Tea Time Christmas: Ladurée Les Macarons Served with YSL & Marie Antoinette

It’s been always lovely to enjoy afternoon tea by adapting vintage teacups with friends, after work or on bed, and it is so-called ‘incroyable mais vrai’ to serve with those pastel-coloured petite macarons from LADURÉE during the sipping moment. Having heard of the compliments via universal mouths and food blogs, while transiting at Paris CDG Airport, I decided to treat myself fully ‘Parisian souvenirs’. The warm and chubby African Ladurée lady, Sophie, was always very friendly; She placed 6 pieces in a Christmas-Limited square box, 21,10 EUR in total, alongside with light green menu and paper bag. Bonjour, it’s Joyeux Noël after all!

Founded in 1862, Louis Ernest Ladurée, a miller from the southwest of France, ran a bakery at 16 Rue Royale in Paris. The decoration of the LADURÉE lemon green pastry shop/stall was entrusted to Jules Cheret, a famous turn-of-the-century painter and poster artist. Nowadays, LADURÉE owns boutiques over 25 countries worldwide, provides les macarons to cute cosmetics and already has become a symbol of Neo-luxury of our generation.

Out of 16 flavours I select Rose, Slated Caramel, Cherry Almond, Chocolate, Marie-Antoinette Tea and heart-shaped Raspberry. Due to my curiosity of pastel blue French Queen, Marie-Antoinette Tea’s taste off is crispy, smooth with peppermint outer shell texture and lighter creamier filling, and Rose gives my tongue buds a fresh spring smell. While Chocolate owns strong and rich of cocoa aroma, Salted Caramel has rather creamier filling. Cherry Almond is filled with nutty taste, and Raspberry is fruity but not too ‘jammy’. I am in need of some herbal tea to balance these sweet assortments, and adding up a bud of dried Iranian rose to light up my teatime is surely a great pleasure. Noted that LADURÉE macarons must be kept refrigerated not more than a week and consumed fresh within 4 days after purchase.

Czech Republic porcelain teacup is my great hunt at Helsinki Secondhand, Eira. The hand printed tulips along gold karat alongside the teacup rims, therefore, for photography I adopt half-dried rosy -purple roses to decorate the teaser. Russian Lomonosov craftsmanship tea saucers match almost all the blue, purple or pinkish tones of tea sets. Bon Mama jelly in jar size 25g are always my favourite while doing grocery shopping, and never forget LADURÉE milk chocolate together with NINA'S black tea enhance the Christmas holiday mood. With French exquisite deli macarons, detailed teacup, best-selected snacks and Yves Saint Laurent book from the Paris trip, the grey snowy days in Helsinki has affected nothing at all to me.

LADURÉE

Art Attack: Museé Yves Saint Laurent Paris—Rêves d'orientalisme

November 2018, Paris 

Since the opening of Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris in October 2017, ‘Yves Saint Laurent: Dreams of the Orient’ presents the first temporary thematic exhibition, brings together approximately fifty haute couture designs inspired by the territories of India, China and Japan. These highly craftsmanship pieces from the collection of Museé Yves Saint Laurent Paris display in dialogue with Asian artworks borrowed from the Musée National des Arts asiatiques and private collectors.

Fashion Fun Kamppi: Zara Tweet, Premium Jeans, CHAO & EERO Jewelry with Chanel Accessories Chic

Kamppi, Helsinki

In Finland, October is the beginning season of the long coat wearing, while this mid-autumn allows us to wear the tweets and jeans, have a cup of bubble tea, troll on the quiet streets of Helsinki. 

Perhaps in Nordic territories, tweet jackets is rather shorter term of sale, therefore the price range goes highly affordable at Zara Helsinki. From Zara Basic collection, this light beige, poppy orange, baby pink, cappuccino brown, dark ink, pure white and light green tweet tailor jacket contains 68% of cotton, 23% acrylic, 7% of polyester and 2% of light metal on the edge of buttons. Made in Morocco, costs merely 19.99 EUR, this delicate item has front pockets, embroidered with the light metal chains and rhinestone-imitated vintage buttons, the details are well-sewn and perfectly fitted on my shoulder line, Chanel Lesage tweet Made in France? It would surely be my later investment but this October Zara tweet first comes first served. 

I am crazily fancy ripped jeans since this summer. Zara Premium Jeans light blue make the ankle rim vintage but not over worn-out, its mid-waist neither too below from the belly part, the whole silhouette also makes whole silhouette slim and the 99% denim ensures the comfy and easy to wear on. 

Thus, the most difficult part is to search the high-end top for Zara outfits, the length needs to fall between the jacket and mid-waist jeans while the material excludes excessive softness. Since Zara tweet contains the colour dark ink thread in between, therefore I go for my super bargain found at vintage sale—YSL 1970 vintage corset—the colour and the rather thicker 100% cotton material make Zara tweet jacket a more of academic look, perhaps a good example for some upcoming interview occasions. The tri-colours are raspberry pink, dark ink and light denim blue to complete the outfit of day. 

For earrings, Taiwanese/ Finnish jewelry designer dual Chao & Eero creates Sparkling Forest, which the shape, is inspired by the tree leaves at designers’ backyard in Lahti. By using special technique from Korea, keumboo, the torch heating process fusing 925 silver and 18K gold together requiring years of experiences, dentist tools are often needed at studio for the unique collection. While we are taking the photo shooting, Sparkling Forest are shining through my dark tone of hair lock, Chao & Eero’s jewelry expresses simple but yet sophisticated everyday lifestyle they hold dear. 

Chanel accessories are always easy to mix and match with either formal or casual wear. Suede sling backs with silver toe tip details echoes the grey metal chains of the Zara tweet, also make the academic look elegant but not too solemn. Chanel WOC camellia with iridescent calfskin is always the best accessories I’ve ever purchased, the mobile, Allure Rouge lipstick, mini mascara, tube parfum, some cards and 2 bank notes, I am ready to go for Sunday afternoon bubble tea and hero movies. 

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TOP TIP 1: Choose the monotone top according with the threads of tweet jacket holds 

TOP TIP 2: Simple but high quality accessories outstand any tweet jacket on Earth, the name of brand is not the major concern to wear in elegance 

Special Thanks: Jean

Accessories Accede: Kyoto Kawaii Souvenirs Are My Favourite Things

Q &A in Kyoto, Japan/Helsinki, Finland 

Happy September! Tell us about your obsession wtih mini cute things. 

The song sung by Julie Andrews ‘My Favourite Things’ from Sound of Music(1965) inspired me to appreciate mini cute items. Perhaps I’ve been in petite figure, rather slimmer shape with clean-cut style ever; therefore, I am so in love with detailed design combining with eye-popping coloured souvenirs. My auntie travelled to Japan and brought some cute Japanese paper dolls to me when I was a little girl, I guess the image of family affection and floral prints have been imprinted onto me ever since. 

How do you search your favourite mini cute souvenirs while you are travelling?

While travelling in Europe, unless selecting postcards, I try to avoid those cheesy highly touristic souvenir shops; instead I prefer to visit some local bookstores, glare around and then pick a small book as a memory reminder (published in local language, such as the book about flower in Greek I found in Athens, 2017). This September travelling in Osaka, Kyoto and Kumamoto, since Japan owns a strong domestic market within its special culture, even at popular shrine area, such as Kiyomizu-Dera (清水寺), the shops along the roadsides provide various choices to excite my curiosity, appeal my attention to spend long time exploring.  Especially only in Kyoto, the Nishijin (西陣織) handcrafted textures with the prints of sakura, deer, pine trees, torii or maple leaves are intriguing me all the time. 

✔ KADOKUWA (角桑) and OSHIDO (櫻士堂)at Kiyomizu-Dera neighbourhood offers the cutest traditional Nishijin texture mini items, thus, the scented sacs, key chains or coin purses with jingle bell are all my collection now. At Kyoto Gion Matsuri Festival Gallery Bookshop, I spotted this calligraphy mini set wrapped beautifully in the floral-printed paper box, where placed the most micro ink slab I have ever seen! 

✔ Founded in 1904 in Kyoto, YOJIYA was named after the previous nickname of the store, derived from the toothbrushes called ‘Yoji’ sold at the shop floor. Besides the Top-One seller facial oil blotting papers, Yojiya releases paper facial cleansing foam, which is extremely easy to carry-on while on the road. I visit almost every Yojiya store if I ever pass by, and I discover the hand mirrors and plastic zip-zap bags for my next trip essentials.

✔ In Japan, at supermarkets or in the convenient stores, there are always the most delicious snacks awaited on shelves. Since 1897, Morinaga caramel has been serving numerous childhood memories for over a century; now the salty flavor is becoming my instant treat for my sugar craving moments. Lotte plum mint tablet wrapped in the pinky case, and with the fresh odor, is a quick oral remedy after lunch at work. 

✔ What will you do Today? This baby pink kitty cover agenda I found at Tokyu Hands is the cutest monthly diary ever! Not only the pointed ear pulled-out cover, but also the kitty’s fury tail is the string bookmark! The interior design is based on the hues of tiffany blue and hot pink, at every page turn there are unique illustrations reminding the prime holidays of Japan, yet another good way to learn both Japanese language and culture. 

✔ The drug stores in Japan supply the daily groceries and basic cosmetics, are the indispensable and must-visit spots for the locals and for we the shoppers. I am the fan of KANEBO Suisai beauty clear powder, due to the single use capsule (normally I would use half of the amount per washing) is one of my favourite travel necessities. ROHTO Lycée eye drops contains Vitamin B12, which helps me to release the itchiness and redness of eyes after the long-term of writing or reading at desk.  

✔ CHANEL CC logo earrings are my forever collector’s accessories. Bought this twisted spiral pairs at Chanel Osaka, the warm service of Client Advisor enhanced me to rethink of the luxury clientele. Goossens hand-made costume jewelry, that contains a blend of nickel free metals, and the lightweight mixture of resin, brass and strass formulate the shining trendy precious, never cause any allergy on my ear lobes. 

Cuisine Crush! GION TSUJIRI Matcha Dessert & HANANA KYOTO Sea Beam

September 2018, Kyoto, Japan

GION TSUJIRI祗園辻利founded in 1860, the Kyoto-based confectioner, serves for the best Uji tea in respect for over 800 years of tea tradition. Gion Tsujiri was founded in 1860 as a tea manufacturer in Uji宇治, under the name of the founder, Tsuji Riemon. Later the store was renamed to GION TSUJIRI after the reestablishment in GION, where has long been loved by the citizens and visitors for centuries, as a sacred approach to Yasaka Shrine八阪神社—the origin for matcha traditional culture—and as a teahouse and Geisha quarters. 

 

I choose the matcha softy ice cream with crispy cookie cone. Made from finely selected tealeaves originating in Uji, Kyoto, GION TSIJIRI’s signature matcha UME NO SHIRO means “the white of plum blossom”, which combines an impeccable balance of sweetness and bitterness for a soothing taste. It is characterized by a fresh, smooth and subtle flavor, healthy and tasty for the daily consumption. For matcha tea contains Theanine, catechin and epigallocatechin gallate, for these antioxidant are able to mildly prevent cancer, chronicle diseases, skin aging, weight gain and stress trigging. Enjoying my must-have dessert in Kyoto strolling, now the adventure begins. 

 

After our walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, we enter the Zen garden of HANANA for the family lunch. During our Tour de Japan, we opted to not make reservations at any Michelin Star or 懷石料理 restaurant, namely because there is almost no way to go very wrong with food in Japan, additionally the reservation systems are highly convoluted and restrictive, therefore, since we all love seafood, TAISHOU HANANA is the perfect spot.

 

We love the cuisine with sea bream, and HANANA offers two lunch sets that features Japanese ways to enjoy—grilled or raw served OCHAZUKE, which, is pouring tea or dashi over rice, and together with savoury side dishes. We chose the both for the sharing; therefore, the sea beam banquet proceeds as raw sashimi with the sesame and wasabi sauce, served with fine cooked Japanese rice and OCHAZUKE style for the fulfilled and satisfied finale. 

 

Special Thanks: Family Yuan & Family Chui

Fashion Fun OSAKA! Zimmermann Jumpsuit & Chanel Sling Back At Osaka Castle

September 2018 in Osaka, Japan 

Japan is always the most fascinated destination to visit; therefore, Osaka and Kyoto are chosen the best twin city to celebrate my father’s 70^thbirthday. Taking a long haul from Helsinki to Kansai Airport invokes my party mood, hence, how to pack fashion items wisely and spare enough spaces for later shopping trophies is no doubt requiring strategy in experiences. 

In September, Osaka is still warmly humid. Packing silky pants and jumpsuits not only save weights of luggage but also an easy way to mix and match as either casual or glamorous look. Black washed silk overall jumpsuit from Zimmermann can be worn as single piece, or more a layer with Guess? silk blouse, in order to cover the bare arms while visiting shrines in the neighbourhood of Osaka Castle. 

Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, together with Castle Nagoya and Castle Kumamoto, it plays a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. The main tower of Osaka Castle is situated on a plot of land roughly one square kilometer, by using a technique called Burdock piling, each overlooking a moat, is built on two raised platforms of landfill supported by cut rocks. The central castle building is built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupations from attackers, now on the 8^thfloor is reformed as a popular panorama observation deck. On the top of Osaka Castle, the view of Osaka city is clean and modern, the green land underneath of our feet seems a piece of soft carpet at reachable distance. When I was visiting Osaka Castle in 2002 with my college mate Millie, it was humid and windy at observation desk, the whole Osaka bird view was rather plaque and grey. The interior of the Osaka Castle was reformed as a exhibition museum of Azuchi-Momoyama Period of Japan.  

The Osaka Castle Museum is yet too post-modern at the aspect of the design of interior, while the shrines in the neighbourhood are the true treasures of the whole Osaka Castle Park. We visit the quiet shrines and nail several natural looks of the day. The Guess? blouse and Zimmerman silk jumpsuit are in dark blue, therefore, wearing Chanel beige and black sling back shoes gives a feel of summer days. As for jewelry, layering shorter 18K gold choker together with Vivienne Westwood silver necklace to contrast the low deep-V of jumpsuit. About accessories, my favourite Chanel 2017 Cruise collection flap bag with the touch neon-evergreen pops the whole outfit and Prada pink leopard acetate sunglasses inspires the whole flowing look, echoes the aristocracy elegance of Japanese fashion. Walking and striking poses on the pebble roads, the sound of grits resounds one of the eventful history trip during the Tour of Japan. 

TOP TIP 1: Packing silk pants or jumpsuits for the easy outfit idea to save the weights of luggage

TOP TIP 2: Always bring the elegant leather flats while on the road

Special Thanks: Yuan & JMH

Fashion Fun Jyväskylä! Anna Sui, Sandro Paris & Yves Saint Laurent Silk Silhouette at Savutuvan Apaja Wedding Party

Jyväskylä, Finland

 

My love toward silk garments perhaps originated from my grandmothers. They are the most stylish women I’ve ever known. Silk has a smooth and soft texture, which, unlike many synthetic fibers, its absorbency makes it comfortable to wear in warm weather and its low conductivity keeps warm air close to the skin during chilly time. This is yet another reason I adore this fabric produced from the nature.

 

On the island of Haapasaari, a protected natural reserve in central Finland at the heart of lake Päijänne, Savutuvan Apaja offers a stunningly beautiful setting for the guests throughout the year. We are invited to extended-cousin’s wedding party at rich atmosphere, served with authentic Finnish food at main hall, and dancing party at vintage log boat. Therefore, the dress code of the wedding day definitely goes to the silk silhouette: ANNA SUI 100% floral print straight silk pants, SANDRO PARIS draped silk camisole & YVES SAINT LAURENT silk kimono together create an easygoing geisha look. Chinese American fashion designer Anna Sui (Chinese:蕭志美) adapts mulberry silk or supple chiffon at her RTW collection, she opened her first New York retail location in 1992, where, was known for its red floors, antique black furniture, signature dolly head mannequins, and Anna Sui’s floral garments are described as ‘the mixture of high fashion and hippie culture.’ The whole tones of the wedding party outfits of the day are off-white, sunny yellow, shining gold and bleak black. 

As for the accessories, I adapt CARVEN suede ribbon high heels, CHANEL iridescent camellia WOC, CHLOÉ sunglasses, Vivienne Westwood pearl bracelet and CHAO&EERO Nuppu stud earrings and necklace. Inspired by the vibrant Finnish summer, Taiwanese jewelry designer Chao recomposes lupin flowers to create her own 925 silver collection. Joining the summer wedding party, we first welcome bride and her father row the boat to the lakeshore, and later be seated at the main hall beautiful illumination main hall, a 2 billion year-old bedrock wall elevate the fireplace into a league of its own. Savutuvan Apaja offers local Finnish ingredients boast a wide variety of pork feast, smoked salmon, and grilled vegetable dishes, and the dancing party at vintage log boat bar services with various kinds of beverages are as interesting as the DJ playing. 

 

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TOP TIP 1: Adapt the silk garments to create a more of elegant yet casual touch, to get cocktail opening formal but dancing party fun

TOP TIP 2: Simple but high quality accessories outstand at any occasion, adapt  sparkling texture but darker tone of leather goods 

Fashion Fun Weekend Festival 2018! Vivienne Westwood Corset X Gina Tricot Jeans & Saint Laurent Espadrilles Rock at Helsinki Beach

17 August 2018 at Hietaranta Beach, Helsinki 

 

We are experiencing the best, the hottest and the most pleasant summer ever in Finland. The continuous sunny days since this early May has reached atop of climate record, the whole nation owns the lovely vibe to dine out, to sing aloud and to rock at Weekend Festival near Kamppi metro station, Hietaranta Beach.  

 

Having joined Weekend Festival in 2017,which The Chainsmokers, Marshmello, Alan Walker, Deadmau5 & Clean Bandit offered the ultimate EDM experiences, while the main lineups of 2018 excite my Adrenaline merely on 17^ththe Friday—The PRODIGY plus Axwell & Ingrosso, still DJ ZHU also evokers my high interest. With four distinct music regions and mixing with hip hops rising stars in between, the EDM festival features some truly awe-inspiring stage production and fireworks displays is always promising at the finale artists.

The outfits at 2018 Weekend Festival is inspired by British punk spirit from VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, this blended with silk and metallic material corset, which I purchased at Kaohsiung Vivienne Westwood flagship store in 2007, is either sexier to wear one-shoulder bare style, or wrap around the jeans and drape the rest part of the fabric above the ankles. GINA TRICOT high-waist grey jeans, with purposed scratches have cut by my own design is a seasonal bargain to be free concern of mud or dust, and YVES SAINT LAURENT python-effect calfskin espadrilles, purchased in Helsinki at 50% off, are perfect to adjust the distance walk or long stand. VIVIENNE WESTWOOD orb pearl bracelet and CHAO&EERO BUBBLE and SMILE ring rock together with WKND chip ticket bracelet. Last but not the least, that CHLOÉ ivory acetate round shape sunglasses, with frame in width 14 cm & height 5cm, stay as must-have accessories to prevent the UV and provide edgy look of festival day. 

 

2018 Weekend Festival Friday at entrance we start with a group of three, while at DJ ZHU’s performance, we encounter several mutual friends and the gang becomes a pack of ten. At 16:00 we have some muikku combo and KOFF beer, do some photo shooting and location scouting. The sunset makes the beach  scenery into a romantic boulevard, so we chitchat, we stroll around, we enjoy the company, we slightly impatient for the upcoming professional performances. 

Originated from Essex, England, THE PRODIGY first emerged in the underground rave scene in the early 1990s and drew my bro and my attention with the first narrative and shaking cinematography music video “Smack My Bitch Up” from their 1997 UK and US chart-topping album The Fat of the Land. Following smash hits such as “Firestarter”, “Diesel Power” or the amazing hardcore beat "Breathe", THE PRODIGY’s premiere single “Wind It UP” or “Voodoo People” and “Poison” from 1994 album Music from the Jilted Generation are impossible to ignore from ears and sights. February 2006 with my bro, at Taipei Football Stadium was the unforgettable hypertension memory to immerse at the universe of THE PRODIGY; over one decade later, in August 2018 here we are fire starters full of diesel power, wind it up and ready to breathe with the pressure. 

 

DJ/producers Liam Howlett and Maxim do not prolong the introduction, shortly THE PRODIGY front man Keith Flint wearing white shirt, black bib shorts, new green and blond dyed devil horn hairdo, smiles and hops for the prelude of “Breathe”, within a blink the whole area bursts out both the vocal and physical explosion. THE PRODIGY demonstrate the live version of “Invaders Must Die” and “Run With the Wolves” from their 2009 album, and “The Day is My Enemy” of their latest release, no doubt that ‘Smack My Bitch Up” and “Firestarter” are the most well-known hardcore beat. The production from THE PRODIGY often reflect the more intelligent edge of trip-hop, and rarely break into the mindless arena of true big beat or whispering. Maxim and Keith utter the F word to greet Helsinki, we “Wild Frontier”, we surely ‘always outnumbered, never outgunned’.

 

Axwell Λ Ingrosso is a Swedish DJ duo consisting of Swedish House Mafia members Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso. On 10 May 2017, Axwell & Ingrosso released their second EP’s first single “More Than You Know”, which, gaining certifications in whole Nordic Europe. As finale artists at Main Stage on Friday 17^th, Axwell Λ Ingrosso play and trick several hits from Michael Jackson to The Chainsmokers, as well as their new single “Dreamer”. While the music video of “More Than You Know shows up on the double screens, the piles of fans raise up our arms and sing out loud. The stage lights turn into neon purple, and T.G.I. Friday completes wonderfully with fireworks filled with peachy pink, dark orange, crimson red and mustard yellow in the deep purple sky. 

 

Special Thanks: JMH, Eva and Mates

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Fashion Fun Lönnrotinkatu: American Apparel & Bik Bok in Helsinki August Day

Lönnrotinkatu, Helsinki Finland

Helsinki in August 2018 is hot and vivid, while some restaurants during the lunchtime stay siesta breaks; out of our surprise, Koto provides the fresh and authentic Japanese bento choice, it becomes one of my favorites to dine with friends, and the fashion fun photo shoots after meals on the Helsinki high street.

The sunshine is extremely warm while not burning too bright. Outfit of the August day is 95% cotton with 5% elastane pure black American Apparel bare shoulder/belly top, Made in USA, not only my sexy disco outfit but also the easy slip-on; together with Bik Bok braided low-waist pants, 95% polyester and 5% elastane, merely 3 minutes the dressing is done. The tiny annoying tender spot of the Bik Bok pants is, that random threads hook easily while sitting on chairs, to make balling ups or fillings. 

There may be a school of customers concern a lot about the certain images of a brand while doing shopping; indeed, with the mass marketing filled with at every corner of our neighbourhoods, some may seize the purchase due to the company’s ignorant decisions, still, paying attention to the qualities of the products is also a supportive act to aid those who works at the industry, since a success of a firm relies on not only one stupid CEO or designer, but many of assistants, pattern makers, sales or drivers. After the serious of lawsuit onto harassment and bankruptcy, in January 2017 Gildan Activewear Inc. bought American Apparel, though not physical stores, still the web stores are running fast. Regardless the company is known for its provocative and controversial advertising campaigns, the use of fine fabrics various colours are the outstanding of American Apparel, and some of the sexual hints on both graphic or media photography, in my own views, are natural and fun, at least the non-professional/non-overpaid models are healthy looking, carefree with their true naked skin tone without the overdoes of photoshop post production. After Paula Schneider replaced the former CEO in January 2015, I am looking forward to American Apparel re-launching with exciting collection from the negative lawsuits history. 

The outfit tone of day is pure black, light beige and greyish blue. As for the accessories, Chanel two-tone suede sling backs flats and 2017 Cruise Collection lambskin flap bags are not doubt my high-end mix high-street LE LOOK. Chloé ivory white acetate sunglasses have been my must-have ever since, its light -weight and dark lenses are perfect for the hot sunny August day. 

TOP TIP 1: Focus on the quality of clothes rather brand image only

TOP TIP 2: Wear nude underwear while the summer pants are braided with duck eyes (see-through holes) 

Special Thanks: Erica 

AMERICAN APPAREL