Usagi

2011-12-23T13:22:00.000-08:00

I wish your new year will be magical and full of happiness xx

2011-11-13T12:50:00.000-08:00

なつきが着ているニットジャケットは私が小さい頃に着ていた母の手作りのもの。最近屋根裏の整理をしていたら、偶然出てきました。りっぱなヴィンテージジャケットです。いいものは何年経っても変わらずそのままでいてくれます。

最近The Selbyで素敵な住まいを発見。鎌倉に住むウチダヒトシさン宅。日本でこんな生活ができたら楽しそう。

Natsuki is wearing a knitted jacket which I used to wear when I was a little girl. the jacket was made my mother! Good things last a long long time. .

I saw a lovely house in Kamakura, Japan at The SELBY.

2011-11-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

Natsuki (10months)

（送陽邸のお部屋のバルコニーから見た外の景色）

Astier de Villatteが 'Yakushima'というキャンドルを作りました。

ユネスコの世界自然遺産にも登録された屋久島は私の故郷鹿児島からフェリーで約３時間程の所に位置していて、私も何度か訪れたことのある島です。

２０代前半、ふっと一人旅がしたくなってボートに乗り、その自然の偉大さに圧倒され虜になってしまった島。

Astier de Villatteは屋久島をこんな風に表現しています。

There is a primeval and mysterious rain forest on the island of Yakushima, full of thousand year old trees, covered with rare mosses and wild azaleas.

このキャンドル,Galerie Salonで買ったのですが、Astier de Villatteのちいさなノートブックと鉛筆の形をしたシャープペンシルもおまけしてくれました。

2011-10-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Before going to Halloween party at her friend's.

目玉チョコレートはテスコで購入

付けツメ＆つけまつ毛　£１

ハロウイーンコスチューム＆ハット　近所の方からのお下がり

2011-10-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

Natsuki photographed by Sayaka

2011-09-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

子供が出来る前って時間がたくさんあったなあって思う。でもそのときはやりたいことをやり遂げたそんな感じがしていた。そして子供ができてまた違うやりたいことが見つかった。時間の大切さを教えてくれたのも娘たちのおかげ、そして彼女たちから教えてもらったことは計りしれない。ポピーも来年からナーサリー始まります。嬉しいような、切ないような。

2011-09-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

Inspiration.. images from Thomsen Paris’s blog.　Thomsenのデザイナーがブロカントでみつけたらしいむかし樹脂加工された花と虫たち。ちょっとグロテスクだけど発色とかレイアウトの仕方が素敵。

ちなみにAlix Thomsenという方、リバテイプリントを使ってシャツやジャケットをデザインしてるみたいだけど、ほかでは見ないようなプリントを選んでて、独特で、それがとても新鮮です。
彼女の映像はここから見れます。

2011-09-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

夏休み後半のある日、子供たちとお父さんはモーブ系ピンクのアジサイの茎を半分に裂き、ひとつを赤い食用色素、もうひとつを青い食用色素の液体に漬けて花びらの色がどんな色に変化するかという実験をしました。２週間ぐらいするとこんな風に青が花びらの外側のふちにじわじわと現れました。赤色素側はあまり目立たず。それにしても光にかざすととてもきれい。

2011-09-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

７，８年前のバレンタインデーの日、２－３個の花しかついてない小さな赤いバラの苗を送った。切り花を送らなかったのは、ただ単に、枯れてほしくないなという理由で。今はもう花を送るなんてことしないけど、恋は盲目というもので、その当時はこんなこともしてたんだなー。その苗を買ったのは当時近所にあった小さな少し古ぼけたお花屋さん、どうしてそうなったのか壁にかけてある古いお花の絵が傾いていたのが忘れられない。

そして私一人では枯らしていたにちがいないあの苗が今はこんなに成長してたくさんのお花がきれいに咲いている。たまには感謝しなくてはいけないのかな。。

2011-09-06T01:06:00.000-07:00

日曜日にCrifton Nurseryという植木屋さんへ行ってきました。今回日本滞在していたときに気になりはじめた多肉植物も少し置いてあり、家の屋根にあるタニクと寄せ植えをしてみたいなと考えていたので、いろいろ悩んでリト－プス（Lithops)という不思議な形をしたタニクを購入。これは動物の食害から身を守るために、石や砂に似せた擬態植物だそう。それにしてもなんともいえない不思議なかたち。。

これが家の屋根上に植えられている多肉植物のひとつ。バラのかたちをしていてなかなか可愛い。本にはこれと全く同じものが載ってなかったけどEcheveria属というタニクに属するらしい。

で、Echeveria属に属するタニクの下葉をちぎり花のかたちに整えてリト－プスと一緒に鉢に植え込む。本当はごろ土という、小粒の石のような土を底と表面に使うべきなんだけど、あいにくうちになくて、洗った海土と少しの肥料を使用。このリトープス面白いなって思って買ったけどどうなんだろ。。

こんな感じ！？

2011-09-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

ポピーが着ているシャツはcaramel baby and childのもの。チャリテイショップでみつけてポピーに似合いそうな色合いと思って即購入。大好きなリバテイプリントはいつも小花柄ばかり選んでいたけど、こんなアールヌーボーのリバテイプリントも素敵だなと新しい発見！いつもスモックブラウスばかりなので、襟のついたシャツもたまにはいいな。

2011-08-27T03:40:00.000-07:00

We love Tokyo DisneySea. We miss it already..

2011-08-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

2011-08-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

we have been eating kaki gori (frappe) almost everyday since we arrive in japan. my favourite flavour is ujikintoki (matcha green tea with sweet beans). best food for hot summer in japan.

2011-07-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

fly to japan．..

2011-06-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

What a day !! It was so cold like Winter a few days ago and it's like mid Summer today. the weather this country is just crazy. We just bought a bed for Poppy and redecorating her space..

2011-06-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

Poppy is wearing (unfinished) blue dress made by me.

2011-06-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

I started making dresses for girls.

2011-05-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

Happy weekend x

2011-05-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Natsuki has been sick since Wednesday.

She complains that she has a headache and we don't know whether it's an infection or it's because she hit her head against one of her classmate by accident. Although she went to her best friend's birthday party yesterday, she didn't look well. She is normally happy and bubbly girl but she was so quiet that made me really worry.

Today she still has a headache with high temperature so she couldn't go to school. But I didn't want her to stay home and watch TV all day long so I took her to Hyde Park for picnic. She kept looking down, complain about her headache and slept a lot while Poppy is playing at Sandpit . I don't know if it was good idea to take her out but I'm glad not only she had a fresh air and had a good sleep but also Poppy was happy to spend time with her sister.

2011-05-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

There are thousands of rare plants from all over the world in Kew Gardens. Peaceful and beautiful gardens. This place always surprises me.

2011-04-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

2011-04-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

We just came back from Scotland. We had a really lovely time. On the way back home we visited Lake District which was absolutely beautiful. We want to go back this place for camping,cruising and walking in Summer.

2011-04-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

2011-04-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

Amazing contrast of sky and blossom. It was a beautiful day.

2011-04-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

It's a shame Natsuki isn't wearing her tights * - *

2011-03-31T15:13:00.000-07:00

We are going to do cake and sushi sale at Natsuki's school to rise some funds for Japan.

I made lots of cupcakes and origami hydrangea flowers .

2011-03-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

Love Bobo choses love hyacynth..

2011-03-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

My husband secretly planted bulbs of hyacinth behind the deck and I realized a few days ago as they are blossom now! They smell so sweet and make me happy.

2011-03-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

A beautiful sunny day at my sister's house

2011-03-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

'Let's do what we can do now'

As you know Japan had a massive crisis by Tsunami. Fortunately my family are safe as I'm from south of Japan but unfortunately lots of people in Japan (mainly Touhoku area) lost their family,relative and their houses. This is beyond we can imagine. It's just heart breaking.. Nature sometime cruel to us and reminds us we'll never be able to dominate nature. I wish no more people are going to die and no more disaster is going to happen.

I heard the area that Tsunami hit is very cold therefore they need more duvets, petrol, water, food etc.. Thousands of people are living in evacuation area and they don't know when they will be able to have their house back again. This is insane! I hope Japan recovers from this disaster as soon as possible and their peace comes back again very very soon.

If you are interested in donate to Japan Tsunami Appeal please go to www.redcross.org.uk/JapanTsunami.
Please spread this link people around you. I believe every little effort and help will save more people.

I appreciate your cooperation.

Maki

2011-03-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

私たちの想像をはるかに超えた出来事がおこってしまった。
たくさんの人々が家族、友達、家を失ってしまった。自然はどうしてこんなことをしたのだろう？人々の欲深さを戒めるため？
出来るだけたくさんの人々が生き残っていまように。これ以上被害が広がりませんように。
日本がまたすぐ立ち直って平和な日々が早く戻ってきますように。

2011-03-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

A roll of vintage ribbon and a piece of old paper. I like the way ribbon has been shaded due to its age and this little flower print is so pretty I want to to make my own fabric with it then I would dye it. Is it possible to make own fabric nowadays?

2011-03-04T04:59:00.000-08:00

On the way to pick up Natsu we saw a bunny digging a hole really hard. So cute..

2011-03-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

Poppy in a train playing with paper

2011-02-28T13:45:00.000-08:00

Sound of birds, owls and insect in the night, smell of wet grass , looking up thousands of stars in the sky.. I miss camping so much.

2011-02-27T13:55:00.000-08:00

Since watching Black Swan, I keep thinking about this film quite a lot of time. Visual effects made me really shiver. This film has darkness psychologically and so intense which I like. It's so beautiful as well.

2011-02-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

Some ideas came up in my mind today.

2011-01-21T02:03:00.000-08:00

It seems like we became a regular customer of Cafe Oto. It's great place to see friends as it's baby friendly (big space!) and customers are so friendly. Also they serve healthy and delicious food. They play comtemporary & innovative music every night.

2011-01-13T05:43:00.000-08:00

I haven't been update my blog so long! This picture is from last summer but Poppy looks different from now already. Poppy is wearing Bonton top and pants..

2010-12-29T02:46:00.000-08:00

Natsuki and I went to see 'the Nutcracker' by English National ballet. Music of the Nutcracker has been my favourite since I was little. The costume, the presentation, the theatre... everything was dreamy beautiful.

2010-11-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

Too many beautiful things for Christmas ..

2010-10-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

My vintage gold leather shoes bought at Portbello market.

I'm loving gold..

2010-10-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

A couple of photos on the way to home from school

2010-09-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

It is a sunny day with a beautiful blue sky in London today. Natsuki is off to her friend's birthday party.

While she is writing a birthday card, she said 'B is like P became pregnant!' . I was really amazed what she said. Kids are so imaginative.

2010-09-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

At Serpentine gallery pavilion in Hyde park. It was one of the best visits in summer. This cafe is made in dynamic vivid red colour consists of all sorts of different textures like plastic, steel, fabric, glass etc... Tables, counter, chairs, sofas, bins all made in red.

Daylesford organic

2010-09-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely lunch at Daylesford after camping in Cotswolds. Natsuki started painting her lips with her red berry sauce. Her lips look so yummy..

Summer Holidays

2010-08-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

Natsu's holiday finally started.

She just came back from camp bestival in Dorset. After having too much fun, she had to catch up her sleep.

autumn dress- oyster grey

2008-09-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

usagi autumn dress

2008-09-17T12:31:00.001-07:00

tricolour autumn dress

..and Natsuki's own chocolate brown dress that goes really well with turtle neck top (She had a hair cut this mornig. )

in the park

2008-09-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Autumn

2008-09-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

in-i

2008-09-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

I went to see 'in-i' co-directed and performed by Juliette Binoche and Akram khan at National theatre on Monday night. The performance was soothing and uplifting. Very spiritual..
life=instinct

'I try not repeat myself as an actress, or as a person. So I have always been looking for stories that have to with souls and loss and having faith. The most important thing to do is always ask some questions. We should all do that in our lives, and if that means we are all artists, then so we are. We should not let ourselves be stuck inside old ideas or habits. We must grow. That is what living means. - Juliette Binoche

painting time

2008-09-01T11:00:00.001-07:00

hair corsage

2008-08-16T13:02:00.001-07:00

We were invited to a house warming & birthday party.
Natsu borrowed this beautiful hair corsage and I absolutely adore it.. I love the silky feather and little shinny swarovski crystals. It's chic and elegant ..

origami dress

2008-05-16T09:29:00.001-07:00

origami dress

Made of Japnanese linen/cotton blend fabric. fasten with poppers on the back.

gold, purple, silverish gray and red

2008-05-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

puffed sleeve dress

It has gold, purple, silverish gray, red, orange.. It's fun and spicy with a touch of vintage look. It's available at my etsy shop x x
Also Usagi spring/summer 08' for enfant terrible is available here.

striped linen dress

2008-04-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

striped linen dress

This linen dress is another piece for Enfant Terrible.
They will be available very soon x
(I'm sorry for the quality of this photo...)

linnet

2008-04-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

My marseille dress is in portfolio at my favourite shop *Linnet*. It made my day! Thank you Linnet.
http://www.lin-net.com/portfolio/portfolio.html

usagi + enfant terrible

2008-03-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

I made 2 pieces specially for Enfant Terrible recently. They will be available in April and this is one of them. It's wearable as a cardigan,too. and inside of the blouse is gingham check. How sweet! The fabric that is cotton/linen blend imported from Japan.

grey and white polka dots smock blouse

a little sketch by Natsu

2008-03-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

It seems like Natsu is obsessed with monsters.. Some are from books she read some are from films she watched. One of her favourite film called 'Neighbor Totoro' is a whimsy Japanese film that a few monsters appear, I think this little sketch is influenced by them,too.

beautiful fabric

2008-03-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

I update my little shop recently.

fleur dress

I bought this fabric at Liberty London.(I could stay there only for 10 minutes! I wish I could stay longer..) This fabric makes me so happy. the flower is almost floating from fabric and the combination of white, light green and brown. perfect!

marseille smock dress

I got this fabric at a beutiful Japanese online shop called *LINNET*. They have their original linen fabric which mostly made in Japan. This is the first time for me to buy fabric at Linnet and I'm completely in love with it. The quality is outstanding.The price is also outstanding,too... But I think it worth it. Things that makes me happy. It's important for me. I also bought the book about Linen which is written by the shop owner of Linnet. I'd like to post about this book (Linen)soon.

In the park

2008-03-13T12:59:00.001-07:00

It always amazes me that children can play with sand hours and hours.
Here is Natsu serving me ice cream that made of sand.

enfant terrible

2008-03-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to introduce my usagi spring/summer collection at enfant terrible.
http://www.enfantterribleshop.com/

Their concept is an emphasis of timelessness and modesty, on simplicity and utility with sophisticated details which exactly what I would like to create. The shop is so inspiring and I'm excited and honourd to be part of the shop! Usagi spring/summer collection will be available from April.

usagi postcard

2008-02-26T12:02:00.000-08:00

Today, I received postcards that I have ordered for my little shop.

It's so nice to have something original that I can send with usagi dress..

and..

I'm going to do a little shop update on 3rd March. Here is a peek.

etoile dress

I'm so happy with this dress. I think this is so chic and beautiful. I used different fabrics for collar, sleeves and body. They are made of linen and cotton. I particularly like stripy sleeves which are transparent.