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3 accommodations under $133/night near the heart of Sydney, Australia

Have a trip planned to Sydney, Australia, and looking for a place to stay while you visit?

We’ve curated a list of options for you, all priced under $133/night. For the budget-conscious traveler, these accommodations offer great value.

Artistic, light-filled rental unit in Darlinghurst

Price: $102/night

First, we will start off the list with this light-filled rental unit flooding the senses with eclectic art and stunning views of the Sydney borough and beyond.

The living space exudes artistic flair with a piano, dining table, coffee table, and sofa bed—perfect for a lone traveler or couple seeking an inspirational hideaway. A separate kitchenette allows for light meal preparation while a coin laundry on the same level makes doing laundry a breeze.

The location cannot be beaten. Situated in one of Sydney’s most funky neighborhoods, you have an abundance of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops right around your doorstep.

Warm & inviting two-story studio close to the Sydney Jewish Museum

Price: $110/night

This two-story studio in the heart of Sydney offers the ideal mix of convenience, comfort, and style. Situated above a vintage barbershop, this retreat provides quick access to the cafes, museums, and boutique shops lining Surry Hills and Darlinghurst.

Self-check-in with a keyless entry system means you can check in whenever and then chill in the living area on the ground floor opening onto a private balcony. The loft-style bedroom on the upper level features enough room to spread out, while the kitchenette has everything needed for simple meals.

With over 260 reviews praising the inviting space, warm hospitality, and central location just steps from the Sydney Jewish Museum, you know you’re in good hands.

Minimalist studio space a short walk to Paddington Reservoir Gardens

Price: $130/night

And as we come to a close, this stylish studio flat makes a great home base for solo travelers exploring Sydney.

Situated in a quiet building just steps from Paddington Reservoir Gardens, the rental space features a comfortable queen bed, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a private bathroom. Fresh linens, towels, and toiletries are provided for a worry-free stay.

Hop on the nearby bus to reach the city center or head to Bondi Beach in a jiffy. This ground-floor vacation rental offers everything you need for an awesome Aussie adventure.

When it comes to finding affordable accommodations near the heart of Sydney, these three options truly stand out (and that’s why we’ve picked them). Whether you prefer an artistic haven, an inviting two-story studio, or a minimalist oasis, there’s something for everyone. Book your stay now before you Come and Say G’day

Mamas-to-be should fight stretch marks with these 3 belly masks from $9

Mamas-to-be, we understand that battling stretch marks is a top priority for you as your tummy grows by the day.

If you’ve already tried various oils and creams, it’s time to take your belly skincare routine up a notch.

With these effective belly masks, priced from as low as $9, you can combat stretch marks like never before. Stay with us on this page for the deets!

Palmer’s Tummy Mask for Stretch Marks 33 ml

Price: $9

This wallet-friendly tummy mask harnesses the power of cocoa butter, shea butter, and argan oil to soothe, soften, and reduce the appearance of stretch marks on your expanding belly.

The 100% cotton substrate sheet mask helps deliver these powerful ingredients directly onto tight, itchy skin, relieving discomfort while you relax. Cocoa butter and shea butter provide all-day hydration and plump skin, forming a protective moisture barrier. Argan oil, packed with fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, conditions skin and helps reduce the look of scars.

Free of artificial fragrances and dyes, this mask is formulated with care to nourish skin during your transformation into motherhood. Place it on your belly for just 10 minutes and reveal smoother, more comfortable skin that glows with the joy of your new life.

Munchkin Milkmakers Belly Mask 47 g

Price: $21.68

If you have the budget to spare, put on this maternity mask and say goodbye to rough bellies and hello to happy hormones. Formulated with only the best ingredients, this belly sheet mask pampers your precious bump while helping reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

In just 10 to 15 minutes, this 100% cotton mask infused with a gentle blend of ingredients works to soothe, hydrate, and nourish your skin, leaving it feeling supple and comforted. Simply place the oversized mask on your belly, spread it out, and pat it firmly. Then massage the remaining serum into your skin for an all-over dose of moisture once the time is up.

Even the fussiest bumps will love being lavished with this simple yet effective self-care this maternity must-have provides. So go on, treat yourself (and your belly) to an express at-home spa treat today!

Evereden Soothing Belly Mask 50 ml

Price: $24

Last but not least, we have this soothing belly mask expertly formulated to pamper expecting mums’ growing bellies.

The soaked biodegradable sheet mask contains a nourishing serum rich in sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and collagen to deeply hydrate and smooth your stretched skin.

As your belly expands, this mask works to replenish lost moisture and promote a healthy-looking, radiant glow. The antioxidant-rich ingredients also help strengthen your skin’s barrier for increased elasticity, which can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks.

Let the concentrated serum infuse your skin with intense hydration, leaving it feeling soft, supple, and soothed. Perfect for use throughout your pregnancy and after, this mask is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive ones.

These belly masks are not only effective but also pretty affordable, starting from just $9. With these three belly masks in your skincare arsenal, you can take proactive steps to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. Incorporate them into your skincare routine at least once a week for best results.

Editor’s note: Individual results may vary, and if you’re worried, it’s wise to consult with your healthcare provider before trying new products during pregnancy.

3 speech & drama academies you can enroll your child into to nurture their acting skills

Do you see your child’s potential in acting?

Are you eager to explore a little further with your kid?

You’ve landed at the right page for we’ve curated a list of speech and drama academies that will help nurture your child’s acting skills and unleash their inner dramatic potential.

Let’s dive right in!

Wild Rice Academy

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A post shared by Wild Rice @ Funan (@wildricesg)

Website: wildrice.com.sg/children

Wild Rice Academy’s drama classes release children’s creativity and self-expression through holistic drama classes taught by passionate and experienced teachers.

Kids aged 5 to 8 explore storytelling, improvisation, and role-play in a guided environment that develops confidence and social skills, while 9 to 12-year-olds focus more on critical thinking, performance, and self-expression. Using drama as a medium, the classes aim to develop the whole child—body, voice, imagination, and emotions—through a blend of creative play.

A month of 4 to 5 classes costs $600 (early bird price excluding GST), giving your child an opportunity to discover the joys of performance and public speaking in a supportive space.

Centre Stage School of the Arts

Website: centre-stage.com/home

Founded in 1999 by two passionate actors, Center Stage School of the Arts has spent over two decades nurturing young talent through imaginative drama classes.

Their creative drama program for children ages 3 to 12 aims to develop confidence, communication skills, and an appreciation for literature through play-acting, improvisation, and storytelling.

Little ones as young as 3.5 to 4 start with exploring stories and drama through play, while 4 to 7-year-olds learn preliminary drama skills and gain an appreciation for literature. Kids 8 to 12 work on scenes, monologs, and improvisation to develop physical, vocal, and mental abilities, helping them shine on the real stage.

Whether your child dreams of Broadway or just loves make-believe, this drama academy provides an environment for creativity to blossom through the power of performance. An hour of creative drama class costs $60/session.

Young People’s Performing Arts Ensemble (YPPAE)

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A post shared by 青少儿广播演艺组 (@yppae_sg)

Website: yppae.org

For kids who live for the stage, the Young People’s Performing Arts Ensemble has them covered.

This rare Mandarin theater company gives children a chance to shine through their Voices of Children program. Kids ages 4 and up learn Mandarin through creative drama classes set by age group. They develop linguistic skills, creativity, and self-expression through Confucian-infused theater arts education.

Whether it’s a year commitment or their 2-year program for ages 7+, young thespians gain confidence as they learn to bring stories and characters to life through movement, voice, and imagination, all in Mandarin. Children discover joy and purpose through performance, cultivating artistic souls that will prove useful for years to come.

Term fees start from $250 (9 sessions/term; 4 terms/year).

By enrolling your child in one of these speech and drama academies in Singapore, you are opening the doors to one more career possibility. Whether they dream of entering the local scene or standing under the spotlight overseas, these academies will lay the foundation for a successful acting career. And even if they don’t, watch their confidence and language fluency skyrocket after a series of such classes

You’ve got to try these 3 toner pads under $50 yourself if you’re a K-beauty fan

If you’re a K-beauty fan, you’re very likely to have shopped at Olive Young in the land of the morning calm.

And in this post, we’ve got just the best toner pads from Olive Young you would want to try for yourself. These products are recommended by the Olive Young team themselves so it’s hard not to trust that it works for your skin.

But just in case you’ve not heard of these toner pads just yet, allow us to share them with you.

Needly Daily Toner Pad 60 Sheets Special Set (+5 Sheets Added)

Price: $35.87 (was $44.88)

First up on our list, we have Needly’s daily toner pad that gently buffs away dull, dead skin to reveal radiantly refreshed skin.

Formulated with natural tea tree extract and salicylic acid, each pad effectively exfoliates and reduces redness and irritation for a smoother, brighter complexion. It also contains polyhydroxy acid with antioxidant properties to fight signs of aging by diminishing wrinkles and lines while hydrating the skin.

Instantly reveal younger-looking skin that glows from within with this wonderful blend of ingredients.

MEDIHEAL Madecassoside Blemish Pad 100 Pads Double Pack

Price: $43.33 (was $59.84)

Next, we have these blemish pads that immediately soothe and improve irritated, inflamed skin with a moisture-rich yet non-greasy formula.

Madecassoside, an active ingredient extracted from Centella Asiatica, is known to calm skin, reduce redness and pigmentation, and promote healing. These vegan gauze pads are infused with double the amount of Madecassoside for fast, potent blemish care.

Use the pads to gently pat and wipe onto troubled skin for soothing relief or use it like a pack sheet. The lightweight formula absorbs into the skin without leaving a sticky residue, making it suitable even for sensitive complexions.

Use it for on-the-go soothing of minor skin irritations, so you can prep your face for your daily makeup routine.

Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad Calming Touch (140 sheets) (Large Edition)

Price: $49.51 (was $70.72)

Want to revive tired and irritated skin? This calming spot treatment pad infused with the soothing properties of heartleaf extract can help.

The mildly acidic essence works to balance your complexion and delicately invigorate fatigued skin while the hyaluronic acid and acetylglucosamine work together to deliver hydration without stickiness.

Gently wipe away dead cells and impurities with the gauze side of the pad to refine your skin’s texture, then place the soft side on problem areas to calm redness and inflammation. Rebalance your skin and reveal its true radiance with this refreshing, revitalizing heartleaf touch.

And there we have it, K-beauty fanatics! While makeup makes you pretty almost instantly, don’t forget to give some TLC to your skin, the “foundation” that needs to be maintained so you can glow from the inside out. Try these toner pads and let us know what you think? The discounted prices listed above will only last till the end of this week (1 October 2023) so get yours quick!

How Luxury Brands are Designed to Keep You Poor

Nowadays, there is a collective desire to be more conscientious about our spending habits. This newfound mindfulness manifests in various motivations, including concerns for the environment, alignment with personal values, financial prudence, and even a deliberate resistance to the seductive allure of consumerism. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to recognize that not everyone consistently adheres to these aspirations.

Just take a look at the Singaporeans who are obsessed with luxury goods! In fact, their presence is projected to grow by 3.49% from 2023 to 2028. The demand for luxury goods often surges in tandem with income growth. In times of economic prosperity, people tend to loosen their purse strings, indulging in items they desire rather than truly need.

Luxury goods, by definition, are non-essential items, luxuries that transcend the realm of basic necessity. Let’s take a deep dive into why luxury brands are designed to keep you poor.

PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND LUXURY CHOICES

The allure of luxury items frequently commences with the experiences offered by luxury establishments. Companies adroitly harness emotions to elevate luxury goods beyond mere possessions, fostering an emotional connection between the product and its owner.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

In the age of online shopping, a S$500 scarf is just a click away, rendering luxury goods an enticing option for retail therapy. Furthermore, a sense of accomplishment propels many individuals to splurge on luxury goods, a form of self-reward for hard-earned success, affording something that would typically remain beyond their grasp. I felt the same self-rewarding emotions when I bought my first designer bag.

COST OF EXCLUSIVITY

Distinguished luxury brands like Chanel and Hermes thrive on the concept of exclusivity. They deliberately curtail production or availability, rendering their products challenging to attain and thus highly coveted. This exclusivity taps into consumers’ innate desire to feel unique and possess something rare.

Consider the prestige associated with owning a Hermes Birkin bag, whose price starts from S$13,900; it compels some to lavish spending on items they may not genuinely require or desire. In some cases, brands like Burberry and Louis Vuitton have gone as far as destroying unsold inventory to preserve their aura of exclusivity.

PURSUIT OF EXTERNAL VALIDATION

Humans possess an inherent inclination to seek validation from their peers and correlate their self-worth with the capacity to acquire luxury items. Owning luxury goods becomes a tangible symbol of success and affluence, a means to showcase personal accomplishments.

Brands keenly grasp this dynamic, evident in their offering of mid-priced products adorned with their logos. The proliferation of “flex culture” or “logomania” on social media further fans the flames of this desire for external validation, transforming it into a competitive exhibition of wealth and success.

IRRATIONAL CONSUMER CHOICES

Consumer decisions do not always adhere to the tenets of rationality. A perfectly rational individual would consistently act in their best interest, including their financial well-being.

However, human behavior is innately influenced by emotions, leading individuals to make choices that may not strictly align with rationality and your financial circumstance.

IN A NUTSHELL

Whether driven by a sense of accomplishment, a quest for external validation, or simply to invoke a particular sentiment, individuals may opt to invest in luxury items, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

These choices underscore the intricate interplay of emotions and motivations that underpin our spending habits. It’s up to you to be mindful when it comes to your luxury purchases.

Sources: 1,2, & 3

Wild Rice Academy

Centre Stage School of the Arts

Young People’s Performing Arts Ensemble (YPPAE)

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