PHOTO INSPIRATIONS

Guanyin Goddess Statue at Xuanwu Lake
NANJING 

I love looking at beautiful photographs. They inspire me with new ideas; encourage me to learn new cultures, to travel as much as I can, and to never let go of that zest for life. They are what have partly inspired me to start this blog. Here in China, there is an abundance of photographic opportunities at every corner, always something new, something old, something interesting, something fascinating, or even something completely mind-boggling. I try to never go anywhere without my camera.

I’ve decided to share some favorite photographs from my camera (taken recently and over the last few years) around the cities of Hefei, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Shanghai. Hope they make you smile, or perhaps even give you a little inspiration.

I hope to share more photos every month with you as my journey continues, but this is my first collection so far. I always say my favorite pictures are those that capture nature, energy and life.

The first snowfall of winter
Holiday Inn Aqua City, November 2009
NANJING

Spring begins at Ming Xiaoling Tombs entrance park
NANJING 

Ming Xiaoling Tomb Gate
NANJING

My sister Andrea
Ming Xiaoling Tomb Gate
NANJING

The first cherry blossoms bloom
NANJING

Autumn colors at Xiao Yao Jin Park
HEFEI

Lord Bao's Park
HEFEI

The French Concession
SHANGHAI

Changle Road, The French Concession
SHANGHAI

My beautiful friend Cathy at Yu Gardens
SHANGHAI

Interior of Australian Pavilion, Shanghai World Expo 2010
SHANGHAI

Interior of Moroccan Pavilion, Shanghai World Expo 2010
SHANGHAI 

West Nanjing Road Shopping Street
SHANGHAI  

 Shanghai Art History Museum
SHANGHAI 

IFC Mall Christmas lights, Pudong
SHANGHAI  

Wooden boat at West Lake
HANGZHOU   

Ancient Bridge and its reflection

HANGZHOU    

SEPHORA GOODIES

Sephora has gotten huge in China and is now located all over the country in 21 provinces and 30 cities, including Hefei. For the latest in beauty, skincare, make-up, bath and body, hair care and fragrance, few can compare to this popular French cosmetics store chain.

Definitely in China, it is the first and last stop if you are on the hunt for international cosmetic brands or would like to try out some of the best Chinese, Japanese and Korean brands in the beauty market today.

Shopping at Sephora always ends up with a bag of beauty goodies!

Like most women, I love shopping at Sephora or even just simply strolling inside to look at all the great products. Here are some of the best buys I’ve gathered from Sephora over a few shopping trips…at least the ones I think are worth it!

L’OCCITANE

Shea Butter Hand Cream for Dry Skin 

This rich hand cream is so great, it is sold somewhere around the world every five seconds! Imagine that! It is enriched with 20% Shea Butter and moisturizes the hands without any greasy residue at all. The unique formula is also made up of honey, almond extracts and coconut oil. After applying it, my hands felt soft and smooth instantly. Since I’m always running out of hand cream in China (with Marc sharing with me), I figured this is also a great buy because of its size. This hand cream tube weighs in at a huge 150ml. (5.2 oz.) so it is definitely worth your penny.

BIOTHERM EAU VITAMINÉE

Refreshing Body Mist

When it comes to fragrances, I like fresh, feminine scents. Light citrus and light florals are usually what I go for. This body mist doesn’t just smell great but it tones and revitalizes you as well. The fresh scent is a bursting blend of citrus fruits, sweet orange, pink grapefruit, citrus leaf, yuzu, mandarin and orange flower. It also contains Vitamin E and essential oils to soften and hydrate the skin. Whenever I spray this on, I feel energized!

SEPHORA FACE

Milky Makeup Remover

This is a cleanser for dry skin and makeup remover in one. This comes in real handy whenever you have to remove a lot of eye makeup. It contains pro-vitamin B5, cotton seed oil and sweet almond oil to moisturize dry skin while cleansing. Your skin feels soft after removing makeup. I love it!

SEPHORA PROFESSIONNEL

Slanted Tweezers

This is a really good stainless steel tweezer that quickly plucks out those stray eyebrow hairs really quickly and with great precision. I usually like getting my eyebrows threaded because I am the worst eyebrow plucker in the world! I also have more eyebrow hair than the average person. Some people think I use eyebrow pencil. Nope! My eyebrows are just thick and dark. So far, over here in Hefei, I haven’t seen any threading places yet…so I’ll have to stick it out by tweezing what I can!

SEPHORA LIP ATTITUDE GLAMOUR

in G10 Sentimental Rose

Me wearing Sephora Lip Attitude Glamour G10
It looks a bit darker on the lips in person than in the photo.

I love this lipstick! It is my new favorite. It is super hydrating and I love the rosy beige color. It’s great for wearing day and night. 

How about you? Any Sephora favorites worth sharing?

SEPHORA HEFEI

1F, Hefei Wanda Plaza

Maanshan Road, Baohe District

Hefei 230011

China Website: www.sephora.cn

UP, UP IN THE SKY

Did you know the eighth tallest building in the world is in Nanjing, China? Nope, I wouldn’t have thought either, but Zifeng Tower, also known as Greenland Center is a super tall 450 meter (1,480 feet) skyscraper that joins the ranks of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Tapei 101 in Taiwan and the Petronas Towers in Malaysia as one of the Top Ten Tallest Buildings in the World.

Last weekend, I got to experience this awesome building firsthand upon staying at the InterContinental Nanjing, located on the 45^th floor upwards. The 89-story building also consists of offices and retail stores in the lower sections, a few restaurants and a public observatory at the very top.

Back in 2010, Marc at the Ming City Walls
with Zifeng Tower in the background (far right).

Another view of Zifeng Tower from the ground

At first staying in a hotel this high up did not really appeal to me. Heights are not something I am too crazy about. Let’s just say I prefer being as close to the ground as possible. But I had to try it at least once; as a lot of hotels these days are taking advantage of the great views that come with being in a super tall building.

Building entrance of InterContinental Nanjing

As promised, InterContinental Nanjing could not have chosen a better location. It is located in the middle of Nanjing’s Gulou Square. This is a highly commercial district with lots of good shopping (Hunan Road and Xin Jie Kou), restaurants and tourist spots such as the ancient Drum Tower. You also get unbelievable skyline views of nearby Zijin Shan (Purple Gold Mountain) and Xuanwu lake. 

InterContinental Nanjing's lobby

Marc beside a beautiful birdcage at the hotel lobby

At the hotel lobby

Our room was located in the 63^rd floor and as we rode the elevator up, I felt my ears pop reminding me that the ground was far, far away! The amazing views of the room made up for it though…and so did the food the next day!

Breakfast was definitely something to look forward to. The Horizon Café, the hotel’s international all day restaurant is located on the 45^th floor surrounded by floor to ceiling glass windows so you get breathtaking views while eating. The breakfast buffet features a live cooking station and a dish spread of mostly Indian, Italian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. 

The live cooking station of Horizon Cafe at the 45th floor

The breakfast buffet layout at Horizon Cafe
with Italian, Indian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine

The Sky Lounge Bar was quite unique as it features a very futuristic, space-age and ultra-modern design. It is suspended in the air on the 45^th floor and gives the same amazing views of the city from its glass windows. My favorite was the floor's gel-like blue substance that moved and created shapes as you walked on it.

Sky Lounge Bar's outer shell is suspended in the air on the 45th floor.

Sky Lounge Bar's unique blue gel floor

All in all, staying at InterContinental Nanjing was an interesting experience, although I was incredibly happy to be back on ground level on the way back to Hefei.

One last view of Nanjing from the taxi to the train station.
The city is even greener now than when I remembered it.

Nanjing is one of my favorite cities in China (I may be a bit biased after having lived there for a whole year in 2010). But it is a city certainly worth visiting just to see its many historical sights and cultural landmarks.

In case you want to take a trip to Nanjing in the future, here’s a list of some of the best sights to see:

• Nanjing Ming City Walls
• Confucius Temple
• Presidential Palace
• Ming Xiaoling Dynasty Tombs
• Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s Mausoleum
• Xuanwu Lake
• Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall

InterContinental Nanjing

1 Zhong Yang Road, Gulou District

Nanjing 210008, China-P.R.C.

Front Desk: +86-25-83538888

Fax: +86-25-85518888

Website link: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/nanjing

CAFÉ CULTURE

I’m happy to be back after not posting for some time. I was sick last week with an upset stomach and the weather lately has just been crap…super cold, gloomy and rainy. Springtime where art thou?! Oh I forgot…I’m in China, where spring doesn’t exist. Okay, maybe for two weeks. But usually, chilling cold winter just turns into super hot summer in June with no transition at all. But I think I’ll talk about the crazy weather here in another post.

So, after being stuck indoors for awhile, I decided to walk around and explore the newly opened Hefei InTime Shopping Plaza, the first luxury shopping mall to open in Hefei. It’s located downtown and it was great seeing all the beautiful stores. But before getting lost in a shoe heaven (there was one entire floor just for shoes!), I started noticing the amount of people lounging and having coffee at the cafes. And I’m talking about lines! And I’ve seen this everywhere lately. At every Starbucks and Costa Coffee in China, you’d be lucky to find a seat at all. In a traditionally tea drinking country, the new café culture has become a growing industry and China’s coffee craze doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.

Cappuccinos at CAFE 1862, HEFEI

In China, a new coffee culture has been emerging over the last five years and international coffee chains such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee are just some of the first to open stores in this new consumer market. Starbucks first opened its first shop in Beijing in 1999 and is now in 52 cities in China. Starbucks has said it plans to triple its stores in China in 2015. Even in slowly developing Hefei, more and more Chinese are developing a taste and real appreciation for coffee especially among the youth who see it as a way to socialize, relax and meet friends and colleagues. This is amazingly evident with the increase of the number of cafes in the city. Coffee in China is also seen as very fashionable and is essentially associated with a Western lifestyle, which appeals to the young college students, open-minded, affluent, highly-educated professionals and urban consumers.

Of course, cafe culture is not new to me. But it certainly is for the Chinese, so I decided to join them in the craze and get in line. It’s true, I am more of a tea drinker now, but even I have to admit…I can’t resist the call of a really good cappuccino. That perfect frothiness, the smell, the taste…yummy!

A lot of cafes are found inside upscale shopping malls like this
Costa Coffee at InTime Plaza, Hefei

Cappuccinos with the Year of the Dragon design
COSTA COFFEE
INTIME PLAZA, HEFEI


Lounging around and relaxing in a cafe has become a
new craze in China

Other popular international coffee chains in China are Lavazza and Coffee Beanery. Popular and hip Taiwanese coffee chains SPR coffee (www.sprcoffee.com) and U.B.C. coffee are also found in many cities all around China as a more affordable alternative.

Enjoying a cappuccino at Bacchus Pub, Hefei

Even a pub in China can now make a decent cappuccino! 

So have you had your caffeine fix for the day? 

TEA ANYONE?

Years ago when a flight attendant on an airline would ask me the usual, “Coffee or Tea?”, I would say coffee without batting an eyelash. But after moving to China for the first time 3 years ago, tea has suddenly become a huge part of my life and I easily fell in love with it. Now, I hardly drink coffee anymore and would prefer tea to almost any other drink. I love how there are just endless flavors to choose from. I love the aromas and the powerful scents that engulf you as you take a sip from a teacup. I love the way it makes you feel: relaxed, energized, and most of all healthy. Most teas are good for you and can help heal a lot of small ailments, especially the herbal teas.

In China, herbal teas are not just the national drink…tea is an entire culture. Drinking tea is part of everyday life here and believe me, it flows like water. Some of my favorite teas in China are Green tea (which have many variations according to the region), Black teas, and Chrysanthemum tea. Other teas also widely drank in China are Jasmine tea, Oolong Tea and White Tea.

Recently, Marc and I stopped by the InterContinental Nanjing to try their afternoon tea special which featured a mixture of green teas, black teas and the highest-grade Chrysanthemum tea I’ve ever tried. It was a really interesting afternoon filled with tea delights.

The InterContinental Nanjing's tea spread 

GREEN TEA

(lü cha) pronounced lyew-cha

The most popular form of green tea in China is Longjing tea also called “Dragon Well Tea” which is cultivated in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. For our afternoon tea however, we were given Huangshan Mao Feng tea, a green tea produced in Anhui province and also one of the ten Chinese Famous Teas. This tea is grown near the Yellow Mountain and picked in the early Spring. Upon picking the tea, only the new tea buds and the leaf next to the bud are taken.

Marc's green tea

Another variation of green tea

Green tea leaves formed in the shape of a dragon

Green tea leaves shaped in the forms of a starfish,
teapot, and flower basket

Marc holding green tea leaves in the form of a rabbit

Drinking green tea has many health benefits. It is very high in antioxidants and decades of research reveal it to have the potential to fight cancer and heart disease, as well as the ability to lower cholesterol, burn fat, and prevent diabetes and stroke.

CHRYSANTHEMUM TEA

(júhuā chá) pronounced joo-hwah-cha

Chrysanthemum Tea is my favorite tea in China. I love drinking this. I love the “cooling effect” it has when you drink it. Though the water is hot, you immediately feel coolness and a refreshing wave inside of you which makes it perfect even for a hot summer day! This tea is a flower-based tea made from the Chrysanthemum flowers most popular in East Asia. The flowers are usually dried and steeped in hot water. The tea is usually a pale or bright yellow in color with a nice floral aroma. Chrysanthemum Tea was first drunk during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). 

Chrysanthemum Tea
This is a particular high-grade version which requires
the use of only one flower. Normally, 3-4 buds are used
for one cup.

Chrysanthemum tea’s health benefits are said to aid in the recovery of the flu, prevent sore throat and reduce fever. In Western herbal medicine, it is also used as a compress to treat circulatory disorders and varicose veins.

BLACK TEA

(hóngchá) pronounced hoong-cha

In the Chinese language, hóngchá actually means literally “red tea” which is what they call black tea due to the color of the liquid which usually has a reddish brown color. Black teas are post-fermented and are a type of tea that is more oxidized than green and white teas. They are made from the leaves of the shrub Camellia sinensis. Black tea has a stronger flavor than the less oxidized teas.

In 2001, Boston University released a study that concludes that long-term black tea consumption reverses endothelial vasomotor dysfunction in patients with coronary heart disease. 

Who knew tea could be so wonderful? So, it might be beneficial to start drinking more tea. After all, what’s the harm? I say cheers to long life, good health and a hot cup of tea. J

Black tea

Afternoon tea table set up

TOP AROMATHERAPY PICKS

I am a big fan of aromatherapy, not just for the wonderful scents that essential oils can bring to a home (I love those essential oil burners!) but also for its unique healing and beautifying properties. Here in China, I was so happy to discover that there is a continuing trend and a growing number of aromatherapy beauty products in the cosmetic market lately, and this just keeps on expanding.

I recently discovered two brands over here that incorporate the healing treasures of natural aromatic plants and essential oils into all of their skin care products...Pretty Valley and Dr. Magic.

Pretty Valley is originally a company that was created in Ontario, Canada selling natural products to the local community ranging from personal care, home décor and gift idea products. In 2001, Pretty Valley Natural Commodity Franchised Co., Ltd. put up their headquarters in Guangzhou and has now founded more than 500 chain stores in over 30 provinces in China.

Website: www.prettyvalley.cn

Where to buy:   6F West Zone 48-49

                         Super Brand Mall

                         168 Lujiazui Xi Lu

                         Shanghai, China

Pretty Valley Rose & Sandalwood Regenerating Day Cream
This super moisturizing cream repairs the skin with jojoba seed oil,
rose and sandalwood oil, evening primrose oil, gingko biloba extract and
centella asiatica extract. I love the smell and feel on my skin!

Dr. Magic has a range of full face and body products using the different essential oil benefits in their Rose Whitening, Jasmine Hydrating, Gingko Refreshing, Ylang Ylang Firming, Chamomile Anti-Allergy and Tea Tree Oil-Control lines.

Website: www.dr-magic.com.cn

Where to buy: Available in almost all Watson’s stores all over China

Because of my new obsession with oils and their many benefits, I actually buy them now a lot more than lotions. Contrary to popular belief, many body oils are not greasy and absorb pretty quickly into the skin. For me, they sometimes moisturize the skin and smell a lot better than many lotions (depends of course what kind of body oil you buy).

Here are some that I can personally recommend as really GREAT products. I bought most of these back home in Manila. Marc has also become a fan of body oils and essential oils and we have been using them a lot this winter, so I seriously have to stock up on my next trip back to Manila!

Planet Noah Oasis Soothing Baby Oil &
Botany Works Sweet Almond Oil

Planet Noah Oasis Soothing Baby Oil – I really love this product! It is 100% plant-based and made of natural ingredients such as Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe Vera, Calendula, Chamomile, Lavender and Evening Primrose Oil. It is perfect for dry and itchy skin. It fights eczema, psoriasis, rashes, insect bites etc.

Website: http://oneplanetnoah.multiply.com

Where to buy: Available at Sesou Nature stores in the Philippines

Botany Works Sweet Almond Oil – I love sweet almond oil because it is an excellent moisturizer and you can use it for anything! Almond oil is great for dry skin and also relieves itchiness, rashes and skin irritations. I use this mostly as a “base oil” for other essential oils. Since essential oils are very strong, you need to only mix a few drops of them into your “base oil” and massage into the body. Among massage therapists, sweet almond oil is one of the most popular “base oils”.

Website: http://botanyworks.multiply.com

Where to buy: Available at Sesou Nature stores in the Philippines

Left to right: Derma e Tea Tree and E Oil, Durance Lavender Essential Oil
& GIGA Chamomile Essential Oil

Derma e Tea Tree and Vitamin E Oil – This product is so great! I put this on everything from pimples, wounds, scratches, insect bites, rashes and itchy skin. This blend of 75% tea tree oil and 25% Vitamin E oil is known as a “medicine kit in a bottle”. Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties while Vitamin E is a great antioxidant and moisturizer. One of the best things I’ve ever bought!

Website: www.dermae.com

Where to buy: Available at all Healthy Options stores in the Philippines

Durance Huile Essentielle Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender Essential Oil) – If you have to buy one essential oil in your lifetime, it has to be Lavender Essential Oil. Lavender is the most versatile of all essential oils and it is also one of the safest. Unlike other essential oils, you can apply this on the skin neat or undiluted. It also has so many uses and healing properties: for relaxation (a few drops in the bath), mild analgesic (for headaches and stress), for cough and flu (can be used in steam inhalation) and for First-Aid (can use neat on wounds, cuts, sores and insect bites). It is also good for eczema, acne and psoriasis. Plus, it smells great!! You can also use Lavender Essential Oil as your perfume. Simply dot a few drops on your wrists and on your neck.

Website: www.durance.fr

Where to buy: Available at Beauty Bar stores in the Philippines

Giga Chamomile Essential Oil – Chamomile essential oil is soothing and calming. It is a great blend to put in massage oils (just a few drops in a base oil). It is also great for insomnia (diffuse in an oil burner),menstrual cramps and indigestion (rub gently on the stomach after mixing with a base oil).

Website: www.giga.com.ph

Where to buy: Available at Sesou Nature stores in the Philippines

SEEING RED!

I never saw so much of the color red as during this one entire week of Chinese New Year celebrations in mainland China. I wouldn't say red is exactly my favorite color, although, I realized that when it comes to fashion, I like it a lot. I used to have a favorite red dress I wore for years, I like red blouses and I'm still on the hunt for the perfect red shoe. Red is bright, bold and dynamic and is a great statement color for any occasion. Nobody can deny that.  

Here in China though, red takes on a whole new meaning and level of significance for the Chinese. Aside from being the official bridal color at weddings, the color is seen as enthusiastic, a symbol of good luck, celebration, happiness, joy, vitality and long life. This is why during Chinese New Year, the whole of China splashes red around in full display. 

Chinese New Year decorations are a very important part of the New Year festivities and some of my favorites are the Money Tree, the red lanterns and the red envelopes or "hong bao". The Chinese Money Tree is believed to bring money and fortune to people and is a symbol of affluence, nobility and auspiciousness. The Chinese red lanterns symbolize wealth and if you hang them during Chinese New Year, a wedding or a party, it is said to bring money, luck and harmony. The tiny red envelopes called "hong bao" in Mandarin are traditionally filled with money and are typically only given to children or unmarried adults. This means that I received none of these! haha. :) No hong bao for me...

But I did get a chance to see an entire week of celebrations, festivities and the "hong bao" being used as decorations (usually hung on the Money Trees). Here are some pictures of Chinese New Year week.

ME POSING BY THE MONEY TREE AT HYATT REGENCY'S LOBBY
HANGZHOU, CHINA

RED LANTERNS AT HOWARD JOHNSON'S LOBBY
HEFEI, CHINA

HONG BAO HANGING ON A MONEY TREE

MONEY TREES AT HOWARD JOHNSON'S LOBBY
HEFEI, CHINA

HAPPY YEAR OF THE DRAGON TO YOU ALL!!