Editor's Picks Archives - Page 4 of 24

Review – Aries Gold The Samurai Code Series

By delta November 25, 2022

Aries Gold is a Singaporean watch brand founded by CK Woo in 1970. CK Woo dedicated his life to mastering the art of watchmaking after falling in love with watches at a young age. Aries Gold prides itself on the manufacturing of mechanical timepieces and bringing them to the modern world. Since its inception in 1970, its designs and manufacturing have been done exclusively in-house in its workshop in Singapore. Combining traditional watchmaking craftsmanship and premium materials at an affordable price, Aries Gold has grown an international presence in more than 35 countries.

Recently, Aries Gold launched The Samurai Code Series and I was very intrigued by the collection because it depicts the Samurai way of life and there are 7 designs to choose from. Each design is named after the seven virtues of the Bushido Code and I was honestly spoilt for choice because all of them looked good. In the end, I settled for the virtue that strongly resonated with me and chose JIN 仁, which is also translated as mercy or benevolence.

Jin is one of the highest-regarded bushido tenets. Samurai possess physical and legal power. Instead of exercising power, they should show mercy and benevolence. Love, care, sympathy, and pity are some traits that a Samurai must possess. This ensures that the warrior fought for the right reason and belief; it also guarantees that if there were no need to kill, the samurai would have mercy.

The watches from The Samurai Code Series are powered by the trialled and tested Japanese Miyota automatic movement, the 8215. The case size is 42.5mm and the glass used is Sapphire crystal. Yes, you read that right. Although Sapphire crystal is mostly used by high-end watchmakers, Aries Gold believes in creating quality timepieces that everyone can afford. Sapphire crystal scores a solid 9 out of 10 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale (which is just below diamond), thus making it more scratch resistant than mineral glass. The material used for the watch strap is made of rubber which makes the watch suitable for outdoor sporting activities.

If you would like to immortalise your precious moments on the watch, there are personalisation options available and you can either print text/picture on the watch dial or print text/picture on the glass case-back. As for me, I got the character, 仁 printed on the glass case-back. Every purchase of the watch comes with a free classy travel watch pouch that comes with extra slots for additional watch straps.

Check out the entire collection of The Samurai Code Series by Aries Gold on H2 Hub. For the price of $398, I feel it is reasonably priced considering the unique one-of-its-kind design, the automatic movement, and the durable sapphire glass!

Feast and unwind with MO BAR’s December and Christmas Afternoon Tea Menu

By delta November 25, 2022

MO BAR at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore has crafted a new December 2022 Afternoon Tea menu as well as the Christmas Eve and Day Afternoon Tea. The new menus combine the rich flavours of Western influence with the diverse cooking cultures of Asia into a singular experience.

MO BAR’s lavish décor and breathtaking views of Marina Bay make it the ideal spot for an afternoon meeting to unwind. Their extensive collection of exotic teas from Asia’s renowned tea-growing areas relaxes and calms, with robust or subtle tones to suit every palette.

Start your tea with a light and refreshing Red Wine Pear Granite, one of eight delectable courses inspired by local favourites and holiday classics. Work your way through the savouries with bites such as Chilli Soft Shell Crab encased in a savoury tart, topped with cucumber salsa, and the Guinness Stout Chicken paired with pomelo, pickled onion, and puffed rice. The Christmas Mushroom, a foundation of chocolate genoise covered with spiced cherry coulis and ivory chocolate mousse with kirsch for the ultimate enjoyment, is one of the rich and decorative sweets that bring the crescendo of indulgence to a close.

The Christmas Eve and Day Afternoon Tea Experience at MO BAR will keep you in the holiday spirit. Expect elevated gourmet delicacies such as the Poached Lobster coupled with cucumber, chives, shallots and yuzu mayo, garnished with avruga caviar, and many more to make your Christmas really memorable.

The December Afternoon Tea Experience is available at S$88++ per guest throughout the month and includes a flute of Champagne. Served daily from 3 to 5 pm with additional seating available from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm on weekends. The special Christmas Eve and Day Afternoon Tea menu, available exclusively on the 24^th and 25^thof December, costs S$108++ per guest and includes a flute of Champagne. The Afternoon Tea experience is presented with personalised service for which MO BAR is renowned.

MO BAR’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Afternoon Tea Menu

MO BAR’s December Afternoon Tea Menu

Reservations can be made by emailing mosin-dining@mohg.com or calling +65 6885 3500 or online.

Winestone Festive Lunch & Dinner Menu

By delta November 23, 2022

I was recently at Winestone to have a preview of their festive 4-Course Lunch and Dinner Menu, and it was overall a pleasant dining experience.

Winestone’s festive 4-Course Lunch & Dinner Menu is available on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day and is priced at $108++ per person, including a glass of house wine. You can choose from two options for the Soup, Salad/Appetizer and Main Course. When I was there, I went for the Creamy Seafood Chowder (Soup), Grilled Prawn Salad (Salad/Appetizer), and Pink Sauce Tagliatelle (Main Course).

Here is my honest opinion/review about the festive 4-Course Lunch & Dinner Menu

Soup – Creamy Seafood Chowder

The Creamy Seafood Chowder is one of the best seafood chowders I have had, and its flavour was well-balanced. The bacon bits added to the chowder gave it a smoky flavour which I like very much. This can be a suitable main course on its own.

Salad – Grilled Prawn Salad

As a seafood lover, the Grilled Prawn Salad made the perfect sense for me. It was light, refreshing, and zesty. The pomegranate and radish added a nice touch of colour to the greens; overall, the presentation was neat.

Main Course – Pink Sauce Tagliatelle

Now, I don’t take beef, and the only option available for their main course other than beef is the Pink Sauce Tagliatelle. I would have preferred if they had three options instead of just two options because, for the price of the menu, I am pretty sure many people would feel the same way about it too.

The Pink Sauce Tagliatelle is what I consider comfort food, and there is nothing much to shout about except maybe the pink-hued sauce, which is tangy and creamy.

Dessert – Matcha Lava Cake

The Matcha Lava Cake is the perfect ending to the whole dining experience. I like the rich flavour of the green tea infused into the lava cake; it was just so satisfying. This was probably the highlight of the entire dining experience.

Winestone is a restaurant, bar, and retail space combined into one, and they serve modern European cuisine. They have an elaborate wine list that is reasonably priced, and if you are looking for a place with a fine collection of wine coupled with a 2-hour free-flow wine package that starts from $28++ per person, Winestone is the place for it!

If you’re an oyster-lover like me, Winestone has a Tuesday Special where they serve Fine De Claire Oysters at $2.99++ per oyster and if you happen to be around the area in the afternoon, their 3-course weekday set lunch at $35++ is pretty decent as well. So, whether you’re looking to dine or drink, I’m sure Winestone has something for everyone (yes, including kids under 12)!

Winestone is located at 30 Stevens Road, where the Mercure Novotel Hotels On Stevens are. Mercure Singapore On Stevens has 518 guest rooms, and Novotel Singapore On Stevens has 254. Both hotels are part of the Accor group.

What To Know About Artificial Turf For Dogs?

By delta October 19, 2022

Do you want to make your yard a fun place for you and your dog to hang out? In addition to being a low-maintenance landscaping option, artificial grass also has various advantages for pet owners. It’s low maintenance and addresses frequent concerns of those who maintain pets on natural grass.

Let’s examine the advantages of fake grass before you go out and buy some.

Easy To Maintain

Numerous pet owners appreciate artificial turf because of how simple it is to maintain. This implies that there will be no difficulty in keeping it tidy after your dog utilizes it as its personal bathroom.

The liquid waste may be quickly removed by hosing down the grass, and the solid waste can be easily identified, picked up, as well as disposed of in an appropriate manner. This ensures that your family can have a picnic or enjoy other fun activities on this grass with no worries.

Even if your dog doesn’t defecate there, you should still clean it regularly. You can make the grass look brand new and perfect for lounging on by hosing off any dust or grime that may have accumulated on it.

This is preferable to natural grass, where an unwelcome surprise might easily be overlooked and lead to an unpleasant experience for the person standing or sitting on it. If the terrain is uneven, the grass is long, and there is mud present, it can be hard to see anything hiding in the grass. Follow the link for more https://www.whingewhingewine.co.uk/fake-grass-dogs.html.

It’s Not Muddy

As little as an eighth of an inch of rain may turn your entire yard into a muddy mess. And if your dog does find it, he or she may bring it inside, making a mess that will be a minor disaster to clean up.

This is not an issue with artificial grass. Dogs may go around and have fun in the rain, whether it’s light morning dew or a torrential downpour.

Looks Great No Matter What

Another major perk is that artificial grass won’t get worn down or damaged by your dog’s constant romping. It can be a big, active dog that plays ball for hours on end, but yet you’ll still see a beautiful garden after it’s done.

It makes no difference if your pet’s still playing outside in the snow or the rain. As a matter of fact, the grass will always look fantastic regardless of the weather.

Obviously, anyone with a rambunctious dog as well as a natural grass garden knows that he may make the grass seem uneven or muddy if it spends a lot of time on it, especially if it plays out there with kids or even other pets. Having an active dog in the household makes the already challenging task of maintaining natural grass even more so. Read more on this page.

It’s Fun to Play With

The fact that a synthetic lawn is so much fun to run and play on is perhaps the largest perk for your dog. He’ll especially enjoy the softness under his paws of a plush, spongy variety of grass.

Anyone in the family that enjoys life and wants to spend as much time as possible outdoors with their dog can benefit from this. Throwing oneself to the ground, rolling around, and generally having fun with one’s dog is a common activity for both children and adults.

The surface is perfect for playing on because it is smooth and level, making it a safe environment for kids to run around in. In other words, you may relax and let the kids and the dog run about without worrying about them tripping over the uneven terrain.

A natural grass area relies heavily on the flatness of the ground and the regularity with which it is mowed and watered. Playing on the lawn can be a lot of work, but with artificial turf for dog, you can have that experience without the hassle.

It Is Not Vulnerable to Dog Digging

Does your dog frequently dig up the garden, perhaps to hide bones? If you care about keeping your outdoor area looking well, this can be frustrating, but preventing the behavior may seem difficult.

Fortunately, preventing your pet from doing this in the future can be as easy as installing high-quality artificial grass. While your pet won’t be capable of digging as deeply as he once could, he can still have a good time here.

Because of this, you can rest assured that your lawn will be left looking great and ready to be shown off. Alternatively, he can have pleasure with other games, like throwing and catching a ball or stick, or perhaps just running and playing. If your dog tries to dig a hole and hide a bone in this grass, it won’t be able to.

The Iconic ISETAN Momiji Matsuri Fair Returns to NEX from 18 – 30 October with an Array of Japanese Seasonal Flavours

By delta October 13, 2022

In Japan, autumn is said to be the best time for feasting due to the abundance of harvesting crops in the season. Known in Japan as “食欲の秋” (shokuyoku no aki) which translates to “appetising autumn”, there are plenty of delectable foods that you can only enjoy during this season – juicy persimmons, salt-grilled mackerel
pike and aromatic pine mushroom rice to name a few.

NEX, in collaboration with ISETAN, celebrates the rich deep flavours of autumn by bringing back the iconic ISETAN Momiji Matsuri Fair after a two-year hiatus. Shoppers can indulge in a smorgasbord of yatai delicacies, sweet treats and premium fresh produce from 25 renowned Japanese brands. Happening from 18 to 30 October, the fair will be held at NEX Atrium Level 1 where shoppers can look forward to various seasonal food flavours from Japan.

Here are some of the highlights of this year’s fairs to keep an eye out for.

Making their debut this year at the fair are heritage brands such as Kurikoma Chaya, TOKIO and KINOKUNIYA.

Kurikoma Chaya upholds their traditional-style appeal while connecting with the younger generation by appealing to their Instagram aesthetics with traditional sweets that elegantly incorporate a mix of colourful fruits and trendy elements. Their Fruit Mochi Cake is a very popular dumpling set that combines the well-balanced sweetness of specialty red bean paste and fresh seasonal fruits with mascarpone cream (5 sticks for S$25).

If you prefer something easy to eat on-the-go, TOKIO’s Banana Crepe is a delectable bundle of whipped cream and banana, and comes individually packed for your convenience (S$3/pc)! These sweet Japanese crepes are Harajuku’s most popular street food, and are sold with various fillings and toppings such as seasonal fruits. The 57 year old fruit parlour brand offers the freshest fruits and fruit products, be sure to try their famed Fruit Almond Pudding and Fruit Jello, available in mixed fruits and strawberry versions.

Another highlight to look out for is KINOKUNIYA’s signature American-style Apple Pie (S$24.90), a long-time bestseller since 1959. First established in 1910 as a fruit merchant in Aoyama Tokyo, KINOKUNIYA has since expanded and now houses 34 stores mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan, offering well-loved ready-to-eat foods and specialty bakes.

KINOKUNIYA’s signature American-style Apple Pie features a generous amount of Japanese apples with a hint of cinnamon, and a pie crust with a crisp texture. Warm it up in the toaster to bring out the robust flavours even more, and enjoy it with your favourite toppings such as vanilla ice cream, fruit or whipped cream!

Yatai Fare Not to be Missed

Enjoy Takoyaki by Nakayama Shokuhin (1 pkt of 6 pcs for S$8) — delicious grilled octopus balls made of wheat flour-based batter and filled with diced octopus from Hakata, Kyushu.

Topped with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, green laver and dried bonito flakes, this is one of Japan’s best-known street foods that you don’t want to miss out on.

Taste the essence of the sea with Ijima Shoten’s wide array of seafood items, such as octopus, scallops, squid and shellfish. Sweet and full of umami, the characteristic seafood from Kumamoto is served in both braised and deep-fried style (S$8.80 for 100g braised, S$7.80 for 100g deep-fried) – perfect for seafood lovers to indulge in.

Experience a piece of Japanese food culture with classic comfort foods such as Omurice (S$13.80 for one serving) and beef skewers (S$13) from Tekiya. Savoury fried rice flavoured with ketchup and topped with a thin layer of fluffy omelette, Omurice is a popular favourite amongst children and adults alike.

Premium Japanese Speciality Produce

nonomo brings you unique local produce from all over Japan by small lesser-known manufacturers ranging from region-specific agricultural produce, novel sweets and snacks and sake. The 157 year-old Dewatsuru sake brewery located in the southern part of Akita Prefecture boasts a quaintly designed cup sake. Apart from the small capacity which makes it easy for beginners to try sake, the Dewatsuru Junmai Sake Cup (180ml) is available in assorted designs that are perfect to be re-used as drinking glasses (S$13.90 per cup).

Dewatsuru Junmai Sake Cup 180ml Assorted

The Shio Koji (Salty Fermented Rice) Miso (S$30 for 450g) from Takazawa Jozo is a world-class all-purpose seasoning that goes well with any kind of cuisine. This miso is made from Koshihikari rice and water from Noto with traditional manufacturing methods, resulting in a deep and unique flavour.

Make sure to head down to NEX from 18 October to 30 October for a mouthwatering good time at this year’s fair!

Momiji Matsuri Fair Information

Dates:
18 October to 30 October 2022

Address:
NEX Atrium Level 1

Timing:
18 October – 12pm to 9pm
Sunday – Thursday – 10:30am to 9pm
Friday & Saturday – 10:30am to 9:30pm
30 October – 10:30am to 8pm

Rekindling the Fire for Nando’s

By delta September 28, 2022

The last Nando’s meal that I had was many years ago at Plaza Singapura and recently, my love for Nando’s flame-grilled chicken rekindled after a lunch visit to their outlet at Tanglin Mall.

First things first. I honestly did not know that Nando’s originated from a small Johannesburg suburb in South Africa in 1987. This was new information to me and it was only after my most recent experience there that I realised just how much I didn’t know about Nando’s.

Many things have changed since my last visit but what has not changed is their tantalising signature PERi-PERi sauce that pairs so well with their flame-grilled chicken. Mealtime will also now look and taste so much better thanks to bigger and hotter bottomless offerings. For just SGD$17.90, you can enjoy a 1/4 chicken with bottomless drink and bottomless chips or rice and if you’re a student, you get an even better deal because there are student meals inclusive of bottomless drinks that are priced as low as SGD$11!

Nando’s is a company with a purpose!

One thing that I really admire about Nando’s is their hot pursuit towards quality and sustainability. You can be rest assured that meals at Nando’s are freshly made with no added MSG or additives and made with 100% natural ingredients. Nando’s chickens are marinated for at least 24 hours in a special PERi-PERi marinade and because every Nando’s restaurant adopts an open kitchen concept, you can excite your taste buds with the visual pleasure of watching each piece of chicken meticulously grilled to perfection by Nando’s master grillers.

Nando’s also grows their own African Bird’s Eye Chilli straight from the source in Southern Africa. These chillies are essentially what Nando’s signature PERi-PERi sauces are made of.

What’s more? Nando’s has a taste for art! They are the biggest collector of South African art in the world and every Nando’s restaurant will have a unique collection of South African decor.

I also had a hands-on experience learning how to make my very own PERi-PERi sauce. If you want to try and make your own PERi-PERi sauce, here are the base ingredients that you will need:

**Lemon Wedges, Diced Onion, Chopped Garlic, African Bird’s Eye Chilli, Oil, and Salt.**

Take a few pieces of African bird’s eye chilli, and pound them together with some diced onion and chopped garlic. Then add a teaspoonful of oil and squeeze approximately three wedges of lemon before adding some salt to taste.

I am so going to be a loyal fan of Nando’s! Join their loyalty programme and be rewarded with awesome perks such as 1/4 chicken, half chicken, and whole chicken on the 3rd, 6th, and 9th visit! You can also enjoy additional privileges with every meal on the Nando’s Loyalty Mobile App.

With Nando’s taking its bottomless deals to the next level with free-flow of chips or rice on top of their usual free-flow drinks, sauces, and frozen yoghurt alongside their flame-grilled chicken; this is absolutely the reason why you should make a trip to Nando’s!

Stand a Chance to Win Nikon Z30 worth $1679 with Decathlon’s Photo Contest

By delta September 2, 2022

For all you travel lovers and globetrotters, Decathlon has something special just for you! As part of the brand’s Back To Travel campaign, Decathlon Singapore will be running a photo contest in collaboration with Nikon Singapore. 100 lucky participants will be chosen to snap the best pictures or videos that feature themselves using the Forclaz Trekking 40L Backpack provided by the Decathlon team, to stand a chance in winning this exciting reward!

From today to 30 September 2022, stand a chance to win either a Nikon Coolshot 200 GII worth S$248, a S$500 Decathlon Gift Card, or the grand prize of a Nikon Z30 worth S$1,679! As the lightest and most compact Z series to date, the Nikon Z30 is made for your inner videographer. From teasers and reels to stories and streams, stand a chance to win this reward and begin your content-creator journey with the Nikon Z30. What’s more? Chosen submissions will also be featured on Decathlon’s Back to Travel campaign across Decathlon’s marketing channels!

To join, simply follow the guidelines below:

Complete this form and stand a chance to be part of the 100 selected participants.
Upon being selected, a Decathlon Singapore representative will be in touch to help you with the facilitation of bag collection.
Upon receiving the bag, participants will have to:

a. Capture 3 visual content, photos or videos, and upload them on Instagram or TikTok with #DecathlonTogether, #nikonsg and tag @decathlonsg

b. Shortlist 1 photo as your Key Visual for contest submission before 30 September 2022.

*Contest ends on 30 September 2022, 2359.

Submissions will be independently reviewed by Decathlon, Nikon, and The Secret Little Agency (TSLA) panel of judges. Winners will be announced on 7 October 2022, on Decathlon Singapore’s social media platforms.

Terms and conditions apply.* This contest is open to Singapore residents only.

World’s Simplest & Safest Hardware Wallet for All Your Crypto Assets

By delta August 27, 2022

The crypto world is not entirely new to me. I actually tried mining Bitcoin in the past but it got increasingly more difficult and costly because the code just gets tougher and tougher to crack. Hence, I drifted away from crypto to focus on my career and have only recently gotten back into the crypto scene when a friend of mine introduced me to the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

If you are new to crypto and you want to start putting some real money into it, you must be prepared to lose all your money and I really mean it! One thing you need to understand about cryptocurrency is that once you lose it, you really lose it forever. There is absolutely no way you can reverse transactions like how one can do so in a retail setting.

One crucial aspect that you need to be mindful about when entering the crypto space is being responsible for your own safety and security. There are many dodgy scam tactics that people will try to employ and this could include getting you to reveal the seed phrases to your crypto wallet through phishing and bots.

Now, whether you use a hot wallet or a cold wallet, there will always be recovery seed phrases that you will need to jot down and safekeep (in the event you lose access to your wallet and need to re-gain access). This has always been the case but not anymore!

Hugware®, the world’s first seed phrase-free wallet by a locally founded tech company, UKISS Technology, is now available for US$139 and it comprises of an Authentication Key (A-Key), a Rescue Key (R-Key), and a five year warranty!

Safe and easy to use, the Hugware® crypto hardware wallet is the epitome of state-of-the-art security that every crypto novice needs, providing a reliable recovery plan for their investments. Users can be rest assured that their private keys will always be at their fingertips with this new must-have tech accessory.

Hugware® is a great solution for those who tend to forget or lose their seed phrase and are looking for a self-custody wallet with a simpler recovery process, thanks to its master seed synchronisation capability. It boasts seamless key pairing, which ensures that private keys are generated and stored in the hardware while enabling backups through device pairing. That way, the seed does not have to be translated into recovery phrases and will not be exposed to human error, phishing, or theft.

Hugware®’s safe and secure technology is patented in more than 20 countries and significant markets, including the United States, Europe, China, India, and Southeast Asia. Each Hugware® comes with a Certificate of Authenticity recorded on blockchain.

How Hugware® Works

Each Hugware® comes in a pair. During setup, the master seed is generated in the Authentication Key (A-Key) and synchronised with the Rescue Key (R-Key). The A-Key is used to manage crypto assets and is the gatekeeper of your private keys. Simply plug it into your device to provide authentication or confirm transactions.

The R-Key can be kept for when users need to recover access in the future, and is your life-saving gizmo. Plug it into your device to recover private keys in case you lose the A-Key. The R-Key backs up your master seed for fast wallet recovery.

Featuring a sleek and streamlined design, the A-Key and R-key are pocket-sized, enabling users to easily carry it around wherever they go. Hugware® also comes with USB and USB-C connectors that users can plug into their devices.

Additionally, Hugware® comes equipped with a security system that is programmed to lock the device after 10 failed logins. This offers an added layer of security in the event you lose either one of your keys.

The fuss-free solution supports multiple blockchain networks and is available on desktop for Windows and MacOS, and soon on Android (iOS users will have to wait a little longer) .

As an iterative product that consistently works to improve itself, there will be more features to be added with every Hugware® version upgrade. These include new features such as U-Archive and U-Hide that are in the works.

U-Archive

Fortify your backup in the cloud. Secure your archives without compromising on space. The U-Archive encryption software allows you to encrypt large folders in your computer or in the cloud, and only the holder of the associated Hugware® can access the archive. This software is slated to launch in September 2022.

U-Hide

Hide your files while keeping them within reach. Protect your sensitive files and media assets with ease. U-Hide allows you to encrypt individual files in your computer while keeping them accessible: only the holder of the associated Hugware® can access those files. This software is slated to launch in November 2022.

UKISS Technology is also rewarding buyers of the Hugware® and other UKISS services with KISS Tokens to offset their next UKISS purchase.

Visit https://www.ukiss.io/ or https://t.me/UKISSTech and get your Hugware® today!

Gadget of The Year – A Review of the LUMOS NANO Projector

By delta August 18, 2022

Owning a portable projector has been on our list of wants for quite some time, but because of our busy lifestyle where we also have to take care of two (2) very active children, we hardly have time to do our research and purchase one.

Since we got the LUMOS TEMPO from LUMOS, we thought we might as well just give the LUMOS NANO a shot and go for it since the LUMOS Projector Brand has got so many positive reviews.

Aesthetics

The LUMOS NANO Projector sports a rectangular, boxy design, and its compact design makes it very convenient to bring around. Weighing just 400 grams, the weight of the LUMOS NANO Projector feels very similar to a can of soft drink. The look and feel of the LUMOS NANO do bear some resemblance to R2-D2 from Star Wars.

Performance & Quality

The performance and build quality of the LUMOS NANO Projector is what makes it stand out from other mini projectors.

The LUMOS NANO runs on the Android 9.0 operating system, and commonly-used applications such as Google Play Store, YouTube, and Netflix come pre-installed with the device. Other mini projectors in the market are not that “smart” because their only function is to mirror/duplicate the display of another device. As for the LUMOS NANO, it can run independently on its own without requiring another separate device. The LUMOS NANO projector also has the Airplay/E-Share function, which you can use to mirror your phone to show any content from your phone, all without any messy cables.

Although it was easy for us to use the inbuilt touchpad to navigate the user-friendly interface, we feel it is way easier to use the remote controller than the inbuilt touchpad to navigate the user interface.

Depending on the projection distances, the projected screen size of the LUMOS NANO is between fifty (50) to hundred (100) inches. One significant feature of the LUMOS NANO is the auto keystone (screen adjust) feature that allows it to be placed at any angle we want without worrying about distorted, off-axis images.

The only qualm we have about the LUMOS NANO is its short battery life of two (2) hours. If you plan to watch a movie or organise a Karaoke session with a group of friends, it is recommended that you plug the LUMOS NANO to a power source.

Having tested the LUMOS Nano Projector in both day and night settings, we have found that it works best in a dark and enclosed environment. Thanks to the premium DLP Tech feature and the powerful Dolby Audio speakers on the LUMOS NANO, the entertainment experience is rather pleasant and captivating.

Pricing

The LUMOS NANO is priced at only SGD$599 and comes with a one (1)-year local warranty. Just so you know, most other mini projectors in the market that share similar features as the LUMOS NANO are priced at SGD$900 and up.

Overall

We were so impressed with the LUMOS NANO Projector that we feel it deserves a ‘Gadget of the Year’ award.

The LUMOS NANO Projector is an all-in-one entertainment device that has undoubtedly wow-ed us with its power-packed features in so many ways. Whether you use the LUMOS NANO as a Bluetooth speaker to play some of your favourite Spotify hits or use it alongside your Bluetooth-enabled karaoke set, the sound quality of the LUMOS NANO beats almost every other small projector.

For the price of SGD$599, the LUMOS NANO Projector is a worthy buy if you want to replace your Smart Television (TV) with a more portable all-in-one multimedia entertainment device that you can bring around for your vacations/staycations/impromptu karaoke sessions.

This one-stop entertainment device allows you to share what you love and enjoy with the people that matter the most to you, and it is now available for purchase directly from LUMOS Projector via their website at www.lumosprojector.com/awl

Discover the beloved places and spaces that make Singapore home with My Community Festival 2022

By delta August 10, 2022

For the 5.6 million people who live in Singapore, home reflects a connection to a community and the continuation of time-honoured practices and memories. Exploring these unique and intimate connections is at the heart of My Community Festival (MCF), a ground-up community event from 5 to 21 August 2022.

Organised by the non-profit organisation, My Community, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, the third edition of the festival centres on the theme of ‘My Home Sweet Home’ and will give festival-goers exclusive access to the private spaces of the many communities in Singapore, including their homes, workplaces, places of worship, and communal spaces. This year’s programme will also spotlight three neighbourhoods which will become “festival villages”, and feature workshops and thought-provoking tours that allow visitors to discover more about the area’s history and uncover hidden gems.

This year’s line-up is the biggest, with 64 unique and riveting tours and experiences split across eight programme series. Each programme will be led by a member of the community who can bring different perspectives and understanding of home and community as they share intimate memories and knowledge about their personal spaces.

This year’s anchor programme series is “My Home, Truly”, which pays tribute to the different types of homes in Singapore. Tour participants will get to meet various groups of people ranging from foreign workers, animal shelter workers and students who will take them to the places where they lay their heads in. Participants can look forward to visiting spaces including a foreign worker dormitory, Singapore’s last kampung, and rental flats in Jalan Besar to hear heartwarming stories about creating homes out of these diverse housing types.

This year’s festival also includes several new programmes that provide perspectives on how people keep memories of home alive. For people who hold on to broken items for sentimental value, “Find My Fixer” offers participants an opportunity to restore them to their original state or find a new lease of life while doing their part to live sustainably and reduce waste in Singapore. This includes workshops with a soft toy “doctor”, kintsugi artist or teaware design for ceramics, and even a stained glass rescuer. The programme also offers an opportunity to meet Singapore’s own version of Marie Kondo, Amanda Ling, who can help revive spaces with the art of decluttering.

Festival goers can discover how expatriate communities recreate pockets of their home to form unofficial enclaves like Little Belgium, Little Philippines and Little Taiwan under “My Little Singapore”. Besides learning about their culture and their recommendations on where to find the most authentic taste of their hometown cuisine, participants can take the chance to reflect and appreciate how these communities contribute to Singapore’s identity as a melting pot.

Another programme, “What’s for My Dinner?” takes it a step further by having members of 20 Singaporean, ASEAN and international families, welcome visitors into their homes to serve up cultural dishes ranging from local fare, regional cuisine from Thai and Vietnamese food, to international flavours like African, Maharashtrian and Northern Chinese food.

Another new aspect of the festival is the introduction of three festival villages as part of the “My Lovely Neighbourhood” series of programmes. For each of the three weekends during the festival duration, the festival will spotlight a locale in Singapore to learn about its thriving community through a series of immersive tours, workshops, experiences and performances that are a result of My Community’s extensive community mapping exercise within these neighbourhoods.

For the first week, festival-goers can head to the quaint seaside town of Changi Village to get acquainted with its wartime history and the variety of shops and eateries. This is followed by a focus on Singapore’s largest motor repair village, Alexandra Village, which is also home to well-known hawkers and unique craftsmen like rattan weavers to glass installers; and lastly, the iconic Chinatown, where visitors can immerse themselves in the unique shophouses, discover the various clans’ associations and the mouthwatering food available.

Each festival village will feature three unique self-guided tours that can be accessed through My Community’s community map, comprising a main storyboard and wayfinding signages, allowing visitors to explore curated trails that capture different facets of these neighbourhoods. On the days when the festival village is running, visitors are encouraged to speak to the community stakeholders with stickers on their storefronts and get to know them better and attend co-curated workshops to get up close and personal with their trade.

Returning favourites such as Welcome to My Island Home, My Prayers and Practices, and After Hours @ My Community, have also been refreshed to align with this year’s theme, offering new and returning festival-goers an opportunity to discover the best that the festival has to offer from previous editions.

● Welcome to My Island Home: Discover the gems out of the city in a morning walk along six offshore islands led by ex-islanders and hear the stories of their beloved island communities. On top of visiting known islands like Pulau Ubin and Kusu Island, look out for special tours to visit transient islands like Pulau Hantu, and an exclusive tour into the Pacific Light Power Station on Jurong Island.

● My Prayers and Practices: Singapore is home to individuals of different races, languages, and religions. From the Jains and Zoroastrians to the Jews and Theravada Buddhists, join us on a journey to the places of worship of all 10 major religions in Singapore and learn about their cultures and practices. Additionally, there are private tours showcasing home-based rituals such as Seventh Month rituals at a shophouse, Eng Tiang Huat, and Baháʼí devotees introducing how prayers and practices are conducted differently in their homes!

● After Hours @ My Community: The city never sleeps with our unsung heroes keeping Singapore going at night while the rest of us sleep! Join in on a night walk around the spaces including Bukit Brown Cemetery that comes alive at night, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of some bustling hotspots, including Mandai Wildlife Reserve and Jurong Fishery Port.

For more information, visit https://mycommunityfestival.sg

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