Consider this your must-see, must-do and must-buy guide to everything popular this month.
Consider this your must-see, must-do and must-buy guide to everything popular this month.
Eat at a sustainable-dining restaurant
Restaurants like Artemis Grill (www.artemisgrill.com.sg ) have made leaps in fulilling their promise of sustainable dining in Singapore. The Mediterranean eatery buys only from producers who have sustainability certificates – they need to be able to prove that their products can be utilised without harming the environment – and keep animals in as natural and healthy an environment as possible. It also supports the World Wide Water initiative, which sees it filtering and bottling its own water in glass bottles to help eliminate plastic waste.
Shop from a green fashion brand
Fashion labels that are environmentally conscious and stylish? We’re sold.
Singaporean brand Kalaia Label (www.kalaialabel.com ), which stocks gorgeous bohemian-style frocks and jewellery, minimises wastage by using only ready stocks for their creations and avoiding large batch fabric reproductions. It also upcycles unused fabrics by incorporating them into new designs. Another local label, Matter (www.matterprints.com), which carries artisanal scarves and lounge pants, handpicks only partners that adhere to its criteria for product quality and social and environmental impact. Aussie-based Sticks & Sparrow (exclusively available at Paperbag Princess at Cluny Court) carries handcrafted sunglasses with frames made of bamboo, the fastest-growing grass on earth.
Visit www.facebook.com/boutiquessingapore
Download an interactive book app
Book apps developed in recent years are so interactive that readers can choose their own developing narratives, much like the classic “choose your own adventure” storybooks we used to devour as children. Try: Arcadia by Iain Pears (free on App Store), which allows readers to trace the numerous alternative paths through the three main storylines. We love book apps that encourage reading and are environmentally sustainable at the same time!
Recycle your used coffee capsules
Don’t just dump your Nespresso capsules when you’re done with them. Drop them off at the Nespresso boutiques at Ion Orchard and Takashimaya, or join the Recycling@home initiative (which provides a doorstep collection service with every new order), and feel good about the aluminium capsules being melted and reused for other products. The used coffee grounds are composted and turned into fertiliser at Quan Fa Organic Farm, one of the leading organic produce distributors in Singapore.
Visit www.nespresso.com.sg for more information.
BE ROMANCED IN THE PARK
This year marks the 400th death anniversary of William Shakespeare. The Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), which is behind the popular Shakespeare in the Park series, commemorates the occasion with a staging of Shakespeare’s most popular play, Romeo and Juliet. To be set in a modern dystopia, SRT’s production of the tragic love story promises to be its largest yet. Thomas Pang of Tribes and Cheryl Tan of Beauty World star as the ill-fated young lovers.
Visit www.sistic.com.sg/events/park0516.
GET FREE ICE CREAM
WATCH FILMS ABOUT FOOD
Is anything more synonymous with Singapore than food? The very first edition of film festival Foodcine.ma features a selection of foodcentred films from around the world, presentations on the relationship between food and design, and exhibitions on food culture. It looks set to be an event that would truly speak to every Singaporean. Details were scant at press time, but if preview film Noma: My Perfect Storm, a captivating documentary on the reinvention of Noma, one of the best restaurants in the world, was any indicator, it looks set to be a fascinating draw for all foodies.
Visit www.foodcine.ma.
GET RUGBY FEVER
The Singapore leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series makes its debut at the National Stadium on April 16-17. It is set to be one of the most exciting sporting events of the year – and not only because of the game. Avid rugby fan Cheryl Anne Lee, who’s flown to Hong Kong and Adelaide for past Rugby Sevens Series, tells us what to expect and how to survive the multi-faceted extravaganza.
Leave your ego at home.
“Let your hair down and just roll with whatever happens. Even if the game bores you, the crowd will surely entertain you. You get to meet people from all over the world, and might actually make some new friends.”
Avoid nice dresses and heels.
“Things tend to get messy – people celebrate wins by throwing beer around. The best part about the Sevens, however, is the costumes! It’s never a full experience unless you dress up. A group theme is a must.”
Hydrate!
“This is to ensure you can last the weekend or go to after-parties. I’ve had to skip after-parties because I got too caught up in the excitement and was too lazy to get water.”
Visit www.sportshub.com.sg
FLY OFF FOR THE WEEKEND
How can we resist a beach getaway? Newly launched The Habita, an enclave of pool suites and penthouses at luxury resort Sri Panwa in Phuket, has a soft-opening offer (valid from April 17 to Oct 31) where you get daily breakfast, a gift set, complimentary in-villa minibar and other special offers included in the room rate (from US$550, or S$771 a night for two people). It’s the ultimate weekend recuperation. Each one-bedroom pool suite and penthouse comes with a private infinity swimming pool overlooking the Andaman Sea.
Visit www.sripanwa.com.
BE DAZZLED BY JEWELS AND GEMS
Discover the journey of French fine jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels’ exquisite creations, from minerals to precious works of art, at the maison’s largest heritage exhibition with the French National Museum of Natural History. More than 400 stunners from Van Cleef & Arpels will be on display, complemented by 250 minerals from the museum, showcasing the artistic skills required for the crafting of the jewellery, as well as the scientific processes behind the formation of minerals used to create the gems.
Visit www.marinabaysands.com/artsciencemuseum.
STAY IN AND WATCH TV
If you haven’t already caught season one of the cult comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, cancel your weekend plans and play catch-up on Netflix. One of our all-time favourite shows, it’s about Kimmy Schmidt, a girl who tries to readjust to real life in New York City after being tricked into living with a doomsday cult in an underground bunker for the past 15 years. The show returns to Netflix on April 15, and promises even more hilarious high jinks from Kimmy and her motley crew of sidekicks. As this is a Tina Fey production, there are bound to be more big-name cameos to look forward to (Mad Men’s Jon Hamm was a recurring character in the first season!). Dare we hope for an Amy Poehler appearance?
INDULGE IN THESE TREATS
Snacks are more innovative than ever. We’d complain about unnecessary calories, but these are too delicious, and we’re too busy gobbling them up to care.
Crunchie Brownie:
Hands up if you’re one of those who always scrapes off and devours the crispy bits in the brownie pan after a baking session. These insanely addictive bits in all their chocolatey goodness are now packed for your snacking convenience, and even come in two other variations: caramel-laced and with walnuts. Visit www.facebook.com/crunchiebrownie for more information.
Salted Egg Yolk Potato Crisps:
What could be more irresistible than potato crisps? Potato crisps coated liberally with salted egg yolk, then baked to a golden finish, that’s what. The addition of chopped chilli and curry leaves gives these snacks from The Golden Duck an extra kick. Visit www.tgdsingapore.com for more information.
Clink! Frozen Cocktails:
These packets of frozen slushies are made with real fruit, have no preservatives, and pack 9% alcohol content (equivalent to a shot). You don’t need to bother with actually making drinks yourself now.
Visit www.clinkcocktails.com.
