ismoyo vintage playground

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2010-04-13T12:26:00.001-04:00

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Sew it yourself in 1964

2010-04-08T17:46:00.000-04:00

I love this adorable book, one of my latest thrift finds!
It's the Lucky Sew-it-yourself Book by Camille Sokol with sweet illustrations by Bill Sokol. Published by Scholastic Book Services in 1964.

A fun instructional book on how to make many things from one little square of fabric! Perfect to get young kids starting to sew. They will learn how to make a scarf, a little bag, apron, pin cushion and a pillow for their favorite doll. It even teaches a few stitches, and some ideas on how to make a sewing box. Such a great book!

Obivously i'm obsessed with the wonderful illustrations the most!

Gachapin Grass Garden

2010-03-26T18:04:00.003-04:00

I watered my Gachapin and in no time his hair started growing!
He still looks sad. Or tired. Just like me. Not sad, but tired. Today i've started spring cleaning. Makes a girl tired. But the house clean.
Plus i have to throw my site and blog through some back end changes, transferring hosting provider and i need to do something scary with migrating my blog since blogger will stop supporting blogs through FTP.
Keep your fingers crossed i get everything transferred and back up and running smoothly, but if my site seems missing for a bit over the next few days, i'm working hard getting things back to normal!

All the fabrics i bought in Tokyo inspired me to get back behind my sewingmachine. (not all fabrics in this pic are from tokyo, a lot come out of my stash) I don't know why i thought it would be a good idea to make a Queensized summer blanket for my hubby and me. Don't even ask how many squares i am cutting! But it is starting to look like something and i have to continue to get it ready before the real summer heat gets to New York!
Wish me luck. lol

Tokyo Day 7

2010-03-21T21:01:00.001-04:00

On our last full day in Tokyo we made another quick stop in Harajuku for my man to pick up a jacket he had seen before. As you can see, we had a little bit of rain. Love said the reason was so i could get this photo of all the umbrellas up in the air. That's one way to look at it.
After the busy (and late night) day before, we could use some relaxation, so we walked into Yoyogi Park and visited the Meiji Shrine.

Wash your hands and mouth before entering!

It was such a good idea to go here after the high energy adventure of the day before. And to end our Tokyo trip with, it was so peaceful. There were so many breathtaking spots, it looked unreal at times. I can only imagine how it will be here when the cherry blossoms are in bloom!

And thanks to the Tokyo Shopping Guide i knew to look out for stampers at big locations. If i wasn't told about this i surely would have missed them. And it became some sort of sport to spot them! Yes, they are very well hidden. In the end i found one at the temple next to our hotel, at the zoo and in the shrine at Harajuku park.

We were more tired than we wanted to admit, so we made it a short day and went back to the hotel. I had to try and pack all my new goodies (i have bought way more than i've shown here on the blog).
Hubby went out in the evening to hang out with our friend, his producer one last night, while i packed and chilled. I was in luck, the all night long Tokyo Real Fashion Event was on tv, which was wonderful to watch! I taped some pieces and maybe if i find some time, edit those together and put that up on youtube somewhere.

The next morning our friend came to pick us up and bring us to the airport. It was raining a bit again. Fitted our mood. Sad to leave.

My man and i were on a mission to spend all our remaining yens at the airport. Where i realized i didn't even bought myself a real Kokeshi! (number 7 is now standing happily beside my computer)

So this was my last official Tokyo post, hope you liked reading them. I appreciate all the comments, emails and tweets i got about these posts.
I have already booked my next trip: Amsterdam! Next month!

Tokyo Day 6

2010-03-18T20:10:00.001-04:00

Day 6 was the most important day of the trip, the day that was the reason for my hubby and me to be in Tokyo.
While my Love went to rehearsal with the band, i had the morning to myself. I planned to go to Shinjuku and go to the Okadaya craftstore. But, i couldn't find the store! But i did find a lot of 100-yen shops in the area so i spend some more yens on cute housewares and stationary and such.

What i also found were the grabbing machines with the adorable Fafa bears.
Ever since i was a little little girl i wanted one of these bears. Yes, from the washing detergent, its called Robijn in the Netherlands, in Tokyo the brand is called Fafa. As a little girl i even told my mom to, if she ever saw one somewhere, ask where the people got it and if she could buy it from them. But back then these bears weren't made. So my heart skipped a couple of beats when i saw a whole bunch of them in these grabbing machines! There were many, big and small. And yes, i did try to grab one. Against better judgement because these machines never let me have what i want. So it didn't work. After the initial rush and a number of tries, i told myself i would look around in the stores to find one i could just buy, but no such luck. Maybe next time.

Then it was time for me to head to the radio studio to meet up with my hubby who had an hour on Shibuya FM radio station. It was a pleasure and the show was a hit. You can see a part of the show on youtube (including a dedication song to my mother!)

Even back in the office of the radio station you can find a cute character!

After a quick dinner it was off to club Loop for the release party of Life.
The evening was like a dream. We met so many wonderful people and made new friends. We had lots of laughs and the show was a big success. I was soooo proud of my Love!
I taped the whole show, it's on youtube in 4 parts. I'll give part I here and the links to the rest below.

Part 2, part 3 and part 4.

I thought this was such a great idea, lockers inside the club!

This whole day was one to never forget. And early in the morning we rolled into a cap and found our way back to the hotel.
Only one more day of Tokyo before it's back to NY. (and only one more official Tokyo blogpost before it's back to all things vintage)

Tokyo Day 5

2010-03-17T16:09:00.001-04:00

In the morning we went to one of the many parks Tokyo has, Ueono Park. It was very beautiful and filled with lots of different shrines.
I can only imagine how gorgeous this park will look when all the cherry blossoms are in bloom!

We stumbled across this huge market place with all pretty Japanese arts and crafts.

We also discovered the park has a Zoo and since we like animals and we had some time, we wandered in. Wow this is one huge zoo! We didn't go through all of it, but it was very nice.

Cuteness at the zoo gift shop.

Sweet vending machines!

After the relaxing morning it was off to the recording studio. My hubby's music was ofcourse the main reason that brought us to Tokyo in the first place!

Love preparing some new lyrics for recording.

Me taking pictures of myself.

After the session the producer and his wife took us to a small local yakitory restaurant, which turned out to be an adventure. It was a lovely little eating house. The owners, husband and wife, were of the old school Japanese and didn't get many Americans in their restaurant, but were very happy to see us. At first they didn't directly talked to us, but through our hosts, which didn't seem strange to us since they spoke Japanese and we didn't. Our friends took us there since we don't eat red meat and a yakitory place there only serve chicken and vegetables. Perfect for us you would think. Our friends did the ordering for us when it became clear that the owners we're about to go on a vacation the next day and didn't have everything in stock. We basically got what they had. Ok, chicken is chicken right? When the first pieces of yakitory came to the table i already had my doubts. Uhoh. This didn't look like chicken. I took one bite and didn't know what to do. I really didn't want to offend the owners, they were so sweet and we're hopefully looking at us, and i didn't want to embarrass our friends, but i could not eat this. What was this? I almost threw up in my mouth. Had to swallow. I looked at my hubby. He wasn't eating but looking at me in pity. Are you allright honey? I can't eat this. I feel so bad.
We learned that in Japan they really use everything from the chicken. Not just the meat. I was eating chicken heart! I finally managed to swallow it by what time everyone noticed me and my husband were not going to finish our skewer. I just couldn't. I am still sorry about this. Luckily the rest of the dinner went better, expect for another skewer of chicken skin. And not crispy grilled, but soft skin. The evening did turn out to be a happy one. Especially since the moment me and my hubby showed off our eating with chopstick skills to the owners, which resulted in a lot of laughs and clapping.
It was late when we left the restaurant, my husband was very tired and had to be rested for the next day. Rehearsal, a radio show and the live show at the album release party!

Cuteness in the streets of tokyo

2010-03-17T14:39:00.002-04:00

Happy two in Shibuya. ~~I was told their names, but forgot.~~ Edit: Found the paper i wrote the names on: Sato chan and Satoko chan. They are the mascots of a pharmacy.

On my way to Kiddyland. I wouldn't mind if the NY busses would look like these Shibuya Community busses! Not at all!

In the Zoo.

In Ueno Park.

And here they are again! In nippori, Fabric Street.

Near our hotel.

I got a few more posts about Tokyo. Not many. I will get back to posting about my vintage adventures. Hope you will stick around and enjoy a couple more Tokyo posts!

Kiddyland Tokyo

2010-03-16T20:30:00.001-04:00

I gasped for air when i walked down Omotesando and finally saw the huge Kiddyland storefront. Not that it was hard to find, i walked straight there. But because i have been wanting to go there for so long now. And it didn't dissappoint at all. I walked around in utter joy thinking i wish i could live in here!

Obvioulsy, with this Little Twin Stars display as the first thing you see when you enter the store.

A whole table full of giant Kapibara-san's, very Kawaii!

An entire display filled with these sweet sheep (?)

One of my all time favorite characters: Monchichhi!

Walking up to the fourth floor, this is what greeted me. I love Rillakuma!

There were these pretty setups of Sylvanian Families (aka Calico Critters). J'adore! I wish i still had my little families from when i was little.

The boxes said these were puzzles, but i stood there for awhile. Admiring the cuteness and trying to figure out what the puzzle was about. I didn't get any further than just stacking the pancakes. I doubt that was what i was supposed to do. But i was supposed to make a picture! So i did. For you.

Kiddyland is total Kawaii Heaven. I hope to visit again soon.

Gashapon machines

2010-03-15T19:18:00.001-04:00

I'm a big fan of capsule toys in any country, but especially in Japan! Like with the grabbing machines, there are many and all are filled with cute prizes!

You can find them everywhere, randomly in the streets, at major attractions, inside shops.

I made sure i always had enough 100 yen coins in my pocket for these unexpected treasures. They go for about 100 - 300 yen per prize.

I was very lucky too, almost every machine gave me exactly the prize i hoped for! Like this one, i got the Rilakkuma face on the top left. Kawaii! It's big and very soft. Really kinda looks like a bun, like you could eat it.

Again i was lucky with this Tama Depa machine. I got the cute pink one you see on the top right!

For this one i didn't need luck, all the prizes were adorable!

Like you see in the first photo, i got many more, but i think you get the idea of these great gashapons!

Tokyo Day 4

2010-03-15T17:10:00.001-04:00

I spent day 4 by myself while Love got ready to go to a hairsalon to get his hair braided. (thanks to our Japanese friends! trying to find a salon in Tokyo that braids hair is a challenge)
The sun was shining, so perfect for fabric shopping. The train took me again to Nippori station, but this time i walked to the right, instead like the day before, left to Yanaka. With my tokyo shopping guide and the signs on the streets i quickly found it.

My heart skipped a beat seeing all the fabric stores and i missed my mom. I know she would have loved to be walking there with me.
I think i spent most of my money on fabrics. Just couldn't help myself. There were so many great designs to choose from! Will show them off in a later post for all you fabric-a-holics!
These adorable fabrics i saw in the main location of Tomato.

Tomato rules the fabric street with several storefronts. My two favorites were the large one with 5 floors of fabric and a smaller one with lovely trimmings, sewing accessories and other craft supplies.
Like many places in Tokyo, it's cash only. And be aware, not all ATM's take international cards. Find a postoffice or a 7-11 store, their ATM's will give you your money (and don't worry, they all have a button to use them in English!)

I went in and out of many of the little shops and bought fabrics here and there. I was totally happy and in my element!
On my way back to the trainstation i stopped at the Lemon store (at the start of fabric street) where i picked up some cute notebooks and sweet small towels.

After all this shopping i had to go back to the hotel to drop off my purchases. All that fabric was getting really heavy! I was lucky to find my Love still at the hotel, but ready to get out. So i refreshed quickly and took the train out with him.
Next stop: Electric Town in Akihabara! Like the day before, my afternoon destination was again a huge difference from my morning. Fabric Street was so soothing, calm and i was surrounded by mostly native ladies with the same love for fabrics as me. Arriving in Akihabara i soon realized this was less for me. I love electronic gadgets, but all of a sudden i was back in hectic Tokyo, loud sounds and lots of tourists looking for a bargain.

But i was on a mission. And i found what i was looking for: Gashapon machines galore!

After using most of my 100-yen coins and turning a lot of knobs i knew i had to move on. Step away from the machines.
(more on these gashapon machines later)

The very Kawaii Nikes i saw in Harajuku on our second day were still in my mind, so i knew i had to go and get those. Jumped on the train, walked down Takeshita Dori again and the Nikes were mine!

Since i was in the area, i walked over to Omotesando, the main shopping street of Harajuku to finally go to Kiddy Land! I have been dreaming about this store. And let me tell you, it was even better than in my dreams!
So much so that i will have to do a seperate post on Kiddy land. It deserves it.

After this it was back to the hotel to let my hip rest, meet up with my Love and inspect his new braids.

Vending Machines in Tokyo

2010-03-14T21:24:00.003-04:00

You find vending machines all over the streets of Tokyo. They are so colorful! And filled with surprise drinks. In Japan you never really know what taste to expect. You can get something that looks like a sweet and then find out it tastes sour. Or something that looks salty can turn out to be super sweet. With drinks the same. I had drinks that i can't even describe since they tasted like nothing i tasted before. Some were great and delicious. Some were strange and not for a second try.

Outside at Shinjuku station. Pretty packaging, nice and sweet hot coffee with milk!

Also at Shinjuku station. Maybe one of the prettiest bottles i found, but really the most gross coffee i have ever had! It was bitter and with bubbles! Like a hot bitter coffee soda. Yuk.
(Note: Yoko just let me know that this 'coffee' was actually a chai with ginger. That explains the taste!)

Tokyo Day 3

2010-03-14T19:41:00.003-04:00

The morning started with some tv watching. Yes, the kids morning shows captured my attention. I didn't understand what they were talking about, but it sure was cute! lol. I sat there taping the tv while my hubby was taking a shower and got ready to go out.

We had the whole day together and since we knew we wouldn't have time to go outside of Tokyo to places like Kyoto, we decided to check out a lesser touristy place inside Tokyo: Historical Yanaka.
This area is filled with old temples built during the early Edo period and some moved here from neighbouring districts after the Meireki Fire in 1657. You will really get this old place feel since Yanaka was miraculously almost unharmed during a huge Earthquake in 1920 and the bombings of WWII.

To get there, take the Yamanote Line, get off at Nippori Station, take the south exit, and turn left for the west exit. Once outside the station start walking left and straight on. You see the Yuyake Dandan stairs. Go down and find yourself on the main Yanaka Ginza shopping street.

The Yanaka Ginza street is filled with lovely little shops, mostly frequented by local residents. This area has a lot of artisans and thus you'll find a lot of original handcrafts in the shops. Like this great one. All the way in the back was a sweet lady behind the register working on a needlefelting project! She was very kind, spoke a tiny bit of English and packed our purchases in a free little screenprinted totebag!

It's not all handcrafts, there are foodshops too, and there's also a 100 yen shop, not as big as Daiso, but with lots of great goodies!
Like these wonderful sponges. Why would you ever want to do your dishes with boring plain sponges again?

And these bento boxes. Let's enjoy a time with me.

And if i ever need to keep a picknick basket cool, i now have the cutest cooling packs!

It was so beautiful and peaceful. Just before the entrance to the Yanaka Ginza street there is this little store carrying only cute items with cats on it. Yes, why not? I wished the girl working there spoke more English (or i Japanese), she looked like a kindred spirit. Dreaming of her own business and turning it into a shop filled with cute cats. Ofcourse i had to support that and buy some goodies!
I bought a cute bag and a great cat 'thank you' stamp that i now will use on all my shop orders! (picture will follow in a later post, this one is getting a bit image heavy)

We wondered around the side streets for a bit when morning turned into afternoon and it was time for a change of scenery: Shibuya.

It was a huge switch coming from the quietness of Yanaka going to the crazy hectic Shibuya. I know for a lot of people this is their favorite area of Tokyo. Can i say i didn't like it too much? Really too many people, it stank like sewer in a lot of spots and way too many big chain clothing stores. Not to say it wasn't impressive. It was. But just not my fav place to be.

What was in Shibuya and on my list of places to visit, was Loft. And even with the Tokyo Shopping Guide, i couldn't find it. After walking through three different streets, it got to be here, i was ready to give up. My Love was saying, you want to go to this store, we will find it, when i noticed a girl with a Loft shopping bag! We asked her if she could point us in the right direction. What she did was better, this sweet girl and her boyfriend walked us all the way back to the store!

In the end i didn't end up buying a lot, just this wonderful Gachapin grass garden. And a very sweet clay set with cute molds, which i will show off on a later date when i actually use it.
We made a quick stop at a record store to see the album my Love is featured on on display and called it a day.

Photogenic Tokyo

2010-03-14T15:38:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine saw all the pictures i took and called Tokyo very photogenic. And it is. There is so much to see. So much beauty. So many color compositions. So many compositions in general. There are old temples next to brand new highrise shopping malls. You'll see Harajuku girls walking with women in traditional kimono. Beautiful.

And to proof i didn't only take pictures of all things cute, i'm sharing some shots of beautiful tokyo.

The Zojoji Temple was right next to our hotel and a very pretty and soothing place to start each day.

There were rows of little statues with bonnets and windmills. These are statues of jizobosatusu, the protector of the souls of stillborn children and the Buddhist equivalent of an angel. Mothers who have lost an unborn child can dedicate a statue and decorate it with baby clothes and toys.

It's so easy to feel like a great photographer when you're in Tokyo. The city is just that beautiful.

On my last Tokyo post, Marilyn asked me about language barriers. If you have seen the movie Lost in Translation, don't believe it all! The day before i left i started to worry about language. I ran to the Barnes and Nobles and bought a pocket dictionary. Well, i didn't use it at all! I basically got around with 3 words: Kawaii (for Cute), Arigato (for Thank You) and Konnichiwa (for Good Afternoon). Plus a bit of English and using my hands in attempt of signing what i meant. I must say that we've spent a lot of time with Japanese people during our trip of whom most could speak at least a little bit of English. So going out to dinner was easy, we let them know what we liked and they picked something and did all the ordering. I'm not sure how smooth that would have went if i had to pick and order myself! Then again, with them we went to restaurants with no English menus and there are restaurants that do have those. Just ask. And a lot of them have fake plastic examples of their dishes outside, so you can just point at what you want to eat. Or you go to the convenience store and pick up some sushi. And as any big city, there are also McDonald's and KFC's.
Subways were easy too. Everything is marked in both Japanese and English. The announcements are in both languages too. So no worries!
Our friends did try and teach us some Japanese here and there, and my hubby was very good at remembering. Maybe because he's a musician and memorizing sounds comes easier to him. I stuck to Kawaii, Arigato and Konnichiwa!

Tokyo Day 2

2010-03-13T21:51:00.001-05:00

Had to make a start somewhere. Buying cute Kawaii items. Why not on the first morning out getting breakfast at the convenience store? It was cute, it was small, it was inexpensive. But i didn't know what it was! lol. I thought maybe a salt dispenser since it was located next to the hard boiled eggs. Later when i opened the package i found out there are some kind of tea leaves inside.

After breakfast me and my hubby ventured out to Harajuku. I had a feeling it would be one of my favorite places in the city and it was! We walked the Takeshita Dori were all the cute fashions are (i spotted some adorable shiny purple and aqua Nike's) and a huge Daiso branch! We spend a lot of time in there. So many cute items for only 100 yen each!

We also found this shop filled with all things cute called World Connection. If you ever get there, do also take the stairs down. If you think you've seen it all, there is a basement with even more goodies! I advise that when you're in a shop you like or even kinda like, always take stairs up or down if you see them. It will always be a suprise what you'll find, but my experience is that almost every time it is a good suprise. I couldn't help myself and picked up a couple of cute notebooks and stationery and this sweet clip.

After some more shopping we went back to the hotel so i could figure out where i was going to spend my afternoon when my Love had a meeting with Ken his producer.
Let me tell you this, if you're into all things cute and crafty the one travelguide you want to take with you is Marcelines Tokyo Shopping Guide. You can read up on it online too on her Asking for Trouble blog, but when going to Tokyo you really want to have the little booklet in your purse. Even with a Time Out Tokyo Guide, the Shopping Guide was my bible! All the great stores are in there plus directions. Thank you Marceline. That and a print out of the circle route of the Yamanote Line was all i really needed.

I decided to venture out to Ikebukuro and see if i could find the Tokyo Hands store. Yes, with directions from the Tokyo Shopping Guide. Found it easily. And Ikebukuro was a great place to. Like many areas in Tokyo, lots of people, lots of lights, colors and sounds. Funny that everything is so loud and the people are so quiet. (i kinda liked that no cell phone conversations are allowed in the subways)
So i got to Tokyo Hands and it was a great store, but i thought it would be more of a craftstore than it turned out to be. More household than crafts. But i did find some great needlefelting kits that were too sweet to pass up on.

Oh yeah, and a Happy Matryoshka Bath Fizz.

And who doesn't want to bathe in a bathtub with Cheesecake bubbles? Or sweet cherry blossom yogurt? They had any desert flavor possible! The other one, with the sweating character, i got somewhere else in a drugstore and seems to turn your bath into a heat bath. Haven't tried any of them yet. Just like to look at the packages for now.

On the very top floor of Tokyo Hands i found Nekobukuro or Cat's House. A place where you can go in and play and pet real life cats! Only in Japan. I was planning to go back with my Love and pet some cats on a later day, but you know how that goes. It didn't. But it is placed on the list of things to do on our next trip!

Right next to Tokyo Hands is the huge shopping mall Sunshine city. I had heard good things about this place, so went in, but after walking around for like 10 minutes i knew this was not for me, not at that time. It was getting late, i was tired and it looked like a place you could really get lost in for hours. Lots and lots of shops and the building has 60 floors and no English floorplans. The floor i got on had lots of clothingshops and allthough wonderful, i was not in Tokyo to go clothes shopping. So i called it a day, left and went back to the hotel to meet up with my Love.

Tokyo Grabbing Machines

2010-03-13T17:29:00.000-05:00

I love grabbing machines and especially if there are lots of them and all filled with adorable prizes! Tokyo understands that. Tokyo understands me.

Most of us know that actually winning something from a grabbing machine is harder to do than it looks. We knew that too and got reminded of it on our very first night!

I think i should have read these tips on how to win before we went.

At first i didn't understand how you would ever be able to grab a prize in a box, but then i noticed all the boxes had small holes on the sides where you should put the grabber in, to lift them up. I didn't try. I know myself. Wouldn't be able to get it.

In one arcade hall in Ikebukuro i was told not to take photos. I felt really bad even though i kinda knew it probably wasn't allowed. Japanese people really follow the rules and i really felt like one of those dumb tourists.
So i bowed and apologized, bowed and apologized again and rushed out and went on to the next arcade. (and yes, i took some more pictures there)

Tokyo Day 1 - Arrival

2010-03-13T17:21:00.000-05:00

After a long long flight we finally arrived at Narita airport! A bit tired, but very excited! I got even more excited when i saw that even the signs at the airport were of cute characters. You know that makes me happy!

Ken, the producer was waiting for us when we came through customs and i must say it was nice not to have to figure out buses and trains and such right away. He drove us to our hotel to drop off our luggage and then it was on to Shinjuku! We had a city to explore!

We met up with the producers wife for dinner in a Tempura restaurant. It was lovely. One of those places you know you probably would not have found as a tourist on your own. After dinner we wanted to go for a walk and they wanted to show us a bit of Shinjuku. They warned us it would be crazy, but we were up for it!

It was crazy. Mainly because we were still in a daze of being awake so long. Plus just the thought that when we woke up we were still in NY and then all of a sudden we were really there! I of course noticed a Japanese arcade hall. I love grabbing machines! (Tokyo has a lot of those, i will make a seperate post with pics of all the cute grabbers) My hubby and Ken played a guitar hero type game but with huge Japanese drums (and cute characters!). Then Love tried to grab me a cute plushy. First try didn't work. A man from the venue rushed over to place the plush so it would be easier. (as in the picture) Second try. Didn't work. The man replaced it again, it now looked as only one little blow would trow the plushy into the bin, but third try, again no luck. But we laughed a lot.

By now we were getting really tired so they dropped us of at the hotel for a good night sleep. Tokyo awaits tomorrow!
Hah. You would think we would sleep through the next day. But no. We woke up at 3am! Jetlag anyone? lol. Close your eyes and get back to sleep. I really thought i had slept for hours when i woke up again, but it was only 5am by then. So we decided to get ourselves some breakfast in a nearby convenience store and get ready at a leisurely pace for a great sunny day in Tokyo.

Back from Tokyo!

2010-03-12T18:02:00.004-05:00

I'm back from Tokyo and back from a dream.
I have been walking around with a big smile the whole entire trip. It was all i hoped for and more. We had such a great time in the city and the people were so kind and good to us, they really made it unforgettable.
Don't even know where to start telling about all the adventures. I think i have enough for multiple (think a lot!) blogposts! So get ready for a bit less vintage and a bit more Tokyo and cuteness the next couple of days.

This was the gorgeous view from the hotel room, no, it's not the Eiffeltower, but the Tokyo Tower.
All though i am a big city girl, i like the quieter parts of a city. To stay in, that is, i venture out in the busy places and like to find my home where it is more calm.
The tokyo tower is not in the most happening place of town, or your passion is for business finances. But i liked going back each evening to where i could rest.
For those who know about my recent accident, my hip was holding up fine throughout the trip. By day 3 i had a blister which hurt me more than my fractures were. But i must admit my hip started to protest around day 5. I kinda overdid it on the walking. But nothing one Japanese aspirin couldn't take care of. I was in Tokyo. The sun was shining. What was i to do then? Stay in the hotel room all day? You're kidding right? I went out. Explore. Adventures awaited.

Stay tuned for more stories and pictures!

Be right Back!

2010-02-27T11:09:00.001-05:00

I'm off on my dream trip to Tokyo!
Not bringing a laptop and not sure if i'll have access to a computer and internet, so i'll be back here when i return to NY! Hope you all will be here to welcome me back and read about my Japanese Adventures.
Very excited!

Bedroom to dream by

2010-02-23T09:13:00.001-05:00

From 1,001 decorating ideas, book 19, 1962

Remember the use of pompons in vintage decors that i showed not too long ago?
Here's another great example of pompom decorating.
The distinctive use of white pompom braids gives this contemporary setting, by designer Edmund Motyka, its look of luxury. Applied in rows, it coordinates a spread and a contrasting valance.

Where's my white pompom braid and my sewing kit?

Knit your coat

2010-02-21T16:46:00.000-05:00

From Ariadne Craftmagazine September 1971

Really? If i could knit better, i could knit this coat?
I would wear it everyday! With pride and a smile.
And that belt! I adore!

Happy Valentine

2010-02-14T09:08:00.000-05:00

Mr. Adrian Pearsall

2010-02-12T09:22:00.000-05:00

I found this add for the Craft Furniture Company in 1,001 Decorating Ideas Magazine, winter edition 1971.
Roomy and Deliciously colorful. Craft furniture is a slice of life. An environment so warm so inviting, you just can't help feeling sociable at all times.

The ad shows the "Suspension Group". 19 Correlated pieces designed to give dozens of different decorating ideas.

Mister Adrian Pearsall has designed a number of chairs and sofas that i can only dream about.
Mr. Pearsall is known for his innovative designs, including the popular beanbag chair. He was the designer and owner of Craft Associates. The company was founded in 1952 and he made it a big success. He also helped young John Graham to start Comfort Designs. He sold Craft in 1969 to the Lane Company and left in 1972 to become a partner in Comfort Designs. I can only imagine what a big inspiration he was to work for, and since many of his previous employees came with him from Craft to Comfort i think i'm right. He retired from the business in the late 90s.

I'm trying to look into his eyes in the picture. He must have been going through a lot with selling his company and starting up a new one, but still working for his old company, just no longer being the boss. This ad was from that time. Was he happy doing this ad? Did he have anything to say about it? I hope so. I hope he felt good about it.

Big eyed puppies for a dollar!

2010-02-10T09:39:00.002-05:00

Advertisement from inside a Women's Household Magazine July 1970.

Lovable puppies with all-too-human expressions to bring decorating dash to livingroom walls or spice up a children's room with. They've got instant appeal and create a feeling of warmth and joy.
The artist, Coby, seems to know exactly the right touch to make these irresistible paintings spring to life.

These were printed by Colonial Studios and i would have been the first to send in the order form for these adorable puppies. The orderform also mentions in bold letters that the offer will not be repeated this season. I guess that means the offer also won't be repeated in 2010? A girl can dream..

Try the Farrah Fawcett Hairdo

2010-02-08T09:51:00.000-05:00

No need to say Farrah Fawcett-Majors. Everybody knows who Farrah is... they recognize her smile and that glorious hair style! Girls everywhere are trying to duplicate it. Is it for you? Cut along dotted line and hold it up to your face.
Smile big!

You want to try it? It's from American Girl Magazine, June 1977 and the complete mag is now available in the shop!

Happy Birthday Mama!

2010-02-06T09:16:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to my lovely Mama!
(photo featured here before)