Christmas Inspiration From A Few Of My Instagram Favorites 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Jessica

This Week’s Instagram Favorites!

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

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.

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A spacious living room with fabulous lighting.

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French doors, the built ins, and the floors are beautiful.

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The black marble shower is definitely the focal point in this room.  You can’t go wrong with black and white, it’s classic.

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Beautiful double doors lead you to this amazing entry.

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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.

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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.

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A very welcoming southern style front porch.

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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.

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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.  image

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.

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The freshest of sushi prepared in front of you.

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A happy customer.

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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.

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This soup looked and smelled amazing, and from the look of the long line waiting I’m sure it was.

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These are large rice rolls usually mixed with a type of meat, often Spam, and then wrapped in seaweed.

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Ava and I tried these, they looked and smelled so yummy.

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Seaweed and Seasonings

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imageCrowded side streets near the fish market.

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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.

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These trees were loaded with blooms, when the wind blew it looked like snow.

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The park had groups of businessmen and women taking their lunch break.  We had a picnic and soaked in the view.

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These ladies were taking care of the gardens at the park, all decked out in their aprons and hats.

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Beautiful pink dogwoods reminded me of home.

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The azaleas were also in bloom.

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Burning some energy after our picnic.

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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.

IMG_5672Day 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.

IMG_5680Bondi Beach

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IMG_5725Watching the surfers.

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IMG_5742Bondi Seafood Market

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Ava found her happy place.

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imageMeat market in the center court of the mall.

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imageThis was our first trip to McDonald’s in over a year, this cool gadget sure beats standing in the long lines.

IMG_5745Amazing mosaics on the benches at Bondi Beach.

IMG_5756St.Mary’s Cathedral

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imageA close up of the Opera House tiles.

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IMG_5848Bamboo trees in the botanical gardens.

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imageThe 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.

imageThere 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.

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The crazy crowds leaving the harbor.image

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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/

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Yomitan is also known for its amazing pottery and they have pieces available for purchase.

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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.

Inspiring Holiday Tablescapes with Floral Designer Natalie Bowen

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.

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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.christmas 3

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.

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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.

christmas 9This 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.

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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.

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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.

christmas 10If you have extra ornaments or special ones, this is a great way to display them out of reach of the little hands.christmas 8

Paper whites and red ribbons are a beautiful combo.  Source www.theartoftheroom.com.

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Cute door ideas, perfect way to greet your friends and family for the holiday season.

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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.

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These shoe cubbies were at the entrance into the school, shoes come off first thing.

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Their courtyard had a small garden and a chicken coop.

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A glimpse into their gym with all the kiddos.

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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