CUTENESS OVERLOAD

Thanksful.9 : PREMIUM TOYS

-cuteness overload and the hunt -collecting stickers for them - is always a fun challenge!!

 

As most of you know, I have been collecting them for years....  and have amassed quite a collection already....  But how can I Stop?  They just keep putting out more and more CUTENESS!!!   Even got Jewel to start loving Doraemon & Open Chang - all from collecting these PREMIUM TOYS!!!

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Am Lovin' It

McDonalds' drinking Coke glasses are back, this time around the glasses are tied in with the Summer Olympics soon to commence in London.

One can has a choice of Spicy Chicken Meal or Double Quarter Pounder Meal to get a Free Glass... There is a total of 6 Colors and Design to collect.

Summer Fun with Open Chang & the Gang!!!

Debuting today, 7-11 brings back the loveable  and personal favotrite od mine character, OPEN CHANG for their Premium Promotional Program.....   The entire gang's  back for this cute promotional program...  this time around as pen/pencil toppers - each character dons the Open chang head mask and their cute little heads are sticking out of them....   each and every single one is a MUST HAVE - and so far there are 7 of them introduced, pictured above...

The way it works is that one must purchase at least NT$70 on a single receipt to get a sticker point...  for every 4 stickers, and an additional NT$49,  you have the option of redeeming one of these cuties.... am pretty positive they will be packaged as Blind Boxes though, so one will not know which one he/she is actually getting.....   An added element of SURPRISE for some... a cause of FRUSTRATIONS for others...  myself included... hahahahahahaha....

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 7-11 even enlisted Taiwan Pop Idol, Show in the promotional TV ADs currently running in all major Taiwan TV stations...

For the UBER CUTE Commercial with Taiwan Pop Idol Show,

 PLS CLICK HERE!

Hi*Life X RODY

Been a while since I had Hi*Life coffee - but with RODY on board as their newest Promotional Program, I know I will be having many cups of their coffee for a while... at least, until I collect them all!!!

Well, not all as am not really into the BIGGER ones, that are Coin Banks....  maybe I will break down and get one... but that is a BIIG MAYBE....   am also not too sure about the key chain ones...  as I have no use for those....  and they run a bit high....  instead I really would love to collect the ones that are 2 inches in height as they are perfect to blend in with everything else I collect....  

The way the program works is that you purchase 2 large coffees, and you get to buy one for NT$39 each, a little over US$1.00 each...  if bought on their own, they will run you NT$99 each or US$3.00 plus change each....  since we do have coffee everyday anyway, might as well opt for the former way of acquiring one....

So far, I have the Yellow, Green and Blue Versions....  I have seen a White, Pink, and Lilac variations as well....  so I know, I will be having more of Hi*Life's Java to get those, too...

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and it really MUST BE the time for RODY, as the market seems to be getting it's fair share of RODYs....   even the upcoming Taipei Toy Festival will be debuting RODY's in collaboration with another fave of mine, EVANGELION....  

tokidoki X hello kitty X 7-11 Hong Kong

Tokidoki Fans are in for a treat for the Holidays!!!   New tokidoki charms are being offered as a Special Premium Toys Offering by the 7-11 Shops in Hong Kong....   Just like the ones in Taiwan - one will be able to avail them by collecting stickers one gets when they buy from their local 7-11 Convenience Store shops....

From what I can make out, as I really cannot read Chinese (LOL!) - there will be two sets available... one collection debuted on the 7th of this month (December 2011) and another will make their appearance starting the 11th of January, 2012.... A total of 22 Hello Kitty x tokidoki keychain figures fans in Hong Kong will be able to collect…

All of this is quite EXCITING for me... so many FUN pieces.....  but ALAS, they will just be added to my tokidoki Holy Grails wishlist - as so far, no one in Hong Kong I know, has offered to help me acquire them.....  *SIGH*

Catch the FUN TV ADVERT HERE!

Open & Lock Case XMas 2011

ECSTATIC.HAPPY.OVERJOYED

Just a few words that describes my feelings tonight  - I LUCKED OUT and actually got my Open & Lock Premiums from 7-11...   and not just the Regular POP & Rock versions that you can hook up with your iPhone to listen to your music - was also LUCKY ENOUGH to get the XMAS versions of the duo, that doubles as speakers once attached to your MP3 or computer....   SCORE!!!

Regular Versions = Earphones

Special XMas Suits Versions = Speakers

Now if only I can get the COCO one from COSMED and the newly introduced, PLEASE one from

 7-11....  neverending, isn't it?

Sunday's Little Blessings

Started off the day with my first 7-11 Premium Earphones....   yes, I was FINALLY LUCKY enough to happen upon a 7-11 with a few of them IN STOCK for redemption....   and I got me the OPEN chan one....   Could not wait to get it deboxed and give it a try....   hooked it up on my iPhone and listened to some tunes - in fairness, it sounded pretty good....  nice, very nice, reception indeed!!! 

Now I cannot wait to get the LOCK chan one... I do hope that I get LUCKY enough for that one as my second redemption -- two more stickers to go..... :)

Then later on, out of the blue - with the skies still looking gloomy but no rain - we decided to drive up for a DIP at the Hot Spings... less than an hour outside of Taipei....   today was the perfect day... though the sun tried to come out a few times - it never really did....  so it was refreshing to be outdoors, nice cold breezes, and soothing Hot, Natural Spring waters...  and all that heat equaled an appetite for some delicacies for lunch....

...and earlier tonite, we got a visit from Jewel - who just came back from Japan... her first trip abroad ever....  only a year old and already Traveling....  what a life!!!

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT WEEKEND!!! 

 HERE'S TO A BRAND NEW WEEK!!!

Close But No Cigar...

or in my case: "No Premium Earphones....  Yet!"

Went to a few 7-11 today to try and CLAIM my first of the Premium Open/Lock Earphones as I have collected enough stickers (Thanks fto all those cups of coffees - the BEST and FASTEST way to collect stickers!!!) for one so far....  but NO SUCH LUCK....  except for the ones they have on displayed (Teasing Me!) - none were available for redemption...  so I wait another week... BOO HOO!!!

AAAAAAHHHHHH  The Torture..... 

 I really should just got the Yahoo Auction way via Sue....  hahahahahahahaha.....

In My hand but cannot take home... BOO HOO!!!

Incidentally, sister company COSMED is running the same Premium Program but offers 3 EXCLUSIVES - Coco the bird, Open & Lock in XMas Clothing!!!

Original Post Regarding this Newest 7-11 Premium Program HERE!

Enjoy Music with Open & Lock!!!

November 2nd starts a brand new, and awfully awesome, Premium Program from 7-11....  this time around, Open, Lock and the rest of the Open Plaza gang with let you enjoy MUSIC like never before....  yep, they will all be available as Music Earphones... and just from the Adverts and posters up so far - I already know I want to collect them all!!!  HELP!!!

Just Like Heaven!!!

...and that's just how it was for me last Thursday, the 7th... It was the 1st day of the Annual Taipei Toy Festival (a 4 Day Event)..... of course, I braved the crowds right away and went.... along with my Partner in Toys Crime, Juliana..... just look at this COLLAGE with all these COOL, FUN, & EXCITING TOYS! okay, okay, not all mine... I WISH!!!
It was a Great Day.... wish I could have brought home all that I wanted - but one MUST have limits, right?? Mind you, I still came home with a lot... and thinking of going back for more later today..... hahahahahahahahahaha

Tons of tpoys to look at from some FAVE designers.... Be@rbricks galore, Stay Real, Hot Toyz, C.I. Boys, etc... and even a bit of STAR GAZING as, Scandal Ridden Hong Kong Star, EDISON CHEN made an appearance debuting his CLOT designed tees and Toys - and some authograph signings and photo taking.... too bad it was waaaaay tooo CROWDED - could not even get close.... so had to take a few shots by ZOOMING the camera - hence, not too sharp...

Treated myself, the iPhone really to a new case, TOFU!!!!

MEET BUBI!!!

For me, this BUBI is the most FAVE one that DEBUTED at this show.... have always wanted a Little Boy Blue type character... and he comes quite close.... Designed by Au Yeung from the Series: "The Bubblegum Adventures of Periwinkle". So far there are three variations issued for "Episode 1: London Raindrops". Well basically it is just one boy but each Blind Box, he could come with an umbrella (Easiest to get.); a back pack (Harder to get..); or this one, with a hat (My most FAVE!)... each one also comes with a blown bubblegum that he can hold or put in his mouth.... FUN!!!

Anyway, have UPLOADED a few photos here if you care to see:
Taipei Toy Festival 2011 on FLICKR
-will be UPLOADING more this weekend... just way too much goodies.... Just Like Heaven, indeed....

and continuing on the subject of Be@rbricks....

...I have already COMPLETED the Hi*Life X Jimmy Liao X Be@rbricks for 2011... all 9 of them!!!!

Have actually completed them middle of last month, even took photos but never got around to posting them..... I Just Love their WHIMSICAL LOOKS!!!

Cannot wait till the 2012 Offerings - sure hope there will be one then... :)

Be@rbick X Jimmy Liao X 9 : Part II

WHOA!!!! Today is the first day that the 2nd Set of this Brand New Premium Bearbrick Collection for Hi*Life came out - and am soooo HAPPY to say - I was able to get all three already.... YES!!! These guys are just as CUTE as the first three I had blogged about recently....I was able to collect enough stickers for all three Jimmy Liao designed Bearbricks (30 stickers total!) - with the help of a few people, I have to admit:
-The Hi*Life shop girl who gives me a little extra whenever I shop... be it that she likes me or out of pity, matters not, am most appreciative.... Needless to say, I shop mostly when she is there...
-To Juliana for letting me know that a faster way than drinking coffee each day to get the stickers is to buy a certain brand of Cold Tea Drink... 4 bottles gets one 5 stickers!!! 3 more than if one gets a cup of coffee and a sandwich.... YES AGAIN!!!
-and of course, those who did not want their stickers and just threw them away in places I was able to find them!!! LOL..... Now on to collecting stickers for the last 3!!! Hahahahahahaha.....

be@rbrick X jimmy liao X 9

By Popular Demand, (am sure not just by me - LOL!) Hi*Life once again has teamed up with Jimmy Liao for it's newest Premium Toy offerings.... The success and popularity of last year's First 6 Offerings, made way for this year's 2nd wave... and this time around there are, not just 6, but 9 CUTEST bearbricks representing various characters from Jimmy Liao's famous books/illustrations...

This year, the changes in the program will prove to make it a bit tougher to collect them... unless you go by the AUCTION WAY (take note SUE! hehehehehehehehe)....
-FIRST: one needs to spend NT$60 now to get a Sticker, last year was just NT$49 for each sticker.... one needs a total of 25 stickers to get one Premium Toy or the option of 10 stickers and an additional NT$49 for one...
-SECOND: 2 1/2 weeks 3 of the 9 designs will be offered... so if you MISS OUT your chances on the each time period - you are OUT OF LUCK....
-THIRD: and the TOUGHEST CHANGE of all... these time around, the bearbricks are packaged in BLIND BOXES - so not a chance in choosing each one.... you really need to take your chances.... WAAAAAH!!!!

This Period's First Three Offerings - From April 20th thru May 10th:

Family Mart X "One Piece"

Today, Family Mart started their "One Piece" Premium Toys run.... and I could not be happier.... I skipped the last two offerings they had - as they just did not strike my fancy enough.... but this new one certainly does.... A FUN Manga and GREAT CONCEPTS on each of the Vinyl Toys offered in the collection.... The Program runs starting today thru the end of May... You can find out more about "One Piece" manga here on this WIKI LINK....

Premiums * Premiums * Premiums

Cannot believe I have been so behind in photographing and sharing my latest acquisitions of Premium Toys.... Vinyl toys that are FAVEs of mine from McDonalds & Mister Donut... so here goes:

DORAEMON: Current Premium Tie Ins for McDonalds.... Doraemon doubles as the 12 Lunar Calendar Animals... of course I got the DRAGON, one... :))

Mister Donut's Premium to welcome the New Year... the shops mascot sits atop the Fortune Boat, that doubles as a candy container.

These guys came out a few months back to benefit the Ronald McDonalds House Foundation... Set of 4. (Thanks Sue & Juliana!!!)

Not sure when this Jungle Book Premium was issued - came across this at one of the Toy Shops I frequent... MOWGLI - gottat have!!!

I better learn to read Chinese....

...or ELSE AM MISSING OUT ON ALL THE GOOD PARTS!!! LOL.... and this is one of those times.....

...Been collecting Premium Toys from various places here in Taiwan, 7-11, McDonalds, Family Mart, etc... and recently I have been coveting the XMas 2010 Open Plaza premiums, basically the more Limited Special Edition Open and Lock ones.... dressed as Nutcraker Soldiers, they are just cute as a button.... and as an added bonus, they double as Flashlights...Somehow I lucked in on the Lock one when I redeemed the points I have collected so far.... unfortunately, though I had enough for two, the other one I got was the Pink Dog (Jewel is getting this from me...:) ) so I had to ask Sue, my Yahoo Auction connection to help me get the Open chan one.... which she was able to quite fast....

Anyway, when she called to tell me she had received Open chan - she went on to say that she had to check if the light works, as well as the sound recoding device... I had to ask her to repeat right away, "the sound what?" Little did I know, each one can also record one's voice and playback.... and it even say so on the boxes...waaaaah!!! I had to run and get my Lock-chan out right away and test it - and it sure did record me talking and can play back pretty clearly.... I never would have known this if I did not enlist Sue to help me get one.... LOL!

Needless to say, am even happier about this EXTRA UNEXPECTED SURPRISE!!!!

How Could I Have MIssed Out on This???

Juliana gave me this really cute McDonald's Premium Vinyl Toys, last Monday nite.... Have not been to McDonald's lately so I did not know anything about it..... It is an articulated Bear dressed up like Ronald McDonald.... total cuteness!!! Issued to benefit the Ronald McDonald House, an org established to help kids all over the world.

Have come to learn since that there are 4 figures in this collection... and they are all cute.... so I rushed over to McDonald's in hopes of getting the other three.... 3 McDonald's later and still ZERO.... it seems they are all SOLD OUT - SOLD OUT FAST!!! BOO HOO!!!!

And now, it just dawned on me that when I had lunch with Sue at Swensen's recently - the woman I saw taking photos of her little bear in B&W stripes, was playing with one of the figures.... waaaah, i knew I should have approached her and asked when I wanted to....

Not sure where else these cuties are available - but if any of you out there knows - pls HOOK ME UP!!!!