SAAAALE-lor Moon ;)

Thank God, I didn't end up this way

Just putting this here for no apparent reason

DAY 3
💝 Shirt - Pink Manila
💝 Dress - Ukay-Ukay
💝 Satchel - Chat Chat
💝 Socks - H&M
💝 Oxfords - Payless

I've had this dress/pinafore for quite a while, but I don't really know where to wear it in Manila, given that it's made of heavy material, and tend to be a bit warm when worn. It was my sister who bought this to me during one of her Ukay escapades, and even touted this as 'Korean Uniform' Hahaha! Good thing I wore this when visited the Meiji Garden, because it was surprisingly chilly there, but because this dress is pretty thick I didn't need to bring a cardigan with me.

Basically this is my Pasok-Na-Acoe-Sa-Iskul Lewk,



DAY 4
💙 Blazer - Saint Laurent
💙 Shirt - Uniqlo
💙 Shorts - Ukay-ukay
💙 Bag - H&M
💙 Sneakers - Adidas
💙 Earrings - Class Act Ph

Now this one is my favorite #Lewk for this trip, because I can actually wear this even in Manila hahaha! When I packed my clothes for this trip I didn't really plan for this overall look, given that I didn't anticipate that my shorts and my blazer are in a similar shade of blue, which to my delight turned out to look like they are coordinates! Also, I am wearing my Class Act Ph earrings, which are light AF, compared to my eksaherada Acrylic ones from Zara. So even if I wore it the whole day, my earlobes did not suffer.

Ohhhh and another factor why I love this outfit is because of my D.Va T-shirt, which I bought in Uniqlo. I remember buying this for its original price of Php 700+, which is a WRONG MOVE, because after a couple of weeks the Uniqlo Overwatch collection was put into sale. So from Php 700+ to Php 300+ 😠😠

Me to Uniqlo

Lesson learned, I suppose? Haaaay Uniqlo, I just hope you create designs with Widowmaker on your next collaboration so I can repeat that mistake again hahahaha!

Lastly

DAY 5
👹 Blazer - Ukay-ukay
👹 Dress - Forever21
👹 Sock - H&M 
👹 Sneakers - Adidas
👹 Satchel - Chat Chat

And finally, my last outfit which was a mishmash of everything HAHAHA! I got lazy already, so I wore this 'spare' dress and just be comfy, given that I'll also be wearing this for our flight back home at night. Just a fun fact, this Forever21 dress has been with us (because it is originally my sister's hahaha!) for more than 5 years! I remember she has this dress even before she gave birth to Julianna, and yet the dress is still standing without any tears or signs of wear. So I guess you can see some treasures in a sea of fast fashion.

Now that we have dissected my fashion faux pas for this trip (HA HA HA), let me share a couple of tips just in case you want it

1. Always bring a spare outfit
 - I know this is against the travel light motto of some people, but I think this tip is necessary especially if your itinerary is as rigid as our government. Also, take in consideration those unexpected emergencies, like what if you unexpectedly have your period, or that your dress' zipper snagged - which happened to me that time.

But then again, you can also opt to just buy a brand new outfit, given that there are a lot of affordable options scattered all around Tokyo.

2. Two pairs of shoes will suffice
- What kinds of shoes, you ask? It depends on your destination, as well as the temperature or season of that place you'll be heading to. For instance, I think it's pretty daft to wear sandals during spring in Tokyo, given that it is still pretty cold, and that also applies to bringing boots in the middle of August in Fukuoka.

Instead, opt for versatile pairs of shoes, like white sneakers or plain nude ballerina flats. Just make sure to wear something comfortable, to equip you for the long walks ahead.

3. Bring 2 kinds of bags
- My go-to's are a roomy backpack for airport and long trips (like going to day trips to provinces), and a medium size satchel that is big enough for you to bring your passport, wallet, wifi device, powerbank, and other essentials like medicines and small snacks.

Also, invest in good quality bags that won't snap while you're taking photos of stilt houses in Tai O village.

And that's it! This is a 'shorter' one compared to the other outfit check posts I've had in the past, given that our Tokyo trip was shorter than the previous ones!

Love Always,

Nicole 😻💘

At least for this year, because I'll be returning to Tokyo (then explore Kyoto and Osaka) next yeaaaaar! Woot woot! I will definitely blog about the whole planning and details of that trip- after that trip because I don't want to share our real-time itinerary during our trip hahahha baka i-padampot nyo ko dun chos.👅

Aside from the fact that this blog is about our last day in Japan, I've been playing Ariana Grande's One Last Time on loop! Hahaha, ok walang connect.




For our last day in Tokyo, we opt to stay within the vicinity of Shinjuku/Shibuya, given that our flight back to Manila was around 8 in the evening, which means we have to be at the airport at 6:00 PM to make sure we have ample time to buy last minute pasalubongs or Omiyage 😻

Markiplier in his 50's hahaha!

 Despite running around within Shinjuku only, there's A LOT of things to do and to see! There are a bunch of stores selling interesting finds, like a full specialty coffee store that sells different apparatus, and hard-to-find brews, perfect for every coffee connoisseur. Also, I did notice a couple of stores that sell second-hand designer goods that are reasonably priced. What's good about buying vintage bags in Japan is the fact that you can be assured that it's real, since fake goods are banned in the country. Another thing is, the Japanese are very meticulous about everything, so you can also be assured that despite getting your dream bag at a second-hand store, it's still in mint condition-almost as if it's brand new!







Since my cousins are looking forward to buying a pair of shoes from Esperanza, our first agenda was Lumine in Shinjuku, because it is the nearest mall that has an Esperanza store. For those who don't know, Esperanza is a japanese footwear brand that is soooooo comfortable to wear without sacrificing style. I first heard about this brand from one of Tricia Gosingtian's blogposts from before, and since then I have geared myself to buy a pair when I had the chance to go to Japan.

However, 3 trips after I still haven't gotten myself a pair hahahah! Most often than not, they don't have my size, or I don't particularly fancy any designs from the season. The latter is pretty much the case why I wasn't able to get myself a pair when we went to Lumine. Anyhoo, if you'd like to check out this brand, here's the link to their website: CLICK HERE

Badly wanting a lomo camera! WAAAH!

Revived

Sariling sikap OOTD hits!

Gojira

Given that my cousins would like to buy more shoes from Esperanza, they wanted to go to Shibuya 109 to check other designs from the Esparanza branch located in that mall, however I don't really feel like going all the way to Shibuya Wahahaha as if ang layo, hahaha tamaditis it is! I told them that I'll just stay within Shinjuku, and wander around alone. I must say, it's a great thing that I bought myself a Japan simcard for mobile data, because this enabled me to wander around alone without the need to depend on my cousin's wifi egg.

At first, I was all set to visit Sekaido, since every time I go there I was always in a hurry. My first time going there, I was only given 10 minutes to wander and buy anything my heart desires - with a budget, of course. On the second time, I arrived in Sekaido around 5 minutes before they close the store (this happened during the 3rd day when I wandered Tokyo alone at night). But as I approach Sekaido, 2 buildings away from it, I realized that I don't really need to go there, since the last time I checked I still have some art materials at home that can last me another year or two, and besides I already bought a couple of nibs, and brush pen for my bestfriend, Zai during that 5 minute dash in Sekaido. So instead of walking further, I retreated, and opt for something different instead.






And by different, I went to the business side of Shinjuku. Ever since I've been to the Yokohama Observatory deck before, I became more fond of going to high places to see the whole city from above. I have been meaning to go to Skytree in Asakusa for this trip, but my cousins don't want to because they've been there before *cue sad music*. Instead I opt for a nearer and less costly option, and that is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is situated at the west side of Shinjuku, a kilometer away from Lumine in Shinjuku, or equivalent to a good 15 minute walk. The best thing about the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is the fact that access to its obervatory deck on the 45th level is free, absolutely free. The only thing to keep in mind is to expect long lines (but not insaaaane lines that will make you wait for an hour). There are no public toilets at the ground floor near the queue, but you may enter the building if you feel like it, in the process losing your place in the lines hahaha~ 

At the observatory deck, you get to have a 360 degree view of Tokyo, where you can see other high towers like Skytree in Asakusa, and Tokyo Tower in Roponggi- Hey, you can also see Mt. Fuji there! As long as it's not as cloudy or foggy that day.



After a brief 20 minutes at the observatory, I walked back in the center of Shinjuku, where I managed to swing by GU for one last shopping spree. To be honest, I wasn't able to buy much during this trip, given that my major expenses went to food, and with that I managed to have a certain amount of yens at the end of my trip. I was able to score myself some 400 Yen jeans ,which is around 200 pesos! Not bad, eh?




I no longer remember which mall is this from, but I was amazed that they offer capsule cooking classes! I might take a class or two in Feb *wink*




Arrived back to the hotel, 3 hours earlier our flight time =)))


These are my favorite cookies ever! Shiroi Koibito are cookies that have 2 different flavor fillings, which are chocolate and white chocolate. These cookies are heavenly, and they are available in 12s, 18s, 24s, and 36s, with the 36s in an elaborate tin can box.

A TINY TIP:
If you love Royce, Tokyo Milk Cheese, and Tokyo Banana, opt to buy it in the airport. These treats, as well as exotic KitKat flavors are available in airports across Japan, so don't fret if you'll be departing from either Haneda, or Narita, because sure enough you'll be able to spot the store that sells these goodies! Oh and these are more affordable compared to buying it in Don Quijote, or other places in Japan.

And that's it with my Tokyo 2019 trip! Though short, this trip has been amazing, and truly memorable! I can't wait for February 😉😉😉😉😉

Love Always,

Nicole❤❥♥🎔💞

Best thing I bought along with me hahahaha!

Ok, just to be cleared I am not referring to my cup size, ok? 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️HAHAHA TMI AMPS It's just that for this day we visited two 'A' places around Tokyo, namely Asakusa and Akihabara. Also, this was our last full day in Japan, so we made sure to hit all the birds with just one stone.

Ano pinaglalaban natin?🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Yummy juice!

First on our list was Asakusa, which is on the upper east side of Tokyo Lakas maka-Gossip Girl ng Upper East Side. Asakusa is considered like an old town, which you can definitely see in some of the architectures and art scattered around the city. Aside from that, this where Tokyo's oldest temple is located, which is the Senso-ji Temple. Going to Asakusa coming from Shinjuku, we took the metro, where if you have an unlimited train pass you would definitely save a lot of ¥¥¥¥!👌👌👌

Once we're in Asakusa, we first explored the arcade with its various shops that sell food, apparel, and those kooky masks above 👺👹

Board meeting sa Senso-Ji Temple

To say that Senso-ji temple is stunning is a definite understatement. It's remarkable how the Japanese were able to preserve this amazing work of art for hundreds of years! 🤩


This is a corner of the temple where you can find out whether you'll have a good fortune or not, by paying a hundred yen for a slip of paper. It is said that if you receive good fortune, keep the paper! However if the odds are not in your favor, you have to tie it around this designated stand that looks like a clothesline, in this way you can somehow salvage whatever good luck you have left in your hands hahaha!



After strolling around the temple, we decided to cool off a bit, because surprisingly early October is still warm, we had an ice cream cone from another arcade nearby. There are a bunch of interesting flavors available, like matcha and red bean, but I decided to go for Almond flavor-which tastes like the Almond cake from Salazar! HAHAHAHA!

Behind the scenes of a vendo machine hahahaha!

Pagoda Wave Lotion

These are waaaay more affordable compared to in Greenhills haha!👌

Yes, I want but then again, WHY?

Tastes like Sprite, TBH

Huhuhu, in February perhaps?

best chewy cookie!

Signature pose

I play to win!

These chocolates make my knees weak!

This is perhaps the best chocolate ever! La Vie En Chocolat sells these flat chocolates in different flavors, from classic milk and dark chocolates to crazier ones like berries and sweet potato- which I oddly enjoyed the most, because it tastes like Ginataan hahahaa! It's a bit pricey, where you can buy these by the gram, but I definitely recommend it! By the way, this store can be found at the food hall in Shibuya station (the one near the department store, or is it the department store itself???🤔🤔🤔🤔).

Flying Tiger!

Walwalan sa Shibuya Crossing!

After strolling around Akihabara, we went back to Shibuya to do some last minute shopping- in Forever21 to be exact. From what I know Forever21 is no longer in Japan nowadays, but back then I remember seeing a lot of deals, with dresses being sold for ¥400! YES, I AM NOT EXAGGERATING HERE, ¥ 400 a piece! They also sell boots for ¥800, which unfortunate for me the sizes they have available are too small for my huge feet. Also, the designs they carried there are not similar to the ones sold here in The Philippines, so it was a great time to stock up on clothing perfect for winter trips! ❄

Great hair day, thank God!

With my cousins 🤗

And that's it pancit, our last full day in Tokyo was fun-filled full of food, and crazy knick-knacks bought from weird corners of Harajuku <3 Shall post more about tips and tricks, things to buy, and other sheesh about Tokyo soon!

Love Always,

Nicole 💓