vacation – Shoes & Sashimi

Travel with Me: Mazatlan

Published on October 31, 2016October 30, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa8 Comments

Hope you all had a nice weekend, Happy Halloween everyone! Sharing with you, our next Port of Call: Mazatlan, an older and significantly larger beach city. We got off the ship at 7am and decided to explore a sleepy beach named Isla de la Piedra before we went into the city proper. To get to Isla de la Piedra, we walked a block and a half from the ship to a little dock full of water taxis. We hopped on and jetted off for about 15 minutes until we reached this beautiful but somewhat ghostly quiet beach that was the Isla. I also learned that Mazatlan is iconic for their thatched roofs which I loved to sit and stand under :D Here, we spent the morning walking through the water and sand until it was time to go back for lunch.

*At this hour, we had the entire beach to ourselves. It was a little eery, but in a beautiful way.

After our morning here, we went back across the water to the city where we ate at Panchos which overlooks the beach. Our recommendations would be to order the red snapper and the shrimp ceviche, delicious!

Mazatlan Sinaloa x Isla De La Piedra

Swim suit by nVimi Fiji

Hat by Harwen House Designs

*Use code “shoesandsashimi” for 20% off your own monogrammed sun hat!

Palm Tree Sun Dress by Letters from LA

Book your next Princess Cruise here

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

LA Weekend Roundup

Published on April 25, 2016July 18, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa24 Comments

Happy Monday all. As most of you know Los Angeles is my favorite city. I’ve lived, worked, and played here for many years, so it’s always nice to come back down for a little bit now that I’ve been in the Bay Area a while. Do I miss it? Hell yeah. I miss the daily grind of the city, the little magic if you will. We treated this trip as a staycation. It was nice to swoop in with @Twelfthknight and the fur baby for a few days to eat, relax, take in some art, and just be. No agenda, no work, just living that LA life as only we know how :D

As always, thank you for reading. And a big thank you to Sole of Brasil for adding some boho style to my look. If you’d like to shop Sole of Brasil’s online store for comfy Brazilian shoes, be sure to use “Lauren15” for 15% off at checkout.

Abbott Kinney Blvd, my favorite street in Venice away from the beach and tourists.

Lemonade via the Main Squeeze Lemonade Truck. Shoes by Loeffler Randall.

Abbott Kinney has some of the best murals in the area, this being a favorite.

@twelfthknight and Moobie’s favorite mural :D – Abbott Kinney

We were excited that PDX came to LA! Blue Star Donuts, ladies and gentlemen. The blueberry bourbon rosemary donut…lives up to the hype.

The perfect weekend ensemble. Wearing a Paige tank, Joes Jeans, Mgemi flats, and Minkoff bag.

My favorite stop for plant life. Isabel Marant on Melrose Place (taken during Farmer’s Market)

Farmer’s Market berries on Melrose Place.

Picked up some Alfred’s coffee before heading to brunch with friends Amy and Paul. @Twelfthknight has never been and I was happy to show him my favorite coffee kitchen in the area. We also met a french bulldog there named Winston.

#ButFirstCoffee thanks to Alfred’s. And now off to brunch.

The interior of Republique on La Brea. We ate with my old friend Amy and her husband. She’s a talented makeup artist in the industry. FYI: There is always a wait for this place, and rightly so. If you eat for dinner, you may place reservations.

Back at the apartment with my sun appropriate things. (we stayed in Miracle Mile, a few blocks from LACMA)

Moobie loved having the place to himself a lot, he was truly on vacation :D

LACMA at night. Earlier we saw Ryan Seacrest and Diane Keaton there for an event.

Tsukemen at the best ramen house in Los Angeles, Tsujita LA. I took my parents here a long time ago, and now I’ve taken @Twelfthknight :) My favorite neighborhood in LA for authentic Japanese food.

Purple rain, in honor of Prince. Our street was lined with these flowers every morning.

Another local favorite, Joan’s on Third. A market, coffee spot, deli, and great food.

FullSizeRender 52 — Boho vibin’ with my gladiators thanks to Sole of Brasil

Processed with VSCO with t1 preset — Last breakfast at Stir Market on Beverly. The best bacon in town! And the entire staff is incredibly generous and kind, we will be back.

Aloha! Hawaii Part II

Published on September 7, 2015July 18, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa11 Comments

Happy Labor Day everyone, what are you doing for this long weekend? I’m missing being on vacation mode, but hopefully you can travel with me through these next batch of photos from our recent trip. Between the waterfall hike to sipping drinks on the beach, splashing through the breathtaking views, and eating our fair share of musubi and shaved ice, I think it’s safe to say that we milked our short stay on the island to it’s max relaxing capacity. We hope to explore elsewhere too in the near future, so for those of you who have been to the other Hawaiian islands, what are your favorite places to eat, see, and stay?

As always, thanks for reading and enjoy your 3 day weekend!

Lauren

Leonards, known for their famous malasadas and pao doce.

What's a malasada? It's basically a Portuguese custard filled donut. — What’s a malasada? It’s basically a Portuguese custard filled donut.

Waimea Falls, it's a nice 1 mile stroll through the botanical gardens to the waterfall. And when you reach the waterfall you get to jump in and swim. — Waimea Falls, it’s a nice 1 mile stroll through the botanical gardens to the waterfall. And when you reach the waterfall you get to jump in and swim.

It was so humid...Luckily this Tiare Hawaii dress kept me comfy. — It was so humid…Luckily this Tiare Hawaii dress kept me comfy.

Poke bowls and musubi from Musubi Cafe. I think we we went there 3 times...I could eat there every day. — Poke bowls and musubi from Musubi Cafe. I think we went there 3 times…I could eat there every day.

What I wore:

Dress: Tiare Hawaii

Aviators: Le Specs

Where We Ate:

Leonards

Musubi Cafe

Barefoot Bar

Aloha! Hawaii Part I

Published on September 2, 2015September 1, 2015 by Lauren Nakagawa9 Comments

Aloha everyone :D I’m back from Hawaii now and am already missing the views and crystal blue waters. @Twelfthknight and I were on the island of Oahu to attend the wedding of his friends Jerry and Gloria Wu. It was a lovely ceremony at the Hale Koa Resort on Waikiki, which is also where we stayed. It’s been years since I’ve been back to Hawaii, and this trip would be @Twelfthknight‘s and I’s first time traveling together. We had such a quiet relaxing time from start to finish even with the abnormally punishing humidity. We’re not much for the crazy-fast paced-pack everything in-types, we like to eat and take our time, relax, and just be present, not just on vacation but also in general. Now that we’re back, I can honestly say that we needed more time away, so hopefully we can island hop on our next trip out there.

For those of you following along on Instagram, you may have seen a few of these photos already. But I must thank you all because when I was in Hawaii I hit over 1,000 followers, yay! Enjoy the first part of our Hawaii trip, Part II will be posted next week :D

Aloha and Mahalo,

Lauren

Roaming downtown Honolulu in search of snacks. Wearing a Lulu's crop top and Loeffler Randall Gladiators. — Roaming downtown Honolulu in search of snacks. Wearing a Lulu’s crop top and Loeffler Randall Gladiators.

Outfit Details: Lulu's Top. Urban Outfitters Shorts. Rebecca Minkoff Moto Bag. — Outfit Details: Lulu’s Top. Urban Outfitters Shorts. Rebecca Minkoff Moto Bag.

The best shaved ice on the island is Waiola's Shave Ice. Green Tea ice over vanilla ice cream. — The best shaved ice on the island is Waiola’s Shave Ice. Green Tea ice over vanilla ice cream.

Poke bowls from Ono Seafood. Funny story: We sat for 20min in the heat across the street at Ono Hawaiian thinking that it was Ono Seafood. It was not...and we raced across the way to get these delicious dishes. Totally worth it. — Poke bowls from Ono Seafood. Funny story: We sat for 20min in the heat across the street at Ono Hawaiian thinking that it was Ono Seafood. It was not…and we raced across the way to get these delicious dishes. Totally worth it.

The p.o.v from the pool. No filter needed.

Running in my sandals to the wedding of Jerry & Gloria Wu.

Though deemed casual, I thought this romper by Band of Gypsies was the perfect “instant outfit” for this wedding.

Everyone, meet @Twelfthknight :) Photo snapper and papa to fur baby Boo.

What I Wore

White Top: Lulu’s

Printed Highwaist Shorts: UO

Moto Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Gladiator Sandals: Loeffler Randall

Floral Romper: Band of Gypsies

Wedge Sandals: BCBG Max Azria

Pink Clutch: BCBG Max Azria

Where We Ate

Waiola Shave Ice

Ono Seafood

Take Me Away to Half Moon Bay

Published on August 3, 2015July 11, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa23 Comments

Another weekend well spent, this time in beautiful Half Moon Bay. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ve probably see all the real time pictures of our sea side adventures. If not, be sure to follow @Shoes_and_Sashimi to keep up! The weather was perfect, the sky was clear, the water was cool, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the downtown area of Half Moon Bay itself with all the quaint little cafes and trinket shops. Boo was sure popular at the Ritz Carlton, we met many nice people on the grounds with their pups too. If you’re in the area, check out this little beach town and relax. It’s the perfect staycation, if you ask me :)

Thanks for reading. And as always have a wonderful week.

Boo and I like to color coordinate now. #neutrals

Lox Bagel at The Press just before getting to Half Moon Bay. Can you spot Boo? Professional photobombed he is. — Lox Bagel at The Press just before getting to Half Moon Bay. Can you spot Boo? Professional photobomber he is.

Make your own bath salts at Oddyssea. This shop has a pirate ship in the back :D Very cool shop, do stop by if you're in the area. — Make your own bath salts at Oddyssea. This shop has a pirate ship in the back :D Very cool shop, do stop by if you’re in the area.

Downtown Half Moon Bay — Pink walls in downtown Half Moon Bay

Roaming the Ritz on our walk from the beach. — Roaming the Ritz on our walk to the beach.

Life is the bubbles! - Sebastian — Life is the bubbles! – Sebastian

What I Wore:

Top: Greylin Collection

Sunnies: Le Specs

Denim: J Brand

Sandals: Dolce Vita

Where we Went:

The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Brunch: The Press

Oddyssea

LA Weekend Road Trip

Published on June 29, 2015July 11, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa12 Comments

Well, it was a whirlwind trip this time around but I’m glad that the boo and I could get away for some little sun and r&r for the weekend in LA. Staying in an apartment in Echo Park was great for those of you who know where this little neighborhood is. Just outside of Silverlake Junction, Echo Park is a tiny neighborhood that boarders the hipster coffee district of Silverlake and Sunset Blvd as well as bordering downtown LA. We did a lot, ate even more, snagged some new tops at the Greylin warehouse, and had a fun run in with Neil Flynn from Scrubs (he’s now on ABC’s The Middle.) It was nice to be back in LA for some relaxation, but now that I’m back in the Bay I can say it’s nice to be home. Until next time LA.

White Washed x Outside the Bates Motel Installation created by French Artist Vincent Lamouroux

Dinner x First order of business: Daikokuya Ramen in DTLA. One of my favorite ramen houses in all of Los Angeles County.

You love the man. Yes. Yes I do. Graffiti Art on Sunset.

Smile for the ego. Always. #Butfirstletmetakeaselfie. Graffiti art found on Sunset and Bates.

Echo Park Lake in all it's glory. Downtown in the background. #NoFilter. — Echo Park Lake in all it’s glory. Downtown in the background. #NoFilter.

:) Also, how cool is this Cheap Monday tank? Underneath, wearing a Brandy Melville cropped bralette for layering purposes.

Superb breakfast while you wait for the paddle boats.

Square One Dining @ The Boathouse on Echo Park Lake. Left to right: Breakfast Tacos, Cheddar Grits and Bacon. Horchata. (The original Square One Restaurant is in Silverlake.)

Lattes at Dinosaur Coffee. The boy flipped out and fan-girled so hard when he saw his favorite actor Neil Flynn behind me. I played it cool as they took selfies together. You can see his on Instagram @Twelfthknight :D

White out. Vincent Lamouroux painted these palm trees in ecofriendly paint for his installation.

White Out at the Bates Motel. See for yourself if you're on Sunset and Bates. — White Out at the Bates Motel. See for yourself if you’re on Sunset and Bates.

Going home: You can't go on a road trip and not get In n Out. That's blasphemy. Animal Style, of course. — Going home: You can’t go on a road trip and not get In n Out. That’s blasphemy. Animal Style, of course.

Thanks for reading, you can always find more daily photos during the week of my adventures on Instagram @shoes_and_sashimi

Stay tuned!

What I Wore

Top: Cheap Monday

Sunnies: Equipment FR

Denim Cut Offs: Lovers and Friends

What We Ate

Ramen: Daikokuya

Breakfast: Square One at the Boathouse

Coffee: Dinosaur Coffee

(Not posted)

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House

Guisados

Where We Were

The Bates Motel on Sunset

Artist: Vincent Lamouroux

Greylin Collection HQ

Wine Country

Published on January 15, 2015February 13, 2015 by Lauren NakagawaLeave a comment

People are always shocked when I say that I’ve never really experienced Napa Valley, simply because as an adult I’ve been in Southern California the majority of the time. My parents go often, either for themselves or to entertain guests so I end up living and eating vicariously through them. Bouchon, The French Laundry, Ad Hoc…It seems like everyone and their cousins have been except for me. So to my surprise last Sunday after being bed ridden with what seemed like the plague, the beau decided to pack me in the car and drive on up to Napa for the day. Sweet, right?

Trip highlights:

Perusing all the vendors at Oxbow Public Market. There’s just so much going on and so many wonderful smells of all kinds of cuisines permeating the place. It’s overwhelming, but in a tasty sensory overload kind of way.

Making a pit stop at Vallarta Market to try their famed burrito. Who goes to Calistoga for a burrito? We did…and it was divine….it’s hidden in this tiny little Mexican grocery store, luckily you can get directions to such establishment here: 1473 Lincoln Street, Calistoga, CA

Going to Bouchon Bakery to pick up gingerbread muffins for Mama and Papa. It’s a bustling little place that I call bread heaven: 6528 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599

Ending our trip with a surprise dinner reservation at Ad Hoc by Thomas Keller. Each night is a different prefix menu and I’m still full just thinking about our meal. In all honesty, the Cream of Mushroom Soup was my favorite, served with a gruyere cheese crostini. The main dish was Veal Scallopini served on whipped gold potatoes and broccolini romanesco. And finally for dessert, Vanilla Ice Cream Sundaes with butterscotch, pecans, and strawberry sauce. Needless to say, I am back at the gym and hot yoga to work all of this off!