Northwest meets Far East

Everyone needs a little zen in their lives. It think it may even be mandatory to step away from the sensory overload of your everyday routine, and do like the Buddhist do, reflect.

That being said, my little family of three decided to hop on a local train and venture out of the city in seek of some culture, history and nature. We headed to Kamakura to see Japan's second largest Buddha, The Great Buddha of Kamakura, aka  Kamakura Daibutsu. The statue is legendary and has been attracting tourists to Kotokuin Temple since 1252! It truly is remarkable and absolutely worthy of the short excursion out of the city when touring Tokyo.

The turning of the leaves is just beginning and it is complete eye candy. I love fall, everything about it. Favorite season. Period. I do enjoy summer, but when it ends I don't wish for an extension. This is why I was THRILLED to wake up to a bit of gray sky and cooler weather. It reminded me of a crisp day in the Northwest, where I'd pick up a Starbucks latte and throw on a chunky knit sweater. So in spirit of home I rocked my flannel to take the edge off of the brisk coastal wind and laced up the pink Timberland's to complete my (attempted) rugged ensemble. We were headed to nature after all.

I was channeling my 90's grunge baby and I did it just for you Daibutsu, just for you.

Meditate, Reflect, Enlighten, Dream, Wish, Repeat

My favorite little Budda

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What to Wear this Fall

As a foreign woman living in Japan, I often seek out other "gaijin" women to share resources regarding English speaking restaurants, health care professionals, beauty spas and shopping for our homeland goods. However, now I can stop harassing all my friends for info and check out Tokyo's newest online magazine. Savvy Tokyo, has a wealth of information for foreign women living in Japan, especially for young families, such as myself.  

I recently wrote their Fall Fashion story, dishing out all the essentials needed to have an easy transition from your Summer wardrobe to your Fall line-ups. Check out the article HERE http://www.savvytokyo.com/fall-fashion-essentials/and like Savvy Tokyo on Facebook to learn more information about our awesome city!


http://www.savvytokyo.com/fall-fashion-essentials/

Tokyo's Fashion Night Out 2013

I want to make a small interruption from the traveling posts, to share some pics from Tokyo's Fashion Night Out. It was the 3rd FNO I attended in Tokyo, and I feel it gets better and better. There is just no room to complain about free champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and drooling over insane fashion up close and personal.

 My husband and mini came along for the ride. Hey, It is never too early to introduce your little one to the art of Fashion. Walking down Omotesano Dori is like roaming an open air museum of beautifully tailored art.  I do have to chuckle to myself, thinking of pre-baby Chanyn. I was determined to do all of the things I "wouldn't be able to do" once I had a baby. I remember thinking last year's FNO was probably my last because I was convinced I'd be at home covered in vomit, with a messy bun and yoga pants with no way out...ever.  Oh my, how I was misled by movies and teen drama TV!  Little did I know that my little Maya-chan would not only be my number one date choice of the night, but she ended up being the most photographed fashionista on the street. At least by Mommy :)

Altogether FNO in Tokyo, was pretty baby friendly. The fashion event didn't just see me with a stroller, actually loads of parents busted out their baby cars, while enjoying drinks and fashion with the family. This is why I love Japan so much. The store employees even helped me lift my "hummer" of a stroller into their store full of high fashion merchandise, and they did it with a smile and a bow. Love my city.


My fashion for the night was my version of "sophisticated sexy" (I know cliché), but in all fairness, the look isn't as easy as it sounds. It could go too demure and stiff, or uncomfortable sexy and look like cougar town, oh hell no. To be clear, I don't want to re-invent myself just because I had a baby, and now I must dress like a Stepford wife. However, I do want to find a balance between style and practicality. That doesn't mean hanging up the stilettos, but it may mean hanging up the bandage skirts and crop tops. Appropriateness is key, not just for the occasion, but also for the hat you will be wearing that night (in my case a Mom/Fashionista). 

For the evening, I paired tailored, tapered trousers with a low back, gradient top and gray pumps.

Trousers: Zara
Top: Katie May
Pumps: Nicole Miller

Maya's Fashion

Top: Juicy Couture Baby
Skirt: Peek
Leggings: Circo- by Target
Booties: Trumpe

HAIR AND MAKEUP:

 The humidity is still here and very real, and with that up goes my hair. I curled it with a large barrel curling iron and brushed it through with a flat brush and into a low pony. 

I have been sporting the cat eye-liner since freshman year of HS, so no one was happier when this came back into style. I use Makeup Forever's liquid liner and paired it with Mac cream shadow and YSL light pink lipstick.

Fendi's party was one of my favorites. The newest collection features little critters and monsters. You can find furry friends attached to bags or wallets and clutches with monster patchwork. Maybe not my favorite design but I find the thought and quirkyness likable.

One of the many treats of FNO is running into close friends. We love Auntie Junko

Armani

Armani's Fall/Winter Collections are all about Velvet. I love how polished and regal it can make a basic piece look. The deep berry hues are beautiful.

Gucci

This feather piece. The end. WOW

TODS had a great party this year. Can you spot me with the ERGO baby carrier on? I have moved on from the Moby and the Ergo is my favorite at this age.

My two loves

Maya is making herself at home at the Prada party

Hawaiian Escape

Wait I have a blog...? Hello? Is anyone there? Anyone? Crickets....

Well, I have obviously been out of the blogosphere for a bit, but I've been thinking about you blog, I really have. It's just between re-adjusting to the US and then back to Japan and all of the family, travel and weddings in between I have put you, Mr. Blog, on the back burner. My apologies. All of the above and I have a baby, yea that little person that demands about 25 hrs a day of my time, but she is just my little cub, my princess, my Universe and I can't put her down.

However, now that I am back on my little island I call home, Good ol' Nihon, I now can slice out some Mommy time and get back to sharing a bit of our life. First, I have some catching up to do..

We have been gypsy for the Summer, but before that we had an amazing holiday on the North Shore of Hawaii for a friend's wedding. It was the perfect getaway for a new baby. Instead of going the resort route, we rented a house with our close friends. We had our own private beach, which provided plenty of shade for the young ones. Traveling with a new baby is a trial and error process. You see what works the first time, what doesn't work and you find your groove. At least that is how is worked for our family.

As for the wedding Fashion,  I managed to find a dress that I could one, nurse in and second, that matched Maya's dress. Yes, her dress came first and then I followed suite. The girl knows her stuff..

Daddy with his girl on a beach day. She had about 7 layers of sunscreen on. We use the Badger brand for infants. For those of you living in Japan, you can find all the Badger products HERE .

Maya was only 3 1/2 months. I thought I would never find a swimsuit that would fit her. Here it is! I actually found it on Amazon. The hat is from Baby Gap.

I had to throw in a picture of the World's Best Nap. Sleeping on a hammock in Hawaii, listening to the waves... Who needs a white noise machine?

Any new mom can attest, it is hard to put your baby down, especially if you are nursing. A new baby just wants to sleep on Mommy. Well this my friends, is a saving grace. It is called a Rock-N-Play, by Fisher Price. We bought it at Babies'r'Us and we didn't travel without it all Summer. Definitely a must for new parents.

This is why I was away from my laptop for so long.... Mommyhood is good

The wedding Venue was insane. I wish I had taken more pictures of all the details, but I had a bit going on :).

My man in Pink. We had a theme going on.

Me and my matching mini. I loved this dress by Milly, because I was able to nurse easily in it. My trick to finding pieces that are suitable for nursing is a v-neck that allows you to pull it down enough for breastfeeding. I never was comfortable with going underneath the top. 

Maya's Dress: Zulilly.com
Headband: Babies'r'us

Mommy's Dress: Milly
Shoes: Aldo
Wrist Cuff: Michael Kors

For those of us in Japan. I found my Milly dress on Shopbop.com, I find it the best online shopping abroad and delivers quickly.