Where can I find a pendant that opens up like a locket-type thing? It's a gift so I want it to be nice but I'm not talking about diamonds or anything and second-hand creeps my friend out. Nobody seems to know what I'm talking about.
Hidden Treasure, Central
The Dictator rules: Maybe that's because you were speaking in English? Unless you plan on taking a crash course in Cantonese (see the courses offered by the YWCA: esmdywca.org. hk), you'll have to print out images from the internet. Although Marc by Marc Jacobs created a lot of lockets for this season, we only found one - a cute little gold-coloured metal heart on a long chain (HK$750; The Landmark, Central, tel: 2524 6691). At Tiffany & Co (The Landmark, tel: 2845 9853), the entire selection of lockets might not be on display, so ask to see the catalogue. The range goes from small, plain ovals and hearts in silver (HK$2,800 and up) to slightly larger, engraved ones from the Tiffany Notes collection in silver or 14-carat yellow gold (HK$4,200 to HK$8,300). Shame you don't seem willing to spend too much on this gift as we are in love with the 18-carat yellow gold lockets by artist, photographer and designer Monica Rich Kosann (about HK$21,000 and up; Lane Crawford, Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2118 3668). The most reasonable pendants we found were in silver at Macassar (HK$180 and up; 6/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, tel: 2523 5046) but they're more like little boxes than lockets. For a bit of fun, take a look at the Thomas Sabo strawberry box pendant in silver and red enamel (HK$1,790; IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2295 3585).
I'm a real fan of Lolita Lempicka but I didn't visit its Paris shop from 2006 to 2008 (when I was pregnant and after my son was born). I believe it was the only shop in France, and the world - I've been searching the Web and calling any numbers I had before but there's no trail to pick up. Can you help me?
Lost without Lolita, Happy Valley
The Dictator: That all sounds very fancy and highfalutin but you don't need to fly all the way to Paris to find Lolita Lempicka. We were sure we'd seen her fanciful fragrance bottles somewhere in Hong Kong. First stop Sasa didn't stock it but we had more success at Bonjour Cosmetics (20 Russell Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2892 2638;
www.bonjourhk.com/en). It sells quite a few of the French fashion designer's scents, including her first, Lolita Lempicka eau de parfum (HK$420/75ml), made with notes of licorice, vanilla, Amarena cherry and praline, mixed with light florals, ivy violet, greens, iris and musk. It carries others, too, such as Si Lolita (HK$395/30ml; or HK$595/80ml), which the designer describes as, 'the secret spicy freshness of sweet pea' with additional notes of pink peppercorn, bergamot, mandarin, heliotrope, amber, patchouli and tonka bean vanilla. If you would like to dive into the world of Lolita Lempicka, virtually at least, visit her cute website:
www.parfumslolitalempicka.com. You can also buy the range online at sites such as Amazon.com and Strawberrynet.com.
I saw a woman wearing studded rubber thongs. I looked at Havaianas and couldn't find that style. Do you know who makes it?
Stud Hunt, Repulse Bay
The Dictator: Oh, please. Please tell me you're not talking about underwear. Havaianas makes luxe versions of its flip-flops with Swarovski crystals on the straps (about HK$350 to HK$1,120;
www.havaianashk.com). However, you're probably looking for iPanema, which has studded flip-flops called Classica Pop, in gold and black; blue and hot pink; and purple for only HK$119 (Sogo, 555 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2833 8338). Other stores that sell the brand include Royal Sporting House, MVP, Sincere and Jusco. For more, take a look at the mostly Chinese language website:
www.ipanema.hk. Widen your scope by trying on other flat sandals with studded straps, including Rubi Shoes (Cotton On, 151 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2537 4279). You could always modify flip-flops you already have by attaching pins such as those by Pininho (about HK$66, not including delivery;
www.pininho.com.au). If you're the arts and crafts type, for a few dollars, you will find iron-on studs on Pottinger Street, in Central. (Do we have to warn you to glue, not iron them on the rubber straps?)
