The Blog

June 09, 2025
The 10 Coolest London Souvenirs You’ll Actually Want to Keep (P.S. No plastic keychains here.)
Whether it’s your first time strolling along the South Bank or you know exactly where to find the best curry on Brick Lane, London has a way of sticking with you. So why not bring a little of it home — minus the jet lag?
We rounded up ten of the coolest, most design-worthy souvenirs to commemorate your London adventures. No kitsch. Just keepsakes worth showing off.
1. Jet Set Candy LHR Luggage Tag Charm
A proper London souvenir with just the right amount of jet-setter style. This meticulously detailed charm features classic airline tag vibes — with “LHR” and “Heathrow” etched into sterling silver or gold vermeil. Inspired by vintage luggage labels, it’s basically proof you made the trip.
🛫 Find it at: Jet Set Candy – LHR Luggage Tag Charm
2. Liberty London Print Notebook
Take a piece of Liberty’s iconic floral prints with you. These hardback notebooks are wrapped in signature Tana Lawn cotton and scream “I have excellent taste in souvenirs.”
🖊 Find it at: Liberty London, Regent Street
3. Jet Set Candy London Phone Booth Charm
Red, shiny, and charming in all the right ways. Our newest addition pays tribute to the city’s most iconic call box. No dialing required — just wear it on your bracelet or necklace and let it ring with style.
☎️ Find it at: Jet Set Candy – Phone Booth Charm
4. Biscuiteers London Biscuit Tin
A tin full of hand-iced cookies shaped like London buses, taxis, and Big Ben? Yes please. Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
🍪 Find it at: Biscuiteers
5. Cambridge Satchel Company Crossbody
These heritage-style leather bags are handmade in the UK and make for a souvenir that’s functional, fashion-forward, and totally timeless. Bonus points for getting it embossed with your initials.
👜 Find it at: Cambridge Satchel Company
6. Jet Set Candy British Passport Book Charm
The charm for anyone who feels right at home in London (or wishes they did). Modeled after the real thing, this charm brings a bit of British identity to your collection — minus the paperwork.
📘 Find it at: Jet Set Candy – U.K. Passport Book Charm
7. Emma Bridgewater London Mug
Add some charm to your morning cuppa with one of Bridgewater’s London-themed mugs. Hand-decorated in Stoke-on-Trent and practically a British institution in themselves.
☕️ Find it at: Emma Bridgewater
8. Smythson London Travel Journal
Nothing says “sophisticated traveler” like a leather-bound Smythson. Their London City Journal has luxe featherweight paper and smart gold embossing. A brilliant excuse to jot down your pub crawl highlights.
📓 Find it at: Smythson
9. House of Hackney Velvet Cushion
If maximalist British interiors are your thing, House of Hackney is your mecca. Their richly printed cushions scream East London cool and make the perfect design-forward souvenir.
🛋 Find it at: House of Hackney
10. Fortnum & Mason Tea Trio
The souvenir equivalent of a royal seal of approval. Choose from Earl Grey, Royal Blend, or a cheeky Smoky Earl Grey for a posh tea experience back home.
🍵 Find it at: Fortnum & Mason
Final Boarding Call: Souvenirs don’t have to be cheesy. From luxe leather goods to edible art to collectible charms, these London mementos are as iconic as the city itself — and a lot easier to pack than a full English breakfast.
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June 12, 2025
15 Personalized Charm Ideas That Are Gift-Foolproof
There’s something magical about a gift that says, “I made this just for you.” Jet Set Candy’s customizable charms let you do exactly that—add your own message, memory, or inside joke in precious metal form. Whether you're shopping for a Swiftie, a new parent, a long-distance love, or your ride-or-die bestie, here are charm engraving ideas that are as meaningful as they are stylish. (Yes, even Taylor would approve.)
1. Taylor Swift Eras Tour Memory
Charm: Concert TicketEngraving:Sec/Row: Paris, FranceField: ERAS TOUR 5.12.24
The perfect way to commemorate a night singing your heart out in Paris.
2. Honeymoon in Paradise
Charm: Boarding PassEngraving:From: LAXTo: HNLName: EMILY & DREW Date: 6.22.25A dreamy souvenir from your first adventure as newlyweds.
3. Mom & Me Trip
Charm: Boarding PassEngraving:From: JFKTo: FCOName: MAMA & MEDate: 4.10.24
A sweet reminder of a forever memory.
4. Long-Distance Love Note
Charm: Air MailEngraving: TO MY LOVE / TILL WE LAND TOGETHER
They’ll think of you every time they glance down.
5. Barbenheimer Night
For the pop culture-obsessed best friend who made you wear pink to both.
Charm: Boarding PassEngraving:From: OPPTo: BARName: Movie ObssessedDate: 7.21.23 Back: DOUBLE FEATURE
(Or take a look at the ticket charm below—fitting for a film that’s already a cult classic in the making.)
6. Baby’s First Bling
Charm: Birth CertificateEngraving: AVA GRACE / 8.12.24 / 7 LBS 4 OZ (on the back)
A timeless keepsake for proud new parents.
7. Jet-Set Baby Name
Charm: Birth CertificateEngraving: LUCAS / 3.15.25 / BORN TO ROAM (on the back)
Add a little wanderlust to the nursery lineup.
8. Heritage & Heart
Charm: Africa PostcardEngraving: TO NANA / WITH LOVE FROM GHANA
A meaningful nod to family roots.
9. Safari Bucket List
Charm: Africa PostcardEngraving: SAFARI DREAMS CAME TRUE – 2024
Proof you finally crossed that off your list.
10. Movie Date Memory
Charm: Event TicketEngraving: OUR FIRST DATE / 12.1.23
A moment worth reliving (and re-wearing).
11. From Me to Me
Charm: Air MailEngraving: YOU DID IT / I’M SO PROUD OF YOU
When the gift is for the real MVP: yourself.
12. The City That Changed You
Charm: NYC PostcardEngraving: NYC FOREVER / J&A / EST. 2021
Whether you moved there, met there, or fell in love with it.
13. Graduation or New Chapter
Charm: Boarding PassEngraving:From: HOMTo: UNIField: LENA'S NEXT CHAPTER 2025
A milestone captured in metal.
14. Reunion Trip
Charm: Boarding PassEngraving:From: BOSTo: MIAField: GIRLS WEEKEND / APRIL 2024
The trip, the crew, the chaos—now in charm form
15. Love Across Borders
Charm: Boarding PassEngraving: MISS YOU / LOVE, DAD / NYC → LDN
Perfect for kids studying abroad or a family member far away.
Whether it’s a passport stamp of your past or a love letter to your future, our customizable charms make meaningful gifting easy (and foolproof). Ready to engrave your story?
Explore all personalized charmsBack to the blog

June 10, 2025
Take A Pink Trip
Pink is everywhere when you open your eyes, even in your National Parks.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARKSoft blush rock layers glow during golden hour. Image Pam Photography
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARKFlocks of bright pink flamingoes make a much-anticipated return. Image EV Road Trips
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARKThe so-called “alpenglow” phenomenon paints mountain peaks in pink for just a few minutes each day.Image: George Rose/Getty Images
ARCHES NATIONAL PARKRows of rosy flowering fishhook cacti add a pop of color to the sandy landscape.Image Wildflower Search
VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARKMagenta streaks up the Northern Lights’ wow-factor. Image Voyageurs Conservancy

June 09, 2025
The 10 Coolest London Souvenirs You’ll Actually Want to Keep (P.S. No plastic keychains here.)
Whether it’s your first time strolling along the South Bank or you know exactly where to find the best curry on Brick Lane, London has a way of sticking with you. So why not bring a little of it home — minus the jet lag?
We rounded up ten of the coolest, most design-worthy souvenirs to commemorate your London adventures. No kitsch. Just keepsakes worth showing off.
1. Jet Set Candy LHR Luggage Tag Charm
A proper London souvenir with just the right amount of jet-setter style. This meticulously detailed charm features classic airline tag vibes — with “LHR” and “Heathrow” etched into sterling silver or gold vermeil. Inspired by vintage luggage labels, it’s basically proof you made the trip.
🛫 Find it at: Jet Set Candy – LHR Luggage Tag Charm
2. Liberty London Print Notebook
Take a piece of Liberty’s iconic floral prints with you. These hardback notebooks are wrapped in signature Tana Lawn cotton and scream “I have excellent taste in souvenirs.”
🖊 Find it at: Liberty London, Regent Street
3. Jet Set Candy London Phone Booth Charm
Red, shiny, and charming in all the right ways. Our newest addition pays tribute to the city’s most iconic call box. No dialing required — just wear it on your bracelet or necklace and let it ring with style.
☎️ Find it at: Jet Set Candy – Phone Booth Charm
4. Biscuiteers London Biscuit Tin
A tin full of hand-iced cookies shaped like London buses, taxis, and Big Ben? Yes please. Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
🍪 Find it at: Biscuiteers
5. Cambridge Satchel Company Crossbody
These heritage-style leather bags are handmade in the UK and make for a souvenir that’s functional, fashion-forward, and totally timeless. Bonus points for getting it embossed with your initials.
👜 Find it at: Cambridge Satchel Company
6. Jet Set Candy British Passport Book Charm
The charm for anyone who feels right at home in London (or wishes they did). Modeled after the real thing, this charm brings a bit of British identity to your collection — minus the paperwork.
📘 Find it at: Jet Set Candy – U.K. Passport Book Charm
7. Emma Bridgewater London Mug
Add some charm to your morning cuppa with one of Bridgewater’s London-themed mugs. Hand-decorated in Stoke-on-Trent and practically a British institution in themselves.
☕️ Find it at: Emma Bridgewater
8. Smythson London Travel Journal
Nothing says “sophisticated traveler” like a leather-bound Smythson. Their London City Journal has luxe featherweight paper and smart gold embossing. A brilliant excuse to jot down your pub crawl highlights.
📓 Find it at: Smythson
9. House of Hackney Velvet Cushion
If maximalist British interiors are your thing, House of Hackney is your mecca. Their richly printed cushions scream East London cool and make the perfect design-forward souvenir.
🛋 Find it at: House of Hackney
10. Fortnum & Mason Tea Trio
The souvenir equivalent of a royal seal of approval. Choose from Earl Grey, Royal Blend, or a cheeky Smoky Earl Grey for a posh tea experience back home.
🍵 Find it at: Fortnum & Mason
Final Boarding Call: Souvenirs don’t have to be cheesy. From luxe leather goods to edible art to collectible charms, these London mementos are as iconic as the city itself — and a lot easier to pack than a full English breakfast.

June 08, 2025
Eat, Shop, Love: 48 Hours in London
London in summer is a delight—warm weather, longer days, and the city buzzing with fashion, food, and energy. Whether you’ve got 48 hours or more in “the Big Smoke,” save these spots for your next visit.
DAY 1 ✈︎ CHIC LONDON + CULINARY DELIGHTSMorning Breakfast at Dishoom (Covent Garden) – Start with a bacon naan and chai at this Bombay-style café.Explore Covent Garden – Pop into Neal’s Yard for photos and browse boutiques like Free People or Charlotte Tilbury.
MiddayLunch at Borough Market – Feast on artisanal cheeses, truffle pasta, or fresh oysters. Try Padella (queue early) for handmade pasta.Walk along the Southbank – Pass the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe, with views of St. Paul’s across the river.The Genesis Exhibition: Do Ho Suh: Walk the House © Do Ho Suh. Photo Jeon Taeg Su via The Tate Museum
Afternoon Shopping FixLiberty London – A fashion-lover's dream: eclectic, luxe, and British heritage in a Tudor-revival building.Carnaby Street – Trendy, independent fashion stores and vibrant energy.EveningDinner at Sketch (Mayfair) – Dine in the blush-pink Gallery or the ultra-futuristic Lecture Room. Instagrammable interiors and decadent food.Cocktails at Aqua Spirit – Rooftop bar near Oxford Circus with views and a stylish crowd.Sketch London, image York Avenue
DAY 2 ✈︎ ART, PARKS & AFTERNOON TEA (OF COURSE)MorningBrunch at Granger & Co. (Notting Hill) – Light, stylish Aussie-inspired fare. Order the ricotta hotcakes or smashed avo.Notting Hill Wandering – Browse Portobello Road Market, second-hand designer shops, and indie bookstores. Don’t miss Biscuiteers for cute, iced cookies.MiddayStroll through Kensington Gardens – Visit the Serpentine Galleries and walk to Kensington Palace. Chic and peaceful.Afternoon Tea at The Berkeley (Knightsbridge) – Their Prêt-à-Portea is fashion-themed, with desserts inspired by the latest runway looks.Afternoon tea at The Berkeley. Image The Berkeley HotelLate AfternoonShopping at Harrods or Selfridges – Even if you don’t buy, the designer sections are pure eye candy. Head to the Harrods Food Hall for luxe souvenirs.EveningSundowner picnic in Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath – Pick up goodies from a deli and enjoy sweeping city views.OR —Dinner at Circolo Popolare (Fitzrovia) – Maximalist Italian vibes with fairy lights, mountains of burrata, and a fashion-forward crowd.Image via Circolo Popolare
JSC suggests...What to wear Think chic but comfy. Flowing dresses, crossbody bag, stylish sneakers for day; elevate with heeled sandals and a bold lip for night.Book ahead for Sketch, afternoon teas, and any fine dining.Weather Warm but unpredictable—carry a light trench or umbrella.View this itinerary in Google Maps
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October 15, 2024
What's in Nicole's Stash
10 years ago, our founder, Nicole Parker King, turned her travel obsession into collectible travel charms.
Today, she’s sharing her "Top 10 of All Time."
And if you want to get the scoop on all things JSC, take a listen to this episode of "Truckin' On with Ward Richmond."
1) THE PASSPORT BOOK CHARM:
My passport book and passport books in general have been an endless source of inspiration to me. I was having a think about my own passport’s stamps while on a massage table in Sri Lanka when the “lightbulb” moment for Jet Set Candy hit me. So, I knew that if there was one charm we had to get really right, it was going to be a passport book.
Well before launching the company, I had been working with the factory on a Passport Book charm but, as it turns out, it was technically challenging to make the charm exactly how I wanted it. Not just with a front and back cover, but with an additional page inside that could also flip. Though the demand was there and time was ticking, I didn’t want to settle for a simpler version. I’m so glad we held out until we got it just right. I love the enamel version for its pops of color on each page and the non-enamel version with all its super-detailed stamps.
But the variety doesn’t stop there. Shortly before the passport book charm hit our digital and physical shelves, JSC partner, Delia, suggested that we also offer a completely Bespoke Passport Book charm available only in solid gold. I loved the idea and thought that others might, too. I expected to sell a few here and there – I had no idea just how popular this one-of-a-kind charm would be.
I still personally lay out the designs for every single Bespoke Passport Book charm. I really enjoy doing them and seeing all of the wonderful places our customers have visited and which countries they hold special memories for. I also love seeing all of the different types of engravings people have added to the back cover including initials, names, dates, quotes, thank yous, poems, psalms, song lyrics, you name it.
2) THE RAJASTHANI PUPPET CHARM:
Just before I turned 8 years old, I went on a month-long trip to India. My mom was working on an India-themed promotion for a major U.S.-based retailer. My dad and I got to come along with the team as they photographed various parts of the country, made arrangements to purchase items and met with various influential Indians.
It was an amazing experience and I fell in love with the all the smells, tastes, colors, and surprises that the country had to offer. I think it was my mom who suggested I have an India-themed party for my upcoming birthday that year so during the trip we also shopped for favors and decorations. We went absolutely overboard because the prices were so affordable compared to the USA, so brace yourself or a list that I now realized was completely over-the-top.
As favors, we bought local candies along with hundreds of real glass bangles in Old Delhi; real garnet necklaces from a houseboat in Srinagar, Kashmir; mother of pearl inlaid replicas of the Taj Mahal; mirrored camel and elephant trinkets; and, of course, a real hand-carved wooden Rajasthani puppet from Jaipur for every single guest.
For the décor, we secured lots and lots of hand-cut paper and foil decorations. We also had four custom outfits made for me and my three best girlfriends to wear at the party, constructed by a local tailor using the antique mirrored and embroidered fabric my mom had fallen in love with. My mom bought extra luggage just to be able to schlep back what we'd collected.
Ever since that first trip to India, I have always loved Rajasthani puppets, especially the two-sided kind with a man on one side, a woman on the other.
It was truly a transformational trip in more ways than one. Years later, I met and was dating my soon-to-be-husband, Chris. He was an Australian diplomat and we were trying to figure out a post that made sense for him but that was also a place I would be willing to move to. There were plenty of locations that I rejected but then a post in Delhi, India arose. Chris had never been to India and I hadn’t been back since that trip when I was 7 and ¾ but I knew I wanted to return. Based solely on that childhood journey (and little else), we decided to move to Delhi and spent almost four years there before returning to NYC in 2014. India definitely didn’t disappoint the second time around either.
When I first designed our Rajasthani Puppet charm I knew it must feature pink enamel (at least!) and had to be two-sided with a man and a woman. And, of course, the charm had to have moving parts just like a real puppet.
Whenever I wear this charm, even now, I swear I feel like I’m in Toy Story and find myself keeping an eye on the puppet: “Wait, are you raising your hand?...Why are you looking at me like that?”…100% fair if you think I’m crazy but I swear these guys have minds of their own!
3) BRITISH CANDY CHARM:
When I was growing up, I had the rare privilege of traveling to Ireland every summer to visit my maternal grandparents. Both of my grandparents were American- born but split their time between Garden City, New York, and a charming little town of 300 people in Southern West Cork, called Glengarriff. Here, they would spend five months a year during the warmer months and since my grandfather was a maritime lawyer with mostly international cases, he was able to work remotely.
My cousins and I were all obsessed with all of “exotic” candies that we could find in Ireland. Most of these candies were British and some were even from American-owned companies but were simply packaged differently. Our Kit-Kats had orange wrappers, theirs were red; their Almond Joy and Mounds bars were in blue and red packaging like ours but they were both called “Bounty” instead; and what we called a “Snickers” bar, they called a “Marathon” (identical branding except for the name). We loved Cadbury’s Flake, Fruit & Nut, and Caramello as well as Aero and Yorkie bars. Bizarrely, for a time, the logo on the “Yorkie” bar was updated to include a simplified female icon—same symbol you’ll find on a bathroom sign—in the center of the “O” with a slash mark through it and a tagline underneath that read, “Do Not Feed the Birds” (Birds being British slang for females/girls). Apparently, the Yorkie was supposed to appeal to a male audience but I never got the memo! Truly odd.
There were also “wine gums” which I think we liked for the small possibility that they might have been made with a drop of something very “adult” more than we did for the actual taste.
My favorite of all of these candies were Smarties. Smarties were basically oversized M&Ms—milk chocolate with a candy-coating—but they came in much prettier colors and were sold in these fun tubes. Smarties were the candy that I missed the most when I would be back stateside. I spent a lot of time as a little kid thinking about Smarties and wondering why M&Ms couldn’t take a page from their book: Ditch the two brown shades and make some prettier colors. M&Ms FINALLY replaced the tan candies with blue in 1995 (hooray for progress!!) but even after all of these years, Smarties are still the GOAT of candy-coated chocolate rounds IMHO.
The British Candy charm was one of the original 3D charms we launched. It had a lot of personal meaning for me but I also just loved how FUN it is with all of its candy-colored enamel pieces spilling out from the tube just like the real chocolates would. I’m pretty sure most people don’t notice this, but I also included a little Union Jack detail on each of the “candies.” I love including little so-called Easter Eggs, surprises that people may not discover until years after owning a piece. A candy charm seemed like the perfect hiding spot for one of these “eggs"!
4) VINTAGE SUITCASE CHARM:
The famous mid-century designer, Charles Eames famously said, “The details are not the details. They make the design.”
This is one of my favorite quotes and I definitely am big on details. The details are where the love is. Plenty of suitcase charms are available and so if a charm has been “done” before—especially if it’s been done a lot—my goal is to make it “best-in-class.” If I can’t find ways to put a unique spin on it or enhance the charm in some manner, then I don’t want to touch it. Why bother?
I think our Vintage Suitcase charm is a great example of just how much love is poured into every design and each little detail.
And there are soooo many details here. Two-toned contrasting “hardware” and “realistic" buckle closures. A tiny engraved movable bag tag on the handle. Eleven unique vintage-inspired travel “stickers” in different shapes on four sides of the bag. And then, on top of all that, the charm opens to reveal a chain “strap” to secure what must be the world’s tiniest clothes.
5) MARGARITA CHARM:
I grew up in Texas, from ages 8 to 18 and again from 22 to 25, so it should be of little surprise that my favorite cocktail is a Margarita. Dallas is actually the birthplace of the frozen Margarita and Texas’s proximity to Mexico means that the Margarita is about as close to an official state cocktail as you’re going to get.
My go-to is a spicy Marg with a Tajin rim but whenever I’m in Dallas, I try to have at least one Mambo Taxi from Mi Cocina (their signature frozen Margarita with a sangria swirl). But really, as long as my drink is made with fresh lime juice, I’m good.
Given my Texas roots, it’s a bit shameful that we only launched the Margarita charm this year (2024) but I’m still very proud of how it came out. Have you seen the detail on that two-toned lime slice and salt rim?!
Writing this post has reminded me that Bethenny Frankel (inventor of the Skinny Girl Margarita) and Brooke Shields (you know, legend of the big screen) both requested that we make a Margarita charm over the years. I should send each of them one now…
Wow, there have been quite a few cool moments over the past 10 years when I stop and think about it. Bethenny Frankel has been a fan and supporter of the brand since pretty early days. She even put us on RHONY and featured us in an article she did for People Magazine.
Brooke Shields used to stop by our pop-up store on Bleeker Street regularly. On her first visit to the store, my mom said “Has anyone ever told you you look JUST like Brooke Shields?!” while ringing her up at the cash wrap. Brooke was completely gracious and my mom and she quickly struck up a meaningful rapport over their love of Ireland. Brooke would ask for my mom when she would pop in for gifts for her daughters and others.
6) CAVIAR CHARM:
In art school, I became friends with an eccentric professor many years my senior. His birth-given name was Herb J. Smokler (well, Herb was short for Herbert) and he was a massive pot smoker. He would always say “Nomen est omen” ( meaning, “your name is your destiny” in Latin).
Herb was a former lover of Andy Warhol’s. He was also a friend and personal psychiatrist to Jerry Garcia who had spent much time touring with the Grateful Dead. And he had stories to tell.
Herb was great company and used to host amazing parties at his fabulous art-filled 40-acre farm. He often wrangled me to be a co-host of sorts and caviar was ALWAYS on the menu as we both adored it.
I was tasked to invent new ways to serve the caviar—blinis of course, but also homemade potato chips, latkes, baked potatoes, pizza, you name it. The caviar became such a staple of these parties that one weekend we threw an “egg-themed” party with only eggs on the menu: soufflé with caviar, deviled eggs with caviar, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and caviar, the list went on and on.
When I was designing the Caviar charm, I knew two things: 1) it had to be Beluga caviar since that was our favorite choice for our egg-filled fiestas (this dates me, I know!) and 2) it had to come with a requisite “mother of pearl” spoon since metal can interfere with caviar’s delicate taste. Yes, the devil is in the details (and in the eggs!).
7) FRENCH CIGARETTES CHARM:
I had a blast designing this charm. It was a total trip down memory lane for me. Back in the day, I used to smoke cigarettes (and plenty of my favorite people still do!).
The summer after finishing college, my friend Jessica and I bopped around Europe on Eurail passes. While in Paris, we picked up some local “Gauloise” cigarettes – maybe in the hopes of blending in a bit better?!
When the idea of creating a French Cigarettes charm popped into my head, I thought that there might be some other people out there who might also want one.
I’ve always been fascinated with cigarette packaging from a graphic design perspective—with all of the various requirements, warnings, etc. all jam-packed on a small surface area. When I was a freelance graphic designer, my business card was even loosely based on the front of a Lucky Strike pack with the tagline “It’s Tasty Design.”
I love this charm for its inherent cheekiness and for all of the little details we were able to squeeze in. Little Eiffel Tower icons decorate the “butts” of the three cigarettes and my French-speaking (and Gauloise-loving!) cousin helped me get the translation for the warning just right: Bijoux ne sont pas dangereux pour votre santé meaning Jewelry is not dangerous for your health.
8) SINGAPORE CHILLI CRAB CHARM:
I definitely consider myself a “foodie” and there is nothing I love more than hunting for the best local cuisine a place has to offer while traveling.
Singapore is a mecca for food lovers. Its geographic proximity to several different countries has resulted in food culture rich in influences from Malaysia, Thailand, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, in addition to Western influences, too.
Singapore’s National Dish is “Chilli Crab” and it’s a source of national pride. I tried it myself for the first time at the famed “Red House Seafood” during my first trip there in the mid-2000s. I make it a goal to eat it at least once on every trip I take there. Singapore also has the best hawker stands (local food vendors) so be sure to stop by the next time you visit this unique city-state.
Our Singapore Chilli Crab charm has a fantastically detailed crab component and I’m really pleased with how the moving chopsticks with “Singapore” in both English and Mandarin add an extra layer to the piece.
9) NEW YORK NEWSPAPER CHARM:
I idolized my maternal grandmother who was a brilliant force of nature. She was a huge influence and inspiration in both my life and for Jet Set Candy. So, I must include one of the many charms that regularly makes me think of her.
My grandmother was an always-in-a-hurry, always-busy, over-achieving type. She graduated from high school at 15 after skipping several grades and entered college at 19. And that was in 1930 if that tells you anything. She then had six kids. Overachiever. ; )
We would often go to my grandparents’ house on Long Island on weekends when I was growing up and I used to love spending time with my grandmother over a slice of crumb cake for breakfast.
My grandmother did The New York Times crossword puzzle every single day (of course she always finished it). It delighted me that she allowed herself this pleasure—even if she ended up doing half of it while standing or between other things that were pulling her attention.
I also loved “helping” my grandmother with these crosswords whenever I had the opportunity. She would sometimes consult me if she was stumped on a pop-culture- centric clue. During these shared moments, she also taught me the basics of crosswords for example: The tenses must match; abbreviations are often clues in and of themselves; Saturdays are hardest, Sundays are equivalent to Thursdays in terms of difficulty, but larger, etc).
In spite of the fact that these were early morning hours during weekends, my grandmother would almost always be in full makeup, wearing a dress, high heels, and a gold charm bracelet. She’d be bouncing between the kitchen table, where the newspaper was spread out, and the stove, where she could pour a fresh cup of coffee (made with her stovetop Italian-style Moka pot—a “percolator” as she called it —and always taken black).
I used to love hearing the jingling sound her bracelet would make as it brushed up against the Moka pot and would often use the sound as an excuse to ask her about the different charms on her charm bracelet. Grandmom had visited over 100 countries and many of her charms had been procured while on a trip.
My grandmother had a mini newspaper charm on her charm bracelet (so meta!) and it was one of my favorites. The top of the charm was engraved with The Times’s tagline, “All the News That’s Fit To Print.” I loved the fact that that the newspaper part was made of actual paper.
When I started Jet Set Candy, I knew that I eventually wanted to include an homage to this original newspaper charm design. It was just such a clever concept, well executed, and, other than an occasional listing on 1stDibs or Ebay, almost impossible to find these days. In typical JSC-fashion, we took pains over the details. We even ended up designing and producing our own mini newspaper to go inside after being unsatisfied with every miniature dollhouse newspaper sample we could get our hands on.
I would have loved for my grandmother to live to see Jet Set Candy. I miss her epic travel stories, like the time she climbed Mount Fuji in her trademark high-heels! I honestly believe she would have been one of our biggest fans and customers, even if she wasn’t related to me! Thinking of that puts the biggest smile on my face.
10) CHRYSLER BUILDING CHARM:
And speaking of New York, the Chrysler Building is probably my all-time favorite building, it’s just so beautiful up close and at a distance. An art deco style skyscraper, it completely steals the show even in today's NYC skyline. It was an obvious choice to honor it and this was another of the original 3D charms that we launched with back in 2014.
Not only does the charm honor the site of JSC headquarters but also embodies so much of the details and whimsy our “candy” has come to represent over a decade. I wanted to design something that could be worn in more than one way and had an unexpected reveal: cue the key to the city. This adorable extra (emblazoned with a tiny NYC inscription) hangs on a delicate cable chain and can be worn in or out.
Versatile, playful, decidedly adult, souvenir-worthy, and, of course, stylish, the Chrysler Building charm is everything Jet Set is and aspires to be.
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August 27, 2024
Our Obsession with National Parks: Did you know...?
In launching a collection of 34 National Park charms (and 14 in bold color enamel), we got a real crash course on America's parks — mind blowing info about the natural world and a laundry list of superlatives these destinations had earned. It's safe to say, we became National Park super fans. We fell in love with our National Parks and that love affair hasn't ended. To this day, we can’t help but weave random National Park facts into casual conversation. For example: "Some weather we're having...did you know that Old Faithful is just one of 500 geysers found in Yellowstone National Park?!"
Lucky for us, when wearing a National Park charm or two, we always receive the perfect prompt from the curious observer. A few of our favorite NPS fun facts are below. Warning: You may become obsessed!
DID YOU KNOW…?
1) Yellowstone is the oldest National Park not just in the United States but the world! It was established in 1872 and has been wowing visitors ever since.
2) Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited park of them all.
3) Florida’s Biscayne National Park is actually 90% water (and 100% worth the visit).
4) Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis touches the sky at 630 feet high making it both the tallest monument and the smallest National Park in the USA.
5) The dramatic, spire-like rock formations found in Bryce Canyon National Park are called “hoodoos.” And yes, it’s super fun to say.
6) The mountain goat is the official (and extremely photogenic) symbol of Glacier National Park in Montana.
7) Along with the Great Wall of China, The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Barrier Reef (and a few others greats!) The Grand Canyon can actually be seen from outer space. Isn't that great? Err...grand?
8) Hot Spring National Park in Arkansas is fondly known as the “American Spa” with its nearly 50 naturally heated thermal hot springs.
9) West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park is home to one of the tallest single arch bridges (aka basically a catwalk) in the world. Don't look down!
10) One of the best places to catch the Northern Lights this year is Voyageurs National Park. The Minnesota night sky is waiting for you!
These charms are more than just jewelry. They are daily reminders of our connection to the great outdoors, the adventures we've shared, and the unique beauty of the National Parks that pepper the nation. Each charm tells a story that started when the earth formed and continues to inspire us even when fresh air and trees feel very far away.
Every time you glance at your National Park charm bracelet or chain, we hope you too are transported back to your happy place – from the tallest redwoods to the deepest canyons in a style that’s all your own.
SHOP THE NATIONAL PARK COLLECTION