Cherry Blossoms on Roosevelt Island

April 16, 2021

Cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island, cherry blossoms viewing spots in New York City, hidden cherry blossoms spots in NYC, Roosevelt Island tramway - by Van Le / FOREVERVANNY.com Cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island, cherry blossoms viewing spots in New York City, hidden cherry blossoms spots in NYC, Roosevelt Island tramway - by Van Le / FOREVERVANNY.com Cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island, cherry blossoms viewing spots in New York City, hidden cherry blossoms spots in NYC, Roosevelt Island tramway - by Van Le / FOREVERVANNY.com
Cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island, cherry blossoms viewing spots in New York City, hidden cherry blossoms spots in NYC, Roosevelt Island tramway - by Van Le / FOREVERVANNY.com Cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island, cherry blossoms viewing spots in New York City, hidden cherry blossoms spots in NYC, Roosevelt Island tramway - by Van Le / FOREVERVANNY.com
Cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island, cherry blossoms viewing spots in New York City, hidden cherry blossoms spots in NYC, Roosevelt Island tramway - by Van Le / FOREVERVANNY.com
By the time that you see this, most of these cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island have probably fallen off their nesting branches for the season- but Spring is like this, fleeting. I wasn't necessarily prepared or looking forward to spending this Spring in New York City, but that's the thing with life- nothing really ever goes according to plans, and you just have to make the best of it.

Roosevelt Island, even to some native New Yorkers, isn't the first place that comes to mind when they think of a spot for a quick afternoon stroll, a weekend date spot, or even a stop along their daily commute; let alone that it's a cherry blossom viewing location, right in the center of the city. For me, this place has always been somewhat of a hidden gem. It used to be a casual date spot that Shun and I would often visit during our early dating years. We would grab a cheap dinner in the city, spoil ourselves with the overly cliché and overpriced frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity on 60th St., then walked down a few blocks to take the only tram in the city across the East River to get on the island. We used to have some of our best walks and talks along the river and we've actually had some of our coldest dates there, and yet we've never had the opportunity to see the cherry blossoms bloom during the Springtime. It was a little bittersweet not having Shun by my side as I went back to Roosevelt Island this time around, but it definitely brought back so many memories for me. I've been surprisingly lucky to catch some amazing cherry blossoms viewing all over the city, so I hope you'll enjoy them more real time as I share on my IG.

Blazer: Anine Bing Kaia Blazer via Shopbop
Top: Aritzia
Pants: Roku 6 (JP)
Sneakers: Common Projects 
Bag: Chanel WOC


Photo by my Sister.
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Grateful / 11-122019

January 23, 2020

Couple under large red fall tree in Tokyo Hamarikyu Garden, Tokyo in the fall, autumn in Tokyo, Japan travels in the fall - FOREVERVANNY

This has taken longer than it should since I'm reporting November and December of 2019, almost at the end of January 2020. I don't really remember much of what my thoughts and intentions were for those months, but I wrote down 'Grateful' as the title then, and it still seems fitting now.

It's been quite a breeze quite honestly. With the year closing out, I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions, which made it extremely difficult for me to put it all down on paper, I mean, screen. At this point, Thanksgiving and Christmas are both any regular days for me since I don't find myself fitting in any of the normcore activities for those holidays anymore. I did get to spend a day of giving thanks back to someone who's completely made life so much more interesting for me this year by grabbing a good omakase lunch with him. For Christmas, it felt weird that I was away from home for too long, so I flew back to see my mom and sister for a quick week or so.

As my time in Tokyo is coming to an end this year, I'm not sure what I can promise with this blog in the coming months. Seeing how inadequately I've kept up with these monthly recaps makes me embarrassed to even think about attempting them for 2020. I hope that wherever I end up in the coming months, I'll always take a little time to revisit this little corner of the internet that fully belongs to me.

With that said, to anyone that might come across this- I hope that the new year is full of health, happiness, and luck for you.

Outfit
November 4, 2019

Oversized knit and satin skirt, slip skirt outfit ideas, oversized sweater and silk skirt, fall outfit ideas, Tokyo fall outfit ideas - FOREVERVANNY
Oversized knit and satin skirt, slip skirt outfit ideas, oversized sweater and silk skirt, fall outfit ideas, Tokyo fall outfit ideas - FOREVERVANNYOversized knit and satin skirt, slip skirt outfit ideas, oversized sweater and silk skirt, fall outfit ideas, Tokyo fall outfit ideas - FOREVERVANNY

Top: Acne Studios
Skirt: Billie The Label
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
November 10, 2019

Beige monochromatic outfit in Tokyo, oversized Acne Studios sweater and beige pants, simple beige monochromatic outfit, - FOREVERVANNYBeige monochromatic outfit in Tokyo, oversized Acne Studios sweater and beige pants, simple beige monochromatic outfit, - FOREVERVANNY

Top: Acne Studios Oversized Knit
Pants: Zara
Shoes: Nanushka
Bag: JW Anderson

Photo by Shun S.

Life
November 11-20, 2019

Tokyo friends on film - FOREVERVANNYMount Fuji at dusk, Tokyo friends on film - FOREVERVANNY


Outfit
November 26, 2019

Tokyo in the rain, beige outfit and snake print boots, fall Tokyo outfits - FOREVERVANNYTokyo in the rain, beige outfit and snake print boots, fall Tokyo outfits - FOREVERVANNY
Pipatchara Tokyo Seibu Event - FOREVERVANNYPipatchara Tokyo Seibu Event - FOREVERVANNY

Top: Uniqlo
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: ATP Boots
Bag: Pipatchara Amu Nude

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
November 27, 2019

Jimbocho book town, fur coat in Tokyo, simple outfit with fur coats, winter outfit ideas in Tokyo - FOREVERVANNYJimbocho book town, fur coat in Tokyo, simple outfit with fur coats, winter outfit ideas in Tokyo - FOREVERVANNYJimbocho book town, fur coat in Tokyo, simple outfit with fur coats, winter outfit ideas in Tokyo - FOREVERVANNYJimbocho book town, fur coat in Tokyo, simple outfit with fur coats, winter outfit ideas in Tokyo - FOREVERVANNY

Coat: Allen Schwartz
Top: Free People
Pants: AGOLDE
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel WOC

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
November 29, 2019

Edo houses in Tokyo, hidden gems in Tokyo, unique Tokyo cafes - FOREVERVANNYEdo houses in Tokyo, hidden gems in Tokyo, unique Tokyo cafes - FOREVERVANNY

Jacket: Alpha Industries
Dress: ASOS
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
December 8, 2019

Navy and grey coat outfit, simple winter outfit in Japan, weekend Japan travels, Japan day trip to Sawai - FOREVERVANNYNavy and grey coat outfit, simple winter outfit in Japan, weekend Japan travels, Japan day trip to Sawai - FOREVERVANNY
Navy and grey coat outfit, simple winter outfit in Japan, weekend Japan travels, Japan day trip to Sawai - FOREVERVANNY

Coat: Maison Margiela
Top: Acne Studios
Pants: GRLFRND
Shoes: Acne Studios Jensen
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
December 13, 2019

Olive and beige outfit ideas, shades of greens and olive for fall, simple olive monochromatic look, Tokyo street style, Tokyo editorial - FOREVERVANNYOlive and beige outfit ideas, shades of greens and olive for fall, simple olive monochromatic look, Tokyo street style, Tokyo editorial - FOREVERVANNY

Coat: H Beauty and Youth (Men's) - (similar olive coat)
Top: Uniqlo
Pants: Zara
Shoes: ATP
Bag: JW Anderson Velvet Pierce

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
December 20, 2019

All white monochromatic outfit, winter white outfit ideas, white pleated skirt in the winter, Tokyo streetstyle, textured white monochrome outfit idea - FOREVERVANNYMixing texture, pleated skirt and beige boots, By Far Sophia boots, all white monochromatic outfit, winter white outfit ideas, white pleated skirt in the winter, Tokyo streetstyle, textured white monochrome outfit idea - FOREVERVANNY

Coat: Zara
Top: Topshop
Skirt: Aritzia
Shoes: By Far

Self-timered

Places
Hamarikyu Gardens Tokyo
December 22, 2019

Foliage in Tokyo 2019, Tokyo in the fall - FOREVERVANNY
Fall outfit, shearling jacket and beige booties, foliage outfit in Tokyo - FOREVERVANNYFall outfit, shearling jacket and beige booties, foliage outfit in Tokyo - FOREVERVANNY


Coat: Old (similar here)
Top: Topshop
Pants: GRLFRND
Shoes: By Far
Bag: Chanel WOC

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
December 23, 2019

Oversized coat and belt bag, Pipatchara Mini Amu, simple outfit with oversized coat - FOREVERVANNYOversized coat and belt bag, Pipatchara Mini Amu, simple outfit with oversized coat - FOREVERVANNY
Coat: Maison Margiela
Top: Tularosa
Pants: GRLFRND
Shoes: Sacai
Bag: Pipatchara Mini Amu

Self-timered


Outfit
December 26, 2019

Navy and white outfit ideas, rhinestone sweater, NYC streetstyle, Soho outfit ideas, sneakers outfit ideas for NYC - FOREVERVANNYNavy and white outfit ideas, rhinestone sweater, NYC streetstyle, Soho outfit ideas, sneakers outfit ideas for NYC - FOREVERVANNYNavy and white outfit ideas, rhinestone sweater, NYC streetstyle, Soho outfit ideas, sneakers outfit ideas for NYC - FOREVERVANNY

Top: & Other Stories (DIAMANTÉ FRINGE SWEATER)
Pants: Trave Denim
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Meli Melo

Photo by Ying C.

Wearing
All pieces in this post





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092018 / Like A Typhoon

October 10, 2018

September monthly post, life and short updates, plaid flannel, cropped flannel, cropped plaid shirt, trench skirt, Albus Lumen, how to style a trench skirt, how to wear plaid for fall, Tokyo thrift shops, new way to wear your plaid, fall flannels / 092018 / Like A Typhoon / FOREVERVANNY

September started on a good note. Felt like everything was picking up its pace and I was really looking forward to fall, and cozier days. Regarding everything that came crashing down after the first week this month, I thought I would have more to write for this post, but I guess I don't. Grieve is a funny feeling, ironically-- and it's one I have yet to master how to deal with. Penning down my thoughts on paper would be much more ideal right now; so maybe I'll transcribe that over at some other point when I'm no longer this low.

Outfit
September 05, 2018
September monthly post, life and short updates, plaid flannel, cropped flannel, cropped plaid shirt, trench skirt, Albus Lumen, how to style a trench skirt, how to wear plaid for fall, Tokyo thrift shops, new way to wear your plaid, fall flannels / 092018 / Like A Typhoon / FOREVERVANNYSeptember monthly post, life and short updates, plaid flannel, cropped flannel, cropped plaid shirt, trench skirt, Albus Lumen, how to style a trench skirt, how to wear plaid for fall, Tokyo thrift shops, new way to wear your plaid, fall flannels / 092018 / Like A Typhoon / FOREVERVANNY

Anyhow, while browsing some online sites and stores for fall pieces, I came across a bunch of overpriced cropped flannels that caught my eyes. Between the high-street version versus the ones that can be found at Asos or Forever21, I figure I just go buy myself an 8$ one from a thrift store in Harajuku and chopping it in half instead.

Well, what do ya think?

 
Top: Thrifted
Trench Skirt: Albus Lumen
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel

Photo by Shun S.

Life
September 16-23, 2018


My aunts and uncles wanted me to snap some photos to share with the rest of the family during my grandpa's burial, but between bawling my eyes out and trying to be useful throughout all of the ceremonial procedures-- I mostly just didn't have the heart to photograph everyone while they mourn. This one was a quick snap of a cage of birds we bought to set free as an act of kindness to send my grandpa off at his grave.

Thought it was one of the lighter moments through that week.

Outfit
September 25, 2018

September monthly post, life and short updates, plaid flannel, cropped flannel, cropped plaid shirt, trench skirt, Albus Lumen, how to style a trench skirt, how to wear plaid for fall, Tokyo thrift shops, new way to wear your plaid, fall flannels, snake skin boots, nudes, Pomelo fashion, ATP boots / 092018 / Like A Typhoon / FOREVERVANNYSeptember monthly post, life and short updates, plaid flannel, cropped flannel, cropped plaid shirt, trench skirt, Albus Lumen, how to style a trench skirt, how to wear plaid for fall, Tokyo thrift shops, new way to wear your plaid, fall flannels, snake skin boots, nudes, Pomelo fashion, ATP boots / 092018 / Like A Typhoon / FOREVERVANNY
After spending that solemn week in Vietnam, I came back to Tokyo quite worn out and tired. The weather got chillier, and life goes on. It was weird to be sad, and not really feeling the need to cry even though I wanted to, randomly throughout the days. Shun took me shopping and kept me distracted. It was great that he had a three-day weekend. We ran errands and mentally cheered ourselves up for a quick trip in Taiwan that we planned before knowing what would happen earlier this month.

The kind people at ATP sent over a pair of snakeskin booties to cheer me up. I'm always impressed by the quality of their shoes. Here's another pair I loved last year.

Top: Pomelo
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: ATP Snake Skin Boots
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photo by Shun S.

Travel
Taipei, Taiwan
September 28-October 01, 2019

Taipei Taiwan, Jiufen Taiwan, one day in Jiufen, Taiwan travels / 092018 / Like A Typhoon / FOREVERVANNY
To be quite honest, I wasn't expecting much with this trip to Taiwan. It's probably why I've avoided it for so long everytime Shun brought it up. But since Shun was really eager to visit Jiufen, I convinced myself to just go along with it.

Surprisingly, it was a lot of fun. Taipei was kind of easier to get around than I thought it would be. Having been to HK before, I'm pretty jaded at how cold the people can be in some Chinese cities-- but Taiwan wasn't like that at all. Mostly, I just really enjoyed eating all the food.

If you follow me on Insta, you would probably gotten annoyed at all the food stories I was sharing during that week. We also got to capture a bunch of photos since both Shun and I was behind the camera, so I can't wait to share the photo-diary with you guys!

Dress: Pomelo
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photo by Shun S.

WEARING
All pieces in this post



That's pretty much it for this month, hoping that October will be a bit brighter. A few friends are coming to visit me in Tokyo, so I'm looking forward to another fall with company in this city.
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082018 / 25 To Life

September 9, 2018

Ganni floral skirt, black floral outfit, summer style, dark florals, transitional style, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY

These are probably not the words you were expecting to read for someone’s internet birthday anecdote. And I think sharing your age’s number worth of lessons or whatever, is super lame.

I’m usually a headstrong person, but lately, I’ve just been so easily wavered by the not-so-nice thoughts floating in the back of my head. I’m no saint, by any means. I’ve been telling everyone that if there’s a heaven or hell, I’d probably find myself in the latter.

We all have our vices, and mine seems to be, grudge. It’s so goddamn hard for me to let things go, no matter how good I am at letting them be.

One of the biggest and last lessons I learned from my dad through his divorce with my mom is that you can’t expect to be able to change anyone, even for the better (because that better is only subjectively applicable to you). With that in mind, versus all of the fluffy things I used to really believe in pre-25, really confused the crap out of me. I still would like to believe that there are Naruto-s in the world.

It's so crazy that I no longer have an interest in fashion. I can barely describe what my style is anymore. And I don't even have an opinion on what looks good versus good enough to be seen in public. Meh.

Anyway, whenever I’m not feeling my best self, I always tend to do less and observe way more than I really need to. It’s the sociologist in me to diagnose, dissect, and find answers that can help me reason more so emotionally than logically. But, in the pinnacle age of the digital world, it all spirals back to social media, and internet celebrities that you just can’t help but compare yourself to. And that brings out a part of me that I really hate - because I can be so goddamn bitter.

I know, everyone says stuff like "no one is really sharing their struggles on their highlight reel" to make themselves feel better about the shit they're going through or justify their envy. But am I really the only person who hates thinking that way? It shouldn't comfort me any better knowing someone might be having it worse. That's just being an asshole.

These days, I'm living my best life. Or so it might seem. I am, I think. I can no longer tell what's great though because I feel like I've been way too spoiled. To the point where I'm even starting to get tired of myself for being so goddamn ungrateful for how little I actually do.

Does it count as a quart life crisis if you were already going through it before you turn 25?

Anyway, here's some things that went down this month that honestly, looking back, really put a big smile on my face despite how dark and irritated my thoughts internally might seem.

Life
August 6, 2018
Easy summer outfit, black linen dress, ruffle black linen dress, square neck linen dress, wrapped dress, summer black dress, ancient greek sandals, pearl studded sandals, simple summer style, Tokyo style, personal style blog - 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY

Where do I start. After countless trips to Japan and frantically freaking out 2x a year to meet at a completely new country with Shun to see each other for 5-10 days at a time. I can't believe we have the whole next year together, and in the same apartment too.

Although I have to say, moving into my very own apartment for the first time ever made me realized how expensive this whole process is (especially in Tokyo). Living at home for so long, I forgot that every little thing in a home costs money, a fridge, a towel, a sponge, a fork (or like 10 because we don't just have one), ect...

It's only been a full one month, but somehow it feels much longer.

Black Linen Dress: Snidel / Similar
Shoes: Ancient Greek Sandals
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini
Earrings: Majorica

Photo by Shun S.

Event
Summer Festival in Tokyo
August 11, 2018

Yakatabune yukata, yukata and sneakers, Japanese summer festival, wearing a yukata for summer festival, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNYYakatabune yukata, yukata and sneakers, Japanese summer festival, wearing a yukata for summer festival, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY

"Yakatabune"
Earlier this year, I made my very first friend on my own in Tokyo. I told her I really wanted to attend one of Japan's summer festivals. Fast forward 5 months later, I'm in a yukata, eating sushi on a boat and watched some epic fireworks from the water in Odaiba.

That night we drank until 4am, and I could barely remember anything - but it was one of the best day I've had in awhile.


Life
August 16, 2018

8/16 for as long as I can remember has always been filled surrounded by lots of people. It's weird to say but this year more than ever, it was nice to have it be a little quieter. Back home, mom would probably have dinner and a cake ready, and that's what Shun did. It was nice not to fuss about what to wear, where to go, who to see, and how can I combine groups of friends together to avoid getting fucked up too many times separately... haha. I don't know, is this a sign I'm getting old?

Olive cargo pants, highwaisted olive pants outfit, olive oversized pants, Tokyo style, streetstyle on Harajuku, transitional style, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNYOlive cargo pants, highwaisted olive pants outfit, olive oversized pants, Tokyo style, streetstyle on Harajuku, transitional style, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY

Top: H&M
Army Green Pants: Solov
Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles
Bag: Chanel

Photo by Shun S.

Fashion
August 19, 2018
Ganni floral skirt, black floral outfit, summer style, dark florals, transitional style, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNYGanni floral skirt, black floral outfit, summer style, dark florals, transitional style, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY

Top: Free People, Similar
Floral Maxi Skirt: Ganni
Shoes: Common Project
Bag: J.W Anderson Pierce Velvet Mini

Self Portraits

Event
Akeno Sunflower Festival
August 22, 2018

Sunflower festival Japan, Tokyo sunflower fields, Akeno Sunflower Festival, sunflower photo ideas, golden sunflower field, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY
Sunflower festival Japan, Tokyo sunflower fields, Akeno Sunflower Festival, sunflower photo ideas, golden sunflower field, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNYSunflower festival Japan, Tokyo sunflower fields, Akeno Sunflower Festival, sunflower photo ideas, golden sunflower field, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY
Sunflower festival Japan, Tokyo sunflower fields, Akeno Sunflower Festival, sunflower photo ideas, golden sunflower field, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY

Top: Minkpink via Shopbop
Skirt: &OtherStories Denim Skirt
Shoes: Common Project
Bag: Chanel

Photo by Shun S.

Fashion
August 29, 2018

Ginza style, what to wear on Ginza, linen blazer, white pleated skirt, top knot hair style, transitional style, midi skirt and sneakers, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY
Ginza style, what to wear on Ginza, linen blazer, white pleated skirt, top knot hair style, transitional style, midi skirt and sneakers, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNYGinza style, what to wear on Ginza, linen blazer, white pleated skirt, top knot hair style, transitional style, midi skirt and sneakers, personal style blog, August street style outfits / 082018 / 25 To Life - FOREVERVANNY
As if moving to Tokyo and turning 25 was not life changing enough, your girl also got to work on a special project with Shiseido's top brand Clé De Peau Beauté on something amazing too. Peep this space for a post coming soon.

Top: &OtherStories
Linen Blazer: Directourie
Pleated Skirt: Aritzia
Shoes: Common Project
Bag: Chanel
Earings: Shashi

Photo by Shun S.

Wearing
All pieces mentioned in this post




If you made it this far, thanks for reading and stopping by. Just out of curiosity... What were your thoughts at 25? Or, if you're not 25 yet, what/where do you see yourself doing when you turn 25?
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