Webkinz, antiquing, thrifting, and exploring!

After weeks of waiting, I finally got my hands on Ganz’s newly released Webkinz plush line. I was over the moon when I first heard the news. They stopped producing classic Webkinz plushes in 2019, and their 2020 line never quite won people over. Other fans and I argued that they looked a little too much like Ty Beanie Boos and didn't "feel" like the Webkinz we all knew and loved. They were larger than classic Webkinz, and they were missing the signature magic W on their paws, too. 

But this newest line? It feels like a happy in-between, a blend of the classic Webkinz style and the Webkinz Next plushes. They still aren’t perfect in every collector’s eyes, but I really love the direction Ganz is heading. And next month, in December 2025, they’re releasing even more pets to go with this new Fall 2025 line.

Today was such an adventure! Since Webkinz aren’t as widely sold as they used to be, only a few stores carry the new releases. My family and I made a 35-minute trip to a tiny town I’d never visited to check out a little boutique that had them in stock. We turned it into a whole outing. The town wasn’t much bigger than ours, but it had a charm of its own.

The boutique was right in their downtown, which made it easy to wander into other nearby stores. We arrived around 12:20 PM, and I was practically vibrating with excitement. The drive felt so much longer than half an hour.

When we walked inside, the Webkinz display was front and center and already a bit picked over. But the one pet I wanted most, the Marble Cat, was still there waiting for me. I grabbed her immediately. The shopkeeper asked, “Are you the one who called me?” (I had phoned the store a month ago asking when the new line might arrive.) My family and I laughed and explained the situation while I combed through the rest of the plushes, debating whether I should bring home one or two.

The rest of the boutique was fun to explore, even if the rest of the merchandise wasn't my style. The place was clearly outdated in the best possible way. In the back, near the dressing rooms, the walls were painted with pink and black polka dots and decorated with stickers of inspirational quotes straight out of the late 2000s. One wall decal said “Diva” in cursive with rhinestones and a high heel motif. There were also two zebra-print high-heeled chairs next to a matching nightstand, topped with a mannequin wearing a sequined black dress. The whole thing was wonderfully over-the-top and super nostalgic to a time in my own childhood where I also was obsessed with the black and hot pink zebra interior design craze. 

Boutiques aren’t usually my favorite places to shop; they’re often filled with overpriced knick-knacks or long-forgotten consignment clothing, and this store wasn’t much different. Aside from the Webkinz, it was mostly cluttered with old clothes and little novelties that served no real purpose. I only bought my Marble Cat, but my mom picked up a few Christmas decorations and surprised me by buying the chihuahua Webkinz as well. I’d been hesitant to spend money on two since they were $29.99 each, but she wanted me to enjoy both.

The shopkeeper chatted with us for a while, telling us that people had been calling from all over asking about the new Webkinz drop. After checking out, we explored more of the downtown area.

We visited two more places: an antique shop and a thrift store. Both were wonderful.

The antique store was beautiful, open, bright, and curated almost like a showroom. There were wooden dressers, vanities, tables, couches, lamps, and little treasures everywhere. The whole space smelled amazing, thanks to either a powerful air freshener or a candle. They even offered free coffee to visitors. I wasn’t looking for furniture, but I picked up a small snowman figurine for my mom, since she loves snowmen. She bought two golden reindeer taper candle holders. The snowman was only $4.

Coffee that was available at the antique shop

The thrift store was next. I didn’t find much for myself, but I loved how clean and organized it was, surprisingly so for a thrift store. I bought a coffee mug decorated with ice cream and sprinkles, a DVD copy of Hairspray (I’ve somehow never seen it!), and a Christmas-themed tablecloth, placemats, pot holder, and dish towel for my mom. The whole haul was $14.

Ice Cream Mug

Hairspray DVD

After the boutique, the antique shop, and the thrift store, we stopped by the Piggly Wiggly for dinner ingredients. It was my first time in one; the name is adorable, even if the store itself felt pretty standard. Then we ate out before heading home.

Now I’m back, cozy and grateful, ready to share the day’s adventures with all my blogging friends.

If you have any name suggestions for my two new additions to my Webkinz family, please let me know! 

Marble Cat and Chihuahua Webkinz Plush

Chihuahua's "Cutie Mark" (Pepper)

Marble Cat's "Cutie Mark" (Mouse) 

— Mocha

New blog, who's this?

After creating my first blog, Mocha Plays Things, a gaming-centered space about my experiences and interests in gaming, I decided to start this one: a more personal place to share my life and thoughts. I don’t plan to follow any kind of posting schedule; I’ll write when inspiration strikes, whether that’s once a month or once a year. Who knows? What I do know is that I’ve enjoyed blogging so much that I wanted a space that feels more like me, one that’s about my life, thoughts, and feelings.

So, what inspired me to start a blog? I’ve always loved writing, expressing myself, and creating little outlets for my thoughts. To me, blogging feels like keeping a public journal, something others can read, relate to, or simply enjoy. I just wish blogging hadn’t become such a lost art. These days, I don’t think this kind of blogging really exists anymore, or at least, not on a large scale. Modern social media has taken over, and people have stopped taking a slow, thoughtful approach to sharing. We’re all caught up in the rush of quick fixes through platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

Well, I say it’s time to bring back blogging, to make social media fun again. I want it centered on self-expression rather than audiences or monetization. So I’ll start, right here and right now.

— Mocha