Get ready to go positively t-shirt-crazy – Uniqlo is launching not one, but two UT collections this May and June, and featuring some pretty famous characters at that. The first: none other than LEGO, which surprisingly marks the first ever collaboration between UT and everyone’s favourite yellow blockheads. Available in Men’s, Boys’, and Girls’ sizes, expect toy brick mania with the full collection of graphic t-shirts that feature everything from a colourful sea of legos to minimalist pocket tees. Plus, excite your inner LEGO collector when you make a purchase of min. $60 – and receive a free LEGO novelty toy!
And coming in June, something tailored specifically for the ladies – a soft pastel palette of Alice in Wonderland pieces, guaranteed to transport you on a whimsical adventure straight down the rabbit hole. We love how the tees are made loose and comfy, perfect for a casual day lounging around. If you’ve got a little one at home, deck her out in one of the short-sleeved printed dresses, which look far fancier than what you’d expect for $24.90. Definitely tea party-ready.
LEGO UT collection, $14.90 to $19.90, available online from 13 May and at all Uniqlo stores from 20 May. Alice in Wonderland UT collection, $14.90 to $24.90, available from 27 June. uniqlo.com/sg
Oh sweet Jesus. From now till 22 May, 2359hr, foodpanda is offering free delivery on every order placed, no questions asked. It’s already pretty epic that they’re the island’s leading delivery food service, with over 1000 restaurant offerings; the two-week free delivery just means you’ll basically never leave home or the office again for the rest of May – and admit it, even the most frugal OL gets sick of kopitiam food eventually. Even better – they’ve added new favourites to the list of restaurant offerings: Potato Head Folk, Cafe Melba, Marche (goddammit), and even local favourites like Sergeant Chicken Rice and Blackball. It’s official; there’s no escaping the impending endless food babies. More information at foodpanda.sg.
Here’s a collaboration for the badasses – iconic American lifestyle brand Cole Haan has teamed up with mastermind Japan to release an all-black, two-piece capsule collection that’s sure to be your parents’ worst nightmare, in shoe form.
It may be succinct, but the collection, comprising the ZEROGRAND Wing Oxford and ZEROGRAND Chukka, has more than enough attitude. Cole Haan’s signature ZeroGrand trades in its usual neutral palette for a makeover worthy of our My Chemical Romance emo-rock days (admit it, you had them too). The complete monochrome black we have mastermind to thank; the Japanese brand’s signature skull icon is printed on the tongue and shoe upper too, to bring both brands together, literally. And if you’re a little put off by the clunkiness of the shoes, you’ll be surprised to know that they offer superb lightness, cushioning and flexibility – nothing at all like the rough stompy shoes they seem to be. The final cherry on top – both styles are made shock-absorbent and layered with a natural storm welt to keep the rain out; which basically makes them perfect, versatile rain shoes to battle Singapore’s random downpours.
Cole Haan x mastermind Japan collection, $499, launches today and is available at Paragon #02-11 and Suntec City North Wing #01-473.
We all love denim; and it’s comforting to know that jeans and denim layers will always stay in style, even if Britney and Justin’s specific look isn’t due for a comeback anytime soon, or ever (thankfully). As someone who’s spent her entire existence debating back and forth whether she should ditch her $19.90 Forever 21 skinnies for a pricier pair, knowing what to look out for in a pair of jeans is definitely a big deal. But of course, even luxury brand jeans may not always boast the best denim or fit for your specific body type. Our verdict– whatever shop you’re doing your browsing in, keep these tips in mind; depending on your priorities of what you want in your jeans, you might not even have to make the splurge.
1. Weight
Or more specifically, a heavier fabric. The quickest sure-fire way to tell good, real denim from bad is in the weightiness of it in your hand – as you probably expected, well-made jeans will feel heavier and stronger, a sign that they’re more resistant to easy wear and tear.
2. Not too much stretch
Image from Topshop
It’s a sad fact of life that the best jeans in the world aren’t always the most comfortable – another factor to consider the next time you’re tossing around the idea of investing. Good denim contains up to 2% maximum percentage of Lycra or Spandex, which definitely isn’t the most forgiving after that KBBQ buffet you just had; but is a surer sign of quality. If anything, take comfort in knowing that all denim stretches with time and wear, so perseverance is key! If you’re someone who likes her jeans with the flexibility of leggings, that’s totally fine; just be prepared for a more consistent routine of replacing your stretched-out jeans.
3. The tell-all red trim
Here’s the real secret to quality denim – selvedge, a little red trim on the inside characteristic of Japanese denim that all denim experts swear by. This particular trim is more resistant than average trim, but above all is a mark of assurance that your jeans came from a sustainable manufacturer that skimped on neither quality material nor safe working conditions and wages for their workers. It’ll make for a heftier price to pay – you won’t find real selvedge at a fast fashion store – but worth it knowing you got it in support of good manufacturing practices.
4. Real stitching
Image from Levi’s
A closer look at the stitching on the back pockets can reveal a lot about the denim you’re about to pick up. A lot of poor quality jeans feature (god forbid) superficially stitched pockets and hems that you might not even notice at first sight – until your back pocket starts coming apart and you wonder where you went wrong. And while this isn’t a mainstay of all quality jean brands, a firm diagonal stitch at the corners of the pockets is a sign of dedicated fabrication that will ensure they stay firmly attached for a long time.
5. Wash factor
Image from 7 For All Mankind
Be prepared to have your minds completely blown – good denim should rarely be washed. And by rare we mean only to be washed once every six months, at earliest. Washing real, raw denim too soon or too often washes out the indigo of the material that otherwise fades and sets into the natural creases created by your body’s movement – which, if left alone, would give it the flattering, well-worn look we’re all trying to achieve. Many times, a trip around the washing machine can ruin the denim’s stretch too, so you’re left with the stiff, uncomfortable jeans you first purchased, even after all that effort gone into wearing them in.
Alternatives to keeping your quality jeans looking (and smelling) fresh, then? Hanging them inside out to air-dry, wiping them down with a damp cloth, or if you’re really desperate – keeping them overnight in the freezer. But of course, if you’re a stickler for hygiene over quality, we’d suggest you stick to the cheap jeans, which do surprisingly well in the wash. Ah, the unexplained magic of cheap cotton and low-cost labour.
Featured image from facebook.com/ctznsofhumanity Heads up: all images featured are from brands we love!
Recently, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, 43-year old American actress and former model Rebecca Romijn commented that today’s social media stars “are not true supermodels”. The offenders in question: obviously Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, who’ve got Instagram followings of 56.5mil and 17.3mil respectively, and are pretty much ruling the runway these days.
Romijn, who is best known for her role as Mystique in the X-Men films, followed up on her frustration by sharing that “a lot of people – legitimate fashion people – can’t stand it. Hate it that these, you know, social media stars are now the supermodels in fashion.”
For sure, it was a thinly veiled attack on the new breed of models, something many might construe as an older model’s bitter response to becoming less relevant with the times. But as (unfortunately) a millennial myself, it seemed to beg the question – is capitalising on social media just how the modeling industry is adapting itself to stay relevant? Or are millennial models genuinely a sorry shadow of their veterans?
In the interview, Romijn continued: “And the thing is, I have always looked to Vogue magazine to lead the way, not be a follower…. So I have been disappointed that fashion magazines have been supporting this trend of social media stars to set our style standards.” – a clear reference to Vogue’s recent obsession with both Jenner and Hadid, which include an impressive subscriber-only issue dedicated entirely to Jenner, who turns 21 this year. Anyone working in the modeling or fashion industry can tell you that that’s no small feat – Vogue themselves published an online slideshow in 2011, illustrating just how rare it is for a young model or celebrity to even land a Vogue cover, much less an entire magazine. Among the select few are some of the modeling world’s most respected: Brooke Shields (1980), Claudia Schiffer (1990), Naomi Campbell (1989), and, of course, Cindy Crawford (1986). All have been credited with paving the way for young models worldwide – and in an era where gaining popularity wasn’t as easy as just taking an ace selfie.
Fast-forward to 2016, and “putting your name out there” has become less about impressing designers and fashion folk at runway shows, or being discovered on the streets (cue image of Gisele Bundchen eating at McDonald’s). Instead, it’s about how many followers you’ve got, how entertaining your Snapchats are, and how much you could potentially earn for a company just by tagging them on Instagram. The April issue’s 52-page supplement featuring a clean, no-frills shot of Kendall Jenner on the cover is aptly titled “The Kendall Effect: 64M Followers and Counting”, and dives into a profile on the influence the 21-year old has on today’s style and culture. She’s striking, definitely, and has come a long way since her days of amateur modeling for Forever 21 campaigns. But many have also been quick to point out that Jenner seems to possess only one permanently bored expression; even more credit her hype to her famous family – which, let’s admit, we’re all sick of reading about – and not so much real modeling talent.
A video posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on
Yolanda Hadid, mother to Gigi and Bella Hadid and a former model herself, immediately rushed to her daughter’s defense, tweeting “Kind, hard working and they accomplished more at half your age in the fashion industry @KendallJenner @GiGiHadid”, adding that “It’s THEIR hard work and daily commitment to their profession that got them where they R today #NoParentsInvolved”.
As much as we’d like to believe that though, it’s hard to identify real talent in an age where online networking seems to prove more effective than old-school hustling. For one, we can’t help but wonder if the defensive mum has even seen her “hard working” daughter catwalk.
Gigi may be this generation’s “it” girl, but it doesn’t take an industry professional to see that she can’t walk to save her life.
But of course, two celebrity icons with well-connected backgrounds are definitely not representative of a whole generation of up-and-coming models. As supposed “insiders” of the industry ourselves, we work with young talents almost every week for fashion spreads and shoots, and it’s clear that despite being under 21, majority do take their castings and jobs very seriously. If anything, a model’s social media presence seems to be more telling of her marketing insight – to present herself to a generation of consumers who too make their booking or casting choices via social media.
In fact, following Yolanda Hadid’s tweets, Cindy Crawford herself spoke up about her admiration for Jenner and Hadid’s social media prowess. The supermodel told Cosmopolitan that she felt “jealous, because I feel they have this direct way to communicate with their audience that my generation didn’t have.” It’s a sweet thing to say, considering her legendary supermodel status, but also very powerful in highlighting just how much of a commercial affair modeling truly is – not to mention how much the industry has evolved over the years.
Perhaps at the end of the day, the goal is not to look up to Kendall Jenner or Gigi Hadid as role models (yay, a pun) – whether you’ll admit it or not, privilege has given them too massive a headstart to catch up to. Instead, maybe what Vogue is really trying to say is that millennial models, or any newcomers trying to leave an impression in the industry, should strive for The Kendall Effect – capitalising on followers, public presence, and outreach as a calculated, intelligent way of marketing oneself in a social media-centric epoch; 64million followers or not.
Most of us have been there before – drinking like there’s no tomorrow and regretting the decision the very next day while nursing a hangover from hell, and then repeating the same mistake the following weekend. Why do we indulge in such excessive drinking? Everyone has their reasons, be it to escape the harsh reality of life or to just have a really good time with your friends. But like everything else, too much of a good thing has its consequences. Moderation is key, because you really don’t want to end up saying something you don’t actually mean or doing something you’ll regret for the rest of your life. Besides, it’s a thing now to be able to control yourself. Heineken recently conducted a study on the drinking behavior of Singaporeans between the age of 21-35 as part of their “Enjoy Heineken Responsibly” campaign, and the exclusive insights were pretty fascinating.
It’s clear that most Singaporean millennials are image-conscious and prefer to enjoy responsibly. Nobody wants to end up on social media and become a laughing stock right? Besides, drinking moderately reflects a more positive image, which can be pretty attractive and rewarding in its own right. Everybody has the power to shape their own reputation and to make the best out of every opportunity. With that, Heineken is looking to reward these new breed of moderate drinkers.
As part of Heineken’s third chapter of encouraging responsible drinking, they’re looking for millennials who’ll champion moderate drinking on their night out. You’ll stand a chance to win an entire year’s worth of taxi rides from Heineken (best gift ever). All you need to do is submit a photo of yourself (with some friends, of course) on a night out, stating the reasons why you think moderation is cool as the caption, and hashtag your submission with #ModerateDrinkersWanted and #HeinekenSG.
Or, you could take part in our giveaway below this campaign video.
**** WIN! We’re giving away a set of one week’s worth of complimentary taxi rides (worth $280), courtesy of Heineken, to 2 lucky readers. For a chance to win, simply fill up this form by 11 May, 12pm. Please note that you must be 18 years and above to participate.
Burberry Beauty sure knows how to get us right in our weak spot with their latest launch, the Burberry Full Kisses – they’re calling it a range of lip pens, but to us, it’s essentially one of the most luxe lip crayons we’ve seen. The tip is a little different from the regular chubbies out there, with a flat-top tip that’s supposed to hug the curves of your lips all the better. And then there’s the trademark Burberry check on a reflective silver surface, which is maybe rather unforgiving when it comes to fingerprints, but it’s all worth it when it makes the packaging so damn sleek, and such eye candy. The 14 shades leave a luminous finish, and include the most iconic Burberry Beauty colours, such as Military Red, Oxblood and Rosewood.
See it in action for yourself on Suki Waterhouse here, NYLON Singapore cover girl and the face of Burberry Beauty. Evidently, the richer colours make a strong statement in the subtly shiny finish; definitely a lip product that makes a strong statement.
Burberry Full Kisses, $41. Available from end May at TANGS at Tang Plaza, Sephora ION, tangs.com and sephora.sg.
In a country that’s really small, it’s pretty convenient to get around places. Just look at Orchard Road; the entire stretch is littered with malls and a mix of high-end and mass appeal boutique stores. Despite the heat, we’ve all done the whole “let’s-walk-from-one-end-to-the-other”, and it’s important to wear shoes that are functional, comfortable and of course, stylish. Knit sneakers – or shoes that have uppers woven out of thread rather than sewn with various materials – have become a huge trend to hit the streets. Besides providing higher flexibility and better comfort, it also reduces waste and looks pretty damn good. Converse has hopped on the bandwagon with their latest expression of the highly popular Chuck II. An ultra thin and interwoven knit material and striking colours inspired by the psychedelic light shows at music concerts and festivals are make up this fresh take on the classic silhouette to embody the spirit of summer. Together with the Nike Lunarlon sockliner, non-slip padded tongue and super soft micro-suede lining, the Chuck II Knit provides enhanced comfort that’s on a whole other level. It’s the lightest and most breatheable Chuck II yet, and will be available in four colours – Volt Green, Roadtrip Blue, Red and White.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Knit Collection, $109.90-119.90. Available at Converse stores.
Other than your white sneakers, that is. We’re getting nostalgic with these white hot accessories that were once all the rage — and they’re now back and invading our closets with a vengeance.
1. Moschino Double Dice Plush and Leather Bags
Yes, furry dice are back! And instead of hanging them on your car rearview mirror, hang them on your arm with this pair that has far more use than we have the original idea credit for.
While the rest of the fashion world was wearing a McQueen (or knockoff) skull scarf, hopefully you weren’t one of the strange ones saving up for an overpriced Ed Hardy t-shirt. If you’re going for a tattoo print, at least make it a nice one.
A long, long time ago, MCM had a store on the first floor of Paragon. It was the place to go for those obiang “MCM” logo belts and caps. Gone are those beng days, and the brand is back with a vengeance with highly sought-after backpacks and keychains.
5. Casio G-Shock Kevin Lyons Bluetooth Digital Watch
This is the same shockproof watch we all once had, and in a classic silhouette with added bluetooth functionality. The strap features a white brick wall designed by Brooklyn creative director, designer, illustrator and typographer, Kevin Lyons.
Did you hang out at Far East Plaza in the 90s? Did you shop at Lips/Cheeks/77th Street? Then you probably also had a collection of bandanas that you thought made you super cool. Revive the trend with this one that actually is!
We love when a celebrity collaboration makes sense – like when Rihanna first teamed up with Puma to give it her bad girl street-style edge it clearly needed. So when MAKE UP FOR EVER first announced a collection of performance-ready makeup with Charli XCX, we knew we were in for a good one.
First things first: the popular Aqua line – so named for its waterproof qualities – will be replaced with Aqua XL, an obvious ode to taking the limits of waterproof makeup and performance makeup to new levels. The first in this revamped range – the Aqua XL Eye Pencil, specially designed for all performers’ needs. The new waterproof formula ensures comfortable long wear that stays sweat-proof and smudge-proof throughout the day, so you won’t even need a touch-up. And for anyone who needs a rich colour payoff off- and onstage (we’re looking at you, dancers), the pencils are highly pigmented and provide a more intense colour than ever.
So, taking a leaf out of Charli XCX’s typically colourful makeup looks – whether it’s on her live tour or in a visually stunning music video – the Aqua XL Eye Pencil comes in 20 versatile shades. There’re classic staple shades like Satiny Taupe; and then there’s Iridescent Pop Purple for a flashy burst of colour. The collection includes a variety of finishes, from matte to satin to metallic, so there’s definitely something for everyone. And if you’ve already been a fan of MAKE UP FOR EVER’s line of Artist Shadows, you’ll be pleased to know that all the XL Eye Pencil shades are perfectly matched to the shadows – which makes flawless matching and blending that much easier.
Look sharp people; we foresee these electrifying pencils being a real game-changer in makeup routines.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Eye Pencil, $36, available at Sephora from 12 May 2016.
It’s been six years since the multi-talented Brit made a record, and now it’s finally here. Yes, she’s been making appearances here and there but nothing can appease our appetite for her prowess like an album. It was a particularly difficult time for Corinne Bailey Rae when she was making her previous record, “The Sea”, because her husband, saxophonist Jason Rae, died of an accidental methadone and alcohol overdose back in 2008. As part of her grieving process, she channeled her emotions into her music. That record got her a nomination for the 2010 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year. Over the past six years, she’s remarried, performed at the White House and won two Grammys.
She mentioned in an interview with Billboard that she doesn’t respond well to time pressure, which is why she’s taken all of six years to produce “The Heart Speaks in Whispers”. Both she and her new hubby and longtime friend Steve Brown (who is a producer and instrumentalist himself) believe that “a recording should be a captured moment, not overworked in the studio”. This new record explores the theme of new-found optimism and tells the story of her journey back to music, happiness and most importantly, love. It’s laced with new ideas and – like her other two albums – emotional energy that seeps out through its songs. The album was co-produced by her husband and features a number of renowned musicians like Pino Palladino, James Gadson, Marcus Miller and more.
“The Heart Speaks in Whispers” is slated for release on 13 May, but you can pre-order it on iTunes. Check out the tracklist below.
The Heart Speaks In Whispers 01. The Skies Will Break 02. Hey, I Won’t Break Your Heart 03. Been To The Moon 04. Tell Me 05. Stop Where You Are 06. Green Aphrodisiac 07. Horse Print Dress 08. Do You Ever Think Of Me? 09. Caramel 10. Taken By Dreams 11. Walk On 12. Night
**** WIN! We’re giving away a pair of tickets (flights included) to catch Corinne Bailey Rae at the Seoul Jazz Festival 2016 at Olympic Park, South Korea. Corinne Bailey Rae at Seoul Jazz Festival 2016 Event: Seoul Jazz Festival 2016
Concert Date: 29 May 2016
Location: Seoul, Korea
Venue: Olympic Park
To participate, you must pre-order Corinne Bailey Rae’s “The Heart Speaks in Whispers” on iTunes before filling up the form below. Please note that participants must be 18 years old and above and able to fly between 28-30 May.
Registration ends on Sunday, 8 May 2016.
As we write this, our weather app insists it’s currently 30° Celsius out there, with an expected high of 34°C for today. But upon stepping outside, the searing heat that’s beating down at this moment definitely makes it feel closer to 40°C – and it’s been this way for the past few weeks. Staying outside for any longer than 5 minutes starts to feel unbearable; and in the mornings, we’ve experienced sweating through our clothes even before leaving the house, and our makeup melting right before we’re even done putting it all on.
When will this madness stop? The weather experts have said that April is usually the hottest month in the year, so here’s to hoping things will cool down a little before the end of May. Until then, we’re relying on our latest foundation find to beat this makeup-melting heat: the Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Film Liquid UV Foundation.
Reasons why this foundation is really working for us in this weather: It adapts to both high heat and air conditioned environments, with an ingredient called the Temperature-reacting Oil and Film that keeps the foundation breathable even in extreme levels of heat and humidity (which pretty much sums up our weather these days), and a Lifting Water Capsule that keeps skin hydrated, even while you’re hiding out from the heat in an air-conditioned room, which can be drying for the skin. The finish is called a “lustrous matte”: which means sebum is kept under control, but still looks nicely moisturised.
We’re so glad that Shiseido really nails it with this formulation – living in Singapore is really a dichotomy of walking around in makeup-melting temperatures, then running into almost-freezing air-conditioned offices to dodge the heat. And now, there’s a foundation that gets it. We’ve tried it and it looks great on the skin, plus lasts through the day; so you’ll definitely want to hold on tight to this.
Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Film Liquid UV Foundation, $70. Available at Shiseido counters. shiseido.com.sg
Okay, don’t panic. So you’re caught without a gift for the greatest woman in your life, just two days shy of Mother’s Day. There obviously isn’t enough time to DIY something by then, but fret not! Splurging on a little materialism doesn’t mean it’s any less from the heart, so take your pick from these options to see which will bring the brightest smile to Mummy Dearest this May.
1. Get Spendy at Robinsons
She may be the voice of reason controlling your spending habits, but it’s no secret that all mums love a bit of shopping! So loosen your purse strings and take her for an indulgent spree at Robinsons this weekend. From the hefty selection of gift ideas – anything from a Dior perfume to a pastel pink cast iron cookware set – spend $150 in a single receipt at any Robinsons store, and stand a chance to win The Perfect Robinsons Mother’s Day Experience – with prizes worth over $700 each. The winning package includes a full makeover courtesy of Estée Lauder, a high-tea session for two, a hair makeover and more shopping goodies. And even if you aren’t selected, you’ll receive up to 20% off regular-priced items; plus, cardmembers receive a $20 voucher with $150 nett spent.
After your shopping spree, head to Angela May Food Chapters (exclusively available at Robinsons The Heeren, Level 2) for a scrumptious high tea with mum. Your mum will receive a personalised skincare consultation by La Mer (worth up to $250) when you dine at Angela May Food Chapters, and a purchase of two high tea sets with OCBC Robinsons Group Visa Card entitles you to a complimentary box of freshly baked cookies by Chef Angela May herself. It’ll feel just like Christmas – except now. Date: 29 April to 8 May 2016 Available at all Robinsons stores
2. Treat Mum to Burberry
No better time to go all out and splurge on Burberry goodies for you mum – especially since all three Burberry stores will gift you a complimentary Burberry Singapore bespoke bouquet with any purchase made between 6 to 8 May. Inspired by the My Burberry fragrances, the arrangements include flowers like Sweet Pea, Freesia, Peach Blossom and Autumn Eucalyptus, wrapped with hand-tied ribbon in the iconic honey trench coat colour. And of course, the fragrances themselves will be available for purchase in-store, along with Scottish-woven cashmere scarves, wallets, and key-chains. For a little added oomph, you can even customise the scarves with up to three initials in the Burberry font, using the monogramming service available online at Burberry.com. Now that’s a gift she’ll never forget. “Burberry in Bloom” flower stalls are available at Burberry Paragon, Marina Bay Sands, and ION Orchard.
3. Have high tea with a view
Everyone loves high tea, but everyone’s probably also been to Marmalade Pantry before. Try something new on mum’s special day, and head to Lewin Terrace, where they’re collaborating with UK fine tea company Newby Teas for a lavish gourmet spread of Japanese-French fusion dishes. Sure the menu sounds incredible, as does the free-flow Newby Teas Silken Pyramids tea included in every set, but we’re sold on the venue – a gorgeous colonial heritage bungalow in the heart of Fort Canning, where you’ll be able to soak in the historic ambiance while enjoying your tea. For an additional $68++, you can even opt for free-flow of sparkling, red, and white wines – you know, for the mums who drink before dinner. Date: 8 May 2016 Time: 11.30am to 2.30pm (Mother’s Day Brunch), 3pm to 6pm (Afternoon Tea) Price: $68++ per person Address: 21 Lewin Terrace, Singapore 179290 For reservations, call 63339905
4. Gift her a personalised bag crafted by Coach
To #CelebrateMom, Coach is offering complimentary personalisation services of selected leather goods at the Coach Wisma Atria flagship store. Simply pick out a Saddle Bag – hand-finished in glovetanned leather and available in two sizes and an array of colours – and have it monogrammed for free anywhere you want it. For a little something extra, pick out playful accessories to embellish Mum’s new bag, so she’ll really be able to call it her own. Monogramming services are also available for leather accessories such as namecard holders and leather pouches – to make a complete set perfect for the perfect mother.
5. Pamper her! The old-fashioned way
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when pampering Mother Dearest? A luxurious day “in” at a top-class spa, of course. For a truly indulgent girl’s day, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa is offering a special Mother’s Day package – featuring a choice of either So SPA’s signature 60-minute The Sentosa Massage, or a 60-minute So Relaxing Massage. Everything takes place at Sofitel Singapore’s So SPA, the largest in the world at 6,000 square metres and furnished to a T.
Plus, included in the spa package is a meticulously prepared Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea à la Francaise at So SPA’s adjoining sunlit restaurant, The Garden. Expect delicacies like lavender and chocolate scones, blueberry gateau basque, and – for the savoury palates – bites such as Alaskan king crab with avocado. We’re already drooling at the thought of it all; pretty sure Mum will forgive you for spoiling her diet just this once. The Mother Dearest Mother’s Day package is available at $375++ for 2 persons.
For anyone sorely missing their last getaway to the Land of Smiles, forget your #throwbacks and head down to Orchard Road this weekend instead. Organised by the Thai Embassy, the annual Thai Festival is back to tease all your five senses, with everything from Thai food to cultural performances and fashion pop-ups happening right here in town. There will be Muay Thai performances and even a live cooking show – but you and I both know that we’ll all be going for the food fair. Your diet resumes next weekend, people. Date: 5 to 8 May 2016 Time: 10am – 9pm Venue: Royal Thai Embassy, Orchard Road Admission: Free More info at facebook.com/events/1161448263885854/
Getai Soul 2016
After Getai Electronica and Getai Ethnica, the Getai Group is back to raise the roof – this time with soul music, soul food, and soul art, in this year’s Getai Soul. It’s a lesser-appreciated genre here in Singapore, but definitely one worth checking out, especially when the festival lineup includes local favourites like Charlie Lim & The Mothership, Dru Chen, and The Steve McQueens. And it’s not just our island’s finest you’ll be listening to; expect great soul and jazz bands from Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Jakarta as well, for two full nights of quality original acts. Date: 7 & 8 May 2016 Time: 1pm – 10pm Venue: Pearl Hill’s City Park, Admission: $48 to $88 Tickets available at getaisoul2016.peatix.com More info at facebook.com/events/801102406690376/permalink/849827038484579/
Mother’s Day at Mitzo Restaurant & Bar
Of course, don’t forget Mummy Dearest this first Sunday of the month. If your mum’s the traditional sort, take her to Mitzo for a specially curated 8-course dinner menu featuring, uniquely, a Cantonese fine-dining meal paired with artisanal cocktails. Old-school Canto fare gets a modern update for the most important woman in your life – look forward to delicacies like wok-fried lobster in 20-year “hua diao” wine and herbal pork rib with black fungus & enoki mushroom – definitely not for indifferent palates.
And if dim sum is more your speed, the Yum Cha Brunch serves is a free-for-all buffet flow of over 40 types of dim sum, Cantonese treats, and a one-time serving of seafood or bird’s nest. Trust us when we say you’ll never see siew mai the same way again. And for all the Mother’s Day set menus and brunch, Mum eats free with every three paying adults – so that’s one less thing for her to worry about on her special day.
Mother’s Day Set Dinner Date: 6 to 8 May 2016 Price: $118++ per person Yum Cha Brunch Date: 7 to 8 May 2016 Price: $98++ per person Address: Level 4, Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Road More info at matzo.sg
We all know about ‘The One’ from fairytales and Disney’s animation films, but how about something that isn’t, for once, Prince Charming? Rather than hold on to that old-fashioned idea of perfection, here’s something more relevant to our daily lives, that gives us constant support, that we’re definitely more intimate with — our bras.
If you’re still reading this, then welcome, you’re the part of the population that dons a bra for at least eight hours a day… Though we might have a statistic that’s about to shock you. According to Triumph, the leading lingerie brand in Singapore, 7 out of 10 women are wearing bras that are of the wrong size for them. That’s a majority of us, somehow, clueless about how a piece of lingerie fits our body.
Honestly, there’s no shame in this though, at least, if that’s you, you’re not alone. It could be because so many of us are too eager to zip in and out of a lingerie store without a proper consultation, relying on how we’ve always felt like a bra should feel like. We may be a 30-something professional, and still feel like a teenager in the changing room! Other than getting the measurements right, it’s hard to account for other factors too, like our body shape, bust age and more, things that only a professional would count on. None of us should feel awkward about getting help though — we’re all for getting intimate with your intimates.
Which is why Triumph launched the “Stand Up For Fit” campaign last year, with the aim to help every woman find the best lingerie that caters to their unique body. You might have seen the previous advertisement too, an animated “Find The One” movie that’s a fresh departure from showing top models dancing in intimate wear. Instead, there’s a whole Disney-esque style to it, with a memorable musical number to boot. Well, there’s now a new reboot that sees the same lead, Hannah, now with a baby, while her best friends Luna and Jade are on a mission for her to find the perfect set of intimates. Watch “Find The One… Again” here:
The message is clear: finding the perfectly-fitting bra, The One, should be just as important, and desired, as choosing a life partner. It’s a great confidence-booster (all-round booster, we might add), and a bra’s just as supportive too, seamlessly fitting into your lifestyle. You’ll feel more comfortable, without any aches or other consequences to your body — finding a good bra prevents, well, gravity’s downward effects since it’s able to provide support and lift to your bust area.
To get you started, here’s a handy guide to what works (and what you might be doing wrong).
However, we can’t stress enough on the importance of marching right up to a Triumph store… and asking for help. The friendly professionals are there for a reason, and they’ll be able to offer you guidance on what the above chart really means when it comes to your body, what the size of your bra should be, along with what types of bras suit your body type and needs. Just as well, you’ll receive a $20 voucher when you head down to any Triumph store for a fitting.
There’s also a special e-store promo exclusively for NYLON readers: Triumph x NYLON Singapore e-store promo
Images part of Triumph’s Summer “Light Fascination” Collection 2016, available in all Triumph boutiques & counters at major departmental stores and online.
We’ve always thought that colour-changing lip products always come with such an exciting promise of personalisation. Since the pigments are supposed to react with your body chemistry, you get your very own individualised lip colour – and no one else can duplicate it! How’s that for customisation?
And that’s why we keep collecting these shade-shifting lippies as brands continue to launch them, even though a vast majority of them tend to turn the same vague shade of pink on our lips – not the most exciting shade, but enough for daily fuss-free wear. Or sometimes, we get a nice shade of plum, or a your-lips-but-better kind of neutral red.
We did a bit of research, and it turns out that the colour-changing properties in a majority of these lip products are thanks to a particular ingredient called Red 27, which starts off colourless, but turns pink upon contact with moisture (which is found on your lips, of course). So… the whole thing about the colour reacting with your body chemistry is likely to be just a clever marketing ploy after all. It is still true, however, that one colour can appear different among individuals, but that’s mostly due to differences in skin tone.
We’re slightly disappointed, definitely, but that doesn’t mean we’re about to haul our entire colour-changing lipstick collection into the trash, or even stop buying them. After all, we can always do with one more flattering sheer shade in our lipstick stash.
Clockwise from top left: Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint $36, Sephora ETUDE HOUSE Berry Delicious Colour In Liquid Lips Juicy in #31 $17.90, ETUDE HOUSE stores Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire in 001 My First Lipstick $46, Guerlain counters and Sephora ION, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Suntec City Mall Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Reviver Balm $46, Dior Beauty stores and counters Sephora Collection Colour Adapting Lip Balm $22, Sephora Lipstick Queen Frog Prince $38, escentials Mentholatum Lip Ice Sheer Colour $7.80, Watsons and Guardian Smashbox O-Gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss $40, Sephora
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