I have been obsessed with all things Hello Kitty since childhood. Figures, Stickers, Pajamas you name it!
I got a chance to live out my childhood dreams and because it is #WordlessWednesday on the interwebs I am bringing you the Photo Highlights:
Above: Meet Hello Kitty and Keroppi Live and In Person and join in on the Hello Kitty Birthday Celebration? Yes, Please! (If only it were a Pajama Party, I would have sported my HK PJ's. Yes, I own adult Hello Kitty Pajamas, don't judge me!)
Above: Not sure how I managed to get decent shots outside the store, I couldn't wait to get inside!
Above: What has two thumbs and wants one of everything? This Chick!
Above: Drinks? Don't mind if I do! The Drink Menu included: Hello Kitty - Cabernet Sauvignon, Hello Kitty Sparkling Rosé, Sparkling Mineral Water and Orange Passion Mango Italian Soda
Above: That Sparkling Rosé is so good! Just make sure to keep it well secured if you have any littles around! I also found out I need that Orange Passion Mango Soda in my life too!
Above: Japanese Calligrapher @kuni_rhythm was on hand to make guests a print of their name. I wanted mine to read: "Ascending Butterfly" but we were asked to restrict the print to one name, so I asked for 'butterfly' - which prompted him to ask 'like the insect'? This totally reminded me of the event where I got to meet Soccer Player, Mia Hamm, during the meet and greet she was signing 'mini soccer balls' and I asked for her to sign mine Ascending Butterfly but she omitted Ascending and just signed mine "To Butterfly" and I will treasure them both because of the fun memory. Little known fact about me, I was also obsessed with and learned to do Calligraphy when I was younger, this made me want to dust off my pens and start doing it again!
Above: The finished Result! The word "BUTTERFLY" in Japanese Calligraphy! I like to post my photos in the order I worked the room, oddly this photo ended up being number 22 in my camera roll, for some reason the numbers 2, 22, and 222 always follow me somehow. I like that my number got attached to this photo. For me butterflies have always been a sign from a loved one who has passed. I like to think this is a double sign that my angel on my shoulder was watching over me.
Above: AMEZAIKU - Traditional Japanese Candy Art by Candy 5!
Above: I couldn't resist zooming in to nab a shot of Candy 5 at work! When she would complete the personalized candy, she would hold it up to her shirt, perfectly centered inside the border of the frame, so you could see the completed result as Art. I thought that was genius!
Above: I was not fast enough to nab shots of the passed eats, but I did nab a shot of these assorted tower of treats!
Above: Keroppi and Hello Kitty busting a move!
Above: Leaked Footage of my Dreams, ahem I mean Hello Kitty's Birthday Cake! A four tier cake surrounded by Hello Kitty Cookies, yes Please!
Above: While the cake was almost too pretty to cut, I am glad Hello Kitty wanted to share birthday cake with ME, ahem I mean guests, yeah that's the ticket!
Above: The stuff that dreams are made of! I realized my childhood dream of meeting Hello Kitty! Special thanks to my blogging buddy Mitch of GayNYCDad for patiently taking tons of photos and being sure to nab my footwear (Shout out to Earth Footwear, these tall waterproof boots are called "Raleigh" you can get them from Earth Footwear here: https://earthshoes.com/earth-shoes-raleigh-womens-waterproof-leather-boots-bdl)
MY TAKE:
For those of you who don't live near any of the 15 Cost Plus World Market Brick and Mortar retail locations that are hosting this special Hello Kitty Pop Up Shop - you can totally shop for the items online!
It is probably hard to tell in the photo but I am wearing a very special Hello Kitty Necklace in this photo!
There is literally something fun for all ages (and us adults who are still kids at heart!).
For those of you who have deals on the brains, and who doesn't right? It is Black Friday Deals month all month long at Cost Plus World Market!
And one sad warning for my fellow New York City peeps, while the Manhattan Pop Up Shop has a ton of cool stuff, they do NOT sell the wines in the Chelsea location (and if you have a Manhattan or tri-state address the site does not let you ship wine to your home either), you will have to pick up the wines from another location. I just thought I should warn you in case you were only heading out there to pick up the wine for purchase. And while I reference owning HK adult PJ's they are my own, this pop up does not have them nor do the brick and mortar stores. The necklace I am wearing is also my own.
I bought some cute stuff in addition to the amaze balls gift bag - those photos will come under their own respective posts in the future - so stay tuned!
The only thing I don't actually have yet is Hello Kitty Luggage - so ahem if you make Hello Kitty Luggage and are reading this post, I take HK bribes, ahem I mean collaborations - that's the ticket!
READERS: Do you love Hello Kitty as much as I do? What is one of your favorite childhood toys?