Earth tones in Kichijoji

(coat: Topshop; dress: Zara; boots: Sam Edelman;

clutch: Wego; scarf: Azul by moussy)

One of my good friends is leaving the country for a month, so I'm glad I got to spend some time with him this evening in Kichijoji, aka the most popular place to live in Tokyo. My first time in Kichijoji and I loved it. We had hot wine with honey & cinnamon, strolled through the edge of Inogashira Park (gorgeous sunset), and had delicious eggplant basil pizza at the cutest pizza parlor. The little streets are full of all sorts of shops and cafes, it's endless. I must go back again soon.

It's gotten much colder since I left for California, and I'm still adjusting the Japanese winter. That's when my teddy coat from Topshop comes in handy. I shopped through the Zara sale yesterday and picked out this maxi dress for only 2000 yen (20 US dollars). The side slit makes all the difference. I have a good/bad habit of leaning towards relaxed earth tones, but my friend convinced me I need to update my wardrobe for a new me in 2015. Let's do it!

今日は初めて吉祥寺へ！私にとって、とても印象的な町となりました。可愛いカフェやお店がたくさんあり、井の頭公園も素敵でした。蜂蜜とシナモンのほっとワインで暖まり、なすとバジルのピッツアを友達と食べながら色々な話をしました。天気は良いにも関わらず、相変わらず寒いので、Topshopのテディーコートは大活躍。そして、この前Zaraのセールでゲットしたワンピもお気に入り。普段はおとなしい色合いに手が行ってしまいますが、今年はもうちょっとワードローブをアップデートしようかなー。

Love,

Samantha

Desigual 2015 SS Collection Preview Party

I know that my most recent posts are all about 2015 Spring/Summer collection previews in Tokyo, but I have one more! This was actually a party - the Desigual 2015 SS Collection preview party that took place in Daikanyama, one of the more stylish areas in Tokyo. I've known the brand Desigual growing up in California, but never really shopped there. After attending this party, I realized how colorful and energetic their brand aesthetic is - I loved it! As you can (hopefully) tell by the photos, Desigual did a great job hosting this party. All the guests received a flower upon entrance, had delicious hors d'oeuvres and drinks, awesome neon paint-splattered walls for photo opps, and great music by DJs such as Mademoiselle Yulia (was lucky enough to get a photo with her, too!). I went with some of the members from my agency, and it's always so good to spend time with them at these events. Thanks Desigual for an awesome party!

最近の記事はほとんど２０１５SSの展示会についてなんですけど、あともう一つあります！先週、マンサード代官山でDesigualの２０１５SSコレクションプレビューパーティーが開催されました。本当に華やかで楽しいパーティーでした！このブランドがこんなに明るくて、楽しいブランドだということが、すぐ伝わりました。ネオンのペンキで塗られた壁もすごくいい感じだった ♪今回は、事務所のメンバーとパーティータイム♪みんな大好き！最後に、Mademoiselle Yuliaさんとパシャリ！彼女は音楽やファッションに関しては、本当に憧れです♪

Check out Desigual's website here for more on the brand :)

By the way, Shopbop's biggest sale event of the year ends TODAY so go shopping before it's too late! Ends 11:59 PM PT so hurry hurry:)

Love,

Samantha

OUTFIT | black on black

(Duster cardigan: Zara (similar dusters here); T-shirt: Uniqlo (similar black shirts here); 

pants: Le Ciel Bleu (similar cropped pants here and here); shoes: Sam Edelman via Shop Bop; clutch: Wego (similar black clutches here); rings: Good After Nine)

photos by Lisa from Paint with Stars

Here is part II in continuation from my last post featuring GOOD AFTER NINE, the coolest jewelry brand out there. I'm clad in all black yet again, but I wouldn't have it any other way (most of the time). Especially in this duster cardigan I got at Zara earlier this season - I seriously fell in love the minute I laid eyes on it. It literally flows in the wind like a cape. My Sam Edelmans also make their official debut in an outfit post. These are so comfortable, I can see myself wearing them everyday like my Vans... My two favorite items at the moment. And of course, my animal rings :) More details about that in my last post here!

I'm going to Okinawa for work in a few days, SO stoked for that. I've been wanting to go there since I  was 12. Cannot contain my excitement.

Love,

Samantha Mariko

Thom Browne New York 1st Anniversary Cocktail Party

Tonight, I attended the Thom Browne New York 1st Anniversary Cocktail Party in Aoyama. I had a great time with my managers and 2 of the girls in my agency, Moeko and Hikaru. The cocktail party was a success - all 3 floors of the store were open to guests, and there was a photo booth where guests were able to get a printed photo with a life-size Thom Browne dress-up doll (you could choose from several dapper outfits). And I had the honor of meeting Mr. Browne himself at the end - he was so sweet! Of course he was in his trademark gray set-up with the red, white and blue-striped emblem. What a gorgeous brand and party. I think Thom Browne is a new favorite of mine.

I was out all day today, so I dressed up in comfort and style with a hat and my new Steve Madden x Peace Love Shea loafers from Shop Bop. My shirt, knit sweater and hat are all from Uniqlo, and my jeans are from Le Ciel Bleu. I actually got the sweater last winter, but here are some similar black knit sweaters. More cute loafers and other flat shoes here on Shop Bop :)

Check out the rest of the Thom Browne New York 2014 AW collection here.

More photos coming soon from nicolai bergmann x FURLA Capsule Collection Party! Stay tuned!

Love,

Samantha Mariko

NEW IN | my fall shoe collection

Some of the shoes I had ordered online finally arrived this weekend. I was in serious need of some loafers and ankle booties, and well, here they are. The more higher-quality shoes I add to my collection, I realize time and time again how important it is to have good-looking shoes.



From left to right:
Sam Edelman Balfour Monk Strap Flats
Sam & Libby Kirstie Chelsea Boots from Target
Steve Madden x Peace Love Shea Ventura Loafers



You can shop for the perfect pair of flat shoes here, or find a pair of cute boots here at Shop Bop.

Shop Bop is my favorite place to go shoe shopping, since it is so difficult to find shoes in my size in Japan (big feet problems).


Have you started shoe shopping for fall/winter? <3



Love,

Samantha Mariko

OUTFIT | pitch black in the sun

Hey guys, happy Monday!

(sweater: Uniqlo; pants: Le Ciel Bleu (similar pants here); backpack: Mono (similar backpack here);

shoes: Vans; sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs)

photos by Lisa from Paint with Stars

You probably won't believe me when I say it's been raining all day today, because just a few days ago it was so sunny! I spent a quick afternoon in Okachimachi with Lisa the other day, a stop on the Yamanote line that I've actually never gotten off at before. It proved to be a very cute area, with traditional-looking vending streets reminiscent of "old Japan." 

I've been shopping at Uniqlo a lot lately, mainly because they have so many good collaboration lines at the moment. This sweat top I'm wearing is from the "Urban Sweats" line designed by Alexandre Plokhov, designer for Helmut Lang. You have to check out the other sweats! They are all in either gray or black and I seriously wish I had them all! I also bought a pair of sweat pants, which I hope to be posting on the blog soon. I decided to add more black to this outfit to make the sweater look as urban as possible with black pants, my vans, and my favorite Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses that Shop Bop was kind enough to send me. More cool sunglasses from the brand here at Shopbop :)

It seems like Uniqlo is opening up more branches outside of Japan - is it in or near your hometown? It recently opened up a shop in Orange County where I'm from!

Love,

Samantha Mariko