Can I Be A Raccoon Dog?

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite things in the world - The Tanuki. Statues of him sit outside restaurants and gardens to gather wealth. He's boss-eyed. He has a gigantic scrotum. So naturally, I have a Tanuki Print Skirt.

Tanuki make me so happy, it's hard not to laugh as soon as I think of them. I MEAN LOOK AT IT. I came across the statue when I was having a hard time in Tokyo in February. He just cheered me up to no end with his ridiculous little face!

Now, if you've been to Japan or have an interest in Japanese culture you've probably seen this guy before. However, have you seen Tanuki print fabric before? I certainly hadn't until now!

I picked this fabric up in the remnant section just outside Shinjuku's Okadaya in February. They have this great system there, where remnants are divvy-ed up into 2mt lengths and each bundle is ¥980. So thats what, roughly £7? Buying fabric per meter in Japan isn't the cheapest, so this is a great way to get some quality fabrics for a good price.

My eyes caught this cheeky little Tanuki fabric and I grabbed two bundles and ran to that till! My god, though, the quality of this fabric is to die for. It's mid-weight, and the texture is one of my favourite parts of this fabric. Japan does not do crap quality fabrics!

We've seen before that I'm a massive fan of the dirndl. Recently I've found myself more inclined towards separates to create outfits, and dirndls are an easy way to make skirts. Essentially, it's a length of fabric gathered or pleated to a waistband. That's it! Something so simple, yet makes the most striking of garments.

This skirt isn't rocket science and it won't win technical competitions. But hey, it's got everything I need in a skirt; huge patch pockets, a nice sweep, a hint of pom pom and it's red. Oh, and giant-bollocked raccoon dogs, of course.

I decided to pair this outfit with my burgundy doctor bag from Vendula London - mainly because of the frame charms. The Shabby Chic charms are pretty amazing since you can actually take the backs off to fill the frames with whatever you want. My tip? Match your bag to any outfit by using scraps of fabric in them! 

Bodysuit; Primark
Necklace; Topshop (ooold)
Bangles; Vintage 
Bag; Vendula London (Disclaimer)
Shoes; New Look (old)

Snapshots of Tokyo

Happy New Year, loves!

I wanted to start 2017 on a good note and show off a few photos from the biggest highlight of my 2016 - I went to motherflippin' TOKYO.

Shibuya Crossing - The busiest crossing in the world!

Depending on how long you've known me, you may or may not know that in my very early teens I became obsessed with Japanese music and fashion, and it had been a dream for the longest time that I would go there.

So I was pretty excited when I got to go to Tokyo for a week with work to be on the Japan Shop Channel - Yeah. Not only did I go to Japan, I just happened to be on live Japanese TV too.

This is an actual screen grab of me being cheesy on actual TV.

My life is bloody brilliant!

I was there for a week and spent most of time around Takeshita Street/Harajuku/Shibuya, but I wanted to show you a few photos of my new favourite place in the world

This was just a cute place in Kayabacho, where I stayed.

Adorable Tokyo Station exclusive Hello Kitty - She's a train driver!

Sake barrels outside the Meiji Shrine in Harajuku 

Takeshita Street in Harajuku - where all the amazing Japanese Street Fashion brands are!

Ginormous Train Driver Pikachu in the Tokyo Station Pokémon Store!

Votives with thanks and wishes at Meiji Jingu

I'm not even sure what these were but it made a cute photo

A traditional wedding at Meiji Jingu - the kimonos were just too beautiful!!

The gigantic 1:1 scale Gundam at Odaiba. Odaiba is a man-made island off Tokyo that is mostly named after Pokémon towns. Yeah.

Ah damn, this post has made me miss it so much - I can't wait to go back again next month!

Have you ever been? Tell me your favourite places!