*Disclaimer: this post is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.


My daily skincare routine is very simple, because I'm a lazy person and my morning consists of a daily struggle between more time for the face = less time for breakfast. Wash, tone and moisturise - allow me to share with you three of my favourite products.  Reminder to self: you should probably add in serum to your routine, you're getting old.

1. Face wash

Angels on Bare Skin is not your typical kind of face cleanser. It's neither liquid nor foam, but rather it's a huge lump of soil-mix-clay like substance - but don't turn away yet! This stuff is magic. Take a small pearl-sized lump onto your palm, mix it with a little water and this soil-clay becomes a smooth cream-like texture, blended with almond grains, which acts as a perfect exfoliator.

I've always had issues in the past with different face cleansers, they're either too dry or too oily. Angels on Bare Skin is perfect. Leaves you feeling very clean yet not stripped of moisture. I've been using this for over a year now, and it's become a necessity in my daily routine. I've also introduced my mum to this product and she loves it, so this cleanser is great for all ages.

2. Toner

Toner is an interesting one. To me it's one of those products that you know you need, but you're never really sure why. The thing about Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Toner is that it feels really natural so I don't have to worry about what I'm putting on my skin. Toner is something that you use everyday, so you have to be sure that it is (a) not full of chemicals (b) not drying.  This toner achieves both, and what's more, it lasts forever! I think i've been using a bottle for almost a year now and there's still a bit left. 

3. Moisturiser

The most important part of my daily routine is to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is the best thing out there, period. It says on its packaging that some Greenland explorers who venture into icy peaks use this product, and I believe it's not just marketing bullshit. This thing keeps my skin moisturized all day, every day, summer or winter. Go get it.

 - Apple

Brought up British

Think of a Venn diagram between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, I would be straight in the middle. Hong Kong does have ties with the UK though (99 year lease and all) but more on this later. Let's go through the ancestral roots, so my parents were both born in Hong Kong. My mum moved over when she was younger to the UK joining her family too. My dad moved much later after he did a lil solo Europe trip.

Me? Well I was born in the UK, and even on the passport it clearly states 'British Citizen' and spent my twenty so years growing up there. But my nationality is Chinese- British Born Chinese to be exact. I moved around a lot when I was younger, and each time I moved it seemed as though I was the only Chinese girl in the area. I remember clearly going in to my fourth year at Primary school, I had an induction because I was the 'new kid', everyone asked me why my eyes were smaller and slanted in comparison to them. I never really focused too much on my differences to the other kids, my mum told me I was bullied when I was in year One but I have no recollection of it, so she moved me to another school. At times it felt great, people would pay more attention to you because you were different, your last name sounded exotic and people would ask you about what you ate at home. Yet at other times I would wish I wasn't the only person who looked misplaced.

My parents worked all though my life, they owned their own business and as most immigrated Chinese people they brought me up through the takeaway/ restaurant life. I started young, helping out in the corner and supporting my parents whenever they needed me. To this day, they've raised me up with the best work ethic, having to be responsible and work at such a young age is extremely treacherous, but I don't regret it- as I wouldn't be the person I am today without it.

Secondary school was more difficult, I met some amazing people (whom I'm happy to say that I still remain insanely close with) but others, well let's just say people can be really harsh when they wanted to. I got teased a lot and getting on the school bus was a real headache at times (I used to get things thrown at me) but everyone can go through bullying regardless of your race, and believe me when I say it sucks. Walking through the streets of my home town too, if there was a gang/ a few guys hanging around they would walk past and make a snide comment too usually about my race. One of my closest friends experienced this for the first time, we were walking once in the city centre and a pair of boys walked past and muttered some incoherent 'Chinese', her jaw dropped and she yelled at them. I told her to not worry as I've experienced this multitudes of time, which is sad really when you get used to this feeling.

I wouldn't say I ever felt split to side with a particular race/ culture. My parents and grandmother taught me traditional Chinese ways (being polite to elders, learning to respect other people and their cultures and how to hold a pair of chopsticks- all essentials of life, clearly). I would speak English at school, but inside my own house (the little bubble) I would chatter in Cantonese and paid attention when my parents spoke it to me.

Looking back though, I wouldn't say I was 100% comfortable with discussing my Chinese culture either. My friends would ask me more about how to say things in Cantonese and a tiny part of me felt ashamed to reveal it. That's my biggest regret up to now, that I never really shared this side of me with my friends. It is tough, as you always have to 'try and fit in' with the culture- being torn between being called Chinese or British, but why do we have to 'fit in' can't we just embrace these parts of us and enjoy them both?

Nowadays, I'm much more relaxed and open about sharing this side of me, after all I'm both British and Chinese. These two things don't really need to be seperate but I can combine them and it is a part of who I am- my identity. After all, I'm lucky enough to enjoy a cup of Breakfast tea and have a cup of Pu Erh for afterwards.

Crabtree & Evelyn Handcream

CRABTREE & EVELYN SUMMER HILL HANDCREAM

If I was heading up to the North Pole (a bit extreme but bare with) and I could only pack a few skincare items, this would be the one. I might be biased as I haven't tried all the handcreams but this is definitely a strong contender.

It houses a light, floral scent and soaks up really quickly into the skin, nope it doesn't have that greasy after feeling. I have pretty dry hands too (due to me being too lazy to wear gloves whilst I do the washing up) and it leaves my hands with that silky skin feeling. The other two things I would take to the North Pole? Probably my blistex intensive lip care and Origins overnight moisturising mask. I dare you to suggest some handcreams that can beat this one ;)

The Autumn Checklist

Seeing as we have hit Autumn (though in Hong Kong, it still feels like Summer here), it feels like this is the final push to myself to get organised before this year is almost over.

• Swap out the wardrobe- start gathering the jumpers and endless scarves
• Finish your projects, and keep the procrastination to a minimum- the deadline is December!
• Pack the intensive lip moisturiser and hand cream 
• Put some money aside
• Start running and exercising again
• Keep your health in check
• Plan new activities with friends
• Tick off some places you want to go- Hiking and finding the secret beaches, star gazing

What's on your to do list?

50 Facts About Us

To get to know us a little bit more, here are some fun facts about us!

Sophia

1. I was born in the UK, but I'm of Chinese descent

2. Sometimes I seem like an extrovert, but really I'm a true introvert

3. I know a few languages, even Hakka

4. I've always wanted to move to Hong Kong

5. I studied Criminology at University

6. 80% of the time I'm happy, 10% I'm over thinking then the other 10% consists of tiredness, sadness and frustration

7. I'm not a fussy eater

8. I'm a secret cat lady

9. I love music from Taylor Swift to Young MC

10. I'm incredibly independent

11. If it was acceptable to dance and sing in public, I would be the first one to do it

12. Sometimes I get sick of the internet and using my phone, that I wish I was in the middle of nowhere

13. I'm a little secretive and only trust a select few people to share my thoughts with

14. Everyday I try and think of something I'm grateful for

15. I'm hopelessly optimistic- the milk is always half full for me

16. I have strange tastes in things- complete opposites of what people 'think' I should like

17. At work I'm really organised, but in my own life? Eh, not so much

18. Though, I'm good at replying to messages and it makes me feel uneasy if I don't

19. I'm ridiculously clumsy- I trip over my own two feet

20. My hearing is pretty bad too- when I was younger I always had to listen to the restaurant kitchen's ventilation system which is loud
21. I've found that I'm pretty good at searching for things

22. My ultimate food weakness are crisps- I can eat them endlessly

23. I usually will choose vegetables over meat

24. Unfortunately, I'm a little paranoid and suffer from OCD too

25. Although I'm deathly afraid of deep water, my favourite and calming place is anywhere next to the sea.

Apple

1. I think dogs are better than humans

2. I like to create & build stuff, like jigsaw puzzles, designing stuff on photoshop, arts & craft

3. I prefer fiction over non-fiction

4. People tell me I'm quite blunt and direct

5. I always consider the benefits of doing something before I do it

6. I do not like to waste time

7. I'm easily frustrated by people who take too long to think/decide/take action. I also have an issue with people who talk too much.

8. My favourite thing about Hong Kong is its speed & efficiency

9. My least favourite thing about Hong Kong is the crowds and the fact that people can be quite rude

10. I both like and dislike being the centre of attention...

11. I'm attracted to guys who are the centre of attention

12. I'm attracted to guys who are true to themselves and don't give a fuck what others think

13. I wish I was more of the above

14. My favourite quote of the year is: 

15. My ideal life is living on a farm with my family and many animals

16. I am also an introvert who appears to be an extrovert

17. People who don't know me think I am cold and stoic

18. I cry over books, movies, cartoons

19. I wish people didn't hurt/hunt animals for fun

20. I wish my mum and my dogs in Malaysia would move to Hong Kong so we are all together

21. I like to drink alcohol because that's when I feel like I can loosen up a bit. Most of the time I'm pretty tensed

22. I love Bailey very very much.

23. Career achievement is important to me. I want to achieve financial freedom by age 35

24. My mum is Malaysian, my dad is Korean, and I carry a HK passport

25. For the past year or so, I've felt content and stable inside (I was an emotional roller coaster before). I have a feeling it's because my boyfriend has been there for me all along.

Now you know us a bit better, tell us about YOU! :)

Ista- The Curry Place, Hong Kong

Sev Poori

Ista is the curry place that I've been missing in Hong Kong, lately I have been having the most intense curry cravings (maybe it was all the delicious Indian food in Malaysia!) So when I researched for some highly recommended Indian restaurants, this was one of the top hits and I can see why.

Ista is situated in one of those odd warehouse/ industrial buildings in LKF, walking in the atmosphere is soothing, quiet but welcoming. We were kindly greeted by the manager and the staff and soon browsed for what to eat. The choices really caught our eye too, somehow Ista has that amazing balance of creating fusions of food that make you think you're dining at a Michelin restaurant but keeping to the authenic Indian flavour that everyone secretly loves.

As we debated on what to have, we were given great suggestions from the manager, he lovingly recommended dishes that were popular with his customers too. In the end we decided on quite a variety of choices. Firstly, we started with the crunchy poppadoms and chutneys. Then came the heart in eyes emoji kind of dish (also proving once again that pomegranates make any dish 100 times better), biting into the potatoes they were fluffy and aromatic, the flakes of gram flour noodles added to the amazing crunch.

For our mains, we settled on the fresh garlic naan bread and a Chicken Murgh (sadly I don't recall the name of this dish- I really need to start writing them down!) that was recommended by the manager, as he mentioned it was lightly spiced but the chicken was infused for many hours. The chicken was lovely and tender, with the spices adding the extra level of deliciousness, he even kindly gave us a complimentary bowl of rice to dip the rest of the sauce goodness in.

Although we were already fully stuffed from the feast of the meal, we got enabled to try one of Ista's desserts too and chose the rich Indian ice cream that was so creamy, it really was the icing on the cake of a great meal for us.

I noticed that Ista was also part of the Food Panda Group too, which means if you're a lucky enough person to work/ live in the delivery vicinity, you can order up some amazing food too- the what's for dinner question is sorted now! I would highly recommend Ista, amazing food and service, what else do you need really?

2/F Onfem Tower, 29 Wynham Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central

Daniel Wellington Classy York in Rose Gold

This lil beauty was kindly gifted to me for my birthday by Apple and Melody. I had been dreamily pining over the watches on DW for the past few months too and this was one of my favourite styles, so they know me so well!

This is the Classy York strap with the rose gold edging, and embossed swarovski crystals gently indented on the face. The movement of watch is silent too, that Japanese Quartz movement, I pressed my ear towards it and I couldn't hear the usual ticking noise.

The design is very simple but chic, it pairs well with all of my outfits and now lives on my wrist all the time. With the watch straps, you can also change them up- so you have an array of options, from the classic leather strap to the sporty canvas ones. If you were ever contemplating the DW, I would definitely edge you on with a firm yes, go buy it. 

Daniel Wellington Available Here

Monday Quotes

It's another Monday Blues, last weekend I was lucky enough to have an extra day off and it gave me more time to feel refreshed and plan out what I want to do for the next few weeks.

Monday rolls around and sucks us into a lag, but here's some motivational quotes to keep you going this week.

"Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life--think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success." --Swami Vivekananda

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly." --Proverb

"Do one thing every day that scares you." 

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn 

“If not us, who? If not now, when?” - John F Kennedy

The blind pursuit of happiness

Ever since I was a little bright eyed thing, one of my goals was 'to be happy.' These last few years I've been chasing happiness like it's something to earn, something to win and achieve. In fact, is it really that? I was reminded that happiness is a complete state of mind. Also note that it's an emotion, and as human beings we feel many emotions all at once, it's what makes us unique, right? Therefore, trying to just achieve ultimate happiness is just...impossible. Not that as a person you shouldn't be happy, but you should also experience the other emotions and appreciate the times when you do feel fulfilled.

I can clarify though, that I do have my happy moments, but they are accompanied with sadness, frustration and many other things that we do and should feel. I'm happy with the choices that I've made and feel content at times too. Yes, I've definitely learned to savour the moments that make me truly happy too- I like to flick back and think of them on my down days.

We are in charge of our own happiness.

We should also ask ourselves this though, is what we're currently doing making ourselves happy? It doesn't necessarily have to 100% be but it should definitely be in the factor of consideration. Let's not waste any more time on things that don't make us a little bit happy.

Pho Thai Vietnamese Cuisine (越南牛肉粉專門店)

Pho Thai is the budget priced Vietnamese food if you're wanting of something fresh, full of flavour and comforting. There's a few of these franchises around Hong Kong, although it's not something that's in your face and might leave you with a feeling of surprise when the dishes hit your table, it is lovely to eat and at an affordable price too.

My favourite is the lemongrass pho noodles (not pictured here sadly) as well as the chicken cold noodles that you pour the thai sweet chilli sauce over. However, I do wish that the dishes had a bit more oompf in the spice palette. For me it isn't spicy enough, but if I'm craving some vietnamese food, it does hit the spot. My friend had the pork cold noodles and she said the pork was succulent with a hint of lemongrass flavour too.

They also provide purse friendly lunch sets with a few sides and also a drink too, my co-workers and I love a good bargain set. My choice of sugary deathly beverage is the coconut ice with red bean- this is lovely and creamy and satisfies the sweet tooth that I have when I eat something savoury.

The next thing for me to try? I reckon it will be their curry rice set....

Shop 3B, G/F. Fook Hong Industrial Building, 19 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay

My Scheming Black Mask for Blackheads

I picked this up as I've heard a new buzz around this product on the beauty scene, My Scheming Beauty is also known for it's wide range of sheet masks too. This face mask is a three step one, so definitely perfect for a pamper night when you have some more time on your hands.

Firstly, you want to open up your pores so grab yourself a hot towel or try and steam up your face for a few minutes. This is the time to apply step one all over the areas you want to reduce the pores on, apply and leave for 8 minutes. After that, wash it off and dab your nose dry.

Next you want to start part two- the blackhead mask, here you want to cover your whole nose with a thick layer and leave it to dry until the mask hardens. This usually takes thirty to forty minutes depending the amount you used. Once you feel as though the mask has hardened lift it up slowly from the end of your nose and peel it in an upwards motion. If you have any residue left over wash it off with some lukewarm water.

Finally, you need to close off your pores with step three- smooth it over your nose and you can leave this last step on your skin. I have to say, after using this mask, I felt a big difference on my nose- my blackheads and pores were minimised and it left my skin softer. Also there's something disgustingly satisfying about seeing your pores that are left on the mask, kind of like peeling a plaster to let it breathe.