Sunday, December 21, 2008
Post-fair Syndrome
I've been very very lazy this week, just wanna sleep and do nothing. I'm sad, because the fair at Milan didn't go well at all. Natalis was okay, but not enough. These two fairs disappoint me, now I'm depressed, I think I've got the post-fair Syndrome.
Business is not easy. NOTHING is easy......
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Natalis
Saturday, November 29, 2008
First day of L'ARTIGIANO
Here is my explanation. This time I brought new stuffs to Milan besides clothes, which are home decorations with oriental style. These decorations are very nice, every piece is art. But they occupy all the space in my stand, so I cannot find a tiny space to show my clothes anymore.
Here I just give a brief introduction of these decorations. All these pieces are from a young designer in China. Most of them are made of stone powders from mountains in a south region of China, named GuangXi. They are all handmade, very delicate. The style is what I appreciate, very orient, but interpreted in a new way. Below are some pics of these decorations, have a look.
People are asking if I have a shop in Milan. The answer is 'No'. Also there are no other shops selling these decorations in Italy. At the moment I'm not ready yet to sell online, due to the transportation difficulty.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Cooking course: Stir-fried Chinese cabbage with Shitake mushroom
I made a nice dish today O(∩_∩)O, it is a common dish which I cook quite often. Both Alex and I love a lot!!! Very simple to cook, check it out now!
Recipe:
1) Two Chinese cabbages, two dried Shitake mushrooms. (They are always sold at Chinese supermarkets near Martim Moniz. Sometimes I can also find this kind of cabbage at the Bio Market at Jardim do Princípe Real, and there are also fresh Shitake mushrooms, they can be used instead of the dried ones in this dish, but you should put more if you use fresh ones, coz they shrink a lot after cooked.)
2) Tear the cabbages into pieces, soak the dried mushrooms in boiled water, for at least 1 hour, till they get very soft.
3) Cut the mushrooms into slices.
4) Put some olive oil in the wok. After it's warm, put in the cabbages.
5) Add the mushrooms, and some salt, stir-fry.
6) After the cabbages shrink, and some water coming out, READY!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Chinese traditional fabric available
Thursday, November 6, 2008
About my real shop
But I never give up the idea of the shop. Alex is still waiting for the answer of work in Porto, so I have to wait too. Then I'll see where to have the shop, Porto or Lisboa. Let's be more patient...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
China Qiao em duas lojas
Agora, há duas lojas em Lisboa com as minhas roupas :-)
1) ó chá Tea Room (Rua Luis Augusto Palmeirim, 18, 1700-275 Lisboa)
2) Rosa 78 (Rua da Rosa, 76-78, 1200-388 Lisboa)
Bem Vindo!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
1st Chinese cooking course - tomato and egg soup
"I cannot live without Chinese food!!!" I'm alway saying this to Alex. I'm not exaggerating, sincerely!!! I've been abroad of China for 4 years, and I miss Chinese food everyday! The good thing is that I love cooking, I can spend hours in the kitchen and I enjoy it! But I only cook Chinese food, very stubborn, aren't I? Of course I'm always the one who is in charge of the kitchen at home. It's not that Alex doesn't cook, but I just don't give him the chance, kakaka. I'm very domineering too, aren't I? LOL! Good that he is very relaxed, and willing to be the 'victm' of my food, lol! But I'm not a bad cook at all, Alex and his brother can prove it (who are my constant 'victms') O(∩_∩)O
The first dish I'd like to introduce is ~~~~~TOMATO AND EGG SOUP~~~~
It's a very simple dish, and one of my favourites! Ready in 10 mins!
Recipe:
1) Ingredients:
3-4 tomatos (medium), 1-2 eggs, 400-500ml water, oil (either azeit or vegetable oil), salt.
2) Cut tomatos in pieces, smash eggs.
3) Put water in pot, add tomatos and some oil (not much), then boil (Mid-fire).
4) After it is boiling for 5 mins, put eggs in, turn off fire after 10 seconds.
5) Add some salt, READY!
Done! All the pics are taken by Alex and me :-) Wanna have a look how our dinner was on that day? Very simple, a main dish, a soup, and a lot of rice of course, hehe. YUMMY!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Ethnic Miao - II
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Ethnic Miao - I
So the ethnic is called MIAO, and most of them live in the province of Guizhou and Yunnan, very south of China. I don't know if you have any idea of Chinese geography, anyway, you can easily google them.
When talking about Miao, there are 3 things which cannot be NOT mentioned: BIJUTARIA, EMBROIDERY and BATIK. I love the embroidery and batik too, hope in the future I can talk about them here.
We Chinese usually say Miao Silver when referring Miao bijutaria. But actually these traditional trinkets are not only made from silver, but also copper-nickel alloy. That's why the value is less than pure silver biju.
......to be continued
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
See you this weekend!
Sorry that I haven't got much time to put all my new collections here, but if you come to visit Mundo Mix Estoril this weekend, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Okay, I'm going back to work now, see you soon at Estoril!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Introduction - Autumn Collection
Summer is leaving, autumn is coming; holidays are finishing, works and schools are starting. New start, new look ---a relaxing 'formal' blouse :-)
- Size M, Bust: 92cm, Sleeve Length: 59cm, Cuff: 20cm, Clothes Length: 78cm, Size L, Bust: 96cm, Sleeve Length: 59cm, Cuff: 22cm, Clothes Length: 80cm.
- Textile: cotton
- Model: 162cm, 51kg, in Size M
- Size M, Shoulder-Shoulder: 36cm, Sleeve Length: 63cm, Bust: 90cm, Waist: 76cm, Clothes Length: 86cm, Size L, Shoulder-Shoulder: 38cm, Sleeve Length: 65cm, Bust: 94cm, Waist: 80cm, Clothes Length:88 cm
- Textile: cotton, linen
- Model: 158cm, 50kg, in Size M. Photographer: 170cm, 61kg, fits into size L.
- Size Unique, Bust: unlimited, Waist: unlimited.
- Textile: velvet
- Model: 158cm, 50kg
Classical, also modern...
- Size Unique, Bust: 92cm, Sleeve Length: 23cm, Clothes Length (front): 55cm, Clothes Length (back): 54cm, Clothes Length (sides): 75cm
- Textile: cotton
- Model: 162cm, 51kg
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Autumn Collection
Monday, September 1, 2008
back to work
Now no more schools, but it comes work, hehehe. But I'm more motivated, because I am enjoying it :-)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
a depressive day :-(
Economic crisis, jobless at the moment (Alex and me), full of risks in business, being apart (Alex is probably going to work in Porto, and I want to have my store in Bairro Alto in Lisboa), a risk to Alex's brother (since we are going to ask his brother to be the guarantor of the store renting contract), I don't speak much Portuguese, Bairro Alto is a dangerous area for me to run a shop alone......All possible and impossible reasons have been mentioned to make us give up our 'crazy' idea.
I am very sad, very very sad about it. I understand the old couple want to protect and help us, but I don't agree that this is the way how children should be protected and helped. Maybe this is the generation gap, culture gap, or even family gap? I didn't just dream about opening a store, then the next day wake up with this fancy dream in mind and announce everyone that I'm going for it. I've been conceiving the idea of having a store with Chinese designs since March this year. Then I conducted an online survey about people's interest in oriental stuffs. Encouraged by people's massive positive attitude, I didn't hesitate at all to fly back to China to search for possible products in April. In July and August, I participated two fairs to get a better image of the market here in Portugal. During the fairs, a lot of customers were quited interested in my stuffs and questioning if I have a shop. Encouraged again, I made up my mind to make one step forward with the business, that is to run a shop here. I DO feel that people here are suffering from the ongoing economic crisis, I know there are risks, BUT still, I have a strong wish to have my own store. I don't believe the crisis will last forever, and there exists risks for everything, doesn't it?
Anyway, I've made up my mind. I know there is a rocky road in front of me, but if I never go through it, I will never ever know what's on the other side of the road.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Vou voltar depois de 24 Augosto
I will come back after 24 Augosto!
Beijinhos
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
PENICHE artesanato 2008
I'm going to Peniche for the Feira Artesanato tomorrow! Sorry that I didn't inform everyone in advance. It's a SURPRISE, hahaha! The fair will start this Friday, and last till 24th this month. This is going to be my 2nd fair, hope it's going to be lots of fun, hehehe. So if you have time, just pass by Peniche, to enjoy the praia, peixe grelhada, and the fair :-)
6th Feira Internacional de Artesanato de Peniche
Length: 8 - 24 August, 2008
Location: Peniche Fireman Pavillion
Entry: Free
Time: Week days 14:00 - 24:00
Weekend days 11:00 - 24:00
See you there!
P.S. I would like to practise to write more in Portuguese from now on. But it's already too late today, it will take me at least 2 hrs more to write this post in Portuguese (excuse, hahaha), so I chose English, ajajaja. Anyway, boa noite e beijinhos para todos ^0^
Monday, August 4, 2008
preguiçosa...
Todos estão a fazer férias neste momento, a Qiaoqiao também quere ^_^
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
highlights of Collection 27 Julho - part II
Chinese Elegance...There is no more need to say about this long skirt, very classical, you can feel it strongly...
- Size M, Low Waist: 74cm, Hips: 96cm, Length: 91cm, Size L, Low Waist: 78cm, Hips: 100cm, Length: 93cm
- Fabric: cotton, linen
- Model: 162cm, 51kg, in Size M
Chinese top + Western jeans? Why NOT? Size XXL is available, espeically for a bit bigger ladies :-)
- Size M, Bust: 76-94cm, Length: 66cm, Size XXL, Bust: 96-110cm, Length: 72cm
- Fabric: Silk
- Model: 162cm, 51kg, in Size M
Two pieces of cloth, with just a simple V cut. Life is simple, if you take it naturally...
- Size Unique, Bust: 94cm, Length: 79cm
- Fabric: cotton
- Model: 158cm, 50kg
Monday, July 28, 2008
highlights of Collection 27 Julho - part I
Hope the new collection brings you a trace of freshness...
Purple jacaranda, a bit ethnic, and very elegant. This free style is suitable for a bit bigger ladies too :-) Black color is also available.
- Size Unique, Above bust: 90-100cm, Bust: 90-120cm, Waist: unlimitied, Length: 122cm
- Fabric: floss, cotton, linen
- Model: 158cm, 50kg. Photographer: 170cm, 61kg, fits into size unique too.
A unique pumpkin dress, very adorable.
- Size Unique, Bust: 80-120cm, Waist: unlimited, Length: 85cm
- Fabric: cotton, linen
- Model: 158cm, 50kg. Photographer: 170cm, 61kg, fits into size unique too.
A very simple top, a good match to either jeans or skirts. The flower part is the highlight, it looks like an extra singlet inside, but actually it is fake.
- Size S, Bust: 82cm, Waist: 72cm, Length: 54cm, Size M, Bust: 86cm, Waist: 76cm, Length: 56cm, Size L, Bust: 90cm, Waist: 80cm, Length: 58cm
- With a zipper at the side of waist
- Fabric: cotton, linen
- Model: 158cm, 50kg, in size S. Photographer: 170cm, 61kg, fits into size L.
The designer likes 'CONVERSE'. So she had the idea of making a 'converse' version of pants, hahaha! Crazy, isn't it? But I love it! Without the string, it turns into a skirt. Pants, skirt, whatever you like.
- Size Unique, Waist: 70-100cm, with elastic, Length: 61cm
- Fabric: slub
- Model: 162cm, 51kg
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The mascots
''Fuwa'' in Chinese mean ''Blessing children''. They are five little playful children who symbolize different blessings -- prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck. They embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame. They also embody the five elements of nature -- the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky -- all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.
Each of ''Fuwa'' has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. ''Beibei'' is the Fish, ''Jingjing'' is the Panda, ''Huanhuan'' is the Olympic Flame, ''Yingying'' is the Tibetan Antelope and ''Nini'' is the Swallow.
If you put their names together -- ''Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni'' -- in Chinese it says "Welcome to Beijing'', a warm invitation to everyone in the world.
This is ''Beibei''. She represents the fish and water. In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life. The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past.
''Jingjing'' is a panda, as everyone can see. He brings the blessing of happiness, because as a national treasure and a protected species, pandas' charming naivety makes children smile, and is adored by people everywhere. Jingjing's headress symbolizes the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations.
This is ''Huanhuan''. He is the big brother among the five Fuwa. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs.
''Yingying'' represents a species of antelopes unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. Therefore, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Jingjing's head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China.
The last Fuwa, is called ''Nini''. Nini's figure is drawn from a traditional Chinese kite design of swallow. Every spring and summer, people in Beijing have the hobby of flying kites. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini's golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing. Swallow is also pronounced "Yan" in Chinese, and ''Yanjing'' is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
What do you know about Olympic 2008?
Monday, July 21, 2008
Important announcement 2
All the online sales in China Qiao are based on 'trust - trust' basis. You make the order first, then give the payment when receiving the goods. The payment includes the goods cost and the postal fee if it applies. Receipts will be sent together with the goods. Payment should be done within 3 days after receiving the goods, preferably via bank transfer.
If you have any questions or other suggestions, please feel free to contact me via email or mobile. I'm always available :-)
Highlights of collection 18 Julho
This is an interesting dress, just looks like a blossoming bud. April peony, July jasmine and October jimsonweed. No matter you are slender or a bit bigger, you can be a different YOU in this unique dress. This summer is just for you......
- Size: unique, Bust: 94cm, Waist: 120cm, Hips: 140cm
- Fabric: Linen, cotton, chiffon.
- Model: 158cm, 50kg, in size unique. Photographer: 170cm, 61kg, fits into size unique too.
A simple top, with just a lace decorating. Grey and black, red and green. Great contrast between the colors, a free style.
- Size: unique, Bust: 94cm, Clothes length: 71cm
- Fabric: cotton
- Model: 162cm, 51kg, in size unique.
Flowers, flowers and more flowers :-) Summer is the season for flowers. This is a romantic blouse, with romantic cuffs and romantic flowers, and a sense of ancient greek style. Be a princess in the fairy tale once, in this summer.
- Size: unique, Bust: unlimited, Clothes length: 68 cm
- Fabric: cotton
- Model: 162cm, 51kg, in size unique.
Blue and white, as pure as sky.
- Size: unique, Bust: 88cm, Length: 93cm
- Fabric: slub, hand weaven cloth
- Model: 168cm, 48kg, in size unique. Photographer: 170cm, 61kg, fits into size unique too.
Yes, this is undoubtedly a CRAZY skirt. It's AMAZING! All differnt patches together, just like different flowers with all kinds of colors blossoming in the wind. The patches are randomly sewed in each piece, if you want surprise, if you dare to be different, this is the ONE for YOU.
- Size M, Waist: 70cm elastic, Hips: 96cm elastic, Length: 92cm; Size L, Waist: 74cm elastic, Hip: 100cm elastic, Length: 94cm
- Fabric: cotton
- Model: 158cm, 51kg