Spontaneous Inspirational Investment

Yesterday I had to report to jury duty in downtown LA. I know it's a part of responsibility as a citizen here but it can be a bit of interference to everyday routines... to drop everything off and be at the courthouse for an entire day or longer.  I was thankful that my reporting day fell on the day that I was usually in the studio/shop instead of the days with the girls so my little family did not get affected so much by this unexpected occasion. But I did have to close the shop for an entire day... 

Instead of feeling totally disappointed that I didn't get to work in the studio... I used the day to explore and see how the day organically evolved. Starting the morning with a Metro ride (Gold Line gets you from Pasadena to LA downtown in 30 minutes!) with my beloved Superior Labor Shoulder Bag... loaded with a laptop, Roterfaden, Traveler's Notebook, 2 books and bunch more essentials. I loved morning light making a beautiful silhouette of travelers at Union Station. I spent big chunk of the morning reading my favorite design classic by my design hero Naoto Fukasawa. During lunch break, I spontaneously walked to Grand Central Market which changed SO MUCH in few years since I visited last. There was an incredibly young creative energy in the market. Being in the market full of energy...alone eating delicious sandwich from Valeria's totally brought my traveling solo memory. I daydreamed my time in Paris alone for a few days in 2008. I got back to the courthouse with a cup of Kombucha Tea from Better Booth (with their cutest booth ever!)

I spent the rest of my afternoon working and happily responding to emails... in the courthouse's waiting room. When the day was over (and I did not get called for actual jury service... phew), I took my train home and had so much stories to share with Frido and the girls. 

The entire day, I was able to share bits and pieces of my experience through Instagram. It felt like our virtual friends were traveling with me.... giving me suggestions about where to go and what to do or sharing their past experience at the same location. How awesome the internet is, right? 

So I am thinking that maybe I could take a spontaneous Inspirational Investment day when I can take you to the tour of the LA neighborhood... Wouldn't it be fun?? Just a thought for future ideas! 

Inspirational Investment in LA # 2: Sqirl

Last Monday Frido and I took one last morning outing before we got back to our regular weekday schedule. So without hesitation, I asked him if we could go to one of my favorite breakfast place, Sqirl.

Seriously... breakfast outing is one of my favorite and having a special place to go is such a huge treat. I love Sqirl's menu with tons of options for breakfast with rice and porridge. Their pastry is amazing too...

Okay... how much do I need to convince you that it's an awesome place??

xo;)

Sqirl
720 North Virgil Ave #4
Los Angeles, 90029

Inspirational Investment {the Push Pin World Map}

We are finishing up with our Push Pin World Map just in time for the holiday season!

Few years ago, FB and I found a wrapping paper that was inspired by a vintage world map. We loved the map so much that we mounted it on a cork board, framed it and made a rule that we would place a white push pin whenever we travel to a new place together. Three years and 28 white pins later, we decided to take the idea to the next level and share it with everyone who has the passion for travel and adventure!

Frido, my creative, awesome, German (and I would add more attributes if I am allowed) husband took charge of the creative process. We used up-to-date world map data and designed timeless yet sophisticated aesthetics. Once the design of the map was complete (after many many weeks of tweaking the map which took over the remaining processing power on his laptop), we worked closely with a local printing studio to lithograph print the map on a high quality & very sustainable Neenah Classic Laid Hand Crafted Recycled paper.

Each map is laminated on 1/8" cork board (which will ensure that your push pins stay in place:) then framed by a master framer in Pasadena in white or maple frames. We made sure that these frames are made in the USA and are FSC certified from managed forests.

We are really thrilled to launch this map as the first product of baum-kuchen original {Inspirational Investment} collection... because you know..., it's awesome to be able to invest in inspiration as a creative individual:) I have a good feeling that we will be spending a big chunk of 2012 to develop more original items for this collection! 

I would love to hear your thoughts on the map as well as the idea of {Inspirational Investment}. 

I think that the map will be great as a part reference tool, part art piece... to bring inspiration to your home from around the world. (but again... I am little biased:)

xo

-wakako


Purchasing Information:
Inspirational Investment Map
Price: $178 for white and maple frame
Available at baum-kuchen shop

Could you help us {finding place/s in South East Asia}

Speaking of travel..., we will have this awesome opportunity to really step away from our home for as long as 4 months when 2012 hits. (one of the advantage of having a husband who teaches full-time... sabbatical here we go!)

FB and I have been talking a lot about how/where/when/what about this potential adventure but nothing really concrete has been put on the stone. 

So far, we are thinking of minimum 2 months in Bali, a brief visit to Hong Kong then head to Japan for the cherry blossom season in April. But we need one more location to spend a month or so in between... for a reasonable price (and hopefully at a safe spot).

What do you think?? If you know any cool spot to have a home-away-home with 1.5 year old baby, please please let me know.  I would really appreciate your inputs!

Thank you:)

-wakako

p.s. Our friends Erin & Court from Erin Hearts Court gave us a stack of Indonesian bills when we mentioned to them that we might be heading to Bali! Thank you Erin & Court. I promise we will spend it wisely:)

1st camping trip as a family of 3

I can't believe we were in the middle of this camping trip only a week ago! So much has happened since then and it feels as if it happened million years ago...

This camping trip has brought a mixed feeling about Jalama beach... We were originally supposed to stay for two nights but unfortunately crazy wind kept blowing away through the entire 1st day and night (almost blowing the tent with us inside!!)  and never stopped when sun came up on the second morning so we wrapped our tent and left as quickly as possible when we woke up.

Definitely not as glorious and awesome as we had hoped for our first family camping trip to be...  But we did learn a few good lessons which is helping us to be more prepared for the big adventure in the new year!!

First and foremost..., it takes a lot more effort/energy to adopt to a new environment with a little one in our hand. Rocky terrain, picnic benches with sharp edges, fire pit..., etc. Camp site can be full of high-risk areas. It took us about 2 hours to figure out where we needed to watch out for...when little roo was roaming.

She also needed a "roo spot" where she can safely hang out.  She loved the little entrance on side of the tent so we set up a picnic blanket with few of her favorite toys as a kid's corner. I think it sort of worked as a quick solution; though, we will need washable toys for this situation next time!

This is another baby related topic but we definitely needed to bring a portable crib for our roo. She is not used to sleeping with us so she tossed and turned quite bit on our bed and I was chasing her with a blanket all night just to make sure that she would stay warm enough. (and naturally... I got no sleep)

On a very different note, we loved stepping away from our daily grind. This summer had a few rough spots to get through purely from our time management aspect so it was really helpful to reassess our life and obsession to "check in" with our online world.

Despite the crazy wind and all... I enjoyed walking on the beach while sun slowly sat down. Feeling the ocean breeze, seeing Shep run/swim with so much energy and simply being a part of the nature. It just felt good... you know...?

We travel to disrupt our daily routine... to discover something inspiring on the road and finding a new routine that works for us on the spot. So the trip didn't turn out as we wanted it to be... but we are still super happy that we came home little wiser and few shades darker:)