reflecting on 2014

2014 is coming to an end, and all too quickly 2015 is right around the corner. I don't think I'm ever fully prepared for the new year, but I've been thinking of what I have or haven't accomplished this past year, my New Year's resolutions, and how I can become a better, more mature person not just for next year, but for the years to come. 2014 was another year of big changes for me, internally and externally. Lot's of tumultuous events, as well as exciting adventures, and meeting great people during my travels. And spending the last 2 weeks of my year in my beautiful hometown of Huntington Beach has given me chance to reflect and plan, spend time with my family and friends which always helps me to ease myself from the hectic life in Tokyo. But all in all, I just wish for the health and happiness for the people that I love and care about most. When it really comes down to it, that's always the most important thing to me.


I'm going to keep this nice and short this time, and wish you all a Happy New Year & a fantastic 2015. I have another blogger meet-up post and a New Year's resolution post coming up next year, so stay tuned! Thank you all so much for your support and love - this little blog wouldn't be here without you :)


また来年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします！



Love,

Samantha

OUTFIT | downtown streets of LA

cardigan: Zara; T-shirt: Uniqlo; denim: Le Ciel Bleu

shoes: Vans; clutch: Dezso by Sara Beltran: sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

My two-week vacation in California is slowly, yet quickly coming to a close. After going to eggslut with my brother the other day, we found some cool graffiti walls and fences in the industrial district of downtown LA and he was cool enough to snap these photos for me. I was very pleased with his photography. It was a perfect day out, nice and sunny like it should be in southern California, perfect for a white tee and boyfriend jeans, with the classic Vans. My palm tree Dezso clutch is a must when I am in California. And in the summer anywhere. I don't want to return to the cold that is Japan. 

先日、弟とダウンタウンロサンゼルスへ行ったときのコーディネート。冬なのに日差しが強く、暖かい日でした。白いTシャツにデニムがぴったりの天気。寒い日本に明後日戻らないと行けないなんて、、でも、カリフォルニアでの２週間、本当に楽しかった！

Love,

Samantha

eggslut for post-Christmas brunch

Hey guys, a day late but Merry Christmas! Thanks for your comments, I hope you all enjoyed the holidays as much as I did! I took a quick trip to downtown LA this morning with my brother to try eggslut. The "slut" was amazing! A Japanese TV show I was in introduced this place in Grand Central Market, and now I can see why. So much goodness in a little jar. You have to try this place if you are in the area!

一日遅いですが、メリークリスマス！今日は、弟とエッグスラットへ行ってきました。めちゃくちゃ美味しかった！ポテトと卵の相性が抜群。また行きたいです♪


Love,

Samantha

A December beach

Enjoyed an afternoon at the beach today with my brother. I wish I was more of a beach girl growing up, but I'm still spoiled for being able to enjoy some California sun right before Christmas. 

Our bathing suits are courtesy of Billabong Japan - thank you! We love Billabong <3

今日は弟と冬のビーチを楽しんできました。クリスマス前に水着着て海へ行けるのは、本当に贅沢だなーと今更思う。水着とトランクスはBillabong Japanから頂いたものです。Billabong 大好き！

Love,

Samantha

OUTFIT | Knit Dress + Vans

I always love a simple outfit, especially when it only consists of two items + accessories. I picked up this knit dress from Madewell last week. The day I took these near Sawtelle, it was warm enough to wear it by itself, but I've worn it with black skinnies on colder days (I'd rather not catch a cold during my vacation). And I just can't stop wearing my Vans!! Remember when I was wearing the checkered ones in almost every outfit post this past summer? I think the white ones will replace those...

And meet my friend and the little sister I never had, Mika. She took my pictures for me when we trekked around the Sawtelle area in LA. Thank you<3


先週、友達のミカちゃんとソーテルでご飯食べに行きました！彼女は本当に可愛らしくていい子です。この日は、シンプルなグレーのニットワンピに、白いVansでカジュアルなコーディネートにしてみました。やっぱりシンプルがベストだ！


What I wore:
dress: Madewell
shoes: Vans
clutch: Dezso by Sara Beltran
sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs via Shopbop





Love,

Samantha

Blogger Meet-up with Yuka from Pretty In Leather

I actually haven't met too many bloggers in LA or Tokyo yet (which is pretty sad...), but I was fortunate enough to meet Yuka from Pretty In Leather over some delicious Greek cuisine. She is such a sweet girl, probably what I imagined her to be even though I've only known her through her blog and Instagram. We had an early dinner at Kentro's in Downtown Fullerton, talked about everything blogging and being half-Japanese.

今日は、ロサンゼルスブロガーのユカさんと会うことができました。フラートンにある美味しいギリシャ料理をお腹いっぱい食べながら、ブログやハーフとしての経験などをシェアしながらガールズトークで盛り上がりました！本当にやさしくて面白い人♪ファッションセンスも抜群なのが魅力です。今度は東京にも遊びにきてね！

You can check out her blog here, and her Instagram @yukasaur.


What I wore:
coat: Topshop
top: Topshop
denim: Le Ciel Bleu (similar boyfriend denim here and here)
boots: Sam Edelman via Shopbop (more Sam Edelman shoes here)
clutch: Dezso by Sara Beltran



Love,

Samantha

The Line Hotel, LA

While my friend Amy was in SoCal with me, she decided to spend a night at the trendy Line Hotel in LA. It was such a chic little hotel! The lounge & bar area was spacious and clean, and as you can sort of tell, we loved the sofas. It's a little lonely without Amy now as she is back in the grind in Tokyo, but I'll see her when I'm back for New Years. See you later, Amy!


先週、エイミーとロスのThe Line ホテルへ行ってみました。とてもお洒落でトレンディーなホテル！バーとラウンジエリアを気に入っちゃいました♪エイミーが東京に戻ってからちょっと寂しいけど、またすぐ会えるから大丈夫！



Love,

Samantha

OUTFIT | Falling leaves in Shinjuku Gyoen with Jason Mordeno Photography

photos by Jason Mordeno Photography

Do any of you miss the fall foliage that just recently ended? I do, mainly because I hear it has already snowed in Tokyo, and also, you can't really experience the change of seasons in Southern California (palm trees and greenery all year round). I did another photo shoot with Canadian photographer Jason Mordeno, who I worked with earlier this spring. I'm so glad he visits Japan every few months - he is so extremely talented and a pleasure to work with. When we went to Shinjuku Gyoen last month, we spent a few hours trying out different locations in the park, different poses, etc. He started poking holes in a leaf and putting it in front of his lens, which confused me at first... but I can always trust his creativity. 

I wasn't sure about wearing this faux leather dress I picked up on sale at Zara, but I think it worked well with the backdrop. I mean, fall foliage can have a dark side, too, right?

秋が過ぎ去って、今はもう東京は雪が降っているという情報が耳に入りました。紅葉が恋しいです、本当に。この写真たちは先月、カナダのカメラマンのジェイソンさんと新宿御苑で撮影をしたものです。レザーのワンピースとジェイソンさんの撮影スタイルの雰囲気の相性が良かったと思います。すごく気に入っています。

What I wore:

dress: Zara (similar black leather dresses here)

coat: Ines de la Fressange for Uniqlo

boots: Target

sunglasses: (similar round sunglasses here)

Love,

Samantha