A Day at Chelmsford Tea & Gift

Konnichiwa!

And... Happy Easter :D If you celebrate, I hope this day brings you many joys and fond memories. I thought I might use some of my time while I wait for the bounty of food to cook, to share another blog post with you. If you follow my blog, you've probably heard me mention Chelmsford Tea & Gift in several of my Green Tea of the Month posts. It's an adorable tea boutique that sells a huge variety of bagged, and primarily loose-leaf teas. It has more green tea flavors than any other tea shoppe I've been to. Here are some pictures I thought you might enjoy

 Some variations of loose leaf green tea

 More green tea<3

 Aren't these awesome! Individual filters that you can fill with whatever loose leaf tea you'd like

 green green green

 A Japanese Book of Tea, right up my alley

 love love love these asian tea-cups with lids

 Remember the teapot-shaped tea steeper my boyfriend got me for Christmas? Found it!

A book just for green tea, it even looks refreshing

Have any tea stories or Easter stories to share? I'd love to hear them. Have a blessed holiday :)

Keep it kawaii folks!

-Ainsley

Spring Break Goodies

Konnichiwa!

As you may know, Spring Break recently ended. Every Spring Break, my boyfriend goes to St. Augustine Florida (and I miss him soooo much every time). This year he brought me back some Japanese souvenirs because he knows how I am about Japan :)

First is a Japanese painted porcelain egg. I had seen one like this at the antique mall, and wanted it, but it was too expensive to buy. And now I have one :D

This may not look Japanese at first, but there is a message on the bottom: "The Art of Chokin- Chokin is the ancient Japanese art of engraving copper and gilding it with precious gold & silver & other decorative colors. This incredible art work first appeared on the armaments of the mighty Samurai Warriors in the late 12th century. The stunning Chokin Art has been handed down from generation to generation. Today it has evolved into an art of decorating various household articles as well as prized art collections by a handful of renowned and dedicated master of Chokin artists." I am currently using it to store some seashells he collected for me (fun fact, I also collect seashells)

How was your Spring Break?

Keep it kawaii folks!

-Ainsley

A Day at Fresh Market

Konnichiwa!

It's finally Spring Break :D When springtime hits, I really like to engage in activities that make me feel cleansed and relaxed. So this afternoon I took a trip to Fresh Market. if you have a whole foods market in your town, you should definitely give it a visit. Organic food is better for you and the environment. Plus it tastes great! Fresh Market always provides various samples and they always have free coffee. Plus the atmosphere is very zen.

Here are some cool things I found there

 If you read my last post, you know how much I adore green tea with mint. This was unreasonably priced though ($14!!) 

 In case you don't have time to actually make green tea, here's some for on the go! Grab it before work or school

 If green tea isn't really your thing, try one of these fruit-infused choices. It's like 0-calorie juice :)

 Organic Sencha

 It's not all tea; here's some Udon and Miso soup! Bonus: it's gluten-free for any of my allergy-prone readers

 prettier packaging on this Organic Sencha

SUSHI!! (sushi is hands down the best part of Japanese cuisine, am I Right?) This sushi is very similar to the Dillon's sushi. Surprisingly it's cheaper!

This last picture made me hungry for some sushi. Since it's a friday of the Lenten season and I am a Catholic, I can't have meat anyway. Sushi it is :)

Keep it kawaii folks!

-Ainsley

GTOTM: Mint Fusion

Konnichiwa!

It's time for the Green Tea of the Month for February! So Christmas is long gone, but in Kansas it is STILL snowing. Perfect time for green tea with mint. Super refreshing, soothing, and zen; it has always been my favorite type of tea. Plus, lately I've been feeling everything mint: dark chocolate-mint lip balm, verbena mint body scrub, mint chocolate chip ice cream, etc. The tea needs no add-ins, only it's own magnificent-ness. I used Bigelow brand, but any brand would still be amazing (this one is just cheap). Here are some pics for those of you who see a bunch of words and want to bail (you know who you are!)

Of course, green tea is already very beneficial for you skin, but mint tea is also known for it's skin-clearing abilities.

Baby it's cold outside<3

"Please let me inside, miaou!"

steamy hot (see my little kokeshi girl? love this mug)

As with all my green tea, I let it steep for 1 minute and 45 seconds (if it sits for too long the tea becomes bitter)

Sip and enjoy :) or if you're me, sip and stress about finding the perfect prom dress (first world problems)

Hope the weather is nicer where you live

Keep it kawaii folks!

-Ainsley

TV Episode Review: An Idiot Abroad - Climbing Mt. Fuji

Konnichiwa!

So basically.. it's been eons since I last posted. Second semester senior year is crazy . But don't worry I have like 2 pages of ideas for blog posts written up :) Lately I've been really getting into this show called An Idiot Abroad. It's about this disgruntled British man who is sent to all these different countries to experience their cultures (some of which are quite exotic and unpleasant). In this episode Karl, the subject of the show, is sent to Japan to climb Mt. Fuji. On the way, he experiences several little "treats"- a cat-petting cafe, sumo match, Buddhist temple, tea ceremony, eats fermenting fish, an exercise routine at a Japanese workplace, technology/invention center, and finally, the big mountain. (By the way, if anyone wants to see a cool video of a Japanese tea ceremony here's a link - http://youtu.be/7tt7NBIVeMY) It takes him from about 2 pm to 7 am the next day. That's so much time walking! But the view was absolutely beautiful, and I hope to go the some day. Karl actually quite enjoys his trip to Japan, as opposed to his trips in man of the other episodes. The idea of Buddhist meditation and the sacredness of tea really resonates with him. This show is amazing and hilarious, GO watch it :) 

Since I've been slacking on my blog lately, I think I'll make another post tonight (GTOTM) so stay up :)

Keep it kawaii folks!

-Ainsley

P.S. Sorry about the color-backing on the text. My accoun is messing up again

Antique Mall Close-out and GTOTM

Konnichiwa!

I just want you all to know that I am making great progress in learning Japanese through my Human Japanese software. I've really enjoyed drawing the little characters (Japan really is all about cute!)Also I FINALLY fixed my blog so that it is easier to read. Anyway, I'm straying from the topic. Sad news: the antique mall near my house is closing :'( This is extremely disappointing, not only because it's a good place to find cool Japanese stuff, but also because it is a great place for thrifting and buying gifts. As a tribute to its final days, I will show a few other cool Japanese items I found on sale there recently.

Interesting and ornate egg-things. Seriously though, can somebody tell me the purpose of these?

Japanese vase. This one was actually cheap enough for me to purchase. It is currently sitting on the dresser in the front of my room. Hopefully after Valentine's day I can fill it with some flowers ;)

last but not least, tea set!! I am quite fond of tea-pots with bamboo handles like this, as opposed to the traditional Japanese teapots that are dark-colored, ceramic, very wide/round, and flat. I think there must be a difference in eras between the two styles. The kind I like are much more difficult to find. I already have a tea set that I received for Christmas, as you may have read. However, it only contained 4 cups and a pot whereas this one basically contains a whole kitchen! Overall though, I like the way mine looks better and that is more important

Since I'm lazy, I'm combining this post with my Green Tea of the Month for the Month of February. I would have used Lemon Green Tea or Kapchorua Green Tea as my GTOTM, but since I already described those in my Christmas post, I figured it would be a bit redundant to appraise them again. Plus, those are running out, and I've been using the kind that a picked for this month far more often. Drum roll please....

Decaf Green Tea!!

A bit anticlimactic? Sigh, I know. But really, this stuff is great! Second semester has been kinda crazy, and sometimes I'm so busy that by the time I get around to drinking my 3rd green tea, it's too late for any caffeine. This has definitely been my saving grace.

So if you have a fantastic antique mall nearby, raid it while it lasts! I think I'm going to go cry now

Keep it kawaii folks!

-Ainsley

How-To: DIY Green Tea Face Mask

Konnichiwa!

Sorry it has been a while since I last blogged. I've been in Washington D.C. for the March For Life. If you are interested in saving innocent, helpless human beings from murder, you should attend next year. It is truly a moving experience.

Tonight I'd like to share with you, a green tea face mask that I concocted for the first time. This is the variation I chose to do, but as I will show you, there are many ways you can modify it. This recipe is really meant for two people, so share with a friend :)

Here are the ingredients: blender, whole oats, chilled green tea, lemon juice, cinnamon, honey, and matcha tea powder

Add 1/2 cup of oats. You can substitute avocado or plain greek yogurt if you'd like.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of matcha tea powder. The order in which you add the ingredients is very important because of their consistencies

Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. If your skin is sensitive, please skip this step!

Add 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. You may substitute orange juice or tomato juice if you wish.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of honey - because you're just so sweet ;)

Add one egg white. (Worried about wasting the yolk? Don't be! You can lather your hair with it in the shower for shiny smooth locks)

Add 1/3 cup chilled green tea. (nature's every-size-fits-all medicine)

Blend :)

Add more oats if desired. I like a nice, thick face mask.

Blend again

Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes

Apply! (It actually smells quite good - like freshly baked cookies)

Awkward<3

Let the mask sit for 15 minutes. It should feel very tingly and the outer layer will harden. As with most home-made face masks, the removal process can be pretty messy, so I suggest having a large bowl and a damp towel on hand. While we're on the skin-care topic, may I recommend some of my favorite products to you?

St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Scrub. Love love love it

Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleaning System. Only like 30 bucks, about 100 less than the clarisonic ones

Neutrogena oil-free moisturizer. Facial moisturizer is a MUST have. If you don't moisturizer after washing, your skin will feel tight and will overcompensate for the natural oils it's missing.

L'oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream. For use in place of foundation - really keeps the skin clear. I've tried authentic Korean BB cream and liked the coverage, but didn't like the shine. Hoping to try Japanese BB cream soon

If homemade masks just don't do it for you, try this Facial peel-off cucumber mask by Freeman. It has an amazing cooling sensation and is surprisingly easy to remove

This may be a little more difficult to get your hands on, but I like to use Proactive  Renewing Cleanser as a spot treatment for big and stubborn zits

Go ahead and try these products out, along with the face mask I showed you how to make. If you do that, and drink lots of water/green tea, you'll have the skin of a Jpop star! 

Keep it kawaii folks!

-Ainsley

P.S. Can you guess what I'm drinking right now as I blog? Did you say green tea? You know me so well :)