Creative cocktails at prices that won't kill at BARKODE (via City Nomads)

If you are a cocktail fiend and love nothing more than creatively conceptualized, well mixed cocktails that won't leave you balking at the bill then check out my blog post on BARKODE over at City Nomads here.

In the meantime here's a little pictorial preview. If it leaves you thirsting for more then click here and read on.

 

Cocktail Challenge at La Maison Du Whiskey

What's that I hear you say? A cocktail challenge at La Maison Du Whiskey? But surely you must be mistaken!

Yes La Masion Du Whiskey is of course the place for well, you guessed it, an incredible selection of whiskey, but those who are after something other than the big W will not be disappointed as the bartender Tron has a few surprises up his sleeve in the form of cocktails too.

Before you launch into the cocktail challenge, ease into things with a cocktail off the menu.  I tried the Passiflora which was quite a tangy taste sensation made with Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin (yes with hints of Saffron no less!)...

and passion fruit, lemon and sugar. And here it is...

If you do want to go down the whisky route, as my newbie friends did, Tron will adeptly recommend something that won't offend your sensibilities which will leave even the most sceptical of first time whiskey drinkers pleasantly surprised.

Now on to the cocktail challenge. So the idea here is that you bring in any ingredient - and yes that's anything apart from cigarettes and Durian (lessons learned the hard way from when the challenge was first introduced) and Tron will dream up and make a cocktail for you.

A perfect time for improvisation and unless you come prepared (like I will do next time) luckily you have a 7-Eleven just across the way so help is at hand. Our ingredients of choice were therefore:

- 1 x packet of Worther's Originals

- 1 x packet of Skittles (Wild Berry flavour)

- 1 x packet of Pocky Almond Crush Bitter chocolate sticks

I do not blame if you reaction to this is "blurgh!". But actually we were pleasantly suprised.

And here's what the results were ....

In third place was our Worther's Original cocktail:

Made with a Worther's or two crushed up like so....

and Creme de Cacoa Blanc, Hazelnut Liquor, Creme de Menth and cream. 

This one we discovered was actually great served over one of their signature HUGE cubes of ice, much like you would a White Russian. 

In second place was our Pocky cocktail:

Made with cocoa powder, rum, cram and vanilla syrup served over Pocky sticks, this is one for all chocolate lovers out there..

 And looks rather handsome too don't you agree?

In first place was our Skittles cocktail:

Made with crushed up Skittles...

fresh raspberries and blueberries, liquor de pomme verte and lemon juice basically this was like a sexed up sooped up packet of Skittles and pretty legendary!

We concluded that Tron certainly won the Cocktail Challenge!

Cocktail challenge aside, as well as being a great spot for a tipple or two - you can pull up a pew right at the bar and watch your drinks being made, marveling at the hundred of bottles which line the walls.  

The interior has an intimate vibe with soul legends playing in the background - a great place to escape the sports crowds of neighbouring Harry's and Hannibals. Or you can sit outside and chose to people watch the world of Robertson Quay pass you by. 

La Maison Du Whisky is at 80 Mohammed Sultan Rd, #01-10 The Pier@ Robertson Quay, Singapore 239013
T: 6733 0059, Open Noon-Midnight, closed on Sunday; For more information see their website here. 

Off the Wall – Down by Law in Singapore, Lah!

Somethings going on at the moment - it feels like Singapore is awash with art events. First the Elephant Parade, then the Affordable Art Fair. But then one came along that blew everything else out of the water - Off the Wall and Down by Law in Singapore, Lah! This is one of those exhibitions that you walk into and take notice. It's explosive, sassy and inspiring. And it's a celebration of graffiti.

Everything about this exhibition is cool. Including it's location which is at the Artspace@Helutrans at Tanjong Pagar District Park, hidden away in a warehouse right by the Keppel port.

The exhibition blasted open with a live Graffjam - kinda like a music jam session but with artists creating works together on site. Taking turns on the canvas were eighteen street artists - nine from Singapore (represented by Fortune Cookie Projects) and nine from France (represented by Wallworks Gallerie). AND if you wondering about the French angle it's because the exhibition is part of the Voilah! French Festival of Singapore.

So let's check out some pics of the artists in action...

The exhibition follows the same level of explosive energy - with 72 works by street artists reflecting on the energy drawn from their respective urban environments...

An interesting bit of insight on the picture just below on the right, many people think that street artists just knock out their work but I was speaking to the artist who created these and it took him one whole month to complete the work because of the level of detail there...

It's so incredibly refreshing to see exhibitions like this pop up in Singapore and to me, they feel like gold dust. We just don't get enough of them and hopefully this is a nod in the right direction towards Singapore's (hopefully) blossoming art scene. Go check it out or miss out.

This exhibition will run until 26 November at ArtSpace@Helutrans at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark (39 Keppel Road, #01-05) daily between 11am to 7pm and is FREE admission. Off the Wall – Down by Law in Singapore, Lah! is supported by Hermès, Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort, Maquet, the French School in Singapore, Air France, Encore! TheEuropean Season and Voilah! French Festival Singapore 2011.

Le Flea Boutique is almost here! So pick up some fashion finds and polish your halo.

It's almost here....yes, Le Flea Boutique Part Deux which I'm organising to raise funds for Action for AIDS (Singapore) is happening next weekend on Sunday 27th November.

Please do come down and spread the word as 100% proceeds go to Action for AIDS which means that by supporting you will be helping to do your bit this World AIDS Day to stamp out stigma and discrimination that exists around the disease - one of the most serious barriers in the fight to eradicate it. 


What you can expect on the day:

• More pre-loved and vintage designer labels, high-street fashion and unique independent brands plus a veritable treasure trove of accessories, a capsule men’s collection, a sprinkling of children’s clothing, gifts and homeware.
• Gently worn pre-loved designer labels in the Flea Luxe collection including those from Armani Exchange, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Helmut Lang, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney and more.
• Pre-loved high-street labels including Banana Republic, H&M, Forever 21, Mango, Replay, River Island, Topshop, Warehouse, Witchery, Zara and many more
• Brand new out-of-the-stockroom items under the Flea Nouveau banner, thanks to generous donations from brands and boutiques including Epitome, United Colours of Benetton Fragrances, Saturday, Nicholas, Front Row, Dulcetfig, Know It Nothing, Le Specs, Quinn, Threadbare & Squirrel, Hadasity, and Rococco Kent. 
• Something for everyone with items ranging from $5 all the way up to our Luxe range.
• Special brunch and tea sets being laid on by the venue sponsor Talent Cafe, so after you shop, you can drop, sip a glass of wine, grab a bite to eat and 10% of all proceeds from food and drink will be donated to the cause
• 100% of proceeds from the sale and the $5 entry donation will go towards Action for AIDS Singapore. Being the weekend before World AIDS Day, you can rejoice in knowing that every dollar they spend will support this worthy cause!

And here's a little taste of what will be on offer, in our selection of some of the highlights from our photos shoots of some of the collections:

And with all that and at a chic venue like Talent Cafe, what's not to love? 

For more information about the event see the Facebook page HERE and to RSVP see the Facebook event HERE. 


And if fashion's not your thing, Le Flea Boutique is just one of a number of events taking place around this World AIDS Day in Singapore. Check out the below to see what else is going on....

Singapore from lofty heights: The Moët & Chandon Champagne Flight on the Singapore Flyer

The other day I was invited to take a flight on the Singapore Flyer by the team there. I have to say I can never get enough of taking in the twinkling lights of Singapore from high above, and being the world's largest observation wheel, I was intrigued to see how it would compare to that of my hometown London (yes 30 metres taller!) and so accepted.

Yes there are lots of places you can take in the stunning views of Singapore, but for me it's usually up above in some bar somewhere where before long someone nudges you out the way, and it's very seldom you get such a magnificent  360 degree view as with the Flyer.

As we approached this big old baby as dusk was setting in,  at $240 millions worth and a huge 165 metres in height of it,  it's hard not to be impressed by it's sheer magnitude which is hard to convey in a photo at such close quarters...

That aside,  it was no ordinary flight, being treated to the Moët & Chandon Champagne Flight in a sooped up, sleek and very sexy capsule.

Now ordinarily something like this might strike you as incredibly cheesy but there is something strangely spanking about stepping into this pimped up capsule,  tunes pumping on the sound system with drink in hand.

The journey is just the right amount of time taking just over 30 mins, enough to take in all the breathtaking views which stretch to about 45km, but short enough to not get bored. Once the fabulous views of Marina Bay unfold before you, you then begin to pick out the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Sentosa, Changi Airport and everything in between. And there's something about watching it all in the twinkling lights and buzz of rush hour which make it all the more better.

We had to dash off afterwards but there's much more to the the Flyer than just the flight - with lots of restaurants and a hawker centre to suit whatever mood you're in and you can find out more about what's on offer here. 

Sometimes it' good to be a tourist in the city in which you live, and this was definitely one of those times. 

The Moët & Chandon Flight departs at 3, 5, 7 , 8and 9pm and includes 1 flute of Moët & Chandon champagne, 1 rotation, exclusive check-in and express boarding and the new VIP-themed capsule. Tickets (for adults only) are $69pp and if you feel like going all the way, private capsule packages are also available. For more information see here. 

The Guild by Grey Goose - a clandestine fashion showcase

You know when Grey Goose vodka puts it's name to something it's going to be good. So I jumped at the chance to attend The Guild by Grey Goose at The White Rabbit last week where local fashion talents Resham Melwani, Wykidd Song and Time Taken to Make a Dress showcased pieces inspired by Grey Goose.

I couldn't have thought of a better location than the former chapel, The White Rabbit, which was turned into a magical land all lit up with blues and adored with sheer white draping.

Sadly this was day one of my diet restriction therapy so no Grey Goose for me - it was all I could do to ignore the voices in my head whispering at me to just have one sip of the lovely Grey Goose cocktails that were beckoning to me from the bar. Missy K's Cosmopolitan almost touched my lips before I realised what was happening!

Now onto the show. Though all three collections were inspiring in different ways, I have to say for me I fell completely in love with Wykidd Song's collection. I'm a bit boho at heart so his collection for the modern Bohemian in colours of gold, forest green, graphite grey, apricot, pearl and ivory in draped silk organza, wispy chiffon layered over brilliant sequins completely stole my heart away. And Mr C could not get enough of the edgy men's summer suits in graphic prints. Other than that, I have to admit that a piece of me that also loves the fact that Wykidd studied in my hometown of Kingston in the UK.

I loved the concept behind Resham Melwani's Flesh and Wine, where she explored the softness of skin and rich depths of wine through fabrics and palettes.

In quite stark contrast was the collection by Time Taken to Make a Dress - Life Cycle, which charted the sequential metamorphosis of textile & string.

The showcase ended with an explosion of silver and blue speckles from above....

But things didn't end there as the dresses that were specially commissioned by Grey Goose are up for auction to benefit UN Women Singapore at www.ctglobalstore.com/unifem until 4th November.

Photo credits: All images courtesy of Grey Goose.