Ode to My Fashion

As far as I could remember, everyone carries two bags in Japan, particularly women. They have one main bag (a tote, or a shoulder bag), plus another one in plastic or polyester. The second bag can be anything from a simple ecology bag bought at a grocery store or 100 yen store or a bag from any shop. Knowing Japanese women, they prefer the later version. In fact, it is not rare to see women walking around with bags from Kinokuniya (major book store), Fauchon (French bakery), Afternoon Tea (goods store) and Dean and Deluca ( I learned about the later by watching the Devil wears Prada). Moreover, they also like bags from major retail stores and luxurious brands such as Louis Vuitton. Those bags are so popular that they are even given for free when you purchase some fashion magazine. And the cherry on top is that it is sometimes a collaboration with a major brand such as Vivienne Westwood or Agnes B. Agnes B tote bag free with the purchase of Nonno magazine I do not really know t...

 Just by walking around the streets, I rediscovered something about Japanese women that I had forgotten: they are self conscious when it comes to their breasts. It is such a paradox because breasts are so commercialized in here. Women with big breasts can easily have a career as a Gravure Idols or models for men's magazines. They are the equivalent of playboy bunnies except some of them do not pose naked. However, normal Japanese girls tend to hide their breasts. It is very rare to see them wear a see through or a very low cut top. And even if they do, they always wear something underneath or over it to cover up. For example, I saw many tube maxi dresses around but never have I seen girls wearing them without a tee underneath it or a light cardigan over it. The other reason why they cover up is that during Summer, everywhere you go, they crank up the AC (from subways to office and even restaurants). Therefore, it is "safer" to wear a cardigan or tee if one does not want t...

Today was a perfectly normal Saturday. I woke up, cook lunch for the hubby, sent him off to work, made breakfast for the kids and watch back to back episodes of Law and Order SVU (Gosh, I love Olivia and Elliot), all the while checking some fashion blogs. I also took my son to his swimming class, checked H&M (did not buy a single thing although there was a huge sale. I am pretty proud of myself), and watched some random group performing Hawaiian dance. You see, it was a normal Saturday. But what makes today special, was that I wore heels. If you know me, you know that as much as I love heels I rarely wear them. The last time I did I walk 10 steps and got into the car, walk 10 steps to the house I was going to. I love how beautiful heels are but I cannot take the pain they come with. I am all about comfort. However, today I decided against it. I wanted to wear my Rockport wedges and I did. Surprise! Surprise! They were very comfy. I walked for 30 minutes and they did not hurt m...

Being a housewife, I do have time on my hands. This means that I spend a lot of time on the Net checking my facebook page, some gossip pages but also my all time favorite: checking other fashion bloggers. I have a list I check on a daily basis. Something I noticed with my favorite bloggers is that they participate in many other bloggers fashion challenge. I enjoy those challenges because they let me discover other bloggers but also inspire me to try something totally different from what I am used to. But as far as I am concerned I never really participated in those challenges. Today is different! I am submitting to the EBEW Nifty Thrifty challenge. Here is what I wore for it: White scarf - Gift from my Dad White top - Outfit Outlet in Harwin Tie Dye dress, worn as a skirt - Thrifted Wedges - Payless Dot flower brooch - Daiso Hoops earrings - H&M Necklace - Bought from my Mother in Law Bracelet - Present from Hubby from Turkey The first time I saw this item,...

I stole the title of this post from a Japanese friend of mine. With the problem at the Fukushima nuclear plant, people in Japan are worried that they are going to be contaminated everytime it rains. But I think (or at least I hope) that there is nothing to be alarmed about. Anyway, here is today's outfit: Pink and orange scarf - Sanki Coral cardigan - Gap White layered top - omiyage from Thailand from my hubby Calvin Klein wide legs jeans - Ross Coral flats - H&M Sandal pendant accessory - some shop in Hashimoto Gold chain - Tsutsumi Beaded necklaces - Sandaga market Pink fake crocodile oversized bag -  Centenaire market Pardon the quality of the pic...the day was so hectic I did not have a chance to take a proper outfit post I went to watch Cirque du Soleil Kooza with the kids and the wives club of my husband's company. It was raining in the morning so it was hard to get there, besides the 3 trains I took did not help. Now I know w...

I had a crazy but fun week. The hubby took some days off from Friday. On that day, we went to pray at the Mosque and had sushi at Kura zushi. Saturday was usual. Sunday we had lunch at a friend's place and this is what I wore: White scarf - gift from my Dad Hanes Tee - Home's Pink maxi dress - Chatujak week end market, Bangkok Tan clutch - random shop in Harajuku White mules - thrifted Bangle - 100 Yen store in Saty's department store Gold chain - Tsutsumi Key pendant - can't remember I love the dress because it is very airy. The material is very. It is the perfect summer dress. I also love the clutch bag I wore. It does not match the outfit but I do not care. I wanted to wear it seeing that I have not been able to use it for a while. Having a toddler requires me to carry a bag with all kinds of stuff from diapers to changing clothes. I miss carrying a small bag to go out. The shoes are easy to wear as well. But they are becoming a bit tight. I did gain so...

As much as I love African prints, I do not own a single thing in an African print. Well, that is not really true. I do own some Summer Abbaya and Caftan in African prints, plus some authentic Ethiopian scarves and Congolese dresses gifted from my Dad. However, I do not really see myself wearing them in Japan. Being big and black, and walking around with two adorable kids, I am obvious enough. I do not want to add more attention to myself. Nevertheless, I still have this craving for African prints. I have this big plan of going back home and meeting some great tailors because I have some pieces I want to design like a voluminous maxi skirt, a maxi dress..among others. But for now, I am satisfied with the stuff my mother sent me for my business. I am selling African artifacts, and some clothes I designed for Summer. I designed a wrap around skirt and my mother made a fabulous job of even picking the same fabric I wanted. Anyway, since I could not sell the wrap around skirt, I decided to...

Last week, the family drove to Enoshima for some fun walk on the island. We left just after lunch and arrived before 2:00 in the afternoon. It was cloudy and consequently not very hot. We walked around the small island, visited the temples up on the hill, watched the waves hit the shore...ate some Matcha soft cream, and finished our day with a nice (and too heavy) dinner at Tobicho...It was a nice day This is what I wore: Floppy hat- bday gift Bolero - Ross Beaded tank - Ross Maxi skirt - Sandaga Market Gladiator sandals -  Bonita Marine Bag - Beams Omake from Steady Magazine Bangle - Joa Ring - so old cannot remember With the kids on a traditional bridge     Lovers binding their love with a lock on a bridge Pink Ajisai (hydrangea) Colorful Hanabata Wish cards View from a cliff Pairing couple (stripped tee) and the good food of とびっちょ(Tobicho), しらすかき揚げ丼2枚(Shirasu Kaki Age don 2 mai).  This food is marvelous, although I do not...