Ladies' Night Market

Hrm...the Ladies' Night Market is such a tourist attraction that I didn't think I ought to write about it since everyone knows about it already. However, the Other Dude had a mission from her mother to buy some handcrafted slippers, so I thought I might as well take some pictures while we were there.

We wandered a bit until we found the slippers stall. Er...I don't exactly know where it is, but just keep walking around, you'll find it.

These slippers are about HKD120 a pair.

Holy crap, we both thought this pair was so cute. Too bad they're not high-heeled shoes. They were around HKD130 or HKD140 a pair, I think.

The Other Dude spotted this pair of flats, as well, and ended up buying them.

Very, very cute. Make them with 4-inch heels, please, thank you.

*UPDATE: Since writing this entry, though, the Other Dude went to DNA Galleria and found the same shoes for only HKD79! What a big tsk!

More pictures from the Ladies' Night Market.

Oh  my God, I thought these little fabric purses were sooo cute. The envelope ones are only HKD18. I'll have to go back and buy some as presents. I think the ones on top were HKD15...but I might be making shit up.

This place sells buttered corn, hot dogs and waffles. I was mesmerized by the drawing of the corn and the chicken holding hands. I like it when food can make friends with each other.

Veggies waiting to be dipped in batter and deep fried. So delicious. Yes, I'll eventually publish an entry on street food. This one says that it's HKD7 for 4 pieces.

Other food awaiting their final destinies in the deep fryer and then in someone's stomach. To get to the Ladies' Night Market, get off at Mong Kok Station, Exit E. The MTR signs tell you to get off at Exit D, BUT THEY ARE LYING.

Sham Shui Po Street Market

The Sham Shui Po street market was pretty much closing up by the time we arrived (around 7, I think). The Other Dude said that it's probably just a day market, and I think she's right.

We walked around a little bit, mostly in search of a good umbrella. Both the OD and I were in the market for a nice one that wasn't too expensive. Like the street market in Mong Kok (also known as Ladies' Night Market because it's open till quite late) or Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei, you can find all kinds of clothes, accessories, etc. here.

We finally stumbled on a really great umbrella shop just next to the MTR Station. Do you see those umbrellas on the middle right? That's where the shop is.

The OD spotted this camouflage-print umbrella, and we both exclaimed over its unique shape. The OD keeps calling the tip a nipple, which makes me concerned about her impression of human anatomy.

Anyway, it's UVA and UVB-proof so that you can use it to protect your skin against the nasty sunlight. Listen, I'm not one of those people that having pale skin is a sign of beauty. Your skin colour is your skin colour, and every type of skin can be beautiful if properly cared for. As for myself, I burn really easily -- I even get blisters, really scary -- and get freckles. Yes, freckles can be cute on some people, but on me, I look like a cockroach had diarrhea on my face.

Anyway, the umbrella is sturdy, with rubber tip and handle, it can be inverted and it'll still spring back without snapping any of the arms. And it only cost HKD55! Both the OD and I got an umbrella each. The only issue I have with it is that some of the arm tips get dislodged rather easily. Still, small price to pay.

To get to the street market, get off at Sham Shui Po Station, Exit B2.

Chen Mi Ji

Huh. I used to live next door to Chen Mi Ji when I lived in SoHo. Looks like they relocated to Star Street area. They're technically on Sun Street (well, the sun is a star, right?) which is around the corner from Star Street.

They sell vintage-inspired home furnishings and accessories. Some cute stuff there.

Cat Street

You can reach Upper Lascar Row, or Cat Street as it's also called, from Western Market or Man Mo Temple. It's sandwiched in between those two landmarks, so it's not hard to find at all.

We don't really have vintage or antiques flea markets in Hong Kong. The really nice stuff was either stolen by the Europeans or already live in shops that sell them for rather high prices. The stuff you get on Cat Street is hit or miss. They mostly cater to tourists, but I do pass by once in a while to take a look. You never know what kind of gem you might dig up, but it really takes a lot of patience and a good eye.

A bit of haggling is to be expected, but please do be polite about it. I often witness tourists being complete assholes and speaking rudely to the stall owners, and sometimes, even cursing them out. It's not that fucking important, Jesus. If you can't afford it, take the loss and move the fuck on!

Anyway I bought this security guard cap for HKD60 on Cat Street. Love it, I wear it as much as possible.

And my friend bought this antique puppet for (I think) HKD400, but he ended up giving it to me because I don't mind it when inanimate objects follow you around the room with their eyes.

Out of Stock

Around the corner from Homeless on Gough Street is a tiny shop called Out of Stock that sells vintage stuff.

A Carrie Chau sculpture along the way.

The stuff in the shop is clean, chosen with a very particular taste for whimsy and cuteness. I'm one of those horrid people who like to scour piles of junk for treasures, so I don't really buy stuff from shops like this. However, if you don't have the time or inclination to get your hands dirty, this is a really good place to pick up some cute stuff.

Homeless

Whew, this is going to be a mega-entry with lots of pictures.

I've always liked Homeless, even though they took over a space on Gough Street that I was eyeing as a place to live in. At the time, the economy wasn't doing very well, and the rent was just unbelievably low.

Fortunately for everyone, Homeless beat me to the location, and the people who visit Gough Street to eat or shop have been spared my early morning alcohol-infused antics.

Homeless is one of the best places to pick up a charming or witty little (or big) gift. They stock all kinds of items, from gag gifts to furniture to dinnerware, from mostly Japanese and European designers. They have a taste for things from Droog and Tord Boontje, so you know what to expect.

Outside the shop. The original location had these gorgeous carved wooden doors from Thailand, which the shop owner moved to the inside rather than throwing it away, thank God.

Mathmos lava lamps and Airswitch lamps. All you have to do is wave your hand above the lamp, more or less, and it'll turn on, dim or shut off. I can't tell you the amount of time I've spent just playing with these lamps when I've had nothing to do.

Since they opened all those years ago, Homeless has expanded to other branches, one in Causeway Bay, and two more on the same street as the flagship. The two other Homeless shops focus on one particular area. This one is mostly furniture.

I love this cork seat!

Also like this chair made of brass pipes!

The third shop on the street focusses on the work of Hong Kong artist, Carrie Chau, who is one of the owners of Homeless, I believe. You can buy shirts, artwork, cards, and all kinds of items printed with one of her illustrations.

Alright, as you can tell, I didn't bother going in the shops, but these photographs should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. Back when I had a lot more spare time and money, I liked to visit Homeless just to browse and get inspired, and I always ended up leaving with something clever.