A new side of Shimokitazawa

Hello dear readers! How are you? The weather is warming up nicely in Tokyo, I hope it's pleasant where you are too!

Today I'll tell you about a recent visit I made to Shimokitazawa. I first heard about the area because there is a second-hand Lolita shop there, Grand Bazaar. They usually have a nice selection of Jane Marple pieces so I like to go there, however I haven't found so many other nice spots when I visit. 

Here's what I wore:

Knit: Vintage

JSK: Metamorphose temps de fille

Tights, shoes: Offbrand

I wanted to try something new this visit so I searched the internet for a nice place to have tea in Shimokitazawa, and came up with a place called La Palette. It turned out really lovely, and there's a nice pasta place next to it! I had a big bowl of seafood pasta for lunch, and then crossed over to La Palette for tea and cake. Luckily for me I don't put on weight easily, but I don't recommend this kind of lifestyle for everyone!

Apart from discovering delights for the appetite, I also discovered some other nice things. La Palette is on the north side of the station, the opposite site from Grand Bazaar Lolita. Well, all this time I had been going to the south side, but the north side is ever so much better!

It's a bit like Brighton Lanes and a bit like Camden Market, a bit like Ura-Harajuku and a bit like Daikanyama. So all in all very nice! A relaxed atmosphere, not overly crowded, cute vintage and used clothing shops, and sweet little boutiques and things. 

After exploring the north side I went across to the south and to Grand Bazaar. I tried on a few things but couldn't decide on anything particularly so I left empty handed. By this time I was getting hungry again. These 50s/60s film posters caught my eye.

It turned out that on the second floor there was an old-fashioned izakaya. There was a long wait before I could go in but I really wanted to so I was patient.

The inside was decorated with all sorts of old advertisments and magazine cuttings. The fare was not particularly good, but very cheap and besides the setting more than made up for it.

I had to resist the temptation to pull out those little tacks holding up the posters!

I really enjoyed this day in Shimokita though it was very full and tiring. I hope you enjoyed my account of it! Thanks for reading.

See you next time,

Sapphira

Shopping and shopping and more shopping!

Another Japan write up!

This time I'll tell you about my shopping excursions in three different locations.

Before going to Nekorobi, I spent a bit of time around Shimokitazawa and Ikebukuro. 

I love going to Grand Bazaar in Shimokitazawa! The selection of second-hand Lolita there is usually more classical in taste, and since Shimokitazawa is a bit out of the way, it's quite peaceful. I also did some shopping at Mikazuki Momoko, the 300 yen shop. There are a lot of cute items there- household goods, hair accessories, socks, stationery etc. And all 300 yen! Well, 315 yen with tax....  

On the same day I visited Ikebukuro's Closet Child for the first time. The sections for Lolita, VK, Goth/Punk and dolls are all on one floor, but somehow the shop seems quite spacious and it's probably the most comfortable Closet Child I've been in.  

I also went to Sunshine City, the huge shopping complex in Ikebukuro. It's a huge place, with restaurants, an aquarium, and some rather nice shops such as Anna Sui, OLIVE des OLIVE, SWIMMER and axes femme, a romantic brand that is also popular with Classic Lolitas. 

I got a cutsew from axes femme! I really like this brand- they have a lot of very nice, detailed, fairly inexpensive items. Unfortunately I don't think this photo really shows how pretty the cutsew is. In Mikazuki Momoko I got a fur chou-chou, a glasses case and two pairs of socks. I can't resist bargains! I also picked up a Rose of Versailles sheet mask from the combini on the way back to the hotel. This one with Rosalie's picture is my favourite that I've tried so far. 

The next day I met my friend who was also visiting from England. We went shopping in Harajuku. Here's my outfit for that day:

I'm wearing my new socks and chou-chou!

We started off at Laforet, and checked out Justin Davis, Jane Marple, Nile Perch and all the Lolita shops on the basment 1.5 floor. Yes, Laforet has a bit of a strange floor system..... I was tempted by the teddy bear tights in Nile Perch but since I'm so long-legged I didn't want to run the risk of them not fitting. After Laforet we did Takeshita Doori and shopped our way back to the station. It's so much fun shopping in Tokyo with a fellow Lolita and a good friend! I hope we'll meet there again someday.

I got a couple of really nice things that day! Here's the loot:

The fur muff is from Innocent World. I've wanted a muff for the longest time, and this one is very handy because it's a pochette as well! There's a little pocket at the front fastened with a ribbon. I kept a heat pack and a handkerchief in there- perfect for winter! I had a little conversation with the shop staff- they were really kind! I'm glad I talked to them, even though my Japanese came out a bit strange.

The argyle socks are from Metamorphose. I liked them because they are rather British/Jane Marple-ish, and the colour scheme is perfect! Navy and bordeaux is a wonderful combination I think, and I want to start wearing more of it. I also like the bit of gold sparkle. I think they coordinate well with the axes femme cutsew.

We also attacked Daiso, the famous 100 yen store! There's a big one in Takeshita Doori with four or five floors. We both got some bottom lashes. I haven't tried mine yet, but my friend did and wasn't pleased. Still, I'll have a go sometime! I got some cross-type lashes, but they were a funny size so I cut them in half and they work quite well as subtle half lashes. The other item I got was moko-moko pants! Moko-moko (fluffy/puffy) items are super popular in Japan at the moment. I actually got some moko-moko roomwear last year at Uniqlo in London, and I highly recommend it! You can also get moko-moko socks of various lengths, moko-moko leggings, moko-moko pyjama sets, moko-moko tummy warmers, moko-moko room shoes....

Ah yes, I also wanted to show you this picture of pretty plastic bags:

The white part of the axes femme part looks like lace.

Well, that's all for this materialistic post. I hope you enjoyed it, and remember- if you get one new item this season, make sure it's moko-moko!

Sapphira

xxxx