tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91193222871530529512024-03-12T22:54:48.395-07:00the DishSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-73776829226444412662014-05-28T02:06:00.001-07:002014-05-28T02:06:49.577-07:00Royal Honey Emulsion -}<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1cMeZ6k5sMjOfCUWQm10oEFGe_a6abK6E0x6yugtCzLawLkvrB_Od2Z21zIkegOY8Ss_0VqRGAZUk6WeCK0YsV6Mc6fFwZ6XBHxXoA-YdOHmyHOGAiSzF6yE5_gMRGgF1W3VvwbqYXn_/s1600/rhe-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1cMeZ6k5sMjOfCUWQm10oEFGe_a6abK6E0x6yugtCzLawLkvrB_Od2Z21zIkegOY8Ss_0VqRGAZUk6WeCK0YsV6Mc6fFwZ6XBHxXoA-YdOHmyHOGAiSzF6yE5_gMRGgF1W3VvwbqYXn_/s1600/rhe-01.png" height="418" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry to cut you out, Duffy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The weather has been flirting with the idea of summer weather in Kyushu for quite some time, so it's high time I pulled out all my summer bits and bobs. One new thing in my routine, however, is this Royal Honey Emulsion from Skin Food. I had a friend pick this up for me when she popped over the Seoul, since I was interested in trying but not enough to fork over the Y4000 it is in Japan. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl-Ho4D75yHwbpTlkrYyAb9__-fCjbtnCb0pQEwrCiVL7vqMPLvTHT6YQVF2p9KCVr0sv6wG3DSbx-cTTaO_M9CEVmY77c8C7Vcfte2MNZsY4hhpl60YNyeWxTxHzm7pxqFfr6VtPz12O/s1600/rhe-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl-Ho4D75yHwbpTlkrYyAb9__-fCjbtnCb0pQEwrCiVL7vqMPLvTHT6YQVF2p9KCVr0sv6wG3DSbx-cTTaO_M9CEVmY77c8C7Vcfte2MNZsY4hhpl60YNyeWxTxHzm7pxqFfr6VtPz12O/s1600/rhe-02.png" height="640" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Featuring Duffy the Bear from Tokyo Disney Sea!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have to say, I've been really liking this as a night time moisturizer. It's lightweight and kind of tacky at first but after a few minutes it sinks in leaving you skin soft and plump. The weight and feel are perfect for the summer, when putting on anything unnecessary is just too much work. Overall though, I don't think I'll be repurchasing this in Japan - maybe if get over to Korea sometime where it's half the price - but for Y4000, I want a little more than just moisturizing going on.<br />
<br />
Do you switch up your skin care for the summer? Have you ever tried the Royal Honey line?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-50766251553732967472014-05-22T06:29:00.002-07:002014-05-22T06:29:42.097-07:00Water & Tea -}
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAT6ahWNI4RVR9-ZzwLJSzDHXySpp8aPLT0k2msD7Uvme7GdgfEIDwSmJvFvz8SUhzqGZPqTT9l2W3MUmvWziipo9PdZOG2MueV9tevJes1SRRtKOPtDrb4e3hs2WwuQeNdsWJDkwsDYZ/s1600/tea-00.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAT6ahWNI4RVR9-ZzwLJSzDHXySpp8aPLT0k2msD7Uvme7GdgfEIDwSmJvFvz8SUhzqGZPqTT9l2W3MUmvWziipo9PdZOG2MueV9tevJes1SRRtKOPtDrb4e3hs2WwuQeNdsWJDkwsDYZ/s1600/tea-00.png" height="430" width="640" /></a></span></span> </span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
am going to start with a disclaimer, I have terrible eating habits. I
can not say 'No' to ice cream ever, I love a good bottle of
Hoëgarrden or Carlsberg
on Friday nights, and a slew of other bad habits. There are several
habits that I have slipped in my routine, to try and counterbalance
the bad habits.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
is almost always a cup of water beside me at all times – to the
point of where my little shoebox apartment is littered with them by
the end of the week. Without consciously thinking about it, I can
drink about four or five cups of water just sitting about and reading
through my blog roll or watching the latest uploads on YouTube. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT67JfonyTx5oYTx_G8Z-0TYvFTTdXjyZHOmE65B6j1ri5Ce_-v3EN9QpBe7dMRDluG0cMJWN0xnChIrnbJKysywCXzuEEHVgpTm0gimVE6RP4o4BNaNCDegCLKjLorSqvfMTtL7C5sE0/s1600/tea-01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT67JfonyTx5oYTx_G8Z-0TYvFTTdXjyZHOmE65B6j1ri5Ce_-v3EN9QpBe7dMRDluG0cMJWN0xnChIrnbJKysywCXzuEEHVgpTm0gimVE6RP4o4BNaNCDegCLKjLorSqvfMTtL7C5sE0/s1600/tea-01.png" height="448" width="640" /></a></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">While,
water might be the best thing for you to drink, it can get pretty
boring sometimes. So I've picked up a tip from Korea (and recently
the rest of Asia) – drink water mixed with vinegar. I know, I know.
It sounds absolutely disgusting, it certainly did to me when I first
heard the idea. Now, I'm not talking white vinegar, the stuff you use
to clean and cook with – although, I'm sure that's perfectly fine.
However, there are actual products made for the specific idea with
loads of flavors. I am personally loving this pomegranate vinegar I
picked up for Y500 from Costco. It's delicious and cheap and my skin
loves pomegranate, so win-win. Vinegar is supposed to be very good
for the skin and the body, and some touted (though not proven)
benefits are improved skin tone, improved digestion, and an increased
metabolism. Plus if you're drinking a 'red' vinegar (hongcho? in
Korean) they're supposedly loaded with antioxidants.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdp45FiplIbB92VreqKICDw5bQPM1bcb68Fhyphenhyphen-g3zh01VNjJ7qRN_jto93JvVqQ2_7P4wbxw1q9fquqGjyh_gb6rm0AGN_ySrt56kT89ezzZK6psgBr0jDKdVSuM7zb39wO1qdWhGBn662/s1600/tea-03.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdp45FiplIbB92VreqKICDw5bQPM1bcb68Fhyphenhyphen-g3zh01VNjJ7qRN_jto93JvVqQ2_7P4wbxw1q9fquqGjyh_gb6rm0AGN_ySrt56kT89ezzZK6psgBr0jDKdVSuM7zb39wO1qdWhGBn662/s1600/tea-03.png" height="416" width="640" /></a></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another
habit, I've picked up since living in Japan is drinking tea. While
I'm still not a fan of English tea, or heaven-forbid, matcha, I've
really grown to like hot oolong tea and cold barley tea (mugi-cha),
and even more recently I've started enjoying a cup of hot green tea.
Although in contrast to everything else, I tend to prefer cheap tea .
. . I haven't gotten myself to like the really strong stuff. Now,
green tea is suppose to help lower your chance of cancer – which
helps me gulp down the strong stuff whenever I'm presented with it,
but it also apparently helps against wrinkles and ageing of the skin.
Oolong tea is also high in antioxidants, specifically those that are
supposed to fight free radicals. And barley tea is assumed to have
the ability to protect teeth enamel as well as other health benefits.
I have to say though, even though I've snapped a picture of the
Lawson bottled tea, I much prefer home-brewed barley tea – somehow
the Lawson one tastes faintly of soap to me.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
are your healthy habits? Do you like tea or vinegar-water?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-28437848771258966582014-05-15T22:45:00.001-07:002014-05-15T22:45:14.305-07:00Turnaround Concentrate -}<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVBC4pzOdAe6BJk59AUWRLqqqzHA5Pn5QSsmlum4-bDtGII_YRgu61fuGsxPNd2_OKVt7uYyIvZ9YIed9MQZKQ1kaDs-IpkGy59kY6rfWwiaTGb65VKn9PXHS-72gnJ0k777LkYS4BJrY/s1600/rc-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVBC4pzOdAe6BJk59AUWRLqqqzHA5Pn5QSsmlum4-bDtGII_YRgu61fuGsxPNd2_OKVt7uYyIvZ9YIed9MQZKQ1kaDs-IpkGy59kY6rfWwiaTGb65VKn9PXHS-72gnJ0k777LkYS4BJrY/s1600/rc-01.png" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Sometimes
I feel like my beauty routine is just a big long boomerang process. I
find I product I like, I use it up. And while I have ever intention
to repurchase it, I end up being drawn to something, via a
recommendation from a friend or another blogger, or just pretty
packaging. Then I randomly pick up the product again and realize that
while all the other products were nice, they don't compare. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Clinique's
Turnaround Concentrate has been like that for me. I always feel like
my skin is missing a little something when I don't use it. It helps
gently smooth out the rougher areas of my skin and even out my skin
tone. And while it's pricey (especially in Japan) I find it lasts a
good while. I put a pump in my night routine, after my toner, every
other night. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw56FamgMlzQfx6neHm3lWpw4YTLIJmVbBLLoPYJp0mu3PtcKkGGN9bS-13cNAb98aVw9tymPajp8dP9Ih67dyutpQRm23HF4nLo-WgJGJqth3DITUpDEd0-6DG-mTi0PZkvn3uISXtDms/s1600/rc-02.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw56FamgMlzQfx6neHm3lWpw4YTLIJmVbBLLoPYJp0mu3PtcKkGGN9bS-13cNAb98aVw9tymPajp8dP9Ih67dyutpQRm23HF4nLo-WgJGJqth3DITUpDEd0-6DG-mTi0PZkvn3uISXtDms/s1600/rc-02.png" height="400" width="221" /></a>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">I'm
sure I'll be distracted by pretty packaging or something or other,
but I'm currently very, very pleased to have this back in my life. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-1927134122443416502014-05-14T00:58:00.000-07:002014-05-14T00:58:54.456-07:00Sheet Masks -}
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWnECwn__2dfh2OMkkaY_G5GXF8cQWv41oFZA3mA1IBrOrjJ7N0RsBgN2LEeDNRQtVeWUTSUGamZ0dWnvdY_1mGWjfOb5PFnKY3DJ6HVZyECxJCoSj8gNni70gXo7ZxWzokWTc49zulxT/s1600/masks-01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWnECwn__2dfh2OMkkaY_G5GXF8cQWv41oFZA3mA1IBrOrjJ7N0RsBgN2LEeDNRQtVeWUTSUGamZ0dWnvdY_1mGWjfOb5PFnKY3DJ6HVZyECxJCoSj8gNni70gXo7ZxWzokWTc49zulxT/s1600/masks-01.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></span> </span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Masks
seem to be a pretty decisive topic in the beauty world. Some like
wash off masks. Some like sheet masks. Some like both. I'm firmly in
the both camp, I think each group has their pluses and minuses. But I
think Asia in general is firmly in the sheet mask camp. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sheet
masks are everywhere, especially in Korea. And Korean sheet masks are
everywhere outside of Korea. They generally can be found for a really
good price, even outside of the Korean peninsula which probably helps
with their popularity. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
like to use a mask at least once a week, if I can I try and use a
sheet mask and a wash off mask each once a week. (Heavy emphasis on
the try.) I always seem to be able to tell when I've been sticking to
the a-mask-a-week routine and when I've fallen off. My skin just
feels a bit limp and dull when I don't use them, and when I do,
there's a obvious pay-off the next morning.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm
currently loving anything pomegranate (my favorite is probably The
Face Shop's pomegranate mask) and Skin Food's Royal Honey mask.
Pomegranate has always made my skin look and feel amazing. And the
Royal Honey mask smells amazing and makes my face feel so hydrated
and . . . </span><span style="font-size: small;">ぷるぷる
</span><span style="font-size: small;">. . .
plump? (Here I go forgetting my English again.) I also purchased the
avocado mask after hearing people talk about all the benefits of
avocado for the skin – since I'm not particularly crazy about
eating it, I figured a mask would be the next best thing.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do
you use masks? Which camp are you in? </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-35528558118879395312014-05-01T22:06:00.000-07:002014-05-01T22:06:02.399-07:00The Omija Line -}
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6AhfvWqjJd2N6kgUBhdYEB7gvDb6XiXU5LiApExrj55bJO5wl-yq7lwujsAPOutvy3qUH8v1Ungb0kvHQmXhDATLx9vfBbr84Wpctmp-AXqVjK0Im6FKdDzTV0UV0KjiySojZT8Yzux9/s1600/or-01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6AhfvWqjJd2N6kgUBhdYEB7gvDb6XiXU5LiApExrj55bJO5wl-yq7lwujsAPOutvy3qUH8v1Ungb0kvHQmXhDATLx9vfBbr84Wpctmp-AXqVjK0Im6FKdDzTV0UV0KjiySojZT8Yzux9/s1600/or-01.png" height="460" width="640" /></a></span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">For
the longest time the word 'whitening' in a products name or or
description terrified me. As an American girl, raised on beach
summers and swim team, I have always highly valued a nice tan over
pale skin. Asia, however, is obsessed with pale, smooth skin. And on
some small level, I've given in.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIA7aATX20F7mT2T5KgFvKpCF_JBxgrXe8gWuXVSZ3dmYFjc7hMepbPIuDlPUWrG0-ZktEsFBpy_qmmSulifgb7_50s4YesArnaBMTcEcDLhfAVOsseeHlquK6BnvU_CZbLvyYP2bUxgI/s1600/or-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIA7aATX20F7mT2T5KgFvKpCF_JBxgrXe8gWuXVSZ3dmYFjc7hMepbPIuDlPUWrG0-ZktEsFBpy_qmmSulifgb7_50s4YesArnaBMTcEcDLhfAVOsseeHlquK6BnvU_CZbLvyYP2bUxgI/s1600/or-02.png" height="452" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
Omija line from Skin Food claims to be for 'whitening' of the skin,
but really it's secret is in brightening and smoothing out skin tone.
While definitely not a miracle worker, or a speedy overnight
treatment, when I put these into my every day routine, my skin seems
to perk up. I use the toner and serum all year long and the emulsion
m ainly in the summer months when I can use it in place of a
moisturiser. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">It's
a bit expensive in Japan, but in Korea it's definitely a steal. Have
you ever tried any brightening or whitening products? </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-26436328999894768312014-04-28T20:15:00.000-07:002014-04-28T20:15:03.356-07:00A Second Day in Kyoto -}<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-o27eY-LzVIRD6FQ2MFjwXCDiWMUDZgok_BoouU53uI0xDPNQlnSHgPpY43wf402pnae0xX8_L5S_veO7EbVDNeB7XWyOYYV2cVLHsY0jRZ804VFrftUxjtVUcyhbFQTqiQL7QsyYA3O/s1600/kyo-00.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-o27eY-LzVIRD6FQ2MFjwXCDiWMUDZgok_BoouU53uI0xDPNQlnSHgPpY43wf402pnae0xX8_L5S_veO7EbVDNeB7XWyOYYV2cVLHsY0jRZ804VFrftUxjtVUcyhbFQTqiQL7QsyYA3O/s1600/kyo-00.png" height="440" width="640" /></a> </span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">I
feel like I need a disclaimer in addition to the post title, this was
my SECOND time to Kyoto. I'd already been to Kyoto before (a few
years back) and hit the major sites of Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji, and
Kinkaku-ji, and while I would definitely done some things differently
if given the chance, I felt like seeing something a bit different
this time around. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-o27eY-LzVIRD6FQ2MFjwXCDiWMUDZgok_BoouU53uI0xDPNQlnSHgPpY43wf402pnae0xX8_L5S_veO7EbVDNeB7XWyOYYV2cVLHsY0jRZ804VFrftUxjtVUcyhbFQTqiQL7QsyYA3O/s1600/kyo-00.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5yfwRMaklSNlc5PDIPkbp4csKMgCvxi2KUOlEGmO-Ny2h46IsgPuDHrYU_pOALImgsjpjvEe9Y4qWlYomHIgCyk2_-BTXdI3oWN-4XMdPIRvgLGQln-QtXj2ZGPIQXZFNJJe2Ei9cD09/s1600/kyo-01a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5yfwRMaklSNlc5PDIPkbp4csKMgCvxi2KUOlEGmO-Ny2h46IsgPuDHrYU_pOALImgsjpjvEe9Y4qWlYomHIgCyk2_-BTXdI3oWN-4XMdPIRvgLGQln-QtXj2ZGPIQXZFNJJe2Ei9cD09/s1600/kyo-01a.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLG5pjuc_ywEekAMXxRRvRPQnMlX_KT7qFu0w7Ed6nMU1GSU-4nZw3c4Bj4IbrdpkqD1y2rNZebrSshkiQXKO9soHPwWZawaY83IqG8vFIq48PgtvHf1p9RaCicAEZBxHa8KC9i9LqC3h8/s1600/kyo-01b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLG5pjuc_ywEekAMXxRRvRPQnMlX_KT7qFu0w7Ed6nMU1GSU-4nZw3c4Bj4IbrdpkqD1y2rNZebrSshkiQXKO9soHPwWZawaY83IqG8vFIq48PgtvHf1p9RaCicAEZBxHa8KC9i9LqC3h8/s1600/kyo-01b.png" height="400" width="300" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">As
soon as I arrived at Kyoto Station, I grabbed a day bus pass from the
Information Booth, but on busy days (the weekend, holidays, etc.)
they have a small table set up outside, in front of the bus queues so
you can skip the epic lines that form in the booth. And I highly
recommend getting a bus pass, because with each fare a flat rate of
Y230 and the daily pass at Y500, it's a very good deal. And the buses
are a total necessary evil in Kyoto.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP8bkv45mKu3062UJhxlgg2G5WFvD8tOzO114mgstIOBuN3a39CfNCQS9Ws0v5J6H7FHHjr7MDV5OXx-trcbh6mV6AmEY3bYXM-VoMvAetI4O-mL_7oGz2i7W8yxC3-Jgjlom5z3GcHpo/s1600/kyo-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP8bkv45mKu3062UJhxlgg2G5WFvD8tOzO114mgstIOBuN3a39CfNCQS9Ws0v5J6H7FHHjr7MDV5OXx-trcbh6mV6AmEY3bYXM-VoMvAetI4O-mL_7oGz2i7W8yxC3-Jgjlom5z3GcHpo/s1600/kyo-02.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQsGmYkMRSsYnRN0dlIkkPmahgQXS2PbfQm-wNl-dmFPc5DIwVziwEkDo_ygM2EJRJ26yUopuOErTFNE1Om4buYAmAA6xIoNWzV0Nqf-SIioY9-jDCgJhSXdMQfGjEknP_vTsR53_1rQI/s1600/kyo-03a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQsGmYkMRSsYnRN0dlIkkPmahgQXS2PbfQm-wNl-dmFPc5DIwVziwEkDo_ygM2EJRJ26yUopuOErTFNE1Om4buYAmAA6xIoNWzV0Nqf-SIioY9-jDCgJhSXdMQfGjEknP_vTsR53_1rQI/s1600/kyo-03a.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PDLdJzs0SWMpqkvSmvOuf7ZvOv2VCn4wn8tjAK_p_7FaIiuQjBuZyS_kFPX-I37uzkQ2DV0jcgeTwzRQs3Q2yd29flPptKFAP_p-Ej24TleTFCOikuxTTA2rTDHvDc84WdeL-gkHDMzV/s1600/kyo-03b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PDLdJzs0SWMpqkvSmvOuf7ZvOv2VCn4wn8tjAK_p_7FaIiuQjBuZyS_kFPX-I37uzkQ2DV0jcgeTwzRQs3Q2yd29flPptKFAP_p-Ej24TleTFCOikuxTTA2rTDHvDc84WdeL-gkHDMzV/s1600/kyo-03b.png" height="400" width="300" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">This
time I did want to swing by Ginkaku-ji again, since it was under
renovation when I went last time. The lady who sold me my bus ticket
recommended grabbing a bus up to Ginkaku-ji and then working my way
down towards Gion because the wait for a bus from the station to Gion
was horrendous (trust me, I double-checked myself). Also, hopping the
bus to Ginkaku-ji allowed me to get off at Imadegawa station and
walk along the cherry blossom filled streets and creek-banks. </span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"> </span></span>
</div>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpBt_pjioYg73SLvUy_BB9S4Vl_J5soDqPW6L9WzAYFpW_2KpEP7-6js4zM0K6Py5Gipx8XDqB-VNgYL0B_BETqdRg00qCdJ-24XCe1-JFjmcIxsgRRxsn2dgFmJOYS7-a87ogIf0wyxs/s1600/kyo-05a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpBt_pjioYg73SLvUy_BB9S4Vl_J5soDqPW6L9WzAYFpW_2KpEP7-6js4zM0K6Py5Gipx8XDqB-VNgYL0B_BETqdRg00qCdJ-24XCe1-JFjmcIxsgRRxsn2dgFmJOYS7-a87ogIf0wyxs/s1600/kyo-05a.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVIi45o6gLjanb5ZvuvblkTgsUtrh8dhUJq6MSIQIVPbi-VvfhHsbjZkmKE3Ju-VaE1PW5Vd-2dG1ltQ-FRF0zb7Yg6G6gpJBTYHoZ2TmfV0R47IQaSbWxauYd2vUGQUO_BYST55NdivK/s1600/kyo-05b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVIi45o6gLjanb5ZvuvblkTgsUtrh8dhUJq6MSIQIVPbi-VvfhHsbjZkmKE3Ju-VaE1PW5Vd-2dG1ltQ-FRF0zb7Yg6G6gpJBTYHoZ2TmfV0R47IQaSbWxauYd2vUGQUO_BYST55NdivK/s1600/kyo-05b.png" height="320" width="240" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">After
Ginkaku-ji, I wandered along the road, and wound up at Honen-in, a
quiet, beautiful temple that is high on my re-visit list. I was
running late to meet my friends and kind of sped through the
galleries and rooms the temple had on display. Whoops. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">How
would you spend a second day in Kyoto?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-80018122749564212202014-04-24T02:26:00.001-07:002014-04-24T02:26:34.044-07:00Argelan Body Milk -}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF2v-rq387whMabw8AFxpIY4JoRcXomuAxMGUnkm1R70mhtNwLIvjlvKf1XvCrhMhvxET-gV_0E2DqDoAFrZMzVO7PEq7sCLPDBF8pJW6UPwLk1YKKtSe5G_uDr8_uzfPt-eDu-X2XJqp/s1600/bm-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF2v-rq387whMabw8AFxpIY4JoRcXomuAxMGUnkm1R70mhtNwLIvjlvKf1XvCrhMhvxET-gV_0E2DqDoAFrZMzVO7PEq7sCLPDBF8pJW6UPwLk1YKKtSe5G_uDr8_uzfPt-eDu-X2XJqp/s1600/bm-01.png" height="432" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">You
know how sometimes initial impressions can be wrong? Those pants that
were such a steal make you look bloated. The super cute shoes, that
actually pinch your feet. Ow. Yeah, I've made my fair share of those.
But until now, none has landed me at the doctor. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Earlier
this winter Matsumoto Kiyoshi put out a new organic house brand,
Argelan. They might have other products but their two big products
are lotion and shampoo. And I being a human being -that seems to
magically posses scaly, lizard-esqe skin in the winter, I'm always on
the look out for a new lotion.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">So
I bought this lovely packaged bottle of lavender scented body milk.
And for the first few weeks it went well. And then I kind of forgot
about it, until one morning I was feeling exceptionally dry and
itchy. Before I threw on my normal layer of Heat Tech, I slathered my
back with a coating of the lotion. Frankly this stuff smells amazing,
I have to say, so the whiff of lavender I caught all day was quite
nice.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">However.
That night, as I curled up and closed my eyes, I began to itch. And
itch. And I couldn't sleep for an entire week because I was so itchy.
I couldn't imagine what it was, nothing had changed. (I had been
using the lotion semi-regularly at that point.) It took a trip to the
dermatologist to figure out what was making me so unbearably itchy. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">So
while this is probably a lovely lotion/body milk for others, I
shudder when I see it in the stores. Talk about trauma. Trauma from a
body milk. Who knew?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Have
you ever been lead astray by a product before?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-26875396290632754472014-04-22T00:49:00.001-07:002014-04-22T00:49:05.271-07:00Nara -}<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIXMN3KQJ2FgAbLAWS0rItLMJy0M3ibYO_jTIN6KfJCIMZ7Op4jAje22pK1Oj2rt2u5YuxU7PGMD9Xrm6XTo9Qzv4i_oweS7wtapPQLTFN-EILTYqjpgsaxdGxXC5R7AGklo5L5DCG1Vo/s1600/nara.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIXMN3KQJ2FgAbLAWS0rItLMJy0M3ibYO_jTIN6KfJCIMZ7Op4jAje22pK1Oj2rt2u5YuxU7PGMD9Xrm6XTo9Qzv4i_oweS7wtapPQLTFN-EILTYqjpgsaxdGxXC5R7AGklo5L5DCG1Vo/s1600/nara.png" height="394" width="640" /></a></span> </span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Japan
is jam packed with places to visit, if you look hard enough something
old and fantastic is probably no more than a twenty minute leisurely
bike ride away. Kyoto is a perfect example of this, almost to the
extreme degree. But the lesser known, Nara is just as full of
beautiful, ancient places, most much much older than your standard
Kyoto fare. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5mVMGqPeEX2UEAVLNxiLpW66R8-fAdw186t6HvpANXT0enm4SpxgIc5-QUoUTYtW4YEWhgaeyTziKcOH2mqVp5-N1qyUwsnqkQdNg5-W-rYgLPS5sSq8_S7hmC9PU-y0iPnKJOF685Lx/s1600/nara-00a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5mVMGqPeEX2UEAVLNxiLpW66R8-fAdw186t6HvpANXT0enm4SpxgIc5-QUoUTYtW4YEWhgaeyTziKcOH2mqVp5-N1qyUwsnqkQdNg5-W-rYgLPS5sSq8_S7hmC9PU-y0iPnKJOF685Lx/s1600/nara-00a.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Making
it to Nara is relatively easy if you're already visiting another
place in Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, etc.). It's around an hour's
train ride from Osaka (probably faster if you pay the extra cost of
hopping on an express) and maybe a bit more from Kyoto. I started
from KintetsuNara on the Kintetsu Line, but starting from Nara
Station on the JR Kansai Main Line doesn't really put you that far
off the mark. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxILwvZrhgCSKSPcimbxhMgeh5J7FcUwjYiIa8Wo2-9MxcrPsFQn0BS52KJKUToByug3k4wS7T905ZU2SwdD3aHj0JEuCzpO1Y2WtV2cNeJk3y4_G07IcQ6J6LmP0I8bd1rkGrFaUGpbR/s1600/nara-00b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxILwvZrhgCSKSPcimbxhMgeh5J7FcUwjYiIa8Wo2-9MxcrPsFQn0BS52KJKUToByug3k4wS7T905ZU2SwdD3aHj0JEuCzpO1Y2WtV2cNeJk3y4_G07IcQ6J6LmP0I8bd1rkGrFaUGpbR/s1600/nara-00b.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
walk through Nara Park up past Kofuku-ji (which is partly under
construction, boo!) is nice on a good day, but beware – once you've
purchased wafers to feed the deer in the park, good luck having any
peace. Pushy little buggers! </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIFEKpayXoNNYvyFI8vBCEyDnAIy_k9jo_NcRz-G4U6KhmrUrwdJKIEF0nbjrETwSVZqXSTf-K_oP0AJBfvXH31-B7vE1OoIPDWwTPYs81y1AqkPyn7ozaV9JeYa5tKoVwJsNvtSjx7Mz/s1600/nara-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIFEKpayXoNNYvyFI8vBCEyDnAIy_k9jo_NcRz-G4U6KhmrUrwdJKIEF0nbjrETwSVZqXSTf-K_oP0AJBfvXH31-B7vE1OoIPDWwTPYs81y1AqkPyn7ozaV9JeYa5tKoVwJsNvtSjx7Mz/s1600/nara-01.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMH-vKkuqTP_gx95T6telhVFwUz8SubXLuorSkdoF5noXfnT9v-qWYXRUXX79dVkJqd-e-y9N58tOcLSb3aGzSxyJesSQTpScieVEoBvRYBPPbw-Uo00dT9l-Ci18-ASeT-dWqFYZmCBM/s1600/nara-01a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMH-vKkuqTP_gx95T6telhVFwUz8SubXLuorSkdoF5noXfnT9v-qWYXRUXX79dVkJqd-e-y9N58tOcLSb3aGzSxyJesSQTpScieVEoBvRYBPPbw-Uo00dT9l-Ci18-ASeT-dWqFYZmCBM/s1600/nara-01a.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Todai-ji
is a must see, as it's complex houses the world's largest bronze
statue of Bhudda, and the entire complex, along with seven other
sites in the city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Don't know what
a World Heritage Site is? Do yourself a favor before coming to Japan
and look it up. Japan is obsessed with them and very, very proud of
the sites in Japan that have received the designation.) You can see
quite a bit of the complex before having the pay the entrance fee to
the main hall (Y500), but it's worth the coin to get and wander
around. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X1Eu__NdTNwU2nVTsCGswx_vE-iNIax-bG2QQk9n_z0z6VLqMAA3DkCDDcoSfdryqV4e7kHC7Aw_QQKjhCVmpvFXhkczGKuiBtIwVJQZzBwo4ruTp-wUAMeUuIGIInDO0VDRbpO0iEga/s1600/nara-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X1Eu__NdTNwU2nVTsCGswx_vE-iNIax-bG2QQk9n_z0z6VLqMAA3DkCDDcoSfdryqV4e7kHC7Aw_QQKjhCVmpvFXhkczGKuiBtIwVJQZzBwo4ruTp-wUAMeUuIGIInDO0VDRbpO0iEga/s1600/nara-02.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I
recommend buying a bento and bringing it with you through Todai-ji
and the shrine's near by, and have a nice picnic lunch in one of the
lovely open shelters in Nara Park. I unfortunately got hungry when I
reached Tamukeyama Hachiman-gu Shrine and had to head back to find
food, after which the weather became absolutely miserable and I had
to call it a day. Major bummer. Don't make that mistake. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcJGeJe6vvA2pwEz22C2QoHZY9HBmtiCyxKnteCQhNmXVOVNvxchmuiRTtYaHexGYILY7J8gwTu-9yaEQcEjBUu9N0Gfcw3Vo03s-NTyO-LC4_B3qS6lTWaDz8FRsXXc24nU0vlV0whoQ/s1600/nara-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcJGeJe6vvA2pwEz22C2QoHZY9HBmtiCyxKnteCQhNmXVOVNvxchmuiRTtYaHexGYILY7J8gwTu-9yaEQcEjBUu9N0Gfcw3Vo03s-NTyO-LC4_B3qS6lTWaDz8FRsXXc24nU0vlV0whoQ/s1600/nara-03.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nrNyn3QcwZd018xG48Bhe6e8kiQUorENlvqa-l37bCVEkDSxh191ntVZOJrxe7u00f_n-PdlXNi_FXa3wysu_X8m6qnmoWn7CaXenrxmdpCxYEr16MPSZS70o15_nh2rvd0fnRz-vM8_/s1600/nara-04.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nrNyn3QcwZd018xG48Bhe6e8kiQUorENlvqa-l37bCVEkDSxh191ntVZOJrxe7u00f_n-PdlXNi_FXa3wysu_X8m6qnmoWn7CaXenrxmdpCxYEr16MPSZS70o15_nh2rvd0fnRz-vM8_/s1600/nara-04.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></span>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have
you ever been to Nara? What are your must see spots?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlc_H_Wb1H_j4sZh9OBT_lbUDDRxo87CeBUuRP-u_CsdVWgfQDQoiBvqDyGGgrSjvYDpFBgrd4JQekrHAhtHqc7OxlKsHx7KNF3LzUk2FRDxLEFfWOvG-0DlveSnO5T1FucYIpSSKuW07/s1600/nara-05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlc_H_Wb1H_j4sZh9OBT_lbUDDRxo87CeBUuRP-u_CsdVWgfQDQoiBvqDyGGgrSjvYDpFBgrd4JQekrHAhtHqc7OxlKsHx7KNF3LzUk2FRDxLEFfWOvG-0DlveSnO5T1FucYIpSSKuW07/s1600/nara-05.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-10789129038520689402014-04-15T05:24:00.003-07:002014-04-15T05:24:42.208-07:00Rose Hair Shampoo -}
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-xiJHJGyq6p4_7gEqf80m6xgFxQ6V8gRRdG5NFBpvSh6SyoeaJO_O7jhZFncEmoShgd3KdSRUNqydZ0H-F7thTTd8vcf9wOzSRSromaRWSrmLp-Ctgaavk0lqi7fwVTksl0kjDkmD1UJ/s1600/rh-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-xiJHJGyq6p4_7gEqf80m6xgFxQ6V8gRRdG5NFBpvSh6SyoeaJO_O7jhZFncEmoShgd3KdSRUNqydZ0H-F7thTTd8vcf9wOzSRSromaRWSrmLp-Ctgaavk0lqi7fwVTksl0kjDkmD1UJ/s1600/rh-03.png" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You
know when sometimes you get swept away by beautiful packaging and the
thrill of a new product? And it sits there, all shiny and pristine
while your other products (while loved and much used) seem to shrink
away from the perfection? But then . . . it doesn't live up to the
excitement of the actual purchase.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yeah,
me too. And unfortunately, this shampoo is definitely one big fat
case of buyers regret. After finishing up my CliniCare Full and Thick
Shampoo, I was interested in trying a new shampoo and did some
research (i.e. about five minutes of browsing Cosme.net). </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So
off, I went to Kokura (a land that's not as magical as Fukuoka city,
but it tries). And I found myself in the organic beauty shop in
Izutsuya. Completely confused. There are so many brands and so many
things to consider that I never really thought of (clearly the
research didn't help). Enter the prettily packaged, of Cosmetics
'Rose Shampoo.'</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA9g5w0YPEP2Vm1zFPLAQPIMdjtNLad3AC4kuXS5hRHxAov88wf5sKRzAOjqnVEdoCzqxFTOqTI4PJwgBki9rpgfz_dRe6w2LZHe9PvD7uHrpxJ89I3z1YUVuMmHz6XZxCjYQk2LghL4Z/s1600/rh-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA9g5w0YPEP2Vm1zFPLAQPIMdjtNLad3AC4kuXS5hRHxAov88wf5sKRzAOjqnVEdoCzqxFTOqTI4PJwgBki9rpgfz_dRe6w2LZHe9PvD7uHrpxJ89I3z1YUVuMmHz6XZxCjYQk2LghL4Z/s1600/rh-01.png" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
bottle is beautiful and the smell is, not exactly my style, but quite
nice, something I thought I could definitely learn to like. The
sample size that I bought has a screw cap, so you have to unscrew the
cap and pour some out in your hand, which is kind of a pain when
you're in the shower – however the full size does have a pump. The
formula lathers nicely and seems to rinse well and left my hair
feeling nice after the shower.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However,
by the second day my hair was limp and greasy at the roots and I felt
like a hot mess. So I went back and tried using a bit more product.
Nu-uh. I tried using less product. Nope. I tried using the product on
a every-other time basis with my Seanik shampoo. No go. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpasPjjlBSJi7m0hHorEAeaBREgCUi8cqrfg4gz1PJaasYgohOCR3XIH9UAO1NToBcrb3LyOxiIty7v031ZwGq_lmyj7Yc8QQBPepEjQVrz7F75-qs8KK62rClWUzol2IyuxDeyTdbeq6/s1600/rh-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpasPjjlBSJi7m0hHorEAeaBREgCUi8cqrfg4gz1PJaasYgohOCR3XIH9UAO1NToBcrb3LyOxiIty7v031ZwGq_lmyj7Yc8QQBPepEjQVrz7F75-qs8KK62rClWUzol2IyuxDeyTdbeq6/s1600/rh-02.png" height="470" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm
sure this product has worked well for other people, but for me it
just fell flat (see what I did there?). So I think I'm going to try
and pawn this off to one of my girlfriends and try something else.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have
you ever tried Of Cosmetics products? Do you have any shampoo
recommendations?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-31310978054977918412014-04-01T06:45:00.001-07:002014-04-01T06:45:18.592-07:00Red Bean Paste BB Cream -}
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkgvOlwnEH6dIBUN_oztwxlzb-2RlDuDM9clp3QZJ0D_NHjS_0vRp4Xn0ZhNPL70-8Kil1XUlh_XPp-hKtXEXaxvqW-yC-R_F9Xrxdcu6Ct-EMtEGNAxI-UsymbSc1-fG8yFBm-rM4hRw/s1600/bbcream-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkgvOlwnEH6dIBUN_oztwxlzb-2RlDuDM9clp3QZJ0D_NHjS_0vRp4Xn0ZhNPL70-8Kil1XUlh_XPp-hKtXEXaxvqW-yC-R_F9Xrxdcu6Ct-EMtEGNAxI-UsymbSc1-fG8yFBm-rM4hRw/s1600/bbcream-02.png" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Confession
time. For about a year and a half, I had my mom mail me foundation
from America because I was too terrified to try out any Japanese
foundations. This was probably a good idea, because the one I did try
out was . . . waayyy to dark and yellow. It was terrifying. I try to
block out my memory of it.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However,
fast forward through a bunch of Clinique and some Estee-Lauder
foundations to my first trip to Korea. Seoul stole my heart and
blessed me with the beauty that is BB Cream. I know a lot beauty
bloggers and others think very little of BB Cream. That is is,
essentially, just over-hyped tinted moisturiser. Maybe it is. But for
me, Skin Food's Red Bean Paste BB Cream is my holy grail (well,
relatively). </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3E4sV_8SebcXHyKIGlSHYN5xMoyh30YnizLzO14PdgGkwgadd_8ppF3-umPf0TL0Kvhr6tMmbL8TeQJx2L6Ps46ytEWZA2bf2SNA8XvawHSYjeH6lCJ9xuwyvsWGt7YBnCscclHL8iPCh/s1600/bbcream-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3E4sV_8SebcXHyKIGlSHYN5xMoyh30YnizLzO14PdgGkwgadd_8ppF3-umPf0TL0Kvhr6tMmbL8TeQJx2L6Ps46ytEWZA2bf2SNA8XvawHSYjeH6lCJ9xuwyvsWGt7YBnCscclHL8iPCh/s1600/bbcream-03.png" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
formula is much more foundation like than tinted moisturiser, and it
gives very good coverage. It's still a bit more yellow than I'd
prefer, but I live in Asia, what did I expect? I like to use a
foundation brush to apply it to give that nice airbrushed finish. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I
have to say it does slide a bit in my t-zone since that's where I
tend to get oily, but less so than all other foundations.
(Foundations always seemed to slide off for me until I found my
perfect moisturiser, but that's for another post). My only complaint
is something that can't be helped. It's ridiculously cheap in Korea
(W10,000 or Y1,000) but in Japan it's twice as much (Y2,000), but
between all the tariffs and whatnot, I guess it's understandable. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Needless
to say I've gone through countless tubes of this stuff and I'm still
in love. Although I'm itching to get back to Seoul and buy a bunch of
new BB creams to try (particularly Skin Food's Aloe Vera BB Cream,
and one from Missha).</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you have any favorite BB creams? Or do you think they're over-hyped? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-77062965970586785932014-03-27T05:41:00.000-07:002014-03-27T05:41:07.366-07:00Random Kokura Haul -}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASBLQTWzKCpIw89rvcIDg9HisEca4MXh9R5dPAVrt7XUZCnDv_lvIoT3PMiii0j9H8xn4qV4-FPD02ZFkA7bpxW7oLc7F0te42f2xLJJCXtwr_lU3YznuPQXnX6rTAJm7rJ5yxFJuKWMH/s1600/k-h-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASBLQTWzKCpIw89rvcIDg9HisEca4MXh9R5dPAVrt7XUZCnDv_lvIoT3PMiii0j9H8xn4qV4-FPD02ZFkA7bpxW7oLc7F0te42f2xLJJCXtwr_lU3YznuPQXnX6rTAJm7rJ5yxFJuKWMH/s1600/k-h-01.png" height="640" width="540" /></a></div>
So last week my friend and I went to Kokura and did a bit of shopping. Even though the weather was absolute crap. (Boooooo.) I ended up picking up more than I intended to. (Isn't that always the case?)<br />
<br />
We hit up . . . . well, pretty much everywhere except for Riverwalk. Izutsuya's second floor ladies shoe department has just re-opened, and now has shoes in sizes up to around 40!!! Excuse me while I dance for joy! My Sephora wish-list might take a massive hit as I might be splurging on some pretty flats instead. Hurrah!<br />
<br />
In the picture above, you can see I purchased a large amount of paper products and the Bourjois CC Eye Cream Concealer from Loft. The pictures of them turned out just awful, but I really have been enjoying the concealer (weird packaging aside) and the post cards have been all mailed off to family in the States. The cards however are a year's supply, as I tend to stock up on a year's worth and then mail them when I have a family or friend's birthday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yZN27jf8z3z08M_A9X4NufkFtUW1komaCjCgdxQs9Zx22pRXlAhnsFxFHGcQJROGdkqIjIErK60H0SgYB3yZKdImDPdVFRTl3DbbXqBsdTX5KhXsAQEcRDIaZZGSSWgK5B4RvzFms1Fn/s1600/k-h-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yZN27jf8z3z08M_A9X4NufkFtUW1komaCjCgdxQs9Zx22pRXlAhnsFxFHGcQJROGdkqIjIErK60H0SgYB3yZKdImDPdVFRTl3DbbXqBsdTX5KhXsAQEcRDIaZZGSSWgK5B4RvzFms1Fn/s1600/k-h-02.png" height="320" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
There is this very clean, organic looking (can something be 'organic looking?') store on the edge of Kokura's arcade (Unomachi) across from a traditional shoe store, sitting on the street that runs between Izutsuya and Murosaki-gawa.<br />
I've always thought this shop is really cute and always thrown around the idea of going in but never actually done it. Except this time, we were walking by and there was a bakery display with bagels. Hello! So we popped in and I bought two for around Y300 and let me tell you, totally worth it. Okay, not as good as something you might get in NYC or such, but in Kokura for Y150 a piece I was pretty happy. Although for some reason they included the instructions? Apparently bagels need instructions? A first for me. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUpavBLgWlKbCfudklIOcmCMGNF62pnkKMHhDNKYH3gvPrqgoHc_931JnCU5eyL1raYMF-i5PInGRqINTBJlhUWwkS1PZVHfWIp0VsNQW1ySwzd3zk1KYfA4QBXSi7wSNpxn4qGgfXoIZ/s1600/k-h-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUpavBLgWlKbCfudklIOcmCMGNF62pnkKMHhDNKYH3gvPrqgoHc_931JnCU5eyL1raYMF-i5PInGRqINTBJlhUWwkS1PZVHfWIp0VsNQW1ySwzd3zk1KYfA4QBXSi7wSNpxn4qGgfXoIZ/s1600/k-h-03.png" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
I also popped into the Skin Food in Kokura Station's Amu Plaza. Ohhh. Skin Food. How I adore thee. I picked up a new tube of Red Bean BB Cream, what feels like my one trillionth tube. I love this BB cream - I'll be reviewing it soon. I also got a Black Sugar Mask as a sample. Which, while I like their Black Sugar Scrub for my body this is apparently for your face . . . not sure how I feel about that. But it's such a big hit in Japan, I guess I'll give it a try.<br />
<br />
Hope you're all having a good week. And spring is bringing warmer temperatures to you! Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-75557559402415668472014-03-24T18:57:00.001-07:002014-03-24T18:57:17.004-07:00Toyotsu Biking Tour -}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqPG_sIXMI9VY074k5JBaVE0b8dzvoTZfMUZxpMjd9-vAofr7XdrWdAcTVRvH-Sqy7Kvw0f46Bgt9qtYOfYaf9InQp1tlpxVAIY6AQfVyNDze6ND15wa7MSah40WT4Kyx72b5aqvZbIQN/s1600/toyo-00.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqPG_sIXMI9VY074k5JBaVE0b8dzvoTZfMUZxpMjd9-vAofr7XdrWdAcTVRvH-Sqy7Kvw0f46Bgt9qtYOfYaf9InQp1tlpxVAIY6AQfVyNDze6ND15wa7MSah40WT4Kyx72b5aqvZbIQN/s1600/toyo-00.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">A
few weekends back, the weather decided to make a break for it and
turned sunny and gorgeous and most importantly, warm. Now, I know, I
know, Kyushu weather isn't all that cold, but it gets cold enough and
so the sun-drenched high of 17C was a very, very welcome sight.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJzJBsSNUEhzJrwu_TaYKg8SinrELUNd25Pt5TQnfeKH8mMA22QcAQGtLDvV19umha1jvdmany2mS-MjVi7e8bt8DHJUlMDTwqXfBGx3OsBQhG2o6GkifuiwB0r_fCSAi6TB8pI3FxWZk/s1600/toyo-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJzJBsSNUEhzJrwu_TaYKg8SinrELUNd25Pt5TQnfeKH8mMA22QcAQGtLDvV19umha1jvdmany2mS-MjVi7e8bt8DHJUlMDTwqXfBGx3OsBQhG2o6GkifuiwB0r_fCSAi6TB8pI3FxWZk/s1600/toyo-01.png" height="348" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">To
make the most of the weather, my friend and I got out in the
afternoon and biked a fair few kilometers to a small town called
Toyotsu. The ride was gorgeous and the company was hilarious and
while we might have gotten a bit turned around, it was a very fun
trip.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC-kh1eru9kDzRFr1cfdkdQeHLp2ZWqm22dVSjRRok-Ip-nIh9_nfvFVsoJCUwSpNAQ9VZAoTEn7CR_CWToR19J-hDRX4gtnvS5-CxyY58OU1It2IgfBTTMllHj2YF2ZLcvbGu2G61VtC/s1600/toyo-02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC-kh1eru9kDzRFr1cfdkdQeHLp2ZWqm22dVSjRRok-Ip-nIh9_nfvFVsoJCUwSpNAQ9VZAoTEn7CR_CWToR19J-hDRX4gtnvS5-CxyY58OU1It2IgfBTTMllHj2YF2ZLcvbGu2G61VtC/s1600/toyo-02.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The
entire point of this little jaunt, however, was not just to get out
and enjoy the fresh air (now with less PM2.5!). Toyotsu is home to a
three story pagoda. Funny thing about pagodas, is that although my
image of pagoda is definitely the Japanese variety, it is not, in
fact, a Japanese word. Or in fact an original Japanese
idea/architectural structure. (Thanks, Wiki!)</span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcNzFDgRkqbFR0tU6aFHoXG_IBU8LrOi0QfLngh6qix3HeGlMV8itG356eZQPc4evRlatMl3ShVeiLnNZwffKWZXGYladA_qkK5yfORUxWCvU4yUx7z-MUm-1Bi3CbYgDaXzXciWDCr0h/s1600/toyo-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcNzFDgRkqbFR0tU6aFHoXG_IBU8LrOi0QfLngh6qix3HeGlMV8itG356eZQPc4evRlatMl3ShVeiLnNZwffKWZXGYladA_qkK5yfORUxWCvU4yUx7z-MUm-1Bi3CbYgDaXzXciWDCr0h/s1600/toyo-03.png" height="430" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I'm
not quite sure, why this pagoda was built. Or when it was. (Reasons
why I should take pictures of the signboards – especially when the
English is as good as the ones Toyotsu has!) But it's still very
pretty, and very photogenic on a nice day.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG57cAP7yTTHkBEBRQ9mGux1L_mxfP6BynvMfzJtyxIXel51iVzQh-8h4L3VX5__8kHeGtKeia6GZDrKFTbS_VbauY8bGyWSx9vndYd3ReT0bPfzRDAMees2cqBx1S6lFAkOcH_WcW5WBx/s1600/toyo-04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG57cAP7yTTHkBEBRQ9mGux1L_mxfP6BynvMfzJtyxIXel51iVzQh-8h4L3VX5__8kHeGtKeia6GZDrKFTbS_VbauY8bGyWSx9vndYd3ReT0bPfzRDAMees2cqBx1S6lFAkOcH_WcW5WBx/s1600/toyo-04.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I'm
not quite sure, why this pagoda was built. Or when it was. (Reasons
why I should take pictures of the signboards – especially when the
English is as good as the ones Toyotsu has!) But it's still very
pretty, and very photogenic on a nice day.</span></div>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFCb99N0zFWfqPhlHGQyZxHgnjgGkBXMWSfazvJ6KWIQ_AN4h02S_URRyRsB1ZapmDiicSbh0HsFgs2dg_-4BTWp4_XC7FinC3IeqlH-RYgqYn1X54FV8_Iq5sFSRNCcD6lqsS9E3ERkV/s1600/toyo-05.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFCb99N0zFWfqPhlHGQyZxHgnjgGkBXMWSfazvJ6KWIQ_AN4h02S_URRyRsB1ZapmDiicSbh0HsFgs2dg_-4BTWp4_XC7FinC3IeqlH-RYgqYn1X54FV8_Iq5sFSRNCcD6lqsS9E3ERkV/s1600/toyo-05.png" height="400" width="316" /></a></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7m03TUFzJJu-21JYE38dJz1uQ-pOP9Kad29zjIJC9adA79HFwi2QxAAFja8MtNwOtfuj2u_Z15LCMy9zsYxJIvmPHQNiN3Q2IpuCkzuXT3tEWDe8WEGOBEFXtpY4jDxIeFxY-0ERb0zf/s1600/toyo-07.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh9bK9ahyphenhyphens-zXD3eOEUlbJhKLxpP3QE3bTu72H4hZc2mFh8WfnjTIM4mkCF3zRf9NHcSThj4zxDC9YxZlWX7KfKtFOB8KkC4aHlLeJcjyXh021z5Mdv6vQHsxJol_FHgJ8E3LUS0EjgkM/s1600/toyo-06.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></span>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Buzen-Kokubunji,
Toyotsu, Fukuoka</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Open
Daily (I think?) from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Closed
from annually from December 28<sup>th</sup> until January 4<sup>th</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Recommended? Yes, definitely! It only takes an hour or so to see the whole property. Two if you're taking your time. And the English sign translations are really well done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><sup> </sup></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5IlGtLxrh3Mh-MJIlF0FFF8AWaX1VIFp2OMdaiVgF3pg5nRNybaWA6bxudLdXmuYnG5h25N9Os6gAJIBJTn05y9ht9YscKasJ04mntFGiObIJCn1FpHBL2ApE4H566CVnXhLSDUhglno/s1600/toyo-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5IlGtLxrh3Mh-MJIlF0FFF8AWaX1VIFp2OMdaiVgF3pg5nRNybaWA6bxudLdXmuYnG5h25N9Os6gAJIBJTn05y9ht9YscKasJ04mntFGiObIJCn1FpHBL2ApE4H566CVnXhLSDUhglno/s1600/toyo-10.png" height="416" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<table>
<tbody>
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<td><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcRRIJtUgUBpXwNVn9l_hPVfSkgm9Y70CdP6YkdROBZJluONm2SHHLGxiV_AACFLlNPJoOqlU5PUoZ90IXMf-JgaDjLquwzFlyDIGgsNKfxzzofFsDw26ITbI4ev-lnXGNSD6Zb-IO34V/s1600/toyo-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcRRIJtUgUBpXwNVn9l_hPVfSkgm9Y70CdP6YkdROBZJluONm2SHHLGxiV_AACFLlNPJoOqlU5PUoZ90IXMf-JgaDjLquwzFlyDIGgsNKfxzzofFsDw26ITbI4ev-lnXGNSD6Zb-IO34V/s1600/toyo-11.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXgi3cX1S49F8jDi5KbFJeyXQjXXv2dgfTWWuwtiTPcMqG0iNjROeTd9d-Ooyi2QPxY2t9sK7R-7HMPZXCdDGbrP3g0Pxm6qopSdqg_41hOqcpXwySPQq07NM31JEpC9cY2DfQ6LYCO07/s1600/toyo-13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXgi3cX1S49F8jDi5KbFJeyXQjXXv2dgfTWWuwtiTPcMqG0iNjROeTd9d-Ooyi2QPxY2t9sK7R-7HMPZXCdDGbrP3g0Pxm6qopSdqg_41hOqcpXwySPQq07NM31JEpC9cY2DfQ6LYCO07/s1600/toyo-13.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-16570303222724317472014-03-19T06:22:00.000-07:002014-03-19T06:22:16.671-07:00Winning Combination -}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zNaaeZslrtjL8_T6AWoIc48Gwz4dCREVSUgIX9wpjcuMuvLuzWTCBqkbcvoh8tvSPvReSAsYgNbG1lf045fKFEZCB7h8IQBqknGa4PrdcUtnMA5Z5ofwbOduPphEMdgrAXI3J5EtjwGg/s1600/R8294427.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zNaaeZslrtjL8_T6AWoIc48Gwz4dCREVSUgIX9wpjcuMuvLuzWTCBqkbcvoh8tvSPvReSAsYgNbG1lf045fKFEZCB7h8IQBqknGa4PrdcUtnMA5Z5ofwbOduPphEMdgrAXI3J5EtjwGg/s1600/R8294427.png" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I have to admit, I'm not normally into 'crazy' nail polish designs. I like just a hand of the same solid nail color - maybe with an accent nail here or there - but nothing fancy. Plus with school I'm not allowed to indulge my love of dusty, dark colors nearly as much as I'd like. So this combination was not just a random trial test, but a lucky break.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL_WllXDVbG0_UuM7eSF6Yefcewc2XYBS2xEBz6wUrjzTtmJZmuvprvsGk5t2bTxYjKS4yeOg6oR1YGoH6RmmA0FhxNyuJRStHA2hg7L_S3R8lqS2ml6vCRvdvhyGpsYvYuaStHjizQHD/s1600/R8294431.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL_WllXDVbG0_UuM7eSF6Yefcewc2XYBS2xEBz6wUrjzTtmJZmuvprvsGk5t2bTxYjKS4yeOg6oR1YGoH6RmmA0FhxNyuJRStHA2hg7L_S3R8lqS2ml6vCRvdvhyGpsYvYuaStHjizQHD/s1600/R8294431.png" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Tuesday was graduation, so being a school day I had to wipe off the dark nail polish (OPI Black Cherry Chutney) off and put on something a bit more straight-laced. OPI Samoan Sands has been my go to nude shade for . . . well, whenever I discovered it years back. I often feel like I have to compromise what I'd like to be wearing whenever I have to go to school (pale pinks, nudes, nude-grays, etc.), but never with this one. It's subtle and chic, like the best of most things.<br />
<br />
But once work was over Tuesday, I practically walked in the door and picked up this Vested Interest Essie polish. My friend picked this up for me when she went home for Christmas this past holidays. Now, to be fair, Essie is sold in Japan . . . but at Y1800 a pop. (That's around $18 for you U.S. readers.) Ouch. Plus the range of colors is pretty solidly in the 'pretty and pink' category, so for some one like me who lusts after Mind Your Mittens, After School Boy Blazer or the new Under the Twilight and Hide and Go Chic (although I'm hoping Resort Fling comes to Japan! PLEASE!), it just doesn't really work out in my favor.<br />
<br />
At any rate, I'm loving the combination and the random diagonal pattern of them. It's quite simple, although I've tried 'simple' before and ended up wanting to just dump everything in the trash and never see nail polish again. (Dramatic, huh?) I popped on a quick top coat from Daiso (!!!!) and everything is looking good at the end of the first full day. But I'll let you know how this turns out.<br />
<br />
Fingers crossed!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-12130761925626394542014-03-18T05:08:00.003-07:002014-03-18T05:08:50.579-07:00BlogLovin'<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11962701/?claim=ryd7k8884um">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
<br />
Again. Please? :)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-41809013236165630102014-03-18T04:52:00.001-07:002014-03-18T04:52:43.354-07:00Not Giving Up -}This is just a quick post to let you know, I'm not dead and neither is this blog.<br />
<br />
I really liked beauty blogging (for the whole three weeks I really stuck with it), but when I sat down and really thought about it, I would never have enough content or opinions about beauty alone to fill a blog over the span of a year - or less. Actually, I sat down and did the math and figured I was way to broke to keep up a beauty blog.<br />
<br />
So I'm shifting my focus - only slightly, this blog will still be primarily beauty but with a healthy dose of lifestyle and other random fun stuff. FUN! Hurrah!<br />
<br />
Things to look out for in the future: new beauty brand reviews, biking trip ideas, and a trip to Kyoto! Hurrah!<br />
<br />
See you soon!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-88521457892608429972014-02-20T03:19:00.001-08:002014-02-20T03:19:31.121-08:00Color Ink -} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://store.maybelline.co.jp/static/product_images/default/E00060/E00060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://store.maybelline.co.jp/static/product_images/default/E00060/E00060.jpg" /></a></div>
I'm pretty sure these Color Inks that popped up in my drug store last week are the much talked about Color Tattoos elsewhere in the world.<br />
<br />
Maybelline has been hard at work increasing their brand in Japan and while some have been grave misses (Baby Pore Primer, I'm looking at you). Others, well, I know<i> I've</i> been dying to try out. <br />
<br />
Renamed Color Ink for what I'm assuming is a cultural reason (tattoos are still a pretty big no-no in Japan), Maybelline has launched five colors in the line. I'm guessing these pretty things aren't going to become part of their permanent line, judging from the fancy displays in stores and the Japanese love-affair with limited edition products. <br />
<br />
I've already picked up the color BR-1 but I still find myself circling around the display like a shark waiting for it's prey. I can't decided if I want to pick up a fun bright color, like the green or gold, or if I should stick to my everyday colors and snatch the beige or rose.<br />
<br />
What do you think? Are these something your eyeing up?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-84568768514837164982014-02-14T20:16:00.001-08:002014-02-14T20:23:06.456-08:00Body Lotion -}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMHsYr69WLiZzulrjpzC5kCHo6nxqOffshSCvIi1tF1pcD4C2IkaW56zBqH0ikMvTm8KhomYvUFvRgWvyiWF0yYoo6n63BDfvAN6o6HVw4MlgXmQdlM2DLUMJBk3AR5oyGhaCefqAtwrW/s1600/feb-03b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMHsYr69WLiZzulrjpzC5kCHo6nxqOffshSCvIi1tF1pcD4C2IkaW56zBqH0ikMvTm8KhomYvUFvRgWvyiWF0yYoo6n63BDfvAN6o6HVw4MlgXmQdlM2DLUMJBk3AR5oyGhaCefqAtwrW/s1600/feb-03b.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You
know how some times your life just seems to explode and you just have
to let go and ride it out? This past week as been one of those weeks.
Work and personal stuff just seemed to erupt into a torrent of
insanity that mixed and meshed together and I was just trying to keep
my head above water. So, what I'm trying to say is, sorry for not
posting Thursday and it wasn't because I forgot. I just had run out
of buffer and my life was not allowing me to sit down and write a
blog post.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway,
let's get to it. Bioré's
Body Deli Body Cream in Rose and Herbs (しっとり/moist
type). </span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Japan's
winters may not be as drying as other places, but when one compares
it to the oppressive humidity we all suffer through here in the
summer, it seems to be far drier than any other winter I've
experienced. And maybe it's just me, but Japanese people don't seem
to have the desire to drench their skin in lotion and oils to parch
the skin. </span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How
I miss 450 ml bottles of lotion for reasonable prices (or at all)!
For the first few years, when I went to Kokura every weekend, I would
always swing by the Body Shop in Riverwalk to get a tub of body
butter. But the price tag is a bit hefty for something you're using a
generous amount of everyday. And these days I don't get to Kokura or
even Fukuoka all that often. So I hunted for something that would
quench my skin's thirst better than the skin milks that seem to swamp
Japanese skin care shelves. </span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enter
Bioré's Body Deli Body Cream!
There are three types, とてもしっとり/really
moist, しっとり/moist,
and さっぱり/refreshed.
I've just started using the しっとり/moist
lotion. It has avocado oil, wild rose oil, and olive oil (also
glycerin? Is that a thing now?). Recently I've started really getting
into avocado oil (I just used up a avocado toner sampler from Skin
Food – love!) in beauty products. But this was actually just a
really great coincidence. </span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I
can't say I'm super crazy about the smell, I'm not a fan of rose
scented things – especially the sweet rose scent Japan seems to be
so into. However the way it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated
more than makes up for it! </span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What
about you? Do you get dry skin come winter? Have you tried any of
Bioré's Body Deli's line?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hope you're having a fabulous weekend! </span></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-42712750992383898602014-02-11T04:10:00.002-08:002014-02-14T20:18:00.268-08:00Royal Honey Ampoule Mask -}<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVch4uJJkvi5xB7PFwxwUHrDu9_0WUXPIWgieActfcZ8xHiWz1jSr96xBseKy5asT78kO3B_qreIVjKX9PET8xs-Vo7eeMuNYyO77HbgY0lXaGG14aPNlURNgxtatxBUqhvSYaLTDHYv6Z/s1600/feb-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVch4uJJkvi5xB7PFwxwUHrDu9_0WUXPIWgieActfcZ8xHiWz1jSr96xBseKy5asT78kO3B_qreIVjKX9PET8xs-Vo7eeMuNYyO77HbgY0lXaGG14aPNlURNgxtatxBUqhvSYaLTDHYv6Z/s1600/feb-01.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">I
have a travel confession. I am totally one of those girls who puts on
a sheet mask as soon as the lights dim on trans-Pacific flights. But
hopefully the lucky ones of you are already sleeping by then, and the
other not so-lucky ones are engrossed in a movie, so no one will care
that I've got a mask stuck to my face.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">I
love sheet masks and on my last trip to the States I picked up a
honey sheet mask from Skin Food and loved it. So I asked my friend to
grab me some more on a trip to Korea a while back. She brought back
something other than what I was expecting and I'm so glad she did.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">This
two step sheet mask is a bit more work, definitely not suitable for
the plane, but totally worth it. Especially in winter when my skin
feels like it's a bit rougher and drier than usual. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">First
you apply the Royal Honey Ampoule (the what?) and pat into your skin.
And quickly before it dries, you slap on the Essence Mask Sheet.
Sheet masks can be a pain in the ass, I know, but I find that Skin
Food's masks fit me better than most (I'm looking at you Face Shop).
Then you just lay back and relax for fifteen minutes or so; I like to
do this right before bed so I'll relax, maybe read a little or catch
up on some family e-mails. After fifteen minutes have passed you peel
off the mask, toss it, and rub the excess into your skin following up
with your normal moisturizer. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">My
skin feels so soft and hydrated after using this mask and definitely
much lively in the morning than usual. I just used up my last one of
these so I'll have to hunt down some more or try and find a
substitute. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">What
are your favorite masks? Do you like sheet or wash off masks? </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-77851407114586578492014-02-06T03:38:00.000-08:002014-02-14T20:18:09.919-08:00CliniCare Shampoo -}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iHkBkx0GmGpWQi2yjN6EchOVxCQE9sOyIwS0x0cGZ8qgRQJArLIamvSA5k1jpuDVtB4-KllnSmYNNO2UG00-JmxlIHDnRQmTOJrwv2EVOUxI2YjQkEFwU_hNm8xb9znmvItXRFOMaXt5/s1600/feb-02b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iHkBkx0GmGpWQi2yjN6EchOVxCQE9sOyIwS0x0cGZ8qgRQJArLIamvSA5k1jpuDVtB4-KllnSmYNNO2UG00-JmxlIHDnRQmTOJrwv2EVOUxI2YjQkEFwU_hNm8xb9znmvItXRFOMaXt5/s1600/feb-02b.jpg" height="640" width="418" /></a></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So
many shampoos. So little time.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I
know in my January favorites post I was raving on and on (or I could
have been, I just tried not to bore you) about Lush's Seanik shampoo,
but . . . Seanik and Big aren't everyday shampoos for me. They're
just a little too . . . much.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My
hair looks amazing. Until my scalp dries out and starts flaking off
every where. Dandruff is never a good look for anyone.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So
my daily shampoo until this week has been CliniCare with Pantene's
Full and Thick shampoo. And I have to say, I quite like it. I'm not
in love with it by any means, but seeing as I just finished my second
bottle, I find it's pros highly outweighs it's cons.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Probably
it's biggest plus mark for me, is I can buy it at my local drug
store. Nothing beats the convenience of being able to (theoretically)
walk in your pyjamas to the drug store to pick up a new bottle. It's
also not supremely costly, around Y1200 for a bottle, which isn't
very painful for me.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another
thing to toss into the pro column is the formula. I have what most
white people would consider normal textured hair, but in Japan it's
considered quite fine, so a lot of typical Japanese shampoos tend to
weigh my hair down or make it feel overly greasy. This shampoo
doesn't do that for me, and it doesn't dry out my scalp so bonus
points for that.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqKlQXWFB9x55-afn9RYCWYnVgy1hP9HX8wZ3igQD4k8iK0VaWKo5xryyTERiDaDWBYZEaBbzNWOSVoLUtX6o164DE2O7x5CLGGOSY4gc1vrHQIqZZzXDjT6FlDhkJcWGhuBQxeBcC78Y/s1600/feb-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqKlQXWFB9x55-afn9RYCWYnVgy1hP9HX8wZ3igQD4k8iK0VaWKo5xryyTERiDaDWBYZEaBbzNWOSVoLUtX6o164DE2O7x5CLGGOSY4gc1vrHQIqZZzXDjT6FlDhkJcWGhuBQxeBcC78Y/s1600/feb-02.jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My
friend told me to try looking for bottles that had 'ハリ'
or 'コシ' which means
'bounce' and 'resilience' in hair. </span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
only con I can really think of is that it's a Pantene product and
I've never heard good things about Pantene from my hair dressers. I
remember one telling me Pantene products have a tendency to cover the
individual hair strand with some coating or other that gives the
illusion and feel of healthy strong hair, when in fact it's not.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At
any rate, I'm looking to branch out with a new shampoo now that this
one is all used up. Any recommendations or suggestions? </span>
</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-85677092941618528432014-02-04T04:05:00.001-08:002014-02-14T20:18:27.025-08:00January Favorites -}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuG-HXZDgQJ2MID6pG0rho_PahT-Qs7YNmu5bEC9qhSK2PXJs29Y56TjM7DUm3YvIE7dAWF6yQEtVOMv4ELKcZKctjJXOGvPWeBhpW3CaJ9yxH-bezmC3_SzZd8O8zS0ke65LdYZV5-RlG/s1600/janf-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuG-HXZDgQJ2MID6pG0rho_PahT-Qs7YNmu5bEC9qhSK2PXJs29Y56TjM7DUm3YvIE7dAWF6yQEtVOMv4ELKcZKctjJXOGvPWeBhpW3CaJ9yxH-bezmC3_SzZd8O8zS0ke65LdYZV5-RlG/s1600/janf-00.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUBeEeJehGbaSWHcTt-451VR_bA-S4Np84DnO0Lnpe8k4Cz-waCZQS0d9Ya3lwWQBHRGt1ETJtjfUwTavOV95fvVHWESSJ0aNwa-jNNeXYrP6hLNbP1hkxjRVNSIPdIVyEO3FEzJALSPU/s1600/janf-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">January, January. Where have you gone? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, let's get down to it! It's been a month and some favorites have clearly emerged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejZH2QShRb3rIWoM78BFRxPzQ3aEJtwQ4SzUWrlzYgQPG1Ard1RI7cM_ziFG31slk-UPE2-ZOS6GDZ2q1yuNZEa4BRTsApXc1Zlo6VcIb2K-oT_yMfute15K1J3RSQxbUdYQiiHmBbhx3/s1600/janf-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejZH2QShRb3rIWoM78BFRxPzQ3aEJtwQ4SzUWrlzYgQPG1Ard1RI7cM_ziFG31slk-UPE2-ZOS6GDZ2q1yuNZEa4BRTsApXc1Zlo6VcIb2K-oT_yMfute15K1J3RSQxbUdYQiiHmBbhx3/s1600/janf-03.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Lush
Seanik Shampo </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDlWJwwN0811PxhGU3stWpx-fkkJ9bT230XB1zOozlyz30i2yn6X6ZCZda6ENOVXggNwWxVF5da_HreCGdGHbXvdx-ebKqtNpMYqGwxbDrqNnlzowhNWsuJepdwuV0LzAB7Tr6Wg5NxMl/s1600/janf-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">I've
actually had this shampoo lying about for ages, and just never got
around to using it. It was bought on a total whim on my last trip to
Seoul, thanks to a very good sales girl at the Lush Myeongdong store.
I wanted something that would work as a travel substitute for Big and
was recommended Seanik.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"><span lang="en-GB">I
think actually prefer the smell of Seanik to Big, and it leaves my
hair feeling much more oomphy than normal. I haven't been able to
actually test it against Big, since I only picked up it up because
I'd run out of the former. But I'm certainly not rushing to get Big
back when I've got a whole lot of this left. I love it!</span> </span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuKSL9sWPr2z1fSEtL7UjVeCSwAqI5RrMta2ax9Z-PN9AExqCKZOPqexzpg77Qi0KrLtNoyCeh8OQUmD4ONRI6WrN44B8QyqVXwXSZPsR7lnCy72mLCoxAfkPWUU14MepQA5PQpKcqkTW/s1600/janf-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuKSL9sWPr2z1fSEtL7UjVeCSwAqI5RrMta2ax9Z-PN9AExqCKZOPqexzpg77Qi0KrLtNoyCeh8OQUmD4ONRI6WrN44B8QyqVXwXSZPsR7lnCy72mLCoxAfkPWUU14MepQA5PQpKcqkTW/s1600/janf-05.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"></span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Yes
to Tomatoes</span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Part
of my Christmas present from my lovely sister. She actually bought me
the whole range of Yes to Tomatoes! Sometimes she can be so charming
and lovable. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">I
had picked up the spot treatment when I was in the States for the
holidays in 2012 and mourning the loss of it once I'd finished it up,
so I was giddily excited when I found this in my Christmas package.
My acne has cleared up for the most part, but every once and a while
I'll get one massive flare up. And it'll be one of those cystic like
spots that just sits under the skin and festers. The Yes to Tomatoes!
spot treatment has been super helpful in wishing those problem spots
off on their way.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"> </span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6axnzQ_Hftk7Spjwbwep3qxByY5vGjGkZoCnCpjoNPDklIF_K70syWWRfXf5qMeXoVwi2Ie2qOS5-XQOg3IAuUELH1XNGhP3jo8Ilk5cUkuBMgH9d72rZtOq6t7g9itmlA_bXiM50OSL/s1600/janf-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6axnzQ_Hftk7Spjwbwep3qxByY5vGjGkZoCnCpjoNPDklIF_K70syWWRfXf5qMeXoVwi2Ie2qOS5-XQOg3IAuUELH1XNGhP3jo8Ilk5cUkuBMgH9d72rZtOq6t7g9itmlA_bXiM50OSL/s1600/janf-07.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">The
serum has also helped keep period related flare-ups to a minimum.
HURRAH! Such a life-saver.</span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="en-GB"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4li52oHTVTccHhgWIFrrRuWPA3ifCD1a0RjnPYTNmQLYdw1v9cMtXumhj_H5DWaWpiaCuFuNYLcIJPIQY2BtVStl9agyGe_VMG9izxY3zwM0n58-xbjomFhK9xzsiiSwCcjkJhwr5z5V9/s1600/dove.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4li52oHTVTccHhgWIFrrRuWPA3ifCD1a0RjnPYTNmQLYdw1v9cMtXumhj_H5DWaWpiaCuFuNYLcIJPIQY2BtVStl9agyGe_VMG9izxY3zwM0n58-xbjomFhK9xzsiiSwCcjkJhwr5z5V9/s1600/dove.png" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Dove
Vanilla and Shea Body Wash</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Nothing
really exciting about this body wash. It's pretty straight forward.
But I swear Dove changes their body wash range depending on the
season. My favorite lemongrass or something, is only available in
summer so I've taken to purchasing two refill sacks at once. And
while I really do love that scent, especially after a work-out, the
vanilla-shea is just a really nice rich scent to send me off to bed
with.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">(I don't have an actual picture of this, since I used a refill pack and tossed it without really thinking about it. Whoops!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1EqlsNm84fYY1iZmJRTV_k9behIIGdKT7ncGhdZuxY0rjdXYDc6TU0u9nNzbqsYEsEuQyH459jAq2QW8cudBjRaLdm5g1aG99rrE6-uCNDzx5GR0LSQfflORwddlf0q8xYz-MFYiDoMl/s1600/janf-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1EqlsNm84fYY1iZmJRTV_k9behIIGdKT7ncGhdZuxY0rjdXYDc6TU0u9nNzbqsYEsEuQyH459jAq2QW8cudBjRaLdm5g1aG99rrE6-uCNDzx5GR0LSQfflORwddlf0q8xYz-MFYiDoMl/s1600/janf-01.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Essie
Vested Interest</span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">I
always winced at the price of OPI and Essie back in university. Eight
dollars for a bottle of nail polish? EIGHT DOLLARS? You can buy a
whole meal at Chipotle for eight dollars!! </span></span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">It
wasn't until I moved to Japan and saw the 2,100 yen price tag that I
was wishing for the eight dollar sign again. So when I friend picked
this bottle of Essie up for me, I was thrilled!</span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">I
can't wear many nail polishes at work, but when five o'clock Friday
rolls around, you better believe I'm zipping home and doing my nails
up with this beautiful color. All weekend. Every weekend. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMbAK_1jfGVe7tZP9v5DwW0TNiuWuZhSEkqTmylac1TZf0PHdFUlSqGkmzni44xi3uwOfnufxjUO5bTLfafPzhPkHm6Aga0PsUw1bfCU8vaF3xq0b9cIhusFBE-Hyx7ttzqzv8SurMDVq/s1600/janf-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMbAK_1jfGVe7tZP9v5DwW0TNiuWuZhSEkqTmylac1TZf0PHdFUlSqGkmzni44xi3uwOfnufxjUO5bTLfafPzhPkHm6Aga0PsUw1bfCU8vaF3xq0b9cIhusFBE-Hyx7ttzqzv8SurMDVq/s1600/janf-02.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">OPI
Samoan Sands</span></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Now,
this lovely nude is a color I can get away with at school and as such
I wear it almost every day. It's a perfect match for my skin tone and
I feel like it makes my hands look so long and elegant and graceful,
when they're not sabotaging my lessons, which probably means
practically never in reality and only in my head. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0kjWLynunkU61jxQv3xz7F18Zt_OvCFaKcSaHp5-ZL3CTHFLbj8BS7G3b-t_E5bE-IlDTOvbsEV3BivL4ZlIU7YJuj0jmKAg7ucgjsXzvDErilYYufKEVh4mPoF4nTpdz8fJDjnav458/s1600/janf-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0kjWLynunkU61jxQv3xz7F18Zt_OvCFaKcSaHp5-ZL3CTHFLbj8BS7G3b-t_E5bE-IlDTOvbsEV3BivL4ZlIU7YJuj0jmKAg7ucgjsXzvDErilYYufKEVh4mPoF4nTpdz8fJDjnav458/s1600/janf-06.jpg" height="544" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Luxembourg</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB">Anna
from <a href="http://viviannadoesmakeup.com/" target="_blank">Vivianna Loves Make-up</a> just kept going on, and on, and on about
the Nars lip pencils. And when I finally got myself out of Hakata and
over to Tenjin and rediscovered Iwataya's make-up counters, I had to
buy one of my own. I love this color, it's not a true red – it's a
bit pink-y for that, but I think it'll be a beautiful shade to rock
into spring time. <br />I also apologize since I clearly have not quite
figured out to take pictures of swatches. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-GB"> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">EXTRAS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cyLE48i4XY0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Zendaya "Replay"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Aside from being obsessed with <i>Frozen </i>and it's accompanying soundtrack, like the rest of the world, I've been playing some good dance music to get me through the month. This song has been playing on repeat (a tad ironic, here) in my apartment for weeks now and I'm still not tired of dancing around to it. And the choreography is amazing. Love it!</span>
</div>
</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-44394082881714146962014-01-23T04:07:00.001-08:002014-01-23T04:07:22.536-08:00MatsuKiyo Haul -}The closest drug store to me is Matsumoto Kiyoshi (MatsuKiyo for short), and I am so thankful. It's stocked with everything from beauty products to Cup of Noodles to milk and butter, so I'm there quite often.<br />
<br />
However since starting this blog (a whole week ago), I've started spending a lot more time in their beauty section (which is pretty impressive given the size, I have to say) testing products and <strike>playing </strike>researching.<br />
<br />
And if you sign up for a points card, every month you get a coupon for around 10% of beauty products (as well as 15% off of medicinal stuff, and 5% of food). So I thought I'd do a bit of shopping when I received my coupon this month. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A2XVAb9Hbg7uw8Qyp2d9i2beWD2kuCasYso_YVsOjt0E4ku8jL9oz6s5N0YekYSew94ljUVCsriK5TmM3fZL_wX1kjYLoUJFQS8HUAOSW7-q6KAWeS3K9PIX_tjonTRGSkil_Gw1tQ9D/s1600/jan-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A2XVAb9Hbg7uw8Qyp2d9i2beWD2kuCasYso_YVsOjt0E4ku8jL9oz6s5N0YekYSew94ljUVCsriK5TmM3fZL_wX1kjYLoUJFQS8HUAOSW7-q6KAWeS3K9PIX_tjonTRGSkil_Gw1tQ9D/s1600/jan-04.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I picked up a new liquid black eye-liner, Deja-Vu 24 Hour liner,
Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser, and Black Charcoal Face Wash.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzJUhlkuY-YhV7W3FVpGm2mOlas6UyeSjPYh-i5Tt90sOx3MudyMyLorZtkOFXHid4KU17QDosBSNVmwdZfuXPhDYlxn4nSFRtXItYpewbUxquqDViiz-JU3FfIKYZ4KNoUok7liFEU20/s1600/jan-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzJUhlkuY-YhV7W3FVpGm2mOlas6UyeSjPYh-i5Tt90sOx3MudyMyLorZtkOFXHid4KU17QDosBSNVmwdZfuXPhDYlxn4nSFRtXItYpewbUxquqDViiz-JU3FfIKYZ4KNoUok7liFEU20/s1600/jan-03.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been really wanting to try a 'pore eraser' primer recently and the Maybelline one was one of the top ranked products from MatsuKiyo, so that went in my basket. I also am needing a new black liquid eyeliner, and while I liked my 24 Hour Tattoo liner, I thought I'd give the Deja-Vu a try. Plus it's got a interesting stiff felt pen style applicator, so that should be interesting. Look for reviews on those two products in the next few weeks.<br />
<br />
The last product is a charcoal foaming face wash, Black Charcoal (黒い炭). I really like this as a body wash for areas that tend to get gunky and break out (especially in summer). And it's only Y400, so I think it's a great bargain. I've been meaning to pick up a new tube for ages, and finally remembered the other night.<br />
<br />
Anyway, does it count as a haul if there are only three products? Maybe?<br />
<br />
What products are you eyeing at the drugstore right now? Or are you saving up for a big splurge? Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-51140073000781419422014-01-20T04:56:00.001-08:002014-01-20T04:59:00.512-08:00Winter Moisturizer -}<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">For
years I'd been tackling my skin problems with the assumption I had
'oily' or 'oily/combination' skin. Until one day a friend said, “You
might have dry skin. Here try this moisturiser this winter.”</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It
was life changing.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">LIFE.
CHANGING.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFgF1_mAg8sIqZSMK6u_ybUFkvCiPJ-icZbPjJ8LlZVgXg93WhhKjZSp9w8ZlfIXq27glVj9vzTv2glEsrcf0cz_6TXSzhnGxNYgYp_PfRR1MmyJKL3bs9Pg8xcoUUjVBuB6aOXKhFfor/s1600/jan-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFgF1_mAg8sIqZSMK6u_ybUFkvCiPJ-icZbPjJ8LlZVgXg93WhhKjZSp9w8ZlfIXq27glVj9vzTv2glEsrcf0cz_6TXSzhnGxNYgYp_PfRR1MmyJKL3bs9Pg8xcoUUjVBuB6aOXKhFfor/s1600/jan-02.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Okay,
so my skin's still not perfect. But now my problem spots are more
from my diet (cheese is just a thing that has to happen, okay?) and
hormones (hello, monthly spots) as opposed to just generally
unhealthy skin. </span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Naturon
Emollient Cream is amazing. It's thick and moisturising without
feeling greasy or heavy. It works really well in the dry winter,
between the windy, frigid outdoors, and the moisture sucking heat of
the inside (well, the buildings that have heat anyway). Even after
biking around to schools my lips might feel chapped but my face never
does.</span></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">My
only grip with the product is I have never seen it in stores. I
always have to buy it on Amazon, which really only takes like 72
hours between purchase and delivery, but it'd be really nice to be
able to just pop out and grab it when I needed it. </span>
</div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="cjk" lang="ja-JP" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">What's
your favorite winter moisturiser? What would you recommend?</span></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119322287153052951.post-45532838108639559912014-01-20T03:42:00.003-08:002014-01-20T04:35:44.640-08:00Introduction-}Maybe I'm obsessed with make-up. Maybe not. (I'm leaning to a solid yes.)But I'm definitely obsessed with beauty videos on You-Tube. So when two of my favorite beauty bloggers/gurus/idols/whatever <a href="http://www.viviannadoesmakeup.com/">Anna </a>and <a href="http://www.lilypebbles.co.uk/">Lily Pebbles</a> posted their new series of tips & tricks for starting a beauty blog, I watched without any real intent of ever using the tips (why? I don't know, I had a lot of time on my hands over winter vacation, okay - don't judge). However their biggest piece of advice stuck with me and I soon had wheels turning in my head.<br />
<br />
"Make a blog that you would want to read."<br />
<br />
And so far, that I'm aware of (correct me if I'm wrong, PLEASE), no one has made a beauty blog for white women in Japan. Because Japan, I love you, I do. But buying make-up is so incredibly hard here!<br />
<br />
So this is me taking their very good advice and making a blog that I'd want to read. A blog about how to buy make-up in Japan. For women with very pale Caucasian skin (and hair).<br />
<br />
If you have any tips & tricks on buying make-up in Japan (or Asia) let me know in the comments! Talk to you soon!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158000840186387719noreply@blogger.com0