bloomzy /

Question and Answer

The always wonderful Kira Walker tagged me in a question post, and since I can’t say no to her and because I feel like telling you guys a little more about myself, I shall oblige.

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1. What is it that made you decide to make a blog?
I knew a few friends that had blogs and I wanted somewhere that I could voice my opinions and post about the fashion I loved. I never thought I would still be blogging now, and have so many followers. Thank you everyone ♥

2. If you could have any job in the world what would it be?
Working in the PR industry. It’s something that I really want to work towards.

3. Have you made any resolutions this year and kept them?
I don’t really make resolutions, so I tend to stick by the same one each year; Experience as many new things as possible.

4. Name one thing that makes your day that bit better:
Without being too cheesy it would have to be my fiancé. It’s lovely to wake up next to him and come back home to him everyday. He always makes me smile – I’m never down for long when he’s around.

5. Your favourite hot drink:
Chai Tea Latte and Lemon Tea.

6. Where would you like to be in 10 years time?
Married, maybe with children, and a good job.
It’s a lot to hope for, but having a successful career would be great.

7. Biggest regret?
I don’t regret anything because at the time I was only doing what I thought was best. You learn from your mistakes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and all that…

8. Biggest pet peeve?
Close-minded people is the one thing that always comes to mind when people ask me this.

9. If you had only one movie that you could watch for the rest of your life which would it be and why?
Amélie, of course! It’s my movie.

10. The kindest thing you did in 2011?
I guess I try to do ‘kind things’ everyday so I can’t really think of anything specific. I did give away my Giant Alpaca Plush to my flatmate in Tokyo. It might sound silly but I loved my Alpaca but I wanted more to make her happy as she was so sad that I was leaving.

11. Cookies or Ice Cream?
Cookies!! White Chocolate and Raspberry is my favourite.
I’m not a big fan of ice cream.

bloomzy /

Birthday Gifts 2

Some gifts from friends

I shall certainly be smelling nice for the rest of the year (not that I don’t already), with some gorgeous items from Lush. 
Little Green Bag includes: Squeaky Green Shampoo & Jungle Solid Conditioner, Sugar Scrub, Sea Vegetable Soap and Each Peach and Two’s a Pair Massage Bar and Tin.
Buttercup includes: Butterball bath bomb and Honey I Washed the Kids soap.
Some old favourites of mine, and some new ones that I can’t wait to try!
The Tea gift set is from the wonderful Teapigs online store and included: Yerba Mate, Lemon & Ginger, Super Fruit and Mao Feng Green Tea. All amazing teas that I adore – can’t wait to relax with this!!
You all know my love for Matcha (powdered green tea) by now, well you can also buy it at Teapigs!
Finally, an absolutely amazing present.
This t-shirt is from my friend Zak, we lived together in Tokyo and went to the same university there. Whilst we were studying in Tokyo we often came up with strange, random things on our commutes. This is one of those things – yep, it’s me riding atop a sting ray yelling “キモチィィィ” (Japanese for ‘wonderful feeling’). He drew and designed it whilst we were in Tokyo, and this year he put it on a t-shirt for me.
Thank you to all my wonderful friends ♥
bloomzy /

My Birthday Suit

(Top; Upson Downes by William Anzenvino, Skirt; new look, Shoes; Internacionale)

I think everybody has the right to be a star on their birthday.
Ok, ok, maybe I took it a little too literal, but this top was a present from my fiancé’s parents & sister! I love the cut of it, so simple yet unique. William Anzenvino’s latest line ‘Upson Downes’ is currently available at Urban Outfitters – sold out online, but some items are still available in-store.
The black chiffon, dip hem skirt is something I’ve been after for a while.
Well luckily I found this one the week before my birthday – perfect timing, and only £22.99!
bloomzy /

Birthday Gifts 1

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide, Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Sloane’ Watch

It’s safe to say I was spoilt rotten on my birthday.
The fiancé took me for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then surprised me with these wonderful gifts.
The book is written by French model Ines de la Fressange. Inside she explains (from her experience in the fashion industry) how Parisian women stay chic, tips on living life with style and charm, how to mix basics and high fashion and more. The book also includes fashion photography and doodles by Ines herself, which are gorgeous. It makes me miss Paris!
Now the watch; well after the fiancé bought me a MBMJ bangle for Christmas my love for the brand grew significantly. I needed a new watch, and he said his choices were between this one and a Michael Kors watch I had seen. Personally, I think this one suits my style better, so I’m pleased he choose it.
bloomzy /

Velvet & Hearts ♥

(Velvet Dress; Topshop, Shoes; H&M, Accessories; Marc Jacobs & Swarovski)
New Years Eve Celebrations; Dressing-up for Mexican Food

I don’t usually go ‘all out’ on NYE, just drinks/food with friends or family. 
For 2011 I wanted to spend it with family, as it was our first New Year together for 2 years – I had abandoned them for Japan in previous years. 
Anyway we (parents, me and the fiancé) booked a table at a Mexican restaurant in the city, as I adore Mexican food. Needless to say the night was wonderful, filled with good food, cocktails & champagne. I couldn’t have asked for more…actually I would have preferred it if I had been able to eat all my dessert, but unfortunately it was too much for me. I only managed half.
It’s a little embarrassing that I’ve only just remembered to post my NYE pictures, so please forgive me. I promise to make it up to you.
bloomzy /

Instagram Weekly 1

I love how Eki updates once a week with photos from her Instagram.

I think it adds a new twist to the ‘photo diary‘ portion of blogs.
Therefore I decided to take a leaf out of her book, as I realised that not everyone has Instagram, nor do you all follow me on Twitter and sometimes I don’t even post my photos there.

This first post will be a catch-up of my favourite photos from previous weeks, then I shall continue with the weekly updates.

Click ‘read more’ for the full post.

I hope you will enjoy this new weekly feature.
Thank you for the inspiration Eki!

bloomzy /

プリクラ for your phone!

My own personal ‘purikura’
プリクラ (purikura) is the name given to the photo-booths and pictures well known and loved in Japan. Why are they so popular? Purikura machines allow you to take a variety of pictures with different backdrops and lighting, afterwards you are given the chance to decorate the final photos.
As they gain popularity worldwide (they’re in a city near you!) mobile app stores have seen an increase in the amount of ‘purikura apps’.
Here is a small review of my current favourite purikura app; DecoPic
Click ‘read more’ for the full post.

I’m not a fan of a lot of the purikura apps on the app store as I find they’re all pretty similar, but DecoPic intrigued me as the stamps, frames etc are very close to the ones used in the machines in Japan.

Once you have chosen to take a picture or use one from your album (awww look at my cute puppy), you can move and scale it to your needs. Then you have the option of adding lots of pretty, sparkly things.

Options include:

Art filters – much like instagram etc.
Not something you would find on a regular purikura machine. Obviously an addition that is aimed at the current ‘filter’ trend hitting the app stores.

Frames – a varied and not bad selection.

Stamps – 15 pages worth, all of which are just like the stamps you find on the machines in Japan.

Message – add messages such as ‘Today’s coordinate’ & ‘I love you’.

Pen – various colours/styles of pen to write by freehand.
Text – various styles and a selection of colours to write by text.

When adding a message, stamp, text etc. there is the option of: resizing, rotating, moving and undoing the item. 
Finally, when you click ‘save’ the photo is automatically stored in your photo album and you have the option of sharing it with the community, or Facebook/Twitter etc.
I like the categories they have used for the stamps, messages and borders (feminine, blogger, vintage and more) – giving you the chance to pick your item depending on your mood/the feeling of the photo. There is also an ‘event’ category, which changes throughout the year.
With over 300 design options, if you want an app to decorate your photos with that is easy-to-use, authentic to the machines and FREE, then this is the one for you!

Want your own personal purikura photobooth on your iPhone/Android?

 

If anyone knows if it is on any other app stores please let me know.