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FRIVOLOUS FRIPPERIES
If only there were some pointless things to buy around Tokyo… Oh wait
By Lisa Wallin
Bubblelicious
Follow the stench of bathtime to your nearest Lush store and load up with seasonal bath bombs like Party Poppers (¥680), Go! Go! Rocket (¥700), Magic Wand (¥870), and more. Sadists can abuse the Mister Noel and Melting Snowman bath bombs (¥870 and ¥650 respectively) by dropping them into hot water and cackling as they froth into nothingness. Available from branches of Lush.
Life is a Cat Beret
Dr. Seuss was clearly mewing up the wrong tree with The Cat In The Hat, judging by this season’s new fashion phenomenon. Instead of sticking a head-covering on your feline, apply some cat-like aspects to your own head—in the tune of ears sprouting growth-like out of bowler hats (¥2,980), beanies (¥1,575), and berets (¥1,980). Available online from Rakuten.
Lashings of Fun
Making your eyelashes flutter, literally, is the new craze with these arty paper lashes. Put some window dressing on the windows to your soul with suitably kawaii designs like butterflies, ribbons, and roses. Use in conjunction with colored contacts to hypnotize passersby with ease. From ¥819, available at branches of Don Quijote.
Alice in Warmerland
They say a smile warms the heart, but the Cheshire cat’s grin combined with an old-school hot water bottle will keep your other bits warm as well. ¥3,990, available from Afternoon Tea online shop. http://meturl.com/cheshirecat
APPy New Year
Bar Code Scanner Guide
Before your reach for your wallet—WAIT! Pull out your phone and fire up this app. Scan the barcode—and it will show you the cheapest, closest alternative to the one in your hand. It will also show you where to get it online. Free. http://meturl.com/appbarcode
Giftee
It doesn’t have to be Christmas to give gifts to your friends, says Giftee. But it’s a handy excuse. This app/community allows you to do so without even setting foot outside your door. It has link-ups with a bunch of bars, cafés and shops around Tokyo, meaning you can buy a present for your friend with a few taps on your smartphone and enable them to go and quaff champagne in Roppongi, a latte in Shibuya, or other treats in no time at all. Free. http://giftee.co
