Minnesota Cuteness

In Minnesota, the state Department of Natural Resources is urging drivers to give turtles a brake. (pun intended) Why? Well, the turtles are trying to get from their winter homes to their warm-weather nesting areas and often must cross roads to do so. Minnesota, you're officially our Cutie state of the day for caring about these lovely amphibians!!! xxxo

Daddy = Cutie

This handsome gent was my Daddy on his wedding day. He had an infectious laugh, huge smile, kind heart and great wisdom. I never knew this before, but on his wedding day he wore a gardenia... my favorite flower. Norm truly was a cutie, and is in my heart on Father's Day and all others in-between. xxxo

Notting Hill Cuties

In 1959, the Notting Hill Tube Station underwent modernization. Recent work at the station has rediscovered passageways that, when opened, revealed a marvelous time capsule. The adverts on the walls the day the passageways were sealed off remain, and have revealed a world of amazing graphics and Hello There Cutie posters. Check 'em out here. xxxo

Fuzzy Cutie

Ok Cuties, I need your help... found this adorable vintage ceramic figurine online but can't figure out what the heck it is!!! The tail and haircut remind me of a dog, posture like a cat and ears of a rabbit. Is this a datbbit or what? Whatever it is, it's def Hello There Cutie worthy!!! xxxo

Hair Cuties

I recently had my locks shorn, and now must figure out how to cute-ify my new short 'do. It seems that barrettes might be the answer! I found these on Etsy, and do believe that cuteness does reign supreme here. The question is, will people want to nibble my hair??? xxxo

Design Cuteness

A few years back, I did a project with designer Stefan Sagmeister. This recent collaboration he did with Levi's is entitled “Button Fly” and we adore it! A clever design plus punny/funny name = Hello There Cutie! xxxo

Cutie Fun

As you might recall, I am fascinated by the whole sweet and goth Lolita scenes in Japan. Altho I'm a bit "past peak" to dress it fully, I can still pretend online via this site. Drag n drop cute outfits (including a crown for this princess!) and voila, Hello There Cutie!!! xxxo

Cutie Monday Monkeys

It's Monday... the last one was pretty tough (parking tickets and worked late into the pm) so I'm entering this one with a smile. And what better for a Monday smile then two cute monkeys giggling. Is that a grin I see on your face too? Hello There Cutie Mondays! xxxo

Beachin Cutie

It's beautiful and warm here in SF and I'm headed to the beach! This adorable towel is from the giftshop at MOCA in LA, and features an image by the contemporary Japanese pop artist Yoshitomo Nara. Using deceptively cute and simple characters to talk about social and cultural issues. Nara’s towel features a close up of one of his youth figures. Ok, and is darn cute!!! xxxo

Baby Cupcake Cuties

It seems to be baby season, and I keep getting my soon-to-be little nieces/nephews the same gifts as others... hrmph! In doing some searching, I found these toy knitted cupcakes at Oompa (no loompa!). What baby (or parent) wouldn't love playing with these??? Hello There Cuties! xxxo

Daruma Cuties

The Daruma Kids are five friends who want to help young people dream. Inspired by the Japanese traditional Daruma doll (a centuries-old wishing doll) the DKids, through their adventures, remind us to never give up on our dreams and always stay young at heart. And they're darn cute... Hello There Cuties!!! xxxo

Cherry-licious Cute

When we hear of something being cooked up by "the folks in North Carolina," soda isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind. Nevertheless, Cheerwine is a yummy cherry-flavored soda made w/real cane sugar(!) in the hills of NC since 1917. With that adorable retro packaging, it's a lot less likely to get you arrested than that other drink too... xxxo

Kimono Kitty

It's Tomoko's b-day today, and she loves cute (TK gave me the world's cutest umbrella). In celebration of this special day, we have another Target exclusive Hello Kitty, this time in a traditional kimono, opening up her arms to give our b-day girl a big "Hello There Cutie" b-day hug! xxxo

Kitty Bunny Cutie

Hello Kitty has some exclusive items at Target that a friend in SoCal shared with me. She showed off her HK in a koala outfit but I, of course, was attracted to the bunny. A bunny/kitty combo = Hello There Cutie!!! xxxo

thx Tink!

Chanel Cutie

What's a girl to do when she can't afford a Chanel quilted bag? Make her own!!! This NY smartie pants did just that, using a paper lunch bag and attaching a chain to the top. A great whimsical statement on the disposability of fashion... and darn cute!!! Whatcha think Karl would say? xxxo

(more) Owl Cuties

I recently discovered the work of the Manchester Craft Mafia out of the UK and wow, what talent presides there!!! This is the work of one of their members, and this owl paper collage has blown my mind. The detail, layering and all around adorableness has totally won a place in my heart (and I wish on my wall). Hello There Cuties! xxxo

Owl Helsinki Cuteness

The band Architecture In Helsinki is very cutie... their song "The Owls Go" is too! Here's a video someone made featuring singing owls, collage and cuteness. A triple cute threat indeed! xxxo

Willow Cuties

The Willow Farm is nestled against the Pescadero marsh preserve an hour south of SF. Their animals strip the canes after harvest, and the entire operation is green. After seeing these adorable playhouses (I know I could fit in one!), I think a roadtrip might be in order to try one out. Hello There Cuties!!! xxxo

Let There Be Cute!

London real estate agent Douglas and Gordon asked some artists to create pieces to illustrate their agency's 10 Commandments. This sweet cross-stitch is by Owen Gildersleeve... you can see the other art here. I do believe they might need another Commandment tho: Let there be Cuteness!!! xxxo

Telegraph Hill Cuties

A (modern) classic SF movie is "the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill." This movie is a documentary about a boho St. Francis (Mark Bittner) and his remarkable relationship with a flock of wild parrots that I often see when on the northside of town. A genuinely sweet tale full of cutie birds, I give it two big squawks of approval! xxxo

Memorial Day Cutie

Happy Memorial Day Cuties!!!
xxxo

World Cup Cutie

Zakumi, the mascot of this year's World Cup in South Africa, looks less like a soccer player and more like a hair dresser, doesn't he? With a hand on his hip striking a pose and coiffure that honors Farrah, Zakumi gets a big Hello There Cutie!!! xxxo

Cupcake Craft Cuties

Today I'm heading over to my dear friend Elisabeth's for crafting... I wonder what we shall make? I saw these lacey cupcake sleeves on her website, and wonder if these (along with the yummy cupckaes inside) will be on our agenda? (I hope so!) xxxo

Chocolate-y Cuties

Back to chocolate... and a vintage ad from Spain of two Cuties! I adore how one of her feet is kicked up in the air, and you can just see blue knickers peeping out from below her saucy skirt. The things a girl will do for a chocolate bar (behind his back in his hands)! xxxo

Green Cuties

How we love our oddly cute Japanese things here at Hello There Cutie... today's example is a cell-phone charm that has an actual plant growing in it. I don't quite understand if it's in water that you refill or a gel of some sort, but I do understand this: it's darn cute! Hello There Cutie mini-plants!!! xxxo

Vintage British Cutie

This vintage brochure is from the UK in the 1940s and I adore the headline: "Candy is delicious food!" Who could argue with that? It then goes into money making opportunities but back to that cute headline (and wonderful typography). Making me hungry for some chocolate-y food... how about you Cuties??? xxxo

Cutie Stickers

I don't know a thing about these stickers except the following: They are Japanese and the packaging is darn cute!!! (and kinda silly) xxxo

Toasty Cutie

Who doesn't like to start out their day with some toast n butter? I do!!! But if this little Cutie were staring up at me with his sweet eyes and cherub-toasty cheeks, I might have an issue with nibbling him up! Hello There Kawaii Cutie xxxo

Karl's a Cutie

Who would of thought of Karl Lagerfeld as Hello There Cutie material? Not me until I saw this special Coke Light sold at Colette in Paris. Karl bashes people who are overweight ("No one wants to see curvy women") so this collaboration makes sense. I do adore the pretty pink "light" across his silhouette, and the autograph; just wish I could get my paws on a bottle to see in person!!! xxxo

Snicker Doodle Cutie

I was reading SF Gate the other day and came across this cutie. Snicker Doodle looks to be the happiest pup ever at a Las Cruces, N.M. dog park. With his big smile and skip in his step, I just want to give him a big "Hello There Cutie" hug! Don't you??? xxxo

Artsy Monkey Cuteness

Louis Vuitton sponsored an exhibit in Hong Kong last year and asked some major modern artists to take part. This piece by Jeff Koons was included, and it definitely upped the Cutie quota. I adore the inflatable monkeys funny face, and the birds behind him seems to be chirping "Hello There Cutie!" xxxo

Buddy Christ Cutie

I re-watched "Dogma" the other pm and had forgotten about Buddy Christ... how could I? With his sly wink, big smile and thumbs up, I think this guy was a trend-forward Cutie! Altho it might sound a bit odd, Hello There Cutie Christ!!! xxxo

Pillow Cuteness

I found a website that allows you to design custom pillows. Ok, let me clarify: they have fabrics + colors + patterns/prints and you put together a custom combo. Pretty cool... now the question is to go with the cute puppy or Bruce Lee print? xxxo

Robot Cuties

When I was in elementary school, I used to love making diorama's. This adorable robot family (with their robot dog) reminded me of that elementary school activity. And what fun they were to make! Perhaps a future craft-time project for us Cuties??? xxxo

Another Japanese Cutie

Rilakkuma is another popular Japanese character. This cartoon bear is often accompanied by Korilakkuma, who is a smaller white bear and Kiiroitori, a yellow chick. Korilakkuma frequently plays pranks on Rilakkuma while he is sleeping, such as drawing or putting headphones on him and sewing odd color patches on his bear suits. Cuties indeed! xxxo

Anpanman is A Cutie

I was reading a NY Times article that Hello Kitty isn't as popular as she once was in Japan. Who has usurped her crown? Anpanman, a character that is based on a Japanese jam-filled pastry. Anpanman fights the evil Meanyman, and helps the people of the town in his animated series on Nippon tv. Whatta Cutie indeed! xxxo

Superheroes Are Cuties

If you're ever in Brooklyn and need to grab an cape or secret identity, I've got the store for you! The Superhero Supply Co. has all sorts of things to make your Kick Ass (loved that movie) dreams come true. A project of 826 (info here), I'm pondering if I need the gallon of gravity to help with my rock climbing. Whatta Cutie store indeed!!! xxxo

Crabby Cutie

Time for some weird Japanese packaging... Kaniko has a great illustration on the front of a happy crab mommy smiling. Inside her mouth, however, are crab babies covered with a spicy topping for you to enjoy! Weird + Happy = Hello There Cutie! xxxo

Bunnies are Cuties

Mucho thanks to an Arkansas reader who spotted this coffee Cutie. Who wouldn't be delighted when spying an adorable bunny on their morning beverage? And who wouldn't be torn with the question of: Caffeinate or admire the Cutie??? With that sweet smile, I think I'd admire it! xxxo

thx for the image Jojo!

Vintage Cutie

Who is this Cutie? I really don't know. This vintage mechanical dog has light bulb eyes(!), a tam o'shanter plaid hat with matching vest and looks to be lovingly worn. Awwww, Hello There Mystery Cutie! xxxo

Olga's a Cutie

A friend of mine is Norwegian, and I was looking to find her a silly present when I happened upon this book. Olga of Norway is from 1936 and is a children's book about a wee lass who eats fladbrod and visits fjords. And did I mention that Olga is a Cutie supreme? (look at her race down that slope) Hello There Cutie! xxxo

Sammy Seagull is a Cutie

Sammy Seagull is a silkscreen by Wayne Pate of Brooklyn that is beyond adorable! Between his French sailor striped top (bonjour), knit cap, pipe & wader boots, doesn't Sammy look like someone with stories to tell? Tell us some Cutie!!! xxxo

The Ultimate Cutie

This is my first Mother's Day without Mom.... and as an orphan. Adelyne was truly the ultimate Cutie (as evidenced by this child bride photo of her!) and wrote me the most amazing notes throughout the years that I am compiling into a wee book. She is still in the hearts of many with much love and respect. ps I love you Mommy xxxo

Buck's a Cutie

"Who is this happy boy?" you might be asking... answer is my nephew Buck. We're dedicating today's Hello There Cutie to this sweetie who calls our Doug "Dad." Buck is ill, so I'm sending lotsa love his way along with wishes for a speedy recovery to be able to chase squirrels & play with his brother Zorro again soon. And give his auntie more of his wonderful snuggles. xxxo

Moomin Cuties

This bowl from DesignShop UK features hugging friends are based upon characters of Moomin Valley (as created by the author Tove Jansson in the 50's & 60's). The Arabia artist Tove Slotte-Elevant has designed Moomin objects in keeping with the original drawings in the books and isn't this one wonderful? Cute + Practical + Pink = Hello There Cutie! xxxo

more on the books here

French Monkey Cuteness

Two favorite things of ours: monkeys and chocolate! Add in this is a vintage French advertisement, the monkey is adorably carrying a basket full of pastries and he's wearing a great striped outfit... Hello There Cutie!!! xxxo

Cinco de Cutie

Happy Cutie de Mayo! I've always loved piñatas but have wee problem with them: When adorable, how do you smash the heck outa it? This little guy, even if filled with my favorite candies, would def cause a dilemma. With his sweet face and wonderful proportions, I think instead of hitting him I'd say "Hello There Cutie Burro!!!" xxxo

Suntory Cuties

What is this? A good question! These cuties are from a Suntory beverage (I have no idea what) and are rather opposite. The smiley guy on the front (with a leaf accent) seems to welcome my partaking of his bevvie, whereas his friend on the twist-top is sad. Don't worry cuties: you're too cute to drink!!! xxxo

Cutiest Umbrella Ever

My umbrella is here from Japan and bad news Cuties... it's beyond adorable. This photo doesn't do it justice (colors are much darker/muted and yes, those are flowers on the handle) but for once I wish it wasn't sunny outside. I can hardly wait for it to rain and be a total SF Cutie with it!!! xxxo

thx Tomoko-san!

Cupcake Cuties

We adore when our readers are out n about, see something cute and think of us! This book was spotted at Modern Times bookstore in SF and I see why it grabbed their attention. Cupcakes are adorable but when you have a cover with rubber duckies and one diving (my fave: ducky bootie), it gets a big Hello There Cutie shout-out!!! xxxo

thx Rob!

May Day Cuties

International Workers' Day (aka May day) was an important holiday of the Soviet Union, celebrated with parades in major cities. This flag dates back to the 60's, and features two cutie comrades with their arms linked and a giant flower. I wonder what the letters on the flower stand for... Perhaps it's Russian for Hello There Cutie?!!! xxxo