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

Shanghai Highlights

Had my first full day of shopping and brought back a trove of treasures...more on that later. First, a quick photo update of Shanghai.

On day 1 we traveled to Suzhou, about a 45 minute drive from Shanghai to visit the countryside towns and gardens. We visited the Humble Administrator's Garden, a world UNESCO site and considered one of China's four finest classical gardens. The garden was created during the Tang dynasty (618-907) as a scholar garden, and later was acquired by a government official and enlarged into a series of pavilions and ponds connected by walkway paths during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). We also visited some of the water villages nearby, some of which were built nearly 500 years ago also in the Ming dynasty.

Above and two pictures below: Humble Administrator's Garden




Pictures below: water village

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

My Momma's Fierce

Have you ever seen those little old Chinese ladies that walk around with purple hair, skin tight leopard leotards (possibly glittery), a monstrous piece of jade, and a Gucci handbag and act like they own the place? Hubby thinks I might become one of those "ci lais" in my old age and I say please kill me if I do. Lainey's mom, or "Chinese Squaking Chicken", seems to fit this description, and thankfully my momma isn't as extreme as that. No doubt she is fierce; like the time she rocked the skinny leather jeans way better than me at Teenflo. I'm stealing those back.

Another item I'm pilfering from mom is her Italian red, gold, and grey silk scarf, shown above.

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.

First Hit - Fox Opticals

After sleeping in a comfy bed in the sky courtesy of Cathay Pacific, I arrived on Saturday morning in Hong Kong. After a short refresh and dim sum, I headed out to my favorite and only choice for eyewear: Fox Opticals (12 Cochrane Street in Central, Hong Kong). I have been coming here for years, and these guys know how to do it right. Highly attentive service, a wide array of designer brands (Marc by Marc Jacobs, Dior, Prada, Oliver Peoples to name a few), and the very best in lens technology (thinner and lighter than anything you'll be able to find in Vancouver) are their trademarks, and locals and tourists alike climb the steep narrow steps to find this tiny shop for top quality eyewear. What I really love about Fox, is their expertise in finding you that perfect pair. Instead of having to pore through all countless pairs beneath the glass counter, these guys will pull out the best fitting pairs for you based on your prescription, face shape and personal style. They understand lenses, and how various prescriptions will affect the end result of how a pair of glasses might look.

I picked out a cotton candy pink titanium frame as my new pair of glasses, plus two pairs of shades. One for me and one for hubby. Modeling both pairs below.

Blue and Cream Wayfarers by RayBan.


Black aviators for hubby by Police. As hubby and I have the same face shape, in general shades that look good on me also work on him.

I did also try the Sofiane from Oliver Peoples but they were too big.

HK Hit List #4

Nearly done packing now and anticipation is building for the flight tomorrow.   #4 on the HK Hit List is a pair of soft, worn, vintagey feel shoes.  Whether they be platform sandals, laced up ankle boots, or flat nerdy chic oxfords, these all inspire a part hippie, part grandpa feeling vibe, and each pair is the perfectly laid-back cool.

Top: Rachel Comey Ackee wooden heel platform sandals from Sotto Boutique.

Middle: Devotte ankle boots from One of a Few.

Bottom: Oxfords from Top Shop.