Chandelier lights have been highly sought after by décor and design aficionados over the past year and a half, and it does not seem like the trend is dying anytime soon. With more and more affordable chandeliers made available at various home décor boutiques around town, like Bulb and Haier Living, it seems that everybody is getting in on the trend.

“Chandelier lights are timeless,” exclaims Bulb’s boutique manager Olivia Auning. “They work like a piece of decorative jewelry...they change the mood and feel of any room. Invest in a good piece, and it will last you forever.”

Here are some magnificent pieces to feast your eyes on. Get them before they’re gone.

1. This original and cylindrical Art Deco-inspired piece from Bulb is an absolute dream. $5,000.

2. This vintage ’70s chandelier boasts translucent crystals through and through, and is perfect for the dining room. $3,000 from Lorgan’s.

3. Don’t know where to start? Look no further than this elaborate and classic piece that comes replete with black crystals. $2,000 from Salad and 3.

4. Eye-catching and luxe, this bright red piece from Anthropology stops traffic, every time. $1,600.

5. For the uninitiated, you can’t go wrong with this minimalist white gem from Lorgan’s. $1,200.

6. Not your typical chandelier lamp, this black piece from Haier Living, embellished with black stones, is actually a floor lamp, but with a twist. simply original. $1,130.

Address Book

• 3, 47 Haji Lane, 6396-5543.
• Anthropology, 16A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, 6467-2663.
• Bulb, 8 Gemmill Lane, 6225-0158.
• Haier Living, 105 Amoy St., 6441-3345.
• Lorgan’s, #01-03 Century Warehouse, 100E Pasir Panjang Rd., 6272-4988.
• Salad, 25/27 Haji Lane, 6299-5805.

Yes, the fact that Café Del Mar is new is reason enough to visit this hangout. But its marketing department is upping its pull factor by having some brilliant acts take to its decks this coming weekend.

Many should be familiar with Jazzanova by now. This 10-year-old Berlin-based act consists of Alexander Barck, Claas Brieler, Jürgen von Knoblauch, Roskow Kretschmann, Stefan Leisering and Axel Reinemer and specializes in nu-jazz, minimal tech and jazz house which sophisticates love. Barck will be taking control at the DJ console this Sat so punters can look forward to the usual music palate that Jazzanova is famous for.

Supporting acts include some of our finest local talent. Café Del Mar’s resident DJs will be showing you what they have up their sleeves. You can also catch Chris Ho, Yukun, Don, Yeow and Adrian T spinning some cool grooves at this party too.

So if you’re bored witless this weekend, and are looking for some loungey sounds to relax to, going to Café Del Mar might be a good idea. Oh, the people of Lush 99.5fm will also be celebrating their second anniversary party here too. Come in your killer beach gear, rub shoulders with the hip and party till late.

Bands are all the rage these days, with an increasing number of events devoted to them. And Asean Rocks! is just one. A five day aural extravaganza, acts from 10 Asean countries come to Singapore to wreck amps and deliver heart-pumping music. We give you a quick lowdown on the lineup.

Jan 28

Electrico: This local band needs no introduction. A five-piece pop rock act who has garnered a number of fans partly because of its catchy tunes.

Wicked Aura Batucada: Consisting of 13 members percussion act Wicked Aura Batucada will also gig at the upcoming Good Vibrations Festival.

Hady Mirza: A Singapore Idol who has set many young female hearts aflutter before. His latest album and single “You Give Me Wings” is a hit.

D’medley: A young up-and-coming progressive rock act from Brunei who is making waves in their country.

Jan 29

Bamboo: Manila band Bamboo has graced Bar None prior, and is known for alternative rock songs such as “As The Music Plays” and “Noypi.” Vocalist Bamboo Manalac was a member of Rivermaya.

The Cell: A six-piece formed in 2000, this band’s first big break was in 2003, when they released an album Khon Suay. The Cell is from Laos.

Jan 30

Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein: Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein is an eminent female pop and rap singer who is loved for her charisma on the stage.

U Moe Naing: A hot rock band hailing from Myanmar.

Samson: Some of Indonesian band Samson’s biggest alternative pop-rock hits include “Kenangan Terindah” and “Naluri Lelaki.”

Jan 31

Clash: A leading Thai band which cut the album Crashing last year. These guys’ MTVs have been featured on telly countless times.

Yellow Skin (Davang): Good songs from top Vietnam metal band Yellow Skin include“SOS” and “Back Dang Giang.”

Feb 1

Amok: From the other side of the causeway, this is not the first time Amok is performing in Singapore. They play power metal.

Coconut: Coconut is a well-liked rock band from Cambodia. Be prepared to rock with them.

Cosmo

What: A wide selection of one-dish meals and a la carte specialties to suit your busy cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Where: The delivery area extends only to Sathorn, Silom, Sukhumvit and New Petchburi, with B20 delivery charge.
When: Order one hour before you want to have a meal.
Why: Despite its limited delivery zone, Cosmo caters to all types of diners with a variety of dishes. There are noodles and fried rice for busy office workers, Vietnamese fresh spring rolls for the health-conscious, as well as Mix-Speed sets for the whole family.
How: 02-261-4546, www.cosmoseafood.com, daily 9:30am-8:30pm.

Food By Phone

What: A popular and reliable delivery service that brings high-end dining from what are said to be Bangkok’s top restaurants to your door.
Where: Limited to Sukhumvit and Silom areas, with B60-80 charge per restaurant. However, those outside the delivery zone can call an operator for help. The charge goes up, of course.
When: A well-trained delivery guy arrives within an hour after ordering.
Why: Prices of the dishes are a bit higher than on the actual menu at a restaurant, but you can choose various cuisines from over 50 restaurants around town. Be it churrascaria grilled items from Fogo Vivo, chicken tikka from Indus or pastas from Buono, Food By Phone picks up your meals and delivers them warm in microwaveable packages.
How: 02-663-5503, www.foodbyphonebkk.com, daily 10:30am-10:30pm.

Jae Kee

What: One of the city’s best somtam parlors offers a variety of saap Isaan fare along with legendary finger-licking fried chicken.
Where: Around Bangkok. The delivery fare varies according to your location.
When: Though there’s no guarantee, a trusted motorcyclist usually bring the orders right to your doorstep within 30 minutes.
Why: Avoid the tricky location, limited parking space and scorching weather and enjoy Jae Kee’s chicken in your comfy abode. No minimum order required.
How: 02-655-8489, daily 7am-9:30pm.

JJ Delivery

What: Affordable international dishes on offer at a click.
Where: The service is available in the neighboring areas of its three outlets in Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Thonglor and Ratchathevee. A delivery guy makes a special trip for those outside the delivery zone when ordering more than B1,000.
When: Your meal arrives within 45 minutes.
Why: Spaghetti, green curry, somtam or even California rolls—JJ Delivery has them all. For those with hectic work schedules, there’s a pinto service, which will have your dinner delivered daily around 4:30-6pm.
How: 02-712-3000, www.jjdelivery.com, daily 9:30am-9pm.

McDonald’s

What: Devilishly addictive fast food from Big Macs to double cheeseburgers and fries for people unafraid of cellulite on their thighs.
Where: With over 70 outlets around the city, McDonald’s provides an extensive delivery area.
When: McDonald’s promises to have your orders delivered within 30 minutes, but there’s no consolation prize if the delivery guy is late.
Why: It offers late-night delivery, that’s why. Time-strapped execs working overtime and sports fans glued in front of the TV screen for a live football match all can count on Uncle Ronald for something to nibble on. The call center operates daily from 9am till 10pm, but at some outlets, such as Khao San and CP Building Silom, delivery is extended until midnight.
How: 1711. A minimum order is not required, but there’s a B20 delivery charge.

MK Suki

What: Thai-style shabu with delicious roast duck, reasonably-priced dim sum and an oh-so catchy themed song.
Where: The delivery service covers almost all of Bangkok, with an extra B20 charge. A minimum order of B150.
When: You have an hour to set up the hot pot before your orders arrive.
Why: Healthy choice for family and friend gatherings. Lots of bowls, chopsticks and hot pots are needed, though, which means an extensive wash up afterwards.
How: 02-248-5555, daily 10am-9pm.

Pizzanotti

What: Italian-style, oven-baked pizza that serves as an alternative to Pizza Hut and Pizza Company when you crave baked dough.
Where: Initially run by famous Italian restaurant Zanotti, the pizza place is now merged with S&P and has nine delivery joints around Bangkok, expanding its delivery area to Silom, Sukhumvit, Ratchada and Ramkhaheng.
When: A pizza guy will knock on your door within 35 minutes. Prepare B20 delivery charge.
Why: Though sometimes the crust gets a bit soggy by the time your pizza arrives, based on our experiences at the Sala Daeng outlet (bad air-conditioning, indifferent service), you’re better off with the home delivery option. If you are done with typical seafood or Hawaiian pizzas offered by almost every pizza company, its signature Zanotti, topped with Parma ham and Mascarpone cheese, is a nice change.
How: 1344, daily 10:30am-9:30pm.

T-Time

What: Export-quality frozen dim sum and seafood for busy, on-the-go people.
Where: The extensive home delivery covers 50 districts of Bangkok. Delivery charge varies from B20-50 according to the destination. Free for over B500 purchase.
When: Usually, the frozen treats turn up within an hour.
Why: Thanks to its long shelf life (one year in a freezer), T-Time’s frozen dumplings serve as a backup meal when everything in your fridge is rotten. Just heat them in a microwave for a few minutes and then pop them in your mouth. For a healthy option, try its whole wheat buns.
How: 02-295-2000, www.ttimefood.com, Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm.

With all these new hi-speed internet connections, people have gotten more greedy. Before, all you could do with dial-up was send photos via email attachments. We were happy enough if we could view a whole album. But now, with faster connections, people are sharing much more. It has grown from basic photo and document sharing to people sending each other MP3s, a complete vacation gallery or an episode of the new season of Lost. And thanks to this new range of file sharing services, you can now upload those huge files onto websites and share the link with others.

YouSendIt

www.yousendit.com
The pioneer file sharing site has two free options for you to choose from. If you just want to send a big file quick, use their form on the front page and follow its instructions­—no registration necessary. With this method, your file will be online for seven days and can only be downloaded three times. If you sign up for their Lite account, however, your file stays alive for 7 days and can be downloaded 100 times. The file uploaded should not exceed 100MB so it’s good for sending MP3s or big photo files.

Up-File

www.up-file.com
The deal here is no file size limit, no registration, and a file shelf life of 30 days after the last download. Sounds too good to be true? It is, kind of. The painful part is when you want to download the file. Underneath all the irrelevant text and flashy advertisements, there lies a link to your file, somewhere.

4Shared

www.4shared.com
You must sign up for an account to enjoy the free 1GB storage 4shared offers, but don’t let that fool you, as you can only upload files smaller than 50MB. If you don’t mind that, then sign up for an account painlessly with their well-designed menus. Your files will be deleted if you don’t log in for 30 days.

SaveFiles

www.savefiles.net
No need to sign up here; there’s no option to do so. But the navigation is confusing and they are still undecided on how big a file you can upload. In the current form it says 90MB but, in the small print, the listed limit is 250MB. Your safest bet is to stick to 90MB or try other services instead.

MegaUpload

www.megaupload.com
This site has so many flash gimmicks and online ads that you won’t know where to click. It’s equally mystifying for the ones downloading your files as they’ll have to go through lots of text ad battlefronts before actually getting their hands on them. Files should not be bigger than 500MB. If you sign up for membership, you will get free 50GB storage and can even organize your files into folders. Files stay online until neglected for 90 days (for members) but, for anonymously uploaded ones, the cutoff is 21 days. It’s a great deal if you don’t mind all the intrusive ads.

SendSpace

www.sendspace.com
Same as with YouSendIt, there are two options for freeloaders. With the first, you do not need to register for an account and can upload files that are not bigger than 300MB. For SendSpace Lite users, you can also delete files from their server if you want to. All files will stay online until no one has downloaded it for seven days. There’s no limit on how many times you can download it but it must not be over 1GB a day.

Gigasize

www.gigasize.com
This one is by far the best: the easiest to understand and soft on the eyes with less jumpy ads. If you do not have an account, you can upload a file no bigger than 300MB which will be available for at least 45 days. But if you sign up for their free account, you can upload files up to a heaping 1.5GB at a time that won’t expire for at least 90 days. You can also collect their GigaPoints for freebies.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do zip your files to save time (www.winzip.com).
Don’t upload pornographic images (we know you wouldn’t...plus Thailand has cybercops).

Do resize your images.
Don’t upload copyrighted files (it’s not nice).

Do scan your files for viruses before uploading.
Don’t spam others with useless files.

Other Ways to Get Files

Limewire is a free peer-to-peer file-sharing program. You can search for music, movies, or pictures on there and download them to your computer. You can get the software at www.limewire.com.
Pros: It’s free and has an extensive collection of downloadable materials.
Cons: The results are 40% spam, so you might get an ad instead of a file. It’s also borderline illegal.

BitTorrent is another free peer-to-peer community. When you download a file via BitTorrent, at the same time, another person can also download that file from you, which reduces the workload of the server and makes it faster. You can download the software at www.bittorrent.com.
Pros: It’s free and easy to use.
Cons: It depends on the popularity of the file. If no one is sharing the file you’re looking for, you won’t be able to get it.

IM stands for instant messengers, such as MSN, Skype, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk. You can share files with people on your friend list while chatting with them at the same time.
Pros: To find the file, just ask your friend for it and get them to send it to you.
Cons: If a connection is interrupted, you will have to start the download all over again.
 

A jug of Tiger Beer for $15

Where: O-Bar, #01-23 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St., 6738-1318
How Much: $15 after 9pm.

A pair of either jeans for $60.

What: Go for Replay jeans
Where: Zenith, #01-56 International Plaza, 10 Anson Rd., 6372-1680
How Much: Prices vary, but start from around $60.

A car for $50,000

What: A Suzuki Swift 1.3 Auto
Where: Kruise Auto, #04-05 Automobile Megamart, 61 Ubi Ave 2, 9637-7216
How Much: $48,988 (before cashback)

Trainers for $80

What: Reebok Road Burst shoes
Where: Stadium, #B2-15/23 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6538-8888
How Much: $79.90

Massage for $70

What: A full-body massage (no “special”, you cheeky buggers)
Where: Beauty Matters Inc, #02-64 Hotel Meridien and Shopping Centre, 100 Orchard Rd., 6733-2181
How Much: $68

A meal for $4

What: A bowl of wanton noodles, one plain prata and a can of Coke. Hey, a lot of you said that you’d start at $5, so you get what you ask for, folks.
Where: Most kopitiams or neighborhood coffeeshops
How Much: Almost definitely below $5.

Have you noticed how eager guys are picking up others’ unwanted T-shirts and soles these days? Five-dollar washed stretched cotton prints and old-school Adidas sneakers get snatched up almost as quickly as a can of Coke on a hot afternoon. Vintage clothing has always been popular among the ladies, but these days, more and more men are getting in on the trend. And with new stores like Filthy at hip Haji Lane opening and more online options to scour, it’s no wonder men’s hand-me-downs are all the rage.

Why it’s Hot

Certainly, the main reason why vintage is always fashionable is because vintage pieces are all one-offs. This assures trendsetters that they are wearing an exclusive piece that no one else will have. “I buy vintage because it tends to have a royale one-off look...and let’s face it, no one likes to rock up to a club looking like the goose next to him,” exclaims vintage lover Phil Gallagher, who runs the vintage clothes website www.istealmemories.com. “Also, vintage clothing is made from damn fine cotton that you just can’t find these days,” he adds.

Chang, owner of vintage store The Attic at Far East Plaza, which sells apparel for men and women, agrees. “Vintage used to be for people on a budget. Now it has turned more glamorous, even for men,” he states.

Indeed, vintage clothing is on a roll. While stores selling vintage women’s wear and vintage-inspired clothing have mushroomed, stores focusing on secondhand menswear have also piggybacked.

Guys wear seconds and vintage clothing for many reasons. Gallagher reckons “chicks dig a well-dressed original man,” while many industry observers cite aesthetic appeal, versatility, uniqueness and quality of older clothing as key incentives.

Vintage Advantage

Fashionably attuned blokes scour flea markets, op shops and online stores for one-of a-kind looks, but with more and more stores opening, men are also making their way down to stores like Filthy at Haji Lane and Daytripper at The Heeren for some rare finds, and you should too. Filthy, for one, is essential for dead-stock Comme des Garçons shirts that sell for a fraction of the cost, as well as the imported jeans from Japan. Daytripper and Oppt Shop at The Heeren are also where men stock up on T-shirts, jackets and jeans, while the more adventurous even trod to 24-hour Mustafa Centre in Little India for ’80s Casio watches.

And then there are those who love the web for their choice vintage buys. Insurance Consultant Halim Abdul, for one, searches Ebay for preppy Oscar De La Renta ties to match his tailored shirts and shiny leather soles for that über chic executive look that no one else is likely to sport. “There’s a great variety of items you can find on Ebay, and you’ll almost always come up with a whole list of what you want to choose from,” he says.

But to make men’s vintage truly work for you, we say: Mix it up with other pieces from your wardrobe to let your personality shine through. Look to old movies for inspiration or gather pieces to assemble that Italian playboy look like Jude Law’s character from The Talented Mr. Ripley. You can often get the look without digging too deep into your late grandpa’s raggedy chest box if you refer to our directory list below. Also, match your vintage clothes with authentic vintage shades and customized jewellery for a totally killer look that is as original as it is affordable.

Secondhand stuff has come up against this bizzare local notion: Wearers of vintage clothing will inherit the bacteria of the previous wearer and result in BO (body odour). What do you think?

Isa, 19, Student
“No, that’s not true! I’ve been buying vintage wear and haven’t found it a problem. Unless you have BO yourself, then maybe.”

Halim, 28, Insurance Consultant
“It is definitely a myth. Regardless of whether it is vintage or secondhand, it is always advisable to give it a good wash before wearing it for the first time."

Winston, 22, Student
“Of course it’s a myth. I haven’t had issues with vintage clothing and smells. But if it looks like a rag, I won’t buy it.”

Directory

The Attic
#01-146A Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Rd., 6732-3459.
Look hard enough and you can find rare Penguin polo collared tees alongside rare rock concert ones.

Daytripper
#04-27 The Heeren, 260 Orchard Rd., 6733-6678.
T-shirts are the main staple here, with a respectable selection of jeans and jackets.

Filthy
20 Haji Lane, 9747-2251.
Branded finds like Comme des Garçons and Vivienne Westwood here are certified gems.

House of Japan
55 Haji Lane, 6396-6657.
Can’t get enough of torn jeans and printed tees with vintage Disney images? You can get them here at a fraction of the original cost.

Mustafa Centre
145 Syed Alwi Rd., 6295-5855.
Eighties Casio watches are the main vintage finds here.

Oppt Shop
#04-36 The Heeren, 260 Orchard Rd., 6733-9406.
This hot favorite is where some of the best vintage tees can be found, as most are scoured from the US and Japan.

Vintage corner at Beach Road (no shop name)
#02-167 Beach Road Garden Complex, Beach Rd.
If you’re on a really tight budget, this is good for used Adidas T-shirts that sell for as low as $3.

Online retail sites like www.shadykids.com,
www.istealmemories.com and the perennial favorite www.ebay.com are where branded vintage like Oscar de la Renta, Vivienne Westwood, Dior and Comme des Garcons.

Tips on keeping your vintage real and fresh.

A good pizza used to be hard to come by, but not anymore. In fact, there are so many Italian restaurants in town these days that there’s a bit of contention about which is the best. Our foodies tried two pizzas (one seafood, one ham and mushroom) from five of the top Italian pizzerias, not knowing which restaurants they came from. Here’s who came out tops (or not).

Ristorante Da Valentino

Seafood
The catch: Mussels, prawns in shell.
Effort required: Too much.
Overall pizzazz: If we didn’t have to work so hard to eat this, it would have tasted better.

Ham and mushroom
Other toppings: Rucola and shaved parmesan.
Heavy or light: Wonderfully light.
Overall pizzazz: Thumbs up.

La Strada Pizzeria

Seafood
The catch: Scallops, prawns, squid. Looked great.
Taste factor: Liked the flavorful cheese, good squid but prawns weren’t very fresh.
Overall pizzazz: Good but inconsistent.

Ham and mushroom
Other toppings: None.
Flavor flash: Ham is off the bone and is smoky. Acquired taste.
Overall pizzazz: Erm … pass this pie along.

Sapori D’Italia (BEST SEAFOOD PIZZA)

Seafood
The catch: Prawns, calamari and chili flakes.
Simple or elaborate? Plain but good with light chopped tomatoes.
Overall pizzazz: The best catch of the lot.

Ham and mushroom
Other toppings: Artichokes.
Simple or elaborate? Definitely simple, but worked.
Overall pizzazz: Compared to the others, this needs some sizzle.

Papi

Seafood
The catch: Mussels, squid, prawns, pesto.
Effort required: Again, too much. Mussels were in their shells.
Overall pizzazz: OK. It worked, the pesto helped a lot.

Ham and mushroom
Other toppings: None.
Ham vs mushroom: Fungi won with strong mushroom flavors.
Overall pizzazz: Next to our best ham and mushroom pizza.

Sistina (BEST HAM AND MUSHROOM PIZZA)

Seafood
The catch: Diced seafood and lots of chili.
Fishy factor: Prawns were fresher than on the other pizzas.
Overall pizzazz: The second best seafood pizza we had.

Ham and mushroom
Other toppings: Lots. Spanish onions, capsicum, marinated mushrooms, smoked cheddar and proscuitto.
Simple or elaborate? The mix of toppings was elaborate but yummy.
Overall pizzazz: Our top choice.

Spizza

Seafood
The catch: Squid, mussels, olives and lots of other toppings.
Simple or elaborate? This was chock full of seafood, almost too much for our tasters.
Overall pizzazz: You need to be a huge seafood fan to enjoy this.

Ham and mushroom
Other toppings: Cherry tomatoes and porcini. “Ham” was large fatty slices of pancetta.
Heavy or light? Quite oily, but full of flavor.
Overall pizzazz: We’re not sure about this one. Some raved about it, others were hmm-ing and ha-ing.

PRINCE OF PIZZAS

Sistina! They dominated in the ham and mushroom stakes and came second in the seafood ratings. Spizza deserves a mention too. They may not have won any category outright, but was always voted as a mid-range pizza and never bombed out.

Address Book

La Strada Pizzeria, #02-11 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Rd., 6737-2555.
Papi, 5 Mohamed Sultan Rd., 6732-6269.
Ristorante Da Valentino, 11 Jalan Bingka, 6462-0555.
Sapori D’Italia, #02-00, 165 Penang Rd., 6732-1691.
Sistina, #01-58 Chip Bee Gardens, 44 Jalan Merah Saga, 6476-7782.
Spizza, 29 Club St., 6224-2525; 26/26B Lorong Mambong, 6468-1982; #01-09 Balmoral Plaza, 271 Bukit Timah Rd., 6333-8148; #01-69 Harbourfront Centre, 1 Maritime Square, 6271-0923; 7 Maju Ave., 6280-8880; 109 Killiney Rd., 6732-4700.

2007 may be the Year of the Pig, but that doesn’t mean you have to look and feel like one. If you spent most of 2006 moping around with a cigarette in one hand and a deep fried chicken leg in the other, then follow me on this eight-fold path and uncover a healthier, fitter and radiant New You in the New Year!

1. Cleansing and Colonics

If you indulged too much over the festive season and are feeling a bit bummed out, it might be time for an intestinal spring cleaning with, in the words of Homer Simpson, “a cool, refreshing pina colonic.”

If having water pumped into your rectum sounds about as much fun as amoebic dysentery in hell, read on. Colonics are actually painless affairs, but are highly effective in cleaning the toxins, fecal debris, inorganic matter and other nasty stuff from the body. With the aid of herbal nutrients and a cleansing diet, they can be a powerful way to release poisons and change negative thought patterns, allowing a new energetic and cheeky you to emerge.

The tranquil haven of Rasayana Retreat (57 Sukhumvit Soi 39 [Soi Prom Mitr], 02-662-4803/-5. Open daily 9am-8pm. www.rasayanaretreat.com) is offering a variety of cleansing programs and treatments to kick-start 2007. Their 1-Day Detox (B4,990) includes a colonic, yoga class, detox massage, ear candling session and cleansing meal. Their 7-day Rejuvenation Package (B14,000) includes three colonics and all herbal supplements.

Hydrohealth (4/F, Erawan Bangkok, 02-250-7800. Open daily 10am-8pm. www.hydrohealth.co.th) offers special 1-day (B8,100) and 3-day (B17,500) detox programs which use colonics, massage and infrared sauna to zap toxins. You’ll need to mention that you’re a BK reader.

2. Hot Yoga

Get your legs behind your head in 37 degrees? No sweat. Devised by Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury, “Hot Yoga” is a series of 26 postures which are practiced in rooms heated to 37°. It’s acquiring a legion of celebrity followers like Michael Jackson, Madonna and Brooke Shields…and maybe the New You in 2007!

According to proponents, the heated environment helps protect muscles, thin blood, promote detox, improve strength, encourage weight loss and, somewhat paradoxically, keeps the body from overheating. It also makes you smell like a wet collie, so unless you want unlimited standing space on the BTS, shower well after the 90-minute sessions.

Postures focus mainly on the spine and fans say they’re a lot more manageable than other forms of yoga. According to Rena, an instructor at Absolute Yoga Studio, “Yoga can be whatever you want it to be depending on the effort and focus you invest in your practice.” And for any men who may be reticent about joining a class, Rena has some encouraging advice: “Yoga’s not about flexibility,” she insists, “and there’s lots of women in spandex.”

Absolute Yoga (4/F, Amarin Plaza, Ploenchit Rd., 02-252-4400. Open Mon-Fri 7am-7:45pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4:30pm. www.absoluteyogabangkok.com) has six studios around the city and packages for first-timers (gets you one class a day) start at B2, 950 per month.

Yoga Elements (23/F, Vanissa Bldg., 29 Soi Chitlom, 02-655-5671. Open Mon-Thu 7am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-6pm. www.yogaelements.com) offers unlimited classes to new comers for B2,900 a month.

3. Quit Smoking

It’s easy, I’ve done it loads of times.

“Tobacco...There is no herb like it under the canopy of heaven.” wrote Charles Kingsley in the 19th century, and he was probably right. If you’ve made many half-assed attempts to give up this insidious drug, think about this: Allen Carr, anti-smoking guru and author of The Easy Way to Give Up Smoking died of lung cancer last November. Maybe 2007 should be your smoke free-choke free year?

KIK in conjunction with the Travmin Bangkok Medical Center (8/F, Alma Link Bldg., 25 Soi Chitlom, 02 655-1024/5. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. www.kikasia.com) have a choice of 3 programs to give you the best chance of quitting. The basic Silver Package (B9,990) includes a health check, advice manual, medication and support program to help get you through the tough times.

4. Hit the Gym

Gym’ll fix it.

Last year your fat thighs were no big deal because they were hidden by your stomach. But no excuses in 2007: Take matters into your own chubby hands and join a gym.

For the uninitiated, gyms can be intimidating places full of deafening techno, hardcore exercise freaks, confusing machinery and irritatingly beautiful people; but don’t be scared. Gyms are, in fact, a safe and fun place to get fit, providing free consultations, extensive equipment, personal trainers and individualized fitness programs to help you get the most out of your workout. And with many city gyms also offering a sweaty selection of classes like Tai-Bo, Pilates, aerobics and circuit training, soon you’ll be one of the irritatingly beautiful people.

Cascade Club and Spa (6-7/F, The Ascott Sathorn Bldg., South Sathorn Rd., 02-676-6969, Open Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm) is a high-class fitness facility on the 7th floor of The Ascott on Sathorn. Membership costs B36,000 per annum and includes unlimited use of steam, sauna and swimming pool.

Fitness First have 13 clubs around Bangkok all starting at B2,600 per month. Facilities include cardio-vascular training, spinning and group aerobics studios, steam-rooms and sauna. Their executive branch (Bio House, Soi Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-262-0520. Open Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm) also has a swimming pool.

5. Lose Weight, Eat Well 

Obesity is, quite literally, a growing epidemic in Thailand, and according to WHO, more than 1 billion adults are currently overweight worldwide. If you’ve eaten all the pies and now rank among the heavyweights, make 2007 the year you rediscover your waistline. There are several cafes and restaurants around town that help make eating out a healthful affair.

Rasayana Living Food Café (Sukhumvit Soi 39 [Soi Prom Mitr], 02-662-4803) offers enzyme and vitamin packed healthful food. All meals are vegetarian, raw, and free of sugar, wheat or dairy produce.

Tamarind Café (Soi Sukhumvit 20, 02-663-7421, Open Mon-Fri 3pm-midnight, Sat, Sun 10am-midnight) dishes up healthy and delicious vegetarian creations from all corners of the globe.

Anotai (976/17 Rim Klong Samsaen Rd., 02-641-5366/-70) serves health-concious Thai vegetarian dishes along with some salads and pastas.

6. Spa For Your Skin

Get pummeled and scrubbed and wrapped in mud—all in the name of beauty. 

Contrary to what some men like to think, skin is actually the largest organ in the body. And it’s responsible for all kinds of thankless jobs like respiration, excretion, absorbing oxygen and exhaling poisons. In the unlikely event that your entire body was somehow covered in spray paint, you wouldn’t get enough oxygen through breathing alone to sustain life. So give your hard-working, long-suffering skin a break this year, and spend a few hours in one of Bangkok’s rejuvenating spas.

Aside from the usual Thai and aromatherapy massage, most spas also offer therapeutic body wraps and scrubs. During a wrap the body is covered with mud or oils and then wrapped up like a hot-dog in plastic, and sometimes heated with a thermo blanket. Wraps help release toxins, reduce cellulite, stimulate circulation and nourish the skin. Scrubs effectively exfoliate and invigorate.

The folks at Devarana Spa (The Dusit Thani Bangkok, 946 Rama 4 Rd., 02-636-3596. Open daily 9am-10pm. www.devaranaspa.com)—voted Bangkok’s best spa by BK readers for the past four years—have come up with a tasty new treatment for 2007: 129 Mix and Match Scrubs. From B2,100, scrub-ees can create their own recipe from nine edible ingredients including chocolate, almond, coconut, coffee and cinnamon. So why not get covered in all the sinful things forbidden on your New Year’s diet?

Divana Nurture Spa (8 Soi Sukhumvit 35, 02-261-4818/9. Open Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-11pm) is now offering the 3-hour Intimate Elegance treatment, which includes foot soak, body massage, aromatic steam, body scrub and floral milky bath at B3,950, so that you can clean and refreshing from head to toe.

7. Hi-Tech Health

Are you so lazy that you hate even emptying the trash in the recycle bin on your computer? Is “running late” the only exercise you get? If you have neither the time nor inclination to spend hours pumping iron at the gym, then speed wellness could be just the ticket. The Bodhi (20/F, 253 Asoke Bldg., 02-640-8090. Open daily 7am-9pm and Unit 403/4, 4/F, Erawan Bangkok, 02-250-7882. Open daily 10am-8pm. www.thebodhi.com), Thailand’s first such center, uses cutting-edge technology from Germany (used by the German soccer team, no less) that makes getting fit a quick, and relatively painless affair.

“People are busy, busy, busy, so we make it speedy,” explains Ruben, the center’s friendly “Master Trainer.” And speedy it most certainly is. Using electricity currents, vacuum and vibrations, futuristic machines like the Hypoxi L250 Trainer, the Vacunaut, and the VM 400 give effective work outs in as little as 15 minutes. Membership costs B20,000 for one month, or B50,000 for three.

8. Remake Your Face

A svelte, gym-honed physique isn’t much use if you’re so ugly even the tide won’t take you out. Nature often needs a helping hand, and sometimes it should be holding lipstick, so put the finishing touch-ups to the New You with a professional makeover.

Cosmetic consultants design a look based on your skin type and color, and can recommend shades to complement your tone, dark circles and zits. They also offer application tips to improve your war-painting and can help you to update your look using samples from new season collections.
Makeovers with major cosmetic brands can be pricey, but BSC, Arty and Tell Me offer free make-up consultations in Robinson stores citywide; try Robinson Silom (2 Silom Rd., 02-266-3340/-50. Open daily 10.30am-10pm. www.robinson.co.th.)

This goes for you guys, as well. Arty is popular among gay and metrosexual men “because of its many shades of pressed powder,” one store manager told us. Go on, don’t be shy.

Studio Bar

Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Phyathai Rd., 02-216-3700 ext 20133
While enjoying the 10-man jazz band, The JRP, after a long hard day of shopping, in Siam or MBK, unwind with a wine buffet for B790. Enjoy as much as you want of their selection of five wines (two red, two white and one sparkling). Sun, 5-7pm. Through Feb 25.

Aldo’s

The Ascott Bldg., 187 South Sathorn Rd., 02-676-6982, www.cascadeclubandspa.com/aldos/.
Grab one of the outdoor salas, let a gentle breeze sway you into a Mediteranien mood, and sample some of Aldo’s famous pastas. To quench your first, go for free-flow wine B1,300 (non-member) and B990 (member). This month, a collection of Chardonnay wines from diverse countries are offered (you can call for the exact selection of wines). No music here—just wind and wine. Fri-Sun, 6-10pm.

Bacchus

20/6-7 The Ruam Rudee Village, Ploenchit Rd., 02-650-8986. Open daily 5pm-1am.
This venue sports a stylish contemporary interior, luscious food made with the most precious ingredients, and nightly lounge music. There’s also a wine bar boasting more than 200 different bottles but if you have no idea what to get, or are very thirsty, go for the wine buffet. At B699, you get three red, three white and one sparking wine to choose from, hailing from Chile, Australia, Italy and France. Mon-Fri, 5:30-8pm.