Bento lunch - cuteness overload

Hello! Today I am guest-posting at the incredibly gorgeous A Beach Cottage with a very popular recipe.  *dies*

I can't tell you how much Sarah makes me want to live in a whitewashed cottage by the beach, when that's so totally not my style! Mine is all wood panelling and brocade and brass candelabras and libraries that smell like cigars. But considering I actually live by the beach, and everything's gorgeous and sunny all the time, her casual, clean, relaxed style pokes its head into my consciousness...

You should totally go over and say hi, especially if you've never been (which is impossible, I'm sure everyone has!) and I defy you not to get lost in the daydreamy haze of salty air and coastal vintage beach love.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, let's play fun lunch.

How adorable is bento! I think it's incredibly gorgeous and fun to eat. And cuts down on lunch wrappings, which is a fabulous bonus. I cannot wait until I can start cutting shapes out of seaweed and pressing eggs into bunny shapes for Abby. I will probably only stick to two children, because making elaborate bentos can be quite time-consuming! But they don't have to be.

Case in point:

This bento was for me at work. I had others that held my morning and afternoon tea, but put all my lunch bits into this one. Top layer was a little lettuce, tomato and parmesan, and grapes in the divider. Some red wine vinegar in the star and a pink chocolate heart for dessert.

Bottom layer was a quick fried rice. I sauteed onion, peas, carrot and corn with Gourmet Garden Garlic, ginger, and chilli. I added some well-cooked brown rice, chopped marinated tofu and a little soy sauce.

And bundled it all up together. Isn't this the cutest? I got it at Kiddyland in Harajuku. SO much bento stuff made its way into my luggage on the way home from Japan. I'm just pleased I get a chance to use it!

Do you think lunchboxes should be cute? Do you avoid buying them because you know they will get lost? I know I'm mental for spending so much money on lunchboxes, but this one is for me and surely I won't lose it. Do you think lunch should be fun?