Easy Origami: How to fold a Lucky Star!

There is actually scientific proof that repetitive motions 

create some sort of inner calm.

Either you do cross stitches, do crochet or knitting - 

this kind of monotone motion creates tranquillity.

When life sucks, 

I'm totally stressed out and 

everything is spinning round in light speed around me, 

my "monotone motion"

is LUCKY STARS.

Oh, I've tried Origami - 

but to me it was a bit to difficult, 

I got frustrated instead of calm...

Then I stumbled across the easiest paper folding technique 

that creates the cutest little things 

- Lucky Stars! :D

It's so simple, 

and cute, 

and fun...

All you need are some colourful strips of paper

- you can buy them online (Ebay) or 

print them yourself and cut them out.

There are loads of different fun papers, 

shiny with high gloss 

or thin powdery newspaper-like paper...

But what do you do with all the little stars that you create?

Well, since the point is to relax - 

you can do whatever you want with them!

I collect mine in a glass bottle...

When the bottle is full, I use them as packaging

in gifts to friends :)

Here are some photos and a video how to make Lucky Stars! :D

Fall in love with Poyopoyo!

I'm totally in love with Poyopoyo right now! :)

Poyo

Poyo is the football sized cat that lives in a family... Sounds derp? Sounds like Garfield?

No, it's soooooo cute... (and better than Garfield!)

It starts of with the daughter of the family falling asleep on Poyo in the street, 'cause she's so drunk and she thinks he looks like a pillow... She brings the cat home, and the tough Dad loves him, but the sisters brother is a bit cautious at first... Poyo has stolen Pokemons voice BTW =^.^=

The vivid anime cartoon episodes are 02:56 minutes, dead cute and FUNNY!

It's so veeeery Japanese! :) You really feel for the family characters, even after just watching a few episodes.

You can watch all episodes for free at Crunchyroll, which seems to be a great site for anime.

Check out the show Poyopoyo here!

Kawaii Licca boasted success over seducive Barbie in Japan

Did you know that Japan has their own indigenous successful Barbie-like doll? She is called "Licca Kayama" and was originally created after heroines in Shojo Manga, popular in Japan in the 1960s when the first Licca-doll was released.

Licca in a Lolita-inspired dress

Apparently Licca was more successful than Barbie due to the fact that she more similarly resembled Japanese idols with her petite appearance and her young age (11). Personally, I believe that the Starry-Big-Manga eyes are the main feature of  her success! :D

Philosophically, Licca portrays the Japanese dream of Kawaii; eternal pre-pubertal youth and eminent sweetness. In contrast, Barbie - the westerners ideal dream girl - is more grown up and portrays larger-than-life glamour (and bosom).

Here is an excellent blogpost about Licca, with lots of beautiful pictures and an interview with a collector!
http://www.kawaiiotaku.com/licca-chan-japans-smallest-idol/

I especially love these pictures of an almost-sweet-lolita-style (they rarely get the Lolita style all right when it comes to dolls and anime or manga - she's showing of a bit too much skin for my taste ;).

Licca with pink hair and a fabulously over sized bow! (Copyright Kawaii Otaku 2013)

http://www.kawaiiotaku.com/licca-chan-japans-smallest-idol/

http://www.kawaiiotaku.com/licca-chan-japans-smallest-idol/

Licca stands in stark contrast to Barbie:

Photo from Elaine Eeksvärd

The question is what Licca would look like when she grows up? 

Would she look like Barbie?

No, actually she wouldn't! This is what grown ups in Liccas world looks like, still sweet and Japanese! I love the grandma :) She's just how I would picture a Japanese lady :)

Still, there are plenty of similarities between Barbie and Licca. They are both girlygirl dolls with conservative values. And please - WHY does the company announce how much Licca weighs?! (See top photo, 34 kg) That's just plain stupid and weird! No healthy 11-year old should be occupied of how much she or he weighs!

http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/english/products/licca/profile/family.html