サクラ Cherry Blossom Festival and Hanami 花見 In Japan

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I have not been a fan of hanami parties I must admit. I thought they were really overrated, why just sit under a sakura サクラ tree with some food and drinks, it was not at all exciting for me. But 3 years in Japan and hanami is slowly growing on me!! This year I actually attended 5-6 hanami parties. Well I have given into the believe that Cherry blossom period is so short and better to enjoy every moment before the flowers are gone…so much for a mind change!!
Hanami 花見 literally means ” floor viewing”; with a view of castle or river or a temple in the background makes it even more interesting.
You need to check the cherry blossom forecast before you plan your hanami date. Every area has a different time for the full bloom. Cherry blossom festivals take place all over Japan between March to May. Festival dates are usually determined with reference to cherry blossom forecasts and vary from year to year.The slow-moving cherry blossom front (sakura-zensen) is tracked by the Japan Meteorological Agency and moves from south to north as warmer temperatures trigger trees to begin blooming. Hanami typically begins around mid March and lasts until early May with the first blooms appearing on the islands around Okinawa. The last chance to enjoy blooms is typically in cooler, northern parts of Japan such as Hakkaido.
In popular places you need to reserve a picnic spot long before. You can spread your picnic sheet early in the morning and mark it with your groups name and party’s starting time. But generally we see someone from the group ( generally new employees who are not yet good in there job in case of office parties ) waiting there in the cold, sometimes peeling vegetables for a meal of nabhe ( hot-pot) or setting up their barbecue..while the rest of the gang arrives after their work.
But hanami can be done with other simple stuff like onigiri ( rice cake ) or bento ( lunch boxes )
or just get some snacks from the convenience store. Well my hanami mostly consisted of tea and sandwiches and some chocolates thrown in. I am learning the tricks of the trade although slowly..
Alcohol, mainly beer or sake or umeshu or sakura ( cherry blossom flavoured drinks are the popular drinks. In Japan it is legal to drink in public ( Japanese people can behave well even after a couple of drinks ). Well this is everything you need to know about hanami in Japan; so let’s look at some of my hanami pictures taken at Kema Sakuranomiya Park and Utsubo Park in Osaka..
P.S. Don’t forget to get trash bags. Be sure to clean your spot. If you don’t be ready to get some angry stares.

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Sweater – GAP, 30 $ on Sale, 2014;
Skirt – H&M, 26 $, 2011; also worn here
Jacket – Zara, 130 $ ( gift from mom ), 2013, also worn here;
Shoes – H&M, 50 $, 2014; aslo worn here;
Bag – GU, 20 $, 2013; also worn here;
Sunglasses – Marc Jacobs, 130 $, 2013; also worn here;

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Maybelline New York メイベリンニューヨーク Pure Mineral Concealer Review

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I bought Maybelline New York メイベリンニューヨーク Pure Mineral Concealer with a free coupon few months back. It is available for 8 $ in Japan. It is available in two shades and I got no.2 which is the darker one. The packaging is like a lip gloss. I like it’s sponge tip applicator. I apply it directly with the applicator then blend it with my fingers. It blends like a dream!!

This Maybelline concealer has medium consistency and it gives a medium coverage. It has a liquidy texture but not runny at all. Also it has a mineral base and it smells like minerals although it is supposed to be fragrance free. It has 0 % oil and 0 % talc. Some people may not like it as it has macro-minerals, but although I have acne prone skin , it doesn’t break me out. It doesn’t dry my under eye area.

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It has yellow under-tones so its perfect for my complexion. It doesn’t cake up even after 2-3 layers. It is ophthalmologist tested and it doesn’t clog pores. I apply it over my eye cream so it blends very smoothly.

If you want a high coverage concealer it may not be suitable for you. It settles into the fine lines and doesn’t stay on for a long time. I have to re-apply it often but it is still better than my Bobbi brown concealer, as it looks natural and isn’t dry. Will definitely buy it again.

Kawaii かわいい Japanese Stationary Haul

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Have you ever been been to a Japanese stationary shop?? You can spend a whole day there. Japanese stores are full of amazing and surprising products that can’t be seen anywhere else. You will be overwhelmed with the amount of kawainess there!! There are a lot of innovative stuff out there but I am fascinated with cute sticky note and note pads these days!! I never seen such amazing and adorable stationary anywhere except Japan. Some of the stationary are really cool and really advanced. There are staplers out there with no pins or pens with the eraser that erase with friction heat!! Once you start using Japanese stationary I am sure you can’t go back to your boring stationary; like me!! So here are some of the stuff I have been collecting over past few months..

Sticky notes and small message cards..

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Cat shaped sticky notes from Muji..

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How cute is this caterpillar stapler..

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This is just like a correction tape, but you can decorate anything made of paper with this. The tape inside can be replaced and there are variety of cute tapes out there!! It’s a simple yet amazing idea: combine the handy shape of a correction pen with cute rolls of little patterns and you get the perfect tool to decorate your favorite books, letters and more.

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Japanese Washi tape…cuter version of a masking tape..

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These erasers look like milk and juice tetra packs!!

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These paper clips are shaped like Japanese dolls!!

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Rubber bands that are so not boring!!

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So now you know the most important thing to do in Japan; buy some kawaii Japanese stationary!!

Japanese Beauty Product Review : Kanebo Media カネボウメディア Eyebrow Pencil

Schwarzkoft Professional シュワルツコフプロフェッショナル Silhouette Pure Formula Invisible Hold Hair Spray Review

Things to do in Osaka : Afternoon Tea @ Harmonie Embrassee Umeda ホテルアルモニーアンブラッセ大阪

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I am always on a look out for restaurants serving afternoon tea. I love going out for afternoon tea and if it is a buffet..nothing like that!! A great tea selection, finger sandwiches and petit cakes – there is nothing more fancy and lady like. I have already been here and here before so last weekend I tried Harmonie Embrassee in Chayamachi Umeda ホテルアルモニーアンブラッセ大阪 . They have a buffet from 2 – 4 pm in their restaurant “Rayon”. It is not exactly a buffet as they serve on the table ( they don’t have enough space ) but you can eat as much as you want..so that technically makes it a buffet. They have an open seating too but it is still too cold in Japan to sit out. They have a wine cellar on one wall and large windows on one that offer great views of Osaka!!

They start with serving you five different types of tea for tasting. They have peach, rose, black, milk and the last one I don’t remember. After the tasting you can order whatever tea you prefered. Following that they get cookies, scones and a two tier tray with sandwiches, macaroons and cakes. They also serve you meat cuts on the table itself. I don’t eat fish so that cut down on a lot of my options but they were sweet enough to change my tuna sandwich to a ham one. Food was good but it didn’t match a five star standard like this. Sadly for me I didn’t feel like eating a lot that day and they kept asking if I would like something else. Will definitely visit again with a bigger appetite some day..
It is a great deal for 3675 Yen or 37 $ per person, but only if you have a big appetite..

P.S. Outfit pictures for those who visit my blog only for what I am wearing:)) followed by some food pictures..

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Dress – Zara, 40 $ on Sale, 2013, also worn here;
Shirt – Bershka, 40 $, 2012, also worn here;
Jacket – GU, 24 $, 2011, also worn here;
Boots – H&M, 50 $, 2014;
Bag – DKNY, gift , 2013, also worn here;
Sunglasses - Natural Beauty Basic, 10 $(on Sale), 2013, also worn here;
Rings – H&M, 15 $ for a pack of 5, 2013;

Afternoon Tea @ Harmonie Embrassee Umeda

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Afternoon Tea @ Harmonie Embrassee Umeda Osaka

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How to get rid of blackheads : エチュードハウス Etude House Black Head Heating Deep Clean Gel Review

Things to do in Japan : Toji Temple, Kyoto 東寺, 京都市

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I have never been to so many temples in my entire life than I have visited in Japan in just 3 years. But I need to make full use of my short stint in Japan. Also in this case the main attraction was a flea market held on the first Sunday of every month. Well..I am talking about Toji temple in Kyoto 東寺, 京都市.
When we reached there it was already 3 pm and most of the shops were closing down (they open at 5 am!!) So we looked around the giant pagoda and the temple and took some pictures in the garden which had plum blossoms and some orange trees. And like all Buddhist temples it had a pond with turtles and fishes. Toji Temple is one of Kyoto’s many UNESCO world heritage sites. The pagoda of Toji is five stories high, and is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. We saw everything in about an hour and headed back to Kyoto station to have a late lunch at a Chineese restaurant in Kintetsu Mall and browse around. After zen therapy it was time for some retail therapy!!

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Jacket – Zara, 130 $ ( gift from mom ), 2013, also worn here;
Pants – Zara, 30 $ on sale, 2014;
Sweater – South Extension (Delhi), 10 $, 2003;
Shoes – Converse, 24 $, 2008, also worn here;
Clutch – Azul by Moussy, 40 $, 2003, also worn here;
Sunglasses – Mango, 13 $, 2011, also worn here;

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Lakme All In 1 Instant Skin Stylist SPF 20 CC Cream ( CCクリーム ) Review

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I bought Lakme All in 1 Instant Skin Stylist SPF 20 Complexion Care Cream when I went to India last year in November. For those who don’t know CC creams ( CCクリーム )or complexion care creams are an improved version of BB creams. BB creams don’t work for all skin tones and are not available in many shades. They don’t provide enough coverage…so here enters a cc cream. These creams give a radiant look and they contain collagen to give skin a smooth and plump appearance. They are lighter and less oilier. They brighten dull skin by diffusing pigment particles and have superior skin care benefits like spot treatment, improving skin tone, skin texture etc. They contain botanical ingredients that improve and repair the skin. Lakme CC cream is not exactly a cc cream as it doesn’t have all the ingredients and benefits of a CC cream, but still, it is a good product.

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It instantly protects, evens skin tone, conceals and freshens. It comes in two shades – Beige and Bronze. Bronze is yellower than Beige. I got the Bronze one in a 30 ml pack for 4 $. The packaging is adorable with a convenient light golden tube with silver cap and pink details whereas the box is totally pink with golden letters. It contains glycerin that moisturises the skin and doesn’t dry it. It contains SPF 20. It has a nice lemongrass scent which disappears after some time.

It is a light formula, has a very smooth velvety texture and gets easily absorbed into the skin. It blends easily with the fingers. It conceals almost 80 % of my marks and spots. Rest I can easily hide with a concealer. I love the natural look I can get with this cc cream. Perfect for office and day time wear. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin and if you don’t over do it, no one can find out if you are wearing makeup!!

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It is so hassle free..I reach for it every morning when I need to leave my house at 7.30 a.m. It is faster to apply it than a foundation. For me it is a refreshing change from wearing foundation ( I need to wear foundation as I have a lot of marks on my face ). It stays on for all day. My T-zone gets oilier after some time but I can take care of it with some pressed powder.
Although its a great product but I have noticed that if I take excess product it sometimes end up looking cakey…so now I take a little product first and then I gradually build up if I need more coverage. Also sometimes it gets stuck in my dry patches, so now I ensure that my face is well moisturised before I apply it. But if your face doesn’t have any dry patches this cream is well hydrating just on its own.
Overall it is an awesome product. Do try it.. I am sure you will love it!!

Watch this video if you want to know what else I got from India!!

Bobbi Brown ボビイブラウン Creamy Concealer Kit Review

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This ボビイブラウン Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit includes both concealer and setting powder. It has 1.4 gms of creamy concealer in Beige and Sheer finish press powder in Pale Yellow about 7 gms. I bought it for 30 $ last year but started using it just a month back.
It claims “conceal and set in one portable kit. Bobbi’s creamy concealer blends easily to instantly cover, lift and brighten dark circles. It also helps to maintain skin’s moisture levels for a smooth, virtually line-less look. Fuss-free pressed powder sets concealer for a long lasting wear.”
It comes in a chic black plastic kit. It has a mirror which is very good. But the powder sometimes makes it a very messy affair. Still I carry it everywhere with me just because it is small and sleek.

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I apply the concealer first with my fingers and then set it with the powder using a brush. It claims to maintain the skin’s moisture level but I doubt as the concealer has a little dry texture. It is very heavy on skin too. Powder is fine and translucent. It has an yellow base to neutralise the dark circles and conceal them.
It covers the dark circles well and stays on for a long time but up close you can definitely tell that I am wearing a concealer. I bought in a lighter shade so it makes my under eye area look brighter.
Creamy concealer is sheer so you need to build up. It cakes up immediately and sets into the lines however hard I try to apply. It is a real challenge to apply it and I am still learning.
It should have come with a brush as it is not a cheap product. Also I think that the powder is useless as I can easily use my pressed powder to set it.

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Although its a high coverage concealer and stays on whole day, I didn’t like it much considering the hefty price. It is on the drier side so not moisturising enough for me. Will not purchase it again!!

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My Adventures in Beauty and Fashion in Japan.

サクラ Cherry Blossom Festival and Hanami 花見 In Japan

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