The Girls with Glasses Show

A new variety talk show for smart girls? Could be really really good or simply pretentious. But good vibes from the promotional video clip released. If the definition of smart girls meanings wearing cool specs, fab vintage garb and snazzy outfits all round, sign me up!

See the clip here. If not for anything, then simply to lighten up the Monday blues :)

(All pictures from Black*Eiffel)

common platform

Much has been made of how the new social media creates boundless opportunities and networking possibilities. And it is true that even for those of us born in generations before (ie. not Y or Z) the notion of life without connectivity is like a very distant blurry old dream. As though life in all its present clarity did not exist then. Whether that is a good or sad state is debatable. But sites like (not) common people which presents a platform for budding photographers to reach out to all potential audience are a great example of how to use such connectivity to express creativity and seek opportunity.

Photos by Adam Kremer

"I love nights of long exposures, but bad things always happen to me when I go taking photos at night."

Photos by Eugene Suo - me

Photos by Liana Fides Frappa

"I'm a dreamer, I'm influenced by the moon!"

Are you happy?

(from here)

Beautiful Girl

You know how certain nationalities have a certain look which is instantly recognizable. Hence some people often gets the "Are you Japanese/Korean/Scandinavian etc" queries?

Well french style is of course much admired and emulated but the attitude (as with flair) falls strictly in the category of either you have it or you don't.

Diane Birch could easily pass off as long lost daughter of Jane Birkin and hence half sister to Lou Dillon and Charlotte Gainsborg. But she's actually American, a great singer with a (seemingly) wonderful wardrobe to boot. Extremely quirky and chirpy video, check it out here.

The Eye that Sees

Honour the miraculousness of the ordinary

-- Andrew Motion

Beautiful blog by a Tokyo inhabitant. The loveliness of Tokyo captured through the eyes of one who looks upon the world with wonder.

(All pictures from Jollygoo)

Button Up and Petal Shorts

I am not a shorts person at all, as all my friends and family can attest to, but am suddenly in the mood for sheer shirts, shorts and flats. I want to say its spring and all its associations of lightness and breeze but I don't actually live in a place with seasons.

(Surface to Air Top, Rachel Comey Shorts, Marc Jacob Flats. All from LaGarconne)

and the key to world peace is...

Mahjong!

And Koizumi.

At least according to the Japanese.

The Legend of Koizumi portrays the Japanese ex-premier as mahjong whizz and all round super hero out to save the world against the North Koreans (who just don't play fair) while George W Bush buzzes around on a Segway with a couple of tumbles (well, at least some things are constant even in the world of fantasy)in a world where diplomatic relations are resolved through games of mahjong.

It's ingenious satarical nationalistic fantasy all bundled into non-stop hyper-activity, artfully blending the dramatic and the kitsch. Armchair philosophers could of course get all wrapped up in a discourse at length as to what the creation and success of such a manga reveals about the modern Japanese psyche, but really, just sit back and marvel at the free play of imagination without self-censoring boundaries which is such a trademark of Japanese creativity and hopefully always will be.

Good stuff. Watch it here.