Instant Goddess hears wedding bells with Atterley Road, gets Ibiza poolside-glam with River Island then cooks herself thin!

Atterley Road

This week I’m taking you on a trip down Atterley Road – “The Home of Beautiful Clothes”. My regulars might recall me blogging about Atterley Road a while back thanks to a fashion tip-off from my editor.

For the uninitiated – Atterley Road is a posh, more grown up version of ASOS – although unlike ASOS it doesn’t mess around with its own brand, instead offering a collection of fabulous labels such as Whistles and Day Birger et Mikkelsen to name a couple you might know. As it is a little more grown, so is the price tag but I’m sure you’ll agree that you get what you pay for always in life! But shipping is FREE, FREE, FREE to Hong Kong. Whoop, whoop!

A friend recently asked for English wedding outfit suggestions… I would say the first 3 here definitely tick the box.

These are the items that caught the roving Instant Goddess eye:

Day Birger et Mikkelsen Day Twirls dress $2400

Whistles Daphne animal print jacquard dress $1980

By Malene Birger Ainara lace skirt $2400

Second Female Spone dress $950

0039 Italy Loana Eve dress $1260

Part Two Teagan crochet front dress $1320

Whistles mid point heel shoes $1500 Day Birger et Mikkelsen Day Feral ring $420

Prices above are approximate conversions into HKD from GBP – current prices are on the Atterley Road website.

 

What We Make Is What You Want…

This is the name of the game at fine jewellery brand PLUKKA. Oh and we do want lots of it… now! So, if you’ve been a good mama lately (‘Always!’ I hear you say,) and you’re due a serious Mother’s Day pressie or have a special birthday coming up then you should definitely check out their jewels. You won’t be disappointed with the array of designs – from classic to edgier – including some real showstoppers. Items are either “in stock” or “made to order” within 4-6 weeks, and mamas, we’re talking fine jewellery here… so credit cards at the ready!

You can buy online direct from PLUKKA or attend their private trunk show on Saturday 18 May at The Principal, 9 Star Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Trunk show from  1– 5.30pm, and you’ll need to RSVP by email to [email protected]

And just to finish off I couldn’t resist this quote from Mae West: “I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.”

Diamond “Barbutte” ring $6225, Diamond “Verity” bracelet 4 carats $5800

Diamond “Matrix” ring $4725, Green onyx “Fausto” earrings $2325

 

River Island

There’s not much that I miss about the UK… apart from decent TV, one-stop shop supermarkets, intuitive online banking without a bit of paper in sight (take note HSBC), fast internet access…

Now I’ve got that off my chest, the one thing that I really do miss very much (apart from my Mum of course) is the massive array of affordable High Street labels… oh the choice… oh the designs… oh the wallet-friendly price tags… oh, oh, oh!

So, I’m happy to see that more and more UK High Street labels are now shipping to HK and not charging the earth either for shipping (take note Anthropologie). A tip is to subscribe to their mailing lists to get email alerts about free international shipping offers and discounts.

River Island charges a flat rate of approx HK$120 for shipping to HK, but as the prices are so reasonable you can turn a blind eye to the charge, so whilst finding it difficult to get to sleep the other night, I started counting… sheep? No, of course not! And this time it wasn’t statement necklaces on ETSY but all the things I want from River Island!

Here’s the hit list:

First off, River Island has a very affordable selection of swimwear and beach cover-ups, and as that time of year is fast approaching I thought it was only right to feature some options. They’ve also partnered up with Pacha (of Ibiza nightclubbing fame!) and come up with some super-chic and stylish poolside options.

Cream Pacha beaded wrap Kimono top $720, White embellished studded tote bag $1445

Grey Pacha embellished bandeau bikini top $315, grey Pacha embellished bikini bottoms $170

Blue Pacha geometric print tabard dress $420, Beige leather weave slouch bag $700

Red 3D pansy moulded bikini $240, Red 3D pansy bikini bottoms $120

White tribal print dress $340, Cream embroidered tassel kimono $420

Aqua Pacha embellished bikini bandeau top $420, Aqua Pacha embellished bikini bottoms $170

Black and white stripe bikini panel top $180, Black and white stripe bikini panel bottoms $312

Black oversized arrowhead statement necklace $220, Black and white leather tote bag $900

And I just couldn’t resist including this beaded tassel number… throw on then dazzle the night away, Goddesses!

Bronze stepped hem embellished tank top $600, Light wash Amelie superskinny jeans $420, Cream embellished box bag $360

The above prices are approximate and have been converted into HKD from GBP for ease of reference. Current prices are on the River Island website.

 

Midweek Meal Inspiration

This week I give you: Gizzi Erskine’s Chicken, Courgette, and Lemon Pasta Bake from her UK Cook Yourself Thin TV programme. If you’re unfamiliar with Gizzi, as well as her popular TV programme, she has also recently launched Skinny Weeks and Weekend Feasts, a cookbook of fabulous, healthy and “good” recipes to eat in the week versus naughtier weekend options where you’re allowed to indulge if you’ve been good for the previous 5 days… well you’re supposed to be good for 6 days and then you get 1 day off!

Here’s what the PR peeps are saying: “Part One, ‘Skinny Weeks’, gives you a delicious, calorie-counted recipe plan for 6 days of the week, designed to help you keep within 1,500 calories a day. In ‘Weekend Feasts’, you can treat yourself. Choose from a Friday night feast, a long leisurely brunch, a proper Sunday lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea and enjoy some truly decadent food, safe in the knowledge that you’ve earned it.”

Maybe now you really can “have your cake and eat it”??

But back to Chicken, Courgette, and Lemon Pasta Bake:

Before you make the recipe, here are a few pointers:

1. The recipe calls for Portabella mushrooms. If you’re wondering what to do with them, you need to slice them (I think Gizzi forgot to put this in the recipe!)

2. She says to preheat the oven, but then I think she misses the “bake” bit off the end! I don’t necessarily think you need to make it into a bake, but if you want to after the last step of the recipe you can transfer the contents of the saucepan to an ovenproof dish and cook for 10 mins or until bubbling. And if you want to be naughty you could grate more cheese over the top before putting in the oven to get that gratin finish!

See the full recipe here.

Yogi tea saying of the week: “If you made a mistake, dig in it and you shall find gold”.

Instant Goddess saying of the week: “1 dress, 2 dress, 3 dress, 4 dress, 5 dress… nope, still not asleep… ”.

Until next week, Goddesses! And remember you are ALWAYS, ALWAYS worth it! XX