The August Break 2014, #10

And to all Singaporeans, a warm welcome home.

The August Break 2014, #9

The 49th year of the independence of Singapore from Malaysia and the British Empire.
Happy 49th Birthday, Singapore.

The August Break 2014, #8

Coffee at Soho

Rainy mornings are made for hot beverages. I only wish I was taking mine in a cozy cafe, watching the rain pitter patter, rather than at my desk with keyboards going clickety clack. Oh well, we work with what we have.

Photographs taken at Soho Coffee (36 Armenian Street, #01-08)

Skyve-ing

Photographs taken at Skyve a few months ago.

It's been a busy Saturday. I crammed in an early morning swim, a visit to the Singapore Art Book Fair, running a children's programme at the museum and a dinner with a friend. Definitely not skiving.

Rainy Day

The past week has been cold and rainy, all I wanted to do was snuggle up in bed with copious bowls of soup (mushroom, corn, tomato!) and magazines that I really need to read. Luckily I managed not to get caught in any rains, and always arrived home dry as a bone. I guess there is something to be said for working late.

So, rather than posting about a sunny cafe visit as planned, here are some pictures from another rainy day a few months ago. I have been wanting to capture this spot for as long as I have been taking the bus that drives past it. When it started to rain on my way there, I was really disappointed. No one likes dragging their camera to a place they want very much to photograph only to have it rain on them. The first (or last) two shots with the roll of film in my camera came out terrible. After finishing that, I popped in my favourite Kodak Elitechrome 100 (also packaged as Lomography Chrome 100), and then magic happened. Needless to say, I love them.

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.

To Market To Market

We have a small but burgeoning craft market scene in Singapore. It's difficult to go a month without having one organised by various outfits. While the markets are on the small side, there are always new vendors to discover, encourage and support. It's been so heartening to see some market stalls grow into actual, physical spaces like Small & Able (by HEY KUMO).

Today, I learned of a new market called BOLD: Bazaar of Learning Designers that will be staged from 20-21 August 2013 at the School of Design and Environment at the National University of Singapore. I had a quick peek at the Facebook page and I am intrigued! I am looking forward to steal a few moments off work and head out to campus for this.

Windowsill Pies

If you are looking for a place where Christmas is perpetual, look no further than Windowsill Pies. Because a pie a day keeps the sad doctor away.

The Loft Cafe

I believe I professed my love for the american breakfast in a previous post. Well, on Friday, I had it again for dinner. Sausages, mushrooms, bacon and eggs - the easiest way to get to me. I also dug up another bunch of photographs when we were at The Loft Cafe, guess what I was having at tea time? That's right, american breakfast, with an extra side of pancakes.

A Grin Affair

How could you not grin a little when you walk through a shop named a Grin Affair, knowing that there are desserts in a jar waiting to be devoured by you? Personally, I find it impossible.

Grin Affair has some of the yummiest desserts ever, their choices range from the safe - cookies & cream, hazelnut, caramel, stawberry custard, to the truly decadent - dark choc, peanut butter fudge, and the unique - banoffee, pineapple coconut cheese, marron and honey lavendar. I usually stick to the safer choices but the next time I go, I might get the marron (chestnut)!

Chye Seng Huat Hardware

Casting aside our usual procrastination, C & I visited Chye Seng Huat Hardware early one Sunday morning before the hordes descended. I must say, CSHH is one of the smartest-looking cafes in Singapore with elegant wood furnishings, staff in crisp blue shirts & navy aprons, and that 360 degrees coffee bar. So pretty.

Another thing that I must say, I really really like how the Lomography X Tungsten performed indoors. I am not sure what magic happened that day but I am going to try to recreate it more often.

(More words and photos on Coffee Table People.)