Wit & Folly (2024)

16/04/2024

Are you team pink 🩷 or team yellow 💛? Why not both? 😉🌸🌼

You can find fluffy pink Sakura blooms contrasted beautifully against the cheerful bright yellow of nanohana (rapeseed blossoms) along the riverbank of the Arakawa River at Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi.

This is one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom spots and easily accessible from Tokyo by train to Kumgaya Station.
During the cherry blossom viewing season, you can find vendors lined up along the path selling food and drinks, and with over 500 cherry trees lining 2 kilometers, this makes the perfect spot to practice hanami ✨🌸✨
So make sure to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic under the harmony of pink, yellow, and blue colors that the sky and flowers create! 🌸🌼🧺🍡

📍Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi in Saitama. 7 minute walk from Kumagaya Station
🗓️ Blooming period is usually from late March to early April
📸 Taken on 03/27/23 by .shu

02/04/2024

Although it can be crowded during Sakura season in Japan, you can always wander off the beaten path to find lesser known spots that feel serene and peaceful. The great thing about cherry blossoms in Japan is that you can literally find them everywhere, and there are always places large enough where everyone can enjoy them! 🌸😌

Here are four of my favorite hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots that are away from crowds or have enough ample space for yourself to enjoy.

🌸 Shikanoidesui (“deer well water”), Takamatsu City #鹿の井出水
🌸 Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi, Saitama #熊谷桜堤
🌸 Yoshinoyama, Nara #吉野山
🌸 Fushimi Jikkokubune, Kyoto #伏見十石舟

📍Which place would you like to learn more about?

27/03/2024

Located in Kagawa, the smallest prefecture of Japan, is a magical place tucked along the northwestern peninsula of Shonai in Mitoyo. Here, you’ll find the hidden gem of Mt. Shiude (Shiudeyama).

Mt. Shiude’s name means “the mountain where purple clouds emerge” and blooms into a pink wonderland during cherry blossom season.🌸

This place might be off the beaten tourist path, but it’s absolutely worth it. The easiest way here is by car, which also requires an advance reservation.

It was our first time renting a car in Japan and although it felt weird driving on the opposite side of the road (compared to the U.S.) at first, we quickly got used to it. We loved the freedom and flexibility it gave us, especially in smaller cities and rural areas where public transportation isn’t as prevalent. (Note to self: Google maps doesn’t always give the best route and you might find yourself get stuck in superrr narrow alley roads 😅).

The cherry trees at Mt. Shiude were planted 60 years ago by the local community who continue to support visitors during Sakura season. The price of admission is also well worth it, as it directly helps fund the conservation of these cherry trees to ensure future visitors can continue to enjoy their beauty.✨🌸✨

📷: This photo was taken on April 3, 2023. Peak bloom this year is estimated to be until April 10th!

#紫雲出山 #桜 #三豐市 #四國 #日本景點

24/03/2024

If there’s one sunrise that’s always worth getting up early for, it’s the one with Mt. Fuji ✨🗻✨

When Tom and I arrived here, an old Japanese man had already set up his camera. “Ohayou!” [good morning!] He called out to us.

“Ohayou gozaimasu!” We replied back.
This is when I wish I knew Japanese, as he tried to converse more with us, but all we could say was “Sumimasen, nihongo hanasemasen” [Sorry! We can’t speak Japanese 😭]

Somehow we figured out he was asking us where we were visiting from, and he understood when we told him America. With our limited vocabulary, I was able to piece together that he is a local of the nearby city, Fujiyoshida, and would come photograph Mt. Fuji at sunrise every day! He showed us some of his incredible images on his camera and even recommended additional spots for us to visit.

He pointed to one image exclaiming, “Honcho-dōri!” This time, I was excited to know that location, nodding “hai!”and showed him with photos on my phone that we had just visited there the day before. He also proudly shared with us a few photos he took that were made into postcards and won some local awards in his city!

Although we may not have shared the same language, conversing through photographs transcended these barriers. Next time I come here though, I hope to have learned a few more words so that I can understand more of his stories and experiences, if I’m lucky enough to run into him again! 😌

#日本景點 #富士山 #山中湖

27/02/2024

🎉 Facebook recognized me as a top rising creator this week!

18/02/2024

We decided to take the early morning train from our base in Matsumoto to explore the sleepy but well preserved historical post-town, Narai-juku.

Located as the halfway point on what used to be the main road connecting Kyoto and Tokyo during the Edo Period (known as the Nakasendo Trail), Narai-juku is now Japan’s longest post town - a 1 km trail comprised of old wooden houses dating as far back as the 1600’s that makes it feel as if you’ve traveled back a few centuries in time.

When we arrived, there was a group of photographers near the start of the old winding street, so we stayed back to avoid getting in the way of them capturing the iconic street during the early morning light.

One of the photographers (who probably noticed all of Tom’s photography gear on him 😅) struck up a conversation with us. He also knew Chinese, so we had a good laugh switching between speaking Chinese and English with him!
We learned that they were South Korean and taking photos throughout Japan; when they showed us their photos, we felt so inspired by their talent and all the places they’ve visited around the world.

I knew they had waited and planned for just the right moment when the sun would light up the back mountains in a soft glow, so I was surprised when they insisted I be in their shot and hyped me up as I twirled around in the middle of the street ✨💃🏻
They even wanted to take a photo of Tom and I together before we said farewell and were kind enough to send over the photos.

Huge thanks again to .sm for sending us these stunning images! 📸

These moments where we connect serendipitously is what makes our travels and life all the more richer. Hope to meet again, .sm, , , ! 🫶

#奈良井宿 #木曽 #古き良き時代 #江戸時代 #長野のいいところ

05/11/2023

Happy happy birthday to my one and only, .shu 🤍
From the highest highs to the lowest lows, I couldn’t imagine going through life with anyone else by my side. Although we had to go through one of the toughest experiences together this year, our love for each other has only grown stronger. I wake up every day and feel so lucky that I get to call you my person. I hope you had an amazing birthday week as we continue to celebrate through the weekend! 🥳

📷: the amazing

04/04/2022

🌸 Spring Giveaway!! 🌸 I’ve partnered with River + Sky to offer one winner the choice of ANY piece of River and Sky’s beautiful clothing on their website! ✨

Giveaway Details:
-Follow
-Tag someone in the comments
-Must be over 18 and US entries only
-Winner will be selected and notified one week from the post date

I recently found out about this sustainable small business and fell in LOVE with their whimsical and bohemian design aesthetic. Each clothing item is crafted by a small team of artisans and are handmade in Los Angeles. 💚
The materials are eco-friendly botanical fibers, and 95% of the materials used are recovered and reused during the yarn making process! 🙌

I’m wearing the Satin Bias Dress made from 100% Lenzing Ecovero Viscose Satin, which has been hand-dyed and gives each piece a one-of-kind and truly unique style! A lot of their styles are also the perfect festival look for those going to Coachella! 👀

You can use the code MELISSA20 to take 20% off anything on the website at www.riverandskycalifornia.com 🌱

15/02/2022

Stars in Love ⭐️

We were two old souls
since time began—
before light was measured
in years

We are stars that fell
from glittering skies,
to find each other here
// Lang Leav

Happy Valentines Day, Tom Shu. Can’t wait to spend forever with you ❤️

📷:

20/11/2021

We had a small window of gorgeous fall colors here in Seattle before the onslaught of rain inevitably came 🍂🌧🥲

I still managed to spend a day exploring the beautiful Washington Arboretum and playing in some leaves with my new SeaVees sneakers! You all know how obsessed I am with flowers, so I love that they have these in such a fun and unique Daisy print! 🌼

I loved playing with different ways to style them - like mixing and matching patterns with a checkered romper, or going all out and pairing them with my 🍓 dress and beret! It’s an awesome feeling wearing things that empower and inspire me to be more comfortable in my own skin, and that’s exactly how I felt in these outfits! 🍁🥰✨

05/11/2021

Happy birthday to my favorite person in the universe, Tom Shu!! 🥳🎂🎉
I always feel on top of the world when I’m with you, whether that’s chasing sunrises in Angkor Wat, discovering new hikes in Washington, or just cuddling in on a Sunday afternoon.

You are the most selfless, patient and hardworking person I know. I love how your eyes crinkle when you smile, how your nose gets stuffy when you’re sleepy, and how even though you hate dancing, you’ll still do it for me. Thanks for always being the unwavering calm to my rollercoaster ride of emotions 😆

I hope you had an amazing day, and I can’t wait to celebrate another year around the sun with you!! ✨❤️

31/10/2021

Posting my obligatory pumpkin pics for Halloween 💁🏻‍♀️

Happy Halloween everyone!! Wishing you all a safe and spooky, more treat than trick-filled night! 🎃👻

29/10/2021

Over the past month, I’ve been trying out a new product from , and I’m excited to share the results! Swipe to see my before and after! 👉 
I’ve struggled with breakouts since my teenage years and basically resigned myself to accepting that I’d probably just never have totally clear skin. My skin is also very sensitive and scars easily (hyperpigmentation, etc.), so I’m always hesitant to use new products on it. I’m really glad I decided to give Terasana a chance though, as after about a month and the initial “purging” phase, I started to notice that my skin was healing a lot faster and staying clear for longer periods of time. 
The reason I decided to give Terasana a try is because The Clear + Control Serum is made with plant-derived squalane and CBG that’s extremely pure and gentle on the skin. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties help soothe the skin, while squalane is an oil carrier and is able to carry ingredients to work deep beneath the skin's surface. 
I love the simple, clean ingredients in , and I’d definitely recommend you try it for yourself if you suffer from similar skin issues that I have!

02/09/2021

Last month, I had the awesome opportunity to visit the only Museum Hotel in Chicago - 21c Museum Hotel Chicago.
As one of the newest hotels in River North, they offer travelers a one-of-a-kind experience that blurs the line between contemporary art museum and boutique hotel. Not only is the space stunning, but I loved the concept of being able to “sleep over” at a contemporary art museum since the museum is free to wander 24/7! 😍 It’s also really close to the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in Chicago, and they’re offering a package deal experience that includes 2 premium-flex tickets to Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Chicago as well as free Uber credit so you can easily get to and from the exhibit.

If you’re a fan of art museums or just want a really cool and unique stay, then I’d highly recommend checking out 21c Museum hotels! 🖼 🛌
I’ve also written a blog post reviewing all the details of my memorable experience that you can check out for more information - linked in my bio! Stay tuned for more photos and videos in my stories as well! ✨ [sponsored stay]

26/07/2021

When life hands you lemons, turn it into lemon and rose bubble bath! 🙃🌹🍋🛁

EO Products Rose & Lemon collection is back for a limited time, featuring plant-based cleansers with essential oils from real lemons and thousands of rose petals.

I am a huge fan of both floral and fruit scents, so the combination of rose and lemon is heavenly and refreshing for me! Wandering through the Woodland Park Rose Garden was also so lovely, getting the opportunity to admire nearly 3000 roses representing over 200 different varieties!
The garden is also pesticide-free and is able to feed the spent flowers to animals in the zoo next door -the gorillas especially have become quite fond of them! ☺️

21/06/2021

Summer Solstice Giveaway Time!! 🌞Feeling dewy-eyed and sun-kissed in ✨
In celebration of the longest day of the year, I’m partnering with Kiera Jewelry to give one winner a $50 gift card to be used at kierajewelry.com!
I love that all their jewelry are conflict-free, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly in 100% recyclable packaging. 💚

To enter the giveaway:
🤍 Follow and
🤍 Like this post and comment your favorite type of jewelry (I love dainty necklaces, like their Pavé Clip Pendant I’m wearing!)
🤍 For bonus entries, tag a friend in the comments (each additional friend tagged is an extra entry)

*Giveaway is only open to US residents and will end in two weeks. Winner will be notified by me via DM.

You can also take 15% off anything on their site with the discount code MELISSA15 🤍
[paid partnership]

19/06/2021

Of all the beautiful views in Seattle, this one just might be my favorite 🌸🗻🌸
The quad on the University of Washington campus usually gets all the attention during cherry blossom season (I didn’t even know about this spot because I was so focused on checking out the quad!) But I’m so glad I decided to glance over, because seeing Mount Rainier looming over these rows of cherry blossom trees was just breathtaking!

The juxtaposition of the fleeting beauty of these delicate blossoms against the backdrop of Rainier is really powerful to me. It reminds me that you can be soft and strong, fragile and powerful; everything all at once. And it isn’t everyday that I get to have such a clear look of Mount Rainier either, so I felt very lucky to see this view during peak cherry blossom season.🌸

This photo is from the archives, taken on April 12, 2021. I considered saving it until it was cherry blossom season again next year… but decided that was overthinking things. Besides, no one ever said you can’t enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms any time of the year! ✨

👗: wearing the Cherry Blossom Royal Puff by Selkie 🌸
🥿: Stella shoes by Anothersole - Buy1Feed1 🎀

16/06/2021

Early summer days with EO Products✨
Do you know what your state’s official flower is? The Washington state flower is the Pacific Rhododendron, also known as the Coast Rhododendron and lovingly called “rhodies” since they grow so extensively here in the PNW! Coming from the Midwest, I don’t remember seeing these beautiful flowers growing up, so I love seeing them everywhere here.

There are thousands of original and hybrid species, ranging from petite shrubs with tiny dark leaves, to towering trees with flower clumps as big a basketballs! They provide natural protection for wildlife critters, and the early varieties are usually some of the first bloomers in the Spring, signifying the start of vibrant colors and sweet blooms to come all season long.

Peak season is usually from mid-April to mid-May depending on the weather (could be earlier if it’s warmer), and one of my favorite spots to view them is here at the Washington Park Arboretum!

11/06/2021

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s as simple as making the choice to get out of bed for the day. Sometimes courage means not living up to someone else’s expectations, and being okay with that.

Courage isn’t always fearless. Sometimes it’s the act of showing up for yourself and living your truth, even if your heart is pounding and your voice shakes.

Courage isn’t always about proving others wrong. Sometimes it’s a soft surrender, acknowledging that you can’t do it all alone and that it’s okay to ask for help.

Courage isn’t always loud. Sometimes it is a quiet confidence within you, reminding you that you are worthy, that you are strong, and that you can overcome. 🥀✨

@ Seattle, Washington

01/06/2021

And here you are living
despite it all 🥀
// rupi kaur

As the month of May comes to an end, so does Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. But I am hopeful the conversations around anti-Asian violence and hate do not stop here.

It’s been difficult for me to put into words how I’ve felt, I guess really since the start of Covid, but it’s also important for me to reflect on the significance of this month and how it’s impacted me perhaps more than ever before.

With the huge increase of hate crimes against the entire Asian community and xenophobic rhetoric amplified by the virus, I’ve felt sadness, anger, confusion, frustration, and a lot of fear. Memories from my childhood came flooding back, of school kids stretching out the corner of their eyes, squinting to mimic my Asian ones. Wanting desperately to perm my hair to look less Asian. Feeling ashamed about bringing dumplings to school for lunch, because it was decidedly “uncool” back then. Embarrassed by my last name and being called racist slurs.

I now understand that I’ve learned to internalize a lot of this past trauma and dealt with it by not making a big deal about it. It’s just something all of us Asian American kids had to go through, right? It’s so easy to downplay your own feelings, and being Asian makes it even more difficult to talk about our past experiences with racism because of our traditional culture and how we were raised to not make a fuss about things or bring attention upon ourselves.

It’s much easier to stay silent and wish you could be invisible or blend in. But that’s just the effects from being taught the model minority myth and ideals of white supremacy.
Speaking up and contributing your voice, no matter how tiny or insignificant you might feel it is, brings solidarity and the change that is greatly needed. There’s a lot more work to be done, but I am optimistic from the important conversations, public rallies and amplification of Asian voices, that we are headed in the right direction to support all Asian lives. @ Seattle, Washington

31/05/2021

Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal and transformation in our lives🌷

Did you know that tulips go through a yearly lifecycle, and that most of it happens underground?
Once planted in the fall, the roots start growing, establishing themselves in the dirt to get ready for winer.
In the cold of winer, you might think tulips are in the dormant part of their growing cycle, but they are actually developing the bulb for the leaves and flowers to bloom.
Once spring comes around, the bulbs begin to change as the temperature gets warmer. A small shoot appears and the leaves and flower slowly push their way upwards out of the bulb, and starts to bloom.
Meanwhile underground, the bulb is regenerating new “daughter” bulbs from the mother bulb to be renewed, so that they can bloom once again next year. 😌🌷🌷🌷

Much like tulips, we are also continuously regenerating and renewing ourselves, even if others can’t see it. I especially love using to help replenish the physical aspect of myself, knowing that their ingredients are natural and organic, and that their products are certified zero-waste.

While we tend to our flowers and gardens, we can also tend to our overall well-being by being intentional about what we put on our skin; the scents of orange blossom and vanilla brightens my day and soothes my senses, and I know I can feel good about supporting a sustainable brand that puts the planet before profits. 💚

12/05/2021

April showers bring May flowers 🌸🌺🌼🌷 Do you have a favorite flower?

👗: Reformation
👒: San Diego Hat Co. @ Christianson's Nursery & Greenhouse

21/04/2021

It’s feeling like Spring here in Seattle, and I’m so happy for pastel dreamy sunsets like these with Mt. Rainier over the water. 🏔✨

While living in Washington state, being so close to the evergreens, alpine lakes and mountains has motivated me even more to live a more sustainable lifestyle. I’m excited for the opportunity to partner with tentree (a brand I’ve admired for a while), to share their new sustainable activewear that’s made from 100% recycled post-consumer garments, producing 80% less CO2 emissions than other conventional activewear.💚

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start on each of our individual sustainability journeys, and the amount of information out there can be overwhelming. But tentree makes it easy to begin when it comes to sustainable clothing because you know that with every purchase, ten trees are planted, which helps make big change accessible to everybody and shows the lasting impact that one small choice can have. 🌎

AND fun fact - so far, tentree has planted over 52 million trees all over the world, with the ultimate goal of planting 1 billion by 2030! Let’s help them get there! 🙌

What other ways are you trying to be sustainable? I’d love to hear any ideas I can implement myself! 💚

P.S. - you can take 20% off everything on their site with the code WITANDFOLLY20 @ Seward Park

Wit & Folly