Adorn Your Adored

The clock is ticking down toward the day devoted to giving gifts of love. Traditionally those gifts include flowers, chocolates and jewelry (among other things). The last of those three poses the greatest challenge for many of us — jewelry can be such an intimate thing, highly colored by personal preference. Gold or silver? Stones or no stones? Simple or ornate? Delicate? Rugged? 

Happily, Momo has got your jewelry needs covered. Freshly stocked with an eclectic, carefully curated array of adornments, we're certain you'll find something that will set your sweetie's heart a-flutter. Are you unsure of what choices are the most likely to be a hit? We can help! 

Seattle native Nina Raizel has crafted sweet little hearts for your sweetheart!

Tiny hearts from Nina Raizel.

Eric Silva statement rings.

Reminiscent of an abacus: Stunning
blue quartz and textured sterling silver bracelet.

More E. Silva: an antler half-moon suspended by blue topaz. 

Rubies, garnet and amazonite, oh my!

Little Teal’s minimalist stone earrings highlight
PNW rocks like river cobbles and hydrogrossular garnet.

Does your valentine prefer a pop of color?
Enamel earrings from Momo's own Flora and Fawn.

Silver + Salt’s recycled silver and
ethically sourced pearls: elegant + unique.

Our newest jewelry line hails from Shoreline. Using papermaking techniques,
Verso's nature-inspired pieces are airy and lightweight.

We love these virtually weightless “leaves.”

We’ve also got an incredible array of Valentine's cards right now. Ranging from saucy to sweet and everything in between, you'll definitely find the perfect one to go with your jewels. 

Father’s Day Wishes to the Men of Momo

As I look into the face of my father embracing my sister and me, I realize (now that I am well past his age in this photo) that he was so very young. And, that as he taught us, he too was learning how to be the man he would become. Thank you, Daddy, for making life seem easy.

And mahalo to all our Momo fathers, as well. We appreciate when you come ’round to buy your favorite person a thoughtful gift, ask for an opinion on a shirt for yourself, or just sit patiently in the ‘man chair’ at the window. Enjoy your day, you deserve it.

 

Loads o’ Japanese tees have arrived just in time for Dad’s Day. At left, Mr. Momo models the Nagomi, a take on kimono styling in the ease of slub cotton jersey (we added the tenugui scarf). Available in khaki/deep teal piping, black/grey piping or deep teal/grey piping; $60. At right, a hefty cotton serving of sushi, only a few left, but other designs are available; $32.

Have a drink with dad, stirred up by Murray, Seattle’s favorite mixologist. Lucky us, he is guest bartending at Kaname, just two doors up on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the next few months. Find out why he’s fondly referred to as ‘the bartender’s bartender.’ Cheers!

Momo for Mama

Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching (May 10th)! Put a sparkle in the apple of your eye with a burst of color for Mom on her special day. A vibrant accessory will add a spot of cheer to your mother’s wardrobe — and put a smile on her face.

Warm her heart with a super soft, subtly shaded scarf by Woven of Walla Walla.  Kim Nemeth hand-looms these ethereal accents from silk and bamboo blends, making them a perfect gift for those who find wool or cashmere to be itchy. 

Fiddlehead fern silk and bamboo.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that moms appreciate sweet, thoughtful jewelry. Momo has an entire case of lovingly hand-crafted pieces in a vast array of vivid hues.

Vintage Czech and German glass from i. Ronni Kappos.

Wee enameled whales by Seattle’s Flora and Fawn.

Delicate Japanese seed bead necklace by LA artist Kyyote. 

So many colors!

And fresh from Amsterdam, our Sticks and Stones handbags are a veritable rainbow of leather. We’re especially fond of the coin-purse inspired cross-body bags.

Please stop by ... and in addition to inspiration and/or advice, we also offer fancy and fanciful gift wrapping! Happy Mother’s Day, with love from Momo.

Enduring Earthenware : Donabe

Donabe, one of the workhorses of the traditional Japanese kitchen, is an earthenware pot used for everything from roasting tea leaves to slow-cooking stews and porridge. Although numerous in the past, donabe makers have dwindled to just a few companies. In Iga village (where the best-known donabe were produced) there is only one company remaining: Iga Mono.

Iga Mono has been run by the Nagatani family for over 180 years, crafting pottery from unique Biwakoso clay. This clay, formerly the lake bed of Lake Biwa, is laden with the microscopic remains of aquatic life. When fired, these burn up and leave tiny pockets of air, thus making Iga Mono’s donabe quick to heat and slow to cool – precisely what the perfect slow-cooker should do. 

Momo acquired these beautiful donabe from a gentleman who purchased them in the 1960s with the intent of opening a restaurant. Handmade, wheel-thrown and wood-fired (in an earthen kiln built in the 1830s!) they feature a peony motif and lustrous turquoise handles. The largest of the three was used once, and the other two are unused.

Outer diameter dimensions are:

Medium 9"

Large 10.5"

Family 12"

Prices range from $75 - $125

Medium and large donabe are unused, the ‘family’ size was used once. 

A gorgeous trio.

A Continuing Love Affair

We at Momo have spoken often and at length about beautiful, durable, wearable and timeless linen. We love linen. We love linen year-round. We love linen housewares, linen clothing, linen accessories. One of Momo’s favorite sources is Fog Linen Work from Tokyo.

Disappointed by a lack of affordable everyday linens in Japan, designer Yumiko Sekine set out to find a quality manufacturer. Yumiko settled on producers in Lithuania, where her work is now made from some of the finest flax fibers in the world. Thus was born Fog Linen Work.

Momo has received quite an assortment of FLW goods, ranging from whimsical and decorative bunting, to practical aprons, table linens, bags and totes to elegant clothing.

Take a gander at a small sample of our latest shipment!

An adjustable neckline adds amazing versatility.

Detail of the adjustable neckline. 

Drawstring wide-leg pants paired with a sweet top. Comfortable and classic. 

Same summer dress, in turquoise. 

Perfect summer dress!

We love cross aprons! Simply slip over your head, no ties involved.
Perfect for chefs, artists and craftspeople.

Tea towels you’ll have forever.

Celebrate with linen bunting! 

Momo Loves Moms

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and at Momo, we’re here to help you let Mom know you appreciate her. Every little thing we carry is imbued with affection — and remember, we’re always happy to wrap!

Sterling silver necklace by Sarah Park.

Hugs and kisses from Shelli Markee and Tiny Fat Bird.

Circles of love from Flora and Fawn.

Happy Sou Sou scarves from Japan come in their own
sweet cotton drawstring bag. 

And, nothing says “I love you” like a practical pocket pen.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Momo Moms out there. Thank you for all that you do.

Spring Has Sprung!

If there is one thing that Pacific Northwesterners are truly appreciative of, it is the onset of spring. Sunshine, warm breezes, bursts of color as flowers and trees begin to bloom ... all of these things bring smiles to our faces and lightness to our step.

Today Momo would like to pay tribute to the end of winter with fun photos of the many splashes of color to be seen when you visit. Happy April, everyone!

Ronni Kappos earrings made with vintage Czech glass.

Beautiful cotton tea towels from France.

Straight from Japan, Sou Sou textiles!

Moo-Young leather bangles in a rainbow of hues. 

And, April 15th is the Happiest Day of the Year. Tax Day!! So, to bring some actual happiness to your day, Momo will not be charging sales tax on your clothing purchase. Yes, that's right – NO SALES TAX. Come say hi and take a gander at our newest arrivals, and sale stuff, too. Perhaps you'll find a way to take advantage of our tax-free tax day!

Momo’s Playful Side

Do you love animals? Do you love soft, adorable little French animals wearing soft, adorable little French clothes? Momo certainly does! Let us introduce you to our small fuzzy friends from France, made by Moulin Roty:

From left to right: Nini Mouse, Jeanne Duck, Albert Sheep, Sylvain Bunny and Julius Dog.

French attention to detail: teeny holes for teeny tails to peek out of!

Jeanne and Buddha.

Julius riding a shoulder.

Sylvain’s shoes are too big!

These whimsical and well-dressed creatures are perfectly cute and perfect for the wee ones in your life (or perhaps not-so-wee!). Perhaps as a sweet Easter surprise?

Sylvain Bunny, Julius Dog and Nini Mouse were kind enough to model quirky zipper pouches made by New York copywriter Pamela Barsky. Hand-made in the US from sturdy canvas, these are a fun and functional way to organize your small things, or to package a gift.

Snarky Bunny!

Feed me!

Nini has a sarcastic streak.