Enjoying My 14-Days Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) at Sentosa's Hard Rock Cafe Hotel

I couldn't believe my luck when the authorities informed me of my Stay Home Notice location to be at Sentosa's Hard Rock Cafe Hotel. After being away from Singapore for the past year, working abroad in the United Kingdom, I was excited to be back home to see my friends and family. But due to Covid-19, I had to serve my stay home notice for 14 days before being allowed to see them. 

Unfortunately, I'm also claustrophobic, which means I can get anxious or become triggered when I'm in an enclosed area. I was worried about having to stay in an unfamiliar place which I did not have an option to choose. But when I arrived at my room in Sentosa's Hard Rock Cafe Hotel, I was very glad to know that I was given a room with a wide set of windows. The bathroom was also filled with lush towel supplies, and the bed linen was so soft!

My 14 day stay here wouldn't be so bad afterall. :)

The window view was the pool, which was rather calming. Although I had to keep the windows close for the entire time of my stay, which was a pity. I would also need to set up a working station with a monitor and camera so I can resume work the following Monday.

I called my mother.

"Hello mom! I'm back, yes, yes, the room is good. I really like the bathroom and the bed is so soft. I called, yes I'm feeling ok, I need a computer monitor, and a camera for the monitor. Do you mind also getting me a blender and buying me some fruits? Yes, I have a fridge," I spoke to my mom over the phone.

I sighed and started to unpack.

The size of the room was comfortable enough, with a little nook to even place my luggage at. The bed was queen sized! I stretched out and laid on it. I took a look at the label to identify the hotel bed linen suppliers, in case I would need the contact in future. The decoration was not overly luxurious, but comfortable and practical.  Above the bed, there was a painting of a guitar to bring about the element of music of the hotel. The floor carpet was a splash of red, and the sofa and bed headrest are in the same colour tone of wine and burgundy.

I walked over to the sofa. On the table, there was a complimentary unopened wine bottle, specifically for those who were on stay home notice.

'We hope you enjoy your stay, with this complimentary wine on us,' a small note was written along with the drink. I popped open the cork, and closed my eyes to savour the wine for a relaxing moment. The velvety texture of the sofa really adds to the luxurious feeling. There was even a bathtub in the bathroom.

After a long flight, I longed for a good bath.

The towel supplies were of such good quality, I cleaned myself off after my bath and put on the bathrobe. After drying my hair, I got ready for bed. 

 I guess work could really wait till next Monday. I drifted off to sleep by 10pm as my head touched the softest bed linen it has ever felt.

3 Things You Must Do To Impress Your First Date

Ladies, we all know that the first impression is the most important. This means that we are prepared to do everything in our power to doll up and look the prettiest in front of our first date. Let’s say that your first date is having dinner, so one pointer to take note is that you have clean nails. Do not forget these 3 things that you must do to impress your first date! 

Pretty nails

When both of you go for a meal together on the first date, men tend to notice your nails more. The condition of your nails speaks a lot about your personal hygiene. This means that having attractive and clean nails adds plus points to the first impression. 

If you are a lazy person or have no experience in taking care of your nails, you can always visit a manicure salon to get it done. Just having a basic manicure treatment that takes up to 30 minutes is good enough. You can even do this right before your first date! Manicured nails are definitely better than untreated, dirty nails. 

If you wish to save money, you can always buy manicure supplies online and do-it-yourself at home! Its so simple! :) 

Offering to pay the bills

The Golden Rule of paying on a date is this: always offer to contribute, but be willing to take no for an answer. Just by offering to contribute the bills, it gives off the impression that says “Hey, tonight was fun and I enjoyed it very much, and I want to split this with you because I have good manners.” However, some men will still insist on paying - they might have just been raised to pay for their dates, and you should just let them do that without asking anymore questions.

 Dressing to impress

Start thinking of what to dress early. You would not want to be dealing with a last minute wardrobe malfunctions. Pick an outfit that is suitable for the occasion as well as external factors like the weather, time of the day and location. Although you are dressing to impress, it is important to feel comfortable in your attire. Choose an outfit that looks and feels great and you will feel confident throughout your date.

 

If you're unsure of what to wear, always consult your friends! They can provide useful insights on your attire and whether it will suit you for the occasion or not. However, if that is still not working out, you can always search up on outfit inspiration and go from there. Another thing to avoid is to try out new trending clothes on the first date. You will be conscious about how you look and will definitely spend half the night checking yourself out and it does not give off a good impression. 

These 3 things will definitely play a big part in looking good for your first date, thus never forget about these 3 things that this article has talked about! If you are keen on a second date with the person, you have to tell them! If you are more on the shy side, then drop them a hint by saying something like “ Tonight has been lovely, I really enjoy meeting you”. If you know that the relationship will not work out, it is still important to end the date on a good note and avoid hurting the other parties’ feelings. 

The Brilliance of Bespoke

At the pinnacle of prime luxury, bespoke suits are once said to be what makes a man’s image what it is. Alicia Nikkolette Lee explores the phenomenon of why going bespoke is better.  

It’s simple; just buy a package with tuxedoes and wedding gowns included and get on with the photo shoot. Sadly, it is only after the pictures come out do you realise that the shoulder lines don’t flatter yours, the cinching at the waistcoat is slightly off and you don’t look as sharp as you’d like to look. Sure, there are some things that stylists can remedy with pins and clips, but what they can’t do is give you the perfect fit. You settle, shrug it off and accept your fate. But that doesn’t need to be necessarily so.

Gradually increasing in popularity due to the demand of customers, bespoke, a word from the earlier days that has been shoved out of the way in favour of their more affordable, mass produced counterparts, is now coming back into trend. However, what most people fail to realise is while the price is slightly above average, the quality is far off from what you want to shine next your bride on your wedding day.

The Importance of Bespoke

Yes, you can get something off-the-rack in your size, but as the saying goes, “Every man needs a suit, every businessman needs a tailored suit.” So, regardless of whether you’re the Wolf of Wall Street or not, the appearance of a sharp, tailored suit will do you favours in more ways than one. First of all, here is a list of things that you won’t have to deal with: too-long or too-short cuffs, baggy outlines, mismatched shoulder lines, saggy collars and worst of all, having to actually visit multiple stores only to settle for a less-than-perfect fit.

Taking all these factors into consideration, (especially if you’re fussy about fabric) the chances of finding the perfect suit off the rack that ticks all the boxes are incredibly slim. That being said, other than having the perfect fit, convenience plays a huge part in the decision-making when it comes to designing a number for yourself.

Made-to-measure vs. bespoke

Derived from the verb to bespeak or to “speak for something”, bespoke is actually a term that means, “to give an order for it to be made”. Made-to-measure simply means an already established patterned produced according to the measurements of the client. On the other side of the coin, bespoke incorporates personal service and qualified advice over a large selection of fabrics according to a design that best fits the client, on top of having the measurements made according to yours.

Bespoke stores such as The Bespoke Club at Suntec City will generally keep your preferences and measurements on file, making it a breeze to make repeat visits for your different needs. Proclaiming to be the advocate for “Accessible Luxury”, their pricing may be very comparable to that of a similar mass-produced suit of a well-known brand.

Unlike suits that are off the rack, several fittings are required during the process, are required to ensure that all kinks and alterations are ironed out according to your body shape and measurements. More fitting sessions would be expected out of a bespoke store rather than one that only offers made-to-measure garments.

The Psychological Aspect

Just in the innate knowledge that the suit you’re wearing is handmade and was made from an original design cut with premium fabric with your input in every detail generally gives you a confidence boost at the very least. Things that are one of kind that are specially tailored to fit you and only you tend to make the event extra special and, according to most men, move about with more finesse.

Adding on to that, choosing the bespoke option allows customisation options such as adding room for cufflinks, different patterns of fabric within the shirt inside the collar and along the bone of the shirt to add an extra pop. Button customisations are not uncommon as well to add the character that fits yours to a tee. Making wedding gown in Singapore and shirts that are completely yours gives a sense of ownership and possession, enhancing one’s mood and general level of confidence.

Luke Wee Tells You What Not To Include In Your Wedding Speech

Everybody loves a great speech. There is nothing like a room full of people hanging on every word you are saying, being moved to tears and having a good laugh.

Everybody loves a great speech, but unfortunately, not everybody is a great speaker.  Nor does everyone have the manner or appearance to command the attention of an entire room. That is where things can go wrong.

To be suddenly thrown into the spotlight can be quite daunting, and with all this pressure to impress the guests, some may rely on age-old cliches to get the crowd going. Some work, some don’t; others are pure wedding speech suicide.

Whether you are the emcee, the best man or the groom, these are things that you should avoid mentioning in your speech.

“Before Marriage, a man is incomplete. After marriage, he is finished.”

Hardy har har.

Marriage is a joyful thing. If you have been married a little longer, maybe you are a little cynical, and not as joyful as the newlyweds.  But for goodness sake, hold your cynicism till after the wedding. Nobody loves a wet blanket – unless, of course, they are wet blankets too. If marriage were truly the end, nobody would be walking into it.

“Mr Right, Mrs Always Right.”

Ugh. This one is so overused, and has not been funny since 2010.

Plus, it is obviously not true. Marriage is a partnership. It is about two people coming together, sharpening and refining each other. Both parties take turns to be right. Trust me, the woman does not always win, because no, the Missus is not always right.

“It’s all about the bride.”

No, no, NO!

A bridal boutique said this to me during our first appointment with them. Rolls eyes.  We did not sign with them.

I can imagine this saying was thought up years ago by well-meaning men to suggest their male counterparts give way to the ladies. This meaning, however, has been lost over the years.  Today, it just makes it sound like the women want all the attention, which is not true either.

Anything about “what happens on the wedding night”.

They’re going do it… or are they?

Sadly, the wedding night does not always have a happy ending. A recent survey of 2,128 newlyweds found that 52% do not have sex on their wedding night.  A quarter of whom admitted that it was because the groom was too drunk.

The wedding is also an extremely exhausting ordeal, and some couples can hardly find the time to eat. Is sex the first thing you will think of if you are both tired and hungry?  To assume that the couple will consummate on the wedding night may be a tad presumptuous.

There will be enough pressure on them to “do it” without you mentioning it. Have some class and do not mention this subject.

Anything that hints of any sort of emotional baggage.

A wedding is a celebration of a new life, a new beginning. The bride or groom (or both) may have painful relationships they wish to put behind them, and some wounds may require more time to heal.

It could be an ex, a friendship gone sour, an unaccepting in-law, or perhaps a strained relationship within the family of the bride or groom.

Everyone has baggage, but leave it to the bride, groom and their families to do the unpacking amongst themselves.

Conclusion

You do not have to be a natural born public speaker. You only have to be sincere, respectful, and most of all, a good friend. You are not speaking for the crowd. You are speaking for your friends, the newlyweds.

Join in the celebration with them, and speak from your heart.  Remember:  speaking on the most important day of their lives is an honour. Enjoy the moment, and don’t live to regret saying or not saying anything!

Wedding Services in Singapore

Make your wedding unforgettable with Blissfulbrides. We have a few choices of wedding photography service as well as wedding venues in Singapore, and many other wedding services. Plan your wedding with us!

Get Baby Ready

Both of you are ready for the next step in the relationship: having a baby. Now’s a time to start the prepping your body and mind for a new life growing inside you. Here are your the dos and don’t(s) of getting baby ready.

Do(s)

Getting things checked

Not just you, but getting your partner involved is vital too. It ensures that you both don’t possess any other underlying medical issues (diabetes, thyroid problems) that affect your chances of being pregnant. Problems like having irregular periods can diminish your chances and an obstetrician (ob-gyn) can have that sorted it out for you. Planning an early pre-conception health check up with your obstetrician is recommended, simply because they are able to advise you on how to proceed with your plans.

They are also able to highlight and examine any deterrent factors like family medical history, drug intakes and even your psychosocial issues. Numerous exams like pelvic exams for identifying sexually transmitted disease, ultrasound scans and/or Pap smear for overall reproductive health might be performed. Also, they are more qualified to answer any queries you have. Getting a pre conception screen will assist you in having an uncomplicated pregnancy, in turn a healthy baby.

Eat right

While visiting the obstetrician or gynaecologist, they would offer the same advise to you as well: eating clean. For those always keeping scores of your diet, great! Keep that up. For the rest of us, now is a good time to start. Slowly begin to eliminate unhealthy food from your diet and replace them healthier substitutes. It may take quite some time getting used to, which is why the earlier the better.

The weather gets the better of you sometimes and you slurped up more servings of ice-kachang or iced lemon tea than expected. It is good to keep your diet in check using a food diary, or a food journaling app. Be especially conscious of what you put in your body. Thus, when you are pregnant you are already used to your diet and it would be less of a dread when coupled with potential pregnancy symptoms.

Additionally, you can start stocking up on folic acid supplements or pre-natal vitamins. Daily intake of at least 400mg of folic acid prevents serious birth defects of the brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida) by up to 70 percent.  These defects are a result of neural tube defects, when the end of the neural tube fails to close up. This occurs in the very early stages of pregnancy, even before many women know that they are pregnant.

Being active

We all know our sedentary lifestyle isn’t the best for our health, no less for a baby. Reason like having a hectic lifestyle, just cannot cut it anymore, especially when it comes to your baby’s health. Exercise does not necessarily mean lifting heavy weights and intense cardio. Pilates and yoga are a great start, because you can actually continue to do so during pregnancy. Pilates strengthens your core muscles that support your pelvic and tummy muscles.

Whereas yoga relaxes your body and mind while keeping you toned. Stress can wreck havoc on your body (like irregular periods), so practicing yoga can keep your stress levels in check too. Again, starting incorporating such exercises into your lifestyle only serves to make your pregnancy easier. Once pregnant, you can take it slower. For yoga, it is ideal that you pause the lessons until you are in your second trimester. For convenience’s sake, do check with the centres whether if they offer pre-natal lessons. So that even after you are pregnant, you can continue your lessons there.

Don’t(s)

Birth control

This is an obvious one. Cutting the contraceptive before you try to conceive is a no brainer. Depending on the type of contraception, it will affect your ovulation period. For oral intakes like pills, some of you may immediately start ovulating again, which means you are fertile again. However, some of you may take months to start ovulating again, especially if you have been using it for quite some time. If it is three months since you last stopped the pill and still no period in sight, do check in with your doctor or gynaecologist. If you gave an Intrauterine Device (IUD), do get it removed. Once removed, your menstrual cycle will resume as well. Contraceptive injections like Depo Provera have effects that last up to three months, so you just have to wait till it wears off. For those using barrier methods (e.g. condoms), just ditch them!

Toxins and endocrine disruptors

There are loads of environmental toxins that are surrounding us. With air pollution like the haze situation running amok, it can be hard to avoid these toxins. But it doesn’t mean that we can’t try our best to avoid them, particularly those endocrine disruptors. They have the ability to disrupt our endocrine system, which regulates our hormones. Like Bisphenol A (BPA) for example, it has been linked to breasts, reproductive and hormonal problems. Pesticides, too contains such disruptors, so its best you wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly. A research paper published in the US National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information reveals that such industrial contaminants like pesticides and plasticisers and naturally occurring phytoestrogens (found in soy) have effects on wildlife animals’ lactation and breast growth.

Kicking bad habits

Bad habits like smoking, excessive alcohol and coffee intake takes time to change. Precisely why, it is high time you kick these bad habits away anyway. Something as innocuously as caffeine, in high dosages can delay conception. However, there are conflicting research evidence in regards to such notion. But experts do advise you to err on the side of caution. The Fertility Society of Australia recommends limiting your coffee intake to one to two cups per day for women trying to conceive.

Similarly, evidence against alcohol consumption are unclear and with limited studies. Nevertheless, it still poses as a health risk as maternal alcohol consumption is dangerous to the unborn child. Spread this message to your partner too as alcohol can reduce libido, affect sperm quality and causing impotence. When combined, male and female alcohol consumption can increase the risk of miscarriages.

Last but not least, smoking is also known to cause damage on a micro-cellular level in human sperm cells. That certainly doesn’t bode well when you are trying for a baby. Furthermore, it decreases your fertility as well as causing egg depletion. Tobacco is also associated with increased health risk for the baby like increase chances of childhood leukaemia and heart problems. Exposure to second-hand smoke can also suffer all these risks. Thus it is vital that you and your partner are committed to stave off those cigarettes.

Wedding Planner In Singapore

Plan your wedding carefully by using wedding planner service in Singapore. They will help you to plan everything from wedding banquet to wedding photography, if you wish. Make your wedding day unforgettable!

The Love Story Of Lim Li Li And Jimmy Taenaka

“He’s right brain, I’m left. He’s artistic and creative, I’m more organised.”– Lim Li Li, on her spouse Jimmy T

Q: When and how did the two of you meet?

Jimmy: We met at a Franck Muller product launch over ten years ago. I wouldn’t say that it was interest at first sight, but I did tell her that she had nice hair. It took several meetings for us to really start conversing with each other.

Li Li: My first impression of Jimmy was, “Good looking, but young!” When he told me he was an actor, I wrote him off. I said to myself that I’d never date an actor, let alone a younger man. But the truth is that he looks younger than his age. After a few conversations, I found out that he’s a very funny guy. He made me laugh all the time. I was also impressed by his honesty. That’s when we started dating.

Q: How did the proposal take place?

Jimmy: It was very unromantic. (laughs) I proposed to her over a cup of coffee and gave her the ring, just like that. I didn’t get down on my knees as I did it as well, but she wasn’t expecting it and I guess it was still a surprise for her in some sense.

Li Li: He called me in the middle of my workday saying that he wanted to meet for coffee. When I arrived, he gave a very moving speech (which I can’t remember exactly), and then asked me if I wanted him to kneel down after taking out the ring… But I refused to let him do that as it would have been too embarrassing. It wasn’t exactly a surprise for me as I knew it would happen, but I just didn’t know when it was coming.

Q: What was your wedding like, and what do you remember most about that special day?

Jimmy: We held the wedding at Beaufort Sentosa, as our wedding venue in Singapore. It was a very emotional day for me… Never thought that I would tear.

Li Li: The most memorable part for me? He sang. He secretly learned the song Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin from a friend, and gave a surprise performance on our wedding day. I was really touched, as public singing is not his forte, not to mention singing in Mandarin (we all know there are plenty wedding bands in Singapore).

Q: In what ways are you the opposite of your spouse?

Jimmy: She’s a practical and strong sort of woman, who makes most of the decisions in our relationship. I’m more carefree, whereas she pretty much has things planned out for us most of the time. Thanks to Li Li, I’ve learned to become more grounded. Our arguments never last for more than a day, though, despite our differences.

Li Li: He’s very particular about cleanliness, so during the initial years, he was always having to run after me and scold me for being messy, as I used to just leave things lying around the house. Jimmy’s the entertainer, even in our relationship – he’s the guy who relieves all my stress that builds up on a daily basis. I think we complement each other well; it’s great that we’re so different.

Q: How do you normally spend your time together?

Jimmy: We usually bond over eating out, and we make it a point to have dinner together every day. Sometimes, I’ll cook because I’m home more often. We also plan a lot of vacations together.

Li Li: Jimmy and I visit my mother every weekend with our dog, and that’s something my mom really looks forward to. I love trying out new places, so we also spend a lot of time checking out new restaurants. Some of our recent favourite haunts are Waku Ghin and Hashida Sushi.

Q: Have you made any plans to celebrate your upcoming 10th year anniversary yet?

Jimmy: Oh wow, time flies! Our anniversary is in September, so we have been planning a three-week trip to South America, specifically Peru and Argentina, around that period.

Li Li: September is a great time to visit South America while celebrating our 10th year. I’m really looking forward to visiting Machu Picchu in Peru, as we have both never been there.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson that you feel 10 years of marriage has taught you?

Jimmy: Li Li’s father passed away over a year ago, and that was a life-changing experience for us. It brought us closer together, and taught me not to take things for granted. I love her very much and cherish each and every moment with her.

Li Li: Take your time to choose the right person – don’t rush into it. We got married rather late in our lives. I’m glad we took our time and found each other.

Building a Financial Home

When starting a new life together, the building of a marital home goes beyond the physical. Senior financial consultant Joseph Tan, from OO Advisory Services, dishes out advice on  pre- and post-marriage financial planning. 

What Do I Plan Before I Plan For The Wedding?

A matrimonial union is one of the top three defining moments in a person’s life (besides the beginning and the End of Life). A lot of emotional energy is invested to make the wedding event unforgettable, and aptly so because we all see this as a once-in-a-lifetime
endeavour. To keep the beautiful process of planning a wedding stress-free with the aid of wedding planner Singapore service, financial planning lays the foundation on which we can build this experience.

What then, would be essential in this foundation? As with any relationship in any aspect, honesty is the best policy on which to build a strong base. Husbands and wives should be upfront about their existing debts so that the couple may take stock on what financial situation they will be in after their wedding. Clarity breeds confidence in helping the couple through any debt together. Moreover, being transparent and taking stock of your liabilities will prevent over-budgeting that might stress the relationship post-banquet.

Next up is to prepare for a Rainy Day Fund. Many might deem it unnecessary to have three to six months’ worth of their fixed expenses in cash savings, excluding what they will spend on the wedding or the home they will move into after that. The sticky situation of someone losing his or her job will disrupt the focus in the wedding preparations, thus the Rainy Day Fund will keep the couple’s romantic momentum and emotional state uplifted.

The Matrimonial Home Is As Important As The Financial House I Will Live In

It is daunting to feel that every big event in our lives will clear out our bank accounts – our glamorous wedding, dream home, and a baby’s arrival. But when we take a step back and find a balance between practicality and wants, you may find that you can come out of it a credible winner. Not just with a peace of mind about your financial stability but also the love that you build with your new spouse.

Is a 0.95 carat solitaire so different from a one carat one? Other than numerically, one can hardly see the visible delineation. Should I buy the designer chair, that I would probably only use for occasional guests, or use three-quarters of that amount to buy a couch that I would sit on every evening to read my Fifty Shades of Grey? If the price of a good is high but with an even higher intrinsic value, it is considered cheap, and vice versa.

It is important that average household expenses be 50 or 70 per cent of the net household income after CPF deduction. Any monthly instalment, loans or annual instalments divided must be summed up to remain within the confines of 35 per cent of your net income. Defaulting of these instalments would likely attract lawsuits that will distract you from spending quality time with your loved ones.

Fulfilling Our Dreams Together

Family planning and financial planning have a similarity: they require both husband and wife to work hand-in-hand with each other and a competent advisor. The imminent future entails short-term goals of career advancement, starting a family and purchasing a vehicle to facilitate your lifestyle. The distant future speaks about sending your children for tertiary education and retiring comfortably after a lifetime of hard work. None of these can be attained if not for the root of success: habit.

This habit must be consistently cultivated for happiness and success to be ultimately achieved. Micro-managing your finances might not be the best way to maintain a harmonious relationship; periodic tracking with a tinge of day-to-day awareness would certainly do wonders.

With proper planning for the wedding, both financially and personally, I believe that we can all have our wedding cake and eat it as well, don’t you think?