Beautiful bird.

Such beautiful colors.

This is one of the many many terrific images from the NY Public Library Digital Gallery. You can purchase prints of various sizes for framing. This one would be perfect for the dining room!

"Fabric as wall paper?" she says.

Oh, yes! I say! Look at this fabulous fabric from Weego Home. Now that I have a new home to decorate, I am scheduled to go crazy, looking for things I cannot buy to fill it. No mind the plethora of deco or arts & crafts items (McCoy vases, Japanese sconces, etc.) that would go "just perfectly!" Agh!! So, what do I do? I just post them here so that you all can see how beautiful they are, so you too can feel my pain! lol
Weego Home not only has gorgeous adornments for the walls, but tons of other household accoutrements in very clean and "vintage modern" (if you will) style.

After all, money *is* no object, right?

Now to Denmark...

Cute, cute, cute. Cute as a bunny. I know they are in Denmark, but aren’t a lot of really cool things? Here are some bunny vases, perfect for a single Gerbera daisy or any other perfectly ripe blossom from your garden. Heck, even Queen Anne’s lace would look good in these suckers from Designer’s Zoo in Copenhagen.

Japanes Kick

As much as I hate to keep listing things that are hard to come by, if you do a little research, you may be able to posses one of the most unique conversation pieces in the neighborhood. Here are some unique pieces of furniture made by a Japanese designer, half based in Paris, half based in Singapore. The collection is called OryZa, and you can inquire about this colorful resin utilitarian art by writing via email to hiroppi@pacific.net.sg. This here is from the last exhibition held in Paris in early September (assuming last September), and I can’t wait to see what new stuff is coming out.

Texture Mouse

Who needs a boring ol' mouse, anyway? Here are some fabulous little mice made from terrific Marimekko prints. So far they are only available from a Japanese site called kokuyo, but they hope to have them soon here at stateside.

What does it mean?

Japanese Ephemera. Who knows… I don’t know…. It’s just cool.

So, these shirts are really cool, right? One of the reasons I wanted to list something from this shop is that I have been there. Kobo at Higo is one of the most beautiful shops I have been in. In fact, they have just totally revamped their site, and it doesn’t do the store justice. This is one of those places you walk in and think to yourself, “Is this a shop? Is it a museum?” In fact, it is both. What Kobo at Higo in Chinatown, Seattle, has is a very artful display of Japanese ephemera, complete with the vintage cases that came with the store, mixed with cool modern Japanese kitsch. While perusing the displays, you will come upon an explanation of why there are old cans of who-knows-what delicacies, all written in Japanese, or with American names as “Delicious Sun.” Lost in translation? Perhaps not….

PANTONE COLLECTION

"Based on colorful sample plates used by traveling china salesmen in the 1940's and 50's to show the variety of color available to restaurants, hotels and country clubs." Wow. I LOOOOOVE these. I am always looking for the proper names of colors - yes, it is true - and having a quick reference in a rainbow of colors, right there on your dinnerware - don't you just want to eat them up? You can find these and other great stuff at Fishs Eddy, a great collection of vintage tableware and other classic wares for the home.

Hotcha Mamma!

Okay, I can't get the pic of the belt I just ordered for my daughter for her 15th birthday, but you NEED to go check out the wares at Nitro*A*GoGo. I can't believe someone makes these things - they are so cool. Next, I want the Funny Car Summer Bag, and the Bohemian, then maybe the Sophia bag, and maybe even the "Miss Atomic Bomb 1952." They are the bomb, indeed. On top if that, you can pick your own color/fabric combination: do you want pink leopard, or tan, and maybe even some sea-foam glitter vinyl on the reverse..... Dig it, baby.

A Little Taste of... China

I picked this up at Ross for about $4. It is the best $4 I have EVER spent on a cook book. Hands down.

Not only am I a sucker for beautiful pictures (and this book has loads) but I love an easy to follow recipe that tastes like something from a really good restaurant. This is it. After making a quick trip to the Viet Ho market, I was able to fairly quickly acquire some special black vinegar and Shao Xing (after figuring out it was vinegar ONLY because it was in the vinegar section), I made the Kung Pao chicken on page 54. Mark requested it, and Kung Pao he got. I don't know if it was one of those exotic ingredients, but it absolutely rocked. It is rare that I see him take thirds or even seconds, but I am pretty sure he had fourths and then I had to smack his little paws away from picking at the baby's plate.

The photos are absolutely beautiful and there are several colorful and glossy pictures of food, people, and places on each and every page. The back has a quick reference for breads and sauces, and the book is a nice small, but not TOO small size.

You can find it on Amazon.com for about $5 used, but I would look around at sale tables at some book stores to avoid shipping. However, I think it is worth it anyway - impress your guests/husband/kids. Everyone loves Chinese food.

Beautiful food, beautiful pictures, beautiful book. Super easy to follow, great organization, nice size, and the Kung Pao kicks ass.