Archive for the ‘UK culture’ Category
Cococo strolls through London
Friday, September 9th, 2011 by lewisMy lovely cousin came over to see us last week. It was her first time in the UK. Luckily the moody English weather behaved very well while she was here. We had lots of picnics and went on many walks which she really enjoyed.
On Saturday we went on a day trip to London to see some sights together.
We drove into Acton, parked and then got the tube to Green Park. After that we strolled along the Mall towards parliament square. It’s funny, I’ve lived in the UK for 8 years in total, but I had never paid a visit to St James’s Park. I guess Green Park is more obvious for non-Londoners?
I personally prefer St James’ Park to Green Park. My 3 year old boy was fascinated by different kinds of birds. Did you know there is a cute little cottage which was used exclusively for bird keepers?
We kept walking towards Big Ben. Hundreds of tourist were wow-ing the huge clock structure Big Ben, on the other hand my son was very impressed by all diggers and cement mixers that were working in the road, he did not care about the World Heritage site. Bless him.
We tried to go on a London Duck Tour but it was fully-booked! Ouch, I should have reserved in advance… so we kept walking to Tate Modern and had a little cultural time before walking over the Millennium Bridge back to St Paul’s Tube Station.
On the way back home, the Sun was going down, the sky was beautiful pink just like sleeping kids’ cheek and my hubby’s sun-burnt forehead!
Pretty St James' Park
Oscar fascinated by the ducks
The bird master's house
Big Ben
Tomono x
Cocoro Visits Borough Market in London
Sunday, January 30th, 2011 by lewisOne freezing Saturday in January, we made a trip to Borough Market with friends.
It’s the place you can try local produced foods and foods from around the world. Everything you need to create great nose bag is here! (thanks to my friend Rick for teaching me this expression).
To warm ourselves up, we tucked into Bratwurst with German mustard and hot Apple and Ginger drink (If only I weren’t pregnant, I would definitely have grabbed a pint of beer!). Also had Caribbean chicken curry and fish soup for lunch. There were so many lovely foods I wanted to try. Wishing really hard that if only I had 4stomachs just like a cow….
My friend bought lovely sweet Balsamic vinegar from Belazu She told me that this Balsamic complement with salads and was also good to sprinkle on ice cream.
What I bought was Spanish Padron Peppers and spicy corn nuts. I will stir fry those peppers with extra virgin oil and serve just with French rock sea salt tomorrow!
Umm yum yum.
Waiting for the train to London Bridge
Oscar tucks into a Bratwurst
Lovely buns and cakes!
Boys having Caribean curry for lunch
Stopped by the Fuzz
Take-home treats!
Tomono x
A visit to see Father Christmas
Monday, December 13th, 2010 by tomonoWhen did you realize that Father Christmas was actually your dad? Most children keep the fantasy alive until they are almost 10 but unfortunately I have an older brother who spoilt it for me at a very early age.
We took our 2 year old to Santa’s Grotto in Selfridges last week. I think I might have got too excited and actually enjoyed the experience more than he did.
It felt like we were going into Disney land or something like that, as the whole place was decked out in lovely christmas decorations. After entering the themed attraction we went on the ‘Santa Express’ ride to North pole and finally met ‘Father Christmas’ in his house.
Oscar received a lovely book and really enjoyed meeting him.
Tomono x
Our trip to ‘The Crooked Billet’ in Stoke Row, Oxfordshire
Monday, November 15th, 2010 by tomonoMy hubby took me to a lovely Gastro Pub called ‘The Crooked Billet‘ for lunch today. It’s a hidden place near Henley-on Thames and unless you know where exactly it is, you will never find it (unless you have the postcode and a satnav of course).
It is a small cozy place with a real fireplace, and it feels like you are at your own dining room. All the staff were so friendly and they even gave Oscar a little tour into their kitchen.
All the silver was well shined, the space between the tables was just wide enough. The custard was hot and fresh cream was well chilled. You could tell chef and staff were concerned about the little details.
The luncheon deal was 3 courses for £25. I went for my favourite Fishcake to start, and then Grilled Sea Bass, and Apple Crumble for pudding (I had half of my hubby’s sticky toffee pudding, too). The grilled prawn that came with the main dish was cooked perfectly! The lunch was over 2 hours but Oscar behaved really well and the family next to us was so impressed how he behaved. As long as he has food, he never complains no matter how long the meal is! Like mother like son…
The Crooked Billet
Fish cakes to start me off...
Then the Sea Bass with gorgeous prawns
And I stole half my husband's treacle pudding
Lovely apple crumble too!
Tomono x
Bonfires and Fireworks
Monday, November 8th, 2010 by tomonoIn the U.K. we celebrate Guy Fawkes night with fireworks and a big bonfire on 5th November. My son was so scared of fireworks last year when he was only 1.5 years, but we took him to see a firework display in small town called Marlow on Saturday. There were lots of fun things going on and we even went on boat ride on the Thames.
We took a picnic and a warm blanket and enjoyed the beautiful fireworks. We enjoyed a 30min display but Oscar was so bored after 15mins and really wanted to have apple juice at home. Although it was a bit difficult to take our little one out when it was really his bed time, we had fabulous time.
In Japan we usually have fireworks displays in summer, but because they are so popular I heard they start planning to have fireworks not only in Summer.
However, I must say that the best fireworks I ever seen was in Bilbao Spain in Summer 2002. I wish I could go back there someday for the August festival.
Oscar and Daddy on the boat
Enjoying our picnic under the blanket
Happy Easter from cocoro!
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 by tomono
Oscar says "Happy Easter"
How are you spending your holiday?
I went to York to see one of my Japanese friends who is living there to study English. I bumped into her in Paris 3 years ago at Michal Negrin. She’s been in the fashion industry in Japan for a long time and has now come to the UK to master English so she can expand her business. I really admire her strong will, and I learned so much about clothing within just a few hours.
York is one of my favourite cities in the UK; lovely shops and great old buildings all around. We were going to go to Betty’s Tea Room but of course there was a long queue and so we decided not to take a risk of a screaming situation with a hungry child. But if you ever have chance to come to York and fancy traditional cream tea, that’s a wonderful tea shop!
On the way back to the car we walked along the River Ouse and came across some cute little baby ducks. Their mum was so agressive when I was approching! It is the nature of motherhood.
Cute ducklings in York
When we were driving back and Oscar was having a nap, we saw a beautiful rainbow. My son is a big fan of Thomas and Friends and there is one episode called “Thomas and the rainbow”. In the story Thomas is eager to find the end of a rainbow because somebody told him there is a wonderful thing at there. He finally found the end of the rainbow one day and rainbow was shining over his friends. What a lovely story and I hope Oscar feels the same way in the future.
Oscar sleeping on the way home
Tomono x
Rock-a-bye baby
Monday, February 15th, 2010 by tomonoWhen you are living a busy life, you forget to appreciate your environment. When I moved to Derbyshire from Kobe, Japan I was so scared of having no 24hour convenience store or train station within walking distance. I can’t get used to having no ocean but did I ever appreciate how beautiful Derbyshire is…?
As one of my 2010 new year resolution is walking, we started going for walks in Derbyshire. We only started a month ago but I’m so impressed by its beauty!
We went to Ambergate for a 4mile walk on Sunday. English weather could be very tricky but we have decided no matter what ‘her’ mood is - we keep walking!
It was only 5 degree but after 10 minutes of walking with my son on my back soon made me very warm!
We started off walking in the woods and went to see Betty Kenny tree. This is a 200 year old tree where Betty & Luke with their 8 children lived in the 17th century. They created cradle and the probable origin of the “Rock-a-bye baby” nursery rhyme was made.
Isn’t that a lovely story? It may only be a legend but I hope it’s true.
At the Betty Kenny Tree
Oscar taking a break
If you are thinking of staying around here, I recommend Mount Tabor House. It’s converted church B&B and the owners have such a wonderful hospitality.
There was a beautiful stream, tall pine trees and fresh air. People walking, cycling passing by and saying “hello” to each other. I really like having this peaceful day now.
Tomono x
Staying warm in winter - Japanese style
Thursday, January 28th, 2010 by tomonoSince I come from really warm place in Japan, English winter seems so long and freezing.
This is my 8th winter experience in England but still can’t get used to it. So I learned lots about how to keep myself warm. Apparently women have a lower body temparature than men according to this interesting article in the Times. My partner’s normal body temparture is around 37 degree and mine is just above 35 so I have a good excuse to whinge!
Ginger is very effective to keep body warm, so I usually have grated ginger and honey in a mug with hot water.
Some Japanese family has ‘Kotatsu’ - a kind of low table with a duvet-like skirt and a heater underneath. My parents used to have one long time ago and it was so easy to nod off when you had your legs under it.
Oscar using Kotatsu
Do you know beddy bear ? You can put her in the microwave and she keeps you warm for a good few hours!
My niece with Beddy Bear
I love micro fleece blanket around me at home and marvelous heat tech tops from UNIQLO,too.
How about something to keep your little one toasty?
Our baby kimono might not be the best to keep your little one warm but Oscar was wearing them with some tights and a Tshirt in the winter and he looked adorable.
Baby Kimono with tights and TShirt
Just before I went back to Japan this Xmas, my good friend Yuki told me leg warmer is a must-buy items while I was in Japan. She was absolutely right, these baby leg warmers are so useful! So much easier than tights when you change their nappy.
Anyway, I can’t find boys’ tights anywhere in UK, is it not boyish to wear tights under the trousers?
Tomono x
p.s. Lewis thinks I should buy a cast iron chiminea - might be good for the summer but I’d have to hug it in winter and that is probably dangerous…
Beckii Cruel - She is so Kawaii!
Thursday, January 7th, 2010 by tomonoA 14 years old girl from the Isle of Man, Beckii Cruel, has really caught my eye!!!
She is incredibly adorable. She has been posting her own videos of her dancing to Japanese pop songs on YouTube and has became so popular among Japanese people.
She is so ‘Kawaii’ which means ‘cute, lovely and adorable’ in English.
Do you like her style?
Why don’t you try out her moves yourself?
Tomono x
cocoro is made in the UK
Saturday, September 26th, 2009 by tomonoToday I would like to introduce a little bit about the backstage workings of cocoro.
As I wrote about previously we combine Japanese functionality and UK ethical working practices into the brand. In order to be sure that our baby clothes meet our standards it was important to find suppliers and manufacturers that care as much as we do.
It took us a long time but we are so happy that we made the effort because we have found such wonderful companies to work with.
cocoro baby kimonos are made by a local manufacturer in Nottingham. It’s a friendly, happy environment and all staff are always warm and welcoming. Oscar loves going there too as he gets lots of attention!
I’m not keen on big and itchy care label especially as my son has sensitive skin. When I received Japanese baby clothes as a gift from Japan, all of them had care label on indirect position to avoid possible irritation for baby. When I took this idea to the manufacturer they worked with me to make sure that such small details were included in the design.
This is such a small thing but one which I hope shows that there is brains behind the cute designs.
Here are a few snaps from our manufacturer.
I am so happy that cocoro has such a lovely team!
Love Tomono x
"I am so happy that someone in England is making baby kimonos!!"
Zen, Cornwall
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