I've gotten quite used to spending time at home now. Of course, things are tough in the world, but now that I'm living a quiet life staying at home, I want to enrich my daily life a little and fill my heart with joy.

We introduce the favorite items and weekend routines of a man who has carefully considered and gradually upgraded the things and experiences he uses every day.

Please refer to the Find@isetan “Shopping Campaign” starting October 13th (Wednesday) at Isetan Shinjuku Main Building and Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building on every floor. Check the end of the article for event details .

• Characters in this story: A man in his 40s
  

  He works at a department store and is the manager of the planning team. His gentle and approachable personality has earned him the respect of his subordinates and colleagues. He has a wife and two children in elementary and middle school. With more time at home, he and his family have started preparing dinner together and enjoying more entertainment such as parties. Now that his children are more independent, he wants to continue being a cool dad and have good days, so gathering information to take care of his mind and body has become a new hobby, and he is more particular than ever about selecting things.

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Since the pandemic began, daily life has drastically changed with stay-at-home orders and remote work. At first, this lifestyle felt restrictive, but I started thinking about how I could enjoy it as much as possible. I could just drift through life, but at the end of the day, I want to feel satisfied that it was a good day. So, I'd like to share my weekend routine along with my favorite items that I've gradually upgraded and collected for myself.

7:00 | All-in-one time-saving skincare

I've come to realize something after continuing with it: skincare is all about putting in the effort.
Since turning 30, my skin concerns have changed. Looking around, I've noticed that some people look younger than their age, while others don't, and I've realized how much of an impression skin makes.

• An excellent companion for the morning,
  Make it a pleasant start to the day

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  1. I wake up wearing comfortable HAAG terrycloth pajamas (honestly, I'm also aiming for cuteness).
  2. Wash your face. Use Baum's gel, which contains naturally derived ingredients, to thoroughly wash away dirt and impurities.
  3. Gently pat dry with an Orsia towel, which has a wonderfully soft texture.
  4. After washing your face or shaving, just use this one product: MOLTON BROWN lotion. Treat your skin with simple skincare.
  5. Fill your room with a lovely fragrance that evokes beautiful Mediterranean scenery with YouFirst.

7:30 | This set completes the blissful morning.

Since realizing how important this time is for getting off to a good start to the day, it's become indispensable. I can't help but smile when I brew coffee. In the meantime, I warm up bread from my favorite bakery so that it tastes like it's just been baked. I used to eat a lot of convenience store bread, but now that I want to be more satisfied with my meals, I can't do without bread from a bakery.

• Coffee and bread,
  Prepare a simple and delicious breakfast.

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  1. Change into loungewear. A comfortable set that can also be worn for short outings.
  2. Brewing coffee with Balmuda's long-awaited new coffee maker.
  3. Place the bread in the toaster. Just twist and wait, and it will recreate the taste of freshly baked bread—what a great little device!
  4. We offer Iittala tableware and cutlery that combines timeless design suitable for any meal with practicality.

12:00 | Quick and easy manly meal. Rely on good cooking gadgets.

My son is still sleeping in his room, probably because he stayed up late, and my wife and daughter have gone out to a cafe. For lunch, I'll make my favorite pasta. Whether it turns out delicious or not is another matter, but the time I spend cooking enriches my life. Even for dishes I only make occasionally, having cooking utensils that are meticulously designed to make them delicious is reassuring and enjoyable. It turned out delicious, so I'll make it for my family next time.

• Make lunch quickly with reliable cooking gadgets.

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  1. This apron can be worn like a wrap around the waist, but I don't want sauce to splatter, so I'm going to cover myself completely today. It also lifts my spirits.
  2. Cook the pasta. I'm counting on my Fissler pot, with its structure that concentrates the flavor, to cook it deliciously again today.
  3. Make the sauce. This frying pan is easy to grip, cooks evenly, and is easy to clean.
  4. Plating. I always use this plate for the main course because even homemade food looks good on it. It's a series designed to be used from morning till night.
  

14:00 | Shoe care that will make you feel good about yourself

I wouldn't say I'm crazy about shoes, but I do like to keep them clean. Shoe care can be a bit of a hassle to start if you're new to it, but once you begin, you can really get hooked. Plus, after taking care of them, I always end up complimenting myself when I'm out and about. These are dress shoes I bought 5 or 6 years ago. I want to cherish this pair for a long time to come.

• Shoe care is just like applying makeup.
  Cleansing (face wash) → Basic skincare products (toner, lotion, etc.) → Makeup

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  1. Wear a navy-colored waist apron that won't show dirt easily. If you don't have one, newspaper will do just fine.
  2. Cleansing: Remove dirt with brushing and a cleaner.
  3. Moisturize: Nourish and moisturize with shoe cream.
  4. Makeup: Finish with a waterproofing spray. If you're feeling ambitious, go for a high-shine finish.
  5. This care set can also be used on other leather goods such as bags and wallets, so use it to care for them as well.
  

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Learn professional shoe polishing techniques [Caring for shiny leather] | ISETAN MEN'S

17:00 | Drinking time with friends

A friend from my student days who lives nearby and loves wine came over to visit. Today he brought a nice red wine. We laughed at silly jokes while enjoying some light snacks. This peaceful time is incredibly blissful. My wife and I both love wine, so we recently upgraded our bottle keeper to make drinking at home even more enjoyable.

• How to enjoy wine at home as an adult who loves wine

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  1. Keep your wine chilled in a SUSGALLERY titanium bottle keeper – no need for ice or water.
  2. Use high-quality wine glasses to fully appreciate the aroma. Riedel is recommended for those who are particular about their wine.
  3. The Nachtmann "Bossa Nova" plate, on which I will now place my snacks, is from a series inspired by the lighthearted Brazilian dance that evokes a feeling of happiness. I bought it knowing that the pattern, with two strings harmonizing beautifully, represents the moment when two hearts connect.
  4. Play soothing music with Bang & Olufsen. I was drawn to its oak wood base and design that harmonizes with the interior.
  

21:00 | Watching a movie with my wife using a subscription service.

When we watch movies alone, we each seem to have different tastes in genres, but before bedtime, my wife selects a film that's somewhere in between our preferences. I'm truly grateful for this age of advanced digital technology, where we can easily watch movies, documentaries, and live performances at home, listen to all kinds of music, and make video calls. The living room is where the whole family wants to relax the most, so we've furnished it with things that make it comfortable.

• The feel of this inner blanket is exceptional.
  You'll understand once you actually touch it.

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  1. Tonight's loungewear is a 3-piece set from Holidays Comfort by Riding High. It's lightweight, thick, and fluffy, making it incredibly comfortable. The fleece material keeps you warm, and with a cardigan on, you can even go out without worrying about feeling too warm.
  2. Relax on a Maruni Woodworking sofa that provides just the right amount of support while the subtle curves of the cushions blend seamlessly into the space, creating a soft and comfortable feel.
  3. Be enveloped in Nishikawa's inner blanket, which has a meltingly soft texture.
  4. I fell asleep midway through the movie, was woken up by my wife, and then slept soundly again until morning.
  

— Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building EVENT & NEWS (Updated Regularly) —

Held from Wednesday, October 13th to Tuesday, October 19th.

Held from Wednesday, October 20th to Tuesday, October 26th.

View the "Home, Kitchen, and Art" special feature page on the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store.

・View the "Men's" special feature page