Japan has some of the most exquisite porcelain in the world, the most sensitive and tiny electronics, and the most delicate glassware…and it’s also a nation with so many earthquakes, it’s like living with the proverbial bull in a china shop. Just to give you some perspective…in Japan, you have to pretty much nail everything down. You buy expandable rods that attach between the ceiling and any large, heavy appliance (like your refrigerator or a cabinet) to keep it from falling on you in a tremor. You screw in brackets connecting bookshelves to the wall. Likewise, there are industrial-strength “sticky mats” that cement your TV to the TV stand, or your computer to the table, because in a big earthquake, these heavy things get shaken around your house like bingo balls.

That’s a nice thing about living in New York…you can invest in fragile things without worrying too much about Mother Nature. Alas, I have two boys under the age of 5 (and therefore more destructive than any earthquake), but one practical indulgence I allow myself is the porcelain from Noritake Co., Inc. Known for their artistry and craftsmanship, Noritake incorporates classic design with innovations in technical ceramic research and manufacturing. Their new line, Noritake Everyday Elegance, features designs that can be dressed up or down, its patterns and colors intermixed depending on the event or your mood. For example, their Twilight Meadow pattern incorporates subdued colors and silhouettes that are serene and elegant and appropriate for any occasion. As sturdy as they are beautiful, they are dishwasher and microwave safe, to ensure decades of enjoyment…a luxury that we take for granted in a city where the microwave isn’t nailed to the wall.