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.:)

A Touch of History

A day after our trip to Yatsugatake, we went to Matsumoto. It's one of the most popular cities for tourists in Japan because of its rich history and a lot of nice places to visit.

Outfit of the day: Fun Casual (Pink Vans Kicks, F21 Tank Top, Shorts, Black Stockings, Mickey Jacket, Coach Sling Bag, Baseball Cap, Sunglasses From XOXO in Shibuya 109)

and I feel like a child too haha

Before heading to Matsumoto, we chose to have fun first along the way; so we stopped by Sojiri for go-karting and a walk at the park.

 Tita, Cuz, and I

fun!:)

 Spring!

fter Sojiri, we proceeded to the Matsumoto Castle. It's one of the four castles identified as "National Treasures of Japan" and oldest castle donjon remaining, which was constructed in 1592. Wow, that's history! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go inside the castle since we didn't have much time; but the view outside was more than enough. By the way, thanks to Instagram's photo filters.

ready to walk!:)) 

they said the water from this fountain heals 

macha = green tea -> having my "macha" ice cream :)

 so picturesque! 

i love this pic!:)

Then we went shopping in Parco but we weren't able to buy anything. Instead, my little cousin and I entered the mini "trick art" museum. After that, we did real shopping in Don Quixote, which is one of my favorite shops in Japan because of cheap but good stuff it has. We also bought toys for my cousin at Toys R Us. We ended the day with a yakitori dinner.:)

 no matter how I rotate this photo, it's still posted this way. pls. just tilt your heads :p

 cute Hello Kitty suitcases in Don Quixote

the only thing I was able to buy that day haha

 interesting ipad/iphone/ipod game!

 I wanna try this one!

 yakitori place :)

And that ends our family's Golden Week bonding.:)