Location: Central

Gardens By The Bay Brings A Slice Of Japan To You This March With Sakuras And Cosplay

Have you been to Japan in Sakura season? If you haven’t, then we’ve got some good news for you.

No, we’re not sponsoring any flights to Japan in Sakura season. Gardens By The Bay is bringing Sakura season to Singapore!

For the Pokemon fans, there will be Pokemon game booths and even a Pikachu parade (OMG!?!?!?).

[caption id="attachment_33411" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Image Credit: Also read If You Love Muah Chee, You’ll Love This New Bubble Tea By Playmade

(Header Image Source: Unsplash)

If You Love Muah Chee, You’ll Love This New Bubble Tea By Playmade

If you’re not familiar with Playmade by 丸作, they previously caused a stir in the local bubble tea community with their interesting pearl flavours.

From Burnt Caramel to Pink Cactus and Black Sesame, Playmade has certainly carved a niche in the existing bubble tea market.

Nutty Sensation

Playmade has come up with a brand new drink for those of you who love your traditional desserts.

That’s right, from now till 21 March 2018, the Peanut Milk Tea With Muah Chee Pearls ($1.90) will be available at both Playmade outlets.

No prizes for guessing what local dessert inspired this particular milk tea flavour. While the Muah Chee pearls have been around since January as a limited time pearl flavour, the accompanying Peanut Milk Tea is new.

The Peanut Milk Tea with Muah Chee Pearls will only be around for another 2 weeks, so head down to any Playmade outlet and get yours today!

Playmade
Address: 108 Depot Road #01-03, Singapore, 100108
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am – 8pm
Contact no.: 9067 7297
Website

Address: 10 Tampines Central 1, #01-59, Singapore, 529536
Opening Hours: Daily: 10.30am – 10pm
Contact no.: 9067 7297

Also read Ditch The Macs Queue For Chocolate Pie And Go For Legit Ones At Windowsill Pies

Let The Beat Guide Your Feet To The Finish Line At This Year’s Music Run

If you find running without music to be an arduous task, you’re not alone.

But why contend with an earpiece when you can have music blasting all along your running route?

Happening on 21 April 2018, The Music Run is back again!

That’s not all, this will be the first year that The Music Run will include timed runs.

The Ultimate Running Event

There are 3 different categories in The Music Run that participants can choose from, with 2 timed courses and 1 for the casual runners.

The 5K Fun Run is best suited for those who prefer to run at their own pace and soak in the electric atmosphere of The Music Run.

If you’re looking for a bit of a challenge, go for the 5K or 10K courses. But with music blasting from speakers every metres to keep you going and the adrenaline pumping, you’ll finish the course before you know it!

So ditch those headphones and let the music fuel your beat!

Of course, that’s not all that The Music Run has to offer. After the run, head to the Main Stage where there will be a music festival for all participants to party through the night!

Last year’s Main Stage featured DJ Sam Withers and Nathan Hartono, rocking the crowd with their music.

Finally, what’s a run without the race pack? This year’s race pack includes The Music Run race t-shirt, a drawstring bag, stickers and temporary tattoos.

Whether you’re a first-timer, a casual runner, a fitness or competitive runner, The Music Run has something for everyone.

Ticket prices are $65, $70 and $75 for the 5K Fun Run, 5K Timed Run and 10K Timed Run respectively. Children under 5 years of age get to run for free!

Hurry and purchase your tickets from Hapz here!

The Music Run
Venue: Sentosa Island
Date: 21 Apr 2018
Price: $65 – $75*
Website

*Discounted prices available only on Hapz.

Also read OCBC Lets You Earn Triple The Amount Of Flyer Miles When You Shop At IKEA This Week

(Header Image Source: Hapz)

OCBC Lets You Earn Triple The Amount Of Flyer Miles When You Shop At IKEA This Week

We all love going to IKEA.

Let us break it down for you.

Usually, every dollar you spend on your OCBC Titanium Rewards card, earns you 10 OCBC$. And every 10 OCBC$ is worth 4 miles.

Normal rate:
1 SGD = 10 OCBC$ = 4 miles

But during this promotion period, every dollar spent at IKEA from 1 March to 11 March 2018, you will earn 30 OCBC$, which gives you 12 miles per dollar.

Promotion rate:
1 SGD = 30 OCBC$ = 12 miles

You can earn a maximum of SGD$1000 worth of OCBC$ with this promotion. Meaning you get up to 12,000 miles on your OCBC Titanium Rewards card!

That’s not all, because we’re all Singaporean and we love free stuff, for every $150 spent in a single receipt, you will be able to receive a $10 IKEA gift card! (Limited to the first 2,088 redemptions)

What are you waiting for? It’s time to head back to IKEA with your OCBC Titanium Rewards card!

Who knows? You could’ve already paid for the air tickets for your next vacation with your IKEA purchase!

Also read 8 Fun Fitness Classes For Ladies Who Cannot Cardio For Their Life

Picnic In The Park? Too #basic. How About Concert In The Park This March?

The image of a family having a picnic in the park on a sunny weekend is always pleasant and wholesome.

Good food, great company, lively environment, surrounded by nature and all its wonders – it’s almost perfect. Almost.

What if we took picnics to another level by throwing in a concert for as well?

Now how’s that for a picnic?

That’s right, the NAC-ExxonMobil Concert In The Park is back again on 11^th March 2018 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens!

Entertainment For The Whole Family

This year’s concert will see local musicians Charlie Lim and M1LDL1FE take the stage.

You might have seen them perform on The Great Singapore Replay, which featured 10 emerging artists and 10 established artists working together to reimagine Singapore’s greatest hits of the yesteryears.

While Charlie Lim’s music is a little more acoustic and mellow, it’s heartfelt and emotional and it’s perfect for setting the picnic mood.

If you prefer more upbeat music, get up and groove to the indie pop tunes of M1LDL1FE.

That’s not all. To ensure your little ones get a piece of the action too, there will be fringe activities by Bubblelogist (yes that’s a thing) CJ Bubble, as well as a pre-show dance performance by Legacy Dance Co.

One last thing, there will be fans (limited to 250 pieces) and picnic mats (limited to 50 pieces) up for grabs, so get your friends and family and come early and pick a good spot!

Admission is free!

See you at the NAC-ExxonMobil Concert In The Park!

NAC-ExxonMobil Concert In The Park 2018
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage
Date: 11 Mar 2018
Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Website

Also read Gather Your Amigos For Affordable Halal Spanish Tapas At The Great Mischief

(Header Image Source: National Arts Council Singapore)

8 Fun Fitness Classes For Ladies Who Cannot Cardio For Their Life

If going for a run or hitting the gym isn’t your cup of tea, welcome to the club. We can all admit that we’d rather stuff our faces with Doritos while watching reruns of Friends.

If you’re having trouble keeping to your New Year’s resolution of leading a healthier lifestyle, here’s a list of fun fitness classes for you ladies who might be intimidated to workout in a gym full of alpha males.

Grab your girlfriends and sign up for these classes. Who knows you might just find working out fun again!

Goodbye Gyms, Hello….

1. CruCycle

Raise your hands if spin bikes are your go-to equipments at the gym. This spin class takes your regular cycling to a whole new level!

This boutique indoor cycling studio located on Duxton Road, offers a series of high energy, full-body workouts held in a dark candle-lit room.

If you’re someone who loves to blast your music while working out, CruCycle is perfect for you as it fuses cool music, working out and energetic vibes all around!

CruCycle provides a range of classes with different levels. So if you’re new to spin, don’t worry they have classes suited just for you.

CruCycle
Address: 68 Duxton Road, Singapore 089527
Price: $50 (For first timers, 2 classes), $215 (5 classes, 1 month validity)
Contact No.: 6509 8880
Image Credit: Juggernaut Studio Facebook[/caption]

Learning from a male instructor for the very first time may be intimidating however at Juggernaut Studio, be prepared to be trained by Singapore’s First Female Professional Boxing Champion, Nurshahidah Roslie.

Kickboxing is known to be one of the most effective and efficient workout to keeping fit.

If you ever wanted to learn combat-sports without the fear of getting hit or to just simply get out of your comfort zone, Juggernaut Studio is the best place for first time rookies!

Juggernaut Studio
Address: 57 Boat Quay, Singapore 049846
Price: $180 (1 month), $510 (3 months)
Contact No.: 6920 7515
Website

3. Clubbercise

Have you ever wondered why clubbing isn’t considered a form of exercise yet? Dancing the night away in your six inch heels should really be considered an Olympic Sport.

Dance fitness Clubbercise has come up with a dance routine called Pulse. Done with lights out, you get to hold a glow stick in each hand as you dance to electrifying club music for 45 minutes.

[caption id="attachment_33329" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Virgin Active Singapore Facebook[/caption]

An instructor will guide you through the moves but feel free to improvise if you’re really feeling the beat.

If you’re an awkward person and you have two left feet, don’t worry. The room is dark. Barely anyone will notice your dorky dance moves!

Clubbercise By Virgin Active Tanjong Pagar
Address: Tanjong Pagar Centre, 7 Wallich Street, #06-01, Singapore 078884
Contact No.: 6908 8920
Website

Clubbercise By Virgin Active Raffles Place
Address: Tower 2, One Raffles Place, Level 6, Singapore 048616
Contact No.: 6908 7878
Website

4. Aerial Hoop

For those who are not afraid to fly, this may just be the perfect workout for you.

Aerial Hoop is considered an art form that requires strength, flexibility, balance, control and grace to master.

[caption id="attachment_33327" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Image Credit: Aerial and Floor Facebook[/caption]

Aerial and Floor provides classes that will increase your muscle strength, tone your body especially the core. So if you’re looking at toning your body and gaining muscle strength, this is the class for you.

Also if you plan on joining the circus some day, you can learn how to perform aerial acrobatics while being suspended from a hoop mid air!

Aerial And Floor
Address: 7B Trengganu Street, Singapore 058461
Price: $38 (1 class, 1 week validity), $240 (8 classes, 2 month validity)
Contact No.: 9677 7948
Image Credit: WeBarre Facebook[/caption]

If you’re new to the barre scene, you can try out their Fundamentals class which offers you a taste of Barre in an intimate setting and a slower pace, while hardcore workout junkies can opt for the Webarre HIIT class which pushes limits and burns calories.

Get ready to tuck, lift and plié your way through this class.

WeBarre Tanjong Pagar
Address: 86B Tanjong Pagar Rd, Level 2, Singapore 088507
Price: $40 (1 class, 2 weeks validity), $355 (10 classes, 4 months validity)
Contact Number: 6221 5539
Website 

WeBarre Telok Ayer
Address: 5A Stanley Street, Level 2, Singapore 068724
Contact Number: 6221 9256

WeBarre Clarke Quay
Address: 39C North Canal, Level 4, Singapore 059295
Contact Number: 6535 0104

6. Aqua Cycling

Get wet, tone up and get fit!

Aqua Cycling is a water-based fitness craze which has you spinning on a stationary bike submerged in water.

[caption id="attachment_33331" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Aquaspin Facebook[/caption]

This form of exercise is highly effective at burning 3 times more calories than regular land based exercises. Time to combat those cellulite!

Aqua cycling classes organised by Aquaspin, is designed to give you a full body workout and helps strengthen your core, back and upper body all at the same time.

All you pregnant ladies out there, if you’re looking to keep fit throughout your pregnancy, this aqua cycling classes are perfect for you!

Due to the buoyancy of the water, less strain is put on your back, hips and other parts of your body.

Best part, being in a pool means you won’t be a hot sweaty mess after an intense cycling workout.

Aquaspin YWCA
Address: 6 Fort Canning Rd
Price: $50 (1 session), $180 (4 sessions)
Aquaspin Shangri-La
Address: 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350 
7. Pole Dance

Think pole dancing is easy? Well, think again.

Pole dancing is an exciting way to get fit. SLAP (Singapore Lap And Pole) Dance Studio offers classes that delivers a great cardiovascular workout, strength training, fun dance routines and acrobatics.

[caption id="attachment_33332" align="aligncenter" width="1134"] Image Credit: SLAP Dance Studio Facebook[/caption]

It’s a perfect way to break out of your comfort zone and try out something new for the year. For just $15, treat yourself and a girlfriend to an hour workout class filled with a bit of striptease, lap and pole dance!

Professionally trained instructors at SLAP conducts classes suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced pole and exotic dancers. So don’t worry if you have no prior experience.

SLAP Dance Studio
Address: Robinson Square, 144 Robinson Road, #17-02 (reception), #10-01, #11-02, Singapore 068908
Price: $100 (10 sessions)
Contact No.: 6636 4622
Image Credit: Boogie Bounce Xtreme Singapore Facebook[/caption]

All you need to do: Step on a mini trampoline and jump your way through exercises choreographed to chart-topping music.

Even NASA scientists have proven that bouncing on a mini trampoline is 68% more effective than jogging and yet requires less effort!

The principles behind the programme are aimed at High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T) to maximise the most effective fat burning process in the cardio section. Say hello to toned legs and flat tummy for days!

Boogie Bounce Xtreme Singapore
Address: Various ActiveSG Sport Centres
Website

Also Read 7 Free Playgrounds In Shopping Malls To Bring Your Kids To Over The Weekends

(Header Image Source: Aerial And Floor Facebook)

5 Seconds Of Summer Is Finally Returning To S’pore This May

Someone send help because we’ve collapsed and can’t get up.

5 Seconds Of Summer (5SOS) are back and they’re bringing their 5S0S3 tour to Singapore – their ONLY stop in Asia.

[caption id="attachment_33293" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: 5 Seconds Of Summer Facebook[/caption]

They will be performing at the Capitol Theatre for ONE NIGHT ONLY on 2 May 2018!

Want You Back

It’s been almost 2 years since we’ve heard any new music from the 4-man Australian rock band.

[caption id="attachment_33295" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: Odyssey[/caption]

And now with the announcement of their 5SOS3 concert and tour dates, they’ve released their newest single, “Want You Back”!

Fans who will be attending the concert will get to hear new music from the band, and maybe even get to hear some of their famous hits such as the evergreen bop “She Looks So Perfect” and the heartfelt “Amnesia”.

Ticket sales go live on 2 March 2018 at 9am on 5 Seconds Of Summer Live In Singapore 2018
Venue: Capitol Theatre, 17 Stamford Road, Singapore, 178907
Date: 2 May 2018
Price: $108 – $128
Dua Lipa Set To Perform At The Esplanade This May For One Night Only

(Header Image Source: MusicFeed)

7 Free Playgrounds In Shopping Malls To Bring Your Kids To Over The Weekends

Don’t know where to bring your kids to over the weekends? Don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket?

You no longer have to worry as we have a list of FREE playgrounds in shopping malls so you can get your shopping done while the kids can go ham at the playgrounds!

Get Out And Play

1. Westgate

Westgate Wonderland is what we’d describe as Disneyland for kids. Gear your kid up for this playground as it is touted to be the largest rooftop mall playground in Singapore!

This fantasy garden themed outdoor playground is divided into three playing areas suitable for toddlers and the older kids.

The tallest structure in this playground is a 10 metre tree house that kids can ascend via the criss cross nets inside the tree trunk.

There’s also a small rock climbing wall at the side of this tree house.

The water play area however is the highlight of this playground. You’ll see little water jets sprouting from the ground and even buckets of water that will tip over your kids!

There’s a drying station which is free to use so your kids can dry off easily. Just remember to pack some towels and a change of clothes for your kids!

Trust me, your kids will thank you and call you supermom/superdad for bringing them here!

Rating: 5/5

Westgate Wonderland
Address: 3 Gateway Drive, Level 4, Singapore 608532
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

2. IMM 

This playground at IMM wins hands down for being sheltered. So yay to no sweaty (sort of) kids!

Just like your usual neighbourhood playgrounds, it consists of activity boards, rock climbing walls, slides and balancing beams.

If your kids need to cool off from the heat, this playground has a water play area as well.

This water play area beats any other playground as it boasts a pretty cool water slide and water guns for kids to shoot water at each other with.

So if you’re looking for an alternative playground in the west asides from Westgate, IMM is the perfect choice.

Rating: 4/5

IMM
Address: 2 Jurong East Street 21, Level 3, Singapore 609601
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

3. Changi City Point

Conveniently located next to Changi Expo MRT, The 3 House at Changi City Point has a dry and wet play area for your kids.

Rating: 3/5

The 3 House
Address: 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, Level 2, Singapore 486038
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

4. VivoCity

VivoCity’s playground boasts play features, water fountains and even trampolines! This playground is popular and often packed with kids over the weekends.

This playground is divided into two playing areas for children of various age groups. There are shorter slides catered for the younger kids whereas the older kids can enjoy climbing ropes and sliding poles.

There is also a wet playing area that will light up in a colourful pattern everyday after 7pm.

Don’t worry parents, there are plenty of shaded sitting area around the playground and eateries when everyone gets hungry from playing.

Rating: 3/5

Vivo City
Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, Level 2, Singapore 098585
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

5. Waterway Point

With so many BTO flats surrounding the Punggol-Sengkang Area, it’s no surprise that the number 1 place for most young parents to bring their kids to is Waterway Point.

Waterway Point has 2 playing areas – Wonderland (indoor playing area) and Happy Park (outdoor playing area).

Adopting an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme, the indoor playing area is catered for the younger ones and best part, it’s air conditioned so mum and dads don’t have to stand in the heat.

The Happy Park is divided into a wet and dry playing area. The tunnel slides are a central feature of the dry area and there are shorter slides catered for the younger ones as well.

The wet area features a small lake with flowing water – perfect for keeping cool in the outdoor heat. There’s also a small section for parents to towel dry their kids and change their clothes after all the playing.

Rating: 4/5

Wonderland and Happy Park
Address: 83 Punggol Central,  Both playgrounds are located on Level 2, Singapore 828761
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 9.30pm

6. Kallang Wave (Singapore Sports Hub)

Bring your kids and beat the heat at the Splash N Surf water park and playground. There’s even a lifeguard on duty so you know your kids will be in good hands as they run wild here!

This water playground features water sprinklers, slides (with different options for children of varying options), fountains, a merry-go-round and pretty much everything else you can imagine.

There’s also a kids pool which is a mini pool with a depth of 0.5m so your little ones won’t be left out!

If you’re willing to pay a small sum to play with your kids, there’s a lazy river where you and your child can float along leisurely. Tickets costs $2 and can be purchased at the Splash N Surf Information Counter.

Rating: 5/5

Splash N Surf
Address: 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm daily

7. Paragon Shopping Mall

Who would’ve thought there would be a kids playground right smack in Orchard Road. If your kid is getting cranky and you’re busy picking out your Jimmy Choo, let them run around at the playground located on the 5th floor of the mall.

The playground has all the basic playing stations such as slides, tunnels and ride-on horses. It’s not the fanciest playground but it sure is a good pit stop for your kid after all the shopping!

Rating: 3/5

Paragon
Address: 290 Orchard Road, Level 5, Singapore 238859
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

Also Read This Aroi Mak Nasi Ambeng Swaps Rendang And Achar For Green Curry And Mango Salad

(Header Image Source: Playpoint Singapore Pte Ltd)

This Aroi Mak Nasi Ambeng Swaps Rendang And Achar For Green Curry And Mango Salad

As a proud Malay millennial, I get extremely excited when I hear these two words: “nasi” and “ambeng”.

Nasi Ambeng (pronounced Nasi Um-Bng) is a classic Javanese dish that is usually shared between 3 to 4 people.

The dish consists of a mountain of rice in the middle of the platter, surrounded by other traditional Javanese dishes such as ayam masak lemak, fried tempeh, begedil, urap, sambal goreng and beef rendang (which is technically Minangkabau but let’s not get into that).

You’ll find plenty of restaurants serving this traditional dish. However, the version at Sticky Rice stands out from the rest with their Thai Style Nasi Ambeng.

Old Dish, New Flavours

The Rice Platter ($28.50), as the Nasi Ambeng dish is named at Sticky Rice, comes with a generous portion of fragrant steamed white rice, fried beef strips, mango salad, fish cakes, spring rolls, green curry chicken, stir-fried vegetables, and “son-in-law” eggs.

If you’re wondering what the “son-in-law” eggs are, you’re not the only one.

This egg dish is also known as Khai Luk Khoei. It’s basically hard boiled eggs that are deep fried so they have a crispy golden skin. It is served with a sweet-sour sauce – made from tamarind and fish sauce.

This Rice Platter also comes with a small bowl of Thai Green Curry, which in my dictionary, is the most essential dish in Thai cuisine. The green curry is mild and light which helps in balancing out the flavours of all the other dishes.

It also comes with a green mango salad which ties the entire dish together with it’s tangy and spicy flavour.

This platter is perfect shared among 2-3 people. If you’re feeling a little peckish, go alone. We dare you.

However, if you’re not looking for a heavy afternoon lunch, you can also opt for the Pad Thai Platter ($28.50) which basically replaces the rice with a mountain of chicken pad thai.

This platter comes with a side of omelette strips, crispy chicken skin, prawns, bean sprouts, peanuts, lime and chilli powder. All you have to do is mix everything together and enjoy!

If you’re not up for a huge feast, you can order individual dishes from their menu as well. Best part, they have vegan options for all you vegans out there. Now everyone can enjoy quality food together.

We highly recommend you to take a trip to Sticky Rice for a taste of Thailand here in Singapore. Aroi mak!

Sticky Rice
Address: 23 Bali Lane, Singapore 189859
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 9.30pm, Fri – Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm, Closed on Sundays
Contact no.: 6294 0118
Singapore’s First Vegan Ice Cream Joint Takes The ‘Guilty’ Away From Pleasure

(Header Image Source: Sticky Rice Facebook)