party panic

30 December, you have eaten far too much and you missed the gym, again. You need to look hot tomorrow night and you have a) nothing to wear b) pasty pins and c) a bulging tummy. I am your fairy godmother and I plan to transform you from a heap into a heavenly creature with three easy-to-do-at-lunchtime options:

1) Hit the sales, I've looked about and I reckon the best style at the moment is the strapless numbers which hoist in your bust and billow out below, hiding any turkey induced lumps and bumps. They also look great with tights which hides the pasty pins. Try Zara for this style in black or purple check (looks nicer than it sounds), find them on the back wall, left of the changing rooms (HK$549), they look fab with bright coloured tights (from the lanes), sky high heels and big dramatic earrings. If you fancy going for gold Club Monaco have reduced their golden brocade number which could be granny's curtains but is actually rather gorgeous and is in the sale for HK$1429, team with black tights and platform black pumps.

2) Stick with something you have, you know you will probably end up passing out in it anyway. Dress it up with a sparkly or embellished belt round your waist or under your bust line, or pop a brooch in your cleavage. Accessorise like crazy (head to H&M) and add my favourite this season - ridiculously bright tights in pink, purple or electric blue.

3) Treat yourself to a new skirt, puff ball is my current fave, go black or sparkly and simply add a boob tube style top (H&M has some good ones with boned bits to prop you up) or a sequin vest top (Club Monaco have a gorg one, not in sale!). Glamorize (what a great word) with heaps of pearls (from M&S) and gold bangles. Add high high heels and plain black tights.

Panic over, just remember to dab a bit of fake tan on tonight and you'll be ready to go xx

cashmere queen

We can still afford cashmere, thanks to those lovely Japanese people at Uniqlo. We need to feel cosy and luxurious at this time of year and nothing does it like a cashmere polo or cardi. I've heard people raving about Uniqlo for ages but only popped by yesterday to find all their cashmere jumpers in the sale for HK$499. Dark purple, grey and black are the best to go for. Light pink and powder blue appeal to my girlie side but remind me a little of the twinset and pearls crowd, so if you purchased you'd have to rip up your jeans, insert a nose stud or wear a lot of leather to toughen it up. Check the men's section too as the boy bought a gorgeous black zip top number which makes him look even more like Clive Owen in Closer. Delicious. Have a cashmeretastic Christmas xxxx

christmas desires

I have left it to the last minute to work out what I want for Christmas. The note on my phone says black Mary Janes or a vintage watch but at the moment I am trying to work out whether I would prefer a little puppy or a part time baby with blue eyes called Betty. It is a tough call. It may be easier to receive earrings as they always glam up an outfit and are a current obsession of mine since I got my ears pierced in the summer (yes, for the first time). I love a bit of Astley Clarke action, the net-a-porter of the jewellery world, they stock divine designers and they make it oh so easy for the boy to pop on and enter his credit card details. Another fave who is currently being raved about in the press is Alex Monroe, famous for the bee necklace as worn by my glam, busty friend Rhoda. My faves are Philippa Holland Butterfly earrings at Astley Clarke and Beaded Sunblossom Leaf Hoops by Alex Monroe.

nicole richie has been reading the secretstylist

As seen in Vogue...

am I too old for a puff ball?

I accidentally ran into French Connection and ended up buying this gorg skirt in the sale for HK$600. How could I resist it? I look a bit like a Christmas tree decoration but it made me smile and twirl as soon as I put it on. It works like two skirts, you can take out the puff ball for client meetings during the day, and then put it back on when you go to dinner or drinks! Perfect! I love it...thinking with black polo, dramatic vintage earrings, black tights with pumps or boots....what do you reckon?

credit crunch couture

Ssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh don't tell anyone but Kanchan Couture are having a 50% sale starting tomorrow 10am-8pm, until Wednesday 8pm. Pick up gorgeous and glamorous evening wear in sexy silks from India, stunning belts and cropped jackets in funky designs.
L' atelier de Kanch, 2nd Floor, Flat C, 108-110 Wellington Street
+852 2117-1782
+852 9606-9460
info@kanchancouture.com

beach bling

We spend an inordinate amount of time in a bikini in Hong Kong and hence there are a lot of opportunities to spotted in the same Seafolly number as the bird next to you. Never a good look, especially if she looks like Giselle. There are some great shops for swimwear in HK (Ozzie Cozzie and Rush do the big brands like Seafolly, Vix etc) but for something a little unique I love Amandarling. Designed by Amanda Loke, who is as gorg and glam as her label, the bikini tops have a magic way of making your cleavage pop out and her gold and silvery crochet kaftans bring some bling to the beach. Even if it is South Bay. Check out their Xmas Fair today for one day only!

700 great bottoms

I popped to Phuket at the weekend to support the boy in his triathalon. I was told in no uncertain terms that this was not a romantic weekend but a triathalon weekend. Tough. It was a real eye opener, I learnt that there are a huge amount of people out there (over 700 took part) who love exercising really really hard, spend their weekends cycling and swimming for ages and ages, and spend a lot of money on very expensive bikes. There are some benefits, they have the best bottoms in the world. If you are thinking of joining this triathlete best bottom gang you need to get the right gear (to show off your rear! ha ha). TriSports is the place to go for all your bits. New Balance do lovely all in one thingymajigs (apparently) and online at Orca is a triathlete wet dream. Whilst I can't quite understand the need to run, swim and cycle for a few hours on a Sunday morning I can see that the right clothing can help make you feel the part and perform better - I once bought a brand new tennis skirt and definitely improved my swing.

little known chic

We all love being the first to know about a hot new fashion label...the person that started work in a broom cupboard and now has a little boutique in la la, the grit to glamour, rags to riches...ok sorry I am hungover. Anyhow, a lovely lady called Jen has shipped over some rather nice pieces from fabulous new Australian designers Ruby Smallbone (as seen at Australian Fashion week, followers include Kate Hudson and Isla Fischer) and My Pet Square (strange name but the clothes are really cool and they are already stocked in over 20 boutiques in Oz).

Pop along to the exclusive showing next Tuesday, 9 December:

6:00 to 9:00pm
flat 23, 7/f, fujiya mansion
(adj. to the hopewell centre)
23 kennedy road, mid-levels east
rsvp 9540 1523 / jenlee79@gmail.com

loving lola & syd

The bird behind this super cute label works in a big scary bank. She's a frustrated fashionista with a head buzzing with handbags, shoes and glam dresses. The big scary bank worry about her dress sense. One day she popped on some leggings and a "sort of long sheer cami top with a long cardi over the top" her boss wasn't impressed and screamed that it was "the most outrageous, slutty outfit he had ever seen in an office" and proceeded to christen it the "drop" - it's not a dress, it's not a top - it's a "drop". Brilliant. Anyway back to point, which is that the Lola & Syd sale rocked with foxy clutches, eye popping colourful pumps, soft and sensual animal print scarves, jewels, belts and more, for very reasonable prices. If you missed out then little miss "drop" can bring her Lola & Syd goodies to you, in your office, for a lunchtime trunk show...email lolaandsyd@gmail.com if you're keen and one day Lola & Syd will be so successful that the scary big bank boss will have to eat his words when he has to ask miss "drop" for a job in the finance dept.

with a tupperware lunch we'll beat this awful credit crunch

Being thrifty is not something I normally do but given the current climate it may be worth thinking about. I would never recommend an entire halt on shopping, that would just be wrong, all we need is a slight re-distribution of cash. An example: if you don’t buy your normal prêt lunch (laden with calories) and take your own in (as recommended by Mimi the nutritionist – whole wheat bread/ham or chicken/salad – note no mayo or margarine!) for five days a week you can probably save about $500 and lose about 1000 calories. Then put it towards something much more exciting (in a smaller size)….

Your 2008 “investment” purchase in the super sales…

Marc Jacobs – 40% off at Lane Crawford IFC and The Landmark

Luella (British Designer of The Year!) and Mulberry Staff & Friends Sale – 3– 6 Dec offering UP TO 90% OFF – take along the coupon which is posted on the secret stylist Facebook group

Shanghai Tang – pop along to 'an evening of champagne, canapés and informal modeling to celebrate the holiday festivities' on 4th Dec, 7pm - 9.30pm at their Pedder Street store. RSVP to rsvp@shanghaitang.com. Special Christmas discounts for this night only

Alternatively you can…

Go basics – Cotton On has moved over from Oz to the bottom of Lan Kwai Fong, it’s great for basics and injecting a bit of colour in your black tastic winter wardrobe

Polish your halo – Guilt free purchases at Oxfam (G/F Jardine House), a little treasure trove where all the Tai Tai’s have dumped last season’s Missoni and Prada