When 10328 Bouquet of Roses was released in January 2024, I suspect the LEGO Group knew they had a hit. The set periodically sells out, and compared to actual red roses, it offers pretty good value. Naturally, I was a little intrigued when I saw an updated ‘bouquet of pink roses’ looming on the horizon. This set has an almost identical part count – and what appears to be a couple of subtle differences.
The set has 789 pieces and will be released on October 1st 2025, selling for $AUD99.99/ $USD59.99 /59.99€ / £54.99. This set was provided by the LEGO Group for review purposes. All opinions are my own. Let’s take a closer look.
Growing up in the 1970s and ‘80s meant that sitcoms from the 1960s were standard after school fare in Australia, and among these was the Addams Family. Occasionally it would alternate with the 1973 Cartoon, and eventually the inevitable slew of reunion specials that littered the prime time of the off seasons of the early 1980s television. There was something about the on screen chemistry between John Astin and Caroline Jones, to say nothing of her deadpan delivery of concepts that would shatter the sensibilities of a dormitory suburbia.
Or perhaps it is just nostalgia calling.
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the remakes, reboots, new Addams Family, New Addams Family Reunion Special or the New – new Addams Family (1998) or any of the movies. They just didn’t seem necessary. The stories were perfect in scary Black and White: the arrival of colour didn’t seem to add anything other than the need for a greater special effects budget.
Suffice to say, I was intrigued when I saw Netflix launching a series following the life of Wednesday Addams as she heads off to a boarding school for ‘Outcasts’ – Nevermore Academy, where Gomez and Morticia originally met. It’s the Addams Family meets Tom Brown’s School Days in the American backwoods. Wednesday’s characterization as a cynical teenager with a morbid curiousity, forced to make friends she has no interest in, and accompanied by the disembodied hand and household helper, Thing, the first season worked for me. Meanwhile, the underlying mystery of the second series felt a little disjointed, as B and C plots Lurched backwards and forwards through the story. Still, All’s well that ends.
The fact that Netflix wont allow me to take a screen shot can be can be quite frustrating!
Among other things, Wednesday’s second season also brings us a little of Thing’s life beyond that of faithful retainer to the Addams Family. It is in this context that Wednesday’s roommate, Enid Sinclair, and her friends welcome Thing to their friendship group, and present him with an apartment in an old trunk. Certainly a glow up from the small box he lived in back in the 60s. It is this ’apartment’ that set 76785 Thing’s Apartment is seeking to replicate.
With 828 pieces and priced at $AUD129.99/€79.99/$USD89.99/ £74.99, this set will be released in October 2025, just in time to prepare for Halloween.
This set was provided by the LEGO Group for Review purposes, but all opinions are my own.
We continue our look at the September Nike releases today with a look at 43010 Nike Slam Dunk. When I first saw pictures of this set, I felt it was setting out to imitate the posters of the 80s and 90s, with creative photography photography capturing the action from around the court, the crowd looking on, with the Nike Sports Star front and centre. Does it succeed in this? Lets take a closer look.
Wondering what’s coming your way for the Winter Holiday Village this year? Wait no more. Today the LEGO Group have revealed the upcoming release of two major holiday themed sets, coming in October 2025. the first is 10361 LEGO® Icons Holiday Express Train – the third winter holiday train and the first since the LEGO Group adopted the ICONs branding (and started to use a lot of pale blue in their winter holiday sets.)
There is also the massive 41843 LEGO Family Christmas Tree Decoration, with 3171 pieces. This Christmas Tree opens up to reveal a diorama stacked with minifigures.
Death Stars, in various shapes, sizes and forms played an integral part of the original Star Wars Trilogy. Along with the 75192 Millenium Falcon, the LEGO Star Wars Death Star play sets experienced remarkable longevity on the store shelves (Falcon – 8 years and counting;10188 – 2008, but still seen on the shelves until 2014, and 75159 was on the shelves from 2016 for another 4 years or so).
Launching in October 2025 is the largest LEGO StarWars set (by both piece and minifigure count) – 71459 Death Star. While the first two Death Star play sets were spherical, this latest version addresses one of the biggest issues confronting LEGO StarWars Ultimate Collector Series sets today: Storage space.
Melbourne LEGO® Lovers, rejoice. MUGs, the Melbourne LEGO Users Group have their inaugural Melbourne Brick Show coming up this weekend. at the Coburg Town Hall. The show will be open from 9am -4pm Saturday; 9am-3pm Sunday. Tickets are available online here
I have to admit, 6 months ago, I had no idea what to expect from the LEGO-NIKE collaboration. It could have been all about producing replica life-size sneaker models, as well as LEGO-branded sneakers and other apparel, as we saw with Adidas a few years ago. However, we are also seeing some sets going in directions that we might not have expected. Branko took a look at the 43008 NIKE Dunk x LEGO set a little while ago, and today I will take a look at one of its younger brothers, the 43021 Nike Dunk Trickshot. These sets are all aimed at builders over 10 years, and this set brings an interesting mixture of replica shoe, basketball court, graffiti and minigame. Along the way, I explore my inner street artist…
Time flies when you are having fun. Or have a lot going on around you. Or…and so on. I can’t believe it is over 3 years since I published my original description of MOPs – Minifigures on Parade/ Minifigures on Patrol – back in July 2022. MOPs is a modular platform for community participation. I initially proposed an 8×16 plate, on a standardized base, including a raised ‘middle 8’ plate. Advantages of the format include the capacity to start simple, and build up, as well as the scope for storytelling within the space available.
We have looked at a few creature builds over the last 2 years: the T. Rex, Panda, Kitten, Panda, Safari Animals, a Flamingo, and more – each coming with three options to build. One thing has been apparent: the number of brick designs in play has taken a quantum leap over the last few years. And with each set, the colour palette of these elements expands. Today, we will take a look at another: 31166 Beautiful Horse. Not only do we have the titular horse, but also a dear and bear to build. That said, just about anyone looking at it from a short to moderate distance might well be saying “Medium nougat parts pack”
Let’s take a closer look at this new Creator 3in1 set (provided by LEGO, all opinions are my own)
Two new sets have been added to the LEGO x Nike roster – due for release on 1st September 2025 the 43010 Slam Dunk and 43021 Dunk Trickshot bring some contrasting basketball builds, inspiring vibes from posters of years gone by, as well as capturing the sens of fun we have come to associate with some of the LEGO Groups greatest collaborative efforts.
