MUJI on Robson Opens! Lifestyle, Organization, Quality!

Writing by Colleen Tsoukalas
Photos by Dianna Drahanchuk and Colleen Tsoukalas

On a rainy, cold Friday, Dec. 1, evening, we were welcomed to a media preview for the beautiful newly designed space for MUJI on Robson. It is a huge, well organized store with the best service and quality products - everything you need for yourself and your home. MUJI is lifestyle, is the message from its many celebrants from Japan, Canada, B.C., Metro Vancouver and now, Vancouver, location of the largest store.

MUJI on Robson is a place to shop, to read, to enjoy a coffee, stamp, label and embroider your purchases and even gift wrap them. You can buy plants and the equipment to take care of them. An aroma bar is where you can create your own fragrance. Interior design can be enhanced by shelving 'wall furniture' and simple but effective organizing ideas. The MUJI Lab collection of clothing is well made, fashion forward, comes in a range of sizes.

Thank you for a wonderful evening of shopping, enjoying refreshments (all available in store) and learning so much about a great company and its community partnerships. It is a celebration that continues on a daily basis.

Here is our experience at MUJI Metrotown, too:

Marvelous Muji Store Opens in Metrotown

Shopping at Muji Japan and New York were both incredible experiences. "Nature, naturally Muji" is a great motto for stores where you can find everything you need for home, family, work and leisure, all in a peaceful oasis of organization and beauty. And did I mention that shoppers are always enthusiastically welcomed and help is readily available. At the store opening, Friday August 25, we were thanked for our patience, since the first Muji store in Canada, came to Toronto. Finally, it is here, the largest store and one that invites you to enjoy a cultural shopping experience. It is all in the details: the exquisite mini catalogue that could grace any coffee table, the visual of how a sock should fit, the gift wrapping station and the stamps for your packages, the artfully arranged table settings, the complete bedroom with shelves, bedding and even a clock, so much to attract and nothing to distract.

The VIP store opening made every guest a VIP. Welcomed with a Muji shopping bag, we had our notebook and famous Muji pen ready to record wish lists and highlights. MC Yurie Hoyoyon  introduced us to our hosts from Muji Japan, Muji Canada, The Japanese Consulate, The Mayor of Burnaby, Manager of Metropolis, Metrotown, to the artists: Sora (Opening Poem), Japanese Calligrapher: Kisyuu, Yasuko Takahashi (Tea Ceremony) and thanked many sponsors, including YK3 Saki Producers Inc., and ICHIYO's Matcha Bar for the Matcha Tea.

A shelf of Muji suitcases, efficient and elegant, reminded me that Muji is everywhere in the world and that a Muji store will always offer product, peace, comfort, art and culture. Naturally, I will return. Muji's brand philosophy is represented here: MU = No/Nothing Zero, SHIRUSHI - Mark/Stamp/Brand, RYO - Good/Right, HIN - Product. So, no brand name or logo stamped on everything, ethical product, and quality products right down the line.

Thanks for a wonderful introduction to Muji, here, so close to home.

Tomoe Arts Dance Company: Yuko-Kai - Learning From Fujima Shogo

Tomoe Arts always puts on exquisite demonstrations of Japanese Dance, Art and Culture. Settings are simple, music (Nagauta) in the background, soft but dramatic, dress so understated but layered and beautiful. Fans, folded messages. Every move is a step in the story of each dance, strong, compelling and a perfect plan for use of space and time.

Fujima Yuko (1929-2003) was an extraordinary dancer and teacher who dedicated her life to Japanese Dance and to sharing her commitment to it, with her many students, in Japan and around the world. She was Colleen Lanki's (Fujima Sayu) teacher and mentor and Colleen continues her work, here as Creative Director of Tomoe Arts. Today's performance is to honor Fujima Yuko. Fujima Shoga was chosen by Fujima Yuko to be Colleen's next teacher and he has worked with both Colleen and Ryan for both the memorial and dances. Even Master Dancers continue to learn, hence the title: Leanring from Fujima Shogo.

On Sunday, February 26th, Colleen Lanki (Theatre Director, Choreographer, Educator and Dancer) and Ryan Caron (Theatre Director and Dancer) shared four classical Japanese Dances with us:

The first dance, Matsu no Midori (Green of the Pine), featured Ryan Caron who shares his vision of a beautiful young girl and also of the accomplished woman she into which she will grow.

The second dance, Kyo no Shiki (Four Seasons of the Capital), was about a dance celebrating the 4 seasons of Kyoto. Having visited Kyoto, I could easily envision the seasons, especially the Spring and Cherry Blossom time.

The third dance, Tamagawa (The Tama River), danced by Colleen Lanki: Fujima Sayu. Depicted the life of the people along the Tama River and the movement of the river through the Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo.

The fourth and final dance, Yariyakko (The Samurai's Attendant with a Lance), was danced by Ryan Caron as the Samurai with his lance and powerful, shouted commands! Several very young dancers from the studio above this one, practised being Samurais as they watched Ryan dance.

Held in a small studio, this event was an opportunity to be very close to Master Dancers and to be in Japan! Stories told through dance. No words needed!

Visit Tomoe Arts for more information on their upcoming season!

NFL Custom Designed Fashion Helmets for the Super Bowl and My Adventures in Dallas

Saw these fashionable helmets (below) on Fashionista.com and thought this would be the perfect time to share my experience in Dallas and seeing the Dallas Cowboys play live! You may remember my wonderful friend Branda from my time in Japan. We spent a lot of time together when I was living in Okayama. We have stayed in touch and still talk at least once a month! You can see some posts from our adventures back in 2010 here and here.

Branda's brother, Ronald, plays for the Dallas Cowboys and Branda came home all the way from Japan just to see him play in Dallas! I was already planning to be in Austin, so made the road trip with my family to meet Branda and her family in Dallas! Branda's amazing family took me to the football game and I got to experience the game through the eyes of a family member! It was actually very overwhelming! The stadium holds about 80,000 fans and it was jam packed. I really haven't experienced a stadium of that size or fans that passionate... EVER! It was an amazing night and so great to see one of my very best friends who I have known for almost 6 years! Special thanks to her family for giving me such a wonderful and special experience. I will always remember it :)

The cowboys were unsuccessful in making it the playoffs, but they truly played a great game. They fought hard for every play and gave it 110 percent. It was such a close game, but there is always next year ;)

Amazing opening ceremonies :)

Branda ready to see her brother play :) All the way from Japan!

Playing the waiting game!

Cowboys tickets and stadium pass 

Waiting, waiting...

 Loved the white towels

 

Front and center!

The CFDA has partnered with Bloomingdale's and the NFL to design limited-edition football helmets for the upcoming Super Bowl. It is the first time the Super Bowl will be held in New York and so the celebrations, or collaborations rather, begin! The helmets will be up auctioned off on January 15th with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the NFL foundation. Bidding starts at $248 and ends on February 5th. Who's ready to start bidding?! Thanks for sharing Fashionista.com! 

 Alice and Olivia

(Images courtesy of Fashionista) 

Badgley Mischka 

 Betsey Johnson

 Bloomingdale's

Dannijo 

 Dennis Basso

 DKNY

 Diane von Furstenberg 

John Varvatos 

 Kenneth Cole

Marchesa 

 Narciso Rodriguez 

 Nicole Miller

Pamela Love 

 Public School

Rag and Bone