The Year of the Horse

We have just entered a new year in the Chinese calendar.  

As always, the festivities are fascinating and grand here in New York City and around the world.  

Such a beautiful burst of energy and light with colorful Dragon dances and a festival of lanterns in the darkest night of the month.  

This year, we are welcoming the wooden horse.
Years of the wooden horse are associated with warfare. Astrologers are predicting tumult and conflicts.  So be prepared, hang on to your harness and be ready for the ride!

Happy Chinese new year dear readers!

(Do you know your Chinese sign? find out in the chart below)

Summer Festival Yukata Season

Summer festival season is well under way in Japan, with some of the major firework festival shows in Tokyo like Sumida River Fireworks and Tokyo Bay Fireworks coming up at the end of July and beginning of August, respectively. Although it's one of the hottest and most humid times of the year, going to a festival and dressing up in a summer yukata certainly makes up for it!

The yukata collar falls nicely behind the neck, making an up-do hairstyle an ideal way to show off the neckline and cool off from the summer heat. 

We love seeing a girl in a yukata and these styles make us wish we were in Japan!

Here's a list of summer festivals and firework shows for those planning to travel to Japan this year!