SHIBUYA - part 1(Japan Trip 2011)

We started our day with a little children's TV.  Of course, it had to be cute.

 Then it was off to our favourite French bakery, Jean Francois, for breakfast.  I find that bakeries and cafes are the most economical places to have breakfast in Japan, not to mention they have a delicious array of bad carbohydrates (the best sort!)

 This bakery in located in Mark City, a shopping centre attached to our hotel, Tokyu Excel, Shibuya.



I alway enjoy browsing the Japanese convenience stores. They are much more interesting than Australian ones.  For instance, look at all these fabulous magazines for only 600-700 yen. And they all come with free gifts. Do you think I bought any??

I also love the food and beverage packaging. So much variety and drinks I have never seen before.

And, they actually sell some decent food, such as sushi, noodles and sandwiches. You are never far from good food in Tokyo.

And the array of cakes and pastries! Such variety, and so cheap.

This shop was called "Sunkus" and it is located in Mark City.  We went there every day for supplies of drinks and ice cream.

Next installment tomorrow.

JAPAN TRIP 2011

We've just returned from a whirlwind trip to Japan yesterday, so still getting over a bit of jetlag.

Will start a more detailed recap tomorrow.  Did lots of craft shopping of course, as well as visiting some amazing historical landmarks.

Now it's back to reality: school, work, sports training, housework, raising kids and pampering husband.  Also, back to strict dieting - wow, I ate so much delicious food!

Greetings from Japan

Hi everyone,

Having fun here in Japan.  Caught a bullet train through the typhoon amongst other interstesting experiences.

Lots of nice photos to show you when I get home on the weekend!

I'm going craft shopping in Japan

Off on my massive shopping expedition to Japan tomorrow. So happy! My poor credit card....

Japan Dreams 5 - Asakusabashi

I adore beading.  I have a vast collection of Japanese bead books.  Their designs are so beautiful.  I subscribe to "Bead Friend", which is a quaterly Japanese beading magazine and I would love to make many of their projects, however where I live on the Gold Coast, it is impossible to obtain the beads required.  Some of them I can order from ebay or on the Kiwa website which is in Japanese and requires the use of a forwarding postal service.  It's not quite the same as browsing through a store and actually seeing the beads for real.

Therefore, I am going to spend a whole day in Asakusabashi, which is a district filled with bead shops- one after another. Bliss!! It also is home to some Japanese doll stores and big craft shops (Bliss again!)

So I have photocopied about 40 different projects from my bead books and translated them to English and drawn up an enormous list of beading requirements.  40 projects = alot of beads!

I do feel a little sorry for my son who will be in tow. Is it cruel to make a little boy spend a whole day in bead town?  Hopefully I will stumble across a model car shop whilst I am there so I can buy something to bribe him.

Have a look here to see the bead shops I will be visiting: http://www.bel-art.co.jp/shop_shop/beadsshop_map.html

Japan Dreams 4 - La Droguerie

La Droguerie is a French craft store and has several branches across Japan. Have a look at these gorgeous pictures from their website.

Apparently, their products are quite expensive, but that won't stop me from purchasing a little of their merchandise. And, I'm sure it is all high quality. I want to make this necklace - it's so unique.

They seem to specialise in vibrant jewel colours, which I adore.

These two books captured my interest.  I would love to own one.

Has anyone ever been to La Droguerie?  I'd love to know what you bought there!

JAPAN DREAM 3 LADUREE GINZA

The Laduree teahouse is located in Mitsokoshi Department store, Ginza.  Laduree is ichiban in the world of French Patisseries.  Have a look at the tearoom. I want to live there.  The decor is so posh.

I already know what I am going to order.  Plus I will be indulging in a little take away box of macaroons or two.  And, they also sell bags and purfume - could it be any more perfect? So purrty.

Apparently, the wait to get a table is about one hour, so my daughter and I are going to take turns waiting in the queue whilst the other browses the lovely objects in Mitsukoshi.  My son is not going to like! But us girls have our hearts set on lunching here, and once he has a cake in his mouth, he'll be happy.

http://www.laduree.fr/fr/maisons/monde-details#38