Hello KItty Con

Can I say that Hello Kitty Con was "the cat's pajamas" or would that be too cheesy? Also, it might be an understatement.


Last week The first ever Hello Kitty convention was in LA. Tickets sold out two weeks before the event even began. I was invited to attend the media preview the day before it opened to the public.


It was important to be strategic in my outfit decision because there's a thin line between kawaii and costume. I decided to keep things chill and just wear a hat, tee, and Docs so that I could feel more like me and less like an anime character. But my friend did do a cat eyeliner look on me because duh, Hello Kitty.

Before even entering the arena there was so much to see. There was a full bar, completely stocked with Hello Kitty branded liqueur, and a menu featuring cute Kitty themed drinks. Everyone was wearing Hello Kitty everything and the energy was really exciting and fun. The speakers played really good House music too.  

Every area of the convention was photographable, with several different themes varying throughout.

The vintage Hello Kitty instillation, featured the very first Hello Kitty item, the now classic coin purse. The art gallery was great, it was so cool to see the different artists' interpretations of Hello Kitty and adhering characters. Then there was the fashion instillation. It. was. amazing. Like, literally. The pieces were so beautifully constructed, deeply detailed, and flawless in execution. The collection was called Lovely Kitty Wonder, and featured live models that looked like beautiful dolls.

There was a tattoo parlor that offered free, real HK tattoos. With five sheets of art to choose from, some were very tempting. But I stuck with the temporary ones being handed out, which I fully plan on giving myself a half sleeve with.

All of the installments and features were detailed and inspiring. There was a home with every room furnished completely in Hello Kitty, like everything from the kitchen rug to the waste basket next to the also Hello Kitty laptop. Then Hello Kitty came out for a super adorable, upbeat dance routine and took a bunch of photos with everyone. 

The entire event was a complete blast. There was so much souvenir type items like, pins, ruffle edged balloons, and abstract postcards. I feel even more like a Hello Kitty fan now, which I didn't think was actually possible.

Rain Right Now

Doesn't this outfit just outright scream SUMMER? Heh, yeah, no. I guess since the Antelope Valley has been about 200 degrees for the past couple months or so, the weather was finally kind enough to take a chill pill.

I love this plaid jumper, it reminds me of my childhood when my mum actually dressed me like this. I love its simplicity and inherent sweetness. However, just by the addition of the undisputed champ that is Doc Martens, a little bit of grunge snuck its way in as well.

I love sweet, classic pieces, unstained by the modern world. Knee socks and a simple plaid jumper feel good and refreshing in the midst of all the typical, tattered, text covered pieces that are currently on trend. It's nice wearing something not tied to the current stream of fashion consciousness. 

The knee socks, much like 60% of my wardrobe are from Forever 21 (blame it on my 3 years of employment). A lot of people hate on Forever 21 because their clothes are made cheaply. I guess it really depends on what you look for in clothing. In all unashamed honesty, cheap is a favorite feature of mine when it comes to wardrobe shopping because the pieces are usually kind of kitschy and you can easily buy them again once the lint balls really become apparent. 

In clothing I really value originality, versatility, and comfortability; I'm rather flexible on quality, depending on the piece. It comes down to owning your style, confidence adds about a hundred dollars or so to any look.

 

Because I'm Happy

Apparently I decided to be 10 today, hahaha.

The day just felt bright and sunny, and I felt full of energy so this is what happened. If you've been following this blog for the four plus years it's been around then you're familiar with my severe affection for all things Hello Kitty related. Also, if you've been reading that long, I love you and you should contact me because I'm always in the market for creative, free spirited friends; that brand of human seems to be in severely short supply. Hmm.. 

I really struggle with the belief that as we age we become too old for things. I mean temper tantrums and candy for every meal were never okay in the first place, but when people start to slap on labels and limits, it stunts our ability to live freely. 

When you become a certain age and you want to go on the swings at the park but tell yourself you're too old, you're inadvertently shaming your self conscious, distancing you from your true spirit and subconsciously training your mind to behave within strict, rigid, and often baseless society governed guidelines.

Often times, people get so caught up in being accepted by others, they fail to realize they're not accepting themselves in the process.

Hello Hip Hop

Soo in the world of fashion this is definitely a fashion faux pas, right? The whole sweats in public thing? But uh..I have an inkling that I may altogether be a fashion faux pas in and of myself, so in reality this look is actually pretty casual. As a hip hop dancer (and Zumba instructor) sweats are a God send, I'm wearing these exact ones right now actually, which may or may not be rather embarrassing, though I don't feel embarrassed so it must not be. They're super comfortable and easy and just feel right. You know how basketball players wear warm ups while on the bench or when they're not playing? Yeah, I'm pretty sure thats what sweats and beanies are for dancers, at least for this one.
It's interesting how being a part of something can transform you into dressing the part. Like fashion people, dancers, and ironically hipsters tend to fall into a similar dressing pattern in a total subconscious fashion. How does that work? Is this prospect an insight into our inherent need to belong? Although we revel in being individuals, do we still dress similar to those we can relate to in order to create a sense of community? Is there really such thing as a "group" of individuals?

Homegirl

Since moving to San Francisco my style has begun to include little hints of bohemian here and there, though there may have been sprinklings even before. I've always been a creature of comfort, which is why I'm not really a heel rocker unless the occasion calls for it, well that and because I'm already 5'9 so the whole casual stiletto look never appears very casual on me as it bolts me up to about 6 feet tall or so. I might be turning over a new leaf or something though because these shoes online are kind of calling my name rather loudly, good thing Santa is on the way.

This look just kind of came out of nowhere when I was looking through my overpacked suitcase earlier this fall during a mini vacay back home. I kinda blow at packing so my whole thing now is just to choose pieces that attract my eye and worry about actually styling it later. I've had this HK tee for a decade or so now, I cut it up because I wanted to add more life to such a cool piece, I love how it says "Hello Kitty is my Homegirl" because if you've even glanced at this blog you're aware that that's actually kind of an understatement. This maxi skirt is actually a maxi dress from Heritage at Forever 21, it's so cool and hippie vibe without trying too hard, just chill and naturally cool (like me, riiight). Oh and the whole flannel around the waist thing is my fave personal trend right now, mostly because San Fran weather is shady and unpredictable but then also because it looks cool and all shout out to the 90's ish.

Insta-Dannie

..which is the best title I could come up with for an all exclusive invitation to peep me on my favorite mini boredom beater that is Instagram. It's mostly food, what I wear, and slices of my sensational San Francisco life; but yeah kind of a lot of food: @danniedoll