The List #232, Feb 15 2015 by The List Magazine

Issue 232 15 February 2015

T h e M a g a z i n e T h at K n o w s

Kung Hei Fat Choi Welcome Chinese New Year with a roar

FREE EVERY TWO WEEKS

CONTENTS

05 Editor’s Letter

What’s In

Surf and ski brand O’Neill does kick-ass winter casuals.

06 Guestlist Ram it Up

A countdown party to ring in the Year of the Goat at Aqua Spirit.

08 Wishlist

14 Feature

Chinese New Year

In town over CNY? Here’s how to get the most from the holiday.

Trendwatch

42 mr. Know-it-all

Fashion designer Cheryl Leung gives us a peek into her wardrobe. Spoiler: there’s a lot of black.

50 Baby Pak choi

Kooky homegrown fashion label Absurd Laboratory opens shop in Central.

Lookbook

Beauty and Wellness

Artisanal nut butters? Shut up and take our money!

Baa Ram Who?

Don’t Judge Me!

So is it the Year of the Goat or Year of the Sheep? The List’s resident mama makes a controversial parenting decision.

KNOW & TEL

New Year Traditions p.20

Lucky New Clothes p.24

CNY Puddings p.28

Hairdressers p.32

Feng Shui and Fortunes p.38

Th e M aga z i n e That K n ow s

HK Magazine media

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Copyright 2015 The List Magazine Media Ltd. The contents of The List are the property of The List Magazine Media Ltd. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. The List may not be distributed without the express written consent of The List Magazine Media Ltd. Contact the Advertising Director for ad rates and specifications. All advertising in The List must comply with the Publisher's terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, N.T. Before you decide to purchase or use the products and/or services that our magazine introduces, you should gather further information about the same in addition to the representations or advertising contents in our magazine. The contents in articles by guest authors are the authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal views only and do not represent the position of our magazine or our company. Please gather further information about the products and/or services before you decide to purchase or use the same.

Wake Up Sheeple The Year of the Goat is just around the corner, which is why we’ve decided to bring you the

editor’s letter Three Weird Things We Learned in This Issue • Don’t say the Cantonese word for

ultimate guide to celebrating Chinese New Year.

shoes (hai) over Chinese New Year,

Even if it’s not your first CNY rodeo, there’s lots

as it sounds the same as an

of ways to get into the festive spirit. Bone up on

exasperated sigh! (p.22)

your Traditions (p.20) and stock up on delicious

• Celebrity feng shui master

Chinese New Year Puddings (p.28). It’s customary

Mak Ling-ling performed a “fortune-telling rap” with local

to wear new clothes (lots of red!) and have a haircut before the holidays

group Fama. (p.38)

begin—check out our listings on p.32 and p.24 respectively.

• Want a bling CNY pudding? You

If you want to find out what the year has in store for you, or simply maximize

can get one covered in gold leaf

the luck in your household, check out of list of feng shui masters and fortune

for just $105. (p.30)

tellers on p.38. And if you’re at a loose end, be sure to read our feature story for some fun activities to do during the holidays.

Get in Touch

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

I’d love to hear from you! E-mail me: sarah.fung@hkmagmedia.com Find me on Twitter: @sarahefung

Sarah Fung

CMY

Flagship Designer Showroom: 1/F, Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau. 2877 3295 www.tequilakola.com

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Make a Date Our picks for the month

That’s the Spirit: CNY fireworks at Aqua

February 19

February 20

Kickin’ Goals

Get in the Spirit

One of the sporting highlights of the year is coming up quick. If you’re a soccer fan, don’t miss the Lunar New Year Cup on the first day of the Lunar New Year. The event historically pits a Hong Kong squad against an international team, and this year local mainstays South China FC are up against American team New York Cosmos, for what promises to be plenty of thrilling action on the pitch to kick the year off right.

Aqua Spirit bar is known for its stunning view of the harbor—so what better place to watch the ball drop on Chinese New Year? The party offers free-flow canapés and two drinks, and is child-friendly too (at least until the live DJ performance starts at 10:30pm). There’s an option to have dinner at connected restaurants Aqua Roma or Aqua Tokyo for an extra $348. 7:30pm (fireworks at 8pm). Aqua Spirit, 30/F, One Peking, 1 Peking Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3427-2288. $398 for adults, $250 for children under 12. Tickets from www.eventbrite.hk.

3:15pm. Hong Kong Stadium, Causeway Bay. $100-280 from www.cityline.com.

February 28

Foot-stomping Folk The Bollands are leaving Hong Kong for good! The husbandand-wife Kiwi folk duo is setting out for new adventures across the world, and is going out with a bang with this show at Backstage Live. Catch the pair perform their signature footstomping folk one last time. 10:15pm. Backstage Live, 1/F, Somptueux Central, 52-54 Wellington St., Central, 2167-8985. $100 at the door.

Guestlist

February 27-March 9

Eat Your Art Out The Hong Kong Arts Festival returns for its 43rd run from February to March this year. The lineup of performances includes highly respected orchestras such as the Staatskapelle Dresden, as well as the queen of arias herself Joyce DiDonato, and 10-time Grammy Award-winner Bobby McFerrin. Don’t miss three highlight productions by the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet, and plenty of local theater to look forward to. Don’t have tickets yet? Be quick.

Spotted!

Sheer Store Opening January 30

Visit www.hk.artsfestival.org for more info.

Through February

Raunchy Launch EL James’ global phenomenon “Fifty Shades of Grey” hit theaters on Valentine’s Day weekend, and will be on throughout the month. To those who haven’t been exposed to the raunchy trilogy yet, it features a controlling megalomaniac (played by Jamie Dornan) and a wimpy girl (Dakota Johnson) who finds her true passion and confidence through his, uh, dominating ways.

Luxury lingerie store Sheer celebrated its store opening late last month with a fashion show. Spilling out to the streets, guests downed G.H. Mumm champagne while watching models sashay down Gough Street.

Multiple cinemas across town.

13 Gough St., Central, www.sheer.com.hk

Want to see your event featured here? Send invitations to thelist@hkmagmedia.com

A dose of Hong Kong style

wishlist

Fashion Forecast This fortnight’s style digest

Fringe Benefits This season’s fringed tops go great with skinny jeans and cowboy boots.

Hot

Trendwatch

$TBC from Berenice @Rue Madame

Hot Home Store

Just in Casa Southside-phobes rejoice: vintage homeware and furniture store Casa Capriz has opened up a second branch on Central’s Aberdeen Street. As always, designer Irene Capriz will be specializing in European vintage and design pieces from the 1940s to 70s, with an emphasis on Italian manufacturers. You’ll find a wealth of collectibles to adorn your home, plus a range of neat home accessories repurposed from old furniture. This branch will also be selling delicious choccies from Tuscan brand La Molina, alongside house-blend coffee— a great combo for a day out shopping! 31 Aberdeen St., Central, 9318-1730, www.casacapriz.com

Bag it Up We’re loving these bright weekday totes that can fit all your everyday essentials, and much more. $2,390 from Mischa

Cuppa Style Grab a stylish limited-edition Alice + Olivia coffee mug while you can. $230 from Starbucks, ‘til Feb 24

Bird-Brained This garish sweater reminds us of our holidays... from Hell. Scotch & Soda

Local Lab The funky Hong Kong-grown fashion brand Absurd Laboratory is a bit, well, absurd. Three creative young designers, Eric, Amis and Polly, created their first collection in 2012 with imaginative patterns, bold asymmetric cuts and bright colors. And since then the brand has done absurdly well, with commissions in many of Hong Kong’s independent boutiques. Now Absurd Laboratory has just opened the doors to its first store in Central, which will also have a cool hangout space for the like-minded. 4/F, 11 Queen Victoria St., Central, www.absurd-laboratory.com

Tatty Tartan Even a smoldering stare can’t save this Scots-inspired outfit. Moschino

NOT

New Store

Lookbook

wishlist

Salvatore Ferragamo Belt I love accessorizing an outfit with a great waist belt. This Ferragamo number can make an outfit and flatter your figure at the same time.

Narciso Rodriguez Perfume I absolutely love this “For Her” scent. It’s the perfect combination of delicate femininity and seduction.

Leather Trousers Leather trousers are my favorite wardrobe staple. I have three pairs, but I particularly love these because I got them for a bargain price and reconstructed them entirely—they fit me perfectly!

Cheryl Leung Cheryl Leung is the founder and designer behind Sau Clothing, a new Hong Kong-based label featuring fashion-forward pieces for professional women. She shares her favorite things with The List.

Amazon Kindle My favorite tech travel accessory is my Kindle. Gone are the days of having four books crammed into my bag for every trip, or a bulky psycho-thriller sticking out of my purse for the commute home.

www.sauclothing.com

Sau Ellie Dress

Céline Pumps I am a total shoe addict. Usually I say the higher the better, but these midheel Céline pumps are perfect!

Every woman needs a little black dress, and my go-to is the Ellie dress from Sau. It’s a timeless classic that can be dressed up or down for any occasion.

Smythson Card Holder This handy little card holder was given to me by my sister when I got my first job. It travels with me everywhere I go because you never know who you’ll meet!

Beauty & Wellness Your guide to looking fit and fabulous

Healthy Bites

Go Nuts Tired of paying through the roof for unprocessed almond and nut butters—which pack lots of protein, fiber, healthy fats and vitamins—Heather Barlow decided to start up Churned a little over a year ago. Specializing in made-to-order artisanal nut butters, Churned makes some delicious-sounding flavors— think dark chocolate and cherry almond and pumpkin spice pecan. Though the variations change depending on the season, Churned’s selections are almost always safe for those with dietary restrictions, such as gluten intolerances. Have a special request? Order a bespoke butter with extra crunch or less sugar—it’s up to you. You can find Churned at in Discovery Bay’s Handmade in HK markets through May this year, or order online. Minimum order $100 for Hong Kong Island delivery; no minimum for Wan Chai or Park Island. Order from Churnedhk.com

hot OPening It’s About Utime If you’re a night owl or simply work long hours, then you may want to check out Utime Fitness Studio, a 24-7 gym franchise that’s just started up in Hong Kong. Founded by a trio of locally based entrepreneurs, the fitness center opened its first location in Happy Valley last month. The suburban location echoes the brand’s core goals: to provide a neighborhood atmosphere with convenient hours and flexible, pay-as-you-go monthly memberships. The rates are actually pretty competitive too—it’s $499 a month, with optional add-on personal training sessions. 1/F, King Inn Mansion, 13-15 Yik Yam St., Happy Valley, 2998-4896, www.utimefitness.hk

Beauty News Tea Trails Using organic ingredients may be the founding principle behind LA-based eco-friendly makeup brand Ilia, but the company has taken natural to the next level with a new line of green and white tea-infused products. Look for the sheer vivid tinted moisturizer with SPF20, which—surprise, surprise—has a lovely tea aroma as well as a smooth, matte finish. It doesn’t have quite enough coverage for most of us to wear alone, but that’s where the concealer comes in. The more heavyduty formula stays put throughout the day. Aside from the new line of organic tea-based products, Ilia offers a great collection of vibrant lipsticks, glosses and more. Find Ilia products at A Beauty Bar counters citywide, including 1/F, Shop HL118-199, Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2111-9398, www.abeautybar.com.hk

A Taste of Modern Living •••DEMONSTRATION COURSES•••

Chinese Homemade Cooking – Two-Hour Course

French Fine Dining

By Mrs Anita Lam • Wednesdays, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm (3 recipes) • Fee: Full Course of 6 lessons $540 or individual lesson $95

By Mrs Clara Tse • Starting: March 6 • 3 sessions once weekly • Fridays, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm (2 recipes) • Fee: Full course $300 or individual lesson $110

Homestyle Pakistani / Indian Cooking IV By Mrs Rehana Sheikh • Starting: March 2 • 4 sessions once weekly • Mondays, 10:30 am - 12:00 noon (3 recipes) • Fee: Full Course $360 or individual lesson $95

•••TWO-HOUR DEMONSTRATION COURSES•••

Chicken and Steak Curries

Moussaka

By Mrs Rehana Sheikh • March 30 (Monday) 10:30 am - 12:30 pm • Fee: $110 Including: 1. Murgh Mochori – Butter Chicken 2. Achoor Goshi – Beef steak cooked in pickling spices

By Mrs Rehana Sheikh • April 13 (Monday) 10:30 am - 12:30 pm • Fee: $90

Prawn and Fish Curries

By Mrs Rehana Sheikh • April 20 (Monday) 10:30 am - 12:30 pm • Fee: $110 Including: 1. Prawn Pulao – Spicy basmati rice and prawns 2. Fish with Harah Masala – Grilled fish in green herbs spicy source

Vegetarian Curries By Mrs Rehana Sheikh • April 27 (Monday) 10:30 am - 12:30 pm • Fee: $90 Including: 1. Cauliflower and peas curry 2. Eggplant and tomatoes curry

•••PRACTICAL COURSE••• Course

Content

Instructor

Date

White Baps (PWP/E/3)

Demonstration & Practical: White Baps (8 pieces)

Mrs Clara Tse

March 27 (Friday) 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Home Management Centre 10/F, Electric Centre 28 City Garden Road North Point, Hong Kong

For enquiry: 2510 2828 Website: www.hkelectric.com/hmc www.facebook.com/hmcfansclub

Course + Material Fee $250

To view our course information, please scan here or download [Low Carbon App] in mobile.

What’s In O’Neill

5 1. Knit Cardigan

$799 2. Gray Sweater

$599 3. Luminous Jacket

$1,999 4. Jogging Pants

$579 5. Double-layered Tee

$459 6. Fleeced Hoodie

$999 4

wishlist

8 9

7. Knitted Beanie

$299 8. Peruvian Hat

$329 9. Base-layer Tee

$329 10. Snowboard Jacket

$2,499

11. Shell Jacket

$999

12. Zip-up Hoodie

$799 13. Snowboard Pants

$1,199

Shop 17, 3/F, LCX, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3755-4923, www.oneill.com

Chinese New Cheer Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your first Chinese New Year in Hong Kong or your 30th, The List has got the lowdown on how to celebrate the holiday in style.

Lion dances mark the start of the new year

The Anatomy of CNY

Before the holidays Lots of preparation goes into the celebration of Chinese New Year. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, haircuts are had and new clothes and shoes are purchased, ready to start the New Year fresh. It is considered bad luck to sweep the floor during the holiday, as you may sweep out the good luck of the coming year. It is also customary for families to gather on Chinese New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eve for a final meal before the start of the New Year.

First Day: Feb 19 This is a day for visiting family, handing out lucky money packets, and creating as much of a din as possible to scare away evil spirits. Traditionally families are supposed to light firecrackers but this practice has been banned because of safety concerns. It is considered bad luck to light fires or use knives on this day, which is why food has to be prepared in advance. Many people, especially Buddhists, choose to eat vegetarian today. A family feast

Second Day: Feb 20 This is the day that married daughters traditionally go to visit their families, although these days itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also an occasion to visit the houses of your extended family. Shops and businesses will also pray for prosperity and good fortune.

Third Day: Feb 21 The third day of Chinese New Year is the day you stay at home and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t visit anyone. The thinking goes that after two days of visiting family and friends, you are likely to argue! Lovely blooms at the Flower Market

Shopping for festive candies

Now you know what you need to do on each day, here are some other activities to keep you entertained:

The Big Parade One of the major highlights of the festival is the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade. This year marks the 20th edition of the yearly event, where dancers, acrobats and lion dancers accompany numerous colorful floats in a march through the center of Tsim Sha Tsui. The fanfare will start from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre piazza at 8pm, and then wind through Canton, Haiphong, Nathan and Salisbury Roads, before finishing outside the Sheraton. Be sure to grab a free spot along the parade route, if you haven’t already nabbed tickets to the spectator stands. Feb 19, 8-9:30pm. For information on spectator tickets, visit www.discoverhongkong.com. Viewing along the parade route is free.

Like a Prayer Many Hongkongers observe the age-old custom of visiting a temple on the first day of Chinese New Year—in order to give thanks for the past 12 months and pray for a harmonious year ahead. People go to great lengths to visit Che Kung Miu Temple or Sik Sik Wong Tai Sin Temple in the early morning to present the year’s first offerings. Another popular excursion is to the wishing trees in Lam Tsuen village in Tai Po. You write a wish onto a piece of colored paper, tie it to an orange and toss it into the branches. If you can’t get the wish to stay in the tree after three attempts, it’s said that you’re being too greedy. Unfortunately after damage to the original banyan caused by too many wishes, you now have to throw your orange at an artificial tree instead.

The Chinese New Year parade

Worshippers at the Wong Tai Sin Temple

Jockeying for Position The annual Lunar New Year race is easily Hong Kong’s most important horse-racing event of the year. Besides the main race—the Chinese New Year Cup—there’s also a packed program of celebrations, from the grand opening show, to the essential lion dance to ring in the new year, plus a range of colorful performances. On this day, the jockeys also come out to greet fans with good luck messages. Feb 21, 12-6pm. Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin. $10 for admission to the public enclosure. Call 1817 or visit www.hkjc.com for more information.

City of Lights

Off with a Bang What would any celebration be without fireworks?

The Chinese New Year hoopla comes to a close on the

Hong Kong puts on an excellent spectacle over the

15th day of the new lunar month (March 5 this year),

harbor every year for its largest public holidays, and

or Spring Lantern Festival. It also marks one of two

the Chinese New Year fireworks are arguably the best.

informal Chinese Valentine’s Days in Chinese tradition,

The pyrotechnic display is launched from three barges

supposedly an auspicious day for matchmaking and

located at strategic intervals along the harbor, all the

romance. In honor of the Spring Lantern Festival, the

better for them to be seen from all over Hong Kong

city will celebrate with multiple lantern carnivals, where

Island and Kowloon. The most popular viewing spot

many public parks and piazzas across Hong Kong will

is the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. Grab your jacket and

be strung up with warm and festive lanterns. Not sure

hunker down to the water’s edge early for a prime spot.

where to find them? Tsim Sha Tsui’s Cultural Centre

Or charter a junk with some friends, and park in the

Piazza is a good place to start.

middle of the harbor with a bottle of bubbly.

Feb 12-Mar 22. Various times and venues. Call 2591-1340, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/eo for more information.

Feb 20, 8pm. Victoria Harbour. Call 2591-1340, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/eo for more information.

Advertorial

A series of stories, recommendations and tips on Hong Kong from people in the know. Explore our city based on the travel experiences that interest you and get itineraries for off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods.

Old Meets New While Hong Kong has no shortage of glitzy high-rises, remnants of the historical city remain. New businesses exist alongside old and run-down tenements have been revitalized into modern urban projects such as museums, restaurants, theaters and shops.

Spotlight on: Sham Shui Po Barely changed since the 1960s, Sham Shui Po is one of Hong Kong’s oldest districts. Gritty and urban, its charms may not be immediately apparent at first glance, but underneath the rough-and-ready exterior is a fascinating area that offers a glimpse into how Hong Kong used to be.

Take a Walk Great efforts have been made to preserve the city’s beautiful older buildings. Take Wan Chai’s Blue House: this rare example of a wooden tenement building, known in Cantonese as a tong lau, dates back to the 1920s and is classed as a Grade 1 Historical Building. Or nearby Tai Lung Fung, a stylish bar decorated in a classic “nostalgic Hong Kong style.” Hong Kong’s Hollywood Another “old-meets-new” hub is the well-trodden Hollywood Road. Home to antique shops and art galleries, the area is becoming increasingly gentrified. Start in Sheung Wan and walk to Central along this road and you’ll find kitschy souvenirs on sale alongside designer clothes, and traditional tea parlors standing beside European-style cafes and restaurants. Preserving and Protecting Within such a compact and varied city, there are myriad examples of how Hong Kong’s historic tapestry is etched onto its architectural façade. Dig a little deeper—take a tour, push open those ancient doors —and you’ll uncover how this cultural heritage is being preserved, but also how it’s being renovated and adapted for the city’s future generations.

Full of Life Young artists and designers from all over the city congregate with a passion for life that’s reminscent of a hardworking Hong Kong in the 80s. There’s a sense that you can make anything happen here, such as new concept store 22 Degrees North, a project by three young entrepreneurs who saw the district as an exciting place to showcase their funky wares. Creative Spirit As a new generation explores the area, Hong Kong is realizing the heritage value of Sham Shui Po and its 100-year-old Chinese medicine practices, tong lau tenements and colonial structures. Revitalized heritage sites and buildings all tap into

the district’s vibrant creativity—the Jao Tsung-I Academy, the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, Mei Ho House and the Savannah College of Art and Design are all are worth a visit.

Classical Cuisine Any journey through the neighborhood is not complete without sampling the classic Hong Kong fare available at the distinctive outdoor Hong Kong food stalls, known as dai pai dongs. The classic rice and noodle dishes at these food stalls have come to represent the down-home street-style uniqueness of Hong Kong cuisine. Learn more online at www.DiscoverHongKong.com/ InsidersGuide

Get insights and tips on your iPad from Hong Kong Insider’s Guide

20-22 New Year Traditions

Know & Tel Instant Index

24-27 Lucky New Clothes 28-31 CNY Puddings 32-37 Hairdressers 38-41 Feng Shui and Fortunes

CONTACT US: On the following pages youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a huge array of practical information. We cover more than 200 topics a year. Tell us what you need to know! Email: thelist@hkmagmedia.com

The Peninsula

New Year Traditions Raise the baaa

seen from all over Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, although the most popular viewing spot is the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.

Flower Markets CNY Fireworks

Chuen Hup The chuen hup, or “Box of Togetherness,” is a beautiful ornate box containing several compartments—each designed to hold a tasty treat. Every sweet represents a positive idea or good wish, and families serve the snacks to anyone who visits during Chinese New Year as a symbol of good wishes for the coming year. Get your own chuen hup at Japan Home Centre, and fill it up with CNY classics like candied lotus seeds and roots, or just go all out on chocolate.

Family Dinner On the last night of CNY, extended families gather for a meal to see in the new year. It’s usually a bountiful affair, serving chicken, fish and other meats as well as an array of side dishes— many of which are chosen because their names rhyme with fortuitous phrases in Cantonese. For example, black moss, or fat choy, sounds like “make money”; oysters, or ho see, sounds like “good things”; while glutinous rice balls symbolize family unions. It’s not limited to family dinners, though—

bosses often host a big staff dinner just before the holidays.

Fai Chun Wondering about all those red decorations you see everywhere? Those are fai chun, which literally means “wave red,” and are essentially decorations featuring some kind of lucky expression. They come in all shape and sizes, though the red squares that say “blessing” in Chinese characters are quite popular. Queen’s Road West in Sai Ying Pun simply lights up this time of year with lots of local shops selling bright red fai chun. Hang them up on your walls and doors to start off the Year of the Goat on the right hoof.

Fireworks Forget New Year’s Eve fireworks—CNY brings the boldest and brightest show of the year. The half-hour fireworks show lights up the harbor at 8pm on Lunar New Year (Feb 20 this year) in one of the most spectacular sights in Hong Kong. How do they do it? Three barges launch the fireworks at strategic intervals along the harbor so the display can be

No Chinese New Year is complete without a visit to one of the various flower markets around town. The biggest ones are in Victoria and Fa Hui Parks. It may seem like a chaotic crowd of blossoms, but certain plants actually symbolize specific fortunes: the kumquat is believed to bring prosperity; plum blossoms bring luck; and peach flowers bring romance. At flower markets every year, there are stalls with old-school Hong Kong offerings that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, such as dragon beard candy, which melts in your mouth like cotton candy but looks more like strands of sugar. Through Feb 19. Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. Fa Hui Park, Prince Edward. Free.

Hair Superstitions If you couldn’t tell, Chinese New Year is rooted in superstitions. For example: getting a haircut over the new year is believed to be bad luck. Don’t believe in it? You’d have a hard time finding a hair salon that’s open for the first three days, as using sharp objects like scissors and knives is believed to bring bad luck. Better head to a hair salon beforehand (see p.32).

Kau Cim Can’t wait to figure out what the new year has in store for you? Neither can the rest of Hong Kong. Thousands flock to the Wong Tai Sin Temple (Chuk Yuen

Know & Tel

Village, Wong Tai Sin) in Kowloon each year to shake kau cim, or bamboo sticks, out of a canister and predict their fortune. How does it work? Each stick has a numeral on it—usually 100 in total—that matches to a page in an almanac or a printed-out oracle. Usually you take this message to a fortuneteller to learn more.

Lai See Lai see are red packets containing cash, given out for good fortune (see a theme here?). As a general rule, lai see flow downwards, so bosses give them to employees, parents to children, and married couples to single friends. Whether or not you are married, it is considered good form to give red packets to those who contribute towards your wellbeing, such as cleaners and the security guards in your building. Usually, $20 will do, but feel free to give more depending on your relationship. Ideally, lai see money should be crisp new banknotes. Conveniently, many banks distribute new notes around Chinese New Year time for this very reason. But don’t put in loose change—that’s not a good look.

Lion Dances Lion dancing, which is held everywhere during Chinese New Year, has its roots in a folk story about a monster called Nian, who lived in a lake and would climb out each year to terrorize villagers. One year, the villages frightened Nian away by wearing red, lighting firecrackers and banging drums. In order to keep the monster at bay, the villagers wore red and made loud noises every new year, a tradition that continues until this day. You’ll see lion dances all over Hong

Visit the temple to have your fortune read

Kong during Chinese New Year, as well as at shop or event openings, or other special occasions. If you see a lion dance troupe making the rounds, it’s good luck to give them some money—and if you tie it to a lettuce and hang it somewhere high, the lion might jump up to eat it! If you want to have your own lion dance performance, the Tak Kin Ha Martial Arts Society offers professional lion dancers for hire.

many flavors and juices, and stacked on top are morsels of pork, goose foot, abalone, beancurd, conpoy and more, all presented layer by layer. The idea is for a whole family (or village) to gather around and share the bowl in a representation of family harmony. Modern Chinese restaurant Social Place does a newfangled take on poon choi for $999. Also available for take-away. Be sure to order at least one day in advance.

www.liondance.com.hk

2/F, L Place, 139 Queen’s Rd. Central, 3568-9666

Lo Hei A popular tradition in Singapore and Malaysia, and increasingly available in Hong Kong, is lo hei. A salad made up of various auspicious ingredients is put together and tossed with chopsticks seven times, accompanied by shouts of “lo hei!” which roughly translates to “tossing luck.” Ingredients include red bell pepper for good luck, carrot for business success, cucumber for youth, sesame seeds for prosperity and cinnamon and pepper for attracting wealth, to name just a few. Singaporean restaurant Hainan Shaoye is offering a take-out “lo hei” for $188 (serves four).

Lion Dancers

Shop OT G16, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2110-3533

Poon Choi A traditional winter dish, particularly in the New Territories, poon choi, or “basin meal” is a multi-layered dish served in an enormous communal bowl. On the bottom you’ll find radish to absorb the

Lo Hei at Hainan Shaoye

Poon Choi

Spring Cleaning Cleaning your home is traditionally done two nights before the first day of Chinese New Year. The tradition is known as dai so tsui, literally meaning “big cleaning.” In addition to tidying up, folklore says that bathing with pomelo leaves rids you of bad luck and negative energy. So don’t be surprised if you see lots of pomelo for sale at wet markets around this time of year. On the first day of Chinese New Year, don’t clean anything—or else you might sweep all your good fortune away.

The Color Red Red is the color of happiness and good fortune. Around Chinese New Year, the rule of thumb for dressing is the brighter the better. You’ll also notice an emphasis on red flowers at the markets, since everyone’ s eager to stock up on good luck.

Word Association Certain words and objects are avoided, too. Don’t mention shoes: its Cantonese word, hai, which sounds like an exasperated sigh (yes, really!). Don’t buy shoes for the first month of CNY, for the same reason. The word for “book” sounds the same as the verb to “to lose,” so stay away. That means kids don’t have to study either. On the bright side: there’s no injunction against reading for pleasure, so picking up an issue of The List is just fine!

Petal Party Flowers pay a huge part in the Chinese New Year traditions as they represent the onset of spring. Here’s a little primer on each flowers’ symbolism, as well as where to catch the SAR’s largest flower markets.

Flower Powers Buying fresh blooms and fruits during CNY is more than just a nice tradition: most of the flowers at the markets offer some kind of fortuitous symbolism to take forward into the New Year. • Hongkongers tend to buy sweetsmelling daffodils (or narcissus)—a CNY staple—a couple of weeks ahead so that they bloom in time for relatives visiting on New Year’s Day. • Other flowers also signify good luck for the New Year: kumquat trees and peonies are believed to bring prosperity. • Peach blossoms symbolize luck in romance and marriage—especially if the petals fall on you as you walk by! • The color red is auspicious, so don’t be surprised if you see people loading up on ruby red roses, peonies, daisies, and more. • As you might expect, sunflowers have a naturally optimistic

symbolism, auguring for a great year ahead. • And let’s not forget the Nipple Fruit—despite a saucy name, this funny yellow fruit actually represents family. It’s in Chinese as the “five generation fruit,” because of the five pods that protrude from its base.

Where to Go Families like to take a stroll through the flower markets dotted around the city after a big dinner on New Year’s Eve. There are 15 parks and playgrounds across Hong Kong hold flower markets, but our favorite is the largest and most famous flower market that takes place at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, where you’ll find a lot more than flowers. Alongside the rivers of blossom, you can also find assorted decorations, quirky accessories and children’s toys on sale. Visit www.fehd. gov.hk to find addresses for the other markets in the city. At the Boundary Street Flower Market (Fa Hui) in Prince Edward, which is home to flower vendors all year round, you’ll find much of the same, albeit with a bit less elbow room. The narrow streets and alleyways cram with people over the New Year holidays, but a visit is worthwhile thanks to the incredible bouquets and fragrances. Feb 13-18, noon-midnight. The best time to go is 6-9pm. The markets run midnight6am on the 19th.

ALL 3 SEASONS

WATCHATHON ALL 13 CHAPTERS EVERY WEEKEND

SEASON 1

FEB 14 FROM 4:00PM

SEASON 2

FEB 21 FROM 4:00PM

SEASON 3

FEB 28 FROM 4:00PM SAME DAY AS U.S. RELEASE

Lucky new clothes Ladies in red

$1,095 from Anteprima

$49.90 from H&M

$480 from American Apparel

$179 from Zalora

$399 from H&M $9,500 from Henry Cuir

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$379 from M&S

$2,400 from American Retro

$6,450 from Paul Smith

$239 from Zalora

$1,300 from Mo&Co

Mo&Co @ Lab Concept, Queensway Plaza, 93 Queensway, Admiralty, 2118-6008

Anteprima Shop 214, Lee Gardens One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, 2907-3388

Paul Smith Shop B9, B/F, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2523-5868

M&S G/F-1/F, Central Tower, 22-28 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2921-8323

American Retro @ Lab Concept, Queensway Plaza, 93 Queensway, Admiralty, 2118-6008

H&M Shop G38B-D and 139B, C and F, Silvercord, 30 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3521-1171

Zalora www.zalora.com.hk Henry Cuir, 33 St. Francis St., Wan Chai, 2528-1488

Feeling Sheepish? Get your goat on with these five CNY ideas.

1. Lip Service Lanolips lip balms are made with medical-grade lanolin and are a rich, nourishing treat for dry lips in need of serious TLC.

$160 from Joyce Beauty, G/F, New World Tower, 18 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2869-5816

2. Plated Up This decorative plate was designed by Japanese artist Shinpei Naito for European ceramics brand Rosenthal. We don’t usually take our design inspiration from horned ruminants but the flower motif is actually rather lovely.

$1,230 from Exclusivites, Shop 109 & 112, Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell St., Central, 2521-8626

3. Patchwork Silks These colorful plushies from Chinese Arts & Crafts are a fun addition to a festive home. $680 (small), $1,280 (large) from Chinese Arts & Crafts, Shop 220, 2/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2523-3933

3 4

4. Wooly Lovely Know a sheep baby being born this year? Treat them to The Pink Smith’s “Baa Baa Pink Sheep” diaper cake, which comes beautifully arranged with thoughtful, practical gifts for a new arrival. $1,380 from www.thepinksmith.com.hk

5. Silence of the Lambs Get your mutton fix at northern Chinese restaurant Dong Lai Shun, where this entire spiced lamb leg can be yours throughout the month of February. Order two days in advance. $1,000 from Dong Lai Shun, Basement 2, The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2733-2020

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CNY Puddings A slice of life

Chocolatier in the hotel lobby in person. They’re available until Feb 22, and can be picked up on Feb 25 at the latest. The Chocolatier, G/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2588-1234, hongkong.grand.hyatt.com

King Parrot Group

Marco Polo Hotels

Puddings 101

There are two types of puddings that are traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year: The savory lo bat go, or turnip cake, is the kind you’ll find served pan-fried in slices in dim sum restaurants all year round. It is made with Chinese turnip and preserved sausage. Cut the cake into roughly centimeter-thick slices, pan-frying it with a little oil and serving it with a dollop of chili sauce. The sweet leen go or “sticky cake” is a homonym for “higher year” in Cantonese, hence it is a lucky dish to serve in the New Year. It’s made with sticky rice, sugar, and often coconut milk. Prepare it by slicing it thin, dipping it in a beaten egg, and then pan-frying until the texture becomes soft and squidgy. Both types are absolutely delicious!

Duddells x G.O.D. For an offering to your stylish friends, local designer and G.O.D. founder Douglas Young has teamed up with modern Cantonese restaurant Duddell’s to create special-edition pudding gift sets—they’re packaged with a handdrawn design that’s reminiscent of vintage Cantonese tableware. What’s

on the inside comes in a choice of two flavors: sweet leen go ($270), or savory turnip cake ($320). They’re available for purchase online, with pick-up through to Feb 18. Gift vouchers are also available from Duddell’s or G.O.D. stores. 3/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell St., Central, duddells.co

Looking to buck tradition this year? King Parrot Group is known for its zany takes on the traditional New Year puddings. It’s providing five types of pudding this year, including custard with pumpkin ($108), red date with rose ($108), chilled mango pudding with aloe vera and pomelo ($108), and (the comparably staid) turnip cake ($158). But perhaps the king of the alt-offerings is a clear, glossy pudding filled with healthy goji berry, osmanthus and red bean ($108), served chilled. Each CNY pudding you order comes with free red packets. Oh, and they’re all preservative-free to boot. Available from Yata supermarkets, King Ludwig Beerhall, El Cid, and other King Parrot outlets. www.kingparrot.com

Grand Hyatt

Marco Polo Hotels

This year, the Grand Hyatt is offering several gift options for Chinese New Year: from three generous hampers (starting from $2,688), to a dual pudding gift set ($468) to single boxes of sticky puddings themselves. Priced at $250 each, you can choose from the traditional turnip or coconut milk pudding, which is made with natural, full-flavored black cane sugar. Order by calling 2588-1234 or by visiting The

Revving up for the Year of the Goat, Marco Polo Hotels will be offering three reassuringly old-fashioned CNY pudding flavors at $188 each. Select from the classic turnip cake, made with Chinese sausage, Jinhua ham and dried shrimp; the sweet and sticky coconut pudding dressed up with gold foil; or the glossy and lightly sweet water chestnut cake—a hard-to-find classic as it’s often so difficult to make

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right. Orders can be made at Cafe Marco at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, Three on Canton at the Gateway Hotel, or add@Prince at the Prince Hotel, all located in Harbour City. Pickup period is through to Feb 18. Cafe Marco: 2113-3912; Three on Canton: 2113-7828; add@Prince: 2113-6046. www.marcopolohotels.com

The Mira The Mira’s Chinese restaurant Cuisine Cuisine is offering up interesting takes on old faves this Chinese New Year. Opt for either the silky-smooth coconut cream pudding made with Okinawa brown sugar ($248); a layered coconut milk, osmanthus and bird’s nest pudding ($368); or turnip cake topped with Parma ham ($298). Make sure to call two days ahead to reserve your order. Collection period ends Feb 16. Cuisine Cuisine, 3/F, 118 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315-5885, www.themirahotel.com

Peninsula Boutique The Peninsula’s CNY Puddings have considerable renown in the city for their fine flavor and texture—they’re all made with freshly ground glutinous rice flour—and will surely impress any fussy relative this Chinese New Year. You can choose from the original brown sugar leen go pudding, or from three brand-new flavors: lychee, osmanthus (both $160), or—for an extra touch of class—the savory abalone and XO sauce ($340). Can’t decide? Opt for an

Shangri-La

assorted gift box ($320) which features original and osmanthus flavors in one set. Hampers, filled to the brim with assorted Chinese delicacies and vintage wines can also be had, starting from $2,988. Delivery is available with an additional $200 charge. The Peninsula Boutique, The Peninsula Arcade, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2696-6969, www.peninsula.com

Royal Plaza Hotel You’ll be spoiled for choice with Royal Plaza Hotel’s New Year puddings this year. Aside from all the traditional fixings of turnip cake and New Year puddings ($148-188), all-new flavors include a red date and raisin pudding ($188) that claims to have Chinese medicinal properties—namely, helping to balance the skin and digestive system, as well as calm the mind… and no, we don’t mean by way of a food coma. Craving something refreshing against all the stodgy festive foods? The bird’s nest mango pudding ($218)—made with real Philippine mangoes and chewy basil seeds—is your best bet. Royal Plaza has also whipped up Hong Kong’s first ever “Fat Choy” lotus cake which features mini dried oysters and shrimp to round out the savory flavor. Combo gift sets start from $238. Hurry up if you want in, because the final call for ordering is Feb 16. 193 Prince Edward Rd. West, Mong Kok, 2928-8822, www.royalplaza.com.hk

Shangri-La: Island Gourmet Island Shangri-La’s Island Gourmet will be selling festive puddings and hampers stuffed with New Year goodies. Choose from the traditional red leen go or turnip pudding, or for something a little trendier, coconut milk and red bean pudding, all priced at $238 each. They all come in a beautiful violet-red hexagonal box, decorated with an old-fashioned ceremonial Chinese knot. Perfect for storing your CNY candies and nibbles for when guests come over. Hampers (starting from $1,988) will feature an array of Chinese cookies and treats, plus a bottle of wine and Shangri-La red packets. Home delivery is available for $180 per item on the island, $240 for Kowloon, and $250 in the New Territories. Spend over $1,500 at Island Gourmet and you’ll receive a $100 dining voucher for any restaurant at Shangri-La. Island Gourmet, 5/F, Island Shangri-La, 1 Supreme Court Rd., Admiralty, 2820-8551, www.shangri-la.com

Royal Plaza Hotel

Peninsula Boutique

W Hotel Packaged in a simple yet elegant gold tin, W Hotel’s leen go gift sets are a healthier option this year. Pick from the traditional turnip cake, which is packed with assorted Chinese charcuterie (laap mei), or the healthier take on a sweet New Year pudding—it’s made with malitol sweetener instead of sugar (both $298). It’s a great option whether you’re watching your waistline or have to control your glucose intake. Each order of turnip cake or sweet pudding comes with

Ming Cha premium tea bags and special edition W Hong Kong red packets. Order online and collect before Feb 18. Elements Mall, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 3717-2222, www.w-hongkong.com

Wah Lai Yuen Homegrown brand Wah Lai Yuen was established in 1950, making a name for itself with its signature mooncakes. Today, it’s a perennial favorite for all seasonal treats. It sells a medley of offerings from proper and traditional puddings to an extremely baller leen go: think bird’s nest and coconut milk pudding sprinkled with gold leaf and rose petals ($150-260). Want to go even blingier? You can get a bird’s nest and coconut milk pudding completely covered in gold leaf ($105-190). Available from Citysuper, Sogo, Great Food Hall, Taste, ThreeSixty and more. www. wahlaiyuen.com.hk (website in Chinese only).

In all major bookstores now! Or order yours at: www.historicalhkhikes.com

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A Fab Feb

With every Chinese New Year comes a new edition of the Chinese Farmer’s almanac, a guide to what’s lucky or not-so-lucky on every day of the coming year. Check out what’s in store for the rest of this month.

FEB 16 Good for visiting graves or getting your hair done. Bad for a wedding, having important conversations or dealings in court.

FEB 17 Good for trade and traveling abroad.

Bad for opening a new business.

FEB 19 Good for visiting graves and meeting friends. Bad for renovating or fixing your kitchen, or taking up a new role.

FEB 21 Good for meeting up with friends or settling into a new place. Bad for buying land, or attending a funeral.

FEB 22 Good for breaking down or renovating the house or outer fence.

FEB 24 Good for praying for luck at a temple, and holding a wedding. Bad for brewing alcohol and opening a business.

FEB 26 Good for opening a business and praying for fortune. Bad for holding banquets and arguments.

FEB 28 Good for praying for good fortune and enrolling in school. Bad for a wedding and planting new crop.

Bad for everything else!

Hairdressers Locks of luck

you on what will work best for your look and lifestyle. And boy, can you trust these hair-snipping pros. Once the cut and/or color is agreed upon, swap to the basins, where after a few washes and toe-tingling head massages you can opt for a treatment suggested to suit your hair. For damaged strands, try the the formaldehyde-free, smoothing treatment (starting from $1,800-4,000) from Keratin Complex. Looking to head out to LKF right after? There’s a nail and makeup service available, as well as workshops for the latter. 2/F, Tung Chai Building, 86-90 Wellington St., Central, 2956-3668, www.dazhk.com

Essensuals La Biosthetique Coiffure Beaute

Alchemy

BruneBlonde

A swanky hair and nail salon from the Il Colpo Group, Alchemy opened in 2014. The boutique outfit is out to give clients an ultra luxurious experience, with 28 plush seats and three VIP rooms that are often occupied by well-heeled cosmopolitans. The hair team, led by Justin Paul Chambers, is dedicated to finding chic styles that complement your lifestyle, coloring and physical features. In addition to hair care, you can also have your nails done while you’re there, choosing from a range of services.

With roots in France, BruneBlonde was brought to Hong Kong in 2013 by founders Roland Boutin and David Gouygou. Especially great at coloring, BruneBlonde can handle blonde strands better than many Hong Kong salons. In addition to an impressive roster of hair services and treatments, the salon also does nails, makeup, eyebrow shaping and scalp treatments. There’s a big emphasis on hair health here, particularly on the scalp, which gets exposed to the same harsh elements as your face and can clogged by products. Ask about the salon’s scalp treatment, which uses natural ingredients based on Chinese medicine to exfoliate your scalp and open up your pores.

Shop LG1-3, LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, 3106-0128, www.ilcolpo.com.hk

M/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2511-3988, www.bruneblonde.com

Daz Hair At Daz it’s all about you: From the moment you hop onto a vintage theater chair, owner Darrin Usher and his team want to know about you and your hair regimen. Whether it’s a simple haircut ($380–1,250) or correcting a long overdue dye job ($680-2,200), the stylists will consult

From the Toni & Guy group, Essensuals has more than 50 salons worldwide, and brings talented stylists from all over the world to the Hong Kong salon. Aimed at a slightly younger crowd than its sister salon, Essensuals also has the added benefit of lower prices, with a cut and blowdry ranging in price from $380-580. 86 Wellington St., Central, 2254-6088, www.essensuals.com.hk

Emmanuel F. From makeup services to hair fixes, Emmanuel F. offers a whole host of organic beauty services. A leader in organic hair care, this all-in-one ecofriendly spa and salon uses only the most natural products and hair dyes— the stylists don’t even use aluminum foil when applying highlights! The eco spa provides everything from facials to body massages using certified organic products that are made with all-natural ingredients. Even the nail polish is free of harmful chemicals such as parabens and formaldehyde, so you can rest easy while you’re getting pampered. Shop 211-213, 2/F, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Rd., Central, 2167-8280, www.emmanuelf.com

Hair Craft Offering a full range of hair services, the hairdressers at Hair Craft believe in a simple and natural approach to

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style. Head stylist John Ma has been in the business for more than 30 years, with several spent in London. It also offers free hair consultations to firsttime visitors, and may recommend a personalized treatment to suit your hair’s needs. Additionally, find all the usual men’s and women’s services, including Brazilian blowouts and permanent straightening options. 61 Elgin St., Central, 2868-6985, www.haircraft-salon.com

Hipp Fish A family-run business, Hipp Fish has been around since the late 90s. Holding court on Staunton Street, the airy, sun-drenched space has a warm, friendly atmosphere. On a recent visit for a cut and color, The List was really impressed: a resident stylist did some much-needed root touchups, carefully

applying the dye to make sure it was a perfect match. After that, a quick yet precise trim left our locks looking fresh as new. Prices are pretty reasonable to boot: cut and styling for women starts at $500, trending up to $1,200 with a director. Fancy a big change? Hipp Fish offers made-to-order hair extensions, created to suit your hair type, texture and color. The salon is beloved by longtime customers, and spaces get booked up quickly. Be advised to book at least two weeks ahead. Closed Sundays.

Hipp Fish

1-2/F, 32 Staunton St., Central, 2815-3638, www.hippfish.com

Hollywood Hair You’re in good hands at Hollywood Hair: owner Rennie Fensham has three decades of experience under her belt. Whether you’re looking to get a

Hollywood Hair

cut and color, personal hair styling, makeup services or more complex hair treatments, Hollywood Hair has you covered. Before the service begins, expect a thorough consultation that considers your hair type and lifestyle— as well as lots of friendly conversation that will make you feel very much at home. Closed Sundays. 23/F, 1 Duddell St., Central, 2861-9830, www. hollywoodhair.com.hk

Indulgence A veritable sanctuary in the heart of Central, Indulgence is a one-stop destination for pampering or prepping for a night out. In its comforting spa area, Indulgence offers a comprehensive treatment menu from rejuvenating Elemis facials to massages to “Venus Freeze” firming treatments to waxing and laser treatments. In the salon area, you can relax with a glass of bubbly as the experienced stylists get to work on your hair and nails. The List recently tried a cut and color with Indulgence’s creative stylist Jim ($2,500). Jim added volumizing layers to our otherwise flat and lifeless locks, and after two bleach sessions and dye, he helped us achieve a trendy, golden blonde ombre—a gorgeous, (and auspicious!) new look for the Lunar New Year. Indulgence will be opening a new hair and nail salon on Wyndham Street this March. 3/F, Prosperity Tower, 39 Queen’s Rd. Central, Central, 2815-6600, www.indulgence.hk

La Biosthetique Coiffure Beaute Formerly Marek Art of Hair, La Biosthetique Coiffure Beaute recently rebranded itself to embrace the Parisian brand’s high standards. Experienced stylist Marek Wan is still behind the wheel, bringing his more than 20 years of experience to the table. At La Biosthetique—yeah, it’s a mouthful— you can expect scalp and skin care in addition to the salon’s long list of expert hair services. 2/F, Winway Building, 50 Wellington St., Central, 2191-2222, www.labiosthetique.com.hk

O2 Hair Studio Staffed by internationally trained stylists, this upscale salon offers a full range of hair treatments. It’s been around since 1997—so you know it must be pretty good to withstand the ever-rising rents of Central. The focus here is on radiant color and looks that jibe with your personality. If your hair needs an extra boost of nourishment, get a signature deep-conditioning treatment and blow dry. 38 Wyndham St., Central, 2522-2884 www.O2hairstudio.com

Paul Gerrard This long-standing Hong Kong salon is wildly popular and has an enviable reputation in Hong Kong for quality cuts and good service. With individuality the core philosphy, the team of therapists and stylists at Paul Gerrard prides itself on thorough consultations and offering professional hair and skin care advice based on clients’ personal taste. If you’re making a visit to this high-end salon, you can expect to leave with a quality cut and lots of useful hair and makeup recommendations. The company also has a skincare and nail salon on a separate floor, so you pamper yourself with a Dermalogica facial or a mani-pedi too. 1-2/F, Wah Hing House, 35 Pottinger St., Central, 2869-4408, www.paulgerrard.com

Paul Gerrard

Private i Salon

Private i Salon Winner of The List’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2013, Private i Salon is a shoe-in for your shortlist. The long list of hair and beauty treatments here covers everything from highlights to nails to makeup application, and the service is always highly personalized. There are several branches around town, but the 4,000-square-foot IFC branch is the most impressive; take note of the Swarovski crystal curtains in the reception area. If your kid needs a cut, Private i also has childrens’ salons in Whampoa, Causeway Bay and Festival Walk. Shop 3029-3030, 3/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2526-4488, www.privatei.com.hk

The Firm Award-winning hairstylist Pauline Rowley is the brains behind muchbeloved salon, The Firm, which has been around since 1998. A pioneer of Hong Kong’s creative hair styling scene, the boutique salon offers a number of hair services, along with manicures, pedicures, waxing and makeup services. The unique outfit takes a playful approach to beauty treatments, with creative consultations for the more

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adventurous, Japanese treatments, organic hair color options and special occasion services. The Firm recently started branching out into events too, and its new location on Hollywood Road makes for a gorgeous venue space—complete with a floor-to-ceiling glass facade and great views of SoHo. 1/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2525-6696, www.thefirmhk.com

The Mandarin Salon If you want only the best, head to The Mandarin Salon, which won The List’s 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards. Tucked away on the spa level, the salon has big windows affording lots of natural light, as well as luxurious touches throughout, from 24th-floor harbor-view washrooms and great coffee to fluffy towels and amazing head massages. The talented stylists have trained at acclaimed institutions around the world, and will tailor your hair to match your personality and lifestyle—whether you’re looking for vivid colors, easybreezy waves or subtle sophistication. 24/F, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Rd., Central, 2825-4800, www.mandarinoriental.com

Toni & Guy A leading UK hairdressing company with a powerful international reputation—there are more than 420 salons worldwide—Toni & Guy has two branches in Hong Kong, as well as one training academy. It prides itself in offering high-quality cuts and styles for clients in a laid-back yet professional setting. And for those who are a little more adventurous, this is the place to test out trending shades and daring cuts—the brand is known for sponsoring top design and fashion shows around the world. 15 Wyndham St., Central, 2801-7870, www.toniandguy. com.hk

Take Five:

Cleaning Services Sparkle Maids This cleaning company specializes in homes and will send a uniformed cleaner to your place for a fourhour whirlwind session. Linens are changed, kitchens and bathrooms are sterilized, floors are mopped and surfaces are wiped—and that’s just the start. A single visit is $390, but you can buy packages that get progressively cheaper the more visits you buy. Specialty cleaning for post-renovation and other big jobs is also available—get in touch with Sparkle Maids for a quote. 20/F, Wellable Commercial Building, 513 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 2239-4882, www.sparklemaids.com.hk

Home Easy To get all your Chinese New Year spring cleaning done in a flash, Home Easy has put together a package in which two cleaners will come and blitz your home for four hours for between $850 and $1,150, depending on how close to CNY you order the service. You can also hire short-term domestic workers to carry out tasks such as food preparation, and baby and elderly relative care, as well as cleaning. It also imports products from Japan that help absorb VOCs, and ones that protect your home against the flu virus. Home Easy also offers confinement nannies, pest control, and home maintenance professionals such as plumbers and electricians. Unit 5A, 3/F, Sun Cheong Industrial Building, 1 Cheung Shun St., Lai Chi Kok, 2776-2900, www.homeasy.com.hk

Merry Maids This international franchise has had a presence in Hong Kong since 1998

and today has 40 highly trained cleaning professionals. Using nontoxic and eco-friendly cleaners, Merry Maids can do deep cleans of empty and inhabited houses alike. To keep your home hygiene levels tiptop, you can also purchase packages in which a uniformed cleaner will come to your home for four hours. It’s $415 for a single visit; or $400 per visit if you buy a package of four visits, getting cheaper the more sessions you buy. Unit E, 20/F, Sun Ying Industrial Centre, 9 Tin Wan Close, Aberdeen, 2857-4038, www.merrymaids.com.hk

Top Maid Top Maid is a great choice if you want a regular cleaning service. A four-hour session at Top Maid is $400 ($350 for first-time customers), a price that drops to $340 per session once you buy five visits, and a very reasonable $310 per session when you buy 20. Also on offer is a spring cleaning service as well as office cleaning. Room 1402, 14/F, Hung Kei Building, 5-8 Queen Victoria St., Central, 2151-1280, www.topmaid.com.hk

Smart Home Any domestic dramas can be easily averted with a call to Smart Home. In addition to cleaning services, this company provides domestic helpers who can help with cooking and child care. Also on the list are pest control, aircon and carpet cleaning, babysitting, pet sitting and even a doula service for postpartum moms. The premium service allows you to pay on a monthly basis, choose the same cleaner to come to you every time, and even receive bonus services after using Smart Home’s services for a year. Locations citywide. Head office: Room 1305, Tower A, New Mandarin Plaza, 14 Science Museum Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2717-1196, www.shome.com.hk

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Feng Shui and Fortunes At home with the mystics

Hong Kong Inside

Mak Ling-ing

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Che Kung Temple A wildly popular temple at Chinese New Year, the Che Kung Temple in Tai Wai was built in honor of the Song Dynasty general Che Kung. The current temple was constructed in 1994 to meet the high volume of visitors—it sees around 100,000 people on the second day of Chinese New Year, which is also Che Kung’s birthday. The faithful flock to beat an enormous drum located within the temple and spin a lucky wheel in order to bring them good fortune. The original 300-year-old temple was last renovated in 1890, is located in the back and is only occasionally open to visitors. Each year, the Hong Kong government sends an official to Che Kung Temple to kau cim, draw a stick that predicts Hong Kong’s fortunes for the year ahead. And you can kau cim

and find out too—there are fortune tellers inside the temple to help you glimpse into the future. Che Kung Miu Road, Tai Wai, 2697-2660, www.ctc.org.hk

Hong Kong Inside If you’re more interested in the design element of feng shui, get in touch with Hong Kong Inside. French feng shui expert Geneviève Carle trained under Master Pang (see right) when she first moved to the city in 2011, and she continues to work with him today. Genevieve’s aim is to make your home or office a comfortable and pleasurable space in harmony with feng shui principles, but in keeping with your own sense of style. For little ones, Hong Kong Inside also offers Baby Feng Shui to get your child’s room comfortable and beautifully decorated—online testimonials show that clients’ babies seem to sleep better in a room that’s been feng shui’d. It also offers a “Four Pillars of Destiny” consultation, in which your birth date and time are analyzed and advice given. Lectures and workshops are held frequently in order to increase Hongkongers’ understanding of feng shui principals. www.hongkonginside.com

An expert in palm- and face-reading and the “Eight Characters of Birth Date” discipline, celebrity fortune teller Mak Ling-ling is renowned in Hong Kong for her insights into her clients’ love lives. She is also a feng shui master, and has consulted for some of the biggest architectural firms in Asia. Besides feng shui and fortune telling, she has also made a name for herself in the showbiz circuit, and has appeared in movies and TV comedies—even performing a “fortune-telling rap” with local hip-hop group Fama. Room 1309, Tak Shing House, 20 Des Voeux Rd., Central, 2868-9499, www.maklingling.com.hk

Man Mo Temple Dating back to 1847, Sheung Wan’s small but beautiful Man Mo Temple is dedicated to two gods: Man, the god of literature; and Mo, the god of war. In the past, the temple was frequented by students hoping to succeed in exams. It is a popular destination for worshippers during Chinese New Year, as evidenced by the long queues of people waiting to pay their respects. It also has two fortune tellers on-site. 126 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2540-0350

Know & Tel

Five-minute Feng Shui Genevieve Carle from Hong Kong Inside shares these very simple feng shui tips for a harmonious home. 1. Light is considered to be “yang” energy, the energy of life, and nothing is more important for good feng shui than fresh air and natural sunlight. So open up those windows and curtains to let the light flow into the heart of your home.

2. Need some harmony in your office? A feng shui-friendly desk requires natural light, an open view and your back must face a wall. 3. If you’re having a goat baby this year, maximize your chances of a restful night by arranging your newborn’s bed so that it’s facing east, against a wall that’s diagonally facing the door, and suitably far from a window.

natural light and bright colors. Areas where you rest and sleep, i.e. the bedrooms, are “yin” areas so we need to feel safe and protected. Use soft colors (blue, green and gray are ideal) and cozy accessories, such as cushions and carpets.

4. As “qi” enters a home through the front door, make sure the entryway is well lit and inviting to promote health, wealth and happiness. 5. A basic rule for “yang” areas, such as the living room, dining room, kitchen and office, is that they require

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Tokyo, Singapore and San Francisco. If it’s supplies you’re after, you can buy geomancy discs and other feng shui accessories from his store. Room 1233A, Star House, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2736-9568, www.raymond-lo.com

Sky Fortune

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Tarot reader on Temple street

A fortune stick reader

Master Pang Zi-yeung An experienced feng shui practitioner, Master Pang has been a feng shui consultant for all kinds of businesses in Hong Kong, from major banks to large-scale construction projects, shops and restaurants. He also provides feng shui services for individuals, as well as fortune telling through the “Four Pillars of Destiny” method. By analyzing your birth date and time, he can give you advice on how to succeed in love and business, as well as pick auspicious dates for births, weddings and business openings. www.masterpangzy.com

Peter So Fortune teller to the one percent, Peter So is an expert feng shui master, faceand palm-reader and “Eight Characters of Birth Date” specialist. He also makes regular appearances offering feng shui advice on TVB. Don’t want to leave the house for your reading? You can upload a photo of your face and your palm,

together with your date of birth, to his website, and Master So will send you a video clip of him reading your fortune within three months. It’s $3,000 for the year’s forecast, or $8,000 for your whole life. Want to meet the man in person? So is known for spending most weekends in Lan Kwai Fong, so if you see him, you can ask politely for a quick reading. info@masterso.com, www.masterso.com

Raymond Lo Expat-friendly feng shui master Raymond Lo was one of the first practitioners to bring the craft to an English-speaking audience. His services include lucky date selections for births, marriages and business launches; feng shui evaluations for homes and offices; plus I-Ching divination and destiny consultations based on your date and time of birth. Want to become a feng shui practitioner yourself? Master Lo also offers courses for those eager to learn, both in Hong Kong and further afield in locations such as Dubai,

This feng shui consulting group has several experts on its roster, all working under master Louis Wong, whose family has worked in the field for three generations. He has had numerous corporate clients, including Hong Kong Land, Sino Property and Star Cruises, to name just a few. The full gamut of services is on offer here, from lucky name and date selection to feng shui consultation, fortune telling and feng shui courses for would-be practitioners. Prices start at $860 for lucky date selection, going up to $1,280 for fortune telling, $1,680 for name selection and $3,800 for a full feng shui consultation for your home or office. Unit 1115, 11/F, East Point Centre, 555 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 2838-3350, www.skyfortune.com

Wong Tai Sin Fortune-Telling and Oblation Arcade Located in front of the Wong Tai Sin Temple, this arcade, filled with more than 150 fortune tellers, was opened in 1991 to meet the demand for fortune tellers from temple worshippers. Many of the masters here have had fortunetellers in their families for generations, with their small store fronts decorated to show off their credentials. In front of the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Lung Cheung Road, Wong Tai Sin, 2320-2883

Temple Street This popular tourist destination is perhaps best known for its night market and streetside restaurants, but once you reach the end of the main drag, you’ll find rows of fortune tellers all surrounding the Tin Hau Temple. You can opt for traditional face- and palm- reading, kau cim fortune sticks or almanac consultation, or even have

Know & Tel

your fortune read by bird, tortoise shell or western-style Tarot cards. Many of the consultants speak English. Get there: Jordan MTR Exit A

Meet ‘n’ Greet Brush up on your Cantonese greetings to ensure good fortune… and red packets aplenty.

Thierry Chow Young, stylish feng shui master Thierry Chow is looking to bring the craft into the 21st century, with a lighthearted approach to the discipline. The daughter of renowned feng shui master Chow Hon-ming, Thierry learned feng shui practices from her father, and also offers aura readings and fortunetelling. A designer by training, she has also put together a series of stylish talismans and geomancy discs so you can ward off the evil eye while still looking cool. Recently, she held a “Fashion Feng Shui Therapy” workshop as part of the Fashion Forward Festival. www.facebook.com/ThierryChowFengShui Photo: Hasheeme Wong (www.hasheeme.com)

Wong Tai Sin Temple Hong Kong’s most famous temple was built in honor of 4th century monk Wong Tai Sin, and today is a place of worship for Taoists. It’s a popular destination during Chinese New Year—visitors come from all over Hong Kong to pray for good fortune in the coming year and to have their fortunes read by the many soothsayers on site. You can try kau cim: just think of a question while shaking the cannister of fortune sticks. The first stick that falls out will be interpreted by a soothsayer to answer your query. Once you’ve finished there, complete your spiritual journey with a visit to the popular Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery—just one MTR stop away. 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, 2327-8141, www.siksikyuen.org.hk

恭喜發財 Kung hei fat choy “Congratulations and prosperity!”

身體健康 Sun tai geen hong “Health to your body.”

學業進步 Hok yeep jun bo

步步高升 Bo bo go sing “May your every step take

“May your studies progress well.”

you higher.”

心想事成 Sum seung see sing, or: 萬事如意 Man si yu yee

一本萬利 Yut boon man lei

“May your every wish come true.”

財源廣進 Choi yuen gwong jun

老少平安 Lo siu ping on

“May one investment bring 10,000 profits.”

“May broad fortune spring forth.”

“May young and old be safe/peaceful.”

What’s Cantonese for “so cheesy?”

Mr. Know-it-all Our favorite smart aleck sneaks out of his full-time gig at HK Magazine to give you an extra helping of useful advice.

A Wonderful Hobby ....... A Wonderful Career !

Dear Mr. Know-It-All, Can you clear this up once and for all? Is it going to be the Year of the Sheep? The Year of the Ram? The Year of the Goat? – Baaaffled

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According to the Chinese zodiac, as of February 19 it will be the year of the yeung, 羊. The problem is that the character 羊 means sheep, ram AND goat. The most encompassing translation would be something along the lines of “horned ruminant mammal,” although we can all agree that this would make for a distinctly unsexy Lunar New Year celebration. There are more precise phrases in putonghua: shan yang (山羊)—mountain yang—for goat, and mian yang (綿羊)—wool yang—for sheep, but in most cases, the identity of the yang in question is determined by context. In the most important case—that of eating, of course—it all comes

down to geography. If you’re in Xinjiang and you’re served a plate of yang rou (羊肉), you can expect to be chowing down on a lamb or mutton dish. In the northwest, though, it’s likely that your yang rou will have begun life as a kid instead. To further confuse matters, Xinjiang lamb skewers— chuanr—are a ubiquitous street food in the north, which pushes accurate yang identification into Sherlock Holmes territory. Here’s a story about yang and loyalty, a good story to think about in the approach to Chinese New Year. Su Wu was an ambassador at the court of Emperor Wu of Han. In about 100BC, Su was sent to treat with the Xiongnu nomads of Mongolia in an attempt to settle longstanding enmity between the two peoples. But Su was betrayed by the plotting of his fellow diplomats. Refusing to surrender and defect to the Xiongnu, Su Wu was exiled to the Siberian wilderness of Lake Baikal, and was ordered to tend a flock of yang. Using his imperial staff of office as his shepherd’s crook, Su Wu spent 19 long, hard years in exile. He was finally rescued and he returned home a hero—and an old man. Since then, Su Wu has become a byword for faithful, dogged loyalty in the face of great hardship. In paintings he is always depicted in the wilderness. Alone but for his yang, Su Wu watches over his flock and dreams of home.

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Property Top three places to live…when you have kids! It is natural for parents (including myself) to do what’s best for their kids. Different areas in Hong Kong offer different advantages. Here are my favourite three locations to live on Hong Kong Island and why parents with kids should consider living here.

Old Peak Road

Stanley

Living on Old Peak Road offers both kids and parents the fun of the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. The ponds and aviary of Hong Kong Park are also close by. Parents can enjoy an quick commute to work as Central is just down the hill. Yes parents, that means more playtime with the kids! Once the kids are asleep, an easy stroll down the hill will land you in Lan Kwai Fong, where you can enjoy an ice cold beer or a glass of bubbly.

Stanley is a great place to live with kids. There is plenty of space for kids to ride their bikes and enjoy the outdoors, Stanley Beach is just a walk away. Water-based sports are readily available - you can sail, windsurf or even wakeboard. The Stanley promenade has a wide selection of casual dining options. If you like to cook, the Taste supermarket is one of the best supermarkets on the South Side.

Pok Fu Lam Pok Fu Lam is one of Hong Kong Island’s oldest residential neighbourhoods. Situated on the north west side of the island. Lots of expats have relocated themselves to this “Garden Neighbourhood”. If fresh air and sea-view apartments are what you are looking for, then look no further. Depending on where you choose to live within Pok Fu Lam, clubhouse facilities are just a lift ride away. Cyberport is also close by. Parents and kids can browse shops, grab a coffee, watch a blockbuster or enjoy a quick bite to eat.

Stella’s 852 advice: Chinese new year is nearly here so if you are thinking of cutting off your hair, like I just did, then do it now. To cut it over the holiday is bad luck! So much so that you risk losing all of your wealth!

Stella Abraham

Head of Residential Leasing and Relocation Services, Hong Kong +852 2846 5540 stella.abraham@ap.jll.com Photo by Doan Ho Photography doanho.com

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Baby Pak Choi

A parenting column with Sarah Fung

Don’t Judge Me!

a matching baby. Check out Mothers en Vogue After a lot of careful consideration, I have (www.mothersenvogue.com), Comme Maman arrived at a parenting decision that most Collection (www.commemamancollection.com) people are going to find unpopular. or Matchmi Clothing (www.matchmiclothing. I fully expect to get roundly criticized for this. com) and tell me that some small part of you I might even get hate mail. God knows that the isn’t tempted to splurge. vast majority of parents on the And it’s not like the men internet are going to roll their are exempt either: see the eyes at yet another idiot jumping “No matter how popularity of inexplicably on the bandwagon. But this is offensive anyone else expensive swimming trunks a personal decision, and no brand Vilebrequin, which does matter how offensive anyone finds it, I’m going to little ‘n’ large swim shorts for else finds it, I’m going to stand stand by my choice.” father and son. Although to be by my choice. fair, if anyone can prove that a That’s right: I’m going to get father has ever gone into that matching mom-and-baby outfits. shop and spent $3,000 on matching swimwear Look, I’m sorry OK? I know that they’re the for him and his kid, I will go to the Pacific Place epitome of naff. I know that Daddy Pak Choi is going store, purchase a pair of Vilebrequin shorts, and to walk on the opposite side of the road we step eat them. out in our snazzy coordinated costumes. And yes, I know that when the Pak Choi is 15 she’s going to use photos of us looking like the respective wives of Dr. Evil and Mini-Me as proof that her mom is literally the most embarrassing person in the world. C’mon! Surely any mom with a baby daughter feels the pull towards a chic little Mothe rs en V ogue Matchmi matching number for herself and her bubs? And it’s not like they’re all pink and frilly; there are several companies offering outfits that you’d actually be happy to wear at work or on the Follow Sarah’s parenting journey at babypakchoi.tumblr.com weekend, even if you’re not accessorizing with 50