Penny's Daybook | www.PennysDaybook.com http://www.pennysdaybook.com Thu, 03 May 2012 06:28:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Learn to Read Korean in 15 Minutes http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/05/learn-korean-in-15-minutes/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/05/learn-korean-in-15-minutes/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 06:21:10 +0000 Penny C http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15176 The human race can do many things. We’ve landed on the moon, advocated change and succeeded, and most recently, we’re aiming to learn a language in the shortest time possible – 15 minutes. Brought to us by the wonderful people at 9gag, let’s learn to read Korean in 15 minutes.

 

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/05/learn-korean-in-15-minutes/feed/ 0 15 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle of Insanity http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/04/15-ways-to-maintain-a-healthy-lifestyle-of-insanity/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/04/15-ways-to-maintain-a-healthy-lifestyle-of-insanity/#comments Sat, 14 Apr 2012 07:00:49 +0000 Penny C http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15160 Insanity’s a creep. Insanity’s a weirdo. What the hell is it doing here? (Thanks, Radiohead.)

You step out into life and when it spins out of control, insanity steps in, pushes you aside and spins it even more deliriously. So what do you do? Nothing. Resistance is futile. Let insanity have its fun. Allow it to bestow you with a slightly deranged mind. Insanity hasn’t conned us, with 15 ways it has convinced us to maintain a healthy lifestyle of c-c-crazy.

1. Give a sinister smirk at everything everyone says.

2. Remind your family (preferably the kids) that a homicidal clown has been taking residency in their wardrobe. It’s something they should know.

3. Don’t walk. Skip as often as possible.

4. When someone asks you for a favor, ask if they want fries with that.

5. Ignorethespacebar.

6. Dont forget to write without punctuation

7. Skip 8.

8. Jump over 7.

9. Don’t say you’re sleepy. Say you’d like to lay on the bed in a certain degree of consciousness.

10. Get your colleagues to address you by your fantasy name, Sh’daror Oeooeea. When they do so at your desk, have them strike the table gong first.

11. Order diet water with a straight face.

12. Wind down the window of the car you’re in yell, “HELP ME!!” when your friend drives by crowded areas.

13. Sit in your parked car with sunglasses on, eat a sandwich slowly and point a blow-dryer at passing cars.

14. Whisper over the phone.

15. Look intently and nod knowingly at the person talking to you and when they’re done, walk away.

At the end of the day, these tips will allow the people around you to be irritable, but not murderous enough to want to skin you alive or call the men in white laboratory coats to take you away. Live crazy and prosper.

Image source: We Heart It

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/04/15-ways-to-maintain-a-healthy-lifestyle-of-insanity/feed/ 0 Street Slick: April Flowers http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/04/street-slick-april-flowers/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/04/street-slick-april-flowers/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2012 04:41:13 +0000 Penny C http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15141 Spring is here and floral prints are big this season! To complement the friendly sun, you’ve got to dress the part. But because we know that our readers are an ingenious bunch, there really are no ground rules on how to wear floral.

If you must know the habitual tips for wearing floral prints, they are:

1. Don’t clash with 2 or more flora prints  (Unless you can pull it off like Kryz U).

2. Infuse color blocks. Complement those petals with strong blocks of color ( Eraser Y. does the opposite pretty well, though).

3. Match them with pastel colors (Not true if you are Christoffer J.).

4. Accessorize light (Meh. Take a look at Camille C.).

SO. How are you going to wear flowers this season?

 Kryz U., 22 year old Blogger/ Creative Director from Manila / Cebu

Camille C., 23 year old Fashion Designer/Blogger from Manila

Bebe Z., 18 year old bete noire from Las Vegas

 Konstantina T., girl from athens but living in rome

Shea M., 25 year old Fashion Blogger from West Hollywood, CA

Eraser Y., 25 year old fashion designer from Tante katze’s playground

Edward H., 18 year old Hombre from San Diego

Peter A., Aspiring Artist/Actor/Dancer/Model from Los Angeles

  Reinaldo I., 26 year old Fashion Stylist from Los Angeles, CA

 Roberto B., photographer from Germany

Mika K., 18 year old Dreamer from Finland

Christoffer J., 19 year old Art student + Blogger from Sweden

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/04/street-slick-april-flowers/feed/ 0 The Story of The Merlion http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/the-story-of-the-merlion/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/the-story-of-the-merlion/#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:27:12 +0000 Penny C http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15107 As I sat and watched Sentosa, The Story of the Merlion by Lydia I was a bitter fistful of “Darn it. Why couldn’t we learn history this way too?” Lydia retells the story of how Prince Sang Nila Utama discovered this little island called Singapura (Lion City) with fresh animation. She fascinates viewers by blending distinctive digital composites to create this visually enticing story. Great job there, Lydia!

So sit back and set your imagination into play as the story of the Merlion unfolds.

 




Sentosa || The story of the Merlion from Lydia on Vimeo.

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/the-story-of-the-merlion/feed/ 0 15 Minimalistic Fairy Tale Posters http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/15-minimalistic-fairy-tale-posters/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/15-minimalistic-fairy-tale-posters/#comments Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:45:50 +0000 Penny C http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15085 I don’t have a favorite fairy tale. I have many favorite fairy tales.  Which can be a problem because I can never properly decide which is a better story to share with kids when I met them.  But what I can be thankful for is that these childhood companions are sheathed in ageless wisdom for every reader. And to sweeten the deal, these 15 minimalistic fairy tale posters by Christian Jackson are just the accompaniment those timeless stories need.

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/15-minimalistic-fairy-tale-posters/feed/ 0 Dress Sense: rent, buy, or rent first & buy later http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/dress-sense-rent-buy-or-rent-first-buy-later/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/dress-sense-rent-buy-or-rent-first-buy-later/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:20:58 +0000 Penny K http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15064 By Penny K

If you have an upcoming party, wedding or company dinner and you’ve asked yourself the perennial “what to wear” question, you should be so glad you’ve chanced upon this article.

Unlike celebrities who have stylists, a whole lot of designers dying to dress them, and plenty money, mere mortals like you and I need to fix ourselves up and we need to do it fast, affordably and well.

A good place to do this at is Dress Sense. Centrally located at Raffles City (#03-29A), Dress Sense’s innovative retail concept gives customers the option to buy or rent, or rent first & buy later from an extensive multi-label collection of evening gowns, occasion wear and accessories such as evening clutches and jewellery.

 

 

 

 

 

New Inge Christopher Clutches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Liquid Metal Bracelets and Earrings

 

 

Dress Sense stocks a large collection of international occasion wear labels including Jovani, Adrianna Papell and Nicole Bakti. The latest collections at Dress Sense are from Inge Christopher and Liquid Metal. Inge Christopher’s collection comprises delectable evening bags and clutches and Liquid Metal adds attitude to any outfit with its line of rock chick bracelets and earrings.

Incidentally, Dress Sense is running an irresistible promotion where you can enjoy 10% off purchase of new styles from Inge Christopher, Liquid Metal and Choo Yilin Jewellery from now till 31 March 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Badgley Mischka Bangle Watch; Jos + Rachel Dress

 

We checked out Dress Sense and saw some things we really liked. We highly recommend the understated beauty of dresses by local designers Jos + Rachel and the range of fancy but classy Badgley Mischka timepieces – or, as we’d like to call them, “bangles that tell the time”.

What we really liked too was the service – service staff is genuinely happy to help with picking out a dress to suit your occasion, silhouette and budget. It never hurts having a second opinion. We also liked the roomy changing rooms that come fully fitted with heels so you can simulate added height and have a feel of what you will look like on the actual day of the occasion.

Buy, rent, rent-first-buy-later: how it works

Dress Sense obviously loves spoiling their customers for choice and they do so by offering various retail options!

1. Buy a brand new piece at full price or a rented/pre-loved piece at a lower price. A sophisticated pricing system allows Dress Sense to automatically mark down the price of each piece each time it is rented out.

2. Rent a piece for 2 weeks at a fraction of the full purchase price. To rent, you will have to pay the full purchase price first. When the outfit is returned, the difference between the purchase and rental price is returned. The rental period is 2 weeks.

A note on extensions: If a customer wishes to keep her piece for a little longer, she can extend the rental by another 2 to 4 weeks by paying the rental fee again. Alternatively, she can pay the late penalty fee, which would come up to less than an extension but only if she needs to keep the dress for only a few more days.

3. Rent first & buy later. Like your dress so much you want to keep it? No problem. Since you would have paid the full price for the rented item in the beginning, no amount needs to be topped up. Simply send an email to info@dress-sense.sg or call +65-6333-0329 to request for purchase and the rental deposit you paid will be kept with Dress Sense as purchase payment.

For just a fraction of the original prices of designer labels, you could look great – even if just for a night. And if you like the look so much, you could buy it later. It’s your choice from the dress selection down to the purchase or rental of the dress. There’s a lot of room for flexibility and style at Dress Sense!

Dress Sense is located at #03-29A Raffles City.
For more information, visit www.dress-sense.sg.
Follow Dress Sense on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/dress.sense.

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/dress-sense-rent-buy-or-rent-first-buy-later/feed/ 0 Life is an empty cup, fill it with what you wish: A review of the “Guru of Chai” http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/life-is-an-empty-cup-fill-it-with-what-you-wish-a-review-of-the-guru-of-chai/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/life-is-an-empty-cup-fill-it-with-what-you-wish-a-review-of-the-guru-of-chai/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:33:09 +0000 Penny K http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15056 By Isaac Bosque
Guest Contributor

“Big head, think more; small eyes, better concentration; big ears, listen more; small mouth, talk less; big stomach, digest all that is good and bad” — this is just some of the wisdom sprinkled throughout the Guru of Chai, co-presented by the Singapore Repertory Theatre and the acclaimed Indian Ink Theatre Company of New Zealand. The Guru of Chai is a humourous yet bittersweet journey through some of life’s biggest lessons from the perspective of a humble chai vendor — Kutisar, the Guru of Chai.

Malaysian-born New Zealand stage actor Jacob Rajan plays the Guru, as well as every other spoken role in the script. Voicing an entire cast on one’s own is no easy feat, but Rajan manages to pull it off with the dexterity of a multi-armed Hindu deity on the back of a mouse (Ganesha is referenced frequently throughout the play). The character transitions were also seamless and sufficiently convincing, ensuring the spotlight remained exclusively on each character at the moment of their portrayal.

The presence of the fourth wall also lent itself to many of the play’s humourous moments. Rajan’s candid interaction with a delighted audience elicited bouts of appreciative laughter, in response to Kutisar’s coaxing of a prized parrot from the back row of the theatre and his grandiose attempt at housebreaking. In another mesmerizing scene, Kutisar’s recounting of the troubles faced by the sisters’ failure to conceive was artfully illustrated by the subtleness of his sleight of hand.

After a whirlwind journey through the streets of Bangalore and cosmopolitan New Delhi with its Starbucks outlets, in the end we are told that the answer to life’s questions may perhaps lie in a little detachment: our attachment to things and people being beautiful in its fleetingness but cruel in its repercussion. The Guru reveals that each of our lives is an empty cup, and it is up to us to fill it as we wish. Who we are and become is simply what we make of ourselves.

Nevertheless, the complexities of this philosophical circuitry should not detract from what is undoubtedly a highly enjoyable performance. And while the more pensive in the audience are free to indulge in some soul-searching, the humour in Rajan’s multifaceted portrayal of the Guru is there to be appreciated by all.

Guru of Chai is currently playing at DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT till the 17th of March. Tickets available from SISTIC.

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/life-is-an-empty-cup-fill-it-with-what-you-wish-a-review-of-the-guru-of-chai/feed/ 0 Guru of Chai and Krishnan’s Dairy http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/guru-of-chai-and-krishnans-dairy/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/guru-of-chai-and-krishnans-dairy/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:06:46 +0000 Penny K http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15045 With sold out performances in 2011, Singapore Repertory Theatre and New Zealand’s acclaimed Indian Ink Theatre Company are proud to bring back Guru of Chai in repertory with Krishnan’s Dairy this month.

Guru of Chai

Once a millennium there comes a teacher who awakens us all to the power of the divine. But if you can’t wait that long, book an audience with the Guru of Chaii! A spiritual leader who will sell you a cup of tea, charm you with his infectious smile, and take away all that is wrong with your life. Enlightenment is at hand.

A poor chaiwallah’s (tea seller’s) life is changed forever when a young girl is abandoned at a busy railway station and brings the place to a standstill with the beauty of her singing. An honest young policeman falls hopelessly in love with her but is rejected in favour of a disreputable poet. The contradictions of modern India with its iPhones and ancient gods form the backdrop to this story about the dangers of keeping your soul locked in a cage.

“Award winning actor Jacob Rajan combines with musician David Ward to bring this intimate epic to life. Outrageously funny and heartbreakingly beautiful,  the “Guru’s magical elements all add up to a very captivating, moving piece of theatre.”
- Kate Ward Smythe, Theatreview

Till 17 March at DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT. $40 – $55. Tickets available from SISTIC.

Krishnan’s Dairy

Krishnan’s Dairy takes two of the most universal Indian clichés – the Taj Mahal and the corner store – and fuses them into a funny and touching love story.

Gobi and Zina Krishnan have moved to New Zealand in search of a better life for themselves and their child. They work hard and keep their dreams stacked on the shelves of their struggling business – Krishnan’s Dairy.

Woven into their story is the epic tale of the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world and an enduring testament to the love of one man for his wife. A love story unfolds behind the counter with hilarious and deeply moving consequences for the hopeful, vulnerable lives of this immigrant shopkeeper and his wife.

Krishnan’s Dairy debuted in 1997 and since then has played to over 47,000, consistently receiving rave reviews and sell out houses. International dates include Edinburgh 1999 where Krishnan’s Dairy sold out at the Traverse Theatre, won a Fringe First Award and Jacob was nominated for Best Actor. Other International seasons include Singapore, and the Ten Days on the Island and Castlemaine State Festivals in Australia.

21 – 31 March at DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT. $40 – $55. Tickets available from SISTIC.

We’re giving away tickets to Krishnan’s Dairy, 21 March, 8pm @ DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT! To win:

1) Share the link to this article on your Facebook page / Twitter

2) Screenshot proof of sharing

3) Email the screenshot (words and images visible, please!) with your name, IC number, date of birth, and mailing address to penny@pennysdaybook.com

Hurry, contest closes 19 March 2012.

Images from http://www.indianink.co.nz/

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/guru-of-chai-and-krishnans-dairy/feed/ 0 15 Cupcake Nail Art http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/15-cupcake-nail-art/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/15-cupcake-nail-art/#comments Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:35:10 +0000 Penny C http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15024 Who would have thought? 15 cupcake nail art on display! Doesn’t matter how long this beauty trend’s been going because there’s still so much fuss over pretty cupcake nails. We have to give it to them – putting all that effort into decorating nails with precision, taste and colour is quite the feat.

Steady hands, here we go!

All images from We Heart It.

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]]> http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/15-cupcake-nail-art/feed/ 0 The Argyle Hotel http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/the-argyle-hotel/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.pennysdaybook.com/2012/03/the-argyle-hotel/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:44:49 +0000 Penny V http://www.pennysdaybook.com/?p=15009

I was recently in Sydney for a quick trip and spent a little bit more time by The Rocks, which is a rather touristy spot, but home to The Argyle Hotel. I had gone there thinking it would be like any of the other pubs, but it definitely wasn’t that. Featuring a mash-up of modern design against traditional architecture – it has a cobblestoned courtyard! – it was definitely tres chic and not pretentious.

Featuring 5 diverse bars, it offers live entertainment, great DJs and fantastic cocktails and food. Not usually a big fan of cocktails, liking to keep things simple, the menu had me salivating. Apparently I had come at just the right time because they had just debuted some new creations!

The Red Velvet, was my first choice with its Vodka, Chambord and apple liqueur combo.  Wonderfully sweet, it was still a rather refreshing way to start the evening.

Asking for a recommendation, one of the many attractive bartenders, Stan, recommended the Ciderbite. Filled with Stolichnaya Vanil Vodka, Green apple liqueur, muddled lemons and caramel sauce in a highball it was topped with sparkling apple cider and was absolutely divine. A similar cocktail would be the Apple Crumble, which would complement the end of your meal (they serve dinner too) as a dessert!

I had wanted to try their featured cocktail, which looked absolutely yummy with Monkey Shoulder Whiskey, Lillet, elderflower cordial, apple juice, lemon sugar and a splash of bitters, but one of the ingredients was unfortunately unavailable. Not wanting to disappoint though, Stan had asked what I liked and concocted something for me right there and then.

Now if that doesn’t make you stay, I’m not sure what will. I was definitely sold for the night. Great cocktails and service, the nibbles weren’t too pricey and a fab chill-out ambience, the chance to meet new people and start your party night at The Argyle is definitely a choice you won’t regret.

So if you haven’t been before or in a while and if you’re looking for a place to get your drink on, head to The Argyle!

18 Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9247 5500
www.theargylerocks.com
http://www.facebook.com/TheArgyleRocks

Check out this special: 2 for 1 cocktails, every Thursday night, from 5pm – 8pm
It’s a lovely place to meet new people, so leave the berms and flip flops at home!

THE ROCKS

Home to numerous historical sandstone buildings (which is how it got its name) from the 1780′s, it is close to Circular Quay and offers views of the iconic Harbour Bridge. The area comes alive on the weekend, which is when 100 stalls are set up for The Rocks Market. During the week though, you can visit a variety of art galleries, craft stores and themed pubs.

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