Before & After Installing Our New Kitchen Faucet

      I haven't written about our kitchen renovation since 2017. It's been almost four years since my husband and I renovated our kitchen last time, which was painting our kitchen ceiling.

      Last weekend, he finally replaced the kitchen faucet and I really like the new one. As you can see the photo below, the old faucet didn't look too bad, but the new one looks much better to me. 😊

  

The Old Kitchen Faucet

     The old faucet was the chrome pull-out kitchen faucet with the instant hot water dispenser. The reason why we decided to replace the old kitchen faucet to new one was that it's gradually getting hard to turn the faucet, so it's time to replace it to new one. We also realized that we have never used the instant hot water dispenser since we purchased our home in 2016, so we decided to remove it this time. By doing so, we have a little more space in our kitchen cabinet under the sink now. 

Shopping Kitchen Faucet

Home Depot

     We went to our local Home Depot to purchase a new kitchen faucet. At the store, there were so many faucets we could choose from!

Home Depot

 

Chrome VS Stainless Steel 

     The old kitchen faucet was chrome, but we looked for stainless steel one this time because our kitchen cabinet t-bar pulls are stainless steel. 

Our kitchen cabinet pulls are stainless steel.

Pull-Out Faucet VS Pull-Down Faucet

       We decided to have pull-down faucet this time because we have enough room above sink. These years, pull-down faucets are more popular because a high neck looks more elegant, and there are more pull-down faucets than pull-out faucets in the market. 

Pull-Down Faucet

   Pull-Down Faucets need more room above a sink and is better for a deep sink. 

Pull-Out Faucet

     Pull-out faucets are a better choice if you don't have enough room above sink. 

 

Spring Kitchen Faucet?

       These years, spring kitchen faucets have been popular because they have more professional look. I thought that spring kitchen faucets were very stylish, but I like a simple faucet which is easier to clean.   

Spring Kitchen Faucets are popular right now.

Touchless Kitchen Faucet?

     Kitchen Faucets with motion sensor are more expensive but are loved by people who look for hygienic option and love technology. However, I didn't choose a touchless kitchen faucet because I read some reviews that they sometimes soaked themselves unexpectedly. 

Touchless Kitchen Faucet

      We finally purchased this Glacier Bay Mckenna Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet.

Glacier Bay Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet

Glacier Bay Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet

Replacing the Old Faucet to New One

    He finally removed the old faucet and the instant hot water dispenser.

      He installed this Danco Kitchen Sink Hole Cover to cover the hole after removing the instant hot dispenser. It was very easy to install.

Danco Kitchen Sink Hole Cover

Danco Kitchen Sink Hole Cover

The size of water supply lines were larger than the size of faucet hoses.

      When he was installing the new kitchen faucet, he noticed that the size of the water supply lines and the faucet hoses weren't the same, so he needed joint adapters to connect those. He went to Home Depot again and asked a staff which adapters he should choose. He eventually purchased two Everbilt slip joint adapters (3/8 in x 1/2 in). These adapters work perfectly!

Everbilt Slip Joint Adapter

 

Everbilt slip joint adapters work perfectly!

Final Look!

     I really like that the new kitchen faucet rotates smoothly. 👍

    The turbo spray is powerful enough.

     The spout has a button which switches the water from turbo spray to aerated spray.

     The hose is long enough to reach all around the sinks. It's easy to wash large pots.

      I really like our new kitchen faucet. 😊

    These are my entries you might like.
■Before and After Wet Bar Renovation - Install Backsplash Tiles, Replace Outlet, Paint Cabinets and Decor

■ Before and After Door Hardware - From Door Knob to Door Lever

■ Before & After Painting All Cabinets

■ How to Install New Outlet Cover Plate - Hubbell Taymac Revive Decorator Wall Plate Review

■ How to Install A Spring Door Stop

■ Before and After Master Bathroom

■ Before and After Home Office - 5 Home Office Updates!  


      My entries related to home renovations can be seen here.

      My entries related to kitchen renovations can be seen here.

 

3 Best Japanese Facial Lotion, Keshosui/Toner - Best High End Products

Best Japanese Beauty Products

      As I mentioned in my previous entry, 3 Best Affordable Japanese Facial Lotion, Keshosui, Japanese facial lotion is called keshosui (化粧水) in Japan, and it is seriously the most important skincare item for Japanese women. 

Keshosui - Japanese facial lotion to hydrate skin, and can be applied with your hands or facial cotton pad.

Toner - facial lotion to remove dirt and dead skin, and can be swiped on your skin with facial cotton pad.

      Today, I'm going to share the most popular and highly rated Japanese keshosui/toner with you. If you are looking for the best Japanese facial lotion and love high-end beauty products, I recommend you to try these products listed below.
 

 

No.1   IPSA The Time R Aqua (イプサ ザ タイム R アクア)

Keshosui/Toner

200 ml for 4,400 yen

300 ml for 5,500 yen

Can be purchased at department stores in Japan

IPSA The Time R Aqua

      IPSA The Time R Aqua has been highly rated in Japan and won many beauty awards. Indeed, it won the best keshosui award in 2020. My favorite Japanese YouTubers also use this IPSA The Time R Aqua. Many people review that it is very light texture but moisturizes very well. This keshosui is perfect for most people whether you have dry skin or oily skin. If you are planning on visiting Japan, you can find IPSA The Time R Aqua at most department stores. Because this bottle has a very beautiful unique look, I think that it's perfect gift for female friends and families. By the way, IPSA is a subsidiary of Shiseido.

 

 

 

No.2   SKII Facial Treatment Essence (SKII フェイシャル トリートメント エッセンス)

Keshosui

75 ml for 9,350 yen

160 ml for 18,700 yen

230 ml for 24,200 yen

Cab be purchased at department stores and some drugstores in Japan

SKII Facial Treatment Essence

       I think that SKII is one of the world's most well-known Japanese skincare brands. According to SKII, their bottle is sold every 2 seconds. As you might know that SKII products are very expensive, but everyone who has used SKII product says that it's the best skincare product they have ever used. It improves your skin amazingly. Some SKII users told me that they felt like they didn't need to wear foundation anymore because they felt confident in their beautiful bare skin . 

       SKII products have PITERA essence, which is unique and natural beauty formula only SKII can produce. You can only find products contain PITERA essence from SKII. If you are looking for the best high-end keshosui, I recommend you to try SKII Facial Treatment Essence.   

 

 No.3   Shiseido Benefique Reset Clear (資生堂 ベネフィーク リセットクリア)

Toner

200 ml for 4,400 yen

180 ml refill pack for 3,300 yen

Can be purchased at some beauty stores and drugstores with Shiseido cosmetic counters in Japan

Shiseido Benefique Reset Clear

      Shiseido Benefique Reset Clear has won many beauty awards in Japan this year already. It's toner and is used with facial cotton pad. It removes dead skin and dirt, and it makes your skin smooth and clean. Many people review that it minimizes skin pores and prevents acne and pimples.

      Even though Shiseido Benefique Reset Clear is high end, you cannot find this product at department stores. You can only find this product at beauty stores (化粧品専門店) which have Shiseido cosmetic counters. Some drugstores in Japan have some cosmetic counters such as Shiseido, Kanebo and Kose.
 

 

 

     These are also my entries you might like.

♥5 Best Japanese Facial Lotion (Toner), Kesho-sui

♥3 Best Japanese Deep Conditioning Hair Masks

♥4 Best Japanese Anti-Aging Wrinkle Creams

♥3 Best Japanese Dark Spot Correctors - Affordable Brightening Beauty Serum

♥3 Best Japanese Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin

♥3 Best Japanese Eye Creams Won Beauty Award This Year

♥Top 10 Japanese Beauty Products Loved by Foreign Tourists in Japan

♥Muji Whitening Beauty Serum - My New Favorite Skincare Product!

♥3 Best Facial Sheet Masks Loved in Japan This Year

♥7 Most Popular Japanese Facial Cleansing Wipes for Removing Makeup  

♥7 Best Japanese Beauty Products Hall of Fame 

♥Top 5 Life-Changing Japanese Beauty Products  

♥Top 5 Most Popular Japanese Charcoal Soap

♥Top 5 Best Japanese Double Eyelid Glue/Tape Products

♥The Most Popular Facial Sheet Masks in Japan

♥4 Reasons Why I Love Kose Softymo Cleansing Oil

♥10 Best Japanese Beauty Products on Amazon Japan, You Can Also Purchase Them at Drugstores in Japan



     My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.
 
     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.

     My entries related to beauty can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.

     You can find my beauty entries by categories from here.

 

The Getty Center, Beautiful Museum in Los Angeles

      On July 3rd, my husband and I took a day trip to the Getty Museum, located in Los Angeles. It's been over a year since we went out of town last time because of the coronavirus pandemic.  In early July, more and more people were fully vaccinated in the U.S., and it's told that the vaccination was working very well. However, in mid July, the coronavirus cases started rising again, so we should be more careful again now.

      Anyway, we visited the Getty Museum on July 3rd and enjoyed beautiful arts, gardens and the bird's-eye view of Los Angeles. 

The Getty Museum, The Getty Center

The Getty Museum, The Getty Center

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles

CA 90049

Open : 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays) 

Admission : Free

Parking : $20 per car

     Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of visitors will be limited each day. It temporarily requires a timed-entry reservation.

The Getty Museum, The Getty Center

        After parking at the Getty Center parking garage, we went through the Getty Center security checkpoint and got on the tram. Because every guest had a reservation to enter the Getty Museum, it was not very crowded that day. 

The Getty Museum, The Getty Center

     This museum is huge. Indeed, it took us over three hours to see all arts and gardens at this museum. If you are planning on visiting the Getty Museum, I recommend you to wear comfortable shoes, and don't forget to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and hat to protect yourself from strong UV rays.   

 

Paintings

Irises by Vincent van Gogh (1889)

     
        I was very surprised that there were a lot of famous beautiful paintings at the museum.

La Promenade by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1870)

 

Still Life with Flowers and Fruit by Claude Monet (1869)

The Entry of the Animals into Noah's Ark by Jan Brueghel the Elder (1613)

Cupid and Pan by Federico Zuccaro (about 1600)

      This 400-year-old painting was so beautiful. Many of paintings at the museum were incredibly old and valuable.

 

 

Sculpture and Decorative Arts

      The museum also has so many valuable sculpture and decorative arts.

 

 

 The Views from the Getty Museum

Los Angeles, The View from the Getty Museum

     From the Getty Center, you can get the bird's eye view of Los Angeles. 

405 Freeway, The View from the Getty Museum

South Promontory Cactus Garden

South Promontory Cactus Garden

      There were so many cacti at this South Promontory Cactus Garden. We could also enjoy the view of downtown Los Angeles from the garden.

South Promontory Cactus Garden

South Promontory Cactus Garden

South Promontory Cactus Garden

 

Central Garden

Central Garden

        We also walked to the Central Garden at the museum.

       We enjoyed seeing many types of beautiful plants and flowers. It was so refreshing.

 

 

Central Garden

Central Garden

Central Garden

 The Gallery Shops

Refrigerator Magnet

      At the Gallery Shop, there were many books, stationery and gift items. They have many items with prints of Irises by Vincent van Gogh such as mugs, bags and bookmark. We purchased this Getty Center refrigerator magnet for $6.95.

 

The Getty Museum, The Getty Center

    The Getty Museum is one of the must go to places in Los Angeles. When the coronavirus pandemic is over, I will visit the Getty Villa Museum next time. 😉

The Getty Museum, The Getty Center

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles

CA 90049

The Getty Villa Museum

17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades

CA 90272

 

     These are my entries you might like.

■The Getty Villa - The Best Museum Around Los Angeles

■Endeavour at California Science Center 

■Beautiful Scenery from Griffith Observatory

■Sightseeing in Beverly Hills  

■Going on a Day Trip to Santa Catalina Island - Part 1

♥New Popular Japanese Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Repair Mask

♥The Best Selling Japanese Hair Brush - Koizumi Reset Brush KBE-2811

♥10 Best Sunscreens Won Beauty Awards in Japan This Year

♥The Best Japanese Shampoo & Conditioner

♥5 Best Japanese Deep Conditioning Hair Masks

♥The Best Japanese Shampoo And Conditioner Won Beauty Awards in Japan - Kao Asience Meguri 

♥The Best Japanese Hair Dryer, Panasonic Nano Care Hair Dryer

♥ 10 Best Face Masks Won Beauty Awards in Japan

♥16 Best Japanese Beauty Products I Purchased in Japan - Drugstore, Discount Store, Daiso and Amazon Japan

     My entries related to Los Angeles can be seen here. 

     My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.
 
     My entries related to Japanese beauty news and limited edition products can be seen here.
 
     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.

     My entries related to beauty can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.

     You can find my beauty entries by categories from here.