MONOMANIA, WORLD WIDE LOVE, KYOYA TEDDY MONSTER IN LAFORET TOKYO. KAWAII CUTE JAPANESE JEWELRY, WOMEN'S CLOTHES, HAIR ACCESSORIES.
Exciting news — I’ll be hosting and fixing (scheduling) another TV show in Tokyo! This time, I’m working with two ebullient young Australians, both named Tim. They’re the creators of a new travel show with Sony Australia and Elsewhere Productions. I can’t wait to take them to my favorite Gothic / bizarre places in Japan — and I’ll be sure to put up clips for you to see. The other TV shoot, with Dutch Pepsi, is going insanely well… I’ll have photos and videos on this blog in a week or so!
There are a few new stores in the basement of Laforet Harajuku. Monomania has a light, upscale-casual collection. The cute animal prints and pastels are a bit reminiscent of Fairy Kei. (Search for “fairy kei” in the box on the sidebar, to see photos.)
Monomania isn’t really my style — not sufficiently alternative-flamboyant — but I think the concept is well-conceived.
However, I am very fond of the new accessories and jewelry shop at the foot of the staircase. (I can’t recall the name…) You’ll find handmade, indie accessories here, including Kyoya Teddy Monster. Eyeballs and bloody teddy bears have never looked so enticing!
Everywhere you turn, there’s J-rock and Visual Kei inspiration… heaven in a department store. Coming up: Sweet Lolita brand boutiques in Laforet. For a full Gothic Lolita Punk shopping guide to Tokyo, please visit my shopping guide.
Bonus photo: Yukiro and I are obsessed with eating kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) pizza. Asia is known for strange pizza toppings, and pumpkin slices are no exception. But trust us — it’s scrumptious. Best of all, each wedge is only 200 yen ($2). It WAS being sold in the Sunpierrot bakery, located to the right when you enter Shinjuku Station east exit… but the pizza has now been discontinued. Sad face. (Is life worth living any more?)
Reader Angela and her friends created a school publication, A|WARE Magazine, and featured me in their article about blogging. (Thank you for the mention!) Their insight about blogging as self-reflection is well put: “Blogging forces an individual to face his or her feelings and sort them out. Being able to look back at previous posts is also very valuable — to reflect upon what has changed, what has stayed the same; to feel regret, happiness, nostalgia; and to put things into perspective.” (You can see the entire magazine here.)
Thank you also to Black-Mana (left) and RunawayCosplay (right) for the pretty drawings! I love seeing your La Carmina / Basil artwork; send me an email and I’m happy to feature your work on my blog.
PS: Drool or vomit over my new CNNGo article: Asia’s 10 most dangerously decadent desserts.
PPS: Don’t forget to enter my Dir en Grey contest: you can win one of FIVE PAIRS of tickets to the Club Nokia Los Angeles show, on Sept 8. Contest ends TOMORROW so hurry here (and tell all your LA friends!).
Japanese Word of the Day: Dousa = Action, movement
Song of the Day: Suzy Q – Computer Music (Oh 1985…)
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LA CARMINA
41 Comments
Cute, elegant and beautiful! n
Cute, elegant and beautiful!
The Monomania store does have it’s cute side but when I looked at the first photo I had a feeling it wouldn’t be so…”La Carmina.” You’d be more around the style of Megaromania haha!
But I definitely have to get one of those bloody teddy bears…I always had a fascination for plush toys – these days I always sense a little…uhh…”ghost in the shell” if you know what I mean.
As for the pizza…did you try looking at any other store – or is kabocha discontinue in Japan entirely? Because that would suck. Never tried it but it looks mmm DELICI-OUS!
And I actually enjoyed that article on blogging and such. It’s very true regarding the personal blogger and also artists everywhere. Even if people are not listening or tuning in to what you have got to say – you just keep on going just because it gives you that feeling of relief, joy, and accomplishment. I used to have an anime blog believe it or not 2 years back…I ran for a whole year. How many followers? 5. A total of 5 followers. But it honestly didn’t matter to me since I enjoyed writing my observations about the anime so much.
I don’t do it anymore though since I’m a bit more busy haha…
But in a sense I do it again through art – I occasionally compose music or film some short films with some friends – and it’s just the same concept. There may be no audience but you just make your vision be heard or seen just to soothe the soul and take it to a new level.
Oh and speaking of film…best of luck in filming with Tim & Tim.
Thanks dear! Exactly – blogging should be something you do for yourself, not for any external factor..
kabocha sounds interesting. Mmmm pumpkin.
kabocha sounds interesting. Mmmm pumpkin.
It’s heavenly… I should try making it myself.
cooool! XD I love how both boys’ names are ‘Tim’!
Epic !!
Epic !!
cooool! XD I love how both boys’ names are ‘Tim’!
That kabocha pizza looks AMAZING. I love kabocha. It’s nostalgic for me– my okaasan when I was living with a host family in Japan cooked it so well :) She even made kabocha cake.nnCongratulations on the new TV job!
That kabocha pizza looks AMAZING. I love kabocha. It’s nostalgic for me– my okaasan when I was living with a host family in Japan cooked it so well :) She even made kabocha cake.
Congratulations on the new TV job!
Mmm kabocha cake!! I want to try making that. I had eel quiche at a butler cafe today… haha the funny food combos here.
whoah – congrats!!! That is so cool :O
whoah – congrats!!! That is so cool :O
CONGRATS!!!! That is awesome! I hope you become a big TV star! Aim big girl! Lots of us behind ya to support you and cheer you on!
CONGRATS!!!! That is awesome! I hope you become a big TV star! Aim big girl! Lots of us behind ya to support you and cheer you on!
<3 Hope you're having a great time in France!
Congrats!
Congrats!
Lang, do you know of them? http://www.elsewhereproductions.com
“No but their work is really cool and it’s great they’re Aussies! Can’t wait to see the show!
Lang, do you know of them? http://www.elsewhereproductions.com
Aww man…I think my comment from before vanished into thin air or something like that. But anyway that store does seem quite nice. Although you’re more on the style of Megaromania haha. nnWish you all the best with Tim & Tim – filming is such a joy. Almost like blogging, except takes just a little more work. Getting the shots, making sure the sound operator is not goofing around, making sure your DP has the correct lighting on the correct person, and making sure your producer does not cancel you right in the middle of the project. And lastly editing the material – oh boy is that loads of fun…since you actually get to put the pieces together and make it complete. nn I mean like that magazine was saying about blogging – it’s basically art. Taking up all your emotions, troubles, and feelings of the day and just letting it all out. But filming takes a bit more planning as well hehe. nnHave fun though!
Aww man…I think my comment from before vanished into thin air or something like that. But anyway that store does seem quite nice. Although you’re more on the style of Megaromania haha.
Wish you all the best with Tim & Tim – filming is such a joy. Almost like blogging, except takes just a little more work. Getting the shots, making sure the sound operator is not goofing around, making sure your DP has the correct lighting on the correct person, and making sure your producer does not cancel you right in the middle of the project. And lastly editing the material – oh boy is that loads of fun…since you actually get to put the pieces together and make it complete.
I mean like that magazine was saying about blogging – it’s basically art. Taking up all your emotions, troubles, and feelings of the day and just letting it all out. But filming takes a bit more planning as well hehe.
Have fun though!
AH my comment filter is spastic… I don’t know why they sometimes screen comments that have no bad words or links in them. It’s so much fun, the filming process…. I’m actually starting up something new in this realm… stay tuned!!
“That’s so excellent! Good luck with all your great new upcoming projects! And if you ever find yourself in the Twin Cities, look me up and I’LL give YOU the travel tour! Well.. a free private movie showing anyway! xD Best wishes!
“That’s so excellent! Good luck with all your great new upcoming projects! And if you ever find yourself in the Twin Cities, look me up and I’LL give YOU the travel tour! Well.. a free private movie showing anyway! xD Best wishes!
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
AH my comment filter is spastic… I don’t know why they sometimes screen comments that have no bad words or links in them. It’s so much fun, the filming process…. I’m actually starting up something new in this realm… stay tuned!!
<3 Hope you're having a great time in France!
Mmm kabocha cake!! I want to try making that. I had eel quiche at a butler cafe today… haha the funny food combos here.
It’s heavenly… I should try making it myself.
Thanks dear! Exactly – blogging should be something you do for yourself, not for any external factor..
Jealous, but happy for you :)
Jealous, but happy for you :)
basil so very very very cute……n
basil so very very very cute……
I LIKE MONIMINIA! (T A T)