lifestyle – Shoes & Sashimi

Three Dots Takes Tokyo

Published on June 26, 2017June 26, 2017 by Lauren Nakagawa7 Comments

I’ve been missing Japan lately since I got back. It’s been nonstop here, with a wedding weekend in Napa, shoots piling up, meetings, and what not. But it’s fine, Summer is off to a good start which will continue to get even more eventful.

Looking back on some of my best and functional looks for Japan’s nearly perfect weather, I’ve put together a few of my favorites from Three Dots. I’ve worn Three Dots many times before as you probably have seen by now. Their cottons and linens are so soft, comfortable, and breathable. They pack well and are easy for layering which is why I brought them to roam all over Japan with me!

Trellis Off the Shoulder Blouse:

My favorite blouse on this trip. I wore it through Shibuya district with shorts one day and with high waisted jeans through our neighborhood of Ginza.

SONY DSC

Bell Sleeve Details, taken by Kristine Marie Photography

SONY DSC

Santorini Crewneck Tee: (The Perfect Layering Piece or Stand Alone)

I love my basic t’s however I love them most when layered. Most of the women here wear crewnecks under their dresses to be a bit more conservative, so I think I blended in quite well with this one.

The Snap Front Skirt:

My favorite Summer skirt. These pockets are so deep, they held everything from rice balls to my subway change and keys. This is actually my most worn skirt this trip and I particularly like how it was the perfect length, not too long and not too short. For size reference, I am wearing an XS at 5’3” which fits true. SONY DSC

Special thanks to Three Dots for this post

Ruffle Season // Three Dots

Published on April 20, 2017April 20, 2017 by Lauren Nakagawa7 Comments

They say truffle season is the best season. I don’t disagree. However, ruffles are a very close second best.

I wouldn’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers, unless it’s in the form of ruffle tops like the one I’m wearing from Three Dots. This is a brand that I’ve fallen for, and I have already worn this lil guy on three separate occasions. The Three Dot’s collection pieces this Spring are incredibly easy to wear, I love their soft jersey tees and tanks. This asymmetrical top has been my favorite though and the movement you get with the ruffles are just plain fun.

You know me by now, I always dress down. But anytime I want a bit of oomph into what would be a simple outfit, you best believe I count on Three Dots to elevate all the basics. Always.

Shot by Julia O Test

Special thanks to Three Dots

Ruffle Top: found here on Shopbop

Location: Potrero Hill, SF

Mile High Moments

Published on April 10, 2017April 10, 2017 by Lauren Nakagawa10 Comments

Sharing some of my favorite moments from our time spent in Denver, CO now that I have a second to go through all these photos. The food scene is amazing, innovative, and incredibly fun. Colorado itself is panoramic, and the air is crisp and clean. Everyone is friendly and happy, not a pretentious bone in anyone’s body. That’s probably because they can afford to live there….*glares at S.F.* And, having met some of @twelfthknight’s coworkers on this trip, it was time well spent with good food, and even better company.

Shot by local photographer Jenna Sparks, I was able to capture a lot with her as my unofficial Denver photog. Thanks for the captures, Jenna!

All looks Shot by Jenna Sparks Photography

What I Wore:

Burnt Orange Maxi Dress: Amuse Society (now $28)

Sandals: M.Gemi

Camel Knit Sweater: Lovers & Friends

Micro Suede Leggings: David Lerner

Pink Shoes: Ecco Shoes ($160)

Military Jacket: Publish x Revolve (now $61)

Black Hoodie: Nytt Label (now $43)

Special Thanks to Glamour Bar Denver for the blow-dry

Eat List:

Amethyst Cafe

Sushi Den

(their fish is flown in from Tokyo every day)

Linger (our favorite)

Denver Union Station (house made “pop tarts”

Beyond Basics

Published on April 6, 2017April 4, 2017 by Lauren Nakagawa8 Comments

Back from Denver now, and I’m jumping into yet another busy week. I’m as casual as they come, and have to be comfortable, so I thought I’d share some of my recent favorite basics from Three Dots. It’s not just a tank, it’s something I live in. Maybe you already have them in your closet, but I think their elevated cozy pieces are pretty amazing as every day wear. This tank in “gardenia” is the softest I own, and I love wearing it with tougher jackets such as my moto. Or….since it’s Spring, you can throw on this linen jacket (from Three Dots) for those lighter days.

1 Tank, 2 ways. How would you elevate your basics?

Look 1: Toughened Up

Look 2: Lighter

If you want to up the ante on your wardrobe staples, then I’d definitely add some Three Dots pieces into your closet this Spring.

As always thanks for reading! Colorado Part 1 to come soon…

Look 1 Shot by Jenna Sparks Photography x Denver

Look 2 Shot by Julia O Test Photo x SF

Tank x Linen Jacket: Three Dots

Let it Be

Published on February 2, 2017February 2, 2017 by Lauren Nakagawa6 Comments

All the lonely people, where do they all come from? – Eleanor Rigby

I stepped into Hotel Zetta on accident the last time I was off Market. One look at the Beatles photograph on their huge wall in their lobby, I thought “I need to come back and shoot here.” I get my love for 60’s-70’s lp’s from my Mom who grew up as a Beatle’s crazed teen in Oakland. Even my Gung Gung (Grandfather in Cantonese) took her to see A Hard Day’s Night as a child, how cool is that? Actually, she’s just as a die hard fan now as she was back then. So yes, little me only new Beatles lyrics and the occasional Simon and Garfunkel albums back in the day.

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see. All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free – Blackbird

I liked popping in here amidst the busy traffic of people. There’s something retro but still modern about this place, a slight time warp. With all the noise this city makes and protesters every which way, I couldn’t help but find a quiet place to stop and sit for a second.

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me. Shine until tomorrow, let it be – Let it Be

If there was ever a time when we needed more music, it would be now. It probably won’t change anything except internally, but for selfish reasons music has been a safe place and will continue to do so :)

As always I appreciate you taking the time to read and listen. A week from today I will be headed to NYC and I’m looking forward to sharing my adventures with you here.

Shot by Julia O Test Photography

Sweater: Callahan

Oxfords: Summit White Mountain

Brick Walls

Published on January 26, 2017January 26, 2017 by Lauren Nakagawa17 Comments

“The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.” – Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

I’m currently in the midst of gearing up for NYFW in February, and I’ve been happily riding the waves that come with planning such a trip. Luckily I have some wing women who will be joining me and I look forward to sharing my point of view of the festivities as they unfold with you all very soon.

I personally have always liked brick walls. They’re there for a reason, literally and figuratively speaking. I think I’ve been hitting brick walls ever since grade school when peers told me that I couldn’t do something or thought I was weird for having different interests than them. Even as an adult, being in a creative field and being self employed comes with a certain type of judgement. There’s a huge risk factor here, but that’s kind of what we as creative entrepreneurs thrive off of. We see potential and more importantly the map in which to get there, wherever “there” may be.

This will be quite an exciting trip in two weeks…and I look forward to sharing everything here with you. It’s going to be freezing. I’m not sure how I’m going to deal with that but will deal nonetheless. All I know is that it’s going to be fun and I’m excited to get a new perspective and inspiration along the way.

I’ll be covering some of my prep that I’ve been doing here in the city in a post to come next week, so look out for that if you’re interested. Until then, thanks for reading!

All photos shot by Julia O Photo

Jackson Square, San Francisco

Button Up: Rails

Holidays at Home

Published on December 19, 2016December 18, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa11 Comments

I’m cozying up this week with my friends at Riviera Towel Company on this very special holiday post. The holidays have changed over the years, but some of my fondest moments are of the house smelling of Mom’s gingerbread, espresso biscotti, and my brother and I icing cookies for the gaggle of family coming in and out of our house. Christmas has always been sensory and visual, from the fresh tree to the baked goods.

As time goes on and everyone gets older some of those smells have gone away. We don’t do much on gift giving, in fact we don’t partake in Christmas shopping at all anymore. For us it’s really all about food, family, and banter. Not that it still isn’t, but as we’ve gotten older my Grandparents are no longer here with us and gatherings have become smaller and smaller. The fresh trees haven’t been in our house in a long time, but we do have garlands, Boo (our fur baby in his Christmas sweater) and fairy lights strung up which is nice. I miss certain things from childhood and I hope that one day we find that again.

To bring back some holiday spirit into our home, Riviera Towel Company prompted my idea for this shoot just in time for Christmas. Their towels are 100% Turkish Cotton and so incredibly soft and versatile. I wrapped myself in one, gathered my current favorite holiday things, and voila: a cozy holiday picnic, right in our own home :) *Scroll to the bottom for 20% off your own blankie.

Life is like a box of chocolates. These are from Christopher Elbow

A favorite wine from this year’s Paso Robles trip: Ecluse Vineyard

I toast to all of you this holiday season. Thank you for reading and keeping up with me this year. And special thanks to Riviera Towel Co. for bringing warmth and reigniting my creative spark this Christmas. It’s the best gift of all.

For those of you who want to cozy up, you can purchase their gorgeous towels (these are $32 ) on their site here . They also give back to organizations who help save our oceans, I love that I can help support their mission.

Even more, take 20% off using code “sashimi20” at checkout

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

Lauren

Brand Spotlight: Crane & Lion

Published on December 8, 2016December 8, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa5 Comments

With all the holiday events that I’ve been attending this month, I’ve been coming into contact with a lot of treats lately. I do have really good self control I must say. Unfortunately, working out since I have moved back to the Bay Area has been more than a challenge. It’s just not the same….In LA, I lived literally around the corner from Corepower Yoga, and I would go 2 times a day, morning and night to sweat and tone myself into oblivion. You know that LA lifestyle everyone jokes about with their green juice and acai bowl after every workout? Yea, that was me for years. I miss it, bikram was a lifestyle and I became fit as a fiddle and stronger than I ever had been.

I’ve really been lacking any sort of motivation to workout here in the Bay Area. Either the classes are at odd hours, or I don’t like the teachers or studio. Or I’d have to drive 15+ miles to the next Corepower, and at that point I’d be so ticked off with parking that I’d be late to a class. It’s just all bad. Call me a hater, I don’t mind.

Enter, new favorite athleisure brand, Crane & Lion. I was introduced to this brand through new friend Connie of Moderne Press. I’ve now been living in their leggings and jacket, running around town but looking put together while doing it. I love that they are affordable, and different than all the Lululemon stuff out there. Crane & Lion has made working out chic, which has motivated me to stop whining and get back to being active consistently even if it’s just in the living room or in our neighborhood.

It’s hard to get motivated, it really is. And since I’ve been feeling discouraged lately, Crane & Lion has been getting me excited about working out on my own.

What about you? How do you stay motivated? Favorite way of working out?

All photos shot by Rachel Radcliffe

Piedmont, CA

Sunglasses: Desi Perkins for Quay

Hester Crop Top: Clayton

Jacket: Crane & Lion

Leggings: Crane & Lion

Necklace: Experimental Jewelry Club

Rings: Maison Miru

Shoes: Nike

*Special thanks to Moderne Press

Knit Weather

Published on November 17, 2016November 17, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa4 Comments

It’s finally feeling like actual Fall in the Bay Area and if you’re like me, the chunkier the knit, the better. This one is an old knit from Glamorous (you can find this brand at Bloomingdales.) Fall is my favorite time of the year. I’m looking forward to a quick trip to LA next week for @Twelfthknight’s family Thanksgiving and then right back up for my family’s meal. It’s going to be a whirlwind holiday season this year full of Pop Up shops that I’ll be hosting for Rothy’s Shoes and all the various blogger events, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Stay tuned :)

All photos shot by Rachel Radcliffe, Piedmont CA

Sweater: Glamorous (Bloomingdales)

Boots: Ecco

Sunglasses: Desi Perkins x Quay

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Travel With Me: Sayulita Nayarit

Published on October 27, 2016October 27, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa5 Comments

Ahoy! @Twelfthknight and I literally cruised into Puerto Vallarta on October 18th from Los Angeles, this being our first cruise with Princess. We had no expectations and we truly loved the cruise ship life. I will say that Princess’s hospitality and service was a little mind blowing, they made our rooms twice a day at least, were so friendly that we felt like we made all types of International friends, and you really felt taken care of from morning to night. Who doesn’t love round the clock room service, endless lattes, and 5 different pools to choose from? We will definitely be booking with them again, dare I say to Alaska sometime next year? :D

After 3 days of being at sea, I couldn’t wait to touch land again. Cabin Fever is a real thing! Our first Port of Call was Puerto Vallarta and after snooping out this little surf town about an hour north of PV, we decided to get crazy and bus it upwards to Sayulita. It’s a charming beach town, very colorful, authentic in that it’s not commercialized, and it’s very much like being in the jungle. This town is full of artisans working on their wares, they were all very friendly. We frolicked on the beach, stuck an umbrella in the sand, and got our coconuts (one of many on this trip.) All in all, it’s a great little place if you want to feel like you want to get lost somewhere.

*This was a really short photo set because we were trying to get our bearings, but Mazatlan and Cabo will have more, promise.

Some Tips:

Wear rubber soles or sandals with support. (The roads and streets are either dusty or uneven cobble stones)

The humidity was no joke. Don’t bother bringing hair products

Booking:

We loved our Princess experience. Affordable, easy, and worry free (book your next trip here)

Up next, Mazatlan! You can read about that on Monday :D

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