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Custom Wedding Dress & Kimono Upcycled Clothes | オーダーメイドウェディングドレス&着物ドレス

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/ blogs / blog / Mommy’s Diary 39: Babyless Vacation – Guam Trip Photo Diary

Mommy’s Diary 39: Babyless Vacation – Guam Trip Photo Diary

February 3, 2012 By Chie


Andy and I took a vacation to Guam to celebrate our 5th year wedding anniversary. Our anniversary is actually in December, but with Christmas and the end of the year craziness, overtime, we started celebrating it in January. It is too confusing to figure out which date is our actual wedding anniversary anyway, since we officially married in the U.S. in November, and had our American wedding, then Japanese wedding in Japan and finally did official paper work in Japan in January. One downside of international marriage is that we have to do a lot of paperwork to keep both of our governments happy.

Anyway, sunny warm Guam weather was such a nice change to the gloomy cold weather in Japan. I was so happy to be able to wear tanks, bathing suits and dresses. No tights or coats! We stayed in the Hilton, and were really happy with our choice. The pool, private  beach, gym,sauna and room servicres were all excellent (I sound like a Travelocity commercial). The breakfast was great too.

We stuffed ourselves with a big breakfast, played in the pool and on the beach. We walked around the island all day. Other people seemed to take buses from the hotel to different spots, but we prefered to walk. It is a small island anyway. You might laugh if I say one of the perks of going to Guam was to shop at K-mart!? But we stayed at K-mart for a good two hours, checking out good old American foods, underwear in right sizes (for Andy) and buying a ton of dental floss (I find flosses expensive in Japan!).

We also went scuba diving. It was stunning! It was as if you were swimming in an aquarium. I didn’t think the price was too bad, $55 each for one dive. This was the second time I have been diving. The first time, I panicked, but after the delivery, I don’t think anything really scares me anymore. 🙂

We were in Guam for two nights and three days. I’m proud to say that I wore self-made clothes during the entire trip. Looking back on 2011, I did not make much clothing for myself as I was busy making them for other people. I brought my white lace shorts, lizard skirt and white back cut out dress to wear and I felt so special in my clothes, these exist as unique one-of-a-kind items in this world that only I have 🙂 I will have to make more clothes for myself this upcoming year.

We left our baby with my parents during this trip. She’s stayed over night with them in the past, but only one night at a time, so naturally I was nervous. I called twice a day and kept looking at her pictures that are saved in my iphone. When I saw  some small children at the pool, Andy and I talked about what Kiko would do in the pool and on the water slides etc.. We missed her very much, but at the same time we were happy to have some alone time. Also, for this trip we had to fly and plane rides with infants are terrible, as proven during our trip to Korea a few months back.

I look forward to taking family vacations with Kiko and more kids to come in the future  – It will be so much fun. But, for the time being, Kiko still takes two naps (2.5 hrs in the morning and 1.5 hrs in the afternoon) a day and I don’t wish to sit in a hotel room while she naps…So she stays at home!

 

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Filed Under: blog, blogs, mama series Tagged With: baby, guam, motherhood, varcation

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Comments

  1. Ginger says

    February 3, 2012 at 11:51 am

    Looks like a lovely trip! Congrats on your anniversary!

    • Chie says

      February 5, 2012 at 9:55 pm

      thank you!!

  2. Vicki says

    February 3, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Wow – Jealous! We are snowy and -15C today in Montreal!

    I had to laugh at your comment about fear of scuba diving: my sister is a birth assistant, and she always says, “Once you’ve had a baby, anything else that happens to you in life is just a minor discomfort”. 😉 It’s so true!

    About traveling with baby: I don’t know exactly how Kiko did with the flight to Korea, but to be honest, flying with a baby is usually easiest between 0- walking; after that from about 1-3 years, they won’t stay on your lap, they try to run away, they kick and scream, they won’t nap….but they are too young to really understand what is going on. I travelled almost constantly with my kids until they were 1 year old, and even went to Cuba alone with my son at 6 months, but those toddler years are sooo stressful for travelling. I’m leaving in a few weeks for a business trip to Botswana and South Africa, and I’ve decided to take my son this time (6 years old), but my 2 year old daughter will have to stay behind, because I don’t want to subject her (and I and everyone else on the plane) to that!!!

    • Chie says

      February 5, 2012 at 9:57 pm

      you travel a lot! i’ve never been to botswana or south africa. that sounds really exciting! i hope your travel with your son goes well. i dont know when kiko will go to the states to see her grandparents or great-grand parents..i’m just dreading the thought of traveling with her for 15 hours from japan!!

  3. Lisa says

    February 3, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    Enjoy your holiday. Guam looks really pretty.

    • Chie says

      February 5, 2012 at 9:57 pm

      Thank you Lisa:)

  4. kristin says

    February 4, 2012 at 12:53 am

    happy anniversary! kid-less vacations are really nice – we just did the same thing for our anniversary last weekend, but it was nowhere as wonderful as guam! that “no octopus taking” sign cracks me up 🙂

    • Chie says

      February 5, 2012 at 9:58 pm

      I know! The octopus sign was really funny. They also had “no spear fishing” sign. I wonder who does that..

  5. Mariana Takagui says

    February 4, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    I want to go to Guam! I saw this place on a Brazilian magazine that circulates the Brazilian community here in Japan, Ota-shi where I live! Traveling with baby is not easy, I know when I came to Japan because my daughter was 1 year and 5 months … Travelling without our precious jewelry makes us uncomfortable but anyway we we have to have time alone with our husbands! I’m sure Kiko went very well with their parents!

  6. Adventures in Dressmaking says

    February 5, 2012 at 10:42 am

    Wow, gorgeous pics! Looks like a beautiful trip! Impressive that you wore clothes you made the whole time. Congrats on 5 years of mariage, too!

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このシルクの軽さ、暑い季節にちょうどいい🫠 一枚の着物から、ワイドパンツを作りました✂️薄手のシル このシルクの軽さ、暑い季節にちょうどいい🫠

一枚の着物から、ワイドパンツを作りました✂️薄手のシルクは風を通して、歩くたびに裾がふわりと揺れます♪

後ろ姿には、着物の袖だった部分を使っていてお尻の部分の花柄が上下逆さまになっています👻最初は迷ったけれど、これはこれで面白いなと思ってそのまま残しました🫶🏻

一点ものなので、この一本だけ。気になる方はプロフィールのリンクから見てみてください♡

This silk is so light, perfect for the hot season 🫠

I made these wide-leg pants from a kimono✂️ The thin silk lets the breeze through, and the hem sways softly with every step ♪

The back is made from what used to be the kimono sleeves, so the floral pattern on the hips ends up upside down👻 I wasn’t sure at first, but honestly it grew on me, so I left it as is 🫶🏻

One of a kind, just this one pair. If you’re curious, the link is in my profile ♡

#着物リメイク #kimonoremake #正絹 #一点もの #和柄 夏の装い ワイドパンツ
数年前に制作したシルクのドレス。 今回「Released. Reimagined.」というコンセプ 数年前に制作したシルクのドレス。

今回「Released. Reimagined.」というコンセプトに合わせて、@redyeingproject さんに黒染めをお願いしました。

Helen x Vivat Veritasのイベントにベンダーとして出展してくださったご縁から生まれたコラボレーションです。

「服を捨てる前に、黒染めという選択肢を。」
色あせた服を、グラム単位の染め直しで蘇らせる——そんなコンセプトに強く共感しました。

天然素材のシルクスカート部分は深く美しい黒へ。
シャンティレースの部分は、少し緑がかった表情のある色に変化しました。

一着を長く着続けるための、小さな選択。
Before / Afterの写真、ぜひご覧ください🩷🖤

A silk dress I made a few years ago.

For this ""Released. Reimagined."" concept, I asked @redyeingproject to dye it black.

This collaboration grew out of a connection made when he joined the Helen x Vivat Veritas event as a vendor.

""Before you throw it away, consider black dyeing.""
His concept — reviving faded clothes through by-the-gram redyeing — really resonated with me.

The silk skirt, a natural fiber, transformed into a deep, beautiful black.
The chantilly lace took on a subtly greenish tone.

A small choice, in service of wearing one piece for longer.
Take a look at the before/after photos🩷🖤

黒染め
@redyeingproject

Photographers
@nothing_special_88
@japanphotographer_

Model
@sienna.christinaaa

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up and videos
@glam_by_jyoti

#黒染め #RedyeingProject #ReleasedReimagined #着物リメイク #サステナブルファッション
これを着て、カフェに行ったら絶対目立ちそう😆☕ アップサイクルで生まれた、新しいファッションの形。 これを着て、カフェに行ったら絶対目立ちそう😆☕

アップサイクルで生まれた、新しいファッションの形。
コーヒー豆袋のジャケット × 着物リメイクのセットアップ。

一枚一枚、生地の柄合わせから縫製まで、すべて手で仕上げています🪡🧚
実はこの着物、裏地にも別布を仕込んでいて、羽織ると初めて見える色があるんです♡

ヴィンテージ素材に眠っていたストーリーを、
もう一度誰かの日常に届けたくて作りました。

If you wore this to a café, you'd definitely stand out 😆☕

A new form of fashion, born from upcycling. A coffee bean sack jacket × a kimono-remake set-up.

Every single piece is finished entirely by hand, from matching the fabric patterns to the sewing itself 🪡🧚 Actually, this kimono has a different fabric worked into the lining too — there's a color that only reveals itself once you put it on ♡

I wanted to give the stories sleeping in vintage materials a chance to become part of someone's everyday life again.

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Model
@emorylove33

Jewelry
@viviange

Make up
@elanoramua

#アップサイクルファッション #着物リメイク #サステナブルファッション
実はこのお洋服、今回のショーに入れるか自分では迷っていました。結構前に作った作品だったので。でもヘレ 実はこのお洋服、今回のショーに入れるか自分では迷っていました。結構前に作った作品だったので。でもヘレンと話す中で、これも一緒に見せようと決めました。

ヘレンと3週間近く一緒に準備を進める中で、コレクションの作り方、見る人を楽しませる魅せ方、ルック全体の組み立て方など、本当にたくさんのことを学びました。自分一人だったらこのルックスを入れる決断はしなかったと思う。誰かと一緒に作ることで見えてくるものがあるんだなと、改めて実感しました。
ヘレン、ありがとう♡

Honestly, I wasn't sure whether to include this piece in this show. It was something I'd made a while back. But talking it through with Helen, we decided to show it together after all.

Working with Helen for almost three weeks to prepare for the show, I learned so much — how to build a collection, how to style looks that engage an audience, how to put together a look as a whole. I don't think I would have made the decision to include this piece if I'd been on my own. Creating something together with someone else really opens your eyes to things you wouldn't see alone.

thank you Helen @designerhelen♡

Model @izumi_nishida

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#KimonoUpcycled #SustainableFashion #DesignerCollab #着物リメイク #ものづくり
お客様からお預かりした大切な帯。 大切に保管されていた帯ほど、実は「日常でどう使えばいいかわからな お客様からお預かりした大切な帯。

大切に保管されていた帯ほど、実は「日常でどう使えばいいかわからない」という声をよく伺います。だからこそ、その帯の物語を読み解きながら、現代の暮らしに馴染むデザインに仕立て直すことを意識してます😌

パッと見にはわからないけれど、実は使いやすさを追求した仕掛けが隠れています。

ショルダーを付ければ、両手が空くアクティブなスタイルにも対応👜

あなたの思い出の帯も、こんな風に日常の相棒にしてみませんか?

A precious obi entrusted to me by a client.

I often hear people say they aren't sure how to incorporate their cherished obis into their daily lives. That is exactly why I focus on reading the story woven into the fabric and reimagining it into a design that fits modern living😌

There are hidden details that make this bag truly functional, even if you can't see them at first glance. By attaching the shoulder strap, it becomes the perfect hands-free bag for an active lifestyle👜

#upcycledfashion #着物リメイク #obibag #remake #sustainablestyle
飛行機と電車の中で作ったジャケットです✈️🚆 去年の夏の3週間、アメリカとヨーロッパを旅しながら、 飛行機と電車の中で作ったジャケットです✈️🚆

去年の夏の3週間、アメリカとヨーロッパを旅しながら、座席でひたすらチクチク🪡着物の裏地にキルト芯を挟んで、フリーハンドで刺し子して、日本に帰ってから染めました。

This jacket was made on airplanes and trains✈️🚆

Over three weeks last summer, traveling through the US and Europe, I stitched away in my seat🪡 
Kimono lining sandwiched with quilt batting, sashiko stitched freehand, then dyed after I got back to Japan.

Model
@kana_nakar

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Nails
@ms_muse_nail

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#kimonoupcycle #sashiko #sustainablefashion #ReleasedReimagined
#刺し子
お客様から届いたステキな帯を、オーダーメイドのリュックにアップサイクルしました✂️ 吉祥文様が織り お客様から届いたステキな帯を、オーダーメイドのリュックにアップサイクルしました✂️

吉祥文様が織り込まれた錦の帯地は、黒地に金・白・紫…と、見る角度によって表情が変わる贅沢な一品。その美しさをそのまま活かしながら、毎日持ち歩きたくなる使いやすいリュックに仕立てました。内ポケット付きで、実用性もしっかり。

受注制作についてはプロフィールのリンクよりお問い合わせください💌

A client’s treasured obi has found a new life as a custom-made backpack✂️

The brocade fabric, woven with auspicious Japanese motifs, shifts from gold to white to violet depending on the light, a truly luxurious textile. I tried to preserve its beauty while crafting it into a backpack you’d actually want to carry every day. Complete with interior pockets for real-world practicality.

For custom orders, visit the link in our profile 💌

#KimonoUpcycle #SlowFashionJapan #WearableHeritage #着物リメイク #帯リメイク
着物リメイクをするとき、どうしても捨てられてしまうことの多い裏地。 薄手のシルクの手触り、もったい 着物リメイクをするとき、どうしても捨てられてしまうことの多い裏地。

薄手のシルクの手触り、もったいなくてサマーワンピースに生まれ変わらせました。

そのままでは物足りないのでアーティストの Riko Monma @rikoshurimonmaさんに染め直しをお願いしたら、一気に息を吹き返しました✨

数年前に作ったこの一着、今回の @designerhelен とのイベントで、コレクションに加えることにしました。

Helenからは色の組み合わせについていろいろアドバイスをもらって、自分だけでは絶対に辿り着けなかったような配色を試してみたり。準備の時間も、とても楽しかった😌

The lining of a kimono — often discarded when the fabric is remade into something new.
That soft, lightweight silk felt too good to let go, so I turned it into a summer dress. It needed something more, so I asked artist Riko Monma to dye it for me — and suddenly it came alive again.

I made this piece a few years ago, but for the recent event with @designerhelena, I decided to bring it into the collection. Helen gave me so much guidance on color — combinations I never would have arrived at on my own. The whole preparation process was just really, really fun😌

Model
@bethenny.x

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Nails
@ms_muse_nail

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#着物リメイク #キモノアップサイクル #KimonoUpcycle #SustainableFashionTokyo #ReleasedReimagined
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