Catsparella: cat hats

Showing posts with label cat hats. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

I Heart Needlework Handmade Birthday Cat Hat Giveaway!

Pretty Kitty Spring Cat Hat

It's been a hot minute since I've featured any new and exciting feline headwear, so I was excited to discover I Heart Needlework, an Etsy shop devoted to offering knit and crochet hats, costumes, accessories, and apparel for people, pups, and of course, kitties!

Cat Cowl

Lion Mane Cat Hat

Owner Meredith Yarborough tells me that she's been avid cat lover since childhood, and her inspiration for starting the shop was to share her appreciation of the feline race with the rest of the world.

"You see so many creations and items catered to dogs, but not nearly enough for cats, and they need to be recognized too," she says.

Patriotic Cat Hat

Frog Prince Cat Hat

Meredith's adorable creations range from jaunty springtime bonnets, to costumes, cupcake hats, cowls, and more. Her feline designs are modeled by her patient and handsome kitties, Bullwinkle (primary tabby model) and Sparrow (black and white alternate hat model). Before they started a life of cat hat modeling, the two brothers were rescued at about 8 weeks old, and haven't looked back since.

"Bullwinkle is the most docile and accepting cat you will ever meet," she says. "He doesn't discriminate, but shows an equal love for people, other cats, and dogs."

Enter To Win!

Birthday Party Cat Hat (Bullwinkle not included!)

Meredith had generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win a Handmade Crochet Birthday Party Cat from I Heart Needlework!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name, and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.) The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Tuesday, June 4 at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to everyone, so our international friends can participate too! One entry per person, please.

Good luck, and be sure to visit I Heart Needlework to check out their entire selection of handmade hats and accessories for the fashionable feline in your life!

(If you have trouble leaving a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com)

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

Thursday, January 31, 2013

10 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas For The Cat Lover In Your Life

Cats Love Me T-Shirt, Wider Awake
Present your favorite cat person with the ultimate compliment, in the form of a shirt proclaiming their popularity with the feline species (which as we all know, is the hardest won affection of all!)

Assorted Cat Toys, PetSmart.com
Help spread the love with every purchase from PetSmart's exclusive Luv-A-Pet Valentine's Day collection. 10% of the sales from the pink and red feline feather toys go to PetSmart Charities in the US and Canada to help save homeless pets.

Valentine Sugar Cookies, MoonLight Cookie Art
You could give your Valentine the same old flowers and candy, or you can choose to delight their senses with a batch of artisanal sugar cookies that are *almost* too gorgeous to eat. Each colorful cookie is unique, hand decorated and embellished with fine sugar crystals, and baked with high quality ingredients, including organic eggs, butter, flour, cream and pure vanilla.

Ceramic Cat Necklace, Jasmin Blanc Boutique
Erika Iozsa's handmade, ceramic clay necklaces remind me of vintage cat figurines, except that instead of admiring them on the shelf, you can actually display them around your neck. The miniature pieces of art come in a variety of gorgeous colors, including "Chat Noir" (shown above), red and gold, and an array of creamy pastels.

Floating Hearts Valentine Cat Hat, Stylin' Dogs Boutique
Surprise your Valentine with a romantic note that's custom made to fit your kitty's head. The conversation hearts are affixed to a crocheted cap, that will keep your cat feeling cozy. Plus, this is one charitable fashion statement, with 10% of the shop's sales going to benefit the ASPCA.

Box o' Catnip Chocolates, The Gallant Grizzly
Just because they can't indulge in a Whitman's sampler, doesn't mean your kitty can't still feel the love. This hand-stitched felt toy set is filled with 100% organic catnip, "guaranteed to win the lion heart of every feline."

Be Mine Meow T-Shirt, Economy Grocery
Show your potential love interest that you're a smitten, with a retro style tee that pops the question with kittens.

Assorted cat cosmetics (sold separately), Paul and Joe Beauty
Your sweetheart will be looking and feline fine with these assorted cat-themed cosmetics by Paul & Joe. The limited edition make-up line includes cat print pressed powder, eye color, a lipstick case, and cosmetic bag, along with a cat shaped blusher stick to give them a rosy glow.

Hello Kitty Lingerie and Accessories
Hello Kitty has been around for nearly 40 years, and Sanrio wants fans to know that they have the purrfect gift for everyone who has grown up loving her. If you're feeling racy, the Hanky Panky for Hello Kitty collection features lacy thongs, babydolls, and bralettes, or visit Sanrio.com for adorable accessories like an eye mask, retro phone headset, and train case that are pink, red, and kitty all over.

Tuxedo Stan Valentine Card #1
You might remember Tuxedo Stanley, the kitty candidate who ran for mayor of Halifax last year in an effort to highlight the plight of homeless animals. Sadly, Stan was recently diagnosed with cancer, yet he remains steadfast to his mission as he undergoes chemo treatments.

You can help support his efforts by making a purchase from the Tuxedo Stan store, that features several Valentine's Day-inspired items, including greeting cards, a catnip mouse in a tuxedo gift box, or an adorable Tuxedo Stan minion plush, that comes with a “Tuxedo Stan for Mayor” button and a Certificate of Authenticity “signed” by the cat himself. For the ultimate gift experience, consider going "BALLS OUT" or "BEAT THE HEAT" with a donation to sponsor a spay or neuter surgery, that comes complete with a high-quality certificate, suitable for framing.

All profits from the sale of Stan Stuff are used by Spay Day HRM, a not-for-profit society in Nova Scotia. The Spay Day Program is a special initiative to address the cat over-population crisis in Halifax Regional Municipality by assisting students and low-income families to spay and neuter their cat.

Looking for Valentine's Day card ideas? Check out my previous post: 12 Cat-Themed Valentine's Day Cards To Help Show You Care

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Fresh Step Unveils Knit Cat Hat To Benefit The ASPCA

Cat-Inspired Knit Hat

Fresh Step has once again teamed up with the ASPCA to help fill your closet with cat fashion for a good cause!

After collaborating with Kellie Pickler last year on a country music inspired cat sweater, the litter makers have switched their focus to a feline-themed accessory, in the form of a cat hat by Korean knitwear designer, Sunghee Bang.

The chic popcorn knit cap is a subtle mix of black and grey, and features a striking pair of pointy ears that will keep you warm all winter. The limited edition hat is currently available from the ASPCA online store for $39.99, with 100% of the purchase price going to benefit the animal rescue and welfare organization.

AnnaLynne McCord and her cat, Buni

To lend a little star power to the proceedings, the hat will officially be unveiled this weekend by famous cat lover, AnnaLynne McCord, in Park City, Utah, where the "90210" actress will be in town to introduce the five finalists from the Fresh Step Catdance Film Festival competition.

Starting on Jan. 20, fans will be able to view all of the official cat video selections from the film fest online, and cast a ballot for their favorite to win $10,000. As an added incentive to participate, all voters will also have a chance to win prizes, including Fresh Step coupons, and the charitable chapeau.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Go Wild For Feral Cat Hats From Catnip Hill

After seeing yesterday's post about the cat hat craze that's sweeping the nation, Marilyn sent me a note about her very own line of feline-inspired head apparel, fashioned to help support feral cats.

Her shop, Catnip Hill, offers handmade fleece caps in a variety of colors, and just like kittens, you never know what you're going to get! Also, just like many feral cats around the country, the hats have one ear tipped to indicate that they're part of a Trap Neuter Return program.

For those who don't know, Trap Neuter Return (TNR) volunteers trap feral cats, have them spayed or neutered, and then return them back to their colonies, where they can continue to live without the threat of reproducing. The kitties also have one ear snipped in a painless procedure while they are still under anesthesia, so that once they're returned to the wild, caretakers know they've already been tended to.

One third of the sales from Marilyn's hats go to Carol's Ferals, her local TNR based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Whether you're a feral cat caregiver, or would just like to show your support with a cozy kitty hat, check out Catnip Hill for more info on how to order!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Dress Your Cat Like Kanye West

Kanye West Cat Costume

What do Kanye West, William Tell, and Paddington Bear have in common? All three have gotten the cat costume treatment, thanks to NotsoKitty's wacky Etsy shop. The inspired creations join the previously featured Princess Beatrice Fascinator and Solar System Cat Hat, in making the dreams of pop culture obsessed pussycat's everywhere come true.

William Tell Cat Hat

Paddington Bear Cat Costume

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Patricia Field Glitter Kitty Wigs

"Seriously honey, do you think it's too much?"

Last weekend at the flea market I spotted a hair scrunchie made out of tinsel, and joked how cat owners should never wear it unless they wished to be scalped (among other reasons). Now forget that scrunchie, and imagine your cat's reaction when you walk in with what amounts to wearing giant sculptural sparkle ball on your head. Game on, kitty. Game on.

Glitter Kitty Wigs (Gold/Black/Hello Kitty) - $353 each, Patricia Field

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Etsy Hatter Will Have Your Cat Looking Like Princess Beatrice or the Solar System in No Time

Cats Are Center of the Universe / Solar System Cat Fascinator / Planetary Kitty Hat

Between sunflowers, candy corn, and Belle of the Kitty Ball, I'd thought I'd seen all cat hats before. That is until today, when I came across the Notsokittyshop, a name inspired by the artists' two cats, Fluffy and Notso Fluffy, respectively.

Using materials such as foam, wire, and lots of glitter and glue, Notosokittyshop proves that one woman's craft room surplus is another cat lady's fashion muse. Born of "attention deficit inspired creativity" and "an unending desire to create cat accessories," these creations are one part kitty couture, one part school science project, and 100% totally furrbulous.

Princess Beatrice Cat Fascinator / Royal Kitty Hat

Monday, August 22, 2011

Surrealist Feline Fedora Is Latest Entry In Fall Cat Hat Race

Anna Sui, PPQ, and Givenchy are already pumping out designer cat headwear for Fall 2011, and now Yestadt Millinery is the latest brand to throw their hat into the ring. The Feline Fedora ($358, Anthropologie) is a "surrealist velour topper," that's apparently aimed towards the Japanese market.

If a $358 hat that looks like it was made in your bedroom is a little hard to swallow, I also found a cute DIY version by Paper Sparrow that you actually can make in your bedroom for less than $1 (providing you already own a fedora).

I'm curious to know, will you be wearing any cat hats come this September?

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

VICE Presents Fashion Cats

FASHION CATS!

File under: Things I need in my life immediately! VICE Books has just announced the release of Fashion Cats, "Feline Couture from Japan's #1 Cat Tailor!" aka the greatest cat fashion photography book the world has ever seen, at least since Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs was released back in 2009.

Is it just me, or is this cat throwing off a serious January Jones/Betty Draper vibe?

In the book, Takako Iwasa (aka Prin Mama) decks out her beloved cats in the latest Japanese feline fashions of her own design. We also get an inside look at Princess Prin and Prince Kotaro her "soul-cat-mates" turned muses, who reportedly "don't get out of bed for less than the best catnip and 10,000 American dollars a day."

To give you a better idea of what you're in for, check out this snippet from the book, where fashion cat Prin reveals, “My name is Princess Prin. I came from a distant planet called Planet Prin. The long flowing dress and the tiara on my head give fine testimony to my status as a princess. Now, why don’t you become a princess too?”

According to the publisher, "Takako Iwasa fatefully met her beloved cat Prin in 1999. Just one year later, she received a message from the universe telling her to “Do something this year!” So, naturally, she began making clothes for cats." Naturally!

Shortly thereafter, Iwasa launched the successful online cat fashion boutique Cat Prin - Tailor of a Cat, published two books in Japan, and taught cat-tailoring classes. However, it wasn't until an appearance on a VICE VBS.TV episode of The Cute Show in 2009 that she, Prin and Kotaro gained international celebrity status.

Yes, I'm a junkie for cats wearing clothing, and this book pretty much looks an like instant classic to me. For all of their efforts to bring me joy, I can only hope that Princess Prin and Prince Kotaro are afforded the luxury of getting high off the finest catnip before pooping in their rhinestone encrusted litter boxes.

Fashion Cats by Takako Iwasa, published by VICE Books and distributed by powerHouse books is available now on Amazon, and wherever fine books are sold.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Charlie and Priscilla's Cat Hat Round-up & Last Day To Vote!

Well, this is it! Two cats, and twenty hats later, we've reached the final day in the 2011 Petties Campaign!

During the past three weeks, Charlie and Priscilla modeled some crazy hats for the cause, and I also visited Tabby's Place, where we met kitties like Kendall, Boots, Natalie, Tashi, and Twix, to show you where the $1,000 donation prize would end up going if I won. I have to say that no matter what ends up happening, I'm so thrilled to have been able to bring more exposure to Tabby's Place, and plan on continuing to highlight the sanctuary in the future.

That being said, I still want to bring home the $1,000 prize for them, so round up the cats and have them vote like crazy for Catsparella in the category of Best Social Integration Blog at http://www.dogtime.com/petties! There's no registration required, and you can vote in as many, or as few, categories as you'd like.

Please spread the word that TODAY, Friday, July 29th, is the LAST day to vote!

I truly appreciate all of your your votes, support, and amazing comments, and as a special thank you, here's a round-up of Charlie and Priscilla's Top 10 Looks, as determined by Facebook "Likes"! Also, don't forget to stop by the Catsparella Facebook page tonight, to see Charlie model one final, surprise look!

1. Surprised Charlie - 109 Likes