Thursday, May 31, 2012

SHOErotica: The Furries


Have to give kudos to my girls who sought out the furry shoes I wanted at the Pedder sale a couple weeks back. The Wangs were nowhere to be found but the Sergios were available in two sizes (neither of which were my 38). Oh well. Luckily I am a woman of adaptable foot size, so I've guilt-tripped Tina into ceding hers to me, muahaha. I just have to go try them now! Wave if you see me tottering through Central in furry blue shoes!

Read More...

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Sweet Cream


Just a quick one, more later on this hopefully... but Laduree has launched a pop-up for its 150th anniversary, at Lane Crawford's "Blitz" station at its store in Tsim Sha Tsui. If you're thinking "yay, macaroons!" then please, hold that thought. It's actually a boatload of Laduree merch, from candles to umbrellas to home fragrances to face and body creams, all in flavours as delectable as the macaroons themselves. My pick? Undoubtedly the almond-scented body cream, which brings to mind delicious thoughts of almond tofu and other yummy things... it's $500 to moisturize your entire self and then another $20 to go downstairs to the dessert shop and buy yourself a serving of almond tofu dessert.

Read More...

Retail Therapy: Victoria Beckham

So I’m always conscious of my fat arms which is why you never see me in anything sleeveless. But this doesn’t deter me from wanting this Victoria Beckham Color-block stretch-crepe dress. The pop of yellow really appeals to me and maybe if I wear it while hiding in my usual black blazer, it will still work?

Read More...

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Pencil It In

Pencil It In

Never has it seemed more essential that I own a pencil skirt in some sort of loud, graphic floral print. It's Givenchy, of course, that gave me floral-pencil-brain, but a few other brands do convincing interpretations. Although eventually, one naturally turns to Asos for substitutes. I bookmarked this lovely specimen only to discover it sold out in my size within the 24-hour period I gave myself to think about it (always wise when making online purchases, else one fritter away one's whole salary on frivolous whim purchases). Boohoo. The moral is, don't just pencil it in, GET IT DONE. Spoken like a true procrastinator.



Read More...

Retail Therapy: Alexander McQueen

The day job is keeping me incredibly busy this week with a major three-day event and so apologies in advance for the lack of inspiration for my blog posts. I will have to count on my Geek in crime, Christina to keep you entertained. From me this week, I’m just choosing four items that caught my eye while trying to refrain from shopping on Net-a-Porter. Behold my first item of lust, the Alexander McQueen Swarovski crystal skull and claw ring

Read More...

Monday, May 28, 2012

Japanstagram


Managed to jam in quite a bit in my whirlwind 48-hour press trip to Tokyo. Appreciate the view from the 48th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Eat gifted Laduree pistachio and vanilla macaroons in the bathtub reading my kindle and drinking grape juice thefted from the Traveller's Lounge at Hong Kong airport, then sitting down for a nine-course kaiseki dinner in the restaurant downstairs. Did an interview, ate the best soft-boiled egg with ramen, had a facial at the wonderful ESPA. My first time at one. Hopefully not my last. Attended a cocktail event, saw some 125 carat diamond. As well as a little old lady wearing a multi-million-dollar brooch, being trailed by a sales assistant holding her two handbags -- one, a multi-coloured LV shoulder bag; the other, a mini Hermes Kelly with a GIANT miffy keychain hanging from it. Ate at that Kill Bill restaurant. FaceTimed Foxy for the first time! Worked out how to use those machines that dispense food receipts in restaurants, all in the name of a croquette curry. Decided to start another blog, about eggs. Shopped in Shibuya, got chided by an Opening Ceremony staff member for touching the display plates. Acquired three Pierre Herme macaroons at prices so exorbitant I could have an entire lunch for less than the price of one. And somehow made it back home to enjoy those in bed, in Hong Kong.

Read More...

Louis Vuitton presents "100 Legendary Trunks" iPad Application

There’s something inherently cool about having a trunk lying around in the apartment or bringing on with you when you go on vacation. Maybe it’s the perception of retro glamour. Of course, I don’t relish the idea of lugging it around but in my imaginary scenario there’s always someone who carries it for me. And since I don’t really see this happening soon, I’m going to satisfy my craving for trunks with the newly launched Louis Vuitton iPad app where you can voyeuristically check out some of the brand’s iconic trunks such as the bed-trunk made for the explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, trunks for the illusionist Harry Houdini or the fashion designer Paul Poiret, the suitcase for Elizabeth of England, the vanity case for Sharon Stone, the artist’s trunk for Takashi Murakami. Don’t have an iPad? Check out some of the behind the scenes material in the above video.

Read More...

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Oceans '12


Helping my co-worker Vivienne spread the word about this fundraising bash she and a bunch of other cool people are organizing. The second annual Oceans '12 supports conservation charities Ocean Recovery Alliance and Sea Shepherd Hong Kong, specifically targeting issues such as the plastic vortex, unsustainable overfishing, and cetacean slaughter. The $300 door charge ($250 if you buy in advance, online) will gain you entrance to the party at Volar after 9:30pm on June 8. More info here!

Read More...

Friday, May 25, 2012

Bag Lady: Stella McCartney Alice neon resin box clutch

I can't quite get enough of resin box clutches... you may recall the Charlotte Olympia one I loved before and say this is similar especially with the colour but regardless, I still love this Stella McCartney Alice neon resin box clutch and still want it!

Read More...

Thursday, May 24, 2012

SHOErotica: Versus Decollete Patent-leather and Mesh Pumps


Ice cream time!

Get them at net a porter.

Read More...

Hey Sailor from MAC

Feast your eyes on MAC’s Hey Sailor collection, a massive 40-piece collection that gears up for the summer months of junk trips. From lipsticks, eye shadows, lip glosses, lip and eye liners, nail polish, bronzing powders, mascaras and brush, Hey Sailor dons on the something for everyone hat. What do you think? Makeup overload or will you be picking some of the items to spruce up your summer makeup collection? Available June 1.

Read More...

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Waddup Wasson


The undisputed queen of effortless cool; the girl every blogger wants to be, whether she's Rumi Neely or one of the hundred Rumi wannabes. The girl who made not washing your hair the chicest thing on the planet. The girl who made no-makeup makeup a thing. The girl who made other girls ruin all their best jeans trying to achieve the ultimate cut-off shorts. The girl whose face fills the rest of this blog post: piercing eyes, long limbs, flawless abs, tousled hair and indescribable It quotient. Ladies and gentleman, Erin Wasson.


Images: Fashion Gone Rogue

Read More...

Al Fresco Sunday Brunch at Kowloon Shangri-La

Food and travel guest blogger hkLifestyleGeek gives us her next scoop on fantastic restaurants.

If you're on the Kowloon side looking for a laid-back place to dig into some Sunday brunch, look no further than Tapas Bar at the Kowloon Shangri-La. It's a cosy bar area behind the lobby and it opens up to the harbour area for some al fresco dining. The day we went it was a beautiful day, the sun made an appearance and we even got a slight tan outside. Pedestrians walking by will look on with envy as you dig into some gourmet dishes presented buffet style.

There's an international selection of goodies, starting with freshly shucked Coffin Bay oysters from Australia, sushi and sashimi, and freshly sliced Iberico and Serrano ham. Enjoyed the juicy plump scallops speared with young asparagus stalks, while the organic greens are refreshing but there's there seem to be four mystery dressings as they weren't properly labelled.

Other items include black olive tapenade with snapper in vinegar, and a cantaloupe, chorizo and artichoke salad that were delish. We also loved the marinated olives and aubergine, tuna cubes, and cheese fans will appreciate the selection on the cheeseboard, with most soft cheeses.

But wait -- we haven't gotten to the mains yet.
You can choose from the Boston lobster, chopped lengthwise and roasted, paella with mussels and Serrano ham, and the sinfully decadent beef tenderloin with a giant piece of panfried foie gras on top. The grilled lamb chops with pesto was excellent and a good small portion considering we were already almost full.

Brunch isn't complete with dessert, and again there's a tempting array of sweet finishes to the meal. They're all small portions, so it's only too easy to try all of them.

The vanilla creme brulee was excellent as well as the white chocolate pudding with red currant and mango, and of course the fresh fruit platter. Other desserts include coconut agar agar and hazelnut cheesecake.

Prices for the brunch are as follows: Without wine it's HK$398 per person, and then with wine it's either an additional HK$150 for four choices or HK$280 for the sommelier selection of six wines.

Tapas Bar Sunday Brunch
Sundays and public holidays 11am-3pm
Kowloon Shangri-La
64 Mody Road
Tsim Sha Tsui East
Kowloon
2733 8756
www.shangri-la.com

Read More...

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Going for the Golding


We're past the days of the Victorian era, when it was only proper for a lady to don a hat for a stroll to town... And sometimes I think it's a shame that we've dispensed with such formalities in our wardrobes. Like when you get a load of Awon Golding's perfectly sophisticated headwear. I don't tend to be a lover of the chapeau for practical reasons (as if I don't wear enough ridiculous stuff to the office) but if I were, I would be very enamoured indeed of these elegantly proportioned pieces, large enough so they don't have that "not a barrette, not quite a hat" syndrome going on, but discreet enough that it's not like some colourful beast is trying to eat your face.

Items available at Hatwoman.


Read More...

Food Revolution Day Hong Kong

This past Saturday was Food Revolution Day, a concept by Jamie Oliver where the purpose is to encourage people to avoid processed food and making real food again by cooking. The talented e_ting decided to take it upon herself to do a Hong Kong event that celebrates Food Revolution Day and single handedly put together an awesome cooking event held at a new private kitchen called Culinart in Wong Chuk Hang.

Chef Stanley Wong (who's cooked at Jean-George Vongerichten’s Spice Market in New York, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong) demonstrated how to easily put together salads and pastas in less then five minutes while using organic vegetables from Au Law Organic Farm and Bon Vivant Organics alongside organic pastas. After a short cooking demo, we settled into a long table (there were about 30 of us so I do mean long) to enjoy lunch while learning about biodynamic wines from Romain Comte of La Truffière and happy beef that run free at the Cedar River farm distributed by Angliss Hong Kong Food Service. There was also a delicious tasting parmesan cheese dip as well as the most adorable fresh bread baked in flower pots. All in all, was a great experience with a group of foodies.

I’m certainly guilty of throwing processed food (frozen dumplings has been a staple of my diet since college days) thinking it’s much quicker and faster but once you actually see how little time it takes to prepare everything and with the summer months approaching, I might just try to recreate the salad even when I come home dead tired after work. Click on to see photos of the food we ate (which I’m just stealing from my Instagram feed) and also a recipe for the warmed castelluccio lentil & faro pasta salad with organic honey dressing and goat cheese.

Warmed Castelluccio Lentil & Faro Pasta Salad with organic honey dressing and goat cheese recipe

1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp organic honey
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp organic olive oil
2 tbsp castelluccio lentils, cooked (or canned)
½ cup faro pasta, cooked
1 sprig thyme
½ cup rocket salad, washed & dried
1 pc crottin goat cheese
1 tbsp spiced almonds, crushed
1 slice parma ham, dried in the oven, crushed

1. Combine mustard, honey and vinegar, then using a whisk incorporate the oil. Season to taste with salt & pepper.

2. Warm lentils in a pan, then add the pasta and thyme.

3. Mix the rocket with the dressing.

4. Place the lentils & pasta on a plate then top with rocket salad.

5. Crumble the cheese around the salad, sprinkle with nuts & parma ham crisps.

6. Drizzle some additional olive oil over the salad and grind some black pepper on top.

Read More...