What do fireworks, great action movies, fruit wrapped in baskets, fancy envelopes, new clothing and people getting fat have in common? You guessed it, they’re all things you see during Chinese New Year! As this year’s chunyun comes to a close, let’s take a minute and look back on some of the impressive figures that were rung up during the CNY period.

This women's shoe brand, first founded by expats in Shanghai in 2007, is now up to 14 Beijing branches and counting. (For a list of all existing store locations, click here.) According to their website, D:FUSE "strives to bring the latest Scandinavian urban trends to the fashion forward Chinese consumer."

It just so happens that their trend-conscious footwear appeals to us expats as well. And now, one lucky reader has the chance to win a pair of free shoes! Whether sandals or pumps, their designs typically range from RMB 600-1,500, with most of them priced at around the RMB 700-800 mark. You can check out some of D:FUSE's latest styles below, or peruse the full collections here.

The rules? With the exception of the higher-priced Desire line, you can choose whatever pair meets your fancy (though do note that their largest size available is 39).

By now you’ve likely heard that Plastered T-shirts has opened a second Beijing branch in 798 Art District. (If not, catch up on all the details here.) Now we have even more photos of the store interior which, according to their blog, was designed by founder Dominic Johnson-Hill himself.

Expats who rely on the material comforts of home may be disheartened to hear that ShopWeShip.com, previously known as Dong-Xi.com, has just announced that it will soon be discontinuing its services.

ShopWeShip.com was first established to give Chinese residents access to e-commerce sites that only shipped to US billing addresses. Back then, our options were few – we could hardly find quality Western food around town, let alone chic clothes from mid- to high-end retailers.

This impeccably dressed Hunan native can often be found chatting up visitors at Approx, her Nali Patio boutique. It’s a goldmine for elegant jewelry and accessories by local designers, as well as pieces from her own collections. We asked P.J. about her recent segue from jewelry to clothing design.

“Going Underground” is a regular magazine column in which we explore the neighborhoods surrounding subway stations.

SELLING POINT
Realtors agree: The hottest retail spot in town is indisputably Wangfujing. The area lost some of its luster in the last decade as luxury brands flocked to Financial Street, Sanlitun and the CBD, but Beijing’s historic market street has come roaring back.

A peek inside reveals that this family-owned studio’s specialty is porcelain. Shards of valuable china, some over 300 years old, clutter the shelves and adjoining workshop, ready to be cleverly reincorporated into rings (RMB 88-1,289), silver and gem bracelets (RMB 828) and earrings (RMB 148-308).

“There are no straight lines on a woman’s body / Her beauty is in her curves,” reads this young Chinese brand’s website. It’s a decidedly inflammatory stance in the high fashion world, an industry largely occupied by waif-like women and shapeless clothing. And yet Minijupe’s founder, Dodo Mai, cites her admiration for the female body as the main impetus behind her work.

The first thing you should understand about The Drive-Thru is that it’s not a bar. They do have a great selection of beers, starting with Kingfisher at RMB 19, but it’s intended primarily for you to take home. There are a few seats, though, and you’re welcome to stay for a beer. Owner Ryan Johnston (founder of The Brick) expects to have Slow Boat Brewery’s beers on tap soon, and wants to operate a tasting bar offering a regularly rotated lineup of draft brews.

According to The Weather Channel:
Yesterday’s temperature in Reykjavik, Iceland: 4 degrees Celsius high, -1 degrees Fahrenheit low.
Yesterday’s temperature in Beijing, China: 5 degrees Celsius high, -7 degrees low.

Brrr. When you’re subjected to such brutal conditions as this, of course it makes sense to gravitate towards fur, flannel and chunky knits. And when you’re wearing that many layers, you have to inject some fun into your get-ups somehow. Pick up pieces peppered with snowflakes, stars and reindeer, and match with shaggy ear muffs or utilitarian booties. The look is equal parts rough and refined; the effect is you'll look positively adorable.