So-en

One of the great things about living in Japan is all the amazing magazines. Above are some scanned images of the March issue of So-En. Dreamy.

Swanson pyramid of greatness

Turning dreams into reality. From the new season of Parks and Recreation. Glorious stuff. 

On my way

Isabelle has a wonderful blog called On my way filled with personal photos that provide an intimate insight into a life lived in Paris. Her photographs capture delicious food, unexpected moments of beauty, time spent with loved ones and walks outside in dappled sunlight. Isabelle was kind enough to answers a few of my questions.

What is your name and where do you live?

I am Isabelle and I live in Paris

What is your all time favourite camera to shoot with?

I love my grandfather's camera, a Minolta SRT303

When did you first pick up a camera and what type was it?

I took a few shots when I was young (I can't remember what camera I used back then) but had my first own camera when I was pregnant (almost 10 years ago)

What are the top five songs you are listening to right now?

My ipod is often on shuffle mode and when it's not I am obsessing on just one song. Right now it's this.

How would you spend a perfect Saturday?

Wake up late, sipping my tea reading in bed. Then go out to have lunch with my son and wander in our favorite places in Paris. Come hone and have dinner with my husband and some friends.

What inspires you?

Simple daily life, food, people (I love to shoot portraits)...

Could toy please finish this sentence? If there is one thing you must see/do in Paris it is...

Oh...this is difficult...I often recommend to go to the Park de Belleville: the view is breathtaking, it is not touristy and I love the neighborhood (it is actually mine). 

Triple swoon

I happened to stumble across Katie Merchant's thank you, ok a while back and it is now a firm fixture with my morning cup of tea. I nearly fell off my seat when I saw these pictures of stationery she purchased in South Korea. I can only imagine the excitement of receiving such a beautiful envelope in the post. This is the stuff of stationery fantasies!

Stealing horses

 Amazing work by Jeff Luker can be found here and here.

Block

I am facing a bit of a block at the moment.  Every time I pick up the pen I have a feeling of pure exasperation. There are all these thoughts and ideas banging around in my head but they won't work I paper. I bought myself a new set of inky pens in the weekend as a special treat.  Trying to appreciate the bright spots seems to help a lot. Each night when I go to sleep if I lie very still I can hear my neighbor laughing. He is alway's cracking up. There must be something he really enjoys on television, I don't know what it is but I do enjoy listening to him laugh! A bit creepy no? What I find to be helpful is an excellent playlist, one to suit the exact mood I'm in.  Here is what I've had on repeat for the last week, it's a bit eclectic.

Running through the night - Tiny Ruins
OKVW - Jeru the Damaga

On the beach - Neil Young

Talkin' my shit - Brother Ali

The only living boy in New York - Simon and Garfunkel
Work - Gangstarr

Song for Dennis Brown - The Mountain Goats
Tyrant destroyer - Twin Shadow