Jul 23, 2011 | Fashion
Hair: top bun created with the help of my Odango Cushion
Earrings: tiny rhinestones, various (from Japan); chunky gold, maygloba
Beaded Cropped Tee: handmade by me
Watch: Citizen Eco-Drive
Rings: twig ring, mocha; star ring, unsure (from Japan)
Striped Jersey maxidress: Forever 21
Convertible Schoolboy Satchel: Ober Tashe (similar product from their line here)
Chain-Embellished Sandals: Wet Seal
Well, it took me about a month, but I finally finished that beaded DIY I was working on!! (more…)
Jul 22, 2011 | Fashion, Media
Featured in The Japan Issue (Issue #24 of CutOutandKeep.net’s online zine “Snippets) is my article Crafter’s Paradise, with a short list of some of the best craft stores in Japan, as well as mention of some interesting crafts unique to this country.
Thanks so much to Cat and the whole Cut Out + Keep team for including this!
xoxox
Carly
P.S. It seems some of the links weren’t included in the article; you may be looking for the online shopping sites for Yuzawaya and Tokyu Hands; as well as the English Map to Nippori Fabric Town, which I’ve relinked.
P.P.S. Also, here are some Tips for Shopping at Craft Stores in Japan:
- GO EARLY. Most stores open around 10:00 AM (or even 11:00 AM!!), and get fairly crowded as schools let out in the afternoon. Aisles tend to be smaller, so sometimes fighting crowds in the late afternoon/early evening can prevent you finding some treasures.
- BRING A TAPE MEASURE. Japan uses the metric measuring system, so if you aren’t familiar with meters and centimeters, make sure you have converted your measurements to metric prior to going, or you bring a tape measure with you so you can estimate yardage better when buying fabric.
- KNOW THE LINGO. Finding someone who has the English vocabulary of crafting-specific terms and tools is like searching for a unicorn. If you don’t speak Japanese and don’t know the names of what you’re looking for, look up the words you need online before you go. I really like this online dictionary. (P.S. Even if you speak very, VERY good Japanese and you don’t know the term exactly and think you can go to the store and describe what you’re looking for and the sales staff will just fill-in-the-blank helpfully, think again. It’s a little strange, but most Japanese people are unable to supply the word in a guess-what-the-foreigner-means guessing game of words. And even if they know what you’re talking about, they’ll usually lead you to what you want in the store, never actually supplying the word you’re grasping for.)
- BRING A SAMPLE. If you’re looking for something similar to something you already have (say you want to replace a broken clasp on a necklace you have), and you don’t know the exact specifics of size/type of what you need, just bring it. The staff will usually be happy (and oftentimes, relieved) to help you find a replacement or duplicate if you have a visual sample with you. Also, the system for designating the size of headpins, eyepins, clasps etc. is completely different from that of the U.S., so bringing a sample will help avoid confusion.
- DON’T OPEN YOUR PURCHASE IN THE STORE. This is true at any store in Japan. Your bag will be taped shut at the top to prevent theft. The person at the register may ask you if you’d like to consolidate your shopping in one bag (if you are carrying a bag or two from another store), and place all your bags into a single large bag from their store, taping the top closed in the process. If you’re going to open it, wait until you’re outside the store; it’s just good manners.
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
Jul 19, 2011 | Fashion
Our flight to the States is supposed to be today, but a typhoon is scheduled to hit Tokyo this afternoon so it remains to be seen if our flight will be canceled or happen as scheduled.
If everything goes off as planned, I should be back Stateside on Wednesday! See you after I’ve recovered from the jetlag!;-)
xoxox
Carly
Jul 18, 2011 | Fashion
1. furfur Mixed Material Pleated Cloth Cami / 2. Priscila 2-Tone BiColored Long Bangs / 3. The Dress & Co Le Conseil de la Robe Stole Shawl Tunic / 4. Crossfor Silicon Ball Post Catches / 5. ajew Bead, Button, and Chain Bag / 6. Dosch Belted “Pumpkin” Shorts
Today is my last day in Japan and there are still some things that are on my wishlist. Out of my budget or things I’ve deemed not absolutely necessary to daily life, I’d still love to have them, even if I can’t foresee a way to incorporate them into full rotation in my wardrobe. *sigh* Maybe a couple DIY’s are in order?
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
Jul 16, 2011 | Fashion
Hair: bangs french-braided and all pinned back into a roll
Detachable Rhinestone Collar: EcoDeco x bpr BEAMS
White Tee: Old Navy
Watch: Citizen Eco-Drive
Rings and assorted earrings: Claire’s
Faux leather satchel: Ober Tasche
Silk Scarf: thrifted
Pleated Midi-Length Skirt: mocha
It’s been a busy couple days here, filled with family – from lunch with Hub’s longtime family friends and their daughter’s new baby, to a ritual respect-paying at my in-law’s ancestral grave, to a visit with my Mom. (more…)
Jul 14, 2011 | Beauty, Fashion
I love hitting up the drugstore whenever I’m in Japan to browse all the new and uniquely Japanese products available. Some never even make it to the U.S., so it’s a treat to scoop up the latest. Above are some of my recent finds:
1. Pukkuri Faux Gel Nail Topcoat With CalGel nails being the norm amongst the nail-art-loving Japanese, some girls want to give their natural nails a break, but still have the plumped-up, glossy, smooth look to their nails. This topcoat promises to create a similar look to gel nails, and yet is removable with regular nail polish remover.
I admit I don’t notice much of a difference between this and a regular topcoat, but it certainly is thick and seals in glittery polishes well.
2. BYS Color Change Nail Enamel I had to sneak this one in, but I think it’s actually an Australian brand. (Aussie readers, correct me if I’m wrong!!) I remember color change nail polishes being popular back in the early 90’s (I think TOMA made a good one), but I haven’t seen one for ages. This went on rather pink to my dismay, but I found that exposure to cold turned it purple. It didn’t quite produce the “gradient” color that the bottle advertised, even though my nails are med-long.
3. KOSE Concentrated Whitening Mask I believe one component in the average Japanese girl’s skincare routine that is essential to their beautiful complexions is the frequent usage of facial masks. Collagen-Infused; Vitamin-Enriched; Whitening; Smoothing; Softening; Brightening; Hyaluronic-Acid-Filled; Packed with Minerals – there are so many different types available I couldn’t ever detail all of them. This one makes my skin feel like Lil Tot’s bottom (which is a good thing!!;-)
4. Odango Cushion Though it reminds me of a tawashi scrubber (usually used for cleaning toilets in Japan!!), this is a base for a nice, fluffy bun.
I don’t yet have a good picture of me wearing it, but it takes my sad little topknot into puffy, fluffy mayhem. Lovely!
5. Cooling Gel In the unbearably hot Tokyo summer, cooling products are rocketing off the shelves of the stores. Hub has a cooling body spray with menthol in it that he’s partial to, and this cooling gel works similarly. I spread it on the back of my neck and on the insides of my elbows for ultimate relief. (Of course, they only provide cool relief for about 10-20 minutes until you start to feel the sticky, oppressive heat again.)
6. “Glamorous” gum A gum created as a collaboration between fashion designer KEITA MARUYAMA and Lotte (I think). It’s apricot-flavored. Imagine if Marc Jacobs or Michael Kors collaborated with Hubba Bubba!!
7. Cooling Neck-Wrap It’s so true that your body temperature is affected by what you wear on your neck!! I never really thought about it but once I experienced this wrap it’s like a difference of night and day. Inside the cloth is water-absorbing cooling particles (similar to gel ice-packs), and they plump up when soaked in water. I’ve been wearing it whenever I’m out and about, and though not exactly fashionable per se, it definitely keeps me cool!
8. Gradation Eye Pencil Creates the smoky eye perfectly; one end is a wedge-shaped kohl pencil; the other end is a large wedge-shaped hard rubber tip (not a sponge, that tends to soak up the color you just laid down) that you rub over the line to create a smudgy smoky eye. Why have I never seen this before in the US??!
And in addition, here are a couple more products I’ve seen:
Stick-on Body Jewels with Dangling Chain and Charms: Perfect for when Carnivale comes through your town.
Stick-on Faux Mustaches and Goatees: For when you just can’t seem to grow facial hair.
xoxxo
Carly
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
