There are only three remaining historical Japantowns in the United States-all residing in California: Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco. The latter's Japantown is the largest and oldest such enclave. Japantown is sometimes called J-Town, Little Tokyo, or Japanese Town, "Nihonmachi."  History: The first Japanese immigrants arrived in the 1860s to San Francisco, known to them as...

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Japantowns have a special place in my heart. I live in San Jose's Japantown and it was the first place that felt like home after moving back to California as an adult. My boyfriend and I like to make special trips to San Francisco's Japantown to celebrate our anniversary or just stroll around and enjoy the incredible food...

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I love to take day trips to places I don't get to regularly enjoy around the Bay Area. A stunning favorite date destination for my boyfriend and me is Carmel-By-The-Sea. While it isn't technically in the Bay Area, I think most people include places like Monterey, Carmel, or Santa Cruz when they refer to local Bay attractions.  We...

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Forest Green Layers. Photography by Nicole Lippman for The Abstract Life Sometimes you just don't want to wear kelly green for St. Patrick's Day. That and if you are anything like me your closet is full of olive and forest greens anyways. Here are some alternative St. Patty's Day looks you can pull off, depending on what weather...

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My first trip this year was a road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway. It was one of the most visually stunning and awe-inspiring trips I have ever taken. While driving up the coast I stayed at the charming and picturesque St. Orres Inn, in Gualala, CA near The Sea Ranch, CA. I was in love with the quaint...

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Tassels are definitely having their moment right now in fashion and I am not sad about it. They are everywhere! Earrings! Necklaces! Shirts, mumus, shoes, pants, the list goes on and on! The question though is, are they worth the hassle and here to stay? Throw out your impression of this accessory belonging to your Grandmother's sixties Breakfast-at-Tiffany's-style...

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col·or·block ˈkələrˌbläk/ adjective adjective: color block (in fashion and design) denoting or relating to an item characterized by contrasting blocks or panels of solid, typically bright color. Color Block:  A long time favorite that reached its height of popularity in the 60's (a personal style decade love) and finds its way back into our wardrobes again and again. Bold,...

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