Eco Fashion Label Etrican launches Madison Blvd

Eco fashion labels use materials that are sustainable and also ensure that their manufacture process is kept to minimum damage to the environment.

I came in touch with eco fashion when I was helming a lifestyle magazine. And one of the labels that stood out among them is Etrican because its offerings aren't just green, they're also chic and very wearable.

The two-year old eco fashion label has recently launched a new collection - Madison Blvd - and it's the first woven organic cotton clothing line ever available in Singapore.

Woven organic cotton? I'm sure most of you would be scratching your head wondering what is is (I did). According to Etrican's designer, Yumiko Uno, the fabric is denser than organic cotton, more crisp and more durable. Because of these qualities, the pieces tend to look more elegant.

In line with the more polished fabric, it's no surprise that Madison Blvd features a more contemporary and elegant silhouette. The collection draws inspiration from classic and clean looks of early 60's New York. Each piece in the collection is also named after an iconic personality of the 1960s.

Here are my favourite looks:

I can definitely wear this to work.

Perfect for an afternoon tea on Sunday.

Shopping with the girls.

Madison Blvd pieces range in price between $41 and $69 and can be purchased through Etrican's online store at www.etrican.com and at selected retailers such as CHOOSE by Olive Ventures at 26A Sago Street, S059021.

ChocoMarvel Review

Ladies who suffer from menstrual cramp should know. One of the most comforting things that you can do is to be in bed (or somewhere comfy) with a cup of hot drink.

Choose the drink wisely and go for something that can help you manage the discomfort and to provide you with other benefits that are essential during "that time of the month".

ChocoMarvel is a 100% natural product that delivers something different from the usual solutions. It's a yummy chocolate drink (that's low fat!) but can help you manage the various symptoms and discomforts during menstruation.

What it can do:
Promotes blood circulation and aid in relief of menstrual pain.
Helps relieve bloating, tension and discomfort
Helps replenish iron loss during menstruation
Helps improve facial complexion
Helps maintain hormone levels, and reduce irritability and moodiness

I was sent a box of ChocoMarvel and here's sharing with you my thoughts:

It comes in a super lovely package.

Every box contains 8 sachets, which means you can have 1 per day before, during and after your period.

The box and the sachet.

Every sachet has a generous amount of choco powder and smells really good!

Add warm water of about 80 deg C to it and stir and you'll get yummy choco beverage!

Apparently, besides tasting great, cocoa also has health benefits such as improving blood vessels health and cholesterol level.

The drink is indeed soothing and leaves a fuzzy feeling in the body. A plus point is that it taste really good, and is more like a treat, compared to other menstrual relief formula!

Find out more at ChocoMarvel's Facebook page and website!

Mooncakes from Capella Singapore

Here are 5 reasons why the girl about town should go for mooncakes from Capella Singapore:

#1 The box that it comes in can be used as a jewellery box after you've finished the mooncakes.

#2 Inside each box is a gold coin for you to exchange for a night's stay in Capella's Premier Seaview Room. On top of this, you'd also be pampered with a sumptuous breakfast for two. 

#3 If you're one of the buyers of the first ten boxes of mooncakes, you'd have them hand-delivered to you by Rolls Royce!

#4 One of those who bought the set will walk away with an exclusive Boucheron Ava Deco White Gold Diamond necklace worth $40,000. The necklace consists of more than 2.5 carats of premium diamonds. The draw will take place on 12 Sep, on Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie). 

#5 The flavours available aren't too exotic - classic white lotus paste with double yolks that uses organic ingredients and single yolk lotus paste mooncake that’s delicately infused with osmanthus tea and tangerine peel. These are crowd-pleasers you know you'd enjoy and will also do well as gifts for others.

Capella’s mooncake set is priced at $688++, call Vanessa Wong at 6591-5036 or email Vanessa.wong@capellahotels.com to check availability. Reservations for next year’s mooncake special can also be made.

Voyage Night Festival - A night of fun at the museums

I love the museum. It's one of those places I love spending lazy Sunday afternoons at, going through the exhibitions and taking pictures along the way.

And if you talk about the museum scene in Singapore, you'd definitely think about the Night Festival, one of the largest event that stretches over a few days and is held mainly outdoors around a few museums.

The Night Festival is back again and this year, it'll be held on 26-27 August and 2-3 September. I was invited to the media preview and bring you news on what you can look forward to and the must-visit highlights.

The theme of this year's Night Festival is "Voyage", as a homage to our forefathers who arrived in Singapore through the sea ports, and then shaping Singapore into what we are today.

Look forward to traditional and contemporary music, song and dance, light performances, film, visual arts, all curated by Goh Ching Lee, Festival Director of Singapore Arts Festival (2000-2009) and Executive and Artistic Director of Culturelink.

Some of the performances that I got to preview yesterday:

Soundwalk by Simone Merli, Kamran Sadeghi, Dug Winningham
26 & 27 August only
7pm, 9pm and 12.15am
Exhibition Gallery 1, Basement, National Museum of Singapore
28 Aug - 1 Sep
10am-6pm
Exhibition Gallery 1, Basement, National Museum of Singapore
2 Sep - 3 Sep
10am-2am
Exhibition Gallery 1, Basement, National Museum of Singapore

These three are New-York based international sound collectors. They collect the whir and murmur of port and human activity that can represent different cultures, languages and stories they encountered in their own journeys and present three different musical pieces - Ulysses Syndrome (hertzian frequencies along the shores of the Mediterranean basin), Rub' al Khali - "The Empty Quarter" (through the deserts of Yemen and Oman, and up the Red Sea, Persian Coasts and North East Africa) and The Passenger (the sounds in the Straits of Gibraltar, between Tarifa and Tangier).

My comments: It's interesting to know that the natural sounds of different places around the world can sound so different from each other. Whenever we talk about "sights and sounds', seriously, most of us focus on only the "sight'. This brings our attention to the "sounds" we sometimes neglect.

Black Sea Fire by The Shin
26 & 27 August
9.45pm
Singapore Management University Campus Green

The Shin comprises of a blend of talented musicians, singers and dancers to bring about a collage of traditions from Georgia, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Ukraine. The type of music that you can expect is a mix of jazz scat, funk and fusion, meets flamenco, Ravel and Shakti

My comments: These musicians created the atmosphere of "carnival". The passion that they exude as they present their craft is so infectious, I can't help but swayed to their music, all the while smiling and hoping I had a mug of beer in my hand.

The Shape of a Dream by Cake Theatrical Productions
26 & 27 Aug only
8pm, 8.30pm and 9.45pm
Singapore Management University Campus Green
Roving performance on SMU grounds

See the stories of Marco Polo, Cheng Ho, Vasco da Gama and their stories of adventure presented in the form of a lively song, dance and drama.

My comments: Comprising of imaginary elements, bright colours and visually engaging props, this might be something both the young and old can appreciate.

Corazon de Angeles in Paradise by Theater Tol
26 & 27 August only
10.30pm
National Museum if Singapore

Music, dance, film, acrobatics... rose petals and bubbles... this outdoor aerial performance is dreamy and very, very spectacular.

My comments: This is definitely the highlight of the festival, if you ask me. The costumes, performance, and the sheer massiveness of the set-up take your breath away. As we stood at the field and look up at the performers, none of us can stop saying wow.

Other interesting installations at Singapore Art Museum:

Projection of a growing rain cloud

Light performance in Volvo style

Jellyfishes in the court

The Night Festival will take place on 26 & 27 August, and 2 & 3 September, from 7pm to 2am, at National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum and SMU Campus Green. On 26 & 27 August, you can also visit The Peranakan Museum and The Substation for more programmes.

Click here for more information.

Kim Kardashian wore three Vera Wang dresses at her wedding to Kris Humphries

Words associated with the perfect wedding.

Tiffany diamond ring.
Garden wedding.
Jimmy Choo heels.

Vera Wang gown.

And Kim Kardashian wore three dresses by Vera Wang at her wedding to Kris Humphries today. The briude is close friends with Vera Wang.

Now pictures of the actual dresses aren't exactly available online yet. It's said that People magazine has bought exclusive rights to featuring the wedding in a two-part special and I can't wait to see it.

Oh, and in case you're wondering what Vera Wang said to Kim. I overheard: Wow, Kim, what a joyous, beautiful, magical night! Wishing you and Kris all the blessings in the world xxVera

Ok, I didn't receive the invite to the wedding - she somehow left me out, and anyway I was busy - but I read that note from Vera on Vera's twitter ;)

What's your dream wedding made up of?

Ice-cream mooncakes from Haagen-Dazs

I've tried creative mooncakes (those yummy champagne or bailey's flavoured ones, for instance), and what sounds even more fascinating would probably be these ice-cream mooncakes from Haagen-Dazs.

Forget lotus paste and yolk, these pretty mooncakes are created with luscious Haagen-Dazs ice-cream, in four different flavours - Chocolate & Vanilla, Cookies & Cream, Strawberry and Coffee & Macadamia Nut (this sounds especially yummy).

"How about the yolk?" you may ask. Surely, a mooncake simply feels incomplete without a yolk or two! Well, cut the ice-cream mooncake in half and you'd see a beautiful Mango Sorbet "yolk centre".

These ice-cream mooncakes from Haagen-Dazs is available from now till 12 September at $18 per piece. I haven't tried any of them but they sure sound delicious.

Akari Japanese Dining & Bar launches new Sunday a la carte buffet

Editor's note (updated 7 Sep): Do take note that this promotion is now only available on Saturday and the restaurant will be closed on Sundays. The promotion remains the same though!
 
I was supposed to go for Japanese food today, but ended up with German food. This leaves me with a strong sashimi and sushi craving!

So pardon me while I type and drool while typing this, because the images below will make you crave for nihon ryori as well.

Akari Sunday ala carte buffet.

Fit for a king... or queen! :)

Charles LaFitte champagne

Akari Japanese Dining & Bar, located at Marina Bay Financial Centre, is offering Sunday à la carte buffet with an option for free flow of Charles LaFitte champagne (this is   an award winner champagne with a high wine critic scores of 85/ 100), wine, beer and sake.

Sashimi.

The buffet is available every Sunday for both lunch (12pm-3:00pm) and dinner (5pm-9pm), and offers a selection of over 50 Japanese dishes such as all-you-can-eat premium sushi and sashimi, and Akari’s authentic Japanese favourites including Soki Tatsuta Age (deep fried, soft tender pork rib), Unagi Tofu, Gindara Saikyou Yaki (black cod with miso) and Saikoro Steak.

Desserts galore.

Lunch Buffet (12nn-3pm)
$68++ per person
$98++ per person (with free flow Charles LaFitte champagne, wine, beer and sake)
Dinner Buffet (5pm-9pm)
$78++ per person
$128++ per person (with free flow Charles LaFitte champagne, wine, beer and sake)

Bring your children along because one child under 12 eats for free for every two paying adults (additional children will be charged at $15++ each).

Akari Japanese Dining & Bar is located at #01-02 Marina Bay Link Mall. Call 6634-0100 for reservations.

Editor's note (updated 7 Sep): Do take note that this promotion is now only available on Saturday and the restaurant will be closed on Sundays. The promotion remains the same though!

Michael Kors is finally in Singapore!

There's one huge and awesome fashion brand that isn't in Singapore yet. I'm talking about Michael Kors!

Many of us are already very in love with the timepiece designs available here, but we're still unable get the brand's fashion and bags here. The nearest location we can get Michael Kors fare is probably South Korea and Japan.

The wonderful Michael Kors collection.

Now, all fashionistas can look forward to Michael Kors, which will be opening the first freestanding location in Scotts Square this October. For those who frequent Kuala Lumpur, you can also get Michael Kores ready-to-wear, accessories, and fragrance from Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

To celebrate the launch of the brand in Singapore, Valiram Group, distributor of Michael Kors in Singapore, held an elegant event at the Boulevard Vue Residential Showroom. I brought Jamie along and bumped into Han there :)

Yay! Han and me.

The clutch in the foreground caught my eye.

Love the bling on those heels.

The MK chocs that everyone wants a  picture with :)

Michael Kors, as in THE Michael Kors, will be coming to Singapore this October. Can't wait to see him in person!

Mooncakes to get: From Paradise Group

Remember Seafood Paradise, where I had the most awesome crab ever? The parent company, Paradise Group, is celebrating mid-Autumn Festival with an array of mini snow skin mooncakes with interesting fillings and traditional classics.

The mooncakes are created and handmade by Executive Pastry Chef Fung Wing Sang and the dedicated team of chefs at Paradise Group. From 15 August to 12 September 2011, these Paradise mooncakes will be available at all Paradise Group outlets islandwide.

So what are some cool mooncakes you can look forward to?

Chocolate-lovers, check out the Dark Chocolate with Black Truffle, and White Chocolate with White Truffle Petite Snow Skin Mooncakes (8 pc per box, S$43). These are super decadent, comes with an alluring scent and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture. A sprinkle of gold dust is sprinkled on top of the mooncakes for extra indulgence.

Truffles goodness!

Fruit-lovers, you'd love the Apple White Chocolate, and Mango White Chocolate Petite Snow Skin Mooncakes (8 pc per box, S$39). If you find mooncakes too "filling", these can make digestion seem easier with the refreshing taste and sweet fragrance. They also come with molten centres, making it great to bite into.

Alcoholics, check out Macadamia Kahlua Dark Chocolate Petite Snow Skin Mooncakes (8 pc per box, S$39). This, I suspect, might be my favourite because I LOVE alcoholic anything! Kahlua, macadamia and chocolate are great complements!

Champagne will go well with this :)

Besides these novel creations, remember to get the traditional mooncakes (4 pc per box, S$45 to S$52) for your parents, parents-in-law, senior colleagues! The baked selection includes White Lotus Paste Mooncake, White Lotus Paste Mooncake with Egg Yolk/s, White Lotus Paste with Assorted Nut and White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk Baked Skin Mooncake.

Timeless selections!

PROMOTIONS

15 August to 21 August 2011
- 25% early bird discount for credit cardholders (from UOB, Citibank, HSBC and OCBC) and Paradise Gourmet card members

22 August to 12 September 2011
- 15% discount for credit cardholders from UOB, Citibank, HSBC and OCBC
- 20% for Paradise Gourmet card members

15 August to 12 September 2011
- 25% discount for bulk purchase of minimum 30 boxes and above

If you can't get enough of mooncake-related news, check out the ones from Szechuan Court too!

Club Monaco launches Fall 2011 Collection

The media launch of the Club Monaco Fall 2011 Collection was held at the very beautiful Graze, at 38 Martin Road. The restaurant-bar was converted into a spacious and elegant "boutique" that day, housing the latest offering of the international brand.

Images from the lookbook placed on the counter like criminal evidence, left behind by guilty fashionistas.

This season, look forward to styles that are inspired by the diversity in the fashion of the 60s, and the sophistication that the 70s fashion presents. Colours in the collection are warm - cinnamon, berry and gem tones.

The model is sporting one of my favourite looks - perfect for work and look put together effortlessly.

You can also look forward to bohemian-styled dresses that are super lightweight, as well as heavier pencil skirts with leather pockets. 

Bumped into Jamie there!

The accessories are vintage-inspired. Very timeless.

See picture below, rack on the left. Those are Club Monaco bed wear that look super comfy and some are pretty enough to wear out, I think!

Love how the natural light shines through the ceiling-to-floor windows, onto the racks of clothes.

One of my favourite pieces.

Love the prints and how it's longer at the back.

Club Monaco Fall 2011 Collection is available at B1-12, Takashimaya Shopping Centre.