Happy Holidays, Japanese Style

For the Japan-fans on your list, Momo offers a few choice picks, both contemporary and traditional. All feature the Japanese style and quality we appreciate. For starts, add a little zip to a man’s wardrobe with our super-soft sweat jacket.

We’ve got tees to please, too, with bold graphics on back. 

And far more elegant than a sweatshirt,
yet equally comfortable is our unisex Nagomi pullover
accessorized here with a tenugui. 

For the girls, we’ve got über easy-to-wear pieces like the dramatic Flying Squirrel capelet and quirky number pants (at left) and a hooded fleece tunic (at right). Just pop it over a pair of room pants and relax.

For a nifty little gifty, how about a versatile and 100% cotton eco-chic furoshiki or tenugui? Lala brought these happy textiles back from a recent trip to Osaka.

Carried from Kyoto, pouches made from kimono fabric and obi. Beauty meets practicality in a gift more thoughtful than expensive.

Woven: The Fabric of Our Lives

Through the years of owning Momo, I’ve come to appreciate textiles, not just as the material of the clothing we wear, but as a form of functional art. The Japanese (and yes, I speak as an outsider to a culture from whence I came, but am still a tourist), are masters of simplicity in transforming a mundane square of fabric into an amazingly utilitarian item. Behold the furoshiki, in this case, a 36" rectangle of cotton that can bundle a present, morph into a table cloth, or in case of chill, be worn as a scarf. Sou Sou of Kyoto makes this practical article into a true gift with their happy graphic patterns.

If you’d like to appreciate the talents of Sou Sou on a smaller scale, we offer handkerchiefs, or what some folks use as napkins. 

Or for the specialist in your life, the ultimate textile treasure, the Omusubi bag, for wrapping up that delicious rice.

From Vancouver, Canada, we present the fabulous fabrics of adorable Danica Designs. In this case, lovely linens make drying dishes a pleasure. We give a hoot about you and want to make chores fun!

We love eco-chic cloth napkins. Phooey on paper.

 

And most of all, when we visited Kyoto, super kawaii bags were everywhere. We are happy to have a few (in this case, just two) for you to use for whatever you please. Yay for material goods!

    

Put it in Writing

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” Anaïs Nin

And for a place to save your thoughts, new to Momo are ‘Scandinasian’ journals from PIE Stationery of Japan.

The focus is on modern design based on Japanese tradition. Graphic illustrator Yurio Seki’s playful journals interpret Swedish style through a Japanese lens while Sou Sou’s iconic random pattern is the Kyoto kimono company’s take on western culture. Both reflect a dedication to quality, with saddle-stitched bindings, textured covers and thick cream-colored pages.

Scandinavian-inspired Japanese journals.

Saddle-stitched spines!

Pair your East-Meets-West journal with a wonderful, whimsical floaty pen! Floating Action Pens have been around since the late 1940’s – made then as now by the same small company in Sweden (the number of employees is “about twenty”). Our floaty pens feature a solemn bunny being conjured out of its hat ... sure to bring a smile to your lips as you pen your musings. 

Floating bunnies ...

If you don’t find much occasion to put pen to paper, a journal/pen combo would make a sweet and thoughtful gift for the contemplative writer in your life. 

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!