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this little shop, tucked away on a touristy street in chinatown, offers a small but interesting selection of eco-friendly products. from stationery made from recycled material, to designer laptop bags from old tyres, to solar-powered wooden helicopters to small pots of grow-your-own pumpkins. the shop encourages the use of public transport and biking, and also maintains a handy blog which details green initiatives and ideas. given that the place is run by a few young chaps, i’ll take it as a positive sign that environmental issues are finally beginning to gain traction!
choose, 26a sago street http://www.oliveventures.com.sg/
this adorably situated cafe and shop are just off the main ann siang hill/club street drag, suitably fitting for the intimate oasis the space provides. the little drom store sells random knick-knacks, pretty floral vintage glassware and stationery. the adjoining cafe, kki, serves up light, delicious desserts and drinks with japanese panache. i tried the ginger lychee cake with a latte. the cake was not too sweet and was eagerly polished off within a few bites. the latte was well-done, and complemented with a de-li-cious coconut sable. quality of food and great atmosphere aside, what i really liked about the cafe was the friendly, intimate service. i managed to have a quick chat with the lady who opened the cafe (didn’t catch her name, alas), and instantly felt at home. another good reason to revisit ann siang as my old stomping grounds again!
kki and drom: 7 ann siang hill, tel: 62256650, sundays-fridays: 10am-9pm, saturdays: 10am-4pm http://www.thelittledromstore.com/
i’m a SUCKER for pretty spaces and a well-curated selection of books. i don’t come here as often since they moved over to their club street location (oh the tragedy of the viaduct monster), but each time i do, it gives me a happy vibe. think good overhead music, interesting books and friendly people behind the counter who know their stuff.
books actually, 86 club street, tel: 62229195 http://www.booksactually.com/
another little unexpected gem of a place tucked away amidst printing shops. a shop stocking various notebooks, stationery and books coupled with a cute little cafe playing chinese indie pop. they served delicious apple tea and green tea with white chocolate/coconut. yum yum.
cat socrates, #03-39 bras basah complex http://home.catsocrates.com.sg/
when i first heard about this place, i have to admit i was a little skeptical. wandering into the warren of ktv lounges with shaded storefronts didn’t really help. and then i met tracy, her lovely personality and her kind hands, and i was sold. tracy runs this place by herself, and caters mostly to regulars and tourists. she’s a slight lady whose strength will surprise you once your massage commences. what i like about her is that she gives massages with a lot of heart. it’s not common these days with all the massage places that have sprung up, to have someone who genuinely loves what she does and cares for her clients. where else will a therapist call you up later in the week to ask how you’re doing, just because she wants to see how you are?
asia flex, #02-21 concorde hotel, tel: 67355755
i’ve hung around little india more than i’d like to admit, and one of the things i started doing when i was 17 or so was getting my eyebrows threaded. i have to admit it’s more for the novelty of the experience, more than anything, as i’m not too fussed about my eyebrows. it has taken a couple of accidents to find a place that’s fast, cheap and always reliable. i have really sensitive skin, so i’ve had horror cases where i had to walk around all day with red blotchy skin. selvi’s is in the touristy little india arcade, and you can spot them by the long line of (mostly) indian women waiting outside for their turn. you’ve got to put your name down on a piece of paper, and they’ll call you when it’s your turn. try them for yourself. it’s embarrassing but the shhhshhing noise of the threads coming close together gives me quite a rush.
selvi’s, little india arcade, tel: 62975322
i generally shy away from places with frenchy sounding names, because often times in singapore, it’s frequently associated with somewhat dubious taste. i was introduced to this hair salon, tucked away in the corner of excelsior shopping centre, by some colleagues, and ever since then i’ve been a die-hard fan. alan runs this one-man show and he’s an absolute darling. there are hairdressers and there are hairdressers. alan is the sort of hairdresser who remembers everything you say, and brings it up the next time you see him, even if it is months later. my first taste of this was on my 2nd visit to him, where he began to talk about the us and my love for photography, completely unprompted. ever since then, i go back to visit him because he is always a pick-me-up over lunch. he gives a mean head massage, has great-smelling shampoos and is good at quick, stylish haircuts. it’s generally by appointment, so call before you go!
boutique de coiffure, #03-18, excelsior hotel and shopping centre, tel: 63372625
popiah
this road has admittedly become a little overrun with lots of men and girls who look like their daughters, but are not. despite this, a walk along joo chiat road is great fun. there’s puteri mas, of durian puff fame. obolo of cheesecake fame, there’s a great otah place further down, and kway guan huat, which makes popiah skins fresh and also serves up popiah and pie tee. this is an old world sort of place, and the decor on the inside looks like it hasn’t been changed for a bit. there’s a cute little lady who will run over to you and surreptitously whisper if you’d like some mango pudding made by this friend of hers. it’s quite funny. egg3, a lifestyle clothes and homeware store sits in a non-descript white shophouse space, while artholic gallery boasts a humble little cafe round the back and changing photo exhibitions round the front. the black earth art museum is also a great space for changing art exhibitions. it’s a large, airy space that has been whitewashed so it gives any of the works maximum set-off. there are also bicycle and birdcage stores, old provision shops, vietnamese food (for the “daughters”), etc. all housed in lovely old shophouse spaces.
- Joo Chiat Road
[alas, this place has closed, till another time perhaps]
this place is tucked away above a somewhat dodgy looking massage parlour, on south bridge road. it’s a little oasis of cheeriness when you make it to the top of the stairs panting, with their yellow walls and solid wooden furniture pieces. they have a simple food and drinks menu here, which is particularly tricky if you’re vegetarian since most things involve grilled chicken.
however, it’s a happy little space, and there are great paper products on sale here, organic soaps, chinese indie music and magazines, etc. they occasionally have rotating art/photo exhibitions in store too.
- Casual poet, 273B New Bridge Road, Singapore (088749)/Tel no.: 6221 5022
good metalwork is hard to find in singapore. there are plenty of people stringing together readymade charms and findings, but it’s more challenging to find statement jewellery pieces which are handmade and at affordable prices. i think aliya does the job quite nicely with the rings and necklaces it has in-store. the jewellery here is quite large and very sculptural, and made by a stable of different designers. their necklaces are very elegant and have an earth goddess flair about them. the rings aren’t too shiny and have gemstones set in classy but unusual settings. well worth a dig around i say!
- Aliya, 290 Orchard Rd, #03-47 Paragon, Singapore (238859)/ Tel no.: 68361403http://www.aliyastore.com/
