Children are good for many things. They love you unconditionally, they bring joy and laughter to the home, and they often put things in perspective. Emi allows me to be young again and do all the things I did as a child. We go to amusement parks, watch cartoons, visit the zoo, and eat a lot of Cheerios. But best of all I get to buy…
Hello Kitty!
Yes, I do confess that I’ve gone slightly overboard with Ms. Kitty this year. It used to be that Hello Kitty was only at the Sanrio store, but now she is literally everywhere. From the Dollar Store to high end department stores, Hello Kitty is ubiquitous. Like any addict, I’m constantly tempted and often I succumb to her calling. This year alone, I’ve amassed a small kitty collection much to the chagrin of my better half.
I also might be guilty of throwing Emi her 2nd birthday with a Hello Kitty theme.
We also couldn’t help but celebrate her presence at Halloween and made her into a pumpkin.
In my defense, my family is partly to blame as they are contributors, or as Tyler would say “enablers,” of my addiction. They score me plenty of items they see while out shopping. Who can resist a cat with no mouth? The question really is, what’s not to love about Hello Kitty? If Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, and Kimora Lee Simmons can rock the kitty, why can’t I?
Looking back, Hello Kitty hooked me with all of her cute stationary supplies. Dolls didn’t do it for me; I was more interested in organizing and collecting things. Stickers, pencils, pens, notebooks, and eventually watches became my passion. I suspect I want Emi to have the love for collecting that I did as a child and, in the process, have tried to nudge her to embrace my favorite cat. Thankfully Emi did not need much nudging and loves Hello Kitty almost as much as myself. Recently, while shopping, she spotted kitty in a Sanrio store and actually started dancing in front of it. I must admit it was a proud moment for me!
Disclaimer: My husband thought I should clarify that we do not live in a home like this:
or drive a car like the one below. Fingers crossed my addiction will not become this visible. Then again, one never knows!
Happy 35th Birthday Hello Kitty!
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You are right “Reliving the dream” indeed. I only have boys but I did try to force Keroppi and Bad Badtz-Maru on them, but they are still Too Cute. *sigh* Luckily, being an adult, I can purchase Hello Kitty things for myself, LOL: I remember them being only “from Japan” and very very very expensive. Have you checked out Hello Kitty Hell? (Actually, is your husband the blogger for that site?) Great job on the pumpkins!
Love the disclaimer! LOL I’m not a huge Hello Kitty person but i totally got sucked in when i visited the HK shop in Tokyo at Christmas. I bought a tonne of stuff! And when an expat a bar around the corner saw all my Hello Kitty stuff he taught me this little factoid i can’t seem to forget: Hello Kitty’s boyfriend is named Daniel Dear. LOL
Typ0´s last blog ..A Meeting of the Minds
We’re having a birthday over here today too! It’s way less pink, but it’s just as awesome. It’s not everyday that a hero turns 8. Oh, and thanks for rubbing in the fact that, unless I become a millionaire who can buy whatever I want even if it makes me look like a dork, I will never enjoy buying Hello Kitty again. It’s cool. I can have all the GI Joes I want. Yipee!
parenting BY dummies´s last blog ..The Birth of a Hero
Is that house for real???? It’s actually pretty cool if you ask me. And Emi? Oh my, she’s just a beautiful little girl. How lucky she has a wacked-out mom that loves the Kitty.
Justine
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Justine´s last blog ..Writer’s Workshop: I Picked Up The Phone…
Oh my goodness! Look at that house! I was a Sanrio store addict when I was a kid. I still have a few of my things from there. Sadly, my kids have never cared for Ms Kitty.
Lolli´s last blog ..Autumn Beauty – I Heart Faces
Yes the toys manufacturers are clever indeed… bringing back all of the toys of our childhood as they know we will buy them for our kids simply because we loved them growing up.
Emmy´s last blog ..Updates and Awards
Those 3 women should be the reason NOT to rock the kitty!!! But she is sooo cute, it is hard to resist!
Kameron´s last blog ..False Alarm
I adored that cute kitty, but God gave me boys. I love seeing it on the girls when I visit Sam’s school!!
Dina @ 4 Lettre Words´s last blog ..i heart faces
Really Hello Kitty is older than me.. Yeah…
Amy´s last blog ..A Celebration of Peace….
Oh my gosh…that was my favorite store when I was younger! Do you remember the “grab bags?” I ALWAYS wanted one of those!!!
Alicia´s last blog ..15 MINUTE MEAL
I LOVE HELLO KITTY! So much that myself and two other friends are getting Hello Kitty tattoos.
Ok, I really did just type that out.
Anywho, this post totally put a smile on my face and I’m hoping that one day I’m blessed with a little girl because she’ll be a Hello Kitty addict like me!
Sevi´s last blog ..out of town!
I totally want that house!
Jen @ buried with children´s last blog ..Deer Hunter
Is that a real house? How fun! I love Hello Kitty growing up and am secretly glad that I can enjoy it again with my daughter.
Jen@ODBT´s last blog ..thankful
Is that a real house? Oh my Lord!!! I do have to say that I like the HK necklace that Kimora Lee is wearing!
Helene´s last blog ..Stupid childhood stunts….
Hello Kitty is wonderful. I have to agree. Who would have known such a simple looking character could have made it so big? I don’t think people love ME as much as they love that cat. And she doesn’t shed. Bonus.
Mama Kat´s last blog ..It’s What’s For Dinner: Snowball Cake
Are you sure that’s not your house? I have sources that say otherwise.
Pooba´s last blog ..I Know What You Did Last Weekend
I love Hello Kitty. I’ve even gotten my girls in on it. I had no idea she was celebrating such a significant birthday this year. Maybe I should throw my own HK birthday party….
Lady of Perpetual Chaos´s last blog ..Friday Favorite-Table for 4
Somebody does not live in that horrible Hello Kitty house! Well, obviously they do, but it’s just not right! Moderation people!
Hello Kitty is 35?
I always associate the smell of the hello kitty store with the merchandise……..do you?
angie´s last blog ..Hip Hop Bling
You know what? I’d live in that house:)
Puna´s last blog ..Saphron
There is no need for hello kitty in my house full of men. I do not even have a daughter to cover such a personal addiction.
And while it is so very cute and tempting, I must refrain!
Jennifer´s last blog ..Try and freeze the moment, though it will melt…..
I must say that Hello Kitty kind of scares me a bit. I’m so glad you don’t have the car or the house. Kind of like living in the Malibu Barbie beach house but without Ken. Plus, Barbie had the sweet corvette.
Jen´s last blog ..How Did We Survive?
My daughter is Hello Kitty mad!
Your Hello Kitty is my Barbie! I MUST have a girl next! I don’t think the hubs would appreciate it if he came home to the dude and I playing Barbie. Ah ha ha
Kristin´s last blog ..Picture Perfect Weekend
I would live in that house without complaint. Though Queen Bitty would not be amused.
Love Miss Kitty (maybe not as much at you)–a classic and not too grown up like so many alternaitve toys. Happy 35th B-day Miss Kitty.
Nicole Feliciano´s last blog ..Momtrends Great Holiday Gifts #4
It’s so cool – and so different – seeing all the GIRL stuff! Kids do put everything into perspective. My boys have always kept me grounded, and focusing on things that fill us up in ways that cost nothing at all. Only a bit of time, and attentiveness.
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..What’s your style?
I totally threw my daughter a Hello Kitty party too when she turned 2
I just loved all of the Sanrio characters all of my life, and I’m just thrilled that my daughter loves them too.
Momisodes´s last blog ..This little piggy has a beef
Take it to the next level like my husband’s cousin. She got a LARGE tattoo of Hello Kitty on her wrist. Which is cute, but maybe not as much when she is 67?
I would totally drive that Hello Kitty car around town, I do home nursing visits and I think my patients would cheer up just seeing it!
Oh my gosh, have you heard of the Hello Kitty gate in the Taipei airport? I saw it on one of the blogs I read, and my mom – who is traveling to the Philippines – had a stop over there and asked me if I wanted her to pick something up and take pictures! LOL! I have been an HK fiend since I was a wee one. And my good ole mom is still my ‘pusher’. Way to go! Keep HK alive! Pass her on to the next generation!
Jennifer´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – My Iron Gut(s)
Whee! I love Hello Kitty too… why no love shown to Dear Daniel?
San´s last blog ..Feel Like Fainting?
I love Miss Kitty…last year I blogged about her being a month older than me (I turn 35 in December) and people were all, “Hello Kitty’s 34?!?!? WOW, didn’t know she’s that old!”
Um…yeah…
Thanks for reiterating that I, too, am old. Good times.
Lula´s last blog ..The Sound of My Soul.
oh those rain boots…!
would it be too terrible if i said i might would even wear them!!!
Randi´s last blog ..Xtreme Wear
So well put. I too was a big fan of Sanrio stationary. But I was introduced to HK when I got a ceramic bank when I was 2. It was HK riding on a rocking horse. You put coins in her head.
And you have to admit, that house is cool. But the Mariah picture is creepster.
CanCan´s last blog ..Gifts For A Memorable Holiday (Giveaway)
I need some girly pinkness in my life! Hopefully the next baby I have will be a girl!
Honey Mommy´s last blog ..Brotherly Fighting, Brotherly Love
meow.
vodkamom´s last blog ..Only SHE would get excited about a lemon reamer…
Well, perhaps you SHOULD take out a contract on that house! Personally, I’ve always *hearted* Hello, Kitty. A Lot. I had know idea she was so elderly. Happy B-Day, HK!
Melissa B.´s last blog ..Not the Brightest Crayons in the Bunch
My daughter is really into HELLO KITTY also !
Build- a -bear has a HELLO KITTY and she takes it EVERYWHERE !!!!!!!!
COZY KITCHEN BY THE SEA´s last blog ..Salsa All’ Amatriciana by Giada
We had a Hello Kitty 2nd bday party for Anna. It was my favorite party EVER.
Complete with invites that had Anna and HK in matching dresses. Anna used to call her “Hi Kitty Kitty”. 
Good times. http://cakehell.blogspot.com/2008/11/hello-kitty-cake.html