Hygge & Wool

We have made a few films from our trips in the past, but the Japan films will be 90% created by Steven. I bought my camera and lens (Canon 5D Mark + Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens) for our trip, and Steven ended up loving it and using it to film most of our footage. Steven also edited everything together, with the help of his friend Joseph for the intro animated text and a coworker for the sound edits. Each time I watch it, it transports me back to Tokyo, and I hope it takes you there too. Stay tuned, we'll eventually have a film of our Kawaguchiko, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka footage too.

film

Tokyo | a film

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

For a very special friend, nearly 20 women from around the nation gathered together to celebrate an upcoming wedding. Eighteen Floridians, Chicagoans, New Yorkers, and newly-made Californians all made their way to Palm Springs, California for this bachelorette's weekend in the sun.

We rented two Airbnbs in Palm Springs, right around the block from each other. Each house had a pool, pool floats, a view of the mountains, and bikes which were perfect for quick trips to each house. We rode our bikes around the neighborhood, enjoying the mountain view, the cacti garden front lawns, and the quintessentially mid-century modern architecture.

One of the days, we visited Joshua Tree National Park for a quick hike. While we weren't interested in getting lost in the desert, we did enjoy losing cell service and barely finding our way out after an hour long hike. One of our cars got separated from the group, and ended up off-roading on a dirt access road. Thankfully, they made it back to a main road and in range of some cell towers to find their way back to the Airbnb.

The terrain of Joshua Tree National Park, and Palm Springs in general, reminds me of the desert neighborhoods in The Sims. Mountains, cacti, desert foliage, all of the ingredients perfect for an alien abduction. Is there where the term "far out" originated from in the 70's? I wouldn't be surprised.

travels

Far Out in Palm Springs, California

Friday, June 23, 2017

What I Wore

Blouse c/o: NewChic // Jacket: Sunshine boutique in Paris// Jeans: Top Shop // Glasses: Firmoo // Pin: Salad Days Pins

For our four year wedding anniversary/ten year dating anniversary, we decided we wanted to do a little weekend getaway. We didn't want to go anywhere too far, and we wanted to be able to bring our dog, Mort. I searched home rental websites for the perfect place in Wisconsin, settling on an 1800's restored farmhouse five minutes away from downtown New Glarus.

While the little downtown area was perfect for us to sight see some things and walk around during the day, as soon as we approached the dirt road of the farmhouse, we lost cell service and our quiet retreat awaited. There was no wifi either, so it made for incredibly quiet evenings on the rolling hills. At night we would stand in the fields, listening to how quiet it is. Having been in Chicago s o long, you forget what silence is like. No hum of distant trains and cars. You can actually hear the birds. You can see the sun creep up over the horizon. In Chicago, sleeping in is a weekend treat. Here, I want to see the sun climb. There are no buildings obstructing my view.

Staying in a Farmhouse in America's Dairyland

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Within a few blocks from our Osaka apartment (the largest apartment we stayed in while visiting Japan) was Dotonbori, the downtown district. Along the touristy street are lots of restaurants, clothing shops, and tons of illuminated signs. There were tons of takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and udon restaurants here with great animatronic signs!

Along the river, there are bridges that connect both sides of the street. On one of the bridges you get a great view of the famous Glico Man, an advertisement that shines bright, day and night. At the end of the district, there is an old neon sign that blinks various colors. The bulbs are so dated, you can hear the buzz of each color illuminating, flashing for attention.

I had to pop into a shop and buy myself a blanket-like scarf (perfect for Chicago's winter) since I saw so many people in Japan wearing such trendy scarves. Being our last destination, we didn't feel bad filling up our suitcases with souvenirs, especially the cute tins full of candy from the Kuidaore clown.

Finally, this is the last Japan post. I wanted to be able to have all of my favorite photos from our trip on the blog, but it was definitely an immense collection of images. I'm looking forward to posting photos of home, of Chicago, of a wonderful summer ahead.

japan travels

Downtown Osaka: Dotonbori, the Street of Larger than Life Signs

Thursday, June 08, 2017

Osaka wasn't too large of a city, so getting lost there wasn't an overwhelming thought. There were plenty of ally ways that we took a chance on, and most of the time we found some gems. We came across a thin alley that had a small temple within. There were Buddhist monks at that temple one night, performing a ceremony where they burn balsam tree branches and chant.

Nearby, there was a bar at the top of a staircase. On it's sign it only said "BAR" with the name of the owner in Japanese. We took a chance and walked up the stairs. Inside was one long, wooden bar. It was a cocktail bar with the bartender playing jazz music on a record player. We told the bartender what kind of drinks we like, and he made us delicious cocktails. With the cocktails, he brought out tiny ceramic dishes of delicious bar snacks like sesame sticks and dried oranges. We talked about jazz with him, and he brought out more records that we recognized. It was one of our favorite places.

In Osaka, there is a clown called Kuidare, with a statue that drums outside his own shop of candy and confections. The term kuidare means to bankrupt oneself on eating and drinking. So on our last day in Osaka, we did that. We hopped from restaurant to restaurant, eating small plates and having a drink. People in Osaka like their food extremely hot too, so I got to enjoy some steaming food, hot off the grill.