19.04.2012 
Yayoi Kusama illustrates Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? OMG, yes! Have a squiz at this little video Penguin did to celebrate the release - note the 'I, Kusama, am the modern Alice in Wonderland' page. Purchase here.
Design, Japan, Literature 11.12.2011 
At Ofuroya yest for a year end bath, it occurred to me that I never posted on my visit to their Healesville outpost, the Japanese Bath House Guest House. Run by Ofuroya founder Hiromi Masuoka, the Guest House has two small abodes fitted with J-style deep baths. Soaking while taking in the country setting was heavenly, as was the monk-style vegetarian dinner and traditional breakfast. Located at 8 Fleay Road, Healesville, the Japanese Bath House Guest House is just 90 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. $250 to $270 a night per couple includes breakfast and welcome drinks. Visit Ofuroya to book.
25.10.2011 
Want to know why Great Eastern Food Centre at 183-185 Russell Street, Melbourne is truly great? Because it stocks Miyozakura Panda Cup Sake, that's why! Just $8.50 for an alcoholic beverage and succulent glass, wow.
24.07.2011 
On the way to the KalimanRawlins launch Fri eve, I came across Melbourne's third hyaku-en store, Cool From Asia (357 Chapel Street, South Yarra). Chotto pricey in comparison to Tokuya and Daiso ($5.80 a piece for Cath Kidston-esque crockery), it has an extraord selection of paper balloon animals (le poisson above $2.80). Perfect for little and big kids alike!
21.03.2011 
The best find of my recent time in Kyoto was Mumokuteki, at which I consumed the best vegetable ramen of my life. A gorgeous little cafe just around the corner from the Nishiki food market, Mumokuteki proudly serves 'no meat, no egg, no milk, no sugar.' But is super duper delicious. And sits above it's own emporium. Check it out at 2F / 351 Iseya-cho, Gokomachi-dori, Rokkaku Sagaru, Nakagyo-ku. PS: Words cannot describe my sadness and worry for the people of Japan post-earthquake / tsunami / nuclear disaster, so I'm not even going to try. If you can, please donate here, and be sure to visit Japan some day soon to show your support in person.
04.11.2010 
The closest I've come in Melbourne to the Asian Clear Soup with Poached Chicken at the Noodle Bar, David Jones (Market Street, Sydney) is this Marinated Chicken Breast and Soba Noodle Soup from Kenzan GPO (8G / 350 Bourke Street, Melbourne). $15 and guilt-free. Wishing you could slurp beside me, Deb!
01.11.2010 
Have you visited Daiso yet? Think Tokuya, but supermarket style. Plus it's an actual Japanese hyaku-yen chain staffed by actual Japanese people. And everything is $2.80! We went yesterday on the way home from The Art of Chess at Bendigo Art Gallery (Maurizio Cattelan's set was extraord), and I got this adorable poisson-shaped peeler, which worked a treat on the carrots for tonight's dinner of Japanese chicken curry and Israeli salad. If you fancy a trip to Daiso (opposite Minh Phat on Victoria Street, Abbotsford), try to go at a non-peak time - there are often super long lines for the checkout and it can get a little frenzied!
31.10.2010 
Behold this most extraord mariniere designed by Tsumori Chisato for Petit Bateau - a match made in heaven if ever there was one. The stars, the bows, the hearts! I also adore this little dot pouch emblazoned with Petit Bateau's signature sail boat. $US94 and $US53 respectively from the always amazing La Garconne.
15.09.2010 
Now this is the sort of Twlight that I like (though am still trying to convince le monsieur to watch Eclipse!) With a cedar wood heart framed by top notes of yuzu, shiso, hinoki and violet leaf, Shigenobu Twlight is divine. And each bottle is hand cut! On sale at United Bamboo online for $US112.
09.08.2010 
Anyone who has travelled anywhere will know that we get fleeced in this country. I mean, where's our J Crew? Our Massimo Dutti? Our Uniqlo? On that J-note, have you ever been to a hyaku-yen store, a kind of five and dime filled with incredibly useful and kawaii items that are all 100 yen?
Well, we got one, Melbourne! And I say that with the exact same level of enthusiasm that Miss Farrell and Daddy Warbucks sang, 'We got Annie.' Not that a billionaire like Mr Warbucks would ever need to visit Bourke Street's Tokuya, because all its wares are just $3.50! That is unless they are marked with a green sticker, which means they are a bit more deluxe and $4.50.
Opened a few weeks back, Tokuya stocks what co-owner Wiryadi terms 'everyday goods for the people.' Read: Aesthetically pleasing clipboards; little bottles for decanting shampoo into when you travel; an array of perfectly preppy gift wrap; kitchen sponges adorned with smiley faces; polka dot toilet seat covers; and tupperware. Oh, the tupperware!
Finally, Toku translates as worthwhile and Ya means shop. Tokuya is a place of great convenience that might just change your life, but not your bank balance. Please visit - in the basement of 236 Bourke Street. Hurrah!