BIBLIOPHILE: READS FOR MARCH-MAY 2015

School is finally over. I survived my freshman year of college and honestly, it was more manageable than expected. In high school they use fear tactics to make you think that university is this big scary place where every assignment matters and if you miss class one day the university will kick you out. All those assumptions are false. To sum up my first year as a college student, I'd have to say it was challenging, but it was doable. I'm not saying that college is a walk in the park, but it's also not thermodynamic problem solving (unless you're majoring in thermodynamics, if so, disregard). There were many nights that as an art student I felt like my abilities were not good enough, but I persevered. I worked hard and I survived. The nights where I found myself stressed were spent of course, reading.

Another part of my Bibliophile series! You can find the last one I did, right over here. 

Throughout March and May, my classes became pretty hectic hence the stress, but I was pretty surprised I was able to read and absorb all these books I have down. 

Within those three months, I read five books. 

1. Soppy by: Philippa Rice

2. Hi, Konnichiwa by: Yayoi Kusama

3. Humans of New York by: Brandon Stanton

4. Grace's Guide by: Grace Helbig

5. Asian Street Fashion by: James Bent

First one up! Soppy

Philippa Rice is a UK based illustrator who compiled together various pieces she did reflecting her life with her boyfriend Luke. This book is probably one of my new favorites because not only is it very simple but it's also really aesthetically pleasing. I love the minimal usage of color she uses for all of her illustrations. This book is also really cute, lol. I had my friends Nikki and Tiffanie read it, and both fell in love with how cute Philippa and Luke's relationship is. 

Soppy is not a chapter book, but a collection of illustrations chronicling everyday adventures Philippa has with Luke. You can see what I mean by the minimal usage of colors. 

For more information on Philippa Rice and her illustrations, visit her website here! Or browse her tumblr over here. 

Next, Yayoi Kusama's art book, Hi, Konnichiwa.

I consider Yayoi Kusama to be one of my inspirations and imaginary eccentric grandmother, so when I saw that she had an art book that housed all her works, I immediately bought it. Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese avant-garde artist who specializes in these billions of polka dots she calls "Infinity Nets". All you fashion-folk out there might remember the collaboration she did was Louis Vuitton back in 2012. 

Ah yes, the famous Humans of New York book. Obviously if I were to do a book review post, this one could not get left behind! I actually got this book as a present from my sister but I didn't get around to fully reading it until recently. 

I'm sure many of you are familiar with HONY. New York based photographer Brandon Stanton compiled together photos he's taken of people in New York in this nifty little book. There are tiny captions in and around each page that describe the situation of each shot. 

For more information on Brandon Stanton and his work, check out the HONY website, here!

If there is one thing in particular I would not have expected to read at all, it would be Grace Helbig's Grace's Guide.

 

Grace's Guide is a self-help book and seeing as I'm not really a legitimate grown up yet, I had my doubts whether or not I could relate to what she had to say. Within the first five pages I was hooked instantly! I've been watching Grace Helbig on YouTube for quite some time now and reading her book made my fondness for her grow stronger. I know those stressful nights were relieved quite a bit when I was reading this. 

James Bent's Asian Street Fashion completes this list.

Think of this book as HONY's more fashionable younger sibling. Photographer James Bent went around cities in Asia such as Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, etc and photographed various people in fashionable clothing. The book is split up into sections that deal with the seasons, men's fashion, and women's fashion. I had a great time flipping through the pages, it's pretty inspiring actually! After looking through I felt like I needed to go shopping and give my closet an overhaul, haha. 

This book is actually a great resource when it comes to illustrating as well. I've been drawing some of the people featured in this book (will be posting about that another time). 

There you have it! My book reads for March-May. Have you all been reading lately? 

.s

SYD GOES TO DOVER STREET MARKET GINZA

If you ask me, Dover Street Market in Ginza can be summed up into two categories.

Category 1. 

Dover Street Market is what looks like if you stare directly at the sun. 

Category 2. 

Dover Street Market is every avant garde artists' dream come true. 

To me, it's both. 

I felt like my visit to the place deserved it's own post. 

Dover Street Market is a multilevel fashion retail and concept store found by Comme des Garçons founder, Rei Kawakubo. The store I visited is in Ginza, but the original store is located in Dover Street, Mayfair, London. Hence the name.  I've always loved the destroyed/experimental look of Kawakubo's label, so to see an entire building dedicated to that was pretty cool. Actually, cool can't describe it well. It's an experience. 

DSM Ginza also houses brands such as Alexander Wang, Ann Demeulemeester, Chloé, Miu Miu, Juun J, Maison Margiela, and many more. The only thing I regret not visiting was the Rose Bakery at the top most floor. 

Anyways, let's get on with the pictures. 

There was this gigantic installation of what I'm assuming to be is a grasshopper. 

It's neighbor was this elephant. 

Computers so that you could sign up for the newsletter/browse collections. 

I really like the coat on the left. 

This cool cat in the polka dotted shirt was ringing up my shoes.

I didn't take a lot of photos because I was afraid I wouldn't be allowed to, lol. If you have the opportunity to visit Dover Street Market in either Ginza, New York, or Mayfair, then please do go! 

SYD IN JAPAN: Harajuku & Shibuya

Out of all the days in Japan, I've got to say that the second day was my favorite. Starting out bright and early, we headed for Harajuku to do some shopping and sightseeing. 

Just a fair warning, since this blog is a good three months late, it'll mostly be pictures. I'll have a few side comments here and there. 

When I visited, I noticed that Japan had promoted Psycho Pass a whole lot, I still haven't watched the entire anime, but so far it's been good. 

We originally were supposed to take the subway to get to Harajuku, but instead we opted to walk so we could see more sights. First one up, was Takashimaya. Takashimaya is a high end department store that opens at 9 or 10? The one thing my aunts told me is that as soon as the doors open, all the attendants line up and start bowing to you and won't stop until everyone has been bowed to. I don't think I've bowed back so much in my life!

I can't stress my love for the architecture of Japanese stores. Each one has it's own personality.

I tried street photography. This chic woman seemed to be in a hurry. Loved her coat!

Almost there! Before that though, we stopped at this cafe called The Deck Coffee & Pie that had a connecting boutique called the Free Peddler Market. 

These beautiful buildings were right across. 

They had these cacti and succulents for sale up front. 

What I found really cool cafe was that it had a very Western theme to it. All the cacti and Cowboy motifs reminded a whole lot of Arizona. 

Their bathroom was adorable!!

Passed by this cookie shop with the strangest mascot? They had rainbow eyelids!

Ramen!

The famous Takeshita Street! I had so much fun walking down this street, all the stores and the visual overload going on made it really memorable. 

All the fashion going on was so wonderful! It was so nice seeing the individual personalities each person put out with their clothes. I'm loving the pink sweater and plaid skirt combo. 

The haircolor of the guy on the left is pretty cool. I want it!

I regret not getting that Japan varsity jacket. 

This Vampire Dentist Bear became my friend. 

Also made friends with these three lovely ladies! They were amazed by my Dad's GoPro so I took a picture of them also. 

The gaudiness of this store was amazing. 

 

So while my mom, aunts, and sis went shopping, my dad, uncle, and I strayed to look for some of the more obscure shops. 

 Ok I take that back, this shop wasn't obscure it was so, bright LOL. 

Loved the art on the steps. 

WE ALSO MET STEVEN YEUN?????? FROM THE WALKING DEAD??? HE'S SO NICE AND AWESOME??? OF ALL PLACES TOO? IN TOKYO? 

Passed by this salon. 

There was a huge black bird on the tree that kept making the weirdest noises. Look closely and you'll see. 

Who is Honey and why are they Dead?

I have no idea what this store sold but Titicaca, as in Lake Titicaca, was the name. 

Strange how this street was empty. Kind of eerie because on the opposite side it was so busy!

The Japanese are such a stylish people. 

Stopped by for some Takoyaki! 

I had legitimate Pepper Lunch in Japan! 

So finally after our adventure in Harajuku, we went ahead and ventured over to Shibuya. My Uncle and I went to the famous Starbucks that oversees the entire crossing and took photos. 

And then, I crossed Shibuya Crossing!! There's a video of it on my Instagram :) 

So after our little trek, we found Hachi, a very loyal dog. 

This ends Day Two! Stay tuned for the rest!

I promise I won't disappear for three months again. LOL

-s