Andrew Baisley

It seems that America has settled on calling those who play bicycle polo or knit doilies around parking meters “hipsters.” But really, there are plenty of folks who fall under that umbrella term: Those who don’t drink coffee unless it’s shade-grown. Those who won’t drink beer unless it has 3-digit IBUs. Those with sleeve tattoos and dress like they raided Deadwood‘s wardrobe department.

But for all the easy sniping about the hipster, they do create some pretty cool art, have wild imaginations, and an amusing sense of perpetual adolescence. So how about your give that guy with a handle-bar mustache a break (and no offense if you are that guy)? Let little Horatio’s dad make soap in his basement on the weekends. Because all the square dads in the world could stand a little hipness in their bedtime story routine.

Future Little Hipster

There’s only one review for this book on Amazon, so it’s clearly the best book ever made. Each page features an illustration of some hipster trope and the corresponding text. Microbrewing, fixies, vintage clothes, and organic food are all represented. It’s definitely a goofy novelty item trying to make a buck mocking hipsterdom. But you’ll enjoy it ironically. Just be aware that when you bust it out at a play date, Thelonius and Addison’s parents are definitely going to say they heard of it years ago.
Ages: Adults
Future Little Hipster by Simon Zingerman ($11)

Vegetables in Underwear

Thanks to this book your kid will never think they’re too cool for a pair of undies. Author Jared Chapman brings up 3 subtle, yet important, points. First, vegetables are pretty alright guys. They can hang out and some taste just fine. Second, there are no Fruit Of The Loom jokes in here, which you figured would be obvious. And third, vegetables wearing underwear underlines the absurdity of a pair of Underoos.
Ages: 2 – 5
Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman ($12)

My Dad Used To Be Cool

Dads don’t become uncool, they just start to care less about selvedge denim from Japan and perfectly groomed facial hair. In My Dad Used To Be Cool, the titular father gets all nostalgic about his badassery before his was a father. As he pokes around, the kid in the story slowly finds out just what a rad dad he has. Of course, there’s such a thing as discovering too much about your dad. That’s for the follow up — My Dad Used To Be A Dungeon Master.
Ages: 3 – 5
My Dad Used to Be Cool by Keith Negley ($11)

Tell Me A Tattoo Story

The point of raising a kid is so they don’t make the same mistakes as you did. If you’re not going to do that, you may as well let the wolves have them. In this tale of a son and his inked father, the dad walks his kid through the stories behind each of dad’s tattoos. One of them involves the longest trip he took. One of them involves a pretty lady (spoiler, it’s the mom) he met at a very Parisian-looking cafe near what appears to be a sort of whimsical carnival town. And one was just because of Jagermeister.
Ages: 2 – 5
Tell Me a Tattoo Story by Alison McGhee ($12)

Knuffle Bunny

Mo Willem’s first book introduces characters drawn over black and white stills of city streetscapes. Actually, it’s more like some part of gentrified Brooklyn. Bougie-details aside, the real plot is about how a girl named Trixie’s simple trip to the laundromat with her dad turn into a psychotic episode over a missing stuffed animal. Hapless dad, alert. But Mo more than made up for it in his later works about pigeons driving busses and eating hot dogs.
Ages: 3 – 6
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems ($12)

Beard

From the humble cookie dusters to the mighty flavor savors, the World Beard And Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska had them all. And photographer Matthew Rainwaters captures all the bristley glory of the most impressive facial hair on the planet. From respectably stylish to wildly absurd, the portraits within this book are extreme hirsute. Be prepared to deflect questions about why Santa looks like he’s been taking biker meth all night.
Ages: All
Beard by Matthew Rainwaters ($13)

Wolfie The Bunny

Wolfie The Bunny isn’t just about a family of rabbits takes a baby wolf left on their doorstep and raises them as their own. It also teaches your kid what happens when you have a little faith in people (or predators). Also, who are you to say this didn’t happen at least once in nature? Of course things get heated when the bunny family’s daughter, Dot, thinks they’ve all gone mad and are doomed to get eaten.  But Dot also thinks that the wolves are coming to take away their bunny guns and bunny jobs.
Ages: 3 – 6
Wolfie The Bunny by Ame Dykman ($12)

A Is For Awesome

Alphabet books can get pretty dry, but author Dallas Clayton has done his part to awesome-ify (patent pending) this artisanal book of letters. Each page is full of randomly sketched objects from everyday life that also start with the corresponding letter. Are the objects awesome? They are if you’re 4 or definition includes toast popping up from the toaster. Sure, the pictures are whimsical and the hand-drawn fonts are artistic, but your children will appreciate this book, because they’re not a cynical asshole like you.
Ages: 3 – 7
A Is For Awesome by Dallas Clayton ($14)

Where’s Warhol

Warhol didn’t live long enough to see the first Where’s Waldo published. But if he did, he would probably say it needed more nudity and day-glo paint. Track down the eccentric and iconic artist in varying scenes from Yves Klein at the Kodokan Judo Institute to the beheading of Marie Antoinette. While a lot of the imagery will go over your kid’s head (also: who are you kidding?), this book is an educational alternative to hunting down that nerdy longshoreman in pom-pom hat.
Ages: All
Where’s Warhol by Catherine Ingram and Andrew Rae ($12)

This Moose Belongs To Me

This irreverent tale comes to you courtesy of Oliver Jeffers, the patron saint of quirky picture books. In this book, Jeffers works his illustrative voodoo and brings to light a strange relationship between a boy who really wants a pet and a moose who doesn’t really care. But as long as there’s apples, the moose abides, man.
Ages 3 – 7
This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers ($11)

What Is Punk?

Remember punk? You were skanking around the pits, piercing things that shouldn’t be pierced. Well, you can’t go home again, but you can introduce the next generation to clay renderings of some of The Clash, the Ramones and the Misfits. Now go forth with the assurance that you’ll never have to worry about them picking up a Blink 182 album.
Ages: 3 – 7
What is Punk? By Eric Morse and Anny Yi ($12)

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The post Read These Cool Books To Your Little Hipster (Unless They’re Already ‘So Over’ Them) appeared first on Fatherly.

“ This is a really cool idea - you hook it up to your insurance and it proactively monitors your insurance bills. Billing mistakes are in the favor of the insurance company 99% of the time. Remedy has opened up their public beta but there is a rolling waiting list. ”
– Maia Bittner

Discussion | Link

“ A fun way to send someone a random, funny, quirky compliment. Favourites so far: "If we were marooned on an island, i'd be very sad when I had to eat you." "You're better than free wifi" "Thank you for tolerating my family" ”
– Matt Aunger

Discussion | Link

From chilli crabs to fish and chips, we Singaporeans love our seafood – and the list includes fresh raw oysters. How else can you explain the number of restaurants and bars specialising in this humble bivalve? So when you’re in the mood to slurp up the plump, briny, oceanic delicacy, our guide will put you on the right track to slaking your cravings – bubbly and vino included!

Best oyster bars in Singapore

1. Kura Oyster & High Ball Bar

Those who identify as an oyster enthuasist should be familiar with this spot. Tucked in Telok Ayer is Kura Bar, an intimate space with limited seating. Here’s where you can slurp up raw or cooked oysters imported from Japan with ponzu jelly or tosa sherbet. Tip: go all out by attending the free-flow cocktails and oysters buffet, which runs on Mondays and Saturdays.
Kura Oyster & High Ball Bar, #01-01, 84 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048468

2. Joo Chiat Oyster House

Everyone knows that Joo Chiat is the hub for hip cafes, and this might be the hippest of all. When the sun sets, King’s Cart Coffee transforms itself into Joo Chiat Oyster House. Keep a look out for the red neon sign that’ll lead you there. This establishment serves up plump oysters from the Hyogo prefecture in Japan. You can take your pick from naked, flavoured, and baked versions of this salty delight. Toppings come in the form of chimichurri, red wine mignonette, salsa, or yuzu foam. And you can’t miss out on the other fusion dishes like har cheong gai chicken lolis and roasted cauliflower.
Joo Chiat Oyster House, #01-05, 328 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427585

3. Kakiin Oyster Bar

Drop whatever you’re doing and head to this izakaya, stat. Kakiin resides in Orchard Plaza, which is home to many Japanese eateries in Singapore. This hidden gem has earned rave reviews from foodies, thanks to the fresh Japanese (creamy), Irish (fleshy and minerally), and US (plumpy) oysters. Order the assorted platter which can be enjoyed in three different ways. Wash everything down with sake, shochu, or highballs.
Kakiin Oyster Bar, #01-37, Orchard Plaza, 150 Orchard Road, Singapore 238841

4. Perle Noire Oyster & Grill Bar

Nestled within Holland Village is Perle Noire, and it’s regarded as one of the best steakhouses in Singapore. It’s got premium cuts air-flown from America, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, and New Zealand. But swing by on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and you’ll forget about the juicy steak. Instead, opt for Canadian Pacific oysters that come in half a dozen.
Perle Noire Oyster & Grill Bar, 40 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277695

5. Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House

Founded by Boston’s culinary genius Travis Masiero, this New York-style restaurant is your go-to for a top-notch selection of oysters. Sourced directly from Travis’ personal contacts along the eastern seaboard of America, these oysters are some of the best you’ll find in Singapore. Expect to slurp on varieties like Powder Point, Pleasant Bay, Beau Soleil and Barnstable.
Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House, 22 Gemmill Lane, Singapore 069257

6. Angie’s Oyster Bar

This French-inspired spot offers a seasonal selection of some of the freshest oysters from around the world. That includes the Fine de Claire variety from France, which has a briny and nutty flavour profile. For something more meaty and sweet, the Sunseeker oysters from Canada will fit the bill. Come during happy hour to enjoy them at $2.50 a pop!
Angie’s Oyster Bar, #02-01, Tan Boon Liat Building, 313 Outram Road, Singapore 169073

7. Culina at Como Dempsey

Dempsey Hill boasts a plethora of gourmet food offerings, but Culina stands out as the bistro for oyster lovers visiting this foodie enclave. Serving up a weekly selection of air-flown oysters, the menu is ever-changing and varied. But if it’s available, spring for the plump French Gillardeau oyster. It’s beloved for its almost crunchy texture and subtle hazelnut taste. This variety is consistently ranked one of France’s top three premium oysters.
Culina at Como Dempsey, 15 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249675

8. Humpback

Inspired by a trip to the Hama Hama oyster farm in Washington, the owners of Humpback have taken it upon themselves to share the experience with Singaporean diners. This bastion of raw seafood serves a variety of oysters including Bristol Point, Fanny Bay, and Blue Pool oysters. Wash it all down with a selection of tipples. Oh, and come by during happy hour to enjoy the oysters from $2 each.
Humpback, 18-20 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089834

9. Tanuki Raw

Savour the taste of French, Canadian and Japanese oysters at Tanuki Raw. Popular with the after-work crowd, the bar attracts droves of shellfish lovers during its daily happy hour. Oysters start at just $3! While we’re suckers for the OG raw oyster, you can get it with a splash of flavour. Options include truffle oyster drizzled with the restaurant’s signature truffle soy sauce; mentai oyster, which features torched mentaiko mayo; and ikura oyster topped with salmon roe.
Tanuki Raw, multiple locations including Orchard Central and Cross Street Exchange

10. Greenwood Fish Market

This seafood restaurant offers an affordable selection of fresh oysters from Canada, Australia, France, America and Ireland. But before diving into the seafood mains, start your meal with rarities like the Coffin Bay oyster (crisp and briny), Golden Mantle oyster (buttery and sweet with a melon finish) and Sakoshi Bay oyster (smooth and creamy).
Greenwood Fish Market, multiple locations including Quayside Isle and Bukit Timah

11. The Secret Mermaid

This is a hidden gem right in the heart of the CBD. A Japanese eatery by day turned bar and liquor store by night, The Secret Mermaid boasts over 45 spirits in its booze library. While you’re on an alcoholic adventure of discovery, fuel up on freshly shucked oysters topped with the likes of ikura and mentaiko. Of course, purists can have them in all their natural glory sans extras.
The Secret Mermaid, #B1-08, Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315

12. Southbridge

The world is your oyster and that saying rings true at Southbridge. Overlooking the picturesque Singapore River, the rooftop bar offers undisrupted views of the vicinity. These oysters are served four ways in half a dozen: Umami (ponzu and yuzu sauce), Nikkei (bulldog sauce with togarashi), Mignonette (banana shallot and sherry vinegar), and Natural (fresh lemon and Tobasco). While you’re there, try a couple of G&Ts from the extensive gin menu.
Southbridge, 80 Boat Quay, Singapore 049868

13. The Oyster Bank

The moniker says it all, doesn’t it? Look forward to a trove of oysters in flavours like coriander lime, classic mignonette, yuzu ponzu, ginger chilli vinaigrette, and tosazu kombu. Get the Oysters and a Pop set to try all the flavours in pairs alongside a bottle of wine. You can also have them “baked with choices like mentaiko, garlic parsley butter, garlic miso and truffle.
The Oyster Bank, multiple locations including Funan and Tanjong Pagar

Got that craving? These oyster bars in Singapore are calling out for you!

[This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2024 by Sufyan Saad.]

The post Aw, shucks! Dive into the best oyster bars in Singapore for fresh seafood delights appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

Your spouse calls them “sympathy pounds,” science says it’s a case Couvade syndrome, and you’ve just accepted it as dadbod. Whatever that thing hanging off the front of your torso is, German beer brand Bergedorfer Bier thinks it’s awesome, so they’re celebrating it with a new campaign, “Brewed With Love.”

Created by advertising agency Jung von Matt, the campaign is a spot-on parody of the maternity boudoir photo trend. If you’re unaware of what that is, consider yourself lucky (also, do not click this link unless you are prepared to see things you can’t un-see), and just extrapolate from the images below. And, if you’re an expecting dad who thinks shooting his own little “Brewed With Love” campaign is a good idea, remember that fathers drinking too much can negatively impact their baby’s health in some unexpected ways. So, play it safe and balance those beers with some burgers and ice cream — you’ll be competing with these German beauties in no time.

Jung von Matt / Bergedorfer

Jung von Matt / Bergedorfer

Jung von Matt / Bergedorfer

[H/T] Bored Panda

The post German Beer Brewer Figures Out How To Do Pregnancy Photography For Guys appeared first on Fatherly.

Your meaty guide to delicatessens and butchers in Singapore for ham and cold cuts

We’re no stranger to the heavenly pairing of cheese and wine. But if you’re looking for a meatier and equally fuss-free way to feed peckish houseguests, putting together a charcuterie board is a great alternative. Like cheese, the world of cured meat is a diverse one featuring widely varying tastes and textures, from hard sausages and paper-thin slices of proscuitto to melt-in-your-mouth terrines and pates. With a little know how and some help from your friendly charcutier, you’ll be putting together the perfect board in no time.

The Meat Club

The newest kid on the block, this new-age Aussie meat delivery business is one we’re big fans of, and it has incredibly tender meat and a very cool Auto-Pilot option.  Let us explain: These guys supply all-Australian beef and lamb, fly it pre-packed in meal-size portions into Singapore, and then deliver it to your door.  The packaging technology they use allows the meat to last in the fridge for 28 days (14 days for mince), so your meat is never frozen.  You can order a pack, or sign up for their Auto-Pilot option, where they automatically send you a meat order every four weeks.  How handy is that? We have tried and tasted the product, and the tenderness is out of this world!  But hey, try it for yourself!  Right now, they are offering our readers a free 500g lean beef mince with every order placed by Thursday 30 June. Simply enter HONEY on checkout to redeem!

Huber’s Butchery

It’s cold cuts galore at Huber’s Butchery. This veritable meat emporium is your one-stop shop for all your carnivorous needs. Almost all its hams are sliced only on purchase so you know you’re not getting pre-sliced, preservative-laden supermarket ham. For hosts who want to prepare a charcuterie board, Huber’s also has a selection of cured meat that include the prestigious 10 Vetas Jamon de Bellota ham that is sure to be a hit with the meat mavens.

Huber’s Butchery, 18A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249677. p. 6737 1588. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-8pm, Sat-Sun and PH 9.30am-7pm.

The Fishwives

While its name might suggest aquatic inclinations, The Fishwives does much more than just seafood. Owner, Rebecca Forwood, is passionate about her selection of meat and poultry and insists on food that is sustainable and natural. Although its focus is on fresh meat, The Fish Wives will be bringing in Christmas ham that promises to be held to the same standards as the rest of its products.

The Fishwives, #01-05B, Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259760. p. 6464 8384. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9.30am-5.30pm.

Ryan’s Grocery

Named after the founders’ son with food intolerance, Ryan’s Grocery is a gourmet butcher and grocery offering quality organic and free-range meats as well as a wide selection of gluten-free and preservative-free goods. Its wide stock of farm-to-plate products (including organic beef chuck roll and pork loin prime rib) will guarantee satisfied eaters all around the dining table.

Ryan’s Grocery, 29 Binjai Park, Singapore 589831. p. 6463 3933. Open Fri-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu 9.30am-4pm.

Delicia

The online-only delicatessen prides itself on its curated spread of fine meat, terrines and cold cuts. If you’re particular about your cured meat and price is no object, Delicia is your best bet for rarities and speciality brands. One of its more uncommon offerings is the nutty, funky-flavoured Iberico ham made from acorn-fed Iberic pigs and cured for up to three years.

Delicia (Online orders only)

Culina

Spontaneous get-togethers and parties can leave you panicky and scrambling to arrange food for your guests. Culina has teamed up with Fairprice Finest and opened charcuterie counters at 11 outlets islandwide, making last minute party preparation a breeze. How convenient is that? Those who fancy a sit-down affair can even head down to its bistro at Dempsey and assemble their own eat-in charcuterie platter, perfect for an evening with friends.

Culina, many locations islandwide.

Dean & Deluca

Like The Fishwives, Dean & Deluca is getting ready for its festive season with their slab of apricot glazed Gammon ham. Whether you’re prepping for a Christmas party or just want to indulge in a gourmet ham sandwich, Dean & Deluca offers a package that includes two kilos of ham, your choice of two sides (roasted root vegetables, mac and cheese, creamy yukon potato mash or caramelised Brussels sprouts), apricot mustard and a shaker of Italian sea salt for $140. Your late night snacking for the next month is all sorted out!

Dean & Deluca Orchard Central, #04-23/24, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896. p. 6509 7708. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm.
Dean & Deluca Far East Square, #01-01, 47 Pekin Street, Singapore 048775. p. 6536 2460. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm.
Dean & Deluca Hills View 2, #01-01, Hills View 2, 4 Hillview Rise, Singapore 667979. p. 6710 7282. Open Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10.30pm.

Swiss Butchery

In more ways than one, Swiss Butchery definitely makes the cut when it comes to being one of the finest purveyors of meat in Singapore. Its smorgasbord of meat includes delicacies like raw Black Forest ham, forest terrine with mushrooms and German style Gelbwurst. And if their vast array of meat doesn’t impress you, their free delivery on orders above $100 might just do the trick.

Swiss Butchery, 30 Greenwood Ave, Singapore 289230. p. 6468 7588. Open daily 9.30am-8pm.
Swiss Butchery, 56 Tanglin Rd, Singapore 247964. p. 6235 8080. Open daily 9am-9pm.
Swiss Butchery, Jones the Grocer, Dempsey Hill Block 9 #01-12 Dempsey Road, Singapore, 247697. p. 9752 6588. Open Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-7pm.

Meat The Butcher

Deli meat dilettantes keen on trying new, interesting varieties of hams and cold cuts could learn a thing or two from a visit to Meat The Butcher. The butchery puts an emphasis on fostering personal relationships with its customers. How so, you ask? You’re always welcome to go to Specialist Butcher, Eric Lau, for advice on meat platters.

Meat The Butcher, 615 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269716. p. 6465 1651. Open daily 10am-7pm.

Da Paolo Gastronomia

Being the hostess with the mostest is easy with Da Paolo’s extensive range of gourmet meat offerings – be it ham for a picnic sandwich or assembling a charcuterie board for a wine-tasting party. Don’t forget to add a little colour to your meat board with its assortment of olives.

Da Paolo Gastronomia, many locations islandwide. p. 6479 6522.

Studies have shown that getting a good night’s sleep is critical to keeping one’s self happy, healthy and fully functioning. But with advances in technology, modern humans have increasingly found themselves typing and swiping into the wee hours of the night without any regard for what time it is. Unfortunately, exposure to light before bed can have serious negative effects on our body, messing with our circadian rhythms and suppressing our ability to produce melatonin—the hormone that controls our sleep and wake cycles. But beyond feeling tired and irritable the next day, not getting enough sleep also has tremendous long-term effects that include, but are certainly not limited to, depression, immune stress, weight gain, premature aging and disease. Luckily, there are researchers out there harnessing the power of the light spectrum to engineer light bulbs that work with our bodies and environment, rather than against them.

To help urban dwellers sleep better, we tapped Lighting Science Group founder and Chief Technology Officer Fred Maxik to learn more about the challenges we face when it comes to city and indoor light, as well as for some tips on how to improve health, productivity, sleep, and even happiness by simply switching bulbs. Lighting Science is one of the world’s leading LED manufacturers and they’ve worked with everyone from NASA to national sports teams to the creators of the Lowline Underground Park.

How did you get involved with lighting for health and how did Lighting Science come about?

Fred: I started the company about 16 years ago and it came about simply from looking at what opportunities there were regarding the longevity of lights, energy efficiency, and being able to use light in different ways. As solid state devices, LEDs, and lasers continued to advance, we wanted to develop these same technologies to be able to deploy them as lighting.

A little over a decade ago we started doing some work with NASA. NASA had funded some studies with different scientists and we started looking at how we could build lights differently. They had issues with the astronauts in space circling the earth and being flung out of their circadian rhythms. They were losing focus and coherence and were not alert enough when completing some tasks—in fact, they use a lot of pharmaceuticals up there to help astronauts sleep and they still get lousy sleep. So we started looking at what the spectrum of light meant, and with folks like Steve Lockley at Harvard and George Brainard at Jefferson, we really started digging into the data. We were able to measure how applying different spectrums of light could enhance a body’s ability to fall asleep naturally, or conversely, energize. It’s all been substantiated.

So, for example, looking at sunshine, we started narrowing that particular light down to what its spectral elements are. We took our measurements and then we started reengineering the light spectrum of LEDs to create lights that either deplete the spectrum that keeps us awake, prevents our bodies from healing at night and prevents the melatonins from being expressed at night; or one that alerts us during the day by adding more of that spectrum.

We each have our own internal clocks and we get re-synced every day when we see the sunshine. If you throw a light on the wrong time of night, it disrupts that cycle. So now we create lights we want in the daytime and lights we want pre-sleep, during the evening. And this is just the beginning of what we can do with light.

What kind of testing and trials have you done to measure the effects?

Fred: There are probably 50 published peer-reviewed papers on the topic, if not more. We have built test platforms for a couple of universities; we built the test platforms that they studied at Harvard Sleep Labs and Brigham and Women’s Hospital Sleep Center. We are currently in a five-year test down in Australia with a number of hospitals and universities. We’ve gone as far as measuring blood serum in some tests, which reveals any hormone changes as we change the light spectrum.

Do you think New Yorkers face greater challenges when it comes to lighting and health?

Fred: Oh, absolutely. Listen, we have in our urban environment today this amazing amount of light trespass. Our street lights shine into the first three, four, five floors of our apartment buildings and townhouses, even with the windows down. We have light everywhere. I can call it “light pollution” or “light noise” because it is so ubiquitous to our urban environments in North America. It’s now something that we seriously have to overcome; it’s locked our natural systems.

I think the urban environment is probably the most challenging. If you’re out camping at night you tend to get a pretty good night’s sleep because there’s not a whole lot of light out there. If you’re in an urban environment you need dark shadows, you need the right light in your bedrooms, you need the right light in the bathroom if you decide you have to get up and go in the middle of the night. And then you need the right light to work because very often you’re in offices that have less than desirable conditions. I think the urban challenge is the greatest challenge to light.

What are the most common mistakes households make when it comes to lighting?

Fred: Well, I think we’ve been taught, and well taught, that we should look for efficient light sources. We go to the source that looks light. However, when we make that decision, we often don’t consider what that spectrum of light does to us in the environment we’re placing it. The greatest challenge is educating the public to understand how to select the right light for the right place in their residences, to find out the most efficient light in a kitchen that’s being used during the day, in the evening or early evening. And on the same point, knowing that same light would be completely inappropriate by a bedside.

I think that educating people that spectrum matters—and that it’s not just color temperature, but it’s how that color temperature is built up from an engineering standpoint and how that spectrum is composed—is critical.

If you’re on a budget and you’re not able to redo all the lighting in your house, where’s the best place to start?

Fred: The bedroom would certainly be the first for me because, to me, the greatest disruption to us is our sleep and our body’s ability to heal. And where we see the greatest effects of light is in the bedroom before we go to sleep. Changing those bulbs would be my first step.

For those who don’t buy through Lighting Science, is there anything to look out for when buying bulbs that make similar claims?

Fred: There’s a lot. I want to say my biggest concern is that people will buy things and then be dissatisfied with the new technology because it doesn’t do things the old ones did before it. To me the greatest test in general lighting today is whether they function well with the type of dimmers you want to put in your house, if you’re using a dimmer.

I would ask if there is something compatible with what you’re trying to use, because if it’s not, your satisfaction will be low. There are a lot of key products out there that commonly are very, very unsatisfying if you try to use them with dimmers. In this rush to see how quickly we can drive the price down, a lot of makers are willing to compromise quality. And it’s not easy for the consumers to discern that.

This is still an industry in its infancy. I think our lights will continue to evolve and get better. From a residential standpoint I’m excited that there’s going to be new forms coming out. These will help to drive sustainability that will increase the efficiencies of not only power consumption but of manufacturing, and with it all, create a new set of metrics; the ability to grow your own vegetables even in small spaces, the ability to stay awake and alert and study better. We’ll also have better memory retention on top of all these other factors. We’ll be able to just live a healthier lifestyle because we can rely on the right lighting at the right time of day. I think these are pretty exciting opportunities.

***

A BULB FOR EVERY ROOM: WHAT TO BUY 

We’ve listed a few options for every room, available both through Lighting Science and other bulb makers.

BEDROOM ↑

“In the bedroom I’d go to a much warmer white, something between 2,500 and 2,700 kelvin, but not just kelvin” says Fred. “You want a warm white light, but a warm white light that’s engineered to have the blue spectral elements that create the most disruption to circadian rhythm removed.”

• Good Night bulbs from Lighting Science – $34.95: This bulb was originally developed for NASA astronauts on the International Space Station. The light supports melatonin and helps to keep your circadian rhythm in check.
• Drift Light from Saffron Lighting – $29.95: If you like to be eased into dreamland, the Drift automatically dims, mimicking a setting sun. You can also set it to dim to “moonlight mode” which turns the bulb into a night light over shutting it off.
• Lumie Body Clock Active 250 – $140: If you’re looking for something that will not only help you sleep better but help you wake without a jolt, Lumie’s Body Clock creates 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90-minute sunrise to wake naturally and a 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90-minute sunset to wind down for bed. The clock also has built-in radio, white noise setting, and plenty of alarm sounds to help you wake. There’s also a nightlight feature and the beloved snooze button.

KITCHEN ↑

Fred says, “In a kitchen I would move towards a light that has a little bit more of the enrichment, a little bit of cooler tones, something between 3,000 and 4,000 kelvin with an enriched blue.”

• Awake & Alert from Lighting Science – $39.95: This bulb “is the only biologically-correct LED lighting solution proven to give you more energy, promote alertness and enhance performance with our patented, stimulating blue-enhanced spectrum,” writes Lighting Science. Use it in the kitchen and family/living spaces. It also works to help those who suffer from SAD and Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder.

BATHROOM ↑

Bathrooms can be tricky because they’re used throughout the day and night. Oftentimes in the city, bathrooms also have limited or no natural light during morning and daytime hours.

• LSPRO Genesis Lamp from Lighting Science – $299: Made for both night a day use, the LPRO lamp combines Lighting Science’s Awake & Alert bulb with their Good Night bulb. The multi-purpose light will both enhance your natural alertness, energy and focus and promote a healthy and restful sleep depending which bulb you switch on. The device also monitors air quality to assure the healthiest of environments, and the light can also be programmed and controlled with your smartphone or tablet.
• If you can manage two separate fixtures in your bathroom, opt to add and Awake & Alert and a Good Night bulb to your bathroom. These can be purchased in bundles of four for $139.
• Low-blue Night Light Combination Low Blue Lights – $12.95: If you’re someone who often gets up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, add a night-light to your bathroom. This one from Low Blue Lights emits a soft amber glow that makes it easy to make your way around, but won’t disrupt your circadian rhythm.

NURSERY ↑

Another Lighting Science creation, the Sleep Baby “creates the perception of darkness for your infant’s internal clock,” while providing the right amount of light to tend to kids in the wee hours. Available for $29.95.

OFFICE ↑

Many people refer to these bulbs as “caffeine lights.” They can energize and help one focus on work or other tasks.

• Awake & Alert from Lighting Science – $39.95: Mentioned above in our “Kitchen” section, this bulb also works great in office environments.
• Philips’ goLITE BLU Plus HF3332 – $200: goLITE has been clinically proven to naturally boost mood and energy and fight SAD. Using Bluewave technology, you need only be exposed to the light for 15 minutes a day (it only needs to be in your field of vision) to reap its benefits. It’s also portable, so you can bring it from home to office and back with ease. While pricey, the device can be turned on for 30 minutes a day for 50 years and you won’t deplete its efficiency.

INDOOR GARDEN ↑

Want to grow food indoors? There’s a bulb for that too. Lighting Science’s LsPro MyNature Grow LED Lamp has been developed for the homeowner/hobbyist. The lamp optimizes photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) to maximize the process of photosynthesis so plants can grow to their full potential. And being an LED, the this lamp gives off no heat and contains no mercury, unlike conventional fluorescent and HID grow lights. Available for $34.95.

PRICE CONSIDERATIONS: “Some have more functions that others, but in general the newer bulbs are coming in at prices that are pretty fair to where the market is going to be for an efficient bulb that has these extra functions,” says Fred. “These are all going to come down in price as the whole market does come down. But keep in mind you’re getting a whole new value metric for what you’re buying. You’re not just buying energy efficiency anymore, you’re buying energy efficiency, a better night’s sleep, and the ability for your body to heal.”

RELATED: 

• 15 Air-Purifying Plants to Add to Your Apartment or Home
• Interview: Engineer Joseph Gulden Discusses Wooden Skyscrapers Surpassing 1,000 Feet
• 7 Tips for Soundproofing a Noisy Apartment

The post PARIS FASHION WEEK: PAUL SMITH appeared first on Manuscript.

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The building first hit the market in 2014 asking $47.5 million

The uber-rich can't get past the idea of New York City megamansions, particularly in the quaint West Village. A palatial single-family spread on Charles Street between Greenwich and Washington showed up on the market again this morning after first appearing in 2014. This time the listing touts new renderings that imagine how a wealthy buyer could transform the uninspiring office building that currently stands at 134 Charles Street into a 13,000-square-foot home complete with—what else?—a personal squash court.

The building is now asking $45 million, sans renovation. The former factory was first pitched as a $47.5 million "unparalleled opportunity to create a spectacular West Village mansion" after it was purchased by investor Ciaran O'Kelly in 2008 for $17 million. At the time, O'Kelly had recently renovated the building into two floors of office space with two rentals asking $33,000 and $17,000. But alas, this is the age of the West Village megamansion and anything less than that won't do.

In the beginning of May, billionaire Jon Stryker unveiled his plan for a 12,000 square foot Jane Street megamansion which was poo-pooed by the community board, much the plan to transform 134 Charles Street in the Greenwich Village Historic District Extension might be too. But should it (or they) move forward, they'll join the company of the Village's own impenetrable fortress, and Annie Leibovitz's former Greenwich Street compound now owned by Lauren Bush Lauren, among others.

• Listing: 134 Charles Street [CORE]
• $47.5M Charles Street Building Wants to Be a Megamansion [Curbed]

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Professional photoshoots of newborns or babies can give parents some stellar shots, but predicting the weather is more accurate than predicting the “call of Nature” for babies, even if they just went. So, occasionally, these photo sessions result in some of the highest quality pics of little munchkins spraying their parents like a broken, high-pressure sewage line.

WARNING: Some of these aren’t just a little on the gross side, they’re dead-center in the capital of Grosslandia. Enjoy!

1. “What have I done?” -this baby probably

2. Insert Ferocious Gargling Sounds Here

3. A Surprise Preemptive Strike on the Older Sibling

Lauren Ashley Photography
 

4. Barely Containing Laughter at His New Liquid Tramp Stamp

Memory Portraits by Gigi
 

5. That’s Some Impressive Distance

Abbie Rogers Photography
 

6. Blue Steel Dad, Yellow Yogurt Baby

KellerBrash
 

7. That’s a Twofer

Brown Road Photography
 

8. She Knew Exactly What She Was Doing

Kirsty Grant Photography
 

9. The Dog Is Not Amused

Alisa Sue Photography
 

10. “I will protec-WHA? Heh heh!”

Peekaboo Photos
 

11. Say Cheese! NO WAIT! DON’T!!!

Peekaboo Photos
 

12. “I wish I was the baby in the next photo.”

a-fotografy.co.uk
 

13. “I’m so glad I’m not the baby in the photo above.”

Fima Photography
 

14. “Hold this for me, would ya?

Canon Manley
 

15. Brother Diasapproved

Peekaboo Photos
 

16. Proud Father

Dalia Drulia Photography
 

17. Inconceivable!

Cristina Barton
 

18. Yellow Rainbow, All The Way

Dalia Drulia Photography
 

19. Two Very Different Reactions

S R Photography

 

20. PLLLBT!

James Schokman
 

21. The Royal Treatment

Phoenix Photography
 

22. Urban Outfitters Here I Come

dslrmom.com
 

23. Something Moist This Way Comes

Linsay Huitink
 

24. In Her Mother’s Arms… All Over

25. Poopsie Daisy!

Kristine Ryan Photography
 

26. Guess Who Is Not Amused

Missbrooooke
 

27. DOH!

awkwardfamilyphotos.com
 

28. And When They Start Growing Up

imgur.com
 

It really depends on your perspective. I can’t really call these parents “unlucky.” When I think of all the times I’ve been splattered and leaked on by my kids I feel like I was a living Jackson Pollack painting. But if I had a shot like any of these, it’d be hanging over the living room fireplace.
 

1870′s sugarhouse in the Chippewa Nature Center, Midland, Michigan.

Contributed by Andrew Ranville.

Peanut butter is something we all grew up with, and today, we want to share with you all the Tasty Peanut Butter Dishes in Singapore That Are Worth The Calories.

Made from ground roasted peanuts, the popular food paste is no longer just a spread for sandwiches and toasts. Rejoice! Because peanut butter is widely used in food and desserts, such as cakes, ice-cream and even burgers!

From Creamier’s Peanut Butter Jelly Ice-Cream to Chef Icon Nature Bakery’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake, we have picked out 9 Peanut Butter Dishes in Singapore that will satisfy your cravings for peanut butter.

#1 BURGER VS WINGS + BAR – TYSON PEANUT BUTTER BURGER 

Creamy peanut butter might sound like an unlikely condiment in savoury beef burgers, but Burger VS Wings + Bar restaurant has proved us wrong in its Tyson Peanut Butter Burger (S$21.90).

A stockyard angus beef patty is sandwiched between two brioche buns and stuffed with arugula leaves, cheddar cheese, streaky bacon, sunny side egg and sun-dried tomato.

Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road
#11-03/04, Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 0423
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 11am – 11pm

#2 CHEF ICON NATURE BAKERY – PEANUT BUTTER CHEESECAKE

Chef Icon Nature Bakery’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake (S$7.80) is an interesting rendition of the Boston cheesecake.

Unlike the ubiquitous overwhelmingly rich cheesecakes, the peanut butter cheesecake offers layers of flavourful peanut butter, producing a sublime creaminess. It is a wonderful fusion and makes a great treat for those who love both peanut butter and cheese.

Read: Guide to the best cheesecakes in Singapore.

5 Kampong Bahru Rd
Singapore 169341
Tel: +65 9337 3900
Mon to Sat: 8am – 7pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#3 CREAMIER – PEANUT BUTTER JELLY ICE-CREAM 

Peanut butter jelly sandwiches are nostalgic, and they are childhood staples for many. Now, we have it in ice cream form – Creamier’s Peanut Butter Jelly Ice Cream (S$4.20) tasted exactly the same.

Peanut butter fans must give this a go! Eating the ice cream was akin to eating the thick PBJ jam right from the old-school Skippy container.

Read: Guide to the best soft-serve places in Singapore.

#01-835, Block 128
Toa Payoh Lorong 1
Singapore 310128
Tel: +65 6250 1476
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Braddell

#4 EVERYTHING WITH FRIES – PEANUT BUTTER SLAW

If salad is the only thing you are feeling today, know that Everything with Fries has an interesting option for you.

The Peanut Butter Slaw (S$10) is not quite like your usual salad. The flavours and textures somehow worked and reminded us of a rojak version of coleslaw.

40 Lorong Mambong
Singapore 227695
Tel: +65 6463 3741
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#5 FAT BOYS – THE ELVIS 

Inspired by The Elvis sandwich and Elvis Presley himself, Fat Boys has created The Elvis Burger (S$11) – a bacon stuffed pork patty sandwiched between fluffy honey oat brown buns.

Sink your teeth into the burger and you will find other surprising ingredients such as grilled bananas and, of course, a generous amount of creamy peanut butter. The burger also comes with crispy fries.

11 Kensington Park Rd
Singapore 557263
Tel: +65 6280 8596
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 12midnight
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12midnight
Sun: 12pm – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/ Serangoon

#6 GROUP THERAPY – PEANUT BUTTER WAFFLE 

This is a decadent treat if you want something really sweet for that sugar rush. Group Therapy has decent waffle bases – albeit inconsistent. Nonetheless, the Peanut Butter Waffle (S$11) is our all-time favourite and for some reason, they always get this right.

49 Duxton Road, #02-01
Singapore 089513
Mon: Closed
Tue to Thu: 11am – 6pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#7 JOE AND DOUGH – PEANUT BUTTER STACK 

Chocolate stack cakes are pretty common these days, but Peanut Butter Stack (S$6) isn’t. Thank God Joe And Dough created their version. At S$6 per serving, this longitudinal cake is a dense treat that is very sweet. The rich peanut butter taste may not be for everyone, but for peanut butter lovers, they’ll have you covered.

9 Raffles Blvd
#01-86 Millenia Walk
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6337 0938
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

#8 TOAST BOX – PEANUT BUTTER THICK TOAST 

But of course, right? How can we miss out on Toast Box’s Peanut Butter Thick Toast (S$1.70)? It is one of those affordable and simple treat that we can always rely on. Toasted old-school white bread slathered with thick and chunky peanut butter, then sliced up into bite-size pieces; the sheer simplicity of this is one we always seek solace in!

313 Orchard Road
#05-01/02/03 (Stall 22)
313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6834 4945
Daily: 8.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#9 TWELVE CUPCAKES – SNICKERS CUPCAKE 

Twelve Cupcakes has an exciting flavour – the Snickers Cupcake (S$3.20). Drizzled with rich chocolate and gooey caramel condiments, the salted peanut infused cupcake will have you rethink about all the other boring flavours. The chocolatey cupcake is topped with creamy peanut butter frosting and a bite-size portion of the snickers chocolate bar. What calories?

B2-06A Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
Singapore 098585
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best Nutella desserts in Singapore.

Cooking classes are incredibly popular at The Island of Gods and we totally understand why.

Most half-day courses include free pick-up from Ubud area and a trip to the local farms and/or markets, before students are guided through an interactive experience on how to prepare mouthwatering Balinese classics. And of course, you get to eat whatever you’ve cooked during the lessons!

From Balinese Farm Cooking School, Jambangan Bali Cooking Class to Lorong Culinary Experience Bali, here is our guide to 7 Best Cooking Classes in Ubud, Bali. If you have never tried a cooking day class before, signing up for one while on a vacation sounds like a refreshing idea, yes?

Source: Balinese Farm Cooking

#1 BALINESE FARM COOKING SCHOOL

Balinese Farm Cooking School’s day class will have students visiting the local Balinese markets and harvesting their own crops at an organic farm before the cooking lesson commences.

One can choose from regular or vegetarian classes. Rates start from US$35 per pax, which includes pick up from Ubud and a complimentary recipe book./

Banjar Patas, Taro, Ubud 80561
Tel: +62 812-3953-4446

#2 CASA LUNA COOKING SCHOOL

Hailed as one of the world’s best cooking schools by The Australian, Casa Luna Cooking School is one of the most famous cooking classes in Bali. Interested participants can learn to prepare delectable Balinese dishes such as chicken satay, gado-gado and tempe curry etc.

Prices start from RP$400,000/ US$30 per head.

Honeymoon Guesthouses, JL Bisma, Kec. Gianyar, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 973282

Source: The Keepers Map

#3 JAMBANGAN BALI COOKING CLASS

If you are after an intimate homestyle cooking course, then Jambangan Bali Cooking Class will definitely fit the bill. Learn useful culinary techniques from natives and whip up eight tantalising Balinese dishes – you will get to devour them all after. The 5/5 rating on Trip Advisor was indeed accurate; it was truly the highlight of our one-week vacation in Ubud!

Fees are at a flat rate of RP$350,000/ US$26.50 per person and you can choose from either morning or afternoon classes.

Jl Kelabang Moding, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 813-3834-4388

Source: Living In Another Language

#4 LOBONG CULINARY EXPERIENCE BALI

An educational and fun-filled culinary lesson awaits at Lobong Culinary Experience Bali, where attendees will be guided from the beginning to the very end on how to prepare a plethora of delicious Balinese dishes from scratch.

Prices start from RP$375,000/ US$28.40 and there is a prevailing 10% service charge.

Jl. Raya, Kedewatan, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 812-3651-778

Source: Trip Advisor

#5 PAON BALI

Paon Bali Cooking Class offers both morning and afternoon classes, but note that the latter does not include trips to the local markets. The English-speaking class is held in a local’s home compound; it will be a very unique and memorable hands-on experience.

Rates start from RP$350,000/ US$26.50 per person. Do bear in mind that Paon Bali Cooking Class is especially hot in demand due to its number one ranking on Trip Advisor’s Classes & Workshops in Ubud – hence reservations way in advance are highly recommended.

Kab. Gianyar, 80552,Indonesia, Jl. Raya Laplapan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 813-3793-9095

Source: Payuk Bali

#6 PAYUK BALI COOKING CLASS

Payuk Bali Cooking Class is run by local experience Balinese Chef Ketut Budi, where avid foodie travellers can unlock the secrets of Balinese cuisine from the comforts of a local traditional home! Learn how to make traditional Balinese coffee, coconut oil and whatnot. No prior experience is required and everyone is welcome!

Chef Ketut is imparting his culinary knowhow at just RP$350,000/ US$26.50 per person, whereby 5% of the amount will go to non-profit organisation Bali Child School.

Jalan Laplapan, Banjar Laplapan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 8987854

Source: Raw Food Bali

#7 RAW FOOD BALI

Raw Food Bali’s workshops are nothing like all the Balinese cooking classes we have just shared about. Instead, it aims to offer classes committed to raw food.

Interested attendees can expect three-hour courses such as Raw Food Fundamentals and Western Classics Gone Raw etc. Each class will have you preparing six recipes and going through two talks! Classes start from US$80 per pax.

Jalan Suweta, Ubud 80571, Indonesia

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best food places in Bali.

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When Janice Parker Landscape Architects arrived at this Connecticut site, they found the remains of what used to be a farm, with the bones of a house, barns, fields, woodlands and a fruit orchard. The architects were taken by the lovely piece of land and its countryside history, so created the wood-clad Modern Barn House as an homage to the property’s past life. They also incorporated the apple orchard and redesigned the landscape to include a large patio and infinity pool.

In order to deliver an authentically designed landscape, Parker told us that firstly, they studied the local landscape and researched the history of the county. The road, a historic travel route, was originally lined with old and declining sugar maples, which the architects celebrated by planting new rows of the same specie placed the traditional 35 feet apart. Herbs and annual plants where placed inside corten steel planters hidden in corners so as not to obstruct the grassy view from the house.

An old split rail fence that divided the property up into small sections was removed and paths were mowed through the newly joined fields. A former pond at the lower point of the land was dredged and replanted, and low bushes were added along the road and the front of the old house for privacy.

Starting a new fruit orchard was a was to pay respect to the historic farmers’ shaping of the land. Here, the firm used grids and geometry, as well as some graceful arches.

See more blooming designs by Janice Parker at her website, here.

RELATED:

• AW Architects’ Blue Rock House in the Catskills Resembles a Minimalist Dairy Barn
• 18th Century Farmhouse, With Art Gallery and Pool Additions, Costs Less Than Most NYC Apartments
• In.Site-Architecture’s Southern Tier BARNagain Is Built from Old Barns

All photos courtesy of Janice Parker Landscape Architects

Few of India’s states are as steeped in legend as Rajasthan. With its palaces, temples, forts and festivals, Rajasthan has been a travel destination for centuries. But if you visit only one place here, it should be Jaipur, known as the ‘Pink City’. In this two day itinerary of sightseeing in the city, you’ll see a royal museum, an ancient observatory, unusual architecture and one of India’s most picturesque forts.

City Palace By Miya.m – Miya.m, CC BY-SA 3.0,

Day One

Start the day at the City Palace, famous as the seat of power for the city’s rulers since the 1700s, and still partly occupied by the royal family. The part of the complex open to the public – known as the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum – is an eye-opening experience and its treasures will take up at least two to three hours, so ensure you get there early (the museum is open daily between 9.30am and 5pm).

As with most large-scale museums, there is a checklist of treasures you shouldn’t miss. First is the Diwan-i-Aam (or the Hall of Public Audience) which is on the right as you enter the complex; it was once used as a ceremonial hall but is now home to Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings. Then there’s the Diwan-i-Khas (or the Hall of Private Audience) which contains two large silver urns – the world’s largest silver objects, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

To the west of Diwan-i-Khas, a narrow passage leads to perhaps the most dazzling of the museum’s landmarks – Pritam Niwas Chowk (the Peacock Courtyard), which was built between 1778 and 1803 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.

The centrepiece of the courtyard is the Peacock Gate which features a painted stucco peacock extruding from the wall. This gate is the most famous of the four gates in the museum complex. Each depicts a season; the Peacock Gate, rather appropriately, represents the monsoon. Turbaned figures in green and gold robes adorn the walls.

You’ll have worked up quite an appetite by now so head to the Palace Café which is located in the museum complex. The prices aren’t as prohibitive as you’d think and there’s plenty of choice including Indian and international options.

Jantar Mantar

Now head to Jantar Mantar, a royal observatory widely regarded as the best of its kind in India; it is certainly the largest and best preserved, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight.

Located within walking distance of the City Palace, Jantar Mantar contains 16 large stone astronomical measuring devices built between 1728 and 1734. Tradition has it that Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah asked Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur to revise the calendar and astronomical tables so that the times and movements of the sun, moon and planets could be predicted.

Highlights include the Rashivalaya Yantra, a honey-coloured instrument that consists of 12 pieces, each of which represents a sign of the zodiac. Astrologers valued it as a guide when compiling horoscopes; it’s said to be the only one of its kind.

Another noteworthy instrument is the cylindrical Ram Yantra, which resembles an ancient piece of Roman or Greek architecture, and which is named for Maharaja Ram Singh. Its vertical columns hold up an equal number of horizontal slabs and it is used to measure the altitude and azimuth of celestial objects. Then there’s the Laghu Samrat Yantra, a small sundial that calculates Jaipur time with a margin of error of only 20 seconds.

Hawa Mahal

East of the City Palace and Jantar Mantar is Jaipur’s most recognisable landmark, the Hawa Mahal (or Palace of the Winds). The pinkish-orange façade is best viewed in the morning but the interior can be explored daily between 9am and 4.30pm, and the rear façade (seen from the City Palace) is even more fascinating than the front, if not as aesthetically pleasing.

It was from the five-storey Hawa Mahal, dedicated to Lord Krishna, that the women of the royal court observed city life on the streets below while remaining hidden from view. Built in 1799 of lime and mortar, the real surprise of Hawa Mahal is that, despite its height, it is only one room thick. A visit to Jaipur isn’t complete without viewing the palace.

Finish off the day by sampling an Indian meal with local white wine at Hotel Devraj Niwas’ Forresta Kitchen Bar (near the Moti Mahal cinema at Khasa Kothi Crossing).

Amber Fort

Day Two

Take a public bus or taxi to Amber Fort, located 11 kilometres (about 6 miles) north of Jaipur. The hilltop settlement, with its long, winding fortifications, was the Rajput clan’s stronghold between 1037 and 1727.

Try to arrive as early as possible to avoid the inevitable coach tours; to get to the fort, which is perched on top of a hill, you can walk, hire a jeep or hop atop an elephant. The last option is pricey but undoubtedly the most memorable.

Amber Fort is, from above, laid out in the shape of a hammer with Jaleb Chowk as the head, Man Singh’s Palace as the handle, and the palace proper as the bit in between. Take in the viewpoints of the surrounding ruins as you reach the Tripolia Gate or ‘Three Gates’ which controls access from the west into the palace. The gate opens in three directions (hence its name).

Amber Fort by “Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, License CC-BY-SA 3.0

From here it’s a short walk to the rasoda (royal kitchen). The palace had two sets of kitchens, the first adjacent to the dining hall (or bhojanshala) and the other near the Tripolia Gate. The ruler and his guests’ meals were prepared in the dining hall kitchen while the other kitchen was intended for palace staff. Meat and vegetable dishes were prepared in ovens by experienced bawarchis (cooks).

Another feature to look out for at the fort is the zenani deorhi (ladies’ apartments) in Man Singh Palace. These apartments were home to the queen mothers and the Raja’s consorts; it also housed their female attendants. The royal women often had estates assigned to them, the management of which was executed from these apartments.

About 100 latrines are scattered around the palace; they were supplied with hot and cold water and lit torches provided light at night. Then there was the tunnel, used to conceal movement or to allow escape if the palace was under heavy siege.

After a day of sightseeing at the magnificent citadel, head back to Jaipur for dinner at Spice Court (Hari Bhawan, Achrol House in Jacob Road), which offers a selection of Indian, Chinese and continental dishes.

The post Two Days in Jaipur, India – The Pink City appeared first on Suma Lifestyle.

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Rug shops in Singapore: Here’s where to buy Moroccan carpets, Indian dhurries & kids mats too!

Decorating your home and looking for the best rug shops in Singapore? We feel you. A great rug can turn a house into a home: they reduce echoes, dull the squeals of raucous children and feel soft and squishy underfoot in hard-floored Singapore abodes. Carpets offer a lot more than just a comfy place to lay and read a book with your kids. They are statement pieces in your home and an opportunity to indulge your inner stylist. So whether you’re looking for a punch of colour or pattern, natural textures or something super fun for the kids’ rooms, we’ve got your taste (and your floor!) covered. Here’s our guide to shopping for great rugs in Singapore.

WHERE TO BUY RUGS IN SINGAPORE

HIT THE SHOPS

Need to feel the shag-pile between your toes before you take the plunge and invest? Here’s our hit list of stores for a spot of rug shopping. Or scroll down for our fave online stores!

Cuckoo – Little Lifestyle Store

Cuckoo is one of our go-tos for unique kids’ furniture and decor. To transform your little one’s space from cute to inspired, opt for one of the awesome armadillo&co rugs – we can’t get enough of ’em! This lovely label puts a modern spin on natural fibres and is a home stylists’ fave. We particularly adore the Flower Weave rug for its simple yet creative design (pictured above!). We say these rugs will be the scene of many hours of happy play ahead…
Where: Cuckoo – Little Lifestyle Store, Block 6B Dempsey Road, Singapore, 247662

Crate & Barrel

American retailer Crate & Barrel stocks a huge collection of rugs, from retro hand-spun wool rugs to Grecian-inspired machine-loomed flat weaves. But our faves have to be the kids’ rugs – some of the cutest carpets we’ve ever seen! The prices are competitive too, so you’ll be free to stock up your trolley with a couple of sneaky extras from the great homewares range.
Where: Crate & Barrel, ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, #04-21/22, #03-25, Singapore, 238801 

Living DNA

For one-of-a-kind, exceptional quality rugs for indoors and outdoors (and some pretty swish bath mats!), you can’t go past Living DNA. All hand-made in India, the range of viscose, wool, hemp, cotton and PVC rugs are uber-chic and environmentally friendly to boot. Cleverly grouped into low-traffic and high-traffic carpets, you’ll easily select one to suit not only your aesthetic, but also your lifestyle. Our pick would be the kids’ “Belize” rugs, perfect for any child’s bedroom or nursery.
Where: Living DNA, #01-10B Furniture Gallery, Space@Tampines, 18 Tampines Industrial Crescent, 528605 Singapore

Affordable Style Files

Like all the lush homewares in Affordable Style Files’ Dempsey store, we need their all-weather plastic woven rugs, and we want them now! Fabulously light, durable and soft, these bold rugs are just at home indoors as they are on the balcony, courtyard or deck. The graphic designs and colours are divine, and being made from recycled plastic, they easily wipe clean after the kids’ dinner. And at that price (from $99), you can’t afford not to have one.
Where: Affordable Style Files, 6A Dempsey Rd, Dempsey, Singapore 247661

Bungalow 55

The home of luxe style, Bungalow 55 does not disappoint with its fab rug selection. We’re crushing on the bespoke woven collection – eco-friendly, durable and with a natural earthen charm. You can get a complimentary one-hour style consultation by Nina Beale with a 10% discount post-consultation. But the website itself also has some useful styling hints to help you pull off your look without having to call in the professionals.
Where: Bungalow 55, 8D Dempsey Road, #03-04, Singapore 249672 

Ling Carpets

Spruce up your space with one of the many beautiful rugs from Ling Carpets. While we love the cosy shaggy range, parents will want to check out the polypropylene carpets. Not only are they inexpensive and available in lots of lovely bright colours, they are also simple to clean and water repellent. Any pesky spills simply sit on top and can be easily wiped away with a damp cloth… hurrah!
Where: Ling Carpets, 38 Changi Road, Singapore 419701

IKEA

No rug round-up would be complete without a mention of IKEA. We’ve included this stalwart of Swedish design because we love finding an IKEA gem – and wow, there are lots of them! If you have a knack for design, you’ll know just how to mix up IKEA staples with designer pieces and vintage treasures to get the look. The best news is that if your little one makes a giant mess, you can replace the old with a fresh new rug for as little as $19.90. Winning!
Where: IKEA, Alexandra and Tampines stores.

THE BEST ONLINE RUG STORES

Prefer to shop with your feet up and a glass of wine in hand? You’re not alone. Try these online stores when buying your rug in Singapore.

The Grey House

We stumbled upon the fabulous The Grey House at Boutiques at the Pit Building (and fell swiftly in love with its home decor). Favouring a neutral-based palette, the heavenly cotton and wool flat-woven dhurries are handmade in Northern India and are perfect for your Singapore pad. Snap one up via the website, or get in touch to order a bespoke design. Team your rug with the mod-classic Roxy leather and unfinished teak lounge chair for a truly contemporary-chic finish.

West Elm and Pottery Barn Kids

We LOVE West Elm and its sister store Pottery Barn for home decor: and YES they deliver to Singapore! For the living room and other adult spaces, you can’t go past West Elm’s Moroccan numbers, while for the kiddos, Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids is where it’s at for stacks of to-die-for options for both bedrooms and playrooms.

Ruby Slipper

Ruby Slipper is so much more than “just” an online store. All of the divine dhurries here are made-to-order and customisable – you can even make an appointment to touch and feel sample designs. Hand-loomed in India to the highest standard, the rugs come in over 100 different colours and upwards of 120 unique pattern designs, featuring both Indian and Moroccan styles. It’s simplicity and sophistication, flat-weaved into fabulous rugs.

Hip Van

Stop the press: Hip Van has a seriously good-looking range of area rugs, outdoor rugs and mats at ridiculously low prices, starting at around $59! And with delivery taking around three to five days, that’s one quick way to update your home’s look…

iRugs

iRugs bills itself as the world’s leading seller of heavily discounted Persian and Oriental rugs (up to 75% off!). There are literally thousands of rugs and runners to choose from in almost any colour and design you can think of. We’re fans of the modern patterned rugs, just like the one pictured above… Oh, and did we mention, they offer free delivery worldwide too?

Urban Outfitters

We love the fun and quirky rug designs from the Urban Outfitters home collection. From woven rugs to runners and bath mats, the whole fam-bam will find the perfect rug here. And the kicker? There are plenty of matching accessories too, like curtains, macrame, and beaded window panels too!

Overstock

If you’re looking for some great discounts on fab rugs, head on over to Overstock – an online store selling excess stock. It’s not the easiest place to find and pick the perfect rug, but your hunting will pay off, because you can find some of the cheapest and most lovely rugs here. The good news is, you can sort the selection of rugs by colour, size, shape pattern and more – all to make your search a little easier.

The Carpet Shop

Doing exactly what it says on the tin, The Carpet Shop is one of the most comprehensive online rug stores in Singapore. The collection is seemingly never-ending, with everything from modern geometric area rugs, to classic European patterned carpets that really make a statement. They also offer free local delivery, and you can choose to customise your rug too!

Luxury is in each detail @GoldOn27 #BurjAlArab #NewAddition #TopFloor #TheRestWillFollow #Dubai

A photo posted by Gold On 27 (@goldon27) on Apr 1, 2016 at 8:45am PDT

Gold on 27 – an opulent all gold bar has opened at the top of Burj Al Arab in Dubai. The elegantly designed social space is accented with textured wallpaper, bar stools and an angular bar, all covered in gold. The feast for the eyes doesn’t stop at the decor, one look over the city below from top floor of the hotel will leave you mesmerised. Arrive when the gold bar opens at 6pm for daylight views, or later for a more club like ambiance.

Staying true to the 7 star hotel’s opulence, not only is the decor over the top with gold details, the cocktails are too. Cocktail prices at Gold on 27 start at AED 100 ($27 USD) which might be steep, but these cocktails are anything but ordinary.

A real show stopper is ‘Scent of the Souk’ made with cardamom spiced cream gin, mixed with spices cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary and comes with 3 wishes from the smoking oil lamp. Another cocktail to try is the ‘City of Gold’ made with Banana Rye Whiskey, Benedictine, Pedro Ximenez, Rhubarb Bitters, Angostura Orange Bitters, and dehydrated rhubarb. It looks like a glass of magic potion.

Pickering's Palm @GoldOn27 #BurjAlArab #OpeningSoon #TheRestWillFollow #TikiStyle #Dubai

A photo posted by Gold On 27 (@goldon27) on Apr 3, 2016 at 7:24am PDT

If you’re looking for something even more unique, go for Gold on 27’s ‘Light Sweet Crude’ cocktail mixed with Foie Gras and aged Whiskey.

Reservations are required to visit Dubai’s new gold bar, as it is located within the Burj Al Arab hotel. On the bright side there is no minimum spend, where as in the past the only way to visit the hotel if not staying there, was to visit for high tea or a meal which started at a couple hundred dollars.

You can make a reservation easily online and stop by for a cocktail or 2 accompanied by an optional cigar. Complete your visit with a gawking and photo taking session in the hotel’s luxurious lobby.

Gold on 27
27th floor, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
Dubai, UAE
Open 18:00 to 01:00
T: +971 4 301 7600
E: Goldon27@jumeirah.com

The post Gold on 27 – Opulent Gold Bar Opens in Dubai appeared first on Suma Lifestyle.

Artist Gabriel Dawe’s work creates hazy geometric clouds that have depth while still appearing insubstantial, like rainbows over the mist of a waterfall.

Dawe makes his installations from thousands of colored threads stretched and woven to create a color gradient that warps to fit each space. Almost every installation is suspended between the floor and the ceiling, so that the vertically-running threads create an illusion like light streaming through a window.

Photography Jordan Graham | Styling Jolyon Mason
Wyatt and Chris/Priscillas Models | Bram/Chic Management | Hunter/Five Twenty Management
Vladislav Kanevsky collection pictured throughout

The post THE BOYS NEXT DOOR appeared first on Manuscript.

I Posted up about the Hilton HHonors Diamond Status Match Earlier in the month, but since then Hilton have been changing around the promotion, and have added a new link.  If you have any other top tier hotel status then this is for you, it’s available until 30th June 2016.

How to Get Your Hilton HHonors Diamond Status Match

Hilton have made this pretty simple with a dedicated site for the match which is available here.

You’ll need to have existing status with another hotel program, likely to be their top level as Diamond is the highest Hilton HHonors level available.

You’ll also need to provide some screenshots of your current status and proof that you’ve actually had some stays.

Previously they matched lower levels and they can only say no if you try so you might as well have a go, the link is here:

Hilton HHonors Diamond Status Match

The offer runs until 30th June.  I managed to miss the last opportunity to get my IHG Spire status matched so I’ve made sure this time I was hot on the heels of this offer.

Status is valid until 31st March 2018 which is standard Hilton policy – the remainder of the current year, all of the next year and then a three-month grace period until March.

What are the Benefits of Hilton HHonors Diamond Status?

Mid-Tier Hilton HHonors Status Gold gives you a free breakfast and some kind of upgrade (which could just be a nicer view).  It’s worth more that most of the competing mid-tier levels.  Hilton Diamond gives you that plus guaranteed lounge access at the hotels that have lounges available which is an excellent benefit.

You’ll also receive the usual other Hilton HHonors stauts benefits including the 5th night free and a bonus on Hilton HHonors points earn, full details can be found here:

Benefits of Hilton HHonors Diamond Status

I’ll actually be going for this as I wasn’t able to take advantage of the previous one and my Hilton HHonors Gold status has just run out, so I’m super happy this has come back.  I’ll be matching my IHG Spire status to do so.

Combine this with Other Hilton HHonors Promotions

Once you’ve got your Hilton HHonors Diamond status don’t forget to combine it with the other promotions ongoing including some generous ones at Conrad and Waldorf Astoria hotels:

Bonus Hilton HHonors Points at Conrad and Waldorf Astoria Properties

Hilton HHonrs Q1/Q2 Double Points Promotion

Combining Double Points and Triple Miles Promotions 

Failing a status match if you have a Visa Infinite credit card you could use the promotions as a cheap way to achieve the 2 stay requirements for the Fast Track.

Please let me know of your success (or failure) with the Status Match!

The post Hilton HHonors Diamond Status Match – New Working Link appeared first on FlyStayTravel.

Hit the beach with these summer picks!

Spending your days planning your next mini break or summer vacation? Then one of the first steps has to be your swimwear, right, mamas? Now swimsuit shopping isn’t always a pleasant experience – it can be challenging finding a bikini that fits your personal style and gives you the confidence to walk around without having to tie a wrap around your waist. And when it comes to the dads and kids – all they have to worry about is how quickly they can get into the pool! So leave it to us and check out our top swimwear picks for the whole fam – we guarantee that we’ve got your entire clan covered – and that you’ll be ordering a whole new swimsuit wardrobe before you can say, “Pass me the sun tan lotion!”

August Society

Perfect for all our sassiest mamas, August Society carries a range of beautifully made bathing suits to suit (pun totally intended) every tropical paradise holiday. What’s more, shopping with them means doing a good deed – $5 from each swimsuit will be donated to help bring clean water to communities in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America.

August Society, 16A Haji Lane, Singapore 189209, www.augustsociety.com

Cotton On Kids

Who hasn’t heard of Australian high-street label Cotton On? We love them for their easy basics and affordable threads, but what’s making us love them more is the huge collection of quirky kids wear that will look all too cute on the bubs! Their swimwear range holds a variety of bikinis, rash vests, board shorts and more, all in their signature colourful prints.

Cotton On Kids, various outlets, www.cottonon.com/SG

Edit Lifestyle

This multi-label concept store has it all: fashion, beauty, lifestyle, homeware, you name it. It’s a one-stop shop for mamas who have a penchant for scented candles, luxurious Turkish rugs, unique cutlery and of course, pretty bikinis. An entire corner of the boutique is dedicated to the beachside theme, so you’ll even get to grab a sunhat and picnic mat while you’re at it!

Edit Lifestyle, Tudor Court, 137-139 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247927, Tel: (+65) 68365686, boutique@editlifestyle.com, www.editlifestyle.com

Frolik

This unisex family swimsuit store will bring out the inner Brady bunch lover in you and have you wishing to match the entire family in the same outfits! Beautiful bright colours adorn the collection of kids’ swim shorts, rash vests, tankinis, accessories and more with identical designs for adults. Our fave has got to be the parrot print with the salmon-coloured background!

Frolik, www.frolikbeachstyle.com

H&M

With spring in our midst (although it’s always hot hot hot here in Singers), summer will be here before you know it, and we’re excited to see what H&M brings next. Their current collection is generously stocked with all your poolside needs, from everything for your little baby bubs to the big kiddos and fun pieces for you and the hubs!

H&M, various outlets, www.hm.com/sg

K.BLU

Whoever said modesty has to be boring obviously hasn’t shopped at K.Blu. The mama and kid-friendly label has some amazing one-pieces in chest-covering styles (think halter bikinis and cut-out styles) for all our busty mamas, and in unique prints to boot! They’re so chic you could even double them up to wear as bodysuits under high-waisted jeans or flowing maxi skirts.

K.BLU showroom (by appointment only), 171 Chin Swee Road, CES Centre #02-03, Singapore 169877, Tel: (+65) 6696 6961, info@kblu.com, www.kblu.com

Mazu Swimwear

Previously catering to just beach-loving dudes with a liking for quirky prints, Mazu’s Summer 2016 collection now extends to a boys’ range to match their über cool dads! We can’t wait to get our hands on them and have some father-son matching going on.

Mazu Swimwear, www.mazuswimwear.com

Poolzies

How often has your little one gotten cuts from the harsh tiled pool floorings or accidentally stepped on something sharp at the playground, mama? If the answer is one too many, then it’s time to invest in a pair of Poolzies. These pool shoes for kids will have their feet protected in any hot and wet surface, and are especially beneficial for the long hours spent on a fun weekend at the water park.

Poolzies, www.poolzies.com

Seafolly

Your next summer holiday is about to get much sexier, mama. Seafolly’s range of swimwear comes with innovative fabrics away from the usual spandex and lycra! Even denim is in the mix, so if you love yourself some blue jeans, have a little of it in your bikini, aside from all the classic little black bikinis and casual string styles.

Seafolly Wisma Atria, Orchard Road #02-16/17, Singapore 238873, Seafolly Takashimaya, Level 4, 391 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238873, Seafolly Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01-39E, Singapore 237994, www.seafolly.com.sg

Snapper Rock

Your little surfer dudes and dudettes will love Snapper Rock for their brightly printed rash guards and board shorts! Poolside kaftans and sheer smocks will also have your little girls dressing up like their mamas…all that’s missing is a pair of oversized sunnies to complete the look! They’re available both online and in Ocean Paradise stores locally, so make a trip down before your next beach escape.

Snapper Rock at Ocean Paradise Family Store, 163 Tanglin Road,#01-07/08 Tanglin Mall, Singapore 247933, Tel: (+65) 6235 4718, Snapper Rock at Ocean Paradise Kids Store, #05-29A Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238859, Tel: (+65) 6836 2672, www.snapperrock.com

Systrer

For bags that take you beyond the beach, look to Systrer, mama. Their Playa Playa bags have been making waves here in Singers, doubling up totes with extra room for running errands, a diaper bag and an overnight bag. You’ll also find other summer-ready accessories and cute bikinis to stock up on.

Systrer, www.facebook.com/systrer

Tom & Teddy

We can’t get enough of all the dad-and-son matchy-matchy situations. Tom & Teddy has some of the best swim shorts with quick-dry microfibre fabric that’s both salt water and chlorine resistant, complete with UV protection and a super-soft finish for both your hubs and little boys. Plus, the cute prints are just irresistible!

Tom & Teddy, www.tomandteddy.com

Vamastyle

If you’ve already got enough bikinis to last a lifetime, mama, consider stocking up on your poolside wardrobe that doesn’t include swimsuits. We’re talking wraps, easy smocks, edgy off-shoulder summer tops and itty bitty shorts to show off those tanned gams. You’ll find these, plus summer accessories like sunnies, sandals and crocheted bags at Vama Style!

Vamastyle, www.vamastyle.com

Willow and Huxley

For all things luxurious, one-off and exclusive, head to Willow and Huxley, mama. We love their boutique that’s stocked with all sorts of gorgeous threads in forgiving fabrics and designs, plus unique finds in the jewellery and fashion accessory front from brands like T. Atelier, By Malene Birger, Cocobelle by L*Space and more.

Willow and Huxley, 20 Amoy Street Singapore 069855, Tel: (+65) 6220 1745, weare@willowandhuxley.com, www.willowandhuxley.com

Just keep swimming (in style), mamas!

The post Swimwear Picks For The Whole Fam: Pass The Suncream! appeared first on Sassy Mama.

micdotcom:

Watch: Hilarious Party Over Here sketch gets at the dark truth behind “mansplaining.”