Potpourris: Some commonly asked questions

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Potpourri is one of the greatest ways to beautify and add a dash of color to the stark mundane reality of our everyday lives. To define the term which might sound a bit complex to certain people on first hearing; ‘potpourri’ is a mix of various dried flower and plant parts which might also include dried barks and spices. Dried petals, leaves, seeds, cloves, cumin, nutmeg, lavender oil, jasmine essence etc. are some of the most common ingredients of most potpourris. They not only cheer you up and infuse new life into you after a hard day’s work, but also freshen up the atmosphere of the house and add fragrance to the wind. There are several FAQs (frequently asked questions) related to potpourris, some of which are described below:

Botanical Mixes in Gift Box

How should potpourri be used ? 

The most common method of using potpourri is placing them in bowls and jars at different points of the room, and make sure that they’re at a place where they can be well visible to whoever enters the room. You can co-ordinate the colour of the container with the colour scheme of the room to make it seem brighter and livelier. A lot can be saved by substituting naphthalene with bags and satchels of dried flower petals or shrivelled cloves. You can also experiment with scents; some particular scents go more well with certain environments in comparison to others.

The Duration of the Scent—How Long would it Last?

This largely depends upon the ingredients chosen for the potpourri concoction. Scents can last from 2 months to year after year. Some scents are stronger than others and the whiff of those linger longer than the ones which quickly wear off. If one wants to keep the smell fresh and alive, then the best way to do is to use refresher oils with scents that match the scent of the particular potpourri in question. Also, it’s advisable to keep it away from sunlight and strong wind.

Potpourri Mix in Gift Boxes

How to Keep Potpourri from Getting Soiled?

Most potpourri is preserved in a bone dry state. Some use scented water, but those are quite high- maintenance and require changing periodically to stop them from getting infected by fungi. The better and more economical option, therefore, would be to maintain potpourri in a strictly dry, and if possible, in a vacuumed container. The reason behind this is, if the plant parts are kept in an air-free container, then it would be difficult for them to contact moisture, and hence, no fungi would be formed over them.

What are Some of the Best Ingredients for Potpourri?

The answer is large and vast. Cotton Chips, Bakuli, Luffa Slices, Sola flowers bulk, lavender oil, jasmine extract, sandalwood, cinnamon, bell cups, lilies, hibiscus pods, pine cones, cedar base etc. are all suited to the purpose of making potpourri. Spices such as clove, cinnamon and cumin can also be of great use as they’d add to the durability and scent strength of the concoction. Overall, anything and everything is good for potpourri as long as it is of strict organic variety.

Intercon Impex provides the widest range of quality natural & organic potpourri shipped all across the globe to over 100+ brands. Place your orders now at www.interconimpex.com or sales@interconimpex.com. 

How to use Dried Flowers to create lively work of art !!

Flowers ignite our creativity like no other object in this world. From poets to common men, flowers are praised by everyone. Fresh flowers have been used for decoration since ancient times as they up lift the mood at any time. But flowers bloom for a limited time; hobbyists and artists prefer to dry out the flowers so that they can be used for a longer period of time.

So how are flowers dried?

There are many ways to dry the flowers so they are well preserved. Mostly people put flowers inside a heavy book and leave it undisturbed for few days. This is known as the ‘press’ method. If you choose to dry the flowers using the press method, then you should make sure that you line the page with parchment or wax paper. This protects the pages of the book from getting destroyed from the moisture that come off the flowers. Flowers can also be left in the vase till they dry.

Potpourri Mixes

Another method is to hang them upside down in a well-ventilated place away from sunlight. Flowers can be dried in microwave or using silica gel. No matter which method you choose, you have to wait for the results except for microwave method. But microwave method is fussy as you have to use cat litter to cover the flowers. Ordering dried flowers in bulk quantity is an easy way to get dried flowers for professional or other creative requirements. Companies that supply dried flowers use the right method to preserve the flowers. They use machine drying and various processes on the fresh flowers and botanicals to give them a dried and everlasting finish.

Uses of dried flowers

Dried flowers have many uses. Dried flowers are used in cooking. They add distinctive flavour to teas. Preserved beauty of nature, dried flowers are used to make potpourris that can be used as decoration or as natural air fresheners. Dried flower sachets are full of fragrance, and placing them in drawers and closets act as insect repellent. They are used as natural dyes.

Dried flower can have many creative uses. From decorating a room for celebration to create beautiful creative works of art, dried flowers add beauty to whatever they touch. In the creation of candles, papers, scrapbook and many more, hobbyists prefer to use dried flowers to create unique pieces.

3 ways to use striking beauty of dried flowers to personalize items:

If you want to gift something special to your loved one or create beautiful items for personal use, all you need is a bunch of dried flowers. 

Potpourri Gift Packs

Magical jewelry: Beautiful pendant and bracelets can be made using dried flowers. Dried flowers can be woven into headbands, crowns and bracelets. They look beautiful and go well with a dress to achieve a feminine or bohemian look. It can be a good idea for your theme outdoor party or brunch. They are easy to make. One idea could be to use small hollow glass globes or tiny DIY jars and bottles to make pendants and charms. Just fill these tiny transparent containers with beautiful dried flowers and plant parts. Adding some glitter can add a fairy touch to your charm or pendant. Seal it and it could be used as a pendant or bracelet charm. They look magical.

Nail art: Dried flowers can be used to create attractive nail art which not only enhances your beauty but which is also unique. You will get many compliments for your nail art. There are many ways to use dried flowers to decorate your nail. One simple way could be to use white nail paint as base. Now arrange the dried flowers in desired pattern with tweezers. Seal it with clear coat and let it dry. Once it is dry you can flaunt it in front of your friends. Make sure you use good quality dried flowers or else you won’t get the good effect.

Cards, letters and scrapbook: Dried flowers are used to make decorative handmade paper. Beautiful handmade paper with dried flowers petals appearing unevenly on its surface, are best medium to express your feelings. Dried flowers are used to decorate scrapbook. Scrapbook decorated with dried flowers both looks and smells beautiful. If you want to add a unique touch to your scrapbook use the magic of dried flowers. One of the most personalized gifts is cards. If you are making a card for your loved ones then decorate them with dried flowers.

For bulk queries on dried flowers you can order at sales@interconimpex.com or visit the website www.interconimpex.com

A Vietnamese Escapade

"So much of who we are is where we have been" 

The hustle bustle of Ho Chi Minh City , old town feels of Hoi An and the warm cultures of Hanoi. Vietnam is a perfect mix of experiences that has something for everyone. Its been overdue for a long time, that I wanted to blog about my travel escapades !! I thought I would start with this one. So below I mention a small snapshot of the places that I recommend for every traveler to Vietnam, of course each person has separate interests so your likings may differ from mine but I have just mentioned my point of view. I missed out on a few locations which I also mention briefly. FYI this is my first attempt at blogging so please pardon my mistakes.

Ho Chi Minh City

Since I explored the country from South to North my first stop was Ho Chi Minh City , previously known as Saigon. The city is full of life and bustling with energy. 

Sight Seeing

War Museum: You enter the place all happy seeing actual tanks , helicopters etc that were left over by the US Army after the infamous Vietnam War, but as you progress and visit the museum you are bound to feel extremely sad for the horrific life during & after the war for the people of Vietnam. I felt happy seeing India's name in the list of countries that revolted and more so a Bengali poster showing a protest in Calcutta against the war. It is inspiring to see how the country and its people lifted themselves up after the mammoth war and rebuild Vietnam to such a beautiful country. 

Reunification Palace: We then moved a few metres ahead to the reunification palace which was built to mark the reunification of North and South Vietnam. It gives a great insight of how a president's/king's home feels like. The tour is nice and informative , do not miss the helicopter place on the top floor.

Post office: We then walk further to discover the old post office. The streets around this are buzzing with shops and food. The building itself is quite nice with with colors of yellow & greens. Some people still use the post office to post letters, fascinating. 

Notre Dame Cathedral: Our last stop was the Notre dam cathedral. It is loosely based on the original french Notre dam cathedral. The entire area around the cathedral has a very french colonial feel to it. It is refreshing to walk around these streets and discover the vietnamese culture. 

Bars & Lounges 

Chill Sky Bar , Champions Sports Lounge , Cafe Bulldog , Lots of other bars & lounges in the walking street. The walking street is relatively clean than the other Asian walking streets. The streets are lit with lanterns and lights. 

Places to Eat

Al Fresco's , Bollywood Restaurant ,  The street food is a must try specially the grills & the Vietnamese sandwich. Vietnam is also famous for its coffee, Highland coffee is a popular brand across Vietnam offering amazing coffee, you should also try the various local coffee shops. 

Places to Shop

You should visit the Banh Tanh Market for a good essence of the local shopping. Be ready to bargain well as shops bargain from 20-40% in all items. Around the market you find many local boutiques good for shopping designer wear for men and women. 

Hoi An

Our next stop was Hoi An, a one and a half an hour flight from Ho Chi Minh , you have to land at Da Nang airport first. From Da Nang you can take a taxi to Hoi An which takes around 1 hour to reach. While on the road you see the majestic marble mountains on one side and the clean white beaches on the other. Da Nang is famous for its marble mountains, Bana hills (the one with the famous golden bridge held by 2 giant hands) and sun world (a theme adventure park). But due to shortage of time we couldnt visit these places and straight drove to Hoi An. 

Sight Seeing

Hoi An is the definition of a perfect holiday. Excellent beach side resorts , a small village with colorful streets. The best part is you can travel the entire village in a bicycle which easy to rent from your hotel/resort or outside for as low as $2/day. Another tip, you should visit the various places using the traditional map instead of your smartphones or google maps, its far more exciting and you end up exploring breath taking places. 

You should visit the An Nang Beach , most resorts have a tie up with the beach cafes so it's best to grab a recliner and enjoy the clean beaches. If you are lucky you can actually spot multiple rainbows in the beautiful skies. 

Other than the above there are a series of 7 sight seeing places which showcase different aspects of the Vietnam culture like the silk production, Japanese covered bridge, Chinese temple etc.Each element is a spectacle to watch and learn about. In the night the old town lights up like a fairy tale. The river running at the centre of old town is lit up with lanterns which are actually wishes made by locals & tourists. You can purchase one with the shops along the river and they will float them on the river. You can also try a river boat ride which takes you along the old town. 

Places to Eat

Another must try in hoi an is the street food - Vietnamese Sandwich at Banh Mi Phuong. It actually got famous when super chef Anthony Bourdain covered it in his show and since then it has been visited by many celebrity chefs. The place actually has queues of people waiting to have a bite of this Vietnamese wonder.

2 places I recommend to dine are morning Glory and Mango Mango (The Craft beers are a must try). The Vietnamese mango and the Vietnamese platter are food experiences worth trying. The ambience in both these places are serene with Chinese lanterns, soft live music and Riverside experience. Other noteworthy restaurants are Bahn Thien, Soul Cafe.

Places to Shop

The old town is on the other side of the village, famous for it's shopping from fashionable clothes , cotton wear, beach floral wear, home decor and much more. One of the unique shopping points is the tailor made suits & dresses which you can order and receive within 24 hours. The must try is the Bebe store , they have some exquisite collection of suits for men and women and is a very popular joint for tourists.

Hoi An is a UNESCO world heritage site and was easily one of the best destinations I visited for a long time.

Hanoi

My last stop in the trip was Hanoi the capital city of Vietnam. The best place to stay in Hanoi are the old quarters. The place has small lanes and is very busy. The metropolis of Vietnam has a very distinct French colony due to a long term rule and influence of the French. One distinct sight seeing which you just should not miss when you visit Hanoi is the Halong Bay. We again missed this one in this trip but we surely will make a visit to this place the next time. 

Sight Seeing

Hoa Lo Prison: This was a one of a kind episode in our Vietnam chapter. It was the first time I was visiting a prison museum. Built by the French for political prisoners , it is now converted into a museum. It showcases all aspects very well, from the way prisoners were kept during those times, the way they ate, used the toilet and so on. Some exciting write ups are placed in various walls of prison breaks. They also show a special area where prisoners who were sentenced to be hung to death were placed. Its an hour tour and surely is worth visiting. 

Hoan Kiem Lake: So this is a popular lake in the centre of Hanoi. It is surrounded by bustling shops and eating places. In and around the lake there is a park where you can spot people doing all sorts of activities like playing a popular street sport - Shuttlecock which is basically badminton with feet , you play with a birdie. There are people doing zumba , or just enjoying an evening walk. 

Ngoc Son Temple: It is a temple in the centre of the Hoan Kiem Lake, you have to cross a wooden bridge to enter this temple and is a popular tourist and local destination. 

Places to Eat

We tried our hands at Khazaana which is a popular Indian restaurant in Hanoi, Old Quarters. The restaurant is popular and the flavours & preparations are very close to food back home in India. You will surely feel at home away from home at this junction. 

Another exciting place we visited was Trung Nguyen Coffee Shop. They claim to be one of the best coffees in the world and rightly so. Firstly, it is fascinating to see the menu card with so many types of coffees each with a specific purpose. Like, they have coffee for lifting your spirits, for enhancing creativity etc etc. Next, once you select the coffee it comes in a fascinating cup where you can see it brewed to perfection in front of you. And lastly, the taste is one of the finest enriching coffee experiences. 

Avalon BBQ Garden was a perfect choice for a dining feast. It is next to the lake and situated on the 5th level, so you can see a beautiful view of the lake and enjoy live barbecue cooking on your table. So they have each table fit with barbecue sets and the cooking for the most of the food items of the menu happen in front of you on your table itself. 

Places to Shop

Again street shopping is wonderful in Hanoi with shops open till late at night. Be ready to explore some exquisite silk and cotton wear. Do not miss the funky Vietnamese tshirts available at less than $3. 

For high end shopping you should try the Trang Tien Plaza close to the Hoan Kiem Lake which houses the most popular brands like Burberry, Gucci etc etc. 

The currency that works in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong and US Dollar. You can carry US dollars and get exchanges in the airport/hotel for best exchange rates or use a forex card. Getting currency exchanged from local unauthorized shops can be risky. Traveling in Vietnam is convenient, most of the in city tours can be done on foot. For distances you can use the taxi app Grab (similar to Uber) for the most affordable rides. 

Overall, the vietnamese trip was mesmerizing and had a little something for every day. Its hard to imagine that just some decades ago the war had devastated this country. Hoping to visit again very soon and continuing my new found love in blogging. 

Cheers, 

Anant