Skincare and Youthfulness

Hello Readers,

Yes, I am in my 50s, here is me with no makeup, no filters.

My facial skincare routine is the following (entirely independent and not sponsored.)

Morning

Neutrogena cleanser with cool water followed by Dr. Louis all-in-one Light Essence and La Roche-Posay SPF 50 facial sunscreen.

Night

Neutrogena cleanser, Aveda exfoliant every 2-3 days, followed by Dr. Louis all-in-one Light Essence. Osmia moisturizer when I have my perioral dermatitis breakouts (along with Elidel anti-inflammation prescription cream). Clarins multi-active night cream on my neck. Clarins Total Eye Lift Cream.

Other factors which help: lots of water, good sleep, work-out routine for cardio and strength-training, soul-nourishing activities (for me, it is journaling, music, spending time with loved ones and learning something new every day!) and of course, my Korean genes.

Stay young by feeling young. Imagine yourself 20 years from now and you had a gift of going back in time to 2026. How would you live? ENJOY life and love!!

2026 Music Video Year

Hello Everyone, Since I released four albums last year, I decided that 2026 was going to be music video making year - every time I travelled, I hired a local videographer and picked a song or two which went with the vibe of the city. So, I recorded four in Seoul (two to be released later), one in Toronto, and one in Lisbon. Grateful that I can delve into my creativity! Keep up with your passions, those things which inspire your soul - outside of work and loved ones - they fuel your heart for a lifetime! Enjoy!!

Did You Ever Know - Toronto

See the World Through You - Seoul

Honestly - Seoul

Spoken - Lisbon

UPDATE: HEART and RED DRESS Albums

Dear Everyone,

HEART storytells the quiet moments within the heart, which impacts what is said, done and who is loved. Songs about love, heartache, tribute to Mom for teaching me about resilience, a lullaby, and "Woman I am Now" highlights how love, marriage, motherhood, amicable divorce and peaceful solitude has made me a stronger woman.

https://open.spotify.com/album/2J6J9cUCbRBy1H0ycQSCIr?si=PkKM42blSB6sNYUf67NmjQ

My release "RED DRESS" flirts with holiday and winter love, joy, yearning, melancholy, and ends with the confident resolution "just wore the red dress you never got to see me in." 

https://open.spotify.com/album/7mFBNssWX8AAKBYthFRVze?si=nIPBmmSpSZOFyrm7QiRwqw

THANK-YOU to all my listeners and supporters!!

Quiet, Deep Thoughts with No Phones

With all the technology available and all the apps on our phones which pull us into them, it is more important to be aware of this and put it all aside once in a while, at least once a day or more, if possible. 

Try this one night and next day.

An hour or two before bed, turn on sleep and do not disturb modes on your cell phone or if you can, turn it off entirely. Leave the phone in the living room in a drawer or in a closet. Out of sight.

Before bed, try to journal, read a book or think about what happened during the day that you were grateful for. Think about all the people that bring a smile into your life, from the friendly bus driver, the grocery cashier, friends, loved ones. Think of them and send them love out through your window. You will fall asleep smiling.

Try to find a time to fall asleep so you can wake up the next day without an alarm. Open your eyes and savour the process of waking up. Say good morning to yourself and feel the blessing of being able to wake up for a new day! Not to seem grim here, but one day, that blessing will no longer be true - so embrace life! Tell yourself "I love me!"

Morning hygiene routine, take your time, put on the music that sets a positive vibe and wear something that makes you feel beautiful - not for anyone else, just for yourself. Enjoy breakfast in the music, the beautiful clothing and perhaps journal while you eat and enjoy sunrise.

If you have a solitary day, continue with this set tone and you will find yourself have quiet, deep thoughts without being interrupted by a ring tone. Solo time is important for creative ideas and thoughts about decisions in life.

Turn your phone back on, if you need to contact someone about meetings or plans, but try to make that quiet morning last at least an hour into after you wake up.

You will feel more at peace.

And we need more of that in our lives.

Tell me how it works, if you want to share.

Second Album "Love Story" Released July 16, 2025!

My first acoustic EP called "Daydreams"(released Feb 15, 2025) has over 5,000 streams, first album "Falling in Love" (released May 3, 2035) has over 4800, and my most recent album "Love Story" (released July 16, 2025) has over 2100 on Spotify! Thank-you to all those who are listening and relating to my musical short stories!!

My recent acoustic album "Love Story" tells the unforgettable love story (through the order of the songs) of the emotions felt before meeting each other (Haven't Met You Yet), falling (See the World Through You, Even Before), wanting to hold onto the moment (Could We Stop Time), loving (I Really Do), and facing the authenticity of differences for a loving departure (Honestly, Baby, You and Me) with an unknown future (Will my Heart Still Run to You?) Enjoy the story!

Stanford Sabbatical Winter 2023

I had the privilege in working with the Stanford Life Design Lab Team in the Winter of 2023. https://lifedesignlab.stanford.edu/team Kathy Davies, Urmila Venkatesh, Dustin Liu, Christian Simamora, Shanice Webb, Bill Burnett - what a team! I learned so much from them about designing your life principles for first year and senior undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. https://designingyour.life/ I strengthened my skills in design thinking concepts, brainstorming, prototyping, class engagement in topics such as success, discernment, wayfinding, and so much more, all outlined in Bill and Dave's book. THANK-YOU! 

 As for my living, I stayed at a one bedroom Stanford West Residence practicing minimalist living surrounded by other scholars and faculty. So refreshing! One Korean floor bed, one floor chair, one floor table, one bowl, one pot, and I used one closet. The living room and den stayed empty enough for me to dance and work out in, if I wanted. I walked and ran everywhere (closest grocery was 1 km away), only having to use uber twice for groceries coming back home. I took the train to travel to the city (SFO) for events and seeing friends. It was liberating not having things, a car and furniture to clean/dust. I took advantage of Stanford programs such zumba classes (love it!), ballroom dance, healthy living, personal trainer for my half marathon training, and ran the San Francisco Half Marathon by the Pacific Ocean! The run was breathtaking and inspiring to run my personal best at 2:42! I maintained my piano by playing at some beautiful music rooms on campus.

West coast living is definitely different from east coast Boston because the weather is warm all the time, people are outside exercising more. It was common to see people show up to class in yoga wear because they had a fitness session in between. Loved it! 

Big thank-you to my co-parent partner who made this possible as he hosted the kids for a bit over two months (I did visit once in the middle). Kids could have come with me, but then they would have been in three different schools in one year, so they stayed home in Toronto. Grateful and lucky for this opportunity! Thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Stanford and bringing it all to my home U of Toronto!

Debut Album "Falling in Love" Released!

Just in time for sunny Spring, a gift to all those you have ever loved:

my debut acoustic album "Falling in Love" (Acoustic) - just released today! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/4tIbIt95cVRted1dba2Tct?si=6rL0msAcRB6Vg1emY1vHzw

If anyone can guess what city I am singing about in "Just In My Mind" - reply back in the comments. :)

All the songs were recorded at Revolution Recording Studios, with me playing piano and singing at the same time, in one take with sound engineer Luke Schindler. For some songs, we played back the first take and I sang impromptu harmonies that resonated with me in real-time! No auto tune here. 

Hope you enjoy my musical creations and yes, I am busy working on the next one in my spare time after the work thing :)

Wishing everyone a fulfilling season with renewed energy and growth, just like all of these blossoms!

Warmly,

Nana Lee Piano Keys

https://open.spotify.com/album/4tIbIt95cVRted1dba2Tct?si=oHvoS6K2QAuJN465RxPg8w