Meet The Team: Behind The Scenes At Sassy Hong Kong

Want to get to know Team Sassy a little better?

We’re lucky to work in a place that encourages individuality, productivity and incessant snacking, but the icing on the red velvet cupcake has always been the team. They say people make a place and that couldn’t be more true at Sassy Media Group. From our most embarrassing moments to handbag essentials, favourite meals and travel dreams, the girls in the office are letting you know a little more about themselves…

Role: Sassy Media Group Founder

Your go-to outfit?
My go-to look is neutral in colour and something that is solid. I can count on one hand the things I own that have a pattern. I am a big fan of a monochrome look as I think it looks instantly put together without much thought, and at the moment I am all about high-waisted jeans.

3 people you’d have at a dinner party?
Having them all at one dinner party may be too much fun, but I would love to invite Jimmy Fallon, James Corden and Tina Fey (who has Philadelphia roots which is my hometown city in the US!). Actually, it would probably be an invite for Gin and Tonics and a cheese platter. I love entertaining but I have anxiety over having dinner parties since I don’t cook, so tend to do cocktails and appetisers at my place instead.

What would your last meal be?
Hands down, my last meal would be a Thanksgiving dinner. There are so many emotional feelings tied into this meal for me especially now that I live so far away from friends and family in the US. While the turkey is usually the star on the plate, for me it’s all about the sides. My wish for any last meal would be a double serving of mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy!

Role: Managing Director

Your dream destination?
Just send me into the hills! Anywhere with a view, a valley and a very hot shower at the end of a day’s hiking, and I’m in my happy place. Dream destination right now is Patagonia!

What essentials would we find in your handbag?
Travel toothbrush kit, lip gloss and tissues. Always have a good smile, and always be able to offer someone a tissue – you never know when these things will make all the difference to the way you or another person feels!

Advice to your younger self?
Life is short, don’t waste your mental space worrying about what other people think. Use it to encourage and inspire the people around you and what they think will take care of itself! And always, always have an epic adventure planned!

Role: Managing Editor (Sassy and Sassy Mama Hong Kong)

A hidden talent?
My am-dram background. I used to tap dance in stage musicals and once won an AIMS (Association of Irish Musical Societies) award for Best Comedienne.

What essentials would we find in your handbag?
1. An EOS lip balm – my sister is to blame for my addiction to this brand. I think I have owned every flavour at some point, but my current favourite is coconut milk.
2. A Denman D14 Hairbrush – it’s the perfect size for handbags, looks stylish, lasts forever, and the best part is they are made in my hometown of Bangor, Northern Ireland.
3. Sunglasses! – because you just never know when the Hong Kong sun will choose to turn on its charm!

Where would we find you on a Saturday night?
Saturday nights in usually include some fish and chips from Hooked, while Saturday nights out (more often than not!) involve several pornstar martinis in Varga Lounge.

Role: Editor
Specialises in: Eat & Drink, Beauty, Home, Style

Your dream destination?
Japan. It’s the perfect mix of culture, food and shopping. I love Kyoto in particular – I will never get over the wonder of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. But Tokyo definitely wins for food (hit me up for the best udon noodle spot).

A movie you could watch on repeat?
The rom-com About Time. I really appreciate the Britishness of this film. And of course, Richard Curtis and Bill Nighy are a match made in heaven!

Your go-to outfit?
Jeans and a white broderie anglaise blouse – the frillier the better. Or for summer months, a floral midi-dress and trainers. My style is pretty minimal and I find that both of these outfit combinations are great for taking me straight from the office to dinner and drinks after hours.

Role: Editor
Specialises in: What’s On, Lifestyle, Weddings

Where would we find you on a Saturday night?
If I manage to successfully resist the temptation to do nothing all day, you’d most likely find me happily seated at a restaurant ordering far too much from the menu.

Your go-to outfit?
My go-to outfit is definitely a striped tee – I currently own nine almost identical ones and the collection is continually growing – my most comfortable high-waisted jeans and a pair of brightly coloured ballet flats.

Your dream destination?
Anywhere in the “aurora zone” where I could watch the northern lights from. Ever since I heard about the natural neon light show, I’ve been dying to see it with my own eyes.

Role: Editor
Specialises in: Travel, Influencers, Health & Wellness

Your dream destination?
There are so many places on my travel bucket list but my top pick right now is Costa Rica. I have a friend who’s from there and a couple of us have been planning a girls trip over. It sounds unreal. Between yoga in the middle of the jungle, watercolour painting by waterfalls, ukulele-playing on the beach and horse-riding adventures, it’s definitely a trip I’m looking forward to!

What essentials would we find in your handbag?
Other than my phone, purse, water bottle and some sort of snack…
1. A trusted tube of Lucas’ Papaw ­– it’s carried me through mozzie bites, chapped lips and fajita-pan burns.
2. Noise-cancelling headphones – saving MTR rides, co-working spaces and long-haul flights.
3. A travel pouch – holding everything from plasters, safety pins and travel SIM cards to a spare pair of earrings.

Advice to your younger self?
I read somewhere that “by taking care of yourself, you take care of others, and by taking care of others, you take care of yourself.” It’s never held more truth to me.

Role: Editorial Assistant

What would your last meal be?
Definitely sushi! Nothing beats a good omakase, although a chunky dragon roll would work just fine too.

What essentials would we find in your handbag?
I cannot live without my earbuds, especially when I’m trying to get through a new book on my kindle (another one of my essentials)! Apart from that, I also try to have my emergency make up kit with me at all times – you never know what may happen next!

Most listened to song?
I’m torn between choosing Oceans and Good Morning Baltimore, two songs that I listen to whenever I need an energy boost – especially in the mornings!

Role: Partnerships Manager
Specialises in: Eat & Drink, Style, Beauty

Your go-to outfit?
A black jumpsuit with statement shoes and jewellery. I have an awesome vintage one that works for every occasion! It can be dressed up with heels, worn with trainers or flats in the day, and a black jumpsuit is perfect for throwing on if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to think about putting an outfit together.

What would your last meal be?
My mum’s homemade lasagne, it takes ages to make but I’m sure she (secretly) enjoys making it for me every time I go back home. It’s a recipe she got from my great auntie and it makes us think of her every time we’re sat around the table together enjoying it.

Advice to your younger self?
Worry less, believe in yourself and live each moment to the full. Remember everything as you know it can change in an instant!

Role: Partnerships Manager
Specialises in: What’s On, Lifestyle, Health & Wellness, Weddings

Your most embarrassing moment?
When I was about 10 years old, my parents took me and my brother on a boat trip along the Li River in Yangshuo. It was one of those big boats with an upper viewing deck and below were big tables where you would sit and eat with your group, just like at a restaurant. I remember going upstairs to admire the views and then, after smelling the food, rushing down, sitting in my seat and digging into the dishes without any hesitation. I was so hungry, I was eating for about two minutes non-stop when I looked up to see all these strange faces staring at me in confusion. Turns out, in my mad rush for food, I had sat at the wrong table and ate some other poor family’s food. When I looked over to the table across, I saw my entire family in fits of laughter. They have never let me live down that moment since!

A hidden talent?
I’m not sure if it’s really a talent but I can lick my elbow.

What essentials would we find in your handbag?
I never go anywhere without my little blue pot of Blistex lip balm and water. Even the thought of leaving my flat without water makes my throat dry and lips tingle!

Role: Partnerships Manager
Specialises in: Finance, Medical

Where would we find you on a Saturday night?
At one of the hottest restaurants in town sipping on a refreshing cocktail and trying a new dish!

Advice to your younger self? 
Don’t fret the small stuff, if something is bothering you, just say it and then stop ruminating about it. Life is too short, treasure and be present for each moment.

Your go-to outfit?
A pair of high waisted jeans, a shirt and always some bright lippy to complete my look.

Role: Partnerships Support Executive

What would your last meal be?
Pasta, I live for it and could literally never get enough of it!  

What essentials would we find in your handbag?
Most definitely a lipstick, some gum and tissues!

A movie you could watch on repeat?
The Graduate is my favourite movie ever! From the original soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel to the apparition in pop culture of the eponymous Mrs Robinson. There’s also the dashing young Dustin Hoffman. But what really gets me is the last two minutes of the movie; after seeing it a good dozen times, I still can’t figure out if it’s happy or sad!

Role: Marketing Manager

What essentials would we find in your handbag?
Besides my phone…
1. My KeepCup, I’m trying so hard to cut down on my waste in 2019 so have made a ‘no KeepCup, no takeaway coffee’ rule for myself
2. Burts Bees Beeswax Lip Balm… because I’m a hopeless addict and I hate forgetting it.
3. A book (or three!) because you never know when you might have a few minutes spare to make a dent in your TBR list!

Your dream destination? 
The hardest question to answer as there are SO many places I want to visit in the next few years! I am a huge wildlife lover though, so I’m going to have to say Costa Rica to spend a few months volunteering at a sloth rehabilitation centre, or Borneo to work at the orangutan sanctuary.

Advice you’d give to your younger self?
This is actually advice I need to give to my younger and my present self. Just have a go at things. I spend a lot of time worrying about how things might go wrong, and talk myself out of things before I even try them. I’m learning that the best things happen when I’m completely and utterly out of my comfort zone, so I need to keep reminding myself to get out of it more often!

Role: Art Director

A movie you could watch on repeat?
One of my favourite movies is ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ about a group of housemate vampires. I love kiwi directors Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords), Taika Waititi’s oddball sense of humour and am super excited for the upcoming TV series based on the show.

Advice to your younger self?
Do the yoga. That tech neck soon catches up with you.

Your dream destination?
I really want to go to New Zealand. My dream trip would be driving around in a campervan (or being driven as I’m rubbish at driving), enjoying the epic nature and getting geeky on the sets of Lord of the Rings.

Role: Administrative Assistant

What would your last meal be?
Homemade noodles by my mum! I can never eat enough of it – it tastes like home. Just the thought of it makes me feel like I’m surrounded by love from my family.

What essentials would we find in your handbag?
1. Tissues – I can’t go anywhere without them, you never know when you’ll need one urgently.
2. Headphones – I watch K-dramas almost every day on the MTR so headphones are definitely necessary for me.
3. A pen and my notebook – I prefer writing things down in a notebook over putting it on my phone, as when I look back at it later, it brings back way more memories.

Most listened to song?
It’s got to be Seasons of Love from the musical Rent. An old song, but quite new to me!