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Style Inspiration: Alisa Ueno

RAWWWRRRRRR
Fashion producer, Model and DJ Alisa Ueno
I love Alisa’s style because it’s a mixture of styles and I respect that.
Alisa Ueno is a lady of many talents, with a classy, fun personal style to match.
My own style is not one thing or another, and I love mixing brands and looks.
Alisa wears a lot of Fig & Viper, the brand she is currently the producer for.
F&V is the first Japanese brand in a long time that has made me miss shopping in Tokyo.
Thankfully the brands current look is reminiscent of London street style, so it’s easily imitable. 
Alisa loves to share her personal style through various social networks (see source).
You can find me reblogging Alisa’s looks on Tumblr, or liking her photos on Instagram: @bloomzy
Source; 1, 2

bloomzy /

Christmas Presents from Germany & Japan

Christmas gifts from Rae, in Germany

Christmas gifts from Miyuki, in Japan

Christmas came a little early for me last week.
I was lucky enough to receive not one, but two packages through the post.
One was from the lovely Rae of Love from Berlin who is an amazing person that I met through blogging.
The other package was from one of my best friends in Japan who I studied with a couple of years ago.
Both gifts were amazing, and so very cool in their own ways.
I loved how both seemed to represent a little bit of the culture too.
Rae sent me some German chocolate (we all know it’s the best), magazines and make-up.
I can’t wait to try out the eyeshadow palette, it’s so very seasonal and the colours are gorgeous!
She also knows me very well by including some gorgeous glittery nail polish, which I will have already applied by the time this post goes live. I can’t help it, I’m an addict! 
Miyuki often asks me what I would like and I said I would like to try some new Japanese beauty products.
She also knows that I’ve just moved into my first apartment so sent me a few home items to decorate and relax with.
The nail polish, once again was a delight to receive, especially the Majolica Majorca glass polish – review soon!!
I also loved the Dior products and make-up bag. They’ve already been stashed away in my handbag.
I feel so lucky to know such wonderful people and I am very thankful ♥
bloomzy /

Emoda x Miranda Kerr Collaboration

Shots from Emoda’s AW2012 collaboration with Miranda Kerr
Even though I don’t have regular access to Japanese brands anymore, I’m still a fan.
In particular I love Murua & Emoda, both ‘Mode‘ brands are very reminiscent of Western brands.
Even though this may be the case I still find that they offer items in a style that you just can’t find in the UK.
Recently Emoda became the first Japanese brand to sign Miranda Kerr to their label.
Emoda felt that she embodied the ideology of the brand – ‘high sense, yet real clothes’.
I was really interested to see a Western model I like, working with a Japanese brand that I love.
I personally think she is the perfect fit for the brand and I love what they’ve done with their AW concept.
It’s a pretty big deal for her to work with Emoda and they’re delighted to have her as their A/W2012 visual model.
I am hoping that this will help shed more light on the brand, in countries outside of Japan.
Do I like the collection? – of course I do, I wouldn’t be blogging about it if I didn’t!
I love the items and the styling, not to mention the gorgeous new accessories in the AW2012 collection.
The pricing of Emoda’s items may seem high but this reflects the quality of the product you receive.
I have a few items from the brand and I am impressed. Emoda knows how to bring out items to compliment.
I couldn’t feature everything I loved but I hope I’ve given you enough info to tempt you.
Does any of the Emoda x Miranda Kerr AW2012 collection take your fancy?
For those who aren’t in Japan, you can purchase items from the A/W2012 collection on their Global store, here.
Source; 1
bloomzy /

OOTD: Nana Fancy Dress

(Jacket: Primark, Top: Japan, Shorts: Zara, Tights: eBay, Shoes: Barratts*)

On Saturday I went to a joint party for two friends, and of course there was a theme.
All the best parties have themes, and this one was ‘Cartoon Characters of the 90s/2000s’.
I don’t watch many cartoons but from the ones I have watched/watch I just couldn’t think of a character.
Then I remembered that one of my favourite fictional characters of the 2000s was originally an anime (Japanese cartoon).
So I may have cheated a little bit as mine was based on a live action movie character, but the thought was there.
Who did I go as? Nana Osaki (reference photo here).
I love her strong character, and of course her personal style!
I paired suspender tights with my new faux leather jacket, a staple for any Nana costume.
I also choose a skull motif top I bought in Japan (fitting, no?) and some ripped denim shorts from Zara.
The piece de resistance though were the wedge creepers that Barratts recently gifted me – I’m in love!
They are the comfiest, most badass pair of shoes I own at the moment and I want to pair them with everything.
They are perfect for the rock chick side of my personal style…and for any future fancy dress parties, of course.
I even created a short bob hair style using this cheat by Cheesie, and used a leather bracelet as a choker.
What do you think of my fancy dress costume?
For fans of the creepers, they also come in red, blue and purple – I WANT THEM ALL!
bloomzy /

Japanese Nail Art | Nail Week

Japanese Nail ArtA selection of Japanese nail art

‘Nail Week’ has just begun and we’re diving into the deep end. Today’s post is all about nail art, of the Japanese variety. Why? Well nail art was one of the first things I fell in love with in the Japanese beauty industry, and with nail art becoming more popular in British fashion and beauty (Company magazine can’t get enough right now) I thought it was quite fitting for me to honour the reigning country of nail art. Fashion magazines in Japan constantly feature nail art in their beauty pages, whilst whole magazines are dedicated to it, such as: Nail Up, Nail Venus and Nail Max. Young girls and Women alike are obsessed with expressing themselves through their nails, and in Japan there are no limits to what you can do with your nails.

Some are simple, feminine and short:
Japanese Nail Art

Whilst others can be intricately decorated, edgy and insanely long:
Japanese Nail Art

Japanese nail art is well known worldwide for its creation of mini 3D artworks, use of various adornments and delicate designs. Nail salons have popped up all over the world trying to re-create the popularity and stylish nails seen on the streets of Japan – London-based Sohotrightnail can offer you some more detailed and embellished designs, whilst WAH NAILS can easily feed your simpler design needs. Of course the originals don’t come cheap. Prices usually start at around 10,000円 for a basic set, that’s about £80! It may seem expensive but when you see the work that goes into them, and the time that it takes, you can forgive them for charging so much. Getting your nails done in Japan is definitely an experience, and the end result is worth the money spent – but if you don’t have the money to spare then you can always make a stop at Donki for some of their press-on nails (photo here), which are just as amazing, for around £15.

Mitsu is a good friend of mine who not only dresses fabulously but styles her nails to match.
You can check out the various Japanese nail art she has had done here.

Source; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

bloomzy /

Wish List: EMODA

A selection of items from the EMODA Global Webstore

Emoda is a brand that I have been a fan of for several years.
Based in Japan, they have now opened up their global webstore (in English).
This means that fans outside of Japan, and newcomers can buy and order items to their country.
When the store first launched it was filled with mostly basic items, but since the opening more items have been added. The store still doesn’t feature the full collection that you might see in-store/on the Japanese webstore, but it is slowly building up. It’s likely that more pieces will be added if the team see a market for it.
The webstore also offers members the chance to collect points, much like you would be able to do in-store. After you have accrued over 500 points you can spend them on any future purchase you make – 500 points = 500yen discount.
The reason I choose the items I did is because they were cute basics that I could easily coordinate with my own items. To be honest I already have a necklace exactly like the Emoda one, but I still wouldn’t mind adding it to my collection. My favourite pieces have to be the mixed texture t-shirt and the floral print dress. They both really stood out to me.
You can browse Emoda’s new global webstore here.
bloomzy /

Photo Diary: Tokyo, Old & New

Central Shibuya and Ichigaya Fishing Centre – Tokyo, Japan

I wanted to do another photo diary post from Japan as it seems like I haven’t done one for a while.
As I was looking through my photos from my time living in Tokyo, I was reminded of one of the reasons I love the capital city so much – the mixture of old and new. It might seem a bit cliche or it may not even make sense, but to me Tokyo manages to perfectly mix traditional (or ‘old’) and modern culture. Of course there are times when the two don’t match, but it’s surprising how harmoniously they get on in such a bustling city.
The new
Shibuya is arguably one of the most modern districts in Tokyo, known as a mecca for young people.
In the photos I included you can see Shibuya station, which is constantly packed full of commuters.
I also included photos of popular shopping malls Shibuya 109 (aimed at young women), and Shibuya 109-2 (the male equivalent of 109, which also has a few women’s stores). The adverts on the sides of the buildings change constantly, keeping you up-to-date with the music, food and tv you should be partaking in.
The Old
Ichigaya Fishing Centre may not seem that ‘old’ but the past-time of fishing goes back a long way in Japan.
As you exit the highly modern commuter train (Chuo/Sobu line) and look out across from the platform you will spot the fishing centre hidden amongst skyscrapers, and high-rise office buildings/apartments – the set-up definitely stands out against its backdrop. The customers who frequent the centre use traditonal methods to catch the fish.
Don’t worry though, all the fish are put back in the pond after being caught and weighed.