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Bodhi, Thai Me Up, and Being Inspired

10/21/2021

I originally created this website/blog in the late 90s (ack!) because I wanted to share the awe-influencing things I see around my part of world (and my travels) so we can be inspired together. I stopped featuring places a lot, and don’t blog much except for inspiring photos, but… this place was pretty cute! The plant wall was inclusive of 2 monstera deliciosas and the patio was surrounded by vines, lights, and bamboo.

My eve during the week to go out alone and to hang with a friend is Wednesday — it makes for the perfect middle of the week re-center and is a great time to catch up with best friends. I have a toddler, a preteen, 3 bonus kids, and 3 jobs — haha. It’s hard to take breaks for art or fun but so important.

Bodhi is an adorable Thai Bistro Bar with delicious Thai food, craft cocktails, craft beer, and loads of plants.

Bodhi is located at located at 922 Massachusetts Avenue – Indianapolis (at the northeast end of Mass Ave adjacent to the Bottleworks District).

Business Features Visual Splendor

Neko Neko Shokupan, Tokyo, Japanโ€™s Kawaii Cat Bread Bakery

10/16/2020

What? Neko Neko Cheesecake?

“Not just cute.
Savour the fresh baked flavor of the bread, made with 100% Japan-grown wheat flour, mixed with creamy milk.
Every mouthful of the milky soft bread is rich and moist. Nothing but carefully selected Japanese ingredients. The succulent bread explodes with flavour with every bite. Come on in and try it. It’s purr-fect.” – Neko Neko Shokupan

10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ario Kitasuna 1F, 2-17-1 Kitasuna, Koto City, Tokyo 136-0073

620620
Business Features Features Self Decoration

Miseducated presents Tokyolux-Style T-shirts 2020

11/19/2019

With Audrey Kitching as the brand frontrunner, I designed a lot of the designs you used to buy from the brands/stores Tokyolux, Coco de Coeur, and Lazy Bones Vintage.

It was rumored that she stole ideas — she would give me sketches occasionally and I would create them or I would send her my ideas. The cats and roses, for example, were created by me. I designed and created those. These designs were all completely original and well-loved. I do not have examples of her stealing. We created.

Tokyolux was featured in fashion magazines around the world, donned by celebrities, and sold in stores on Melrose in Los Angeles. It was all so fast. Then, as fast as it started, our doors were closed.

I never got the full story from any party but I was told orders were not being sent out and the brand image was damaged.

I will say that Audrey has continued to be kind to me so I will not speak on recent articles about her dealings with others. This isn’t about that! She has always been kind and giving to me, both in person and online.

I went on to do Audrey Kitching Los Angeles, and after that, Crystal Cactus (which I have not been involved in the “design of” since the very beginning).

I have so many designs that I was unable to create, use, or complete. I am at a time in my life where I would like to make these available to the public and those who loved Tokyolux.

These are both new and original designs never before released on new shirts, clothing, and accessories. I am now opening a division of Miseducated for t-shirts and fashion. These are one of a kind designs. made in house, solely by me. Some of our clothing will feature Pop Cult icons from our pin collection. Others will be similar to the designs you loved and adored from Tokyolux and Coco de Coeur.

Preorders for the first design are here. Stay tuned.

Business Features Event Features Visual Splendor

Indy’s First Annual Macaron Day

03/25/2019

You can imagine my excitement when macaron cookies finally starting picking up steam. Now they can be found in bakeries around Indianapolis (and most cities around the USA, at that!) so there’s no need to travel to Paris or order macarons online. Hurrah!

Also, because the macaron is such a fun cookie to experiment with, you can find such an array of flavors, colors and styles! I saw everything from tie-dye, to unicorn-shaped, to sparkly golden macarons in every flavor you can imagine — even tequila! (Rene’s Bakery)

I’m not only going to show you our adventure on this day, but I’m also going to tell you the top bakeries to get macarons in Indianapolis! Please enjoy~

Macaron Ratings:

In order from 5 star ratings.

Rene’s Bakery: Pineapple – Not only was this a new flavor for me but it tasted tart and amazing. The texture was sport on — the shape was a little unique (it was very rounded) but I will be going back here for more. They also had the most unique flavors: grape, tequila, pineapple, mango, etc. Yum!

Luxury Cakes: Orange Blossom – I loved the flavor AND the creme. It was more of a whipped cream ganache and I enjoyed every single bite. It was stuffed with creme!

Macaron Bar: Earl Grey – I love earl grey and so tea-flavored macarons are always a favorite. Great texture, chewy and delicious.

Coat Check Coffee: Fruity Pebbles – I’m sure I am biased but the flavor was amazing, the macaron was the cutest of all and it was a perfect texture.

Cake Bake: Pink Marshmallow – The prettiest macaron. Glittery, perfect shape. Tastes like a traditional macaron. If you really love macarons you must get the Marie Antoinette, it is my absolute, world-wide, favorite macaron.

Circle City Sweets: Raspberry Rose Champagne – Very tasty with both fruit filling and ganache. Great, traditional macaron.

The Gallery Pastry Shop: Matcha – I love matcha as a flavor and the macaron was a very strong matcha. I hate when I cannot even taste it! It was another traditional, lovely macaron.

HoiTea ToiTea: Confetti – For one, they call them macaroons which is a totally different cookie. The macaron wasn’t exceptional in flavor but it was very cute because it was dipped in sprinkles.

Bites: coffee, dessert, bar.: Blueberry Waffle – I enjoyed that the macaron was filled with fruit jam AND ganache but it was bland. I was hoping with the flavor I would be able to taste it but not so much. A little too crisp.

What is Macaron Day?

Macaron Day is a chance for macaron lovers to taste delectable French macarons from various bakeries while also supporting local charities in participating cities: Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Toledo. By mentioningย Macaron Dayย at any of the participating bakeries and you’ll receive aย complimentaryย macaron while supplies last.
Official Macaron Dayย Website

Reminds me of a cute, colorful town in the Wild West!
Luxury cakes: cute, pink, kitsch.
Cake Bake: one of my all-time favorite restaurants and bakeries.
Cake Bake’s new Pink Marshmallow Dream cake.
Macaron Day passport!
The Gallery Pastry Shop’s decadent, perfect desserts.

Participating Indy Bakeries:

Circle City Sweets | 222 E Market Street, 46204

Macaron Bar | 425 Massachusetts Avenue, 46204 

Coat Check Coffee | 401 E Michigan Street, 46204

HoiTea ToiTea – Broad Ripple | 6283 N College Avenue, 46220

The Gallery Pastry Shop | 1101 E 54th St G, 46220

The Cake Bake Shop | 6515 Carrollton Avenue, 46220

Reneโ€™s Bakery | 6524 N. Cornell Avenue, 46220

HoiTea ToiTea – Keystone Mall | 8702 Keystone Crossing, 46240

Luxury Cakes | 254 Veteranโ€™s Way, 46032

Bites: coffee, dessert, bar | 640 S Main St #100, 46077

Cake pops at Bites — love the sprinkles!

Macaron Fan?

Love macarons as much as I do? I also took along my macaron kitty pins and necklaces to give to some of my favorite stops as a thank you. This pin was made in collaboration with ALTLiAE who is an all star leatherworker and macaron baker in Indianapolis. She wanted a mascot macaron pin so I created this little kitty for her! You can get your own pin or necklace for a limited time in the Miseducated Shop.

Want to collaborate on your own mascot pin to promote your business? Let me know!

Business Features Visual Splendor

The New Macaron Bar on Mass Ave

10/29/2018

I am pleased to announce that the Macaron Bar on Mass Ave in Indianapolis has opened recently and so I was able to visit and get some tasty macarons while doing a business feature. I highly recommend the earl grey within the current offerings! That’s my favorite flavor, hands down.

If you want a little more than a decadently cute dessert you can also take classes here. They offer classes on making and decorating macarons as well as pairing events inclusive of champagne, coffee or beer!

I was also delighted about the minimal decor, bright POPs of color and the option to order macaron towers for an event. Stop by and let me know what you think.

I’ll see you at the next coffee pairing?

Business Features Vlog

Japan Crate & Japan Candy Box REVIEW COMPARE CONTRAST

09/11/2015

While the studio is out of commission (it’s like a wedding, craft palooza in there right now and if I clean it up it will slow my creation!) I did this subscription box review in my bedroom. I got tired of the general reviews of boxes and thought it’d be interesting to compare and contrast and pick my favorite. You can watch the video to see but it really depends on what you like and who you are! Take a look and let me know which is your favorite! A giveaway for the Japan Candy Box will be coming soon to Miseducated as well so stay tuned~

I had attached a quick video of the crafting going on but it was vertical BOOOO! Sorry. ๐Ÿ™‚ It didn’t make the cut. But I did FINALLY make a new vlog/video and I’m back! As I said.. which also got cut for length.. I quit for awhile due to all my videos having the insta intro YouTube used to offer but doesn’t now! So I was mad all my videos lost their intro! And they’re old so I don’t want to redo them… oh well.. bummer. I’m over it now though and so glad to be back! XO

Business Features

Uncommon Goods Has Lovely, Creative Gifts

09/09/2015

uncommongoodslogo

So I was asked quite awhile ago to review a shop that I was expected to like. I put it off.. I get quite a few requests and I’m always worried it will end up being a shop selling knock-off Chinese products VS a shop supporting actual artists. However I took a look at Uncommon Goods (go get lost in their shop!) and I noticed they carry quite a lot of unique and interesting gifts. Not only that but it is not a cheap wholesale store as their prices are true to cost; they are using actual artist-designed works. On each product you can see who makes them, why and where they’re from.

After looking around and posting online about it I had quite a few friends exclaiming that they love the store Uncommon Goods and buy clever gifts from there often! I felt so left out to have only found out about this shop now and became excited to do a review.

For the review they offered to send a few products. I gave them some ideas as to what I like (rainbows and stones) so they sent the swing tumblers in rainbow colors AND the agate coasters. These items arrived packed very nicely and in a quick manner. The box was even cute with their logo on it branded tape (these small design elements mean a lot to me). Everything inside was in it’s own box direct from the designer. The coasters were from Rablab NY and the swing tumblrs were from a designer in Germany.

rainbow glasses agate coasters

I was a little worried about both items as you can see the shop has reviews on the products and there are many good reviews but a few bad ones. I thought maybe the glasses will deteriorate in the dishwasher or the coasters will condensate onto the table.. I made sure to use all items VERY WELL before this review and 1. the glasses have been used and washed a ton and are still as cute as they were when I unpacked them; 2. the coasters did not condensate onto the table and are GORGEOUS. With the coasters however one coaster sent was a product error, it was missing the brand sticker and the rubber balls to keep in place were sticky and odd on only that one. They offered right away to send a new set and let me know they had made a mistake.

rainbow swing glasses

Something very interesting about the company is that they not only support artists and small businesses but they support human and animal life as well. They have a very positive brand/company story here if you’re interested in reading it.

rainbow glasses

We’re committed to offering you a creative and exciting merchandise assortment and are working with our suppliers – from artists to small manufacturers – to make their products in a more socially and environmentally responsible manner. Since our founding, we’ve featured products that contain recycled components and have not sold products containing leather, feathers or fur – our goal is to sell no product that harms humans or animals.

I’m very pleased and have planned quite a few items for my spouse’s birthday coming up on October the 8th! You can’t go wrong here. There are great products (especially the ones for the home~) and they have excellent customer service. I have found a new favorite web store, that’s for sure!

gilded agate coasters

fruit infused ice balls

Business Features Day With a Camera

Day With a Camera: Being Thrifty (While Splurging) in Saraga Market

08/24/2015

This is my attempt to update my blog using both Siri and my WordPress app because I very rarely have the patience…

So Emma and I found we had a break in our work day and decided we would spend our lunch hour going to Saraga International Market (which is really an excuse for me to pile junk food in my cart).

If there is anything good to say about Saraga it’s that it has 1. very inexpensive produce and 2. junk food from all over the world, everywhere.

If you have a craving to eat turkish delight while drinking Ramune soda and sitting on a bag of kawaii mexican marshmallow ropes, YOU CAN DO THAT HERE! OR if you want some hot pink duck eggs, onion naan, dumplings and buns of absolutely any flavor ever imagined and a pound of squid? YOU CAN FIND THOSE HERE! And if you want Japanese junk food and produce because you are supposed to be “grocery shopping” for “necessities” but found your snack cabinet and bubble tea jars low (so what else can you do?), do it here here here! Be responsible with inexpensive produce and splurge on the best junk food and sweets all in the same market!

japanese food in my cart

hot pink duck eggs  These are DUCK eggs died pink.. *shrug*

kawaii junk food in saraga

And stay tuned because there are upcoming YouTube vlogs on a couple of Japanese snack crates that asked for a review so I decided to compare and contrast~ xx!

Business Features

Hoosier Salon vs iMOCA in Indianapolis

08/09/2015

hoosier salon vs imoca

In this one weekend only competition iMOCA iNSIDERS and Hoosier Salon members are invited to present their work side by side to be voted on by the public and determine which pieces are the most popular. The creators of the top five favorite pieces in the show will win special prize packages.

On Friday we went to the opening at iMOCA, because David submitted his new drawing (“My Sun Sets to Rise Again” 17.5″x24″ Black and White Charcoal on Paper) into the competition, and we were happy we did. I love seeing new art-events in Indianapolis, especially one like this that exposes one genre to another genre.

david cunningham

Today is your last day to view the show. It’s only open this weekend: August 7 – August 9 until 7:00pm in iMOCA located at 1043 Virginia Ave Suite 5, Indianapolis, Indiana 46203

imoca building, fountain square

IMOCA is pretty self-explanatory. Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art. I’ve been to quite a few of their events, in fact, Jamie and I actually dressed up in blood for their campy halloween vampire movie viewing a couple of years ago. Meanwhile, the Hoosier Salon’s art is much more traditional but still contemporary in the way that it is currently being created. Richard Anderson, “People like to forget that all art created at this time is contemporary.”

Robert Horvath, Narcissus #4

Robert Horvath, Narcissus #4

The much adored Richard Anderson, gallery manager at the Carmel Hoosier Salon Gallery, along with Paula Katz, gallery manager at iMOCA, wanted to try new ways to expose and blend art and artists to new audiences as well as their organizations. As artist David Cunningham said, “It broadens the audience. You have people that are interested in contemporary work looking at traditional art while those who prefer traditional art are now seeing contemporary art. It also exposes contemporary artists of one genre to contemporary artists of another genre.”

All participating iMOCA iNSIDERs and Hoosier Salon members were allowed to submit one piece of work within a 30″ size limit, no video was allowed.

You have one last chance today to view the work if you haven’t yet!

More Information

Hoosier Salon vs iMOCA Event Page
iMOCA
Hoosier Salon
NUVO Article