You're my best friend

Magnet #1086 - Purin

Well, I don't know about you, but when I saw this little Hello Kitty character magnet from my Sanrio 50th set, I wasn't exactly sure what it was. I mean, he looks like he's wearing an acorn hat, so maybe he's a chipmunk or some woodland creature. But then he has floppity ears, so maybe he's like an unspotted beagle?

I had to look him up on the Hello Kitty site just to make sure. Turns out, he's a Golden Retriever, who likes pudding, and has a best friend named Muffin.

I dunno why, but that best friend Muffin reminded me of this video that DCsis has been talking about for a few weeks now. STWsis' BFF @kfriez Tweeted the below AOL video with two boys acting out The King's Speech.

We haven't been able to stop watching it since.

You’re watching Kids Act Out - The King’s Speech. See the Web's top videos on AOL Video

Star of Compassion

Magnet #1036 - Little Twin Stars

This Little Twin Stars magnet was part of my Sanrio 50th anniversary set. Growing up, I totally remember Little Twin Stars being more popular than Hello Kitty.

Apparently, the twins were born on the Star of Compassion - Kiki (the boy) uses a star on his back to fly around, while Lala's special skill is cooking. (Cooking?)

They came to live on Earth because they were curious, having heard all about Earth from Father-Star and Mother-Star.

Now, they roam around spreading happiness and joy to all they meet!

I can't find any additional information on the twins...nor could I find any cartoons to link to, but here's a fun Little Twin Stars blog to check out.

A little crazy, a lot happy

Magnet #1029 - Eustress

I did some quick errands after my final volunteer shift at the Salvation Army Toy shop today.

And by errands, I mean I went to the Union Square Holiday Market to buy this specific eustress magnet. Where Nicola and the Newfoundlander recognized me as the magnet lady.

Then I went to Sanrio to return the supercute 15.4-inch laptop case I loved but wouldn't fit my 17-inch laptop. Where the security guard recognized me because I was just there earlier this week.

Then I went to the NBC Store to buy the supercute Doctor T-shirt (Ten/David Tennant) that I've visited three times in the last month. Where the cashier recognized me because I was just there earlier this week.

Conclusion: I am getting recognized in too many places on this tiny island of Manhattan.

But, ya'll.

I cannot stop buying these reclaimed words on reclaimed wood magnets. I specifically wanted eustress, because it's such a great word.

Nicola and the Newfie's definition: "Something that makes you both a little crazy and a little happy but a little more happy than crazy." The actual definition: the "good kind of stress." (Which if you think about it, fits the entire holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's.)

Anyway, you'll see here that I wasn't kidding about loving these magnets. Ya'll need to get down to the holiday market and buy them, because there's a part of me that wants to collect them all.

On the other hand, I may have enough for 2010, and I figure I can always try to round out the collection next year? Maybe?

eta:
Oh. My. Word. It's a good thing I'm leaving for home in a couple of days. I just realized THEY HAVE NEW WORDS.

*dies*

Mind you, I still have the weekend. Sigh.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Sanrio!

Magnet #1025 - Small Gift Sanrio

One of the things I love about New York (there is so much, I know), is that because we're so big and we're home for most of the major networks, we're always a good location for branded events and great coverage.

So, we get the good pop-up stores throughout the year, like the Wired magazine and History channel stores; the good media events, which include basically anything in Times Square, Bryant or Union Square parks; the good freebies, like my Simply Orange OJ this morning and Indiana Kettlecorn last week; and the good celebrity appearances with all the movie premieres and parties, etc.

I mentioned it last month when I saw my beloved Pekkle back on the shelves, but last week the superdupercute Sanrio Pop-up Shop Mobile made Herald Square the final stop on its national Small Gift Tour, selling 50th anniversary collectibles, some only available on-site.

We didn't get the grand events that LA and Miami did - renting of space, additional exhibits, but you know what? Having the mobile shop was enough, I think. Despite freezing in the cold for a hour or so, waiting for a ton of people to make up their minds what Hello Kitty (and assorted friends) stuff they were going to buy, it was fun. Especially because I was one of the first 50, and therefore got the superspecial special gift packets, which was filled with even more small gifts!

Remember how I'm always thinking I'm a big fan of something, and then I meet real fans? That's what this line was, for sure. You know, the ones who braved the line for three hours the first day and two the second? The ones "dropping by" from Italy, on their way to Boston? The ones decked out in HK? Yep, them. Dudes, I had no idea that there was even a fandom! (I don't know why I'm surprised - like, every time!)

As expected, I bought way too much Hello Kitty stuff. But, really. Who doesn't need the 50th anniversary book? I mean, I won't be around for another 50 year anniversary, so I might as well get the book. And magnets. And postcards. And stickers. And band-aids. And keyheads. And more stickers.

And well, yeah, you get the picture.

Small gift, big smile, indeed!

Magnet #992 - Pekkle

Dudes! Pekkle's back on Sanrio shelves! Ok, ok, just for Sanrio's 50th anniversary, but still! Pekkle's back!

What? Ya'll know I loves me some Pekkle.

I was very sad to see them retire him a few years ago, so I stocked up on a bunch of Pekkle items before he went away, so I do have quite a bit of duck stuff sitting still here around the house. Nevertheless, I did do a bit of squeeing last week when I found out they brought back several Sanrio characters back for the celebration. Of course, I picked up a few more Pekkle items, including this pin magnet, some stickers and other small gifts...with a big smile on my face.

And, new stuff seems to be popping up each time I go back. Not that I've been back that often. Since last week. Or anything.

What?

Pekkle!

I'm excited, though, because even though there's a big Sanrio store on 42nd street, there's a mobile pop-up store coming to town in early December. Of course, I'll find it.

I mean, hello.

Hello Kitty, not a Maria Clara anymore

Magnet #878 - Hello Kitty, NYC

Stereotypical of a lot of Asians, we love our Hello Kitty. So when the Sanrio store opened up a few years ago on 42nd Street, I was deeeelighted. I mean, where can get you get such a big smile, for such a low price!

Plus, ya'll know I love cutesy office supplies, and for serious, you can get soooo many cute paper pads and pens at Sanrio.

Then, of course, they went from cutesy Hello Kitty, to doing a theme of HK NYC. Which was kinda cool. Ya know, if you didn't live in NYC. Of course, now I'm wondering if there's a HK LA or ATL or Chicago or Boston. I had to pick this one up, cuz it's my train line.

I'm a little sad, because my cute little Sanrio store has gone several steps further into hoochiemama land, with the Sanrio Luxe boutique luxing her up with more adult clothes with more sophisticated designs. In one sense, they've gone upmarket, but honestly, for me, to give a cartoon a more sexy, more adult look, feels a little over the top - even if the true market for Hello Kitty isn't kids, it's the adults who like the kids' stuff, but want a more adult Hellloooooo Kitty.

Sadly, what I liked was the kids stuff. So, the boutique's alienated me, for sure.

Nevertheless, of course, I still drop by there, in the hopes of picking up some of the still innocent and cute HK kids' stuff. They're still around, you just have to look a little harder, is all.

*Maria Clara is a term that my aunt taught me. It's a traditionally sweet and innocent Filipina girl character from a Jose Rizal book. According to her, they don't exist in the Philippines anymore. Thought that sentiment fitting for Hello Kitty, All Growed Up.

Ducks in disguise

Magnet #466 - Pekkle in Costume

Wanted to use something happy-making in an attempt to make the month of June be the best month ever in 2009.

Sanrio's now retired Pekkle. C'mon. How can you not love this guy.  

He's a lifeguard. Wheeeeet! 

He's a surfer. Hang ten, dude!

He's a pirate! Argh!

I actually have a bigger set of Pekkle with the individual pieces for these costumes on the lower level of my cube at work, so that all the little visiting munchkins can play with him. Kids have a fascinating attraction to magnets - some like to eat them, some like to make funny outfits, and some wonder why Pekkle's pirate outfit doesn't go with the Fuzzy Bear next to the Pekkle set and why Fuzzy Bear's dresses don't work on Pekkle.  Heh.

Anyway, as I was typing this, a supercute news story just came on tv...looks like the news wants something happy to report as well.  Apparently, in Queens, a Momma duck and her flock of ducklings were out for a stroll along a Whitestone Expressway service road...and the little ones fell into the sewer grate!  Oh, noesss!

No worries - the NYPD emergency service guys stopped traffic to fish the nine ducklings out, and they all made it home safely!

Yay! Happy news!