Laundry, Drycleaners & Designer Hangbag Cleaners

Recently I read some news articles / features on having your designer handbags professionally cleaned, and that complaints against drycleaners are on the rise in Singapore the past few years. I thought it would be a good time to do a post on the various laundry shops in Raffles Place I see.

Personally, I would recommend Presto Drycleaners located at OUB Centre (One Raffles Place now) 5th floor just next to the escalator. I had brought a duchess satin evening dress to the drycleaner located at Raffles Exchange but the old woman there told me to "remove the rhinestoned-straps" because "if damaged, not their fault". I was appalled by her unprofessionalism and asked my dress designer what to do. Luckily he recommended that I go to Presto Drycleaners as they are the "better service provider". I googled for the nearest outlet and luckily I found one in OUB Centre! Was I glad I brought my two dresses there (the duchess satin and a silk-linen blend), as the service was efficient, prompt and professional! The lady there was knowledgeable and assured me they are used to good-quality evening wear and they knew how to handle my dresses. What a sharp contrast! I got my dresses back on time, nicely cleaned and pressed, and there were even sponge-padding used to protect my dresses from the hangers! You could see I am still impressed by their service ;)

The first drycleaner at the Raffles Exchange I mentioned has since moved / closed down - no surprise there!

If you wish to find other drycleaners / laundry services in Raffles Place, off-hand I could think of these places (no names because I have not used their services before and would not want to recommend them personally):

Arcade level 3 - at least 2 shops, 1 offers designer handbag-cleaning too
Chevron House level 1, near the "Hitachi Tower Smokers' Corner" hehe!
Goldenshoe Market level 1, beside May Hua Food Court - they offer designer handbag-cleaning and clothes-alteration too
Republic Plaza Tower II level 2 - clothes-alteration services offered too

I have not ventured further than the immediate Raffles Place, so if you found more please let me know! And share with me your comments if you have used any of these laundry shops ;)

By the way, be very careful to whom you send your expensive designer-wear and handbags for cleaning; there is always a risk something goes wrong, and even if the business is willing to make full compensation, as we all know, money may not buy you that same beloved bag / dress again :(

Her Contrariness

Have you ever thought you did not want something, but later found out you could not have it, and felt disappointed / dejected? All of a sudden you yearn for what you cannot have...such is the contrariness in life (and yes I checked the dictionary, there really is such a word!)

I want...

... but not a pet, get what I mean?

Chinese New Year - Year of The Rabbit

Time flies, and Chinese all over the world are preparing to send majestic Mr Tigger away, and welcome Hoppy Bunny this Thursday 3 Feb 2011 ;)

I am not sure if it's an age thing, but this year I feel the urge to properly decorate my house and to try and create the appropriate festive atmosphere:

慈菇 (Arrowhead chips) & cookies / Pineapple Pocket Pies from Cedele Raffles Place

My fave kueh bahlu

We call these "bee hives" LOL

Pineapple Tarts - a "must-have" for CNY!

Aren't these peonies simply gorgeous? I love them!

These are actually fruit candies from Taiwan! I bought them from NTUC supermart for only $2.20/box - I had a good laugh over the packaging, because they are exactly like fruit cartons, yet are only palm-sized! So kawaii!

Of course how can I talk about CNY without mentioning hongbaos / red packets? Every year you'd see different designs, but this year pink and cream are favourite new alternatives over the traditional red/gold combination. I liked the pink ones, until I see more and more of the same, so they are not so special anymore I guess hehe...

Here's wishing everyone a prosperous, joyous and healthy Year of Rabbit!

国泰民安
新年快乐
兔年吉祥

Conspicuous Consumption

Conspicuous consumption, as defined in wikipedia, is "lavish spending on goods and services acquired mainly for the purpose of displaying income or wealth. In the mind of a conspicuous consumer, such display serves as a means of attaining or maintaining social status."

I look around me and this term pops up in my mind constantly - in Singapore shopping is deemed a national hobby (tying in first place with eating!) so it's no wonder you witness consumerism constantly. But what makes it "conspicuous" is the fact that the goods purchased have no intrinsic utility (value) - so would you buy XXX if no one knows about it?

After a whole year of prudent spending - only a short getaway, redeeming air miles for free air tickets to boot - we have decided to pamper ourselves and give in to temptation...

Yes Logong got me an iPad, not just the cover...hehe

My Christmas pressie Part I to Logong - to help him wake up better :P

Christmas pressie Part II to Logong: his latest craze - toy / retro cameras!

Delightful long tees from Uniqlo - Franche Lippée ...do these little red-hooded figures remind you of...

This picture is like my portrait - it never fails to bring a smile to my face! See the complete story on Logong's blog, The Content Guy.

What would you do if you had all the money and time in the world?

Deepak Chopra, in an episode of Current Mentor (by Current TV), said to find out what's your unique talent / career, ask yourself what would you do if you had all the money and time in the world...this has got me thinking hard.



Clearly I do not have all the money and time in the world, so I shall continue counting beans...until I figure out what do I want to be when I grow up that is! ;)