The Instant Goddess glams it up!

This week just gone, we’ve had Oscar fever in our household… kicking off with the annual Oscars Breakfast where Mums dress their babies up as a character from one of the nominated films! This year, I dressed my little lady as the Iron Lady and she faced stiff competition from The Artist and My Week With Marilyn for best dressed.

The Iron Lady ready to rule the Red Carpet; The Artist looking pensive and ready to win, win, win and Mini Marilyn looking oh-so-cute!

SHOPPING

All that glitters

So keeping on message, this week is all about glam, glitz and all that glitters in the shops! Anyone would think it’s Christmas again. But it’s true; metallics are a strong theme for Spring Summer 2012, so with that in mind, I love this silver glitter peep-toe from Nine West (HKD$1150, also available in black).

Available at Nine West, CENTRAL/CENTRAL, 1/F Central Building, Central, Hong Kong, 2147 5838 (see all other Nine West locations in Hong Kong here).

This French Connection “Shelly” sequin dress also caught my eye, a little pricey at HKD$2599, but with all-over sequin embellishment you can understand why.

See all French Connection stores in Hong Kong here.

If it’s just a little razzle-dazzle you’re after and not a full on blockbuster, then these tops from H&M will fit the bill and are cheap as chips.

H&M silver sequin sweater and gold pattern knit sweater with gold print surface, both HKD$299.

See all H&M locations in Hong Kong here.

The dresses

I’ve long been a fan of Ted Baker and it currently has one of the best high street selections of long dresses for that special occasion. Shame about the mark up though!

So, if you have time, it’s always worth seeing if they’re available online through ASOS as often you can save yourself in the region of 1000 bucks on some of these dresses, the mark up is that big. Also, ASOS offers free international shipping but you will have to pay return postage if it doesn’t fit properly, so try it on here first then buy online. This elegant pleated number gets my vote for best dress and colour-wise possibly takes a little inspiration from Michelle Williams on the night… but not even she was sure of the colour of her own frock, so who knows?!

Ted Baker pleated orangey/red maxi dress HKD$3050, also available on ASOS for HKD$2445 (£199 but currently only in blue).

And the runners up at Ted Baker are:

The “Elitti” beaded lilac maxi dress HKD$3850, which also comes in white and silver (which I prefer but am not sure whether they’ll be stocked in HK stores) and the “Nour” silk maxi dress in deep pink, HKD$3050.

Now, for something a little shorter and taking inspiration colour-wise from Gwyneth Paltrow and relative newcomer Shailene Woodley (who gets my vote for best dressed in her Valentino number).

Obviously, these are not in the same league but are still very worthy!

Ted Baker’s Zip Detail Dress (below left, HKD$1550)… I keep looking at this and I might just have to go and buy it for a wedding back in the UK in April… oh, but you can’t wear white or cream to a wedding without offending someone, boring but true… oh dash it! I made this mistake many moons ago with a white trouser suit… the evils I got!

I’m also loving this Ted Baker Ruffle One Shoulder Dress (above right, HKD$3050) – but it’s currently available on ASOS and marked down to HKD$1950 (£159), so click it before it goes!

Ted Baker, Shop 147, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, 2918 9609

Clutch & go

This Reiss “Kaylin” hardcase shell clutch in silver and gold is a bit pricey at HKD$1600, but if you’re a movie star then you won’t give a flying fig!

A bit more rock star than movie star, this Zara clutch HKD$699HKD has the edge.

– Reiss, Shop 1098A, Podium Level One, ifc Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3101 0719
– See all Zara locations in Hong Kong here.

What about the Bling?

If I wanted some show-stopping bling and didn’t have the likes of Chopard willing to frost me free of charge then, I would stop off at Swarovski which is carrying some great statement pieces at the moment. It will still cost you though unfortunately…!

This “Rarely Silvershade” bangle will set you back HKD$4550; if your budget won’t stretch that far, this “Nirvana” ring is a little kinder on the purse strings at HKD$1900. You can also check out some of Swarovski’s latest collection for spring (warning: serious bling alert) over on Sassy.

Swarovski, 11-19 Great George Street, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2972 2198. See all other Hong Kong locations here.

In other non-bling related news…

While en route to H&M on Queen’s Road East, I spotted a boarded up shop next door announcing the arrival of COS in Summer 2012. For those of you not in the know, COS (which stands for Collection of Style) like the grown up sister to H&M (they’re owned by the same company) but with a more sophisticated feel about it. So not much glam and glitz going on here, but Instant Goddess says thank goodness, as we need some more high street style in this desert of fashionable, affordable clothing!

BEAUTY

This week favourite make-up artist Jaime Smith of Smudge Make-Up Artistry also can’t get enough of The Oscars’ glitz and glamour.

For Jaime, the biggest beauty trend of the night was glossy nude lips, straight from the runway. Jaime says it’s simple and often pared back with a soft bronze smoky eye and glowing skin. You can see this trend on (her vote for best-dressed star!) Gwyneth Paltrow or Rose Byrne (see above) and Shailene Woodley.

Recreate this look at home with some of Jaime’s favourites and award worthy products.

For your face, add a few drops of Benefit’s Sun Beam to your usual foundation to add a fresh glow.

For eyes, create the most wearable of smoky eyes with a great bronze shadow. Try Giorgio Armani’s Eyes to Kill in Nola. These eye shadows are also water resistant for long lasting wear.

Brands like NARS, MAC and Sisely do some of Jaime’s favourite nude lip colours, but her secret for a superb drugstore find is KATE’s liquid rouge lip gloss in colour #BE-4, found only at Sasa and under HKD$100HKD – it’s a fab nude for most skin tones!

– See all Benefit Cosmetics locations in Hong Kong here.
– See all Giorgio Armani Beauty locations in Hong Kong here.
– See all Sasa locations in Hong Kong here.

FOOD

Mid-week meal inspiration

What with all this Oscar partying, it has to be the Detox Chicken Salad! The full recipe for this speedy, simple and nutritious meal is available here.

Yogi tea saying of the week: “Say it straight, simple and with a smile.”
Instant Goddess saying of the week: “Tea! I’d rather be drinking champagne!”

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

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