Seven Songs

I was tagged by Shay of The Ongoing Project for the seven songs I'm into right now. Here they are, with video or links to listen.

The Last Shadow Puppets - Standing Next To Me



I listened to this album a lot on the bullet train in Japan. I didn't really know what to expect from an Alex Turner side project but I love the retro romanticism of the record.

Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
This is such a fun, summery-sounding album

Sam Roberts - Taj Mahal
I haven't listened to his new album yet, but hopefully will do soon. This just reminds me of his wicked gig at Deer Lake Park a couple summers ago with Broken Social Scene. I wish he was coming here this summer, I hate how bands who are playing Pemberton seem to be skipping Vancouver.

The Jam - Pretty Green



Mark Ronson/Santogold's go is alright but you can't beat the original.

Don't Rain on my Parade, from Funny Girl

Because Barbra Streisand is awesome and I need to watch more musicals.

Blur - Country Sad Ballad Man
I have no idea why this song keeps getting stuck in my head.

Radiohead (well, Thom & Jonny) - The Rip (Portishead Cover)




I'm convulsing with excitement for their show...less than 2 months! This is a gorgeous cover of a great song.

I've been away so I haven't followed who's already been tagged, so if you come across this and you want to be tagged, here you go!
The rules are: "List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to."

And now, back to figuring out my Japan posts...

Back at long last

I'm now back home in Vancouver after an absolutely unreal time in Japan, my first time there in 10 years. I crammed every day full of tons of exploring, shopping and eating, so I was pretty wiped out, but it was worth it. I started out in Tokyo and made my way to Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka. I was pretty excited that I actually managed to find a bunch of clothes that fit (though half of them were just t-shirts from Uniqlo). Shoes proved impossible, as did jackets and basically anything fitted, but I was very satisfied with my haul.





I was too shy to ask people so I didn't take much in the way of street style photos other than a few random snaps of passersby which mostly turned out blurry. Of course, I saw lots of the notorious costumey looks like these kids in Shibuya, but in general Japanese style was all over the map. I was fascinated and inspired by the relentless experimentation, but also marvelled at how closely trends are followed and executed. The meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of life never ceased to astound me, from gorgeously presented desserts to face covers in changerooms to avoid getting sweat/makeup on garments, to this girl's sneaky subversion of the school uniform via Playboy bunny socks.

I tried to soak up as much as I could, and I will have lots of Japan-themed posts coming up over the next week or so, so stay tuned!

Jet-setting

>>I'll be flying to Japan on Tuesday for a couple of weeks. I don't think I'll have a chance to blog while I'm away, but when I come back I'll have plenty to report from Harajuku to Hakata.

Saturday strolling

Jacket - RW&Co; Skirt - Old Navy; Tights - The Bay; Bag - Winners
...I need to work on the exposure setting for my outfit photos...With other stuff I tend to be more careful but with photos of myself I just want to get it done

I thought I was going to be working Saturday, but that didn't happen, so I had a free day to wander around Kits. It reminded me of how much I want to move back out to that area. When I lived at UBC I loved strolling around...often on a weekday afternoon when I decided I wasn't quite feeling up to Chaucer.

During my ambles I scooped up this top and scarf together for $5 at an SPCA thrift store on West Broadway before eating lunch on a secluded, rocky section of the beach. (Actually, the top is lingerie, but it's all in the name of layering)

Excursion to Deep Cove

Top, Chain belt - Jacob; Skirt - Zara; Tights - Tabio; Scarf - vintage, borrowed from my mum; Shoes - Nine West, from Winners



Yesterday I went to one of my favourite shops, Room 6 in Deep Cove. The owner of the store, Megan, is very sweet and she sends out lovely e-mail newsletters (her store's motto is "special things for nice people"). She carries lots of adorable accessories, clothes and gifts, often from local designers. I picked up some gifts there yesterday, including these cute coin purses from Vancouver accessory line Astrosatchel. Also, my beloved Marimekko rainboots are from there!

Feeble footwear

The black flats from the other day and these gold PF Flyers are my only presentable flats now. I kind of realized that I was having a shoe crisis and all my flats were battered and some are unwearable. Hopefully my upcoming trip to Japan will solve that! Although I'm wary of shoe sizes...I'm already not holding my breath on being able to fit clothes (5'8+not twig-like=no sizes for me in Japan). I will, however, load up on legwear at the fabulous emporium of Kutsushitaya, aka Tabio.



Trench - Zara; Shirt - American Eagle Outfitters; Skirt - United Colours of Benetton; Belt - secondhand; Tights - The Bay; Shoes - PF Flyers

Rainy office days

It really is raincity around here these days, apparentely we're just not going to have spring or summer this year. I felt a bit buttoned up at work today, but it was just so cold in the morning that I needed my layers. I think it might be the combination of the weather and uninspiring office work but I'm definitely feeling a style rut right now. Good thing I'm jetting off on an exciting trip next week! (more on that later)





Cardi - Monsoon (London); Shirt - Jacob; Skirt - United Colours of Benneton; Tights - American Apparel; Glass pendant - Gift from Italy