Speedy website - Shinjuku

Thought I would go and check out the fasted painted website in Shinjuku last night after hearing about the idea by agency Party to promote the launch of Toyota's new car. The concept was to create a painted murial and connect it to a live website meaning viewers could interact with the painting online in real time via http://fpw.toyota-digital.com/. So you can stand in front of the billboard and tweet or like on facebook and your message scrolls across the top on an LCD screen. I really liked the idea and thought it looked interesting but have to say it definitely looks better in the video. Should have really remembered that it is being filmed and streamed (including audio) live though when I said that standing next to the mic. Oops. Anyway despite the faux paus I think the idea is definitely innovative and Party show how important it is to bring together Art Directors and technical minds to create innovative campaigns.

All in the name of Thanksgiving

Oh how I do like to jump on any available national holiday and with it being Thanksgiving - and despite being British - as far as I'm concerned today is no exception and therefore fair game for consuming excessive amounts of food and drink. This will be my first thanksgiving dinner with my lovely Tokyo-based American friends so I fancied baking something and have been busy drooling over researching many diet busting recipes and wouldn't mind getting my greedy little hands on some whoopie pie right now...

I wandered past Rag and Bone on Cat Street the other day which reminded me to check out their blog which is where I found this tasty treat. Would bet their entire collection though that Candice doesn't eat any of this crap.

Biatch. Anyway despite good intentions (and not having a frickin oven - why do Japanese places not have ovens goddamnit?) I ended up copping out and buying a box full of donoughts (well they're American aren't they?). After the chow down it's definitely back to yoga tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Recently I've been...

Trying to ink faces that don't end up looking retarded. This is one of the better ones. Can't make a decision on the hat though. Makes me appreciate all the talented inkers out there like Johanna Basford, Sarah Blake and Mr Frivolous. Clearly lots more practice needed.

Little rain clouds

Ha look at these! To quote the website they are 'lamps in the shape of a cloud that makes rain'. Japanese designer Tadao Shimizu's has created a series for Abovo. Made from washi paper and thin metal rods, I'm sure they're sturdier than they look, but I can't help but think I would break it in about 5 minutes. I can see it now delicately balancing in the corner of my miniature Tokyo apartment looking lovely until I take a wrong footed step from my bed and squash it flat. Shame as think it would have looked nice.

I've read somewhere that cloud motifs are meant to convey happiness and hope (vague fact alert) but I do feel there is something a little bit sad about these adorable lamps. The cloud motif is pretty common in Japan and during a visit to Kyoto recently I found this contemporary design on one of the shopping centres which was woven throughout the building using various colours. The bright turquoise was a striking contrast to the industrial coppers and bare brick work inside. Kyoto was surprising for having these contemporary gems hidden amongst a gazillion temples and shrines.

Watch out Banksy...

            http://thisisnotagraffiti.tumblr.com/

There is something cool but slightly creepy about this senseless drawing bot created by So Kanno and Takahiro Yamaguchi. Powered by a pendulum motion and propelled by a side to side wobble, it can draw random, chaotic lines along walls. The tag could do with a bit of work but I like the way it flares the can. Wonder how long it will be before it's filling up a warehouse in Bristol and selling 'paintings' for millions?

D.I.Y Tokyo

Loved the DIY Dictionary Club exhibition and events this weekend in Shibuya full of geometric prints and colourful workshops. Not sure what the lady with huge chunky knit hat was all about though, unfortunately Google translate struggled with that question...

If my life had a theme tune...

Just started watching How to Make It In America and loving it. Makes me want to go to New York next. Awesome theme tune as well...sing it Aloe!

Lovely Letterpress

Decided to beat the public holiday crowds and head out of Tokyo to Chofu today to check out  Tegamisha's handcraft market and came away with some lovely letterpress goodies and a sweet bird shaped candle wrapped in ornate paper and string. There were so many nice designs I could have gone mad buying paper bags, stationary sets and notepads and had to restrain myself from buying some illustrated underpant notelets by Japanese Illustrator Keiko Shibata but kind of wish I hadn't now. 

Furoshiki design collaboration

Loving the Hennie Haworth Furoshiki cloth designs recently created with Tokyo and LA based design collective Link. They're a fresh, contemporary take on the traditional cloth designs normally made for furoshiki, the ancient Japanese art of fabric folding. Beautiful designs yet functional and a great eco-friendly alternative to the millions of plastic bags which seem to be handed out automatically for even the smallest of items in Japan. Visit 'Craft' for an easy step-by-step guide to the furoshiki wrapping technique. I will be popping down to the iichi Gallery Market in ecute Shinagawa which runs from the 26th September to the 10th October to buy mine. If you're not in Tokyo or can't wait until then, you can order it from UGUisu a gorgeous online shop full of Japanese goodies.

Mogu Takahashi Exhibition at Cafe Drole

Popped down to the Mogu Takahashi exhibition 'Kawaii Ugly San' at Cafe Drole in Nakameguro yesterday which was full of doodle-style wall displays and random colourful objects dotted around the cafe. I really like Mogu's work for its playfulness and free-flowing style. She also makes really cute postcards, notecards and clay tags - Kawaii desu! Mogu is off to Europe next but Drole Cafe is still worth a visit for its quirky décor and oishii cakes. Definitely in the run for being one of my favourite cafes in Tokyo. There's also a second Cafe Drole in Daikayama which I discovered when I got lost on my bike on the way to the exhibition - seem to find a lot of things by getting lost in Tokyo!