Friday, July 30, 2010

Giveaway Contest: Strip Wax


New waxing boutique Strip has been generous enough to offer free Brazilian waxes to five of our lucky readers ready to take the plunge and test out the first Asia-based internationally acclaimed hair-stripping parlour. Did we mention they provide squeeze toys in case you need to hold someone's hand? The pig is purportedly the most popular support friend, but I'm partial to the koala bear.

The requirements are simple: just send an email to giveaway@hkfashiongeek.com with the subject "Strip giveaway" and you will be eligible, no strings attached (well, okay, they might mail you some special offers in the future). RT the giveaway on twitter (make sure to @hkfashiongeek or @cko01 so we know!), or post this link on your facebook (mention in your email) to get an EXTRA entry. The winner will be chosen at random with a number generator and contacted via email on August 10.

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Waxing Lyrical


Every girl's nightmare, every man's dream -- The Brazilian wax. Ever since Edison Chen so indiscreetly allowed his female companions' bushy privates to make the internet rounds, I feel like this has been a hot topic in Hong Kong: what are your personal grooming habits, down there, and what is the norm?

At Strip, the Singapore-owned international chain of waxing parlours, the norm is either a small landing strip or a neat little triangle. And they're hoping to get the trend started in Hong Kong with their Lyndhurst Terrace boutique, featuring cheeky advertising, proprietary products and colourful design (which includes, among other things, Jackson Pollack-lite kind of art, splattered with wax instead of paint).

Media trials were conducted earlier this week, and as a wax-schizophrenic who's visited more than her fair share of waxing experts in Hong Kong, I can pretty categorically say that Strip is the most pleasant "beginner's wax" you can get. The wax smells nice (if a little fondue-like, with its chocolate and berry scent); the choice of pseudo-house music over spa sounds is helpfully distracting; and the therapists are professional, firm-handed, knowledgeable and helpful -- they tell you exactly what clothing to remove, where to lie down and what's going to happen so you're not suddenly surprised when they let it rip. There is, however, no such thing as a truly pain-free wax, but their methods make it as easy as possible to endure.

The shop officially opens today, and word on the street is that those who have been to their other global outposts (27 branches across the globe, with more opening, including in NYC this month) are clamouring for appointments and thanking the Lord for Strip's aggressive expansion policy. If that isn't convincing, then maybe our giveaway will persuade you... Call (852) 2845 0838 for info or bookings or email info@strip.com.hk

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Keeping It Fresh

Remember the dating site that we discovered a while back? The one that is exclusively for Apple fans? Well I just came across this gem of a dating site from Just Salad. Yes you read it correctly, it’s a match-making site based on your salad preferences. Aptly named SaladMatch.com, the site is targeted at “busy young professionals like yourself, who lives a healthy lifestyle and is looking to get to know like-minded individuals. While most dating sites match couples based on conventional interests like hobbies or work, SaladMatch links you together based on which Just Salad location you frequent, when you frequent it, and what ingredients you get in your salad.” Doesn’t get more random than that. No word on whether the matches are for the US only or if they’ve included Hong Kong in their candidate search. SaladMatch is a free online dating service. Sign up at www.saladmatch.com.

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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Eye Opener


When I first heard that Shu Uemura is opening an eye gallery, gruesome images immediately filled my mind. Would it be some sort of crazy laboratory where there will be floating eyes in jars of formaldehyde? An underground cellar much like ones in movies where serial killers store their 'souvenirs'? Turns out what is being touted as the world’s first eye gallery is little more than a cosmetic area with a different name. Cue sigh of relief. So what exactly is this eye gallery I hear you ask? It’s a space that is dedicated to showcasing different ways to make up your eye with a strong focus on the Tokyo lash bar products that create art pieces out of your eyes. The gallery will feature six areas:

1. Tokyo lash factory for DIY rhinestone eyelashes
2. Eye brow atelier for brow grooming services
3. Eye make-up theatre showcasing the eye shadow palettes on offer
4. Beauty table for skin analysis and make-up services provided by beauty professionals in front of the mirror.
5. A brush wall showcases professional quality tools
6. A star table and LED screens showcasing the latest products and trends

Opens tomorrow at FACES Harbour City in TST

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SHOErotica: Giuseppe Zanotti Platform Wedge Pumps



AHHHHH!
Get them at Zappos.

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Furry Friend


Just arrived in New York after the world's longest flight. Okay, it was 16 hours, but you try spending 16 hours in an airline seat with not one, but TWO babies in the same row on either side. It was like a pissing contest to see who could cry louder; with me, the baby-hater (yes, I hate babies, so sue me) in between. I know I'm a Libra, but the scales were tipping every which way as to which child was more annoying. I know, now I sound like a big baby.

Anyway, the pain was worth it to journey to The Plaza hotel here, where magical things happen. The property is ridiculous, all fabulous celebrity history and gilded elegance and quintessential New York charm. And one of the more famous of The Plaza's residents is Eloise, the fictional girl who made it her job to cause mischief in the hotel. There's an Eloise in-house shop here, and one of the first toys we spotted was Eloise in full fur regalia -- with her loyal pup similarly kitted out in fluffy outerwear. As our vegetarian PR Jocelyn pointed out... "that's kind of wrong." Because it's a faux pas for an animal to wear the fur of another? Maybe in the mind of PETA, but this Geek can't say anything but "awwww" and plot to dress my own pup in such flashy fashion. Then again, I wouldn't trust my taste. I'm the girl who hates babies.

Get the Eloise in Moscow doll at Amazon.

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Fix It

Continuing the trend of making big bucks with simple ideas, the Ask the Octopus iPhone app, the Snuggie, we bring you the Antenn-aid. It may have started as a joke idea between two designers from Brooklyn but in less than two weeks it’s become a thriving business. A simple bandaid design that covers the death spot of the iPhone 4, Szymon Weglarski and Jon Dorfman opened up shop on Etsy in July 16 and since then, they’ve made close to 2,000 sales. Initially, the Antenn-aids were sold individually but with such high demand, it soon proved to be inefficient, so they switched to a six-pack of assorted colors, which costs $5 plus shipping. Their tagline? “Apple made a boo-boo. Make it all better.” Technical specifications? “Umm.. it’s a sticker.” It just doesn’t get much simpler than that. Now if only we had thought of it first.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Su-Shi Time


If I write this whole post in Rachel Zoe speak, will you stop reading? Well, maybe you'll stop reading anyway simply because this isn't a very interesting blog. I'll pause for you to contradict me now.

Anyway, these bags from Su-Shi are BANANAS. I die, I said I DIE for them all -- though if pressed to choose... well, you know girlfriend loves herself some python. You know, these pictures really do make you want to go all Rachel Zoe boho chic, with all the associated fabrics and textures and colours and oh yes ACCESSORIES. Shut it down!


It just occurred to me, the preponderance of capital letters and exclamation points in my posts. The irony is, at work, I see an exclamation point and I delete that bullshit. A string of capital letters? I take that amateur offender and slash it into lowercase. Warning: we're about to go all style guide up in here. So there's no DIE or BANANAS; we don't even let acronyms sneak through a loophole (Sorry Aids and Unicef).

So this turned out to be a lot less Rachel Zoe and a lot more grammar talk. I sense you guys would've been happier with the Zoe-isms. Anyway, hopefully the rest of the bags, after the cut, will make up for this ridiculous digression. I promise, I'm not stoned, although the other kind of sushi sounds like a pretty tempting idea.






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Digital Ransom Note

I imagine with the advent of the computer, kidnappers no longer bother with the fun of cutting up magazines and newsletters to create a ransom note. (Yes I’m using the word fun coz don’t you think it’d be a great arts and crafts project? This is totally something we should have done when ShoeGeek and I went scrapbooking.) Anyway, for those nostalgic for the classic ransom note yet don’t have the patience to scour through magazines for the right letters, I introduce to you the Digital Ransom Note generator. Some smart Geek has figured out a way to pull the letters from Flickr photos and paste them together for your very own digital ransom note. Useful not only for generating notes but also for creating fun headers, image greetings etc. ShoeGeek and I had a great time coming up with some options.What would you write?

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Monday, July 26, 2010

Bag Lady: Lancel Le Bardot Bag



I love seeing designer sketched of products and comparing it to the real thing. What do you think of Lancel’s collaboration with Brigitte Bardot? Available in Sept for HK$7,590.

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The Shkirt


It was another case of the "closet full of clothes, nothing to wear" syndrome. And when there's nothing on my side of the closet... I keep on rifling right onto the other side, where I came across an extra-large white men's button down that Andrew left at our place (Ahem, he left in another shirt, I ain't that kinda girl). And in another case of me wearing everything that people leave at our house (Chris' denim shorts, Kuan's Shanghai Tang Chinese jacket, Andrew's dad's argyle sweater...) I decided that it would be a good idea to make a skirt out of it; something I saw on Monoxious. No one really told me it looked weird, but maybe they were all like... "don't talk to the girl who's wearing a shirt as a skirt!" "who does she think she is, Lady Gaga?""I don't know, don't look her in the eye, she might hypnotize you into becoming a follower of the church of the Shkirt."

Anyway, thanks for the shkirt Andrew, and if you too want to join me in the pantheon of regrettable fashion decisions, the DIY tutorial is here; it works better when you're a vampy hot girl.

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Friday, July 23, 2010

Wedding Daze



It's come that time of year... We get a sponsored post on something wedding-related and I am sent into a frothy white tizzyl while surfing for wedding dresses. Not, mind you, because I'm worried about whether or not I'll ever tie the knot -- us Geeks are too materialistic to be moved by such prosaic concerns -- but because when it comes to wedding dress prospecting, it's daunting to know... There can only be one. That's a lot of pressure. I've reached that age at which I find myself attending weddings more than clubs (sad, I know) and I urge you brides-to-be: choose your wedding dresses carefully -- we are judging. It's hard NOT to go all fashion police at a wedding -- your last day of singledom and you chose to wear... that?

That's why, every year, I find myself studiously browsing and mentally visualizing a much thinner version of myself fitting into some specimen of gorgeous gown. I'm not married to any particular look (haha) but there are a whole load of lovely gowns to be seen at Priscilla of Boston. Just a few favourites to put you in the mood and maybe challenge your self-esteem. Or, if you happen to be lucky enough to be tying the knot anytime soon... shop away. If you want to see specimens in the flesh, they sell the lines at Hitched! and White in Hong Kong as well.

Unapologetically frilly, lacy, poufy wedding gowns after the cut.





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Fashion Book Club

For some reason, I always thought the Roberto Cavalli brand was a bit younger than 40. But apparently 2010 is the year the brand hits the big 4-0 and they are celebrating with a bunch of special launches, one of which is a fashion book showcasing photography taken by Mert&Marcus. Titled Roberto Cavalli (a rather boring book title if I must say, although it does get the point across,) the book features models and celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, Natasha Poly, Maria Carla Boscono, Sasha Pivovarova, Lara Stone, Carolyn Murphy, Erin Wasson, Angela Lindvall, Julia Stegner, Karolina Kurkova, to name a few. Check out some of the photos after the cut. Available at The Swank.

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Thursday, July 22, 2010

SHOErotica: Christian Louboutin Clou Noeud



Oh-so-studly. Get them at Browns Fashion, even though they spelled the shoe name wrong.

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FORK You


I'm going to play innocent and pretend that this header is not a play on a bad bad word, and that I am not secretly spewing the correct spelling of this phrase at my useless, useless work associate. In fact, this header relates very well to the topic about which I am going to write, which is the new Twilight cookbook, Love at First Bite. So you see, it's a reference to a) the fact that this is a cookbook, which will lead to to make recipes which you can then devour with a FORK, perhaps even in conjunction with a knife... and b) the Twilight novels are set in Forks, whose singular incarnation is -- you got it, genius -- FORK.

Actually Stephenie Meyer is probably also spewing this phrase at the author of this "Unofficial Twilight Cookbook," not only because it doesn't appear to be a licensed offshoot of the brand (I could be wrong, I mean, you can't exactly produce that cover without having to solve a few copyright issues) but also because this cookbook writer is totally capitalizing on Meyer's self-created brand, and the cookbook writer's name is Gina Meyers, which is only going to serve to confuse readers if this blog post goes on too long and we start becoming unable to differentiate from Meyer and Meyers. I mean, Stephenie didn't even like spelling her first name with an "a" like everyone else, for crying out loud. Then again, maybe the royalties will be enough to quell any distaste.

But speaking of distaste, onto the book itself. It's a guide for anyone who's Twilight-obsessed to making dishes for the perfect vampiric occasion. And the key to enjoying the tome, it appears, is to have low expectations. Read on for the best of the Amazon reviews...

"The book is sooo thin, not a single picture on it. Looks like somebody printed a Word document and aded a picture in the front. Don't waste your money..."

"Hello, I was very dissapointed ... very. I thought that this cookbook would teach me how to cook for my boyfriend, but instead it pretty much made him dump me. The reason, well, most of the reason, was because of the Team Edward Tacos. It says that they are supposed to be "glittery" and "dazzle" your guests, but it didn't tell me how it was supposed to be glittery with just ground beef and or lettuce.
First of all, Edward is a vegetarian! So, IDK why there is a beef rendition ... that would seem more like Team Jacob ... which is totally not cool with us Team Edwarders. Anyway, that is beside the point.
So, I did what it said, and put some glitter in it, and I also only put in lettuce because Edward doesn't eat beef. My boyfriend was all choking and stuff and thought I was stupid when I showed him the cook book."

"I checked this out of my local library, wondering if it was worth buying. It is not. I am a huge Twilight fan, but this book is so horrible, even I couldn't stand it. It is written so poorly, and contains so little of interest, it is hard to imagine anyone liking it. A few recipes claim to relate to the book (Mushroom Ravioli, Chicken Enchiladas, etc.), but the vast majority are completely irrelevant to the books. You could probably get better recipes by doing a google search. Plus, it is clear no one edited this book. There are tons of typos and even the quotes from the books are wrong. I would recommend that Amazon stop selling this book it is so bad."

" am embarrassed to have made such a stupid purchase. There are very few recipes, which is probably a good thing because they are just wrong--most people know that you don't boil the tortillas with the sauce for 30 minutes before making enchiladas. I'm assuming the book is not written for anyone who actually intends to use the recipes. A picture may be worth a 1000 words, but you won't find any pictures, illustrations or scribbles in this 60-odd page booklet (with usually one inacurrate or mundane receipe per page). If I had written the novels I would be furious at the blatant attempt to capitalize on my talent by selling such garbage by insinuating a relationship. This is not a book that most fans of the "Twilight" series would enjoy or even want in their home. Shame on me for not going to the library, too."

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Geek Spy: Super Mario NDS Cases



Show off your Geek cred with this NDS 'character kit' from Amazon. Choose from the ever popular Mario or the older ugly duckling Luigi. (Sidenote, why is it in Super Mario world, the short chubby one is more popular while in the real world we all strive to be skinny and tall? There's a fable waiting to be written here...)US$15

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Blood Lust



It seems like Geeks aren't the only fans of True Blood... the incomparable Snoop Dogg has just immortalized Mizz Sookie Stackhouse in his anthem, Oh Sookie. (Maybe not "just" though, this is like a month old I think.) Besides the fact that this song features the best lyrics EVER (Bill ain't for real / he ain't true blood / Snoop is a G / I smoke true bud), there are also a million other reasons to watch this youtube vid in excruciating detail...

For example, the fact that Snoop rocks both a statement necklace (trend alert!) and a multi-finger ring (multi trend alert!) emblazoned with the word SOOKIE. Or the fact that, despite being unwilling to give Snoop a role on the show, True Blood mastermind Alan Ball did allow the rapper to film on the actual set, at Merlotte's. A favour which Snoop repays by saying, of Merlotte's owner, "Sam ain't a man he done turned into a bitch." Which seems a liiiittle unfair from a guy who's name is Snoop DOGG and who is wearing a brown fur coat. Mr Dogg essentially spends the rest of the song convincing the coveted Miss Stackhouse to go to bed with him in the daytime, just as five Sookie wannabes gyrate and grind in the background. The lyrics are typically dirty and offensive, but given the subject matter (a sex and violence-filled TV show), it's arguably no worse than maenad-induced orgies on the beach.

Oh and before we go to the lyrics after the cut, let's take a moment to appreciate the gratuitous addition of the buxom "Fangbanger," who is meant to be a sexy embodiment of a generic vampire-loving slut, but strangely reminds me more of the character Pubes from Conan O' Brien.

[Intro]
I wanna do bad things with you
I wanna do real bad things with you

What’s happenin’ Sookie
It’s Snoop Dogg
I’m only in Bon Temps for one day
Come close baby
I’m the Dogg that don’t bite
Woof, woof

[Chorus]
Oh Sookie
Let me get in your head
Oh Sookie
We can lay in the bed
Oh Sookie
Choose a player like me
Do it in the daytime with the D-O double G
Oh Sookie
Can I take you away
Oh Sookie
You ever been to LA?
Oh Sookie
Come and play on my team
Oh Sookie
We’ll do it in the daytime
Bill won’t know a thing

Oh Sookie
Take this mary jay cookie
And roll with the Dogg, vampires can’t hook me
You outta Bon Temps
You need a Bon pimp
A real Don Juan
You might get whipped
Yellow cars ain’t fly
So hop in my jet
Try to read my mind
You might get wet
Choose big or lose big
I know all the spots
Then order you a gin and juice at Merlotte’s

On LYBIO.net you can find - The Largest community of social networking with text-script-video blogging service. http://www.lybio.net
[Chorus]
Oh Sookie
Let me get in your head
Oh Sookie
We can lay in the bed
Oh Sookie
Choose a player like me
Do it in the daytime with the D-O double G
Oh Sookie
Can I take you away
Oh Sookie
You ever been to LA?
Oh Sookie
Come and play on my team
Oh Sookie
We’ll do it in the daytime
Bill won’t know a thing

Leave a stain on my brain
Can a dog get some love
Won’t trick you like Eric
And make you drink blood
Sookie Stackhouse but Snoop he stack a grip
Sam ain’t a man he done turned into a bitch
Bill ain’t for real
He ain’t True blood
Snoop is a G
I smoke true bud
Wanna be a vampire
Gotta listen up
I hit you with a glamor
I think you wanna suck these nuts

[Chorus]
Oh Sookie
Let me get in your head
Oh Sookie
We can lay in the bed
Oh Sookie
Choose a player like me
Do it in the daytime with the D-O double G
Oh Sookie
Can I take you away
Oh Sookie
You ever been to LA?
Oh Sookie
Come and play on my team
Oh Sookie
We’ll do it in the daytime
Bill won’t know a thing

See Sookie
You should come try some of this
You know I get more pussy than your brother
Oh yeah and bring a friend
Matter fact bring your best friend, Tara
I got some real eggs for her to eat
And these eggs come with a whole lot of cheese and greens

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Bag Attack


With the plastic bag levy having been in effect for a year now, I’ve discovered there has been a significant increase in the number of recycle bags I own. What tends to happen is whenever I need a bag, I don’t have one and I decide to invest in a recycle bag thinking that I will surely bring it out next time. And so the bags pile up in my closet. Therefore it is surely insane of me to contemplate buying more recycle bags right? But check out Australia’s designer reusable bag brand Envirosax. They just launched their Fall/Winter 2010 Collection in Hong Kong and I’m sorely tempted to buy them as a series. Maybe they would be good gifts? (Sorry ShoeGeek. I guess you know what you’re getting for Christmas this year.) Tell me, are these as great as I think they are or am I having shopping withdrawal from the embargo I’ve put myself onto? The Fall/Winter Collection includes the Bloom Series; Nomad Series and Kids Series. All bags are made from Grade A polyester and retails for HK$90 each. Available at LCX (Tsim Sha Tsui store); Citysuper & Logon; PageOne and Dymocks (Citygate and Discovery Bay stores). See images after the cut.

Bloom Series


Nomad Series

Kids Series

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

iPhone Show & Tell: Ask the Octopus



Take a random phenomenon based on a world event. Slap on a cute image and some programming for the image to choose one of two variables. Sell it as an iPhone/iPad app for US$0.99. And it will become the 23 Top Paid app. It’s another case of the snuggie where we kick ourselves for not thinking of doing this first.

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Warehouse Sale: Dorian Ho


Interested in getting email alerts notifying you of upcoming warehouse sales? Sign up here.

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