Shopping with...Yvonne MOK

Yvonne Mok founded the Parents' Journal a year ago - a bilingual bi-monthly magazine focusing on pregnancy, children's health, education and consumer news. She has three children: Leanne, four; Kristina, two; and Max aged two months.

'Since Max was born, it's obviously been a lot harder for me to go shopping. What I normally do is drop my older two off at Magic Mirror Children's Image Salon [Shop 136, 1/F, Caroline Centre, 2-38 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2882 2118] to have their hair cut [from $320], then go to the shops nearby. The kids love going there because there's a play area with a doll's house, they can bring their own videos to watch and they are given sweets. Instead of the normal barber chairs, they sit on carousel horses, rabbits or thrones, and there's a baby changing area.

'There are lots of lovely children's clothes shops in the Caroline Centre, but they're a bit expensive. One of my favourites is Abebi [Shop 112-115, 1/F tel: 2882 1809]. It sells all the main designer children's labels, including BabyDior, DKNY Kids, Moschino Junior, Paul Smith Children and Kenzo Jungle. I also like Lapin Bleu [Shop 125, 1/F tel: 2805 6729] which has pretty pastel coloured babygrows in practical washable cottons [from $400].

'I also shop at Yurt [27-29 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai, tel: 2865 4892], owned by a French lady who designs funky contemporary clothes mainly for kids, but also some for adults. The prices are quite reasonable [from $310 to $890].

'For shoes, I go to Footnotes [319 Maritime Square, Tsing Yi, New Territories, tel: 2435 5939] because the service is excellent. When I used to go to the regular shops the assistants didn't have a clue about kids' shoes. They'd say, 'Well, they look OK, so they must be all right'. At Footnotes, they measure my children's feet properly and stock shoes in six width fittings [from $268]. It's particularly good for school shoes.

'I buy nappies from Tots Trading [10/F, Coda Plaza, 51 Garden Road, Central, tel: 2869 7922]. It stocks Weenees environmentally friendly biodegradable disposable pads [from $53 for 20] that you can break up and flush down the loo. You slot them inside Weenees waterproof baby pants [from $96 each].

'I also buy Total Eclipse swimwear there [from $100] because they provide SPF50 sun protection. Those tiny bikinis you see everywhere are cute but so dangerous. I make sure my kids wear the all-in-ones, but Total Eclipse also makes T-shirts and shorts, all in bright colours.

'For equipment I recommend the Safety First brand [available from Wise Kids, 905-906 Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 3328 or Jusco, Wing On, Citistore and Carrefour. Call 2827 0864 for details]. I use the Fold-Up booster seat [from $299] that sits on a regular dining chair, and is great for Hong Kong homes because it folds up and doesn't take up too much space. Safety First also makes fun bathroom toys like Fish n' Net Squirters [$49 a set] which my kids love.

'For educational toys I go to Goody Toys [2033, Level 2, IFC Mall, Hong Kong Station, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, tel: 2295 0552] owned by a guy whose son is actually called Goody. The staff are really well-trained and knowledgable about their products, the prices are reasonable and they have a play area - which is crucial.

'Then for food I often visit Green Cottage [G/F, 15A Yung Shue Wan, Main Street, Lamma, tel: 2982 6934]. It's a health food shop that stocks organic vegetables and baby food [$10.50 a jar] and I stop off there while waiting for the ferry.'