Past Posts: Random Notes

As I enter my 51st birthday year, I’m vowing to simplify and one way is to start with our Momo blog by removing two tabs. These memories are so lovely — like the post about Kevin — that I want to retain the information. So here it is, just in case you might ever want to revisit.

When Tom and I opened Momo, two words we said we’d keep in mind when seeking merchandise are ‘fun’ and ‘interesting.’ Add to that, ‘charming’ and you’ve described traditional wooden Japanese kokeshi dolls. I can’t resist collecting them when I can, and Tom, too, has come to love these rare dolls as only a grown man can — appreciating them for their craft and learning how the shapes, colors and expressions vary from prefecture to prefecture and throughout history. This cute couple, in pristine condition, was once a giveaway from Japan Airlines back in the glory days of flying.

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On the subject of hapa, this Sunday, Diane took Tom and me out to her favorite new brunch spot, Nettletown (2238 Eastlake Avenue East; 206.588.3607; nettletown.com) where the food deliciously reflects chef/owner Christina’s mixed heritage of Chinese-Swiss. Opting for breakfast, I ordered potato-onion pancakes topped with poached eggs, sided with a bed of raw greens and generous slabs of bacon ($11). Ever the yang to my yin, Tom partook of lunch, happily gnawing the elk meatball sandwich that so many on Yelp have raved about ($11 with salad). Veggie-girl Diane slurped a bowl of noodles blanketed with baked tofu and greens ($8.50) while bf Paul dittoed Tom on the elk meatball sandwich. For sure I will be back — next time earlier in the day — to sample the sold-out fried rice and tantalizing salad I spied at the next table.

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 The Momo Man: confident and just a wee quirky, as embodied by devoted customer Kevin. He trotted in one spring morning declaring that he needed socks to warm his chilly toes. After picking out a pair of striped Pantherella, he was officially decked in head-to-toe Momo garb, from New York stingy brim, to Saint James sailor shirt and Blake jacket (except the cargo shorts ... we remain a pants-less shop). Kevin, you are a marvelous Momo poster boy.

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Into everyone’s life, a little Rain must come, and lucky for us, this little ray of sunshine dropped by on her way to Maneki. Rain and her daddy were meeting a few friends and bought thoughtful omiyage for everyone. Only five years old, she selects her own clothes, including the scarf she so nonchalantly tossed about her neck. At Momo, we love stylish shoppers of all ages.

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Day one of Kyoto Art and Antiques (5790 Airport Way South; 206.381.9871; kyotoartandantiques.com) 11-day warehouse sale was a madhouse, more enthusiastically attended than ever. The secret stash opened up Thursday, April 29 and runs through Sunday, May 9, every day from 11 - 7.  Within the brick walls of the Georgetown jewel box, you’ll find myriad rare tansu and treasures from Japan, China, India and points beyond. If you go, be sure and dress for the occasion: warm, comfortable clothing that doesn’t mind the dust, and of course, shoes for the urban archeological adventure. If you miss it this time around, owners Jay and Kyoko will be back again come fall.

Beautiful ceramic bowls are among a few of the finds.




Kyoko and sidekick Yuri step back from the crowd to smile for the camera — what friendly service!

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It started as a wee joke as people expect us to have chic boutique bags. But at Momo, we felt there were enough cool totes out there, so why add to landfill? That’s how we started recycling — first with bags contributed by Lala’s Jazzersisters, and now with surplus stash from our customers. Here’s a tour of some of our more interesting finds, bring us your bags so we can share them with others.

This vintage bag from Kobe reads ‘Seattle - Kobe - Sister Cities’.

Did you shop during these elaborate Festa Italia and Russian Romance promotions at Nordstrom and Frederick and Nelson? (Were you even born back then?)

Suki thought of us when she traveled to Vietnam and was given this ingenious newsprint and twine shopping bag.

These envelopes made of recycled posters come to us by the creative hands of Patty, who visits when she’s in from England.

Comfort with Style, what more could you ask? And all the way from Ala Moana and Pearlridge in Hawaii.

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 With the slow economy, ad budgets are the first to be cut and businesses need to think of more clever-than-expensive ways to get the word out. At Momo, we recruited two of Seattle’s finest underground artists — ‘Sidewalk’ Sammy and Denise-the-Niece — to graffiti our walkway, thereby literally stopping shoppers in their tracks. The bold and colorful graphics are done in chalk, reminding each of us of the ethereal nature of life.

Sammy,  mastermind of the ‘Sidewalk Chalk’ movement.

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We each have our sweet memories of favorite treats, tastes that can transport us to childhood. These are goodies Momo Girl Diane enjoyed growing up. From left: slightly sugary and fragrant Japanese Flower Kiss candy (20¢); chewy, fruity Chinese Haw Flakes (25¢); and White Rabbit from China — milky with a caramel-like texture (15¢).