Running with Hello Kitty

Wow! Hello Kitty Asics Sneakers for grown-ups. I want them in size 8, please. And some tube socks.

$145 at Sanrio.com.

I'm so Bored, Inc.

***WINNER PICKED 4/24 WITH RANDOM.ORG*** ***CONGRATULATIONS, LALYCAIRN!!!***
winning comment:
Oh, I just loved the mushroom belt - it made me smile -
a big smile too, not just a little grin.

Bored, Inc. is anything but dull. This superstore of all things kawaii (cute in Japanese, but apparently a buzzword among the Etsy set) is run by a mother/daughter team out of Los Angeles. They've licensed their designs to other merchants for a decade but finally set up their own online shop to feature their adorable wares.


Bored, Inc. literally has something for EVERYONE in the family. The care package we received had so much stuff in it, I was convinced that some of the items had to be for our giveaway. (Nope. That's a totally separate deal which you will want to check out at the end of this post. Seriously, it's a good one and open to EVERYONE in the world, not just North America…) There were tees for Roo, onesies for Jasper, belts for me, a hot dog wallets and matryoshka coinpurses for whoever... almost too much to comprehend. I was giddy!

The first thing I wanted to try was the Decorama™, since it was the first thing I'd seen by Bored, Inc.. We received the Happy Flowers, Candy & Cookies and Monsters sets so I had to divvy them up between the kids. Depending on how old they are, you might not want to involve your kids in the Decorama™ process. It's not that it's difficult, but the decals are not repositionable, so they stay where they're put. And you might want them more, uh, artfully arranged than your 4 year old will want them on the wall next to her bed, for example:



Roo was TOTALLY into the two step application (first you peel off the backing paper, like a regular sticker, then you smooth it down in position and peel off the clear vinyl top layer to reveal a super-shiny design. It reminded me of old-fashioned transfer decals only without the mess of water and no brittleness. I did Jasper's above his crib without kid intervention and I think it turned out cute. The block decals were my feeble attempt at nursery decor, by the way. I am much happier with it now, with the addition of Decorama™.



There are plenty of other Decorama™ options available, too, ranging from the Bored, Inc. characters (TokyoBunnie™, nesting dolls, happy flowers) to more traditionally nursery-friendly designs (monkeys, elephants, a gorgeous bird on a cherry blossom branch) and floral motifs. Not to mention the girly-goth skull prints and these terrific insect silhouettes, which are also available in pink and blue for your budding entomologist:



Bored, Inc. makes a ton of sweet vinyl pouches and wallets and belts and nothing is more than $24. The Mushroom Fannypack and Nesting Doll Coinpurse probably the most hands-down adorable.



I am using my new belts almost non-stop. I got the Candy & Cookies in white and the Happy Mushrooms in black and they make me smile as they prevent my pants from falling down. Bob says the white one makes him think it's my panties but I think he's just jealous because I kept all the Bored, Inc. stuff for me and the kids...





Here's Jasper in his Ama Ebi (sweet shrimp) onesie from the Save Our Sushi! line. Roo got the equally sweet Tekka Maki tee but isn't as easy to pin down for photos these days. She also likes the pink (surprise!) Lil' Dumpling design, which I like because it makes me think of manapua. Yum.





The other toddler tee/onesie range is Stinky Poo and I can't believe I'm going to say this, but it features the cuddliest little turds I've ever seen! These kids from the website are wearing the Poo-quito and Party Poo designs. I imagine these would have been good incentives during potty training…



There is so much more to see at Bored, Inc. and almost everything on the site is under $25, so it's affordable as well as adorable.

To enter and win a super-deluxe Bored, Inc. prize package (Winner's choice from in-stock merchandise: 2 sets of Decorama™, 2 toddler tees or onesies, 1 pin and 1 coinpurse or necklace) , please comment on this post with what you would select if you win.

Entries will be accepted through April 23rd and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. Due to the generosity of Bored, Inc., ALL readers are eligible, even those living internationally! Only one entry/comment per person, please.

Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win! Or, you may choose to check for your nickname at Prizey.Fetch, a new site that compiles winners in one convenient place:

Piggytails rule!

I was at Hannah Banana, my favorite local kids' consignment store, yesterday after my OB appointment (no induction this week, kids, apparently I dropped 5 lbs of water weight solely from my ankles last week so my doctor doesn't think I'm in danger of popping Jasper out yet) and bought some of these super duper cute fabric-covered button hairties. I am all about the hedgehog and the gnome. Aren't they adorable?




Roo is still anti-hair accessory, preferring to channel cousin It with her mess of curls, so maybe I will just steal them for a bit.

These are locally-made (go Wichita!) but you can get your own online at MJD Boutique's Etsy storefront.