Wala Wala Café Bar

“On a scale of 10, Wala Wala would garner an 8. The waiters and waitresses do their job with professional efficiency, working quickly and without gripe.”
— Seow Xian Yong, student

ALL work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. You’ve heard these words before, but they seem to have become even truer in the context of today’s world. Every single day, we are consumed with deadlines, on top of our day-to-day job obligations. Even students, like Seow Xian Yong, 22, are not spared from this grim reality. Text and inteview by Benjamin Chan.

A current full-time IT & Networking degree student at MDIS, Xian Yong is plagued by project deadlines and assignment on a regular basis. Project meetings, presentations, lectures are just part and parcel of his everyday life. However, he seeks comfort in the knowledge that each passing day is another day closer to a night out at Wala Wala Café Bar.

Situated in Holland Village, Wala Wala plays host to people from all walks of life. On weekdays, the crowd is young professionals and working executives. On weekends, it’s university students winding down after a hard week in school. Good live band music, a fantastic selection of tasty finger foods and perfectly baked, thin-crust pizzas make Wala Wala one of the best places in town for a night’s out.

What would you like to recommend today?
Wala Wala ― more affectionately known to locals as Wala. One of the most popular, impossible-to-miss café bars located in the heart of the ever-popular Holland Village.

How did you discover it?
My friends and I have been shuttling back and forth between other establishments when we decided to check what Wala had to offer. The first thing that captured our attention was the pizzas, which are to die for. When we moved up to the second floor, we caught the absolutely fantastic live band, which belted timeless classics and modern songs.

What sets it apart from other establishments that offer the same thing?
What cements Wala in the hearts of many has got to be the fantastic offering on their menu. Their Buffalo Wings and Calamari Rings are, again to die for, and can be seen on the tables of many patrons. Couple that with good drinks and good music, and you have a winning combination.

Exactly how good is their service?
On a scale of 10, they would garner an 8. The waiters and waitresses do their job with professional efficiency, working quickly and without gripe. At times, however, it can be hard to grab hold of any staff given the sheer number of patrons.

Is there a good time to go there?
It’d be good to be early as it tends to get really crowded as the night wears on. Ideally 8pm would be a good time as you’d get to enjoy the “acoustic happy hour” before the main act starts at 9.30pm.

View original article for Wala Wala Cafe Bar.

iShop by Club21

“The customer service is top notch with very helpful guys and gals on standby to answer any questions that you have…” — Paddy Tan, BAK2u CEO

PADDY TAN, 30-something CEO of BAK2u, lives in the now — and by “now” we mean the Age of Internet where everyone spends more quality time with his gadgets that with his loved ones.

BAK2u, a Singaporean company whose main clients are companies based in Europe and America, specialises in mobile security. One of their products is the Verey I, a software that tracks lost cameras, iPods, iPhones, PDAs, computers, or Blackberrys and notifies their owners once the gadget has been found and used by someone else. Paddy’s company has also created applications for the iPhone which are still pending approval.

Paddy made the brave switch to Apple computers some eight years ago and has not looked back since. In Singapore, he gets his Apple fix from iShop by fashion merchandiser Club21. We couldn’t agree more. As we ourselves have realised, iShop, located at hip Orchard Cineleisure, is not just a retail space — it’s a lifestyle. Text and photos by James P. Ong

What would you like to recommend today?
iShop by Club21. This is Asia’s largest Apple Premium Reseller for super cool-looking Mac products and accessories. It’s located at Orchard Cineleisure near the Somerset MRT.

How did you discover it?
I was window shopping at Cineleisure and was drawn by the very cool remixes played in the store. Went in to have a look and found all these Apple machines in there. I was still using Windows OS then and was increasingly frustrated about all the shutdowns and crashes.

What sets it apart from other establishments that offer the same thing?
The Apple machines are all placed on the tables for you to play with, test, and basically to have fun with. The customer service is top notch with very helpful guys and gals on standby to answer any questions that you have. Also the environment and atmosphere just make you wanna visit frequently with very nice remixes play in the store. No pushy staffs, no gimmicks, just a pure showcase of why many love Apple products.

Exactly how good is their service?
If given 10 as highest, I would go 9 for it. I bought a MacBook Pro and due to a corrupted update, I sent in the machine but informed them that I need it urgently back as I’d be traveling the next day. They loaned me a MacBook for my trip.

Is there a good time to go to your recommendation?
From its website, the opening hours are 11.30am - 9.30pm

View original article about iShop by Club21.

Hachi Tei Japanese Cuisine

“It does not not charge GST nor service charge. The food is good and cheap."
— Leonard Png, blogger

MEET the talent behind the blog "The Chronicles of Leonard". His name is Leonard Png, 30, and he works as a laboratory executive at NTU.

“I blog almost everything under the sun, mostly about myself, my thoughts, the food I ate, the movie I watched, the places I went to, the events I attended, the countries I went to, the photographs I took, rants, occasionally gossips,” says Leonard.

Here, he recommends his favourite Japanese restaurant in Singapore.

What would you like to recommend today?
Hachi Tei Japanese Cuisine.

When was the last time you visited it?
19 July 2008, wanted to go on National Day but they were closed for business on public holidays.

What's unique about it?
It does not charge GST nor service charge. The food is good and cheap. You'll have a (house) heartwarming meal as the female boss will be walking around to chitchat with you, ask you how's the food. The female boss is super-duper friendly. Like dining in Taiwan.

What else do they offer?
I guess just Japanese food.

Who should we look for?
Cherine, the lady boss. Reason as per mentioned above. Hard to miss her.

Any dish which is your favourite?
My favorite is sashimi, thus i'll recommend the Sashimi Set that I ate. The sashimi is very fresh, it's served as per ordered, not watery at all. My friend said that once you had tried their Chirashi Don, you won't wanna try another place's Chirashi Don, how true, only my friend know as I yet tried it myself. Interview by Sabrina Ong

View original food review on Hachi Tei Japanese Cuisine.

Best Furniture Stores

“Lifestorey carries well-known designer brands like Kartell, Sintesis and Jongform” — Victor Loh, interior designer
By Ronald Wan

TO MOST, home is where the heart is. For interior designer Victor Loh, home is what he conceptualises, designs and believes in. Victor is an interior designer by training and the co-owner of Design Rebirth, an interior design firm. The firm’s projects include mostly residential and show flats (www.designrebirth.com). We asked Victor, who has eight years of experience in interior design, which interior design shops and showrooms he frequents:

Goodrich Global (8 Changi South Lane, #01-01 Goodrich Gallery; Tel. no: 6788 6868): Goodrich Global offers an extensive collection of wallcoverings, fabrics, carpets and laminate floorings to cater to every living space possible. The company has grown to become a leading supplier of interior wall-coverings in Southeast Asia today.Victor says, “All the wallpapers and wall coverings I use for my homes and projects come from Goodrich. They offer a comprehensive range of wallpapers in every style and material. And they are gorgeous.”

Lifestorey (#02-33D Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade; Tel. no: 6732 7362): Homeowners who are design-savvy and pay attention to interior décor magazines will know a thing or two about Lifestorey. It is the go-to shop for snazzy and stylish home furnishings and accessories that help define the designer and mod look in most pretty houses. “Lifestorey carries well-known designer brands like Kartell, Sintesis and Jongform. For the latter, I always get the nice modern lounge sofa sets. You can’t go wrong when you come to Lifestorey.”

Space (9 Raffles Boulevard Millenia Walk Level 2 Tel: 6415 0000): Space specialises in furniture that are strong in design, quality and aesthetics. The company has since become the most progressive retailers of contemporary design in Southeast Asia. The showroom in Singapore carries furniture and accessories from well-known brands like Kartell, Poliform, Louis Poulsen, Fritz Hansen and Flos. In short, Space is synonymous with style and substance. Victor reveals, “I come here for the Kartell chairs and lighting as well. Space is known for famous quality products that are strong in design.”

Plaats (Temporary location on 96A Rangoon Road): Plaats functions like an intellectual movement. Or a graphic design outfit. Either way, check out their website for more abstract information (www.plaats-make.com). Victor says, “Plaats actually consists of three designer friends working together. I know them from school days and they have so much creativity and potential. The objects and products they offer are simply out of the box.”

View original article of the Best Furniture Stores in Singapore.

Kampong Glam

“Hop from one place to another every hour if you actually want to…the entire area is simply unpretentious and you can plan your entire day here…” — Amalina Mohamad, freelance TV producer

By Ronald Wan

TO CHILL out or hang out is not an easy task. Firstly, you got to beat the crowd — or, rather, get away from them. That pretty much rules out your usual malls as well as restaurants and cafes where you can hardly hear yourself or your friend anyway.

So, does getting to a secluded spot in Singapore to unwind mean either you hike in a forested area or get the best tour package out of the country? Save yourself from the jungle mosquito bites and expensive airfares. Surely there is somewhere to hang out — just ask freelance TV producer Amalina Mohamad, who has worked with several production houses such as Free State, Dua M and MediaCorp.

You see, TV producers know the best locations in town because it’s more or less part of their jobs to scour interesting locations. Here, she recommends the hip Kampong Glam neighborhood.

What are you recommending today?
Kampong Glam — a favourite location of mine, and which I visit relatively often. It has many quaint spots to hang out in and the whole vibe here is where the old meets the new.

What’s so special about it?
You can hop from one place to another every hour if you actually want to! And the best part – the entire Kampong Glam area is simply unpretentious. You can plan your entire day there.

What activities do you recommend?
Shop at Haji Lane at favourites like House of Japan (55 Haji Lane Tel: 6396 6657) and Straits Records (43 Haji Lane). Then have lunch at Kampong Café and then scour other lanes and streets like Arab, Bussorah, Baghdad and Kandahar for quirky fashionable finds from lace, stones, silk, textiles, diamantes and everything you need to make a nice dress!

There must be something else to other than shopping?
Check out the gorgeous Sultan Mosque – it’s the one with the golden dome – on Bussorah Street if you have time. Have tea or shisha at one of the many Mediterranean cafes such as Altazzag Restaurant (24 Haji Lane Tel: 6295 5024).

And when the sun sets?
End your day with a nice murtabak dinner at nearby famous eateries New Victory or Zam Zam (697 North Bridge Road Tel: 6298 6230). The atmosphere is superbly relaxing and very much away from the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road or even the nearby Bugis where there is a galaxy of cackling teenagers.

View original article on Kampong Glam.

Milly’s hair.lashes.nail shop

“Would you like long hair and long lashes?”
— Nadia (aka. nadnut), STOMP Star Blogger

Text and photos by Sabrina Ong

NOWADAYS, almost anything is possible, as long as you’re willing to pay the right price.

Described by STOMP Star Blog as a “feisty young lady", 24-year-old Star Blogger Nadia (aka. nadnut), personal blog at www.nadnut.com, is currently studying for her degree while going around taking pretty photos, telling stories about her life and the universe, and extending her hair and lashes.

I know Nadia personally, and I know for a fact that she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the same dress twice (in a month). This tells you not just the amount of clothes she has, but also the amount of shopping she does.

That said, I wasn’t surprised at all at how fast she has grown fond of her highly recommended, often visited, “hair.lashes.nails” shop: Milly’s, located on the second floor of Far East Plaza (#02-83).

How did she discover the place?
The story begins when Emily, owner of Milly’s, approached Nadia if she’d like to try out her services. Initially, Nadia was a little apprehensive about the offer. She was expecting a catch, but soon learned that the offer was as genuine as gold. Thereafter, it became somewhat of an addiction and stayed that way.

When was the last time she visited it?
When asked for the last time she visited Milly’s, Nadia said, “I did my eyebrow threading, hair extension and gel extensions just two days ago”, which would be August 12. She added, “I even brought my mum to do eyebrow threading and lash extensions and she loved it!”

What’s unique about it?
“The shop has a wide variety of hair and lash extensions, and the pricing is very affordable,” says Nadia. “My gel extensions only cost $70, which would have cost more than $100 elsewhere!” She added, “anyone and everyone should try her out!”

What else do they offer?
Milly’s offers services such as manicures, pedicures, gel and acrylic extensions, lash extensions, eyebrow threading and hair extensions. Her price ranges from as low as $1 (per strand of hair) to a couple of hundreds, depending on what services you’re looking at. For 1 st time customers, eyebrow threading is at $5 (nett), and if you take the $380 promotional package, you get a $400 worth of credit, an additional $20 value.

Who should you look for?
Emily, the owner of Milly’s, specialises in hair and lashes and has been in this line for more than a year, even before her shop was opened on 5 th June 2008. With Milly’s now up and running, Emily rarely takes on a client herself, unless a special request is made. Most of the time, her staff does the work.

View original article on Milly's hair.lashes.nail shop.

Best Cakes In Singapore

“Usual suspects on the dessert menu include toasted macadamia caramel cheesecake and dulce de leche torte”
— Roxanne Toh, online cakeshop owner

By Ronald Wan

LIFE is a piece of cake literally for Roxanne Toh. The sprightly girl loves her cakes and pastries so much she just had to make them herself and and share with the world.

Overdoughs (www.overdoughs.com), a gourmet baked goods online business, was set up by Roxanne and her mom Janet.

With years of trying out new recipes, butter and whipped cream under her belt (or waist), Roxanne definitely knows her cake (and eats it too). So we approached the lovely gal to recommend some of her favourite cakes and pastries.

Barracks (8D Dempsey Road Tel: 6475 7787):
Usual suspects on the dessert menu include toasted macadamia caramel cheesecake and dulce de leche torte. I love others like the chai chocolate cake. But my all-time favourite is their lemon tart served in a tin box and hidden under a generous mountain of crushed hazelnuts and crumbs.

PS Café (28 Harding Road Tel: 6479 3343):
It’s a fond reminder of the cafes that line Domain Road in Melbourne, where I spent some years in. I’m a recent Key Lime Pie convert. Feel your eyes widen when you bite into the lime-green custard cradled by a firm biscuit base!

Pasticceria da Valentino’s (7 Jalan Bingka Tel: 6462 2760):
Valentino’s history stretches across three whole generations (the restaurant is adjacent to the pastry shop). Their Chantilly Cream White Chocolate Cake wins my vote for being slightly alcoholic and very pretty.

Overdoughs (www.overdoughs.com):
Can I recommend mine? (Laughs) The lemon lavender loaf (aka Ella) and zucchini muffins (aka Frankie’s Waltz) are my favourite breakfast foods, taken with a hot soy latte!

Sweet Secrets (246D Upper Thomson Road Tel: 6455 2808):
Because you can never go wrong with it! The Chocolate Royal is a personal favourite, having had it at several birthday lunches in the office. Love eating the last bits of the hazelnut crunch base when there aren’t enough seconds to go around the table.

View original article on the Best Cakes in Singapore.

Fashion Forward

“I would advise shopping at Far East Plaza because the shops there have tons of interesting designs and details that are not your usual mass-produced stuff...”
— Sheryl Rachel Tham, fashion stylist

IT'S difficult to catch Sheryl Rachel Tham on a bad hair day or in an ugly get-up.

This fashion merchandising degree student at Raffles Design Institute is conscious of what she wears and how she presents herself. Call it vanity, but we think it’s more to do with her work and passion for everything fashion, sugar and spice.

Sheryl’s cool resume includes being a freelance fashion stylist and assistant show producer for numerous fashion and beauty events for clients like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bvlgari and Lancome Singapore Fashion Festival.

The petite gal does doesn't consider herself a fashion doyenne or one of those impossible divas. She coolly tells us that she is just a “regular girl who loves to dress up on occasion and make herself look good”.

We like her spunky attitude already and speak to her about her favourite fashion haunts in town.

Far East Plaza (14 Scotts Road): “I would advise shopping at Far East Plaza because the shops there have tons of interesting designs and details that are not your usual mass-produced stuff from places like Mango or Forever 21. Check out Level One (it looks more to me like the basement level actually) where they have a whole mix of mostly girly shops from Dotti (#01-82) to In the Closet (#01-44). To look good, the trick lies in styling and accessorising so it would make the outfit look totally different than usual. Match and pair apparel with other stuff you usually don’t pair them with scarves, necklaces, cardigans and belts. And you can find them all here at Far East.”

Marina Square (6 Raffles Boulevard): “There is a wide range of interesting shops worth checking out here. You get stuff from your usual boutiques like Lacoste (#02-129-131), Massimo Dutti (#02-158-159) and Topshop (#02-109-114). The latter has loads of interesting stuff to pick up and mix and match. For something different, head to the third level area nearer to the cinema. Lots of cool small shops here from Le 7 (#03-219), Multiple O (#03-357) to Attitude (#03-254). There are other shops like DCP (#03-362-363) where you can find cute graphic tees and even Skin (#03-332E), the glam rock label brought in by the pop singer Sun. I like coming to Marina Square because they have everything I need!”

And for something else and truly different, Sheryl recommends, “I have been travelling quite a bit and most of my cheap and nice stuff comes from my travels. A few good and cheap places to shop are Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taipei. Yes, they are out of Singapore but it’s worth it! They have loads of unique and affordable stuff. Go crazy shopping there! I would!”

View original article for Fashion Forward.

Confessions of a Beauty Queen

“My trick is choosing a foundation that is one tone darker than what's meant for my skin – to the horror of the ladies who sell the foundation..."
— Natasha Riard, 2005 Ms Singapore Universe 1st runner-up

BEAUTY doesn't come cheap. For those who have the looks (read: models, beauty pageant queens and celebrities), here's our advice: Flaunt it like there’s no tomorrow.

But what if tomorrow comes and beauty is no longer there? Until we discover the fountain of youth, we just have to rely on beauty products or makeup services.

On that note, have you ever wondered how a beauty queen maintains her flawless skin and attains that pretty glow? It’s not cosmetic surgery, as far as Natasha Riard, Ms Singapore Universe 2005 1 st Runner-Up, is concerned. Here, she shares beauty secrets, from head to toe. Text and interview by Ronald Wan

Face & Body:
“I swear by a few things! Cleanse, tone, moisturise, and slather sunblock like it's gold. I use my dermatologist-recommended facial cleanser from Avene, tone my skin with Kiehl's Yerba Mate tea toner, and moisturise with La Roche Posay (it is God's gift to women). As for sunblock, I use La Roche Posay as well. At night, I moisture my face with The Body Shop Vitamin C Intensive Night Treatment and the Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream. I alternate my night moisturiser with La Roche Posay Hydraphase as well. I'm addicted to this brand! "

Make Up:
"I rarely wear make-up, but when I do, I swear by MAC liquid foundation. It is the only foundation I'll use. My trick is choosing a foundation that is one tone darker than what's meant for my skin – to the horror of the ladies who sell the foundation – but I promise you, you will never ever appear like a white sheet on camera or in real life ever again."

Apparel:
"I absolutely love clothes and heels from Guess?, or even Marciano. Their tops accentuate my waist and bust, and their heels are high and mighty. Apart from Guess?, I frequent Warehouse and Zara. I love rich and strong colours and these shops give just that. I never shop online. I don't know how people do that!"

Accessories/Bags:
"I’m a bag-o-holic and I can't stay away from Chanel or Ferragamo. If you're planning to get an everyday bag from Chanel, I recommend their Caviar collection because it's more sturdy and durable and you won't spend nights crying because someone scratched your lambskin Mademoiselle. Ferragamo's latest sunglasses collection is to die for. If you've been saving up for a pair of sunnies, spend it there."

Stockists:
Kiehl’s - 260 Orchard Road The Heeren Shops #01-07
Chanel - 391 Orchard Road # 01-25/26/27 Ngee Ann City Tel: 6733 5120
Salvatore Ferragamo - 290 Orchard Road Paragon #01-38 Tel: 6738 3206
Zara - 391 Orchard Road Ngee Ann City #B1-15-24 Tel: 6735 1018
Warehouse - Vivocity Harbourfront Walk #01-72 Tel: 6275 7861
Guess - 252 North Bridge Road Raffles City Shopping Centre #01-03 Tel: 6334-3121
The Body Shop - 252 North Bridge Road Raffles City Shopping Centre #01-42 Tel: 6336 2551

View original article of Confessions of a Beauty Queen.

BodyTech™ Perfectionist System by Marie France Bodyline

“Throughout the procedure, I felt very relaxed and with the attention given by the therapist, I felt assured and comfortable even while going through a –3% chill effect.”
— Sabrina Ong, 88DB.com writer

BEING overweight significantly increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer...the list seems almost endless. Plus, if you do get sick or need surgery, being overweight can make any treatments riskier.

Women today face incredible pressure handling numerous responsibilities such as juggling careers and families. Maintaining one’s health and a sense of well-being is often overlooked in favour of more urgent demands on a woman’s time. Coupled with an unhealthy diet, these daily assaults to a woman’s body certainly take their toll.

So, what can people like these do to achieve their goal of looking great? Try a no-sweat fitness programme, as 88DB.com writer Sabrina Ong did.

What are you recommending today?
A new body slimming treatment, BodyTech™ Perfectionist System by Marie France Bodyline.

What made you try it?
A colleague asked me if I wanted to write about it, and so arrangements were made and I made my trip down to the outlet at International Building #08-01/02. To be frank, I didn’t know what to expect. For all I knew they’d probably throw me a pile of notes and pitch to me how great their product is. But no, instead of a long, boring, “we’re great” presentation, they insisted that I should try it out myself.

Were you impressed?
To a certain extend I’m impressed by their confidence in their product, and after trying it out, I understand why. I’ve tried other slimming programmes before and this is one of the most relaxing one of all. And it’s services… let’s just say it’s a true representation of what service should be. (And I’m not a paying customer.)

How long is the session?
The BodyTech™ Perfectionist System is a 1.5 hours programme (per treatment) that 'BTPS' addresses five common body problems (excess fat, flabby skin, wrinkles, cellulite and stretch marks) with one treatment. It eliminates fat and cellulite while improving skin tone, circulation and energy flow of the body.

What do they do to your body?
During the treatment, a small suction cup is used to work on specific accu-points along the whole body; this is supposedly to energies the body.Next, pressotherapy, where “presso cups” are used to release and dislodge fibrous skin tissue. This hastens circulation and drainage, which would result in an effective remedy for circulatory related problems such as cellulite, water retention and heavy legs. Finally, the body undergoes cryotherapy at –3%. To enhance the slimming process faster, I purchased the BodyTech™ Perfectionist Serum, a lightweight gel especially formulated through scientific research and boosted with the CafeiSilane C, BodyFit and Regestril active compounds.

Was it effective?
All this may sound technical, and I’ll be honest, it is. I’m not an expert in this mumbo jumbo and undergoing just one treatment hasn’t exactly shown me “amazing results”. What I can say is that throughout the process, I felt very relaxed and with the attention given by the therapist, I felt assured and comfortable even while going through a –3% chill effect.

Would you consider signing up?
Honestly, why not? I wouldn’t mind losing an extra pound or two at the right price. Would you? To end this, I’d like to thank Marie France Bodyline for their complimentary treatment as well as their little gift that I brought back for my “future mother-in-law”.

Shape up to desirable curves today. Call 1800-732 7877 now for a FREE trial or visit www.mariefrance.com for more information.

Orchard
360 Orchard Road #08-01/05
International Building

Bishan Central
Blk 513 Bishan Street 13 #01-502

Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-200 Marina Square

Jurong Point
1 Jurong West Central #02-37
Jurong Point Shopping Centre

Siglap
907 East Coast Road
#01-04 Springvale

Tampines
5 Tampines Central 6
#01-23 Telepark

Woodlands
900 South Woodlands Drive
#06-07 Woodlands Civic Centre

View original article about the BodyTech Perfectionist System by Marie France Bodyline.