First, my overall thoughts on Japan: LOVED it. I certainly have not been to very many foreign countries, but this country is one I would want to visit again. The cities were noticeably clean and safe, and the people were genuinely welcoming and friendly. It’s a culture that is very much about respect. No one is in a hurry, but everyone is on time. Food is prepared with immaculate precision. There is no garbage, litter, graffiti, or the usual smells that you might find in some larger cities. (For that matter, there are hardly any trashcans. If you have trash, you take it with you which really makes you think about your consumption. You want a cup of coffee? Have a seat in a cafe and drink a cup from a real mug.) The parks are pristine; public restrooms are very clean; taxi cabs are well-kept. The language barrier did not feel very difficult, and when we had no other option, we just used Google Translate on our phones.

As far as costs, there is a reason why you probably know someone who recently visited or is planning to visit Japan. The exchange rate right now makes it a very favorable time for Americans to visit. Americanized hotels and things like that are going to be pricey, but the local restaurants and attractions are very affordable. For example, one night in Kyoto, a great Yakiniku (tableside BBQ) dinner with lots of high quality meats and rounds of drinks was somewhere around 9,500 yen, or about $60 USD.

I cannot take any credit for planning or booking our trip as another member of our group took the lead on that. He made the itinerary through a company called Firebird Tours, and while I can’t really attest to the planning process or the ease of working with them (because I did not actually communicate with them), they did plan a very thorough trip for us with seamless, guided transportation between cities. The walking tours in each city do lean pretty heavy towards Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples, and once we had seen a few of those, we did ask some of our tour guides to pivot and take us to the local markets, the restaurants they like to go to, the local underground bar, etc. – and they were usually happy to do so.

We flew from LAX to Tokyo, and there’s just no way around it, the flight is long. Gather all those credit card points and upgrade if you can, and then take a redeye. (We did not take the redeye, but in hindsight, it may have been a better idea. We left on a Monday morning and arrived late Tuesday afternoon.) We did however have amazing seats which really helped eliminate loss of time for jetlag once we were there. Are you sick of reading yet? Because here comes the tour…

First Stop: Tokyo We actually landed in Tokyo on my birthday, and after a long flight, customs, and airport transport, The Conrad Tokyo was a beautiful sight for sore eyes. It’s a high rise hotel near the city center with beautiful views, luxe rooms, and a very friendly concierge that was key in booking a couple of our dinners while we were there. (For the most part, meals were kind of done on the fly. Pop in here, stop there.) The Conrad is definitely more Americanized and offered a Western-style breakfast every morning that I have to admit I really appreciated. I would say the one downside to the hotel is that location-wise, it’s a business area so the districts we wanted to check out weren’t very walkable. (But taxis are very cheap and easy to find, so it wasn’t really an issue.)

While most of our meals in Japan were really affordable, dinner at mon cher ton ton at The Peninsula Hotel was definitely a splurge that was probably the most WOW meal of the trip. This is traditional Japanese Teppanyaki where a chef (or in this case, team of chefs) cook right in front of you. The food was incredible, and the service might have been even better. I would 100% recommend booking this one for a really special night. Also, the hotel was stunning. I would definitely look into booking it if we make it back to Tokyo.

We loved checking out the Tsukiji Outer Market (local fish market with lots of different food options), and enjoyed a nice afternoon shopping and sipping around Shibuya with the prettiest fall tree-lined streets. We did try to wander down the Harajuku district but found the crowds there pretty unbearable. For high end shopping and strolling, Ginza is sort of a Mecca, and Eric and I found the best little basement bar in the area called Bar Penguin. The bartender there tried to help us out with dinner reservations but then finally typed his favorite local burger joint into my Google translate and we walked there. (BROZERS’ was the place, a funny little American style diner, and the wagyu burger was exactly what we needed.)

A couple members of our group really wanted to see a Sumo match, and we learned that the six Grand Sumo tournaments are during the odd months of the year. Unfortunately for us, the November tournament was quite far from us in Fukuoka. Firebird set us up with a Sumo Practice at a Sumo Stable in Kawasaki where we watched a practice, were invited to participate (I opted out), and then shared a hot pot lunch with the Sumo. If something like this is on your list, it’s a pretty well-done tour.

After 3 nights in Tokyo, a driver picked us up and drove us two hours + a ferry ride to:

Second Stop: Hakone We kicked off our visit to Hakone with an Ashi Lake Cruise by ferry boat and then a tram ride on the Hakone Ropeway which provided for some pretty spectacular views. Hakone is known for its onsen which are traditional Japanese hot springs containing high levels of natural minerals. Our hotel, Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara, featured gender segregated indoor and outdoor baths as well as private hot spring tubs for every room. It could be a nice little retreat for those who love a relaxing hot tub dip, but Eric and I were glad we only had one night there. The hotel and its restaurant were nice but VERY traditional which meant wearing a traditional Samue set to dinner (optional but I obviously loved it) and a very hard to navigate dinner menu for me followed by airplane snacks in the room.

The following morning, a car picked us up and took us to the high speed bullet train with tickets to…

Third Stop: Kyoto When anyone asks which city was my favorite, I have a very hard time choosing, but MAYBE it was Kyoto. It’s definitely an older city, a cultural center, and an amazing place to just roam around. The bullet train from Hakone took a couple of hours, and it was very pleasant. (We did get first class tickets for the bullet train which I would recommend if you are traveling around with luggage – it helps to have the space.) We checked into our hotel, and Eric and I decided to take the day off from the tours. Instead I headed to the spa at the Four Seasons for the most relaxing facial, and 10/10, I would do it again.

For dinner we walked from our hotel to the Nakagyo Ward which is absolutely where you want to be. You’re basically roaming around back alleyways that are lined with restaurant after restaurant, this way and that way, hidden behind sliding doors and curtains – it’s wild. You’ll find everything here from sushi to yakitori (chicken skewers) to yakiniku (tableside BBQ) and speakeasy bars. (And if that’s what you’re looking for, make sure to stop into Bar Alchemist for great cocktails in the coziest space.) We also spent some time wandering around Nishiki Market which is where you’ll find lots of local food and vendors.

After two nights in Kyoto, we took the bullet train about 40 minutes to…

Fourth Stop: Osaka If you ask Eric which city was his favorite, he’ll probably tell you he’s undecided but wishes that we had more time in Osaka. If Kyoto is a bit more old school, Osaka felt really bright and shiny. (But that could be because the weather was so much nicer while we were there?) We stayed at The St. Regis Osaka which was far and away my favorite hotel of the trip. (I know, I know – very Americanized. Sue me.) It was just beautiful and beyond comfortable and decked out for Christmas.

We had a wonderful tour guide in Osaka who took us through the popular shopping districts (Nippombashi and Soemoncho are a couple I recall) selling local food, clothing, knives, chopsticks, you name it and then to a pretty great fried chicken spot for lunch. We also checked out Orange Street which was a cool area for vintage shopping and lesser known street brands. For dinner, our guide recommended this sushi spot that was walkable from The St. Regis, and we had a great night there. The chef noticed that a couple of us (the girls) weren’t as adventurous foodwise as others (the boys), so he brought out some delicious steamed fish and crab, enjoyed some sake with us, and then demanded we become Facebook friends. If we find ourselves back in Osaka, we will definitely be taking our seats back at his table.

We would have loved to spend another day walking around Osaka, but instead we took a…

Day Trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima Admittedly this day was a trek. We took the subway to the bullet train to another train to a ferry boat to Miyajima. It’s a small island outside of Hiroshima, and it was seriously beautiful. The scenery and temples were something to see, but the little deer really stole my heart. They were everywhere – lounging on the sand, following tourists around, rubbing their little heads on your hand like a puppy – I couldn’t get enough.

We enjoyed a little ramen and tempura lunch and then headed to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum which unfortunately was a big bust for us due to the crowds. I have never been packed into rooms with more people, shoulder to shoulder, overheating, all shuffling around trying to figure out how to either see the exhibits or get to the exits. The tickets were way oversold and packed with school fieldtrips, so if you’re interested in that one, buyer beware. We made the trek back to Osaka for our final night then took the bullet train back to Tokyo the next day to make it to the airport for one last stop before home…

Aloha from Hawaii On our way home, we stopped in Hawaii for three nights, and after all the go, go, go in Japan, it was such a nice way to wind down from the trip. Plus, when we finally made it back to Southern California, the two hour time difference felt like nothing. We left Tokyo at 9:00 pm on Wednesday night and arrived in Honolulu at 9:00 am Wednesday morning, time traveling backwards towards America. (If given the option, a redeye is definitely the way to go.)

All in all it was an amazing trip that we will talk about for years and years to come. If you’re considering visiting Japan, my advice to you is to GO for it. (And pack your most comfy shoes.)

xoxo

Well, gals – it’s that time of year again. It’s July, when the sales are everywhere you turn and every blogger and her mom is pushing links at you daily. While I won’t be covering every single sale that’s happening over the next couple of weeks, today I’m sharing some of my favorite finds from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale because honestly, I enjoy shopping the sale myself. (The sale is currently open for “Early Access” to cardholders and will open to everyone on July 15th.)

In years past, I rounded up EVERYTHING that I loved in the sale, but these days, I’m only interested in things that I really love that I can use right now. (Let’s face it, we never know if or when sweater weather will show up in Southern California. It’s a big IF.) This year the things that caught my eye the most are denim, sneakers, and designer sunnies (like I need anymore sunglasses). Oh, and socks. I really just freaking love Stance no-show and athletic socks. I would also absolutely buy these slippers if I didn’t already own them.

But below I’ve also included a couple of sweaters, loungewear pieces, and boots/booties just in case you’re looking for those. (Side note: these boots are giving major Staud vibes for a fraction of the price.) And I’ll be sharing more fave finds over on my Instagram in stories all week long. If you’re shopping the sale, here’s hoping you find just what you’re looking for. Happy shopping, friends!

xoxo

Paige wide leg jeans; AG high waist ankle jeans; Madewell denim shirt jacket; Pistola large pocket jeans; New Balance sneakers; JW PEI bag; Steve Madden denim dress; Frame denim shorts

A holiday blazer, but make it SoCal warm weather friendly. That’s exactly what I love about this cute and comfy little cape blazer from (where else?) Walmart. Wear it solo with a camisole and flowy skirt like above, or layer it over a dressed-up turtleneck and leather leggings. It makes for an easy and chic holiday look, and luckily it was just restocked in all sizes. Grab one before they’re gone again, and I’d recommend sizing down – wearing a small here for reference.

xoxo

November has barely arrived, and the holiday sales have already begun. But what’s not to love about that? beek has been one of my favorite brands of shoes for years now, and if you’ve had your eye on something from the line, now is the best time because their biggest sale of the year is here. Technically, the sale starts tomorrow, BUT you can shop it today using code NIKKI20 to take 20% off anything on the site.

beek’s shearling-lined styles are some of the coziest fall footwear you’ll find, and every style is just so chic. The Penguin bootie in today’s post is so comfy and kind of give me elevated Ugg vibes. I also LIVE in this Gallito style and have my eye out for a restock in the Vulture. You can also check out this post for a few more of my favorites, but if you plan on shopping the sale, don’t wait because some styles/sizes will definitely sell out.

Here’s hoping you snag a little something to make the upcoming holidays the coziest yet.

xoxo

Splendid pants; Amazon sweater; similar Express coatigan; beek shoes (use code NIKKI20); Lack of Color hat; Tod’s bag

Photos thanks to Candace Rock

There’s no question, fall weather and fall fashion are my favorites of the entire year, and lucky for me, we’ve actually had a couple of chilly days and nights around here to bust out a sweater or two and my current favorite boots. (They’re a splurge, but they really do look great with so many things in my closet. Adding a look for less here that’s worth checking out too!) Today I’m sharing a few fall looks I’ve been wearing lately. Hope everyone has a great start to November and my favorite time of the year.

xoxo

Staud dress, bag, and boots

Target sweater; old skirt; Isabel Marant boots; Bottega bag  Ulla Johnson dress; Staud boots; Tod’s bag

Love & Fit leggings; Vici jacket; beek sandals (use code MYSTYLEDIARIES10) Quince wide leg pants and cashmere sweater

Quince cashmere sweater and joggers; Golden Goose sneakers

Mango dress; beek sandals (use code MYSTYLEDIARIES10 for 10% off) English Factory dress (also on sale here); Staud boots

Vici plaid dress; Staud boots; Brixton hat; Tod’s bag

Shein dress; BlankNYC jacket; Staud boots

Scoop pants; Target tee; Tod’s bag

English Factory dress; Marc Fisher boots (use code NIKKI20)

Scoop jeans, sweater, and booties; Lack of Color hat; Tod’s bag

Click on items above to shop

I’ve always been a gold-loving gal, but this season, I’ve got my sights set on second place with all things silver. From bags to shoes and everything in between with jewelry as the exclamation point, silver is everywhere this season, and there’s something that just just feels so fresh about it. Personally I’m loving this studded bag, have already ordered these boots and these flats, and am currently trying to figure out if I need a pair of metallic Western boots. Oh, and this $10 layered necklace was a no-brainer.

I’m definitely not ditching any of my golden favorites, but this season I’ll be dipping my toes into the silver pool. Anyone joining me?

xoxo

Click on Items Above to Shop

Click on Items Above to Shop

In case you haven’t heard, red is one of the hottest hues for fall and winter this year, and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited about it. I LOVE a fun pop of red in an outfit and have found that my red handbags are some of my most used. (If you’re in the market for a red bag, I love this Khaite bag for a splurge and this Madewell version for something a little less spendy that’s still super classic and easy to wear.) I’ve also worn my red Sambas a ton already this season and just snagged this affordable little red sweater. And now I’m thinking I may need these red trousers for a full on monochromatic scarlet look a la Helena Glazer Hodne of Brooklyn Blonde. (She posted this look in 2020, and somehow it’s still just so great.)

Whether you go for just a little pop or a head to toe look, you can’t go wrong with seeing red this season.

xoxo

A couple of weeks ago Eric and I spent three nights in Napa, and it was maybe one of the best trips we’ve taken. I had been to Napa once several years ago, but Eric had never been. To be honest, it wasn’t even fully on our radar because of the whole flying into San Francisco or Oakland and then renting/hiring a car for the hour plus drive to Napa thing. In general, San Francisco is just not on my to-do list for a long weekend, don’t come for me.

But game changer alert – JSX now flies directly from Orange County to Concord Airport, which was about a 25-30 minute Uber ride to our hotel. JSX is a great airline with no security, no bag fees, no BS – you show up 20 minutes before your flight and hop on. Where they fly is limited, but the prices are actually more affordable than other airlines – it’s pretty wild. We’ve had some delays with them, but for the most part, it’s been nice experiences.

So we booked the flight, made some plans, and once we were in Napa, it was pretty much all smooth sailing. We met some amazing people and had some great food and wine. When the weekend was over, I think we both agreed that we’ll be back soon. Below, sharing a little itinerary of our weekend and some places that are definitely worth checking out. Until next time, Napa!

xoxo

Where We Stayed: Stanly Ranch

Once we decided on a little trip to Napa, finding the hotel was the first piece of the puzzle. In random searches I kept coming across Stanly Ranch, and it stayed in my mind as the place I had to book. If you’ve ever stayed at an Auberge property before, then you know the level of service, the food, the rooms, the grounds and amenities – it just can’t be beat. It’s definitely a pricy choice, but after looking into a few wineries and dinner spots and being completely overwhelmed, I was sold on the fact that the Stanly Ranch Concierge would just figure it all out for me.

And that they did. Cam from Concierge killed it with the best itinerary. After a phonecall and a couple of emails figuring out our preferences, Cam booked all of our winery tastings, a driver for the day (if you can request Logan, DO IT), and dinner reservations for all three nights. His recommendations were spot on, and when we wanted to add a Sunday tasting last-minute, he was right on that as well.

The hotel itself is spacious and beautiful, and our room was just perfect. I don’t know how I didn’t get a photo of our bathroom with a standalone tub, outdoor shower, and heated floors – so nice. We loved having our little firepit patio to come home to, and it was the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast every day. I didn’t get a chance to check out the spa as it was fully booked for the weekend (should’ve booked ahead with Cam), but the restaurant is amazing and the boutique on property is a tiny Saks. If you contact them ahead of time they’ll stock it with your style and size. I didn’t do that but still managed to do a little damage. There are house cars on property, and when the valet isn’t busy, they’ll drop you off at local spots which was a nice little perk. Overall the stay was excellent, and I’d highly recommend.

Thursday

Dinner at Bear at Stanly Ranch – I knew that our first night in Napa we probably wouldn’t want to get to the hotel and then rush off to dinner reservations, so I scheduled an early dinner at Bear at Stanly Ranch. And after a couple hours of flight delays leaving Orange County, I was really happy about that decision. When we arrived to the hotel, we checked in, dropped our bags with the bell desk, and headed straight to dinner. (Luckily, it’s pretty casual.) We sat outside on their patio, and it was truly just a lovely, delicious way to start the trip. We loved the Kampachi and Crispy Rice apps followed by the Tiger Prawns and Whole Trout. Yum!

Friday

Breakfast at Stanly Ranch – We had tons of breakfast recommendations around Napa from friends, but we loved our room and our little firepit patio so much that we decided to just order breakfast to our patio every morning. And given the chance, I’d do the same thing again. I highly recommend the Spicy Tomato Poached Eggs, and Eric really loved the Wild Salmon Gravlax with the Buckwheat Waffle. So good.

Progeny – This was our first stop on Friday, our wine-tasting day, and it was a really beautiful start to the day. We were greeted by our host Anthony who was fun and funny and bubbly and just so knowledgeable – it was clear that we were in good hands. We booked a wine and cheese pairing experience, and it was a very private, personal tasting in their beautiful library. Literally, I think Eric and I were the only guests on the property at the time. Their Reserve Cabs are delicious, and we loved the thoughtful food pairings – I could eat that ricotta stuffed peach bite every single day.

Hudson Ranch – Our second winery stop was more of a (giant) ranch vibe and included a beautiful farm tour of their home-grown veggies, flowers, and championship gourds. (Seriously, gourds hanging from a lattice ceiling that were taller than us and destined for a local gourd competition.) We roamed around, tasted some fresh-from-the-vine tomatoes, and took in some giant sunflowers before sitting down to a beautiful sunroom style tasting. We tried their Chardonnays, a couple of red blends, fresh pressed olive oil, and some duck fat popcorn that Eric loved. Chardonnays aren’t really my vibe, but Eric said those were really good as well.

Hammel Family Wines – Our third and final stop of the day took us to Sonoma which was a little further out than I wanted to go, but I’m so glad that we went. (Also, it was only about 20-25 minutes, not bad.) Hammel Family Wines is situated up high and boasts some pretty incredible views. We had a private tasting in their indoor salon followed by a brief cave tour to see how the wines are aged, stored, closely watched, all that jazz. I thought it was interesting, and we loved their reds so much we decided to join their club.

Dinner at The French Laundry – It’s a Napa Valley staple and a place that Eric and I both wanted to try. (Don’t tell him I told you, but Eric has a French Laundry cookbook that you’ll find him flipping through from time to time.) Reservations are tough, but we got on a waitlist thanks to a friend’s recommendation about 3-4 weeks out. They called me the week of our trip to offer us a 4:00 reservation for Thursday and (thankfully with our flight delays) we decided to take a chance, turn it down, and get back on the waitlist. We lucked out and got in on Friday night, and it was an incredible experience. We chose a Chef’s Tasting Menu along with a wine pairing, and they took care of the rest. It was a splurge in every way possible, but it was something that we’re glad we did.

Saturday

Lunch at Morimoto Napa – After our very full Friday, Saturday morning started off nice and slow, and I was so glad that we hadn’t made any plans. After coffee and breakfast at the hotel and a quick dip in the spa, we decided to roam into downtown Napa around midday. We both love sushi, so Morimoto was an easy choice. (I’m also obsessed with their Black Cod dish after having it in Hawaii last year.) We sat at the bar, had a nice little low-key lunch, and then roamed a bit around Downtown Napa afterwards. There were some cute little spots for wine-tasting along the river, but we decided to skip and head back to the hotel for the afternoon.

Dinner at Press Napa – Press was another recommendation by our hotel concierge, and it was another hit. It’s a small-ish St. Helena Michelin-Starred restaurant, and anytime we mentioned to anyone that we were going to Press, they told us how great it was. We were seated on the patio, which to be honest was a little meh in atmosphere, but the service and food definitely made up for it. We did the Tasting Menu, and I’m sure I’m not supposed to say this, but I liked the food here better than The French Laundry. More my style, not SO out there. The soft shell crab app was the best I’ve ever had. Also, a soft pretzel served with caviar. Sign me up.

Sunday

Cuvaison – We only made wine-tasting plans and reservations on Friday and kept the rest of the weekend open, but by Saturday night, we realized we should pick out one more winery for Sunday since our flight wasn’t until 4:00. I emailed the concierge at Stanly Ranch and just asked for “something near the hotel” and he suggested Cuvaison. It far exceeded my expectations with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the entire beautiful property. It was more of a relaxed vibe with a couple of comfy couches which we loved for our last day. This was also the only winery where Eric could taste some whites and reds and I could stick to all reds. It was the perfect last winery for our trip.

Lunch at Bouchon – After Cuvaison, we decided to head into Yountville for lunch. We didn’t have reservations which can be a little problematic on a busy Sunday, but we were lucky enough to score a couple of bar seats (which we kind of prefer over a table anyway) at Bouchon. There we got a little rundown of the area (Yountville seems to be the spot to be, and next time we will definitely spend a little more time there), and I had the best French onion soup of my life. I tried to share it with Eric, but he was chatting and somehow it just disappeared. Before heading to the airport, we also managed to snag some to-go goodies from Bouchon Bakery up the street to take home with us.

Tasting experience at Progeny

Ulla Johnson dress; French Connection heels; Bottega bag; Isabel Marant sunglasses

Tasting Room at Hudson Ranch

Farm Rio dress; Tod’s bag; Isabel Marant sunglasses

Breakfast at Stanly Ranch

Amanda Uprichard dress; Amazon heels; Bottega bag

Tasting Menu at Press Napa

Tasting Room at Cuvaison

Outdoor Patio at Cuvaison

Pool at Stanly Ranch

Isabel Marant sweatshirt; beek sandals (code MYSTYLEDIARIES10 for 10% off)

Denim skort; t-shirt bodysuit; H&M cardigan; beek sandals (code MYSTYLEDIARIES10 for 10% off); Bottega tote

 *Click on sandals above to shop

The brand new fall collection from beek has just launched, and oh my, it is just so pretty. Featuring molded arches and made of buttery-soft leathers, beautiful suedes, and luxe shearling, every single style is perfect for the transitional months ahead. (Nothing beats a fall sandal for easing into our SoCal “fall” which just so happens to be some of the hottest months here.)

Wear them with jeans, dresses, sweats, you name it – beek continues to be one of the most comfortable and versatile staples in my shoe wardrobe. The hardest part here is definitely choosing a favorite, but if you’ve already found your fave, use code MYSTYLEDIARIES10 to take 10% off site wide.

xoxo

Lack of Color hat; denim belt; Isabel Marant sunglasses; DL1961 ivory wide leg jeans; MOTHER sweatshirt; Free People polo top; Isabel Marant aviators; leather crossbody; Good American wide leg jeans

One of my favorite online retailers Shopbop is currently having a pretty big sale on sale offering 25% off already reduced prices, and I have to say, the finds are good. (Make sure you use code EXTRA25 to get the additional 25% off at checkout.) I initially wasn’t going to put together a post, but after perusing page after page (and placing, I’ll admit, more than one order), I figured it was too good not to share.

Personally I had my sights set on a new pair of jeans, and more specifically, I wanted a new pair of wide leg denim. There were tons in the sale, but after eliminating any that were final sale or didn’t have my size, I landed on the two pairs above that I can’t wait to try. I think they’ll be so great now with heeled sandals and a tank (I ordered this one) and later with booties and a sweater.

There are also lots of great dresses (I ordered this one under $50) and some really cute sweatshirts that I DO NOT NEED (Jesus take the wheel). If you’re shopping the sale, here’s hoping you find something GOOD.

xoxo