The Instant Goddess has a frocking good time!

I love it when a blog comes together! Just when I was sitting there racking my brains as to what I should blog about next, up popped an invite to preview Karen Millen’s Spring/Summer Collection at Central/Central! If you haven’t yet been to Central/Central (where the old HMV used to be) then go check it out, as it’s a really nice serene shopping space connected to the Landmark.

Top of the frocks
So, my fave frocks in Karen Millen’s Spring Summer collection are:

Pintuck Cute Dress $2900. I was surprised by this rather demure number as I normally associate KM with body con, sexy, embrace those curves get up. This could definitely be a contender for a wedding outfit. Oh and the shoes! (tres pricey at $2700 BUT currently reduced to £100.50, $1230 on ASOS ). Always check ASOS if you’re not in need of instant gratification, as the prices are so much kinder for Karen Millen than here in HK.

This is a great LBD option with a little va va voom, thanks to the cut-out back, for $3300; unfortunately you will have to cough up the full amount as it’s not available on ASOS at the moment.

I also loved the Tropical Lily Print Dress $3100 (available on ASOS for $2141). Again a good summer wedding outfit option me thinks.

Purple Signature Stretch Dress, $3300HKD (also available in red and on ASOS for £175, $2142) – these frocks are more of the KM that I’m used to with their figure hugging design.

I love the colours on this Smudge Print Dress and it channels the bold print S/S trend perfectly. It has a v-back detail for a little spice at the rear too!

If you’re not a frock sort of gal, then these might tick your box. I’m loving the electric blue and turquoise combo here – the asymmetric top (left $1900, available on ASOS for £105/$1286) is a great cover-up either pre or post natal… or in my case if you’ve just eaten too much cake… as it drapes in all the right places. Meanwhile, the long-sleeved top on the right is not yet available in HK, but staff tell me it should be winging its way over soon so keep ’em peeled!

Karen Millen, CENTRAL/CENTRAL, 1/F Central Building, Central, Hong Kong, 2147 5838. See other Karen Millen locations in Hong Kong here.

M&S Magic
After the KM gig, I scooted across the road to M&S to get in the hubby’s good books by purchasing some pork pies – the way to this man’s heart! And I couldn’t help but notice these great dresses… although I would have to purchase a lot of pork pies to get away with this little haul! But that said they are far more reasonably priced than the Millen.

You’ll have to excuse the photography on this one. I nearly got thrown out by Security as you “CANNOT” take photos in-store. Most unreasonable of them, I thought. So, the photos were taken at considerable speed, but you should get the idea.

Left to right, all M&S ‘Limited Collection’: $595, $650, $750

See all Marks & Spencer locations in Hong Kong here.

Tangram
Another friend told me about Tangram, a Hong Kong label launched late last year by Colombian fashion designer Paola Sinisterra, and her Spanish husband Ignacio Garcia. I love finding local homegrown talent and this label doesn’t disappoint with its fabulous use of colour and print. In the words of Paola, ‘the shapes are comfortable yet stylish and part of the philosophy of the brand is that garments can accompany women in different stages of their lives’; with that in mind, many of the designs are kind on the pregnant and post natal form!

Silk rectangle panel dress in magic peony (my favourite) and supernova $2430HKD, and a short-sleeve design for when it gets hot, hot, hot $2450; all are 100% silk crepe de chine.

Silk pencil skirt in fuchsia ($1350) and rectangle panel top with contrasting side vents ($1400), over size tee with cowl neck ($955) and high waisted shorts with tie ($1555), short playsuit in taupe ($2430).

www.tngrm.net
www.facebook.com/tngrm

She wore an itsy bitsy yellow polkadot bikini
OK well maybe not, but the bikini season is fast approaching! Another friend asked where she could buy a bikini in Hong Kong the other day and maybe I’m missing something, but the options are pretty sparse.

She had been to H&M and wasn’t impressed. I then mentioned Rush, Ozzie Cozzie and Sabrina Swims but these do tend to be a bit pricey for my liking, normally in the region of 1000 bucks and up for bikini. M&S and Zara do carry bikinis but usually only limited stock and designs and it’s a bit too early at the moment.

So the best solution I could come up with is ASOS. I purchased a few bikinis last summer for a fraction of the price that you would pay in Hong Kong and they arrived pretty quickly. You can also mix n match a lot of the designs and they often have blanket discounts, which means you can sometimes bag yourself a designer bikini at a more reasonable price. So, Goddess mouses at the ready, click away so there’s no bikini drama this summer.

ASOS blue bandeau bikini top £16 ($195), bikini hipster pant £12 ($145), French Connection bandeau bikini top with multispot design £24 ($292) and matching pant £22 ($268).

www.asos.com

BEAUTY

This week, favourite make-up artist Jaime Smith of Smudge Make-Up Artistry says for fuller looking lashes…

‘Define the eye with a simple trick that is a staple in most make-up artists’ arsenal and certainly in mine! If you have sparse eye lashes, line the inner upper eyelid with a soft brown eyeliner pencil, placing it on the wet rim and on the lash line from end to end. This creates instant pow and the immediate illusion of fuller upper lashes and a defined lid. Soft, smudgeable eyeliner is a must. My favourite is Giorgio Armani in #12. It’s the perfect brown for both day and night and the perfect consistency.’

See all Giorgio Armani Beauty locations in Hong Kong here.

MID-WEEK MEAL INSPIRATION

Bill Granger’s Pork Meatballs with Curry Sauce… these are LUSH and a great comfort food! Don’t worry about hunting down the Massaman curry paste, we just use red thai curry paste. Full recipe here.

Yogi tea saying of the week: “Happiness radiates happiness”.

Instant Goddess says: “Pork Pies are naughty but nice”.

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

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