PART 1: 2013 Penang Yosakoi Parade

 (●⌒∇⌒●)／I was in Japan a couple of days ago!

awkward solo pose (≥A≤)

Yeah right, how I wish! (¬_¬) Apologize for being lame...

The background's actually some of the huge printed banner with sceneries around Japan hung around Esplanade in Penang last Saturday. I was there with mom that evening to check out the Yosakoi Parade which is the first time ever held in Penang.

Weather's so cloudy. I'm so glad it didn't rain.

I wonder if anyone hung teru teru bozu the night before 'cuz I forgot to do so. If you did, thank you. It worked!!

Some stalls around the carnival~

One stall displayed orchid-sth mantises. Pretty!

Little girls playing. Not to mess around with the one on the far left. ROFL!

Haunted house! I wanted to go in and check it out but my mom didn't want to and I'm too scared to go alone. I'd probably freak myself out first before the peeps in ayakashi costumes does.

Putting the blame onto my Japanese-event-anything kaki for coming just before the parade that I couldn't go in and see.

More pretty banner~

A carnival can never be complete without the food stalls! *drool*

Hokkaido cake with marshmallow　かわいい〜！

Also there were several stage performances going on. This one was the choir performance by the Japanese Women Choir.

I happened to meet a friend there~

And here's my friend's friend _who's now my friend LOL_ who's the owner of an online accessories boutique. She opened a stall there in the carnival~

Got myself some bracelets to add into my ever growing bracelet/bangles collection. I actually hoped to find get some nice kanzashi or Japanese anything accessories but there were none(,=A=,)

Me again standing in front of the torii gate prop~

There's actually some rows of Japanese lanterns at both sides but I forgot to snap photo (,=A=,)

Got tired from checking all the stalls and performances we went strolling around to kill time before the parade.

A view overlooking Padang Kota Lama~

One of the few trishaws around the area~

Photos of the parade that night will be posted in Part 2 of this post. My photos were quite blur so I'm trying to edit them first.

Clean&Clear's Ekspressi Kejelitaanmu

Just weeks ago I took part in the Clean & Clear's "Ekspressi Kejelitaanmu", Malay for "Express your Beauty" on their fb page.

The contest is held concurrently to the Mad Markets series aired starting 2 months ago. Just in case you're wondering, Mad Markets is a TV series hosted by Malaysia's Celebrity Blogger Hanis Zalikha(her blog here). The program features the best places to shop and pamper yourself in Asia countries.

So far they've aired the episodes taken in Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak, Indonesia and Bangkok, the latter episodes was my favorite. Dunno how I missed the Singapore episode (,ToT,) The last episode featuring Hong Kong was aired two weeks ago.  Was a lil' disappointed 'cuz there were barely 10 episodes but I heard there will be a Season 2 of Mad Markets featuring places in Japan and Korea via Hanis' tweet. Looking forward to them~

Anyway, you can watch Mad Markets and other series/movies (including Dato' Lee Chong Wei's LIVE wedding day) aired on Malaysia TV Channels via www.tonton.com.my. It's a paid service thingy but you get 30 days trial period :S

Basically this contest requires participants to upload photos of their favorite stuff on the site and weekly winners will be chosen by the organizer. The weekly winner gets RM250 worth of vouchers and RM60 worth of Clean&Clear products.

They also mentioned that the grand price winner gets a RM1000 cash prize and a chance to shop with Hanis, host for the TV series Mad Markets which has been aired since a month ago! Apparently ONE grand prize winner will be chosen among all of the weekly prize winners.

And guess what? I turned up as one of their weekly winner~!!

((((TvT)/)))

So happy I can dance like the Red Indians do in circle around a bonfire. Only I'm doing it in style_Gangnam style. WTF.

My winning photo were the heels I got from Kota Damansara weeks ago. Here are all the entries I've submitted, most stuff you would have seen it in my blog already~

And here's something which I've haven't put up in my blog before~ My favorite watch my sis got for me as my birthday prezzie a year or 2 so ago... Here, I wore it together with different bracelets! I just LOVE to stack those stuff up~!

After I posted this there were like half a dozen or more entries put up stacking bracelets/bangles with watch. Hmm... I can pass as a trendsetter *proud*

Tokyo Street: 1st Anniversary Celebration

Finally I have some time off for myself today. Things been such a whack of late I find myself drained on most days (,TAT,) So after my final(thankfully, something settled) class today, I decided to drop by Pavilion KL to check out the 'Good Goods Japan' expo and Summer Festival organized in conjunction with the Tokyo Street 1st Anniversary celebration between 23rd till 29th July 2012.

Got to know about this event via ViVi magazine and decided I must really check it out. I'm a sucker for all things Japanese-related.

Anyway, was anticipating a livelier crowd but the place was somewhat the opposite probably because it isn't the weekend and most of the major events like the Tokyo Fashion Fiesta featuring a number of Japan fashion brands, Cosplay Fashion Showcase and even the special appearance of Ena Matsumoto are scheduled to be on this weekend :S

Gahhh!! That'll means I'll be missing out on the fashion showcase which will be held tomorrow... (>x<) Too lazy to make another trip there...

Anyway, they've got some really prettystreamers a.k.a. fukinagashi and folded origami cranes up for the Tanabata Festival. Photos below:

[caption id="attachment_2420" align="aligncenter" width="448"] from a different angle[/caption]

They're so pretty!! Making a mental note to make small fukunagashi and cranes for next year's Tanabata Festival and put it in the house. LOL.

Oooh~! And I found a stall selling Mille Crepes cake at Tokyo Street ♥ Here's some of the Mille Crepes from Arthur's

[caption id="attachment_2422" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Spotted! Durian Mille Crepe![/caption]

Got myself a slice of the original classic one for a 10%(yayy!) off its price. Promo's ending this weekend.

[caption id="attachment_2417" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Arthur's Classic Mille Crepe[/caption]

Was actually really tempted to try the Nama Roll and ichigo mochi from The Loaf but decided I shouldn't be too greedy since there isn't anyone to share them with (,T^T,)

Oh well, there's still a box of chocolates in the fridge anyway (>v<)/ Plus, I'll get to try some really awesome burger this weekend. An acquaintance of mine just opened a burger shop in Seapark in P.J. around 3 weeks ago and I'll be going there with my other friends to try them out. So can't wait 'cuz I heard they've sold out on most nights!

Will keep you posted about more stuff soon. Meanwhile, I'll just drop dead here and now. I'm beat! ,(XvX)/~~ Chao~

More about Tokyo Street 1st Anniversary Celebration in Danny Choo's post~

Guide: Choosing a yukata

Bon Odori 2012 is just around the corner~! Or actually, it's like next weekend on the 14th at Shah Alam and on the 21st in Penang. For those who's planning to get a yukata for the event next weekend, or other future events, here's a simple guide on how to choose a yukata.

I hope you might find this guide useful especially for those who's looking into getting your first yukata ^^

 

Pretty yukata~! Love the obi, especially~ Photo from yukatayasan.com

So let's get started~!

Well, the first point to be taken into consideration is the length of the yukata.  Usually, for the adult ones, the sizes range for those under 150cm, 160cm and over 160cm(in height).

However, if you're 150cm and below AND really skinny, you can opt for children-size yukatas. Oh yes you can! Bear in mind though, the range of sizes for children yukata are 130-140cm and 140-150cm. Alternately, if you can't find the design you want, larger ones work too!

I'm short fun size, but I got this one yukata for those over 160cm. The shoulder broadness of the yukata is pretty much the same(I think!) and the length's easily adjustable. It MAY however, makes you look a lil' bulky from the folding at the waistline. It can be an advantage for some, but I think mine makes me look fat.

Too much folding (>x<)

Secondly, choosing the right obi~ As for the obi, there's the pre-tied ones and the 'original', or untied, obis. The pre-tied obi, a.k.a. the tsukuri obi, is usually shorter and all you need to do is tie it around your waist and tucked the ready-made ribbon at the back. And that's pretty much all you have to do.

Personally, I prefer the tsukuri obi ribbons since the bows are more rigid and stays in shape compared to the 'original' one which shape can get a lil' droopy, depending on the type of obi you're tying.

 

tsukuri obi photo from yukatayasan.com

  

tsukuri obi with rose ♥ photo from yukatayasan.com

The 'original' ones required a lil' folding and tucking but it really is very simple! Plus, there're just so many different ways to tie an obi so you can get creative with it~!

 

'original' obi tied into a cute bow~

photo from yukatayasan.com

Finally, choosing the right color for the yukata! ♥ A yukata's pretty informal so any color works just fine. For cases of married women and elderly women, choices of more subtle to darker tones are picked. Young, single adults have wider range of more vibrant colors and designs to choose from!

vibrant-colored yukatas for children and young adults while paler-colored choice of yukatas for married woman and older woman.photos from yukatayasan.com

All that's left now is mixing and matching your choice of yukata, obi and geta sandals together~! Accessorize further with kinchaku(drawstring bag) or small envelope clutches for a dash of modern blend! Not forgetting hair chopsticks or other floral hair clips to finish the look ☆-(≥vO)

ViVi Malaysia premiere issue!

Went to One Utama two days ago and while I was checking out the magazine stand, spotted ViVi Malaysia premiere issue! What's more, it's in English too!!

ヾ(＠°▽°＠)ﾉ

There's even Ray issue Malaysia&Singapore edition in English!

Grabbed my own copy of the ViVi June issue. I wish I have spotted it sooner, it's almost the end of the month already.

Here's some snapshot from pages of the magazine~ It's a lil' unclear since I took it with the lousy camera of mine. Didn't have the scanner around... ||,(>.<,)|||

[caption id="attachment_2231" align="aligncenter" width="640"] ViVi Malaysia debut![/caption]



[caption id="attachment_2224" align="aligncenter" width="640"] guess who's on blogger spotlight?[/caption]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Japanese magazine for their endless fashion picks! I can never get bored looking at them over and over again. I wish I can have them all!!

♥(^ᴗ^人)

Makeup tutorial~

They're even local entertainment news/events featured in the magazine. Here's one featuring the maids and butlers from Ateliar Royale and MMK Cafe in the then upcoming AFA MY '12! And even a shot of Kaname ♥

[caption id="attachment_2232" align="aligncenter" width="640"] An article for the then upcoming AFA MY '12![/caption]

OMG~! I'm looking forward for the upcoming issue. Guess I won't have to wait long. Teehee~ (>v</)

~♥~