Jazz by the Beach, Cool Deck, Sentosa

For those people out there who's big on jazz, here's something you wouldn't wanna miss!

Take the shuttle to the last station on the Siloso Beach trail and you'll find yourself Cool Deck, a cosy Carribean-like hut which houses a bar and an alfresco dining area.

This is one part of Singapore which allows you to enjoy three things. Jazzy tunes, sea breezes and a laid back dining environment.

Personality Test: Just How Haute Are You?

Thank God it’s Friday!

A personality test to kickstart the weekend!
Scorecard: (a)=1point (b)=2points (c)=3points
Come on, you can do some mental maths. Here goes.

1. You are pretty much thrashed out from your daily work grind, and taking a vacation is probably on your to-do list. You would most likely buy air tickets to:
(a) Scotland, because nothing excites you more than cows, sheep, men in Burberry skirts – all gazing on the grass like what they do in Tamil movies
(b) Bali, because you love the feel of your almost naked body being sprawled on the beach, with 2 succulent coconuts within arms reach
(c) New York, because you love the buzz of metropolitan city life, the adrenaline rush along Wall St. and the lush greeneries along Fifth avenue. Just like how Sarah Jessica Parker does it.

2. You have just arrived home from work and u reach towards the handle of your fridge. What would you find?
(a) A stash of instant microwavable frozen food which you bought in bulk from Carrefour
(b) Fresh meat and vegetables from the neighbourhood grocer
(c) The phone number of a swanky restaurant that does take-away that comes in garnish that you’d probably not eat anyways

3. You're one of the "LOST" survivors (yes, I'm talking about that sadistic TV series). You are searchin’ for things which have survived the plane crash - the first thing you are searching for is:
(a) Airplane food la - life's necessity rite?!
(b) Your luggage which contains your beach shorts, shades & your entire Biotherm facial range. Cos it's important to look HOT when you are being rescued from your misery
(c) That bottle of Moet Chandon along the first class aisle - you're not gonna survive anyway so might as well be sinful before you meet your Creator

4. You were given $2000 to spend on a new mobile phone, cos’ you jus drowned yours in one of the most aromatic toilet bowl and you’re not about to fish it out with your bare hands! You will most probably get the:
(a) Nokia's most basic model – cos’ you don't believe in spending on technology, a phone is still a phone
(b) Blackberry Bold – cos’ meetings are overflowing and post-its just won't do. Plus, it’s sleek and has a touch of fuck-you eccentricity
(c) Apple iPhone – which isn’t exactly a phone, but you want it because it’s got every single programme that is downloadable from iTunes. Who cares about the price, it has that cool factor that can cure your inferiority complex

5. It's an emergency and your friend needs to get whole of you during the weekend. Your battery's flat! They will most probably find you at:
(a) The gym - cos you're so overly and utterly obsessed with sculpting your body in effort to look like a Greek God, so that you can wear that piece of thong you bought at the recent Isetan sale. After all, you’ve paid a bomb for that gym membership, might as well use it
(b) A jazz bar or a coffee joint – since you like to take the weekend at slower strides, sipping a cuppa latte and catching up with your buddies
(c) The latest Club in town – cos’ you’ll sweep the dance floor clean, just because you have an ass like Ricky Martin's and the moves of Jessica Alba's. Speaking of which, your Porsche is kinda blocking the front entrance

6. The all time classic one: Your mother and better half fell into the ocean whilst fighting over that last piece of rock oyster over the buffet table along the deck of a cruise ship. Who would you save first?
(a) Your mother – cos’ she freaking gave birth to you and made you the product of the winning sperm! And your Dad would probably drown you if you didn't!
(b) Both - but you probably figured that you would be the first to sink, when they start climbing over you like a heaven sent wooden plank. So, you being a smarty pants, would just throw 3 floats and a bottle of champagne before you jump in to safe them. Btw, the champagne bottle is for you to knock them out till you get rescued to avoid further bitch-fights
(c) Your better half – cos’ you never believed in infidelity and without him/her, your next best friend is either your right hand or a vibrator. Plus, why would you allow that $50k Tiffany&Co. wedding ring sink into the deep deep ocean. Save the better half, save the ring.


Results time!

0-6 points: You are one prudent and practical being. You work hard, save hard and invest even harder, just so that you can retire much earlier than half of the world’s population that is currently living day-to-day. Who ever said that you require moolah to enjoy life’s finest?!

7-12 points: You have haute habits in you. As much as you work hard, you intend to reward yourself by enjoying good food and exploring great escapes - all within your means. We welcome you to the club!

13-18 points: Paris Hilton is your best friend and you are probably featured a number of times on the same issue of Tatler. You have “materialistic” printed on your forehead, which is in addition to the various LV monograms which are accessorising different parts of your body. But we at Haute Habits acknowledge positivity in almost everything. Do contact us if you feel charitable.

Audi is a growing premium brand in Singapore!

In Singapore, Audi has been the fastest growing premium brand with more than 35 percent growth for the past three years. So what's next?

Audi Singapore will be forging ahead with new models in 2009. Among those that will arrive are the Audi Q5, the Audi A3 Cabriolet and A5 Cabriolet, Audi S3 Sportback, and the heart-stopping Audi R8 V10.

Source: Audi Singapore

BMWs, Too Fast, Too Furious

This week, we take coverage on a BMW Forum gathering at the McDonald's Drive-In close to Mountbatten Road, Singapore. Here's what you need to do...

Definitely an after-effect of watching replays of the Fast & Furious series. Meanwhile, enjoy the sights!

The BMW M3

The Ahimsa - a Bali villa

So, I'm a fan of boutique-anything. However, yours truly here must carefully check her dear budget, because as you know, boutique-anything can cost from "expensive" to "freakin'-out-of-reach".

I am a big fan of Bali, especially the Seminyak area. So when I go there I always hunt for villas with good bargains.

Just recently, i stayed at The Ahimsa villas with a few girlfriends. Thus, dividing the cost between us four, which made it a bargain per person.

Presenting the entrance to our mini mansion..

The dining room and the living room..

They have 1-4 bedroom villas. Each can spaciously accomodate 2 people. The beds are cozy and the room overlooks your own patch of greens.

Outdoor bathroom. I've checked around, no worries, there's no CCTV here.

The lovely breakfast ladies always ready for us every morning..

Cosy bedrooms, living room and cooking quarter PLUS they cooked us an array of breakfast. Add to that, a private pool just enough to chill with your own posse.

Villa?

Checked!

Now we're ready for an adventure..

The Ahimsa
In three different locations. So take your pick!

Mimolette this Easter?

Welcome to the loveliness that's Mimolette.

Location-wise, you just can't beat the quietness and the greens, combined with the "oh-so-equestrian-of-you" feel from The Saddle Club.

The restaurant serves New American mixed with traditional French menus. In laymen terms, they serve beautiful brunch staples such as french toasts and hotcakes to lunch menus like burgers (with wagyu of course!) and the famous corned beef hash.

This place doesn't have to be all feminine, check out the bar ;)

Not only the foods are lovely and hearty, but this place is way charming in late mornings and evenings.

Get yourself away with your lucky bunny from the city's hustle and bustle this Easter weekend and tuck yourself into the Hampton-like Mimolette.

Happy Easter! :)

Price: S$30-S$40 per person

Mimolette
55 Fairway Drive
Singapore 286864
Reservations: 6467 7748

The Mid-Week Syndrome

Welcome back to this part of the century, when space is truly an issue and claustrophobia has become Asia's new epidemic. And for all you workaholics out there, you know what we are yapping about if you are confined within your lil three-by-three cubicle reading this (concentrate at work, you idiot!). And of course, that piece of thing that you are sitting on rite now, ... swivels ... , because your boss prefers if you were to stay within your workspace. By that, he means that he wants that proposal done yesterday.

Back to Space. The new profound insanity of humans over-copulating, just because buying condoms over the counter can be most embarassing when the lady cashier snickers as she beeps your box-of-three pass the red beam, mountained by a few cartons of toothpaste and hairgel used as decoy. And just because the existence of male-sluts suddenly became overwhelming. Just because...

A massive problem? Ahh.. duh! Because when you think you have escaped from the bumper-2-bumper fiasco along Federal Highway or even AYE, the subway made packed sardines count their blessings. (The Fabulous One likes to think she's THE gourmet sardine, all in the name of Haute thinking). It's just a matter of time before one of us get bitchslapped by women on the subway. Yes, it is crowded. Yes, you are invading my personal space (and you might think otherwise as well, because you think you're hot and shit). No, we don't believe that contact is very inappropriate with strangers. "No touchy!"

Nevertheless, there is hope people! *Spin the Pearly Gates soundtrack y'all!*. Yes there is. We still have toilets, cubicles where we can calmly sit in there and think! We know we think best in there ... like they say, what goes out, must come in. Yes, the one place that brings back the sanity to all working professionals. Ahhh...bliss.... until your dearest colleague decides to dislocate the toilet bowl, and now my sanctuary is slanted towards the left side (he must be right handed ass wiper, ohhh aren't we all?). Sewage is now constantly leaking and it currently smells like concentrated methane in there.
NO ONE FREAKIN' LIGHTS A MATCH or we will all go down together!

Oh space. Or perhaps its just the mid-week syndrome. Whatever it may be for you, Haute Habits will bring you a wider coverage this week for your long Easter weekend. Just so you can chill, relax, be inspired and enjoy life's finest..

What's Uniqlo?

Haute Habits is all about budget and cool. So we've been anticipating the arrival of high-street Japanese brand Uniqlo, to Singapore's shores.

We've seen the ads in MRT stations, buses, etc etc. And I see hip kids salivating for their stuff. Amidst today's financial turmoil, Uniqlo's sales have been booming!

Expect apparels in bright happy colours. Think of it as though GAP meets Austin Powers. And here's a sneak peak of what they've got installed for you! One more day people!!



This says SOMETHING about the brand, doesn't it?!

Fast & Furious 4

If you ever see more tarted-up Nissan 350Zs and RX8s speeding pass you along the freeway this week, you'd have guessed which movie has just been RELEASED!

Not surprisingly, it has already broken the box office record and grossing US$72.5 million. Also claiming the award for Best Opening in 2009...leaving "Watchmen" to bite the dust. Sweet.



And while that speedster mood is around... Haute Habits managed to pop the hood of the new Nissan Skyline GT-R R35, the one thing that every Asian rice-boy would like to get his hands on...

Just listen to the GT-R's soundtrack ;) Hear the a slight Transformer remix upon ignition!



Watch this space. More fast cars your way!!

Peirce Reservoir, Singapore

This weekend, Haute Habits feature a trip down to one of Singapore's reservoir. No, it's not your average reservoir with a shitful of concrete walls. Take a look for yourself!

Disclaimer: While driving to the reservoir, do not wipe out the entire ecosystem.

Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie

So this is the place to head to if you want a whole VARIETY of baked bread, pastries and chocolates. A picture paints a thousand words...

We call it Macaron frenzy. Canelé calls it the MACARON FESTIVAL, with some limited edition ones that you probably shouldn't miss out! The last time we had macarons done to such perfection was at Sofitel Opera @ Hanoi (this colonial-styled French hotel)... where they entice hotel guests with different flavoured macarons on a daily basis. This could be the next BEST thing.

Three outlets, Robertson Quay, Paragon Orchard and Raffles City Shopping Centre. We'd go for the latter, just because the ambience is so much cosier, especially with the comfy sofas and dim lightings (not to say that it's more romantic lah, but if you going to people watch on a lazy afternoon over a cuppa latte, you'd wanna be discreet about it) ;)

Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie
B1-81/82 Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road

Royal China

Welcome to Royal China. A chic dim sum place with a Tiffany & Co setting and plus, it's located inside Raffles Hotel, THE Singapore institution.

The four of us (Mr Driven, Ms EPL, Mr Hungry and I) had a fah-bu-lous time chatting away while chomping the dimsums. For those of you who have lived in London, you should know Royal China by now... one at Bayswater and the other at Canary Wharf.

Is it as good as the one in London, well... pretty much there! But best of all, the bill came up to to S$61! (Thanks to yours truly, I had a 15% off courtesy of UOB cards). Which equals to about S$15 per person. Kaaahhh-chinng. Now that's Haute!

Royal China at Raffles
Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Tel: 6338 3363

Alexis Bistro, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

Price: RM30-50 per person (and we managed to fit in a Tiramisu!!)

Alexis Bistro
29 Jalan Telawi 3
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2284 2880