Tea Time: Nina’s Thé de Marie Antoinette Served With Bavarian Arzberg Teacup

Snowy Saturday is definitely the perfect teatime moment. The decision of the taste of the day from my tea cupboard is rather difficult, since there perch quite several lovely tea gifts from family and friends. The sachet of rose pink wrapping from NINA’S, are the most surprising souvenir from my dear friend, where the mini design conveys multiple messages: France, Paris, Marie Antoinette, rose and friendship.

Founded in 1672 in Paris by Pierre Diaz, a perfumer became the official supplier to the court of Versailles for King Louis XIV and later of Queen Marie Antoinette. NINA’S Paris is the only official partner to offer products made from fruits and flowers in Le Potager du Roi, known as King’s Kitchen Garden, grown only according to traditional techniques following ancestral processes of the time of Louis XIV.

NINA’S Thé de Marie Antoinette, contains tea and rose petals, is the blend that reflects back on the happiest times in Marie Antoinette’s dynamic life. The Ceylon black tea combines the touch of apple, pear and roses, the perfume notes will soften upon brewing, and the after-aroma will leave the scent of fresh roses. There is no need for extra sugar or honey in the tea, while adding a slice of lemon wedge will develop the whole blend. Thé de Marie Antoinette pairs well with sweet lemon muffin, spread a touch of NINA’S apple & fig jam, which at the bite is dense rather at mouth the choky dry, since its strong black tea base balances out the sweet factor in these confections.

For the choice of porcelain, Schumann Arzberg from Bavaria is my great hunt at Helsinki Retro & Vintage Design Expo in 2015. The teacup set is delicately decorated the wheat field with the light olive green and copper gold trims, makes the tea table lovely together with the rosy pink tea and brown lemon muffin. I match the whole teacup set with a vintage gold tea spoon, found at Helsinki Second Hand Store, and several dry roses and falling petals, together with vanilla candle and LED light to enjoy the whole afternoon tea time during the snowy Sunday. Thinking of the funny story of the arrival of Thé de Marie Antoinette in my hands, that it was bought in Paris, later handed to one of our mutual friends who studies in the U.K, unfortunately she is not able to bring the thé with her while we had dinner date in Helsinki, so at the end the souvenir was delivered at my workplace by the younger sister of our mutual friend….Voilà, this small sachet and mini jar of jam are made in France, Paris, originated from Marie Antoinette, full of the rose scents and the stories of lovely friendship.

Special Thanks: Rosie, Linda & Amanda

NINA’S PARIS

Fashion Fun Tapiola! Zara Wool Coat, Vivienne Westwood Cardigan & Louis Vuitton Gothic Boots On -10’c Sunday

Tapiola, Finland

In Finnish, we call the weather ‘pakasta’ while the temperature drops below 0’c. My hubby and I thought that we might never experience it during this rather warmer wintertime, immediately our wishful thinking got crashed, before the day of Helsinki HSL (Helsinki public transportation) went on the strike.

The snowstorm struck national wide in Finland on Thursday, merely a half morning the snow accumulated up to the knee high. On Sunday, it is now -10’c in the afternoon, the estimated highest will go up to -8…..it seems very encouraging. The north wind is blowing chilly while the sky is shining clearly, therefore, a Zara wool coat and double layers of wool cardigans are must-haves when taking an outdoor afternoon walk.

Zara light grey wool coat with wraparound collar is my favorite style during 2017-2018, the composition is very much like my last March purchase, Mango oversize pinky coat: 60% wool, 20% polyester and 20% viscose, and side pockets contrasting belt in front. Zara wraparound square collar is also performing as the wool beanie, and the over-knee length keeping my legs warm; there is no need to wear a stocking or high-tech pants underneath of the Zara high-waist cotton-elastane jeans.

I always love to buy knitwear during the winter season, since it gives me the holiday feel and always the fun to mix and match on the freezing day. Last Chinese New Year during my stay in Taipei, I found this pastel rose-poudre cardigan at Kookaï, with materials of 52% wool, 25% polyamide, 19% yak and 4% elastane, both on the colours and the materials, perfectly matches together with Vivienne Westwood 100% wool creamy white cardigan for the layering look. The Vivienne Westwood classic cardigan is finished with the signature orb emblem delicately embroidered to the chest, and the 7 honey brown buttons, atop with the last eighth, is also carved with Saturn orb logo.

For the accessories to mix and match with the outfits, Chloé round-framed ivory white acetate sunglasses always goes no wrong with any styles; the vintage Vivienne Westwood small bas relief earrings echoes the creamy white cardigan, and Mango goat skin gloves with girlish knots for the a bit of chic trend. Chanel iridescent camellia WOC is my best decision during the Barcelona trip in 2017. Finally, I choose Louis Vuitton Exploration flat ankle boots to complete the outfit of the day. Its pointed toe, shining patent calfskin and tight ankle design reach the touch of Medieval Gothic fashion, which balance the pastel hues of the Zara wool coat, the Kookaï rose-poudre and Vivienne Westwood creamy white cardigans. My whole silhouette is shrinking from the round shape of the wool coat to the triangle tip of the ankle boots, even in the ‘pakasta’ Sunday with puffy layering, the complete look is still available to leak my bodyline, rather sacrificing to become a ‘Michelin Mascot’ at outdoor afternoon walk.

TOP TIP 1: Adapting the pastel cardigans to balance the darker hues of other outfits

TOP TIP 2: The fine and natural materials are the major concerns for the purpose of purchase

Special Thanks: JMH

Beauty Boom! Chanel Gabrielle Eau de Parfum For New Year!

2017 Christmas gift is the best 2018 new Eau de Parfum! Following my blog tradition, January is the month that introduces new fragrance for the mood renewal. Gabrielle Chanel, the new scent created by Oliver Polge, is a purely feminine blossom based on a bouquet of four white flowers: a rich, enveloping heart of exotic jasmine shimmers with fruity green notes of ylang-ylang, while fresh and sparkling orange blossom shines through, offering a glimpse of Grasse tuberose captured at its finest. From Chanel Chance to NO 5 Eau Premiére, Chanel fragrance has been transforming fresher and younger, the smooth smell and astonishing design always draw my full attention from the window display.

Carefully opening the light-copper tone of the cardboard packaging, where inside there is a thicker stand holds the flacon. The Mandarin orange, grapefruit and black current opening are promising, while the floral middle notes linger on my skin for about 4-6 hours, complete with sandalwood, musk, cashmeran and orris give out the a bit of masculine touch. The layering of the combination of notes are very much like the spirit of Coco Chanel: elegant and proud as a mademoiselle, yet fun and cool as Le Boy. 

The bottle of design is always yet another important reason for my falling-in-love of a certain parfum. Gabrielle Chanel flacon is at dimension of 5x5x2.5, the magical numbers of Coco Gabrielle herself in No5 and the 2.55 flap bag. The brand new packaging by Sylvie Legastelois, takes five years to completed. The square bottle is colored in a soft golden shade which transmitting the light, indenting a mini square at centre of front, is jewel-like yet simple in line with the classic bottle of the French House, as a symbol of sunny character of the eau de parfum itself. The light copper cap is carved with interlocked CC logo, contrasting the mini square on the flacon, the square atop of the cap is much salient.

For the photography arrangement, I make golden Coco Gabrielle bottle together with the hues of snow white, poppy red and classic black cosmetics and add a Coco cardholder. This small leather goods adapts both aged and smooth calfskin to make the simple piece an interesting layer, and since all the Chanel cardholders are made with the full wrap-around leather, its stronger and longer-term craftsmanship ensures a high quality investment. In 2017 handbag/SLG collection the profound CC logo present a vintage gold tone, indeed a more lovely fun touch applying on the dark leather goods.

Therefore, the 2017 new-released Eau de Parfum and seasonal cardholder find each other, both are my favorite Christmas surprise and beloved birthday gifts. Of course this time I also request the perfume samples to test and collect, and during the new year sale period, I have my Rouge Allure NO4 as a 30% bargain, for the cute effect of photography, I place a dark blue and some other white camellia flowers around the parfum flacon, contrast a cute Chanel mini shopping bag tied with wide ribbon. A vanilla candle from my British/Finnish friend and a sling of LED light from my mother-in-law are extra warm light for the parfum and small leather goods… surely the lovely gifts from beloved family and friends always lead a brand new mood in 2018.

Special Thanks: DM, Rosie, Tuula

Magazine Madness: Daisy Ridley, Star. Warrior. Heroine.

ELLE UK December 2017

A Jakku scavenger, desert-planet survivor and later becoming feminist hero, Daisy Ridley’s life transforms, both in Star Wars and in reality. The actor who plays Rey, was 23 at the time, had been warned that after the release of the movie, her environment around her would dramatically changes. But Daisy clings to the fact that fame doesn’t need to have a warping effect. It also fits in with her belief that ‘the best way to survive the pressures of high-voltage exposure is to try enjoying it’ (134).

This is exact the reason why I choose ELLE UK December 2017 issue. From the Star Wars episodes, viewers can sense Rey is a strong girl with kind heart, from the conversation with interviewer Emma Brockes, readers can detect that Daisy has a sense of cool but not humble brag attitude toward the starlet around her. I found that a lot of very talented British actors, such as Eddie Redmayne or Emma Thompson, share the common qualities: highly professional contrasting much lower pride and prejudice. This is the public figure I admire and be willing to spend some penny and time on reading the cover stories. While Daisy’s candour whine it comes to her own performance is kind of startling. As a child, her ‘general inability to disguise her feelings occasionally sent her into scatterbrained overdrive, an impulse that was, and still is, grounded by her loving London-based family. And when she got an intense introduction to Hollywood, she luckily owns profound advises from the respected ‘idols’—although she points out that she ‘never idolized anyone’—Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford’s valuable edification onto ‘fame’.

‘Not to shrink away from success, but to enjoy it,’ indeed, but Daisy tells during the interview, that ‘at work, you’re normal, you’re not anomaly, unlike in other situations’ (142). Still, one of the concerns that Daisy is still struggling with in the wake of growing fame is the responsibility of being told Rey is a role model for young girls. Of course, Daisy will have to weather the salacious interest that undercuts anything she has to say, this will be yet another task that she needs to conquer as a woman warrior. It takes a lot more courage and wisdom to learn her hidden weakness and strength, as if her journey has just begun when the Star Wars continue. It seems a paradox but usually quite a truth, that a young actor’s most memorable role will totally change the private life and career path ever after, such as those who starts with Marvel heroes, or those who plays an undead vampire or merely an American Psycho.

As to the cover layout and shooting, the December issue is always merrier to have LED deco, and notice under the lenses of Photographer Liz Collins and Stylist Anne-Marie Curtis (all the December issue content crew of cover story is female!), Daisy Ridley is wearing Giorgio Armani velvet tuxedo jacket with Swarovski crystals and satin trousers, showing her both feminine tenderness and masculine force, still a glimpse of rouge lipstick makes the cover lively and strong; therefore, I apply my own Christmas gift, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet No. 3, as the major focal point besides the magazine cover girl. As usual, I cover the price tag with Chanel Camellia flowers, and finally play a bit with white Christmas feel: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle jewel-white travel size purse spray (7,5ml). From the cover girl, interview crew to the choices of shooting mini tools, all the hidden symbols point toward the powers of female: May the force to be with all of us.

#daisyridley #elleuk #starwars #rey #force #female 

Fashion Fun Helsinki: Chanel Camellia WOC & Sandro FW 2017

Helsinki, Finland

Autumn falls immediately in Helsinki, it is lovely to watch the maple trees switch the colours yet the chills never spare. The purchase of Sandro Paris from La Roca Village Barcelona just gives the perfect reason to try on the new outfit, new style.

Begins with Sandro Paris stories, the founder couple Evelyne Chetrite and Didier Chertrite opened their first Sandro boutique together in 1984, on Rue Vieille du Temple. Evelyne designs her Sandro women unambiguous clothes, the masculine-feminine equation and shares an indisputable Parisian elegance. My first encounter with Sandro outfit is the 100% cotton off-white tunic from theoutnet.com, during the Greek island trip, I mix and match it with disco hot pants and vintage Vivienne Westwood t-shirt, or wear the tunic as the extra-length shirt to accompany with black leggings on the road. The off-white tunic is both comfortable and practical so I buy my exact second piece, and since ever I pay highly attention to Sandro Paris for any bargain chance.

About my new Sandro Paris purchase, this complete black full-length 95% wool and 5% cashmere cardigan catches my last-minute interest at La Roca Village boutique. The 100% polyester belt would shape the figure if needed, it leaves the style either Parisian chic or Nordic minimalistic. Prada bow-embellished 100% wool cardigan is a super summer sale item from net-a-porter, a perfect hue and materials to match Sandro outwear, in order not to look too bleak, also I choose Gina Tricot Molly denim jeans, that the blue tone is a great balance between black and white upper outfits.

As accessories, 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 more spacious than the new mini flap bag, perfect for my iphone, keys, a cardholder, a perfume trial spray, a travel size eyeliner and a Rouge Allure lipstick. Chanel WOC has a rather longer chain, so it can be also worn a shorter style while wrapping the chain inside the flap around. In order to complete the autumn style, Chanel two-tone espadrilles are always comfort and easy to walk around the city, oh, and by courtesy of my talented friend Suko (photographer of the day), her tortoiseshell round-frame glasses to have me a bit geeky yet bookworm Harry Potter look of the day!

TOP TIP: To avoid the pessimistic look, mix and match beige and light denim colours with black and white outfits.

Special Thanks: SUKO
#SandroParis #Prada #Chanel #espadrilles #WOC