Hello from Moscow! I stopped by my beloved Singapore for 48 hours before I jetted off to Russia. It was a long flight but oh-so worth it.
This would explain me MIA-ing for the past week. “Love it when I’m in three cities in one week,” quipped my fiancé. He is quite the road warrior because of his work, so he was in Tokyo last Monday, Singapore on Tuesday and Wednesday, then a touch down in Moscow on Friday. I did the same and it does feel a little surreal but I guess that’s the only way to celebrate the last dregs of summer.
Let’s do a short one today in the city of borscht, onion domes, old world grandiose and a fast-paced nouveau riche lifestyle…
+ Red Square’s St Basil’s Cathedral (pictured above) is the ultimate icon of Moscow and it was truly majestic in person. It was built by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century to commemorate the conquest of Moscow from the Mongolian Tatars.
+ Finding ever reliable brands like Head & Shoulders shampoo and L’Oreal Elseve conditioner which are my go-to haircare in any foreign land, from Bali to Sydney to Moscow!
+ A lovely birthday lunch at Botanika, a quaint natural foods restaurant in the quiet neighborhood of Tverskoy. It has an extensive veg-friendly menu with plenty of meat options plus a drool worthy dessert list. It was the fiance’s choice and I felt spoiled with cucumber sushi, Chinese spring rolls, grilled zucchini, a savoury mushroom and potato stir fry and a Belgian waffle drizzled with a mixed berry sauce, that was rounded off with a warm pot of chamomile tea.
+ Turning a year older and feeling good about it. I am loving that my confidence grows stronger as I go along this path called Life.
+ Tis a cool summer in Moscow, despite the dismal forest fire reports early on this month. It feels like spring in Tokyo where the afternoons are warm and the nights are cool enough for boots and jackets.
+ Gorgeous Russian folks. No wonder this country churns out models like no tomorrow. I don’t know what they do but I want to find out their beauty secrets!
+ Riding a terrifyingly twisty roller coaster at Gorky Park on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
I’ve been in Australia for over two weeks now so let’s do a Things I Love from the land Down Under…
+ Big white beaches in the Whitsundays and then the city pace in Sydney.
+ Crisp winter mornings and cosy rainy afternoons. I know it’s boiling hot in the northern hemisphere right now and I certainly appreciate the cooler clime here.
+ Warm personable peeps. I always hear, “No worries!” everywhere I go and it’s so charming.
+ Feeling fresh and pampered by Aveeno’s shower cream that oozes lavender, ylang ylang, and chamomile. I packed pretty light but that meant I got to try new products!
+ Passionfruit, banana, berries, almond milk smoothies daily. Passionfruit is 60 cents a pop here – big sigh, that would never happen in Tokyo.
+ Dessert Essence organic jojoba oil – this truly is a lifesaver and I have raved about this before here. My chin had very flaky skin and within two days of using it, my skin returned to normal. It doubles up as a body lotion for me too because I’ve run out of my fave shea body butter from The Body Shop.
+ Catching up with friends over long brunches and meeting new additions to their broods.
+ Being wrapped up in my polka dot scarf and faux tan leather jacket and holding hands when it’s really chilly.
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+ Gazing at summer yukatas (cotton kimonos) and wondering when I’ll get around to wearing one. Usually, Japanese women wear yukatas to a matsuri (festival), eg. fireworks, called hanabi, , or watching fireflies like the one I went to in Nagano two weekends ago.
I heard the yukata is actually quite uncomfortable, with its tight obi (belt) and wooden geta, traditional wooden slippers, but it looks so sweet and feminine… I like dark blue yukatas with pink and purple prints like this, and this, and this.
+ Summer sales. The hot weather makes me want to get more airy tops and cotton Capri pants to stave off the heat.
+ Taking two showers a day, turning off the hot water tap and just dousing myself in ice cold water… and loving it. You should try it — it’ll get rid of any sluggishness instantly.
+ Paul & Joe cosmetics. I’m a fan of pretty packaging but what’s inside must be good, too! I have a review on a makeup base I bought recently coming up in this space.
+ Giving and receiving omiyage (souvenirs; usually snacks or dessert-like munchies). If you go on a trip, you’re sort of expected, or it would be the polite/nice thing to do, to buy some snacks as small gifts for co-workers and friends. I don’t approve of it if you feel obligated, but if you really want to give a gift, it feels lovely to have someone say “Thank you!” and like your tiny token. It’s a great way to build relationships in Japan where I’m learning that actions truly speak louder than words.
+ The anticipation of summer and strawberries in my garden. That’s a photo of our first red strawberry this season.
+ Being back in my own home and spring cleaning. I always feel like I’m ready to take on the world after a big clean. Don’t you agree?
+ Reading new Japanese blogs like *it will stop raining. It’s so simple (the blogger posts photos about her meals) but you’ll find lovely layers under layers and you realize it’s really not about food at the end of the day. Here’s another gem.
+ Discovering the world of anime lovers who try to replicate food showcased in anime movies, eg. My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery. Sugoyi…
+ Spending time with my better half in Tokyo. It always makes this city sweeter.
+ Reading about what values are important to Japanese people.
This is the first part (out of five) of one episode and you can watch the rest on Youtube.
+ Following a Japanese show about beautiful middle-aged women, called majotachi, 魔女たち, which means magical women. This weekday programme is different from other TV shows, I must say.
Every Tuesday on Fuji TV (Channel 4), 10pm, this hour-long talk show features incredible “feats” done by mature women. Last night’s episode showed a 44-year-old woman who had a 29-year-old boyfriend and his friends/colleagues were shocked that she was middle-aged despite looking like she’s his age.
There were more dramatic stories that were told. For example, an over-40 izakaya owner raised eight children on her own, took on three jobs, and still looks like a million dollars — and was mistaken for her 21-year-old eldest son’s girlfriend! Another much-talked about episode featured a female body builder who was over 40 and works out daily to achieve her muscular frame — a rarity in Japan where women take pride in being dainty and petite.
Also popular are women who had heavy debts to pay or serious illnesses and they rise from the ashes rich and looking even more gorgeous than ever. Some women on the show are also over 50 and they actually look as good as 30-something women. It’s pretty inspirational stuff — I’m hooked.
+ My new ultra marine sweater dress from Zara. It’s brrr freezing in Tokyo right now so no more flimsy tops and cardis and heavy duty turtlenecks are in order. Click here to find out what shade of blue ultra marine is. This color is on the streets on women everywhere – love it!
+ Marc Jacobs’s Daisy body lotion that is rich and creamy. The weather has been gray and dreary all week so I was feeling fed up. For a pick-me-up, his classic spring fragrance put me in a happy mood all day. I kept marveling at how rounded this citrus-floral perfume develops as the day goes on (plus remaining as fresh as when you sprayed it!) and certainly stands out from the crowd of citrus-florals on the market — it’s no wonder because it won Fragrance of the Year in 2008.
+ Pocketwarmers, hokkario, in my socks. I don’t take to the cold well at all so I use up to four of these babies a day. For those not familiar with pocketwarmers, they are small sachets filled with a special metal that gives off heat when exposed to the air. I know you guys up on the US East Coast are shivering so I would highly recommend using these, instead of turning on your furnace full blast and getting unnecessary wrinkles.
+ Discovering Twilight Beauty cosmetics. I’m such a fan of the Twilight series and can’t wait to see New Moon at my nearest cinema.
+ Is it weird if I said I’m loving turtle-necks in these chilly times? I like them because I don’t have to wear a scarf and my black knit one literally cuts the pounds out of my torso. What’s your fave winter piece?
+ Wearing my latest “fall/winter” eye shadow combination: Bobbi Brown’s Cognac 13 Metallic Eye Shadow which is a lovely dusky brown and Clinique’s Quick Eyes Cream Shadow 09 Glimmering Gold that highlights with a chic finish.
+ My floor heater. A lot of people find it amusing that my floor gets toasty with just a flip of a switch. Apparently it’s more common in Korea where winters are much harsher.
Let’s do a special edition of Things I Love…..in NYC. Yup, I’m still in the US and I got back from Toronto and Niagara Falls yesterday night — I’m a bit tired but am feeling lucky that I get to travel loads and visit old friends. On the downside, the weather is cold and dry, so of course I had to nose around for wintry beauty fixes. Here are the American beauty products I’ve come to adore in my stay so far…
+ Fashion magazines, Sweet and Spring, that give adorable freebies like Jill Stuart cosmetic cases and Anna Sui travel wallets. I can’t wait to use them for my upcoming NYC trip.
+ Discovering a bbcream, SINN, that is made in Japan, and what got me even more excited is it’s natural and organic. It’s a bit pricey but I think it’s worth it when you pay more to take care of your skin.
+ It’s officially fall, so out come ultra-chic boots and coats.
+ Making my own vegan kimchi — my neighbourhood has several Korean grocers so finding the ingredients are super easy.
+ Watching Coco Avant Chanel at Roppongi Toho Cinemas. I love Audrey Tautou! She’s not a classic beauty but she exudes a wistful charisma and impeccable confidence. What I liked about the movie was realizing Coco Chanel not only changed the face of fashion for women, but she lived a life liberated from societal norms in a time where women were not meant to be seen or heard. She truly broke conventions of what women should do and wear. Ooo, and I love the latest Chanel No 5 ad, too (the making of the ad is here).
+ Loved watching this video on fashionable golf wear that Japanese women wear. If you don’t understand Japanese, there is an English write-up on the key points in the link above. Check out the yummy outfits and rhinestone-studded golf bags :O They make golf look so cute, cool, and youthful. Wow.
+ I realized I’m a big bag girl. I need my stuff with me when I’m out. I’m sure you urban-trotters out there understand that your bag is your home away from home. My latest obsession: Rootote. I got this and this. And thinking about this, too.
The medium sized ones fit me to a tee and hold my bento, books, wallet, and makeup nicely when I’m out and about.
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