{ Little.Happy.Things }

Paper Crane Shower (折り鶴シャワー)

2010-08-30T08:30:00.004-04:00

Do you know the story of the 1,000 origami cranes (千羽鶴)? It's a famous story in Japan about a girl named Sadako Sasaki (佐々木禎子), who tried to stave off her death from leukemia as a result of radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during the World War II by making 1,000 origami cranes. She folded 644 and died before she could reach her goal, but her classmates went on to fold the remaining 356 cranes in time for her funeral.

Her story of folding paper cranes has resonated around the world as a universal symbol of peace. Cranes also represent a gesture of caring and sympathy. In Japan, many elementary school students learn how to fold paper cranes in school, often before a trip to Hiroshima, and as a class fold 1,000 to bring with them.

I made 100 (but not 1,000) cranes for my friend last weekend. Not because she is hospitalized or anything like that but for her wedding! It's become more and more popular to use paper cranes as wedding decoration here in the states. But do you know about Paper Crane Shower (折り鶴シャワー)? In Japan, the crane is also a symbol of honor and loyalty, so it makes perfect symbol for a wedding. In the past 2 years, it's also become more and more popular for the newlywed in Japan to do Paper Crane Shower (折り鶴シャワー) instead of Flower Shower. I like this idea very much, You can ask your family and friends to make the cranes for you, or with you, it's a good chance to get your family and friends involved and bring them closer. It also save some money, and you can have the cranes in any color you want. M friends told me that little kids also had fun picking up the cranes after the wedding.

A thousand paper cranes is also traditionally given as a wedding gift by the folder, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. It can also be gifted to a new baby for long life and good luck. Hanging a Senbazuru (千羽鶴) in one's home is thought to be a powerfully lucky and benevolent charm.

If you are going to have a wedding, maybe you should think about doing this Paper Crane Shower (折り鶴シャワー). You don't have to make 1,000 of them, 2 to 3 hundred will do!

Amazing Mail!

2010-08-20T11:36:00.003-04:00

Couple weeks ago, I won a giveaway from **EYE-SNACKS** , and when I received her package this week, I was so touched! She sent me not only the cute prize I won, but also a handmade textiles/fabrics embroidered, stitched greeting card specially made for me and my baby!!! How nice is it! Since I haven't have my baby shower yet, this is the first baby gift I have received!

Thank you so much Ingrid! You are a total sweetie with a very generous soul! I can't wait to repay such kindness!

Edible Crayon「Crayon Luxirare」(食べれられるクレヨン)

2010-08-18T11:56:00.005-04:00

{images via luxirare.com}

Yes, you are seeing it right! These are Edible Crayons! These are not the normal crayons we see everyday, but made of dried fruits and dried seeds, such as peas, green beans, dried kiwi, green fruity pebbles, dried pumpkin seeds for green crayon ingredients. Each crayon was made with color divisions. Yes the flavor is based on colors, not actual flavors...

I don't think it's on the market yet. If it was, I definitely would buy some and draw with my niece and my baby! I think I can control my urge not to eat my crayons, but I can't promise we won't lick our drawings!

My Baby Shower Invitation!

2010-08-12T11:28:00.006-04:00

Oops. Somehow the month of August flew by without many posts. Why? Cause my 8 month pregnant belly doesn't allow me to sit in front of the computer too long. Actually, my big belly doesn't allow me to keep doing anything too long. Here I am at 33 weeks today. It definitely feels like the bump got a lot bigger just in the last 2 weeks. The baby is healthy, and I've just been feeling a little more uncomfortable than before, also a bit more tired and low energy. So far so good, this baby has been treating me pretty well, not much hard time. I'm starting to feel like I'm running out of time to do all the things I want to do before the baby comes, and yet I don't want to be running around just checking things off my list. I'd like to enjoy being pregnant and spend time with J and friends. Actually J and I just got back from Montreal Canada last Sunday, we wandering around town and enjoying some fancy meals. It might be our last trip before the baby comes.

Also, my mother-in-law is throwing me a baby shower this month! Actually, there is no such thing as baby shower in Japan, nor in Taiwan or Korea. We do announcement, but nothing before the baby comes. The invitation is designed by myself. I know it might be a little bit strange to design your own baby shower invitation. But I am a designer and I like to design, so why not design my own baby shower invitation, right? I am happy that I could also apply my Masking Tapes on the invitations!

Creative Photos of a Sleeping Baby.

2010-08-02T09:37:00.003-04:00

{Space Odyssey}

{Surfer Girl}

{Super Baby}

{Circus}

{Elephant Rider}

Wonderful photo series by Adele Enersen, a copywriter on a maternity leave, features pictures of her sleeping baby girl dressed up in cute outfits. These are so cute make me want to take some of my own when my baby is born. But I am not so sure whether I will have the energy, cause it's definitely some excellent pre-planning there.

To see more, visit her blog.

Please do it at home! (家でやろう!)

2010-07-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

I’m not a conservative person (at least, I don’t think I am) but some of the things I see people doing lead me to think that either people’s values are changing for the worse, or that I’m getting old and conservative. What prompts me to write such things? Well, my daily subway train journey has prompted me to write this: loud music from headphones, sitting improperly (taking up too much space), applying make-up, eating and drinking, throw garbage on the platforms, talking loudly, and putting their belongings on the seats next to them..., didn't we ALL learn these things when we were in kindergarten and elementary school? Where are peoples' Manners? Public Decency? and Respect for Those Around You???

Japanese are famous for their manners (マナー). Even big cities in Japan like Tokyo and Osaka have less crime and more general politeness than other large metropolises in the world. There is crime and there are rude people in Japan…but considerably less than in cities overseas.

The high level of politeness in Japan means that the bad manners that one most commonly encounters are things like smoking or eating while walking, putting make-up on while riding the train, music turned up too loud on headphones, not giving up a seat on a train or a bus to the elderly, and using cell-phones near the silver seats (seats for pregnant women, elderly and the disabled) on the train where they’re supposed to be turned off. So, from 2008, Tokyo Metro Subway company started a series of good manners posters shown above.

I don't know if posting posters alone will help (probably not), but I do wish New York City MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) will do something, or at least have some posters like these to remind people to improve their basic manners. I even think the MTA should hire people monitoring our behavior, and by doing so, we can keep the trains, platforms and train stations nice and clean. They do so in Taiwan, they don't even let you chew gum in the stations, and you can see their trains and stations are still very nice and clean after so many years of service.

Wall (壁)

2010-07-22T12:15:00.000-04:00

{image via Unstitched}

I wish I could have a wall like this for our coming baby boy, so he can draw freely...but I think it's difficult to do so in our tiny NY apartment...

Suitcase Stickers (スーツケースステッカー)

2010-07-21T10:31:00.004-04:00

{images via thecheeky.com}

I don't think it's a good idea to use these stickers on your luggages if you are traveling by air, but I do appreciate the creativity! These cheeky stickers are designed to stick to anything, they will draw attention to your bag, making it easily identifiable and sure to make you some new friends. Just be ready for the full body-cavity search if you bring these to the airport!

Happy Friday!

2010-07-16T09:27:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I finished folding 50 of the Origami Boxes and hand cutting 750 pieces of the heart shape Chiyogami Stickers for a custom order. I am very happy to know that people want to use my origami boxes as party favors!

The other happy news is that my Cute Japanese House Wooden Rubber Stamp is featured in Etsy's treasury page! This is the first time my goods get featured, I feel very good about it.

Have a happy Friday and happy weekend everyone!

Bookshelf Porn...

2010-07-13T13:06:00.004-04:00

Wow, can't believe there is a site entirely dedicated to bookshelves! It's amazing! This is really a pron site for someone like me who has a thing for books and bookshelves! I always like to see bookshelves in other people's houses, it's so fun. From this site, you can see all kinds of bookshelves, it's also a good place to get ideas when you need to decorate your home too!

5 Winners!

2010-07-12T18:56:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the delay. Finally I made all the draws (whew... took a while to write down 90+ entries...), put them in a big bow and drew my 5 lucky winners!

So here are the 5 lucky winners:

1. Lizzie--- Collage/30mm
2. Sarah Hunt---Dark Polka Dots/15mm
3. PaperPumpkin---Thick Grid/15mm
4. Gina Kim---Dots/13mm
5. Liv-id---Stripes/13mm

Please send me your mailing address, if I don't hear from you for 2 weeks, I will randomly choose another winner.

Thank You all so very much for reading and entering. I wish I had lots of money for postage so I could send you each a little gift... hmmmm. sigh. For those who didn't win this time, please keep reading and checking my store, I will have more giveaway coming!

My First Giveaway!--5 Sets of Masking Tapes

2010-07-06T17:41:00.008-04:00

{Dark Polka Dots/15mm}

{Thick Grid/15mm}

{Stripes/13mm}

{Dots/13mm}

{ Collage/30mm}

I realized, before we left for the July 4th weekend, that I hit my goal to have 100 followers! As promised, I present my first giveaway! I have 5 sets of masking tapes for 5 winners. Here's how to win:

1. Leave a comment telling me which set you want.

2. If you're a follower, you get an additional entry. Just make sure to leave a separate comment saying that you're a follower. That means my followers get 2 entries!

3. If you "like" {little.happy. things}'s facebook page, you get another additional entry. Also make sure to leave a separate comment so I can put one more in the drawing for you. Followers and fans of my facebook page get 3 entries!!

4. Spread the word: tweet, blog, or mention the giveaway on facebook for another chance to win. Please make sure to leave the link to your post too so I know! And you will get 4 entries!!!

I'll close comments on Sunday at 11 pm (Eastern Time); and the winner will be announced on Monday! Good luck to everyone!!!!!

One Village Coffee

2010-06-29T10:28:00.005-04:00

{images via thedieline.com}

Check out this awesome packaging for One Village coffee, which was designed by Able! The bag was printed in white + two colors with a matte finish and gloss trapping over the logo. Because the budget didn't allow for more than one type of bag, a different label with a customized icon is used to identify each type of coffee.

I am so attracted by such design, so lovely, made me smile and I’d definitely gravitate towards this packaging would I peruse a coffee shelf in a store.

New in My Store---More Sticky Stick it Markers and Memo Pads

2010-06-28T18:43:00.005-04:00

I've been busy adding new stuffs to my store, here are more cute sticky stick it markers and memo pads. I still have more things to add to the store, so please do come back and check again time to time!

New in My Store---A Boxful of Japanese Hand-screened Chiyogami/Yuzen Paper

2010-06-28T15:50:00.004-04:00

A Boxful of Japanese Hand-screened Chiyogami/Yuzen Paper---there are 200 pieces assorted Japanese Chiyogami in a beautiful chiyogami box.

The box measured approximately 6.5 x 6.5 x 5.5 cm (about 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.125 inches), and the papers measured approximately 5.8 x5.8 cm (about 2.25 x 2.25 inches).

These beautiful papers are perfect for wedding and party invitations, place cards and thank you cards, scrapbooking, jewelry making, greeting cards, or, use them as little notes, and for any other craft projects. I'm sure you'll think of many more uses! It also makes a perfect gift!

These are Hand Screened Printed in Japan. I have only the blue one and the red one left. Leave me a message to let me know which one you preferred when you place the order. Thanks.

New In My Store---Sticky Stick It Note Pad

2010-06-26T09:55:00.005-04:00

{Sunday Cooking}

{Bear}

{Good Fortune Boy}

{Good Fortune Girl with Cat}

{Boy & Bear}

These super cute Sticky Stick It Note Pads are finally added to my store. I have been a big fan of Propeller Studio, they have the cutest designs ever! These little characters and their innocent English make me smile!

If you want to add some to your collections, you can click on my Etsy store on the right hand side, or you can click here.

Illustrated Cities

2010-06-24T15:31:00.005-04:00

{images via Cosas Minimas}

I am glad I stumble upon her blog. The graphic designer and illustrator Blanca Gómez lives and works in Madrid, Spain. She created these whimsical and retro travel posters that feature the cities of New York, Paris and London---it's a project she did about illustrated cities for The Art Group.

The name of her blog---Cosas Minimas, meaning Tiny Things in Spanish. She thinks that name explains her work better than herself.

Love her style!

Teru Teru Bouzu (てるてる坊主)

2010-06-21T09:18:00.000-04:00

It’s now summertime and it's currently rainy season (梅雨) in Japan. As usual for this time of year, it’s forecast to rain a lot for the next few days in Japan. It reminds me that my mom used to teach us to make Teru-teru-Bouzu (てるてる坊主) during the rainy season.

Many cultures have ancient rituals for invoking or for stopping the rain, and Japan is no exception. However, Japan is one of the few countries where these rituals are still part of the daily life.

If you visit Japan, especially during the rainy seasons, you can encounter some curious looking dolls, made of paper or cloth, hanging at the windows. The dolls are called Teru-teru-Bouzu (てるてる坊主); meaning shiny-shiny monk or shiny-shiny bald-headed; and are amulets for good weather, believed to have the magical power to stop or prevent the rain.

The tradition includes also a song associated with teru teru bozu, composed by Shinpei Nakayama (中山晋平), published in 1921.

1.てるてる坊主　てる坊主♪ 明日　天気にしておくれいつかの夢の　空の様に晴れたら　金の鈴　あげよ

Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu, do make tomorrow a sunny day. If you do make the sun shine, I will give you the golden bell.

2.てるてる坊主　てる坊主♪ 明日　天気にしておくれ私の願いを　聞いたなら甘いお酒も　たんと飲ましょ

Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu, do make tomorrow a sunny day. If you made my wish come true, I will drink the sweet sake with you.

3.てるてる坊主　てる坊主♪ 明日　天気にしておくれそれでも曇って　泣いてたらそなたの首を　チョンと切るぞ

Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu, do make tomorrow a sunny day. But if the clouds cry (it’s raining), then I shall snip your head off.

Because it sounds very cruel to snip your head off, current broadcast is often cut out the 3rd part.

In some area, people put the Teru-teru-Bouzu upside down in order to wish for rain. It's called Rute-rute-Bouzu(るてるて坊主), Fure-fure-Bouzu(ふれふれ坊主), or Ame-ame-Bouzu(あめあめ坊主).

Alice in the wonderland

2010-06-18T08:15:00.001-04:00

{Alice's Tag Set C}

{Alice's Tag Set B}

{Alice's Tag Set A}

How amazing are these? Letter pressed and die-cut Ornaments/Tags inspired by Alice in the wonderland. Ready to hang on a tree or use as gift tags, as well as bookmarks. Printed on super thick coaster stock. These are designed by katazome artist (型染め作家) Mihoko Seki (関美穂子).

Katazome (型染め) is a Japanese method of dyeing fabrics using a resist paste applied through a stencil. With this kind of resist dyeing, a rice flour mixture is applied using a brush or a palette knife. Pigment is added by hand-painting, immersion or both. Where the paste mixture covers and permeates the cloth, dye applied later will not penetrate. As with many everyday crafts of Japan it developed into a respected art form of its own. Nowadays the stencils are sometimes sold as artworks, attached to hand fans, or used to decorate screens and doors in Japanese rooms.

If you like Japanese Masking Tapes, the chance is that you probably already familiar with her works.

{ Masking Tapes Designed by Mihoko Seki}

{ Stickers Designed by Mihoko Seki}

If you are interested, please click links above.

Recipe Tea Towels (レシピティータオル)

2010-06-17T10:22:00.005-04:00

These limited edition, fluorescent screen-printed Recipe Tea Towels from Mozi are so cute and also proficient at drying dishes. On top of that, they provide some handy literature to inspire yummy culinary creations. Oh, and it's 100% linen! I love anything made of linen!

Well Used Space~

2010-06-10T08:45:00.000-04:00

{ images via PorterFanna Architecture}

Here is an impressive 505 SF loft apartment right here in my neighborhood Brooklyn. This is a junior 1 bedroom + sleeping loft designed by PorterFanna Architecture.

This high ceiling, multi-level apartment has been fully designed by the owners/architects to emphasize light and maximize the use of space. Hidden computer desk, built-ins that also serve as staircase to the loft bed, hidden toy storage, crib in a walk-in closet... etc. They definitely thought of everything to make this small space work.

Crib? Yes, they have a little kid in the apartment.

Vintage Sanrio Postcards (ビンテージサンリオポストカード)

2010-06-09T12:35:00.001-04:00

I collect postcards. All kinds. I was trying to re-arrange my postcards yesterday and I found some duplicated sets. I am not sure whether should I call these vintage, but I bought these about 25 years ago, it's nostalgic at least. Can't find these anymore, I think. If you are interested, you can check here.

Boarding Passe Redesign

2010-06-07T12:02:00.004-04:00

How often do you pay attention to the design of your boarding pass? Probably not too often. If you're like most people, you get it, stick it in your pocket and eventually throw it away. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a slick looking, well thought out boarding pass? At least, Tyler Thompson, a Creative Director at Squarespace thinks so. He has given it a lot of thoughts!

Memorial Day Weekend at Newport Rhode Island

2010-06-04T12:31:00.008-04:00

This week was a short and a fast one. It's been a busy one, with a couple of fun projects I'm working on. Looking forward to the weekend to do some reading, some exercise and run some errands.

I leave you with some photos from our Memorial Day Weekend at Newport Rhode Island.

Bellevue Avenue, Newport's most fashionable address, is a long, straight street lined with palatial mansions, grand houses, and the occasional bungalow.

{The Breakers}

{The Breakers Ocean Facade}

{The Breakers South Wing}

{The Breakers South Wing Garden}

The Breakers, the Gilded Age summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II is the most visited attraction in Rhode Island. Part of a 13-acre estate on the cliffs, it maintains a commanding position facing east overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt, the home was constructed between 1893 and 1895 at the then-astronomical cost of more than $7 million. The Breakers Mansion, regarded as the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages", served as a symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social and financial preeminence.

Cornelius Vanderbilt died at the age of 56, leaving the Breakers to his wife, Alice Vanderbilt. She outlived her husband by 35 years and died at the age of 89 in 1934. In her will, The Breakers was given to her youngest daughter Gladys. An ardent supporter of The Preservation Society of Newport County, Gladys opened The Breakers in 1948 to raise funds for the Society. In 1972, the Preservation Society purchased the house from her heirs. Although the mansion is owned by the Society, the original furnishings displayed throughout the house are still owned by the family.

{Marble House}

{Marble House Ocean Facade}

{Chinese Tea House}

The Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for railroad baron William Vanderbilt. The Gilded Age mansion was designed by Richard Morris Hunt at a cost of $11 million--$7 million of which paid for the 5000,000 cubic feet of white marble. Upon completion, Mr. Vanderbilt gave the house to his wife Alva as her 39th birthday present. Alva Vanderbilt was a leading hostess in Newport society, and envisioned Marble House as her Temple to the Arts in America.

After Vanderbilt's divorced in 1895, Alva married his friend Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, moving down the street to Belcourt. After his death, she reopened Marble House and added a Chinese Tea House on its seaside cliffs, where she hosted rallies for women's suffrage. She sold the house to Frederick H. Prince in 1932. Prince's estate gave the house and its furnishings to the Preservation Society of Newport County in 1963.

{ Cliff Walk}

{Sunset at Cliff Hills}

Chiyogami Stickers in Origami Box (折り紙ボックス)

2010-06-02T21:56:00.000-04:00

I was looking at the Chiyogami stickers I made the other day, just by looking at these beautiful papers sooth me. Then suddenly I had an idea: what don't I make some Origami boxes so I can put the stickers in? So I did and here they are! I like them, these made me happy, again.

I also put some in my Etsy shop. If you are interested, please click here.

Chiyogami Stickers (千代紙シール)

2010-05-27T11:30:00.004-04:00

In the package I received couple days ago, I got this---Assorted Chiyogami Set! Even though I already have a lot of Chiyogami in my studio, I still love them, never get enough of them. Since I had some time yesterday, I decided to turn these beautiful papers into something. I've seen many talented people turned these end papers into beautiful Chiyogami pendants, magnets and coasters...etc. I don't know how to make those things, and these papers were not big enough to make tags, so I thought I would make them into some beautiful and useful stickers!

Little tips on how to recognize the real Chiyogami:
(source from The Japanese Paper Place)

1. Intense color and resistance to fading. The pigment-based inks used in authentic Chiyogami create a distinctively intense color that stands up well to fading and use.

2. Color layers. You can often see or feel the different layers of color applied on the base sheet.

3. Paste residue. On the back of each sheet of genuine Chiyogami you will often find a harmless paste residue. This comes from the papers being temporarily pasted to boards as they travel from one color station to the next.

{Right: Offset reproduction; Left: Hand-silkscreened.
image via The Japanese Paper Place}

Now on the market you can see digital-print-out Chiyogami, Offset -pint-out Chiyogami, Hand-screened and Woodblock Chiyogami, and the price varies.

Happy Package!

2010-05-25T08:13:00.004-04:00

It's always a happy thing to receive packages, especially from my families and friends from Japan. I just received a package from my aunt yesterday, it's full of Japanese snacks and food! I love these cute cookies made by her friend's daughter, they are so cute, so buttery and not too sweet!

Tea Calendar (カレンダーティーパック)

2010-05-24T15:21:00.000-04:00

{images via trendhunter.com}

I like this adorable idea of the Calendar Teabags designed by Cho Hee Ha. A variety of teas are packaged in for the dates of that month. A novel idea for tea buffs and those who appreciate niche products. This makes the whole drinking tea session a little more fun. Have Earl Grey one day and Darjeeling Oolongs the other--- you never know what you are going to get!

Chocolate Pencils (チョコレート色鉛筆)

2010-05-11T08:58:00.003-04:00

{images via Nendo}

I came across another beautiful chocolate today, the Chocolate Pencils.

Chocolate-pencils is a collaboration between Design Studio Nendo with patissier Tsujiguchi Hironobu (辻口博啓), the mastermind behind popular dessert shops like Mont St. Claire and Le Chocolat de H. He created a new dessert based on his impression of Nendo, and Nendo designed new tableware for the dessert.

The chocolate pencils come in a number of cocoa blends that vary in intensity, and chocophiles can use the special pencil sharpener that comes with the plate to grate chocolate onto their dessert. Pencil filings are usually the unwanted remains of sharpening a pencil, but in this case, they're the star!

Better not eat this in front of very small children so as not to confuse them!

Chocolate Pie Chart

2010-05-07T09:00:00.001-04:00

{images via Mary & Matt's}

Made of 70% milk, 20% dark and 10% white chocolate, the Chocolate Pie Chart looks so gorgeous and yummy. If I may, I would like to make it 75% dark, 20% milk and 5% white chocolate, cause to me, white chocolate is not chocolate. But I also think it's necessary to have some on the chart so it looks pretty.... Available at Mary & Matt's General Store.

Magazine Wall (雑誌の壁)

2010-05-03T12:30:00.008-04:00

Do you collect magazines? If you do and you have tones of them, you can do this: make it a wall!

Designed by Elding Oscarson, the interior walls of this graphic design office in Stockholm are made up of literally thousands of magazines! I like how this original idea of a wallpaper reflects on a creative business company. Simple yet stunning!

{images via vectroave.com}

Announcement

2010-04-20T10:48:00.005-04:00

{image via Fosten Greetings}

As many of you already know, the Japanese masking tape company MT has a new exclusive distributor in US now, which means I won't be able to sale the tapes I brought back from Japan on Etsy once my current inventory is gone. The new overseas version of the tape is 10m long while the Japanese version is 15m. I also won't be able to sale the new designs since it's not open to the overseas market yet. If you want these tapes, act now while they are still available!

Letterpress Dice Prints (サイコロポスター)

2010-04-07T10:24:00.004-04:00

{images via Stukenborg}

These letterpress dice prints by Stukenborg are stunning! These are printed by hand in his studio. The compositions were built by arranging 720 dice on the bed of the press, and ink was rolled directly onto the face of the die for each impression. It is printed on a very light green Japanese handmade paper called Kitakata (喜多方紙), which has a deckle on all four edges.

This is absolutely lovely, such a simple idea with a beautiful outcome. I would like to have one in my living room! Isn’t letterpress great?

Umbrella Street (傘の町)

2010-03-15T02:25:00.003-04:00

[via fuluk]

[via fuluk & Josè Rafael Navarro]

[via lizuc]

I saw this post on Lilli's blog That Saturday dot com and I just have to re-post it! J and I have been thinking about going to Spain for a long time but we haven't have time to make it happen. I want to go to Spain, of course for the architecture of Barcelona or the streets of Madrid, but I didn't know about this Umbrella Street in Alicante, Spain until now. When I saw these images I was overwhelmed. To tell the truth, I am not a romantic girl who likes rain. Usually unbrella made me sad because it associated with gray, rainy days….But this one is totally different! These made me feel happy, isn’t it amazing?

MT's Newest Masking Tapes!

2010-03-13T08:23:00.004-05:00

{Red and Blue Tiles}

{Green and Lavender Colorful Dots}

{Red and Blue Marbles}

{Red and Green with Gold Diamond}

{Red and Light Blue with Cross }

{Colorful Stripes}

{ Pink and Yellow Argyll}

Finally I received my shippment of MT's newest masking tapes. I have posted part of them to my Etsy shop and will post them all by next week. Here are sneak peeks. If you are interested, please click here!

Gummy Bears (ガミーベア)

2010-03-01T20:49:00.000-05:00

I have this horrible addiction to gummy bears. I cannot eat just one and stop. I can't eat 10 and stop. I have a ritual where I need to alternate different colored gummies--first the lighter one, then the darker colored one. There's no rhyme or reason for this insane behavior... I just do it. So on any given day when I've indulged myself into buying them...which isn't too often nowadays since they are not good for my teeth, I'll start out with the clear one, then move to the yellow, then the orange, then the red, then the green... etc. You get the point. Believe it or not, the first time I encountered these gummy bears was in a Zakka store in Japan. Why in a Zakka store? I am not so sure, I think it's because at that time only Zakka stores imported foreigh candies...? In the beginning I didn't think I would like this stuff in that they looked weird and it seemed cruel to chew on the little bears. But once I tried it, I got hooked.

Who created these tiny chewy morsels of pure sugar heaven? According to Wikipedia, the gummi bear originates from Germany where it is popular under the name Gummibar (rubber bear) or Gummibarchen (little rubber bear). As I write this, I am chewing on Gummy Sour Worms.... This is my new addiction, and I thought I'd expand my universe....

Valentine’s Day is not for Japanese women!

2010-02-08T22:31:00.011-05:00

{image via flickr}

{image via flickr}

{image via flickr}

{image via flickr}

{image via http://blogs.japanesepod101.com}

Before I moved to US, I didn't know that Valentine's Day is also for women too.

In the US, Valentine's Day celebrations are generally geared towards couples, with a slight bias towards women when it comes to the marketing of chocolates, flowers and other gifts---a bias that is meant to have women encourage men to buy gifts for them. In Japan, things are a little different. The Japanese celebrate St. Valentine's day in a rather unique fashion---Women give men gifts of chocolate as well as other gifts. The chocolates and other Valentine's Day items are marketed towards women, but they're marketed for them to buy and give to men, rather than the other way around.

From mid January, grocery stores, department stores, and convenience stores start selling many different kinds of domestic and imported chocolate. More than half of the chocolate sold in a year is sold around Valentine's Day in Japan. Women buy chocolate for their co-workers, bosses, male friends, brothers, father, husband, boyfriends, and so on. These gifts of chocolate are divided into two types: giri-choco (義理チョコ, obligatory chocolate) and honmei-choco (本命チョコ, chocolate for the man the woman is serious about). Giri-choco (義理チョコ) is given by women to their superiors at work as well as to other male co-workers. Many men feel embarrassed if they don't receive any chocolate on Valentine's Day. Women usually make sure to give giri-choco to men around them so that they don't feel left out. That's why it is not unusual for a woman to buy 20 to 30 boxes of this type of chocolate for distribution around the office as well as to men that she has regular contact with. The average price range for a giri-choco (義理チョコ) is from 200 yen to 500 yen each.

Women tend to give special gifts, such as neckties and clothes with an expensive box of honmei-choco (本命チョコ) to her special someone. Honmei-choco (本命チョコ) is more expensive than giri-choco and is sometimes homemade. It's considered lucky if a man could receive a honmei-choco (本命チョコ).

While all of this may seem quite one-sided, confectioners in Japan - never ones to miss an opportunity to sell more - took advantage of the Japanese feelings of obligation and created White Day in 1980 to help assuage the guilt feelings of those poor obligated males who received chocolate on Valentine's Day. On March 14th, exactly one month after Valentine's Day, men who were lucky enough to receive gifts of chocolate have the chance to return the favor by giving the women who gave them gifts of chocolate a more expensive box of chocolate or sweets (for some reason, these return gifts seem to be priced slightly higher than those the women purchase). The stores provide plenty of reminders of the approach of this day so that even the most forgetful man cannot say that it slipped his mind. The gifts of chocolate that men buy are in white boxes (after all, it is White Day) and come with separate shopping bags to put them in.

In recent years, many Japanese young women exchange chocolate gifts with their female friends. These chocolates are called tomo choko (友チョコ friend chocolate).

I am glad that I don't have to do this giri-choco (義理チョコ) thing any more. I wasn't good at it and didn't enjoy it at all. Especially I was working for a company with about 100 male co-workers! Imaging that! Of course I didn't buy Giri-choco (義理チョコ) for all of them. In fact, I ususally skipped that day....

Now I just need to get one honmei-choco (本命チョコ) for my lovely husband, and I enjoy it!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

QR Code (QRコード)

2010-02-01T21:51:00.007-05:00

If you have been to Japan you must have seen this. You can see it everywhere: on the billboards, postcards, posters, print advertises, flyers, bottles, packages...etc. This is called QR Code. The QR is derived from Quick Response, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

The original barcode was invented in America, but the technology was improved in Japan. This QR Barcode was invented in Japan and it's very common in Japan. If you use your Japanese cell phone to scan the code, you can read this code with the camera and access the website without typing the URL manually. Actually, one of the interesting thing I observed is that in Japan, a lot of time, instead of telling you the URL, they either give you this QR Code or tell you how to search it. For example, Japanese Coka-cola advertise, instead of spelling out www.cocacola.co.jp, they would give you the QR code on their priducts or tell you to type in コカコーラ (Coka-cola in Japanese) and search for it. Since I don't have a Japanese cell phone, I can't access the site but search for it.

Pantogar Memo Pad

2010-01-29T02:11:00.004-05:00

{image via directdaily.com}

Losing hair gradually is a problem people tend to neglect. A specially designed memo pad is made to engage people with the problem of hair loss. As users tear off memo sheets every day, the illustrated person’s “hair” becomes thinner and thinner, alerting them of possible hair loss. They then remind them to face the problem before it is too late and that Pantogar revitalizer is the best solution.

This memo pad is designed by JWT, Hong Kong. The guy's face looks really sad gives a very strong impact. Would like to see other version if there is any.

Japanese Masking Tape Business Cards

2010-01-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

{images via Mint}

Check out these beautiful business cards by Ellie. These cards are customized with your contact infomation, printed on cover stock, then embellished with my favorite Japanese masking tape and a string around the middle! How simple but pretty! You can purchase some in her shop, Hello Tenfold.

I just recived my shipment of boxful of Japanese masking tapes. Ellie's Business Card inspires me to do some hand stamping (Gocco-ing) + Japanese Masking Tape embellished business cards for myself. Don't know when am I going to do it, but it's on my to do list now.

Above is my favorite set of the tapes. If you want to do some cards for yourself and you need some tapes, you can purchase some here.

Japanese Masking Tapes (マスキングテープ)

2010-01-18T22:34:00.008-05:00

I'd been lazy and didn't want to do anyting since the New Year. After 20 days of resting, it's time to come back to reality!

Recently I am very happy to see that everywhere I look I'm seeing Japanese masking tape and more creative uses for it. I know many people had blogged about it but I think it's worth a revisit. Especially now, since it's so easy to find and buy online. Below you'll find a few projects to make with the tape.

{Washi Tape Pendants by craftapalooza}

{Image via MT}

{Image via coco stitch}

{Image via MT}

{Masking Tape Christmas Tree by MT}

I myself also have a thing for the beautiful Japanese washi masking tape and won't skip any chance to use it. It's all over Etsy. I also have some available at very reasonable prices. Actually mine is probably the BEST PRICE on Etsy so far. If you are interested, or you know your friends are looking for some, please let them know. You can click here, or just click on my Etsy Store on this blog on your right hand side. Just in case, here it is:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlehappythings1
If you want to pay by checks or money orders, you can email me, I will let you know what to do. If you don't see what you are looking for, you can also email me or come back to check again, I will have more available around the middle of February. Let's all have fun with these beautiful Japanese washi masking tapes!

Japanese New Year (お正月)

2009-12-30T03:58:00.001-05:00

{鏡餅 kagami-mochi}

{門松 kado-matsu}

{お飾りokazari}

{ダルマ daruma}

As I’ve mentioned before, Christmas isn’t even a legal holiday in Japan, but New Year (お正月) is the biggest holiday. It can be compared to Christmas in western countries because stores and houses are decorated, families get together for a large traditional dinner, kids get gifts, cards are sent, and many shops are closed for the holiday.Usually, New Year holidays start from December 29th to January 3rd. Although nowadays most stores stay open.

There’s a lot to Japanese New Year (お正月), so I hope I can explain it clearly.

Until about two-hundred years ago, Japan followed the Chinese year with New Year in early Spring, but now follows the western calendar with New Year's Day on January 1st. But the Chinese zodiac is still used with each year being represented by an animal. There are twelve animals. 2010 is the Year Of Tiger .

In December, people start cleaning their houses from top to bottom and they may decorate their houses with traditional Japanese New Year's decorations such as 鏡餅 (kagami-mochi, which is made from two rice cakes (mochi) of different sizes, the smaller placed over the larger one, and a a Japanese type of orange placed on top.), 門松 (kado-matsu), お飾り (okazari), and ダルマ (daruma).

Also in December, people write and send out New Year's Postcards (年賀状), which are kinda similar to Christmas cards in western countries. New Year's Postcards are written by hand on special New Year's postcards that can be purchased from the post office or some other stores. Many people make their own New Year's Postcards---that's one of the reason they invented Print Gocco (プリントゴッコ). If New Year's Postcards are put in the mailbox during dates specified by the post office, they are guaranteed to be delivered on January 1st exactly.

{New Year's Postcards}
Besides, each New Year's Postcards has it’s own serial number printed on the back. In January, the post office announces a series randomly drawn numbers for a New Years Postal Lottery, whoever has a postcard with a winning number can receive a prize which is often something like a paid vacation in Hawaii, a television, a stationary set or stamps. I have never won anything yet. Not even stamps.

On New Year's Eve, people might watch one of the popular music shows on television or they may pay a visit to a temple for the temple priest’s ringing of the temple bell 108 times.

On New Year's Day, firsts are important. The first meal of the New Year should be New Year’s noodles (年越そば), many people watch the year’s first sunrise, the first dream of the year is important, as well as the first calligraphy, first tea ceremony, etc.

{Lucky Money お年玉}

Just like Christmas in the west, families get together on New Year's Day for having a traditional Japanese New Year's dinner called お節料理 (O-sechi-ryouri). Children are given gifts of money お年玉 (O-toshi-dama) in special envelopes. These envelopes are usually decorated with popular cartoon characters, so often when the kids are little, the envelopes are more appealing to them than the money inside!

Finally, on New Year's Day and for a few days following, stores often have big sales, so shopping is popular. Many stores also have Happy Bag or Lucky Bag (福袋). These are bags of various items from the store put inside a sealed bag and sold at a discount price. For example, store may put in $500 worth of products in and sale it for $100! The only catch is---you can’t look inside the bag until you pay for it! The stores tell if whether the items are for men, women or children and what the sizes are if there are clothes inside.

お正月 (New Year) is also one of the two times a year that the public is allowed inside the Imperial Palace grounds to hear the Japanese Emperor’s New Year’s greeting.

So, New Year (お正月) is a very busy time…but it’s also very fun. Hope next year I can go home and have a realy Japanese New Year (お正月) again! I really miss it!

Marry Christmas! (メリークリスマス！)

2009-12-23T10:58:00.001-05:00

{Fuji TV Station}

{Yokohama}

{Tokyo Midtown}

Christmas is celebrated in Japan, but not to the extent that it is in western countries. In Japan, New Year (お正月) is the biggest holiday. Actually, Christmas isn’t even a legal holiday in Japan…I mean, it’s a work day, unless it falls on the weekend.

Christmas (クリスマス) in Japan is mainly for couples and families with children. Couples often go on a date, have a romantic dinner, and to look at Xmas illumination (クリスマス・イルミネーション). Actually, Japanese celebrate Christmas because it's a cute and romantic holiday. No religious meaning attached.

Also, most homes in Japan aren’t decorated for Christmas, especially uncommon are Christmas trees. Stores and shopping malls, on the other hand, are very decorated for Christmas from November until Christmas day. After that, the decorations quickly change to the more important New Year's decorations.

Santa Clause will leave presents near the pillows of young children on Christmas Eve. On average, Japanese children receive fewer Christmas presents than children in western countries.

On Christmas Day, it’s popular for families to have a Christmas dinner. But it’s different from Christmas dinners in other countries. When Japanese think of Christmas dinner, most think of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a strawberry shortcake that is called Christmas cake (クリスマス・ケーキ). I love Christmas cake. To me, it's not just for Christmas but my all year round cake!

Wish you all a marry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season!

Chiyogami Tags (千代紙タグ)

2009-12-21T15:02:00.003-05:00

My job deals with a lot of paper, so I have a lot of left over papers. No matter what kind of paper, I just can't bring myself to throw these papers away, so I have whole box of them. The other day I picked out all the Chiyogami papers. I looked at these beautiful Japanese papers and decided to turn them into something I have a thing for---tags!

I love these tags and try to use them everywhere I can. I keep a set of these with me for when I buy a bottle of wine on my way to a party; put in an envelope to send a message to a friend; put on a gift bag or a present, use as placement card, or just simply use it as bookmarks. These are also good scrapbooking embellishments. I can never have enough of these on hand!

If you are interested in these tags, you can check here. It's $4.75 for a set of 5 plus shipping.

FYI, some people asked me what's the difference between Yuzen and Chiyogami? What I found is:

Yuzen patterns were originally designed for the textile industry in Kyoto where the production of cloth for kimonos reached its zenith. Yuzen designs were very elaborate, and included a lot of gold.

Chiyogami is a specific word developed to describe the graphic, repetitive designs applied to paper in the Edo period. Originally these patterns were printed by woodblock for use in paper doll and small accessory making. In the twentieth century, these patterns began to be applied using silkscreens and this continues today.

Today, as Yuzen textile patterns join the traditional Chiyogami ones on paper, both terms are used interchangeably.

My First Orders! (初めてのオーダ)

2009-12-10T14:22:00.007-05:00

One day after my Etsy Shop opened, I had my first orders! I was so excited and also a little bit panicked! Cause I just realized that I had so many different ideas about my packaging but I hadn't decided what to do yet! Finally, I told myself to calm down and decided to make up some shipping labels quick, and finalizing on my packaging. Here are the results! (Sorry the pictures are not good...). I am looking forward to sending out lots and lots of packages addressed with them all!

I want to say thank you to my first clients Kristina and JoAnne! Especially to Kristina, she just came back again today! You really made my day!

By the way, just found out that Kristina is a wonderful artist, you should check out her works here. I really like them!

Chiyogami (千代紙）

2009-12-07T09:00:00.004-05:00

I have a thing for papers. I especially have a thing for traditional Japanese Paper---Chiyogami (千代紙). I'm always very excited when I receive my Chiyogami supplies. I often ask my family or friends to bring me some whenever I have a change. Just by looking at these beautiful papers sooth me and make me very happy.

Chiyogami (千代紙) is brightly patterned Japanese paper — or Washi (和紙, wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper) as you might be familiar with— on which all kinds of beautiful flowers, characters or family seals are printed. These intricate designs never seem to lose their magical brilliance and maybe that’s one of their secrets since, until today, people keep being intrigued by them, including me.

It is said that Chiyogami was first produced in Kyoto (京都) around the 17th century. At that time, luxurious paper called Kyo-chiyogami (京千代紙) was used as wrapping paper by the aristocratic class. In those days, Chiyogami was made from high quality paper, a luxury that average folks could never afford. Originally, Kyo-chiyogami was decorated with patterns associated with aristocratic families (有職文様).

By the middle of the Edo Period (江戸時代), painters, carvers, and printers developed the hand-carved wooden block technique of producing Ukiyo-e (浮世絵) prints. As this technique was being developed, it became easy for everyone to get Japanese paper, and eventually the common class was finally able to enjoy it as well.

As Japan rushes with the rest of the world into the 21st Century, and more modern technologies take over, machines produce similar-looking papers which have qualities very different from authentic washi. As of the fall of 2008, there remained fewer than 350 families still engaged in the production of paper by hand.

Other than wrapping paper, Chiyogami can also be used to make little boxes, paper cranes, dolls, bookmarks, and so much more. The possibilities are endless, it’s up to your creativity to make this paper comes to life!

By the way, my friend Maria McElroy, founder of Aroma M perfume, she uses Chiyogami to package her perfumes, it's very pretty and unique, you should check it out.

美しい花々、文字、家紋などが刷られた和紙、千代紙。その色褪せることない美しいデザインは、今でも多くの人々を魅了し、日々近代化されてゆく私たちの生活に、ちょっとした癒しを与えてくれる。また、時代や地域によって、千代紙の絵柄や色使いなどのデザインは全く異なっている。

千代紙の始まりはおよそ1700年頃の京都といわれている。貴族達の贈り物の包装紙として作られた「京千代紙」が最初と言われている。上質な和紙を使って作られた千代紙は、その頃の庶民にとって到底手の届かない高級品だったようだ。元々京千代紙には、貴族の伝統的な文様（有職文様）が施されていたらしいが、町人文化が盛んになるにつれて、徐々にその文様も京都の伝統・文化にちなんだものが増えた。

やがて、江戸時代の中頃になると、絵師・彫師・刷師の3者によって作られる浮世絵の木版手刷りの技術が確立された。その技術の発展とともに、誰もが手にすることのできた身近な和紙を使って、江戸千代紙が作り出されるようになり、庶民も楽しめるようになった。

Little Happy Things on Etsy!

2009-12-06T15:13:00.009-05:00

Little Happy Things FINALLY has an Etsy shop! If you look down to the right, You will see a preview of the items I have listed. Click on any image and you will be directed to my Etsy shop. Just in case, here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlehappythings1

I hope you like what you see. I'm still in the process of adding more items to my shop, so please come back again!

I am also working on my own website and I am very excite about it. I am hoping to have it up and running before the end of this year.

If you have any question or suggestion about my shop, please fell free to let me know. My goal is to bring all the little happy things make me happy here to make you happy!

Happy Birthday Popo-Chan! (誕生日おめでとう！ポポちゃん！)

2009-12-01T10:55:00.007-05:00

She is truly a Little.Happy.Thing! Well, she is not mine, she is my brother's daughter, my niece, but she is the apple of my eye! She is such a cute, sweet and happy baby and she is turning one today. I wish we lived closer so I could see her everyday. But the reality is that we are three thousand miles away from each other, so I can only see her via Skype time to time. The last time I hold her was when she was 2 month old and now she is one year old!

Oh, Popo-chan, I love you so much. I know you had a happy birthday there (It's 13 hours ahead of NY) with you mom and dad, grandpa and grandma. Just want to celebrate your first birthday on my blog and maybe I can show it to you later when you can understand it better (now she only likes to eat the mouse and put the phone into her mouth after listen to me for a while).

Happy Birthday Popo-chan! Auntie will go to see you soon.

Herve Morvan（ヘルベ・モルバン)

2009-11-30T10:00:00.009-05:00

Finally I decided which calendar to get for 2010! The one featurimg Herve Morvan's posters!

Herve Morvan (1917-1980) was a French poster designer active from the 1950s to the 1970s. Artist of more than 150 posters, Herve Morvan is best known for his stylized versions of the head of the posters for Banania in the 50s. He also designed posters for wine Gévéor, Gitanes cigarettes, watches Kelton, etc...

Herve Morvan's posters always remind me of Raymond Savignac. The fact is both of them were active during the same period. Compared to Savignac, Herve Morvan's working period was much shorter so he is not as famous as Savignac and there isn't many of his works around the world. Their styles are very similar. I think Herve Morvan gave his characters rounder and cuter eyes, it gives his work a softer impression.

A book called Herve Morvan Affichiste is a collection of his works. Unfortunately it's out of print so I haven't had the chance to see this book. I have been using the calenders featuring his works 3 years in a row (I had Savignac's calendars for 2 years previous...). It's my kind of collection.

Herve Morvan（ヘルベ・モルバン）は、1950〜70年代に活躍したフランスのポスター作家。同時代には同じくポスター作家として著名なSavignac（サヴィニャック）がいます。絵のスタイルは似ていますが、モルバンの方が目がかわいく、全体としてやわらかい印象を受けます。

サヴィニャックに比べ活動期間が短いためか、彼ほど関連作品は世に出回っていません。ただし、そのかわいいスタイルに惹かれ、固定ファンは極めて多そうです。

「Herve Morvan Affichiste」という作品集があります。絶版でなかなか見ることはできません。

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T11:01:00.005-05:00

I don't have many Thanksgiving memories because there is no such thing as Thanksgiving in Japan or Taiwan. My first Thanksgiving was 10 years ago when I just got to the states. At that time, my cousin Mimi still lived in LA, so she and her Korean husband, her son, me, and a friend of mine from Mexico. All 5 of us, no Americans, tried to have an American holiday. Mimi and her husband successfully cooked a turkey and we had a wonderful time. This is my first Thanksgiving memory.

I didn't have a real American Thanksgiving until I married J, it was 4 years ago. Now we either celebrate Thanksgiving in Iowa with J's family, or we invite J's mom to come to NY and celebrate it here. We kinda started a new tradition to celebrate Thanksgiving with our used-to-be-downstairs-neighbors and now good friends Martin and Shawn as well. So far we've had two Thanksgivings with them and we are going to have the 3rd tomorrow at their new place in upstate NY. It might snow there, yea!

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving with safe travels. I’m already in the Christmas spirit, so get ready!

Month Names

2009-11-23T14:15:00.005-05:00

Do you know the names of the months in Japanese? They’re named Month One, Month Two, Month Three and so on in Japanese. Actually, it's the same way in Chinese as well.

The names of the months are:

一月 (Ichi-gatsu)
二月 (Ni-gatsu)
三月 (San-gatsu)
四月 (Shi-gatsu)
五月 (Go-gatsu)
六月 (Roku-gatsu)
七月 (Shichi-gatsu)
八月 (Hachi-gatsu)
九月 (Ku-gatsu)
十月 (Jyuu-gatsu)
十一月 (Jyuu-ichi-gatsu)
十二月 (Jyuu-ni-gatsu)

But until about 900 years ago, the months had different names in Japanese. These days, the old months’ names aren’t normally used except in poems and stories. Occasionally people will call March, May and December by their old names.

These old names of the months in Japanese are:

睦月 (Mutsuki)…meaning Harmonious month.
如月 (Kisaragi)…meaning Month for an extra layer of clothes.
弥生 (Yayoi)…Month of growth / life.
卯月 (Uzuki)…Month of the Uzuki flower.
皐月 (Satsuki)…Month of cultivation.
水無月 (Mi-na-zuki)…Month without water.
文月 (Fumizuki)…Culture month.
葉月 (Hazuki)…Month of leaves.
長月 (Nagatsuki)…The long night month.
神無月 (Kan-na-zuki)…The month with no gods.
霜月 (Shimotsuki)…Frosty month.
師走 (Shiwasu)…The month of busy priests.

弥生 (Yayoi) and 皐月 (Satsuki) are also common girl's names.

These months' names are based on the old Lunar Calendar (that China still uses). Therefore, some of the month’s names might seem a bit off . For example, 水無月 (Mi-na-zuki)-Month without water is the month of June—which is Japan’s rainy season. Japan uses the solar calendar now, same as Western countries. I prefer the old names, it's more romantic and gives more character to the months. With these names you feel the seasons changing.

Speaking of the Western calendar, have you ever noticed that many of the months' names seem wrong? For example, September means seven, but it’s the ninth month, October means eight (like octogon and octopus), but it’s the tenth month, November means nine, but it’s the eleventh month, and December means ten (like decimal), but it’s the twelfth month.... Actually, the month names used to make sense; September was in fact the 7th month of the Roman Calendar, and October the 8th month, November the 9th, etc...until 153 BC, when they changed the beginning of the year from Kalendas Martius (March 1st) to Kalendas Januarius (January 1st) and now the names are just funny.

FYI, September begins on the same day of the week as December every year, because there are 91 days separating September and December, which is a multiple of seven (the number of days in the week).

Cardboard Office (ダンボールオフィス)

2009-11-09T09:18:00.003-05:00

{images via Nothing, all photography by Joachim Baan}

What a wonderful and eco-friendly office! This awesome office belongs to a commercial creative agency called Nothing based in Amsterdam. The Nothing team took the idea behind the company name (taking nothing and turning it into something) as the starting point for the physical design of the office; which included creating walls, signage, beams, tables, shelving and even a set of stairs out of cardboard. They also have the walls double as a blank canvas, on which people can leave their marks, like Fiodor Sumkin did.

To whom is concerned about the fire risks, cut's at the shap edges and coffee stains, according to Joost van Bleiswijk, who created and designed this cardboard office, the material is treated with a fire resistant substance; the material is quite thick, the top layer is a 2 mm solid cardboard that doesn't cut your hands as a thin paper sheet would do; and the material is a high pressure cardboard that doesn't soak liquids as a normal paper box would do. The layer on top makes that you can wipe and clean the worst damage. And if it does get too dirty...., they will just cut another tabletop for, well, nothing much at all.

Ukiyo-e Éclair (浮世絵エクレア)

2009-11-06T10:52:00.003-05:00

{images via Walker Plus}

Look what I found! Éclairs from Fauchon! My friend Naoko mentioned this to me couple months ago but I didn't have chance to google it until now, and here they are! Éclair, the longish cream puff with chocolate coating is quite common in Japan, could even be bought in most convenience stores. What made these Éclairs-Éclair La Vague- special is that this time, instead of chocolate, these puffs are adorned with Hokusai's Ukiyo-e "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" (葛飾北斎の「富嶽三十六景神奈川沖浪裏」).

Unfortunately, this "Éclair la Vague" was this summer's specialty of Fauchon, available at Takashimayas in Nihonbashi, Shinjuku, Yokohama, and JR Nagoya Takashimaya at the price of 525 yen, for the limited time until September 1st. I am 2 months late.... According to Naoko, these were not only beautiful to the eyes, but also amazingly delicious.

I also found these images from Fauchon's (Paris) last year's event. For two days, Fauchon's windows were filled with total of 45 flavors of their creations from the past five years. It must be really fun to even just look at their windows!

Origami Tea Bags (折り紙ティーパック)

2009-11-03T10:35:00.005-05:00

{image via Popsop.com}

Here is an interesting packaging concept by the Russian designer Natalia Ponomareva. The tea bag is packed like an origami bird. It's not on the market yet. I think it will make our tea time more fun with such tea bags. My only concern is that it seems you can enjoy this beautiful tea bag only when you use glass but not tea cup nor paper cup...(I don't know how does it look like from above). And in Japanese culture, we don't make hot drinks in glasses, cause it's too hot to hold it. But I like it anyway, it adds art and fun to life!

Handmade Kinoko no yama-chocolate (手作りきのこの山)

2009-11-03T10:00:00.004-05:00

When my parents came to visit, they brought me a lot of treasure: Print Gocco supplies, Japanese masking tape, books, foods..., and they brought me this---Handmade Kinoko no yama set (手作りきのこの山)! I mentioned this Meiji Kinoko no yama(きのこの山) a couple months ago, it's one of my favorite snacks (おやつ). I am familiar with it from childhood and I still go to buy it every week from the Japanese supermarkets in Manhattan. However this is the first one for DIY!

Instructions on the back of the box.

In the box, there are milk and white chocolate pens, chocolate mold, and stem crackers. All you have to do is to melt the chocolate ( I put the pens in warm water), put some of the chocolate into the mold, stick a cracker in and wait for half hour, then voila!! You got your own original Kinoko no yama!

They even provide you the original package so you can design your own box too!

I know it's childish, but it's a fun thing to do. I am sure it will be more fun when we have kids and do it together.

It's Already November? (もう11月?)

2009-11-02T09:47:00.007-05:00

Can't believe it's already November! Where did my October go? Um, my parents were here for 2 weeks; we went to Philadelphia (and had the most delicious corned beef I have ever had in the Market downtown); Baltimore, Maryland (the Inner Harbor), and walked every corner of Washington D.C.. We went to the Hamptons to have clam chowder, lobster rolls and tasted wine at Palmer Vineyards. We also saw Aida at Metropolitan Opera, set at the 5th row, amazing seats! We had a wonderful time!

So the first 2 days after my parents left, I was a little bit down, I felt lonely while J was at work, I was the only one home and I didn't feel like to do anything. J knows I love Halloween, so he made me an "Orange Jack" to cheer me up! Yep, a drawn orange instead of a carved pumpkin! Cause our apartment doesn't really have space to put a big pumpkin and none of us are good at carving pumpkins. I love it! It makes me smile!

Phonetikana (カタカナフォント-フォネチカナ)

2009-10-15T13:39:00.006-04:00

{characters from the phonetikana typeface}

{UNIQLO in japanese is pronounced 'yoo nee koo roh'
above are the four characters in phonetikana.}

{Big Apple}

{Doki Doki-Japanese for the ‘sound of my beating heart’}

Driven by trips to Japan and continual frustration at being unable to read the language, Michael Johnson and his team at johnson banks have been trying to design a Katakana typeface (カタカナフォント) that has English phonetic sounds embedded: phonetikana. I think it's an interesting idea. Now my husband can pronounce something even though he already forgot all the Katakana he'd learned...

Eco Shopping Bags (エコーショッピングバッグ)

2009-10-14T12:04:00.004-04:00

{images via concierge-net.com}

Eco Shopping Bag is a big boom in Japan and Taiwan. Everybody has at least one since most of the supermarkets and stores don't provide plastic bags anymore. Of course they still prepare some, just in case you forgot your bag. But you have to pay for the plastic bags.

I just love these shopping bags, so many different designs, so much fun!

Pumpkin Patch (パンプキンパッチ)

2009-10-12T12:56:00.003-04:00

{This scarecrow looks SCARY!}

{We found this in the corner of a stone wall...spooky.}

I love the fall in NY, it's my favorite season. I love the summer too, but usually it's too hot, so I prefer autumn. The temperature is cooling down, the weather is sunny and nice, the leaves are turning colors... On top of it all, there is Halloween! I love Halloween, not for the candies, but for the happy spirits wandering the streets, and the decorations, that are supposed to be spooky scary but are actually stinking cute! I especially love the pumpkins! Their colors look so warm and happy!

Since I've never seen a pumpkin field, J took me to Connecticut to see a pumpkin patch! This is my first time to see so many pumpkins all at once, all kind of sizes and colors, I think I was the most excited one there, happier than any of the little kids there!

A Lovely Address File (愛しいアドレスファイール)

2009-10-01T14:00:00.006-04:00

I am now the lucky owner of an original Lovely Design address file. This is the first time I won something from a random selection, FIRST TIME! There was a time I already gave up on receiving this item in that it took more than a month to arrive after Sharilyn told me she sent it out; I thought it was lost in the mail. Anyway, now I am happy. It sits on my desk, it's so pretty, colorful and paper-full. It was definitely worth the wait. I almost don't want to touch it. I just love to look at them. I really like the fact that each one is made by hand with found papers. I will have to figure out a way to input our contact without letting my handwritting ruin it.

The Invisible Dog (見えない犬)

2009-09-30T10:15:00.005-04:00

Last Sunday I saw invisible dogs! At first I thought it was a joke by the individuals. Later on I saw these invisible dogs everywhere around my neighborhood Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo, I knew it must be some sort of art project.

Yesterday I found out it was another mission of Improv Everywhere, they passed out over 2,000 invisible dog leashes and had everyone go for a nice Sunday walk in Brooklyn. It's said the invisible dog toy was invented in the 1970s in a Brooklyn factory. Don't know why I never seen it until now. If I had a dog, I would like to be able to see my dog. But it's a good thing to have a invisible dog on a rainy day like last Sunday, so then I don't have to clean it after the rainy walk!

Improv Everywhere is a group created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd in New York City. Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places, and has executed over 85 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The other two I remembered and liked are Frozen Grand Central and No Pants! Subway Rides. If you are interested, click the links to watch the videos yourself, it's really fun!

Crayon Shin-chan (クレヨンしんちゃん)

2009-09-22T10:27:00.005-04:00

The body of Yoshito Usui (臼井儀人), the author of the hugely popular manga and anime called Crayon Shin-chan (クレヨンしんちゃん), was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Gunma Prefecture (群馬) on Saturday. According to news, the last image captured on his digital camera was the bottom of the cliff from the top. Authorities have determined the death was due to the injuries relating to the fall from the cliff in an accident.

I didn't want to post this news on my blog cause it's a sad news, it didn't fit my "Little Happy Things" spirit at all. But I love his Crayon Shin-chan (クレヨンしんちゃん) very much, it used to make me laugh so hard. Crayon Shin-chan (クレヨンしんちゃん) is an adorable little goofy 5-year-old boy whose dialogue and obsession with pretty girls are reminiscent of a dirty old man. It started as a manga(漫画) in 1990 and became an anime(アニメ) in 1992. Mr. Usui had still been creating new segments every month and his last 2 submissions will see his manga to end at November 09.

Crayon Shin-chan (クレヨンしんちゃん) was translated and dubbed in multiple languages around the world, it is a hit among all age groups. Even though I don't watch it on TV nor read comic books like I used to, I still watch it on You Tube from time to time, especially when I feel a little bit down and Shin-chan can always cheer me up. Shin-chan is definitely a Little Happy Thing!

Rest in peace, Mr. Usui.

Design Barcode (デザインバーコード)

2009-09-21T15:00:00.002-04:00

{Images via Design Barcodes}

Design Barcode (デザインバーコード) is a Japanese design firm famous for the unique barcodes they design. Many people get the impression that this company only designs barcodes and nothing else. This is not true.

Design Barcode is a creative agency founded by Minoru Yoshida (吉田稔), together with his old team mates from the previous advertising agency they worked for, in 2004. Their revolutionary idea of designing barcodes, by which they turn the minor part of the package barcodes into "a picture worth watching", brought them to the spotlight and won them the 2005 Good Design Award, 2006 Type Directors Club Award, and the 2006 Cannes Lions International Advertising Titanium Award!

Because they are so famous for their barcode design, most people misunderstand them as special barcode designers. In fact, Design Barcode's core business is not designing barcodes but selling ideas! In an interview with the founder/creative director Minoru Yoshida (吉田稔), it says his goal is to pursue a new form of communication with consumers. He wants to make "advertisements so good that people are willing to pay to see it". Based on Design Barcode's achievements, people are waiting to see the next product which will feature the unique barcode on their packaging. And once the new product is out, thanks to publicity from blogs, people will dash to a nearby store to buy it. In other words, "to pay money to see the ads".

{Images via Design Barcodes}

Design Barcode's latest challenge was called "TOKYO LEFTEOUS PROJECT ON 13TH AUGUST". And this project really reflects their style. The event is not about commercials, posters nor special merchandise. What they did was simply to ask restaurants to place the chopsticks to the left hand side instead of right hand side on August 13th. It doesn't seem to be a big deal, but it can cause enough discomfort. On the back of the chopstick bag it was written " Feel frustrated? That's how left-handers feel everyday." (イライラしましたか?実は左利きの人は毎日そんな気分なのです。) The reason they pick August 13th was because The United Kingdom Left-Handers Club made August 13th "left-handers day".

Unfortunately I couldn't find more info from their website. It seems they haven't updated their website for a while. But they did have current list for the restaurants which participated this year's LEFTEOUS PROJECT.

Miroslav Sasek (ミロスラフ・サセック)

2009-09-15T13:08:00.004-04:00

{images from This is M. Sasek, the most comprehensive website on Miroslav Sasek.}

Recently I have been collecting books for my 9-month-old niece. I have a particular fondness for children's books, especially the works by Miroslav Sasek (ミロスラフ・サセック).

A Czech author and illustrator, Miroslav is most well known for his This Is… series: a collection of city guides for children. Each book takes the reader on an amusing tour throughout the city, and highlights both the landmarks and uniqueness of each location. It's fascinating to see each city from a 1960s perspective. It's the illustrations that get to me most of the time. They tend to be executed beautifully with very little words involved. They speak to you visually and keep you animated until you're left wanting more....

In the past few years, more than half of the This Is... series has been reissued. There are 18 books in the This Is... series, four of these books were adapted into movies. What a shame that there isn't This is Japan, This is Tokyo, nor This is Kyoto. It would be interesting to see my country from his eyes at 1960s perspective. If you get a chance to check out these beautiful illustrated books, please do!

ミロスラフ・サセック

絵本作家。1916年、チェコスロヴァキア、プラハ生まれ。若き日にプラハで建築を、パリで芸術を学ぶ。その後、一時期は出版社に勤務。のちに、ドイツのミュンヘンに移住する。「ジス・イズ」シリーズを描きはじめる前の1951年から57年の間、サセックはラジオ・フリー・ヨーロッパに勤務。そして世界の都市を旅しながら描いた「ジス・イズ」シリーズで、世界中の子どものみならず大人からも人気を集める。1980年ミュンヘンにて享年63歳。

Tea Party! (お茶いかが？)

2009-09-14T14:32:00.006-04:00

{DemocraTea, image from donkey products}

{RoyalTea, image from donkey products}

{StripTea, image from donkey products}

A hot bath, just you and Barack Obama? A dream which comes true at last. Relax with a cup of tea in the bosom of the leading politicians, England’s royal family, or, of 5 sexy strippers! This will definitely be an unforgettable tea party.

These cute tea bags are designed by Donkey Products based in Hamburg Germany. They develop and design many original, humorous products which will make you smile.

The tea? Hope it doesn't taste like bath water...

Kate's Paperie

2009-09-03T12:19:00.006-04:00

{Gift Box from Kate's Paperie}

I don't know why I missed this before.

I like Kate's Paperie, it's an incredible resource for all your paper needs. This is not new, paper lovers all know kate's. They are the reason people still use quaintly elegant stationery to write letters and notes, a lovely tradition which is becoming almost obsolete in our internet- based world. I go into Kate's everytime I see one. Whenever I go, I get inspired. But I didn't notice this box until I found it online recently.

Anyway, I am glad I have it now. I also like the name: You mean the world! A lovely gift box about 2.25″ × 3.25″ × 1.25″ deep, features a world map and a circular gift tag that reads, “you mean the world to me.” Don't know what to put inside yet. I just like boxes. Maybe I can put some chocolates, cookies, a love note, a dinner invitation, or some Japanese Washi Stickers I made and voila it's a perfect gift!

Cute kitten! (かわいい子猫ちゃん！)

2009-09-01T11:25:00.005-04:00

{image via Agent M Loves Tacos}

Well, I don't know anything about this cute kitten. I found it on Agent M Loves Tacos. It's just so cute I want to share with you.

Favorite Blogs (お気に入りのブローグズ)

2009-08-31T20:25:00.008-04:00

Everyday I take a moment to have a nice cup of coffee and visit my favorite blogs, it's one of my happy moments. I love seeing crafty, hand made, and aesthetically pleasing things. These blogs have it all and then some.

{image from Lovely Package}

The first one is Lovely Package. Everyday they have some beautiful, special, or well designed packages from all over the world. Today they have a minimalist coffee packaging from Japan; the simplistic nature is a far cry from most coffee packaging in the West. I already smell the coffee!

{image from 暮らしのかたち}

Another cute blog is 暮らしのかたち(Ku-la-shi-no-ka-ta-chi), translated directly---the form of life. Toshi, the blogger, likes to go find and try different Zakka stores and cafes all over Japan; taking pictures along the way. This blog makes me homesick. The blog is in Japanese, if you don't read Japanese, you probably won't be able to get the info to go visit the places. But he does have good pictures, so even just looking through the pictures is worth it. You can see many unique cafes and stores in Japan.

Finally, my all-time favorite is lovelydesign. I always find that Sharilyn not only shares her design ventures, but she also shares the design transformations of her own home. It's such a pleasure to be invited into someone's world like that. I really treasure her site!

The best thing about these blogs is that they're a great place to discover independent sellers and exceptional crafts. I've done some of my Christmas shopping from different stores found on each of these blogs. This year, there will be some unique gifts under the tree!

My First Print Gocco Project (初めてのプリントゴッコ)

2009-08-24T18:53:00.010-04:00

I remember at least 10 different Print Gocco commercials in Japan while growing up. These two (from 0:14 to o:43, the rest of the commercials are not for Print Gocco but done by the same actress..., sorry, I don't know how to edit this video I found from YouTube) are from the 90's and are the ones I remember the most. I didn't own a Print Gocco at that time but I still remember the melody and the happy, funny commercials.

Print Gocco (プリントゴッコ pronounced 'Pu-rin-to Gok-ko') is a Japanese color screen printing system developed in 1977 by Noboru Hayama. Resembling a toy, the compact and completely self-contained printer is clean, quick and easy to use. Gocco became immensely popular in Japan and at one time nearly one third of households in Japan owned a Print Gocco. The reason it became popular in Japan was because it's our custom to send out New Year's Cards (年賀状) and Summer Cards (暑中見舞い) to friends, family, colleagues and even business clients. It's a National Event (国民行事)! With Print Gocco, you can easily design and make as many cards as you want inexpensively. It's fun to do with your family and friends.

Unfortunately, on May 30, 2008, the Riso Kagaku Corporation (理想科学) announced that it will stop making Gocco printers in June 2008. They blamed the sharp decline in demand for their printers on the increase in use of home computers and printers. This means when I want one in 2009, I can't just ask my family in Japan to get one for me at the regular price but have to go on eBay and pay extra money to get one.

Finally I got my Print Gocco! It's a PG-11. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

Place the original on the sticky pad.

Voila! My First Master.

Mix inks to get the color I want.

Apply the ink to the master.

My First Gocco Printout.

I have to admit that I was a bit too greedy when I made the master. I wanted to use the screen to its max since it is not that cheap, I didn't want a full screen with just my business card on it, so I planned ahead with layouts on my masters: I had a front and a back side of my business card, as well as a return address I could print on my outgoing mail. The mistake I made was that I spread them out too much the corners got cropped, the 4 corners of the image burned on the screens were not crisp enough to make a good print. I should have keep the original no bigger than 4" x 6".

Below I attached a helpful video for beginners, just in case you are interested in how the Print Gocco works.

[shikisai] alternative T-shirts (Tシャツブランドーシキサイ〕)

2009-08-13T18:35:00.007-04:00

Shikisai (シキサイ) is a alternative T-shirts brand established by the Japanese Duo-Designers Noto-Fusai (デザイナーデュオ能登夫妻). Fusai, a Japanese word, means husband and wife. This couple explores alternative possibilities of T-shirt design, through the use of black print on a white surface. The designs on these T-shirts are from the everyday things around us, like water coming out of a faucet, the loose shoe lace you tie and untie, the snap button on the umbrella you fasten and unfasten...etc, very much everyday life. What seems far from art, design or fashion. But once it is played on the stage of a "white t-shirt" starring "black print", it leaps to art, design and fashion. The scenario is not difficult at all, but by incorporating the interactivity, one can easily enjoy the designers' intent, excitement and sense of fun.

{images from Shikisai}

I specially like these two: the window blind, and the messenger bag. But I am not so sure whether it's a good idea for ladies to put on this window blind T-shirt. Well, I guess you are better off just keeping your blind closed or at least half way down, even when it's a very nice sunny day!

Last Chance Antiques & Cheese

2009-08-05T19:13:00.008-04:00

We visited Tannersville while we were in the Catskills. It's a cute little town, everything is colorful there. Many of the store fronts are being painted in bright colors that you would not normally see such as bright pinks, blues, and greens.

{Inside of Last Chance Antiques & Cheese}

We had our lunch at this also cute restaurant called Last Chance Antiques & Cheese. This casual spot is part restaurant, part antiques, gifts, and gourmet foods shop. It's decorated with hanging musical instruments and antiques, and it has a deli with a few tables and an enclosed patio dining area.

{Onion Soup}

{Chile Soup}

{French Dip}

The food? EXCELLENT!

Weekend at Cuomo's Cove

2009-08-03T14:27:00.008-04:00

We spent a 3-day-weekend in the Catskills. This time, instead of staying with our friends, we stayed at this lovely Cuomo's Cove in Windham, NY.

{Private Deck}

{Out Door Jacuzzi}

{Majestic Catskill Mountain Views}

Our suite had 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms with a full kitchen complete with microwave and dishwasher. From the sliding glass doors in the living room we could step out onto our own private deck where we found our barbecue and private hot tub! I have to admit that it was a little bit tough to choose between relaxing indoors in front of the fireplace and sitting in the hot tub under the stars. We managed to do both! We brought back steaks and vegetables and grilled them while the sun was still out (aren't the long summer days wonderful). While we were waiting we enjoyed the view of the Catskills Mountains at sunset. Then we brought the food in and ate our dinner indoors in front of the fireplace. We loved the barbecue! Can't believe that just simply grilling the meat and vegetables can make them tasted so good!

After we digested our food, we went out to sit in the hot tub to enjoy the pitch black but quiet mountain view under a sky full of twinkling stars.

Olle Eksell (オーレ・エクセル)

2009-07-28T11:35:00.011-04:00

I bought this book at Kinokuniya (紀伊国屋書店) in Tokyo a couple years ago. This beautiful book documents a life's work of Olle Eksell's lovely graphic design works. The works found inside are expressive, playful, at times satirical, and packed full of incredible colors. There’s beautiful designs for book jackets, posters, packaging, textiles and more. Olle Eksell (オーレ・エクセル) was one of the most respected, inspiring and distinguished Swedish graphic designers, and author of countless articles and books on the relationship between corporate economics and design. One of his popular books, Design= Ekonomi, is widely used as a textbook in many art and design classes. But it's his whimsical, gorgeous graphic design that is, for me, a collection well worth having. His drawings and forms are so happy, always modern and peculiar....this book is a true fest for the eyes, and is another one of my favorite getaway books.

Sadly, Olle Eksell passed away April, 2007, but what a legacy he left behind.

Happy Wedding! (愉快な結婚式!)

2009-07-27T12:41:00.005-04:00

I saw this video this weekend on Today Show and just love it!

Instead of the usual formality of the Mendelssohn and Wagner pairing of march and chorus introducing the wedding participants, Jill and Kevin decided to go with a more modern, upbeat, and downright unconventional pop dance track by Chris Brown, with the song Forever. For five minutes, the wedding party danced, entertained, and amused friends and family gathered to see Jill marry Kevin. And after a huge round of appreciative applause, the two turned to the pastor...
How fun it is! I wish I had a wedding like that!

Maybe most of you saw this already, but I still want to post it, this video makes me Happy! Hope this will also help you beat the Monday Blues!

Creative Suite Pillows(デザイナーにピッタリなプレゼントCreative Suite クッション)

2009-07-21T15:39:00.008-04:00

{image from My Suite Stuff}

If you don't use computers often, or if you are not in the creative field, you probably don't know how to appreciate these pillows. But for those in the creative space, these pillows will make one smile. These are the application icons people in the creative field can't live without--- Adobe Creative Suite. The price is $15 a pop and there are 6 designs in total. If you purchase the whole collection, it's $80, that's a suite deal!

Due to an extremely high number of orders and the fact that these pillows are 100% hand-made, it takes 7-9 weeks to ship. It was 2-5 weeks two months ago when I first heard about them, it seems they are getting popular .

Some people might say since they have been dealing with Creative Suite long enough everyday at work, they don't want to see it anymore while they are relaxing or sleeping. Well, I understand that, but I still think these are very unique and interesting design.

Peace and quiet: Shinzō Maeda (前田真三)

2009-07-17T20:40:00.015-04:00

Look carefully. These are photos, not paintings. These photos are taken by Shinzo Maeda (前田真三), his photos are beautiful enough to fool you into thinking they are paintings. Shinzo Maeda is a Japanese photographer famous for landscape photographs and movies. He was born in 1922 in Hachioji City on the outskirts of Tokyo into a large family whose father worked in the forest industry. Before he became a full time photographer he was what we called a salaryman (サラリーマン) employed by Nichimen Co., Ltd.( a clothing manufacturer), and worked there for 17 years. In 1965 he quit Nichimen to pursue photography full time. By 1967 he launched his own photo agency called Tankei Photo Agency Co., Ltd. in Tokyo. This led to a long and successful career as a landscape photographer. His personal style of landscape photography won him a number of major awards in his lifetime, including the top prize of the Japan Photographers Association. When he died in 1998 he had published forty six photography books in Japan, eight in other countries, as well as produced films. His son Akira Maeda (前田晃) is also an accomplished landscape photographer who continues in his father's tradition.

Shinzo Maeda is said to be one of the big names in Japanese landscape photography. He doesn't seem to be that well known in Europe or the US. I came across his photos through these postcards I bought 20 years ago and was transfixed by them. Just these small printouts are still quite breathtaking. His photos have a very high quality with great sense for colors, composition and detail often mixed with a great amount of quietness and peacefulness. And in this quiet, peaceful way, I see the landscape change. Shinzo Maeda took his photos not only with his lens but with his heart; he shown people not only what he saw but what he felt through the eyes of his heart.

Thanks to Shinzo Maeda, the town Biei's(美瑛) beauty is widely known. He liked this town so much that he moved to Biei later in his life to take pictures. Takushinkan Gallery (拓真館) in Biei, Hokkaido(北海道美瑛), a photo art gallery dedicated to Shinzo Maeda, which opened in 1987 still continues to this day.

I like to flip through his postcards or books especially when I need a break or an escape. His photos can always calm me down and take me to a quiet peaceful world. I'd been to Hokkaido but never Biei. I would like to go there and see what he saw someday soon.

Sara Midda (サラ・ミッダ)

2009-07-16T19:18:00.011-04:00

I purchased these books about 15 years ago. I found them in a bookstore and fell in love with Sara Midda's beautiful watercolor and calligraphy right away. These are lovely and inspiring books, full of evocative and quirky watercolor sketches. I especially enjoyed the pages that visually display information in intriguing ways - color schemes for each month, dozens of styles of house numbers, whimsical little garden people, harmonized beautiful calligraphy, and the collection of sugar papers. These are the books I run to on the weekends, or when I need something to refresh my mind. It is a lush, beautiful escape from hectic urban life. These are the books to read on a sunny summer afternoon with ice tea and homemade cookies; or, curl up with a blanket, have a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy these beautiful books in a cozy winter night.

If you want to make a delightful dream of dry air and warm sunshine. Try these. Really, these books cheer me up and make me happy.

Sushi Please! (寿司ください!)

2009-07-16T15:07:00.005-04:00

Issey Miyake's "Pleats Please" gets a Sushi high-fashion makeover in these savory print ads. These ads took a totally different approach than the traditional clothing ads, they are using a sushi motif. They are showing the texture of the cloth while remaining faithful to the shape of sushi. Watching them one can feel the delicateness of the Sushi because of the quality of the clothes.

These ads are created by Taku Satoh Design Office(佐藤卓デザイン事務所).

Lobster Rolls Weekend (ロブスターロールの週末）

2009-07-15T17:54:00.022-04:00

{Long Branch, NJ}

We spent 2 weekends in a row on the Jersey Shore, from Long Branch and Belmar to Point Pleasant Beach. The Pier Village in Long Branch was pretty nice, we were pleasantly surprised by the great restaurants and shops.

Avon-By-The-Sea near Belmar doesn't have as many fancy restaurants and shops as Long Branch, but the boardwalk wasn't crowded. It's one of New Jersey's relaxing respites.

{Interesting Sign in Point Pleasant Beach}

On the other hand, Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk was totally packed. We couldn't even get through the crowd, it's not the place for us. I think Manhattan on the weekends probably has less people.

But we did find good restaurants in Point Pleasant Beach---not on the boardwalk, just a little bit off, near the inlet. The one we tried 2 weeks ago was Spike's Fish Market & Restaurant. The food was really tasty and fresh!

{Lobster Roll from Red's Restaurant}

We also had lobster rolls both days this weekend. One was from Red's Lobster Pot, it's also in Point Pleasant Beach. Both the lobster roll and the shrimp burrito were delicious!

On Sunday we had a second one from Red Hook Lobster Pound at the Brooklyn Flea Market. We saw a long line waiting for this lobster roll a couple of weeks ago, the line was so long that we didn't want to wait. This Sunday, we got up early and went to Dumbo to enjoy a quiet, sunny morning. Around 12pm, we went for this lobster roll. There was no line at all!

Between the 2 Lobster Rolls, I like the latter one more. It was loaded with big chunks of lobster mixed in with a little mayonnaise and topped with chopped green onions. The bread was lightly buttered and toasted on the grill (J said it's like the Boston Style Hot Dog Buns). It's very simple and absolutely delicious! Green Onion + Mayo + Lobster = Perfect Combination! I personally would like them to put more mayo though....

I also like Red Hook Lobster Pound's Logo. It's simple and bold.

Dumbo park on Sunday morning was really nice and quiet, only of few people. We like our neighborhood more and more.