THE VISION: black with shots of metallic and bold color…sleek and sassy, these go-anywhere combos are ready to tackle new challenges from riding the metro, Vespa-shopping, exploring shrine markets, Fuji and the most modern city in the world. And let’s not forget the red boots.
Tokyo Fall takes a cue from May’s “Travel Right, Travel Light” piece featuring fashionable, easy-to-toss-in-a-bag wrap dresses perfect for a European weekend. Some of the same black+white+red combos will reappear in the limited checked baggage that will have to last this stylish traveler on a 16+ hour drive along the Gulf Coast, visiting fam in Texas, 24 hours of airplane travel and a small eternity of transition housing in Atsugi. A challenge? Oh yes. But limited options won’t scrimp on chic with these versatile arrangements!
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For the record, this is me being…ah…totally normal at White House Black Market with Rachel. We were really getting into the theme. Fortunately everything was out of my current price range so I wasn’t tempted to buy.
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Then Rachel had the excellent/terrible idea to see what was in Lululemon (St Johns Town Center at 4812 River City Drive Suite #113, Jacksonville, FL, 904.645.7904). 
Disaster. I fell in love with this outfit and for the first time could envision myself getting on—and off—the airplane to Tokyo. Good ‘ole Mrs. Norwood (high school English!) advised against choosing a college/career path you couldn’t picture yourself in. The movers are coming in, oh, just over a month, meaning I have to get up to six months of things together (4 weeks in TX + 90 days Japanese temporary housing + 5-6 weeks for our stuff to be delivered). But all the cute traveling outfits I came up with were totally impractical or just plain didn’t match my luggage. Well-dressed = well-equipped. Example: babies? Completely naked. And what are they prepared for? Completely nothing.
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So when I tried on these smooth black pants and halter tunic and had an immediate mental image of being wrinkle-free through this and many subsequent East Asian flights, I splurged (minus the hoodie). Hello, Tokyo!
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I picked up my hemmed pants today and celebrated at home with this delicious tapas-style dinner of blueberries, edamame and pistachios and Bluemoon’s seasonal Honeymoon Ale. 