(Monki sweater via Filippa's mailing service...sounds dirty but it isn't, Hanes men's undershirt, J Brand/Henry Duarte jeans courtesy of J Brand, Jeffrey Campbell boots, vintage Chanel backpack)

A ride on the train to Roppongi. The goal - to show Colin Tokyo Tower. When I was little I lived right in this area but you wouldn't know it from the path we took there. Parents always expect you to remember the slightest things from before memory and a sense of direction were functioning things, and my mom later made sure to express shock that I didn't show him our exact old apartment building, especially when I was right next to "The Tunnel" (an underground pathway sure to have a million others just like it scattered across the city). Of course. Anyway, we got out of the Ebisu station (don't even ask why we didn't take the subway..no one knows the answer to that question), chose a random direction to walk in, quickened the pace as the sun threatened to set, felt relieved when signs confirmed it was actually the right one, walked/froze a while longer, got out all the gloves, hats, and pocket heaters we had on us, gave up and hailed a cab, marveled at how much longer we would have had to walk as the driver turned in multiple un-guessable directions, and finally landed in the middle of Roppongi with the landmark well in sight and a cafe to duck into. What I do remember from my childhood and that high rise apartment is looking out at the Tokyo Tower from the room I shared with my brother on winter mornings and inspecting just how high the clouds and fog were obscuring it and how much of it's tip was still visible before getting going for the day. Which is actually what I would prefer to retain over things like directions and points of reference. Most of the time I have my iPhone to do all of that for me anyway.





(photos by Colin)

(photos by me..please note that the emblem on the incense in the third to last photo is depicted in the Buddhist sense signifying universal harmony and was taken at Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa)

I would really love to move to Tokyo for a year or two. Everything there is such a specific, perfect version of itself.

(thrifted coat, Lux sheer dress, Topshop boots, vintage Chanel backpack)

I've been looking for the perfect pair of over the knee boots forever..there are way too many factors that can just ruin them entirely. These looked promising online but I stayed suspicious until I tried them on in store in New York. I had them taken in while I was home and I think I finally have what I wanted. Turns out they take up surprisingly little suitcase room too.

These were taken outside the station closest to my grandparent's place..I've been going here since I was a kid so I remember before there was a gigantic suspended..croissant circle guarding the north entrance. Still haven't figured out it's significance though.

ph. by Colin Sokol

(vintage jacket, Lover tunic, H&M zip shorts, Plush socks, vintage boots, Forever 21 bag, gifted Loveheadmistress headdress)

photo 1 by me, photo 2 by Colin

View from the hotel room through a permanent layer of condensation and a mocha at Excelsior Caffe.

(Karen Walker sunglasses, Zara jacket, Pink Adobe dress, Target socks, Miu Miu clogs, vintage bag)

Arrived in Tokyo a few days ago...spent the first night at my grandparent's place, went shopping with my mom and aunt, saw most of my rather extensive family out here in one way or another, met Colin at our hotel after he flew out separately, took him immediately to some strange party on the second floor of a sushi restaurant in honor of my mom where he was called both Tom Cruise and Tony (??) and my hair was pet by strangers, attempted to act as interpreter between him and my grandparents, ended up at only one train station by accident, watched multiple people around me eat fish intestines, discovered the wonder of pocket heaters, semi-jogged a mile in freezing cold rain, started to not miss the instant everything-ness of my iPhone, spent about 2000% more on food than clothing, including corn soup flavored chips and bear shaped bread, burnt my tongue on some of the best coffee of my life, and bought this little striped smock dress. Next up: working with Elle Girl Japan, shopping in Harajuku, hopefully having dinner with my favorite uncle, and a trip to the countryside.