An all-black uniform

I'm currently reading 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami and it's one of the most interesting reads I've had in a while. I decided to start reading it without reading any summaries or reviews, and it was nothing like I had expected, which is a good thing. Sometimes picking up a book and not expecting the expected is refreshing, similar to how life throws you curveballs. Exactly 4 years have passed by since I moved to Japan, and these 4 years have shown me how unexpected life really is. Some food for thought.

今、村上春樹さんの「１Q８４」を読んでいるのですが、今まで読んだ本の中で多分一番ユニークな設定だと思います。あらすじやレビューを読まずに読んでみようと思い、想像していたものとは全然違う世界だったのがびっくり。でも、いいことなんです。新しい本を選んで、全く想像していなかったお話に突入出来るのは、良い気分転換にもなります。人生に想像外の出来事があるような。私も日本着てからすでに４年が経ち、この４年の間、人生はどれだけ色んな出来事があるかを思い知らされました。多分、これからもまだまだ続くでしょうね。ちょっと考え事。

top: Topshop; pants: Zara; choker: Asos; shoes: Asos; sunglasses: zeroUV; watch: BABY-G

All photos by Gabriel Perez.

The Lab, Costa Mesa

I spent my last day in California, mostly with my brother because he suggested going shopping (which ended up being my shopping trip), and then the three of us with my mom for his birthday dinner. I always love shopping at The LAB in Costa Mesa because of how hipster it is and the perfect photo spots throughout the area. Going through these photos is making me miss home already. But Tokyo will suffice as home for me now.

カリフォルニアでの最終日は、弟とお買い物をして、最後に弟の誕生日を祝いに、母と三人でディナーに行きました。ショッピングはコスタメサのThe Labでするのが一番好き。日本にはないお洒落感で溢れていて、撮影スポットとしても最適です。この写真を見返すと、実家がすでに恋しくなります。でも、東京は現在の「家」で十分です。

top: Topshop; scarf: Tobi; jeans: Madewell, sandals: Steve Madden; sunglasses: ZeroUV; clutch: Dezso

All photos by R. Rhodes

OUTFIT | Short hair & statement earrings (plus a video!)

coat: Topshop (similar here)

dress: Zara (similar here)

boots: Dr. Martens

earrings: SLY

sunglasses: Free People

clutch: Wego

And the bob becomes shorter. I think this is the shortest I've ever had my hair, and I absolutely love it. Having the perfect cut can really add a sophisticated touch to an outfit. And with my shorter 'do, I thought it would be a good opportunity to try some statement earrings. I fell in love with these gorgeous earrings from SLY at their 2015 SS Exhibition, and I was even happier when they finally arrived. Can't wait to wear them in the summer with lighter attire.

It's been raining a bit this past weekend and the beginning of the week, which is why I opted for my Doc Martens - they are the best waterproof boots, ever. Luckily, it stopped raining by the time Lisa and I shot these photos in Shinjuku. She was also kind enough to shoot footage for my 2nd Youtube video, and first OOTD video. It's really short, simple and to the point, and hopefully we were able to deliver the essence of Shinjuku, one of the more interesting and sometimes crazy locations in Tokyo. Thanks for watching.<3

また髪の毛をバッサリ切りました！多分、人生で一番短いです。でも、やっぱり綺麗めのショートボブはお洒落だし、色々な服に合う気がする。今回は、SLYの展示会に行ったとき一目惚れしたジュエリーイアリングを付けてみました。色が本当に綺麗です！そして、最近はなぜか雨の日が続いているので、この日は愛用している白のドックマーチンをチョイス。私にとって、持ってこいの雨靴です！今回のコーデは、私の好きなちょっとヴィンテージ風に。あと、ビデオも作ってみました！是非見てみてください♪

All 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

OUTFIT | Autumn leaves and winter coats

(coat: Topshop; top: Topshop; denim: Le Ciel Bleu; boots: Target;

glasses chains: Alma chains; ring: Good After Nine; satchel: Kate Spade Saturday;

sunglasses: (similar sunglasses from Shopbop))

photo by Lisa from Paint with Stars

Fall in Japan is gorgeous. Even in the city, you can experience the changes in season at countless parks, Kitanomaru Park being one of them. Lisa asked me if I would be interested in doing a fall-inspired photo shoot this weekend, adding that the foliage should be pretty around this time. And she was right. Leaves of all colors - red, orange, yellow, green - surrounded this little park. 

I've been looking for a new coat all season, and this faux fur poodle coat really coat my attention at Topshop. I wasn't planning to buy a brown coat (was looking around for a black or gray one), but the black on was not available in my size. Turns out, this camel one wasn't so bad - it actually gives off a vintage vibe that could work with some of the pieces in my closet. It went perfectly with the mini satchel bag courtesy of Kate Spade Saturday Japan :)

Having that perfect jacket or coat is so important, which is probably why it takes me so long until I find one. I mean, it is a pretty big investment! Here are some other cute selections of faux fur jackets and coats from Shopbop that I found (many of them are discounted!).

先日、カメラマンのリサさんの提案で、九段下の北の丸公園で今回のコーディネートの写真を撮ってもらいました。紅葉が旬の様で、ものすごく綺麗でした！今年の新しいコートをずっと探していたのですが、この前Topshopで買い物をしていたとき、このレトロ風のプードルフェークファーコートを発見。とても暖かく、今期は大活躍してくれそうなキャメルコートをチョイスしました。Kate Spade Saturday Japan から頂いたミニクロスボディーと相性抜群！フェークファーコートやジャケットをお探しの方は、私がShopbopでみつけたセレクションを是非見てみて下さい :)

[[And hey SoundCloud users!! My new song is now available on SoundCloud for your listening pleasure :) Check it out!]]

It's starting to get bitter cold out here in Tokyo, stay warm guys!

Love,

Samantha