More than one

hellohowdyhiya

ysl rings

Socks and rings - happiness

The joy of the 100 yen store

When I first arrived in Japan I couldn't get over how amazing the hyaku (100) yen stores were. This was the place of dreams! Plants, house slippers, cute sponges, bento boxes, origami paper, washi tape and so much more, all for a pittance.

 Whenever I'm feeling rather poor but have the need for a mini shopping spree I bike on over and buy myself a pretty new plant or a nail polish bottle. Or I can pretend I'm being 'practical' and buy an array of kawaii sponges for the kitchen.  The nail polish is seriously the best I have ever tried which was a bit surprise so I've been stocking up large. It has the best finish and lasts for a week!

I'm happy to make a mini hyaku en package (some washi tape, nail polish, a set of cards, some origami paper and perhaps a few other little treats) for one special reader so just drop me a line in the comments box and I'll pick a winner next week.  

I hope you're all having a wonderful week so far! x x

It can't hurt to dream, right?

Images: mark borthwick, yataro matsuura, muji, dreamcats, cultivate modesty, freunde von freunde, that girl lucy, and fewer shades.

I went to the Muji in Sendai last week and ahh, it got me house dreaming. I sat down on one of their ultra comfy couches and actually dozed off for about five minutes. I caught more than a few bemused Japanese people looking at me!

 I would love to be a purist and have a simple light dappled home with a few sparse but beautifully placed objects but alas, I am more of a hoarder and a thifter that leads to haphazard collections of bizarre things and a cluttering of my shelves. If I could have a dream house, I think it would look a little something like this (cats included!)

ps. I just booked tickets for Christmas. London, Pareeee, Amstredam, Singapore, here I come! I'm so excited.

I love that girl

How great are these polaroids of Amy Poehler? Taken in 1998 for a tv sketch show on comedy central they really highlight how ahhhmazing she is. Hehe. The monobrow one, so good. You can read more about it at NY Mag.

Goodbye Summer

The Japanese summer departed swiftly leaving me rather surprised and clutching at my winter coats. Unlike New Zealand where the weather dilly dallies between seasons Japan is all about the sharp and defined change of the seasons. I'm now dreading seeing Australian and New Zealand friends popping up in my news feed, bathed in light and leisurely sipping on wine. Ahh the envy. I'm a summer kid! That said, here are some snaps taken over the past few weeks.

Kyoto markets

Once a month the Nishiki markets are held in Kyoto. It's a good opportunity to rub shoulders (or elbows) with the locals in search of a bargain, and cast your eye over many a antique gem. I managed to score myself a beautiful soft vintage kimono that I intend to use as a dressing gown, and a bag of super tart mandarins - yum!  One of the best things about the market is the people watching. Above are some images my boyfriend captured as we wandered around. I love the guy in stripes!

Gomen!

Sorry about the recent lack of posts. I've been travelling around Japan with my dearest ma and pa, which has been a wonderful adventure. There have been typhoons, sumo wrestlers and old Japanese ladies to bargain with in the Kyoto markets. There were also mini deer that tried to take a bite out of us while travelling around Nara! Above are some pictures. The deer were so tiny and cute but also very assertive when it came to eating snacks. It was amazing to seem them wandering around completely uncaged and tamed. Hope you've all been well and enjoying the change of season, wherever you are in the world. xx