You Gotta Love HARAJUKU!

Harajuku is my second most favorite shopping place in Japan; first of which is Shibuya. And since we're a family of shopaholics, just two weeks after our Shibuya trip, we went to Harajuku to go shopping again.

Outfit of the Day: Spring (Cryx Closet Jacket, Xo Xo Shades, Forever 21 Tank Top, Love Junkie shorts, Forever 21 belt, Avail wedges, D&G watch, Coach bag)

We stopped by the Service Area along the Express Way to have coffee/tea at Starbucks. Then we found Mochi! It's quite pricey though. It tasted like espasol in the Philippines. Yummy!:)

Along the way, we were listening to Japanese songs in the car. And since we couldn't  help but sing, we used our iPad and iPhones to download lyrics and sing along with the music. It's like karaoke-on-the-go!:)) So funny that my uncle who's driving us put a cigarette stick on each of his ears; but despite that, he still explained to us the meaning of every Japanese song we sang haha. And another way of killing boredom while in the car was taking lomo vanity shots! So cool that MoreLomo app randomly selects the colors. Some of my friends say I do not look like a Filipino anymore haha! Will actually change my hair color soon, I'm just doing some research on what color would suit me best.

Upon arriving at Harajuku, we had lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express. It's one of the best restaurants I've been to. It's right at the entrance of the Takeshita Street across the Harajuku train station.

what Wolfgang Puck said

  Teriyaki Burger

 Rib Eye Steak

Honey Mustard Chicken

 There's the crab and veggies pizza and some salad

 and he only ate the buns!:))

After lunch, we started our journey! There were a lot of items on sale! My favorite Japanese brands so far: Anap and Momo. I think Anap is more of casual clothes while Momo is like Forever 21. It has multiple shops along Takeshita street. There I was able to buy a high-low sheer skirt for 1000 yen only; and my cousin bought for herself a high-low floral dress which I regret I didn't buy. After an hour and a half, were done at Takeshita Street. We then walked along the main road lined with different international brands. My cousin and I shopped a lot from Forever 21 and H&M again. Haha they're actually the safest brands in terms of style and price.

 and my feet died after 5 hours of shopping haha

We left Harajuku and headed to Karasuyama to drop off my Uncle at his place. But before that, we had a Yakiniku dinner place at the nearest restaurant from his home. As usual, I overate again! Waaaah!

there's our car going out the electronic parking space

yakiniku

Then we left Tokyo and headed home. But just when I thought we can get home early, my aunt decided to go to Don Quixote in Yamanashi to buy some groceries. After an hour of shopping, we finally headed home. We got home by 12 midnight. We were all so tired!

Look at what I saw at Don Quixote! So funny!:))

 tired and bankrupt!

Got less than 3 weeks left in my stay here. I'm gonna miss Tokyo!

Fashion Files: Summer 2012

This is kind of a late post since summer is about to end soon. But I just wanna share some summer fashion ideas. Well actually I'm a bit frustrated that I still can't wear something light here in Japan because it's Spring season, and the weather is just crazy. It's hard to choose what to wear due to unpredictable weather. I can't risk wearing shorts without tights underneath because even if it's quite hot in the mid-afternoon, the temperature drops at late afternoon. But since I'm not staying here so long, I don't actually invest on winter/spring clothes while I'm here because my cousin and aunt have a really awesome closet. I choose to buy clothes here which I can wear in the Philippines, given it's weather.

Two weeks ago, when my cousin and I have gone shopping in Tokyo, we were not able to buy much pieces from Shibuya 109 because almost all the brands there were Japanese brands and the clothes weren't so wearable in a hot weather. All I was able to buy there were 2 pairs of cute sunglasses for me and my BFF. But when my cousin and I raided the 5-storey Forever 21 shop, we were able to find lots of good stuff! And after putting everything together, I realized that we bought were so SUMMER!:)

Theme: FLOWER POWER!

 Price Range of Tops: 980 Yen to 1,580 Yen

 button-up high-low sheer top

 button-up sleeveless sheer top

 button-up/tied down sheer top w/ lace details

 lace tank top with flower print

tank top which I got from Avail (one of the shops in Chino City, Nagano)

And to match these floral tops are my cute shorts from Forever 21 too.

Theme: STYLISH SHORTS 

 Price Range of Shorts = 1,280 Yen to 1,980 Yen

faded shorts w/ lace detail

(This is the only shorts here that isn't Forever 21, but I got it from Shimamura in Suwa City, Nagano)

 vertical striped pink/blue shorts with off-white belt

 faded shorts with floral belt

 vertical striped blue high waist shorts with button details

semi-wrecked black shorts

(Got this from Forever 21 in the Philippines last year)

And when you put them all together, you can have comfy yet fashionable summer style!:)

 accessorize with a cute pair of pink shades

 Accessorize with a pink necklace w/ feather details

(Since my cousin was wearing it, I just took a photo of her)

Spaghetti strapped top and pink necklace. You can wear a pink or white cardigan too.

( I have shortage of T-shirts now. Hope this does justice.)

 If you wanna show the floral belt, then choose a less printed top.

Wear a dark plain tube or spaghetti or tank top inside. 

 Cute outfit that can be paired with tan flats or wedges.

 Or wear it with plain white shirt.

(I just don't have my white shirt with me now)

Use accessories and a polo/cardigan to create layers

And here are more good summer finds:

From a Japanese brand "XO XO" in Shibuya 109

 Forever 21 Dress at 1,250 Yen

 Pink and Gold bangles from Shimamura (Suwa City, Nagano)

 Roxy Flipflops

(I actually love Roxy flipflops because the're stylish, very light yet durable. I bought my first pair 2 years ago and even if I've been using it a lot of time, they still look good.)

This is more of a "spring" bag actually; but for me, it's ok to use it anytime.

It's hard to live with my shopaholic aunt and cousin because whenever the three of us shop together, there's no such word as "savings" haha!:)) If only we have been saving the money we spend for shopping every weekend here, we could have afforded a Hong Kong weekend trip!:))

Late Post: Early Summer 2012

I have almost forgotten that before leaving for Japan, I've already got my own dose of Summer in the P.I. last March. Yeah, I started summer early this year!

My grandma and her brother-in-law and his wife wanted to go to Boracay so I volunteered to go with them and be their tour guide. So I booked a flight on the first weekend of March via Airphil, which cost us around Php 1,200 each. I was glad that my bestfriend came with us too!

We changed rooms each night that we were there. At our first night, we stayed at Island Nook (owned by a friend of a friend) but the next day we moved to a room for 4 at LSM Square which was referred by my friend who's a local there. We got really good rates! They even moved us on the third day at a bigger room for the same rate.

 yeah!

 another col message on a wall at Island Nook

Night 1: We walked by the shore and we had a couple of drinks at Juice Bar.

My bestfriend and I were with the oldies during meals and at daytime activities like riding an electric car. We were able to go around Boracay while on it. But at night, my bestfriend and I were drinking at Juice Bar, Epic, and Summer Place. So cool that a college classmate approached us at our second night and we were able to hang together the next two nights.

Day 2: We moved to a twin room in LSM Square; then we went sight-seeing around the island (Puka Beach, Zorb site, Ecovillage, etc.) while riding the electric car; and visited the Grotto.

 BFF and the grannies

oh, we even had time to watch Gossip Girl since the TV can play a file from a flash drive haha!

 Puka Beach :)

 Lomofied! Swimsuit from Sassa; Flipflops from Havaianas

 driver mode :p

Grotto + Lomo = Cool!:)

Night 2: We watched the fire dancers in Juice Bar and it's the night my college classmate became a friend.

Adi. Dianne. Me.

As usual, we're asleep in the morning. So funny that we're only able to swim on our last day. We did it during sunset in front of White House. We enjoyed chatting while having a glass of Sangria. Then we had a full body scrub and massage. Can anything else be more relaxing than that? And of course, we didn't miss the buffet! Our last day was very relaxing and fun indeed!

Day 3: We moved to a bigger room in LSM Square! And it's our ultimate relaxation day! Sunset swim, Sangria by the beach, Full Body Scrub and Massage.

Swimsuit from NafNaf; Shades from Forever 21

Night 3: Our last night! Dinner at Bite Club, Drinks at Epic and Summer Place :)

 never knew Salt and Pepper can be this SWEET!:))

Adi went to the Comfort Room then this couple making out took his place. So funny that we felt we were all invisible at the table. haha! When Adi came back, he took the opposite seat. The couple left as if nothing happened. We just couldn't stop laughing!:))

I really love how Boracay never fails to make me happy and feel relaxed.:)