Instant Goddess gets surfing

This week I’ve been addicted to House of Fraser and Etsy; I’ve had a bit of trouble sleeping due to jetlag so rather than counting sheep I’ve literally been counting dresses! In this desert of affordable high street clothing that is Hong Kong, I’m always on the look-out for reasonably priced clothes… and I’ll admit I’m a bit behind the curve with Etsy as friends have been banging on about this for ages, but I finally got around to checking it out and I’ve become quite hooked by how many reasonably priced designers ship to HK. Another friend told me about House of Fraser, a UK department store, that also ships to HK for HKD$120; ok I know it’s not free, but she ended up buying 6 dresses… so I thought this must be worth a look, and it was with some lines being very reasonably priced.

What the HoF?!
House of Fraser carries a good selection of popular UK brands like Phase 8, Warehouse, Coast, Hobbs, and even the new line from the Queen of Shops herself, Mary Portas. It also has its own brand Linea, which often has good,affordable designs. What’s more, there’s currently up to 30% off certain lines, which definitely makes it worth a gander in my book.

To kick off, Phase 8 have some great maxis and floral numbers: Hayward maxi with jewel embellished neckline reduced to £88 (HKD$1078) and Multicoloured Maxi reduced to £79.20 (HKD$968). If you’re unfamiliar with Phase 8, the quality is good.

It’s that contour dress again a la Stella McCartney, this time in a black and white floral print!! Phase 8 Rosemary and Marjorie dresses reduced to £79.20 (HKD$968).

But it was the less well known brands like Almari, Madam Rage (love the name!), Cutie, Glamorous and Damsel in a Dress to name a few that really got my shopping pulse racing! Fastest finger on the mouse Goddesses, so you never have to have that Zara or H&M moment where someone has the same dress on as you. As for the HKD$120 postage… you won’t even be thinking about it as some of these frocks are so reasonably priced.

Red mesh dress £26 (HKD$318) and vintage bow belt dress£24 (HKD$293) both Madam Rage; belted chiffon dress £28 (HKD$342) by Cutie and print dress £35 (HKD$428) by Glamorous

Therapy Kallie dress reduced to £25 (HKD$305), True Decadence crochet backless dress £45 (HKD$550)

Untold orange and white dress £130 (HKD$1590) and Vero Moda Neon Bright Butterfly Print Dress£26 (HKD$318); Almari Circle Leaf Dress £70 (HKD$856) and Label Lab grey dress £75 (HKD$917)

Damsel in a dress…
Again, love the name and this was one label that kept popping up on my shopping radar – a bit pricier than its counterparts but on a par with some of our local HK designers so the prices won’t shock you too much!

Anoushka dress £169 (HKD$2067), Japanese trellis dress £169 (HKD$2067) and Verlucci Maxi £229 (HKD$2800).

Etsy
So, I’ve been taking the Etsy taste test, which I love; from this, they match items to your taste from the huge number of independents that they carry. These designers fell into my taste category…

Australian designer HerPony custom-made vintage love heart dress, HKD$1025

The UK’s Keeboutique lace detail Peter Pan top HKD$280; US Deliliah Burlesque for some really cool accessories like this vintage faux pearl necklace HKD$144

US designer Elbling’s Supersexy LBD with flutter lace cap sleeves HKD$1360 and another LBD, this time by US designer Chick Classique HKD$552

Sandra Hagen Fun In The Sun pants HKD$720, top also available on request and kaftan dress HKD$1200

Boutique Mia by CXV for really gorgeous prints available in the cute “Pillowcase” dress design (HKD$416) above as well as tops and skirts.

Beauty

This week favourite make-up artist Jaime Smith of Smudge Make-Up Artistry lets us take a peek inside her very own make-up bag for her affordable make-up favourites. So over to Jaime:

“Though I am a huge fan of department store brand make-up because of the smooth finishes, strong pigments, range of up-to-trend colours, and the fact you can try before you buy, do have a few secret drugstore brand favourites I can’t live without! They are cheap, refined and won’t break the bank. “Most” are available for purchase here in Hong Kong or online… but until Hong Kong starts making more high street goodies available to us, you may need it sent from a generous friend in the US or UK!

• Make-up remover wipes: Neutrogena make-up remover cleansing towelettes (at selected Mannings)
• Brightening Moisturiser: L’Oreal UV Perfect SPF 50 12H Long-Lasting UV protector “Anti Dullness” (at selected Watsons and Mannings)
• Concealer & Highlighter: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer (as of now available in USA only)
• Eyeshadows: Revlon Satin and Revlon Perle in colors Polished Bronze and Brushed Copper (at selected Watsons, Mannings and Sasa)
• Mascara: Maybelline Full ‘N Soft in Very black (as of now available in USA only)
• Blush: L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Blush in Innocent Flush (As of now available in USA only)
• Lip Glosses: Maybelline ShineSensational Lip Gloss; favourite colours Mad about Melon, Peach Sorbet, Glamorous Guava (at selected Watsons, Mannings and Sasa)

I’m always on the hunt, so please email me at [email protected] with YOUR favourite drugstore brands from Hong Kong or abroad!”

Midweek Meal Inspiration
From my ever faithful LowFatFast by the Australian Women’s Weekly comes one of my favourite midweek meals Sang Choy Bow… lettuce leaves at the ready Goddesses!!

Sang Choy Bow

Serves 4
Per serving 11.4g fat (3.6g saturated); 1058kj (253cal); 8.1 carb
On the table in 30 minutes

2 teaspoons sesame oil
500g lean pork mince
1 small brown onion (80g), chopped finely
1 clove garlic, crushed
1cm piece fresh ginger (5g), grated
2 tbsp water
100g shiitake mushrooms, chopped finely
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp lime juice
2 cups (160g) bean sprouts
4 green onions, sliced thinly
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh coriander
12 large butter lettuce leaves or iceberg

1.  Heat oil in wok; stir-fry pork, brown onion, garlic and ginger until pork is changed in colour and cooked through. If particularly fatty, you may want to drain off the fat from the pork.

2.  Add water, mushrooms, sauces and lime juice; stir-fry until mushrooms are just tender. Remove from heat, add sprouts, green onion and coriander; toss gently to combine.

3.  Divide lettuce leaves among serving plates; spoon pork mixture into leaves.

Instant Goddess says: “One dress, two dress, three dress, four dress…when will I get to sleep?”
Yogi tea saying of the week: “Mean to be nice”.

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

Check out all of Katie’s Instant Goddess columns here.