[10-04-10] Everyday Fashion As A Mom...

Yesterday, I went to new Santa Monica Place with my husband and my son. It was pretty chill, and I wore a brown one-piece dress and my Sunshine Darlin's brown modal pants (Ilene pants) with brown simple shoes. I was all in brown.

Then browsing stores and I got shocked when I saw myself in the mirror at the store, no-make up, bit tired face women was in there. Yes, that was me...

I'm still nursing my son, so I usually pick the tops which is either V neck or button down type. And I can't pick a dress with round neck at all. Plus my body is still maternity looks like, so I prefer not to pick up tight pants.
Therefore I have few choices of tops and bottoms. Especially bottoms, I can wear either jeans or navy cottons pants. My daily wear is pretty much the same everyday.

I'm getting tired. I need to think about to change my style a little bit.

One of the easiest and quickest solution is using scarves!
Today I picked up my favorite long cotton knit scarf I got from Anthropologie last year.

Today's my look:

Gap's border tops
Gap's Navy chino pants
Anthropologie's navy/white/pink long scarf
TOMS shoes Ash Canvas Classic shoes
with Livity's cotton bag

I think it's pretty ok. It's not fancy, but I think dress well. Absolutely better than yesteday, I think.

By the way, I wrote article about TOMS shoes for Japanese media, and I studied about the company and thier movement. I think that's such an awesome thing what they do, and I bought a pair of their shoes. Since I went to Whole Food, they carry only TOMS CLASSIC line,which is the most simple and plain collection, and I picked this ash grey one.

It's so light and I like it!! Well love it!
As a mom, and if I knew earlier I could have worn while I was carring my son for sure:)

I'm thinking about shopping at Nordstrom to check other fancy TOMS shortly.

Anyway I think I have to keep my mind that I need to dress nice every morning otherwise my fashion sense will be destroyed. So I'm trying to use my brain for the best style I can think of everyday from TODAY!

TOMS article (in Japanese)
JB Press - TOMS Shoes

[10-02-10] Solid Food Solution...

My son will be 6 months old in a week!!
Wooo, time flies so fast.

I started to feed solid food to my son last weekend.
The first food for my son is rice porridge!
I decided to give him porridge instead of rice cereal, because it's what he will eat in his future and much affordable! And also such a delicious! (I think) I know you have to cook, but cooking time is max 30min.

So here are few versions how to make rice porridge.

a) From cooked rice.
I usually do. Basically using rice cooker to make regular rice for adults.
Then just scoop a one table spoon of rice, and put in a small pan with a 1 cup of water.
Then boil it. Make it soft, then use CHAKOSHI to make it much much softer/mash it well

b) From uncooked rice.
this method makes this porridge much more delicious!!
one table spoon of raw rice, and add two cups of water.
almost cook 1 hour, and make it so soft. then use CHAKOSHI to mash it!

c) From frozen cooked rice.
Put frozen rice about one table spoon and add water of 1 cup,
Boil for 10-15 min/mid heat, and mash it with CHAKOSHI.

**Key tool is CHAKOSHI! (See the picture. It's like a small mesh ball with handle. You can buy at the Asian grocery stores)
It's such a bad idea to use blender or food processor only for this amount of small portion!
So using CHAKOSHI is the easiest and fastest way to mash food for babies, I think!

My son usually watching me cooking, then I give him a food.
It takes a while, I know!
But hopefully this process makes him understand and appreciate what he eats !

[09-11-10] cranberry tofu (okara) biscotti

Very healthy snack cookies for nursing moms and kids!


-since I was pregnant, I started making this biscotti and served to my family and friends. Instead of using only flour, I add okara which is fibers left over by making tofu. So it's not so crunchy, yet Italian snack looks and flavor !

*** 100g = 3.5z = 0.2lb

Here is the recipe :
Okara 100g

A
-Flour 100g
-Baking Powder 1 tea spoon
-Sugar 50g

-2 eggs

B
-cranberry 50g
-mix nuts 50g
-fresh rosemary 2-3 branches(2inch long)
-olive oil 1 table spoon

Powder sugar

1. Use microwave to dry out Okara. ( 3min and mix then another 1min)

2. Using pan to roast mix nuts then chop.

3. In a mid size ball. Add A, and okara. Mix and pour eggs into it.

4. Mix then add B. Make sure rosemary is chopped finely!

5. Put dough onto the oven pan with two. Start preheat oven with 340F/170C

6. Put powder sugar onto two doughs

7. Put them in an oven and bake 25min

8. Put them out from the oven and sliced into small pieces (1/2 inch thick)

9. Put them on the oven pan. Make sure the surface of cut is up. Then bake 10min with 300F/150C then turn upside down and bake another 10min

10. Done!!!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

[07-09-2010] Be back from my maternity leave...

Officially I'm back! I took three month maternity leave from April. I had a lot of experiences during my pregnancy and after labor with my baby son, Kai. I've talked with so many moms, and realize there is something I can do thru my blog and thru my business.

I always try to update my blog at every day on a dot, but it's so hard! But I think I should restart. Tomorrow is my son's three months birthday, and since I saw the movie, Julie and Julia, few months ago, it is so important to keep doing the things you set!

Endurance makes you stronger. =継続は力なり（Keizoku ha Chikara Nari）

By the way, I've been experiencing how babies grow fast. As a director of my kids wear line, Sunshine Darlin', I really need to work on the designs more practical for parents and also need to be cute :) Study, Study, Study!
( I'm trying to release new collection during this year.)

Anyway, here is my first topics for my blog -

Breastfeeding : Luckily I have enough milk that my son doesn't need to drink formula, so economically it's super helpful. People say formula and breast milk aren't the same, but I was grown up with 50/50 according to my mom, and I'm doing just fine. But I have few friends who gave only breast milk for first one year, and they are super healthy, and even other kids are catching cold, they don't catch. That's awesome, huh?

Well my first week after my labor was pretty tough because I wasn't used to it, and my son also. So I had a lactation consultant in my hospital, but I also visited Japanese lactation consultant as soon as I'm back to my house.

She, Megumi, is RN, and also a lactation consultant. She used to work in Japan as a nurse over 20 years, and she learned Japanese breast massage for moms. So her consultation is mixed of American and Japanese! This massage basically SAVED me.

Here is the basic idea of famous Japanese breastfeeding method, OKETANI.

Basically if you are in Japanese hospital, you can get this breast massage while you are staying pretty much every day from your nurses! (According to my mom and other friends)

Here you really have to deal with everything by yourself, and I know it's painful in the beginning. But once you get used to it, and now I'm pretty enjoying, and really really CHEAP!

I bought one package of travel formula once, and a gallon water. I also received formula can sample from Enfamil, and also got 8 of 2oz ready-to bottles from my hospital. I don't even finish any of them at all! If I go out, and someone has to take care of baby, I usually pump for few days. For training purpose, I gave him formula few times, but luckily he doesn't mind to drink it. Occasionally babies don't drink bottles milk if you keep only giving breast milk. Some babies notice "TASTE", some just don't like 'FAKE NIPPLE". My son's case is that he can drink as long as we use NUK nipples. It's very interesting!

Dealing with his fussiness is sometimes hard, but being with a baby is very fascinated. I've been no make-up pretty much for last three months, so my skin is now so young! (Recently many of my friends told me that I became so young.) I think it's also because of my labor experience, but also of breast feeding. My blood circulation should be really good.

If you are going to have a baby, please try to breast feed once, and if you are in trouble, talk with lactation consultants! If you are in LA, I'm happy to refer to my consultant.

Now I'm start to work on myself to be a Glam Mom!

Sunshine Darlin'
website

[03-26-10] Maternity Photo Gig

Hi, Guys!
Finally I took my own maternity photos. Great experience. Just a sneak peak photo by taking iPhone today... See below:)






From this May, Funtrap/Sunshine Darlin' will provide a service for arrangement maternity photos with professional photographer and make-up artist! Will post detail information soon.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

[03-06-10] Romantic Army Style

From recent Glamour magazine Apr issue...

I love this knit jacket with bitter army cargo pants style:)

Definitely a part of this spring trend...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

[02-25-10] From Japanese Magazine

I checked Japanese magazine, "Sweet", and felt like the key words for this spring's trend are "flower" "western" "vintage"...




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

[02-24-10] Don't miss new men's collection of Varde77 in Japan!

Varde 77 Spring 10

Hey, one of my clients, Varde 77, just released their Spring 10 collection.
Designed by Hiroyuki Miyata
Photographed by Yoshiyuki Nagatomo
Funtrap did casting for San Francisco shooting!

The brand is getting more charismatic, and powerful...

[02-14-10] Happy Valentine's Day :)

Hello, guys-

Well it's been more than a month since my last update! Sorry-
A happy new year, and today is the day of Valentine's day + Chinese New Year!!

Here is a new store who carry our collection, Sunshine Darlin'!

http://www.stylizta.com

Love,
YUKIE

[12-24-09] Happy Holidays!

This Christmas, I gave few gifts to the kids I have been teaching Japanese!!

Custome shirts in Japanese!

Pretty cute, huh?




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

[12-17-09] LA BODY magazine production

One of our company's important projects is the production of LA BODY magazine, Japanese fitess & dance fashion magazine!

We did fashion shoots in San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance and Redondo Beach this time!

We also did cover the famous female dance crew, We Are Heroes, from MTV American Best Dance Crew Season 4 this time!

Wonderful and exciting week...






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

[12-1-09] Fidm Trunk Show Now!

Hey, guys-
I'm at FIDM downtown Los Angeles! Come to see us :)
My kids pieces are here...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

[11-25-09] The Day Before Holiday...

What a beautiful day! Last night, I started crafting my kids line of Sunshine Darlin' to accessorize and make them one-of-a-kind!

They look pretty awesome, and start selling at FIDM alumni trunk show on Dec 1st!

Don't miss it :)


PS finally I download blog app in my iPhone! then I can upload my blogger often now.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

[11-23-09] Inspired by Amy Tangerine...

I was at Sassy City Chick yesterday. Thanks for shopping!!
I had a booth with Amy Tangerine, and she has such a wonderful collection!

Amy Tangerine Blog

Check her blog, everyone!

I also got a baby shirt for my little baby in my tummy!
What a cute it is, huh?

I love my collection, Sunshine Darlin', but I recently think that I need more twist for being unique...

[11-11-09] Holiday Events!

Don’t miss shopping Sunshine Darlin’ at sale events!

Hello! Just before the holiday season, we’ll join TWO sales events as follow:

Sassy City Chicks FASHION BASH
SUNDAY NOV 22, 2009
10AM - 3PM

MARINA DEL REY MARRIOTT
4100 Admiralty Way Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Stop By at “Amy Tangerine Booth”
***Only Sunshine Darlin’ Ladies Available***

Sassy City Chicks

FIDM Alumni Trunk Show
TUESDAY, DEC 1, 2009
10AM–4PM

Arcade of Grand Hope Park
(Corner of Hope and 9th st, Downtown LA)
***Babies‘, Kids’, Ladies’ All Available***

FIDM MUSEUM & GALLERIES NEWS

For detail information, click each website!

If you bring a copy of this card, and we'll do gift wrapping your purchase FREE!

See You SOON :)

[09-11-09} Testimonials of Sunshine Darlin'

Hi, Guys-

I got few photos from my customers!
What cute pictures of babies and kids!

Sunshine Darlin'

[08-27-09] Varde 77 Fall 09 Is Released...

Varde77 A/W 09

Awesome photo shoot we did last February with local model, Kurtis, for Verde77,and now they release their photos for coming season. (Photographer Yoshiyuki Nagatomo, Design&Director of Varde 77 Hiroyuki Miyata)

Check their website :)

[08-26-2009] Inspired Interior Designs By Miho Kinouchi & Rachel Zoe

Hey guys-

I'm going to move a new place soon. We'll have a new studio room, and I'm start planning how to display my office/studio room to decorate!

I recently read a Japanese lifestyle book, "Reset Style", written by the Japanese art director Miho Kinouchi, and she's introducing californian life style in this book. Photos are beautiful and the contents are pretty interested.

Check her website
http://resetstyle.blogspot.com/

Some points I think I have some many commons thoughts, ideas and styles with her.
She's in my neighbor but never met, and hopefully I can see her someday!
Well I'm pretty sure I have some mutual friends. Japanese fashion/art industry in LA isn't that big, you know.

She inspired me some ideas for interior designs in this book.

Regarding inspiration, I also got some ideas from famous A-list stylist Rachel Zoe.
I know she's been in her own reality show, Rachel Zoe Project on bravo, and I haven't checked since last week.
I stunned the way of her work, and I'm really fascinated.
I know she has some bad rumors, and I know she's too skinny, but I'm still respecting the way of her work, and the way of coping the perfection in her fashion.

Rachel Zoe Project

By the way, I'm not that huge fan of her style. I like some of them, but I'm not the type of glamour-wanna-be!!

However some of the styles she creates for her clients are SOOOO perfect, and I think that makes her so popular.

Well, in her last Hollywood Hills house of 1644 Rising Glen Road, there was a mini studio, and I like that.
Simple, black/white interior. I like her wall paper/wall interior. I know it's so popular looks, but I still like it, and I'm going to have it like it in my new place!

Since my brand, Sunshine Darlin' has brown/orange theme, and my company Funtrap has pink/gray theme, I'm going to use some of colors as accent for sure.

Will let you know shortly!!

[08-19-09] We have a FACEBOOK page now!

Sunshine Darlin' on Facebook

Don't forget to check our website :
SunshineDarlin.com

Will let you know our upcoming event in Arcadia, CA in September!

See you guys soon...

[08-02-2009] Another Show Time...

Hi there-

I was in Tokyo for 10 days to show new collections of PureLime Spring 2010! for Japanese fitness retailers...
Awesome collection, and I'm sure our local stores will carry either!

Also we had two days special sale at my Tokyo showroom, and we had more people came than last Spring event.
I'm so happy that customers were satisfied, and we met so many repeaters.

Our first kids and babies of SUNSHINE DARLIN' inventory just arrived at our online store
You can shop at its online store SunshineDarlin.com

You can also purchase with AmyKathryn bags thru the same website.

Wholesale is also available :
We have another LA MARKET coming up from Aug 7th/FRI - 11th/TUE at downtown LA
My collection will be shown with AMYKATHRYN at FOCUS show
And also babies & kids etc at A255

Both are at California Market Center

Please contact Yukie or Tammy (info@funtrap.net) to schedule appointments!

See you soon :)

Twitter +++ SunshineDarlin

[07-13-09] New Images of Sunshine Darlin'

Hi, Guys-

Have you checked our latest photos of Sunshine Darlin'???

SunshineDarlin.com

Now we are on sale for 100% FINE COTTON collection
Some of my photos are for my Fall pieces, which are made of Bamboo fabric, Modal!

Comfy and dressy are the key for this fabric.

Don't miss !

[07-01-09] New Collection, Sunshine Darlin', Debut!

Finally we can release new collection info:

100% Fine Cotton and Bamboo Modal collection, SUNSHINE DARLIN, debut this summer. All designs are simple yet unique. Comfortableness is the key for this collection.

You can shop at its online store SunshineDarlin.com

Here are our best sellers:

Jane T-shirts
$14
Material: 100% Fine Cotton
V-neck, Short Sleeve T-shirt with Epaulette

Vivian Long Sleeve Tunic
$22
Material: 100% Fine Cotton
V-neck, Cut neck, Long Sleeve T-shirt Tunic

Veronica T-shirts
$18
Material: 100% Fine Cotton
V-neck, Cut neck, Short Sleeve T-shirts

Park Day Hoodies (KIDS)
$15
Material 100% Fine Cotton
Pull-over hoodie

You can also purchase with AmyKathryn bags thru the same website.

Wholesale is also available : Please contact Yukie (info@funtrap.net) for more detail info...

[05-25-09] Sample Sale Coming UP!

We'll sell basic cut&saw products at California Market Center on Friday.

AmyKathryn will join our sample sale as well :)

Location -

110 E.9th St A255
Los Angeles, CA 90079
9am-3pm

See you then :)

[04-02-09] ScoLar is covered by Label Networks

Hi, Everyone-

We are covered by very trust worthy website, Label Networks!.
Check the article...

Story about ScoLar in Labelnetworks.com

[03-26-09] Sample Sale Tomorrow!

Hello, Guys-

Sorry for my late update.

I just want to let you know that we are going to join SAMPLE SALE at California Market Center tomorrow!!

Fitness Samples, ScoLar and etc...

Don't miss it!!

We will open at 9AM
Suite A255 --- EYD SHOWROOM!

Check This Web For Detail

[02-06-09] What A Crazy Week!!

Hello, Guys-

Again, my life has been hectic, and didn't update news. Sorry!!

Last night, I showed up my model/friend, Julia's suprise birthday party.
She's been helping so many projects for us, and we always enjoy working together.
She and her husband are going to move to Nashville next week, so I'm glad I did make it to join that party

I have been working for a Japanese cosmetic magazine as a coverage coordinator, and we visited spas, doctor's practices and cosmetic stores. During coverage, it is alwasy some tentions, so I'm pretty hard to keep myself healthy and happy because working with clients pretty much 24-7 while they are in town. So I need to think about how thing going every second!

But luckily, we did pretty good coverage, and I hope it comes out great...

In a mean time, I'm sending e-flier to my customers of ScoLar.
We're getting really excited to show new collections in Las Vegas.
Check attachment!

Anyone is interested in ScoLar, please email Yukie - info@funtrap.net
We're happy to schedule appointment to show new collections at POOL TRADE!

[01-26-09] Follow Up VARDE 77

Nice!
Check this web, and you can check all photo's Varde77 Spring 09!
VARDE77

[01-19-09] POOL TRADE SHOW coming up!

Hello-

Our last booth of ScoLar was on the official website of POOL TRADE now!
Doesn't it cool?

Yes, we did really work hard last time
Yes, we'll work hard this time again.

See you soon...
email us for appointment!

[01-16-09] Coordination For Japanese Apparel Brands

I just received the image book of VARDE77, that is Japanese men's casual brand.
We worked for their catalog shooting last September for upcoming Spring 09, and looks like it did succeed!

Check their website
VARDE77
Unfortunately the newest images are not uploaded yet, but you can tell their products and philosophy of the brand from there.

We did shoot in Venice Beach, CA
Anthony, the main teen model, is the perfect model for their upcoming collection, and I'm glad I could find him.
Another model, Joshua who looks like Anthony's brother, enjoyed his shooting as well, and we could work with another project, too!
My client was happy, and he said he wants me to coordinate next project, too.

THAT IS MY TROPHY!

My policy is to make people happy and fun thru working with funtrap.

I hope I can continue working with all of my clients and customers this year:)

[01-15-09] Do You Really Need To Book Your Order 6 Months Ahead?

Hi, there-

I have been thinking about this industry a lot.
The buyers need to book their orders 6 months ahead, but as you know recent economy situations, it is really diffiult to do that.

My line, ScoLar, has been working with Japanese and other international accounts in Asia with the system of MONTHLY production.
The system is like this. ScoLar shows thier newest collections beginning of the months, and will delivery by the following mid month. They do every month like that way.

Good thing is, they manufacture all products really quick turn over, and make sure they delivery hottest pieces every month.

In Japan, the buyers used to book their orders 3-6 months ahead, and some of the lines still keep that way. However especially the category of YOUNG CONTEMPORARY, the trend changes every minutes, and to keep up with it, they need to provide new collections monthly. According to some Japanese boutique owners, they manage to keep their budgets for ScoLar monthly, because ScoLar makes their sales!

So does some popular Japanese brands, such as EGOIST, LOVE BOAT, CECIL Mcbee,COCOLULU, KAPALUA etc, design and production monthly.

How isn't impossible in the US?
Think about boutique owners!
H&M and Forever 21, they merchandise their products monthly basis, and why don't you?
I've been seeing many buyers haven't remembered their orders when they delivery.
It dosen't make sense!
However this system allows buyers to have fresh images of styling and products, and can receive them in a month.
That is fashion.

Upcoming POOL TRADE show in Las Vegas, we will show you our products of delivery on March, April and May.

Looking forward to seeing you guys.

Please contact Yukie (info@funtrap.net) to schedule appointment!

We will do this way.

[01-14-09] Back To Work

A happy new year!!
Finally I'm back to work.

In LA, the market will just begins
Unfortunately ScoLar won't show anything this time, but we're going to have a new stuff in Feb!

Will inform you update soon :)

[12-18-09] We Are Closed For Holidays

Hello, guys-

We're closed for holidays

Will be back in Jan 12th/Monday

Bit long vacation :)

Happy Holidays, everyone

Best,

Funtrap

[12-14-08] Another YOGAHOP class in Lululemon in Santa Monica

Hey, Guys-

I decided to take another YOGAHOP class!
Well this time the class is the promo class at Lululemom in Santa Monica.
Basically, the place is the reason I've known YOGAHOP, and they have promo classes every Sunday during this month.

Last YOGAHOP class I took was Jennifer Moore's class, but today's one is Matthew the head instructor of YOGAHOP
He's class is ROCK! I really enjoyed, and the way of teaching isn't too much hard and the music he selected was awesome!!
(By the way, I'm not sure he picked those songs, but it was slightly different from Jennifer's music)

And I saw one of my favorite actresses, Gabrielle Anwar of Burn Notice
She was such a pretty, and as the same as I imagined.
Charming, and super fit!

Therefore I decided to keep work out of this YOGAHOP, and will take their classes as soon as I'm back from Taiwan & Japan!

*** Funtrap will be closed for Holidays : Dec 16 thru Dec 23, and also Yukie will goto Taiwan and Japan to meet customers over there, and She will be back on Jan 12 in the office. Please contact by email in a meantime. Thank you for understanding. ***

[12-10-08] Another shooting for LA BODY magazine

Day One:

We went to malibu, shooting with this crew and models are always fun
I think we did a good job this time again!

Really nice summer-ish in photos.

I think it was worth going out for location hunting yesterday totally...

[12-09-08] The Shooting begins...

Finally my clients in town. I really have to get ready!

I showed all new collections for two of my lines, and also I did interpret for another line for my client.
(It is service!)

And we prepared for shooting tomorrow and Friday.

Bit hustle now

I hope the weather is fine, and hopefully bit warmer for my models sake

[12-08-08] Yogahop!

Today, I joined the class of YOGAHOP for the first time!
The YOGAHOP was founded by Mary King,Marko King,Matthew Reyes; and Jonathan Watters in the summer of 2006.
Matthew Reyes is the current head instructor, and he's famous as a personal trainer of Reese Weatherspoon, the actress.

I went to the LULULEMONstore in Santa Monica the other day, and I heard about this program
I used to take yoga classes frequently, and I also took lessons of jazz dancing, hip hop, and zumba.
But last 6 months, I didn't do pretty much anything

Since my personal life has been bit calmer now, I think it is the best time to put myself in the fitness surroundings!

I like Hatha yoga, but I always feel too relax, and I couldn't make myself into the whole yoga thing, because I've danced with fun and sweat, so when I take regular yoga class, I don't feel satisfied.
I took Bikram yoga classes, but those are also no my type

But this YOGAHOP might be the one!
I wish I could do all the yoga postures better, and well known
But that makes a good motivations to take classes more

The instructor, Jennifer, was awesome, and I'm planning to get back to her class again:)

Today I wore LA BODY's Bra Top, and my favorite PureLime supplex pants!


YOGAHOP

[12-07-08] Desert Hills Outlet

Hey-

I went to the Desert Hills Outlet mall this morning.
Actually this is my first time to visit there
I passed it before, but never shopped...

Anyway, we left LA around 8:30 in the morning, and of course there is no traffic
So we got there before the store opens, and it was cold and raining...
What a day!

The purpose we went there was to buy a purse of Bottega Veneta
Not for myself, but for my brother-in-law's girlfriend who lives overseas
That's it!

But I did search a bit.

COACH was really popular
I think they have great deals at outlet stores all the time
We found Sunglass hats have better deal of Oakley sunglasses better than Oakley store :)

I'm pretty sure the sales isn't enough to say that they are doing good, but I didn't feel that we are getting recession...

Desert Hills Premium Outlet

[12-06-08] To Share Japanese Culture...

Today, I had my Japanese tea ceremony lesson.

My friend, and awesome bag designer, Amy Hall of Amykathryn have asked me to join my lesson, and finally she could come to my lesson!

Since I met her, I've told her about my work and my culture
I've started learning tea ceremony performance few years before, and I got so into it.
So I did tell Amy about my Saturday lesson, and she became very curious.

You know designers and artists have usually really open mind for other cultures, arts and designs.
Amy herself is also a very cute and nice person, and she seemed so influenced the whole things.
I'm glad that she could appreciate the design of clothes we use for kimono, obi or any other tool cases because she knows fabrics.

Also the each pieces of designs of ceramics, bottles and tools are very specific and unique, and she looked to be so impressed.

For me, the class of Saturday morning is such a special, and I can realize who I am, and I'm very proud of the deep, traditional and historical things I've learned.

Anyway even I took FULL 2 years of class, I'm still in the beginner level, and me and my friend, Tomoko, will have to learn more and more things to be like our Sensei, our master/instructor.

I also realize recently that I need to start reading more books about my country and my culture to understand.


Check wikipedia about Japanese tea ceremony and also my school/group/style:
URASENKE
URASENKE

[12-05-08] Meet Fashion People in Downtown LA!

Today was a sample sale day
Unfortunately not many people know about that, so it wasn't that busy like regular the end of the last Friday of the month, but still frequent shoppers were hopping showrooms to get some special deals!

I went to stop by to meet the owner of Bryce and Bouji, one of my favorites contemporary designer.
http://bryceandbouji.com/
I met the designer, Jen, at FIDM trunk show this spring, and I just felt in love her collections.
The company is now growing, and her reps seem to work pretty well.
They'd love to expand more international accounts, and I'm planning to looking for Japanese accounts....

Then after that, I went to say hello to Ava at Nightcap Clothing.
http://nightcapclothing.com
She's a sales person, and also in charge for PR.
She's such a sweat and cute as usual. (She dyed her her into bit darker than before, and I really like that!!)
I met Ava to cover Nightcap for Japanese magazine, JJ before, and I didn't have a chance to stop by their new showroom.
Anyway, their place is such a cute, and I talked with her about more business things this time.
We seem to have many mutual things when we talk about selling to boutiques.
I'm glad that I could stop by :)

To meet people is always inspiring!!

[12-03-08] Cool Trunk Show, and another sample sale

Well, the FIDM trunk show did really great!
I met some people who actually came back to see me to buy ScoLar and MonPecheMignon
That's a good thing!

I personally shopped for my husband's friend's daughter who was just born last week:)
Great piece with great deal.

I'm going to another SAMPLE SALE in California Market Center on 5th/Dec

I'll be at A255 - my last showroom - from 9:30 to 3pm
California Market Center
I'll have following samples :

ScoLar
MonPecheMignon
PureLime

Prices will be super holiday prices, and this sample sale will be my last samples sale in 2008!
Don't miss it.

[12-01-08] Trunk Show at FIDM tomorrow!

Hey,guys-

I've already missed my blog writing yesterday!
Anyway, I caught in San Diego yesterday, and finally I'm back.

Here is the thing!
Tomorrow, I'm going to bring my ScoLar and Monpechemignon to my alumni trunk show.

Kind of excited because I always meet people over there
To keep going back to school is kind of important for me now.

FIDM
10am-4pm

[11-30-08] Finally ! ScoLar opens a new store in Tokyo

Hey, guys-

Finally ScoLar opens their flag ship store in Tokyo!
It is located in Harajuku, which is one of the most fashionable areas in Tokyo.

Open on Dec. 6th, Sunday
ScoLar Tokyo
3-26-2 Jingumae Shibuya-kyo Tokyo

I'm kind of excited because Harajuku is really popular for tourists,too.

What's new in Scolar.jp

Come check it out!!

[11-29-08] Yukie's thought.

Hi, guys-

This is Yukie of Funtrap.
I've been almost neglect my blog for while, and I really regret.
Sorry about that.

I've been bit depressed about the situation even I just recently married with my precious hubby, and have had wonderful days.

I used to KNOW what I want to do in my career, but because my life has
been changed a lot, all of sudden I'm in a dark. So last few months,
I've worked, but I did what I had to do only. There was no extra and
future.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
And during this holidays, I've read a book that is editted the contents of blogs of one of my favorite Japanese authors, Banana Yoshimoto whose famous novel is KITCHEN and GOODBYE TSUGUMI etc.

Wiki of Banana Yoshimoto

She's been writing her blog diary pretty much EVERYDAY, and she put a lot of
dary life stories in it. Especially since she has a son now, her life
seemed to be changed a lot than when she was a single. She learns and
feels so many things, and she just wrote few things in her blog.

Since I've used this blog for my business, FTC Funtrap, Inc, I tried not to write that much personal thing, but you know what that isn't right. Since Funtrap is run by pretty much Yukie Teramachi, myself, so I think people can understand my COMPANY itself if people understand what I do and what I think.

Therefore I decided to start writing my blog much frequently and try to write more.

You know my first language is Japanese, and I've been writing a lot
including fashion, business, and culture for many other blogs.I used to
write inRAKUTEN, and now I've been writing my diary in mixi.jp which is SSN like myspace.com for Japanese language speakers. But as it has limited access, I think this web might work much well.

I have another title. I'm a Japanese writer/journalist. I've run my
fashion business, but at the same time I've been working for Japanese
magazines and blog media as a coordinator and writer.

Here is my recent entry for the blog media. Unfortunately it is all written in Japanese...
Media Sabor

Anyway, this is what I've done along with running FTC Funtrap, Inc.
I'm not sure how many people will read this, but I swear that I'm going to start update my blog everyday from tomorrow.

I'm in Facebook, mixi, myspace etc
Please find me if you read this diary :)

So now I'm getting free from my depressed days.
Even the business situation got tougher, as long as my energy level get high and my brain works better, I'm ok and I'm sure I can survive.
I think now believing myself is the most important thing.

I will write my plan of 2009 soon.