Shop for the last month of summer

By Annie Wei

And just like that, as the calendar turns to August, the weather changes: gone are the unbearable humidity and heat – a sign that the summer of 2010 is on its last legs.

It’s the last hurrah for several groups of people. For pool party fans, now’s the last chance to break out those bikinis and get a tan. For girls who care about their skin, it’s time to update your cosmetic products for more moisture and nutrients. For accessories collectors, it’s the last month to snatch up jewelry pieces to match the hot summer days, which will soon turn to cool autumn nights.

DIY necklace made of green crystals sold from Yashow market/Photos by Yu Tingmei

DIY jewelry

If you have interest in making your own jewelry, the fourth floor at Yashow market is a good place to start. You do not need any skills; just a keen eye and good imagination.

Felt-cut necklace, 200 yuan

Go through the stones, pearls and pendants and ask the vendor to make it into a necklace, bracelet or ring. For example, a bracelet with five pendants – copied from big international brands – costs less than 100 yuan (15 yuan per pendant in the shape of lipsticks, cars, women, hearts or handbags).