A video I didn't think I would do but my room is such an important place for me, it's the place I go to relax in and cosy up in. I'm most grateful for this small place I call home, and get so giddy every night when I can jump into bed from an exhausting day. Welcome to my humble little room, but it's mine and I adore it.

Materialism

I own a lot of things, coming from two generations of hoarders, I'm afraid it's been passed down to me. Yet, even though my family has always hoarded a lot of things, they've been pretty frugal with what they purchase. Whereas, when it came to me, I always craved for more expensive things and thought they would make me feel better. My mum and sister have no interest at all in designer and expensive items, however, I would browse through luxury online websites and blogs adding items to my wishlist.

Last year, I bought my first slightly expensive handbag, after a long time deciding and a while saving up for it. I loved buying it and still love using it, but there was some kind of void that I thought would be fulfilled when I purchased it, kind of a 'more glam' vibe, I can't particularly describe it but I thought owning an expensive thing would make myself feel better.

Skip to a few months down the line, I eyed up a Mulberry Lily, a brand that was in my wishlist for a long time, and my lovely family actually trekked all the way to Bicester Village just to help me buy it. After hearing that they bought it and I finally fulfilled one of my 'goals' of purchasing a Mulberry, I didn't feel any different. I thought that buying something luxurious and expensive would make myself feel better, but it really didn't. I've never been a materialistic person in some senses, I know that money doesn't buy happiness but yet I was always addicted with the notion of having expensive things.

I realised though, after that moment, that owning things won't make you a better person, it might make you happier in the moment and actually when you save up it does feel great. Yet, this is a fleeting feeling, it'll disappear and won't keep you going. Other things will, hard work, accepting yourself, but owning something else doesn't fulfill that. I've kind of turned things around a bit, and started thinking of the bigger picture, I've actually set myself a goal of not buying anything unnecessary for the next few months. I'll let you know how that goes, minimalism is a new approach that I want to adapt. Also, I'm not saying don't treat yourself to a new bag, go for it as you fully deserve it, just remember that sometimes things aren't everything to life. 

From the Archives: November Vlogs

Yes, you read it right, November! Talk about slow editing, am I right? I'm a big procrastinator, so editing and I are slowing forming a stable relationship. I'm still adjusting to editing, which combines umming and ahhing over whether the clips look good. Causes a hell of a lot of problems, but I'm getting there! These clips were combined together from a weekend in November, giving a little insight of alternative things to do in Hong Kong, especially cycling- Tai Po really is great for cycling.

Also, if you're a editing noob like moi and using a windows laptop, I use Filmora Wondershare to edit these videos. I bought the paid version which cost me around 200HKD for a year, a pretty good deal for software (after searching the internet- yes I looked into page 10!)

Filmora is pretty easy to use, more advanced that the built in Windows video editing, and costs a fraction of the price of the Adobe video editor. They also have video tutorials and I find the layout pretty easy to use, you can try out their free version too but it has their watermark embedded into your videos.

Looking forward to sharing more videos with you all, and please subscribe to our youtube channel for more videos!

-Sophia x

Favourite places to take my dog in Hong Kong

If you're looking for a good place to take your dog in Hong Kong, do check out these places that Bailey and I love.

1. Sai Kung
Sai Kung is one of those places where there's probably more dogs than humans. You can take your dog for a walk along the ferry port, the path takes you pass some green fields where your dogs can play a game of fetch, or walk further down the path to a dog-friendly beach. Sai Kung is also full of dog-friendly cafes and restaurants, so you can spend a whole day from breakfast to dinner there with your pooch.

2. West Kowloon Promenade
West Kowloon has a massive field where you can have a nice picnic while your pooch makes some friends with other pooches. This park is great for your dogs to run free, but do watch out for the bicycles on the cycling path. The location isn't very convenient though, so make sure you bring some food and drinks with you if you're planning to stay for the day.

3. Olympics
Olympics is the most convenient spot for me because it's the closest to my house. Outside of the Olympian City mall, there's a spacious area for the dogs to roam freely. Most of the dogs usually come here around 4 to 6pm, then 8 to 10pm. This is a good place to bring your dog if you happen to live nearby and is looking to take your dog for a casual walk.

4. Victoria Peak Garden
This secret garden in the hills is away from the traffic and crowds, and definitely a top spot to bring your dog on a weekend. A great place for a picnic with your family and friends, though not the easiest place to get to. However, your dog will love the fresh air and the beautiful grass up here, while you enjoy a good view of Hong Kong.

5. Penfold Park
Penfold Park is the dog park of Hong Kong. Massive, green and filled with dog and dog lovers, it's the perfect spot for you to bring your pooch. Check the opening hours because this park is closed on jockey racing days.

Let me know in the comments below if you've also discovered any places in HK that you and your dog adores? Bailey and I are always up for new places to explore :)

2016 New Year!

A little note from us! Happy Chinese New Year, it was spent enjoying the long five day holiday away from the stresses of work. We both spent it with our families and loved it, not going to lie, we're a bit bummed out that we have to return to work tomorrow but at least it's a short week for us.

This year is the year of the Monkey, but unfortunately Hong Kong started off the new year to bad spirits with the Mong Kok riots, a conflicting tale for another time. As I've only been in Hong Kong for a few years now, this was my third Chinese New Year, previously I didn't hype up this holiday as much as it deserved (the atmosphere isn't as great in the UK). But honestly? It is part of my culture and heritage and even though there is a lot of faff to it, it's also the best time because families unite and spend valuable time together.

Here's to the year ahead!

Kowloon Walled City Park & a Purple Burger

My friends spotted this fascinating purple burger in Kowloon City, so how could I pass up this offer? This is located at Eighty Sense, chicken 'purple' (taro) one of their specialities, also priced at the most affordable 40 HKD (from the top of my head!). As Eighty Sense is just a take out place (with only two seats), we had to grab our burgers and head off to find somewhere comfortable to enjoy them.

Kowloon Walled City Park is part of Hong Kong's history of the tight packed community of flats that were built around the 16th Century, the park sits on this area. Dotted around the park are filled with miniature scaled models of how people were living during those times. Even looking through the models it surprised me how people could live in such tight quarters during those times.

It's not the most well known tourist spot of Hong Kong in comparison to the Peak or Tsim Sha Tsui promenade but I think if you have more time in Hong Kong, this place is worth a visit, also Kowloon City has some fantastic restaurants too ;)