Latest news with #BTLifestyle
Business Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Times
How to ace Father's Day
Father's Day is just one week away. If you're thinking of gifting him socks again, please don't. How about taking him on a nostalgia walk through an old neighbourhood? Or surprising him with a birthday cake featuring his face superimposed on Iron Man? Maybe even a shirt from a great new brand that fits him perfectly, or a massage gun his back will truly thank you for? In this week's BT Lifestyle, get a head start on planning the perfect day for that special man, with dozens of gift ideas, gestures, and – for procrastinators – genius last-minute saves to make it look like you've been planning for this all year long. In Travel, we head to Sapporo and Seoul as the MGallery collection of boutique hotels kicks off World Cocktail Months, which runs till end-August. We also check out the set of exclusive glassware that MGallery is launching in collaboration with French lifestyle brand, Maison Sarah Lavoine. In Shopping, payment-solution provider Adyen recently released a retail report highlighting a rising momentum among consumers using AI to help them shop. We dive into its findings. In Arts, a new exhibition at National Gallery Singapore showcases the best of ink art, not just by artists from East Asia, but all over the world. And in Dining, sample some casual French bistro fare amid lush greenery at La Terrace, a new addition to Claudine brasserie in Dempsey. For all this and more, don't miss this week's BT Lifestyle.
Business Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Travelling for health
Just as Julia Roberts popularised the whole idea of soul-searching journeys in Eat, Pray, Love, travellers continue to follow in her footsteps, except that their objective isn't so much romance but personal health and well-being. While Covid-19 had plenty to do with increasing the awareness for self-care and healing, the fact that wellness tourism is still on a strong upward trajectory shows that a lot more people are heading to the likes of Bali for sunrise meditation, or doing yoga in the serene hills of Sri Lanka and Bhutan. In this week's BT Lifestyle, we find out why more travellers in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific are moving beyond shopping and eating trips in Japan, and prioritising wellness breaks instead. If you've ever returned from a holiday more exhausted than before you left, you can see the appeal of vacations spent on rest, relaxation and reconnection. Meanwhile in Design, we visit a house designed around a courtyard, with plenty of lush landscaping to soften its hard architectural edges. In Arts, the National Gallery presents a solo exhibition of the late artist Fernando Zobel. And for your reading pleasure, we spotlight some new non-fiction books that might strike your fancy. In Dining, the Japanese restaurant fad doesn't seem to be abating. We check out the new Keijo, a mid-priced sushi eatery that replaces the former Shinji outlet at Carlton Hotel, to see how the rebranded eatery measures up. For all this and more, don't miss this week's BT Lifestyle.
Business Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Momcations gaining greater traction
IN THE past, mothers may have felt guilty for leaving their families behind for a quick getaway. Not anymore, it seems. These days, momcations – or vacations for mothers minus the shackles of parenting responsibilities – are getting more popular. Whether it is to spend time alone or with other mothers, such holidays allow mums to prioritise self-care, even if it's just for a few days. This way, they can – in their own words – become 'better mothers' when they return. In this week's BT Lifestyle, we look at this phenomenon that emerged in the 2010s but is now becoming more accepted. Speaking of vacations, don't we all want maximum mileage for our travel dollars? In Travel, we bring you tips on how to get the most out of your holiday budget, tell you when is the cheapest time to travel to this year's top summer hotspots, as well as the most affordable alternative destinations. In Arts, we take a look at the works of Singapore's leading conceptual artist, Heman Chong, as he holds a solo exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum. Then read our review of Singapore Repertory Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park: Macbeth. And in Dining, find out if the food at Violet Oon's new Dempsey Hill outlet is as impressive as its stunning premises. For all this and more, don't miss Friday's issue of BT.
Business Times
07-05-2025
- Business Times
Seafood and sake in Hachinohe
ARE we tired of Japan yet? It doesn't seem like it, going by the whopping, almost 37 million international visitors to the Land of the Rising Sun in 2024, and a forecast of 60 million by 2030. But if you're feeling crowded out of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and the like, the time is now to head out to lesser-explored prefectures and cities. If all you know about Aomori is its apples and cloudy apple juice, look further to discover the smaller coastal cities within the prefecture that you've probably never heard of. Such as Hachinohe, which may not get much of a shout-out in terms of scenic wonders (its Tanesashi coastal trail is not to be sniffed at, though) or famous attractions, but its sea-facing location makes it a treasure trove of the freshest – and reasonably priced – seafood that you can enjoy to your heart's content. Not to mention washing it down with local sake brewed from Aomori-grown rice. In this week's BT Lifestyle, we take you on a tour of the edible treasures that make this unassuming city worth a stop. It's also Mother's Day weekend; so what's on the agenda for the mum in your life? Check out our guide to the best books for her to browse through, and a shopping list of thoughtful gifts – cherry-picked to suit the myriad tastes of that very special lady. And in Dining, we get to sample the mod-Singapore cuisine of young chef Marcus Leow, who juggles local flavours in surprising ways at his new restaurant Belimbing. For all this and more, don't miss this week's BT Lifestyle. Make this Mother's Day a memorable one too.
Business Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Raising standards for interior designers
PSST, are you an interior designer? Did you know that non-existent regulations allow you to call yourself one even if the only project you did was redecorate your own bedroom? Much to the chagrin of professional designers who have undergone the rigorous channels of education and practical experience, such is the scenario in Singapore. Influencers, renovation contractors and even homeowners are marketing themselves as designers, creating an industry prone to unscrupulous players who prey on unsuspecting clients. Such is the problem that the Society of Interior Designers Singapore (Sids) faces as it enters its 30th year with little headway made in raising professional standards, including a government-supported but voluntary accreditation scheme that has seen slow take-up. Complicating matters is the existence of other professional bodies, and a public that is not familiar with any of them. So, what needs to be done for a fragmented industry that suffers from a less than stellar reputation? And what can established designers do to protect their craft and reputation? In this week's BT Lifestyle, we speak to Sids and other stakeholders to see what lies ahead. Still on the topic of home design, we visit a long house. Literally. At 10 m wide and 53 m long, the architect of this semi-detached house created courtyards and added lots of green spaces to break up the length and provide privacy for his clients, a family of five. In the Arts, a new art show opens in an unlikely space – a former World War II bunker hidden under Fort Canning Hill. And in Dining, the concept of Spanish tapas and Japanese izakaya come together in a compact package at the new eatery Humo in Keong Saik Road. For all this and more, don't miss this week's Lifestyle coverage in BT.
