Fall Is Not Here!

With temperatures in the mid to high 70's and 80's, and humidity levels at a constant high 80's and 90's, it's still hot and humid AF in Tokyo! I'm soooo jealous of all my beautiful blogger friends (and their fall posts) because they get to look all autumnal fabulous...and I'm here all sweaty, man-beasting, and dying.

The weather in Tokyo doesn't even begin to cool down until the end of October. Hence, I'll be converting some of the summer collections into early fall looks until it cools down (and stops raining on my days off, so my swatching can commence). Please bear with me folks. Bear.With.Me!

I just want to wear all my new beauty pretty-pretties, throw on some scarves, and other layering pieces, boots, and the like...is that too much to ask for?! Apparently, yes. The answer is, YES!

I've Got A New Attitude!

Having an existential moment with the photo above.

I can't put my finger on it, but there's something different about you. Did you cut your hair? Did you change the way you do your makeup? I know! You lost weight, right?!

To paraphrase Get Polished, I've given So Lonely in Gorgeous a 'wardrobe change', and I'm thrilled with the sleek, new fit.

I'm thrilled to have found Get Polished on Etsy (thank you 3:00 am insomnia) because the entire process of revamping my blog has been a delightful experience. I chose one of Get Polished's fifteen customizable templates (only $15). Once my purchase was complete, the template was available for instant download. I'm never claimed to be technically-savvy. Actually, quite the opposite it true, and it's a miracle I know how to turn on a PC. Nonetheless, I was notably impressed with the extremely detailed, step-by-step, installation guide (as well as video tutorials) provided with the premade template. With every installment "level" I cleared, I felt victorious, as if I were playing a video game. However, my installation triumphs were probably taking me longer than the average person, and I decided to go with Get Polished's $20 blog installation service. 

The blog installation was well worth the every single cent, and it gave me the chance (and pleasure) to communicate with the owner of Get Polished, Chelsea. The service states completion of installation between 1-2 business days, once they've received all your information from the blog design installation form linked on the page. Not only was my installation completed within 24 hours, Chelsea addressed all my specifications, was prompt, friendly, and professional with her correspondence. Chelsea went above, and beyond, to ensure I was satisfied with the results, and provided outstanding customer service. Thank you, Chelsea! You now have a loyal client in me.

The $15 for the template, and the $20 for the installation are the best $35 I've spent in a long time. I'm absolutely in love with the entire design, color scheme, layout, all the nuances and attention-to-detail, as well as how easy it is to navigate through. I'm so overjoyed with the look of the blog, and I hope you are as well. If any of you are looking to update your blog's wardrobe or are thinking of started a blog, I highly recommend Get Polished.

How To Get To Black Sesame Street...Tasty Related, Not Beauty Related

Today, I share with you my recent foodie obsession (from my local grocer): kuro goma purin (black sesame pudding).

From the soft served black sesame ice cream at Nakamise Shopping Street in Asakusa, to the delectable array of sesame desserts from my favorite Chinese restaurant in Akihabara (I've been going to this restaurant for over eleven years, and I still don't know its name :P), black sesame desserts are AMAZING! If you've never had anything black sesame before, finish reading this post, and go find you some...you'll thank me for it.

I was shopping for some Greek yogurt, when I spotted the kuro goma purin on the second self to my right. I purchased all of these delicious treats they had, and I have seven cups in my fridge to prove it. Thankfully, Aki doesn't care for black sesame. So, I don't have to worry about sharing...because I wouldn't. 

This pudding as a smooth, creamy texture (similar to annindofu, another one of my many loves), and a sweet, delectable nutty, toasted, black sesame flavor.

Have you every tried any black sesame desserts? 

My Liquid Diet...Les Merveilleuses Laduree 103 & 105 Liquid Cheek Color

I'm so exhausted as I write this post, fighting the urge to pass out (which I did, and that is why you're getting this post my Thursday morning) because I need to "get'er done." I'm so committed (or need to be), aren't I?! :P

Anyway, let's see how this goes...and I apologize in advance for any half-assery.

 For the last two weeks, I've exclusively been wearing Laduree's Liquid Cheek Color in 103 and 105 from the brand's summer 2016 collection. There was a third Liquid Cheek Color shade (104), and although it showed up on my skin, I felt it was too pale for my summer coloring and had to kindly decline it's advances.

The nautical themed packaging was adorable. 

If memory serves me correct, this is Laduree's second time releasing the Liquid Cheek Colors. I prefer the frosted glass packing this time around, than the solid colored bottles of the first incarnation; it a no-brainier seeing the color, and how much product is left.  

From left to right: 105, 103.

The formula has a lightweight, creamy, semi-dense texture that makes it easy to apply and blend out. Both, 103 and 105, are pigmented, giving the cheeks a beautiful pop of color that flawlessly becomes one with the skin. You can use your fingers or a brush to apply the product. I, personally, prefer using my fingers, and using a tapping/bouncy motion to blend out.

103: a bright, watermelon pink. 

105: a bright, orange-red.

I love both of these colors individually as well as layered over one another, creating a third shade; either way, they give a youthful, flirty flush, with a subtle sheen that stays perfect for 6 to 7 hours.

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Any Way The Wind Blows...ADDICTION 073 Montauk Wind Nail Polish

Addiction was spot-on with the Hamptons-themed names, color selection, and finishes of the polishes from their Never Ending Summer 2016 Collection.

073 Montauk Wind is a stormy, grayed-colonial blue with a jelly finish. This shade is so pretty, it reminds me of the ocean along the beachside on a cloudy, gusty day. A fitting mani selection for the tropical storm we are having ;)

Several of the polishes from the Never Ending Summer Collection are not as pigmented (requiring 3 to 4 coats) as the permanent range; I feel this is intentional, giving the finish a summery, sun-bleached translucence when wearing 1 or 2 coats.

In spite of needing 3 to 4 coats to achieve an opacity to my liking, Montauk Wind weathered the proverbial day-to-day storm I put my hands through, withstanding a full 4 to 5 days. 

A Moment Of Clarity...Philip B Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo

Philip B's Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo, and Kenra's Clarifying Shampoo are my favorite deep cleansing shampoos; I positively love both of these clarifying shampoos equally, and I'm always rotating between the two.

Depending on the season, I wash my hair every other day or every two days. I use several heat styling and finishing products to protect and maintain my hair. However, if you combine the daily use of these products with my scalp's natural oils, my hair can accumulate a fair amount of build up.

Formulated with 2.3% pure peppermint oil and 16 plant extracts, the Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo is the remedy keeping my hair from looking weighed down and limp; it lifts all the gunk and excess oil out of my hair, leaving it squeaky clean without stripping any moisture, shine, or color.

I use the shampoo once a week, and leave it in my hair for a few minutes before rinsing and following up with one more lather (again, leaving it on for a few more minutes). I thoroughly enjoy the stimulating, crisp, cool-tingling sensation of the Peppermint oil on my scalp, as it at times feels taut from all the heat and pulling from blow drying. Also, whenever I use the shampoo, my roots and hair have a little more volume and a bouncy "oomph," allowing me to go a day longer before my next blowout.

I always purchase the 32 fl oz bottle of the Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo, but I was out of a clarifying shampoo, and my now oily scalp couldn't wait on an overseas parcel; thus, I had to settle on the 11.8 fl oz size (5,508 yen) I purchased at Isetan Shinjuku. 

Mojitos In The Morning...Bath & Body Works' Iced Tangerine Mojito Shower Gel

September's shower gel is from Bath & Body Works' 2015 summer collection, Iced Tangerine Mojito.

Iced Tangerine Mojito's key notes of Wild Tangerine, Iced Mint, Waterlily, and Nectarine Sorbet harmonize well with one another, and each scent pleasingly peeks through in the shower. An exhilarating fragrance for the month of September, as we move from summer into fall.