Welcome to the NEW and IMPROVED Super Kawaii Mama.com everyone!

As you can see there have been some significant changes around here in the last week, and although there are still some sections to come on line, there is lots of new stuff already here to explore.  After a good six months of design work, thought, feedback and exploration; I’ve put together what I hope will be an even better blog experience for you here.  My aim is not only to give you the best possible content I can but to help you FIND it all!  Because Super Kawai Mama is now 2 years old (Happy Birthday blog!)  there are well over 500 posts in the archives to search in. That is a hell of a lot of writing, photographs and information to help you out.

As you’ll see there are special gateways to take you into each area of interest (these should all be fully up within the week I’m finishing the code as fast as I can) and all those requests you’ve been making for new posts, information and especially tutorials will be found here.  As soon as everything is all completed I’ll give you a proper guided tour and help you to find your way around.

But that is not all.  March 2010 is set to be a milestone month for Super Kawaii Mama – why? Well…

Super Kawaii Mama is the first Australian blogger to be invited to design a capsule collection with local Australian fashion label Friends of Couture!

This is just about the most exciting news I could possibly tell you as not only is it a total dream come true to be able to indulge my love of fashion and design, but it means that you’ll have the opportunity to tell me exactly what you want to be wearing and get your hands on a collection of my very own unique style!  I’ll have loads more to tell you about this as it all progresses, but suffice to say that if you are here because you love my style, you are going to LOVE this collaboration.  The collection itself wont be available until later in the year, but you’ll get to read first hand all about the inspirations, ideas and innovations, as well as being the first to see any sneak peaks!

In the meantime,  you don’t want to miss a minute of the action,  hear about exclusive news, offers and events; as well as just the general (somewhat offbeat) meanderings of my mind –

FOLLOW ME on Twitter, FRIEND me on Facebook,  ADD me to your Technorati and remember to SUBSCRIBE to the YouTube chanel to see all the new videos first!

Hold onto your hats friends, because today’s hair tutorial is a never before attempted feat of daring!

Two of my blogging buddies (who are also well known for creating fun and interesting tutorials) and I were having a little chat one evening when we came up with this idea. It went something like this, “Hi Violet, Hi Cheesie. You know how much we love doing awesome hair tutorials? Well how about we try this?”

It is a simple and fun hair do you’ve seen me wear an casual days and asked for a tutorial on. It’s also one you can customise to your own style.

Enjoy!

You can visit the awesome Violet Le Beaux and Cheesie to see more of their fun tutorials!

A Christmas Dance - by Norman Rockwell

Let’s be honest. None of us need more crap. We spend so much time looking at pretty things on the internet thinking, “Oh that is so shiny / lovely/ fancy etc..”, but really, when it comes down to it how likely is it that we’d buy it all even if we had all the money in the world and where would we put it? Which brings me to my point.

For Christmas this year I don’t really want anything. Well, I certainly don’t want for anything, and there is very little on the list of things I covet that friends and family would actually know enough about me to find as gifts. I certainly don’t want boxes of bath salts and more serving platters. I don’t want novelty aprons or more things I have to dust.

Here is what I would like.

People with less attitude.

Around this time of year, many media columnists think we will be entertained by their rantings of how awful Christmas is. How the drunk uncle always sets the cat on fire and how crap it is to have to sit there with people you barely know wearing a paper hat from a cracker that leaks dye down your forehead on a sweaty Australian Christmas.  Clearly, I am already familiar with these scenarios, but reliving them over and over again through the eyes of a jaded columnist does nothing to make me feel better about the situation.

Instead I would like to read (for a change), a family who doesn’t give a damn that their turkey was overcooked because they got to spend one last precious Christmas with 92 year old Nana. How the children sat in wonder listening to tales of her childhood that gave them a sense of just how lucky they are, before singing a Carol or two and popping off to bed.

I’d like to hear about how whole streets got together to pool all their Christmas cash to donate to a shelter instead of buying each other more of those bath salts again.

I’m no Pollyanna, but I do know one thing; reading about how crap things are all the time makes you feel just that – crap. And that is not the Christmas I choose to have.

People that don’t act their age

Sometimes acting your age is critical. Obviously we don’t want our Doctor’s skipping into the office and playing jacks while we wait. What I mean by not ‘acting your age’, is to rediscover joy in the simple things that kids love and BE OKAY about it. Do you really want a fancy new cyclonic vacuum for Christmas or do you actually want the Collector’s Edition Holiday Barbie? How about that beautiful but understated black cocktail dress, lovely for sure, but will it be as fun at 4am as tulle petticoats and a bracelet made of Christmas Bells?

Singing in Public

If only life were a musical.. perhaps we’d go mad.. but perhaps, just once a year at Christmas time, we could get past that and initiate some spontaneous singing and dancing. A co-ordinated number with dancing trolleys at the supermarket, a visit to the Hairdresser that actually involves a Barbershop Quartet. Sure, it may seem mad, but if only once a year we could get past that social stigma of insanity, I’d bet we’d have a much happier day.

Time

We all wish for more time, so if it is so precious too us why do we not consider giving some of it away as a gift? Occasionally you will see this practice being utilized by children or by those seriously strapped for cash, often in the form of little I.O.U’s; but how many of us that can afford to just go and buy gifts ever consider giving away our time instead? I’m not talking about the obvious things like volunteering to feed the homeless, but about giving time to those nearest and dearest.  Perhaps you have a skill that someone in your family has always wanted to learn. You may make a mean scone or even the perfect cappuccino (all creme not bubbles).  instead of putting that latest blockbuster novel under their tree, offer to teach them the skill they so highly regard. Set aside an afternoon, a day, whatever it takes, and go one on one to give a gift that money can’t buy and that is – to us- so priceless.

Yes, that’s what I’d like.

Happy people that don’t give me a pain in the ear and teach me how to tango.

I recently received an email from a place called Reebonz, and having not heard the name before, had no idea what to expect.  And the end of the email in their signature line was a shiny bow tied up and begging me to click.  So I did…

I entered a whole new, sparkly world of luxury shopping that had my heart skipping a beat. It wasn’t just because of the familiar names like Prada, Coach, French Sole, Burberry and Mui Mui; but it was the price tags attached to them! Up to 80% off! “Reebonz is about transporting you into a world of pleasant surprises. A place where discounted luxury is not an oxymoron.”

The team at Reebonz had sent me an invitation to join their exclusive, members only shopping events. It works like this..  Each week the team at Reebonz have special shopping events for their different items including, fashion, accessories, shoes, travel, spa packages and the list goes on.  They also guarantee that all their goods, however amazingly discounted, are brand spanking new and genuine. The events are by invitation only, and run for limited, real time periods allowing you to browse the amazing deals on offer for that selected time. As I write this I am watching a live count down to the end of a sale on this gorgeous piece which is $137 off the original price, one of the many Charles Winston pieces that is up to 60% off on the site!

Yes, there are some very flash pieces here… but there are also some super cute and super cheap ones to fancy up your wardrobe in a hurry.  I think this little Scottie Dog purse would make a great Christmas gift…or perhaps one for me too… we could be twins! Ha

But they don’t just want to tell you what is good, they want you to be involved, so they’ve set up a whole section for you to recommend labels you love and they’ll go out and find them. They are presently working on events with Australian labels too, and I’ve already suggested a few I have my eye on like Romance Was Born, Shakuhachi and Peep Toe Shoes. There is a calendar of upcoming events so you can plan what you’d like to see and even plan for things like Birthday’s, Christmas or even what to do with that bonus cheque you’re expecting.  Of course this is perfect for me as it appeals to both my highly systemized side and my investment dressing mentality. Win Win. Check out some of the new events coming up….

Reebonz have been around for a little while in Asia, but are only just now opening their Aladdins Cave to the rest of us.  I talked to them to find out a bit more about Reebonz and the team behind the site.

Where did the idea for Reebonz come from?
We saw the convergence of several trends such as the increase in online shopping as well as a new group of customers that were looking for luxury.  It led us to our vision of providing “Luxury you can afford” which eventually led to the founding of Reebonz.
What was the inspiration for the name?
The name Reebonz came from the word Ribbons.  We wanted to create this image of people untying the ribbons to unveil the surprise in their present. [You'll see] this idea also reflected in our Logo which resembles a ribbon.
How long have you been around?
Reebonz started its first sale in March 2009.  Relatively young, but the press in Singapore has been kind enough to cover us a few times in different magazines.

What makes Reebonz stand out from other online premiere shopping services? We bring together a wide range of products from all over the world.   Also, we pride ourselves as providing the best price possible for our members, adhering to our vision of providing “Luxury you can afford”.
Is the Reebonz office full of tech savvy fashionistas?
Of course it is! At Reebonz, we keep ourselves up to date with the latest fashion so that we will know what to offer to our members. Also, we don’t have a strict dress code at work so everyone in the office is allowed to showcase their very own unique sense of style. Lastly, you can find us all on Facebook and Twitter.. so that makes us tech savvy right? LOL
Is it hard to focus on work when surrounded by so many beautiful products?
Not so much for myself but I can’t say that for my female colleagues!  Tweets and Facebook updates like: “The leather smell of the bags, so tempting!”, “I want that Coach bag!” are a common sight.
What are some of the labels Reebonz is most excited to be presenting?
We carry a number of popular labels from Europe such as Prada and Miu Miu and from the US, Kate Spade and Coach.
In addition, Reebonz will also be showcasing local designers from all over.
Why should all fashionable Australian’s take advantage of Reebonz’s invitation now?
We have lined up a number of exciting sale events in this month especially for our Australian members.  Further to that, anyone who signs up through Super Kawaii Mama, will receive 10 Reebonz credits (about $8 AUD) upfront to kick start the shopping!

For me it is the little things that make the difference with Reebonz. The attention to detail to make sure that you get just what you expect, by providing excellent images, zoom tools and sizing charts. I hate thinking I’ve bought the perfect bag only to discover that the strap isn’t even long enough to wear it over my shoulder! Add their great customer service, extensive shipping locations and fast turn around times to the incredible designer discounts; and you have the formula for fashion nirvana.

Hurrah! Now that is the way to shop. At your leisure, at great prices and with free money to start you off! Your invitation awaits..

Because Monday’s should be special!

I love love love this little guy Maneki Neko. You’ll find him hidden in various parts all around my house, from his golden Chinese smile, his demure white porcelain Japanese face, and even his pink-coated Hello Kitty likeness.  This little chap never fails to put a smile on my face and is a pleasant companion at all times.  So because I am in such a sunny mood today, I wanted to share a smile with you too.

(*^-^*)