#01-05 Shaw Towers, 100 Beach Road, 6396-3887.

Don’t know what to wear for the coming Chinese New Year? Look no further than the chic Tan Tan. This cozy boutique showcases an ultra modern range of fashionable Chinese clothing, manned by the attentive and talented designer Ms. Tan herself. Using Indian batik, silky sari cloths, English country floral and inspirations from vintage couture, each outfit here is unique and refreshing. There’s an outfit for every occasion: Be it a sundress for the garden party, a funky military top for office or an elegant qipao infused with Swarovski crystal.

#02-12G Ngee Ann Citty, 391 Orchard Rd., 6737-3537.

This new Shanghai Tang store is bigger and better. Fans of the luxury label will not want to miss the spanking new 2,500 sq. ft. space, where Chinese-inspired ready-to-wear pieces for men, women and children are stocked side by side a myriad of accessories and homeware items. We especially like the reversible Mongolian cashmere sweater and silk pajamas available here. The new store also boasts dim lighting and stylish black lacquered wood and brass to put you in the mood.

Sexy Accessory

Bring some dazzle to your outfit this party month by hopping onto www.lartichaut.com. The online store stocks some of the most gorgeous accessories from select designers around the world. Some include the talented Disaya Prakobsantisukh from Boudoir and

Erika Pena, who previously worked for Donna Karan and Josie Natori. Be the envy of everyone when you adorn one of the coveted owl gold lockets ($119) by Boudoir or stand out with Pena’s Rossy de Paloma Earrings ($54). Alternatively, you can call 6252-9155 to make an appointment in its showroom at Novena Terrace and view the collection. It’s worth your while.

Time After Time

The latest watch ($169) by Levi’s blends Austin Powers and fuel consumption with its jellybean numbering and speedometer clock face. This psychedelic watch is bold and strategically detailed with rivets and threading. The design is an accessory alone, so time is just an added bonus. In black and white, these babies are available from o.d.m, #09-01, E2Max, Cineleisure, 8 Grange Rd, 6235-8187.

#01-206 Vivocity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6376-9860. Open daily 10am-10pm.

You needn’t be P. Diddy to wear Bling. Modern European inspired pendants, rings and earrings in Asian sizes can be found in this new accessories store at Vivocity. Pretty stones (like rose quartz, tiger eye, onyx, amethyst and white jade) are encased in 925-silver with rhodium plating to achieve that sophisticated look usually found in white gold. “Bling is hip without the hop!” is the slogan for Bling. Want to know why? Check it out for yourself.

#01-24, VivoCity, HabourFront Walk, 6376-9791. Open daily 10am-10pm

Not just another menswear boutique, the first Charles Tyrwhitt store in Asia stocks some of the finest value-for-money business shirts you can find in town. If you think thread counts only apply to bedspreads, think again. The top of the range collection ($279) is made from 100 percent cotton with 180 thread counts. The store resembles a walk-in wardrobe with its built in wooden wardrobes and pigeonhole compartments. Explore other fun Friday shirts or coordinate with other twirly ties and kitschy cufflinks you can find in the store.

So it’s that time of the year again to reflect on the year’s past happenings, count our blessings and, let’s get real here, pray for all the things that we want and don’t have. And, because we love this idiosyncratic and charming city of ours, we really do, we’ve put together our Christmas wish list for what we want for Singapore in the next year that will improve our quality of life—some more life-altering and serious than others. Wish us luck.

This Christmas, we wish for...

1. More public holidays.

2. A less stressful life.

3. A four-day work week.

4. Speeding bullet trains for MRTs. That way we can all get to work on time (if at all).

5. More Singaporeans who know how to play more and work less.

6. Things to happen spontaneously for a change, rather than through a committee, policy or board.

7. Our sweaty, hot little island to be moved several degrees north of the equator, so that we can finally have seasons (and more holidays!).

8. If that’s not possible, move us out further into the open sea so we can have clearer waters and real beaches.

9. More budget airlines so we can go on more holidays.

10. Satellite towns on surrounding islands so there are more places to go to during weekends (and have a holiday!).

11. More sex between couples so we can move up in the world’s sex ranking and be Number One in something that really matters (as opposed to SMS-ing).

12. Another Haji Lane—that’s the closest we’ll ever get to having a cool and funky neighborhood.

13. More smoking areas in alfresco restaurants, since we’ve been inhaling so much of the haze anyway.

14. More theater people in politics—they might as well put all that talking to good use.

15. More appreciation for our local sound artists, since they make cooler white noise than our local opposition parties.

16. More provocative and sexier TV Shows like nip/tuck.

17. An alternative art space dedicated solely to edgy contemporary artworks after the success of the Singapore Biennale.

18. More educated punters who actually care and know about the different genres of music, instead of rushing to see the next big international guest DJ.

19. Another season of Singapore Idol. It’s beyond a doubt the easiest thing in our culture to make fun of, and it makes bus rides that much more fun.

20. Borat to be screened completely uncut.

21. Restaurants that can come up with a new signature dessert that’s not just another warm valhrona chocolate cake.

22. Service staff who would actually benefit from service charges.

23. GST to stop going up.

24. Less pesky shoppers and roadshows at Orchard Road during the weekend.

25. Less pesky flyer distributors at every level of Sim Lim Square or Peranakan Place during the weekend.

26. More taxi drivers who actually know where the Expo and ECP are.

27. More cars in the opposite lanes that will flash their headlights to warn us of traffic police looming ahead like they do on Malaysian highways.

28. Seat belt laws that would actually make more sense. Why don’t lorry passengers have to wear them too?

29. No capital punishment.

30. Peace on Earth and goodwill to all mankind. Failing that, how about the latest Porsche?

Fans of luxury bags will not want to miss the latest edition by fashion house Loewe. Its napa.aire, already creating a buzz in the scene, is one of the most stylish lazy bags we’ve seen in recent memory. There are no rings, no buckles—just plenty of room to store your wallet, handphone and make-up kit, as the bag takes the shape of your contents, literally. Oh, and coupled with cool clasps, made with one hundred percent nappa and a choice of 14 colors to choose from (we like the silver star and black), this is a must-have for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the fashion curve.

#03-12A Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard Rd., 6333-6630.

What started out as a smallish push-cart store has evolved into a boutique space that stocks rare vintage finds. Déjà Vu Vintage, founded by owner Kelly Yeo a few months ago, has undergone a royal makeover. More chi-chi and quirkier than ever, the new store stocks 1940s to 1980s clothes, bags and handmade accessories imported from the US, Europe, Australia and Japan. Yeo travels to these countries to source for the pieces herself, so shoppers are assured that each piece is special and one-off. Look hard enough, and you will find vintage pieces from Carolina Herrera, Dior and even sports brand Asics. Are you ready to step back in time?

#01-60 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, 6270-5665.

This is probably the hippest eyecare store in Singapore. The 4,000 sq. ft. Integrated Eyecare Centre (IEC) stocks around 3,000 styles of eyewear pieces, but what we like about it is the fact that they are all arranged via to suit different types of individuals. Sporty types can check out the wide array of Oakley range from the Sports section, while the more fashion conscious must visit, where else, but the In Style corner, featuring brands like Dior and Gucci, among many others. There’s even designated in-store boutique corners for brands like the brilliant and extensive range for Alain Mikli, Cartier and Chanel. What’s more, monthly themed display and fashion shows will be held in the store—Alain Mikli is already booked for a show sometime next year. How hip can you get?