5 little things we love – April 2020

by Aude Camus
 
 
#1
Hong Kong Shifts raises awareness about Hong Kong shift workers through visual storytelling

Launched in July 2019, Hong Kong Shifts is a beautiful storytelling project aiming at raising awareness to those shift workers helping us around the clock and keeping the rhythm of Hong Kong running but being too often neglected. Every week, the two founders Cynthia Cheng and Maxime Vanhollebeke, publish a new portrait together with a bilingual English/Cantonese narrative introducing the profile of the featured individual.  Target profiles include taxi drivers, security guards, cobblers, nurses, cleaning personnel, street cleaners, egg vendors, and postmen - those working day and night tirelessly across Hong Kong.
 
Not only an artistic project, Hong Kong Shifts also works as a platform to promote social inclusion initiatives by other NGOs and social enterprises through events (and fundraising initiatives
 
Check out their gallery of portraits on Facebook and Instagram
 
 
 
#2
Ryan L Foote 3D printed chocolates offer a nice twist to your traditional Easter treats

Not that I ever need an excuse to treat myself to anything chocolaty but in case you needed one, Easter weekend is just around the corner. And chocolate is the ultimate Easter treat, right? Don’t bother going on an Easter hunt around town though (not to mention it might not be the safest thing to do at the moment) and get your chocolates delivered straight to your door instead. Looking for something yummy but different? Something fancy maybe? After all, we all deserved a fancy treat in challenging times like the current ones. Ever tried 3D printed chocolate? Why don’t you give it a go and support a local business at the same time? I’ve been offered a box of Chocolates by Ryan L Foote’s Hong Kong collection treats and finished them all in less than two days (oupsie daisy) … loving their unique shapes inspired by the architecture of the city and their distinctive taste echoing some of Hong Kong’s most eaten treats such as coconut tart or milk tea.  Oh and of course, they also make a quite unique gift if you are looking to treat someone.
 
Hong Kong Madame’s fav flavour: Hong Kong French toast with peanut butter
 
Order online
HKD 390 for the Hong Kong edition chocolate box (9 pieces)
 
REDISCOVER OUR INTERVIEW OF RYAN, FOUNDER OF CHOCOLATES BY RYAN L FOOTE
 
 
 
#3
Indigo Living infuses your home with some vibrant American vibes

As we are currently spending more time at home than ever, having a cosy interior where you feel safe and happy definitely feels like a must. Having recently moved to a new apartment, I’ve been avidly looking for interior design inspos and checking at online shops and just had a crush on Indigo Living’s Miami Chic Spring/Summer collection. I’ve been lucky enough to discover Miami last summer and totally fell in love with the city’s art deco vibes (REDISCOVER OUR MIAMI CITY GUIDE) so it totally makes sense I would fall for this collection with its bold, geometric forms, smooth curves and popping colours: sugary shades of cotton candy, mint sherbet, hibiscus, saffron, coral, aqua, cream, ivory and grey.
 
But the two other Spring/Summer trends from the brand – Botanical Home infused with tropical chic vibrant vibes reminiscent of the desert style of Palm Springs and Organic Luxe with its breezy coastal style and retro Hollywood glamour feel - are also worth checking.
 
https://www.indigo-living.com/hk_en/  
 
 
 
#4
Google Arts & Culture allows you to explore the wonder of the world in the comfort of your home

I was mentioning it already in this article : if you have a bit of imagination and do not mind a virtual tour, there are many online experiences allowing you to travel the world and explore some of its most famous museums without even having to leave your living room. The most complete collection of online tours and virtual exhibitions is by far the one provided by Google Arts & Culture, featuring content from over 2000 leading museums and archives. 
 
Are you curious about what Van Gogh’s Starry Night looks like up close? Have you ever dreamt of exploring the NASA’s archives? Have you ever toured an ancient Maya temple? The world is your playground, start exploring it now! 
 
https://artsandculture.google.com/
 
 
 
#5
Show your favourite instructors and studios some love and support by joining virtual classes on Mindbody

Who else out there needs a workout (whether it is yoga, HIIT, pilates …) to stay sane? Hearing that all gyms in Hong Kong will have to close their doors for 14 days (at least) wasn’t good news for me (even though I totally understand the reasons behind such a decision). But can you imagine how much of a bad news it is for small independent gym studios which still have to pay their rents while having to pause the packages of their members? Wanna show some support and enjoy a nice workout in the safety of your home? Many studios now offer virtual classes. And if you don’t know where to start, you might wanna check the Mindbody website and/or app, featuring many studios around town, and browse their virtual classes selection.
 
Pssst, my beloved Barre 2 Barre studio currently offers very attractive streaming packages (10 days unlimited online classes for HKD 395), why don’t you give it a go?
 
https://mindbody.io/