The GM diet….

OK, before I get started, I must mention that I’m generally very much against restrictive diets and detox. I am a firm believer in day-to-day moderation and a healthy lifestyle.

How-EV-er, the weight’s been creeping up just a teensy weensy bit and I’d just like a little head start on taking it off.  So I’m doing the GM diet (very similar to the Cabbage Soup diet).

I’ve done the diet only once before and it was fairly successful*. Of course, I cheated quite a bit (a little salt here, some extra butter there) but I lost about 7 pounds in one week, so not too bad!

Here’s the deal:

Rules

- No booze (unless you’re doing this diet for 2 weeks. In that case, you may have 2 glasses of wine on the 2^nd week)

- Rum, vodka and gin are especially prohibited

- Drink 10-15 glasses of water daily

- Water, club soda with a lemon or lime, black coffee and black tea are all OK

- No milk, except on day four

- Limit salt oil and sugar intake

Day 1: The fruit day.  Today, you can eat unlimited quantities of fruit, except bananas.  Many claim that you can lose 3-4 pounds this day by eating only cantaloupe and melon. This day prepares your body for the remainder of the diet.

Day 2: Start your day with a baked potato for breakfast with a pat of butter. For the rest of the day you may eat only vegetables.

Day 3: Fruits and vegetables only. No bananas and no baked potato.

Day 4: This day sounds odd, but by the time you’re there, you’ll welcome it! You may eat as many as 8 bananas, 3 large glasses of milk and one bowl of cabbage soup. By now, you shouldn’t be craving sugar.

Day 5: You must eat 6 tomatoes and up to 20 ounces of beef** and unlimited quantities of cabbage soup. Add an additional quart of water to your daily intake to help flush your system.

Day 6: You may eat unlimited quantities of beef**, vegetables and cabbage soup. By now, you will have lost a significant amount of weight.

Day 7: Today you may have brown rice and vegetables, fruit juices and unlimited cabbage soup.

Cabbage soup recipe

Make a soup using 28oz water, 1 cabbage, 6 large onions, 2 green peppers, fresh or canned whole tomatoes, 1 bunch celery, 4 packets Lipton onion soup mix and herbs and spices as desired. The recipe is very flexible and you can add any vegetables you want. Adding beans is not recommended as they tend to be very high in calories.

As you can see, the food is generally all very good and low-fat. You will not have a lot of variety, but it’s only a week.  Yes, it is probably water weight, but I figure if I lose 10 pounds and gain 5 back, I’ve still lost 5 pounds in one week, which isn’t bad.

I am very excited to be starting this diet on Saturday and I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes!

*This diet has never been recommended to me by a doctor or nutritionist. Only by my loveable bottle blonde college roommate, Megan. Together we found it on the internet, and you know what they say about the internet…

**Vegetarians may have 1 cup of brown rice instead of beef

Tags: Cabbage soup diet, diet, General Motors, healthylifestyle, Weight loss, weightloss

How to rock the end of season sales

A fashion lover’s dream: the UK, EU and Hong Kong end of season sales are on their way. Want some insight into how to make them work for you? Here’s my guide to making the most of this fabulous month!

Budget – the most essential element!

Find out when the sales are and allocate some cash so you can splurge on some great finds.

 

I know it’s a pain, but I’ve found that if I create my budget before the big sale, I’m less likely to feel any buyers remorse and also less likely to make wasteful purchases before the sale.

 

Check out your calendar

Spend a few minutes thinking about upcoming travel plans, events you’ll be attending and gift buying.  This will help you focus in on exactly what type of clothes you’ll need and maybe you can even get ahead on your gift buying.

 

For example, my summer holiday is just around the corner, so I’ll be looking for cute sandals and sunglasses. I know the fall always means lots of social events so I’ll definitely be looking for evening wear, clutches, etc.

 

Make room

This is the perfect time to clean out your closets. I’m talking everything from handbags and shoes to clothes and lingerie.  Anything that needs to be mended should be sent for repair. Anything that isn’t flattering, looks worn or hasn’t been worn in a year needs to be donated or thrown away. Be strict! You’ll just be creating more space for all of your fabulous new purchases.

 

If you have any designer pieces that just aren’t doing it for you anymore, look into selling them.  eBay is always an easy option but there are also consignment shops and vintages stores that will happily help you sell old clothes, shoes and handbags.

 

Advanced tip: use this opportunity to spruce up your closet a bit.  Get matching hangers, organize clothes properly, polish your shoes and make sure all of your handbags have dust covers.

 

Plan for the sale           

Now that you have a nice clean closet, you’ve probably noticed areas that look a little sparse. Make a list of key pieces that are missing from your wardrobe. This will be a great reminder when it comes times for the sale.

 

If you’re the type of person who really gets distracted, you may even need to remind yourself what NOT to buy.  I have a horrible habit wasting my shopping budget on teeshirts so my list always says “NO MORE $100 TEE SHIRTS” to remind myself to invest in statement pieces instead of cheap thrills.

 

Advanced tip: talk to your favorite stylists and sales people to find out exactly which designers and pieces are going on sale.  They may even be able to help set aside specific items for you.

 

Advanced tip: If you’re a big online shopper (like yours truly) visit your tailor and have them take your measurements. Sites like Net-A-Porter, Neiman Marcus and Shopbop have terrific customer service people who can give some assistance with the fits so you don’t need to worry (as much) about returns.

 

Hit it!

So you’re at the sale… here’s the changing room advice I give my very best friends:

 

1. If real estate is location, location, location, fashion is fit, fit, fit. If you have to tug/adjust something more than once it doesn’t fit. Put it down and walk away.

 

2. Do you hair and makeup and wear your spanx, pumps and strapless pushup bra. This will be the best you will ever look in this outfit. If you’re not thrilled, put it down and walk away.

 

3. On the fence? If you cannot answer “yes” to all three of these questions, put it down and walk away.

- Would I wait in a long line for this purchase?

- Do I love it enough that I’d be willing to pay full price?

- Can I create several outfits with this item?

 

You may be noticing a theme here… I’m not an advocate of stockpiling cheap buys. You’re looking for fabulous pieces for your wardrobe so edit carefully. More often than not you should put it down and walk away.

 

Internet tip: Never, ever, ever purchase a final sale item online unless you have seen the item in person AND know that it fits beautifully. Otherwise, you are wasting your money.

 

Alright… and with that, we’re off!  The Net-A-Porter.com sale launches in just a few short hours so you know where I’ll be!

 

xo

Tags: Clothing, Neiman Marcus, Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, shopping

So, you want to go to Hong Kong?

As much as I love traveling, I also adore giving recommendations for my favorite cities. Just thinking of all of my favorite restaurants, shops and activities makes me so excited (and usually hungry).

A friend of a friend just asked for some suggestions today and I put this little list together for her, so I thought I would pass it along to you.

Enjoy!

Dining

- I’d hit Aqua or Nobu (Kowloon side), you’ll have a great view of Hong Kong. It’s more about the view than the food though so wait until you have a clear night.

- I love the outdoor area of the Peak Cafe for lunch or dinner. If you’re feeling up for a walk, there are a couple of nice trails that will take you there.  I’d skip the tram though, there’s always really long lines

- Dim sum is a must. For a traditional setting try City Hall, it’s always really packed so go on the late side. The nightclub Dragon-i has pretty good dim sum too with an all-you-can-eat special (do the math though, it’s not always worth it).

- Yung Kee on Wellington street has great Chinese food too. Be prepared for a wait. The goose is  really famous, but I think the duck looks better

- China Club is my favorite restaurant in HK, the ambiance is amazing and the food is delish (all Chinese). Go early and snoop around the upper floors and grab a drink on the roof top bar. It’s a private club so you’ll need your hotel to make a booking for you.

- Jimmy’s Kitchen is an iconic HK restaurant (all international food)

- Tokio Joe is great for a fun, boozy sushi dinner

- All of the restaurants on Hollywood road/Soho and in Stanley are fine. Nothing amazing but will do the trick when you’re shopping.

- While you’re here you must eat Peking duck and BBQ pork.

To do

- You must go to the races on Wednesday in Happy Valley. Just do general admission (its like $2 or something). It’s a fun scene even if you’re not into racing, kind of a beer garden vibe.

- There’s great shopping in Soho with lots of “outlets” selling cute dresses. Find a shop called the Button Hole.

- Hiking in Hong Kong is really nice. If you want to make a day of it head to the New Territories, otherwise there are lots of shorter trails on Hong Kong island and I’m sure there are some in Kowloon.

- For souvenir shopping, I prefer going to Ladder Street and Cat Street in Shung Wan. It’s kind of like rummaging though a grandmother’s costume jewelry box. Lots of antiques, vintage posters/photography and quirky gifts. I’d do this over Stanley market any day. If you go there, also checkout the nearby Man Mo temple

- There are lots of art galleries to visit around Hollywood Rd. (near Soho)

- The beaches aren’t exactly world-class but if you decide to go, visit Shek-O (there’s a place called the Black Sheep for lunch), nearby Big Wave Bay or Tai Lang Wan in the New Territories.

- I like Hong Kong Park. There are botanical gardens, an aviary and a small zoo. It’s kind of in an awkward location, but perfect for some R&R.  There’s also a tea house where you can go for traditional Chinese tea, definitely worth checking out if you’re there.

- Get tons of spa treatments.  The local foot massage places are great (and cheap) but even at the posh hotels the spa treatments are better and slightly cheaper than NY

- Check out the Peninsula for high tea

- If you want to go to China you will need a visa, it takes a few days so I’d suggest doing that before your trip.

Nightlife

- Grab drinks at the Upper House, stunning views.

- Tasmania Ballroom, Dragon-i, and Kee Club are the main high-end clubs

- Lan Kwai Fong is the trashy touristy bar area but is pretty fun. I’m secretly obsessed with jello shots at Al’s Diner. There’s a bar called Lei Dou which is a little nicer than the others.

- Hollywood road is Lan Kwai Fong for adults. All of the bars are fun and serve free snacks for happy hour

- Wan Chai is the red light district of HK (not dangerous though) lots of fun dive bars and late night snacks

- A lot of places do ladies night on Wednesdays = free drinks all night. Investigate.

Tags: Hong Kong, luxe, nosh, shopping, survivinghongkong, travel

Epic journey to Pulau Joyo

Last weekend I ventured to my first private island experience at the stunning Pulau Joyo, a tiny island in the Indonesian archipelago.

 

View Larger Map

 

Getting to Pulau Joyo  (one of the Riau islands) requires a flight to Singapore, 2 ferries and an hour-long car ride across Bin Tan Island. The trip is a bit of a mission, but totally worth it for a getaway from busy city life.

A peek into a Palace

The island of Pulau Joyo is made up of 4 Palaces, airy lofted huts with tons of privacy. Although the entire island is surrounded by white sandy beaches and a gentle surf, there’s a beautiful tear-shaped pool at the center of the island, perfect for a quick plunge or a late-night splash.

Pulau Joyo's pool and clubhouse

The weekend was billed as a Robinson Crusoe-eqse escape. Which might not have been accurate.

Unlike most Pulau Joyo vacationers, we weren’t exactly there to relax.

We were celebrating a very dear friend’s 30^th birthday and we hit the shores of Pulau Joyo carrying amps, decks, Veuve Clicquot and Grey Goose… all ready for an Epique celebration.

The weekend included pool parties, bonfires, late-night dancing, music from world-class DJs, massages, delicious local Indonesian food and impeccable hospitality provided by the attentive Pulau Joyo staff.

My visit to Pulau Joyo was a truly decadent departure from daily city life. If you’re living in Asia, or planning a trip to Asia, I highly recommend that you look into visiting this beautiful luxe-meets-rustic retreat.

xo

Tags: indonesia, islands, luxe, parties, survivinghongkong, travel

The skinny on not being fat

In the last year, I have lost a pretty significant amount of weight – 30 lbs in fact. While I’m not an authority on weight loss, people ask me about it all the time and I definitely have some opinions.

1. You have to really want it. Losing weight and maintaining weight loss is a serious commitment, and for me, a little like the desire to quit smoking. You can’t want to shed some extra pounds in the listless way we all wish for a designer wardrobe, celebrity friends and flawless hair (is it just me?). You have to really want it.

You have to want it enough to skip dinners out with friends, to commit to a serious workout plan (even when it cuts into your social life) and to choose the healthy option every time. Every. Damn. Time.

In the words of Kate Moss:

“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”

You’d better believe it.

2. Get moving. I hate spending time in the gym, I really and truly do. The elliptical and treadmill bore me to tears. For me the key is it either to spend time outside hiking the trails of Hong Kong or to go to a class at my local yoga studio.

I love experimenting with all types of fitness programs, from yoga to ballet to the cheesy 80s style aerobics class. It’s a great way to get your body moving in a more social environment AND it will keep you from skipping out early.

Once you find the type of fitness program you love, commit to going a minimum of 3 times a week for an hour per session. For me, keeping a food & exercise journal really helped me to visualize my progress and goals.  Looking back on a calendar full of days spent taking care of your body will give you a great feeling of accomplishment.

There’s also a side effect of exercise that no one mentions (and this is the best part). Regardless of your shape and size, you start to feel really good about your body when you exercise.

Watching your body transform into something powerful, graceful, coordinated, strong and beautiful feels incredible.

3. Listen to the Skinny Bitch. I haven’t read the entire Skinny Bitch book, but I have thumbed through and certain parts really resonated with me.  In a section of the book Rory Freedman & Kim Barnouin talk about the importance of saying “NO” and being “selfish”. For example:

- Don’t feel obligated to eat coworker Cathy’s brownies because she brought them into the office.

- Your friend has broken up with her boyfriend and is commiserating over a hot fudge sundae. You do not need to join her!

- Your friend’s dinner party coincides with your favorite class at the gym. Skip the party or go late. Your own health and commitments are more important.

Generally, it’s the type of “put yourself first” advice I strongly believe in. It also reminds me of some advice all Moms give their daughters:

“Friends who want to bring you down are NOT your friends.”

4. Indulge wisely. I used to work for a very famous food magazine. The publisher of said magazine was beautiful and, given her profession, incredibly svelte. I once heard someone ask her how she can visit the world’s top restaurants and meet the world’s top chefs and stay so slim. She replied:

“If it’s not fabulous, I don’t eat it.”

Wise words indeed. Since hearing this, I’ve caught myself throwing away entire cookies, servings of mashed potatoes and pieces of cheesecake that just “weren’t worth it”.

Also, after hearing this advise, I am sure to order my favorite dessert every time I see it on a menu (rarely): chocolate mousse. Because, you know what? It IS fabulous and I SAVOUR IT!

5. You’re going to make mistakes. Get over it. We all make mistakes and order the cheese platter, have the second serving of cake or miss a week’s worth of exercise. Get over it, start over, and move on! In my experience, it’s oh so much easier to mend a 2 week lapse than a 2 year gap.

I’m still about 15lbs shy of my “goal weight” so I’m sure there’s still a lot more for me to learn. As I do, I’ll be sure to fill you in, dear reader. In the meantime, do you have any advice of your own? Tell me what works for you!

xo

Tags: Health, healthylifestyle, Skinny Bitch, Weight loss, weightloss

So fash, or so trash: bling edition

I have a little secret for you: I am a huge fan of the Kardashians.

Are they the types of women I want my daughters to become? Not really.

Do they epitomize “what’s wrong with the world today”? Probably.

Are their shows fully entertaining and hilarious? Yes.

Ultimately, the three sisters are beautiful women who are incredible at what they do: entertain and influence the masses.

They get a lot of flack for being “famous for being famous”, but who can blame them? Given the opportunity, I think most of us would capitalize on our assets. In their case it’s family connections, good looks (God-given or otherwise) and a whole of lot of cash. I could argue that these girls are living the American dream… but I won’t go there.

I’m getting off track… this post isn’t really about Kim, Khloe and Kourtney.

It’s about that rock…

Kim’s reported $2MM 20.5 carat (but who’s counting?) Lorraine Schwartz sparkler has caused a controversy in and of itself and it seems like everyone is weighing in.

So what’s the deal, is it so fash, or so trash?

It seems like the popular opinion is that it’s insensitive and a waste of money In These Hard Times, What With The Recession And All.

I couldn’t disagree more.

Kim’s ring is fabulous, and completely fits her More Is More persona.

It’s a bit of a downer to say that because the economy is still weak that those with success (or tons of cash) shouldn’t enjoy it. I think anyone saying otherwise is using the recession as a scapegoat for his or her jealousy.

How many brides do you know (famous or not) who would pare down their wedding so they wouldn’t offend the less fortunate? And how pretentious would THAT be?!?

Kim – I think you should savor every minute of your celebrity, your engagement and that fantastic ring! God bless you!

xo

Tags: belles, jewelry, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries, Lorraine Schwartz, luxe

Pythons, Crocs and Ostriches (oh my!)

I love supporting Hong Kong-based female entrepreneurs, and it’s even better when they are my very dear friends.

Kashish Hemnani, founder of LAYKH is hitting NYC this week and she’s bringing her latest collection of python, crocodile, stingray and ostrich clutches and handbags.

What makes LAYKH stand out is that all bags are bespoke and therefore 100% customizable…. fantastic! Kashish has seemingly endless color options, so whether you’re looking for a sophisticated croc or a blinged-out stingray she has you covered. It’s also an affordable way to score your own super-luxe super-large python or ostrich hobo… I lust over almost every design.

I’ve had the Ameesha bag for over 2 years and I’m amazed by the versatility and quality of this streamlined clutch. The best part is that it transitions easily from edgy to lady-like ensembles.

For my wedding this year, I gave my sister (and matron of honour) the gold glitter Lindsay clutch and she was thrilled. It was definitely a modern and fabulous gift that I know she’ll enjoy for years to come.

So… here comes the plug… Kash is going to be showcasing all of her designs in New York City on June 1. Take this opportunity to meet her, admire the stunning bags and scoop up a little something to make your friends go insane!

xo

Tags: luxe, new york, parties, shopping, springstyle