Fashion Flash from the Instant Goddess: UK high street brand Next delivers to HK!

I am so, so EXCITED that the UK high street brand Next has decided to deliver to Hong Kong and fast as well in 2-3 days via www.nextdirect.com. Shipping is also FREE. At last we have another high street option and it’s not just ladieswear we can get our mitts on menswear, kidswear and home stuff… YEE HA! I am now dancing around my living room.

I decided to spice up the FashOff between ASOS vs Shopbop and throw Next into the mix as another contender using the same categories as before. Watch out ASOS and Shopbop, there’s a new kid on the mail order block. What’s more, large sizes are available (up to a UK 22/US 18) and some styles are available in longer lengths and petite fittings. What’s there not to like about this? And all delivered to your doorstep… Goddesses, it’s time for a little treat in the post:

Embellishment, baroque, sequins and all that glitters!

Next have some great party pieces whether it’s a beaded frock or a sequin jacket that you’re after.

Navy sequin dress | Silver sequin jacket | Print cowl back sequin dress 

Embellished floral cami | Textured jacket | Embellished halterneck blouse  

Print

I haven’t yet invested in any print for this season but if you’re going to do it take lessons from Next… no print all over unless you have the build of a Prada catwalk model or as much designer kudos as Stella McCartney above, and can rock your own label blue print trouser suit from head to toe.

Mono brocade jacket | Grey geo print trousers | Purple geo print dress 

And let’s not forget the winter florals, if geo prints don’t do it for you.
Photographic floral print capri trousers | Oriental print skirt | Floral jersey print pencil skirt

Lace & Crochet

As we know Lace & Crochet are still going strong this season. Next has a great selection of lace dresses on offer, often with an exposed zip at the back. I know for the fash forward crowd it’s old hat but it’s still one of my fashion crushes at the moment…  especially to give dainty lace that edge… Oh I do love an exposed zip! But it’s not all frocks… the designers at Next have worked their lace magic into jackets and pants too.

Blue lace dress | Flocked lace pencil dress | Black lace jacket

LBD

Party season is fast approaching. It’s always good to have one or maybe two LBDs in your wardrobe. And at these prices, you can afford more than one!

Studded ponte dress | Stud waist tunic | Black broaderie shift dress

Shoes

This season’s favourite trends of lace and studs don’t just stop at the clothes.

Black microsuede stud boots | Black and nude lace “shoots” | Black gold peeptoes | Gold stud point shoes 

 

Hair

This week Andrea Clark, Creative Director, of The Mandarin Salon at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong answers the question, “Should I pluck?”

There are a lot of myths and old wives’ tales around, handed down from one generation to another, particularly when it comes to hair and hair care. I have enlisted the opinion of trichologists (hair doctors) from the Philip Kingsley Hair Clinic to give me the facts when it comes to hair and scalp questions. I wanted to know, and I know many others do also, the answer to the question, “If I pluck or pull one grey hair out, will three grow back?”

The good news is “no absolutely not”. That’s a relief and now we can go back to concentrating on more important things but I know that it won’t satisfy you if we leave it at that. So what do we do?

I am afraid that the only answer is to colour the hair, which isn’t such a bad thing. Hair colouring can give your hair shine, hiding those greys and giving an enormous lift to your confidence. There is zero benefit in pulling those greys out and if you pull in the same area over a long period of time you are sending a message to the hair follicle that there is no need to produce a hair any more so take a rest, in fact, stop producing any more hairs if you like.

Well, we don’t want that to happen do we? sS visit your hair stylist when you see the first couple of greys or cut them out – but if you do this, sorry, they’ll be back!

Midweek meal inspiration

No quinoa or salad this week but I’m still trying to be relatively healthy and this Chicken & Mango Stir fry ticks the thinner dinners’ box… coming in as low fat and at a mere 201 calories per serving. Get the full recipe here:

Yogi tea saying of the week: “Happiness is the greatest luxury we can have”.

Instant Goddess saying of the week: “Plus a little treat in the post of course”

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