This Week the Mice Have Mostly Been

So this week everything's generally been a bit topsy turvy! Rather than two London Mice and one HK one, this week, we've had two HK ones and one poor little left behind little London Mouse (we miss you lots and lots Mini Mouse!).

Last Sunday Middle Mouse hopped on a plane and zoomed 5,995 miles from London to Hong Kong. After a far too brief hello dinner at Brickhouse and several cocktails at Honi Honi, she shimmied off to spend the week working her little mouse socks off for the HTC & Wallpaper Design Tours.

But now it's Friday, the work's done and the weekend play can begin!

When we haven't been having sister reunions and planning weekend antics, this week the Mice have mostly been...

Dodging downpours as the first black rain storm since 2010 hit Hong Kong. Middle Mouse had been in town less than 48 hours when lightening ripped through the skies and torrential rain pounded down in sheets. Schools and offices were shut for the morning and the streets turned into rivers - not much fun particularly when you have a pack of journalists to show around the city's top design spots... Meanwhile, I was due to be moving which meant that rather than being elated to have a nice little lie in and the morning off work, I was madly praying that the movers would be undeterred by 8 inches of rain... Luckily my prayers were answered, the Black Rain warning was lifted, the movers moved us and Middle Mouse's journalists got to see the best design that Hong Kong can offer... All's well that ends well...

Image by Jamie Coote via www.scmp.com

Swooning over our latest accessories obsession... gorgeous Kirsten Goss jewels! The evening before the black rain set in, for one night only, jewellery genius, Kirsten Goss, set up shop in Hong Kong with a little bejewelled pop-up. For anyone who hasn't discovered Kirsten Goss already, this is your go to line for bling with some bang. From sharp, geometric statement necklaces to leaf-like Tribal drop earrings, each piece is handcrafted in Durban and is guaranteed to be a firm fixture in your jewellery box for many, many years to come.

We're currently drooling over the Bete Noir Collection a delicious array of gemstones and punky gold spikes - very Met Gala 2013...

If you're in London, you can get your Kirsten Goss fix at the Kensington boutique, for the rest of us there's the online store which will ship jewels to whichever corner of the world you call home! We also hear whispers of another Hong Kong pop-up in the autumn... keep your eyes peeled for details!  

Getting shorganised post-move by finally giving my shoe collection a proper home in their very own shoe shelves! 

The only thing is that there are a few empty spaces... lucky then that this week I discovered the awesome new shoe e-boutique, Shoescribe. Nothing for it but a little housewarming self-gifting... Currently topping of my Shoescribe lust list...

Casadei for Prabal Gurung Sandals
US$970

Aquazzura Sandals

US$685

Giuseppe Zanotti Design Sandals
US$1,085

Images via: www.shoescribe.com

And that's it for another week! 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, here's to a wonderful weekend!

 x
The Mice

New HK Beauty Hotspot: Flawless

A couple of weeks ago I put together my Hong Kong Beauty Little Black Book and I already have a little update... Say hello to Hong Kong's newest beauty hotspot, Flawless! If you're a fan of Brickhouse's Margaritas, you love Blue Butcher's surf & turf or if no night out's complete without a spin around the danceflor at Play, then you'll be very excited to hear that the people behind these three top nightspots are also responsible for Flawless...

 

 

Slap bang in the centre of town (conveniently in a building just a couple of doors up from Christian Louboutin...) this urban spa specialises in nails, facials and make-up. Having only ever had my make-up done professionally once when I was a bridesmaid last summer, I was very interested to try out the make-up service and jumped at the chance to get a sneaky peek at the spa during the soft opening a couple of Friday's ago...

The spa interior is bright, modern and a little bit quirky - I particularly love the Schiap pink treatment room door which has an Alice in Wonderland-esque feel to it.

The main spa space is divided into two, one half a nail area decked with big, chocolate brown leather sofas to snuggle into while your talons get pimped and the other a make-up area with huge mirrors and a veritable sweet shop of cosmetics filling every surface. Just beyond the make-up area, a wall of French doors open out onto a sofa strewn terrace - the perfect spot to catch some rays while you're beautified.

I arrived a little hot and bothered after a gridlocked taxi ride at rush hour and a brisk jog from the wrong end of Wyndham Street but it was nothing that a glass of the Flawless fresh fruit-infused water couldn't cure!

As I settled into a high stool in front of one of the Hollywood dressing room style mirrors, my make-up artist, Sarah, asked me questions about my usual cosmetic routine and my favourite products.

Having established that I like a light base that still allows my freckles to show through, and a smoky eye with lashings of liner, Sarah got to work, all the while talking me through the products that she was using and dropping in beauty expert hints and tips.

The end result was perfect for my Friday night out - glowy skin and a slight twist on my standard smoky eye - plum tones rather than my usual boring brown. I stupidly didn't get a photo of my finished face, but it lasted all evening and I liked it so much that I snapped up the foundation and powder that Sarah had used on me - both Laura Mercier products (Flawless is the only make-up studio in Hong Kong working with Laura Mercier).

The Flawless make-up artists are super friendly and very knowledgeable about all things beauty related. With fun music playing in the background, the atmosphere is much more getting ready for a night out with your best girlfriends than stuffy spa.

I'll be heading back very soon to give the nails and facials a whirl but I can't recommend the make-up service enough. The ideal solution for a big event or even just for those days when you've forgotten your make-up bag and perfect if you feel like your normal make-up routine needs a little shake-up.

Flawless
4th Floor Sea Bird House
22-28 Wyndham Street
Hong Kong
+852 2869 5868
www.flawless.hk.com

The 3BM Kitchen: Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya

Two weeks have whizzed past since we posted 3BM's guide to the best gym get-up, we're still diligently scheduling in our weekly workouts and desperately trying to steer clear of chocolate! Summer is fast approaching and the ever looming thought of squeezing into a bridesmaid dress let alone a bikini, haunts me everyday!  

A few weeks ago I was invited to one of my girl's houses for wine, curry and Magic Mike....perfect combo for the best night in! In my bid to be as perfect as Cara Delevingne we decided to skip the curry and knock up something ourselves a little less calorific...low fat Chicken & Chorizo Jambalaya ticked all the boxes! With only 445 calories a portion you can't go wrong and I like the way its still hearty and feels like a real dinner. Even better it couldn't be easier to make...literally a one pot dinner! There's plenty of time for naked lettuce leafs and celery!

Make sure you've got the following essentials... 

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 chicken breasts chopped (or chicken thigh meat)

1 onion diced

1 red pepper sliced

2 garlic cloves crushed

75g chorizo sliced

1 tablespoon Cajan seasoning

250g long grain rice

400g plum tomatoes

350ml chicken stock

All you need to do is heat the oil in a casserole pan, brown the chicken for 5-8 mins until golden. Remove and set aside. Add the onion and cook until soft, add pepper, garlic, chorizo and Cajan seasoning and cook for 5 mins. 

Add the chicken back in,and then chuck in the rice, tomatoes and stock. Cover the dish and simmer for 20-25 mins until the rice is tender.

Voilá...dinner is disco done! 

Yum!

20s Fashion Flap...

It's official The Great Gatsby has been released, our months of waiting are finally over...well for most of us that is! Middle Mouse refuses to go until she's read the book... I was done reading five years agoooooo...it looks as if I will have to wait a little longer!! Having said that, what happens when Middle Mouse is in Hong Kong stays with Mini Mouse...a sneaky cinema trip may just work it's way into my agenda!  

 

The trailer has had us in total suspense, the soundtrack is stuck on repeat and the glimpses of Carey Mulligan in glamorous 20's fashion has given us the itch to go shopping immediately! 

Image via http://i671.photobucket.com

Image via http://ww1.hdnux.com

Image via http://visual-therapy.com

It appears to not only be having this effect on just us, Alice Temperley has dedicated an entire shop window to 1920s 'Gatsby-esque' fashion and even has a section on the website titled '1920s Bright Young People'...an edit of 20s inspired dressing!  

Some of our favourites, but those falling strictly into the 'Blow the Budget' category...

Alice Temperley Long Beaded Deco Dress, £2700

Image via www.temperleylondon.com
 

Savoy Headpiece, £155,000

Image via www.tiffany.co.uk

 

New York Vintage Gold Hammered Satin Evening Gown, €8,191

Images via: www.modaoperandi.com

 

Alice Temperley Catherine Dress, £1850

Image via www.temperleylondon.com

New York Vintage 1920s Headpiece with Diamante and Lame Ties, €1,095

Image via: www.modaoperandi.com

 

Green Honore Box Clutch, £1,015

Image via www.avenue32.com

 

However, if high street is a little more your price range, fear not, we've found some gorgeous Gatsby numbers which tick all the 20s boxes without making your Credit Card wince! Whether you're planning an outfit for a Gatsby fancy dress party, want to pay tribute to Daisy Buchanan for your cinema trip, or just, like us, are sick of wearing studs, grunge and winter wear, then feast your eyes on these beauties...

 

 

Needle and Thread Lunar Midi Dress, £175

Image via www.asos.com 

Diamante Head Band, £15

Image via www.asos.com

Embellished Fringed Dress, £225

Image via www.topshop.com

Needle and Thread Silk Midi Dress, £195

Image via www.asos.com

Embellished Cut Out Dress, £85

Image via www.missselfridge.com

Lulu Frost Sandra Earings for Whistles, £70

Image via www.whistles.co.uk 

Frock and Frill Tiered Dress, £125

Image via www.asos.com

Beaded Flapper Dress, £160

Image via www.topshop.com

Frock and Frill Scallop Edge Skirt, £55

Image via www.asos.com

Embellished Flapper Dress, £120

Image via www.missselfridge.com

Art Deco Crystal earrings, £59.11

Image via www.jcrew.com

Frock and Frill Deco Sequin Shift, £125

Image via www.asos.com

Needle and Thread Tracing Mini Dress, £175

Image via ww.asos.com

All Work & No Play...

... calls for a very pretty desk!

This week I finally move into my brand new flat so I'm a little obsessed with all things home decor. The new flat has space for a desk, so for the first time ever I'll have my very own little office area where I can happily blog away in peace and quiet. With a whole new room to furnish I've spent hours on the ever amazing Pinterest gathering a bit of dream office inspo...

Images via: www.pinterest.com

Suitably inspired, now all I need to do is shop...

1. Ulrica Hydman-Vallien Mine Tumbler US$30 

2. West Elm Industrial Task Table Lamp £53.82 

3. Anthropologie Zinc Letters US$18 

4. Habitat Flap Large Analogue Wall Clock £130

5. Smythson Runway Notes Notebook £80

6. Vogue Cover Print - June 1940 US$125 

1. Typographic London Print £138

2. Anthropologie Dacschund Letter Holder US$32 

3. Esque Bubblegum Paperweight US180: 

4. Chrome Tripod Light £71

5. Black Dreyffus 500 Telephone £55 

This Week The Mice Have Mostly Been...

This week has been one of those hellish weeks dominated by work, leaving very little time to do anything with my evenings bar wolf down late night food while reminiscing about the previous weekend's fun and hanging onto the distant glimpse of the weekend frolics to come. Luckily last weekend and the forthcoming one were and will be full to the brim of good times so that's mostly what I'm going to share with you all on this glorious Friday morning. So first up...

Reminiscing over Rugby Sevens dress up spectacular last weekend. Every year rugby fans, fancy dress fanatics and what feels like the entire population of Clapham (!) heads over to Twickenham to get involved. For those of you who are Rugby novices like myself, all you really need to know is Rugby Sevens is all about short bite sized games with teams made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15. Onto the more important aspect of the occasion ... the fancy dress theme! Every year there's a new theme which everyone impressively gets on board with and fully embraces, some to extreme levels! 2013 was safari so as you would imagine tigers, gorillas and park rangers galore...

In the spirit of going against the grain or stampede in this circumstance, the Sevens group we went along with attend every year and always select their own theme to standout from the dress up crowd! Little rebels! This year it was - Rockstars Vs Rapstars. After racking our tired mice brains night after night for a suitably standout option, mini mouse and I decided to opt for the most famous rapstars of ALL time - yep you've guessed it ... 'Lets Get Ready To Rumbleeeeeeee' ...

Others rocked up as 'Kiss' in full face paint and hardcore metallic and leather attire...

Genius duo, Marilyn Manson and Lenny Kravitz below! Marilyn actually went onto winning the group competition and as a result was showered with as much beer as he could humanly consume for the rest of the day... 

Counting down the days until I see Hong Kong mouse. Yes that's right, this coming weekend i'm jetting off to spend some much needed quality time with my big sister! I'm actually going for work to host a HTC press trip (not bad eh) but in true PR style I've managed to extend my trip over the bank holiday weekend - yippee! So what's in store for the Robbo reunion I hear you ask, well here's a snapshot but be prepared for Smoasting galore whilst i'm away...

• Relaxing massage treatments coupled with frozen yoghurt at Ten Feet Tall

• Cocktails at the Quinary - apparently the alcoholic concoctions take you on a sensory journey guaranteed to rock your world!

• Lip smackingly tasty dinners at TBLS, a clever abbreviation for tablespoon and Ronin which apparently only seats a dozen at a time so super duper exclusive 

• Shop till we drop in Shenzhen - I have my eye on a Celine masterpiece!

• Croquet, Pimms and cucumber sandwiches for a party in Cheung Chau - the dress code is Garden Party / Bufty (all white if you're really bufty) - all white it is then!

I can hardly breathe i'm so excited! More on the jam packed schedule of fabulousness when I return from my great Hong Kong adventure. But until then my friends, i'll leave you with this final celebratory statement...