Until I was 12, my favorite color was purple. Any birthday gift that involved lavender, mauve or lilac was a hit. Then we moved to England and for four years I wore a school uniform of grey skirt, grey blouse, purple tie and purple wool jacket. I haven't touched the color since then. But recently I happened upon a photo of a home library with deep purple walls and, all of a sudden, I saw the possibilities. Sadly, I cannot retrace my steps to find that photo (damn Pinterest and my addiction to it!) But these beauties help to make me rethink purple altogether. Looks like I'm going to have to find a new color to hate.
It's been many years since I lived in Tokyo, and back then my idea of the ultimate shopping experience was Kiddy Land -- a 5-story department store full of toys. If I were lucky enough to find myself back in Japan, my first shopping stop would have to be Pass the Baton. Both an online and brick-and-mortar shop, Pass the Baton celebrates personal culture. Every consigned item is displayed with the name of the consignor and a little story about the item's history. Sellers also have the option of donating the proceeds from their item to charity. Beyond being a brilliant concept, everything is beautifully displayed to accentuate the value of objects that have enjoyed a previous life and haven't just emerged from a box or factory.
