Announcement…

As I mentioned on Twitter and Facebook yesterday, I have a very exciting announcement. It’s not about the blog but it will certainly concern it and possibly future content that appears on it.

Some of you may remember that I had to leave my university in Japan after the earthquake. This was not my personal choice, in fact my university in England told us all we had to return. Well, I attended a meeting with my university yesterday and they have come to a conclusion about what will happen to us now – we are not returning to Japan. It’s sad but there’s nothing we can do about it. Either way I will still return on holiday and maybe to live there again for a short period in the future.

So my big news?! As we can’t return to Japan, they are sending us to a new university to study Japanese, in…PARIS!!

I will be living there for 3 months, whilst studying Japanese at a university that specialises in the language, culture and arts. We’re also being given the chance to do case studies at Japanese businesses that are linked with France – 2 of which are very well-known, respected cosmetic companies.
I CAN’T WAIT!! I adore France and having this chance is something that I couldn’t have even dreamed of. I am still sad that I will not be finishing my year abroad in Japan, but at least I will be spending it somewhere else I love.

I will be leaving on the 15th and it is likely that I won’t have any internet for a while – therefore I will try to arrange some scheduled posts. It doesn’t mean I will be on hiatus though! I will definitely be updating with again, when I can.

As for now: Please feel free to recommend any stores and restaurants etc. that you may know of in Paris.

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Spring Trends

It may feel like Summer is well on the way, but I thought I would talk about a few of the current Spring trends that have caught my eye. It’s also helpful to keep in mind that a lot of these will probably transition into Summer as well.
Wei Son in a variety of brands, inc. Moussy & Egoist
Momoko Ogihara in Murua
Spring this year has brought us trends such as; polka dots, chiffon, sheer, ‘retro’, ‘blogger’ and ‘spring marine’…
Pinky Girls
Tsubasa x GIRLS’ DOORS
GIRLS’ DOORS current collection and the collaboration that Tsubasa created with them is one of the best examples of the ‘Spring Marine’ trend right now. I also love how they’re combining polka dots and stripes – two big patterns this season. 

So why is this style so different from the other marine trends we’ve seen in previous seasons? 
This time it’s about mixing bright colours and patterns (namely polka dots and stripes) with feminine pieces such a chiffon or sheer blouse. The emphasis is more on a subtle Marine style, rather than the ‘look at me I’m a sailor’ coordinates some of the stores have brought out previously.
W♥C
Rojita 
Ank Rouge 
Liz Lisa
Shorts are of course a staple piece of any Spring/Summer wardrobe, but this season brands are mixing it up by bringing out shorts in different prints and styles – floral and polka dot being quite popular. Coordinate them with over-the-knee grey socks or short lace-trimmed socks for a girly vibe ♥
Another new trend that coordinates well with shorts this season is…
Egoist
Jeffrey Campbell
…nude boots, loafer pumps & chunky boots. 
It’s no lie that Jeffrey Campbell has been one of the biggest crazes worldwide recently. From hipsters to gals, the US to Japan, his shoes and replicas of them are popping up everywhere. It’s the chunky heels and raised fronts that Gal brands and models alike are loving so much about these shoes. His nude boots are the perfect accompaniment to a girly/retro coord this season (check out the pic of Wei Son), or try a black pair for an adult/’blogger’ style (check out the picture I posted above from Egoist). 

The reason I mentioned these is because they are all trends that I have seen available in Western stores right now. H&M are loving polka dots, Miss Selfridge has plenty of chiffon/sheer items and Topshop even have their own version of the classic JC nude boot – so it’s definitely something that Western gals can find and replicate easily. 
I’m planning on doing a bigger post about the current ‘blogger’ trend so keep an eye out!!

What do you think of this seasons trends?
Which ones are you hoping will stick through Summer too?

Update: Mitsu just made a post about JC Gal-replicas, which you can check out here.

GETS!!

It’s time for my favourite kind of post…GETS POST!!
Why is it my favourite?! Because its an excuse for me to buy pretty things and then blog about them haha

I bought some lashes from D-Tan; Koakuma Diamond Lash & #11 Daiso lashesI will add pictures of both worn soon!
The DL are to be worn as accents or with another set. The Daiso ones may be cheap at only 100yen (around 80p) but they’re some of the best I own – crazy!! I already have a pair which I bought whilst I was in Tokyo, so these are a back-up. That’s how much I love them.
I also bought this top from Sami – the print always makes me giggle – detail pic.
She was also super sweet and included a phone charm (which I put on straight away) she had bought for me as she knows I love Marie~

Some MODE-ish jewellery gets from H&M.
I also think they’ll work well with the current ‘Blogger’ trend that’s caught my eye lately.

Ditto this blouse~ 
I really wanted a similar one from Egoist, but even with every Japanese brand bringing out their own version I wasn’t lucky enough to grab one. They do have one at Yumentenbo, but I saw this at H&M and grabbed it. 
I love the lace back and the light material – perfect for warmer weather – Detail pic.

Heart print tights & pleated ‘Carey’ skirt both from Primark.

Two simple pieces that look super cute together – everyone keeps complimenting me and asking about the tights. I tried to grab another couple of pairs recently but didn’t have any luck, guess I’ll have to take extra care of these.

Bag from Primark.

The scarf I have attached is VERY SPECIAL.
It’s a one-off design by my boyfriend’s sister!! She is currently studying textile design in Chelsea and entered this into a scarf design competition. She won and the prize was to have her scarf created and sold in the Oxford Street Topshop store in London – so keep an eye out my London Gals! 
Not only that but you can buy it online – here

I found myself looking in MAC for a nude lipstick recently. After consulting one of their make-up artists about the colour that would suit me best I ended up with the new Lady Gaga shade, and a lip pencil from the new Quite Cute range. Which according to their shop staff is “like based on Japan, coz of anime and harajuku and stuff like that” – I will forgive him though as he was super sweet complimenting my accessories haha.

Viva Glam Gaga– all proceeds go towards helping those affected by HIV & Aids.

In-Synch lip pencil – from the new Quite Cute range.
 …and a swatch of the two.

Update on the blog

Sorry about my lack of posts lately, but there’s a good reason for that, I can promise!

I am currently working on a brand new design for the blog – I’m giving it a complete overhaul. It’s looking good so far and I can’t wait for it to be finished!! It will take some time but it’s going to be worth the wait, so just hang on a little longer.

In the meantime, I’ve been working on some new posts about current trends and recent purchases. So I will try and have those up in the next few days.

Thanks for being patient with me ♥

edit: The blog may get a little messy whilst things are moved around and worked out. Sorry!

Facebook…

Lately I have been receiving quite a few requests to my private facebook. I don’t like not adding people but I do only keep that page for friends and family, therefore I decided to create another profile.

You can add me on facebook – here.

Sorry to those who I didn’t add before. Please feel free to send me a request on this profile 😀

This isn’t a fan page, just a profile so I can stay in touch with people and post updates about the blog, pictures etc.

Liz Lisa Summer Collection Vol.1

Liz Lisa have released their Summer Collection Vol.1 catalogue, and the theme this year is… French Vacation. This transcends from their Spring ‘French Bohemian‘ collection nicely, no?

Those who know me are already aware that I love, love, love France – more so than Japan, but in a different way. Anyway I also love to vacation there, so this catalogue has me very excited!
This season we’re seeing plenty of denim, lace and florals (of course, it’s LL) all with a retro girly 70’s vibe.

please click images to enlarge

And to sweeten the deal, Liz Lisa will be offering novelties throughout April. These include: towels, beach bags, flip-flops, totes, pouches and more.

You can order items online, here.
As for the gals who can’t order online; The retro trend has made its way over to the highstreet in the UK and Europe (US gals, any confirmation?!) and I think we will be seeing plenty more of it during the Summer.
Shops to look in: New Look, Miss Selfridge, H&M, Mango, Zara and River Island – RI especially has a few pieces that look like they came straight out of the LL catalogue.

So keep your eyes peeled for duplicate items for creating that gorgeous, summery French Vacation coordinate. I know I will be!!

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Life in Japan; Streetsnaps & Traditional Japan

I’m currently working on the ‘favourite gal blogs’ post but since I have so many pictures from when I was in Japan I figured a small post wouldn’t hurt. I’m also going to be editing a few old posts and some tags today, in a bid to make things easier to access.

This picture post includes: 
– Gal streetsnaps
– OPA Kyoto
– People watching
– Traditional Japan meets Modern
Location: Kyoto
Click on pictures to enlarge.


This cute girl was decked out in W♥C.
She wore the black tutu over jeans due to the cold, I imagine.
Her boyfriend was in ‘Of the Neige Style’ a predominantly Ora Ora brand.
This girl was so effortlessly gal, even in such a simple coord.
Wish I had taken a better pic, sorry.
OPA, ready for Spring!
The mall has mainly Gyaru/Gyaru-o brands but there are also non-gal brands.
People waiting for OPA to open.
It’s not just the young people who do their make-up in public ;D
 A young girl in a kimono sits by the pond in the park behind Yasaka shrine.
A young couple both in traditional dress.
Happy baby Buddha XD
Mini-geta in a store front window.
My favourite of the bunch!
Deco’d Manekineko♥