Before the likes of Miniso graced Singapore, Daiso was known as the one-stop shop when it comes to ridiculously affordable deals for anything. It sold gadgets, utensils, bathroom supplies, stationary, and more. You name it, they have it for as low as S$2!
Daiso’s roots date back in 1972 when Hirotake Yano established a shop called Yano Shoten. It mostly sold household items for 100 Yen or S$1.28. It was not until December 1977 when the Daiso we recognize today was first discovered. Ten years later, it opened its first Taiwan store and the Korea store followed a month after. New stores opened almost every year since then.
Daiso has locations in 25 countries and regions worldwide including Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and United States of America.
Interestingly, Daiso Japan is the king of batteries with over 147,500,000 batteries sold each year. Moreover, a fake eyelash pack is sold every 1.3 seconds. What’s more? It just opened its Singapore online shop last January 18, 2021. Many of the products they sell are imported from Japan, China, and Korea.
Daiso Singapore’s online shop has a range of over 400 products across 25 categories including cleaning supplies, kitchen tools, cosmetics, stationery, storage solutions, and more. This is a far cry from the 100,000 products offered by the store. However, we can expect to see more products popping in their online store in the future.
For instance, the only missing category is food. While, the most well-stocked category is cleaning supplies. This is understandable given our current situation. If you cannot find what you need or want online, you can go to one of its brick-and-mortar stores in Singapore including their branches in Marina Square and Canberra Plaza.
Image Credits: facebook.com/DAISO-Singapore
Just like the physical stores, the online shop sells all items at S$2 each. Do note that the delivery fee of about S$5 applies. This is just the basic fee. The delivery fee may differ depending on the weight of the items purchased. Moreover, customers are required to make a minimum purchase of five items. So, make the most out of your delivery fee by purchasing five or more items in one receipt!
Everything is set. You got to bed suited up in your softest pajamas, your silk sheets were tucked, and your pillows were fluffed. However, you still cannot sleep! Instead you kept yourself busy by playing with your phone or watching the latest series on Netflix. You found yourself counting down the few hours left until the next day begins. Like you, most people sleep less than recommended.
A good night’s sleep is not just about the quantity of hours, but also the quality. Older people above 65 were found to have a poorer quality of sleep and even experience insomnia. Sleep deprivation results to worse cognitive performance including diminished focus, attention, alertness, and memory. To improve your sleeping cycle, consider using these products. May these help you gain some peaceful snoozing.
#1: LAVENDER PILLOW MISTS
Research has found that lavender increased slow-wave sleep, which plays a role in slowing one’s heartbeat and relaxing one’s muscles. Using pillow mists and sprays that contain lavender can be beneficial for adults and children. Find a mist that has a blend of floral waters, herbal ingredients, and essential oils. Then, spritz it over your bed linen before sleeping.
The Body Shop Spa Of The World French Lavender Pillow Mist is infused with lavender essential oil from France, which aims to release soothing fragrance for a good night’s sleep. It retails for about S$26.
#2: SCENTED CANDLES
Aromatherapy may ease your mind as you go to sleep. To set yourself up for a relaxing night ahead, simple burn an aromatherapy candle. Light the candle as you prepare for bed. You may either fulfill your skincare routine or read your favorite book before blowing the candle. Scents like Earl Grey Cucumber are great for mornings, but go with the Sage Sea Salt for restful nights. Scented candles made from different ingredients such as soy wax are available on Shopee for about S$15.
#3: BODY LOTIONS
For some people, asking their partners to massage their body can help them have a restful sleep. You can complete your night-time skincare regime by using Lush’s Sleepy Body Lotion. It is formulated with a blend of lavender oil and cocoa butter to keep your skin moisturized and comfortable all night long. Moreover, it creates a calming ambiance with its lavender scent. It costs about S$54.
#4: WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
Wearable technology is hardly new for the public. It has gained popularity in the recent years. In fact, you can wear a Fitbit to help you monitor your breathing, sleep duration, and heart rate. It records the period when you go into deep sleep and gives you data about your sleeping pattern. Awareness will help you modify and improve your sleeping habits. It is available at Lazada Singapore for over S$200.
#5: WEIGHTED BLANKETS
Weighted blankets are usually filled with small objects such as pellets and polypropylene plastic. Lying underneath evenly distributed pressure (i.e., brought by the weighted blanket), is believed to increase the release of the hormone serotonin. This helps with relaxation.
Image credits: unsplash.com
In fact, many children with ADHD have used it to help them calm down. Occupational therapists have long used these blankets to help kids with sensory issues and anxiety, including kids with ADHD. These blankets are not only limited for the use of Occupational Therapists. If you think it will work for you, you may purchase weighted blankets on Shopee.
Mr Goh Eng Lam, Chairman of the Landscape Industry Association (Singapore), shared that this step forward into technological implementation will help draw Singapore’s younger and better-skilled workers to a field that is typically seen as resource- and labour-intensive.
“This is a big milestone,” Mr Goh said on Monday (Jan 11) at the launch of the digitalisation plans. The event took place at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, part of a broader region where NParks launched a one year pilot to demonstrate its array of innovative emerging technology and resources.
A glance at the suite of new digital tools and technologies
Image Credits: National Parks Board
There will be room for video analytics through the facility’s security cameras. This helps the authority not only to track visitor numbers to the park and make necessary preparations but also to carry out compliance measures against persons violating COVID-19 guidelines.
For example, the technology enables NParks to identify unpermitted meetings spontaneously and send alarms via its speakers. It can also capture screenshots of guests who fail to wear a mask. This data is then used to assist NParks officials in their disciplinary activities.
Other innovations include the potential to check the condition of the park’s foliage radically. Detectors can also assess if it is necessary to clear a dustbin or thoroughly clean a washroom.
Other zones within the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio district will also be targeted by the pilot. NParks noted that these areas are symbolic of the diverse terrains it maintains.
NParks said that it would eventually carry out the new technologies to other places under its control when the trial concludes in January 2022. Opportunities to share and offer training support for relevant organisations will also be considered.
Exciting job opportunities for Singaporeans in this arena
Image Credits: National Parks Board
Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, said that as the sector continues to grow within the next five years, he estimates 1,000 new jobs to be available for locals. This includes opportunities in arboriculture, horticulture, landscape design, as well as digital technology.
NParks did not provide specifics of how many positions will be generated in each sector. Still, redesigned responsibilities for current workers and openings for recruits will be included in these 1,000 jobs.
A new Resident Gardeners Programme will be launched in February at NParks-managed green areas in Ang Mo Kio, Punggol, and Yishun. Mr Lee said that this project would see new hires by landscape firms to take care of public gardens and parks.
“In this manner, the programme provides an opportunity for residents who are gardening enthusiasts to supplement their income, while engaging in their interests. It is an exciting time to join the landscape sector,” he added.
Reducing reliance on foreign workforce
Image Credits: The Straits Times
Mr Goh agreed that the drive for digital transformation is a step ahead for the segment very dependent on foreign labour. An increased technological implementation may help to minimise this dependency. At the same time, grow workers’ competencies and raise their wages.
Consequentially, with more young adults being drawn to it, this might lead to a revitalisation of the sector.
“This will give them (young Singaporeans) a new profile of the industry; that it is not the typical gardening, digging of weeds, but a career that they can build for themselves (by) exploring the technological aspects of it,” Mr Goh commented.
A teenager thrilled by the prospects
Image Credits: todayonline.com
Muhammad Raqibb B Mohamad R, a second-year Higher Nitec student in landscape management and design at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in College East is glad to see the developments.
The 19-year-old is now in Fort Canning Park on an agricultural internship with NParks. He said the use of robotics like flying a drone has made it easier for manual labour of examining trees. Besides, the ability to track them remotely will also improve efficiency. Despite rainfall, workers can continue operating inside the office.
Technological tools NParks is using at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Image Credits: CNA
Remote measurement system for trees:
A device used to dynamically map individual trees’ positions and derive measurements using light detection, range scans, and machine learning.
The information is immediately transmitted to the Tree Registry System of NParks, enabling the organisation to oversee trees in the region.
The framework significantly reduces the need for landscape workers to do intensive fieldwork of inspecting trees and maintaining records manually.
Surveillance cameras, video analytics, and park visitor assessment system:
A variation of these methods was used by NParks during the pandemic to track visitor numbers in parks and gardens.
Security cameras with embedded video analytics have also been used to manage visitor compliance and safe-distancing regulation.
These techniques enable NParks to decide how best to deploy their staff.
Maven II:
This is an updated version of an electronic platform to merge both the technical and research efforts of NParks.
It holds information such as park planning and facility data, tree information, biodiversity data, and several others. This will facilitate NParks officers to obtain data on the go.
The enhanced interface provides a self-billing feature that will decrease the contractors’ payment processing period upon job completion.
Can’t go to Bangkok and missing Thai food already? Get your craving fixed at Golden Mile Complex.
Flying Pig, a new Thai eatery located at Golden Mile Complex, is a little gem that serves authentic Thai food at affordable price.
One of the absolutely must-try is the Omelette Crab Fried Rice. For just $10, you get a plate of omelette fried rice topped with huge chunks of sweet crab meat. You also get a special chilli dip that has a ‘zing’ to it.
If you have a huge appetite, you can go for their Special Omelette Rice at $29 which consists of a huge plate of seafood omelette fried rice topped with crab meat, prawn, garlic and thai basil pork.
They also serve other authentic Thai food such as Beef Noodle, Seafood Fried Mama, Pad Thai, Papaya Salad and more.
Here’s a menu for your reference:
Yum.
Address: 5001 Beach Rd #01-39, Golden Mile Complex, Singapore 199588
As more and more people lean towards sustainable fashion, we are beginning to embrace the “less is more” mentality. Known figures such as Marie Kondo and Fumio Sasaki help us to treasure what we already have and to lessen our material possessions. One of the best ways to shop consciously is by purchasing preloved or secondhand items.
You are not only saving the environment by going for preloved items, but you are also saving money by paying less. Moreover, shopping for preloved designer bags can be fun as it lets you discover the unique pieces form past seasons or decades. Standout from the crowd with a unique piece as you discover the following places where you can buy or rent preloved designer bags in Singapore.
#1: ZALORA
Zalora is one of Asia’s fashion e-commerce giants. If you are looking for preloved designer items from shoes to bags, look no further than Zalora Singapore. It has partnered with Singapore-based second-hand luxury company StyleTribute to offer over 10,000 preloved fashion pieces. You can also pair a preloved designer handbag with a vintage jewelry piece from the same store.
#2: REEBONZ
Reebonz is a well-known website that hosts a wide range of new and preloved luxury bags and accessories. The website curates designer labels from affordable luxury brands such as Alexander McQueen and Tory Burch to high-end luxury brands such as Prada and Hermes. Some brand new bags are offered on discount too. As you browse the shop, do not forget to read the condition or description of each bag. You see, they have a grading system from unused quality to good condition.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
#3: MADAM MILAN
With several physical stores in Singapore, Madam Milan is a popular place where you can buy or sell your luxury bag. What is nice about Madam Milan is its ability to collect limited edition bags, vintage bags, and in-season bags. Furthermore, you may pay thru a monthly scheme (e.g., S$50 per month). Visit the physical or online store to learn more.
#4: STYLETRIBUTE
As mentioned a while ago, StyleTribute is a marketplace with highly curated pieces. Every luxury item is authenticated by a team of in-house experts. You can either purchase a preloved designer handbag or sell yours through their white glove service. Your item will be collected and listed or you can upload your listing using a mobile app.
#5: LENDOR
Taking the last spot is Lendor – an Airbnb for personal belongings. From hiking equipment to luxury bags, you may rent fashionable items for affordable rates. You have the option to rent a luxury bag that you will only use for a single event. Shoppers have the ability to try out their dream luxury bags before committing to a purchase. For instance the Celine Luggage Bag is listed as S$30/day.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
Lendor’s mobile app may be fairly new to the scene, but it is certainly gaining a fair amount of buzz.
