Tokyo Grabbing Machines

I love grabbing machines and especially if there are lots of them and all filled with adorable prizes! Tokyo understands that. Tokyo understands me.

Most of us know that actually winning something from a grabbing machine is harder to do than it looks. We knew that too and got reminded of it on our very first night!

I think i should have read these tips on how to win before we went.

At first i didn't understand how you would ever be able to grab a prize in a box, but then i noticed all the boxes had small holes on the sides where you should put the grabber in, to lift them up. I didn't try. I know myself. Wouldn't be able to get it.

In one arcade hall in Ikebukuro i was told not to take photos. I felt really bad even though i kinda knew it probably wasn't allowed. Japanese people really follow the rules and i really felt like one of those dumb tourists.
So i bowed and apologized, bowed and apologized again and rushed out and went on to the next arcade. (and yes, i took some more pictures there)

Tokyo Day 1 - Arrival

After a long long flight we finally arrived at Narita airport! A bit tired, but very excited! I got even more excited when i saw that even the signs at the airport were of cute characters. You know that makes me happy!

Ken, the producer was waiting for us when we came through customs and i must say it was nice not to have to figure out buses and trains and such right away. He drove us to our hotel to drop off our luggage and then it was on to Shinjuku! We had a city to explore!

We met up with the producers wife for dinner in a Tempura restaurant. It was lovely. One of those places you know you probably would not have found as a tourist on your own. After dinner we wanted to go for a walk and they wanted to show us a bit of Shinjuku. They warned us it would be crazy, but we were up for it!

It was crazy. Mainly because we were still in a daze of being awake so long. Plus just the thought that when we woke up we were still in NY and then all of a sudden we were really there! I of course noticed a Japanese arcade hall. I love grabbing machines! (Tokyo has a lot of those, i will make a seperate post with pics of all the cute grabbers) My hubby and Ken played a guitar hero type game but with huge Japanese drums (and cute characters!). Then Love tried to grab me a cute plushy. First try didn't work. A man from the venue rushed over to place the plush so it would be easier. (as in the picture) Second try. Didn't work. The man replaced it again, it now looked as only one little blow would trow the plushy into the bin, but third try, again no luck. But we laughed a lot.

By now we were getting really tired so they dropped us of at the hotel for a good night sleep. Tokyo awaits tomorrow!
Hah. You would think we would sleep through the next day. But no. We woke up at 3am! Jetlag anyone? lol. Close your eyes and get back to sleep. I really thought i had slept for hours when i woke up again, but it was only 5am by then. So we decided to get ourselves some breakfast in a nearby convenience store and get ready at a leisurely pace for a great sunny day in Tokyo.

Back from Tokyo!

I'm back from Tokyo and back from a dream.
I have been walking around with a big smile the whole entire trip. It was all i hoped for and more. We had such a great time in the city and the people were so kind and good to us, they really made it unforgettable.
Don't even know where to start telling about all the adventures. I think i have enough for multiple (think a lot!) blogposts! So get ready for a bit less vintage and a bit more Tokyo and cuteness the next couple of days.

This was the gorgeous view from the hotel room, no, it's not the Eiffeltower, but the Tokyo Tower.
All though i am a big city girl, i like the quieter parts of a city. To stay in, that is, i venture out in the busy places and like to find my home where it is more calm.
The tokyo tower is not in the most happening place of town, or your passion is for business finances. But i liked going back each evening to where i could rest.
For those who know about my recent accident, my hip was holding up fine throughout the trip. By day 3 i had a blister which hurt me more than my fractures were. But i must admit my hip started to protest around day 5. I kinda overdid it on the walking. But nothing one Japanese aspirin couldn't take care of. I was in Tokyo. The sun was shining. What was i to do then? Stay in the hotel room all day? You're kidding right? I went out. Explore. Adventures awaited.

Stay tuned for more stories and pictures!

Be right Back!

I'm off on my dream trip to Tokyo!
Not bringing a laptop and not sure if i'll have access to a computer and internet, so i'll be back here when i return to NY! Hope you all will be here to welcome me back and read about my Japanese Adventures.
Very excited!

Bedroom to dream by

From 1,001 decorating ideas, book 19, 1962

Remember the use of pompons in vintage decors that i showed not too long ago?
Here's another great example of pompom decorating.
The distinctive use of white pompom braids gives this contemporary setting, by designer Edmund Motyka, its look of luxury. Applied in rows, it coordinates a spread and a contrasting valance.

Where's my white pompom braid and my sewing kit?

Knit your coat

From Ariadne Craftmagazine September 1971

Really? If i could knit better, i could knit this coat?
I would wear it everyday! With pride and a smile.
And that belt! I adore!