pinku

Cupcake update!

Whilst most of you are probably watching the Oscars or doing everything possible to avoid watching the Oscars, I'm at work - it's Monday morning.....ughh.

In exciting news, I just got a call from Rae to tell me she had spotted cupcakes at Dean & Deluca in Shibuya (thanks Rae!!). I will go and check out what's available at the D&D near my work during lunchtime.

I welcome any more cupcake spottings around Tokyo!!!!

Cu

No cupcakes in Japan

After I read Mariko's post about cupcakes, I thought to myself - I've never seen cupcakes for sale in Japan.

I live in Tokyo, one of the world's largest cities - SURELY there is at least one cupcake store. I started on my quest to find at least one (via google), but all I came up with was a bunch of Japanese people blogging about all the awesome cupcake cafes/stores in New York, LA and London. I did read about some shop on an American air base that makes cupcakes, but I want one in Kichijoji. It could totally be the next big thing.

The photo is taken from one of the first pages I found - see some more amazing cupcakes here.

I totally think cupcakes would be the biggest hit in Japan - why has nobody tapped into this yet??!!

I also would love for someone to prove me wrong and find one in Tokyo....coz I so wanna go there. Sure there are PLENTY of other amazing desserts here in Tokyo, but of course we always want what we can't have. I guess in the meantime I'll have to make my own. This isn't a problem, but I can guarantee you that I'll eat more than one. That's the danger.

Budgie smugglers

This one is for the Australians out there - this hilarious article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald today.

'Budgie smuggler' stunts a boost to tourism

In knitting news, I received my copy of Twinkle's Big City Knits a week ago but haven't gotten around to taking a closer look at it. There are some really cute designs in there though. A review might be coming!!

In sad knitting news, I had nearly finished my Nora Gaughan pentagon shrug thing - only had one sleeve and the collar to go when I faced up to reality - it was monstrous in size. Seriously. I immediately cast on for the smaller size with smaller needles. We'll see how that goes. It's a fun knit but it's a weird shape that doesn't naturally fit the human body. I'm seen a few finished versions on the web, and it seems like everyone had the same problems. It would have been nice to be given some more measurements than just the pentagon size. I don't hold up high hopes for this pattern but I might post a couple of the gigantor shrug photos before I rip, rip, rip.

Um, and can you believe they killed off you-know-who on Grey's Anatomy??!!

And since I always like to include a photo with every post, here's a photo of me and my host family in front of Hirosaki castle during my visit to Aomori last week. I'm smiling in the pic but my feet and hands are FREEZING. Most host mother was horrified I wore a skirt that day.

So sweet!

Ok, so I'm a day late, but Happy Valentine's Day!!

A couple of weeks ago while wandering around my neighbourhood, I visited one of my favourite vintage American zakka/material shops called Socks Ciao. I hadn't been in a while so it was really fun browsing their vintage fabrics, books and various zakka products. I then came across of vintage American valentine's day cards. I went through the whole box and chose about 8. I paid way too much for them but I just couldn't resist. The 40s and 50s definitely seemed like a much sweeter time. The cards are not only cute but also hilarious. I got a little choked up reading the original messages on the back. Love is good.

I gave Darin this one

a crafty one

how could I pass up this one?

And the last one is the oldest one of the bunch - 1945...

And there was a little message on the back....and yes I paid 500 yen (or nearly $5 for this card). The others were cheaper thank goodness and I didn't really mind because they were so cute!

A quick review - Fitted Knits

Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel

I can't believe this book is already in my hot little hands. I mean I live in Japan. I rushed home last night, threw my bags on the floor, reclined on the couch, ripped open the Amazon box and enjoyed this great new knitting book. Later I said hi to my husband and gave him a kiss. Priorities girls!

There were no real surprises in this book - I expected a lot of fashionable and wearable designs and the book delivers. There are some patterns we've seen before (bulky mini cardie) and a couple that look very similar to old patterns (Forecast), but overall I think this is a fantastic book that is worth every cent because you know what, you'll actually knit items from it and you'll look good wearing them.

I loved more than half of the patterns (not bad) and I scanned a few photos for you all, including my favourite design - the one shown on the cover. Simple, elegant and sexy. I know a lot of people don't like yellow but it looks gorgeous here.

The design we have all been hanging out for - the peplum cardigan with puffy sleeves. I'll so be making this one

I'm not sure I'd make this next one but it's really growing on me

A nice simple vest - we love vests

There were a few designs I didn't love including the this navy? purple? suit.  But hey I've never seen a book where I love absolutely every single design anyway and I often buy knitting mags and only like one pattern in it.

Fitted Knits is totally worth spending your money on. Congrats Steph!!

I'm heading to Aomori in northern Japan this afternoon to see some snow and spend some time with my host family from 15 years ago!!!! It's a long weekend here in Japan and that makes me very happy. Have a great one and I'll see you all next week!!

Fitted ALREADY?

I just got an email from Amazon Japan that they sent my copy of Fitted Knits out today - ALREADY!!

Am so excited. Should have it by tomorrow.....

Something for the ladies...and guys?

I've been meaning to post this photo for a while and considering it's a Friday you all deserve a treat!!

Family version of a photo of Darin and Tyler at the men's rotenburo at Maguse Onsen in Nagano. You actually couldn't really see anything except for a bit of flank. You might be able to see something if you look really closely at the guy actually in the hot springs!!

An amazing view that's for sure. Darin tells me that his view in this photo was even more amazing. Please note an old Japanese guy offered to take this photo of Darin and Tyler and he was also naked and kinda squatting when taking the photo. TMI?

On a completely unrelated topic, there is a yarn sale on at Mitsubaya in Tokyo for all you local knitters. It's basically 20% off all yarn including some Rowan. The sale is on until the end of February. I picked up some tweed regia to make a pair of socks for my host mum in Aomori. I'll be there next weekend. Snow here I come.

Have a great weekend!!

Target + Stella McCartney

Wow Stella McCartney has designed a 42 piece collection for Target Australia.

It goes on sale March 12. And the whole collection will be able to be viewed online from March 5 on the Designers for Target website.

I think a trip to Australia is in order.....to visit family of course. I mean I totally wouldn't fly thousands of miles to go to Target.

Or would I?

I might have to put in an order to my BBE.

I wondered whether Australian Target had embraced the designer line approach and it seems they have. Erin told me that the stuff sells out really quickly and then horrible people try to sell it on ebay for lots more money.

In other news, I've been trying to think up five weird things about me. I've been tagged by Helen and the DivaKnitter, but I wasn't going to do it because I've kinda done it before so that'll be a total of 10 weird things about me. That'll make me weirder than most people.

1. As a kid I was never really an animal person (I know, I know), but now with my two sweet pigs I find myself chatting to them and cuddling them all the time. Daz and I couldn't imagine what our lives would be like without them. Is that weird...or normal?

2. Not so much now, but I'm unusually into sports. It was a bonding thing with my father. I really get into the excitement of the moment. I've been to numerous State of Origin games. I saw the Harlem Globetrotters live. I was obsessed with Italian league soccer, 500cc motorbike racing and F1 racing in my last two years of high school. I would stay up until all hours watching those cars race around the track. It might have had something to do with No. 5 in my previous list.

3. I hate wasabi. This is probably not that weird. I got burned when I was a high school exchange student in Japan and my first host mother made a sandwich for my lunch everyday and she'd secretly smothered that horrible green stuff on to the ham. I would either give those sandwiches away or thrown them in the bin. Sorry, host mother number one.

4. I have a mild online shopping addiction. I've been really good this month. I don't think I would buy as much if I lived in the western world....or would I? I even told Darin last night that one of the pros of possibly moving to the US in the future is that I would be able to buy whatever I wanted online (no more international shipping!!) One can dream.

5. I'm 32 and don't have my driver's license.

Wow, that was actually easier than I thought it would be. Please don't tag me with this one anymore because then everyone'll know just how weird I really am??!!!!

OH and for you knitters out there - you can now preview Rowan mag 41 for Spring and Summer - from first glances there isn't a love that I MUST have (this is good news - save more money).

Also check out the Rowan Bamboo Tape Collection

The Rowan Kasbah Collection

The Little Angels Collection from Kim Hargreaves

But even cuter is the book And so to Bed by Lucinda Guy - CUTE!!