Beauty Motivation

One good excuse I give myself for my obsessive online buying habit is self respect. I'm beginning to even think that it is a crime to not invest in your looks! Here's why.....

Admittedly, working in the beauty industry now, surrounded by men and women alike who really take good care of their looks, I probably have a higher need than the average woman to look my optimal as much as I can. Still, it is exactly because I am in this environment, I appreciate the motivation for looking good.

It is not always as superficial as I used to think. Among some people and in some cultures, such as the Japanese, looking good is out of self respect and respect for the occasion and people around them. Japanese women wear makeup not to hide flaws, but to show their respect for themselves, regardless of age, dedicating time and attention to look presentable. By respecting oneself, she respects others around them.

I hardly ever wore foundation before, or powdered my face. I thought effortlessly natural looking great skin was to be proud of. After working in this company and interviewing women from various cultures which take beauty seriously, I learned to appreciate the strive for skills and technique (vs sans effort) to look flawless and perfect (vs great).

Same with clothing. Dressing well isn't about brand names, but showing that you gave your look of the day some thoughts, not just pulling together random pieces of clean, wearable clothing. Sometimes I see little kids dressed in ill-matching colors and mix of random patterns (think ducky Tshirt with checkered pants and polka dot jacket and lace hair clip...), I can't help but frown and wonder why the parents are doing that to the kid. Just like you would teach your kid basic hygiene since they are young, why wouldn't you teach him/her basic dressing principles? For that, I thank my mom for dressing me and my brother really well since young.

How cool is it to have a job that inspires me to be more beautiful!

My 2011 Great Finds (&Recommendations)

1. La Mer cream
Awesome for very dry skin.

2. Top Chef (reality TV show)
My favorite TV show, it is really impressive the creative dishes these professional chefs can whip up given short time limits.

3. Valencia, Spain (side trip destination in Spain)
I adore Spain, and I have been to some of the most popular cities. A business trip took me to Valencia, a relatively smaller city, and I loved how bohemian it was while still offering plenty of interesting architecture to admire.

4. Shiseido Tsubaki shampoo, conditioner, treatment and conditioning spray
Truly impressive results I had never experienced - my sun damaged hair became shiny and manageable. It was like miracle.

5. Shiseido Integrate swivel eyeliner/ shadow in golden brown color
My friend recommended this product to me in Japan drugstore. It glides on smoothlJy, no smearing for hours, and can be blended to work like an eye shadow. It's a beautiful product. My "HG".

6. Marks & Spenser thermo underwear line and heat-generating black leggings
Warm, nice looking and extremely comfortable, I cannot live without them in the winter. I wear them to sleep, and sometimes underneath my sweaters when I go out. As for the black leggings - they are soft like silk and very slimming. Suggest to buy one to two sizes larger than your normal size so the fabric stretches less and looks more black.

7. Sleepnaked.com for online bed linen
At such affordable prices, the bed linen is soft and smooth, of top hotel quality. Delivery is also extremely fast.

8. Boho-Betty.com for cute beaded wrap bracelets

9. Earl Grey martini at 001 Bar (Wellington Street x Graham Street)
It's one of my favorite hangouts, a quiet but quaint bar with a secret entrance in the wet market. No door sign. Just a black door. No photos allowed inside.

10. Gianicolo Trail in Rome
Very nice walk with a great view of Rome. Loved it.

11. Kiehl's original musk fragrance and body lotion
I feel so innocent when I have that scent on me!

12. Fragonard perfume, Paris
I was staying in this very charming boutique hotel where they supplied guests with the Fragonard fig scented toiletries. I fell in love with the scent, researched the brand, and dashed to the Fragonard museum to look for it - sacrificing a longer visit to the Louvre.

13. Crepes in Rue Montparnasse, Paris
Quite a few good creperies in this street.

14. Moka stovetop espresso machines
After making good coffee at home myself, I had trouble drinking bad coffee in restaurants.

15. Unforgettable brigadeiro made by my Brazilian friend, Marianne
It's a special Brazilian sweet made with condensed milk and cocoa powder. I love it way more than chocolate.

16. Amazing molten chocolate pudding in Sirocco restaurant, Soho

17. Po Toi Island for a nice island hike
Totally undeveloped island, it is a great way to spend a day away from the city.

18. A few true java outlets in Sheung Wan for a nice coffee in a quaint neighborhood
Honestly, I don't even remember the name of the place I went to. But, I read that Cafe Loisl is another special one.

19. Shore bone-in cowboy rib steak
Steak heaven!

20. Oolaa, best brunch restaurant / cafe in Hong Kong to spend a lazy afternoon
Love the all day brunch menu. Love the leather sofas. Love the space!

annah h - HK Designer of custom-made uniquely sophisticated workwear, bridal & event wear, casual wear

Hannah is the designer behind the annah h label - one of my best kept secrets in Hong Kong!

I've known Hannah for years and had my first custom-made dress designed by her in 2008, to attend a friend's wedding in New York.  It was a long mint green chiffon dress, flawlessly made, fitted perfectly in the first fitting, and totally complemented my style.

Since then, Hannah has designed bridesmaid dresses for my friend's wedding, chic work and leisure wear for me.  Our latest project was some work + leisure wear as shown in picture on the left.  Boring black-from-head-to-toe and pant suits are not my style, so I asked for brighter colored fabric with a design that does not sacrifice elegance and sophistication.  I think I also asked for versatility - to be able to wear these clothes not just to work, but also to a fancy date (not that I have any yet), an afterwork event, or a nice dinner.  These clothes perfectly match my needs.  Paired with a different belt or accessories, I can easily achieve a different look!

I genuinely believe that every female needs to have a trusted dressmaker design some special pieces for her.  Please do not confuse this with going to Shenzhen/ Lo Woo to make clothes copying some branded designs.  I am talking about a designer with a point of view, good taste, and excellent knowledge of what flatters your body shape and style.  It makes a difference having a piece of special clothing made that stems from your desires (wish list), and married with your designer's technical advice and creativity.  Hope you also get to experience this special feeling when wearing a custom-made outfit made to bring out your unique style!

annah h

Email: h@annahh.com

Tel: +852 36266026  (by appointment only)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/annah-h/70103209371

Website: http://www.annahh.com

Dress Warm and Slim for the Cold Weather

Hong Kong's temperature has suddenly dropped from yesterday afternoon's 20C to today's 8C.  Having lived in a very cold country before, 8C doesn't scare me but I have to admit that without central heating in Hong Kong, plus the high humidity, 8C does feel much colder than it is. 

It amuses me to see short women dressed in thick, shapeless down jacket, and buried under layers and layers of clothing.  Today, I went to work wearing just 3 layers - a wool coat, a cashmere wide neck top, and a thermal camisole.  I felt very warm already.  OK, I did have a soft scarf as well.  Still, that was a lot fewer layers than others and my clothing was still flattering and slimming!

I think women need to learn to buy fewer quantities but invest in quality clothing.  It's pointless trying to layer with cotton or polyester sweaters because that wouldn't keep them warm!  What they need is warm and light fabric!  Do invest in some cashmeres for winter, and add a form fitting thermal wear underneath for added warmth. Marks & Spencer has a great selection of thermal wear and some items look quite pretty, like the camisoles with lace.  Thermal doesn't mean ski wear!  I used to imagine thick black liners but they are nothing like that!  Check it out, really.  You won't regret it.  They also have thermal tights which are perfect if you are going to snowy places.

Hong Kong Best Kept Secret - Home boutique, Soho

On 63 Peel Street, Soho, Hong Kong, there is a small quaint boutique called "Home", importing selected fashion items from Japan, Taiwan and Korea, usually free size and in very limited quantities.  There is also a great collection of accessories from beautiful scarves to headbands, belts, stockings, purses, etc.

I love the shirts they import from Korea, usually quite long and loose, very smooth and flowy fabric, perfect with a belt and tight pants/ leggings.  I like this relaxed romantic style very much.  The shirts are usually between HKD 300- 600, so they are very reasonably priced for the quality and style.

I was told that they have opened a showroom on Hollywood Road near Press Room.  If you feel that this could be your style, do check it out.  This place is a little treasure to me.  I am looking forward to their winter coats already!

Beautiful Handmade Fashion, Accessories & Living Products - Etsy.com

Through a local blog I sometimes follow, called Sassy Hong Kong, I stumbled upon this online marketplace for handmade items called Etsy, where I had a very enjoyable time browsing through different sellers' handmade products from clothing to accessories, home decoration, etc..

In particular, I was drawn to this knitwear designer, iLE AiYE's, items:

A cardigan I'm thinking of getting

Happy shopping!

Havaianas Heaven in Brasil

I never consider myself a shopaholic but I do get out of control when there's something specific I really like.

Here's the latest culprit - inexpensive Havaianas in Brazil!

In particular I love the World Cup collection, as well as the variety of pins I can add to the flip flops.  The World Cup collection is really cool - for selected World Cup champions each has one style (except Brasil which has two) for the country with the number of stars printed on the flip flop indicating the number of times it won World Cup and the year(s) in which it won the championship(s).

I also visited the new concept shop on Oscar Freire, and lost myself there!

Paula Cahen D'Anvers - Argentina fashion brand

Didn't expect to shop in Argentina, but I fell in love with the price tag and romantic casual chic style of this Argentinian fashion brand.  It was all summer collection when I visited, but the prices for the quality and style were only about 50% of what I'd normally pay for similar stuff in Hong Kong, so I ended up getting some dresses, tops, etc each day I was in Buenos Aires.  The brand is not yet available in Hong Kong or most parts of the world, but it won't be long before it is considering how wearable the designs are.

Beyond Yoga

I've always been a fan of yoga pants - they are so comfortable I hardly ever travel without them.  Yet not all yoga apparel brands are as comfortable as I'd like them to be.  Lululemon, while being one of the leading brands with probably the widest selection of styles, is not the most comfortable.  The material is thick and a little rough on the skin.

Today, in Pure Yoga (yoga studio), I discovered the brand "Beyond Yoga" and cannot wait to tell everybody about it.  The moment I touched the fabric, I decided I had to try it on!  The material is 90% Supplex + 10% Lycra and feels amazing on the skin - incredibly soft and smooth!  With flatlock seams, there is no irritation from seams scratching your skin.

I bought the pants below with a matching bra top, and cannot wait to wear this to my next yoga class!  The pants are actually so comfortable that I would totally wear them like normal leggings with boots.  Do check them out!  They cost around HK$5xx a pair.

In love with Stefanel F/W 09

Just a few weeks ago I was freaking out over the lack of one fashion label I could always count on.  You know, that one shop you can rush into at the start of a season and basically stock up on everything you need for the next few months in just an hour?  That kind of reassuring, "comfort" shop was exactly what I needed.  I have been lacking such a brand/shop for about 2 years now and I really am not the type who enjoys seeking out items from shop to shop.


Thank God I crossed paths with Stefanel again in Italy after it disappeared from Hong Kong for some 10 years or so.  By chance I walked into that shop today in Hong Kong and with the assistance of a very helpful store staff I found almost everything I needed for 2009 winter within 2 hours.  I hardly ever get a rush or a sense of fulfillment after shopping, but today I did!

Simple yet elegant and sophisticated, romantic, casual chic.  Beautiful earth tones, high quality knitwear, understated but creative cutting.  Fits my body shape and style perfectly.

I feel, in love!