Hiyashi chuka


Hiyashi Chuka bento style.



In all of my seven trips to Japan I have not once experienced a Japanese Summer! I must say, I do love winter but I thought the Jetstar sale was a good opportunity to experience another side of Tokyo AND I'm really looking forward to having a summer specialty Hiyashi chuka  when I go to Tokyo next month!

Hiyashi Chuka is a popular cold ramen dish topped with various ingredients such as ham, tomato, cucumber and egg and served with a refreshing sweet soy, ginger or sesame sauce.

Click here for a Hiyashi chuka recipe . You might also like this site and this site .

Not quite Ikebana


D-bros and Ikea





D-bros 

Little milk-bottle-like vases


Hanging jars (from capers) in my garden

My d-bros vases and a few bottles from my collection


Pretty multi-coloured glass vases

Milk bottle and a juice bottle I collected from Japan (table cloth from Newspaper Taxi)

It's not quite Ikebana but as soon as I get a bunch of flowers home I love to arrange them into a collection of little individual vases at varying heights. Don't you think they look so pretty that way? I usually put a selection on my dining table, one by our bedside tables, one by my work space and one tiny individual stem in the bathroom.

I use a collection of vessels such as a few mini milk bottles my mum gave me and some small jam / capers/ juice / mineral water bottles  that I have been collecting over the years.  But my favourite are these flat pack vases from Japanese brand d-bros (available from dedece plus in Australia) but Ikea have some cheap and cheerful alternatives.




Pretty hanging jars and bottles at a function

Romance Was Born

















I still remember the day my friend Olivia and I took Romance was Born's Anna Plunkett to the Century Tavern when she first moved to Sydney keen to show her the 'cool scene' in Sydney. Looking back now I go pink with embarrassment! Anna and her amazing label Romance was Born (with business partner Luke Sales) are the coolest kids on the block.

You can watch today's Romance Was Born's amazing 'under the sea' Fashion Week show on Vogue TV or for more info look at the Romance Was Born website.


(Joel! How cute are the stamps on the box you sent from Tokyo that is featured on the website!!)

Congratulations lovely Anna on a fantastic show!

Love love
Hello Sandwich
xxx

Pip & Pop Kawaii Pop



Oh my goodness - I am so excited about my recent discovery of Pip & Pop! (Thanks Liane!) Nicole Andrijevic and Tanya Schultz work together as collaborative duo Pip & Pop. Their art practice encompasses installation, painting, photography and wall drawings.

Here is a little note from their press release:
Their abundantly detailed and seductively colourful works are made from an eclectic mix of materials such as confectionery, plastic objects and plants, origami, vinyl, paint, and magazine cut-outs. With child-like optimism and playful working methods, they construct and transform everyday objects into elaborate and joyfully excessive artworks that explore notions of desire, abundance and blissful states of being.

Pip & Pop will be showing at The Japan Foundation in Sydney 15th May - 3rd June as part of the Facetnate series, a grant program in which one of three lucky artists will be awarded a return flight to Tokyo to further their art practice! ah hem...why didn't I know of this sooner!?!! I would have liked to submit my work for possible inclusion! There is always 2010!

Anyway, I hope you will get a chance to see it. And the Japan Foundation library is a must for any Japan lovers! For more info about the exhibition please click here.







By the way, have you watched my art video Kawaii Pop?



Very special thanks to the lovely Pip & Pop for sending through this information. I can't wait to meet you both at your Sydney opening!

楽しみにしています！
エボニー
☆