Japanese Street Style proves to be unique, trendy and colorful. Every ensemble is so iridescent, you won’t get bored looking at them. Though some may think it’s a fashion overkill, I, on the other hand, beg to differ. It’s really amazing how these people pull off different (sometimes contrasting) prints, patterns and fabrics and put them altogether. Surprisingly, they make this audacious style work quite well!

I haven’t really donned something like this in the Philippines. Well, it’s because of the given tropical weather that holds me back to layer clothes, lest I would end up being drenched, or worse, soaked with sweat. However, there are some moments, particularly events, that pumps up my creative juices which make me wear a stylish, colorful garb without getting overblown by prints and patterns–consider it a moderate Japanese Street Style.

Anyhoos, here’s some styles I’m eying for at the moment. I featured the latter @ All the Vanity (all pics taken from Style-Arena.Jp):

Daikanyama

*Lovely monochromatic colors with hot pink & purple hues as contrast. Combining leather, satin and suede is just awesome!*

Ginza

*This brown and black ensemble is so chic and fab. I heart the fur-collared trench coat the most.

Harajuku

*This is my current favorite among others. This khaki and brown combo is so cute and girly, I heart everything here–from the ear mufflers down to the boots. I think I saw the boots in Kenneth Cole before *

Her name is Naomi Yotsumoto. While she’s been known and sought after by local and international press after donning trendy Japanese street inspired outfits during her matches, Naomi Yotsumoto is one of Japan’s star table tennis players! She actually placed second on the National Mixed Doubles competition this year. What a way to lure the audience and draw support n a cute, colorful and uberly stylish way!

She has her own TV show and a published autobiography to boot!

Resource: Tokyomango
Image from: Google

Thanks to the Blournalist for the heads up!

Since It was just right for dinner time after the event, I tried to grab mine at Delifrance–quite ironic for my asian getup. I ordered Seafood Marinara and Bailey’s Spiked Coffee. All was well and my 300-peso something bill was quite worth it.

*Seafood Marinara*

Delifrance’s Seafood Marinara is one of its house specialties. Pasta is tomato-based and filled with shrimp and squid pieces. I really love this pasta ‘coz it reminds me of my classic favorite Puttanesca and this certain seafood pasta in Kitchen.

*Bailey’s Spiked Coffee*

Bailey’s has been my favorite drink, well say, next to the fierce Absolut vodka! It can be drunk on the rocks or infused as a chocolate mudshake. What I love about their Bailey’s Spiked Coffee is the non-alcoholic taste that blends well with the coffee-chocolate concoction. It really tastes like mudshake sans the icy feel.

After which, I got to drop by Uncle Mo’s at Valle Verde 3 to finally meet Issang, Jaja’s BFF, who’s surprisingly been a Marian like me (classmate actually!) and loves fashion just as I do. I also met her friends and Madz’s officemates-slash-friends of course.

*L-R:Jaja, Madz, Viola, Issang and Mee!

I feel unusually depressed and worried recently because of some other things happening in my life I cannot disclose. I am confident enough to say that it’s not about my love life. Ha-ha! Anyways, I am somewhat sure it’s just my hormonal imbalance-it seems like my female hormones can hardly be stopped from fluctuating. Going back, I decided to get some lucky charms for myself to mend the aggravating feeling.

One name crossed my mind-Joy Lim. She’s behind Charms and Crystals, a popular local jewelry store that uses mainly lucky charms and crystals. These stones or crystals have different functions when it comes to improving one’s chi, or life force. My personal picks are: citrine, tiger’s eye, jade and onyx.

Citrine the” Merchant Stone”. Citrine Quartz is an energizing and highly beneficial crystal. Its energies are directly related to the sun, and like the sun, its energies are invigorating and positive. It raises self-esteem and helps overcome self-destructive tendencies “A citrine in one’s cash box can produce more income for the merchant.” It not only assists the merchant in acquiring wealth but maintains wealth as well. It attracts abundance.

Tiger’s Eye stones are for clear thinking, accurate judgment, for protection and for good luck. Put on your eyes and see clearly. The Tiger’s Eye is also called the “Prosperity Stone”. It is a good emotional balancer and inspires one to achieve higher goals. It also gives better perception and insight especially in decision -making. Tiger’s eye helps us get through difficult phases with courage and determination for those moments we need these two things the most.

As the most helpful crystal, the tiger’s eye is also able to assist us in de-stressing ourselves after a long, long day at work or home. It mitigates the influence of moods during stressful situations. Tigers eye has a pain-alleviating effect. It slows down the flow of energy in the body and dampens over-excitation of the nerves and over-stimulation of the adrenal glands, giving us a general feeling of well-being.

Jade the King of all auspicious stones. Ancient Chinese people said that jade
stones can communicate with the spirits thus protects the human body, solves problems, heals sickness and drives away ominous spirits. Jade itself contains immeasurable amount of mystical powers, improves one’s fate to fulfill goals and wishes. Rich Chinese people always wear jade ornaments for over-all good luck.

Wear onyx for self protection, you may use it successfully and positively for release or to end a bothersome relationship. Ideal for counsellors for them to be protected by the negative energy problematic people have. Try one!

Buying original Charms & Crystals bracelet means selling out big bucks! One can go for as high as Php 5,000 apiece (or about $100). Looks like my newfound luck is just about to transpire since I got one for a steal of only Php 500 (about $10)!

Tadah! My first Charms & Crystals Bracelet:

*Citrine and Tiger’s Eye Bracelet with Buddha*

The citrine and tiger’s eye is a perfect combo for me. It’s like better controlling my emotions while being lucrative at the same time! I have yet to wait for it to be delivered . Ha-ha, by the way, here’s what they say about the red Buddha charm:

The Buddha is the ultimate symbol of joy and happiness. He is said to grant wishes and bring good tidings.
He brings wonderful prosperity and wealth luck to those engaged in any kind of business. He also blesses you with auspicious energy by taking away all your unhappiness and transforming them into happiness.
Many have said he is the guardian of the young and innocent, embracing them with his loving grace.

Charms & Crystals is available in the Philippines and the United States. For US customers, kindly visit www.charmsandcrystals.com. The site, unfortunately, doesn’t have a checkout option yet, but you can pay through money order.

For Philippine customers, you can snag one of these precious gems by contacting this trusted multiply seller, Sheila, through her site.

By next year, I’m looking forward to score an all-in-one bracelet (perfect as a Christmas-slash-New-Year’s gift for myself aside from the MACbook I’m lemming on). Right now, I’m eyeing for God of Wealth Dzi Onyx Charm and 8 Eyes Dzi with Jade which are priced at Php 3,800 each (scary).

*All quoted text are copied from charmsandcrystals.com

Anyways, it’s not only their skin that I admire, I also love their sense of fashion. It’s like Japanese street, but a little subtle than that. Their dresses are more of Victorian or Edwardian since they all got a common denominator–lace.

I stumbled upon a multiply seller’s site selling Korean dresses at bargain prices. Most multiply sellers place a hefty price tag on these dresses, like Php 800-1000 per piece. However, I got myself 2 cutesy tops at a steal of about Php 500 each! They both look cute and adorable. The only thing that doesn’t pique my interest much is the quality of the fabric. It’s sorta cheapie. Oh well, at least it doesn’t curb me from my aesthetic pleasure.

*This smocked dress is cute to the nth power. It has a breezy, summery feel. It can be worn alone or pair it with jeans or leggings. I prefer skinny capris though.*

*A lovely lacy, floral black and white ensemble that’s so perfect for posh dinner dates and soirees. I’m torn between getting a pair of red or black shoes/strappy sandals to top up the look.*