Where Have I Been? Here...

...in Skyrim.  And I'm never coming back! ;)
Played it yet? How bout any of the Elder Scrolls series? Do tell.

Step Out in Style with Hello Kitty

Sanrio.com has updated their catalog for the holidays with some awesome new products, including some sophisticated pumps and flats us big kids at heart.  While they're not cheap, they are so chic and I love the details!  (P.S. Santa, I've been super good this year! lol)
Click here to browse or buy!

Today's Random Kawaii - Kitty-Pup Snugglethon

Words have not yet been invented to describe this level of cuteness.  Well, I guess there is one word: "aaaaawwwwww..."

My 200th Post! TRK - Cats Can Sleep Anywhere

Wow, 200 posts since I started this blog and it's only been like 8 months!  Hard to believe how time flies.
I've really enjoyed having this blog and sharing with the world some of my favorite things.  Here's to many more years of TokyoChel! :D

"What a great view from up...zzzzzz..."

"Man I really gotta go....zzzz..."

If you have cats, or know people who have cats, you probably know that they can get comfy and sleep literally anywhere.  Above are a couple funny examples of the unusual sleeping habits of these crazy kitties.

Today's Random Kawaii - PikaPup

Dogs this strangely cute have to be manufactured in Japanese Kawaii Labratories.  It doesn't even look real.  But somehow I want one...

Happy Birthday Hello Kitty!

Kitty-chan turns 37 years old today!  This beloved icon of all things kawaii was first introduced way back in 1974 in Japan, and is today just as stylish and popular as ever!

Pictured above is the first item Hello Kitty every graced: a small plastic coin purse.  It's now very rare and valuable.  Someday, I would LOVE to have this lil baby in my Hello Kitty collection!
Happy Birthday, Kitty-chan :D

Today's Random Kawaii - Not Your Average Dog-Bed

This poor pup may be snoozing on a cold bed of snow, but the smart kitties above him got the right idea.  Looks pretty comfy.  If my dog, Houdini, was big enough, I'd sleep on him too ;)

Kawaii Hair Color Ideas from Japan

Here are a few Japanese magazine scans I wanted to share because of the awesome hairstyle/color ideas they've given me.  Enjoy :)

This one shows you how to apply uber-trendy
colored extensions to your hair. So pretty!

Here's a cool take on the two-toned hair look.
Check out the small pics at the bottom - I love
the big blonde chunk on the side of her hair!

More cute hairstyles. Again loving the blonde chunk of
hair you can see in the small pics at the bottom.
Pretty makeup too!

This kawaii girl has the most unique haircolor I've seen in awhile!
Pinkish-purplish-greyish? Really cool!

After looking at all these pics, I'm really wanting to dye my hair two-toned or just get a big blonde streak on the side of my hair.  Leave it up to Japan to come up with the coolest beauty ideas! :)

Today's Random Kawaii - Basket Cat Loves Baskets

Awwww...
My kitties love sleeping in boxes and baskets too, but this is redonkulous!  She looks like the comfiest cat in the world!

Maybelline Baby Lips Review & Swatches

Left: Peach Kiss, Right: Pink Punch

You may have seen these in the Maybelline makeup section of your local drug store or Walmart lately.  Baby Lips is a new tinted lipbalm offering SPF 20 sunscreen and promising 8-hour moisture and more supple, "better looking" lips after 4 weeks of use. 
Of the 6 available shades, I tried 2: Pink Punch and Peach Kiss.  As you can see from the blurry swatch (sorry, camera phone :P) below, Pink Punch is a cool, matte, cotton candy pink offering medium color coverage.  Peach Kiss is a warm, sheer, and slightly sparkly peach tone. 

Right swatch: Pink Punch, Left: Peach Kiss

Although Pink Punch offers a higher color payoff, I found that it dried, or stopped feeling moist on my lips, faster than Peach Kiss.  Pink Punch also tends to highlight any dry, flaky patches on your lips more than Peach Kiss which, in my mind, kind of defeats the purpose of a lip "balm."  Both colors do provide a glossy finish that fades faster than the color.

I really liked both colors, but overall, Peach Kiss was the winner for me.  I haven't been using it for 4 weeks yet, so I can't speak to the product claims of more supple, better looking lips over time, but I do really like it.  The color is very subtle so will work with any makeup look (or no makeup at all), and the balm gives my lips a nice, moist feeling and shine.  Although I wouldn't say Baby Lips provides 8-hour moisture, it definitely lasts for a couple hours, maybe more if you're not eating or drinking anything.

Overall, despite some negative or mediocre reviews of Maybelline Baby Lips I've read online, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, and for about $3 a pop, you can't beat them!

Disclaimer:  I purchased this product myself for the purposes of review.

Today's Random Kawaii - Catnap

This cute kitty knows how to stay cool and avoid harmful UV rays during sunny afternoon catnaps.  Ahh, the sweet life...

Today's Makeup Look - Orange Fall Look

I haven't done a TokyoChel Look in forever because I only have my camera phone at the moment, but I really wanted to do a quick autumn look featuring this unique burnt orange shade in my 32-pan e.l.f. palette.  Although it's an unusual color, I'm really happy with how it turned out!

I covered the whole lid to the crease in the orange shade, then blended a medium brown into the crease and up towards the brow.  I pulled a little of the brown down under my lower lash line, then highlighted my inner corners and browbones in a white-gold.
After lining my eyes in deep brown liquid eyeliner, I applied mascara and false lashes, coral blush, and cool, nude lip gloss.  Done! :)  Easy to do and perfect for autumn.

Products used:  e.l.f. 32-shade palette (deep orange, med brown, and white-gold)
Revlon ColorStay liquid eye pen in Blackened Brown
Ulta Lash Blow Out mascara
Sally Girl brow powder palette in Brunette
Jordana blush in Coral Sandy Beach
Stila Lip Glaze in Seashell

Swarovski's New Hello Kitty Collection

Sorry about the lack of posts lately.  I got a lot going on at home and with work and school, so I've just been honestly too exhausted and distracted to even get online lately.  I promise I'll try to be better though!
Now, look at these beautiful Hello Kitty sparklies I spied at the Swarovski store in Akron.  Sorry for the blurry camera-phone pics.  I hope to get a new camera soon.

This was my fave. 3D crystal HK head!

These earrings were completely covered in
crystals and sooo pretty!

As you may recall, back in July (man has it been that long??), I blogged about Swarovski's House of Hello Kitty Event in Japan.  Now Swarovski's bringing some of their gorgeous HK baubles stateside so you can check them out at your nearest Swarovski store, or click here to shop the full collection!

Today's Random Kawaii - Garden Dog

Hidden amongst these sleepy gnomes is a sleepy dog who thinks if she holds real still and tries to blend in, we won't notice her.

She also just so happens to look almost exactly like my Mom's dog, Molly!  So cute :)

Super Kawaii Liz Lisa Dress

Found some awesome PopSister magazine scans today over at Ekiblog and totally fell in love with this Liz Lisa (site in Japanese) dress!  It is a little short but I just love the drop waist, the lacy hem, and the big bow on the side.  I need this in my life.

Today's Random Kawaii - Autumn is Here

This cute Corgy looks so happy playing in the fall leaves.  I remember autumns in Kentucky, raking up huge piles of leaves under the big sycamore tree and jumping in them for hours.  Ahh the innocence of being a child, or a puppy.  Now fall just feels like a precursor to yucky winter :P

Bootie Babe Cosmetics - Kawaii or Crazy?

The Muse just posted on an unusual new cosmetics company called Bootie Babe.  They sell these colorful nail polishes in butt-shaped bottles.  The colors are really fun and summery, but I can't decide how I feel about the bottle.  So strange!
What do you think?  Kawaii or crazy?

I Got a New Car!!

...well new to me anyway lol.
Sorry for the lack of posts lately! I've been really sick for a week and swamped with school and trying to find a new vehicle.  But...thankfully I finally found and bought a great car a couple days ago! 
I officially apologize for the crappy dumbphone pics but it's the only camera I have right now :P

Check out that bada** hood scoop y'all!

Lolz Took this pic for my brother

Pioneer Stereo System!

For those of you who don't know, my Neon died about a month ago (transmission issues again), so I've been desperately looking for something else.  I bought Pikachu (that's it's name cuz it's bright yellow lol) brand new and paid it off myself, so I've had a really hard time admitting that it's time to stop putting money into it and look for a different ride.  It's hard to say goodbye.
But I finally found this great 2001 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport at Towpath Motors and fell in love all over again!  The guys there were super helpful and friendly, I would totally buy another vehicle from them. 
I've only had the Subaru for a couple days but I love it!  It runs like a champ, is super peppy, turns on a dime, and has all-wheel drive which will be perfect for our crappy Ohio winters,.  The after-market stereo is awesome, and the car just looks really unique and cool.  So far, I'm very happy with my purchase and I hope it lasts me a long time!

Now I just need to find a name for it...Any suggestions?

Today's Random Kawaii - More Interspecies Snuggling!

Is it just me, or does this adorable, snuggly pic make you sleeeeeepy? *yawn*

Today's Random Kawaii - Office Pup

If I had this puppy in my desk at work, I'd get nothing done.  However, if I had this puppy in my desk at work, I would know I was working at the GREATEST job ever!

『コクリコ坂から』予告編 "From Up on Poppy Hill" by Studio Ghibli

Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, or From Up on Poppy Hill (in English), is a new Studio Ghibli film that just released this year!  This film follows two teenagers struggling to rebuild and find meaning in post-war Yokohama. The trailer suggests a mysterious connection between the two.

As always, the animation looks wistful and vibrant.  You MUST hear the beautifully dreamy themesong in this trailer!  It's so melancholy and lovely.

Click over to Tokyo Kawaii Etc for another trailer and an explanation of the plot.  There, you can also read a great discussion of the impact and meaning behind Studio Ghibli films and even see an interview with Hayao Miyazaki himself, where he explains what it is like working with his son (who directed this new movie)!

As a huge fan of Studio Ghibli, I can't wait to experience this new film!  Have you seen it yet?  Any thoughts?

Hello Kitty Sparkles Just For You!

All photos courtesy of Sanrio.com

Seems there is so much gorgeous Hello Kitty jewelry that you could wear different items every day of the year!  How kawaii is that ring?? Sugoi!
Click here to browse for all of your sparkly needs at Sanrio.com :)