When in Japan...

I swear, it isn't me!

Apparently the application of makeup on trains in Tokyo was a big enough issue, that a sign discouraging it was necessary... LOL- only in FaBuLoUs Japan!!!

XOXO

So many FaBuLoUs people= So many FaBuLoUs Birthdays!!!

Here's a Birthday shout-out to all the recent Special Days:

Happy Happy FaBuLoUs Birthday Sexy Lexi and Neav!!! I love you girls- it was SO awesome to hang and catch up w/ your beautiful selves!! Looking forward to many more funs times together in SoCal!!! :-)
Happy Happy FaBuLoUs Birthday to my lovely twin Sibs, Molly & Mike!!! Mike, your B-Day BBQ was the event of the season and I'm so happy I got to help you celebrate! Mols, I can't wait to chill and see Kings of Leon when your gorgeous Aussie self is back from down under!!! I miss you Sis!! XO
And last but not least, Happy Happy FaBuLoUs Birthday to BBBBBBBBBBBBB!!! I miss my blond bombshell!! I hope all is wonderful my love!!!

Love you all!!!


XOXO

Happy Happy Birthday Miss Vogue!!!

So, along with the fabulous Japanese beauty products and other little surprises, I wanted to give you something one-of-a-kind for your very special day, Megan!!! What better than a birthday greeting from the very handsome Taro, pictured above!

Taro's special birthday message to you:

メゲンちゃん！
美人だね～！
お誕生日おめでとう！
一緒に原宿に買い物をしましょう！
お元気でね！


Translation:

"Megan-chan!
You're beautiful!
Happy Birthday!
Lets go shopping in Harajuku together!
Happiness always!"


I love you and miss you, Megan!!! I'm so lucky to have such a smart, talented, gorgeous, and kind older sister!!! I can't wait to see you soon! Have a FaBuLoUs birthday!!! :-)

P.S. Taro is eagerly awaiting your response!! ;-)

XOXO

I heart Kyoto in the Springtime!

Springtime in Japan is absolutely gorgeous!!! The cherry blossoms are blooming and there's an unmistakable feeling of happiness all around! Most Japanese people celebrate this season by enjoying "Hanami". Hanami means "flower viewing"- this entails picnicking under the glorious cherry blossom trees w/ family, friends, bentos (Japanese lunch boxes), and free-flowing alcohol (usually sake)!!!! It's a FaBuLoUs time, let me tell you!!

We enjoyed a few Hanami's this season in various parks around Tokyo! However, nothing compares to being in Kyoto when the cherry blossoms are in bloom! On a whim, Charlton and I decided to travel to Western Japan w/ no plans or reservations, and ended up in Kyoto at the peak of its cherry blossom season!! (For the most part, the cherry blossoms begin blooming in Southern Japan and finish in the North with trees in full bloom for about a week.)

Our spontaneous vacation was AMAZING and the perfect way to spend some of our precious last moments in Japan! :-)

Many people say that Paris is the most romantic city in the world, they obviously haven't been to Kyoto!

Hope you enjoyed my pics!!

XOXO

Happy Happy Birthday Miss Elena!!!

Happy Happy FaBuLoUs Birthday Elena!!! I wish I could have been there to help you celebrate my dear!!! We will definitely be toasting your fabulousness when I get back to Cali NEXT WEEK!!!! Yayyyy!!! Can't wait! Love you and miss you Girlie!!

XOXO

Do You Yamamba?

Japan is a place of origins: technology, culture, tradition, fashion, etc. Living in Tokyo, I have had the unique opportunity to experience these elements firsthand.

The fabulously-crazy pics above are different variations of what is known as the Yamamba style. This trend-infused look, most often comprised of darkened skin, colorful bleached or blond hair, white panda-esque makeup, brightly-colored contacts, neon clothing, Hawaiian/beachy accessories and jewelry, rhinestone bedecked nails, and a general sense of whimsical mayhem, peaked in the late 90s early 00s.

At the heart of this incredibly imaginative fashion trend was Tokyo, and its surrounding areas, where young Japanese women (and sometimes men) strutted their look, rebelling against the traditional idealized concept of beauty in Japan.

A Yamamba sighting is much less common these days, because as we all know, once something is in, it's just as soon that it'll be out. But like the unanticipated joy of glimpsing a rainbow amongst darkened clouds, spotting a Yamamba amongst Tokyo's concrete jungle is sure to brighten up your day or at least make you scramble for your camera!

XOXO

My Birthday- Tokyo Style!!

Ahhh, 25. It's a good, solid number. I'm happy with it- content even. Yet, it doesn't feel like mine. Twenty-five? Me? I'm still toying around w/ the number, like playing dress-up and trying on something that doesn't belong to me. Twenty-five. Veinti-cinco. Nijuu-go. 25. 2-5.

I guess age really is just a number, and it's what you make it. So I plan on making this the best number ever!!! (Obvi!) Here's to 25 fabulous years and many more to come!!! :-)

Thank you all for your thoughtful Birthday wishes!! What's a little distance when I have AMAZING family and friends sending me their love! I'm SO lucky!! Can't wait to see you all in Cali soon!!! Love you!!

XOXO

P.S.

Alright my dears, I know I've been totally MIA on my fabulous blog these past few weeks...

HOWEVER, In that time I've had two wonderful friends visit (miss you Liz & Lindsey!), some wild adventures, new fave beauty products, some crazy dining experiences, and a whole lot more!! True story. We currently have another lovely visitor, Charlton's beautiful Mom, which means many more good times!

So my loves, I look forward to regaling you all w/ my latest and greatest when I have a moment!! I hope all is nothing short of FaBuLoUs w/ everyone!!!

Love you and miss you! :-)

XOXO

Happy Happy Fabulous Birthday Sexy Kitty!!!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Sexy Kitty,
Happy Birthday to you!!!

Bestie, I'm celebrating your B-Day Japanese style! I'm dressing up in my finest kimono, gettin' my karaoke on, and drinking sake bombs!!! You know it! Haha
I love you and miss you SO much Linds and I can't wait for all of our FaBuLoUs times together when I get back to Cali!!!!

Happy Happy Birthday!!! :-)

XOXO

It's Shell Dog's Birthday!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Momma Chica!!! :-)

I love you and miss you and hope you have a FaBuLoUs birthday!!!

P.S. There's a special delivery on its way, get excited!!

XOXO

Happy Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I hope your day is filled with love & lip gloss, kisses & chocolate, candy & conversation hearts, friends & flowers, sugar & spice, and everything else FaBuLoUs & nice!!!!!

Love you all!

XOXO

Totally random, but totally cute!!

What a fabulous combination- My Little Ponies and a cute kitty!!!

My FaBuLoUs Valentine's Day Surprise!!

We celebrated my fave holiday, Valentine's Day, a little early this year b/c of our fabulously busy schedule! But before I mention that, here's a little background on how they do things over here, b/c in Japan, Valentine's Day is a little (OK, a LOT) different!

On February 14th, women actually give the men in their lives (boss, coworker, boyfriend, husband, father in law, etc.) obligatory chocolate. Yes, they are obligated to give men chocolate!! However, just one month later on March 14th, Japanese women have White Day. (This also happens to be my birthday, which you can imagine I am NOT so happy about sharing w/ every other female over here!!) On White Day, the men give a gift of chocolate back to the women they received it from on Valentine's Day- but there's a lovely catch! The chocolate the men give is supposed to be three times as nice as the chocolate they received!!! Yeah ladies!! Make an investment in February and make a quick profit by March! Fabulous and edible, what could be better?!!

Now, you're probably wondering, being that I'm in Japan, I must be doing as the Japanese do, right? WRONG! I woke up to a delicious heart-shaped strawberry cake (pictured above, and lovingly made by Charlton), a gorgeous bouquet of roses, and a handmade Valentine card!!!!! :-) Now that's how Valentine's Day was meant to be celebrated!!

XOXO

No, I'm not a doctor. I just look like one!

Surgical masks are SO HOT right now! At least that's the case in Japan where hospital chic is a fashion DO favored by the public transportation set (which is basically everyone!).

I decided to put this "trend" to the test and donned the white mask myself. A little self-conscious at first, I quickly grew comfortable in the warmth of my trendy, new mask. As I went about my business, I found myself checking out other peoples' masks and comparing styles. No, not all masks are created equal. Obvi. I also began to feel a slight kinship with my fellow mask wearers, smiling in their direction before realizing that they wouldn't have a clue what was going on under my glamorous woven cotton! Speaking did present a small challenge since my muffled attempts at Japanese were not always easily understood and the lip gloss I had been wearing was now being worn by my mask. So much mask drama!

However, I was not approached by any injured or doctor-seeking people, which I see as a great success! (It had been a serious concern! Haha) Maybe I'll switch it up and go for the pink mask tomorrow, now that's HOT! lol!


XOXO

Kawaiiiiii!

To February's Birthday Bombshells!!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Laura and Reynolds,

Happy FaBuLoUs Birthday to you!!!!! xoxo

I love you and miss you girls!! I hope you're having an AMAZING Birthday weekend!!! Wish I was there to help you celebrate and show off my mad dancing skillz! True story. Haha ;-)

All my love from Tokyo!!!

XOXO

Shabu Shabu!

Mmmmm, oishii (Japanese for "delicious") Shabu Shabu! Last night we enjoyed one of my fave Japanese meals at our apartment!! Oish-katta! ("It was delicious!") :-)

The centerpiece on our lovely bamboo table this evening was actually the meal itself! A portable stove supported a boiling pot of dashi ("flavored broth") for us to cook a gorgeous array of vegetables (Chinese cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, large chives, etc.), tofu, and thinly sliced beef and pork. As the veggies cook, you use your hashi (chopsticks) to swish the meat back and forth in the dashi to cook it! When it's done, you take it out (along w/ some of the veggies and tofu) to dip in one of your two sauces: a DELISH sesame sauce and a tangy ponzu sauce. Enjoy. Repeat. Enjoy. Repeat. Enjoy- You get the point!!

This is a FABULOUS meal, perfect to enjoy with great friends and good drinks! Last night, the guys enjoyed some good ol' Asahi beer (so Asian!), while us ladies enjoyed the fabulously refreshing VCL and some sweet Ume-Shu (plum wine)!!!

Tanosh-katta! (It was fun!) :-)

Fun Little Fact: Shabu Shabu actually means "Swish Swish" for the sound the meat makes when you're cooking it!

XOXO

Shibuya 109

Shibuya 109, also referred to as Department 109, just plain "109", and Marukyu (meaning "o9" in Japanese), is the infamous fashion mecca for trend-savvy Japanese teens. This fabulous Shibuya-based shopping center is floor after floor of bright, sexy, over-the-top fashion trends- past and present. You will literally encounter multiple genres on each floor! It's quite a unique experience to stroll through there, and, from my perspective, is a must-do while in Tokyo!

A word of advice girls; leave the boyfriend at home. Unless it's a quick trip (which it won't be), he'd be better suited for a Gossip Girl marathon than this! My own boyfriend might not have survived this shopping experience if it weren't for the snacks I strategically stowed for him in my purse! True story.

XOXO

Harajuku Girls

Harajuku. Where do I begin...

It's a place where fashion, culture, and youth reign supreme. It's the ultimate place to be inspired, and to inspire. It's where the Gothic Lolitas, Punk Princesses, and extreme fashionistas parade their latest ensemble. It's a concrete catwalk, to see and be seen. A haven for up-and-coming designers and a home to fashion's biggest brands. It's crowded. It's where I get my hair done. It's intense. It's where I want to be on my day off. It's a place to explore and get lost. It's not that Harajuku is unlike any other place, it's that no other place is like Harajuku.

So props to Gwen for her lovely line of Harajuku-inspired perfumes. Not only are the bottles so kawaii ("cute" in Japanese), but the scents are equally delicious! I recommend "G"; it pairs perfectly with a day of play in fabulous Harajuku!

XOXO

Yoshitaka Echizenya: My fave Japanese artist!

I first saw Echizenya's work was when I was at my parents hotel during their visit to see me in Japan last March! They were staying at the gorgeous Tokyo Park Hyatt- also known as the hotel where the movie "Lost in Translation" was filmed. I seriously LOVE that hotel!! And I LOVE Echizenya's fabulous art!!!

XOXO

I heart makeup & my mascara results!

It's makeup time!

Ahhh, my favorite time of day! Haha, seriously. I remember the good ol' days in college when I would sit at my vanity and play with my makeup 24/7! I was often asked where I was going to warrant the application of so much eyeshadow, glitter, and blush at such a random time of day. Naturally, my response was, "Nowhere. Why?". And that, is me. ;-)

So, was VERY excited to try out the Fiberwig mascara today! I purposely did a more natural eye than I might usually (go big or go home, right?!) to better show the results.

As you can see above, in the before and after pics, the results are pretty good! The mascara went on very easily w/ NO clumping or problems. I happened to purchase the mascara set which included a separate second brush, the Fiberwig "finisher". This small, angled brush helped to get the inner and outer corners of my eyes where the smaller, slightly stubborn lashes are.

I really was happy with this fabulous mascara!! But before I hastily put aside my Dior Show Blackout, I want to try this mascara with a darker, more dramatic eye. For me, that will be the ultimate test and the deciding factor!! Until then though, I think it's safe to say that I may have found my NEW fave mascara!!! YAY!

*Since this mascara is so popular in Japan, I believe you may be able to buy it at Sephora in the States. If not, I would love to send it to ya!! :-)

XOXO

Japan's #1 Mascara!! :-)

Dior Show Blackout. Enough said. My absolute FAVE mascara! However, it's come to my attention that there's a new cool kid in town, Fiberwig, Japan's #1 mascara since 2004.

It's got me interested b/c Japanese women (and men!) have notoriously short and fine lashes- meaning if everybody's using it, it must be good, right?! Maybe she's born with it... Maybe she's just using Fiberwig!!!

You know, mascara is like water, totally essential for our well-being! So I'm gonna go for it and give it a try! Yay!! I'll post my results tomorrow!!

XOXO

Greetings from fabulous Tokyo!!

Konnichiwa!! :-)

Welcome to my daily tidbits about FaBuLoUs life in Tokyo!!

It seems that I always have a fave new beauty product, guy advice ready to dish, a random story to tell, a delish food (other than fro-yo) to try, or a "Caitlin-ism", if you will!!! So I thought, instead of regaling Charlton with these things, why not share them with you!! :-)

I hope whatever I post brightens your day, brings a smile to your face, or just makes you laugh!!!

Love you and miss you all!!!

XOXO,
Caitlin!