THE END OF AN RPG ERA...

It is with great sadness that I have had to recently bid Victoria farewell. Victoria was one of the first true friends that I made here in Singapore since moving almost four years ago and I will miss her dearly. Victoria has made the decision to got "back to school" and move to Doha to study. A decision that I know did not come easily.

I'm very proud of what Victoria is doing. Since meeting her back on 2010, she has been on a great journey of discovery. Not only discovering Signapore, but discovering herself. Most recently her ambition to leave and and her determination to do something outside of her comfort zone is inspiring. I have every faith that she will do extremely well! 

It is the end of the RPG era. Jill and I were really sad to say goodbye, as it means we will no longer be the original "River Palace Girls". The three of us had a wonderful two years together at River Place, followed by another great two years of friendship and we have created many special memories as a three piece that I will treasure forever. 

Joe and I wish Victoria all the best for the next year. It won't be easy I'm sure, but I know that wherever Victoria goes in the world she will warm peoples hearts, just in the same way she did to many, many people here in Singapore.

ROCK OF AGES....

I'm slowly convincing Joe that the theatre isn't all that bad! After dragging him along to see Grease he said "I won't go again unless Rock Of Ages comes" … about a week after, I received an email to say that Rock Of Ages was coming to town. Result! 

So, I booked us tickets! Showing at Resorts World Theatre, this was the first time that I had seen a performance there. The theatre itself is a lot smaller than the ones at Marina Bay Sands, but very lovely indeed! 

With a plot almost indentical to that of the film version, which I loved, we were not disappointed. The musical includes all the classics which I love listening to, We Built This City, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, my favorite Don't Stop Believin' and many more renditions of some of the best hits from the 1980s. I was definitely on my feet dancing! A must see if you're a fan of classic rock! 

KEEPING UP WITH THE 10KM RUNS...

I'm trying my hardest to keep running. Not only does it keep me fit but it also mentally challenges me...especially if I'm running on my own. 

I've competed in two 10k races recently. The Pocari Sweat Run, which started and ended on the Nicoll Highway. And the Run for Life, which was a nice run along East Coast Park. Two very different routes, both with their own challenges. 

I'm sad to say that I missed the Prison Run last weekend due to being sick following my trip home from the UK. However, I have the Great Eastern Women's Run on the 9th November (last years Great Eastern was my first 10k) to look forward to! Fingers crossed I can get a personal best!

BARE YOUR SOLE...

It's not very often Joe and I get to do activities on our own. So I decided that we would spend Saturday morning doing the Bare Your Sole walk together. 

"Bare Your Sole is an annual event organised by Habitat for Humanity Singapore, where people of all ages take one Saturday morning in a year to walk barefoot together to raise money for those in need. For many poor people in developing countries and disaster-stricken places, going barefoot is a daily reality."

It was a really nice (hot) day and we participated in the longer 5k route, whcih started (and ended) at Gardens by the Bay East, and took us across to the barrage and back. Joe had never been to the barrage so he experienced a new area of Singapore for the first time. A great walk for a great cause. We will most definitely be signing up again for this next year! 

EXPAT LIVING FEATURE...

Super excited to announce that our magical wedding has featured in this months Expat Living magazine. The June edition has a special Real Weddings feature and Joe and I (and our wonderful bridesmaids) appear on Page 258. 

Following the publication of the magazine we also featured online:

http://www.expatliving.sg/body_style/fashion/Getting-married-in-Singapore-Reader-Karens-beautiful-wedding-in-Rochester-Park-53367.ece

CANDY CRUSH SAGA...

Another wonderful creation for Joe's birthday from Stephanie at Wanderlust Cakes. Joe is a massive Candy Crush fan and he absolutely loved his Candy Crush creation! 

If you'd like to see more from Wanderlust Cakes then you can check out the Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/wanderlustcakes?fref=ts
Or can contact Stephanie directly at wanderlustcakes@gmail.com

IN LOVING MEMORY...

I was well and truly blessed with the most amazing family anyone can ask for. I have an incredible brother, who has always been there for me and makes me super proud every day for doing what he does. And an amazing mum and dad who would literally move the earth for me if they had to. They are always there for me, they support me, they cherish me and they never ever let me down. 

I was also lucky enough to have had two sets of beautiful grandparents. Who I have incredible memories of. On my dad's side, William George Cole, who, had he still been alive, would have recently celebrated his 100th birthday. It hurts me to say this, but having lost Grampy when I was very young I struggle to remember him and unfortunately I don't have any full memories to hold on to. I am constantly told the most wonderful stories, by dad and his siblings of what he was like and how he behaved. Just like my dad, he was an absolute legend. Lily May Cole, my dad's mother, was equally as much a legend. She provided me with smiles and laughs a minute. I can still hear her voice and her one liners now. 

On my mum's side. John Gilbert Reynolds, the gentle giant. An extremely kind man, who my mum takes after most definitely. I will never forget our Sunday's sat in front of the TV together, usually watching Eastenders and eating mum's welsh cakes! Mum's mum Violet May Reynolds was a superstar! I have so many memories of how we used to snuggle up in bed together eating toast, paint each other nails and play with her jewelry every time I stayed over.  

Not a day goes by when I don't think about at least one of them, if not all, and how much they have contributed to making me into the person that I am today. So, I decided that I wanted to honour each and every one of them with a tattoo that I could look at and each time remember how incredible they all were. 

Designed myself and inked by Wendy at Exotic Tattoos (Plaze Singapura) I am extremely proud to have them with me wherever I go. Love you always. 

TIGER UNCAGED...

Here it is. New Tiger in all it's glory...

It's been a long time coming, but on May 21st Tiger launched it's new look and feel supported by the new "uncage" campaign, with new updated brand logo and packaging by Glassick Brands. It was a very proud moment for me, as the Tiger team have been on an incredible journey to get this new design to market. Here they are enjoying themselves on launch night:

We are very proud of the new packaging! It's great to see it on sale in the majority of stores and bars around Singapore and I'm looking forward to seeing it further afield around the world soon.

NOX DINE IN THE DARK...

My birthday dinner this year was a memorable one. As a treat from Joe, we visited Nox, Dine in the Dark Restaurant. I was super excited about this as I was really looking forward to something different than the average dining experience. It did not disappoint! 

The service in the bar area as you enter the restaurant was great, with a fantastic choice of cocktails, and an extensive drinks menu. We were briefed, and well informed as to what to expect when we went upstairs to the restaurant and how the evening was going to pan out. 

Entering the restaurant part itself was daunting. And yes, it is pitch black. However, we were lucky to have a fantastic host/waiter in Halimi. 

The dining part is most definitely an experience to remember. Three courses, each consisting of four small dishes. Joe and I really enjoyed playing the guessing game, trying to figure out what the food was and what the flavours were we could taste. The same for the wine we were served. The hardest bit was actually just trying to remember what we thought we had eaten so we could fill out the form when we got back downstairs!

Once we had finished eating and were ready to head back down to the bar, Halimi showed us the way and took the time to thank us for joining the Nox team that night. He also gave us a quick synopsis of how he lost his sight. What an inspiration. If the whole experience of dining in the dark and having one sense removed temporarily wasn't enough, listening to Halimi's story really made me realise just how lucky we are. 

To finish off, one more cocktail in the bar, whilst we found out what exactly it was that we had eaten! There were a few dishes that we guessed and were shocked that we were really far off the mark! And some dishes that surprised me that I would have never ordered from a menu in a normal restaurant. 

I would highly recommend visiting Nox, if only once. You won't be disappointed. I would most definitely return again.

To read more about Nox, Dine in the Dark visit the website:

http://www.noxdineinthedark.com

LEVEL UP...

I recently started training at a new gym here in Singapore. Level. Located on Telok Ayer street it is extremely convenient to get to from the condo. They are a great bunch of guys and I'm really enjoying my new fitness regime. Which includes Level Bootcamps on a Wednesday night at Hong Lim Park (again...great location from work!)

To find out more visit the website http://level.com.sg

IL DIVO...

I've always been a massive fan of Il Divo so was super excited to hear that they would be performing here in Singapore. Unfortunately, I'm the only fan out of my group of friends, so spent the evening singing along to "A Musical Affair" by myself! Nevertheless, that did not detract from the fact that the guys are incredible... If you ever get the chance to see them perform you should definitely take the opportunity!

TWINNIES 1ST BIRTHDAY...

I have been very lucky to meet so many wonderful friends since I moved to Singapore three and a half years ago. Over the last few years many of my friends from the UK have contacted me to say that they have friends moving here and can I send them some info etc. Of course, I always do my best to help out! 

One particular friend from university, Ethne, introduced me to a wonderful couple, Libby and Dan, who moved here about six months after I did. They have become close friends of mine, and now Joe's and I am so grateful to Ethne for introducing us. When I returned from China at the end of November 2012, Libby contacted me to tell me that they were expecting ... twins! My first friend her to get pregnant, I was over the moon for them and super excited to meet the mini Orrs! On 16th April, 2013, Finley and Ishbel entered the world. They are so adorable and I love them to bits.

Last Saturday, Libby and Dan held their 1st birthday party. An animal themed party, which I designed Libby some invites for. As our pressie to Finley and Ishbel (and as a treat for all the mummies and daddies at the party) we had these two incredible cakes made for them...

Wanderlust Cakes can make custom cakes or cupcakes for any occasion. I was over the moon with the animal cakes that Stephanie, the owner, made for the twinnies. They were absolutely delicious! 

If you'd like to see more from Wanderlust Cakes then you can check out the facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/wanderlustcakes?fref=ts
Or you can contact Stephanie directly at wanderlust cakes@gmail.com

ISCA RUN 2014...

I'm still running! Last weekend I completed another 10km run. The ISCA Run was a great run along the East Coast ... although is was extremely hot out there! I'm pleased to say that I ran this one in 1 hour 17mins coming 80th out of 350 women. Fingers crossed for the next race. I'm aiming to get my time under 1 hour 15mins!

SAVOUR 2014...

Even though I've been aware of Savour, the food festival ever since I moved here, this was the first year that I decided to pay it a visit. What a great day out! 

"The SAVOUR concept remains the only one of its kind in Singapore; a relentless pursuit to unite the best in food and drink with a wide range of unique activities that is accessible to all. Over 16,000 foodie comrades gathered at SAVOUR's alfresco event venue last year to indulge in Michelin star and award winning cuisine from Singapore and around the world. The 2014 line up of restaurants will feature  over 50 signature dishes will be on offer for you to create your very own culinary adventure. The event venue also includes a gourmet market showcasing a plethora of food and drink exhibitors, celebrity chef masterclasses, a hands-on cooking studio, wine workshops and other themed areas. All workshops, tastings and demonstrations are conducted by renowned experts and are complimentary, on a first-come first-served basis."

For those of you reading from the UK, I can only really compare it to Taste of London, which I visited back in 2009. Joe and I got there early, pitched up at the Harry's tent and spent the day grazing on cider and delicious food! We will most definitely be heading back to next years that's for sure!

To read more about the Savour food festival visit the website http://www.savour.sg

MARINA RUN...

I never thought I would ever say this...but I recently completed my second 10k run. After being inspired last year to run to raise money for charity, I figured that I should maintain my fitness and continue to run. The Marina Run, a later run in the day, was a bit harder than the last one we did. Hence the slower time. But I'm not letting it stop me! I've signed up to three more runs over the next six months. Let's see how I get on!