Wear a hat.

Greasy hair day? Wear a hat.

It's been a busy week. I worked 6 days and did a lot in the evenings, so there often wasn't time to go home after work and put together an outfit for the rest of the day. Most days I just wore my uniform all day, which is depressing. Or there wasn't enough time to take an outfit photo before it was too dark. The 14th was my dad's birthday, and we met at the cinemas after work to see The Big Short (actually very good - interesting and funny; I recommend it) and eat pancakes. Pancakes feature a lot in my life, you'll come to understand. Last night after work I visited my friend (she likes Firefly and dinosaurs) to eat fajitas and look for houses we'd like to inspect. We're potentially moving out together soon. Excitement.

This pretty floral kimono is from Cotton On. Black denim shorts are from Uniqlo in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. They were $13AUD. Uniqlo is so expensive in Australia, so that's an astoundingly amazing price to us. Black wedges are Naughty Monkey, sold at Famous Footwear. I wear them all the time, and they're a pretty low heel, so they're extremely comfortable. They would've cost me about twenty bucks a few years ago, but they're almost always being stocked because they're so popular. Basic white singlet is the same Coco Latte one from the other day. And this felt floppy hat is a recent addition to my wardrobe, intended for styling in autumn mostly, and was $39.99AUD. I got it from an adorable quirky clothing store in Sassafrass in the Dandenongs. It's on the corner on the high side, and they also sell great socks, so if you're ever up there, go visit. x

Technical difficulties.

Dear computer. Stop requiring updates. It's getting annoying. 

I have tons to catch up on here; sorry for falling behind. Blame my computer. Anyway, this was what I wore early March to a cute date night with boyfie. We were meant to go out for Japanese food and use some gold class tickets we were given, but Hail Caesar! ended up being fully booked (that's what we get for not booking), so instead we went for kebabs at our local greasy diner and a two hour stroll through our newly refurbished K-Mart. That place has really pulled its socks up. So much cool stuff! We found a shiny galloping-white-horses and sparkly-rainbows onesie. Nothing else could really top that.

This dress is from Coco-Latte quite a few years ago. It was seriously about fifteen dollars. I was inspired by Brooklyn to dig out something vintage-cut. The white panel socks came from Shibuya109 in Shibuya. I have the same in black. And the brown t-bar mary janes... I don't remember! But they were bought at Payless Shoes.I really like them. They're a bit quirky. x

Mars power, make up!

Pretty much by complete chance, I ended up invited to my manager's birthday party. In Cranbourne. With a bunch of people I don't know, and that she also didn't know. It happened last week, when she showed me a snapchat of her dressed up as Sailor Mercury, and when I asked what it was for she said her birthday. And then she immediately invited me, and when she asked if I had a costume I couldn't lie, because I do and here it is, and it was too perfect so I couldn't not go, even though I had work that day and that would make us (boyfie came too - what a champ) late. So we went. And we were late.

It was a pretty decent party, actually, even though her cousin (the only person she knew) and all her friends were dressed up like famous movie axe murderers, which was utterly terrifying and made us look awkwardly, obviously out of place. They were nice people though, and they'd ordered - kid you not - fifty pizzas and a tower of garlic bread loaves. I've never seen so much pizza. It was heaven. Despite how weird things got (watching your tiny manager play beer pong dressed as Sailor Mercury tops the list), it was fun - until their dog (they brought their dog to the party) ate rat poison and had to be rushed to the emergency vet hospital. Several hours and much vomiting later, he was fine, and we drove them back to the party, then scarpered for home. Shit got real. The night was not at all what I expected. I'm sure we'll all laugh about it fondly one day.

This amazing dress is an imitation of a limited edition range Living Dead Clothing ran last year. Unfortunately the authentic one was too expensive for me at the time, so I had to get this rip off from eBay. It's pretty good, considering. Rei is my favourite sailor scout. It's impossible not to love Usagi, but Rei is just mint. She's so driven and passionate, and she's stunning. So badass. My wig isn't a perfect match for Rei's hair, but I'll invest in a better one at some point. This one was for my gender-bent Ash Ketchum cosplay for PAX Aus last year. I think it did all right. Sensational red pumps are from Famous Footwear. I also wore elbow-length white gloves from my debutante, but I'd forgotten to put them on here. Mars fire, ignite! x

Not a hero.

Oh, god, life got so busy. Massive updates incoming.

Anyway, we saw Deadpool on Friday 12th. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't what it was. The movie is pretty great - cinematically dynamic, hilarious, great casting, good plot without trying to achieve too much (which often happens with action movies, I find, which is why I get so confused). But if you're not into gore - like me; minimal gore please - steer clear of the first twenty minutes. Seriously the most graphically violent NPC deaths in a film that I've probably ever seen. There's one guy and a billboard... I was shocked. But the rest of it is awesome. Ryan Reynolds is a beautiful human. You probably should go see it; everyone should. It's just not at all like the rest of the superhero films, which is 1000% absolutely the point. I should have done my research first so I was prepared. Yikes.

Sailor Chibi Moon tee is sold through tons of good online J-fashion retailers. My fave is Spreepicky (have fun!). Black jeans from Cotton On. Super awesome sparkly gold sneakers from Sportsgirl a few months ago. Bad hair day completely organic (sigh). x

Small feet.

Hello, internet friend. Long time no post. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. My week was so intense, I pretty much completely unplugged from the world wide web just to be able to juggle it all. And now I can tell you all about it, so let's play catch up.

I actually wore this outfit twice in a row, because life is crazy. Last Wednesday after work I drove into Richmond for the HardieGrant-Edgmont summer roadshow, which a few of us from work attended. It's basically an evening where publishers and authors talk about new books that are due to be published throughout the year, and they often come with free hors d'oeuvres and goody bags (reading copies of said new books). Free stuff is always extremely exciting. It was a good night - sometimes roadshow can really drag on, but this one didn't run dramatically overtime - and they had the best miniature cupcakes I think I've ever had at an event. They come pretty close to beating out Matt Preston's miniature creme brulees at Macmillan's roadshow last year. Not quite, though, now that I'm reminiscing. Those creme brulees were absolutely amazing. Anyway, I drove my colleague home afterward, and we stopped for Maccas and ended up sitting there for hours. I think we were both too tired to leave, to be honest.

The next day - Thursday - I hopped in my car after work and drove to my friend's place (the one who likes Sailor Moon), where I changed (in my car, in the street - classy dame), and jumped on a train to the city. Here I am in a shoe shop at Melbourne Central. Photo-taking opportunities didn't come frequently last week. My friend invited me out to a pre-organised dinner with her friend (who recently returned from travelling the U.S., lucky lady; she also has delightfully curly hair) because I was feeling a bit like I needed a pick-me-up. Good friend is a good friend. Melbourne was busy preparing for Chinese New Year this weekend, so we joined the buzz of Chinatown and dropped into Fukuryu Ramen for delicious ramen bowls, alcohol and matcha soft serve. It was a really lovely evening, and I think I really needed that time with my friend. I don't socialise too often, and sometimes I think being a hermit can make you go a little crazy. I should probably try to get out more.

Peach knit is from Valleygirl several winters ago. I have the same in pale blue. They're comfy and versatile, and often I just swap the colours out of this exact outfit and wear it numerous times, because lazy and comfortable. These intricate, fleur-de-lis-eqsue leggings were from Cotton On the same year. I have a feeling it was 2013. I've worn them almost to death. Peach handbag came from Kate Hill only a year or so ago, pretty much specifically to go with this outfit. Black ankle boots are from Payless Shoes as far back as 2006, because my feet stopped growing when I was eleven (I was not eleven in 2006, though) and somehow my shoes last pretty well. I think this year will be their tenth winter. They have cute buttons down the side that you can't see here. Maybe I'll show you next time. Gold fleur-de-lis (see the emerging theme here?) statement necklace was also Valleygirl, I think, or Temt, a couple of years ago. This style of necklace hasn't gone out of fashion yet, so there are probably very similar designs still floating around. Aaaaand my almost invisible scrunchie (lol, greasy hair days) came from the children's section - like, kindergartener age - at the Pokemon Center in Japan. It's cute. It's pink. It has fennekin on it. I wear it. Don't judge me. x

Nyan, nyan.

When I was a wee lass, I spent a lot of my time writing fan fiction. I pretty much existed there. It was my favourite place for almost eight years. But then life happened and things got tough for a while and I stopped writing altogether. Didn't touch it for five years. It wasn't that I didn't want to, it was like I couldn't remember how. Anyhow, that five year curse (Once Upon a Time is beginning to severely impact my life) was broken this week. I can't even remember why, but I found some of my old writing, read it, and somehow reconnected with it. I decided to try again, and it all came back so easily. The bicycle riding thing. I can't imagine it'll be any good since I'm so rusty, but I know how I'm going to be spending future rainy days.

Let's talk for a moment about this utterly adorable cat sweater. I found it in a department store near Kenkyu-Gakuen station, one stop over from Tskukuba on the Tx line out of Tokyo. I'm not sure why, but I wear it with these tartan shorts from Dangerfield pretty much every single time. It was probably because they worked together the first time. Tried and true, or whatever. Standard over-the-knee black socks are standard. Same black flats that keep cameo appearing. x

'Straya.

Happy 'Straya Day. As boyfie pointed out, it's cool to have a national day, but they should change the date of it. Right now, we celebrate our national holiday on the day the British colonised New South Wales. Many activists fondly refer to Australia Day as "Invasion Day", which is pretty much true, and which makes it all very uncomfortable considering the majority of the young, educated population of Australia is all for equality in every way. It would be appropriate to change the date of Australia Day. It's not fine to celebrate only one version of Australia's history, especially the one that silences the voices of Australian indigenous and minority groups. Contrary to popular belief, we actually have multiple histories stretching much farther back than the last two hundred years. Perhaps if or when Australia becomes a republic it'll be a thing that happens. Maybe it can replace Sorry Day. I'd be okay with that.

This dress is one of my most faithful. I'm fond of polka dots, in case you hadn't realised yet. It also has a super cute scalloped collar. It was from Coco-Latte about five years ago, and cost me twenty bucks. The brown belt came with something else - I can't remember what. Pink frilled socks are from a sock shop in Harajuku's Takeshita-dori, and the shoes are from a little shoe shop in Fujisawa, when I visited on the way to Kamakura with a Japanese friend who likes basketball and trying new foods. They were both inexpensive. I love oxfords and brogues of all kinds. If I wasn't trying to avoid buying new things, I'd invest in more. Hue hue hue. x

"Super cute" in Japanese.

Sometimes I like to channel my inner adolescent Japanese magical girl and wear varying degrees of garish, baby pink clothing. This is one of those times. Today was a boring day. I worked. It sucked. But my friend (who likes Geelong football club and classic novels) did surprise me with an adorable birthday gift bag full of lovely goodies! That was definitely the highlight. The rest of it sucked. Little else to report.

I found this awesome tee in an arcade in Nagoya back in 2014, but for whatever reason (ie: no real good reason) couldn't justify the 1500 yen (approximately $15) it would have cost at the time. I was filled with regret when we moved on, knowing we weren't going to be returning to Nagoya before our journey home. So when we found it again in Kanazawa at Korinbo109 (the sister store to Shibuya109), I grabbed it. It's pretty much my favourite tee. Twenty bucks, I think. Anime eyes. Dying. The tennis skirt is from one of many Japanese (or at least Japanese-inspired) street wear online retailers like kokopieshop, and probably cost me twenty five bucks. It's also in need of a decent iron. Socks are from eBay, three dollars - if that. Basic flats are Carla Milani, probably about $30AUD. Pink bow barrette is from an accessories store in Takeshita-dori, Harajuku's prime shopping street. Su-pa-ka-wa-ii! x