Nagoya

Woahh!! I can't believe it's been such a long time since I last updated this blog. I guess there hasn't been much of a motivation to keep this blog going. But maybe I'll try to get back to it soon.

On Saturday me and Ryo went to Nagoya to watch the baseball game between Yakult (Tokyo) and Dragons (Nagoya). It was the first time for me seeing a baseball game IRL, and it was surprisingly enjoyable.

We arrived in Nagoya in the morning, so we decided to have breakfast at our favourite cafe for "ogura toast" (toast with red bean paste, and butter). The toast at the cafe that we like contains black sesame seeds as well, which makes it even yummier than normal ogura toast.

After having breakfast we went to the cinemas to watch Spotlight. It wasn't our first choice, but as we were late we went with Spotlight. It was definitely an interesting movie. Based on a true story. After the movies we went to watch the game. As we were too tired and hungry we decided to leave 30 minutes earlier.

For dinner we had chicken wings (famous in Nagoya. I recommend it strongly. Superyummy!!). I was going to take more pictures, but forgot about it. Before going to the hotel we bought some more chicken to go, and munched on it later in the hotel in Mie prefecture (will make another post about our small trip to there later).

Delyle Noir Fur Coat

Just a few days before I received my new coat from the Japanese brand called Delyle Noir. It's absolutely gorgeous. 

Japanese Beauty Magazine: Maquia

There are so many different kinds of magazines in Japan. I believe there's something to satisfy everyone's need, or taste. Which is great. 

My latest magazine purchase is the september issue of the beauty magazine Maquila. It contains everything from tutorials, latest make up trends, latest products, recipes, and so on. At a cost of 650¥ you'll get over 300 pages to read, or look at. Pretty generous in my opinion. 

The September issue came with kind of straps that you use to stretch/work out with. And also with instructions on how to perform these exercises. 

But that's not all. If you fill out a survey that comes with the issue, you have a chance of winning a foundation + foundation brush from the brand bare minerals. Or you could chose another foundation from the book-in-book you receive with the September issue. Awesome, right? 

I really love magazines in Japan ^^

Dislikes in Japan: Being Ignored

So just some day before I decided to start a new category here on my blog called "Dislikes in Japan". I think that there are plenty of bloggers out there who bring up all those positive things about Japan. But for me.. I want to cover it all. Not just the fun part. But also the reality. The reality of a foreigner, spending time in Japan.

So this is my first post about dislikes in Japan. And I'd like to bring up the frustration of being ignored (simply because you are a foreigner). I know that this is something that not all foreigners experience. So if you are a foreigner in Japan, who can't agree with me at all. I do get that.

Anyway. Something that has been bugging me for quite some time is how ignorant japanese people can be. A lot of the time when me, and honey have been visiting for example shops. And the salesperson start a conversation with "us", they won't even look at me. Seriously, not even glance. Ok. I do get it. I'm a foreigner. But the salesperson doesn't really know whether I'm fully capable of understanding what he or she is saying. Well, the truth is that I don't understand. Or well, sometime I can understand most parts of a sentence. And sometime I wouldn't understand a bit of what a person just have said. But should that really matter?

I find it really discriminating, and if not, even racist to be ignored like this. I am a human. Just like you. And I DO exist (I'd like to tell them). Would looking at me, if so even for a second, be that harmful for you? We foreigners aren't some kind of deadly disease.

Not only does it happen in shops. It happens in restaurants as well. The waiter/waitress will just automatically assume that I'm some kind of stupid foreigner. And yet again.. I'm being ignored. It doesn't happen all of the time. Of course. But I'd say that it's happening way too often.

I've never seen this kind of behaviour here in Sweden to any non-swedish-looking person. And hopefully I'll never have to see it. Maybe it sounds silly to some of you, to care about something like this. But when it happens, over, and over again, it ain't too fun. And it kinda makes you feel useless. Or at least that those kinda people think that you are useless. Hm..


Well, I've got to say that it's quite interesting to see, and experience things from a different point of view. To be a foreigner in Japan, has made me EVEN more sympathetic about how foreigners in Sweden feels. And I can now understand some of their frustration. Even though we might have different problems to deal with. Being a foreigner is hard. Fun, and interesting. But hard. 


All of the good things outweighs the bad points of Japan luckily. At least for now. lol.
Have you ever experienced anything like this in Japan!? Guess it isn't too uncommon. Especially if you're going/hanging out with someone japanese.

My Favourite Mascara ♡

Hejsan!

Today I thought I'd share with you, my absolute favourite mascara. I've been staying true to this mascara for many, many years. Although I really love beauty products. Which also means love to try different kinds of products. I've been sticking to this mascara throughout the years. Fiberwig from Dejavu is truly a great mascara. And I really do want to recommend it to you guys. If you can get your hands on this mascara. You should try it out.

Now, I haven't purchased Fiberwig here in Sweden for some years. But I do remember it being a lot more expensive here, than in Japan. I'm talking like 100SEK more. However, if I wouldn't have any other choice. I'd purchase it here in Sweden. Even though I'd have to pay that 100SEK extra.

What is so great about this mascara?
Well.. I LOVE it because it doesn't smudge. And you can really build up your lashes with it (as if you'd be wearing falsies). Since it contains fibers. It is super easy to wash off. All it requires is some warm water. And then, you just "pull" it off your lashes. I guess you could say that the mascara encapsulates the lashes. Even if you cry, or go for a swim, while wearing Fiberwig. It will stay right on. Just perfect. I feel like I never have to worry about my mascara coming off with Fiberwig. And I don't need any improvement throughout the day.

I think that my husbands old labmate is working at Dejavu as a researcher or something like that. If I remember correctly. So if I'm lucky, maybe we could get even more discount. Which is super nice ^^

This recent year, I've actually switched to using brown coloured mascara. Since It looks more natural. I kinda like to wear a more natural look. So it suits me better. And I think that girls with blue eyes suit way much better in brown mascara. It really enhances blue eyes. 

Xoxo Amanda

Have you ever tried this mascara before? What are your thoughts on it? 

If you look closely... you can actually see the fibers. Right? ^^

Alla Hjärtans Dag

- Happy Valentine's Day - Glad Alla Hjärtans Dag - Afterwards 

Did you have a good day yesterday!? 
I know a lot of people feel pressure during Valentine's day.  I try not to. But sometimes it's hard.
Actually, I've never really celebrated Valentine's day to be honest. Well.. two Valentine's ago, I made a special "cake" for Ryo. And this year I made him some chocolate. And I also made kinda home made wrapping to go with it. But we didn't celebrate Valentine's even a tiny bit. As usual.

In Japan, during Valentine's day, the girls here make chocolate for the guys. Not just the guys that they love. But it can also be for colleagues, school friends, and so on.
There are two different types of chocolate that you can give to the guys. One is for the person that you more or less love "honmei choco". And the other one is just generally for everyone that you usually meet every day "giri choco". But the girls can also exchange choco with their other female friends "tomo choco


A month later, during "White day", the guys will return the favour by giving the girls a gift back.
I find it a little bit odd. Why wait a month later to return the gift!? Ahh.. Japan is Japan. That's why.

I couldn't snap any good photo of the giftbos I made. It didn't turn out well. But it had to do. lol

Face Masks

Last weekend I went to Koreatown (Shin-Okubo) with my boyfriend and his mother. I bought some new beauty products.. and also found a very good offer. A 30 pack of face sheets for 1000¥ That's crazy!! In Sweden it would rather be 2-3 face sheets for 1000¥

I think Koreatown has got a lot of interesting, good, and cheap products. And if you are a fan of Kpop, you will surely like Koreatown much. They've got all the idol-stuff you can imagine. And anywhere you go, they play the hottest kpop loudly.

Here are some of the face masks.

For example diamond, rose, grapefruit, mango, bee venom, pearl..

...And so on

Yep.. that's me.

 I seriously hate how I (and everyone else) look in these face sheets. 

Totally creepy. Luckily it feels good using them :)

Oh, and btw, I'm wearing the new lip tint in this picture.

Pretty nice, right? I think the color is similar to raspberry red.

Usually I don't suit in red. But this red has got a bit more of a cold tone.

Recently I've started to remember that it's not that long time until I'll leave Japan again. I really don't want to. And the thought of being apart from my boyfriend AGAIN, just breaks my heart :(
But I know that we are strong enough, and can overcome any obstacle. We've always done, and always will! The most important might be to just keep a positive mind. And think forward.. towards the future.

Later I think I'll upload some other pictures from Koreatown.
We ate dinner at a restaurant.. so maybe there'll be some food pics coming up :)

This upcoming week me and my boyfriend have planned to go and see hanabi in Kita-senju.. (Not sure yet if I'll wear yukata or not.. lol!!) , and also we will go to Sanrio Puroland!! I've heard it's really boring.. but what the heck.. it looks cute.. and I love Hello Kitty and the Sugarbunnies :)

I'm sorry for quite an boring post.. and for my bad updates. I will try to change it.

Love from Amanda ♡♡

Ps: Remember to follow my blog with bloglovin.

Face-mask And Lip-mask

As I already told in a previous post, I got some delayed birthday gifts from my friends here in Japan. Two of my friends (who are a couple) gave me different face masks, some body lotions and many many other things. And today I decided to try out one of the face masks, and lip mask that I got. 

Usually my skin becomes even better during summer. But here in Japan it seems like it's the opposite.. The hot and humid air gives my forehead a lot of sweat (I know it sounds disgusting, sorry). And therefor I've gotten some acne.. But I am trying to defeat it right now.. lol. And I noticed how important it is to bring a small towel wherever you go. Without it you just feel sticky and gross D: 

I've also felt that my skin has been extra dull recently.. I think the reason is that I am sitting by the computer, many hours a day for my studies. But it's nothing a face mask can't fix :)

This face mask contains snail essence. 

Snail essence has a healing effect on damaged skin

 (for example acne..) 

It's easy to apply since it is a face mask sheet.

Now my skin doesn't feel as dull as before *lucky* 

Instead it has gotten a nice glow, with a fresh feeling.

Alright, so this one is a bit interesting, and strange... Lip mask!! 

It says that you also can use it for your nipples... 

Anyway, for me, I don't have any interest to do so.

I had it on my lips for about 20-25 minutes 

(package says 5-30 minutes).

I can't say that it made any wonders. 

My lips kinda feels, and looks the same as before. 

So there isn't really any noticeable difference. 

Maybe slightly softer? 

I'm not sure I'd buy it again. 

But it did actually feel a bit relaxing,

putting the sheet on my lips haha.

Masks in Japan are very cheap. So if you are in, or have a chance to go to Japan, you should try it out. I think these masks are around 100-200¥ something (at least I've seen the face mask @ "donki" for 100¥). 

Last but not least, remember to follow my blog, either with bloglovin, or with mail.

Until next time, xoxo Amanda ♡♡♡

Japanese Fashion Magazines

Some dasy ago I purchased my favourites Japanese magazines. The august issue of Happie Nuts & Jelly, and the july issue of Blenda. In Sweden Japanese fashion/beauty magazines are really expensive. Around 2500-3000¥ each. Whilst here in Japan I paid less than 2000¥ for these three magazines. Of course it is possible to order the magazines online, or I could even ask my boyfriend. But it would take too long before I'd receive it.. (yes a bit impatient lol) .

The Happie Nuts issue came with a handy mirror from SLY

 (some of you might have heard of it before, I hope) .

 It was good timing...

 ...since I've been thinking of getting myself a new pocket mirror.

From Happie Nuts.

From Jelly.

From Blenda. 

Do you have any favourite magazine from Japan? Which, and why? ^^
When I was younger I liked Egg, Vivi, and Kera, a lot. But now-days I have more interest to these three :)

I love that Japanese fashion magazines always contains how-to-guides (hair, makeup) , and that they are very thick . Wish we'd have more like these magazines in Sweden (-_-;)

✩Some Inspiration✩

As the weather is getting warmer, it is time to renew your closets.

Here are some pics from my fav. magazines Happie Nuts and Blenda (may issue), and also two pics from Egoist's Facebook page. 

Enjoy ✩

♡♡♡ I love this springs fashion ♡♡♡  
It totally reflects my taste.

I don't know about you guys, but I always find so much inspiration by looking in Japanese fashion magazines. But then again, who doesn't??

Introduction

So, this is my first post. And what could be better than starting off with an introduction? My blog is still under construction so please be patient about it's appearance
(^-^;)。。。

For the short story, just read under "about me"

Well anyway, my name is Amanda, 20 years old, soon to be 21 (in less than a month.) I live in Sweden, but spend quite much of my time in Japan where I visit my boyfriend. My boyfriend is Japanese and I met him in the autumn of 2011 during his one year as an exchange student in Stockholm. Having a long-distance relationship is quite tough but I keep my optimism. I am studying ATM via distance courses, therefor I have the opportunity to travel much . But as soon as I've graduated I'll move to Japan to attend language school.. which will be awesome I'm sure.


I am in love with food ♡ to cook and eat many delicious things.. it's heaven! And what I love about good food is that it gathers people. I'm not afraid to try out new food, even if it is something people in let's say for example Sweden wouldn't normally try. In my opinion trying food is an experience, it could be both good or bad. I do love baking as well.. however recently I haven't done it much since the stove I have right now is very bad.

Fashion and beauty is something else I enjoy much. However when being a poor student, it can be hard  to manage the money. I'm sure some of you can agree with me (^o^). Recently I started trying out natural products instead of expensive beauty products.. and surprisingly enough it works better than I expected. Actually, in my opinion it has worked better than any matching beauty products. So perhaps I'll give you some recommendations  every now and then.

I guess this introduction is enough for now. If you would have any question feel free to ask me ^-^ And thank you for taking your time to read this.

Until next time.
From Amanda ♡