Well this Blows

Isabella Blow has died. Some news dribbling out of the UK say it was cancer. I am devastated that one of my great fashion icons has passed. Isabella was just plain cool. No if ands or buts. She was renowned for discovering McQueen, Kate Moss and Sophie Dahl (to name a few). She refused to let the hat die, always wearing one in very geisha-esqe styles. As we see here where a small Japanese town has sprung up in her locks.

I remember working for the collection and being told she was a freak- when I defended her I didn't get that much push back however... even in the world of prep there can be appreciation for the outlandish. If it is true and cancer did take this kawaii maven then I am sorry for it. I will wear my kooky chapeaus with pride and miss this diva of design and style.

Work done?

Style icon of the year- ha- JLo looks as if she's in an uphill battle to stay fabulous. Is it just me or does something appear...different... about her face? A tad to pulled? A bit to botoxed?..... I'm just saying....

Ka-waaaah!

Yea I like bad horrible kawaii puns. Sue me- the whole 2 of you who read this.

Any hoo check out this picture!

"University student sumo wrestlers attempt to make babies cry during the "Baby-cry Sumo," an annual contest which is supposed to bring good health, at Tokyo's Sensoji temple in Tokyo."

-Yahoo.com

Apparently the first baby to cry after being bullied by a priest is the winner.

If both babies start crying and the same moment the tot who screams loudest wins.

In America we would call this child abuse but in Japan they're busy shaking their babies like British nannies for a pay day! And the reward? Well according to the Tokyo Times

"The overall champion is rumoured to secure a selection of sedatives and five free visits to a child therapist."

Maybe American influence is being felt more then I supposed.

Kat-Kry

My cat wouldn’t stop crying this weekend. Chalk it up to the wacky weather.
“It’s hot! It’s cold! I’m perpetually wearing an irremovable fur coat!”
I usually hate it when Nigel cries. It fills me with distress and all I want to do is comfort him. “Do you want me to pick you up? Leave you alone? Change your litter?” Unless he’s standing over his food dish howling his point is rarely made and we both know it.
Not to say I mind his screaming so much when there is company in the house. Ha! This is what you get for trying to stay in my house with no warning! A foul roomie and her equally foul cat. It’s only made better when he starts banging on my door like an escaped convict fleeing the jailors. Oh yes, please stay in my apartment more often, here with me, my roommate, three feet of space and this psychotic banging crying cat! It did occur to me maybe he was upset because one of Liz’s friends was pregnant. Can cats smell pregnancy? Or maybe he was trying to warn me- “Master it appears this human has eaten a small person! Raise the alarm! Who could be next? You? ME?”
Whatever caused him to start howling it was over by Monday. My mother suggested he’d managed to grow his testes back and was screaming because he was in heat.
Ew.

And this pretty much says it all

I like how GOOGLE posts "how to" articles on the bottom of their log in page. Sometimes their "how to" can be really unexpected, like today's venture into how men should apply makeup. After the article I treat myself to the response section and the below pretty much sums up what you'll find every day.



69.88.95.190 said:
On 21:31, 19 April 2007
I'm not surprised to see the immature comments made by men who's sexuality is threatened by the very idea that a man might put on makeup.
There are many legitimate reasons a man might want/need to wear make up - bad skin, not wanting to look exhausted at a job interview/important social function, for photos, for fun - Really all the same reasons a woman might want to wear it.
All through history men have worn makeup for all of these reasons and more and it had NO effect on how manly a man was perceived to be, it's only in the last 50 years that it's become something only women do and a sign of a man being feminine (and really there's nothing wrong with that.). It all ties into the society sickness that anying woman is inferior to man. I wonder how you manly men who shriek and cry "Ghey!" can measure up to, for example, the spartans (since 300 is such a manly man-fest), who commonly wore khol around their eyes.

Reply to 69.88.95.190
70.178.169.153 said:
On 21:34, 19 April 2007
Your gay too.

This weeks word is FOOTPRINT!

Gather 'round boys and girls. What do you think a footprint is? Something a foot makes in the ground I bet. Well you'd be wrong! WRONG!

A footprint, in merchandising terms, is the outline of a store. Where each brand, subsequent line, and units are placed. Where the bathroom is. Where the exits are. THAT is what a footprint is.

Wah?ang

Nina Wang.

Billionaire.

Kawaii.

Insane.

Can you get over this cool funeral? I mean. If dying were kawaii then this would be it. But then she went and left all her money to a fortune teller. Forget starving orphans and AIDS research!

Sumimasen!

"Toto Ltd., known for its high-tech toilets with bidets that have blow-drying, air purification and seat-warming functions, apologized to consumers and offered free checks and repairs after some of its toilets with bidets and heated seats sent up smoke and three caught fire."

In other news comedians with a penchant for toilet humor rejoiced today.....

Would you Rather Crocs could climb up the toilet or...?

It could catch on fire? This is the most unkawaii question being asked today in Japan.

"TOKYO - Japan's leading toilet maker Toto Ltd. is offering free repairs for 180,000 bidet toilets after wiring problems caused several to catch fire, the company said Monday.
The electric bidet accessory of Toto's Z series caught fire in three separate incidents between March 2006 and March 2007, according to company spokeswoman Emi Tanaka. The bidet sent up smoke in 26 other incidents, the company said.
"Fortunately, nobody was using the toilets when the fire broke out and there were no injuries," Tanaka said. "The fire would have been just under your buttocks."
The popular Z series features a pulsating massage spray, a power dryer, built-in-the-bowl deodorizing filter, the "Tornado Wash" flush and a lid that opens and closes automatically. Prices range from $1,680 to $2,600."

For that kind of money I'd want it to wipe me too.

p.s. If this kind of defect happened in America they'd claim it was an alternative option to waxing and slap on an extra grand for the feature.

Hajeemaymoshtay

Nice to meet you! That's the badass Japanese I was able to whip out to Lisa Yaguchi- the first Japanese person I met here in international merchandising. I can also totally count to ten now. Including zero, because fuck yea- I am just that type of girl.

In two weeks I start Japanese classes. This is probably either a great idea or a horrific one knowing how in the past I've failed languages left and right. But seeing as I was forced to take those by schools maybe signing up for one that I want to learn will be a different story. So far so good here in the new digs. Shorter easier hours. The "easier" will hopefully change once I get brought onto projects, and I'm looking forward to it. '

Experience is very kawaii.

I've spent the week organizing my bosses office: shelving, pictures, a months supply of diet coke and poland spring. And trying to figure out the endless paper work that is emailed in from all over the world.

This weeks word, boys and girls, is adoption! No, Ralph Lauren Merchandising isn't endlessly adopting little foreign children weekly. Rather in merchandising terms adoption is the meeting that happens when a label- like "Collection" shows it's merchandise to our buyers or the liscensee's buyers. OOOOooh. Next week we'll learn what footprint really means!

Kawaii- it's not just for Japan anymore!

I have never heard of Nina Wang. Despite the fact that she is one of the richest people in the world.

Never.

Not a peep.

Until today when she died.

Nina Wang, though Chinese, was apparently a badass kawaii loving diva. Hellllloooo- check out her killer action figure, and super kawaii plushie and statue! If I had 4.2 Billion you better believe I'd be a crazy live action anime 24/7 as well.

Rest in peace Nina- yasumu heiwa

My birthday party

this is how I remember last night
paul and his boyfriend
me and mer

Truly iraira saseru

I'm shinkei no, I won't lie. After blogging about it, reading about, shopping about it, and generally gapping over Japan for at least 10 years I have a job that invloves Japan.

Not like Japan in theory or history. I mean Japan, right fricken now.

I start as an executive assistant in RL International Merchandising this Wednesday. My division focuses on Asia and South America. So yea, technically Russia, Australia, Brazil.... not just Japan. But since, OMIGAWD Ralph has a huuuge store in Tokyo I am focusing on the beyond slim possibility that one day I may actually get to go there for business!! So I went to the Japanese book store, bought a English/Japanese dictionary, and a Japanese lessons book (cheap ones of course since we all know on a good day I'll spend 2 mins looking at them) and am now waiting for Wednesday.

Feeling very, very shinkei no.

Adventures with a drill

Who knew $150,000 in education would actually teach me something? Like how to use a power drill.

Senior year I took a class that involved building sets, in which, yes, they trusted us with power tools. Although I have always been a bit squeamish (insert here that girl who always jumped when something started buzzing or screamed and ran off when she thought a tool would cut her), I eventually got a hand of the power drill. Fast forward like 5 years and I'm here in my first apartment.

My first apartment with absolutely no storage. I didn't see this as a problem when I selected the place. OOoooh I'll just put up shelves. Lots and lots of shelves. First off, finding shelves, mainly assembled shelves is a real bitch. And once you find an assembled shelf it's up to you (aka me) as the person living with no doorman and only a super in "theory" to put up prior mentioned shelf. I finally caved in a bought an essembled rag of a shelf at gothic furniture because even the hardware store had them for the same price and without holes to screw them in! Like I'm not blind enough.

Well I almost melted a nail, and did some pretty major balencing acts (TV box, cabinets, staircase) but voila- I put up a shelf! OK, so maybe nothing is on it yet... I'm a tad worried if it comes crashing down.... but it's up! Now I'm only like 10 more shelves, a table, chairs, and several cabinets away from being done.

Happy Birthday Nigel!

Today my beloved cat turns 10. It seems only yesterday he was a horrified kitten, wondering "where am I and who the hell are these people?" But now he's a big cuddle bug and the source of 90% of my daily joy. I mean c'mon people- look at that face! He welcomes me with meows when I walk in the door, sits in boxes and bags, and loves me no matter what. Happy BIRTHDAY Nigel! Here's to at least 10 more wonderful years!

It's my birthday and I'll ask for gifts if I want to....

You will do to when it happens to you!
March 26, 11:30am, I will turn the massive 2-5 and you, as my beloved friend are no doubt wondering what to get me. Here is a top ten list in case you actually care about my shattered hopes and dreams.Love ya!
10. We'll start big here since we all know none of you either A) have the cash or B) are gonna buy big. But a girls gotta dream. This year I am feeling PUCCI. ( http://www.emiliopucci.com/ ) Any old PUCCI will do... a scarf, key chain, classic thousand dollar mini dress- nothing big.
9. Wasn't Marilyn smart to know flowers are a girls bestfriend? Especially when their gold and have diamonds. ( http://www.meandrojewelry.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=10&subCat=Rings ) ME and RO has an excellent little ring (I'm a size 6) or you could simply...
8. Get me flowers. http://www.ftd.com/ Always a classic. And a nice welcome to my new apt!
7. A Barnes and noble book. Something on Japan, or a graphic novel.
6. A gift card to Duane Reade. My roommate keeps leaving a ring around the shower. 'nough said.
5. BAKELITE jewlery (something like thishttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270101820548&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017 ). Ebay is awash in this colorfull stuff. Or just try the local flea market.
4. Don't like bakelite? BAKE. I love cake. Chocolate with vanilla icing please. Afterall a birthday without cake is like WWII without Hitler.
3. A coffee with YOU. I never see you anymore. You never call, you never write. Yea, no, we're not going dutch on the coffee.
2. Buy me a ringtone for my phone. I think it's like $2.99 and in your honor you can pick out the track.
1. SHOW UP AT MY BIRTHDAY PARTY! March 31rst, 10pm, the Slipper Room, Manhattan. See? YOU'RE the gift and it's not like you're even being cheap.
Much Love
Halli

Sakura

Everything is happening way to fast this year. Some people call it global warming- but I think it's something much deeper, untangable and unknowable to those of us who aren't enlightened like Buddah or dead and outside the fish bowl.

The cherry tress in Japan, for example, are blooming at least 2 weeks earlier then ever this year. It's causing a lot of chaos because the blossoms last very briefly and the parties and celebrations that happen surrounding the blooming have to be planned accordingly. Sakura is the name for cherry blossom in Japanese. It's considered bad luck to name your daughter Sakura because then- like the flower- she will die very young. But Sakura represents more then cherry blossoms- it is the idea that life, beauty, the essence of everything joyful can happen quickly.

Life is fleeting, so enjoy it whilst you can.

In this way my life has been very sakura lately. One minute I was happy at home with a job I loved, the next I've moved out (boo) and am moments away from being "transfered" at work (double boo). Why is everything around me so temperal? As a creature of consistancy I personally resent this fact. I like things that stay put and don't change. All this constant sakura is making me anxious and unhappy. My trichotilomania is worse then ever, I'm suddenly left with the question of how can I survive on my own.

I'm an odd bird who would prefer to stay home with my mom and cat- but since this isn't my fate what can I do. Clearly I'm destined to, like the sakura, have brief moments of beauty and joy, while the rest of my time is spent uneventful and ugly.

BOO!

Taaaadaaa

A year's worth of love from tim san in stickerform!

S'all about me

In case you've forgotten (like I'd ever let that happen) March 26 is approaching and on that day I will be 25 YEARS OLD!!!! To celebrate my decent into old age I am posting the usual "I wonder what she'd like for her birthday" list. If you can't afford anything don't worry about it.

There's always next year.

1. An original coin of Queen Elizabeth 1. If you search ebay you can find some pretty good authentic Queen Elizabeth 1 coins (not to mention documents). For example this ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120086930269&rd=1&rd=1 ) badass coin. True Lizzy didn't have much to do with Japan- but being a tough, smart woman is very geisha and thus very Kawaii. I adore anything to do with her.

2. A dinner at medieval times (http://www.medievaltimes.com/ ) Oh come on you totally saw this one coming. What is more cosplay / kawaii then dressing up and partying like it's 1443?

3. Speaking of dressing up a kimono would be lovely!

4. The fragrance Bryant Park from Bond Street

5. Anything antique with a cameo

That's it for now... if I think of anything else I'll be sure to post

Check out the armpit!

Proof I was at fashion week- me nervously clutching a lint roller behind a beautiful model!

"Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!"

One of my most favorite Japanese sayings is "Oni wa soto!Fuku wa uchi!", usually uttered around this time of year in Japan to keep the evil spirits away. It works well in English too- say "fuku" loud enough to anyone and it'll probably keep them away.


A few weeks ago I received a beautiful paper mache Daruma and Lucky cat from Tim san. But it seems maybe I didn't put them in the right position or say "fuku" enough because now my luck has changed and I can't find my digital camera to take a picture! Still I feel very fortunate to have received these special gifts in this, the year of the pig (probably not a favorite among the kosher).

My new Years Resolution

It took a while to think of a realistic resolution.
Without the time or $$$ for a trainer, chef and posh gym the whole lose 20lbs thing tomorrow isn't going to happen.
But according to what I've read recently my beloved coca cola may be the cause of my stubborn weight gain. In theory no coke for one year can lead to a loss of 12lbs!
No coke is also a fantasy- I'm addicted.
But I think I may be able to manage one can of coca cola a week. I had my one can last night. Delish.
Is it hard?
Oh god yes.
But when I fit into my clothing and my addiction weens it will be worth it.

I had a dream!

Part of preparing for fashion week is not having a day off (weekends included) since December. It wasn't so bad at first but it's starting to wear on me.... but then came MLK's birthday! All hail the king! In honor of this great man I intend to "have a dream" all day. Do not call. I will be sleeping. VERY VERY soundly.
HALAJULAH!

Gombergpalooza!

Go Fly A Kite

Gomberg Finances

Lame Blog, but no one ever said Gomberg's are cool

Insert "AA" joke here

HOLY FUCKING CRAP it's ANOTHER DAVE AND SOPHIA GOMBERG! And they're dorks!

Hippie Gomberg- you have to love:" On March 4, 2004, Gomberg was reported missing and presumed dead, after leaving his partner a suicide note stating that he had "lost his chutzpah."

Jazz for Jewsus

Vampire Gomberg

My brother Gomberg

All Hail Moses Gomberg!

Here he is- Mr. Radical Chemistry!!!!!
Nuns now live in the former home of this Jewish Genius
What could be more Kawaii then honoring your relatives? And in honor of my long lost ancestor Moses Gomberg (the founder of radical chemistry)I am posting some links to info on this badass man (Hello there is a fraternal organization called Gomberg house at MU where he studied!)
Enjoy!
Because Wikipedia is like the standard now
Ann Arbor honors Moses
It's like "Animal House", only with yamulkes

The End.

I broke up with my boyfriend- feeling both blue and resigned that I did the right thing

seiji no hi (the coming of age festival)

Seiji no hi is celebrated on the second Monday of January (it used to be celebrated always on January 15 until the year 1999). All young people who turn twenty years old in that year are celebrated as this is the age considered as the beginning of adulthood. It is a national holiday in Japan- even Ralph Lauren employees have the day off!

Aruba Pics

We ordered nachos with jalapenos and cheese and they brought us DORITOS! It would have been less insulting if they left them in the bag!
We went on a boat trip and saw a sunken Nazi warship

"Nana korobi yaoki" which translates roughly as "if you fall down seven times get up eight"

Happy New year!! It's 2007, and I'm at a loss for what to say. I just got back from Aruba (as you can see in the pics) and was treated to an unbelievable holiday surprize. Straight from Japan from Tim-San a brand new DARUMA! I've been wanting one almost as badly as I've been wanting a lucky cat. He also sent me badass warthog stickers (perhaps because it's the year of the pig) and some yummy mushroom and Hello Kitty candy.

I spent New Years with my bestfriend Rachel. We got drunk... I mean stinking drunk, watching "The History of Sex" on the History channel. Some vodka, cider, proseco and champagne later I was seriously regretting our choice of extra hot salsa and chips. Still a great time!

Kawaii Kwotes

A woman in East Hampton has been sent "ambergris, the storied substance created in the intestines of a sperm whale and spewed into the ocean. Also called “whale’s pearl” or “floating gold,” ambergris is a rare and often valuable ingredient in fine perfumes." However no one is sure if it IS ambergris since as Larry Penny, director of East Hampton’s natural resources department notes, they have no way of making a definite determination, because
“we don’t keep a certified whale-vomit expert on staff.”

This is nuts!

Far be it for me to complain about warm weather. Still when it's 60 degrees in December one has to wonder whether that's a good sign. Case in point: squirrels. Today I came to the realization that the city is STILL STRONG with squirrels despite the fact that they should be hibernating in their warm beds this time of year. I saw three very active squirrels between 86th st and 59th st... fat it's true.... but not sleeping or even sleepy. If the flippin squirrels are confused surely something must be up. I was able to ignore the trees that still have leaves, the total lack of snow- but poor confused squirrels? Some how that just seems cruel.

Uuuuck

A lot of what I've been doing- other than twisting my ankle from all the running- is eating the holiday presents my bosses got. Huge boxes of chocolates and cookies that none of these skinny ladies will touch... except me. Yes, I am aware it's "holiday not holi-month" (thank you weight watchers), yes I would prefer to fit in my fat pants, but when it's 6pm and a bag of gourmet dark chocolate pretzels is staring you in the face tell me how strong you are.

Fur Lord's Sake

Now I'm no PETA lovin paint thrower. I was raised wearing fur (yes I know- "Boooooo"), but I was also raised to love animals (has anyone not seen my crazed devotion to my cat?!) But this... THIS is just wrong. Yes, some dogs can't handle cold weather and need a coat but FUR ON FUR?! This is pretty sick people. Apparently it happened at a German dog show this past week. I guess this isn't to crazy considering the Germans also brought us Nazi's and Shaitza videos. Thank god the dogs don't have on little swastka arm bands!

Kurrent Kawaii Krap

There is a lot going on in the world of super badass kawaii right now even if I don't report on in as much as I should.

For starters there is Iyashi kyara , "characters that are not just cute but give people who see them a sense of relief and warmth". These are basically the SAN-X looking Japanime like Tare Panda who I used to be so obsessed with that my AOL image was him doing flips.

And then of course there is the RL Ricky bag which can go 20,000+ when you get crocodile involved. I don't actually want to spend a car down payment on a purse (unless I could do so without issue) so I'm instead setting my alarm clock early and heading down to the RL employee handbag sample sale. My goal: a ricky bag to call my own for a steal.

Last is flats- as in the shoe not the tire. Running around in high heels is very unkawaii. Would I wear geta? Good question- yes I would- but to Ralph, probably not.