I came across this wonderful foam mattress at Sea Horse (Plaza Singapura branch) that folds into a third of its size.

It’s called the Healthy 3 Fold Mattress, their No. 1 selling (single bed size) mattress that really delivers value for its firmness, durability, comfort and of course, foldable convenience.

The best part is, they also cater to custom mattress sizes (and thickness!) upon request. So I had mine made in queen size / 4.5″ thick. They had a 50% off promo and it cost me about S$300+.

If you’re thinking of getting a sofa bed, I say, get a bed sofa. I’ve studied most of the sofa beds in Ikea, and despite my love for them, they were simply too bulky, heavy and time consuming to transform. The bed sofa on the other hand, is all about function in a minimalistic form. So there you have it, yet another addition to Studio Starlight:

^have it your way… at any size, any thickness..

^ideal for chilling out with my mac or watching movies with mi-chan

^wayyyyyyyyyyyyy cooler than transformers II

^4.5″ x 3 for a nice sitting height

^just place one of its fold against the wall at a desired angle to create a leaning backrest

The AppeCare Protection Plan extends your Mac’s default 1-year warranty to an additional 2 years. And this protection covers hardware faults, not your software/operating system. I personally think it’s essential, but most people have chosen not to purchase it due to its considerable cost.

Obviously, having your Mac’s parts, such as its monitor die on you will be both traumatising and even more expensive (often costing above S$1,000 in replacement of parts + labour fee).

Here’s the sweet part. Get it cheaper (about 45% less, depending on model) by purchasing the non-retail version, comprising only the AppleCare registration code.

I’ve gotten it for my Macbook Pro last month. It works.

Here’s the screen cap of my AppleCare agreement/status. Right-click and ‘View Image’ to see full size:

^You can see that my MacBook Pro was purchased in early 2008 and my AppleCare registration has extended my warranty until July 2011.

To get your AppleCare at a cheaper price, email whatispoperror@gmail.com, stating your Mac model. I will reply you with pricing and purchase details.

Please note that the AppleCare registration is only valid within the first year of your Mac purchase. Don’t wait.

Just got this sleek Comfort Lapdesk from Nubox. S$69 (S$62 after 10% off for members). The desk is usually occupied by Mi-chan now so I’m often typing away on the sofa/bed. Finally, I can work comfortably without having my hot Mac destroy my fertility. It also comes with a 3-year warranty.

Four-layer heat-shielding design: Protect your body from unwanted heat from your notebook.

Twelve-degree angled riser: Position your notebook to a viewing angle that’s more comfortable for your neck and legs (when used in a seated position).

Stable, lightweight design: Use your notebook comfortably just about anywhere—on your sofa, bed, or even the floor.

Soft, air-mesh fabric: The underside of the Comfort Lapdesk feels great on your legs.

Thin, streamlined profile: This compact solution will look good in any room in your home and can be stored neatly near your bed or couch.

*Mami no atarashii burogu, DEBUT!!*

Here’s Mami’s newly setup blog! The first entry is about her new home in Singapore, none other than Studio Starlight

INTRODUCTION

Christian Marie Marc Lacroix (May 16, 1951 in Arles, France) is a high-end French fashion designer. Born in Arles, France, at a young age he began sketching historical costumes and fashions. He studied history of art at the University of Montpellier and then enrolled at the Sorbonne in Paris. While working on a dissertation on dress in French 18th-century painting, Lacroix also pursued a program in museum studies at the Louvre Museum. In 1978 he joined the French firm Hermès, where he worked on color schemes and the execution of designs.

From 1981 to 1987 Lacroix worked at the fashion house of Jean Patou, and in 1987 he opened his own couture and ready-to-wear business. With his background in historical costume and clothing, Lacroix soon made headlines with his opulent, fantasy creations, including the short puffball skirt (“le pouf”), rose prints, and low décolleté necklines. He quoted widely from other styles—from fashion history (the corset and the crinoline), from folklore, and from many parts of the world—and he mixed his quotations in a topsy-turvy manner. He favored the hot colors of the Mediterranean region, a hodgepodge of patterns, and experimental fabrics, sometimes handwoven in local workshops.

THE EXHIBITION

Christian Lacroix the costumier
Organised by Centre National du Costume de Scène, Moulins, France and Artex Art Services
20 March 2009 – 7 June 2009
National Museum of Singapore

^The virtuoso haute couture designer Christian Lacroix, who is known for defining the look of the 1980s with its bright colours and extravagant embellishments, presents his splendid costume design work of 20 years for the ballet, theatre and opera in this exclusive exhibition.

In Asia for the very first time, close to 80 spectacular costumes and 60 sketches from the collection of the Centre National du Costume de Scène (National Stage Costume Centre, Moulins, France) and from Lacroix’s personal collection, will take stage at the National Museum of Singapore.

http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/nms/nms_html/nms_content_6c.asp?content_template=4&content_id=23&tab_id=23&cine_id=1223&fest_id=0

^LOVE FOR THE THEATRE

“I have always been attracted to costume design and possibly even before I started fashion design. This comes from a passion for history that has been with me since my childhood, within my imaginative universe and the games I played. I’ve always enjoyed searching for historical truths or restoring them by designing scenery, furniture and costumes. Theatre has become much more than a recreation as this art cannot bear mediocrity nor lack passion.”

^several people thought that michan’s part of the exhibition asking her if she was wearing a lacroix piece

elaborate set with pieces twirling in mid air

^”Drawing for dance or for theater allows me to breathe” - Christian Lacroix

INTRODUCTION

Verner Panton (13 February 1926 – 5 September 1998) is considered one of Denmark’s most influential 20th-century furniture and interior designers. During his career, he created innovative and futuristic designs in a variety of materials, especially plastics, and in vibrant colors. His style was very “1960s” but regained popularity at the end of the 20th century; as of 2004, Panton’s most well-known furniture models are still in production (at Vitra, among others).

THE EXHIBITION

Verner Panton – The Collected Works
An exhibition of the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany
15 May 2009 - 12 July 2009
National Museum of Singapore

^grabbing lunch at Plaza Singapura

^http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/nms/nms_html/nms_content_6c.asp?content_template=4&content_id=23&tab_id=23&cine_id=1319&fest_id=0

http://www.designmuseum.org/design/verner-panton

^Cone Chairs

^Moon ceiling light
http://www.retrotogo.com/2008/04/verner-panton-m.html

^Panthella lamp, 1970
http://www.retrotogo.com/2008/12/verner-panton-2.html

^Pantonova, 1971

^Panton Chair, 1968. World’s first single-form injection molded plastic chair.

^Panton Chair, 1968

^Flying Chairs, 1964

^Verner Panton and his wife in their private apartment in Copenhagen

^Shell lamps, 1964

^Flowerpot Lamps

^Globe VP Lamp, 1969
http://www.luxury-gadgets.com/2006/03/08/globe-vp-lamp-by-verner-panton-1969/

Living Tower, 1968

^Spiral Lamp

^Illumesa table lamp, 1970s. With Ring lamps in background

Visiona II

Visiona II

Verner Panton (13 February 1926 – 5 September 1998)

http://www.designmuseum.org/design/verner-panton

INTRODUCTION

The Kangxi Emperor (Chinese: 康熙帝; pinyin: Kāngxīdì; Wade-Giles: K’ang-hsi-ti; Mongolian: Enkh Amgalan Khaan, May 4, 1654 – December 20, 1722) was the third Emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722. His reign of 61 years makes him the longest-reigning Chinese Emperor in history and one of the longest in the world.

Kangxi, considered one of China’s greatest Emperors, was a pivotal figure in Chinese history, having defeated the Three Feudatories, the Zheng Jing government on Taiwan who previously would not submit to Qing rule and the Tzarist Russia, expanded the Qing empire in the northwest, and achieved such literary feats as the Kangxi Dictionary. Kangxi’s reign brought about long-term stability and relative wealth after years of war and chaos.

THE EXHIBITION

The Kangxi Emperor
Treasures from the Forbidden City
13 March - 14 June 2009
Ancient Civilisations Museum, Singapore

^after 20 mins of queuing up…

^10 more minutes of queuing up… almost there..

^actual court dress worn by Kangxi.. formal wear for important ceremonies. Reflects his multi-ethnic background. the robe is in Manchu style while dragon motif is a Han Chinese symbol of imperial power.

^Kangxi’s hunting gear - bow and rifle. He was an excellent horse-riding archer, keeping the manchurian’s fighting morale high and also the han’s approval of his leadership.

^Kangxi’s ceremonial armour - individual segments are fastened together by a series of gold loops and toggles.

^3-stringed musical instrument

^”Crossing the frozen river” - one of thousands of poems written by Kangxi with energetic strokes. They have the english translation of this. it’s amazing..

^ink pads or something.. i forgot

^very rare and important tools used by Kangxi

^the Kangxi dictionary was compiled by 27 officials over six years, featuring 47,035 entries and recognised as the largest collection of Chinese characters in the history of imperial China!!!!!!!!

^the green block is the official Kangxi seal stamp.

^incense bowl with indianish motif

^snuff bottles containing fragrance to freshen the mind etc.. there’s something written under the second bottle.

^cups of the month. there are 12 cups to be used for each month -_-

^i think the plants featured on the cup represents what’s growing within that particular month of the year.

^these pots are actually gourds, shaped by growing them in molds. chinese ingenuity

^the chinese used to believe that earth was flat and the heavens are round, till a muslim astronomer Jamal al-DIn presented this globe to Kangxi, accurately depicting countries and cities and even the great wall of china. incredible.

^telescope presented to Kangxi by jesuit priest Ferdinand Verbiest, who became his tutor in astrology.

^features a compass in the middle

^Armillary sphere is a new instrument constructed under the supervision of Ferdinand Verbiest. it was used to illustrate the movement of celestial bodies esp the sun, moon and earth. it helped the Qing astronomers better predict the solar and lunar eclipses!

^this was used to calculate the angle of the sun against the horizon

^measuring instruments by Ferdinand Verbiest

^Kangxi, in his fifties

^Kangxi’s successor, his fourth son.

^just checking out the other south east asian exhibits

^permanent exhibits at the Ancient Civilisations Museum, Singapore - sculptures from north Vietnam

^chilling out at ben & jerry’s after a hot day

Ladies all over are blessed yet again. Once exclusively available in Isetan, OKA b. is now exclusively available in NewUrbanMale. All you have to do to find out why they’re so pricey (they ARE sandals after all), is to try them on. Comfort, comfort, comfort. And how durable are they? Totally machine-washable.

Got Mami a pair of The Lucy in hot chocolate for S$79.90.

This year’s budgeted D&D was held locally at Cassis, Restaurant @ 7, Rochester Park. The theme was VIVA LAS VEGAS. I went as a porn director. Accompanying me was Alicia, the unfaithful blow up doll.

Close up:

When you pay $95 for a greek goddess like that, you’d never, EVER, expect to find something like this in the box:

5 minutes out of the box, and already subject to abuse:

Jason and Beng:

Eunice and Karine:

Cheok getting high with Alicia, while Beng draws my porno moustache:

Outdoor of Cassis, Restaurant @ 7, Rochester Park:

Allison and Jeffrey, the newlyweds:

Alan being Chaplin:

Tiger Beer Ginny and Pro-America Mayuko:

Mahjong heads gearing up:

Mark, MC for the night:

Harada-san gives his speech in Mandarin and Cantonese:

Anthony Kang, King of Dentsu, 4A’s and Rock & Roll:

The King and Queens:

Do you have what it takes? Casting for “Maid in Singapore 3″ kicks off next week:

I see potential:

Tiger Beer aunty swallows:

Tony, giving Chai Siong a handicap of 10 seconds:

Jim, helping out with the foreplay (look at the very amused waiter):

The three prettiest ladies in office - Kira, Ryohei and Sasaya:

Phyllis and Nogami the stripper:

Casting nipple check:

And…. ACTION!!:

Nogami pumping Alicia:

And that’s a wrap:

Get the director’s cut of my flick Maid in Singapore and enjoy bonus scenes:

Action overload, even for Beng:

Gaku and an extremely happy Eunice:

You’ve gotta grab him by the balls:

My new flick Brokeback Mountain 2:

Creative team gets serious when it comes to prize giveaway session:

Alicia’s gun fetish:

THE END:

Rushed this mother’s day card design for Mi-chan. Junko-san is an incredible mum who has unconditionally loved and supported Michan’s migration to Singapore. Picture was taken during their Euro trip in France, 1 week before arriving here.

Paper for card base was purchased from Made With Love (Singapore’s largest scrapbook store). Kinda sad that a design this simple took me 4 hours.. T_T  Anyway, it was Junko-san’s first time receiving such a card to which she was extremely delighted when it arrived. Mission accomplished