We're moving!

Sorry for the lack of posts as we're in the process of moving the blog and website. Stay tuned! Have a great weekend!

NOM&ADA in Kamakura

photo by T

NOM&ADA ♥SUPPORTS♥ UKC JAPAN

I, NOM, would like to represent NOM&ADA and take a moment to share this amazing organization in Japan that I have come across in the past month after the 3.11.2011 horrifying Japan earthquake, tsunami, and the Fukushima nuclear power plant incident.  Countless lives were lost and an unimaginable number of people are still missing and living in shelters.  Here are some powerful and heartbreaking images from The New York Times.

Being a resident of Japan, I have had access to certain updates that foreign media might have not covered in the last month.  This amazing volunteer organization called UKC JAPAN may be one of those few groups doing amazing things to help, but have not received as much publicity to get sufficient funds or the support.  As you can see from their blog ( the link connected above ) they have been involved in the Japan relief efforts by rescuing ANIMALS greatly affected by the natural disaster in combination with the evacuated areas  near the Fukushima nuclear power plants.

Like humans, many animals/pets were affected and have lost their homes and families.  Like humans, they have gone through traumatizing experiences.  While many relief acts and funds were being sent to support the people, not as much attention was given to care for animal lives.  UKC JAPAN has truly stepped up. They are one of the few organizations focusing strictly on relief efforts in saving lives of forcefully abandoned animals ( majority of them dogs and cats ) and sheltering them in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.  Most of these animals were found in the irradiated areas of Fukushima, where a majority of the owners were forced to evacuate not knowing that they wouldn't be able to return for days and months.  The pets were rescued while roaming around looking for their owners, in search of food and water, and simply trying to survive. Some of the other animals sheltered are those brought in by others or requested to be saved by the owners, for most designated shelters and temporary homes provided by the government do not allow pets.  Please check out these clips from several Japanese TV networks.   

Since 3.11.2011, they have rescued over 150 pets, sheltering them, finding new and temporary homes for those animals awaiting the return of their owners.  

Kanagawa Prefecture, where the animals are sheltered, is about an hour or two away from Tokyo.  When I found out about this organization I immediately wanted to go volunteer and help these animals in need.  I'm sure ADA would've been right there with me, if she was here. ^_^ My dear friend miss "A" and I have gone down to Glory Tazs (name of the shelter) several times to take them out for walks, clean the cages, feed them, organize donated goods, give them love and affection, and anything else they needed help with. 

Donated food, towels, and toilet sheets.

Shelters with proper ventilation, handmade by staff and volunteers.  

 

I will continue to go volunteer and personally donate as much as I can.  As part of Japan Earthquake Relief, NOM&ADA has decided to donate the proceeds of our totes to this amazing organization, UKC JAPAN.  

Please visit our e-boutique and/or N/A, our etsy shop! 
PLEASE GIVE US A HAND IN SUPPORTING THEM AND THE ANIMALS IN NEED!  
**Our products are stocked and shipped from Portland, OR**

Nom's Local Finds: Sakura...the transience of life

Sakura- by Naotaro Moriyama.

Superior craftsmanship.

And here's the behind-the-scenes video.

Hope floats.

Japan is in our hearts. We mourn for those lost and greatly affected by the tsunami. Proceeds from tote sales will go directly to help fund emergency relief efforts in Japan. Please visit our e-Boutique. 

Ada's Local Finds: Vigil at Pioneer Square

It was poooouuuurrriiinnng rain. So there were only a glimmer of a few wicks after the rain finally subsided when the event ended. But no matter. People showed up with tons of love and support, raising almost eight thousand dollars in less than two hours at the Vigil for Japan last night. 

Nom's Local Finds: Goodness Exists in Yanesen

About a week before the disaster hit Japan on 3.11.2011, I was able to visit one of the few remaining historical neighborhoods that still embodies the nostalgic charm of old school Tokyo.  An area known as Yanesen, which includes the 3 districts Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi.  An interesting meshing of where old meets new adds to the unique ambiance of the town. 

Awesome graffiti art found on the wall of a rundown building. The mouse is carrying a LV furoshiki! A STELLAR PIECE! 

Adorable elephant plastic watering cans 

found at a neighborhood mom & pop store.

Writings on the wall...such a positive message.

Our prayers go out to those greatly affected by the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, to those struggling to survive, and the rescue support teams from all over the world sacrificing their own safety to support and  save Japan.  You are  an inspiration.  -tears- trying not to be so cheesy here, but this is a very emotional  topic for me.  Arigato ...from the bottom of my heart. -Nom

Thinking of you.

Really can't blog comfortably about anything else today knowing that NOM's home country is undergoing such a difficult time.  She and her family are thankfully safe. I'm sure all of you know the state of things from news coverage so there's no need to elaborate. I just want to take this time to say how much I appreciate NOM - thinking of her, her family and friends, all those affected and people/animals aiding in relief or rescues. Stay strong. Sending all my love ~ADA

photo by eric rose

Please feel free to comment on any suggestions of how to show and offer support to Japan. xo

Q&A: Johnny Strategy

Representing good ol' NY and Tokyo, we are happy to introduce Johnny Strategy in the mix! An old friend of NOM from grade school (how time flies...), he is also the profound writer of an international design blog, Spoon & Tamago.  Johnny shares his unique multicultural sensibility towards art, design, culture, and aesthetics with its primary focus from Japan, but not limited to.  Spoon & Tamago is run by a husband-and-wife team, and they also have an adorable etsy shop full of one of a kind kids items. 

What inspired you or the duo to start Spoon & Tamago?

Spoon & Tamago has undergone numerous reincarnations. It started out as a xanga blog almost 10 years ago as a personal diary. It became a wedding blog, a baby blog as well as a personal portfolio site. It wasn't until 2007 that the blog, as it's known today, began - the impetus being a mere desire to catalog images and designs that inspired me so I could go back to them later.

Who is your favorite artist or designer?
There are so many amazing designers, both dead and alive, that I admire immensely.  But taking into account the influence they have had on me both aesthetically and philosophically, I suppose there is only one that ultimately stand out: Isamu Noguchi.  It's a little obvious, I know, but Noguchi-san is just so damn good.

Working with a partner can be a challenge, let alone a spouse can be amazing or disastrous at times.  How do you guys make it work?
For us it came naturally. Perhaps because we share very similar tastes. I don't think we've found anything difficult about working together. But recently my spouse has been dedicating more and more time to her recently launched etsy shop so there has been less room to bump heads. 

What do you miss most about Tokyo?
The foooooood.

What is your favorite spot in NYC?
I'm going to have to say Zibetto Espresso Bar in midtown (6th Ave and 56th St).  I often head here before going to work for the best espresso and croissant I've had in recent memory.

If you can travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?

Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.  When it rains the salt flat is transformed into this gigantic mirror reflecting the sky.  If you've never seen pictures you have to check it out http://bit.ly/gGVYp2.  It's unworldly.  Like nothing I've ever seen before.

Your travel music playlist?

If I was to travel tomorrow it would probably include some Andrew Bird, Passion Pit, Jonsi, Broken Bells, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Flaming Lips, Fleet Foxes, Of Montreal, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan rounded out with some Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and the ultimate escapist track - Fast Car by Tracy Chapman.

What is your travel must-have item?

That's easy.  Chapstick.

What is your motto?

Go with the wind.

Nom's Local Finds: Slish by chie

One day, I saw my mother, who was 90 years old at the time, in the kitchen preparing vegetables using a traditional steamer.  I noticed that the steamer was oversized for small portions of food, and that transfer from stovetop to table was inconvenient and sometimes even dangerous. I thought to myself. what if the steaming holes were in the plate itself?  And the Slish steamer plate was born. 

Steaming is a simple, healthy and speedy method of cooking that helps drain excess fat and retain the flavors and nutrients of fresh ingredients.  The Slish steamer plate has 51 holes connected by canals, that act as water- and airways to maximize efficient and healthy cooking. And, the Slish goes from kitchen to table directly ---no need for exra serving dishes!   -Chie

Handcrafted with love in Japan too.

So versatile for the kitchen! 3 ways to cook with it. Use the strainer to wash produce. The lid can be a salad bowl. Would make a great gift too! J'adore mine!!!!!!

♥NOM

BoO!!! Halloween Fun from Opening Ceremony Tokyo!

Sadly but true, Halloween is finito for 2010.  This year, NOM celebrated this fun and lavishing festivity with the fashionable gang at Opening Ceremony Tokyo!

The super sweet guy, moi aka "lady beetle juice", and the pretty birdie!

bzzzzz............I want those shades!

Gotta love the 80s~!

ADA...Let's celebrate together next year!!!  ♥NOM

Till you yourself burst into bloom.

NOM's painted balloons for a photo shoot.

NOM Represent!

Here is our fabulous NOM hand-dyeing thread for the shoes on a rooftop in Tokyo! And if you only knew how much thread it is! Intensive labor done with a smile! This is a shout out to NOM...recognize her creativity, willingness, drive and passion. Much love.

Shimo

We love the background...all the flyers! The hazy saturation captures this casual & sincere moment so well. Thanks T!!

Nom's Local Finds: The Bay Area... Yokohama

Today's Special:
The renowned historical bay area of Yokohama.  About half an hour away from the city of Tokyo is a city full of excitement and great Chinese food.  Yokohama has the largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world! 

Landing of Commodore Matthew Perry, officers, and men of the squadron to meet the Imperial commissioners at Yokohama.  July 14, 1853

The main entrance gate to Chinatown 

Images via Wikipedia 

Blue Light Yokohama, sung by Ayumi Ishida is one of the most famous oldies song from 1968

NOW...Enjoy some of the snapshots from Nom's interesting Yokohama Finds!

A fancy wall of a building

The local ice cream ladies

Inside the Yokohama Archives of History museum

A moment of happiness

LMAO

Smile~

Really???

Only in Japan...LOL

♡ Nom