Shopping in Sham Shui Po

For a long time in Hong Kong we've been hearing about this semi-mystical place called Sham Shui Po where you can get all these wonderful things like haberdashery items, decorations, film props, cheap clothes and much much more. Spurred on by the need to find decorations for our upcoming Sexy Xmas party, we finally took to the MTR to venture out there (full disclosure: we don't venture Kowloon-side as often as we should). We got there earlyish at about 11am when some of the street stallholders were still setting up their stalls and when the streets were still pretty empty. We headed first for Fuk Wing Street which is a treasure trove for all things Christmassy: baubles, tinsel and fake trees galore, and all at wholesale prices so there's not a lot of room to bargain. Despite our lack of Canto-speaking we were able to find kind people on the street who took pity on us and helped us arrange delivery of all our purchases to the Island with the shopkeeper - essential if you're going to keep on shopping!

Leaving Fuk Wing we headed to Nam Cheong Street passing TONS of clothes stores where we glimpsed reasonable looking knitwear and exercise gear (including yoga tops and leggings) and arrived in the haberdashery area which is around 100 Nam Cheong Street. Piling into the tiny stores we were thrilled to discover all manner of trims, ribbons and exciting items, like fully-beaded bib necklaces of the kind that you'd buy in a boutique in Central, and patches and badges to sew onto jackets. We picked up some necklaces and beaded belts which were not originally on the shopping trip but which just had to be got, and then ended up wandering along Cheung Sha Wan Road which was full of even more clothes shops stocking kids fashions. We saw some items that we've bought in Stanley Market for nieces, nephews and god children back home for literally a fraction of the price.

The shops aren't exactly set up for retail customers, so be prepared to have a bit of a rummage, and you will also need to be quite assertive when it comes to finding the shopkeeper to find out prices. If you can handle this though, you're sure to find some great bargains for your Christmas shopping, and you don't even need to venture over the border!

Our favourite store was:

Hang Yip Garment Accessories Company

G/F 108A Nam Cheong Street

Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

(exit B2 from Sham Shui Po MTR station will take you to Fuk Wa and Fuk Wing Streets).

Sassy Addresses: Lams Season

It might be tiny, but it sparkles so you can't miss it! Lams Season is on Lyndhurst Terrace in what I suppose is technically Noho, and the outside of the shop is covered in shiny gold mosaic tiles, making it a draw for our magpie eyes. Inside, the light and airy shop space is a treasure trove for all things feminine and girly: lots of embellished floaty dresses and tops in pale colours, jewellery and a few carefully selected shoe styles.

Clothing is by Chailie Ho, a Hong Kong-born young designer who studied fashion at Cenral Saint Martins. Her ethereal and unstructured designs are effortlessly simple, but with a twist that elevates them to something special. For this summer season the collection has a Chloe-esque vibe, and prices are reasonable at around $500 for a dress or top.

Lams Season

G/F 23-31 Lyndhurst Terrace (Opposite Dymocks)

info@chailieho.com 2851 8636

Sassy Address: Dining Wok

When my husband and I were living in the States we dedicated every Sunday night to Chinese take-out. Usually that meant crab ragoons, wanton soup, egg rolls, General Tao's Chicken, and of course finished off with a fortune cookie! I have discovered that American Chinese Cuisine is basically a style of Chinese food that is not usually found in China! Deep-fried, stir-fried, and smothered in salt and oil seems to be the trend in American style Chinese food. Oh, and of course I don't want to forget about the MSG (although I think that most places are trying to offer the no MSG menus)! While I absolutely love the Chinese food here in Hong Kong, I actually have discovered a restaurant that prides itself on creating American Chinese Cuisine, The Dining Wok.

The Dining Wok is located on St. Francis Street in Wan Chai (very near to Star Street). The tables are decorated with the Chinese Zodiac Chart making for great conversation, I am the year of the Sheep. The menu is loaded with pictures and descriptions of all the dishes (very helpful to me!). We began with the pork pot-stickers and spring rolls, followed by wanton soup---and yes, the wantons were the fried wantons, sweet and sour chicken, and to my surprise we even had fortune cookies with our bill! I would say that the Dining Wok (which actually means "Big Trouble" in Cantonese) was a good match to our Sunday night take-out from the States.

The Dining Wok, G/F 12 St. Francis Street, Wan Chai, 2861-2722

Sassy Addresses: Vickie

We had meetings in Central today, and found ourselves with 10 minutes to kill by browsing around the shops on Queen Victoria Street (running between Queen's Road and Des Voeux Road). We wandered into this little shoe store and found a hidden gem. Featuring lots of "interpretations" of brands like Valentino and Jimmy Choo, Vickie shoes can customize any of their styles with different heel styles and heights. They stock larger sizes too in all the styles we tried on (e.g. 39-41), and will punch extra holes in your straps for no extra charge.

With prices between HK$350-500, they're reasonably priced too. Maura and I each picked up a pair so decided to pose with our bags outside the store while Natalie almost got run over standing in the road taking our picture.

A productive day!

Vickie

3, Queen Victoria Street, Central

Tel: 2525 6402

Sassy Addresses: The Brunch Club

Sometimes we all need to slow down and enjoy a meal with friends. That is exactly what we at Sassy did yesterday. We spent our Tuesday morning over eggs and toast at The Brunch Club. We turned off our mobile phones, put our blackberry's out of sight, and kept the conversation far from business. In the hustle and bustle of life here in Hong Kong it is sometimes so easy to get caught up in work and deadlines. It is so important to step back and simply enjoy good company!

We met at The Brunch Club tucked away on Peel Street (SoHo). An extremely cozy spot with magazine lined walls and comfy sofas. The menu features breakfast, brunch, afternoon teas, supper, wine, and cocktails. Open daily from 8am-11pm. The Brunch Club believes in fair trade, and that is obvious throughout the menu! Maura and I both had the scrambled egg whites with toast and fruit, while Hester had the yogurt with fruit. The food was delicious....and spending a Tuesday morning with two friends at a quaint restaurant was the perfect way to start the day!

The Brunch Club, 70 Peel Street, SoHo

Sassy Addresses: Vanilla

Since coming to Hong Kong I definitely don't cook nearly as much as I did when I was living in Switzerland. I use the excuse of having a tiny kitchen bla bla, but the truth is probably that a big part of it is just laziness! One of the most exciting discoveries I made after about six months of trekking past the blackboard above on the mid-levels escalator and not really noticing it, was to turn right onto Mosque Street and find Vanilla.

Vanilla is a little shop and bakery that sells a wonderful selection of cakes, and also quiches, salads, sandwiches and ready-made lasagne, fish pie, shepherd's pie etc. It also has what I am sure are the best brownies in Hong Kong, with a firm, crumbly outside, and fudgy gooey deliciousness inside. I often run down to pick up a last-minute dinner when I have had one of those busy days where you suddenly realize it's 7pm and haven't even thought about what to cook. You can also eat in the shop at a counter with high stools against the window.

Vanilla can be found at 33 Mosque Street, Mid-Levels. Tel: 2530 4828