22 January 2025

Review: sets 42643, 42644, 42649, 42655 & 42669 from LEGO® Friends

Posted by tobymac

In our second part of set reviews from the LEGO® Friends January 2025 wave we visit several locations in Heartlake City that offer food in various forms, starting with a small ice cream truck and ending in an idyllic cottage a beekeeper calls home. While enjoying the sustenance we'll explore the new elements these sets provide.

A variety of interesting elements from the January friends wave neatly knolled out on a blue background

Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
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Page contents

  1. 42644 Heartlake City Ice Cream Truck
  2. 42643 Cotton Candy Stand and Scooter
  3. 42649 Heartlake City Candy Store
  4. 42655 Restaurant and Cooking School
  5. 42669 Beekeepers' House and Flower Garden

42644 Heartlake City Ice Cream Truck

  • Release date: 1 January 2025
  • Pieces: 92
Price:

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Box for Lego Friends 42644 Heartlake City Ice Cream Truck

We start off with the smallest set in the group, delivering us dessert in an age 4+ set before we even start dinner. With just 92 parts there is little of interest to be found in terms of new elements.


Recolor

A pair of bright pink swirl topped 1 by 1s

The only recolor in the set is Plate Round 1 x 1 Swirled Top / Poo in Bright Pink (6519699 | 53119), found here 2x + a spare. The element is not unique to this set: it also showed up in our review of 42670 Heartlake City Apartments and Stores, and it will pop up later in this article as well.


Decorated elements

2 large printed elements with ice cream depitions

Two new elements with unique prints, not counting the mini-dolls, can be found:

  • Slope Curved 6 x 4 x 2/3 Quad Curved with 2 x 2 Studs with print in White (6481619)
  • Brick 1 x 4 x 3 with print in White (6481617)

Mini-dolls

2 mini dolls shown from the front and then again from behind

Paisley doesn’t bring any new elements, but all parts do appear in a new combination.

Elsa is a lot more interesting. Her head in reddish brown (6481614), torso in reddish brown (6522896) and legs in magenta (6522895) all show a new print. Her hair appears to be a new mold, as I can’t find anything similar to it, appearing in black (6517216 | 80700).


Other elements of interest

A large car base in dark tuquoise

The vehicle base of the truck is not new, but has only appeared in two other sets in dark turquoise (6464399) before.


The finished model

The completed ice cream truck and table to eat at

As can be expected of a 4+ set, the build is quick and not highly detailed. The result is good enough for the age group I suppose, but clearly not meant for adults, both as a build and in providing interesting elements to work with.


42643 Cotton Candy Stand and Scooter

  • Release date: 1 January 2025
  • Pieces: 110
Price:

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Lego Friends 42643 Cotton Candy Stand and Scooter


At 100, the part count of this set is slightly higher than the previous set, but the resulting model is a lot smaller, relying less on parts that are large and easy to build with.


Recolor

bright pink dome element

The only recolor comes in the form of Brick Round 2 x 2 Dome Top in Bright Pink (6519484 | 3262). It might look familiar though; the previous mold version 30367c with hollow stud appeared 10 years ago in bright pink in set 41094 Heartlake Lighthouse. We’ll see this element pop up later on as well.


Decorations

The cute mascot sign of the candy stand comes with a new print:

  • Brick Round 3 x 3 Dome with Center Stud with print in Bright Pink (6481618)

sticker sheet containing one sticker depicting a cotton candy cone and its price

The other decoration in this set is handled with a tiny sticker sheet.


Mini-dolls

two mini dolls shown from the front and again from the back

Liann is a repeat from set 42612 from last year. Jamila sports a new torso print in sienna brown (6521860).

Other elements of interest

three unique elements

There are some parts worth mentioning:

  • Minifig Head Plain [Vented Stud - 2 Holes] in Light Aqua (6454738) has appeared in 1 set.
  • Arm, Long, with Technic Pin in Light Aqua (6494362 | 66788) has been seen in 2 Super Mario sets.
  • Slope Curved 2 x 2 Inverted in Bright Pink (6476741 | 1750) was used once before.

The finished model

the completed cotton candy stand with scooter and cotton candy advertising mascot

The finished model provides a cute cotton stand wheeled around using an electric scooter. There is nothing special going on in terms of building techniques, but it will look good in a city display and the set contains a nice array of bright pink elements.

 

42649 Heartlake City Candy Store

  • Release date: 1 January 2025
  • Pieces: 376
Price:

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Lego Friends 42649 Heartlake City Candy Store


After ice cream and cotton candy, even more sweets can be found in 42649 Heartlake City Candy Store. Are there also some sweet elements in stock?


New mold

six small translucent dome pieces

The most exciting new element in the set is Dome 1 x 1 x 2/3, appearing in this set 2x + spare in trans-orange (6509776 | 6908) and 2x + spare in trans-bright green (6527409 | 6908).


The new dome piece compared to 3 other similarly sized and shaped pieces

The dome is a long-awaited follow-up to the Light Cover 1 x 1 Round with Internal Bar / Bionicle Barraki Eye (58176, 4278) seen above in trans-red, and the discontinued Brick Round 1 x 1 x 2/3 Light Bulb Cover, (4770) seen above in trans-green. While those two are less than a module wide, the new 6908 spans exactly 1 module, while being 2 plates high. Both the size and the curved top line up perfectlywith Brick Curved 1 x 1 x 2/3 Double Curved Top (49307) seen in orange.


The new dome piece fitting perfectly underneath a 1 by 3 arch

It also features the same curve as 49307, meaning the new dome also fits perfectly underneath a 1x3 arch brick. If you place the dome on a jumper plate as I have above, the domed top fills the gap on the side of the arch brick fully providing great new options for architectural detailing. Now we just need the mold to appear in some opaque colors!


Recolors

Three circular shaped elements

There are 2 elements appearing in a new color:

  • 2x Brick Round 2 x 2 Dome Top in Bright Pink. I’ve already discussed it being semi-new in the section for 42643 Cotton Candy Stand and Scooter.
  • 1x Brick Round 4 x 4 Dome Top with Round 2 x 2 Recessed, 4 Studs in Bright Light Orange (6524506 | 79850).

Decorations

A black cat element with yellow eyes

The only new print, outside of the mini-dolls, comes in the form of the cute kitten Pluto in black (6520727), which can also be found in 42670 Heartlake City Apartments and Stores.

A sticket sheet with mostly cute cartoony faces

The other decorations are handled by this sticker sheet.


Mini-dolls

Leo and Alba visit the store, run by the new character Gigi.

Three mini dolls, two regular sized and one smaller, from the front and then from behind

Leo only features a new printed torso in Medium Nougat (6527694), while Alba is a full repeat from last year.

Gigi compensates by introducing 4 new elements: a recolored hairpiece in trans-pink (6528673 | 1987), a new head in sienna brown (6520136), a newly printed torso in sienna brown (6528428) and newly printed legs in bright light blue (6528413).


Other elements of interest

six other random elements of interest

Aside from all the new elements, there are some others that are worth mentioning:

  • 1x Door Frame 4 x 4 x 6 Corner in Dark Pink (6524912 | 28327) was used once in 2022.
  • 2x Tile 2 x 2 Curved, Macaroni in Lavender (6325954 | 27925) also stems from 2022.
  • 1x + spare Equipment Scissors in Pearl Gold (6489198 | 18920) has appeared in a single LEGO® Harry Potter™ set.
  • 1x  Slope 30° 1 x 2 x 2/3 with print in White (6465581 | 105811) was used in a single set.
  • 2x Brick Round 1.5 x 1.5 Dome Top in Bright Light Orange (6504671 | 20952) has been seen in 2 sets since its introduction in 2024.
  • 1x  Plate Round Corner 5 x 5 with 4 x 4 Round Cutout in Lavender (6488200 | 80015) has appeared in 2 sets.

The finished model

two cute mascot builds, one of a chocolate bar and the other of a candy piece followed by an internal picture of the buildings structure depicting how the angled walls were formed

The build starts with 2 mascots; adding to the lineup found across the LEGO Friends theme. I really appreciate these types of theme-spanning traditions. 

The build is pretty straightforward, but I’m a sucker for building at angles. In this set, the sign above the corner door lines up nicely, with the construction locked in place with a corner plate placed above.


Interier of the store showing the variety and candy to select from

On the inside we find a station where we can scoop our own candy, along with several types of candy bars. On the other side of the store is a counter and a stove to make boiled sweets.


The completed model and side builds together outside the front of the candy store

The store looks bright and colorful, with some appealing treats on the inside. Just make sure to brush your teeth afterwards. The set isn't heavy on new elements, but those new domes sure have potential, for instance as warning lights, and hopefully we’ll see many recolors for them in future sets.

 

42655 Restaurant and Cooking School

  • Release date: 1 January 2025
  • Pieces: 896
Price:

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Lego Friends 42655 Restaurant and Cooking School

Leo has always been passionate about preparing food and now he's turning his talent into a profession as an apprentice in 42655 Restaurant and Cooking School, a new joint in Heartlake City run by Marta. Will Aliya and Sara be impressed by his dishes?


New molds

Dumpling (6647)

The cute new dumpling mold

One of the dishes Leo prepares is some form of dumpling (or other food wrapped in dough), bringing to us 3x + spare as a new mold in tan (6508751 | 6647). The same element also appears in 80116 Trotting Lantern (see our review of the parts in the LEGO Chinese New Year sets) and two LEGO® Monkie Kid sets from the January 2025 wave.


Yarn (6900)

The new yarn element show outside and the hollow inside

This yarn mold can be found in several sets from the January 2025 wave of LEGO Friends sets, but is used here as a ball of spaghetti noodles in bright light yellow (6522800 | 6900). 

Seeing as the set contains a cat as well, it could still be a ball of yarn of course. 

Two cats staring at the yarn element which in this set is used as noodles instead

Either way, these kittens look very smitten by the looks of it.

Tiny Chef's Hat with Small Pin (6914)

Tiny chef hat with a pit inside for securing it

Speaking of cats: Churro can be seen wearing a tiny chef’s hat in white (6509784 | 6914), with a spare provided.


Show how the chef hat's pinhole fits in a hollow stud

The hat features both a small pin and an anti-stud at the bottom. However, the presence of the pin does require that any stud the hat is placed on must be hollow.


Recolors

The following elements are new in their color:

four bright yellow half arches

  • 4x Brick Arch 1 x 4 x 3 in Bright Light Yellow (6518261 | 80543), also appearing in 42650

A dozen reddish orange large tiles

  • 12x Tile 2 x 6 in Reddish Orange (6483783 | 69729)

Two Croissants and three pastry elements

  • 2x + spare Plate Round 1 x 1 Swirled Top / Poo in Bright Pink (6519699 | 53119), also appearing in several other sets of this wave
  • 2x Food Croissant - Flat Ends in Tan (6522802 | 67338)

Decorations

A cubby mostly white calico cat element

The only newly printed element, outside of the mini-dolls, is a new facial expression for the chunky cat Churro in white (6520273), looking delighted by all the snacky snacks found in the restaurant.


Sticker sheet with colorful stickers depicting walls of a kitchen with various foods and cooking tools

All other decorations are handled by a sticker sheet.

Mini-dolls

4 mini dolls from the front and again from behind

The set comes with 4 mini-dolls. On the left we see Sara, whose standard head was introduced last year. Her new alternate head in nougat (6520276) appears to be enjoying the tasting. Her torso in nougat (6533749) also features a new print.

Next is Martha, a new character, who runs the restaurant. Her hat in white (6533452) comes with recolored dark orange hair, and her head in nougat (6520266), her torso in nougat (6533527) and her legs in bright light orange (6533456) are a new print.

Leo is dressed for the occasion, featuring a new printed torso in medium nougat (6533443) and an apron in reddish orange (6533270).

The last character is Aliya, who comes with a new printed torso in medium brown (6527291) and new legs in bright light blue (6527296). Where Sara seems to enjoy the servings, Aliya’s alternate head in medium brown (6520279) shows an expression of disgust.


Other elements of interest

Some fun interesting elements is a variety of colors

Aside from all the new elements, there are some others that are worth mentioning:

  • 1x Vehicle Body, Scooter in Bright Green (6430413 | 3373) was seen once in 2023
  • 4x Slope Curved 2 x 2 Inverted in Tan (6485743 | 1750) has only been used in 76962 Baby Bump before. Read our review for set 76962
  • 5x Plate Round 1 x 2 Half Circle with Stud (Jumper) in Bright Pink (6494545 | 1745) was limited to 21349 Tuxedo Cat until now
  • 2x Tile 4 x 4 Curved, Macaroni in Bright Light Blue (6488215 | 3447) is only used in 42638 Castle Bed and Breakfast. Read our review of set 42638
  • 1x Food Cupcake with Stud in Bright Orange/ Orange (6510513 | 79743) was unique to 10368 Chrysanthemum. Read our review of set 10368
  • The same goes for 1x Plant, Banana in Bright Light Orange (6512533 | 33085)
  • 2x (+ spare) Plate 1 x 1 in Reddish Orange (6469084 | 3024), 1x Slope 30° 1 x 2 x 2/3 in Reddish Orange (6483784 | 85984) and 4x Tile 1 x 3 in Reddish Orange (6483781 | 63864) were introduced by 42177 Mercedes-Benz G 500 PROFESSIONAL Line and not used since. Read our review of set 42177

The finished model

The completed resturant from the outside showing 2 tables with chairs out front following by an interior shot of the recieving area

On the ground floor we find a terrace outside and a reception and toilet inside. I like the use of a fork and spoon for the door handles.


The interior of the second floor where the food is prepared followed by the outside of the second floor wall of the structure

On the top floor we find a kitchen featuring various equipment. The stickered panels do a lot of the heavy lifting; I wouldn’t mind at least one being replaced by a brick-build shelf or cabinet. The connection between the floors has a reduced amount of studs for easy removal. The sign above the door is connected to the top floor however, preventing the top floor from being placed flat on the ground.


The hand of the author lifting up the room of the top floor to show a hidden area to keep all of the food elements that come with this set

The roof hides a nice surprise: it is a storage box containing a lot of loose parts. The idea is you use these to create your own dishes, with some examples given in the instruction manual.


The completed resutrant with mini dolls places about outside of it

The final model looks rather pretty, although I’m not a fan of the color scheme as the bright pink and reddish orange clash a bit for my taste. 

The build is not very complicated but offers enough for children. There aren’t many new elements unique to this set, so it depends on your needs if the set is worth purchasing.


Completed interior shot with mini dolls places in it's different sections

42669 Beekeepers' House and Flower Garden

  • Release date: 1 January 2025
  • Pieces: 1161
Price: 

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Lego Friends 42669 Beekeepers' House and Flower Garden


In my review of 42670 Heartlake City Apartments and Stores I mentioned the locally sourced honey found on the roof terrace. As some commenters correctly pointed out, I was mistaken that the honey was harvested at this location, but instead comes from a beekeeper. This beekeeper is depicted in set 42669 Beekeepers' House and Flower Garden, so put on your mask and see if this set is buzzing with new elements.


New molds

The set comes with a number of new molds:

3 of the same flower elements and a pink yarn ball

Plant, Sunflower in Yellow (6509767 | 6901) can be found in several sets in this wave of LEGO Friends sets, as well as in 30701 Field Flowers; see Eero's review of set 30701. Eero has also studied this pretty flower in his review of 10342 Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet, where the mold appeared in bright light blue. 

The aforementioned Ball of Wool / Yarn / Noodles is here in Dark Pink (6509764 | 6900) and can also be found in several sets in this wave, as well as in 71048 CMF Series 27. Read more about this mold in our review of 42670 Heartlake City Apartments and Stores.


Recolors

The following elements come new in their color:

Several Lavender elements that come in this set

The house contains a lot of lavender elements, including 2 recolors:

  • 10 x Bracket 2 x 2 with 1 x 2 Vertical Studs in Lavender (6522795 | 41682)
  • 3 x Window 1 x 4 x 3 without Shutter Tabs in Lavender (6522796 | 60594) also appears in 42652 Friendship Tree House Hangout

Some additional recolors of interest
  • 2 x Plate 3 x 3 in Dark Orange (6490183 | 11212)
  • 4 x Tile Special 1 x 3 Inverted with Center Hole in Bright Light Yellow (6522799 | 35459)
  • 1 x Plate 2 x 3 in Magenta (3021 | 6251297) makes its first appearance in a ‘regular’ set after appearing in 4000042 The Vault Memory Lane, a set exclusive to participants of the LEGO® Inside Tour

8 lime colored plant leaf elements

A recolor for freshly sprouted trees in the spring: Plant, Leaves Stacked 4 x 5 x 1 2/3 in Lime (6522798 | 5058), coming 8x in this set.


Decorations

1 by 2 tiles printed with flower images

In the small store we find a rack with these pamphlets, printed on a tile.

  • 4 x Tile 1 x 2 with Flower Bouquet, Text print in White (6520142)

A white rabbit element and a medium brown cat element

The beekeeper has two pet animals:

  • Animal, Rabbit / Bunny Sitting with Dark Bluish Grey Mustache, Brow/Blue Eyes print in White (6481605)
  • Animal, Cat, Sitting with Dark Brown Stripes, White Chest, Ears print in Medium Brown (6520143)

As far as we know, medium brown is locked for use for skin colors alone. It appears fur is permitted too?


Several clear 1 by 1 round tiles with prints of either a bee, a ladybug, or a beetle

The beetle, introduced in the Adventure Camp sets and seen here in the top left corner, now has company from 2 other insects:

  • 6 x (+ spare) Tile Round 1 x 1 with Bee print in Trans-Clear (6481608)
  • 1 x (+ spare) Tile Round 1 x 1 with Ladybug print in Trans-Clear (6481607)

The new ladybug and bee round tiles compared to previous ones which are more cartoony compared to these new more realistic ones

The prints are an improvement upon the previous versions shown above left, feeling less cartoony.


Sticket sheet with a variety of stickers for decorasting the interior of a house

The other decorations are handled by two sticker sheets, with the smallest featuring transparent stickers.


Mini-dolls

Four mini dolls from the front including one in a beekeeper suit

The set comes with 4 minidolls; 2 members of the core LEGO Friends group, and 2 new characters.


The same 4 mini dolls from the front again and also from behind

Paisley doesn’t contain any new elements, but does form an assembly unique to this set.

Aliya comes with a new torso in medium brown (6527291) and new legs in bright light blue (6527296). This version of her also appears in 42655 Restaurant and Cooking School.

Orla hides a newly printed head in nougat (6520147) behind her mask. The mask Mask / Hat, Beekeeper in White (6527295) has been used in 2 other sets with a trans-brown visor, but is now updated with the newer trans-black. The torso is newly printed in white (6527052), while the legs are the first appearance of this mold in plain, coming in white (6471108 | 2277).

Terence has a new printed head in light nougat (6520144), a new printed torso in light nougat (6527699) and a new leg print in red (6528047).


Other interesting elements

The following elements are not new, but rare enough as of time of writing to be worth mentioning.

7 additional elements of interest from this set

  • 1 x Window 1 x 2 x 2 Flat Front in Lavender (6422081 | 79128) has been seen in 2 sets in 2023.
  • 1 x 51239 Window Frame 1 x 3 x 3 in Reddish Brown (6502373 | 51239) was introduced last year in a LEGO Harry Potter set.
  • 6 x Tile 2 x 2 Curved, Macaroni in Lavender (6325954 | 27925) was seen once in 2022 by LEGO® DOTS.
  • 1 x Door 1 x 4 x 6 with Window, Wood Structure, Loose Window Hold in Reddish Brown (6522056 | 7102) has been used in 2 sets previously.
  • 54200 Slope 30° 1 x 1 x 2/3 (Cheese Slope) in Reddish Orange (6473212) was introduced by 42177 Mercedes-Benz G 500 PROFESSIONAL Line.
  • 3 x Weapon Hilt Symmetric in Bright Green (6468078 | 66909) was first seen in 21353 Botanical Gardens.
  • 3 x Tile Special 1 x 3 Inverted with Center Hole in Dark Azure (6459289 | 35459) has appeared in 3 sets prior.

a variety of flower and leaf related elements for creating the garden area

Last year we were treated with a number of new plant molds, including Peony Rose (5904) and Tulip (5903). These, along with the Tile with Four Leaf Clover Print (6507709) can be found here to provide substance for the bees.


The finished model

The model depicts a small cottage surrounded by gardens. 

Various interior and exterior shots of the completed model including a picnic table outside and an upstair bedroom

In front of the building we find a picnic table to enjoy our honey-based meal. It’s a nice construction that allows mini-dolls to sit down. On the ground floor a shop is situated selling various products like honey, wax candles and packs of seeds. Above the shop is the bedroom of Orla and Terrence.


The nicely created garden area with vegetables growing and an area for birds, bees, and insects

The walls of the cottage feature some nice building techniques, using the 2x2 brackets for sideway building, creating decorations that don’t stick outside of the wall. In the garden, rounded plates are used to create hexagons. These parts have proven to be very versatile as demonstrated by Kev's examination of the LEGO rounded plate family.


Two examples of the interesting build techniques this set utilized

The garden is split in 2 sections. On the left we find vegetables growing, with Amos the rabbit eying the carrots, and flowers for the bees which live in the beehives. The beehives are made out of cabinets with inverted tiles at the bottom, using the hole in the parts to represent drawers. I really appreciate the attention to detail; we’ve seen birdhouses before, but where they are usually a simple (LEGO® Technic) brick with slope on top, we get a nice full build here. The same goes for the insect hotel and water pump.


The completed model from the front with all mini dolls in place

Friends set 42669 Beekeepers' House and Flower Garden is a cute built with a lot of details, while also bringing some new elements, mainly in the form of recolors.


READ MORE: Review: 71491 Mateo with the Z-Blob Action Race Car from LEGO® DREAMZzz™

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1 comment:

  1. Andrew Barnick22 Jan 2025, 16:06:00

    Great review! The Beekeeper's House and Flower Garden is easily my favorite. Such a charming pastoral set with all you need for beekeeping—flowers, vegetables, and lots of honey- and wax-based products for sale!

    Worth noting that Gigi's hairpiece in the candy store set isn't just trans pink, but rather a trans pink/trans orange blend. It seems to look slightly less vibrant and distinct than in the official set photos, but you can still see the orange near the tip of the ponytail.

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