Karel Capek Japanese Teas

Ever a sucker for cute packaging, these Japanese teas have got me. Yup - I'm hooked. Who could say no to a cup of tea from a tin like this?

Butter dish from Claska

Well Internet, I don't expect you to get behind this as much as I do, but here it is. I had a love affair with a butter dish in Japan. I saw it in about three different shops and finally bought one in Nakameguro. It has a cold, white enamel base and a beautifully soft wooden top. I might not even use it for butter but it really is a stunning piece of work.

Furoshiki Love

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One of the things I love about Japan is the attitude towards thrift, care and re-use. Furoshiki are Japanese pieces of cloth used to store and carry things, and they are just so lovely. 

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Plants in Japan

I was so enamoured with all the plants in pots outside hundreds of houses and shops in Japan. Small collections of pretty gardens, perched on the edge of window sills and footpaths, clump together to form tiny landscapes of green. Just perfect.

Temples in Japan

I truly had no idea how stunning these would be, but we went on a Temple bender in Kyoto, visiting old towns and temples and shrines for three days. The most superb gardens, simplicity and precision I've ever seen: you must go if you like any of these things! (And these photos don't capture the bright greens and the crisp air - but close your eyes and try to imagine).

All photos by me.

Totoro postcard

Such a lovely idea - Hayao Miyazaki films made into a set of postcards, including my very favourite My Neightbour Totoro.

Update: it seems the link isn't working - I originally found these here.

Playing with Ikebana

After a recent flower arranging course, I've decided to give flowers more time. In Japan, I managed to track down some Kenzan and have been having fun picking flowers on morning walks and arranging them in mini vases. These are a couple of recent favourites, 

Craft shops in Japan

Mumokuteki in Kyoto

Yes, these shops were my downfall. Oh, you guessed as much? Well, I am nothing if not predictable. I managed to hunt down some pretty amazing shops, as well as the usual suspects like Loft and Tokyu Hands. I won't tell you how much I bought, but let's just say I made "some investments".

(All three of the above are from Loft. Yes, that last one is all stickers...)