Monday, 29 March 2010

Breakaway - Easter Weekend in Beijing's Opposite House


The easter holidays is just a weekend away. What to do? Go Beijing luxe with a long weekend at The Opposite House in Beijing, suitably ensconced in the hip-hopping Sanlitun Village. Get picked up in a Maserati and be treated to a chilled bottle of champagne, specially made chocolates, and breakfast for two at the Village Café. If you’re not shopping or have seen the Great Wall a few times already, then relax in the hotel’s 22-metre stainless steel swimming pool, dine at its contemporary Asian Bei restaurant, then head to drinks at Mesh.

You will want to know of course, that Asian Bei was just voted Best Asian Restaurant in Hong Kong by TimeOut last week, and its chef Max Levy awarded Chef of The Year....So even if you're well embedded in the Sanlitun area with all its shops and restaurants, you might well wanna try out this new restaurant and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.



The Opposite House has 99 studios, more than half of which are over a spacious 70 sqm. For a bit more luxe, book one of their nine suites or go all the way and get the stylish penthouse duplex with a 240sqm roof terrace! Nice! We also like is the deep soak oak tubs in each room and rain shower.



All rooms and public areas are equipped with complimentary WiFi connection. Rates begin at RMB 2,288 for a Studio 45.

The Village, Building 1
11 Sanlitun Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100027
www.theoppositehouse.com
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Binge Hong Kong - Suzie, Sake and The Paddle


If you’re into the latest flavours, robatayaki is getting pretty popular over in jolly ole Hong Kong. So if you’re stopping by the city, pop in and see what the excitement is all about. One of the newest additions is busy suzie, and it promises to be an eyeful.



Housed in Heritage 1881, a former lighthouse and marine police headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui, busy suzie – created by pedigree designers who can flaunt names like Philippe Starck and Christian Liaigre with legit – promises to be a stylish, contemporary venue for great eating and extensive drinking in mod Japanese style. Don’t expect a serious brooding interior though – with waiters and chefs yelling at each other, it’s probably going to sound more like a cha chan tang.

Fresh ingredients are flown in daily from Japan and Chef Tonoyama Mitsuo churns out signature yummies like Miyazaki A5 Beef Sirloin Skewers, Chicken Skewers from Yamaguchi as well as fresh seafood items such as the unique Kinki Fish (pics above). The sake list here is apparently one of the best in town, so lots of good chin-chins to go round.

What’s robatayaki? If you don’t quite know, here’s the deal: it started off waay back in Sendai, northeastern Japan, as beachside eateries where fishermen cooked their catch over an open fire using an oar. Hence the wooden paddle-bearing chefs you see at the robata grill these days. Ah – serendipity!



Shop 209, 1881 Heritage
2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: (852) 2369 0077
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Buys - Gym Wear Equals Casual Wear


These days, what you wear to the gym, you can also wear just about everywhere else with some clever mixing and matching. If you have signed up for a low sweat, low impact class and are in between appointments and don't fancy lugging around your work or play wear then you might just consider jumping into togs like the ones that Puma have just launched in their new Premium Fitness Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Clean lines feature and the collection has a strap and wrap triaxial weave look inspired by the way a Japanese kimono is worn. 
I liked this one, sporty yet girlish! This Premium dress has delicate pleats, folds and wraps, much like Japanese origami. Moisture wicking, elastic straps provide improved fit and comfort and this piece has an inner bra to provide support. 



The Premium Graphic Tee is a statement piece with a drapey silhouette. 
Ok you have to have a nice butt to wear these but the 7/8 Workout Pants are made with unique stretchable fabric that wicks away the moisture leaving you dry and comfortable during any workout.
Top any of the above with a Premium Parka Jacket, drapey dressy design with belt wrapping. Wind resistant black venting, storm cuffs and side pockets bring together personal storage, style and function. See: http://www.puma.com 


- Elaine
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By The Way and Buys - New Backpacks and Wheelies at Samsonite





Do you ever wonder how travellers in 1910 used to pack? 

Travel back in time 100 years at the Samsonite - A Century of Going Places Exhibition held from 6 to 15 April at Tangs Orchard where heritage pieces have been flown in to show you what the first co-ordinated luggage looked like back then, along with history, brand development and craftsmanship.

Where: Tangs Orchard Promenade
From: 6 to 15 April 10.30am to 9.30pm from Mon to Thurs and 10.30am to 11pm on Friday and Saturday, from 11am to 8.30pm on Sunday

Across Samsonite stores in Asia, look out for these new designs: 

The Locus Backpack (available in a Black lining with red or lime mesh pocket and an Orange lining with a black mesh pocket) is a body hugging shoulder padded backpack that gives you strong back support. This backpack combines contemporary design with handy features such as an option to detach the laptop holder from the backpack, a document divider for better organisation and a card and pen holder for easy access and an expandable compartment for extra documents. 

The Samsonite Skywheeler DLX (in Champagne and Chocolate) is a lightweight, hard-side suitcase with luxury detailing and materials. Temperature and impact resistant it is practically unbreakable, fully lined and is embellished with a high quality leather trim on the handles and zip and has an extra strong zipper closing that can be locked using a TSA combination lock. 


- Elaine
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Saturday, 27 March 2010

This Weekend - Screening Room - Coco Before Chanel with Dinner


If you have nothing planned this weekend, here's something perfect for a night out with the girls. Catch the movie ‘Coco Before Chanel’ at The Screening Room (today and tomorrow – 26 & 27 March), and get treated to a cosy evening at a dinner-theatre setting.

Dinner is served in the restaurant at the first floor of the Screening Room. Expect serious gourmet food by Chef-owner Samia Ahad (who also owns the Coriander Leaf) – nothing like the so-called dinner experiences at the large cinemas around town where, I am told, the food essentially sucks. On the menu are prawn bouillabaisse, duck confit , chocolate fondant….Yums!

After that, bring your drinks and head upstairs to the intimate cinema where you settle into plush chairs, nibble at away at nice munchies and drinky poos, and enjoy the movie with friends. (Movie tickets at $20 nett each. Dinner menu, add $55++ per person. Movie Screening at 9:15pm.)

Tel: 622 11 694 or email info@screeningroom.com.sg for reservations
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Friday, 26 March 2010

Binge - Dive Into Easter!


Don’t let its tired exterior or dark car park fool you – methinks there’s a new lease of life at Hilton Singapore. Spring has sprung over yonder. They’ve got a new pastry chef installed and as it turns out, Executive Pastry Chef Christophe Grilo has got quite a few tricks up his flour-covered sleeves! Look at these crazy, quirky concoctions he’s churned out for Easter…
A bunch of eggxotic eggs for Easter…A Hole-In-One Egg for golfers, covered in green coconut grass with a hole and a white chocolate ‘golf ball’ ($25); a golden goose egg ($25) straight out from the fairy tale and a strangely sensual egg for ladies who have a thing for fur and gold. I like the easter omelette best of all – a marshmallow egg ($4) done sunny side up. Available ath the deli.

But why stop at eggs? Or the chicken coop? Might as well go the whole hog with an ‘Easter farm’ complete with a cross-gender bovine – Look! (Picture below) Horns AND udders! What’s this all about?! Sign on the times?

Easter Sunday Brunch at Checkers sounds fun too. Plenty to keep the kids occupied and happy - they get to craft their own edible egg sculptures to take home, take a swing or two at the sweets-filled Pinãta, meet the Easter Bunny (oops – quick note: big mascot. May scare some kids) and balloon sculpting at the kids corner. They get their own buffet spread, and us grown-ups are left in peace with our Louis Roederer Brut Champagne, foie gras, roasts, oysters, etc. (Brunch starts from $95++ - $160++ with free flowing bubbly. $30++ for kids 6-12 years old) Reservations are a must.

Call 6730 3390 or email Checkers.Singapore@hilton.com for reservations

For more elegant eggs, we like this from Royal Plaza’s deli, Gourmet Carousel, all grown up choco filigree work with a high dusting of gold pixie dust ($21-$32).

Brunch at Carousel is good value, starting at $60 for non-drinkers to $108++ for free flow Duval Leroy Champagne. Highlights are roast lamb, colourful boiled eggs and a lovely old fashioned crepe suzette station (see the pretty picture?). Kids get occupied with Easter egg hunts and balloon sculptures too.

Tel: Carousel at 6589 7799 or carousel@royalplaza.com.sg for reservations

Then there’s easter with a difference at the Fairmont Singapore. Who says you gotta go west? Head East for Easter (Get it? East? Easter?...Okay, we thought it was pretty witty yolk anyway…oops, we mean, joke…) Szechuan Court’s rolling out two eggcellently eggxotic, egg-filled menus. Have a look: Assorted Fruits Garden Grown Salad with Sun-dried Cranberry Sauce served with Cooked Egg, Deep-fried Tiger Prawn tossed with Oven-baked Oat Cereals & Crispy Shredded Yolk, Poached Quail Egg with Sea Cucumber, Fish Cartilage served in Superior Yellow Thick Soup (we’re certain there’s an egg somewhere in there), Oven-baked Cod in Garlic Brown Sauce served with Poached Spinach (in there too), Steamed Glutinous Rice stuffed with Chicken & Salted Egg Yolk, Slow-boiled Beancurd Skin, and Barley with Snowflake Egg White Sweet Dessert. Don’t get too eggcited now! ($58++ - $68++ per person)

If that doesn’t egg you on enough, there’s dim sum at $32++ and $16++ for kids 6 - 12yrs. These kids also get Easter-inspired desserts, pastries, chocolate eggs and there’s even an easter egg painting area.

Tel: 6431 6156 or email: dining.singapore@fairmont.com for reservations

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Thursday, 25 March 2010

Breakaway Shanghai - Imperial Dragon Massage Anyone?


Shanghai has found its swing again, and apart from shopping till you drop, there are spas to be savoured in this sizzlingly stylish city. One of the latest palaces of pampering is Qin The Spa at the Four Seasons Shanghai, bedecked in stunning chinois luxe. You won’t forget you’re in China with all the nine treatment rooms themed around elements of the I-Ching and artefects smoked out from the streets of old Shanghai. The spa has a seductive couple room, manicure and pedicure room and another for foot reflexology.

Over 37 treatments are on the menu, all of which ‘draw inspiration’ from ancient rites. The names themselves are fantastically evocative and grand – Green Dragon Spring Rites, which incorporate a foot massage with warmed bamboo sticks, the Red Phoenix Summer Rites, the White Tiger Autumn Rites, with artistic t’ai chi and meditation, and the Black Tortoise Winter Rites and the most mysterious of all, the Imperial Dragon Massage! How to resist such decadence?!



500 Weihai Road
Shanghai 200041, China
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By The Way - Events This April


April's around the corner .. Exhibitions, Theatre, Garage Sales .. we have them all - read on: 

Early Bird-Discounts for Pixar Animation Exhibition

Early bird tickets at attractive and highly discounted prices are now available for Pixar: 20 Years of Animation - the highly-anticipated international exhibition that transports you into an imaginative world of animation. The Exhibition happens from 2 April 2010 to 27 June 2010 at the Singapore Science Centre. Click: www.science.edu.sg and www.pixar.com.sg from 20 March to 1 April 2010 to get yours.

Bring the kids for a behind the scenes look at the cutting-edge studio that created UP, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., Toy Story, Cars, The Incredibles and Ratatouille. See over 300 sketches, paintings, sculptures and storyboards and see how Pixar's much-loved characters and worlds are brought to life.

Exhibition Dates: 2 April 2010 to 27 June 2010 from 10am – 6pm (Closed on Mondays except school and public holidays) at The Annexe, Science Centre Singapore, 15 Science Centre Road

Ticket Prices at the Early Bird Discount
Public - $16 adults, $11 children (3-16 years), includes admission to Science Centre
Members - Early bird discount - $12 adults, $8 children (3-16 years)

Federico Fellini Film Screenings and Conferences

For Film Buffs and wanna-be film makers, The National Museum of Singapore, in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute of Singapore, will present a season of film screenings and conferences dedicated to the legendary Italian filmmaker, Federico Fellini renowned for his distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images. Fellini is considered one of the most influential and widely revered masters of the film medium who managed to reconcile original artistic genius with box office success, through films such as La Strada, La Dolce Vita, Nights of Cabiria and 8 ½. See the entire oeuvre of Federico Fellini: 21 feature length films, 3 rarely-seen omnibus films to which Fellini contributed a segment, a screening of The Miracle which Fellini co-wrote and acted in, and 5 documentaries about his life and work.

Dates: 16 April to 9 May 2010 at the Gallery Theatre, Basement
Tickets: $8 per person, $6.40 (concession)
*Purchase five or more tickets at $6 each from 1-22 March!
See: www.nationalmuseum.sg.

The 7th Annual Cross Roads Giant Garage Sale

Bring your own shopping bag to the 7th Annual Cross Roads Giant Garage Sale at the Cairnhill Community Club, 1 Anthony Road, located just opposite the well-known Newton Circus Hawker Center in Newton Circus. Find 48 vendors from of all walks of life, each selling their unique second-hand items.

Date: 24 April from 9am to 6pm at Cairnhill Community Club in 1 Anthony Road (near Newton Circus)
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Wednesday, 24 March 2010

Breaking News - Goodbye Google (in China)!



Google made the front page of most new papers today here in Hong Kong with its retreat or should I say eviction from Chinese cyberspace. Those who read Mandarin or Pu Tong Hua as they call it in Hong Kong will get this one on the front page of local AM730 Chinese Paper. Got to say that the Cantonese are just terrific at just saying it like it is! See www.am730.com.hk! 

- Elaine
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Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Breakaway Hong Kong - Go East For Biz


If you’re heading to Hong Kong on business, settle in at East, a new “lifestyle business hotel” which opened earlier this year by Swire Hotels (same people behind the chic Upper House). It’s a little off centre if you don’t like to be in the thick of crowds, at Taikoo Shing, but see what an ab-fab view you open your peepers to in the morning? We like! Not too huge, but pretty and cosy. If you hurry, they’re offering a deal of HK$988 per night until 4 April, or HK$888 per night, for a consecutive stay of at least two nights during weekends with brekkie included.


Just 345 rooms, it’s got a contemporary, relaxed feel, which keeps you well plugged in with the latest iHome/iPod-Touch technology, simple connectivity for laptops and complimentary broadband/WiFi internet access throughout the hotel. If you don’t want to veg out in front of the TV after your day of endless meetings, you can head to the 24 hour Beast (that’s what they call their gym, short for Body by EAST) and swimming pool, eat at Feast, the all day restaurant, or connect with other travellers at their rooftop bar, Sugar over cocktails and tapas. The hotel is adjacent to Tai Koo MTR station and just a short-drive from Central and Causeway Bay - far enough to chill, close enough to shop!
Tel: (852) 3968 3808 or e-mail reservations@east-hongkong.com
 
- Ee Waun
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Sunday, 21 March 2010

Buys - Designer Wannabe?


March seems to be contest month. Here's an interesting one from Havainas if you fancy yourself a would-be designer! Or maybe have an extremely creative teen that could collaborate with you on this one.

Havaianas, the fashionable flip-flop brand (pronounced ah-vai-yah-nas) have collaborated with Threadless.com, a USAbased design community, which allows public to source T-shirt designs which they can produce and sell. The challenge is to create a design for both flip flops and a tee.

Held in celebration of Threadless.com’s 10th year anniversary, this is the first worldwide open call for Havaianas flip flop designs ever, and Threadless.com’s first-ever non-T-shirt design competition.

If your design is chosen, you'll get a bunch of cashola and fame: your stuff will be worn by a gazillion people (approximately). TWO chosen designers will each receive:
• USD 2,500 from Havaianas!
• Their printed design available as a tee AND as Havaianas flip flops!
• USD 500 Threadless Gift Certificate (can be redeemed for USD 200 cash)
• USD 2,000 in cash from Threadless!

Check out www.threadless.com/loves/havaianas for submission guidelines and kit. Submissions close at 11:59:59 CST (USA & Canada) on April 4, 2010. 
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Binge – Midnight Ice Cream Fix at Cluny Court


Why is it that all the foodie goodies are concentrated in Bukit Timah? See this wondrously droolsome bowl of sin? Marble Slab Creamery, which set up at Cluny Court in January this year, not only scoops out over 20 flavours at any one time, it does so way until midnight on weekends. So if kiddies or you need a late night sugar fix, live dangerously - slide over and slurp it up.

Marble Slab is an American brand, so you can expect high fat content – 14% butterfat which makes it super premium, super smooth and super fattening. But who’s calculating? If you eat ice cream, just go all the fabulicious way. No need for half measures please. At least you can tell yourself that is additive and preservative free – that should make everything okay.

We love the girly flavours like Sweet Cream, Birthday Cake and Peanut Butter, Pumpkin, Cotton Candy (how cute is that?) and Key Lime. It claims to be “the freshest ice cream on earth”, and churns out its ice creams from its local central creamery. Served in cups or handmade waffle cones, it comes in three sizes: Kiddy ($4.50), Original ($6) and Big Dipper ($7.50). Pints are available for takeaway at $11.50. You can also book the place for events. Ice cream buffet birthday party, anyone?

501 Bukit Timah Rd, #01-05B, Cluny Court (open til 11pm weekdays)
Tel: 64686056

PS. Marble Slab Creamery has a slightly bigger outlet at #04-01 Iluma at Bugis too.

- Ee Waun
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Friday, 19 March 2010

Binge – The Ultimate Sunday Brunch!


The morning after the asceticism of Earth Hour, when we are all suitably self-flagellated and purged of all sense of environmental sinning, we all deserve brunch! Not just an ordinary wine-laden, red meat-overload brunch, but a superfabuliciously extraordinary spread of high gastronomy washed down with floods of vintage champers. By that I am referring to the Brunch 78, The Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore’s quarterly, snaking, 78m long brunch that appears on 28 March (12pm – 3pm) for the second time this year.

Stretching from Greenhouse Restaurant all the way to Chihuly Lounge, the spread features premium stuff like oysters from France, Australia and Canada freshly shucked by chefs on the spot, charcuterie platters with foie gras terrine, prune pate, Iberico and Serano ham as well as cured beef and jambon blanc; pan-fried foie gras with apple compote accompanied with aged balsamic dressing; over 80 types of French affined and New World farmhouse cheese and the piece de resistance, whole Wagyu beef leg with jus Bourguignonne, slow-roasted for 32 hours. For drinky-poos, there’s free flowing Dom Pérignon Vintage 2000 and Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2003.

The brunch features guest chef Pascal Tingaud from Dom Pérignon who is a “master at creating new tastes and pairing them with fine Champagne”. He’d be preparing special pass-round canapés made to be paired particularly with the Dom Pérignon Vintage 2000. Expect delicate morsels like smoked eggplant with Moroccan honey and spices, foie gras crème with beetroot caramel as well as Cepes and Iberico, and Szechuan pepper ice-cream. And like all that isn’t enough, the fine print at the bottom of the press releases also mentions that “the bar will serve a variety of wines, cocktails, mocktails and juices”. Oooo! Bowl me over with food, then sweep me home in a heap! I’ll wake up on Tuesday!
(Prices: $163 - $228 per adult; $41-$82 for kids from 3-12 years.)

7 Raffles Avenue
Tel: 6434 5288

- Ee Waun

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BTW – Quick, Whip Out Your Torchlights! It's Earth Hour!


Just in case you’re out next Saturday evening and the world seems to plunge into darkness, don’t ask who turned off the lights….and no, it’s not a total lunar eclipse nor is it 2012 come early either. It’s Earth Hour.

Huh? And when is it not earth hour, we scratch our heads in wonder?

An initiative by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature – not World Wrestling Federation, dear), Earth Hour takes place on Saturday, 27 March at 8.30pm. It’s a global thing, and people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour at that time. It’s a worldwide symbolic event to show how we can make a difference in the fight against climate change and it involves individuals, businesses and organizations on a purely voluntary basis.

So just to give us all a much needed heads up so we don’t fly into a freaking panic in pure Auntie fashion next Sat night, just be prepared that hundreds of buildings will turn off non-essential lights at 8.30 pm. Here’s what to expect:
• Changi Airport will turn off decorative lights and dim many operational lights within the terminal buildings and malls; (we hope the runways remain brightly lit!)
• Resorts World Sentosa will dim or switch off selected non-essential lights (for a spot of trivia, we didn’t know that they use eco-coolers to cool outdoor areas at Universal Studios by two to six degrees using only 20% of the energy of conventional air-conditioning, or that they transplanted trees and corals to be green);
• In the central business district, important landmarks get dimmed out like The Merlion, The Singapore Flyer, Esplanade, The Fullerton Hotel, Clifford Pier and the Asian Civilizations Museum;
• Decorative lightings on the bridges, riverbank, lights on the steps and trees by the Singapore River will be switched off;
• Lights at all the major malls down Orchard Road and beyond, including Tampines Mall, Funan, Bugis, Compass Point, Marina Square, etc will be turned off or turned down and
• Street lights down Orchard Road will turn off for the hour.

In light of that, no pun intended, I’d drive really slowly if I were there, and bring along a torch light. How unglam, how ‘Auntie’, yet so confidentlaly, devil-may-care practical you’ll be the envy of all down the darkened streets.

If you’re inclined to join in with your own earth hour do, this may not be a bad time to dine at home via candlelight, light up the floating candles in your pool, break out the aromatherapy candles and slap on an organic mask for yourself, your pimply pre-teen and the reluctant hubs. Heck, or bring in your guests, rattle some hippy crystal beads, sip on organic (or not) wine and bay at the moon…So relaxing, so in tune with earth… so Gaia!

For details, or to pledge your green commitment, log onto http://www.earthhour.org/
- Ee Waun
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Thursday, 18 March 2010

Binge - Say OiO For Premium Yo!


Are we all flocking to Sentosa in such hoardes that we have forgotten that dinky little mall called Vivocity on the other side of the enchanted causeway? Even while all eyes at on Universal Studios, we discovered a cute little café that serves up inspired yoghurt. It’s not ice cream, but just as good; plus it’s healthy and good for you, so you don’t have to angst over fat content and what it could do to your waistline. OiO (pronounced ‘oh-yo’) Frozen Yoghurt comes in ‘OiO-ginal swirl’, Pomegranate flavour, and an OiOtwist which is basically the two flavours swirled into one serving, and weekly additions of flavours. If you don’t like your ‘yo’ unembellished, there are 15 choices of wet and dry toppings like cereals and fruits. OiO comes in regular or large sizes from $6 upwards served in a swanky black cup. Toppings are $1 each. No it’s not cheap, but it’s supposed to be premium goods. And remember, yoghurt is also great for your plumbing with good live bacteria – which, by the way, survive the freezing process to fight another constipation!

VivoCity, #01-159

Tel: 6376 8350
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Besotted - Ubud Hanging Gardens



If you're planning where to go for the next hols, work on your abs, cut out your carbs, pack your slinkiest swimmy and march with purpose to Ubud Hanging Gardens in Bali. This Orient Express resort oozes extreme gorgeousness with its infinity pools balanced on a hair's breath that plunge steeply into the rainforest below. SimplyFab ladies just want to be there! 


Commune with nature in comfort where nature is kept at a cosy distance from your suite and champagne breakfast. Go for the rooms with the panoramic pool views, pick up cooking classes, veg out at the Ayung Spa, then sip the day away at the bar, or go shopping in nearby Ubud. If you must commune with nature, do so briefly and with style - get the resort to prepare you a gourmet picnic basket and head to their bamboo deck by the Ayung River. Nice and near enough to Gaia, but there's no need to hug the trees nor let the creepy crawlies into your flute of bubbly. 


Check out their Eat, Pray, Love Package’ (US$425 per night) which includes a VIP airport welcome, with a Balinese dinner at a Hindu temple followed by a blessing ceremony at the Holy Water Temple, daily brekkie for two,  complimentary mountain bikes and shuttle service to Ubud. Their Family Package is worth an eyeball, and the Ubud Escapade package which includes a cooking class, and lunch in the village, etc.


Happily for parents in our midst, this luxe life is available to kids too, so you can enjoy and drag your sweeties along! Just book up the family suite. Such advanced indulgence is simply hard to resist!

Check out for more deals www.ubudhanginggardens.com
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Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Breaking News and Buys - Handbag Heist!


Now here is what I call a hasty handbag heist. Roger Vivier who had a launch party yesterday (16 March) in London to launch their latest bag, Ms Viv  had snatch thieves on motorbike make off with some extremely rare limited-edition alligator handbags valued up to £8,000 each. Needless to say, crime does not pay .. read on.. (article below from the Evening Standard)  

Who is Roger Vivier, you ask? In short, this Parisian invented the stiletto in 1954. He is most famous for designing Queen Elizabeth II's shoes for her coronation in 1953. He also designed for Christian Dior from 1953 to 1963 and introduced the use of silk, pearls, bead, lace, applique and even jewels to create unique decorations for his shoes. His most iconic design, the Pilgrim pump with the famous large silver buckle! Run by the Tod's Group, with stores in New York, Milan, Miami, London and Hong Kong, see http://www.rogervivier.com/en/.

  


 Ms Viv, the bag in question

- Elaine
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This Weekend - Sale Events and Contests in Singapore!


Two Sale Events this week in Singapore that you may want to catch:
FLAMING QUEEN HOME at #02-32 at the Mandarin Gallery has some terrific NEW stuff coming in April hence a 4 day clean house sale from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 March. Everything is on SALE including a special selection of samples and testers tagged at cost price from S$5 onwards (only cash payment for these)! Other Sale merchandise including selected items like chandels from Dayna Decker, Seda France candles and diffusers and MINE Soy Candles are available at a 20% to 50% discount.
ALL DRESSED UP goes on an across all seasons warehouse sale this weekend at their Ubi head office at 50 Ubi Cresecent, Ubi Tech Park, #01-03 at their Level 1 Conference Room, on 17-19th March (Wed-Fri) from 10am-8pm. Items starting from as low as S$20.
Following on the heels of Anya Hindmarch, get your free canvas TOTE BAG from Topshop, here's how: send your adventure hungry teen on a contest to kick off Topshop's Spring collection. Choose one of the 3 designs featured on 3 secret bus shelter ad panels located at prime locations in Singapore. The folks from Topshop are giving away 30 tote bags in total if you write to topshoptotebag@gmail.com and share which design you like and why you deserve to win. Entries to reach by 31 March. Be one of the first 3 fans to log into the FashionFastForward Singapore Facebook page and share the 3 secret locations for the bus shelter panels ads and a S$100 Topshop gift card is also yours! 


- Elaine
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Tuesday, 16 March 2010

Bling - Yellow in a Blue Box


Unconvinced that yellow is IN, take a look at Tiffany on Kate Winslet. Seen wearing a spectacular $2.5 US million-dollar yellow diamond necklace and 10-carat fancy intense yellow diamond drop earrings and yellow diamond bracelets, on 7 March 2010 at the 82nd Academy Awards®, held in LA.

The Art Deco-inspired necklace in platinum is based on jewels in the Tiffany & Co. Archives and features a triple-drop pendant with three extraordinarily rare fancy vivid Tiffany yellow diamonds, which surpass the quality of any other jeweler's yellow diamonds. The rectangular-shaped 13.09-carat yellow diamond and two approximately 6-carat yellow diamonds are among the most sought-after stones in the world. Tiffany jewelers surround these captivating diamonds with a total of 642 round brilliant white diamonds, each exquisitely cut and hand set. Pictures by Steve Granitz/ WireImage and product pics from Tiffany.

- Elaine
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Bling - Yellow Diamonds and Rose Gold this Summer!


Yellow is in! I used to think that when it came to diamonds the whiter the better but apparently these days, yellow also has its wiley charms.

Take a look at Reverie, a yellow and white diamond collection of pendants, earrings and rings that conjure images of champagne, Summer’s dappled light, the sweet escape of sun-kissed days and carefree moments, an ode to the exuberance of the season (or so the press release waxes lyrical). See Sweet Clover, the heart shaped pendant above. 

I certainly would not mind having this sweety called Lemon Drop at S$2200
. 

Also IN this season (actually for some time already) is rose gold set against diamonds. Check out Embrace, an 18K rose gold pendant with diamonds shaped in a dew drop formation, perfect for Mother's Day if you are gift hunting or else wear it loose to strategically enhance an already ample  decolletage. 

And where are these beauties to be found? Surprise, surprise head to your neighbourhood friendly Poh Heng who I must say have pleasantly wowed me with some really nice collections  recently. See: www.pohheng.com.sg

- Elaine
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