ZeroUV sunglasses for fall & winter

I can't complete an outfit anymore without one of my ZeroUV sunglasses. I'm so excited to pair my new collection of sunnies with my winter outfits. 

ZeroUVのサングラスがないと、コーディネートが締まらない。新しいサングラスコレクションを冬のコーデに合わせるのが楽しみです♡

Comptoir des Cotonniers 2016 Spring/Summer Showroom

I always love visiting the Comptoir des Cotonniers showroom, and this time my friend Amy and I checked out their lovely 2016 Spring/Summer collection. Starting with their trademark "Canyon Pink," this collection embodied everything sweet and feminine, created with beautiful colors and textures perfect for spring. My favorite were the "La Slash" shoes with the shoelaces on the side. How cute are they? Thanks Eri and Comptoir for having us!

Comptoir des Cotonniersのショールームはいつも楽しみにしています。そして、今回は２０１６年の春夏コレクションを拝見させて頂きました。春のトレードマークカラー「カニオンピンク」をはじめ、このコレクションはとても軽やかでフェミニンな感じに仕上がっていました。素材の肌触りがよく、春にはぴったりのカラーも豊富でした！私のお気に入りは「ラ・スラッシュ」のスニーカー。靴ひもがサイドにあるのは、めずらしいですよね！コントワージャパン、いつもありがとうございます！

EGOIST Spring/Summer 2016 Exhibition

I visited a couple exhibitions for the upcoming Spring/Summer collections this week, but I don't think I'll be able to post about them all. EGOIST is a popular Japanese women's fashion brand, but it was my first time checking out their collection. Denim, pastel colors, and silks were among some of my favorites here. Since it's so cold outside that I can't leave without a coat, the spring and summer vibes from this exhibition were just what I needed. 

今週はいくつかの展示会にお邪魔することができました！まだ１１月なのに、東京は一気に冬になってしまったので、２０１６年の春夏のコレクションをみて、ほんのちょっとだけ暖かい気持ちになった気がするw。EGOISTの展示会はだいぶ盛り上がっていました！お洋服ももちろん可愛かったし、夏をイメージするフルーツやデトックスウオーターも用意してました。美味しい！事務所のモデルズと行ってきて、楽しかったです♡

Accepting yourself

In the last 5 years, I've changed significantly - my look, my style, the way I view life. 5 years can seem long to some, short to others. To me, it's both. I went from a university student studying piano to Tokyo-based model, went from long, light-brown locks to short, black chops. In terms of looks, I've learned to fully appreciate the features given to me from my parents. Even my terrible complexion that is half-genetic and also caused by stress and other factors, are now my battle scars. 

If I had stayed in my hometown after college, I would have never known the world I am in right now. Living alone, away from my family, trying to navigate this country that is sometimes familiar, more oftentimes confusing because of my American ways. I've lost people, but gained connections and friendships of more people who have watched me grow, suffer, then grow some more. I am nowhere near perfect, but I'm finally learning to accept myself, the things I cannot change, and also the things I can improve. 

It might take some a long time before they are truly comfortable in their own skin, and that's fine. But it really doesn't help to compare yourself to others, to be better than other people, and not be a better version of yourself. I can say that it didn't really help me. Find inspiration in others and your surroundings, and incorporate that into your ever-changing self. Then maybe, people will find inspiration in you, too. Love yourself first - it will change everything only in good ways.

この５年間、私は色んな意味で変わったと思います。外見も、スタイルも、人生を見る目線も。５年という月日を短く感じる人もいれば、長く感じる人もいるでしょう。私は両方です。５年間で、ピアノを勉強していた大学生から、日本で活動中のモデルになりました。長い茶髪のウェーブから、短くて黒いボブへ。ルックに関しては、親から授かった骨格には感謝しています。ニキビで悩んだ肌も半分遺伝だけど、でも今では戦いの傷と思えるようになりました。

大学卒業後もずっと実家の方に残っていたら、今いる世界に出会えなかった。家族から離れて一人暮らし、理解できるときとできない時の差が大きいこの国。でもそれは、自分の中のアメリカ人が抜けてないから。大切な人を亡くし、でも、掛け替えのない人たちとの出会いや友情を築くことができた。この人たちは、私の成長、苦しみ、そしてまた成長を見守ってくれている。全然完璧ではないけど、自分を受け入れるようになってきたし、自分で変えれること、変えられないことがだんだんはっきりしてきました。

自分の肌、自分の身体の中で本当に居心地がいいと思うまで、時間がかかる人はいるかもしれない。けど、それは全然大丈夫だと思う。でもね、周りの人と比べてしまうと、自分をより良くすることができないかもしれないよ。いいバージョンの自分を目指すには、周りをインスピレーションにして、それを上手く取り入れたらいいと思う。そうしたら、周りもあたなをインスピレーションとして、見てくれるかもしれない。自分を好きになったら、色んなことが良い方向に変わります。

Photos by Ryo Maeda, hair & makeup by Tadaaki Higashimura

OUTFIT | A denim dress on an autumn day

dress: Free People

vest: Forever 21

shoes: Converse

hat: JAMS Project

sunglasses: ZeroUV

watch: Fossil

It's hard to believe we've already passed mid-November, and the colorful leaves are starting to flutter onto the pavements to create golden carpets. I'm recently very into vests because they provide the perfect level of warmth for these semi-chilly days. This faux leather/fur vest from Forever 21 is my favorite - it's casual yet chic at the same time. And this denim dress from Free People is one of the most comfortable dresses I own, and I love it! I was a little doubtful at the boxy silhouette at first, but after wearing it several times, the doubt vanished. These photos were taken in the backstreets of Harajuku by the talented Oscar Cruz. The wall clock and the octopus plant look unreal, but they were so real.

もうすでに１１月中旬が過ぎ、色とりどりの葉が道に舞い降りて黄色い絨毯を作っています。最近ハマっているものはベストです。ちょっと冷えている日にベストを着ると、ちょうどいい暖かさだからです。このForever 21のフェークレザーとファーのベストはお気に入りです。カジュアルですが、シックにも着こなせる万能なアイテム。そして、このFree People のデニムワンピースは、オーバーサイズで着心地が本当にいい！最初は、四角いシルエットに疑問はありましたが、いざ着てみたら、全然気にならなくなりました。この写真は原宿の裏道で、Oscar Cruzさんに撮ってもらったものです。大きな時計とたこみたいな植物は本当に存在するの？ってくらいリアルに見えない。

All photos by Oscar Cruz

Ted Baker 2016 Spring/Summer Collection

Imagine yourself at the 6-star Ted Towers, a luxurious resort hotel on a beautiful island, wearing a fancy summer suit or an airy floral dress, cooling down with colorful pastel ice creams. Exactly the theme for Ted Baker London's Spring/Summer 2016 Collection, a beautiful array of dresses with flowing, flared skirts, vivid floral designs, and pretty, structured hand bags. I think my favorite was the ice cream- themed cupcake pops by Alisa Suzuki, which were bite-sized and delicious! I love anything creative and pretty. Make sure you check out these pieces when they hit stores worldwide next season! 

高級感溢れる６つ星リゾートホテルで、お洒落なスーツ、またはゴージャスなフローラルのワンピースを着て過ごすバカンスを思い浮かべてみて下さい。それがまさにTed Baker London 2016 SSコレクションのテーマです。たくさんの素敵なパステルカラーや、ゴージャスなフローラルデザインで溢れるドレスに一目惚れしました。Ted Bakerのしっかりとしたハンドバッグも大好きです。でも、一番可愛かったのがアイスクリーム型のケーキポップ！一口サイズのカップケーキ生地でできてて、周りはチョコキャンディーのコーティング。Alisa Suzukiさんのケータリングでした。

Ted Baker の2016SSコレクション、お見逃しなく！

bright morning sun

Not all of our days are our best days, but we can make them better through our own willpower. But most of all, it's the people we surround ourselves with who give us that willpower, the motivation to keep on moving no matter how dark the storm, how dreary the light. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for accepting me as I am, thank you for making me strive harder for the goals I want to achieve. Time and time again, I can't express enough through words how thankful I am for the people in my life. The reason why I can't wait to see the morning sun, bright and shining.

私たちの毎日はいつも良い日とは限らないけど、私たちの意志でなんとかなるはず。でも、周りにいる人たちが私たちの意思力やモチベーションの理由だと思う。どんな暗い嵐でも、どんな侘しい光の中でも。弱い私のことを信じてくれて、受け入れてくれて、そして、更に背中を押してくれてありがとう。言葉だけでは伝えられない感謝の言葉。私が眩しい朝日を楽しみにする理由をくれて、ありがとう。

Photos by Ryo Maeda, hair and makeup by Tadaaki Higashimura

Morning skincare routine with Kiehl's

Happy Sunday loves. It's been a while since I've posted anything beauty-related, so I thought I would share half of my skincare routine today. I have and still suffer from acne, but after experimenting with different products over the last few years, I think I've finally found the perfect routine for my skin. And I'm not saying that skincare products are the only things that have helped to improve my breakouts - a healthier lifestyle and also acne medication have saved me just as much. 

You can tell just by looking at the products I use that I'm a huge fan of Kiehl's. I think I first started using their products when I ran out of a charcoal mask I was using, and was looking for something similar to clean out my pores. There's a Kiehl's shop in Shibuya station, so I dropped in one day and found a clay mask that claimed to detoxify and clean out your pores effectively. Well, I bought it, and amazingly, it worked. Like, really well. I've literally gone through at least 10 of those little containers since then and still use it every night. Since their Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque worked so well, I continued to go back to Kiehl's to try their other products, and they're always generous with samples - I'd try a sample, and if it worked, I'd buy the product. And here is only part of my skincare collection.

My morning routine is actually much more simple than my night routine (believe it or not). I wash my face with Kiehl's Centella Skin-Calming Facial Cleanser to gently remove skin impurities, and I love that this is especially made for sensitive skin types. Next, I spray my face with Avene Thermal Water (yes, I know this isn't a Kiehl's product but it works too), and gently rub it into my skin. I don't really like the thought of tap water being the last kind of water going into my pores before I begin my routine. Then, I use a cotton pad to apply Kiehl's Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence, which is THE BEST toner I've ever used. I saw an immediate difference in the texture of my skin after using it a few times, and noticed the small spots on my chin and cheeks disappear. Now, the next two steps are important. I then apply Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, which is a powerful serum with continuous delivery of 10.5% pure vitamin C. The texture and the appearance of my pores have greatly improved, and I believe my foundation stays put longer during the day. After this serum, I use Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate, one of their newer products. I was actually steering away from facial oils, thinking it would make my skin more oily, but the sales associate said after she used this product, her skin became less oily and brighter. I began using the samples first, then decided to give it a shot. A little goes a long way! Finally, I end my routine with Kiehl's Skin Rescuer Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator, which is a great moisturizer for sensitive skin like mine that reddens easily (this is probably genetic though). And can't forget the sunscreen - I use Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Sunscreen every single day no matter what. I've been using sunscreen since middle school, and I don't think I'll ever regret it. I'm always appalled when some of my girl friends tell me they never use sunscreen on their face... very bad.

Well, here is my morning skincare routine! Do you use any of the same products I use? What are your skincare essentials? I'd love to know in the comments. Have a great weekend!

*This is not a sponsored post.

Okami Kult Winter Lookbook

photographer: Viktor Farkas

models: Samantha Mariko & Sho

produced & designed by: Viktor Farkas for Okami Kult

Meet Okami Kult, a street and art wear brand based in Tokyo, Japan. "Okami" being the Japanese word for "wolf," Okami embodies an original combination of cute and scary. Check out it's new winter collection now up on their online shop here. For your inner okami :)

今日はオオカミを紹介したいと思います。ん？本物のオオカミじゃないですよ！東京をベースとしたアートとストリートウェアのブランドです。オオカミは可愛いと恐いを融合した、誰でも着やすいトップスやグッズが人気です。冬コレクションのルックブックも公開されたので、是非チェック！あなたの中のオオカミのために♡