Samantha Thavasa handbags for the grown-up girly girl

Sorry, I've been a bit behind on blogging. I've had a busy last few weeks. First there was a tiring work trip that involved me standing for 3 days straight and giving up my weekend. Let me just applaud any of you who work in retail or are on your feet all day. It's so unbelievably tiring! Then straight back to work, and decided to take a day off to relax... and pow! Had some killer back pain, like you wouldn't believe! I've been through resting and now trying to build up my back muscles again, sigh. Hopefully in time to go on a *much* needed holiday in the Canaries next week.

Phew, that was a lot to get through! So I hope you will forgive me for being a bit quiet. I'm sure you understand, that just sometimes, life gets in the way. It's unavoidable.

Anyway, on to today's blog, I wanted to share another Japanese brand with you all: Samantha Thavasa.

Miranda Kerr for Samantha Thavasa

Samantha Thavasa is a Japanese handbag brand that capitalizes on its foreign sounding name, appealing to young working women, school girls, and maybe even hip housewives (if I may!). The handbag ranges are usually modeled by foreign celebrities such as Nikki and Paris Hilton, Miranda Kerr, Beyonce, and Victoria Beckham.

Beyonce for Samantha Thavasa

They are rather expensive, but I fell in love with some big boxy beauties last time I was in Japan (oh dear, that was 2008, I believe!). I still keep an eye on the range, and thought I'd share some with you today. I suspect, unless you've spent some time in Japan, you probably won't have heard of Samantha Thavasa before (altho, they apparently have an outlet in the US now! Anyone been?)

Jennifer Lopez for Samantha Thavasa

Here are some of Samantha Thavasa's current offerings. What do you think? (Hint: click on the prices to be taking the Samantha Thavasa website for more colours and sizes!)

24,150 Yen

29,400 Yen

24,900 Yen

27,300 Yen

31,500 Yen

27,300 Yen

17,325 Yen

Personally, I really love the little girly attention to detail such as the ribbions, the hearts, and sparkles that feature in the designs. It's something that's still considered acceptable in Japan for business women to still maintain those little elements of cute or kawaii while still being grown-up at the same time.

Superdry jackets just the ticket for fall

Superdry is a popular British clothing brand, that I noticed on my last trip to the US, doesn't seem to have 'broken' the US yet. So, I thought I might share it with some of my readers who haven't heard of it.

Superdry is a clothing chain that features some Japanese writing and I guess likes to kind of masquerade as a psuedo-Japanese brand. The most famous of their items, would be their jackets, which come in a variety of colours and thicknesses - from thin windcheaters (windbreakers) to 'artic polar' windcheaters which have a thick fleece lining.

I've been enjoying my technical windcheater in this chilly autumnal weather we've been having and when it gets colder, I have a polar one with fleece lining to switch to.

Here is just a small sample of some of the jackets you can order online. They start at £59.99 and offer free shipping to the UK, Europe (incl. Russia), the US, Mexico, and Canada. Blimey, that's impressive!

What do you think? Any catch your eye? I'm tempted to get the pink one..  something to brighten up the winter wardrobe, maybe? Hmm... We'll see!

Get the school girl look without the hassle

I am completely lusting after this adorable school girl look jumper (sweater). It's available in red and navy for only US $19.80 from Forever 21. (Even better, it's also available on the UK website for £16.75)

What do you think? Adorable or cheesy?

Christmas gifts out at Boots already!

Wow, it's not even Halloween yet, but Boots are getting ready for the Christmas gift giving season. You can see their selection of goodies here, but here are my top picks!

Okay, so I'm a bit selfish, I guess. I picked things I would love to receive... but then I think when it comes to beauty products, if you don't wanna receive it, why would anyone else? ... Yeah, erm, I know that's not always the case, but I think these gifts would probably be well received by any lucky lady!

No 7 Protect and Perfect Intense Experience, £35.00

First things first. Skincare is beyond important, and no matter your age, or the intended recipient's age (well,,, within reason), a lady cannot go without reliable skincare products. So my first pick is this No 7 Protect and Perfect Intense Experience. It may seem a bit steep at £35.00, but it has an awful lot of useful products included in the 'experience', such as:

• No7 Soft and Soothed Toner (30ml)
• No7 Soft and Soothed Cleaner (30ml)
• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Beauty Serum (30ml)
• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Day Cream (25ml)
• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Eye Cream (5ml)
• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense night Cream (25ml)
• No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator (15ml)

I know personally, I would love this set. Most of the products are smaller than the full size, so if you haven't used it before, it's not a massive commitment, but it's still a lot bigger and more substantial than a sample. Also, I have been dying for No7 to bring out travel sizes! Those big glass jars may look lovely on my dresser and in the bathroom, but when I'm on holiday it's the last thing I wanna carry around with me.

Dior Christmas Expert Eye Palette, £52.00

This Dior Christmas Expert Eye Palette contains everything you need to pull off a sexy smokey eye. But of course, as it's a shade of neutral browns, you don't have to go full on smokey sexiness, but can keep it casual for the office. This is an amazing palette, and no matter what any girl tells you, she can never have enough brown eyeshadows. They are so versatile and everyon can wear them. Dior eyeshadows are also a great gift for any lady who loves premium makeup.

This kit includes it all:

• Serum primer
• Mini-Eyeliner Pencil
• Matte Serum enriched eyeshadow
• Shiny Serum enriched eyeshadow
• Glow
• Brow liner
• 2 double-ended applicators

Hello Kitty Liberty Lip Gloss Collection, £10.00

Last, but certainly not least, is a more purse-friendly option from Hello Kitty and Liberty Arts. Hello Kitty and Liberty Arts actually did a similiar collaboration last year, which included 4 shades of lip gloss in a collectable tin, which they have repeated this year. However, the colours are different: Golden Rose, Pink Shimmer, Pale Pink, and Natural Shimmer (8ml each). Notably, there is a bright pink replacing the darker lip shade, but on the whole the shades are all wearable and this is a must have for any girly girl or lover of Hello Kitty.

Have you already started your holiday shopping? Or are you too busy making your wishlist?

Jelly Beans Japanese Shoes for Autumn

Jelly Beans is one of my favourite Japanese shoe labels, and I'm currently lusting after these lovely pumps and boots.

JB Triple Ribbon Strap Pumps 6,195 Yen

JB Side Ribbon Bootie 8,295 Yen

Sadly, they aren't easy to get outside of Japan, but aren't they adorable styles? I'd love to get my hands on the pumps in pink or beige, and the booties in dark brown.

What do you think?

Adorable jewellery and accessories from Ginger Pickle

I recently ordered a couple of things from a neat little company, Ginger Pickle, that I read about on A Daisy Chain Dream's blog. 

Ginger Pickle is an 'online boutique selling handmade jewellery, accessories, homewares and stationary made by British designers.'

There is such an adorable selection of items. I really recommend a browse! I particularly am a fan of the little bottle necklaces - everything from containing fairy dust to jam tarts! (see below, I caved and bought one of the Poison Apple necklaces, which I think might be sold out now).

I also bought an 'I heart Ron' badge as a present for a friend (she loved it, btw). They also had an 'I heart Snape' one, which I've got my eye. There's also quite a few other Harry Potter items in the homewares section too. 

Such adorable offerings! And all reasonably priced. What a great find!

Going ape over animal inspired clothing

Today I've gone to the animals for some fashion inspiration.

The birds have inspired this lovely navy number, which I adore! The wing it on dress is available at ModCloth for US $69.99

This state your opinion leopard dress is one for your more out going days. Amazingly, I think you could pull off elegant by pairing with a black cardie or stole. Also available from ModCloth for US $84.99

This stunning Orla Kiely fox of life coat is too sweet to pass up. Okay, currently out of stock at ModCloth, but it was too gorgeous not to share. It comes with a pretty hefty price tag of US $484.99! O_O  Yeah, you read that right. But it is lovely! (I also managed to *not* make any horrible foxy puns!)

Last, but certainly not least, is this over-the-top adorable Sam's grin & bear it skirt. Sadly, this too comes with a hefty price tag of US $247.99. Unbelievably cute, however.

Are you a lover of 'animal' clothing? Any fav pieces?