Fresh Gelato from The Market SE1 in Shonan

Tags

homemade, travel, gelato shop

Almost every time we go to Shonan, we always take a short respite at the gelato shop, The Market SE1.  It’s a small, cute little ice cream shop with gray-painted wooden walls, a little bonsai planted in an egg-shaped pot in front of the cash register, and a very friendly, English-speaking owner who remembers almost everyone that visits his shop even if it’s just once.

Although there’s rarely a long line, there’s always a very steady stream of customers that come and enjoy their gelato (or paninis) on the few benches outside the shop or the stools inside.  The gelato is so homemade that apparently even dogs can enjoy it!

This time, I had caramel banana and chocolate.  It was so fruity, sweet, creamy, and with refreshing.  Make sure to stop by and say hi if you’re in the area!

Surfing at Shonan Beach

Tags

travel, surfing, beach, island

Yesterday, we packed our surfing gear, jumped into our friend’s car, and hit the beaches of Shonan.  Shonan is an area in central Japan along Sagami Bay, best known for Enoshima island.  (I have a few stories from my trip there a few years ago, but I’ll leave it for another date.)  The beaches here are covered in volcanic sand (hence the dark color) and lots of people!

Hidden behind this wave are TONS of surfers!  Shonan is a great place to learn how to surf, which makes it one of the busiest surf spots in Japan.  When the weather and waves are good, the surfers are one to two meters away from each other (in every direction!).  You can sometimes see more than five surfers on one wave!

In the distance, you can see Enoshima Island.  And in a month or two, the beach will be covered with beach boys until the end of summer, which is a whole ‘nother post!  What did you guys do this Memorial Day Weekend?

Snow Cone Cupcakes

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cupcakes, recipe, snow cone

Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone!  If I were back home, I would be busy prepping the food for a massive weekend grill out (sliders and chicken wings are my favorite), but since I’m in Tokyo, this weekend will be filled with a Marc Jacobs sample sale, helping a friend move into a new house (ie. bringing & drinking the wine), girls night out, and surfing.  Even though I don’t get a long weekend, these “snow cone” cupcakes from Bakerella sweetened up my morning and are perfectly swoon-worthy!

These cupcakes are topped with colored frosting and sparkling sugar to give it that “snow cone” look.  Even the cupcake dough is colored to match the theme for a wonderful surprise bite after bite!

What a great idea!  Get the full know-how here.  Happy long weekend, everyone!

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Adventures, M&M

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DIY Chandeliers

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chandeliers, mason jars, milk bottles, recycle, votives

For me, chandeliers = charm.  They add so much style and romance to every room and event.  When I was young, chandeliers always seemed so out of reach (yes that was a short joke).  Something about the way they graced way above my head, with their crystals sparkling and dim lights glowing made them seem so expensive!  Luckily, chandeliers are within our grasp including many that you could DIY to match whatever look you’re going for.  Here’s a few I love.  Have you ever DIY’ed a chandelier?  I want to hear all about it!

A dozen recycled and sandblasted milk bottles (via Bedzine)

Mason Jars and Electric Tea Lights (via 100 Layer Cake)

And another example using mason jars in a very different way… (via iDIY)

Wine glasses (via Paper Doll)

And one using glass votives (Apartment Therapy via Driftwood)

Creative inspiration from Ira Glass

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beginners, inspiration, learning

I’m constantly inspired by the seemingly limitless number of incredibly inventive and innovative blogs and creative types out there on the web.  Coming from a PR/Marketing/Advertising background, I’ve always had an interest in print media design and photography, and more recently, I’ve discovered videography.  There’s so many wonderfully talented people out there that while inspiring me, also make me realize how far I have to go until I will be satisfied and really proud of my work.  Then I came across this video by Ira Glass (via Nicole’s Classes)…

… and it made me feel a bit better.  Rather than lack of talent, I could just be lacking experience.  Is there something that you’re trying to learn or improve that you feel you’re just… not. quite. there. yet?

DIY Cupcake Wrapper Template

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cupcakes, free printable, wrappers

I came across this awesome template by Hello My Sweet.  Simply print the template onto any decorative paper, cut it out, and voila – easy cupcake wrappers for any occasion  or party.  It’s triple the style for less than half of the price of designer cupcake holders.  If you want to get more creative, use an edge or trim puncher or if your cupcake is colorful, use a shape punch and allow some color to show through.  And for weddings?  The ideas are endless and oh so fun!

Wine Glass Charms Free Printables

Tags

charms, cocktails, free, name, party, tags, wine

When you’re hosting a casual cocktail party, one of the biggest problems is figuring out whose glass is whose.  Glass charms are the best way to solve this problem especially after a few drinks when no one can remember much!  There’s many reusable sets that you can purchase online, but why not print out your own that can be designed to match each event?  Print yours here – designed for the Cocktails and Canapes party and to match the water bottle labels yesterday!  Another creative idea for a wine tasting party is to tag each glass with the type of wine and/or where it’s from!

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Picture courtesy of little projects in style