Spring/Summer 2012: Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessories

Spring/Summer 2012 accessories of Marc by Marc Jacobs needs an exclusive post...

I so ♥ the brand and for Spring 2012 collection I so want to buy the bags and shoes....

Since I'm going to Hong Kong to shop next year, I'll hunt some of these items especially the sneaker with heels.

I so want this Wayfarer!

I will hunt this shoe in Hong Kong!!!!

Photos from Marc by Marc Jacobs

Shopping: Causeway Bay in Hong Kong is Wasteland

Hong Kong shopping is the most amazing part if going to a financial capital in Asia because boutiques and pop up stores are scattered in the streets from low-end to high-end brands.

Causeway Bay is my wasteland part in Hong Kong, almost everything can be found there, except H&M. 

If you're a Marc by Marc Jacobs addict like me, go to Causeway Bay because they have the special items.

Special Items section, see the rain boots at the right corner? I bought one

How to go: From MTR, find the exit to Fashion Walk. Turn left, then once you saw Vivienne Westwood store, turn right. The heaven is located in front of Adidas Original store.

IKEA -- almost everything you need for your house, condominium pad, or office supplies are basically available in IKEA. This is a wasteland to people who ♥ to renovate, re-design, or conceptualizing their space in a much lesser cost than Italian furniture houses.

There are three IKEA stores (as far as I know) in Hong Kong; Megabox in Kowloon, Sha Tin, and Causeway Bay (picture below). The best place is the Megabox branch since they have the restaurant there.

Open from 10:30 am.

Don't leave IKEA without eating their famous meatballs... 

I really want this chair...hesitant to buy because of airport tax and I flew via budget airline

How to go: 

Causeway Bay -- Ride MTR to Causeway Bay and exit to Fashion Walk/Park Lane Hotel. It is located at the basement of The Park Lane Hotel.

Times Square -- This is a wasteland to shoppers who likes high-end and luxury brands. You will find brands such as; Salvatore Ferregamo, Burberry, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, etc. You can also find medium-end brands such as ZARA, Adidas, Massimo Dutti, etc. And you can also find here the wasteland for stationery lovers... CITY SUPER!!

Oh forgot to mention that luxury department store, Lane Crawford is occupying three or more floors of the building... I instantly fell in ♥ with.

Inside Times Square, promotion for Harry Potter movie..Hogwarts Market

Hong Kong: Why Taisan Guesthouse for Budget Travelers?

In terms of where to stay? I am not the type of person whining about the fugly ambiance of the place nor the not so gorgeous bathroom and restroom (as long as the place is good, safe, and clean)! 

If you're tired then rest and don't complain (expect to get tired if you're traveling noh!). 

Don't just rely to your tour guide or friend who has been to that country a dozen times...RESEARCH!!

As long as the place is safe with clean bathroom and toilet, good quality air condition, not annoying bed, free clean towel to use, and good view... I am so fine, though who doesn't like to stay to a 4 to 5 stars hotel noh?!

When I found out from PEX community that they highly recommended to stay in Taisan Guesthouse in Burlington branch for a tight budget traveler, I immediately inquired and reserved a room with them during my first visit in Hong Kong. And when I visit the country for the second time with budget traveler friends, with no doubt I chose Taisan Burlington again (specifically requested the room 18).

Lobby

P.S.: sorry our room is messy.

Rooms are affordable:

For one to two persons -- range from HK$400-450/night.

For three persons -- HK$500/night

For four persons -- HK$580/night (if five people to sleep in a quad room, just add around HK$50/night )

If you're a group of six, I suggest to take two rooms.

You must pay a HK$500 deposit to reserve a room through Paypal (plus HK$20 for the fee).

Why to stay in Taisan?

-- unlike to other hostel or guesthouse building, Taisan's bulding where we stayed is very safe.

-- easy access to places you want to explore.

-- near to fast food chains scattered in TST

-- if you run out of money, HSBC and Citbank is near the building to withdraw

-- a few steps to ride MTR

-- a few steps to ride A21 (5:30 am to 10:00 pm schedule) or N21 (10:00 pm to 5:10 am schedule) bus to/from airport

-- a block away to ride Airport Express FREE shuttle to Kowloon

-- Filipino caretaker.. you know how hard to communicate with Hong Kongers noh..so an English language literate caretaker like Filipino would be an easy breezy thing for travelers.

Located along Nathan Road, if from the airport and will ride A21/N21, your pit stop is the 12th stop of the bus.

If from the airport and you'll ride the airport express:

-- If from Kowloon, ride free airport express shuttle K4 then your drop off point is the Mira Hotel in Kimberly Road

-- If from Tsing Yi and Hong Kong MTR station, ride MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui station then exit B.

To know more about Taisan Guesthouse and reserve a room, click here

Hong Kong: Tsim Sha Tsui ... What To Offer?

Hong Kong is not as big as CHINA! LOL! But you can't stroll the whole of Hong Kong for one day.

I chose (since I'm the tour guide) TST (short for Tsim Sha Tsui) because its more convenient for a tourist than any places in Hong Kong, though I really like to stay in Causeway Bay.

Tsim Sha Tsui has a lot to offer for tourist; shopping, food trip, cultural exploration, and photo ops.

Most famous spots in TST for tourist:

Avenue of the Stars (AOS) -- a Hollywood walk of fame - esque, where you can find the stars of Hong Kong celebrities (e.g. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yung Fat, and others).

Located along Victoria Harbour waterfront. If you're coming from Nathan Road, take the Haiphong Road to Canton Road then left turn at the corner of Haiphong and Canton. Walk towards Canton Road, once you reach Marco Polo Hotel and see the Clock tower, then you almost reach your destination.

Symphony of Lights (SOL) -- a synchronized presentation of lights from 44 buildings across Victoria Harbour waterfront accompanied by music. The show starts at 8:00 PM (evening) in good weather.

Silvercord -- this is where you'll find shops like H&M and I.T., you can also find the famous Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung here and more affordable in Food Republic.

Food Republic

H&M

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Located at the corner of Haiphong Road and Canton Road.

Harbour City -- this is where you'll find high-end and luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, etc.

Located along Canton Road.

Mirador Mansion -- this is where you'll find the "money changer"of Hong Kong, Wing Hoi, the best foreign exchange rate in the ♥ of TST. You can also find the cheapest souvenirs inside this building.

Located along Nathan Road, 13th or 14th stop from airport if taking a bus A/N21.


Heritage 1881 -- one of the best site for photo ops and this where you'll find luxury brands for jewelry.

Hong Kong: Lin Heung Tea House = Legend!

Who doesn’t like to eat? Even anorexic loves to eat! If you’re going to Hong Kong don’t miss to dine in Lin Heung Tea House. A very old restaurant, serves authentic dim sum (from siomai to siopao..and I don't know the rest) and I must say this… The food… DELICIOUS!!!

After I dropped my friends in Admiralty to catch the bus 629 to Ocean Park, I rode the train to Sheung Wan from Admiralty.

Then take the E2 exit and follow where my feet go… LOL!

And Voila…. It took me 20 minutes to locate this tea house… But look what I eat!

Warning: This is not a fine dining place, where a crew will greet you and assist you to find the most comfortable table in the room. This is not your typical restaurant where utensils (e.g. chopsticks, spoon, and fork) are arranged. Last is...This is not for Drama Queens and Kings.

This is what you’ll see once you go upstairs….

Sharing table is typical in this kind of restaurant… don’t be shy to sit if you’ll find a vacant chairs. Once you’re comfortable, a crew of the house will prepare your chopstick, spoon, cups, and tea for you to use.

Once you have in front all necessary things, you have to wash the utensils and cup using the tea in a pot (this tea also serve as your drink). The staff will give you a card with numbers, this card serves as your order and the push cart ladies will stamp the card every time you pick a food in the cart. To order a food, as I’ve said above no waiter to serve you the food you want, but you have to go and choose your food from the push card ladies. Be prepared because you have to fight for your food. Not all Hong Kongers are rude, people who I shared table with were nice.

When you're finish and decided to leave the place, go to the cashier near the stairs with your card and pay there… guess what how much all the food I eat cost? HK$85!!

Lin Heung Tea House

Wellington Street, Central

Hong Kong