If You Don't Mind Dubbed Movies...

My first year of college i had a roommate who was obsessed with anime films.  I wasn't so into it UNTIL she made me sit down and watch Spirited Away.

Directed by famed animator Hayao Miyazaki, Sprited Away tells the story of a girl, Chihiro, who is forced to move into a new town by her parents.  On the way to her new home her father makes a wrong turn somewhere and they end up in some abandoned theme park.

I'm NOT going to give the rest of the movie away, but just know that it involves a witch, some dragons and a series of hardships that Chihiro has to go through in order to prevent herself from disappearing. Spooky, i know.

Check out the trailor for yourself.

 
                            

Oh Girl! I Just Got My Nails Did!

  

One of the biggest trends of the year in Japan is nail art.  Basically, any polishing you do to your nails is considered "nail art," but the Japanese have taken it one step further.

If you were to walk down the streets of Harajuku, and could stay focused long enough to take a gander at the nails of some of the girls, you would completely understand.  The Japanese have started up the trend of using nail decals, nail charms, appliques, and even hand drawing little pictures on each nail.

Some of the nails are so ornate that the girls purposely get super long acrylic nails put on so they have more surface area!

       

Where's my Shiseido Lipstick?

Okay people, get ready for a super short, quick, one minute history. Believe me, you'll thank me when I'm done.

Shiseido is a make-up company that was founded way back in the day (1872 to be exact), in Ginza.  This is one of the cities in Japan known specifically as a culture and fashion hub. In 1917, Shiseido released their first face powders revolutionizing the way Japanese geishas did their make-up.

Shiseido is now one of the top cosmetic companies in the world, and one of my total favorites. Every shade of lipstick is super vibrant and ever blush is heavily pigmented.  The colors just pop.  Let's face it girls, and some guys, we DEFINITELY don't look gorgeous when we wake up...think of Shiseido as a make-up pick-me-up. 

You can find Shiseido cosmetics at most Sephora locations.

Character of the Week

So, here's your Sanrio fill for the week.  Deery-Lou is one of the many adorable characters created by the famed Japanese company.  

D.L. is a "cheerful fawn" that lives with his friends in the Rainbow Forest that's filled with butterflies and flowers.  He spends most of his time chasing butterflies and he lovesssss making new friends.

Born on January 8, D.L. shows his happiness with his life by swinging his tale from side to side. Just precious!

If you love Deery as much as I do, you can visit the Sanrio website and download all of the free wallpapers and widgits they have.  You can even send you friend an e-card featuring Deery.

Urban Chic...Japanese Style

BAPE stands for A Bathing Ape and are one of the most popular brand of shoes in the urban/hip hop world.  BAPE is a company that was started in 1993 in Harajuku, Japan by Tomaoki Nagao.

BAPE is known mostly for their crazy sneakers that feature patent leather and super bright colors.  These kicks are a favorite among high profile names like Kanye West, Pharrell and Jay-Z.

The detail and unique quality of BAPE products doesn't come cheap though.  A pair of BAPEsta sneakers will set you back a few hundred bucks--a very well spent couple hundred if you ask me. But hey, can you really set a price on lookin' fly?  

I didn't think so either.

Check out this awesome music video "I got me Some Bapes" by Soulja Boy!!

             

Hello Kitty has a villain? JIGGA WHAT?

A lot of people are familiar with Sanrio's super cute character Hello Kitty.  You know, the kitty cat with no mouth.  Well, what people usually don't know is that Hello Kitty actually has a villain.  Enter Kuromi stage right.

Kuromi is just as cute as Hello Kitty and her favorite colors are black and pink.  She hates Hello Kitty, but loooovvvesss boys.  She may have a tough exterior, but inside she's just like the rest of us girls.

Hot Topic just recently released exclusive Kuromi gear.  It's the follow up to the Super Cute Hello Kitty line that was also released as an exclusive for Hot Topic.  

              

Knockout Collabo!

So, nothing tickles my fancy more than when two of my favorite things join forces to equal one super awesome...thing.  Famed Japanese designer, Tokidoki, and Sanrio have come together to release a series of Hello Kitty merch.

There's everything from keychains to pencil cases to a tote bag, and they all feature Hello Kitty dressed up in the Tokidoki cactus suit.  SO FREAKIN CUTE <3

These types of things just melt my itsy bitsy heart.