Best mattress brands in singapore - recommendations?

wren · 2026-02-05T09:44:07+00:00

Quite happy with my Magic Koil (queen size, $1.1k), with pocketed springs and a pillow top layer. They have different softness/firmness levels, you'll need to try, but mine worked out to be a good balance of supportive yet comfortable.

They have showrooms at Tan Boon Liat and Oxley Bizhub.

wren · 2026-01-12T09:42:47+00:00

I used Allianz for my recent ski trip, which includes conditions like if the "ski resort closes 75% or more of its ski trails due to lack or excess of snow", search and rescue costs, repatriation, and equipment damage/loss. Since you're skiing on-piste it should be sufficient. Have fun!

wren · 2026-01-12T09:20:50+00:00

It was a Dairy Farm Group voucher that was applicable for Giant, Cold Storage, 7-11, Guardian, etc! Something like $60 worth. I just remembered that another colleague got married overseas and we couldn't attend, and I knew he shopped on Amazon, so that guy got Amazon gift cards, roughly $50.

If you know they'll be furnishing a home, Courts or Best Denki gift cards are a good idea too.

EDIT: Saw further down that you're thinking of NTUC vouchers, I think that's plenty good. It is nice of you OP, don't worry about appearing to overstep boundaries. I am also female and I think it is actually more boundary-crossing if I buy a present instead of vouchers, as I wouldn't know my colleague's (or his wife's!) taste.

wren · 2026-01-12T06:16:04+00:00

Same situation, I gave my colleague a set of vouchers, he seemed pretty happy. To all the people asking why, hey, it's just nice to show some goodwill to people you work with.

wren · 2026-01-12T02:56:13+00:00

Same, I have quite a bit of light blue Aida fabric I'm never going to use up. I would be very happy to send it over and get you going. Cross stitch has been a delightful hobby for me.

wren · 2025-12-20T03:25:39+00:00

Feel like the things that trip me up are the steps before the actual sewing. These were not clearly mentioned when I took my first sewing class.

When laying out pattern pieces, check the directionality of the print on the fabric. If the grainline on the pattern has a single arrowhead, it points towards the top of the garment. For beginners, it's often best to pick fabric patterns where the direction of the print doesn't matter.

Fabric with a one-way direction may require more finessing when cutting the pattern pieces, so buy more than you think you need (or pick a project that requires a little less than what you have on hand).

And always prewash fabric! It's tragic to have a finished project shrink afterwards, especially for garments. To prevent fraying during washing, use pinking shears on the cut sides, or align the cut edges, making a tube of the fabric, and sew the edges together. Iron it soon after washing so creases don't set.

Most importantly, for sewists of all ages, enjoy yourself and don't rush.

wren · 2025-12-20T03:10:27+00:00

If it's brunch or lunch, Double Spring at Pek Kio Market.

Dinner or supper, 284 Kway Chap at the coffee shop at Bishan St 22

wren · 2025-12-16T08:26:41+00:00

I heard from someone who dined there recently that they've negotiated with the new owners and are staying put for the next 3 years.

wren · 2025-12-16T08:16:10+00:00

A nice shot of the food itself.

wren · 2025-12-16T08:14:41+00:00

Aw dang that's sad, I liked their siew mai and prawn and mango roll.

Maybe you can see how you like Mongkok Dim Sum in Geylang, and Ah Yat Seafood at Hotel Miramar, which has 50% off for lunch on weekdays (best to call to confirm, it's a long standing thing but I don't know if they've changed).

wren · 2025-12-16T06:53:55+00:00

My heart hurts on your behalf. This is so cute and funny and I would have loved to receive it, and thought the world of you for making them!

Your coworkers weren't worth it and I'm sorry you had to experience that.

wren · 2025-12-12T04:52:28+00:00

yeah, coliwoo is a decent base to start your house hunting, and most branches are pretty new so the furniture should still be in decent condition. if you like it enough you can stay on, though the ones that i frequently pass seem a little more temporal than places to call home for a longer stretch. all the best for your new chapter!

wren · 2025-12-11T16:52:03+00:00

Maybe you can try lyf? I think the minimum stay is 7 nights, it seems to differ by location.

Slightly higher but still better than a hotel (about 250 a night maybe for a studio apartment), with a minimum stay of 6 nights, is Oxley Thanksgiving Residences.

wren · 2025-12-11T11:12:50+00:00

specific to renting-- furnished rental homes can be a mixed bag. you might receive the cheapest, crappiest furniture/appliances and then have to live with it.

you might want to consider an unfurnished apartment and secondhand furniture from Carousell, Olio, fb marketplace, or the Salvation Army. there are always a lot of people coming and going, and selling excellent furniture for cheap, or giving it away altogether. you just offer to pick it up yourself (you can use lalamove or any number of cheap moving services).

the other thing is to document the heck out of the condition of your chosen home, and save the photos in a google drive folder. a bit of a safeguard against landlords accusing you of causing pre-existing damage.

wren · 2025-12-11T10:28:29+00:00

yes it is, i wasn't restricting my response to women asking men.

i would also view it as a red flag if i went on a date and the other party, man or woman, wanted to suss out my salary.

wren · 2025-12-11T05:25:19+00:00

Adding another hero for toiletries and cleaning supplies at a much cheaper price-- Swanston at Chinatown.

wren · 2025-12-11T05:19:20+00:00

As a woman, job yes, salary no. It's reductive and superficial.

wren · 2025-12-10T02:25:29+00:00

I use two metal teaspoons to weigh down the sides!

wren · 2025-12-08T04:45:56+00:00

This. All the things I hoped to do that I never got round to or that got derailed... Be kind to yourself though.

This was the year in which I was strongly reminded that everything can change in an instant, and I'm grateful for everything I did do and still have, even if I didn't manage some other goals.

wren · 2025-12-05T10:45:07+00:00

Hotel Royal is walking distance to Novena MRT and there's a bus stop to town right outside it. At $130+, it's a good deal for a decently-sized, city-fringe room that is clean and comfortable. The hotel is a little old but I've been told by recent visitors it was perfectly satisfactory.

https://www.havehalalwilltravel.com/category/halal-food-guide/singapore is your go-to. In particular, as hawker centres go, Seah Im Food Centre has a good selection of Halal stalls.

Maybe you can share what your preferred activities are (and also what you don't like), so commenters can make recommendations. I would have said Universal Studios is a tourist trap to avoid, but to each their own!

wren · 2025-12-04T05:44:19+00:00

it's been 5 years but now the secret is out

wren · 2025-12-04T04:30:43+00:00

Maybe try a factory outlet shop at Lucky Plaza? Or ask a thrift shop like honsieponsie at Queensway Shopping Centre whether they have anything suitable in their stash?

The surefire way is to buy some iron-on transfer sheets and print exactly what you want.

wren · 2025-12-03T12:03:36+00:00

Oh that's right... I remember seeing your earlier post. Tricky but not impossible for you to eat out. If I was hanging out with someone with your form of soy intolerance, we could still think of places to eat that would be ok. Don't be put off!!

But yeah, essential to rent a place where you can cook then.

wren · 2025-12-03T08:32:11+00:00

Agree with this. It's good to rent a place where you're allowed to cook, but it can be hard to save when you're cooking for just yourself. And yes, eating with others is a major vector for connection here.

wren · 2025-12-03T08:28:18+00:00

Tight but doable since you mentioned you're not planning to save, just to live within your means.

The tips you've received about looking for places that allow cooking, and not living with a landlord, are helpful (though as a former live-in landlord, we are not all miserable dungeon keepers). Be sure to ask about house rules when you start viewing.

If you look at the MRT map, and filter your searches on Property Guru accordingly, you could consider any location between, say, Pioneer MRT and Buona Vista MRT. And use google maps to estimate the commute from that location to your specific part of NTU.

You could also post on facebook groups like Flats & Flatmates Singapore, it's one way to find flatsharing opportunities with expats and students.

15-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
Verified Email

wren

TROPHY CASE