Cats And Mooks At Kinokuniya

When Kinokuniya re-opened earlier this year I was bummed to find a no photos sign in the front.  Last week I happened to have my camera and the sign was changed.  I ran up to the counter and asked if I could take pictures again, they said yes and now this is my ode to one of my favorite bookstores.  I can't understand Japanese but love the artform their magazines take.  Half magazine, half book are mooks in Japan.  Most of the mooks come with gifts - I have been eyeing a Furla mook for weeks but keep passing on it because $40+ is out of my price range but in all honesty, that's probably the closest I'd ever get to having a Furla at that cheap price!

But mooks aren't the only awesome things in Kinokuniya - they sell toys, washi tape, pens, pencils, stickers, origami paper, notebooks, t-shirts and so much cute!  I don't even care for cats but look at how cute they are in product form!  Cute!!!!!


Kinokuniya Bookstore is inside Mitsuwa Marketplace
665 Paularino Avenue
Costa Mesa
(714) 662-2319
Open 7 days a week from 10am-8pm

Disclosure:  I paid cash money for a mook and would do it again.  All thoughts are my own.

Super Cute Toy Alert: Octonauts at Toys R Us!

The first time we saw the Octonauts was when we were waiting in the Pediatrician's office - Omar was only a couple days old and he had jaundice.  They sent us home with a biliblanket and we had to come in every day to have his blood checked.  Our stress levels were explosive because of the rough labor and delivery I had and now Omar's jaundice so for a few minutes that day our minds were curious about the cute show we saw while sitting in the Doctor's office.  My husband and I thought they were so cute and wondered if they had toys because we are suckers for cute characters.  That was a year ago (almost to the date!) and they are still one of thee cutest kids shows ever.  When the opportunity came up to review new Octonauts toys, I was so excited because I wanted to check them out!  Kids almost never turn down toys so this was a no-brainer.  It definitely had to pass my test.

A huge box arrived and I could not believe how adorable everything was.  I was bummed that the recommended age for the toys is 3+ years old.  Omar wouldn't be getting play time with the Octonauts anytime soon but that didn't stop our 7 year old Duke from totally geeking out about the Octonauts Octopod Playset and Octonauts Gup-B Mission Vehicle & Kwazii.

If you aren't familiar with Octonauts - it airs on Disney Junior and follows the daily adventures of a team of eight underwater heroes that explore the world's oceans, rescue the creatures who live there and protect their habitats - above and below the waves!

Octonauts Octo-Compass is really adorable.  I let Omar play with this toy because you can hear phrases from your favorite Octonauts characters Barnacles, Kwazii and Peso.  We thought the creature sounds and Octo-Alert signal were fun!  It retails for $12.99 at Toys "R" Us.

Octonauts GUP-B Mission Vehicle & Kwazii are our second favorites.  The GUP-B mission vehicle works on both land and in water so guess where Duke wanted to play with them?  Yep, in the tub!  The creatures totally change color in water.  This set retails for $14.99 at Toys "R" Us.

Octonauts Rescue Assortment Barnacles & Tunip is a great addition to the GUP-B Mission Vehicle set - this action figure set comes with a Tunip water-squirter, a clamshell and sea creatures that also change colors in warm water!  Duke enjoys these during his baths too.  I let Omar hold Captain Barnacles during his bath.  This set retails for $9.99 at Toys "R" Us.  

Octonauts Octopod Playset is the motherlode.  This set is super cute and Fisher-Price always has high marks with me when it comes to playsets.  I remember my playsets when I was a kid and many times look for those vintage toy sets when I'm out thrifting or vintage shopping.  They are excellent quality and make the best memories.  The Octopod Playset is on that same level.  Excellent quality and fun for all - yes even me.  It makes me so happy passing this playset in my living room.  I don't even have to tell you how much fun the one year old and seven year old have with the 10 play pieces including Barnacles, Kwazii, a mini GUP-A, 3 creatures, 4 rescue tools and a clip-on Octo-Alert that features phrases and sounds!  This retails for $34.99 at Toys "R" Us.   

Omar inspecting his loot!


For more information on Octonauts, please visit www.octonauts.com or at Octonauts Facebook page at facebook.com/octonauts.

Disclosure: I was sent Octonauts toys for review.  All thoughts are my own.

60% OFF at Kidrobot!

Wish I saw this email earlier!  Kidrobot has select toys and apparel for 60% OFF for 6 hours!  It started at Noon ET so you have roughly 2 hours left to take advantage of this awesome sale!  Here are a few of my favorites - working on descriptions now but you should just see what they have cause some are already SOLD OUT!  

All City Breakers Mini 20-Pack
2-Inch Blue Edition $11.98

POP! Mini Series 'Corns
3-Inch $3.18

Leopard 'Stache Labbit Plush
14-Inch $15.98

Goon Squad: Lil Illych
4-Inch $3.98 (I got the Kim Il-Jong figure for Christmas and I love it!)

#talesfromthethrift Vintage Toys!

These are some of my favorite, recent finds!  Over a course of 3 months though... I wish I could just walk into a thrift store and score like this.  

Vintage Fisher-Price Cash Register!  It is in better condition than the one my brother and I shared.  Was only $2.98 - Duke loves it!

I assumed these were Fisher-Price Little People but I can't find any info on them anywhere.  These lovely girls were .49 each!

80s Playskool robot Alphie.  He doesn't have his cards and I don't know if he works but I figured he'd be good for a prop.  And he was a steal for .91!

Vintage Mattel See 'N Say in the box!  We found 2, they were $2.98 each

I can't resist Vintage toys especially from the Strawberry Shortcake line.  She was only $2


Have you posted about thrifting, antiquing or shopping at the flea market in the past week?  Link up with #talesfromthethrift and share your finds!  Share the love with this button!  

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Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

I love Melissa & Doug toys - not only are they educational but excellent quality and great value.  I'm so excited to share Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty Holiday Gifts for 2012!  This list compiles the “best of the best” holiday gifts for the 2012 holiday season.  

If you go to Melissa & Doug Facebook page, you can enter to win a gift everyday from the Terrific Twenty list!  

But that's not all - we're excited to host our own Melissa & Doug Magic Mine Wooden Train Tunnel Set GIVEAWAY! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  Melissa and Doug will be furnishing prize for my son and winner.  All thoughts are my own.

Designer Con 2012!

This Saturday, November 3rd is Designer Con at Pasadena Convention Center.  I went last year and had a great time joining the World's Biggest Blindbox Time, watching The Sucklord's live Suckathon, shopping for Christmas gifts, checking out the latest in toys/books/vinyl/art/shirts and getting sketches by artists.  Previously, D-Con was called Vinyl Toy Network.

Old friends Dragatomi and SpankyStokes are just some of the vendors that will be in attendance, new friend Leanna Lin's Wonderland will be there too!  Visit them and buy stuff!

There will be exclusives, signings and surprises!


November 3rd, 2012 from 9 am to 6 pm
Pasadena Convention Center, Exhibit Hall
300 E. Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
$5 online pre-sale; $7 at the door