DECEMBER 2020

DECEMBER 2020

Full menu available online for delivery or takeaway!

W hat started as a game of words between House of AnLi owners Anne-Jean and Panagiotis, resulted in the name of their new culinary adventure: Pano Kato. InGreek –Panagiotis’smother tongue –PanoKato ( ΠάνωΚάτω )means ‘UpstairsDownstairs’. It refers to the pair's first retail brainchild,House of AnLi Store&Bistro, which canbe found on the third level of TanglinMall, ‘upstairs’ from the newHouse of AnLi & Pano Kato, which is ‘downstairs’ on the second level. WhatcanyouexpectatPanoKato?Truehome-cookedGreekMediterranean fare – pure, unpretentious and deliciously simple! Welcome and kαλή όρεξη!

@panokatogrillpizzadeli Pano Kato Grill, Pizza & Deli

Reservations: 62355056 Opening Hours: 9am to 10pm (Daily) #02-23 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road

Shop online at houseofanli.com

H ouse of AnLi is dedicated to incorporating premium and beautiful Europeanhome interior pieces into the sophisticated tropical lifestyle of Singapore. Make your house a home, all under one roof! Right next to the store is our bistro, whichoverlooks lushgreenery andbrings you a fresh dining experience, away from the hustle and bustle. It serves a Belgian-inspiredmenuof lovinglyprepareddishes; so, you can start your day witha freshly bakedpastry, dropby for abrunchoption includingNZorganic eggs on sourdough toast, or indulge in a gourmet salad or sandwich. All are basedon family recipes of Anne-JeanandPanagiotis, andmadewithpassion. To complement your meal, enjoy our curated selection of Allpress coffee, Mariage Frères teas, Belgian beers and champagne.

Make your house a home, all under one roof S t o r e & B i s t r o @houseofanli | @houseofanlibistro House of AnLi Interiors

62355193 (Level 2) | 62353851 (Level 3 & Bistro) #02-21/22, #03-17 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road To shop online or find out more details, visit houseofanli.com.

EDITOR’SNOTE Well, I bet we all have lots of wishes this year. And, it’s very important that we wish rather than just hope. Here’s what I am wishing for this Christmas. (Some are a bit dramatic!) My first wish is that the world is enveloped in a big dollop of common sense. I wish that all those who manipulate people through fear or hate are vaporised (or quietly dissolved – not too fussy about how it’s done). I wish that families can be reunited and that people are allowed to sing. I wish that those as close as Batam and as far away as Zimbabwe can earn money through tourism again and be able to feed their families. Personal wishes include being able to see my youngest daughter in Australia soon. I’m also wishing that my 91-year-old mum in the UK gets to be with us in Singapore as she does most years. She’s not scared at all and still gets the bus to town for her grocery shopping. It has been wonderful seeing people’s resilience and innovation this year. Businesses have evolved and sprouted up, and many people have taken paths they had not imagined possible before. There are obviously many situations where people have lost so much, so I’m also wishing that they are starting to recoup. I’d love to hear some of your wishes, too. I think the more we wish, the quicker things will turn around. Thank you to everyone who voted in our Readers’ Choice Awards; at the time of writing this, we’ve had over 8,000 responses! Results will be out online at expatliving.sg in the first week of January. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas!

REBECCA BISSET Editor-in-Chief

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DECEMBER2020

Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET Managing Editor LEANDA RATHMELL Editorial Team

HEALTH & FITNESS: AMY GREENBURG LIFE & FAMILY, TRAVEL: LINDSAY YAP WINE & DINE, HAIR & BEAUTY: ANTHIA CHNG FASHION & HOMES: REBECCA BISSET Copy Editors

SHAMUS SILLAR | JULIET KEYS Online & Digital Content MICHAELA BISSET

Production Coordinator NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE | JEANNE WONG Marketing, Circulation & Administration ANNA TSERLINGAS | VEENA GILL | SITI SHAHIRAH KHIRUDEEN Advertising Sales KARIN GALLEY | DANIELLE ROSSETTI | LARA SAGE | JACQUI YOUNG

Events & Partnerships SUSAN KNUDSEN-PICKLES IT &Web Support RENE YUTIAMPO | HANADDI REY DIAZ MAMBA Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE Contributing Writers TIM HILL | HARSHARAN KAUR DEE KHANDUJA | MELINDA MURPHY | JO UPCRAFT

CONTACT US General Enquiries: +65 6812 1780 | info@expatliving.sg Advertising Sales: +65 6812 1781 | sales@expatliving.sg Subscription: +65 6812 1783 | subscription@expatliving.sg Production: +65 6812 1787 | production@expatliving.sg Editorial & Media Releases: editorial@expatliving.sg Calendar of Events: calendar@expatliving.sg Events: events@expatliving.sg Websites: expatliving.sg | expatliving.hk

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Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 36 Carpenter Street, #02-01 Carpenter Haus, Singapore 059915

Photo by JasminkaM (shutterstock.com)

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DECEMBER2020

CONTENTS

NEWS 20 Things To Do:

How to keep busy at home

22 EL Forum:

Our online antics and upcoming events

HOME & PROPERTY 26 News 30 Christmas Showcase: Here for the holidays! 37 Bedroom Boost: The secret to deep sleep 38 Buying Guide: Single-seat solutions 46 Street Talk: Living on Camborne Road

30

Making new traditions

LIFE & FAMILY 54 News 56 Noticeboard Birth announcements and pet adoptions 58 Screen & Page: Top TV and book recommendations 60 The Singapore Pages: Exploring the island, past and present 62 Christmas Quirks: 64 Shopping Spotlight: Gifts and grub at Cluny Court 66 Family Fun: An indoor playground for all 68 School Focus: Preparing kids for the future

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38

A handy Christmas gift guide

Seats in all styles and sizes

Festive traditions around the globe

71 Santa’s List:

Great gift ideas for everyone

82 Helping Hands: Our latest on volunteer opportunities

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DECEMBER2020

CONTENTS

120

WINE & DINE 92 News 96 Dining in Dempsey: Cuisines from around the globe 98 Curveball Christmas: Tips from a pro host 100 Festive Feasts: The ultimate holiday guide TRAVEL 124 News 128 Hong Kong Highlights: Planning for the bubble 132 Win! A weekend getaway for two people in Hong Kong

96

Pick your poison

Flavours from around the world

100

40 Christmas dinner options!

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DECEMBER2020

CONTENTS

140 Get your wardrobe party-ready!

STYLE & BEAUTY 136 Style News 138 Online Shopping: From screen to stocking 140 Fabulous Frocks: Get glam for the holidays 146 Ace Activewear: Break a sweat in style 148 Beauty News 150 Makeup Master: Tips for a festive sparkle 152 Skincare Solutions: We put sunscreens to the test 153 Behind the Brand:

Meet the founder of Wildcherry Organics

152

Top picks for sun safety

HEALTH & FITNESS 164 News 166 Painkillers & Safety: An alternative to mainstream medicine 168 Healthy Holidays: Keeping the family fit this season 172 Children’s Chompers: Tips for tip-top teeth 174 Power Moves: Two exercises for your routine 175 Fitness Focus: Keeping the weight off over Christmas 176 Knee Trouble: Three common concerns

REGULARS 182 Horoscopes for December 184 Puzzle Pages 186 Numbers & Websites

146 Get fit whilst looking fab

187 Advertiser List 188 Parting Shot: A camping staycation

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twitter.com/expatlivingSG

pinterest.com/expatlivingSG instagram.com/expatlivingSG

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DECEMBER2020

CALENDAR

WHAT’SON

Walking in the City (UNTIL 6 DEC)

While the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) undergoes redevelopment, it continues to collaborate with Singapore artists to present contemporary artworks. The Walking in the City series showcases specially commissioned artworks on the hoardings around the perimeter of the museum along Bras Basah Road and Queen Street. They showcase themes such as the history of SAM buildings, Singapore, society, urban development and the environment. singaporeartmuseum.sg Search and Discover: The Joy of Collecting (UNTIL 23 DEC) The exhibition features 65 carefully selected works by 35 regional artists from the Yeap Lam Yang collection. Co-curated by Aaron Teo and Beverly Yong, it unravels the process of exhibition-making, and reveals the joy of collecting, discovering and revisiting artists and rekindling and forging new relationships. The Private Museum, 51 Waterloo Street #02-06 Christmas on A Great Street (UNTIL 1 JAN 2021) The annual Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up is taking on a hybrid version. With the theme “Love This Christmas”, visitors can enjoy a row of dazzling lights from Tanglin Mall to Dhoby Ghaut. The highlight this year is a giant blue ribbon with glittering reindeer and hollies at the Orchard-Paterson Road junction. Enjoy the display in person or through a cool 360-degree virtual tour.

Walking in the City

Photo: Herman Chong Photo: Marina Bay Sands

Twelve Days of Christmas at Tanglin (1-12 DEC) For each of the first 12 days of December, a surprise Tanglin video will be released through a virtual calendar to spread Christmas cheer. Just click on the day on the calendar to launch the video. tts.edu.sg/news-and-events/twelve-days- of-christmas-at-tanglin Santa Run for Wishes (2-19 DEC) This fundraising race by Make-A-Wish Singapore is back with a brand new virtual format and exciting activities. Choose to complete 2km, 5km, 10km or 50km. All proceeds go towards granting the wishes of children with critical illnesses.

Scribble Town (UNTIL 31 JAN 2021) Explore comic artworks across three different stations – The Flying Mariner, Darkwoods Forest and Bleak Mountain – and 80 comic frames. Visitors will follow three characters, Sam, Dan and Lydia, as they fix the Colourwheel to save Scribble Town, seeing how they speak, act and respond to one another. The interactive exhibition caters to children aged between nine and 12 and aims to raise awareness on bullying. Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall Planet or Plastic? (UNTIL 28 MAR 2021) View over 70 photographs and videos in this exhibition by National Geographic and understand more about global plastic pollution. Featuring the work of researchers, scientists and artists, the display traces the history of plastic from its invention in the mid-1800s to the present day. Buy tickets online. ArtScience Museum

Planet or Plastic?

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CALENDAR

4 QUIRKY MUSEUMS TO VISIT!

#1 Singapore Musical Box Museum Yes, there’s a museum devoted wholly to musical boxes! They were popular in Europe in the 19th century and Singapore played a prominent role in bringing them to Southeast Asia. The ticket price of $12 includes a compulsory 40-minute guided tour. Book ahead at least one day in advance. 6221 0102 | singaporemusicalboxmuseum.org #2 NUS Baba House The three-storey townhouse was once the ancestral home of a Peranakan Chinese family. It’s been meticulously restored and a third floor was added around a century or so ago; it’s now used as a gallery for exhibitions and projects on traditional Peranakan culture. One-hour tours are by appointment only from Tuesday to Friday (10am). Self-guided tours are

held on Saturday between 1pm to 4pm. 6227 5731 | babahouse.nus.edu.sg #3 The Battlebox

#4 Singapore Sports Museum Dedicated to telling the stories of the nation’s sporting history, achievements and aspirations, the Singapore Sports Museum is the first sports-related museum on the island. Located at the Singapore Sports Hub, it’s a great one for fans of the Olympic Games, football and some less traditional sports. You can also tour Shimano Cycling World, with a collection of bicycles you can pull out one by one. There are also some cool interactive digital exhibitions. Get your tickets at the Visitors Centre. sportshub.com.sg/museum

Built in 1936, the Battlebox was the former WWII British command centre buried inside Fort Canning Hill – it was inside the Battlebox that the British made the decision to surrender to the invading Japanese on 15 February 1942. Visits are free-and- easy and docents will share interesting highlights of key rooms. Buy your tickets at the Battlebox Visitor Centre. 6338 6133 | battlebox.com.sg

Check out more things to do at expatliving.sg.

21 DECEMBER2020

Don’tmissour festive events! Register at expatliving.sg/ELevents

6.30pm

02 DEC

How to cook a perfect turkey on a BBQ

5pm

10 DEC

How to create a beautiful centrepiece from fresh materials with Wildflower Florist

8pm

18 DEC

Pilates + Nails + Hair

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DECEMBER2020

to your door Get your favourite mag delivered each month! and enjoy free access to the digital edition on the Magzter app! $50 Subscribe for just $82.80

NOVEMBER 2020

SINGAPORE

DECEMBER 2020

Facials BeF bulou Ski Hols+Thai Time! Wish We Were There ! December2020 Issue221 S$6.90 MCI (P)032/02/2020 WHERE TO BUY THE BEST CHAIR Things to Do in Hong Kong CASUAL FASHION READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS Vote now!

November2020 Issue218 S$6.90 LAMPS&LIGHTS •FACIALS • INDIANRESTAURANTS MCI (P)032/02/2020 School Projects Workouts athome Lamps &Lights

CHAIRS •CHRISTMASDINNERS •HONGKONG

GREAT SUNSCREENS 40 Time to Dress Up!

CHRISTMAS DINNERS

Indian Restaurants +HIGHTEA

DECEMBERCOVER2020b JK-withBleed.indd 2

14/11/20 10:02AM

expatliving.sg/subscribe Scan or visit Subscription offer ends 31 December 2020

Are you looking to make the most out of living in Singapore or know someone new in town who needs a helping hand? Whether you’ve just arrived or have been here a while, our City Guide offers loads of handy tips and advice on neighbourhoods to live in, property, education, health and more!

Scan the QR code to read the digital edition or get a copy delivered to you. expatliving.sg/guides

23 DECEMBER2020

HOME & PROPERTY

38 Buying Guide: Seating in all shapes and sizes

Gallery 278

26 Home News: What’s trending in furniture and home accessories?

30 Christmas Showcase: How this family merges old traditions with new

46 Street Talk: The advantages of living on Camborne Road

HOME & PROPERTY

WHAT’S NEW

Larger than Life Cluny Court’s iconic store The Big Blue Trunk has a new look – and a new face! Meet Zahra, a one-of-a-kind 4x3 metre wall mural created by international artist Mishell Leong to celebrate the creative hub’s recent renovation. Featuring the store’s popular Annie

Sloan Chalk Paint, the eye-catching wall installation stands tall as a bold reminder of the strength and magic of women. Want it in your home? Mishell has just released 25 limited-edition Giclée prints (50cm x 70cm) of Zahra, available for purchase at $1,080. For order enquiries or to register your interest in upcoming “Meet the Artist” sessions, email Mishell at mishell@mishellleong.com.

Soul & Tables has expanded! The furniture store has added a second showroom to its existing space, just a few units along in the Tan Boon Liat Building. Shoppers can expect more quality finds, including furniture from Karpenter, Logos, PR Living, Fermob andWoven Plus. What’s more, there’s a dedicated space for fine art photography fromYellowKorner, while bargain hunters can also make the most of the outlet space, with end-of- collection and imperfect items available at a steal! Opening 1 December at #02-09 Tan Boon Liat Building. soulandtables.com.sg

Summery Scents The essence of an endless summer is the DNA of Palem, so it’s no surprise the brand’s signature fragrance is sunny and seductive. Ballade Tropicale is an ode to scents from elsewhere – it evokes all those sweet and intense holiday memories from past travels. Made in Bali, the natural and sustainable range with its vanilla, monoï, lemongrass and ginger notes is available in a home fragrance (50ml), soap and candle. 75CDuxton Road. 6970 867 | palem-brand.com

Homes with History

Curious about the stories behind the black-and- whites and former army barracks at Dempsey Hill? Check out The Heritage Trail, a self- guided walking trail that

unearths the natural beauty and more than 150 years of Dempsey Hill’s rich history. Armed with an informative map, you’ll discover iconic landmarks, interesting facts, stories and notable names that were integral to Singapore’s journey from colony to nation. Visit dempseyhill.com/history to download your free map and get going!

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DECEMBER2020

HOME & PROPERTY

Alfresco

Porcelain Picks If you’re looking for a unique Christmas present or a parting gift from Singapore, the Raffles x The Intan Atelier collaboration is a win. Brought to you by two iconic institutions – Raffles Boutique and The Intan, a house museum dedicated to all things Peranakan – the collection showcases a contemporary take on the distinctive Peranakan story, with intricately designed and hand-crafted porcelain, across tableware, decorative items, jewellery and accessories. rafflesarcade.com.sg

The tree is up and dinner-party season is on! Dress up your outdoor area and impress guests with Samuel & Sons’ latest collection of indoor and outdoor trimmings. The Terrace collection consists of high- performance, luxury fabrics woven from Perennials 100 percent solution-dyed acrylic yarns. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, they’re resistant to UV rays, mildew, mould and stains. They’re also bleach-cleanable, so you can bet Santa’s sleigh they’ll last you for many Christmases to come. Follow @altfieldinteriorssng for more inspo or visit Altfield Interiors at 1 Magazine Road, Central Mall Office Tower, #07-10 . Serving with Seoul Introducing Singapore’s first Korean dining-ware store. The Moon Jar is a purveyor of artisanal Korean crockery, showcasing meticulous ceramic craftsmanship, timeless elegance and the minimalism that’s synonymous with Korean culture. Named after the traditional white porcelain made during the Joseon dynasty, The Moon Jar pays homage to Korea’s history while bringing modern functionality and unique designs that inspire cooking and plating at home. themoonjar.com

Boho Chic According to Google, the rattan furniture trend is growing from strength to strength – in fact, there’s been a whopping 800 percent spike in 2020! It’s no surprise, though, as rattan is durable, versatile and reminiscent of the tropical beach resorts we all long to return to one day. If you’re after that Lombok look, pop down to Rooma, a Singapore-based manufacturer and retailer that offers direct wholesale prices for made-to- order rattan furniture, along with renovation and carpentry services for residential and commercial projects. Check out @rooma_sg on Instagram or visit the three showrooms in the Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road.

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DECEMBER2020

BY MELINDA MURPHY

Many expats find celebrating Christmas far from family a bit of a challenge. The secret is adding a few new traditions to your holiday repertoire! “I love making Christmas magical for my children,” says LINDA SHEARER with a glow. “Even now that my three daughters are a bit older, it’s still magical for them – full of so many memories. But the way we make memories in Singapore has had to change a bit from the way we did things back in the UK.” Adding to what they have For starters, there’s the tree. Back in their home outside of London, they always bought a real tree. Here? The ceiling in their black-and-white house is very high, so a real tree would have felt a bit dinky. That’s why, in their first year here, they bought a 15-foot-tall fake tree at Kinex Mall. “I really do miss the real tree. We even had a bit of tradition about it. The girls and their dad would head off around the first of December and come back with the tree. I’d always have a moan saying it’s not big enough, not bushy enough. Then, by the time we decorated it, I’d say the tree wasn’t too bad after all.” Linda laughs, saying she even felt the giant fake tree was too small at first, until they decorated it. Linda brought most of the decorations from home. She has lots of them, too, because every year on the first of December, she gives her girls a tree gift – a special ornament. Look closely at the tree, and you can find sets of three of the same decorations throughout. And since her daughters are older now (India is 18, Imogen 16 and Iris 14), there are plenty of years of tree gifts to decorate the fir, the majority brought with them from London. All the ornaments have memories and the girls know the story of each. Linda’s hope is that they will eventually take their ornaments with them and pass them down to their own children one day.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Christmas in Singapore is definitely different – and, in some ways, better than before.

31 DECEMBER2020

Some Singapore flavour Last year, in Singapore, the tree presents were a series of huge reindeer to go on the tall tree. And she has added to her decorations in other ways, too. “One thing I love in this house are the banisters. We didn’t have them back home, so decorating these has been really fun. But everything is so expensive here that my helper and I bought pieces separately and wove them together to create the garlands I wanted.” Singapore’s blue skies and palm trees make Linda feel like she’s on vacation and not getting ready to celebrate the holidays. Originally from South Africa where they don’t have a lot of Christmas decorations, she wasn’t expecting to find new ornaments here in Singapore, also a warm country. So she was really happy to find new things she loves at places such as Tangs, Paragon and the Danish Fair at Mount Faber, where she’s picked up quite a few bits and pieces, including fresh centrepieces made with fir and candles.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Mixing old and new traditions Despite this, surrounding themselves with the trappings of the holidays doesn’t take the place of time with family. “I didn’t realise how much my children enjoyed Christmas at home with granny and grandpa until we lived here,” laments Linda. “I myself really miss the cold, the sideways rain and the smell of turkey and brussels sprouts cooking – and not paying an arm and a leg for them!” she laughs. To bridge the distance, they now connect with family on Facebook and try to open the gifts together over the internet. Linda has kept several traditions alive in their new home. For instance, she has 24 little light-up houses that she uses as an advent calendar. Inside each one is a clue the girls must follow on a treasure hunt to find a special gift for the day. They get little things such as chocolate or perfume. On the day before Christmas, they get a nutcracker to add to the family collection. Throughout the month of December, they watch Christmas movies together. Then, on Christmas Eve, the entire family gets into their special festive pyjamas, curls up on the sofa and watches yet another Christmas movie. And they do church every Christmas Day, and have crackers with their Christmas dinner.

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HOME & PROPERTY

A Christmas away Last year, though, Christmas dinner was a bit different. For the first time ever, Linda and her family were travelling over Christmas, spending the holiday with family friends in Australia. Linda was very excited about the trip, but a bit apprehensive, too. “This was going to be our first ever Christmas in somebody else’s home, experiencing somebody else’s celebrations. I was wondering about what kind of gift to get them, if I should help cook and more.” This is something to which expats can relate, many often spending Christmas holidays away

from family and with friends instead for the first time ever. In the end, the holidays are obviously different yet often also magical. But perhaps their favourite new tradition is celebrating Iggy, their red miniature toy poodle. He was adopted on Christmas Day their first year in Singapore. “Christmas in Singapore is definitely different – and, in some ways, better than before. We’ve kept many of our old traditions and added new ones, too. But in the end, what really matters is that we’re all together. That is what makes this time of the year truly special.”

Decoration Directory • Check out the wholesalers at Kinex Mall. • Tangs and Paragon have great decorations. • Danish Fair at Faber stocks lovely fresh fir decorations.

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HOME & PROPERTY

“Sleep on it”. It’s solid advice for any sticky situation. Quality sleep gives us strength and clarity, supports our immune system and allows our bodies to reboot. Most importantly, it arms us with the energy and positivity to tackle tumultuous times – and tumultuous times these are! So, if you haven’t been catching quality shuteye, then perhaps it’s time to consider a bedroom upgrade. The right mattress counts Nobody takes the sanctity of sleepmore seriously than the team at European Bedding . Specialising in organic latexmattresses and pillows, ergonomic bed bases and bamboo bedsheets, you can bet your bottomdollar that their 360-degree approach is a worthwhile investment. Each mattress is made of 100 percent natural organic latex, completewith a removable bamboo cover with organic cotton padding. Available in three densities, three heights and customisable sizes, these mattresses aim to suit every build, age and personal preference. Gift yourself and your loved ones a sleep sanctuary upgrade! Boost

Some dreamy extras Once your foundation is sorted, it’s the finishing touches that really elevate you to that prime deep-sleep zone. That’s why European Bedding has introduced “The Dream Package” – a complete pillow, bolster, duvet and bamboo bedsheets bundle that’s guaranteed to take you to Cloud 9! Here’s what it includes. • 2 Heveya Organic Latex Pillows Made of 100 percent natural organic latex and encased in soft and luxurious bamboo covers, Heveya pillows provide excellent support for the head and neck. Perfect for allergy-prone sleepers, these pillows are naturally anti-microbial and dust mite resistant. Customers may select the pillows of their choice from the various pillow model options. • 1 Heveya Organic Latex Bolster Bolsters are a comfort booster, especially for side-sleepers. Made of 100 percent natural organic latex with a soft bamboo cover, the natural elasticity of these bolsters will provide excellent support night after night. • 1 Heveya Organic Duvet Produced in Germany using the highest quality organic cotton and bamboo lyocell fibre, this Heveya organic duvet is designed for sustainability and ultimate comfort. Ideal for Singapore’s weather, it’s breathable and it wicks away moisture from perspiration to help stave off dust mites andmould. And, despite being made of natural materials, it’s easy to care for – simply toss it in the washing machine at up to 60°C! • 1 Heveya Bamboo Sheet Bundle These soft and breathable sheets are both luxurious and eco-friendly! Made of 100 percent organic bamboo lyocell, they have a unique silky smooth and feathery texture similar to silk. Bamboo fibre is naturally anti-microbial, hypoallergenic and extremely breathable, keeping you dry, cool and comfortable through the night. The bundle consists of a duvet cover, a fitted sheet, four pillowcases and a bamboo bolster case. Throughout December, European Bedding is offering The Dream Package at a special price of $1,288 (King Size, usual price: $1,646). Visit europeanbedding.sg to find out more or pop down to the showroom to feel the difference. 32 Eng Hoon Street | 6735 6658 | europeanbedding.sg

37 DECEMBER2020

TakeaSeat It’s been a tough twelve months. Let us help you take the weight o with our super seat selection, from stools and poufs to dining chairs and accent picks.

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HOME & PROPERTY

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1 Caracole accent chairs, price on request, Taylor B 2 Icon upholstery by Pollack, price on request, Altfield Interiors 3 Vincent Sheppard chair in Aqua, $1,080, Originals 4 Marco Polo settee, $4,099, Black & Walnut 5 Whit accent chairs, customisable, $1,625, Arete Culture 6 Satin upholstered accent chairs, price on request, Taylor B 7 Vinyl pop art chair by Ketna Patel, $750, The Cinnamon Room 8 Mack armchair with stitched velvet, $985, WTP

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9 O ce chair, adjustable across 11 points, from $399, ErgoTune 10 Mono chair, $299, Scanteak 11 Chinese scholar chair, price on request, Woody Antique 12 Jumo stool, price on request, Just Anthony 13 Moroccan leather poufs, $395, The Cinnamon Room 14 Aram armchair in velvet, $1,415, WTP

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HOME & PROPERTY

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15 High-back chairs in elm wood from Shandong, price on request, Just Anthony 16 Hand-painted bench from Wenzhou, price on request, Woody Antique 17 Armchairs in elm wood from Shandong, price on request, Just Anthony 18 Nelly armchair in leather, $1,450, Originals 19 Claire chair in walnut wood, $359, Grey and Sanders 20 Avril dining chair, $625, House of AnLi

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21 Malcolm accent chair, $1,395, Arete Culture 22 Samuel & Sons upholstery, price on request, Altfield Interiors 23 Joy armchairs, $295, Soul & Tables 24 Furano lounge chair, suitable for indoors and outdoors, $710, The Furniture Makers 25 Wally rattan chair, $420, The Furniture Makers 26 Kiki dining chair, $625, House of AnLi 27 Matilda chair in oak, $279, Grey and Sanders 28 DC lounge chair, $595, Soul & Tables 29 Wove chair, $650, Gallery 278

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HOME & PROPERTY

Directory

Altfield Interiors #07-10 Central Mall Office Tower, 1 Magazine Road 6909 2768 | altfield.com.sg Arete Culture #06-01 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road areteculture.com Black & Walnut 42 Keppel Road, #W1-01/02/03 | 6781 3201 | blackandwalnut.com.sg The Cinnamon Room #02-74 Jalan Merah Saga | 6474 4202 | thecinnamonroom.com ErgoTune 110 Lorong 23 Geylang, #07-09 | 3138 4355 | ergotune.com The Furniture Makers 1 Upper Aljunied Link #05-01 Joo Seng Warehouse (By appointment only) 9234 4966 | thefurnituremakers.co Gallery 278 278 River Valley Road | 6737 2322 | gallery278.com Grey and Sanders #06-02 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road 8371 8864 | greyandsanders.com House of AnLi #02-21/22 and #03-17 Tanglin Mall 163 Tanglin Road | 6235 5193 | houseofanli.com Just Anthony 379 Upper Paya Lebar Road | 6283 4782 | justanthony.com Originals 1 Bukit Batok Street 22, #05-02/03 | 6471 9918 | originals.com.sg Scanteak 60 Sungei Kadut Drive | 6368 2802 | scanteak.com.sg Soul & Tables #02-03 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road 9272 1545 | soulandtables.com.sg Taylor B Fine Design 65 Mohamed Sultan Road | 6206 9736 | taylorbdesign.com W Atelier 201 Henderson Road, #01-01 and #03-01 | 6270 8828 | watelier.com Woody Antique House Block 13 Dempsey Road, #01-05 | 6471 1770 | woodyantique.com WTP 3 Kung Chong Road 6235 2760 | wtpstyle.com

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43 DECEMBER2020

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO LIFE IN THEIR ’HOOD

ASHLEY BENTLEY From : UK Occupation: Teacher

The Specifics What’s the name of your street? Camborne Road.

Cluny Court

If it’s in another language, what does it mean? Not another language but Camborne is the name of a town in Cornwall, England. What’s a common myth or misconception about your neighbourhood? That it’s full of expat families. In fact, loads of Singaporean families live here as well. “Turn onto Trevose Crescent off the Kheam Hock Road, turn left, up the hill and by the recycling bin!” Closest MRT station? Botanic Gardens MRT (yellow Circle Line and blue Downtown Line) or Stevens MRT (blue Downtown Line). How long have you lived here? Why here? Just about 10 months – we’re still real newbies! We love being able to walk to the Singapore Botanic Gardens in just a few minutes. We’re on a really quiet street without many cars so it’s safe for the boys to ride their bikes and walk around. Our good friends also live on the road opposite, which is great. Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home?

Botanic Gardens

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North

North East

West

Central

East

South West

Camborne Road

The Scene When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? Beautiful uniquely styled houses. What’s the closest store to your front door? There are several garages on Dunearn Road, but the nearest main store is Cold Storage at Cluny Court. If your street was chosen for a remake of a film, which would it be? I’m not sure about a film but there is something about it that reminds me of Ramsay Street in the Australian series Neighbours ! We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of? Everyone just keeps to themselves so we haven’t got much to moan about! Every Sunday morning, a group of monkeys take a stroll along the street. One week, we even spotted over 30 monkeys walking in convoy – not something we’d normally see in the UK! What’s the unofficial uniform of your street? Active wear in all colours and styles! What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street?

A corner of Cornwall Camborne Road isn’t the only thoroughfare in this part of the AdamRoad neighbourhood to borrow its name fromCornwall in the UK. Merryn Street is named after St Merryn, a village in north Cornwall, and Trevose Crescent after Trevose Head, a headland on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast. Oddly enough, this Cornish touch is mixed with an indigenous Australian influence. According to How The Streets And Villages In Singapore Got Their Names (Yew Peng Ng, 2017), the nearby Narooma Road and Berrima Road are likely named after two towns in New SouthWales whose Aboriginal names mean “black swan” and “clear blue water” respectively.

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MacRitchie Reservoir

The Superlatives What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood? We’re spoilt for choice! We love a weekend breakfast at Atlas Coffeehouse; the boys love the pancakes and waffles but I think the granola is quite special. Plain Vanilla can’t be beaten for awesome coffee and cupcakes. It also serves my favourite iced latte. Dempsey is nearby and we love to eat alfresco at The Pantry at COMO Dempsey, especially as it has a great children’s play area to keep the boys busy. Cluny Court has pretty much everything you could wish for but the Serene Centre is also great. Toy Station on the top floor is such a lovely little shop with the most amazing selection of Lego sets (they kept my six-year-old busy during the Circuit Breaker). A little further up Bukit Timah Road is Meat the Butcher, which is handy for sourcing everything we need for our weekend barbecues. We’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to bakeries. But if I had to choose just one, I’d opt for Crown Bakery & Cafe; their bread, bagels and pastries are delicious and they’re very well priced. Every child in Singapore should visit the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden – it’s such fabulous free fun. MacRitchie Reservoir is also a great place for walking or hiking, although we’ve seen some scary wildlife there. We once saw a massive spider while walking and I ran the whole way back to the carpark, leaving my family far behind taking photos of it! What’s one thing you’d never change? The view of beautiful Singapore sunsets from our roof terrace! How about one thing you would change? I’d definitely make the hilly streets in our neighbourhood less steep. My eldest son loves making fun of me as I can never make it up the hill to our house on my bike! If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it? I would put some dog litter bins around as so many people put their dog poo in our bin! What are the best places to shop at in the neighbourhood? What are some fun or interesting things to do in the neighbourhood?

The National Gallery

Gardens by the Bay

Beyond the ’ Hood What are your favourite Singapore spots for taking out-of-town guests?

DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD? Share it with others – just email us at contribute@expatliving.sg with “ Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch. If you’re missing home, what do you do? We still feel like we’re on an extended holiday so homesickness hasn’t really sunk in yet. Occasionally, we’ll indulge in a guilty pleasure and order from Smiths at Balmoral Plaza along Bukit Timah Road. Nothing reminds you of England more than a good plate of fish and chips! All of our visitors have had to cancel their plans due to COVID-19, but my parents managed to visit us in March. They loved visiting the National Orchid Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens – and, of course, Gardens by the Bay. Our children also couldn’t wait to take them to the Science Centre, which is one of the best attractions in Singapore for children (in our opinion!). When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go? I head to one of Singapore’s gorgeous museums! The National Gallery has some impressive pieces of art produced by Asian artists. I’ve also visited the National Museum of Singapore several times and enjoyed learning more about the island’s history.

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HOME & PROPERTY 49

HOME & PROPERTY 50

HOME & PROPERTY 51

LIFE & FAMILY

66 Family Fun: We explore Kiztopia at Marina Square

Kiztopia

54 New & Noteworthy: Store openings, school updates and more

68 Perfect Partnerships: Looking to the future of jobs at Dulwich

71 Season of Giving: Browse our huge Christmas gift guide!

WHAT’S NEW

New Campus Whit Lodge is opening a new childcare centre in Toa Payoh. The space is located at 743 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh (Level 1) and will look to provide the most up-to- date teaching and childcare practices, enhancing learning experiences as part of theWhite Lodgebrand. The school says its aim is to liberate, empower and motivate children to use their individual gifts with confidence, creativity and generosity. It works hard to provide children the opportunity to develop and become intelligent, wise and lovable members of society. whitelodge.education

A Kindy in the East Mosaic Kindergarten is expanding and will be opening a branch in the East – The Yards! Kids will enjoy greenery and sun outdoors, as well as loads of fun and valuable experiences. Mosaic focuses on play-based learning

coupled with a huge selection of enrichment programmes. The new campus is open for 2021 enrolment with half-day and full-day options. The preschool’s flagship centre is also expanding and relocating in January 2021 to the fifth floor for a larger space and improved amenities. For more information, contact the school at info@mosaicplayacademy.sg or 6909 0470. mkg.sg

Wearnes Leasing is offering drivers a chance to get the ride of their dreams with no down payment and savings of up to $8,000. Choose from brands such as Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Renault and Volvo. The promotion is valid from now until 31 December. Terms apply. Visit wearnesleasing.com to find out more. NEEDACAR?

Pressing On To keep up with the times and anticipate changes in the print industry, Ho Printing Singapore offers an online publishing platform called PagetoPrint. It features print-on- demand services for publishers and writers to manage their publications, inventory and distribution. The company has also introduced SGBookShelf, an e-commerce platform promoting book titles by its publishers and writers. hoprinting.com.sg

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AnAussie Education

Located in Sydney, Loreto Normanhurst is an independent Catholic boarding and day school for girls. The school’s programmes aim to develop students to be strong, caring and future-focused – “seekers of truth and doers of justice”. Unique to the school, the entire Year 9 cohort recently took part in the “Songlines Experience”. Bringing together all elements of the Loreto Normanhurst Student Growth Model, students engaged with indigenous communities, performed community service and stepped out of their comfort zones to learn outside the traditional classroom. In doing so, they recognised the rich culture and traditions of the Sydney area and learnt the importance of making their own stories, enacting change and seeking justice in the tradition of young Loreto women. Find out more about boarding at Loreto, and register for the virtual open day (20 March 2021) at loretonh.nsw.edu.au .

Take to the Skies! Miss flying? Go on a different kind of flight and learn how to confidently pilot a drone with Camera Rental Centre. The sessions will be taught by the centre’s friendly licensed resident instructor. From now until 31 December 2020, kids aged 13 to 18 can learn for free with every two adults. Classes are conducted in small groups and equipment is provided. For more details, head to bit.ly/CRCDrones or email crcdrones@camerarental.biz. sg.camerarental.biz

Serious Sport Overseas Family School has appointed Mr Gil Levy as its new Head of Competitive Sport. Considered one of the world’s top swim coaches, Gil has mentored elite athletes at all levels of competition, including Olympic gold medallists, Olympic record holders and world champions such as four- time world-record-holder Cameron van der Burgh. His goal is to develop a sports programme that rivals OFS’s exceptional academic programme, which sees some students earn a perfect 45 points on the IB exams. His ambition is to provide opportunities outside the classroom for children to dream big and chase their dreams. ofs.edu.sg

Little Learners The chatter of young ones at work, experimenting with paints and glue, using a projector to explore light and shadow and playing on a wooden structure that has seen days as an airplane, a doctor’s office, bus and even a haunted house – these are what days at the Singapore American School’s Early Learning Center are made of. Campus tours are now available and are held on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays. Register for a spot at sas.edu.sg/admissions/visit-sas .

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Just had a baby? Newly married? Recently engaged? Moved back to Singapore and want to let people know you’re back in town? Whatever your announcement, we will get the message out. Email us at editorial@expatliving.sg.

Steven and Deborah Leonard are thrilled to welcome their first child, Mark , on 8 August.

Freya Hattie Hall was born on 9 November, to first-time parents, Kevin and Vienna.

Rosanna and Rhys, along with big brothers Cuali and Nico, welcomed Sol Aurelio Baeddan Spencer on 20 October.

CONGRATULATIONS! ALL READERS WHOSE BABIES ARE FEATURED ON THIS PAGE WILL RECEIVE ...

A luxurious personalised art print for children (of any design in the gallery) worth $150 from sammyeve .

sammyeve.com Treasured keepsakes for generations

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There is no better time to adopt a pet who can give you some much-needed love during this difficult period. Just be sure you will still want it when all returns to normal!

Courtney

Big Joe

HDB-approved Courtney is looking for a home to call her own! Courtney and her sisters were born on a construction site as part of a litter of eleven; seven of them were

Three-year-old Big Joe was found abandoned on a farm and left to fend for himself from the guard dogs on the property. He was found with skin issues and was very frightened by the whole ordeal, yet he remains trusting and friendly to people. In fact, he loves pats and human company in general! He’s had a traumatic past, so finding him a forever home will make all the difference.

sadly crushed to death by machinery. The six-year-old girl is a bit of a tomboy and would be perfect in a household with a working couple or laidback individuals. She’s shy with first encounters but is wonderful on long walks once she warms up. Courtney absolutely loves mud and playing rough with her best pals. She’s a healthy and happy dog who has spent four long years at the CAS Adoption Centre.

Munchy

Jewel

Four-month-old Mu n c h y wa s living in a busy plant nursery and was part of Causes for Animals’ TNRM

Lovely Jewel was picked up off the side of the road one night. She was alone, with no mum or other puppies in sight. This start to life must have been very scary, as she was nervous of almost everything when she first came to Causes. Now, Jewel loves her walks

(Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage) programme. He is a confident and extremely affectionate kitten who cannot stop purring at humans. Munchy is now fostered in an apartment and is doing excellently, but he would be a wonderful companion for a family looking for a calm, confident and happy feline friend.

and is 100 percent grass trained. She’s neutral with dogs and prefers having her own space; she’s also good with cats and tends to ignore them. However, she’s not so fond of kids so would be best in a home of adults. She needs time to build trust in a relationship; until then, she tends to spend time sleeping in a corner. She is small for a Singapore Special and is HDB-approved.

ABOUT CAUSES FOR ANIMALS At Causes for Animals, the main focus is the rescue, sterilisation and rehoming of street animals. The team of volunteers includes a full-time vet technician and schoolteacher who spend their time feeding strays and caring for them by providing vaccinations or medical treatment. Those animals particularly under threat, such as the very ill or puppies, are rescued off the streets and given a shot at life. Causes for Animals aims to eventually find homes for as many street animals as possible and to work towards a stray-free Singapore. Other than adopting a pet, you can sponsor a dog at the kennel. To find out how you can help, check out causesforanimals.com.

For more, go to expatliving.sg and click Noticeboard. To post an ad, email your text and a photograph if available to noticeboard@expatliving.sg . It’s free! Looking for a job? Check our new online listings at expatliving.sg/all_joblistings .

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Looking for something different to keep yourself entertained at home? Check out these recommendations from EL staff and readers. Plus, visit expatliving.sg for more ideas of things to read and watch!

TV

BOOKS

A Confession Recreating a true story from the not-so-distant past, A Confession focuses on the disappearance of a young woman in England after a night out with friends. It follows the heroic efforts of the local police to resolve the mystery as well as dealing with

Yes You Can Train Your Dog Eli Atias

This book was a godsend as we have a new Maltepoo puppy who needs to be trained to stop piddling anywhere he likes. It’s full of science facts and both human- and doggie-based analogies that

emotional families and bureaucratic obstacles along the way. Over six episodes, it is a gripping drama and a vivid reminder of the societal threats that exist outside the safety of our Singapore bubble/home. It’s not your standard murder-mystery crime show and it had us hooked from start to finish. See it on BBC First (StarHub channel 522). Jason Keys

are super useful to understand how your dog “thinks” and behaves. Yes You Can Train Your Dog is the first dog training handbook to be published in Singapore. $24.99 | yesyoucantrain.com Our Folktales – The All-Time Favourite Folktales from Asia Edited by Ruth Wan-Lau Here’s a lovely collection of Asian folktales for children. I read the stories to my six-year-old son who loved the animal-inspired stories the best. A great read for young kids wanting to learn about magical tales from the Asian region. $22/$36 (paperback/hardcover) worldscientificedu.com, Amazon, Kinokuniya The First of Everything Nury Vittachi

Emily in Paris I loved this Netflix series. From the writers of Sex and the City , it’s light-hearted and funny – and of course, it’s always lovely to dream of being in Paris! The story follows Emily who is sent to the Paris office of her

company, Savoir, to take on the assignment of a lifetime. Emily moves to France and brings her American perspective to the Paris staff of Savoir. Jacqui Young

PODCAST

Super Soul Sunday I’m a big fan of Oprah Winfrey and her Super Soul Sunday podcast. These are episodes that nourish the mind, body and spirit while offering insights into living one’s best life. I love how Oprah

A lovely book for adults and kids to learn about interesting facts like the first clothing, who invented the toilet and the keyboard, and so on. I actually learnt a thing or twomyself, like who the first winemaker was, and what is considered to have been the first city. A nice family read that is educational and interesting. $18.50/$38 (paperback/hardcover) worldscientificedu.com, Amazon, Kinokuniya

mixes topics and guests together. One of my fave episodes is the one with Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith, where he talks about going full circle with his life. He discusses alcohol and drug abuse, multiple failed marriages, his guilt and relationship with his kids, and about moving back to the town where he grew up and having beautiful grandchildren. Worth downloading and following! Susan Knudsen Pickles

Dee Khanduja

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