A Quick Guide to Bridal Fashion

Posted by Editor in Weddings on Jun 10th, 2014 | 0 comments

One of the first and most important priorities of brides is finding the right bridal dress. With so many choices available, the pressure to finding “the one” can be very overwhelming.
Understanding the terms used to describe different wedding gowns is a good way to start with. Here, we’ve decoded the bridal fashion terms that most designers and bridal shops use to label their dresses.

• Couture – Couture wedding gowns are high fashion products, carefully created over a series of fittings to perfectly fit a bride’s measurements. When you choose to have a couture bridal dress, expect to have a one-of-a-kind gown, especially made in high quality materials, to fit your figure, taste and personality. These dresses have the best quality finish, design, and cut, with special handmade embellishments, such as embroideries, applique, and beading. Creating couture dresses require approximately five to six fittings with the used of toiles from early fitting stages.

Demi-Couture – Demi-couture is a “half-couture” meant for brides who want special wedding dresses in singapore without having to go through a toile process. Usually, with demi-couture dresses, you can combine elements from wedding dresses available off-the-rack and have them especially made in your own size. These gowns feature more intricate hand works and higher quality of materials compared to average ready-made wedding dresses.

• Made-to-Measure – This is a good choice for brides looking for a more affordable alternative to couture dresses. Made-to-measure bridal gowns are also made from scratch by any seamstress and materials of your choice. The dress is made following your measurements and calls for a toile process, which usually requires up to four fittings. In this case, you will need to provide your own fabrics and accessories or choose from the fabrics available from your dressmaker.

• Ready-to-Wear – As what the name implies, these bridal gowns are ready-made and can be purchased right away from any Singapore department stores. Any necessary alterations will be made by a seamstress.

Differences of Couture and Off-the Rack Wedding Dresses

When deciding what wedding gown to purchase, it would be wise to know the differences between couture and off-the-rack wedding dresses.

• Fabric – Couture wedding gowns are expensive mainly because they’re made only from the finest materials. Unlike quality fabrics, cheap textiles do not hang well, lose shape, and will deteriorate over time. However, couture dresses are made from sublime fabrics that are durable and can maintain in shape for the longest of time.

• Design – You can’t expect to get a one-of-a-kind dress when you choose to buy one from a department store, since mass produced dresses are made by batch and in the same styles, though in different sizes. With couture gowns made by renowned Singapore designers, you can choose your own fabric, shape, cut, and style to reflect your taste and personality.

• Workmanship – Mass-produced dresses are often made with less attention to details. But with couture wedding gowns, much love and attention has been devoted to ensure flawless finish or every major and minor detail.

Deciding on the kind of wedding dress to have generally depends on the preferences of the bride. However, knowing what to expect from the various choices in front of you will further help you choose which option is worth-having.

All About Singapore

Posted by Editor in Exploring Singapore on Jun 5th, 2014 | 0 comments

Singapore is a very strict country especially when it talks about cleanliness. Familiar with Singapore’s chewing gum law? Yes! Singapore implemented that. This was implemented when people started to act badly. Thus, making the government come up with the law. Apart from having this hot law, Singapore is situated at about 85 miles near the equator that is why the temperature in the region is definitely hot especially during summer.

However, when it is rainy season, it will rain heavily. In the past years, Singapore reached 68F as its lowest temperature ever recorded. Singapore is a small country with more than 60 islands but despite its small size, it has 6-digit zip codes. Because Singapore is a highly urbanized country and is a financially stable country, citizens there are living in a public house provided by the government.

It doesn’t mean that if you are living in a public house, you’re poor. In Singapore, it’s not like that. Actually, they can even sell their houses worth 1 million US dollars. On the other hand, Singapore has this tradition of Caning. Caning is a punishment that is being practiced in the country.

You can be punish with caning if you have violated minor offenses like theft and vandalism. One American have been punished to be caned 5 times due to vandalism. Actually, it has been appealed by President Bill Clinton and it has been lessened only to 3 canes. When you are caned, you need to be awake; however, if you fainted after caning, they will stop it and will resume after you recover.

 

Singapore’s New Year’s Eve Eating Destination

Posted by Editor in Food on Jun 2nd, 2014 | 0 comments

If you think that all establishments are closed during New Year’s Eve, well, it’s not. A lot of restaurants and food chains in Singapore are open to serve their customers to the fullest during New Year’s Eve. However, there are other businesses that close early to prepare and celebrate together with their families during New Year’s Eve.

1. Catalunya. International Chef for the year 2013 Ferran Adria, brother of Albert Adria who serves his sample recipes at Catalunya which includes sashimi, crab cake withblue crab, premium beef and many mouth-watering foods. This is exclusively discounted every Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

2. Au Chocolat. Presenting their 3-dish dinner menu, Au Chocolat is not behind when New Year’s Eve comes. Their delicious duck recipes and other sea foods make them popular and making people find their way back to the place.

3. Caffè B. Italian cuisine is here in Singapore, as Caffè B serves their extraordinary New Year’s Eve menu in an exceptionally reasonable price.

4. Edge. Before you say that crab is just an ordinary food, let Edge give you the chance to taste their one of a kind Alaskan king crab. Apart from their best seller, you can also dig into their hams, oysters, salmons and etc.

5. Gattopardo. When you want an extremely extraordinary New Year’s Eve, you cannot commit mistake once you choose to celebrate your New Year’s Eve at Gattopardo. Most of the food served here are of chef Lino Sauro’s work. In here are fine Italian plates like braised octopus, pasta and their top food in the menu – seafood stew.

 

Protecting Yourself from Personal Data Theft

Posted by Editor in Safety and Security on May 11th, 2014 | 0 comments

On January 21, 2014, South Koreans swarmed banks to withdraw their credit cards after the news of personal data theft. This was a big issue because twenty million South Koreans were compromised. According to FSS (Financial Supervisory Service), about 1.15 million victims on January 20, 2014 permanently cancelled their credit cards or requested for a new one.

Earlier this January, someone was arrested for stealing and selling of personal data (such as credit card numbers, phone numbers, names, social security numbers and many more) from 3 credit card companies. The 3 credit card companies include Lotte Card, KB Kookmin Card and NH Nonghyup Card.

Hopefully this does not happen here in Singapore. Stealing and selling of personal data is prevalent that customers will not know it already hit them. It is important that you protect yourself from thefts. Here are some tips that you can consider:

• Check your statement: Checking your statement is the first step.
  This is obvious and you may think that this is useless but it will give you an idea if your card has been compromised. In your statement, look for suspicious activities. For example, if you recognized an item you did not buy, that should alarm you.

• Call the company: If you discovered that your card has been compromised, avoid using it again. The next thing that you need to do is call your bank. Never wait for the bank to call you. You should move quickly. You can go to the bank personally if you prefer it.

• Replace or cancel card and change PIN: The bank will give you an option – replace the card or cancel it. If you replace it, make sure that you update the companies with your new information. When you replaced your card, change the PIN (Personal Identification Number).

 

No Foreign Worker Abuse

Posted by Editor in Employment, Latest News on May 8th, 2014 | 0 comments

On January 20, 2014, Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin faced the Parliament and denied the accusations that foreign worker abuse is prevalent here in Singapore. Foreign media and civil activists saw the riot that happened on December 8, 2013 the uproar of unsatisfied, abused and exploited foreign workers. If you can remember, there was a riot in Little India that involved four hundred rioters. The angry mob attacked emergency response cars and law enforcers.

The government handled the riot well. The forces quickly contained the situation. After the restoration of order, the government put its attention in Little India and launched a temporary bill (called Public Order Bill) that gives law enforcement officers the power to search, review and ban individuals. The bill also gives officers authority to cancel and suspend licenses.

In the Parliament, Acting Minister for Manpower Tan mentioned a survey conducted by the ministry. In 2011, his ministry steered a survey that seeks to find the satisfaction of foreign workers here in Singapore. About 90% of 500 S-Pass holders and 3000 work permit holders were satisfied and contented with their work. In fact, 80% of the respondents desired to continue working.

It was mentioned earlier that foreign media and civil activists saw the riot as an uproar of foreign workers. The government is clear that the contributing cause to the riot was alcohol consumption not abuse, exploitation and other things. Tan also stressed that from January-November 2013, the ministry assisted more than 7000 foreign workers having difficulties with their permits or passes.

The ministry know that they are looking for ways to improve the lives of foreign workers. For example, the ministry will intensify penalties for companies that fail to compensate the workers. Apart from that, the ministry is very keen on doubling the maximum penalties for companies or employers that break work pass conditions.

 

Coping with the Stealing Addiction

Posted by Editor in Self-Improvement on Apr 26th, 2014 | 0 comments

There are people who suffer an undesirable disorder – Kleptomania. If you have this disorder, the urge to steal things prevails. The stolen stuffs can be hoarded or simply discarded after the act. Regardless, this is not a good disorder. You may think that this not serious but you should be reminded that it can taint your reputation if you are caught. It is important that while it is early, you control your urges.

Controlling your urges to steal is not that easy. It needs your discipline and self control but if you are successful, it means freedom from the reins of this undesirable disorder. You do not wish to be like this but the urge is too powerful for you, right? No matter how strong it is, you need to stop it right away. Here’s how:

Learn about your disorder

You need to learn about your disorder. Reading about your disorder can help you understand yourself better. You can read a book about it or better yet, scan the internet for more information. It helps if you a lot about what you are going through so you will know how to proceed.

Seek help

Other Kleptomaniacs think that they do not deserve help because they feel guilty. It is crucial that you share your burden so you can be free. The first thing that you need to do is look for a psychiatrist or psychologist. Counselling can make a difference.

Write it down

Writing therapy can be the first step of your improvement. You have to spend time so you can write your stealing history. In your paper, you should include your feelings every time you steal something, stealing episodes and many things.

Reflect

It is during your silent moments when you see the whole picture. Take time to reflect on your disorder so you will understand yourself more. If you reflect more, you will uncover the things that compel you to steal. It is important that you do not feel powerless in the face of Kleptomania.

Distractions

Distracting yourself is classic but it will never fail you. When you feel an urge or impulse, you should think or do other things. You need to consider things that will make you busy. For example, you can engage in physical activities like exercising. You can also engage in sports and many more.

It is important that you tell your family and friends about your disorder so they can help you. It is hard to admit it but if you are surrounded with supportive and positive people, they will accept you and try their best to help you overcome your disorder.