Mori girl is back?

 Or is it 'mori kei' these days?

Now I am 30 years old, living my days in Tokyo with my Japanese husband.
Seems surreal looking back on this blog I started 13 years ago.

Even more surreal is seeing mori fashion make a comeback to some degree...

(Not to be a pedant, but 'mori kei' as a title really wasn't/isn't a thing in Japan- rather 'mori girl' was the title. But I digress). 

Anywho- living in Japan now, it is still exciting to see the brands and clothes and stores I pined for back in high school. As I do occasional freelance modeling now (feel free to roast me about this), it is even more exciting to sometimes work with the brands that I saved to my Pinterest all those years ago!

As a forever mori-girl-at-heart, here are a few life updates that would have had 20-year-old me squealing with glee:

• Grimoire (which doesn't seem to be around anymore at the time of writing this post) - was a store I had dreamt about visiting. Although more dolly-kei, their whimsical store and styling captivated me. Back in 2017 (which in itself is already 7 years ago!), I had the chance to model for their online store.

• Closer to my 'style icons': Whilst I haven't had the chance to meet them in person, my husband (who is involved with film & TV media - a whole other story in itself) has- and I've made sure to ask him to put in a good word for me! A year or so ago, he met Aoi Yu- and mentioned that I was a fan, and about my love for her style back in my 'mori girl' days. One day, I can meet her face-to-face, and be an obnoxious fan. Sigh.

• Writing for and being featured in Japanese magazines that, as I teenager, I would download illegal scans of from shady websites - Popeye, GINZA, Madame Figaro - a few of the publications I have worked with for both translation, modeling and as a person interested in shopping and vintage fashion in Japan. Some of my work is featured on my Instagram highlights! (1, 2)

• Talking and working with people involved in the fashion that was so near and dear to me when I was in high school - being able to share similar interests, and expressing my appreciation for their work.

Whilst I can't say I will dress in the mori girl style again any time soon (although if there is a complete revival of it all, who knows!), it is still an important part of my character. Heck, I still find myself buying issues of old mori girl magazines I find in the second-hand book stores around the city!

Who knows, I might start up this blog again to share more information about mori fashion of that time (eek - it was only 15 years ago at the very latest!) - let me know if you are interested. 

I am somewhat active on Instagram (@akafukuu), where you can see some of my more recent fashion and work, and occasionally post to TikTok. 

Thank you all :)

Little update

Hi hi again! It's been a while since my last post, and my first year of University is over!
I hope I can get in a few posts over the break.

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Well it's been an interesting year, and the holidays so far have not come to much. However I do have a job now, so it's time to start getting the money in.
I had a bit of free time so I thought I'd put together a simple, summery outfit! I apologise for the quality of the photos- all of our camera seem to have gone AWOL, so I had to use my phone's rather terrible camera and a mirror!

Dress (undermeath); EzyBuy・ Overdress; Thrifted ・ Skirt; Thrifted・ Shoes; Number One Shoes・Hat; Dotti・Bag; Rope Picnic (Gift)・Badge; f.i.n.t

It hasn't been all that hot for December- the past few days it has been raining on and off. Hopefully the sunny days will appear on my days off work!

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The holidays have really got me thinking back to my time in Japan. I really want to go back, and hopefully I can in the next few years! I've also been itching to show off some of my photos from Japan (I will spare you from the 1000s that I have though!).

Because it is almost Christmas, Christmas lights are out in their sparkling glory! Mie Prefecture's Nabana no Sato really is an amazing sight this time of year...

なばなの里 Nabana No Sato 

An immense oasis creating a harmony between abundant nature and rich facilities. In the giant greenhouse “Andes Flower Garden/Begonia Garden”, potted flowers are cultivated and displayed year-round, and you can enjoy the garden courtyard and open-air bath in the onsen facility.

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Anyway, I hope everyone  is well. I apologise for the briefness of this entry!

Thank you for reading ★

UPDATE

<I previously posted this to my tumblr, so many of you will have seen a similar post to this already>

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If you note, that blog hasn’t been updated since February last year. New people and older friends still follow it, and for that I am beyond grateful, and I apologise wholeheartedly for not updating it in more than a year.

I went to Japan and was expecting to continue my blogging from there, however I had very little access to the internet for the first couple of months. But in all honesty, I stopped updating because I fell out with the fashion. Although I was 18/19 in Japan, I was essentially living the life of a 15 year old. And for some reason, I felt the need to make sure people knew that I wasn’t a 15 year old. Petty, I know. Hence, I changed my style significantly, sent my clothing back home from Japan and sought to start anew.

Since I’ve come back, I’ve dabbled over the thought of selling my clothes. Before coming back home for the holidays, I was sure that I would- setting up online stores and making a mental inventory of what I had to sell. But when I came home, and saw the clothes again, I just couldn’t do it.

(I’ve also put on weight since coming back and have had a few moments of self-appearance despair, which has made me want to fall back into mori fashion.)

 It makes me feel comfortable. Not just physically, but mentally. Last night I put some outfits together, and I felt really happy.

In reality though, I know I won’t wear mori everyday. Part of me still retains the idea that mori is childish- a thought that is childish in itself! Also, all of my clothing at my university hall (dorm) is different, and I don’t really have the ability to bring them back with me. I also feel rather self conscious if I start dressing differently at uni- like there’s an already established ‘me’ there.

However, what I really wanted to get out of this is to say that during the university breaks, I will attempt to update my blog. I feel that mori has become too important to me to give that up.

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Anyway, here are the three outfits I came up with late the other night! Coordnation-wise, I am a bit rusty, and I've given away quite a few items, but I'll try my best to make something to show you all!

(I also apologise for the horrible mirror shots!)

Left to Right:

Dress (undermeath); Thrifted・ Overdress; Earth Music & Ecology Natural Label ・ Collar; Thrifted・ Shoes; Number One Shoes・Socks; Glassons・Hair Barrette; Gift

Blouse; Shimamura・ Shorts; Thrifted ・ Coat; Thrifted・ Socks; Japanese school uniform ・Shoes; Number One Shoes・Beret; Gift・Wig; Gift

Blouse; Shimamura・ Pants; Thrifted ・ Cardigan; SoulBerry・ Shoes; Thrifted ・Scarf; Thrifted

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I know this isn't much after such a long 'break' but I am hoping that the summer holidays will enable me to contribute more to this blog!

Speaking of which, does anyone have any suggestions? Is there anything you want to see more of on Cats In Straw Hats?

I'd love to hear what you think!

After such a long time,

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you again soon!☆

Bows, buns, buys oh my!

This last weekend I went camping with my friends at one of their farm properties. It was such a beautiful setting! There was a giant grassy hill that I spent many hours rolling down! It was a fantastic weekend- sadly most of the photos only group shots of me and my friends, and I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate me smacking them up here on my blog haha.

Here's a nice shot of the aforementioned hill! By the end of the weekend, that grass was a lot flatter!

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For the weekend, I wore just camping-suitable attire- so no photos haha! But today I wore this for a lazy day about the house.
Later this week I'll try to take up Fern & Fawn's monthly challenge of incorporating roses into my outfit!

Shirt; EzyBuy・ Overdress; Supre ・ Pants; Thrifted・ Shoes; Thrifted・Socks; Glassons・ Bow; Bodyline・ Necklace; Wonder Rocket

I've also found a great solution to making easy buns (hair buns that is)! Surprisingly, it is by using a sock! Who would've thought! If you have trouble with topknots, try this as an alternative, and see if it works! I just discovered it today, but I can already tell it's a (strangely) useful thing to know. Being Lovely blog tells you how to do it here (or click the image below).

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I haven't done much shopping recently. Most of my new clothing has been through sewing, which I will talk about a bit later! However, I've been keeping my eye out for some good deals about the place!

Left to Right:

• CottonOn lace trim cardigan for $10- thin, but good for Spring and late summer!
• Farm print leggings for $8- these are very warm, so I'm keeping them for the winter
• Frilly mini skirt for $5- I'm not one to wear miniskirts, but the fabric really got to me haha
• Trelise Cooper stain glass window necklace for $20- I'm a big fan of Trelise Cooper's clothing, and this would make a good accessory for a dolly kei inspired outfit I think! The chain is slightly reminiscent of a rosary.

Here's one of the sewing projects I worked on last week (again from my darling Pochee magazine! :P )

It's a pair of shorts and a wrap around skirt, that can be made into two different kinds of salopettes simply by pinning a front bib onto them- so in theory, I have 4 different wardrobe pieces! I only had just enough fabric to make them both, so I have to be very economical! 

Pro tip- make sure you put pattern pieces in a safe place where you won't mistake them for scrap fabric... (╥_╥)

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How has everyone been lately? (✿◠‿◠) The summer here so far has been terrible! Barely any sunny days to speak of! 

I'll update with an inspiration post and rose-theme outfit later this week! 

Thanks for reading!☆

Okoroire

On Sunday my family and I went on a day trip to Okoroire Pub and Springs. The pub (and adjoining hotel) has been around since the late 1800s, but the springs have were there at least 100 years before the pub. Before the springs became popular with Victorians, local Maori used the springs for healing.

To get to the springs, you have to go on a little bush walk alongside one of the most terrifying streams that I know of. The picture below right is one of the calmer spots, and definitely does not do justice to the water's force just a few meters up stream!

The spring itself can be seen below left and it's situated in the middle of the bush. At night you can see glow worms! It was so magnificent, even in the rain, I just can't even describe it! It's quite a big pool too (and it was the first concrete pool in all of New Zealand I hear!). 

Skirt; Thrifted & altered・ Shirt; PostiePlus (altered) ・ Vest; Lepsim Lowrys Farm・ Cardigan; Thrifted・ Shoes; Thrifted・Socks; CottonOn

One of my favourite parts of the whole day was peeking in on one of the pools that hasn't been used for over 15 years. I really love abandoned buildings and such, so it was kind of neat to see the changing sheds 'sprouting'. 

The Okoroire springs are very basic, but that's how they should be. It's a place that not many people (even those who live close) know about, and even the pub and hotel don't do much to promote it. Which is fine with me because it remains a little hidden gem in the New Zealand countryside (・ω・)

It's a place that hasn't changed all that much over 200 years, and so you can really imagine what a curious place this would be for the Victorians. In fact, in the hotel dining room there was a photo of two ladies from 1887 standing on the edge of the exact same pool I had been swimming in. It kind of amazed me (and almost freaked me out a bit) to be honest! ◕_◕

Anyway, I hope I didn't bore you with my rambling! Okoroire is definitely one of my favourite places in New Zealand. If you ever get to visit NZ, you should make the time to come here, even if it is just to peer at the abandoned pool! ◠‿◠

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On tumblr I saw these awesome hair pins posted by uwenna! They're made by Woodland Belle, which is definitely as place to look if you want some inspiration for mori-style jewelry! 

all photos from Woodland Belle

Thank you for reading! ★

Our kitchen is currently being repainted, and I kind of liked the look of the thin coats of paint in the afternoon sun. I just wish I had moved the table before taking the photo! ノД｀I also need to stop putting my hand on my cheek in photos...

Dress; Thrifted・ Shirt; Thrifed ・ Skirt; Gift・ Socks; CottonOn・ Shoes; Thrifted・Accessories; Handmade

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As promised, here are the few outfits I put together with the blue dress I made! We still have the dress form we borrowed to make my ball dress last year, so I thought I may as well make use of it before we return it! 

Left: Dress; Handmade・ Shirt; Thrifed ・ Skirt; Gift・ Socks; Columbine・ Shoes; Thrifted・Scarf; Gift

Right: Dress; Handmade・ Shirt; Thrifed ・ Skirt; Gift・ Cardigan; Thrifted・ Shoes; Number One Shoes・Tights; Columbine・Collar; Glassons・Beret; Hand-me-down

Left: Dress; Handmade・ Shirt; Thrifed ・ Skirt; Gift・ Shoes; Number One Shoes・ Leggings; Glassons・Bag; Formerly my mother's・ Necklace; Diva・Floral Wreath; Handmade

Right: Dress; Handmade・ Jeans; Thrifted ・Shirt; Thrifted・ Cardigan; Thrifted・ Shoes; Thrifted・Socks; ?・Bag; Thrifted・Headband; Carolina Glaser

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And here's some (very low res) photos I've taken on my phone whilst I've been out and about!

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I now also have a pinterest account! Feel free to follow me- I'm looking for some other pinterest people to follow!

Thank you for reading ♥

Mori Meme Day 8, 9, 10

Don't forget to enter my little giveaway that's running until Tues (NZ time)!

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First off- Two very similar outfits- both with bad photos! (My face on the left was rather terrible and so I became the masked fox!).

Left: Dress; Handmade・ Shirt; Glassons ・ Socks; Gift・ Shoes; Thrifted・ Bag; Vintage・ Necklace; Equip

Right: Dress; Handmade・ Shirt; EzyBuy・ Socks; Farmers・ Shoes; Thrifted・ Accessories; Thrifted and Equip

As you can see, I've really been wearing my dress I sewed very often. The other day my friend noted that every time she sees me, I'm wearing it! ヾ( ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ

To solve this problem, I made another one, but it a chambre type material! This means I can swap, but still    wear the 'same' dress. ´ω`

It's the same shape as the other dress, but with a different colour!

I did a few outfit co-ords with it today, but I don't want to clog this one post up with too much stuff, so I'll save it for another post in the near future! 

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Phew! I'm way way way behind with this whole meme thing!

Day 8 – 10 songs that inspire you for mori.
Most of the music I listen to is not at all inspiring for mori, but I'll give this one a shot anyway. (Also, please excuse the excess of Bright Eyes -’_’-)

1. The Giant of Illinois - Andrew Bird
2. Tourist Trap - Bright Eyes
3. Bowl of Oranges - Bright Eyes
4. Sweet Sweet - Noa Nowa
5. Any Matryoshka song
6. Or Popoyans song
7. Renaissance - Sōtaiseiriron

Looking over this again, not many of these are very 'mori' at all. But I enjoy them none-the-less!

Day 9 – 10 things you will never do in mori.

1. Extreme sports?

Not really sure. I do have occasions when I know that mori style clothing is totally inappropriate, but I can't think of anything I'll 'never do'!

Day 10 – What’s in your bag? 
Now I'm not going to lie here. My handbag is hardly what one would consider 'mori' but it is the most spacious and useful bag I've ever owned! However, I often change my bag to suit what I'm wearing. Also the contents varies on a day-by-day basis, but this is basically what I have on me at all times.

Here's a quick rundown of everything (top left clockwise);

Parachute army man (I am embarrassed to say that I love these toys haha), Wallet for cards and cash, Coin Purse, marimekko sunglasses pouch (with glasses inside!), an entire box of tissues (??), Gel pens, Notebook for jotting things down, Passport, Gift cards, made in colkinikha pouch for woman's things, Hollywood tape, Japanese vocab notebook, Cat mirror, various toiletries, My phone, iPod touch that can't play music on headphones..., Mini speaker and Shironeko holga!

And there's still a lot of space to spare! ヽ(°ω° )ﾉ

I'm looking forward to doing the photo essay of my day meme question!

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It feels good to get back to blogging, even if this isn't the most interesting post! Haha

Thank you so much for reading! ♥

24°C!

Phew, even though it's only the start of December, it's already pretty hot here! („#ﾟДﾟ)

Whilst running some errands I found my local Giant Sylvanian Family critter had become adapted to the holiday season!

I've also been spending a lot of time just lying on the grass, looking at the sky~

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Here's something I wore the other day, but didn't get around to uploading!

 Dress; Sussans・ Shirt; Glassons ・ Tights; Gift ・ Socks; CottonOn・ Shoes; Thrifted・ Bag; MarbleSud・ Scarf; Gift

Although it's been quite hot here, there's been quite a breeze about which takes off a lot of the harsh heat!

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Day 5 – 10 items from your wish list.

To be honest, I don't even have 10 things on a 'wishlist' or anything, but I do have a few things that are lovely (and wouldn't mind having if the chance to get them arose!)

1. Another issue of Pocheé magazine. The patterns in these are so easy to use, and they make lovely pieces of clothing. I really wish I had a few more of these, as they are well worth the price (An issue contains about 40 pieces of clothing for only 1000 yen, compare that to the price of a single pattern!). The patterns mostly use linen or cotton fabrics too.
2. A Bambi image skirt from &sloe. To be honest, I didn't grow up watching Disney movies, so I don't really have a childhood connection to Bambi. However, these skirts are quite different and are a very cute statement item!
3. Tabio socks and tights. I am a total sucker for tights and socks- I'm not going to lie. I wear them all year round. To me, Tabio is the king of socks and tights; their designs and quality (from what I've heard) are really good!
4. Some cute sandals. With summer rapidly approaching (or is it already here? ヾ( ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ ), I still don't have any good summer footwear! I refuse to wear flip-flops (Jandals for you non-NZ folks), but I've yet to find any really nice proper sandals. If anyone knows of any, please send them my way haha!

Day 6 – 10 things you can’t live without in mori.

1. Lacey scarf.
2. Socks! The more socks the better!
3. Lace vest. Instantly adds a little extra to an outfit.
4. My trusty, comfy brown shoes (which are currently looking very sickly because I wear them too often!).
5. Peter-pan collared blouse. 
6. The recently made dress- It's proven to be very versatile.
7. Floral rucksack. I used it all year at school and have gotten many compliments on it!
8. Straw boater hat. Cute final touch!
9. Baggy cardigan
10. My 'bear' dress. Simple and comfy!

Day 7 – 10 people who inspire your mori style.

Ah! This is going to be difficult because there are so many inspirations for me! I'll just put down the first 10 that come to mind, but there are many, many more than ten!

1. Gabrielle of Fern & Fawn. She's super creative, and always surprises me with all the things she makes, and her attention to detail!
2. Anya of Fawn & Doll. She was one of the first mori blogs I followed, and I'm so happy I did! Like Gabrielle, she's also very creative and I always look forward to her posts!
3. Kairii of La Petite Princesse. Although she's not always dressed in the mori style, her ability to coordinate an outfit and her eye for style is amazing! She seems to be a pro at finding awesome second hand clothes, and she always posts really delicious looking food! °Д°
4. Myakiin. Sadly, she doesn't blog anymore (I think!), but I really, really loved her blog and photos.
5. SugarPlumMilk. She was one of the first mori blogs I found, and she probably is one of the reasons I decided to actually dress in the mori style!
6. Chelsea Maika. She models in many magazines such as Spoon, Fudge, Zipper and many mori mooks! I really like the shape of her face (●´ω｀●)ゞ
7. Merii. Like Chelsea, she's in many magazines. She's also the main model for the brand Mother. I suggest you take a look at this tumblr; OhYesMerii !
8. Kodama Masumi. She's a model for SEDA magazine, and is usually seen promoting the brand Crisp. She has the most adorable, child like face! She always makes me want to wear what she's wearing!
9. Popoyans. They inspire me for both their music and their simple style.
10. Aoi Miyazaki. Although she probably usually wouldn't be considered a mori girl, she pulls off the style very well, and she seems to have a very light and friendly air about her!

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Droplets ・ MEG

Wah! Lots of typing! I hope you have a good weekend!

Thanks for reading! ❀

Land Locked Blues

It's started snowing in some parts of the country! Welcome Winter!

Yesterday my friend and I went to a local con called Overload. Whilst I was looking through the stalls, I spotted this little gem by Eachy-Peachy and Taillte

Eachy-Peachy and Taillte

It starts off a bit like a mori-themed picture book with a cute rhyme, and the rest is filled with sketches of mori girls, clothing and accessories!

Eachy-Peachy and Taillte

I was so happy to find this! Especially in little ol' New Zealand! Take a look at their websites (1,2)! They have such lovely art! 

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I've been wearing a lot more darker and earthy colours this season (´・ω・) I also cut my fringe so I can finally see again!

 Left: Hat; Formerly my brother's・ Shirt; Thrifted ・ Dress; Sussan ・ Skirt; Thrifted ・ Socks; Soxtrot・ Shoes; Overland・ Bag; Formerly my mother's

Right: Vest; Thrifted ・ Cardigan (under dress); Glassons ・ Dress; EzyBuy・ Skirt; Thrifted・ Shoes; Number 1 Shoes・ Necklace; DIVA 

Cardigant; Thrifted ・ Shirt; Dotti ・ Dress; CottonOn・ Pants; Thrifted・ Shoes; Number 1 Shoes 

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I got some of my film used in my Shiro Neko Holga (seen above!) developed, and I wanted to show you guys my two favourite shots from the roll.

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Bright Eyes - Land Locked Blues

I hope that everyone is well, and that those who are in the Northern Hemisphere aren't melting too much!

Thanks for reading!❁

ヽ(ﾟДﾟ„)ノ

Oh my goodness! I've abandoned this blog for far too long! But it now the holidays after a term that was faaaaar too long!

Kittens make everything better!

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I have lots of outfits to share for once! But I'll save them for other posts! ●´ω｀●

Although it is 'Winter' right now, it's incredibly warm. I think it's one of the warmest winters I've ever experienced 　ﾟ,_ゝﾟ

 Left: Collar; Thrifted ・ Cardigan; Formerly my mother's ・ Dress; Thrifted ・ Skirt; Thrifted girl's dress ・ Socks; Sock Museum・ Shoes; Thrifted

Right: Vest; Thrifted ・ Cardigan; Glassons ・ Shirt; Thrifted・ Skirt; Thrifted girl's dress ・ Socks; Daiso・ Shoes; Thrifted Necklace; DIVA ・ Ring; Child's hair tie  

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Last month it was my birthday and I ended up getting lots of Japanese magazines! ヾ(＠^▽^＠)ﾉ

From my friend I received two issues of Cutie (with AKB48 members on the cover!), and Zipper! From my brother I received an issue of SO-EN and...

Papier Vol. 4! With Meg on the cover and with a Carolina Glaser hair band!

 image from Carolina Glaser blog

Sasa talks about Meg and Carolina Glaser on her blog Moko Moko Love! 

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Because it's so sunny outside right now, I'll just leave you with Kyary Pyamu Pyamu's first single; PONPONPON!

Best wishes to you all ❁