Author: Nicole Han

The market for eco-friendly products is enormous and growing. In 2018, the demand for reusable water bottles alone was valued at more than US$8 billion—a 3% increase from 2017. Moving forward, the market value is expected to grow further to US$10.4 billion by 2025. The numbers are astounding which begs the question: Do we need more water bottles? Or is the quality of bottles becoming so poor that we need to replace them constantly? When the scale of eco-friendliness exceeds functionality and becomes a fashion trend, naturally, the related recyclable product starts to be marketed not just as a sustainable…

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We’re three months into 2020 and I’m sure  some of you might be falling short in your resolution to keep fit. Yes, we are going to talk about sports today—some might even get an adrenaline rush just by the sound of it. Whether you are a sports junkie in your Nike outfit, a yogi in that Lululemon gear or just a mere curious passerby in the park, let these sports-related shows inspire you to pick up your dusty fitness  gear and be a #fitspo today.  1. Moneyball Adapted from a non-fiction with the backdrop set against the Oakland Athletics baseball…

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Have you seen shoes with sensory features? This off-the-chart design by our very Off-the-wall Vans shows such features through its Vans Autism Awareness collection. Designed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in mind, this footwear collection is created with sensory-inclusive features, such as touch, sight, and sound.  Established in 1966, Vans has been a fervent champion of individuality and self-expression. Through this meaningful project, Vans hopes to foster inclusivity by embracing the unique qualities of all people.  Senses are the central focus of this collection as sensory issues often accompany autism. In ASD, the stimuli to senses are either heightened or dulled.…

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Happy Hump day everyone! We are midway through our week (at least at the time of writing) and I cannot wait to ditch my work attire and slip into a pair of jeans and sneakers. Here’s sharing a piece of even better news to all sneaker connoisseurs and denim enthusiasts.  In celebration of the New Balance’s 35th anniversary, New Balance and Levi have teamed up for the first time to construct the limited edition the New Balance x Levi’s 1300 sneaker. Using New Balance’s comfortable insoles and durable fabric by Levi’s, the true-blue American sneakers marries quality and practicality. Take some time…

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With a passion to make the world a better place and a goal to inspire people to live a better life, Ever Eco—an eco brand—introduces a series of premium containers and food bags which are suitable for everyone. In doing so, they hope to replace the single-use plastics in our daily lives by providing wares with different functionality and purpose. Made from premium food-grade stainless steel, Ever Eco has a wide variety of bento boxes, from stackable box to single-tier boxes. There are compartments within the box that lets you partition your food, sides, and snacks in a neat and…

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The Energy Market Authority recently reported that commercial and non-commercial buildings in Singapore took up half of the total national energy consumption in 2018. It is undeniable that buildings are a huge source of power consumption, yet little attention is channelled to these concrete giants. When it comes to buildings, we seem to be more fixated with at property prices, facilities, and the F&B options offered within. With a growing population and increasing economic activities in Singapore, the energy required to run this nation (or the world for that matter) is projected to rise further. Singapore has a 2-prong approach…

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With the heightened awareness of sustainability, we see many giant sports brands initiating eco-friendly habits such as being mindful of the materials used in their products. However, some brands are purposefully created with the primary purpose of being green. Established during the Fall/Winter 2012 season, Old Park reuses preloved branded clothes and turns them into new trendy wearables. The Japanese label collects discarded retro garments from brands, like The North Face and Nike and stitches them together to make something fashionable and eco-conscious. The designs range from monochromatic matching, wild remixes of fallen fabric to complementary meshing of colourway. Due to the random…

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Buckle your seat belts, Ladies and Gentlemen. Starbucks, our friendly coffeehouse chain, has an exciting line up for us this Spring—peach-inspired beverages, themed merchandise, and beverage paraphernalia in shades of pink. While the seasonal drinks are here to quench your thirst, keep your eyes trained on the drink wares. It’s Sakura vibes all around with mugs embellished with pastel pink and soft purple hues. The tumblers, too, have joined in the Spring party. Adorned with floating petals of cherry blossoms, it brings you a small piece of the highly-anticipated Japanese Sakura season right in the palm of your hands. Hold…

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9 April 2020 is an important date for all James Bond fans. Besides celebrating the release of the James Bond film series, No Time to Die, it also marks Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as the fictional agent 007. This year marks the 58th year of the 007 films. To commemorate close to six good decades of “My name is Bond, James Bond”, Swatch is releasing a Q-inspired watch. Q, if you’re not already familiar, is Bond’s gadget-saviour and also the passing character who casually gave Bond his flashy Aston Martin.  This is not the first time Swatch has worked…

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Do you know fashion waste is one of the highest contributing scraps around the world? Eco-warriors often highlight how we can recycle clothes, but what about shoes? Unlike clothes, where vintage is now a fashion class on its own, most of us deign to purchase a pair of second-hand sneakers when our current training kicks start to wear out.  From renowned shoe brands to startup footwear companies, ‘green’ shoes have been developed to join in this battle towards sustainability. As consumers, our dollar is our vote and by casting our vote for sustainable brands, we are taking a clear stance…

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Prospective students, who are enrolling for Singapore Universities this year, are encountering a brand-new experience for their open house visits. Instead of being eager beaver, bright-eyed and in awe while setting foot into their potential campuses, they are now visiting the schools through their computer screens. In light of the COVID-19 situation, local universities—like Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, and National University of Singapore—have arranged for virtual open house visits. Actual campus tours are replaced with 360-degree virtual tours. The panoramic view of the universities allows you to explore the schools and its state-of-the-art facilities. Through this immersive experience, you…

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I’ve always been taken by the simple and minimalistic design by The Mindful Company. Well-known for their ‘Reminder Cuffs’, these cuffs are crafted in 18K Rose Gold and 18K Gold and Silver with a meaningful word or motivational messages. The uplifting message is engraved on each beautiful piece, which serves as a gentle encouragement to individuals when worn. Unfortunately, The Mindful Company broke the news on 23 February 2020 that they are ceasing business for good. Established in 2015 by Lim Wen Ling and Ciara Yeo, the Company is more than a jewellery brand. With a strong social mission “to…

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After last year’s successful collaborative launch between the Korean beauty brand, Missha, and Disney, both brands are introducing a new collection of Disney-stained glass cushion foundation. This time, there are more options for Disney lovers! The limited edition will feature two princesses, namely Snow White and Cinderella, along with different Disney characters such as “Bambi”, “Dumbo”, “Rogue and Miss” and “Cat Adventures”. A vivid array of colours is used to illustrate the cheerful vibes of the Disney characters, along with relatable iconic representations from the fairy tales. The design resembles mural paintings, where the elements of the classic animations are…

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Getting holiday-withdrawal syndrome from the string of back-to-back holidays from December to January? Buckle right up and welcome to the first holiday-free month of the year! Resuming the momentum of work and school can be a drudgery but fret not! We have your back to get your month fixed the right side up, like an egg, only much, much better. 1. Kravist International Women’s Day In celebration of International Women’s Day in March 2020, Kravist is conducting a free training workshop for the ladies. Kravist is a modern fight gym that focuses on the effectiveness and practicality of combat sports. Ladies,…

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Tired of getting your jewellery off the rack with the run-of-the-mill designs? Malaysian bespoke jewellery startup, Left & Right, will write your story into your accessories. Left & Right was founded by Eileen Phoan and Fabian Tan, who were stellar Mechanical Engineering graduates. After their graduation, they took a courageous leap of faith and began their current adventure to create jewellery. Amongst their artisan pieces, you will never find the same work. Enthralled by the art of story-telling, Eileen explained that her late grandparents were great storytellers. Coupled with her love for crafting accessories, she was inspired to create each…

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