Category Archives: Places

The Rise of Dives – Why Dive Bars Have Made a Comeback

By Simone | Published: September 29, 2010

You’ve noticed it, haven’t you?  Dive bars have been slowly but steadily bubbling up in the States’ collective consciousness for a while now.  If you don’t believe me, check out the Google Trends graph below: As you can see, dive bars have seen a significant increase in traffic since mid-2007.  The cause?  The April 2007 [...]

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Trends in Graffiti & Knit Bombs in Berlin

By Simone | Published: June 30, 2010

One of the first things I noticed upon arriving in Berlin was the fabulous graffiti. It’s everywhere- and one can find all sorts- slaps, tags, throw-ups, stencils… even the newer graffiti trends can be found- yes! Knit bombs!! Here are some I spotted…

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Lolitas in Berlin

By Simone | Published: June 13, 2010

While wandering around Berlin’s Charlottenburg Palace a week ago, I came across a group of Lolitas (both goth and sweet) setting up for a picnic in the gardens. I was so pleased! In the past, I have only seen Lolitas in more contrived situations outside of Japan (where one may expect to see them anywhere), such as around a Lolita clothing store, or at an anime convention or Japanese culture festival.

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Coworking and Coffeehouses

By Simone | Published: January 6, 2010

Modern technology enables us to study, play, and work in more flexible environments.  In the professional world, people utilize this tech to telecommute.  While telecommuting can obliterate burdensome office overhead, such setups can reduce face time, which, despite everything technology offers, is still irreplaceable. Enter the coffeehouse concept.  According to The World in Six Glasses [...]

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One-Dish Restaurants

By Simone | Published: December 21, 2009

Themed restaurants rock, but the themes are usually aesthetic, not culinary.  As of late, however, I have been lead to believe that single-food-themed restaurants are on the rise! One-dish restaurants are obviously not new.  After all, pizza and ice cream parlors have existed for decades, and smoothie, hot dog, salad, frozen yogurt, doughnut, and bagel [...]

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Prefab Lifestyle Series Installment 1: Disney

By Simone | Published: November 29, 2009

These days we can buy prefab houses, meals, clothing, and cars.  What about lifestyles?  I realized the other day that a couple of companies have effectively created carefully branded ways of life by providing people with all the tools they need: from clothing and housewares to advice, entertainment, and even real estate. To get a [...]

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The Taiyaki Trend

By Simone | Published: November 28, 2009

While contemplating macarons and whoopie pies within the context of the cupcake trend, I couldn’t help but notice the disdinct lack of interest in cupcakes in Japan.  This observation prompted me to search for Japan’s trendy desert of the moment, which turns out to be Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped treat consisting of a fried [...]

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The SF Chocolate Cluster

By Simone | Published: November 21, 2009

San Francisco + Chocolate = ? Chances are, you answered Ghiradelli.  If this is the case, you’re in for a treat- there is a lot more to the SF chocolate industry than you think.  In the past decade or so, some fabulous gourmet chocolate companies have set up in the Bay Area, and they are [...]

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Giant Robots – The New Big Buddhas?

By Simone | Published: October 12, 2009

Have you noticed that giant robots have been popping up lately?  I have.  It’s most curious. First there was the giant Gundam statue in Odaiba Tokyo, which, according to the Examiner, was was unveiled midsummer in honor of the Gundam animation franchise’s 30th anniversary.  The exhibition was temporary (July 11th-August 31st), but impressive.  As you’ll [...]

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Trend Spotting Tourism in Tokyo

By Simone | Published: October 3, 2009

Danny Choo recently posted an interesting BBC segment (in which he is featured) on trend spotting tourism in Japan: The footage touches on how Japan has a reputation for innovation and trend setting and how its tourism industry is looking to cash in on the nation’s cutting edge subcultures and businesses to boost economic performance. [...]

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