queen, BMO, Finn, Jake, Ice King, Lumpy Space Princess, Tree Trunks — or, most importantly for me, Princess Bubblegum. Naturally, I was hoping for Princess Bubblegum, but honestly, I would have been happy with any of them, because Adventure Time is the shit.

So, imagine my absolute delight when I opened the bag and a tiny pink Princess Bubblegum tumbled out. I could not have been happier — and I’m fairly certain I let out an audible squeal right there on the show floor. Sometimes the blind bag gods smile upon you, and when they do, it’s definitely worth celebrating.

Princess Bubblegum earns her place as today’s Pink Thing of the Day — a small, sweet reminder that sometimes the best pink surprises come in tiny packages.

 

Celebrating International Women’s Day!

enjoy the moment by stickermaul photo by gail worley
All Art By Stickermaul, All Photos By Gail

Today the world marks International Women’s Day, a moment to recognize the creativity, resilience, and influence of women everywhere. It also feels like the perfect opportunity to highlight the work of Stickemaul, one of the artists whose pieces I regularly encounter during my semi-weekly walks through NYC’s Street Art Mecca, Freeman Alley.
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Vintage Glam, Curated Treasures and One More Day to Shop: NYC JAOS Returns This Spring

nyc jaos logo spring
Logo Images Courtesy NYC JAOS. All Other Jewelry Photos By Gail

If you love the thrill of the hunt — especially when it involves sparkling jewels, storied antiques, and one-of-a-kind objects — mark your calendar. The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show is back this spring, and for 2026, it’s giving collectors exactly what they asked for more time to browse, discover, and swoon.
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