Electric Aoyama

Walk from Harajuku & blend into Aoyama, where you'll see a morph of teenybop into grown-up! This was, by far, my favorite area of Tokyo ~ innovative architectural, designer + modern boutiques & hip cafes/bars!

On the main strip of Omotesando there's the Fumihiko Maki-designed SPIRAL building (cafe/bar, shops, art/design/fashion events). Shop for delicate jewelry + accessories from Razu Creation at Bon Voyage & see the latest art exhibit on the ground floor. Then take the spiral up and shop at the SPIRAL MARKET!

Keep walking until you see the famous Toyo Ito & Associates-designed Tod's building (top photo) ... then take a turn into a bunch of small streets filled with gems! This is where some famous shops are: Prada, Vivienne Westwood & Bathing Ape to name a few. For edgy Japanese designers, check out THE CONTEMPORARY FIX .

This area definitely inspired me for my Leanna Lin jewelry line! Some AMAZING jewelry boutiques I went into were Bellecapri (vintage), Q-POT (cute*whimsical) & MHT (space designed by Marc Newson)!

TOKYOFASHION.COM is also a great resource when researching the latest Tokyo fashion!

cool graphic SPIRAL banners

SPIRAL building designed by Fumihiko Maki

tunnel leading to the bottom floor of the ...

Herzog & de Meuron-designed bubble glass PRADA building

lots of people took photos next to this famous building & so we did too!

Sign on small street led me to ...

the tiniest bread shop! I had to have a melon pan :)

Me in front of Crayon House: yummy organic food + book store

* we had afternoon tea & went back another nite for dinner!

Mustard door led me to this cute cafe ...

with a cute welcoming illustration *-*

I love the funky window display at Vivienne Westwood

cute statue in front of boutique

great art deco garage door to ...

fun vintage jewelry shop called Bellecapri

Electric Harajuku

This funky area is where the teenybop culture is. Above is the JR Yamanote line/Harajuku stop at the beginning of Takeshiti Dori, the street to buy trendy & cosplay fashion. The "Cosplayers" (crazy cartoon like costumes) hang out in front of the Meiji Jingu shrine, which is to the side of this station. Since I was there on Friday, I didn't get to see them (next time). ***below is how I explored the wonderful area of Harajuku throughout the day (scroll down because I posted a lot of photos)

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Exit the JR Yamanote station & walk under the bubbly archway to Takeshiti Dori! Look at the trendy fashion, while enjoying a crepe! This is where I had fun looking at the Lolita fashion & fun jewelry for inspiration to my Leanna Lin jewelry line!

TOKYOFASHION.COM is also a great resource when researching the latest Tokyo fashion!

my eye went 1st to this cutest donut shop at side entrance to Takeshiti Dori

bubbly archway leading to the famous Takeshiti Dori street

one of many crepe stops on Takeshiti Dori

Cosplay boutique w/cute sales girls dressed as Lolitas

Bambi & Faline boutique w/dotty pink door!

Fafi (one of my favorite artists) had exclusive things in here!

Pet Paradise - quirky pet boutique

I had to get Richy a toy here!

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After walking through Takeshita Dori it led to the higher end boutiques along Cat Street. Here there were more expensive + modern/hip boutiques (junior girl has grown up)! I also stumbled upon 2 unique jewelry stores called JAM HOME MADE (edgy + delicate) and DICOKICK (funky + graphic) ... I was officially inspired! Two other great stores for men + women were BEAMS stores (chain of Fred Segal-like stores) and KHAJU Ships Jet Blue (got a sparkly crystal pink star ring here :)

Modern architecture of JAM HOME MADE

There's Louie (my husband) w/Tim & Kyoko (our friends)

DICOKICK jewelry & accessories shop

airstream beer bar along Cat Street area

People walking along Cat Street area

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Lastly we walked over the bridge to Kiddy Land, which is 5 stories of cuteness - I was in heaven! I had to get some hello kitty charms to make a necklace for myself :) Then we ended the shopping day wandering through Laforet Harajuku (levels of trendy boutiques). They love shopping malls in Tokyo & this caters to the hipper crowd ... tons of FUN!!! I found the Mademoiselle Yulia CD. She's an eccentric electronic DJ from Tokyo who has a jewelry line called Giza.

bridge across to Dior, MoMa & Kiddyland

*walk this street to Aoyama area to see amazing architecture

Kiddy Land - need I say more?!

Whimsy at the Oscars

The Oscars were last night and I love to see what the stars are wearing. Classic Hollywood and Glamorous ... but who looked the most UNIQUE? Here are my top 5 Unique Oscar fashion looks, from head to toe.

I wish the jewelry would get more exciting, not just all diamonds *-* Maybe someday?

I got the below photos from Style.com and the last photo from InStyle.com

* Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Haute Couture *

Not everyone can wear this wacky gown ... which I love ... but Zoe pulled it off! It had a crystal covered bodice and a lavender to purple ombre skirt with miles of tiny ruffles. Wow!

* Carey Mulligan in Prada *

Carey's whole look was my favorite of the evening! From her cute pixi haircut down to her funky ballet platforms ... Audrey Hepburn meets rock-n-roll! The black strapless dress with hi-low hem had dangling charms of crystals, knives & scissors to give it that finishing touch!

* Diane Kruger in Chanel Haute Couture *

Unusual with a classic Chanel twist ... need I say more?

* Rachel McAdams in Ellie Saab Haute Couture *

I love this flowy dress because of the beautiful whimsical watercolor print!

* Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano *

I wasn't too crazy about the front view of this dress, but when I saw this side view! Rosettes twist & drape into this amazing train. Gorgeous orchid colors!

Whimsical Wonderland

I love this cover of the latest Teen Vogue with Mia Wasikowska. She's simply whimsical with her cute pixie cut, beautiful azure goddess dress and faceted grape necklace. Mia is the star of Tim Burton's "Alice In Wonderland" coming out next week. How fun to do a fashion spread styled like Wonderland! Definitely my "cup of tea"!

Check out the link to Teen Vogue's blog for more photos on Mia!

10 Things You Should Know About Mia Wasikowska: teenvogue.com

Welcome to LeeLee's Wonderland!

As a young girl I seemed to be fascinated with color, beads, art and fashion. It's no wonder that I turned my love into a career! So how did it all begin? At an early age I took a variety of art classes and started beading for fun. I remember going to flea markets with my mom, shopping for vintage jewelry and accessories. I used to break apart things and re-create my own jewelry. So when all was said and done, I am doing what I've always loved. So what inspires ME? Culture, art, fashion, and architecture are just a few of my inspirations. One of my favorite things to do is exploring my city, Los Angeles. I enjoy spending time with loved ones, going to the latest gallery and music events, the California sun.....and of course, my toy poodle Richy!