The original cheongsam before the 1900s

If you ask any woman their thought of a cheongsam, they will probably reply you that it is beautiful, sexy and it’s perfect for Halloween. If you were going to ask any man, they will think it as sexy, erotic and seductively revealing.

But cheongsam was being seen as polished and and a status symbol back in the days, and women were covered from neck to toe under it.

Qing Dynasty (Manchu) started ruling China in the 1630s, and all men and women had to change from the old baggy Han clothing into a one piece roomy outfit like the Manchu People. No one can escape the penalty of death if they refuse to change.

The dynasty continued, and it wasn’t until the qi pao became a new fashion item for Han Chinese women/ by socialites and upper class women in 1925.

During the 1949 Communist Revolution, Shanghai tailor escaped China and brought their cheongsam to Hong Kong where it started becoming popular.

In theater, movies like 1960s film, The World of Suzie Wong, introduced the very ordinary Chinese one piece dress with sex appeal to the West. Qi pao keeps being evolved by a lot of designers and the Hollywood starlets. That’s how we see cheongsam as a sexy piece of clothing from China in the modern era.

The Word of Suzie Wong

So everybody in the world knows that it is dragon this year, but what does the year of dragon means to Chinese?

Water dragon is the dragon in 2012, it is the major symbol of good fortune in the Chinese culture, and it promises to bring good business during 2012.  The year of the dragon also plays a big role in having big events in the history, for example,  the last time the water dragon arrives, Elizabeth II became Queen of the United Kingdom in 1952.

The Dragon, interestingly, is related to the spring. If you want to harvest your crop later this year, you must plan and act during the spring time (which is NOW!). If you missed it, you will have to wait 60 more years!

Water flavors wood, for those people who were born in a Wood year will do better than the rest of the other, even when you are in the same animal sign of other people. And on the contrary, Fire year people will do the worst.

Oh well, it is just what the Chinese believe many many years ago, we will be the judge of that when the Dragon year is over.

As everyone is decorating for Christmas, think about what happen after those Christmas decorations are gone.  Isn’t that cool if you can find something nice to create a whole new mood for your home? I know Asian Fusion style has been big for a long time.  Restaurants, home decors, fashions, and even books and movies, they are part of the American new culture! The tricky part is not to find these items at the weekend fled market.  High quality and tasteful Asian Fusion items can be just so simple but add so much to your home decor! Check this out…

Something so simple but yet so artistic.  It is hand made out of bamboo skin.  It is carefully hand crafted and it is already been framed.  How much easier can home decorating gets?

http://www.orientspiration.com/product/11×14-bamboo-wood-wall-hangings

Gifts for daughters, wives, any females can be tricky.  It has to be the right color, fit the wardrobe, or practical… The list goes on and on.  But in the last couple years, scarves have made a big trend in the fashion world.  Scarves are trendy, appropriate for any wardrobe – jeans, business casual, and even formal wear.  They are practical.  They keep you warm, they add accent to your style.  The list can go on and on.  At ORiEnTspiration, our scarves are high quality, trendy and fits all ages’ wardrobe.  With winter approaching, it is a nice gift for the ladies that keeps her trendy and warm.  Check out all the different colors that is available, too!

http://www.orientspiration.com/category/chinese-clothing/womens-scarves/74-inch-cashmeresilk-scarves

Walking by the neighborhood lately, I started to realize all the families putting up trees, Christmas plants, and different kind of decorations.  It is very excited for the parents and the children.  It is a family time that everyone in the family will cherish for years to come.  How about something special for a Christmas tea party? What about something unique for your guests rather than just the ordinary biscuits and English tea?

Check this out! A beautiful flower wrapped inside high quality green tea.  Just the presentation itself is enough to entertain your guests! Watching the tea bulb slowly blossom into a flower, what is the better way to add just a bit of spice to your Christmas holiday mood??!

http://www.orientspiration.com/flowering_teas/

Cyber Monday HOT HOT HOT!

So, have you join the “crowd” and check out the incredible deals online that everyone offers? I personally decided if I can go to the store for the same old same old items, might as well check out something different and unique.  I mean, there are hundreds and thousands of websites that offer all kinds of deals, great gift ideas, and something you can’t get anywhere else.  Why not just stay in the comfort of your own home and do some shopping that way?

I personally are very fond of candles.  It is romantic, soothing, and very lovely home decor.  Check out these candles.  They would be a great addition to the home accent.

http://www.orientspiration.com/category/home-living/home-decor/asian-inspired-candles

Sheesh! Thank God Black Friday is over! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and got all the sales that you can snatch…

But wait! The excitement hasn’t stop yet… Cyber Monday is here in less than 48 hours! If you kind of wondering now why you did go out on black friday, that’s alright, treat it as an experience. Now the real shopping starts by sitting in the comfort of your own home with a cup of hot authentic Chinese tea and find the most unique, affordable gift at ORiEnTspiration.com.

http://www.orientspiration.com/category/home-living/jade

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, from the owners and staffs from ORiEnTspiration!

During this day of thankfulness, eat, laugh, and be thankful.  However, don’t forget Christmas is also approaching.  Each years, I am wondering how to get every single of my love ones the most unique gift and still stay in budget.  Just a quick reminder, Christmas is not about how expensive the gift is or the brand name attached to the gift.  You can find unique and affordable gift right here at ORiEnTspiration.com.  Check it out! Be surprised and be the center of conversation for both of you and the gift receiver… Isn’t that more exciting than a gift card or some thing you just picked up at the mall?

Any tea drinker in the house??? A custom tea basket is a must have!!!

http://www.orientspiration.com/category/teas-accessories/gift-baskets

“If you don’t like working from midnight to noon…
If you don’t think a microwave worth a bloody lip…
If you don’t think the true meaning of Thanksgiving is about screaming, yelling, and being angry for objects…
If you remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving…
Please do not encourage these major retail businesses by shopping there beyond the normal business hours…
Please support the small business Saturday…”     Facebook User

“I will not be sacrificing precious time with my family for anything you may have on sale. Friday was one thing but it’s disgraceful to have it on Thanksgiving night. Please leave people with their families.”     Another Facebook User

Really, I am all for shopping and picking a great gift for people I love.  I even indulged myself sometimes with nice jeans, electronics, and workshop gadget.  My wife, on the other hand never get into the Black Friday messes.  It is more important to sleep in, spending time with family, and remembering the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  PLUS, if we really are in the shopping itch, why not check out the web? Hundreds of stores including ORiEnTspiration fill with unique gifts! Check this out…

Light up your night with these beautiful and unique hand crafted table lamps.  They are simple but enough to add accent to your room decor!

http://www.orientspiration.com/product/red-boxed-desk-lamp

It is three days before Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for? Me, I am thankful for many many things.  I am thankful for my health.  I am thankful for my family.  Most importantly, I am thankful for people.

Let me explain…

I am always very thankful for living in a country that nurtures people from many different cultures.  Have you been to one of those cities that all you see is a giant mall with the same major department stores at the four corners, the same shoes stores, underwear stores, and same clothing stores sandwiched in with a food court smack in the middle? What happen to unique shopping experience? What happen to shopping trip that is enjoyable and not repetitive?

Lately I have been on a mission to hunt down unique small business website, learn from their strength and add those special elements into the ORiEnTspiration website to bring excitement back to shopping for my customers.  How about some hot items? Check them out, you might find something for HIM, HER and the CHILDREN!

For HIM

For HER

For CHILDREN

http://www.orientspiration.com/category/new-items