Hello Kitty and Pom Pom Purin | 40th Anniversary

Picture courtesy of cool_japan_garden

This is a 6.8×3.1×6.2 inch, polyester plushie of Hello Kitty and Pom Pom Purin, 40th anniversary edition. 

Pom Pom Purin, born 1996, April 16, is a boy, Golden Retriever, with his characteristic brown beret. His mantra is "let's go out", he collects shoes, and his favorite food is his mom's cream caramel pudding. 

Sanrio's created Purin and his persona to closely follow that of what a typical dog might like, or do: he collects shoes, loves milk, playing outside, the command 'stay', and his long ears all pay tribute to the characteristics of dogs.

Hello Kitty Sephora Palette | Sanrio Makeup

Sanrio collaborated with Sephora, after MAC created some limited edition makeup accessories, and made their own LE products, like this Hello Kitty palette, around 2011. Much like the Beatsbydre headphones, if you can, snag the limited promotions up, before those particular sales end, and the special merchandise is super hard [and expensive] to find!

Picture courtesy of nic_lrgx4k8s

If you miss it, no worries; eventually, I'll find them and blog all about it.

Cheers

Vintage Hello Kitty Sticker Book (1976)

Picture courtesy of clingingviolet

Picture courtesy of clingingviolet

This is a vintage Hello Kitty ABCs sticker book, from 1976, and made in Japan. The booklet is two by two inches, and six pages long.

Hello Kitty Museum

In Kawaii headlines, Sanrio will be opening a retrospective museum for Hello Kitty in the Experience Music Project Museum in Seattle, Washington, on November 14, 2015.

On display, visitors will learn more about this pop-culture icon, and see more than 600 unique and rare pieces, as well as view 40, inspired mixed media works from artists around the world. The EMP Museum admission will cover the Hello! Exhibit, and EMP Museum members will have free access.

Picture of EMP logo is courtesy of empmuseum

Picture of EMP, Seattle is courtesy of wikipedia

Special Edition Beatsbydre Hello Kitty Headphone & Earbuds

Beatsbydre, now a subsidiary of Apple, released special edition Hello Kitty headphones, last fall. While the headphones are quite expensive and slightly hard to find, online from third-party sellers, the earbuds are still readily available from the original merchant¹. Beats audio devices are often criticized for being marketing ploys -instead of being reputable for their quality-, but the design of these Beats HK editions are super awesome!

Picture courtesy of diytrade

Picture courtesy of nitrolicious

Picture courtesy of beatsbydre

Picture courtesy of beatsbydre

Picture courtesy of beatsbydre

 These earbuds also come with their own carrying pouch.

Picture courtesy of beatsbydre

Picture courtesy of beatsbydre

So, they look awesome, but I can't account for the quality, versus brand [insert here] -at a comparable price-, however, if you look at some other common Hello Kitty audio devices, such as Target's headphones, I would opt for the Beats.

I do not own any Beats audioware, but friends enjoy them, and I have had positive in-store tests.

Picture courtesy of Target

¹As of 8/28/15; I do not guarantee the availability of any merchandise mentioned.

Look Around, Stay Awhile

Hi! I post for my readers; if there are particular areas of the Sanrio [or kawaii] universe you would like to see, or learn about, please leave a comment and I'll do my best to appease.

If you're just visiting, and see something you like, check back again soon; I try to post every couple days. Also, for recurring visitors, if no new posts are up, check the older ones. I often re-update older posts when I find more relevant information, or additional tidbits that I think would improve the original content.

Thanks,

"cchwag" Charlie

Steiff Hello Kitty in a Bear Onesie

This is another 40th anniversary, Steiff Hello Kitty, wearing a bear onesie (or jumpsuit). As aforementioned, Steiff makes their collectibles by hand, and this plush shows the intricate details they use.
The plush is made of mohair; fabric made from the hair of Angora goats. Hello Kitty's whiskers peak from beneath the edge of the onesie hood. On her left ear is a tag with the Steiff brand. On her right foot is her name and her signature bow.

Hello Kitty | Sanrio & Steiff collaboration 40th Anniversary

Picture of Steiff 40th anniversary Hello Kitty is courtesy of Sanrio

This is Steiff & Sanrio's collaboration of a 40th anniversary Hello Kitty plush, with her own Steiff bear.

What is Steiff? The company started manufacturing collectibles and toys in 1880, and do so using only premium fabrics like mohair (from the Angora goat, picture below), alpaca, cotton velvet, and woven fur. Each toy animal is made by hand.

Some of their vintage collectibles have sold in the after-market for tens of thousands of dollars!

This Hello Kitty plush is made of mohair, a fiber gathered from the Angora goat, and has a natural sheen and velvety softness to it.

Picture is courtesy of Sanrio

Picture of Angora goat is courtesy of wikipedia

Hello Kitty Amusement Park | Puroland

A Sanrio amusement park? Sort of, and not near you, or me. Puroland is Sanrio's theme park, in Tama, Japan.

This photo of Sanrio Puroland is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Picture courtesy of Agustin Rafael Reyes

Picture courtesy of Google maps

Picture courtesy of Google maps

That's a whole 5,000 miles from California, to Tama, or a whopping 7,000 miles from Florida! 

What can you do at Puroland?According to the website -en.puroland.jp- park guests can enjoy a multitude of activities:

• the Sanrio Character boat ride;

Picture courtesy of lusciouslaura95

 If you search 'puroland boat ride' you'll see some homemade footage of some of the park guests. To me, the Character Boat Ride reminds me of Disney's "It's a Small World" ride, with Sanrio-universe characters.

• the 40^th anniversary parade; 
• the Yakata Restaurant;
• the Hello Kitty musical; 
• explore the Sanrio Character Hills;
• take the Kiki & Lala Twinkling Tour; 
• meet Hello Kitty, and experience her lifestyle; 
• ride the My Melody & Kuromi Mymeroad ride; 
• see the Little Hero play; 
• see the Lady Jewelpet’s Magical Musical; 
• shop at the largest store in Puroland, the Entrance Shop
• and eat at the Character Food Court

A very cool experience if you can make the trip. You can search for handheld footage, some lucky participants have uploaded on some of your favorite video sites, and see in detail the great work Sanrio has put into Puroland.