10 Black ballet flats for every occasion

There is always a party or some other function going on in Tokyo, and of course, I like to look my best. But in a city like Tokyo where most people don't own cars and have to take public transportation to get from place to place, walking in heels for long periods of time is not a smart option. Which is why I'm introducing 10 ballet flats from Shopbop that are acceptable and reasonably priced. For more options, check out Shopbop.com Take your pick :)

1. Melissa Melissa + Jeremy Scott Space Love Flats // 2. Melissa Space Love III Flats // 3. Melissa Space Love Flower + Alexandre Herchkovitch // 4. Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats // 5. Diane von Furstenberg Cambridge Ballet Flats // 6. Kate Spade New York Willa Flats // 7. Tory Burch Gemini Link Bow Flats // 8. Rebecca Minkoff Faye Flats // 9. Madewell d'Orsay Flats // 10. Sam Edelman Reema d'Orsay Flat


東京に住んでると、毎週、毎月のようにパーティーかイベントが何かしら行われます。もちろんお披露目の場なので、ちゃんとした格好をしたいものです。ですが、東京みたいに、電車やバス、歩きでの移動が多い街だと、長期間ヒールを履く訳にはいきません。そこで、今回はお洒落なバレーフラットトップ１０をShopbopより紹介したいと思います！パーティーの場でももちろん合うし、値段もリーズナブル。他のフラットシューズを見たい方は、是非Shopbop.comをチェックして下さい♪

This post is sponsored by Shopbop.com

Farfetch x Unfollow contest - Summer festival style

vest: Forever 21

T-shirt: Le Ciel Bleu

shorts: vintage Levi's

boots: Sam Edelman

bag: Kate Spade Saturday

sunglasses: zeroUV

watch: Fossil

It's almost farewell to summer. But while it's still around, I'm posting a summer festival style that can be worn going into fall. Farfetch Japan asked me to join their contest in collaboration with "Unfollow (#unfollowers)," or innovators who don't follow trends but rather inspire others through their unique style. For the contest, I was asked to create the perfect summer festival outfit using items from their site, and also my own OOTD snaps with items from my own wardrobe. For me, comfort and style are both very important when going to a summer festival - you are most likely standing all day in pretty severe weather, but you also want to look your best. I opted for some casual pieces that weren't too loud but also practical for a day in the sun. And a little bit of suede is perfect for a late-summer festival or event. This suede fringed vest from Forever 21 is one of my favorite pieces I picked up recently.

夏がとうとう終わりを告げようとしています。でも、まだ少しでも夏の湿気が残っている間、この夏フェスをインスパイアしたコーデをアップしとこうと思います。Farfetch Japan より、「アンフォロー」とのコラボレーション企画が開催されていて、そのコンテストに参加することにしました。「アンフォロワー(#unfollower)」とは、真に自分をらしく生きる掟破りなイノベーターたちのこと。今回のテーマは「夏フェス・パーフェクトコーディネート」です。Farfetchのサイトのアイテムを使って、夏フェスコーデのムードボードを作りました。プラス、自分のワードローブを使用して、秋でも着回せる夏フェスコーデを組んでみました。夏フェスは暑い中立つ時間が長いので、動きやすくて着やすい洋服がベスト。カジュアルでスタイリッシュなアイテムをチョイスしてみました。スウェード素材は秋にもぴったりなので、このForever 21のベストはお気に入りです♡

Filu Sinatra hat // Valentino Garavani rock studs backpack (S) // Givenchy stud-trimmed bodysuit //  See by Chloé Skyla ankle boots // Saint Laurent studded denim shorts 

photos by Paint with Stars Photography

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

my Sam Edelmans from Shopbop

Did you guys do some of your holiday shopping last week during the big sale at Shopbop? I definitely did - I added a new pair of booties to my shoe collection with my Sam Edelman Petty Booties. I love Sam Edelman of course for the quality of the shoes and that they are so affordable for the quality. I also wear my monk strap shoes all the time too :)

For more cute shoes from Sam Edelman, check them out on Shopbop here. 

最近、Sam Edelman の靴にすごいハマってます。この前のShopbopのセールでレザーのブーツをいただきました！すごく可愛い♪上のリンクで是非チェックしてみてね！

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