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

 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

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.

 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 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

 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

 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

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,

 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

 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

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

 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