Soba and Horse Workshop in Okayama

It has been a while since I have taken part in any traditional Japanese festivities! This weekend I went to a small country town with my pilates teacher to take part in a workshop for making soba noodles and special horses. We went to a small community center where with gathered with ten or so other people and introduced ourselves. First up, making soba noodles. It was actually really difficult! We had to add egg whites to flour and then mix and roll it. Unfortunately neither of our doughs made the final cut, but it was interesting learning about the process. We had a fantastic lunch with soba noodle soup, rice balls and a variety of other dishes. It was nice to have a warm meal on a cold and dreary day.

After lunch, we went to another room to learn how to make horses out of hay. The tradition used to be that children would make the horses on New Years and then bring them to houses (like trick-or-treat) and they would get rice balls in return. Later, the community would take all of the horses out to the rice fields in hopes of a successful harvest year. This tradition stopped in 1950. After our horse making craft, we went to this stone windmill park. The parks in Japan are in a class of their own. They are always breathtaking.

Helping us with our dry dough.

It is important to start putting
pressure on the dough right away.
Unfortunately we didn't do this so
we had to step on it (it was wrapped in
a plastic bag) to add pressure.

Rolling

I do not particularly enjoy cooking.

Horses

Stone park.

Small castle.

Playing with black and white.

Oh Canada!!

Oh Canada!! Well here is a short post about a hilarious book I just read. Perhaps it was more funny to me than my American colleague. There are quite a few jokes about us Canadians that perhaps only we could understand. I am feeling rather patriotic as of late. There aren't too many Canadians around me here, in fact, there aren't any! After watching the Canadians perform in the events and seeing the excitement in Vancouver, I can't help but feeling proud. It has also made me a little home sick but I will be returning soon enough and during the summer. The best time to be in Vancouver is the summer! I still don't know what school I will be going to but I will definitely be returning home to spend some time with my family before the next adventure.

On a more fashionable note! Here is an outfit post taken last week and if you want to read a fabulous write up and selection of New York Fashion Week's top fall looks check out Harper's Bazaar. (Thank you twitter!) Looking for some great Olympic coverage or just some great Canadian blogs? Check out these:

Solo Lisa

Anywhere but here
Style Symmetry
Rantings of a Fashion Addict
Marta With Love

The Ongoing Project
The Starving Stylist
Vancity Buzz
The Tyee (Local news)

Cardigan-Mom! (via post)
Jeans-H & M Japan
Heels-Ito Yokado ($10 does not provide comfort btw)
Scarf-Korea from Makensie
Purse-Vintage Valentino-Recycle shop
Belt-Recycle shop

New York Fashion Week Fall 2010 Part 4

Here are the remaining designers from New York Fashion Week! There were so many great collections this season, but I just wasn't able to get to them all! The women's Olympic figure skating competition has now begun. Will you be watching?

Victoria Beckham

Like the Olsen twins, there are a lot of people who dislike her for her fame, skinniness..you name it. There is always a reason. I love her though and this collection. Yes, the models were too skinny but this is something that is slowly changing and we can only hope it continues. Finally, can we get to the clothes already? She staged the show to a small group of twenty-five or so editors and insiders and greeted everyone before the show before narrating the entire collection herself. Loved every piece!

Vera Wang

Vera Wang featured a stunning collection complete with textures, colors, dresses, pants jackets, sequins and crinolines. While I definitely think her talent lies in her gowns, this was a solid collection of very wearable pieces.

Betsey Johnson

Everyone give a round of applause! Betsey is back! She came back at a time when we are in for theatrics and a little more playfulness on the runway. What a collection! There were dice on shirts, striped dresses, models looking like bandits, bandanas, cowboy boots, corsets, prints, cowboy boots and more. Kelly Osbourne was also in attendance as a model and a job well done! Bravo Betsey! we missed you!!

The Row

While many are not Olsen fans (they do not interview well), I am a fan of their designs. Every time I see photos of them I am entranced. Perhaps the clothes are overly mature, overly layered and heavy at times, but I still think they always look interesting. There wasn't anything overly special in their collection. The pieces were strong and well designed and...drumroll..they were marketable. Of course, no one knows franchise and marketing like the Olsens. Nevertheless, it was a solid collection. Of notable highlight were the slouchy trousers.

Reem Acra

This year Reem Acra streamed the runway show via their website. The draping on the frocks was brilliantly executed. The looks featured slouchy layering, silks and slinky silhouettes all in very bold and interesting patterns.

Proenza Schouler

Hernandez and McCollough created some rare prints of their own this season. The plaid looks you saw on the runway were jiggled photocopy prints. There were also some interesting scribble prints on mini dresses. Everything was very short and paired with thigh high stockings. Bravo!

Rodarte

Kate and Laura Mulleavy were inspired after taking a road trip from El Paso to Marfa, Texas. They were specifically inspired by the town of Ciudad Juárez and the idea of sleepwalking. The Mulleavyy sisters are always pushing the envelope when it comes to their designs but this just didn't do it for me. All of the whites looked washed out and the models looked washed out as well. I wasn't a fan of the color scheme either. I preferred their harder edged theme last year.

Narciso Rodriguez

Narciso was inspired by “beautiful curved lines and shadows” this season. You could see this in all of his pieces. It was particularly noticeable in one of his pieces featuring black and white (see below). The models also wore some interesting hats. I loved how he paired a great black dress with a tight leather jacket.

Michael Kors

Where to begin with Michael Kors. He is the master of his field. I wanted to wear every piece that came off the runway. Sometimes he is really hard on the designers on Project Runway but when you see his collections, you realize that he has every right. He is incredibly talented and able to put together looks that we all want to wear. It was fur fabulous! There were unique placement of belts and fabulous camels and beiges great for any winter vacation or to look fabulous for any occasion. Every day looks as well as some stunning sequined pieces!

Monique Lhuillier

Stunning as always are the collections of Monique Lhuillier. We are seeing a lot of interesting prints this season for instance the short dress (first image). She definitely focused on the gowns that have made her so famous and successful. There were too many to choose from!

(Images via Style.com)