August this year felt heavier than ever before. It took me some time to reflect and think about why I felt the way I did. I’m writing this blog post now in October with some more clarity on my feelings. But as always, these were my outfits during the month.

Outfit

August 10, 2019

Top: Ninety-percent Tee via NAP
Shorts: AGOLDE
Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles
Bag: Céline

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit

August 13, 2019

Top: Verge Girl
Pants: AGOLDE
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Loewe Puzzle Bag 'Stone Blue'

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit

August 16, 2019

Dress: Preen Line Floral Dress via NAP
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel WOC

Photo by Shun S.

Life

Homesickness

It took a while for the homesickness to kick in for me. And a couple of months after the fact for me to figure out that I just missed my mom and sister around. I always kind of thought that I'd be okay on my own, without being a burden to my family by waking up them up at 3/4 am when I'd get home from dinner/drinks some nights. I thought I'd have better peace of mind knowing that I'm not bothering my mom to do my laundry on the weekend, and each article a certain way. I definitely took her sunny-side-ups and already made coffee for granted. I appreciated them, but not the same way I thought I did, now that I can barely bother to heat up the water in the morning.

It felt strange, the weeks leading up to my actual birthday. In previous years, I would have already started celebrating days in advance. At first, I blamed the sadness on the fact that it's around the same time that my grandfather passed away last year. My thoughts about life as much as dying really started to weigh me down. I think it's still making me a little sad typing this out, but the events last month and recently are keeping me afloat. For now, I'll leave it at this - but I'm sure I'll revisit these thoughts somewhere down the line and continue sharing my sentiments. I'm kind of bummed that I can no longer blame my antics by calling it a quarter-life-crisis anymore. Here's to 26.

Outfit

August 23, 2019

Top: Ninety-percent Tee via NAP
Pants: Petar Petrov 'Colorblock Linen-blend Pants'
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel WOC

Photo by Shun

Outfit

August 28, 2019

Blazer: JP (similar linen one here)
Top: GAP
Shorts: AGOLDE
Shoes: Common Project

Photo by Shun S.

Wearing

All pieces in this post

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Donna Karan 'Cashmere Mist'

Donna Karan 'Cashmere Mist'

Series of self-portrait and product visuals for Donna Karan 'Cashmere Mist' full line.

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Trifecta

When it comes to clothing, I'm pretty much either in all black or all white. But beige is a color that is just as important in my wardrobe. Making this color-block pair of pants from Petar Petrov a trifecta of those three essentials.

Asides from my usuals of black, white, or blue denim, I rarely add pants to my rotating wardrobe. I've been on the hunt for a fitted pair of pants, and honestly, I just couldn't decide on a color. That said, I also wanted a statement pair- and it couldn't have come at a better timing to the Net-A-Porter sale a few weeks ago. I've been eyeing this whole color-block set from Petar Petrov earlier this season but of course, couldn't justify its full retail price (sorry to all the designers that I love for always only being able to buy your pieces on clearance).

Although this linen pair seems like it's only suitable for summer, I can definitely see it taking part in outfit pairings of ribbed knit and turtlenecks come fall. I'm excited to style and restyle it for seasons to come. At the very least, it totally goes with all my everyday pieces such as a white tee and Common Project sneakers. It's been quite a while since I had such an affinity for a piece like this.

Top: Ninety-percent Tee via Netaporter
Pants: Petar Petrov Color-block Linen-blend Pants
Shoes: Common Project
Bag: Chanel WOC

Photo by Shun S.

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Flower Girl Summer

I just want to put this out there: I suck at dressing for the summer. Or rather, I just can't seem to master wearing as little as possible over layering everything I own to make an outfit that weighs just as much as me. Don't get me wrong, I hate the cold, and I'm a natural-born summer baby, but dressing for anything above 90 degrees Fahrenheit aside from a straight-up swimsuit just doesn't even make sense to me.

As you know by now, I'm in Tokyo for another sweltering summer (not that NYC's summer is any less extreme) but being here definitely makes me feel a bit more aware of what I'm wearing and how modest I have to dress. That said, somehow I still find myself in full-length high-waisted denim to cover my midriff from showing thanks to this floral crop top. To further prove my point of how much 'idgaf' about summer dressing, I didn't even bother to shop for summer sandals this year, hence the usual pair of sneakers and my baby blue Loewe.

Fashion talks aside, I'm turning 26 in a day or two and this year more so than ever, I feel more at peace with myself than any other year. As a Leo, one just can't help but approach their birthdays with lots of celebrations and festivities. But for as long as I've been away from New York, some of those mandatory social activities to cue being another year older have been so relieving to not fulfill. I'm looking forward to a quiet dinner with the boyfriend, and a 3 hour long Facetime call with my mom who, (knowing that I'm not home), will still be excited to show me the flower arrangement she has out for me to wish me another happy birthday.

Top: Verge Girl
Pants: Agolde
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Loewe Puzzle Bag

Photo by Shun S.

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All This Time / 05-06-072019

I don't even know where I should begin to write about May and June. And July too. It has been way too long. I kept telling myself that I'll work on the blog every day, but truthfully, it just hasn't been easy. At first, the monthly recaps were meant to motivate me to publish on a more consistent basis, even if that meant once a month. However, as you can tell (not even sure who's even reading this anymore), it has slowly drifted from me.

Of course, beyond just publishing purposes, it might also be due to the fact that I just haven't been too moved to express anything as of late...

This year is flying by and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. How is it almost the middle of August already?

Anyway, while I'm feeling a little talkative today, let me finally share some snippets of what went on the past few months.

May

If you remembered, April was a pretty eventful month for me. Some of my closest friends came for a long term stay and I got to go on a few memorable adventures to enjoy the cherry blossom season in Tokyo. This made May a much-needed recovery month for me in terms of personal energy and space.

There were a lot of days that I remembered sleeping through for 13 hours at a time because I was that mentally drained. Happens pretty often for me when life is too fast-paced. To change up the mood a bit, Shun and I took a weekend trip to Kamakura for the first time since I've been in Tokyo. We didn't expect much from the trip since it seems like such a temple and shrined focused area. But, we ended up being blown away by how awesome and diverse it was in terms of terrains and things to do. So much that we ended up going back there later in July with a friend visiting and wanted to try the train cafe that we ate at too.

Towards the end of May, I went back to NYC for a couple of projects, so the rest earlier in the month was super important.

Outfit

May 05, 2019

Top: Cecillie Bahnsen and INSCIRE (oversized white tee)
Pants: GRLFRND Helena High-rise
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler and Fendi Bag Bug

Photo by Shun S.

Travel

Kamakura, Tokyo

Dress: Faithfull the Brand 
Blazer: JP, similar here
Shoes: Common Project
Bag: Sezané

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit

May 28, 2019

Dress: Faithfull the Brand
Shoes: Common Project
Bag: Polené Paris

Photo by Shun S.

Wearing

All outfits in May

June

Both excited and anxious, I came back to New York with such mixed feelings. On one hand, I was looking forward to seeing my mom, sister, and friends; on another, I was worried I'd be too overwhelmed with the pace as I haven't been back for such a long time (since January). Ironically, I purposed booked such a short trip to prevent being too occupied with seeing familiar faces and making unintended plans that would drain me out. You guys probably know by now that I left NYC for a reason. Still, I can't deny how gratuitous it feels to be able to call this city home. It's such a love and hate relationship.

Outfit

June 4, 2019

Top: Thrifted
Pants: GRLFRND Helena High-rise
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Loewe Puzzle Bag

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit

June 12, 2019

Top: Stelen via NeedSupply
Pants: Trave Denim
Shoes: Textured slides (old)
Bag: Pipatchara
Accessories: Monica Vinader Signature Bracelet, Ring

Photo by Christina L.

Outfit

June 14, 2019

Dress: LPA
Shoes: Roger Vivier
Bag: Loewe Puzzle Bag

Photo by Christina L.

Outfit

June 18, 2019

Top: &OtherStories
Shorts: &OtherStories
Shoes: Common Project
Bag: Chanel (more on this vintage via Rebag)

Photo by Ying C.

Outfit

June 26, 2019

Dress: Revolve
Shoes: Common Project
Bag: MeliMelo in Black

Photo by Christina L.

Wearing

All outfits in June

July

And now finally, at last, July came. After a super productive few weeks in New York, I came back to the rainy season in Tokyo. Maybe the world is adapting to my schedule in a way, but this made it so easy to unpack, unwind, and take all the naps that my heart desired.

This year, the rainy season lasted an extra month or something according to reports. I made the most of it though, by going to slow cafes, visiting the museums, and even botanical gardens. Crazy how Tokyo is worlds apart from New York, but I never feel homesick.

With that said, I'm so relieved that I finally got to jot down these thoughts for the past few months. Hopefully, I'll be better about these posts from here on out. I still can't believe that there are only 4 months left in the year.

Outfit

July 10, 2019

Top: Slobe Ine (JP)
Pants: Agolde
Shoes: Ancient Greek Sandals (similar)
Bag: Chanel WOC

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit

July 11, 2019

Blazer: &OtherStories Double Breasted Linen Blazer
Skirt: Leopard (similar here)
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler

Photo by Shun S.

Outfit

July 17, 2019

Dress: Dear Jose (Vietnamese Label)
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Polené Paris

Photo by Shun S.
Shot at the National Art Center, Tokyo

Outfit

July 29, 2019

Top: Van Gogh Museum Tee
Shorts: Agolde
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: J.W Anderson Pierce Velvet Mini

Photo by Shun S.

Wearing

All outfits in July

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