Singapore Secrets :: Burlap

When you think of burlap, what thoughts enter your mind? For me, it conjures up images of a rustic natural feel. You might have noticed how I used them to wrap up the floral tins at my friend's brit-inspired wedding. Not only was it an affordable idea, it was a simple way to achieve that shappy chic look.

Today I pinned a few DIY craft tutorials to my pinterest board : Craft with Burlap. I really want to try printing on burlap and i love the look of the burlap canvas. 

If you are not sure where to find burlap in Singapore, head on down to Kin Soon. They have it available in two shades and they sell them by the roll. If you know of other places that stock burlap, do share it with me in the comments.

The Kids Run

Since K was a wee toddler, he has always loved to run. Sometimes he will choose to run from one end of my living room to the other. Repeatedly.

When we are out, he loves running to get to wherever it is that we are heading to.

So when we were asked if we would like to join in the Cold Storage Kids Run, I took up the offer gladly. I thought it would be a nice experience for the boys. Plus my husband is quite athletic and I thought it would be a great activity for the family.

A few weeks before, the husband and I brought the kids to train at the track because well, I was a little worried about them giving up halfway.

Kinda like this...

So we practiced a little... and decided not to push them too hard.
We wanted to keep their spirits high.

On the day itself, the kids woke up early and were pretty excited. 

Despite the heat, the mood was festive with lots of helium balloons floating about and thankfully the kids managed to stay relatively chirpy. 

For me, the most memorable part was watching my older son finish the run. He was pretty proud of his timing too. My younger son needed a little bit more encouragement halfway through but made it to the end.After the run, kids could choose to play in the carnival area where there were colouring activities, games and an outdoor course. There was certainly a lot of fun planned into that one morning.

To be honest, I wondered before the run, why would anyone pay to run? I mean, you can obviously run on your own and not have to squeeze with everybody.

After the run, I found my answer.

It is that special feeling of togetherness as you run side by side with so many others. And of course, when you run on your own, you certainly don't walk away with a medal.

So was it worth all that effort?
Well, I think just one look at the smile on my son's face says it all.

Perhaps we will see you at next year's Cold Storage Kids Run!

Creativity Spotlight :: Bangkok

So i have a little confession to make : I was actually in Bangkok last week for a short getaway with the husband. It was incredibly refreshing to be able to roam the streets without having to watch out for my young ones. There was time to read at length and order food just for me without having to consider my brood. It was just luxurious! We don't get away on our own much but are very thankful when the babysitting stars and my husband's leave align. Perhaps the best part was that it made me miss my kids and them, too. I was totally smothered with kisses the whole of today :)

But enough about me, I want to share with you some photos from Bangkok. I found the city buzzing with creative inspiration and snapped a few photos of the shop displays (image above and below). Check out the paper cut out on the left, I want to create a similar display for my home! 

There were sharpies everywhere too and I chanced upon this DIY station where customers could customise a canvas shoe using sharpies on the spot. Wouldn't that be fun? 

We also paid a visit to the Chatuchak Weekend market but there was so much to see, I totally forgot to take photos for you. I was surprised by how different the stalls were. It seemed that there was a ton of creativity there. Have you been to Chatuchak? Do you have a favourite stall?

Nicole's Classes

If you have been following me on Instagram, you will have noticed that I recently started a floral arrangement course organized by Nicole's Classes and taught by Chelsea Fuss of Frolic Blog.

It is the first time in a while that I actually have homework which amused my son a little. But I am really excited about the course and managed to create 3 hand-tied bouquets over the weekend for my mum, mum-in-law and grandma.

As i enjoy this opportunity to learn and experiment with new techniques, I am going to take a little blog break this week as I work on the course but I should still be active on Instagram so see you over there!

I should be back on the blog next Monday!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mums who read my blog, wishing you a delightful Mother's Day full of hugs and kisses! 

p/s the photo above was a shot oh a hand-tied bouquet that I made for my grandma. It was homework for an online floral arranging class that I had signed up for a while ago which just started and will last 4 weeks. It was my first time using water lilies and I was surprised to find out that they open and close according to their natural bloom times. Isn't that cool! 

What do you see?

As we approach the weekend, here's an idea for play.

One afternoon, while I was out with the kids, we created these pictures using items that were naturally found in the playground. 

It was pretty fun searching for different materials to create pictures. 
But I suspect I was more excited about it than the boys.

Honestly, for them, playground time is all about running.
Boys will be boys.

On that note, I signed up the kids for the Cold Storage run. It will be their first time running and we have been preparing the kids for it. I will share more about it next week.

Meantime, have a great weekend and see you back here on Monday!

DIY :: Spotty Jars & Jewellery Dishes

Still searching for a Mother's Day idea? Head over to Fellow Fellow today to see the DIY that we worked on. It only uses two items that you probably already have at home. 

What's on my Desk?

One of the things that I love about blogging is connecting with people who share similar interests and taste. 

One such person is Claire Dalgliesh who blogs at Fellow Fellow. A graphic designer by training, she finds the coolest stuff and comes up with the most fabulous craft ideas.

I first noticed her work on Say Yes to Hoboken and was excited to find out that she lives in Singapore. I sent her a message and we met up for coffee. Although I must say that I was actually a little nervous the day before, I found that we had a lot in common and she was really easy to chat to. 

So we got together recently to work on a DIY idea that will be shared on her blog tomorrow. I created the craft but she styled and photographed it. The photos were absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait for you to see it. 

For now, here's a hint: It involves nail polish!

* For the month of May, I will be giving you a glimpse into what's currently on my desk. In fact, I have an idea that is currently brewing in my head that I hope to share with you in due course. 

DIY :: Tissue Paper Votives

It was raining this afternoon and I was in the mood to make something with the kids. It didn't look like we would be able to head out to the playground so playtime with our hands seemed like the next best option.

Now earlier on, I had been pinning tissue paper craft ideas for this post and was inspired by these elegant luminaries. 

The idea looked easy enough and I had all the materials. I also thought the kids could easily chip in and try it. I thought that this could be their mother's day present to me.

Materials :
- jar (I used an old mayonnaise jar)
- tissue paper (I share a great tissue paper source here)
- mod podge or white glue* (I bought white glue from beacon)
- circle paper punch (available from papermarket)
- paint brush or sponge applicator (the paint brush that i used was from IKEA but you can find sponge applicators at Artfriend)

* If you use white glue, dilute it to a milky colour before using.
* If you don't have a circle paper punch, you can cut out squares instead.

I lay a large piece of mahjong paper on the table to catch any drips and spills. It made clean up just a bit easier.

Step 1 : Punch out the tissue paper circles using a circle paper punch. Punch more than you need because you don't want to have to punch them out midway with sticky hands.

Punching Tip : I find that layering the tissue paper with a piece of 70gsm paper helps the tissue paper punch out cleanly.

Step 2 : Brush the jar with glue. I used white glue in the end and it worked well. Layer the circles on and brush another layer of glue over the circle. Keep layering around the glass as you wish.

Step 3 : Leave to dry. Finally, insert a tea light into the jar and enjoy the candlelight.

My kids actually abandoned me halfway and I ended up pasting the circles on my own which, to be honest, I was happy to do.

But when I popped a tea light in, at the end, they were pretty wowed. Hey, I was too.

This craft turned out to be quite therapeutic and fun to do. I can't wait to make more stuff with tissue paper. 

Notes:
- I used a matchstick to light a chopstick to reach into the jar to light the tealight.
- Please be extra careful with the flame and never leave it unattended.

Singapore Secrets :: Coloured Tissue Paper

I love stationery shops. Kinda like how my husband loves sports shops.

So one weekend, when he decided to wander in to a sports shop, I headed to the Evergreen stationery shop next door. 

I had been in there many times.

But on this occasion, I spotted these packs of Coloured Tissue Paper going for $1.71 each which was a real bargain.

Now I actually have a pack of coloured tissue paper in my craft studio at home but that pack was so expensive that it makes me feel like I have to crack open the champagne when I use them.

Ok I am exaggerating a little but you get the drift.

With this pack, I felt like I could craft as I pleased.

So while it was pouring cats and dogs this afternoon, I decided to craft with the kids and happened to share a photo on instagram. I was surprised how much everyone seemed to love it so I will be sharing it here today.

Meanwhile, if you are searching for tissue paper craft ideas, check out the ones that I loved at this pinterest board : craft with tissue paper.  

Creativity Spotlight on Sarah DiNardo

Have you ever met someone who was truly passionate about their art? You see it in their eyes and as they share their story, you begin to understand what it is that moves them. 

Sarah DiNardo is one such person.
She works with tape.
Sounds a little wacky, right?
But you have to watch the video.

Listen to her explain how it all began and how she feels as she creates these masterpieces.

It is truly a peek into a creative mind. Meet Sarah DiNardo, the Tape Artist.

Date Night at Museo

Once in a while, the husband and I will head out for dinner.

Just the two of us.
No kids. No chores. No distractions.

The ideal place is somewhere quiet with good food where we can relax and enjoy each other's company. Normally, the fact that we are out of the house helps put us in the mood for deeper conversations. 

On these special nights, I particularly enjoy trying new places and so we decided to visit Museo which did not disappoint. 

Nestled in a quiet corner within Sentosa Cove, Museo (which means museum in Italian) is located at Quayside Isle which houses a number of hip and new restaurants. It was my first time there which made the place feel all the more charming. I love exploring new places with the husband. Often it feels like we have been transported out of Singapore for that brief moment.

We chose to sit by the window on one of the day beds which overlooked the yachts that were berthed in the marina. After a quick browse of the menu, we ordered our drinks.

As our drinks were being prepared, I took a walk around the restaurant and snapped a few photos. 

I was drawn to the painting studio which was situated right in the centre of the restaurant. The canvas stands were lined up on a raised platform that overlooked the bar and provided a bird's eye view of the marina. I have always found the sea to be very calming and I could picture myself painting there for hours with a cup of lychee tea by my side. What a perfect retreat that would be! Unfortunately, my husband was not into painting on that particular night so I will have to head back there someday.

But apart from the unique dining-in-a-cup concept, I couldn't help but notice the quirky art (pictured above) and the unusual bathtub plants (image below). I love character in a restaurant and for me, it is these details that make the place memorable. 

In fact, there was a separate dining area that would be suitable for hosting a party of 12-20 guests. I thought this would make the ideal place for a bridal shower tea party or a birthday celebration. Wouldn't it be fun to have guests indulge in a spot of painting while enjoying a decadent high tea buffet spread?  

Back to our meal that night, we began by ordering the Mezzanine set which were appetisers individually served in double walled glasses. Each appetiser was artistically named to tie in with the museum theme. 

We selected the Picasso's Blues (Deep Fried Prawns flavoured with Lavender), Smile of Mona Lisa  (Deep Fried Camembert Cheese served with Cranberry Sauce), The Great Wave (Tuna Tataki) and Flaming June (Salmon Curry with Ladyfingers). 

All the dishes were delightful. 

The deep fried prawns were succulent and juicy served with mayonnaise that was flavoured with a hint of lavender. We also enjoyed the unusual addition of salmon to the rich curry which had the right amount of heat although the salmon was a tad dry. My husband favoured the deep fried camembert cheese dipped in the sweet cranberry sauce while I couldn't help polishing off the light and refreshing tuna tataki. The crusted tuna and fresh crabmeat was tossed with the right amount of tangy dressing and greens which truly whet my appetite for more.

We were so taken by the dining-in-a-cup concept that we decided to try a couple more instead of an entree. So we ordered the Miro Fields (Lotus Chips served with Basil Cheese Dip),  Joys of Life (Smoked Roast Pork Belly served with Hot Sauce), Monet's Garden of Lilies (Mango Prawns served with Micro Greens) and Three Musicians (Soft Shell Chilli Crab served with Sweet and Savoury Tomato-Chilli Sauce). 

Of the four, the crisp and juicy roast pork belly really stood out which was perhaps unsurprising given that it was one of their signature dishes. I personally enjoyed the lotus chips which was an unusual twist on the ubiquitous potato chip. I thought it would make the perfect companion to any of their 30 specialty cocktails.

But the two dishes that really stole the limelight were the Creamy Asparagus Soup with Roasted Bacon and Herbs and the Pan-Roasted Cod Fillet.

The piping hot asparagus soup was deliciously creamy and silky smooth and hidden inside were tiny morsels of crunchy asparagus and crisp bacon bits. Let's just say not a drop remained.

Thankfully, we had decided to share just one entree and were glad that we chose the Pan-Roasted Cod Fillet. I will admit that I was skeptical about the relish that was served on top of it but was sold after one bite. The grilled scallop was cooked to perfection and we also found the risotto to be hearty and comfortingly creamy.

Then it was time to end the meal with something sweet.

I had read a number of reviews and knew the Vodka Chocolate Lava Cake was a winner. So even though my husband wasn't keen on dessert, I insisted that he order it and in the end, he finished it without any help. I chose the Green Tea Creme Brulee served with the Yuzu Gelato which was a perfect end to a fine meal. 

The ambience and the fine food at Museo made for a very special evening out that day because the truth is, we don't normally dine like this on our regular date nights. After the meal, we took a short walk along the boardwalk to soak in the sights and sounds before we headed home. 

Thanks Museo for the sweet memories and I hope to be back again soon.

 
MUSEO

#01-22 Quayside Isle
31 Ocean way
Singapore 098375
Tel: 6734 8066
Fax: 6734 8086
Website: www.mu-se-o.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/museo

Disclaimer: I was invited to a complimentary food tasting session by Museo. All opinions are my own. 

This post is linked up to the Foodie Friday series. 

Creativity and Failing

* If you can, watch the video (4:28) before reading this post.

Rejection sucks. Big time.

No one likes to fail (or fall like in the video above). 

And sometimes, it is just easier not to try.

Because if we don't try, we can't fail.

We don't have to risk rejection.

You may not know this but I struggled quite a bit with the prospect of 'rejection and failure' over the last few weeks.

I recently tried submitting my ideas to various places.

Yes, I was very fortunate to be featured in the Straits Times Get Crafty feature and also on Singapore Motherhood. 

Those were certainly happy dance of joy moments (figuratively, of course).

And I was very thankful.

But what you didn't see were the moments of rejection.

The ideas that didn't make the cut.

The emails that politely declined my craft ideas.

I won't lie. It was hard at points.

Learning to deal with a rejected idea was not easy.

What? Someone doesn't love that super cool craft idea of mine?

I waddled in self pity for a moment, ranted to my sister on the phone and then went to bed.

Honestly, it seems ridiculous to be upset over a DIY craft submission.
In fact, I really wasn't sure if I ought to share this with you on the blog.

But I decided to share this with you to encourage you.

I want you to know that even I have moments like these.

That everytime we put ourselves out there, we risk failure.
Perhaps even rejection.

It isn't easy.
It may cost you some tears.
It might be painful.
It certainly won't be perfect.

But the cost of not trying is much higher. 
Never moving forward because we were too scared to try.
Not knowing what could possibly have been achieved if we had only dared.

So, c'mon, join me in taking baby steps to put yourself out there.

Because the ones who succeed in the end are the ones who tried.

DIY :: Jewellery Stand (Made of Chopsticks)

When I am busy, takeaways are my best friend. But sometimes, I forget to mention to the Uncle or Aunty at the stall, that I don't need the disposable chopsticks. So I end up storing them away in a drawer in my kitchen and amassing quite a collection.

If like me, you have been wondering what else you could do with the chopsticks, head over to Singapore Motherhood where I shared this Jewellery Stand DIY. It is a quick and simple DIY that would be perfect for dads to get crafting with their kids, especially for Mother's Day which is less than 10 days away. 

Singapore Secrets :: Best Beach Spots

I don't know about you but I don't really like going to the beach. I love playing with the sand but I hate the icky part of it. But my kids love it. and I know it is good for them and certainly, I always feel we ought to head there more.

So have you ever wondered where the best family-friendly beach spots in Singapore are? I posed this question to my SMB friends who collectively offer a wealth of information and this is what they had to say.

1. Tanjong Beach on Sentosa

"We love Tanjong Beach as it's clean, accessible and relatively empty on weekend mornings. There's facilities for doggie wash, perfect for family with pets! Situated on the beach is Tanjong Beach Club where there are big lounge beds where you can laze, enjoy some finger food and a sip of cocktails. After sand play, the kids can enjoy a dip in the small lap pool at the club. An overall great beach destination!" says Angeline who blogs at http://www.ourprincessdana.com

"We love going back to Tanjung Beach's quiet escape. The beach is shaped like a cove, so i feel pretty comfortable letting the kids run farther away because i can see them. And when we're finally exhausted, the club is great for chilling out and nibbles. " says Steph who blogs at http://aphotoadayproject.blogspot.sg

"I like Tanjong Beach as the beach and facilities are much cleaner than at East Coast or Siloso. It is also closer to the car park which is a big help when you have young kids." says Mummy Ed who blogs at http://mummyed.wordpress.com

2. Palawan Beach on Sentosa

"For us, it's Palawan beach too! Love the sand, the small kids' water play, eatery and the nearby washing up facilities." says Jean who blogs at http://jeanstitch.wordpress.com

"We love Palawan Beach at Sentosa as the sand and water is comparatively cleaner than on other beaches. There are also activities catered for the little ones and families. It also comes complete with a food court,  restaurants, a convenient store and shower/toilet facilities." says Mrs Kam who blogs at http://www.thekamfamily.com

3. East Coast Park

"Our favourite beach is the one at East Coast Park, partly due to its proximity to home, and partly cos it's so long that it's possible to find a spot that's not too crowded. We love the stretch that's nearer the National Sailing Centre where we can stroll, write in the sand, and just gaze at the sea merging into the sky." says Lyn who blogs at http://littlebluebottle.blogspot.sg

"Our favourite beach is East Coast beach because it's just a short drive from our home. We like picking up seashells along the shore and hanging out on the breakwater." says Jean who blogs at http://www.weestories.com

"For us, the location (at East Coast Park) is best because the beach is nearest to our home, and the Swimming Club is nearby, which we are members of. So we normally head there for a warm shower and dinner before heading home." says Mabel who blogs at http://amazinglystill.com

Finally, one last well-kept secret. Angeline shared that she recently discovered a small man-made beach inside Sentosa's Hard Rock Hotel where kids can enjoy the best of both worlds - the beach and the pool with slides! Mummy Ed loves the beach there too because you get to enjoy the sand but swim in chlorinated water which just makes the whole experience feel cleaner.

Do you have a favourite family-friendly beach spot that wasn't mentioned? Let me know and I will add it to the list.