Happy Birthday, Jewel!

Yesterday, we celebrated Jewel's first birthday....  we were out for most of the day....  from 12Noon till 7PM really.....   went to SOGO for a BDAY Lunch... then walked around the mall and checked out the newest UNIQLO inside this SOGO.....

 

Right after we stopped by the Martyr's Shrine to watch the 5PM changing of the guards - a popular attraction for both locals and tourists alike....

Then we went on to the Temple so Jewel, as well as, all of us can pay respects and give Thanks to the Gods....

Ended the nite back at Juju's home - for dinner and top of the nite with a BDAY cake....  overall, I think Jewel had a Great Day - as she loves being out.... people watching....  and crawling in wide open spaces - which she sure did a lot of at SOGO....

Happy BDay, Jewel... here's to many more to come!!!!

Porter, If You Please!!!

Seems like everywhere I turn, buses, magazines, movies, tv , etc..., I see this ICONIC LOGO.... Even Manila just opened up a Porter Shop in Rockwell!!! Porter is already a FAVE LOGO way back when, during the countless treks to Japan - but it was just one of those Designer Labels that was ALWAYS TOO PRICEY -until now....

I remember seeing and admiring them in Japan number of times... but I always OPT for COMME CA DU MODE, clothing & accessory - for financial reasons... hehehehehe... But the recent resurgence of the Porter Brand in Asia, especially here in Taiwan made me take notice once more.... and boy, am I glad I did... the prices have come down considerably... Am told that Reatil in Japan is still quite HIGH - but the Brand has made a separate line for the Global Market and they have made them affordable... and from what I see - they really are!!!

Though not usually permitted, I talked the good folks of Porter International @ SOGO Department Store in Taipei, into letting me snap a few shots of their boutique... check them out - am sure you will fall for them, too!!!

COOL SELECTIONS: Stylish & Available in a Variety of Colors!!!
CURRENT AD seen all over Taiwan - Buses, Mags, Newspapers.

SOGO Shop Photos Here

And Be Sure to Check Out the wewly operational, Porter Pop Up Shop @ Rockwell - Manila Philippines - if you happen to be in the neighborhood... right next to another fave of mine, Fred Perry!!!

tokidoki X Onitsuka Tiger: Last Chance

The last collaboration between the Japanese Shoe Brand, Onitsuka Tiger and the UBER CUTENESS and Fave of mine, tokidoki is just now beginning to hit the market.... be sure to check out your local shops, that carries Onitsuka Tiger Shoes.... These, just as their former collaborations are bound to SELL OUT FAST!!!
Here in Taipei, I was able to find them at SOGO Department Store - one style for the men (High Tops in 2 colors - Black & White or Purple & Black) and 2 styles for the women (High Tops and Converse style)... the shop only got 2 of each of the sizes and I was told were selling like hotcakes since their appearance....

The Men's High Tops

Though it was prohibited, I was able to take these snapshots.. (^_*)....

star gazing again - "oh yeah!"

another star sighting happened yesterday afternoon, also while at SOGO admiring the Cherry Blossoms(See Previous Post.... this time it is with POP STAR, Crowd Lu, who bursts into the music scene a year or so ago.... his hip brand of music appeals to the teens who embraced not just his music but his style... with his big rimmed glasses, bowl cut do, & socks pulled up high - he single-handedly brought back the nerdy/dorky look in style....

Yesterday afternoon, he was making an appearance at the SOGO Department store to promote a product he endorses, "ettousais"...

i did have the pleasure of seeing him in a concert about a year ago, when he first burst into the scene.... he was the opening act for one of Taiwan's Premiere college bands, Mayday... and I must say, he does entertain.... his music are catchy even for a non-teen as I...

MTV VIDEO for his more popular song: "OH YEAH!"

Here in one of his Live Performances singing a song I like.

In Full Bloom

Nothing like the sight of Cherry Blossoms in full bloom to lift the spirits up -- especially when it is right in front one of Taipei's busiest, most frequented Department store, SOGO...

Walking about this afternoon, wandering aimlessly as I had a couple of hours to kill, found myself right on Chung Hsiao East Rd - one of Taipei's more popular shopping district... forgetting that it is the weekend, I found myself navigating through hordes and hordes of people, loud drum beats, loud speakers, and lo and behold - 3 full grown Cherry Blossoms... normally, one has to travel an hour up the mountains of Yan Ming San where Cherry Blossoms are the main attraction each and every spring time.... this time around, coinciding with a Japan Travel Promotion, SOGO (Japan's leading department store in Taiwan) transplanted 3 fully bloomed Cherry Blossom tress for all to admire, view, & of course, take photos with... and that WE ALL DID - HAPPILY!!!!

and to everyone's delight, we were treated to some Japanese dances by a number of dancers clad in regional Japanese clothings.

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

CLOSE, but still NO toki shoes....

ONITSUKA TIGER, one of Japan's trendiest and more POPULAR shoe boutique has been issuing tokidoki X Onitsuka shoe wear for a few years now.... always LIMITED - these shoes have been sooo very hard to find - well, for me anyway....

we really do not have an ONITSUKA TIGER shop here in Taipei... and in Manila, they get so few and never any when am there.... they sell out fast.... not surprisingly as the shoes are just way too cool - whether you love tokidoki or not.... fun, colorful and great graphics.... even the SOLE is soooooo FUN & ARTSY!

Before I took off, I had to go to SOGO Department Store in Taipei to pick up something... I was so surprised to see a SECTION of ONITSUKA TIGER SHOES.... and lo and behold, Ttokidoki shoes!!! Cannoteven tell you the feeling - I was DEFINITELY SALIVATING for them and could not wait to TRY my SIZE ON.... SADLY, nothing on my size... waaaaaaaah!!!Anyway, I did not let that STOP ME.... I got the smallest size they had and tried them on... TOO BIG I already knew of course, but still could not help myself.... just tried them on and took a photo.... so at least, I can have a photo to add to my tokidoki collection.... LOLs!

XMas Window Magic

well, this XMas window display at SOGO Department Store in Taipei is not quite like the ones (Saks 5th Ave, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, etc..) am used to growing up in San Francisco but it is none-the-less magical enough... truly brings out the child in all the passers by-myself, included...

NOTE: 22 More days Before XMas!!!

1st Official XMas Get-Together

So I had my first official Holiday Get-Together for lunch today with Juliana... Since I had stuff to pick up from her and momokos to deliver to her - we decided to make just go ahead and make a lunch outing out of it... at our FAVE hangout, too - TGI Fridays, over at Chung Hsiao East Rd... right next to the ever festive, SOGO Department Store... which is nicely decorated for XMAS btw... we got to enjoy their XMAS decor a bit right after lunch, as we walked around the Department store - mainly, the Toy Section, of course!!!

Lunch, as always, is GREAT - nothing like good all American burger now and again... plus the Three To Share Appetizers is always tasty and filling - Potato Skins, Buffalo Wings, plus Mozzarella & celery sticks.... but the food always takes a back seat from our GAB fest.... catching up with this and that and everything in between... 2 or 3 hrs is never, ever enough....

we did an early exchange gift as well... love our SNOWMAN pair from Starbucks & Bumble Bee Molly is just the cutest... so basically I had two firsts today - 1st Official holiday Get-Together plus 1st XMas Gifts for 2009...

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

You Call That An Exhibition??? Geez!!!

SOGO Department Store in Taipei, Taiwan just had a two week exhibition marking the 7th Anniversary of the momoko doll... I knew not to expect too much as most of the people there that I have dealt with in the past, does not know much about holding exhibitions... and I was right not to... LOLs!!! 7 years of momoko and they had 6 measly display cases... with each one holding two or 3 the most... one even had only one in the case...

As much as I was glad momoko was in the spotlight - I cannot help but feel SAD as it was hardly a good representation of how popular momoko is... (not even close to what JAPAN did to commemorate her 7th Birthday) All the while I was thinking - why did they not ask us to help??? surely there is someone in Taiwan who has a larger collection to loan.... if not us.... Oh Well, That is that.....

Anyway, below is the last EXHIBITION we helped mount in Taiwan... it was for the Chinese NY, 2007.... the theme was Susie & Global Dolls - so we had a variety of dolls represented -- over 500 dolls!!!!