Daiso, $2 Shop that's a Fun Browse

First, a disclaimer. I don't work for Daiso. It's just that it's one of my favourite places to wander around here in Singapore.

Billed as "Japan's No 1 ranking livingware supplier", it's a fantastic place for picking up gifts and gift packaging, craft supplies, materials for d-i-y projects, gardening stuff, stationery, and all kinds of household items - crockery, cleaning materials, containers, etc.

All at $2 per item, which in most cases represent really good value, since the quality is acceptable to great. (The items certainly do not look cheap; they look like they should be worth much more than $2)

What I really like about Daiso also: they sell intriguing Japanese items. When I go there, I often pick up something, and wonder... what on earth is this for? (Can't help it, I'm a nerd at heart). The descriptions are often in Japanese, so it's another challenge trying to figure it out from the pictures. One time I was there, I learnt that, apparently, the Japanese make use of little picks for labelling their lunch. Cute.

Branches:
My favourite Daiso branch is the one at IMM Jurong - it' the largest one. But nearer to the centre of Singapore, you'll also find Daiso at VivoCity (good selection, but narrow aisles make shopping not as comfortable as the one at IMM) and Plaza Singapura (the smallest one).

FREE EVENT: Walking Heritage Trails at National Library, 21 February 2009, From 10 am

International Tourist Guide Day Celebrates with Free Walking Heritage Trails
February 21, 2009 (Sat)
10 am - 5 pm
at The Plaza in National Library Building


As part of this year’s, International Tourist Guide Day, the Society of Tourist Guides will conduct three heritage walk tours free:

1. Roman Catholicism in Singapore
2. Fame, Faith and Fortune in Waterloo Street
3. Hainan Kopi Tales

The trails will start at 10.30am and will last for about 45 minutes.
Each trail will be conducted at every 15 minutes interval.

Registration open on 21 February 2009 from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm at the level 1, Plaza, National Library.

FREE EVENT: Harmonica Orchestra at Esplanade Concert Hall, 15 Feb 2009, 3 pm

If you've never been to a Beautiful Sunday event at the Esplanade, I encourage you to give it a try. I love the venue (Esplanade Concert Hall) which is just the right size, with very comfortable seating. And I find it relaxing to spend a Sunday afternoon listening to and appreciate the talent of local musicians.

Beautiful Sunday at the Esplanade:
"Classical & Light"

Hainan Hwee Kuan Harmonica Orchestra, Singapore
Free Concert

15 FEB 2009, SUN
Esplanade Concert Hall

3pm (60mins, no intermission)

Hainan Hwee Kuan Harmonica Orchestra will deliver a jaunty repertoire of favourites such as In A Persian Market, The Comedians’ Gallop and Fiddler on the Roof.

More details here

FREE EVENT: Frances Yip at Chinatown Point, Friday 13 Feb 2009, 1 pm

I'm probably showing my age here when I say this sounds interesting. The flyer says "be mesmerised by her nostalgic hits and witty on-stage banter", so I believe she's going to do a mini-concert. Hope so anyway. I haven't seen her sing/perform since I was a kid, and I'm really curious:

A Date with Diva Frances Yip
13 Feb, 2009 (Fri)
Chinatown Point
1-2 pm

Study shows Jurong turning into suburban property hotspot

Just got to mention this article because I would never have imagined Jurong being a "hotspot" when I first moved here some twelve or thirteen years ago. Back then, we decided to stay here because it was one of the cheapest areas in terms of rental. Now, of course, the situation's way different.

Study shows Jurong turning into suburban property hotspot
ChannelNewsAsia
5 February 2009

SINGAPORE: A study by real estate agency ERA has shown that the resale prices of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats in Jurong appreciated faster than other suburban towns in Singapore.

The study covered three— to five—room, and executive flats in Jurong West, Tampines and Woodlands.

For rest of article, go here: Source

Gardening: Gravel at bottom of pot DOES NOT improve drainage

I was reading Stuart Robertson's Tips on Container Gardening and realised that I'd been doing something very wrong. Layering different types of soil in the same pot. Uh oh!



Robertson writes in the book: "Never use a layer of gravel or small stones in the bottom of a small container, " that it's a common misconception that it improves drainage.

Robertson explains that if the soil has several layers, when water reaches a transition between layers, it slows down, and accumulates until it's heavy enough to break through that layer. The surprising part? Even if the water is flowing from a more dense layer to a less dense one, it still slows down! So, if you put a layer of stones at the bottom of your pot, you may find a lot of water accumulating right where the roots are growing.

And if you're wondering what the rest of the book is like, I thought it's extremely useful for newbie gardeners (like me). Rather than emphasising pretty pictures, he provides lots of useful tips and helpful diagrams.

And, incidentally, if you live in a flat, I've found that books on "Container Gardening" can be really helpful in giving you ideas and tips on growing and keeping your plants healthy.

Dining at the new Jurong Point 2: What’s good what’s not

Dian Xiao Er
This restaurant strikes the right note immediately with the colourful mural at the entrance, leading into a rustic-looking space. But the best part must be the food. We tried their signature dish, Herbal Duck, choosing the one with Angelica herbs, the Mongolian Spare Ribs, and Yu Mak in Fermented Sauce, and really enjoyed everything they laid out for us.

OldTown White Coffee
On the other end of the scale, mum tried the curry mee there, and could not eat it. Tasted like curry powder added to water! The icky part? the fish cakes were stale. And the staff just kept quiet when she made these observations while paying. Teething problems? Maybe. My mum had tried the food at another branch in KL, and rather enjoyed it. (Additional comment: I met another KL-ite recently and she said the same thing, that OldTown White Coffee in KL is much better).

Jia Xiang Mee
Noodles from Sarawak, or so they say. Service was fast, and their signature dish, jia xiang mee, was tasty. Ingredients were also fresh, another plus. But $6+ for what is essentially a bowl of wanton mee? hmmm…

Lai Lai Casual Dining
A neighbour of ours warned us not to eat the mee sua at this one. And she said that if we were to go, just try the beef dishes. She was not impressed.

Zhou’s Kitchen
We took a look at their lunch buffet spread, and honestly, it all looked very tempting. Good value if you’ve got a good appetite and you enjoy Chinese food.