Tea Time: Ladurée Macarons & Mariage Fréres Rose Tea

When 1854 meets 1862 at afternoon teatime table, the most elegant moment lingers around. The story of Ladurée macarons starts with Pierre Desfontaines, second cousin of Louis Earnest Laudrée, at 20^th century he came up with the idea that combining two macarons shells and sandwich them with delicious ganache filling. This delicate pastry, crispy at outer and smooth in the middle, each is made every morning in Ladurée laboratory, and fulfilling all afternoon teatime precious and lovely.

Ladurée macaron collection contains permanent and seasonal flavours. My cute 8-piece gift box from hubby sits Rose, Coffee, Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Orange Blossom, Lemon, Vanilla and Cherry Blossom. My top one among these cuties is the same old Salted Caramel, which the less sweet shells with fresh and soft ganache balance perfectly with any herb tea. Orange Blossom and Lemon are sour at the first bite but the base taste has a richness of floral scent.

Founded in 1854 when Louis Vuitton launched his first travel trunk, French tea house Mariage Fréres’ history needs to trace back to 1660, when Nicolas and Pierre Mariage began voyaging on behalf of the royal court, to Madagascar on a mission of the French East India Company and Pierre made to Persia and India to represent an official deputation under Louis XIV to sign the trade agreement. In June 1854, Henri and Edouard Mariage, founded Mariage Fréres Tea Company, and in 1983 the company transformed itself from a wholesale import firm into a retailer. Today, Mariage Fréres opens 5 tea salons in Paris, and operates over 30 points-of-sale in France, UK, Germany and Japan.

My choice of afternoon tea from Mariage Fréres is Blanc & Rose. Chic and magnificent, a blend of mellow white tea and tender oriental rosebuds, from the crystalline infusion exhales a delicate flora aroma, velvety and cool, that flows over the palate as silky touch. It is easy to brew 85°c boiled water and infuse the tea bag 5 minutes in IKEA tea pot, add a spoonful of white sugar and pour in a vintage Lomonosov teacup.

A bite of yummy macarons, a sip of floral tea, an appreciation of work of art, c’est la vie!

Mariage Fréres

LADURÉE

Fashion Fun Helsinki! Zara Linen Bandeau Top Lingers with Marc by Marc Jacobs

Hakaniemi, Helsinki

Summer still lingers around so how about topping with a cut for loose-fit, strapless and belly exposed linen white top? Though purchasing this Zara piece with full price, considering both the lining and outer shell are 100% linen, comfort and trend stand at the priority on my shopping golden rules. Due to the climate changes, organic materials such as cotton or silk are becoming more difficult to harvest and less on the percentage of the fabric production, let alone linen, a laborious process to manufacture, but the fiber is very absorbent and garments made of linen are valued for their exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather. The word linen is of West Germanic origin to the Latin name for the flax plant, linum.In recent observation, even the luxurious designers’ brands do not adopt linen as their ready-to-wear major material, so Zara Linen Bandeau top is for sure a super bargain for my conscious wardrobe collection.

As the choice of jeans I go for Gina Tricot, a fast fashion house from Sweden, its high-waist 98% cotton and 2% elastin light grey Molly Jeans matches almost all my outfits well. I scroll 2cm the pants up to my ankles, make the whole silhouette not so heavy, and show at the same time my new summer favourite YSL White Star espadrilles.

For accessories I wear Stella McCartney pinky acetate sunglasses and carry Marc by Marc Jacobs three-tone cow leather shoulder bag. In summer time the colour is a lovely match, and at snowy days the bright hues can be my warning sign on the road. Marc by Marc Jacobs discontinued after AW15, now is replaced by Marc Jacobs at online store and storefront. My 2014 outlet gain in Kaohsiung city is less than 330EUR! This 30 length, 15 width and 24 height (cm) carry-on is one of my best mates off to work, and its 100% cotton trunk brown lining a dust repellence. The adjustable shoulder stripe is non-detachable, still the handle is easy for the flap opening and close. While Zara top, Molly jeans and YSL espadrilles are in plain colour palette, Marc by Marc Jacobs trunk brown, poppy orange, shining brass and crimson burgundy pops up the whole high street in Hakaniemi!

Special Thanks: Lady Panda

MARC JACOBS

ZARA

Tea Time: PAUL de France Teatime With Manufaktura Czech

Supporting local organic brands is one of my major concerns at souvenir shopping, and visiting supermarket or pharmacy on the streets always provides me a newfound glory. Founded in 1991, 100% Czech company Manufaktura is famous for beer cosmetics. Based on centuries-old tradition of the exceptional quality Czech beer, the unique climatic effects for growing hops and experienced brewers contribute significantly to the unrepeatable quality, from the daily drinks to skincare products. In 2005, Manufaktura released its own home spa collection, and luscious fruit tea is no doubt for my excitement of buds.

The beautiful design of the tin can is painted with dozens of pears and white hibiscus, on the silver-tone tin lid is carved ‘Original Home Spa, Manufaktura, est. 1991, Quality Guaranteed’, 100% Czech Republic product. Once opening up, the smell of pear (min. 45%), rosehip, elderberries (min. 11%), apple (min. 5%), white hibiscus and black current graces the whole afternoon. It contains traces of the shell fruit, add a spoonful of white sugar after 80’c boiled water brew is the top tip; no doubt, the best mate to accompany with the Manufaktura tea is RPR Latvian porcelain teacup and sauces.

RPR is abbreviated from Riga Porcelain Factory, a combined effort of the two oldest porcelain factories in Riga, Latvia. The oldest and largest factory dates back to 1841 by a Russian entrepreneur Sidor Kuznetsov and the second one was founded in 1886 by German businessman Jacob Jessen, until 1963, both factories were united to be RPR under Soviet Union regime. Decorated with rosy pink and golden ornaments, my RPR teacup from Hakaniemi flea market is a great bargain (4 EUR each!). Its 25ml volume is perfect for some bites of macarons from PAUL.

Since 1889 by Charlemagne Mayot ran a bakery in Croix near Lille, France, their granddaughter Suzanne Mayot married to Julien Holder, while Suzanne and Julien’s son Francis took over the PAUL family business, opened the second bakery in 1963, the pastry tradition has been continuously launching store fronts outside France since 1985. With offering of flavours, regulars opt for rose, chocolate, vanilla, pistachio or even passion fruit, though not as crispy as Laudrée, PAUL’s handmade pastries are made of all natural ingredients, and are a delight to eat. Drinking with Manufaktura pear tea, my favourites among the flavours for teatime snacks are the framboise, which finely balances the fruity sweetness with a subtle tanginess from the berry, and the chocolate, which offers a nice bite from the strong black coffee taste. Organic fruit tea, vintage delicate teacup, with a treat of natural ingredients of macarons, teatime forever is never merely a dream!

Special Thanks: JMH

Manufaktura

PAUL

Accessories Accede: What’s in My Miu Miu Madras Sac?

Q&A in Helsinki

Tell us why MIU MIU collection becomes your new favourite?

Miu Miu Madras goat leather has become one of the iconic designs. Inspired by the fifties, reveals sophisticated details such as the hidden golden tone dangling mirror covered with leather stripe as the key chain feel. Open up the flap with milled push-lock closure, there are two bellows compartments, suede lining, satin cotton pocket with zipper inside of the sac. The signature MIU MIU zipper is on the back side of the sac makes the masterpiece a both-way carry-on.

How do you arrange your daily essentials with Miu Miu Madras sac?

Since Miu Miu Madras sac is size length 21, height 13.5 and width 10cm, so together I take Miu Miu Matelassé nappa leather pouch as my wallet. And I like the most is that Miu Miu leather collection usually equipped either satin or suede material as its interior linen, without any concern of the scratches, I just place other beauty products in the second compartment of Miu Miu Madras sac, no need of bag-in-bag arrangement this time. 

✔Purchased at Hong Kong International Airport as my 2016 Chinese New Year’s gift, in my Miu Miu Matelassé nappa purple leather pouch are with Louis Vuitton Shoes Show SS/AW 16 booklets for my quick morning read on the train. My HSBC credit card and coupons in Miu Miu paper sac are my best mates during bargain shopping.

✔Elizabeth Arden 8-hour lip protection is my all-time must have. I always purchase one or two for my consecutive stock at airport duty free.

✔Chanel Sunkiss Ribbon Powder Blush is SS16 special edition; with five distinct hues, its harmony allows me either blush in pink shade or coral feel.

✔Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet #50 La Romanesque has a muted, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool undertones and a satin finish. With EZ 8-hour lip protection, the matte colour does not dry out soon.

✔Chanel Illusion D’ombre #89 Vision can be used to create an extreme look. Its silky, light and long-lasting powder-cream texture makes me blink 182!!

✔Oh, while purchasing at Chanel boutique, the packaging contains at least 2 camellias, sometimes there are 3 in bag, and no doubt they are all my lovely collection!

✔Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Bomblicious body lotion can be my hand cream or instant perfume. The 15ml size is perfect for the carry-on during any trip or tour.

✔Sisley Eye-and-Lip Contour Balm is the trial freebie while purchasing the day-and-night cream. Formulated with natural plant extracts (hazel water, tomato phytostimilines and plant protein hydrolysates) to moisturize the face. Sisley is never at friendly price, still, the result is always high satisfaction after the application.

MIUMIU

CHANEL

SISLEY

Fashion Fun Hakaniemi! When Miu Miu & YSL Blossom with Chelsea Flower

At Hakaniemi, Helsinki

Occasionally, Helsinki summer is inevitably windy, so layering up a slip-on sexy top with a leather biker jacket is le look of the high street. Summer sale is still on the way; therefore I collect quite several adjustable shoulder stripe sleeveless silk top of the season. New York label Chelsea Flower is a hit with luxurious fabrics, strong silhouettes and quirky details. This nude Valentine 100% silk crepe de Chine top is perfect in the city or at the beachside, cut for the loose fit, lightweight, non-stretchy fabric makes it easy to match with either leggings or jeans.

Since silk top is neutral, then Zara black lambskin leather jacket and American Apparel polyester leggings can enhance the whole monotone. For accessories, Miu Miu Madras goat leather bag is one of Miu Miu’s iconic materials. Inspired by the fifties, reveals sophisticated details such as golden tone of buckle and ‘MIU MIU’ logo, makes this shoulder bag can be either carrying either as front side or back end without any awkwardness. Behind the flap, there are two hidden magnets fasten tightly preventing the reveal from the personal belongings.

Saint Laurent’s espadrilles are flawlessly crafted from smooth black leather and decorated with white star appliqués. They’re finished with a lightweight jute heel and a rubber sole for grip. Saint Laurent espadrilles made in Spain, usually the sole approximately 15mm, are cheaper in comparison of Chanel’s, still, the price is never too friendly. Nevertheless, lately I realize that a good pair of shoes for easy walking in the city pebble roads is essential for body posture and healthcare. So investing a daily item for both trend and comfort is definitely a great bargain, and espadrilles can last for over 3 years with a good aftercare. In summertime Helsinki, let the YSL white stars shine the street with the le look from Chelsea flower!

Special Thanks: Lady Panda

CHELSEA FLOWER 

MIU MIU 

YSL