Simply Mad About Japanese Festivals

The best of traveling and living abroad is meeting the people and learning about their culture, traditions and festivals.  And in Japan there is no shortage of any of this.  Whimsical tales abound and numerous festivals are held throughout the county all year round.  Its ancient culture, intact traditions and endless festivals make Japan one of the most fascinating countries to explore.  And I am lucky to have the opportunity to be here to experience it all first hand!

Today I want to tell you about Children's Day, celebrated on May 5th ever year.  Originally girls had their own day and festival on March 3 - "Hinamatsuri" - and boys had their own special day on May 5th - "Tango no Sekku".  In 1948 the government declared May 5th Children's Day for all children - "Kodomo no Hi" - and made this day a national holiday.  Girls still have their festival on March 3rd but is not recognized as a holiday.

Both festivals are meant to celebrate children and show gratitude for their mothers.  People pray for the children's happiness and healthy growth.

During "Hinamatsuri" family display dolls in their houses dressed in traditional Heian (period from 794-1192costumes and they offer rice cakes and food to the dolls.  Below you will see a sample display on three tiers covered with a red carpet with the emperor and empress sitting on the top tier followed by other members of the court in order of ranking.  These displays can have up to 7 tiers.  The dolls are used as charms and amulets to ward off evil.

As part of the celebrations, paper dolls are placed on rivers; these floating dolls are also believed to ward off evil spirits.  These practice is called "Nagashi bina".

During "Tango no Sekku" there are no dolls involve but carp fish instead.  Carp "flags" are flown outside every house, one carp per boy in the house.  These flags are called "Koi Nobori".  According to Chinese mythology, the Dragon’s Gate is located at the top of a waterfall cascading from a legendary mountain.   Many carp swim upstream against the river’s strong current, but few are capable or brave enough for the final leap over the waterfall.  If a carp successfully makes the jump, it is transformed into a powerful dragon.  For this reason carp symbolize strength and success.  The way the wind blows in the wind makes it look like they are swimming upstream.

"Koi Nobori"

I hope you have enjoyed reading about this tiny slice of Japanese culture and tradition.  There is so much more to what this country has to offer as far as cultural education, festivals and whimsical celebrations.  Stay tuned for more.

Fun/Unofficial Fact:  Like March 3rd (3/3) is Girls' Day and May 5th (5/5) is Boy's Day; I have been told that "unofficially" April 4th (4/4) is Gays day!  I think that's cute and funny!

More soon!

Simply Mad About Sun, Wind & Sea

A new Simply Mad collection is taking shape and here is the inspiration behind it...

Sometime ago, on a whim, I took a trip to Martha’s Vineyard by myself and stayed in a charming bed & breakfast called The Charlotte Inn in the town of Edgartown. I was in an adventurous stage in my life during which traveling alone and making last minute plans were the order of the day! Every weekend…another adventure with me, myself and I. I had never been to Martha’s Vineyard before and had no idea what to stay.

The Charlotte Inn

In the days leading up to my trip, I was reading a book called “When God Winks on Love”. It relates real-life love stories and how these couples found each other by what most would call coincidences, but the author argues that these events were God’s winks nudging these people to follow their intended destiny.

One of the couples whose story is told in the book, Paula & Gary, happened to own The Charlotte Inn in Edgartown. If that was not a wink from God to me, I don’t know what is! I immediately put the book down and called the Inn and made my reservation for my 3-night adventure.

Edgartown Lighthouse

Edgartown is a charming, charming little town where relaxed living, sailing, eating and beach going are top priorities. I remember marveling at the amount of sailboats lining the horizon and at the salty smell the air was charged with. 

There is something very alluring bout these New England coastal towns where luxury and easy living co-exist brilliantly. The casual style mixed with high-end elements make these quaint and charming feel like little piece of heaven.

I hold great memories from that weekend in Edgartown staying at a bed and breakfast I had a secret “wink” in  common with and I still smile when I remember how I came to choose The Charlotte Inn. And by the way, I did meet Paula and Gary! I have recently re-visited those memories and inspiration struck during my reminiscing and a new collection was born!

Mood Board

Sun, Wind & Sea is Simply Mad’s nautical-themed collection inspired by my weekend in this gem of an island. Reds, blues and gold tones abound in the designs evoking a sense of glamour, images of infinite and mysterious seas and the magic of a breathtaking sunset.

Sailboats and sailing are synonymous with luxury, old world elegance, freedom and romance. Let your hair loose and let the wind blow your troubles away, let the sun warm your skin and enjoy the endless sea sparkling all around you. Let these jewelry pieces take you on a sailing journey where you can be carefree and happy while you relax & enjoy the Sun, the Wind & the Sea!

Here is a preview of designs from the collection...shop "Sun, Wind and Sea" designs HERE


                                                                                                  
   

Simply Mad About...Family & Celebrations!

Hello!  It has been a while, hasn't it?  Well, I have recently gotten back from a trip to see mine and Trey's family in the US.  I spent three happy weeks with them, celebrating birthdays, spending quality time with my parents and Trey's and showcasing the latest Simply Mad Jewelry designs.

I told you Fla. was relaxing!

After two relaxing days in Florida, I flew to Puerto Rico to see my crazy, loud and awesome family.  The main reason I chose these dates to visit, was to surprise my dad for his 70th birthday and surprise him I did!  I also surprised my mom.  My dad and my sister share the same birthday so I got to celebrate hers as well.  The day after my arrival, my brother and his family also arrive as a surprise and over the weekend we treated my dad to yet another surprise - a "sailor themed" birthday party with friends, family and lots of dancing music so the "dancing king" (i.e. my dad) indulge and show off his dance moves.

dad and my sister blowing b-day candles with mom

the "dancing king" and I

Going to Puerto Rico is hectic and busy...there is always something to do; we are always going to or coming from somewhere.  But it is always good...the goings and comings are usually to one of my sisters' house to sit around the dining table sharing stories, catching up, cracking jokes and drinking wine.  And if we are not going to one of my sisters' house then we are going to a local restaurant for a "much-missed-and-deliciously-heavy-meal-of-rice, beans and fried plantains".  It doesn't matter where we go to or where we come from, I cherish these moments and hold them dear to my heart.

After the my dad's birthday party, it was time to get to work.  I had a week to prepare for Simply Mad's 4th Annual Bazaar in Puerto Rico.  It is always a great opportunity to catch up with friends and to meet new ones and this particular year the event got covered by the lifestyle section of the major local newspaper - El Nuevo Dia.  I was a happy camper and the Bazaar was total success!

at the Bazaar

sparkly necklaces

choices!

After the Bazaar...I had two full days to spend with my parents who have recently retired.  It was, to my delight, a full 48 hours of uninterrupted, quality time with them.

On my way back to Tokyo, it was time to pay Trey's parents a second visit...especially his dad whose birthday was the day after I arrived.  Lucky me!  I get to spend birthdays with both our dads!!!  Those two extra days in Florida were relaxing, winding me down and getting me ready for the upcoming days which were filled with airports, hotels and a very loooonggg flight back home.

Birthday dinner for Jay in Fla.

birthday hug!

From Florida I flew to Boston on the same day the first "Boston Marathon Bomber" was killed...ay ay ay!  I made my flight with some fear but a lot of excitement because I was meeting my nephew Eric Andres who was scheduled to tour one of the colleges in town.  The day we arrived, we were holed up in the hotel room following the request from the police to stay indoors.  It looked safe outside but every store and business was closed.  It gave us a chance to nap, talk and bond over room service lunch complete with wine and beer - why not?  We had a nice dinner together and via You Tube he introduced me to Hannibal, a very funny comedian I had never heard of.  By the end of the night, the second suspect had been arrested and we were FREE and psyched to see a little bit of Boston the following morning.  And so we did, we got up early and strolled around downtown Boston - what a great city.  Beautiful brick architecture and small shops lining Newbury Street.  What a treat it was for me to have that time with him, to get to know him better and to help him with college selection process.

Eric & I in Boston Common

I have been back in Tokyo now for a week.  Between jet lag, a very good book I am reading and a general feel of "I-am-completely-out-of-my-routine-and-I-don't-know-how-to-fall-back-into-it", it always takes me a while...but here I am...I AM BACK!!!

Have lots of things to share with you...new jewelry and an exciting promotion I did with Macho Spouse for Mother's Day!