Love Like a Sunset

It's my last day in Hong Kong. The weather finally let up so I was able to sneak in a few photies of my finds. I've been very focused on ticking off the items I wanted off the Hit Lists - and then some =D.

Style wise, this trip has been inspiring. The people here really know how to dress and seamlessly blend the latest trends into something wearable. It's definitely going to push my personal sartorial boundaries. Some of my past fears, like harem pants, crazy prints, and bright colours, have been conquered.

I'm sad to leave but there's also so much to look forward to. The Canucks are starting the first round of the playoffs against the LA Kings, and I've got a surf weekend break soon. I can't wait to try out my new board!

And leaving Asia behind, I've got Europe to look ahead to. Official planning starts when I get home! Any advice please on shopping, eating, staying in Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam is appreciated.

Wearing:
Blue floral baby doll tank, gift from mom
Abstract circle print zipper skirt, from Hong Kong
White textured rose pin cardigan, stolen from mom
Gucci handbag, circa mid 90's, stolen from mom
Platform strappy heels, Belle
Round "wood" shades, custom made
Coral with yellow and white diamonds ring, custom, remade vintage gift

Thoroughly Bred

I took some quick snaps yesterday before I headed out to watch horse racing at the Happy Valley Racetrack in Hong Kong. I forgot to show you my new mini purse, tiny like the one I posted about before. I found this Japanese label called Ambient, and I've been stocking up on some not-some-basic basics. *Warning* long post!

Like this pair of paneled, stretchy riding pants. And these cuffed platform Elizabeth and James-ish booties. Both by Ambient.

For such a simple outfit, normally I would play up the accessories. Since I'm away, I didn't bring much. I did spice things up with my custom made, perfectly round shades (kinda like these Lanvin sunnies that I coveted). If you look closely, the frame looks as though it was made from dark grained wood. My lovely friends at Fox Optical were kind enough to create this one-of-a-kind piece for me.

There's also a lovely story behind my new coral with yellow and white diamonds ring, from my mother. I'll have to save that for another post.

Now, on to the horse racing. We had the corporate box through my dad, and we enjoyed a full dinner buffet. Some of the dishes included tandoori salmon, curry lamb, roast pork loin, and coconut prawns. It was delicious.

We were taken down to the concourse level for one of the races. We got to watch the horses warm up; it was awesome to see them so up close. Then, we watched the race right next to the track at the finish line. As the horses thundered towards the finish line, the level of excitement from the crowd was deafening. I couldn't get any pictures of the horses as they were going so fast. All I know is I would give just about anything to have a go around the track full steam on a thoroughbred. I'll just have to imagine that the next time I ride around the track at Southlands.

We came home with our tummies full and pockets empty since none of us won on our bets. I took some videos of the race and warm-up below. Please excuse the crappy music - I don't have any music here with me.

Outfit:
Deconstructed grey tee, from Hong Kong
Stretchy skinny riding pants and cuffed boots, Ambient
Vest, mom's
Round black sunnies, custom creation using Mitsu Cairo frames

HK Hist List 3: One Leg at a Time

Hi loves!! I've arrived in Hong Kong so wanted to squeeze in a quickie before heading out. The weather here is crappy but I'm hoping it turns around soon because I'm taking a riding lesson tomorrow at the Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre! I'm sooo pumped - it's one of the few private barns on Hong Kong (most of the others are run by the Jockey Club) and it's supposed to be fancy. My niece is just starting to ride so we'll be heading out together. I also hit up a few stores yesterday - including Burberry (badly wanted one of the trenches from Spring 2010 but no small sizes left), agnes b (sorry I'm missing the accent aigu) and Anna Sui.

Hit List 3 comes a little late since I already started checking it off the list within my 24 hours of arriving. Because I'm short, I have a hard time finding great fitting pants. Now that I'm back amongst a population where everyone else is my size, I need to shop for pants!

I'm loving anything that's tapered and slightly baggier around the waist. Khaki pants haven't been on my list for a while but it's back big time this spring with military/safari inspired looks. And a grey pair of tapered pants will go with just about anything in my closet.

Below: Elie Tahari khaki pants and Kimchi Blue grey trousers from Urban Outfitters

On the casual side, I'm keeping my eyes open for slouchy, cropped sweats.

Below: T by Alexander Wang grey sweats and Elizabeth and James City Slicker pants

I love to maximize mileage with clothes that go from weekday to weekend. With the right tops and accessories, I can dress these twill cargos and skinny leggings up or down.

Below: Juicy Couture twill cargo pants and Urban Outfitters black leggings.

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend! Heading out now for some old school dim sum.

HK Hit List

Hi friends! Hope you all had a great St. Patrick's Day. I've been MIA lately and it's because I've been quite sick. This past weekend I did little other than sleep. I was very sick only a couple of weeks ago. I never quite got over it so here I go again. I'm starting to get better but I'm still a ways off from getting back to normal.

I really need to get well soon because in about 2 weeks time I'm flying to Hong Kong for a quick holiday. I need to muster up all my energy so I can be a super aunt to my niece and baby nephew, plus do a ton of shopping!

Like my trip last year, I'm putting together my HK Hit List over the next 2 weeks to show you what kind of things I'm on the hunt for.

So first up on the HK Hit list: Mega Platforms

Ever since clogs graced the Chanel runway, I knew they would be a hit. This Elizabeth and James mule-like pair isn't quite the classic clog, but it's close enough for me.

I'm crazy for geometric, Aztec inspired desert prints this summer and this pair of L.A.M.B BirdCage Sandals is right on trend.

Yes I know I'm predictable but can I help it that I love practically every shoe MKA makes? These punchy suede pumps by Elizabeth and James are classy and cheeky - perfect for spring.

All images from Shopbop.com

Peaches and Cream

Today felt like Summer and there's nothing like biting into a sweet, ripe peach plucked from the orchards of the Okanagan.  I love grilled peaches, tossed with feta in a salad or with velvety vanilla ice-cream.  And the colours of this dress are just as sweet.  Silky, burnt peach on top, Devonshire cream on the bottom.  Paired with candy pink kitten heels.

In the photo, I realized my heels were sinking into the grass, so I did a little hop and skip which resulted in these action shots.

Dress and shoes from Florence Hill in Central, Hong Kong.  

My Michelle Obama Dress

Those of you who know me know that I just adore Mr. President Barack Obama.  I once even wrote a post about what to wear if I lunched with the President of the United States.  With this sleek, moody floral number, I think I've found my perfect dress if he should ever come to Vancouver.

I picked up this black dress and abstract, black and white floral peeptoe pumps from a lovely boutique called Florence Hill in Central, Hong Kong.  It has the most perfect dresses running in petit sizes, as well as shoes, jewelry and accessories - a one-stop shop if you're looking for a frock for an occasion.  

I call this my Michelle Obama dress because the detailing of the flowers reminds me of the creative textures and fabrics she often dons.  Like Mrs. O's style, this dress gives a new twist to a classic shape and theme (floral), and it makes me feel as sophisticated as the ladies who lunch. When I've got a dress like this on, it gives me the right to fling my hair however which way I choose.   J/K!! (ok not really).

It's All About Texture

I finally got around to getting some pics of my new stuff from the trip today. The weather wasn't as nice as I had hoped for, so I didn't get many outside snaps. That said, I still found a way to feature the gorgeous cherry blossoms that are in full bloom right now outside my house. I am also blogging from the EEE asus and I'm having problems with cropping photos so please excuse that.

I was so happy to have found three items from my HK Hit List: Fringed, Leather Jacket, and Cut-Out Bootie Sandals, all featured in this outfit. None of these items are brand names, but rather are from various boutiques in Hong Kong.

Brown bomber leather jacket: by Blues Heroes (haha not St.Louis tho - GO CANUCKS GO!). From Hong Kong
White beater fringed tank top: from a small boutique in Tsim Sha Tsui, HK
Blue Grey tiered skirt: from small boutique in Tsim Sha Tsui, HK
White leather mesh cut-out sandal slingbacks: from Causeway Bay, HK

HK Hit List #1

Ok this is somewhat cheating but as my trip is over as of tomorrow night (I depart midnight tomorrow), I have to get to the last Hit List item. It's actually items and I've already scored a few pieces here. Without further adieu, HK Hit List #1 - Fringed and Studded. I feel like I would be ready for Coachella in this ensemble.

I'm wearing -

Nirvana white tee (says "All in all is all we are" on the back and features graphic of Kurt Cobain from Smells like Teen Spirit video)
Fringed suede vest
Jean shorts
White woven, double wrap leather belt
Studded green leather strappy flat sandals
Baby pink "80's" satchel with fringy straps and hardware

Everything except for the jean shorts are items I have scored on this trip to HK.

Asia Food Bytes

The past week has been a food extravaganza here in Asia. It's been a real treat eating all my favorite foods as well as trying some new stuff. I've been spoiled with a wide variety of cuisines - from traditional Shanghainese noodles and dumplings to Asian Fusion to home-made Cantonese fare. I've also indulged in so much dessert and ice-cream that I think I can't eat another bite of sweets for at least a week!

I didn't take shots of all the good things I ate but here is a little photo recap to give you a taste. Some of my faves and/or most memorable meals are also listed below.

Above: my niece about to dig into her favorite dessert, souffle (or "softly" as she calls it).

We enjoyed Easter luncheon at the beautiful Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong today. Besides a selection of main courses, there was a buffet for starters, salads and dessert, as well as a pasta and prime roast carving station. Some of the delectable sweets featured below included a green tea tiramisu, mini hazelnut chocolate mousse dome, mini creme brulee, a variety of pannacotta served in shot glasses, strawberry cheesecake and an ice cream station. There was a lobster and white asparagus salad (served in a cocktail glass) which was also outstanding as an appetizer.






In Shanghai, we ate at an modern asian fusion place called T8. It's a pretty sexy and modern lounge and restaurant that serves lovely cocktails such as the Xintiandi Fizz that I ordered (gin, watermelon, strawberry and lychee juice and soda). The interior features black and red lacquered wood and cozy bench seating and low tables. I ordered the Duck, Three Ways, shown below.


My fave and/or most memorable food bytes:

• the best xiao long bao (meat and soup stuffed dumplings) and dan dan noodles (noodles in a spicy peanut sauce) at Crystal Jade Restaurant, Shanghai. The dumplings had beautifully thin skin and was stuffed full of soup inside.
  
• freshly made rice-rolls with extra sweet, sesame and spicy sauce from the market downstairs.
  
• five course meal featuring the Shanghai hairy crab in every single dish, where the meat is completely shelled. Some varieties included steamed crab served with sweet and sour vinegar, stir-fried crab legs with asparagus, stir-fried crab with hand made noodles, and in soupy dumplings.
• japanese soft serve ice cream on top of a sweet potato slice, served with red bean and dumplings on the side.
• smoked tea duck, "lion's head" (pork and spices) meatball in a clear broth, and dumplings at Fortune Palace in Shanghai
  
• extra thick toast with butter and condensed milk in a typical Hong Kong style cafe...yum!
  

HK Hit List #2

Shopping yesterday was extremely overwhelming as there is just an incredible amount of goodies here. I already picked up 3 pairs of shoes, some pretty frocks and a few other items. I have to stay focused, and one good way to do that is to get back to basics to my hit list. I've got another long day of shopping ahead today!

This next item is one that I've been desperately for a long time now. I keep looking for "the one", and I won't compromise on this. Item #2 on my HK Hit List: The Leather Jacket.

Below: S.W.O.R.D. Pradua Leather Jacket

Below: Gryphon Mini Moto Leather Jacket

Below: Mike and Chris Woven Leather Jacket (note the gorgeous woven detailing on the shoulders)

All images from Shopbop.com

HK Hit List #3

I only have a few days left in Hong Kong and I need to ramp up my shopping efforts to tick off some items from the Hit List. On the hunt for my Hit List #3: Floral prints. Dark and moody, abstract, or small sweet buds, they are all equally enchanting.


Above: Kate Moss for Top Shop black floral dress

Above: Anthropologie Rain Washed Dress

Above: Forever 21 sweetheart neckline floral tank

Surviving Expat Party Inferno in Style

No better way to get over jet lag than to hit up party central and stay up late. Who needs sleep anyways? I met up with a girlfriend from uni and went bar and club hopping in the infamous Lan Kwai Fong cauldron of expats and tourist party goers - a bubbling vat of drunken louts, goddesses teetering up and down the hilly streets with skyscraper heels, and leering, cigar-smoking business gentlemen sorts. Music of all types blasted out onto the streets and into the glitzy Hong Kong skies from the open-air cafes, bars, clubs and lounges. Party people of all ages melded into one big, sweaty crowd happily singing, dancing, and drinking in the cobble stone square. Lan Kwai Fong has an interesting history: prior to becoming an expat playground, it served as an area for hawkers and for Mui Yans, or matchmakers. Some things don't change, and Lan Kwai Fong still happily serves as a pick-up spot for the expat and tourist population.

Above: Road heading up to Lan Kwai Fong.
Below: Calm before the storm at the underground station.


Below: Studded mini hobo bag from Hugo Boss and olive patent flats with sparkly bows, both courtesy of my mom.


Below: at Hotel LFK, going up to FINDS Lounge (acronym for Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden - an ode to the Scandinavian style tapas and vodka served), a sleek and sexy lounge decked out with crystal chandelier curtains and teal and white banquettes.


Below: Throngs of party goers living it up.