[Shanghai] - Lolo Love Vintage

Lolo Love Vintage is a cute vintage clothing shop cum cafe. It’s off the main road but once you enter its ground, you will get a sense of its quirkiness. The shop is housed in what looks like the ground level of a double storey residential property. The sitting area of the cafe starts from the outer area of the house and extends to the big patio in front of it. Nestle on the retro furniture while you sip your coffee or you can have a bed too! 

[Shanghai] - Baker & Spice

I went on a short trip last week to Shanghai and guess what? I’ll be doing a series of posts on Shanghai here! The weather was great while I was there. It was cool enough to wear a jacket but not so freezing that one had to pile on layers. You’ll know by now that my travels always involve visiting cafes and indie shops, so this trip was no exception.

I have a love affair with artisan bread and I was at Baker & Spice on a lovely morning for my fix. It didn’t disappoint. Sitting at where I was, I could see freshly baked bread being taken out from the oven in the kitchen behind. After I greedily polished my breakfast, I slowly sipped my cup of freshly squeezed orange juice while enjoying the scene on the little lane outside. It was of flower peddlers, cyclists, grandparents and grandchildren, and of falling autumn leaves. 

Zakka

Hello! I hope you’ve enjoyed the recent Tokyo series. I just returned from a little trip last week and am looking forward to sharing some photos with you. I’m trying to reply to emails, catch up on where I left off and also pack a few orders. For now, here’s a peek at some of the little things I spent my money. I’m running out of display space!

Shop Update - Penguin

Another shop update! I had your Christmas gifting in mind when I made this little plush penguin. He’s decked in the holiday colours! It’s a gorgeous cotton linen fabric! I used a fun mix of fabrics for the front and back, which gives it a handmade touch. It facial features are also lovingly hand-stitched. This quirky fella is now available in my etsy shop!

[Tokyo] - Cafe Ikanika

I’ve saved the best for last! Today I’ll let you into one of my favourite cafes for my recent Tokyo trip. Cafe Ikanika in Jiyugaoka is one of those places where I don’t wish to describe in too many words and sentences. I feel that if I do so, I will be tainting your impression of it. This charming little space is an embodiment of simplicity and natural living.

I stepped in on a cool afternoon. A little late for lunch time but which allowed me find a little empty table in this small cafe. For the next hour or so, time slowed down. Being inside somehow led me to relax, speak in soft whispers, feel more clearly the light breeze, listen to the sounds of the birds outside. I took delight in the rustic interior decor as well as the delicious food set before me. Food that’s prepared in a way that maintains the integrity of the original produce, retaining as much of the natural flavour as possible.

Moustache George in Tartan

We’re taking a little break from our Japan series today because I want to introduce you to a new cushion of mine. It’s the popular Moustache George! This time, he’s clothed in a gorgeous cotton linen tartan top. Perfect for gifting this holiday season! I personally lugged the fabric all the way home from Tokyo! 

Moustache George is currently available here in my Etsy shop. 

[Tokyo] - Postcards

Hello! If you were wondering why there is a longer than usual interval between this and the previous post, it was because we had a long weekend over here. I took a little time off to run errands and also catch a movie. It was nice. 

I wanted to show you some of the flyer type postcards I picked up in Tokyo. I had so much fun collecting these and would end up looking out for them everywhere I went. They have such great designs! Here are a few:

I also found a few of these comic strips. Kawaii!

[Tokyo] - Kate Coffee

Have you ever stepped into a space which you felt is like an immediate respite? That you’ve just left the hustle and bustle outside the door? Kate Coffee (recommended by the lovely Hello Sandwich) was that for me. 

The few people inside were engaged in conversations of quiet whispers but which seemed no less engaging. A soft music played in the background, broken occasionally by the sound of the coffee machine. And so I sat, sipped, listened, watched.

I sat facing this window and noticed many kids walking down from that gentle slope ahead in all their joyful childish demeanor. So I guessed there must be a school or some sort up there. I ended up keeping count of the number of kids emerging from there. 

[Tokyo] - Streets

I’m not the best photographer but I hope the following photos convey a little of what I was feeling when I was strolling the streets of Tokyo. To me, I photograph to attempt to capture bits of my memory. Enjoy.

On a separate note, I am delighted to have been interviewed by Shu of Page Thirteen. Shu is such a sweetie and I had fun doing the interview. Please hop over to have a read and also check out her beautiful blog (great aesthetics)!