Epson Picturemate PM310
The Epson’s hefty Picturemate PM310 is one of the fastest photo-printers around—it took less than 40 seconds to dish out prints—and the quality is first-rate for a compact. The printer uses Epson’s propriety Claria Photographic inks which are smudge, water and fade-resistant, allowing your prints to last some 200 years—a solid choice for sharpshooters who want an at-home photo lab. $298 from Challenger, #06-00 Funan DigitaLife Mall, 109 North Bridge Rd., 6339-9008

HP Photosmart A626
HP’s Photosmart A626 is able to deliver 6x4in and 7x5in photos as well as 4x12in panoramas. It can also print directly via PictBridge and a variety of memory card formats, including CompactFlash, SD, xD and Memory Stick. You can wirelessly print from Bluetooth-enabled camera photos and other devices by just plugging in the HP Bluetooth Adapter into the printer. The flip-up 4.8-inch color touchscreen is a handy tool where you can edit your photos and add captions and descriptions using the onscreen keyboard. Despite the high price, its easy-to-use menus and Bluetooth connectivity make this a serious contender.
$399 from Best Denki, #05-01/05 Ngee Ann City Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Rd., 6835-2855

Canon Selphy CP800
The tiniest of the lot, Canon’s CP800 takes the pain out of printing photos with its plug-and-play design and straightforward interface, and the price tag makes it an excellent companion printer for quick prints at home. The tilt-up 2.5-inch LCD screen upfront provides all the features you need to print directly from the CompactFlash, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, SD Card, and XD-Picture Card slots.
$199 from Canon Link, #02-32/33 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6376-9340/41

The buzz: Australian luxury accessories label Oroton opens its first standalone boutique here at the always reliable ION Orchard.

The vibe: Personalized and chic. The well-informed staff are ever ready to field any questions about the collection, all set within a well-lit space which oozes a suitably cozy and intimate mood.

The goods: Stellar and varied. Those looking for something more seasonal can go for the Spring/Summer 2011 pieces, based on Oroton’s rich history, which can be traced way back to 1938 Japan. Highlights include the luxurious silk on structured tote bags ($1,045) as well as soft lamb nappa pouches. But the centerpiece in the store is the limited edition Check Sparkle Jacquard Barrel Bag ($1,715), featuring intricate sequins, glazed leather trim and patent leather zip pull—available in both black and vanilla. Yummy.

Why you’ll be back: Because you can never over accessorize.

#03-01 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6634-270. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Whoever says that you can never keep a good man down is probably right. This Spring/Summer, some of the major labels like Comme des Garcons and Issey Miyake are taking major risks with their menswear lines, incorporating standout prints, designs and colors that have fashion observers pausing and taking a second look from their seats (us included). This is the world of high fashion after all, and kitsch is definitely the name of the game this season. We pick some of our favorites that are already available in stores so you know just where to get your snazzy sartorial fix.

Comme des Garcons
It may not be 2012 yet, but the legendary designer Rei Kawakubo already has her eye set on the apocalypse with her shocking new collection. Never mind that they’re not the most wearable—rampant skeletal motifs clashing with motorway checks isn’t something that you can actually dub “classic.” These highly seasonal and highly coveted gems, consisting mostly of black, white and grey short length pants, deconstructed shirts and blazers, will remain as collectibles for a long, long time. Buy these and save them for the next Halloween party in October—you can thank us later for making you the most stylish guy in the house.
$990 upwards at Comme des Garcons.

Issey Miyake
Variety is the keyword for designer Dan Fujiwara’s take on the season. His carefree and colorful collection consists of a few staple designs including blinding Tron-style prints in neon hues (mainly on its signature shirts), circular motifs on its denim overalls and jeans that channel the modern blues man, and standout neon-colored pocket details on shirts, parkas and hoodies, juxtaposed against vertical lines—a must for the playful and experimental.
$760 upwards at Issey Miyake.

Kitsune
The French music-design-fashion label has gotten stronger and stronger over the years, especially with its menswear line. This time round, designer Masaya Kuroki has opted for the globetrotter-style, where key classic pieces with careful, modern tailoring are infused with spirited colors of orange, red and blue to add to the tonality of their classic styles. Yet they are anything but boring, especially standout red parka and orange pants that will stop traffic at night, and sailor-inspired cotton jerseys and hats which are fresh, elegant and youthful all at once.
$330 upwards at Club 21b.

Liberty of London
Although light and effortless, the latest collection by Liberty London is a powerful ensemble. Fine double twisted cotton shirting fabrics ranging from stripes and eye-catching checks to jacquards and prints are the centerpieces, paired with some unpredictable china blue, tobacco and cognac hues on berms and parkas to create a pared down yet remarkable look.
$190 upwards at Club 21b.

Over the Stripes
If you can’t get enough of the streetwear look, Japan’s Over the Stripes delivers in spades with their decidedly young pieces. Designer Tamotsu Omine offers reworks of the classic Smiley Face motif and has it splashed on a range of T-shirts, coupled with 80s-inspired denim jeans with logo patchworks that will make you feel 18 all over again.
$190 upwards at Club 21b.

Club 21b #01-07 Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6304-1459. | Comme des Garcons #02-39/40 Hilton Shopping Gallery, 581 Orchard Rd., 6304-1362. | Issey Miyake #02-09 Hilton Shopping Gallery, 581 Orchard Rd., 6304-1352.

At first glance, the eye-catching geometrical shape of Marina Bay Sand’s ArtScience Museum looks like hands reaching for the skies. And aptly so, as the museum is expected to showcase some of the most highly acclaimed art and science exhibits from around the world. Described as “the welcoming hand of Singapore” by Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman, Shedlon Adelson, the lotus-inspired architecture by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie opened last week to much acclaim.

With three floors of gallery space sprawling across 6,000 square meters, each of the 10 “fingers” that make up the building hold different exhibitions. The museum is also surrounded by a 4,000 square meter lily pond, making it look like it is floating on water. And water plays an integral part in the museum’s architectural eco-friendly makeup by recycling rainwater harvested from its roof. As Safdie explains, “The rainwater is harvested and is channeled down through the center of the structure and is recycled and redirected through the water feature to create a continuous cylindrical waterfall,” and as part of the museum’s participation in Singapore’s Green Mark program, the recycled water will be used in its bathroom and around its compound.
One of the permanent exhibitions, the ArtScience Gallery, explores the nuances that evoke the emotions of art. Segmented into three spaces—Curiosity, Inspiration and Expression—the gallery demonstrates how creative minds meld the disciplines of art and science to make objects that transform the world. Objects featured include replicas of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Flying Machine, a Kongming Lantern and an ancient Chinese scroll—all symbolizing the power of art, design and science. Museum director Tom Keller explains, “The space allows visitors to ponder about the very nature of how we define art and science, what it means to us and how it influences the world.”

And the world’s finest exhibits have already found a temporary home in the museum, allowing visitors to step into a world that they would have never known. From tracing the magnificent historical pathway of the greatest trading route known to man in Traveling the Silk Road: Ancient Pathway to the Modern World, to an exhibit of one of the oldest and most important marine archaeological finds of the late 20th century in Shipwrecked: Tang Treasures and Monsoon Winds, it looks like the ArtScience Museum is pulling out all the stops en route to becoming one of the premier art destinations in the world. 

The ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868. Open daily 10am-10pm. $10-30 from Sistic.

Tanjong Beach Club
For the retro hedonist, head over to this 1950s-inspired beach resort complete with a restaurant, two bars, a pool and a sprawling chill-out space. Get a suntan on the daybeds while sipping on the signature Tanjong Martinis or cool yourself off in the pool. Come in your skimpiest and sexiest outfits. The club also dishes some of the hottest disco and house music around, courtesy of local jocks Has, Hook and KFC.
120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa, 6270-1355. Mon-Thu 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat 11-2am.

Café Del Mar
For lovers, the Ibiza-franchised beach bar is the perfect getaway. Lounge on the club’s rustic private daybeds or chill out over a lovely meal at the alfresco area. Known for their sound music selection, expect ambient tunes and Ibiza’s famed house music for some aural stimulation. Don’t miss out on their deliciously potent Lost Bikini cocktail to add more zing to your evening.
40 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, 6235-1296. Sun-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11-2am.

Azzura
For sporty types, the 1,870-square-meter Azzura Hydro Sports Centre will satisfy your need for that adrenalin rush. The club offers a variety of sea-sports, such as boating, kayaking and wakeboarding. Enough thrills and spills for the day? Then take a much needed breather at their bistro with a cocktail in hand or chill out on the verandah as you watch the sunset. 
46 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, 6270-8003. Mon-Fri 10am-10pm; Sat-Sun 10-2am.

HORROR

Mae Nak 3D

Buzz: The 22nd remake of this well-known legend looks to offer something new with the first 3D version of the ghostly tale of love and loss.
In theaters: 20 September 2011
Studio: Bangkok Inter Group Film
Director: Pichai Noirod and Chotipan Nitiwat
Stars: Bongkot Kongmalai, Rangsiroj Panpeng
Synopsis: If you don’t know the story then we can only surmise you’ve been living under a stone. For those rock dwellers here it is again: Nak (played by the well-endowed Bongkot), a heavily pregnant woman, dies with her stillborn child while her husband, Mak, is away for war. When Mak returns, he doesn’t know that his family is dead and continues to live with Nak unaware that she is actually a ghost.

Gancore Gud

Buzz: Thailand’s most famous rapper Joey Boy makes his directorial debut with Gancore Gud, which also happens to feature all the members of Gancore Club getting stuck on an island. Horror, hip hop and girls in bikinis—sounds like a teenage boy’s wet dream.
In theaters: June 2011
Studio: Phranakorn Film
Director: Apisit Opas-iamlikit aka Joey Boy
Stars: Joey Boy and the Club members
Synopsis: Joey Boy and his Gancore Club play a group of musicians on tour who find themselves stuck on an island inhabited by a host of scary creatures from zombies to mermaids.

Ladda Land

Buzz: Based on a famous real life ghost story about a housing development in Chiang Mai which was eventually abandoned as a creepy wasteland due to a series of deaths and some spooky goings on. Directed by horror pro Sopon Sakdapisit (Coming Soon) and starring Nuvo guitarist Saharat, we just feel this could end up being another Shutter.
In theaters: April 2011
Studio: GTH
Director: Sopon Sakdapisit
Stars: Saharat Sankhprija, Piyathida Woramusik
Synopsis: Thee (Saharat), a harassed office employee, looks to escape the nagging of his wife’s family by moving to Chiang Mai and buying a house at new development Ladda Land. This perfect new life doesn’t last long as the house’s bloody past leads to some terrifying encounters.

Behind the Scenes

Apisit Opas-iamlikit aka Joey Boy, director of Gancore Gud

What inspired you to make this film?
I’m a big fan of zombie films with my favorites being Dawn of the Dead and The Evil Dead. Ghosts for me just aren’t scary. I wouldn’t say that the creatures in my film are zombies, they’re just from the same genre as zombies. I wouldn’t exactly say it’s a horror movie either. It’s really hard to define, but I guess I would label it a black comedy. There are elements of comedy in the film, but if you imagine yourself as one of the characters in the film, then you’ll realize that the things that are happening to them are not funny at all.
From rapper to director, what was the biggest challenge?
It’s a bit harder taking on all of the roles myself. It’s simpler for me as an actor because I’m just playing myself. The hardest part about being the director is being in charge of the production and operational aspects of the film. It’s my directorial debut, so there are a lot of challenges. It’s not just about me anymore. Now I have to also manage a very large team of people. I’m lucky to have an excellent team to help me out.
Were there any specific challenges that you faced during the production that you’ve never encountered before?
Yes, many. The film was set in a forest, so I was there every day. It’s always raining there, with bugs and everything, so it was quite torturous. The film also turned out to have more action sequences than I had originally planned. Sometimes I would cuss myself for writing such a difficult scene. At first, it was just good times you know, throw in some babes in bikinis into some scenes, that sort of thing. But as it goes on, there are just more and more scenes that are just utterly brutal.

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Explore Balestier & Novena: You’re in town already. And it’s just a couple of stops away. Download your guide here.

Pamper yourself silly at the new Four Seasons Spa.

Stuff your face with truffles. Loads of em … at this restaurant. Get the credit cards ready.

Hear Rob Schneider say “You can do it!” at The Rock Auditorium.

Get a dose of Designer Drugs (the DJ duo, not the happy pills) at Zouk.

Pretend you’re on Singapore American Idol at these bars (sans The Dawg, JLo and Steve Tyler).

Check out the new ArtScience Museum at MBS.

Grab some good and cheap buys at Flea & Easy this Sunday

Catch Colin Firth’s outstanding performance in The King’s Speech.

Try out new beers.

There was a time, not long ago, when choosing a beer was akin to choosing a football team. You can’t remember when you made the decision or why you made it, but you remained loyal, and wouldn’t settle for anything else. The Singaporean view of beer has evolved gradually over the last decade, but it is only in the last two to three years that our appreciation for it has really taken flight (we can’t wait for 2011’s BeerFest Asia). For this, we have to thank a handful of bold importers who weren’t afraid to try something a little different. We spoke with four of them and asked them to tell us which of their brews they like to drink themselves. Straight from the horse’s mouth, as they say. Here we open a few choice bottles with four of the city’s top specialist beer suppliers.

BeerStyle

1 Fishery Port Rd (open Saturdays, selected beers available), 9297-3023. www.drinkbetterbeer.net

Winston Kwong: My personal favorite is Stone Brewing Co.’s Arrogant Bastard Ale ($150 per case of 12 650ml bottles). I like it because it has a strong overpowering taste, not to mention it gets you a lot of attention while you’re drinking it. It has a dark reddish-brown hue with an inch of cream-colored head and it has a hoppy aroma with malt undertones (I smell grapefruit as well). The taste is aggressive; a little sweet but very bitter overall and the hop flavor clings to you and lingers for quite some time in your mouth. It has a medium body but with a low amount of carbonation so it has a smooth mouth-feel.

Our Picks

Southern Tier Crème Brulee Imperial Milk Stout—Unmistakable aroma of vanilla, not unlike Bailey’s or Kahlua. It smells better than it tastes, but still, this is a drink so rich it’s what you’d serve God if he came over for a beer. $25 per 650ml bottle with a minimum of three bottles or $240 for a case of 12.

Stone Brewing Co. Cali-Belgique IPA—Typical American craft take on the hoppy IPA; super-citrusy and you can almost taste it through your nose. Sort of like being dragged behind a tractor through a freshly mown field. $160 per case of 12 650ml bottles.

Magma German Wine Bistro, Deli + Shop
2-4 Bukit Pasoh Rd., 6221-0634.
www.magmatc.com
Leonard Noto: I enjoy a pilsner. Neuzeller Kloster Bräu is an old monastery brewery dating back to the 15th century. There are no more monks there now because the monastery was closed by Napoleon 200 years ago, but the brewery remains. Neuzeller Pilsner ($6.80 per 500ml bottle) is a tart beer, like all good beers. I don’t compare, but I’ve been told it’s much better than mass-produced beers! It’s a good beer to have when it’s hot, so it’s ideal for the weather here.

Our Picks
Neuzeller Anti-Aging Beer—Robust and full-bodied with a strong roasted malt flavor and a finish of kwai chi (black melon seeds). $7.80 per 500ml bottle.

Berliner Kindl—Dry, Champagne-like flavor. Sweeten it with syrup, else it smells like a beer you spilled on your lap after several hours more drinking. $4.60 per 330ml bottle.

East of Avalon Wines
281 Joo Chiat Rd., 6440-0504.
George Kirton: My all time favorite is Wychwood’s Hobgoblin ($7.50 per 500ml bottle or $26 for a 4-pack). I like it because it has all the flavor and character of a fine ale but is crisp and refreshing, and can be served ice cold. It is a dark brown ale which gets a lot of flavor from roasted malt. The aroma is almost chocolaty, but very clean, with a fairly gentle use of hops. Its medium body and crisp bitterness make it very refreshing, with just a touch of fruitiness to keep you interested.

Our Picks
Duchy Originals Old Ruby Ale—Crisp and sharp, quite unlike ordinary mellow English ales. A strong taste and aroma of blue cheese. $7.50 per 500ml bottle or $26 for a 4-pack.

Marston’s Pedigree—A classic English Pale Ale; light, slightly fruity, bready and ideal for sessions. Calls to mind warm English summers on the lawn; fittingly, since they sponsor the England cricket team. $7.50 per 500ml bottle or $26 for a 4-pack.

Beer Importers & Distributors
#01-06A Tat Ann Building, 40 Jln Pemimpin, 6258-9177. www.beers.sg
Gerry Yeo: Generally, I’m a session beer drinker and my favorite is Warsteiner Premium Verum ($4 for a 330ml bottle or $90 for a case of 24). It’s a pilsner-style beer with a smooth, rich, full-bodied taste wrapped in a creamy head and has a refreshing hop finish with a slightly bitter aftertaste. The hops are enough to keep it from being overly sweet while adding a nice touch of flavor. It has a light-bodied feel to it, and is highly drinkable at 4.8% ABV. It’s clean, crisp, refreshing and thirst-quenching. It’s simply a great, no-frills German beer.

Our Picks
Chimay Tripel—A fine example of the magic of Belgian beer. The taste of its hops is balanced by yeastiness and a bit of spice that reminds you of the sweat and blood put in by the monks who brewed it. Not literally of course. $8 per 330ml bottle or $183 for a case of 24.

James Squire Amber Ale—While only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Australian craft beers have to offer, its nutty richness will have you chucking shrimp on the barbie and stubbies in the esky, among other 1980s Aussie clichés. $4.90 per 345ml bottle or $112 for a case of 24.