tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79480294346241523192024-03-13T13:23:10.123+00:00DROOGETTEUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger333125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-28915214865114546772022-03-30T22:12:00.006+01:002022-03-30T22:12:49.738+01:00VLOG: A (surprisingly) Sunny Day in Newcastle<p> Hey everyone,</p><p>Since upgrading to my iPhone 13 <i>(ya gorl has had an iPhone 6s since 2015...) </i>I've been inspired to mess around making little vlogs.</p><p>Even after being home for a few months, I still sometimes feel like a tourist in my own city. </p><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ivg348fGhA0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></center><center><br /></center><center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></center>Look at me, putting that Media degree to good use a decade later...<div><br /></div><div>Muchos love,<br />Carla </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Newcastle upon Tyne, UK54.978252 -1.6177826.668018163821152 -36.77403 83.288485836178836 33.53847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-75023521407867910222022-03-13T17:56:00.000+00:002022-03-13T17:56:01.606+00:00LIFE: Welcome Back to Town...<p> Hey everyone,</p><p>Wow, お久しぶりです everyone!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://thegeordiegaijin.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/img_8973.jpg?w=609" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="609" height="406" src="https://thegeordiegaijin.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/img_8973.jpg?w=609" width="609" /></a></div><p>After two and a half wonderful years, I am back in the UK indefinitely. <br />During my time in Japan, I loved writing my blog TheGeordieGaijin.com and it inspired me to return to my original little corner of the internet. </p><p>I still can't believe my little blog from when I was a slightly unkempt university third year has been running for <i>over ten years</i>, now. It has gone through some changes over the years, and so have I. </p><p>I'm looking to update my tech and do some little vlogs etc., but in the meanwhile, please enjoy this vlog I made during my second year in Japan - just documenting an average Friday for me:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cYajDysbzOw" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Muchos love,<br />Carla </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-64768450386994112692020-07-18T15:14:00.002+01:002022-03-13T18:01:40.569+00:00FASHION: Nordgreen Watch Review (AD)Hey everyone,<br />
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What time is it?<br />
Time to practice social distancing and stay home if you can, huns.<br />
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I was given the opportunity to review one of <a href="https://nordgreen.com/">Nordgreen</a>'s beautiful watches, and of course, chose their <a href="https://nordgreen.com/collections/infinity-womens-watches/products/infinity-white-dial-pink-leather-watch-strap?variant=15930594000959">pink and rose gold colourway</a>.<br />
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The watch only took a week to ship from Denmark to Japan and arrived securely in FSC certified packaging.<br />
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While Japan is opening up again, I'm still practicing social distancing and avoiding crowded spaces. It's also in the middle of rainy season - it's rained solidly for three weeks now, and last night I was woken up by an earthquake and a warning to stay indoors. <i>(I've felt a small tremor before, but this was my first shaky-shaky one!)</i><br />
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So this review is going to be a self-isolated one!<br />
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Nordgreen has <a href="https://nordgreen.com/collections/womens-watches">three main ranges</a> - Philosopher, Native and <a href="https://nordgreen.com/collections/infinity-womens-watches">Infinity</a>, and this watch is from the latter. Personally, the dainty, simplistic design spoke to me for I am neither dainty nor simplistic.<br />
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It feels nice and weighty and is water-resistant to 3ATM but not completely waterproof. So it'll withstand Japan's rainy season <i>(whether <u>I</u> will remains to be seen...) </i>but I'll have to take care not to drop it in the onsen. Noted.<br />
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The one thing I would note however is that although I don't have particularly big wrists, in order for the watch to fit comfortably I had to wear it on the second last holes. So it may be worth measuring your wrist if you're interested in purchasing.<br />
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Nordgreen's ethos is based on sustainability and giving back. The cardboard paper in the packaging is from responsibly managed forests, and the inside felt material is made from recycled plastic bottles.<br />
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Furthermore, if you register your watch on their website using the serial number on the back of your watch, and identification number on your certificate of authenticity, a donation is made on your behalf to one of their chosen charities.<br />
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My donation went to Patham UK, one of the largest non-governmental education organisations in India with an emphasis on keeping young people in school. As someone who is currently working as a teacher, it is something that is dearly important to me and I think it's a very innovative way to support worthy causes.<br />
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If you're in the market for a beautiful, timeless and sustainable piece to add to your collection, I recommend checking our <a href="https://nordgreen.com/">Nordgreen</a> on their website and socials.<br />
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Muchos love,<br />
Carla<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">DISCLAIMER: </span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Watch provided for consideration, post not sponsored. All opinions are my own. </span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-71991322930000165332020-03-16T02:56:00.004+00:002022-03-13T17:56:42.356+00:00LIFE: Yokoso!Hey everyone,<br />
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What? Who's that girl?<br /><br />It's been quite a while since I've updated here. I somewhat fell out of love with blogging. Many reasons, but mostly I felt I no longer really had much to offer the internet.<br />
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I turned 30 last May, which is crazy to think I was 20 when I started writing here.<br /><br />In case you don't follow me elsewhere on the internet <i>(well, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/droogette/">Instagram</a>)</i> you may have missed a major change in my life - I've been living in Japan since August 2019!<br />
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While I'm never saying never about returning to this blog again - I'm currently enjoying writing about life in Japan over at<b> <a href="https://thegeordiegaijin.wordpress.com/">The Geordie Gaijin</a></b>.<br /><br /><i>(Geordie because I'm from Newcastle, gaijin/</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">外人</span><i> is a slang term for a foreigner in Japanese)</i><br />
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After a hiatus, <a href="https://supremefive.com/">my love of fashion</a> has returned over the past few years, so who knows.<br />Old school outfit posts again? Maybe one day.<br />
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This isn't a <i>sayonara</i>, it's a <i>bye-for-now</i>!<br />
<br />Muchos love <i>(always)</i><br />
Carla<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><font size="2">DISCLAIMER: Post contains affiliate links. </font></p>
<i><br /></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-51397398341762919302017-12-05T22:34:00.000+00:002017-12-07T11:14:59.876+00:00LIFESTYLE: A Cosy Night In with Simply Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Hey everyone,</div>
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Sorry for the radio silence here lately. </div>
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I don't want to currently discuss too much, but I've been in fairly poor health since the summer. </div>
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However I'm definitely on the mend now. </div>
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<i>(Although I was in Krakow a few weeks ago, fell over on the cobbles and sprained my knee so on top of that I'm now hobbling and limping about.)</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/lingerie/nightwear-loungewear/pyjamas/_/N-1ytvjv8/products/show.action">Simply Be</a> reached out and <a href="http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/lingerie/nightwear-loungewear/pyjamas/_/N-1ytvjv8/products/show.action">offered to treat me to a pamper night in</a> which really is my cuppa cocoa. </div>
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Oh and welcome to the Pink Palace! </div>
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Yes it looks like a Barbie bedroom. That's the goal!</div>
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<a href="http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/pretty-secrets-christmas-pyjama-set/jn687/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=6022#colour:Black,size:">Pretty Secrets Christmas Pyjamas</a> - £10.00</div>
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I was so impressed by the quality of these jammies for only £10! </div>
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I like my pyjamas baggy, so ordered the size up - these are the 20/22. <br />
As I expected, they're pretty huge on me, but very comfortable - I reckon they'd easily fit someone several sizes above!</div>
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As well as <a href="http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/lingerie/nightwear-loungewear/pyjamas/_/N-1ytvjv8/products/show.action">two cute sets of pyjamas</a>, it wouldn't be a pamper nights without some smellies, and it's the perfect time of year for gorgeous gift sets, non?</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xE3pplSCvcs/WicMLdzfjaI/AAAAAAAAA4s/VjfUj9yV9VQQpxBjBxv_2KfqgjheAyEQgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_9668.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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I was delighted to receive <a href="http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/simple-collection-basket-gift-set/ah279/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=6022#colour:,size:">a basket of Simple</a> goodies, who have been my favourite skincare brand since I was a teenager. <i>(Which is now longer ago than I remember...)</i></div>
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I have dry/sensitive skin and I've never had a problem with any of their products. My favourites are the toner, which I apply every night after moisturising with a cotton pad. <br />
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I then apply a light layer of the eye balm, which feels light and fresh - perfect after a full day of sitting staring at a computer screen. </div>
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I was also sent the <a href="http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/bomb-cosmetics-pamper-hamper-gift-set/ib063/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=6283#colour:,size:">Pamper Hamper from Bomb Cosmetics</a>, as is it really a pamper night without looooong bath, with plinky-plonky new age music wailing from your phone? </div>
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I say not. </div>
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I mean come on, the tiny little bath creamer is called <a href="https://bombcosmetics.co.uk/harajuku-girl-bath-creamer">Harajuku Girl</a>.</div>
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How perfect?!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ5KZqY_IA4/WicUvtKTtvI/AAAAAAAAA5k/g0Dw-107khMw4CcCPj4tjiSNHu0wzxjZgCEwYBhgL/s1600/bathgif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ5KZqY_IA4/WicUvtKTtvI/AAAAAAAAA5k/g0Dw-107khMw4CcCPj4tjiSNHu0wzxjZgCEwYBhgL/s1600/bathgif.gif" /></a></div>
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Oh yes, I do GIFs now. Welcome to 2002!</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqhDgg33_mc/WicMFqrqyGI/AAAAAAAAA5I/xz7ZfA4PLZAiVbObFQs_zIzGZkpW_-wJwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_6136.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/pretty-secrets-flannel-pyjamas/jn598/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=6022#colour:Red">Pretty Secrets Flannel Pyjamas</a> - £25.00</div>
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Every single Christmas Eve, Italian Catholic Mother buys me a pair of snuggly pyjamas like this - so they really got me in the Christmas mood. Again I went for the 20/22 but they fit more true to size. </div>
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And after all the pampering is done, what's my favourite thing to do on a cosy night in?</div>
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Of course - eat all the snacks and play video games!</div>
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I finally bit the bullet and bought myself a Nintendo Switch, with the excuse that it's a 'get well soon' present to myself because I can. </div>
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What are your favourite things to do on a chill night? Holler a girl. </div>
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Being lazy and doing hardly anything is my favourite thing.</div>
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Muchos love</div>
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Carla</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>DISCLOSURE: </b>Pyjamas and beauty products provided for feature, however I have not received any monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are - as always - my own!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-11175528383180141882017-06-18T17:30:00.002+01:002020-07-29T05:44:18.280+01:00THE JAPAN DIARIES: Kawaii Monster Cafe <br />
Hey everyone,<br />
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After our crazy night at the Robot Restaurant <b>(post soon!) </b>with my friend <a href="http://japanter.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/bite-sized-japanter-n11.html">Hiro-chama</a> I had my bets on him booking us a table at the <a href="http://kawaiimonster.jp/">Kawaii Monster Cafe</a> in Harajuku when we met again the following year.<br />
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Lo and behold, he came up trumps!<br />
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The brainchild of Harajuku legend Sebastian Masuda - best known for being the founder of the iconic Harajuku brand <a href="http://dokidoki6.com/">6% DokiDoki </a>and the art director behind my queen Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.<br />
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It's without a doubt, the craziest restaurant I've ever visited.<br />
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Not to everyone's taste of course, but if you're like me and can appreciate the creepy, cute plastic-y world of kawaii then you're in for a treat.<br />
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Hiro also brought his friends <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marcelferragi/">Marcel</a> and Eddie along, who were adorable.<br />
<i>(Marcel has kindly <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marcelferragi/">allowed me to use his photos</a> since I got distracted and pretty much forgot!)</i><br />
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Upon entrance, there is a huge wiggly red carpet which the host explained<i> (and Hiro translated) </i>is the tongue of the monster and we are entering the belly.<br />
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Mmmmm...digestion!<br /><br />I don't currently <a href="https://whydopets.com/" target="_blank">have a pet</a> - but if I did, it would definitely be a kawaii monster. <br />
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Me and Eddie looking surprisingly chill for two people about to get swallowed whole.</div>
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Note the fuzzy red monster's tongue carpet!</div>
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I had <strike>stalked</strike> seen several of the hosts online, and they are dressed in stereotypical <a href="http://www.japanesestreets.com/market/Decora">Decora</a>-influenced Harajuku get-up.<br />
But we hit the jackpot and got a 'Harajuku boy' <i>(aka '<a href="https://twitter.com/Yukkyun_DOLLY">Monster Dolly</a>') </i>who was utterly adorable.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i>"You can take pictures, but please no touch!"</i></span></div>
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There are several areas in the restaurant to sit, all with a different theme. <br />
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We selected an area covered with plastic almost-kinda-sexual red lips and milk bottles hanging from the ceiling because why not?<br />
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Cutie pies!</div>
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The menu itself was crazy, an ipad set in a big plastic cake. There is an option for Japanese and English.<br />
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It's incredibly easy enough to understand, but the very cute waiter still took us through everything.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma0yKPxW6Zc/WTrGV4aEK2I/AAAAAAAAA0I/bCZEGxutz_oF-6tPGggKJF2EIlCtC4XzACLcB/s400/IMG_4993.jpg" width="300" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGHwLeCotDo/WTrGCwhdoLI/AAAAAAAAA0E/CByGIGemzEgON99BUCcFsWMLMhuZM5zLwCLcB/s400/IMG_4978.jpg" width="300" /> </div>
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And of course the food is absolutely mental.<br />
Everything is brightly coloured and looks like something Rainbow Brite would have for lunch.<br />
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Hiro went for the rainbow pasta in a creamy sauce, but he advised it was less of a pasta and more like ramen with cream cheese.<br />
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Me and Eddie went for the egg sushi which was pretty standard, not the best or worse I've had in Japan - however the brightly coloured smears of wasabi mayonnaise were actually pretty delicious.<br />
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What really stands out are the desserts which don't even look real.<br />
We chose a huge ice cream parfait to share - and even for four greedy people, it was more than enough!<br />
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Packed with ice cream and cake which was delicious but the real surprise was the rainbow frosting - each colour had a different flavour, and reminded us of the lickable wallpaper from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.<br />
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You are supposed to stay in your allocated area and there are rumours online of being thwacked with another charge if you go on a wander, but it was fairly empty when we went and nobody batted an eyelid.<br />
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Huge bulbous plant booths - serving Alice In Wonderland/Jumaji realness.</div>
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There is also a huge merry-go-round shaped like a cake with lashings of whipped cream, fruit and creatures - it would have been nice to be able to sit and pose for a photo, but unfortunately it's a no-go.<br />
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Apparently the Kawaii Monster girls <i>(and boy, I guess)</i> put on a show on the merry-go-round, but most likely due to the restaurant being almost empty when we went this sadly didn't happen.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvOv5fIWANk/WTrK6Gd1XgI/AAAAAAAAA00/JK4_IzWJlQ08M2ZX-z0mLW6Cq4nH41wkACLcB/s400/mehiromerrygoround.jpg" width="300" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="624" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpwQhJKzOFQ/WTrKk7HhXLI/AAAAAAAAA0s/I91IOVc-liEDwcZKFd-hv8D7lxUMHVFqgCLcB/s400/eddiekawaiimonsteredit.jpg" width="260" /></div>
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Our waitress asked where we were all from and was delighted we were all from different countries <i>(I'm from the UK, Hiro from Japan, Marcel from Brazil and Eddie from Vietnam) </i>and she presented us with colourful chopsticks to take home for free, decorated with our country's flags which was a lovely touch!<br />
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There is also a merchandise section, but nothing particularly caught my eye. <br />
The usual though: pens, mugs, badges etc.<br />
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I think the price was quite reasonable for the experience - there is a Y500 <i>(£3.50)</i> cover charge per person, but you then receive a '<i>Fall In Stomach Monster Card' </i>which means if you return your group gets in for free.</div>
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Mains are approximately Y1500 <i>(£10.00) </i>each and desserts between Y750 <i>(£5.50) </i>and Y2800 <i>(£20.00) </i>if you get something to share like we did.<br />
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It certainly doesn't break the bank - especially for Tokyo!<br />
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Note that some evenings, <a href="http://kawaiimonster.jp/night/">the place has more of an adult vibe</a> - including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWpJ50RXbMI">hosting fetish nights</a>.<br />
So if that's not your bag baby, best to check the website before planning your visit!<br />
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Overall the food is fair for what it is - the mains are not incredibly tasty, but the desserts are to die for.<br />
The overall experience? Unmissable!<br />
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Muchos love<br />
Carla<br />
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<b>DISCLAIMER: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marcelferragi/">Most photos (aka the good ones!) by Marcel Ferragi</a>.</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-54100162408970992472017-06-06T21:18:00.001+01:002017-06-06T21:20:33.756+01:00TRAVEL: Birthday In Barcelona<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
So I spent my birthday in Barcelona.<br />
My birthday in 2016.<br />
I am the queen of procrastination.<br />
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It was sunny in Newcastle.</div>
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In Barcelona it was not.</div>
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However as birthday 2017 has just passed, I'd still like to share my trip as it really was wonderful and I completely fell in love with Barcelona.<br />
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It was my first time visiting the city - and indeed, Spain! <br />
I know, I know right? <br />
Pretty unheard of for a Brit, especially one who works in travel.<br />
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Usually when me and Claire go on our jaunts, one of us has visited before and can pretty much steer the other around.<br />
But it was completely new for both of us, and it was so much fun adventuring.<br />
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I thought I'd share some of my favourite pictures and top tips for first timers.<br />
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<b>DO: </b>Stay on Las Ramblas.<br />
It's the tourist central of Barcelona, but also means you're so close to everything. We managed to make it through our entire stay without having to use the metro!<br />
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We stayed at <a href="https://hotelarclarambla.com/en/">Hotel Arc La Rambla</a> and can recommend it without hesitation if you are looking for budget, clean and central accommodation.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8nBLRYcZlo/WSHZgk9b87I/AAAAAAAAAl8/0jDMPcWrSFkNpGefNjlciI8w0G1JMbRFQCLcB/s400/IMG_7493.JPG" width="300" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7Czve_BcO8/WSHZUUxo-lI/AAAAAAAAAl4/ICQecUawA28kvIvSwRmCe3gFvaNdLe2-ACLcB/s400/IMG_7486.JPG" width="300" /></div>
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Overcast - wah!</div>
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But nevertheless still beautiful!</div>
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If you don't eat gelato at least once a day on holiday whatever the weather then what are you even doing with your life..? </div>
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<b>DO: </b>Walk everywhere you can!<br />
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Even getting from A to B is beautiful and I loved getting lost in all the little side streets.<br />
We stumbled across an adorable courtyard with orange trees which we would have otherwise missed!<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vW8SEyjmHjE/WSHdajoPRmI/AAAAAAAAAnU/cPZGuC5vX8E7fdIHkuSQTS_1Lk6PyjYiQCEw/s400/IMG_7614.JPG" width="300" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1YoJxJcC-k/WSHdadhKsYI/AAAAAAAAAnU/QfehnwqvnpMMFhyJXtXNglQsTIhtvgzcwCEw/s400/IMG_7617.JPG" width="300" /></div>
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<b>DO:</b> Do the hop-on-hop-off bus tour if it's your first time.<br />
Touristy yes, but hey - you're a tourist!<br />
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It saves fannying on with metros and buses and will take you to everywhere you need to see for your first visit. You'll most likely get discounts on other places.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyGv0JCwuwM/WSHZ0zPwvFI/AAAAAAAAAmA/FZwBzPvlzpA_NkhJ1e_jlNOa6GOyAKsvgCEw/s400/IMG_7485.JPG" width="223" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cY7PUJpxcs/WSHal5tIvLI/AAAAAAAAAmM/bKZznPsYD6ELP4YfLOlidoe7mvCkB-5cACLcB/s400/IMG_7533.JPG" width="222" /></div>
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Go on the open top bus they said. It'll be sunny they said.</div>
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<b>DO: </b>Skip breakfast one day and eat your way around La Boqueria market.<br />
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Everything looked absolutely delicious - fresh fruit, smoothies, macarons, marzipan, empanadas and other pasties, falafel with salad, chorizo and other yummy, fatty meats and pretty much every form of seafood going.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Claire got a feta and spinach empanada <i>(when, I pointed out, is the Spanish equivalent of a Gregg's pasty because she is common)</i> and a fruit pot. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I had a watermelon and strawberry smoothie and some meat on a stick for €1. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Perfect for a pre-beer snack!</span><br />
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<b>DO: </b>Frequently stop for (lots of) drinks and people watch.<br />
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This is always one of my favourite things about travelling, and Barcelona was no exception.<br />
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We saw a group performing a <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/10/building-human-towers-in-spain/502706/">castell</a> - a Catalan tradition involving essentially building a human tower, a German stag party dressed as Minions, to a poor bloke who'd obviously overdone it on the plane and fell asleep head first into his steak.<br />
Everybody clapped when he woke up, including the waiting staff.<br />
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Another night we we got chatting to a young guy who sat with us all evening and showed us card tricks!<br />
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<b>DO: </b>Splash out on an evening of flamenco.<br />
This was one of the most special nights of our trip and we went as a pre-birthday treat.<br />
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The one we went to was <a href="http://www.tablaocordobes.es/en">Tablao Flamenco Cordobes</a> on Ramblas, and I can't recommend it enough.<br />
A bit pricey at €80 per head, but that includes a delicious buffet meal and drinks before the show, as well as a glass of Cava while you watch.<br />
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However, <b>DO NOT </b>overdo it on the free bar as Claire ended up getting overemotional and crying.<br />
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<b>DO: </b>Keep an eye on your belongings...but really just exercise common sense.<br />
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Las Ramblas has a bit of a reputation for pickpockets. Perhaps it was because we visited in May before the peak tourist season began, but we never had any hassle at all.<br />
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In all honesty, I've felt more unsafe in Paris, and someone once attempted to snatch my friend's bag at London Kings Cross so there you go.<br />
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And the locals really do watch out for you - at one point Claire forgot herself, leaving her iPhone out on the table <i>(it's suggested you keep it in your bag) </i>and the maitre d of the restaurant we were in gently nudged it towards her and indicated to put it away.<br />
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I find a sturdy cross bag works well and when you're walking around, casually keep a hand on it.<br />
But you really don't need to go OTT with a fanny pack or safety belts as that'll just make you stand out as a tourist. Blending in is key!<br />
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<b>DO: </b>Wander down to the port.<br />
It's absolutely beautiful. When we went there were two flea markets on as well as lots of street entertainment.<br />
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<b>DO: </b>Go down to the beach.<br />
Well, I mean I'm sure it's lovely. But when we went it was raining. Bloody Barcelona.<br />
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<b>DO: </b>Prebook for the Sagrida Familia.<br />
This can easily be done online in a few minutes. We smugly walked past a massive queue at lunchtime and went straight in.<br />
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And finally...<br />
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<b><u>DO NOT:</u> </b>Order oysters when Claire is hungover.<br />
The poor lass chundered <i>everywhere</i>.<br />
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I'm already planning on returning in March 2018 with my lovely pal Chris - I can't wait!</div>
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Muchos love</div>
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Carla </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-70836774535670170232017-05-30T20:21:00.000+01:002017-05-30T20:36:33.443+01:00THE JAPAN DIARIES: Capcom Bar<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
Tokyo has a bit of a reputation for out-there dining. <br />
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From <a href="http://www.ninjaakasaka.com/">a restaurant where you are attacked by ninjas</a>, an Alice In Wonderland cafe, a Catholic cafe, animal cafes <i>(not just cats - now also dogs, rabbits, owls and reptiles...)</i>, maid cafes, <a href="http://moominmania.co.uk/moomin-bakery-and-cafe-in-tokyo-japan/">a Moomin cafe where solo diners receive a plushie to keep them company</a>, Sebastian Masuda's <a href="http://kawaiimonster.jp/pc/">Kawaii Monster Cafe </a><i>(I actually visited here in 2015 - stay tuned!)</i> the list goes on and on.<br />
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But being quite the Ace Attorney fangirl, I could resist seeking out the <a href="https://www.paselabo.tv/capcombar/">Capcom Bar</a> in Shinjuku, where I'd heard offered edibles and drinkables dedicated to everyone's favourite spiky haired rookie lawyer.<br />
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I'm not going to lie, it took a bit of wandering around to find it - eventually I found it on a side street wedged between a pachinko bar and a particularly seedy looking hostess club.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%201_zpsebdaubdv.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
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It appears the ground floor is another restaurant entirely, and the Capcom bar takes up the second floor. </div>
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I was the first person waiting and I didn't have a reservation so I asked a staff member if I was in the right place. He confirmed I was, and gave me a menu to browse and pre-choose options. </div>
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This was all in Japanese, and mine is practically non-existent I signaled to the guy I would be ordering upstairs and he gave me a thumbs up.</div>
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A few other guests started queuing, a mix of tourists and locals. </div>
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Then the door swung open and he were invited inside. </div>
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Even though the bar was nowhere near full capacity as I was a solo diner I was shown to the bar seating which was a little uncomfortable but <a href="http://japanter.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/rules-is-rules-is-rules-is-rules-is.html">rules is rules is rules</a>.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%20mirror_zpsmwefxxeh.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%20gaming_zps4gdf5itj.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></div>
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Inside is very cool and black and shiny. </div>
The three huge screens you can see are hooked up to machines where you can play the latest Capcom releases.<br />
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And thankfully this ignorant gaijin was given a full colour menu with English. </div>
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Unfortunately, <a href="http://capcombar-menu.paselabo.tv/search/label/%E9%80%86%E8%BB%A2%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA">as of 2017 the Ace Attorney section has been scaled down somewhat</a> to make room for several other game series. </div>
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However this is what was available when I visited in 2015:</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%20menu%201_zpssh2j6ttc.jpg" height="400" width="298" /> <img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%20menu%202_zpspgxkbvy0.jpg" height="400" width="298" /> </div>
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Apollo's bracelet themed onion rings and a potato croquet gavel.</div>
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Cocktails based on prosecutors Franziska Von Karma and Klavier Gavin.</div>
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Also a black coffee for Godot, naturally. <i><b>("It's bitter today, too... Just like my destiny.")</b></i></div>
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%20cocktail_zpshfdexof5.jpg" height="400" width="267" /> <img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%20afternoon%20tea_zpscccbjesg.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></div>
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I ordered the Klavier Gavin cocktail - he is a musician so check out the ice guitar!</div>
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The cherry red liqueur is the same colour as his jacket.</div>
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Along with this I had Miles Edgeworth's High Tea. </div>
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This tickled me as Edgeworth is often localised by fans <i>(alas not canon)</i> as British. </div>
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%20hot%20cake_zps9ix9v0cx.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></div>
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It's a freaking <a href="http://aceattorney.wikia.com/wiki/Blue_Badger">Blue Badger</a> in powdered sugar!!</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/CAPCOM%20BAR%20TOKYO/capcom%20bar%20pastries_zpsnu77paci.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></div>
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Delicious pastries and sweet treats - including this adorable 8-Bit Edgey cookie which was almost too cute to eat!</div>
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Noticing I was alone, the smiling waitress came over, explaining <i>"friends for you"</i> and put these next beside me:</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCMbSU6biek/WSbn9JayLFI/AAAAAAAAAps/vfC2jZ4x7vUsCITO4h9riorTfWe8sJEIwCLcB/s640/DSC_0054.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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D'awww. My lads.</div>
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Although I had my 3DS with me, I was also offered a Japanese 3DS with the then-unreleased Ace Attorney HD Trilogy loaded. </div>
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The service really is second to none in Japan, and all these little touches were really sweet. </div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1ZeBNM0xa0/WSbn9LMiTDI/AAAAAAAAApo/aGAVT685bk8Ll3ozOTcoM00wf4u4GSsFwCLcB/s640/DSC_0036.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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The came the skits.</div>
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I speak barely any Japanese, but by then the Klavier Gavin cocktail had kicked in and I found the whole thing rather shambolic and therefore hilarious.</div>
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Suddenly the barman produced a gavel, and whacked it hard on the counter so hard I nearly fell off my stool.</div>
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The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp3RaRI_sQA&list=PL661F534D5EB64093&index=7">Ace Attorney soundtrack</a> started blasting and there was a very random court scene involving a girl's "stolen" onion rings. </div>
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Only in Japan.</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HB2q1-A6jDA/WSbp_EVs-WI/AAAAAAAAAqA/s-LHvhbzpeA5H0uzZNe0acKuYwgqqlKCgCLcB/s640/DSC_0070.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<i>"HOLD IT!"</i></div>
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<i>"TAKE THAT!"</i></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4g-n1zWlUAc/WSbp4-vwEHI/AAAAAAAAAp4/0XuNe2EoAWoCdiK4trd379F6sVXuNvjnwCLcB/s640/DSC_0071.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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Just before he started shouting <b><i>"<a href="http://aceattorney.wikia.com/wiki/Objection!">IGARI</a>!"</i></b> and he caught me eye and added <i><b>"Also...<a href="http://aceattorney.wikia.com/wiki/Objection!">OBJECTION</a>!"</b></i></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aISnCfvpxUE/WSbp4wvaKkI/AAAAAAAAAp8/wPQ5l0iTeyIKYpm0bL2mmJJdTGwCfE3dgCLcB/s640/DSC_0074.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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There was also an opportunity at the end of the meal to buy exclusive merchandise. </div>
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A lot of what I'd had my eye on was sold out, but I did buy a Blue Badger mug. There was also a daily raffle when I was there to win some pin badges. </div>
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I can't see anything about this on the website, but I'm assuming the still sell merch. </div>
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Overall, I had a wonderful experience.</div>
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A lot of love has gone into the place, and the cheerful staff seem to be having a ball too. </div>
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Of course if you're not so much into Ace Attorney, many other Capcom series are featured including: Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Biohazard, Devil May Cry and Rockman!</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--y2UW0wYpJs/WS3JdeLSsCI/AAAAAAAAAqo/eINaljQvtK40fWyxbdMwGTUctVAXfsCuQCLcB/s640/capcom%2Bbar%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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If you're a total nerd like me - it's definitely worth a visit!</div>
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Muchos love,</div>
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Carla.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-77305809527759873802017-05-21T17:21:00.001+01:002017-06-06T21:30:58.646+01:00OUTFIT POST: Glasgow GirlHey everyone,<br />
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Here's a birthday haiku:<br />
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Birthday in Glasgow.<br />
I am 28 years old.<br />
Carla is ancient.<br />
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However in typical Carla-style I am still not dressing for someone who is knocking thirty, and instead chose to look like an eccentric French child to go for birthday doughnuts.<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wEBk-cB-nBo/WRt4SgiSI7I/AAAAAAAAAjk/XwQdUnOmYhkhrNodKVwommfNvl1a-5KsQCLcB/s640/IMG_5855.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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TOP: H&M<br />
SKIRT: New Look<br />
JACKET: Primark<br />
BOOTS: Clarks<br />
BAG: Kate Spade<br />
JEWELLERY: <a href="https://www.glitterbombjewellery.co.uk/">Glitterbomb</a><br />
BERET: eBay<br />
BROOCH: Gift from my work pal, Ashleigh.<br />
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We had a wonderfully chill weekend, which was mostly spent eating and binge watching Drag Race. <i>(Poor Nadia is trawling her way through the snoozefest that is season 7. Bleurgh. Apart from Trixie and Katya, obvs.)</i><br />
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We also watched Eurovision. Sweden was robbed.<br />
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I was thoroughly spoiled by my family.<br />
Italian Catholic Mother and Papi B bought me this beautiful <a href="https://www.glitterbombjewellery.co.uk/">Glitterbomb</a> jewellery I asked for.<br />
<i>(Turns out the Sailor Moon necklace is a bit defective, but Glitterbomb's customer service has been 10/10 and a new one should be on it's way to me soon!)</i><br />
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They also surprised me with <a href="https://www.hoxtongin.com/">my favourite gin</a>, <a href="http://marawilsonwritesstuff.com/">Mara Wilson</a>'s book and an amazing Zelda notebook!<br />
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Nadia bought me Too Faced's <i>Better Than Sex</i> mascara and a kawaii AF makeup bag:<br />
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And naturally as Glasgow one of my favourite UK cities for scran, we ate all the food - including a stop at my favourite ever burger joint <a href="http://breadmeatsbread.com/">Bread Meats Bread</a>.</div>
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It was a fabulous long weekend, and I bought myself an extra present - the special edition of <a href="http://fireemblemechoes.nintendo.com/">Fire Emblem Echoes</a> which is beautiful and amazing. </div>
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I've been working all the hours I can lately to save for my Japan spending money, but can't wait to get stuck into the game when things quieten down somewhat.</div>
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It's somewhat bittersweet as it's the final game in the series to be released for the 3DS before the series moves over to the Switch.</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNoQ1pnICqM/WSHXkGo2vMI/AAAAAAAAAlo/YJM63bDqK5k7W0QcEqY5RWPRgHNoEGWwACLcB/s640/febag.png" width="640" /></div>
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Muchos love</div>
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Carla.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-34600139560401289132017-04-23T12:17:00.000+01:002017-04-23T19:03:40.616+01:00THE JAPAN DIARIES: Koyasan<div>
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Hey everyone,<br />
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I'm very excited to continue my <b><i>The Japan Diaries</i></b> series - <a href="http://www.droogette.com/search/label/The%20Japan%20Diaries">you can read all the previous installments here</a>. <br />
Or skip to <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/02/the-japan-diaries-part-i-tokyo.html">Tokyo</a>, <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/03/the-japan-diaries-part-ii-kyoto.html">Kyoto</a> and <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/03/osaka.html">Osaka</a>.<br />
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My plan when I arranged to go to Koyasan was to go to the mountains for a cleansing experience, to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while. </div>
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This turned out to be more difficult when I had to be up at 7am to start packing and get ready to leave. My head was throbbing. <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/03/osaka.html">I should have turned down that last sake from Mr Yano</a>. </div>
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And to make matters worse, when I checked my phone - Hurricane Phanfone had hit again in the night. It had mostly gone over Tokyo and we got the backlog. <br />
Trains had been thrown off a little. I was worried as I had several changes to catch.</div>
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My worries were unfounded however. Delayed trains are simply unacceptable in Japan. <br />
By rush hour, everything was running as usual - like clockwork.</div>
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They say part of the adventure to Koyasan is getting there and that's certainly true. <br />
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I caught the train from Osaka Namba to Gokurakubashi, then caught the cable car up to the mountains. It really was beautiful, feeling miles above the trees.<br />
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Then unfortunately, as soon as I stepped off the cable car - the heavens opened. <br />
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The high altitude wasn't helping my hangover, so instead of fannying on trying to find the right bus and fret I was getting off at the wrong stop I hopped in a taxi and it was the best Y2,500 I spent.<br />
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I was both excited and also a little apprehensive about staying with monks in a temple. <br />
But <a href="http://www.fashionhayley.com/">Hayley</a> had recommended the Souji-in to me, insisting it was one of her favourite experiences in all her years visiting Japan.<br />
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I was greeted by a monk, who bowed and politely pointed at my feet. I'd forgotten to take my shoes off standing on the steps, whoops! </div>
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He took me to the reception area and we sat opposite each other crossed legged on piles of pillows while he took down my details, advised meal and prayer times and explained the rules.<br />
<i>(Very simple and common sense: no raised voices, speaking in hushed voices, showing respect for the monks and others, no flash photography etc.)</i></div>
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Another little monk then gave me a pair of slippers which were absolutely massive on my size 5 feet and I kept slipping all over the place on the polished floor which was quite embarrassing.<br />
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He gestured to the dining room, prayer hall, onsen rooms and then to my room.<br />
<br />
It was definitely suitable for several people - separated into two rooms with a sliding door.<br />
On one side was a little table with a kettle, cup and saucer plus nori sheets and a sweet mochi to nibble. A yukata was neatly folded in the corner.<br />
<br />
The other room was my bedroom with huge open windows with a beautiful view of the zen gardens and a futon with lots of heavy blankets. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Unfortunately the rain showed no signs of stopping, spoiling my plans to wander around the grounds and the village so I fell into a deep, wonderful nap, and slept soundly under the heavy blankets.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/jEgXceTENNux2mHIXC2yyQ5OL6CaEEgJJvFrlT18lm3IZWxrCs4zDmHLjOLTpVe-DtVEbQmk97TlCLhV4NY8FegwGmYfPuHHfO63UAnld88Ad8l0u4yqMhHLTmOp_ux9vTureFdZiXN6cBO8z1qc1A" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/Koyasan/koyasan%20temple_zpsuls5j6ap.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a>I set my alarm on my phone <i>(vibrate only of course so I slept with it in my bra!) </i>to wake up in plenty of time for dinner, when I changed into the yukata.<br />
I felt a bit immodest with just my underwear underneath, so I put on a vest/singlet and a pair of black shorts.<br />
<br />
Just as I was wondering how I was going to find the dining room, or if I was going to be served in my room as a single guest - the little monk who showed me around came and let me to the hall.<br />
<i>(I didn't chance the slippers again and just wore my socks. I still slipped on the polished floors like a fool.)</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other guests were all fellow Westerners when I stayed, and we were separated by a small privacy screen which I appreciated.<br />
Dinner was Shojin Ryori<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> - </span>traditional vegan food eaten by the monks.<br />
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Shojin Ryori</div>
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This was my breakfast, I unfortunately forgot to bring my camera along to dinner!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div>
I'm not a particularly picky eater <i>(surprise, surprise)</i>, and found everything absolutely delicious:<br />
Miso soup, soft gelatinous tofu, pickled ginger, tempura vegetables, greens in a sweet sauce, soy beans, nori and rice.<br />
<br />
A monk I hadn't seen before with trendy black glasses came along with extra nori and served me a huge pot of green tea. I thanked him as he set everything down in front of me. He paused and said:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
"Excuse me miss, may I ask you question?"</div>
<div>
"Of course."</div>
<div>
"You are English girl, yes?"</div>
<div>
"Yes, I'm from Northern England."</div>
<div>
"Ahh very good. I enjoy the cooking of Jamie Oliver."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And there you have it. <br />
50,000 miles from home, sitting in a yukata in a temple talking about Britain's favourite celebrity chef with a monk. That's one for the grandbairns. <br />
I laughed and called him Jamie every time I saw him the rest of my stay.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After dinner the rain had weaned and I finally had a walk around the temple. <br />
I considered going to the onsen but I couldn't remember which one the monk had said was the male and female and honestly couldn't cope with the embarrassment of choosing the wrong one, so I missed out. <br />
<br />
I never did visit an onsen during my visit, which was a bit of a shame - I've put it on my list for my 2017 trip, however. <br />
<i>(My sister is not looking forward to this.)</i><br />
<br />
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The beautiful serene grounds which smelled especially wonderful after a night of heavy rainfall.</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
After an early night, I woke up refreshed and ready at 6:00am for prayers. <br />
These are listed as mandatory in the house rules, but they're hardly going to come in and force you out of bed if you don't fancy it. <br />
<br />
But I don't see why you would miss it out after going all the way there. <br />
I walked to the prayer room myself - a large room full of gold Buddhas, incense, scrolls and a huge gong. <br />
I got lost in the long, warbling chanting in the perfumed room lead by Jamie, a truly amazing experience lasting about an hour. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Breakfast was served straight away - almost identical to the previous evening's dinner, but without the tempura and a smaller portion which suited me as I don't have the biggest appetite first thing in the morning. </div>
<div>
<br />
After being bowed out by the monks, and ensuring them I'd had a wonderful stay I started my long journey back to Tokyo.<br />
It must have taken me about six hours and I was absolutely knackered after being on trains all day.<br />
<br />
Mind and body cleansed, but you have no idea how fast this was shoved into my face as soon as I hit Shinjuku:<br />
<br />
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<br />
Muchos love,<br />
Carla </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
It's been a year. Almost a year. Eleven whole months. <br />
If I was pregnant <i>(I'm not) </i>I could have had a baby in this time <i>(I haven't)</i>.<br /><br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
I don't know how I fell off the wagon, and I truly miss my little space on the internet.<br />
<br />
I feel like I lot of people who have been blogging for a while <i>(I've technically been blogging since I was 12 - and since I was 19 here!) </i>I've been feeling quite burnt out. <br />
<br />
The blogging bubble has burst. People are moving over to YouTube. Are we yelling into the abyss?<br />
Is it over?<br />
<br />
Who cares say I? I hate not writing.<br />
I mean I've been journaling lots this year. Sort of. Well I missed for for the whole of March.<br />
But I have been journalling nonetheless.<br />
<br />
So hello!<br />
Let's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvyHuse6buY">measure, measure a year.</a> <i>(Seasons of LOOOOOOVE... etc)</i><br />
<br />
I'm still at my same job in travel admin. The lasses are loud and lovely.<br />
We've celebrated engagements, hen parties, a wedding and three babies - plus another on the way!<br />
And Rhiannah <i>still</i> thinks a quail is a baby whale.<br />
<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/IMG_2995_zpswohtruu9.jpg" height="320" width="216" /> <img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/IMG_2978_zpshifvcel2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></div>
<br />
I've also been lucky enough to go galavanting since the last time we spoke.<br />
The perks of working in travel!<br />
<br />
I've already mentioned we went to Barcelona last May for my birthday which was wonderful, but reckon I should mention it here too because WHY NOT.<br />
I've completely fallen in love the city and am already planning a return trip next year.<br />
<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/IMG_7533_zpstt1gbqgf.jpg" height="320" width="180" /> <img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/IMG_7598_zpspugjyzls.jpg" height="320" width="240" /><br />It was rainy and overcast but me and Bradders still managed to eat ice cream every day.<br /></div>
<br />
Then me and my sister visited Budapest in August which was amazing. <br />It was one of my bucket list destinations, and did not disappoint. <br /><br />It was also SO cheap which was a welcome surprise<br />I think I only spent £120 over five days, and that included eating out three times a day, drinks, public transport, souvenirs and entry to the thermal baths.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/IMG_1452_zpsw3ihbk7z.jpg" height="320" width="255" /> <img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/IMG_1580_zpsqqucjwcu.jpg" height="320" width="180" /><br />The most lethal margaritas ever.</div>
<br />
Finally for his Christmas present, I treated me and Papi B to a long weekend in Berlin in January as Newcastle has just reintroduced a direct route to Berlin!<br /><br />
I got an absolute steal on an agent rate at the hotel which was about a ten minute walk from Alexanderplatz.<br /><br />
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I ticked another thing off the bucket list - the Ramones museum!<br /></div>
<br />
I expected to only look around for an hour or so as Papi B hates punk, but they have a bar and we ended up staying there all afternoon slowly getting pissed on German lager and watching Ramones concerts on repeat.<br />
<br />Bury me there.<br /><br />
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<br />Me and Bradders are also going to Krakow in November!</div>
<br />
She got engaged last month, and has already booked to get married in August 2018, so there will most likely not be an annual ~galz trippp~ next year as she saves for her wedding and honeymoon.<br />
<br />
Nick got down on one knee in a park in Amsterdam. <br />
I've been telling people it was outside the Sex Museum hurr hurr.<br />
<br />
Family-wise, all is well.<br /><br />Papi B celebrated his 60th birthday. He was thoroughly spoiled.<br />
I asked him if he feels 60. "I feel about 19!" He said.<br />
Goals.<br /><br />
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Aww. Papi actually likes and wears the novelty t-shirts I bring him back from holiday!<br /></div>
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<br />
It's also Italian Catholic Mother's 60th this year. <br />
Her pals have cajoled her into having a big joint party with them all and she is trying everything possible to get out of it.<br />
Again, goals.<br />
<br />
My sister Nadia is finally graduating from uni in June after four years. <br />(Five years if you include her "sabbatical" - aka: a year of sitting on her bum watching Gilmore Girls.)<br />
<br />
We're also booked to go to Japan this October, to celebrate her finally being free from the shackles of Dissertation Hell. Staying in Tokyo for a week, then a few days in <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/03/the-japan-diaries-part-ii-kyoto.html">Kyoto</a> and <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/03/osaka.html">Osaka</a>.<br />
<br />
It'll be my third time, her first and we can't wait. <br />
I need to write up a few more Japan Diaries, as I've been really proud of that mini-series.<br /><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/IMG_4808_zpsen0jvnee.jpg" height="320" width="240" /> <img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/MOHH7463_zpssfwtlsij.jpg" height="320" width="240" /><br />From my 2015 visit.</div>
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<br />
I've previously stayed in Meguro <i>(above, right) </i>but for a change we are staying in the Minato area, near the Tokyo Tower.<br />
<br />
Somehow I've managed to book us in an AirBNB next to an Irish bar and the rest of the street is full of Izakayas.<br />
I don't think I'm going to remember much of this trip.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/IMG_3827_zpsas7bl68j.jpg" height="640" width="640" /><br />I DIY-d these ridiculous shoes a few months ago and it's finally getting warm enough to wear them, woo!</div>
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<br />
I have so many posts planned: beauty, fashion, travel, food and of course our favourite around these parts - miscellaneous.<br />
<br />
I'm planning a little quick series called TOP 5 which are quick little posts which should only take five minutes or so to read.<br />
I have about twenty posts already drafted, I just need to pull my finger out and actually get started!<br />
<br />
Again, I've missed you all so much.<br />
So <b><i>*puts mug down*</i></b> how have you been...?<br />
<br />
<br />
Muchos love,<br />
Carla<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-48003042256812374622016-05-31T22:18:00.001+01:002016-05-31T22:33:03.966+01:00May Favourites<br />
Hey everyone<br />
<br />
Wow it's been a little while since my last post.<br />
<br />
Working in travel, it's getting closer to summer and being part of the in-resort/amendment team it's getting to our busy period!<br />
So I've mostly been working and sleeping.<br />
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<br />
Mostly.<br />
<br />
That said, after a pretty gloomy and drawn-out April<i> (I had a bit of a MH blip and my sinusitis also flared up) </i>May has been brilliant.<br />
<br />
I had my birthday <i>(I turned 27 - wahh) </i>but I got to escape for a week and celebrate in Barcelona with my bestie, Claire.<br />
We both fell in love with the city and I promise there'll be a proper post soon!<br />
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<br />
But on to my May favourites - I used to be quite regular with these back in the day, and I'm determined to get back into the swing of them!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THINGS I PUT ON MY FACE:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b><a href="http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/643/31165/Product-Catalog/Makeup/Face/Foundations/Perfectionist/Youth-Infusing-Makeup-SPF-25">Estee Lauder Perfectionist Foundation</a>: £38.00</b><br />
May was the month I splashed out on a big girl's foundation. After a tenure of being a Revlon girl since I was about 14, I got colour matched at Estee Lauder and now wear their Perfectionist foundation in their second lightest shade (Ivory Nude).<br />
It lightweight, but buildable and I find it lasts me a full day at work before I have to touch up my nose and T-zone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/tony-moly-panda-s-dream-so-cool-eye-stick.html?campaignid=262311751&adgroupid=18784388551&network=g&device=c&keyword=&placement=&creative=60938521951&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7LS6BRDo2Iz23au25OQBEiQAQa6hwDoU2fOydBrUjjTs8lPwE7N0jReAcAss7g62vOs8VEIaAn6-8P8HAQ">Tony Moly Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick</a>: £10.00</b><br />
Barcelona has a Sephora, and I did well retraining myself - especially upon discovering they have a huge <a href="http://www.sephora.com/tony-moly?products=all">Tony Moly</a> range.<br />
I pretty much wanted everything with it's adorable packaging, but I treated myself (and my sister) to the Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick, which is essentially cools 'puffy' eyes and tightens eyebags.<br />
As someone who suffers frequently with sinuistus it's going to be amazing when I have a flare-up, but I've also been using it daily as it feels so good on my skin!<br />
<a href="http://www.sephora.com/tony-moly?products=all">It's currently sold out on Sephora online</a> but is currently in stock on places like CultBeauty.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.boots.com/en/NIVEA-MEN-Sensitive-Post-Shave-Balm-100ml_1343/">Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm: </a>£5.00</b><br />
Believe the hype for this cheap beauty essential - it's currently becoming everyone's favourite budget primer. Having seen this on Nikki Tutorials' videos, I thought I'd try it for the sake of £5.00 and it's actually amazing at creating a base for foundation. It's replaced by pricer Smashbox primer as my go-to in my makeup bag.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.theperfumeshop.com/Prada/Candy-Florale/Eau-de-Toilette-for-her/p/31820EDTJU">Prada Candy Florale</a>: £42.00-75.00</b><br />
I finally finished my bottle of Prada Candy Florale I bought in duty free at Amsterdam Schipol last year. If I'm heading somewhere major like Japan, I like to have a specific scent I wear during my visit - so now everytime I spritz my Prada Candy Florale I'm back in my tiny-but-cute AirBNB apartment in Meguro. I'm definitely treating myself to a new bottle with my leftover birthday money.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_154614109399_-1">Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons palette</a>: £39.00</b><br />
I've already written <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/01/too-faced-chocolate-bon-bons-palette.html">a full review on this palette</a> but I've found myself reaching for it again this month. Nothing wrong with revisting old favourites!<br />
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<br />
My birthday present from Italian Catholic Mother and Papi B was this beautiful mint green Ralph Lauren purse.<br />
<br />
It's so gorgeous it even inspired the colour scheme for my birthday nails!<br />
<i>(Which yes, definitely need infills.)</i><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HOME STUFFS:</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.tigerstores.co.uk/">Tiger </a>is always my go-to for homewears and tchotchkes, as it's so cute and inexpensive - such as this wee ice cream timer which was only about £2.00.<br />
<br />
But the surprise this year was <a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/home_5460015">New Look's reinvention of their homewear</a> - everything is ON POINT lately.<br />
<br />
My family bought me this delicious salted caramel candle and ice cream money box for my birthday. But honestly, I could buy everything - elderflower and prosecco candles?! Hello!</div>
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<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BOOKS AND MEDIA STUFFS:</span></b></div>
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I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea. Everything is so beautiful and elegant it's almost intimidating - but I reckon I could whip up these Viennese biscuits for my office gals. </div>
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I also loved the story about Eric and his mother getting the ferry in his childhood from France to England specifically to have Afternoon Tea. </div>
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I've always loved being a granny and going for a tea and a scone at a fussy teashop, so I'm really pleased it's enjoying a comeback.</div>
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Games-wise I've been playing a lot of <b>Splatoon</b> lately. Nintendo's answer to a shooter game, except you are a squid-human hybrid known as an Inkling, and you play online battles where whoever covers the most turf in ink wins.<br />
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It's been out a little while now, but I've only recently bought it and got into it - although other players' poor internet means I find it cuts out a lot mid-turf war which can be a bit annoying.<br />
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That being said, I'm currently planning my next cosplay to be an Inkling - "stay freeeeeeesh!"<br />
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The big game release of the <strike>month</strike> YEAR has to be <b>Fire Emblem Fates</b>. Being two versions of the game, after much humming and harring I decided to side with the peaceful land of Hoshido and buy <b><a href="http://fireemblemfates.nintendo.com/birthright/">Birthright</a></b>.<br />
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In this version of the game, you are an Eastern royal, kidnapped as a child and finally reunited with their true family and are defending your blood kin against the people who brought you up in hopes of bringing peace to the land once more.</div>
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<i>(In <b><a href="http://fireemblemfates.nintendo.com/conquest/">Conquest</a></b>, you remain with your adopted family and fight a revolutionary war against your blood relatives for power.)</i></div>
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I'm about half way through with approximately 16 hours game time already - as with all Fire Emblem games you get a lot of play for your buck.<br />
I'm enjoying the story more than in Awakening<i> (which was wishy-washy at best) </i>but annoyingly I do find the Conquest characters more interesting when I meet them in battle.<br />
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Looks like I'll just have to buy Conquest too then...<br />
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TV-wise, I have gone from a person who watches no anime so someone who watches <u>TWO</u> animes. </div>
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I have of course been obsessed with <a href="http://www.crunchyroll.com/ace-attorney">Ace Attorney</a>, as it is my favourite video game series of all time.</div>
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But in a video by Caz of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nerdburgerj">Nerdburger</a>, she mentioned this adorable anime called <a href="http://www.crunchyroll.com/ace-attorney">Ore Monogatari!!</a><br />
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Presented in the style of "shoujo anime" - an anime predominantly aimed at teenage girls, usually featuring a shy, retiring teen girl lead who mostly fawns over unattainable boys with huge eyes, pointed feminine features and dreamy hair.<br />
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Ore Monogatari!! throws out the rule book - the lead character is in face a huge, muscly, awkward boy called Takeo Gouda who doesn't have much luck with girls, who in turn all lust after his friend Suna<i> (a shoujo architype: handsome and distant)</i>.<br />
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When he saves the Yamato from a groper on the subway, she unexpectedly falls in love with Takeo and the relationship is so sweet, funny and charming I find myself binge-watching five episodes at a time. </div>
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Oh and the opening song is currently being played on repeat on my morning commute:<br />
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And that's all for now - stay tuned for my post all about my birthday in Barcelona.<br />
Have a happy June, everyone!<br />
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Oh yeah, I found the magatama pendant I bought on Miyajima Island last year - now I can be <a href="http://aceattorney.wikia.com/wiki/Maya_Fey">Maya Fey </a>every day!</div>
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Mine unfortunately does not give me the power to see and smash though lies. </div>
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That's my story, anyway.</div>
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Muchos love<br />
Carla<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-300321699825779372016-03-29T18:59:00.000+01:002016-04-07T20:06:43.930+01:00THE JAPAN DIARIES PART III: Osaka<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
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So <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/03/the-japan-diaries-part-ii-kyoto.html">from Kyoto </a>I made my way to Osaka.<br />
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In truth, I hadn't researched a lot about Osaka - anyone I asked who had previously been gave me either a black or white response: it was their least favourite major city in Japan <i>(similar to Tokyo but more garish and less interesting) </i>or it's been the highlight of their trip with lots of culture and the best food in the land.<br />
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With this in mind, I only gave myself 24 hours in the city with the intention to break up the journey between Kyoto and Koyasan, where I'd arranged to stay in a temple in the mountains with a bunch of monks. <i>(As one does - post soon!)</i><br />
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I checked into my hostel and was greeted with these notices from the manager: enigma and local legend: Mr Yano.<br />
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When I Whatsapp-ed these pictures to my sister she replied <i>"I think it's a cry for help."</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g298566-d1202399-Reviews-J_Hoppers_Osaka_Guesthouse-Osaka_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html">J-Hoppers Osaka</a> is easily one of my favourites I've ever stayed in - the atmosphere is very open and friendly, and downstairs in reception there is an open space kitchen offering free tea and rice.<br />
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After chatting with the receptionist for a bit, I sat at the table and enjoyed a free cuppa with a middle aged lady from Australia who was in the middle of a visa process with her Japanese husband.<br />
I was sharing my slightly aged, but cosy dorm with a sweet German girl called Anja and we spent a wonderful chill hour hanging out and sharing stories about our travels.<br />
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As I only had a day, the receptionist handed me a city guide with a map and suggested I see Osaka Castle, wander down Dotonburi then come back for a night on the tiles with Yano-san.<br />
Sounds like a plan, Stan!<br />
(Stan-san? Stan-chan?)<br />
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The walk to Osaka Castle is through a beautiful Ghibli-esque park which is a little hilly in parts but never a really a struggle. There's plenty of concession stands along the way, and of course vending machines.<br />
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I got excited and thought the purple ice cream was taro but it was grape. Booo!</div>
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I did however have a watermelon flavoured slushie at it was sensational.</div>
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While I didn't want to waste an already short day wandering around the castle, there was still plenty going on when you reached the entrance.<br />
Stalls selling souvenirs: small figures of the castle, t-shirts, sake. Food stands: everything from BBQ to Osaka's famous okonomiaki.<br />
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There was also a show of some sorts going on.<br />
It was a bit shambolic, but that just made it all the more endearing.<br />
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After a quick picnic lunch under some trees, I wandered down to Dotonburi to see Glico Man.<br />
It's basically Osaka's version of Times Square or Piccadilly Circus. Touristy and crowded but also very fun and flashy.</div>
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Unfortunately Glico Man was on the blink, and was temporarily replaced by Glico Girl:</div>
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I felt a bit of a scruffbag walking through the main street of Dotonburi which is home to major fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior and Chanel.<br />
It was hot and humid and I had sweated most of my makeup off walking up to the castle and back again.<br />
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I much preferred getting lost in the almost-sleazy-but-not-really side streets which were full of cute cafes, tiny restaurants and host and hostess clubs.<br />
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I also found where I believe is my true calling - a club called 'La Potcha Potcha' <i>("Chubby Chubby") </i>where all the hostesses are over 80kg/176lb.<br />
(<a href="http://www.scottee.co.uk/">Scottee</a> wrote about his visit <a href="https://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/article/exploring-osakas-underground-feeder-bars">here</a>)<br />
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GOALS.</div>
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After tiring myself out, I was ready to just throw myself on my bed and relax for the night - but I was ambushed by the elusive Mr Yano in the lobby, accompanied by some local Japanese English students eager to learn the language from natives.<br />
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A couple from New Zealand<i> </i>and an American guy called Adam also staying in the hostel were already ready and looking a little apprehensive so I decided to join them.<br />
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Honestly, it was the best decision I made as we went to an Izakaya, a Japanese pub of sorts.<br />
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Now I consider myself a very independent person when I travel, but I had been a bit uncomfortable going to the Izakaya by myself as it's either a place people go with lots of friends, or salarymen and their colleagues getting mortal after their long shifts end and didn't fancy an evening being peered at by myself.<br />
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Yano-san. Party boy and local legend.</div>
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My Japanese is appalling, so when Mr Yano offered to order for the table I accepted his kind offer. He also ordered everyone rounds of beer which for some reason I envisioned being schooner sizes, but out came massive jugs that wouldn't look out of place at an Oktoberfest.<br />
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Then came the sake.<br />
Of course being from Newcastle, I out-drank everyone.<br />
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Before long, we were all suitably pissed and me and Adam in particular showed ourselves up singing RuPaul songs to the confusion of the Japanese students.<br />
<i>(</i><i>His husband subtitles the show into South Korean. He told me the Korean for "hunty" which unfortunately I can' for the life of me remember.)</i><br />
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The plates were all interesting and very tasty. Pickled eggs, tempura fish, chicken karaage and the most tender, sticky pork I've ever tasted in my life.<br />
I gestured to the pork, gave Mr Yano a thumbs up and bumbled in slurred, broken Japanese: <i>"butanikuuuu, oishiiiii!"</i><br />
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Mr Yano looked confused.<br />
"Not pork. Is heart. Pig's heart."<br />
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I stuck to the safer options like these little burgers after that.<br />
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After we stumbled home and I waddled up to bed I decided that a cleansed body and mind was definitely needed. And a trip the mountains would do my already throbbing head the world of good.<br />
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Ommmmmmm-wards and upwards.<br />
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Muchos love,<br />
Carla<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-22559769514079537562016-03-17T19:38:00.000+00:002016-03-17T19:40:30.998+00:00THE JAPAN DIARIES PART II: Kyoto<br />
Hey everyone<br />
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Welcome to part two of my Japan diaries - <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/02/the-japan-diaries-part-i-tokyo.html">part one covered the crazy metropolis of Tokyo</a>.<br />
If you're like me and have a two-week stay, Kyoto is usually pretty high up on the wish list.<br />
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Only a few hours outside Tokyo on the Shinkansen, it's a great option for a change of scenery - and getting there really is half the fun!<br />
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<a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/02/the-japan-diaries-part-i-tokyo.html">I mentioned the Japan Rail Pass in my previous post </a>- if you have a pass then this is already paid for and you can even reserve a seat for free.<br />
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TOP TIP: Request a window seat on the right hand size for awesome views of Mount Fuji:<br />
Just ask for: <b>"Fuji-san mitai. Migi-seki"</b><i> ("I want to see Mt. Fuji. Right seat.")
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I only had two days in Kyoto, so by the time I'd arrived from Tokyo, checked into my hostel, unpacked and freshened up it was already around 5pm.<br />
So I took it pretty easy the first night, wandered around my neighbourhood to get my bearings, found the nearest metro station and went downtown for an early dinner.<br />
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I hadn't been to a sushi belt in Japan so I took a punt and checked out a place I found in my <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lonely-Planet-Discover-Japan-Travel/dp/1742205674/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458243413&sr=1-1&keywords=discover+japan">Lonely Planet</a>. <i>(While we're on the subject, Lonely Planet guides can be pretty hit and miss - but I've got so much use out of my Japan one I do recommend it!) </i><br />
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For somewhere in a guidebook, it was surprisingly full of locals - me and another couple were the only gaijin there.<br />
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I started selecting a few things from the belt - but quickly discovered everything automatically comes with wasabi. I know, I've tried and tried but I LOATHE wasabi - I think even a little bit makes everything taste of wasabi, and you can't taste anything else.<br />
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However there was a sign saying you can order without, and the waitress although spoke only basic English was able to take my order which was awesome.<br />
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Once wasabi-free, everything was delicious and fresh.<br />
I accumulated quite a few plates and it amounted to around the £7.50 mark including green tea.<br />
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After a night's sleep <i>(disturbed by my roommates deciding to repack their suitcases at 1am - I'm too old for this so I pointedly got up and turned the light off...) </i>I only really had one full day, so decided to hit up the famous Tenryu-Ji Temple and the nearby Bamboo Grove.<br />
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The Arashiyama area is a great call if you're like me and want to experience Kyoto in a nutshell if you're on a bit of a time restraint.<br />
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There are lots of things to do on your walk to the temple - small, interesting shops selling souvenirs and many many restaurants, cafes and food stands.<br />
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An adorable chopsticks shop - I bought a set for my sister and they carved her name in Hiragana for a very small supplement.</center>
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An old man was selling green tea ice cream and allowed you to serve yourself.</center>
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Perfect snack for a hot, humid Kyoto day!</center>
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If you like shrines - you'll love Kyoto!</center>
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There is a big beautiful garden surrounding the temple full of small shrines. Despite it being packed with tourists, it was actually very peaceful. </center>
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<br />I love visiting Japan in the Autumn as it's still warm enough for yukata.</center>
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<img src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/KYOTO/DSC_0161_zpsoqbtlsg2.jpg" height="428" width="640" /> Tenryu-Ji Temple.</center>
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I can never resist tourist tat like charms, but they make for inexpensive souvenirs.</center>
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(I'm from a Roman Catholic family, and you can always find a medal, rosary, holy card or charm in Italian Catholic Mother's handbag - so she always appreciates these!)</i></center>
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Bamboo Grove is a short, pleasant walk from the temple - you're pretty much there if you leave via the north garden exit.</center>
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Sadly, none of my pictures made the grove look as stunning as it is - but just imagine towering bamboo trees as far as the eye can see. </center>
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The trees act as shade, which was needed as it was a very hot day when I visited. Huddled in the grove are several small shops and cafes to explore. </center>
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It's all very Alice In Wonderland, with very few signs in English. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was difficult to find a western-style toilet so sadly I was caught short and had to use a squat toilet.<br />
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Not my finest moment.</div>
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It was also here I met my first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_raccoon_dog">tanuki</a>...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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Well that sounds marvellous, I'll just stroll on down and...</div>
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OOHHHHMYGOD</div>
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"Hi kids, would you like to see some puppies?"</div>
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HERP DERP.</div>
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Ahem.</center>
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Seriously though, these little Japanese racoon-like animals are often found outside restaurants, cafes and bars beckoning customers in for revelry and good times.<i> </i></center>
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<i>(As you can see by their cheery faces, fat bellies and usually clutching a bottle of sake. I can relate.) </i></center>
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They're also traditionally believed to bring good fortune to the proprietors. </center>
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Also hilariously <i>(although sadly you can't see in my photos) </i>they're traditionally portrayed with enormous, protruding testicles. </center>
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There's even a folk song which pretty much translates to:</center>
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"Tan-tan-tanuki's balls ring ring ring</b></i></center>
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<i><b>The wind's stopped blowing</b></i></center>
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<i><b>but they swing-swing-swing!"</b></i></center>
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Never change, Japan.</center>
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Aaaaaanyways...</center>
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While it was a beautiful day, I do come out in hives if I'm outside the city for too long so I took the advise of my Lonely Planet and went for dinner at a restaurant in the basement of one of the department stores. </center>
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<i>("Depachika" - literally "Department basement.") </i></center>
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To save money in Japan, I tend to eat out for lunch <i>(nearly all restaurants have a lunch special) </i>then grab something quick from the konbini for my dinner such as a bento set, instant ramen or <i>(if you're also visiting in the Autumn) </i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oden">oden</a>. </center>
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Oh, oden I love you. Yum.</center>
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I've sadly forgotten which one I went to <i>(there are three huge ones near Kyoto train station)</i> it was sadly a bit of a disappointment.</center>
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Sadly this dinner set was the blandest meal I've ever had in Japan. </center>
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The cold soba noodles and greens were nice enough, but nothing really had a lot of flavour.</center>
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So yeah, if you're in Kyoto I'd give this a miss.</center>
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I had a bit of an early night as I was off to Osaka the next day, which I will save for my next post.</center>
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I hope you're enjoying these posts - they're making me miss Japan terribly - roll on 2017!</center>
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Muchos love,</center>
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Carla </center>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-51517531997237257202016-02-13T20:32:00.003+00:002016-02-13T21:43:29.109+00:00MITN: Newcastle Wine School<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
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It's Valentine's Day tomorrow, and another one rolls around being very happily single.<br />
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And of course one of the joys is that I get to spend another GALentines Day with my fellow (sort-of) singleton Claire.<br />
<i>(Last year we went to a tea party at a cat shelter, then went back to her house for pizza and we watched The Simple Life into the early hours.)</i><br />
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We're going to Barcelona in May for my birthday, so when Claire discovered <a href="http://www.newcastlewineschool.com/">Newcastle Wine School</a> was hosting a Spanish and Portuguese themed night so close to Love Day, we couldn't really say no.<br />
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Claire has been to a Newcastle Wine School event before <i>(on a Tinder date!) </i>so advised me to bring along a notebook, and something on my stomach.<br />
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Hosted in the conference room at Blackfriars, last time Claire reckons there was more of a mix of ages, friends, siblings and couples - but probably due to being so close to Valentines it was mostly middle aged couples apart from us and a couple in their early 30s - however everyone was very friendly.<br />
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Our host first of all gave a quick presentation about wine tasting - I've done coffee tasting before during my barista training, so I'm actually quite good at recognising flavours on different parts of my tongue:<br />
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<i>(The only one you may not recognise above is 'umami' - which is difficult to describe but it's a savoury, almost drying sensation which causes salivation - making certain foods seem very 'more-ish.'</i></div>
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<i>Food containing high levels of umami include green tea, shellfish, cured meats, cheese, soy sauce and Marmite/Vegemite.)</i></div>
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Watching wine experts like Jilly Goolden on TV sticking her nose into a wine glass always looked a bit poncey to me, but a lot of the taste is in the smell.<br />
Every wondered when you have a blocked nose your food tastes a bit weird?<br />
<i>(Which I know all about - I have a sinus infection at least every other week.)</i><br />
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Our host demonstrated this by asking us to take a pinch of cinnamon, hold our nose and put the cinnamon on our tongue - and we couldn't taste it! As soon as we unblocked our noses, we all started coughing and spluttering.<br />
At least my sinuses were happy! <i>(First time for everything.)</i><br />
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For £25.00 per person, this bought us an evening of seven different themed wines: three white, three red and one sparkling.<br />
We began with the Cava - I'm a huge fan of fizz and it was crisp, fresh and delicious.<br />
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The three whites were all very different - especially when you gave them a long sniff before.<br />
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The only one I wasn't too keen on, was the Vega de la Reina Verdejo 2014 which was very aromatic and fragrant.<br />
However our host suggested it would be delicious with fatty tapas - rich garlicky prawns, chorico, cheese on bread, and I can certainly see her point.<br />
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I'm not a natural red wine drinker, so I did struggle a little.<br />
However the last couple were full of delicious black cherry notes, and tasted similar to Port which I adore, and reminds me of Christmas.<br />
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Claire preferred the slightly paler red which was an El Chaparral De Vega Sindoa 2013, but for myself it tasted like I'd chugged a mouthful of pepper.<br />
But as everyone in the room agreed, all tastes are different and nobody is every going to like the same thing.<br />
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While everyone is quite reserved and quiet at the beginning, once the wine starts flowing so does the conversation. Soon everyone is sharing tasting notes, what they like, what they don't - it's a very sociable, fun experience.<br />
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The host was kind enough to lay out jugs of wine which did come in useful - not only for cleansing your palette, but also to attempt to avoid a fuzzy head in the morning.<br />
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We were promised suitable snacks - however we only had baguette and a few bags of tortilla chips - it was definitely something to nibble at, but I would have preferred something a little more on theme, which is really my only critique of the night.<br />
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What I liked is that none of the wines were really out of our price range.<br />
Real talk: me and Claire tend to stay around the £5.00 mark - bonus points if it's been marked down from a tenner.<br />
But the wines were around the £10.00-£20.00 RRP mark - nothing that's really going to break the bank.<br />
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Other groups have been offered the opportunity to buy a bottle or two from the host, but this wasn't offered in our session. Perhaps we drank them dry!<br />
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If you have any interest in wine at all - whether you're deeply interested in the fine art of crushed grapes, or you just enjoy a bit of a knees up, I definitely recommend paying them a visit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.localwineschool.com/wine-schools.asp">There are branches all around the country</a> so do check them out.<br />
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The only dignified selfie of the evening. Just saying. </div>
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Visit: <b><a href="http://www.newcastlewineschool.com/">www.NewcastleWineSchool.com</a></b> to book your visit. Courses start from £22.50 per person.<br />
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Sessions are hosted at:<br />
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<b>Blackfriars</b><br />
<b>Friars St, </b><br />
<b>Newcastle upon Tyne </b><br />
<b>NE1 4XN
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Muchos love,<br />
Carla<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-54417732593926094692016-02-07T15:57:00.003+00:002017-04-23T19:16:07.520+01:00THE JAPAN DIARIES PART I: Tokyo<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
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So this is the first in a series about my trips to Japan.<br />
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Tokyo is so vast, I'm going to focus on specific areas in a few different blog posts.<br />
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For now, I'll just share some of my favourite photos from what I do my first week in the crazy, amazing Japanese capital...<br />
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If you've had a long journey (it's a 13 hour flight for myself to Tokyo - and that's after my connecting flight from Newcastle!) no matter what time I arrive I pretty much like to write the day off. </center>
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I always stay in an AirBNB as I think you get a lot more value for money, and I find Tokyo hotels extortionate.</center>
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I like to unpack, take a long nap, then wander around my local neighbourhood - it's a good idea to source the closest metro stop and convenience store <i>("konbini")</i> and browse the local stops and restaurants. </center>
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Oh, and the above pic is the view from the first apartment I stayed in 2014, just outside <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakano,_Tokyo">Nakano</a>. (I was above the bus depo.) While I loved the apartment, it was a little far out than I would have liked and it was tiring passing through Shinjuku station everyday. </center>
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The year after I stayed in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meguro">Meguro</a> which was adorable and a lot cheaper, but not a lot as much to do locally. </center>
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When I return in 2017 with my sister, I want to stay somewhere around Shibuya.<br /><b>(UPDATE: We're staying in Minato-ku in which I've managed to book an apartment next door to an Irish pub. Well done, Carla.)</b></center>
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Anyway, I digress...</center>
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It's also worth checking out your traditional Japanese bath - it's actually a lot more comfortable than it looks, although the first few tries you do feel like a laundry load. </div>
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This is because the bath is really only to be used for relaxation, and also in Japanese families the same water is shared by everyone. </center>
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However I was by myself so just chucked a Lush bath bomb in. YOLO.</center>
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Well rested? Good. Time to explore...</center>
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If you plan to travel around Japan quite a lot as I did my first year, I can not recommend a Japan Rail Pass enough. </center>
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This allows you to use JR local lines which operate in major cities (most notably the Yamanote line in Tokyo which takes you to most touristy places) as well as most bullet train ("Shinkansen") servies nationally. </center>
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However if you are just planning to stay in one city such as Tokyo, then it's not really worth it. Just buy an IC such as a Suica or which work the same way as Oyster Cards in London. </center>
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Except they're much cooler as you can use it to buy from vending machines, convenience stores, fast food resteraunts and so much more. So it can be handy getting one anyway. </center>
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(<a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html">Check out this page from Japan-Guide to see which card is best for you during your stay</a>.)</center>
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Don't forget to buy a cute case from...</center>
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Harajuku is a place I've been dreaming about for the best part of fifteen years. While the scene isn't as huge as it was in the 90s, it's still an awesome place to shop for cute, alternative fashion. </center>
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(Think Camden in London). </center>
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I prefer going on the morning on a weekday when it isn't quite so manic - it's absolutely packed on weekends. <br /> However please note if you go during the week, some stores aren't open. </center>
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Don't forget to stop for a famous Harajuku crepe. </center>
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Though when I went in late 2015, there seemed to be a craze for huge, pastel candy floss (or cotton candy if you're from the USA!).</center>
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I'm a sucker for anything 'kawaii' so when I stumbled upon this PomPomPurin cafe I had to nip inside for lunch. </center>
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I had a peach iced tea and a custard pudding, though the set meals also looked wonderful.</center>
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<img src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/Japan%20-%20Tokyo/meji_3_zpsjwa7qauo.jpg" height="428" width="640" />Meiji Jingu is a beautful Shinto shrine, located a stone's throw from Harajuku station and offers a haven for quite reflection opposite the bright colours and loud music of Takeshitedori. </center>
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It's very popular with locals and tourists alike - I went around lunchtime and there were several salarymen praying for prosperity on their break.</center>
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For around 500 YEN you can buy a wooden plaque to hang your wish or prayer. This was mine.</center>
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Head to Akihabara - aka 'Electronic Town.' An <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=otaku">otaku</a> heaven. </center>
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Sadly (and some would say surprisingly) I'm not a huge anime fan so a lot of the products in stores go right over my head.</center>
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I think it's still definitely worth a visit for the maid cafes, original cat cafes and if you bring your passport you can shop duty-free in the district's many electronics stores. </center>
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It also looks amazing in the evening when the sun goes down, and the neon lights are still blaring. </center>
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The 5-story Sega Centre where I got lost and had to ask an amused assistant where the exit was. </center>
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A Maidreamin' maid drumming up business.</center>
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I actually much prefer Nakano for my geekery when I'm in Tokyo. </center>
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It's a three-story shopping mall packed full of little independent shops selling mostly second hand goodies. Also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cODS7g3hC1w">the ice cream stall in the basement is something of a local legend</a> and has been frequented by celebrities such as Naomi Watanabe and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMdjJ3w9iM">Kyary Pamyu Pamyu</a>. </center>
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My personal favourite stores are one which sells second hand Nintendo memorabilia (I've got some amazing deals on plushies and figurines - nothing I've bought is over £10) and another which is a room full of gachapon capsule machines:</center>
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I've seen these machines around my local toystores in the UK, but they're got usually pretty crappy prizes. </center>
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However I've seen everything from Super Mario Bros, Totoro, Hello Kitty, Disney, Zelda, Animal Crossing, Hatsune Miku, Rilakkuma, even stationary..ranging from ¥200 to ¥400 they can make for super cheap, adorable souvenirs which won't take up lots of space in your suitcase. </center>
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Beware - they can become very, very addictive! </center>
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And yes, I did spot a gachapon where you can win panties. </center>
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Not USED panties as legend dictates, but panties nonetheless.</center>
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Shibuya 109 is a huge department store which is definitely worth a look if you're at all into Japanese fashion. </center>
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Being a size 18, there's not a lot I can squeeze my big butt into - however there is a branch of <a href="http://store.punyus.jp/">Punyus</a>, which is an awesome store selling sizes UK 6 - 20. </center>
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There are also plenty of other stores I found myself losing a whole afternoon in - accessories, jewellery, wigs, cosplay, beauty. </center>
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Though beware if you're not keen on crowds, I wouldn't go on a Saturday. Bedlam. </center>
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After you've inevitably spent all your holiday money in the places mentioned above you'll be in need of a cheap date. </center>
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I recommend visiting the Tokyo Government Building - on the top floor there is a free observatory offering amazing views of Tokyo. There's also a gift shop and several cafes. </center>
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I recommend getting there early to beat the crowds then treating yourself to an inexpensive ramen or udon lunch at one of the many shops nearby, surrounded by harassed salarymen.</center>
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OK, now back to the madness...</center>
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The Robot Restaurant is a must-do for all first-timers to Tokyo. </center>
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(Though 'restaurant' is pushing it a bit - you really just receive an overpriced Bento box so I recommend eating before you go as we did.) </center>
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While you are waiting for the show to start, a robot band treats you to elevator music and wedding party classics. </center>
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You haven't lived until a robot has serenaded you to The Carpenter's <i>'Close To You.' </i>Beer is 100% necessary. </center>
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And the show... </center>
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I know it's a very 2005 word, but 'random' is the only was I can really describe it. </center>
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Bikini babes on traditional (albeit, covered in LED lights) drums, a boxing match between the robots and dinosaurs, pole dancing, idol girls riding sparkly unicorns singing Lady Gaga...it's just madness.<br />I've never tried hallucinogenic drugs, but I can imagine it's a similar experience. </center>
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Me and my friend Hiro-chama were sitting near some fellow Brits who looked throughly unimpressed, but if you go in with an open mind, embracing the sheer hilarity and craziness for an hour or two, you'll have a great night! </center>
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Again - I reiterate - beer very much helps.</center>
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Don't forget you can take a robot selfie during the break!</center>
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And that should have you covered for the first week of your trip. </center>
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I'm going to slot in a few extra posts about specific things to do in Tokyo I want to go into more detail about, such as the Studio Ghibli museum and a few more of the crazy themed bars. </center>
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We'll also be moving on to a few other major cities soon so do check back for more soon!</center>
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Muchos love,</center>
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Carla</center>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-15207147415845395252016-01-23T09:45:00.003+00:002017-03-22T15:18:20.496+00:00TOP 5: Creative Prompt Books<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
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We all have a blank now and again. If you're me, more often than not.<br />
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One of <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2016/01/new-years-resolutions-2016.html">my new years resolutions</a> is to begin more creative projects - however I find that with January in particular being so long, dull, dank and dark my creative juices have a little trouble flowing.<br />
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However I am such a fan of creative prompt books, here are my top five favourites.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HONOURABLE MENTION: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-5-Year-Journal-Potter-Style/dp/0307719774/">Q & A: 5 Year Journal</a></b></span></div>
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Okay, this one gets the 'honourable mention' tag because I guess it's not a creative prompt in the strictest sense. </div>
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I love to journal, and have done since I was about 11 on and off. But as time goes on, you work harder and you get home later and there just isn't time for long drawn out entries.<br />
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So a simple question a day is nice if you still want to keep journalling in your busy life.<br />
And because it last five years, it's really fun to look back on how you were feeling a year - or years - ago! Think Timehop in book form.<br />
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It is also available in separate forms for <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Moms-5-Year-Journal/dp/0553448218/">mothers</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Me-3-Year-Journal-Teens/dp/0804186642/">teens</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Kids-Three-Year-Journal/dp/0307952967">kids</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Day-3-Year-Journal-People/dp/0770436684/ref=pd_bxgy_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0GM2RS0HBZZVVNS30SRY">couples</a> which would make lovely gifts for specific people in your lives.<br />
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Sadly I didn't keep this journal up in 2015...maybe I should catch up for this year?</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/All-About-Me-Philipp-Keel/dp/076790205X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1452358620">All About Me by Phillipp Keel</a></span></b></div>
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All about Me is basically an autobiography prompt for those who could never be bothered to write their own. Well, that's one use.<br />
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As someone whose teenager years were largely spent filling in quizzes on MySpace that nobody ever read, I do enjoy books like this. Filled with questions - some simple, and some more pressing. There's even a multiple choice section.<br />
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The author suggests this book can either be left blank, and the questions can be used as conversation starters. Or it can be filled in to be kept, discussed or even given as a gift.<br />
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I decided to write in my copy, but the answers are quite personal so I've shared a blank page.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Things-Write-Francisco-Writers-Grotto/dp/1452105448/">642 Things To Write by San Francisco Writers' Grotto</a></span></b></div>
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This is possibly the ultimate writing prompt book.<br />
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With prompts such as <i>"A houseplant dying, tell it why it has to live"</i> and <i>"fix the plot of the worst movie you've ever seen"</i> there is plenty to get into.<br />
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I must admit, creative writing is not my particular forte so I find this the most challenging of the books I own. <br />
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But I'm finding reading pieces which have been completed and uploaded to Twitter and Instagram very inspiring and makes me want to pick this up again.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Love-More-Miranda-July/dp/3791337335/">Learning To Love You More by Harrell Fletcher and Miranda July</a>.</b></span></div>
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The cover is actually one of the prompts: <i>"Photograph your parents kissing."</i></div>
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Beginning as an online project in 2002, this book is a collection of submissions over seven years.<br />
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Though the online project officially stopped accepting submissions in 2009, and was handed to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art the original 60+ prompts live on in this book and you can of course browse other pieces on the original website.<br />
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It's a very interactive book, with users still uploading their work online via Tumblr, Facebook etc. featuring prompts such as <i>"Photograph a significant outfit"</i> and <i>"Sculpt a bust of <a href="http://www.learningtoloveyoumore.com/reports/21/21.php">Steve</a>" </i>I find this especially inspiring when I want to do something outside of just writing.<br />
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Also I am such a huge fan of Miranda July - her 2005 film <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0UYwc5HhVA">Me And You And Everyone We Know</a> </b>is one of my desert island films. Please check it out if you've never seen it.<br />
(I still need to see her second film: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235170/">The Future</a>.)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lisa-Nola/e/B007BE7K3I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1452360210&sr=1-1">The <i>Listography</i> Series by Lisa Nola</a></span></b></div>
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I absolutely love making lists. I have a to do list on me pretty much every second of the day whether it's on my notepad at work or in my phone.<br />
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I honestly feel I can't function very well without constant reminders as while my long-term memory is practically photogenic - my short-term memory needs some work.<br />
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Of course this series is a lot more fun and lighthearted than your everyday lists. I only have the original <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Listography-Journal-Your-Life-Lists/dp/0811859088/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Listography</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Listography-Journal-Lisa-Nola/dp/0811869466/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Music Listography</a> in my collection, but I really would like some more.<br />
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So now you know.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Absolutely anything by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keri-Smith/e/B001JRZIY6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1452360805&sr=1-1">Keri Smith</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wreck-This-Journal-Create-Destroy/dp/0141976144/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Wreck This Journal</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Explorer-World-Keri-Smith/dp/024195388X/ref=la_B001JRZIY6_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452360809&sr=1-7">How To Be An Explorer of the World</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Imaginary-World-Keri-Smith/dp/0141977809/ref=la_B001JRZIY6_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452360809&sr=1-6">The Imaginary World Of</a>.</div>
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So my ultimate creative writing prompt book is...a lot of books?<br />
Honestly, anything Keri Smith touches is just wonderful.<br />
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You may have seen the popular <i>Wreck This Journal</i> which can be found in most bookshops (and also places like Urban Outfitters etc). The purpose of this book is - as the title suggests - completely wreck the journal until it is almost unrecognisable.<br />
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Of course as is explained on the very first page - you can completely choose to ignore the prompts and dance to the beat of your own drum which suits me down to the ground.<br />
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My journal doesn't look particularly wrecked yet as I've only done half a dozen of the prompts and I really need to pick this back up again as it is a lot of fun. Maybe I'll blog more of my process here?<br />
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However Keri Smith does have several other creative books, two of which I own:<br />
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How To Be An Explorer of the World</div>
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<i>How To Be An Explorer of the World </i>prompts the reader to explore the world as if they have never seen it before. Document it. Go on scavenger hunts. Create mini exhibitions and crafts. Write surveys and document the findings. </div>
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As someone who does find joy in the little things in life, I really do enjoy going through this book for inspiration to leave the house more.</div>
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The Imaginary World of.</div>
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<i>The Imaginary World of </i>is actually quite similar to <i>How To Be An Explorer of the World</i>...except the world is imaginary, as the title suggests.</div>
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What would this world's manifest be? What would the currency look like? And who would you be in this world?</div>
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It's certainly more out there than her previous books, but I also love this one - especially as it was a gift from my bestie Claire after she'd seen some of my Wreck This Journal pages on my Instagram. </div>
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And there you have it. Have I missed any of your favourites out?<br />
Let me know!<br />
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Muchos love,<br />
Carla </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-91687272817680245422016-01-09T16:12:00.002+00:002017-06-23T14:45:45.164+01:00REVIEW: Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette<br />
Hey everyone<br />
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You know when you see a particular item of makeup prior to launch and you know deep down in your chilly little heart that it simply must be yours?<br />
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Well, that was me when I first saw the <a href="https://www.toofaced.com/p/eye-shadow-palettes/chocolate-bon-bons-eye-shadow-collection/">Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons</a> Palette.<br />
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I already own the original <a href="https://www.toofaced.com/p/eye-shadow-palettes/chocolate-bar-eye-shadow-collection/">Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette</a>, which looks like a large slab of Dairy Milk. </div>
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Without fail, I use it every single day as it is just so versatile - I use them as bases, on my lid, in my crease, as highlights under my brow and on my cheek - and I even use the shade Semi-Sweet to currently fill in my brows.</div>
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I was pondering one of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes as an alternative - but the promise of buttery, blendable cocoa-powder induced formulas was simply too hard to resist. </div>
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There has since been a second palette called <a href="https://www.toofaced.com/p/eye-shadow-palettes/semi-sweet-chocolate-bar/">Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar</a><i> (which ironically doesn't carry the shade also called 'Semi-Sweet' as before...)</i>, but personally the warmer tones just didn't tickle my pickle enough to pique my interest into buying. </div>
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<i>However</i> at the end of last year Too Faced launched a third palette called Chocolate Bon Bons and I was immediately smitten...</div>
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Now I'll happily admit I am a complete sucker for packaging - I am particularly drawn to anything cute and ultra-feminine.<br />
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And really now, how could I resist a baby pink palette with all the freaking heart-shaped shadows?<br />
Ahhh-dorable.<br />
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I have honestly never seen anything like the packaging for this package. It reminds me of the beautiful boxes of chocolates my parents would buy on childhood family holidays to Paris and Brussels.</div>
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Of course, the product is the most important thing.<br />
I already had such high expectations loving the original Chocolate Bar palette so much, and it being such a huge part of my everyday makeup routine.<br />
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And so far, it hasn't disappointed.<br />
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It's a lot slimmer than the Chocolate Bar, but you still get the same amount of product for your buck.<br />
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The same wonderful mix of shimmers and mattes make up the palette.<br />
So far, I have found them all as wonderful as it's predecessor.<br />
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I know some bloggers think the cocoa smell is less prominent in this palette as previous, but honestly I can't really see much of a difference.<br />
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Some people really dislike the sweet, chocolately smell, but I do have quite the sweet tooth and absolutely love it.<br />
If you can't find the palettes in a shop to physically try for yourself, it's the same smell in the <a href="https://www.toofaced.com/p/bronzers/chocolate-soleil/">Chocolate Soleil Bronzer</a> which is a lot easier to find.<br />
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Otherwise, I honestly think it smells just like Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate when it is still in powder form. So if it like the smell of that, you'll love this!<br />
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And even if you're not too keen, it's not pungent enough for me to smell it on myself when the shadows are on my eyes.<br />
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Some of my favourite shades Molasses Chip as I always love the way golden colours look with my green eyes. </div>
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I'm also greatly enjoying using Bordeaux, Black Current and Dark Truffle in my crease and also underneath my lower lash line.</div>
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The highlighting shade Satin Sheets is almost itentical to Champagne Truffle from the Chocolate Bar - but this doesn't bother me as I use this shade everyday anyway under my brow and sometimes on my cheek. </div>
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And Divinity works really well as a base - especially with Cafe Au Lait or Pecan Praline on top. </div>
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The palette costs £39.00 and <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_154614109399_-1">I bought mine online from Debenhams</a>.</div>
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Have you guys ever tried any of the Too Faced palettes, or any of their other products? </div>
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They're slowly becoming one of my favourite brands so I'd love to hear your thoughts!</div>
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Muchos love,</div>
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Carla </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>DISCLAIMER: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not sponsored. I purchased this palette with my own money. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All opinions are - as always - my own. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-37279270881187493032016-01-03T20:25:00.001+00:002016-01-03T20:25:44.467+00:00New Years Resolutions: 2016<br />
<i>Happy New Year</i> everyone!<br />
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I hope you got to ring in 2016 with your nearest and dearest.<br />
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Mine was as usual spent at my godfather's with the rest of my family eating a magnificent spread and bitching about how self-indulgent <i>Jools Holland's Hootenanny</i> has become.<br />
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There was lots of prosecco, though.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0YTLPZgDlk/Volds_pw5xI/AAAAAAAAAa8/2tulH2JPgX0/s1600/2015%2Bbest%2Bof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0YTLPZgDlk/Volds_pw5xI/AAAAAAAAAa8/2tulH2JPgX0/s640/2015%2Bbest%2Bof.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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2015 was a belter.<br />
Pink was a running theme. </div>
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Every since I read the Adrian Mole books as a child I've pretty much always set ten New Years Resolutions. They tend not to be pretty major and certainly don't involve goals like dieting or weight loss or anything mind bogglingly tedious like that.<br />
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I just come up with a few things I'd like to do. Or do more of.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1: Improve my general health.</span></b></div>
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This is pretty much in relation to the fact I have had at least seven colds last year – I need to pump up on my vitamin uptake. I also need to sort out my skin which at nearly 27 sometimes resembles a teenager’s, especially when my rosacea flares up.<br /><br />
And I’ve also felt like I spent most of 2015 shuffling from one sinus infection to another – the next time it flares up I’m demanding to see a specialist.<br />
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And just in case I ever start to lag on this one - this is me the morning of what was my company's annual garden party.<br />
Which naturally I ended up not attending as I felt like my brains were attacking my face:<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2Ot4OY_FSA/VoleTRL4yzI/AAAAAAAAAbE/qgKMMnRF8mI/s640/me%2Bsinusitus.jpg" width="480" /></div>
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Remember Carla: sinutisus means you can't wear eyeliner because your eyes run. </div>
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Just saying. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2: Read more comics.</span></b></div>
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I absolutely love reading online comics such as <b>(NSFW!) </b><a href="http://www.ohjoysextoy.com/">Oh Joy Sex Toy by Erika Moen</a>, <a href="http://kateordiecomics.com/">Kate Or Die! by Kate Leth</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedadam/">Books of Adam by Adam Ellis.</a><br />
However I also feel I need more psychical comics and graphic novels in my life.<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WcnBismMD1o/Volm_QGI28I/AAAAAAAAAbc/bRgBE2XD0f8/s640/adam%2Bellis%2Brpg.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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credit: <a href="http://www.booksofadam.com/">Adam Ellis</a>.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3: Go somewhere on holiday with Nadia this year. </span></b></div>
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My sister and I both fancied a UK break and had such a fun week in Belfast last summer.<br />
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If you've never been, I highly recommend going and you can get such good flight deals with Easyjet and RyanAir - most of the time cheaper than a return ticket to London. It's easily one of my favourite cities.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olx9cIQfAnA/VolnOlneuBI/AAAAAAAAAb8/6kFFurXzIUI/s400/nadia%2Bdublin.jpg" width="300" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWlvdkNWuDI/VolnLxo2E-I/AAAAAAAAAb4/8sJrR07mLhY/s400/nadia%2Bbelfast%2B1.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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Chilling outside one of Belfast's many many pubs and having afternoon tea at <a href="https://www.themerchanthotel.com/">The Merchant</a>. </div>
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For this summer, we've pretty much set on Berlin - any recommendations would be amazing!<br />
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<b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">4: Drink less caffeine. </span></b></div>
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I am a slave to Starbucks, but cutting caffeine out of my diet has honestly done wonders for my concentration and I'm getting less headaches and anxiety - especially at work.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7IKR5rqW-o/VolsNDmMSCI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/HR4AwanUdyU/s1600/me%2Bstarbucks%2Bwreck%2Bthis%2Bjournal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7IKR5rqW-o/VolsNDmMSCI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/HR4AwanUdyU/s1600/me%2Bstarbucks%2Bwreck%2Bthis%2Bjournal.jpg" /></a></div>
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From my <i>Wreck This Journal</i>, which I need to pick up again ASAP.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5: Bring better lunches to work. </span></b></div>
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One cannot live on sandwiches and Wotsits alone (try as I might).<br />
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I have so many cute bento boxes which need to finally be used. It's honestly just me being totally lazy the night before and spending my time <a href="http://www.droogette.com/2015/12/my-top-5-nintendo-3ds-games.html">levelling up my mages on <i>Fire Emblem</i></a> than actually being bothered to pack a decent lunch.<br />
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And no, Carla. You can't just ask your co-workers to pick you up a Greggs.<br />
Yes I know you work in Sunderland and there's two on every corner. But stop it.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6: Create more. </span></b></div>
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Whether writing my blog or elsewhere, doing a page from my <i>Wreck This Journal,</i> photography, crafts. I could always do more.<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2pXAr7mjE4/VolnDPnlQoI/AAAAAAAAAbs/YcoizsnlYy8/s640/pink%2Bhair%2Bhama.JPG" width="359" /></div>
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A cute rainbow hama hair clip I made this summer.</div>
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I do miss my pink hair.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">7: Go on a spa date with Claire. </span></b></div>
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We always say we're going to, then make excuses and put off - NO MORE!<br />
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We're also going wine tasting sometime this Spring because we're fancy ladies.<br />
(Not really - last time Claire went wine tasting on a date she didn't spit the wine out and he had to carry her to her taxi. If she asks I didn't tell you that story.)<br />
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Paris, Summer 2015.</div>
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We got off the plane, got to the hotel and then bundled straight into the restaurant across the street where we drank too much wine for 11am and watched cute French boys.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8: Build a terrarium. </span></b></div>
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Especially a really cute one with little houses and stuff so it looks like a fairy's garden.<br />
(I tried to explain to Italian Catholic Mother what a terrarium was the other day and she looked at me like I was having a breakdown. She'll like it when it's done.)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9: Create memory frames.</span></b></div>
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Photos, tickets, postcards etc.<br />
I have so much stuff lying around - especially from my previous Japan trips I really need to display in some way. My plan is to arrange them into clear frames and hang them on the wall.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIL8pK1pK8k/VomAcC-9kbI/AAAAAAAAAcw/18-EKgasYf4/s400/IMG_4679.jpg" width="300" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qrzo5nJfeWc/VomAAePM3fI/AAAAAAAAAco/yOF3Io61LE8/s400/IMG_4753.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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From the PomPomPurin cafe in Harajuku - I am such a hoarder of business cards, napkins, coasters of anywhere I loved visiting.</div>
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And don't even get me started on the stuff I bought at the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcIOg_m-bp4">Kyary Pamyu Pamyu</a> concert.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10: Keep my bloody diary up!</span></b></div>
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FUN FACT: I've kept a written diary most years since I was a teenager. To be fair my diary entries these days are less gushing about Brian Molko and scribbled lyrics from The Vines' first album - moreso what I had for lunch <i>(which will hopefully be improving - see number 5.) </i>and when Rhiannah at work though a quail was a baby whale.<br />
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Last year was a particular fail - I only kept going for a grand total of 34 days which is a personal low.<br />
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In 2002 I accused Pentecost Sunday of being "boring" and in 2001 the York Dungeons were "a load of old crap." Right, then.</div>
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How about you guys - have you many any resolutions for 2016?<br />
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Muchos love,<br />
Carla<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-67390707488211932562015-12-05T11:57:00.003+00:002017-03-22T15:18:07.606+00:00TOP 5: Nintendo 3DS Games<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
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Since relaunching my little space on the internet, I'm finding lots of freedom in talking about not just fashion, but other loves in my life.<br />
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And one of those which I previously didn't talk about a lot, was gaming.<br />
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I've always been a bit of a Nintendo fangirl, having grown up with Mario and ten years (!) ago in 2005, I became obsessed with the Nintendo DS console. Having upgraded to the 3DS in 2013, I've accumulated a small but very much loved collection and I've going to share some of my faovurite 3DS games.<br />
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I thought this would also be helpful ahead of the holiday season when there tends to be a drop in the price on consoles, along with deals on various games.<br />
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And if you were thinking of making a Christmas purchase, these are some of my favourites you may be interested in trying:<br />
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Also just so we're clear, this post is <u>not</u> sponsored by Nintendo.</div>
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And also to clarify that these are just <u>my</u> personal favourites. </div>
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As I always say, life would be very boring if we all liked the same thing.<br />
Sound OK bros?)</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HONOURABLE MENTION:</span></b><br />
<b><a href="http://store.nintendo.co.uk/games-3ds/the-legend-of-zeldatm-ocarina-of-time-3d/10848368.html"><span style="font-size: large;">The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time</span></a></b></div>
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<i><b>Synopsis:</b></i><br />
<b>Our hero Link sets out on a quest to stop Ganondorf, King of the Gerudo tribe, from obtaining the Triforce, a sacred relic that grants the wishes of its holder.
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Yes, I know, I know. It's a remaster of the Nintendo 64 game.<br />
But it's my favourite Legend of Zelda game I've played.<br />
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And of course there are plenty of new features such as updated dungeons and controls, plus the game really takes advantage of the 3DS's stereoscopic technology - making it much easier to look around and take aim.<br />
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Like I've said, this is my favourite Zelda title I've played so far, and I found it a great introduction to Zelda noobs such as myself. I've played through Phantom Hourglass on the DS, but I previously knew little about the timeline, legacy etc.<br />
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I plan on getting Link Between Words as it's currently on sale for £15.99 - which will be interesting as it will be the first original Zelda title I'll have played on the 3DS. We shall see!<br />
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<b><i>Also try:</i></b><br />
<a href="http://store.nintendo.co.uk/games-3ds/the-legend-of-zelda-majora-s-mask-3d/11037907.html?utm_source=googleprod&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gp_games&affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&gclid=CLCH1unIxMkCFaAQGQodpXEChA&gclsrc=ds">The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5: <a href="http://store.nintendo.co.uk/games-3ds/super-mario-3d-land/10848375.html">Super Mario 3D Land</a></span></b></div>
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Synopsis:<br />
During a heavy thunderstorm, the "Tail Tree", which stands on Princess Peach's castle grounds is stripped of all its leaves. Mario and the Toads go to inspect the tree the next day they discover a letter from Bowser, learning that he has kidnapped the princess. Mario sets off in pursuit to locate and rescue the princess and discover what is so important about the leaves.<br />
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Really though, I couldn't have a Top 5 3DS list without a Mario title now could I?<br />
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I'm not usually a fan of '3D' platformers as I tend to find them a little clunky and the controls a little fussy. (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Dy49xfYRc">I blame a childhood of ending up in circles playing Sonic 3D on the Megadrive...</a>)<br />
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However it does actually feel like a Mario scroller we all know and love with 'open world' 3D elements added. The health system is also the same as classic Mario games - shrinking in size if atacked by enemies. Returning also are well-recognised power items such as the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman.<br />
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I would say that this game is particularly easy, however - even for fairly casual gamers.<br />
Power-ups are plentiful, extra lives are easy to come by and the bosses are not at all difficult in my opinion.<br />
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However this is a great starter if you are not only new to gaming, but new to to the Mario franchise.<br />
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<b><i>Also try...</i></b><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Mario-Kart-7-274402.html">Mario Kart 7</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/New-Super-Mario-Bros-2-527668.html">New Super Mario Bros 2</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Luigi-s-Mansion-2-274347.html">Luigi's Mansion 2</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Mario-Party-Island-Tour-838846.html">Mario Party: Island Tour</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4: <a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS-download-software/Phoenix-Wright-Ace-Attorney-Dual-Destinies-813487.html">Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(No box art as it is only available from the Nintendo E-Shop. Don't even get me started.)</span></div>
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<i><b>Synopsis</b></i></div>
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<b>Roughly one year after the events of the previous game, the legal system has entered a dark age of forged evidence and false charges. Phoenix Wright is back to take on the system from the inside.</b></div>
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Short backstory: I have been an Ace Attorney fangirl since the Nintendo DS days. During my time at Newcastle College, me and my buddy Aff would sit antisocially playing our consoles at lunch (nothing changes, I still do this). </div>
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One day, she was telling me about the Ace Attorney games and was so persistant that I play them - she loaned me the first game and insisted I start playing the moment I get home. I got home at 5pm and was still up at 2am playing - I was instantly hooked by the gameplay, the music, the characters. </div>
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Bearing in mind the first three base Ace Attorney games are actually remakes of Game Boy Advance games from back the 90s, you can imagine my excitement when I brand new game was launched especially for the 3DS.<br />
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In lots of way, it is classic Ace Attorney - investigation and a trial, trying to prove the innocence of your client. However consider improved graphics and gameplay, better quality music - the 3DS technology has really given the series a chance to prove what it can do.<br />
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It now also features anime cut-scenes very similar to the Professor Layton series. These have been critisied by some fans, but I absolutely loved them - and <a href="http://www.siliconera.com/2015/09/17/ace-attorney-anime-announced-to-begin-airing-in-april-2016/">have me seriously pumped for the anime launching 2016</a>.<br />
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Taking place approximately one year after the events of Apollo Justice (Nintendo DS), it fleshes out a lot of the characterisation from the newbies we met.<br />
Apollo in particular is given lots of layers and becomes a lot more interesting ironically than he was in his titular game.<br />
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There is also a new assistant in the form of Athena Cykes. Phoenix's assistants are typically strong minded, talented females (another reason I love this series) and Athena is no exception. Sassy, physically strong (albeit clumsy) and with penchant for psychology, she also introduces the new 'therapy' feature, which replaces the magatama and bracelet in previous games as a way to see if a witness is lying on the stand.<br />
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The only thing I will say about this, is that I found this the easiest game in the series and completed it faster than any other. However this is no necessarily a bad thing, as it is actually a great game to be introduced to the series. Although - of course - I highly recommend you go back and play the predecessors.<br />
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<b><i>Also Try...</i></b><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS-download-software/Phoenix-Wright-Ace-Attorney-Trilogy-942989.html">Ace Attorney Trilogy HD</a><br />
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Shall I shut up about Ace Attorney now? Okay.<br />
But, wait...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. <a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Professor-Layton-vs-Phoenix-Wright-Ace-Attorney-845517.html">Professor Layton VS. Phoenix Wright</a></span></b></div>
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<i><b>Synopsis:</b></i><br />
<b>Professor Hershel Layton, Luke Triton, Phoenix Wright, and Maya Fey find themselves in Labyrinthia, a strange medieval-style city in a different world from their own that has recently been falling victim to a number of seemingly impossible occurrences. The town is controlled by a sinister individual known only as the Storyteller. Professor Layton has to solve the mysteries of the strange world he has found himself in, while Phoenix Wright participates in "witch trials" to prove the innocence of a young girl accused of witchcraft.</b><br />
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Firstly, let me make something very clear. I don't think I've been so excited about a game. EVER. Seriously, the coming together of two of my favourite ever games series: pure joy!<br />
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The whole game I personally found very nostalgic, having played every game in each series several times on the Nintendo DS.<br />
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Moreso, that the story takes place somewhere before Professor Layton and the Unwound Future and after Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations - meaning the return of Phoenix's old assistant (and quite possibly my favourite video game character, ever) Maya Fey.<br />
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Although there is investigation in the Ace Attorney series, where this would be is replaced by Professor Layton style detective work interlaced by instantly recognisable puzzles. Seeing Phoenix and Maya intertwined the beautiful European-style artwork of Layton was very exciting.<br />
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The only place I find it falls short, is sadly I found the court proceedings ('Witch Trials' in this game) a little repetitive.<br />
One of the joys of the Ace Attorney games is putting different witnesses on the stand, and making them squirm. However having the same 'mob' witnesses in every trial became tedious, the jokes ran dry very quickly and I longed for it to be over so we could get back to investigating in the town.<br />
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That being said, the coming together of two epic series does make for a wonderfully well-rounded gaming experience. And I highly recommend giving it a try - even if you are a complete beginner to either series.<br />
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<i><b>Also Try...</b></i><br />
<a href="http://store.nintendo.co.uk/games-3ds/professor-layton-and-the-miracle-mask/10848385.html">Professor Layton and The Miracle Mask</a><br />
<a href="http://store.nintendo.co.uk/games-3ds/professor-layton-and-the-azran-legacy/10848408.html">Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2: <a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Fire-Emblem-Awakening-725039.html">Fire Emblem: Awakening</a></span></b></div>
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<i><b>Synopsis:</b></i><br />
<b>Struggling to fend off attacks from the neighbouring kingdom of Plegia, Prince Chrom of the Halidom of Ylisse and his gang of "Shepherds," find you collapsed by the side of the road. Although you have no memory of who you are, you agree to join them on their journey.</b><br />
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Awakening was not only my first foray into the Fire Emblem series, but actually my first RPG.<br />
Yes, I know I know. I have tried before with games from the Final Fantasy series and unfortunately not been able to get stuck into them like games mentioned previous.<br />
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However after trying this via a Nintendo E-shop demo, I was instantly hooked.<br />
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Designing your own avatar is always a big plus for me - it makes the game instantly personable and allows me to connect with the lead character almost straight away. (Shows I spent a childhood playing The Sims, no?).<br />
I found the characters instantly memorable - which is good as they come in droves. In pretty much every new battle until the middle-end of the game you are introduced to new characters and comrades who can join you in your quest.<br />
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Having plenty of characters is particularly useful if you play the 'Classic' version of the game - as in preivously games if you lose a character in battle, they do not return for the remainder of the game. This makes for a very authentic gameplay, as every move and decision you make has consequenses for the rest of the play.<br />
However, for newbies like myself the 'Casual' mode was great first time around. If a character dies, they simply withdraw from that particular battle and return for the next one. I know hardcore Fire Emblem fans disapprove of this feature, but I think it's a great option for first timers who are trying to find their feet, or casual gamers who perhaps don't have the time to sink so many hours into the game.<br />
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Another interesting feature, is 'support.' If characters join together in battles, their relationship improves. And if two characters characters become so close, they can actually get married and produce children in the second half of the game which can be recruited and join the war. This makes for repeat plays of the game, to see which couples (unlocking conversations and getting to know the characters more) and as their children inherit their skills, it is interesting to see which combinations they can have - often deadly consequences for foes.<br />
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Now this does come with negatives.<br />
Firstly, only opposite genders can become romantically involved which is just stupid on so many levels. And secondly, I didn't realise this was actually a 'thing' until lurking in various FE forums during my first playthrough - and by then I had already sunk way too many hours into my first round of gameplay to rectify my mistake.<br />
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Fire Emblem: Awakening is one of those games where you get a lot of play for your buck. I'm actually ashamed to say how many hours I have put into several replays - all I'll say is we're into triple digits now.<br />
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It's a wonderful introduction to RPG, with music and characters that will stay with you for a very long time.<br />
Yes, the storyline is a little watery at times, but the good tenfold outweighs the bad.<br />
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<i><b>Also Try...</b></i><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Code-Name-S-T-E-A-M--893949.html">Code Name: S.T.E.A.M,</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Bravely-Default-813488.html">Bravely Default</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Fire-Emblem-Fates-1026071.html">Fire Emblem: Fates</a> (COMING SPRING 2016 OMG OMG)<br />
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Annnnnd finally number 1. That means if can of course only be...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. <a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Animal-Crossing-New-Leaf-273841.html">Animal Crossing: New Leaf</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ss7HhJNe8I/VjeWixzjIvI/AAAAAAAAAWw/f7xdMZ6ZAvw/s1600/aa_newleaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ss7HhJNe8I/VjeWixzjIvI/AAAAAAAAAWw/f7xdMZ6ZAvw/s640/aa_newleaf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Synopsis: </i></b><br />
<b>There are no points or levels, just an amazing array of sights and sounds, places and activities...all yours to explore. Spend your time passing new ordinances—or going fishing. Hang out at a coffee shop or visit a tropical island. It's all up to you.</b><br />
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Really though, could you have really expected anything else?</div>
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New Leaf is the forth in the Animal Crossing series, and first for the 3DS. Having played Wild World (Nintendo DS) and City Folk (Nintendo Wii) it has all the warm fuzzies, nostalgic and gentle gameplay associated with the Animal Crossing world, but improved pretty much in every single way,</div>
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Instead of being a lowly new villager, making their way in a new town - you are now the mayor, in control of development of the town, the new main street and passing ordinances.<br />
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Returning are several iconic Animal Crossing characters - such as Tom Nook (who has given up a life of retail for real estate), KK Slider the local musician, The Able Sisters and their fabulous fashion, Blathers and Celeste in the museum and Brewster and his coffee shop to name just a few.<br />
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However the game introduces some wonderful new faces, such as Reece and Cyrus the alpacas who own the thrift shop, Digby who keeps watch over the new spotpass 'Showcase' feature and his twin sister Isabelle who is your assistant as mayor. </div>
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Animal Crossing's success is that gameplay can be adjusted to whoever is playing. Some players spend hour designing their house, others collecting the encyclopedia of bugs, fishes and museum exhibits, spending time playing online with friends, making friends with the villagers, planting the perfect garden or designing their own pieces to share in the very active online community. </div>
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<br />
Although it does have a reputation for being a very 'casual' game - the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. There is always a new villager to meet, something new to catch or find or plant.<br />
<br />
If you know someone who is getting a 3DS for the holidays and you're unsure what game they might like - Animal Crossing is a sure thing!<br />
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<br /></div>
<b>Also try...</b><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Animal-Crossing-Happy-Home-Designer-1009406.html">Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Fantasy-Life-899654.html">Fantasy Life</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Harvest-Moon-A-New-Beginning-804000.html">Harvest Moon: A New Beginning</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Tomodachi-Life-871968.html">Tomodachi Life</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Hooray, so those are my Top 5 choices.<br />
<br />
Some people may have notices a lack of <a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Search/Search-299117.html?q=pokemon&faf=*">Pokemon</a> games - I'm afraid I'm simply not into them on my part. And as for everybody's favourite - <a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Super-Smash-Bros-for-Nintendo-3DS-864329.html">Super Smash Bros.</a> - I have this for my WiiU, so I can't personally add it to my 3DS list.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lS1HhIiIgiI/VmLS-dPnGBI/AAAAAAAAAas/sg5Z6GDvKjQ/s640/menintendo3ds.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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I hope this was of some help for anyone looking for where to start with 3DS games!<br />
<br />
And finally, want to see me cosplaying Isabelle from Animal Crossing: New Leaf from last year?<br />
Of course you do:<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5Fh2bZ8G2Y/VmLSWYVRvoI/AAAAAAAAAak/VS8o1zivhRY/s640/meisabelle.jpg" width="360" /></div>
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<br />
Muchos love<br />
Carla<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-38225434102060649092015-11-21T13:20:00.001+00:002015-11-21T13:20:10.234+00:00MITN: Game On 2.0<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/game-on#.VlBvjGThBJU">Game 2.0</a> is the world's largest exhibition of video games - ranging from the 1970s to the present day. There's over 100 in the collection, and best of all - you can play them.<br />
All of them.<br />
In the original format.<br />
<br />
I'd been wanting to visit since it opened back in May, but then summer happened and by now you know I'm not the biggest fan of children - especially en masse.<br />
<br />
So I decided to wait until the little darlings went back to school, and I went with my sister before she returned to uni.<br />
We went for 3pm on a Wednesday evening and practically had the place to ourselves.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JViZ2NQKDxk/Vgb_GtQwq_I/AAAAAAAAAQI/4cIZMj4UGj8/s400/gameonfront4.jpg" width="285" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPQqYoT6Xbc/Vgb_chRkEwI/AAAAAAAAAQU/XejPkBRcClw/s400/gameonfront3.jpg" width="285" /></div>
<br />
The £12.50 entry fee is pretty reasonable for the amount of gameplay you get - I remember feeding the best part of a tenner into arcade games over the course of an afternoon back in the 90s.<br />
<br />
Walking into the exhibition you are greeted with the oldest arcade game - Pong. Which is surprisingly difficult.<br />
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<img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k395cMncNzE/VgcBwxprQWI/AAAAAAAAAQk/R-b4jkU4CkM/s640/gameonfront2.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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We both felt rather overwhelmed by the sheer choice, so we did a full lap of the place before actually playing anything.<br />
<br />
We spotted gems from our childhood - Sonic 2 (Sega Megadrive/Genesis), Tetris (Super Game Boy), Tekken (Playstation 2), Super Smash Bros (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlcqWQVVuU">Nintendo SIXTYFOUUUUURRRR</a>), Ridge Racer (Playstation), The Sims (PC/MAC), Super Mario Land (Game Boy).<br />
<br />
So many feels.<br />
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<img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzrwYFdPgNo/VgcByz-iLKI/AAAAAAAAAQw/cbw6uWb0taM/s640/gameonstuff.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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The front of the exhibition is dedicated to consoles - old and new. The space nearer the back has a wonderful selection of original arcade machines including PacMac, Donkey Kong and Space Invaders.<br />
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There's even an area for 'Children's Games' where we actually spent quite a bit of time - games included Pokemon Yellow (Game Boy), Super Mario 3D Land (WiiU) and the original Animal Crossing (Nintendo 64). <br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z9x1j3yhI20/VgcB3ChElzI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/zQSuM6Gz-8c/s640/gameonnadiapokemon.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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My sister Nadia was born in 1993 and missed the magic of Pokemon Yellow first time around!</div>
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There's also a large collection of handhelds in display cases, including the entire Nintendo handheld family, an impressive number of Tiger games from the late 80s/early 90s and Tamagotchis.<br />
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<img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m9lRz7VQ45g/VgcBwP8THlI/AAAAAAAAAQg/YE_VSKWexac/s640/gameonbros.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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A pair of bros loving life on the Daytona USA racer. </div>
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Included in your ticket price is of course access to the rest of the Life Centre including the planetarium and the motion simulator ride. <br />
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We planned on having a good look around, but ended up spending nearly all of our three hour stay in the Game On 2.0 exhibition - leaving only to go on the simulator. <br />
<br />
To see everything if you're a bit of an avid gamer, I recommend giving yourself at least half a day. <br />
If you don't want to eat in the centre, you get a stamp on your hand and can come and go as you please all day.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLLX8K1ltjA/VlBu1J2Gt8I/AAAAAAAAAYM/NHWgvGRpdqw/s400/megaming.jpg" width="300" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rWDxczi0ccE/VlBu_UVVrUI/AAAAAAAAAYU/soIc4tb__mU/s400/gameonmiku.jpg" width="285" /> </div>
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Loving life on Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA,</div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/game-on#.VlBvjGThBJU">Game On 2.0 </a>runs at <a href="http://www.life.org.uk/">The Centre For Life</a> until January 2016.<br />
<br />
Open daily 09:00 - 18:00<br />
Thursdays 09:00 - 20:00<br />
<br />
Centre for Life<br />
Times Square<br />
Newcastle upon Tyne<br />
NE1 4EP<br />
<br />
<br />
Muchos love,<br />
CarlaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-52404531452730643092015-11-08T19:30:00.000+00:002017-06-23T14:45:25.216+01:00REVIEW: Rose & Co.<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
The holiday season already feels underway because I was recently send some beautiful Rose & Co. items for consideration.<br />
<br />
I've been a fan of the brand for years, so was very excited to receive some products from their signature <a href="http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/no84-new-range-c102x2733980">No.84 range</a>.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-8b1i455OQ/Vj-eI-07akI/AAAAAAAAAXc/XsiPYWBN4ng/s640/roseandco1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/no84-bath-soak-c2x17701741">Rose & Co. No.84 Bath Soak</a>: £5.00*</div>
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<a href="http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/no84-bath-soak-c2x17701741">Rose & Co. No.84</a><a href="http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/no84-hand-cream-jar-30ml-c2x17701761"> Hand Cream</a>: £5.00*</div>
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<a href="http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/no84-bath-soak-c2x17701741">Rose & Co. No.84</a> <a href="http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/no84-bath-tartlettes-c2x17701758">Bath Tartlettes</a>: £7.00*</div>
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<a href="http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/no84-bath-soak-c2x17701741">Rose & Co. No.84</a> <a href="http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/no84-bath-fancies-c2x17701759">Bath Fancies</a>: £10.00*</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WSZ5lkD3wKQ/Vj-eZnw7RKI/AAAAAAAAAXk/cLA5w2EHaFw/s640/roseandco4.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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I am a complete sucker from packaging and absolutely adore the pink, ultra feminine design.<br />
It's very pastiche and reminds me of something my glamorous Italian aunties would have on their dressing tables.<br />
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<br /></div>
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uHnUGOPnI4o/Vj-gy6LJ5MI/AAAAAAAAAXw/J_99JVvAJQA/s640/roseandcocream.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<br /></div>
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I can be quite fussy with hand creams, I don't like anything too pungent or that leaves a residue.</div>
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With a lightly whipped texture, this cream sinks directly into my skin and I can feel the softening shea butter instantly soothing my hands from the elements. </div>
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I also can get terribly try elbows during this time of year, which can sometimes get so bad they even crack and bleed which is very sore. I've actually been using this cream for a few weeks now, and can definitely see an improvement. </div>
<br />
As the name suggests, everything has a gorgeous, delicate rose scent, with elements of violet, jasmine, iris and black tea.<br />
<br />
With everything £10.00 and under, these products would make for beautiful stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts with the holiday season approaching.<br />
Or - of course - they are perfect just as a beautiful addition to your dresser as they look almost too good to use. Almost.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Auntie Dolly and Auntie Rose would have been fans!<br />
<br />
<br />
Muchos love,<br />
Carla<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-6278085073927372932015-10-25T15:08:00.001+00:002015-10-25T15:08:36.474+00:00MITN: Mog On The Tyne<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
As <a href="http://messycarla.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/mitn.html">mentioned in my previous first</a>, this is going to be my first in a series of posts regarding really fun and different things to get up to in the North East entitled <b>'Meanwhile In The North.' </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's official: Newcastle has officially peaked. <br />
<br />
Because it finally has...a cat cafe!<i> </i><br />
<i>(Well technically at the time of writing it now has two, but we're going to be talking about the first to land.)</i><br />
<br />
Tucked in the small wind-y street of Pudding Chare is the place on every kitten's lips...Mog On The Tyne!</div>
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<img src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/MogOnTheTyne/mogfront_zpsxzqygg7z.jpg" height="456" width="640" />
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You are allocated an hour's slot for your £5 entry fee. This is to avoid the door opening and closing and risking the cats getting out, or being trampled with foot traffic.<br />
<br />
<i>(My only suggestion for this is as per the cat cafes I visited in Japan, I would have liked the option to pay various amounts to stay longer - in Tokyo these options came in blocks from as little as 30 minutes up to two hours. However as the cafe is incredibly popular right now, I'm not sure how logical this would be.)</i></div>
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Upon entry, your party enters and you remove your shoes in the lobby. You are welcome to go barefoot, wear socks/tights and the cafe also offers free slippers to use.</div>
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You are then shown into the cafe, choose a table and are given a menu of the food and drink along with a copy of the house rules and pictures of all the cats and their names. <br />
<br />
You can <a href="http://www.mogonthetyne.com/house-rules/">view the house rules online</a> before you visit, but it's a lot of common sense: no loud noises, do not wake sleeping cats, do not feed cats, no flash photography etc.<br />
<br />
As I've mentioned, I'd been to cat cafes in Tokyo <i>(where they originally began),</i> and the procedure is pretty much identical. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/MogOnTheTyne/meoutsidemogonthetyne_zpsmqwdsulv.jpg" height="400" width="300" /> <img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/MogOnTheTyne/mogme1_zps6vpwhpzn.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">FUN FACT: I'm a qualified barista <i>(twice actually - one for the UK and one to adhere to Australian standards) </i>and have a nose for a good coffee. </span><br />
I ordered a cattaccino <i>(cute, right?) </i>which was delicious and came with an adorable cat paw in cocoa dustings. </div>
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My sister ordered the hot chocolate, which arrived very pink and girly with lots of marshmallows. </div>
</div>
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<img src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/MogOnTheTyne/mogdrinks_zps261inptq.jpg" height="456" width="640" />
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Hot chocolate and Cattaccino.</div>
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With the £5.00 per person entry fee, the price of food and drink on top of this is incredibly reasonable.<br />
<br />
Due to health and safety reasons, all food is brought in from outside sources - sandwiches and pastries from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-French-Oven-113910748669665/">The French Oven</a> and desserts from my favourite bakery in Newcastle - <a href="http://petlambpatisserie.com/">Pet Lamb Patisserie</a>. Both of which are just a hop, skip and a jump away at the nearby Grainger Market.<br />
<br />
The Pet Lamb treats were delicious as usual, however the scone was rather disappointing - it arrived as a single square, toasted <i>(my pet peeve - please don't toast scones!)</i> and with only a little butter - no jam or clotted cream which was a shame.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUjjr0d_ZvU/VgcD1z0RVqI/AAAAAAAAARA/gnEvzo8BKNk/s400/mogcat2.jpg" width="285" /> <img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/MogOnTheTyne/nadiacat1_zpsioor3yom.jpg" height="400" width="285" /> <br />
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The cats were very cute, unfortunately most of them had curled up for a literal cat nap during out slot. </div>
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However when they did stir, they looked very happy, well kept for and enjoyed playing with the toys provided by the cafe.<i> (Outside toys and snacks are not permitted.)</i></div>
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All cats come from <a href="http://www.westgateark.org.uk/">Westgate Ark</a> shelter in Newcastle and receive regular check ups from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TyneVeterinaryClinic">Tyne Vets</a>. At night, the cats sleep in the shelter and a monitor links them to the staff's phones in case there is a problem. </div>
</div>
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<img src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/MogOnTheTyne/mogcat1_zpsczf1hopd.jpg" height="457" width="640" /></div>
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Overall I did enjoy my experience.<br />
<br />
The owner Katie <i>(noticeable for her luscious Yorkshire accent and bright pink hair) </i>is very sweet, welcoming and friendly. When my sister told her she was visiting from university, she gave Nadia a logo sticker to put on her laptop to remind her of her trip.<br />
<br />
However I found the other two staff members <i>("the cat nannies")</i> although polite, were a little withdrawn when we went. I did however go back a second time and they were a lot more chatty.<br />
<br />
I would have preferred a little more interaction like you get at my local shelters. As a Tripadvisor review suggested, some introductions to the cats would have been nice - however to be fair, this is not standard in cat cafes.<br />
<br />
In total, the entry fee, two hot drinks and two snacks came to £18.00. This does seem a lot for an hour's entertainment but consider it pretty worth it for something different to do in the city.<br />
<br />
If we had wanted a quick £3 coffee and sit down, there is a Costa around the corner.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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Check them out at the address below. <a href="http://www.mogonthetyne.com/">Booking is necessary</a>.</div>
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<br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.mogonthetyne.com/">Mog On The Tyne</a></i></b></div>
<b><i>24 Pudding Chare </i></b><br />
<b><i>Newcastle upon Tyne </i></b><br />
<b><i>NE1 1UE</i></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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Muchos love,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Carla<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-45582480891392474162015-10-18T10:41:00.004+01:002022-03-13T18:06:10.710+00:00MITN: Introducing Meanwhile In The NorthHey everyone,<br />
<br />
I'm very pleased to announce the launch of a new series in these parts I've been planning for a little while now which is going to be called:<br />
<br />
<b>"Meanwhile In The North" </b><br />
<b>(aka: 'MITN')</b><br />
<br />
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<img border="0" height="429" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSEjG0BTpDw/Vh-mFzPWdiI/AAAAAAAAAVs/BY0kMh0ziYM/s640/MITN_MAIN.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Newcastle Quayside. You are excellent.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Credit: unknown. If this is your photograph, <a href="mailto:messycarla@hotmail.co.uk"><u>please</u> let me know</a>!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I believe the North East gets a bit of a bad rap.<br />
<br />
It feels like the mainstream media has no time for us unless it's a local celeb flashing their drawers on a night out after too many jagerbombs.<br />
Or that tired picture the Daily Mail gets out every year of Christmas revellers in the snow wearing bodycon dresses, heels and not much else.<br />
<br />
You've all seen it. They use it every December. Snore. Next!<br />
<br />
And believe me we can take a bit of banter.<br />
North East types are very self-deprecating folk who don't really take ourselves too seriously.<br />
<br />
But what seriously gets my goat (and I love goats) is when people outside the region think that's all we have: binge drinking, punch-ups outside £1-entry-before-midnight nightclubs, drunken stag parties.<br />
<br />
Aye it can be like that, but show me a student city in the UK which isn't.<br /><i>
And</i> it's true that the North East promises a great night out. A great one, even.<br />
But that's not <i>all</i> we're about.<br />
<br />
And this is what the series is going to be covering: alternative things to do here, which you may not have heard of.<br />
<br />
<br />
Oh and P.S:<br />
<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZGH6bA9_Vo/Vh-pqiccDII/AAAAAAAAAV4/AqhMPTngIP4/s400/COAT.jpg" width="300" /><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy357/messycarla/bunnyjumperparka_zps83b9d64b.jpg" width="265" /> </div>
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There you are. Northerner in a coat.</div>
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Two different coats, even.</div>
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So there.</div>
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<br />
So I'll be very pleased to welcome you all to the North, soon.<br />
Just please don't leave streaky San Moriz tanning mousse stains on the towels. It looks like something else.<br />
<br />
<br />
Muchos love,<br />
Carla.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7948029434624152319.post-27530670604932648452015-10-15T13:03:00.002+01:002015-10-16T19:39:26.533+01:00Nice To Meet You - Again!<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
So it's here.<br />
My beautiful design by <a href="http://www.thecluelessgirl.com/">Kaelah</a> is up. We have a new URL and a new name and a new attitude.<br />
Winter is coming. It's all good here.<br />
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My hiatus was completely unplanned, but necessary.<br />
I've had over a year to reflect about my little space here on the internet, which has been my baby for six years now. I'm definitely ready to return.<br />
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Funnily enough, since being away I've actually gained quite a few new followers. Hello!<br />
So just so we're reacquainted, I thought I'd just do a short re-introduction.<br />
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So my name is Carla, I'm 26 years old and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMn82u47Bg">live in a small town where a short lived sitcom was set</a> just outside Newcastle, UK. <br />
For those non-UK dwellers, it's waaaaay up in the North East not far from the Scottish borders.<br />
Yes, I have a hilarious accent - ask <a href="http://www.pocketrocketfashion.com/">Lauren</a>.<br />
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Blogging has not and never has been my full-time job. Since graduating with a Media degree in 2010 I ended up working a few terrible jobs before going backpacking and ended up living in Sydney for the best part of a year.<br />
I came home and now work in the travel industry with a group of crazy but lovely office mates. We eat a lot of cake.<br />
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Sydney.</div>
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Or "Shitney" if you are <a href="http://www.fashionhayley.com/">Hayley</a>.</div>
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I'm also back at home.<br />
With my mam and dad.<br />
At 26 years old.<br />
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It's actually not that bad - I'm very close with both my parents. My mam ("Italian Catholic Mother") is hilarious and neurotic and Italian and everyone loves her.<br />
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My dad ("Papi B") is very quiet except when he's being a radgie (angry) and drinks a lot of real ales. He's like a bald Hagrid from Jarrow. Oh, and he also reads this blog. And quotes from it. Frightening.<br />
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Dressed like Tumblr girls. Halloween 1996-ish.</div>
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I also have a sister called Nadia (often referred to as 'Nooboo' and 'Little Boo' in these parts) who is equal parts my best friend and mortal enemy. I'm convinced she was sent to destroy me.<br />
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She's been "professionally procrastinating" in Glasgow for three years for uni, studying for a MA in English which confuses me as she can hardly string a tangible sentence together. The spelling needs work too.<br />
She is finallyyyy going to start blogging too - so you should definitely go and follow her because she's proper babely and also you'll need to correct her grammar from time to time: <a href="http://nenbennie.blogspot.co.uk/">http://nenbennie.blogspot.co.uk</a>.<br />
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One of my biggest passions is aforementioned travel.<br />
After living in Australia, I really got the bug for it and try to get away several times a year.<br />
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This means blowing off nights out with friends, meals out with family and I don't shop half as much anymore - but it's so worth it in my opinion. <br />
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With my buddy Hiro-chama at the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo.</div>
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I've been lucky enough to see some wonderful places over the last few years, but my absolute favourite is Japan. <br />
I've been obsessed with Japanese culture (*weeaboo alert*) since I was a teenager, and when I finally got to go last year it didn't disappoint. I'm going to do some separate blog posts about my 2014 trip as I travelled quite a bit around the country, and I was lucky enough to return to Tokyo this Autumn for another two-week visit. <br />
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<a href="http://breadmeatsbread.com/">Bread Meats Bread</a> in Glasgow.</div>
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I spend more time thinking about this burger than I do about old boyfriends.</div>
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As the size of my arse will attest, I also love food.<br />
Going to places and eating all the food is one of the greatest things in life. Nadia is my soul sister (as well as biological one) in this and whenever we're together, food is usually involved so expect lots of posts on our foodventures coming soon.<br />
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I am also blessed with the best gal-pals a girl could ask for.<br />
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Claire ("Bradders") lives ten minutes away and we've been best friends since the first day of our A-Levels at Newcastle College.<br />
We meet up on a weekly/fortnightly basis to drink too much wine, eat copious amounts of pizza, and binge-watch 00s TV like Dirty Sanchez and The Simple Life. Or classic Disney films on a constant loop.<br />
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The Two Minnies.</div>
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Sam ("Francey") lives in London and works as a bigwig in telly.<br />
After initially becoming friends on MySpace (LOL) we met in the cafeteria first semester at uni and discovered we share a mutual love for cocktails and bad Malcolm McDowell movies.<br />
Although we don't see each other as often as we would like, but we are still ridiculously close.<br />
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Our friendship in a nutshell.</div>
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And that's pretty much what you can expect in the near future.<br />
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It's great to see you all again.<br />
Did you do something to your hair? It suits you.<br />
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Muchos love,<br />
Carla<br />
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