062018 / Briefly New York

August 1, 2018

New York Summer Style, Yellow Silk Cami, New York Fashion Blogger, Personal Style Summer / 062018 Briefly New York / FOREVERVANNY.com

Wow, first things, first... looking back at all of the content that I was able to gather into this June post, I am more embarrassed than ever, that this was not published sooner (especially after the title of the May's superpost). I know, I'm the worst.

Anyway, now that I've finally started catching up with you, I hope that you don't mind giving me a few minute to share some of the things that took place and happened during the month of June that are somehow still fresh in my mind, after all this time.

Long story short, I decided to head back to New York in the middle of apartment hunting in Tokyo at the end of May because my sister's graduation and a close friend's wedding was taking place the first couple weeks of June. Unfortunately, due to a series of event, I was unable to capture any photos from both of these major events that I flew half way around the world for because I accidentally erased my entire SD card. Typical.

Onward, it was between catching up on sleep due to jetlag that creeped up on me a good 2 weeks after I was back in New York, and catching up with some close friends who I won't be seeing often for a while.

Outfit
June 21, 2018
Floral White Top, Summer Crop Top, New York Summer Style, How To Style Boyfriend Jeans, PVC Staud Clear Tote, Clear Tote Outfit Ideas, Chanel Espadrilles Summer Look, New York Fashion Blogger, Personal Style Blogger / 062018 Briefly New York / FOREVERVANNY.comFloral White Top, Summer Crop Top, New York Summer Style, How To Style Boyfriend Jeans, PVC Staud Clear Tote, Clear Tote Outfit Ideas, Chanel Espadrilles Summer Look, New York Fashion Blogger, Personal Style Blogger / 062018 Briefly New York / FOREVERVANNY.com

Top: WAYF via Shopbop
Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans: Similar
Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles
Bag: Staud Clothing

Photo by Christina L.


During some of the days that I managed to get myself into the city- I usually found it really hard to decide what to eat this time around more than ever. Somehow, the trendy restaurants and the hip happy hour places just didn't felt right. On most days, the girls and I end up finding ourself at a small hole in the wall in Chinatown for some duck noodle soup and rice paper shrimp rolls. It was simple, and really nice - and it was quite nostalgic of how most of my high school days were spent (but back then it was because us kids didn't have money for the fancy smancy places).


Outfit
June 24, 2018

How To Wear White Denim, One Shoulder Top, C/meo Collective Ruffle Top, Summer Look, New York Fashion Blogger, Personal Style Blogger / 062018 Briefly New York / FOREVERVANNY.com
Top: BNKR
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Givenchy Antigona / Beige

Photo by Christina L.

Outfit
June 30, 2018
White Linen Dress, Summer Dresses, Button Up Bardot Dress, River Island Linen Dress, Summer Style, Personal Style Blogger / 062018 Briefly New York / FOREVERVANNY.comWhite Linen Dress, Summer Dresses, Button Up Bardot Dress, River Island Linen Dress, Summer Style, Personal Style Blogger / 062018 Briefly New York / FOREVERVANNY.com

Button Up Bardot Dress: River Island
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel

Photo by Christina L.

Wearing
All pieces in this post



Looking back, it didn't seem like much happened, but in fact maybe it was because a lot did take place that I didn't manage to leisurely jot down everything that happened day by day. I was pretty happy about some of the work that I produced as well, like this self-portrait series for SILKNY, a cinamograph for EVERSKINCARE and a little something something for the launch of David Yurman's pinky ring collection.

I'll be starting the recap of July right after this just because I owe it to myself to stop procrastinating so hard - and also there's so much I need to sort through from Vietnam! But, I'll spare you any promises this time because, at this point, I'm just disgracing myself at my lack of self discipline to work on these superposts.



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052018 / Lazy May

June 15, 2018

Albus Lumen Trench Skirt, Summer Trench Styles, Tokyo Streetstyle - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNY

As fast as April passed by, May took twice as long. The fact that I'm just starting this blog post in the middle of June should already give you a hint of what an eternity it has been. To be quite frank, I either was following up with plans from April, or I was sleeping. The jet lag, was really one of my worst cases, probably since the first time I came back from Japan. I guess staying for over three months really changed me quite a bit. Most of my friends have said I've gotten a little less vulgar with my casual choice of words and somewhat more polite/proper. Kind of a backhanded compliment, no?

Either way, here's a quick recap of the first few weeks of May that I was able to get photographic evidence to share.

Can't promise you much about June since - I'll tell you now, that I haven't really done anything this past couple of weeks. All I'm really looking forward to and passing the time with are side gigs and sleeping until it's time to board that one-way flight to Tokyo in July.

Outfit
May 4, 2018
Cecilie Copenhagen Linen Top, Summer Nudes, Neutrals - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNY Cecilie Copenhagen Linen Top, Summer Neutrals, Tularosa Label, Revolve Clothing - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNY

Last month, I bought this top on a whim because I needed something a bit more summery while I was in Tokyo. It's a bit girlier than usual, but it's quite easy to wear. Square neck tops are slowly growing on me too.

Top: Cecilie Copenhagen
Pants: Tularosa
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Staud Clothing

Photo by Shun S.
Fashion
Summer Nudes




Outfit
May 7, 2018

Streetstyle, All Black Summer Outfits, Loewe Puzzle Bag, Stone Blue - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNY Summer Black Outfits, Tokyo Streetstyle, Loewe Puzzle Bag, Woven Sandals, Low Classics - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNY

Top: Free People, Helmut Lang - Alternative
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: WCONCEPT/Low Classics
Bag: Loewe Puzzle Bag

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
May 11, 2018

Yellow Cami Top, Casual Streetstyle, Summer Tokyo Style - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNY Yellow Cami Top, Casual Streetstyle, Summer Tokyo Style - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNY


I've been looking forward to dining at Florilege for a very long time now. It wasn't technically on our actual anniversary date, but the boyfriend managed a reservation this day for a lunch. We were blown away by the thoughtfulness of the whole restaurant and every single dishes. As someone who is heavily invested in sustainable fashion, it was so cool to see how it was portrayed through food, and fine dining at that.


Top: 1er JP
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: Acne Studios
Bag: JW Anderson Velvet Pierce Mini

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit
May 22, 2018

Sheer Polka Dots Top, Keepsake Polkadots, Clear PVC Tote, Staud Clothing - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNYSheer Polka Dots Top, Keepsake Polkadots, Clear PVC Tote, Staud Clothing - Lazy May / FOREVERVANNY

Top: Keepsakes / Similar
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Staud Clothing

Photo by Shun S.

Wearing
All pieces in this post



Will stick to the title of this post 'Lazy May' and keep this one short and sweet. On to the next one.
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042018 / Spring Things

May 9, 2018

Rapeseed Portraits Tokyo Japan April Flowers / FOREVERVANNY.com

As April passes, it now feels appropriate to start exclaiming how fast the year is going by while everyone eases from "oh beautiful Spring" to "omg can it be Fall already?". But really, it doesn't even feel like May -- and for some reason, I've been telling everyone I'm 25 already but my birthday isn't until August.

Springtime in Japan was honestly the blossomest Spring I've ever experienced in my life. I don't remember the last time I've seen this many different flowers, and being excited about it, if anything, is what was honestly shocking about all this. Somehow, I feel like I've lost all sense of time and its relevance to me. I'm growing up and slowing down while letting go of any control I ever had of life altogether. Just like that, the cherry blossoms trees all sprouted leaves and turned completely lush green even before the second week of April. Rapeseed turned wild fields golden yellow for a short period of time until they faded like the nemophila covering the hills at Hitachi Seaside Park too. For once, someone as uninterested in the circle of life as much as I was intrigued, by the nature of it all, looping me wherever I am, 365 days, at a time.

This month, I really feel like I've gotten to know Tokyo a little better. I managed to make a couple of friends and visited a few prefectures that even my Japanese boyfriend has never been to before. Of course, there were ups and down, as I was already mentally prepared for while moving to a completely foreign country, and still, I managed to pull it together for at least 50% of the month. With the weather warming up, I'm starting to run out of outfit options since there really isn't anything that exciting about sweaters and pants/skirt (so please bear with me for now). Promise it'll start to look up in May (but don't hold me too harshly against this since chances are, you'll see me wearing the same top at least five times on my Instagram stories).

Jacket: Alpha Industry Bomber
Top: Asos
Skirt: Black Crane Linen Skirt Similar
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Staud Clothing PVC Tote Bag
Floral Stud Earrings: Similar

Photo by Shun S.

Travel / Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo / Sawara
April 7, 2018
Sawara, Chiba Tokyo, Japan April Flowers / FOREVERVANNY.com
Sawara, Chiba Tokyo, Japan April Flowers / FOREVERVANNY.comSawara, Chiba Tokyo, Bomber Jacket Outfit, Linen Skirt Style, Japan April Flowers / FOREVERVANNY.comSawara, Chiba Tokyo, Japan April Flowers / FOREVERVANNY.com
Sawara Facades, Chiba Tokyo, Japan April Flowers / FOREVERVANNY.com

If you ever visit Tokyo on a limited time constraint and really wants to see Kyoto or the traditional vibe of Japan, I highly recommend spending a half day or a whole day in Sawara, Chiba. It's actually on the Narita train line so it's perfect if you have a layover in Japan or something too.

The specialty here is eel (unagi), so make sure to get it for lunch or dinner when you visit. If you walk around, there's even a shop that sells soy sauce gelato (which in my personal opinion tastes like salted caramel).

Outfit
April 8, 2018

Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo, Japan April Flowers / FOREVERVANNY.comCherry Blossoms in Tokyo, Keepsake Dress, Japan April Flowers / FOREVERVANNY.com

Dress: Keepsake The Label / FSHNBNKR (c/o)
Shoes: Acne Studios Jensen Boots (25% off on Shopbop)
Bag: J.W Anderson Velvet Pierce Mini (new season)
Earrings: Faeber Studios

Photos by Shun S.

Outfit
April 9, 2018
Striped Tibi Top, Oversized Shirt, Streetstyle Tokyo, Japan Living / FOREVERVANNY.com
Striped Tibi Top, Oversized Shirt, Streetstyle Tokyo, Japan Living / FOREVERVANNY.com
Striped Tibi Top, Oversized Shirt, Streetstyle Tokyo, Japan Living / FOREVERVANNY.com
Top: Tibi
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: Acne Studios
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini Classic
Earrings: Pearl Studs Similar

Self-timered


Outfit
April 13, 2018
Acne Studios Sweater, Oversized Knit, Streetstyle Tokyo, Japan Living / FOREVERVANNY.com
Having a lot of time and a quiet neighborhood gave me no excuses to slack on honing my self-timer skill. Most days, even if I'm my usual bummy self, I'll try and get a shot or two just to keep myself busy. As usual, repurposing my boyfriend's sweater.

Sweater: Acne Studios
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: Acne Studios
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini Classic
Earrings: Faeber Studios

Self-timered

Travel / Ibaraki Prefecture, Tokyo / Hitachi Seaside Park
April 15, 2018
Hitachi Seaside Park, Nemophila Fields, Blue Flower Fields, Japan Travels / FOREVERVANNY.com
Hitachi Seaside Park, Nemophila Fields, Blue Flower Fields, Japan Travels / FOREVERVANNY.com
Hitachi Seaside Park, Nemophila Fields, Blue Flower Fields, Japan Travels / FOREVERVANNY.com Hitachi Seaside Park, Nemophila Fields, Blue Flower Fields, Japan Travels / FOREVERVANNY.com
Hitachi Seaside Park has been on my list of places to see after stumbling across photos of the hills covered in Kochia bushes in the fall. I was pretty bummed to have missed it last November when I was in Japan, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that other beautiful things bloom here all throughout the year. For example, in the Spring, about 4.5 million nemophila (who's responsible for counting anyway) cover the same hills to pretty much paint the ground blue, making it pretty much one with the sky.

Unfortunately, or fortunately for me, I came on a gloomy day and there weren't nearly as many tourists. The skies were grey, but honestly, it was one of the prettiest sights I've seen so far in Tokyo.


Fashion
Anouki
Anouki, Designers To Know, Silver Sequin, Fashion Designers / FOREVERVANNY.com

It's been a while since I've gotten fascinated with a brand/designer. Anouki is a brand that I recently came to learn about while acquainting myself with Pinterest (I am so late to the game, I know). Taking a step back from much of the mainstream fashion icons/brands/designers/labels that are pretty much plastered all over the majority of well-recognized Instagram handles - I've pretty much been seeking out what else is new and interesting out there - and my eyes hyper zoned into Tbilisi-based designers/labels.

In Anouki's case, I'm obsessed by Anouki Kaladze's eccentric use of silver sequins in every wardrobe's stables like trenches, button-ups and even undershirt garments which of course only elevated her latest collections of asymmetrically cut white dresses and layered able tops and skirts. Let's also not take her line of footwear lightly too.


Outfit
April 24, 2018
Oversized Blazers Style, Tokyo Streetstyle, Clear Bags, Japan Salary Man Style / FOREVERVANNY.comOversized Blazers Style, Tokyo Streetstyle, Clear Bags, Japan Salary Man Style / FOREVERVANNY.com
Moving to a new country was rough enough but finding work and dealing with starting over in a sense have been giving me quite the anxiety. Even so, I know that things will work out because it definitely isn't my first time being in this position. At the end of the day, I would rather prefer to dress up like I have a 9-5 than actually work a 9-5. Speaking of working - can't wait to show you more photos of a quick photoshoot that I did with WYETH Eyewear. Full outfit post was published earlier here.

Suit Jacket: Boyfriend's
Belt: Madewell
Shirt: Uniqlo
Denim: GRLFRND
Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood
Bag: Staud Clothing

Self-timered

Coveting
Fresh Spring Things
I've been all about fresh whites and beige tones for Spring and into Summer. It helps that PVC and transparent pieces are now prominent in a lot of brands' collections and I'm more and more intrigued by clear accessories and small bags.



Outfit
April 26, 2018
Cecilie Copenhagen Top, Linen Top, Balloon Sleeves, Loewe Puzzle Bag, J Brand Jeans, Summer Style / FOREVERVANNY.comCecilie Copenhagen Top, Linen Top, Balloon Sleeves, Loewe Puzzle Bag, J Brand Jeans, Summer Style / FOREVERVANNY.com

Top: Cecilie Copenhagen
Pants: J Brand / Shopbop
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Staud Clothing PVC Tote Bag

Photos by Shun S.

Fashion
Cecilie Bahnsen

Cecilie Bahnsen, Designers To Know, Silver Sequin, Fashion Designers / FOREVERVANNY.com
If you've been keeping up with fashion, then you've already seen the brand Cecilie Bahnsen floating around although it's only been showing for a few seasons previously. It makes me even more sure that you'll be seeing more of this brand popping up for coming fashion cycles. I came across this brand through Copenhagen Fashion Week for their Fall/Winter 2018 collection and was instantly drawn to pretty much all of the pieces featured on the runway (which is rare for me).

Cecilie Bahnsen's take on volume and texture is what I admire most about her collections since I strongly believe these are two aspects that really makes it difficult for adapting wearability for the everyday fashion enthusiastic (including myself). But hand me a random dress or skirt from her line and I can easily throw a sweater on with sneakers or boots for pretty much any occasion.

Wearing
All Pieces In This Post



And that's a wrap for April. Looking forward to what May has in stored.

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032018 / Lost But No Need For Translation

April 6, 2018

Burberry Scarf, New York City Style / FOREVERVANNY.com

Burberry Scarf, Beige Wool Coat, Camel Outfits, New York City Style / FOREVERVANNY.com
A lot happened in March - now that I look back and review it all. I finally said 'see you later, New York' after the past few years losing sight of what I was meant to do there. Don't get me wrong, New York will always be home - but for now, I needed a new space to grow.

I don't know how it all came together within two weeks, but as you know from the previous post, everything that took place during NYFW was the final trigger for me to move on.

Looking for an apartment in Tokyo was quite stressful for a foreigner, but luckily I had a Japanese boyfriend and that made the whole process so much easier than I imagined. Moving into my very own place felt surreal, to say the least - and I was that much more excited to be in the same place with my longtime boyfriend again after 2 and a half years of long distance. We'll see how it goes-- (he's neater and I'm a mess).

Making the decision to drop everything and moving to a new country sounds thrilling for some people, it did too, for me - until I was about to hop on the plane. After seeing and speaking to some friends who encouraged me that this was an exciting time in my life - I still couldn't help but feel like it wasn't okay for me to be anxious despite literally not sleeping and packing until the very last minute. Speaking of packing - I'm usually pretty good at stuffing a bunch of things into my suitcases, but this time - I struggled so hard.

Either way - I'm here now and I'm excited for all there is to come.

Beige Coat: United Arrows / Similar
Top: GRANA
Pants: GRLFRND / Revolve Clothing
Scarf: Burberry
Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles
Bag: XNIHILO c/o

Photos by Christina L.


Added to Cart
Wardrobe Updates



Life
New York to Tokyo

Cherry Blossoms Tokyo / FOREVERVANNY.comLob Hair Cut, Tokyo Japan / FOREVERVANNY.com
New city, new hair - same attitude.

It’s thrilling to be young.
To be stuck and free all at once.
To be surrounded by friends to cheer you on and to find
parts of yourself you never knew existed when on your own.
To hold on and let go of people and places that provoke your emotions.
To miss things only when it’s gone.
To afford the luxury of making mistakes. And to have, really,
nothing to lose.


Some thoughts I jotted down while itching to sit still on the flight to Tokyo.

Outfit
March 19, 2018

Bomber Jacket Alpha Industry, Ribbed Knit Dress, Sweater Dress Style, Clear PVC Tote / FOREVERVANNY.comBomber Jacket Alpha Industry, Personal Style, Tokyo Street Style, Ribbed Knit Dress / FOREVERVANNY.com

Second day in Japan, and we went to get the keys to our temporary apartment for the next 3 months or so! I was stoked, but also wore the same thing I wore on the plane since I was too lazy to unpack... But even throughout the month, this is an outfit that I wore at least 10 other times, typical.

Bomber Jacket: Alpha Industry
Ribbed Knit Dress: Asos
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Staud Clothing PVC Clear Tote / Alternative

Self-portraits

Travel
Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An Lanterns, Hoi An Vietnam / FOREVERVANNY.com
Hoi An Lanterns, Couple in Hoi An / FOREVERVANNY.com
I was actually pretty excited to be in Tokyo during cherry blossoms season this year - but instead, Shun and I made a trip to Hoi An, Vietnam during the week of full blooms. I could say I was bummed about it but honestly, I've also waited forever to visit this place and cherry blossoms will bloom again next year!

To be quite frank, I was pretty nervous about taking Shun to Vietnam as he's always been the one leading me along in Japan and showing me around, so I felt like I was pressured to know a lot of things in case he had questions (like how I always have a million of them, haha).

But, with all my worries aside, it was such a good trip because it was our first trip with 2 cameras. It was really fun to go back on each of our film rolls and see what we each took photos of (see them on my photo diary).

Outfit
March 25, 2018
&Other Stories Sweater, Lilac Sweater, Spring Style, Tokyo Street Style / FOREVERVANNY.com
Spring Street Style, Tokyo Style, Personal Style Blog, Clear PVC Tote, Transparent Tote / FOREVERVANNY.com

The weekend after we got back to Vietnam, both Shun and I came down with some pretty annoying health related issues (him, food poisining - mine, wisdom teeth infection). Because of that, we couldn't do anything but lay in bed all weekend and ultimately missed out on seeing the beautiful cherry blossoms that were holding on just for us.

Sweater: & Other Stories / Shopbop
Pants: GRLFRND Denim / Revolve Clothing
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Staud Clothing PVC Clear Tote

Self-portraits

Coveting
Spring things I've been eyeing



If you got to this point somehow, thank you so much for staying in touch with me and keeping up. I know this format is quite a heavy one and a lot of your time and attention has to commit to it. But just know that I really appreciate having this space to share my thoughts with whoever that's reading out there...

I hope that April will come with a lot more stories as I get even more settled into Tokyo.

Ps. If you got the title reference to Lost In Translation - thank you.
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