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THE SINGAPORE ISSUE 30 INSIDER SPOTS FEATURING
EARN CHEN YOYO CAO DJ HAS BELLA KOH ANTON LIM NICOLE WONG
A S P O T T LY W O R D Spottly is a social travel app, a simple way for you to collect and save the places you love. Spottly helps you remember both old favorites and fresh discoveries in one place. In the nine months since our official launch in Hong Kong, we’ve seen our community grow to over 120,000 users, collectively creating a vibrant network of local insiders and global nomads in Asia. We want to give a voice to a new generation of travellers: ones who ditch their guidebooks, scoff at tourist traps, and instead choose to harness the power of social media to discover and find each city’s most authentic experiences. We offer Spottly as a tool for you to become travel curators, both in your own city and the one you pass through. Whether locals generations-deep or discerning expats, we believe that curation from people we trust is the best way to obtain an insider perspective of a city. For our second issue of Spottly Insider Magazine, we ventured off to Singapore, interviewing a carefully selected set of six personalities to discover alternate dimensions of this emerging Southeast Asian power destination. We met up with local F&B tastemaker Earn Chen, snapped street-style shots with Instagram fashion guru Yoyo Cao. Disc-jockey dandy DJ Has represents Singapore’s rising music scene, while the growing slow-life trend finds a face through entrepreneur Bella Koh. We talked skyscrapers and vantage points with prodigy expat photographer Anton Lim; local designers and minimalist fashion with blogger Nicole Wong. Singapore’s standout feature is an identity as a melting pot of different cultures; a fact that is reflected in our diverse array of influencers – and in their Singapore recommendations. If you like what you see here – and we have no doubt you will – download Spottly to start collecting and saving your favorite finds. Becoming a travel tastemaker isn’t about having thousands of followers or having encyclopedic knowledge of every city’s newest hotspots. We at Spottly understand that when it comes to travel style, each person differs – and as with the act of travel itself, the key is to simply leave the house and discover. We hope you’ll join our #SpottlyInsider community, and showcase your own personal curation of the best places to eat, shop, stay and play.
S P O T T LY F O U N D I N G T E A M FOREWORD BY CO - F O U N D E R A N D C M O O F S P OT T LY
CHARLOTTE CHEN
N 2 CONTENTS
THE SINGAPORE ISSUE
PUBLISHED S/S 2015
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FEATURING
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EARN CHEN T IDV EE RDOI RF ECCLTOOTR / AJNUDI C E / E N T RL EI FPERSETNY EL UE RA,RCCRHEI AT ET ICVTE, ,CFROEUA N HSOOSCPIIAT AL LCI AT YP IW T AI ZL A/ RWD OBAEWH I/NEDL EPPOHT A TNOT H G ER AODU NF O D SL K
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YOYO CAO OW B IETR , T RFERNE DQ -USEENT T EFRL,YVE IRA, @ N 0N7E R/ FARNEDE LDAENSCI GE NPEHROOT OF GERXAHPI H
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DJ H A S M U S I C M A V E N , PCROONF NE SOSI SI S E U R O F C O O L
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B E L L A KO H SLOW LIFE ADVOCATE, FRESH JUICE JUNKIE & FOUNDER OF FLEA & TREES SLOWHOUSE
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ANTON LIM VANTAGE POINT GURU @MELLOWEDHIGH
Front Cover Earn Chen photographed by Franz Navarette at Potato Head Folk
S P OT T LY T E A M Spottly Founder and Chief Spotter EDWYN CHAN edwyn.chan@spottly.com Co-Founder and Chief Technologist LIU DIAN Co-Founder and Chief Marketer CHARLOTTE CHEN charlotte.chen@spottly.com Lead UX Designer ELIAS ANDREWS iPhone Engineer HUANG ZHIGANG Lead Engineer DUAN SHENGPENG Interns AMANDA WONG / HAYLEY LAU S P OT T LY I N S I D E R M AG A Z I N E T E A M Editor in Chief of Spottly Insider Magazine CHARLOTTE CHEN charlotte.chen@spottly.com Editors STEPHANIE HSU / COCO MARETT Portrait Photographers FRANZ NAVARETTE / HOSANNA SWEE Art Direction & Design JKWAN
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NICOLE WONG FA S H I O N B LO G G E R , C H A M P I O N O F M I N I M A L I ST ST Y L E A N D HOMETOWN DESIGNERS
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A S I N G A POR E PH OTO D I A R Y BY FRANZ NAVARETTE F O U N D E R O F L I L R E D D OT F O L K S A N D S E L F-TAU G H T P H OTO G R A P H E R
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It's serene and tranquil – away from the hustle and bustle of life FRANZ NAVARETTE
I love Singapore for the culture, the food, and the comfort of community. It’s not just another major Asian city – Singapore is home. EARN CHEN
E N LT IRFEEPSRT EY N L EE UARR,C CHRI TEEACT TI ,V E , FCOR UE ANTDI EVRE O D FI RCELCOT TO R/ JAUNI DC EH/OSSOP CI TIAALLI TCYA PWI ITZAAL R/DWBOEAHWI N/D EPL O E PT AHTAON TH EGARDO UF N OD L KS
EARN CHEN
@ E A R N C H E N Instagram
C H A R L O T T E C H E N A N D S T E P H A N I E H Interview F R A N Z N Photography
FEATURE
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@ E A R N C H E N Spottly PAGE
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About Earn Chen Earn Chen sailed swiftly from a burgeoning career in fashion to food & beverage, all in his hometown of Singapore. As creative director of cooler-than-thou hospitality group Potato Head Folk, with outposts in Bali and Jakarta, Earn is set on serving Southeast Asia a dose of lifestyle inspiration – along with a mean mai tai.
SPOT
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(DRINK) SPOT
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POTATO HEAD FOLK / STUDIO1939 / THE ROOFTOP GARDEN 36 Keong Saik Rd For me, the perfect weekend in Singapore must involve cocktails at Studio1939, our lounge – and The Rooftop Garden, our tiki bar. I’d also like to think that our interior artwork and music is as much of a treat as our food and drinks. This is one of the only places you can come and hear Wutang on the second floor, the Clash on third, and some rooftop reggae – all at the same venue. We also host an array of music-centric events at our venues – the most recent being Pleasure, I can’t give you advice on what to listen to, as that’s your own decision – but I will warn you that our mai-tai’s are pretty strong. •
LOO’S HAINANESE CURRY RICE 71 Seng Poh Road #01 – 49 (Tiong Bahru) This local joint serves up some of the best Singapore street food around. Not the most healthy of foods, but this curry rice is so good. Also, please try the vegetarian noodles in the stall located next to it – it’s a favorite amongst the old folks around. It’s worth exploring a bit around the area as well, Tiong Bahru is a quaint neighborhood of quiet corners. • Photo Credit: Matthew Klein
(EAT)
HIS H A PPE N I NG S POT S
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Follow @earnchen to see all of Earn's spots in the app
3 SURRENDER Raffles Hotel Arcade, #02 – 31 328 North Bridge Rd
Raffles Hotel is a Singapore icon – a colonial-style hotel established back in 1887. There’s a tropical garden in the courtyard, and you can’t miss Long Bar, where the famous Singapore Sling was invented in the seventies. I do a lot of online shopping now, but I never pass up a visit to SURRENDER’s storefront, which stocks cult men’s and street wear labels. •
THREE BUNS
SPOT
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36 Keong Saik Rd (SEE)
KEONG SAIK ROAD Keong Saik Rd
SPOT
4
(EAT)
It used to be a vibrant red light district from the Fifties to the Eighties, so the area is full of history and culture that alone makes it worth some exploration. Nowadays, It’s an underrated dining hub where you can see an interesting mixture of traditional and modern establishments. •
I’d hate to be seen as biased, but this is definitely a mustdo for burger lovers in Singapore. Our ground floor patio offers al fresco seating, and the second floor is a whimsical place to chill out, with quirky murals painted all over the walls by an Aussie artist. I like to start visitors downstairs with a burger (I’d suggest our house favorite The Huey, featuring a prime beef patty and our special T.O.M sauce) as well as some Naughty Fries (spiced béarnaise, crispy shallots, need I go on?) - and then drift upstairs for drinks and music as the night goes on. •
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When I first moved to Singapore from Macau years ago, I struggled with homesickness, but now – my life is here. This city really grows on you. YOYO CAO
P R O F EF SR SE IQOUNEANLT BFELAY CE H R.BUM, H O S T O FOTWL CN EARS IAAN’ SD BDEEASCI H G NLEI FRE OWF I ET XHHAI N B IGTE L A K A N
YOYO CAO
@ Y O Y O K U L A L A Instagram
C H A R L O T T E C H E N A N D C O C O M Interview H O S A N N A S Photography
FEATURE
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@ Y O Y O K U L A L A Spottly PAGE
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About Yoyo Cao Yoyo Cao is your style icon’s style icon. Her keen aesthetic sense and ‘less-is-more’ approach to fashion has earned her fans from far and wide. But she’s more than just a (strikingly) pretty face – armed with one hell of an entrepreneurial spirit, it’s no surprise her debut as a designer was met by packed crowds at the 2014 Audi Fashion Festival. This girl is a force to be reckoned with.
KINOKUNIYA Various Locations
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I get most of my style and design inspiration from fashion books and magazines. In Singapore, I love visiting Kinokuniya. They have locations all over Singapore and they have the best selection of imported Japanese, English and Korean magazines in the city. I could spend all day in there!
SPOT
1 (SHOP) SPOT
(EAT)
HER LOCA L S POT S SPOT
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LLAOLLAO
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LUCKY PLAZA CHICKEN RICE 02 – 110, Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road The best food in Singapore is without a doubt the local eats and hawker centres. Lucky Chicken Rice on the second floor off Lucky Plaza is one of Singapore’s bestkept secrets and is very popular amongst locals – some families have been coming here for over 10 years! “Who makes the best chicken rice” is a touchy subject in Singapore, but Lucky Chicken Rice gets my vote. •
Various Locations
(EAT)
I’m not a big fan of desserts but I love a good frozen yogurt from time to time. Llaollao – pronounced “yao yao” – has the best version in Singapore. It’s a Spanish chain with wide selection of toppings and sauces, like caramelised sunflower seeds, dulce de leche and almond brittle. It’s like having a sundae – minus (some of) the guilt. •
SPOT
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ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM 6 Bayfront Ave
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This museum is worth a regular visit, as it’s bound to be showing something interesting and cool – topics vary from art and design, to science and technology. I’ve enjoyed exhibitions ranging from a feature on the Titanic to Chanel’s “The Little Black Jacket”. •
11B Mount Sophia
Oldschool is an abandoned building behind Plaza Singapura. It used to be a school and people can still hang out in the old classrooms inside. The rooftop is a great place to relax with friends – and as the building gets beautiful sunlight, it’s also a perfect spot for impromptu photoshoots. •
(SEE)
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Follow @yoyokulala to see all of Yo Yo’s spots in the app
As a Singaporean, I love the city’s diversity and how multicultural it is. As a young nation we’re very aggressive – we’re always on the go; always progressing.
DJ HAS
AM T LUASNI TCA MNAAVTEI VN E, , C R E A TCI VOEN N DO I RI ES CS TEOU RR OO FF HC YOPOELB E A S T
DJ HAS
@ T R U S T M R H A S Instagram
C O C O M A R E T T Interview F R A N Z N Photography
FEATURE
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@ DJ H A S Spottly PAGE
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About DJ Has Hailed by many as Singapore’s best and most groundbreaking DJ, DJ Has has been a firm fixture in Singapore’s ever growing, ever evolving music scene since the 1990s. When he’s not behind the decks, this down to earth DJ-slash-producer – like any true Singaporean – really knows how to enjoy a good feed.
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THE LIBRARY 47 Keong Saik Rd
(SHOP)
There are a growing number of speakeasies in Singapore but The Library is quite special. To enter this clandestine bar you will need a password, which you can get from The Library’s Facebook page or from their sister restaurant, The Study, right next door. For me, at the end of the day, a good bar is about intimacy, quality cocktails and well programmed music – The Library ticks all of these boxes. •
RED POINT RECORD WAREHOUSE
SPOT
80 Playfair Road, Kapo Factory Building Blk B #06 – 11
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HIS AF TER DARK S POT S
(PARTY)
SPOT
3 ZOUK 17 Jiak Kim St
Singapore’s got a great club culture and it’s because of Zouk, which has been around since the early 90’s. They brought in the best DJs from around the world, putting Singapore at the head of Asia’s dance and electronic scene. It’s an institution and without Zouk, Singapore would be in a very different ballgame right now. •
(DRINK)
This is one of my favourite record stores in Singapore, I bring DJs here all the time and they all think it’s very cool. It’s in a massive warehouse in an old factory building and it’s just wall-to-wall full of vinyls. If you dig, you can find some real classics, like old Jackson Five records, for a very reasonable price. •
(EAT) SPOT
LUCHA LOCO 15 Duxton Hill
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Lucha Loco in Duxton Hill is so easy going and fun. It has a really nice outdoor area, so definitely try to get a table outside and enjoy relaxed tapas and drinks al fresco on the deck or on the grassy lawn. I recommend their beef cheek tacos and as far as cocktails go, the passionfruit smashito is always a hit. •
(EAT) Follow @djhas to see all of DJ Has’s spots in the app
BOON TONG KEE 399 / 403 Balestier Rd There are plenty of late night food options in Singapore, but I always find myself stopping at Boon Tong Kee for their legendary chicken rice. There’s nothing more quintessentially Singaporean than a generous meal of chicken rice, so it’s become something of a routine for me after a big night out. Boon Tong Kee has several outlets, but the Balestier outlet is the only one that stays open until 5am. •
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Singapore is an ideal place to craft a sustainable lifestyle. It’s refreshing to see how many people value a slower pace and take time to enjoy the normality of everyday.
BELLA KOH
SLOW LIFE ADVOCATE, FRESH JUICE JUNKIE & FOUNDER OF FLEA & TREES SLOWHOUSE
BELLA KOH
@ C AT S L A V E R Y Instagram
S T E P H A N I E H S U Interview F R A N Z N Photography
FEATURE
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@ C AT S L A V E R Y Spottly PAGE
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About Bella Koh A stress-related breakdown inspired Bella Koh to quit her day job and focus on the good life. A born and raised Singaporean, she has taken on the unofficial role in her community as a star promoter of Lohas – a “lifestyle of health and sustainability”. As the founder of Flea & Trees SLOWHOUSE, Bella has cultivated a following of fellow “conscious consumers” that share her slow life philosophy.
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FLEA & TREES SLOWHOUSE 68 Seng Poh Lane, Singapore 160068
(SHOP)
I began my vintage-shop venture to promote a movement of slowing down life's pace, taking the time to actually be aware of one’s surroundings and seeking the right balance as a conscious consumer. All the treasures in the shop are carefully curated and lovingly displayed; we offer everything from design books, plants, to vintage clothing and accessories for both women and men. •
JUICE JUNKIE 68 Duxton Rd
SPOT
I’m halfway to being “alcohol-free”, but I hear that juicing is the new alcoholism. I love to fuel my addiction in mine in a well-designed space like this one. They offer an array of 100 % organic cold-pressed juices using ultra-fresh ingredients – kale, beetroot, ginger – and all kinds of goodness. •
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HER S LO W L I F E S POT S (EAT)
(DRINK) SPOT
2 AFTERGLOW 24 Keong Saik Rd
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I’m all about good food and gorgeous interiors, and this raw food eatery offers both in abundance. In addition to offering a truly transformative farm-to-table dining experience – termed “slow food. The storefront also houses an array of eco-friendly products for sale, from body products to bottles of wine. A must order is one of their delicious “raw bakes”. •
(SHOP)
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PUBLIC GARDEN Various locations, check www.public-garden.com
Shopping at this laid-back flea market is a great alternative to big box retailers and conventional high-street stores. It’s held twice a month, and you’ll find everything from vintage garments to artisanal beauty products, to locally sourced snacks as you browse through the stalls. Even if you’re a regular like me, you’re always bound to find some new products or vendor you haven’t seen before. •
COLBAR EATING HOUSE
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Photo Credit: Orlando
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Life inevitably can get a bit busy, but nothing that can’t be fixed by a stop at ColBar – short for “Colonial Bar”. It used to be a canteen of sorts for members of the British Army, and was set to be demolished in 2003 before some people stepped in to save the building, restoring to it a place for eating and gathering once more. Elements like roof tiles and timber doors have been salvaged to preserve the building’s rich history. It’s the ideal place to grab a drink, wind down after a long day and enjoy the sound of cicadas at dusk. •
S P OT
9A Whitchurch Rd
Follow @catslavery to see all of Bella’s spots in the app
Every district in Singapore has its own unique style and feel. When people come through Singapore I love taking them to the local food centres, where you can find traditional cuisines of all the different ethnic groups that make up Singapore.
ANTON LIM
VANTAGE POINT GURU @MELLOWEDHIGH
A N TON LIM @ M E L L O W E D H I G H Instagram
C O C O M A R E T T Interview J O R D A N J O E Photography
FEATURE
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@ M E L L O W E D H I G H Spottly PAGE
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About Anton Lim Despite having shot for big names like Stussy and 10 Deep, the elusive Anton Lim – better known as @mellowedhigh – prefers to let his photos do the talking. He’s gained a cult following on Instagram for his dizzying albeit incredible photos taken from the rooftops of skyscrapers around the world.
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DEMPSEY HILL Dempsey Hill Dempsey Hill, to me, would be the best place to explore and catch a glimpse of how Singapore was during the early 20th Century if you don’t want something mainstream like Chinatown or Little India. The hill used to be a military base, and the area where military officers lived in their huge bungalows. Today, part of the area has been transformed into a cluster of cool restaurants and bars, but the old military buildings and part of the former base is still in use, and other parts left empty but protected by the government. •
SPOT
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BASHEER DESIGN BOOKS @ BRAS BASAH
SPOT
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Bras Basah Complex, 233 Bain St There are photography and art exhibitions happening quite regularly. I would go to stores at the Bras Brasah Complex in the historic Bras Basah area which is being developed into a kind of art hub, it’s got a this great creative energy. I would specifically recommend Basheer Design Books as they bring in some niche publications on subjects like photography, graphic design, art, fashion and animation. •
HIS C R E AT I V E S POT S
(SEE) SPOT
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QUEENSWAY SHOPPING CENTRE 1 Queensway
(SHOP)
Sneakerheads will be able to find some quality sneakers for a bargain at Queensway Shopping Centre in Queenstown. It’s one of the oldest malls in Singapore but still one of the best for sneakers and anything to do with sports. Keep in mind though, you do need a good eye to differentiate between authentic and knock-off sneakers here, but most of the shops are legitimate. •
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4 PULAU UBIN Ubin Island
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If you want to get out of the city, Pulau Ubin is an island just a short 10 minutes away from the main island by boat, which you can catch for about $2.50 at the Changi Point Ferry Terminal. It is beautiful and lush, as most of its nature still left untouched. It’s got some nice trails for hiking or, if you prefer, you can rent bikes to ride around for the day. •
(SEE)
Follow @mellowedhigh to see all of Anton’s spots in the app
THE PINNACLE @ DUXTON 50/F, 1 Cantonment Rd At 50 stories high, The Pinnacle @ Duxton rooftop gardens is open to the public and has one of the best views of the more impressive landmarks and buildings of the city. I usually would also take a lift up to the top floors of private housing (HDB) flats, or sometimes sneak up commercial buildings to get a good view of the area. I am not sure if I can say this here but I also enter certain buildings or rooftops, that might not be completely legal, just to get a good vantage point of the city for photos. Aside from the view though, I also believe in capturing shots at the right time, for example during sunset or at dawn as the images usually turn out more dramatic. •
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Singapore never stops. It is constantly reinventing and improving. We’re a small nation, but the strength, grit and pioneering spirit runs generations deep.
NICOLE WONG
FA S H I O N B LO G G E R , CHAMPION OF MINIMALIST STYLE AND HOMETOWN DESIGNERS
JNOI C SO E PL H E WN OG NG
@ N C W O N G Instagram
S T E P H A N I E H S U Interview F R A N Z N A N D H O S A N N S S Photography
FEATURE
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@ N C W O N G Spottly PAGE
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About Nicole Wong Nicole Wong started a blog in her teens, much like thousands of her peers in Sinagpore, in order to document her life. Not content to be another social media flash in the pan, she’s cultivated a distinct style that trends towards Scandinavian in its focus on minimalism and simple, quality products. She now turns to her blog - and her popular Instagram – as more than a mere “OOTD” diary, but rather a carefully curated manifesto championing her strong minimalistic aesthetic as well as her support for local Singaporean designers.
KEEPERS 230 Orchard Rd
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This is one of my favorite retail spaces, featuring Singaporean labels that I love and wear often. I strongly believe in supporting local designers – lines like Carrie K & Ling Wu focus on elegant silhouettes, highquality materials and hand-craftsmanship, rather than chasing after fleeting trends. •
SPOT
HER ESSENTIAL S POT S ESCENTIALS 310 Orchard Rd (SHOP)
For my beauty fix, I head towards this perfume and skin-care shop with a minimalistic dream of an interior. Even the products perfectly fit my aesthetic – French-made cult favorites Diptyque and Le Labo are favorites of mine. Le Labo fragrances contain only the most high-quality ingredients each bottle is made right before your eyes, and marked with a personalized label. •
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(PAMPER)
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BLOW + BAR 7 Rodyk St
When I need to put my mane in order, I head towards this hair, nail and make-up salon centered around stunning blowout styles. There’s a menu of seemingly endless hairstyle options to choose from, but the core concept is pretty simple: get your hair done while drinking champagne. Who wouldn’t love to be pampered before a big night out? My hair is really thick, and in Singapore’s humid weather I tend to go get my hair washed pretty often to make sure it’s looking fresh. •
BEACH ROAD PRAWN MEE Y INS
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This local food joint is far from fancy – it serves up a simple bowl of prawn noodles; and yet I could eat it almost every day. Even though there are so many great food and beverage concepts in Singapore, I seem to always return to my beloved childhood dishes. My friends are always saying that I eat the same thing over and over – so I guess I’m a minimalist eater as well. I would eat prawn noodles and chicken rice every single day if I could. •
S P OT
370 East Coast Rd
Follow @ncwong to see all of Nicole’s spots in the app
(SHOP)
CLUSTER CLUSTER
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cluster-cluster.com Singaporeans place an emphasis on well-done interior design, as evinced by the gorgeous bars and restaurant spaces around the city. The same concept applies to one’s personal home – the goal is to make a space that is both visually inviting and utilitarian. When I’m on the hunt to find new pieces for my flat, I always check out the offerings at this local e-tailer, which specializes in restoring vintage pieces sourced from all around the world. They always carry something unique and different. •
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S P OT T LY S CO U T S S I N G A P O R E
OUR FA V O R I T E PICKS
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The Spottly Insider team landed in Singapore, just as the weather in our Hong Kong home-base had us reluctantly reaching for our coats. We spent a weekend in The Lion City indulging in good eats, drinks, and the chance to shed our leather jackets and slip on sandals once more. In between interviewing the city’s heavyweight influencers, we took ample time to explore and discover our own Singapore favorites. Here are few of our picks:
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WANDERLUST HOTEL 2 Dickson Rd
(STAY)
Winter blues and Hong Kong home-office grey skies had us desperate for color – the Pantone rooms at the Wanderlust Hotel are each done up in a single hue – our room delivered an injection of cheery yellow (and a sweet vintage bathtub). •
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PARK ROYAL ON PICKERING 3 Upper Pickering St
(STAY)
Rooms at the Park Royal open up to a stunning indoor garden view that had us floating on clouds – and that was before we discovered the infinity pool. It’s an oasis of calm and eco-consciousness that stands not as a contrast to the surrounding it, but serves as a crash course as to what Singapore is about: the good life, lived responsibly. •
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TIONG BAHRU BAKERY 56 Eng Hoon St
(BREAKFAST)
We made making routine morning stops at this selfservice French bakery offering pastries with an Asian twist – squid ink sandwiches but we preferred the chocolate brioche and almond croissant – and you’d never catch us leaving without ice coffees in tow. •
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CHOP SUEY CAFÉ
(BUSINESS MEETING)
10 Dempsey Rd Lazy afternoon dimsum that stretch well into the afternoon are inevitable at this urban paradise, which we soon realized was rather dangerous for productivity. Alfresco dining became a bit of an addiction, but on rainy days we fled to PS Café at Palais Renaissance, where floor to ceiling windows provide a view of the lush surrounds – essentially the closest thing to actually dining in a greenhouse. •
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CLUB MEATBALLS 20 Cross Street, #01 – 34 / 35 / 36 / 36A
(CASUAL LUNCH)
Our lunch joint featured meatballs-gone-luxe: with hearty options like Iberico pork and fish with chili and coriander providing fuel for writing sessions and brainstorming tete-a-tetes. A collaboration with a design furniture retailer birthed a functional showroom-cum-freelancer’s dream office, with no shortage of both couches and coffee – beans are roasted in-house at sister cafe Sarnie’s. •
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BOOKS ACTUALLY 9 Yong Siak St
(INSPIRATION)
Located in the Tiong Bahru neighborhood, Books Actually has been featured in hip bookshop roundups all over the interwebs – even hosting the Monocle pop-up when it came into town. Vintage curios are displayed alongside a carefully curated selection of authors and publications, making the small shop an ideal spot for inspiration. •
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SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDENS (NATIONAL ORCHID GARDEN) 310 Orchard Rd
(RELAX)
Set on the highest vantage point of the sprawling Singapore Botanical Gardens, the Orchid Garden organizes the tropical blooms according to “seasons”. “Summer” is awash with gorgeous reds and pinks, but just about every corner is Instagram-worthy. •
Photo Credit: Richard Ellis
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GILLMAN BARRACKS 9 Lock Rd
(CULTURE)
A preserved colonial barracks turned “arts cluster” – Gillman Barracks offers constant rotation of local and international visual feasts. We typically avoid walking tours – but turned tourist for a few hours to get a guided tour introducing both contemporary artworks and the site’s rich history. •
Photo Credit: chinnian
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THE STUDY
(HAPPY HOUR & DINNER)
47 Keong Saik Rd This gastro-pub on Keong Saik Road, opened by restauranter-du-jour Jason Atherton, serves up hearty fare in an intimate setting. Contrary to its name, no pursuits of any academic worth took place here for us – unless you count our intense scrutiny of the menu before deciding on an array of gluttonous delicacies: roasted lamb chops, triple-cooked duck fat chips, Scotch eggs. •
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KILO 66 Kampong Bugis
(DINNER)
Pan-Asian in an industrial-chic warehouse – it’s not reinventing the wheel, but the food is consistently delicious and furthermore, the rooftop lounge kills it on a weekend night. We also made it over to their location at PACT, a multidisciplinary emporium that houses a variety of lifestyle shops and services. •
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TANJONG BEACH CLUB 310 Orchard Rd
(PARTY)
People watching, tuna tartare (picked pineapple and avocado, please) and beach-front cocktails combined to form the perfect antidote for a day exploring Singapore streets. And while we thought our rooftop drinking fantasies had long withered in the cold, outdoor bar life is alive and well at Loof. Pass us another Kiwi Martini, thanks. Singapore: the good life. •
SINGAPORE GRASSROOTS PANTRY
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A–C AFTERGLOW 24 Keong Saik Rd
21
ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM 6 Bayfront Avenue
13
BASHEER DESIGN BOOKS @ 25 BRAS BASAH COMPLEX Bras Basah Complex, 233 Bain St BEACH ROAD PRAWN MEE 370 East Coast Rd
30
BOOKS ACTUALLY 9 Yong Siak St
33
BOON TONG KEE 199 East Coast Rd
18
BLOW + BAR 7 Rodyk St
30
COLBAR EATING HOUSE 9A Whitchurch Rd
22
CHOP SUEY CAFÉ 10 Dempsey Rd
33
CLUB MEATBALLS 20 Cross St, #01 – 34 / 35 / 36 / 36A
32
J–L JUICE JUNKIE 68 Duxton Rd
21
KEEPERS 230 Orchard Rd
29
KEONG SAIK ROAD Keong Saik Rd
10
KILO LOUNGE 66 Kampong Bugis
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KILO AT PACT 34 181 Orchard Rd, #02 – 14 – 23, Orchard Central KINOKUNIYA 13 Various Locations 391 Orchard Rd, check kinokuniya. com.sg
S POT S I N DE X LLAOLLAO 13 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Link #B1 – 04 Various locations, check llaollaoweb.com
PARK ROYAL AT PICKERING 34 3 Upper Pickering St THE PINNACLE @ DUXTON 50 / F, 1 Cantonment Rd
26
POTATO HEAD FOLK 36 Keong Saik Rd
09
PUBLIC GARDEN Various locations, check public-garden.com
22
PULAU UBIN Ubin Island
26
QUEENSWAY SHOPPING CENTRE 1 Queensway
25
R–T RED POINT RECORD 17 WAREHOUSE 80 Playfair Rd, Kapo Factory Bld Blk B #06 – 11 SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDENS 310 Orchard Rd
34
SURRENDER Raffles Hotel Arcade, #02 – 31 328 North Bridge Rd
10
TANJONG BEACH CLUB 310 Orchard Rd
34
CLUSTER CLUSTER 30 Online only, cluster-cluster.com
LUCKY PLAZA CHICKEN RICE 13 02 – 110, Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road 18
TIONG BAHRU BAKERY 56 Eng Hoon St
32
D–G
LUCHA LOCO 15 Duxton Hill THE LIBRARY 47 Keong Saik Rd
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THREE BUNS 36 Keong Saik Rd
10
LOO’S HAINANESE CURRY RICE 71 Seng Poh Rd #01 – 49
09
DEMPSEY HILL 8D Dempsey Rd, #03 – 01
25
ESCENTIALS 310 Orchard Rd
29
FLEA & TREES SLOWHOUSE 68 Seng Poh Lane
21
GILLMAN BARRACKS 9 Lock Rd
33
O–Q OLDSCHOOL 11B Mount Sophia
13
W–Z WANDERLUST HOTEL 2 Dickson Rd
32
ZOUK 17 Jiak Kim St
17
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