flora pringle from cracked candy shares her brooklyn tips

The lovely Flora lives in Brooklyn with her babe Bram and clever advertising hub Nick. She has just launched Cracked Candy, a sweet treat which is actually good for your teeth... really???, she's also rather stylish so I asked her to share her fave spots around town...

Restaurant Brucie, a delicious, unfussy italian

Boutique Barney's if I could afford it. I can't so probably Bird and By Brooklyn (for gifts)

Kids the re-developed waterfront piers are incredible, there's a giant sandbox and a great little toddler playground with views of Manhattan

Coffee Cafe Pedlar does great coffee and the best brownie bites I've ever tasted

Beauty sadly I don't have much time for preening, but I get my hair cut at Dvir Salon, they're always super friendly in there and my last stylist bought a tin of candy from me for her toddler son when she heard about Cracked Candy

brika... brook farm general store... tea and kate... best made company

I love aimlessly browsing the web and stumbling upon beautifully curated sites, here a few you might enjoy...

stylish craft at Brika

simple interiors at Brook Farm General Store

ridiculously pretty things at tea & kate 

manly, outdoorsy bits and bobs at Best Made Company

(images via marie claire, cup of jo and pinterest)

dresses for fall

We are off to our first New York wedding this weekend on Long Island, very excited. Of course my shipping isn't here so I have nothing to wear. Global crisis, as you can imagine. So I had a little browse and found...

A subtle sparkly number by Parker at Intermix

Irwin & Jordan lacy number, the back is simple silk without lace, oh and its in the sale on Young British Designers

I've had my eye on this from Whistles

Can you wear metallic leather to a wedding?! Zara does it again

Irwin & Jordon (who I have had a crush on for a while now) again, Poppy wore this and looked stunning

Gorgeous navy maxi at Whistles

Pumpkin chic by Maje, at Net-A-Porter and Bloomingdales

Navy again (which I love, and is now all over the catwalks thanks to Kate Middleton) with amazing sleeves by Elizabeth & James at Intermix

a date for the diary...emily opens the fabulous flaunt boutique!

what's inside...two new hong kong boutiques

Whenever I am approached about a new brand/label/shop I tend to avoid the PR blurb (she says, having forged a career in PR) and make sure I go and see the store, touch the clothes, meet the people etc, before I write anything on the blog about it. That way I can genuinely say I like it / I'd buy it / I'd bother going to the store...la la. As I am in New York at the mo I sent one of my secretstylist spies (Emily of Flaunt fame) to check out two new boutiques in town, Christing C and Alexa & Todd...here is what she discovered...

(please excuse the slightly hazy pics...she was undercover)

Christing C

Who: Opened by fashion blogger Fashion Hedonism

What: Very cool industrial-style space, perfect for parties

Where: 3/F Kai Kwong House, 13 Wyndham Street, near Toni & Guy (opens 4-8pm, closed Mondays, Sundays appt only)

Style: More edgy going-out-type clothes than casual day wear

Prices: HK$ 1,500 upwards for a dress

Brands we like: Kain, Paper Crown, Mara Hoffman, Maurie & Eve

Suitable for hermits: Yep, you can shop online

Dress we love by Paper Crown

Alexa & Todd

Who: Cynthia, from Australia, who is apparently "super sweet and tiny"

What: Spacious boutique with gorgeous vintage furniture

Where: First Floor, 28 Hollywood Road (opens 11am - 8pm, closed Mondays)

Style: Very secretstylist, some long flowing dresses, cute short jackets, mix of casual and glam, plus they do menswear

Prices: HK$ 1,000 upwards for a dress

Brands we like: Aussie designers such as Alice McCall, Indigo, White Suede

Suitable for hermits: Nope, you need to get off the sun lounger and get down there

Emily looking cute in a silky green number

hong kong shopping: tucker at indigo

Did you know that Tucker is available in Hong Kong? Maybe I've been hiding under a large rock but I only realised the other day that Indigo (on Staunton Street, best known for their denim) stock the label. I've long been a fan of New York designer Gaby Basora, she creates gorgeous blouses, dresses, jumpsuits and much more in incredible prints. I snapped some in the window...just ignore the not so glam bamboo scaffolding and tarpaulin...p.s also available on Net-A-Porter and in London boutique Feather & Stitch.

spotted...cute blush dress

I was going to post on Miss Mossy and her wedding dress but I just didn't love it. The fabric, detailing and colour were stunning but something didn't work for me...what did you think? I am hoping her other outfits rocked (which Stella designed for her) but I haven't seen any pics yet. Anyway...check out this little blush number which I spotted yesterday in a random Happy Valley shop (the one round the corner from The Jockey, towards Jaspas and just before the car park place...clear as mud?), blush is a huge colour this season and this is perfect for dressing up or down, priced at HK$750, they only stock a few of each item so hurry up...

nude is rude opens boutique in lan kwai fong

I'm a big fan of Marisa's designs so I was very happy to hear that she was opening a Nude is Rude boutique. I posted here last November when she launched her label. I love the colours, fabrics and simple styles, which can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. Her collection is perfect for this season - I am contemplating the bright blue one shoulder dress and tempted by a subtle orange number. The doors opened yesterday so get there quick before the Hong Kong crowds descend. She also stocks the lovely Cochine, gorgeous Niin jewels and sexy Kiribati bikinis. Nude is Rude, G/F, No. 7, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong.

p.s see you at the Vintage sale tonight, Tacina promises she has some goodies...details here

hong kong shopping: aalis

I popped into Aalis last week and saw some really pretty things for your summer wardrobe. Owner and designer Alice creates small collections which means they always have fresh items in store. I really liked the pretty tops (ideal under blazers and loose enough not to be clingy in this weather), cute shorts and great vintage jewellery. All well-priced too, shorts were HK$660 and tops around HK$300/400. Aalis is at 2/F, 31 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay. Spy more looks on their FB page here...

hong kong pop-up: s.nine

I unfortunately missed the party to launch S.Nine's new pop-up store, but I did get a sneak preview of their Spring/Summer 2011 collection back in November, so I can reliably inform you their collection is definitely worth a visit. The pop-up will be at Upper East Side boutique on Elgin Street until Wednesday 8 June so there's still time to check it out...I love the floaty maxi in the window, perfect for a summer wedding.

hong kong boutique: rue madame birthday party

tIt may not look like summer outside (Hong Kong is grey and murky) but I know it's here due to the increasing requests for wedding outfits and honeymoon wardrobes. I saw some colourful, print and pretty options when I went along to the 1st birthday celebrations for rue Madame last week. I've always liked this boutique, they buy superbly and the store is full of things we can actually wear. Plus with French labels you are unlikely to catch anyone else wearing the same thing, especially at UK weddings. I took some pics of items which caught my eye...

p.s saw Maddy there too, she was snapping up a lot of items, well done to her for her feature in The Telegraph...and stay tuned for some exciting news bout her label, Madeleine Thompson, coming in June...

I spied this dress by Gat Rimon after being inspired by the look below from Cannes. It could be a great wedding outfit option, I also found a well-priced raffia hat to go with it, from Liberty, alternatively buy a panama

Could be a great honeymoon staple

Really want these jeans

Silky trousers in rainbow colours, love the floral ones, team with high heels and a simple t-shirt, or dress up with a blazer for an alternative wedding outfit

This reminded me of Christopher Kane's galaxy print dress, it would be perfect with the hat mentioned above and gold flats and jewels

Great beach cover-up which can be dressed up for the evening

Why not wear pink shorts to a wedding?

Love this floral print

A cute vintage-style way to do the lace trend

A pink short-suit? maybe?

shopping sydney style

The lovely Aussie Sal (who sadly deserted her Hong Kong girls for Sydney last year) is an extremely stylish dresser, she runs her own label Lola & Syd and rocks a great pair of heels whilst guzzling wine outside Wagyu, oh I miss her :( I asked her for a few insider tips on the best places to shop in Sydney...Sal says...

Glorious autumn days are flowing one after the other in Sydney town so now is perfect time to get out and explore. The city has loads of great areas that offer plenty of fabulous shopping, and you get to enjoy the blue sky magic while you stroll from one boutique to the next. Spots you don’t want to miss -

Surry Hills – A haven for vintage shoppers, Crown St in Surry Hills offers the best of Sydney second hand. Try Grandma Takes a Trip for fab, floral, 50s numbers, Route 66 for cowboy chic, or raid the racks at Zoo Emporium for a hidden gem. Shoes lovers should head to Niki Shoes for fun flats and smart heels, and Dress Me Darling if you’re looking for a pair of bedazzled 5 inch numbers, with a cocktail get up to match. If you’re all frocked out head to David Met Nicole for home wares treasures galore, Orson and Blake for simple yet stylish bits for the home or Remy and Lee’s on Bourke for a homemade muffin and coffee refuel.

Paddington Oxford St/William St – So many shops, so little time. Begin in Oxford St (just below Glenmore Road) and work your way up! My personal favourites include Sass & Bide, Scanlan & Theodore, Willow, Gorman and the ever faithful Sportsgirl for clothes, Harlequin Market for fabulous vintage bling and Dinosaur Designs for to-die-for resin jewellery and home wares in all the colours of the rainbow. William just off Oxford houses the best Sydney has to offer in one divine little street so you can check them all out! Oh, and on Saturdays be sure to take a stroll though the Paddington Markets, where many a young designer has launched their career.

Bondi – All you’ll need to channel hipster cool. Tuchuzy has a great range of young brands like Ellery, Bassike and Rag & Bone to name a few, head to Max’s shoes for an on-trend bargain, Camilla for kaftan glamour and Milk Bar for fab Australian designers. If you are looking for a one stop shop head straight to Westfield at Bondi Junction and go like the clappers!

Balmain – head west for village shopping in Darling St. Duck Egg Blue has a gorgeous collection of home wares and a select range of clothes from local and international designers. Denim specialists Maple have all your jeans needs covered, while Alfie’s Store will deck you in understated yet stylish gear for casual occasions.

And if you happen to be in the CBD make like Rhianna and beeline for the new Pitt St Westfield…retail heaven under one roof.

brand new lingerie boutique opens in hong kong!

Very exciting news flash! Flaunt, a brand new lingerie boutique has launched in Hong Kong! No more dull M&S kickers required, and no need for hideously expensive Selfridges/Figleaves purchases every time we fly home, yiiipppeeeeee! Founder Emily has handpicked a selection of fabulous and famous brands from the United States and Australia, Cosabella, Eberjey and Pleasure State. Luckily I was invited to her showroom for a preview, I came away with a gorgeous turquoise set from Eberjey (totally impractical but heavenly) and I am popping back soon for some goodies from celebrity fave Cosabella. Whilst I was there I quizzed Emily about Flaunt and asked her advice on which lingerie works best with the Spring/Summer trends...

So tell me about flaunt and why you set it up? 

I opened Flaunt to provide what we haven’t been able to find all these years in Hong Kong – a wide range of well fitting, beautiful lingerie easily accessible at your fingertips! Flaunt offers a wide selection of lingerie from your basics to something flirty and romantic all in the mid-price range. I really want women to be excited and to feel good about themselves when shopping for lingerie so I’m providing several services; women can shop online from the privacy of their own home, or make an appointment at the Flaunt showroom, and we also offer bra fittings and lingerie styling.

I know you are focused on styling, so which of your ranges would work best with this seasons silk shirt?
Definitely a staple for your 2011 wardrobe. When wearing a silky shirt it’s the luxurious fabric that you want to showcase, silk is also pretty unforgiving so it will show everything so you also want to make sure you have the right shape. I would suggest the Pleasure States My Fit Push Up Plunge Bra - smooth like a t-shirt bra so no lines and perfect lift and low centre front so you can easily undo that one extra button for that casual look. We have it in both frappe (a nude colour) and white.

What would you advise secretstylist readers to purchase if they had a hot date?

As the myth goes, you always get lucky when you’re wearing granny pants! However I think women should treat themselves and wear beautiful underwear every day. Great lingerie will not only add confidence but will make your outfit fit perfectly. I would choose the Cosabella’s Celine molded bra and thong set – it is in Black mesh with pink detail, a subtle yet sexy number which you can pretty much wear this under anything!

Colour is hot this year, if I want to flash a bra strap which set should I choose?

Yes bright colours are the trend for spring and summer – especially neon's and pinks! Eberjey’s delirious bralet in fuchsia is perfect – a thin strap of colour that will make a basic tank top or off the shoulder number rock! Bralet’s are great for the petite frame and super comfy especially as we head into these hot and humid HK days…

Do you plan on stocking any new brands soon?

Most definitely, I’m really excited as we have two new designers coming in next month – one to answer everyone’s VPL problems and finally a designer that truly believes that good things come in small packages! Customers can join our Flaunt List or follow us on Facebook to find out about new designers launching.

Flaunt’s selection of designers will continue to grow as we want to provide a beautiful collection of designer lingerie for all women in Hong Kong – no matter your size, your style or mood Flaunt will have something for everyone. So if women have particular favourite designers then let me know! We’re here to provide lingerie that fits well so that the women in HK can get out there and just flaunt it!