RED AND WHITE

Chictopia is asking bloggers to wear red and white in support of Japan and donate money. My red and white outfit reminded me of being in New York a few weeks ago I went to an exhibition called Infinite Variety - Red & White Quilts. Now, quilts aren't my usual territory (I should explain that my Mum is a quilting fan and is as turned on by quilts and patchwork as I am by shoes), but as the sole reason for my Mum and Dad coming to New York was to see this exhibition, I thought I should tag along. 

The quilts were hung in The Armory on Park Avenue, a mind bogglingly massive space that alone fills you with awe. Filled with quilts the space was even more overwhelming, akin to a religious experience. The huge spirals of red and white draped to the floor, spaces between them allowed you to walk through the hanging structures with mouth agape. The sheer spectacle and volume of the collection was astonishing, and the layout and lighting were a triumph, even more so considering the exhibition was only on for 6 days. The collection belongs to Joanna S. Rose, who began collecting them in the 1950's. I overheard a curator telling some people that this exhibition was a gift from her husband for her 80th birthday - so she could see her collection displayed in all their glory (she had never seen them all together before). Clearly the man has heaps of cash, but he also seemed to me to be rather thoughtful - what a great gift for someone, and how fabulous to then make the whole shebang free for the length of the exhibition. It's probably one of the best exhibitions I've ever been to in my life. But enough of my jabbering on, Simon Schama gave a much better review in the FT. 

T shirt - Stolen Girlfriends Club 

Jeans - Zara

Shoes - Xenos from Poste Mistress

I Love Tsumori Chisato

I'm not usually a whimsical person when it comes to clothes. I tend towards the bonkers or preppy, not the romantic or cute. But Tsumori Chisato is the exception that proves the rule. It's quite hard to get her stuff here in the UK - Liberty stocks a VERY small range and Koh Samui (RIP) used have a few pieces on the racks. The rarity here means that every time I go to Japan a visit to a Tsumori Chisato boutique is a must. The shops themselves are divine, with amazing window displays, inlaid stone designed flooring and great staff. Shopping in Japan has been elevated to an art form...I go gooey just thinking about it. 

I picked up with sweater dress on my trip last year. I love that quite a utilitarian design (long sleeves & pockets) has been embellished in a very OTT way. It means you can feel off duty whilst looking dressed up. 

Dress- Tsumori Chisato 

Jacket - Topshop 

Tights - M&S

Boots - Maloles

The Japanese and their love of stuff

I love stuff. More is good. Hence my blog title. I think liking stuff is one of the reasons why I like Japan so much - there is loads of stuff, and much of it is stuff we haven't even thought of in the UK yet (phone dangles, plastic food, boob shaped eye masks, toilets that make sounds, reindeer suits)...regardless, it floats my boat. 

Kabuki Costumes - Sadler's Wells

I really WANT that print. 

Look at the colour fade !

This is a supernatural fox character - see the ears? The material on the bottom half of his costume swished with such animal ease...if I wore it I'd be swaying like a drunk all day.

Kabuki, Colour & Black Moods

Tonight I went to see the Kabuki at Sadler's Wells. It was absolutely amazing, and the costumes blew me away - there were at least two pairs of trousers the actors wore that I would happily buy, and some of the prints showed just how much Vivienne Westwood *might* have taken as inspiration for her early Pirate collections (I am just guessing here, but the sure did spring to mind). All the colour and extravagance made my theatre outfit feel rather drab, but after a day of battling printers and uncontrollably weeping eyes it was all I could manage.

Tee Shirt - American Apparel
Trousers - Balenciaga
Brogues - Zara
Headband - made from bottom three inches of American Apparel Tee

Purikura Fun in Melbourne

Am I the only one in the world obsessed with Japanese photo booths or 'purikura' (picture club) as I think they're called there?


I just can't get enough of them.


I can't find any in London. There was once a short lived place on Endell Street, but where can you get these done in the UK? If you know please give me a heads up!

What a girl wants (Tsumori Chisato)

I love Tsumori Chisato's designs, which I guess is a little odd, as I'm not usually the whimsical or playful type of girl. I'm normally attracted to black, men's tees, skinny jeans and clothes with 'attitude' - but sometimes, just sometimes, Tsumori Chisato is the only thing that will do.

I live in a Tsumori Chisato scarf - grey with lion faces on it. It is the perfect blend of practicality and mischief that means you don't take yourself or your clothes too seriously (not that anyone would think that about me, I hope). Tsumori Chisato dresses are a thing to behold. So far I only own one jumper dress, but one day I want some prints - arty, playful and just so fun you want to squeal. Oh - and the tights! I gotta get me some of those tights!

They stock a limited range in Liberty, but for a true taste of her style you have to go to Japan - the shops in Omotesando and another in Ginza are worth visiting for the window displays, glitter floors and the clothes, of course!

Tokyo - Food

Here are a few pics from Tokyo of just some of the yummy food we ate.

I'm not going to pretend that eating in Tokyo is easy - even with some Japanese getting a menu for Japanese food without a translation is a nightmare because a) there is so much kanji and b)there is so much about Japanese ingredients / cooking terms / dishes that I don't know. I'm familiar with sushi and sashimi and okonmiyaki - but when it comes to yakatori with chicken anus there isn't much I can do to read that. It's easier if the restaurant is a European one because I can translate the katakana, but then at times that slightly defeats the point of being in Japan.

So here is some yummy food.