Author: Charis Vera N.

Actress, Singer-songwriter and Writer. Enjoys trying out keto-adapted recipes while rockin' out to Patti Page in the kitchen. Currently also obsessed with creating a completely allergen-free dinner menu for her galpal.

Not everyone grows up in a family with a mummy and a daddy. Some kids have two mummies or two daddies, some grow up just with one parent. Here’s a peek at three of such situations in Singapore, with individuals who had to wear all the hats and the pants in the family. Personally, I don’t even know how my mum survived single-parenting, but I do know that I still look at her every day, and think, “I want to grow up to be a superhero, just like you.” 1. I Literally Did Not Know Where Our Next Meal Was Coming…

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Borneo is one of those often talked about but lesser-known destinations that the adventurous often head to. The island is basically split amongst three countries. Malaysia takes up the states of Sarawak, Sabah on the East Coast, and Kota Kinabalu on the West Coast, Kalimantan is the Indonesian portion of the island and finally, Brunei. Boasting a number of sanctuaries to animals in many regions, one tends to associate Borneo with a lot of wildlife, rainforests and the opportunity for adventure. You’re not completely wrong there, but there’s a lot more to experience and take in than we get to…

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You know that scratchy feeling you get at the back of your throat when you’re about to fall sick? I get that scratchy feeling too, except it’s a voice inside my head telling me, “Honey, 10 floors isn’t high enough.” If we’d go to the doctor for a bad throat or a fever, why is it any different when it’s our mental health in question? A 2010 Mental Health Study conducted by Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health found that 1 in 10 people suffer from some form of mental illness in their lifetime, and 1 in 17 experience Major Depressive…

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When AQUA said they were “gonna last forever”, no one figured that they’d still be around after 20 years. Don’t worry, these words aren’t illusions of your fantasy either – furreal, AQUA is back, in the flesh, and performing in Singapore this 25 November 2017! For all you young uns who have no idea who I’m talking about and why we should be excited, the self-named Cartoon Heroes brought us songs like “Turn Back Time”, “Around The World”, “My Oh My” and of course the iconic pop hit “Barbie Girl” (c’mon, who doesn’t know that one?) making up parts of the soundtrack…

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There is a key difference between tolerance and acceptance. Many LGBTIQ+ individuals have been the recipient of tight-lipped smiles, being told, “I will love the sinner, but hate the sin.” Just like many find themselves biting their tongue when their parents say, “One day, when you are properly married with kids…” When you spend everyday waking up feeling like you’re all wrong, it isn’t difficult to see why you’d choose to be somewhere where it’s okay to just be you. Free Community Church in Singapore provides many in the LGBTIQ+ circle with affirmation, support and whole-hearted, genuine acceptance of the person they are.…

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The Perfect Sculpt has been in the internet limelight of late since releasing a few lady-things including the strapless backless push up bra, and, more recently, a Painless DIY Waxing Kit that looks way too good to be true. Netizens have marvelled at  videos featuring users joyously peeling off a thin layer of wax that took unwanted hair along with it. Which will of course illicit the question of, “Is it too good to be true?” If it’s on the internet, it probably is. With its very own wax heater, spatula and fun coloured wax beads, should the product be…

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Catch Singapore’s very first World Boxing Champion, Muhamed Ridhwan, in what will be the biggest International Boxing Organisation (IBO) event in Asia. Better known as “The Chosen Wan”, he claimed the Championship in May 2017, during The Roar Of Singapore II. Come 20 October 2017, watch as he fights it out on home ground, taking on more experienced boxers from South Africa, Thailand and Australia in a bid to claim the title. The first he will be up against is Namibia’s Nataneal Sebastian for the IBO International Super Featherweight title – an opponent who has a record of nine wins…

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Being a working full-time pawrent in Singapore isn’t the easiest thing; We’ve all dropped that ball. Jake Chipolata (aka my lil’ sausage dog) knows what that’s like, and it’s no fun. Before moving in with his mummy (me), sometimes he was fed kibble he was allergic to because no one had stocked up. But some pawrents don’t even have time for a short coffee break between meetings, let alone run to the store for 10kg of kibble. Which is precisely how online pet store Kohepets and its efficient two-day delivery has simplified pawrenting. But Kohepets has been garnering positive reviews for much more than that, and I can’t wait…

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The beautiful Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa stands on the grounds of what was once Movenpick. Since Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. adopted Le Méridien into its family, they’ve been doing well, having the sun shine (literally) upon them. So here’s what this newly revamped hotel has to offer. For out-of-town friends who’d like to jump into Singapore’s cultural heritage without getting lost in the rest of Sentosa, Le Méridien is a good place to start. Built upon what used to be army barracks from the 1940s, this space today holds 191 specially-designed guest rooms. Main attractions and theme parks are right in the vicinity, and the…

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We haven’t even started cutting mooncakes yet, but wintery classic, The Nutcracker, tries giving us a slice of Christmas up until 10 September 2017. Gateway Entertainment and P’ART 1 Design Pte Ltd came together to recreate a version of this internationally staged piece, involving super high tech equipment and lots of flashing lights. The experience is as sensory as it is imaginative. While The Nutcracker is a favourite ballet classic for my better half and I, we’d be better prepared knowing it held some elements and familiar framework of The Nutcracker, but that the rest of it was mostly… reimagined.…

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The best music was a time wayyyy before Millennial-music makers flooded the scene – I’m talking 50’s to 80’s. But in 2009, this incredibly talented music guy, Scott Bradlee, started recording music in his living room that has now reached millions of people world-wide. And he, and the entire Postmodern Jukebox lot are coming to Singapore, performing for one night only on 6 October 2017.  Rearranging music to take on a more “oldies” twist, Postmodern Jukebox performs top hits done in a variety of old-school genres. Swing, Jazz, Blues – except still keeping (sometimes) senseless lyrics like “I’m a barbie…

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There are articles on where to go to spend time with your partner, where to bring your children, your family or your dog – but what if you want a place to enjoy on your own? Here’s a list of 10 special quiet places in Singapore, categorised by type of activity, for whenever you feel like you need a timeout from the world. –Places To Say ‘FTS’!– Low-EQ colleagues, pestiferous clients and your self-absorbed boyfriend often make you need some peace and quiet. But then it’s 11pm and your impetuous neighbours are now equipped with Popsicals that allow them to…

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Stylish, ultralight and comfortable – if you wanted to walk 500 miles and then walk 500 more, then you’d best do it wearing Clark’s Trigenic Flex Series. The Tri Lily for women and the Tri Track Lo for men are part of Clarks’ Autumn Winter ’17 Collection, and the new babies of the Trigenic Flex Series. Grounded in the philosophy of function, form and movement, the Trigenic series has taken off running since its launch in 2016. Created with an insole that provides contoured fitting makes these shoes feel like they were made specially for you. The “flex” component, characteristic of the…

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In case y’all missed the memo, it’s Singapore’s Pride Season 2017. And, after 12 successful runs, IndigNation 2017: Unafraid To Assemble has a calendar chock-full of LGBTIQ+ happenings. Having kicked off the first weekend with an opening party and a conference, the next few weekends of IndigNation 2017 have a lineup of international films, events and talks. Show your support for the community by attending poetry readings and book club discussions at various local cafes in Singapore. The IndigNation Film Festival happens 18 to 20 August 2017, so I’d start booking tickets soon! It will open with the American film, Front Cover, that explores…

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The sound of waves crashing gently on clean sandy shores and a harp playing ‘Moonriver’ as you exchange your personally written vows at sunset… Picturesque weddings in Singapore aren’t impossible, but they do come with a premium price-tag. Which is why many are choosing to say “I Do” in Bali instead. Singapore is definitely not short of beautiful non-hotel venues to exchange your vows. Take it from our newly-wed editor who’s written about it here. Still, I can’t help the little shudder I get when I look at the cost. From stressing about the venue to worrying about catering, here are some…

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