Check out these lovely pictures from some of my favorite designers and follow them on Instagram.
To all my friends and family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
XO,
Jessica
Author: Jessica
Okinawa Sunsets
This never gets old.
Yomitan Pottery Village
If you’re looking for a fun day of exploring Okinawa you should definitely give this place,Yomitan Pottery Village, a few hours of your time. Cole had a day off last week, so I thought I’d share a few pictures from this fun find. You may want to wait until the weather cools off a bit, there’s said to be around 45 artists working in the village, so plan to do some walking.
The Pottery Village was simple to find with google maps.
Yomitan Pottery Village
2653 Zakimi, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0301
https://goo.gl/maps/KgqyjXCWMRG2
Hope you enjoyed the pictures from our day out and about, and add this place to you list of things to do before leaving the island, you won’t be disappointed.
Have a great weekend and thank-you for stopping by my blog!
Jessica
Vintage South Development
Hello, friends and family, hope you all are well and ready for the weekend.
Today, I wanted to share a development company based out of Nashville, it’s Vintage South Development. Founded by Nathan Lyons, the homes are beautiful and the designs are simple, yet timeless. If you go to their website and check out their portfolio you can scroll through the houses and you’ll see why I had to share. Below are a few of my favorites rooms and details. I think you’ll agree these are amazing homes and if you’re in the Nashville area check them out.
A spacious living room with fabulous lighting.
French doors, the built ins, and the floors are beautiful.
The black marble shower is definitely the focal point in this room. You can’t go wrong with black and white, it’s classic.
Beautiful double doors lead you to this amazing entry.
The marble fireplace surround is unique, yet beautifully done. The exposed beams in the dining area and distressed wood on the island make this home a visual treat, with all the different textures.
I’ve always wanted a white kitchen with Carrara marble and white subway tile, but this backsplash is the prettiest I’ve ever seen. The contrast between marble the white cabinets is gorgeous.
A very welcoming southern style front porch.
Notice the details; the painted ceiling, recessed lights, and most importantly the ceiling fans. All it needs is a few more rockers and a porch swing.
Another timeless bathroom, with a beautiful herringbone tile floor.
It was hard to choose from all the beautiful rooms, I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek. If you’re like me you have already pictured yourself in one or two of them. Check out their site for more beautiful pictures and inspiration at http://www.vintagesouthdevelopment.com.
Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.
Jessica
Spring Break In Tokyo
Hello, friends and family, I hope you are all well and enjoying this lovely spring weather, though it already seems like summer here in Okinawa. This post is from the first few days of our trip to Tokyo, over spring break. It was our first time visiting and we were excited to check it out. Hope you enjoy the pictures, I will share the rest of the trip with you in another post. 
The Tsukiji Fish Market was our first destination. It’s said to be the largest fish market in the world. The market opens at around 4 AM, if you get there early enough they give out tickets to the first hundred who want to watch the tuna auctions. These fish can go for the price of small car, we didn’t make it that early. It was still a site to see all the different vendors selling any and everything related to seafood and the preparation.
The freshest of sushi prepared in front of you.
A happy customer.
I saw this gentleman on Pinterest when I was researching our trip. He was so cute and had to be approaching his 90’s, he appears to be leaning over the stove, but he had severe kyphosis. There was a nice crowd around his kitchen, I’m sure his ramen was delicious.
This soup looked and smelled amazing, and from the look of the long line waiting I’m sure it was.
These are large rice rolls usually mixed with a type of meat, often Spam, and then wrapped in seaweed.
Ava and I tried these, they looked and smelled so yummy.
Seaweed and Seasonings
Crowded side streets near the fish market.
Chocolate teeth and all, makes for perfect ending to a fun day at Tsukiji Fish Market. Definitely worth a trip, if you’re in town for a few days check it out.
These trees were loaded with blooms, when the wind blew it looked like snow.
The park had groups of businessmen and women taking their lunch break. We had a picnic and soaked in the view.
These ladies were taking care of the gardens at the park, all decked out in their aprons and hats.
Beautiful pink dogwoods reminded me of home.
The azaleas were also in bloom.
Burning some energy after our picnic.
Daddy’s girl!
We were fortunate to experience the cherry trees in full bloom, they were so beautiful. Hope enjoyed the pictures, more coming soon, just too many to post at once. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Take Care,
Jessica
Sydney
Hello friends and family, I hope you all are well and enjoying this beautiful weather. Today’s post is from our trip to Sydney in January for New Year’s and Cole’s Birthday. This trip was our first trip off the island for the kids and I since moving to Okinawa. It was nice to get out and see some new scenery. In January it’s summer and the peak of tourist season in Australia. The weather was sunny and warm, just right for shorts and t-shirts, much like Okinawa. The locals were friendly, the country was clean, and there’s so much to do, I highly recommend adding Australia to your bucket list.
Day one we hit Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach and walked the cliff-top trail to Bronte Beach, about a 30 minute walk. Known for its dangerous rips and amazing surf, it was beautiful.
Bondi Beach
Watching the surfers.
Bondi Seafood Market
Beautiful fresh fruits.
Gelato
I couldn’t resist snapping a picture of these lovelies.
Ava found her happy place.
Meat market in the center court of the mall.
This was our first trip to McDonald’s in over a year, this cool gadget sure beats standing in the long lines.
Amazing mosaics on the benches at Bondi Beach.
St.Mary’s Cathedral
A close up of the Opera House tiles.
Bamboo trees in the botanical gardens.
The family on a sidewalk between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. This was our camping spot for six hours with thousands of others, waiting patiently for the fireworks to begin.
There were seven barges in the harbor and along with the Sydney Harbour Bridge all loaded with fireworks, it was magical and the kids loved it.
The crazy crowds leaving the harbor.
Featherdale Wildlife Park
A mother and her little one.
Fun times feeding the wallabies.
Sydney was amazing, I would definitely go back, maybe try their winter season next time around. Next stop, Cairns to check out the Great Barrier Reef. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.
Jessica
Ryukyu Lantern Festival
Happy New Year to all my friends and family, I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with loved ones. We had a nice, quiet Christmas on the island this year and headed to Australia to ring in the new year and Cole’s birthday.
This past weekend we decided to hit the first Yomitan Lantern Festival at Murasaki Mura Theme Park. It’s about a twenty-minute drive from the base and took us about an hour to cover the grounds. It was a perfect cool night to stroll through and check out the colorful lanterns. The kids really enjoyed it and they food and crafts for everyone to enjoy. The festival will last through February 21st, lanterns are lit from 18:00-22:00. Admission is 6 yen for adults, 5 yen for junior and high school students, and 4 yen for elementary children.
For more information and directions click the link below.
http://www.japanupdate.com/2015/12/ryukyu-lantern-festival-2015-adds-to-charms-of-murasaki-mura/
Yomitan is also known for its amazing pottery and they have pieces available for purchase.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog. Next up I hope to share pictures from our travels to Australia. Have a great week!
Jessica
Simple, Timeless Christmas Decor
Hello friends and family, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! We’re less than two weeks away from the big day and I want to share with you a few of my favorite Christmas decor finds, all easy and affordable. Let me know what you think or share some of your favorites with me. Click the pictures for links.
My favorite by far is this inspiring Holiday Tablescape by Floral Designer Natalie Bowen. I love the black and white table linens mixed with the reds and greens.
This is a timeless look that is easy to achieve. Here they have used olive branches, but any greenery you have on hand would work. Mix the greenery with various size candles and a simple table runner, makes for an elegant table setting. Source apartment therapy.com.
Another beautiful option using candles, greenery, and red berries. What really grabbed my attention are the napkins, so fun and a unique twist to this timeless look.
Here’s a completely different look, it’s a look that would work for any time of the year. Gold finishes are the current trend, mix it with the black and white table linens and greenery for a very formal, elegant dinner party.
This is a creative way to use succulents for your centerpiece, it looks gorgeous mixed with the gold, black, and white. This centerpiece is great for your table year round with very little maintenance.
It doesn’t get any more simple than this timeless look. This would look great on an entryway table, mantle, or your dinning table. Use varying size vases and tree trimmings to add more interest. If you don’t have a live tree like us on the island any greenery will work.
A fun twist is to also add ornaments, and this is also a great option for small living spaces where a tree may not be an option.
If you have extra ornaments or special ones, this is a great way to display them out of reach of the little hands.
Paper whites and red ribbons are a beautiful combo. Source www.theartoftheroom.com.
Cute door ideas, perfect way to greet your friends and family for the holiday season.
Hope you enjoyed the pictures and are inspired to try one of the looks.
Thank-you all for checking out my blog and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your friends!
Jessica
A Field Trip To Jogaku Elementary
Hi to all my family and friends back home and here on the island. Today, I chaperoned my sons class to one of the local Okinawan elementary schools, Jogaku. The school was about thirty minutes from the base and I think the kids really enjoyed their visit. The local were very welcoming and provided us with lunch, we had curry with rice, it’s a favorite local dish. We toured the school and played several games in the gym, the kids got to interact with the Okinawan children and it was wonderful to see.
These shoe cubbies were at the entrance into the school, shoes come off first thing.
Their courtyard had a small garden and a chicken coop.
A glimpse into their gym with all the kiddos.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures and seeing a little of the island that we call home for the next few years.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Jessica
Out and About Okinawa
Hello friends and family, I hope you all are well. It’s been a while since my last post, the kids have kept me busy this summer and away from the blog. The kids started back to school this week and I must say I’m so glad to get back to our normal routine. Today’s post is from a little camping trip we took a few weeks ago to White Beach. I wanted to capture some of the locals and the beautiful scenes along the way. White Beach is on the east side of the island, about a thirty minute drive from our home. It’s a great place to snorkel with the kids, they have campers and rooms available on base, we have really enjoyed visiting here over the summer and will definitely be back.
Little cars and low power lines, common site when traveling the road.
Family tombs are found sprinkled all over the island.
Rice Fields
Okinawa’s version of a pick-up truck.
Little local walking to the market.
Sugar Cane Fields
A beautiful spot for the locals to fish.
You don’t see many grassy lawns, most commonly, it’s potted plants on small balconies and along the sidewalks.
Locals tending to their small pieces of property.
This little guy created the entrance to his property with cans, quite unique.
A local walking his bull along the road, I guess shoes are optional. Bull fights are common in Okinawa, it’s on our to-do list while stationed here, I’ll share pictures when we go.
Tiny grocery store, with parallel parking for two or three cars. Most people walk to the markets. Drink machines are on every corner.
Cigarette Machines
Drink machines serve hot and cold beverages. Cole and I like to try the different types of coffee, prices are about the same as stateside, approximately one dollar.
Spam is a hot item in Okinawa. You can find spam rolls and dishes made with spam in restaurants.
Locals enjoying the beautiful day.
Can’t stop without grabbing ice cream. I had to lovingly force them to sit beside each other for this picture.
We made it to our destination! The water is always a comfortable temperature and crystal blue. I love seeing the Navy ships come in, makes for an amazing sunset!
Thank-you for checking out this post, I hope you enjoyed a little taste of everyday Okinawa.
Take care and have a safe Labor Day Weekend!
Jessica
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