China Fashion & Lifestyles

Heartbroken Family Lost Their Child and Blame Hospital Doctor on Duty

2009-11-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

Some hopeless family has posted this on net: November 5, 2009 afternoon, a tragedy happened in a Children’s hospital, but we the common people will not see it in today’s newspapers or from major media. It’s not that we didn’t ask for help, but there was no one helping us. Posting this in hope of friends in the society can support us, to make people responsible at the hospital step up, to make the major media step up including our beloved 110 (police) also step up.

Thanks for the internet, now the incident has reached a widespread awareness at least all the major media has made it clear to all public in Nanjing and other cities.

We can't know the real reason behind the death of the child, maybe it catched some unkown disease that beyond what the doctors can do, but according to what we have heard, many people think the doctors on duty should take some of the responsibilities.

It's said the on duty doctor was playing games that time and declined the 3 time's plea by the family for calling the doctors to check their baby.

Quite curious what this will end to the public.

Keep Waking, Avoid Morning Jam

2009-11-12T18:10:00.000-08:00

Morning Jam is a global problem unless you are living in some less densenly populated city. But it's just a fair deam if you living in some big Chines cities. The road to office is not that easy at all. One hour is basic for some citizens.

Some people are so lucky that they could live near their work office, that's nice since you won't have to join the subway crowd or the terrible public bus that will stuck in the road for half hours not moving with you standing there in the middle of the crowd.

Why there is always jam even thought roads are build more and more, broader and boader at the same time. Individual car is so many, that's the problem.

Every family desire of owning a car, but unless they got one, they won't realize the trouble the car also brings, you still get late to work when driving to work, and you are so troubled about how to park your car. You are also been annoyed by the ever increasing oil price once in a while.

So counting on your two foot, keep walking seem to be the best way. (just joke).

Book Share: China Business Guide 2009

2009-09-24T01:49:00.000-07:00

China Business Guide 2009 is the definite guide to doing business in China. It is an essential tool for companies looking to enter or grow in the growing China market.

Here in one compact guidebook are an astounding number of facts, figures, overviews, foreign investment reports, analyses & expert reports, maps and data -- all of immense help to those planning to do business in China, travel to China or set up permanently in this dynamic nation.

Featuring:

In-depth Industry overviews written by experts covering every key sector of the economy with the most up-to-date statistics and charts
Over 100 destinations, with useful information, maps, economics statistics, industrial parks, major hotels, websites, restaurants, bar, and hospitals
Historical data to provide context
Information service providers that can help you set up your business: logistics firms, property agents, headhunters and more
Invaluable tips on getting along with and impressing Chinese partners
2009 preview of China's economy
A Chinese language guide for a crash course in Mandarin

Book Share: A Year Without "Made in China": One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global Economy

2009-09-24T01:39:00.000-07:00

Includes a Foreword by Joel L. Naroff, PhD,

President, Naroff Economic Advisors, Inc.
Chief Economist, Commerce Bank

"Over the past century, Americans' images of China have fluctuated wildly from victim, to heroic fighter, to Communist fanatic. We have loved them and feared them. And now, as Sara Bongiorni shows in vivid personal terms, we are in a new phase where it is a little of both. China has become an economic giant that can step on our toes, but that we must embrace."
—John Maxwell Hamilton, Dean and Hopkins P. Breazeale Foundation Professor Manship School of Mass Communication, Louisiana State University

"When the writer resolves to forgo Chinese imports for one year, she leads her lively family in a fascinating experiment that requires surprising feats of will power and ingenuity. The family's adventure through the maze of modern America's consumer life is both thought provoking and delightful to read. Those little 'Made in China' labels will never seem the same again."
—Mark Fabiani, former White House special counsel and media/political consultant

"Breaking up is indeed hard to do, as Sara Bongiorni proves in this winning memoir of her household's one-year boycott of Chinese products. Equal parts Erma Bombeck and economics, A Year Without 'Made in China' is that lively miracle—a crash course in globalization that is also consummately entertaining."
—Danny Heitman, columnist for The Advocate (Baton Rouge)

"A funny and engaging story about one family's experiment in our global economy. The Bongiorni family does without sneakers, sunglasses, and printer cartridges, but develops a dogged creativity and much needed sense of humor. The myriad moral complexities in the relationship between American consumers and Chinese factory are evident in each shopping trip."
—Pietra Rivoli, PhD, Professor, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University and author, The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy

"Y...

Enjoy Self-Made Coffee at Home

2009-04-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

There is both voices about drinking coffee, generally, people think it’s not so healthy as Chinese green tea. But coffee got its own magic, its irresistible flavor and smell that will intrigue you right away.

I suggest you bring a coffee maker home and make coffee yourself, since the coffee beans would emit so great scent to bring you good mood. You won’t experience the scent only if you make coffee yourself. It’s a great joy too.

Apart from all those bad talks about coffee, For most of us, the humble cup of coffee is simply a harmless and enjoyable way to kick-start the day or give us an excuse for some time out. No more, no less. However, it is important to remember that different people exhibit different tolerance levels to caffeine—it is, after all, a drug.

So, while a mid-morning cappuccino will give one person a pleasant buzz, it could make another person edgy and irritable. To play it safe, it's best to err on the side of caution. Whatever your choice—espresso or latte—keep a watch on your consumption for the sake of both your short-term and long-term health.

As a typical Chinese girl who not so familiar with the western coffee culture, I got so much to learn about coffee, as to its different style, coffee beans knowledge, and those gadgets for making coffee.

I just started the self-made coffee adventurer a short time ago, for adding some interesting expectations to ordinary life, I think it did the effort, and my family together enjoy the coffee time. It’s not all about drinking coffee, it’s about giving leisure time for yourself, to enjoy life.

I would learn more about the beans now, and find the best area to buy them, some famous beans are not so easy to get, since Chinese are not quite depend on the coffee culture, it’s only been a popular experience among the younger people just like me, those elder ones such as my parents, they are not drinking coffee very often.

Frugal Living Becomes New Trend

2009-03-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

Many people's lifestyle has been changed during this finantial crisis, which still seem to have no sign to leave us.

As the financial crisis squeezes the real economy, urban white-collar workers speak of shrinking bonuses and frozen wages.

Some are unemployed but just how many is unknown as China has not released that information. Students are facing the worst job prospects since China's economic reform began 30 years ago.

It natually becomes a time when frugal living becomes new trend and fashion.People share different experience and ways of saving money, learning how to spend less money, but achieve the same effect or got the same life as usual.

It all comes down to life details and some attitude change. For example, we would buy clothing from c2c website instead of spending much more money in the shopping malls or even make clothing by ourselves if you got the skills.

We could cook more instead of going to restaurants, learning more cooking skills and heathy recipes, which is better in a lot of senses. In such way, you may have more time with your families and enjoy life's simple pleasure, which previously you are too busy to experience.Those big brands like chanel, gucci,LV...Let them skip our eyes and minds for the moment since they are not necessity in life.

The frugal lifestyle seems to be endorsed by authorities too. In a commentary published last week in the People's Daily, the writer said frugality did not conflict with the government's demand-stimulating policies, as it called for reasonable rather than reckless spending. Frugality could also help people spend their limited money on the most needed things.

Work hard, keep the current job, and keep a positive mind too. Even if you are so unlucky to be caught in a undertowm, don't be so down, look at the bright side. Learn more skills during this time, spend more time with your family. It may not be so bad.

Taking Shots is All About Angle and Light

2009-03-10T22:53:00.001-07:00

Different shot taken in the same place at the same time would have totally different effect and feeling. That made us thinking. Is shot the true reflection of the reality. The answer is no, taking shot is all about light and angle. It's about what you want to emphasis on and what to hide from. It's about angle you choose, the light you captured.

Photography skills takes experiences to command, and it's such a amazing things about taking shot if you really got the skills and photo philosophy.

I was very interested in taking shot recently and want to learn more skills to capture more fun and beauty in life, to record those magic moments in life. The other day when I was wearing my charming evening address to attend a party, I feel a little sorry that I didn't bring my camera to take a picuture of me. When I returned home, I carefully put my dress in a hanger and changed to my casual flip flop. A special day has passed with no trace.

We should keep the habit of taking photos of ourselves when we are young to keep as many good memories as possible. I was often impressed by those skillful men with good photography skills and they have turned the ordinary into magic. The light and the angle is sometimes full of creation and art.

Finally there is some basic tips to follow:

See the light
Charming children, idyllic settings and the wrong lighting add up to lousy pictures. The flash on your camera is your friend - unless it’s not. Washed out faces and redeye are just two of the problems you’ll face in less than optimum light conditions. You can eliminate the redeye problem by taking your pictures outdoors. Avoid shooting in the middle of the day. Mornings or late afternoons make for a much warmer and less shadowy photo. Position yourself so that the light comes from the side. If it’s in their faces, they squint. If it’s behind them, their faces will be in shadow. Indoors, use your windows to your advantage. Even the light on an overcast day will add softness to your photo.
Don’t pose - compose
Forget all that stuff you’ve read about tilted chins and carefully arranged arms and legs. A pose looks exactly like what it is. Let your kid just be a kid and concentrate on the composition of your photo. Avoid framing her in the middle of your shot. Think of the image in your viewfinder as a tic-tac-toe grid and try to position the camera so that the she appears where two of the lines intersect. And always shoot at eye level with your subject. This isn’t aerial photography and shots taken from above will foreshorten your kid’s body and make his head appear larger than life. Get down on your knees or lie on your stomach if you have to.
Watch your background
Sure, you’re intent on capturing the perfect expression, but pay attention to what’s in the background, too. Often without realizing it, we take photos that look like a fence post or tree is growing out of the top of our kid’s head. Make sure you position yourself so that what’s in the background stays where it belongs.

The Music Brand I Loved - Bang Gang

2009-02-16T23:02:00.000-08:00

Listen to Bang Gang in the night, enjoy the melodies, really intoxiated in it.

You have found the perfect music to keep you dancing through the long dark night. Dark in vision, yet packed with light and instantly memorable melodies.

The songs exude diamond sharp sadness, paranoia, passion and intensity in a setting of carefully constructed melodies and computerized rhythms.

Bang Gang is his chosen vehicle for projecting his dark musical fantasies, where phantoms and ghosts sing in whispers, surrounded by celestially beautiful melodies.

Sleep (Lyric)

Walking in my sleep at night
And you can´t have meCan´t have eEver
Walking in my sleepSo you can´t have me
Disappeared, goneYou have gone out of my dreams
Walking in my sleepWith my flesh in bed
Still you are thereThink you´ll never let me be
Walking in my sleepSo you can´t have me
Disappeared, goneYou have gone out of my dreams
Walking in my sleepWith my flesh in bed
Still you are thereJust get the fuck out of my dreams
Walking in my sleep at nightAnd you can´t have meCan´t have meEver

Not Used To Credit Cards, We Tend to Save More Money

2009-02-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

It seems that Chinese people are more cautious about their money spending compared with most westerners who likes to reply on credit cards and spend their future money. It's all about culture difference and different attitudes about money spending.

To take a deep investigation about this vast diversity, I should say the reason is complicated as you may thought, it's not a easy thing as right or bad, as though I think it's a virtue to save money.

Bank is our best friend, and we have the habit of putting money in the bank even bank don't give any profit of it or would charge us for the money saving, we still wan to save, because we have lots of things to worry about, such as the housing problem, the medical fees, the children's education, all this needs money.

As for me, during this finantial crisis, I go to the supermarkets less and less, and seldom to the big malls for clothing since the price is way out of our reach. So I turn to online shopping, where I bought idear products just by simple click.

Since I live in the big city, so the logistic system is working perfectly well. During the begining, I only bought some cheap daily use items like cushion, small kithcn stuff, clothing. But when I found that the online shop is becoming more professioanl and the products sold by trustworthy sellers is cheap and chic, I begin to buy some large amount items like brand clohing or window curtain for home decoration.

Do You Really Like Living Life Alone at Home

2009-02-02T05:18:00.000-08:00

Don't take wrong of the title, I'm not going to talk about marriage problems here, but a new kind of lifestyles that going more and more common among young people, that's life alone at home, seldom make any contact with other people or society.

The fast growing of technology seem to make face to face communications between people less, drive people away from each other more often. Every part of the world today is enjoying the comforts provided by technology, by internet. Many young people now used to live life alone at home alone, don't want to enter reality world out here, some of those people even grow the illness called Melancholy symptom.

They feel home is the most cozy place, they could wear comfortable sandals, totally be free. They don't need to care about the appearance at all; just a leisure cotton shirt could just be ok. When feeling tired, just pick up a cushion and have a good rest, the other time, they have computers and online fantastic world.

So I have listed the following possible symptoms that may decide whether you are into this along lifestyle or not.

1, Crazy obsessed with something: obsessed with cartoon characters, popular stars, certain people, certain instance. And such obsessions is suddenly happened and can’t be easily escaped.
2, Rely on computers: A short time without computers or lines would probably kill you!
3, Can’t live without internet: be online all the time, even you have nothing to do, the QQ or MSN is always online for you.
4, Hate schools or work: Sometimes you would feel very reluctant to go to schools or go to workplace, really hate to go there, but have to go since you don’t seem to have any choices.
5, Your rest time is not stable: You actually have a very flexible rest time that don’t have any rules to follow.
6, Repel going out: Compared to going out, you’d rather stay at home. You could take a lot time considering whether to going out for an activity or not.
7, Don't quite fond of make contact with strangers: Communications with strangers in the reality makes you scary and in great panic.
8, Have both sides in your personality: You could try to hide your inner thought in front of the things you don’t like, drift along your life and feel yourself that you have both characters.
9, Love to collect things: Collect one or another, such as stamps or other stuff, and really into this action.
10, Staying alone: Generally, you don’t have any life companion with you except your parents.
11, Fat problems: Not very slim, just to say at least.
12, Often have a pet with you

Life on The Road Again for 2009

2009-01-31T22:47:00.000-08:00

According to Chinese traditional calendar, the new year 2009 has just begun for less than 10 days. So everything has got a fresh new start and you get all the vigor back again after a long 7 days rest at home with family, eating well enough to frighten your own stomach.

Now comes the time to draw a blueprint for the new year if you don't want to have another repeat year without any aim and expectations. Or use the old sayings: new year resolutions.

As for me, 2009 would be a special year with reasons I don't want to exlore here, and to the detail, I have the flowing nice hopes.

1, Try to raise a pet in the new year. I love the french bull dog, oh, it got a black and white cute face, making you laugh at the sight of it. Since one first need to get yourself raised well to raise a pet, so not a easy thing for me for the moment.

2, Learn to cook more nutritious yet tasty food. We are always busy, busy, and busy, to even forget the basic happyniess in the life is "eating". Eating makes us happy and it's also the most simple thing that we can satisfy ourselves, so feeling happy can be easy if you learned to cook delicious food and share with others. Sometimes going to restarurents is not the best choice.

3, Save money for the home decoration project. My boyfriend and I decided to use our own money to purchase all the home electronics items in the near furture. In this way, we would feel more happy and satisfactory when use those products everyday. Besides, the process of buying those electronics itself is great fun that we both would enjoy very much.

Perfect Pants to Fit Your Leg Shape

2009-01-25T01:32:00.000-08:00

Pants are the number one wardrobe item. Women want to wear pants that look great and are comfortable at the same time whether you are sitting or walking. That’s why the style you choose is so important.
If you buy a pant online simply because of others saying it's great and perfectly cutted, then you are greatly wrong. Remember, pants pick legs and body shape.

We all know that the tight straingt pants are in fashion, but ff you are not with a perfect long leg shape, don't ever try the straight pantsm, it may look awkard on you. There are many women wearing the tight pants in the street, but in fact, seldom anyone could wear them well and nice.

The more safe choice would be the Cropped (九分裤),cropped styles (around ankle length or a few inches above) is suitable for most people. The key is to wear a high-heels to go along with it. Otherwise, it may just be another plain pants.

Fabric also is important when it comes to choosing pants that will be flattering. All types of fabrics such as denim, corduroy, velveteen, cotton, knits, and medium weight blends are used for pants. Unless you’ve got a perfect figure it’s wise to avoid fabrics that cling as they will emphasize your faults.

Consider both the design and the texture of fabric when buying pants. Some fabrics can be uncomfortable because they are itchy or bulky. Make sure the pattern is appropriate to your size and shape and as well to the style of the pants.

A proper fit will make your pants attractive and comfortable. They should fit snugly at the waist and then fit smoothly but not overly tight through the hips and thighs. Pants do not fit correctly if they ripple at the waist, wrinkle or bag in the crotch, if the press seam is off center, and if the waistline is pulling either at the back or the front.

Anyway, keep a mind of your own leg size and waist size, and know your style. Comfort is ahead of style if you are asking me what's the priority.

A Necktie Man Who also Enjoys Folding Bike

2009-01-25T00:46:00.000-08:00

It seems like that necktie and folding bike can't be tied to one man, since necktie represents a kind of formal style, suit type man that generally not so young or so old, and are doing extrovert jobs or market jobs that may require a formal looking everyday.

And folding bike exercese is a kind of casual lifestyles and a new trend in young men in the big cities, who may enjoy the weekend of taking a folding bike to explore the nature wild in the city, to have a better exercise in the outside. Young and cool guys like this cycling sport very much.

So why not the racing bike, but the folding bike ? Acturally, the folding bike I'm talking about is not the kids stuff, it's more professioanl like and suitable for putting into a backpack when you are climibing a mountains. Mountains, that's what a wild exploration should include, so a plain bike would not suit to bring to the mountain area.

But who says an necktie type looking man could not change the style once in a while to enjoy a more casual lifestyle, to wear those soft T-shirt and short pants, try to play the folding bike. Those professiaonl folding bike gadgets are really expensive, but it can bring us a lot of fun and benifits.

It's lightweight, chic designed, and with excellent function. It's novel, so it got market in a society where people all looking for some difference and excitement in life.

Folding bike may also be utilized by those are not living near the subway, and don't have a car, and it may be your best choice to ride to the subway and then folding it when you get there. It's a very recommanded way of transportion in the big cities now.

Travel Far Away to Discover Home

2009-01-14T23:00:00.001-08:00

Living in mordern society for too long to see the beautiful skys and to smell the green trees' fresh scent, you would like to give your soul and body a big rest, go travelling in some place with lots of old green trees and mysterious flavor.

There was no more crowd, no more noses, no more pressure, it's just your free soul and an curious mind and eyes.

Sometimes when you leave places you know and take on experiences unknown, your perspective changes about your own country, your life philosophy and yourself.

China has many such beautiful places similar to the photos showed, for example, Sichuan is famous in china travel. Before or after the earthquake, Sichuan is still beautiful and full of charm to the domestic or foreign travellers. Food is also great in Sichuan, so you can travel and eat greatly at the same time, you know, the most famous chinese food is Sichuan food. Seldom anyone won't like them.

Right Kitchenware to Let You Cook in Style and Happiness

2009-01-08T17:52:00.000-08:00

Do you want to cook happily and eat with nice mood. Do you want your kitchen life to stay out of mondame and colorless ?

Maybe a collection of wonderful kitchenware would give you great surprise, not just they are functional and save you a lot of trouble, but they are nice and beautifully designed to let you love them at first sight and happy to prepare food with them.

Cooking needs to be both fun and rewarding, especially if you are doing more of it. Whilst kitchen accessories will never make you into a great chef, by having the right equipment, you will give yourself the greatest opportunity of turning a good meal into a great meal, and make cooking that little bit easier and happier in the process.

So try to enjoy the cooking process, it's life. Do it in style. To outfit a brand new kitchen from scratch can be overwhelming. Often, kitchens are overfilled with the newest and priciest gadgets, and nobody in the house capable of using them to their full potential. It is not about how many big price items you can collect, it is about the food you can create with what you have and be perfectly comfortable with. Having the right Kitchenware tools and gadgets will make cooking easier, faster and actually enjoyable. The daily chore that once was, can now be fun.

In morden society, many kitchen gadgets has taken a new leap, both in functions and designs. And there is as many choices as you may imagine. Start from the food, that's the basic point for choosing kitchenware. Not buying something that are not so functional and useful to you, since there is so many choices out there that you may bought something useless.

Great kitchenware collection would take you on an educational and exciting journey into that realm that binds as all: Food. Happy surfing, happy cooking and learn to laugh at your not so perfect dinners. Life is short and so many things around us are too funny to be missed.

Budget Weddings in a Time of Financial Uncertainty

2009-01-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

In this terrible time of financial uncertainty, wheather you are directly influenced by this crisis or are still intact, you should be more careful about your cash flow from now on.

Since young people still have to get married, you have to give a good thought about how to save money and have a budget but still perfect wedding.

It starts from renting a wedding dress. Apparel cost is huge in a wedding. Renting is less expensive than buying. Men have been renting tuxedos for years, why not wedding dress rental for women? This isn't as far fetched as it may sound. In addition to buying a wedding dress, most brides have to contend with preserving and storing the wedding dress. With a wedding dress rental, all the bride has to do is choose the dress, wear it, and return in within the allotted time period. She doesn't even have to worry about the dry cleaning.

With careful planning, costs can be kept under control and a stylish wedding achieved for a fraction of this figure. Here are some more tips.

1. Rings
Ask yourself if you really need to spend thousands on something some people lose or which wears out and becomes unusable.

2. Food
Think about making the food yourself, or at least the puddings and starters. Ask at local catering colleges if they provide a service; you might still get quality but at half the price. Alternatively, ask everyone to bring a dish!
The wedding cake neednÂ’t be expensive either. Think about making it yourself, or go for a simple sponge. A current trend is to serve small individual Â‘cup-cakesÂ’, which aren't expensive but still look nice.

3. Photography
If you do go for a professional photographer, ensure youÂ’re certain of the number and type of prints you want and ask yourself how many you really need.
Alternatively, ask a friend who has an interest in photography, but make sure they have a good camera.

4. Honeymoon
Do you really need a villa in the Seychelles with every conceivable luxury? Honeymoons can add thousands to wedding costs. Think of hiring a romantic cottage somewhere in the UK instead. Or take advantage of low-cost flights to a European city and try to negotiate a good hotel deal (especially if you intend to go out of high season).
Alternatively, ask around among friends and family and see if anyone has a second home you could borrow, or at least rent cheaply, in the UK or abroad.

Bargain, bargain, bargain. You can negotiate for everything, from flowers to the band to the venue. Katie says she got a deal on her dress and the bridesmaid dresses by purchasing them from the same shop. Cut back on things that guests won't notice. Carley suggests eliminating a couple of courses from the dinner, limiting the bar by featuring a special cocktail, or only buying flowers that are in season. Don't lose sight of the purpose. The wedding is to celebrate your relationship, so focus on creating a memorable time as opposed to simply a lavish one.

Colorful Outdoor Table Cloth to Promote Your Appetite

2009-01-05T00:39:00.000-08:00

A tablecloth dresses up a table for special occasions and also protects a table from spills and messes. Tablecloths are fairly inexpensive and are found in an abundance of colors and designs, yet finding quality cloths that match your decor can be a costly business in terms of both time and money. When choosing table cloth you need consider color, size, fabric, and design.

First, set up a budget.

The amount you are willing to spend will influence the type of tablecloth you will buy. A higher budget will allow you to purchase an elegant, durable linen tablecloth that looks great for a formal lunch or dinner. A medium-budget tablecloth will usually be more usable, and may come in polyester, which allows for easy cleaning and washing while retaining the look of a pure linen. A low-budget or everyday-use tablecloth such as vinyl, or printed or plain damask is good if you don't want the kids to ruin your glass table. Vinyl tablecloths are however easier to break, they are 100% machine made, and any tear in the vinyl material will only get bigger and bigger so watch out! Polyesters on the other hand are gaining in popularity.

Most fabric tablecloths are designed to wash well, except for lace, which may need to be soaked and washed by hand after use. When choosing a fabric tablecloth, select one that matches the style of your kitchen or dining room in both color and style. A formal dining room should have a formal tablecloth. You can choose a delicate white linen look or you might choose dark, rich colors and patterns. In you want to pick one table cloth for your dining table in the garden, then please take care of its colors to be coodinate with the surroundings.

Remember to pay attention to the size of the tablecloth when you buy it. There are four basic tablecloth shapes: Oblong(Rectangle), Oval, Round and Square. There are also various sizes of these shapes and many tablecloths styles to fit them. Round tablecloths are generally either 60 inch (152.4 cm) or 70 inch (177.8 cm) in diameter. They work well on round tables, but will not fit an oval or square table properly.

A nice table cloth will definitely promote your appetite and at most times, they are a very important decoration in your kithen or outdoor dinning table. Be careful when choosing colors.

Modal Towel - Touch Like Your Second Face

2009-01-03T23:44:00.000-08:00

Chinese new year is coming and I bet every Chinese would like to collect new and exquisite household items to make your everyday life more comfortable and to start the 2009 with fresh feelings.

Today I wanna talk about the towels, the important items that we would touch everyday. So a great towel may give a great touch feeling and nice mood. Since towel is also the items that we would frequently replaced for the sake of healthy reasons, so new year would be the best time to buy youself a new Modal towel set.

I'm sure many of you have already heard about MODAL, but a surprising number of people have told me that they do not know what it is. Modal® is a bio-based fiber made by spinning reconstituted cellulose from beech trees. It is about 50% more hygroscopic, or water-absorbent, per unit volume than cotton is. It is designed to dye just like cotton, and is color-fast when washed in warm water.

In general, Model is a super soft, light, silky fabric that is made of 100% cellulose, extracted from the beechwood tree. Not only does the fabric have the benefits of being 100% natural, and therefore exempt from objections involving the synthetic textile industry (well, casting deforestation aside, I suppose...but I have witnessed the effects of a nearby DuPont plant while an undergrad at UVa...it ain't pretty), but the fabirc has the added quality of wicking away sweat from the body - night/cold sweats are a thing of the past. Additionally, it supposedly stands up to repeated harsh washings and dryings better than other fabrics. There's nothing better than the feeling of climbing into bed on a hot summer night into a cool set of silky sheets that comfortably cling to your body...and they're great for the winter too.

Many people would never consider anything but white bath towel. White towels are classic, they remind us of our favorite spa or hotel, they evoke a clean and tranquil feeling. I personally love white bath towels too, since it's not been dyed with color, more natural and clean. So a Model white bath towel set or face towel would be on my purchasing list. I will compare the prices between online C2C site like Taobao.com (This great C2C site only can be used in China, oh oh oh) and the surpemarkets, and I probably would buy towels on line instead of surpermakets. Oh, I'm a crazy online purchaser, a wise and brilliant one anyway.

Little Fat Baby Dog are So Cute and Happy

2008-12-21T23:26:00.000-08:00

They must be cute and tame when they grow up just like their momy.

I love the baby dog when they are so little and not even open their eyes, at that time, they are so cute and innocent and it makes your inner soft heart beating when you saw their little fat head.

But keeping the whole big dog family at home is a big headache. It's not just the food supply that matters, but it all worth it, since the little angels will give you lots of happy expericences, you may even feeling a little disppointment when you give them to others.

If you are lucky and your momy dog is brilliant enough, you may even pick one for training as a guild dog though it's a rare chance happened. It reminds me of the japanese movie called "Quills". Don't they. If you haven't seen this movie, then act and see it, which is heart touching and moving your inner part.

You will have to buy lots of pet supplies like pet toys or pet food to maintain a good order of the big family, first paint different colors to their bugs just like the picture showed, so cute and practical.

Paint them with different colors, so you won't serve one of them too much food when totally forgeting the others.

Garden Patio Design Reflects Personal Taste and Lifestyle

2008-12-21T23:06:00.000-08:00

Even everything else is regular and going the same like always, you still got your garden patio area to put all your crazy ideas and imagination into reality.

The home little garden is your place, you decide. The most important decor elements in the patio area is the patio furniture. The furniture should be cozy, yet anti-water since at most times, it is in the outdoors not indoors. As to the colors, it should be not easily faded when facing the sun too long time.

Another you should take care of is the little ornaments gadgets such as a cute planter or a polyresin animal stuff to put in some corner to give you nice feelings and to make the whole design seem lively and animated.

Other garden supplies such as the garden lighting is also required, solar light is always the first choice when taking about lighting in the garden since it's eco friendly and yet enegy save.

You also need to do pest control work carefully, because you don't want the mosquito or other unnamely creatures to disturb your peaceful mind there.

Just Love Oranges, Yummy and with Cute Color

2008-12-21T22:31:00.000-08:00

Orange is my favorite fruit in the world. Now is the best season to eat fresh oranges since it's the best time for orange growing.

Orange is loaded with vitamins, and the most abundant vitamin in orange is Vitamin C. This powerful vitamin protect our body against harmful elements. Women all aware of that.

Oranges contain an array of phytochemicals, which help fight age-related diseases. That must be a great news for women.

Many people love to drink oringe juice. I'd rather eat the fresh one, not juice them to keep as many helpful elements as possible, and eat the orignal fruit orange is more tasty and fun.

If you got a garden, why not trying growing some oranges there, it will not require lots of tedious gardening work and garden supplies, and it will give you great surpise when the nice fruits coming maturer beautifully, with their pretty bright yellow color smilling at you. You can't deny that they are a lovely view and color in the garden.

Since orange can be preserved a long time, unlike many other fragile fruits, so people like to put several oranges in the dinner set, and put them in the sofa table or somewhere noticeble, to give you a nice feeling when you get home, the color is really cute and the flavor is even nicer.

Your Garden Offers The Path to Silence

2008-12-08T00:15:00.000-08:00

The green vison set our feeling to be silent and peaceful, that's why people cherich their little green garden area, where is the paradise of your heart. (心灵花园）

You will never regret the time invested into decorating your garden and the plants maintainance job, because you are enjoying life at the same time when working in the garden.

In your garden, you breath in fresher air, taken notice of the wonders of various plants and little creatures. You can even communicate with your dog more happily in the garden.

Better garden area needs great garden supplies, you can't design them with your bare hands, it requires garden hand tools.

You lawn needs garden lawn mower. Your plants needs cutters and scissors. Your uniqure lifestyles need to be created with lots of garden outdoor furnitures and ornaments supplies such as the patio, the solar lighting, flower planter with cute styles and so on.

If you wish it to be practical, you could plant vegetables, very healthy to eat since you would unlikely posion youself like some evil sellers did.

Actually it's a big constrution. You may enjoy the process of creating your dreamed place from the little begining.

Well Designed Yummy Food Stuffed into Cute Dinner Set

2008-12-07T22:03:00.000-08:00

Never thought food could be so well designed just like an art. It must be made with heart and love.

Just like a baby would love the "Smile" Food Box, we definitely would eat more happier like a child if served with food with yummy style and stuffed into a never-so-cute dinner set just like the picture showd, do you?

Or if I'm too childish and naive, but keeping a younger heart is a way to stay younger, don't you think?

So if you got a kid that brings a dinner box everday to school or it's just youself would prepare one for workdays, I suggest you to try to stay away from munotonous precedure just for some day, because life needs a little surprice and difference as well as a bit of creativity once in a while.

Begin with buying a cute and practical dinner box for bring out or dinner set for home use, then do a little magic trick to your food. It won't spare you so much time, anyway, it's enjoying life if your think otherwise. And for your kid, they would be more happier when seeing this lunch and eat more definitely.

Cute Indoor Shoes Make You Feeling Like a Happy Child

2008-12-07T21:33:00.000-08:00

Whenever I'm at home, totally belonging to myself, I will first set my tired feet free.

Change a soft and cute slipper to relax again after a tedious day.

The home shoes now have many crazy patterns and styles to choose from, but most important thing I cared about is its comportablity and since it's cold winter now, I would pay attention to its warm keeping quality.

Maybe you don't quite notice the fact that a pair of cute and cozy slippers would give you a nice mood in some extent. So that's why there is such a varity of crazy colors and styles you can't even have imagined of.

For ome adults who still keeps a children mind in your inner heart, stop envy, why not act by trying wearing a pair of never-so-cute slippers to feel younger again, a pair of shoes that similar like children shoes except the size bigger.

This winter, I find a lot of warmy slippers with a big catoon character attached on the slipper like a Hello Kitty or Teddy Bear and so on, makes you love at first sight.

Tempting Mutton Recipe that Warms You in Winter

2008-12-03T22:08:00.000-08:00

The temperature has dropped up to 8 degree suddenly in our place. Cold winter is coming whether you like it or not.

Different season will change our eating habit a little bit. It's time for mutton to enter our dinning table.

Mutton is your great food companison for cold winter season since it got the special features about it that can nourishes the blood, warms the kidneys.

There is no other nation that can make such a variety of mutton diet except the Chinese people.We have mutton soup, mutton slices s to go with the hot pot, baked mutton meat.....; lots of tempting recipes that would make the western people envy and wander.

I have to mention the mutton soup especially. As to its orgin, it is an extremely popular cultural food in Xian. Few people come to Xian without trying it. You just can't resist its fragrance and love it. It's served in nearly every restarants in Xian, where mutton soup maybe the most authentic and tasty in China.

There is saying going on that: Have a bowl of mutton soup on a freezing street in winter is the best thing to do in the world. It is extremely delicious and keeps you warm.

Without trying it, you'd better not consider it as gross and ugly, there is certainly some people think so, most of them is westerners. They can be nice and yummy at the same time just as the picture shows. Oh, there is also some people including chinese that can't bear to eat such a lovely and gentle animal like sheep, but for gods sake, sheep is not kept as a pet, unlike a dog. I can't bear eating dogs anyway.

Old and Terrific Chinese Cookware - Claypots

2008-12-01T21:35:00.000-08:00

Cook gently and slowly. Food made by heart is the most delicious.

You definitely want to have the Chinese claypot to make one special dinner for your loved ones.

The claypot cooking style is for cooking just about anything you like slowly and gently while retaining the juices and flavor.

Did you know Clay Pot cooking goes back thousands of years and was used by most of the early civilizations including the Etruscans, Romans, and Chinese.

Archaeologist in China keep discovering many old old clay pots with a variety of sizes and shapes in ancient relics. Claypot still serves as a common cookware set now in Chinese people's eating lifestyle. They are expecially best at keeping the original flavor and scent of the food itself. One of the classic dishes that most chinese loves to eat is the claypot chicken rice.

Now westerners seems to be more intersted in this classic Chinese cookware set, but due to different eating cultures, many of the ordinary people in the west don't quite familiar as how to use this cookware and also know little about the recipe that goes well with it.

So westerners have a lot to learn, I recommend westerner to begin with tasting some of the classic claypot dish. You won't regret it anyway.

What Should Women Learn from Cats

2008-11-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

Every woman is a homeless cat, waiting your loved ones to bring you home.

Women has too much in common with cats, there is always a saying that women and cats are such a similar creature. So, ladies, learn from cats then. I lists the cats virtures below, imaging what a top lady you would be if you got all these tempraments.

*There is no truly ugly women, only lazy ones. (没有丑女人，只有懒女人). Keeping a pleasant apperance takes time, just see how much time a cat spares to do its body care everyday. Your need beauty accessories just like a cat favor pet supplies.

* Cats pretends to not see someone they dislike, so do you; accept the fact that not all people like you.

*Cats never comes to you right away upon your calling, unlike dog. So ladies, not trust your friends that much, but independence is required.

* Cats' favorite passtime is to look at little birds, chasing butterflies, let the world be your pleasure ground. So ladies, remember where the sunshine is better and keep your curiosity with you always.

* No matter how busy it is, there is always nap time for cats. So ladies, pick a cozy place to lay around when you are feeling tired. Don't push yourself so hard.

Home Little Garden - Your Place, You Decide

2008-11-26T00:13:00.000-08:00

A large portion of western families own their own little garden area around the house, where some rich people certainly owns a more bigger size.

In China, it's such a rare chance that we would own a privite garden for our own, especially in the big city, maybe bacause of the big population problem and we are often stuffed into the little apartments.

But in China's rural area, the garden may be very common, even sometimes it may seem more like a vegatable center :), so functinal. But if you like and can spare a little time and effort, you can make it a little paridise for you to rest in a lazy sunday afternoon or a better place to sooth the mood after every busy day.

Your garden is your place, so you decide. (你的地盘你做主）. You decide the style, the color, the plants type........, all that can make you feeling better.

I recently started a new online garden shop for garden supplies. There is not only usefull garden supplies but also providing you many gardening tips.

My mom has turned our garden into a 100% vegetable garden, and I persuaded her to do some planting job but seem not to be successful. It seems eating fresh vegetable is more important than beautiful views to my mom.

Or, is that our garden is really too small and not worth decorating for, anyway, I'd better do the ornament job myself. There should be more green stuff around our house soon, even in the walls, I will try to make the walls green too. Not that hard since there is a kind of plants that works well.

Focus on Your Pet- Prepare a Gift for Them

2008-11-24T18:03:00.000-08:00

Some people like cats, while some others don't. I'm in the middle of them. Anyway, I have to admit, the cat in the left picture is a "beauty", with big eyes, clean and soft hair, pretty color and perfectly fitted in to the little cute hat.

Sometimes, feeling happy is easy, just giving your pet a great gift and decorating them can achieve this purpose, and greatly lessen your pressure suffered in the day.

Bring your cats a apparel accessory or other decoration pet supplies, giving them one special day. Taking pictures for them, they can be your perfect model.

Cats are little fairy, there is old Chinese says as: a cats has nine lives. Through the cats highly developed sense of balance, he buys more time to maneuver his body in preparation for landing on all fours. A cat falling from a lower height does not have the opportunity to increase its body's area, slow its fall, or position his body to land on all four feet.

Don't try this at home, though. Cats aren't all that tough; they don't always land the right way up, which is why your average pussy cat jumping from the garden fence will occasionally come home limping, bruised or fractured because of a badly timed fall. Still, studies on cats falling from skyscrapers suggest that up to 90% survive, albeit with broken bones and sore paws.

The distance is crucial. Too much and the cat will splat, just as we non-feline mortals would. Too little and the cat doesn't have time to correct itself. There is much to admire in the cat's grace and agility. But don't forget to close the upstairs window, just in case.

Do You Online Shopping Today

2008-11-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

During current US Financial Crisis, Chinese people's shopping desire and mode has become more reseasonal, at least to some people.

People save money they don't necessarily need to spend, but since many daily use items can't be deleted from our life, and those CRI still grows out of control, many people need to figure out a wise way to try to reach a balance between limited money and ever-growing demand.

That is - Online Shopping

The honest question people used to fear about online shopping is now turning mild, because this C2C mode has been around 10 years in China already, many problems has been solved by time passing. There is so many good sellers waiting there with cheaper and nolvetly items. Even in the America, people DIY their own clothing through buying textile and fabric from websites.

I myself had many successful online shopping experience, so I'm kind of a professionist now. It makes my life full of surpirse and it's time-saving. Apart from apparel accessories, I nearly purchase anything online, expecailly I like home stuff and kithen stuff.

Knitting Wool Hat - Nice and Natural

2008-11-18T23:00:00.000-08:00

It's an old Chinese tradition to knit sweaters, hats, scarves and gloves by ourselves.

In this DIY way, we could choose wool thread with greater quality and pick the patterns we favored.

Besides, it's natural, healthy and specially warm, because it's made by heart. (健康，环保，又温馨）

But not very young people in China master this old skills very well now, even though some old ladies still do.

Winter is coming, and it seems this year, the handmade knit hat is popular again. Many people, including many weasterners, are in love of this kind of DIY craft.

Is it due to the damn financial crisis (金融危机）, which force us to save money in every possible means ? Maybe, since the other day, I heard in the TV that a lot of Americans now made clothing themselves, using the fabric and textile materail they bought from some kind of website. Sound crazy, but it's true. Oh, It seems DIY and Handmade have been a increasing trend. If you wish to, much daily use items can be DIYed.

My mom will knit items for me every winter, from sweater to hats to all kinds of apparel accessories possible. Sometimes, if I don't quite like some sweater, the wool thread can be taken apart and been knitted all over again.

Material recyled and so eco friendly, doesn't it ?

Nice Gloves to Give You a Warm Winter

2008-11-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

Time to look for the winter gloves.

Womens' hands is her second face, so we need to protect it well and carefully.

If not for warm purpose, gloves stilll serves as a great fashion accessory for those fashion geek to keep you stay in the trend.

In this case, you should choose the fingerless gloves, because they are enterning the fashion trend circle this year 2008.

Gone are the days of fingerless gloves being associated with homeless people, they are now chic and can pull together any mundane ensemble.

Sure they won't keep you as warm as a pair of regular gloves will, but this is fashion people ... we don't do practical. They do have some "practical" elements to them, for example: you can use your Blackberry with ease, you wear them indoors and peck away at your laptop, you can even give people wet willies (okay, that was gross but I was running out of "practical" things.)

For a larger part of people, we mainly buy gloves for practical purpose, which is to keep our hands dry and warm?When I know that I will be work outside for an extended period of time in the cold, I try to stock up on hand warmers. They are placed inside your gloves and are pretty effective. You could even place them inside the pockets of your jackets for some added boost of heat. You won't be sorry. Sometimes, I just pick one pair of mundane because my work requries it.

I'm always a little disappointed when spendy gloves stop being waterproof, and start taking on water. Then they take forever to dry, are harder to get on & off, etc. Oh, I hope the desingers can solve this problem better.

Tea or Coffee - That is a Question

2008-11-17T23:35:00.000-08:00

Just as an old Chinese saying goes: 萝卜青菜，各有所爱 Every man has his hobbyhors, Tea and coffee each has its own fans and enjoys long history and rich culture.

Today's point is not mainly about which is good or which is bad even thought there is some reviews. It's about comparison and relish, talkig about life and different drinking habit with tea or coffee.

Tea and coffee is so different in appearance, flavor, function, culture innotaion, just like the difference between China and the western world. They are both good representatives of both countries.

Let's start with coffee. Recently, studies have been conducted on coffee, to see if it has any health benefits. And surprisingly, coffee is most likely not as bad as you might have thought. In moderation coffee is not adverse, and is even a little better than neutral.

It can improve cognitive function (fancy way of saying it can help you think better), reduce gallstone development, inhibit colon cancer, and improve long term physical activities.

Green tea does have caffeine, but it is a very small amount compared to that of coffee. The health benefits are mainly from its high antioxidant content.Modern studies have shown that many many health benefits are being discovered in green tea. It can help to prevent all sorts of cancer, from the esophagus, to the lungs, to the stomach, it prevents many types. It is also said to relax one, prevent tooth decay, and help the immune system, among other things. Chinese tea as olympic gifts are welcomed so badly during those olympic days.

So which is better? In the end, it comes down to personal discretion. Green tea health benefits at least at this point, have shown themselves superior, but those of coffee are not something to sneeze at either.

A Little Time and Fabric Can Really Transform a Room

2008-11-13T23:53:00.000-08:00

Don't be Lazy. You can make your home stylish and reflect your personality.

A little easy, inexpensive changes can have a major impact on your home. This only requires some DIY spirit added with creativity.

Customize Your Home Decor

One of the hottest trends today is do-it-yourself decorating.

Many online infomation provides inspiration for ways to incorporate current decorating trends into your home décor while sticking to your budget.

A little time and fabric can really transform a room.

The variety of upholstery and home decorating fabrics available to the home sewer has increased dramatically over the past few years, as more and more people are finding satisfaction in decorating their home with items they've created themselves.These fabric choice include: nylon fabric, knitted fabric, silk fabric and so on.

Don't be surprised to find fabric that matches or coordinates with your sofa or wallpaper. And there are a wide variety of trims that can help add that professional touch to home sewing projects. The fashion of chiffon fabric and silk has attracted many westerner's attention. Curtain fabric loved by young Chinese are also charming and full of traditional Chinese elements.

Adding tassels, fringe or beads to a pillow or your curtains makes a simple sewing project look much more impressive.

Just have a try ! You'll be amazed at the difference!

Love Your Shoes and It Will Love You

2008-11-13T23:23:00.000-08:00

Do you love your shoes? A comfortable shoes that you loved will definitely gives you a great feeling.

Shoes and Personality

Whether you're a sexy stiletto-heel wearer or a fan of sporty sneakers, your shoes speak volumes about your personality.

According to research, Mindset Media revealed that people who purchased more than three pairs of shoes a year are likely to be assertive and spontaneous leaders.

To keep your shoes from making you look like a snooze even if you're a snazzy lady, check out this fun guide to help you figure out what your heels reveal so that you can match your feelings to your flip flops and your boots to your behavior.

Shoes to have in your winter wardrobes

A staple of most winter wardrobes, particularly if you work in an office environment is the black court shoe. Looking for the perfect black shoes seems easy enough but you'd be surprised how difficult it can be to find shoes that go with skirts, pants and jeans.

The heels can't be too high as even in an office there is some walking even if it is only to the photocopier or coffee machine. A dress may have a different effect if one is wearing high heels, platforms, boots or ballerina pumps. It may look elegant, modern, light or smart. A pair of jeans can be returned to flat boots, teamed up with loafers or, ballet pumps, basketball shoes or tennis shoes or even worn heels (provided they are not skinny jeans!) And examine all be transformed.

Obviously, we must take into account practicality, comfort, style and looks. Not everyone will be able to wear the same shoes type.There is One Pair of Shoe That Made for You. If you are large, high heels, the focus will be on your size.

Pretty in Fancy or Sophisticated Gloves

2008-11-11T23:18:00.000-08:00

Summer is over, and winter is just around the corner. Are you got your warm set ready to cope with the cold weather ?

Not only we beaufiful girls need warm, we also need grace and style.

If you are a true styleaholic, you are already right up on this trend.. gloves darling! They are everywhere this season and no I'm not talking about those woolly, warm mitts or work gloves..I'm speaking about elbow length, satin gloves with vintage threading; metallic fingerless motorcycle gloves, soft buttery gloves in dark greens with white capped collars; hot pink tranny gloves and more!

I'm a fan of the black because they look biker-chic, but they also come in brown, violet, and orange. Soft, warm and stylish, I'd be tempted to keep them on inside. Black leather gloves is classic, but you should care more about the style of it.

Do you have long leather gloves? I never really thought much about multi-length hand and arm covers until last weekend when I needed something to stave off the chill in my ¾ sleeve evening coat. Not only are long gloves more elegant than shorties, they’re so obviously more functional with the insanely vast portfolio of coat sleeves in your closet these days.

Apparently, there are all kinds of fancy gloves out there for those aiming to skip the surgical look.

Yum. Go Pick your pair to stay in the trend.

There is One Pair of Shoe That Made for You

2008-11-10T22:33:00.000-08:00

The right pair of shoes make a world of a difference to any kind of outfit.

An expensive pair need not always be right. That's an universal case. You need to consider a couple of factors before you invest in the right pair.

Since everyone's foot arches in a different way. You can check your arch by getting a foot print.

If most of time are spent in the office, then you should pay more attention to your work shoes. Work shoes need to be selected with care. Check if you need to conform to a particular dress code. If yes, then you can't choose something that resembles a slipper or casual shoes. High heels tend to snap very often.

Comfort is of utmost importance, while choosing any kind of shoe.
Go for a basic color which can be worn with several outfits.
If you think that the leather is tough, apply a little bit of cream/ moisturizer on the insides.

Shoes and the Personality
Most people consciously or subconsciously judge other by the shoes they wear. Shoes that not only look good, but properly and comfortably fitted give the wearer the confidence of feeling good, allowing them to project the right image of themselves and their lifestyle.

Therefore it is important to pick the right shoe for the occasion. Just as patent leather shoes are out for day-time use, it's unacceptable to wear basketball shoes or deck shoes to the office.

Crocs Shoes Have Given Your Kids a Colorful Summer

2008-11-09T17:54:00.000-08:00

I have always wonder why Crocs shoes have been so popular in such a short time in China this year 2008.

Crocs shoes has quickly occupied many important locations of the large shopping center here in our city.

Have many people just bought one pair for curiosity or for its rich color ? Crocs shoes certainly cover various colors that you can imagine.

So it's great gift for kids. It got great selection of both sandals and children shoes in variety of colors and styles for both boys and girls of all ages. Crocs are the most popular with children.

Kids actually write in to the Crocs company with testimonials of how comfortable the shoes are, how much they like the styles, and one little girl was actually photographed holding her crayons in the holes of the shoes to show that they are comfortable, yet functional just like sneekers or basketball shoes.

When it comes to Crocs, you will come across people who either hate them or love them. There is hardly any in-between. Some people think they are bulky and unappealing. Most people who love them think they are one of the best inventions ever made. So, the choice is yours!

I have to admit that I find them ugly, but I will not mind wearing once a little while when in leisure time just for fun and a different kind of feeling.

Life as Red - China Red in Apparel Design

2008-11-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

Chinese culture adore red so much. That's why we fancy red color on wedding days or other special days.

In the nation's opinion, red is tightly connected with the sun, accordingly, red stands for auspiciousness and jubilance. Red are representing a good beginning and a brisk trade. The house of high officials and nobles in antiquity are called “朱门”; the clothes of them are “朱衣”.

In morden life, chinese traditional red are enjoying greater popularity and many fashion apparel designers are creatively utilise this color, and mixed in the fabric with many pattern and styles that full of chinese elements. Knitted fabric is very popular in china for daily use and decoration.

The dress showed in the left picture is some good evidence about this. The dress looks great and it is a combination of traditional classic and morden design. The sofa in the picture also has amazing patterns and made of nylon fabric.

In traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, the bridegroom sticks a big red flower on his chest. These red clothes not only bring joyous to the wedding, but also indicate the couples will have a bright future and a happy life.

Now, many young chinese couple many wear western white wedding dresses and suit, but this chinease old tradition has not changed at all, many packing material used in the wedding are in red color. Red wine are popular in wedding ceromoney partly due to this reason.

DIY Your Christmas Gift Box or Gift Baskets

2008-11-04T19:46:00.000-08:00

For lots of Americans, year 2008 is a "sad" year. The global financial crisis of 2008 is getting their lives hard.

Saving money and cutting the unneccessary demands becomes mainstream. This rules apply to the christmas gift choice and packing too.

If you haven't tried DIY, this year is for the first time try, you will find it not just saving money, but also can make the gift more personal and more favored, because a Christmas gift basket is more intimate when personalized or customized.

I would take about gift box DIY mainly, since the packing is the first impression you gave other people, so it's crucial. We can use our newspaper to wrap up gifts, use a jump rope instead of ribbon for a child's gift, use a towel to wrap up a bottle of wine, tie up gifts with ponytail holders or silk, use greeting cards for gift tags, and use old calendar pages as gift wrap.Basically, anything that you have in your house can be given a second purpose and be used to wrap up your Christmas gifts.

When praperaing the gift box or baskets, first think of a theme. Find out the recipient's interests. If unsure, choose neutral items but adding a touch of femininity or masculinity to add a bit of intimacy to the recipient.

It is best to consider the recipient's hobbies. You can choose items that are helpful to what interests him/her.

You can also minimize costs if you can be resourceful on some of the items you use in your gift basket, such as the basket. You may just redecorate them and voila, it is as good as new. Or you may get them from garage sales or thrift stores.

You don't have to overdo the decorations. When it is all done, although elegantly made, you will find out that they are even less expensive than the other gifts. And if you run short of time, you may find a variety of these Christmas gift baskets online.

Comfort and Style Matters When Choosing Nightwear

2008-11-03T22:01:00.001-08:00

The most comfortable thing for me is to wear a soft sleep dress at home on rest time, lazy and cozy.

Cotton fabric is used more often to make sleep dress, and silk fabric is more expensive and enjoyed by many rich people too.

Every girl has her personal version of nightwear. For many women, it consists of very unglamorous large t-shirts and knit pants. We might indulge in something sexier like silk lingerie, but then only wear it on special occasions. But for everyday, we just pull out the cozy cotton stuff and hop into bed.

Silk lingerie is a sensual choice for special occasions. Many of us had silk for our wedding lingerie. However, as a natural fiber, silk is a great option for everyday ladies' nightwear as well. Silk lingerie is comfortable and lightweight. Yet silk can also be very warm. You don't need to wear that bulky flannel nightgown to bed, try a simple silk one instead. You might be pleasantly surprised; your bed partner certainly will be.

For all the style mavens out there, your nightwear has the potential to make quite a fashion statement. Consumer studies have shown that comfort and price are becomingly increasingly less important to those purchasing lingerie. Fashion and style are becoming top priorities, and designers are responding to this trend. They're looking to clothing trends to inspire their nightwear collections.

A Cup of "Soymilk" Daily Makes a Nation Strong

2008-11-02T22:49:00.000-08:00

Not so long ago, there is a popular slogan going on in China by Chinese milk giant: Mengliu milk corp. The slogan goes like this: "A cup of milk Daily makes a nation strong".

Now, as the "Sanlu" poisonous incident (三鹿奶粉事件）surprises the whold nation, the slogan above can only be seen as a laughing stock.

Since the govenment has taken instant measures to make this thing smooth, we now can drink safe milk. In fact, I feel the most safe food in China should be milk now because of the restrict inspections going on in the milk industry.

But, it's clearly to see that people's enthusiasm with milk has declinded tremendously. In fact, as Chinese people, we have a better alternative, which is "soymilk", which I have written about in my previous post titled healthy soymilk as chinese "milk" .

If you want to get evidence that people are turning their drinking choice to soymilk, just go to the supermarket and see how those "soymilk machine" has achieved sales miracles again and again. Among the buyers, the moms be a lot of them.

This home DIY soymilk machine is easily to handle and simple to clean, some with transparent material to let you see what's going on inside when you are making soymilk. It's really interesting and most importantly, the flavor of the DIY soymilk is a lot better than the ones bought from outside, and more healthy too.

I got one soymilk machine recently and it has given me a happy morning everyday.

Tote Bag with Feelings

2008-11-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

Do you want to have several bags that have different "feelings" to go with your everyday mood? Sounds cute, but it can be done.

When you are feeling happy today, you could bring a bag with you such like the left picture showed, which has a cute grimace. Otherwise, there is also "sad", "cool" feeling bags available too.

Those bags with "feelings" are often made of cheaper fabric such as cotton, nylon, pu, seldom use genuine leather. Leather handbags is often for office lady when going work. In this way, you could buy lots of them without spending too much.

Fashion trends associated with bags are varible and colorful. This year, people still lovs big big bag, so there is lots of leather tote bag to go with the "Big Bag" fashion. But there is another trend going on, which is collecting bag with feelings, expecially welcomed by younger girls or childrens.

Even you don't want to carry them to office, you still wanna collect them. It's perfect for going shopping, to the surpermarket or some leisure place. We could call it tote bag too. Personally, I LOVE Ogio Totes…they're cute but very functional. I have one now but I think I am going to get a black one for when it's winter time. They can fit your books and/or your laptop. It keep everything nice and organized with it's labeled pockets. They have new ones every year so there's a good assortment.

Cute bag, Nice choice !

"Smile" Food Box to Please Your Baby

2008-10-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

To make sure your baby has a healthy meal is every mom's big deal. But let your baby eat more happily and eat with smile is also important.

To achieve this purpose, the simple way is to replace the stiff food box with the lovely ones such as the one showed in the left pictures.

It's a food box with feelings itself and it can easily touch the curiosity sense of your baby, who will soon in love with it and eat with smile.

The food box in the picture has three sections to seperately placing different food, and it can be easily assembled and detached. What's more, it is also cleverly designed to fit the heating demand and easy cleaning.

I'm not selling any products here, just pouring my thoughts about this food box, which is very cute. But concerning the material which made it, I have to say it's better to change it to stainless steel or other more healthy material, not plastic material now used. In the market, it's hard to find stainless steel lunch box or food box or other tableware with very cute design. Most food box with nice colors would be plastic, I wonder if it is healthy or not.

I personly love stainless lunch box or stainless kitchenware. This is great for parents who are looking to avoid unecessary materials that will most likely rot in a landfill and contaminate the water supply. I have got one that is small enough to carry around and not be too bulky, yet big enough to hold a sandwich and a few snacks. The only thing about this is that it's not insulated so by the time children was ready to eat his lunch, he had to eat his chicken cold.

You may be able to squeeze a hot or cold pack in there, but it would be a tight fit. This is probably a better lunch box for an older kid, maybe one in high school, as I am going to venture to guess that it's total utilitarian look isn't going to appeal to the kid that wants the latest hot cartoon character or something a little more fun. But it's definitely form and function.

So, for Cute or for Function, that is a problem.

Irresistible Charm for China Silk Scarf

2008-10-29T23:58:00.000-07:00

The picture in the left show a girl wearing silk dress and carrying a stylish handbag with silk scarf beautifully attached on.

The whole picture reflects the charm of chinese silk. Now silk clothing, silk scarf are all in fashion for so many years because of its quality to be soft, cozy, elegance, noble and so on.

As I have written in the post called silk scarf to add elegance and style, some girl would very much like to wrap their silk scarf to the handbag to make it eye-catching and special instead of wrap their own neck. I personally facy this kind of action too.

Spun by mulberry silkworms, silk is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. Owing to its triangular cross-section and rounded corners, it reflects light at many angles, giving it a shiny appearance. Because of these properties, silk is one of the most loved fibers in the textile industry. In addition, silk is a good moisture absorber, making it cool to the skin.

A timeless piece: the refined silk scarf

This piece is all the rage for fall, and is likely influenced by the classy and powerful ladies in the political spotlight (and not the call girls, thank you very much). Silk scarf can be worn by pioneers young and old and in many different ways this summer and fall.

It's therefore understandable that among the most enduring fashion accessories are these versatile items. For sure, fashion designs will evolve through time; but one thing is certain too: we will continuously witness silk scarves serving as highlights or playing a major component in many of these trends.

Yoga for Body and Soul

2008-10-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

Here in our city in china, we could see yoga house or center nearly everywhere. 5 years before, we seldom heard about the worlds "Yoga" or have any idea about this mankind's oldest activities and also the mysterious one. But now, yoga has become one of the most popular health trends around.

The same situation with the west. Yoga was practically unknown to the West until the 1960s, when popular culture began to show an interest in Eastern religions. Pop culture icons, such as the Beatles, helped popularize yoga by showing interest in yogic meditation. People began to look at yoga as a way to find peace of mind in a world that was anything but peaceful.

The psychology and meditation part must be the main reason for its wildspread popularity, expecially under this busy world, where pressure is everywhere. Yoga is a healthy exercise that calms the mind and soul.

I throw myself into this hot trend recently and just brought a yoga mat to starting from the basics. It's a simple start since it just requires a yoga mat. In fact, there are so many people who want to learn yoga that yoga schools across my city are having difficulty keeping up with the demand. Judging by its popularity, yoga is as useful for solving the problems of today as it was for solving the problems 5,000 years ago.

Leather Tote Bag to Go with the "Big Bag" Fashion

2008-10-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

Handbag maybe the second important thing women cared about next to apparel when considering beauty problems. I heard that in the western countries, most women have lots of bags to go with their different clothing style.

Most women in China are not living such a luxury life and may not change their handbag this frequently even though their inner enthusiasm stays equal.

Whenever the fashion changes, leather handbags always stays as the one necessarity to have in your wardrobe. Classic black and brown is the two most popular colors, and also never out of fashion. Some eco friendly fabric such as nylon fabric is hot this year too.

Leather handbag is a perfect everyday bag that will get you through the season effortlessly. And it fits in all kinds of location.

2008 has nearly passed, I noticed that this year women still love big bags, in fact this fashion has been around so long time. There is great reason for this acturally, since now all the surpemarket has restrict the free use of plastic bags, so carrying a big bag with you is a great idea.

To go with this "big" trend, I have bought a leather tote bag. In fact, a leather tote bag doesn't have to be boring -- there are logoed styles, patent, exotic skins, quilting, bold hardware, bright colors and much more -- but the most classic looks have a ladylike feel to them, a clean rectangular shape, and understated luxury.

Unlike a in-today/out-tomorrow "It" bag, the leather tote will be your faithful friend for years. So it's a wise investment again.

Silk Scarf to Add Elegance and Style

2008-10-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

Now comes autumn season in China. It's the perfect season to wear silk scarves, a nice decoration to make your neck more elegant and your whole look more feminine or lovely.

Among all kinds of scarves made from different material, I was very much satisfied with the silk scarf. As with scarves of a moderate size, there's almost no limit to how you wear it. I've worn it quite a number of different ways on my neck, 'd tied it to my bag on days that were too hot for scarves; I only wish I have more to go round. One particular way that was a favourite of mine is to tie it in a loose tie-knot. Instead of pulling it all the way to the neck, I let it hang loose, terrific.

We need to be very careful when choosing the colors, it depends on what apparel you want to wear to fit it, or otherwise, make the silk scarf fits your clothing color.

2008 is the year to be colorful without being overly flamboyant. The latest fashion in silk scarf colors are colors that bright and clear, fun and outrageous. This means you must have lemon, gold or yellow scarf colors in your wardrobe.

However, if you are yearning for a more traditional look, then navy, red and white are colors that can be worn with formals as well as casual wear. Also, black and white are two colors that exude sophistication and style. These two colors are timeless are tend to be in vogue every season and every year.

Striped scarves are making a big comeback and are reminiscent of the fantastic 70s as they add a classic touch to any plain colored outfit.

Printed silk scarves are hot this season with large oversized florals. Look for scarves with large daisies, tea roses, orchids or cabbage roses. Pink, yellow and red are favored colors this season and you will mostly find florals in these colors. You can contrast these bright colors with mellow colored outfits.

Yoga Mat - Starting From the Basics

2008-10-27T00:17:00.001-07:00

Yago Mat is the basic equipment when you are starting your yoga adventure.
It's not just a simple cloth, you'd better choose the one that fit your temprament and feeling, then you can better complete your practice.

Color Question
Some yoga mats are works of pure art, with lots of color and designs to express your creative side. I personally love lots of color and brightness in my yoga practice, but just make sure it’s not TOO colorful or you might get a bit distracted.

Material
Yoga mat is usually made of rubber and has various textures that may simply be applied for aesthetic purposes or prevent slipping during exercises. Latex is usually present in minimum amounts in high-quality Yoga mats, so people suffering from allergy can use them safely, and as rubber is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly, the nature won’t suffer as well. A good solution is a double-sided Yoga mat which can be simply turned over after one surface is worn out and continue its service. A Yoga mat will live yet a longer life if it is washable.

Choosing the right one for you
Chances are, you're just starting out with your yoga practice, or you want to take the next step in advancement. You want to own your own yoga mat, but with so many choices out there it can be quite hard to figure out exactly what you need. That’s why I’ve come up with this list of five tips to help you choose the best mat for your needs.

The first consideration is the type of yoga that you are doing. More strenuous forms of Yoga, such as Ashtanga, are greatly helped out by either a thicker sticky yoga mat, or a cotton yoga rug.

Make sure that the length and width works for you. The last thing you want to be doing in the middle of an asana is adjusting your mat or trying to cramp your pose to fit a mat that is too small. Many places either have rolls of mat material that would allow you to cut your own custom length, or you can get extra long ones. They also make yoga mats in kids sizes as well.

Personal preference should play a key role in your decision. This is going to be your own personal mat, one you’re going to be staring down at for many many hours. Get something you’ll like!

Holland DSM as The World's Largest Melamine Producer

2008-10-24T00:46:00.000-07:00

Since the milk incident occured several weeks ago, China and the world was surprised and the hottest topic in the media seem to be about "melamine" - a kind of chemical products, which is a word that seldom anybody out of the chemical industry heard of before.

It's a coincidence that my best friend is working in Holland DSM company in Nanjing and he told me that DSM is the largest melamine producer (全球最大三聚氰胺生产商） with a capacity of 225000 t/a in the world.

DSM Company

DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual sales of almost EUR 8.8 billion and employs some 23,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with location on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.

About Melamine （三聚氰胺）

Melamine is a white powder with unique properties - the chemical compound melamine (triamino-triazine - C3N6H6), consisting of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen.
The German scientist Justus von Liebig first synthesized a compound in the 1830s and called it melamine. Commercial interest and synthesis of the compound started in 1937. Nowadays melamine is an important starting material for the production of synthetic thermosetting products worldwide. Melamine is often used as a brand name.

Fashion Never Ends - Denim Jeans

2008-10-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

Jeans never seem to be out of fashion. They are casual and gives you a slimmer body shape. Fashion designers are adding creative elements on them every year such as putting bling accessories on or rub it old.

Now fall season is coming. One of the hottest trends for chilly weather that has been sticking around for a few seasons is tucking your jeans into your boots. The easiest and cleanest way to achieve this look is with a super skinny pair of jeans. A Jodphur clip (a stir-up with elastic clip typically used when riding horses) is the most effective and comfortable way to tuck your jeans into boots whether the jean is a skinny or straight leg, paired with a tight or slouchy boot!

Whereas in the past summer, the hottest trend seems to be Show off those legs during the cooler fall days! Denim shorts paired with tights is the hot.

Whether you wear them with flats, wedges or boots, this style can be personalized in so many ways. With all the bold colors and patterned tights available right now, the possibilities are endless!

It seems the fashion with jeans never ends.

China Soybeans with Long Long History

2008-10-20T20:19:00.000-07:00

Recently, more and more Chinese people choose to DIY their breakfast soymilk at home instead of drinking milk and soymilk sold in the market.
And this trend is becoming increasingly wildspread and popular. And the original passion with soymilk in China begins with the "posion milk powder" incident.

It's really not hard to believe this trend. For we are chinese, so why not take our traditional soymilk as our first drinking choice, not to mention that it's also considered one of the healthiest food in the world along with green tea, red wine....

As we all know that the main beans used to make soymilk is soybeans. It's considered the best of all the beans by health professionist.

Quality Protein Soybean Contains

Protein is an important source of heat and energy for the body, and animal proteins are better than plant proteins in quality. But animal proteins have many other substances considered harmful to health, such as fat and cholesterol, particularly when they are consumed in large quantities. Thus, we are faced with a dilemma: We want proteins of high quality, but we do not want the undesirable substances found in meats.

Soybeans can resolve this dilemma. Soybeans have been grown in China for more than 3000 years, and they were first exported to Europe in the eighteenth century.

The soybean differs from its legume cousins in its lower level of carbohydrate, but much higher tallies of protein and oil. After rice and wheat, the great modern-day staples of China, the soybean sits firmly on the third rung on the Chinese food hierarchy. From a dietary point of view soy food offers a ton of protein and calcium to a population that gets precious little of either from meat or dairy products. Though it is not usually consumed in large quantities, except by vegetarians, soy in one form or another is eaten daily by just about everybody. Soy sauce alone, with its role as the key food flavouring, would be enough to guarantee that much.

Healthy Soymilk as Chinese "Milk"

2008-10-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

As a result of the poison milk power incident, recently in China, people are tunring their drinking choice to traditioan soymilk. As one of the oldest chinese drinking, soymilk has been around for at least 2000 years.

Now the old soymilk are enjoying unprecedented popularity in China. Sales of soy milk makers have actually been booming in the past two years as more and more people have been switching to homemade fresh soy milk.

"Joyoung sales began to rise rapidly in 2007, with the total revenue reaching 1.94 billion yuan and sales doubling from 2006. As one of our core products, soy milk makers contribute half of the sales. They are also doing well in overseas markets such as Japan, the US, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand," said Ma Haixia, marketing department director of Shandong Joyoung Electric Appliances Co. Joyoung is the No.1 brand for making soymilk machine in China.

Scientists concluded in numerous research reports that soy products are contributing amazingly to your health. Soy foods will help reduce the risk of heart disease because they are cholesterol free and high in fiber. Soy foods reduce the risk of breast cancer and hot flashes for menopause women and slowing calcium loss.

Soy foods are also dairy-free and are ideal for people with lactose intolerance and milk allergies. Soy foods are great for the dietary treatment of diabetes because soybeans have a low glycemic index and are cholesterol free (heart disease is a diabetic related condition). Soy foods can be used as a protein source in vegetarian diets because they contain the necessary amount of essential amino acids for tissue repair and growth

Baked Potato - Tasty and Classic

2008-10-16T23:26:00.000-07:00

Western people like to eat Potato just like Chinese love eating Tofu. Potato chips has enjoyed universal popularity, which originated in New England as one man's variation on the French-fried potato, and their production was the result not of a sudden stroke of culinary invention but of a fit of pique.

Chinese also eat potato, but may not in the same way as westerners. We usually cut it into small slice and made it into a a potato fried dish, or else we would make a soup with potato piece and other stuff like egg.

Today I would introduce a more western way of cooking potatoes called baked potato.

Ingredients:

Large-size potato: 2
Ham: 2 slices
Shredded Italian hard cheese: 50g
Butter: 30g
Chive: a half
Parsley: a little
Yogurt: 2 soupspoon(30ml)

Seasonings:

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon(3g)
Chopped black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon(1g)

Directions:

1)Put the washed potatoes into a steam-cooker when the water is cold, after boiling, steam for 30 minutes over high-heat;

Finely chop the ham, chive, and parsley;

2)Half cut the steamed potatoes, dig out the inside mash with a spoon to make potato bowls;

Combine the mash, finely chopped ham, chive, parsley, butter, salt, yogurt, and chopped black pepper, mix well;

3)Place the mixed mash back to the potato bowls, topping with some shredded cheese;

Finally for baking, turn the oven's heat to 220C, put the ready-for-bake potato bowls into the middle shelf and bake for 10 minutes. Finish

The Potato is: Low in Saturated Fat, Sodium, and Cholesterol High in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Iron, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Dietary Fiber

The nutritional value of potatoes make them ideal for: Weight loss Maintaining optimum health

Classic China Sichuan Dish - Mapo Tofu

2008-10-15T18:13:00.001-07:00

Tofu, as a very healthy food originated from ancient China, is so popular today. It's also called bean curd or soy bean curd. It's high in protein, low in calories and saturated fat, contains no sodium or cholesterol, and is one of the world's healthiest foods.

It's a common ingredient in Asian cooking, and because plain tofu has little flavor or smell on its own, it can be paired with many ingredients. There are three general types of tofu, and it's important to choose the right type for your recipe.

Foreigners who have tried chinese food must have eaten the famous dish called Mapo Tofu. It's now a very popular dish in the Western countries now, many people want to learn how to cook it and what kitchenware to use. This dish is usually a little spicy, because from many years, chinese people discoverd that it's this way of cooking that could make the tofu more flavorable and delicious.

One of the cooking directions

Remember to use Chinese cookware set. Heat the oil in a wok over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the Sichuan peppercorns and cook for a few seconds, until some of them pop and crackle. Remove the wok from the heat; use a spoon to remove and discard the peppercorns.

Return the wok to high heat; when the oil is hot, add the beef, breaking it into small pieces and stirring for a minute or two, until it begins to brown. Add the following ingredients in order, stirring for 1 minute between each addition: leek or scallion and ginger, broadbean paste, soy sauce, rice wine, salt, if desired, and sugar. Then add the water, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 to 5 minutes; the mixture will bubble at the edges.

Add the tofu and increase the heat to high; cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; serve immediately. When you cut the Tofu, don't put them on the cutting board, you just cut them on your hands.

TOFU - Chinese should be pride of this food they have created

The studies prove Tofu is an incredibly healthful ingredient. Its been around for 1000 years and chinese created this amazing food that is tasty and healthy.

so why are westerners so apprehensive about it? Perhaps it's because we don't understand it. This is a favorite class of mine because it will change the way you feel about Tofu. You will know that Tofu is versatile, simple to make, takes very little time and (much to your surprise) tastes great.

Focus on Chinese Lingerie Market

2008-10-13T23:02:00.000-07:00

Lingerie represents womens' fashion statements inside. The growing fashion appeal of lingerie has changed drastically over the years. The market has been driven by the advent of modern technologies and fabrics which has helped in designing innovative products such as laser-cut seamless bras and moulded T-shirt bras.

Chinese Lingerie Market

Chinese lingerie market is a dynamic sector. Their market structure is composed of many national and international brands, and intimate apparels are brought in by many countries; names unknown to the consumer. The country's lingerie market is a fast moving one, and there is a drastic change during the recent past.

The lingerie market is estimated to be of a total value of 2 billion euros, and industry experts predict a further positive increase of 20% every year. The country is the third largest for luxury consumption, and is assumed by the market leaders to catch up with the position of Japan in the next 10 years.

China is a key player in fabric industry, having good potential for creation and consumption. Major lingerie players in China have reassessed their market positions, and are now closing the knowledge gap to become 'low cost' producers.

New Design Dlements

Sexy lingerie market is promosing in China and not forget to mention that clever designs with China elements such as cross-stitch craft on it is also welcomed because 2008 is a China year since the sucess of the beijing olympic games.

Curtain Fabric Loved By Young Chinese

2008-10-12T23:48:00.000-07:00

When making the room decoration, choosing a nice and right curtain is vitally important. You have to pay attention to the curtain fabric, color, pattern design and if it fits your room or your temperament well.

Window curtains are so much more than material to cover windows. Although they do serve a functional purpose such as adding privacy, limiting the sunlight coming into the room and aiding in the area of heating and cooling, curtains are also a decorative tool used by many homeowners to enhance their living quarters. However, many home decorators use window curtains as a stunning focal point in a room.

Bishop Sleeves - Elegant window treatment that has a rod pocket curtain with extra length used for blousing. Used with tiebacks, bishop sleeves help frame a window. The best type of curtain fabric is literally anything that would create a soft, draping fold.

Craft curtains - Typically used in kitchens, craft curtains have a piece of fabric stretched between two thin rods. Although you can again use any type of curtain fabric, cotton, chenille, and lace are all great choices.
Grommet Top Curtains - These curtains are hung from eyelets sewn into the fabric on the top. These curtains look great with both rustic and contemporary furnishings. As far as curtain fabric, you would need to choose what matches the room. For example, for something casual, you could use heavier cotton while for a rich, sophisticated room, velvet or even tapestry.

Hourglass Curtains - These curtains are held taught between sash rods at both top and bottom of the curtains, giving it the hourglass shape. Typically, these curtains use light sheers, gauze, or any type of curtain fabric that is airy and light.
Pocket Rod Curtains - These curtains have a pocket sewn on the top where the rod is inserted. Pocket rod curtains have a tailored look, which is why curtain fabric is typically heavier such as chenille, tapestry, jacquard, and so on.

Priscilla Curtains - Make extra wide with ruffled tiebacks, you typically see Priscilla curtains made from curtain fabric that is light such as cotton.

The most cool curtain fabric I have found is chiffon fabric. It's so thin, and is often combinded with other material to make the outer layer of the curtain. If feels so soft and loved by young girls greatly.

Traditional China Dinner Set Become Popular

2008-10-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

East and West has very different cultures about food and cooking. And the dinner set used also vary too based on material preference, design pattern & shape, dinnerware functions. The dinner set difference is a little like the difference between the Chinese Green Tea and the western coffee craze.

As a matter of fact, in virtue of the success of the beijing olympic games, many items with China elements are in great popular. It's also the case for the dinner set market. Westerners are becoming more interested about China dinner set.

China Inspiration. Patterns featuring a distinct taste of the Orient are huge for the home in 2008. Look for rich orange, gold and red trimmed patterns that will make a bold statement on your table. One to watch for is Wedgwood’s new Dynasty pattern. The white bone china body has a salad plate decorated with brilliant orange Asian tigers, while the dinner plates feature a crackled chocolate brown border and gold detailing. Simply gorgeous!

What kinds of designs have you seen on dinner plates, teapots, and vases? Porcelain is just one of many Chinese inventions. Many items we use everyday were invented in China centuries ago. Find out how porcelain has been made for more than 2000 years. You will find that it traditionally is decorated with blue and white designs of bridges, tea houses, boats, and willow trees.

Healthy Food for Anemia

2008-10-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

Some people became Anemia due to some gene problems, that's very hard to cure. Otherwise, you can make yourself healthy by choosing the right food and drink.

No food in itself contains enough iron to treat iron deficiency anemia. An average-sized person with anemia would have to eat at least a ten-pound steak daily to receive the therapeutic amounts of iron needed to correct the condition. However, foods can help maintain health and aid supplementation.

Natural food items for iron deficient anemia control - organic milk, pomegranate, sesame seeds, black grape fruit and ghee. One can use triphala as a mild laxative. Other Ayurvedic herbs for quick rebuild include Asparagus racemosus, saffron and punarnava can offer quick cure to anemia.

Ayurveda suggests taking beef liver as a medicine for anemia. Also use mutton liver, red meat and bone soup can also help rebuild RBC. However Ayurveda doesn't approve the use of red meat as daily food.

Leafy vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, turnip greens, spinach, collards), legumes (beans, green peas, peas), walnuts, cashew nuts, raisins, peanut, egg and seafood like sardines, shrimp, etc are rich sources of iron and especially beneficial in healing iron deficient anemia.

duck eggs: duck egg in the egg protein content and is, and the minerals In much better than eggs, especially iron, calcium content is extremely rich, can prevent anemia and promote bone growth …

sesame seed has bittersweet taste and “neutral in nature.” It is a good source of copper, calcium, and zinc which is excellent for bone health by providing strength and elasticity in bones and joints, and preventing bone loss. Sesame seed also has high levels of iron that not only enriches blood, but also prevents anemia.

Eating wisely is very important for your body and health.

Chinese Kung Fu Legend and Bruce Lee

2008-10-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

We all know that it's Bruce Lee who made the word "kung fu" written in the Engligh dictionary and let the whole western world know that martial art is originated from China. Before he made all these efforts, the western world know nothing about the history of martial art and Japanese Karate is taking all the attention of the western people.

Recently a famous TV series featuring the legend life of Bruce Lee is being showing in CCTV channel. Chinease feel very pride of this national classic idol. Lee was known for his unique presentation of Chinese martial arts to the non-Chinese world. Lee's films, especially his performance in the Hollywood-produced "Enter the Dragon," sparked huge interest of Chinese martial arts in the West. Subsequently Lee became an iconic figure particularly to Chinese; as he portrayed Chinese national pride and Chinese nationalism in his movies.

In a lifetime comprising a mere 32 years, Bruce Lee revolutionized the world of martial arts through his profound teachings and philosophy, and created a legacy through his work in motion pictures, that has evolved into a Legend. Thought by many to be the ‘Greatest martial artist of the 20th Century’, Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco on November 27th 1940, between 6:00am and 8:00am, at the Jackson Street Hospital, under the birth name of ‘Lee Jun Fan’. Courtesy of his thespian father, young Bruce made his stage debut at the tender age of three months, playing the role of a female baby. His father Lee Hoi Chuen, a prestigious member of ‘The Cantonese Opera Company’, would carry his young son on stage each night, during his performance of "Golden Gate Girl".

Today Bruce Lee is still a world icon and an inspiration to all seeking the answers to life's problems, and the search for ultimate knowledge that is self-knowledge.

Novelty Design for Sports Cap

2008-09-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine that fashion designers would add high technology to the sports cap design? It would make the sports cap not just a cap any more, but with more practical functions.

Sports cap and sunglasses in one

Underneath the cap visor is a sun visor which you can easily fold down and back up to make it disappear again. Your hands will always be free. You will never again worry about misplacing your sunglasses – and your head and eyes will always be perfectly protected from bright sunlight. It doesn’t matter if you are driving into a tunnel, entering a building, looking into your briefcase or at a camera display – you will never need to take off, put aside or risk losing your sunglasses.

Sports cap with LED lighting

High quality cotton cap with LED lights on the edge, and all the wire is inside the cap, you can conveniently use it. It can be wildly used in hunting, fishing, outdoor and night working. There is already a product with the following qualities: 5LED, the max brightness is above 16000mcd. Including 2 CR2032 batteries. Can keep continue working for 30 hours, and intermittent work for 50 hours. Inside switch make it nice look Different kinds of color to choose.

Maybe someone think the above sports cap are too flattery and it need not to be that complicated. But it may be useful to many people with special demands. For example, the tunel worket would find the led sports cap much more useful.

Chinese Mid-Autumn Day Highlights

2008-09-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

Chinese Mid-Autumn Day holiday is coming this weekend. It's a holiday associated with long history and traditiaonal chinese cultures.

According to wikipedia, The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節, zhōng qiū jié), also known as the Moon Festival, is a popular Chinese celebration of abundance and togetherness, dating back over 3,000 years to Zhou Dynasty. Several cultures activities related to this holiday would be:

Eating moon cakes outside under the moon
Putting pomelo rinds on one's head
Carrying brightly lit lanterns
Burning incense in reverence to deities including Chang'e
Planting Mid-Autumn trees
Collecting dandelion leaves and distributing them evenly among family members
Lighting lanterns on towers
Fire Dragon Dances

Food offerings -- including moon cakes, apples, pears, peaches, grapes, pomegranates, watermelons, oranges, and so on -- are placed on an altar set up in the courtyard. of all these foods, moon cakes and watermelons (cut into the shape of a lotus) are indispensable for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Bathing in the silver moonlight, the families will sit together and take turns to worship the moon, chatting and sharing the moon offerings. It's a time for family reunion in China.

Chinese famous Poems that express a feeling of missing home and family members.

The Yo-Mei Mountain Moonby Li Bai

The autumn moon is half round above the Yo-mei Mountain;
The pale light falls in and flows with the water of the Ping-chiang River.
Tonight I leave Ching-chi of limpid stream for the three Canyons.
And glide down past Yu-chow, thinking of you whom I can not see.

Tips on Fruit Juice

2008-09-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

Fruit juice made from fresh fruit was a terrific drinking stuff. It's also tasty with lots of nutritions we needed.

The process of making the fresh fruit drink is wonderful and enjoyed by many housewives too. All you need is a few simple like knife and a juicer.

Fruit juice is best when freshly squeezed. If you don't have the time to squeeze your own fresh fruit juice, you can buy daily squeezed orange juice. I don't recommend you to buy the juice in the supermarket, cause they are not very fresh, containing less nutrition and not very healthy as fresh drinks.

The freshly squeezed fruit juice has to be consumed within a few days as it usually does not have preservatives or any other additives to make it long lasting.When I get my freshly squeezed orange juice, my family usually drinks it within a couple of hours. They just love the delicious taste of fresh fruit juice.

If you consume fruits whole in their natural state you consume them with the natural fiber and other ingredients that checks sugar absorption.

Whole fruits are healthy but you may still want to eat them in moderation if you have any of the following issues. Whole fruits are more desirable then juices in any case.

• High Blood Pressure
• Overweight
• Diabetes

Some of the healthiest fruits are berries specifically blueberries as their sugar levels are lower than most fruits and they contain an abundance of antioxidants.

So remember juices are high in calories and low in fiber. This will leave you hungry while rapidly adding excess sugar unnecessary. Sometimes just eliminating sugar water, pop, and juices will bring fantastic results.

Worry about Coca-Cola's Taken Over of Chinese Huiyuan Juice

2008-09-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

All Chinese are shocked by the lastest news about the Coca-Cola bids for China's Huiyuan. Now, it's already a done deal, and we are losing one of our big native brand. Many native juice makers will be influenced in the long run.

Coke offer for Huiyuan triggers widespread worry

While Coca-Cola and Huiyuan both seem satisfied with the deal, many ordinary Chinese think otherwise. In an online poll posted by major portal Sina.com, more than 80 percent of the over 76,000 interviewees voted against the acquisition of the leading domestic juice maker. A similar proportion held the opinion that the acquisition, if successful, would verge on a foreign capital's attempt to wipe out domestic pillar brands.

Having just been listed among the top 25 domestic brands last year by China Brand Union Association, Huiyuan had the largest share in the Chinese juice market and was the pride of many Chinese as an example of a domestic brand that competes successfully among its international rivals.

"Huiyuan would become a brand under Coca-Cola, which has achieved a major strategic triumph. It will get not only the top brand in China, but also the market. It would take Coca-Cola back to the top of the Chinese beverage market," said brand marketing expert Li Guangdou.

"But it would mean a heavy loss to Chinese domestic brands, which are under severe crisis now," said Li.

Big Market Potential

By 2025, China's middle-class is projected to exceed 600 million. That's twice the size of the entire population of the United States. And a great many of those people will be drinking Huiyuan products.

Sales of fruit and vegetable juices in China will grow 16% to $12.3 billion this year alone, according to Euromonitor International, whereas carbonated beverage sales are only forecast to rise 7% to $7.94 billion.

Be Decisive When Choosing Shoes

2008-09-08T01:39:00.000-07:00

We feel lucky to be girls, because there is so many beautiful stuff in the world made for us girls, from head to toe.

As for shoes, it's important that we choose one that is both pretty and comfortable. Facing too many choices in the superstore, we also feel confused. We have to be desicive sometimes to save lots of time wandering around. It means simply that If you don't used to the high heel shoes, you'd better not trying them too often.

First study your feets

There's no single 'best shoe' - everyone has different needs. All sorts of things - your biomechanics, your weight, the surfaces you run on, and obviously, the shape of your feet - mean that one person's ideal shoe can be terrible for another person.

We divide our shoes into three main categories (cushioned, stability and motion control); and three minor ones (performance training, racing and off-road). The first three are everyday options and are categorised essentially by your biomechanical needs; the second three are more specialised and you'd often only consider them as second shoes.

Decide between loudness, durability and price

There are different tips and heels available because they are made from different materials which affects on item price, durability and required sound properties. Dance experiences and personal requirements are important for the choice of the mounted tips and heels as well. In addition to the personal dancing technique, room acoustics and condition of the dance floor, the used materials do determine about the sound colour, sound level and durability. To meet all individual requirements you will find different materials and combinations. Particularly the choice of the shoe tips is the decisive factor for sound colour and level.

Fat Buddy, Come On - The Cute Panda

2008-09-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

As the most precious animal in China, Panda gives us too much joy. Last sunday, the animal park in our district is open to the traveller for free, and thousands of people went there to have a happy time.

Panda house is the most popular of all, and since there is so many people that day, the little mountain that leads to the panda house has been walked to several roads. Peviously, there is not any obvious road leading there.

Panda is fat and cute. And they are clever too. See the left picture, they are helping eath other to climb trees. I feel very glad that this precious moment is taken down.
The China panda is known in China as the 'large cat-bear', an apt title as it combines the soft features of a cat with the profile and body-shape of a bear. It sits on the ground when feeding, like a bear does; but on the other hand, its muzzle is more flattened than a bear's and its ears are short and rounded.

The giant panda's black and white markings make it one of the most distinctive of mammals: black ears and eyespots, with a black stole around its shoulders that extends down to its forepaws, and matching black leggings. Its white tail is short and, like the white on its back and belly, is often a soiled cream colour. Within its natural environment (the deep forests and, at upper elevations, snows and rocks), its mottled coloring provides a camouflage.

There is also speculation that its striking color pattern may be a clear message to other pandas to stay away since the giant panda is an extremely solitary animal.Giant panda's fur is thick and covered in an oil that prevents it from getting wet in the permanently soggy atmosphere of its mountain home. A panda's forepaws are equipped with an additional 'thumb' that is used to manipulate the bamboo that forms the panda's staple diet.

Lenovo Deserves a Better Name

2008-09-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Lenovo shocked the whole word by buying the world's best computer brand ThinkPad. Why IBM decided to give up their personal PC department is not suspense anymore. Anyway, IBM will continue focusing on more advanced technology area, such as server, software etc. They are still the "big blue".

Now what makes us feel pity is the admirable and most famous PC brand name IBM and ThinkPad. Lenovo has gradually removed the name from its PC products, from the right corner logo to the screen logo, from the outside packing to the inner configuration part. Their aim is to totally delete the name and change it to Lenovo anyway.

But most foreigners think the name "Lenovo" is strange and not smooth to the lip. And since IBM holds a large number of loyal fans, who even willing to spend more money to purchase a old model ThinkPad computer only because the logo is original and perfect there.

Other advantages of the lenovo notebooks such as the latest configuration, and more lighter pc can't even be an attractive factor to them. It has caused old model computer with intact ThinkPad logo on it reach to a price rising period.

As to Lenovo's latest move to bring out their newest brand: IdeaPad. It really makes the ThinkPad fans uncomfortable since the two names are too similar and it makes people confused. Why not keep the original name ? It's not the right time for doing this in my eyes, and maybe after 5 or 10 years later when IBM fans are finally giving up their battle against their phychology.

The brand name Lenovo can't be changed anyway since it's too late. But as a Chinese myself, I still hope Lenovo can do a better job and give a more reasonable price to this IdeaPad series.

Go Get a Sleeping Bag to Touch with Nature

2008-09-04T00:57:00.000-07:00

The endurable summer heat has been drifting away day by day. Now is the best time to enjoy your outdoor life and touch with nature. If you prefer to stay at home, watching TV aimlessly, eating and getting fatter in a nice Sunday afternoon, then you can drop the idea to read on my article below, because you may not be the type of person I'm taking about, person who loves blue sky, cute cloud and green grass.

But you don't want to go outside with bare hands; you need to stuff your backpack with the following things at least, in which sleeping bag is the most important one. It will make your day more comfortable and cozy. So wearing your casural sports shoes and bring these stuff with you.

Top 1. Sleeping Bag

Perhaps in a strict way, I can't call it sleeping bag. What I mean is a kind of blanket that enables you to lie down comfortably in the grass without getting your clothing dirty. Sleeping bag generally refers to the more complex blanket that with warm function and more thicker and expensive, mainly used for traveling to some cold places such as mountains area.

Both of those gears can be easily purchased in any professional outdoor gear shop. I got my blanket luckily from a friend who is from china construction bank, and this blanket with fine quality is given to their large customers.

2. A bottle of Cooled Tea

You could prepare it ready at home. Don't waist any money buying drinking stuff outside. Cooled tea is the best in my eyes. They drive away your thirsty feeling well and tastes good and healthy.

3. Ipod for passing your time more cheerfully

So you don't want to miss music if you are a music type of person. Music is the best companion at most times. So bring your Ipod with you or even your laptop.

For other stuff, you can figure out yourself. I had better not stressing too many here to be boring.

Happy outdoor life !

Guide Dogs Draw Attention in Paralympic Games

2008-09-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

China has lagged behind the world in the training and use of canine guides. There are only six people in the Chinese mainland who own and use such dogs, unlike German and Japan, where guild dogs enjoys greater popularity.

The training amount of guide dogs is so large that only rich blind people now can afford to buy one such dog. But expensive money is not the only obstacle for it, people's awareness should change a little bit to make it more convenient for blind people to use guild dog. Many facilities and building are preventing guide dogs right now.

Walking with a large dog on the street is contradictory to regulations in many Chinese cities. In downtown Beijing, people can only walk their dogs early in the morning or late at night, and large dogs are strictly banned.

The situation are getting better and better for guide dog usage

Guide dogs for the blind will be allowed into public places such as subway stations and buses starting July, under a new law amendment passed recently.

Lawmakers said the change, in the amendment to the Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons, aims to better protect the rights and interests of the blind in the Beijing 2008 Paralympics in September, during which many athletes will bring their canine helpers to the capital.

"A guide dog is the best assistant to the blind. Allowing the use of the dogs in the Paralympics will give the blind more opportunities to join social activities," said Li Weihong, a member of the executive council of China Disabled Persons' Federation.

Every blind foreign national will be allowed to bring one such dog to China during the Games, which will be held from September 6-17, an official with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Inspection and Quarantine said on Friday.

Dogs won't be quarantined if their owners provide certificates of good health and current rabies vaccinations, as well as proof of training as a guide dog, said Chong Yan.

Overseas animals usually face a 30-day quarantine in China.

Smuggling is Big Headache for Samsung Mobile

2008-09-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

Talking about mobile phone market share in China, Samsung should be pride. Even there are many big competitors around; Samsung still got most of the big cake due to its unique quality and style. If we could only use few words to describe Samsung phones, it would be: fashion, fast product development, the best slide design, simple and inclusive, good taste. In a word, they've got the magical touch and powerful design.

The biggest victim of the phone smuggling

Chinese people like Samsung mobile, that's good news for the company. But sad news is not all potential customers will buy Samsung phones in the legal way. To be frank, there is many smuggling Samsung phone going around in China. It’s not at all over the top to say that Samsung is the biggest victim of the phone smuggling in China.

The price difference is heaven and earth. And the quality of both official Samsung and illegal ones are more or less the same. The most difference would be the phone software. Smugglings ones using non-official software, which often has lots of bugs. Those phones are all from Hong Kong and Europe, where the official one is made in Tianjing, China.

Smuggling of Samsung's mobile phones, which can't be ignored when speaking of Samsung's handsets in China, is also a big disease threatening the image of Samsung and its product. The reason lies behind the smuggling, of course, is the profit, or we can say the big price gap between the legally imported and those sold in Hong Kong and Europe. Especially for Samsung, the smuggled handsets only ask for 50%-60% of the market price of legal ones. Big price gap is the key incentive force for smuggling.

An Obsession with Red Wine in China

2008-09-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

Local and foreign vintners say the Chinese are increasingly interested in grape wines. The most important reason is due to its health promotion benefits, and I think curiosity is an important factor to its popularity too.

Red wine enjoys a greater market than traditional wines such as beers or white wines because it can both consumed by women and men, even pregnant women.

Consumption of European-style wines has grown dramatically in China's cities, by as much as 15 percent to 20 percent a year, according to some industry estimates. China's state statistics bureau says per capita consumption of such wine has doubled in five years.

Supermarkets in big cities sell foreign wines, which are expensive, but they also stock locally made varieties from producers who have started vineyards with imported vines.

Parts of the Benefits of red wines

Red wine is a particularly rich source of antioxidants flavonoid phenolics, so many studies to uncover a cause for red wine's effects have focused on its phenolic constituents, particularly resveratrol and the flavonoids. Resveratrol, found in grape skins and seeds, increases HDL cholesterol and prevent blood clotting. Flavonoids, on the other hand, exhibit antioxidant properties helping prevent blood clots and plaques formation in arteries.

Common red wines sold around China, Some notes:

Dynasty Red Wine, $4. A quite quaffable wine made with French help. Dry, light and well-balanced, but the fruit was more faded-savoury than forward.

Yunnan Red Wine, $4. A local wine, drinkable if one has been stranded in the local mountains for about a year.

Great Wall Red Wine, $3.75. Found everywhere and selling to westerners on its novelty name. The wine tasted oxidized. But it's a "must-try" to say you have sampled Chinese wine.

Tibetan Dry Naked Barley Red Wine, $4.50. Caramel, dried figs and plums on a wine that deserved a second sip.

It's a good trend, and I hope China's grape wine manufacture capacity would soon catch up with some world class level.

Wide Belts or Skinny Belts

2008-09-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

Belts are the perfect way to introduce a chic pop of color, texture or bling to any outfit; this waist magic item is one of few accessories that can take any outfit up a notch, from fine to fantastic. Choose the right belt that suit your body shape and temperament is pretty important to your whole beauty work.

Wide belts and skinny belts are all must-have items in their closet. They are both in fashion this season. But you need to decide wisely which one to wear to make your whole dress more great in different occasions.

Wide Belts Trends
Cinching a wide belt around the smallest part of your torso – your natural waist – emphasizes and slims this very feminine zone while accentuating sexy curves.

Thick belts create the most dramatic, waist-narrowing looks since they brace your body in a corset-like fashion. Look for sturdy or stretchy materials such as solid and woven leathers, reinforced layers of satin, and thick, wide elastic bands that can comfortably resist all the bending and sitting you're likely to do over the course of a day.

A Skinny Belt, Even If You're Not
I've always loved the look of a skinny belt with jeans or trousers. Tuck a button down shirt or slim fitting cardi in 'em and it's a no fail winner. But unfortunately for me, it's hard finding a skinny belt that doesn't make me feel, well...fat.As you know, I'm sure you can tell, I love to look at catwalk and street fashion all over the world.

The one common way that skinny belts are being worn is over a open button sweater. I have put up some examples of this in the post below to show you exactly what I mean. I have a couple on vintage skinny belts that I have collected from vintage second hand stores and tried it out the other day when I went for coffee with some friends and it actually looked great. I wore black simple LBD, a grey thin woolen open sweater and a dark tan skinny belt over the grey sweater, leaving the sweater unbuttoned and some black sheer stockings and black leather ankle boots..its looked great..I loved it!.

Belts That Fits Your Style

2008-09-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Whatever the belt trends is in this season, choose the one that fits your body shape and style is the wise choice. Don’t follow others just because some item is hot, it may not the one for you. So first understand yourself and make the pick based on the clothes you already have, otherwise, you would waste more time and money to looking for the apparel to go with the stylish belt you are bought with a big sum.

Different body shape fits in different belts
Petite women
Petite women need to keep clothes in line, slim narrow belts. A slight contrast in colors and fitted lines will flatter you endlessly. Also stay with fabrics that are soft and flowing that fits well. Over powering prints should be avoided.

Tall women
Tall women can indulge in wide belts, avoiding tight clothes and skirts that are to short or to long. Beauty expert Stephanie Faber recommends tall women play down their waist by wearing their blouses over the pants and skirts and avoid tight belts.

Belts at the Hips
Low-slung belts draw the eye to more womanly curves: the hips. The most relaxed and casual mode of wearing a belt, hip-hugging belts do wonders for tunics, casual shift dresses, trendy low-rise jeans and boho skirts, adding a ring of color and a finishing touch of flair and personality to the outfit.

Belt at the Waist
Tightly fastened, bellybutton grazing belts are the by far the most popular way to rock the belt this season:
Wear thick or thin waist-level leather belts with a pair of high-waited trouses belted over a naughty secretary pencil skirt, or cinched over a simple shift dress.

Tie together separates – tops, sweaters, skirts, trousers or jeans – by wearing a waist-hugging thick or thin belt over light layers for a more refined look. Give definition to day dresses by nipping them in with textured, woven, cut-out or plaited medium and thick belts.

Amp up the allure of a curve-flattering dress with a patent leather belt or a decorative belt studded with crystals, rhinestones, gemstones, sequins, and metallic finishes. Accentuate your curves and add sharp focus to tailored jackets and structured shirts by looping your waist with a belt.

Nightmare of China Software Pirate Head – Tomato Garden

2008-09-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Arrest of the Author of Windows XP "Tomato Garden" Edition

The Chinese IT community is abuzz with news of the recent arrest of Hong Lei, author of the popular pirated Windows XP "Tomato Garden" Edition software. I'm not sure where the wacky "Tomato Garden" name came from but it's no laughing matter – this pirated edition of Windows XP is estimated to be installed in many tens of millions of Chinese computers.
The pirated "Tomato Garden" edition of Windows XP is so popular in China because it does not require product activation, includes software/themes that beautifies the Windows XP user interface and comes packaged with other useful free + pirated software tools.

Why Microsoft Pick Tomato Garden as The first dead bird ?

For the Microsoft part:

I think it's a time saving stradage for microsoft to combate with the anti-monopoly law in China. As the chinese saying goes, tomato garden is the first sad bird that unfortunately been picked, since lots of pirate stuff going on in China right now. But tomato garden maybe one of the famous ones. Its online forum is so hot and popular before this sudden accidents happens.

For the chinese government part:

The arrest was probably instigated by a complaint from Microsoft to the Chinese authorities, who are usually quite lax about enforcing intellectual property rights. While this is a step in the right direction, I don't believe it is the start of a broad crackdown on software/music pirates in China – perhaps the authorities are just trying to demonstrate that they are at least doing something about the piracy problem amidst strong pressure and complaints from foreign software/music businesses.

China's own domestic computer software makers have already begun to suffer losses attributable to "lax enforcement" of intellectual property rights.85 In response to the large volume of pirated materials that has overwhelmed the Chinese market, a number of China's domestic companies have begun to realize the damage that copyright infringement can cause and have begun to litigate such cases. For example, the Beijing Weihong Software Research Institute sued Yuanwang Technology in 1993 for "displaying its software at a national computer exhibition without permission from the copyright holder."86 The case was settled in favor of Beijing Weihong, and the plaintiff was awarded approximately $7,900 in damages.87 The government must encourage such cases; developing a system that grants fair trials and proper awards will ultimately lead to a confident, innovative domestic software industry.

Every Step We Take with Trendy Shoes

2008-08-31T23:41:00.000-07:00

Casual boots have been a huge fashion trend for years, and they're still hot today. Boots add sophistication and interest to even the most basic jeans and tee outfit. They can make you taller, keep you warm, or just look cute!
Open-Toe heels are 2008 season's hot items. It's elegant yet stylish.

Runway Inspiration - Trends in Boots For Fall 2008
Here are some of the different causal boots that we saw on the runways this season. Designers used boots in many of their fall 2008 looks, and they were the most popular footwear choice by far. The funny thing about this year, though, is that there wasn't one main trend that stood out. Boots of all sizes, styles, and colors showed up on the runways, each as trendy as the next.

The Season's Hottest Shoes - Open-Toe High Heels
There is something about a peep toe shoe that is irresistibly vampy and sophisticated. The open-toe shoe has enjoyed a strong revival over the past few years, and fashion forecasts for 2008 indicate that the trend is expected to keep up its momentum over the next few seasons. This year, women can look forward to wearing the peep toe in retro-inspired looks as well as styles that have never been seen before.

Classic Peep Toe Style
Ultra-high heeled peep toe shoes, open-toe wedges, and stacked-heel peep toe mules are all reminiscent of 1950s pin-up girl fashions. This season, designers are throwing patent leather, suede, straps, chunky heels, metallic finishes and platforms into the mix to update the classic style.

There is something about a peep toe shoe that is irresistibly vampy and sophisticated. The open-toe shoe has enjoyed a strong revival over the past few years, and fashion forecasts for 2008 indicate that the trend is expected to keep up its momentum over the next few seasons. This year, women can look forward to wearing the peep toe in retro-inspired looks as well as styles that have never been seen before.
and we mainly talk about casual boots that girls wearing for beauty purpose here:

Casual Boots For College Girls
Now that you've seen the runway looks, lets start translating the latest trends into something a college girl can actually wear.
Boots Need To Be:
Comfortable to walk in - this means no 6 inch heels, stilettos, or extremely pointy toes.
Durable - we need leather boots that won't fall apart after three wears, or that can't be walked around in for more than an hour!
Cute and wearable - college girls need boots that are stylish but can work with many different outfits. We want versatility with our clothes, and a studded pair of bright red snakeskin boots is not going to cut it!
Not overly expensive - $250 dollars is the top price a college girl will probably pay for a pair of boots, and even that may be way too much for many.

Tips and Knowledge about Shoe Accessories

2008-08-31T23:15:00.000-07:00

Inside the shoe - Shoe insoles

From almost everyone can benefit on a pair of good insoles. Insoles major role in the following:

First, shock-absorbing.
Although the shoes themselves will have this feature, but the role of insoles can not be underestimated.

The second is stability and support
Such as the above plans. Insoles are the latter part of a plastic for the support to give feet a very good supporting role. Certain extent, the support of good insoles of boots stronger than general support for the ankles. Perhaps listening to a bit ridiculous, but in fact a good insoles's role is enormous. For example, the map super feet, have such an effect.

Third, it is corrected.
Most people will step pose a problem, Pingzu, inversion, eversion, not the correct attitude not only lead to further foot problems and even cause of ankle, knee and even back problems. Good insoles can be corrected foot problems.

Elegant Shoe Material Choice

Linen is an elegant, durable fabric that can be used in nearly every type of clothing from pants to dresses to suits. Linen is made from flax and is the strongest of the vegetable fibers. Naturally, linen is an off-white color, varying from creamy white to light tan. However, it can be dyed any shade and the color won't fade when washed.

What's great about linen is that it's a cool, breathable fabric that is perfect for warmer months. Though it does wrinkle easily, linen presses easily as well. This season in addition to beautiful linen skirts and dresses, look for an array of stylish linen shoes and handbags.

Socks is a small thing, but it is very important.

The production of socks use several key material, do you know which one to choose when you are wearing an Basketball Shoes and want to keep your feet sweat away? Let's see:

First, wool, wool, particularly merino wool.
Warm and good, flexible, strong absorptive capacity, it features.
Second, acrylic
This is a kind of chemical fiber materials. Most of the buffer used to increase flexibility and shock absorption.
Third, nylon, nylon
Mainly used to increase durability, increased strength, ductility.
Fourth, coolmax
This is not that we all know, perspiration breathable
Fifth, Teflon, Te Fulong, reducing friction
Sixth, lycra, Leica or spandex, to provide flexibility, and so on.

Walk With Style And Comfort

2008-08-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

Stylish shoes don't have to be a pain. The biggest misconception is that comfortable shoes can't be fashionable and fashionable shoes can't be comfortable. You'll find that more and more fashionable shoes have been specifically designed with comfort in mind.

Many women walk wrong

Look, it's not your fault. It's your shoes. Unsuitable Shoes hurt your feet. They change how you walk. In fact, your feet—your poor, tender, abused, ignored, maligned, misunderstood feet—are getting trounced in a war that’s been raging for roughly a thousand years: the battle of shoes versus feet.

Okay, so shoes can be less than comfortable. If you've ever suffered through a wedding in four-inch heels or patent-leather dress shoes, you've probably figured this out. But does that really mean we don't walk correctly? (Yes.) I mean, don't we instinctively know how to walk? (Yes, sort of.) Isn't walking totally natural? Yes—but shoes aren’t.

Needless to suffering from stylish shoes

Ask a woman if she's ever worn uncomfortable shoes in the name of style and she'll look at you like you asked her if she brushes her teeth. The thought of strutting around town in a beautiful pair of high-fashion heels brings to many women's minds the pains of squished toes, tender metatarsals, aching arches and sore backs.

But the days of suffering for style are no longer. After years of women assuming the two could never be combined, function and beauty are being united as footwear brands put their most comfortable foot forward, changing the way women think about fashionable shoes.

The message is clear: beautiful shoes can be created without sacrificing foot health and comfort.

Comfort is the most important factors when I choose my shoes. If you hurt your feet, it’s not just the pain that will make you regret, but it may leads to some serious foot health problems that you may not imagine before the dangerous trying. Not all stylish shoes have to be high-heel.

Let your feet be free, don't make them painful, choose the stylish shoes designed with comfort of fee in mind. I think many shoe designers have aware of this serious unbalance problem. You just need to be more careful when make you pick.

Drinking in Style with IKEA Coffee Mug

2008-08-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

In the world of coffee mugs and tumblers, it's not about discerning tastes; it's about function and style. Just take a quick look at the newest IKEA catalog: 16 different mugs and tumblers to choose from, some with handles, some with wide mouths, some small and dainty, even one called Älmhult that looks more like a tiny planter than something you'd pour coffee into.

Yet, according to industry experts, people want strange, stylish and sometimes even barely functional models. Crema, aroma, aftertaste: all afterthoughts.

I am passionate about IKEA. IKEA offers clever and functional design at a fair price. Our home has a few IKEA furniture items (newer and older) that have lasted quite well.

On design - I was enchanted with the design. I valued the difference in aesthetic design and clever engineering. IKEA’s growth is evidence that they provide value to customers.

I'm a big fan of efficiency. Many of their designs use materials that reduce cost, and the markets dictate that solid wood is too expensive. So their designs make use of materials made from pieces / parts from the larger lumberyard, for example. Isn’t efficiency a virtue as the human population dominates our planet? Especially when many people in the world cannot afford more expensive goods.

I'm also a big fan of quality. If we want higher quality furniture for our home, we plan our budget accordingly and shop elsewhere.

Possibly the least expensive and most innovative products from Norse furniture powerhouse Ikea is the TORFE What at first glance seems to be a simple ceramic mug hides a cunning piece of industrial design that solves a problem almost everyone has had to deal with; water pooling in the base of an upturned cup after washing. TORFE solves this issue with a small notch that allows water to trickle down the side instead of stagnating up top.

If you are really bothered by water pooling in the bottom of your mugs while they are in the dishwasher, IKEA has the solution. These mugs have a little notch on the bottom to prevent the pooling. The stoneware mugs are also stackable.

Nanjing Residents Finally Have Design Giants IKEA

2008-08-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

Before August 28, Nanjing IKEA fans will go to shanghai to purchase their home furniture, and it really not very convenient.

But now If Nanjing residents are worried that there is no place to buy decent home furnishings, they now have a savior.

Design Giants - IKEA

Ikea's Nanjing store, located at the east of Kazimen Square, was formally opened on August 28. With a total investment of USD54 million, the new Ikea store covers 60,000 square meters and its business area is about 30,000 square meters.

In the store, consumers will see 65 sample rooms of four different styles and three "complete homes", covering 25 square meters, 35 square meters, and 55 square meters, respectively, offer complete solutions for interior decoration. In addition, there are more than 6,000 kinds of products sold in the store.

Affordable and simple. IKEA hands the screwdriver over to the customer. Founded in 1943 by Ingrod Humfrod, the company rapidly became the preferred interior outfitter for students, ingles and young families. Annual sales now exceed six billion dollars.

Price Strategy in Nanjing
IKEA have investigated Nanjing consumer market before they implement their Price strategy. They price of most furniture will be acceptable by most consumer with above average wage. Their targeted consumer would be the female with good flavor and certain economic capacity.

Transportation
There is no subway in that district where IKEA located, the nearest subway stop have at least 3 kilometer away. But since IKEA is the symbol of elegance and humanized design, many consumer attracted are mainly upon class. So most of them will have cars and IKEA prepared enough parking places to make them feel comfortable.

Anyway, we can also take the public transportation, which I personally think NO.60 bus is the most convenient one for people who live in the central city area. Other buses are available too.

Store Decoration
The decoration is attractive and most advanced. Lots of people went there and couldn't afford to take many pictures down, because when they see those sample room, and delicately designed Bedroom,they feel at home there, very cozy feeling. Curiosity is always pops up.

Popularity
Apart from these furniture products, the new Ikea store also includes a 2,512 square meter restaurant, which offers Swedish food, and a children's room, which can accommodate 50 children. So lots of people are attracted there on the fist opening day. In that area, there are many furniture large stores, but IKEA seams not to be fear about those competitors due to their unique style, creative design, and amazing store decoration.

Living Colors – Good Design Can Change Your Life

2008-08-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

The first time I saw Living Colors (a kind o LED lamp that can handle 16000 colors) designed by Philip, I was totally in love with it. I remember last year I got that impulse to buy it home immediately, but even Amazon got no sign of this lamp. One can only purchase it in very limited places such as England or Holland. Considering the surprising price to be 150 dollars, and the postage under the risk to be detained by the Custom, I finally decided to wait for other chances to buy this romantic LED Lighting genius. Just as I'm kind of forgetting it, I came upon it on certain famous design forum recently. So it really makes me feel heart touching again.

She – not just for lighting purpose
Color your world with light – cause color is your best emotion media

See few flash promotion pictures as follows, it was all taken from the official website.
What color is...

·What’s the color for your precious memory?
· The color of love ？
· What about a lazy Sunday?

It's the best combination of design and marking. Not to forget to mention is the design conception of Philips: Sense and Simplicity. Their effort and exploration on the creative idea and simplicity is admirable. Designer got a lot to learn from many classic Philips design such as "The Simplicity Event".

Pressure and Expectations for London 2012

2008-08-26T22:27:00.000-07:00

The massive spectacle that Beijing put on for the Opening and closing ceremonies has shocked the whole world including Chinese people themselves. It's said that Beijing has put a lot of pressure on London 2012.

It's hard to imaging how London could possibly do to compare to the sheer scale of the Chinese efforts. Someone argue that maybe London don't need to match that scale, London will be excellent just by being itself. London could not compete with China on splendor and majesty of ceremony, nor should it be expected to.

Each opening and closing ceremony can be considered to be the self-narrative of the hosting country. The sheer scale of the Chinese ceremony was meant to induce a sense of China's ancient history and vast size and emerging power. I don't think that will be the case for London.

It's totally different case for the two countries, Beijing and London, for which the former has got a 5000 years' old cultural history to show to the whole world. So such a massive scale and size is suitable and at the same time Chinese performances are good at.

But London Olympic will have its unique side to manifest like having enough food at the venues; let all kinds of people protesting against anything, including the Queen's hair color and weight problems, and Charles' boldness. And, of course, free Scotland. No Internet blocking and full stadiums will make the London Games much better. Just for kidding here.

It is not how much you spend, not how many new buildings you build. It is allowing people having a good time that makes the Games. We will sure not having another Boring Olympics, or No Fun Olympics.

As the Chinese saying goes, Every field has its own zhuangyuan (the best scholar of the imperial examinations). China's ceremonies can be considered to be the 'zhuangyuan' of pomp and grandeur. I expect that England will try to become the 'zhuangyuan' of another field, and that the London ceremony will have distinctly London attributes.

Extraordinary Insight along Beijing Laoshan Mountain Bike Course (Part 5)

2008-08-26T01:14:00.000-07:00

Continued with my last post to introduce the most beautiful yet most challenging bike course in the Olympic history, here is the introduction of the last three locations where the bike course has been passed. For anyone who like travel, those are all good choices. Beijing Laoshan Mountain Bike Course will be totally open to traveller when the olympic is over. You can do a bike cycling here with your own professional bike or even with electric bike, at the same time enjoying the beaufiful insights here.

Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Palace

Dadu city of the Yuan Dynasty was built 700 years ago, between 1267 and 1276. The ten-meter-high remain of its northmost part, which were left outside the city when the north city wall was moved southward in the early Ming Dynasty, can still be seen and are popularly known as tucheng, or the earthen city wall. In 1957 it was designated by the government of Beijing as a key historic site under municipal protection. On Sept. 25, 1974, a greening team was formed in Chaoyang District to protect the relics. On March 10, 1988, the government approved the building of a park named "Yuan Dynasty Dadu City Wall Site Park".

Beijing Olympic Tower

The new office building, located near the central Olympic area, is a well-equipped office building that not only meets the needs of BOCOG's major preparatory undertakings, but also will facilitate Beijing Olympic Partners' provision of services for the Games.

The picture here is from Chinadaily Olympic section.

Juyongguan Pass

Juyongguan Pass is located in an 18 kilometer-long valley named "Guangou" which is inside Changping County more than 50 kilometers from Beijing City. It is one of the three greatest passes of Great Wall of China. The other two passes are Jiayuguan Pass and Shanhai Pass. It had many different names in the past dynasties. However, the name "Juyongguan Pass" was used by more than three dynasties. It was first used in the Qin Dynasty when Emperor Qinshihuang ordered to build the Great Wall. Juyongguan Pass has two passes, one at the south and one at the north. The south one is called "Nan Pass" and the north one is called "Badaling".This Pass was connected to the Great Wall in the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

To any foreign travelers who are planning a trip to Beijing, especially those who are planning a short trip either for sightseeing or for the 2008 Olympics famous building, I hope it will be a helpful guide and that you find the information useful.

Sceneries from Beijing Laoshan Mountain Bike Course (Part 4)

2008-08-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

Continued with my last post to introduce the most beautiful yet most challenging bike course in the Olympic history, here is the introduction of the third, fourth and fifth stage for the Course:

Tiananmen Square

Nowadays the Tiananmen Square represents the heart of China’s capital Beijing. It spans an area of 50 hectares and is the biggest square worldwide. Most of the time Tiananmen Square is being associated with several happenings which had quite an enormous impact on China’s history. For example the demonstration on the 4th of May in 1919 when China lost its right over the German colonies in Shandong to the Japanese after the Second World War. Students and other intellectuals demonstrated against the result of the treaty of Versaille and demanded the democratization and wersternization of China.

Yonghegong Palace

Yonghegong is a famous lamasery located in the northeastern part of the old city of Beijing. It was a palatial residence built in 1694 by Qing Emperor Kangxi for his fourth son, Prince Yongzheng who later succeeded to the throne. This magnificent temple consists of five main buildings lying on the north-south axis, with annex halls standing on both sides. The temple is listed by the Chinese Government as one of the important historical monuments under special preservation.

Temple of Earth Park

The Temple of Earth, also named Ditan Park, near the North Second Ring Road in the northern part of Beijing city, is where emperors prayed to the earth for favorable weather and national prosperity. Built in 1530, it has square altars and walls in line with the ancient chinese concept of a square earth.

The Most Amazing Bike Course in the Olympic History (Part 3) - The Temple of Heaven

2008-08-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

The Beijing route will make Athens seem like a cakewalk, as it is widely considered one of the most challenging in Olympic history, yet the Beijing Laoshan Mountain Bike Course is also the most beautiful bike course.

Continued with my last post, here is the introduction of the second stage for the Beijing Laoshan Mountain Bike Course:

The Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is one of the most strictly protected and preserved cultural heritages of China. There are 12 million visitors every year. The Circular Mound Altar The largest group of architectures ever to be dedicated to Heaven, the Temple of Heaven served as an exclusive altar for Chinese monarchs during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was decreed that rulers of successive dynasties would place altars in their own capitals to worship Heaven and pray for good harvest.

The ancient Chinese believed that Heaven was the supreme ruler of the universe and the fate of mankind, and thus worshiping rites dedicated to Heaven came into being. The Heaven the ancient Chinese referred to was actually the Universe, or nature. In those days, there were specific rites of worship. This was especially true during the Ming and Qing dynasties when elaborate ceremonies were held.

The garden grounds have six entrances all leading up to the most important ritual places, the Round Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests which have all been arranged on a central north-south axis. The Hall of Prayer for good Harvests is mounted on a three-tiered marble terrace and its four inner pillars support the roof and represent the four seasons.

The Hall was burnt down in 1889 and was fortunately rebuilt following the original architectural blueprints from the Ming-dynasty only a year later. The grounds of the Temple of Heaven were regarded as sanctuary and therefore forbidden to the public until 1912. And as so many other landmarks in China, the Temple of Heaven has also been listed as a world heritage by the world heritage committee since 1998.

The Most Amazing Bike Course in the Olympic History (Part 2)

2008-08-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Olympic Cycling BMX match is really like traveling around Beijing's most classic sights. No wonder the Chinese media called the Beijing Laoshan Mountain Bike Course the most beautiful bike course in the Olympic history.

Continued with my last post, here is the introduction o the first stage for the Beijing Laoshan Mountain Bike Course:

Beijing's North-south Central Axis

The Forbidden City remains important in the civic scheme of Beijing. The central north-south axis remains the central axis of Beijing. This axis extends to the south through Tiananmen gate to Tiananmen Square, the ceremonial centre of the People's Republic of China. To the north, it extends through the Bell and Drum Towers to Yongdingmen. Interestingly, this axis is not exactly aligned north-south, but is tilted by slightly more than two degrees. Researchers now believe that the axis was designed in the Yuan Dynasty to be aligned with Xanadu, the other capital of the empire.

Beijing central north-south axis bifurcates central Beijing, straddling the fourth ring road. The importance of this north-south axis is clearly explained by Zixuan Zhu and Reginald Yin-Wang Kwok in their essay "Beijing: The Expression of Political Ideology," in Culture and the City in East Asia: "Following the Confucian tradition, Beijing was planned along a north to south axis, representing the authority of the state. The Imperial Palace, government offices, religious buildings, and minor royal residences were all located, symmetrically, on the east and west sides of the central axis. Political power and social position were clearly demarcated on the urban landscape." The location of the Olympic Park thus embodies the Chinese government's stated goal of "integrating the 2008 Olympics with Chinese culture and spiritual civilization."

The Most Amazing Bike Course in the Olympic History (Part 1)

2008-08-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Beijing Laoshan Mountain Bike Course has left us an exciting match and impressive scenery around Beijing.

According to Wikipedia, the bike cycling venue project involves a competition course of 4.6 kilometres in circumference, a fixed building with a floor space of 8,275 square metres, a temporary spectator stand that seats 2,000 and other temporary facilities for competitions.

The Chinese media called the Beijing Laoshan mountain bike Course the most beautiful bike course in the Olympic history. After seen the match, most people totally agree with this.

According to BOCOG, the racers will start from Yongdingmen Gate at the southern end of Beijing's north-south central axis, by way of the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Yonghegong Palace, Temple of Earth Park, the Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Palace, the Beijing Olympic Tower, enter the Badaling Expressway through Xiaojiahe entrance and spurt at Juyongguan Pass. It is described as "the cycling course with the most beautiful scenery in the Olympic history."

Let's begin to introduce the amazing scenery one by one.

To be continued in the next post.

Jade - Special Stone with Rich Chinese Culture

2008-08-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

The history of jade is as long as the Chinese civilization. Xu Zhen defined jade as beautiful stone in the first Chinese dictionary. Jade is generally classified into soft jade (nephrite) and hard jade (jadeite). Since China only had the soft jade until jadeite was imported from Burma during the Qing dynasty (1271-1368), jade traditionally refers to the soft jade so it is also called traditional jade. Jadeite is called Feicui in Chinese. Feicui is now more popular and valuable than the soft jade in China.

Throughout the jade-mining history in China, Hetian jade has always occupied the center stage. Hetian jade, found in southwest Xinjiang Autonomous Region in Northwest China in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC), has a history of more than 2,000 years. Most of the imperial jade seals were made of Hetian jade, which has been considered as the "real jade". The saying that "gold is costly, but jade is priceless" is in recognition of Hetian Jade. But after a long time of excavation, resource of Hetian jade is dwindling. It was at this time that Kunlun jade was discovered.

The manufacture of Chinese jade articles was already highly developed by the Shang Dynasty (16th to 11th century B.C). The Chinese of this period had the technology to produce jade articles of every imaginable type, shape, and size. By the end of the Chou Dynasty (11th century to 256 B.C.) and the beginning of the Han Dynasty, Chinese jades reached a second peak in their development; craftsmen had more advanced tools as well as more efficient methods of polishing jade and creating unsurpassed masterpieces. From this point on, jade craftsmen could accommodate practically any and every customer demand.

When polished and carved into various objects, jade was attributed with certain cultural characteristics. In ancient Chinese cosmology, the heaven was considered to be round, and the earth square. Thus a round jade ornament with a hole in the center, called a "pi", was carved to honor the gods of heaven, and a long hollow jade ornament with rectangular sides, called a "ts'ung", was made to honor the terrestrial spirits.

According to ancient Chinese legend, the phoenix and the dragon were animal deities that were the life-source of family clans. For this reason, jade was often used as a material for carving phoenixes and dragons which worn as ornaments and fashion accessories. These ornaments symbolized the noble bearings of a gentleman, and so is the origin of the Chinese saying: "The gentleman's morals are like jade."

Jade Olympic Medals Surprise the World

2008-08-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

According to BOCOG's design, gold medal will incorporate a light, fine jade set in its back while the silver has the white-greenish jade. A greenish jade will be used for the bronze medal.

Jade represents honor and virtue in traditional Chinese culture and the medal design is regarded to well combine Olympic spirit and Chinese culture, the publication said.

Kunlun jade recognized as a world-class jewelry

Kunlun jade is found in the Kunlun Mountains in Qinghai Province. The type of jade is now recognized as a world-class jewel. Kunlun Mountain is the birthplace of many legendary stories in China, and the discovery of Kunlun jade added more mystery to it. As Wei Zhoubin, general manager of Golmud Kunlun Jade Company introduces, Kunlun jade and Hetian jade are both found along the Kunlun mountains, the quality of Kunlun jade is no worse than that of Hetian jade.Jade carry with them beauty, respect, love and help in China. That's one reason that they have been chosen for the Olympic medal making.They compliment the Olympic spirit, the use of jade in Olympic medals will definitely spread China's rich jade culture to the world, while relaying the concept of "People's Olympics". Jade is also A Mirror of Chinese Culture.

The jade medals have become the talk of the town

In Chinese culture, jade is a symbol of class and elegance. According to Games officials, the medals combined western and eastern elements. For example, 13 kilograms of gold and 1.3 tons of silver were sourced from Australia, and nearly seven tons of bronze was sourced from Chile. While jade were collected from west China's Kunlun Mountain.

The designers put a seal between the inner layer and a groove to bond metal and jade. The seal can also buffer the effect of vibration to protect the jade against impact. Shanghai Mint was the official manufacturer of the medals. In Beijing, the jade medals have become the talk of the town.
The Olympic medals have caught the eyes of athletes and spectators from around the world. According to The Sun, for the first time in Olympic history, the Olympic medals blend metal and jade. The technique of inlaying jade into metal can be dated back to the Han Dynasty 2000 years ago.

Jade Culture, A Mirror of Chinese Culture

2008-08-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

The Chinese love jade because of not only its beauty, but also more importantly its culture, meaning and humanity, as Confucius said there are 11 De (virtue) in jade. Thus jade is really special in Chinese culture, also as the Chinese saying goes "Gold has a value; jade is invaluable”.

The wise have likened jade to virtue.

For them, its polish and brilliancy represent the whole of purity; its perfect compactness and extreme hardness represent the sureness of intelligence; its angles, which do not cut, although they seem sharp, represent justice; the pure and prolonged sound, which it gives forth when one strikes it, represents music. Its color represents loyalty; its interior flaws, always showing themselves through the transparency, call to mind sincerity; its iridescent brightness represents heaven; its admirable substance, born of mountain and of water, represents the earth. Used alone without ornamentation it represents chastity. The price that the entire world attaches to it represents the truth. To support these comparisons, the Book of Verse says: "When I think of a wise man, his merits appear to be like jade."' Because jade stands for beauty, grace and purity, it has been used in many Chinese idioms or phrases to denote beautiful things or people.

The beauty of jadeite and its cultural connotations

Since ancient times, men of moral integrity have been seen as processing the fine qualities of jade: tenderness, modesty, urbanity, among them. In the eyes of the Chinese, jade is not as shiny or sparkling as other precious stones such as diamonds, which some believe characterizes people who are aggressive or arrogant. Because of its physical qualities, jade, jadeite in particular, suits the artistic and intellectual tastes of the Chinese people,” said Ouyang Chiumei, a world-renown expert in jade. "The Chinese are reserved and mild. In their eyes, westerners are straight forward and aggressive, quite like the diamond."

Jade has been ever more popular till today

Jade as The Gem for Olympic Medals has wowed the whole world. Jade ornaments have remained popular up until the present day. The purchase, wearing, and giving of jade items as gifts is still very common. Jade is viewed as an ideal gift for couples making a mutual commitment, and for one's children when they get married. Even now, the Chinese retain the idea that in addition to being beautiful, jade can protect from misfortune and bring good luck.

Today, traditional forms and modern styles are combined into striking new creations, and modern technology has greatly elevated the quality of workmanship. No longer is jade for the exclusive use of emperors and noblemen; just about everyone has the means to own and wear jade. Beyond maintaining its historical role, jade artistry has been further developed with creativity and skill, and has become an indispensable part of everyday life. Jade remains an eternal symbol of China's magnificent civilization.

Beijing Olympic Makes China Jade Popular

2008-08-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

In Chinese, "jade"(yu) refers to a fine, beautiful stone with a warm color and rich luster that is skillfully carved. In Chinese culture, jade symbolizes nobility, perfection, constancy, and immortality. For ages, jade has been an intimate part of the lives of all Chinese people. It is considered the most valuable of all precious stones. Jade is found in mountains and riverbeds, and Chinese consider jade to be "the essence of heaven and earth."

Cutting of Jade is vital
Jade is an essence produced through the natural forces of rivers and mountains over eons. However, if it is not skillfully cut and polished, there is no way for the potential richness and luster that people prize to be expressed. The Chinese have a saying that goes. "If jade is not properly cut, it cannot be made into a useful utensil." Cutting is an important step in the process of producing jade articles.

Add special beauty for the Olympic medals
The medals for the 2008 Olympic games will be made in parts with Kunlun jade, which are found in the Kunlun Mountains in Qinghai Province. These will be the first Olympic medals to use non-metal material. How did Kunlun jade stand out from its competitors and become the material for making Olympic medals? Had it been difficult in using jade to make medals?

The quality of Kunlun jade is very high, no matter from its rigidity and exquisiteness. When People learnt that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will use jade in the medals, they submitted the request letter for donating Kunlun jade to BOCOG immediately. Following extensive research and examination commissioned by BOCOG and conducted by jade experts and organizations, Kunlun jade was deemed to meet the requirements for making the Olympic medals. BOCOG then accepted the proposal for the jade donation from Qinghai Province.There are many jade dealers who wanted to donate, including representatives for Hetian jade, Xiuyan jade from Liaoning Province in northeast China and Dushan Jade from Henan province in central China. BOCOG invited experts to investigate Kunlun jade, and the result was if they chose Hetian jade, which is facing repletion of resources, it could hardly meet the quantity standard for making Olympic medals. Also, considering that athletes may toss the medals up into the air from excitement, there is a strict requirement for the rigidity of the jade. Kunlun jade passed the test.

Jade (Stone of Heaven by the Chinese) is priceless Testifying to how much the Chinese are fond of jade is this time-honoured proverb: "Gold may have a price, but jade is priceless." The value of gold can be determined by measuring its weight. Not jade. The value of a piece of jade is "assessed" by taking numerous factors into account. For example, the luster, purity and color, the sound it produces when struck, and when the jade piece was discovered or when and where a jade artefact was produced can affect a piece's value.

Changing trend Jadeite is becoming increasingly popular in western countries, at a time when more and more Chinese are taking a liking to diamonds. Westerners are fascinated not only by the fine stone itself, but more importantly by the cultural messages it carries. Now beiing olympic games has make china elements or china classic ornaments even more popular.

Jade as The Gem for Olympic Medals

2008-08-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

The Beijing Olympic medals made of Kunlun Jade are the most special medals in the Olympic history ever. The Chinese medal designers have made the impressive medals with creativity and great techniques.

Jade carry the Olympic spirit well

Jade carry with them beauty, respect, love and help in China. They compliment the Olympic spirit, the use of jade in Olympic medals will definitely spread China's rich jade culture to the world, while relaying the concept of "People's Olympics".

Legendary Jade in Chinese history

Yu 玉 , the Chinese word for jade, is one of the oldest in the Chinese language. Its pictograph is said to have originated in 2950 BC, when the transition from knotted cords to written signs supposedly occurred. The pictograph represents three pieces of jade, pierced and threaded with a string; the dot was added to distinguish it from the pictograph for "ruler". Jade was traditionally defined by its "virtues", namely a compact, fine texture, tremendous toughness and high hardness, smooth and glossy luster, along with high translucency and the ability to take a high polish (Wang, 1994).

Mystical powers to the Jade

But they also ascribe mystical powers to the stone. Particularly popular is the belief that jade can predict the stages of one's life: If a jade ornament appears more brilliant and transparent, it suggests that there is good fortune ahead; so people often give it as a Wedding Gift, if it becomes dull, bad luck is inevitable. It's always a precious gift choice for putting into your Gift Baskets and send to your loved ones or best friends.

Kunlun jade stands out

Gold, silver and bronze medals will have the same design, with finer white jade in gold ones, light green jade in the silver ones, and dark green jade in the bronze. The flip side of the medals carry a design based on the origins of the Olympics in Greece. The most important and difficult step is to choose the right jade to make the medals. Only about 10% of the jade stones can be used for making the medals."The stones used for medals have to meet very high standard. Such as the color of the white jade used for gold medals should be the same. However, it's impossible to find identical pieces of jade since the patterns are all natural, not produced by machines." But no matter how difficult it is, Wei and his colleagues have tried their best to find the most similar ones for making the medals.

Designers have taken out all the jade stones in storage, and Kunlun Jade are the best ones.

Chinese Tea as Olympic Gifts

2008-08-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

Tea is cosy, comforting, easy to brew, and can be enjoyed anywhere at any time. Chinese green has more varieties than any other tea in China as well as any other country in the world.

Many tea-related items have been specially made for the Olympics

VIP's to the Beijing Olympic Games will also be treated to a special gift. The Beijing Organizing Committee commissioned the Indian-based Lochan Tea Limited Company to produce 5,000 special gift packages that will include Assam and Darjeeling teas. Along with these limited edition gifts, tea from the famed Makalbari estate will be served alongside Chinese teas at the games. The inclusion of these beautiful Indian teas at the Beijing Games can be seen as a symbol of international cooperation and the sharing of each culture's take on the nearly-universal beverage.

With all this tea, you'll definitely need some special Olympic tea set to go along with it. The official Olympic merchandise being sold worldwide features a variety of glass and porcelain ware for everyday use- teacups, teapots, travel mugs, cafe mugs, all featuring the Olympic logo, or printed with those adorable little Fawa creatures. For the tea connoisseur, for whom a simple souvenir mug won't cut it, they will be pleased to see yixing-like pots produced alongside the regular tabletop wares. A variety of designs and colors are available

Tea Much Enjoyed among Chinese

When friends pass their casual time together, they may choose to drink tea to add atmosphere. Drinking tea becomes a habit for many old people in China.

There are 4 basic types of tea you will find at the mall. Green tea most people are familiar with, a lightly oxidised tea. Oolong, a semi oxidised tea is often pretty close in flavour to green tea and is my personal favourite, at it's best grassy and almost sweet. Red tea, or what we know as black tea, is more heavily oxidised. Pu'er is special tea, actually from a different type of tea plant, and is the Bordeaux of the lot. Aged pu'er teas are sought after and are extremely pricey, fetching more than 50 rmb per gram. You'll see dinner plate sized cakes of this tea, wrapped in identifying paper, adorning the walls of many of the shops.

I think pu'er tastes like ashtray water but it's worth giving it a go just to say you have. Add to this all of the different grades of tea, the different methods of rolling and drying, flavored teas (lychee, rose, ginseng, etc... ), herbal teas, etc... and it would take you a solid week of tasting to conquer them all. Finding a tea you like is a lot like finding a wine you like, having a sample of one or two of the above will give you a jumping off point from which to explore further, and the staff will be more than willing to keep you sampling until you're jacked beyond belief in the hope that you'll purchase.

We all remember Tea Culture Expressed in the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony. The Olympic tea gifts is so special that it's so welcomed. This gift is full of culture flavor.

LED Lighting and The Beijing Olympic Opening Feast

2008-08-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever in Olympic openings, Beijing used a technical monitoring system for program control of more than 18,000 performers through their identification codes. Light-emitting diodes (LED) were installed across the 20,000-square-meter National Stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest, to create an ideal multimedia environment, with storage cells backing up electricity supplies.

An LED screen 147 meters long and 22 meters wide was laid at the center of the ground, and about 44,000 colorful LED beads were embedded with a distance of 600 millimeters between each two. Tiny LED beads were also embedded on the costumes of performers who fan out to create a falling starry sky and a brightly-lit Bird's Nest.

There are two main applications of LED including "llumination" and "decoration" being used during the Olympic Games. However, the difference is the "proportion" it is used in the application. Besides, the "display" function of LED Lamp will be included as well.

LED play the "key role"

We have listed some LED applications, which are probably known to you by news related to the Olympic Games on TV. This includes:

1, Bejing National Aquatics Center- "Water Cube" which is integrated into the competition venue.
2, Illumination device of each venue.
3, The LED billboards which show the messages of various competitions in each venue.
4, The illuminations and decorations of "Bejing Olympic Park" such as the "Golden DRAGON LED".
5, The outdoor TV wall and the large LED billboard such as the "Morgan" of which the area is 3,400 square meters located in "Bejing Pangu Plaza", and the "Sky LED" is 7,500 square meters in "The Place" of Bejing.

6, The olympic openning feast, there was sea of people wearing LED lamp equipped Cotton T-Shirt that making a very amazing sights.

In addition to the above mentioned applications, we can also connect with others including "advertising billboard", "street lamps", and "traffic lights". However, the Chinese government has already started to carry out the landscape works in each city in order to welcome the Olympic Games. Undoubtedly, LED will be the "key role" in the works.

Enchanting Tea Culture in the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony

2008-08-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

We chinese are pride of our tea cultures. Chineas hand picked green tea leaves are pretty love by chinese and foreigners around. Chinese tea as part of Chinese culture, is delicately showed in the olympic ceremony feast, which make it more popular.

The amazing Beijing Olympic ceremony has left with us many unforgettable moments. I was deeply impressed when the tea culture was expressed. A green color Chinese word of "Tea" showed up in the LCD with elegant tea photos. Even some foreigners may not know this word equivalent in Chinese, but I bet they have been deeply attracted by this tea cultures and want to learn more about it.

Olympic villagers amazed by Chinese tea culture

In the international zone of the Olympic village lies a small Chinese teahouse. Small as it is, it possesses all the features a teahouse should have. Old-styled tables and chairs, fake bamboos, miniature bridge and brook and melodious Chinese traditional music created a perfect atmosphere for tea degustation.

Every afternoon, the teahouse will perform three tea-themed classical dancing shows and Ballantyne made her way through the heavy rain only because she did not want to miss the show.

Many tea fans have taken notice of the Olympic Games, as China is where many of our favorite teas are from, as well as the drink of choice among the Chinese.

Chinese Tea is A Way of Life

A cup of tea in the morning sets the pace of the day. Sitting and chatting with a few good friends over a couple rounds of tea makes life worth living. Brewing Chinese tea calms me down. Chinese tea is more than just something to drink. It has in fact become a way of life for many. Chinese tea. have various designs and add more flavor to the tea culture. No other cookware can have such art elements and delicate feeling associated with them.

Chinese Diet Green Tea and Longevity

It's better than health medicine sometimes if you drink it for a long time.The role of Chinese diet green tea in promoting longevity has been investigated upon by many researchers. They found the premise of their study on observing that Japanese women who are greater-than-average Chinese diet green tea drinkers; have lower mortality rates compared to others. This led the researchers to believe that Chinese diet green tea has "a protective factor against premature death."Tea is so magic, it's not that inspiring like coffee, but more delicate and romance with lots of culture elements around it. Tea is cosy, comforting, easy to brew, and can be enjoyed anywhere at any time.

Chinese Green Tea – Tasty and Healthy

2008-08-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

Chinese Tea culturea are famous around the world for its rich connotation and tasty flavor. After the 2008 beijing olympic openning ceremony, where chinese tea culture was delicately expressed, the chinese tea has been attracting more and more attention.

Many studies suggest that fresh-brewed tea can benefit health and fight disease very well. Chinese tea is healthy in a lot of ways. It lowers blood pressure, protects the heart, helps to prevent obesity, prevents tooth decay and increases immunity, etc. Sounds like a TV commercial but it has been working on more than billions of Chinese people over thousands of years.

Tasty and Healthy

Grean Tea is like jewelry in china food. It's announced in November, 2001 that research has found scientific evidence that Chinese tea can actually help to prevent cancer. It's more than just empty talk now. As a fellow Chinese tea drinker puts it "when I am home after a busy day, I make myself a cup of tea while sitting slanted on the sofa. A sip of hot tea down the throat, the whole world loosens up. The feeling is soooo ... you know... ". Yes, as a Chinese tea drinker, Kam knows. Chinese tea's impact on one's psychological health is immediate.

In summer or warm climate, tea seems to dispel the heat and bring on instant cool together with a feeling of relaxation. For this reason, tea-houses abound in towns and market villages in South China and provide elderly retirees with the locales to meet. You could bring your own Tea Set too.

The above, however, does not go to say that the stronger the tea, the more advantages it will yield. Too much tannic acid will affect the secretion of the gastric juice, irritate the membrane of the stomach and cause indigestion or constipation. Strong tea taken just before bedtime will give rise to occasional insomnia. Constant drinking of over-strong tea may induce heart and blood-pressure disorders in some people, reduce the milk of a breast-feeding mother, and put a brown color on the teeth of young people. But it is not difficult to ward off these undesirable effects: just don't make your tea too strong.

Handpicked Yield High Quality Tea

In China, most leaves are still handpicked, which yields a higher quality crop. Many of the top grade teas are still handmade, allowing tea masters to finetune their process to optimise the quality of the individual leaves.Knowledgeable tea drinkers can find the best of the finest in the Land of the Dragon. The low cost of living in China often results in affordable prices for many teas.Traditionally, the Chinese uses three firing process: steaming, pan-frying and baking. Japanese tea only uses steaming.Pan-frying was the most popular method in China. It was preferred over steaming for two reasons: it is quicker to pan-fry than to steam, and it stimulates an intense chestnuty aroma and flavor.Baking can be done using either charcoal or electric oven. It is preferred over pan-frying when it is important to preserve the shape and texture, such as when making floral infused green tea. Many Chinese green tea are produced using combination of pan-frying and baking, allowing the advantages of each method to be exploited.

Liu Xiang Deserves Understanding for His Decision at the Olympics

2008-08-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

To those of you who haven’t been living here for the past couple of years, it’s hard to describe how omnipresent this guy was in the media. He endorsed virtually everything. Driving back this afternoon from the Bird’s Nest into town I saw his face on billboards no les than six times.

The popularity of Liu Xiang, this nation's great expectations on him and the unspoken yet prevailing feeling that only Chinese athletes excel in so-called mainstream sports like basketball or swimming can some Chinese fan feel assured of this nation’s success as a genuine sports superpower.

So his sudden drop-out hurt many Chinese people’s feelings, who really put too much pressure on a single track athletes. The CCTV reporters showed little emotion in what is an enormous disappointment for Liu. Back at the studio, an anchor mentions that this was an unforeseen result. “We expected Liu Xiang to win,” he said.

In Beijing 2008 Olympics, when Liu Xiang finally shows up with those trendy running shoes, people are filled with excitement, but we can see the face expression on Liuxiang, which is not showing much pain, yet not confidence. I know he is making the most hard decision of his lifetime. He was painful both in body and psychology. He needs understanding.

Liu's drop-out is a little bit hard for ordinary people of China to accept. The endings of the story is beyond anyone's expection, but if the pain on his heel is the only reason why he quited, I do understand. And we still have the other two sprinters that qualify for the next round, hope them can spark on the world stage. Four years of the Olympic period is a circle, Liu Xiang maybe fall on the ground this time, but I believe he will soar again. If you search the web, you'll find at least 80% of netizens just show thier understanding. If you search the web, you'll find at least 80% of netizens just show thier understanding.

While he couldn't win gold in Beijing, he showed Chinese athletes that they could win gold in sports outside their traditional areas of dominance. He will have to share the spotlight with new stars now, but should be proud of what he helped to inspire on the track in Athens in 2004.

Women Love Chiffon Fabric

2008-08-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

Fashion apparel made of chiffon is so hot this summer season. Despite the price to be a little higher, women still hold great enthusiasm to this chiffon fabric.

We love it!
Chiffon's biggest USP is the way it clings to the curves of the wearer and it is, in my opinion the perfect foil for our naturally curvy figures. I am talking real women here, size 10 upwards. Namita Manek, 30, a businesswoman buys sarees only in chiffon. She says," In my opinion unlike nylon fabric or other cotton fabric there's no fabric like chiffon to hide your body flaws and play up its best points. Especially chiffon sarees. I love my chiffon sarees with sequins and beads, they are downright glamorous and the colours are so pretty."

Tripti Ganatra, 25, an upcoming trousseau specialist, agrees with Namita, “I am into the business of putting together trousseaus for young brides and when I am planning the trousseaus I have seen that chiffons are a must-have. I am told to get sarees, lehengas, salwars and even western outfits in chiffon. For functions like the pre-wedding cocktail parties, chiffon fabric with heavy embroidery are hot favourites.”"

What's chiffon all about?

You could learn some Basic Information about Chiffon Fabric in my previous article.Chiffon is an artificial fabric created out of cotton or silk. It can also be created out of synthetic fibres. The best part about chiffon is that it can be dyed in any colour. Which is why you see chiffons in such beautiful shades. Though people prefer chiffons with lots of embroidery and threadwork, it is very difficult to get this done because of the slippery nature of the fabric. If you ask me, plain chiffons look the best.

Ajanta Sahani, boutique owner, finds chiffon salwar kameezes the fastest moving item in her store, “Whatever the season, I always have customers coming in and asking for chiffon outfits. I love chiffon. I am also very nostalgic about this fabric, as my mom, who is no more now, would wear only chiffon sarees and that too plain. She had them in all the colours possible and she would wear stunning accessories with it. I have never seen a more elegantly dressed woman than my mom. In fact, even people who didn’t know her, knew her as the woman in chiffons.”
So it looks like, chiffons will never really go out of wardrobes in India, age no bar!

Not only in india, chiffon is a fashion fabric around the world now. Women love this fabric expecially during summer time.

The Fashion of Chiffon

2008-08-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Chiffon fabric is associated with romance and comfort. A major material adopted by fashion designers in the design of high class fashion is Chiffon.

Chiffon is originated from the French word for cloth which has reflected its importance in fashion history. Chiffion fabric is very popular during summer time mainly because of its cozy feeling and delicate softness. So it's now a fashion material for many designers.

Most chiffon nowadays is made from polyester (for stain resistance). Silk chiffon is regarded as the premium type of chiffon. It is dry cleanable and does not suffer from the same level of degradation and tearing as polyester chiffon.

The romance of chiffon

Chiffon is quite the rage on the international fashion scene. Women Love Chiffon Fabric. In India it remains an eternal favourite. Say chiffon and you can see Yash Chopra movie heroines drifting down innumerable dream sequences in a sensual haze. The pallu of the sheer fabric going over the hero's face, while the camera pans in to his expression of longing and adoration. With any other fabric the idea doesn't work as well. That's the beauty of chiffon, it is perhaps the only fabric that conveys that sensuous and dreamy feel. Just like the Switzerland tourism industry, the chiffon fabric industry certainly owes a big one to the Yash Chopra banner, he has single-handedly brought in a lot of takers for this fabric. Check out any of the innumerable rain songs in our movies, nine out of ten times the wet saree is chiffon! Remember Sridevi in the sensual rain dance in Mr India? Raveena Tandon in Mohra? Madhuri Dixit in Beta? The list is endless.

New age chiffon
Today on the international fashion scene too chiffons scores high on the style meter. But not chiffon as in see-through, dreamy or romantic variety, but as chiffon that’s young and adventurous.

The new way for chiffon in the west to be is completely un-baby doll like and very unexpected.Cavalli, Paulo Andersson at Chloe, Stella McCartney, Alberta Ferretti are some of the big names that have given chiffon a whole new twist. Literally.

While McCartney and Andersson teamed up jackets and cardigans to counter the see-through wispy mood of chiffon, Ferretti’s chiffon creations are stiffened with drapes and pleats.

Indian designers’ fabric
Back home, Vineet Bahl's collection ‘Autumn Affair’ at LFW featured kurta dresses, kimono tops, jodhpur churidhars and kaftans in chiffon in addition to other materials.Designer Swapnil Shinde too went for chiffon to achieve fluid effects for his dresses. His opening creation at LFW was a deep blue chiffon gown with black floral appliqué down the front. Swapnil also teamed net with chiffon to achieve that dreamy effect that is popular in India. As I said earlier give us our chiffons flowing, diaphanous, feminine…highly romantic!

Basic Information about Chiffon Fabric

2008-08-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

You may not heard of this fabric, but you must have a dress made of chffon fabric if you are a lady keen on fashion elements, because chiffon fabric is this summer's hottest design fabric.
Its quality of softness, cozy and delicate makes it the most desiable item for the fashion ladies.

Chiffon fabric is now welcomed by the fashion designers. They enjoy special features and expecially fit for the summer clothes, making the clothes more softer and more comfortable.

Chiffon is a lightweight, balanced plain-woven sheer fabric. Chiffon can be made from cotton, silk or synthetic fibers, but is usually associated with silk or nylon fabric. Chiffon can be dyed to almost any shade desired, however if made from polyester it is difficult to dye. Chiffon is a good companion with satin as both are are light weight and give a feeling of elegant and floating by overlaying each other.

Therefore it is a popular fabric used in evening wear such as gowns, blouses, ribbons, scarves and lingerie. Like other crepe fabrics, chiffon can be difficult to work with because of its light and slippery textures. Due to this delicate nature, chiffon must be hand washed very gently.
Chiffon can be made from cotton,silk or synthetic fibers, but is usually associated with silk or nylon. Chiffon can be dyed to almost any shade desired, however if made from polyester it is difficult to dye. Under a magnifying glass it resembles a fine net or mesh which allows chiffon to have see-through properties.

Chiffon is most commonly used in evening wear, especially as an overlay, giving an elegant and floating appearance to the gown. The fashion of chiffion is greatly recognized. It is also a popular fabric used in blouses, ribbons, scarves and lingerie. Like other crepe fabrics, chiffon can be difficult to work with because of its light and slippery textures. Due to this delicate nature, chiffon must be hand washed very gently.

Since chiffon fabric is a light weight fabric that frays very easily, bound or french seams must be used to stop the fabric from fraying.

Interesting Wedding Trends Your May Not Familiar With

2008-08-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

Wedding trends for 2008 promise to bring more vitality and excitement to your big day! These will be fun weddings that you will really enjoy attending! Wedding trends for 2008 include different and more unusual wedding themes, wedding gifts, and honeymoon locations.

Photo Invitations
Forget the traditional heavy stock invitations with engraved ink to graciously invite your guests to your wedding day festivities. Many brides today are choosing to go a different, more personal route: photo invitations! Once people see the book, it takes their breath away and they always ask, ‘can I take the book home and pour over it?’ We let anyone borrow the book to look through. People are usually pleased with the quick turn-around time and the quality and uniqueness of the invites.

Wedding Color and Flower Trends
Color trends for weddings are continually changing. Each spring designers preview what color or colors they think will be the hot trend for the following year. The wedding color trend for 2008 will bring a fashionable new color scheme and a monochromatic color palate to brides to select from.

Keep in mind that if you draw your color inspiration from nature, and the season you are marrying in, your wedding will be beautiful. Colors drawn from nature are always fashionable, yet timeless. Ultimately, the color you select for your wedding should be something you are comfortable with. Select colors you will be able to enjoy in your photographs for years to come.

Elegance through color and texture bring attention to the bride and to the event itself. Casual weddings, formal weddings and everything in between are now enveloped with colorful flowers and apparel accessories. Even the coffee mug and wine bottle are decorated with beautiful colors.

Brides are choosing different flowers for their bridesmaids. Traditionally, bridesmaids have a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet. In recent years, brides are choosing to make bridesmaid bouquets smaller than "normal" and are putting their money into their own bouquet. With silk flowers this is an easy task as different flowers can be made in similar shades of the primary bridal color.

Different Wedding Themes for Your Wedding Design is avalable, and you can pick the one that most suitable for you.

Clothes and decorations
Going back to clothes and decorations, one of the most popular themes includes the use of embellishments such as embroidery and lace. The more intricate and delicate the décor, the better it is. However, these decorations are not only limited to the bride’s and bridesmaids' wedding dresses but can also be applied to table cloths, runners, and even to invitations and other decorations used in the wedding. Along these lines, dresses used for weddings tend towards having sleeves. This is because sleeves can be made from lace and other similar materials.

What’s new about Entertainment

What about entertainment? This is the trend for this year as well. Usually, the cocktail hour is spent for photography sessions and guests milling around. Now, it is made more enjoyable by having live music and other forms of entertainment. Some of the more interesting forms of entertainment that have been used for this purpose are flamenco dancers and other traditional or exotic performances, impersonators, fortune tellers, and even fire eaters.
A note before we end, these are only trends. It does not mean that you have to follow what other people are doing. If you have your own ideas in mind, then put them into reality by all means!