Bento and Fashion

[aimeekitty]

very important questions for this evening:

1) - BENTO: I want to start packing lunches a couple times a week to save money and to help loose weight. Should I get a REALLY REALLY CUTE Totoro Bento-Box which is NOT microwave or dishwasher safe...?OR should I get a Mr. Bento, which is rather boring looking, but keeps things hot and cold and is dishwasher/microwave staff

2) - FASHION: I'm tired of seeing cute fashions that I'm afraid of wearing.
some random stuff I like from the recent Cutie and Kera:
http://aimeemajor.com/images/temp2/fash.jpg
http://aimeemajor.com/images/temp2/fash2.jpg
Stuff I like from Anthropologie: 1, 2, 3, 4,.... oh whatever, almost everything on the anthropologie site I LOVE and I CANT AFFORD. (look at the blouses! (make sure you click on the catagories) waaaaaah...
I also love this Pattern from Vogue... (and this jacket is loooovely....
I wonder if any of the more "unusual" ones, if I would look COMPLETELY ridiculous in them? or should I be brave? (you know assuming I can find a magical free clothing store) I should make it a habit of clipping the ones I like and seeing if I could remotely duplicate them without looking like a fat 5 year old or a crazy bag lady.

I'm so glad it's Friday. Tomorrow I'm going to this awesome fabric show with Susan. Apparently Kasuri DyeWorks (which carries hard-to-find-in-the-usa traditional japanese fabrics) is going to be there. I better find something AWESOME.

when it comes to kimono, right now I have a serious stripe-fetish. How adorable is this?? (from the recent Cutie magazine if you'd be lieve it!)

Comments

[cinsangel.livejournal.com]

I honestly think you'd look cute in this style:
http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=15160&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=1794&iMainCat=8
I have a couple blouses in that style and its really flattering to the figure. I say give it a whirl.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

well, it would give me an excuse to make something (it wouldnt be that hard, huh?) and I could use pretty kimono fabrics! great idea!

[cinsangel.livejournal.com]

I think kimono fabrics will really lend well to the style too. Go for it!

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

go the really cute lunchbox

else u can get some tat are cute and microwaveable
i have some photos of the ones i own here
www.bentobefore.bittenbefore.com


why are you afriad? do it ^^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

wow, I'm totally inspired by your bento! :D

regarding clothes - because I'm retarded. I really SHOULDNT be afraid. I work in a place that's totally cool about strange clothing and strange people, so... I really shouldnt worry.
I'm not very confident due to my weight right now though... and I'm a shy dresser. (jeans+tshirt) but I admire this girly and more punky stuff so much!
I'm sure if I did it slowly, and kept trying to be braver with it, I'd see that I dont look totally stupid and would feel more comfortable.

I love making stuff too, so why do I have problems with this? it would be a great way to express what I like and what I make.

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

glad u like the bentos!

you are not retarded XD you just need to more shameless like me XD

there are some japanese SEWING magazines which will set u in the right direction [cutie is younger so u can try the mature versions first] they come with patterns too!

send me an email, i'll send u some scans *hugs*
u know where to find me ^^

[positivespace.livejournal.com]

You could totally pull off some of the stuff that you linked! (Although, I would avoid that red polka-dot dress with yellow skirt thing 'cause I think that girl looks RETARDED... but I digress...)

That third Anthropologie outfit is saaaaaucy. I love that wide leg pants are coming back in and that entire thing looks so clean, crisp yet casual. Anthropologie is pricey, though, but sometimes you can find cheaper (slightly funkier) versions of the cuts at Urban Outfitters. Do you have a Nordstrom Rack near you? I like going there as well.

Key point 1! Layering is your friend! Key point 2! Half of fashion is having the confidence to wear it... I mean, we've both probably seen our share of people wearing stuff that you'd never be caught dead in, but because they ROCK it when they wear it they can pull it off (kinda like that goofy JP girl in that polka dot dress)... so really, if you want to wear it... WEAR IT. AND WEAR IT WELL, GIRLFRIEND!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I think my trouble is figuring out how to layer. l ike what goes with what. and then I look at these photos and my thoughts are "wow, that's cute and it doesnt totally match, maybe I'm worrying too much" ?

Maybe I should go out th is weekend and just try stuff on. (we do have a NR near us!)

I think I need pigtails.

[positivespace.livejournal.com]

Yes, make it a point tomorrow to try something new with what you're wearing... pick it out tonight even, so that you're not scrambling around tomorrow. :)

As for layering... I used to be a huge stickler for matching, but lately I'm more focused on mixing up patterns with solids. (That one girl in the magazine with the grey/black turtleneck, black v-neck sweater, denim jacket, green cargo pants and beige heels? SO COPYING THAT FOR WORK ON MONDAY.) But yeah, I notice that a lot of SoCal folks don't layer as much simply because you don't NEED to with your weather. Because the Bay Area is all about microclimates, a lot of us can't help but layer.

Anyway, easy way to switch up the jeans + t-shirt routine is maybe try a patterned tank top with a cropped or sweater/hoodie over. Also, cardigans are an easy (and not so warm) way of layering and switching up the t-shirt routine... and you can find cheap cardigans everywhere nowadays (Forever21... holler!). And, don't be afraid to accessorize! :D For instance, if you do decide on jeans + t-shirt, get an old tie and loop it through your belt loops as a belt, or double a skinny scarf around your neck... see? It's not that hard. :D

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

ok, here's a layering quandry for you,...
how do you choose what size to buy stuff in? I have a couple tops that look "kinda sorta" like what people are wearing as a second layer in a couple photos... but I can only wear that under a very thin underlayer.

Should I think of getting ones that are a little baggier with the idea of wearing a patterned with solid type thing? (ie turtleneck under cap sleeve?

the funny thing is, a lot of this is similar to kimono-matching theory. a lot of the time stuff doesnt strictly match, but say, you have a floral kimono, an abstract, contrasting obi belt is the thing. (or a stripe.)

I've been slowly increasing my fun necklace quotient... and bracelets, but then I dont wear them. O_O... I really need to do like you said and set out my outfits or take more time to try to dress in the morning.

I like the tie and scarf idea, I could totally do that and not feel silly. and actually, I'd feel pretty! I like bows.

I think I could layer (re: climate) during the colder months (like now) or simply stick with lighter layers.

[positivespace.livejournal.com]

Yup, I'll purposely buy certain tops larger than what I'd normally wear 'cause I know I'll be wearing something underneath.

I just bought two of these:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=25940&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=10&iSubCat=594&iProductID=25940
with the intent of either wearing a turtleneck under during the cold months or a long tank top under when it warms up... with the tanktop, you'll still be able to see a contrasting color when the top shirt ends.

You could totally wear something like this:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=22723&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=10&iSubCat=594&iProductID=22723
over your t-shirts too... and that cut/style is pretty easy to find in a lot of stores (not just Urban).

[bluejeans07.livejournal.com]

I've been watching bentolunch for awhile now, and I've been going to www.cookingcute.com! There are some bento boxes that are microwavable, but you have to check the lable. Most of them aren't but I do know some exist! I think it's up to you really, if you like your food to be around room temperature, then it a non-microwavable one should be fine. Personally, I like my food hot so I've been hunting for a microwavable one.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000246GSE/ref=wl_it_dp/105-1408649-1037248?ie=UTF8&coliid=IFCZJYEV25L1C&colid=27P8B8L420UO2

or search for "Mr. Bento" on amazon. :)

[junemermaid.livejournal.com]

Yeah the line between bag-lady and fashionable is really very thin in j-street fashion. Which might be why I love it so much. *goes and lives in a Goodwill*
I have no shame.

But I say if you think you'll be comfortable, wear whatever you want. I know I dress like a fool many many times over but as long as you dont care if other people think that, thats all that matters :3

[tweedlekeys.livejournal.com]

Get the functional bento. Being easier to use will probably make it more convenient too use and there's less worry about damaging a collectors item. (Then maybe make a goal and buy the Totoro bento as a reward :)

As for the clothes, at least with the Anthropologie stuff, you can go and try it out in a fitting room?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

(well, I do own a fabulous Spirited Away bento already... but lets face it, that thing is NOT BIG enough for a lunch... )

I was thinking of going to Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie and trying on styles just to see what is cute on me. I mean who knows, maybe I'll look hideous in the $173 blouse. :P
and if I loved it, maybe I could try to make it, or find a same style but cheaper?

[merrycalliope.livejournal.com]

Blastmilk posted that Mr. Bento link and I'm hooked. I told Minakawa if he bought one of those I'd make lunch for him every day. So guess what he ordered today. ^o^

I like the cute bento boxes too but the Mr Bento is too practical. The microwave-ability makes it rate even higher on my wanty list.

I think you would look just fine in any of those outfits. I mean, I'm sure you have a general idea what style you look best in. Plus, you post up a lot of photos of yourself and I have certainly never seen you look bad!!! I'm always incredibly envious over how great you look, honestly.

[mognetcentral.livejournal.com]

I have the Mr. Bento--the larger size, I think. It's super cool, but then I'm a sucker for handy compartments ;) I got it on Amazon, and it was totally worth the sale price.

Anthropologie does tend to be expensive, but you can find a lot of those labels on eBay (Lux, Odille, etc.) Next time you're in the Bay Area, take a trip to Jeremy's in Berkeley or SF. They sell a lot of new but on-sale Anthropologie brands.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I hadn't thought about trying ebay! thanks! :)

I probably will go with the Mr. Bento, it'd be really convenient.

[kellyhime.livejournal.com]

1) Oh, get the Totoro set, microwavable or not! I have a Totoro obento, a matching hashi, spoon & fork set and a napkin all in a Totoro lunch bag and love it!

2) I can't tell you how much I feel the same way! I'm either too old or too fat or both to feel like I can wear so many of the adorable fashions I love and it makes me so sad. :( I really like the Vogue jacket you posted though. Please post pics if you make it! ^_^

[the-impassive.livejournal.com]

I have both a Mr. Bento and a Ms. Bento (the "breakfast" version.) I've been using them for two years and LOVE them. Very high quality stuff.

I still love the classic/cute box-style bentos, but the capsule ones rule.

The Mr. Bento is humongous, I have trouble filling it.

[thundermew.livejournal.com]

Go for the one you can microwave. Cute gets old when you can't use it for much. *looks at huge stack of cute bento boxes*

You're going to the show? Lucky! I so want to go, but I can't find anyone willing to come with me :P

[lisibit.livejournal.com]

Ironically, I just bought the 2 tiered red totoro bento. It was too cute not to have.

[dollykat.livejournal.com]

Being uber artistic, couldn't you get a Mr. Bento and paint/decorated it yourself? I bet you could even make serious dough selling an aimeemajor customized Mr. Bento!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

haha... but only if I could paint it and still have it microwave safe...? (and dishwasher?)

but I could definitely try to learn some embroidery for the bag.

[fairyarmadillo.livejournal.com]

Aimee, Mr. B is only boring on the outside!
I love my Mr. and use it all the time.
I try to get creative with the contents, I just made this Ms. Pac Man lunch, for instance.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadja_robot/352543011/in/set-72057594110441277/

Do you ever look at cookingcute.com? She makes me freak out with the greatness of her lunches.

[aunrea.livejournal.com]

Be brave!!! Wear what you love and what makes you happy. Seriously! I used to be so afraid of standing out and getting any notice, but why?

Have fun! :)