Instant Goddess blows the DETOX

Ok, ok we all knew I had it coming… after 12 days of “my body is a temple”, the doors got well and truly blown off the temple over the weekend. Booze, dairy, carbs, caffeine: the whole shebang. There was the small matter of a monopoly night at a friend’s house with free flow mojitos  and loads of lovely ‘80s nibbles including that all time Brit classic of cheese and pineapple sticks – it would have been rude not to have indulged. The dress code was strictly: dress as your given monopoly board piece. I was the car and decided to go as the Rolls Royce “Spirit of Ecstasy” (the ornament that adorns the bonnet) this involved lurex silver jumpsuit, white angel wings sprayed with silver hairspray, silver masquerade mask and my very own RR logo on my chest. I needed a bit of Dutch courage just to step out the front door past our doormen but the taxi driver didn’t even bat an eyelid. After all, this town loves to dress-up, I guess he had seen it all before. All was going well until I had this overwhelming urge to dance on the monopoly board much to the hostess’ chagrin…whoopsie!

Anyway, after the weekend, I’m now feeling bloated and hefty, and thank goodness I don’t have to don a silver lurex number for a while. But onwards and upwards… best foot forward, I’m going to repair those temple doors this week!

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this week’s HK Magazine and that favourite UK high street fashion brand Next is available in HK via www.nextdirect.com and is offering free delivery to Hong Kong in 2-3 working days… YEE-HA! As well as affordable womenswear, menswear, there’s also kids and homeware too! More on this next week.

So back to our FashOff… ASOS v Shopbop and this week it’s Shopbop’s turn!

This was actually more difficult than I expected. The difficulty lay in finding as many reasonably priced designs on Shopbop as on ASOS. In my book, ASOS wins hands down on most reasonably priced selection of high street brands and designers… sorry Shopbop. But after my trawl, this is what I came up with using the same categories as last week.

 

Embellishment, baroque, sequins and all that glitters

Given that this is my favourite category, I was disappointed at the lack of embellishment that Shopbop had to offer… it was more about the sequins and glitter for Shopbop and not much jewel encrusting happening. Oh give me gems Shopbop – not sequins!

Parker beaded flapper dress, $3015 | Parker sequin dress, $2660 | Parker beaded jacket, $2660

April May Noa sequin sweatshirt, $2070 | Funktional Weiland sheer back sweater, $690 

Leather

There wasn’t much reasonably priced leather on Shopbop, so it was all about the Faux keeping it real. And I am very excited about the M Missoni faux leather leggings below that could possibly be coming to a post box near me soon if I play my cards right.

ONE by Bailey 44 not in the dark dress wrap skirt with faux leather bodice, $2215 | Velvet Blush faux leather jacket, $1370 | BB Dakota Zane leather lapel blazer, $820

M Missoni solid faux leather leggings, $1975 | Blank Denim vegan moto leather skinny pants, $710 | Club Monaco Tasha leggings, $1125

Military

I am loving the Three Floor Field trip parka in at no.1 belo… military and fur what a fabulous combo. Camouflage is supposed to be big this season, but if I often struggle to find stuff in camo that I like. But I could even stretch to the skinnies below. OK I know the Sherpa vest in at no.3 below is not strict military, but in times of need a Sherpa will get you out of hot water just as much as the military on a mountain… tenuous link I know but it’s the best I can do. Shopbop isn’t loving the military this season.

Three floor field trip parka, $2560 | True Religion skinny jeans in camouflage print, $1845 | Velvet urban Sherpa vest, $1400

Brocade & opulent print

Again, I struggled to find rich opulent materials that were reasonably priced. The best I could come up with were skinny jeans in brocade prints.

7 For All Mankind brocade foil skinny velvet pants, $1595 | J Brand mid rise brocade jeans, $3215 | Rag & Bone The Skinny Corduroy Pants, $1505

Lace & Crochet

 

Of Two Minds Delia crochet lace dress, $2370 | Tibi foil lace organza combo top, $2615 | Free People marais sweater dress, $725

LBD

 

 

T-bags Los Angeles lace dress with chiffon skirt, $1315 | Shoshanna Melanee one shoulder dress, $3020 | Soft Joie Naiayla Dress, $1190

Shoes

Again no flats this week, we’re strictly heels all the way! My faves have to be the Schutz Fiona Suede studded numbers in at no.4 below… as you know I do love a stud.

 

ROSEGOLD Dylan high heel booties, $1935 | Badgley Mischka Mysti peeptoe booties, $2055 | Matt Bernson Jardin glitter booties, $1755

Schutz Fiona Suede Shoes, $1490 | Badgley Mischka glitter humbie pump, $1610 | Schutz Fatima tonal studded heel pump, $1450

Hair

This week Andrea Clark, Creative Director of The Mandarin Salon at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong asks to brush or not to brush?

I hated having to brush my hair as a child and to be honest, I usually run my hands through my hair rather than brush it. My hair is wavy and whenever I brush it, would make me look like the wicked witch from the west.

However, not to worry because help is at hand! I recommend using an anti-static brush like Philip Kingsley’s Vented Paddle brush. It has a soft cushion to ensure gentle pressure, it has rounded and widely spaced pins for an easy grip without tangling, and best of all, it comes in a size that fits snugly in your handbag.

Another famous brand is Mason Pearson brushes, made with bristles of nylon and boar. The people at Mason Pearson have been making these brushes since 1885. They must know what they are doing and there’s quite a selection to choose from.

It feels great when a brush runs over the scalp smoothly, stimulating blood flow to the follicles, but just be careful the bristles aren’t too sharp, ultimately scratching the skin. Brushing the hair when wet, which is when it is at its weakest, is also something to be wary of.

Clean your brush regularly too. It’s not supposed to look like a mohair sweater you know! Cleaning does not just mean removing the hair, but also soaking your beloved brushes in hot soapy water, rinsing and air drying. You’ll be surprised how much dirt gets trapped in them.

Don’t let me put you off brushing or owning a brush. It is up to you, but try to be gentle and by the way, brushing your hair 100 times a day is not necessary. It is all a myth.

Midweek meal inspiration

So, I’m back on the salad trail and I’m going to run the risk of being a diet bore and give you another recipe for a quinoa salad. But this will be the last time that we have a quinoa recipe for a while… promise! This week it’s one of “Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals” as in Mr Jamie Oliver. I give you a Blackened Chicken with San Fran Quinoa Salad – recipe below. If you want to make it healthier, then omit the feta cheese and yoghurt… I did! That’s one temple door back up.

Yogi tea saying of the week: “You will never find happiness if you do not conquer you own doubt”.

Instant Goddess saying of the week: “It was the Rolls Royce of parties until my wheels fell off”

Until next week Goddesses and remember you are always, always worth it! XX