Archive for June, 2009

Hi All,

I’m just back from my trip to Japan, just thought I’d report in, with a bit more detail.

I love Japan!

Arrived Sunday morning at Tokyo Narita, after a long and tiring flight I snoozed on the coach into Tokyo.It’s rainy season so very hot and sticky. Dropped off at the Cerulean Towers Hotel in Shibuya so I walked to my little hotel just off the Shibuya bus depot, up a quiet little hill with all sorts of restaurants and shops nearby.

You mustn’t sleep during the first day or you’ve lost it with your body clock (although it was midday in Japan I was thinking it was 4AM!) so off I went to find lunch and check out the area.

Sunday is MAD in Shibuya, everybody was out. It’s brilliant on the famous Shibuya crossing, when the lights change and thousands and thousands of people cross the huge roads in every direction. It swamps you and makes you feel like an ant.

So off I walked to my favourite Starbucks (I know, but I needed familiarity) in Harajuku. But the whole place was heaving so I ended up getting pasta in a groovy little cafe off Cat Street. I walked around for a bit but there were too many people for my taste so I headed back to the Hotel for a shower, a beer (biru), then set out in search of supper. It is rainy season here so I bought an umbrella (casa) and strolled the streets. I’ve never found bad food in Japan so it’s just a matter of seeing what you feel like. I ended up in a cafe in the basement of Tokyu eating a set meal of Tempura and Soba noodles. More beer, an episode of Faulty Towers on my lap-top then SLEEP, ahhhh!

Monday AM a briefing at the Embassy. Good job I left loads of time because it took me half an hour to find the underground (Shibuya Station in huge!), then 15 mins to buy a blooming ticket. They’ve stopped doing Passnet cards, and it didn’t allow me to get a Passu (?) card, so I gave up and bought a single to Hanzomon, which I know well because I’ve stayed there before. The Embassy briefing was great, I met Mrs Muto and Kae etc. and got loads of ideas etc. Then off to H.P. offices, just off Meiji Dori. I had a good chat with Satomi, Ryoko, Tomoko and all. We arranged our schedule, I took my samples which I needed for appointments and off I went to sort them into the display box. (walked back to the hotel, stopping at Aigle to check out kagool for Denise.

Satomi, Alex and Ryoko at HP France

Then off to Lisette in Futako tamagawa, about 20 mins taxi drive from Shibuya. (Lunch in Takashimaya first) The shop was lovely, in a cute shopping street in a residential area. They have two other shops as well, and we made all sorts of plans, then Kazutake (?) drove me back into town in his Renault 4 (classic 1970’s French car!). Then taxi to Yoyogi to meet Hiromi for tea in the coolest tiny cafe, right off the beaten track called Dada cafe.

Hiromi and Alex in Cafe Dada

Overland train back to Shibuya and supper sitting at the bar in a classic Japanese sushi bar. You forget how good proper Sushi is. Oishi desu!

Tuesday. Did a bit of work in my room. Rougeloup and Coincidence both want appointments but am having trouble fitting them in…. will ask the Embassy to help. Dropped off the trunk show pieces and Anklets at HP. Gave pressies etc, then took a walk to Yoyogi Park, the Irises and the shrine. At the shrine you can make wishes and offer them up by writing them on special wooden tablets. Lots of world peace etc but I like ‘Please let Reading F.C. get promoted this season’ best , slightly worried by the ‘Take to the seas and world domination’ one, but each to his own…..

Prayer tablet in Yoyogi Temple

Lunch in the Aveda cafe in Aoyama which I love.

Back to Hotel for appointment with Lyly-pad.

Not sure what to have for supper tonight, but I know a little Okinomiyaki resaurant.

Okinomiyaki

So. Wednesday, mad day. Started off with La Jiruma, out of town, found it after a struggle and met the gang. There were about 20 girls! All Kawai-ing etc. They were lovely and really kind. We were hoping to go out for lunch but we ran out of time!

The La Jiruma girls

My day was supposed to go like this; 10AM La Jiruma, Lunch. 2PM ecoincidence in Aoyama dori, 3PM Mariko at Gallerie Vie, quick nip back to the hotel, shower and HP offices by 4.30, nip over to Goldie Takashimaya for trunk show until 9PM, then out with Mr Kameyama for supper.

So here I was at 12.30, an hour from Aoyama, with my lovely clients who wanted to take me for lunch and over to their shop in Daikanyama. After much smiling and bowing, I was accompanied by 2 girls to Daikanyama (which is a lovely area) saw the shop and hopped into a taxi back to the hotel. Picked up more catalogues etc, another taxi to the Starbucks on Aoyama dori only to get completely lost. Mobile phone died on me, but I did find my client and she made a nice order. Nice shop, one of three I think.

Whizzed over to meet Mariko (late) v. quick lunch with M. in the Gorgeous ‘Gallerie Vie’ café, then taxi to hotel, change, shower, pick up pressies then over to HP and off to Takashimaya. And wow it was busy and hectic! There were LOADS of people. We sold out in 30 mins. Signatures and photos non stop. Everyone came to say Hi, and I even met Mayo’s mum! It went on very late, so quite late to meet Mr. K. The restaurant was great, as usual. My ‘Mr. Kameyama’ meal is the highlight of my year. He is such a great host and really knows his food. The Oden set was very good. Not sure about raw horse though!

Goldie in Shinju ku

Left at midnight. Lovely evening, lovely day.

Thurs was HP day. Early AM Goldie Shibuya in Parco 1. Then meetings with Satomi and web-guy. Then press interview, then Lunch with Satomi, Tomoko and ? P.M. more general meetings with Satomi.

Then back to the hotel, shower and off to see the antipast girls and Tonchan. Very nice supper (Korean). They are such lovely people, it’s so nice to have such great friends when you’re traveling. Thanks Junko, Kyoko and Tonchan! Best socks in the world! http://www.antipast.co.jp/info.html

Antipast

Fri. AM check out, taxi to Hotel Pacific, where I left my big case, then train to Haneda. Met up with  and flew to Sapporo, then bus to Noboribetsu bus terminal, change and small bus to Takinoya, (very brave of me as no English is spoken) and what an amazing place it is! http://www.takinoya.co.jp/

Onsen meal

If anyone ever wants a real treal Takinoya Onsen is the place.

I had long relaxing outside baths and loooooads of delicious food.

But it all had to come to an end and I caught a bus to Sapporo on Saturday morning.

The Trunk show in Sapporo was a great success, very busy and I was sorry to leave at 5 o’clock, but we had a plane to catch.

Goldie in Sapporo

sapporo trunk show

Back to Tokyo, a short night and then caught the morning flight for Heathrow!

Phew.

Thank you so much to all the kind people in Japan who made my trip so lovely!

See you next year! Mata Rai Nen!

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who came down to Silverado on Saturday for our Trunk Show.

The event was a huge success with everyone snapping up our limited edition pieces!

But the main reason for this post is to tell you about our giveaway with InStyle’s on-line magazine……

One very lucky winner will receive this set of 4 pieces from our ‘Roll me Over in the Clover’ story, worth over £500!

It’s a little bit last minute, as the competition is just until the end of June, so to enter, simply click though here - good luck!! x

If you’re stuck for something to do this weekend, why not head down to Brighton?

I’m not sure if there weather is going to be great, but we’re having a Trunk Show event at Silverado, and there’s always loads to see and do in Brighton!

Further details can be seen on my last post (just scroll down the page) but it’s all kicking off at 11am and running until 4pm - really hope you can make it!! x

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside.....

こんにちは。まよです。みなさんご機嫌いかがですか？

アレックスのブログをもう読んでいただいた方もいらっしゃるかと思いますが、

以前チロッとお話した通り、アレックスが１４日日曜日から日本へおじゃましています。

さっそく本人から届いた報告には要所要所に覚えたての日本語が出てきました。

“biru”　”casa”

ビールです。傘です。

きっと一番に必要な２アイテムだったのでしょうね。

一人出張ですし。梅雨ですし。

普段なかなかお会いできないお客様にお会いしたり、お店を見せていただいたり、

空いてる時間には、明治神宮に行ったり、おいしいものを食べたり、大満喫している模様です。うらやましいです。じゅるり・・・。

さてさて、本人のブログでも告知があった通り、来る１７日＆２０日!!　Ｈ．Ｐ　ＦＲＡNCEさん主催のもと、新宿と札幌でトランクショーが行われます！！

詳細はアレックスのブログにＨ．Ｐ　ＦＲＡNCEさんが作ってくれた素敵インビテーションが載っているのでぜひチェックしてください↓↓

でもやっぱり私にも言わせて。

６月１７日（水曜日）　１７：００～２０：００　in 新宿高島屋　H.P FRANCE BIJOUX

６月２０日（土曜日）　１４：００～１７：００　in goldie H.P FRANCE 札幌店　（札幌パルコ１Ｆ）

です!!!

アレックスはとても心優しい気さくなオジサンですので、お近くの方はぜひ遊びにきてみてください☆

昨日の夕方は突然ひどい雷と大雨が降って、一瞬で去って行きましたが、日本の夏の夕立ちを思い出して恋しくなりました。

夏の夕立ちは無駄にテンションが上がるので好きです。

まだその季節ではないかな。雨の日が続いてることと思いますが、雨に打たれて風邪なんか引かないように気をつけてくださいね。

若干濡れちゃった状態で電車に乗った時の寒さと行ったら尋常じゃないですからね!!

それでは。また書きます！

まよ

Hi! Well here I am in Tokyo again! I arrived on Sunday and have a full schedule, visiting clients, checking out shops, meetings etc. And I’m doing some Trunk Shows! My lovely distributors HP France have organised a fab do at Takashimaya here in Tokyo, then I’m off to Sapporo for a trunk show in the HP shop there. Phew! Still, the food is the best in the world, and I’ve loads of friends to see so it’s not all hard work.

Here’s a few pics for now, I’ll post a full report when I get back. Any Japanese readers….. come and say Konichiwa!

Me in HP offices with Satomi and Ryoko

First thing when I arrived I popped in to say hi to everyone at the HP France offices in Meiji dori.

Me and Hiromi at the Dada cafe

My old friend Hiromi was in Tokyo this week as well, so we met up for a cuppa in the groovy Dada cafe in Yoyogi. Hiromi runs the fabulous Petit Paris web-site from France, check it out; http://petiteparis.net/

Tokyo trunk show

Tokyo trunk show

Sapporo trunk show

Sapporo trunk show

Here are the Trunk Show invitations for our Japanese readers.

Anyway, I promise to write a full account when I get back. I’m off for Sushi and a beer now!

After our London Road-Show last week, we thought it was a bit unfair to leave out our fans down in Brighton….so this Saturday (the 20th) we will be at Silverado, in their Bond Street shop from 11am - 4pm.

Silverado, 31 Bond Street

Everyone at Silverado has really gone to town, so there are lots of treats in store!

Everyone who makes an Alex Monroe purchase will receive a gorgeous goodie bag, containing a £5 Silverado Voucher, a bath bomb from Lush and either some chocolates from Montezuma or a bag of delicious sweeties from Fizzy Wigs.

There will also be two raffles, one to win a Champneys goodie bag, with a treatment voucher inside, and another to win one of our must-have Clover Necklaces.

Refreshments will be provided in the form of Champagne and non-alcoholic Cocktails, along with strawberries and cream and home-made cupcakes!

And…..Silverado will also be offering an exclusive 10% discount on Alex Monroe purchases made in-store, on the day.

Off to the Seaside!

So if you couldn’t catch any of our London Trunk Shows, why not pop down to Brighton for the day?

Hopefully there will be some sunshine, and you can join in the fun and check out some more one-off Alex Monroe originals……

Yesterday was manic for us, rushing around, but myself and Alex enjoyed a great evening at EcOne on Ledbury Road….

Everyone at EcOne had worked really hard, and the shop looked lovely - delicate Rose petals and cute bunting, plus Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and elderflower & cucumber spritzers - yum!

Today we’ve set up at Liberty, where we’ll be all weekend….Alex is on his way there even as I type!

The display looks great, there’s loads of classics in stock, and the new Lucky Charm story seems to be going down a storm - but most importantly, the Trunk Show pieces have been selling already, so get there quick and find your dream piece!

Chunky Fruit Cocktail Ring

Well, there was no way we were going to let the tube strike stop us!

Our special Trunk Show pieces have been in-store at Harrods since this morning, and Alex and Susie will be there from around 5.30pm to have a chat and answer any of your questions.

Harrods are fully stocked on all of your favourite Alex Monroe pieces, but here’s a peak at one of the  Harrods exclusives….

Hope you can make it!! x

Baby Wild Rose Loop Necklace in Gold-Plate & Silver Mix

Hi there!

Myself and Susie have just got back from setting up the first of our Trunk Shows, at Little 15, and it is looking gorgeous!

Silver Squirrel & Ring Branch Necklace with 9ct Gold Tiny Butterfly

Store owner Jutta has done a very pretty window display, and we hope there will be lots of treasures there for you to discover and be tempted with!

Alex will be in-store tomorrow for lunchtime drinks, from 12-3pm, so why not pop along if you’re in the area?

Just click here for a map of where they are.

These images are a little taster of what you might find……

Bee Bark Necklace with Posey Flowers

I have just come back from a wonderful trip to Scandinavia where I met some lovely people and visited some great shops!

Oslo was happy to see some new Alex Monroe jewellery and will soon be showing our new collections in a few shops around the town, have a look at Benedikte Ferner in Skovveien, Frogner and also on the new web shop, fashionmixology. Unfortunately I didn’t have the weather gods with me so no time to enjoy the little islands in the fjord.

Next stop was Stockholm with its cute canals and “gamla stan”, the old town. Again loads of great shops and people happy to get a little peek of Alex Monroe jewellery and soon it will be around town. The girls at Elle Sweden loved our jewellery as well as Pingoose. There is now a good range and variety of Alex Monroe Jewellery in Sweden. If you happen to visit Uppsala, Herta (located just next to the river!) has a range of our collections as well as the trendy Kit of Elsinore in Malmo.

In lovely summer Denmark I enjoyed some great lunches by Nyhavn in Copenhagen. Next on our agenda for Scandinavia will be Copenhagen Fashion Week if all goes to plan!

Hope to see you there!

Some pictures from Scandinavia…

The new opera in Oslo!

The river in Uppsala, next to Herta!

Nyhavn in Copenhagen, summer lunch!