ANTIQUE INSPIRATION

B and I are forever hunting down new markets to go to in and around Japan or when we are away on vacation. We have a lot of great finds in boxes in my sewing room which we plan to one day send 'home', and the odd piece out on display. We dream about the day Japans version of Antiques Road Show comes to town and we find out that some small trinket that we never really loved is worth a squillion dollars. We sell it, give a bunch of money to a worthy charity and take off around the world to find more trinkets to add to the collection. Thank goodness B is a crazy hoarder like me..

A BIT OF MANLY INSPIRATION

I have just spent all of my 'baby O is napping so it's time to sew' time gawking at these gorgeous dudes:

GQ's: The 50 most stylish men of the past 50 years

What a line up! I was going to list a few of my faves but it was getting too long. I am dying to watch both 'Bullitt' (Steve McQueen) and 'Hannah and her Sisters' (Michael Caine) tonight with a few beers and a pack of Marlboros..

LET'S GO SWIMMING

Sunshine, family, friends, current pool, tapioca tea, bento, sunburn, watching my boys nap.

HIROSHIMA HEAT

Holy cow it's boiling! Summer in Japan is quite rough although at least the weather is predictable. Growing up in New Zealand a summer day may start with you wearing a singlet and sunglasses and end up with you in a sweater, grabbing your umbrella for the unseen downpour.

Baby O, B and I have a date at the Hiroshima Family Pool tomorrow morning. Yahoo! I have such fond memories of swimming at the public pools in my home town. And of ice blocks and bee stings.

This is me circa 1977 at the Palmerston North Lido..

GIFU CIRCLES

ENGLISH

Sometimes the English language can be used in strange ways in Japan.

I love the name of this store near Ginkakuji in Kyoto..



This lady was a mother helper at her sons kindergarten sports day..



And this is the interesting name for a fish sausage sold at my local convenience store..

GREY DAY

Some photos from a wonderful trip to Beijing.

NEW BAGS

It has been difficult finding time to sew lately when I would rather be hanging out with my super cute 16 month old but I am finally getting around to designing some new bags. Yahoo! I think this large stripey shopper is going to turn out well. I'll keep you posted.

LET'S BEGIN

Bikkuri Squirrel has made it to blog land! It's just another way to see my design ideas and inspirations together in one place. Where to start..