Japan | Chic Steals

DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag

Feb 19

DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag I picked up this iron-on decal set last Spring when I visited Japan.

Japan is such a treasure trove of nonsensical English. I find it summarily hilarious.

DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag So of course I could NOT pass up this “Beau Chat” iron-on decal. I am a crazy cat lady at heart (who happens to unfortunately currently reside with her husband’s crazy Ewok-lookalike dog instead of a big pile of cats, which is my personal goal).

So I can only surround myself with cat-themed items and try to be consoled in the meantime. A stern-looking tabby sporting the crown jewels is an excellent addition to my collection. DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag

I figured the title of this iron-on image was French. ~~“Good Cat,”~~ I believe, unless my French is really terrible (which, okay, it is…a kind reader told me it is “Handsome Cat.” Whoops.). “Since 1902″ it also proclaims in English (making it one very OLD good cat, apparently).

DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag And then follows a chopped-up paragraph in German. I don’t speak German, but the online translator says it is something about being outdoorsy, wine, and making a blunder over a duration of time. Maybe.

DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag But the back of the bag is the best.

My cat is only active at night.

YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND

I mean seriously, who could resist a bag that accuses people of blowing the owner’s mind??!? I always feel that my mind is blown by the amazing-ness (and sometimes craziness) of other people. I think this accusation is excellent in a proactive sort of way.

DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag I made the bag following a pattern from a Japanese pattern-book I have; you could also use this pattern here and come up with a similar result. The faux leather handles were also from Japan; you can buy similar ones here. The grey Essex linen I used for the outside I bought from this Etsy shop (I LOVE this stuff!), and the toile-print lining I bought from the fabric store. DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag The iron-on is of course uniquely Japanese, but you can find something similar here and add some crazy paragraphs in a variety of languages on the computer if necessary.

This little, crazy tote is the perfect size for a quick run out, or just a wonderful conversation-starter.

DIY Good Cat / YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND Handbag From one crazy cat lady to all of you~

xo
Carly

Categories: Accessories, Handbags, Japan, My DIYs, Sewing Patterns
Tags: cats, handbags, stuff i've made

7 Comments

DIY: Quick n Easy Vintage-Style Iron-On Decal Leather Keyring Charms

Jan 4

DIY: Quick n Easy Vintage Style Iron On Decal Leather Keyring Charms While I was in Japan last April/May, despite the unhappy circumstances of my visit I did manage to go to some craft stores to see the latest trends and products. One thing I came across were these beautiful vintage-style iron-on decals by Eruberu Co, Ltd. They’re a company that manufactures a number of craft-related supplies, and these decals were just so lovely and whimsical I couldn’t help buying a few to play with. Victorian-style kitties, bunnies, little girls, roses, and birds, oh my!

So I brought them home to Oregon to my trusty old iron and ironing board, and decided to whip up some quick little keychain charms using some scrap leather I had lying around. And if you can wield an iron, you can easily make these pretty little keychain rings and cell phone charms too! Here’s how:… Read More—>

Categories: Accessories, DIY, Japan, My DIYs
Tags: illustration, keychain, leather, vintage

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Tokyo Photodiary April-May 2012 Part 2

Aug 17

It was Springtime in Tokyo and the cherry blossoms were in bloom whilst I was there.

As many of you know, my family and I traveled to Tokyo, Japan in April of this year to take care of my mother who suffered a spinal stroke. (Who lives in Tokyo for her job.) Though I didn’t have much time to take photos in the beginning of my trip, near the end my mother’s condition had improved, so I was able to do some activities with my family and take some pictures.

You can see Part 1 of my travel photo diary here. Here are the rest of the photos I took during my trip:… Read More—>

Categories: Japan, Tokyo Shopping, Tokyo Style, Vacation
Tags: travel photo diary

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Craftomania! Japan Hobby Show 2012 (lots of photos)

Apr 30

Every year in late April the enormous Japan Hobby Show takes over a huge exhibition hall in Odaiba for 3 days straight. Buyers and avid crafters from all over Japan flock to Tokyo to visit the Hobby Show, see the latest techniques, pick up the newest products, engage in workshops and demonstrations, and celebrate all there is to love about crafting. I’ve never been before but luckily my last-minute trip to Tokyo happened to coincide with the 36th annual Show, so I was able to spend a day last week visiting the show and ogling everything.

I thought the giant saw outside the complex was quite apropo.

The place was packed and even though I arrived at 10 AM on the dot, I had to wait in a huge line for 40 minutes until I could get in the doors. That line of people above? It’s all one line that snakes around at the back to return on the left side of the photo. Yikes!

But once inside, there was such an array of things to be ogled!

Seriously, pretty much every craft I could think of that is popular in Japan was represented at booths and tables throughout.

… Read More—>

Categories: Events, Japan, Tokyo Shopping
Tags: crafts, deko sweets, Japan Hobby Show, UV resin

7 Comments

The Cutest Little Coin Purse Ever! (Felt Handmade Japanese Cookie Coin Case)

Apr 28

Japan is just awash in adorable little accessories and things that can make even the most hardened person want to let out a big ol’ squeeeeee! every so often.

I was able to go to one of my favorite craft stores the other day (Mano Creare in the Futako Tamagawa Rise Mall…which incidentally I’ve written about for Cut Out + Keep‘s Snippets Magazine before)…and couldn’t resist buying a little kit to make a mini felt cookie-shaped coin purse.

Apparently these “Macaron Coin Cases” [read: round and double-sided, like a macaron) are currently all the rage here in Japan and are flying off retail shelves by the dozens (as well as the kits to make them!)(photo collage from Google “Macaron Coin Case” search results)

It took me about 20 minutes, tops, to make.

Now, the finished product is super, super-tiny, so it could only fit like 1 or 2 coins…so is pretty much useless as a coin purse. But it’s so adorable I couldn’t help myself!

Now I have it hanging from my bag and I just love it! (Knowing my luck, I’ll probably snag it on something and lose it next time I leave the apartment.)

P.S. Which in fact I did about 5 days after I wrote this post draft. *Le sigh.* Oh well, I can just make another one!

xoxox

Carly

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Categories: Accessories, Japan, Sewing, Tokyo Style
Tags: handbag charm, macaron coin purse

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Update on My Mother and Tokyo Photodiary 1 (lots of photos!)

Apr 15

Well, it’s now been just over a week-and-a-half since I arrived in Tokyo to take care of my mother as she recuperates from her recent stroke.

I arrived late Wednesday evening April 4th, discharged my mother from the hospital Thursday morning, and went to stay with her in her apartment. Hub and Lil Tot are staying with my in-laws in a different part of the city, and I’m able to see them every couple days or so briefly.
I am sleeping in my mother’s storage room. … Read More—>

Categories: Announcements, Japan
Tags: travel photo diary

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My Halloween Costume

Nov 4

Just a little break from the 30 Days of Outfits…

Or maybe a PREQUEL???!

I went as a Ninja.

Every year Lil Tot has decreed what Mama will be for Halloween. When he was 1, he had a high fever and we didn’t do Halloween at all (though I did have a little bee costume for him)

At 2, he was a lobster and told me I should be a witch.

At 3, he was Harry Potter and told me to be a pirate.

At 4, he was Dash from The Incredibles and I was told to be a fairy.

But at 5, though he was going as a vampire it seemed he had no preference as to what I wore!

So I looked into my closet to figure out what I could cobble together with stuff I already had, and I managed to scrape together the perfect ninja costume.

I knew Hub would find it amusing that I was wearing a Japanese happi [coat] that said MATSURI [festival] on the back of it, along with numerous festival-related markings – since I last wore it in 1991 at my local town festival where I helped hoist a gigantic, 1000-pound shrine on my shoulders and carry it through the village. Not fun.

Anyway, I figured most people, especially those who can’t read Japanese, wouldn’t know the un-authenticity of the coat, and it would read “ninja.” Especially when paired with Lil Tot’s ski mask, black leggings and turtleneck, and an old pair of tights I cut up to use as armwarmers. I also used a scarf I made as a belt.

And yes, everyone we met during Trick-or-Treating “got” that I was a ninja! A lot of people seemed to love my shoes, which are authentic tabi – at 11, I was obsessed with the Japanese construction workers’ uniforms, which consisted of a pair of wide trousers that ballooned at the knees [tobi], and a pair of split-toe shoes with rubber soles [tabi].

(photo from source website linked below)

My father worked up the courage to visit a clothing store for construction workers and buy a pair of trousers and a pair of tabi for me as a birthday present. So I held onto them! The shoes are uber-comfortable, but of course I can only wear them (and the pants) as part of a costume;-) [Many workers still wear that uniform today, though their numbers appear to be dwindling. If you are interested in the traditional uniform of Japanese construction workers, as well as a thorough explanation of how each apparel element came about (it's a fascinating read!), click here.]

And the sword is a plastic thing Lil Tot won at the fair.

Hope you guys all had a great Halloween! (Or Bonfire Night;-)

xoxox
Carly

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Categories: Costumes, Holidays, Japan

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DIY Scarf Bag

Oct 31

I noticed on Outsapop this short n sweet little video on how to create a bag from any scarf.

Originally from Do It Yourself Fashion & Accessories.

But the art of using a scarf as a bag is not a new one…in fact, the furoshiki (basically a large scarf) has been used since the early 1600′s in Japan as a carryall/gift wrap/bag/multifunctional accessory. From the Ministry of the Government of Japan, here is Minister Koike’s illustrated guide to using a furoshiki (with the recommendation that the Japanese people should start using them more, as they are eco-friendly, re-usable, and reduce plastic bag waste). Here are14 different ways to tie it:

(Click to enlarge)

What do you think? Do you have any beautiful scarves that might be repurposed into a casual bag or wrap?

xoxox
Carly

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Categories: Accessories, DIY, How-To, Japan

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My Experience in Japan: Formspring.me Question

Sep 19

from formspring.me:

how long did you live in japan? was there a reason you were in japan in the first place? why did you move back? i have so many questions, sorry.

Hi there!
I’ve lived in Japan 6 years total. My family moved there when I was 11 (back in 1990) for my father’s work. (He was a research chemist.) We lived there 3 years and then we moved back to the States once my father’s contract was up. I finished high school in the U.S. In college I did a year study abroad in Tokyo, and then after I graduated college I went back to Japan to go to animation school for 2 years. Once I graduated I wanted to work in the U.S. (plus my visa was expiring), so I once again moved back to the States. Hope that answers your questions!:-)

xoxox
Carly

Ask me anything

Categories: About Me, Japan, Reader Questions
Tags: Questions from Formspring.me

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Current Tokyo Trends: Summer 2010 TOP 12

Jul 18

I’m sure you’re all just dying to know, right??!;-)

The top twelve trends that I’ve noticed out and about in Tokyo, mostly in the Shibuya and Harajuku areas:

Dot Ribbon Boater Hat, Cecil McBee, ¥2415; street style photo from fashionsnap.com

1. Boater Hats

The summer sun is fierce once the rainy season ends in mid-July, and many girls add hats to their ensembles just to ward off its rays. The shape this year? The cute retro-style straw boater, often worn akilter on the head.

How to Tie a Scarf into a Bow Headband from Ayumi Yasuoka’s blog; go there if you want to see the step-by-step; Rabbit Ears Wire Scarf Headband, ShopNikoNiko, ¥980

2. Scarves as Headgear

Sweet and 70′s-ish, scarves as headgear have made a major comeback. Many scarves are also sold with flexible wire in them so you can stand the ends up like pseudo- rabbit ears, kind of a more ladylike version of that crazy Louis Vuitton-fueled trend that looks unfortunately dubious even on 16-year-olds.

Flower-Print Overalls, VIVAYOU, ¥6982

3. Flowered Maxi-Rompers

It almost sounds as if those three words strung together will cause a worldwide cataclysm, but yes, tiny flower prints (think of the good ole days of 90210 the ORIGINAL) paired with flowing, full-length jumpsuit shapes are all over the place. There are also flowered dresses and blouses in similar patterns, and jumpsuits in more subdued hues (I have to admit I finally caved in and picked myself up one in black) to be found all over the place – it’s just these particular reincarnation of that 70′s staple seem to be everywhere.

Snoopy Basket Bag, LDS, ¥4788; street style photo from droptokyo.com

4. Basket Bags

Going along with the neo-hippie-bohemian-flower-child-vibe is the wicker handbag, in all varieties of shapes, sizes, and sporting all sorts of accoutrements, be it silk flowers, cascading streams of pompons and lace, or chic leather and hardware.

from beauty-box.jp – tons of recent Japanese hairstyles there if you want to check it out!

5. Shoulder-Length Bob with Thick Bangs

This trend has been going strong for about a year, and it definitely lends a childlike innocence to those who wear it. Now that summer’s here apparently the “new NEW” thing to do is create a small side part in the thick bangs.

Double Strap Thong Boot-Sandals, and it-, ¥2800

6. Leather and Suede Gladiator-Style Sandals

But softer and more feminine than last year’s tough chic version, in brown and taupe and gray and black, with understated studding, fringe, or ankle-wraps.

7. Gel Nails

Now with acrylic nail sculpture a thing of the past, everybody whose anybody is doing gels. And not just CALgels! I got mine done with a state-of-the-art technique that does not use UV light to harden the gel, but instead uses LED light – and it lasts up to 4 weeks! (I chose not to have my nails lengthened by building up the gel layers, which I was originally planning on doing. If the gels extend beyond your natural nails they only have about a 2-3 week staying power.) Right now lame (lah-meh) glitter powder mixed in with the gel and applied to the tips of the nails, in multiple layers, is really popular, and it looks fabulous even as your nails grow out. The shine, glitter, and gloss of my nails is unending!

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street style photo from style-arena.jp; Logo T-Shirt and Tank, Rose Fan Fan, ¥1995

8. Cropped T-Shirts

Everything’s coming up mini here – with many girls opting to wear their shrunken-length, loose-fit tees atop maxi dresses and the aforementioned flowered jumpsuits.

Striped Tank Maxi, Moussy, ¥3591; street style photo from style-arena.jp

9. Striped Maxi Dresses

Stripes are so big this year – and dresses in as many ways as you can fathom to make over the striped maxi dress are everywhere.

Frill Lace Gilet, Murua, ¥4462; street style photo from style-arena.jp

10. Lace Vests

Bohemian and feminine, these vests I’ve spotted on everyone from teenagers to sophisticated 40-somethings lunching at swanky eateries in the Ebisu district. They’re a soft and lightweight cover-up during the hottest months here.

Wide Braid Headband, Tamaya, ¥1020

11. Braided Hair Headbands

Many are soft and flexible braids of fake hair with an elastic at the back; some also on top of a rigid headband. Adds a sweet flower child aesthetic to every ensemble.

12. Mickey Mouse T-Shirts

Following in the steps of L.A. brands Fred Segal and Joyrich, many Japanese brands have also collaborated with the animated icon to print t-shirts. Since we were going to Disneyland, I planned to buy one there…until I was put off by the crowds and the prices and ended up buying one that was even better than those sold at Disneyland for a mere ¥1500 ($16) from UniQLO (above).

And of course, black leggings under everything from shorts to dresses to miniskirts, arm-covers to ward off the persistent UV rays, earrings with clear nylon posts for sensitive ears (a common complaint here), false eyelashes, high heels worn everywhere (even Disneyland- eek!!), and frilly bloomers under tunics on the younger crowd are all still going strong.

xoxox
Carly

Categories: Japan, Tokyo Style, Trends

7 Comments

Category Archives: Japan