Journal

It's a very common instinct to want to hug something to sleep - it makes us feel safe and warm and cosy - and yet, the bolster is one of the most overlooked elements of the bed. A bolster needs no introduction - many of us grew up with them (hands up those of you who had a chou-chou growing up), but somehow it seems to have fallen out of fashion in recent years. It baffles me, because personally, I can't fall asleep without my bolster. It plays an indispensable role in my bedtime routine - I pull it out...

So it seems like we’ve been in a bit of a bad news spiral of late – first, electricity rates jumped, then the temperature decided to do the same thing, and now we’re running out of chicken! We’re still thinking about what to do with the chicken shortage, but in the meantime, we’ve got some points on how to combat the rising temperatures while saving electricity.   1. Keep window drapes and curtains closed during the day, so that the heat from outdoors doesn’t unnecessarily warm up the home. Studies have shown that curtains, particularly light coloured ones, can reduce...

Let’s talk about bed habits. I never bothered making my bed when I was growing up. Mornings were usually rushed affairs, rolling out of bed and getting ready for school at an unearthly hour. I started making my bed only after I moved overseas and stayed with a roommate. Friends would visit our place and hang out in our room after school. The fear of being labelled a messy person ensured that I always took a minute to straighten out all the wrinkles from my sheets before leaving the house.7 years down, I married my other half. It was then,...

Thinking of what you can bring to a friend’s housewarming or dinner party, other than dessert or wine?  The best gifts are items others love but hesitate to buy for themselves. Here is a list of elegant and thoughtful gifts you can bring to your next at-home dinner gathering with friends! 1. Scented hand wash Scented hand wash for your host’s powder room makes an excellent gift, especially when at-home dinner parties become the norm.   The lasting effect of a lovely scent on guests’ clean hands will make the short trip to the powder room an experience to remember. Tip:...

Choosing bedsheets is one of those things that doesn’t seem too complicated at first glance but can actually be quite daunting when one is faced with all of the options available both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Choosing the right sheets can change the way you sleep. Here are some important things that we always take note of when choosing sheets: What are the different fabric types? Naturally occurring fibresNaturally occurring fibres like cotton and linen are trusted and common. They come in a variety of qualities but are generally smooth, soft, breathable, durable and easy to maintain.Naturally-sourced regenerated fibresNaturally-sourced...

Father’s Day has always been awkward for me. The celebration of the day originated a century ago, from a land and a culture quite different from mine. The objective of the day is to honour the contributions and role of a father-figure. But what perplexes me the most is figuring out how the day’s objective can be achieved. Commercialisation offers both an easy and an equally difficult way out. A small gift of appreciation, convention says, to express your gratitude to your father. A card with some thoughts as well, to let your father know how you feel about him....