Kimono buttons.

I saw them tucked into dried seed pods in a Kyoto boutique window display — sweet, tiny, muted-color fabric balls that caught my attention as I walked by, especially since I had the same seed pods at home. I popped into the shop and found a whole bin of them. I had so much fun picking through, choosing my favorite hues and patterns. I bought a batch, then went back for more. Now I wish I'd bought even more.

This is exactly when your creativity kicks in. These little Japanese treasures — which I learned were actually kimono buttons — are darling on their own, but I can already think of so many ways to use them: a gift topper, a petite garland, a few strung together as a keychain. For now, they're living in a seed pod in my front entryway, a small daily reminder that creativity is all around us. One of my favorite finds from our trip to Japan.