what’s Hot what’s Cool - May 2012

Teatime Treats

Add a delightful touch to your afternoon tea with this clever tea strainer from Alan Chan Creations. This smartly designed gizmo will entertain you with melodic chirps until your tea is ready to drink. How lovely!

RMB 1,240. Alan Chan Creations. Room 106 - 109, Taikang Terrace, Lane 169, Jianguo Zhong Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu. Tel: 5404 3130.

Colour Poppin’

Give your talons a treat with this popsicle-coloured pink that was made for the bright days of summer.

RMB 80. Frangipani. 76 Fuxing Xi Lu, near Yongfu Lu. Tel: 6437 0310. Web: www.frangipani-shanghai.com

  The Es-scent-uals

Tickle your guests' sense of smell at your next house party by lighting some lusciously fragrant Elsie and Elva candles. Aromatically pleasant yet refreshingly light, these candles will lift your spirits and leave guests wondering, "What is it that smells so gosh-darn GOOD?"

RMB 90 upwards. Elsie and Elva Candles. Tel: 138 1723 9584. Web: www.elsie-elva.com

Flower Power

Say goodbye to the days of minimalist subtly and say hello to head-to-toe floral prints this season, in this genius creation by Phoebe Philo.

RMB 8,400 (shirt), RMB 7,600 (trousers). Céline. IFC Mall, 8 Shijie Dadao. Tel: 5012 0818. Web: www.celine.com

Beach Babe

Zara’s launched their spring swimwear collection and have got this fantastic exotic two-piece for you to prance around the poolside in all summer long.

RMB 169 each piece. Zara. 1193 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu. Tel: 6279 3282. Web: www.zara.com

Neon Brights

These colour-rich pumps from the Mary Ching 2012 Oriental Ballerina Collection are the missing ingredient to your summer wardrobe. Available in vibrant hues of neon green, red and fuchsia, these flats are hip, easy-to-wear and bubble-pop delicious!

RMB 1,190. Mary Ching Shanghai. Ferguson Lane, 374 Wukang Lu, near Hunan Lu. Tel: 5465 2335.
Web: www.marychingshanghai.com

Ice Ice Baby

Nix those pesky red burns and summer blisters with this cooling ‘ice’ cream - your skin will eat it up! Yummy!

RMB 265. Strip Ministry of Wax, Joy City Mall, Room 418, 166 Xizang Bei Lu, near Qufu Lu. Tel: 3639 7366.

Paris Elegance

Show off your sun-kissed skin in this beautiful white wraparound that’s light enough for the office and those warm summer evenings.

RMB 3,980. RuRu Studio, Wuning Lu, near Changde Lu. Tel: 6211 5093. Web: www.rurustudio.com.cn

Green and Clean

Reach the closest states to godliness with Eco & More’s selection of toiletries. This natural shampoo is enriched with plant-derived ingredients, such as pure rosemary and mint oil, to give you that tingly, fresh, and so-clean feel.

RMB 85. Eco & More. 570 Yongjia Lu, near Yueyang Lu. Tel: 186 1662 5317. Web:  www.eco-more.com

Fashion Find of the Month: Hipanema Friendship Bracelet

Got a birthday coming up, and looking for something really special to give your friend? These beautifully designed bracelets from Hipanema, drawing from the culture of South America, are a one-of-a-kind piece that your BFF will treasure forever.

RMB 350 (available through online site only). Hipanema. Web: www.modetrotter.com