Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Happy

I was listening to Design Sponge's Grace Bonney talk about work/life balance today and thought there were some important things to reflect upon. I was intrigued by the glimpse I got into the professional blogging world from her perspective. The movie Happy is still my favorite in this general genre, but I liked her podcast a lot. What makes you happy? What are your goals in life? Do you have a network of supporters? If not, how do you find them? Questions to ponder... ... Read more

Fall is just around the corner: clothing challenge

We've been having such a fun summer, and as I look out the window and see the sun-dappled, lush and green trees, it's hard to believe that autumn will be here in no time. K is equipped with a new backpack already and we'll need to go shoe shopping in a week or so. And then there is the ritual of Fall clothes shopping -- oh, how I love little girl clothes! However, this year I'm doing something rather ambitious and kind of crazy: I am going to make all her clothes for the next 12 months. ... Read more

Cuteness

As a mother, I am completely biased and think my child is the most beautiful creature in the world. But once in a while, I will see a breathtakingly gorgeous or enviously stylish little one that makes me do a double-take. My drawing doesn't do the girl justice, but trust me, she looked like she had stepped out of an ad and I'm certain her mother is a stylist. That hair! The rompers!! Love it. ... Read more

Making do

There is a photo of me and my brother in a photo album that is tucked into one of my mother's overstuffed closets. It is yellowed with age by now, tinted like an instagram. I am probably four or five; my brother a year younger. In the picture, we are both sporting identical rice bowl bangs, and I am wearing a handmade powder blue polyester coat with shiny white buttons. My white tights are slightly too big and rumpled around my ankles. My brother -- without a shred of self-consciousness -- ... Read more