fantasy list: Frederic Malle Coffrets Collection

For 2012, Frederic Malle has come out with the Coffrets Collection!

If I could! I would buy the 2012 collection - the complete sampler of fragrances.  However, I won't.  I don't trust being able to store fragrances properly in the Tokyo summers.  In any case, I haven't even gone through the samples that I do own from the line.

Ah well.  I will dream of Frederic Malle and Calvin and Hobbes.  Some day.

mini review: Heroine Make Mascara Volume & Curl

The big brush is a bit unwieldy, I find it difficult to apply without clumping.  It certainly holds a curl though.  Heroine Make mascaras are popular, but they just don't seem to work to my taste.  I suppose I prefer formulas that are less clumpy.

mini-review: Natina light B.B Cream

Natina BB cream by Hangangsoo - a bit too pale for me to wear easily, although the texture is easy to spread.  Not much coverage either.

mini review: Freshel W Cream UV

Freshel White C W Cream UV SPF 32 PA++ has a nice texture.  No coverage, and it seems to emphasize any dry spots that I have, despite the nice light cream texture.  I should try to use this up during the summer when my skin is a lot more oily.  Right now, it takes too much effort to use.

fondant chocolat cake, mango snow shaved ice

For the best fondant chocolat cake in Tokyo, go to Ginza Manaya 銀座まなや between Shinbashi and Ginza.  A refined, modern but traditional Japanese-style izakaya, they have the best fondant chocolat ever.  And the kara-age is divine.  The roast beef is a specialty, but normally only available at lunch.  If you ask nicely, they might be able to accommodate you with a small plate at dinner though.

For mango shaved ice so finely shaved that it's like snow, go to the Taiwan Products Shop.  Hidden to the right back side of the store is a little cafe where you can get traditional Taiwanese tea foods and the best mango shaved ice ever.

mini review: Hanskin Super Light Touch B.B. Cream

Meh.  It has a nice texture, with a bit of coverage, but it's too pale for me (I'm MAC NC20-25), and sinks into pores like crazy.

the ridiculous state of shoe sizing

Comparing Lucky Brand and Birkenstock sizing shows that there is a problem: At Lucky Brand, 26 cm = U.S. Women's size 10 = Euro Size 41. i18nguy says Japanese women's 26 cm = U.S. Women's size 10 = Euro Size 42. Zappos says 25.9 cm = U.S. Women's size 10 = Euro Size 40-41. Wikipedia puts 26 cm = U.S. Women's size 9 = Euro size 40-41. I pretty reliably wear a U.S. Women's size 9.5. http://www.tobiasmayer.com/conversion.php