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07 January, 2025

Transforming Homes with Thoughtful Enhancements

What makes a house feel like home? It’s not just about having a roof over your head—it’s about creating a space that nurtures your lifestyle, reflects your personality, and adapts to your needs. Transforming your home with thoughtful enhancements can improve comfort, functionality, and sustainability without requiring a complete renovation. By focusing on creative upgrades and intentional changes, you can craft a space that feels uniquely yours.

Reimagining Unused Spaces

Every home has underutilized or overlooked areas, but with a bit of creativity, these spaces can become functional and inviting. Nooks, alcoves, or spare rooms offer endless possibilities for transformation. For example, turning an unused attic into a guest room or a peaceful home office can maximise your home’s potential.

Upgrades like room-in-roof insulation not only improve the usability of these spaces but also enhance energy efficiency, keeping them comfortable year-round. Solutions from Green Improve ensure your transformed spaces are as practical as they are cosy.

Engaging the Senses

A truly comfortable home engages more than just your sense of sight. Incorporating natural textures like wool, linen, or reclaimed wood adds warmth and depth, creating a tactile experience that feels luxurious. Soft rugs or plush throws can make a space feel cosy, while carefully chosen scents, such as lavender or eucalyptus, promote relaxation.

Even sound plays a role in home comfort. Adding acoustic elements, such as thick curtains or cushioned furniture, reduces noise levels and fosters a serene environment. These sensory elements come together to create a home that feels like a retreat from the outside world.

Enhancing Light and Air

Lighting and ventilation are often overlooked but play a crucial role in the comfort of a home. Maximising natural light not only brightens your space but also connects your interior to the outdoors, creating an airy and open feel. Installing larger windows or skylights is one way to achieve this, but even small changes, like rearranging furniture to let light in, can make a significant difference.

For ventilation, modern systems ensure fresh air circulates efficiently, improving indoor air quality. Thoughtful enhancements like these go beyond aesthetics to enhance your home’s overall livability.

Outdoor Spaces as Extensions

Your outdoor spaces are an extension of your home and should be just as functional and inviting. A small garden, patio, or balcony can be transformed into a relaxing retreat or a lively entertainment area. Comfortable seating, atmospheric lighting, and greenery can make your outdoor space feel like an additional living room.

Blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors with sliding glass doors or similar design features helps create a cohesive flow, making the most of your property.

Integrating Technology

Smart technology is a powerful tool for enhancing comfort and efficiency in your home. From thermostats that learn your preferences to lighting systems that adjust to your schedule, these innovations ensure your home works for you.

For example, integrating voice-activated assistants or automated blinds can make daily life more convenient. These subtle yet impactful upgrades bring together functionality and modernity without overwhelming your space.

Investing in Quality and Longevity

Transforming your home thoughtfully means focusing on durable, timeless features. High-quality furniture, fixtures, and materials not only enhance your home’s appearance but also ensure it stands the test of time.

Classic designs, such as solid wood furniture or neutral tones, create a versatile foundation that can adapt to changing trends. This investment in quality reduces the need for frequent replacements, making it a more sustainable choice.

Adding Personal Touches

Ultimately, what makes a home feel special are the personal touches that reflect your story. A gallery wall showcasing family photos or travel souvenirs adds character, while heirlooms or handmade items carry sentimental value.

These unique elements turn a house into a home, offering comfort and familiarity that can’t be replicated.

Conclusion

Transforming your home with thoughtful enhancements is about more than aesthetics—it’s about creating a space that aligns with your lifestyle and values. With intentional upgrades, your home can become a place that not only meets your needs but also brings joy, comfort, and sustainability into your daily life.

30 December, 2024

Dear Diary | Recap of 2024

Hi, December! 

It's time to bid goodbye to 2024; so I took some quiet moments to revisit the monthly diaries I have penned down here:

❤ May 2024;
❤ June 2024;
❤ July 2024;

I started scribbling down my monthly online diaries since the end of 2022, when I first moved to Singapore. And I am glad that I have been doing it consistently so that it serves as a constant reminder that my two-year journey here has been so colorful and overflowing with happy memories. 

You can see the snapshots of the previous years here:

❤ 2023: Recap of 2023

Let's go to the highlights of the months in 2024:

January | Thank you Hong Kong for the memories. 

20.01.2024 - 24.01.2024 | 2024 started with a quick getaway to Hong Kong for the SCHKM 2024 10km run. I am glad that I get to experience it at least once in my lifetime, running under the cold weather while beating my personal best time there. 

February | Valentine's Date Night 

16.02.2024 | It was a sweet and romantic French-Japanese Valentine's dinner in the Michelin-starred Whitegrass. But what made this evening more meaningful was that you made me believe in us once again. You and I. You gave me the courage to overcome the heartbreak and put my heart out to love amidst the vulnerabilities.

March | The birthday staycay

26.03.2024 | This marked the first time of me putting up a proper birthday celebration for you. The gift, the cake and our little hand-drawn photograph. Hope that you will remember this for a long, long time. 

April | SH for Shanghai 

10.04.2024 - 15.04.2024 | This marked our second overseas trip together; simply because I once told you that I wanted to travel the world and explore new places with you. Hence, unlocking a new destination for my travel diary - Shanghai during springtime. The weather was lovely, the food was amazing, the technology was mind-blowing. Thanks for bringing me here :) 

May | My first Microsoft certification 

15.05.2024 | Completed my weeks-long PL-900 - Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals course and certification, which I hope would be helpful for the future career. Looking forward to more learning opportunities in 2025. 

June | Osaka-Kyoto-Nara 

07.06.2024 - 15.06.2024 | Early summer in Japan. It feels like home, when breathing the crisp air in Japan. The highlight of this early summer trip was the 3D2N ryokan stay in Amanohashidate and Ine (known as "Kyoto by the Sea") - bringing me peace and serenity by the ocean. 

July | The unexpected adventure in Manila 

12.07.2024 - 14.07.2024 | Tagging along for his work trip was fun as I probably would never pick Manila as a travel destination. 

Dubbed as one of the riskiest cities in Asia, Manila is often a less preferred travel destination, and I honestly had my doubts before travelling there. But hey, it turned out to be such a great, pleasant experience. The 64-hectare Spanish Walled City of Intramuros, is the main highlight of the trip. Here we get to explore the museums and churches, try out local cuisines and stroll along vintage streets which are kept untouched by the winds of modernisation. The star attractions here include Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila Museum, Rizal Shrine, and San Agustin Church & Museum. Good to spend a weekend here for a Spanish cultural experience! 

P/S: It was also my first trip without braces! So happy to have completed the 1.5 year braces journey :)

August | The exam 

27.08.2024 | Completed my Income Tax Programme: Level 2! And will soon be qualified as an Accredited Tax Practitioner (ATP). Looking forward to achieving the next goal of being an Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA).

September | Spreading my love for Chiba 

08.09.2024 | Matta Fair 2024 @ MITEC. Happy to be sharing my Japan travel experience on stage and promoting Chiba prefecture in such a huge public event! And thank you for the opportunity and trust on me thus far. 

September | Sawadeeka, Phuket! 

27.09.2024 - 30.09.2024 | Impromptu trip to Phuket, just to clear away the stress during the work peak period. Happy to be able to stay in the famous The Memory at On On Hotel in Phuket Old Town and explore the Michelin guide restaurants around the area. Thanks for the new memories created in Phuket after the last birthday trip there in 2023. 

October | CIMB Great Green Run 2024 

12.10.2024 | My first 5km official run in Singapore. I really liked the unique finisher's medal which was made from recycled wood and wool from Bhutan. Green is the future! 

November | The birthday princess 

13.11.2024 | The birthday month was filled with loads of happy surprises including the celebratory dinner in the French ol' chapel Claudine Restaurant. And a bottle of Hibiki whiskey to celebrate this special occasion. 

15.11.2024 - 18.11.2024 | The birthday celebration continued with a well-planned trip to Macau. Thanks for planning such great itinerary albeit having a hectic job. My last trip to Macau was in 2017, and so many things have changed since! Happy to be back for the traditional Macanese food, historical landmarks and new places of attraction. 

December | Goodbye, my beloved Mama 

16.12.2024 | December started with a bad news from home, which I rushed to the hospital to accompany Mama for a week plus before she decided to leave us after fighting against cancer for the past 9 months. Honestly, I was so busy sorting out the hospital bill matter and funeral arrangement that I realised I didn't stop and grief for the loss. Until the cremation took place and we concluded the ceremony with sea burial, I could really feel the loss of Mama who had devoted her entire life for the family. 

The person who made sure I am always well fed, well groomed and well educated, the person whom I poured my secrets and daily stories to, the person who knew me inside out, is now gone forever. But the fond memories shall remain in the heart. We will love you forever. 

❤ ❤ 
2024 in a nutshell

As the year comes to a close and a new year begins, let's have some time to pause and reflect on the year that was filled with enormous growth, challenging times and above all, love beyond my wildest dreams.

Dear self, 
I hope you notice how much you have grown, how much you have achieved and how much you have learned. I hope you find the courage to forgive yourself for any mistakes you made along the way and release the feeling of guilt that creeps in just because you didn't get to do it best during the year. I hope you are not fearful of trusting the process moving forward, just like how you did in the past. Above all, I hope you have the courage to begin again with a new year, and continue to be kind and gentle with yourself in all parts of your journey.

Thank you 2024,
I am grateful for all that have transpired,
Excited for all that are yet to come.   

❤ ❤ 

Have a blessed 2025 ahead!

xoxo,
FiSh
31.12.2024

28 December, 2024

[HOTEL REVIEW] Hotel Central Macau - 澳門新中央酒店

Happy birthday to me 

It was my 32nd birthday, and we decided to make a trip to Macau for a birthday getaway. One of the highlights of this celebratory trip is the accommodation that we chose - Hotel Central Macau (澳門新中央酒店) - which I would rate 11/10! Let me tell you why...

Newly opened in July 2024, Hotel Central Macau has one of the best locations in town. Situated next to Senado Square which is few minutes walk away from the Ruins of St. Paul, the hotel allows easy access to the one of the busiest areas in the city. We love how convenient it is for us to look for food and do our souvenir shopping. 

Hotel lobby - so elegant and tastefully furnished.

Convenience aside, I truly fall in love with the exquisitely luxurious decor of this elegant, retro-style hotel located in a hundred-year-old heritage building. Reflecting the local rich culture, the design of the hotel encompasses the essence of Macau across different eras, including the vintage charm of the 1920s, the classic sophistication of the 1930s, and the timeless elegance of the 1940s. 

Look at the timeless, elegant details at the lift area!

"Elegant Room" on the 8th floor

Different floors offer different themes, and our Elegant Room located on the 8th floor features the 1930s theme, reflecting the historical imprint of Macau from a century ago. Decorative elements include vintage newspapers and magazines, as well as Western and Minnan-style window decorations  fill up the sleeping area, evoking a sense of charm and history.

Although the room size is approximately 25m², it is comfortable enough for two persons while allowing some space for luggage. 

Since it was my birthday, the hotel team had generously done up some bed decoration. Thank you for the lovely gesture! 

And a surprise birthday cake from the hotel too!
Thank you for the amazing hospitality 

The bath area is one of my favourites too!

Vibrant colored tiles in the bathroom complement the nostalgic elements in the sleeping area, creating a timeless atmosphere. Similar to the room, it features low-key and luxurious artistic lightings as well as mottled copper accessories and paraphernalia from the yesteryears. 

At the minibar, we spotted the manual coffee grinder and kettle which look equally elegant and nostalgic.

I was amused by the retro phone - it is actually functioning!

Here comes the best part - the view from the room.

Each room offers a unique view, whether it be the iconic Ruins of St. Paul, the historic Inner Harbour, or the famous street of Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. We were so lucky as our room offered the best unobstructed view of the Ruins of St. Paul. Waking up to this view was indeed a bliss. 

Our view from the room after the sky turns dark...

The hotel reception area is also a great photo spot - as it is filled with decors to showcase Macao’s profound history. The hotel even includes public spaces such as the "Historical Cultural Corridor" and the "Historical Sightseeing Promenade" for a glimpse of Macau's rich history.  

Night view from the rooftop of the hotel.

Standing on the 11th floor of the hotel, we were at the rooftop where we managed to enjoy the beautiful night view of Macau city from various angles. The city was so peaceful and calm in the evening.

Thank you Macau for the memories 

❤ ❤ 
Overall Verdict: 11/10 

We were truly amazed by the facade, cleanliness, location and hospitality offered by Hotel Central Macau. Definitely a great place to stay when you travel to Macau be it for business or leisure purposes.  

Hotel Central Macau
Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, No. 270, Macao.

For more information, please visit:

01 December, 2024

[FOOD] Claudine - Michelin Guide French Restaurant @ Singapore


Happy Birthday (to me)!  

It was such a blessing to be able to celebrate yet another birthday in Singapore, and this round, in a highly raved Michelin Guide French restaurant - Claudine

Claudine is a classic French brasserie, a sister restaurant of the famed Odette (located in National Gallery Singapore), the home of a 1930s restored colonial chapel tucked away atop Dempsey Hill, with an open kitchen at one end and a bar at the other.  

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a warm and cosy ambiance of the restaurant, coupled with the attention-to-detail service from the waitstaff. It felt like an intimate space there, suitable for small group dining over wine and bubbles.  

Tucked at one end of the restaurant is the bar counter with bottles on it, in front of a stained glass window. Perfect spot for beautiful pictures before the sky turns dark!

The thoughtfully crafted French fare offered here is something that I have been hearing great things about. And I am so glad to sample some of the comforting French classics here. 

Complimentary House Bread with Iberico Pork Butter

We were welcomed with a basket of complimentary house bread (refillable) served with very rich and heavy slab of Iberico Pork Butter. The butter definitely stole the show, thanks to its rich, nutty flavour. 

French Snails in Garlic Butter
"Nomade des Jardins" snails, pink garlic, croûtons

For the entrĂ©e, we were smitten by the bite-sized French escargots drenched in garlic butter, served on a crispy thin crouton. The combination of light, flaky pastry and savoury escargot filling gave us a rich, flavourful experience.

Pacific Black Cod
Ratte potatoes, Bordier seaweed butter, coquillages

Moving on to the main course, we loved the way the chef transformed the rich and delicate black cod into sweet-savory deliciousness. The intensely rich, buttery flavour was simply amazing, especially when complemented with the unique nutty flavour from the Ratte potato.


Brown Mushroom and Morels Ravioli
Parsley puree, old sherry vinegar, parmesan, pine nut

The showstopper of the evening was the vegetarian-friendly ravioli which the flavours were already outstanding, and needed nothing more than a light drizzle of vinegar, some pine nuts and a sprinkle of parmesan. I gotta say this is the best ravioli I ever had in my life!  

Here comes the birthday surprise....

Thanks to my love for arranging the celebratory cake on this special occasion. Made with chocolate joconde, cocoa nibs feuilletine, almond streusel, vanilla tonka crĂ©meux, guanaja chocolate mousse and exotic jelly; the birthday cake was a pure indulgence on its own. 


The staff even offered to take a photograph of us and printed the hardcopy photograph for us to take home as a piece of memory. Thanks for the impeccable service; it perfected our dining experience here. 

Thank you for the beautiful memories. 

Claudine Restaurant
39C Harding Road,
Singapore 249541.


Business Hours:
11:30-15:00
18:00-22:00

30 November, 2024

Dear Diary | November 2024 Edition


November; a month full of blessing and love.  

Hi, November! ❤ November has been a magical month. Time flew by so quickly with great memories created each and every day, albeit the ever pressing timeline at work. Nevertheless, I had a blissful November. P.S.: November marks my two years work anniversary here. 

Weekend in Hvala

02.11.2024 | Spending the weekend in my favourite green tea parlour. is one of the relaxing things to do after a long week at work. Blessed to be able to have simple weekend like this. 

Kafe Utu, Singapore's uniquely African cafĂ© and lounge 

03.11.2024 | First time trying out African food and it blew my mind! The African diverse flavours were exciting to me as we tucked into the Liberian Peanut Chicken Stew and Smoked Pork Belly with Spiced Double Mustard Sauce along with a cup of Peanut Butter Latte. The dishes were so robust in flavours! 

June Coffee @ Joo Chiat

09.11.2024 | A day of exploring Katong and Joo Chiat. It is one of the first few places I went when I first came to Singapore two years ago. Revisiting the colorful shophouses, street art and Katong Antique House gave a different feeling now.

And we stumbled upon the much hyped cafe - June Coffee - which is famous for the French toast. The Berry Cheesecake French Toast was a pleasant surprise as the thick slice of brioche toast was very fluffy, and the toppings of ricotta cheese, strawberries and blueberries were so generous. Lovin' the drizzle of raspberry sauce for a sweet flavour.

Blessed bithday |  

13.11.2024 |  This year's birthday celebration was beyond magical. Thank you for showering me with loads of love, care and affection. ❤ 

Claudine, the quintessential French restaurant 

Being able to celebrate my 32nd birthday in Claudine was a privilege. The food, ambiance and service here were top-notch, which perfected my dining experience here. They even gifted us a printed photograph of us to take home. Thanks for the beautiful memories. 

......and the celebration continued.

Thank you for the unforgettable memories. 
The birthday month hasn't been so beautiful before.

❤ ❤ 
xoxo,
FiSh
30.11.2024
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