Barter It
The next time you get useless stuff for your birthday and want to shove it in the bottom of a drawer (or chuck it), think barter! The newly set up bartering website Rever (www.rever.com.hk), with free membership, is not only a platform for bartering consumer goods ranging from supermarket coupons and music records to fashion items and cars. It is also a school for improving your personal bartering skills. You may gain a dinner for fixing another member’s computer problems or receive a book for teaching guitar. With landfills nearing saturation, here is a good way to avoid waste, change our consuming habits and take care of the earth.

Sweeten It
Flower prints were a trend in this spring’s fashions and continue to be for the summer, so any fashionista will make a beeline to seek out the right flowery accessories. This new bracelet, with three detachable charms, one heart- and two floral-shaped, is very flexible and conforms to contemporary fashion tastes. It comes in a limited edition gift set ($490) accompanied by lavender, rose and jasmine green tea dark chocolates. For chocolate-lovers, what can be more attractive than buying one thing but satisfying two desires? Check it out at agnès b. DÉLICES outlets.

Jazz It
South Vietnamese Barry Ông Thê' Huy loves art as much as he loves music, so why not combine the two? His Mini Store & Gallery (G/F, 16-18 Mosque Junction) displays his splendid lacquer paintings while serving as a live music house and rehearsal room, with jazz gigs from time to time. He has also opened a mini store next door where people can buy drinks and snacks. The artist prefers to keep the place private and exclusive, but if you are interested in visiting to book a private function in this bohemian venue, drop an email to barryong@netvigator.com.

Face It

You know the frustration – take a photo of a group of friends and all except one is as sharp as you’d like. Not everyone is photogenic, but that’s where technology helps – and we are not just talking Photoshop here. A face detection function is widely available in most digital cameras and the new Canon IXUS IS 85 with extensive technology intelligence can detect nine faces, which should ensure everyone looks oh-so-crisp in any group picture. This is not to guarantee your face will be more of a charmer than everyone else’s though – as we know, some are born with star quality and others, well, just aren’t. And that is where Photoshop comes in. But for details on the camera, check out www.canon.com.hk.

Meet It
In much the same way that The Simpsons are a reflection of American life and values, long time local favourite Old Master Q (aka Lao Fu Zi) reflects the social life and travails of the time here in the Big Lychee. To celebrate the still popular comic series’ 45th anniversary, a new story, Polar Adventure, has been produced by Alphonso Wong with the assistance of four Hong Kong designers – thereby ensuring Old Master Q will make his latest entrance in new and trendy outfits. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Check out Old Master Q, Big Potato, Mr Chin and Jack with their new looks at Harbour City LCX this June 27 to July 13 from 10:30am to 9:30pm, Sundays and Thursdays, and through to 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays.