Here’s a cute little haul from A “N” BC and Daiso: A Barbapapa schedule book and Barbapapa fruit candy.
A French cartoon, Barbapapa revolves around the lives of several shape-shifting blobs. I remember watching the short episodes on TV when I was a little girl and being fascinated by their whimsical nature. Barbe à papa is French for candy floss; more specifically, it means ‘grandpa’s beard’. ;) Produced by Sun-Star, a Japanese stationery company, this adorable diary features these colourful creatures in different forms of confectionery and tea-time vessels.
I always look forward to September because it is the time Japanese stationery companies like Sun-Star, Kamio, Crux and San-X roll out their beautiful and often-charming pocket diaries (they call them schedule books). I have been buying these for the past few years and have quite a collection. My current one for 2010 is from San-X, featuring Palette’s Sweet Street. I love their ease of use, as well as how they’ve aided me in recording important information and planning my work assignments.
As a complement to the diary and because they are super yummy, I purchased these fruit candies from Daiso. Both packs contain the same flavours: strawberry cream, melon cream and mango cream. These hard candies aren’t very creamy – they are fruitier than they are milky – but I’m fine with this. I particularly like the melon one which has a bit of fizz in it!
Hello,
I have been subscribed to your blog for a few months now, but this is my first time commenting.
I am from Melbourne Australia & I come to Singapore a least once a year. One of my favourite stores in Singapore is A “N” BC – which is in Raffles Plaza yeah? I love Japanese/Asian stationery times. I also look forwarded to the release of the Japanese brands schedule books each year!
The schedule book I am also using for this year is the San-X Sweet Palette’s Street – it’s so cute!
Love your blog! :-)
Hi Amy,
Thank you! :)
Yes, there’s an A “N” BC at the basement of Raffles City. There’s also another store on the fourth level of Ngee Ann City, carrying more refined Japanese stationery and paper goods. Palette’s Sweet Street is one of the prettiest Japanese stationery themes I’ve seen in a while! :)
OMG nostalgia! they’re still screening this cartoon in France when i was vacationing in June. i see that the japanese has gotten hold of another piece of history to popularise.
Hi Suzieduck,
So retro, right?! I like how you described the Japanese talent for reinventing characters that stir nostalgic feelings. On that note, Sun-Star also produces Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake schedule books. ;)
Woo :) I love these shape-shifting blobs. I watched them on telly when i was a kid too!
The strange thing is, none of my friends remember these characters that turns into slides and swings and practically anything under the sun :)
Hi Hazel!
They are quite memorable! Cartoons of the past always make me smile. :)
would you please tell me where you bought this Barbapapa 2011 schedule? I really want to buy one. I just searched the Barbapapa schedule diary and found your blog. Can you tell me where you bought it?
I really like Barbapapa.
thank you very much!!
Hi Jessie,
I bought mine from Kinokuniya. Do try A ‘N’ BC at Raffles City B1, Bugis Junction and Takashimaya B1 – you might be able to find this schedule book there still…and on offer! :)