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