First 2011 Trip To Pacific Mall

As promised, here are the pictures of my trip to Pacific Mall in March:



I have no idea what these are. I found them at a store called One's



Again, found at One's!



The window of the beautiful Vivi store! I just love that left mannequin's outfit!  



Somewhere in the hallway



Taken at an electronics store in Splendid China Tower, I think. What beautiful decoden! I've never seen anything like that Rilakkuma one!



Yummy looking chocolate iPhone case! Sorry about the finger, I was trying to hide it!

Things I'm hoping to buy next time (besides all the cute stuff I usually buy) :

• Shugo Chara (Amu) cosplay
• Hello Kitty cosplay hat
• Anime cards
• Anime posters
• Domo stuff

I can't wait! Seriously. >_<

The Legend Of Princess Sakura and Stepping On Roses Volume 5 Release

Today was the release of the mangas, The Legend of Princess Sakura and Stepping On Roses volume 5. To others, The Legend Of Princess Sakura is better known as "Sakura Hime Kaden", and Stepping On Roses, "Hadashi de Bara wo Fume". 

 

I've counted down to this day, although I didn't get them today (Julie did too!). Both of my favourite mangakas release on the same day? It's a dream come true. 


To those who've read the past blogs, you've already read the sypnosis of Stepping on Roses. You also know how deeply in love I am with it. 


The Legend of Princess Sakura is a heian era manga (another historical bonus for me!). The sypnosis is: 

"Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her...

Princess Sakura has been engaged to Prince Oura since birth. Aoba, an emissary from the court, has come to accompany her move to the capital for her upcoming nuptials. Taking a dislike to Aoba and wanting to escape a life arranged by others, Sakura runs away-and finds she's caught up to her true destiny."

I also love reading about Japanese arranged marriages, so another plus! I'm looking forward to owning these two volumes. Just like "tradition", there'll be a post up when I buy both! 

Photo rights go to Viz Media, Rinko Ueda, Arina Tanemura

Back To the Mall!

Anna, Claire, (Got permission to use her name!) and I went to the mall yesterday! We bought a load of manga again.  Anna bought a few mangas this time surprisingly.

There's my domo backpack at Anna's house! I came an hour early, so we had lots of time to waste!

Claire finally arrived! There's my domo bag to the left, and hers to the right. Now for pictures of kawaii-ness at the mall!

A clearer picture of one of Sephora's Hello Kitty windows

So God-like...O.o

Toki Doki Madness! 

 

My mangas! Anna bought me Oresama Teacher. Thank you very much, Anna! 

Anna's mangas she bought. She says her limit is six, so it's a first that she only bought four.  

Our mangas in comparison! 

Claire and I also bought ribbons for decoration. She wanted to decorate a shirt, and mine was originally for my mirror, but I think I might decorate my bookshelf instead. She bought a dark pink animal print ribbon, and I bought light pink ribbon with white polka dots. 



I can't wait to start decorating things with my new ribbons! If it doesn't look terrible, I'll post a picture of my results.  

Continue to enjoy your March Break, everyone! To those who aren't in the midst of a March Break, continue to make the best of the week! Don't waste it! To our Japanese friends that are suffering from the recent calamity, stay strong!  

March Break Calls For Some Shopping!

I'll be going on a shopping trip on Monday with Anna, Julie, and C-chan soon! I can't wait to buy more manga! Although I'm not sure I'll be able to buy any manga, since I'm saving up for the MTAC (next weekend!). I know Anna will for sure buy manga, so I'll put up a post about our stuff we'll buy.

The one manga I really want is finally in stock at my local Chapters!

There are three copies in stock, and I hope I'll own one of the three! I found it really funny when I read it online. I only read the first chapter, but I found it worth buying, so I really hope it'll still be there.  

At the back, it says,

Mafuyu is the ideal yanki chick-no-nonsense, take-charge, and hard-hitting. But when she gets expelled for being a delinquent, her mother, fed up with her daughter's wayward ways, sends Mafuyu to an isolated school far off in the country.

Mafuyu, determined to make the best of the situation and make her mother proud, decides to turn over a new, feminine, well-behaved leaf. But her yanki soul can't be kept down, and the night before school starts she finds herself defending some guy who's getting beaten up. One slip wouldn't have been a problem, except the guy is…her teacher?! How can Mafuyu learn to be a girly girl if her teacher won't let her forget her yanki past?


In regards to the recent Japanese tsunami disaster, I have contacted my relatives in the Pacific, and they were fine. They told me that the water rose a few feet, but nothing really happened. To think I was scared that morning! I still watch the news a few times a day to recieve updates. It turns out the ceiling of the nuclear plant caved in this morning, and a fire started. There are worries because there was a radiation leak.

Please continue to show Japan your support.







Photo rights go to Shojo Beat/Viz Media/Hakusensha and Izumi Tsubaki

Sephora x Hello Kitty Collaboration!

I went to the mall yesterday, and found out that the Hello Kitty x Sephora promotion is still underway! When I went inside Sephora, I found that all the employees were wearing those pink hello kitty bow headbands! I rushed in to see if they were selling those in the store, but none could be found to be sold to the public.

I remember going into Sephora earlier this month to check out the prices, to see if I could buy anything, but this asian writing this didn't end up buying anything. That's what I get for being a cheapo!

I'm also glad I didn't buy anything because I'm trying to save up for the MTAC and Anime North. I'm not 100% sure that I'll be going to either of them, but it's nice to save up some money, just in case. I don't want another "not-enough-money-I-can-barely-buy-anything" incident. Ugh. That was terrible.

In any case, I'm still excited for the two events. I really hope I can make it!

One of the windows at Sephora

*Sorry for the blurry picture! It was taken by cell phone!

"Happiness Is Playing Bingo!" "Are you sure?"

Everyday, we all share laughter (Or else the day's wasted!) and today was no exception for me.

I found yesterday special because I found out that there are more people around me that wish to be loli! Old time lolis would probably say, "So?" to this, but I myself find this very exciting!

My friend C-chan (I haven't asked for her permission to use her name yet!) told me about a friend who wanted to be a loli-chan. It's not everyday you here this news from outside the computer world. It makes me happier to know that there are more lolis-to be in my area. I'm not saying it's a small community, but I love knowing that there are people out there close to me who share similar interests.

C-chan also hopes to be a loli one day. In fact, she was the first person I knew that shared that same dream. Maybe one day we'll all have those beautiful clothes! I wish all the best for the both of them in making that dream a reality.

That Sugary Carnival print up there has to be one of the most beautiful dresses in the world! *-* This is my third favourite lolita dress, right after Wonder Cookie and Milky Planet. This is one dress I hope to get my hands on in the future. 

The sad thing is, the future seems a bit too far away right now. Time may seem like it's travelling fast these days, but it will never catch up to that future at the rate it's going at. 

Photo rights go to Angelic Pretty. 

What Can an Otaku/Kawaii Lover Buy at Pacific Mall?

People visiting the GTA should visit Pacific Mall, in Markham. The area around Pacific Mall is also considered Chinatown, meaning lots of cute things!

I know everyone loves pictures, so get prepared for some pictures I took on my last few visits there!

Those pictures were taken with my old cell phone. The quality from that cell phone is not the same as the one I have now, which is supposedly better than the old one. GAHH! 

These are just a few of the many things you can find at Pacific Mall. You can find everything from Hello Kitty toasters and hello kitty t.vs to anime posters and cosplay here. (Just in case you were wondering which cosplays there are, I've seen Haruhi Suzumiya, Naruto, Shugo Chara, and some others.) I took these pictures without considering that they would one day be posted here. They were taken before I even thought about creating this blog. Because of that, there are no pictures of the stores these came from, or even stores in general. Also, there aren't enough variety of pictures I took of otaku things. Next time, I promise pictures of the stores! One thing I can't promise are pictures of the insides, since some don't allow it. 

Pacific Mall is what I call a Kawaii lover's and an otaku's heaven. I don't think anyone would disagree with me on this one. 

Angelic Pretty France Update!

I checked my dashboard for blog updates, and anyone who reads the French Angelic Pretty Blog knows about the bag update! A few things have caught my eye:

 The Pink Piano Shoulder Bag

 The French Biscuit Shoulder Bag

For those who are curious, petit beurre means small butter, or little butter.

The Twinkle Star Shoulder Bag

The last picture is my dream bag. If I ever own this one day, what would my reaction be? I would scream loud enough for Maki and Asuka themselves to hear.

Yep. 

Photo rights go to Angelic Pretty.

Strapya Kana Nishino x Gemcerey Princess Charm

The photo was taken from and the charm can be ordered here.

It's been a while since this came out, but I want to share it anyway.

I never thought Kana Nishino would actually have products out.

If you don't know who she is, she's a very famous singer in Japan, and supposedly is popular among the  Gyaru. Her audience not only consists of gyaru, but also the older generation.

She's one of my most favourite Jpop singers ever. In my list, Ayumi Hamasaki was always number one. Lately, Ayumi Hamasaki has changed the styles of her songs. These are styles that don't appeal to me very much. Meanwhile, Kana Nishino has been releasing songs that, on the first listening, have moved me. Not only have her songs grabbed my attention, but her voice, in my opinion, and the opinion of many other friends of mine, is perfect. I think it sounds cute. Not anime cute, but cute just to the point that it sounds in a way, mature. It's too hard for me to describe.

Here's one of her recent videos, Kimitte:

She has so many good songs out right now that I can't think of a favourite! I've loved all her songs since Tokutemo with Mr. Wise. Well, I discovered her when that song first came out, and since then, I've been watching out for any songs that she puts out. I didn't really like her songs before Tokutemo, but she's really changed since then.

 She has really good potential, and I think she's really brought it out. If I could buy her songs right now, I would, but those things aren't too easily accessible where I live. I'm going to have to wait for Anime North 2011. They sold Ayumi Hamasaki and Nami Tamaki CDs there, so they should be selling some Kana Nishino ones this year.


If I can find a Kana Nishino CD or her cell phone charm,  at the "nearby" (closest, around 45 minutes away. T^T) asian mall, I'll post pictures up! I just hope I can find it.

Angelic Pretty: Wonder Cookie Print Dream

I found this dress on Angelic Pretty's website a while ago, and it's become my dream dress! Sadly, Angelic Pretty doesn't sell it anymore, but it still remains my dream dress.

I still can't decide on whether I like the pink or the blue one more! 

The following picture was found here. 

The following picture was found here.

In my opinion, this has to be the cutest print Angelic Pretty has released! 

If I ever get my hands on a Sweet Lolita dress, I hope it's this print.

I also had a weird dream that I went to a loli's house to watch a movie, and in her house, lining the walls and hallways, were petticoats. In particular, I saw a green petticoat. Another thing I saw was the light blue Wonder Cookie! I'm wondering now if the blue one really is my favourite. The loli in my dream was really touchy about anyone who touched her loli stuff. 

Maybe that dream was telling me the future? 

Only time can tell what will happen. 

Expanding Your Manga Collection on a Budget

We all like to save money, even if it's only a few dollars. Here's a few things I've learned over the years about buying manga a little cheaper:

1.  Use an Irewards card! (Or any other book membership card!)
If you shop for your manga at Chapters, Coles, or Indigo frequently, this is ideal for you! This has saved me and my friends a lot of money. Irewards saves 10% on every book bought, so you can imagine the savings when you've bought a lot of mangas!

2. Buy at Anime Conventions!
Buying at anime conventions has saved me and my friends lots of money. When I mean lots, I mean a lot. They're much cheaper here. Anime Conventions have been known to sell mangas for as low as $5. These $5 mangas are usually second hand, but they do seem in good enough condition. In Canada, anime conventions have also sold manga for US price, in pristine store-like condition. They are in perfect condition. In the past, my friend, Anna has bought the $5 mangas, and was quite happy with the condition they were in. Being a picky person myself about the pristine condition of mangas, I have bought from Shojo Beat sellers, who sold their mangas at US price. Buying at anime conventions also can find you some rare mangas that you can't find in bookstores anymore!

^Anime North 2010's Dealer room

3. Buy from second hand stores.
My friends and I bought some mangas from Planet Hobby, which does keep their mangas in a quite fair condition.  I bought Happy Happy Clover volume 2 there, and it was definetly in pristine condition. There are mangas there in conditions I would call poor, but this is coming from a picky otaku! There are some there that I would say are in very good condition, and that I myself would buy.

4. Wait for promotions that come up!
Chapters has some promotions once in a while. They have a sale a few times a year where you buy three books, and the fourth book bought is free.

5. Buy from friends.
Some of your friends may want to get rid of some manga, and may sell it to you at a lower price.

Those are ways of saving manga that either myself or my friends have tried. I'm sure I'll have more ways of saving manga in the future. When I have more, I'll post them on here.

Strapya Samurai Earpick Cell Phone Key chain

Japan has come up with yet another invention that I don't think anyone else would have thought up of - the "Samurai Style Earpick Cell Phone Strap".

The pictures below can be found and the charm itself can be ordered here.

It's a weird and wonderful world we live in.

Daily Life of an Otaku: Buying Mistress Fortune

I bought more manga recently! Sadly, just one (cries). I went shopping with my friends Anna and Julie, who also bought manga! Who bought the most out of the three of us? Of course, Anna, who LOVES her books. She bought seven of them today. She has been known to shop for fifteen in a single day. Crazy, isn't it?

*Sorry for the poor cell phone quality!

Left to Right: Julie's pile, Anna's pile, and my pile. Ha, mine and Julie's aren't even piles.

^There's Anna's pile of manga! She's known for buying 15 in a day. Shocking, isn't it? She decided to tone down on the costs lately.

^Left to right is Julie's, Anna's and mine. We exhausted the store's supply within a day!


The sypnosis at the back reads:
     
       "Fourteen year-old Kisaki Tachikawa has psychic powers. She works for PSI, a secret government agency that fights aliens. She's in love with her partner Giniro, but PSI won't allow operatives to get involved. Just when Kisaki thinks she may be getting closer to Giniro, she finds out she's going to be California!"

It's by the famous Arina Tanemura! Of course, in my opinion, it was awesome! I give it a rating of 4 out of 5. My sister loved it, and I think a lot of people would too, because of its humour and story. I reccomend this manga to everyone! (Especially since the graphics are cute!)

Here's a couple of pictures of the posters at the back: (Again, I apologize for the ugly cell phone quality.)

I love Tanemura-sensei's art!

I'll be posting more updates of mangas I buy in the future!