Believe it or not, everyone's favorite (If you don't like Hello Kitty, I'm not talking to you) mouthless kitty turns 37 today! Dang girl, you still look like a kitten to me!
In celebration of the big event, Sanrio is releasing two limited edition collaborations for the ultimate Hello Kitty collectors. First up, is the signature Nooka watch, featuring a Zirc display (sounds fancy) with a screen printed Hello Kitty graphic.
And Tokidoki x Hello Kitty is also back with a new line of items ranging from a rolling suitcase and neoprene laptop and iPad cases, to a wallet, bags, watches, and plush. (When I was growing up, the most exciting Hello Kitty thing I had was a coin purse that you wore on your wrist)
If you're thinking on starting on some holiday shopping, or putting together a Hello Kitty wish list of your own, other new Sanrio offerings for grown up kids include "Wish Come True for Hello Kitty," a super cute and colorful collaboration with Miami-based artist FriendsWithYou, some really cool laminated jewelry pieces by NEIVZ, and of course, the highly anticipated Hello Kitty for Forever 21 collection, that's set to launch November 18th. If you see me at the mall that day, stand clear!
Did you know? Some of my favorite Hello Kitty facts:
* Her real name is Kitty White
* She was born in the suburbs of London on November 1st
* She is a Japanese Bobtail Cat
* She wears her bow on the left side, while her twin sister Mimmy wears hers on the right side
* She has a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty, whose necklace holds the key to Hello Kitty's jewelry box
* Her height is five apples, and her weight is three apples
* According to Sanrio, she doesn't have a mouth because "without the mouth, it is easier for the person looking at Hello Kitty to project their feelings onto the character" and that "the person can be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty."
* Rumor has it that she has her origins back to the Maneki Neko, or Japanese Beckoning Cat
Sanrio Puroland, March 2010
On a personal note, when I traveled to Japan back in 2010, one of the highlights of my itinerary was to visit Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo. Unfortunately, within 12-hours of arriving in the country, I contracted a terrible case of food poisoning (that included my first ever visit to an emergency room), and left me unable to leave the hotel for two days.
Since I was traveling with a group tour, and the itinerary was so tight, if I didn't go to Puroland on the third day of the trip, I wouldn't be able to go at all. So on that day, I dragged myself out of bed, got a map and directions from the tour guide, and made my pilgrimage to see Hello Kitty. I had to take a bus and two trains (it took me around 1.5 hours to get there, and keep in mind I was alone, have never been in Japan before, don't speak Japanese, and hadn't eaten in two days), but I had an amazing time and it was totally worth it! (it also boosted my spirits, and I fully recovered shortly afterward). If you're interested, you can read more about my Puroland experience here.
Happy Birthday, Hello Kitty!
We're still not over the fact that we missed her big 35th birthday bash up in LA... Happy belated birthday HK!
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