Small & Able

One of the regular reads on my long list of blogs is HEY KUMO. A blog run by a duo of young Singaporeans, who in their own words 'write, eat good food, make things, sell things, daydream, come up with horribly long travel guides, take many photos'. A pretty good life motto, don't you think?

When they began popping up at the local markets, I made it a point to visit their store every few months to buy their goods. And when I heard they were taking the plunge and following their dreams to set up a physical shop, I eagerly followed their instagram feeds for news. (Is it just me who loves behind-the-scenes stuff?)

When they finally opened the space. I was immediately there on their opening weekend with my camera! I know, how much more of a stalker can you get, right? But hey, you could just turn the coin and call me an ardent supporter. While the space was still a little bare, as most shops are at the beginning, I managed to bag a few little things for myself. Is that even surprising? :)

All the best to you, Siew and Sarah, may Small & Able prosper for a long, long time!

Small & Able is located at 3 Coleman Street, Peninsular Shopping Centnre, #03-22.

Inspiring Singapore // Cat Socrates

Note: Inspiring Singapore is my scrapbook of made-in-singapore blogs, design, photography, places, events or art. they really can be anything but they will always have two things in common, always inspiring and all Singaporean. This is my tribute to my country.

Tomorrow is also Singapore's National Day, happy birthday, country of mine!

I am resurrecting this little series that I started last year. I really do have a long list of things to feature within this column and I am finally sitting down to do this properly. To give you some idea of my determination, I even started draft posts!

Today, I am introducing you to Cat Socrates, my absolute favourite store in Singapore. I love it so much that once I spent so much, I actually qualified for the members' card.

Cosmic clashes last Saturday brought me into the vicinity of Bras Basah Complex where Cat Socrates is located. They had recently announced that they were moving to a bigger space in the complex and I was excited to see what was in store.

Walking into the new store, the atmosphere is much the same as the previous. Subtle lighting, baskets of trinklets on every available surface, inviting you to rifle through them and to search for your heart's delight. I always leave with a little something. This time, it was no exception, I bought myself a new laptop bag, a polaroid album and a couple of rolls of Lucky 200 film. Besides paper products, tin toys and crafty materials, they also have a neat selection of analogue and Lomography cameras, Ferrania Solaris films (my favourite negative) and camera accessories.

Cat Socrates also invites submissions of photographs for little exhibitions that they hold in-house. This month's theme is Fisheye, and I am planning to rifle through my files to submit a couple of shots. To find out about new products and exhibition themes, you can subscribe to their mailing list, their emails never fail to perk up my inbox!

Cat Socrates

#02-25, Bras Basah Complex

231 Bain Street

Website | Webshop

Inspiring Singapore // Wanderlust Hotel

Note: Inspiring Singapore is my scrapbook of made-in-singapore blogs, design, photography, places, events or art. they really can be anything but they will always have two things in common, always inspiring and all Singaporean. This is my tribute to my country.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to tag along with a friend for a tour of Wanderlust Hotel, a boutique hotel located in the heart of Little India. With a name like Wanderlust, I was expecting it to be all sorts of beautiful and I wasn't disappointed. Unlike other hotels which may engage only 1 or 2 designers to decorate the rooms, Wanderlust allocated one floor each to four top Singaporean design agencies and gave them full creative freedom to do whatever they wanted. The results were nothing short of spectacular.

Lobby Level

Concept: Industrial Glam

Agency: Asylum

The Yellow Submarine Room

Level 2

Concept: Eccentricity

Agency: :phunk Studio

The Flowers Room

Level 2

Concept: Is It Just Black and White

Agency: DP Architects

The Typewriter Room

The Space Room
Level 3
Concept: Creature Comforts
Agency: fFurious

I know where I will be staying the next time I need a staycation.

Inspiring Singapore // By Airmail

note: inspiring singapore is my scrapbook of made-in-singapore blogs, design, photography, places, events or art. they really can be anything but they will always have two things in common, always inspiring and all singaporean. this is my tribute to my country.

By Airmail is a small independent lifestyle label whose designs follow the theme of travel and wanderlust. now, as an incorrigible traveller myself, how could i resist designs like these?

in by airmail's own words: a basic and durable tote. ideal for your day trip!

in by airmail's own words: jot down your thoughts where ever  you go on this jotter tote.

in by airmail's own words: write your email address and mobile number on a Hello Stranger Name Card and pass it to friends you meet along your journey. a fun way to keep in touch!

in by airmail's own words: Be the author of your own travel adventure.

by airmail is available at the following places
threadbare & squirrel – 43 haji lane, 2nd storey
the little dröm store – 7 ann siang hill
crazyworld cafe – 24 temple street
blackmarket no.2 – 181 orchard road, #02-10 orchard central


by airmail
website | facebook

New feature, Inspiring Singapore

Lately, i have been coming across many many inspiring made-in-singapore blogs, designs, photographers, places, music, events and art and with singapore's national day coming up on 9 august, this is the perfect time to begin a new feature inspiring singapore on my blog. Simply put, this is my scrapbook of inspiration from singapore and my own little way to show my love for my country.

I have humongous list of things to feature but today, i am going to start with Black Forest, a local band whose song covers have been on constant repeat on my ipod these few days

Aren't they pretty awesome? All these songs have been on constant repeat on my ipod and playing in my head as i work. Perhaps you are thinking how on earth did i download these songs, isn't that not supporting the band by not buying their EP? Well, that's because Black Forest makes their mash ups and original songs available for free downloads on their website and you can choose to make a voluntary monetary contribution. After downloading, I made a small contribution, hoping that one day their musical dreams will come true. Till then, I am excited to watch them live when they perform at Crazyworld Cafe on 31 july, click here for more info.

black forest 黑森林

website | facebook

(do you like this new feature? if you know any other inspiring singapore types, pass them my way anytime!)