Author: Shiya

Find me by the corner where the golden light's streaming in, with a book in my hand. Or, I'll be in bed catching up on dramas and drinking green tea.

From the thriving cafe scene in Seminyak and Canggu to the laidback tranquility in Ubud and idyllic sights in the Nusa Islands, Bali is the epitome of a tropical paradise. Located a short two-hour flight away in Indonesia, it’s a place many Singaporeans will visit at least once in their lifetime. If you’re just about to pop your Bali cherry, here’s a bit of help with your pre-trip planning. Check out our 10 tips for those who are visiting Bali for the first time: –Sightseeing– 1. Catch As Many Sunrises & Sunsets As You Can One of the best places to catch Bali’s…

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More ladies are pledging allegiance to bralettes and wireless bras after one-too-many incidences of being poked in the flesh by a wayward underwire. But, bralettes may be a little daunting for the uninitiated, since some options are really pricey and there’s the problem of finding the right fit. Thanks to local brand Our Bralette Club (OBC), these concerns are no longer an issue. Established by Chow Liying in 2016, the brand caught my attention after I came across many rave reviews about it. A quick browse through their website revealed the answer; the bralettes they carried were beautiful and affordable,…

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Call me late to the game but wireless bluetooth earphones only came on my radar after Apple ruthlessly removed the earphone jack from their newer models. What I’ve realised since is that once you go wireless, you probably can’t go back – it’s just so convenient! While the Airpods are one of the most popular choices, here are five other truly wireless earphones you can get in Singapore.  1. Sudio Nivå Swedish label Sudio’s designs rival Apple’s in terms of sleekness and the Nivå is no exception. Unlike the others in this list, it’s not equipped with many fancy schmancy features.…

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More Singaporeans are embracing the eco-friendly lifestyle and one of the changes that many have made is switching from plastic straws to reusable ones. There are two kinds of people — those who prefer bamboo straws and those who would opt for metal straws instead (excluding the daredevils who prefer glass straws), but which is the better choice? Is there any difference? After trying both out and speaking to the founders of Seastainable Co. and Bamboo Straws Worldwide, here’s the verdict. Metal Straws I would recommend purchasing metal straws from Seastainable Co., a local social enterprise that carries them in two sizes…

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In our pursuit for beautiful, flawless skin, most of us aren’t strangers to sheet face masks. However, have you explored options beyond the ubiquitous ones that come drenched in the serum? Sure, they get the job done but here are eight unusual sheet masks you can try for a more novel skincare experience. 1. Dr.Jart+ Rubber Mask Clear Lover I’ve always wanted to give this pricey mask a try ever since Jenn Im recommended using it to combat the usual time-of-the-month breakouts. The two-step mask comes with a small container of jelly-like ampoule and a rubber mask. The former contains most…

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Inspired by a video of a grocery store overseas where people could purchase items in any amount they require, 36-year-old Florence Tay and 38-year-old Jeff Lam founded UnPackt. The zero-packaging grocery store opened in Ang Mo Kio this May 2018 and stocks dried goods, spices, snacks, home cleaners and various lifestyle goods. Unlike typical grocery stores, UnPackt’s products don’t come pre-packed in fixed amounts. Rather, the store operates on a weighing system. The Shopping System At UnPackt Customers are encouraged to bring your own containers (BYOC) when shopping at UnPackt and upon entering the store, one of the owners will…

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While the entrance to Uppercut Boxing in Telok Ayer may be rather discrete and easy-to-miss, its premises are anything but. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that we’ve just found the most beautiful boutique boxing studio in Singapore. A new contender to the field since April 2018, Uppercut Boxing isn’t playing catching up. They have it all — amazing instructors (all of whom are highly-skilled in boxing), kick-ass classes and a beautiful space. Participants can choose from two 50-minute group classes, Undercard, a fundamentals class for beginners and Overthrow, a burnout class for those who are more seasoned. The Studio A custom-built…

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Trends often come and go but there’s one that looks like it’s here to stay – the heightened awareness regarding environmental and social problems. In recent years, more people are noticing these issues and consequently, more enterprises are contributing to movements that benefit our planet or help those who are disadvantaged. We’re huge fans of these businesses and what they’re doing so here’s a list of 10 social enterprises in Singapore that you should consider supporting! 1. hello flowers! hello flowers! is a social enterprise floral studio specialising in rustic-style bouquets that are identifiable by the signature burlap wrapping and vibrant assortment…

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If you’re an audiophile willing to splurge on a sleek audio system that delivers great sound, then Bang & Olufsen’s new Earset and Beoplay P6 will probably have you swooning. The Perfect Companion While On The Move: B&O Earset It was the sleek and ergonomic design of the B&O Earset that caught our attention at first glance. Besides a battery life of up to five hours, the Earset comes with three buttons and a built-in microphone. Store it in the accompanying pouch when not in use to protect it from scratches. Unlike typical earpieces, users are able to adjust their…

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Nestled in the Outram Park district is a newly-opened cafe, The Social Space. There’s more than meets the eye to this place as it’s actually a multi-concept lifestyle store that also houses a retail space for socially-conscious goods and a mini The Nail Social outlet. Founded by Cheryl Ou (boss lady behind The Nail Social) and her husband, Daniel Yeow, the couple hopes to provide the disadvantaged with employment opportunities while simultaneously prompting the public to support social enterprises. Stepping into the cafe, we were greeted with marble tables and rattan chairs that, in combination with the crotchet-and-tassel pillows by the retail section, exuded…

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Makeup maestro Kat Von D has introduced something to rock the world — a brow collection with three lines that are long-lasting and with shades to fit everyone. Choose to go all out and deck your brows in vibrant shades or ease in with a sleek ombre look. There are also plenty of options for those who prefer something more subtle, suitable for everyday wear. Signature Brow Precision Pencil (S$31)  Available in seven brow-tone shades, the Signature Brow Precision Pencil (S$31) has a ultra-skinny tip that creates fine, hair-like strokes to mimic a microblade look. Be patient as this brow pencil isn’t designed…

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Here’s a tip for anyone who’ll be in Nonthaburi, Thailand from now till 31 May 2018. Drop by CentralPlaza Bangyai (CentralPlaza Westgate) to experience Ninja Maze: The Big Adventure! Consisting of multiple zones to let visitors experience the trials and tribulations ninjas face, Ninja Maze has a similar concept to Escape Rooms. This adventure involves one’s wits, keen instincts and some basic athleticism. Start at the Labyrinth Zone where participants have to fiddle with mechanics and identify the right path to the exit amidst confusing secret passages. Next, progress to the Camp and Secret Zone which involves navigating past booby…

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Ladies now let’s get in formation because this party’s all about the femme fatales. But, the doors are also open for gentlemen too! This 26 May 2018, live it up at HopHeads’ Girl Power Party with tunes by the best queen bees all night long. Bang bang into the room? You know you want it! Dress up and show up at 6pm when the party starts and be ready to groove the night away! Girls, this is one event where you should avoid being fashionably late because there’s going to be free Somersby Apple Ciders for the first 100 ladies. Sorry…

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After trying out the new Kérastase scalp and hair treatment at mi the salon, I’m sold — both by the results and the excellent service of the hairdressers. It’s worth a try, especially with the ongoing first trial rates. Besides leaving the salon with a cleaner scalp and silkier locks, I really enjoyed the comfortable massages (yes, plural!) that accompanied the treatments. Those were minutes of absolute bliss. An almost-daily use of my hair straightener coupled with regular dyeing and bleaching left my locks more hay than hair. So, I jumped at the chance to try out mi the salon’s latest Kérastase…

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These people are makers and bakers, artisans and salesmen with one thing in common — they’re masters in their chosen crafts that have withstood the test of time. With more processes becoming increasingly mechanised, few trades relying on the human touch remain. Before it’s too late, we spoke to five well-known traditional businesses in Singapore to hear their stories from the past to the present. 1. Sing Hon Loong Bakery A cornerstone of Whampoa Drive, this old-school bakery insists on creating traditional loaves of bread  by hand to preserve its characteristic lightness and fluffiness. Helmed by 56-year-old Lai Chee Peng,…

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