I was fortunate enough to beta-test the new online game, Free Realms back in the spring and have loved playing it since. I mention it here because well, the world is just – so darn cute!

The animals are friendly and adorable and the avatars can dress up in silly outfits – even in a banana suit or a hotdog suit (for those with Oscar Meyer envy). It is geared toward tweens but lots of adults play it because SOE (Sony Online Entertainment) took great pains to make it a truly family-friendly environment. It is safe for kids to play as well as enjoyable for teens and adults too.

Hardcore gamers probably won’t be that into it (though they may like the leisurely pace, I know I do) which is fine because most of the people playing the game (SOE claims over 3 million have signed up) are there because they really want to be.

Wait, did I mention that it is FREE?

Yup, totally free – as in you don’t have to pay for anything – well, except if you want anything cool, like certain quests,  weapons (there is fighting in the game but no one ever dies – they get knocked out), you will have to pony up for a monthly membership fee ($4.99) and anything extra will have to be purchased through their online store. This is the real money sink, so be careful.

The online card game (which has a real-world counterpart) is completely addictive. I play online and collect the cards to play offline with my Mom. We love the game. It is inventive and not complicated to learn, though I don’t know how many kids would get into it. Or maybe I just want to think I’m very clever?

One of the things I love about the game (besides how gorgeous the world is) is that it is a peaceful place for the most part. Lots of varied natural landscapes and all kinds of levels of lush beauty from a swampy netherworld to a silly Oktoberfest themed Alpine village. It just captivates you at every turn.

There is much to do there, many careers to try, groovy cars to race, games to play and people to meet and greet. You can also have a pet dog and cat if you’d like. The “free” in the name is double entendre, yes, the game is free but it is the FREEDOM to be whatever you want within the game that is what will keep you playing.

When I find a new place that delivers the kawaii goods (and that can be in actual goods – you know, stuff or just great information) I get so excited! This new kawaii discovery is a website I found just last night while surfing around.

It’s called TokyoKawaiiEtc.com and it is run by an English-speaking (and writing) Japanese chica named Kirin.

This place is super-cute and chock full of interesting tid-bits. She has a little bit of everything here and she gives you first-person accounts of kawaii right from Tokyo (where she lives and works) which is kind of like having the keys to the KAWAII KINGDOM!

She also does great videos on Japanese food. I watched one last night and I had to go to my local Japanese restaurant tonight for edamame and beer. Yes her videos are that good. You will be hungry!

She posts on a variety of intersting topics and shows you what living in Tokyo is like which would make this site a keeper on its own, but to also have such a love of all things kawaii? Most awesome. Check it out and give her many props – she deserves it.