Exploring Tokyo :: Ebisu

These photos were taken around Ebisu on my trip last month. There are some lovely little streets to wander around in and sweet little shops to be found. A word of warning though if you're heading to Tokyo armed with shopping directions from blogs: make sure they are current, or be prepared for the possibility that shops have closed or moved. I spent hours walking around with various maps and directions (in other parts of Tokyo too) and didn't find a single one of the shops I'd hoped to visit... not because I'm directionally challenged, but because they weren't there! Once I got over my frustration I did enjoy Ebisu though!

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ART :: Andrew McNeile Jones

Beautiful contemporary still life paintings by British artist Andrew McNeile Jones.
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My Home :: Doors - Before & After

When I bought my apartment the lovely old double doors that divide the living area from the bedroom had reproduction stained glass panels. If you're unfamiliar with this sort of glass, it's basically glass with a design printed on the back - made to look like stained glass, but actually fooling no one.

I looked into replacing it with a translucent glass with a simple beveled edge, but it was ridiculously expensive. So instead I had more budget friendly glass installed (less than half the price) and covered it with Emma Jeffs' beautiful Otto window film. And I think that the result looks so much better than the plain/expensive glass would have. The white walls and doors also make a big difference - previously the walls were pale blue and the doors were cream.

I'm so happy with how it worked out. The window film was really easy to install and it's added a contemporary look with a nod to tradition. It looks different day and night and still lets light through while maintaining privacy. Emma Jeffs window film is available in a variety of designs and you can purchase it directly from her online shop, from Ella and Sofia in Australia, and 2Jane in the US (they will ship to Aus too).

 I highly recommend it!
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If I had a staircase...

I would want it to look something like this:

Image: Patrick Cline for Lonny magazine

Love the multiple monochromatic patterns stencilled on the rises. The rest of the decor totally suits the locale, but in my house the wall up the stairs would be empty and the railing white.

This lovely staircase is part of the Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech. The May issue of Lonny has lots more images of this absolutely stunning guest house as well as some gorgeous images of Marrakech (somewhere I'd love to go), shopping tips and Moroccan recipes.

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An Eight and a Half Party

Roxy's birthday is right in the Christmas / New Year period and parties are always tricky. People are away on holidays, kids are already a bit ratty from late nights, and Roxy gets Christmas and her birthday right on top of one another and then has to wait a whole year for them to come around again.

So this year we had a little 8 and a half celebration with a few of her school friends. Although it meant Roxy had to wait 18 months since her last party she thought it was worth the wait because nobody else she knows gets to have a 'half' birthday party.

The cake is so embarrassing! It's hardly a beautifully styled blog-worthy creation! Roxy's not into cake and it's the one thing that I never have any success baking, so we were both happy with a store bought mud cake. I planned to redecorate it, but Roxy insisted on leaving the existing decoration in place. So I just added the numbers in the centre and some mini bunting.

We made Frog in a Pond, which is an old favourite. I made them in individual cups this time (I usually do them in small shallow paper bowls), and the size was perfect - the frogs just had their heads above water. We pushed the frogs in when the jelly was set so it looked like there were water ripples around them. I added little umbrellas and they were a hit with the girls.

And I found yet another use for wash tape... I removed the labels from water bottles and made little washi tape flags which Roxy wrote her guests' names on.

I used to go all out with parties when Roxy was little... I think that was as much for me as it was for her! As they get older it's more about having fun together than fancy themes and coordinating everything. All the girls are into music, singing, dancing and games, so I did a lot of filming and they did a lot of performing! I hung balloons and streamers from the light, and put out some platters of simple food and some sweets. It was a stress-free party for me, and was declared 'the most awesome party ever in the universe' by one of the guests. So success all round!

Have you found as your children get older that parties are less fussy? Do you or anyone you know have a Christmas or New year birthday - and have you ever been to a 'half' birthday party? I can't take credit for the idea... a lady I met once told me that her birthday was on new year's eve and her mum always threw a 'half' birthday party for her in June. Brilliant idea.

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