While I was in San Francisco last week visiting the Skylanders studios, Hello Kitty devotees were celebrating her 40th anniversary at the first ever HK convention, held in Los Angeles.

Hello Kitty Con 2014 promised “interactive experiences and events for fans and friends of all ages, including activities, art, exhibits, exclusives, workshops, lectures, panels, sneak peeks, tattoos, food, fun, and many more surprises!”. Judging by some of the reports, tweets and Instagram pictures, it delivered all that. And I don’t care if she’s technically a girl or a cat, I still adore Hello Kitty.

Here are some Instagram pics from the event (sourced via the hashtag #HelloKittyCon).

@HelloKittyBrasil

@Moe_knee-luv

@nicapica68

@Sweetstreetsla

@barbrats

@misfitlesley

@mysweetlazycuteness

@hersweetlife

@awkwardblondechaos

@maria_mazing

@emeraldz5

@smeebot

@sanriostarlight

@happybananagrams

Hello Kitty creator Yuko Yamaguchi, by @hellomt