Kawaii かわいい Japanese Stationary Haul

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Have you ever been been to a Japanese stationary shop?? You can spend a whole day there. Japanese stores are full of amazing and surprising products that can’t be seen anywhere else. You will be overwhelmed with the amount of kawainess there!! There are a lot of innovative stuff out there but I am fascinated with cute sticky note and note pads these days!! I never seen such amazing and adorable stationary anywhere except Japan. Some of the stationary are really cool and really advanced. There are staplers out there with no pins or pens with the eraser that erase with friction heat!! Once you start using Japanese stationary I am sure you can’t go back to your boring stationary; like me!! So here are some of the stuff I have been collecting over past few months..

Sticky notes and small message cards..

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Cat shaped sticky notes from Muji..

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How cute is this caterpillar stapler..

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This is just like a correction tape, but you can decorate anything made of paper with this. The tape inside can be replaced and there are variety of cute tapes out there!! It’s a simple yet amazing idea: combine the handy shape of a correction pen with cute rolls of little patterns and you get the perfect tool to decorate your favorite books, letters and more.

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Japanese Washi tape…cuter version of a masking tape..

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These erasers look like milk and juice tetra packs!!

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These paper clips are shaped like Japanese dolls!!

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Rubber bands that are so not boring!!

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So now you know the most important thing to do in Japan; buy some kawaii Japanese stationary!!

Japanese Beauty Product Review : Kanebo Media カネボウメディア Eyebrow Pencil

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I have tried a lot of make up in the past, Japanese beauty products too but honestly I had never tried an eyebrow pencil until I bought Kanebo Media Eyebrow Pencil home thinking it to be an eyeliner. You can blame my poor Japanese skills or my poor eye sight..but I couldn’t see eyebrow pencil written on it!! But nonetheless I am hooked on to grooming my eyebrows since then…so much that if you ask me two things that I will do before leaving the house if I am dead for time…first will be apply concealer and second will be fill my brows. A good eyebrow makes so much of a difference!! At least to me!!

It is a nice pencil with twist up applicator. It is very creamy still doesn’t break. As it has a fine tip it is easy to use and doesn’t go out of the eyebrows. It stays all day on me and fills any sparse or un even areas perfectly.

Japanese Beauty Product : Kanebo Media カネボウメディア Eyebrow Pencil

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The shade I have is called black ( BK ) but it is not very dark black, more like a greyish black. I like my eyeliner really dark, but for eyebrows I prefer little greyish black otherwise it makes my face look too harsh!!

It is a good buy as a little product goes a long way. And for a decent price of 6 $ it is not bad. And my last word of wisdom; It is better to chooses a brow colour that is a shade lighter than your hair colour!!

Schwarzkoft Professional シュワルツコフプロフェッショナル Silhouette Pure Formula Invisible Hold Hair Spray Review

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Schwarzkoft Professional シュワルツコフプロフェッショナル Silhouette Pure Formula Invisible Hold Hair Spray claims “Silhouette hair spray is widely known as a hair spray classic with a proven track record of reliability. It’s the Silhouette best seller. Super strong hold without stickiness. Ultimate long-lasting style and support. Micro-fine hairspray that doesn’t overburden.” It is the most popular hairspray among the salon professionals.

It smells great ( like men’s product ) and I think that is the only benefit compared to this.

Schwarzkoft Professional Silhouette Pure Formula Invisible Hold Hair Spray

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It is heavy on hair. It makes hair crunchy. It gives a shine-less matte finish. It is impossible to re-style…of course you can comb your hair through the hair spray but that breaks the hair spray and leaves yucky white residue. It is an extreme control hair spray and it clumps the hair strands together. It definitely holds the hair throughout the day, extreme control definitely it is!!

If I spray on my roots and tease my hair for some volume, my hair stays like that for maybe 30 minutes then just falls flat ( it is cold in Japan so no chance of blaming it on the humidity ).

It costs 16 $ for 295 ml so obviously it is not a cheap product. It leaves white flakes on hair just in one spray and sometimes it is too much and too embarrassing!! Definitely not buying it again!!

Things to do in Osaka : Afternoon Tea @ Harmonie Embrassee Umeda ホテルアルモニーアンブラッセ大阪

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I am always on a look out for restaurants serving afternoon tea. I love going out for afternoon tea and if it is a buffet..nothing like that!! A great tea selection, finger sandwiches and petit cakes – there is nothing more fancy and lady like. I have already been here and here before so last weekend I tried Harmonie Embrassee in Chayamachi Umeda ホテルアルモニーアンブラッセ大阪 . They have a buffet from 2 – 4 pm in their restaurant “Rayon”. It is not exactly a buffet as they serve on the table ( they don’t have enough space ) but you can eat as much as you want..so that technically makes it a buffet. They have an open seating too but it is still too cold in Japan to sit out. They have a wine cellar on one wall and large windows on one that offer great views of Osaka!!

They start with serving you five different types of tea for tasting. They have peach, rose, black, milk and the last one I don’t remember. After the tasting you can order whatever tea you prefered. Following that they get cookies, scones and a two tier tray with sandwiches, macaroons and cakes. They also serve you meat cuts on the table itself. I don’t eat fish so that cut down on a lot of my options but they were sweet enough to change my tuna sandwich to a ham one. Food was good but it didn’t match a five star standard like this. Sadly for me I didn’t feel like eating a lot that day and they kept asking if I would like something else. Will definitely visit again with a bigger appetite some day..
It is a great deal for 3675 Yen or 37 $ per person, but only if you have a big appetite..

P.S. Outfit pictures for those who visit my blog only for what I am wearing:)) followed by some food pictures..

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Dress – Zara, 40 $ on Sale, 2013, also worn here;
Shirt – Bershka, 40 $, 2012, also worn here;
Jacket – GU, 24 $, 2011, also worn here;
Boots – H&M, 50 $, 2014;
Bag – DKNY, gift , 2013, also worn here;
Sunglasses - Natural Beauty Basic, 10 $(on Sale), 2013, also worn here;
Rings – H&M, 15 $ for a pack of 5, 2013;

Afternoon Tea @ Harmonie Embrassee Umeda

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Afternoon Tea @ Harmonie Embrassee Umeda Osaka

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How to get rid of blackheads : エチュードハウス Etude House Black Head Heating Deep Clean Gel Review

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I picked up Etude House Black Head Heating Deep Clean Gel randomly from the Etude House エチュードハウス shop along with other products ( check out my haul here ) as I was wondering for a long time about how to get rid of blackheads. I actually wanted a product to take care of my oily nose and bumpy chin. And for 10 $ it didn’t look like a bad deal.

Etude House claims that the heating part opens up your pores and oil melts the black heads, it is a scrubbing and cleansing agent, the clay ingredient sticks on it and pulls out the dirt and oil to minimise black heads and the mineral part helps you achieve beautiful skin. It has Ghassoul clay that has been used in Morocco and Egypt to maintain beautiful skin. It attaches to excess oil/dirt in one’s pores and reduces them.

It comes in a cute tube with grey and yellow packaging. But it is very tough to squeeze out the product from the tube which is one of the negatives.
It is a milky gel and smells citrusy like oranges. After applying on the skin it heats up, but only for a few seconds. It has small scrubbing particles that help in scrubbing off dead skin and dirt particles. Srubbing particles are of good size, not too thick or not too thin. After massaging the gel on the target areas..you have to leave it for a minute or two. The gel turns into oil and then you have to scrub for a minute and then wash it off.

It did an average job for the first time..but I still had a lot of blackheads on my nose. So I used it every alternate day for 2 weeks. I noticed that it had made my nose and chin area 80% clearer and softer. But then when I stopped using, it was back to square one.
It might be a great product for immediate results but in the long run I can’t vouch for it. It just cleans the upper part, doesn’t do the deep cleaning unlike the name suggests deep clean gel. I won’t re- purchase it..it is better to use nose strips or just a normal face scrub!!

Things to do in Japan : Toji Temple, Kyoto 東寺, 京都市

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I have never been to so many temples in my entire life than I have visited in Japan in just 3 years. But I need to make full use of my short stint in Japan. Also in this case the main attraction was a flea market held on the first Sunday of every month. Well..I am talking about Toji temple in Kyoto 東寺, 京都市.
When we reached there it was already 3 pm and most of the shops were closing down (they open at 5 am!!) So we looked around the giant pagoda and the temple and took some pictures in the garden which had plum blossoms and some orange trees. And like all Buddhist temples it had a pond with turtles and fishes. Toji Temple is one of Kyoto’s many UNESCO world heritage sites. The pagoda of Toji is five stories high, and is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. We saw everything in about an hour and headed back to Kyoto station to have a late lunch at a Chineese restaurant in Kintetsu Mall and browse around. After zen therapy it was time for some retail therapy!!

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Jacket – Zara, 130 $ ( gift from mom ), 2013, also worn here;
Pants – Zara, 30 $ on sale, 2014;
Sweater – South Extension (Delhi), 10 $, 2003;
Shoes – Converse, 24 $, 2008, also worn here;
Clutch – Azul by Moussy, 40 $, 2003, also worn here;
Sunglasses – Mango, 13 $, 2011, also worn here;

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Lakme All In 1 Instant Skin Stylist SPF 20 CC Cream ( CCクリーム ) Review

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I bought Lakme All in 1 Instant Skin Stylist SPF 20 Complexion Care Cream when I went to India last year in November. For those who don’t know CC creams ( CCクリーム )or complexion care creams are an improved version of BB creams. BB creams don’t work for all skin tones and are not available in many shades. They don’t provide enough coverage…so here enters a cc cream. These creams give a radiant look and they contain collagen to give skin a smooth and plump appearance. They are lighter and less oilier. They brighten dull skin by diffusing pigment particles and have superior skin care benefits like spot treatment, improving skin tone, skin texture etc. They contain botanical ingredients that improve and repair the skin. Lakme CC cream is not exactly a cc cream as it doesn’t have all the ingredients and benefits of a CC cream, but still, it is a good product.

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It instantly protects, evens skin tone, conceals and freshens. It comes in two shades – Beige and Bronze. Bronze is yellower than Beige. I got the Bronze one in a 30 ml pack for 4 $. The packaging is adorable with a convenient light golden tube with silver cap and pink details whereas the box is totally pink with golden letters. It contains glycerin that moisturises the skin and doesn’t dry it. It contains SPF 20. It has a nice lemongrass scent which disappears after some time.

It is a light formula, has a very smooth velvety texture and gets easily absorbed into the skin. It blends easily with the fingers. It conceals almost 80 % of my marks and spots. Rest I can easily hide with a concealer. I love the natural look I can get with this cc cream. Perfect for office and day time wear. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin and if you don’t over do it, no one can find out if you are wearing makeup!!

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It is so hassle free..I reach for it every morning when I need to leave my house at 7.30 a.m. It is faster to apply it than a foundation. For me it is a refreshing change from wearing foundation ( I need to wear foundation as I have a lot of marks on my face ). It stays on for all day. My T-zone gets oilier after some time but I can take care of it with some pressed powder.
Although its a great product but I have noticed that if I take excess product it sometimes end up looking cakey…so now I take a little product first and then I gradually build up if I need more coverage. Also sometimes it gets stuck in my dry patches, so now I ensure that my face is well moisturised before I apply it. But if your face doesn’t have any dry patches this cream is well hydrating just on its own.
Overall it is an awesome product. Do try it.. I am sure you will love it!!

Watch this video if you want to know what else I got from India!!

Bobbi Brown ボビイブラウン Creamy Concealer Kit Review

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This ボビイブラウン Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit includes both concealer and setting powder. It has 1.4 gms of creamy concealer in Beige and Sheer finish press powder in Pale Yellow about 7 gms. I bought it for 30 $ last year but started using it just a month back.
It claims “conceal and set in one portable kit. Bobbi’s creamy concealer blends easily to instantly cover, lift and brighten dark circles. It also helps to maintain skin’s moisture levels for a smooth, virtually line-less look. Fuss-free pressed powder sets concealer for a long lasting wear.”
It comes in a chic black plastic kit. It has a mirror which is very good. But the powder sometimes makes it a very messy affair. Still I carry it everywhere with me just because it is small and sleek.

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I apply the concealer first with my fingers and then set it with the powder using a brush. It claims to maintain the skin’s moisture level but I doubt as the concealer has a little dry texture. It is very heavy on skin too. Powder is fine and translucent. It has an yellow base to neutralise the dark circles and conceal them.
It covers the dark circles well and stays on for a long time but up close you can definitely tell that I am wearing a concealer. I bought in a lighter shade so it makes my under eye area look brighter.
Creamy concealer is sheer so you need to build up. It cakes up immediately and sets into the lines however hard I try to apply. It is a real challenge to apply it and I am still learning.
It should have come with a brush as it is not a cheap product. Also I think that the powder is useless as I can easily use my pressed powder to set it.

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Although its a high coverage concealer and stays on whole day, I didn’t like it much considering the hefty price. It is on the drier side so not moisturising enough for me. Will not purchase it again!!

Things to do in Japan : Visit a Sake Museum 日本酒博物館

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I am quite fond of Japanese o-sake so when my friends decided to visit a sake brewery museum few days back..I couldn’t say no. Also how could I give up the chance to taste different types of sake for free…and to be honest that was the main attraction for me!!

Sake is a fermented beverage made from rice with an alcohol content of 13 to 16 %. It can be enjoyed either hot or cold or at the room temperature. It is available in a lot of flavours and can be served in many ways.

There are many sake museums near Kobe as they use the water from Mt.Rokko which is good for making sake. So we went to two of those museums ..Hakutsuru and Kiku Masamune. Hakutsuru has to be my favourite as they have wax statutes of workers working in a sake brewery that looked pretty real..they also had a shop selling different types of sake from this company. We could buy an array of products ranging from sake to sake snacks as well as sake skin care products. As well as we could taste different types of sake too.

Well it was a day well spent and now I know everything I need to know about Japanese sake; so “Kampai” everyone!!

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Shirt – Bershka, 40 $, 2012; also worn here;
Skirt – Lokhandwala Complex, 19 $, 2007; also worn here;
Sweater – H&M, 15 $, 2014;
Jacket – Zara, 130 $ (gift from mom), 2013; also worn here;
Bag – GU, 20 $, 2013; also worn here;
Boots – Namba Parks, 137 $, 2012, also worn here;

Rice washing..

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Cooling..

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Filtering..

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Barelling..

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Dining area for the brewers..

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Samples at Hakutsuru..

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Sake ice-cream at Kiku Masamune..

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Cute sake cups at Kiku Masamune..

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Entrance of Kiku Masamune..

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Fragrance Review : Roberto Cavalli Just Cavalli ロベルトカヴァリジャストカヴァリ Perfume

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I bought Roberto Cavalli Just Cavalli ロベルトカヴァリジャストカヴァリ perfume few days back and I am sure that it will be my signature winter fragrance from now on!! I love it so much that I have already bought another one just in case I don’t find it again!! I bought it for 30 $ for a 30ml bottle.

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It opens with a top note of dazzling neroli, that is an essential oil produced from blossoms of the bitter orange tree, followed by the heart notes of precious and magnetic Tahitian flower tiare. It ends with a base note of creamy palissander wood making it really fresh and intense.
According to Roberto Cavalli “Provocative and mischievous, the Just Cavalli woman captivates with dazzling neroli flower. She is a snake charmer tempting her prey with a magnetic tiare flower ending with a seductive creamy palissander bite.” All this sounds a bit cheesy but yes this perfume is unique and heavy..a bit on the darker side. This scent definitely makes people notice. I have been asked a million times about what I was wearing.

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It comes in suave packaging which is a fashion mix of gold, intense pink and animal print. The bottle is pink covered with gold colour metal, while the liquid can be seen through see through bottom glass part. It looks really nice and chic on my bathroom counter.

It lasts almost 4-6 hours on skin. It is one of the longest lasting perfumes I have ever tried.
This perfume may be a miss with many women but I surely love it. It is too much for sunny summer days but just perfect for winter months!!

Viva La Highstreet!

My Adventures in Beauty and Fashion in Japan.

Kawaii かわいい Japanese Stationary Haul

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Japanese Beauty Product Review : Kanebo Media カネボウメディア Eyebrow Pencil

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Schwarzkoft Professional シュワルツコフプロフェッショナル Silhouette Pure Formula Invisible Hold Hair Spray Review

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Things to do in Osaka : Afternoon Tea @ Harmonie Embrassee Umeda ホテルアルモニーアンブラッセ大阪

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How to get rid of blackheads : エチュードハウス Etude House Black Head Heating Deep Clean Gel Review

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Things to do in Japan : Toji Temple, Kyoto 東寺, 京都市

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Lakme All In 1 Instant Skin Stylist SPF 20 CC Cream ( CCクリーム ) Review

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Bobbi Brown ボビイブラウン Creamy Concealer Kit Review

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Things to do in Japan : Visit a Sake Museum 日本酒博物館

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Fragrance Review : Roberto Cavalli Just Cavalli ロベルトカヴァリジャストカヴァリ Perfume

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