HK Con Diary: Badges

I am super lucky that Sanrio decided to host Hello Kitty Con in Los Angeles, rather than in Japan or New York. It's understandable why they'd want to bring Hello Kitty Con to L.A. 

Los Angeles is the heart and soul of activity. Many events are taking place here and what better way for Sanrio to bring more awareness to a culture of cuteness. By hosting a convention in the States, this is another refreshingly new take to show Americans that Hello Kitty is not just all about being a cute kitty. She is more than a cartoon character. She represents all different sides to her, whether in a form of art that brings out the cool side of her or through merchandise and food-- the beautiful art piece that she is today.

Also, it helps that with this "new" cool image, it will surely bring in new fans for Sanrio.

New fans = more $$$

With just two more days before the big day in Little Tokyo, I went to pick up my HK Con badges. Inside the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), everything was decked out in Hello Kitty Con posters and signs to promote the event. It was an exciting day to know that we'll be able to celebrate the love for Hello Kitty very soon. Among the fandom, there will most likely be a countdown to take place.

Are you ready for cuteness overload? I sure am.

HK Con Diary 2014

As it gets closer and closer to the first ever Hello Kitty convention, I have been preparing and planning out my two kittified outfits for the last few months. I didn't need to buy anything extra for my Thursday outfit because I had the clothes and accessories already in my Closet. 

What I needed to plan out and purchase was mainly for my Halloween outfit and of course, my Hello Kitty nails.

I love how it turned out 

Since I wanted my nails to be done by a talented nail salon, I found that Marie Nails in Los Angeles to have an excellent reputation for creating lovely nails. The nail salon is Japanese owned and their nail techs are very talented Japanese artists. With a nail salon picked out, I made my appointment three months in advance. 

The result for my nails was very kawaii-meets-sophistication. I am a simple girl and love simplicity the best. As I type this blog post, I am fascinated with how very cute my nails are as my fingers are spread out on the keyboard. With both hands, the Hello Kitty face on each hand seems to be winking up at me as it blends nicely with the other white colored nails. I like the very fact that my nails are not overly done, but has that simple touch of kawaii-ness.  

This being my first time to have my nails done in a nail salon, I plan to get a more detailed nail art design for my next visit. I am not sure if I'll go with a Hello Kitty theme again or a Sanrio-fied theme.

After getting my nails done, I kept asking myself why I don't get my nails done more often by professional artists. I really should...

Inside Junolyn's Handbag

For a year and a half, I have been focused on searching for Sanrio items to add to my growing collection of handbags. They are not ordinary handbags, but of Loungefly's Hello Kitty embossed bags. These handbags are truly one of a kind because they are stylish yet still be a cute Hello Kitty product. It screams fashion bags for adults. These handbags are one of the reasons that made it acceptable for older women to like Hello Kitty. 

NEWS ALERT: Hello Kitty is in.

 What's in your bag?

Before Loungefly's Hello Kitty handbags came onto the fashion scene, there have been many designs of Hello Kitty purses that were sold through Sanrio. Most of the HK purses just don't compare to Loungefly's HK designer bags. Loungefly's version of Hello Kitty bags have been so incredibly successful with the adult crowd that they have expanded the line to luggages, cases, and more.

Inside my handbag

My Stuff

I try my best to carry a small amount of things because I really hate a messy purse where it takes a while to find whatever you need. I have found the basic things like a calendar planner (even if it's 2010-- still cute to use for contacts and such), small wallet, card holder case, portable scissor, small mirror, USB car charger, a small pouch for tissues, and a pen.

Below is a video that shows fully of what's in my white Loungefly Hello Kitty handbag. There are a few necessity items that I can't do without like my SPF lipstick, Icebreaker mints, iphone, keys, and the Sanrio stamp cards.

Hello Kitty, Hello 40 Book Review

 

Hello Kitty, Hello 40: A 40th Anniversary Tribute

WHERE to Buy:

Amazon, Target, Simon&Schuster, and Barnes & Nobles

Kawaii

If you love anything cute, then this hardcover 40th Anniversary Tribute to Hello Kitty book will make you smile and squeal with delight. Full of colorful and bright pages, the book contains 40 + 1 more stories illustrated by different artists. 

Each short story is illustrated in each artist's own interpretation of Hello Kitty. Each story has a different drawing style that will make you fall in love with the loveable furrball all over again.

While the book may have no words of dialogue, it can be still enjoyed by older mature fans. It's illustrated in a way that even adults can be entertained by their adorable Sanrio characters coming to life in front of their very eyes. While the center story is around Hello Kitty, there are a few stories that have a few Sanrio characters guest starring in the book.

No longer are these characters stick flat on merchandise, but they are brought to life by these talented artists. 

Full of imagination and wonder, these Sanrio characters seem more real by the end of the book. If you were only a Hello Kitty lover, then this book will have you start liking another Sanrio character. That is the magic draw of the kawaii world of Sanrio.

Welcome to my world!

My Sanrio Rating:  ♥♥♥ 1/2

Below are Pages from the book:

Junolyn's Top 10 Collectibles for Hello Kitty

Have you just discovered your love for Hello Kitty or has your obsession been renewed recently? If it has, then this article is perfect for any type of Hello Kitty Collector.

If you are beginning to start your own collection or have a collection going, then you might want to go through this checklist to see if you have all these in your collection...

Junolyn's TOP 10 Collectibles for Hello Kitty

1.   Retro Vintage Coin Pouch

Pic by IG

Don't you want to own a part of history in your own way? Even if it's not the original, you can add a retro similar replica to your collection. Say that one day you have a guest viewing your collection and that person knows the history of Sanrio and Hello Kitty-- then he or she will understand why you have this small itty-bitty coin pouch encased in a glass display box. 

See, Sanrio has one displayed in one of their many heavily security guarded exhibits...

it's that precious to Hello Kitty fanatics all over the world.

2.   First Hello Kitty Comic Book

As a collector, you know the first issue of a Comic book is a big deal, right? This is the very first Hello Kitty comic produced. You might want to get your hands on one before you can no longer find one. It'll go down as part of history - well, that of Hello Kitty's history of many accomplishments. 

Protect yours well.

3.   First Hello Kitty World Convention Poster

Like the first comic book, this Convention poster is the first of it's own kind because it's the first ever Convention that celebrates the love for Hello Kitty. In a way, it also celebrates Sanrio-- the one who created the ever popular character, Hello Kitty. Once Sanrio has established their brand name to be a household one, I take it that there might be a first ever Sanrio Convention down the road in the far far far future? To be expected?

If you see any Sanrio characters in the first HK Con, don't yell.

4.   Brunswick Bowling Ball

Even if you don't bowl, this is one collectible that is a showstopper in your collection. Guests and friends will stop and stare at it. Why, you ask? Look at the picture above. It's not everyday that you see a Hello Kitty bowling ball, especially with it's kawaii face staring right at you. Doesn't it seem like Hello Kitty is beckoning you to throw her and seducing you with her irresistible charm?

5.   Loungefly's LunchBox

Think about it...

You know it. I know it. We all know it. 

We know that you secretly own one of these babies. It's been stamped approved by the designers of Loungefly. You don't have to be a child to own one. It's back in with the cool crowd of adults, whether it being female or male. Who wants to follow the crowd and be like everyone else? Stand out with a lunchbox.

6.   Pink Globalization by Christine Yano 

If you are going to start out your own Hello Kitty collection, why not start with the basics? Read an in-depth book about the history of Hello Kitty. It's basically the bible to every Collector's collection. A well written book that understands the kawaii history, Hello Kitty, and how everything are all connected to one another.

7.   Moxi Roller Skates 2013

It's a perfect way to skate through life... in a kawaii fashion style.

Who knows where our path will lead to-- one filled with chasing after many collectible items or another trying to remember why we loved Hello Kitty in the first place. Either way, this is another showstopper collectible that makes others stop and stare. Get it? The most important part-- the stares. Get 'em because you'll love all the jealous attention. They might not like Hello Kitty, but they love how you stand out like a red beaming light.

8.   Monopoly Board Game

Who doesn't like board games?

Even if you're not into board games, this collectible edition is still a special addition in a Hello Kitty collection. One of a kind. An out-of-ordinary type of Hello Kitty product that you can't get your hands on type of deal. It's something that will come in handy down 10 or 20 years from now on a rainy day and to pass up time for those who are bored. It's all about the bonding moments that connects us all together with a simple board game.

9.   Sephora Handheld Mirror

Whether or not you are a fashionista, this handheld mirror is a MUST have in your collection. Male or female, we all look at ourselves in the mirror to check if we're feeling pretty (or handsome for the men *wink*) on a particular sunny day. Haven't you ever chanted: 

"Mirror, Mirror -- who's the fairest of them all?"

Seriously? You all haven't? Eek, I mean to say... I haven't done it either. No lie.

10.   Chubby Bunny Bow Headband

You want attention and all that spazz that comes with it? You got it. This headband bow will spruce up any Hello Kitty outfit that you put together at the last minute. It's even something guys can wear if they don't mind the stares. 

Gals & Gents, one important lesson: capture their attention with your bow and keep it on you all night long. Life is like a party, right?

Another Tip for Pen & Pencil Collectors

While I have not found a better way to preserve Kawaii decorative pens and pencils than with plastic wrappers or ziplock bags, here's an extra tip...

I have come across a site that leads to new information for storing pens.

• Marker-style pens and pens with writing tips on both ends must be stored horizontally to keep the ink distributed evenly. Attempting to store them vertically can result in all the ink “pooling” on the downward tip, with the other end drying out.  In addition, any type of pen that requires you to shake before use, such as metallic paint markers, should be stored in the same manner.
• Ink pens such as gel pens and similar pens should always be stored so that they are vertical, with the writing end down, cap on.  
• Pencils can be stored vertically or horizontally.

Source: ScrapJazz

If you keep your pen and pencil collection in a plastic container or ziplock, remember to always store in room cool temperatures. The plastic will more likely stick or melt onto your pens and pencil collection.