Les Nèrèides in Hong Kong

I drool over the Les Nèrèides jewellery stores in Paris - they use such unique materials, like seed pods, to create distinctive and quirky pieces that are somehow outside of fashion. When you see the French girls wearing Les Nèrèides, they are usually wearing it with just a very simple outfit, as it often makes such a strong statement. 

And now Les Nèrèides is coming to Hong Kong, where they will be opening an N2 boutique in Harbour City, on Level 2 of the Atrium (which if you've never been is a great place to find imported beauty brands - lots of Japanese and Korean skin care products). 

On Saturday 2nd May, they're offering a 25% discount to all shoppers, and if you spend more than $2000, you will receive a $200 coupon. 

Last night's S.O.S Party

Last night's S.O.S (Save Our Style) party at the Mandarin Oriental Spa was a lot of fun, and educational too. I know I'm currently sporting one of the hairstyles that the very talented Andrea demonstrated, though I think it will be a case of practice makes perfect when it comes to getting it right!

The evening began with some chatting over a glass or two of wine and some delicious nibbles as we were all welcomed by the Mandarin team. The salon was beautifully decorated with banqueting chairs, each with a goodie bag placed on top. We began with a demonstration and talk by Angel, the head make-up artist who used to work for E channel back in the US. He took us through what we should have in our make-up bags, with a special focus on beating the Hong Kong humidity - Nicky was brave enough to volunteer to have her bag rooted through, and emerged with her dignity intact...  

We then heard from Andrea, head stylist at the salon, who showed us how to put our hair up in a french roll using just three pins, and inspired us to generally raise our hair game by always covering our hair elastics by wrapping our hair around them, and using fun accessories. Andrea also demonstrated how to use GHD styling irons to curl as well as straighten hair - which I had always wondered how to do. Andrea and Angel were kind enough to stay around after the event to answer all the eager questions and give lots of useful advice. 

Thank you so much to everyone who came, and also of course to Lynsey, Angel, Andrea, Fatima and all the rest of the lovely staff who made this evening very special for us. We would love to hear your feedback on this event! 

Bejewelled Bespoke

One of the great things about having FINALLY figured out what Twitter is actually for, is discovering a little more about what people are getting up to in Hong Kong by "following" them, even if it makes us feel a little bit stalkerish! We really love supporting local small-business owners - probably because we're in the same position... 

One of our discoveries is Hong Kong-based Etsy seller, Bejewelled Bespoke, who makes and sells beautiful, delicate but impactful pieces, with a vintage look and feel. The statement necklace above is very this season! Trish, who hand-makes all the items, will even customize individual pieces to your specifications, which is exciting for me as she has a range of bridal-inspired pieces which are very pretty. 

All prices on the store are in US dollars, and Bejewelled Bespoke is currently running a Mother's Day promotion offering a 10% discount on all pieces. 

NY Times, April 26, 2009

Hong Kong, Minding SARS, Announces Tough Measures in Response to Swine Flu

By KEITH BRADSHER

Published: April 26, 2009

HONG KONG — Hong Kong, the epicenter of a SARS outbreak six years ago, announced some of the toughest measures anywhere on Sunday in response to a swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States.

Official urged residents not to travel to Mexico, and they ordered the immediate detention at a hospital of anyone who arrived with a fever and symptoms of a respiratory illness after traveling in the previous seven days through a city with a laboratory-confirmed outbreak.

At least 20 cases have been confirmed in New York, Ohio, California, Kansas and Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

The new policy has the potential to dampen air travel across the Pacific. Hong Kong has Asia’s busiest airport hub for international travel, with Boeing 747s arriving around the clock from cities all over the United States and Canada, though not from Mexico.

Ever since the 2003 outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, Hong Kong has used infrared scanners to measure the facial temperatures of all arrivals at its airport and at its border crossings with mainland China.

Dr. Thomas Tsang, the controller of the Hong Kong government’s Center for Health Protection, said Sunday afternoon at a news conference that any traveler who had passed through a city with laboratory-confirmed cases and who arrived in Hong Kong with a fever and respiratory symptoms would be intercepted by officials and sent to a hospital to await testing.

“Until that test is negative, we won’t allow him out,” he said.

An aide later said that the cutoff for having a fever would be 100.4 degrees, and that it would take two or three days to obtain test results.

Dr. York Chow, Hong Kong’s secretary for health and food, asked residents to watch the news for reports of which American states had outbreaks and discouraged travel to those states, but he reserved his strongest warning for travel to Mexico.

“Do not travel to Mexico unless it is absolutely necessary,” he said.

The Hong Kong government will also amend its health regulations in the next couple days to make it mandatory for any health professional to alert the government of any suspected cases of swine flu, he said.

Hong Kong should “prepare for the worst” if the swine flu virus develops a clear ability to pass from person to person, Dr. Chow said, adding that the risk from the virus was low if this did not happen.

One legacy of SARS is that Hong Kong may now be better prepared for a flu pandemic than practically anywhere else in the world. Fearing that SARS might recur each winter, the city embarked on a building program to enlarge its capacity to isolate and treat those infected with communicable respiratory diseases.

The city has also expanded its flu research labs, already among the best in the world and leaders in tracking the H5N1 avian flu virus. The so-called bird flu virus, which kills an unusually high share of its victims, has periodically triggered fears over the past decade about a possible pandemic. It is different, though, from the H1N1 swine flu virus now causing illnesses in Mexico and the United States.

We hear whispers...

...that Topshop is currently scouting for sites in Causeway Bay to open a store! So far the only store in Asia is in Singapore, and it's a poor show if we're honest - a few odds and ends in strange sizes, lots of empty space, and some broken jewellery... nothing like the hallowed halls of Topshop Oxford Circus in London, which for me was a favourite shopping destination back when I lived in the UK. If you've never heard of Topshop, it's the UK's favourite high street fashion store, priced around the same level as Zara, but far more fun and daring. 

In recent years they've begun shipping to Europe and the US, and opened a flagship store in New York, so seems like the time is right (apart from that tricky little issue of the economy) to expand further into the world. 

In the meantime (as well as keeping our fingers crossed), we can content ourselves with Kate Moss's range at Lane Crawford in Pacific Place and Canton Road. 

Le French May

Exhibit: The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London

Hip-Hop: Little Stories by ACCRORAP Dance Company

Culinary: Food Meets Art

Exhibit: Louis Vuitton: A Passion For Creation

The Consulate General of France has created Le French May here in Hong Kong, one of the largest French arts festivals in Asia. Le Festival has staged over 500 events including the visual arts, opera, classical and contemporary music, dance, new circus, cinema, as well as the culinary arts.

Besides featuring French arts, Le French May's purpose is to build the cultural, intellectual and artistic exchange between French and local artists in Hong Kong; to help create new talents and projects; to intensify the dynamic art scene in Hong Kong

Check out their website http://www.frenchmay.com/ for a complete schedule of their upcoming events.

April Manicure Monday

Monday night saw us back at The Feel Good Factor on Wyndham Street for our second Manicure Monday. We had a great number of girls turn up to take advantage of our fabulous offer of an express mani, wine and chats for just $100, and Theresa won our pedicure giveaway - Congratulations! Our Manicure Mondays are regular events - we hold them on the 3rd Monday of each month, which means the next one is on May 18th. 

You can send us an email or RSVP on our website as of a week in advance. We would love to see you there next time. Thank you so much to Helen at Feelgood Factor, and to all the girls who came. You can see the rest of the photos on the Sassy Pics page on our site. 

Iphanatics Event Tonight

I'm a bit of a luddite technologically-speaking, unlike Maura and Natalie who are always tapping away on their Blackberries... So this event isn't really for me, but I'm kind of intrigued by the fact that it exists at all which is why I just had to post about it! 

Iphanatics Hong Kong organize a monthly iPhone and iPod meet-up, which tonight will be held at California on the Ground Floor of California Tower in Lan Kwai Fong. It's an hour-long event where they bring iPhone developers in to do live demonstrations of their applications, including games, and how to use your iPhone overseas. 

One of our favourite blogs, Butterboom is sponsoring the event, which is FREE. 

When: Tuesday 21st April, 7.30pm

Where: California, California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar Street

RSVP: Via the Iphanatics website. 

Restaurant Review: Tandoor

A windy, rainy Saturday night found my husband and I having one of our favourite conversations - where to have dinner? After listing the usual options we found that we were both having a similar craving for Indian food, and so decided to strike out and try something new (Nepal is usually our go-to option). We found Tandoor listed online, and as it's conveniently located on Lyndhurst Terrace, it sounded like the perfect option... especially as I could argue that it's just about far enough from our apartment to justify taking a taxi!

Tandoor is on the first floor of Lyndhurst Tower, which is right on the corner of Lyndhurst and Wellington, and you really can't miss Tandoor because of the neon sign and turban-ed doorman standing outside. Heading up one flight of stairs to the restaurant, you feel like you've been transported... right to London! There's a mainly Western crowd, though some Indian customers also, which we hoped was a good sign. On Saturday nights they have live music on a small raised stage at the front of the room which makes for a great atmosphere. The only downside for us was that in between the performances they would lower a big screen and show live cricket matches with the sound on, which made it feel a bit more like a pub than a restaurant. We ordered a selection of appetizers which were totally delicious, and they provide a little selection of chutneys and raita.

For our main dishes we had a Rogan Josh (lamb curry) and Tikka Paneer (cottage cheese roasted with vegetables with a tikka flavouring), and some rice and peshwari naan bread. Everything was extremely tasty and not greasy at all. They had a small selection of wines by the glass, and a larger selection of beers. They also offered something called a Vodka Red Bull Boat, which sounded a bit scary - probably one for the "lads"!

Overall, Tandoor is a great option if you're simply craving a yummy curry in pleasant surroundings, with good service. The live music at weekends is a nice touch, and I can imagine if you were to go as a group before a night out it would really hit the spot. It isn't anything super-exceptional, but we enjoyed ourselves and the bill was reasonable - around $550 for two including one glass of wine.

1/F Lyndhurst Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace

Phone: 2845 2262

www.hktandoor.com

Karla's Closet

I am one of the least adventurous people with fashion, or at least that's how I feel in my head. I love the super-high clumpy heels that are trendy right now, admire the out-there jewellery and aspire to always be fully put together from head to toe, even when I'm just popping out to 7-11 for my Diet Coke fix. The reality though is very much less glamourous, and I always have to psych myself up to step outside my comfort zone. 

I love reading fashion blogs, and came across this one today that was a good reminder that you can have so much fun with fashion, and take risks. The trousers above might be just a leetle out there for me, even in my wildest dreams, but I love to imagine how walking around in those trousers you would get a lot of startled looks, but probably also make people smile! 

Wedding Inspiration

I'm planning my wedding at the moment, which (just to make things a little bit trickier for myself) will not be held in Hong Kong, but in Beaune, which is in the Burgundy region of France. I'm actually already legally married, in an extremely unromantic ceremony in a lawyer's office on Des Voeux Road, which does take a lot of the pressure out of things. However, in the last few months before it all happens I'm struggling to raise much passion for the whole affair - the state of the world's economy makes the timing of such a frivolous thing as a wedding seem almost in bad taste, and financial pressures have certainly taken their toll on our guest list too. I still want something beautiful though, and so I'm continuing to seek out inspiration on the web.

Two of my absolute favourite wedding websites are:

A Practical Wedding: Meg writes from the heart and her blog is starting a quiet revolution in wedding land. She tackles the Wedding Industrial Complex with gusto, featuring real weddings that are simple, alternative and filled with love. A Practical Wedding inspires me to remember the true meaning behind all the fluff, and to take all the details and "stuff" that all the wedding mags say you have to have, with a big pinch of salt.

100 Layer Cake: This is just pure, drool-worthy design beauty. Inspiring concept boards and a laid-back approach - sure, there are pink flowers and gorgeous aspirational details, but it all feels un-scary and attainable.

I'm not going to bore anyone any more on the subject of weddings, as to anyone other than soon to be, or recently-have-been brides, it can be dull dull dull! But if you do happen to be planning a wedding, check out the sites above for some inspiration.

(Image from 100 Layer Cake)

Moonlight Movies

Everyone is always so glad when the work week is over, and the weekend rolls around. Finally, time to quit looking at the Blackberry every two seconds, no need to check your watch to make sure you will make it back to your desk in time after lunch, and most importantly, time to relax!

If you are looking for something different to do this weekend, check out Moonlight Movies at the Pokfulam lawn. Moonlight Movies is a seasonal outdoor cinema. Specially made beanbags are provided for seating, and The Dublin Jack will be on site for food and bar service. Enjoy an evening outside under the stars, while viewing various popular movies.

This Friday night (17th April) will be a screening of the Al Pacino thriller, Scarface (1985).

Saturday night (18th April) movie goers can enjoy Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly.

Shows begin at 8pm, although the doors open at 7pm. I suggest to get there closer to 7pm, as seating is not reserved.

For more information, and to purchase your tickets go to Moonlight Movies.

Dear Friend,

To me there is nothing more exciting than going to my mailbox, and finding a handwritten letter addressed to me! There is something so magical and special about getting a letter from a friend or family member. I guess the fact that someone actually sat down, thought about what to write, took the time to put a stamp on the envelope, and mail it out, makes me smile.

This day in age, everyone settles for email and text messaging. It is rare to receive a handwritten letter, most of my mail is always bills or junk. So getting something as simple as a greeting card or a post card is like getting a gift in my mailbox....a little treasure I can keep! I guess the old fashioned tradition of sending a letter by post still brings all the excitement and emotion as always.

Next time you sit down to write an email to a friend who you went to lunch with, a colleague who did something nice for you at work, a family member who has been on your mind, a boyfriend/husband who means so much to you, instead write a letter and drop it in the mail. I promise this will make a much more memorable impression, and I can guarantee that the recipient will totally feel special!

Asia Yoga Conference (June 11-14). Early Bird Prices for those who sign up before April 18th!

If you love yoga (or want to learn what all the hype is all about!) then you will not want to miss the Asia Yoga Conference that will be held here in Hong Kong (at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre) on June 11-June 14.

If you are reading this and are worried that the conference will be all advanced yogis then you need not worry. There will be more than 100 classes of various styles and levels and there is sure to be a class that will fit your level of experience. You can get your feet wet by just attending a class or two throughout the four day conference or if you really want to immerse yourself you can participate in the lectures or the half-day or full-day intensives.

Registration for the conference is $100 and then you purchase a pass based on what you will be participating in throughout the 4 days (ex: 4-day pass, day pass, single class pass). If you purchase your pass by April 18th you can take advantage of the Early Bird discount!

If you are interested in attending and are not sure which class to take feel free to ask me and we can work together to see which class is the best fit for you. Hope to see you there!

To learn more about the 2009 Asia Yoga Conference please visit their website: http://www.asiayogaconference.com/2009/

S.O.S. Update

We are so excited about the S.O.S. Party at the Mandarin Spa on April 28th. It is definitely going to be a fun night! We are so looking forward to all the fabulous makeup and hair advice...

Just wanted to let you all know that the tickets are almost sold out. We only have a few left. This event does require advance ticket purchase. Even if you RSVP yes or maybe on Facebook, this will not count as a reservation. Purchase your ticket soon, as we'd hate for you to miss out!

To get your ticket, go to http://www.sassyhongkong.com/, then choose S.O.S. Tickets in the menu bar. You can buy your tickets with our Paypal link using your credit card. We will then send you a confirmation receipt and add your name to the list!

If you need to reach us email sassy@sassyhongkong.com

Did you know...

Hong Kong means Fragrant Harbour.

Kowloon means Nine Dragons.

Feung Shui (wind/water beliefs) plays an important role in the design of

all the buildings in Hong Kong.

Temples should always have hills behind them and face the sea for good luck.

Chinese Lucky Numbers are 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9 (8 being the luckiest).

Chinese Unlucky Numbers are 1, 4, and 7 (4 and 7 sound like the Chinese word for death).

During the Chinese New Year children are given "Lai see," lucky money.

People eat Long Noodles on their birthdays for a long life.

Easter Inspirations

Here are some ideas I found that may inspire your own Easter decor!

On Pedder just got even sweeter by welcoming Dylan's Candy Bar into their stores!

I am a very lucky girl these next three weeks (April 8-30) because two of my favorite things, shoes and candy, can now be bought at one location! On Pedder (Pedder Street, Central) is welcoming US based Dylan's Candy Bar into their store from April 8-30. Dylan Lauren, the daughter of designer Ralph Lauren, created Dylan's Candy Bar and the store has 5 delicious locations in the United States. Dylan's is the premiere destination for any candy lover and we are very lucky we will get a little taste of their sweetness here in Hong Kong. Their flagship location is on the Upper East Side in New York City and it just happened to be on my way to and from work every day. I can't even begin to count the number of times I stopped in Dylan's on my way home from work for some sweet treats. I even had to visit for old times sake when I was back in NYC over Christmas!

For the next three weeks any time you purchase an item at regular price from On Pedder you will receive a complimentary goodie bag from Dylan's Candy Bar. If the goodie bag is not enough (or if you are like me and are trying to watch your spending) then you can also purchase some of the candy a la carte. All proceeds from the candy will be going to Children's Charity foundation. I guarantee if you are a candy lover than you will not be disappointed.

And remember girls, the nice thing about this collaboration is that shoes and handbags always fit no matter how much candy you eat!!

Fedrigoni- Papercuts

Last night Maura and I attended an event for the Fedrigoni Group, Papercuts at the Armani Bar. Fedrigoni is a leader in the paper production and distribution industry. The Fedrigoni family has been involved in the world of paper since 1717, and most recently setup operations here in Asia in 2006. The thing that sets Fedrigoni apart from the rest, is their eco-friendly goals. Environmental awareness is one of the values that is inspiring all aspects of their Group. Fedrigoni has been developing operations to reduce the environmental impact of paper production, trying to lower emissions and power consumption. Being eco- friendly also means that they use safe and biodegradable materials in their paper.

The Fedrigoni Group brought an element of surprise to the event. They had models all dressed in paper. This totally gives a new meaning to going green! Think about it, you can wear a dress that is composed of all eco-friendly and biodegradable paper, toss it into the recycle bin once you're over the style, and further help the environment. Lol! One of the models was literally wearing a strapless, form fitting dress that was completely made of paper. Another was wearing a great striped paper tie. The detail, design, and quality of the clothes were so stunning, we didn't even realize it was paper!

Dressed- Salads with Style

I have officially discovered my new fave salad restaurant, and I must share it with all of you. Dressed- Salads with Style. Healthy and delicious salads designed by you! Basically, Dressed offers an extensive range of greens, toppings, and dressings. You select the ingredients for your perfect salad, Dressed makes it then and there. The best part is they mix all the ingredients and chop away. I don't know about you, but I find a salad much better with the toppings and dressing all mixed up rather than just laying over the bed of lettuce! Should you prefer, Dressed can take your creation and put it into a flat-bread wrap (great if you are eating on-the-go). Also on the menu, fruit, soups, and crisps.

On Sunday, my husband and I dined at the IFC Mall location. My fabulous creation consisted of iceberg lettuce topped with avocado, black beans, chickpeas, crispy Chinese noodles, cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onions, crumbled feta cheese, grilled chicken, chopped and mixed with the Asian dressing. Absolutely delicious...and big enough to last me two meals! I also had the chicken noodle soup, which was quite tasty. My husband created more of a Chinese chicken salad, iceberg lettuce, red onions, mandarin oranges, cripy Chinese noodles, cucumbers, chopped and mixed with the Asian dressing.

You can check out Dressed at IFC Mall, Level 2, Shop 2016, or QRE, Shop 1, G/F, 202 Queen's Road East, Wanchai.

http://www.dressedsalads.com.hk/

Qing Ming Festival

Today was Qing Ming festival in China (it was celebrated as a public holiday in Hong Kong on Saturday 4th - we never seem to notice the Saturday public holidays!). Qing Ming literally means Clear Brightness, and is the day when one honors one's ancestors by sweeping and tidying their tombs. At the tomb-side, people will ask their ancestors, "did you eat already?", "are you hungry?", and leave offerings of food along with chopsticks and wine. They will also burn ceremonial paper money and joss sticks. 

The timing of Qing Ming is determined astronomically, and is traditionally seen as the onset of Spring; a time to get out of the house and enjoy the new-sprouting greenery.

Du Mu, the famous Chinese poet wrote a poem about Qing Ming:

In the endless rain of the Qing Ming season,

A traveller seeks to lift his spirits.

Where can I find a tavern he asks a shepherd,

who points to apricot blossomed village in the distance.

We're crossing our fingers to not have as much "endless rain" as last year! 

Image from Ma Shuang-I on Flickr. 

Varga Lounge Sassy Hour Pics and Thoughts

Thank you to everyone who made it to Varga Lounge last night for Sassy Hour - we had a great turnout, which made us so happy. We thought Varga was a very fun venue as it is so intimate and girly, and the bartenders kept us happily plied with drinks all night! Girls came alone, or brought friends with them, and everyone was included and chatting away happily - just what we want for our Sassy events. 

One interesting side of the evening which I don't think we've seen so much in the past, but which was definitely intriguing was how many connections were seeming to happen from a more business point of view as well as social. We definitely think of Sassy as more of a social group, but we're so thrilled if Sassy can also be helping girls work on their business networks at the same time. 

We would love to know your thoughts on the event if you came - did you get to chat to a lot of different people? did you like the venue? any suggestions for improvements in the format? We're currently considering where to host the next Sassy Hour as well, so any suggestions on that are welcome too! 

We'll put the rest of the photos of the night up on site over the weekend - you will be able to find them here. 

Art Sunday - April 5, 2009

If you are looking for something different (and free!) to do this Sunday (April 5) then you should check out Art Sunday. The galleries in Central, Soho and Sheung Wan are inviting all to check out their collections from 11am-5pm. In addition to viewing all the wonderful artwork there will also be art talks and workshops as well as snacks and refreshments to nibble on as you go from gallery to gallery. After your art stroll is completed you will most likely be starving so we suggest you stop by one of the participating restaurants for a nice leisurely Sunday Brunch. All participating restaurants are offering 10% off so make sure you pick up an Art Sunday card at one of the galleries because you will need to show it to the restaurants to get the discount!

Art Sunday will occur on the first Sunday of each month

Check out the Art Sunday website for the participating galleries and restaurants: www.artsunday.com.hk