Instant Goddess calls on Caty’s hip new hangouts, dashes into Damina and marches to Marks and Spencer for A/W inspiration

New shops on the block

Not one, but two new shops to tantalise your style taste buds this week, Goddesses! Instant Goddess has been out pounding the streets once again and came across a couple of little gems just for you…

Caty goes from strength to strength – a firm Sassy fave since we discovered Caty on Caine Road last year with its traffic-stopping statement bling – we’re very pleased to report that this little shop has grown and is now a bona fide Hong Kong chain with new store openings in both Wanchai and Sheung Wan, and another one on the way at a secret destination as yet to be revealed. Follow Caty on Facebook to discover more!

For the bargain hunters amongst you, the Wanchai store slightly differs from its Caty sisters, as it concentrates solely on previous seasons’ collections with up to 80% off. Ching! More bling!

BUT what got Instant Goddess really excited was popping into their new shop at 11 Aberdeen Street and seeing that they’ve branched into clothing with some fab party and day wear, as well as keeping to what they do so well… BIG BLING! Just add one of their signature statement necklaces and, hey presto, you’ll be the belle of the ball.

Dresses in the Aberdeen store range from $799 to $1399 for the more intricate designs. Other pieces start at $399.

Apologies for some of the photography on this one as I was left to my own devices… but you get the idea that Caty is definitely worth a trip down Aberdeen Street.

And while you’re in the ‘hood don’t forget to check out Dear Bell next door for way-out there bling and Evelyn Artwear up the hill for fab one-off jewellery finds.

Ooh, I feel a little shopping trip coming on… credit cards at the ready!

Caty on Caine Road: G/F, 73 Caine Road, Midlevels, Hong Kong.
(Close to Cafe O on the escalator and on the same side of the road), phone: 2809 4988.

Caty in Wanchai: G/F, 126 Wan Chai Road (Near Tai Yau Plaza), Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Caty in Sheung Wan: 11 Aberdeen Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

Damina

While you’re out and about check out Damina, recently opened on Elgin Street (opposite Buttonhole and next door to A Moment in Time and Déjà vu). If you’re clinging onto the last days of summer, they have maxis galore and shorter dresses if maxis ain’t your thing, both in fabulous, eye catching prints and with some magnificent pops of colour to boot. And what’s more, the summer collection is currently on sale so if you have a wedding, special party or event coming up or maybe you’re in need of some retail therapy or having one of those just because moments, Damina could be just the shopping remedy you need. But it’s certainly not all about the summer, for the cooler months ahead they have a new autumn/winter collection to entice you.

To give you an idea of prices, maxis are priced between $1990 and $2190 and for the sale shoppers amongst you many are currently on sale. And if you’re too busy to make it to Damina you can also buy online – so do check out their website.

If you do visit Damina, and have time afterwards for a bit more shoppa-shop, don’t forget to head next door to my trusty fave Déjà vu. If you don’t get your shopping fix here, head down to Betty Blue (down the hill and around the corner on Staunton Street) for some fab designer frocks at massively reduced prices. Shopping tip: always ask if they have larger sizes as Déjà vu and Betty Blue only put small sizes out on the racks and – amazingly for the ‘Kong – they often do have larger sizes or can order them for you. They get new deliveries on Fridays… so on your marks, get set, go!

Damina, 63 Peel Street, Shop 1A, 1/F, Central, Hong Kong; Tel 2559 9750; email [email protected]

Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday; 12pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 12pm – 10pm.

www.daminafashion.com

Marks & Spencer

As well as the new kids on the block, trusty old M&S still has a few tricks up its sleeve this autumn/winter and can still give the youngsters a run for their money. The top spot of the day was the miraculous-sounding “Drop a dress size” dress (see picture below). My expert advice? Try this on in store then buy online as it’s far cheaper in the UK – priced at approximately $755 as opposed to $1100 in Hong Kong. M&S ship to HK for around $120, so you’ll make a good saving. Oh, and according to the reviews it’s better for the smaller-busted as it’s quite tight on top.  Instant Goddess found quite a few items that needed the utmost resolve and discipline to be left unattended on the shelves. If only money grew on trees…

Top left: Red panel “Drop a dress size” dress, $1100; Top right: leopard print shirt, $499, (team with black shorts for now as it starts to cool off or with black jeggings and leather jacket for winter); Bottom left: red tunic dress, $799, (pair with long brown boots for winter); Bottom right: black leather jacket, $1300 from the Autograph range at M&S.

Midweek Meal Inspiration

No more prawns, don’t worry (there was a little glitch in the matrix where we ran two spicy prawn recipes, both different, but back to back… and although very good there are only so many spicy prawns one should eat back to back!).

Do you know that there are only 63 days until Christmas? So with that in mind I give you Christmas Kedgeree (courtesy of Red Online) and with just enough time to hone your kedgeree cooking skills and impress your in-laws (or whoever else may need impressing).

Of course you could always add a prawn or two if you fancy…

Yogi tea saying of the week: “Don’t sleep counting sheep (or prawns), count blessings, then sleep”.

Instant Goddess saying of the week: “Did you hear about the shrimp that went to the prawn cocktail party? He pulled a mussel”!

Don’t forget Goddesses you are ALWAYS, ALWAYS worth it XX