Have you met….

Marina:

 

So Ribbon and Roses launched 3 years ago…. All seems a bit of a blur but it’s been great fun and I’ve learnt so much, to a large degree through mistakes and luck.

Everyone thinks it’s pretty amazing, mostly my family that it’s still going, considering I didn’t really scrape together any GCSE’s, A Levels let alone a degree so all a bit of a risk setting something up but so thrilled I went for it. I really just make it up as I go alone as 90% of the time I have no idea what I’m doing!

With a huge challenge of time management and the constant guilt of working rather than running around the garden with Archie will never change I guess, but at least I can work from home and hear him laughing or screaming!

 

My favourite designer still continues to be Ellie Saab, so so pretty….Along with the magical world of Alexander McQueen who I have loved since doing my dissertation on him.

 

When on a night out there is nothing better than a lychee martini, especially out here in Singapore where you can sit outside in the evenings and enjoy the heat. Not everyone loves this 30 + degree climate, but I can’t get enough of it!

 

My biggest luxury is buying magazines… I know something so simple but it’s a huge treat out here as you basically have to re mortgage your house to buy just a few issues. An early night after a yummy supper and in bed with a few editions of UK In Style, Red and Home Décor I would take any day over the latest craze of “50 Shades of Grey”!

 

So in a nut shell, that’s me.... who is next from the Ribbon and Roses team to tell their secrets.....

 

Lots of love

Maz xx

Maz's Profile
3 favourite things:

Archie laughing

Dolly Parton

Amaretto

3rd Birthday!

We had a great afternoon celebrating our 3 year anniversary last week with Korla home, Tinkerbell and Starblu.

Thank you for lots of you popping in and we had a great response from all our new jewellery and clothes. Amazing that some of you arrived armed with a Christmas shopping list!!

 

Here are a couple of snaps from the afternoon and you can see more on facebook:

Anyone who missed the sale, hope to see you at W Boutique fair, Singapore on 11^th October and please email marina@ribbonandroses.com if you can’t wait till then!

Lots of Love

Ribbon and Roses xx

 

Dress your walls

So I must be getting a bit bored of these white walls as all I can think about is wallpapers, prints and paintings. Maybe it’s time I left my computer and got out for a bit but before I do that how cool are these lino prints by Millie McCallum….

YES please to the giraffe with headdress and fab “super power penguins”. A winner for any kids bedroom wall.

I have also totally fallen in love with all the work that Jess Arthur does… I just wish she wasn’t so far away and she could come and transform the again rather boring white walls in Archie’s room. 

I would also do anything for beautiful painted birds around where our dining table is… so, so pretty and unique. Might have to sadly wait for the move back to the UK for this one….

Lots of love

Maz xx

Maz's Profile 
3 favourite things:

Archie (18 month old son) laughing

Dolly Parton

Amaretto

What's going on with the Ribbon and Roses team....

Here's a little insight into the Ribbon and Roses office.

We are listening to:

On Spotify - Matchbox 20 – She’s So Mean. These guys remind us of school, bring on their come back!

Loving:

Grand Prix fever! We can't wait for the Singapore streets to be changed into a race track and the amazing atmosphere the whole weekend. Also with Maroon 5 and Katy Perry playing, what more could you ask for?

Eating:

Cafe Melba at 90 Goodman Road next to Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore. Amazing food and great atmosphere. They don't take reservations so worth getting there in good time!

Drinking:

Bubble Tea!  We like milk tea or lychee red tea - both with pearls, of course!

Doing:

Country Fair and Horse Show- If you are missing the typical English country fair, head on down to this on 9 September.

Watching:

Suits - great new US TV series based in a law firm. Some serious eye candy in this too!

Reading:

House and Garden on my ipad - best feature as its about 3 times the price out here.

Daily Mail online - A morning must with a cup of tea!

Lusting and wishing for:

Celine Hangbag - Come to mumma pretty one...

Waiting for:

Downton Abbey Series 3 starting in September on ITV!

Blogs we like:

Chamgmoh - full of secret tips of what to do and where to go in Singapore. Lucky she posts regularly so my 'to do' list just gets longer and longer.

Websites were into:

Honeycombers - can't get enough of this, a fountain of information about Singapore!

What do you do when you are bored:

Pinterest - this keeps us awake at night, too much to fun!

Lots of Love

Ribbon and Roses xx

Bespoke Interiors

A large part of moving to a new country is making your new house feel like home. I had visited all the usual expat haunts - Taylor B, Expat Auctions and John Erdos, but I wanted something a bit different to every other Brit.

I came across a few places where you can make your items completely bespoke so that they fit seamlessly in with your current décor…

Korla

Korla is new super cool online retailer where you can buy distinctive printed fabrics by the metre or bespoke soft furnishings. Choose from curtains, blinds, cushions and lampshades or contact them for other services – such as re-upholstering bedheads, old pieces of furniture or covering your own lampshades. Have a look at www.korlahome.com.

Ruby Slipper 
You can have beautiful hand woven Dhurrie rugs from India to your doorstep in just 6 weeks. Have your rug made to your exact specifications by choosing the colours and size you’d like form any one of the 10 available designs. They are 100% cotton which is perfect for the heat  here in Singapore. I love these simple designs which are right on trend right now. Visit www.rubyslipper.com.sg for more information.

Ikea 
With so many new curtains and blinds to add to your home it can get expensive, especially when most of us are renting. How about using Ikea’s sewing services? At the Alexandra Road branch the sewing booth is just past the payment area by the escalators. Arrive armed with your window measurements and an idea about the Ikea fabric you like to get your quote. Our secret source says ask for staff member 'Candy' for good service!

One of my friends has combined all three - Korla cushions, Ruby Slipper rug and Ikea blind...I think it looks great!

Lots of love

Jules

3 Best Things:

A good cheese burger
Sleep
Romance

High five to the Honeycombers...

We are loving the Honeycombers shout out about our Ribbon and Roses parties, thanks guys!...

All ready to go at a Ribbon and Roses Evening!

Imagine this: bubbly, 10 of your best girl friends at a girls' night in, the usual cheeky catching up, and shopping. Oh, and did we mention - a $150 shopping voucher for you to spend.

Think this sounds like a great idea? We thought so too.

Online shopping site Ribbon and Roses is not only expanding offline (they've already got some rad stockists), they're now coming straight to your doorstep. Plus - everything is beyond easy to organize.

What you do:
Round up the troops! Pick a date, time, and venue and tell the Ribbon and Roses team the deets. Whether you want to host a coffee morning or a cocktail night, they'll be there and ready to roll.

What they do:
They send out at e-invite to you, which you then send to your friends. That way everyone gets to see what R&R have on offer and can also request certain pieces. On the day of your party, then turn up with a rail of clothes, jewellery and accessories to set up an hour before your event starts.

What everyone gets:
Helloo, shopping and schmoozing with the girls? That can't be beat! Throw in a wardrobe update, jewellery on tap, and great new bags to tote your new wares in and we guarantee everyone will be a happy camper. Hosts also get a $150 to spend on the day itself for a little extra bonus.

Another successful Ribbon and Roses Evening

Happy shoppers!

For more information, contact the Ribbon and Roses team at info@ribbonandroses.com or give them a buzz at 8128 8176 8128 8176. Go forth and be stylish, girls!

http://www.thehoneycombers.com/singapore/2012/07/house-party.php

Changmoh for Ribbon & Roses: My Favourite Things in Sing

I live in, and love, Singapore and spend a large amount of my time trying to be as local as I possibly can. When in Rome...

I have a few favorite finds and R&R has asked me to share my top 5:

Dim Sum has become an addiction and I get my weekly fix at Crystal Jade Golden Palace in Paragon where, aside from all the usual faves, they also now serve delectable dim sum for children which is really very sweet.  Bring your own child sized chopsticks and be amazed at what they can do.  Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Paragon #5, T:  (+65) 67346866  (+65) 67346866

Yue Hwa (I’m no whizz at pronunciation but ‘you whaaaa’ seems to work ok – as in ‘you what?’ but missing off the ‘t’) in Chinatown is a great one-stop shop for people staying with you who are looking for well-priced presents to take home.  You have to be able to hunt out the good stuff though so don't send anyone here who is super high end as they won't be able to cope (send them to Shanghai Tangs in Taka instead).  My favorite place to buy reasonably priced, heavy, pure silk dressing gowns in rich emerald silk, embroidered with butterflies and lined in shocking pink. They also have a good jewellery department too on the top floor.  Yue Hwa, 70 Eu Tong Street, Singapore 059805, T:  (+65) 6538 4222  (+65) 6538 4222 , www.yuehwa.com.sg Opening Times: 11am-9pm Mon-Fri & Sun, 11am-10pm Sat

Joanne Chiam really is the Eve Lom of Singapore and her number is gold dust. Go to her for a facial just once and you’ll never go anywhere else. She is still a relatively well-kept secret and a lot of her clients are beautifully groomed tai tais who visit her monthly, as a minimum. At $150 for up to 2 hours (depending on how bad your skin is; 1.5 hours if it's ok) not only is she miles cheaper than Eve Lom but also very, very good at what she does. (I secretly wanted to list Joanne first, as my top can’t-live-without but thought it looked a bit vain, so I’ve dropped her down to 3^rd place but truth be told, I’d happily forfeit dim sum to go to her if I had to choose!) It’s only her, so SMS for an appointment rather than call. Joanne, 57 Cairnhill Road, #01-01 Elizabeth Heights, S229668, T:  (+65) 9734 8075  (+65) 9734 8075 ; by appointment only

Number 4 is the Jade Market in Hong Kong, which I know is not quite Singapore, but it’s near enough.  Found on Kansu and Battery street, it’s a great place to stock up on presents, including huge Chinese jade pendants which you can pick up for around HKD$60 (£5).

Chinese puddings are generally much maligned but I defy anyone not to love an egg tart from Tong Heng. Almost identical to a French custard tart in terms of taste (not too sweet) and pastry (deliciously light and crumbly), I was introduced to this Chinatown institution by my surrogate Singaporean mummy, T.  Their euro tartiness is explained by the fact that they a hangover from the days when Portugal was in charge here. Priced at little more than $1 a tart, double park and buy a box of at least six to make the trip worth it.  Baked daily. Tong Heng, 285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833, T:  (+65) 6223 3649  (+65) 6223 3649 /  6223 0398  6223 0398 ; Opening Times: 9am-10pm daily

Read more about life in Singapore and where it takes me at:www.changmoh.com

Lots of love

Changmoh

My 3 favourite things:

My girl and 2 boys

X

Egg tart image, courtesy of insing.com