Saturday, May 31, 2014

modern-day cleopatra


photos by Jason Mordeno
Hair & makeup by Azusa


Sorry for not posting in a week! The office move I mentioned in my last post and getting used to the new location kind of took up my energy... but I have been working on updating my blog and start-up for my Youtube channel. I appreciate you all for being so patient and supportive!!

I received some more photos from a photo shoot I did with Jason Mordeno back in March (other photos here). He submitted these to a magazine, but unfortunately the magazine didn't accept them so I am now able to post them here for public view. We were going for the modern-day Cleopatra look, especially with my hair. Jason and Azusa did a fantastic job :)



Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my last post! Have an amazing weekend guys!



Much love,

Samantha Mariko


Monday, May 26, 2014

monday mornings



The weekend zipped by for me, and it's already Monday again. The office I work at during the week is moving today, so I know I'll be pretty busy with that and adjusting to the new location. Since it's becoming humid as it is approaching June in just one more week (wow!), I opted for some of my sweat-proof makeup essentials, which I'll be introducing in my monthly series soon :) Also working on launching my Youtube channel so stay tuned!
And so excited about my upcoming collaboration with Skywatch! I received a beautiful new watch - white which is perfect to wear with all-white, colorful summer outfits. 


I hope everyone has a fantastic week! 




Much love,

Samantha Mariko






Sunday, May 18, 2014

stripes & denim at the sanja matsuri in asakusa


(dress: H&M; vest: Forever 21; purse: Suzutan; shoes: New Balance)


It's matsuri (festival) season again, and I was so excited to go to the Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa for the 2nd year in a row with my friend Alisa. The weather was perfect, a great start to the weekend. We stuffed ourselves with too much food, but somehow still managed to find room in our stomaches for dessert. Since I knew it would be warm and the day would consist of mostly walking, I opted for this striped H&M dress with my old Forever 21 denim which I haven't worn in forever, and adding some comfortable color with my New Balances. 


Also, I'd like to announce the winner for the Eden the Collection giveaway, which ended on Thursday. Congratulations to Becky Young on winning the blue leopard tassel kimono!
Thanks all for entering the giveaway!!


Hope you all are enjoying your weekend :)





Love,

Samantha Mariko









Wednesday, May 14, 2014

my monthly favorites #1 - Korean skincare





Whenever I look through blogs on Bloglovin', I always love reading about monthly or weekly beauty product favorites on beauty blogs. I've written posts about my favorite skincare or makeup products, but I thought, maybe I should do it in a more consistent manner. So, here is my monthly favorite series #1! 


My favorite Korean skincare products this month: I recently read an article about the steps taken for the ultimate Korean skincare routine on Into the Gloss, and I went to the Korea town , Shinokubo, in Tokyo a few days later to pick up some of the mentioned products. Although not exactly the same brands, I think they are just as good.






I'm still on the lookout for the perfect makeup remover + cleanser, and I think I am getting close. Nature Republic's Magic Remover does a decent job of removing even waterproof makeup (I always use waterproof mascara, and it removes 90% of it). The sales clerk also recommended the Green Tea Cleansing Oil, which is gentle enough for sensitive skin like mine, and removes all traces of makeup. After using this the first time, I used witchhazel to see if it really removed all of my makeup, and I am happy to say it did. If you have ever used the Oil Cleansers by Shu Uemura, they are very similar.






I added 2 more steps to my post-cleansing skincare routine - once a week or every two weeks, I use the Skin Food Rice Mask Wash Off to exfoliate my skin. I decided to get the rice one instead of the sugar mask introduced in the article because I hear good things about using rice products on skin. I apply the Etude House collagen moistfull first essence after my toner (I use one from Muji), which leaves my skin really dewy and, well.... moist. My last step is a night cream from Origin.






You can never have too much body lotion! I was immediately hooked with the Holika Holika Pure Natural Honey Oatmeal Moisture Body Lotion because it smells sooo good - the perfect amount of sweetness. It really does leave my skin soft and moisturized.


Do you use any Korean skincare products or cosmetics? If I find any good recommendations on Korean Cosmetics, I might want to try some next time!



Also, don't forget to enter the Eden the Collection Giveaway, which ends TOMORROW!!! Hurry hurry :) You don't want to miss it!


Thanks for reading!






Love,

Samantha Mariko


Sunday, May 11, 2014

Cosmo Pops Best 10 with Amy Ota on Tokyo FM




Yesterday, I went to Roppongi Midtown to watch my friend Amy's live radio show on Tokyo FM! 
She is the MC for a program called "Cosmo Pops Best 10," which is broadcasted live every Saturday from 15:00~ 15:30. 

This was my first time watching her present the program live, and I was so impressed by her performance! She takes her job very seriously, and I could tell she was having a great time introducing the music on the show. She had interviewed The Royal Concept, a Swedish group who just released their EP, "Royal" (I love their music! I already downloaded it from iTunes:)). Their music, which is a combination of dance-pop and alternative rock, is fun to listen to and dance-able, which I really like.

If you live in Japan, you should definitely tune in on Saturdays to listen to Cosmo Pops! 
Great job, Amy <3






Love,

Samantha Mariko



p.s. Don't forget to enter the Eden the Collection giveaway here! You can win a gorgeous blue leopard tassel kimono :) Ends on Thursday!!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

first appearance on Japanese variety TV - 「世界の日本人妻は見た」




Last week, I had one of the most amazing job opportunities - I was asked to be on a popular Japanese variety TV show on TBS called 「世界の日本人妻は見た」("Sekaino Nihonjinzuma wa Mita"). Every week, ladies of different ethnicities living in Japan are invited to share their experiences from their home country as the entire cast watch clips of the latest trends and other interesting tidbits from those countries. 

昨夜、TBSの「世界の日本人妻は見た」というバラエティー番組に初出演しました!

The episode that I was in aired last night, and it was a 2 hour special about Jakarta and Los Angeles. Because I grew up in the LA/ OC area, I was lucky enough to be on the show. Some of the LA trends that were introduced: healthy/ detox drinks, popular brunch dishes, DIY, and pets. The show was actually filmed about a week ago, but I didn't get to see myself on screen until the actual airing last night, so I was a bit nervous how I would appear on TV >< I was on national Japanese TV for a few short minutes (to introduce one of my favorite dogs, Boo!), but I am so thankful for this opportunity, and also for my family, friends, coworkers, and others who have told me they watched me on TV! Thank you so, so much!!!


夢のような経験をさせていただきました。素敵な出演者とスタッフの方とお仕事ができて、本当に光栄です。感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです!見てくださった皆さん、ありがとうございました!!



Love,

Samantha Mariko


Sunday, May 4, 2014

lauderdale & andy warhol




My Sunday afternoon was spent in Roppongi Hills with my good friend Amy. We had a delicious brunch at Lauderdale (their eggs benedict and soufflé are to die for), and went to the Andy Warhol exhibit at Mori Art Museum. We were able to see over 700 pieces of art, including photographs, drawings, and the very famous acrylic on silk screen artwork. I'm so glad I was able to see this amazing exhibit. 



Happy weekend :)



Love,

Samantha Mariko

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Eden the Collection Launch and Giveaway (ENDED)






Hi everyone!

I am excited to announce the launch of Eden the Collection's website and lookbook, as well as an amazing giveaway for my readers! 







photos by Lisa from Paint with Stars



I had the privilege of modeling for Eden's new line of gorgeous pieces, including tassel kimonos, tops,  dresses, and accessories. The collection truly embodies a free-spirited lifestyle - each piece is wearable on any occasion, and is guaranteed to make a fashion statement. The designer is inspired by her travels all around the world, and has also incorporated Japanese tradition into her newest pieces, including the tassel kimonos and her clutches made from vintage obi (worn with traditional kimonos). 


This photo shoot was special for me also because I was able to shoot with Lisa from Paint with Stars. She is one of my good friends in Tokyo, and an amazing photographer (we recently did the cherry blossom shoot together). Every time I work with her, I am always blown away at her talent and the way she captures the clothes, the lighting, everything. She never disappoints. 




Now, without further ado, the giveaway!





In collaboration with Eden the Collection, I will be giving away a blue leopard tassel kimono to one lucky reader. Please follow Eden the Collection on Facebook, one of my social media, and leave a comment with your email on this post to enter the giveaway. You may follow more than one for more entries through Rafflecopter. 

The giveaway will end May 15th, 2014 at 12:AM  PDT.






You can check out Eden the Collection on Facebook and their website here. :)


Thanks and hope you enjoy the website and lookbook!




Love,

Samantha Mariko