Belgium Roadtrip Summer 2013: PART 3

Traditional Japanese style + rococo = pure perfection in my book, and I found this pure perfection in Brussels at the Museum of the Far East. This museum consists of three buildings: the Japanese Tower, the Chinese pavillion and the museum of Japanese art. These buildings were build in the 20th century for King Leopold II, designed by Alexandre Marcel. He was a French architect who hired French and Belgian craftsmen for the execution of the buildings, but also got decorative elements from China and Japan. This resulted in a wonderful mix of both French and Far East architectural wonderfulness!

The gardens were simply wonderful. I could only dream of having a garden like this someday.. It felt like I was right in Japan.

This building was so impressive (all of them were though!). It must've taken ages to add all that detail! Maybe it's a little over the top for some, but I think it's SO much over the top that it works! Go big or go home.

 The first building we entered was the Japanese Tower. Both my mom and I were speachless when we entered. It was so beautiful. You could only go up to the second level of the tower, because if you went any higher people would be able to look into the king's garden, since he lives right next door. Such a shame.

Gorgeous traditional Japanese stained glass everywhere...

How awesome is this ceiling?

 Next, we went to the Chinese pavillion. This is where you could really see the Japanese x rococo style!

Inside you could mainly look at the various Chinese porselain collections, which were very beautiful. I felt like a princess just walking through these rooms...

Upstairs was even prettier! I went from feeling like a princess to feeling like Marie Antoinette!

There were lots of pretty teapots and tea sets up for display!

I have no idea who this lady is, but she sure fits right in with the interior!

I had always wanted to walk down a staircase like this. It was like the scene from Beauty and the Beast
(minus the beast, ballgown and singing teapot, unfortunately)

The last building, the Japanese art museum wasn't very interesting. The only thing I liked there were some pretty kimonos. But yeah, I didn't take any pictures there. If you're ever in Brussels, I highly recommend visiting this museum!

Kawaii Guy, cute nails and wonderlands!

♥♥ Current Loves ♥♥

Kobayashi aka "kawaii guy"

This guy is my number 1 inspiration right now. I had seen pictures of him floating around online, but just couldn't find out who he was! But then I finally found this video and found out what an incredible inspiring person he truly is. My faith in humanity is restored a little again.

OPI's Minnie Mouse inspired nail polish

Sooooo cute! I definitely want to get my hands on this (and then get it on my nails!!)

Kirsten Dunst - Turning Japanese

I first came across a picture of Kirsten Dunst in Harajuku gear on Pinterest, and I just HAD to find out what it was from! Well it led me to this music video and ummm well, IT'S FREAKING AMAZING. It's my personal soundtrack right now.

Cute nail stickers from Js Utopia

Ohmy. Etsy shop Js Utopia is probably the best place for nail stickers ever. Go check it out! They have sooooo many!

School's Out Eye Candy at Rookie

I absolutely adore this photoset. But then again, I almost adore every single picture on Rookie.

Viva Cute Candy Hairsalon

I can't even... this is just so perfect. This place is definitely on my list of places I want to visit. Why can't there be places like this all over the world!?

Taylor Swift Wonderland magazine photoshoot

So many people hate on Taylor, but I just love her. And I think this photoshoot she did with Wonderland is just darling... ♥

Nitty Scott "Flower Child" music video

Even though the music isn't necessarily my thing, I absolutely LOVE this music video!

After watching Helen Melonlady's video on Unicorn Hair I'm inspired to touch up my own hair a little bit again! Not gonna go unicorn though, just (some various shades of) pink n.n I wish I could get it super vibrant bubblegum pink, but it's such a hassle. And if I want to get all of the brassiness out of my hair I'd have to bleach it 2+ times which is just too much. And I'm impatient. So I'll stick with almost perfect hot pink hair for now.

Have a lovely day/weekend! I'm finally getting to visit my mommy again! So my weekend will probably be filled with lots of tea, chocolate, Scrabble games and soap operas.

A post with tea and cats is always good.

My anxiety level is pretty high these days due to school, things in our house breaking down and other stuff going on. One moment I'm all relaxed and ok, next moment there's a gigantic knot in my stomach and insecurity hits me in the face like a wrecking ball. Like right now. So, I'm making a little list with things to be excited about.

Things I'm excited about:

Getting a haircut
Confession: I haven't had a decent haircut in at least THREE years. Last time I got it cut, it was cut super duper short and I felt misserable for at least a couple of months. It was horrible. But I've decided to face my fears and just GO, since I've been saying for months now how I need to get a haircut (and it's starting to annoy me that people constantly tell me I should..)

I'm terrified. Yes. This hairdresser I'm going to this Saturday has NO Mirrors, also serves as a art expo space and everyone just sits at a long table to get their hair did. I give them all my trust.I don't want anything radical, just a nice cut that doesn't look like I put a pink dustball on my head. Wish me luck.

Japanese Soda
I never drink soda, but I couldn't pass this one up! I actually got the strawberry one sometime ago already, but I also wanted to try the melon flavor n.n it's very sweet and fizzy and tastes of cute! And most importantly: the bottles make for nice decoration c:

New tea
My roommate recommended this tea to me, and I absolutely love it! It's green tea with a twist. It's nice and soft, fresh and definitely energizing!

Our cats making new friends
My dad is away, so our cats are staying with our neighbor for a little while, and they made a new feathery friend! How cute is that!?

Asking for help
I suck at asking for help. I always have. But I feel like I'm learning. The other day at school I openly told my teacher how I just got completely stuck with an assignment and he was very nice and understanding and helped me a whole lot to figure it out and get me moving again! And today I also asked my classmates about some stuff and it took away a lot of anxiety. I don't know if I will be able to keep this up, but I sure hope so...


I think that's about it for now.. What are you excited about?

Sunday's Song: Nana ♥

Today I went to a Japanese Market and while stopping at every stall marvelling at all the adorable (and delicious) things, my eye also caught some Nana manga. Unfortunately I couldn't get anything because I'm broker than broke, but I was instantly reminded of this beautiful song and have been listening to it  again non-stop ever since. It always makes me want to cry, not only because it reminds me of Nana itself but also because of the beautiful lyrics.

Travel to the moon
The dream where you first appeared fades out
The light of the star, I longed for is taken away
The smile I had to forget in order to be strong,
For sure if we're together, we can take it back 

Open your eyes
I'm here waiting for you
Even if the future is different from now
I'm here waiting for you
I keep on screaming
I'm sure all I have to do
Is pull in the thread that connects our hearts
So the person I was back then
Would open her eyes
No need to cry 

Travel in silence
I can reach you if I stretch out my hands
The only memory I have of you
Is so far away

Aaaah and look at these cute Nana cosplays! ♥

Oosaki Nana by Yabesuke

Photo by: Kazuya22.

Nana's cosplayed by Zerotaros and 小松奈々.

I want to go to Japan so badly again now (not like I usually don't feel like that..)! And I want to cosplay! And I want to make more friends who are interested in Japanese pop culture. Whenever I go to a Japanese themed event (markets, concerts etc.) everyone is always so nice. I was so jealous of everyone's awesome costumes and gorgeous dresses. There was actually someone who wanted to take a picture of me, but honestly, I felt super dull and uninteresting compared to all those cosplayers and lolita girls (ﾉ◕﹏◕)ﾉ

Japan, I love you.

Stay Cute & Don't Worry.

For some reason the past couple of days my life has been filled with even more cuteness than usual, and I'm typing this with a Bubblegum facial on my face, watching Katy Perry: Part of Me and painting my nails pink with sparkles. The cuteness must go on!

I get criticized a lot for liking cute stuff, sometimes so much that I start doubting myself and feel stupid. But in the end, cute stuff makes me so happy! And I think people who think being a grown up and being a respectable, serious person means not being able to get excited about kid stuff/cuteness/etc. are missing out on a lot. Don't take life so seriously, seriously. But anyway! At least my mom supports my love for everything cute entirely and she got me these little knick-knacks from a little Asian gift shop she randomly came across. She knows me too well.

Cuties looking like they're up to no good.

Kitties! I actually enjoy Hello Kitties that are a little 'off', like the left one. Dare to be different!

Recently I won a giveaway from Takara Town, and today the package arrived! Any box with Hello Kitty stickers on it can get me excited. And when I opened the box, it had some Japanese newspaper pages in it! This got me excited already, and this was only the packaging.

Strawberry sweetness ♥

The package contained an adorable re-ment set called 'Merry Strawberry'. This was actually my very first re-ment set, and I think I'm hooked now. I mean, look at that miniature cake, and ice cream..! Jenny was also very sweet and added the little led lamp disguised as a precious cake with bows on it (lower left) because the package got sent a little later. I love it!

The re-ment put together. Isn't it precious?

Thank you Jenny! It really made my day c: Anyone who's interested in the re-ment now too, can find it here. I wish I could collect ALL the re-ments in the world *__* I hope everyone is having a great day!

Sushi candles and smiling pancakes

And here I am procrastinating again... But I just came across this webshop Japan Trendshop which was too good not to share! I simply want to own everything from this store...

Hello Kitty Instax mini
I already have an instax mini, but I definitely need to get my hands on some of that Hello Kitty frame film!

Sushi Candles
I'd probably never burn these though, they're too pretty.

Tamagotchi
So cute! I wouldn't mind owning them all. Just to look at them all day.

Pancake Playing Cards
Dawww look at that cute little pancake face. How can I resist?

Fuuvi chocolate digital keychain camera
Omnomnom delicious looking camera

Sakura Cherry Blossom Hole Punch
If you want to punch some paper and look cute doing it!

So much goodness! What's your favorite item?