Chinese Almanac

The Twenty-Four Fortnights and Seventy-Two Chinese Seasonals

Spring Begins
The east wind melts the ice Feb 5-9 ~ Larvae twitch in their cocoons Feb 10-14 ~ Fish swim upstream, breaking the ice with their backs Feb 15-19

Watery Rains
River otters sacrifice fish Feb 20-24 ~ Wild geese go north Feb 25-29 ~ Seedlings sprout March 1-5

Hibernators Awake
Peach blossoms open March 6-10 ~ The skylark sings March 11-15 ~ Eaglehawks metamorphose into doves March 16-20

Spring Equinox
The swallows return March 21-25 ~ Thunder lets loose its voice March 26-30 ~ The first lightning flashes March 31 - April 4

Clear Brightness
Paulownia blossoms open April 5-9 ~ Moles metamorphose into quails April 10-14 ~ The first rainbow appears April 15-19

Grain Rain
Floating weeds appear April 20-24 ~ Doves spread their wings April 25-29 ~The hoopoe descends to the mulberry April 30-May 4

Summer Begins
Peepers sing May 5-9 ~ Earthworms come out May 10-14 ~ Cucumber flourishes May 15-19

Lesser Fullness of Grain
The bitter herb grows tall May 20-24 ~ Grasses wither May 25-29 ~ Barley ripens May 30-June 3

Grain in Ear
Mantids hatch out June 4-8 ~ The shrike calls June 9-13 ~ The butcherbird is silent June 14-18

Summer Solstice
Deer break antlers June 19-23 ~ Cicadas begin to sing June 24-28 ~ Bindweed flourishes June 29 - July 3

Lesser Heat
The hot winds arrive July 4-8 Crickets come into the walls July 9-13 The eaglehawk studies and learns July 14-18

Greater Heat
Rotted weeds metamorphose into fireflies July 19-23 ~ The earth is muddy the air is humid July 24-28 ~ The great rains sweep through July 29-Aug 2

Autumn Begins
The cool wind arrives Aug 3 -7 ~ White dew descends Aug 8-12 ~ The evening cricket chirps Aug 13-17

End of Heat
The eaglehawk sacrifices birds Aug 18-22 ~ Heaven and earth turn strict Aug 23-27 ~ Rice ripens Aug 28 - Sept 1

White Dews
The wild geese come Sept 2-6 ~ Swallows return Sept 7-11 ~ Flocks of birds gather grain Sept 12-16

Autumn Equinox
Thunder suppresses its voice Sept 17-21 ~ Burrowing beetles wall up their doors with earth Sept 22-26 ~ Waters dry up Sept 2 7-Oct 1

Cold Dews
Wild geese come as guests Oct 2-6 ~ Sparrows dive into the water becoming clams Oct 7-11 ~ Chrysanthemums are tinged yellow Oct 12-16

Descent of Hoarfrost
The wolf sacrifices the beasts Oct 17-21 ~ Foliage turns yellow and falls Oct 22-25 ~ Insects tuck themselves away Oct 27-31

Winter Begins
Water begins to freeze Nov 1-5 ~ Earth begins to freeze Nov 6-10 ~ Pheasants dive into the water becoming monster clams Nov 11-15

Lesser Snow
The rainbow hides Nov 16-20 ~ Heaven's essence rises up earth's essence sinks down Nov 21-25 ~ Walling ourselves up, it becomes winter Nov 26-30

Greater Snow
The copper pheasant ceases its call Nov 31-Dec 4 ~ The tiger begins to roam Dec 5-9 ~ Lichee grass withers Dec 10-14

Winter Solstice
Earthworms twist into knots Dec 15-19 ~ The elk's horn breaks Dec 20-25 ~ Underground springs move Dec 26-30

Lesser Cold
Wild geese return to their northern home Dec 31-Jan 4 ~ Magpies nest Jan 5-9 ~ The pheasant calls to its mate Jan 10-14

Greater Cold
Chickens brood Jan 15-19 ~ The eaglehawk flies furiously high Jan 20-24 ~ The waters and swamps are thick and hard Jan 25-30

Buy Curious

Companies/brands that are currently on my "to-patronise" list


~ 100% Pure Cosmetics
Founded by Susie Wang in 2004 with Headquarters in California and in Paris. They claim to offer cosmetics coloured from antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetable pigments as well as skin care, body care and hair care products that contains no synthetic chemicals; no artificial fragrances; no petro chemicals; no chemical preservatives or any other toxins. Their product formulas are organic, gluten-free, cruelty-free and vegan.

UK website: http://www.100percentpure.co.uk/


~ SK-II
Over thirty years ago, a scientist was visiting a Japanese sake brewery and they noticed how soft and young the hands of the workers were. After five years of research, scientists were able to isolate the natural, nutrient-rich liquid which they called Pitera - the signature ingredient in all SK-II products. Their Facial Treatment Essence contains over 90% pure Pitera and has been described by many women as their "holy water".

UK website: http://www.sk-ii.co.uk/


~ The Body Bakery
Dessert Inspired... Skin Desired. This company was started in 2001 and is owned by Lia Schmoldt. They offer bakery-scented bath and body products.

I am especially tempted by their lip butters which currently comes in 55 delicious-sounding flavours ranging from Almond Cookie to White Chocolate Raspberry.

Website: http://www.thebodybakery.com/


~ Shu Uemura Cosmetics - the art of beauty.
Boutiques can be found throughout Asia; in Canada and in certain parts of Europe.

I am tempted by their:

High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil
UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30
Precise Volume Mascara Waterproof

UK website: http://www.shuuemura.co.uk/

Medicinal / Herbal Soup

Chuen Pui Soup for One Person

Ingredients required:




A handful of chuen pui & lam buk hung and two pieces of mut jo

Pork loin (fat trimmed off)

Asian pear (peeled and cored)

Directions:

Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and add water

Bring to the boil

Simmer for two hours

Ready to drink!

Note:

Chuen Pui = 川貝 = Sichuan Fritillaria Bulbs 
Lam Buk Hung = 南北杏 = Sweet-bitter Apricot Kernals
Mut Jo = 蜜棗 = Preserved Honey Dates

Mama's Little Bakery

No-Bake Cheesecake

~ 125 grams plain digestive biscuits
~ 75 grams unsalted butter
~ 20cm springform tin
~ 300 grams Philadelphia
~ 60 grams icing sugar
~ One teaspoon vanilla extract
~ One lemon
~ 250ml double cream
~ Hedgerow fruits conserve


Blitz the plain digestive biscuits and the unsalted butter into crumbs.

Tip into a 20cm spring form tin.

Mix the Philadelphia; icing sugar; vanilla extract and lemon juice in a bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix the double cream until thick. Fold the cream into bowl number one.

Layer into the spring form tin. Put in the fridge for three hours (or overnight).

Remove from spring form tin. Then put topping on - use any fruit conserve. Warm it up in a saucepan first to make it easier to spread. Adding lemon juice to the fruit conserve can help to cut through the sweetness.

Subversion Through Scent Part I

Perfume notes

~ Eclat d'Arpege by Lanvin
This joyful, feminine scent was created in 2003.
Head Notes: Sicilian lemon leaves, Green lilac.
Heart Notes: Wisteria blossom, Green tea leaves, Red peony, Osmanthus of China.
Base Notes: White ceder of Lebanon, Sweet musks, Preciousamber.
Carrying on the myth of Arpege with a touch of modernism.


~ L'instant de Guerlain by Guerlain

This crystalline amber eau de parfum was created in 2003.

Top notes: bergamot, mandarin.
Middle notes: chinese magnolia, sambac jasmine, ylang-ylang, iris.
Base notes: vanilla, benzoin, musk, amber.

Unique moments of emotion frozen in time.

~ Eau Perfumee Au The Rouge by Bvlgari
This woody luminous eau de cologne was created in 2005.
Top Notes: pink pepper, orange and bergamot
Middle Notes: red tea and fig
Base Notes: resins, walnut and musk

Uniquely structured around the natural notes of Rooibos and Yunnan teas.

~ Eau Perfumee Au The Vert by Bvlgari

This citrus aromatic floral eau de cologne was created in 1992.

Top notes: Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Cardamom, Jamaican Pepper, Coriander
Middle notes: Bulgarian Rose, Spanish Jasmine
Base notes: Green Tea, Oakmoss, Tonka Bean, Bee's Wax

Uniquely structured around the natural notes of green teas.

~ Bvlgari Black by Bvlgari

This oriental woody amber eau de toilette was created in 1997.

Top Notes: Lapsang Souchong Tea and Smoke
Heart: Rubber and Resin
Base: Amber and Wood

An unconventional fragrance inspired by black tea that celebrates the pleasure and freedom of expression.

~ Nectarine Blossom & Honey by Jo Malone
A sweet and delightfully playful fragrance created in 2005.
Top note: Cassis
Heart note: Acacia Honey
Base note: Peach
London's Covent Garden early morning market.

~ Violetta by Penhaligon's
This dark, dusky and mysterious fragrance was created in 1976.
Head notes: Citrus and Geranium
Heart notes: Violet
Base notes: Sandalwood, Cedarwood and Musk
The elusive violet is captured with incredible clarity and potency.


~ Caldey Island Lavender 
Handmade by Cistercian monks.
The timeless scent of lavender - beautifully balanced for freshness and depth.
Described by Luca Turin as "simply the best lavender soliflore on earth".

~ Mitsouko EDP by Guerlain
This mysterious fruity chypre fragrance was created in 1919.
Top Notes: Peach, Bergamot, Hesperides
Heart Notes: Lilac, Rose, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang
Base Notes: Vetiver, Amber, Oakmoss, Cinnamon, Spices
A masterpiece of balance and originality.

~ Apres L'ondee by Guerlain
This serious heliotropin fragrance was created in 1906.
Top Notes: Violet, Bergamot, Cassie, Neroli
Heart Notes: Carnation, Ylang-ylang, Iris, Rose, Jasmine, Mimosa, Vetiver, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk, Amber, Heliotrope
A stroll through the dewy underbrush - celebrating fine weather after the rain.


~ Yvresse by Yves Saint Laurent
This sparkly, exhilerating fragrance was created in 1993.
Top Notes: Nectarine, Mint, Anise
Heart Notes: Blue Rose, Otto Rose, Lychee
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Vetiver, Patchouli
Like a sip of champagne...


~ Pleasures by Estee Lauder
This sheer, shimmering floral fragrance was created in 1995.
Top Notes: White Lily, Violet Leaves, Green Accents
Middle Notes: Black Lilac, White Peony, Karo-Karounde Blossoms, Baie Rose, Pink Rose, Jasmine
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli
One of life's simple pleasures.



* All information is this post were derived from the brand website and online blogs *

You might also enjoy Domestic Goblin's post on the house of Givenchy.

Parfums Givenchy

My First Perfume

Fleur d'Interdit by Givenchy
A fruity-floral Eau de Parfum created in 1994.

Head notes: raspberry, peach and melon.
Heart notes: rose, cyclamen, lilac, gardenia, iris, violet leaves and lily of the valley.
Body notes: sunflower, vanilla and sandalwood.

Romantic and pure, delicate yet persistent. Reminiscent of a fresh summer garden at dawn.

The Fleur d'Interdit Girl is idealistic and warm hearted; feminine and modern; but at the same time determined and rebellious.

The first ever fine fragrance created specially for teenage girls.

Other perfumes produced by the house of Givenchy

L'interdit
A floral Eau de Toilette originally created in 1957.
Head notes: pepper and clove.
Heart notes: rose, jasmine and violet.
Body notes: Incense, ambergris, vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli.

A rich, warm and velvet perfume, which evokes romance and sensuality.
The L'interdit Woman is delightfully feminine and romantic; soft and sensual.
The perfume created by Hubert de Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn.


Givenchy III
A chypre-green fragrance created in 1970.
Head notes: bergamot and mandarin.
Heart notes: Lily of the Valley, hyacinth, rose and jasmine.
Body notes: Oakmoss, sandalwood and patchouli.

Refined and elegant, with discreet charm. A subtle perfume for day or night, for summer or winter.

The Givenchy III Woman is lively, active and full of charm - confident in her femininity.


Eau de Givenchy
A floral-fruity Eau de Toilette created in 1980.
Head notes: bergamot, mandarin, grapefruit and basil.
Heart notes: honeysuckle, jasmine, rose, ylang ylang, tuberose and narcissus.
Body notes: sandalwood.

A vivacious, sparkling and sunny fragrance.

The Eau de Givenchy Woman is young in mind and heart. She feels at ease with life and in harmony with herself. She is unaffected and natural - like a fresh summer breeze.


Ysatis
A floral-semi-oriental fragrance created in 1984.
Head notes: mandarin from Brazil and orange blossom from Provence.
Heart notes: jasmine, tuberose from Grasse and iris.
Body notes: sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, oakmoss, bay rum, clove, vanilla, musk and ambergris.

Alluring, original and captivating. A sensual surprise with the richness of its floral bouquet combined with the essences of the Orient.

The Ysatis woman is modern, dynamic, sensual, sophisticated and seductive. Ysatis is the fragrance of a thousand women in one.


Amarige
A floral-woody-amber fragrance created in 1991.
Head notes: neroli, rosewood and violet leaves.
Heart notes: gardenia, mimosa, acacia farnesiana, ylang ylang and red fruits.
Body notes: precious woods, musk, ambergris, tonka bean and vanilla.

Wonderfully feminine, lively and elegant; warm-hearted and generous; Amarige is an expression of intense happiness.

The Amarige Woman has a genuine, rich and charming personality -  a woman who lives life to the full. To her, fantasy and humour are essential expressions of her love of life.


Ptisenbon for Tartine et Chocolat
A citrus-floral fragrance created in 1994.
Head notes: Florida and Seville orange, Sicilian lemon, mint and rosewood.
Heart notes: honeysuckle, lily of the valley, jasmine and cedar.
Body notes: amber, oakmoss and galbanum.

Simple, delicate and fresh. Fresh and tender, a reminder of the scents found in nature.

The Ptisenbon Child now has their own special fragrance and complete bath range, just like mummy, who they love to imitate. Eau de Senteur does not contain alcohol and is intended for newborn babies up until two years old. Eau de Toilette with a slight amount of alcohol is suitable for children age two years and above.


Monsieur de Givenchy
A woody-fougere-vervain fragrance created in 1959.
Head notes: lemon, bergamot, clove, pepper and cinnamon.
Heart notes: lavender and vervain.
Body notes: sandalwood, musk and oakmoss.

Typically classic, masculine, elegant and discreet. A cool crisp top note of citrus, a hint of spice with a floral-green heart, on a body note that is warm and woody.

The Monsieur de Givenchy Man is a refined, distinguished man of impeccable taste who prefers a discreet perfume.


Givenchy Gentleman
A woody-aromatic fragrance created in 1975.
Head notes: tarragon and cinnamon.
Heart notes: patchouli, sandalwood, rose, clove-pink and ylang ylang.
Body notes: Russian leather.

Original, sensual and vibrant. A powerful, provocative fragrance, with a lively, masculine note.

The Givenchy Gentleman Man is a modern, ambitious man of strong character, who likes a distinctively perfumed fragrance, which is long-lasting, and has presence.


Xeryus
A floral-woody-semi-oriental fragrance created in 1986.
Head notes: grapefruit, bergamot, geranium, basil, thyme, sage and myrtle.
Heart notes: rose, jasmine, lily of the valley, violet, ylang ylang, cyprus, gaiac, sandalwood, bay, clove, coriander and cinnamon.
Body notes: musk, amber, moss, labdanum, honey and incense.

Very original notes, with a fresh and sparkling head on a warm and sensual undertone, which evokes an elegant, sophisticated an virile personality.

The Xeryus Man is an active, self confident man. He is a man of feeling and emotion in every aspect of his life.


Insense
A floral-woody-ambered fragrance created in 1993.
Head notes: mandarin, blackcurrant (buds, stems & leaves) and artemisia.
Heart notes: Paraguay petit grain, magnolia, lily of the valley, geranium, iris, lentiscus and cedar.
Body notes: oakmoss, sandalwood, vetiver from Java, balsam fir, new musks and amber.

Fresh, joyful and irresistible. Expressing all that is surprising and unexpected.

The Insense Man is wild and impulsive! A man with a flair for happiness. joie de vivre and a sense of fun.


Insense Ultramarine
A fresh green-spicy-woody fragrance created in 1994.
Head notes: bergamot, water fruits, blackcurrant, galbanum and helional.
Heart notes: mint, cardamon, clove and sage.
Body notes: cedar, vetiver, sandalwood and tobacco.

Individually sensual. Embodying the spirit of freedom; a wish for freshness, clarity and joyous vitality.

The Insense Ultramarine Man is for whom anything is possible. He is invigorating, original and unpredictable.

* All information in this post were provided by Rowley Weeks: Press & Public Relations Assistant for Parfums Givenchy in 1995 *

* All images in the post are copyrighted to Givenchy *

Pork & Mustard Green

~ Pork with a bit of fat
~ Sour mustard green in brine
~ Red bean curd (aka nam yee) - one cube
~ Splash of water

Vary the quantities of the ingredients according to the number of people you are serving.

Fold everything together in a pan.

Simmer for 30 minutes.


Black Bean Spare Ribs / 豉汁排骨

~ Spare ribs - in mouth sized pieces
~ Dried black bean
~ Ginger
~ Garlic
~ Red chilli (optional)
~ Salt  
~ Sugar
~ Dark soya sauce
~ Cornflour - two teaspoons
~ Oil

Make sure the dried black bean; ginger; garlic and red chilli are finely chopped.

Bind the finely chopped ingredients together with the spare ribs; salt; sugar and dark soya sauce.

Add the cornflour, and lastly, the oil.

For optimum flavour, marinade overnight (this step is optional).

Place in a suitable dish and steam for 30 minutes.


Chinese Dried Pork / 豬肉乾

~ Pork mince - 500 grams
~ Dark soya sauce - one tablespoon
~ Oyster sauce - two tablespoons
~ Light soya sauce - two tablespoons
~ White sugar - 140 grams
~ Chinese Rosehip wine - one tablespoon

Mix everything together really well.

Flatten onto a sheet of buttered greaseproof paper and place on a wire rack.

Let it marinade overnight.

Dry it out a bit.

Make sure there is another tray underneath when you place in oven.

Oven 180/190 degrees - cook for less than eight minutes.

Let it cool down before cutting and eating.

Store in refrigerator.

Chinese Dried Pork



SkinFood since 1957

SKINFOOD
Beauty Food for Urban Sweety

Headquartered in Seoul - South Korea, the SkinFood village currently comprises of 204 stores throughout Asia.

Websites: For a glimpse of their original cute 'village' layout: http://www.skinfood.sg/beta/index.html 

For their new, more corporate looking English language layout: http://eng.theskinfood.com/

I discovered SkinFood during a holiday in Hong Kong in February 2008.

This company was founded by J.M. Cho and offers a complete range of skin, body, hair and makeup products based entirely on food based ingredients - food cosmetics. Their main goal is "to protect your skin for 14 years, not just for 14 days".

I visited a SkinFood store again during a return visit to Hong Kong in October/November 2009.

On both occasions, I was like a child in a sweet shop - armed with my credit card in one hand and a basket filled to the brim with goodies in the other.

 

SkinFood bag





2011 products

 

Some of the products purchased in 2009



Société Detaille 1905

Maison Detaille

Address: 10, rue Saint-Lazare, 75009 Paris, France
Telephone number: +33 1 48 78 68 50
Website: www.detaille.com

I discovered Detaille during a holiday in Paris in September 2006.

This famous little store was opened in 1905 by the Countess de Presle. Being a high speed driver of a windshield-less car, she suffered from dry skin and decided to discuss the matter with her chemist friend, Marcellin Berthelot. He then created a hydrating lotion called Baume Automobile, the very first product in their high-quality range entitled the Préparations de Beauté. They are still sold in exquisite bottles and still uses extremely elegant packaging.

Next time I return to Paris, I will definitely be visiting Detaille again to purchase more of their beautiful products.

UPDATE: October 2012, I am pleased to discover that Detaille are accepting online orders and payment via credit card.