Trick or Treat: Favorite Day Filled Gumballs

Normally I try to go in and write these with a first-taste experience, but I cracked into these the second I bought them, they're great! Probably my favorite Favorite Day product I've ever had. 

You get three flavors, and each have a unique filling. 

Teeny Doses of Nostalgia - Mini Mini Chicles

I was grabbing some poster frames at Michel's and it turns out, their check-out aisle is lined with tons of nostalgic candy. Who knew? 

 

I grabbed two packs of these, one for me and one for my sister, because looking at them almost broke my brain. 

Familiar, and yet, wrong? Like that whole Berenstein vs. Berenstain bears debate. (I am one of the kids who swore it was "Stein.") The colors are right, the paper pouch feels right, but something about it looks wrong. I think it's the name? I'm pretty sure these were called, "Tinys," or something like that. Whatever they go by these days, it's still tiny bits of fruity gum in a paper envelope, and the child in me says, go for it! 

Go Phillies, Go Sports! - Big League Chew Triple Treat

I had a bizarre craving for grape Big League Chew out of nowhere. Super weird, since I've only had it maybe twice before in my life, ever. My 30+-year old body just decided that we needed it. I could only find original at Five Below, my least favorite flavor, but the foodie gods shined upon me. Because Lidl had a cardboard display at checkout with tons of flavors. I guess they have really expanded since I was like, 9. I grabbed grape, strawberry and the new-to-me blue raspberry. (I left original and sour apple on the cardboard stand where they belong. Apparently there is also watermelon, cotton candy, and hot cocoa versions?!) 

Time for a jaw workout! 

Jelly Donut and Banana Split Flavored Bubble Gum

Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum - Dollar Tree

As soon as Collecting Candy posted these jelly donut gumballs on Instagram, I knew I had to have them. 

I'm not sure how historically accurate this is, but in my mind, the 90's were all about bubble gum. We had Blow Pops, Bubble Tape, Big League Chew, and Bubblicious, but there was also a wonderful world of gumball machines to explore. At roller rinks and malls, I could buy seedlings, which were gumballs shaped like fruits filled with tiny candy sprinkle "seeds," Tongue Splashers, which would change your mouth to a different color, and tons of other novelties. I even lost a decent chunk of my hair, and a few articles of clothing, to childhood gum-chewing mishaps. Getting the chance to re-live that in my 30's, and only paying a dollar to do so? Priceless! (Being an adult and paying one dollar for an entire bag of gumballs makes you realize how messed up paying .25 cents just for one gumball actually was/is back in the day.) 

I went to Dollar tree to grab one bag, but left with two, so today's post isn't only Dubble Bubble, it's Dubble Trubble!

First up, the main event, Jelly Donut! 

Snow Cones in February

Project 7 Rainbow Ice Gum - Target 

I wasn't kidding when I said I picked up at least 6 new flavors of Project 7 during my blogging absence. Let's keep these reviews rolling! (It's still Tuesday, so technically I am still on time!)

So I don't know about the weather in your corner of the world, but it's been pretty crazy here in NJ. Last week it was 7 degrees Fahrenheit, this week? Sixty Five! I saw people wearing freaking shorts outside today! (I'm pretty sure the world is ending...) So since it, oddly enough, feels like it's spring, let's review something spring/summery. How about a snow cone?

Lime, Coconut, and Sunscreen?

Project 7 Coconut Lime Gum - Target

What can I say? Project 7 and I are in an unhealthy relationship. They keep burning me with bad flavors, and yet, I keep coming back for more. Since my blogging hiatus I've bought 5 new flavors. I just keep hoping that things will be different...and maybe they will be this time?

The packaging is sleek, the company tries to do some good in the world, and yet...the flavors rarely delivers on their yummy promises. (Then again I'm a blogger who doesn't blog, so maybe I shouldn't be throwing too many stones from my glass house.) 

Blueberries, Butts & Bubblegum

Lotte Fruity Bubble Gum Dispensers - Asian Food Markets 

Sometimes it's the subtle things that win me over. Sure this has cool packaging, but one little detail is all it took for me to toss this into my cart. Notice anything different between these two flavors?  

On the right, we have little gum-ghosts blowing bubbles shaped like blueberries, which just so happens to match the flavor of the candy inside. The peach gum-ghosts? They're blowing normal balloon-shaped bubbles. Why is that? Because if they were blowing up peaches it'd look like they were blowing up pink-hued bubble-butts...or worse. Part of me wishes they hadn't of caught that (the evil part), but my graphic design background wants to commend their design-team and their foresight. 

As it turns out, everything about this packaging is incredibly thoughtful. 

Unicorn Gum? I give up. (Quickie Review)

Fairytale Fruit Project 7 Gum - Target

I don't even know what to say for myself. I keep saying I won't go back to Project 7, because of the artificial sweeteners, but their gimmicks sucker me in every time. 

This is unicorn gum. UNICORN. GUM. What am I? Made of stone? So yeah, I don't have high hopes for this, but it's pretty and I wanted to photograph it, so... here we are. 

Functionality-wise, the packaging is the same packet-style as all the other Project 7 gums I've reviewed in the past. Plastic foiled packet, re-seal-able, matte-finish, etc. It photographs like a dream and the colorful fruity unicorn illustration is Juicy Fruit meets Lisa Frank. It's wonderful. 

Bubble-less Bubbly Bubblegum - Project 7 Champagne Dreams

Project 7 Champagne Dreams Gum - Target

Visually speaking, this would have been the ideal product for my big New Year comeback review, but given Project 7's history of disappointing products wrapped in pretty packaging...I opted for Oreos instead. 

I don't know what it is about Project 7 chewing gums. Even though they let me down time and time again, I can't stay away. 

While checking myself out in Target's self-service-lane, I spotted this flavor in the totally-effective impulse-buy section. I managed to ignore it, rung myself up, and was about to leave...and then turned back and made a separate transaction just to buy this gum. Why? I have no idea. I think I'm just a sucker for pretty packaging. Even though I hate chewing these flavored gums, I really do love photographing them. I mean, look at this! I have little twinkly lights in the background! Plus, Project 7 was a company I really liked, and their original line of mints were really fantastic. I want to love you Project 7!

Maybe this flavor will be the one to re-ignite the spark in our food-blogger-product romance...

Ch-Ch-Churro Project 7 Gum: Here We Go Again!

Ch-Ch-Churro Project 7 Gum - Target  58¢

Project 7 offers unique sugar-free sweets in well designed packaging, all while donating proceeds to worthy causes. What's not to like? Sadly, their product. They're just too inconsistent! 

There are a handful of their chewing gums that I truly enjoy and would recommend to everyone, but for every product I adore, there are easily twice as many disappointments. Fool me seven times, shame on you, fool me eight-or more times, shame on me.   

I talk a big game, but I have used this Futurama meme before, in ANOTHER Project 7 review. Even after being burned time and time again, I keep coming back for more...when they're on sale. Wise man say, forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for roulette chewing gum. 

America POP flavored gum - Walmart

America POP flavored gum - Walmart 

'Merica Pop, that you can't stop
I know you chew this 'Merica pop
This must be, GUM

I graduated high school when "Dirty Pop" by *Nsync was on the radio, and now Justin Timberlake is voicing a blue CG troll. Life is weird.

Happy Fourth of July my fellow Americans! It's time for a holiday/seasonally appropriate review! In the past I've reviewed America themed Skittles and  Red White & Blue Tic-Tacs, but this year we've got America Pop gum from Juicy Fruit.

I had to buy a three pack just to try this flavor, so fingers crossed it's good!

Girl Scouts Project 7 Chewing Gum - Target $1.99 (each)

Girl Scouts Project 7 Chewing Gum - Target $1.99 (each)

Hello darkness, my old friend... 

I have a love/hate relationship with Project 7 products. They have great packaging, they support wonderful causes, and they had some really delicious products back when they were first introduced. Since their initial launch, they've branched out into all these trendy flavors of the week and, frankly, these new flavors have all been misses for me. They taste really fake and eating them is more like a chore than a joy. Every time I swear off their products, they drag me back in with intriguing items like this. I mean, it's Girl Scout Cookie GUM! (I am pretty sure they'd take away my non-existent food-blogger card if I skipped this one.) So, here we are again. I'll give Proect 7 the Benefit of a doubt...but my gut tells me this was a mistake.

Project 7 Build+A+Flavor - S'mores - Target

Project 7 Build+A+Flavor - S'mores - Target 

I've always been a big fan of Project 7's products (especially their branding and packaging), but I must admit, their newer flavors have left me cold. It's great that they're branching out and trying new things, like these multi-flavor packs, but these gimmicky flavors taste like fake sugar and disappointment. 

My favorites have been their Front Porch Lemonade, Watermelon-Grapefruit, and Vanilla Peppermints, but S'more flavored gum? I don't know...in all fairness the Key Lime Pie gum from Dessert Delights (which is now discontinued) managed to make a graham-cracker-flavoring work in gum-form, so maybe there's hope for this flavor yet...

Dubble Bubble Summer Splash Gumballs - Dollar Tree ($1.00)

Dubble Bubble Summer Splash Gumballs - Dollar Tree ($1.00)  

I hosted another painting even in Camden, NJ on Friday, and I needed some dollar store supplies, and no trip to the dollar store is complete without exploring the candy aisle. I posted a mini haul photo over on Instagram, and one of the items I picked up were these Summer Splash gumballs. I may be a HUGE Halloween nerd, but I am going into fall kicking and screaming. All the spooky skulls and bats warm my heart, but I'm not ready for sweater weather. I feel like my summer has only just begun and yet the stores are already lining the shelves with pumpkin spiced everything...hopefully these bright and summery gumballs will help me take my mind off the impending back-to-school season.

Dollar Store Candy Haul

Dollar Tree candy haul! I had to grab some painting supplies for Friday's event and I couldn't resist. 🍬🍬🍬 #mikeandike #cherrycola #butteredpopcorn #trolli #summer #gummibears #bubblegum #lemonade #candyhaul #foodhaul #ringpop

A photo posted by Sometimes Foodie (@sometimesfoodie) on Aug 24, 2016 at 8:19am PDT

Which goodies should I review first? 

Grapefruit Melon Project 7 Gum - Target

Grapefruit Melon Project 7 Gum - Target

Annnnd we're back! Sorry for the short hiatus; I've been really busy preparing for the Summer Fancy Food Show. It's this weekend in NY! This is my second year attending as a member of the press (so fancy!) and now that I know what to expect, I've been spending a lot of time preparing and packing.

Thanks to all that prep work I have some time to catch up on some foodie reviews!

Monday was the first day of summer and that night there was a Strawberry Moon? How freaking cool is that?! I may not have anything strawberry themed to review, but what's more summery than watermelon?

Project 7 Build A Flavor Half and Half -Target

Project 7 Build A Flavor Half and Half -Target

Okay, I've reviewed enough Project 7 products by now, you guys know I'm head over heels for the company's message, their packaging, and their aesthetic, but their products tend to be hit or miss when it comes to quality. The mints? Always awesome! The gum? Not so much. I've talked about the packaging and design in tons of other reviews, so I'm going to get right to it. How does this mix hold up? 

Project 7 Key Lime Pie Build+A+Flavor Gum - Target

Project 7 Key Lime Pie Build+A+Flavor Gum - Target

I've gushed over Project 7's packaging and overall branding, but to be honest, the only product of theirs I truly love and repurchase on a regular basis are their vanilla peppermints. This company has TONS of gum flavors, but I always feel like the taste never lives up to their fancy flavor names, but maybe that will change now that we have these Target exclusive Build+A+Flavor packs. 

Back when Dessert Delights gum was around they had a Key Lime Pie flavor, and it was my absolute favorite! Since it was discontinued a few years ago I've been missing my chewable pie-flavored fix, so I'm really hoping this will be an adequate (or improved) replacement.

Play Bubble Cola Gum - Asian Food Market

Play Bubble Cola Gum -Asian Food Market

More old photos of products I never got around to reviewing! I was wandering around the Asian Food Market and I noticed they got a whole line of Taiwanese sports themed bubble gum! How can I resist a sparkly-eyed, bubblegum chewing, fire-pitching baseball player? (Plus it's cola flavored.)

More Build-A-Flavor Gum headed our way!

Photo © Confectionarynews.com

I'm a big fan of the packaging and the overall concept behind Project 7 mints and chewing gum, so I can't wait to try all of these new flavors! I already bought the 3 in the middle at Target, but I guess the ones on either ends are still headed our way? (They're the 2 I'm most excited for too! I can't wait!)

© Maria Smith http://poison-and-antidote.net
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