bloomzy /

Trend Alert: Mix those Colours!!

Magazines such as Edge Style, Jelly, Blenda and Happie Nuts have been going crazy over mixing colours lately. A trend which has been popular with Western designer brands this year too – check out Tori’s post
So what are the basics and how can you get the look
Obviously this is better suited to a more Otona look and is popular in Mode styles, but I really think that anyone can work this kind of look into their wardrobe
The trick to achieving the look is to mix bold, block colours such as; yellow x pink, blue x red, purple x orange etc. etc. And it’s not just tops and bottoms that count – bold coloured shoes, handbags and accessories also make a statement
Mixing black/white with bold colours is also prominent in a lot of magazines right now. Patterned items (florals, stripes, polka dot) in bold colours is also big, especially when paired with black top or bottom layers This leans it more towards a mode look than high-fashion
JELLY’s ‘white top, coloured bottom’ feature

Happie Nuts & Blenda
The possibilities are endless, just go with the flow and pair whatever you think looks best. My favourite combo right now is turqouise x pink
bloomzy /

Paris Meet!!

A couple of weeks ago, the lovely Ananya and Emmie came to Paris for the SM Town concert and whilst they were here we managed to meet-up!
I was so happy as I haven’t seen Ananya for maybe 3 years (is that right?)! It was also the first time for me to meet Emmie, which I had wanted to do for a while.
Hair
…and make-up
I had to be up at 7am to get ready for 6 hours of classes, so I didn’t do anything amazing with my hair/make-up. I went for a nude eyeshadow with some simple top & bottom lashes. I just wanted something simple & stylish, it was also important that it would last the whole day.
Outfit

I wanted to wear my new favourite shirt, so I paired it with some ripped-lace shorts and my favourite necklace…which broke later that day, nooooo~
In fact one girl liked our outfits so much that she stopped us and asked if she could take photos. She was a fashion student who also wanted to post them on her friends blog.


Shirt: Egoist
Shorts: Zara
Socks: Topshop
Shoes: Primark
Bags: JSG & Primark
Necklace: Liz Lisa
They asked for their ‘derp’ faces to be cut out,
oh you guys!

Both of my gals were looking gorgeous and I was so envious of Emmie’s Litas. I was planning on wearing my dupes but Paris is not Lita friendly, trust me…and I’m pretty clumsy too haha

I just adore Emmie’s extensions, it really made me want to get another set. I also loved Ananya’s dress and belt combo, isn’t it lovely.

We went to a restaurant that Ananya’s dad had recommended but they hadn’t started serving food so we waited and had drinks. Unfortunately we were given the snootiest waitress possible and she refused to let us have a table when they did start serving. I definitely won’t be visiting again, thanks to her. It’s a shame because the place had a pretty cool vibe and it looked good.
I did get to enjoy some yummy ginger beer though!
New purchase!

I also purchased the most gorgeous pair of sheer trousers from H&M. I had been wanting a skirt for a long time but then saw these and automatically fell in love~ ♥
It was a great day and I had a lovely time with Ananya and Emmie, I just wish it could have lasted longer. Oh well, I’m eagerly awaiting the meet we talked about for when I return from Paris!!
bloomzy /

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 lashes. I 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.
bloomzy /

EMODA meets Lindsay Lohan

After posting about the new EMODA collection only a few days ago, a new spread has popped up in JJ magazine featuring the brand. So why am I blogging about a photoshoot in a magazine?

Well that’s because it is a special feature on Ena Matsumoto and…Lindsay Lohan o.O

It’s nothing new for Japanese magazines to do collaboration pieces with Hollywood stars, although this one interested me mainly for the subject of a Gal brand doing a piece with someone as infamous as Lindsay. I think it’s always interesting and holds a slight fascination for us Western fans of Gyaru when something like this pops up. It kind of reminds me of that terrible song Koda Kumi collaborated with Fergie on.


Even though Lindsay isn’t Gal and EMODA is prominently a ‘Gal Brand’ I think they matched her style well for the shoot. I could actually see Lindsay wearing these pieces…which probably rings bells for some of you who commented in the last post about EMODA being a duplicate of Western fashion, right now.

I think it also backs up the idea that just wearing Gal brands doesn’t make someone Gal…but that’s another long and complicated story for another time.

So what do you think of the spread?
Do you like the idea? Is Lindsay working the clothes or falling flat?

bloomzy /

EMODA 1st Anniversary items

EMODA are celebrating their 1st anniversary this year, so they are bringing out some special items to say thank you to all their loyal customers.
I picked up a copy of their new catalogue that features all of these items. The special items/offers have been placed into 3 categories; Sets, Limited Edition and Novelty.

So what are these special items all about?
The catalogue mentions 2 types of style;

-MODE GAL-
Emoda is high sense and real clothing bland (oh Engrish) which comply with women who want to have a fun with fashion.

-ROUGH RICH WOMAN-
Who wear classical and loose clothing like an actress. They like to spend high class hotel in NY City during their holiday.

Make of those what you will, at least the English is better than some other attempts I have seen. Even so it looks like EMODA are still going strong with their signature Mode look, but also working in the popular Celeb (‘Rich Woman’) style into the new collection.

SETS

Sukashi border maxi knit onepiece 
x
Bare onepiece
6,980yen
(on sale from 4th March)
~
All lace short long t-shirt
x
Gather bare onepiece
5,980yen
(on sale from 25th March)

Even though it says that the lace t-shirt set will go on sale in March I actually saw it in-store last week for the price quoted in the catalogue.

Maxi knit cardigan
x
Gather tank top onpiece
6,980yen
(on sale from 11th March)
~
All lace high waist skirt
x
Chiffon furil tops
5,980yen
(on sale from 18th March)

LIMITED EDITION

Chiffon Dolman Combi Shirt & Wedge Pumps
3,900yen each
(on sale from 25th February)
Indigo & Light blue Paggings
3,900yen each
(on sale from 25th February) 

NOVELTY

Editors Tassel Bag
Free gift when you spend over 20,000yen
(starts on 11th March)
 ~
Quilting Tassel Bag
Free gift when you spend over 15,000yen
(starts on 4th March)

Chain Tassel Bag
Free gift when you spend over 15,000yen
(starts on 18th March)
~
Carry Case
Free gift when you spend over 30,000yen
(starts on 25th March)

I loved all of the items featured in the catalogue (minus the maxi knits) and I think they’re such great deals. The limited edition items and the sets are totally affordable for EMODA and a great addition to any Mode lovers wardrobe, or a lovely start for anyone who feels like transitioning to the style. The Novelties are particularly tempting, especially that ‘Editors Bag’ and the ‘Carry Case’.

Check out the EMODA webstore – here.

Did anything catch your eye?
Will you be celebrating EMODA’s anniversary by treating yourself to something?

bloomzy /

JELLY Mode Style

This months issue of JELLY featured Ayumi Hamasaki on the cover, and was also shortly featured on the front of 109. It also came with a free ‘Dazzlin’ phone case, which Mitsu had said was pretty good quality so I rushed out to get my copy.
A couple of things I have been really pleased with in the latest issues of JELLY are the increasing amount of hair tutorials and their features on Mode fashion. Everyone knows that Mode is big in Gal right now, but I am still pleased to see it in magazines as I really love it. Therefore I wanted to give you a peek from the latest issue of the key items in Mode right now.
I have also translated parts of the text, and then worded it in English so it made more sense. It may not be correct each time but I tried my best as I am not used to the kind of Japanese they use in Gal magazines – haha it’s quite different, so I will have to study it XD
Sorry about the quality of the pictures – I don’t have access to a scanner so I am doing things old school and using a camera.

– See Through –
“If you wear a black coord, it’s easy to get a sexy see-through look”

– High Waist –
“Always trending in Mode. With a tight coord you can add volume to your feet”
I went for ‘you can add volume to your feet‘ as in, you can wear fur boots etc.

– Napoleon Jacket –

“Napoleon jackets add presence and the outfit comes together with leggings or tights.”

– Scarf Pattern –

“For this design, a black base is perfect to create a retro Mode feel.”
Note: Scarf patterns are really in right now. I’ve seen lots of Gals workin’ the trousers, especially.

– Sarrouel Pants –
“For a slender silhouette coordinate with a slightly loose top”

– Bandage Skirt –
“For emphasis, choose a skirt with a fairly tight line”


JELLY also featured a few pages on how to get the Mode look this season.
I thought some of them were a little bland so I picked a couple of coords that I have seen worn the most by Gals right now.

Poncho x Black Leggings
So popular right now. I’ve also seen a lot of non-Gals wearing Ponchos too.
A few Gals are also pairing a Poncho with tight black jeans.

Shirt Onepiece x Leggings
Whether it’s with tights, leggings or skinny jeans,
the oversized shirt onepiece is massive in Mode right now.
I have been searching high and low for the perfect one, and I think I have finally found one in 109’s ‘muse muse by ROYAL PARTY‘.
What items grab your attention?
– AND Would you like to see hair tutorial ‘scans’ next time?


EDIT:
Hautekeikk was my saviour and uploaded proper scans of the above pages for you guys to check out.
If you’re interested you can view them here.


bloomzy /

Twin coordinate….

Tori and I recently decided to do a ‘Mode’ twin coordinate post, after the fabulous WC one she did with Mitsu. I feel so lucky to be able to do a twin post with Tori, as she’s such a gorgeous gal and she always does the latest trends justice.

A teaser ;D
Hair & Make

I went for bronze eyes, using a Chanel palette and Tokyo lashes, with my favourite Ena Matsumoto inspired bun.
Tori choose simple but sexy make-up and ardell lashes #134, with some gorgeous curls – I’m so envious.
The coordinates
My coordinate –
Lace top: H&M
Bandage skirt: H&M
Headband: H&M
Scarf: H&M
Shoes: H&M
Jewlery: Swarovski

I wanted to put together an outfit that was Mode but still accessible to us Western gals, and I was incredibly lucky as H&M has had some amazing stuff recently.
So I decided to show you the basis of my outfit and then how to make it that little bit more Mode by using accessories. The headband and scarf were both inspirations I got from Momoko Ogihara – the gorgeous face of Murua.
I forgot to take a pic with my necklace on, so I did it afterwards for you 😀
…I put a vest top on under the lace top for the close-up. I don’t want to scare anyone haha
Tori’s Coordinate –
Top: GalStar
Skirt: Candie’s
Necklace: Target
Shoes: Used
As you can tell we both made Bandage skirts the theme of this coordinate.
I think this shows just how effective they are. You can make two completely different Mode looks out of one skirt, just by adding a few accessories etc.
I think Tori summed up our outfits perfectly when she said:
“…yours is SO SEXY, very MURUA style since Momoko really likes the see-through lace tops & scarf belts, & I think I went more rock-kei-influenced with the studs & leopard print (& fall EMODA shows a lot of leopard! ;D)“


I hope you enjoyed our twin coordinates, and I’d love to see more gals doing it! It’s so much more fun to dress up when you have someone to do it with XD