EVA Air Hello Kitty "Hand-in-Hand" Jet Makes Its U.S. Debut

EVA Air Hello Kitty Hand-in-Hand Jet 

Yesterday, the EVA Air Hello Kitty Hand-in-Hand jet landed at Los Angeles International Airport in California, making its inaugural international flight from Taipei. This incredible plane is a Hello Kitty fan's dream come true, and when I saw pics from the event popping up on my Instagram feed from @sanrio, @catfancymag, and @japanla, I must admit I was pretty jealous!



The super kawaii aircraft is painted nose-to-tail with Hello Kitty & her Sanrio friends, shown hand-in hand, on both sides of the fuselage.




Pilot Dear Daniel and a beary cute airplane mechanic.

Of course, the plane's arrival was greeted to much fanfare, and after landing, it was moved to a special event area where fans could take a cabin tour, and enjoy special appearances by the cat herself, and lead Hello Kitty designer, Yuko Yamaguchi.



When they say this jet is "all Hello Kitty everything," they really mean it!



The experience begins before you even get on the plane, with Hello Kitty boarding passes and baggage stickers waiting for you at the airport. Onboard, passengers are greeted by flight attendants wearing pink aprons with Hello Kitty designs!





There are more than 100 feline-themed in-flight service items to choose from, including headrest covers, pillows, tissues, hand cream, liquid hand soap, napkins, paper cups, utensils, and snacks and meals. 





I mean, even the freaking toilet paper has Hello Kitty on it! 



Fans can also shop from a selection of limited-edition Hello Kitty duty-free products that will be available inflight.



The new jet will operate weekly international flights between Los Angeles and Taipei, so for now, you'll have to head to California if you want to fly the kitty skies. EVA Air currently operates five shorter-range Hello Kitty aircrafts in Asia -- with regional flights between Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mainland China and Guam.   

Images courtesy of Sanrio.

EVA Air Hello Kitty "Hand-in-Hand" Jet Makes Its U.S. Debut

Around The World In 80 Cats #27: Japan

Me and Hello Kitty, Sanrio Puroland, Tokyo, Japan , 2010

"Stephanie Harwin, who writes the cat-obsessed blog Catsparella, will go to great lengths to get her feline fix. On her quest to fulfill a lifelong dream—visiting Japan’s Hello Kitty theme park—Harwin endured a bout of severe food poisoning, a language barrier, and a long journey to reach her happy place." - Emma Sloley, Travel + Leisure


Hello Kitty Bus 

I was recently interviewed by Emma Sloley for a Travel + Leisure article about the "Craziest places for cat lovers." Our contact came about through  "Around the World in 80 Cats," my column dedicated to compiling all of the coolest cat-themed travel destinations in the world. 

The column started as a way for me to research places I was interested in traveling to, although I've put off writing about the one cat-related destination I've actually visited, because of the overwhelming amount of kitty culture the country has to offer. 


Sanrio Puroland

I've been thinking a lot lately about that aforementioned trip to Japan (March 15 - 31, 2010), and the enormous impact it had on my life. In the early days of Catsparella I wrote about my experience going to the Hello Kitty theme park, Sanrio Puroland, but conveniently left out the trip to the emergency room that preceded it.

Read More: Sanrio Puroland: Mecca For Hello Kitty Lovers


Street sign outside Puroland

Within hours of arriving after arriving in Tokyo, I came down with a case of food poisoning so bad, that I had to go to the hospital for treatment. To make matters worse, I was jet-lagged and all alone in an unfamiliar country, debilitated by a constant stream of vomit, dizziness, and unrelenting nausea.


Sanrio Character Boatride

I was in Japan on vacation as part of a group tour, but had arrived a few days ahead of everyone else so I could spend extra time exploring my own interests, which included a trip to the Hello Kitty theme park. Unfortunately, two of those "free" days were spent stuck, sick in my hotel room, leaving only one day, and a final opportunity to travel to the park that I had already come so far to experience.


Inside the Sanrio Character Ride at Puroland

Although I had barely eaten for days and was still extremely weak, I dragged myself out of bed to go. My amazing tour guide, Mya, gave me a map with directions to the park, which was well over an hour away, and involved taking a bus and two trains to get to. 


"Believe" Parade at Puroland

Once I finally (and miraculously) arrived, I stuck out among the crowd which was comprised mostly of young, Japanese families. Still, someone was always nice enough to offer to snap a photo of me, and as soon as I had my picture taken with Hello Kitty, I knew that everything was going to be OK. 


Maneki Neko Stand, Nakamise-dori, Tokyo


Hello Kitty with lucky black egg at Owakudani Natural Hot Springs, Hakone

I started Catsparella in earnest four months after returning from my trip, and haven't looked back since. What I like to describe as my "Lost in Translation" moment, opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities outside of a cubicle, and inspired me to live a more passion driven life.


Maneki Neko sign, Takeshita-Dori, Harajuku District, Tokyo


Philosopher's Path, Kyoto

While traveling across the country, I experienced the wonders of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms in bloom in Kyoto, and walked the streets of Harajuku's famous fashion district. I went to Nara park where you can feed the roaming deer, visited the world's largest bronze Buddha statue in Tōdai-ji, and can tell you firsthand that there's nothing more liberating in the world than getting buck-naked in an onsen (hot springs), thousands of miles away from home, with a bunch of people you've just met. 


Store sign on Philosopher's Path, Kyoto


Cats in Kyoto

If I ever get the opportunity to return to Japan (and hope I do), my updated itinerary would include more Hello Kitty attractions, cat cafés, and a visit to Stationmaster Tama at Kishigawa Line in Wakayama. I also hope to someday make a pilgrimage to the famous Tashirojima (Cat Island), where the feline population outnumbers the human one.

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Know of any cat-themed travel destinations, or have any cool kitty vacation pics to share? Drop me a line at catsparella@gmail.com!

Around The World In 80 Cats #27: Japan

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

The popular Mister Donut chain in Japan is baking up adorable Hello Kitty cupcakes and donuts, that only require the iconic feline's pink bow to be instantly recognizable.

According to Hello Kitty Junkie, the ridiculously cute confections will come in fancy donut flavors like "whipped strawberry fashion,” “orange cream French,” “Pon de apple blue,” and “green apple whip," while the cupcake pops will be available in mouthwatering green apple, strawberry, and orange varieties.

Prices fall at just under $2 each for donuts and cupcakes, and if you spend at least 600 yen (a little over six bucks), you'll pick up a limited edition, icing drenched Hello Kitty earphone jack. The collaboration is slated to hit Japanese Mister Donut stores on April 1, and lucky fans will reportedly be able to get their paws on the sweet treats until the end of May.







Via Hello Kitty Junkie / Diet Club

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Have you created or spotted any kitty-themed baked goods (or other foods) lately? If so, please submit your sweet tips for Cat Cupcake Tuesdays to catsparella@gmail.com!

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

10 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas For The Cat Lover In Your Life

Cats Love Me T-Shirt, Wider Awake
Present your favorite cat person with the ultimate compliment, in the form of a shirt proclaiming their popularity with the feline species (which as we all know, is the hardest won affection of all!)


Assorted Cat Toys, PetSmart.com
Help spread the love with every purchase from PetSmart's exclusive Luv-A-Pet Valentine's Day collection. 10% of the sales from the pink and red feline feather toys go to PetSmart Charities in the US and Canada to help save homeless pets.


Valentine Sugar Cookies, MoonLight Cookie Art
You could give your Valentine the same old flowers and candy, or you can choose to delight their senses with a batch of artisanal sugar cookies that are *almost* too gorgeous to eat. Each colorful cookie is unique, hand decorated and embellished with fine sugar crystals, and baked with high quality ingredients, including organic eggs, butter, flour, cream and pure vanilla. 


Ceramic Cat Necklace, Jasmin Blanc Boutique
Erika Iozsa's handmade, ceramic clay necklaces remind me of vintage cat figurines, except that instead of admiring them on the shelf, you can actually display them around your neck. The miniature pieces of art come in a variety of gorgeous colors, including "Chat Noir" (shown above), red and gold, and an array of creamy pastels.


Floating Hearts Valentine Cat Hat, Stylin' Dogs Boutique
Surprise your Valentine with a romantic note that's custom made to fit your kitty's head. The conversation hearts are affixed to a crocheted cap, that will keep your cat feeling cozy. Plus, this is one charitable fashion statement, with 10% of the shop's sales going to benefit the ASPCA.


Box o' Catnip Chocolates, The Gallant Grizzly
Just because they can't indulge in a Whitman's sampler, doesn't mean your kitty can't still feel the love. This hand-stitched felt toy set is filled with 100% organic catnip, "guaranteed to win the lion heart of every feline."


Be Mine Meow T-Shirt, Economy Grocery
Show your potential love interest that you're a smitten, with a retro style tee that pops the question with kittens.

Assorted cat cosmetics (sold separately), Paul and Joe Beauty
Your sweetheart will be looking and feline fine with these assorted cat-themed cosmetics by Paul & Joe. The limited edition make-up line includes cat print pressed powder, eye color, a lipstick case, and cosmetic bag, along with a cat shaped blusher stick to give them a rosy glow.


Hello Kitty Lingerie and Accessories 
Hello Kitty has been around for nearly 40 years, and Sanrio wants fans to know that they have the purrfect gift for everyone who has grown up loving her. If you're feeling racy, the Hanky Panky for Hello Kitty collection features lacy thongs, babydolls, and bralettes, or visit Sanrio.com for adorable accessories like an eye mask, retro phone headset, and train case that are pink, red, and kitty all over.


Tuxedo Stan Valentine Card #1
You might remember Tuxedo Stanley, the kitty candidate who ran for mayor of Halifax last year in an effort to highlight the plight of homeless animals. Sadly, Stan was recently diagnosed with cancer, yet he remains steadfast to his mission as he undergoes chemo treatments. 

You can help support his efforts by making a purchase from the Tuxedo Stan store, that features several Valentine's Day-inspired items, including greeting cards, a catnip mouse in a tuxedo gift box, or an adorable Tuxedo Stan minion plush, that comes with a “Tuxedo Stan for Mayor” button and a Certificate of Authenticity “signed” by the cat himself. For the ultimate gift experience, consider going "BALLS OUT" or "BEAT THE HEAT" with a donation to sponsor a spay or neuter surgery, that comes complete with a high-quality certificate, suitable for framing.

All profits from the sale of Stan Stuff are used by Spay Day HRM, a not-for-profit society in Nova Scotia. The Spay Day Program is a special initiative to address the cat over-population crisis in Halifax Regional Municipality by assisting students and low-income families to spay and neuter their cat.

Looking for Valentine's Day card ideas? Check out my previous post: 12 Cat-Themed Valentine's Day Cards To Help Show You Care

10 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas For The Cat Lover In Your Life

Sanrio And Forever 21 Collaborate To Bring You Hello Kitty Forever

Hello Kitty at the Hello Kitty Forever launch in Shibuya, Japan on Nov 8

It's almost here! Sanrio has once again teamed up with Forever 21 this holiday season for an exclusive Hello Kitty Forever collection that's set to arrive in stores this Friday, November 16!


Hello Kitty meets Versace?

After last year's successful collaboration (so successful, in fact, I wasn't able to snag anything because it was already sold out), they upped the ante for an even more ambitious collection, that will mark the clothing retailers first foray into the home accessories market. Hello Kitty Forever, which launched last week at a Forever 21 store in Shibuya, Japan, will feature classic Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, Chococat (holla!), Badtz-Maru, and more, and is fused with bold colors and pop prints to create a series of pieces for those striving to be on the cutting edge of feline fashion.





Hello Kitty Forever features over 110 different styles, ranging in price from $4.80 to $29.80. Selections include women’s apparel, lingerie, swim, shoes, handbags, jewelry (co-designed with Onch Movement), accessories, travel and home, so you can create the house of your dreams -- or of your significant other's nightmares.







I pieced together an array of pictures taken from press releases and Hello Kitty's Facebook page to get a better look at the collection, that's bold in terms of patterns and color, yet stylish and subtle in the placement of the iconic cat. Items will be available online and in-stores starting tomorrow, however based on the experience I had last year, I would encourage you to shop online if there's a specific piece that catches your (cat) fancy.







In-store images via Facebook (Hello Kitty)

Sanrio And Forever 21 Collaborate To Bring You Hello Kitty Forever

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

"Hello Kitty 2012" Cupcakes

I'm not interested in getting political, but what better way to eat your feelings this Election Day than with a treat from one of my favorite cupcake shops?

Georgetown Cupcake (of TLC's "DC Cupcakes" fame) has teamed up with Hello Kitty's 2012 presidential campaign to offer some adorable feline-themed baked goods that also help support a good cause.

From their Facebook page:

We're psyched to be partnering with Hello Kitty with 3 fun "Hello Kitty 2012" cupcakes - in Hello Kitty's favorite cupcake flavors: Strawberry, Apple, and Vanilla & Buttercream!

100% of sales are being donated to 826DC, a nonprofit organization supporting students ages 6-18 in the DC metro area. Available today at all of our Georgetown Cupcake locations in DC, Bethesda, Boston, and NYC! Enjoy!!

Now what are you waiting for? Get out there and exercise your right to vote eat cat cupcakes!

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Have you created or spotted any kitty-themed baked goods (or other foods) lately? If so, please submit your sweet tips for Cat Cupcake Tuesdays to catsparella@gmail.com!

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays