soaking up style...

iconic Japantown

Japanese sewing books!

I have had this desire to travel back to Japan
ever since my wonderful experience
at the Nagoya airport.
Well, as luck would have it,
I stayed in Japantown this time.
I had been here before, but not spent much time,
so it was nice to have a few free moments to look around.
For quite some time I had wanted to go to Kinokuniya Bookstore
thanks to this post by Victoria
and seeing countless Japanese sewing books on other blogs.
I just LOVE the aesthetic of almost anything Japanese.


coolest magazine ever!

My favorite thing?
Japanese women's bicycle magazine Mint of course!
I would have scooped it up had it not been over $20,
but I had a lovely time soaking up the style and enjoying
the fun layouts inside.
There were also quite a few other bicycling magazines
to peruse - so much fun!!!

Some day I will make it to Japan again,
but for now this mini trip
worked wonders on my empty tank
filling me up with countless inspirations.

good things make life better...

Late Summer Nights: Sunny on the way there. Dark on the way home.

we have had a LOVELY string of late SUMMER weather.
I had put on our schedules awhile ago a lecture I wanted to attend.
so I arrived home from work,
put on my favorite cycling skirt,
and off H and I went.

easy peasy parking - dusk to dark

there are many reasons why we rode our bicycles:
1. We live about 4 miles from the destination, an easy peddle on over.
2. Parking at the University is a pain and expensive, not so with a bicycle.
3. I needed to move my body.
4. It is a fun thing to do together, much more fun than sitting in the car.
5. With this gorgeous weather, how could one not want to get out and enjoy it?

I realized later that it was fitting I wore my favorite Japanese fabric skirt.
I want to make more of these skirts,
the waist is a little higher and I shortened the pattern to the perfect length,
both work swell when I feel the need to slip on bicycle shorts underneath
(like on a hot Summer's night going to a lecture when I didn't want sweat stains).

If you haven't noticed on this blog,
I have a thing for art, design, and architecture.
I also have a thing that's been brewing for awhile
for Japan.
I hope to continue to focus on those things here
because they are what make me me,
make my days more interesting,
stretch my brain,
and make the world a better place.

photo: Atelier Bow-Wow "Pony Garden"

Atelier Bow-Wow is my new favorite.
I learned so much at this lecture.
Most of all I appreciate their approach to architecture and space.
What a wonderful thing when the spaces we move in
change our behaviors for the better.
If we all could be so lucky to spend time in one of their spaces,
what a better place the world would be...

Obento....YES...

I went to Japan last night - and it was less than 2 miles away at Obento-ya. We had nearly given up on this place due to irregular hours, but WHAT A GEM! I haven't had Udon this good since Nagoya airport. Love the atmosphere (some of the hippest folk I've seen this side of the river) and the simple decoration, love the great waitstaff, love the music softly beating in the background, and the food was just what it should be - good and affordable. I left feeling full, content, and healthy. And I love that they say goodbye when you leave - I miss that from SF. And lastly, this place was the definition of Hyggelig! Finally, we are finding our way.

Taiwan

Scary containers at a factory.

Pretty scenery...next to a factory.

Toilet

And the best thing...udon at the airport in Nagoya, Japan!