6 Reasons to Fall in Love With Singapore

Singapore is said to be the Southeast Asian version of New York City. It may be small on the map, but much like New York, this little city has an entire world to offer. And even if people described the city-state as a playground for the rich, the Little Red Dot can still be as awe-inspiring even if you put all the luxurious and extraordinary experiences aside.

There are a lot of reasons to fall in love with Singapore, and we bet you’d be just as impressed as most globetrotters are. Here are six of our favourite reasons why we truly love and adore the City of Lion.

  1. It has the best airport in the world

Singapore’s Changi International Airport is consistently voted as the world’s best airport by both consumer and industry polls. When you get a glimpse of the airport’s movie theatre, swimming pool, beauty centers and even nature trails, you’ll be begging to have your flight delayed in Singapore.

  1. The weather is predictable

The weather is pretty decisive here. When it rains, it pours (literally!), and when it shines, it really is blaring hot. Either way, it’s almost always warm, so it’s easier to get dressed. Just make sure to bring an umbrella with you to protect you from extreme weather condition.

  1. There’s always something anytime, anywhere

The city is still alive even after sundown. People are still busy and shops are still open for business. When you forgot to buy bae an anniversary gift or you desperately need an outfit for an event in the morning, the long retail hours are your lifesaver.

  1. The city is immaculately clean

Litter on the ground or garbage along sidewalks are practically non-existent that you’d wonder where they would throw their garbage. Everything, from public transportations to the city streets to the benches on the sidewalk, are unbelievably clean.

  1. It’s one of the safest, if not the safest city of the world

When you visit Singapore, you’ll be confident to explore the city even in the wee hours of the day without the fear of getting robbed. This speaks volumes about how safe Singapore is and how disciplined the people are.

  1. It’s a multi-cultural city

Not many countries can claim that they’re a multi-cultural land, which makes the Little Red Dot even more special. In Singapore, people celebrate Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Haji and Christmas; people eat nasi lemak, Indian curry, chicken rice, pasta and bread and burger and fries. It’s like living in a big, happy family when you’re in Singapore.

Whether you’re visiting Singapore for business or just for vacation, there’s so much to enjoy in this little city-state. See Singapore for yourself, and discover more reasons to love the City of Lion.

Kid’s Birthday Party Etiquette—For Parents

 

Kids are overjoyed and excited when they’re invited to birthday parties, which is particularly opposite to how parents feel. You know your children love parties, because of the food, the sweets, the entertainment and the company of other kids.

However, when you think of attending a birthday party, you ask yourself some questions: Do I just drop my child off or should I stay during the party? Should I bring the other siblings? What gift should I bring? To help you answer those questions, here’s how to handle your child’s next birthday party invitation.

  1. RSVP-ing to the invite

By far, this is the most common complaint of celebrants’ parents. A simple text or call informing whether your kid can come or not to the party is a courteous gesture that will help the host prepare for the event. And if in case a celebrant’s friend won’t be able to make it, the parents can inform their child ahead of time so he won’t expect for that friend to come.

  1. Bringing other siblings

We know it’s hard to make one child stay at home with a babysitter, while you’re out taking the other to a birthday party. However, instead of showing up with extra siblings, ask if you can bring the invited kid’s sisters and brothers. Chances are, the host will say ‘Sure, no problem,’ but they wouldn’t like to be surprised.

  1. Staying at or leaving the party

Most birthday parties with older kids, parents are encouraged to just drop their child off. If the host made it clear that it’s a ‘drop-off’ birthday party, there’s no need for you to linger around. On the other hand, if it’s a party for younger children and parents are required to stay, it would be rude to just drop your child off and leave the babysitting to the hosts.

  1. Sharing info to the uninvited

Parents should make it clear to their kids to keep the invitation discreet, or simply do not inform them until the day of the party. This is especially necessary with school-aged kids, since the entire class may not be invited to the event.

  1. If leaving early…

Sometimes, your kid’s demeanour could mean an early exit. If your child seems clingy, anxious or is about to throw a tantrum during the party, this may be a sign that he’s overwhelmed by the occasion. Try stepping out of the party for a few minutes to let your kid regroup and calm down. If the quick break didn’t cut it, no one will get offended if you need to go home early as long as you let the hosts know you’re leaving.

Birthday parties are fun experiences for kids, and it shouldn’t be burdensome to the parents as well. Keep these tips in mind the next time your kid is invited in one. And oh, don’t forget to bring something for the celebrant.

The Secrets to a More Youthful Glow

 

When you see your Singaporean or Hollywood idols, you envy their near-to-perfect skin. They do not seem to age or wrinkle. How you wish to be like them because you are getting worried about your skin by the minute. As you age, your skin changes but it doesn’t mean that you let it be because it is the natural course of life.

A smooth and supple skin is indeed desirable. The thing is, you can restore your youthful glow – you just need patience and consistency. Sounds easy, right? Of course if you are serious enough. Here are some secrets to a more youthful glow you should never miss:

  • Hydrate more: Hydrating is good for the skin as it can increase circulation. An increased circulation can lead to suppler and healthier skin.

 

  • Sip tea: Imagine yourself in serenely sitting in a French restaurant enjoying a cup of tea. This is exciting as well as good for the skin. You have to particularly ask green tea. Green tea is famous because of its catechins – an antioxidant. An antioxidant is important as it can protect you from tenderness and oxidative damage.

 

  • Consume more fruits: You now know the importance of antioxidants from tea. Antioxidants (like vitamins A, C and E) can also be found in some vegetables and fruits particularly those that come in shades of blue, red, orange and green.

  • Look for niacinamide or vitamin B3: Aging will decrease the production of the collagen (gives support to the skin) and elastin (gives the skin elasticity). If this happens, you will surely feel saggy, dry and the like. To avoid things from getting too saggy, always look for foods with niacinamide ingredient as it will strengthen the surface of your skin which will make it more robust.

 

  • Apply moisturizer: It is important that you cleanse your skin and apply moisturizer after. Moisturizers are crucial as they have the capacity to lock in the moisture which is good for the skin. The skin will surely look smoother and suppler.

 

  • Wearing sunscreen: Your skin is already damaged because of your lifestyle. Once you acknowledge this fact, you can move on and think of better ways to revive it. Have you tried wearing sunscreen? Sunscreen (especially if it is SPF enhanced) can make a difference at the end of the day. When you spend some time outdoors, always apply sunscreen and choose SPF with at least thirty.

 

That should give you ideas of how to take good care of your skin to look more youthful. Good luck and may your skin be blessed!

Quick Fixes for Your Dry Skin

 

The body needs protection from external elements thereby the existence of the skin. The skin has an important role therefore it should not be ignored or overlooked. Sometimes there are things around us causing skin damage. If you are particularly concerned about your dry skin, it is time that you know some techniques on tackling dry skin.

Of course you want to show off but it is not possible with dry skin. Do not worry because you can still revive your skin and leave it smooth. Here are some quick fixes that you can consider:

Many Singaporeans know about skin care essentials but it may not be as effective to you. The best thing here is to try everything and then decide which regime or routine works best for you. The important thing here is you do not hide under gloves or long pants – you tackle. The secret here is consistency.

Keeping air moist

If you are living in a climate with winter, your skin is prone to dryness. If the temperature drips, the humidity level plummets leaving the skin dry. Many people think that the only solution is to turn up the thermostat but that is a different matter. Turning it can even leave the skin drier as indoor heating can strip the skin of moisture.

Since turning up the thermostat cannot help, you have to consider keeping the air moist. Try installing a humidifier. This will surely keep the air moist around. The setting should be at 45 to 55% while the temperature should be at 68 Fahrenheit.

Shower quickly and coolly

It is ideal to have that steamy shower after a hard day but as much as you want to, do not stay too long. If you can shower coolly and quickly, do it because it can do the skin good. Remember that the steam can dry the skin’s natural oils. The more you linger in that steamy shower, the more your skin suffers.

If you cannot do without hot shower, at least dial down the temperature (maybe just lukewarm) plus make it short. Five minutes is enough.

Think of locking in the moisture

After taking that shower, the next thing that you do is to dry off using your towel. You have to know that this will strip your skin of moisture. Showering is good as it can give skin moisture but if you dry it off immediately, you do not give it a chance to lock in the moisture.

It is recommended that you do not dry it completely – leave it a bit moist and then apply the moisturizer to your damp skin.

Smart Ways to Save on AV Equipment Rentals

Budget is always one of the major concerns in event planning. Having the right budget makes it possible to create a remarkable affair and ensures that the show will give the audience a great time. Event organizers always try to get the biggest bang for their buck by spending on elements that will enhance the experience of the event, like table linens, décor and props. Many times, the audio-visual requirements of the event are at the bottom of the list and is only taken care of when everything is already set.

If this happens to be your case, don’t lose hope. There are some steps you can take to make things work for you. With careful planning and close working relationship with your PA system rental provider, you can still increase the overall experience of your event without going beyond your financial limit.

Get Just the Right Size of AV System

Pick a sound system rental that matches the size of your party. In some instances, in-house sound system is a cost-efficient solution for smaller events, like employee meetings for a group of no more than 50 attendees. If an event includes speakers who remain stationary, consider getting a podium and a wired microphone for quality sound at a reasonable price. Unless it’s too inconvenient, use wired microphones as they are more dependable and less prone to feedback than wireless ones. Ask your rental company to use the right type of speakers for the kind of event you have; some speakers are best suited for smaller groups and venues, while others are better for larger events.

Work with your AV equipment provider to choose the most appropriate sound system that requires the least level of operation. Newer speakers, such as powered speakers and line arrays, offer better audio quality and lesser set-up time at an affordable price.

Use GOBOs for Lighting Effects

GOBOs, which stands for ‘GOes Before Optics,‘ are glass or tin stencils that go into lighting fixtures and allow lights to get through and create particular patterns. A GOBO usually costs around $60 for a single pattern, which can be used over and over again, and is a more versatile and cost-efficient option than a banner or poster. This decorative lighting is widely used in events nowadays to maximize visibility of sponsors at trade events and to decorate empty walls, eradicating the need to spend on wall decors.

Consider Advanced Technological Equipment

Audio-visual equipment, like other technological gears, is improving over the years. While the cost of technology continually drops, the newest ones are usually still the most expensive. Plasma TVs are slowly dropping prices, as larger TVs carry heavier price tags. Don’t let the rental cost scare you as initial quotes can always be adjusted to meet your requirements. Your AV equipment rental company will work with you to help you choose the best combination of newer and more affordable equipment for your AV set-up. It’s possible to get a lower rental cost of newer and more powerful equipment than requires less set-up time and manpower.

Go Crazy with Lighting

Compared to the collective cost of flowers, entertainment and videos, lighting is much more inexpensive and is able to do a lot to change the mood and perspective of a room. Coloured uplighting on the stage adds flair to the event. Lighting from the ceiling, it can create mystery, drama or romance. The right lighting set-up puts presenters in the best frame and effect for projection onto plasmas and screens. All you need is a versatile lighting design that enables you to create different moods for each part of your program. Not only you’ll save money from using fewer equipment and technicians, a dramatic lighting set-up enables you to cut back on decorations.

Work with an All-in-One Provider

There is a common misconception that breaking out your AV requirements to multiple providers can help you save money. Unfortunately, this is rare. Instead of enduring the hassle of searching for different vendors for your lights and sounds, choose a company that can provide both to eliminate unnecessary expenses. But remember to be honest with your AV equipment rental vendor and disclose your budget to them. This will allow them to formulate a plan that will work towards your goal.

Plan in Advance

Regardless of the size and type of event you will have, hiring a sound system provider is essential for the success of your affair. AV professionals with extensive knowledge and experience can provide you with advice, services and equipment that deliver maximum impact and ‘wow’ factor by staying within your budget limit.

Hire Local Vendors

This may seem obvious, but if you hire a local PA system rental company, there are a lot of benefits apart from the cost. The cost factor alone, you will be saving money from travel and per diem expenses, as well as storage chares. From an environmental viewpoint, you’re going an eco-friendly route for reducing your carbon footprint. And in case of last-minute emergencies, a rental company in Singapore can quickly and easily run back to their hub in case they forget something.

Audio-visual equipment, like other technological gears, is improving over the years. While the cost of technology continually drops, when you look for AV equipment in Singapore and evaluate them, the newest ones are usually still the most expensive. Plasma TVs are slowly dropping prices, as larger TVs carry heavier price tags. Don’t let the rental cost scare you as initial quotes can always be adjusted to meet your requirements. Your AV equipment rental company will work with you to help you choose the best combination of newer and more affordable equipment for your AV set-up. It’s possible to get a lower rental cost of newer and more powerful equipment than requires less set-up time and manpower.