The winter chill is almost gone and Spring is here! The recent warm weather in Los Angeles made me think of one thing: it’s about time for bathing suit shopping! While the stores haven’t fully stocked on the latest swimwear collections from multiple brands, some online retailers are rolling out their two and one pieces early on already. I found this cute little gem for the Sanrio lovers out there: a Chococat swimsuit (priced at $22.80 at F21). Readers, what do you think? Is this too much Sanrio – or would you rock this on the beach for the upcoming warm seasons?
On a side note, I found it really amusing that they styled the outfit with the furry salmon colored boots (?) with a pastel-like baroque scarf. Because, you know, that’s how I roll to all pool parties.
Her face is iconic worldwide. Everywhere you go, you can find Hello Kitty on nearly every product imaginable – dolls, pencils, candy, and even laundry baskets. In fact you can quickly scan my room and count more than a handful of Hello Kitty items (and much more with a thorough search). As such, it was a surprise for us to discover that this iconic character has never been in her own comic book/manga/graphic novel. Well this is going is going to change very soon.
Viz media ( the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America) has joined forces with Sanrio to develop an original graphic novel series as well as a limited edition single-volume comic. The single-volume comic Hello Kitty: Fashion Music Wonderland will include an exclusive cover by Jacob Chabot and will feature art by Victoria Maderna, Ian McGinty and Chabot. The stand-alone comic will debut at the 2013 Comic-Con Show in San Diego. The graphic novel series Hello Kitty: Here We Go will be released Fall 2013 and will be rated A for All ages.
“Hello Kitty has places to be and friends to meet! Join her as she explores an underground realm, chases an unsavory cake thief around the world, climbs the Himalayas, travels back in time, and discovers that sometimes, the best place to get away from it all is between the pages of a good book.”
Congrats to Audrey reader Karen Huynh for winning our weekly Thank Goodness It’s Free Friday giveaway. Karen won the Sanrio 50th Anniversary Small Gift gift bag, full of Hello Kitty goodness. Her favorite item in the bag, she says, is Sanrio’s 50th anniversary commemorative coffee table book, Small Gift. “I love looking through the pictures, especially of the older products that they use to sell, especially since I use to own some of them!” says Huynh. “Thanks to you and Audrey Magazine for the gift bag, its awesome!”
Wanna be a part of The Audrey Community? Send us your photo and tell us why you’re an Audrey It-Girl! You just may win a bag of goodies from our sample closet!
Hello Kitty's canine cousin lives her sparkly, dog days in New York City.
Air Bud, Wallace’s Gromit, Scooby-Doo, and Paris Hilton’s Tinkberbell are all bona fide cuddly celebrities who probably even have their own representatives in Hollywood. Not trailing far along is Rebecca Bonbon, an adopted Parisian bulldog who lives the sweet New Yorker life that entails dining on bonbons, traveling and shopping.
Born in 2005, Rebecca Bonbon owes her posh life to Yuko Shimizu, the same hands that created Sanrio character Hello Kitty 36 years ago.
Bonbon's creator, Yuko Shimizu, retired from Sanrio in 1976 and currently works as a freelance designer.
The rightful owner of Bonbon, Shimizu, worked at Sanrio Co., Ltd. from 1969 to 1976 after she graduated from Musashino Art University in Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan. She drew inspiration from the cats in Through the Looking Glass and decided to sketch the former Hello Kitty we now know and love. Soon Shimizu left the company to start a family of her own. And now, as an independent designer, she introduces Hello Kitty’s canine cousin to Hollywood.
The Bonbon merch has been seen on It girls such as Ashley Tisdale, Kim Kardashian, and Olivia Munn, shown here.
Enamored yet? We’re giving away a giant goody bag filled with decadent wintry items just released for the pup’s holiday line. It includes a v-neck with rhinestones, scarf, wallet, hat, gloves, beanie, and earmuffs. It’s a giveaway anyone would surely want to have their hands (or paws on). For a taste and look into the luxurious life of Rebecca Bonbon, comment on three different posts on AudreyMagazine.com and tell us which posts you commented on. (You must have a U.S. mailing address to win!)
The faux snakeskin tote bag could be one of the many goodies you could win!
Rebecca Bonbon made its American launch in 2010, so to guarantee merch for yourself, you can visit your local Kmart, Sears, or the official Rebecca Bonbon website here: http://www.usarebeccabonbon.com/.
In honor of its 50th anniversary, Sanrio has landed in Los Angeles with its 10-day carnival Small Gift L.A., going on now until November 21 at the Santa Monica Airport!
As soon as I walked past the food trucks and stepped into the hangar at the event’s press preview party last week, I was in a completely different world. Giant character heads floated from the ceiling, a ferris wheel rotated just as high, carnival games and foods and art pieces were just a walk away — oh my! To describe the night in one word, I’d use: dreamland!
To add to all the delightful imagery were the enchanted fans who also put on their own display with their dashing outfits. Like this trio who paired their glamorous Sanrio-inspired dresses with sparkly platforms.
Move over fellow penguin Badtz-Maru because Penguin Sam is dressing Renee!
These girls created a scene with their quite wearable outfits (considering) and had a blast roaming around the event.
Three cheers for the red, white, blue and Hello Kitty on Veteran’s Day.
Crochet guru Twinkie Chan (check her out in our upcoming Winter 2010-11 issue) in her own crocheted KerokeroKeroppi dress!
Other than wine, who knew red and white could be so fluid and tasteful?
It wasn’t just character-driven getups, either. Plenty of guests showed up in less obvious but still fun looks. Domonique’s well-fitting spandex dress is her own creation.
Sisters Laura and Lisa Ling didn’t need an outrageous outfit to stand out. Lisa added how she loves Audrey!
Color chemist Ann-Marie wears a drapey dress accented by robotic straps. Love the haute-y zebra hat paired with a beat-up lawyer’s bag.
Check the checks on Onch, Paris Hilton’s one-time BFF contestant (center), posing with artist Miss Kika, left, and friend.
It was a jungle out there! And it did not smell like a bed of roses.
This photo does not do the rubbery-shiny material of her dress justice.
Johnny Cupcakes x Hello Kitty is their biggest collaboration yet, said L.A. rep Lennard (right).
Even though he claimed he wasn’t Hello Kitty’s biggest fan, many Sanrio lovers became fans of him.
Sanrio’s Small Gift celebrations will be popping up all over the US until December. The LA event in Barker Hanger in Santa Monica will last until Nov. 21. Get your cute on while you can!
Last night was the press preview party for Small Gift L.A., a 10-day carnival full of Hello Kitty and Sanrio goodness in Santa Monica, Calif. Wow, was it a doozy! Hello Kitty goodness galore! From Kitty cars to Kitty art to a giant Kitty ferris wheel and miniature golf course. We gorged ourselves on free Pink’s hotdogs and Beard Papa’s cream puffs, played free Ms. Pac-man and Galaga, and got gussied up with Hello Kitty’s new makeup line launching at Sephora in January. I felt like I was 8 again (and in a very, very good way).
Don’t worry if you missed it. Not only is the carnival free until November 21, they’re having a special nerd party this Saturday the 13th.
You may not have been able to attend the fat press preview party, but we snagged three extra gift bags just for our readers! It includes Small Gift, Sanrio’s exclusive 50th Anniversary book, and a whole slew of the cutest, happiest, cutest (did I mention cutest?) happy-goodness I’ve seen in a long time.
To win:
1) Look through our previous posts and comment on three of them.
2) On the comments section below THIS post, tell us which three posts you commented on AND tell me who your favorite Sanrio character was growing up (mine were Keroppi, Little Twin Stars, and of course, My Melody — I’m old school that way)
We will select the best comments to win. An @audreymagazine tweet will also count as a comment! Giveaway submissions end Wednesday, November 17, 11:59 pm. As usual, a U.S. mailing address is required.
Good luck! (And more info on carnival here and on the nerd party below.)
Without a doubt, Hello Kitty is without a mouth. But did you know that this feline’s favorite food is her mother’s apple pie? I know I would like a slice of that $400 million dollar fortune (from Hello Kitty alone).
As much as Hello Kitty loves a homemade treat, Sanrio fans can now also treat themselves to a spectacular celebration. Sanrio is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Small Gift: Celebrating 50 Years of Sanrio, with a traveling pop-up truck at a city near you.
In addition to their mobile pop-up shop tour, from Seattle to NYC, Sanrio will be holding a special Small Gift L.A. event in Los Angeles from November 12 to 21.
Limited edition items will be on sale, including special product collaborations with Lomography, Mimoco and tokidoki, characters will be available for photo ops, artists will showcase their pieces, and interactive activities and opportunities like video games are in store.
Oh, and did I forget to mention a bona fide carnival? Whee!
Founded in 1960 by Mr. Shintaro Tsuji, Sanrio follows the gift-giving philosophy of “small gift, big smile.” Sanrio has been a type of gateway for Japan and the world; Hello Kitty has been a UNICEF child ambassador for the U.S since 1983 and Japan since 1994. In addition, the stories behind her missing mouth is a symbol for her universal language, in which she speaks from her heart.
Hello Kitty may steal most of the thunder, but she should take a bow. This star has made way for others like Keroppi, Pochacco, Spottie Dottie and Cinamoroll, who just so happen to be my alternative favorites.
DETAILS
Small Gift Mobile Pop Up Shop Tour
October – December 2010
From Seattle to NYC, find out when the tour is coming to a city near you here.
November 12 – 21, 2010
Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405
For more info, click here.
