Happy Ladies Day

I know it was yesterday, but I only realised it was Women's International Day at 23:58 last night. And it was only this morning that I thought of the perfect song for this day...

There isn't a Beyonce that doesn't get women feeling so empowered.

So, enjoy!!

There's nothing better than pretending you're Beyonce at the VMAs. So enjoy and get up and shake dat boot-tay like Beyonce!

(youtube.com)

Top Japanese Restaurants in London

Are you tired of having cold sushi with the hard rice inside? Are you tired of the same old Katsu Curry and Teriyaki stuff?? Are you tired of soups that just taste like tasteless water???

Forget YO Sushi and Wagamama's  (...for like a sec, cos I know they are yummy places)

And read about my favourite Japanese restaurants!

Koya

A few weeks ago, on a Saturday night I had a dinner date with my friend at Koya, Soho, London. Koya is small and compact authentic Japanese restaurant where you can find the best tempura, udon noodles and soups. Being my second time having a meal at Koya, you would think that I'd try something unusual and interesting that appeals to me because I've been there before. But no, I chose the exact same meal as before. Even though it was months and months ago that I went for the first time, I could still taste that crispy prawn tempura, slowly melting in the hot refreshing soup. Mmm...

If you are ever in the area of Central London, freezing your butt off, and feel like your fingers, toes and nose are going to fall off then waddle yourself into Koya so you can warm up with a tempura soup you'll never forget.

Tokyo Diner

Before my dad and I went to see that new Spiderman film. We always, religiously, go and find somewhere to eat first - so we don't pig out on popcorn and ice cream in the cinema. So we found this place on the corner of Chinatown that looked quite special. 

We have this theory that if you see Japanese people eating in a Japanese restaurant, then you know it's a good Japanese restaurant. Right?

It was probably the most authentic Japanese restaurant I've ever been to because they told us as a Japanese tradition they do expect tips. Any tips left mistakenly would be taken to the Homeless centre. As a student you'd be pleased to hear this, but I'm not gonna lie, the prices of meals seemed as if the tips were added on by itself. 

The menu was jam packed with a wider range of meals all popping out at me. I usually order chicken teriyaki meals, as a safe bet in Japanese restaurants that I'm unsure of. As I knew this place was authentic as it gets, I decided to choose something that I knew the taste of - so I would know the difference between real and unique, and chain restaurants. 

I've never tasted such a fresh chicken glazed in mouth-watering seasoned teriyaki sauce before. Just look at the picture, you can even see how good it looks.

I haven't been there since, but from what I remember they give you great portions of food, miso soups with meals, gallons of  Jasmine tea and heaps of goodness. 

Lana @ Versace - sorry, yet another Lana post

Whoever styled Lana for this event, please can you style her some more, pwetty pweeaase?

I used to prefer Lana's style back when she was first on the scene. You know, that look of flowery head bands resting on her Hollywood waves in her brown hair, as she twists her locks with her red talons and a gold' n 'tacky knuckleduster. She definitely had that exact 'gangster Nancy Sinatra' vibe that caught all the attention. But maybe that was the initial thought behind it all, because she didn't look anything like the norm.

So from the contrasting Hollywood look - glamorous and tacky - she sort of ditched that and run into plaid shirts and blue jeans whenever she hit the stage. A VERY relaxed look that made me miss her old style. But now, after seeing pics from Versace F/W 2013 at Milan Fashion Week I can see she's brought back a lil 'umph' to her style.

A huddle group photo of Lana rubbing shoulders with Donatella Versace herself and also... Janet Jackson?!! I think Lana is liking this high-end fashion scene. Even though she admitted that she's not that much into fashion and leaves it to her stylist, I will give ALL my thanks to the stylist. Whoever this stylist is, she has transformed the little Lolita into a sultry gothic siren.

*aahhh i'm jittering in fashion happiness*

DOESN'T SHE LOOK SO FIIIIINE???

Lana talking to Franca Sozzani, editor in chief of Vogue Italia. I think a magazine editorial is in the air??

Janet Jackson, Donatella Versace, Lana Del Rey and Melissa George

I can see a Versace and Lana collab coming onnnn...

(lizzydelgrant.tumblr.com)

H&M Haul - My Mother, The Secret Fashion Stylist

H&M always have this on-going sale. I normally just walk in, then walk out 'cos the mess in the sale section is horrible, cluttered and stressful.

But when you have reliable sidekick like your mother, then there's no need to panic; she'll be able to find the diamond in rough because, Mother knows best.

I'm serious. She knows my exact style. She knows I like that Biker look with a bit of girlie-ness added - which this jacket, that I brought on sale for £15 from £24.99, proves my point exact. It has that Biker and Chanel-esque look going orrnn. So, lazy me saw the jacket that my mum picked out, liked it, tried it on, then proceeded to the checkout to buy, but I got summoned back by my mother when she said "You can't just buy that! Find something else to match with that!" Her inner fashion stylist was coming out. 

I found this leopard multi-coloured print scarf that really caught my attention. It's so prettttty! I think it was £7.99 ? Bit pricey for a scarf, but ain't it a beauty?

So the moral of the story is, go shopping with your mother. She'll find items that really suit your style because she knows you better than you do, right?

H&M

'Girls' crushing

I'm thinking of her right now. There's more than one girl. I used to have many of them when I was younger, but now I think I've grown up a little bit more.

No, I'm not coming out of the closet here. I'm talking about that one girl/friend that you can't help but admire and you're so intrigued in her life that you end up wanting to look and be like her. You know, the girl that can walk into a party and say 'I didn't even get properly dressed for this' but she still looks flawless, probably a lot better than you and your pre-organised outfit that you assembled a week or two before.
This is what I think was running in Lena Dunham's (creator of tv show Girls) mind when she was creating the role for Jessa; a bohemian, free-spirit and extremely popular girl. In an interview I read, Lena had to persuade her real-life friend, Jemima Kirke (cousin of Alice Dellal and the Dellal clan) to play the part of Jessa. Jemima was hesitation at first, as painting is more her forte, but gave in. Lena knew that she'd would be perfect to play the part of Jessa, because it was in fact Jemima that gave her the inspiration for Jessa. Can you imagine asking your girl crush to play a effortlessly cool character that you created because of them? Awkward, or what?

If you don't understand what I'm talking about, then, WATCH GIRLS! It's the greatest female comedy since Sex and the City. I've even blogged about it before.

Getting back on track, the real question is, who's your girl crush? Not a celebrity, but a person that you actually know. The girl that you'd love to spend a whole day with her so you can copy the cool things she does and to experience what it's like to be a bit on the wild side. A bit like a girl like 'Carmen' by Lana Del Rey.
Although, my personal experience of this never turns out to be so lovely. After a while of being with your girl crush, it seems like too much for me. It feels as if I was never being truly myself because I was trying to hard to match her personality. I could only spend a day with her, or else I'd become a clone. I wonder if anyone else feels like this?

Relating it back to Girls, Hannah (Lena Dunham) always seems in awe of Jessa's situations and lightens up in her presence. She's that type of girl Hannah wants in her life, the adventurous and courageous girl who doesn't mind hopping into the same bath as her friend, despite the fact of nakedness.

I have to admit, I don't have a girl crush anymore. Generally these girls end up being my close friends or I lose contact with ( possibly because I can't match up with their hectic lifestyle). Do I want another girl crush? Maybe... I want someone who can just remind me that 'life isn't that hard' and to 'take a walk on the wild side' - too many Lana Del Rey quotes.

Then again, I hate that feeling of wanting to be someone you're not. I'm fine who I am (finally).

But I do want a friend like Jessa though.

Bahama Mama @ Swankys

On NYE I treated myself on a birthday voucher I had for a 'Classic Manicure' at Swanky Lash & Brow Bar in Kensal Rise, London.  So many times I have walked past Swanky but never taken a peek inside. I don't really like spending money on nails, especially when I can do it at home. But once in a while (one of my new New Year resolution) you gotta treat yourself. And Swanky is the place to get treated.

On a typical dark rainy London afternoon, Swanky was illuminated with pinkness in the middle of a gloomy street. A petite beauty shop decorated with pink baroque wallpapers, white ornate framed mirrors, rows of a wide range of nails polishes and chatty beauticians. At first I was a bit taken back by the extremely friendly chatter amongst customers and staff - this is London, who genuinely cares about what you're doing tonight?
But that is what makes Swanky stand out from going to those rapid, silent, uncomfortable yet so cheap, run-in-and-run-out Oriental populated nails shops. It was the familiar conversations that made the nail polish flow.

Ladies scurried in to get a quick fix-up on their tiny problems of chipped nails whilst boosting out their [insert incredibly posh accent] 'trip to the Bahamas, darling' or gossiping about the weekend before on what really went on at the trendy pub down the road. I was so surprised to know that my very own hometown actually has hot gossip about the hipster yuppie clique living in Kensal Rise (especially without the mention of exclusive Ladbroke Grove or Westbourne Park).

Apart from the chitter-chatter inside and the pitter-patter rain outside, I had possibly one of the best nail colours I have ever seen...

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce to you, the colours of all colours, a fusion of red plum with cherry and blackcurrant pie - put your hands together for...!

BAHAMA MAMA - Essie

Berry nice, dontcha think?

My Verdict

So, would I be going back to Swanky again?

- Deffooo. (when I have the money of course)

Do I recommend yous lots to go in?

- It's a must. If you're ever in the area then you're in treat to go to a place where you can get your eyebrows and eyelashes plus manicures and pedicures done under one roof.  

Rating:

4/5

Was a bit too claustrophobic when heated convos steamed the room. 

Bit pricey - but worth it!

It's also a New Years resolution to start blogging on here more!

ilovewildfox, iloveAnja

New obsession : Anja Konstantinova

Why? : Why not?

OK I'll answer better than just why not. 

1. She's super adorable, but also looks mean at the same time. (in a good way of course)

2. She's 5'4" !!!!??!?!?!  - same height as me so I'm pretty proud to say there's a successful petite model out there who's doing high end fashion; not just cheesy commercial fashion or portraits (so you can't see her proportion)

3. She Russian/Australian.

4. She's been in Vogue, and other magazines, but Vogue is all you need to know.

5. She has a lip tattoo that says 'MEOW' and a back of the neck tattoo that say 'CAT'

6. She has done a modelling editorial for Wildfox; one of the best editorials I have ever seen.  

7. She is my short hair inspiration. 

8. She rocks the bleached eyebrows so well.


I therefore announce, drum roll pleaseeee, Anja Konstantinova in Wildfox Swim!

(ilovewildfox.com)