Sponge: Mobile Beauty Service for HK's Lively Ladies

It’s almost December and our calendars are filling up with festive invitations, faster than you can say “Father Christmas”. We’ve got it all going on: from office parties, to seasonal socials and family obligations. Oh, and we also have to hold down those day jobs to fund these frolics! Ladies - it’s a lot - I hear you. With so much to think about, Diane Younes and her Sponge team have popped up at the perfect time to launch the city’s slickest at-home hair and makeup service, to help us look and feel fabulous for any occasion.

Diane herself is the most impressive advert for Sponge, as she arrived to our meeting with meticulous makeup and her hair in a chic chignon. Her drive and determination is infectious and her personal connection to the brand is evident in every element of Sponge. She is the epitome of a #girlboss - after leaving behind her corporate number in New York to move to HK - where she discovered that we were missing the effective, efficient and economical beauty services synonymous with NYC. Cue some serious hustle and the birth of Sponge, which offers women an extensive range of hair and makeup looks in your home, office or, anywhere that is convenient for you; all you need is a flat surface and a plug – genius!

The whole process is a pleasure; start by choosing your desired looks from the website and locking in your preferred appointment slot. I decided to go for The Weekender hair which promised cool waves and an undone look and The Influencer makeup: a smoky eye, contoured cheek bones and a neutral lip. I was clearly going for Gisele vibes and while I, unfortunately, did not transform into an Amazonian Goddess (sob), I did feel super swish and pampered after my session!

The only thing I was slightly apprehensive about was inviting people into my home to complete this service. Undergoing beauty treatments can be a personal and intimate experience – especially in a HK sized apartment – so you really need to have the right personalities to make sure it doesn’t get awkward. Don’t sweat it though, Diane is a step ahead and has assembled a Sponge squad who are talented, warm and friendly; a joy to welcome into your private space. I was lucky enough to have two ladies who were pleasant but professional, punctual and prompt – everything took just under an hour and we even had time for a sign along to Britney’s greatest hits. Yep, those girls rocked!

 I was really pleased with my finished looks and so impressed by the ease and affordability of the service. Everything at Sponge is customisable and after chatting with my stylists, I was able to create an individual look that I was fully satisfied with – all while lounging in my living room. This is definitely something I can see myself getting hooked on so, I may need to ask Santa for some Sponge vouchers in my stocking this year!  

Appointments can be booked anything from two hours to one month in advance, with prices from HK$330 to HK$440 for hair and HK$440 to HK$550 for makeup. Eyelash extensions are also available and you can avail of a HK$50 discount off your first appointment, when you enter the promotion code “FIRST50” at checkout. Happy pampering and here’s to a new way of doing beauty in HK!

www.gosponge.com

Fish School – Sai Ying Pun’s Specialty Seafood Spot

Tucked away on Third Street, Fish School is one of the latest eateries à la mode to hit Sai Ying Pun. French-trained chef, David Lai, spearheads this eclectic fish specialty joint, with an emphasis on local catch and culture and a focus on fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients. As the brainchild of Yenn Wong (the restauranteur behind gems like 22 Ships, Chachawan and Aberdeen Street Social), my expectations were set suitable high for this dining experience.

Finding Fish School was a challenge, but as soon as I stumbled upon the right spot, I was instantly enthralled by the urban feel of the location. It struck me almost as a Mediterranean tavern - with exposed brick walls and fairy lights adorning the outside of the restaurant. Inside, the cozy ambiance didn’t disappoint with fun touches like fish tanks and open kitchen tables to entertain diners. Luckily, we had prime seats, and were able to observe our food being skillfully prepared right in front of us. The lively and animated vibe of this place makes it ideal for a group setting and would be superb for Friday night frolics with friends.

The service at Fish School was noteworthy; the staff were very casual, jovial and chatty - without being overly intrusive on the table. Our server was most knowledgeable about the food and beverage menu and explained each one of our seven courses effortlessly, as they were received. I particularly appreciated the attention to detail exhibited; with small touches like a comprehensive overview of dietary requirements and a change of cutlery and plates, where appropriate.

Fish School’s vision is to pay homage to the abundance of sea food on offer in Hongky waters - wherever possible - and to add a touch of creative flair with exquisite preparation and presentation. This aim is achieved fluently with a gorgeous variety of tapas-style portions that are both appetizing and aesthetically pleasing (hello, they had me at flowers on the food!). Each serving was a feast for the belly and the eyes - with plenty of Instagram opportunities throughout the meal!

Some of my personal winners were the crispy, oyster croquettes with tangy and spicy yuzo mayo, the complimentarily cool Hamachi Crudo with cucumber and plum and the marinated raw crab and sea urchin rice. The fluffy, wild sea mullet was unforgettable; swimming in the most intriguing combination of ginger milk and preserved mustard root. Meat lovers are not neglected at Fish School either, and can chow down on the scintillating wagyu beef, or wagyu tartare, with fermented mushroom and mustard brulee. My only disappointment was the clam custard - which I didn’t quite get - I found the flavours bland and flat and while I welcome the inventiveness, the whole dish missed the mark for me. 

The drinks menu was also impressive, with a massive selection of everything from sake to beers and wines, all carefully crafted and selected to accompany the light, contemporary food. I really enjoyed flicking through the cocktail list which was as innovative as the food - forget your run-of-the-mill Cosmo here! At Fish School it’s all about something different, like the Wet Market Martini or the Third Street Spritz to whet your appetite or finish off your evening with a funky twist.

All-in-all, I had a wonderful experience and felt a million miles away enveloped in the bustling surroundings. If you’re in search of something other than the likely Central picks, get out your Google maps to sample the offbeat and original at Fish School.

Original article appeared on Sassy Hong Kong

http://www.sassyhongkong.com/eat-drink-fish-school-sai-ying-pun-seafood-restaurant/ 

All images courtesy of Fish School

Tantalising New Menu at 22 Ships

The Hong Kong dining scene is a rapid revolving door, with new joints opening and closing faster than you can say “cheque, please!”. While this provides plenty of opportunity to frequent a new restaurant every other week, it’s also comforting to know that some HK staples are alive, well and at their very best. Enter 22 Ships: the creation of Gordon Ramsay protégé Jason Atherton, that has been a Hongkers hit for over four years and still has people queuing on the daily to bag a seat at the hottest table in The Wanch. Top tip: those in the know - and who call this spot their regular - simply call it “Ships”, donchaknow!

We arrived to treat our taste buds to some of the new additions to the menu, and the 35-seat venue was packed and buzzing with the vivacious chit-chat of hungry diners. The atmosphere at Ships is electric, with the clanging of small plates of perfectly proportioned tapas and chilled glasses of crisp wine adding to the hectic soundtrack of the venue. If you’re in the mood for an aloof, reserved dinner date then Ships is not The One. However, if it’s energy and entertainment you’re after, thrown in with some seriously divine dishes, then step right up to a high stool at this animated - and at times boisterous - bistro!

The team at Ships prepare each dish freshly in the open kitchen; sprinkling ferocious passion on every aspect of their menu. Head Chef, Aaron Gillespie, was a breath of fresh air as he detailed each offering with optimum pride and enthusiasm. His infectious nature worked a treat and we were bursting with excitement to delve into some stellar staples and new choices.

We began with one of the evening’s specials - on Aaron’s recommendation - which was a glorious pairing of imported Italian burrata and shaved Australia truffle followed by the Jamon, Manchego and Truffle toastie with quail’s eggs – an extravagant, indulgent and flavourful twist on an old classic. Moving on to the guilt-free but gratifying Bluefin Tuna with Sago Crackers was the perfect transition and gluten free to boot – bonus!

For the side accompaniments, we decided on a helping of the cauliflower, mushroom and walnut pesto medley which, you have to taste to believe: I’m still wondering how this weird and wonderful concoction captured my heart so well! And just to be fair to the veggies, we also tried the peas, broad beans, goat’s cheese and red vein sorrel which I would highly recommend for its freshness and depth of flavor. Don’t say I’m not good to you guys!

Of course, no trip to Ships would be complete without sampling the suckling pig, drizzled in a reduction of pineapple and piquillo peppers. This trusty treat did not disappoint and is still as consistently good as it was when Ships first launched, years ago. Likewise, the seafood paella – served with fava beans and crispy bacon – is not to be missed, with its creamy consistency and smoky undertones.

By this point, we were feeling pretty full and happy but I’m so glad that we managed to fit in some of the playful desserts on the menu. Finishing off with the Green Tea Cheesecake provided the perfect mix of sharp and sweet; combining just the right amounts of cooling yoghurt and zesty lime. The Strawberry Chantilly was intricately plated and tantalisingly tangy.

I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Ships to unwind with the casual and social way of eating. It’s easy to hop on the latest bandwagon but, it’s worth bearing in mind that this place is an oldie, but a goodie.

Original article appeared on Sassy Hong Kong

http://www.sassyhongkong.com/eat-drink-22-ships-new-menu/

Images courtesy of 22 Ships and Taking Hong Kong

Turning Circles – Hoop Dance in Hong Kong

In true Hongkers fashion, the weather seems to have turned – quite literally – overnight, which means tackling the city in a rather fiery 30+ degrees and 95% humidity, for the next few months. Oh, joy. Sadly, we can no seek solace in layers and light jackets (those few weeks in January were blissful, in that respect) and, ready or not, the summer bods are going to be on show for the foreseeable future. Whether you’re swapping your tailored suits for lighter office attire or, spending your weekends bikini-clad on board a junk, we all want to feel more confident in skimpier clothing.

With this in mind, the usual dilemma looms: choosing a fitness regime that is effective, sustainable and suitable for your lifestyle. Oh, and fun! So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard about Turning Circles: a hoop dance fitness class that claims to deliver total body tone using a hoola hoop and whatever moves you’ve got in your repertoire! Now, I am certainly no Beyonce and am somewhat, er, challenged in the coordination department. Needless to say, I was a little dubious and slightly intimated by the prospect of shaking my thang in Tamar Park; in full view of commuters and evening runners. However, it definitely sounded like a better option than pounding the treadmill and trudging through squat and lunge series because, seriously, ain’t nobody got time for that.

Turning Circles was founded by Emma Brown: an expert hooper and international yogi. Emma brought her love of hooping to HK and tapped into the community here to establish regular practice groups and meet-ups, before turning her passion project into a business. This girl’s got serious game! Emma caters for both adult and kid-friendly hooping sessions and is also available to perform and showcase her incredible skills at events. Trust me, this is something to see! Turning Circles can also create an exclusive program for a special occasion or gathering, which I slyly noted for my friend’s upcoming hen party. I think this would be a super fun way to let loose at your next girlie get together and make some room for treats and bubbles later on!

The 60-minute class was the perfect balance of total body cardio, strength and core training as well as targeting flexibility, balance and stability. The nature of hooping is light, enjoyable and entertaining; it’s more about organic movement than strict choreography. With this in mind, it is so easy to underestimate this as an easy, flighty workout that is not worth getting kitted out for. I can safely say though that this is much harder than it looks and I certainly felt the burn in my core and shoulders the next day. Massive props to Emma and the more advanced hoopers in the class! The group setting was really motivating and we were all able to laugh at ourselves, which made everyone feel much more at ease with this alternative way of working out.

The setting of the class is sublime and the backdrop of the technicolour skyline adds to the magic of the Turning Circles experience. The evening felt dreamlike as we gaily danced around barefoot on the grass, turning and jumping through sparkly hoops and giggling like school kids. Afterwards, I felt totally revitalised and skipped happily home with an extra pep in my step.  

Turning Circles offers a first trial class for just HK$100, as well as a number of different package options. If you prefer something a little more exotic, Turning Circles are partnering with Divine Light Yoga this summer to create their first Hoop and Yoga Retreat which offers one week of yoga and hoola hoop dance classes, accompanied by healthy food and great company, to fuel all of that activity. If you’re up for improving your creativity, concentration and coordination, we suggest booking tickets to experience love and laughter in the blissful location of Koh Samui.

Original post appeared on Sassy Hong Kong

http://www.sassyhongkong.com/wellness-turning-circles-hoop-dance-hong-kong/ 

All images courtesy of Turning Circles. 

http://turningcircles-hk.com/

https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/hooping-yogis-yoga-and-hula-hoop-retreat-tickets-19615392166