Innocent World Tsunami Charity Event

Hello everyone. I just wanted to inform that Innocent World has released their lucky packs, with 5% of the proceeds benefiting victims of the Tohoku earthquake (via Japanese Red Cross). I know it doesn't appear to be much to donate, but Innocent World was originally planning this lucky pack event before the disaster and chose to alter the event for charity.

Their website states: "At first, we thought about canceling the Golden Week Set and the Tea Party.
But we discussed what Innocent World can do, and what we should do for the disaster areas, and came to a conclusion. We decided to change the contents of the event."

In addition to the lucky packs, from Thursday, March 17th to Sunday, April 10th, Innocent World will be setting up donation boxes at their shops. 

The packs are avaliable in two styles, Set A and Set B. There are several color choices but only sizes M and L. The A set includes "spring and summer skirts and a blouse or a bolero ＋ little goods", while the B set includes "spring and summer jumperskirt and a blouse or a bolero ＋ little goods". I don't think I'm going to buy one though because I can't take chances with the sizing. Anyways, this would be a great opportunity for IW fans who are looking to help out those effected by the tsunami.

May All Be Safe

My condolences and wishes go out to all who's friends or loved ones were effected by the disaster in Japan . I feel extremely lucky that my host parents and Japanese friends live on the West Coast and were not effected. You can get through this, Japan. The world is at your side.

Who You Calling a Pansy?

In honor of this spring's freshest trend, I wanted to make a post all about pansy flowers and different was to enjoy them!

Pansies 101

• The name pansy is from the French word pensie, meaning thought or remembrance
• They are delicate flowers that look like they have a "face"
• Pansies are both fragrant and edible!
• Both the flowers and leaves are high in vitamins A & C
• Their genus; viola; also includes violets 
• The yellow or blue pansy flowers seem to have the strongest scent
• Plants in the genus viola were cultivated by the Greeks for herbal medicinal use 
• In William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, the juice of a pansy blossom ("before, milk-white, now purple with love's wound, and maidens call it love-in-idleness") is a love potion
• Pansies are the flower of Osaka, Japan

Ways you can use and enjoy pansies:

• Both the leaves and flowers can be used as a garnish for salads
• The flowers can be used as garnish on cold fruit or cream soups
• The flowers are also useful as a dye
• Plant a variety of colors in pots or a garden
• Choward's mints make a violet-flavored variety 
• Snatch up AP's new print ("Sugar Pansy") or search for IW's older pansy print  

AP's Sugar Pansy print

IW's Antique Pansy print

Source

March Lifestyle Ideas

•  This season's hot trend is pansies! (a la AP's new print, but IW also has a cute older print)
• Pansies remind me of violets - and Choward's Violet Mints! 
• Start incorporating spring pastels into your outfits
• Speaking of pastels, enter spring with a bang with pastel nail polish!
• Always wanted a flower or small vegetable garden but couldn't find the space or good soil? Why not a container garden? Choose fun pots or unusual containers - don't forget little garden critters!
• Straw hats are cute, but why not try a full brimmed straw sunhat - both stiff and floppy styles
• Try making new, adventurous desserts like Strawberry Mille-feuille, rose brownies or lavender macaroons
• The band The Album Leaf creates some soft, sweet music perfect for spring
• Try to take a small walk as often as you can. I recently discovered how exciting it is to watch birds chirp to other birds 
• Speaking of birds, try attracting them with a yummy blend of fresh seeds in a cute feeder. If you don't have a backyard, try a park or preserve to spot wild birds