I Love My Cambridge Satchel Vintage Brown Bag :)

I finally received my second Cambridge Satchel bag last Friday and it is really lovely and i can't wait to bring it out :) Ordered it from Doorstep Luxury awhile back and had some problem with the strap of the bag which was not done properly when i received it in June.

 

However i'm glad that i shopped with the Doorstep Luxury instead of buying it online directly from The Cambridge Satchel Company as it would have been a nightmare arranging for the return of the bag to UK and getting a replacement. The friendly people at Doorstep Luxury took back the bag and gave me the alternative of changing to a 14 inch vintage brown bag which they can deliver to me immediately as they do not have stock for a 13 inch vintage brown bag and will have to liaise with The Cambridge Satchel Company for the order and it might take some time due to the popularity of the bags and that they are hand-made. I decided to wait for the 13 inch bag and was also offered the alternative to cancel my order if i do not wish to carry on waiting or changed to another bag. The friendly people at Doorstep Luxury was really apologetic and kept me updated on the status of the bag the past months even though i understand its not their fault as problem lies with The Cambridge Satchel Company which should have done checks on their bags before sending them out as i understand from their facebook page that i'm not the only customer with the same problems. Hopefully they would improve on their quality check as i still hope to order the green and red color bags from them and of course only through the Doorstep Luxury ;)

Japanese Drama - Bull Doctor

I chanced upon this new NTV Japanese medical drama online and it has been showing in Japan since 6 July 2011, every Wednesdays and getting quite good ratings. It has been a long time since i watched actress Makiko Esumi's drama and one of her previous drama "Love Revolution" remains my all time favorite Japanese dramas :) I decided to watch her latest drama out of curiosity and am glad to report that the drama is quite interesting after watching 3 episodes at (http://www.dramacrazy.net/japanese-drama/bull-doctor/ ).

“Bull Doctor” is a medical and mystery drama about a skilled forensic scientist called Odate Tamami (Esumi) trying to find out the truth behind the deaths of various people and a female detective called Kamatsuda Chika (Ishihara) who often clash due to the relentless nature of the former.

Acting in the shadow of the two strong women is SMAP’s Inagaki Goro, who will play another forensic scientist and boyfriend of Ishihara’s character. 14 years ago he already appeared together with Esumi in the romantic drama “Koi no Katamichi Kippu,” but this time their characters are going to entirely hate each other.

Esumi commented, “It’s one of the strongest women I’ve played so far and I’m really excited.” At the press conference Esumi expressed her sincerity for her first drama starring role in four years. She said, “I lost my father when I was 16 and five years ago I also lost my younger brother. It definitely was painful to lose people so close to myself, but I had to accept their deaths and continue to live my life. With those personal experiences, I’d like to convey through this drama, that anybody could encounter death.”

The regular cast also includes actress Shida Mirai, singer Bro.TOM, actor Ohno Takuro, child actor Aoki Ryohei, and actress Ichige Yoshie. The theme song “Far As The Sky” is by Filipino singer Charice.

Hashibe Atsuko, who already worked on popular dramas such as “Freeter, Ie wo Kau,” “Boku no Ikiru Michi,” “Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji“, and many more, was responsible for the script of “Bull Doctor”. She was influenced by a lot of true stories when she wrote the plot. The two leading women are also said to portray the true way of life of two hardworking women, with both of them having very strong willpower and no lack of pride.

Esumi anxiously added, “Being able to work together with Hashibe and all those wonderful actors for my first drama in four years, I’m truly happy.”

For Ishihara, it is actually the first time she plays the role of a female detective. She said, “When I first received the story line and realized that I finally would be able to play a detective, I thought to myself that I have really become an adult now. I love to challenge new things and can’t wait to start with the filming.”

Tamami (Makiko Esumi), known as the "Bull Doctor," is a forensic doctor who uses any means necessary to uncover the truth. She is also a mother with one child and has to juggle between her work commitments and the demand of raising a child. Ignoring any opposition from the people around her, she uses any means necessary to determine the truth behind the deaths of the bodies she examines. Due to her persistence she is often butting heads with a passionate detective (Satomi Ishihara) and fellow forensic doctor (Goro Inagaki).

(Source: http://asianmediawiki.com/Bull_Doctor)
(Source: http://www.dramacrazy.net/japanese-drama/bull-doctor/)
(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/07/first-teaser-for-the-drama-bull-doctor-revealed/)
(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/05/esumi-makiko-and-ishihara-satomi-to-star-in-new-drama-bull-doctor/)

Japanese Drama - Hotaru no Hikari Gets A Movie Adaptation!!!

I found this great piece of news online at http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/08/hotaru-no-hikari-gets-a-movie-adaptation/ and this is for all fans of popular Japanese drama "Hotaru no Hikari" and i'm so happy to share that this drama which is one of my most favorite Japanese drama is going to get a movie adaptation!!! I'm crazy about the drama and have both its Season 1 and 2 DVD sets and was hoping to see how married life would be like for my favorite characters Amemiya (Ayase Haruka) and Takano (Fujiki Naohito) in the drama and am pleasantly surprised that my wish has come true :) I can't wait to see the movie when it is out! Read more about it below:

It’s been revealed that the drama series, “Hotaru no Hikari“, will be getting a movie adaptation!

“Hotaru no Hikari” first aired in 2007 and was based on Hiura Satoru’s popular manga. Actress Ayase Haruka had played the role of a ‘himono onna‘ named ‘Amemiya Hotaru’, who would rather stay at home and sleep than fall in love. She’s the perfect office lady while at work, but at home, she lounges about in her jersey while drinking beer. Amemiya’s love interest and boss, ‘Director Takano‘ was played by the actor Fujiki Naohito. At the time, “Hotaru no Hikari” received an average viewer rating of 13.7%, with the highest being 17.3%.

Amemiya and Takano got married in the drama’s sequel, which aired in July of last year. This gained even more fans, and set a record with the average rating of 15.5%.

This upcoming movie takes place two years later, when Amemiya decides to go on a honeymoon in Rome after hearing Takano’s dream of “spending the holidays in Rome with the person I love.”

“When I first heard about the movie adaptation, I was surprised! But I am looking forward to arguing with ‘buchou’ in Italy. I will do my best to produce a good movie that many people can laugh at,” expressed Ayase.

Fujiki also commented, “I was skeptical when I first heard of the movie adaptation. To have a heartwarming drama that takes place on a porch, I still can’t believe it. I have an attachment to the drama, so I am looking forward to playing ‘buchou’ again.”

(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/08/hotaru-no-hikari-gets-a-movie-adaptation/)

Dinner @ Foodcourt

Super Sinful but delicious traditional chendol @ Kopitiam Foodcourt ;)

As You Say - Park Gyu Ri

Relaxing With "Sound Massage" ;)

I miss the time when i was at Phuket and within walking distance of the beautiful Patong Beach. It is so nice and relaxing to take stroll at the beach :) However by downloading "Sound Massage-No More Gloomy Days!" free from Apps Store i can at least pretend that i'm relaxing at the beach whenever i feel stressful hehe... I learnt of this useful app while reading last week's Straits Times - Digital Life and it was among the top 100 apps featured in the paper.  This app will bring the sea to you or make you feel like you are in a forest, by a stream. I'm listening to the soothing sound of "Lingering Wave" as i'm typing this ;) Its aim is to calm your mind with natural sounds. Choose from soothing titles such as Pebbled Shore and Lingering Wave and lot more. My favorite is of course the Lingering Wave :)

(Source: http://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/sound-massage-no-more-gloomy/id428176707?mt=8)

In Love With La Mer Watches :)

It was love at first sight when i saw pictures of La Mer watches on Ms Glitzy's blog and i'm so tempted to get one for myself at Shopbop :) Its not available in Singapore so those interested would have to purchase it online. Below are pictures of the watches i'm interested in and thinking of buying ;)

(Source: http://www.facebook.com/lamercollections)
(Source: http://www.shopbop.com/actions/viewSearchResultsAction.action?query=la+mer)

CN BLUE - Teardrops In The Rain

I love this CN Blue song that Park Shin Hye sings in episode 7 of her drama "Heartstrings" :)

Japanese Drama - Zettai Reido 2

I wrote about "Zettai Reido" in 2010 and recently found out that this Fuji TV detective drama which i had enjoyed watching last year has started showing its Season 2 in Japan on 12 July 2011, every Fridays. You can watch it online at (http://www.dramacrazy.net/japanese-drama/zettai-reido/). “Zettai Reido ~ Mikaiketsu Jiken Tokumei Sousa ~” aired in spring of 2010 and depicted the struggles of Sakuragi Izumi (Aya Ueto), a new female detective, as she tackle cold cases that never have been brought to a conclusion. It was a popular drama with decent ratings, and fans got to see Ueto in a role that’s different to her usual image.

The second season won’t just be a simple continuation of the same premise. Sakuragi got transferred to the undercover investigation office within the Metropolitan Police, and now has to deal with current cases as they are happening.

Ueto, who’ll be reprising her role as the popular detective, commented on the change, “In the first season I had a lot of troubles playing the character of Sakuragi, so I was quite surprised when I received the script (for the sequel). I wonder how I should portray her character in this new environment without losing that typical clumsiness of hers.”

This sequel will continue from the two-hour special drama, “Zettai Reido ~ Mikaiketsu Jiken Tokumei Sousa ~ Special ~”, which aired on 8 July 2011 in Japan. This special will focus on the return of the members of the Metropolitan Police Department after a specific incident. Although the previous season was about the members trying to seek the truth about cold cases, the upcoming drama series which will take place one month later, where the members investigate and solve various ongoing incidents as part of the special undercover investigation department. Furthermore, the majority of the main cast from the first season will return for the sequel, including Miyasako Hiroyuki, Yamaguchi Sayaka and Kitaoji Kinya. The special achieved a decent viewer rating of 13.9% that nicely fits into the average of 14.4% of the first season.

Kiritani Kenta will play the elite detective Takigawa Shinjiro who will team up with Sakuragi. Although not being from the younger generation of actors, this new drama will actually be Kiritani’s first regular role in the prime time of Fuji TV. He is known for portraying hot-blooded characters, so being a full-fledged elite detective is somewhat of a new challenge for him.

He commented, “In the past, I played a lot of deep and tensed characters. This time I’m glad that I was offered the role to portray the story of a cool character for a change.” Fuji TV explained their choice as well. “Kiritani has very profound acting abilities and an incredible presence. We are sure that a drama can benefit from his overwhelming power as well.”

On July 5th, Ueto Aya and her cast mates attended a press conference for the criminal drama. During the event, Ueto made a comment about her co-star, Kitaoji Kinya, saying, “Every time, he gives me a deep speech about the ‘investigations’, so I always grow from it.” In reply, Kitaoji mused over their reunion after a year away from the set: “I am like her ‘dad’. When I saw her this time, my first impression was that she turned into a wonderful lady.”

Actor Kiritani Kenta, who joined this cast for the first time for this season, will take on the role of an ‘able man’ and his character will be partners with Ueto. Ueto commented, “He acts as the ‘mood maker’ during the shoot, and he made me laugh so much that my stomach hurt.” Kiritani revealed that to perfect his role, he became absorbed in following strangers during his free time. “One day, I decided to follow this old man for three hours, and I even went on a train and also went to a Pachinko parlor.  People don’t really look behind them, do they?,” he laughed.

LOVE PSYCHEDELICO will sing the theme song titled “It’s You“, and the song will be released as a single on August 10th. This marks the first time in nearly five years that LOVE PSYCHEDELICO has written a song specifically for a drama.

The duo had previously lent their song “Dry Town -Theme of Zero-” to the first season of “Zettai Reido” as its theme song, but this time the song will fit more closely with the drama’s concepts.

“It’s different from past works,” said vocalist KUMI about the duo’s latest tie-up. “Since we wrote the song while talking about concepts from the show… I feel like we’ve definitely collaborated with a drama for it. To match the image of the movie, this time we added in an entire string orchestra, so we hope you enjoy how it’s a little different from Delico’s usual sound.”

Guitarist NAOKI also pitched in, “It’s the drama staff’s and our wish that everyone throughout the world can be healthy and energetic. This song isn’t just for the drama’s main character, it’s a fight song that contains our feelings for everyone throughout Japan.”

Aya Ueto had acted as a rookie cop Sakuragi Izumi with the Special Investigations Office, which was set up within the Metropolitan Police in Season 1. The new investigation team uses DNA analysis and the latest in forensics science to investigate cold cases as well as cases suspected to involve missing persons. The story continues with personnel transfers taking place at the metropolitan police department. Izumi is called upon by Nagashima Hideo who had been transferred to the special crime investigations prevention department. At the same time, the special investigations team members are transferred to other departments, each struggling to settle into their new environment.

Izumi teams up with ace sergeant Takigawa (Kiritani) a man with extensive knowledge and experience in the field. While Takigawa is not completely convinced about their partnership, he takes leadership and sternly instructs Izumi.

One day, suspicious death accidents occur consecutively and the bereaved visit the jurisdiction to request a reinvestigation. Soon, it becomes apparent that each and every one of the accidents were caused by defected products from various corporations. Takamine Ryoko notices a certain pattern to the accidents and begins to suspect a chance of "corporate blackmail". Can the team solve the mystery in time to save the next victim?

(Source: /wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/C-273/index.html">http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/C-273/index.html)
(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/05/fuji-tv-confirms-2nd-season-for-ueto-ayas-zettai-reido/)
(Source: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Zettai_Reido)

(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/06/love-psychedelico-to-provide-theme-song-for-zettai-reido/)
(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/07/ueto-aya-attends-press-conference-for-%E2%80%9Czettai-reido-season-2/)
(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/06/kiritani-kenta-to-co-star-alongside-ueto-aya-in-zettai-reido/)
(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/07/drama-prime-time-report-%E2%80%93-july-08th10th/)

Delicious Dinner @ Sakae Sushi :)