Snowman Army at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido (credit here)
Oh my gosh, it’s December already and the last Things I Love In Tokyo was in October. I think I should do these love lists more often because there are days that I need to remind myself that life is pretty damn good in Japan.
I write my expat experience in my personal blog, Lioness In Japan, so if you are interested to read my trials and tribulations, you should click on “Expat Musings” and “Tokyo Nuggets”.
Let’s make this a BIG ONE!
+ The JLPT N2 exam is friggin’ OVEEEEEER. I felt like such a prisoner, especially in the last month leading up to the dreaded test. For those of you who don’t know what JLPT is, it is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test for foreigners who want to get an official qualification. If you attain N1 or N2, you can get a professional job here. That’s not really my goal because I have Beauty Box But I still want to have a proper qualification.
+ My sweet friend, Sylvia, is having a big-ass Final Clearance Sale at her little corner of the Interwebs, Moka Trésors, where super-cute togs are going for as low as $3.90 to $12.90 and if you are a reader of my blog, you can use this code YUMING30 to get a further 30% discount. Isn’t that awesome?! Now why is this a “final” sale, well sadly, this babe is heading to France very soon. Please check out her wares!
+ Having the fiance around; morning cuddles; chuckles over lunch; spooning during episodes of Mad Men (love it!!!!); compliments like “Babe, this was an awesome dinner!” and “You’re looking very pretty today…”; coupledom in general. Yum.
+ Smoooooothies. I’m making delish concoctions like raspberry-cacao-banana-hemp-almond milk and pineapple-hemp seeds-banana-romaine. I have 2-3 smoothies a day.
+ Brunches in all-day brunch places in Tokyo. Yes, they exist! I love Roti, Union Square, and Suji’s.
+ Thinking about Christmas presents — I’ve got to shop for all the presents before I get on that plane to Sydney to visit the fiance’s fam. I think it’s very common for the woman to take responsibility for the choosing-and-buying of gifts. This article makes you think more deeply about this seemingly simple, but oft complicated process.
+ Hooping it up at FAB Academy with like-minded folks.
+ Receiving kind responses and compliments about my e-book, Beauty Elixirs: 20 Juice & Smoothie Recipes To Beautify Your Skin. Download it here. It’s free and a gift to you from me.
What’s rocking your week so far?
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When I saw this photo (here), I was touched by a tinge of nostalgia and I couldn’t resist putting it up for this edition of Things I Love In Tokyo. The photo was taken in Tokyo University where I had my first two JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) exams. Outside the buildings, the lanes were covered in yellow leaves by December so this was what the university must’ve looked like in autumn.
I love red leaves but yellow ones are breathtaking too.
+ Dipping my fingers into baby lotion by Burt’s Bees. I couldn’t find my usual Milk & Honey Body Lotion so I opted for the Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion instead. Smells similar, too!
+ Looking forward to harvesting some homegrown aloe vera to make beauty drinks. My skin hasn’t been in the best condition (darn those hormones!) so I need some help from within.
+ Fuyu persimmons. Holy yum! Been eating them straight or blending them up (video demo here).
+ Having my boo at home. This weekend, we’re going to stay at an onsen hotel in a Japanese-style tatami room before running a half marathon in Ogano, Saitama, just north of Tokyo. I love cuddling up in super-fluffy futons in hotels! Oh, he brought home tons of Larabars and superfood powder supplements.
+ Straighter hair. Summer humidity is O-V-E-R, so the frizziness has been banished for a while.
+ Catching cute Japanese women who snack furtively at train stations. I eat Larabars on the go all the time and worry about people who would look at me. Weird, I know but that’s Japan! There’s a place and time for “private activities”, like putting on cosmetics on the train, which is frowned upon by older folks.
+ Wearing cardigans and boots, again.
+ My H&M black and white faux lace print dress top. It looks like lace but it’s print — got compliments today all day! I couldn’t find an image on the official site but I also nabbed a floaty layered one with peach and nude tones. Check out their dresses this season. There are more I want to get….
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Just a reminder that there are only 10 days left to the 10% discount on all Meiji Amino Collagen products at the store.
Public announcement over and let’s get into my gratitude list for my adopted city, Tokyo. I’ve been away so much this summer, but after living here for four years, Tokyo has become home and I’m digging my toes right in. Here’s why I adore this place…
+ Friends who gave me a super-kawaii grapefruit jelly dessert (here) that comes in a grapefruit shell for a birthday cake — candles and all!
+ Driving from the inaka (means countryside; went off to Nagano last weekend) back into Tokyo on the expressway. It never fails to feel like you’re zooming into a futuristic world with giant skyscrapers and neon lights looming over you.
+ Fireworks season! It’s called, hanabi, which means flower fire when translated literally and they never fail to dazzle.
+ Crazy Clearance Sale at Moka Tresórs, a shop run by my lovely Singaporean friend Sylvia who is based in Tokyo. There are Japanese and Korean gems to be had at her cozy corner in the interwebs. Details of the sale are here.
+ In Red magazine for its cute Marc Jacobs purse giveaway. I’m using the smaller red one as a wallet (and paired with my Lolita Lempicka coin purse) and the larger one as a clutch for when I don’t want to be burdened by a bag.
+ A circus-themed wedding party in Inokashira Park this weekend so I need to get me some sparkles and sequins. It sounds bizarre but this is where creative stuff happens. Rumour has it, there’s going to be a kissing booth – lol!
+ Loving salads daily. I am so not kidding. If you know me well, I’ve said before that I actually don’t really dig salads. But this week on my detox plan, I have been noshing on salad for lunch daily and I’m still powering on. I love how juicy and fresh my meals are — it helps that temperatures here are sizzling from 34 to 36 degrees Celsius. I’ve come up with some rules for salad-making but will share that another time.
+ Eating dinner between 6-7pm. I’m trying to lose some vacation weight so I decided that my bad habit of eating dinner at 9-930pm could be a stumbling block. I sleep better and wake up feeling energetic. I read that digestion is one of the most exhausting processes that your body goes through so by eating a huge meal right before you sleep will make your body work all night, instead of truly resting. Oh and there’s the weight gain issue, too. Try it.
+ My “internal IT support”, aka the fiancé, who fixed my malware problem in 24 hours. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you would know that this blog was attacked and listed by Google as “suspicious” so was blocked.
+ Watching J-drama, Kekkon Dekinai Otoko, a dramedy about a 40-year-old guy finding love in Tokyo. He has his pick of pretty babes of course and one of them has a pug (*squeeeeeeeeal*) as a pet. I’m hooked.
That’s all for me, folks! What are you grateful for this week?
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.
Don’t forget to join our awesome Summer Blog Giveaway because there’s only one week left to stand a chance to win three fabulous beauty goodies from us (one Meiji Amino Collagen Apple & Ginger Tin, one pack of Kose Vitamin C masks, and one pot of Hanayuki Gel Cream). Click here to find out more.
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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…
But I still want to have a proper qualification.
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