Magazine Splurge!

A friend from MN came to Taiwan recently and we had an impromptu meetup and happened across a Japanese magazine store (雜誌瘋) and I spotted two magazines I wanted to buy right away!

The first is this Alice in Wonderland edition that came with a gift of a book-shaped bag, which I was SO excited about!


I've wanted a book-shape bag for ages! The cover advertises it as "Bag in Wonderland" haha! The magazine is full of artist renditions of the original illustrations from both books, original art by the artists, introduction of Alice events, and explanations of the puns in the books. The book is entirely in Japanese, but there is a cute Alice cookies recipe I want to try!

The second is "We Love Pokemon" because I LOVE POKEMON!!! It also came with a gift tote which is the perfect size for going out:


The front has Pikachu's face and the back has a picture of the new game version Pikachu:


Also entirely in Japanese, and has celebrity opinions on Pokemon (boring to me), maps and history of Pokemon games, photos of the Tokyo Pokemon Center, Pokemon goods, and Pokemon nail art! I found that many of the items in the book are actually available here in Taipei ;D

If anybody is interested in the contents I could scan or take photos. Just wanted to share because I'm excited haha!

Small Daiso Beauty Review

I recently went to the NT$39 shop (US$1.30), Daiso Japan! So here is a quick review of some products I got that I found very worth it at the bargain price.

First: Double layer pill case repurposed as a FALSE LASHES CASE

Available in multiple colors, I chose yellow so I could decorate it to look like Pikachu! I am obsessed with Pokemon ^_~
My name is on the back in Unown. The pill case sizes are perfect for storing lashes, and the top layer can hold tweezers and glue. The packs that false lashes come in tend to be quite fragile and bend or crack easily. I like using pill cases because you can hold multiple styles for mixing or adding accents, and it's small enough to carry around since that's what pill cases are designed for!

Next: Cosmetic Brush and Sponge Cleanser

This is a very highly-rated product everywhere! I tried it out and it does indeed clean any type of brush (I do not use sponges at all, so I cannot comment on that) very quickly and effectively without the need for using much product. I found that squeezing a coin-size amount in my hand was enough to scrub and clean an eyeshadow brush, a liner brush, and a blush brush!

Final: One-Touch Bottle
I have wanted one of these bottles ever since seeing one in a nail salon video!

I also put my name in Unown on it using the negatives from the original sticker cut-out.
This bottle only requires one hand to pump, so I find it very nice for nail varnish remover because you won't accidentally spill the strong-smelling compound all over or waste product!

I did buy some other beauty products, such as false nail bases and double-sided nail stickers, but those are pretty basic and available everywhere at similar prices so I didn't really feel the need to talk about them.

Daiso Japan is really a great place to get some basic items cheaply, and they tend to be very cute! The quality on most items I've found to be OK, especially considering the price point!

Do you have Daiso Japan in your country? If so, what are your favorite products? I'd love to hear others' opinions so I get an idea for what to buy next time I go to a branch shop!

Misako's Lolita World in Taiwan!

If anybody is coming to Taiwan in September, you are lucky because Kawaii Ambassador Misako Aoki is hosting events in Taiwan! The information is taken from the Japan Lolita Association Taiwan Branch facebook page and I translated it for anybody who will be here for this!

Misako’s Lolita World
青木美沙子ロリータファッションbook Taiwan book signing + tea party

※Event time and place:
9/20(Sat) Taipei 13:00~16:30 First Hotel Taipei top floor conference hall

9/21(Sun) Tainan 13:30~17:00 Zenda Suites conference hall

※Event location details:
〈9/20(Sat) Taipei〉
First Hotel Taipei top floor conference hall
http://www.firsthoteltaipei.com/
104台北市中山區南京東路二段63號 (This is the address. I find it easier to use the Chinese address when searching or you can print it out and show a taxi driver)
02 2541 8234

〈9/21(Sun) Tainan〉
台南市東區大學路2號 (address)
Telephone: 06-275-8999
http://www.zendasuites.com.tw/

※Cost of Entry/Date of Registration:
〈Taipei〉 Limit 40~50 guests (in 100-person capacity space)
〈Tainan〉 Limit 40~50 guests (in 60-person capacity space)

Cost (includes 2-3 refreshments and endless red tea)
A.〈Early Bird〉NT$1350:
Pay by 7/20 + send in registration form

B.〈Regular〉NT$1450:
Pay by 8/31 + send in registration form

C. After 8/31 there are only at-the-door tickets at NT$1550
*Taipei Tea Party guests from outside of the Taipei, New Taipei, and Kilung areas will be reimbursted NT$50 to help with travel costs
*Tainan Tea Party guests from outside of the Kiaohsung and Tainan areas will be reimbursted NT$50 to help with travel costs

※Event Details:
(1)Tea Party
(2)Book Purchase and Book Signing:
Set of book + 1 premier postcard + autograph
Price is 750 NTD
Book introduction:
http://ppt.cc/gen.php
http://ppt.cc/9fVq
Basically it is Misako-chan demonstrating and explaining various Lolita styles, coordinates, and basic knowledge.
(3)Misako Sale
E.g., rings, second-hand dresses, etc.
Participants from last year's tea party already know
Misako's dresses are all popular BABY brand dresses
In like-new condition; it's really a deal!
Price estimate around 3500NTD
(4)Best Four Coordinates
Two winners each from Taipei and Tainan. Guests in Lolita attire on the day of the event can introduce their point of fashion to Misako-chan and the other guests. The winners will be chosen by Misako-chan.
Winners will receive special prizes.

※Notes:
1.***Registration is not considered complete until fees are paid***
One fees are paid and registration is successful, there will be no refunds given for any reason. If the event is cancelled, full refunds will be given.
2. Lolitas please maintain a neat and clean appearance in hair and makeup for the event and wear full Lolita attire. Please wear only official Brand items, handmade, or custom items. Knockoffs and pirated designs are not acceptable. If there is confusion or discrepancy please ask beforehand.
3. Regular attire please wear casual formal wear or dresses. Please maintain a neat and cleas appearance in hair and makeup, wear authentic brand clothes. Knockoffs and pirated designs are not acceptable. If there is confuison or discrepancy please ask beforehand.
4. Only accepting money transfer to take payment right now.
5.The organizer reserves the right to change the event details as needed.
6. Lolita Fashion is not Cosplay or maid cosplay. Any guess wearing eithre of these costumes will be denied entry.

※Payment
1.ID: 0700-0001236-0584810
2.Amt. paid:
A 7/20 - 1350
B 8/31 - 1450
C 8/31 at-the-door-tickets for 1550
3.If you require an account, please send a message to the organier.

※Registration
Copy and fill out the following chart and email it to jplolitaintw2013@gmail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
信件標題【報名Misako’s Lolita World茶會】
1.真實姓名：(real name)
2.暱稱：(online handle)
3.email：
4.手機：(cell phone)
5.匯款後5碼：(last five numbers of the account your transferred money from)
6.使用方案：(which set you are buying)
(A/B/C)
7.報名場次：(台北/台南) Choose (Taipei/Tainan)
8.是否購買NTD$750的「書+簽名+明信片」特典/數量：Will you buy the NTD750 book and gifts set? and how many?
*台北茶會當日出示北北基以外的車票，可退款50元車費補助
*台南茶會當日出示高雄&台南以外的車票，可退款50元車費補助

****Do not sent in a registration until you have paid. This form is not a reservation and will not save you a seat*****************
****After payment is received your registration is considered complete If only partial payments are received, the registration is not considered complete until the final payment has been paid in full********
****The above does not cover other events that may cost money so please prepare some spending money*****************