So Pretty

I love this blouse and these boots from Arts and Science. I spent all fall trying to track down a pair of boots like these. I never really succeeded. I love the styling in the photos here. I visit often for outfit inspiration. Their spring catalog should be out soon. Also, really loving this. So pretty.

Tokyo Backyard Gardens

I found these photos last fall via hoping for happy accidents, back before I had a blog. I’ve been looking forward to being able to pass them along. More of these photos here. I’m so inspired by these little bits of greenery in a cityscape and the simple beauty found in the everyday.

Cooking, Eating, Reading

Cooking, eating, and reading are three of my favorite things. So reading books about cooking and eating is obviously one of my favorite things too. Here are some great food reads:

Tender at the bone by Ruth Reichl. I’ve read all of her books and this one is my favorite.

My life in France by Julia Child. I just finished reading this one. It’s totally charming.

Untangling my chopsticks by Victoria Abbott Riccardi. I found this in the bargain bin at my neighborhood bookstore and loved it. An American woman lives in Kyoto for a year and studies Japanese food. A delight!

The Language of Baklava by Diana Abu-Jaber. A coming of age memoir about an American/Jordanian family and the food that unites them. Also charming.

And my all time favorite food author?

Laurie Colwin, hands down. Her two books, Home Cooking and More Home Cooking are simply the best. Her writing is funny and delicious. It is true comfort food reading.

And last but not least, my favorite food magazine is Gourmet. I love the photos, the articles, and of course the recipes, which make up most of our dinners. I’m not sure I could live without it every month.

Japanese Fabrics

Here are the rest of the hobo bags from my new Japanese fabric. I'm not sure which is my favorite. I love the hedgehogs, but I think I might have to make a bag from the ruler print for myself for spring...it's a nice heavy canvas and navy blue and white are one of my favorite combinations. Have a nice weekend everyone!

Nautical Spring Style

Here are a few things that remind me of all things nautical and nice. Top two are from Anthropologie. Sometimes I glance through their newest catalog thinking it’s not that interesting, only to find myself picking it up a month or two later and finding little tidbits that I love. Here are two from the December catalog that I just re-discovered. Next, one of my French History bags...soon to be available on etsy. I love these vintage stripes! And to go along with that nautical skirt and bag, how about this soap from Saipua? Just the packaging alone has me sold on it, but the description on their website sounds lovely too. For a fun read, check out their blog or view their on-line shop. It’s very pretty!

Bright on the inside

It's very grey outside today, so here are some cheery bits of color from my house. The pillow in the middle photo I made from a vintage tablecloth...it's part of a pair that will be for sale in my etsy shop, once I get it up and running. Right now, it's just looking pretty in my studio.

Spring Bags

Here are the first spring bags I've sewn. The top bag is a Japanese print in canvas. The bottom bag is Japanese linen, lined with cotton corduroy. Both bags have matching little zip bags for carrying your cell phone, lipstick, keys, etc., but I don't have any good photos of them yet. I'll post more sewing pictures later in the week.