Coolest Stranger Things merchandise to hit this summer!

Coolest Stranger Things merchandise to hit this summer!

I think it's safe to say that summer of 2019 is the summer of Stranger Things. The third seasons broke Netflix records when it aired on July 4th just a few weeks ago. I'm sure I'm not speaking for myself, but there was honestly no cooler way to celebrate the 4th than returning to Hawkins, and seeing what that gang of kids were up now now in the summer of 1985. I have told tons of people all ready that season 3 hands down was my favorite. In fact, I even told a few people who admitted that they weren't crazy about the first two seasons that as long as they got a quick summary of the last two seasons, they could really just watch season 3 since it felt more like a standalone 8 hour movie. This season had it all. 80's nostalgia in complete overdrive. The mall setting, the characters we've watched grow over the last few years, now slowly turning into a coming of age story as they become teenagers, facing new challenges. The Starcourt Mall, the soundtrack, the epic return of a monster that was last seen in season 2, as well as a heartbreaking take on a new villain, as well as one of the most powerful showdowns in the last episode. (Also total cool points for having so many Day Of The Dead nods this time around!) This season was a mix of the Terminator, Stand By Me, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, Stephen King, and Red Dawn. It was everything!  This is now a staple to watch every summer, and every July. To celebrate, I decided to highlight some of the coolest Stranger Things merchandise that's I've been able to pick up/see so far this month!

Let's head to Starcourt Mall and see what they have!

Visit Hawkins IN T-shirt

I actually just ordered this shirt last night. I would like to blame the third glass of wine I had when a Facebook ad popped up showing this adorable T-shirt. Now I'm sure I'm not the only one who owns way too many T-shirts, but when Stacy is stressed out, and sorta drunk, my YOLO and #treatyoself comes into play big time. Can't wait to rock this one!

Stranger Things themed candy!

A fellow Facebook and IG friend mentioned that a chain of candy stories that are country wide called It's Sugar were releasing limited edition Stranger Things themed candy. Last week I had myself a bit of a "Stacy day" which basically means I just take some time to not run errands, and just treat myself to a few hours of fun. I first caught Annabelle Comes Home before it was pulled from theaters (Can't rave about how much fun that movie was!) Before heading off to Lynnfield (roughy a 45 minute drive) to check out this candy store with a friend of mine to see what all the fuss was with this Stranger Things candy...

It was one of the hottest days so far this summer (very muggy and swamp like outside) so we left the cool relaxing blast of the A.C in my car to venture to the store, and check things out. There were a ton of kids first that were being VERY annoying running around. Lucky they checked out after a few minutes after we arrived, and we decided to look at all of the cool Stranger Things displays. I asked if the banners were for sale, and sadly the sales woman said not until this fall. Still, I was instantly charmed when I saw the Billy lifeguard candy (which strangely looks like a sex toy. What only me?)

There was tons of different kinds. We had Camp Nowhere kits (the camp Dustin and Suzie attended) which were hard fruit flavored candies. Another set of hard candies based off my spirit animal Erica, Pez candies based off the kids, radioactive candy ooze, candy "fertilizer", chocolate bars, gummies, and lollipops based off the kids. I'm not a huge candy fan, but I picked up a few doubles to send to a friend of mine's daughter, and honestly got a kick out of the attention to detail they put into this stuff. Super cool if you love Stranger Things.

There were also tank tops and buttons with sayings such as "I dump your ass" What a riot. I sent most of the candy away, but I kept one container of Scoops Ahoy ice cream gummy candy (tastes just like ice cream) and one of Billy's life preserver gummy candies (which I'll never eat because A. It looks like a sex toy, and B. I feel eating something like this would eat you a stomach ache for days!) No, that's gonna stay in my summer decorations, which I feel next year will be a cross between Jaws and Stranger things...

 Billy pop figures

I've never been a huge pop collector. I might have 15 in total (I know that sounds like a lot) but they are mostly from gifts from friends. I think I have a Freddy one, two Big Trouble In Little China ones, and a Negan one, but I knew right away I needed all the Billy pops. Billy played the mullet wearing asshole from season 2 who was so unlikeable...you couldn't help but sorta feel attracted to him. He made driving a Camaro look good! With his tight jeans, earring, long hair, and douchebag attitude is basically every asshole villain from 80's teen movies. I was able to pick up three Billy figures. One of him when he wins Keg King at the Halloween party in season 2...

This Comic Con set of him and Karen from season 2 when he appears at the Wheeler's front door looking dreamy as ever, becoming Karen's romance novel fantasy as he munches on a cookie...

And last but least Billy from season 3 when he's flayed as the lifeguard.

Eleven from season 3

I felt this was a must to own. I adore the Eleven character and this season she kicked ass. Loved her fashion choices!

Scoops Ahoy slime

I'm an idiot and thought this was real ice cream at target (I can't with myself) I've always loved slime stuff (clay, play dough, Gak, silly putty, etc.) I felt I was born in the wrong era since the slime craze really went off the charts in the last few years. I work with kids and they LOVE making this gross shit. I've never made slime, nor have own anything like this since I was like 12, so I did get a kick out of owning some slime which is supposed to be a flavor of ice cream from the ice cream shop from the show. The U.S.S Butterscotch! This stuff smelled actually like butterscotch, and had this little foam banana slices. I played with it for a little bit (too scared I was going to get it stuck to something) and I gotta admit, as a 30...almost 31 year old woman this was super relaxing to touch...

Yum!

I really did love how the marketing for some of the merchandise was all meant to look like Scoops Ahoy ice cream containers. Super cute!

A closer look at the ice cream gummy candy from Its Sugar. 

Another cool promotional item was from Coca-Cola when they released a limited edition of "New Coke" via 1985 when they released a new recipe to try and jazz things up, including a new look on the cans. Sadly this bombed really bad, and they returned to the original recipe and can design. I got a box of two classic bottles of coke, including two cans of the "New Coke" as if they were straight from 1985! I was pumped. I heated up some eggos (in which Winchester wanted) and tasted the soda...

I gotta admit, couldn't tell the difference at all. Still, pretty cool!

I washed out the can and I'm planning on holding onto it for display purposes. I really do love when companies go the extra mile (thought it was a riot that Burger King did the "Upside down Whopper" which was only in select cities. I asked a friend of mine, who tried one and legit...it was just a whopper turned upside down. Can you stand it?

I also ordered this Billy shirt from another T-shirt company which is due to arrive any day simply because...Billy is everything.

Baskin Robbins Stranger Things ice cream

Out of all the promos, the Baskin Robbins transforming into Scoops Ahoy stores were the coolest where they would do limited edition Stranger Things ice cream flavors. 

I have looked EVERYWHERE and legit there are none near me. I tried even Doordash and they won't deliver. As God as my witness, I WILL FIND THESE ICE CREAMS DAMNIT!

My favorite duo this season.

I know Hot Topic and H&M released a ton of Stranger Things clothing merchandise. I just gotta admire the H&M clothing line since the dude who plays Billy modeled for it...

So there you have it guys! Anything I'm forgetting? Here's three cheers to the summer of Stranger Things!