Author: Don Teo

For those of you who do not know Sift & Pick, it is an online store for you to browse curated selections of fashion accessories from authentic designer labels, locally as well as internationally. Most of these fashion accessories cannot be found in the mass market of Singapore, and some of these products have even been worn by famous celebrities, including K-Pop idols. Here’s the good news: Sift & Pick will be having their third pop-up event at Orchard Gateway from 9 to 15 September 2019. Other than showcasing the latest collections by niche emerging designers locally and globally, this…

The idea of sleeping outdoors among the greenery only reminds me of my army days, lying on wet and muddy ground. Never would I have thought that there is a resort in Thailand that has an exquisite view of lush greenery and an equally great view of the mountainside among the mist. Ban Rak Thai is a village located in the northern Mae Hong Son province of Thailand and for those seeking an adventure away from the commercialised district of Bangkok, this is the place for you to take note of. Located high up a mountainous area, about 1,800 metres…

I used to think that the interiors of Singapore HDBs will never be able to match up to that of condominiums and landed properties. With limited space and restrictions set in place, changing the worn outlook to a modern aesthetic seems like a far-fetched dream. Thankfully, interior designers these days have evolved tremendously and drastically transformed the landscape of housing designs with fresh takes. Here is a list of 10 HDB units with stylish designs that looks so astounding you might find it hard to believe they are from Singapore. I’ve also included the interior designer company below each style…

For fans of Starbucks who are in Taiwan right now, you are in for a treat. If you remember, Starbucks drove fans crazy with the Cat Paw Cup early this year and in another adorable design, Starbucks Taiwan has collaborated with 7-Eleven to launch an exclusive Mischievious Dog Paw Double Glass Cup for NT 720 (approx. S$31.90) for their summer collection. This limited-edition cup, in the shape of a dog’s paw and adorned with dog paw prints, will be released on the 5th September 2019. This cup is made with a double-layered glass and induces a kind of floating visual effect for…

Japan has always been known for its wide variety of media sketches that have been created and Tokyo has taken several inspirations from these such as the Pokemon franchise cafes and Sailor Moon restaurant. A unique 2D Cafe has just been launched in Shinju-ku where 2D illustrations come to life and it is like stepping into a sketchbook. This amazing place plays tricks on your eyes with amazing 2D illustration plastered on the entire cafe decorations. It makes the world that we are living in seems like a flat drawing upon entering the cafe. In fact, this cafe interior is painted in monochrome…

Tired of the typical hotel facilities and seeking for more fun when you have a staycation? Your experience is about to get a whole lot better with lyf Funan Singapore, The Ascott Limited’s largest co-living property in South East Asia. Targeting millennials, it is also the first property under The Ascott Limited’s new co-living brand, lyf, designed and managed by millennials for millennials. We had the opportunity to have a first-hand look here. lyf Funan is a property that has nine stories consisting of 279 units with the flexibility to offer up to 412 rooms. This property aims to redefine…

I have always wondered what prison life is all about. The thought of four concrete stone walls isolating one from the world outside is pretty much the description I have heard over the years. For most of us who’ve thankfully not been convicted of a crime, we would probably wonder what the interior of a prison looks like. Without doing anything illegal, here’s how you can look inside a prison. There is a museum called Muzium Penjara Malaysia in Melaka for you to explore the interiors of an actual prison that was converted into a museum. For just RM 3 (approximately…

E-scooters in Singapore have made headlines in recent times, for the wrong reasons. These electric scooters (E-Scooters) are rising in popularity as an alternative mode of transportation for those shuttling between destinations in the heartlands as well as office workers who shuttle to work. In search of the best E-Scooters to recommend, we decided to collaborate with Passion Gadgets, who let us test drive their LTA-approved models. Don’t want to get in trouble with illegal E-Scooters? Just follow our approved list here. Apart from registering with LTA, you have to ensure that your E-scooters must not exceed 20kg in maximum…

Most of us would probably have built something out of LEGO blocks in our lifetime. We might have forgotten the things that we built, but none of us could forget the pain felt stepping on a block. Say goodbye to that agonizing pain with the invention of LEGO Socks by Unnecessary Inventions. Although the company shows several spoofs and useless creative gadgets, the LEGO Socks is one invention that was deemed necessary by the masses. When you step on the LEGO Socks by accident, the blocks will fit in-between the little pegs of the sock sole. For families of LEGO loving…

Sick and tired of plain-looking carry-on baggage when travelling? Fret not. Fans of Kakao Friends, you will be thrilled to find out that a new front opening navy blue suitcase featuring Ryan has been launched. Spruce up the look of your baggage with the adorable Ryan imprinted on the front, complementing the clean and sleek design. Other than the cute imprint of Ryan, what makes this suitcase unique is its front-opening compartment. We might have faced the issue of having to unlock the entire suitcase in order to get something we have forgotten. With this front-opening storage space, accessing the storage space is made…

In celebration of Starbuck’s upcoming anniversary, Starbucks Singapore will be releasing their latest Siren-Anniversary Collection from 4 September 2019 onwards. Paying homage to the seafaring history of Seattle – the birthplace of Starbucks, and to the ubiqitious siren emblem, celebrate their long-standing history with this exclusive range newly available. There are several designs available for the range of merchandise which includes anniversary cards and even a stuffed plushie bear. Mugs and Tumblers Dive into the enthralling world of the mythical Siren with the Ocean collection which retails at S$22.90 for the 12oz tumbler, S$25.90 for the 16oz tumbler and S$21.90 for the 16oz…

Miuccia Prada once said, “What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” It is no doubt that fashion is a form of individual expression. Singapore might be a young nation, yet the dressing sense in this tiny country has pretty much gone through radical changes. From western-influenced dressing to Korean street style, we have seen plenty of popular looks that current designers inspiration from such as Depression who focuses their apparels on Japanese street wear. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at how…

Denim has become so popular in Japan that there’s a dedicated denim district in Okayama Prefecture’s Kurashiki City, also known as “Kojima Jeans Street.” The first Japanese jeans, produced by Big John in Kojima started the jeans revolution in Japan. Their success was so overwhelming back in 1965 that denim started to make waves in the fashion scene. Japanese denim became known as the best quality available globally and it is no surprise international brands such as Gap started using it too. Kojima Jeans Street is home to some of the finest locally made jeans in Japan such as Betty…

This year, Vivocity’s Mid Autumn Festival celebrations return with a theme inspired by Alice In Wonderland. The whimsical showcase takes place at the Sky Garden, the top floor of Vivocity, from 23 August to 22 September. For fans of Alice In Wonderland, you will be thrilled to go on a journey of five different magical zones for you to be immersed in. Encounter the famed characters from the tale such as Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, and the Queen. The adventure begins as you step through a book-shaped entrance where you will be greeted by White Rabbit. Spiral down the Rabbit Hole filled with glimmering…

No matter how much we complain about the strict laws and limitations of the entertainment scene in our tiny country, we have always felt this sense of pride when Singapore is seen on the global stage. From blockbuster movies to action-packed games, there has always been this gratification upon the appearance of Singapore. We have always wanted to see Singapore appearing in the global entertainment scene, though not for the wrong reasons. These are a list of 10 cameos of Singapore in pop culture. How many have you noticed? 1. Crazy Rich Asians Singapore was often mistaken as a part…