Chloé - House of Atelier des Fleurs

Made a trip to Chloé - House of Atelier des Fleurs and it was one of those event which I felt information could have been shared better. First of all, I have to say Mondrian Hotel is really drop dead gorgeous. I am absolutely in love with the suite and is so close to pampering myself with a night stay. The courtyard which I didn't take photos of was like a picturesque garden. 

I made a reservation ahead. Even though I came on time, there was a ridiculous queue ahead. I persevered through. It was pretty but I was a bit disappointed because it was very packed and there was not much personal space. Everyone was like jostling around. Even the hand massage queue was also really long. 

Despite my shots, I spent a quick 30 mins there max. What is not reported in many medias is that there is a whooping 15% off its items (maybe duty free may be able to beat it). On top of that, the deal is sweetened with lots of free gifts. I ended up snagging a small bottle of perfume and received a full-sized body cream as a free gift. It seems like a pretty good deal. 

The pop-up is only from 21st to 23rd March and my impression is always that such pop-ups offer pretty good discounts and deals. But I didn't see any complimentary mini floral watercolour artwork momento. I just felt the experience was not very consistent for the attendees. If you are a fan of Chloé , it is worth making a trip there. I am more of a convert but it is not because of the pop-up but because the floral scent is just up my alley and the hand cream had a really moisturizing effect on my housework-abused hands. 

MCM's Beach Club Juice Van

A quick shout out for the MCM's Beach Club Juice Van, it will be at 270 Orchard Road starting at 11.30am (Outside Adidas). You can get a nice bottle of juice to quench your thirst and also get your hands on this pretty red-white striped tote bag. Do go there on time, I went just 1 hour after the start time and everything ran out. The rules are pretty simple: 

For a bottle of cold-press Orange or Cranberry Juice

• Join the MCM database
• Follow @MCMWorldwide Instagram

 

To stand a chance to claim an exclusive MCM Beach Tote

• Join the MCM database
• Follow @MCMWorldwide Instagram
• Post a story of post of the MCM Beach Club Juice Van on Instagram
• Present the Instagram post or story at either of the following locations:
• On 13 March at MCM MBS (Marina Bay Sands, Hotel Tower 3, Unit 01-13)
• On 15 March at MCM Paragon (Paragon, Unit 01-26) or MCM Takashimaya (Takashimaya Department Store, level 2)

This is part of their series of regional public activities to launch MCM latest Spring Summer Collections. Inspired by "Under the Sea", Beach Club is a bold theme to celebrate coastal living. So expect to sun-drenched hues and nautical accents - think lush palm trees, vibrant coral reefs. Maybe all I crave is a vacation right now, becase all this is sounding so appealing to me! :P

Review: Smigy Playground (United Square)

By now, we have went to so many indoor playgrounds, I am starting to know what the format is like. This time round, we went to Smigy. Smigy has a few outlets in Singapore, but because they were not as conveniently located for us, we never really got about to going to any of their playgrounds, let alone buying their packages. (If you live near their outlets, the package would be more worth it.)

We finally made our way to one (United Square) which will soon be moving to a a new space. Personally, I felt it was very similar to Wan To Play (You can read our reviews here). Smigy generally had a bigger compound and some of the activities - such as the sticky wall, bouncy areas, tire slides were pretty unique. It was a little worn, but given that they will be reburnishing soon, this is not much of a concern.  

We bought the 2 hours package, but by the 1.5 hours mark, the kids were utterly drained and fussing to leave. To be quite frank, my kids didn't play every station. My #2 was either "driving" around in the car or sliding into a pit. She was so thrilled, she was hopping around so fast. There were a few times I totally lost sight of her. Thank god this place has been fully kids-proof.

My #1 stayed in the Hinoki pit most of the time. And I noticed that was basically where all the older boys spent their time. This was one of my most chill day out with 2 kids because there were quite a lot of seating areas around (compared to Wan to Play). Definitely won't mind coming back another around to visit the new indoor playground if the family is within the vicinity. 

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Toy Story: Starbucks Claw Machine

 

Starting March with an exciting toy for myself, totally need to clarify this because a lot of people thought I got it for my kids. Believe it or not, I actually camped for this because I was not sure if there were others as interested as me. For me, I like Starbucks and claw machines. So when something like this which is a 2-in-1 is launched, I am ALL OVER IT!

It was nearly a $100+ including delivery fees and some free drinks. My friends were split between "Team Overpriced" and "Team Cool". When I received it, I thought it was worth every penny (even though I didn't get the golden star and 100 free drinks) because it was really well made and extremely fun. My children were in love with it and so am I. Moral of the story: The only person who genuinely wants you to be happy is yourself, so indulge in yourself once in a while!

If you want to see videos of it, check out my IGS!

Oasia Hotel Novena Staycation

My very privileged kids got another staycation with their grands at Oasia Hotel Novena. Because my mother fell sick, I got lucky too haha and earned myself an overnight stay. For a staycation option, this place was awesome. It was convenient located above Novena MRT station and was surrounded by lots of malls. It also gave me a really good opportunity to explore this area. 

The hotel room isn't fantastically big (without a sofa), but there was enough space to dump our stuff. As we don't intend to spend much time indoors so that didn't bother us too much. The high-rise view was spectacular. For its price range, this place provided one of the most beautiful views. 

As usual, my kids were wild about the pool and just chilling around it was all they wanted to do. I really liked the fact that they had a shallow pool for the children to play in. I doubt the adult pool was a full lap pool, but my kids sure enjoyed floating (with assistance). Oasia Hotel Novena is not entirely branded to be family friendly, so don't expect floats/ indoor playrooms etc. My kids brought their own water gun and was shooting around the shallow pool (which they were the only kids.)

But what really surprised me about this place, was the club lounge, which was exclusive for the Club members. If you were staying on the club floor or suite, you would automatically gain access to it. Otherwise, you could pay an additional S$300 to enjoy the privacy and facilities. That's pretty steep in my opinion because you could actually stay another night there with that amount. 

Sheltered from rain, the jacuzzi was warm and the infinity pool's was alright. But you had to be really prim and proper here. My kids struggled with that. There was also an exclusive dining area for the breakfast buffet. But for families with young toddlers, such luxuries were difficult to be enjoyed. We ended up having a great time at the places for the masses. 

Novena is undergoing some constructions so it can be pretty difficult to travel on foot with a stroller. But there is United Square nearby which had lots of children-friendly stores. Lots to do and shop. It was a great recharge. Would really recommend it for any parents!

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Check this out - Korea Art Past, Present, Future

Being committed to the arts in Singapore, I decided to do a post about the exhibition - Korea Art Past, Present, Future because I think the organiser of this did a terrible marketing job. This exhibition is in place to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Korea-Singapore Diplomatic Relations and it takes place at The Arts House. The only reason I knew about it was because my kids were randomly exploring and barged into it. 

It is completely free for public viewing and consists of artworks from Korean painters. The artwork were a sight behold and it incorporated Korean elements (either in the use of their materials or expression) within. The exhibition is not huge and is probably not something you will make your way there for (because The Arts House isn't well utilised, pardon my honesty.) But if you are in the vicinity (which is not hard), you should make a detour to check it out. 

Sharing some of my favourite pieces here but to be quite frank, photos don't do them justice because it cannot capture the vibrancy and texture that give life to the pictures. All artwork are for sale and all proceeds go to charity! They are not particularly pricey, but I don't have space in my house to display them :'(

Please go check them out ok, I just feel bad for the translator who is here to share more but have no one to share to!

Kidsfest 2025: The Lion Inside

We are back again for Kidsfest and I have to say that the line-up was awesome (as always). There was a rerun of The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Read our review here) which had started out our #2 successfully on her theatre appreciation journey when she was 15MO. This time round, we decided to watch "The Lion Inside" which explored the concept of courage and loneliness. I loved how wholesome and interactive it was. 

We were a lot closer to the stage and the dark savannah backdrop initially scared our #2. She was hiding in my chest. But once she heard the chirpy and familiar intro, we observed her slowly turn her head to embrace the stage. It was wonderful to see her clapping along, engaged with the crew. 

Some parents/readers have asked me if theatre for children generates returns given that the price to go as a family is "not cheap". For me, I think it would be great for a child go at least once in a lifetime, if the family can afford it. Going for every production would numb the wow factor and cost a huge hole in the pocket. One Kidsfest production yearly sounds about reasonable. So choose a good production and save it for a special occasion (birthday celebration)/ reward. Also, always keep a lookout for discount codes or go during the weekdays to get better value!

From my experience of my children with the productions, the first show is always uneventful. The child will tend to be fussy and you seem to be spending more time pacifying the child than really bonding and enjoying the production. It is 2nd one onwards which you can see the glow and fascination in the face. Watching how the backdrops/ props transform from one scene to another does also encourage the mind to be more innovative and resourceful. Even as an adult, sometimes I am impressed how a story is brought to life on stage either through the use of deliberate music, lighting projection or smart use of props. 

Harry Potter - Visions of Magic

Visions of Magic is an exhibition people probably in the late 20s to early 40s should not miss because Harry Potter is a literature which we basically grew up with. I remember being so engrossed I missed 3 buses in a row. :'( The closest we ever got to the magic visually was through the theatre but this time we could actually immersed in it. This was mind-blowingly good even though I didn't watch the Fantastic Beast. 

We went with the whole family (i.e. including the young and the old). I was initially doubtful how much my parents and kids (who are not entirely PotterHeads) would enjoy the experience. It was marketed for families and I have to say it did live up to its expectations. Magic is truly wonderous and the whole exhibition was extremely visually engaging. 

Every one who entered the exhibition was given a magical wand (except the very yound). It does feel like a rite of passage to wizarding and my boy who has been an aspiring wizard (favourite costume every year is to be a witch) went wild. It doesn't take much for magic to happen. So the children did feel it was them that was the source of marvel. You could only go forward and some specific sites (which was the single source of specific events) had a tiny queue. 

Even though we went on a weekend, the crowd was very well controlled and it didn't feel claustrophobic or overly packed. There was enough space for photo opportunities. My only grouse is that my own phone camera isn't that good in capturing in the dim lights. The actual experience is a lot more impressive than what you see in my photos for sure!

Apart from the exhibition, the store was also a place of marvel. The items were quite well-priced and could even be exhibits. If you had gotten your tickets via Klook (here), you can get an additional S$10 off your loots. I spent quite a bit of time just choosing and browsing. Finally settled on a magnet. The wands, jewelry and cardigan almost came home with me, just that some didn't have my sizing. :'(

There was also Butterbeer available (safe for children)! In total, I spent 2 hours in the exhibition. It feels like a tick off a bucket list because now I am part of the magic. I was initially a bit worried my parents and children might be bored, but was pleased to know that they left eager to know more about the wizarding world. They couldn't stop chattering about it. A must go for families while they are still here in Singapore!

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Rendezvous Hotel - Review

 

The other day, the kids tagged along my parents for a staycation. Generally, I don't really bother to review these because I don't stay overnight. But for this one, we decided to upgrade to the family suite which came with an extra bed. So, I slept overnight. Personally, I thought the location was really good. There was a lot of good food / things to see in the district. 

Rendezvous Hotel though a little on the older side, I thought had a character. No photos on the lobby, but it left an impression because of the interesting art pieces. The building had a little of the Great Gatsby vibe. Glad that we grabbed a stay before it was refurbished, cos otherwise I doubt the $ per night would be as attractive for 3A + 2C.

Around the hotel, there was Chjimes, Raffles City, Capitol and Funan, just to name a few malls. In terms of food selection, there were plentiful too. The buffet breakfast despite its gorgeous-looking restaurant was horrendous. (Usually, I would never say that so you can totally imagine how bad it is.) My kids actually spat out the food and refused to eat. My suggestion would be to skip the breakfast and just try out all the nice eateries outside. 

In terms of play area, if you are Singaporean, you should check out the Children's Museum which is free and well within walking distance. You can read my review here. For foreigners you can purchase tickets. Overall, I really liked the hotel spacious room and its location. Would really recommend it for those who is just looking for a quick respite within Singapore. 

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Feasting during CNY: Edge Buffet

CNY is really a big event in the family. But as a working mum, it can get very overwhelming to prepare the CNY dishes. One of the easier option we have opted for now is hotpot. But when work pile up, I do struggle to even go to the market to prep the ingredients. Hence, I thought a buffet was a pretty good option too, especially when the group is big. 

We were pretty blown away with the CNY decor, something we could never come out with to be honest. I was initially concerned that we might not have yusheng (it is really a key highlight), but was really pleased to see a table prepared just for it, and you could even choose your own ingredients. Given this was a buffet, you could even add on more goodies from the other station. But nothing beats having someone to clean up the toss.  

My general concern is that most buffets are mostly don't prepare Chinese food and are lesser known for that. The same goes for Edge, so I was pleasantly surprised to see double-boiled soup, Nian Gao etc. being added to the menu. Our usual favourites were also there, so we didn't felt we missed out. For the picky eaters (like my #2), a buffet is great because we don't have to ask the relatives to make exceptions for her. And the likelihood of her finding something to her liking is high. 

Although I consider myself to be a rather stickler to tradition, I have to say a buffet isn't too bad an idea. To have a good bang for your bucks, avoid the actual CNY days, and the adults can enjoy a good lunch at less than S$100 and the children at less than S$50. Most importantly, children below 6YO eat free (that's pretty hard to beat.) Plus, nobody needs to clean up after. Huat Ah!

Adventure Cove: Unique Waterpark at Sentosa Singapore

A while back, we went to Adventure Cove at Sentosa. To be very honest, I wish we did more research because we went there horribly ill-prepared. Here's some learning points from us so that you won't make the same mistake and have a bigger blast than us there.

The first thing we did pretty wrong was going in during the monsoon. The rain started and stopped (rather continuously). It was annoying when queuing and we went home with a bit of the sniffles. Oops. Generally, if there isn't any lightning, the rides go on. There were 8-9 rides within, because of the rain, there were lesser people than usual. We managed to take everything, some even twice!

The gravest mistake was forgetting to bring our waterproof phone pouches along. That explains the lack of photos. You could purchase them from their souvenir shop but it was exorbitant. Basically, everything was ridiculously pricey in their shop. We spent the whole day inside. Initially, I thought we could lunch within since the price was seemingly reasonable. But you know what, the food quality was depressing. Eat your lunch before entering!

Another expensive service we note was their lockers. Thankfully, we travelled light and had a stroller for us to dump our worthless belongings. Children under the age of 4 had free entrances because they could barely take most of the thrilling rides. Would suggest to focus on the wave pool and the treehouse-cum-slide. They spent most of their time in the 2. 

Generally, I thought all the rides were pretty fun. My favourites being the Riptide Rocket, Spiral Washout and Rainbow Reef. Rainbow Reef was basically a snorkeling experience and it is the most unique for a water themepark. My regret was not being able to capture the scene I saw to share with you guys. It was breathtaking. I went twice.

Definitely not ruling out a second time there, but next time we will probably go up close with the rays, dolphins and sharks when the children are older. Personally, I thought the price was pretty reasonable (~less than S$40 for an adult ticket), which can go even cheaper when bundled with other promotions. 

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Art Science Museum: The World of Studio Ghibli

I went to the ArtScience Museum yet again. No matter what, somehow I always go back again and again. It is no doubt my favourite museum in Singapore based on the number of frequency I patron. I am there this time for "The World of Studio Ghibli" exhibition. I have been anticipating this for pretty long not because I watch every one of their productions, but I am quite a bit of a fan for their iconic work.

Also, I did see a lot of people posting on it which made me even more intrigued. They did showcase most of their productions, even the not so iconic ones. It was quite balanced, with no favouritism given towards Totoro or Spirited Away. Not that it was a huge problem for me because it made me understand why Studio Ghibli was so big in Japan.  

I won't describe the exhibition as very immersive but it was definitely very thoughtful. It gave a detailed write-up on each production and also tried to showcase the top scenes in meaningful ways, with some artistic forms.  My children didn't grow up with Studio Ghibli for sure, but it was interesting to watch them pretty engaged. 

Each exhibition were mainly walkthroughs. There was more to see than to play/ touch. Personally, I thought the children might be bored and the day out was really more to suit my personal interest. But perhaps it is really how cute/ loveable the characters are, my children really enjoyed the experience and would point out the little details here and there. 

One thing to note, I thought the Art Science Museum was pretty considerate. We came in pretty late to the exhibition on the first day and didn't manage to finish it. They actually allowed us to complete the exhibition on a separate day. That explains our change of clothes hahaha. I was initially rather excited about the merch shop, but the things were priced so steeply, we bought nothing. :'(

If you are keen to check out the exhibition, your can get the tickets here!

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Food Tour 53: Must-haves at Pasir Ris

To be quite frank (and spoilt), I am not really much of a fan of hawker food. I don't really enjoy the feeling of sweating while eating. Especially with children, eating at the hawker became a way harder task. It is as though you magnify the difficulty level by 100x. Gosh. 

But Pasir Ris Hawker Centre struck me quite differently. First of all, I really like its aesthetics. I also love that they had a family corner. The food I will be recommending is on priced on the higher end, but the quality was really good and they are not the norm you would see at a hawker centre. 

1. Liang Liang Golden Pao Fan

First of all, Pao Fan is not really a food you will see in Hawker Centers, let alone with collagen. This was truly delicious and of restaurant standards. With all the additions we added, this bowl you see is above S$10. It is definitely pricey for hawker standards. But deep down, I knew I would never get anything similar at this price. My only grouse would be that I need this to be located closer to home. Maybe it is just me, but I can eat this hearty meal every single day. This is my #1 food at Pasir Ris Hawker Centre. 

2. Prawnaholic

This is however, the husband's favourite. Not much of a prawn noodle person, but the soup sure was flavourful and very gao. The ingredients were also packed. This is also above S$10. If you are sharing, I suggest to go for the Pao Fan first because this would overpower everything you ate LOL! But if you like prawn noodles, you shouldn't miss this. Even I could tell it was outstanding. 

3. Piz'za Amore

Across the road, there was this pizza place at the newly opened Pasir Ris Mall that serve absolutely delightful food. Because I was kinda full, I couldn't order much mains - but the pizza, potatoes and Cannoli. The Cannoli dessert was such a must-have. I have not seen this elsewhere. I only ordered 3 items and all 3 were hits. Also the service here was spectacular. The waiter was friendly and very attentive to our needs (sometimes he realise our cups were empty, the kids tossing their cutlery on the floor way ahead of me). I would love to go back again. Or, please open an outlet closer to my home :P

Review: Picnic Buzz-kets by Bee's Knees

Back to my Novotel Staycation last quarter! So for one of the days we took the free shuttle bus out and made our way to Botanic Gardens. It was a spur of the moment decision but we ended up deciding to have a picnic there. Bee’s Knees at The Garage is one of the place we would always pop by when we are in the vicinity. I think we never ever took up their picnic basket because you needed to book 3 days ahead. This time round, we asked while we were there and we got lucky :D

It was a great experience for the children because it came with a wagon which the children could pull around as they hunt for the perfect picnic spot. For the parents it was great cos I could skip the prepping and clean-up altogether. The food was really delicious and was something I could never put together myself. 

To be rather frank, before this, I am never a huge fan of picnics in my home ground because I hate bugs and my skin tends to flare when I come in contact with grass. But somehow the grass patch near Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage was very curated really nicely. It is unnatural but it is ants-free. We actually had a great time just lazing around and the children had fun just running around. 

To get there, it was a bit of a challenge because there was no walking path so we carried our wagon and stroller down. The weather was pretty good that day because it was cloudy. We were a little worried about rain, but thank god it only rain after we were done. We paid about S$78, but I would do it again because it was just so fuss-free. I get an IG-worthy set-up along with comfy cushions. Because there is someone doing the clean up for me, I am less tense with the kids making a mess. :P

We didn't stay particularly long because the children wanted to swim after, but if you want to find out cool places to explore at Botanic Gardens, you can check my posts here! Just a note to myself, my husband was teasing me that I would things I wouldn't do in Singapore, overseas even if the conditions were way worse there. All I needed was a mindset change actually to bring the adventurous spirit in me to my homeland. Even picnics can be found, I just needed the right "ingredients"!