A Winsome Life
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In Gift Ideas 7 Mins Read

It’s Been Two Months..!

Wow, time really flies and it has already been 2 months since I last blogged. For a start, I will like to thank all visitors and readers for your continuous support because even though I haven’t been sharing much, our page views have not been adversely affected and we still get emails and questions from time to time. This blog post will be very much a rojak piece as I have a flurry of thoughts going through in my mind right now and I don’t exactly know how to organise them.
On Car Ownership…

I scrapped my car before Chinese New Year this year and as much as I couldn’t bear to see my car being scrapped, I had no other options since my COE was due to expire. Car ownership in Singapore is expensive and as long as you want to have a vehicle on Singapore roads, you have to be prepared to pay a high price for it. So far, public transport has been a viable option for me and with a monthly fixed price of SGD$120, I could enjoy unlimited rides on the buses and trains. However, travelling via the public transportation has its own set of problems as well and I don’t have to elaborate on that.

Feel so lost without you my friend. Hope you’re at a better place now!

A photo posted by Melvin Lee & Jacqueline Teo (@awinsomelife) on

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I have contemplated getting a motorcycle to travel around but I honestly don’t have the confidence that I will be able to ride safely after seeing multiple videos of how drivers and riders operate their vehicles in Singapore. Then again, it is an option that I still keep with an open mind.

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Another interesting option to get around is cycling and I have tried to cycle from Dairy Farm (my workplace) all the way to Punggol (where I currently stay). I have to say, it was indeed a fun but tiring way to get around and will I ever do it again? Yes, I will! With NParks, LTA, and URA working on improving accessibility, I am looking forward to more cycling tracks and park connectors to get around.

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On Mobile Data…

MyRepublic looks set to be Singapore’s 4th telco and consumers like myself certainly welcome their entry to this oligopoly that is currently dominated by SingTel, M1, and StarHub. Back then, StarHub Mobile was a game changer when it introduced free incoming calls but now, MyRepublic is going to be the next game changer with unlimited data plans and I foresee it will become Singapore’s fastest growing telco if the other telcos still decide to have a data cap on all their mobile plans.

On a more serious note, I was very angry when I recontracted my StarHub mobile plan on 6 March 2016 because on 10 March 2016, StarHub announced their latest 3GB for SGD$3 promotion and it was applicable only to new lines and recontract lines from 10 March 2016 onwards. Had I known that the promotion will be rolled out on 10 March 2016, I would have chose to recontract my line later so that I can be eligible for the promotion. Now, I can’t wait for my contract with StarHub to expire so that I can make the switch over to MyRepublic… all thanks to StarHub’s unethical business and marketing promotion.

On The Outdoors…

Some of you might have noticed that my focus right now is very much based on the outdoors and it will be the direction that I will be heading towards in the next 2-3 years. This will also mean more sharing about the outdoors and some pretty personal reflections. Sponsors in the sports, adventure and outdoors arena are welcome and I am open to reviewing apparels, equipment, and footwear. Companies who have upcoming events in these fields are also welcome to email me for event listings.

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On Upcoming Events…

Mizuno Ekiden is back in Singapore after its successful inauguration in 2015 and for its second edition that will be taking place at The Promontory @ Marina Bay on 16 July, the race will take place in the evening!

I would say, the decision to hold the race in the evening is a welcomed one because previously when the race was held in the morning, the weather turned extremely hotter towards the early afternoon and it was very challenging to run.

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In Japanese terms, Ekiden refers to a relay-styled long distance running and the Mizuno Ekiden 2016 strives to instill and portray remarkable Japanese values such as individual perseverance, teamwork and the ability to showcase a high level of performance in intense and challenging situations.

Runners will participate in teams of four where the first runners of each team will start at The Promontory @ Marina Bay while donning a traditional tasuki sash. Upon completing his or her leg of the relay race, the sash will be passed to the second runner who will be waiting at the transition area. This process will continue until the sash is donned by the fourth runner, who will finish the race and join the rest of his or her team members at the finish line.

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While waiting for the final runner to cross the finish line, the rest of the team members can enjoy a spread of Japanese gourmet such as ramen and desserts at the Matsuri Race Village. Matsuri refers to a festival or a holiday in the Japanese context.

#SoupStockTokyo setting up shop at #mizunoekidensg race village. Yum yum! The Hokkaido Crab Bisque is really good!

A photo posted by Melvin Lee & Jacqueline Teo (@awinsomelife) on

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Ultimately, the entire Mizuno Ekiden 2016 experience will provide a holistic Japanese experience for all.

Runners can register in teams of four across three categories; the Open Category (42.195km), the Open Category (21.1km) and the Corporate category (21.1km).

You can find more information about Mizuno Ekiden 2016 by visiting http://www.mizuno.asia/ekiden or https://www.facebook.com/MizunoEkiden.

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In Gift Ideas 4 Mins Read

Enjoy Travelling? Here Are 3 Services That You Might Find Worthwhile!

Ok, I know the title of this blog post might sound rather cheesy or maybe I sound like I am going to market and sell WorldVentures DreamTrips but no, I am not going to do that. Rather, I am going to share 3 travel services that you might find useful when planning for your next staycation/vacation/holiday or whatever you call it.
Klook

I first chanced upon Klook in August this year and I must say, it was and is still a worthy find because they offer some very interesting itineraries and attractions at really attractive prices. For my upcoming honeymoon to Thailand, I bought entrance tickets to Art in Paradise Bangkok, Nanta Show, and Safari World Bangkok and they were pretty value for money.

Honestly, what I really love about Klook is that they also offer some out-of-the-ordinary itineraries and tours. Some of such itineraries and tours include a Hangover Tour in Bangkok, a Submarine Adventure in Jeju, South Korea, and a Tokyo, Japan Helicopter Cruise!

In 6 days’ time, I will be going for a Paramotor Flight in Hua Hin, Thailand and I am very excited about it. Can’t wait to share our honeymoon itinerary when we’re back from Thailand!

Well, if you are planning for a unique holiday, you might want to consider booking some of the unique tours that Klook has to offer! I’m sure Klook has something that will interest you.

OneThreeOneFour

Want to book your dream wedding photoshoot anywhere in the world but don’t know where to begin?

OneThreeOneFour comes to the rescue! Founded by the dynamic couple, Scott and Eve, OneThreeOneFour is a Singapore-based start-up that allows couples to discover and book wedding photographers from anywhere in the world.

I know some couples (us included) like their wedding photos to be taken overseas and it can be quite a tedious process to search for a trustworthy and reliable wedding photographer especially when they’re based overseas. If you have been to wedding shows, you might have come across some overseas wedding studios selling their wedding photography packages but what you are probably concern about is whether they will close shop and part with your hard earned money.

With OneThreeOneFour, you can find specially hand-picked and verified wedding photographers from around the world and browse through their portfolios. What’s more, you can chat with the photographers, confirm the photoshoot date, book and make payment all on OneThreeOneFour!

So… if you are planning to have your wedding photos taken overseas, OneThreeOneFour might be just the platform to begin your search and when you’re done with all those photoshoot, be sure to also check out Klook for some wacky tours and itineraries.

ZenPass

How would you like if you could receive four mysterious 3 Days 2 Nights travel holidays a year for just SGD$99 a month (SGD$1188 a year)?

Well, the idea of a subscription service is not new especially since subscription boxes are a pretty big hit but a travel subscription is almost unheard of and what makes ZenPass so interesting is that you won’t quite know what you will be receiving or where you will be going until 1 month before your flight.

Every three months (subscribers would have paid SGD$297 by then), subscribers will receive 3 different combinations of 3 Days 2 Nights package that includes flights and accommodations to a destination in Southeast Asia and there won’t be any itinerary. Out of those 3 different choices, all you have to do is just choose one and you’re ready to go!

And what if none of the 3 Days 2 Nights package offered isn’t to your liking?

ZenPass guarantees that you can get all your money back if you don’t like the options presented to you and you are given the flexibility to cancel anytime!

Should you like the idea of a mysterious 3 Days 2 Nights flight and accommodation package that cost SGD$297, do also set some realistic expectations because for such a price, I hope you are not expecting 5-star accommodations and first class flights.

Want to be well-travelled?

Sign up for ZenPass here and because you’re travelling somewhere with no itinerary, you might want to check out Klook to see if they offer any interesting tours at your destination!

Ok, in case you’re wondering, I’m not trying to hard sell Klook or anything like that. In fact, Klook, OneThreeOneFour, and ZenPass are all start-ups and I feel that all three of them complement each other really well.

In fact, A Winsome Life (our start-up that provides Personal Concierge Services) complements all three start-ups too and it is with great pleasure that we share about their intriguing and useful services!

Alright, that’s all for now.

Counting down to 3 more days before we leave for our honeymoon!

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In Gift Ideas 3 Mins Read

(Mobile Phone Review)- ASUS ZenFone Selfie

We recently received an ASUS ZenFone Selfie and over the past week, we have put it to the test and in this review, you will find out what we think of the smartphone and whether you ought to buy this phone for your personal use.

By its name, you would probably have an inkling that the ASUS ZenFone Selfie is a mobile phone for people who like to take selfies and I don’t deny that. Both the front and rear camera of the phone have a huge 13-Megapixel resolution and they include dual-LED Real Tone flash technology for perfect illumination in any lighting conditions.

Given such specs for its camera, I must admit, the ASUS Zenfone Selfie does take exceptional photos and I am pretty impressed with how some of my photos turned out. The camera function also has some cool features to edit and touch up the photos. But of course, if you’re the kind of person who believes in using the #nofilter hashtag, the camera is still good for taking high quality photos.

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.jsA performance driven smartphone?

Definitely not.

The ASUS Zenfone Selfie is not cut out for it and running multiple apps on the phone will definitely slow the phone down. I will generally not recommend users to multitask on the ASUS Zenfone Selfie unless necessary because the phone will be quite sluggish.

Having said that, if photography is your thing and you’re looking for a smartphone that will also allow you to surf Facebook, upload photos to Instagram, and text your friends; then the ASUS Zenfone Selfie is something that you might want to consider. One thing that I really like about the ASUS ZenFone Selfie is its dual-sim capability and what that also means for me is that whenever I go overseas for a vacation; I could just purchase a tourist sim card and insert it alongside my main sim card. Image Credits to Fone Arena

The battery of the ASUS ZenFone Selfie is removable and it allows users to take out an empty battery and slot in a fully-charged spare battery when the need arises. In my personal opinion, there may be no need for a spare battery because the battery life of the ASUS ZenFone Selfie is rather decent and despite me being quite a heavy user, the phone could last me an entire day.

To buy or not to buy?

Well, for the price of SGD$379, the ASUS Zenfone Selfie may be considered pricey for students but well within the reach of most working adults.

But is the phone worth the price tag?

Probably yes and probably not. It all depends on how much you are willing to pay for a phone like the ASUS Zenfone Selfie.

As for a performance-driven person like me?

I reckon that the ASUS ZenFone 2 might be a more suitable choice.

Not looking for a phone but some other hardware like an All-in-One PC or even a smartwatch?

You might want to check out the new products such as the ASUS Zen AiO Pro PC or ASUS ZenWatch 2 that were recently launched at the ASUS Zensation event.

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In Gift Ideas 3 Mins Read

Product Review- The Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack

I’m a pretty adventurous tech geek and as much as possible, I try to lug my electronics wherever I go. Yes, I need to work even when I travel and staying connected to the World Wide Web is so essential for me. However, more often than not, I get my electronics scratched or even damaged when I bring them out for my frequent hikes and climbs.
Not wanting to leave things to chance, I have all my electronics i.e. mobile phone, camera, laptop, and tablet suited up with bulky protection casings but they are extremely cumbersome to bring around.

Recently, I received the Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack and it is the best gift ever!

Designed to resist harsh environments, battling city crowds, busy commute, and the erratic weather, the Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack offers the ultimate protection against shocks, abrasion, vibration, moisture, and dust.

If you are imagining a cumbersome and heavy hard-casing backpack right now, you’re definitely wrong. The Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack is no way near that though you will be surprised to learn that it has passed the US Military Grade drop test specifications, protecting devices even at drops of up to 4 feet.

With a reinforced rugged base and corner that boost durability and reliability, the straps and back panel of the Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack are also designed with added breathable vents for maximum comfort.

Personally, what the Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack really impresses me the most is the Safeport 3D Protection System which is built with memory foam. The suspended protection vault provides my laptop with 360 degrees protection against impact. Combined with the water and wear-resistant bottom along with an integrated protective tablet sleeve, the Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack helps keep my valuable electronic devices intact.

For a typical hike/trek, I will usually bring my ASUS UX303 laptop, my Samsung Note 4 phone, an Olympus EPL-6 camera, a standard first-aid kit, some work documents, biscuits, and bottled drinks, and I am really delighted that I could have all the items packed into my Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack without much hassle.

Sturdy but very comfortable to carry around, I appreciate the ergonomic adjustable shoulder straps along with a built-in lumbar support beam that the Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack has to offer. Every hike/trek is ultra-comfortable even when I have to carry heavy-duty items in the large compartments.

Not entirely convinced? Well, you should check out this video!

If you are keen to buy the Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack, you can find it at Harvey Norman Millenia Walk, Digital Style @ Suntec City, Challenger @ Funan DigitaLife Mall, or Micro Interface @ Funan DigitaLife Mall. The retail price for it is SGD$229.90

Psst… Lazada Singapore is retailing the Targus Grid Advanced 32L Backpack for only SGD$159!

For more information about the other ranges of Targus Backpacks, do check out Targus Official Website!

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In Gift Ideas 3 Mins Read

What I Really Love About The Pebble Time Smartwatch

I am a sucker for smartwatches. I own the Samsung Galaxy Gear and LG G Watch R smartwatches and I even tried a couple of other smartwatches from different brands but still, none of them could match up to my expectations in terms of battery life and user-interface until I recently got my hands on the Pebble Time smartwatch.

Unlike the smartwatches I owned, the Pebble Time Smartwatch is truly a winner in terms of its battery life. On a single charge which takes about 20 minutes to half an hour to get fully charged, the Pebble Time smartwatch could last me for 4 to 5 days of heavy usage. Even when the battery is at zero percent, I like the fact that I could still read the time as the Pebble Time smartwatch would not turn off by itself or black out immediately.

The design of the Pebble Time smartwatch is rather simple and it may not be aesthetically impressive. With a squarish display, a polycarbonate shell, and a wide silicone band; I honest feel out of place when I wear the Pebble Time smartwatch to a formal business meeting but seriously, I don’t really care because it is sporty and comfortable to wear. On second thought, I really do think the Pebble Time Round Smartwatch (another smartwatch model from Pebble) is a worthy companion for formal events!

Checking the time and reading the notifications on the Pebble Time smartwatch is also a breeze for me. With its always-on reflective colour display, I like how I can activate the built-in backlighting with a simple flick of my wrist. Coupled with the new timeline interface, the Pebble Time smartwatch is really nifty and handy.

However, I would not entirely say that the Pebble Time smartwatch is a perfect smartwatch for everyone. If you want a smartwatch that is sexy, well-designed and packed with many rich features, the Pebble Time smartwatch is not something that I will recommend to you. In fact, the Pebble Time smartwatch is meant for the minimalist individual who doesn’t mind spending $149.99 USD on a timepiece that offers the basic functionalities of a smartwatch.

If you make a comparison between the Pebble Time smartwatch and its competitors which are in the same price range, the Pebble Time smartwatch is definitely bound to lose because its competitors would offer features such as a touchscreen display, GPS, NFC support, and a heart rate monitor while the Pebble Time smartwatch does not. But what is really amazing is that despite the minus points, it has not stopped the Pebble Time smartwatch from becoming the best well-funded project in the whole of Kickstarter’s history.

Seriously, if there is one thing that I wish the Pebble Time smartwatch will have; it would be a sapphire glass display because being a rugged and adventurous guy who is always on the move, the probability of me scratching my watch display is very high and a hardy display that can weather the impact of hairline scratches is deeply appreciated. If water sports is your thing, you might want to know that the Pebble Time smartwatch has a water resistance of up to 30m and that makes it super weatherproof.

Looking for a Christmas gift to give to a geeky man? The minimalist smartwatch that is waterproof and functional might just be it.

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In Gift Ideas 5 Mins Read

3 Tips To Start Your Very Own First Wet-Shaving Adventure

I wasn’t taught how to use a razor blade properly and when I first started using the razor blade, I had my fair share of cuts and nicks. After a few more bloody attempts, I totally gave up on using the razor blade to shave and I made the switch to an electric shaver.

Image Credits to Badger and Blade

So… a long time ago, I bought my first expensive electric shaver, the Braun 760 CC and it cost me quite a bomb. At first, I really enjoyed using the electric shaver and because the purchase came with the Braun Clean and Renew System, I could get my electric shaver automatically cleaned, charged, lubricated, and dried; all at the push of a button. However, what irks me over time is the fact that I could still feel my facial hair with my bare hands even after shaving. It also doesn’t help when I tend to wake my wife up every morning when I shave due to the loud noise that is generated by the electric shaver.

Image Credits to Braun

Recently, I was re-introduced to wet shaving; and this time, thanks to Christian Mueller who is one of the third generation owners of MÜHLE, I grabbed some quick wet-shaving tips from him and I now enjoy wet-shaving using the R 89 Twist Safety Razor from MÜHLE.

If you are clueless and new to wet-shaving, here are some tips that I have gotten from Christian Mueller to help get you started!

1. Get everything you need to have a complete wet-shaving experience.

You will need a shaving bowl, shaving cream, shaving balm, double edge safety razor, shaving towel, and shaving brush. To get everything you need, the price can range from a few hundreds to a few thousands and because you have decided to invest heavily to achieve an entirely clean baby-face shave, make sure you get products that are dependable and are of high quality.

Image Credits to MÜHLE

If you have sensitive skin like I do, using a single flat blade razor would be better than a 3-blade razor (e.g. Gillette Mach 3) or 5-blade razor (e.g. Gillette Fusion) because a single flat blade razor will create lesser stress on the skin. Also, avoid using mass-produced shaving skincare products (for e.g. those shaving creams and shaving balms that you can find off-the-shelves at the local supermarket) because more often than not, they contain low-quality ingredients and chemicals that can be harmful and cause irritation to the skin.

2. Prepare your skin for the shave.

To get a smooth and painless wet-shaving experience, it is extremely important to thoroughly prepare the skin before shaving.

Use a towel which is soaked with comfortably hot water and tap it on your face to open the pores and soften the facial hair for about 1 to 2 minutes. Then, lather some shaving cream onto your face with a shaving brush.

The shaving brush combined with the shaving cream helps to prepare the skin and the facial hair for the shave. The lathering of cream on the face with the brush massages all the goodness of the cream into the skin and it makes the skin and facial hair softer. The brush also brings the facial hair in the right positon and lets it stand up. A standing facial hair which is softened up is much easier to be cut by a sharp blade than a hair which is hard and still “hugging” the skin.

Image Credits to MÜHLE

If the preparation is not done properly, it will be a rough and unclean shave, as hair is pulled out rather than gently cut.

Shaving right after a shower can also be ideal for some people as the skin and facial hair is already softened. Some people do use the shaving soap to lather up but if using a shaving soap causes your skin to be too dry, use a shaving cream instead.

3. Finally, getting down to the actual wet-shaving.

Carry out the first shave by shaving along the grain (i.e. hair-growing direction) of the facial hair. If there are still some facial hairs left after the first shave, consider lathering up a second time and perform a second shave. For the second shave, shave across or against the grain of the facial hair so that you get an ultra-close shave.

Image Credits to MÜHLE

After you are done shaving, rinse your face with cold water, the colder the better as this will help your skin pores to close up. Lastly, dry your face gently with a towel and apply an aftershave.

Planning to get a suitable gift for a man?

Well, a complete shaving kit may just be it! To check out some of MÜHLE products that are available in Singapore, do head down to the Men’s Section of Takashimaya.

And if the above shaving tips seems too wordy, check out this very informative and helpful MÜHLE video tutorial by The Nomad Barber.

Are you ready to begin your first wet-shaving adventure?

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In Gift Ideas 3 Mins Read

RICE & @LittleMissBento VIP Workshop at Motherworks, Great World City

I always have the impression that intricate, cute, and creative Japanese bento sets are extremely difficult to make but after attending a bento-making workshop that was conducted by Shirley a.k.a. @LittleMissBento; I now know that it isn’t really that difficult at all.

An award-winning bento artist and also a cookbook author based in Singapore, Shirley is also the first certified Singaporean instructor with the Japan Sushi Instructors’ Association and a bento specialist for Bento&co. Just so you know, Shirley’s bento creations have been featured in numerous local and international media and it was indeed a privileged for Jacqueline and me to have learnt from her in person.

If you also want to learn how to make attractive and tasty bento sets for your children, you really should check out littlemissbento.com and consider purchasing one of Shirley’s book entitled, “Kawaii Bento”. You can get the book from all major bookstores in Singapore including Kinokuniya Singapore, Popular, Times bookstores!

As the bento-making workshop that we attended was organised by the folks from RICE and Motherswork, we also had the opportunity to learn about RICE, a Danish home wares and accessories company that is well known for their colourful melamine, handmade baskets and storage, and their hand glazed tableware.

Founded in late 1998 by Charlotte, RICE offers home wares and accessories that are down to earth but still funky, fun, and functional.

For me personally, I find the home wares and accessories really colourful and they are very suitable for organising a fun and funky party at home. Some of the home wares are also children-friendly and good for decorative purposes at home! With beautiful designs that have such a powerful and positive meaning to it, RICE’s home wares and accessories also serve as an inspiration too.

What struck me the most about RICE and its products?

Well, it has got to be RICE’s corporate social responsibility.

As most of RICE’s products are made by workers in third world countries; they ensure that all of their joyfully colourful products are produced with high regards to human rights, healthy labour conditions and with no use of child labour.

RICE also does charity and takes an active part in developmental projects around the world. They cooperate with different organisations to create viable and socially responsible development in third world countries.

To check out RICE’s collection of products that are available in Singapore, you can drop by the Motherswork Retail Store at Great World City.

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In Beauty and Fashion 4 Mins Read

Have You Ever Been To Palais Renaissance in Singapore?

I am probably ignorant about my surroundings whenever I head down to Orchard because yes, I have heard of the sleazy Orchard Towers, the shabby Far East Shopping Centre, and the big Toys “R” Us outlet at Forum The Shopping Mall; but I have never heard of Palais Renaissance.

If not for a media event that was held last week at Palais Renaissance, I will probably still be a suaku [mountain tortoise] and not know that such a place exists in Singapore. Well, getting to Palais Renaissance is not that difficult but finding the way that leads to the carpark is. With just 32 tenants that caters mainly to an upscale clientele, Palais Renaissance is a small cosy shopping mall that has escalators that are wide enough for only 1 person.

Negative much?

Not really.

In fact, there are a couple of things that we uncovered about Palais Renaissance that truly makes it a well-hidden gem.

First and foremost, Palais Renaissance does not cater only to an affluent clientele. What we found quite affordable at Palais Renaissance are the dining options that are available even for the casual passers-by. Whether it is Jing Hua Xiao Chi, Ishinomaki Grill & Sake Bar, P. Bistro, or PS.Cafe; you will not burn a big hole in your pocket for dining at Palais Renaissance.

When we were there at Palais Renaissance, we had the privilege of dining at Jing Hua Xiao Chi and it was a dining experience that I will never forget because the taste and the flavours of the food evoked so much personal memories of my childhood days.

Founded in 1989, Jing Hua Xiao Chi was started by native Singaporeans, Mr. and Mrs. Han, and was located at the place first known as the “Qun Zhong Eating House”. The family started Jing Hua as a means to make ends meet, and took their recipes from Mr. Han’s mother, who lived in Shanghai, and from Mrs. Han, who made good dumplings at home. That is how it all began, and over the years, the family slowly adapted their recipes to suit Singaporean tastes.

It is interesting to note that Jing Hua’s menu has remained unchanged at Neil Road since its beginning and this is a true testament of how consistent quality can withstand the test of time. Prepared with ingredients sourced from Chinatown’s wet markets, Jing Hua has built a strong reputation for serving up delicious homemade dumplings over the years.

Needless to say, we will definitely be patronising Jing Hua Xiao Chi again and if you are searching high and low for an affordable homely fare that has a traditional taste [古早味] to it, Jing Hua Xiao Chi is the place.

Apart from dining at Jing Hua Xiao Chi at Palais Renaissance, we also visited DeFRED Jewellers and TOUCHE Elite to find out more about the products and services they have to offer.

DeFRED Jewellers was established since 1984 and it is a brand name that is synonymous with precious pieces of fine jewellery. They are a specialised quality jewellery boutique so prices for their intricate jewellery are expectedly exorbitant. If splurging is your cup of tea, get SGD$200 off when you “like” DeFRED’s Facebook Page, follow them on Instagram, and quote DeFRED’s slogan, “Ultimate Gift of Love by DeFRED”.

As for TOUCHE Elite, they offer aesthetic treatments that are mainly for the ladies and they recently launched a new and advanced C Plus Anti-aging Treatment with RF Tech; a remarkable advanced scientific breakthrough medical-aesthetic technologies that defy skin’s aging and helps combat pigmentation.

Well, we haven’t had any treatments done at TOUCHE Elite and so we can’t really share much but if you would like to find out more about the aesthetic treatments that are available, you can visit their website at http://www.cls-touche.com/.

Having been to Palais Renaissance, we must say that the experience has been overall a pleasant one. If we ever visit again, it would most probably be to dine at the rest of the other food and beverage restaurants or to probably get an exclusive gift that can’t be found elsewhere.

So… have you been to Palais Renaissance? Yes, you have just been there after reading this blog post!

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In Gift Ideas 3 Mins Read

Have A Taste Of Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Core Ice Cream!

You probably don’t know this but both Jacqueline and I are really big fans of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. When we first dated each other, Ben & Jerry’s was our staple and we cannot live without a pint of Chunky Monkey every fortnight.

Image Credits to Ben & Jerry’s

Since then, Ben & Jerry’s has become a significant part of our lifestyle and we can’t help but to indulge ourselves with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream whenever we buy our groceries at the supermarket.

So what made us fall in love with Ben & Jerry’s?

What really made us fall in love with Ben & Jerry’s in the very first place is the company’s values and three-part mission. You can read more about Ben & Jerry’s here.

More recently, Ben & Jerry’s is advocating strongly for a climate change and if you are in favour of supporting this cause, you can join in and sign the petition here.

Image Credits to Ben & Jerry’s

When Jacqueline and I visited Cold Storage a few days ago, we noticed that Ben & Jerry’s launched two new exciting flavours, the Boom Chocolatta and the Spectacular Speculoos. These cookie core ice cream comes with a delicious, gooey, cookie-based centre.

Image Credits to Ben & Jerry’s

The Boom Chocolatta flavour is essentially a mix of mocha and caramel ice creams with chocolate cookies, fudge flakes and a chocolate cookie core while the Spectacular Speculoos flavour is made of a mix of dark caramel and vanilla ice creams with Speculoos cookies and a Speculoos cookie butter core.

Image Credits to Ben & Jerry’s

Personally, I enjoy the taste and scent of cinnamon and so the Spectacular Speculoos appealed greatly to me. However, Jacqueline being a chocolate and coffee addict would very much prefer the Boom Chocolatta. Either way, the both of us have tried these two flavours and we just can’t have enough of them.

What Ben & Jerry’s cookie core ice cream surprises us the most was the fact that we have met the Flavour Guru behind these cookie core ice cream and he is none other than Peter Lind himself! You can read more about our interaction with Peter Lind here.

Image Credits to Ben & Jerry’s

Highly addictive and very satisfying, the Boom Chocolatta and the Spectacular Speculoos are available at all major supermarkets, convenience stores, and Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops for SGD$16.50 a pint.

Are you keen to have a taste of Ben & Jerry’s cookie core ice cream and share them with your colleagues and friends?

Well, you can stand a chance to win a Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Core tour to your office or school just by doing three simple steps:

1. Follow Ben & Jerry’s Singapore on Facebook

2. Comment on Ben & Jerry’s #CookieCoreWith Post and tell Ben & Jerry’s that you would like the Cookie Core Tour to go down to your office or school, and remember to use the hashtag #CookieCoreWith and tag all your colleagues and friends

3. Wait for Ben & Jerry’s to contact the lucky moo-niacs!

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In Gift Ideas 5 Mins Read

It Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive To Listen To Music

When I was much younger and still using the public transportation system, I would always have my ears cupped with a set of headphone or plugged with a pair of earphones because being an introvert, I would prefer listening to my playlist than to interact with people.
I was very much in my own world back then and I would always listened intently to the tracks over and over again just so that I could figure out the drum beats and chords used in the song.

So, how do I accurately determine the drum beats and chords used in a song?

Well, I had to use a high-quality earphone or headphone that is able to produce crisp and clear audio. There is indeed a stark contrast between an average earphone/headphone and a high-quality one. Many people often have the misconception that earphone/headphone are made the same and they produce the same audio quality but the truth is certainly far from that.

If you visit an electronics store frequently, you would have noticed that there are cheap and affordable earphone/headphone out there and there are also the very expensive ones too. With plenty of options available, how then do you decide which earphone/headphone is the most suitable one for you?

Firstly, you need to decide on your budget. Do bear in mind that the higher your budget, the more options there will be for you to choose.

But what if you are on a low budget?

Just because an earphone/headphone is cheap and affordably priced, it doesn’t mean that the quality may necessarily be bad. After you have decided on how much you want to spend on an earphone/headphone, the next thing you need to ask yourself is what kind of features/functions you want to get out of the product. The more features/functions you want to have in an earphone/headphone, the more money it is going to cost you.

For a very decent earphones that is super affordable, I highly recommend the GoGear Alumies Earphones [Model Number: GEP4005]. It is pretty stylish, lightweight, and best of all; the sound quality is very decent for the price that one has to pay!

In case you’re wondering, the GoGear brand of products is the latest addition to the portable audio range under Gibson Innovations and Gibson Innovations is part of the Gibson Brands Inc., one of the world’s leading music lifestyle companies [guitarists would definitely be able to identify with the Gibson brand].

Costing only SGD$29.90, the GoGear Alumies Earphone comes with a 1-year local warranty and you can get them at Mustafa and selected 7-Eleven stores in Singapore. Should anything happen to the Earphone due to a defect, you can do a one-to-one exchange with Hwee Seng Electronics [the sole distributor in Singapore for GoGear].

Psst… we are running a giveaway on Instagram & Facebook and we will be giving away 3 sets of GoGear Sparklers! If you are interested, click  for more details!

For a wallet-friendly wireless Bluetooth headphone that is lightweight, you might want to consider the very stylish and sleek Jabra Move Wireless Headphone that offers a surprisingly superior and comfortable audio-listening experience.

One thing I really like about the Jabra Move Wireless Headphone is that when Bluetooth is unavailable, such as during long-haul flights or with non-Bluetooth enabled devices; a detachable 3.5mm audio cable [that is included in the package] can be used for an equally outstanding sound experience.

The battery life is pretty decent and its price tag of SGD$148 is slightly higher but very reasonable. Available in Gold, Cobalt Blue, Cayenne Red and Coal Black, you can get the Jabra Move Wireless Headphones at Jabra’s GoWireless Online Store.

Well, if you are the extroverted sort of person and you enjoy being social; you probably might want to consider the Logitech Ultimate Ears MegaBoom Bluetooth Speaker! It boasts a bold and iconic design and it has a long battery lifespan that can last almost an entire day.

One thing I admire about the Logitech Ultimate Ears MegaBoom Bluetooth Speaker is the fact that it is shock-proof and has a waterproof rating of IPX7.

However, don’t be fooled by its bulky shape; not only does it blast freakishly amazing 360-degree sound with deep, heart-pounding bass, the Logitech Ultimate Ears MegaBoom Bluetooth Speaker actually weighs even lesser than a 1KG-pack of flour and you can even pair it up with another MegaBoom to pump up the volume!

However, the only qualm I have about the Logitech Ultimate Ears MegaBoom Bluetooth Speaker is the super-expensive price tag of SGD$399. If you have the dough to splurge, you can get it from the Apple Online Store.

So, how much will you spend on a set of earphones/headphones?

As for me, I guess it really depends on what I want to get out of my audio-listening experience.

For everyday commuting use, I will probably consider an affordable pair of earphone that is durable and offers an immersive audio-listening experience while for office use or business trips, I will consider a pair of wireless headphones; and well, if I’m organising a get-together party at home or having a game of volleyball at the beach, a wireless portable waterproof Bluetooth Speaker will surly come in handy.

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