M&Ms - GREEN, MS. BROWN, and PURPLE!

Metalfigs - M&Ms Diecast 3" Series - Green, Brown, & Purple - Jada Toys 2025

Earlier this year I was obsessively stopping into all my local FiveBelow stores (I have more than 25 locations in a 15-mile radius, including the flagship store, so this is no small endeavor). There have been a lot of small collectibles that are either exclusive-to, or easiest-to-find-at, FiveBelow. At the time I was obsessive hunting the Easter deco Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite CheeBee figures from TLS Toy, and I stopped in my tracks seeing this Jada M&Ms series. I had picked up the two larger 4" Green and Brown figurines (with hopes that the third Purple would eventually be made), when I saw these smaller inexpensive ones with the whole lineup, including the new (2022) Purple character. This purchase made me so happy, especially since I didn't know these figure existed. (FYI, the Purple and Blue seem to be shortpacked with only one per case). I would still love to see a Purple in the 4" line or Hollywood Rides, but I have a hunch this is all we will see. Luckily she looks great. Let's check them out below!

M&Ms Spokescandies - MS. BROWN!

Metalfigs - M&Ms Diecast 4" Collectible Series - Ms. Brown - Jada Toys 2023

Ms. Brown was introduced to the M&Ms Spokescandies lineup in a 2012 Superbowl add. She was only the second female introduced since the creations of the modern characters eighteen years prior in 1994. She is notable for being a serious "Girlboss", being the tall non-nut character, and for being the only with an accessory (her glasses). I was surprised that she was voiced by a notable celebrity like Vanessa Williams. But then I researched and realized that Orange was voice by Owen Wilson, Jon Lovitz voiced Red, and John Goodman and J.K. Simmons voiced Yellow. Among many lesser-known but notable voice actors and comedians (like Mel Blanc and Amber Ruffin). This 4" Jada Metalfigs figure was released in 2023, soon after the third female, Purple, was introduced. I was very excited at the notion of getting three animation-perfect of these characters (I have this internal mantra of "three makes a collection"). But unfortunately a 4" Purple has yet to be produced. Let's check out Ms. Brown below!

M&Ms Spokescandies - GREEN!

Metalfigs - M&Ms Diecast 4" Collectible Series - Green - Jada Toys 2022

I remember when the Green M&M Spokescandy debuted in the late 90s. I loved that there was finally a female element in the wildly popular M&M commercials. (Plus green is my favorite color, both in my daily life but also in my M&M consumption). But the weird thing is that she was super sexualized right from the start. The male characters had a goofy Monsters Inc "Mike and Sully" banter, but Green was shown sauntering down the street fielding cat-calls of "mmmm.. I'd like a piece of that", lying seductively on a carpet, drawing attention to her mouth, and even stripping out of her candy shell (that last one might have been fan-made). Thankfully, she eventually became more that just a "sexy character" with witty brazen comebacks and being a voice of reason among the boys. And my fondness for her grew. I honestly wouldn't have ever picked up this diecast figurine for my collection if not for the introduction of the female Brown (2011) and Purple (2022) characters. I love a triad. Let's check out Green!

Pillsbury Playthings - POPPIE FRESH!

Pillsbury Playthings - Poppie Fresh Unarticulated Vinyl Doll - Pillsbury Co 1972

In my developmental years, commercials were something you couldn't opt out of. They popped up on your screen regularly and you just had to suffer through them. But suffer isn't the right word. In fact, when I was a kid it seemed like most commercials were actually geared towards children, regardless of the product. I think the advertisers really assumed the kids had more leverage over mom's purchasing decisions than they actually did. But even still, there were cute teddy bears peddling fabric softener, a playful dog peddling beer, and of course a Pillsbury Dough Boy peddling baking products. It was an odd time. When I think of all the advertising mascots that popped up throughout my childhood, The Pillsbury Dough Boy seems to lead the pack. Maybe it was just in my house, but my Mom would constantly poke our bellies with that patented "tee-hee," so the Pillsbury nostalgia went beyond the TV screen. I didn't know there was a whole family of characters until I found this toy. Let's check out Poppie Fresh below!

Talbot Toys - NABISCO DOLLS!

Nabisco Dolls Vinyl Collectibles - Oreo, Fig Newtons, Chips Ahoy - Talbot Toys 1983

Many years ago my collecting hobby went off on a tangent and I got really interested in PVC figurines and vinyl advertising collectibles. It was a frustrating side-hobby because products like these were rarely meant to last a lifetime, production quality was often haphazard, yet conversely there is a really competitive collecting market. I still have a ton of Smurfs, California Raisins, and Campbells Kids, but my desire has dwindled. However, this current quarantine has inspired me to open some long-neglected boxes in my basement and led me to re-discovering these amazing Nabisco Doll gems. In many ways, these are way outside my typical interests (they're cutesy and doll-like), but on the other hand hand I love food mascots, retro stylings, and odd designs (the decision to put cookies on their heads is so bizarre to me). They have have minimal articulation (shoulders and neck) and their slightly larger than similar products of the time, but overall I'm kind of obsessed with them. Let's check out the Nabisco Girls below!