A few places to check out in Singapore that the guidebooks may – or may not – mention:

• I just discovered Haji Lane last weekend, which truthfully, is a blessing in disguise – no funds, no closet space! It’s an adorable lane of eclectic shops – with boutiques carrying Paul & Joe and Helmut Lang to Japanese vintage.  One of my favorites was Soon Yee.
• Atkins who, what? Welcome to Toast Box, where you can get “traditional toast” or “thick toast” with peanut butter, kaya (coconut jam), or just plain butter and sugar.  But, I love a Toast Box trip for the kopi – kopi C kosong, coffee with evaporated milk and no sugar.

• If you hit the National Museum of Singapore, their permanent exhibit are on par with their featured exhibits (recently: Robert Wilson’s VOOM Portraits- imagine a giant half-naked Brad Pitt image down the side of a museum…in Singapore! All in the name of art, I tell you).  The museum’s Living Galleries showcase Singaporean society/history/culture through lifestyle themes: food, film, photography, fashion. Food was by far the most fascinating — it provides an up close look at the history of hawker – paired with the sights, sounds AND smells…

• I mentioned earlier how much I like Singapore’s Dempsey area. The Wine Company was one of the first – or the first? – spot in the area. Since then, restaurants have opened like mad and to much fanfare, but this quiet spot is one of my favorites.   Sitting in their back patio – surrounded by trees – reminded me of sitting in my childhood backyard – minus the barking dog.  The food is not as amazing as the ambiance. Go for a drink with friends instead.
• Yong tao foo – I’ll miss this dish; it’s my go-to lunch choice. At the Kopitiam, select your favorite greens, tofu, assorted fish or meats, noodles or rice and it’s quickly cooked in a broth – served up with two sauces – chili and a plum (ish, something?).  It’s good!  
• Books Actually – Hands down the best bookshop I have ever come across. Located in the Ann Siang Hill area, the shop has a perfectly curated assortment of literature, international magazines, clever gifts and impeccable decor.  I could spend all day there!
• And…saving the best for last. I have to find a chapati plate (my favorite veg lunch) just like the ones at Komala in Little India. 

And this was the feedback:

I feel like I have expanded in my jeans

High carbs – I have to keep moving (said while jumping at desk)

I like cream cheese bagel ever since I saw carrie bradshaw eat it

and the best…

That cream cheese is like crack

The universal language of the bagel – it’s an amazing thing.  

An email circulated around the office today warning folks not to jaywalk.  And it was no joke!

Dude! … You’re broke, but you’re also an enhanced human being. 

I love this quote from my friend Dan in a recent email.  My SingFling is winding down.  I will manage to squeeze in a few more adventures (CHINA!), and more than a few necessary blog posts…stay tuned.

I’ve thought over and over again what I will take with me, hold closest to my heart from this experience. And, it’s not just the many amazing sights and sounds, but  the friendships I’ve made throughout my trip.  

Elizabeth Kiester, Siem Reap, Cambodia, is one of these friends. 

A New Yorker, a former editor of Mademoiselle, Seventeen, and Jane as well as a former creative at Abercrombie & Fitch and LeSportsac, left her NY ways to give back — without leaving fashion behind her. And to do it wholeheartedly. 

Her sincerity, thoughtfulness, courage is unlike anyone I’ve met.   Her stories – of teaching English to saffron robe clad monks to experiencing the faces and ‘tudes of tourists on “the other side” – are, if nothing else, a best-selling novel in the making.  Not to mention, Wanderlust’s designs are awesome.  Truly an unexpected, perfect fit of East meets West.   

Thanks to Sean for the intro.  I was the second “Sean” friend to visit in two days! 

Her “autobiography” on FB says it best.  Taken from her FB page – click and join her group, btw:

girl lives in new york. girl loves fashion, color, art, 5 inch heels and travel. oh yes, and grilled cheese sandwiches. girl works at big fashion mags and later, huge global design companies. girl travels around the world in search of the cool and the new. girl grimaces every time she sees a tourist jamming a conical hat, a cheongsam, a djellaba, a fez or kimono into the overhead compartment. girl knows that these coveted souvenir-y items will never see the light of day once unpacked (except maybe at halloween). girl resolves to open a shop someday in some cool place that carries only clothes that speak a global language, stuff that translates everywhere and anywhere. girl goes to cambodia, and falls in love. falls in love with the country, the beautiful faces, the charming french colonial houses of siem reap; she is head over 5″ stiletto heels with the colors of this country, the smell of lemongrass, the sunset warming the verdant rice paddies. girl goes back to new york, ditches her job, sells her furniture, packs a few inappropriate but necessary heels, and heads back to the beauty of siem reap, cambodia. spends the summer designing stuff, training young women on western sewing techniques, swinging a sledgehammer to renovate a neglected french colonial house, making jewelry, teaching monks english, learning to meditate, keeping a blog, painting, reading, writing, exploring, meeting gorgeous people. and the result is wanderlust, a shop dedicated to giving girls gorgeousness, beautiful things handmade by the beautiful people of this beautiful country, beauty that easily translates to budapest, boston, battambang, bolivia, brighton or any beautiful place they call home.

More Siem Reap posts to come…

Last night, I joined my coworkers at the Singapore Cricket Club.  We ate on the patio and enjoyed the bright lights of Singapore’s evening skyline.  It felt like those perfectly warm spring NYC nights, when everyone dines outside  night after night…after night. 

Guess who I saw on Tuesday at Fort Canning Park?

Post-show email conversation: 

Me: Just got home from ting tings. I wish I was her.

Redacted: You wish you had an unfortunate dye job?

Me: Yes.  And noticeable hair extensions.

Redacted: I think it could be within your reach if you dream and really want
those things.

Her name is Katie W…

(Wiley opened.  When this song is as big as Soulja Boy, remember: you heard it here first.)

I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived in Hong Kong.  My photos are just a  tiny glimpse of the myriad of sights/scenes/sounds/smells – from clear blue beaches, green landscapes, towering cityscapes to massive crowds…it’s all there. 

It was a quick trip (30hrs?!), but well worth it.  Thankfully I was able to fit in a little bit of everything – even high tea at The Peninsula!

NB: the last pic was a “dance off” in the streets…my friend DMDC says in HK “every night is Friday and every Friday is New  Years Eve.”   Hi-larious.  And true from what I saw.

Off to Siem Reap for 24hrs this weekend and will check this out. I love that I can find a boutique anywhere…even Cambodia.  Amex, you must l o v e me!  

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