Lifestyle

Starchild readers sent in so many photos, drawings and letters from all over Malaysia to wish their beloved fathers a Happy Fathers Day. Fathers Day is celebrated every third Sunday in June. It is a special day to show our love and appreciation for our fathers. Whether one calls him ayah, daddy or papa, he is someone many children adore and look up to. Here are the inspiring messages from Starchild readers. Debria Preethi, 10 Jayden Tan Li Sheng , eight, writes: “To my daddy, John Tan, I love the meals that you prepare. They provide us energy and taste great. Your mushroom spaghetti and potato soup are delicious. Thank you so much for the fantastic meals that you cook for the family. I love you, Dad. I wish you and all fathers in the world, “Happy Fathers Day!” Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 8 Erica Lee Shi Wan, 7 Jodie Tan Li Juen , 12, writes: “One of the lessons that Daddy has taught me is to be kind and compassionate. Thank you for being there for me each day. You have ... » Learn More about Starchild: Our young readers celebrate their dads this Fathers Day

Forget movie stars and celebrities, this is the time of influencers – somebody who is authentic, relatable, comes with authority and has the power to sway a massive audience in their favour. No wonder then social media marketing has created an ecosystem that makes this a legitimately reliable profession that can make you millions. While lifestyle, travel and gaming influencers are commonplace, one of the fastest growing genres is of parent influencers, specifically mumfluencers. That’s right, mums who share their lives, troubles, tips and tricks on parenting have a dedicated audience willing to listen and grow with each other. However, influencers don’t have it easy and can only make millions if they have a mix of confidence and knowledge, and know how to market products. The good news is that you can easily learn these skills. Since most of influencers' work revolves around creating quality content through the lens, knowing how to take a good shot can come in handy. And if ... » Learn More about 14 tricks to help you become a master mumfluencer and earn money

Once notorious for gambling and opium dens in the early 20th century, Duxton may have cleaned up its act, but it's offbeat creative energy remains. Today dotted with charming bars, fantastic restaurants and unique activities, one continues to find fascinating characters on its streets. Watch the neighbourhood go from day to night, and you will be in the company of yogis up for a morning workout, entrepreneurs hustling at one of the many cafes and revellers knocking down well-deserved drinks. Easily accessible from Tanjong Pagar and Outram MRTs, Duxton Hill is an oasis conveniently located in the CBD. If you're looking to soak in Duxton's cool, this is the neighbourhood guide for you. Things to do in Duxton 1. Discover heritage at Tea Chapter Discover the art of Chinese tea appreciation at Tea Chapter. On the fringes of Duxton Hill, Tea Chapter is the largest and oldest tea house in Singapore. Enjoy relaxing hand-picked teas with a friend, or take part in an ... » Learn More about Duxton: Things to do and where to eat, drink and shop

Even the biggest of boozehounds (like us) might have many reasons to lay off the alcohol: Health concerns, pregnancy, or simply Dry January . Not imbibing, though, doesn’t mean you can’t indulge – not with our growing crop of alcohol-free drinks with all the finesse and flavour of the original. Some of these zero-alcohol spirits, wines , and beers use cutting-edge tech to remove the alcohol from the regular stuff; others blend essences to achieve their desired flavour profiles. To get you tippling up sans hangover and Asian flush , these are the brands and bottlings that do it right. Spirit & cocktail alternatives 1. Lyre’s Named for the lyrebird – an Australian songbird with a knack for mimicking sounds – Lyre’s captures the taste of back bar staples from rum to whisky. Crafted from natural essences and extracts, its 13-strong range has already racked up over 40 awards at competitions like the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the London Spirit Awards. ... » Learn More about The best non-alcoholic alternatives to wines, beers, and spirits to check out in 2021

There are two reasons why people rent cars from luxury car rental companies in Singapore. 1. Love (weddings, first dates, anniversaries, bachelor & hen parties) 2. Business (pick up VIPs, business meetings) Imagine. Just for a day or two, you get all the positive vibes a luxury car can offer you (comfort, social status, feelings of accomplishment, happiness) without worrying about the liabilities that come along with actually owning one (downpayment, depreciation, insurance, road tax). If you're looking for something exceptional for that one special occasion, then read on. 1. Audi on Demand Audi on Demand is the car rental division of Premium Automobiles (Audi) that aims to provide quality yet affordable car rental services for its customers. It offers an excellent selection of Audi cars for rent from as short as four hours to as long as one month! Audi on Demand's newly launched monthly package also allows customers to enjoy their 'pay less for more' service and ... » Learn More about Best luxury car rental companies for all your fancy events in Singapore

Fighting climate change may seem like a mammoth task for an individual. While it is true that this crisis of our generation does not have a quick solution, making small tweaks to our own consumption habits can go a long way. You’ve probably heard enough of saying no to straws and bringing reusable bags when shopping, or even eating less meat. But nope, I’m not talking about these which ask for fundamental shifts in our habits. There’s actually a simpler change you can make to reduce our carbon footprint: Support local produce. “Trace Mak Together” short film As Hari Raya Puasa is around the corner, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) has created a short comedy film which you can watch with your friends and family over this festive season. For the uninitiated, the light-hearted and informative film shows a variety of local produce as well as where and how you can find them. The 4-minute film is a good conversation starter for those who wish to ... » Learn More about Buy local produce: Doing your part on climate change doesn’t mean a drastic change in lifestyle

Planning ahead for your child’s education? Here’s everything you need to know about the cost of getting them started on the first step of their education journey: childcare. The need to juggle income and caregiving is real for many Singaporeans. The reality is that not many parents have the privilege of staying home to be a full-time caregiver for their child because of the need to bring in income to support the family. Luckily for parents, there are many childcare centres in Singapore that you can entrust your child with so that you can concentrate on your work. Here’s a quick primer for working parents on everything you need to know about childcare education in Singapore. Childcare grade based on age Within childcare centres, you can find groups for the following grades. The children are grouped into different grades based on their age. Playgroup: 1.5+ to two years old Pre-Nursery (N1): 2+ to three years old Nursery (N2): 3+ to four years old Kindergarten 1 ... » Learn More about Best infant care & childcare in Singapore: Fees & subsidies 2021

The Dyson V11 Absolute cordless vacuum cleaner is definitely a game-changer for all who once dreaded cleaning. No further introduction is necessary for this revolutionary household appliance with a whooping $899 price tag. If your pockets don’t run that deep, but you still lust after the same high-performance vacuum technology, here’s a selection of equally amazing Dyson vacuum cleaner alternatives from Amazon that you can score for a further discount on Amazon Prime Day (June 21-22)! Dyson vacuum cleaner alternatives at a glance 1. Honiture H10 cordless vacuum stick cleaner Why it’s the perfect alternative: The Honiture H10 is an extremely lightweight (~1.5kg) cordless stick vacuum that’s built to reach the stubborn corners and hard-to-access areas of your house. The 180-degree tilt ability gives you maximum mobility, and its two-speed function helps make all types of cleaning efficient. Hate the noise of vacuums? The H10 comes with triple noise reduction capabilities, ... » Learn More about 5 best cordless vacuum cleaners from Amazon that are cheaper than Dyson

American singer Diana Ross expresses her gratitude in new single Thank You released on Thursday (June 17), the title track from her first studio album in 15 years. Ross, the former lead singer of Motown Records' hugely successful group the Supremes, recorded the songs in her home studio during the Covid-19 pandemic. The album is described as "a powerful, inclusive musical message of love and togetherness". "This collection of songs is my gift to you with appreciation and love. I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to record this glorious music at this time," Ross said in a statement. The album Thank You will be released in the autumn. It is Ross' first studio album since 2006's I Love You . – AP ... » Learn More about Legendary singer Diana Ross, 77, makes a comeback after 15 years

Food-loving Malaysians will be making a beeline for Ramadan bazaars when they open nationwide in two days' time to take away their favourite delicacies. Many new vendors will also be setting up stalls for the first time to boost their income. Already, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to the birth of countless home-based and online food sellers as a new way of making a living. Thus, it is important that food handlers are vaccinated against typhoid as early prevention is necessary to prevent an outbreak. “Many first-time food handlers may not be aware of the dangers and severity of typhoid disease, but they must realise that it is their responsibility to protect themselves and their consumers by proactively vaccinating against typhoid. “This vaccine-preventable disease is an acute illness that is highly contagious and infectious,” says Universiti Malaya Medical Centre consultant public health and occupational health physician Associate Professor Dr Marzuki Isahak. In line with ... » Learn More about Food sellers, protect yourselves and your customers against typhoid