Kitty And Buck

Monday, May 6, 2013

Wordless Weekend #21

Ueno Park, Tokyo, Photos by C /and/ Kitty

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Friday, May 3, 2013

Innocently browsing my inbox today, I skimmed past the usual emails about fabulous exotic destinations that I won't be going to, job ads and offers of exorbitant amounts of cash from 'sick, rich' people and opened my Frankie magazine newsletter. There's always fun little links inside, and today it was this Cat Pot. I am now officially in love, like I needed an excuse for more cat stuff.

via: Miriam Brügmann (first spotted in the Frankie newsletter)

On the topic of plants, it's that time of year where I need to pull out all of my annuals, refresh my potting mix and generally clean up the garden as it looks like a crazy cat lady's conservatory. Some green tufts of cat grass and a lot of dead stuff. I thought it might be a good idea to plan the garden a little more this year, and prepare it for spring (it'll take me that long to sort it out in spare moments during the next few months). It may be a little ambitious for my welding skills but the idea of a vertical garden like this is super appealing to me right now. I love how simple the structure is and how many herbs I can plant in a small space (i.e. the 1 metre section of my garden that has full sun)

via: By Joost - image: Sean Fennessey / The Design Files

This.

Kamil Tamiola via Feature Shoot

I clearly have a problem with Eva Franco. A 'love' problem. I always talk myself out of it, but then she pops up when I least expect her to.

via: ModCloth

Growing up in my household, Friday nights were takeaway night. For my parents, they still are, usually a Chinese feast with Wonton Soup and King Prawns (an Australian touch). When I was a kid, it was usually fish and chips (for me, 2 potato scallops and some chips (fries!) with tomato sauce) Now that I'm in charge, I have takeaway night whenever I feel like it, though it's not usually as regular as once a week. Tonight, though, it's Pancakes on the Rocks night. A once a year treat. No special reason, it was C's brother's idea. So here's a Friday night treat for you:

via: Love and Lemons

via: Yours Truly, x

There's been a lot of thoughts swirling through my mind this week, I feel like there are some big changes on my horizon, which I will talk about in due course. Japan was a nice break from reality, and I feel refreshed and ready to take action and control. I really related to this post on Yours Truly, about courage.

Kitty
xo

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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Fashion in Japan part 2

If you missed part one, you can find more Japan fashion pics here. Also, in case you're after an archive of my Japan posts, I'm tagging them all Japan Spring 2013, so you can select the label to see them all.

C found a shopping mall near our hotel and promised me I'd love it. We visited on our last day while we were waiting to head to the airport. It was 6 (?) floors of lolita, gothic lolita, visual kei, and probably a whole bunch of other fashion genres I don't know the names of. This salesgirl worked in Nude-n-Rude and I really wanted to buy those tights. I decided against it though, and have a slight bit of regret. I did get some awesome collar clips from her store, you'll see them soon, I'm sure! She was such a sweetheart, konnichiwa Nude-n-Rude girl!

Here's another picture of me looking awkward and incredibly large.

This girl was so cute! I was generally a bit shy about asking people to take a photo, but she was on our train to Disneyland and I was looking at her for so long, I couldn't stand not taking a picture! She had the most adorable panda accessories! I'm not sure she understood my terrible Japanese, but she didn't mind me taking her photo, even though she looks very serious about it!

I know it's not 'fashion', by dear lord, the construction workers in Japan rock! They look exactly like something from Gundam or Mazinger Z. If they weren't sporting these awesome reflector suits, they were wearing actual suits. The best dressed construction workers in the world!

We were exhausted and freezing after our night in the capsule hotel when we spotted "The Wanderers" The guy on the left was asking them what they were called, and why they were all matching. Mr. Fabulous Quiff said "We are the Wanderers" and they all laughed and strutted across the street.

I wouldn't be caught dead in crocs (except that one time) but they seem quite popular in Japan. They even try to make them prettier by giving them decorations to look like strawberries and donuts!

This is Chicago, a vintage chain store. I have never been in more organised vintage/thrift stores than in Japan. Check it out! Everything is categorised and SO neat! In case you're wondering where all the awesome American vintage clothing, shoes, bedding, fabric and pyjamas are, it's right here folks.

Just some cute pastel tie-back Converse. They are probably everywhere, but I haven't seen them, so I snapped a pic! You can also buy a sneaker wedge insert by Converse for the hi-tops over in Japan.

These pastel boots! My gosh. If my suitcase hadn't been full.... Look at them?!!!

This photo was taken in Mandarake, a huge manga store, we're in Broadway Mall, which is an Otaku shopping centre (an Otaku is like a MEGA-geek, and generally describes someone who has an obsessive interest in something) I love how much 'stuff' people accessorise with, so many toys and key rings and dangly bits on the bags/phones/outfits. More cute pastel right here :) Other things in Broadway mall: Vending machine shop, doll heads shop, tiny toys shop, gun otaku shop... I could go on. Basically a shop for every weird (or not so weird, depending on your perspective!) obsession under one roof. There was also a cafe where the girls dressed as cats and you paid them to be nice to you in half hour blocks. (sort of a maid cafe but not really) We didn't get to try it out...

Just some gals out for fun on a Monday night in Shibuya.

More plushies spied on the train! Maybe Monday is dress like a bear/cat night in Shibuya?

C is just sizing up this duck onesie. Too bad we were both too large. Story of our lives.

Kitty
xo

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April Group Giveaway

Since it's May, I suppose I should share the April Group Giveaway with you! It's worth the wait, don't worry. First up, we have the most beautiful handmade tote bag, from "I Believe In Story" The winner will receive this gorgeous one-of-a-kind tote, complete with daisy embroidery. It's perfect for summer, or a cheer-up during these winter months we're looking forward to here in Australia. I'd definitely use it for my laptop and books on the train :)

The lovely Lesley from "By The Porchlight" is offering up 2 months of large ad space. In addition to the sidebar ad, the winner has options to participate in giveaways, feature posts, a guest post and will also receive social media mentions.

Finally, I decided to offer up 2 months of large ad space right here on Kitty & Buck, because frankly, it's been ages since I did! I'd love to have one of you on my sidebar for two months, you'll have the options to participate in group giveaways, sponsor features and more.

One lucky winner is going to nab all of this! All you need to do to enter is use the rafflecopter widget below. Don't forget to use your bonus entries. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Japanese Omiyage giveaway is still running too, so if you'd like to win a huge collection of souvenirs from Japan, head on over to enter. Entries close in exactly 2 days!

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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

What I Wore - In a Galaxy Far, Far Away - Kyoto Station

All of the photos in the post were taken by C, I absolutely adore the one below. It's such a crazy visual illusion, I think I might make a print of this one!

Look at all my pretty pins! I love my wooden patchwork brooch from Under The Shade Of A Bonsai Tree! The colours are so pretty, and it LIVED on my cape in Japan. It's also lovingly handmade from Tasmanian oak, in Tasmania!

Kyoto Station is such a fascinating building. It was designed by Hiroshi Hara and is this crazy futurist style building. The trek to the rooftop is incredible, 11 floors up, much of it open air, it feels like you are climbing a mountain. The view of Kyoto from the top is amazing.

I purchased this skirt in Harajuku, after C found it on a rack for me. When I went to try it on, I learned that it's shoes off in change rooms in Japan, and there is a lovely fabric covered platform in most of them. I pulled it off the hanger and noticed that it has little shorts sewn inside! Little shorts! In the exact same fabric. A revelation! I can wear this skirt in all weather, like the windy pinnacle of Kyoto Station and fear not the dreaded pants reveal ;) The Japanese do things with such attention to detail.

You like my men's shoes? I'll stop going on about it. I know Converse are unisex, but man alive, that sales girl was pleased as punch to send me to the "MEN'S" section. grrr.