Zakka

[Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka' or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance. It is often based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin, but it can also be Japanese goods, mainly from the fifties, sixties, and seventies. In Japan there are also so-called Asian zakka stores; that usually refers to Southeast Asia. The interest in Nordic design or Scandinavian design, both contemporary and past, is also part of this zakka movement. Zakka can also be contemporary handicraft.

Zakka has also been described as "the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane". The zakka boom could be recognized as merely another in a series of consumer fads, but it also touches issues of self-expression and spirituality. "Cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, a product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext."]

So that’s why I seem to love everything labeled “Zakka” so much! Because “seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane” is what this blog is all about. Here are some things I found under a “Zakka” search from Etsy:

Click on the pictures to link to their pages! (Can you tell I like having things in threes? Points to anyone who can name all the triples in this group!)

So I said FOREVER ago that I was going to have a post on lavender. But here it finally is.

Basically  I wanted to quickly talk about all the cool things lavender can be used for besides those little sachets you throw in your sock drawer (which, by the way, I still think are awesome).

Lavender is used in cooking, it’s a main ingredient in “herb de provence”, which I love to rub all over roasts with a little salt and olive oil before throwing them in the oven.

It’s also great as a tea. My mom used to make an iced tea with lavender and earl grey tea in it that was the best cure for a headache you could find. You can actually buy a lavender earl grey tea from Revolution tea, www.revolutiontea.com you can find it in most well-stocked grocery stores.

But my favorite use of lavender (besides those nifty sachets) is lavender essential oil. It’s my latest panacea for all ailments. Think Windex in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”. Got a headache? Rub some diluted lavender oil into your temples. Bug bite? Put some strait on it. Insomnia? Sprinkle it on your pillows and sheets, or put a little in your bath at night. Sore spazy muscles? Dilute and massage. Itchy? Add to a spray bottle of water and mist. See? It cures anything! And yes, according to this website it will even take care of your wedding day zit problem.

If you want to try some yourself I’ve heard this is the best kind. I haven’t tried it, I use a cheaper brand. As long as it’s pure and organic you should be good. Never ingest ANY essential oil as they are WAY to strong to be taken internally. If you want to drink it, get the tea above, or some strait lavender, you can use what’s leftover to make yourself a sachet.