HUMAN SPACE INVADERS

Now this is what I call fun! Actually it was probably tiring to make and if you listen to it for too long you will drive yourself a little batty - but fun!


I thought we had spotted our fair share of invaders on our travels and especially here in Tokyo, but it seems that is not that case. Check out THIS awesome photo collection of invaders snapped around the globe. This guy even got to meet the Invader himself, this is too cool for school! And HERE is the true invader.


In other gamer type news, Masao is sitting contently in the background glued to his latest piece of handheld wonder. In what seems like an awesome selling frenzy for the clever fellows over at Yodabashi Camera, Masao was the second last person (on this planet according to the sprukers at the time of the frenzy) to get his hands on this little piece of fun.

THE PINK PARTY PICTURE BOOK STYLE

The lack of blossoms was well and truly made up for by the awesomeness of our friends!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PINKNESS

FUNKY FRESH

After a long and hard day of wandering through the steets of Tokyo spying the latest fashion items and picking up hot tips we were so excited to get home and find new products had arrived.


I seriously squealed with delight when I spied the Piano Card Case and the Rock Chic Pouch. I promise you this wild city has gone musically mad, crackers over clefs and potty over pianos! Maybe it is the spring thing, music in the air? Whatever it is we love it and we are super excited to have these new Tokyo trends ready for you!


Check out the other awesome street style additions. More mirrors to add to the growing collection of groovy pocket pieces. And we simply love the sweet Pink Poodle Mini Pouch. Enjoy global style lovers, enjoy!


P.S. New Tiny Azure earrings coming VERY SOON!

P.P.S I got the most freakin pretty leopard print hi tops today - in love!

CUPCAKES

With the guidance and help our overly generous and seriously talented friends we made a lush batch of the most decadent cupcakes I have ever had the pleasure of devouring!
I can never thank you; Nick and Lindsey, enough for the fun bake off day and the exquisite results!





MORE on the PINK PARTY soon! The hugest thank you to all of our amazing friends, new and old for a fantastic day! The BIGGEST thanks of all goes to the campers Lulu and Kat for their mighty effort - getting to the park at the crack o dawn to get the best spot in the park, right near the swans! THANK YOU THANK YOU

As seen in Metropolis Magazine

Metropolis Magazine is Japan's No. 1 English magazine. Delivered to all hotspots each Friday, Masao rushes off to pick up a copy or two each week.


Flipping through this week's issue Masao was confronted with a familiar image. A second take revealed that TOKYOMADE has been featured in this week's Body and Soul section. CHECK IT OUT



Metropolis writes,
"New fashion website Tokyomade (www.tokyomade.com) is giving an “international voice to independent creators in Japan,” say founders Masao Tamaoki and Deanne Tonking. Launched on Valentine’s Day, the site aims to quench a thirst for Japanese design both locally and overseas. Tamaoki and Tonking, tired of all the mass-produced goods available in local shops, decided to create a venue to both promote and sell independent Japanese designer products. From bags to clothing to figurines to kawaii- and wa-style items, Tokyomade offers a unique mix of gifts with a Tokyo style. Many items are handmade and use traditional Japanese fabrics in their contemporary designs. Tokyomade also shares insider knowledge of Japan’s fashion scene through a blog featuring style forecasts and what’s new on the street. Join the fan club to receive fashion advice, newsletters, sale information, Tokyo travel tips and the chance to win prizes. The site also features detailed designer profiles. Tokyomade’s handpicked goods take 5-7 days to ship abroad, but if you’re lucky enough to live close by, you may get your package hand delivered."

In the past...

Going through some pics left on one of our cameras I was reminded of some past events that had totally slipped my mind.



A large part of my life is actually dedicated to being a Grade 3 teacher at The Tokyo Korean School. A few weeks ago we had a very exciting Korean Cultural Day. Living in 'Korean Town' and working for the school I have been lucky enough to learn and enjoy a great deal. I am particularly in love with kimchi (although my ulcer is not always pleased with that) and on cultural day I grew to love the color, vigor and excitment of the games, dqance and costumes.
Here I am looking particularly Marshmallow Man like in a traditional Korean hanbok.


A few weeks ago we went to listen to TOKYOMADE designer Seimani do his stuff on the decks.

A top night, great tunes, awesome atmosphere and some of the best and original veg and vegan food I have tried in Tokyo. Enjoy House in Ebisu is a must! Devine frozen margaritas too!

STUNNING

A stunning sunny day here in Tokyo today, the first REAL warmth of spring! Just gorgeous. I know there are a bazillion studies showing the positive impact of sunlight and warmth on human emotions and well being but sometimes we forget just how uplifting a pretty day like today can be.

So we have all fingers and toes crossed in the hope that the gorgeousness continues for our TOKYOMADE PINK PARTY in Inokashira Park on Saturday. A quick trip to the Emperor's Palace today did not give us much hope that the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom this weekend but we won't let that stop us! Little do they know but we are going to rope all of fab designers into creating a magnificant sakura centerpiece. A make shift tree stump, plenty of sakura branches, a whole lot of tape, giant pocky and lashing of imagination - sure to be one huge preschool-like art project!

Tomorrow is the big bake off. Cupcakes for everyone (if you are quick!) and champaign to wash it down. If you are coming along be sure to bring some yummy things that you love aswell, like beer for example, I am not real good at catering to everyone's taste - will try though!

We will have camera at the ready...report back soon with some TOKYOMADE PINK PARTY pics and stories.

Pink Party Still On

OK so despite the fact that these friggin' pretty pink flowers are playing hard to get and we may not see them in full bloom this weekend after all the PINK PARTY is still the place to play this weekend!! Let it be known that as I write this I am decked out in all pink sporting a mighty fine tissue paper sakura in my hair! Oh yes there shall be PINK. There is going to be so much PINK that there is a PINK party meeting scheduled for this evening at 7:30 @ Advocates Shinjuku Ni Chome to discuss how the pinkness should prevail. (I know, I know I can hear you Leila I need to stop going there...but it is close, convenient and the drinks are cheap What more could a girl ask for?) If you are unable to come to our little meeting this evening you can always leave your pink suggestions in the comment box.

As far as the pinkness goes thus far THINK > pink heart shaped helium filled balloons, pink hello kitty bingo, pink prizes, pink costumes, pink cupcakes, pink champaign and some giant pink pocky. Naturally there will be more PINK surprises and please please feel free to bring your own pinkness to add to the ??? what is the collective noun for a whole lot of PINK ???

So unless it buckets out of the sky, and according to this mornings forecast there is a 40% chance on rain on Saturday - we will be there in all our PINK glory. From noonish til lateish (until the champaign stops flowing!) Come and hang with us...more info on the bingo times SOON.

xx

ps Oh and if you are a meat eater you have to bring your own, sorry only vegheads in this house. But the cupcakes will have lots of butter and egg I am sure and the edamame, fruit, veg and vegie dips will help the champaign and beer go down just nicely!

PINK PARTY PASS IT ON!!

YEP THAT'S RIGHT...TIME TO GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
TOKYOMADE IS HAVING A PINK PARTY AND YOU ARE INVITED!

THIS IS AN OPEN INVITE (OBVIOUSLY AS WE DO NOT OWN INOKASHIRA PARK)

SOME OF YOU I WOULD DEARLY LOVE TO INVITE BUT DON'T HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADS...SO CONSIDER YOURSELF OFFICIALLY INVITED.

IT IS TIMES LIKE THESE THAT I REALLY MISS HOME - I WISH I COULD JUST BEAM YOU UP AND OVER TO HERE AND WE COULD ALL HAVE ONE BIG PINK PARTY TOGETHER. LOVE TO YOU XX

Grinning winner

CHECK IT OUT

WE PICKED A WINNER!!

With the lucky numbers ready and lucky box in hand we headed off into the streets of Shinjuku in search of a cute ticket picker.

Strolling through the basement of Studio Alta in Shinjuku, taking a quick pitstop at swimmer we bumped into Miho whipping up a very fine display at Dream Diva. We thought she made a very gorgeous lucky number picker indeed!

The winning lucky number is... 1136

Congratulations 1136!!!!! We will let you all know where the Ohinasama is heading...perhaps somewhere exotic, maybe a big city?? Where ever it may be we are sure the Ohinasama pair will enjoy their gorgeous new home!

Thank you a million to everyone that entered the Hina Matsuri Competition. Stay tuned for more Tokyo Fan Club comps!

A huge thanks to Miho for being a fab ticket picker. Blown away by her sense of style and friendliness we couldn't help but ask for her Spring fashion tip...

Miho's Spring Fashion Tip > ANIMALS!!

So dust off those frog earrings, get out your leopard print momo, wrap some dolphins in your hair. According to Miho this spring is all about the animal! Oh and if you wardrobe needs a bit of wilderness we suggest you check THIS, THIS and THIS out!

Thanks Miho!!


Sorry Ma you didn't win! But you can get an Ohinasama when you get here!!! YAY!