Happy Birthday, Momo!

Momo Turns Five

And Tom & Lei Ann have Survived!

Big Five Birthday Party 

Thursday, November 15 from 5:00 – 8:00

Sips & Snacks at Momo

600 South Jackson Street in Japantown

We are alive and kicking, so please join us for a celebration of our fifth anniversary. Mommy and Daddy will be visiting from Hawaii and making their famous Spam musubi. And to make your holiday shopping easy, you can sign up for our Partner Gift Registry, so snoop around for something for yourself and we’ll pass hints to your special someone. We’d love for you to come, even if it’s simply to give hugs and say hello.

Sail-Inspired Bags

AU waxed cotton, handsome and rugged

Modern-day fabric waxing evolved during the 1920s. Initially developed as a way to make boat sails water-resistant, durable and breathable, it quickly became a popular way to treat clothing and other outdoor gear. Perhaps one of the most appealing qualities of waxed cotton and canvas is that it becomes more attractive the more it is used.

Momo is pleased to have new waxed cotton bags - waterproof and stylish, perfect for the inevitable rain.

On the more masculine side: AU bags from Maine. These are all from their aptly named “Sail Wax” line. Shown here are the “Dopp” (perfect for a shaving kit and other assorted toiletries), the “Attache” (a cross-shoulder strap will help distribute the weight of your laptop) and the “Tote.”  Not pictured is the handsome and large “Bogie,” a classic overnight/carry-on bag. All have rugged leather straps and zipper enclosures.

xobruno - versatile and attractive!

On the more feminine side of the spectrum we have xobruno (“Bruno” being the maiden name of designer Michelle's grandmother). We have the “Kilim” a woven wool and twill tote, and the “Alvar,” a wonder of versatility that can be used as a backpack, tote, shoulder bag, or rucksack!

Designer Michelle Kline is a Portland, OR-based designer who makes her xobruno bags by hand. These are quite possibly the most intelligently designed, ergonomic bags that this Momo Girl has seen.

Happy Monday from MomoLand!

Baby, It’s (Almost) Cold Outside

Momo has begun to receive winter jackets and scarves just in time for the rain, wind and chilly evenings.

Spiewak jackets are among some of our new arrivals. Spiewak is a Brooklyn-based, family owned company that has been producing uniforms (for firemen, police and EMTs) since 1904. In more recent times they’ve branched out to include edgy, stylish and durable streetwear/outerwear for both men and women.

The “Warren”: quilted down but tailored through the waist (nice for those of us who don’t want to resemble the StayPuff Marshmallow Man!), it also has some fabulous details like snapback extended cuffs and a cozy hood. Available in a rich, subtle olive.

Spiewak’s “Warren” quilted down jacket.

The “Beeson” is perfect for the months of drizzle that constitute the Seattle winter. It is waterproof, has a hidden inside drawstring waist and a detachable hood. Fun fillips include a gun flap at the shoulder and a droptail hem, all in a rich navy hue.

Spiewak “Beeson” has a removable hood and structured collar.

Thick, cozy, simple: perfect unisex scarf.

Scarves! Scarves are a wonderful multipurpose accessory, keeping your neck toasty warm AND giving you an opportunity to add a splash of color or texture. And we have a wide variety of weights, colors and materials (cashmere, cashmere/wool, cashmere/wool/silk blends). Come and get cozy at Momo!

Lovely and whimsical wool/cashmere/silk blend.

Momo Helps Keep You Dry

Here at Momo we are lucky enough to have two new arrivals: rain boots from Canadian outdoor footwear company Kamik and...a new awning!

With the combined efforts of Jackson Building owner Paul Murakami, Momo and Joyce P. from the SCIDpda, both Momo and neighbor Kobo were able to install high-tech retractable awnings (that even detect when the wind is blowing and retract themselves!)

In the 1930’s, the original Higo featured simple green awnings over its doors. With the idea of restoring some of the building’s original character and authenticity, a plan was set into motion to recreate a tiny piece of Higo’s past. Here is the lovely result: 

Fancy new awning!

In addition to trying to keep your heads a bit drier, we’d also like to keep your feet dry. Kamik has been a family-run Canadian company for over 100 years. They are devoted to the concept of sustainable, eco-friendly footwear. This is directly from their website:

• Kamik makes over two million 100% recycled boots per year
• Kamik boot liners are manufactured using recycled polyester and polypropylene fibres
• Every product that we make in our injection molding plants in Montreal, QC and Littleton, NH is 100% recyclable
• Kamik’s injection molding plants use hydro- generated power to run the machines. No fossil fuels are used
• The machines are cooled with recycled water. A cooling tower on the roof of our plant has a closed-loop distribution system where the water is collected, distributed and recycled and reused
• Oil used in the hydraulic pumps is filtered, recuperated and reused
• Boot scraps are collected and reused. Nothing goes to waste

Impressive, no? They are also colorful, cute and will definitely keep you dry (at least, from the knees down). We have two styles: the traditional "Heidi" and the slightly edgier “Olivia”, which is taller and has a side buckle. Momo Girl Angela (that would be me) has the “Olivia” version and plans to wear them whether it is raining or not. 

Sweet and functional rainboots from Kamik

So...come on down to Momo, where we are reconstructing a small piece of Nihonmachi’s rich history. And keeping your toes dry. 

Old and New, Japan-style

Today's story: old and new, traditional and modern, antique and contemporary.

Thanks to the Kyoto Art and Antique sale, Mr. Momo was able to acquire a number of lovely antique patinated Buddhas. As the photos demonstrate, the cast iron pieces are intricately detailed and beautifully crafted.

In contrast to the antiquity of the cast iron Buddhas, a new shipment of Tokyo Five tees has arrived - casual, contemporary style with a Japanese flair. The new shirts are dark grey or neutral brown, both of which are perfect for the (someday!) Fall weather.

Momo for Men

Lest we forget 50% of the population, today’s post will feature our newly-arrived men's clothing. Mr. Momo (aka Tom) has chosen some particularly fantastic pieces to herald in the new season.

Momo has received a terrific collection of merino wool and cashmere sweaters and cardigans by New Zealand clothier Rodd & Gunn. Luxuriously soft and built for both comfort and durability, these are a must-have in any winter wardrobe. Here we have a zippered cardigan paired with a shirt made by Montreal-based Report Collection.

Another new shirt by Report Collection is this dark blue plaid. It's versatile enough to be worn casually or with a tie. 

Report Collection is always a classic.

In addition to dapper shirts and sweaters, Momo men have a selection of coats!

First up: a warmup jacket by Bench (layered atop the ever classic Saint James), which features a thin hood rolled and zipped into the collar. Sporty, stylish and functional, all in one sleek package.









Our final Momo Man designer for the day is David Bitton (best known for Buffalo Jeans). Momo has a finely tailored button-up shirt as well as a fitted nylon jacket that has both buttons and a zipper. Notice the smart red detailing on both!

Handsome season-spanning jacket by David Bitton

Happy Monday, everyone!

Heaven-sent Scents

Greetings from Momo!

Today's guests are Fabulous Fragrances for both body and home.

First, from local girl Cory Smith: Sweet Petula soaps. Sumptuous lather and scents, elegantly packaged - these are great for a tiny self-indulgence or as a gift.

Next up is a personal favorite of Momo Girl Angela: Tokyo Milk. This brand features an impressive array of perfumes ranging from delicate florals to sensuous musk. Momo carries both the parfum and the hand creme.

Now on to treats for the Home.

Makana candles smell good enough to eat. These candles are hand-crafted from non-toxic sustainable materials. The scents don't fade over time and they are self-contained in pretty little tins.

If you're looking for a more immediate change in your environment, Momo carries Esteban room sprays and incense - Japanese-inspired and straight from France.
Happy Monday, everyone!

Fall Fashion Fresh From France

Momo has just received the Fall lines from Paris. Cop Copine, Sunlight and Deca - incredibly elegant, yet completely wearable (even for the casual Pacific Northwest).

Here are a few of our favorites, in no particular order:

 Two pieces from Sunlight: a sweet, versatile dress paired with a skirt laden with feminine flounces and ruffles.

Detail of adjustable ruche and skirt.

The dress has a zipper that zips both from the top -and- the bottom, allowing maximum adjustability. In addition, there are buttons on the bottom hem that enable the wearer to change the degree of the ruching.

A richly textured mod dress from Cop-Copine, this features a '60's vibe and playful oversized buttons on the back.

Another dress by Sunlight, this also features a zipper that zips from both top and bottom. Sweet-as-sugar ruffles adorn the chest.

Sunlight and Deca make a perfect couple.

Here is the same dress with a gauzy Deca hoodie layered overtop.

Seasons Change

The days are growing shorter, the nights cooler. Soon the sidewalks of Seattle will be littered with brilliant leaves as autumn encroaches.

Here at Momo we've begun to stock up on some of our favorite fall colors by such designers as Only Hearts, Tabisocks and Prairie Underground. Gold and russet, crimson and plum - all of the shades that evoke the crisp coolness of Fall and the pleasures of hot apple cider, corn mazes, the first crackling fires of the season.

Stop by to peruse saturated wine-red petticoats, dark amethyst tulle tops and chocolate brown leggings as well as new Prairie Underground Cloak Hoodies in mulberry and ink-pot (a deep, delicious purple). Stock up on essentials and stay stylish and cozy this Fall!

Lovely autumnal goodies!

Spam-O-Rama!

Mark your calendars:
Saturday, August 11th from 4pm - 9pm

Japantown will be hosting Nihonmachi Nite! And here at Momo, we will be hosting an extra special, super fun event: Spam-O-Rama! This is our Second Annual Musubi-making Contest.

You may wonder “What is this musubi?” Today is your lucky day, for it is the day of Musubi 101.

First, the ingredients: a typical musubi will consist of Spam, sushi rice, furikake (those tasty sweet/salty sprinkles you often see in Japanese restaurants) and nori. A slice of Spam is fried, often with a splash of teriyaki sauce, then laid atop a pile of sushi rice that has been dusted with furikake. A strip of nori (dried, roasted seaweed) encircles the whole thing, which is pressed into a Plexiglas cube. This is done to compress the musubi into a condensed, portable “sandwich.”

Here is a musubi press:

And this is musubi:

Here is a little history:  Musubi became wildly popular in Hawaii after WWII. Spam was a staple for the troops stationed there and it soon became commonplace in the local cuisine - although musubi is the form one will usually encounter it in. Indeed, many visitors to Hawaii don’t feel fully initiated until they've sought out a musubi (available virtually everywhere) and eaten it!

So. Now that you know more about musubi...won’t you come to Momo this Saturday evening and partake? Better yet, compete! Regardless, everyone is a winner on Nihonmachi Nite.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, a Tower of Spam.