Oh Joy!

the candy colors of harbour island... 12 May 2011

Some shots from around the island...oh, how I'd gladly paint my house in pastel shades of candy colors like these... — Joy

{photos by Oh Joy}

retreating in harbour island... 10 May 2011

Hi friends! I'm spending the week on an escape/fitness retreat with Lithe Method in Harbour Island, Bahamas...enjoying amazing workouts, fresh local food, and pure relaxation. I haven't been on vacation for this long since my honeymoon 5 years ago so this is the most relaxing I've done in years! Baby Cho in my belly seems to be enjoying the R&R, too. I began to feel he/she moving around more this week with tiny flutters in my belly! I wanted share some photos from the island and the house we're staying at. Designed by India Hicks, I love the collected world traveler feel of the house mixed in with a bit of British/Southern comfort. Also, it's so fun to hang with my friend and fellow mama-in-the-making, Lauren! Stay tuned for a food post from the Bahamas later this week! — Joy

{photos by Oh Joy. photo of me at 16 weeks & Lauren at 30 weeks by Jess}

a stylish island getaway... 26 Oct 2010

I'm already thinking about 2011 and just booked a very special treat to myself that I've waited a few years for...a fitness retreat/escape in the Bahamas next Spring being held at India Hicks' Hibiscus Hill House on Harbour Island. Because retreats are so much about good food, good people, and treating yourself well...I'm especially loving these areas of the houses that perfectly fit the merry-making of a great getaway.

{photos by Hibiscus House}

{from japan} colors & prints... 15 Oct 2010

While in Tokyo, I came across this beautiful print show of various maps and town illustrations from the Edo period in Japan. I love the patterned houses, the dimensional maps, and the colors that feel both saturated and muted at the same time.

{Photos by Oh Joy. Printed by Yamashiro Jinbei-Ban}

{from japan} pattern people... 13 Oct 2010

The departments stores in Japan are amazing and really do have a great mix of high end, lower end, and boutique designers—something you don't typically find in department stores in the States. While visiting, my eyes kept going to two brands in particular, Mint Designs and Eley Kishimoto. Both have such an incredible use of color, pattern, and mixing unexpected patterns in one outfit.

{from japan} shopping bits in kyoto... 7 Oct 2010

While in Kyoto, the shopping was certainly one of my favorite parts! Unfortunately, most shops aren't fans of tourists taking photos inside their store so I don't have any of those to share. So instead, I wanted to share some of the treats I brought home from my favorite shops in Kyoto.

After a couple days of walking, I soon realized a needed a backpack...and quick! I stumbled upon this awesome striped backpac {above} at Pual Ce Cin in an awesome part of Kyoto called Sakyo-ku where there are a ton of other great little design-y shops like Paul Smith, Mumokuteki, and Hara Donuts {on Gokomachi Street just below Rokkaku Street}.

Not far from there, the Nishiki Market {a food market paradise} also has great furoshiki cloths, linens, and chopsticks which made for great gifts for me to bring back to the States for family and friends.

happy friday + tokyo toes... 1 Oct 2010

Happy Friday friends! I'm working on recapping more of my trip to Japan and will have some fun shopping treats to share next week. While I bought mostly gifts for family, I had the chance to treat myself to a couple things, too! So today I leave you with a snapsnot of a pair of flats I bought in Tokyo...kind of perfect for fall {because they're covered in a felt or wool} but mixed with a bit of sparkle...how could I not? I love the contrast of woolly warmth and summer sparkle. Stay tuned next week for more home decor finds from Japan! Have a great weekend all! {Oh, and I am still recovering from this meeting and correspondance last night!}

{flats from Matsuya in the Ginza District of Tokyo, rug from Ikea.}

{from japan} cutie cabs in kyoto... 27 Sep 2010

I'm so happy to be back home! I loved Kyoto (and the few bits I got to see of Tokyo) but nothing's better than being back in your own bed for sure. I've got lots of things from my trip to share with you, so rather than do one giant post, I'll be posting various highlights from my trip throughout the next week or so.

One of my favorites sights in Kyoto were the cabs! (I know I should be mentioning a beautiful temple instead). Not only do they have a vintage-looking exterior, doors that automatically open and close, seriously fun colors, but many of them have the cutest shapes on top. My favorites were the MK cabs which had tiny hearts that lit up when the cabs were available...sweet! I'd gladly add a glowing heart to the top of my mini cooper if I could!

{photos by Oh Joy}

happy long weekend + end of summer jig... 3 Sep 2010

Happy Friday everyone! As a nod to our holiday weekend and nearing end of summer, here's a snapshot Bob took during our recent road trip when we were in Carmel by the Sea. Not sure what's happening, but I seem to be doing some sort of dorky little dance by the ocean? Looks like the river dance to me...ha! Thanks for all your blog birthday wishes this week and for bearing with all of the announcements going on lately. {I swear things will calm down soon.} Enjoy the long weekend and see you back here on Tuesday!

{photo by Oh Bob}

{from our road trip} the sanitarium... 3 Sep 2010

While on our coastal road trip last week, we spend a night at the Sanitarium, a modern bed & breakfast, in the small college town of San Luis Obispo. The former frat house was transformed five years ago into a dreamy, sun-filled, and spacious place for visitors. Mixing original art, antique furniture, and modern comforts {like soaking tubs and steam showers}, the Sanitarium is definitely one of the most unique B&B's I've ever been to. 

{photos by Oh Joy}