My dear grandmother

I didn't announce my week-long trip to California this time, because my beloved grandmother passed away suddenly and I needed to spend time with my family. I couldn't believe my ears when my mom called me to tell me the devastating news. My dad had just passed away less than 2 years ago, and this time his mother... I was not planning to have to say good-bye to her so soon. She was the most beautiful woman inside and out, so gracious, caring and loving to everyone around her. I'll truly miss her southern-style cooking, her baking, the stories she told of her childhood, and just being in her presence. She taught me the importance of family and of God, and to keep them close to your heart. Grandma, you will be truly missed by many. I love you and miss you so much. May you rest in peace and watch over us from Heaven with Dad. 

OUTFIT | Black and white with a hoodie on top

jacket: AUMNIE

T-shirt: Adidas

jeans: Madewell

shoes: Vans

sunglasses: zero UV

I'm back in my hometown but only for a short week. I thought I would do a quick outfit post with photos courtesy of my youngest brother. He was nice enough to let me borrow his skateboard even though I can't skateboard for the life of me. We've been spending a lot of brother/sister time since we don't get to see each other often. And to do that, I need to be in the most comfortable outfit - a good ol' T-shirt & jeans.

今週、急遽一週間だけ実家に戻っています。あまりブログを更新できていないので、昨日のOOTDをアップします！弟が撮ってくれたもの。スケボーも貸してくれて、私はおそるおそるバランスを取っているところをパシャリ。OCにいる間はやっぱりカジュアルがベストだなあ。Tシャツとジーンズで十分！

All photos by E. Rhodes

daily beauty essentials

Eos Travel Size Everyday Hand Lotion, Maybelline The Nudes Eye Shadow Palette,

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur, 

zero UV Round Circle Cat Eye Sunglasses

Over the past few years, I've gotten into a guilty habit of trying new beauty products and not finishing them because a) it didn't work for me or b) I found something better. I think I'm getting better about it especially when it comes to skincare products, since I want to make the most of the money I spent on it (good skincare ain't cheap!). But I did pick up a few drugstore products that I've been wanting to try, and they're proving to be good enough to stay in my makeup bag, at least for a while. A heavenly-scented hand lotion in a cute, round bottle that's perfect for traveling; a $10 eye shadow palette with all nude and brown shades imaginable with easy application; and the most amazing BB cream/ foundation that will glide across your skin and cover most blemishes and imperfections. The Shu Uemura is undoubtedly a staple in my makeup bag, since I stopped using mascara but need a little oomph in my lashes. And because we always need a cute pair of cat-eye sunglasses :) 

私は、常に新しい美容グッズを集めて使ってみるのが大好きです。でも、結構最後まで使わないことが多いので、少し控えるようには心がけているのですが。。最近、ドラッグストアのブランドで、興味があった商品をいくつか購入して、今のところとても使いやすく、気に入っています。ピンクの丸いボトルのハンドクリームはお出かけ用にぴったりで、とても使いやすいです。メイベリンのアイシャドーパレットはヌード系の色が全部そろっていて、アプリケーションもスムーズ。ラロッシュポゼのBBクリームファンデーションはびっくりするくらい塗り心地が良く、カバー力もいい感じ！忙しい朝には持ってこいのベースメークです。Shu Uemuraのビューラーは欠かさず使っていて、キャットアイのサングラスは可愛いから♪

Sugamo, a different side of Tokyo

In my previous post, I mentioned that Sugamo is a little part of Tokyo that is unlike the heavily populated areas like Shibuya or Shinjuku. The "Shoutengai" districts with rows of mom and pop shops seem to be slowly disappearing, as larger supermarkets and department stores take their places. One of my favorite things about Japan, though, is their preservation of tradition, and that people of my generation can still enjoy what still remains of it. I can't express in just words or pictures how excited and happy I was as Lisa and I explored this adorable shoutengai, but I tried my best!

Like I was told by a friend a while back, Sugamo is definitely heavily populated with folks of the older generation (hence the "Harajuku of the old ladies"). It's also originally known for the Koganji temple that is located halfway down the street, which is home to the Togenuki Jizo (diety of the children). The Jizo pictured at the bottom is actually not Togenjuki Jizo, but one that was located right outside the entrance of the shoutengai. It seemed a little lonely and out of place, but beautiful nonetheless in the late afternoon sun. I thoroughly enjoyed my mini excursion in Sugamo, especially the delicious rice crackers I bought as souvenirs!

前回の記事ににも書きましたが、巣鴨は「東京じゃない東京」です。とういと、新宿や渋谷みたいに慌ただしく、人が多すぎることはなく、穏やかで昔ながらの日本の商店街で今もにぎわっている場所です。私は歴史と文化が詰まっている場所が好きで、巣鴨も改めて好きになりました。商店街でお買い物をしているおじいさんおばあさんを通りかかると、心が癒されました。高岩寺で一息したり、可愛らしいおせんべい屋さんでお地蔵せんべいをお土産で買ったり。東京ではあまり経験できないゆったりとした時間を過ごすことができました。

photos by Paint with Stars and Samantha Mariko

OUTFIT | JUST LIKE ME YOU CAN PLAY WORK LOVE

sweater: Metrocity

skirt: Forever 21

sunglasses: zero UV

hat: New Era

shoes: adidas 

When one thinks of Tokyo, 90% of the time they imagine crowded, neon light-flashing streets of bustling Shibuya, Shinjuku or colorful Harajuku. But honestly, there is more to Tokyo than those tourist-favorite locations. Lisa of Paint with Stars and I share a liking for the more quiet and traditional areas in Tokyo, and Sugamo turned out to be one of them. Sugamo's population is known to be made up of mostly the older generation, so you can see many grandmas and grandpas strolling the "Shoutengai," or shopping district near Sugamo station. We were pleasantly surprised at this famous shopping district, as there were store after store of mom and pop shops selling traditional Japanese sweets, delicacies and home-made side dishes that are a must for real Japanese cuisine. And I think it is somewhat of a tourist location to visit the statues of Ojizo-san, or Jiao, the guardian diety of children. I'll be posting more pictures of all this later on.

I've introduced the brand Metrocity in this post, and this time I've styled an outfit around this pink neoprene sweater. Pink is my favorite color, but I hardly ever wear it, so this sweater was a really nice change for me. I kept everything else simple in color, with the gray draped skit and white cap & sneakers. And I just love these fun sunglasses courtesy of zero UV - a cute accessory always makes the outfit. Would you wear sunglasses with a logo on them? 

東京- 都心エリアの新宿、渋谷や華やかな原宿をすぐ思い浮かぶかもしれません。でも、目を見開けば、東京にはもっと面白い場所があるんです。最近、久しぶりに巣鴨に立ち寄りました。カメラマンのリサさんとお散歩がてら、巣鴨の商店街を楽しみました。とても穏やかで、たくさんのおじいさんおばあさんが行き来していたので、可愛らしい場所だなと、思いました。小さなお店がずらりと並んでいて、どれも美味しそうでした！お地蔵さんも久しぶりに見れたので、来てよかったと思いました。

今回は、Metrocityのネオプレンのプルオーバーをメインにコーデを組んでみました。ピンクは大好きだけど、あまり着ない色なので、いい気分転換でした。キラキラのロゴもすごく可愛い！zero UV のロゴ入りサングラスでダブルロゴ。ちょっとオーバーだったかな？

All photos by Paint with Stars Photography