The Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese people and is when all family members get together, just like Christmas in the West. All people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival. Airports, railway stations and long-distance bus stations are crowded with home returnees.

The Spring Festival falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar. It originated in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-c. 1100 BC) from the people’s sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one.

Strictly speaking, the Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and will last till the mid 1st lunar month of the next year. Of them, the most important days are Spring Festival Eve and the first three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Many customs accompany the Spring Festival. Some are still followed today, but others have weakened.

On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, many families make laba porridge, a delicious kind of porridge made with glutinous rice, millet, seeds of Job’s tears, jujube berries, lotus seeds, beans, longan and gingko.

The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve. At this time, people offer sacrifice to the kitchen god. Now however, most families make delicious food to enjoy themselves.

After the Preliminary Eve, people begin preparing for the coming New Year. This is called “Seeing the New Year in”.

Store owners are busy then as everybody goes out to purchase necessities for the New Year. Materials not only include edible oil, rice, flour, chicken, duck, fish and meat, but also fruit, candies and kinds of nuts. What’s more, various decorations, new clothes and shoes for the children as well as gifts for the elderly, friends and relatives, are all on the list of purchasing.

Before the New Year comes, the people completely clean the indoors and outdoors of their homes as well as their clothes, bedclothes and all their utensils.

Then people begin decorating their clean rooms featuring an atmosphere of rejoicing and festivity. All the door panels will be pasted with Spring Festival couplets, highlighting Chinese calligraphy with black characters on red paper. The content varies from house owners’ wishes for a bright future to good luck for the New Year. Also, pictures of the god of doors and wealth will be posted on front doors to ward off evil spirits and welcome peace and abundance.

The Chinese character “fu” (meaning blessing or happiness) is a must. The character put on paper can be pasted normally or upside down, for in Chinese the “reversed fu” is homophonic with “fu comes”, both being pronounced as “fudaole.” What’s more, two big red lanterns can be raised on both sides of the front door. Red paper-cuttings can be seen on window glass and brightly colored New Year paintings with auspicious meanings may be put on the wall.

People attach great importance to Spring Festival Eve. At that time, all family members eat dinner together. The meal is more luxurious than usual. Dishes such as chicken, fish and bean curd cannot be excluded, for in Chinese, their pronunciations, respectively “ji”, “yu” and “doufu,” mean auspiciousness, abundance and richness. After the dinner, the whole family will sit together, chatting and watching TV. In recent years, the Spring Festival party broadcast on China Central Television Station (CCTV) is essential entertainment for the Chinese both at home and abroad. According to custom, each family will stay up to see the New Year in.

Waking up on New Year, everybody dresses up. First they extend greetings to their parents. Then each child will get money as a New Year gift, wrapped up in red paper. People in northern China will eat jiaozi, or dumplings, for breakfast, as they think “jiaozi” in sound means “bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new”. Also, the shape of the dumpling is like gold ingot from ancient China. So people eat them and wish for money and treasure.

Southern Chinese eat niangao (New Year cake made of glutinous rice flour) on this occasion, because as a homophone, niangao means “higher and higher, one year after another.” The first five days after the Spring Festival are a good time for relatives, friends, and classmates as well as colleagues to exchange greetings, gifts and chat leisurely.

Burning fireworks was once the most typical custom on the Spring Festival. People thought the spluttering sound could help drive away evil spirits. However, such an activity was completely or partially forbidden in big cities once the government took security, noise and pollution factors into consideration. As a replacement, some buy tapes with firecracker sounds to listen to, some break little balloons to get the sound too, while others buy firecracker handicrafts to hang in the living room.

The lively atmosphere not only fills every household, but permeates to streets and lanes. A series of activities such as lion dancing, dragon lantern dancing, lantern festivals and temple fairs will be held for days. The Spring Festival then comes to an end when the Lantern Festival is finished.

China has 56 ethnic groups. Although minorities have different customs, they celebrate their Spring Festival almost the same day as the Han people.

Tags: Misc.

Makeup may enhance your beauty, but hair is the frame for your look. It does not matter how hot you are dressed, who you are wearing, how terrific your makeup is, if you hair is a mess or just not right, the whole look simple falls. Keep your hair soft and shiny and keep it brushed. Deep condition it at least once every two weeks. If you straighten or curl or blow dry, be sure to use a good leave in conditioner and heat protectant. Take care and pay attention to your tresses, whether they are long and flowing or short and sassy. Get the total look and pay attention to you hair.

Long hair styles are fun to do. Try this Grecian Up-do like the one pictured here. This style requires tons of curls, so if your hair isn’t naturally super curly, then you need to get to work curling it. Once you have curled, don’t let a brush touch your hair. Finger comb gently until you have a mop of curls. If you want to add a shine serum, now is the time. Next, section off a circle of hair at the rear crown to act as your base for the style. Tease, or back-brush, this section. Part it in the center and tease the inner parts, near the scalp. Bring the parts together and smooth the outer part of the base. Now twist this base in French twist fashion and secure with bobby pins. Use larger pins near the scalp to secure the base. Bring the rest of the hair up and pin it in place while you add the lacings (ribbon, silk cord, leather cord, etc). Start at the base of the twist and half knot, then criss cross with a half knot each time all the way around and up the twist. Then just fluff the curls around the lacing. You can pull a few tendrils around the face and on the nape of the neck for a little touch of romance. This is a soft, feminine look. Add some personal flair with a pretty hair stick or decorative hair clips.

A little pomade or gel can go a long way with medium to short hair. Slick it all back for a sleek, sophisticated look, or slick back sections for a little variety. For longer hair, use a clip to hold the hair up and back. Slick back one side or section of hair and fluff the hair in the loose section. Use a little get or mousse and finger curl the loose section, creating a dramatic style that will go all evening. You can add crystal hair clips to give the style a little kick or pull through a little funky color like red or blue. The most important thing is to have fun.

Tousled hair is definitely always a hit. It is also probably the easiest to do. Apply mousse or gel to clean, damp hair (you may also want to apply a root lifter if your hair lacks body) and, while it is damp, take small sections, twist them and lay them on your head. Use a diffuser on your dryer and dry the twists, leaving them twisted. You may lift at the roots a little to you’re your style some body. When the hair is dry, gently loosen the twists with your fingers and finger comb into the style you want, shaking and fluffing as you go.

The possibilities are endless! Just remember to check your do both coming and going. I come from the ’80s big hair era and I remember the girls who teased and styled their hair in the front, but completely forgot that their head had a back side, which was usually left totally flat. Check your style from all angles and don’t be afraid to try something new. Hair accessories like combs, hair sticks and decorative hair pins are great additions to your hair wardrobe and can add so much to your look. So go ahead! Play!

Tags: Hair Styling

Winter is here and in many parts of the United States temperatures are dropping, snow is falling, and it is time for the winter gear to come out of the closet. No one enjoys taking out the coats, scarves, gloves, and hats; in fact, it is probably the least favorite activity for most people. They tend to feel unattractive, out of style, and large with all the added accessories that have to be worn during the cold winter months.

It is likely that your old winter wear is out of date and getting old, so why not treat yourself this winter season with something new, fashionable, and exiting like fur hats. A new fur hat is a great way to complement, add style, and make an otherwise dreary winter season seem so much better. You could get several different fur hats and change up it daily, to match your mood or your outfit.

Fur hats come in many different styles and colors. Look stylish in blue, purple, white, pink, or even leopard print. These fur hats could also be the perfect Christmas gift for the picky person or that stylin’ diva in your family or group of friends. Your winter outdoor wear does not have to be the traditional greys or blacks, spice up your wardrobe with some great, colorful, and very fashionable fur hats.

Not only will look great, but you will feel great as well. Keep your ears and head warm this winter season with fur hats. If the fur hats are a Christmas gift for a loved one, consider making it a full set with a pair of matching gloves and a scarf. Fur hats are great for a night on the town in the cold winter air, going to work, school, or even on that fun weekend ski trip. Keep warm, look great, and feel great this winter with your choice of colorful fur hats.

Tags: Get the Look

Winter is drab enough; your wardrobe does not have to be. You can brighten up the dreary and cold winter days with a great pair of colored leather gloves. These gloves come in a variety of colors and styles. You can look great and feel great, all the while staying warm.

Stylish and unique are two words I would use to describe these gloves for many reasons. You can purchase several and have a pair of colored leather gloves to match your outfit. You could have a pair for that fun red coat you wear during the day and change it up with a more subtle color of off white or even a mixture of browns and pinks for a night on the town.

You can find colored leather gloves in almost any color you could imagine. Such as pink with a dark red cuff, olive with an off-white cuff, brown, lime green, yellow, black, and any other color you might be able to dream up. These gloves can also be found in a mixture of colors, which is great if you want to liven things up a little bit.

These gloves are both classy and stylish, many have faux fur lining the cuffs, which might be of the same color or different colors to add some flair to your winter wear. Colored leather gloves do have their advantages; one is the ability to protect your hands during the harsh winter cold, snow, and ice. Nothing is worse than cold hands and trying to keep them warm.

To many people winter wear is not a welcoming wardrobe addition. Usually, winter wear is big, bulky, and very unappealing. However, it does not have to be that way, with these colored leather gloves; you do not have to worry about looking or feeling drab. You will delight in the fact that you are still stylish and looking fabulous. All the while, your hands will be nice and warm, protected from all the elements.

Tags: Get the Look

If you are shopping for someone who seemingly has everything they could ever want, it could be really hard to decide what to get them for Christmas. Nothing is harder than trying to shop for someone who can run out and buy what he or she wants on a moments notice or one that is very picky.

You might also be on a tight budget and have an enormous amount of stress when it comes to shopping for gifts, which is something millions of people in the world have to deal with. This Christmas while you are thinking about a fabulous gift, why not consider a great pair or two of leather gloves or mittens.

Pigskin Leather Suede Gloves

Pigskin Suede Leather Mittens w/ Two-tone Fur Cuff

Leather gloves or mittens can make a great Christmas gift for many reasons. Not only are they thoughtful, but they are also useful, stylish, and easy on the wallet. You can find gloves or mittens perfect for any person from the young to the old, the diva to the stud, and the rich to the poor. Everyone needs gloves during the winter, so why not make it a fabulous Christmas gift.

Pigskin Suede Leather Gloves w/ Love Knot

Lambskin Leather Mittens w/ Rabbit Fur Cuff

Consider a set, maybe a hat, scarf, and a matching pair of leather gloves or mittens. For that special someone, you could buy a pair of leather gloves or mittens, and combine it with a special ski trip. Ski trips are a little expensive, but get creative. You might think that a simple pair of gloves will not make a great Christmas gift but it really can be if you put some thought into it.

Leopard Pattern Fur Hat

Gradient Bohemian Style Long Fringed Mesh Shawl

Place a great pair of gloves in a box with a handmade certificate for a snowball fight or building a snowman. For lovers, place a pair of gloves in a box, with two wine glasses, a bottle of wine, and a handmade certificate for a romantic evening in front of the fireplace. There is no limit to what you can do. Even if you do not want to combine the gift with something else, leather gloves or mitten make a great Christmas gift because they are useful and thoughtful during the harsh winter season.

Tags: Misc.

Tibetan jewelry has a certain ethnic flair with its wood beads and Tibetan silver accents. This is one style that can be worn with nearly anything. Take, for instance, single strand necklace with red and blue beads and silver accents. It goes great with jeans or a dress. You can take it anywhere.?

This stunning Tibetan hand beaded necklace features seed beads, acrylic beads and china beads. The pendant has a china center and beaded tassels extending from the bottom. It is a colorful accent for any outfit and a fun piece to wear.

This unusual piece features yak bone and hemp. The colorful beads are made from yak bone and the hemp is woven through them. It is completely hand made.

The natural stone beads in the colorful Tibetan style three strand necklace will wake up any outfit. It is dressy enough to wear with a dress, but casual enough to wear with jeans. It is a go anywhere piece.

This gorgeous piece is made of Tibetan silver and coral simulated stone. The silver drops are elegant lilies and the colored stones set it off with just enough color to keep it interesting and fun. Wear it anywhere, even for evening.

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A unique take on an old classic, this Tibetan style bracelet strongly resembles the old style charm bracelet. Made from Tibetan silver and turquoise simulated natural stone beads, this bracelet features drops interspersed through the beads with silver and turquoise stone drops.

This is a unique, handmade?turquoise colored?yak bone?necklace. It is a strong, bold piece that is a confident statement for your wardrobe.

Whatever style you choose, Tibetan jewelry is truly unique and fun to wear. Find some pieces that you like and experiment. You will be hooked.

Tags: Ethnic Tribal Jewelry

Ethnic jewelry is hot right now with bold styles, dramatic colors and handmade designs. It is versatile enough to wear with anything from jeans to evening wear. Choose gypsy style earrings and Bohemian type necklaces for looks that are unique. Tribal jewelry offers the ultimate form of self expression. There is something for everyone from polished gemstone necklaces to Tibetan silver and gemstone bracelets to brass drop earrings. Each piece is more unique and interesting than the next.

Try brass drop heart earrings that feature little brass butterflies dangling in the center. Each butterfly is adorned with tiny orange glass beads and a green crystal. The hearts hang from an orange glass heart which in hanging from brass ear wires. These Indian inspired earring are very complimentary to just about any style you can imagine.

Tibetan silver, turquoise chips and leather come together to create this unique choker that could actually be two bracelets. Tibetan silver accents the rugged beauty of this leather bracelet. It is almost primal in its construction, but its rustic beauty is unmatched. It is paired with the Tibetan silver and turquoise chip bracelet which brings some refinement to the piece. Wear them together as a choker or individually for beautiful bracelets, this could be striking every day wear.

This simpler style of ethnic jewelry may be less ornate but that does not detract from its beauty. Polished green stones dangle from antique gold chain in the necklace and the matching earrings feature antique gold rings and the polished green stones. This is a simple, ethnic treasure.

Try ethnic jewelry for yourself. If you are shy, start simple before you go all out. Try a pair of earrings or a more simple style of necklace then graduate up. You might be surprised at how drawn you are to the style. There is a certain feeling of freedom and creativity when you venture into the more natural, rustic styles of handmade jewelry that celebrates customs and people and regions.

Tags: Ethnic Tribal Jewelry

The tiara is slowly emerging from a long hibernation and making a huge comeback, particularly in Asia. But the western world is discovering the tiara as well. Though we all can’t afford the super dazzling, diamond encrusted tiaras that the stars are wearing, we can find some very pretty, less expensive alternatives made from rhinestones and crystals.

Traditionally, tiaras were only associated with brides and beauty pageant winners, but that is changing. Stars are dusting off their tiaras and wearing them on the red carpet. Fashion conscious “common folk” are wearing them to dinner and out on the town. You don’t have to be royalty to enjoy wearing a tiara and you don’t have to be a celebrity. You just have to have a sense of style that is fun, sophisticated and unique.

Mini tiaras are also a huge smash. Use this unique and classy hair jewelry to accent an updo. Taking a top knot from ho hum to how do you do? This is the ultimate hair accessory. It can go with evening styles, jeans, even suits and dresses. Pair a pretty tiara with some pearls and a little black dress. Think Audrey Hepburn and you have a classic look that is truly timeless.

For an elegant look, pull up hair into an upsweep. Leave lots of loose tendrils to cascade around your face. You may even want to add some hair extensions in the back to give the look an even more romantic feel.

Tiara styles can range from a look resembling a crown to a small, simple band of silver and crystals. Some tiaras feature pearl, sapphires and other gems in addition to the crystals. It is just a matter of taste and your own personal style. Some tiaras can be very simple while other can be quite intricate with tiny etchings, crystal flowers and complex designs.

Tags: Hair Jewelry Expo

Wood lends a certain natural beauty to items. As the trend moves more towards organic and natural materials, carved wood jewelry and hair accessories become more popular. Many hair sticks feature intricate hand carved designs of leaves and flowers while others are more abstract in their design. The wood is just as important as the design as certain types of wood have different hues and unique characteristics. The effects, though, are nothing short of gorgeous.

Boxwood. This small tree bears a wood that has a fine even texture which is perfect for carving. Its natural finish is a warm yellow-brown. The texture of the wood is very smooth and fine thus lending a silky sheen when polished or worked.

Peachwood. The peach is very symbolic in many cultures. It represents luck, abundance, protection and a long life. The wood is slightly coarse, but easily polished to a lustrous sheen. The rich colors of peachwood may vary from green to brown to amber and the grain is very easily seen.

Lignum-Vitae. This ultra dense, easily carved wood comes in colors ranging from black greens to velvety browns. Known as the “tree of life,” its fine grain turns out beautiful carvings. It is easily manipulated and the rich grain polishes to a radiant gloss.

Hand carved wood hair sticks or hair accessories are elegant compliments to a wardrobe. The add class, color, uniqueness and an air of sophistication that conventional hair jewelry simply can not touch. To hold these hair sticks in your hand, to feel the smoothness of the finely polished surface and to be able to see the intricate detail in the carvings is truly an experience. There is something about handmade jewelry that makes it personal and special and hair jewelry is no different. When you pair natural wood with intricate hand carvings you do indeed get something personal and very special.

Tags: Hair Jewelry Expo

Tags: Misc.