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Discoholic šŖ©
NASA
TVSTRANGERTHINGS
hello vonnie
ā£ Chile in a Photography ā£
"I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas"
ē„ę„ / Permanent Vacation
taylor price
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Sade Olutola
sheepfilms
art blog(derogatory)
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
Sweet Seals For You, Always
PR's Tumblrdome
YOU ARE THE REASON
blake kathryn
Monterey Bay Aquarium
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@offonawhim
What is Gold Filled Metal?
What is Gold FilledĀ Metal?
Not sure what gold filled (or silver filled) metal is? Donāt worry, we werenāt either until we did some research and decided to start using it in our jewelry. We made this quick guide to explain the differences between different gold metals and what they mean. Read moreā¦.
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Send me Rainbows
Life threw me a curve ball last month,Ā my husband got a ruptured disk that put him in the hospital for 10 days, and he hadĀ a scheduled heart surgery at the end of March.Ā I was suddenly thrust into the main role of mom, dad, provider, maid, cook, taxi, and caretaker. In the midst of it allā¦read more
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Masks and More Masks
Masks and MoreĀ Masks
At the end of April I decided to put my sewing skills to use and make fabric re-useable masks, thinking Iād be happy to sew up 20 or so for the shop.
And it sorta snow-balled into a full-time Mask Factory for a few months until the end of July when I decided there are plenty of other makers around now and masks are more widely available in shops, and I wanted to get back into my studio.
Buā¦
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Ring Love and A Visit Up the Mountain
Ring Love and A Visit Up theĀ Mountain
I took my littlest J off to our nearest world heritage site, Mt. Koya in Wakayama. An ancient little Buddhist city founded about 1200 years ago, I always feel a true sense of peace and grounding when there. My favorite spot on the mountainĀ is the sacred Okunoin Cemetary with gravestones dating back about a millennium I believe.Ā
And I tried to get some artistic shots of my newest experiment:ā¦
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Holiday Gift Guide from Japan
Holiday Gift Guide fromĀ Japan
The holidays always come faster than I realize, and before I know it, theyāre hereā¦then gone! I tell myself every year āIām gonna get ahead of the game, Iām gonna be on top of it all and prepare in advance!ā
This year, itās happening! I got in touch with some of my maker friends and they said āYay, letās help out with some ideas!ā And this is how it evolved into a cool 2019 Holiday Gift Guideā¦
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Halloween and Fall 2019 Earring Giveaway!
Halloween and Fall 2019 EarringĀ Giveaway!
Launching our 2019 Halloween and Fall Fun Earrings Collection with a fabulous giveaway! Click through to join the fun and throw your name in to the pot to win! Let me in!
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Rain Rain Go Away
Rain Rain GoĀ Away
Our May Newsletter is out, very giri-giri as we say in Japan: just in time. Click through the link to read it online, and subscribe to our list to be entered in the Exclusive Giveaway for Readers only!
The Off on a Whim Journey: May Newsletter Moonstones, Mandala Stones, Protection Stones, Sneak Peeks and more!
June Birthstone: Moonstone Sneak Peek Tree of Life Pendant: Sakura
Signā¦
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Four Fantastic Protection Stones
Four Fantastic ProtectionĀ Stones
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Spring is Here!
Spring has come and with it the flowers, the warmth, the sunshine, the need to get outdoors and appreciate the rebirth of life.Ā
Japan loves the spring, especially the sakura cherry blossoms that pop out in full glory towards the end of March or start of April. This year they were later than usual due to cold weather, but they finally came and we had a couple of perfect days to enjoy the blooms.ā¦
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Christmas Giveaway Party!
š 2018 Christmas Giveaway Party! š
Enter this awesome giveaway on Facebook to win a fabulous handmade prize!
Nine hard working moms in Japan joined together offering a total of 18 prizes to 18 lucky winners!
āØ How to Enter: Follow the links to each page and leave a comment on the giveaway post pinned to the top of their page. Winners will be chosen randomly from the comments!
āØ Duration: Novemberā¦
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We have had some beautifully perfect fall weather here in Japan. Warm days, cool nights, blue skies, and the leaves in our city are finally making the change, bursting full of rich glorious color. Caught between wanting to get out to the sunshine and wanting to keep busy in my studio, I compromised and dragged my youngest off to a park not far from us. I had to bribe him with lunch from our favorite bakery, which did the trick and he came along willingly.
Our park is very old and very Japanese, full of maple, ginkoĀ and sakura trees, cedars, pine, a traditional Japanese garden and artistically placed stones. Each season at this park has a special delight, but I find fall my favorite time to visit.
As well as taking in some sunshine and nature, I wanted to do a little on location photo shoot with my newest bracelet design, a simple leather wrap style made with faceted cut rainbow moonstones and birthstone accents. I made the original in 5 layers and included 6 birthstones representing my children, husband and I. Five wraps measures about a yard long and works beautifully with down to earth outfits, jeans, skirts, casual dresses, and can be worn as a double wrap short necklace. I simply love it!
While this is not yet in our shop, it will be as soon as I get around to sorting out the images and putting it up. I plan to make this customizable to size, number of layers, and birthstones included, a truly heartfelt gift for yourself or a loved one.
Soaking in the FallĀ Sunshine We have had some beautifully perfect fall weather here in Japan. Warm days, cool nights, blue skies, and the leaves in our city are finally making the change, bursting full of rich glorious color.
Key styling looks and tips for Autumn and Winter 2018/19
We talked to some fashionista friends in Japan about their favorite trends for fall, and got back some fantastic ideas and advice, not only fashion but home and health too! So, no more intro needed, just dive right into our fun Fall Fashion and Style News!
Fashion
AUTUMN / WINTER is by far my favourite season in Japan to spend time outdoors, eat, cook and most importantly ā dress & style!
We are currently loving the extension of the LEATHER JACKET trend. Leather (or pleather if you prefer) pairs well with just about any outfit, from denim to dresses, skirts and pants. Itās all about the cut and style. If your style is more refined and classic, try a simple version with less hardware, rather than a biker style jacket.
WOOL COATS are oversized with the classic Chester coat shape still popular, and a fantastic addition to an A/W wardrobe. A good quality coat pulls a look together and adds polish to an outfit. Invest in a beautiful winter coat in a classic style and colour to carry through several seasons. Add a pop of bright with a sweater, bag, shoe or statement jewellery piece.
BOLD COLOURS are huge right now in knitwear and a fun way to add flair to your look. Fuschia, teal, mustard, wine and deep navy are lining stores this season. Look for natural fibres and shapes that suit your frame. Avoid a boxy look by juxtaposing shapes e.g. skinny/slim pants with a chunky, long knit or more relaxed pants with a fitted knitwear piece.Ā
BOOTS are square toed and chunky this season, however a more elongated shape lengthens the leg line silhouette. Donāt only follow trends but play with shapes and styles to create your individual look.
More and more items are streaming into stores now so have fun browsing! Donāt forget to DETOX your closet before adding new pieces to keep your wardrobe accessible and organized.
Corin Kanazawa is a Tokyo-based stylist offering Personal Styling, Closet Detoxing and Personal Shopping for women. Find her on Facebook or instagram@corinstylist
Add a Japanese touch
Another favorite item for autumn? Easy!
Drape yourself in a haori jacket. These beautiful Japanese traditional kimono vests are a fabulous alternative to any other jackets. Nothing can compare to their chic and all the beautiful patterns and colors they show. And ho, the feel of silk! Everything about the haori is sheer elegance, and this jacket will make you feel unique and beautiful in the blink of an eye! For all your relaxing moments at home or to make you feel your best for your outings in town.
For the house, accompany the beautiful colors of fall with cushion covers made of vintage Japanese fabrics! A beautiful, gorgeous, delightful, bright way to have an interior as magical as this beautiful season!
Tabitabiya Online, your shop in Tokyo to brighten your life with the little wonders of Japan
Upcycle something in the closet!
Autumn means itās time to drag your old jean jacket out of the closet. Cheap and generic looking, but still so comfy and loved! Dominique at Three Houses Design recently returned to her love ofĀ hand embroidery, and decided toĀ add a bit of color to the collar this year in the form of sweet little flowers. Then set her needle to her daughterās jeans, then her old black Convrse knock-offsā¦..Long story short, nothing in her house is safe from embellishment.
Hand embroidery is an easy and inexpensive way to add memorable little details to clothing and accessories. Just get a needle, some colored thread, watch a few YouTube tutorials, and off you go!
Three Houses Designs specializes in personalized hand embroidery. Visit them on Facebook or follow on Instagram to see whatās currently being stitched!
Donāt forget the house!
While a lot of the country is still sweltering in the humidity of the summer, Iwate starts to feel the chill in the air shortly after Obon, eve as the rest of the country is still sweltering in the humid summer temperatures. As the days continue to shorten, the chill takes more of a grip on our lives as the locals brace for the first frost of the season, which will in turn open the door for the first snowfall hopefully towards the end of the year and not before.
The crisp dry autumn days in Iwate are a delight, with clear blue skies and a backdrop of russets and golds as the leaves change before falling. The farmers are on a race against time to get in harvests before the onset of winter, local markets are the place to pick up some great buys to fill your table with more apples, grapes and pumpkins than you can really eat. Making soups and pickles have become a weekend ritual for Deborah in between working outside in the garden and in her workshop with fabrics either at the machine or with a needle in hand for IRO IRO colour creations.
Bunting works in different sizes to add either a subtle touch of color or a dramatic splash to your interior, hang it across a window or hallway, along a curtain rod and youāre set to go.
IRO IRO Colour Creations specializes in handmade bunting to add subtle or dramatic splashes of color to your home. Follow on Facebook to keep up with new ideas and arrangements, or put in a custom request!Ā
Accessorizing!
Adding some new jewelry to your fall fashion is a great way to spruce up the look! Rich browns and gold with pops of orange and red in sync with the changes in nature give you a connection to the world around you. Go with the rich burnt orange of copper combined with some bright accents and youāre all set!
Tassel earrings work well with sweaters and turtle necks, while short necklaces look nice with collar shirts and high-necked sweaters. Make sure your necklace is either above or well below the collar line for best matching. For a turtle neck, try a longer necklace with a statement pendant, using the sweater for a background to showcase your lovely piece! While bracelets are harder to show off with long sleeves, during the fall months when the temps are still up and down, a bracelet will give a nice bit of style when you roll your sleeves up for awhile. Try a cuff bracelet paired with a pretty chain and youāll be set for the day!
Off on a Whim: handmade custom Japanese power stone jewelry and accessories
Aromatherapy Suggestions for Cooler Weather
Approaching the cooler season in Japan certainly feels good after the onslaught of a record high temp summer! If you love good smells and naturopathic support, we have a few key essential oils for you:
Help keep the sickness at bay during the colder months with doTERRAās On Guard Protective Blend applied to the bottoms of your feet as well as the childrenās (make sure to dilute with a carrier oil).Ā On Guard provides a safe, natural way to protect and maintain a healthy immune system. If you have allergies or little snotty noses come home from school try diffusing Easy Air oil at home or at work during cold and flu season. Easy Air helps clear airways and maintains easy breathing.Ā
doTERRA Essential Oils are pure, potent, high-quality essential oils that are safe, and very effective. If you would like more information about how to get these oils please contact Heather Minowa at [email protected]. Heatherās website is a great source of information so be sure to check it out www.heatherminowa.com
Another highly recommended essential oil is Young Livingās Thieves. Besides smelling amazing, it works a lovely magic around the house. This gorgeous blend is combination of clove, cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus radiata and rosemary. Diffuse it to clean your homeās air, put it in a roller bottle with a carrier oil to build up immunity, or even try adding a few drops to your cookie dough! A few drops mixed into your honey will add spice and pop to your tea.
All about Thieves
For more information on Thieves and other Young Living product, contact Blanka Kobayashi at www.oilylove.me
But mostly, enjoy this beautiful in-between season, make the most of each day and put your best foot forward as you embark on the great adventures ahead!
~ Erinn at Off on a Whim ~
Ā Feeling the FallĀ Love Key styling looks and tips for Autumn and Winter 2018/19 We talked to some fashionista friends in Japan about their favorite trends for fall, and got back some fantastic ideas and advice, not only fashion but home and health too!
25% off ClearanceĀ Sale Take advantage of our sale, get a piece at 25% off the sticker price! Join Off on a Whim's first everā¦
Giveaway! Super Rainbow Garnets from Nara
Giveaway! Super Rainbow Garnets fromĀ Nara
Off on a Whim is holding a Giveaway on our Facebook page until July 29th, 2018, for a pair of these amazing stone earrings! Follow the link or click HERE to enter!
We were very lucky to get our hands on a limited supply of rare Super Rainbow Garnets from the Kose Mine in Tenkawa, Nara.
These garnets are only found in 2 locations in the world, Mexico and Japan, and in Japan only at the Kose Mine.ā¦
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Mala Juzu Necklace Giveaway!
Mala Juzu NecklaceĀ Giveaway!
Our Off on a Whim page on Facebook is holding a giveaway for this beautiful handmade 108 Mala Juzu Rosary Prayer necklace made of rosewood, ebony, Bodhi seeds, carnelian and a hand-painted ceramic guru bead. Click through the link to enter! Ā Ā Feel free to share the news! Ā ~Erinn ~
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It's About Time!
Itās About Time!
Itās about time we got a monthly newsletter up and running. Youād think after 6 years of business weād have this sorted out long ago, but nope and nope, Iām not that great at schedules. However, I sat down and just did it. Hopefully Iāll get past the sign up page and welcome message and actually GET the newsletter out. I mean, once a month, how hard can it be?? (Yeh yeh, thatās what Iāve beenā¦
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Sweetheart Be Mine for All of Time
ā¦or at least for today!
Even though Valentineās Day is around the corner, and itās too late to order one of these for the special day, I wanted to show them off cause I love how my little Sweetheart Statement Pendants and earrings turned out!
sweetheart pendants on etsy!
Ā The original idea came from this tutorial I found on Pinterest, which was pretty easy to do. Iād leave a link to the tutorial but unfortunately, the link doesnāt go anywhere valid.
I added stone accents for color and interest, and made them in a couple of sizes from the large statement pendant to small earrings.
garnet sweetheart necklace and earring set on etsy
Ā And I may have gotten slightly carried away with the earrings, but they were just too much fun! And most of them sold out pretty fast too.
sweetheart earrings on facebook
Ā There you have it! Off on a Whimās Sweetheart Statement Pendant and Earrings, a little touch of sweetness and color to make that fabulous person in your life smile!
offonawhim.com
Sweetheart Be Mine Sweetheart Be Mine for All of Time ...or at least for today! Even though Valentine's Day is around the corner, and it's too late to order one of these for the special day, I wanted to show them off cause I love how my little Sweetheart Statement Pendants and earrings turned out!