So this is totally random and sporadic, but I think I'm going to start blogging in English and in Japanese...I wonder how many readers can read it, but if anything, my friends and family in Japan can and at the same time, I can practice my Japanese! I have been really stressin' out about my bilingual capabilities - my Spanish is totally gone besides understanding so we're not even gonna touch on the trilingual ability. As far as I know, there aren't many bilingual blogs out there. I mean there's multiple language versions of the same blog company, such as FreshnessMag that I mentioned before with their launch of Freshness China and Freshness Asia, but I want this to be something where people in Japan (and any other place in the world) can get a feel of what's going on here (and vice versa) from the perspective of a bi-cultural person (me!).
日本語を読める皆様へ：これからは英語と日本語でブログさせていただきます。このブログはアメリカと日本のファション、音楽、美術、料理、または全体的の流行やライフスタイルを結ぶ役割をしてほしいのです。ですから英語だけではなく日本語でもブログすれば、アメリカ人と日本人と考える私の本当の興味や気持ちをわかってくれると思います。ぜひ読んで、コメントもしてください。もし日本語が間違えてたり、違う言い方や書き方を進めることがありましたら、ぜひメールください。よろしくお願いしま〜す！頑張ります！
It's fairly easy to write it out, but SO hard to think of how to convey certain messages and figures of speech in a different language. This is going to be tough for me and it's going to take some work and time, but this will be a new beginning for a better 'me'. If anything, ignore the Japanese if it gets to you. Hopefully my English grammar and diction won't be affected by this language fusion action. To all my readers - thanks for all your support and love to this day.
Now, I'm officially pooped. Peace ya'll!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
I HAVE AN IDEA.
KEEP TODAY & TOMORROW!
I know I posted early, but if you have been living under a rock and hadn't heard by now, Keep Company is having a dope sidewalk sample sale in Chinatown this weekend! $20 shoes, music, & free drinks - uh what else do you need to get your butt over there? Check the flyer for location & times - early bird gets the Keeps!
On another note, Eddie from Keep is celebrating his 23rd birthday today! If you swing by the sale, make sure you give him a high five, a birthday shout, and crack a joke so he's no miserable working the sale on his big day. Happy Birthday homie!
Friday, May 30, 2008
HUF LA GRAND OPENING
So HUF SF is opening it's doors in LA - in where else? Fairfax district!
There have been so many openings of stores and boutiques on the street of Fairfax - it's almost like a routine thing for a store opening to occur. The area has been gaining so much buzz and traffic (as if the street isn't crowded enough already). LA is really seeing some changes as far as shopping go-to areas. It used to be the good old Melrose between Fairfax and La Brea, and then shops on La Brea started opening, and now the Fairfax area has expanded to numerous LA flagship stores from all over, and it's all within a couple blocks' walking distance. Anyway, the store will carry all HUF items, as well as collaborations including Stussy (see below), and the HUF x Vans Sk8-Hi's. 
You tough enough for HUF? Go check it out, homies.
TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET
...Literally!
TOKYO (AFP) - A Japanese man puzzled by food mysteriously disappearing from his refrigerator got a shock when he found out a woman had been living in his home for months without permission, police said
The 57-year-old man living alone -- or so he thought -- in the western city of Fukuoka installed a security camera and called the police when he saw images of someone walking around his home while he was out.
"We searched the house in the man's presence. We found the woman in the closet," said a local police spokesman.
The woman, named as 58-year-old Tatsuko Horikawa, was found in a flat storage space only just big enough for a person to squeeze into lying down.
She had sneaked a mattress and several plastic bottles into the cubby hole, police said, adding that the women had been arrested.
"She told police that she had nowhere to live," the spokesman said. "She seems to have lived there for about a year, but not all the time."
It is unclear how she managed to enter the home undetected. Police suspect she might have been closet-hopping, moving from house to house.
Bizarre.ALEXANDER WANG x UNIQLO DROPS!
I love Alexander Wang and his grunge look! His 5-piece dress line for Uniqlo dropped today, and it's already selling out! Dayam...All the dresses come in basic colorways of black, white, and a variation of the two colors, and go for about $50 to $60 a pop. You'll be lucky if you can snag one on eBay by now. Read more about the drop here yo!
-Image courtesy of: Melissa Hom for NY Mag
ICE CREAM BLING
The weather is warming and that calls for a cool refreshment. I've been into a lot of chain/pendant necklaces in the past, and after going to Japan the last couple summers, I was feelin' the "sweets" pendants - you know, of ice cream, donuts, cake....Well anyway, since the summer time is approaching, I think we'll be seeing a lot more of these cutesy pendants. I got this particular one off of Highsnobette, but it's super cute! NylonMag enlisted Lucas Design to create a mini-line of Nylon jewelry. But by far, this one's the best out of the bunch!
Sweet.
FLASHING LIGHTS - KANYE WEST (PART 3)
So we've had Flashing Lights part one featuring Rita G. wearing nothing killin' it with the shovel (literally):
Then we had Flashing Lights part two featuring Charlotte Carter-Allen, a British model, fall hard after she partied too hard:
Finally, we have Flashing Lights part three - which I think is the best video yet. I mean yea it's gloomy and dark and somewhat horrifying, but the shots and the video effects are on point. Although I feel it's not the best video for the song, the production is awesome. While the video content has NOTHING to do with models beating up Kanye or frustrated models getting too high off life like the previous versions, it still makes you want to watch it again to get an understanding of WTF is going on. Kanye went all out for this song - THREE VIDEOS?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
HEAT WAVE - HELLZ BELLZ
WAAAHOOO! The summer release for Hellz Bellz is super HOT! Not just because it's entitled, "Heat Wave" (figuratively speaking), but really - I'm totally diggin' it on first glance. Check it:
Mmkay, I don't know about the whole I'm-sitting-on-the-toilet-so-don't-mess-with-me action shot..BUT every other shot is so badass man! I love all the acid-wash denim and the graphic tanks. The last one is quite interesting - I can't wait to see all these designs in stores. The summer collection is making it's way through retailers right now so hold your horsies and go check it out at your favorite streetwear store! May I suggest ATTIC? Just a suggestion! (Ya like that advertisement scheme, ATTIC heads?!)
GIRLSDRAWINGIRLS!
As June rolls around the corner, the warmth and the events come rollin around even more!
The ladies at GirlsDrawinGirls, whom I had the opportunity to meet at the Seychelles/BC event a couple weeks back, are throwing a show for the release of their second volume of their book, entitled "Once Upon A Girl". Hit this event up - it's for an awesome group of talented ladies and the art is simply amazing! Check for more info at The Hive Gallery! Get 'em girlsss!
NOW @ BROOKLYN PROJECTS ONLINE
Brooklyn Projects has released an "online exclusive limited edition" t-shirts. There are a total of 8 styles, and they all run for $28. Go cop here!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
I'M FROM L.A.
I rarely blog about fitteds, but this weekend @ Hall Of Fame:
Rep where you from, doggy!
OUT WITH THE OLD.
I've just finished one part of life and about to finish another pretty soon. The warming weather is making me restless and I'm yearning for summer to come. New opportunities are presenting itself almost everyday and I can't help but be grateful for what I've got. Now, it's time to start thinking about my summer plans - which includes updating and revamping this bad boy, exploring more of this place I call home in LA, and working working working!
But for now, getting through 2 more weeks, and...uh..it's time for Top Chef!
WHAT UP WEDNESDAY
Active has these random Wednesday sales - more like blowouts - on their gear. This week, it's 3 purrs of shoes for $75 - check it out here.
And although it's getting quite warm, they've slashed prices on all Grenade snowgear! I guess if you wanna stock up for next season, this might be your day. Go here to shop Grenade.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
IF YOU NEED A LAUGH...
I always forget to post this, but whenever I need a laugh, I watch this: The anchors can't contain themselves - their laughters are like...mouse squeaks, and all you can do is laugh! But hey it's hard walking in those shoes under pressure at a big fashion show....but damn this so funny. Whenever you are sad/mad/frustrated/bored - just watch this and you'll laugh. If you don't, then something is definitely wrong with you.
F*** 'EM! WITH HPNOTIQ
My roommate/best friend has been going through boyfriend issues so she made me take a shot of Hpnotiq before she left the apartment to release her anger. It is currently 9:40 pm on a Tuesday night, and I have this aqua-colored alcohol going through my system when I have tons of work to do tonight. Interesting. And why is it that I am home alone and feeling this way - with Hpnotiq inside of me - seems quite strange. The theme for the night has been "F*** 'em!" - referring to boys/boyfriends/significant others of the male species that is. So as I sit here alone and think back at the impulse of taking a shot of liquor (although Hpnotiq should hardly be considered one), I commend my ability to procrastinate and divulge my attention to anything other than what I should be doing. But my homies come first, especially the best kinds, so if she needs me to release her anger towards testosterone-pumped beings on a Tuesday night when I got lots to do - no doubt about it I'm there. Now that is love. F*** 'EM!!!!
COOL KIDS @ KEY CLUB
This Sunday, June 1st, Cool Kids take over at The Keyclub Hollywood. Start the month off with a head bop for $15 - be there or...miss out!
MIGHTY HEALTHY LADIES
Mighty Healthy has updated their online shop with love for the ladies! Take a peek at the ladies tees offered at the shop:
I don't know about you but I'm diggin' the last design. Make sure you hit up their website and visit the online shop to cop these tees, and some tees for your man too!
WHEN IN DOWNTOWN THIS WEEKEND...
Rerax this Friday from 10pm - 2am
Senor Fish Little Tokyo 422 East 1st St LA, CA 90012
Get your fix of beats at Rerax on Fridays--no cover, cheap booze, screen printing, and dj sets by Original Bozak, Teh Sweetest Science, and RC Versace! RSVP here.
And then, wake up the next day and head down a couple of streets to celebrate the opening of FOUR storefronts in Downtown LA: Upper Playground, The Last Laugh, Mister Cartoon, and Estevan Oriol!
Saturday, 05/31/2008 @ 1-8pm
125 E. 6th St Downtown LA, CA 90014 (Between Main & Los Angeles St)
Also, remember that the Keep Company Sidewalk Sample Sale in good ol' Chinatown is in session this weekend!
Holla!
SEARS x LL COOL J ?????
Sears has teamed up with the hip-hop veteran to launch a brand calledLL Cool J for Sears. The collection of casualwear for juniors, young men's, girls' and boys' will roll out to 450 of Sears' 900 stores in September and could generate as much as $100 million to $150 million in its first year, sources said.
LL on women's apparel: "I was raised by a matriarch, I have a wife and three daughters, so I know what women are looking for when they shop for clothes," he said. "My main concern with juniors is to make sure the fit is right. The fabrics have to feel nice on a woman's body, but sizing and fit are very important. I know that if she comes in, puts it on and it doesn't fit, she won't come back. Clothes have to make a woman feel good, relaxed and sexy. We are going to be constantly looking at fine-tuning the fit and we'll get it right."
REALLY!? Funny he still raps about taking clothes off rather than putting them on. I think he should just stick with jams like "Around The Way Girl"...and call it a day.
-Source: WWD
