Still feeling sluggish after that Chinese New Year weekend – and the inevitable overeating that goes with it? Well, how does over HKD $20,000 worth of fashion and style prizes strike you as incentive to get up off that sofa?!

Our good friends at Hong Kong Fashion Geek are having a fantastic competition to see in the Year of the Dragon… and it certainly sounds a more fun way of getting active than going to the gym! Their annual HK Fashion Geek Photo Hunt kicks off on the 6 February as part of this year’s Social Media Week – and it’s kind of like the fashionista equivalent of The Amazing Race!

Starting from 6 February, the Geeks will be releasing a series of clues on their website, which you then have to figure out, hunt down and take pictures of in shops all around Hong Kong. You have until 14 February to track them down and email the photos to the Geeks – and the person who gets the most (correct!) photos wins. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to have a bit of a sneaky shopping spree while you’re at it… what with all that hunting, you’ve earned it, right?!

There’s over $20,000 worth of prizes to be won for first, second and third place, from sponsors including Sassy faves Shanghai Tang, Lane Crawford, Harbour City, Clarisonic, Jack Wills, Flaunt Boutique, Ops! Objects, Alexa & Todd and many many more.

Get more info and check the rules on Hong Kong Fashion Geek here… but in the meantime, grab your running shoes, get your camera ready and happy hunting!

www.hkfashiongeek.com

We hope you’ve recovered from last night’s Sassy Hour… and from mourning the passing of that 5-day holiday – we’re counting down the days til Easter already! In the meantime, we’ve got another Weekender so jam-packed that you won’t notice the chill outside. Well, maybe…

Stellaaaaaaa!
We love the HK Arts Festival for its eclectic variety and sheer number of shows for every taste – and The Hamburg Ballet’s powerful production of A Streetcar Named Desirelooks like another one we don’t want to miss! Tennessee Williams’ timeless play of passion in the Deep South (who can forget the young Marlon Brando looking very hot in the 1950s screen version?!) has been reinterpreted into a stunningly-choreographed ballet set to classical music.

When: 3-5 February, 7.30pm
Where: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
How much: $200-680, www.urbtix.hk

Classical music under the stars
Enjoy the tragic love story of Cyrano de Bergerac (the one with the big nose –not the detective played by John Nettles in the 1980s BBC show!) on an outdoor big screen under the stars in this opera starring Placido Domingo. Make a day of it and check out Cyberport’s ever-popular weekend market earlier, with stalls from local vendors.

When: 4 February; market 11am-6pm, cinema 7pm
Where: The Podium, Cyberport 2, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
How much: Market free; Cyrano de Bergerac $130 ($190 including hot meal and drink), www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Go organic
We’re always bemoaning the lack of locally-grown organic groceries in the supermarkets here – so we couldn’t be more excited about Handmade Hong Kong’s first Farmer’s Market in Discovery Bay! Grab your shopping bag (recyclable of course!) and stock up on fresh and healthy organic produce, grown and baked right in Lantau, plus a delicious range of other locally-made treats, plus organic toiletries and beauty products.

When: 5 February, 10am-2pm
Where:  Discovery Bay North Plaza, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Free

Touchdown!
We’re not exactly huge sports fans at Sassy HQ – but Linguini Fini’s special Superbowl breakfast sounds pretty irresistible! There will be a range of new scrumptious dishes created by Chef (and American football fan!) Vinny for the big day, including pizzas, a homemade spicy pork sausage and a porchetta sandwich. There are also pitchers of Peroni and House Bloody Marys to wash it all down – but don’t forget you’ve still got work to get to after!

When: 6 February, 7am
Where: Linguini Fini, G/F & 1/F, The L Place, 139 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Dishes start from $28

Nail it
Ever thought about jacking in your boring 9 to 5 job and setting up your own salon? Well that’s exactly what author Christy Powell did – and her hilarious and occasionally disastrous experiences helped inspire her novel News From The Nail Bar. Check it out at Bookazine’s signing and enjoy a glass of wine on the house!

When: 8 February, 6.30-8pm
Where: Bookazine, Shop 3022, Level 3, ifc mall, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free; RSVP to 2295 0056 or enquiries@bookazine.com.hk

If you don’t know already, the annual Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is coming up this Sunday. That’s 42.195km of road that will be closed off for those that don’t know that either (that’s a lot of mileage!). It’s quite a big deal.

I’ll admit it. I love the attention, the admiration, and the ego massage when people tell me how impressive running a marathon is – with an exclamation mark! But I’ll tell you the truth, I hate road running (I’ve only done it for ten months). It’s dull, monotonous and frankly, it’s quite a useless skill to have, as opposed to say, beach volleyball (hot half naked people to check out), tennis (it’s classy) or even squash (apparently, all managers play).

In all seriousness, what really motivated me to sign up for this was the thought of being able to roam free on the roads and appreciate the city from a whole new perspective – see how amazing the video below is, and tell me you don’t want to do a 100 mile race. And nothing beats the feeling of being cheered on by random strangers on the road (not too sure this will happen at 7am in the morning on a HK weekend…) or the adrenalin rush you get from crossing the finish line, even if it’s coming last.

Training for the marathon hasn’t been easy. I have:

-       Been verbally abused by a personal trainer. He said I had chunky legs!

-       Given up (binge) drinking for 25 days (I advise against this – worst three Saturdays of my life)

-       Spent 40+ hours running aimlessly, chased by stray dogs (surprisingly fun…)

-       Spent another 20 hours on a treadmill

-       Consumed more calories and caffeine than my family put together in the last three months

-       Endured blisters on my pinky toe (v. painful)

And the list goes on…!

However trust me, if I can do it, you can too – really, I didn’t sacrifice too much of my life to prepare for this. No, really!

If you’re not running this Sunday, then look out for me. I’ll have my name plastered across my shirt, black shorts, and a black CamelBak (to non sporting types, huge vat of water attached to my back). Please shout at me if you can – cheers… obscenities… anything! There’s nothing more motivating for me than being noticed, I’m an attention whore. And hopefully I’ll be looking nothing like a dog about to keel over into a storm drain.

If you’re running this Sunday, I wish you good luck. Run from your heart and really enjoy it. And don’t think about those blisters until the end!

Christmas is over, presents have been distributed… and somehow it’s already February. Which means, of course, for the lucky (or unlucky, depends how you look at it!) ones in a relationship, presents must be bought all over again and there’s that pressure hanging over us to do something ‘special’ for Valentine’s Day.

Fortunately, us girls tend to be exempt from the planning process as it is usually the man’s duty to book the restaurant, order the flowers, buy the chocolates, create the romance, etc. (Any men who happen to be reading this and haven’t taken the hint, you still have exactly two weeks to get your act together!) We can however, put in ‘subtle’ requests for which restaurant we’d like to go to and hope for the best.

I was asked to test the Valentine’s Day menu at Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Restaurant to give Sassy girls a chance to drop a few hints before the big day. Having never even known that Harvey Nicks had a restaurant, let alone a fine dining one, I had to accept and put it to the test!

The long, narrow space that occupies the restaurant offers a contemporary design: both the ceiling and the floor are made up of angular red, white and blue shapes to give a bright, fun feel to it.

The special five-course Valentine’s menu, which starts at $638 per person, depending at what time you book your table, offers beautifully presented contemporary European cuisine that puts an innovative spin on classic dishes.

The first starter, scallop terrine with caviar and pepper coulis, is very promising: the sweetness of the vibrantly coloured pepper perfectly balancing the savoury scallop.

However, the second starter of deep-fried crispy soft egg on cauliflower foam, served with Spanish ham and salmon roe, by far outshines the first. The contrasting textures of the soft, perfect egg encased in a light crispy batter, complemented by strings of delicious Iberico ham and bursting bubbles of salmon roe, make for an almost perfect dish. My one comment is that perhaps the salty flavour of the roe is a little overpowering.

After a delicious strawberry sorbet cleanses the palate, you may choose between roasted beef tenderloin and foie gras with citrus and asparagus salad, served with carrot and grapefruit puree, or baked salmon and cod fillet in pastry, served with sea urchin and eggplant vegetable roll. Although a little bland in flavour, the light fluffy fish encased in a delightful crispy crust is interesting, made the more so by the beautiful eggplant and sea urchin roll.

I would personally select the steak option, as it may well be one of the better steaks I have tasted in Hong Kong. The meat is so tender that it simply melts in the mouth, and the foie gras, which is light and not overly rich, adds an extra touch to this perfect dish. Little parcels of pumpkin and grapefruit puree wrapped in ribbons of cannelloni help to cut through the fat of the foie gras, together with the citrus side salad.

To finish, Harvey Nichols’ Valentine’s mousse cake ‘in trio flavour’ served with raspberry ice cream is both aesthetically and (mostly) physically pleasing; the layers of white and dark chocolate are separated by an orange mousse (I personally feel strongly against combining orange with chocolate, but am aware that not everyone shares the same opinion!) and the raspberry ice cream and pistachio crystals are divine.

Complement your meal with some of Harvey Nichols’ own brand wine from a comprehensive wine list, or choose their special Valentine’s Champagne cocktail, which is dangerously fruity and moreish.

If you haven’t tried Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Restaurant and are at a loose end as to where to go on Valentine’s Day, you still have a fortnight left to drop some hints and get a table booked. Although they look set for a full house on the 14th, it isn’t too difficult to get a table on any ‘normal’ day – perhaps after a tiring day of shopping at Harvey Nicks, just in case your credit card still feels hungry!

Five-course Valentine’s Dinner, $638 at 6-8pm, $738 for 8.15pm onwards
Guests will receive a complimentary bottle of wine per party of four if you fancy double-dating!

Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Restaurant & Bar, 15 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong, 3695 3389.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday, 12 noon to 12 am.

Check out more from Ale on her fab blog, The Dim Sum Diaries!

You and your friends are cordially invited …

I hate to run. I mean really, truly, hate it. I’m also quite bad at it, such that if I were a character in a disaster film and had to outrun a dinosaur to reach the arms of my waiting hero … I’d probably get eaten. You can rightly assume then, that I’ve never run a marathon for charity or even struggled through 10k for a good cause.

I do like a mean party though, and am a huge fan of what the team at Project Share are trying to achieve – ergo, all Sassy girls are cordially invited to the inaugural Do Something Different Black Tie Benefit Party, in aid of Project Share!

The party, on Saturday 11 February, will feature an open bar, buffet dinner, two amazing DJs, a spectacular array of raffle prizes… and it’s all in the name of an excellent, very local, and very worthwhile cause! See all the details below:

Project Share is definitely a cause worth supporting! They are Hong Kong-based and reach out to local 16-19 year-old students from the city’s most disadvantaged districts, aiming to help them improve their social circumstances and career prospects. Through a combination of outreach programs, internship opportunities and workshops, Project Share hopes to equip these youths with basic skills to better their chances in life and to instill in them hope for the future. They connect hardworking teenagers with professional organisations through specifically-tailored internship programs, so they can experience firsthand what life might be like in a professional organisation in a field they are interested in. Workshops teach self-understanding, teamwork, confidence and aim to increase the communication skills and problem-solving skills that many of us take for granted, but that can be transformational in a teen with the right mix of enthusiasm and eagerness.

Although they are only in their second year of operation, Project Share has all the hallmarks of a charity that can make a huge difference for the youth of Hong Kong and already has a top-notch board and an impressive list of local internship partners. The team hope to increase the number of internshipsand the number of workshop places they can offer this year and, over time, encourage social mobility and help give some of Hong Kong’s more deprived youngsters the inspiration and motivation to improve their future.

I used to take being an expat for granted, revelling in the life that being a professional affords in Hong Kong; I have come to realise however, that the gentle nudge from my parents and the myriad of choices inherent in the social system I grew up in, were a luxury I’m really grateful to have had. Don’t get me wrong though, I’ll happily moan about my day over a glass of wine – sister’s gotta stay sane, right?!

I know there are many worthy causes around and this one is simply mine. If you’re interested in helping Project Share or just think a black tie party is a nice way to spice up the grey weather, please do grab your glad rags and come along! There are also a limited number of tickets reserved for Sassy readers and it should be a great night out… or at least, much more fun than a marathon!

Where: Habitat Lounge, 29/F QRE Plaza, Queens Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
When: Saturday 11 February 2012, 7.30pm til late
How much: HK$1,000 (which includes full open bar, buffet dinner, midnight snacks, karaoke kick-on and other surprises on the night)
Dress code: Strictly black tie
Contact: DoSomethingDifferent.HK@gmail.com for ticket purchase information

Be WOWed
A unique fusion of fashion, art and theatre, the World of WearableArt is an experience you won’t forget. Direct from New Zealand as part of the HK Arts Festival, WOW sees hundreds of performers strut their stuff wearing creations that have to be seen to be believed – against a backdrop of amazing lighting and themed wonderlands. Forget the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, this takes catwalks to a whole new level!

When: 29-30 January & 3-4 February, 8pm; 29 January & 4-5 February, 3pm
Where: Star Hall, KITEC, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong
How much: $160-350, www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

One night only
In HK for the first time ever, legendary British punk band The Damned are hitting up Grappa’s Cellar for what promises to be a riotous night! With a set-list from a career spanning 35 years, plus support from Texas band The Shadow, excuses to rock out don’t come much better than this.

When: 31 January, 8pm
Where: Grappa’s Cellar Central, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
How much:  $550, 2521 2322

Lick your lips
What better way to see in the Year of the Dragon than with a full belly?! Hong Kong Restaurant Week is back, and so far over 50 of the city’s finest eateries have signed up to take part – including Sassy faves Robata Zawazawa, FINDS, The News Room and Lily & Bloom. They’ll be offering special set lunch and dinner menus exclusive to Restaurant Week at wallet-friendly prices; last year, some restaurants sold out within 15 minutes, so get reserving your tables asap!

When: Registration starts 2 February, 10am; restaurant week 20-26 February
Where: Numerous restaurants around HK
How much:  Set menus, variable in price, www.restaurantweek.hk

A handbag!
One of Oscar Wilde’s most dazzling comedies makes its way here as part of the HK Arts Festival in Rose Theatre Kingston’s production of The Importance Of Being Earnest. Sweep aside those memories of that dodgy Hollywood remake starring Reese Witherspoon and enjoy this quintessentially British classic, full of romance, wit and babies being born in handbags. Yes, you heard that right.

When: 2-5 February, 7.30pm
Where: Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $180-560, www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Shopping spree!
The Globe has always been one of our favourite places for a cosy winter cocktail and next week it gets even better with a Winter Boutique Sale and Happy Hour featuring Polkadot and Flaunt. Both boutiques will be selling fab lingerie, accessories and clothes for up to 60% off. Happy Hour prices will be on offer throughout the event and remember to bring a friend to help you decide on your purchases because all sales are final!

When: 1 February, 5-9pm
Where: The Globe, 45-53 Graham Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free!

Come toast the Year of the Dragon with us next Thursday at our first Sassy Hour of 2012. We will be heading to AURA Lounge on Wyndham Street and hope to see you there for a drink or two! As always you will receive a complimentary welcome drink upon arrival and happy hour prices will be offered until 9pm.

Feeling Lucky? To start off someone’s good luck streak for 2012 we will be giving away two prizes sponsored by AURA Lounge.

Here’s hoping everyone’s Year of the Dragon will be filled with good fortune and prosperity. Kung Hei Fat Choy!

All the Details
When: Thursday 2nd February
Time: 7pm-9pm
Where: AURA Lounge, G/F, 79 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
How Much: Absolutely nada!
RSVP: Fill in the rsvp form below to let us know if you’re coming along with a group!
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Bloomin’ marvellous
It’s considered lucky to have some fresh flowers in your home or office for Chinese New Year – so to take care of all your floral needs, head to one of the many Flower Markets across town. Even if you’re not buying, soak up the colourful and heady atmosphere – with orchids, cherry blossom and narcissi galore, plus plenty of dragon-themed tat (expect hundreds of Angry Birds tie-ins) to mark the new lunar year!

Enter The Dragon
If you fancy seeing in CNY with something a little more hardcore, how about the Enter The Dragon club night with DJ Dash Berlin? One of the world’s top DJs, Dash Berlin will make sure you welcome the lunar new year with some of his trademark high-energy dance music – plus there will be a few special guests and live music from some local performers too. Make the most of your super-long weekend and party on ‘til dawn!

Bag those tickets!
It’s THE Hong Kong event of the year – so make sure you grab your tickets fast as they sell out quicker than you can say ‘Try’! Of course, we can only be talking about one thing – the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, which will be held this year from March 23-25 at the Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay. But the tickets – which we probably don’t need to remind you, sell like hot cakes – go on sale this Saturday, online only. You’re limited to two tickets per person and have to verify you’re a local with a valid HK address too! Fingers crossed Cityline.com doesn’t crash!

When: 14 January, 10am
Where: Exclusively online at www.cityline.com
How much: Three-day adult ticket $1500, children under 12 years old $150

Feel the heat
Warm up in this wintry weather with a fiery tango or two – The Tango Fire Company’s Flames of Desire is bringing its feisty Argentinian flavour to HK! Expect to see lots of steamy, seductive and sultry ganchos, ochos and cucharitas… and before you get any ideas, they’re all Argentinian tango steps! We’re sure these tangos will put the moves of Dancing With The Stars to shame!

When: 13-14 January, 8pm
Where: Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall, 1 Yuen Wo Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
How much: $120-340, www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999

Get in the groove
Get set for a night of fine entertainment at The Fringe Club with Ya Gotta Swing. You’re sure to get into the rhythm with the likes of Elaine Liu and the Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra, Lando Bernal’s Big Broad Band, the first-ever jazz/hip-hop crossover showcase (featuring HK’s ‘freestyle king’, MastaMic), plus professional street dancers and two youth big bands from local schools. Sounds a jam-packed night to us!

When: 13-14 January, 8pm
Where: Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $150-280, www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999

Practise those dance routines!
Get dosed up on your K-Pop – because the girls are back in town! Nine-piece singing sensations Girls Generation are in HK for one-night only… and you might not entirely be sure what they’re singing about, but it sure is catchy. Expect colourful costumes, high-energy pop and amazing in-sync dance routines. They never miss a beat. Ever!

When: 15 January, 8pm
Where: Arena, Asiaworld-Expo, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: $680-1480, www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Dubstep duo
London’s hottest ‘dubstep destroyers’ Skream and Benga are bringing their latest DJ set to FLY – so expect things to get loud! We’re not entirely sure what their famed ‘bass-centric brand of sci-fi sonics’ is exactly… but we look forward to finding out! Over a few drinks preferably!

When: 14 January, 10pm
Where: Fly, G/F, 24-30 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $150 before 11.30pm, $200 afterwards (includes one standard drink)

Did you miss us?! We are still recovering from our Christmas indulgences, New Year partying and getting back into the swing of things  at work… but here’s the first Weekender of 2012 to keep you out of mischief. Enjoy!

Some angelic leaving drinks
Sad news folks… everyone’s fave 80s party hotspot HALO is closing down! Don’t worry though, they’re bowing out in style with one last leaving party to mark the end of an era. But don’t drown your sorrows too hard; we’ve heard there may be something new and exciting on the horizon for 2012 so keep an eye out!

Where: Halo, Lower Ground Floor, 10-12 Stanley Street, Central, HK
When: 7 January, 10pm til late
How much: Free entry; for enquiries and table reservations, call 2810 1460

Munch some popcorn
You’ve read the book (who hasn’t!), now it’s time to see the Hollywood film. Fight Club director David Fincher’s much-anticipated version of Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo hits HK this week and everyone’s talking about Rooney Mara’s transformation for her turn as maverick hacker Lisbeth Salander. Oh, apparently Daniel Craig is in it too – though we can’t promise as much torso as the Bond films… unfortunately!

Where: All good cinemas
When: Out now!

Turn it up
Music fans rejoice – The People’s Party is back in HK and bringing its usual selection of cutting-edge new music to our shores. This year’s festivities are headlined by UK electro masters and Mercury Prize nominees Metronomy, with New Zealand’s finest The Young & The Famous, the latest Aussie tip for greatness The Jezabels and local rockers 9Maps ready to hit the stage too! Rock out!

Where: Rotunda 3, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong
When: 10 January, 7pm
How much: $450-530, www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Get that super bass!
Love Nicki Minaj’s music? Well, now you can get your mitts – quite literally – on some of her trademark style. Hot on the heels of their best-selling Katy Perry collection, OPI has teamed up with rap sensation Minaj for another cool nail polish collaboration – and our nails are seeing 2012 in with some glorious technicolour!

Where: Cher2, 1A Po Foo Building, 84-94 Percival Street, Causeway Bay; 809 Mong Kok City Centre, 74-84 Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok; 1202A Century Square, 1-13 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong
How Much: $70 each, mini-set of four $108

Stay in style
Check out the young designers of the future with this fab fashion exhibition from Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Fashion Visionaries showcases the work of some of HK’s most iconic designers, illustrators, photographers and award-winning young designers; we can’t wait to take a close-up look at the gorgeous gowns on display!

Where: Thematic Gallery 3 & 4, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
When: Until 12 March; Monday & Wednesday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday and public holidays 10am-7pm, closed Tuesdays
How Much: $10, free on Wednesdays