Japan is Awesome: Dog Edition

So I went to Japan. Everyone said it would be amazing and it was.

I think we can all agree this is key evidence of the fact.

Triple Major: Shadow Puppets

I've really liked Beijing/LA label Triple Major ever since I saw their Pencil Pants in Singapore earlier this year (I'm also slightly obsessed with this Pirate Tee too). It's outrageously quirky but to me still very wearable. I can only imagine that great things conspire to happen whenever wearing one of their pieces.

The latest collection  is inspired by shadow puppets and is completely unisex- how awesome is that?

Check out their store which also sells lots of other cool labels here.

I Want My Hat Back

This has got to be one of the greatest children's book ever. I saw I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen in the shop at the Art Gallery of NSW and ended up reading it all the way through laughing. For some reason I find it absolutely hilarious- maybe because it reminds me so much of a ridiculous internet memes. My favourite part it dawns on him he HAS seen his hat.

Very excited to see it turned into a video (though of course the book is always better ;))

Willow: Sweater

The art of projection is nothing new but it when done well it nonetheless is still pretty amazing. An example of this is the video by director Filip Sterckx for the Willow track Sweater. Created using just 3 projectors, a floor and two walls the result makes you want to star in your own fantastical adventure. 

On another note, my friend Nic's band Cogel just released their new single and video incorporating the magic of projections too. It's rad. Check it out here.

Bejitarizumu

I am going to Japan for the first time in two weeks and in my very important preparations I came across this. 

Yes my friends, THIS is why I am going to Japan- cuteness, colour and general all round coolness (in case you were wondering how I found this it was through my new found obession and official Kawaii Ambassador of Harajuku, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu!).

Sponsored by a company to promote healthy eating, it's hard not to get this dance and song stuck in your head. The best part? The purple dancer (which was always my favourite) is a boy! 

Shoo shoo shoo sa! sa! Anyone want to learn the dance with me?

Alice McCall: Fashion Week 2012

If there was one show that stood out for me at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week earlier this year in Sydney it was Alice McCall. Testament to this is the fact that I've been thinking about the top embroidered dress ever since and waiting for them to release it so I can debate whether I should buy it (though chances are it could also look crap on me).

They've finally put the collection up on the site for pre-order and along with that,  these are all on my wishlist.

See the full, fantasically styled, show here.

Lulu and the Lampshades : You're Gonna Miss Me

Laura sent me this fabulous song which caused a flurry to find out more about the artists. The girl on the track is Louisa from Lulu and the Lampshades (now renamed Landshapes) and this video is from way back from 2009. I'm sure you'll agree this is pretty rad. I can just imagine if I attempted to do this! It's probably last all of 10 seconds.

Seonna Hong

There's something about Seonna Hong's artwork that's a little bit mod, a little bit whimsical and a little bit japanesy that I love. I'd do all sorts of things to get my hands on this piece that she did for Sanrio's 50th Anniversary.

Lazzari Spring/Summer 2012

How gorgeous is this styling? I might be a bit behind as it's for Lazarri's Spring/Summer collection but I just love her hair and all round cuteness. That whale dress needs to be mine now.

Hello Kuala Lumpur (or rather Petaling Jaya)

I made an unexpected trip back to Malaysia straight after our Bali/Singapore adventure and whenever I'm there I realise how lucky I am to have an awesome family. They're always happy to take me out and about and this time we went trekking in one of the world's largest man-made jungles. We hired a guide and it was absolutely worth it, not only because he had bug spray but he was able to tell us about what otherwise just looked like really big trees that all looked the same. He also removed the leeches from my brother and uncle's legs.

As well that I:
::Ate the most delicious roast goose and harm choy soup here. I'm still thinking about it.

:: Went shopping at Kenanga Wholesale City. Despite the name it's open to the public and it's full of amazing cheap, cute stuff. There was a shop of just bows. You could spend all day here. Ask for discounts too. I was in awe of my aunt's bargining and I felt put to shame in comparison. I was going to buy a packet of hair ties for $4AUD. She got me 2 packets for the same price. If you buy more than 1 you get a discount- most of the time up to 50% off.

:: Prayed to my grandfather and had my fortune read. In the background, my younger boy cousin read World of Warcraft the whole time.

:: Fell even more in love with my cousin's baby girl Tiffany. One look at this and you'll see why.

:: Didn't even go near town. Instead my aunt and I became obsessed with a cheesy Chinese drama called Empress In The Palace and watched it for 2-4 hours everyday. Oh the shame. Seriously, I even started having dreams about it. It was also quite educational (see that justification?) as I now know that concubines were wrapped up naked in a blanket like sushi and carried into the king's bed. Educational.

rue does Texas

If you need some kick up the bum style inspiration check out this video showing off the fashion shoot in the August edition of rue magazine.There's a certain awkwardness about it but I can't help but love everything, especially the hair and make-up. Note to self: all road trips shall look like this in future.

Video Shot by: We Are The Barkers (Kristen & Chris Barker) ::Edited by: Matt Rice
Song Written, Produced & Recorded by: We Are The Barkers (Chris Barker, Sean McConnell & Gavin Wilkinson):: Styled by: TwentyThirtyForty (Arlene Matthews & Brandon Fein)

Gardens By The Bay

These are a few photos from our trip to Gardens By The Bay in Singapore. It opened at the end of June this year and is made up of 2 giant domes of plants as well as a huge outdoor garden. It's funny- being from Australia we assumed the giant domes were tropical greenhouses but once you step in the first thing that hits you is how cold it is inside (which makes alot of sense since it's already a tropical country). They're both amazing and one even includes a waterfall! The other had the most delicious roses I've ever smelled in my life.

We zoomed through the outdoor gardens because we didn't have much time but even doing so we were there for at least 4 hours. If you're in Singapore or even have a chance to do a stop over it's definitely worth it.

My Bali birthday

I am very lucky this year as I was whisked off to Bali for my birthday, or more accurately Johnny's friend had planned a trip there for his birthday and it just happened to correspond with mine. Am I complaining? Nope.

To be honest, neither one of us had any interest in visiting Bali thanks to all the awful stories about embarrassing bogan Australians. On the other hand, there's all the other stories you hear about people absolutely falling in love with the place. So, cautiously and with low expectations we went- and loved it. Loved that we could just be tourists, loved that things were so much calmer than Vietnam, loved that you could see their religion and culture everywhere and loved the lush greenness.

In essence- GO. Go to Ubud specifically, it's lovely.

My highlights in Ubud: riding on an well cared for elephant and being able to score the hilarious photo above, bathing in what I thought were the hot springs but were actually freezing cold because they weren't the hot springs, coming over the mountain and seeing Kintamani Volcano- holy moly it was so beautiful it looked like a painting of a dream of the most romantic moment you've ever had, eating babi guiling and eating at an organic restaurant twice which I don't know the name of (it's on Jalan Raya Ubud and is in the middle of a what looks like a fancy shopping U complex- fancy outdoor furntiure and a giant rock water feature in the centre).

My highlights in Seminyak: definitely our private pool and outdoor shower in our villa!, dinner at Ku De Ta which was totally worth the hype (the food was awesome and also happened to be about a third the money we spent) and drinks at Potatohead which felt like a Justin Hemmes wet dream (also worth the hype).

Thanks to Laura for all her tips! You can steal them all like I did here.