Magazine Love: Gypsy Style

I hesitate to say that something is "gypsy" style--it just somehow seems a bit "un-p.c."--but in this issue of  the new German mag "We Love Living," that's the exact term used for this feature. I found this spread irresistible and right up my alley; I'd love to have an outdoor party like this. It's eccentric, boho, set in the country, and--apparently--based around gorgeous textiles and delicious food! Enjoy the photos (click to make them larger). Sorry that a couple of them are more than a bit blurry; I just noticed!

Go to www.asphalt-tango-shop.de for some real gypsy music. Now, are you ready for a party?

Magazine Love: Another Colorful Home

So, you know about my little magazine obsession, right? Well, in preparation for our month-long summer trip to the States, we've been on a spending moratorium for the past few weeks. I bought three German magazines, anyway, reasoning that I hadn't bought any--not a single one, that I can remember--the month before. Makes sense, yes? Anyway, I couldn't resist this spread from Living & More, definitely one of my favorite mags here because of their obvious love of color and eclectic decor.

I can't say enough about Tine Jolander's home--what a fantastic mix! Click on the photos for more detail.

Honestly, what's not to love? 

Back to our trip: we leave oh-so-early tomorrow morning and will be away for a month. Preparations for that much time away are always so much fun, you know? That's why I am sitting here blogging--so I can avoid packing suitcases and cleaning out the fridge. I do plan on posting a couple of times a week while I'm stateside. So, see you again soon!

My Style in One Picture

AT8, originally uploaded by sammybee.

From the Right Bank has issued a challenge: show off your personal decorating style in one--just one!--photo. This isn't easy to do, but I decided to give it a try. I thought about sammybee's house right away, as I have several rooms from her home in my flickr favorites. Her kitchen is so wonderful to me: boho-eccentric, bright but dark, rustic and glam, layered and personal. Clearly it's a space that is loved and used. I think it's pretty great.

Through the Keyhole

I'm joining Holistic Mama's Through the Keyhole ("real people, real homes") for the first time this week. This time the theme is a real-life view of our coffee tables and how we use them. This is ours, which is actually a Japanese kotatsu, or heater table. Japanese homes can be quite chilly and drafty in winter. Our Japanese house had large, single-paned windows and no insulation, so during the cold months (which thankfully weren't that many or all that cold in our part of Japan), we would sit on pillows on the floor under this table, which has a quilt that sandwiches between the top and the base (we remove it during warmer months). You sit under the quilt and turn on the heating element under the table. It's quite cozy. 

Now that we're in Germany and have a woodstove right by the table, we don't really need the heater part, but it's still nice to sit under the quilt. We often eat dinner, Japanese-style, here, which is why there are place mats. It's also often a study center for my kids and the place where I have breakfast and get on my laptop every morning next to my trusty hund, Yoshi. Oh, and there's usually a stack of books atop; right now the titles are Gypset, Garden Anywhere, MaryJane's Outpost, and The Idle Parent. Our coffee table is a happenin' place, indeed.

Haus Vignettes

I realized recently that I haven't posted very many photos from my haus. Here's a handful I took awhile back. They are somewhat Asia-centric, but that's because--well, much of what we own and love came from Asia, especially Japan.

Okay, enough for now. Have a lovely day!

New Mori Girl Mag

This is a great new Japanese mook called Valon, which is all about the Mori Girl lifestyle. I was excited to find it on ebay. If you know and like Spoon, you'll like this. Click on the pics below for more detail.

You know how Mori Girls like baskets and clogs, right?

Kawaii!

Such adorable succulent mini-gardens--and check it: there are Mori Boys, too!

I love Japanese bikes. Crocheted mushrooms? Yes, please!

Lovely, fresh style...

Mori Girls are often musicians, like Yuki Hanai. And Mori Girl picnics are always fun...

Incidentally, if you know of any cute Mori Girl blogs, I'd love to hear about them!