Like I mentioned, I love promoting my friends’ projects and today I’d like to introduce you to Hello Sandwich’s Gift Wrapping Zine. It’s chock full of fun, kawaii ideas on how to take gift-wrapping to another level.

You could totally jazz up a plain-looking pressie with these simple tips and tricks that are very affordable and easy-to-follow. One of my faves is the Lawson onigiri card and confetti bow (she has a Craft TV episode on this) – choooooo kawaii! If you love design with a Japanese ethos, you’ll love this handbook. Click here for more details on how to buy this wonderful little zine.

For those who are not familiar with Hello Sandwich, here’s the who and what: it’s a Japanesey design blog run by Ebony Bizys, a sweet Aussie gal, who just moved to Tokyo. Though she’s only been living here for six months, her love affair with all things Japanese and design has been around the interwebs for several years already. By the way, she’s also my running buddy and we just signed up for a half-marathon next Feb — exciting! Early 2011 is all about marathons for me…

Back to Hello Sandwich: Ebony’s also got a Tokyo Guide Zine that takes you to off-the-beaten-path neighbourhoods with a nose for cute design in nooks and crannies. She also does personalized tours for those who don’t want to visit tourist traps in Tokyo. Rumour has it there might be a second Tokyo Guide Zine in the making – I can’t wait!

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Remember my lovely friend, Sylvia?

She’s leaving Tokyo and moving to France very soon (boohoo – one less Singaporean in Japan) so she’s holding her Final Clearance Sale at her store, Moka Trésors. Nab cute Japanese and Korean tops and dresses for as low as $3.90 to $12.90, plus if you are a reader of my blog, you can get a further 30% discount by using the code YUMING30 when you make your purchase. For more details on shipping, click here.

For her upcoming adventures in the land of croissants and French kissing, tune into her personal blog, morningmoka. I can’t wait to read all about it…

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You know I don’t normally plug stuff on my blog but since I’m a small online business owner, I thought it fitting to show support for a fellow Singaporean online entrepreneur, morningmoka.

She has a Tokyo expat blog, like me, and she recently opened her precious little corner on the Internet, Moka Trésors, that sells Japanese and Korean fashion and accessories.

After lunch at my place last week, we set off to do a mini photo shoot where I wore two of my favourite pieces from her store. Our setting was a cute hidden temple just around the corner from my apartment building.

I’m in a slinky coffee-coloured dress that can also be worn as a top. I love the subtle shimmery lines on the top and the layers make it an interesting piece.

I threw on my faux tan leather jacket to complete a fall look.

Over here, I’m wearing a studded dress top in black. It looks great with leggings or skinny jeans.

I’m very fond of long tops that can double up as dresses as you can create different looks for day and night.

Other faves that I didn’t try on are an asymmetrical dress that oozes with clubby chicness and a super kawaii floral butterfly top perfect for rocking a sweet Tokyo look.

You can also follow Moka Tresors on Twitter and Facebook if you want the latest news on her promotions.

As a special gift to all my readers, Moka Tresors has a 10% discount if you use this code YUMING10 when you make a purchase.

That’s morningmoka and me in my terrace. Thanks for a fun arvo, babe!

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Hi everyone, I’m running my first-ever blog giveaway on my beauty blog, Beauty Box. It’s a shameless plug but it IS Japan-related…

You get to win a FREE bottle of Mandom Cleansing Express Agecare Q10 (300ml or 10.14 fl. oz.) for one lucky reader.

This amazing cleanser will remove makeup (even waterproof mascara) in a jiffy. You don’t even need a toner or facial wash so you can fall into bed as soon as possible.

To take part in the giveaway, click over to Beauty Box.

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Most folks would be envious or impressed when I tell them I live in one of the most exciting cities in the world, but there are people who genuinely don’t get it, and ask me, “Why do you want to live there?”

Believe it or not, this question stumps me and I need to pause for a while to formulate a coherent answer that is not like, “Because it’s so GREAT!”

I mean, look at this picture of the Shibuya crossing which is such an iconic image of Tokyo.

Energy — Tokyo has loads of it and if you don’t grab hold of some while you are here, I would say it’s not the place for you. But if you’re active by nature and keen to learn a new language, you will love it.

As the seasons change, there is always something to celebrate: hanami (sakura season in spring), hanabi (fireworks festivals in summer), koyo (red leaves in autumn), and lots of hot pot parties in winter.

But it’s not just that it’s always one big party in Tokyo. People like to get out to do stuff. You’ll find that people tend to plan activities weeks or months in advance just to have a perfect day. Take for example, tennis, belly dancing, hiking, weekend driving trips, onsen getaways, checking out new restaurants — if something tickles your fancy, I’m sure you could find a group here. In fact, there are vegan social groups on the Internet and let me tell ya, Japan is a meat lovin’, fish-obsessed country.

There are many reasons that make Tokyo a very livable city. It’s ranked 14th out of 29 best cities to live in by Askmen.com, and the reasons stated in their page on Tokyo are quite accurate:

+ Safe. I’ve had friends from Manila and Atlanta who told me they just bask in the safety of Japan, because back home, they always have to look over their shoulder or deal with a feeling of unrest all the time.

+ Cosmopolitan. Foreigners make up ten per cent of Tokyo’s population which is not that high compared to other cities like New York or London but for Japan, that is a positive sign and it’s just set to grow bigger in this direction.

+ Great food. Of course, there is abundant Japanese nosh but there are also plenty of other types of cuisine. I’ve been to Moroccan joints, Turkish nooks, dim sum cafes and French crepe hubs in Tokyo.

+ You’ll never get bored. Open up a magazine or newspaper here and I guarantee that you’ll be floored by the sheer number of events going on at any one time in this huge city. Many international music acts come to Tokyo to perform and there’s always some awesome party going on.

Some of my reasons are the people are generally nice and friendly and it’s got so much natural beauty once you leave the skyscrapers and zoom into the country. I’ve been here for two and a half years and sometimes I feel I’m still scratching the surface. Japan has just so much to offer if variety is what you are looking for.

So should you move to Tokyo? It’s not for everyone, I must caution you, and daily life may be hard to navigate in the beginning, but the fun will start once you open up your mind and get some of the lingo down.

Photo: fredi.cardozo

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I was gleeful when I received a little package from Ambien a few weeks ago.

The kangaroo (yes, he’s back!) swung by Singapore and picked up another set of trinkets I got.

Isn’t the crown lanyard too cute? You can get the lanyard in black or white which is a fab idea.

Here’s another one I scooped up at her previous sale…

I don’t really have a small black beaded necklace so I thought this would be nice with a couple of black dresses and tops I have.

I wish I could get more especially from her new Enchantment collection but my accessories box is overflowing right now. In this series, you’ll find witty pieces with perfume bottles, an old-fashioned phone, clothes hangers, handcuffs (sexy!), a bi-plane, and other unique charms in necklaces and bracelets.

A few of my readers actually bought some accessories from iloveaglaia, so she’s decided to give 10% off to LIJ readers and all you need to do is spend at least $20 and quote LYM.com in your email. You can also click on the little yellow banner in my sidebar to take you to her blog shop.

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