Beauty Boom! Le Mystery Box de L’Eau est La Pochette Surprise Chanel N°5 - Factory 5 Collection

Q&A in Helsinki 

How does N°5 Factory Collection Le Mystery Box de L’Eau surprise millions of the beauty bloggers?

In 1921, Designer Gabrielle Coco Chanel chose her favourite 5^th eau de parfum among French-Russian Perfumer Ernest Beaux’s 19 samples. In 2021, to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of this radical creation that revolutionised the beauty tradition of its era, CHANEL creates FACTORY 5 COLLECTION, which inspired by daily essentials, a reminder that wearing CHANEL N°5 transforming the ordinary. Seventeen limited edition items in total, all in off-white and bleak black design, the MYSTERY BOX, or so called LE POCHETTE SURPRISE in French, presents the ice cream cone shape, truly intrigues millions of beauty bloggers to unbox for summer fun! 

 

How Does N°5 Factory Collection Body Lotion touch your travel spirit? 

Echoing Gabrielle Coco Chanel’s favourite number of all time, these five travel-friendly gouache tubes at size 20ml filled with CHANEL N°5 L’EAU meticulous lotion, presented in a cardboard gift box, more of a similarity to a collection of water paints, is one of the most astonishing beauty designs ever seen. Enriched with moisturising active ingredients derived from rose and jasmine, the body lotion prolongs the fragrance trail of both N°5 EAU DE PARFUM and N°5 L’EAU, leaves my skin subtly scented, no doubt an instant way to keep fresh during the flight or on the road. 

✔ The ice cream cone shape of LE MYSTERY BOX DE N°5 L’EAU was wrapped with a rather thicker carbonated white box at arrival. Placing upside down for an alternative visual pleasure is a new perspective during the photo shootings. 

 

✔ CHANEL N°5 L’EAU HAND CREAM accentuates the softest, most delicate facets of this iconic perfume. Top notes of lemon, mandarin and orange are propelled skyward by aldehydes, followed by a profusion of rose melding airy jasmine and a fraction of ylang-ylang, and vetiver and cedar impart a novel dynamism, accompanied by white musk as base notes. Made in France, rolling in a 50ml egg silhouette, CHANEL N°5 L’EAU hand cream with ivory matte surface, rests well in a 100% cotton white pouch. 

 

✔ Together with the hand care collection, a special edition 100% cotton N°5 L’EAU HAND TOWEL (made in China) that unfolds on contact with water to reveal the N°5 logo, also a travel size mini N°5 L’EAU NAIL FILE (made in Czech Republic) in transparent ivory white placed gracefully in a black velvet felt sleeve.

 

✔ Each CHANEL online beauty order is available to choose maximum 2 samples, indeed le volume mascara 2ml #10 noir and N°5 Eau de Parfum 1,5ml are the most everyday necessities. 

 

Chanel camellias and fragrance blotters are my constant collection, since the various design surprise me every season. For the Factory 5 Collection, each flat lay photography displaying 5 camellia: The 100% cotton camellia in navy blue reminds me of busy 2019 Christmas, the crimson gold velvet is special edition for Chanel Beauty at holiday season, while those sparkling silver camellias recall the challenging winter in 2020. All the CHANEL N°5 fragrance blotters furnish the fabulous printing technology, especially the series of NEW GENERATION N°5: Artist & Muse, Breaking and Making, vulnerable and Invincible, portrait the female’s image in Gabrielle Coco Chanel’s mind while her creating Chanel N°5. As for vintage touch earrings and cardigan buttons, not only can be worn as daily styling delight, but also the cutest photography gadgets to enhance the whole Factory 5 Collection concept phenomenon. 

Fashion Fun Porvoo! Zara Straw Hat, Linen V-Neck, Ribbed Denim Shorts & Maison Martin Margiela ankle boots in Old Town Porvoo Brobacken

July 17 2021, Porvoo/Borgå

Porvoo region has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The main river Porvoonjoki was a route of commerce for Finnish tribal Tavastians who primarily settled the inland areas. Porvoo was colonised by the Kingdom of Sweden between 13th and 14th centuries after the Second Crusade against Tavastians in 1249–1250. The town received its name from Swedish Borgå, which the borg, meaning castle, and å, referring river; while Porvoo is the Fennicised version of Borgå. After the conquest of Finland by Russian armies in 1808, Sweden had to cede Finland to Russia in 1809 under the Treaty of Fredrikshamn. The Diet of Porvoo in 1809 was a landmark in the History of Finland: The Tsar Alexander I confirmed Finland an autonomous Grand Duchy. In 1997, 80 years after Finland’s independence, the old city of Porvoo was formally disestablished and the new city of Porvoo founded. Nowadays old town Porvoo offers locals and visitors cobbled roads, colourful houses, lovely boutiques and loads to see. 

 

The outfit of the day in Porvoo old town are Zara made in Italy 100% straw hat, Zara made in Portugal 100% linen V-neck top and Zara made in Bangladesh 100% cotton ribbed denim shorts. Purchased in Zara Home Athens in 2017, this caramel brownish straw hat ties up with a dark black ribbon, always makes my best accessory during the burning hot days. Linen fabric gives the breathable and light touch and denim shorts provide the comforts during the shuttle bus trip and walking tour for the whole day round. ZARA JOIN LIFE collection adapts 100% ecologically grown cotton for its denim lines, and 100% European grown linen produced without artificial irrigation, nor genetically modified seeds and its natural growth techniques help to preserve biodiversity. I usually support slow fashion with houses’ savoir faire, yet also approve eco-friendly fast fashion for a good change. 

 

For both easy and trendy concerns, MAISON MARGIELA 100% lambskin cutout ankle boots are my best travel mates to keep the journey continue. Its open-toe device gives the breathing spaces for feet, the leather soles equip me the durable long walks, and its ankle-height design balances the silhouette of rather shorter denim shorts. Knot up a DIOR 100% silk twilly, the white, grey and black look complete with a bit elegant feel. MIU MIU round-frame glittered acetate sunglasses, not only hippie enough to style up, but also the gradient lenses serve my vision comfortable under the UV threat. CHANEL WOC in lambskin is supple to cross on shoulders and easy to carry my daily essential; therefore I place my light cardigan, wet wipers, a bottle of water in my 100% organic cotton tote bag. 

 

The slope cobbled street Sillanmäki (Brobacken in Swedish) presents the best Fashion Fun shooting location while we accidentally passing by. The ray of afternoon light enriches the burgundy wooden house much stronger tone to contrast my caramel brownish hat, off-white top, light grey shorts, pastel pink twilly and even CHANEL rosy red liquid powder #958 Volupte and nail polish #8 Pirate. Since it’s burning hot at 35’c, the catwalk is faster but very fortunately we still nail several cool shots. As for the postproduction, I only adjust the photos rather yellow hue to a slightly cold tinge, other parts to me, are as easy as a piece of tasty cake. 

 

TOP TIP 1: Ankle-height boots balance the ribbed super shorts for the slimmer silhouette 

TOP TIP 2: Always bring a straw hat and a pair of sunglasses for the burning hot days plus a light cardigan for the protection of arms and legs

 

Special Thanks: Wendy & Bin

Cuisine Crush: Old Porvoo Ice Cream Factory & Japanese Fusion at Ranta Aitta

Porvoo/Borgå, Finland

June/July 2021 

 

Being one of the six medieval towns in Finland (with Naantali, Rauma, Turku, Ulvila, and Vyborg), Porvoo provides the country roads, the riverbanks, the lovely cuisines, and loads to see. Except the outbreak in 2020, every summer definitely I revisit this lovely old town, for the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the quality memories with friends. Purchasing shuttle bus tickets from MATKAHUOLTO, after 50 minutes we arrive at Porvoo Central Bus Station, and our hunger drive us to old town for the crush of restaurant gastronomique. 

 

VANHAN PORVOON JÄÄTELÖTEHDAS/OLD PORVOO ICE CREAM FACTORY

Established in 2017 springtime at church market (Kirkkotori, only can be enjoyed in Porvoo, Old Porvoo Ice Cream Factory offers artisan ice cream with only 20% of air, and the ingredients include domestic milk, fresh fruits and homemade jams. All the tasty gluten-free and low fat sorbets are squeezed directly from fresh berries and fruit; no doubt my favourite is surely raspberry, plus home-baked cookies with VANHAN PORVOON JÄÄTELÖTEHDAS line, giving this heat season a certain great relief.

 

RANTA AITTA 

Located in the historic red wooden storage barns along the idyllic Porvonjoki riverside, opening in summer 2021, Ranta Aitta (Granary Shore) presents the Japanese fusion from ethical and local ingredients. Taking to be seated at outdoor bar after 10 minutes queue, as a seafood addictive, I was intrigued by Tako & Togarashi, which grant a piece of thick grilled octopus, spring cabbage, pecan nuts, jalapeños, shallot onion, aioli and yuzu-miso dressing with spring potatoes. The octopus is tender and the cabbage is fresh and sweet, the most interesting is the yuzu-miso dressing mixed perfectly with the domestic Finnish raw materials. My dear friend takes Ahiru salad, which contains roasted duck leg, soba noodles, daikon radish, peanut dressing and nashi pears, definitely will be my next choice at Restaurant Ranta Aitta. 

Special Thanks: Linda

VISIT PORVOO

Fashion Fun Naantali! Zara Cropped Top, Sporty Leggings, Sheer Slippers & Chanel WOC in Moominworld

14 July 2021 in Naantali

Knock Knock Naantali! Founded around the medieval Brigittine Convent, Nådendal Abbey still dominates Naantali’s skyline nowadays. Being one of the oldest towns in Finland, Naantali is Finnish version of the Swedish name Nådendal, which was given directly from Latin, Vallis Gratiae, literally translated as ‘The Valley of Grace’. Arriving Turku Bus Station at 12:35, 14 km drive to Naantali old town for harbour lunch is the first great fun of my summer daytrip. 

 

Outfits of the day at Naantali daytrip, concerning of surprisingly humid weather and road ride conditions, ZARA head to toe outlooks are the major selections for the comfy possibilities while not too much of sloppy touch. ZARA 100% off-white cotton cropped top with attached belts, its adjustability allows a various way to play around. I rotate the belts around my upper waist, and finally tie up a knot as a simple yukata. For the wider sleeves of ZARA cotton cropped top, ZARA 90% polyamide, 7% metallic fiber & 3% elastane limitless contour shining leggings are sporty enough to move around but yet trendy cute. ZARA JOIN LIFE collection offers the fast fashion shoppers an advanced way to care for the fiber and our mother Earth. For 100% cotton cropped top takes up at least 50% of ecologically frown cotton (25,95 EUR), and shining sporty leggings adopts at least 25% of recycled polyamide (17,95 EUR). ZARA was once the major target to received blames for the environmental and labour controversies, while JOIN LIFE collection offers the reformatting efforts. Still, truly wish ZARA and Index. Co continuously support sustain fabrics and designs projects, slightly higher price range or less mass productions are undoubtedly acceptable for we fashionista. 

As for accessories, ZARA sheer slippers with rubber materials and MIUMIU round-frame glittered acetate sunglasses have become my summer easy slip-on. wallet-on-chain (abbreviation as WOC) from House complimentary with shiny lambskin and metallic strings composing the timeless classic quilt patterns is my new favourite: IPHONE, ID and credit cards, keys, rubber bands and travel size of mascara, le rouge plus cotton sanitizers, a day trip is able to concentrate into 12.3 x 19.2 x 3.5 cm dimension. 

Only 500 meters walk to the bridge toward Kailo Island from Naantali old town, MOOMIN WORLD  is our instant choice of day. Built in 1993, the blueberry-coloured Moomin House is the main attraction of the park, where guests are able to discover all five floors to visit the daily life of Moomin family. Rather a traditional amusement park with various rides, we drop by forest path with the Witch’s Labyrinth, Barefoot Trails, The Hattifatteners’ Cave and The Snork’s House, and chit chat with Snork’s scientist father (Performed possibly perhpas, by a young art school student. He is talkative and quite cute, we continue the conversation until I promise him to search for his lost family members… at that moment I was only wildly wondering if he is the convicted murderer…). While we reach the point of the Kailo island, Edvard the Booble is floating around, and the gate of Bathing Hut standing as if we can travel through thoroughly the time and space. 

 

I have never ever seen such a several schools of kids during one day, but the road trip, Baltic seashore light lunch, Naantali old town walk, Moominworld adventure and the endless quality time really grand the daytrip a very lovely memories. Dear Turku and Naantali, definitely I will pay you a visit, probably, very soon. 

 

TOP TIP 1: Cropped top with slim leggings always retouch the slim silhouette 

TOP TIP 2: According to GREEN Wash, the worst performance of fabric sustainability in 2020 went to H&M. Fast Fashion can still be environmental friendly, let’s support the recycled project

 

Special Thanks: Aimee & Snork’s Dad

Fashion Fun Sveaborg: Italian Straw Hat, 100% Silk Top, Zara Baggy Jeans & Chanel Tweed Espadrilles on Suomenlinna

At Sveaborg Helsinki,  7 July 2021

Dear Summer 2021, we shall kick off the adventure at Suomenlinna! Stands at UNESCO World Heritage Site, SUOMENLINNA (Castle of Finland) is an inhabited sea fortress built on eight islands about 4km southeast from the city center of Helsinki. Originally named Sveaborg (Castle of Swedes) or Viapori, the Swedish Crown commenced the construction of the sea fortress in 1748 as protection against Russian expansionism. During the Finnish War, Sweden surrendered the fortress to Russia in May 1808, since then, Russia had been occupied the fortress before the Independence of Finland in 1918, which, Finnish managed Suomenlinna through the Defense Department until turning most of it over to civilian control in 1973. Nowadays, Suomenlinna glows as a gem of Helsinki, attracts locals and passengers to discover the dark tunnels, the prison camps, the Baltic seashore, the Submarine Vesikko, the naval canons, the Hobbit-mimic houses and the vanilla ice cream on the Gulf of Finland. 

 

Holding the valid HSL transportation card, the city ferries carry us to the islands at 12:30 sharp. For the comfy walk on the pebble roads at Suomelinna, the outfit of the day trip, one of the major choices is D.EXTERIOR 100% off-white silk top. Made in Italy, originated in Brescia in the late 1950s, the craftsmanship from the founder Nadia Zanola and her collaborators, for of all garments, are using highly qualified Italian labour, which yarned, knitted and packaged individually by hands. The second comfy choice is 100% denim baggy jeans with vintage touch from ZARA, which fulfills my jeans collection. 

CHANEL peachy pink espadrilles combine the comfy, the colours and the style to enhance a rather basic off-white top and washed denim. Made in Spain with carefully embroidery tweeds, the pair provides an eye-catchy genre among the conservative tone, and the rubber outsoles offer an effortless long-term walking tour on the islands. As for accessories, CHANEL Ladies First earrings in gold are the most popular customized fashion jewelry for ages, are perfect together with MIUMIU light-weighted round-framed glitter acetate sunglasses. I decorate ZARA baggy jeans with DIOR 100% silk twill in U letter, represents ‘Univers’. Illuminated by Pleine Lune, those art pieces exhibit in Monsieur Christian Dior’s gallery, have particularly inspired the Creative Director, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s idea to create A to Z twill collection. Made in Italy, Dior 6 x100cm silk twill (Mitzah scarf) owns pointed ends with two-tone designs, invites the multi-functional use of this lovely accessory: a hairband, a scarf, a bracelet, a belt or a cute deco onto the handle of a handbag. Price ranging between 160EUR-180EUR, Definitely is one of my favourite souvenirs to collect when I visit DIOR boutiques around the world. 

 

Last but not the least, that Made in Italy, hand-weaving straw hat prevents facial from sunburn; tighten with CHANEL logo ribbon, a merely 15 EUR vintage from secondhand immediately transforms into haute couture trendy headpiece. For city tour or day trip, I prefer to carry a rather petite sac de jour, with IPHONE, keys, credit cards and le rouge, plus a cotton tote bag equipped with a bottle of water, a package of wet tissue, several face masks, and perhaps, a cotton-silk blended cardigan, for the physical need of UVA protection.  

Suomenlinna is lovely to have a picnic, go on a Baltic swim and discover the fortress museums at one-day trip. I’ve been visited numerous times since 2005 while this is the first attempt to record my fashion fun at UNESCO World Heritage Site of Finland. 

 

TOP TIP 1: Peachy pinkish colour is perfect with off-white and denim vintage 

TOP TIP 2: Besides 100% cotton shirt, silk top is an affable choice to wear at daily trip during high summer

Special Thanks: JMH