Fable Update

Just so you don't think I've been doing nothing, I've been working on designs that involves bobbles. Fist I had to teach myself how to make them. Now that I have the hang of it, I'll be creating patterns using this technique. I'm working on some free patterns for the launch of the Fable Handknit website. The yarn is scheduled to arrive next week! How very exciting. I'll be giving you a sneak peek of the colors soon.

(Below, pictures from Kenzo, and Christian Dior)

Completed: mittens

I've been working on these mittens like a month ago during my trip. They're finally finished! Bad news is that they are bit too big, so they flop around while wearing them. Good news is that they are super warm. I fell asleep while waiting in the car the other day and they kept my hands toasty. They're made from alpaca. I never knew just how warm alpaca is until now. I really can't wait until my yarn line gets here. It's another two weeks. The anticipation is tiresome!

Pictured below: pink mittens in my office.

Baby, it's cold outside

Victor and Rolf were on to something when they did this year's Fall collection based on the theme of sleeping. It's gotten quite cold here in Toronto and all I want to do is crawl into bed.



Meanwhile, why not knit or crochet something to cuddle up to. The photo below is from one of the books, I bought in Tokyo. Doesn't it just look so sweet?

Second Home Sweet Home

I had a good time in Malaysia. Not as much photos to show though. I guess because it's like a second home, so you normally wouldn't take that many photos because you're so used to that place.

Above is a photo of Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC). It houses a shopping mall, many office buildings, an aquarium, and of course a convention center. It is also known as the Twin Towers. It looks stunning at night.

I don't really like getting my photo taken. I think I always look fatter in the photos than in reality. But I learned a few tricks from that guy on America's Next Top Model. Twist your hips more to the side, chin down, shoulders back. I think it works most of the time as long as it's not a bad hair day.

Moshi Moshi from Tokyo

Observations about Tokyo:

They really like French stuff. It starts from naming streets in French, to authentic French bakeries in the department shops. La Drougerie is from France. It's a chain of craft stores. They even write things in French for their signage. Alpaga is French for alpaca. Below, seriously chic cafe signage.



Most department stores will at least have a cafe if not a food department in it. They are really stylish. Below is the fruit cafe from Printemps (also a French dept. store). The cylinder shaped fridge is just divine.



Though fashion in Tokyo is fascinating, I find that fashion trends are very international nowadays. Shopping is not nearly exciting as the food. It is more interesting to watch the girls in the streets. The way they put their outfits together is very clever, and chic. Pictured below, seriously chic girls on the streets of Ginza



You may find many strange and interesting food combinations. This would be a dream destination for foodie tourism. Sometimes you will find bento take out boxes come with a side of spaghetti or coleslaw. Something I got to try at the many food departments, a potato salad sandwich. That's right, it's white bread with typical American pot salad. Pictured below, fried tofu, and soy based ice cream, sesame and green tea flavors.



Most restaurants display fake food in their windows to show you how each dish looks like. We normally see that for cakes here, but in Tokyo it's for all kinds of food. You find them all over the city, it's kinda funny.



Floral arrangements are taken seriously. Seriously, it's very pretty. Everything is perfectly placed.



Manners are very important in Japan. Everyone at the stores greet you, moshi moshi!! It can get very irritating in the food department when ten people are saying it at once. Even the chefs greet you. It gets very loud. Japan is a place with many extremes; it can be in one instance, extremely tradition, and in another modern and avant garde.



Knitting is a serious craft. There are so many Japanese books and magazines on the subject alone. It's very stylish. Crafts in general is taken seriously. You can go to Okadaya and pretty much buy everything you could possibly need, including materials to make these teddy bears made of kimono fabric.



Ever since I saw Lost in Translation, I wanted one of those clear umbrellas. It's a typical item in Tokyo. They even sell them at the 100 yen shop. The quality is pretty good for something for 100 yen, not to mention chic. I made my Sofia Coppola pilgrimage to the Milkfed/Heaven 27 shop. The store is sooooo Sofia, of course.



Something you might only see in a place like Tokyo is a built-in home for a squirrel inside the wall of a vintage sho called Hanjiro in Harajuku. Photo is a bit blurry, did not want to get too close to scare it. Also pictured is the country and rustic chic cafe that we dined at with Kat.

Just checking in...

Still in KL enjoying all it has to offer. Great shopping, food and of course all the relatives I have here! Will be back in the office next Monday. Lots of pictures to post then.

Currently I am working on the pink alpaca mittens. I finished the main part of one mitt. Will save the other mitt for the long plane ride home.

Thanks to everyone who still keeps cchecking this blog eventhough I am away!