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I wish I was this dog. How deliriously happy does he look with his string of sausages? I hope they are chorizo. I on the other hand, have heaps of bills to pay, piles of washing to do, a teething baby who hardly sleeps and stacks of end-of-financial-year stuff to organise.
Adorable limited edition print by Strawberryluna (US$15).
I think cushions are an easy way to brighten up a room and add a little personality. These ones from Binth are great. The designs are screen-printed on organic linen, filled with luxurious down and hand sewn. Unfortunately, at US$72 each they're out of my price range, especially when the kids are just going to spill stuff on them. Things like cushions need to be semi-disposable in our house.
I guess when you are a 6-foot-something model you probably think these dresses are easy to wear - comfy even. I just see million reasons why I would never look good in these. Thanks for making beautiful dresses that only 2% of women can wear, L'Wren Scott. For those of you who resemble models, these sleek chic numbers are available at Net-a-Porter. For L'Wren Scott sale items click here.
Kinder Gallery is an online children's art gallery based in Sydney. The collection offers original paintings, limited edition works, prints, stretched canvases, box art and wall decals. Like these ones:
Clockwise from Top Left: Apple Surprise Red print by Kelly Boulton, Limited edition Mushroom plywood artwork by Lorena Siminovich, Seasons (Autumn) canvas print by isak, Handmade Mushroom softies by Tamar Mogendorff.
Blue linen Goldfish Bag by Myraim El Ayeb available only at the MoMA Store.
Want to get the low down on Japanese cool and quirky? Check out PingMag. This e-zine covers architecture, art & crafts, events, fashion, film, art, music and much more.
For example, you can learn how to make Tsumami-kanzashi hair clips.
Or examine the mystique and appeal of the Japanese school uniform.
Or the magic of Tokyo's street lamps.
PingMag even has a separate mag called PingMag Make which has interviews with innovative Japanese craftspeople.
Ok, thats a pretty lame title but stay with me on this one. I've found some great blogs a that give a wonderful insight into Tokyo and Japan in general.
8tokyo is written by a Japanese girl who makes beautiful canvas totes (8tote). Her blog is full of great pictures of Japanese shops, fashion, food and fun things. This really is a fantastic blog.
Riceballer is a blog written by an American lady living in Japan. It chronicles the process of moving to Tokyo and making a life there.
Julie is a young Canadian woman teaching English in Japan. Her blog, Julie in Japan, has heaps of helpful hints for people visiting Japan or moving there to teach English. She also talks about Japanese culture, tv and food.
Found, now home is an exquisitely photographed blog. The writer traveled to Japan in April this year and the her photos are just beautiful. Particularly relevant for those who are interested in Japanese fabric. Found, now home also has beautiful photos of interiors and vintage finds (in America). Definitely worth a look. You'd love it Diana.
Curly Collection has some of the prettiest things imaginable. I can understand why its one of Kaori's favourite shops. They have clothing, accessories, craft supplies and cute little knick knacks. The site is in Japanese but that doesn't stop you from looking at the pretty pictures. Visit Curly Collection here.
Tokyomade is a fabulous website selling fashion, accessories, art and other bits and pieces from independent, Tokyo and Japan-based creators. The website has bios of all the designers so you can find out a bit more about them. There is also a blog featuring cool stuff happening around Tokyo. The site is in English and prices are in US dollars. I love that jacket.
Clockwise from Top Left: Counterfeit Mouse necklace by BLITZ Kiss (US$15), Kimono Patchwork Bag by Honmonoya (US$105), Rainbow Necklace by Cometman (US$180), Biru Biru t-shirt by Seimani (US$50), Dinosaur Necklace by BLITZ Kiss (US$25), Bello Jacket by ZOESTYLES (US$178).
I adore kokeshi dolls. I was given one (the same as the little brown one on the right) when I was an exchange student in Japan 17 years ago. The little one with the buns is so cute! Its the last one so if you like it, snap it up.
These dolls all come from Tago. Tago is run by a lady in Akita, Japan called Naomi. Naomi used to live in Sydney so the site is in English and prices are in Australian dollars. They also have a lovely selection of bags and accessories made from traditional Japanese fabrics. Click here to visit their website.
Have you ever wondered what people on the other side of the world get up to in their everyday lives? I do, and I'm pretty sure a lot of other people do too. Hence the whole popularity of blogs, facebook and myspace. So, I thought I'd be a nosey parker and ask one of my myspace friends a bit about themselves.
Kaori, is a 20-something Web Engineer who took a chance that I wasn't a stalker and graciously agreed to answer my questions.
Q. You live in Tokyo, what do you like about Tokyo?
A. I like Tokyo, because I can meet many artists, interesting people
and take part in artistic events. Also, there are many cool shops.
Q. Is there anything you do not like about Tokyo or Japan?
A. It is too busy... people are so tired. It is too fast paced. I hope that Japanese people have own time more.
Q. Can you describe your personal style? (for example, do you like to
wear vintage clothes, luxury brands, clothes you make yourself etc)
A. I like to wear Tsumori Chisato, Milkfed, Balibarret, Marc by Marc Jacobs. The accessories I make myself.
Q. What part of Tokyo is your favourite for shopping?
A. I usually go to Harajuku, Daikanyama, Omotesando.
Q. You like to make things in your spare time. What type of things do you make?
A. I like making stuffed animals, puppets, ribbon-motif hair accessories, embroidery, and other accessories such as necklaces and beads.
Q. Where do you sell your creations?
A. Now I sell them on Myspace. People send me a message, and I sell my stuff. I also sell at cafe in Harajuku. I'll be opening a web-shop soon.
Q. Where do you get the inspiration for the things you make?
A. My pet is a ferret, he inspires me :) . I buy photo books about my favorite animals (bulldog and manatee [like a sea cow or dugong]...etc) and I go to the aquarium or zoo. I also go to shops, handmade-accessory shop, creator's shop, bulldog shop (bulldog cafe), pet shop, baby's things shop, and clothes shop.
Q. Where did you learn to sew?
A. I'm self-educated.
Q. Do your friends like to make things? Are they artists or designers?
A. Yes, I have friends who are artists. My friends do pattern making, make corsages, paint in oil and acrylic and watercolors, photography, music. These are my friends' websites, Yu Ebihara, Akane, Kawasaki, Akiko Isobe, mophONE.
Q. Do you think most Japanese women like to make things?
A. No. About 30%, I think. They have no time. Work is so busy in Japan.
Q. Do you look at what artists and craftspeople do in the rest of the world?
A. In New York, I went to a party where many people display own work - abstract paintings, illustrations, photos.
Q. When I was in Japan last year I went to Nippori to buy fabric. Do you have a favourite place or shop to buy your sewing supplies?
A. Oh Nippori, I've not been to there! I usually buy in Shibuya (Marunan), Kichijoji (Yuzawaya, CottonField), Asakusabashi (wholesale store).
Q. What do you like to do (apart from sewing and making things)?
A. Meeting my friends at cafe and talk about many things :) , playing with my ferret, going to friend's exhibition, going to art museums and shopping, cooking and reading comics.
Kaori's handmade toys and accessories can be viewed on her website or MySpace page.
Kaori has also given me a fantastic list of her favourite places:
Shopping: Salone Aoyama, Monoclip, Spiral, Spiral Bank, Cottonfield, Curly Collection, Kiwa, Kiwa Shop.
Night Clubs: Mado Lounge and Super Delux
Kaori's Hairdresser: DaB
Thanks Kaori for telling us about your life!
I'm going to kick off my Japanese appreciation week with my all-time favourite Japanese artist, Shinzi Katoh.
Luckily for us, Shinzi Katoh's drawings feature on just about everything you can think
of. He is considered one of the world's premier zakka artists. Zakka
are things that make you feel happy and make your life more beautiful.
You can find Shinzi Katoh pieces in shops all over the world or at their online store. The Japanese site has more products but not quite as easy to order (unless you can read Japanese, of course).
If you are ever in Japan you can visit Shinzi Katoh's shop and museum in the Nagoya area. Details are on his website here.
I'm in love with Tokyo. About 17 years ago I went to Japan and was completely awestruck by it. Not that that would have been very difficult, I was a girl from regional Queensland in one of the biggest, most fascinating cities in the world. My feelings for Japan always remained strong and when I took my husband and 2 small children there last year, they fell in love with it too. We can't wait to go back.
Next week will be devoted to all things Japanese. Stay tuned, I've got some cool stuff to show you!
I'm not a superstitious person. I've never really cared for Friday the 13th, black cats or fortune telling but this looks like fun. Besides, its worth buying for the retro styling alone.
Housewives Tarot is a cute little boxed set of 78 tarot cards, a 96 page instruction booklet and retro recipe cards. So you can learn make Madame Marlena's Mystical Martinis while reading your friend's future.
The website also has nifty desktop wallpapers. Follow the links on the website to buy or head to Amazon where the Housewives Tarot has received some great reviews.
For those interested in graphic design, this set was made by the creative retro geniuses at Headcase Design.
I think I like this video more than my kids do! The Wiggles and Leo Sayer singing 'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing'.
Click here to watch it on YouTube. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to watch it without the boogie taking over.
The CD and DVD are available at the ABC Shop here and here and the DVD is available at Amazon here.
How fun and flirty are these dresses by Anna Sui? Even better they are all on sale at Net-a-Porter.com here. I'd love to have pink hair.
Today was the public holiday to celebrate our Queen's birthday. I'm a bit of a romantic at heart, I quite like having the royal family.
I guess I always dreamed of being a princess. Of course, I was incredibly jealous when, the once ordinary Tasmanian girl, Mary married Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and not only became a princess but the future Queen of Denmark. Who knew that was possible? If I had have known there was a possibility that an ordinary Australian girl could become a princess I would have... well, I don't know what I would have done. Something more princess-y.
Handmade collage by Anne Harwell from annechovie.
No post tomorrow, I'll be at Springboard again.
I will be at the Young Designer's Market at Southbank in Brisbane this Sunday (8 June 2008, 10am - 4pm). For more details about the market click here.
a lily in bloom (who will also be at the YDM this weekend) wrote a great post about the designer markets in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Check it out here.
You know, I thought I would be over the whole wall decal thing by now. But I always see more that I like. These ones are from Wallcandy Arts.
I love those adorable deer and the idea of a chalkboard wall sticker is very cool. You can get the chalkboard ones in children's designs as well. Head over to the Wallcandy Arts website to check them out.
