Our visit to Hakone felt like a relaxing vacation. We stayed two nights at a beautiful ryoken (unfortunately, I can't recall the name anymore) with a traditional tatami flooring and onsen, which is a hot spring. Bathing in an onsen had always been my dream when I was younger. I knew it was hot but I didn't realize it was that hot until I stepped foot in it. I'm not sure why we decided on Hakone but I'm glad we did. We ventured out to Owakudani, Hakone known for being a volcanic mountain and its sulfuric pools.

 As far as pumpkin patches go, I'd always thought I'd be bundled up in a nice warm coat and a thick, knit scarf tucked around my neck. Alas, Southern California weather persevered into the high 80s the weekend we went to the pumpkin patch. This aztec print dress was a bit warm for such a day, but reds and browns were so perfect for an autumnal activity. I was more excited about the corn maze than the patch itself and was disappointed by how easy it was. I'd imagined an enormous field where I'd actually have to think to find my way out. The only other ones I'd heard of are the really scary ones and I'm too chicken to go out to one of those!

You see, I've got a soft spot for buttons - big, small, oblong, square. I don't discriminate; I love them all. I picked up this button-up shirt from my local thrift store and fell head-over-heels for its adorable floral print. I initially thought they were apples at first, which was the real reason I actually even noticed it. I still like to pretend they are though. The lapel on the collar is quite large, but I think it looks perfectly charming. The shirt itself looks to be handmade. I somehow find these types of finds even more precious. 

 We awoke before the sun showed its face this prospective day. Yes, we were tired and bleary eyed during the ride to the amusement park, but as we drew near our destination, an excitement built up in all of us and spread like an infectious disease. Suddenly, we were babbling and fidgeting in our seats as children do when they can barely contain themselves. And at last, we were there, eyes glittering and bright and smiles stretched across our faces. At last, we had arrived at Tokyo DisneySea.

 When I arrived in Wichita, Kansas after a five hour long drive from Dallas, Texas in a behemoth 15-seater van, I was slightly disappointed that autumn had not yet settled here either. I was hoping to escape Southern California's scathing heat and fall into another season in Dallas, but that was not to be. So, I set my sights on Wichita, hoping it would grant me my wish. Alas, my whims were denied. I was not going to allow my disappointment to dampen my time in this beautiful city, however. It was much quieter and calmer here, and I discovered that I had really taken a liking to Wichita. I even pondered moving here in the next few years. While Southern California is beginning to look more and more like a desert due to the severe drought, Wichita was a lush green paradise to my sore eyes.

 Here at last we come to the final leg of the three-part Kyoto post. Our destination this time was Arashiyama. There was much to see here and we were short on time. And, oh, it was so overwhelmingly beautiful. Historical buildings in preserved architecture line the streets of one way. Oi River stretches gently across the landscape where riverboats hug the edges of civilization. With the sun already past noon, we grew increasingly aware of the passage of time. How I ached to spend a little longer here.

 So much has happened to me in the past week that I'm finding it difficult settle down. But first, let me begin by saying that I had a wonderful time in Texas (I will talk more of Kansas in later posts). We stayed with my cousin and her husband in Uptown, which was a beautiful part of the city. I absolutely love the architecture. Lots of brick and stone walls and unique looking eateries. My cousin took us around to Klyde Warren Park, which was built above a freeway. I thought that was pretty neat. It was about a 10 minute walk from her apartment. I, myself, don't really consider it a park. It's certainly beautiful with a lovely landscape, but I'm used to the ones with tons of trees and fields of grass that look more "natural".

Barely discernible from the distance, it appears to be a white, neutral kind of dress with a peculiar flutter perceived by the draft of soft wind.  However, upon closer inspection, one can see what a fun print this dress turns out to be. Dotted all across in gentle waves are confetti shaped prints in muted colors of jade, purple, orange, light and dark grey. It's the kind of dress you don't notice at first and the more you look at it, the more you see. Its presence is subtle, but certainly not quiet.

 With Kinkaku-ji Temple being one of the most popular among tourists, it was no surprise that I would dedicate an entire post to it. This one left a deep and lasting impression on me. It was enormous with various paths one can traverse, but all equally beautiful. I recall I would have loved to visit Ginkaku-ji Temple as well but we were short on time.

 As you know by now, at this moment, I've already left California for a week's visit with family in Texas and Kansas. This outfit was shot some time ago in this quaint little heritage museum. We wandered in and discovered this old wagon, which we thought was pretty neat. I didn't think the dress I wore was out of place in that it was dated - thrifted vintage to be exact. It reminded me of an older, perhaps traditional, island attire. I adore the lapel of this dress and it's got a lovely square dotted print. I can't help but think of a village in the countryside in which women wore this. And I also see fields of rice paddies for some reason. Please do feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I claim my ignorance of the story behind this dress.

This post's title makes a mere passing allusion to the actual novel by Wilkie Collins. I always meant to read it but it turned out to be one of those novels that I'd pick up and put down soon after. And since I was donned from top to bottom in white, I thought, "Why not?" This dress is super old. It's been in my closet since my middle school years (I've already graduated college!). I beginning to think it's about time to let this one go. It's such a lovely dress though!

 Hello, and welcome to the second installment of my stay in Kyoto. First up is the Heian Shrine, home to Japan's largest torii gate. Look, you can even see it all way from a distance in the street. I love the stark contrast between the gate and contemporary society with its sea of cars and clean pavement. Upon crossing the gate, one is thrust back into another era, with the shrines architecture kept in tact by preservation. While everyone else seemed to be in motion or their body language suggested a more relaxed mood, I noticed this little boy, who had a profound effect on me. You hardly notice him at first but then suddenly, you see him there standing so poised and regal in his hakama, bearing a kind of maturity a child his age rarely possesses.