Geisha posters found here

Japan is one of my favorite countries I have visited. I used to be married to a Japanese guy [hence my last name Asami] and we would visit Japan every year for Christmas & New Years.  This country is chock full of design inspirations and fabulous destinations! Check back later today for more Japanese inspiration. :)

Last night I was watching a program on tv which was focused mainly on doing your genealogy.  One of the families that was interviewed was talking about their Scottish heritage, the clan that they were from and their plaid [tartan] that represented their family.  I learned back in school that each Scottish clan had their own plaid and thought it interesting...but it didn't really hit me till last night. Possibly because now that I have my own place, and am starting to make a home of my own...I really want something that represents me and my future "clan".  This also got me so excited to start a family of my own someday, create my own plaid or print and dress my family & pets in my design head to toe! This actually reminds me of the time my mom got some discount cut and sew knit at Joannes when I was in 5th grade. Printed all across the fabric IN PASTEL was "french fries" - she made matching leggings and a long sleeve top for my younger sister [in kindergarten at the time] and me to wear. We LOVED the new outfit and the fact that we were twins.  Then one day my ultimate crush made fun of me when I wore it to school...yep. sadly, that outfit no longer stepped outside. 

Anyways, back to Scotland and their fantastic tradition > PLAID  so with fall in session and winter just around the corner, plaid is the go to print for this season. Hope this post zaps some inspiration into your cup of cocoa! :)

Just in case you don't know where Scotland is exactly...a map:

The Highlands: 

A castle:

 Some plaids & crests

Plaid for the home. This would definitely be a neat way to showcase one's clan. Plaid walls would be awesome...but that would only work if I had 10 rooms in my home...so for those who don't have a lot of space and wouldn't want to have a plaid wall all year long, or would just want to switch things up...why not buy 4 sheets of particle board, hinge them together and cover with plaid. But don't stop there...hang some pictures on there , black silhouettes of family member would be neat.

Oh, hi there.  

So i've been gone for awhile. 

My computer - yep, it's lame all over again.

Either my video card or hard drive is going bizurrrrk...or 

actually it is probably that my mac is now 6 years old.

now I am feeling lame. :( 

Gosh do I look forward to the days when my issues with technology

are few

& far between. 

Tonight.....my computer wants to stay on longer than 5 min!

So I am going to milk this quality time that mac wants to spend with me and attempt...

an October post. 

Here goes.....

+ feel free to click on my drawing above & print out + :)


<:::: Halloween inspiration ::::>

<> images found via corbis <>

+ have a good night my friends - HOPE to see you tomorrow. +

Cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about Toast's new Men's collection! It is a good thing I am not a man, because I would highly consider going into debt for some of these pieces. My favorite thing about their collection? That they used an OLDER model! I love that! I would love to see more older male and female models in magazines on and offline. There is something sooo beautiful about an older person who has gone through life without plastic surgery and has aged well i.e. lived a healthy lifestyle. Anyways, check out this fantastic classic collection!

I hope all the Mothers had a wonderful day yesterday! I wasn't able to be with my mom, but come this Saturday, she and I have a date! :) Yesterday was definitely a day of reflection for me + thinking about my mom and her amazing talents and qualities, my friends moms who had major influences over me while growing up, and my adult friends today who are mommies and whom I look up to in so many ways. I love Mothers Day & look forward to the day when I get to be a mom....hopefully?

Isn't this picture the greatest! If I am ever living in New York again, and have children...TOTALLY doing this! Can you imagine the space one would save! Also, how funny would it be to have triplets, and all 3 lil babies lined up in a row watching me cook/bake/make etc. Toooooo funny!
pic found via corbis 

& on a shiny note:

Having a gold rush to the head right now....

Really??? Is NYLON serious? This video is tripping me out for too many reasons. I think the only thing I like about it is Chloe Moretz voice... Today at work my boss [Allison] showed me real quick an article online about Miley Cryus's new "SEXY" music video! And I thought to myself, "man, not another Britney Spears persona" & then, when I see girls in "Hollywood" who are taking on the whole sexy pop princess get-up, I am reminded why I loooove Mandy Moore so much! She transitioned beautifully from musician to actress. Now, she may not be the best actress BUT she didn't let Hollywood's "sexy" claws dig in. She stuck to her guns & stayed classy. Tells you how smart that lady is...oh yeah, and she's a lady! :) Oh...I guess my rant is really over the issue of how we are DESPERATELY in need of more and more AWESOME female role models who are playing more than just that sexy key on the piano! Let me think here for a second & put myself in a dude's place...yes, if I was a dude I would be attracted to the girl who yes, is stylish but also, one who reads a lot, goes to museums & shows, a girl who VOLUNTEERS, reads the newspaper & not just fashion magazines, likes watching tv shows like the discovery channel, and has a pretty broad vocabulary! Really, the list could go on forever. Luckily we do have some awesome women & girls out there who are doing more than just looking cool & talking about their favorite band. Ah! This ridiculous NYLON video has inspired me...I think I need blog religiously about amazing ladies now! Starting today!!! ;)

Queen Rania of Jordan! :)

Here she is on "The View" talking about her new book "The Sandwich Swap" and other insightful things. This is a good video...but if you only have time to watch one...PLEASE watch the last video of Stephanie Nielson & her family!!!!


One more amazing lady!!!

Stephanie Aurora Clark Nielson