Whoever thinks China was not embraced Capitalism has obviously never been to China.  America may have English, the language of business but China has the born businessman.  I’m no economist and have no profound insights into the Chinese execution of Capitalism but as a consumer my only complaint is that they try too hard.  

The day they learn they can sell a fake as a fake or a knock-off for what it is a knock-off everyone’s shopping experience will be improved. They have yet to clue into the fact that as consumers we aren’t complete idiots. When I do business at a store who’s inventory at legit prices could pay the upkeep on the Queen’s palace for a week I’m not anticipating products approved my Armani himself. To be perfectly honest I would rather know they are knock-offs rather than entertain the thought someone was knocked-off for these items to end up here.  I’ve recently read an article about how China is trying to change the world’s view of China as knock-off central but they still have a long way to go before tourists stop comparing their knock-offs on their return flights. 

Now the quality of fakes here can be quite impressive which is one reason I don’t see the industry going under anytime soon.  Katie should have been a quality control office that girl got a system. Fabric Seams Zippers Stitching Weight Seams again (they always get you on the seams) only after the product has been fully scrutinize are negotiations begun. Now even after such scrutinizing no customer is naive enough not to anticipate some unforeseeable drawbacks. 

With that said at times I find knock-offs my only option. Have you ever tried finding a size 14 pair of jeans in a country where petite 2, is call to join the Biggest Loser, not the easiest. Now for some follow through on the sellers claim of being stores overstock they do offer a wider selection of sizes than the stores.  

The culprit

I was overjoyed when I discovered a denim stall in Jimo that actually carried my size. I was not about to argue on the legitimacy of their claim to be selling real Levi’s. So I did the suggested Katie twice over and let Beth talk me into purchasing the pair. They were a dark wash and I anticipated some dye issues for the first few washes. Unforeseeable drawbacks did not cover dye issues three months later.  

To admit my fault in the outcome of last nights load I took the gamble and paid for it. This was the first time I’d washed the jeans with a load. Luckily it was just socks and underwear. No one will see either to matter much about the new color. 

So China tip for the day: How to know it’s a fake…

1) the price the seller starts at wouldn’t pay for the legit items packaging 

2) they have enough merchandise of exploited brand to fill two or more legit stores

3) the clincher, the brand name is misspelled across the front

To be on the safe side I brought to China: two pairs of glasses, a pair of prescription sunglasses and a backup pair from three years ago. I never thought I’d actually get to the backup pair but sure enough boy was I glad I brought those. I missed placed my second pair, the screw fell out of the first pair (to be fair, I’ve never owned a small screwdriver for glasses) and sunglasses indoors is not exactly politely. Which brings me to today.

Janey - One of my top students.

Katie has been glasses shopping before but we heard the Small Goods Market had better deals. I asked a student to come along to translate and we headed to the Eye Doctors. Turns out most places can give you an eye exam right there on the spot or for us not so trusting foreigners you can hand over your glasses they analyze the prescription then copy it there in the store.

It took about an hour for the four of us to each select our glasses and haggle a price. I lucked out with the cheapest presecription at ¥50 and my frames were only ¥80. So a total of ¥130 or about $20USD.

After we selected our frames and got our prescription read it was on to the fitting.

Measuring for the frames

The Lens Cutter

I have to admit the fact that my glasses were finished and ready in less than an hour when it usually takes three weeks really makes me question the quality but hey no complaints on the price.

The final product

I’m really quite pleased with my glasses and so far they’ve been excellent for my vision. I think I’ll get another spare made and pick up a few more before heading back to the States.

Our ever growing shoe collection

I decided last year that shoes where no longer welcome in my house. I’m convinced it is not a cultural curtsy but a hygienic necessity here! I would gladly lick the bottom of my shoes in America before I’d wipe the bottom of my shoe here against my jeans. For a country so concerned about health I’m appalled at the lack of hygiene. I started leaving my shoes against the wall for easy access and polite reminder to guests.

During the winter we had all our shoes out. Kelly counted once and there was something like 30 pairs. I never anticipated a downside, well, until this evening that is.

I needed to go to the office on the first floor so I quickly slipped on a pair of slippers. They are fuzzy on the inside so I didn’t think much of the tickle on my toes. I just wiggled them around a bit and finished my copying. When I got back to my apartment I just couldn’t seem to satisfy the tickle so I reached down take off the slipper when a millipede crawled out.

Not exactly the company I like to keep in my shoes!

Kelly you better thank me because it took everything out of me not to scream and wake you up. I don’t consider myself squeamish around bugs per say but when I say the pinchers on that thing and that fact it had been crawling all over my toes for the last 20min, well I thought my reaction showed quite a lot of self control! I did grab the stapler like any sane girl.

The stapler was even PINK!

I can’t find the camera cord so I’ll add pictures in the morning. Now if I could just stop imageing bugs crawling all over my feet I could go to bed. I just might have to start wearing socks 24/7. I hate wearing socks but I think I’ve found something I hate worse!

The funniest part of the whole situation was right before Kelly went to bed I complained that bug season was starting. We’ve had an extremely cool spring, and the bugs have only just begun coming out. So I can officially say bug season is HERE!

The first time I saw it I was horrified, now I giggle.

 The store carries all your military gear, complete with US patches. Humm does anyone else find that a little odd? The mannequin in the window is dressed in camos with a USA patch, and a skeleton handkerchief around his face.

To be honest I’ve never ventured into the store, no real appeal. And I try to avoid anything to do with military here, that includes the uniform outlets.

For anyone who has stumbled across this post I hereby warn you, you read at your own risk. For sake of journaling I want a complete blog, and let’s be honest this experience was most definitely journal worthy. It was most certainly a life changing event that will impact my future shopping experiences in China.    

Thursday evening we had a girls dinner. It was a last min deal and only Katie, Kelly and I were able to get together but a girls night is a girls night. After a delightful meal of McDonald’s we decided to go window shopping in the underground shopping street. We looked at glasses, stopped for smoothies and generally browsed. As we passed a bra shop Katie mentioned she had seen some large bras in Tailor Alley. She had noticed them the day before and had remembered I was on the lookout for my size.    

As a reminder you read at your own risk.    

I have most assuredly inherited my mother’s full figure. Something I’ve learned to hide with Bali minimizers and restrictive bras. Coming to China I’ve never been more consciences about my bust size. Most girls here can barely fill an A cup WITH padding. Bra shopping has always been discouraging in the States and China only exacerbates those issues.    

So when I look for a bra I need wire, plenty of support and most definitely NO padding. As we passed yet another bra store, Katie suggested we look, you never know maybe they do carry your size. We stepped in and I began to browse. I got the largest bra I could find and bust out laughing when I held it up to myself, this was not going to work. The clerk rushed over assessed the situation and headed for a storage drawer. After rummaging around for a few mins she triumphantly pulled out the largest bra she could find. She looked it over then looked me over and nodded. She then grabbed a second bra before sending me into the dressing room.    

I stepped into the dressing room and closed the curtain. I begin the usual process, when in the middle of putting my arm through the bra the curtain is ripped open. I don’t think I’ve ever put a bra on so quick in my life! Before I knew it there was a FULL hand inside my bra and BOTH of mine where braced at my hips! The look of surprise or horror was all over my face as I relaized the clerk was doing all the adjusting.    

.  

Not exactly my usual white or beige.

To be fair I think my bustyness was just as embarrassing to the poor clerk as I was with having her hands in my bra. I doubt she’s ever had a customer my size. As she would rearrange one side the other would fall out. She was getting frustrated as the largest bra she had was just not holding all the bust I had. She finally left only to return with an extender. When she finally seemed satisfied with the results she threw open the curtain once again and beckoned for the girls to come over. Suspecting me to be dressed again Katie and Kelly sauntered over. Nope that was not the case. All Katie could manage was “Wow, you are busty!” Thanks Katie, I didn’t know that. Most people don’t realize my talent for hiding that fact. Now you know why I’ve been discouraged about finding bras in China.    

After all opinions were weighed in I decided to purchase both bras. I don’t claim to be a bra connoisseur so maybe the following features are standard but not on the bras I usually purchase.  

Netting on the side I just can't figure out what to do with.

Netting at the top, it helps me from falling out the top.

Wired structure on the side.

This pushes everything front and center not exactly the most effective minimizing technique.    

All in all I learned Western Comfort Zones and Boundaries are not shared in the East. 

Okay so everyone has one, that one outfit that you miraculously find one day that just makes you feel good. Like really really confident good. Maybe its just some old favorites that you throw together for the first time, or perhaps a so-so outfit that you buy the final piece to and it all just comes alive. However you find it, you look at your self in the mirror and you just feel like you can conquer the world. Okay a tad dramatic but that’s how I felt yesterday morning, like I could conquer the world.

Its the cardigan-denim jacket combination I think, oh and the long necklace, yes the jewelry definitely plays a huge part.

Those who know me know I would never list attractive as a personal quality and I tend to be rather harsh on myself in regards to appearances. So for me to have  a day where I am confident in what I look like is practically a miracle in and of itself.  

So I opted to take a picture of just the clothes and imagine a much slimmer me in this great outfit.

This is mine, go find your own and feel good for a day!

Tailor made clothes are definitely one of them. As you know I have been battling the weather now for about a month. Unsurprisingly, weather is winning. As I’ve begun outfitting for winter I thought I’d take advantage of Dantzelle’s tailor here in Weifang.

It is easy enough when you have a piece you want copied and of course a great translator like Adam. So I guess that means I only have about 3 weeks to get the rest of my wardrobe ordered.  I decided to go for a pair of wool pants, fully lined of course. I brought in a pair of trousers that I liked, I knew the material was different but as the pants were now loose a less stretchy material would still work.

I think it did. Although my heart sank when the tailor held up the completed pants. I feel like Argentina all over again, the land of anoxia and I’m the giant blimp. Seeing the pants held up does not for the ego but when they’re on it is a different story.

Nothing beats tailor made!

The lining makes them slide on and feel nice against the skin and the shell well its wool so cold stays out. Having pants made, ahh they just fit so nicely and I was able to get the nice wide waist that I love. Great tummy hider. Oh and did I mention the price, Y180. That would be a whole $25 USD for a pair of 100% wool fully lined pants that fit me beautifully. Not meaning to brag but I’m bragging. I think I will get a second pair this week not to mention a few long skirts. I’m learning you can never be too prepared for cold weather.

I know that by writing this post I relinquish the right to claim that I will freeze to death this winter. I do reserve the right to complain about the cold weather and remind all those at home that it is bone chilling Sibierian winds I must fight daily to survive.

The only reason I'm still here.

  About a month ago people began discussing the coming Winter. It soon became apparent that I was no where near prepared for what was to come. As a California girl through and through my thin blood could not comprehend the temperatures they were discussing nor the wind chill factors they all dreaded. The Idahoans and Utahans in the branch soon took pity on me and began helping me outfit for the winter. Victoria was the life saver, she lent me this beautiful bad boy for the winter. I must admit when she handed it over I almost laugh it was so light. 100% down this baby is. I always thought the only way to get warmth was weight boy was I wrong. Nothing gets past this coat, now if only I could get a pair of pants made of this stuff.  

Outfitted for winter! Still taking donations.