42 PLAYING IN POLLUTION Summer 2014 STAY SHARP THIS SUMMER 52 62 MACAU FOR MINIS news resources 8 WHAT’S ON 24 TOY BOX A look at what’s going on this month Get out and explore with these picks. 10 HOT OFF THE PRESS 26 BOOKSHELF Hip new shops, services and products Read all about Hong Kong! 16 FINGER ON THE PULSE 28 SHIPSHAPE Relevant news from around the world We spend a lot of time on, in or near the water, but how much do we know about 18 ECO HERO Hong Kong’s centuries of coastal culture? Ideas and products for greener living Set sail to discover stories of the seas. advice 90 STOCKISTS See something you like? We’ll tell you 20 BEAUTY 101 where to get it. Photography Top tips for looking your best Melanie Adamson 22 RATED PG Model Resolving the old you with the new parent- Chase styled you can cause some angst, writes Orla Breeze. Clothes Chase wears Imps & Elfs t-shirt with detail, $360, Atelier de Paris. Eco Hero Toy Box Bookshelf pg 18 pg 24 pg 26 Summer 2014 1 Summer 2014 74 COLOUR 68 ARTISTIC VISION MY DAY features 32 CYBER-SAVVY CITY LIVING 52 STAY SHARP THIS SUMMER 74 COLOUR MY DAY Getting to know a city still takes feet on Keeping your brain fit over the summer Inspired by the block colours of our the street. But, when you’re not looking break doesn’t have to be a bore or a background, we created a clean for a long wander, websites and apps chore. and cheerful collection of clothes to can help focus your efforts. celebrate the fun summer ahead. 58 GET YOUR HOLIDAY BOOKED 38 PLAYING IN POLLUTION If you’re looking for something meaty 82 EMERGING MARKETS Enduring Hong Kong’s suffocating, and worthwhile – and appropriate for There’s a world of foods to explore smog-filled skyline is one of the daily your daughter to read, too – here are in Hong Kong, but you need to step battles we face living in the city. Just some picks for the summer. beyond the supermarket. how bad is the city’s air pollution? And what is its impact on our children? 62 MACAU FOR MINIS 87 LOCAL FLAVOURS More than just a playground for Once you’ve sourced your ingredients 46 HELPING HANDS grown-ups, this nearby city presents a from the local market, here’s how to use For most of us living in Hong Kong, quick and easy destination for family them to make easy and delicious family- being able to employ a full-time, fun, no flights required. friendly meals. live-in helper is a luxury we wouldn’t be able to afford elsewhere. But, how 68 ARTISTIC VISION 96 LAST WORD do we incorporate another adult into See the city from the eyes of two We live in the world’s most vertical city, the household, and what exactly do Australian creatives, who have found says father-of-three Nury Vittachi. they do? beauty in the most unusual places. 2 Playtimes EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tracey Starr t: 2201 9710 e: [email protected] Sharon Maloney A true blue Hong Kong girl, born and raised here PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Jo Allum by her British and Chinese parents, Sharon works t: 2201 9719 as a teacher in a local school. In her free time, e: [email protected] Sharon can be found eating, writing or with her head in a recipe book and drinking a large ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Florence Choy Wan cocktail (usually all at the same time!). While t: 2201 9721 not a professional chef, Sharon has cooked for most of her life e: [email protected] and has very little patience for long, complicated recipes. Being extremely lazy, Sharon makes do by adapting most recipes to 30 minutes or less. When not thinking about or making food, Sharon spends her time on her island ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Narelle Edwards (Cheung Chau), usually at the beach with her son. You can follow Sharon on e: [email protected] Twitter: @jasmine_ginger, or on her blog: www.jasmine-ginger.com. ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Nalini Balachandra e: [email protected] ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Marie Milan t: 2201 9724 Belinda Bath e: [email protected] Belinda had an idyllic childhood growing up on a farm in Cowra, NSW, Australia, with two siblings, riding horses, motorbikes and getting a country ART DIRECTOR education. At the tender age of 17, she moved Charlotte Chandler to the “big smoke” of Sydney to study fashion design and illustration. After a few years, she moved to Melbourne to pursue a career in advertising, working as a freelance SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER advertising stylist on catalogues, print ads and magazines. Eman Lam Having worked with so many creative people and photographers over the years, it seemed like a natural progression when her family relocated to Hong Kong seven years ago and Belinda embarked on a new creative GRAPHIC DESIGNER adventure: a canvas design project (belindabathimages.com). Nurturing her Mike Walshe love of photography and travel, Asia has provided endless inspiration. Belinda spends her free time exploring this amazing city with her husband and two kids, and working on her new blog – www.stylebriefhongkong.com – with Ingrid Keneally. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Cristian Checcanin CEO David Tait t: 2201 9727 e: [email protected] FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS & DISTRIBUTION t: 2201 9716 PUBLISHED BY: PPP Company Ltd, Unit 713, Level 7, Core E, Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road, Cyberport, Hong Kong CONTRIBUTORS: Tel: +852 2201 9716 PRINTED BY: Toppan Printing Company Ltd. in Hong Kong Melanie Adamson; Belinda Bath; Orla Breeze; Angelina Draper; Published by PPP Company Limited. The publication is sold on the understanding that the publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, Olivia Hungerford; Rachel Jacqueline; Gillian Johnston; errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a purchaser of the publication or not, in respect of any action or omission or the consequences of any action or omission by any such person, whether whole or partial, upon the whole Ingrid Keneally; Rachel Kenney; Erica Lyons; Sharon Maloney; or part of the contents of this publication. All rights reserved, 2014 PPP Company Limited. No part of this work, covered by the publisher’s copyright may be reproduced in any form by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval, without the written permission of the publisher. Any unauthorised use of this Katrina Shute; Eleanor Smallwood; Nury Vittachi; Nicole Webb publication will result in immediate legal proceedings. welcome Tracey and models Brighton and Lorelei ’ve been living in Hong Kong for more than five years, but I’m continually surprised by how much I don’t know about my adopted country. After some eager and enthusiastic exploration in our first I year, I seem to have fallen into a steady routine, rarely stepping out to wander down a new path. This month’s theme – Getting to know Hong Kong – is designed especially for all of us who could benefit fromshaking up our normal routines and seeing a different side of the city. If you find yourself shopping at the same supermarket week after week – and always complaining about the price, the selection, the freshness – then you’ll want to check out the article about local markets. We’ll tell you what’s on offer and what to expect, and even suggest a few dishes to make with your newfound treasures. Ever find yourself stewing in the rush-hour humidity, fuming that you got off to a late start and consequently can’t find a taxi? You’ll want to check out “Cyber-savvy city living”, where, among other cool stuff, you’ll find a taxi booking app that will change your life. I’m not exaggerating. You will thank us when you first experience its magic. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, recently returned from time abroad, or are an expat only camping here temporarily, there’s surely something left to explore. This month marks the end of our production year. After taking a bit of time to enjoy the summer sun, we’ll be back again in September, when we begin our 12th year! That’s a long legacy that we’re looking forward to celebrating, but it’s also a great chance for us to change things up a smidge and bring you some new treats. I hope you have a wonderful summer, and I’ll see you in September. Thanks for reading, Tracey Starr, Editor-in-Chief 6 Playtimes sponsored feature Summer THE HOTTEST HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN 11-13/7 11/ 7 -17/8 9/7 Swap Meet Dora’s International YoYo Mama HK offers opportunities for eco- Coming! Arts Carnival conscious parents to swap, donate or buy Dora has lost her teddy bear and needs An amazing array of family-friendly gently used kids’ items. To learn more about help to rescue him. See Dora and all of entertainment is on offer at this year’s them and their event, email her friends at Star Hall at KITEC. Click carnival, including music, dance, film and [email protected]. www.doralivehk.com. more. Visit www.hkiac.gov.hk. 16-22/7 27/7 & 3/8 Reading the New Pre-school Open House World Miles International, in a new mall beside From heavy tomes to cult comics, whatever Repulse Bay beach, provides a perfect you fancy, the 25th annual Hong Kong learning environment for both parents Book Fair has it, along with authors and and children.