Fashion Fun Tapiola! Zara Jeans, Dior Twill & Chanel 2020 Spring Cardigan Encounter All Saints at Sandro Tapiola

Easter Holiday during the Lockdown 

The global lockdown leads to the tremendous impact onto the life styles of homo sapien. Perhaps it is nevertheless the best of times, when our creativities reflect the worst of times. Sharing more thoughts with the loved ones, spending tons of time on cooking, meditating, reading, writing and walking; even the official restriction operated since March 28^th, April in Helsinki is still the spring of hope, it never is the winter of despair.

Strolling around Tapiola is always the easiest activity on the weekend. The name Tapiola is derived from Tapio, who is the forest god of Finnish mythology in Kalevala. Being as Espoo cultural centre, this garden city was largely constructed between 1950s and 1960s, and since 2010s Tapiola has been under the transformation of high-rise residential buildings and shopping malls. Sandro Tapiola serves buffet lunch and a la carte in the evenings inspired by the rich flavors of North African and Middle Eastern cuisines, during the restriction period, the restaurant provides takeaway option, the outdoor space still a perfect spot to linger around, and strike a pose. 

The outfits on the weekend in Tapiola are Chanel 2020 Spring cardigan in navy blue, with 54% wool & 46% cotton fine fabric, the most delicate design is that the buttons carved with a head of lion—the DNA of Coco Chanel apparels; Sandro Paris is always one of my favourite RTW brand, this complete black full-length 95% wool and 5% cashmere long coat catches my last-minute interest at La Roca Village in Barcelona, 2017. The 100% polyester belt would shape the figure if needed, leaves the style either Parisian chic or Nordic minimalistic. 

The buffalo leather jacket from All Saints is my new bargain during Chinese New Year holidays at Gloria Outlets in Taiwan. I adore the intaglio technics on the silver zippers of All Saints leather wears. With shoulder pads and wide sleeves design, Hadi Biker allows a rather thicker cardigan or sweaters to mix and match, even in the slightly chilly April days, long wool coat is no need to serve anymore. 

Zara mid-waist ribbed jeans in 95% cotton, 3% polyester plus 2% elastane is extremely warm and comfortable, while its coal grey colour balances my rather dark tone of the outfits; since the mid-waist jeans is yet wide when wearing, Dior Mitzah ABCDior U grey silk twill is perfect for as belt in Bohemian style. 

I adore the symbolism meanings behind the A to Z of Dior silk twill in twenty-six alphabets, which, the historic expressions and images on each 6 x 100 cm silk piece display as a surrealistic guessing game. Illuminated by Pleine Lune, those art pieces exhibit in Monsieur Christian Dior’s gallery, have particularly inspired the Creative Director, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s idea to create A to Z twill collection. My purchase in Dior Vienna of silk twill in U letter, represents ‘Univers’. The illustration is depicting that the goddess Astrée (Astraea) lingering among the cosmos in the universe; she the last of the immortals to live with humans in Greek mythology. With a touch of light grey and bright orange colour hues, my U silk twill gives casual style more of an effortless look of the day. 

As for accessories, no doubt that Chanel Camellia WOC (wallet on chain) is Chanel’s biggest secret weapon since it is feminine and fabulous, the 12.3 x 19.2 x 3.5 cm size is spacious for my IPhone, keys and a cardholder while taking a walk in Tapiola. Miu Miu lambskin espadrilles and Chloé ivory white acetate sunglasses are my all time essentials at outdoors. Last but not the least, Vivienne Westwood 100% wool fringe scarf keeps me warm when approaching the sea shore of Baltic. 

Special Thanks: JH

SANDRO  TAPIOLA

DIOR

Tea Time Easter! Maxim’s & Matcha of Miho Matsubara Served with Muji Mini Mugs

Spring has silently arrived with the sign of slight decline of seashore ice. While Finland may face the second curfew in upcoming March, due to the daily raising numbers of pandemic, with the possible further business restriction upon public pubs, pastry shops and restaurants, it would’ve been a less risky idea to enjoy afternoon tea time at home sweet home. Based on Japanese tea specialist Yamada Utako’s advices, collecting porcelain tea sets to enrich matcha experiences is yet another amusing way to know the connoisseur culture of Japan. 

MUJI white dishware collection, made by high quality Amakusa porcelain天草陶磁器, is always my top choices to shop for Zen-theme decoration. Located along the coastline of Yatsushiro Sea八代海, Amakusa islands produce certain amount of coal and pottery stone, both being used by the potters of Hirado ware and Satsuma ware. Many kilns remain on the islands today, and pottery stone and porcelain productions are internationally exported. Muji brought out its own line of Hakuji home ware, which is produced out of ground translucent Amakusa stones kneaded into clay, smooth touch and less weighted, its surface reflects a vague glimpse of pale blue under the sunlight. I make MUJI mini saucer cups as macha tea mugs and the square bowls to place Hokkaido apple biscuits, the porcelain caps are the best to display the rose buds; the tea pot with rather convenient handle was the bargain deal at MUJI Helsinki seasonal sale. 

MUJI also collaborates with South Asian craftsmanship, such as bamboo coaster and beech mini spoon are handmade in Indonesia, and natural acacia wood bowl is from the Philippines. Those finely manufactured table wares are always fun to handpick them, since the finished sizes and colour tones are slightly various, so there is no doubt that hand wash is highly recommended.

 

Together with MUJI porcelain shall be served with Matcha of Miho Matsubara! Traditionally consumed in East Asia, matcha is finely ground powder of specially processed green tea leaves, which the plants are shade-grown for three to four weeks before harvest; their stems and veins are removed during processing. During the Tang dynasty (A.D 618–907), tealeaves in China were steamed and formed into tea bricks for storage and trade. In the Song dynasty (A.D 960–1279), the method of making powdered tea from steam-prepared dried tea leaves and preparing the beverage by whipping the tea powder, infused with hot water together in a bowl, became popular, which, is very much similar to our modern way to enjoy matcha tea. Shizuoka matcha from Miho Matsubara is considered premium grade, which contains young tealeaves from the top of the tea plant. It is characterized by a fresh, smooth, subtle flavor, usually perfect for the daily consumption. University of Shizuoka, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences has announced that matcha tea contains Theanine, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, these antioxidant are able to mildly prevent cancer, chronicle diseases, skin aging, aid in weight loss and stress reducing. 

Afternoon tea time today I prefer thin matcha (薄茶) due to the macarons of dark chocolate from More Tea, raspberry & blueberry from Maxim’s are rather sweet and rich, so I prepare about 2-4g of matcha, placed into a wool bowl, grind the powder with a bamboo whisk, chasen (茶筅), and add about 60–80 ml of hot water. 

 

The basic equipment required to make matcha tea are as following, together with MUJI Amakusa white porcelain collection, surely it adds more fun to learn the Dao of matcha tea: 

1. Tea bowl (茶碗chawan)

Large enough to whisk the fine powder tea around 

2. Tea whisk (茶筅chasen)

A bamboo whisk with fine bristles to whisk or whip the tea foam, my tea whisk is a gift from Kumamoto, a 72-whisks called Kazuho (數穂), which is able to make rather less rich match tea

3. Tea spoon (茶杓chashaku/tea scoop)

A bamboo spoon to measure the powder tea into the tea bowl

4. Tea caddy (棗 natsume)

A container for the matcha powder tea

5. Tea cloth (茶巾 chakin)

A small cotton cloth for cleaning tea ware

1. Hold the tea whisk by thumb with forefinger and middle finger lightly. Use the tea whisk to whisk the bottom of the tea bowl so that the matcha powder can be well mixed with the water. Gradually increase the speed of whisking by drawing a “W” to make the matcha powder blend perfectly thoroughly in the water. 

2. Maintain the same speed until there is abundant foam on the surface and pull the tea whisk gently out of the bowl then your matcha is ready.

Beauty Boom! Diormania Edition! Christian Dior Forever Perfect Cushion

Q&A in Helsinki

Tell us about your mania onto Christian Dior Forever Perfect Cushion.

Since 2016, Maria Grazia Chiuri leads Dior as women’s Artistic Director, the collections of its ready-to-wear, accessories and beauty products reach up yet a more of lust worthy peak. In January 2020, the release campaign of Dior Forever Couture Perfect Cushion -Diormania Edition, which is decked out in the iconic Dior Oblique motif in navy and ivory canvas material, performs as the perfect essential together with Dior Book Tote. Made in Korea, the Diormania Edition is still as slim as the regular offerings, and its refillable design is possible for a new cushion replaced with this collectible case. Therefore, I kindly but slightly eagerly requested my makeup artist friend who works at Taipei Dior Backstage for the reservation in December 2019. Unfortunately, the limited stock has been sold out in January, luckily, during Chinese New Year holidays, the restock was available and Diormanina cushion has been one of my favourite daily necessities.

How do you apply the skin cares before the completion of Dior Forever Perfect Cushion?

Dior Perfect Cushion offers 24 hours of long-wear perfection and skin-caring hydration, that its comfort, freshness and a luminous-matte finish will last the entire day without the worries under the humid environment. After face washing by using KANEBO SUISAI beauty clear powder, I usually quickly spray CAUDALIE grape water to smooth my skin, then apply NAMERAKA soybean rich gel (豆乳発酵液) mixing with 0,5g of SPF25 (PA+++) soybean makeup foundation. After a slim layer of GIORGIO ARMANI SPF12 face fabric, Dior Perfect Cushion 1N Neutral is the last step before outing. 

✔Dior Flash Luminizer is inspired by the lighting techniques used by Backstage makeup artists, with a single or double clicks, the booster pen not only can sculpt facial contours, highlight and correct signs of fatigues, brighten the eyes but also enhance the complexion. Color 002 is recommended by my professional makeup artist friends at Taipei Dior Backstage, definitely will become my next travel must-have. 

✔The tattoo effect tinted brow ink by Dior for instantly full and lastingly shaped brows, its formula enriched with high-intensity pigments tints the skin in a single sweep for a weightless finish. Loaded with waterproof polymers, the formula delivers a flawless daily finish that won’t budge. As well introduced by Dior Backstage makeup artist friend, color 002 only takes two steps for my natural effect:

1. Outline the brows with precision while respecting their structure

2. Fill Dior brow ink in any sparse areas

✔Since 1963, the iconic Dior Crème Abricot renowned for its nourishing and moisturizing properties, the highly rich formula fortifies nails and improves resistance with visible results in just one month. The ivory acetate case carving CD font is both holding vintage and cute looks.

✔Diorshow Liquid Mono, Dior’s first long-wear eyeliner/eye shadow, with non- transferred or non-smudge fluid texture. My choice #060 silver flakes is saturated with pearlescent pigments and offers buildable intensity to suit my party night desires. This limited edition is a 50% off bargain at Stockmann spring sale, the packaging design of navy varnish tap with transparent bottle with DIOR font is highly futuristic, I treat it as my ultimate eyeliner with its double-ended applicator. 

✔Enriched with organic silicon, Dior Vernis #891 Dior Celestial strengthens the nail surface for optimal hold, while the techno-polymer creates a seamless bond between the lacquer and the nail. A mini gift from my makeup artist friend, the shining grape hue from #891 resins with a techno-polymer transform each coat of lacquer into a film as smooth and shiny.

Special Thanks: Soniya & Dior Backstage Taipei