Fashion Fun Tallinn! Louis Vuitton Les Bijoux, Le Blouse & le Cardigan avec Malletage Slippers at Tallinn Old Town

21 June 2025 

Tallinn Old Town

Tere hommikust! The raining June still offers the best moment to embark a day trip to celebrate the Juhannus! Booking a daily round trip tickets at ECKERÖ LINE, at 09:00 from Helsinki West Terminal departure and at 11:15 Tallinn arrival, we Taiwanese gang would very much like to discover the never-been-before passages in our favourite medieval town. 

The outfits of the day in Tallinn old town walking tour are LOUIS VUITTON 100% brass studded earrings and capital V necklace, together with Louis Vuitton 100% polyester navy blue former uniform blouse and wrapped around my shoulders with this soft-touch 100% cashmere cardigan with golden brass buttons, plus the 100% malletage patent lambskin slippers to make the symmetrical matching. 

Malletage was originally a hidden detail in the now-iconic LOUIS VUITTON trunks, functioning as padding, With the GO-14 reintroduced by the Artist Director Nicolas Ghesquière in October 2014, this invisible luxury becomes a defining feature. This pair of patent lambskin slippers rendered in bouncy, padded metal plates aligning the gaps in diagonal directions, which the pattern also features a graphic signature of malletage, with a LV abbreviation engraved at the corner of the malletage metal piece, showing the detailed sophistication yet a more subtle totem of Louis Vuitton. 
 
As for the jeans, ZARA Mom’s Fit has been always my essential while travelling on the road. They are easygoing still holding the strong fibers for the outdoor activities. For the accessories, originally a CHANEL silk hairband in off-white with has its black CC logos, now styled as a waist twilly to enhance the rather blueish outfits tone; last but not the least, le sac de Silver Seaside Villa from CHANEL 2019 Cruise collection is one of my best collection to mix and match at the diverse events.  

We dodge the summer rains and scout around the old town to discover the fresh spots for the fashion fun photography. Only right after the SANDRO boutique checking, the building of co-sharing space WORKLAND pops up in our visions, the navy blue iron gate, the lime green paints and the bleak black window bars, mix and match perfectly with outfits of the day. 

TOP TIP 1 Mix and match the High End and High Street outfits to have a more of dynamic vibe

TOP TIP 2 Blueish outfits are perfect to mix with baby pink or off-white colour hues of accessories

 
Special Thanks: Wendy

Further Reading -> http://www.mindyyuan.com/2021/05/accessories-accede-whats-in-my-

chanel.html

Fashion Fun Aalto! Vivienne Westwood Beloved Bijoux & Chic Corset & Hollow Hosiery & Silk Skirt at Promovendi 2025 Aalto University

Black Friday 2025 at Aalto University 

It’s Black Friday, it’s almost midsummer, yet it is Promovendi 2025 School of Design and Architecture at Aalto University. 

To be invited as closed member to attend the ceremony and after-party at Aalto University on June 13, 2025, is truly my great honour. I completely comprehend that the final achievement, simply a piece of paper, constantly requires timeless craftsmanship and experimental spirits to reach the title since I have been through countless dark nights to finish the very page turn, from the methodology introduction to the works of references. 

The Dress code of the ceremonial conferment for invited guest female shall be black gown with length free, preferred high necked, long sleeves, black shoes without headwear nor prominent jewellery. The whole black outfit is never an impossible task for me, while for this special formal occasion, my lust craving for Vivienne Westwood dress has been lingering in my mind since I was informed the code in April. Unfortunately the summer sale hasn’t kicked off yet, the mix-and- match styling ideas has been haunting me as if I immerse in a continued Black Sabbath. 

Inspired by Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne, the outfit of Black Friday on Promovendi 2025 consisting of Vivienne Westwood pink orb earrings, that feature a classic two-dimensional orb, a signature motif of the house, elegantly outlined with shimmering colored crystals, effortlessly merging tradition with the future, and finished in polished gold-tone plating. 
 
In order to match with the golden tone bijoux, VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ANGLOMANIA corset, made in Italy with 76% cotton, 15% viscose and 9% polyester fabric, features delicate drapery at the neckline and shoulders, falling into a structured boned bodice, fastening with black-coloured carved Vivienne Westwood in gothic font buttons. Moreover, the ANGLOMAINA corset equips with wrinkled touch of drapes to wrap around either at waist or tie a knot at the back, to create an elegant still highly Rock ‘n’ Roll touch. 
 
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 100% silk wrap-around skirt lends the piece a sense of faded nostalgia, complete with three buttons carved VIVIENNE WESTWOOD font in a high-rise waistband, the style elegantly flows into an asymmetric pencil silhouette, accented by a side split detail, which, can be either worn at any direction, for the delicate design of orb logo hosiery in black, I decide to slightly display the right ankle at Promovendi. Yves Saint Laurent 100% silk kimono with golden threads is the great bargain found at vintage shop in Helsinki. According to the design of the label, this 1970s glimmering robe can be worn with mini or ankle-length skirt, ribbed or casual jeans, or even the solo style. 
 
CARVEN 100% black suede high heels with 100% pink lambskin innersole have been my perfect match at any formal occasion since 2017. My favourite part of this pair aiming the suede bowties, that cutely highlight the whole asymmetric hemline of Vivienne Westwood silk skirt, balance the styles into more of chic and cool fusion. 

 

As for le sac at Promovendi 2025, Louis Vuitton LOCKIT I rarely carry it on the road, since this AW 2011-12 collection designed by then Artistic Director Marc Jacobs always holds a special occasion exclusively. Explored the mysterious allure of ‘objet du désir, the padlock of the LOCKIT design, was originally created in 1958 and revisited in a myriad guise.
 
LOCKIT BB collection plays on the juxtaposition of matte and shine in patent lambskin, contrasting its shiny finish with Monogram embroidery in polyester bouclette, with the silver tone padlock and keys, looks deceptively demure but yet really metal rock style. 
 
The whole ceremony takes approximately 2 hours and a half, an hour faster than we expected. The after party is filled with exciting laughter, champagne glasses and fresh strawberries, we proceed our fun photo shooting at Aalto Sali, the information centre till the Baltic seashore. 

As being a proud guest slash AP slash academic researcher, herewith I announce you ladies Master of Arts. 
 
Special Thanks: Ning, Wendy & Matteo 

Cuisine Crush Tampere! Beer Taste & Sausage Lunch at Brewery Restaurant Plevna

June 2025 Tampere Finland

Itäinenkatu 8, 33210 Tampere 
+358 3 260 1200

Morjens! Tampere! Located in Finnish Lakeland, Tampere is wedged between Lake Näsijärvi and Lake Pyhäjärvi, the earliest known permanent settlements around Tampere Rapid, Tammerkoski, were established in the 7th century. In 1775 by Gustav III of Sweden, Tampere was granted full town rights, founded on the lands of the Tammerkoski manor, while its inhabitants, besides being farmers, began to rely on trading and craftmanship earning a living. 

 

In the 19th century, Tampere grew into an important market town, the industrialisation of Tampere was greatly influenced by the FINLAYSON textile factory, founded by the Scottish industrialist James Finlayson in 1820. At the turn of the 1990s, Tampere's industry was heavily focused on bilateral trade with the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, the industrial town went bankruptcy. In the early 2000, a huge amount of vacant industrial space in the city centre, gradually put to art galleries, innovation labs or even more alluring, the brewery restaurants. The historical interior design of PLEVNA blended with red bricks and exposed wooden beams are among of them. 

 

Invited by the PLEVNA for the beer taste and lunch tryout, the 2 hour and half commuter train trip from Helsinki Central Railway Station merely is a piece of cake. Introduced firstly brief history between Tampere and Plevna, the Germanic area exclusively for OKTOBERFEST standouts a touch of Middle Age: frankly frugal and simply sincere. 
 
Beer Tasting allows us to select 5 various flavours out of 20, in cute 0,2 liter mini glass placing on the wooden board. Medium-dry apple cider beer contains 4,5% alcohol, made in the PLEVNA premises, perfect for the appetizer drink; Honey Sima is 5% alcohol with PLEVNA mead. A traditional fermented alcoholic beverage, made of honey, brown sugar and fructose, lemon and hops, which impart a nice aftertaste. The Medium dry, sugar content is 50 g /litre suitable to match with rather Dark, slightly sweet, Czech-style lager, Tumma, in 5,6% alcohol by producing with fine hops to brew this reddish lager of rich aroma, and quality malt imparts the delicate softness and roundness of taste. 
 
In order to release the Medium-Dry taste, Traditional lager beer TÄHTI III from Tampere, its 4,7 % alcohol contains a touch of Corona Sol while the recipe is from the 1930s. And the golden German-style beer PILS in 4,7 % alcohol contains the slight malt taste, definitely suit rather salty sausage and every occasion.
 
PLEVNA Á la Carte SAUSAGE PAN presents Thüringerwurst, bratwurst and Kraków sausage served with sour cream sauerkraut, tomato, pickled cucumber and creamy smoked bacon potatoes. Thüringerwurst produced only finely minced pork, beef, or sometimes veal, which come the upper part from around the shoulder blades, in addition to salt and pepper, caraway, marjoram, and garlic are used. Bratwurst is mainly made with pork, in comparison with the smoked Kraków sausage, which is made from cuts of lean pork seasoned with pepper, allspice, coriander and garlic, is rather greasy and fatty. The wurst basket lunch team up with the sweet, light and fresh beer selection, surely make our day pleasant and pleased. 

Special Thanks: PLEVNA & ROSANA 

Magazine Madness Gentlewoman: Greta Lee’s Past Lives & Late Fame

Issue No°31 SS 2025

It’s an absolutely feminine power of British independent cultural magazine the gentlewoman to present the Asian actress / playwright Greta Lee on the cover front. 

Born in La Cañada Flintridge, California, Greta Lee’s character, a happily married South Korean émigré in New York when her childhood love comes to town in Celine Song’s Oscar-nominated Past Lives, which flips everything around her. 

 

Without eyebrows aside, this morning with the Gentlewoman journalist Chris Heath, Greta Lee sweeps into an upscale New York brasserie, is in discreet breakfast-casual cool – a loosely buttoned shirt she bought in Paris and some lightly oil-stained men’s Carhartt trousers.

Greta Lee is the child of South Korean immigrants who reside in the US back to the1970s. Her paternal grandfather, Yang Ki Lee, unable to fight in the Korean War because of a polio-damaged leg, was given the job of painting movie billboards on American army bases, Grandpa Lee came to know and love the cinematic icon Greta Garbo, and that was where the granddaughter’s name came from. 

Under the Gentlewoman Photographer ZOË GHERTHER’s lens, the LOEWE Global Ambassador wears a white feather long-sleeved top, a black nappa leather jacket and chocolate leather trousers, or even contemplates an orange viscose top, the new collection grants Greta Lee the chance in a deeper, more naturalistic way, as her remarkable performance, the quietly wrenching, slow-burn yet exquisitely elegant tale. 

During the years when her acting career felt stymied, there were plenty of reasons for Greta’s late fame. Not only did the roles available to Asian actors or actresses seem circumscribed in particular ways, but in a cruel double bind, Greta often found herself a poor fit for the desired stereotypes. 

 

Early in the epidemic, Greta was even screamed by a female during the long haul flight, only because she was the only Asian nearby at the aisle seat. It heightened her scrutiny of the role selection, because “some of the supporting roles that are underwritten and sometimes even racist.” Greta started saying a BIG NO to a lot of producers. 

Even when Greta’s ethnicity was seen as an asset, it could also be a constraint. While the success of Past Lives offered her a different path forward, all genres of doors are now swinging open for her, as Greta seized the chance to work with Willem Dafoe at Kent Jones’ Late Fame, which, will be premiered at Venice Film Festival this on August 29^th, starred for Calvin Klein underwear campaign, also filmed her first sex scenes, for the forthcoming fourth season of The Morning Show, in a role to act opposite Billy Crudup, or flew to Vancouver to complete the scenes in Joachim Rønning’s Tron: Ares. 

While Greta’s new dilemma is, as being an artist, “is so deeply introverted and a little weird,” One conundrum of the successful acting life is the tension between stay calm and carry on. “All of a sudden I’m supposed to be a masterful speech giver and a model”, Even Greta is “not able to say yes to everything” that she wants to do so badly, still, from Past Lives to Late Fame.

As for magazine photography, to contrast the milky white cover of the Gentlewoman Issue No°31 SS 2025, the elegant shape of the miniature bottles from DIOR classic fragrance collection—Miss Dior Rose N’Roses and Blooming Bouquet Eau de Toilette in 5 ml, Capture Totale Super Potent Serum 10ml, Eye serum and eye cream in 5ml—on the right-hand side of the composition. 

 

Dior Prestige Capture Totale La Crème in 15 ml, with its ivory white cap carved with CD logo, is the best color tone as the 2024-25 limited edition. Form the bird view, Miss Dior Rose Hand Cream 20ml is in harmony mood with and Capture Totale Super Potent Serum and Dream Skin Anti-age cream in 7ml tubes with rosy pinkish tinges not only promote the peachy pastel touches of the Great Lee cover shoot, but also instantly become one of my favourite late night beauty regimes.

For the balance purposes, accordingly, on the lefthand corner side of the photography, Privée Gris Dior and Oud Ispahan Eau de Parfum in 7,5ml glass bottles offer their unique blend of roses, oakmosses and warm spicy accords. 

Last but not the least, at the bottom of the magazine, Dior Show KHÔL waterproof eyeliner with a blender at opposite tip is the best to travel-and-go, while for the spring summer touch, a pastel purple of tulip graces the cover girl front page for the pleasure of every page turn. 

Special Thanks: Dior Beauty Helsinki 

The Full Reading of Greta Lee Interview -> https://thegentlewoman.co.uk/library/greta-lee

Further Reading -> 

http://www.mindyyuan.com/2014/03/magazine-madness-vivienne-westwood-is.html

http://www.mindyyuan.com/2017/03/magazine-madness-sofia-coppola-is.html

Accessories Accede: What’s in My Miss Dior Poignard Palette?

Q&A Hanami Helsinki

Tell us about the story of Miss Dior SS22 Limited Edition Poignard Palette. 

The outlook of Miss Dior poignard palette is inspired by the iconic Miss Dior fragrance bottle with legendary houndstooth motif, which embodies the spirit of the House of Dior since 1947.

Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup, Peter Philips, reinterprets the Dior poignard bow on a sophisticated silver case, where holds 3 eye shadows, a shimmering blush, a creamy lip colour and a topcoat lacquer in harmonious shades compose SS22 limited edition.

How do you mix-and-match the Miss Dior makeup Poignard Palette in harmonious shades?

Pastel pink, pale plum and pearly purple compose the warm tints to blend into a progressive scheme or single touch; occasionally I even apply eyeshadows as cheek blush. Rouge Dior lip colour #663 Désire owns the long-wear satin to aid my touch-up at Helsinki Hanami, and Rouge Blush #250 Bal delivers its shimmering powder as well I would reverse its original function into my additional eyeshadow collection.

 ✔Dior Prestige Capture Totale La Crème in 15 ml, with its ivory white cap carved with Dior logo, stands one of my favourite daily essentials.

 
✔Miss Dior Rose N’ Roses and Blooming Bouquet Eau de Toilette in 5 ml with a CD logo cap plus a silver poignard bow and the houndstooth carving at the bottoms, always rank my top travel size collection. Placing the elegant miniatures, the handmade Venetian embroidery coaster is surely the perfect match.
 
✔Miss Dior Rose Hand Cream 20ml and Dior Prestige Capture Totale Eye serum in 5ml are easy to carry around, as well as Miss Dior eau de parfum & toilette 2ml tube, presented in a complimentary package of SS24, a courtesy from DIOR BEAUTY SOGO Taipei. Launched in 2021, Perfumer François Demachy blends the top notes in Iris, peony, Lily-of-the-Valley; with middle notes in rose, apricot, peach; and completes the base notes in vanilla, musk, tonka bean, sandalwood and benzoin. 
 
✔Dior Addict Lip Glow in sheer pink case with Dior relive carving, #000 Universal Clear owns the cool undertone which not only revives the pale lip tint, with formula infused with cherry extract and shea butter, this 3,2g care balm hydrates and reacts with the pH level lips to reveal a custom color for 48 hours.
 
✔Dior Addict Lip Maximizer #001 pink in 2ml cute mini size functions as plumping lip gloss, infused with cherry oil and hyaluronic acid, its formula is composed of 90% natural-origin ingredients.
 
✔Miss Dior SS24 fragrance test card in flower bouquet illustration echoes the SØSTRENE GRENE party confetti. With slight spray of Miss Dior eau de parfum or toilette, these cuties can serve the photography visual deco or the scented bookmarks. 
 
Special Thanks: Ning, Soniya, DIOR Beauty Helsinki & Dior Beauty Sogo Taipei Fuxing Store

Fashion Fun Helsinki Hanami! French Touch Niche Meets Nagoya Nippon Norm

10 May 2025 

Roihuvuori Kirsikkapuisto Helsinki

Happy Hanami Helsinki 2025! Organised annually by Roihuvuori Community and SCANDINAVIA JAPAN SASAKAWA FOUNDATION, while the springtime treats a rather chilly and rainy blossom day at cherry park, still Helsinki Hanami has been the must visit cultural event and May picnic with dear friends.

For the kimono of Helsinki Hanami, KIMONO YUKATA MARKET offers the top great made of 100% Japanese silk in traditional pattern with seasonal bargain. This pastel pinkish with dyed technique in Houmongi訪問着, features a continuous elaborated pattern called “eba moyo” 絵羽模様that flows from the hem to the chest and sleeves, which, was dressed as formal outfit by aristocratic ladies during the Taisho Period（大正時代，1912–1926）。

 

Nagoya Obi 名古屋帯/おび I mix and match the Japanese Obi jime, together with Alexander McQueen 100% silk long scarf as obi-age 帯揚 purchased from Bicester Village boutique in 2018. A touch of a ruby red above the tip of the Nagoya Obi highlights the whole pinkish and purple tone of the kimono couture, finalise the focal point of the outlook.

 

As for accessories, the hairpin twin set from CÉLINE and the freshwater pearl earrings from LUKUN STUDOIS match the silver Nagoya Obi, while my nail polish stays deep mauve tint and limp colour in plum berry. As for beauty, my great courtesy to the complimentary trial eyelashes service provided from BUKA BEAUTY and the hair styled by the Japanese hair stylist at HAIR SALON JEFF, all complete the Nippon Norm couture silhouette.

 

Holding up or carrying on my finger tips or petit hands, MISS DIOR Palette Limited Edition for Spring 2022 is inspired by the iconic style and the elegant femininity of the Miss Dior fragrance, embodies the spirit of the Miss Dior and in houndstooth patterns since 1947. Embed with 3 eye shadows, a shimmering blush, a creamy long-wear lipstick and a top coat lacquer in harmonious shades compose this silver-tone palette.

 

We Taiwanese gang for two today prepare the Japanese potato chips, Japanese traditional sugar-coated crackers, the POCKY sticks in strawberry and almon chocolate, two boxes of green grape, strawberries and sliced oranges and a bag of dried mango and a loaf of Jules Destrooper classic butter waffle. Though May in Helsinki occasionally provides the uncertain cold breezes and slight rains, the triple layers of silk wears constantly keep me genial and graceful, for the lovely photography, under the pinkish and purple blossom cherry trees.

TOP TIP 1: Garnish a touch of rosy red on pastel pinkish and pearly purple outlook to create a highlight colour chromatography 

TOP TIP 2: Triple layers of top great silky wear indeed prevent from the chilly winds during Nordic springtime

 

Special Thanks: Buka Beauty, Hair Salon Jeff, Lukun Studios & Ning 

Magazine Madness Vogue Avril: Vittoria Ceretti est Luxe Mode RNE pour VOGUE FRANCE 2025

VOGUE FRANCE Avril 2025

La star de VOGUE FRANCE AVRIL couverture, la toujours captivante muse Vittoria Ceretti, incarne l’élégance dans sa forme la plus pure. À travers le regard de la photographe américaine Carin Backoff, elle dégage une fraîcheur effortless. Vittoria représente une nouvelle ère de beauté : forte, naturelle et d’un chic sans équivoque.

Vittoria Ceretti incarne notre numéro d'avril 2025, célébrant le future vintage. 

With her jade eyes shaped into perfect almonds, her thick eyebrows worth of a Botticelli stroke, her innate ideal cheekbones, her charcoal-black hair, her effortless elegance, and a smooth body capable of elevating any pose, the Italian muse establishes herself as one of the most iconic models of contemporary fashion. From the classic chic of Chanel to the bold baroque of Dolce & Gabbana, Vittoria Ceretti covers The Big Four since the age of 19— VOGUE USA, VOGUE UK, VOGUE ITALIA and VOGUE FRANCE, in Avril 2025 cover story, the private but privée cover gril reveals her family life, her love interests, and her dream of being a huge whale.  

Under the lens of Photographer CARIN BACKOFF, Vittoria portrait the very sensual touch of SS25: topless plus baby pink hosiery from BALENCIAGA, silk lingerie of CHANEL and CHLOÉ accompanied with a pair of ribbed blue jeans, transparent off-white dress avec FENDI, logo high-waist panty with GUCCI and hallow cut swimsuit at MIU MIU, chatting with journalist Arthur Dreyfus that herself ‘never dress up like a princess.’ 

Signed the contract at the age of 14 with ELITE MODEL, Vittoria is delighted by female designers on the progress movement at fashion industry, such as Phoebe Philo launching her brand, Sarah Burton arriving at Givenchy and Donatella Versace still leading Versace. However, she adores the most her father figure—Monsieur Karl Lagerfeld, while working together for Fendi and Chanel… ‘He was so kind. He held my hand with his leather gloves, looking at the photos… I miss him so much.’ 

Growing up in the neighbourhood of le lac de Garde in Italy, Vittoria cherishes her private life with family, while being asked about her love relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio, Vittoria admits that she loves the film Titanic, meeting the Actor/Producer in Milano, feels nevertheless sensitive with ‘the girlfriend of’ label via social media and reveals no further information. 
 
As a global traveller, Vittoria visits gorillas in Rwanda, lives between Italia and the US, while the fashion runways keep her going on, and this supermodel never stops dreaming to see herself surrounded by greenery, a quiet life, with children and dogs, somewhere sunny.

As for photography, since I am very fond of Vittoria’s premiere walk for CHANEL, in order to echo the appreciation of Vittoria as CHANEL Global Ambassador, I display CHANEL CHANCE collection hand cream Eau Tendre 20ml and eau de parfum 1,5ml for their light pink hues to match the issue of Avril 2025 pastel blue tone. There is no doubt I decorate the cover shoot with CHANEL earrings and CHLOÊ X pendent and triple rings to lighten up the table set. In addition, placing the touch of red of the lip pencil #186 Berry, Le Blanc Base de Teint foundation in Rosée 30ml, Rouge Coco Baume #920 In Love, N°1 DE CHANEL Red Camellia cream and serum in 5ml tubes, with all of those off-white packaging, perfectly suit the Vittoria’s Louis Vuitton hosiery styles on the cover of VOGUE FRANCE 2025. 

Vittoria Ceretti Interview Vogue France Avirl 2025 No.1056
https://www.vogue.fr/article/vittoria-ceretti-mannequin-couverture-numero-avril-2025-vogue-france

Tea Time with Milk Maid! Taiwanese Guava Green Tea, Din Tai Fung Pineapple Pastry, Japanese Royal Milk Tea Team Up with Russian Lomonosov Cobalt Blue

Spring Equinox 2025

The noble and elegant pattern “Cobalt net” from Lomonosov Porcelain Manufactory approximately in 1946, is well-known to Russian households since childhood. Created by the talented painter Anna Yatskevich, the classical pattern Cobalt Net was under the numerous variations to achieve its geometrical perfection and striking rhythm of intersecting blue lines, and completed the set by decorating with the shining golden stars.

My surprising Cobalt Blue collection are from a vintage store in Porvoo old town. The tea sets, coffee cup and saucers interpret their fairy-tale charisma and charming rigor to the snow-white porcelain. In order to contrast the colours and flavours of tea selections from Taiwan and Japan, I adapt KILI BAY Guava Green Tea and 日東紅茶 Royal Milk Tea.

 

As being the premier exporter of guava on Earth, the history of the farming agriculture and crop development of Taiwan can be traced back to the 18^th century. We do not only enjoy the sweets in fresh bites, but also manufacture the guava into fruit tea and dried snacks. The superb nutritional contents of the guava are rich in Vitamin C, fibers and potassium, can ease the symptoms of menstrual cramps, diarrhea, constipation and even the irritable bowel syndrome; its abundant Vitamin C is critical for maintaining immune system to fight bacteria effectively. 

 

The first brew of KILI BAY guava tea requests the boiled water and infuse the tea bag into the teapot roughly one minute, which gives out a rather black tea tone, accompany a taste of earl grey with guava sweeten smell ; while the second brew turns out a rather greenish tea and guava leaves aroma, both are perfectly to match with the chewy and sour pineapple pastry from Din tai Fung. 

 

DIN TAI FUNG Restaurant lists on my at-least-once-must-visit schedule during my Taiwan holidays, and all the time I adore its pineapple pastry and hand carry several packages home as the best souvenir for myself and dear friends. The pineapple was brought over by Portuguese merchants to Taiwan in the 16th century. The invention of this lovely treat originated back to the Post Japan Empire Occupation by the 1930s; that Taiwan was the third-largest pineapple exporter, with abundant domestic pineapple consumption, culinary experts innovated with the fruit surplus. In Taiwan, the pineapple epitomizes luck and prosperity, and the pineapple pastry is a testament to an auspicious year, a staple gesture of friendship and gratitude.

 

The filling of Din Tai Fung pineapple pastry is made with maltose, pineapples, sugar, winter melon, soy bean oil, concentrated lemon juice and salt, while the crispy golden curst with ingredients of flour, butter, egg yolk, powdered milk, dry milk, palm oil, sweet butter milk and cheese powder, without the preservatives, the best to enjoy the pineapple pastry is within 4 weeks from the date of manufacture. Din Tai Fung pineapple pastry taste more of sour fruity texture comparing to other traditional bakery edition; therefore, the fresh guava tea balances the flavor perfectly.

 

The rise of 日東紅茶 Royal Milk Tea is traced back to the history of Japan Empire Occupation in Taiwan. In 1907, The black tea industry of Taiwan was manufactured, launched by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and directly exported and sold overseas, in an attempt to compete with the British LIPTON Black Tea. In 1937, the Taiwanese black tea was named Formosa Black Tea and sent to an auction in London, where it received unanimous praise from all walks of life. Blended with rich black tea and paired with Hokkaido milk powder, the taste of Royal Milk Tea is rich but not greasy, either to pour the boiled water or refrigerate into the summer cool drinks, and exquisite together with rather chewy pineapple pastry or light calorie of lotus chips from MUJI. 

The spring tea time accompanied with delicious Royal Milk Tea, certainly, the PLAYMOBIL Milk Maid figurine purchased in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, shall not be forgotten to introduce, since how I love to invite the doll collection on the tea session. Inspired by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer’s oil painting served in RIJKS MUSEUM, the young and smiling Milk Maid figurine is wearing a crisp linen cap, a blue apron, a brownish skirt, a pair of flats and warm yellow work sleeves pushed up from forearms, easy for her to make dairy products. In Vermeer’s painting, in a plain room carefully pouring milk into a squat earthenware container on a table covered with a blue clothe, in front of the milkmaid are various types of bread, a light brown milk jar and a royal blue vase, so inclusive of PLAYMOBIL figurine. 

 

The whole theme of teatime with Lomonosov cobalt net tea set and Japanese Royal Milk Tea compose in royal blue, match KILI BAY guava tea and Din Tai Fung pineapple pastry in yellowish hue, complete with Milk Maid figurine in combination of the hot and cold tones. There is no doubt a touch of a pink bowl of lotus snacks and a lock of baby’s breath, create more of a cute, cultural and chic tea sip moment. 

Further Reading -> TEA TIME! LISBON GREEN TEA, TINY YUMMY DORAYAKI, DIN TAI FUNG PINEAPPLE CAKE WITH MUJI HASAMI PORCELAIN

Cuisine Crush Yilan! Ice Cream Spring Roll Avec Taiwanese Peanuts Nutty Nut

Yilan, Taiwan, Chinese New Year 2025

Peanut ice cream roll, also known as spring roll ice or ice cream spring roll, is an exclusive specialty snack in Yilan, and one of the exclusive delicacies at night markets or local Taoism temples. Its appearance and production method are very similar to spring rolls, while the core ingredients are sweetie two balls of ice cream sprinkling with meticulous peanut powders rather than fatty pork belly. 

The organic peanut maltose blocks are shaved with a planer, wrapped with seasonal selections of either taro/pineapple/strawberry ice cream, peanut candy powder and freshly farmed coriander in spring roll skin. No Doubt, with the mixture of sweet and salty touch, my taste buds falling for love at the first bite. 

 

The Home Receipt of Making Tofu Mousse Spring Roll: 

Spring roll sheets, tofu, salt, organic lemon juice and honey, unsweetened soy milk, unsweetened peanut powder and freshly farmed coriander leaves. 

Tofu mousse:

Weigh the tofu to remove water then place the chunk into a food processor, add a spoonful of salt, lemon juice, and slowly add a small amount of unsweetened soy milk, blend chuck until the tofu turns smooth without particles. Refrigerate it for 30 minutes.

Spread the spring roll sheets in flat, sprinkle unsweetened peanut powder and fresh coriander leaves, lay the cold tofu mousse and roll it up! 

Special Thanks: Jenny & All the Beloved Ones

Fashion Fun Yilan! YSL Wool Top, Calvin Klein Jeans, Céline Sunglasses & Chanel Accessories at Forestry Cultural Park

Chinese New Year 2025

你好宜蘭！農曆新年假期家族包租遊覽車，正月初一一大清早先由高雄、台中、新竹一路向北沿途溫馨接送分住在不同城市區域的家人們，前往至台灣東部宜蘭蘇澳港看山觀海。傍晚入住羅東鬧區，逛夜市、啖美食，隔天於羅東林業園區參觀藝廊，大夥兒在老火車頭前跑跑跳跳、合影留念，甚是有趣。

Originally named Luodong Forest Farm used as a timber storage, continued to operate until the logging operations were terminated in 1982, FORESTRY CULTURAL PARK  is currently covering an area of ​​approximately 20 hectares inclusive of an ecological pond, acting the major location of the Yilan Branch of the Forestry, Conservation Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and performing as the Education Center since 2004. 

 

What shall be the outfits of the day at Forestry Cultural Park with beloved members during Chinese New Year holidays? SAINT LAURENT 95% wool, 4% polyamide and 1% elastane black sleeveless crop top is the essential sexy piece to mix and match with double layers of CHANEL SS20 cardigans carried 54% wool and 46%cotton. To add some lighter hue onto the rather darker silhouette, CALVIN KLEIN ribbed Mom’s Fit light blue jeans offers both the comfort and casual feels, tied around the waist with the iconic DIOR Oblique motif in navy logo patterns and beige as base colour, made in Italy, 100% silk mitzah gives a more of an effortless look of the day.

 

CHANEL espadrilles in black raffia outer soles, warm denim fabric sewn with golden threads in CC logo accompanied with multiple journeys with since November 2022. The rather thicker both inner and outer soles of craftsmanship enable me to walk smoothly without hesitation on ecological pebble passages, dusty railway tracks and the slippery forestry yards during the trip.

 

As for accessories, together with CHANEL Sac de Silver Seaside Villa in 2019 Cruise collection equipped the daily travel items and IPHONE, CÉLINE Cat Eye sandy ivory acetate sunglasses in dark green shade offer category 3 lens filter, which, slightly far from the polarized function still efficiently hold for the city walk. This pair in bridge size 20mm and earpiece length 140mm suits oriental facial features quite perfectly, especially I naturally own rather high cheek bones. I would like to tuck the Céline pair atop on my scalp as another accessory due to my slightly messy hairstyle. 

New Year Resolution? Two Packs! Let’s play!

TOP TIP 1 Collect premium quality tops as styling base to mix and match with cardigans or coats at any weather conditions 

TOP TIP 2 Ribbed jeans rolling up two folds to slightly show the ankles are perfect pair with espadrilles or slippers 

Further Reading -> Accessories Accede: What's in My Chanel Sac de Silver Seaside Villa?

Special Thanks: Jenny & All the beloved ones

Coffee Crush Taipei! Simple Kaffa Cake & Chuan Coffee Pudding

February 5-12 2025

Taipei Taiwan

SIMPLE KAFFA 

No. 27, Sec. 2, Zhongxiao East. Rd., 

Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei 

SIMPLA KAFFA was founded by Wu Zelin, graduated from the Institute of Electronics at National Taiwan University. By supporting a mate in Copenhagen, Wu determined his passion toward coffee and participated as a newbie at the WBC World Coffee Competition in 2009. After various home experiences, Wu won the Taiwan Coffee Masters Championship in 2013, and stood atop the WBC World Coffee Championship for Taiwan in 2016.

 

Introduced by my friends encountering at Venice Film Festival in September 2023, we have our table at SIMPLE KAFFA Huashan Flagship, and I love how Earl Grey tea infused with hot latte lingering the refreshed sense on my taste buds. The homemade sponge cake delivers both airy and soft texture, the vanilla, lemon and egg mixed perfectly in between with lean milk, the top crust is covered with the organic honey thin layer, more of a Taiwanese version of Nagasaki cake.

CHUAN COFFEE 

Lane 236, Zhongzheng Road, 

Shilin District, Taipei 

Discovered on the local map, CHUAN COFFEE becomes we college mates’ new favourite chit chat spot near the Shin-Lin Metro Station. Operated by only two staff at the moment, Chuan Coffee provides less indoor 20 seats, while offers the most delicious seasonal pudding and hand-brewed coffee in the neighbourhood. 

Based on full milk, cream cooked with egg yolk, the Chuan Coffee pudding presents a rather rich crème anglaise to fill éclairs, pouring the Canadian syrup and complete with a cute cherry on top, it tastes a bit like a lightly sweetened crème brûlée without the crunchy top while at the same time delivers a similar comforting feel to warm milk with a touch of sugar and vanilla, and a slight wobble that adds to the enjoyable mouthfeel, definitely the best to accompany with a full cup of red hot Oolong latte. 

Special Thanks: Tsung, Yihan, Jill & Ping

Fashion Fun Taipei! Vivienne Westwood Knitwear, Zara Mom’s Fit Jeans, Celiné Cat Eye Sunglasses & Chloé Calfskin Loafers at Huashan 1914

Chinese New Year 2025 

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

妳好臺北！農曆蛇年假期陽光普照，人來人往，買氣旺盛，朝氣蓬勃。放晴的日子當然不能錯過和相談甚歡的親朋好友們一期一會，吃吃喝喝，大談暢聊。相識於2023年威尼斯影展爾後又於赫爾辛基相見歡，我們一行三人先在忠孝新生站附近的興波咖啡 SIMPLE KAFFA大啖特調與蛋糕，再沿路散步至華山1914文創公園，邊看邊聊，隨手拍照。

Opened in 1914, originally a privately owned winery that produced sake and ginseng wines, alongside bred moth orchids during Japanese Empire Era, HUASHAN 1914 CREATIVE PARK was sold to the government until 1922. After World War II, it was taken over by the Nationalist Government and renamed into Taiwan Provincial Monopoly Bureau Taipei Liquor Factory. Being idle for decades, Huashan 1914 transformed into an individual organization in 1999, now acts an important venue for arts exhibitions and cultural performances in Taipei City.

How to wear casual and cultural outfits to enjoy around the boutiques, café and cinema at creative park? VIVIENNE WESTWOOD V-neck knitwear with 65% cotton and 15% cashmere with embroidery iconic colourful Saturn logo is my newfound casual piece at 40% off from HANSHIN Vivienne Westwood Kaohsiung boutique; together with Chanel SS20 cardigan size L with 54% wool and 46% cotton has been performing my daily favourite since 2022. 

New Year New Outfits conducts our traditional belief of good luck toward the coming year, therefore I only carry a single pair of Calvin Klein Mom’s Fit ribbed jeans and wish to gain a new familiar with dark grey tone, unfortunately I reach no luck at CK outlet, but discover a bargain in layering greyish hue with 98% denim and 2% elastane at ZARA Taipei. 

As for accessories, CELINÉ Cat Eye sandy ivory acetate sunglasses in dark green shade offer category 3 lens filter, which, slightly far from the polarized function still efficiently hold for the city walk. This pair in bridge size 20mm and earpiece length 140mm suits oriental facial features quite perfectly, especially I naturally own rather high cheek bones. Another surprise deal hunt at GLORIA OUTLETS is CHLOÉ embellished black calfskin leather loafers with copper logo atop. Made in Italy, their rather hardcase outer soles enable to walk at slight snowy day and no doubt to mix and match with either with casual jeans or mini skirt. 

CHANEL Pearl Crush WOC is my delicate collection. Made in France, with supple lambskin, 100% fully cotton linen, in size width 12.3, length 19,2 and thickness 3,5cm, this 2022 cruise collection in pastel pink, carrying the exactly same interior design as any Chanel classic WOC; still, the most genius gadget is le même globe-shape padlock, embossed with the logo of La Mansion in brass, from where the strap can be adjustable at any length while simply by pressing the interlocked CC. Therefore, I wrap around the extra length of the chain on my waist as yet alternative leather metallic belt to match Zara Mom’s Fit grey tone. 

CHANEL SS19 pearl earrings with separated CAH & NEL can be worn as mere pearl style or whole set. The tiny yet shining Swarovski crystals array in Chanel interwined CC logo on pearl give out the cute yet prominent craftsmanship of the House of Chanel. 

For photography, Huashan 1914 Creative Park stand various styles of old winery factories to indicate the tradition of Taiwanese architecture, the perfect backdrop to contrast outfits of the day of rather black and grey expressions. 

Let's discover the Creative Park!

TOP TIP 1 Rolled up 2 folds the jeans to expose slight parts of ankles will make the silhouette both chic and slim

TOP TIP 2 Wrap around the extra length of WOC chain not only style up the whole look while a good idea from the possible robbery while travelling abroad 

Special Thanks: Miffy & YiHan