Cool New Item

I'm bad at this blogging thing, but I'm trying to remember to post often

So just a quick one today, this is the cutest little charm EVER!!

I've wanted something from Wonderland Contraband for ages and am bitterly dissapointed that I missed out on the red riding hood ring.

But Knave of Hearts is pretty good!

From the Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland Movie

You can get a free chain with your charm if you choose but I opted not to as I am designing a rather intricate choker around the charm.... or will eventually. Right now its on a thin black chain with metallic red hearts dangling off it, but I WILL get to it at some stage - right now its an "everyday necklace"

So mostley these are made to order but I got this one ready made so it came much faster. It arrived safetley in a little box with a purple ribbon around it.

This is definatley the first of many

http://wonderlandcontraband.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WonderlandContraband?ref=seller_info#

Crazy Times!

The weather was pretty grizzy all Monday, then Monday night the weather just went off for a few hours, huge gusts of wind and absolutley bucketing down.
Then all of a sudden in the middle of the night, while I was already in bed, it just stopped!

It was strange but I thought nothing of it till the next morning on my way into work. The roads were covered in mud and I drove past at least 4 abandoned cars just left by the side of the road. It was eery.

Then when I got into work the workshop had been flooded and the mechanics wouldn't be doing any work all day.
Later, on the news, I learned neighbouring town (about 4 hours drive away) had been hit by a mini tornado...... TORNADO??? In this country, bizare!

So work was weird today as I only had one single follow up call to do.

Then when I went off I headed to Dan Murphy's to see if I could find an obsure liquor I had just heard about, there was none, but it wasn't a total waste I got all patriotic to the homeland (nearby to the home land anyways) and bought this bottle of Kirsberry. I have yet to try it but it sounds great. 100% natural and made with just cherries.

I did manage to get a Rose as well. Bird in Hand Pinot Rose. Will try that tonight after dinner.

Had to do the shopping this arvo but Woolies didn't have any veggies, stupid flooding cut off the food supply again (getting use to that but wish I wasn't ) so instead of the usual chunky veggie and chicken soup we normally have on wednesdays we will be having Sri Lanken Chicken Curry, as there seems to be no shortage of meat still.

Ebay Clothes!!!!

Shopping for clothes on eBay is, in my mind at least, the greatest!!!

Usually the clothes are way cheaper than in the stores, you don't have to deal with shitty customer service and usually you can find cool shit that isn't in any of the stores anyway.

These black lace gloves set me back $5!

Thats right, just $5

http://stores.ebay.com.au/refocusing2

These boots are from Funtasma and only cost me $60 off eBay where if I bought them in the store they usually cost around twice that.
I think they are super cute!
http://stores.ebay.com.au/all4mefashion
And last but definatley not lest.... Angel Secret is one of my FAVORITES
There clothes are reasonably prices and made from breathable material and fit beautifully
This dress was just too gorgeous to pass up and at only $41 a total bargain


http://stores.ebay.com.au/angelsecretgothiclolitapunk

Writing Set from eBay

I purchased this beautiful writing set the other day from eBay.

Gorgeous D5 set of 2 envelopes and 4 writing pages in 2 different styles.

As I still write to my Grandmother this is perfect for me.

This was a single listing and cost less than $5.00

If I am completely happy with it when it comes I will purchase more sets.

Bought from :
http://stores.ebay.com.au/midcentury73

eBay Bargain

Quick Post today!

Arrived home at lunch time to find a box at the doorstep, with a signature required sticker on it :-(

I opened the package excitedly (as usual) and found this:

Garm Whitefang

Worgen Spy

(World of WarCraft)

He's a tad bit bigger than I thought he would be for the price I paid, but I've loving my new werewolf addition

Some Cool Little Things That Arrived

So If you know me you know that I LOVE internet shopping!

I don't like dealing with bad customer service and love that the stuff I buy just arrives on my door step.

So here is my latest shopping exploit

Little Werewolf Voodoo Doll Bag Charm

The seller makes awesome movie voodoo bag charms including Batman, Pin Head, Freddy Krueger and more

Werewolf and more charms can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SMhandicraft

The next item, which I adore, is a black skull dishes brush

Now to most people this probably isn't exciting but I am loving that I can goth out while doing the dishes.

I got it off eBay and there are different colours you can choose from

The eBay store I got him from is http://stores.ebay.com.au/thedogandcatboutique

Next item!

Again this is something simple yet I love it!

Its a Black Swan Tea Strainer

Its rather large and its neck can rest on the edge of your cup while the tea soaks away

The BEST thing about this item is that even with postage it still cost me less than $3

Available in Black or White

Lots on eBay but mine came from http://stores.ebay.com.au/chrisbizstore

And Lastly but certainly not least

The Timber Wolf Hat with Mittens and Scarf

THIS IS AWESOME!!!!

I can't wait for it to get cold. I know this is geeky as hell but I love it anyways

I got the small ear timber wolf one, as its not too over stated but still looks like the animal.

There are plenty of styles and animals to choose from and they are all fairly cheap

Got mine at http://stores.ebay.com.au/tomtopauauction

Nihon - day 15

Day 15 - Accidently Odaiba

Had a minor panic attack about having so few days left in Tokyo, despite the really bad cold weather I headed out anyway.

The plan was Daimon station but I just kept walking, wanting to see what was ahead in this neighbourhood. I saw on a map that the bay was close by, so I kept walking.
I came apon the ocean. Though it was raining madly and cold as hell it still looked nice. I walked around the bay noticing a train station and wondering where it went. I saw the rainbow bridge ahead and wondered if I could get there, the guide book says you can walk across it to get to Odaiba.

I walked to the bridge and noticed you could not get on it from here, but then there was another train station. What is the harm in getting on and seeing where it goes? Turns out it was the un-manned train to Odaiba. Goody! The guide says you had to catch it from Shimbashi, which turns out is the last stop on the mainland, but there are heaps of other stops.

Still the weather is horrible and all my photos end up dark. Seems the statue of Gundum was taken down some time ago, but I found the statue of Liberty. I walked from one end to the other and made it to Aqua City! A shopping centre and went in search of food.
When I came across a steak place playing Dropkick Murphy's I knew this was meant to be!
Sizzling steak with garlic sauce and I even managed to order a plate of rice in Japanese. YAY!

I bought a few things for the etsy shop at the 100 Yen store and had a look around Fuji TV then with the cold seeping into my skin chilling me to the bones headed back on the un-manned train to the hotel.

Ramen is on the cards for dinner tonight, a lovely big bowl of broth and noodles, oishi!

Nihon - Day 11

Day 11 - Sunshine City

Got out of the hotel very late this morning. I didn't really feel like doing much today but there was suppose to be a fire drill today so I want to get out of the hotel.

The weather is still pretty bad, wet and windy. The weather chanel says we are feeling the effects of a cyclone somewhere south of Japan.

I decided to go to Sunshine City in Ikeburkuro, and have a look at the Sunshine International Aquarium. Alas, The aquarium is closed for renovations till next year. I bought a ticket for the planaterium instead. Its completely narrated in Japanese but the light show is spectacular. They showed the constilations of Andromida, Persius and Pegasus, and a few others in the same area. Then told the story of Medusa and Persius and Andromida. It was rather lovely.
All in it goes for around 40 minutes.

I headed back to Tokyu Hands store to see if I could find an electronic dictionary cover, but when i found all the covers they had for things I realised I really had no idea what I was looking for. Size, shape etc?

I headed back to the streets which were now lit-up with flashing lights and neons. I saw a maid handing out fliers and a couple of love hotels, but they were not really picture worthy, just pink.
Got more advertising tissues and donated some money to some tsunami appeal guy. I then headed back to the subway.

I got off the train for a connection near the tokyo dome and headed past a lovely garden with water fountains to the next subway entrance.

I then headed back to my room at the hotel.

Nihon - Day 10

Day 10 - Shibuya

Today's plan was to stop off quickly in Harajuku and score some Hangry and Angry and a bunny hoodie then head to Shibuya to check it out. But the plan came unstuck when I discovered Hangry and Angry were closed. Blast!

So I caught the train to Harajuku and went to Richards and got my bunny jacket. The sales lady also gave me a free Patch and a half price arm band that matched the jacket. So I gave her a koala to say thanks (now I'm down to just 2).

I then walked to Shibuya, which was not far away, but headed down another street looking at all the shops and accidently ended up back in Harajuku. Oops! So I walked back to Shibuya on the other side of the road and went down another street. This time I stayed in Shibuya.

I got a little distracted from my mission by a childish delight. DISNEY WORLD! A 3-storey store with just Disney stock. I bought an Alice in Wonderland umbrella, cheshire cat ear phones and a big cuddly Scrump (lilo's doll from Lilo and Stitch).

I was then kinda lost as this was on a different street and I started heading off in the wrong direction. What kind of city guide leaves out the Disney store???

Anyway I eventually stumbled across something in my guide, Tokyu Hands, and bought some more halloween stuff (you would think they don't have halloween in australia - HAHA). I then headed to the subway via Tower Records (also in the guide), as I had had enough of the weather today and headed back to my hotel.

Now I see a lot of Lolita's and Gothic Lolitas and the like in Harajuku, but whenever I am there they are never just standing around, they are always on their way somewhere. I know that they would more than likely say yes and let me stop them and take a photo, but unless they are just standing around it seems rather rude to do so. So I have no photos of the Harajuku youth clothing culture, but you can find many examples by googling it.

Nihon - Day 5

Day 5 - Akihabara and Ginza

Well the plan was for Akihabara anyway, sort of fell apart when i exited the subway and realised I had left my printouts back at the hotel. BUMMER!

I did have a quick look in a big department store though.
On the sixth floor was thosands and thousands of Manga! Also on this floor was tower records, a cd shop. I bought a cosplay magazine and a manga called "cat shit one" with little commando animals on the cover. I wont be able to read this but I just couldn't leave it in the shop, not with a cover like that!
I also bought some JReggae and an anthems cd from tower records.

I then hopped back on the subway and headed back to Ginza.

The subway exited straight into a busy department store and eventually when I found my way out I was right on the main drag of Ginza.
This place also has all the big name shops in it, right on this street. I saw the apple store as soon as i exited the department store, another louis vitton and a Swarovksi store.

I want inside Ito-ya a multi-story stationary store and bought a few things. However, when i came out of the store the entire street had been closed off to traffic and tables and chairs where being set up in the middle of the road.

I headed back down the street, making my way to Shimbashi station and found the Toy Park. 6 floors of beeping, singing, barking, purring, laughing and music toys. The first floor was crazy! so much happy noise! and Halloween! "this is halloween, halloween, halloween".

I put some coins into this bizzare machine that photographed my face then made a little plastic copy of it. You then pick a body from the selection and take your face up to the counter and tell them the number and they stick your little face onto the little body you selected! I chose a pink panda. So strange and so cool!

The second floor had soft toys, disney merch and ghibli toys. I bought a cat bus! (I know...... I'm going to the ghibli museum monday why buy stuff now? well peeps this frees up more money to spend at the museum.) I got some tokens when i paid for my stuff which I assume was for the games part on the top level, but I never went all the way up. Too many toys!

I got some alice in wonderland stuff and a present for my bro and some halloween stuff. I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!

I had some strange, but delicious, burger with potato salad in it for lunch. Then headed back to the hotel for an early day.

They are setting some things up on the street around my hotel, which i assume has something to do with the autumn festivaties, but cannot find any info on this.

Tomorrow is harajuku part 2!

Nihon - Day 4

Roppogi Hills

Before I start the day I just have to add that I am loving my thredless t-shirts!

Spent a long time getting ready to go out today, but finally at 10.45am I'm off to Roppongi Hills.

The complex itself, made of several buildings, is far more confusing than the subways.
I walked around for ages and stumbled across a giant rose, near a lookout over Tokyo, stunning.
I was trying to find the Spider on the map out in the garden when I suddenly noticed he was right there! Hovering above me! How could i have missed him. I am stoked that I found him though, or should that be she... looks like she is carring some eggs way up there.

I wondered into another building and found the Mori Art Museum. Great this was on my list to see. There was some amazing pieces in there, each room had a different one.
There was one room that had a paper mache over head, covering the whole room so you had to duck in places to get through the room. There were a few holes in it and people were poking their heads through, so i thought i'd give that a go, and wow! Through the holes was a winter wonderland with white trees.
Another room held a huge perspect tank with millions of dandilion looking bits being blown around like a soft wave, I would imagine this was signifying snow. It was beautiful.
Then my favorite piece was the water pond. It was white and round and there were water bottles suspended on the ceiling. Every few minutes all the water bottles would let out a single drop on water, into the pond. Simple, elegant, stunning!

After the art museum I headed to the City Sky View and wow is Tokyo big! You walk around the sky view to see every side of Tokyo.

Then I headed off to find some lunch and you will never guess. I ended up at a German bar and grill, haha, with a German beer. Well i thought it was funny anyway.

After lunch i did a bit more shopping, sent my postcard off and headed down to the garden attached to the centre. Many people in this complex speak rather good english. I found my prizes for the colouring in contest I am running at work back home.

Headed home around 4.30pm, stopping by a grocery store on the way to pick up some fruit (oh how i have missed fruit) and something for dinner.

Nihon - Day 3

Harajuku (part 1)

Today it is raining!
the weather report says it should be all day and gives a typhoon warning for Okinowa.

I decided to scope out Harajuku today, see what its like before heading there on sunday for people watching. Despite the fact that this is my first time on the train system on my own, transfering between two different train company lines, it turns out its not that difficult!

I had a little issue finding the english button on the JR ticket machine, but some random (very helpful) buisness man stopped and helped me out. He even wrote my stop down in english and asked the man at the gate what number stop I was to catch the train at. Super helpful!

People are so quiet on the train, and i noticed the no phones sign. People back home would probably just ignore this. The trains are also so clean, as are the train stations. If fact while I waited for my train a cleaner scrapped up something that was stuck to the floor, then wipped the area clean again, Amazing!

Harajuku was great!
Although I was a little dissappointed Kiddy Land has now closed, I was relieved to find out from the girl at the information booth that it would have a reopening tomorrow! Even managed to score an invite to the opening...... not that i will be going, could you imagine all those kids!

I had a look in the 100 Yen shop and the tamagochi shop, where you can connect your tamaggochi to a machine and ....... well i don't know what it does exactley, but I hear this is simular to the pokemon shop too.
I saw the louise vitton, channel, issey myaki, and other big name shops. Had a good look in this gorgeous gothic lolita shop called Kithards. There was so much stuff I could have filled my wardrobe with had money been no object.

Stumbelled across Togo-Jinja, which has a beautiful moat around a ornate pagoda, like something in the final scenes of a romanitc japanese movie. I was a little lost at this point but found my way back to a place i knew, past a gorgeous chocolate shop that was painted like dripping chocolate.

I bought a few things here. I got myself a cool purple skull mug (plastic), a headband with a cool mini-hat and skull detail on it. Some miniture things, A laughing puimkin man (its halloween time in Harajuku!), a little cat thing from a gumball machine, lollilies for the kiddies back home and some things for my sister.

I don't think however that I will ever walk again! My feet are covered in blisters from these new bloody shoes, that I thought i had broken in but obviously not. If I could have done the day over I would have worn the same shoes i had been wearing the last few days again.
New shoes = Bad Idea!

The train trip back is even easier as I now know where I am going. I did miss my connecting train but in next to no time another one came, so no loss there, no wonder there are no seats in the subway, you would have to get up pretty much as soon as you had sat down.

I stocked up on food at family mart on the way back to the hotel, not intending to leave my room again today.

So now I sit in my room watching kids shows eating dinner, and drinking a beer from the vending machine in the hall, wondering what i will do tomorrow (if anything with all these blisters)

Shopping Post!

So happy today!

Qunitessential gothic item arrived today!

Beautiful black lace parasol

So happy with it!