Snow in Shimokitazawa!

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Sandwiches!

When I got back from Kyoto there was even more snow in Tokyo! Apparently it was the heaviest snowfall Tokyo has seen in 45 years!

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Mr Y's bike and Luke's bike outside my apartment.

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And then the next morning! Oops - sorry about the water drops on my lens, it's not easy walking in snow, juggling an umbrella in the wind and rain, and trying to take photos.

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My balcony! Good excuse not to do the laundry.

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The little park opposite my apartment looked so pretty covered in marshmallow snow.

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I always love watching this tree from my desk window as the seasons change. Seeing this cherry blossom tree like this, it's hard imagine it in full bloom, or colourful in Autumn.

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All of the little back streets around my apartment were covered in white.

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Gah, why didn't I wipe my lens more often!

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It's not often my local supermarket Ozeki looks like this.

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Lots of shop staff making snowmen.

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Anpanman!

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Poor thing lost it's mouth and eyes.

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I think I was about the only person in Shimokita who wasn't helping shovel the snow to the sides of the roads. I did ask my landlady if she had another shovel, but she insisted she was fine.


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I really really appreciate the people who took the time to shovel out paths for walking!

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Do you recognise this shot? It's the cover of my Tokyo Guide Zine. Looks a little different, right?

Right now, sitting here from my desk, the sun is shining over the snow capped roofs of Kitazawa. I can't tell you how pretty it looks. The snow is the whitest white I've ever seen. I feel so lucky I got to see this snow!

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Kyoto Snow!

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It snowed on my last day in Kyoto! I took the bus over to Ginkakuji to see the beautiful gardens covered with snow.

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It was so incredibly dreamy!

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Philisopher's Path.

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The snowy view from breakfast at my hotel.

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And then it was time to get the Nozomi Shinkansen back to Tokyo. I'm noticing a pattern, I always almost tear up with happiness on the Shinkansen trip back to Tokyo after a nice trip because I feel so lucky to be able to live in this incredible country. Something about travelling, being in between places, watching snow covered rice fields and red glistening brake lights pass by, listening to the clicks of beer cans being opened by Salaryman, all this teamed with the exhaustion of a trip, and a Shinkansen wine...such happy emotional times.

Love you Japan.
Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo


Hello Sandwich Valentine's Exhibition Start at Violet and Claire, Kyoto

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Hello Sandwiches!

Today I installed my little Valentine's Day exhibition at Violet and Claire in Kyoto.

Sumire-chan and I had such fun setting up. Blowing up balloons. Cutting out paper shapes, hanging pompoms, eating cookies and, of course, instagramming.

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There are lots of Hello Sandwich Valentine's items for sale. Vintage sticker sets, Vintage tag sets, Vintage Valentine's postcards, Valentine's confetti bows and Valentine's craft packs.

If you're in Kyoto (or Osaka) pop on in!

Note: These kits are also available to order online to be shipped anywhere in the world! Click here. Sumire-chan speaks perfect English so if you can't read Japanese just send her an email!

We will have a workshop tomorrow, and on Sunday. There are still some spots for the Sunday workshop so please come along if you're in the mood for a little Valentine's craft. (Details here).

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Violet and Claire is a lovely little shop located on the 2nd floor of a traditional Japanese house. Sumire-chan has a such a great eye, selecting kawaii goods from all around the world.

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For example, this embroidered fabric clock brooch from England.

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Also on the 2nd floor is Gallery 8 (above), where I will be hosting my workshops this weekend.

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The building's toilet was in keeping with the tradional-Japanese-house-style.

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I can't explain to you just how cold it was here, but the light was incredibly beautiful.

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After washing your hands, the water drained out just here.

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I love the little open genkan you spot as you wander through Kyoto's backstreets.

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Embarrassingly, you can spot my hokkairo packs in my shoes!

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I hope you can come along and see the exhibition!

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo





Sandwich ISETAN badge

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Over the last few months I've hosted quite a few workshops, events and demonstrations at Shinjuku's ISETAN department store with my company.  Usually my name tag reads 'Ebony' in katakana but this time it says 'Sandwich'! Gah, I love it so much and really didn't want to hand it back in today :(

If you're aroung Shinjuku please pop up to the 6F of ISETAN and check out the Valentines Day crafts I made using Martha Stewart Crafts products.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo