Daily Outfit - Chinoiserie

Outfit Details: Dress - by Me, Shoes - Ana, Hair flower - Leopard Vixen Enterprises, Fragrance - Tokyo Dream.

Somewhere in the back of my closet I found a surprise today. About 3 years ago I made this dress for a party, then soon after discovered I was pregnant, (those two events were not related). It meant that this dress was relegated to the "I'll wear it again in the future" area of the closet, and hadn't been discovered again since. I found both the dress and a pair of suitable shoes, and was actually able to put an outfit together that felt a little more like my style even with the shoes.

The dress is made from a super stretchy lycra blend and has gold foiling in the print. I have no idea what it says ( please someone tell me if it is obscene). It was super easy to make and is super comfortable to wear. The print is like nothing I had seen before in these fabrics and I had to have it immediately.

As for the hair, I achieved this look with the help of a few hair combs to lift and push the top section into some height (no backcombing), and setting the rest in my famous pin curls for an hour or so. It turned out that I even had a matching hair flower in my stash, so a blue rose with requisite skull motive, topped the whole lot off. There is nothing better than being able to treasure hunt your own closet and still surprise yourself at the possibilities that lie within.

Japan I Bid You Farewell

There are times in life when in the midst of chaos you find yourself in an oasis of peace. Such is the beauty of Ueno Park. On my final day in Japan, I packed my bags (leaving room in the carry on for last minute shopping) and headed out for a more traditional cultural experience. Strangely, after only a very short time, I already felt at home in this part of town. I had mapped the area in my head, made friends with the local noodle vendor and felt a serenity in the smallest details. Wandering around town with new eyes, I fancied myself part Hemingway, part Bryson. That is to say, creating all sorts of fantasies about the people surrounding me and their lives, as well as making all the usual amusing travellers observations.

On this morning, I finally attained my noodle breakfast, and simply imagined the age old family tradition that had created it. Actually my imagination made up for my lack of language skills on many occasions. After that steaming hot bowl of miscellaneous deliciousness, I headed towards the note worthy Ueno Park; home to temples, museums and a zoo. As I passed the suited business man, asleep on the overpass, empty bottle by his side, I wondered at the social conventions of begging in this city. I has seen many a homeless person during my evening sojourns, but never once had I been asked for money or confronted in any way, unlike in LA where one feels triumphant to walk away with all limbs intact. Here in this busy junction, many homeless men lived beneath the overpass. Constructing lean toos with cardboard boxes, umbrellas and what appeared to be an advanced engineering degree. There was no attempt by pedestrians to avoid their area, nor was there an attempt from those homeless themselves to engage anyone. It seemed a sad state, yet oddly civilized.

My first port of call upon reaching Ueno Park, was the small and beautifully adorned shrine to Hiroshima. Swathed in garlands of brightly coloured origami, it spoke both of great sadness, but also a great joy arisen from ashes. The shrine brought me to the entrance of a temple constructed in 1627 as a tribute to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Keep in mind that I live in a country that was only "discovered" in 1788, so to me this is serious history. The entrance with its giant stone lanterns was impressive enough, but upon reaching the face of the temple, it had an almost tangible air of solemnity and the honorific. This was the first time in Japan that I had been asked to remove my shoes for any occasion, and in this case it was only by signage, as the temple did not appear to be staffed aside from the cashier and a groundsman. Given that it was only a sign asking people to remove their shoes and respect the request for no internal photographs, I was surprised to see that everyone obeyed the rules. (It seems to be the norm in Australia that people assume that rules are made for everyone else but themselves. ) So I compliantly removed my shoes and ascended the stairs. The very first thing that struck me was the scent. The scent of the warm dried grasses in the new tatami matting. I had expected this flooring to be somewhat rough, but it didn't once snag my stockinged feet. In fact, it was both so comfortable and welcoming that I contemplated covering my slate flooring in tatami when I arrived home, although I don't know if the local floor world carry that as an option.

Hiroshima Shrine

Temple built in 1627

Moss in the grounds of the temple. In a perfect world, this would be under my feet wherever I go.

From the serenity of the temple, to the bustle of the children's fair ground. Although I only stopped to take a couple of quick pictures and imagine my girls joy in such a place, I've added this little gem to my list of perfect fashion shoot locations. That is, should I ever be fortunate enough to get back here in that capacity. I had visions of wearing chiffon ball gowns and riding the giant Hello Kitty off into the sunset. But instead, I chose to do the cultural thing and headed to the National Museum. Here were archeological pieces with dates on them I hadn't even considered the existence of. But truth be told, it wasn't so much the exhibits that held me enthralled, but the other visitors. From the corner of my eye I sneakily took in every detail of the Autumnal kimono of the woman walking beside me. Her perfectly tied Obi and silky white Tabi socks. This was quite the novelty for me, as to date I had only seen people dressed in Western attire. It was not only an interesting contrast fashion wise, but to watch them blend seamlessly with the crowd, the traditional with the modern and not an eyebrow raised. Yet another scenario I will never witness on our shores.


After a long day of walking and visual gluttony, I stopped for a late lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. I had a hankering for dumplings and hadn't found a local purveyor of Gyoza (Japanese dumplings) so this would have to do. It was 3.30 in the afternoon and the waitress was about to go home. She was extremely unhappy that I only wanted to eat dumplings, indicating that it was hardly worth her time to serve me such a paltry fare. How was I to tell her it is my favorite food? So after some screaming at the chef, she left him with my order and went home. Oddly, the chef kept popping out of the kitchen to refill my water every 10 seconds and give me a huge grin that left me wondering what her parting words were. After about his 8th visit, he gesticulated towards his face and said "beautiful." Flattered I was, but being the only customer past closing time in a dark basement restaurant, I was a little nervous too. When he brought my lunch I thanked him in Japanese ( one of the three phrases I knew) and decided to take a punt, given the nature of the restaurant, and thanked him also in Mandarin. His shoulders lifted and he smiled from ear to ear, launching into a huge speech and asking me loads of questions. My Mandarin was a little rusty, but was enough that for the first time in Japan, I had an actual conversation with someone! How odd to be sitting in a Chinese restaurant, in Japan, not speaking Japanese, or he any English, yet making a friend. Feeling quite pleased with myself, and full of complimentary pudding, I bid my new friend farewell and headed off to the airport.

An hour and a half bus ride to the airport; during which time I was subject to the loud and rude mobile phone conversation of another Australian on the bus, who believed that the no mobile phone rule did not apply to him (surprise surprise). I wanted to hit him with my shoe for breaking my Tokyo reverie, but instead chose to attack him with my words. Once he was suitably chastised, and I was all checked in, spent my final hour in Japan shopping the gift hall (more photos will follow), and giggling with sailor suit clad, Japanese school girls.

Yes, my time here was short, but the impression has been immeasurable. Should any Japanese company have employment opportunities for this infatuated Australian, please email me immediately!

Japan I Bloody Love You - part two

Let me begin this post by warning you that I bought myself a dictaphone / voice recorder while in Houston, and as such, then took copious amounts of random notes for the remainder of the voyage. Therefore, you'll now be subjected to the edited version of my internal monologue as it was.

Morning one in Japan. I wake up at 7 am (damn that internal clock) and begin to formulate a plan for my day of wonder. I put on my favorite fuchsia dress, black shoe boots, curled my hair and grabbed what maps I had. The plan was to enjoy a leisurely local breakfast of homemade noodles, a stroll in the park and then onto some serious kawaii shopping. After seeking advice on the best shopping precinct from the desk clerk, I headed out the front door and promptly started walking in the wrong direction, all the while blissfully unaware. The streets were beginning to come alive with people on their way to work. And this is where I found my first Japanese infatuation. The prevalence of bikes as a means of transport. Like most things in Japan, there is a grace to the riding of said bikes. The bikes themselves are laid back, Ladies style with baskets on the front and large padded seats. The riders may be men in business suits, ladies in skirt suits and heels and even mothers with babies both in the seat behind and the basket in front. And while they ride with purpose, they don't ride with haste (well at least not here anyway). Simply watching them gliding down the road was a relaxing experience.

Image courtesy of Copenhagenize.

As I continued walking in the wrong direction, I noticed two things about the shop fronts. Firstly, nothing was open at 8am, so my breakfast plans went on hold. Secondly, each shop front was decorated with potted plants. Imagine if you will, the shop front, footpath and curb with council planted tree. Around the council tree, each shop had created a little oasis of potted geraniums, jade plants and even trellised vines. It was quite common place and I wondered if this was installed as a sign of ownership of space, an attempt to increase the serenity in a place you must spend many hours a day or simply an acknowledgment of the role nature and the seasons play in everyday life here. If any reader can enlighten me on the subject, it would be much appreciated. It did make me laugh as I thought of our own Melbourne City Council's reaction to such an effort, as I had once been threatened with a lawsuit and heavy fine for signage encroaching by 6 inches onto the footpath.

Eventually I came across a subway station whose maps inform me that I have been travelling in the wrong direction for about 30 minutes. Resolutely I walk back up the other side of the street, hoping to find an open noddle shop as my stomach is now protesting at the lack of attention for more than 20 hours. With my non existent Japanese language skills and lack of a cohesive plan (you know Virgos for planning) I was beginning to feel just a smidgen anxious. As I turned the corner I saw the sign for what appeared to be the only open eating establishment within that 30 minute walk, and so I headed in for my first visit to Johnathon's. Johnathon's appeared to be an American style family restaurant, (similar to Denny's) and while it didn't meet my fantasy of home cooked noodles by a family whose secret recipe hearkened back generations, it advertised good coffee. And here is where I made observation number two that further increased my crush on Japan.

Breakfast at last and it is oh so good.

The Japanese make life very easy for a tourist. Considering the language barrier you would think it easy to get lost, never be able to communicate effectively and possibly sold into slavery ( just joking.) But everywhere things are illustrated. Menus with pictures throughout, instructions with unmistakable directions on which buttons to press for the perfect coffee, and happy smiling cartoon faces on everything. The art of Engrish is one that often amuses me, but seen in this context, its value is immeasurable and entirely different. I'm imagining life for a tourist in Melbourne, where the only place you get to see pictures on a menu is in McDonald's, and should you not understand English, people simply speak louder and slower as if you are deaf. Japan is the antithesis of this approach. Everything appears to be done to put you at ease and make you as comfortable as possible. As I sat eating my breakfast, any trepidation I may have felt about my adventure melted away. I drank the most excellent coffee I had enjoyed since leaving Australia, plotted to take home the cute restaurant signage (" Drinks Menu Was Enhanced Here!") and looked up to see a huge My Melody stuffed toy looking down on me from a high rise window. Forget Xanax, all I need is a little kawaii Sanrio and I'm good to go.

My Melody (the red rabbit thingy) appears like a guardian angel from above.

Appropriately fortified for the day, I went forth to shop! After all the vintage treasures acquired in the US, my plan here was not to vintage shop, but to gorge myself on a diet of my other passion - the Super Kawaii. My first stop was the Matsuzakaya department store, as nothing else was open prior to 11.30 and I was itching to make first contact. Like an anthropological explorer, it seems that I make my best and quickest efforts to assimilate by immersing myself in a situation with which I am already overly familiar. And a department store was the perfect stage. From the moment I stepped through the entrance way, it was though I had gone to department store heaven. Where Sax Fifth Avenue had been gleaming, it also had the ability to make you feel as though you needed to improve yourself to shop there. Matsuzakaya is another world entirely. Each display is perfectly designed, executed and maintained. Each staff member greets you with a tuneful "Issasshaimase" the moment you enter their visual sphere. Now I know this may sound silly, but I felt like I was gliding around that store on a cloud of visual perfection and obsessive compulsive heaven. Almost as each item was touched by a shopper, it was carefully straightened back into its original, perfectly aligned position - without making you feel as though you had disturbed anything but rather that there was pleasure taken from your attentions. (Okay, this may sound a little over the top, and the reality of this feeling may not be at all grounded in the truth of the matter, but I am simply calling it as it felt to me.)

Anna Sui Brush and cosmetic box, cute rings, Kewpie cuties, Tokyo Romantic fragrance.

I discovered the joy of the embellished hand cloth at the Matsuzakaya store. These are my two favorites I picked up, but in total I think I must have bought about a dozen!

A small selection of all the kawaii paraphernalia including Totoro for Miss Four (one of her favorite films), Babushka Kitty for me, a Gu Gu World shopping tote and more stationery than you can poke a stick at.

More Kitty fun for the kitchen. This lot was actually from the Sanrio Store in Houston; I seek out kawaii where ever I go.

One of a selection of 14 miniature Kittys now gracing my entertainment cabinet.

From the department store onto the best toy store I've ever seen in my life. 6 Floors of electronic, animated and modeling magic. As I walked in the front door I was greeted by the insane yapping of a whole floor of electronic toys such as " Poodle in a Tea Cup." What is it? A small pooddle that yaps incessantly until you place in in the designated tea cup, where it promptly goes to sleep. Even better than said poodle was "F Cup Cookie". A box of cookies that promises you F cup breasts upon there ingestion. Is it that if you eat enough you get so fat that your breast then reach this size? To the left of "F Cup Cookie" was a strangely sexual looking object, that upon closer inspection proved to be a banana protector. And on it went. As you can see, I spent quite a bit of time and money in this store, but I'll leave the Tea cup Poodle for another enthusiastic shopper for now.

*Stay tuned for further adventures in Japan during the week*

Japan, I Bloody Love You! - part one

Well it was either that or, "the Happiest Place on Earth", but that was already taken. My time in Japan was super short, but oh so sweet. First of all, let me give you a perfect example of why I adore this place. On my JAL flight from the States, my cabin crew went through the usual safety demonstration. Like a good girl, I read through the accompanying leaflet for further instructions. Not only was the safety video demonstrated in anime, but the leaflet was drawn in this manner too. It is amazing just how comforting and amusing it is to watch an anime man smoking in the toilets, then being covered in fire foam and a large red cross over his image. Somehow, it seems like a much more pleasant way to ask you to refrain from smoking than the usual, "Punishable by law" routine. The JAL cabin crew themselves were so beautifully groomed and well spoken, that by contrast the Qantas staff and their unflattering uniforms, (sorry people), seemed quite rough around the edges, and made me feel as though I had been downgraded for the flight home.

Anyway, I thought I was well prepared for my journey. The Mr had given me his copy of the subway maps, and explained how to work the system. I had booked my accommodation in Asakusa (thanks Hayley for the tip!), and it appeared to be only three train stops from the airport. So here I was thinking, "Perfect. I have quite a bit of luggage but it won't be far. I'll just jump on the train and walk across the road to the hotel." When I arrived however, it was dark and raining so I thought I'd cheat and take a cab. When I asked the cab driver for a price I was told it would be about $200 US dollars! What? Were cabs really that expensive here? So I dragged myself along to the information counter only to discover that what looked like a quick jaunt of three train stops, was actually a trip that took over one hour to complete! So it was onto the Limousine bus for $25 dollars with fingers crossed I could find my hotel.

Eventually I was to be found wandering a taxi rank at Tokyo station, hauling two suitcases (about 45 kilos worth) a hat box and a handbag, being soaked to the skin by the rain, but still smiling. I was in Japan! When I did eventually find myself a taxi, my poor cab driver was quite unclear about where I was going. Note to self: next time take the directions IN JAPANESE! I did have a minor moment of anxiety in the backseat, picturing myself sleeping under a self made lean to of suitcases while my prepaid hotel bed went empty. After arriving at the wrong hotel, it turned out that my taxi driver thought I must have the wrong hotel name. I had booked into the OAK hotel, (a hostel style accommodation as I was trying to save every penny for my shopping oddesy), but the driver had taken me to the Oakura Hotel as he thought I looked like I couldn't possibly be going to a hostel. But of course, like all good concierges at 5 star hotels, this one spoke some English and was able to assist with directions and sort out the misunderstanding. In hindsight, some very funny stuff.

Tired and happy

A wall to wall shot of the room. Small but perfect.

So after all that adventure I was delighted with my little room complete with kimono and tea making kit. It didn't even matter that the bathroom was the same size of that on the plane. I was here, and so I settled in to sleep the sleep of the jet lagged, and dream of Hello Kitty.

Things I Love About China - and its not the Olympics

While all eyes are on Beijing tonight, tuning in to visions of fireworks, spangles and awful team uniforms, I thought I'd bring you an alternative view. Not of anything even vaguely sport related, but all the wonderful, crazy and beautiful things that I love about China.

This is the idealised China that lives inside my mind; the images of Shanghai in the 1930's, the bright kitschy illustrations on products of all descriptions, the cigarette posters and silent film stars.

1. chinese checkers, 2. filmset:The One - elegance, 3. chinese tea boxes, 4. teabox

1. China Bowl Restaurant, 2. Graffiti in Williamsburg, 3. Chinese pincushion on fruit fabric, 4. Miso Pretty

But it isn't all dreamy beauty in there (my mind). I couldn't take a mental voyage to the orient without including these two chaps, both of whom had quite the impact on my formative years. I love me some crazy Kung Fu, floating on clouds and poor quality dubbing. Ahhh, bliss.

1. Bruce Lee 12" Action Figure, 2. DEMON!

Yes, China is also rich in natural wonders, the stunning mountains and amazing variety of fauna. But to be honest, one of the things I never get tired of, is the highly entertaining use of language that is Chinglish. Fair enough, if I were to try writing signs in Chinese, I would most likely achieve results just as hilarious.

Image credit - Beijing Olympics Fan

For more hilarity you can check out Chinglish.com

So while the rest of the world tunes in to the Opening Ceremony on the aucspious 08.08.08, I'll be trying my luck with a bit of Jackie Chan and Couch Olympics. Now that's my kind of sport!

Style Inspirations

When it comes to my personal style, I draw inspiration from everywhere. Movies, T.V, books and blogs all come into the equation, but my fail safe style inspirations are the characters I create in my head. I give them a story, a purpose and a name, then magically, they take on a life of their own as I stand in front of the wardrobe. This is not to say that every day calls for such theatricality, but there are times when I am faced with a distinct lack of inspiration. It is then I just think up one of my gals and ask myself, "What would she wear today?"

It is while indulging in this whimsy that I created Shanghai Lil. She is a glamorous, childless Aunt, who travels the world by cruise ship with her pet monkey. He is also stylishly dressed, wearing a matching Fez to each of her outfits. Her cabin is decorated in dark antique silks, with rugs from around the world, and she spends her evenings smoking opium and playing cards with wealthy playboys. She promptly shows them the door at the end of the night, leaving her mystery intact.





I imagine her looking very much like Anna May Wong - the first American Chinese film star of the early 1900's. As for the rest of my stable of muses, well you'll just have to stay tuned for more revelations.

I doubt that I am the only one who indulges in these fantasies, although I am not sure if other's characters have taken on such a life of their own. Where do you look for inspiration? Other than the run of the mill celebrity cloning, is there something, or someone, that sets your sartorial creativity on fire?

Here's to you Anna!

Swanky Panky

Yes, I am a bit late this week. Blame Earth Hour coming back to bite me, as our power was out for some days after a big storm here in Melbourne. But better late than never, and this week I have two lovely little items of glee for your delight.

Whilst I realise there is some controversy surrounding China and its human rights record at present, it has done nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for Chinese imagery. The more vintage the better. I just adore the old cigarette posters and the glamorous Old Shanghai feeling they evoke. So imagine my delight to discover these darling vintage style kits from Dumpling Dynasty. Fiona Hewitt's Wu & Wu company have produced these kits, and feature sewing kits, shoe shine kits, first aid kits and even pigtail kits! They have the cutest tin packaging, too beautiful to hide away in the cupboard. A good thing when you are looking for your first aid kit in a hurry. You can buy these online over at Strawberry Fool.


If you are looking for a bit of Pin Up pretty, these pins from Zombie Girl Hair Accessories will give you an edge. Part Beetle Juice, part playground chic , these are just the ticket for fancying up your do. If you don't have time to mess around with high maintenance hair, just pop it all up in a high pony and slip into one of these babies. I can't wait to get mine. Photos will be forthcoming.
The gorgeous model you see wearing the Flower Pin is the divine Bernie Dexter, who you may recognise from my previous post.

That's your lot for today. I am currently working on some larger feature posts for you all, so stay tuned for some of my secret How To's.

Lust

I do love it when just the thing you have been lusting after in your imagination suddenly appears. As we come into Autumn here, crazy weather and all, I am still thinking of the perfect boot. Something not too high for everyday, but with a wicked edge. Something that looks totally fabulous with skirts and magically makes my legs look slimmer. Everything I have found in the stores here is either way too tall for running up and down stairs with an arm full of baby, or they remind me of some very bad ones my mum had circa 1980, (sorry mum). And then along comes these lovelies from marc by marc.



A huge thank you to Behind Big Glasses for the heads up on these. Now I just have to track them down. If any of you know where I can find something similar here in Melbourne, please please let me know. I really much prefer to be able to try my shoes on rather than hoping for the best when I purchase online. It isn't so bad with clothes as I can alter most things, but shoes you really can't afford to get wrong. Especially not at this end of the price range.



On another note, I had a final design appointment today with my tattoo artist. I am having a big piece done of a Koi fish on my back, partly as a cover up of a bad small design I had when a teenager, but mostly as I have been in love with traditional style Japanese tattooing for many years. I think perhaps I watched too many Samurai movies over the years, but I always love those scenes where the wife / mistress disrobes, to reveal a beautifully tattooed back. I'll admit, I am not going all the way and having my entire back done, but it will still be quite a large piece. So Friday is the day set to start the work and I am nervous and excited all at the same time.

**thank you to LAPUS for this beautiful image**