Singapore Street Sculpture - Seat Art You Can Sit On

 

Singapore Street Sculpture. Bench. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

It's not just street art - it is seat art. This unusual bench is outside the Bukit Panjang Plaza shopping Mall.

Singapore has lots of street sculpture. By the river and the financial building's there is the beg bird by South American renowned sculptor. 

Another memorable sculture is the word LOVE. On a humorous note, there are three oys jumping into the river. Several more show historic charcters in their work clothes.

Here is the latest, abstract. By Bukit Panjang MRT railway station. Take the railway and you'll see lots of suspended and static sculptures, and murals.

Useful Websites

https://remembersingapore.org/2012/01/28/pictorial-gallery-bronze-sculptures-singapore/

https://mrtmapsingapore.com/singapore-mrt-lines/downtown-line-mrt/

Please share links to your favourite posts.

Hawthorn Berries - Products to try in Singapore or from the internet - or buy and cook and try, diy

Cut hawthorn berries, bought in Fairprice supermarket, Singapore. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

The berries looked rock hard. However, I was surprised to find that I could cut into them easily. A bit like thick skinned grapes, soft on the inside. Watch out for the one large stone in the middle, like a cherry stone.

See previous posts for more information.

Useful Websites

https://omnivorescookbook.com/recipes/hawthorn-berry-juice

Please share links to your favourite posts.

See Update added Saturday Oct 14th.

Dried Hawthorn Slices

https://www.fairprice.com.sg/product/one-sunny-dried-hawthorn-slices-500-g-90054995

Hawthorn Tea

https://www.fairprice.com.sg/product/planet-organic-hawthorn-berry-loose-herbal-tea-100-g-90143381?gclid=CjwKCAjwkaSaBhA4EiwALBgQaKVmMmHvCzYRYLDUvTG2D-dEpbFtZ8M3dU19skL8c9iOi4MoFtGlkRoC9IMQAvD_BwE

Hawthorn gin - at 99 Singapore dollars

https://www.fairprice.com.sg/product/hepple-sloe-hawthorn-gin-1-x-500ml-90061111

4.90 Sing dollars - that's my sort of price for a novelty and a snack. Hawthorn with salt and sugar, okay, plus added locrice and plum powder

https://www.fairprice.com.sg/product/green-earth-dried-hawthorn-130-g-90031475 

Chinese New Year already - all ready, all red!

 

All red decorations for Chinese New Year, in Bukit Panjang Shopping mall. Photo credit Trevor Sharot.

Chinese New Year will be Tuesday February 1st 2022. The date varies every year, in accord with the lunar calendar. In China, Singapore, Taiwan and other places it is known as Chinese New Year. Other countries might call it Lunar New Year.

The Chinese Characters mean Spring Festival.

Useful Websites

Wiki CNY

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year

Wiki BP

Author

BIOGRAPHY

Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5 
The Author of several books including  Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.

Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President

Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time 

Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;

Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;

Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.

More details from Toastmasters International find a club.

Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.

Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.

Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.

Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.

Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.

Language and speech workshops in Singapore.

Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.

Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.

Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.

Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.

 Please share links to your favourite posts.

Books by Angela Lansbury
How to be the best man. (Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Wedding Speeches and Toasts.(Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Unforgettable British Weekends.
Poetry Workshop Workbook.
The Tailor and the Spy. (Lulu.)
Larry The Talking Labrador. (Lulu.)
Writing Poetry for fun.

Quick Quotations

Who Said What When

Bukit Panjang Xmas Lights and goodies to buy

 

Bukit Panjang Xmas decorations.

As you see in this picture a lovely large central display of green symbolic trees in green, gold five point stars, red hangings, a wreath, vertical hanging strands of gold glitter.

In the Fairprice supermarket you can buy Xmas theme paper plates by the checkout. At the other end  of the supermarket is a dedicated section on Xmas. Gifts include decorations and wrapping paper and wide ribbons for wrapping gifts, Xmas themes, pink, red, fabric, but rough feel, suitable for decor, not for making clothes).

The mall is on three levels. Other shops include the small Japan Home, Bata which has reductions on shoes, Starbucks. At the top is the library.

I looked at Fairprice online and typed in Christmas in the search box. Up came the wreath, the ribbons, and Christmas pudding digestive biscuits. Also garlands, synthetic xmas trees, red A shape Santa hats and short red Xmas socks (for gift caddies - like xmas stockings but shorter. Also fairy lights, baubles. The hampers contained mainly alcoholic drinks and chcocolates and Christmas cards. Santa costumes for adults and children. Glitter top hats for a dinner or party, five pieces, in red, or blue, or silver, or pink, or black, or green.  Rheindeer headband. Pandoro.

Useful Websites

https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/bukitpanjangplaza/en.html

https://www.fairprice.com.sg/

https://www.fairprice.com.sg/product/partyforte-christmas-3m-ribbon-roll-assorted-designs-1-pc-90106683

About the author

(About the Author of this blog, Author Angela Lansbury)

BIOGRAPHY

Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5 
The Author of several books, including  Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.

Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President

Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time 

Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;

Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;

Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.

More details from Toastmasters International find a club.

Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.

Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.

Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.

Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.

Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.

Language and speech workshops in Singapore.

Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.

Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.

Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.

Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.

I  also have a blog on comic poems.

 Please share links to your favourite posts.

Bukit Panjang Shopping and Senja Cashew Swimming Pool CC - what's in it for you?

Bukit is Malay language for hill. Panjang is Malay language for long. I know it well because I have lived in this area for more than five years. My family shop regularly in the malls. The main supermarket is Fairprice Finest, which is 'a leg up from the standard Fairprice. It stocks more deli stuff, expat items, imported brands. More expensive but more choice.

Starbucks Coffee

 Bukit Panjang is the end of the MRT line and the destination of many shoppers, swimmers and people wanting to meet up with meetings and friends.

Useful Websites

About the Author

About Angela The Author

The Author - Quick Quotations

Angela Lansbury B A Hons  is the author of ten books by regular publishers plus another ten self-published books. 

About Angela The Speaker & Trainer

Angela Lansbury is a teacher of English and other languages to Toastmasters clubs and businesses.

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Vice President  Public Relations, Immediate Past President.

Former Area Director S3. Club Coach for Nee Soon South Toastmasters Club.

Also Member of: TCA Toastmasters Club; Singapore Online Dynamic; Harrovians UK

The recent meeting of BHA included Garen Tee on using story telling in business, on bha.learncool.sg . Also an educational on using Powerpoint for posters.

Next BHA meetings, (subject to revision)

1 (Saturday, May 15th, was 2 pm Singapore time, postponed because of national speaking contest.) 

After Vesak day and Hari Raya: 

Postponed to Saturday May 29th, 2021, at 2pm. Login to bha.learncool.sg earlier.

2 Next June meetings 1st Wednesday evening June 2nd at 7 pm Singapore time. 

3 Third Saturday afternoon, June 19th, Singapore time.  Thanks to the old team and Inauguration of New Team. 

Special speech with slides about teamwork in sport and Toastmasters International and life, by the President of West Coast Toastmasters Club who often help BHA with workshops and invite us to give speeches at their club.

Inauguration of new committee by incoming Area Director of S

About Angela The Blogger 

Angela has several blogs on speeches, comedy and song writing and organizing, writing intermittently, but writes almost daily on these three:

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

See next post on sculptor Tom Harvey.

Please share links to your favourite posts. 

The information on Toastmasters is updated regularly.

SINGAPORE MALLS, from Ion in the Centre to Bukit Panjang in the suburbs

 Let me compare Plaza Singapura to a few other malls. 

AIRPORT & NEARBY

CHANGI CITY POINT adjoining the MRT, one train stop from Changi airport contains

BATA shoes

CLARKS shoes

DAISO Japanese bargain store

MARKS (small, mainly food)

VALU DOLLAR (opposite Daiso) has suitcases on wheels, lots of chocolates and cleaning materials, small stationery

CENTRAL

ORCHARD ROAD

ION Mall

Positives

ION is one of the most central. Great number of stores. Access from MRT Orchard (south side exit). Good when it rains.

Neutral or negative

But a claustrophobic maze. I would hate to try to get out in a fire. I always get lost.

Contains a DAISO.

SINGAPURA PLAZA

Contains Daiso, Spotlight, Best, Starbucks

SUBURBAN

BUKIT PANJANG

Bukit Panjang Plaza, (Bukit Panjang MRT)

Fairprice supermarket

Small Japan Home

Hillion Mall, (Bukit Panjang MRT)

Misses the anchor and opportunity of a department store. I remember when it was being built and you went from tiny corner shop to another and wondered when a proper shop would open.

Other Malls, listed alphabetically

Bedok Mall

Clementi Mall

Hougang

IMM

Jurong Point

Nex

Paya Lebar

Tampines Mall

Toa Payoh

United Square

West Mall

Westgate

White Sands

Vivo City

Malls By Area

Central

ION

North

Central

WEBSITES

https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/bukitpanjangplaza/en.html

https://www.fairprice.com.sg/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTUC_FairPrice

https://www.capitastar.com/sg/en/about-us.html

https://www.popular.com.sg/store-locator

Hillion

Misses the anchor and opportunity of a department store. I remember when it was being built and you went from tiny corner shop to another and wondered when a proper shop would open.

http://www.hillionmall.com.sg/store-listing/

ION Orchard

https://www.ionorchard.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ION_Orchard

About the Author

About Angela The Author

The Author - Quick Quotations

Angela Lansbury B A Hons  is the author of ten books by regular publishers plus another ten self-published books. 

About Angela The Speaker & Trainer

Angela Lansbury is a teacher of English and other languages to Toastmasters clubs and businesses.

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Vice President  Public Relations, Immediate Past President.

Former Area Director S3. Club Coach for Nee Soon South Toastmasters Club.

Also Member of: TCA Toastmasters Club; Singapore Online Dynamic; Harrovians UK

The recent meeting of BHA included Garen Tee on using story telling in business, on bha.learncool.sg . Also an educational on using Powerpoint for posters.

Next BHA meetings, (subject to revision)

1 (Saturday, May 15th, was 2 pm Singapore time, postponed because of national speaking contest.) 

After Vesak day and Hari Raya: 

Postponed to Saturday May 29th, 2021, at 2pm. Login to bha.learncool.sg earlier.

2 Next June meetings 1st Wednesday evening June 2nd at 7 pm Singapore time. 

3 Third Saturday afternoon, June 19th, Singapore time.  Thanks to the old team and Inauguration of New Team. 

Special speech with slides about teamwork in sport and Toastmasters International and life, by the President of West Coast Toastmasters Club who often help BHA with workshops and invite us to give speeches at their club.

Inauguration of new committee by incoming Area Director of S

About Angela The Blogger 

Angela has several blogs on speeches, comedy and song writing and organizing, writing intermittently, but writes almost daily on these three:

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

See next post on sculptor Tom Harvey.

Please share links to your favourite posts. 

1989 Classic from Swee Heng - Singapore's best pastry and buns?

I went to Frontier Toastmasters in Frontier Community Club, which contains the public library opposite the Boon Lay Bus Exchange, by the MRT station.

At the meeting break time I looked at the buns and thought, what's this, all pastry, refined flour and sugar and no protein? I selected what looked like a bun with some kind of filling on top.

Recommended - excellent
I can only describe it as a breakfast bun. It seemed to have a mixture of a slice or two of boiled egg hidden inside cream or mayonnaise with folded bits of ham, but so no salty I was not sure if it was vegetarian with the look of ham. I took another bite and another.

Choc - ok
I went back for a second, but they were all gone. I had probably had my share anyway. I tried a sponge cake with tiny spots of chocolate. Acceptable. What was left? Some green sponge cake, I presumed pandan.

Green pandan cake. Wiki.

I needed instant energy, sugar. I was about to give a ten minute presentation on vocal variety and English language. Everybody had finished. I felt I could take another piece from the leftovers. I settled for a piece of yellow dough.

Dough - oh yes!
Oh - it was delicious! More-ish. Wonderful. Who was the supplier? The see-through plastic bag had the words Swee Heng 1989 Classic.

Where? Everywhere!
I looked at the website and found they are all over Singapore including Bukit Panjang and other big shopping hubs next to the MRT stations and bus exchanges.

You are not allowed to eat nor drink on the MRT (mass rapid transit train service), but the food is great to eat before travelling or when you get off or as I did at a meeting break.

On their website I saw similar products. But they also sell seasonal foods.

Elsewhere I spotted the word halal and if you see halal it confirms what I suspected, that what looked like ham was not ham, but 'chicken ham'.

In case you were wondering, halal and kosher food ban pork or pork products such a park fat (lard). Kosher follows even more of the rules in the Bible (Levicitcus being the word for laws) and also do not have milk and meat in the same food or meal and also ban shellfish.

Fish Spice
As I am allergic to crustaceans, mollusks, although I am OK with normal fish which swim with fins such as salmon and trout. I am wary of fish paste. I have to watch out for shellfish. One of the buns I tried that evening was a very spicy shellfish.

Fortunately, I had pulled a tiny piece off each bun using my fingertips to pinch a corner though the bag, before I tried to eat the whole of it. So I was able to leave the fish bun for somebody else, without having touched it with either my teeth or fingertips.

If you are buying or eating and have an allergy to shellfish or spicy food, enquire when buying or before eating.

Yes, I approve of Swee Heng. First choice, the plain sweet bun, second choice the bun with cheese.

Would you believe, I get cream cheese out of the fridge and find the lid had an offer of a free bun from Bee Heng, a garlic bun.

Useful Websites
https://www.sweeheng.com.sg/

Travel
For deals flying into or out of Singapore
singaporeair.com
https://holidays.singaporeair.com/en-uk/

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.. 

See Trains and Art at Bukit Panjang MRT and LRT

Bukit Panjang is the far north end of the Downtown line. Bukit means hill in the Malay language, and panjang means long.

Bukit Panjang is a busy interchange. You switch from the MRT (mass rapid transit) underground to the LRT (light railway or above eye level, outdoors.

Opposite the upstairs entrance to the light railway, is the entrance to an indoor shopping mall.

In the open area outside on the ground level, you can see entertainment - busier on national holidays.

I stopped and enjoyed watching a little train going around.

When I went from the LRT to the Downtown I passed two art exhibits.

One shows drawings done on the underground trains as well as buses by a group of artists who have a web page on Facebook.

The other is the three winners of a contest for photography on tunnels.

There's always something to see on the MRT.

The Downtown line has driverless trains and the doors close automatically with a recorded message if you should accidentally cause an obstruction.

The LRT has fascinating windows which cloud up at stations and sometimes between stations if you are alongside government housing (HDB).

Lots to look at.

Author

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer. If you have a favourite post, please share the links with your family, friends and colleagues.

Chua Chu Kang Community Club For Green Walls and fish and tortoises

When I reached my destination and the 190 bus dropped me right outside the Community Club. I was already in a good mood.

CCK CC with flowers and oriental stone lantern.


Food Choices
 If you arrive early for a meeting, you can go to the hawker centre (outdoor food court) beyond on the left of the building. Alternatively, use the McDonalds just inside the front on the left.

CCK Greenery. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Notice the flower pots at the base and the letters CCK at the top.

Greenery
This building has two striking features.
1 The low Chinese garden with colourful flowers and a small stone lantern.
2 The triple giant facades with greenery growing all over them.

Fish Pond
Like many Community Clubs, this one has a fish pond on the ground floor. I enjoyed watching the large pink and yellow and black fish shoot round and round.

CCK CC in Singapore. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Three tortoises sat so still on a tiny raised platform in the centre of the pond that I though they were a stone statue for decoration. Then one of them moved.

Getting there
The bus stop for the 190 bus from Bukit Panjang MRT and shopping malls is right outside. For the return bus, cross the road to the bus stop slightly to the left. you might think it's obvious to cross the road for the stop going in the opposite direction, but some Community Clubs are on a bus loop, so you can arrive and leave at the same stop.

Toilets
As is often the case in Singapore, the toilet paper is in a dispenser outside the cubicles.

Singapore flag.

Useful Websites
https://www.pa.gov.sg/our-network/community-clubs/Locate-CC/detail/Chua-Chu-Kang-Community-Club
https://www.facebook.com/ChuaChuKangOurHome/
Singapore Airlines
singaporeair.com

To get directions use
Google maps

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

Why does Christmas come so early in Singapore? In England? Everywhere? What should I buy now?

Some of the community clubs have Diwali decorations. Some to the office blocks already have Xmas decorations.

Seasonal decorations in Singapore, November 2018. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Problem
Christmas cakes are on the shelves already in Bukit Panjang at the Fairprice supermarket, Fairprice Finest food.

Why are we being pressurized into buying? I admit that at times it can be an advantage.

I remember one year I was flying from London, England, to Singapore the month before Xmas and I was asked to take a Christmas cake from Marks & Spencers in London to Singapore.

I did not want to leave shopping until the last minute. I emailed back with lots of queries. Do you want a round cake or oblong? Do you want the cheaper plain iced top which we can decorate ourselves? If so, do you want me to buy or bring with a set of Xmas cake decorations. Would you prefer a cake with decorations on top?

Are you sure you want only the traditional English fruit cake? Do you want one with alcohol it in- which preserves cake but costs extra? Do you want one with a hidden imitation silver sixpence or lucky charm, which costs extra?

Cake Weight
How big a cake do you want? The largest cake takes me over the airline's suitcase weight limit.

Which of the other umpteen items can you forego instead of the heavy cake? Cake or heavy wine bottle or the heavy pair of shoes - which is it?

Check Use By Dates
I went straight to my nearest supermarket and was delighted to find the Xmas cakes already on sale. Unfortunately, when I checked the use by dates, the cake had to be used before Xmas day! So I checked every day until the day of departure, hoping the next delivery would have a later use by date.

What else do you want? Christmas theme plastic tableloth? Xmas theme table napkins? Wrapping paper and bows? Xmas cards with Victorian snow scenes? A banner to strong across the ceiling? A wreath for the door?

Xmas Crackers
Xmas crackers are essential - but I can't pack ones with the snap - they are banned for risking causing in flight explosion. I have empty crackers from previous years - I can stick the outsides together with tape and insert tiny toys or gifts and folded paper hats.

As American Benjamin Franklin said, so much to do, so little time. The shops need to stock up early, find out the best-sellers, and re-stock ready for the last minute panic.

Now you know why Christmas comes so early in Singapore. The same applies in England and the rest of the world.

Finally, what about buying gifts which have to be posted? Those post early for Christmas dates will soon be ready to warn us when to post to our friends overseas to be sure that the gifts arrive in time.

As for me, what do I want for Christmas? For those of us who procrastinate, now is a good time to be thinking about what I want for Christmas. Christmas lists on line? Most major companies have wishlists.

Christmas Gifts
What about secret Santa presents at clubs? It's good to have a few extra presents ready for unexpected guests and parties where everybody is invited to bring a gift.

What else need we do in a hurry? Final date for the British tax return. If I can get Xmas preparation out of the way, I shall have more time for all those renewals, and the following new year's resolutions.

New Year
What was last year's New Year's Resolution? Didn't I make one about preparing earlier for Christmas?

Author, Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Folding Travel Hat

Isn't this nifty, or, as the Americans say, neat. I had to buy it. It comes from Japan Home. Brimmed hats are so bulky to stow away when you are indoors and sitting down for a meal.

I-Rings Protecting Your Mobile Phone Are Great For Selfies

Problems
I saw an i-ring on the back of a girl's phone. I asked what it was for. She said it kept your phone upright on a desk so you could photograph yourself in a selfie or video yourself giving a speech. How much do they cost? She told me, under ten dollars (Singapore dollars) - mostly less than five dollars.

Stories
Buying Bargains
I was in Toa Payoh in the centre of Singapore, walked up and down the market stalls across the covered path from the shops, and found a seller who had one for five dollars. I walked away to see if I could find anything cheaper and shops were offering them for ten dollars which I knew from their other prices was high and for locals used to bargaining, unlike tourists, would be double to final agreed price. I eventually paid
three dollars forty cents and was pleased with my bargain.

However, I later saw them sold for two dollars in the rummage trays in a ground floor shop in Bukit Panjang at Bukit Panjang Plaza. (This used to be the main or only shopping mall. Now Hillion has opened across the road.

Where do you stick the i-ring? Does it matter? If you are using it to hold the phone by your finger, whatever feels comfortable.

If you are using it to keep your phone upright or rather diagonally on a desk top, you may want to experiment.

I went on the web looking for answers. Instead I found another brand's excellent site which led me on a detour.

One Hand Operation Of Phones
The brand is Flytrap and they are American. From their website I learned that there are many more uses for holding a mobile phone in one hand.

I used to place my phone on my lap when I got into a car and needed my left hand to shut the door. When I got out, the phone would fall onto the ground.

The website also solved a mystery about the costs and tracking of sending goods overseas. I used to buy a lot of goods on ebay. Some arrived overnight. Others disappeared for a month. The website explained all that. The dearer 'shippers' - noways mostly flying deliverers, offer tracking, which not only relieves stress, it give you comeback if an item goes missing.

Meanwhile I am looking at my two dollar ring. Where do I stick it?

Tips
All you need to know on:
https://shop.flygrip.com/collections/flygrip-gravity

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.

Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Treats

Armchair travelling the Web

Heart shape pendant

Heart shape toast, using a heard shape cutout (or fold the bread and use a piece of paper as a template).

Heart shape crumpet sold in supermarket.

Heart shape crumpet white plate.

Sainsbury's website had some great ideas for heart-shape foods. My favourites are:
1 Fried egg cooked in a heart-shape hole cut in toast.
2 Lightly boiled egg squeezed into heart shape by pressing base into v-shape card, and making an  indentation on top with a chopstick, washed pencil or similar
3 Heart shape bread for biscuit with red topping. (Savoury eg beetroot or sweet eg jam (called jelly in the USA), jelly (called Jello which is a brand name in the USA) and/ or red squashed or pureed fruit.

Travelling the UK
If you are travelling around before Valentine's day, look for some special dinners in restaurants, themed pubs, and heart shape crockery displays in department stores.

After Valentine's day look for discounts on the heart-shape crockery. In Brent Cross shopping centre try Fenwicks department store crockery department.

Travelling In Singapore
If you are planning a trip which takes place before or during Valentine's Day, you can spend time during your rest at the airport or on the plane noting down in your diary some Happy Valentine's Day stories.

Toastmasters International Clubs
If you go to a speakers' club in Singapore not just on Valentine's Day but during the month of February, meetings will have the themes Love and Valentines. You may be asked:
What will you do on Valentine's Day?
What do you do if you don't have a Valentine?
What was your best Valentine's Day.
What was your best present?(Given received, seen in shops.)
What was your worst present? (Given, received, seen in shops.)

If you are looking for something on a budget, try Daeso, Valu, or even the pharmacies such as Guardian and Watson.

Popular bookstore has items such as heart-shape notebooks or Post-its. Now everybody seems to be in on the festival of love, not just courting couples but married couples, children and teachers, children and parents, brothers and sisters. You can buy not only cards showing hugging bears but pairs of hugging stuffed toys.

Daiso Stores
Here's a heart shape espresso cup and saucer I bought in Daeso in Singapore for only two (Singapore) dollars, the same price charged for every item in Daeso.

Daiso is a Japanese brand store, everything the same price. I found branches in Ion in the centre of Singapore and in the mall a couple of blocks away from the last stop going north at the end of the Downtown line, Bukit Panjang. You can see two malls, Junction 10 and Bukit Panjang Plaza.

In Daeso I saw a set of cookie cutters in the four playing card shapes, clubs, diamonds, spades and hearts. I think they also sold a set of three heart shape cutters in varying sizes, nesting inside each other.

UK - Lakeland stores
In the UK the place to find this sort of thing is Lakeland cookery utensil stores. They have a branch in Watford and a website. They stock a huge variety of cookie cutters as well as seasonal items.

https://www.homemadebyyou.co.uk/articles/tips/4-hopelessly-romantic-breakfasts-for-valentines-day

Angela Lansbury travel writer and photographer.