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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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Something I've been building since 2008 — taking k Something I've been building since 2008 — taking kimono fabric, fabric that already holds someone's memory, and giving it a new life.

Last Saturday, I got to share that with someone very special.

@designerhelen is a designer from New York who first reached out to me through my little sewing lesson account. When we started talking, I realized we were asking the exact same question: how do you take something with a past, and carry it forward?

We met in person here in Tokyo last December. That conversation became Released. Reimagined.
Two designers. Two cities. One shared belief — that beautiful things deserve a second life.

None of this would have been possible without our incredible team:

👗 Models: @emorylove33 @naka_kanar @bethenny.x @izumi_nishida @yui78_02 @aino.yamada03 @_kasumi.y @sienna.christinaaa

💅 Nails: @ms_muse_nail — gorgeous handmade nail designs 
💍 Jewelry: @viviange — pieces specially designed to coordinate with each piece
✂️ Hair: @angh0 @sho_kanaida @iam__little__boy — next level editorial 
💄 Makeup: @glam_by_jyoti — 8 models, flawlessly done 
📸 Photography: @nothing_special_88 — can't wait for you all to see his shots 
🎯 Model Coordinator: @naka_kanar — styling schedules, rehearsals, walkthrough, everything

Thank you to everyone who came🤍

Photos by @robertorivera.mx

2008年から、ずっと作り続けてきたもの——誰かの記憶を宿した着物の生地を手にとり、新しい命を吹き込むこと。

先週の土曜日、その想いをとても大切な人と一緒に分かち合うことができました。

@designerhelen はニューヨークを拠点とするデザイナー。最初に連絡をくれたのは、私の小さなお裁縫レッスンのアカウントを通じてでした。話し始めてすぐに、私たちは同じ問いを抱えていると。過去を持つものを、どうやって未来へ連れていくか。

昨年12月、東京で初めて直接会いました。その会話が、このショーになりました。

Released. Reimagined. ふたりのデザイナー。ふたつの都市。ひとつの共通した信念——美しいものには、もう一度輝く機会がある✨

#releasedreimangined #tokyofashionshow #harajuku #japanfashionshow projectrunwa
この会場を見つけるまで、けっこう歩き回りました。原宿竹下口から少し路地に入ったところ。前面ガラス張り この会場を見つけるまで、けっこう歩き回りました。原宿竹下口から少し路地に入ったところ。前面ガラス張りで光がたっぷり入って、一目見て「ここだ」と思いました🌱

入口すぐの受付エリアには @brownie_shots のポップアップ、中央スペースはランウェイ会場になります。VIP席も準備中です✨

イベントまであと1週間を切りました。当日、いいお天気になりますように☀️

It took quite a bit of wandering to find this venue. Tucked just off a quiet side street from Harajuku’s Takeshita Exit — full glass frontage, light pouring in. The moment I stepped inside, I knew🌱

Right at the entrance, @brownie_shots will be running a pop-up☕︎ The central space becomes our runway. VIP seating going in now.

Less than one week to go. Fingers crossed for sunshine ☀️

#Harajuku #FashionShow #KimonoUpcycling #SustainableFashion #TokyoEvents
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鍵、カードケース、スマホ、メイクポーチまでしっかり収納できる優秀サイズです。

パーティーにクラッチとして、ループにストラップを付ければショルダーにもなる✨

どの柄が届くかは当日までのお楽しみ🤫💕

🗓 2026.05.30 (Sat)
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詳細はプロフィールリンクをチェック🔗

【VIP Exclusive ✨】
A little sneak peek at the special gift for our VIP ticket holders🎁

For the May 30th fashion show, all VIP guests will receive this original pouch made from upcycled Kimono Obi.

It’s surprisingly spacious! It easily fits your keys, card case, phone, and even a makeup pouch. Wear it as a chic clutch for the party, or attach your own strap to the loops to transform it into a shoulder bag✨

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ファッションイベント HelenCastillo
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日中は汗ばむくらいなのに、
夕方になるとふっと涼しくなる🌬️
この季節のそのギャップが、なんか好き♡

深みのある金茶とテラコッタ。
春の光に当てると、
秋色が美しく見える気がします✨

朝晩の肌寒さには、シルクの羽織りがちょうどいい。

It’s May — and yet, fall hues🍂

Warm enough to break a sweat by noon,
then a cool breeze sneaks in by evening🌬️

I kind of love that about this time of year♡

Rich amber and terracotta.
Something about spring light makes these autumn tones look even more beautiful✨

For those cool mornings and evenings,
a silk haori is just right.

Photographer @renphoto
Model @hotpotpancakes

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紗の着物をほどいて、また縫い直しました。
ざっくりとした夏のの素材感に、
白レースをひとすじ沿わせて。

甘すぎず、でも可愛くありたい日のための一枚。

I want to make clothes you reach for on purpose — not just whatever’s closest🦋✂️

Took apart a vintage sheer silk kimono and sewed it back into something new.

The loose, airy weave of summer, with a single trim of white lace.

For the days when you want to feel pretty — just not too precious.

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寄贈いただいた着物から生まれたドレス🥀 生地の質感に触れて次は何になりたいか問いかけます。 着る人 寄贈いただいた着物から生まれたドレス🥀

生地の質感に触れて次は何になりたいか問いかけます。
着る人に寄り添い、物語を紡ぐ一着になれば嬉しいです💐

Model: @aino.yamada03
Photo: @slyz_studio
MUA @erieri_makeup 

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By feeling the texture of the material, I listen to what it wishes to be.

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麻袋のラフな質感と、着物リメイクした裏地の組み合わせ。
ほんのりコーヒーの香りがします✨

Which one is your favorite detail? (私は背中のロゴが好き🫶🏻)

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かつては特別な日に着用された美しい着物や帯。 それらが現代に息づくファッションへと生まれ変わりました かつては特別な日に着用された美しい着物や帯。
それらが現代に息づくファッションへと生まれ変わりました👗

孔雀の羽の細部まで描かれた繊細な染め、帯の複雑な織り目。
一針一針に込められた伝統の技を、今の時代にふさわしい形で受け継ぎます🪡

世代を超えて受け継がれる物語を、あなたらしく着こなして🧚

These garments are more than just fashion; they are stories preserved. From the detailed dyeing of the peacock's feathers to the intricate weave of the obi, we honor the original artisans by giving their work a new life.

Wear a piece of history and continue its journey✈️

Model @ptiite_shana
Photographer @nihonnokaidan

#VintageKimono #ObiUpcycle #JapaneseStyle #EthicalFashion #handmadewithlove
 着物リメイク ハンドメイド アップサイクル
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