Design discoveries in Amsterdam

Thanks to Iceland's volcano, I got a few extra days in Amsterdam after my work was done. I love the city's daring design and individual style, from fashion to home decor. Here are some things I saw that inspire me.

Droog

This exciting place is more art gallery than store.

United Nude

Shoes here are designed by Dutch architect Rem D. Koolhaas. Take a close look at the heels, which are based on architectural/engineering concepts. I love how each shoe is lovingly displayed like an art object.

Specialty boutiques trump franchise stores

Often, when I go shopping around the world, be it Hong Kong or Tokyo, I see the same stores everywhere—the Gap, Guess, Levi's. Even if the names are different, designs look like copies of one another as they probably come from the same factories who just tag on a different label. So I love that Amsterdam has kept the franchise stores at bay. The city is full of little stores filled with interesting, unique items.

Here is a workshop at the back of a clothing store, where the store owner designs and sews his own creations.

Here's a particularly creative window display!

Design at home

Design is not just for the super rich—everyday Dutch folks put a lot of effort into decorating their house. Here's a stunning chandelier at a home we visited.

Notice Board?? Folder??

Here is another Japanese culture that I would like to share. We don't have this in Hong Kong, how about in your country?

This is a notice folder that will be going around the district you lived in. So you will know what kind of events will be held, and how was the annual district fee been used. (for our district, it is around 3000 yen a year.) According to different district, the fee will be different. Some districts have traditional festivals which may cost more. However, I only come up to this after we bought the house. We did not get this when we were renting a flat. 

Don't you think this system is awesome? This helps to link up the relationship with your neighbor hood. I think it is so warm and nice. I know it is quite troublesome when it is your turn to be the leader of the year, or you have to attend road patrol for the school kids during safety traffic events. But I think this is a good route to help to reminds us that we are not living by ourselves, and everyone is responsible for tidying and helping out children in the place we lived. 

At the same time, this also reminds me of someone saying that Kyoto is a very beautiful place where people are really very kind to foreigners. But, if you are an outsider (even for japanese) planning to live in Kyoto, it will be rather difficult to fit in. I didn't realized why before, but I think I know now!!

New Hobby

Its been years again since I last did crochet... 

Being attracted by the beautiful books nowadays, I have bought several handcraft books without really doing it... Finally, left up my heavy hands and tried some of it. And know what, I found it more interesting then before!! So made some of it and attached it to the doggie clothes I made. What do you think??

カキ針は何年ぶりでしょう。。。？

最近の趣味本は以前と比べて、写真撮りがうまくて、雑貨を使ってイメージを出しているので、引かれて思わず数冊を買ってしまいました！但し。。。買ったままで、なにもしなかった。。。

やっと、重い手を持ち上げて本の通りに編んでみました。あれ？思ったより楽しいかも！！いくつか作って、試作したワンちゃん服に付けてみました。どう？いい感じですか？

Interesting Japanese Culture

A few weeks ago, the empty ground of a teared down apartment that lies a few meters from our house started to have its new construction. And the construction company's people came over to pay a visit saying that they will start constructing the area where noises and inconvenience may be caused. And what amazed me most is that they give out this small gifts as an apology!! While my in-laws house is just around the corner, they too got a same set of gift!! This is my first experience. 

In the Hong Kong way thinking: no choice, everyone have the right to construct their area, as long as it is under the instructed time line. But the Japanese are so far way too polite to think that they are making a big inconvenience to the neighbors. Don't you think this is incredible?! I will understand more if it is the owner of the new apartment. To me, it seems to be a wired expense for the construction company!!

Great Hawker's Food!!

Deep Fried Chinese Bread wrapped with Steam Rice Sheet

Curry Fish Balls & Fish Siu Mai

Fried Rice Noodles

Imitated Shark's Fin Soup with Fish Meat

Thanks to my mistakes. I had 1 day time in Hong Kong 2 weeks ago! Here are the great hawker's foods that I missed so much. Visitors need a great deal of guts to try food along the streets!! But trust me, these are really great!!

Chinese or not?!

Well, this is all my mistake though...

 I was supposed to go to Shanghai for business trip 2 weeks ago. Checked-in at tokyo and flew straight 2.5 hrs. While I tried to get into china with my hong kong passport... I was blocked!!!!!!! This little pass we hongkongese have when we go to china was required! I thought this is just for when we go to china straight from HONG KONG?! Nop, I was wrong... And guess what?! Mine was half year expired...

No negotiation, no optional choice, no discussions, no ground visa... I was send straight back to tokyo! Where I went back to Hong Kong on the very next day to make a speed pass so as to get into china finally...

This is the question... my nationality is 'Chinese' but I can't get into China freely. Just like when we hold the BNO passport before Hong Kong's return to china. We hold an overseas British Passport, but we are not allow to live in england freely. So what are we?! Wonder if Hong Kong will become a country someday?

Tamotsu Funakoshi

A friend of my husband's parents had held an exhibition at Toutouan. Tamotsu Funakoshi, a ceramic artist. I'm not at all a fan of potteries, but I like his work that is unsymmetry in shape which gives you a very natural mood.

Toutouan is a tradtional japanese restaurant that our family love. Very traditional food and the building is very beautiful filled with spirit!