taiwan series: taichung cultural and creative industries park

for the longest time, there was a derelict liquor factory across the street from my friend aileen's house in taichung. the facility was a ghost town all through my childhood, but was reanimated as a cultural event space and park a few years back. now they host concerts, exhibits, and other arty happenings there. it's a similar initiative to huashan 1914 in taipei, where long-abandoned spaces like tobacco and liquor factories are being converted into new creative venues. taichung cultural and creative industries park 「台中文化創意產業園區」is much quieter than huashan 1914, it seems, but it makes sense given that taichung is generally a much sleepier place than taipei. (but the weather is waaay better here.) 

i went to the park around noon on a weekday, and aside from a few tour groups, it was pretty empty. the cafes open around 11am, although i think the exhibits open at 10am. mostly though, i like going there just to walk around outside. the old buildings have been restored and the landscaping is lovely, so it's a pretty relaxing environment to enjoy a walk and a cup of coffee away from the city streets. 

if you get hungry, there are a few options, including the ark cafe 「方舟咖啡廚房」and sole cafe. ark has full meals but since i wasn't hungry, i went to sole for some coffee and a valrhona brownie.  

check it out if you're in the area. i love seeing how abandoned spaces are being turned into useful and beautiful new parks, and it's nice to have one so close to my parents' house! 

taiwan series: tea & ice cream @ miyahara

 i've done a lot of walking on this trip. yesterday, i walked about 6 kilometers, first from my parents' house to miyahara near the train station, then onwards to an entirely different part of town. it's been a long time since i've walked that route - probably not since before i got my license! (scooter license that is...but hey, that's a legit motorized vehicle.)

anyway, miyahara has the most amazing ice creams. i can't stop thinking about them. they are light and gelato-like, meaning i ate a huge scoop and felt nothing but refreshed afterwards.  they are divided into three sections: chocolates, fruits, and teas. i tried a couple of the tea flavors and they were all divine.

 i settled on the earl grey tea, topped with toasted buckwheat and purple rice. may seem weird, but it was soooo good. it's also strange (but delightful) to taste traditional taiwanese teas like oriental beauty 「東方美人」in ice cream form. 

the toppings were really interesting too. i want to try more of them! claire, aileen and i are planning to go back on saturday for lunch. stay tuned for a more comprehensive post on the delights of miyahara! 

tokyo series: linens and textiles

i went to tokyo coveting all kinds of things. one item on the list was hasami porcelain, and another was a set of kontex towels. and of course, anything and everything from fog linen work. i had already seen fog linen products in taiwan at eslite spectrum, but was excited to visit the flagship store in shimokitazawa. i also discovered a couple of other spots with beautiful textiles. 

the fog linen work store is not too far from the shimokitazawa station.

their linens are designed in japan and made in lithuania. 

some bright gingham , plaid, and chambray.

these trays are also pressed linen, interestingly.

some of the coasters and placemats we brought home from fog linen work. 

i had also read about cocca, a textile shop in daikanyama. the first time i tried to go, it was closed (but that's how i discovered the amazing allegory home tools across the street). i returned another day and got a closer look at their unique and super cheery fabrics.

the exterior of cocca on the day it was closed.

a close-up of cocca's gingham patterns.

a view of the store, towards the back. 

they also sell clothing, bags, and other goods made from their fabrics. 

the walls are lined with bolts of fabric. a lot of these would make beautiful wallpaper! 

on the day that cocca was closed, i wandered into a shop across the street. it looked cute but not spectacular...there was scaffolding up and a lot of random baskets. 

but inside, they carried both hasami porcelain AND kontex towels! their prices weren't bad either. 

the flax organics line of kontex towels. 

some adorably packaged dish rags.

it's safe to say that i made most of my purchases in japan at these stores. i've been using the towels since getting home, and they are suuuper soft. (hhh keeps asking when he will be allowed to use them.) these shops are definitely worth a visit, and both shimokitazawa and daikanyama are fun neighborhoods to walk around. plus while you're in shimokitazawa, you can stop in j.s. pancake for these amazing snacks. i could eat some of those mochi pancakes right now.

off to hudson

a few weeks ago, we took a weekend away upstate. our lodgings were historic, the food surprising, and hudson's streets completely irresistible. i can't wait to go back. 

along warren, the main street.

colorful townhouses along the courthouse square.

willa enjoyed the vintage sofa...

while we slept in this comfortable bed.

there were lovely housewares and plants at valley variety

and loads of vintage shops, like neven moderne.

i especially enjoyed these 1950s hotel soaps, collected by a traveling electrolux salesman. they are for sale at hudson supermarket.

on the way back to brooklyn, we stopped in beacon. there is a dim sum go go there. as betty  put it: "mind = blown." 

i am ready to move upstate.