Giveaway #1: Luxe Obi

Posted on by Laura & Brett

Giveaway #1 is a beautiful brocade obi! Although the obi is not made from silk, it is still a luxurious piece of fabric and full of wonderful detail:While most of us will never wear a kimono, or need an obi, there are many ways these uniquely Japanese items can be repurposed and used. An obi is nearly 10 feet long, so there is quite a bit of fabric to work with. Below are some suggestions for how an obi or the fabric in it can be used in Western decor or accessories:

Wall decor

Throw pillows
Table runner or draped over a chest or buffet

Wedding dress or formal sashes

Unique purses

Here are the giveaway rules:

  • You may enter the giveaway once a day.
  • Leave a comment on this post with at least one about what you would like to see or do if you went to Japan, or how you might use this obi – each comment you leave equals one entry.
  • For a one-time additional entry, send a separate comment and let me know if you already follow The Occasional Nomads or if you become a follower.
  • Share about the giveaway on your own blog and let me know in a separate comment for one more additional entry.
  • The giveaway will end on midnight on June 5; one entry will be chosen at random and the winner announced on Friday, June 7. I will contact the winner by email to get shipping information. The giveaway is open only to readers in the U.S. and Canada (I’m sorry – I can’t afford the postage otherwise).

Thanks for entering – I look forward to hearing from you!

Published by Laura & Brett

Slow traveling the world with a sense of adventure!

58 thoughts on “Giveaway #1: Luxe Obi”

  2. I would love to use this as a table runner. I have a large DR table on which I rotate fabric runners by season. This would be the pride of my collection. ❤️🤞🍀

    Like

  3. I would use it as a table runner. I have so enjoyed reading your blog as you’ve traveled the world! I found your blog through Satisfying Retirement.

    Like

  4. This is gorgeous! I would love to use it as wall hanging in my hallway next to my U.S. and world pin maps.

    Like

  5. I hope to travel to Japan with friends next year (and maybe meet up with you and Brett if I can time it right!). I am really intrigued by the temples in Japan, and I think I could get lost for a day inside each one.

    Like

  6. Hello 🙂 I found your blog by hopping over from Rachel’s blog “Living Better One Day at a Time” and I enjoyed following your adventures by checking in every so often. I began following you on Instagram after reading some of your blog posts – it’s easier to get on Instagram than it is to always be at the computer. 🙂 We are taking our son on a trip to Ireland this summer as a graduation from college ‘reward’ and then taking our youngest daughter next summer for her own graduation trip – interestingly enough she is considering Tokyo, Japan and following your spring adventures has definitely shown me that I am going to need a tour guide if that is the destination she sticks with! Thank you for the opportunity to win the beautiful obi!

    Like

  7. For my second chance entry I would love to win this beautiful obi and have it framed to hang horizontally over my bed in my bedroom – the colors are perfect for what I currently have for wall colors and I find the print so very soothing!

    Like

  8. It would make a beautiful runner for my fireplace mantel. The sea and mountains is what I would love to see.

    Like

  11. That is a beautiful piece of fabric. I would love to win! Thank you.

    Like

  12. I would wear it! I am taking a obi/kimono class with my mom to learn how to tie obi.

    Like

  13. I would use it as a table runner. While the suggestions are wonderful, I would hate to cut the material to make pillows or purses. I love the idea of the wedding dress sash. Such a unique gift.

    Like

  14. I looked at yesterday’s comments and I have one with my name and one with my blog name? I really need to either figure out WordPress for good or move to another platform. I’ve been itching to blog!

    Of course I’ve been a subscriber for a few years – I think since somewhere in 2015? I found your blog when I Googled “moving to Hawaii”. Actually, it may have been even earlier than that because I think you were still in Oregon? Hmmm . . . now I’m curious! Then I reached out to you when I was planning a trip to Kauai, and the rest, as they say, is history!

    Like

  15. Love the red and green one as wall decor! People are so creative. I’m not. Do any gift of material would be wasted on me. So I’m commenting but not entering.

    Like

    1. I’m right there with you – my skills extend as far as draping it over a chest or using as a table runner. If I lived in Japan though I would attempt the wall decor although no guarantees how it would turn out.

      Like

  16. I have been reading your blog since you were paying off debt when you lived in Portland, kept reading when you moved to Hawaii and now have followed you around the world. Thank you for sharing your journey and shown me parts of the world I will never see – fascinating! Looking forward to your England trip this fall too! If I ever went to Japan I would like to see the Kimono Museum and the ravine park.

    Like

  17. If I were to win I would either have it framed or like the picture of the red and green one hang it on the wall

    Like

  18. Thinking about visiting Japan again this morning, I would love to visit the area you went to with your son and daughter-in-law near I believe Mt. Fuji? I’m going to have to go look for the post, but that seemed like such a different thing to do!

    Like

  19. My friend gifted me a book: “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.” Have you read it? Given how much you already know about Japanese culture, it might be repetitive for you, but I’m enjoying it. It was my bathtub read this weekend. 🙂

    Like

    1. I first went when I was 18, on an overseas study trip and knowing NOTHING about Japan. I came home completely fascinated and in love with the country.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Can’t resist another chance to enter. Happy Monday! Thinking of all those who gave their lives for our freedom. 🇺🇸

    Liked by 1 person

  22. My friends think I’m crazy with all the travel I do. But it really is important to me to see as much of the world as I can while I’m able to do it. And with the advent of AirBnB, the experience is much more personal. Living in a neighborhood – even for just one day – give you such a better sense of a place! I’ll definitely being using your Japan blog posts for planning.

    Like

  23. You and Brett inspired me to try AirBnB and then convince my DH to try it. It’s become our go-to now. I’m about to visit my mom and her hubby who just moved into an independent living apartment last month, so I’ll be trying out an AirBnB near her this weekend. They’re in a city on Lake Superior, so hotels are ridiculously expensive. AirBnB for the win!

    Like

  24. This is beautiful! We’re actually planning a trip to Japan right now, to see the Olympics (among other things, of course). You’ve given me so many great travel ideas!

    Like

    1. The Olympics! It was on our bucket list, any event, but we decided after our time there that we’d rather not face the crowds. What we believe will be one of the baseball practice stadiums is being built near our son’s home – he said he hopes the crowds stay away, and wants nothing to do with the Olympics. Oh well.

      Let me know if you have questions! A friend of mine just spent two weeks there and I learned all sorts of things from her trip – she did a few of the same things we did but lots of other interesting things as well (she was born and raised in Yokohama though).

      Like

      1. As we get closer, I just might have some questions for you! I planned a fair amount of the few days my sister and I recently spent in Florence based on some of the information you shared here, and I’m so glad I did! I have to admit that I’m not terribly excited about the crowds and the extra cost that will come with the Olympics, but my husband has a dream of seeing the Olympics somewhere, and I’m certainly not going to turn down a chance to see Japan, crowds or no!

        Like

    1. Yes, he’s gone to a few games, but prefers American baseball (he’s a long-time Baltimore Orioles fan). He thinks it’s going to be nuts in Tokyo during the Olympics and wants no part of it (plus it’s going to be HOT & HUMID then).

      Like

  26. Another day, another chance to enter. 🙂 That obi has so many beautiful options for use, but I can’t imagine myself cutting it into anything, so the table runner idea still wins.

    Like

  28. I’m going to Magic Mountain in Valencia today and thinking about Tokyo Disney. Do you recommend going? It would be interesting, especially growing up near the original!

    Like

  29. Good Morning – the more I think about a trip to Japan I am fairly confident that I would need to go with a tour company – but preferably a small local one – what are your thoughts about attempting Japan without one?
    Mindy

    Like

  30. I wish I had a large table to use the obi on, but I’ve downsized to a smaller pub style in my kitchen since it’s just me. But I do have very tall ceilings so a wall hanging will work!

    Like

    1. I remember June in SoCal always being overcast – we’d be out of school and want to go to the beach so badly but the weather was awful. But by mid-July . . .

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Another dreary day here in San Diego but Portland is looking beautiful! I can’t remember if you’ve ever told us how hot it gets in Japan in the summer? I remember it being very cold when you were there!

    Like

  33. Wow! The obI takes my breath away! I would hang it in my art studio to inspire me in new creative endeavors.

    Like

    1. Hi! (Not sure I’m doing this correctly.) Yes, I’ve been following your adventures for quite a while. Found your comments on life in Hawaii interesting and your travel adventures inspiring. Hope to make it to England soon too.

      Like

      1. Hawaii was wonderful – it seems like a dream now though. Did we really get to live there for four years? We’ve enjoyed all our travels though, and we’re also enjoying our nomadic lifestyle. I’m very excited about our upcoming visit to England – I have wanted to go for as long as I can remember because ALL of my ancestry, from both sides, is English or Scottish.

        Like

  34. Good Morning 🙂 I have enjoyed seeing you settle into your new spot for the last few weeks. I thought I would enter your drawing for the obi again by commenting that if I weren’t going to display it in my bedroom that it would be fun to gift to a friend of mine who works with textiles, mostly reclaimed, and makes clothing that becomes works of art, functional and fun. She is coming to RI from Colorado this summer to take a couple classes at the Rhode Island School of Design.
    Thank you again for the chance to win such a beautiful piece.
    Mindy

    Like

  35. Hi, Thinking of you; I hope all went ok today. I would love to go to Kyoto. My husband was there many years ago, but I still remember his wonderful photos. Please enter me in the obi contest if you can. Take care.

    Like

    1. It went better than I expected at the dentist – still wasn’t fun though.

      Kyoto is one of the most beautiful and interesting places I have ever visited – it’s genuinely old city because it wasn’t bombed in WWII. All the old stuff there is original.

      Like

  36. Hope your dental work went well! I’m recovering from a weekend of 1100 miles of driving, helping my mom hang art and curtains in her new independent living place, planting flowers at the cemeteries with her, and seeing family. Fun but exhausting. Can’t wait to see who wins the obi!

    Like

    1. All went well yesterday – now a two-week wait and then I go back for another procedure. I can’t wait to see who wins tomorrow as well!

      Like

  37. I too am a long time follower from when you lived in Portland and were getting out of debt. How far you have come. I love the obi and have a great love of textiles.

    Like

  38. Hoping the first part of your dental adventure went well. I’m impressed you took public transportation – at least afterward! Were you worried about dental and medical issues while on the road?

    Like

    1. It all went well yesterday. I was a little worried about riding public transportation, but I had no issues (except for the woman behind me who talked to herself the whole time – she was a bit frightening!).

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Good afternoon, Laura! Hope you’re feeling better today. Just read your post on patterns, which I loved. My husband and I are a big fan of tiles, with their patterns. I may decide to paint some of yours. Please enter me in the obI contest. Thank You!

    Like

    1. The tiles in Lisbon were nothing short of amazing. We spent one afternoon in the oldest ceramic and tile store in Portugal – absolutely fascinating.

      Like

  41. One last entry for this beautiful piece – thank you for sharing your travels with all of us in so many ways!

    Like

  43. Laura, Thanks for this opportunity to enter one last time! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and all of the comments.

    Like

Comments are closed.