010 : Get a stamp on it !

I think stamp collecting would be one of the most common hobbies among my friends when I was a primary student. But I already put my stamp book into the bookshelf for a long time. I think I have to take it out again since I'm attracted to the post postage stamps in Japan.

If you're anime lover + stamp collector, then you'll be taken with the 'Animated series' which are being sold in Japan. There are always in a set of 10 stamps, like the photos posted here, featuring the Japanese manga series "Detective conan" and "One piece".

To welcome the festive season, the Japan Post also released "Christmas Stamps". I think your friends and family would be very happy to receive a card which added with a festive touch with this Christmas stamp. My friend even mistook it as kid stickers. Yes, they are stickers! No glue is needed! You can just simply paste them on cards,  parcel... You can even use them for decoration ( though it seems a little too wasteful )

Festive Sales

Festive sales is now on till December 31, 2012.
Enjoy 10% off storewide when you spend rm50 or more!
Key in dicount code - HAPPY10 when you check out at www.tabiyo.bigcartel.com
Happy Shopping!

009: A fun masking tape printer

It's really convenient nowadays, we can print almost anything at home,

photos, greeting cards using a printer.

And, now you can print your own words on masking tape as well. Isn't cool?

I found this little cute masking tape printer when I walked by a shop in Kyoto.

First impression, it looked like a thick calculator for me. It could be held in on hand and it's light.

You can print in Japanese, English or numbers.You can choose type of font, size of font, frame and type your message on the masking tape provided.

It's as easy as that, can be used as a label, decorations on cards or gift.

And, here is the video of a printer user who's sharing how to use the printer, have a look ^^

008: Things to note on leather cover

This might be a wordy post, but worth reading! :)

Dedicated to all Traveler's Notebook user and fans, we have a valuable DO's and DONT's advise on things to note on leather cover. 

By user Mr Ashdee Khairuddin from Sarawak, Malaysia.

"

Let me share some of my TN history. 

I own 2; one regular and one passport, both brown. I bought the passport size first, but after finding out how useful it can be, I bought my regular sized on barely 2 months after.

I've been a leather junkie before I got the two TNs. Most of my leather products are the same color as the brown TN, which most of them are waxed oiled leather, i.e. shiny leather. I have various leather care products at home (ranging from Timberland leather care products + 1 generic leather conditioner) but did not use them at first as I've read that it will change the color and character of the leather. I eventually tried and tested a few different types with mixed results.

1. Never leave your TN in high temperature


I previously left my TN in the car on a hot day, and upon my return I found my leather started to dry up and my previous pocket stickers in my TN started to warp and peel off.

2. Don't use oily leather conditioners

Since my TN was dry, I thought putting some leather conditioner will restore the moisture. It did, BUT it made my TN a very dark shade of dark brown, almost black. It does, however, made it more resistant to scratches. Its a plus or minus, depending on the users preference.

3. Make sure it doesn't get wet

Normal water is fine. One time previously I got caught in the rain and got my TN wet, but once it dried off it returned to normal. What the TN cannot stand is beverages. I accidentally got some soy bean drops on the back of my passport TN, and the stain stayed till now.

4. Hold your TN more

The more you use, the more beautiful it becomes, the more resistant it is to wear. This is because it will absorb the small amounts of oils on your fingers, adding the protection barrier on the surface with a sufficient level.

5. If you want to clean and protect your TN:-

There's a lot of methods that can be used. If its oils stains, I would recommend dumping talcum powder on the spot overnight to absorb most of the oils out. Then clean off the powder and use water with a some soap to work the left-on stains. You dip your rag cloth into it and use a circular motion to clean it up. You can make the soap lathery too if the stain looks like it penetrated deep. Wipe off with only water to wash off the soap (leather is skin after all), and use a dry cloth to dry it up. Leave to dry after that.

Prevention is better than cure, so with my passport TN I've correctly used the right products for it. Amongst 2 products that I have found to be good on the TN are the Timberland boot sauce and balm proofer. Since timberland boots are suede (the most sensitive type of leather), these products can be used without discoloring the TN.

Use the boot sauce first and allow to dry. This will nourish the leather for many many months to come. Then apply the balm proofer after to give it a water repellent protection, which will not change the feel of the leather. Both are really good products. The best part is that it will allow you to still scratch your leather, giving it the rustic and used look.

Other leather conditioners are not specifically used for untreated leather, so be careful. Some will discolor your TN, while others will give your TN a glossy finish (since its made for waxed leather). The picture shows my regular Tn and passport TN, where the regular is very dark brown. Eventhough I use it more, but it does not sustain any visible scratches, unlike my passport TN.
"

Both Traveler's Notebook & leather product of Mr Ashdee :)

007: Halo!

Hi folks! How are you doing? It a bit late to say "Happy Halloween" now.
Anyway, hope you had a good time with your friends.

It is getting cold in Japan, it is the season to wear many layers of clothes, like an onion.

If you are visiting Japan soon, it is advised that not to wear the very thick inner wear.
Since when you enter the restaurant, it would make you feel stuffy.
There are many functional thermal inner wear available in Japan, the fabric is thin and won`t make you look bulky.

 

If you can`t stand the cold weather may be you can wear like them.

It is not hard to find this kind of costume in Japan. And, it is not rare that people wear them to sleep.

Also, wear them to halloween party.

I couldn`t help myself switching my eyeside to the Kamen Riders,

 they look even more shiny at night.

 Thinking to get any one?

006: Say kimchi ~

Haha, this is usually said when my korean friends are taking photos.

Everyone is looking at the camera and say `Kimchi`

Well,  Japanese usually say `ha-i, chi-zu!` (means cheese ) to give a good smile when they are taking photos. This is not the point of this post. Just wanna share some photos of mine that previously taken when I was making kimchi with my friends.

Very first step , cutting and slicing all the ingredients.

We were making two types of kimchi, one is using chinese cabbage , another one is white raddish.

The other ingredients including minced ginger, garlis, sliced onion, scallion, chili flake,

salt and korean fish sauce.

I think making kimchi is one of the good way to bring people together, especially family members.

Coz it needs a lot of work like washing, cutting the ingredients and mixing them.

Time to stuffed and spread the chili paste on the cabbage.

All mixed well.

 

Tadaang ~

Yay, done! all the kimchi were packed into boxes and stored in at room temperature for the first day to allow fermentation. The next day, it was put in to the fridge and ready to serve. 

My korean friend also made us the traditional drink, called Su jeong gwa. It is made by simmering the cinnamon stick, ginger and red jujube. Then, add in sugar and dried persimmon.

Masiseoyo!

 

 

005: The legendary Mouse

 What I love about the Disney in Japan is they always has special edition for some of their goods. Like below

There is a series of Disney character called Cubic Mouth released in Japan back to few years ago.

Designed by Satoshi Fumihara. Love them very much, with the special features on their face.  

With the square mouth and the facial expression which you`ll never see on the original one.

 Went to Disney sea in the early of September.

Minnie was greeting everyone in front of the entrance.

 Love to see how people decorate themselves with the disney accesories.

Duffy`s popcorn bucket sold in Disney Sea Japan.

 

 

The new attraction in Disney Sea Japan, Toy Story Mania. It is more impressive to visit the Toyville at night. The illumination is really amazing.

 Unable to get in since there a sea of people queuing for it.

According to what I watched from the tv, the guest will put on a 3D-glasses, board on the tram and find themselves under the bed in Andy`s room. Guest will feel like they shrunk as a toy cause everything in the room looks gigantic.

By the way, just found the masking tape printed with the lengendary mouse on the rack in a stationary shop.(ps: not found in the disney though) Very cute huh?