For my RSS subscribers, I apologize for the early publishing of this post when it was still unfinished. As you can see from my first “Did” item, I was away during that time and I’m sure that messed up my publishing schedule a bit. Anyway, even though it’s being published in the wrong month (and year 😆), nonetheless here is my recap for December 2023.
Did
Disneyland for Christmas: It was a tad of a last minute plan, but we decided to go to Disneyland for Christmas Eve and Christmas. Since we have no family in California and didn’t want to go back to Hawaii for Christams (we did it last year and it was just so expesnive and crowded every where), we thought why not? We ended up going with some friends and it was a blast. I loved how decked out Disneyland gets for the holidays and highly recommend checking it out if you ever get the chance. Also, for my fellow RV’ers I recommend staying at Orangeland RV Park. You can schedule shuttles with the Anaheim public buses and you get dropped off right in front of Disney (it beats that massive walk from the parking lot and paying for parking). We plan to cool it a bit with Disney this year but who knows…I’m slowing turning into a Disney adult 😂.
Joined a family YouTube account: I was never much of a YouTube watcher until this month. It was definitely because of ads, but also I thought I preferred to get all my info through reading. But now I realize that video is such a great way to learn (and share), and I’ve finally caught up with the 21st century lol. Since getting the ad-free family YouTube account I’ve been watching SO MUCH Youtube. My favorites, are the bag vloggers including maggyxchuu (the first vlogger I really started following), Kate Swan, and hellocatwalkcity. I also love following Japanese vloggers (first recommended by maddyxchuu) Takimaki Channel and Aya Asahina, as well as Sin Sin Koubou (basically Japanese Tanner Leathersteins— they are professional leather workers who look at bags to tell you whether or not it’s a fake/worth it) and Buyma (a bag reseller business that showcase all kinds of bags and SLGs). The Japanese YouTube accounts are great because they’ve really helped my ear for Japanese. Also The Row is so hot rn in Japan that the Japanese Youtube accounts provide some of the details that you can’t readily find in English-speaking videos (for example, does The Row’s Margaux 12 fit a 13” laptop? The answer is yes, but only if you undo the side buckles). Anyway I’ve probably watched more YouTube in the last month than I’ve watched in my whole life, and I’m considering starting a channel myself so I can really talk about bags (which I love doing anyway). The idea of it makes me nervous, but at the same time I think some of the bags in my collection deserve some air time 😂.
Bought
Neiwai Barely Zero Classic Wireless Bra 2.0 (<—referral link for $10 off your first purchase of $50+): I usually buy bras once a year or maybe every other year. And since my Pepper bras are starting to wear out I decided to try out Neiwai, which my friends have been raving about for years. And now I get why. It’s so comfy! It gives you shape without the underwire. Of course full review to come soonish, but lets just say this will not be the last Neiwai bra I buy.
TRR purchase of Clare V sweatshirt, The Row Eros Shearling-trimmed Leather Ankle Boots, The Row white mules, Stella McCartney virgin wool sweater, also some gray and beige Phoebe Philo Celine pieces with credit: I went a bit overboard at TRR at then end of this year. I think since I haven’t been clothes shopping in person much, anything I want to try out comes from The RealReal. The Row shoes are definitely because I want to try EVERYTHING from them but can’t afford it new. And the old Phoebe Philo Celine pieces are because I can’t afford anything from Phoebe’s new line.
Secondhand The Row Small, Medium, and Large N/S Park Tote in dark taupe from eBay: If you’ve been following along on Insta, you know that I’ve been absolutely obsessed with the Row Park Tote ever since my first Park Tote purchase in Japan. I’ve purchased all three from Brandear, a Japanese reseller that I first stumbled upon in Ginza (I talk about them in my Tokyo 2023 trip recap here). Anyway, when it comes to The Row Park Totes I don’t think the fakes are as good yet and/or they’re pretty hard to fake because nothing about the bag is all that remarkable except for the quality of their leather and construction (two things that often set a fake apart from the real deal). Anyway full Park Tote review to come in the new year (along with a video I hope!).
via Toteme
Gifts
Toteme T-Lock clutch from the family: I know, do I need any more bags? Nope. But will I always make room for a beautifully made bag? Heck yea. I haven’t taken her out a lot yet because of getting a second Puzzle bag (see below) but it’s a great small bag and formal/informal enough for night and day. I look forward to getting more use out of it in the future.
Busy Book from Hahaland: Thanks Hahaland again for a wonderful gift for Emi. She really loves her first Busy Book from Hahaland so I was happy to give her a second one, upgraded version. If you have a 2-4 year old in her life I highly recommend this book!