What’s In My Handbag?

Work Phone: Apple iPhone 5c | Personal Phone: Apple iPhone 5s | iPhone 5s Case: Cavendish Cases of Bath
Earphones: Happy Plugs | Eye Roll-on: Simple | Velvet Matte Lip Pencil: NARS | Pen: WC(ダブルシー)

Remember how I said one of my resolutions for 2015 was to minimise my wardrobe? Well I’ve been doing pretty well, and recently I continued that winning streak by downsizing my handbag. Just last year I couldn’t go anywhere without a bag big enough fit a small dog in – no I’m serious – so this is a big step for me. So a bag of this size is just the incentive I need. Of course this has also meant putting less items in my bag, meaning I have to stick to the essentials. It’s been a tough transition, but a good one.

A Blast from My Past: Japanese Gyaru Fashion & Life in Japan

A few weeks ago I went back to my parent’s house for a few days. Whilst I was there I decided to raid the attic, and see if I could find my old textbooks. I found myself knee-deep in university papers and old cuddly toys from my childhood. Amongst these were a few boxes of items from my time living (and studying) in Tokyo, Japan. Suddenly my objective was out the window and all I wanted to do was reminisce.
Japanese fashion has been a part of my life for over 10 years now. One fashion sub-culture in particular took up a decent amount of that time – gyaru. With hair high enough to reach the gods, and enough make-up to make an MUA weep, gyaru was an enigma wrapped in a mini skirt and fuzzy leg warmers. I was automatically drawn in, and spent most of my time reading magazines and blogs dedicated to the style. Gyaru is the reason behind me starting this blog in the first place! So you can imagine that finding these magazines and books was something quite special. Memories flooded back: Buying the Ranzuki Hair & Make-up Book in a small conbini in Kyoto. Adding points to my WC loyalty card as I bought everything and anything from the brand. Getting a ‘hair set’ (that has since created perpetual hair envy) with a friend for our joint birthday party. 
I met some amazing people because of gyaru, people who I can now call good friends.  So naturally it will always be a big part of my life and although I’m sure there were bad times, I can only remember the good. Recently I’ve missed my time living in Tokyo, but I do wonder if going back might tarnish those memories. It’s safe to say that things wouldn’t be the same now, but maybe that’s a good thing? Gyaru has faded from it’s origins and seems to be evolving into something all together different. So for now, I’m happy to keep my memories as just that. 
Interested in reading more about Japanese fashion and how my blog started?
Check out my Style Evolution post or browse my Japanese Fashion tag.

Photo Diary: Hot Dogs, Street Art, W♥C & Polaroids

Looking at these photos makes me so happy. I’ve been having so much fun lately, and I’m so glad to share it on here. I went home to Norwich for a couple of days to sort some stuff out and see family. Whilst I was there I really started to feel like it really was going to be Christmas soon. I brought out my Nuxe travel set and fell in love with practically every item inside of it. I also brought out an old polish that felt slightly seasonal and got tons of compliments. I’ve been experimenting with layering shirts & sweaters at work, thanks to the recently chilling weather. I also popped along to the launch of the Drop Dead Winter Collection in their Soho store. That meant I got to bring a plus-one so Laura and I finally got to meet up – love her! My friend in Japan sent me some of the new W♥C items that have just come out. It really took me back to my time living in Tokyo and made me miss everyone so much. This weekend I also took a walk around Shoreditch and caught up with Anna over cake and coffee. I’ve really sucked at keeping in touch with friends lately (due to work), so I’m trying to remedy it. Also food. There was lots of food. Always with the food.

You can follow me on Instagram: @bloomzy

OOTD: Hello Sailor!

Sweater: WC | Skirt: Primark | Boots: Primark
I don’t really have much to say about today’s outfit. It was put together with comfort in mind, as I spent over 6 hours travelling yesterday. Funnily enough, this morning, I was the brightest and most awake I have been in weeks. Travelling may put bags under my eyes, but it does wonders for my get up and goapparently.
I did also think about how I wanted to get some final use out of my knee high boots before the weather starts to change, but if today was anything to go by that won’t be for a while. I hate how the weather keeps teasing me with glimpses of the sun. Please come quickly!

OOTD: Tiger Tiger, Burning Bright

Shawl: H&M | T-Shirt: WC | Skirt: Miss Selfridge

It always feels a bit of a chore to pick an outfit for Monday lectures. So lately I have been trying to tackle that feeling, because when I’m dressed in an outfit that makes me happy, the day goes by a lot better and a lot quicker…even when I have to sit through a class on Nazi Germany.
The Tiger t-shirt is one of my favourites; I picked it up in Japan, last Summer. To me it adds a little bit of edge to an otherwise regular outfit…or maybe I just really like tops with animals on. I don’t own many t-shirts, so when I do buy one you know it’s because I really love the design, cut etc.

Really shocked at how dark the top layer of my hair looked today.
It must be the lighting in the room as nothing has changed.

Update; Wakatsuki Chinatsu

A small update on Chinatsu Wakatsuki.
The producer of W♥C recently revealed through a blog post that she is 5 months pregnant, and now married to a non-celebrity husband. The couple have known each other for 3 years and have been dating for half of those. 
She is very happy, and promises her fans she will do her best.
Congratulations & Good Luck

Check out my room!

Thank you to all of those who entered the poll – and for those of you who didn’t, well you still can!

As some of you who follow my twitter may know I was given a very small baggage allowance by my university when travelling to Paris – ONLY 14KG!! I swear my suitcase weighs about 4kg by itself…so I had to pack lightly!
Then when I got to Paris I was placed in a rather awkward accommodation situation…But you have to make the best of things, right?
So anyway, how about taking a peek at my room & some of the stuff I took?!