Tropical Hello Kitty at Build-a-Bear Workshop!

Ooohhh great news for Hello Kitty fans (that includes me)! Tropical Hello Kitty has just arrived at Build-A-Bear Workshop, fresh from a tropical holiday with a sweet sun-kissed glow!  Has she been in Hawaii?  Most likely!

For a limited time, you will also receive a free Hello Kitty Diary when you buy the new Tropical Hello Kitty! This limited special offer starts today and is available in Build-A-Bear stores only. Thanks to Sanrio.com for the image!

Hello Kitty Baby Perfume!

I haven't written a post about Hello Kitty for quite a while now. I recently became obsessed with Tokidoki and love their Hello Kitty collection. However, the items are pretty expensive and I think my husband would not be impressed if I came home with a $98 Oversized Donutella Plush!!

I really need to get my Hawaii Hello Kitty list ready as I prepare for my upcoming trip. And to help me along is my friend Tommy, who just sent me a link to Hello Kitty Baby Perfume, available for sale in Hong Kong! Hello Kitty's brand new fragrance targeted to little girls and babies alike, will be on offer for HK$275 (50ml). I need to find out if its available for sale in the US - and if so - where I can get some! Ok yes, it is for babies, but how can you not smile at the thought of Hello Kitty perfume for babies - just what will marketers think of next?

So far, I have the following HK items on my Hawaii shopping list - does anyone else have any suggestions?

Hello Kitty/Tokidoki Notebook
Hello Kitty Cell Phone Charm: Bunny - Pink
Hello Kitty Ice Pop Molds

Hello Kitty

My husband is off to Japan this week on a business trip. His one instruction from me: Stuff as many Hello Kitty items into your suitcase as possible - even if it means leaving clothes behind! That's right, I love Hello Kitty, sometimes more than life itself, and Hawaii is certainly the place to get your Hello Kitty fix. The Sanrio flagship store is located at Ala Moana Center. They have so much Hello Kitty loot, it will make your head spin. You are probably asking, "why does a twenty-something adult love Hello Kitty when its made for kids?" Well my friends, you would be wrong about that assumption. Not sure if you have been to a Hello Kitty store lately, but they have treats for everyone of every age. Check out their website to see not only the biggest collection of Hello Kitty items, but other characters such as Badtz-Maru and Chococat.

My top 5 favorite Hello Kitty Hawaii items are:

1. Post It notes (available from ABC Stores)
2. Phone Straps (I have the cutest spam musubi with HK on the top)
3. Handbags
4. Coffee mugs
5. Plush - HK doing the hula

I look forward to showing you my Hello Kitty stash on my blog when John returns from Japan - yipee!!!

My Hawaiian Sunday

When I lived in Hawaii, Sunday was my favorite day - especially for R&R. The day would usually run like this:

9am: Wake up - look outside - see sun - happiness

10am: Head to the beach - usually Ala Moana Beach Park or perhaps swing by the Hilton Pool

Noon: Grab a cool beverage (probably beer) and be thankful for all things Hawaiian

2pm: Starting to get sunburn - out of the sun and off to Ala Moana Center - one of the biggest shopping malls in the southern hemisphere! All my favorites are here - Hello Kitty, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Dior - the list is endless

5pm: Stop by and see John at work - across the street from our house (very convenient)!

6pm: Catch up on shows, do laundry, cook dinner

7pm: Watch the sunset from Pau St

9pm: John gets home - time for dinner

10pm - Bedtime - again being thankful for all things Hawaiian.

What a life! When will it be back??

ABC Stores

ABC Stores are your one-stop-shop for everything you need while on vacation in Hawaii. Similar to Starbucks throughout the US mainland, you will find an ABC store on almost every street corner in Waikiki. If there is anything you forgot to pack in your luggage - more likely than not you will find it here.

The great thing about ABC Stores is that they are very affordable - perfect for those on a budget. They have some terrific Hawaiian products (although if you read the label carefully many products are designed in Hawaii but made in China). They also have fresh fruit, snacks, candy, beer, wine, beach wear and accessories, and my favorite - Hello Kitty Hawaii products - perfect gifts to take home to your friends (or for yourself in my case!)

There are 59 stores in Hawaii - the majority located on Oahu (41 stores). They also have stores in Las Vegas, Guam and Saipan.

Check out their website - you can also buy products online and have them shipped home if your suitcase is already full or overweight!